Biomedical Spectroscopy and Imaging - Volume 1, issue 3

Authors: Becker, J. Sabine | Becker, J. Susanne

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: Trace metals are essential in life science and play a major role in biological processes. Knowledge of spatial distribution of metals and metal-containing proteins is fundamental for understanding the pathophysiology of metalloproteins, the impact of metal metabolism and metal-containing deposits in healthy brains and brains of patients suffering from neurological diseases. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in studying metal imaging in biological and especially in clinical tissues. In most neurodegenerative diseases, abnormal metal deposition has been observed within the brain (e.g., in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or Wilson diseases). Laser-induced mass spectrometry is a novel emerging analytical tool …to generate two- and three-dimensional maps of the distribution of elements, isotopes and molecules in different systems. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is one of the most important inorganic mass spectrometric technique for solid materials and has been successfully applied to produce quantitative images of detailed regionally specific element distributions in thin soft tissue sections of biological and clinical samples. The spatial resolved “BrainMet” techniques (BrainMet – Bioimaging of Metals in Brain and Metallomics) developed at Research Centre Juelich have been created and established for metal distribution studies in thin biomedical cryosection and it can be employed for fundamental biomedical investigation of biochemical pathways up to single cell level and in future for disease diagnostics and neuroprotective therapies of neurological disorders. Show more

Keywords: Biomedical spectroscopy, clinical tissue, imaging, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, metallomics, trace metals

DOI: 10.3233/BSI-2012-0016

Citation: Biomedical Spectroscopy and Imaging, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 187-204, 2012

Authors: Macnab, Andrew | Shadgan, Babak

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Progress in research applications of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and growing clinical interest have led to significant improvements in hardware and software. Amongst continuous wave systems the use of light emitting diodes, incorporation of spatially resolved optical geometry, algorithm refinement, development of portable systems, and wireless telemetry led first to portable NIRS instruments, then wearable systems, and now miniaturized self-contained devices. Measurement of absolute tissue oxygen saturation in both muscle and brain, and mapping of event related cortical hemodynamic responses using functional NIRS (fNIRS) have added specific measurement modalities. Wireless wearable systems and self-contained devices capable of measuring such modalities …in addition to providing conventional monitoring of trends in oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin concentration from baseline have increased the scope of research, expanded the population readily monitored, and opened new clinical avenues for applications involving NIRS. This review explores the range of biomedical applications reported using wireless continuous wave (CW) NIRS and fNIRS systems, summarizes key elements in the specification of available devices, and outlines potential future directions for clinical use of wireless NIRS technologies. Show more

Keywords: Light emitting diode, near infrared spectroscopy, oxygen uptake dynamics, spatially resolved spectroscopy, tissue oxygen saturation, wireless

DOI: 10.3233/BSI-2012-0018

Citation: Biomedical Spectroscopy and Imaging, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 205-222, 2012

Authors: Macnab, Andrew | Friedman, Boris | Shadgan, Babak | Stothers, Lynn

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Bladder studies are the most recent biomedical application of NIRS in urology. Transcutaneous monitoring of the detrusor muscle in the bladder wall as the organ fills and empties offers new parameters for evaluation of normal and dysfunctional voiding. While established as a research entity clinical adoption requires comprehensive understanding of the attributes and limitations of the technique. We review key anatomic and physiologic elements that suit the bladder to study using NIRS. These include the depth and consistent relationship of the anterior wall below the abdominal skin which allow transcutaneous monitoring; the unique vascular anatomy which is central to …normal organ function and maintenance of perfusion during the spatial changes that occur during bladder expansion and contraction; and the known association of various pathologies with adverse effects on the microcirculation and compromise of the contractile properties of the detrusor muscle. Such pathologies cause symptoms of voiding dysfunction which in many patients are due to disordered detrusor hemodynamics and/or an imbalance in oxygen supply and demand. Yet current clinical methodology for evaluating the underlying cause of voiding dysfunction only measures pressure and flow, and provides no information related to bladder hemodynamics or oxygenation. Monitoring data from prior studies that illustrate how NIRS of the bladder can contribute novel information related to the physiology of the bladder in health and disease are summarized. Show more

Keywords: Bladder wall, detrusor, near infrared spectroscopy, vesical microcirculation, voiding dysfunction

DOI: 10.3233/BSI-2012-0020

Citation: Biomedical Spectroscopy and Imaging, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 223-235, 2012

Authors: Lee, Yong-Gyu | Park, Jin Hee | Yoon, Gilwon

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In this study, we propose an image analysis method for locating bleeding sites of the gastrointestinal-endoscopic image. Endoscopic images are particularly difficult to analyze due to variations in illumination, various shades of blood color, noise and presence of food debris. In this study, blood was identified using the probability distribution models based on optical characteristics of blood. Blood discrimination capability was enhanced by taking morphological features such as clustering into account. In terms of noise removal, we proposed a so-called switching adaptive median filtering method and it provided better results compared to the median filtering or low pass filtering. Each …pixel in the image was analyzed and its sensitivity and specificity were computed. For 15 images with bleeding, a sensitivity of 86.71% and a specificity of 88.01% were achieved. Show more

Keywords: Endoscopy, image analysis, bleeding, optical characteristics, nonlinear filter

DOI: 10.3233/BSI-2012-0022

Citation: Biomedical Spectroscopy and Imaging, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 237-245, 2012

Authors: Baldassarre, Maurizio | Scirè, Andrea | Tanfani, Fabio

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The study of the mechanisms underlying formation of molten globule states in proteins is gaining growing interest due to recent discoveries concerning the involvement of this folding intermediate in several biological processes and to the possibility it offers to clarify the general process of protein folding. Different spectroscopic techniques, such as fluorescence, circular dichroism, nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared, have proved to be invaluable tools in the detection and characterization of molten globule states. In this review, the use of Fourier Transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy to shed light on the formation of molten globules is discussed. Due to its ability …to simultaneously probe the secondary structure and compactness/flexibility of protein samples prepared in deuterated media, FT-IR spectroscopy is particularly well suited to detect temperature-induced molten globule states in small, β-sheet-rich proteins. Several approaches for analysis and interpretation of infrared spectra are provided, such as second derivatives, Amide I′ position and extent of H/D exchange plots, difference spectra and 2D correlation analysis. Experimental cases are also provided as examples. Show more

Keywords: Molten globule state, infrared spectroscopy, lipocalins, difference spectra, 2D correlation spectroscopy, hydrogen/deuterium exchange

DOI: 10.3233/BSI-2012-0021

Citation: Biomedical Spectroscopy and Imaging, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 247-259, 2012

Authors: De la Vega-Valdez, Mónica | del Carmen Derreza-Navarro, Lidia | Meza-Velarde, Horacio Augusto | Castillo-Martínez, Claudio | Moncada, Benjamín | González, Francisco Javier

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Bevacizumab is a humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor type A, which is used as an anti-angiogenic in metastatic colorectal cancer, lung, kidney and breast cancer among other diseases. In ophthalmology it is used in very small amounts, therefore the stability and effectiveness of the drug over time becomes an issue. In this study the molecular stability of bevacizumab is determined using Raman spectroscopy as a function of the storage technique used. The results show that when the substance is stored in vials it keeps its molecular structure after four weeks of storage and when stored in …syringes a constant degradation of its molecular structure occurs. These results indicate that for ophtalmic purposes bevacizumab can be stored in vials up to four weeks without any degradation of its molecular structure as seen by Raman spectroscopy. This study also shows that Raman spectroscopy can be a valuable tool to determine the integrity and molecular stability of clinical drugs. Show more

Keywords: Raman spectroscopy, bevacizumab, molecular stability, Avastin

DOI: 10.3233/BSI-2012-0017

Citation: Biomedical Spectroscopy and Imaging, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 261-263, 2012

Authors: Dezhampanah, Hamid | Alizadeh, Esfandyar | Hasani, Lila | Aghazadeh, Mehrnaz | Mohamadzadeh, Mohamad

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (ct-DNA) binding properties of methylene blue (MB) including binding constant and thermodynamic parameter have been systematically studied by UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The binding constant and stoichiometry were determined by analysis of optical absorption spectra of the MB dye at various ct-DNA concentrations using SQUAD software. The binding of MB to ct-DNA is quite strong as indicated by remarkable hypochromicity, red shift and equilibrium binding constant (Kb ). Van't Hoff plot of 1/T versus ln Kb suggests that the MB dye binds exothermically to ct-DNA which is characterized by large negative enthalpy and entropy …changes. The static mode of fluorescence quenching of MB by ct-DNA indicates the formation of a ground-state complex. The results showed that the MB molecule could intercalate into the double helix of the DNA. Show more

Keywords: DNA, methylene blue, thermodynamic of binding, optical absorption, SQUAD software, calf thymus

DOI: 10.3233/BSI-2012-0019

Citation: Biomedical Spectroscopy and Imaging, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 265-273, 2012