Hyperspectral analysis represents a powerful technique for diagnostics of morphological and chemical information from aboveground parts of the plants, but the real potential of the method in ...pre-screening of phenolics in leaves is still insufficiently explored. In this study, assessment of the sensitivity and reliability of non-invasive methods of various phenolic compounds, also analyzed by HPLC in chicory plants (Cichorium intybus L.) exposed to various color light pretreatments was done. The hyperspectral records in visible and near infrared (VNIR) spectra were recorded using a handheld spectrometer and relationships between the specific hyperspectral parameters and the contents of tested phenolic compounds in chicory leaves were analyzed. Moreover, the correlations between the hyperspectral parameters and related parameters derived from the multispectral fluorescence records were assessed to compare the sensitivity of both techniques. The results indicated a relatively high correlation of anthocyanin-related parameters (ARI, mARI, mACI indices) with the content of some of tested phenolic compounds (quercetin-3-gluconuride, isorhamnetine-3-gluconuride, etc.), as well as with fluorescence ANTH index. Similar trends were observed in flavonoid parameter based on the near infra-red spectral bands (700, 760 nm), which expressed a high correlation with chlorogenic acid. On the other hand, the most frequently used flavonoid (FLAVI) indices based on UV-to-blue band reflectance showed very weak correlations with phenolic compounds, as well as with fluorescence FLAV index. The detailed analysis of the correlation between reflectance and fluorescence flavonoid parameters has shown that the parameters based on spectral reflectance are sensitive to increase of UV-absorbing compounds from low to moderate values, but, unlike the fluorescence parameter, they are not useful to recognize a further increase from middle to high or very high contents. Thus, our results outlined the possibilities, but also the limits of the use of hyperspectral analysis for rapid screening phenolic content, providing a practical evidence towards more efficient production of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical or nutraceutical use.
•Spectral reflectance is sensitive to recognize of UV-absorbing compounds from low to moderate values.•High correlation of anthocyanin-related parameters (ARI, mARI, mACI indices) with the tested phenolics.•High correlation of flavonoid spectral reflectance indices with a chlorogenic acid content.•The reflectance-based FLAVI index showed very weak correlation with phenolic compounds.•The results outlined the possibilities, but also the limits of the use of hyperspectral analysis.
•Imagery and computer algorithms can assist animal monitoring in commercial piggeries.•Computer vision techniques can assist in the early detection of ill pigs.•Physiological changes can be detected ...in ill pigs, before clinical signs are detected.•Computer vision techniques can identify changes in eye-temperature, heart rate, and respiration rates in pigs.
Respiratory diseases in pigs impact the wellbeing of animals and increase the cost of production. One of the most appropriate approaches to minimizing these negative effects is the early detection of ill animals. The use of cameras coupled with computer-based techniques could assist the early detection of physiological changes in pigs when they are beginning to become ill and prior to exhibiting clinical signs. This study consisted of two experiments that aimed to (a) evaluate the use of computer-based techniques over RGB (red, green, and blue) and thermal infrared imagery to measure heart rate and respiration rate of pigs, and (b) to investigate whether eye-temperature, heart rate and respiration rate assessed remotely could be used to identify early signs of respiratory diseases in free-moving, and group-housed growing pigs in a commercial piggery. In the first experiment, the remotely-obtained heart rate and respiration rate were compared with the measures obtained with standard methods, showing positive correlations (r = 0.61 – 0.66; p < 0.05). In the second experiment, pigs were recorded by overhead cameras and the remotely-obtained physiological measures were analysed to identify whether physiological changes could be detected in sick pigs before clinical signs were observed. The changes in eye-temperature and heart rate remotely obtained showed clear differences between sick and healthy pigs two days before clinical signs were detected. While significant changes in respiration rate occurred the day before clinical signs of illness were identified. The results of the present study indicate the possible use of computer vision technique for constant animal monitoring and rapid detection of physiological changes related to illness in commercial pigs. Further research is recommended to continue the development, automatization, and commercial practicality of this novel technology.
Skin mucus analysis has recently been used as a non-invasive method to evaluate for fish welfare. The present research study was conducted to examine the skin mucosal immunity and skin microbiota ...profiles of sturgeons infected with Citrobacter freundii. Our histology results showed that the thickness of the epidermal layer of skin remained thinner, and the number of mucous cells was significantly decreased in sturgeons after infection (p < 0.05). Total protein, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, superoxide dismutase, and creatine kinase levels in the mucus showed biphasic pattern (decrease and then increase). Lactate dehydrogenase, lysozyme, and acid phosphatase activities in the mucus showed an increasing trend after infection. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing also revealed that C. freundii infection also affected the diversity and community structure of the skin mucus microbiota. An increase in microbial diversity (p > 0.05) and a decrease in microbial abundance (p < 0.05) after infection were noted. The predominant bacterial phyla in the skin mucus were Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. Specifically, the relative abundance of Fusobacteria increased after infection. The predominant bacterial genera in the skin mucus were Cetobacterium, Pelomonas, Bradyrhizobium, Flavobacterium, and Pseudomonas. The relative abundance of Cetobacterium, Pseudomonas, and Flavobacterium increased after infection. Our current research findings will provide new insights into the theoretical basis for future research studies exploring the mechanism of sturgeon infection with C. freundii.
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•Non-lethal mucus collection presents ethical and practical advantages.•C. freundii can cause tissue damage, oxidative stress, immune disorders.•C. freundii infection results in “dysbiosis” of the skin mucus microbiota.•This study indicated the feasibility of biomarkers developing from mucus.
•Holistic non-invasive spectroscopic results on 18th and 19th centuries Japanese woodblock prints.•New insights of the use of the pigments in Japanese woodblock prints.•Complementary XRF, visible, ...fluorimetric and infrared results revealed the use of traditional pigments (Red lead, indigo, safflower, dayflower) until the second half of the 19th century.•Infrared data allow the identification of yellow, gamboge, turmeric and yellow ochre, which was not yet identified in Japanese woodblock prints.
In the Edo (1615–1868) and Meiji (1868–1912) periods, Japanese woodblock prints were a commercial form of art that reproduced the everyday life of ordinary people (the ukiyo-e style). Since different dyes and pigments were used to produce these prints, changing over time, the knowledge of these materials can be very important for the history and the conservation of ukiyo-e prints.
This study will present the results of the investigation of several woodblock prints, produced between the 18th and 19th centuries. The artworks belong to the Asian art collection at the Museum of Zaragoza (Spain). The aim of the study is the identification of organic colorants and inorganic pigments employed by Japanese printers, specially emphasising the introduction of new synthetic compounds in the 19th and 20th centuries. Because prints are fragile artworks, several non-invasive methods in a multi-analytical approach were employed, as hyperspectral imaging in the visible and NIR range (HSI), in-situ point-by point Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS), LED µ-spectrofluorimetry, and Fiber Optic Reflectance Spectroscopy in the near-infrared range (FORS NIR) and mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIR), combined with X-ray Fluorescence to confirm the presence of some elements. The identification of the diverse materials was made upon a dedicated database involving Japanese pigments, dyes, mixtures (blue, green, orange, purple colours) and papers. By combining all these methods, all the inorganic compounds were identified, and also some organic colourants, especially for the blue and red areas. Finally, a chronology of the use of the colourants in the ukiyo-e woodblock prints between 1700 and 1900 is proposed.
The performance of a multispectral imaging system has been evaluated in monitoring aerobically packaged beef filet spoilage at different storage temperatures (0, 4, 8, 12, and 16°C). Spectral data in ...the visible and short wave near infrared area (405–970nm) were collected from the surface of meat samples and correlated with microbiological data (log counts), for total viable counts (TVCs), Pseudomonas spp., and Brochothrix thermosphacta. Qualitative analysis (PLS-DA) was employed for the discrimination of meat samples in three microbiological quality classes based on the values of total viable counts, namely Class 1 (TVC<5.5log10CFU/g), Class 2 (5.5log10CFU/g<TVC<7.0log10CFU/g), and Class 3 (TVC>7.0log10CFU/g). Furthermore, PLS regression models were developed to provide quantitative estimations of microbial counts during meat storage. In both cases model validation was implemented with independent experiments at intermediate storage temperatures (2 and 10°C) using different batches of meat. Results demonstrated good performance in classifying meat samples with overall correct classification rate for the three quality classes ranging from 91.8% to 80.0% for model calibration and validation, respectively. For quantitative estimation, the calculated regression coefficients between observed and estimated counts ranged within 0.90–0.93 and 0.78–0.86 for model development and validation, respectively, depending on the microorganism. Moreover, the calculated average deviation between observations and estimations was 11.6%, 13.6%, and 16.7% for Pseudomonas spp., B. thermosphacta, and TVC, respectively. The results indicated that multispectral vision technology has significant potential as a rapid and non-destructive technique in assessing the microbiological quality of beef fillets.
•Multispectral image analysis was used to discriminate the quality of beef filets.•Meat samples were divided in 3 quality classes based on the load of total viable counts.•Spectral data were also used to estimate the load of Pseudomonas and B. thermosphacta.•Good correlation could be obtained between spectral data and microbial counts.•Multispectral image analysis can be effective in estimating the quality class of beef.
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at high risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Longitudinal data on incident NAFLD are lacking. We employed non-invasive methods to ...study incidence and predictors of NAFLD.
This was a retrospective study of IBD patients without known liver disease followed at IBD clinic of McGill University. NAFLD was defined as Hepatic Steatosis Index (HSI) ≥36 and absence of alcohol intake. Advanced liver fibrosis was diagnosed by FIB-4 ≥2.67. Active IBD was defined as partial Mayo score ≥3 for ulcerative colitis, Harvey Bradshaw Index ≥ 5 or flare during follow-up. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to investigate incidence and predictors of NAFLD development.
Three hundred twenty-one consecutive patients (median age 33.7 yr, 47% males) were observed for a median of 3.2 years (interquartile range 1.5-6). Over 1181.2 persons-year (PY), 108 (33.6%) patients developed NAFLD, accounting for an incidence rate of 9.1/100 PY (95% confidence interval CI, 7.4-10.9). 7 (2.2%) patients developed advanced liver fibrosis, accounting for an incidence rate of 0.5/100 PY (95% CI, 0.2-1.1). Development of NAFLD was predicted by disease activity (adjusted hazard ratio aHR = 1.58; 95% CI, 1.08-2.33, P = 0.02), disease duration (aHR = 1.12; 95% CI, 1.03-1.23, P = 0.01), and prior surgery for IBD (aHR = 1.34; 95% CI, 1.04-1.74, P = 0.02).
NAFLD is a frequent comorbidity in patients with IBD. These patients can also develop advanced liver fibrosis. Disease activity, duration of IBD and prior surgery are predictors of NAFLD development. This should represent one more incentive to achieve and maintain early clinical remission. Further prospective studies are of interest.
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) presents a global health challenge due to its potential to cause severe liver conditions such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis. Prior research has established ...a correlation between CHB infection with low-level viremia (LLV) and liver disease progression, such as increased HCC incidence. This study aims to investigate whether LLV during treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) contributes to the accelerated progression of liver fibrosis (LF).BackgroundChronic hepatitis B (CHB) presents a global health challenge due to its potential to cause severe liver conditions such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis. Prior research has established a correlation between CHB infection with low-level viremia (LLV) and liver disease progression, such as increased HCC incidence. This study aims to investigate whether LLV during treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) contributes to the accelerated progression of liver fibrosis (LF).This retrospective cohort study at Jinhua Central Hospital focused on CHB patients undergone NA monotherapy for over 96 weeks. Patients were categorized into maintained virological response (MVR) and LLV groups based on hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels. The study assessed LF using various markers and methods, including chitinase 3-like 1 protein (CHI3L1), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score, and transient elastography.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study at Jinhua Central Hospital focused on CHB patients undergone NA monotherapy for over 96 weeks. Patients were categorized into maintained virological response (MVR) and LLV groups based on hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels. The study assessed LF using various markers and methods, including chitinase 3-like 1 protein (CHI3L1), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score, and transient elastography.Analysis was conducted on 92 CHB patients, categorized into LLV (n=42) and MVR (n=50) groups, following the exclusion of 101 patients for various reasons. Significant findings included lower baseline HBV DNA in MVR (<20 IU/mL) compared to LLV (67.8 IU/mL, P<0.001) and different AST/ALT ratios (LLV: 1.1, MVR: 1.36, P=0.011). LF was assessed using CHI3L1, FIB-4, and APRI, with LLV showing a higher baseline CHI3L1 (LLV:83.3 ng/mL vs MVR: 54.5 ng/mL, P=0.016) and scores compared to MVR, indicative of fibrosis. CHI3L1 levels in LLV were higher at baseline and weeks 48, 72, and 96 than MVR, with significance at baseline (P=0.038) and week 48 (P=0.034). Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) showed a time-dependent decline in both groups but no significant intergroup differences.ResultsAnalysis was conducted on 92 CHB patients, categorized into LLV (n=42) and MVR (n=50) groups, following the exclusion of 101 patients for various reasons. Significant findings included lower baseline HBV DNA in MVR (<20 IU/mL) compared to LLV (67.8 IU/mL, P<0.001) and different AST/ALT ratios (LLV: 1.1, MVR: 1.36, P=0.011). LF was assessed using CHI3L1, FIB-4, and APRI, with LLV showing a higher baseline CHI3L1 (LLV:83.3 ng/mL vs MVR: 54.5 ng/mL, P=0.016) and scores compared to MVR, indicative of fibrosis. CHI3L1 levels in LLV were higher at baseline and weeks 48, 72, and 96 than MVR, with significance at baseline (P=0.038) and week 48 (P=0.034). Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) showed a time-dependent decline in both groups but no significant intergroup differences.Non-invasive monitoring of CHB patients who have received treatment indicates that LLV contributes to the progression of LF, necessitating proactive adjustment of antiviral treatment strategies.ConclusionNon-invasive monitoring of CHB patients who have received treatment indicates that LLV contributes to the progression of LF, necessitating proactive adjustment of antiviral treatment strategies.
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