In vivo SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC EVALUATION OF NEOPLASTIC AND NON-NEOPLASTIC SKIN PIGMENTED LESIONS–I. REFLECTANCE MEASUREMENTS

Reflectance spectrophotometry from 400 to 800 nm on different cutaneous pigmented lesions, including primary and metastatic malignant melanoma, pigmented nevi, lentigo and seborrhoeic keratosis, has been performed by using an external integrating sphere coupled to a spectrophotometer. Measurements show that reflectance spectra of the different lesions manifest dissimilar patterns, particularly in the near IR region. Comparison of reflectance of nevi with that of malignant melanomas results in a highly significant difference (P less than 10(-6)) between the two samples. Though interpretation of the spectra remains difficult as a result of the complexity of the optical processes of scattering and absorption, our results suggest that a detailed analysis of the reflectance spectrum may give clinically useful information, and could be utilized as an aid in clinical diagnosis of cutaneous pigmented lesions, especially where malignant melanoma is concerned.     

In Vivo Optical Properties of Melanocytic Skin Lesions: Common Nevi, Dysplastic Nevi and Malignant Melanoma

We present an in vivo study of the optical properties of common nevi, dysplastic nevi and malignant melanoma skin lesions in human subjects. Reflectance spectra were measured on 1379 skin lesions, in the visible and near-infrared spectral regions, using a spectral imaging system, in a clinical setting. Analysis of the data using a reflectance model revealed differences between the optical properties of melanin present in nevi and melanoma lesions. These differences, which are in agreement with our previous observations on average reflectance spectra, may be potentially useful for the noninvasive characterization of pigmented skin lesions and the early diagnosis of melanoma.     

FTIR microspectroscopy of melanocytic skin lesions: a preliminary study

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy has been employed to investigate benign (ordinary dermal and Reed nevi), dysplastic and malignant (invasive melanoma) skin lesions through the analysis of spectral changes of melanocytes as well as in the evaluation of the presence of melanin. Hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis led to a satisfactory separation of malignant from dysplastic and normal melanocytes. Also, on enlarging the clustering with spectra from Reed and dermal nevi, the multivariate analysis segregated well the spectral data into discrete clusters, allowing the obtaining of reliable average spectra for analysis at the molecular level of the main groups or components responsible for the biological and biochemical changes. The most significant spectral characteristics appear to be related to differences in secondary protein structures, in nucleic acid conformation, in intra- and intermolecular bonding. In all cases, supervised and unsupervised spectral analyses resulted in satisfactory agreement with histopathological findings.     

UV INDUCTION OF CYCLOBUTANE THYMINE DIMERS IN THE DNA OF CULTURED MELANOCYTES FROM FORESKIN, COMMON MELANOCYTIC NEVI and DYSPLASTIC NEVI

Abstract— We compared the induction of cyclobutane thymine dimers after exposure to 302 nm UV in foreskin-derived melanocytes and melanocytes from nevocellular nevi, as well as in melanocytes cultured from dysplastic nevi, precursor lesions of melanoma, derived from four, three and four individuals, respectively. Cyclobutane thymine dimers were quantified in situ by means of an immunofluorescence assay with a specific monoclonal antibody. A method was developed to compare separately performed experiments in a standardized manner. For melanocytes from each source, we demonstrated a linear relationship between UV dose and immunofluorescence. In nevocellular and dysplastic nevi, two subpopulations could be detected, distinguished by their nuclear size. Large nucleated nevocellular nevus cells were most susceptible to the induction of thymine dimers (49% higher induction compared to induction in foreskin melanocytes), while in normal-sized nuclei of these nevus cells the same induction of thymine dimers was found as in nuclei from foreskin melanocytes. In contrast, large nucleated dysplastic nevus melanocytes did not differ from the foreskin melanocytes, while normal-sized nuclei of dysplastic nevus cells showed a lower induction (32% lower induction than in foreskin melanocytes).     

Light-induced fluorescence spectroscopy of adenomas, adenocarcinomas and non-neoplastic mucosa in human colon. I. In vitro measurements.

In an attempt to evaluate whether induced fluorescence could be exploited to discriminate neoplastic from non-neoplastic tissue, fluorescence spectroscopy was performed at 450-800 nm on 83 biopsy specimens of colonic mucosa. Measurements showed that fluorescence spectra of adenoma, adenocarcinoma and non-neoplastic mucosa manifest dissimilar patterns. Nine variables, whose photophysical and/or biological bases need further investigation, were derived from the spectra. Discriminant functions between the groups of lesions were determined by using a stepwise discriminant analysis. The diagnostic test had a sensitivity of 80.6% and 88.2%, and a specificity of 90.5% and 95.2% in discriminating neoplastic from non-neoplastic mucosa and adenoma from non-neoplastic mucosa respectively. These results suggest that fluorescence spectroscopy has the potential to improve endoscopic diagnosis of premalignant and malignant lesions of colonic mucosa.     

Optical Spectroscopy as a Method for Skin Cancer Risk Assessment

Skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer, and its assessment remains a challenge for physicians. This study reports the application of an optical sensing method, elastic scattering spectroscopy (ESS), coupled with a classifier that was developed with machine learning, to assist in the discrimination of skin lesions that are concerning for malignancy. The method requires no special skin preparation, is non‐invasive, easy to administer with minimal training, and allows rapid lesion classification. This novel approach was tested for all common forms of skin cancer. ESS spectra from a total of 1307 lesions were analyzed in a multi‐center, non‐randomized clinical trial. The classification algorithm was developed on a 950‐lesion training dataset, and its diagnostic performance was evaluated against a 357‐lesion testing dataset that was independent of the training dataset. The observed sensitivity was 100% (14/14) for melanoma and 94% (105/112) for non‐melanoma skin cancer. The overall observed specificity was 36% (84/231). ESS has potential, as an adjunctive assessment tool, to assist physicians to differentiate between common benign and malignant skin lesions.     

In vivo SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC EVALUATION OF NEOPLASTIC AND NONNEOPLASTIC SKIN PIGMENTED LESIONS. III. CCD CAMERA-BASED REFLECTANCE IMAGING

Abstract— Reflectance spectroscopy, which allows an objective evaluation of the color of surfaces, has recently been proposed as a useful tool to discriminate cutaneous melanoma from other pigmented cutaneous lesions. A novel spectrophotometric system based on the use of a charge coupled device camera provided with a set of interference filters has been developed to acquire images of cutaneous pigmented lesions at selected wavelengths ranging from 420 to 1040 nm. For each filter, an image was captured, digitized by a frame grabber and stored in a personal computer to perform off-line data handling. Reflectance images were acquired of 22 cutaneous pigmented lesions including melanoma and dysplastic, compound and junctional nevus. From each spectral image, three parameters, i.e. mean reflectance, variegation index and lesion area, were derived at the corresponding wavelength. The wavelength dependence of the three parameters was significantly different when melanoma was compared to the other investigated lesions. Although preliminary, our results suggest that telespectrophotometry gives useful information and could be utilized as an aid in the clinical diagnosis of cutaneous pigmented lesions.     

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MALIGNANT MELANOMA OF SKIN AND EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT

Malignant melanomas of the skin are becoming more common. Earlier diagnosis has led to better individual prognoses, but this has not prevented the death rate in the population from rising. This paper brings up-to-date studies on the etiology of malignant melanoma, and supplements various fuller but earlier reviews. Melanoma risk is increased in lightly pigmented people who burn in the sun and do not tan well. People with an increased number of nevi are also at increased risk. Latitude of residence is important, risk in white populations increasing with distance from the poles. Phenotypic factors can over-ride location, so that Mediterranean people have lower rates than Scandinavians. Melanomas are concentrated on sites exposed by clothing, but this concentration is not as strong as for the other skin cancers. Migrants to sunny climates are at less risk than similar people born locally, provided that they migrated as adults. Outdoor work carries only a small excess risk of malignant melanoma, in contrast to the other skin tumors. Melanomas are commoner, and kill more often, among people of high socioeconomic status than low. The two most detailed contemporary reconciliations of these pieces of evidence are based on the ideas that intense brief exposure is the critical factor, or that exposure in childhood is of major importance. With the expected changes in the global concentration of ozone in the stratosphere, it is necessary to estimate the relationship between the intensity of sunlight and melanoma risk.     

Optical properties of human melanocytic nevi in vivo

We present an in vivo study of the optical properties of melanin present in melanocytic nevi of human subjects with Fitzpatrick skin type III (Caucasian descent) using optical spectroscopy. We show that the melanin absorption spectrum exhibits an exponential dependence on wavelength with a decay constant which follows a normal distribution characteristic of a random biological variable. Moreover, we demonstrate lack of correlation among melanin optical properties, melanin concentration and skin light scattering properties, which indicates that the true optical absorption of melanin can be measured free from confounding scattering effects. We also show that the average melanin absorption spectrum in vivo is in very good agreement with a previously reported oxygen photoconsumption action spectrum of melanin. Finally, we provide an overview of the emerging picture of the melanin absorption properties in vivo among various skin types and also among various skin lesions such as melanocytic nevi and melanoma.     

Near-infrared spectroscopy and chemometric modelling for rapid diagnosis of kidney disease

Rapid diagnosis is important for efficient treatment in clinical medicine. This study aimed at development of a method for rapid and reliable diagnosis using near-infrared (NIR) spectra of human serum samples with the help of chemometric modelling. The NIR spectra of sera from 48 healthy individuals and 16 patients with suspected kidney disease were analyzed. Discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and variable selection were adopted to extract the useful information from the spectra. Principal component analysis (PCA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA) were used for discrimination of the samples. Classification of the two-class sera was obtained using LDA and PLSDA with the help of DWT and variable selection. DWT-LDA produced 93.8% and 83.3% of the recognition rates for the validation samples of the two classes, and 100% recognition rates were obtained using DWT-PLSDA. The results demonstrated that the tiny differences between the spectra of the sera were effectively explored using DWT and variable selection, and the differences can be used for discrimination of the sera from healthy and possible patients. NIR spectroscopy and chemometrics may be a potential technique for fast diagnosis of kidney disease.     

Spectroscopic, quantum chemical DFT/HF study and synthesis of [2.2.1] hept-2'-en-2'-amino-N-azatricyclo [3.2.1.0(2,4)] octane

The compound 4-N-bicyclo [2.2.1] hept-2'-en-2'-amino-N-azatricyclo [3.2.1.0(2,4)] octane (2) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis, mass and NMR. Density functional theory (DFT) and Hartree-Fock (HF) calculations have been carried out for the title compound by using the standard 6-31G* basis set. The calculated results show that the predicted geometry can well reproduce the structural parameters. Predicted vibrational frequencies have been assigned and compared with experimental IR spectra and they complement each other. The theoretical electronic absorption spectra have been calculated by using CIS, TD-DFT and ZINDO methods. The (13)C NMR and (1)H NMR of compound (2) have been calculated by means of Becke 3-Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) density functional method with 6-31G* basis set. Comparison between the experimental and the theoretical results indicates that density functional B3LYP method is able to provide satisfactory results for predicting NMR properties. On the basis of vibrational analyses, the thermodynamic properties of the title compound at different temperatures have been calculated.     

Application of FT-IR spectroscopy to the characterisation and classification of wines, brandies and other distilled drinks

FT-IR spectra were employed for the differentiation and classification of wines and brandies during their ageing process, as well as for the characterisation and differentiation of distilled drinks from several producing countries. The FT-IR spectra have enabled the differentiation of the six scales of ageing of sherry wine. A good linear regression fit (regression coefficient=0.995) has been obtained between ageing scale and the data of the FT-IR spectrum. In the case of Brandy of Jerez, it has been possible to differentiate the three degrees of ageing and to devise a system of classification by means of linear discriminant analysis, with a reliability of 83%. The application of the regression by partial least squares has allowed us to obtain a regression between the degree of ageing and the data of the FT-IR spectrum (correlation coefficient=0.986). Lastly, Spanish, French and South African brandies, as well as cognacs and armagnacs have been characterised, and a complete differentiation of the latter two types from the rest of the samples of distilled drinks has been obtained.     

Synthesis,characterization, crystal structure and DFT studies on 3-(1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol-1-yl)-1-(4-ethylphenyl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl-4-ethylbenzoate

3-(1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol-1-yl)-1-(4-ethylphenyl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl-4-ethyl-benzoate (BEOE) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Its crystal structure has also been determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction. For the title compound, density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the structure and vibrational frequencies have been performed at B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory. Based on the vibration analysis, thermodynamic properties of the title compound have been calculated. The correlative equations between the thermodynamic properties and temperatures have also been listed. By using TD-DFT method, electron spectra of the title compound have been predicted, which suggests the B3LYP/6-31G* method can approximately simulate the electron spectra for the system presented here.     

Feasibility study on the use of infrared spectroscopy for the direct authentication of Iberian pig fattening diet

The feasibility of using both middle- and near-infrared spectroscopy for discrimination between subcutaneous fat of Iberian pigs reared on different fattening diets has been evaluated. The sample set was formed by subcutaneous fat of pigs fattened outdoors (extensively) with natural resources (montanera) and pigs fattened on commercial feeds, either with standard feed or with especial formulations with higher content in oleic acid (HO-formulated feed). Linear discriminant analysis was used to classify the samples according to the fattening diet using the scores obtained from principal component analysis of near- and middle-infrared spectra as variables to construct the discriminant functions. The most influential variables were identified using a stepwise procedure. The discriminant potential of each spectral region was investigated. Best results were obtained with the combination of both regions with 91.7% of the standard feed and 100% of montanera and HO-formulated feed samples correctly classified. Chemical explanations are provided based on the correlation of these variables with fatty acid content in the samples.     

MP2, DFT and ab initio calculations on thioxanthone

Density functional theory (DFT), HF and MP2 calculations have been carried out to investigate thioxanthone molecule using the standard 6-31+G(d,p) basis set. The results of MP2 calculations show a butterfly structure for thioxanthone. The calculated results show that the predicted geometry can well reproduce the structural parameters. The predicted vibrational frequencies were assigned and compared with experimental IR spectra. A good harmony between theory and experiment is found. The theoretical electronic absorption spectra have been calculated using CIS method. ¹³C and ¹H NMR of the title compound have been calculated by means of B3LYP density functional method with 6-31+G(d,p) basis set. The comparison of the experimental and the theoretical results indicate that density functional B3LYP method is able to provide satisfactory results for predicting NMR properties.     

In and ex vivo breast disease study by Raman spectroscopy

In this work, Raman spectra in the 900?C1,800?cm^?1 wavenumber region of in vivo and ex vivo breast tissues of both healthy mice (normal) and mice with induced mammary gland tumors (abnormal) were measured. In the case of the in vivo tissues, the Raman spectra were collected for both transcutaneous (with skin) and skin-removed tissues. To identify the spectral differences between normal and cancer breast tissue, the paired t-test was carried out for each wavenumber using the whole spectral range from both groups. Quadratic discriminate analysis based on principal component analysis (PCA) was also used to determine and evaluate differences in the Raman spectra for the various samples as a basis for diagnostic purposes. The differences in the Raman spectra of the samples were due to biochemical changes at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels. The sensitivity and specificity of the classification scheme based on the differences in the Raman spectra obtained by PCA were evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The in vivo transcutaneous normal and abnormal tissues were correctly classified based on their measured Raman spectra with a discriminant proportion of 73%, while the in vivo skin-removed normal and abnormal tissues were correctly classified again based on their measured Raman spectra with a discriminant proportion of 86%. This result reveals a strong influence due to the skin of the breast, which decreased the specificity by 11%. Finally, the results from ex vivo measurements gave the highest specificity and sensitivity: 96 and 97%, respectively, as well as a largest percentage for correct discrimination: 94%. Now that the important bands have been experimentally determined in this and other works, what remains is for first principles molecular-level simulations to determine whether the changes are simply due to conformational changes, due to aggregation, due to changes in the environment, or complex interactions of all of the above.     

Chemometrical strategies for feature selection and data compression applied to NIR and MIR spectra of extra virgin olive oils for cultivar identification

The possibility provided by Chemometrics to extract and combine (fusion) information contained in NIR and MIR spectra in order to discriminate monovarietal extra virgin olive oils according to olive cultivar (Casaliva, Leccino, Frantoio) has been investigated.Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was applied as a classification technique on these multivariate and non-specific spectral data both separately and jointly (NIR and MIR data together).In order to ensure a more appropriate ratio between the number of objects (samples) and number of variables (absorbance at different wavenumbers), LDA was preceded either by feature selection or variable compression. For feature selection, the SELECT algorithm was used while a wavelet transform was applied for data compression.Correct classification rates obtained by cross-validation varied between 60% and 90% depending on the followed procedure. Most accurate results were obtained using the fused NIR and MIR data, with either feature selection or data compression.Chemometrical strategies applied to fused NIR and MIR spectra represent an effective method for classification of extra virgin olive oils on the basis of the olive cultivar.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,Characterizationand Quantum Chemical Studies on 1N-Acetyl-3-（2,4-dichloro-5-fluorophenyl）-5-（p-methyl-phenyl）-2-pyrazoline

1N-Acetyl-3-（2,4-dichloro-5-fluoro-phenyl）-5-（p-methyl-phenyl）-2-pyrazoline has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. Ab intio calculations have been carded out for the compound by using both B3LYP and HF methods at the 6-31G^＊ basis set. The calculated results show that the predicted geometry can well reproduce the structural parameters. The electronic absorption spectra calculated by B3LYP/6-31G^＊ method are approximate to the experiments and the Natural Bond Orbital （NBO） analyses suggest that the above electronic transitions are mainly assigned to n→π^＊ and π→π^＊ transitions. CIS-HF/6-31G^＊ method is not suitable to predict the electronic spectra for the title compound. The calculation of the second order optical nonlinearity was carded out, giving the value of molecular hyperpolarizability equal to 2.194^＋ 10^-30 esu. On the basis of vibrational analyses, the thermodynamic properties of the compound at different temperature have been calculated, revealing the correlation between C p, m^0, S m^0, H m^0 and temperature.     

基于非接触式拉曼光谱分析人血与犬血的PCA-LDA鉴别方法

将拉曼光谱分析法与数理统计方法有机结合,构建人血与犬血种属判别模型,实现了不同种属血液样本的高效无损鉴别.采用拉曼光谱的无损测试模式对血液样本进行测试,考察了抗凝管管材、聚焦位置及曝光时间等对血液样本拉曼光谱的影响,在激发波长为632.8 nm,光谱扫描范围为200~1800 cm-1,功率衰减率50%,曝光时间5 s及累加次数为2次的优化条件下,获得了无损检测条件下的血液样本拉曼光谱图.针对血液样本组分复杂、拉曼光谱信号基底背景高等问题,提出了基于小波变换去噪,进行分段多项式基线校正的预处理方法,有效解决了血液样本拉曼光谱谱图的高噪音和基线漂移问题.实验选择30例正常人血和33例比格犬血为样本训练集,5例正常人血和5例比格犬血为测试集,基于主成分分析法(PCA)联合线性判别法(LDA)模型,训练集分类正确率达到95.23%,盲测集分类正确率达90.00%.这种基于非接触式血液样本拉曼光谱和PCA-LDA判断模型的测试方法在进出口检验检疫等涉及血液无损鉴别的领域具有广泛的应用价值和前景.     

Discrimination of Human and Nonhuman Blood by Raman Spectroscopy and Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis

A novel method is reported to discriminate human and animal blood by Raman spectroscopy without complex sample preparation. A partial least squares discriminant analysis model was constructed from a calibration set of Raman spectra from three species of animal blood using 785-nm laser excitation. The discrimination between human and nonhuman blood was calculated by three sigma. Various performance measures, including a blind test and external validation, confirmed the discriminatory performance of the chemometric model. The model provided 100% accuracy in its differentiation between human and nonhuman blood. These results demonstrate that Raman spectroscopy is a promising tool for the discrimination of animal and human blood.