Anna Jung

Standardization of infrared imaging

To provide an atlas and database for the temperature distribution of the skin in normal human subjects aged from 10 years to 75 years. The technique used in digital infrared thermal imaging which has been in use since 1960. Despite, many different applications and published studies, a normal database is not available. It is particularly needed for forensic and hospital clinic use.

Advanced thermal, visual and radiological image processing for clinical diagnostics

Presents multi-channel system with for advanced image processing for thermal, visual and radiological images. Novel methods mainly based on statistical data processing and 3D reconstruction are implemented. The system was successfully used for pneumonia treatment.

Advanced thermal image processing for medical and biological applications

In this paper, new image processing tools are presented for conversion thermal and visual images, mainly for application in medicine and biology. A novel method for area and distance evaluation based on statistical differencing is discussed. In order to increase the measurements accuracy, the interpolation and subpixel bitmap processing are chosen.

Technical challenges for the construction of a medical image database

Infrared thermal imaging was first made available to medicine in the early 1960s. Despite a large number of research publications on the clinical application of the technique, the images have been largely qualitative. This is in part due to the imaging technology itself, and the problem of data exchange between different medical users, with different hardware. An Anglo Polish collaborative study was set up in 2001 to identify and resolve the sources of error and problems in medical thermal imaging. Standardisation of the patient preparation, imaging hardware, image capture and analysis has been studied and developed by the group. A network of specialist centres in Europe is planned to work to establish the first digital reference atlas of quantifiable images of the normal healthy human body. Further processing techniques can then be used to classify abnormalities found in disease states. The follow up of drug treatment has been successfully monitored in clinical trials with quantitative thermal imaging. The collection of normal reference images is in progress. This paper specifies the areas found to be the source of unwanted variables, and the protocols to overcome them.

Nasal Cytology as a Marker of Atopy in Children

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytological picture of nasal mucosa in children with atopic diseases and to determine the diagnostic value of the test for the diagnosis of atopic diseases. The study included 140 children from 4 months to 17 years old. Among children with a history of atopy, there were 30 children with atopic dermatitis, 30 children with asthma, and 46 children with allergic rhinitis. The control group consisted of 34 healthy children. The nasal scraping technique has been used to collect samples from the nasal cavity. The samples were evaluated under light microscope. Epithelial cells as well as infiltrating cells were assessed. The only statistically significant group of cells differentiating children with atopic disease and without atopy were eosinophils, which in children with atopy were significantly more common. Assuming a significant eosinophilia value of at least 5% of all cells in cytogram, the sensitivity of nasal cytology in allergic rhinitis was 52.2%, in asthma 33.3%, and in atopic dermatitis 13.3%. The specificity of the test in atopic diseases was 94.1%. It can be concluded that nasal cytology with eosinophilia assessment can be a useful tool for an early diagnosis of atopic disease in children.

Assessment of Cross-correlations Between Selected Macromolecules in Urine of Children with Idiopathic Hypercalciuria

PURPOSEnThe aim of the study was assessment of four selected macromolecules level: osteopontin, calgranulin, uromodulin and bikunin in fresh morning urine sample in children with nephrolithiasis in the course of idiopathic hypercalciuria.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnThe study included 90 subjects aged from 12 months to 18 years. The study group comprised 57 subjects- children with urinary tract lithiasis in the course of idiopathic hypercalciuria and the control group - 33 healthy children with no history of urolithiasis. Determinations of osteopontin, calgranulin, uromodulin and bikunin levels in the first morning urine were performed.nnnRESULTSnThe study group had a significantly decreased osteopontin excretion and significantly increased bikuninexcretion, and increased, however statistically nonsignificant, calgranulin excretion in comparison with the control group. Uromodulin excretion did not differ between groups. In both groups a statistically significant positive correlation was observed between uromodulin and bikunin levels.nnnCONCLUSIONnChildren with urinary tract lithiasis in the course of idiopathic hypercalciuria reveal a different distribution of the study proteins than a healthy population.