• Diagnostics of human articular cartilage using imaging methods based on NMR
• Methods and algorithms for diagnosis of diseases based on breath analysis

Result 1: Diagnostics of human articular cartilage using imaging methods based on NMR

Projects: VEGA 2/0142/08

Authors: P. Szomolányi, V. Juráš, Z. Majdišová, I. Frollo

Co-operation with MR Center, Highfield MR, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.The unique approach based on MRI for human knee cartilage diagnostics has been developed. It allows evaluating post-traumatic and post-operative patients within original pneumatic MR-compatible compression device. This method is based on MR assessment of the cartilage during simulated loading of the lower extremity which is near the physiological conditions in normal gait cycle. The novelty of this diagnostic approach is in the possibility to measure the knee joint in both extension and flexion state. The stage of cartilage transplant is characterized by T2 relaxation constant which is related to collagen fibres orientation and water content in the cartilage tissue. The maturation state of cartilage transplant in the knee can be evaluated in-vivo. The advantage of this method is its non-invasive nature and the fact it has no side-effects (in comparison to diagnostic tools using ionizing radiation).The verification of this method has been performed in the group of volunteers and patients as well. It has potential usage at clinical institutions where whole-body systems are available.

Figure: Left: measurement of the knee - preparation of the patient. Top: in a stretched position - extension. Bottom: in a bended knee - flexion. Right: pisture of a knee - patela, T2*. White arrow points to a transplanted cartilage (pseudo-colored to blue) that exhibits different orientation of the colagen fibers in comparison with healthy cartilage.  

Publications:

• JURÁŠ, Vladimír - SZOMOLÁNYI, Pavol - MAJDIŠOVÁ, Zuzana - TRATTNIG, S. MR-compatible compression device for in-vitro evaluation of biomechanical properties of cartilage. In Journal of Biomechanical Science and Engineering. ISSN 1880-9863, 2008, vol. 3, no. 2, p. 200-208.
• PINKER, K. - SZOMOLÁNYI, Pavol - WELSCH, G.C. - MAMISCH, T.C. - MARLOVITS, S. - STADLBAUER, A. - TRATTNIG, S. Longitudinal evaluation of cartilage composition of matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplants with 3-T delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage. In American Journal of Roentgenology. ISSN 0361-803X, 2008, vol. 191, p. 1391-1396. (2.470 - IF2007).
• MAJDIŠOVÁ, Zuzana - SZOMOLÁNYI, Pavol - BABINEC, P. - FROLLO, Ivan - TRATTNIG, S. Observation of the magnetic nanoparticles presence in model samples using MRI. In Labuda, J. et al. MEDITECH : Proceedings of the ESF Project Conference. - Bratislava : Slovak University of Technology, 2008, p. 93-96.

Result 2: Methods and algorithms for diagnosis of diseases based on breath analysis

Project: 6RP EU Project BAMOD

Authors: B. Arendacká, K. Cimermanová, K. Hornišová, F. Rublík, S. Štolc., G. Wimmer, G. Wimmer Jr.,V. Witkovský

Cancer is one of the major causes of death in Europe. Currently, it is possible to diagnose the lung cancer in the late stages of the disease, only, since available diagnostic methods are not sufficiently sensitive and accurate. Early diagnosis of cancer could improve the prognosis and treatment of the disease and could save many lives annually. The FP6 project BAMOD focuses on research of the methods for the diagnosis of lung and esophagus cancer on the basis of analysis of volatile organic compounds in the breath, which concentrations are usually very low - often at a few ppb (particles-per-bilion in volume).

At the Institute of Measurement Science we have proposed methods and algorithms for statistical analysis of the exhaled gas concentrations measured by mass spectrometry with a proton transfer reaction (PTR-MS). The appropriate algorithms for classification into two classes have been designed and implemented. Discriminant ability of the individual breath compounds have been examined by using the ROC-analysis, based on extensive clinical trials (carried out in partner institutions), with a view to identifying suitable biomarkers of the disease. Relation of the concentration of selected breath compounds (isoprene, acetone, methanol) to the age, sex, BMI index and cholesterol levels have been studied in details for healthy subjects.

Publications:

• ARENDACKÁ, B. - SCHWARZ, K. - ŠTOLC JR, S. - WIMMER, G. - WITKOVSKÝ, V.: Variability issues in determining concentration of isoprene in human breath by PTR-MS. Journal of Breath Research (IABR'07 - Breath Analysis Summit 2007: Clinical Applications of Breath Testing. Scientific Meeting of the International Association for Breath Research) 2, 2008, 037007 (8pp).
• KUSHCH, I. - ARENDACKÁ, B. - ŠTOLC, S. - MOCHALSKI, P. - FILIPIAK, W. - SCHWARZ, K. - SCHWENTNER, L. - SCHMID, A. - DZIEN, A. - LECHLEITNER, M. - WITKOVSKÝ, V. - MIEKISCH, W. - SCHUBERT, J. - UNTERKOFLER, K. - AMANN, A.: Breath isoprene - aspects of normal physiology related to age, gender and cholesterol profile as determined in a proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry study. Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine 46 (7), 2008, 1011-1018.