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Image Analyzer (image + analyzer)
Selected AbstractsExpression of nerve growth factor in cerebrospinal fluid of congenital hydrocephalic and normal childrenEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 8 2005F. Mashayekhi Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is secreted by the choroids plexuses and has the potential to act as a signaling pathway for physiological control as it has been demonstrated to contain molecules such as interleukins, leukoterins, neuropeptides, growth transforming factor-beta (TGF- ,) and nerve growth factor (NGF), which are present at specific times during development. In this study, CSF from hydrocephalic and normal children were analysed using SDS-PAGE followed by silver staining. In order to obtain semi-quantitative estimates of the relative amounts of 26 kDa protein, an image analyzer was used to determine the intensities of the band in the respective lanes in silver-stained gels. Quantification of the silver-stained gels from repeated experiments showed that the amount of 26 kDa protein was clearly increases in the hydrocephalic CSF when compared with the normal CSF. A Western blot analysis using anti-NGF antibody as a probe confirmed the presence of NGF. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), it was shown that the level of NGF in the hydrocephalic CSF is higher than in normal CSF. It is concluded that NGF is not only a constant component of human CSF but could also be significantly involved in the pathophysiology of hydrocephalus. [source] Comparison Insight Bone Measurements by Histomorphometry and ,CT,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 7 2005Daniel Chappard MD Abstract Morphometric analysis of 70 bone biopsies was done in parallel by ,CT and histomorphometry. ,CT provided higher results for trabecular thickness and separation because of the 3D shape of these anatomical objects. Introduction: Bone histomorphometry is used to explore the various metabolic bone diseases. The technique is done on microscopic 2D sections, and several methods have been proposed to extrapolate 2D measurements to the 3D dimension. X-ray ,CT is a recently developed imaging tool to appreciate 3D architecture. Recently the use of 2D histomorphometric measurements have been shown to provide discordant results compared with 3D values obtained directly. Material and Methods: Seventy human bone biopsies were removed from patients presenting with metabolic bone diseases. Complete bone biopsies were examined by ,CT. Bone volume (BV/TV), Tb.Th, and Tb.Sp were measured on the 3D models. Tb.Th and Tb.Sp were measured by a method based on the sphere algorithm. In addition, six images were resliced and transferred to an image analyzer: bone volume and trabecular characteristics were measured after thresholding of the images. Bone cores were embedded undecalcified; histological sections were prepared and measured by routine histomorphometric methods providing another set of values for bone volume and trabecular characteristics. Comparison between the different methods was done by using regression analysis, Bland-Altman, Passing-Bablock, and Mountain plots. Results: Correlations between all parameters were highly significant, but ,CT overestimated bone volume. The osteoid volume had no influence in this series. Overestimation may have been caused by a double threshold used in ,CT, giving trabecular boundaries less well defined than on histological sections. Correlations between Tb.Th and Tb.Sp values obtained by 3D or 2D measurements were lower, and 3D analysis always overestimated thickness by ,50%. These increases could be attributed to the 3D shape of the object because the number of nodes and the size of the marrow cavities were correlated with 3D values. Conclusion: In clinical practice, ,CT seems to be an interesting method providing reliable morphometric results in less time than conventional histomorphometry. The correlation coefficient is not sufficient to study the agreement between techniques in histomorphometry. The architectural descriptors are influenced by the algorithms used in 3D. [source] Differential expression of CCR5 and CRTH2 on infiltrated cells in colonic mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitisJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 9 2003KOJI MATSUZAKI Abstract Background and Aim:, The pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) is unclear, but abnormal infiltration of T lymphocytes in the colonic mucosa has been implicated in the mucosal tissue damage. The abnormal cytokine production because of a T helper (h)1/Th2 imbalance may play an important role in continuing inflammation in the colonic mucosa. In the present study, the expression of chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) as a Th1 marker and a chemoattractant receptor-homologs molecule expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2) were investigated in order to analyze impaired Th1/Th2 responses in the colonic mucosa of UC patients. Methods:, Tissue samples were obtained by colonic biopsies from patients with UC or colonic polyps, with informed consent. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on periodate, lysine-paraformaldehyde-fixed serial cryostat sections using the labeled streptavidin biotin method. Monoclonal antibodies against CD4, CCR5 or CRTH2 were used as primary antibodies. The number of cells expressing CD4, CCR5 or CRTH2 per unit area was calculated by using an image analyzer. Results:, In the patients with UC, the numbers of CD4- and CCR5-positive cells were significantly increased in inflamed mucosa, and appeared to be correlated with the disease activity. The infiltration of CRTH2-positive cells was predominantly observed in the mildly inflamed or the margin of inflamed mucosa of UC patients. Conclusion:, There is a possibility that Th1 responses significantly occur in colonic mucosa with severe inflammation, while Th2 responses mainly occur with mild inflammation in UC patients. The Th1/Th2 imbalance in colonic mucosa may be related to the disease progression of UC. [source] Parotid sialosis: morphometrical analysis of the glandular parenchyme and stroma among diabetic and alcoholic patientsJOURNAL OF ORAL PATHOLOGY & MEDICINE, Issue 1 2010Carolina Merlo J Oral Pathol Med (2010) 39: 10,15 Background:, Among the agents that cause parotid sialosis, diabetes mellitus type 2 and chronic alcoholism are included. In this study, the morphometrical modifications in the diabetic parotid sialosis were determined to compare them with the histopathological characteristics of alcoholic parotid sialosis. Methods:, Five parotid biopsy samples obtained from patients with diabetic sialosis, 12 samples from patients with alcoholic sialosis and seven from individuals without these pathologies (control group) were analyzed. A morphometrical study of parotid parenchyme and stroma, using a digital image analyzer attached to an optical microscope, was carried out. Dimensions of serous acini and striated ducts, the area occupied by the fatty tissue, and the number of ducts were recorded. Mean values were compared using the Mann,Whitney U -test (P , 0.05). Results:, The variables analyzed in diabetic patients did not show significant differences with respect to the control group. However, when diabetics were compared with alcoholics, the alcoholics exhibited a noticeable reduction in the proportion of fatty tissue of stroma and a significant development of ductal epithelium that contributed to increase the caliber of the striated ducts. Conclusions:, These results indicate that the glandular hypertrophy in the diabetic parotid sialosis is not directly associated with the ductal and acinar size, amount of fatty tissue and ductal hyperplasy. Nevertheless, these findings show that the ductal dimensions and the proportion of adipose tissue are variables that allow us to establish histopathological differences between diabetic and alcoholic sialosis. [source] Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) evaluation of lingual salivary glands of chronic alcoholicsJOURNAL OF ORAL PATHOLOGY & MEDICINE, Issue 10 2002M. Severgnini Abstract Background: ,Chronic alcoholism has been associated with structural and physiological changes in salivary glands. Studies on a variety of pathologies have suggested that variation in number of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) reveals conditions of cellular activity. The aim of this work was to examine, through the AgNOR technique, changes in number and size of NORs in lingual salivary glands of chronic alcoholics. Methods:, Samples of mucous and serous lingual salivary glands were obtained from tongues from autopsies of individuals whose cause of death was hepatic alcoholic cirrhosis. Lingual organs from individuals whose cause of death was accidental were used as controls. Number and size of the AgNORs and nuclear area, in ductal and acinar cells, were evaluated through a digital image analyzer. Results:, Statistical analysis revealed differences (P , 0.05) in number of AgNORs in mucous acini and ductal cells. Also, we observed changes in the area of the NORs. Conclusion:, These results suggest that in alcoholics the activity of glandular cells, mainly in ductal epithelium, could be affected, modifying synthesis, transport and salivary secretions. [source] Effect of Aging on Coronal Microleakage in Access Cavities through Metal Ceramic Crowns Restored with Resin CompositesJOURNAL OF PROSTHODONTICS, Issue 5 2010Ali Abdullah Alwan Al-Maqtari BDS Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine if packable resin composite with/without flowable resin composite has the ability to prevent coronal leakage in restored endodontic access openings following aging. Materials and Methods: Eighty simulated standardized access cavities of metal-ceramic crowns were fabricated and fixed on Vitrebond cavities filled with an epoxy resin. The specimens were randomly divided into two main groups: (1) Group A,Access cavities filled with only packable composite (Filtek P60); (2) Group B,Access cavities filled with Filtek P60 and a flowable composite (Filtek Z350) as liner. Each main group was further subdivided randomly into four subgroups according to water storage and thermocycling periods. All specimens were immersed in blue ink solution for 24 hours and then sectioned into quadrants. The extension of blue ink along the metal-ceramic crown/composite resin interface was measured linearly using image analyzer and then analyzed by three-way ANOVA and independent t -test with a Mann-Whitney test. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: All tested subgroups demonstrated different levels of microleakage. There was no significant difference related to restorative technique; however, there was a significant difference related to water storage and thermocycling. Conclusions: All tested techniques and materials in this study showed microleakage. Packable composite while a flowable liner showed a marginally better result than packable composite alone. Excessive thermocycling resulted in significant differences among the test groups. [source] Saponaria officinalis karyology and karyotype by means of image analyzer and atomic force microscopyMICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 10 2008S. Di Bucchianico Abstract The aim of this work was to offer a contribution to the characterization of taxonomic entity of Saponaria officinalis (2n = 28; an herbaceous perennial species; saporin, a type 1 Ribosome Inactivating Protein, is present in leaves and seeds) by a cytogenetic and karyomorphological approach. We investigated the karyotype's morphometry correlated with Stebbin's symmetric index; the same information has been used for computing the indices resemblance between chromosomes (REC), symmetric indices (SYI), and total form (TF%) which allow the comparison between species and evaluation of karyological evolution. Fluorescence intensities of the stained nuclei were measured by a flow cytometer and, for the first time, values for nuclear DNA content were estimated by comparing nuclei fluorescence intensities of the test population with those of appropriate internal DNA standards. Our study is also aimed to introduce chromosomal volumes, which were determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM), as novel karyomorphological parameter which could allow for chromosome discrimination especially when tiny ones are present. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Prognostic value of bone marrow angiogenesis in multiple myeloma: Use of light microscopy as well as computerized image analyzer in the assessment of microvessel density and total vascular area in multiple myeloma and its correlation with various clinical, histological, and laboratory parametersAMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY, Issue 9 2006Sahibinder Singh Bhatti Abstract We studied the prognostic value of parameters of angiogenesis on bone marrow biopsies in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Angiogenesis parameters studied were the microvessel count done manually on light microscopy (MVD-A), microvessel count done by using computerized image analyzer (MVD-B), and total vascular area (TVA) measured by computerized image analyzer. One hundred ten newly diagnosed cases of MM treated at Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, were analyzed with respect to clinical features, laboratory findings, histological features, angiogenesis parameters, and responses to the treatment on follow-up. Twenty age- and sex-matched controls were studied for comparing with angiogenesis of the test cases. Bone marrow microvessels were examined using immunohistochemical staining for CD34. MVD-A (range 4.9,85.2; mean 28.2; SD 19.4), MVD-B (range 2.0,26.9; mean 11.7; SD 5.9), and TVA measured in percentage (range 0.1,17.1; mean 2.4; SD 2.5) were measured for test cases (n = 110). Grading of angiogenesis parameters of the test cases were done; such that angiogenesis parameters of controls (taken as baseline) were grade I. There was a statistically highly significant correlation between (MVD-A vs MVD-B, pcc = 0.92; MVD-A vs TVA, pcc = 0.78; MVD-B vs TVA, pcc = 0.76). The myeloma cases had significantly higher angiogenesis parameters when compared with controls (Kruskall-Wallis test, P < 0.001). "Complete responders" (n = 38/110) had significant lower angiogenesis (Mann-Whitney U test, P < 0.001) than "nonresponders" (n = 72/110). On treatment follow-up "rapid disease progressors" had the highest levels of angiogenesis (mean rank for MVD-A = 84.7, MVD-B = 82.1, and TVA = 81.1). On multivariate (logistic regression) analysis, factors found to have independent prognostic significance in complete responders (adjusted odd ratio (95% CI, P value)] were: (a) MVD-B grade I [0.134 (0.10,0.16, P < 0.001)], (b) clinical substage A [0.163 (0.12,0.19, P = 0.008)], (c) Bartl's histological stage II & I [0.262 (0.2,0.32, P = 0.021)], (d) MVD-A grade I [0.28 (0.22,0.36, P = 0.03)], (e) ,2 microglobulin levels less than 3,400 ng/dl [0.31 (0.23,0.42, P = 0.04)]. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis for myeloma-related death (n = 16) shows a mean survival time (in months) of 24.75; SE = 3; 95% CI = 21,28. We conclude that MVD (particularly MVD-B) is a very good predictor for the complete response in patients of MM and should be done routinely on bone marrow biopsies. Am. J. Hematol., 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Low-dose broad-band UVA in morphea using a new method for evaluationPHOTODERMATOLOGY, PHOTOIMMUNOLOGY & PHOTOMEDICINE, Issue 2 2000M. El-Mofty Until recently, various therapies for localized scleroderma have been used with limited success. Recently, phototherapy, with or without psoralen, was proposed as a successful treatment modality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of broad-band low-dose ultraviolet A (UVA) phototherapy in patients with localized scleroderma, using a new method for evaluation. Twelve patients complaining of morphea were exposed to UVA irradiation at a dose of 20 J/cm2 3 times per week for 20 sessions. Selected covered plaques served as internal controls. The efficacy of therapy was judged clinically by sequential inspection and palpation. In biopsy specimens from exposed and covered plaques stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) and Masson trichrome stains, the concentration of collagen per dermal surface area was measured with the use of a computerized image analyzer. All patients reported remarkable softening of skin lesions, confirmed by sequential palpatory assessment. A significant reduction in the mean concentration of collagen per surface area was detected in the plaques exposed to UVA (the P value being 0.007, P<0.01), whereas in the covered plaques the difference was not statistically significant (the P value being 0.10, P>0.05). The conclusion is that low-dose broad-band UVA phototherapy is a very effective and safe treatment modality for localized scleroderma. [source] Influence of modifying and veneering the surface of ceramic abutments on cellular attachment and proliferationCLINICAL ORAL IMPLANTS RESEARCH, Issue 11 2008Kamal Mustafa Abstract Objectives: This in vitro study was aimed to investigate the attachment, spreading and proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts to milled and polished non-veneered ceramic surfaces in alumina and zirconia and to ceramic surfaces veneered by two different types of porcelain baseliners. Materials and methods: Fibroblasts were cultured on discs of pressed alumina or zirconia, on discs which had been milled, on discs comprising alumina or zirconia which had been polished, on discs of alumina veneered with NobelRondo baseliner Al, on discs of zirconia veneered with Cercon-S baseliner, and on alumina or zirconia discs veneered with the above baseliners and then polished. The surfaces were analyzed using an optical interferometer and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cell profile areas were measured using SEM and an image analyzer. Cell attachment was determined after 3 and 24 h as a ratio of the cell profiles and the total micrograph area and was expressed as percent of attachment. MTT analyses were undertaken to determine cellular attachment after 3 h of incubation and cellular proliferation after 7 days. Results: The polished zirconia specimens had the smoothest surface in terms of average height deviation (Sa=0.03 ,m): the roughest were the zirconia specimens with milled surfaces (Sa=0.36 ,m). The application of the baseliners resulted in surfaces smoother than those of the non-veneered discs. The milled surfaces of both alumina and zirconia had significantly higher percentages of cell attachment and proliferation than the other surfaces whereas the milled surfaces in zirconia demonstrated better cellular attachment after 3 and 24 h of culture than the one in alumina. Fibroblasts attached and grew effectively on the surfaces veneered with NobelRondo throughout the experiments, whereas the zirconia surfaces veneered with Cercon-S had the lowest percentage of cell attachment and proliferation. Conclusions: Although the roughness of all surfaces investigated was <0.4 ,m, the study disclosed significant differences in cellular attachment and proliferation associated with the various surface modifications. [source] 4332: Determination of corneal endothelial cell density in French eye banks: second lookACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2010N DELESALLE Purpose Considering the importance of having a precise, robust and especially reproducible ECD counting method, Afssaps organized from April 2008 to June 2009 a second assessment of the reliability of the routine cell count within the 18 french Eye banks. Methods The study design was similar to the first assessment driven by the laboratory ,Biology, engineering and imaging of Corneal Graft' in 2003 (Transplantation 2004; 78: 1299-1302).5 test corneas (1 mm2 of flat mounted, fixed and alizarin stained human corneal endothelium) were selected and sent to the 18 Eye banks. All the usual technicians of each bank had to count the test corneas using the routine method(s) employed to assess grafts. Results 430 counts were carried out by 70 eye banks technicians, by manual and/or image analysis system. 42% (180/430) deviated by more than 10% from the expected ECD. Among them, 128 were over-estimated (max +88%) and 52 were under-estimated (max -31%). 2 banks constantly over-estimated (in the mean +31,7% and +42,7%, no calibration and/or material problem) but the 16 other banks were in average within ±13% from expected ECDs. For manual methods, a statistically significant difference between banks was observed for the 5 test corneas, whereas no difference was observed with image analyzers. ECD obtained with the analysers were closer to expected values than with the manual methods. Compared to the 2003 study, reliability of ECD determination globally improved. Conclusion Image analysis systems prove more reliable (precise and with a lower intra and inter observer variability) than manual counting methods. This ,second look' of Eye banks will allow editing recommendations to improve ECD determination. [source] | ||||||||||