Barbara Błońska-Fajfrowska

Assessment of Serum Apelin Levels in Girls with Anorexia Nervosa

CONTEXTnPilot studies in rats have suggested that apelin (APE) is involved in the control of appetite and food intake. APE is secreted in the organs involved in the control of hunger and satiety: the stomach, hypothalamus, and fat tissue. Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder that represents a good biological model of chronic fat tissue atrophy in humans. To date, there are no reports of APE expression in the fat tissue and its circulating concentrations in patients with AN.nnnOBJECTIVEnOur objective was to assess serum APE concentrations in girls with AN.nnnDESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, AND SETTINGnAPE-36 and APE-12 serum concentrations were evaluated in 87 Polish girls with restrictive AN, in 61 healthy (H) controls, 17 girls with no otherwise specified eating disorders (NOS), and 30 girls with simple obesity (OB).nnnRESULTSnMean serum APE-36 and APE-12 concentrations in patients with AN and NOS were significantly lower than in the H and OB groups. However, no differences between AN, H, and NOS groups were observed when APE concentrations were calculated per body mass index (BMI). In participants with normal BMI, serum APE-36 (r = 0.35) and APE-12 (r = 0.37) concentrations correlated positively with BMI.nnnCONCLUSIONSnWe conclude that compared with H controls, serum APE-36 and APE-12 concentrations decreased as a result of fat tissue depletion in patients with AN. Conversely, obese adolescents had elevated APE-36 and APE-12 due to excessive fat mass as well as increased APE production in adipose tissue.

Automatic method for the dermatological diagnosis of selected hand skin features in hyperspectral imaging

IntroductionHyperspectral imaging has been used in dermatology for many years. The enrichment of hyperspectral imaging with image analysis broadens considerably the possibility of reproducible, quantitative evaluation of, for example, melanin and haemoglobin at any location in the patients skin. The dedicated image analysis method proposed by the authors enables to automatically perform this type of measurement.Material and methodAs part of the study, an algorithm for the analysis of hyperspectral images of healthy human skin acquired with the use of the Specim camera was proposed. Images were collected from the dorsal side of the hand. The frequency λ of the data obtained ranged from 397 to 1030xa0nm. A total of 4000 2D images were obtained for 5 hyperspectral images. The method proposed in the paper uses dedicated image analysis based on human anthropometric data, mathematical morphology, median filtration, normalization and others. The algorithm was implemented in Matlab and C programs and is used in practice.ResultsThe algorithm of image analysis and processing proposed by the authors enables segmentation of any region of the hand (fingers, wrist) in a reproducible manner. In addition, the method allows to quantify the frequency content in different regions of interest which are determined automatically. Owing to this, it is possible to perform analyses for melanin in the frequency range λE∈(450,600) nm and for haemoglobin in the range λH∈(397,500) nm extending into the ultraviolet for the type of camera used. In these ranges, there are 189 images for melanin and 126 images for haemoglobin. For six areas of the left and right sides of the little finger (digitus minimus manus), the mean values of melanin and haemoglobin content were 17% and 15% respectively compared to the pattern.ConclusionsThe obtained results confirmed the usefulness of the proposed new method of image analysis and processing in dermatology of the hand as it enables reproducible, quantitative assessment of any fragment of this body part. Each image in a sequence was analysed in this way in no more than 100xa0ms using Intel Core i5 CPU M460 @2.5 GHz 4 GB RAM.

Calibration and segmentation of skin areas in hyperspectral imaging for the needs of dermatology

IntroductionAmong the currently known imaging methods, there exists hyperspectral imaging. This imaging fills the gap in visible light imaging with conventional, known devices that use classical CCDs. A major problem in the study of the skin is its segmentation and proper calibration of the results obtained. For this purpose, a dedicated automatic image analysis algorithm is proposed by the paper’s authors.Material and methodThe developed algorithm was tested on data acquired with the Specim camera. Images were related to different body areas of healthy patients. The resulting data were anonymized and stored in the output format, source dat (ENVI File) and raw. The frequency λ of the data obtained ranged from 397 to 1030xa0nm. Each image was recorded every 0.79xa0nm, which in total gave 800 2D images for each subject. A total of 36000 2D images in dat format and the same number of images in the raw format were obtained for 45 full hyperspectral measurement sessions. As part of the paper, an image analysis algorithm using known analysis methods as well as new ones developed by the authors was proposed. Among others, filtration with a median filter, the Canny filter, conditional opening and closing operations and spectral analysis were used. The algorithm was implemented in Matlab and C and is used in practice.ResultsThe proposed method enables accurate segmentation for 36’000 measured 2D images at the level of 7.8%. Segmentation is carried out fully automatically based on the reference ray spectrum. In addition, brightness calibration of individual 2D images is performed for the subsequent wavelengths. For a few segmented areas, the analysis time using Intel Core i5 CPU RAM M460@2.5GHz 4GB does not exceed 10 s.ConclusionsThe obtained results confirm the usefulness of the applied method for image analysis and processing in dermatological practice. In particular, it is useful in the quantitative evaluation of skin lesions. Such analysis can be performed fully automatically without operator’s intervention.

Assessment of serum visfatin levels in girls with anorexia nervosa.

Objectiveu2002 Visfatin (VISF) is a recently described peptide regulating the process of adipocyte differentiation. Only one pilot study of VISF expression in the fat tissue and its circulating concentrations in a small group of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) have been published, yet.

The use of hyperspectral imaging in the VNIR (400–1000 nm) and SWIR range (1000–2500 nm) for detecting counterfeit drugs with identical API composition

The risk of death from taking counterfeit drugs is now greater than the probability of dying from malaria and AIDS combined (at least half a million deaths each year). At the same time, counterfeit medicines are falsified more and more skillfully. According to WHO about 10% of counterfeit drugs are copies of original products. The methods of hyperspectral imaging and image analysis and processing were used to detect counterfeit drugs. Original Viagra® (Pfizer) and counterfeit tablets were compared. Hyperspectral imaging was used to acquire hyperspectral data cubes from both original and counterfeit tablets in the spectral range of 400-2500nm. Spectral parameters for both the original Viagra® and counterfeit drugs were compared. Grey-Level Co-Occurrence Matrix (GLCM) analysis and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were performed. Hyperspectral analysis of the surface of the original Viagra® and counterfeit tablets demonstrates significant differences in reflectance (maximum difference for 1619.75nm). The GLCM contrast for the falsified drug is on average higher than for the original one 16±4%. GLCM contrast analysis enables to quantify homogeneity of distribution of tablet ingredients and enables to distinguish tablets with identical chemical composition. SWIR (1000-2500nm) hyperspectral imaging has a definite advantage over imaging in VNIR (400-1000nm) - higher wavelength is less sensitive to non-uniform illumination.

Directional reflectance analysis for identifying counterfeit drugs: Preliminary study.

The WHO estimates that up to 10% of drugs on the market may be counterfeit. In order to prevent intensification of the phenomenon of drug counterfeiting, the methods for distinguishing genuine medicines from fake ones need to be developed. The aim of this study was to try to develop simple, reproducible and inexpensive method for distinguishing between original and counterfeit medicines based on the measurement of directional reflectance. The directional reflectance of 6 original Viagra(®) tablets (Pfizer) and 24 (4 different batches) counterfeit tablets (imitating Viagra(®)) was examined in six spectral bands: from 0.9 to 1.1 μm, from 1.9 to 2.6 μm, from 3.0 to 4.0 μm, from 3.0 to 5.0 μm, from 4.0 to 5.0 μm, from 8.0 to 12.0 μm, and for two angles of incidence, 20° and 60°. Directional hemispherical reflectometer was applied to measure directional reflectance. Significant statistical differences between the directional reflectance of the original Viagra(®) and counterfeit tablets were registered. Any difference in the value of directional reflectance for any spectral band or angle of incidence identifies the drug as a fake one. The proposed method of directional reflectance analysis enables to differentiate between the real Viagra(®) and fake tablets. Directional reflectance analysis is a fast (measurement time under 5s), cheap and reproducible method which does not require expensive equipment or specialized laboratory staff. It also seems to be an effective method, however, the effectiveness will be assessed after the extension of research.

Microtomographic studies of subdivision of modified-release tablets.

The uniformity of dosage units within a certain batch is ensured when each unit contains the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) within a narrow range around the label claim. For tablets containing a score-line authorised for dose reductions, the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) considers that the uniformity of the tablet parts may be based on weight measurements regardless of the tablet type (immediate or modified release). This is because it is up to the regulatory authorities first to assess whether the tablet may contain a score-line for such use. X-ray microtomography was applied to assess the symmetry of 36 modified release tablets, containing 300mg of theophylline. The sum of the volume and surface area of the pellets in the subdivided tablets were compared. Simulations were carried out to identify the optimal amount of pellets in the tablet mass. The maximum difference in the API content between two subdivided halves was 165.18mg vs 133.83mg. If the amount of pellets in the tablet mass would drop below 13% on the basis of the pellet surface area, then the Ph. Eur. requirements would be exceeded. The amount of pellets in the tablet halves resulting in the greatest variability in API content was 38%. The results of this study indicate that the pellets were not distributed uniformly in the tablet mass. Thus, the uniformity of the dose in both halves of a tablet containing pellets cannot be based on the weight measurements i.e. it is necessary to develop further standards for tablet subdivision. Microtomographic methods are a very interesting alternative to expensive and time-consuming pharmacokinetic studies.

Justified granulation aided noninvasive liver fibrosis classification system

BackgroundAccording to the World Health Organization 130–150 million (according to WHO) of people globally are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus. The virus is responsible for chronic hepatitis that ultimately may cause liver cirrhosis and death. The disease is progressive, however antiviral treatment may slow down or stop its development. Therefore, it is important to estimate the severity of liver fibrosis for diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic purposes.Liver biopsy provides a high accuracy diagnosis, however it is painful and invasive procedure. Recently, we witness an outburst of non-invasive tests (biological and physical ones) aiming to define severity of liver fibrosis, but commonly used FibroTest®, according to an independent research, in some cases may have accuracy lower than 50xa0%. In this paper a data mining and classification technique is proposed to determine the stage of liver fibrosis using easily accessible laboratory data.MethodsResearch was carried out on archival records of routine laboratory blood tests (morphology, coagulation, biochemistry, protein electrophoresis) and histopathology records of liver biopsy as a reference value. As a result, the granular model was proposed, that contains a series of intervals representing influence of separate blood attributes on liver fibrosis stage. The model determines final diagnosis for a patient using aggregation method and voting procedure. The proposed solution is robust to missing or corrupted data.ResultsThe results were obtained on data from 290 patients with hepatitis C virus collected over 6xa0years. The model has been validated using training and test data. The overall accuracy of the solution is equal to 67.9xa0%. The intermediate liver fibrosis stages are hard to distinguish, due to effectiveness of biopsy itself. Additionally, the method was verified against dataset obtained from 365 patients with liver disease of various etiologies. The model proved to be robust to new data. What is worth mentioning, the error rate in misclassification of the first stage and the last stage is below 6.5xa0% for all analyzed datasets.ConclusionsThe proposed system supports the physician and defines the stage of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C. The biggest advantage of the solution is a human-centric approach using intervals, which can be verified by a specialist, before giving the final decision. Moreover, it is robust to missing data. The system can be used as a powerful support tool for diagnosis in real treatment.

Thermographic mapping of the skin surface in biometric evaluation of cellulite treatment effectiveness

Cellulite is one of the worst tolerated aesthetic imperfections. Edema that accompanies cellulite causes disorders of blood flow what may be observed as changes in the skin surface temperature. The aim of this paper was to develop a new method based on the analysis and processing of thermal images of the skin for biometric evaluation of severity of cellulite and monitoring its treatment.

Verification of the authenticity of drugs by means of NMR relaxometry-Viagra(®) as an example.

&NA; 1H spin‐lattice Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxometry, vibrational spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) have been applied to differentiate between original and counterfeit Viagra®. The relaxation studies have been performed in a frequency range covering four orders of magnitude, from 4 kHz to 40 MHz. It has been shown that for the counterfeit product the relaxation is bi‐exponential in the whole frequency range, while for the original Viagra® the relaxation process is always single exponential. Thus, even a qualitative analysis of the relaxation data makes it possible to identify the falsified medicine. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that vibrational spectroscopy does not allow for differentiating between the products, while AFM studies are likely to lead one to deceptive conclusions regarding the originality of the medicine. Furthermore, a quantitative analysis of the relaxation data has been performed to describe in detail the relaxation properties of the original and falsified products. Graphical abstract Figure. No caption available. HighlightsNMR relaxometry allows to distinguish between the original and counterfeit Viagra®.Mechanical properties of counterfeit Viagra® and sildenafil citrate are identical.Vibrational spectra do not show sufficient differences to be used for the identification of the counterfeit product.