Department of Pathology, Gülhane Military Medical Academy and School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Department of Pathology, Gülhane Military Medical Academy and School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Pathol Res Pract. 2014 Mar;210(3):161-8. doi: 10.1016/j.prp.2013.11.010. Epub 2013 Dec 3.
The aim of this study was to develop a computer simulation evaluating microvessel density according to the Chalkley method on digital images taken from neovascular hot spots. An image analysis algorithm has been developed using ImageJ, an extensible, open source image processing and analysis software. The idea was to create a virtual Chalkley point array graticule, and to calculate Chalkley counts automatically by stepwise angular rotation of it on the superimposed images containing properly segmented microvessels. This eliminates the necessity of having the Chalkley graticule, an accessory that has to be mounted on the microscope's ocular. The proposed method is a faithful simulation of the original Chalkley counting procedure. It gives pathologists who do not have the Chalkley graticule an opportunity to evaluate microvessels quantitatively according to the basic principles underlying Chalkley counting. Evaluating microvessel densities in solid tumors is a frequent procedure in angiogenesis research. A few standard methods, including Chalkley counting, are used for the estimation of microvessel density. Several independent studies have shown that the Chalkley counting is more consistent and may provide useful data on prognosis. The obvious disadvantages lie in the facts that this method is time-consuming and requires a special hardware. Computer simulation may overcome these obstacles.
本研究旨在开发一种基于 Chalkley 方法的计算机模拟，用于评估数字图像中新生血管热点的微血管密度。我们使用了 ImageJ 这个可扩展的开源图像处理和分析软件来开发图像分析算法。该算法的基本思路是创建一个虚拟的 Chalkley 点阵列网格，并通过在包含适当分割微血管的叠加图像上逐步旋转它来自动计算 Chalkley 计数。这样就省去了使用 Chalkley 网格这一必须安装在显微镜目镜上的附件的必要性。该方法忠实模拟了原始的 Chalkley 计数过程，为没有 Chalkley 网格的病理学家提供了根据 Chalkley 计数的基本原理定量评估微血管的机会。在血管生成研究中，评估实体瘤中的微血管密度是一项常见的程序。有几种标准方法，包括 Chalkley 计数，用于估计微血管密度。多项独立研究表明，Chalkley 计数更一致，并可能为预后提供有用的数据。其明显的缺点在于该方法耗时且需要特殊的硬件。计算机模拟可能会克服这些障碍。
