'CT and CT image-based texture image analysis in radiological diagnostics of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis'.

BACKGROUND: This prospective study is focused on evaluating radiological properties of AFRS. We analysed specific CT features related to the presence of AFRS, as well as explored the possible usefulness of the texture image analysis (TIA) as an additional diagnostical parameter. METHODS: The CT images of maxillary sinuses of 37 adult patients diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis were analysed for homogeneity, high-attenuation areas, density of the soft tissue mass, bony wall thickness and density. TIA included assessment of uniformity, contrast, homogeneity and entropy of sinus content. RESULTS: In the F+ group, soft tissue mass was significantly more non-homogeneous, high-attenuation areas were more prevalent, while soft tissue densities were higher. The sinus wall showed a tendency towards decreased thickness and significantly higher density in the F+ group. Among TIA parameters only homogeneity was significantly lower in the F+ group. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of fungi should be suspected when the sinus is filled with a non-homogenous soft tissue content of a high CT density not necessarily presented as clearly visible hyperattenuation material. Additional criteria in radiological diagnostics of AFRS should encompass assessment of sinus bony wall density. TIA may serve as a tool for quantitative assessment of subjective CT features such as homogeneity of the soft tissue mass for investigative purposes. However, other TIA parameters showed limited potential.

Mathematical modeling of the neuron morphology using two dimensional images.

In this study mathematical analyses such as the analysis of area and length, fractal analysis and modified Sholl analysis were applied on two dimensional (2D) images of neurons from adult human dentate nucleus (DN). Using mathematical analyses main morphological properties were obtained including the size of neuron and soma, the length of all dendrites, the density of dendritic arborization, the position of the maximum density and the irregularity of dendrites. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used for modeling the size of neurons and the length of all dendrites. However, the RSM model based on the second-order polynomial equation was only possible to apply to correlate changes in the size of the neuron with other properties of its morphology. Modeling data provided evidence that the size of DN neurons statistically depended on the size of the soma, the density of dendritic arborization and the irregularity of dendrites. The low value of mean relative percent deviation (MRPD) between the experimental data and the predicted neuron size obtained by RSM model showed that model was suitable for modeling the size of DN neurons. Therefore, RSM can be generally used for modeling neuron size from 2D images.

In vitro protease inhibition and cytotoxicity of Aspergillus fumigatus biomolecules secreted under long-term aerated conditions.

The fatality rate of invasive aspergillosis (IA) is still very high, especially in prolonged and untreated pulmonary cases. Aspergillus fumigatus is the main causative agent of IA and investigation of its metabolites could provide valuable insight into virulence factor(s) associated with this organism. We evaluated the A. fumigatus culture filtrate (CF) products generated during short- and long-term aerated and non-aerated conditions and tested for (i) inhibition of cysteine or serine proteases and (ii) cytotoxicity. In addition, the mathematical model was determined using response surface methodology (RSM) to estimate the influence of different fermentation conditions on A. fumigatus CF characteristics, predict enzyme inhibition and make possible correlations with in vivo conditions. Biosynthesis of A. fumigatus low molecular weight proteinaceous products (from 6.4 to 15.4 kDa) was observed after 6 days of growth under aerated and alkaline conditions. Also, only these CFs showed significant reduction in cell lines survival (Caco-2 and WISH 35.6% and 54.6%, respectively). Obtained results provide solid starting point for further studies that would include: (i) detailed chemical characterization of A. fumigatus CF, (ii) activity relationships and in vivo correlation with pathogenicity of prolonged pulmonary IA and (iii) possible use of biomolecules as diagnostic or therapeutic markers.

Optimization of radioprotective dose of Juglans nigra leaf extract using response surface methodology.

J. nigra leaf contains mixture of various pharmacologically active compounds and it is assumed that they may have the potential radioprotective effect. The purpose of this work was to predict radioprotective doses by correlating changes in organ distribution of radiopharmaceuticals with extract dose levels and rat body weight using response surface methodology (RSM) based on a second-order polynomial equation. The extract was administered daily by oral gavage to rats at dose of 6.9, 10.3, or 13.7 mg kg-1 body weight (bw) day-1 for 10 days. On the eleventh day, 0.1 ml of the one radiopharmaceutical (Na99mTcO4, 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid and 99mTc-tin colloid) was injected into the tail vein. The statistical parameters: the coefficient of determination (0.81-0.95), the coefficient of variation (3.05-11.1), the adequate precision (8.82-19.12) and the mean relative percentage deviation (± 2.3-8.2) were indicated the precision and reliability of RSM. Using RSM, the predicted daily dose of leaf extract ranging from 11.19 to 11.99 mg kg-1 bw may be considered as an optimal daily radiopotective dose for protection of organs from radiation in cases of planned radiation exposures.

Chemical Composition and Protective Possibilities of Juglans Nigra Leaves and Green Husks Extracts: DNA Binding and Micronucleus Assay in Human Lymphocytes.

To better understand the mechanism of action of the compounds in the ethanolic extracts of J. nigra leaves and green husks, their binding to CT-DNA was investigated. This study was conducted to elucidate the in vitro protective effect of extracts against chromosomal damage in mitogen-induced human lymphocytes and investigate the possible application of selec+ted extracts as a natural source of polyphenolic compounds. Using HPLC-MS analysis, 103 different compounds were identified as having a higher number of active species, which is consistent with their activity. The frequency of micronuclei (MN) was scored in binucleated cells, and the nuclear proliferation index was calculated. Cyclic voltammetry experiments demonstrate that the nature of the interaction between extracts and CT-DNA is a synergy of electrostatic and intercalative modes, where leaves extracts showed a higher ability to bind to DNA. Extracts showed excellent antioxidant activity. At a concentration of only 4 µg/mL, extract of J. nigra leaves and the green husks reduced the incidence of MN by 58.2% and 64.5%, respectively, compared to control cell cultures.

Investigation of the Antinociceptive Activity of the Hydroethanolic Extract of Junglas nigra Leaf by the Tail-Immersion and Formalin Pain Tests in Rats.

Background: Juglans (J.) nigra leaf is obtained from a plant that is used in traditional medicine in some countries to alleviate inflammatory diseases. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of J. nigra extract on acute nociceptive and inflammatory pain in rats. Methods: Antinociceptive activity was examined in Wistar rats by the tail-immersion and formalin tests. Motor function was assessed using the rotarod test. Plant extract was administered intraperitoneally. Results: In the tail-immersion test, the maximal antinociceptive effect of the plant extract (100-330 mg/kg) was about 24-30% and is the result of the effect of a high concentration of ethanol. In the formalin test, the plant extract (41.3-330 mg/kg) significantly and dose-dependently inhibited nociception in both phases of the test with similar maximal effects of about 76% and 85%. Only the plant extract at the dose of 330 mg/kg caused a significant time-dependent reduction in time spent on the rotarod. Conclusions: In rats, the preventive systemic administration of the hydroethanolic extract of J. nigra leaf reduced chemically but not thermally induced pain. Higher efficacy was obtained in pain associated with inflammation and tissue injury. The antinociceptive effect is dose-dependent and may be limited by motor impairment.

The empirical formula for calculating the incident air Kerma in intraoral radiographic imaging.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper is to determine the empirical formula for calculating the incident air kerma (Ki), used as a patient dose descriptor in the intraoral radiographic imaging. METHODS: The data for the formula were collected during the regular annual inspection of intraoral dental X-ray units in 2018, 2019 and early 2020. The measurement data of 50 X-ray units were processed to develop the formula. Exposure factors for imaging molars of the upper jaw of an average patient in a clinical setting were used in the measurement. The formula validity was statistically evaluated using coefficient of correlation, standard error of the fitted function and the mean relative percentage deviation. RESULTS: The measurement values of the radiation doses and calculated values obtained by using the final formula showed good agreement - the mean relative percentage deviation values less than ±15%. CONCLUSIONS: Although there are differences in X-ray units, voltages, manufacturers and device architectures (single-phase and high-frequency), the measurement data comply well with computed ones in all cases.

The use of digital texture image analysis in determining the masticatory efficiency outcome.

The mixture level of gum samples consisting of two colours can be assessed visually, using the electronic colorimetric method, employing digital image processing techniques and specially designed software. The study investigates the possibility of an alternative method called "digital texture image analysis" (DTIA) to assess improvement of masticatory efficiency in denture wearers. The objectives were i) to evaluate whether DTIA discriminates changes in the colour mixing ability within a group over time; ii) to determine whether DTIA can be used to detect improvement in chewing ability; iii) to select the most appropriate DTIA feature that sufficiently describes masticatory efficiency in CDs wearers. The study was designed as an intra-individual evaluation of masticatory efficiency, which was assessed in participants with new dentures in three follow-up times. A set of four texture features was used in the current study. Uniformity, Contrast, Homogeneity and Entropy of the obtained chewing-gum samples were correlated to the degree of gum comminution. A statistically significant difference in masticatory efficiency was observed based on the values of the analysed DTIA variables of gum samples-Uniformity, Contrast, Homogeneity, and Entropy-have changed in the participants during the observation period. The improvement of the masticatory function in relation to the mixing ability of two-coloured chewing gum could be traced by monitoring changes in the values of DTIA variables. The most increasement of masticatory efficiency was observed by monitoring DTIA parameters such as contrast, and homogeneity.

Modelling and optimisation of treatment parameters in high-dose-rate mono brachytherapy for localised prostate carcinoma using a multilayer artificial neural network and a genetic algorithm: Pilot study.

BACKGROUND: High-dose-rate mono brachytherapy (HDR-MB) is employed in the treatment of prostate carcinoma (CaP). As an ideal plan of CaP brachytherapy cannot be created, it is necessary to identify a reliable tool to optimise the parameters of HDR-MB. This paper applies a multilayer artificial neural network (MANN) and a genetic algorithm (GA) to optimise brachytherapy parameters based on an individual dose-volumetric analysis. METHODS: Patients with localised CaP of various risks were treated with HDR-MB. Consecutive levels of the biochemical control parameter (prostate specific antigen (PSA) nadir) have been collected after completion of HDR-MB in the range 2-9 years. The Kaplan-Meier regression analysis of biochemical-free survival (BFS) was applied. The clinical risk of recurrent CaP (RCaP), the therapy dose (TD), TD coverage index (CI100%) and PSA nadir were modelled using the MANN and GA. RESULTS: In the low-risk group, BFS was achieved in 100% of treated patients, while in the group of patients with high risk, BFS was achieved in 95.8% of treated patients. The MANN-GA model optimises a TD of 47.3 Gy and CI100% of 1.14 as well as a TD of 50.4 Gy and CI100% of 1.6 for the low-risk group and high-risk group, respectively, of localised CaP. The optimised PSA nadir was 0.047 and 0.25 ng cm-3 for low-risk group and high-risk group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The developed MANN-GA model presents a method for optimising the treatment parameters in radiation therapy, which could be a valuable tool in planning of the HDR-MB.

Quantitative analysis of dendritic morphology of the α and δ retinal ganglion cells in the rat: a cell classification study.

Type I retinal ganglion cells in the rat have been classified into several groups based on the cell body size and dendritic morphology. Considerable overlap and heterogeneity within groups have been reported, which is especially obvious for the morphology of the dendritic tree. For that purpose, we analysed quantitatively the dendritic morphology of the alpha and delta rat retinal ganglion cells, using parameters which provide information on the dendritic field size, shape of the dendritic tree and dendritic branching complexity. We show that the alpha and delta cells have significantly different dendritic field sizes. Taking into account the level of stratification of the dendritic tree, we found a difference in the properties of the dendritic morphology between alpha inner and alpha outer cells, while the opposite result was obtained for the delta inner and delta outer delta cells. In this study we also call attention to the relationship between morphological parameters and retinal eccentricity. The significance of our quantitative results in terms of present alpha and delta rat retinal ganglion cell classification is discussed.

Development and validation of mathematical models for testing antifungal activity of different essential oils against Candida species.

OBJECTIVE: The upward trend in using plant materials introduced essential oils (EOs) as a valuable, novel, bioactive antifungal agent and as an alternative to standard treatment protocol of denture stomatitis caused by Candida species. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate the antifungal activity of different EOs and to present the response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) as possible tools for optimizing and predicting EOs antifungal activity. METHODS: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of the EOs against 3 species Candida spp. (C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata) isolated in patients with DS were determined, together with optimization and prediction based on non-terpene and terpene content in EOs, using two mathematical models RSM and ANN-GA. RESULTS: The highest concentrations of EO M. alternifolia inhibited (1.6-2.8 µg/ml) and fungicided (3.5-6.0 µg/ml) all three investigated Candida spp. while the lowest concentrations of EO C. limon inhibited (0.2 - 0.5 µg/ml) and fungicided (0.6-1.1 µg/ml). Among the three types of Candida, C. glabrata was the most sensitive. The RSM modelling proved that MICs and MFCs statistically depend on non-terpene and terpene content in different EOs (<0.0001). Both models showed that a citrus oil (EO C. limon) with 89% content of terpenes and limonene as major constituent was more antifungal efficient. CONCLUSIONS: The investigated EOs showed a broad spectrum of anticandidal activity, also confirmed using the RSM and ANN-GA models. Since EOs can be cytotoxic in higher concentrations, models may be used for qualitative and quantitative dosage predictions of the antifungal activity of EOs.

Aspergillus fumigatus branching complexity in vitro: 2D images and dynamic modeling.

BACKGROUND: Aspergillus fumigatus causes serious infections in humans, and its virulence correlates with hyphal growth, branching and formation of the filamentous mycelium. The filamentous mycelium is a complex structure inconvenient for quantity analysis. In this study, we monitored the branching of A. fumigatus filamentous mycelium in vitro at different points in time in order to assess the complexity degree and develop a dynamic model for the branching complexity. METHOD: We used fractal analysis of microscopic images (FAMI) to measure the fractal dimensions (D) of the branching complexity within 24 h of incubation. RESULTS: By photographing the filamentous mycelium dynamically and processing the images, the D variation curve of A. fumigatus complexity degree was obtained. We acquired the D variation curve which contained initial exponential period and stationary period of A. fumigatus branching. Further, the obtained data of D was modeled via the logistic model (LM) to develop a dynamic model of A. fumigatus branching for the prediction of the specific growth rate of branching value (0.23 h-1). CONCLUSIONS: Developed FAMI and LM models present a simple and non-destructive method of predicting the evolution of branching complexity of A. fumigatus. These models are useful as laboratory measurements for the prediction of hyphal and mycelium development, especially relevant to the pathogenesis study of aspergillosis, as well as pathogenesis of other diseases caused by moulds.

Application of fractal analysis to neuronal dendritic arborisation patterns of the monkey dentate nucleus.

The deep nuclei of the cerebellar cortex have not yet received adequate exploratory attention. An exception is represented by the pioneering work of Chan-Palay, published in 1977, on the dentate nucleus morphology. She has classified each individual cell in the dentatus of the monkey into one of six types. Although fractal analysis is presently the most prominent quantitative method for morphometric neuronal studies, no article referring to applications of this method to the analysis of cell types of the dentate nucleus has so far been published. In the present study we apply fractal analysis to this unsolved problem and calculate the fractal dimension for each dendritic arbour of a neuron. We will hereby prove that by application of fractal analysis to the dendritic arbours of these cells whilst ignoring other neuronal attributes allows for clear discrimination of only three cell types.

Mathematical model of neuronal morphology: prenatal development of the human dentate nucleus.

The aim of the study was to quantify the morphological changes of the human dentate nucleus during prenatal development using mathematical models that take into account main morphometric parameters. The camera lucida drawings of Golgi impregnated neurons taken from human fetuses of gestational ages ranging from 14 to 41 weeks were analyzed. Four morphometric parameters, the size of the neuron, the dendritic complexity, maximum dendritic density, and the position of maximum density, were obtained using the modified Scholl method and fractal analysis. Their increase during the entire prenatal development can be adequately fitted with a simple exponential. The three parameters describing the evolution of branching complexity of the dendritic arbor positively correlated with the increase of the size of neurons, but with different rate constants, showing that the complex development of the dendritic arbor is complete during the prenatal period. The findings of the present study are in accordance with previous crude qualitative data on prenatal development of the human dentate nucleus, but provide much greater amount of fine details. The mathematical model developed here provides a sound foundation enabling further studies on natal development or analyzing neurological disorders during prenatal development.

Kinetic modeling and optimization of maceration and ultrasound-extraction of resinoid from the aerial parts of white lady's bedstraw (Galium mollugo L.).

In this paper, extraction of resinoid from the aerial parts of white lady's bedstraw (Galium mollugo L.) using an aqueous ethanol solution (50% by volume) was studied at different temperatures in the absence and the presence of ultrasound. This study indicated that ultrasound-assisted extraction was effective for extracting the resinoid and gave better resinoid yields at lower extraction temperature and in much shorter time than the maceration. A phenomenological model was developed for modeling the kinetics of the extraction process. The model successfully describes the two-step extraction consisting of washing followed by diffusion of extractable substances and shows that ultrasound influences only the first step. The extraction process was optimized using response surface methodology (RMS) and artificial neural network (ANN) models. For the former modeling, the second-order polynomial equation was applied, while the second one was performed by an ANN-GA combination. The high coefficient of determination and the low MRPD between the ANN prediction and the corresponding experimental data proved that modeling the extraction process in the absence and the presence of ultrasound using ANN was more accurate than RSM modeling. The optimum extraction temperature was determined to be 80 and 40 °C, respectively for the maceration and the ultrasound-assisted extraction, ensuring the highest resinoid yield of 22.0 g/100g in 4h and 25.1g/100g in 30 min, which agreed with the yields obtained experimentally for the same time (21.7 and 25.3g/100g, respectively).

Morphology and cell classification of large neurons in the adult human dentate nucleus: a quantitative study.

The dentate nucleus represents the most lateral of the four cerebellar nuclei that serve as a major relay centres for fibres coming from the cerebellar cortex. Although many relevant findings regarding to the three-dimensional structure, the neuronal morphology and the cytoarchitectural development of the dentate nucleus have been presented so far, very little quantitative information has been collected to further explain several types of large neurons in the dentate nucleus. In this study we quantified the morphology of the large dentate neurons in the adult human taking, into account seven morphometric parameters that describe the main properties of the cell soma, the dendritic field and the dendritic branching pattern. Since the lateral cerebellar nucleus in the cat and other lower mammals is homologous to the dentate nucleus in primates and man, we have classified our sample of large neurons in accordance with the shape of the cell body, the dendritic arborization and their location within the dentate nucleus. By performing the appropriate statistical analysis, we have proved that our sample of human dentate neurons can be classified into four distinct types. In that sense, our quantitative analysis verifies the validity of previous qualitative conclusions concerning the large neurons in the developing human dentate nucleus. Furthermore, the present study represents the first attempt to perform a quantitative analysis and cell classification of the large projection neurons in the adult human dentate nucleus.

Morphology and classification of large neurons in the adult human dentate nucleus: a qualitative and quantitative analysis of 2D images.

The dentate nucleus represents the most lateral of the four cerebellar nuclei that serve as major relay centres for fibres coming from the cerebellar cortex. Although many relevant findings regarding to the structure, neuronal morphology and cytoarchitectural development of the dentate nucleus have been presented so far, very little quantitative information has been collected on the types of large neurons in the human dentate nucleus. In the present study we qualitatively analyze our sample of large neurons according to their morphology and topology, and classify these cells into four types. Then, we quantify the morphology of such cell types taking into account seven morphometric parameters which describe the main properties of the cell soma, dendritic field and dendrite arborization. By performing appropriate statistics we prove out our classification of the large dentate neurons in the adult human. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first attempt of quantitative analysis of morphology and classification of the large neurons in the adult human dentate nucleus.