Computer-based automated analysis of X-ray and thermal imaging of knee region in evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis

The aim and objectives of the study are as follows: (1) to perform automated segmentation of knee X-ray images using fast greedy snake algorithm and feature extraction using gray level co-occurrence matrix method, (2) to implement automated segmentation of knee thermal image using RGB segmentation method and (3) to compare the features extracted from the segmented knee region of X-ray and thermal images in rheumatoid arthritis patients using a biochemical method as standard. In all, 30 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were included in the study. X-ray and thermography images of knee regions were acquired, and biochemical tests were carried out subsequently. The X-ray images were segmented using fast greedy snake algorithm, and feature extractions were performed using gray level co-occurrence matrix method. The thermal image was segmented using RGB-based segmentation method and statistical features were extracted. Statistical features extracted after segmentation from X-ray and thermal imaging of knee region were correlated with the standard biochemical parameters. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate shows statistically significant correlations (p < 0.01) with the X-ray parameters such as joint space width and % combined cortical thickness. The skin surface temperature measured from knee region of thermal imaging was highly correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Among all the extracted features namely mean, variance, energy, homogeneity and difference entropy depict statistically significant percentage differences between the rheumatoid arthritis and healthy subjects. From this study, it was observed that thermal infrared imaging technique serves as a potential tool in the evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis at an earlier stage compared to radiography. Hence, it was predicted that thermal imaging method has a competency in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis by automated segmentation methods.

Exploring the Potential Role of Chemopreventive Agent, Hesperetin Conjugated Pegylated Gold Nanoparticles in Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Male Wistar Albino Rats

Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer and is still one of the leading causes of death world wide, due to food additives, alcohol, fungal toxins, air, toxic industrial chemicals, and water pollutants. Chemopreventive drugs play a potential role in liver cancer treatment. Obviously in the production of anticancer drugs, the factors like poor solubility, bioavailability, biocompatibility, limited chemical stability, large amount of dose etc., plays a major role. Against this backdrop, the idea of designing the chemopreventive nature of bio flavanoid hesperetin (HP) drug conjugated with pegylated gold nanoparticles to increasing the solubility, improve bioavailability and enhance the targeting capabilities of the drug during diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced liver cancer in male wistar albino rats. The dose fixation studies and the toxicity of pure HP and HP conjugated gold nanoparticles (Au-mPEG(5000)-S-HP) were analysed. After concluded the dose fixation and toxicity studies the experimental design were segregated in six groups for the anticancer analysis of DEN induced HCC for 16 weeks. After the experimental period the body weight, relative liver weight, number of nodules and size of nodules, the levels of tumor markers like CEA, AFP and the level of lipid peroxidation, lipid hydroperoxides and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were assessed. The administration of DEN to rats resulted in increased relative liver weight and serum marker enzymes aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase. The levels of lipid peroxides elevated (in both serum and tissue) with subsequent decrease in the final body weight and tissue antioxidants like superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidise, and glutathione reductase. HP supplementation (20 mg/kg b.wt) significantly attenuated these alterations, thereby showing potent anticancer effect in liver cancer and the HP loaded gold nanoparticels (Au-mPEG(5000)-S-HP) treated animals shows the better treatment than the pure HP due to the solubility of drug, bioavailability and the target drug delivery of the biodegradable polymer. Histological observations were also carried out, which added supports to the chemopreventive action of the pure HP and HP loaded gold nanoparticles (Au-mPEG(5000)-S-HP) against DEN induction during liver cancer progression. These findings suggest that HP loaded gold nanoparticels (Au-mPEG(5000)-S-HP) shows better efficacy than the pure HP against lipid peroxidation, hepatic cell damage and protects the antioxidant system in DEN induced hepatocellular carcinogenesis.