NIH ImageJ and Slice-O-Matic computed tomography imaging software to quantify soft tissue

Objective: To compare reliability and limits of agreement of soft tissue cross‐sectional areas obtained using Slice‐O‐Matic and NIH ImageJ medical imaging software packages. Research Methods and Procedures: Abdominal and midthigh images were obtained using single‐slice computed tomography. Two trained investigators analyzed each computed tomography image in duplicate. Adipose tissue and skeletal muscle cross‐sectional areas (centimeters squared) were calculated using standard Hounsfield unit ranges (adipose tissue: ?190 to ?30 and skeletal muscle: ?29 to 150). Regions of interest included abdominal total area, total fat area, subcutaneous fat area, visceral fat area (AVF), and right and left thigh total area, fat area, and skeletal muscle area. Results: For all images, intra‐investigator coefficients of variation ranged from 0.2% to 3.4% and from 0.4% to 5.6% and inter‐investigator coefficients of variation ranged from 0.9% to 4.8% and 0.2% to 2.6% for Slice‐O‐Matic and NIH ImageJ, respectively, with intra‐ and inter‐investigator coefficients of reliability of R² = 0.99. Mean AVF values for investigators A and B ranged from 168 to 170 cm² using Slice‐O‐Matic and NIH ImageJ. Bland‐Altman analyses revealed that Slice‐O‐Matic and NIH ImageJ results were comparable. The mean differences (95% confidence intervals) between the AVF cross‐sectional areas obtained using the Slice‐O‐Matic and NIH ImageJ medical imaging software were +2.5 cm² (?5.7, +10.8 cm²) or +1.4% (?3.4%, +6.4%). Discussion: These findings show that both the Slice‐O‐Matic and NIH ImageJ medical imaging software systems provide reliable measurements of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle cross‐sectional areas.     

Enhanced immunoprotective potential of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Ag85 complex protein based vaccine against airway Mycobacterium tuberculosis challenge following intranasal administration

This study examined the role of intranasal vaccination with Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen85 complex proteins formulated in dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide against airway Mycobacterium tuberculosis challenge in mice. Intranasal vaccination with antigen85A and antigen85B induced a significantly higher level of interferon-gamma, interleukin-12 and interleukin-4 in cervical lymph nodes together with IgA and IgG, predominantly IgG2a isotype in nasal secretion over subcutaneous vaccination. Further, intranasal vaccination with antigen85A and antigen85B imparted protection comparable with that obtained from intranasal or subcutaneous Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin immunization. These results suggest that mucosal vaccination via the intranasal route is of importance in the development of vaccine for tuberculosis.     

Immunogenicity of an inactivated adjuvanted whole‐virion influenza A (H5N1, NIBRG‐14) vaccine administered by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection

The immunogenicity and safety profile of an inactivated whole‐virion influenza A (H5N1, NIBRG‐14) vaccine with alum adjuvant that was administered by IM or SC injection in a phase I clinical study involving 120 healthy Japanese men aged 20–40 years is described. The serological response of the IM group was stronger than that of the SC group. Local adverse events were less severe with IM injection than with SC injection, while similar systemic adverse events were seen in both groups. These results indicate that, when administering an inactivated whole virion vaccine with alum adjuvant for pandemic influenza, IM injection may achieve better immunogenicity and safety than SC injection.     

Observations on the colours of lumpsuckers, Cyclopterus lumpus L.

Ripe unfertilized eggs derived from fish landed at two Icelandic ports were predominantly red and yellow-red, but a small proportion were red-purple. There was a significant difference between the frequencies of hues of eggs from the two landing places. During the phase of blastula formation, fertilized red-purple eggs showed no discernible change in either hue or chroma. However, as the gastrula formed and covered the yolk, the chroma declined dramatically, although the hue remained unaltered. When the embryo formed, the chroma continued to decrease and the hue also began to change as the red-purple pigment disappeared from the yolk and the orange-yellow oil of the yolk became more visible.
The most common plasma colouration in male fish collected at Hafnarfjordur and Husavik was red, but the observed hues covered 60% of the visible spectrum, ranging from green to purple. No significant differences between Hafnarfjordur and Husavik males in terms of hue or value were discerned, but there was a significant difference in chroma score. Female plasma hues were almost as variable as the males (spanning 45% of the visible spectrum) but centred in the green-yellow zone. Plasma, subcutaneous jelly and skin colours were closely linked.
Fish from the oceanic feeding grounds were all green in skin colour, whatever their age or sex; it is suggested that this colouration has a cryptic function in the near surface waters inhabited by lumpsuckers.     

Orthogonal factor coefficient development of subcutaneous adipose tissue topography (SAT-Top) in girls and boys

The new optical device Lipometer allows noninvasive, quick, and safe determination of the thickness of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) layers (in mm) at any site of the human body. The specification of 15 evenly distributed body sites enables the precise measurement of subcutaneous body fat distribution, so-called subcutaneous adipose tissue topography (SAT-Top). SAT-Top was measured in 980 children aged 7-19 years. In this paper we describe the degree to which SAT-Top body sites are intercorrelated. We consider whether a meaningful reduction of data is possible using factor analysis, which factors can be extracted, and how SAT-Top data of children can be added to a factor value plot, depicting the essential results of age-dependent subcutaneous fat development. SAT layers situated on the same body area provide correlation coefficients up to +r = 0.91. Two factors are extracted: factor 1, containing all upper body sites (from neck to hip); and factor 2, consisting of all leg body sites. When all 980 children are divided into three age groups in a factor value plot, the first age group (7-11 years) shows almost equal SAT-Top development in boys and girls. Afterwards, for the consecutive age groups 2 (11-15 years) and 3 (15-19 years), the age-dependent subcutaneous fat development of boys and girls progresses into nearly orthogonal directions.     

FABP4 and omentin-1 gene expression in epicardial adipose tissue from coronary artery disease patients

Omentin-1 and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) are adipose tissue adipokines linked to obesity-associated cardiovascular complications. The aim of this study was to investigate epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) omentin-1 and FABP4 gene expression in obese and non-obese patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Omentin-1 and FABP4 mRNA levels in EAT and paired subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) as well as adipokine serum concentrations were assessed in 77 individuals (61 with CAD; 16 without CAD (NCAD)). EAT FABP4 mRNA level was decreased in obese CAD patients when compared to obese NCAD individuals (p=0.001). SAT FABP4 mRNA level was decreased in CAD patients compared to NCAD individuals without respect to their obesity status (p=0.001). Omentin-1 mRNA level in EAT and SAT did not differ between the CAD and NCAD groups. These findings suggest that omentin-1 gene expression in adipose tissue is not changed during CAD; downregulated FABP4 gene expression in SAT is associated with CAD while EAT FABP4 gene expression is decreased only in obesity-related CAD.     

Depressive Mood and Abdominal Fat Distribution in Overweight Premenopausal Women

Objective: There is increasing evidence that depressive mood is associated with central obesity, but little is known about the association between depression and abdominal fat distribution. This study investigated this relationship in premenopausal women. Research Methods and Procedures: We recruited 101 overweight premenopausal women who had no eating disorders as defined using the DSM IV criteria. Depressive mood was assessed using Zung's Self‐Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Areas of visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) adipose tissue at the level of vertebral body L₄–L₅ were measured using computed tomography. Associations of VAT, SAT, and the ratio of VAT to SAT with natural logarithmic transformation [(ln)]SDS were evaluated using linear regression. Anthropometric indices and physical fitness were also measured. Information on socioeconomic status, education level, and alcohol and smoking habits was obtained using self‐administered questionnaires. A hospital nutritionist assessed nutritional status. All of these factors were adjusted for as possible confounding factors in the analyses. Results: The (ln)SDS score showed a positive association with the area of VAT, even after adjusting for the confounders mentioned above (p < 0.01). BMI, waist circumference, maximal oxygen uptake, and age were also associated with the area of VAT (all p < 0.05). In contrast, the (ln)SDS score was not associated with SAT (p > 0.10). Discussion: We showed that depressive mood is associated with VAT, not with SAT, in overweight premenopausal women. These findings may explain some of the association between depression and coronary heart disease. More studies are needed to elucidate the causal relationship.