JavaCyte, a novel open-source tool for automated quantification of key hallmarks of cardiac structural remodeling

Many cardiac pathologies involve changes in tissue structure. Conventional analysis of structural features is extremely time-consuming and subject to observer bias. The possibility to determine spatial interrelations between these features is often not fully exploited. We developed a staining protocol and an ImageJ-based tool (JavaCyte) for automated histological analysis of cardiac structure, including quantification of cardiomyocyte size, overall and endomysial fibrosis, spatial patterns of endomysial fibrosis, fibroblast density, capillary density and capillary size. This automated analysis was compared to manual quantification in several well-characterized goat models of atrial fibrillation (AF). In addition, we tested inter-observer variability in atrial biopsies from the CATCH-ME consortium atrial tissue bank, with patients stratified by their cardiovascular risk profile for structural remodeling. We were able to reproduce previous manually derived histological findings in goat models for AF and AV block (AVB) using JavaCyte. Furthermore, strong correlation was found between manual and automated observations for myocyte count (r = 0.94, p < 0.001), myocyte diameter (r = 0.97, p < 0.001), endomysial fibrosis (r = 0.98, p < 0.001) and capillary count (r = 0.95, p < 0.001) in human biopsies. No significant variation between observers was observed (ICC = 0.89, p < 0.001). We developed and validated an open-source tool for high-throughput, automated histological analysis of cardiac tissue properties. JavaCyte was as accurate as manual measurements, with less inter-observer variability and faster throughput

Effects of short-term moisturizer application in different ethnic skin types non-invasive assessment with optical coherence tomography and reflectance confocal microscopy

Background/Aims: Ethnic skin types are known to differ in their morphological and physiological features. Thus, treatment responses may vary among different races. We aimed to assess skin morphology of different ethnicities and to compare the effect of short-term moisturizer application using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM). Methods: Thirty healthy female subjects of European, Asian and Black ethnicity at 30-45 years of age were included in the study. OCT and RCM imaging was performed on the cheek to compare morphology. Following the 2-week application of a moisturizer cream (Sebamed (R) lotion) on one forearm, imaging was performed on both forearms to assess and compare treatment responses. Results: Epidermal thickness and morphology of pores varied between the three ethnic groups, with Black subjects displaying the thickest epidermis and largest skin pores. On the treated forearm, OCT measurements revealed a significantly thicker epidermis in all groups as compared to the untreated forearm. Width of skin folds on the treated forearm was measured by RCM to be significantly lower in all ethnic groups as compared to the untreated forearm. Conclusion: Different ethnic skin types showed variations in skin morphology and treatment response to short-term moisturizer application. OCT and RCM were useful methods for noninvasive, real-time, repeated assessment of ethnic skin

Identification of ex-vivo confocal laser scanning microscopic features of melanocytic lesions and their histological correlates

Ex-vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) offers rapid tissue examination. Current literature shows promising results in the evaluation of non-melanoma skin cancer but little is known about presentation of melanocytic lesions (ML). This study evaluates ML with ex-vivo CLSM in comparison to histology and offers an overview of ex-vivo CLSM characteristics. 31 ML were stained with acridine orange or fluorescein and examined using ex-vivo CLSM (Vivascope2500 (R); Lucid Inc; Rochester NY) in reflectance and fluorescence mode. Confocal images were correlated to histopathology. Benign and malignant features of the ML were listed and results were presented. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated using contingency tables. The ML included junctional, compound, dermal, Spitz and dysplastic nevi, as well as various melanoma subtypes. The correlation of the confocal findings with histopathology allowed the identification of different types of ML and differentiation of benign and malignant features. The study offers an overview of confocal characteristics of ML in comparison to histology. Ex-vivo CLSM does not reproduce the typical in-vivo horizontal mosaics but rather reflects the vertical histological presentation. Not all typical in-vivo patterns are detectable here. These findings may help to evaluate the ex-vivo CLSM as an adjunctive tool in the immediate intraoperative diagnosis of ML. [GRAPHICS] Superficial spreading malignant melanoma. Histopathology (H&amp; E stain; 200x) correlated to the reflectance (RM; 830 nm) and fluorescence mode (FM; 488 nm) in the exvivo CLSM (Vivablock (R) by VivaScan (R), acridine orange)