Evaluación del efecto auxin-like de ácidos húmicos en maíz mediante análisis digital de imágenes

El efecto auxin-like consiste en la promoción del crecimiento vegetal por ácidos húmicos (AH). En este trabajo, se evaluó el efecto auxin-like de ácidos húmicos, mediante la determinación del área foliar y la superficie radicular de plántulas de maíz. Los AH fueron obtenidos por solubilización alcalina de carbón, denominados AH-NaOH y mediante solubilización bacteriana de carbón, designados AH-BSC3 y AH-BSC25. Se probó la aplicación de AH, mediante inmersión de semillas en soluciones de 20, 80 y 150mgAH/L y por aspersión foliar sobre plántulas de dos semanas. El ensayo, se desarrolló bajo condiciones de casa de malla y constó de cinco repeticiones por tratamiento; 30 días después de la siembra en suelo, se determinó el área foliar, utilizando el software ImageJ y la superficie total de raíces, mediante un algoritmo desarrollado en Matlab. Se registraron incrementos significativos en el área foliar de plantas tratadas mediante la inmersión de semillas, en soluciones de AH-BSC-3-80mg/L y 150mg/L, AH-BSC-25-20mg/L y 150mg/L, y AH-NaOH-80mg/L y plantas tratadas mediante aspersión foliar de AH-BSC-3-150mg/L, AH-BSC-25-150mg/L y AH-NaOH-150mg/L. También, se evidenciaron incrementos significativos en la superficie total de raíces de plántulas tratadas con AH-BSC25-150mg/L, AH-NaOH-80mg/L y AH-BSC3-80mg/L y todos los tratamientos de AH por aspersión. Se presentó el efecto auxin-like de AH sobre el desarrollo radicular y foliar de plántulas de maíz, a través del análisis digital de imágenes; esta herramienta puede producir información precisa para medir algunos parámetros del proceso vegetal.

The auxin-like effect consists in plant growth promotion by humic acids (HA). In this research the auxin-like effect was determined by digital image processing, both foliar and root surface of corn plants were assessed. The HA were obtained through alcaline solubilization coal, HA-NaOH and through coal bacterial solubilization, HA-CSB3 and HA-CSB25. The application of the HA solutions of 20, 80 and 150mgHA/L was evaluated through seed immersion and foliar spray on two week-old plants. The experiment was carried out under shade cloth with five replicates by treatments; 30 days after planting in soil, leaf area was measured using ImageJ software and total root surface through an algorithm of Matlab. Significant increase in leaf area of plants treated by immersion of seeds in HA-BSC3-80mg/L and 150mg/L, AH-CSB25-20mg/L and 150mg/L, and HA-NaOH-80mg/L was found, as well as in plants treated by foliar aspersion of HA-CSB3-150mg/L, AH-CSB 25-150mg/L and HA-NaOH-150mg/L. Moreover significant increase in total root surface of plants treated with HA-CSB25-150mg/L, HA-NaOH-80mg/L and HA-CSB3-80mg/L and all treatments of HA by aspersion was found. The auxin-like effect of humic acids on maize plants was evidenced through digital image analysis; this tool can produce accurate information to measure some plant development parameters.

Statistical 3D Distribution Analysis of Prostate Cancers in Korean Using Digital Processing Techniques / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: Several researchers have shown that three dimensional (3D) distribution analysis of prostate cancer is helpful when initiating needle biopsy procedures. Knowledge regarding the distribution of prostate cancer could enhance understanding of the pathophysiology involved and improve detection of these malignancies. We propose utilizing digital processing techniques to analyze prostate cancer distribution in a 3D setting. METHODS: Pre-made radical prostatectomy sample slices were digitized with a resolution of 76 dpi. Slices of each sample were aligned and registered by deformation algorithm and interpolated for analysis of relative distribution statistics. We analyzed 80 samples saved in electronic medical record and compared the detection rate of preoperative needle biopsies and radical prostatectomies using our 3D analysis technique. RESULTS: The statistical 3D distribution of prostate cancer was evaluated using a 36-sector process. Results were represented in the following two ways: distribution of a single patient, and statistical distribution of prostate cancers of multiple patients. The overall concordance rate was 62.7% between the two methods; therefore a technique is needed which can raise this percentage. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest using the normalization method to develop a software tool which permits reconstruction of the 3D distribution of prostate cancer from 2D legacy images and reduces the loss of image quality as well. This application will facilitate detection of prostate cancer by aiding in the determination of the most effective clinical position via partial sampling with decreased patient inconvenience.

Comparison between inverted and unprocessed digitized radiographic imaging in periodontal bone loss measurements

The advances in digital imaging technology in dentistry have provided an alternative to film-based radiography and have given new options to detect periodontal bone loss. The purpose of this study was to compare inverted and unprocessed digitized radiographic imaging in periodontal bone loss measurements. Thirty-five film-based periapical radiographs of patients suffering from moderate to advanced untreated periodontal bone loss associated to lower premolar and molars was selected from the department files, with 40 bone loss areas. The film-based radiographs were digitized with a flatbed scanner with a transparency and radiograph adapter used for transilluminating the radiograph imaging. Digitization was performed at 600 dpi and in gray scale. The images were digitized using Image Tool software by applying image inversion, that is, transformation of radiopaque structures into radiolucent structures and vice-versa. The digital data were saved as JPEG files. The images were displayed on a 15-inch and 24-bit video monitor under reduced room lighting. One calibrated examiner performed all radiographic measurements, three times, from the cementoenamel junction to the most apical extension of the bone loss, in both types of image (inverted and unprocessed). Brightness and contrast were adjusted according to the examiner's individual demand. Intraclass correlation coefficient was used to compare the measurements from both types of images. The means of radiographic measurements, in mm, for inverted and unprocessed digitized imaging were 6.4485 and 6.3790, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficient was significant (0.99) The inverted and unprocessed digitized radiographic images were reliable and there was no difference in the diagnostic accuracy between these images regarding periodontal bone loss measurements.