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BACKGROUND Human fetuin A (AHSG) has been associated with the development of obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis. Observations on the role of AHSG rs4918 single-nucleotide polymorphism are contradictory. We investigated the association between variants of rs4918 and parameters of obesity, lipid status, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), adipokines (adiponectin, resistin, leptin), and insulin resistance in healthy persons and in patients with previous myocardial infarction. MATERIAL AND METHODS This was a cross-sectional study comprising cohort 1 (81 healthy individuals) and cohort 2 (157 patients with previous myocardial infarction). We used the allele-specific KASP genotyping assay to detect rs4918 polymorphism. RESULTS In cohort 1, G-nucleotide carriers had significantly lower serum TNFα, adiponectin, and higher leptin concentrations than in non-G carriers. These differences, however, were not observed in cohort 2. In cohort 2, G-carriers had lower BMI and waist circumferences than in non-G carriers. The G allele was more frequent among lean than obese patients (RR=1.067, 95%CI=1.053-2.651, p=0.015). An association between BMI and rs4918 polymorphism was observed among patients without diabetes (CC/CG/GG genotypes: p=0.003, G vs. non-G allele: p=0.008) but not in diabetics. In addition, a strong linearity between BMI and the CC/CG/GG genotypes (association value: 4.416, p=0.036) and the frequency of the G allele (7.420, p=0.006) could be identified. In cohort 2, non-obese, non-diabetic G-carriers still had lower BMI and waist circumferences than in non-G carriers. CONCLUSIONS The rs4918 minor variant is associated with lower TNFα and adiponectin, higher leptin levels in healthy persons, and more favorable anthropomorphic parameters of obesity in cohort 2.

Background: Previous studies have shown association of the multifunctional hepatic protein α2HS-glycoprotein/human fetuin A with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and atherosclerosis. Reports of contribution of α2HS-glycoprotein/human fetuin A rs4917 single-nucleotide polymorphism to the development of these pathologic processes are inconsistent. We aimed to investigate the association between variants of rs4917 and parameters of obesity, lipid status, the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), adipokines (adiponectin, resistin), and insulin resistance in 2 cohorts., Methods: Eighty-one healthy persons (cohort 1) and 157 patients with previous myocardial infarction (cohort 2) were included in this cross-sectional study. rs4917 Polymorphism was determined by the allele-specific KASP by design genotyping assays., Results: In cohort 1, T-nucleotide carriers had lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared with non-T carriers. The serum concentration of TNF-α was found to be higher carrying the non-T allele in cohort 1; however, this difference was not observed in cohort 2. In cohort 2, T carriers had lower body mass index and abdominal and waist circumferences than did non-T carriers. The T nucleotide was more frequent in nonobese than in obese patients (χ = 5.217, P = 0.022). Nonobese, nondiabetic T carriers still had lower body mass index and waist circumference than did non-T carriers., Conclusions: Our data suggest that the T nucleotide in rs4917 is associated with more favorable lipid status among healthy persons (i.e., lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and anthropologic parameters of obesity in cohort 2. The protective role of the T allele may also be associated with lower TNF-α levels found in healthy individuals.

Background: Although multifunctional glycoprotein α2HS-glycoprotein/human fetuin-A (AHSG) is involved in atherosclerosis, it is not clear whether high or low concentrations are more important. We studied the correlation of serum AHSG with adiponectin, leptin, resistin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) to see whether its metabolic effects or its involvement in subclinical inflammation are dominant in patients with established coronary disease., Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, AHSG concentration was determined in sera of 171 patients (age: 62 ± 6 years, mean ± SD) with previous myocardial STEMI infarction and normal renal function and 81 age-matched healthy controls by radial immunodiffusion. Results  Patients had increased AHSG levels (673 ± 103 vs. 619 ± 96 mg L(-1), P < 0·001) compared to controls. Obese and diabetic patients had higher AHSG concentration than those with normal BMI or without diabetes but even the latter group had elevated AHSG levels (667 ± 101 mg L(-1), n = 88) compared to controls (P = 0·002). Serum AHSG correlated negatively with adiponectin (r = -0·236, P = 0·006) even after adjusting for BMI (r = -0·177, P = 0·043). AHSG determined adiponectin levels independently from BMI, age and other adipocytokines (P = 0·014). The correlation between leptin and AHSG (r = 0·321, P = 0·021) weakened following adjustment for BMI (r = 0·209, P = 0·072). Serum AHSG did not correlate significantly with CRP, resistin and TNF-α concentrations. BMI and resistin but not AHSG determined TNF-α levels independently., Conclusions: AHSG is elevated in sera of patients with previous myocardial infarction. Association with adipokines favours the concept that AHSG is involved in atherosclerosis more likely through metabolic pathways (insulin resistance, obesity and adipocyte dysfunction) than by inflammation in patients with post-myocardial infarction., (© 2011 The Authors. European Journal of Clinical Investigation © 2011 Stichting European Society for Clinical Investigation Journal Foundation.)

Integration of color information in 3D models acquired with a topometric measurement system opens a wide field of applications in medicine, e.g. prosthetics. To ensure an accurate and reliable color reproduction in a 3D topometric measurement system, different approaches have been evaluated. These techniques focus on the calibration of the CCD camera using color test charts by applying a polynomial regression method as well as numerical methods to compensate an intensity decay of the illumination in 3D datasets which is caused by varying distances and orientations of the measured object with respect to the light source. The methods presented in this contribution have been applied to a topometric measurement system with one-chip color CCD cameras. An enhanced color reproduction of various objects is demonstrated.

Optical topometric 3D sensors such as laser scanners and fringe projection systems allow detailed digital acquisition of human body surfaces. For many medical applications, however, not only the current shape is important, but also its changes, e.g., in the course of surgical treatment. In such cases, time delays of several months between subsequent measurements frequently occur. A modular 3D coordinate measuring system based on the fringe projection technique is presented that allows 3D coordinate acquisition including calibrated color information, as well as the detection and visualization of deviations between subsequent measurements. In addition, parameters describing the symmetry of body structures are determined. The quantitative results of the analysis may be used as a basis for objective documentation of surgical therapy. The system is designed in a modular way, and thus, depending on the object of investigation, two or three cameras with different capabilities in terms of resolution and color reproduction can be utilized to optimize the set-up.

Aim of the Study: Cosmetic outcome of surgical treatment in the facial region is influenced by the appearance of the scar. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the objectivity and validity of various methods for the assessment of scars., Material and Methods: 45 patients undergoing facial surgery were examined three months after surgery. Three maxillofacial surgeons evaluated the wounds in a blinded manner using a visual analog scale (VAS). The patients also used the VAS for evaluation of their own scar. The surface of the scars was also measured by optical profilometry. Finally, the colour of the scars was analysed using both the RGB colour model and the HSV colour model., Results: Interestingly, there was no significant correlation between the values of R (red) as assessed by the three surgeons. However, there was a very strong correlation between the values of H (hue) as assessed by the three raters. The appearance of the surface was more important in the patients' evaluation than in the raters' assessment., Conclusion: The hue of a scar as measured in terms of the H value in the HSV colour model is an objective and reliable measure for assessing the cosmetic outcome of facial surgery.

In dentistry, mechanical articulators with which mandibular movements can be reproduced in dentals casts play a major role. Commonly used semiadjustable articulators, however, have major limitations: On the one hand, the movement of the mandible is not reproduced exactly, on the other, they do not provide time-related information on jaw movement. Both problems can be solved by replacing the mechanical articulator by a digital simulation ("virtual articulator") based on digitized plaster casts and electronically recorded masticatory movements. We present a system for the 3D measurement of plaster casts in a skull-related, anatomical coordinate system using the fringe projection technique, and electronically recorded condylar movements. Using numerical algorithms, the contacts between upper and low jaw, and the angle of rotation of the temporomandibular joint can be computed for each movement in dynamic occlusion. Taking the data recorded from a patient as an example, the influence of the accuracy of the digitization of plaster casts on the computation of the rotation of the temporomandibular joint is discussed in relation to the anatomy of the masticatory apparatus.

A major drawback of conventional impression techniques used for customizing facial prostheses is the fact that pressure applied deforms soft tissue, thus reducing accuracy and causing patient discomfort. A possible solution is the use of optical 3-D coordinate measuring techniques, such as the fringe projection technique, which enables precise and contact-free recording of facial surfaces. The application of this method is demonstrated on a patient who lost his left eye and part of the jaw bone during surgery for cancer. 3-D CAD software that supports the construction of a facial prosthesis from the data obtained has been developed. For this purpose, spline functions are used to define border curves, and the intact half of the face is used as a model for the prosthetic surface. The resulting digital data are used to construct first a model made of synthetic resin, and then a final wax model with the aid of rapid prototyping techniques.

Statement of Problem: The analysis of occlusal contacts on mounted diagnostic casts is an important task in prosthetic diagnostics. However, it is still restricted mainly to qualitative aspects because existing measuring techniques fail to provide 3-dimensional data for more than a few single points in acceptable time., Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a method for quantifying occlusal contacts and paths by using anatomically oriented diagnostic casts and to design the method to allow fast acquisition of digital 3-dimensional coordinates., Material and Methods: Plaster casts with color-marked contacts were digitized optically with a profilometric system based on the fringe projection technique. Digital camera images taken simultaneously were used to define the contact areas by marking them either manually or automatically with the help of image-processing routines. Three-dimensional coordinates were determined by finding the corresponding points within the profilometric data set., Results: Color-marked contact areas on diagnostic casts were successfully digitized with a computer-controlled, automatic setup in approximately 30 seconds. The accuracy of the acquired 3-dimensional data was estimated to be better than 60 microm in lateral and 30 microm in height resolution. The data set was visualized and evaluated in a skull related coordinate system., Summary: This study verified the use of a new tool to quantify color-marked occlusal contacts on diagnostic casts in terms of spatial coordinates. The resulting digital data may be stored easily and analyzed numerically as well as visualized 3-dimensionally with computer graphic equipment. Because the anatomic orientation of the casts is maintained throughout the measurement process, it is possible to compare the data with electronically registered condyle paths and therefore to investigate, for example, their relation to the corresponding guidance paths of the frontal teeth and the canines in dynamic occlusion.

Three-particle correlations have been measured for identified pi(-) from central 158A GeV Pb+Pb collisions by the WA98 experiment at CERN. A substantial contribution of the genuine three-body correlation has been found as expected for a mainly chaotic and symmetric source.