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Mah SA, Avci R, Vanderwinden JM, Du P. Three-Dimensional Fractal Analysis of the Interstitial Cells of Cajal Networks of Gastrointestinal Tissue Specimens. Cell Mol Bioeng 2024; 17:67-81. [PMID: 38435795 PMCID: PMC10902253 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-023-00789-5] [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: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Several functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) have been associated with the degradation or remodeling of the network of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). Introducing fractal analysis to the field of gastroenterology as a promising data analytics approach to extract key structural characteristics that may provide insightful features for machine learning applications in disease diagnostics. Fractal geometry has advantages over several physically based parameters (or classical metrics) for analysis of intricate and complex microstructures that could be applied to ICC networks. Methods In this study, three fractal structural parameters: Fractal Dimension, Lacunarity, and Succolarity were employed to characterize scale-invariant complexity, heterogeneity, and anisotropy; respectively of three types of gastric ICC network structures from a flat-mount transgenic mouse stomach. Results The Fractal Dimension of ICC in the longitudinal muscle layer was found to be significantly lower than ICC in the myenteric plexus and circumferential muscle in the proximal, and distal antrum, respectively (both p < 0.0001). Conversely, the Lacunarity parameters for ICC-LM and ICC-CM were found to be significantly higher than ICC-MP in the proximal and in the distal antrum, respectively (both p < 0.0001). The Succolarity measures of ICC-LM network in the aboral direction were found to be consistently higher in the proximal than in the distal antrum (p < 0.05). Conclusions The fractal parameters presented here could go beyond the limitation of classical metrics to provide better understanding of the structural-functional relationship between ICC networks and the conduction of gastric bioelectrical slow waves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sue Ann Mah
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Recep Avci
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jean-Marie Vanderwinden
- Laboratoire de Neurophysiologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Peng Du
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Mah SA, Avci R, Du P, Vanderwinden JM, Cheng LK. Deciphering Stomach Myoelectrical Slow Wave Conduction Patterns via Confocal Imaging of Gastric Pacemaker Cells and Fractal Geometry. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2022; 2022:3514-3517. [PMID: 36085915 DOI: 10.1109/embc48229.2022.9870891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) are specialized gastrointestinal (GI) pacemaker cells that generate and actively propagate slow waves of depolarization (SWs) of the muscularis propria. SWs regulate the motility of the GI tract necessary for digestion, absorption of nutrients, and elimination of waste. Within the gastric wall, there are three main inter-connected layers of ICC networks: longitudinal muscle ICC (ICC-LM), myenteric plexus ICC (ICC-MP) & circumferential muscle (ICC-CM). Fractal structural parameters such as Fractal Dimension (FD), Lacunarity and Succolarity, have many advantages over physically-based parameters when it comes to characterizing the complex architectures of ICC networks. The analysis of networks of ICC throughout the proximal and distal murine gastric antrum with the FD and Lacunarity metrics was previously performed. Although the application of Succolarity is relatively nascent compared to the FD and Lacunarity; nevertheless, numerous studies have demonstrated the capability of this fractal measure to extract information from images associated with flow by which neither the FD nor Lacunarity are capable of discerning. In this study, Succolarity analysis of ICC-MP and ICC-CM networks were performed with confocal images taken across the proximal and distal murine antrum. Our findings demonstrated the Succolarity of ICC-MP and ICC-CM varied with directions and antral regions. The Succolarity of ICC-MP did not vary considerably with direction, however, Succolarity was higher in the aboral direction with 0.2113 ±0.1589, and 0.0637 ±0.0822 in the proximal and distal antrum, respectively. The overall Succolarity of ICC-MP was significantly higher than that of ICC-CM in the proximal antrum ( 0.1580±0.1325 vs [Formula: see text]) and in the distal antrum ( 0.0449 ±0.0409 vs [Formula: see text]). Clinical Relevance-Modeling SWs conduction patterns via image analysis of detailed ICC networks help to facilitate an improved understanding of the mechanisms underpinning GI myoelectric activity and the diseases associated with its dysfunction.
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Ferro M, de Cobelli O, Musi G, del Giudice F, Carrieri G, Busetto GM, Falagario UG, Sciarra A, Maggi M, Crocetto F, Barone B, Caputo VF, Marchioni M, Lucarelli G, Imbimbo C, Mistretta FA, Luzzago S, Vartolomei MD, Cormio L, Autorino R, Tătaru OS. Radiomics in prostate cancer: an up-to-date review. Ther Adv Urol 2022; 14:17562872221109020. [PMID: 35814914 PMCID: PMC9260602 DOI: 10.1177/17562872221109020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common worldwide diagnosed malignancy in male population. The diagnosis, the identification of aggressive disease, and the post-treatment follow-up needs a more comprehensive and holistic approach. Radiomics is the extraction and interpretation of images phenotypes in a quantitative manner. Radiomics may give an advantage through advancements in imaging modalities and through the potential power of artificial intelligence techniques by translating those features into clinical outcome prediction. This article gives an overview on the current evidence of methodology and reviews the available literature on radiomics in PCa patients, highlighting its potential for personalized treatment and future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Ferro
- Department of Urology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy, via Ripamonti 435 Milano, Italy
| | - Ottavio de Cobelli
- Department of Urology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gennaro Musi
- Department of Urology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hematology-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco del Giudice
- Department of Urology, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Carrieri
- Department of Urology and Organ Transplantation, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Gian Maria Busetto
- Department of Urology and Organ Transplantation, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Sciarra
- Department of Urology, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Maggi
- Department of Urology, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Felice Crocetto
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Naples, Italy
| | - Biagio Barone
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Francesco Caputo
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Marchioni
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, G. d’Annunzio, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy; Urology Unit, ‘SS. Annunziata’ Hospital, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Urology, ASL Abruzzo 2, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lucarelli
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Urology, Andrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Ciro Imbimbo
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Alessandro Mistretta
- Department of Urology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Luzzago
- Department of Urology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Mihai Dorin Vartolomei
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mures, Târgu Mures, Romania
- Department of Urology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Luigi Cormio
- Urology and Renal Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
- Urology Unit, Bonomo Teaching Hospital, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Octavian Sabin Tătaru
- Institution Organizing University Doctoral Studies, I.O.S.U.D., George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mures, Târgu Mures, Romania
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