We have developed epifluorescence filter sets and computer software for the detection and discrimination of 27 different DNA probes hybridized simultaneously. For karyotype analysis, a pool of human chromosome painting probes, each labelled with a different fluor combination, was hybridized to metaphase chromosomes prepared from normal cells, clinical specimens, and neoplastic cell lines. Both simple and complex chromosomal rearrangements could be detected rapidly and unequivocally; many of the more complex chromosomal abnormalities could not be delineated by conventional cytogenetic banding techniques. Our data suggest that multiplex-fluorescence in situ hybridization (M-FISH) could have wide clinical utility and complement standard cytogenetics, particularly for the characterization of complex karyotypes.

Karyotyping human chromosomes by combinatorial multi-fluor FISH

The concept of "complexity," derived from the field of nonlinear dynamics, can be adapted to measure the output of physiologic processes that generate highly variable fluctuations resembling "chaos." We review data suggesting that physiologic aging is associated with a generalized loss of such complexity in the dynamics of healthy organ system function and hypothesize that such loss of complexity leads to an impaired ability to adapt to physiologic stress. This hypothesis is supported by observations showing an age-related loss of complex variability in multiple physiologic processes including cardiovascular control, pulsatile hormone release, and electroencephalographic potentials. If further research supports this hypothesis, measures of complexity based on chaos theory and the related geometric concept of fractals may provide new ways to monitor senescence and test the efficacy of specific interventions to modify the age-related decline in adaptive capacity.

https://reylab.bidmc.harvard.edu/pubs/1992/jama-1992-267-1806.pdf

Loss of 'complexity' and aging : potential applications of fractals and chaos theory to senescence

The nature of fractals and the use of fractals instead of classical scaling concepts to describe the irregular surfaces, structures, and processes exhibited by physiological systems are described. The mathematical development of fractals is reviewed, and examples of natural fractals are cited. Relationships among power laws, noise, and fractal time signals are examined. >

Fractal Physiology

Tumor spatial heterogeneity is an important prognostic factor, which may be reflected in medical images Image texture analysis is an approach of quantifying heterogeneity that may not be appreciated by the naked eye. Different methods can be applied including statistical-, model-, and transform-based methods. Early evidence suggests that texture analysis has the potential to augment diagnosis and characterization as well as improve tumor staging and therapy response assessment in oncological practice. This review provides an overview of the application of texture analysis with different imaging modalities, CT, MRI, and PET, to date and describes the technical challenges that have limited its widespread clinical implementation so far. With further efforts to refine its application, image texture analysis has the potential to develop into a valuable clinical tool for oncologic imaging. • Tumor spatial heterogeneity is an important prognostic factor. • Image texture analysis is an approach of quantifying heterogeneity. • Different methods can be applied, including statistical-, model-, and transform-based methods. • Texture analysis could improve the diagnosis, tumor staging, and therapy response assessment.

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs13244-012-0196-6.pdf

Assessment of tumor heterogeneity: an emerging imaging tool for clinical practice?

https://zenodo.org/record/1259855/files/article.pdf

Fractal methods and results in cellular morphology--dimensions, lacunarity and multifractals.

A fractal analysis of cell images.

Neurons in dissociated cell culture provide a favorable system for the quantitative analysis of structural changes and the examination of structure-function relationships during development. Fragment C of tetanus toxin was used to label neurons in murine spinal cord cell cultures and dendrite outgrowth was monitored by a number of measures. The dissociated neurons increased in morphologic complexity from approximate spheres to highly branched structures during the first week in culture. Much of the structural complexity of the dendrite arbor, as quantified by fractal dimension, was established within 48 hr after plating, i.e., prior to the development of interneuronal contacts. During the first few days in culture, dendrite branching complexity increased more rapidly than dendrite size, whereas after 4 days, fractal dimension remained relatively constant while dendrites continued to grow. Fractal analysis has provided data which suggest that the early development of dendrite branching complexity is determined intrinsically. Fractal dimension, as an effective index of morphologic complexity, should be a useful tool for the further study of extrinsic signals which might modify the generation or stabilization of dendrite form.

T.G. Smith

Papers

Fractal methods and results in cellular morphology--dimensions, lacunarity and multifractals.

A fractal analysis of cell images.

Early dendrite development in spinal cord cell cultures: a quantitative study.

Edge detection in images using Marr-Hildreth filtering techniques.

A fractal analysis of cultured rat optic nerve glial growth and differentiation.