Investigating Tissue Optical Properties and Texture Descriptors of the Retina in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

PURPOSE: To assess the differences in texture descriptors and optical properties of retinal tissue layers in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to evaluate their usefulness in the detection of neurodegenerative changes using optical coherence tomography (OCT) image segmentation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 38 patients with MS were examined using Stratus OCT. The raw macular OCT data were exported and processed using OCTRIMA software. The enrolled eyes were divided into two groups, based on the presence of optic neuritis (ON) in the history (MSON+ group, n = 36 and MSON- group, n = 31). Data of 29 eyes of 24 healthy subjects (H) were used as controls. A total of seven intraretinal layers were segmented and thickness as well as optical parameters such as contrast, fractal dimension, layer index and total reflectance were measured. Mixed-model ANOVA analysis was used for statistical comparisons. RESULTS: Significant thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell/inner plexiform layer complex (GCL+IPL) and ganglion cell complex (GCC, RNFL+GCL+IPL) was observed between study groups in all comparisons. Significant difference was found in contrast in the RNFL, GCL+IPL, GCC, inner nuclear layer (INL) and outer plexiform layer when comparing MSON+ to the other groups. Higher fractal dimension values were observed in GCL+IPL and INL layers when comparing H vs. MSON+ groups. A significant difference was found in layer index in the RNFL, GCL+IPL and GCC layers in all comparisons. A significant difference was observed in total reflectance in the RNFL, GCL+IPL and GCC layers between the three examination groups. CONCLUSION: Texture and optical properties of the retinal tissue undergo pronounced changes in MS even without optic neuritis. Our results may help to further improve the diagnostic efficacy of OCT in MS and neurodegeneration

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Not AvailableThe focus of capacity building has been shifting from primarily production to agri-business, based on market-led integration and developing other value chains aiming at enhancing farmers’ income. It requires identification and supporting of rural enterprises through technology and skill training, entrepreneurship training, market information, access to institutionalized credit, and other infrastructure related facilities.The need for appreciation of farmers as actors in the innovation system, and institutionalization of farmers’ wisdom for their scalability has been realized at most levels. To develop farming as a business venture and to integrate the farmers’ innovations and opportunities in secondary agriculture an action research study has been conducted in National Capital region of India. Institutional arrangement for facilitation of networking among stakeholders and resources was opined as the foremost requirement for enhancing farm income. The skills in social processes of group management and enterprise management were found lacking among the farmers. The entrepreneurial and technical trainings led to income generating activities. The price spread in major commercial crops showed that the longer chain reduced the producers’ share in consumer rupee drastically which implies the production linkages need to be developed with involvement of all the stakeholders. Through the lessons and opinion of respondents, maximizing farm profitability was found to be interplay of entrepreneurial competencies, entrepreneurial climate, and farmers’ innovations which suggest convergence and synergistic linkages.Not Availabl