Relations between Radiograph Texture Analysis and Microcomputed Tomography in Two Rat Models of Bone Metastases

Antioxidant and antiproliferative effects of Teucrium polium extract: computational and in vivo study in rats

The current study aimed to assess the antioxidant and antiproliferative effects of teucrium polium extract: computational and in vivo study in rats. Three groups of animals: Group (i) constitute the control group; Group (ii) HeLa group received an intrafemoral inoculation of HeLa cells and Group (iii) constitue the combination between HeLa + T. polium. The plant was administered by gavage. Our results revealed that HeLa cell injection showed an elevation in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB), creatinine, urea, calcium and phosphorus. The pretreatment with the plant extract reduced the level of these parameters. Injection of HeLa cells showed a significant decrease in phosphorus and calcium respectively. However, the pretreatment by T. polium modulated the level of these two minerals. Rats treated with HeLa cells line showed an increase in the level of lipid peroxidation as evaluated by the TBARS substances, at the same time, a significant decreases in SOD, CAT and GPx activities were noted in the HeLa group compared to the control. On the other hand, pretreatment with the plant improved the level of these enzymes. Our results revealed that T.polium has a therapeutic effect on some health problems. HeLa cell line induced a small infiltration in liver and kidney. T. polium reduced the damage in both liver and kidney, but did not reveal any proliferation of tumor cells from trabecular bone tissue. The computational study revealed that T. polium compound bound with high free binding energies and established promising network of molecular interactions with COX-2 and TNF-α macromolecules.

Expression Profiling of Selected Immune Genes and Trabecular Microarchitecture in Breast Cancer Skeletal Metastases Model: Effect of α-Tocopherol Acetate Supplementation

Breast cancer bone metastases (BCBM) result in serious skeletal morbidity. Although there have been important advances in cancer treatment methods such as surgery and chemotherapy, the complementary treatments, such as α-tocopherol acetate (ATA), still remain of key role via complementary and/or synergistic effects. The aim of this work was to study immune response in a rat model of BCBM due to Walker 256/B cells inoculation and the effect of ATA alone. Compared to the control group (CTRL), rat injected with Walker 256/B cells (5 × 10⁴) in the medullar cavity (W256 group) showed osteolytic damages with marked tumor osteolysis of both cancellous and trabecular bone as assessed by X-ray radiology, micro-computed tomography, and histology. Rats inoculated with Walker 256/B cells and treated with ATA (45 mg/kg BW, W256ATA group) presented marked less tumor osteolysis, less disturbance of Tb.Th and Tb.Sp associated with conversion of rods into plates, and increased structure model index and trabecular pattern factor (Tb.Pf). Elsewhere, 3D frequency distributions of Tb.Th and Tb.Sp were highly disturbed in metastatic W256 rats. Overexpression of some genes commonly associated with cancer and metastatic proliferation: COX-2, TNF-α, and pro-inflammatory interleukins 1 and 6 was outlined. ATA alleviated most of the Walker 256/B cells-induced microarchitectural changes in the target parameters without turning back to normal levels. Likewise, it alleviates the BCSM-induced overexpression of COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6. In silico approach showed that ATA bound these proteins with high affinities, which satisfactory explain its beneficial effects. In conclusion, BCBM is associated with bone microarchitectural disorders and an immune response characterized by an overexpression of some key role genes in cancer proliferation and invasion. ATA exerted favorable effects on trabecular bone distribution and morphology, which may involve the COX-2, TNF-α, and ILs pathways.

Veettil V, Noumi E, A. Al-Motair K, Aouadi K, Kadri A, De Feo V, Snoussi M. Allium subhirsutum L. as a Potential Source of Antioxidant and Anticancer Bioactive Molecules: HR-LCMS Phytochemical Profiling, In Vitro and In Vivo Pharmacological Study

This study investigated Allium subhirsutum L. (AS) anticancer and antioxidant effects and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis in a murine model of skeletal metastases due to inoculation of Walker 256/B cells. Phytochemical composition of AS extract (ASE) was studied by High Resolution-Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (HR-LCMS). Total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC) were determined. In vitro, the antioxidant properties were evaluated by reducing power and antiradical activity against DPPH. Cancer cells' proliferation, apoptosis, metastatic development and angiogenesis were evaluated using Walker 256/B and MatLyLu cells. The p-coumaric acid was the major phenolic acid (1700 µg/g extract). ASE showed high levels of TPC and TFC and proved potent antioxidant effects. ASE inhibited Walker 256/B and MatLyLu cells' proliferation (Half-maximal inhibitory concentration: IC50 ≃ 150 µg/mL) and induced apoptosis. In silico and in vivo assays confirmed these findings. ASE effectively acts as a chemo-preventive compound, induces apoptosis and attenuates angiogenesis and osteolytic metastases due to Walker 256/B malignant cells.

Classification of Carotid Plaque Echogenicity by Combining Texture Features and Morphologic Characteristics

OBJECTIVES

Anechoic carotid plaques on sonography have been used to predict future cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether carotid plaque echogenicity could be assessed objectively by combining texture features extracted by MaZda software (Institute of Electronics, Technical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland) and morphologic characteristics, which may provide a promising method for early prediction of acute cardiovascular disease.

METHODS

A total of 268 plaque images were collected from 136 volunteers and classified into 85 hyperechoic, 83 intermediate, and 100 anechoic plaques. About 300 texture features were extracted from histogram, absolute gradient, run-length matrix, gray-level co-occurrence matrix, autoregressive model, and wavelet transform algorithms by MaZda. The morphologic characteristics, including degree of stenosis, maximum plaque intima-media thickness, and maximum plaque length, were measured by B-mode sonography. Statistically significant features were selected by analysis of covariance. The most discriminative features were obtained from statistically significant features by linear discriminant analysis. The K-nearest neighbor classifier was used to classify plaque echogenicity based on statistically significant and most discriminative features.

RESULTS

A total of 30 statistically significant features were selected among the plaques, and 2 most discriminative features were obtained from the statistically significant features. The classification accuracy rates for 3 types of plaques based on statistically significant and most discriminative features were 72.03% (κ= 0.571; P < .001) and 88.14% (κ= 0.820; P < .001), respectively. The receiver operating characteristic curve for identifying anechoic plaques showed an area under the curve of 0.918 when the most discriminative features were used to train the classifier.

CONCLUSIONS

It is feasible to classify carotid plaque echogenicity by combining texture features extracted from sonograms by MaZda and morphologic characteristics.

Extending two-dimensional histology into the third dimension through conventional micro computed tomography

Histological examination achieves sub-micrometer resolution laterally. In the third dimension, however, resolution is limited to section thickness. In addition, histological sectioning and mounting sections on glass slides introduce tissue-dependent stress and strain. In contrast, state-of-the-art hard X-ray micro computed tomography (μCT) systems provide isotropic sub-micrometer resolution and avoid sectioning artefacts. The drawback of μCT in the absorption contrast mode for visualising physically soft tissue is a low attenuation difference between anatomical features. In this communication, we demonstrate that formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded human cerebellum yields appropriate absorption contrast in laboratory-based μCT data, comparable to conventional histological sections. Purkinje cells, for example, are readily visible. In order to investigate the pros and cons of complementary approaches, two- and three-dimensional data were manually and automatically registered. The joint histogram of histology and the related μCT slice allows for a detailed discussion on how to integrate two-dimensional information from histology into a three-dimensional tomography dataset. This methodology is not only rewarding for the analysis of the human cerebellum, but it also has relevance for investigations of tissue biopsies and post-mortem applications. Our data indicate that laboratory-based μCT as a modality can fill the gap between synchrotron radiation-based μCT and histology for a variety of tissues. As the information from haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained sections and μCT data is related, one can colourise local X-ray absorption values according to the H&E stain. Hence, μCT data can correlate and virtually extend two-dimensional (2D) histology data into the third dimension.

Texture analysis of T1 - and T2 -weighted MR images and use of probabilistic neural network to discriminate posterior fossa tumours in children

Brain tumours are the most common solid tumours in children, representing 20% of all cancers. The most frequent posterior fossa tumours are medulloblastomas, pilocytic astrocytomas and ependymomas. Texture analysis (TA) of MR images can be used to support the diagnosis of these tumours by providing additional quantitative information. MaZda software was used to perform TA on T1 - and T2 -weighted images of children with pilocytic astrocytomas, medulloblastomas and ependymomas of the posterior fossa, who had MRI at Birmingham Children's Hospital prior to treatment. The region of interest was selected on three slices per patient in Image J, using thresholding and manual outlining. TA produced 279 features, which were reduced using principal component analysis (PCA). The principal components (PCs) explaining 95% of the variance were used in a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and a probabilistic neural network (PNN) to classify the cases, using DTREG statistics software. PCA of texture features from both T1 - and T2 -weighted images yielded 13 PCs to explain >95% of the variance. The PNN classifier for T1 -weighted images achieved 100% accuracy on training the data and 90% on leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV); for T2 -weighted images, the accuracy was 100% on training the data and 93.3% on LOOCV. A PNN classifier with T1 and T2 PCs achieved 100% accuracy on training the data and 85.8% on LOOCV. LDA classification accuracies were noticeably poorer. The features found to hold the highest discriminating potential were all co-occurrence matrix derived, where adjacent pixels had highly correlated intensities. This study shows that TA can be performed on standard T1 - and T2 -weighted images of childhood posterior fossa tumours using readily available software to provide high diagnostic accuracy. Discriminatory features do not correspond to those used in the clinical interpretation of the images and therefore provide novel tumour information.

Beneficial effects of a N-terminally modified GIP agonist on tissue-level bone material properties

Bone remodeling is under complex regulation from nervous, hormonal and local signals, including gut hormones. Among the gut hormones, a role for the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) has been suggested. However, the rapid degradation of GIP in the bloodstream by the ubiquitous enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) precludes therapeutic use. To circumvent this problem, a series of N-terminally modified GIP agonists have been developed, with N-AcGIP being the most promising. The aims of the present study were to investigate the effects of N-AcGIP on bone at the micro-level using trabecular and cortical microstructural morphology, and at the tissue-level in rats. Copenhagen rats were randomly assigned into control or N-AcGIP-treated groups and received daily injection for 4 weeks. Bone microstructural morphology was assessed by microCT and dynamic histomorphometry and tissue-level properties by nanoindentation, qBEI and infra-red microscopy. Four week treatment with N-AcGIP did not alter trabecular or cortical microstructural morphology. In addition, no significant modifications of mechanical response and properties at the tissue-level were observed in trabecular bone. However, significant augmentations in maximum load (12%), hardness (14%), indentation modulus (13%) and dissipated energy (16%) were demonstrated in cortical bone. These beneficial modifications of mechanical properties at the tissue-level were associated with increased mineralization (22%) and collagen maturity (13%) of the bone matrix. Taken together, the results support a beneficial role of GIP, and particularly stable analogs such as N-AcGIP, on tissue material properties of bone.

Development and evaluation of an open-source software package "CGITA" for quantifying tumor heterogeneity with molecular images

BACKGROUND

The quantification of tumor heterogeneity with molecular images, by analyzing the local or global variation in the spatial arrangements of pixel intensity with texture analysis, possesses a great clinical potential for treatment planning and prognosis. To address the lack of available software for computing the tumor heterogeneity on the public domain, we develop a software package, namely, Chang-Gung Image Texture Analysis (CGITA) toolbox, and provide it to the research community as a free, open-source project.

METHODS

With a user-friendly graphical interface, CGITA provides users with an easy way to compute more than seventy heterogeneity indices. To test and demonstrate the usefulness of CGITA, we used a small cohort of eighteen locally advanced oral cavity (ORC) cancer patients treated with definitive radiotherapies.

RESULTS

In our case study of ORC data, we found that more than ten of the current implemented heterogeneity indices outperformed SUVmean for outcome prediction in the ROC analysis with a higher area under curve (AUC). Heterogeneity indices provide a better area under the curve up to 0.9 than the SUVmean and TLG (0.6 and 0.52, resp.).

CONCLUSIONS

CGITA is a free and open-source software package to quantify tumor heterogeneity from molecular images. CGITA is available for free for academic use at http://code.google.com/p/cgita.

Walker 256/B malignant breast cancer cells disrupt osteoclast cytomorphometry and activity in rats: modulation by α-tocopherol acetate

We examined the effects of vitamin E supplementation (VES) on osteoclast (OC) resorbing activity and cytomorphometry in Walker 256/B tumor osteolytic rats. Twenty-four aged male rats were randomized into 3 groups: 6 were sham operated; 9 were injected in the right hind limb with Walker 256/B cells (W256 group); and 9 were injected as above and supplemented with VE (45mg/kg BW) (W256VE group). Twenty days later, bone mass (BV/TV) and some microarchitectural parameters were assessed. Some histodynamic parameters, cellular and nuclear form factors (FFC and FFN), and nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio (N/C) of OC were measured for each group. W256 group exhibited osteolytic lesions in the operated femora. Walker 256/B induced trabecular perforation and decreased BV/TV associated with significant increases in OC numbering (N.Oc/B.Ar and Oc.N/B.Pm) and activity (ES/BS and Oc.S/BS). While FFN remain unchanged, the FFC and N/C ratio increased in the W256 group. W256VE showed less osteolytic lesions. Moreover, disruption of bone microarchitecture and OC activity in W256VE group decreased. VES reduced the malignant Walker 256/B-induced enhanced OC resorbing activity with cytoinhibition rate reaching 41%. The protective effect of VE may be due to its modulation of OC cytomorphometry and subsequently their activity.

Walker 256/B malignant breast cancer cells improve femur angioarchitecture and disrupt hematological parameters in a rat model of tumor osteolysis

This study was designed to assess femur angioarchitecture and hematological effects of Walker 256/B cells in a rat model of tumor osteolysis. Tumor osteolysis was induced by in situ inoculation of Walker 256/B malignant cells. Six other rats were sham operated and served as control. Twenty days later, rats were euthanized, and femurs were collected than radiographed. Angioarchitecture [mean lumen diameter (MLD), wall thickness (WTh), Vessel number, volume, and separation (VNb, VV, and VSp respectively)] was studied by histomorphometry at 2 different positions (P1: diaphysis, and P2: metaphysis) of the operated femora. Some hematological parameters were also assessed. Walker 256/B induced marked tumor osteolysis, with cortical perforation and trabecular destruction, associated increase in bone vascularization (increases of VNb and VV and decrease of VSp). Angioarchitecture of W256/B rats was disorganized and showed large MLD and lower WTh. These effects were more prominent in P2. When compared to Sham group, significantly decreases at levels of red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Ht), and white blood cell (WBC) were observed in W256/B rats. These results suggest that Walker 256/B cells induced tumor osteolysis, improve hypervasculature especially near the tumoral foci (P2) associated hematological disruption. Besides, tumor vessels showed abnormal (enlarged and thinner) and disorganized morphology.

Comparable outcomes in fracture reduction and bone properties with RANKL inhibition and alendronate treatment in a mouse model of osteogenesis imperfecta

We report a direct comparison of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) inhibition (RANK-Fc) with bisphosphonate treatment (alendronate, ALN) from infancy through early adulthood in a mouse model of osteogenesis imperfecta. Both ALN and RANK-Fc decreased fracture incidence to the same degree with increases in metaphyseal bone volume via increased number of thinner trabeculae.

INTRODUCTION

The potential therapeutic benefit of RANKL inhibitors in osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is under investigation. We report a direct comparison of RANKL inhibition (RANK-Fc) with bisphosphonate treatment (ALN) from infancy through early adulthood in a model of OI, the oim/oim mouse.

METHODS

Two-week-old oim/oim, oim/+, and wildtype (+/+) mice were treated with RANK-Fc 1.5 mg/kg twice per week, ALN 0.21 mg/kg/week or saline (n = 12-20 per group) for 12 weeks.

RESULTS

ALN and RANK-Fc both decreased fracture incidence (9.0 ± 3.0 saline 4.4 ± 2.7 ALN, 4.3 ± 3.0 RANK-Fc fractures per mouse). Serum TRACP-5b activity decreased to 65% after 1 month in all treated mice, but increased sacrifice with RANK-Fc to 130-200% at sacrifice. Metaphyseal density was significantly increased with ALN in +/+ and oim/oim mice (p < 0.05) and tended to increase with RANK-Fc in +/+ mice. No changes in oim/oim femur biomechanical parameters occurred with treatment. Both ALN and RANK-Fc significantly increased trabecular number (3.73 ± 0.77 1/mm for oim/oim saline vs 7.93 ± 0.67 ALN and 7.34 ± 1.38 RANK-Fc) and decreased trabecular thickness (0.045 mm ± 0.003 for oim/oim saline vs 0.034 ± 0.003 ALN and 0.032 ± 0.002 RANK-Fc) and separation in all genotypes (0.28 ± 0.08 mm for oim/oim saline vs 0.12 ± 0.010 ALN and 13 ± 0.03 RANK-Fc)., with significant increase in bone volume fraction (BVF) with ALN, and a trend towards increased BVF in RANK-Fc.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of oim/oim mice with either a bisphosphonate or a RANK-Fc causes similar decreases in fracture incidence with increases in metaphyseal bone volume via increased number of thinner trabeculae.

Bone metastasis: histological changes and pathophysiological mechanisms in osteolytic or osteosclerotic localizations. A review

The development of a bone metastasis involves interactions between the tumor cells, the bone marrow microenvironment and the bone cells themselves. A better understanding of the pathophysiological changes occurring in bone metastasis can be obtained from histopathological examination of invaded specimens. This review focuses on the main molecular mechanisms implied in the localization and growth of malignant cells in the bone marrow. The corresponding histologic developmental stages are illustrated both in osteolytic (or mixed metastasis) or in the osteosclerotic forms by histological analysis, immunohistochemistry and microcomputed tomographic analysis of bone samples. In both cases, the malignant cells find a "fertile soil" in the bone marrow microenvironment. They use the growth factors released by bone cells for the coupling between osteoclasts/osteoblasts to promote their own development. In turn, they elaborate a variety of cytokines that can promote osteoclastogenesis (PTHrP, IL-1, IL-6…) or on the contrary, other growth factors that can boost the osteoblastic activity (ET1, IGFs). A "vicious circle" occurs between the malignant cells and the bone cells leading to the radiological expression of the metastasis.

Three-dimensional characterization of the vascular bed in bone metastasis of the rat by microcomputed tomography (MicroCT)

Background

Angiogenesis contributes to proliferation and metastatic dissemination of cancer cells. Anatomy of blood vessels in tumors has been characterized with 2D techniques (histology or angiography). They are not fully representative of the trajectories of vessels throughout the tissues and are not adapted to analyze changes occurring inside the bone marrow cavities.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We have characterized the vasculature of bone metastases in 3D at different times of evolution of the disease. Metastases were induced in the femur of Wistar rats by a local injection of Walker 256/B cells. Microfil®, (a silicone-based polymer) was injected at euthanasia in the aorta 12, 19 and 26 days after injection of tumor cells. Undecalcified bones (containing the radio opaque vascular casts) were analyzed by microCT, and a first 3D model was reconstructed. Bones were then decalcified and reanalyzed by microCT; a second model (comprising only the vessels) was obtained and overimposed on the former, thus providing a clear visualization of vessel trajectories in the invaded metaphysic allowing quantitative evaluation of the vascular volume and vessel diameter. Histological analysis of the marrow was possible on the decalcified specimens. Walker 256/B cells induced a marked osteolysis with cortical perforations. The metaphysis of invaded bones became progressively hypervascular. New vessels replaced the major central medullar artery coming from the diaphyseal shaft. They sprouted from the periosteum and extended into the metastatic area. The newly formed vessels were irregular in diameter, tortuous with a disorganized architecture. A quantitative analysis of vascular volume indicated that neoangiogenesis increased with the development of the tumor with the appearance of vessels with a larger diameter.

Conclusion

This new method evidenced the tumor angiogenesis in 3D at different development times of the metastasis growth. Bone and the vascular bed can be identified by a double reconstruction and allowed a quantitative evaluation of angiogenesis upon time.

Effect of malignant ascites on antioxidative potency of two tumoral cells-induced bone metastases: Walker 256/B and MatLyLu

This study was undertaken to estimate antioxidative status of two malignant-mammary gland carcinoma (Walker 256/B) and malignant-prostate carcinoma cells (MatLyLu) disseminated in ascitic fluids. Malignant carcinoma cells (10(7) cells) were twice serially intraperitoneal injected in male Wistar rats to develop ascites. After 7 days, ascitic fluids were collected, and cells in suspension were usable for biological assays. Cellular lipid peroxidation was assessed by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels. Some antioxidant parameters: superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) were also assessed. Comparisons with control baseline (cells maintained in normal culture medium) were analyzed. TBARS levels were found to be significantly decreased in both ascitic cancer cells compared to the baseline except for in the ascite I of MatLyLu cells. On the other hand, SOD and CAT activities were found to be statistically increased in the two malignant ascitic passages. GSH-Px levels were elevated in the first and in the second ascitic passages (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). Our results suggest that malignant ascites are associated not only with reduced levels of TBARS but also with increased antioxidant parameters, indicating the increasing antioxidant potency of two cancer cells during malignancies process.

A single pretreatment by zoledronic acid converts metastases from osteolytic to osteoblastic in the rat

Bone metastases are severe complications of cancers associated with increased morbidity, pain, risk fracture, and reduced life span for patients. Bisphosphonates emerged as a relief treatment in bone metastases. A single dose of zoledronic acid (78 microg/kg) was injected into six Copenhagen rats 4 days before receiving an intraosseous inoculation of metastatic anaplastic tumor of lymph node and lung cell (MLL) prostate cancer cells. Rat femurs were analyzed for changes by microCT and histomorphometry; trabecular volume, trabecular characteristics, osteoid parameters, osteoblastic surfaces, and osteoclast number were measured. Values were compared to a group of SHAM animals, a group of SHAM animals having received zoledronic acid and animals inoculated with MLL cells. All rats were euthanized after 1 month. MLL cells induced osteolysis in the metaphysis with extension of the tumor to soft tissues through cortical perforations. Zoledronic acid induced a marked osteosclerosis in the primary spongiosa in both SHAM and rats inoculated with MLL. Osteosclerosis was obtained in the secondary spongiosa of MLL rats. The bisphosphonate preserved cortical integrity in all animals, and no extension to soft tissues was observed in most animals. The number of osteoclasts was elevated, indicating that there was no apoptosis of osteoclasts but they became inactive. Osteosclerosis was associated with increased osteoblastic surfaces. A single zoledronic acid injection turned osteolytic metastases into osteosclerotic and preserved cortical integrity.

Effect of alpha tocopherol acetate in Walker 256/B cells-induced oxidative damage in a rat model of breast cancer skeletal metastases

The pathophysiological changes and the oxidative-antioxidative status were evaluated in the bone microenvironment of rat inoculated with Walker 256/B mammary gland carcinoma cells, and used alpha-tocopherol acetate (ATA) as a countermeasure. Walker 256/B cells were injected into the right femora of aged male rats. Animals were randomized into three groups: 12 rats were injected with saline (control group); 14 rats were injected with Walker 256/B cells (5x10(4)) in the medullar cavity (W256 group); 14 rats were inoculated with Walker 256/B cells and treated with ATA (45mg/kg BW) (W256+ATA group). After 20 days, rats were euthanized and the femurs were radiographed. Micro architectural parameters were measured by microcomputed tomography and histology. Serum, bone and bone marrow were evaluated for oxidative damage. In parallel, cell cultures were done in the presence of ATA and ROS were measured by fluorescence; apoptotic cells were determined in parallel. W256 groups had osteolytic damages with marked resorption of cortical and trabecular bone. W256+ATA animals presented marked osteosclerotic areas associated with tumor necrosis areas inside the bone cavity. Levels of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation were found to increase in W256 rats; a significant reduction in SOD and GSH-p activities was also observed. W256+ATA group had significantly reduced oxidative damage, but not reversed back to the control levels. The present study shows that Walker 256/B cells induce skeletal metastases associated with oxidative damage in the bone microenvironment. ATA reduced the oxidative stress damage, enhanced osteosclerosis and tumor cell apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo.

MaZda--a software package for image texture analysis

MaZda, a software package for 2D and 3D image texture analysis is presented. It provides a complete path for quantitative analysis of image textures, including computation of texture features, procedures for feature selection and extraction, algorithms for data classification, various data visualization and image segmentation tools. Initially, MaZda was aimed at analysis of magnetic resonance image textures. However, it revealed its effectiveness in analysis of other types of textured images, including X-ray and camera images. The software was utilized by numerous researchers in diverse applications. It was proven to be an efficient and reliable tool for quantitative image analysis, even in more accurate and objective medical diagnosis. MaZda was also successfully used in food industry to assess food product quality. MaZda can be downloaded for public use from the Institute of Electronics, Technical University of Lodz webpage.

Virtual histology by means of high-resolution X-ray CT

Micro-CT is a non-destructive technique for 3D tomographic investigation of an object. A 3D representation of the internal structure is calculated based on a series of X-ray radiographs taken from different angles. The spatial resolution of current laboratory-used micro-CT systems has come down over the last years from a few tens of microns to a few microns. This opens the possibility to perform histological investigations in 3D on a virtual representation of a sample, referred to as virtual 3D histology. The advantage of micro-CT based virtual histology is the immediate and automated 3D visualization of the sample without prior slicing, sample preparation like decalcification, photographing and aligning. This not only permits a drastic reduction in preparation time but also offers the possibility to easily investigate objects that are difficult to slice. This article presents results that were obtained on punch biopsies of horse skin, (dental) alveolus of ponies and chondro-osseous samples from the tarsus of foals studied with the new high resolution micro-CT set-up (HRXCT) at the Ghent University (Belgium) (http://www.ugct.ugent.be). This state-of-the-art set-up provides a 1 micron resolution and is therefore ideally suited for a direct comparison with standard light microscopy-based histology.