title: Fluorescence multispectral imaging-based diagnostic system for atherosclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Composition of atherosclerotic arterial walls is rich in lipids such as cholesterol, unlike normal arterial walls. In this study, we aimed to utilize this difference to diagnose atherosclerosis via multispectral fluorescence imaging, which allows for identification of fluorescence originating from the substance in the arterial wall.
  
  
  METHODS
  The inner surface of extracted arteries (rabbit abdominal aorta, human coronary artery) was illuminated by 405 nm excitation light and multispectral fluorescence images were obtained. Pathological examination of human coronary artery samples were carried out and thickness of arteries were calculated by measuring combined media and intima thickness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The fluorescence spectra in atherosclerotic sites were different from those in normal sites. Multiple regions of interest (ROI) were selected within each sample and a ratio between two fluorescence intensity differences (where each intensity difference is calculated between an identifier wavelength and a base wavelength) from each ROI was determined, allowing for discrimination of atherosclerotic sites. Fluorescence intensity and thickness of artery were found to be significantly correlated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that multispectral fluorescence imaging provides qualitative and quantitative evaluations of atherosclerosis and is therefore a viable method of diagnosing the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electronic Systems Engineering, Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 54100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Cassandra Su Lyn
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Physiology and Bio-Nano Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshikatsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Horiuchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Physiology and Bio-Nano Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Taniguchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Physiology and Bio-Nano Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan.
authors.forename: Araya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Umetsu
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan.
authors.forename: Kohsuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hagisawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Sasaki Institute, Kyoundo Hospital, Chiyoda, Tokyo, 101-0062, Japan.
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iwaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan.
authors.forename: Kanji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakai
authors.affiliation: Department of Electronic Systems Engineering, Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 54100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Amalina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azmi
authors.affiliation: Department of Electronic Systems Engineering, Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 54100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zulaziz
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Azran
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azhim
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Physiology and Bio-Nano Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan.
authors.forename: Nariyoshi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shinomiya
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Physiology and Bio-Nano Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan. moyan@ndmc.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Morimoto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D061848:Optical Imaging; D011817:Rabbits
keywords: Abdominal aorta; Atherosclerosis; Coronary artery; Multispectral fluorescence imaging