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Chan K, Badanes Z, Ledbetter EC. Decreased corneal subbasal nerve fiber length and density in diabetic dogs with cataracts using in vivo confocal microscopy. Vet Ophthalmol 2023; 26:524-531. [PMID: 36854901 DOI: 10.1111/vop.13076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether there is a difference in corneal sensitivity and corneal subbasal nerve plexus (CSNP) morphology in cataractous dogs with diabetes mellitus (DM) versus without DM. ANIMALS STUDIED Twenty six domestic dogs with cataracts of various breeds presented for phacoemulsification, 13 with DM and 13 without DM. PROCEDURE The inclusion criteria for the study were dogs with bilateral cataracts and no clinical evidence of corneal disease. The diabetic group had documented hyperglycemia and was currently treated with insulin. The non-diabetic group had no evidence of DM on examination and bloodwork. Complete ophthalmic examination, corneal esthesiometry, and in vivo confocal microscopy of the CSNP was performed for both eyes of each dog. The CSNP was evaluated using a semi-automated program and statistically analyzed. RESULTS The mean (±SD) CSNP fiber length was significantly decreased in diabetic (3.8 ± 3.0 mm/mm2 ) versus non-diabetic (6.7 ± 1.9 mm/mm2 ) dogs. Likewise, the mean (±SD) fiber density was significantly decreased in diabetic (8.3 ± 3.1 fibers/mm2 ) versus non-diabetic (15.5 ± 4.9 fibers/mm2 ) dogs. The corneal touch threshold was significantly reduced in diabetic (2.1 ± 0.8 cm) versus non-diabetic (2.8 ± 0.4 cm) dogs. There was a non-significant trend towards subclinical keratitis in diabetic (9/13) versus non-diabetic (4/13) dogs. CONCLUSIONS Morphological and functional abnormalities of the CSNP were present in dogs with DM, including decreased fiber length, fiber density, and corneal sensitivity. These findings are consistent with diabetic neuropathy and could contribute to clinically significant corneal complications after cataract surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kore Chan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Zachary Badanes
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Eric C Ledbetter
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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Fernandez Martinez R, Okariz A, Iturrondobeitia M, Ibarretxe J. The determination of optimum segmentation parameters using genetic algorithms: Application to different segmentation algorithms and transmission electron microscopy tomography reconstructed volumes. Microsc Res Tech 2023; 86:1237-1248. [PMID: 36924345 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
A method for optimizing an automatic selection of values for parameters that feed segmentation algorithms is proposed. Evolutionary optimization techniques in combination with a fitness function based on a mutual information parameter have been used to find the optimal parameter values of region growing, fuzzy c-means and graph cut segmentation algorithms. To validate the method, the segmentation of two transmission electron microscopy tomography reconstructed volumes of a carbon black-reinforced rubber and a polylactic acid and clay nanocomposite is carried out (i) using evolutionary optimization techniques and (ii) manually by experts. The results confirm that the use of evolutionary optimization techniques, such as genetic algorithms, reduces the computational operation cost needed for a total grid search of segmentation parameters, reducing the probability of reaching a false optimum, and improving the segmentation quality. HIGHLIGHTS: A new approach to optimize 3D segmentation algorithms. Methodology to optimize segmentation parameters and improve segmentation quality. Improvement on the results when using region growing, fuzzy c-means and graph cuts algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Fernandez Martinez
- Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering in Bilbao, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Ana Okariz
- Department of Applied Physics, College of Engineering in Bilbao, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Maider Iturrondobeitia
- Graphic Design and Project Engineering Department, College of Engineering in Bilbao, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Julen Ibarretxe
- Department of Applied Physics, College of Engineering in Bilbao, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Bilbao, Spain
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Kv R, Prasad K, Peralam Yegneswaran P. Segmentation and Classification Approaches of Clinically Relevant Curvilinear Structures: A Review. J Med Syst 2023; 47:40. [PMID: 36971852 PMCID: PMC10042761 DOI: 10.1007/s10916-023-01927-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Detection of curvilinear structures from microscopic images, which help the clinicians to make an unambiguous diagnosis is assuming paramount importance in recent clinical practice. Appearance and size of dermatophytic hyphae, keratitic fungi, corneal and retinal vessels vary widely making their automated detection cumbersome. Automated deep learning methods, endowed with superior self-learning capacity, have superseded the traditional machine learning methods, especially in complex images with challenging background. Automatic feature learning ability using large input data with better generalization and recognition capability, but devoid of human interference and excessive pre-processing, is highly beneficial in the above context. Varied attempts have been made by researchers to overcome challenges such as thin vessels, bifurcations and obstructive lesions in retinal vessel detection as revealed through several publications reviewed here. Revelations of diabetic neuropathic complications such as tortuosity, changes in the density and angles of the corneal fibers have been successfully sorted in many publications reviewed here. Since artifacts complicate the images and affect the quality of analysis, methods addressing these challenges have been described. Traditional and deep learning methods, that have been adapted and published between 2015 and 2021 covering retinal vessels, corneal nerves and filamentous fungi have been summarized in this review. We find several novel and meritorious ideas and techniques being put to use in the case of retinal vessel segmentation and classification, which by way of cross-domain adaptation can be utilized in the case of corneal and filamentous fungi also, making suitable adaptations to the challenges to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajitha Kv
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Keerthana Prasad
- Manipal School of Information Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India.
| | - Prakash Peralam Yegneswaran
- Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India
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Petropoulos IN, Bitirgen G, Ferdousi M, Kalteniece A, Azmi S, D'Onofrio L, Lim SH, Ponirakis G, Khan A, Gad H, Mohammed I, Mohammadi YE, Malik A, Gosal D, Kobylecki C, Silverdale M, Soran H, Alam U, Malik RA. Corneal Confocal Microscopy to Image Small Nerve Fiber Degeneration: Ophthalmology Meets Neurology. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2022; 2:725363. [PMID: 35295436 PMCID: PMC8915697 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2021.725363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain has multiple etiologies, but a major feature is small fiber dysfunction or damage. Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) is a rapid non-invasive ophthalmic imaging technique that can image small nerve fibers in the cornea and has been utilized to show small nerve fiber loss in patients with diabetic and other neuropathies. CCM has comparable diagnostic utility to intraepidermal nerve fiber density for diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia and amyloid neuropathy and predicts the development of diabetic neuropathy. Moreover, in clinical intervention trials of patients with diabetic and sarcoid neuropathy, corneal nerve regeneration occurs early and precedes an improvement in symptoms and neurophysiology. Corneal nerve fiber loss also occurs and is associated with disease progression in multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and dementia. We conclude that corneal confocal microscopy has good diagnostic and prognostic capability and fulfills the FDA criteria as a surrogate end point for clinical trials in peripheral and central neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gulfidan Bitirgen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Maryam Ferdousi
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Alise Kalteniece
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Shazli Azmi
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Luca D'Onofrio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Sze Hway Lim
- Department of Neurology, Salford Royal National Health System (NHS) Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Adnan Khan
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hoda Gad
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ibrahim Mohammed
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Ayesha Malik
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - David Gosal
- Department of Neurology, Salford Royal National Health System (NHS) Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Kobylecki
- Department of Neurology, Salford Royal National Health System (NHS) Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Monty Silverdale
- Department of Neurology, Salford Royal National Health System (NHS) Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Handrean Soran
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Uazman Alam
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Clinical Sciences Centre, Pain Research Institute, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool University Hospital National Health System (NHS) Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Rayaz A Malik
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar.,Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
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Tuck H, Park M, Carnell M, Machet J, Richardson A, Jukic M, Di Girolamo N. Neuronal-epithelial cell alignment: A determinant of health and disease status of the cornea. Ocul Surf 2021; 21:257-270. [PMID: 33766739 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2021.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE How sensory neurons and epithelial cells interact with one another, and whether this association can be considered an indicator of health or disease is yet to be elucidated. METHODS Herein, we used the cornea, Confetti mice, a novel image segmentation algorithm for intraepithelial corneal nerves which was compared to and validated against several other analytical platforms, and three mouse models to delineate this paradigm. For aging, eyes were collected from 2 to 52 week-old normal C57BL/6 mice (n ≥ 4/time-point). For wound-healing and limbal stem cell deficiency, 7 week-old mice received a limbal-sparing or limbal-to-limbal epithelial debridement to their right cornea, respectively. Eyes were collected 2-16 weeks post-injury (n=4/group/time-point), corneas procured, immunolabelled with βIII-tubulin, flat-mounted, imaged by scanning confocal microscopy and analyzed for nerve and epithelial-specific parameters. RESULTS Our data indicate that nerve features are dynamic during aging and their curvilinear arrangement align with corneal epithelial migratory tracks. Moderate corneal injury prompted axonal regeneration and recovery of nerve fiber features. Limbal stem cell deficient corneas displayed abnormal nerve morphology, and fibers no longer aligned with corneal epithelial migratory tracks. Mechanistically, we discovered that nerve pattern restoration relies on the number and distribution of stromal-epithelial nerve penetration sites. CONCLUSIONS Microstructural changes to innervation may explain corneal complications related to aging and/or disease and facilitate development of new assays for diagnosis and/or classification of ocular and systemic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugh Tuck
- School of Medical Sciences, Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
| | - Mijeong Park
- School of Medical Sciences, Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
| | - Michael Carnell
- Biomedical Imaging Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
| | - Joshua Machet
- School of Medical Sciences, Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
| | - Alexander Richardson
- School of Medical Sciences, Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
| | - Marijan Jukic
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Centre for Health Policy, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3053, Australia
| | - Nick Di Girolamo
- School of Medical Sciences, Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia.
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6
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Wang J, Li YJ, Yang KF. Retinal fundus image enhancement with image decomposition and visual adaptation. Comput Biol Med 2020; 128:104116. [PMID: 33249342 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2020.104116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Retinal fundus photography has been widely used to diagnose various prevalent diseases because many important diseases manifest themselves on the retina. However, the quality of fundus images obtained from practical clinical environments is not always good enough for diagnosis due to uneven illumination, blurring, low contrast, etc. In this paper, we propose a simple yet efficient method for fundus image enhancement. We first conduct image decomposition to divide the input image into three layers: base, detail, and noise layers; and then illumination correction, detail enhancement and denoising are conducted respectively at these three layers. Specifically, a simple visual adaptation model is used to correct the uneven illumination at the base layer and a weighted fusion is employed to enhance details and suppress noise and artifacts. The proposed method was evaluated on public datasets (DIARETDB0 and DIARETDB1), and also on some challenging images collected by us from the hospital. In addition, quality assessments by ophthalmologists were implemented to further verify the contribution of the proposed method in helping make diagnosis. Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms other related methods and can simultaneously handle the tasks of illumination correction, detail enhancement and noise (and artifact) suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianglan Wang
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Yong-Jie Li
- MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China.
| | - Kai-Fu Yang
- MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China.
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