Recent research indicates the presence of increased vascular density and irregularity on oral mucosal vascular networks in extracellular matrix (ECM)-related illness or conditions. Here, we estimated the frequency of occurrence of nodes of various degrees (K3, K4 and K5, where Kn designates a node with n connections) in patients with proven or suspected ECM-related conditions and in controls. Subjects with ECM-related conditions exhibited lower K3 and higher K4 frequency than controls (p < 0.0001) in their vascular networks. Inverse statistical correlations between the local fractal dimension and L-Z values and percentage of K3 (Pearson's r values range: -0.91 to -0.81; p values range: 0.0013 to < 0.0001), together with a positive relationship with K4 were observed (r values range: 0.81 to 0.86; p values range: 0.0015 to 0.0003). A positive correlation coefficient between D(1–46) and K5 frequency was also found (r = 0.6334, p = 0.027). K3 ≥ 52% or K4 <28% discriminated ECM patients from controls with 100% sensitivity (true positive cases to true positive + false negative ratio) and specificity (true negative cases to true negative + false positive ratio). These findings suggest that node degree distribution in oral vascular networks could be a helpful new marker of pathological conditions associated with proven or suspected ECM abnormalities.

De Felice, C., Barducci, A., Latini, G., Bianciardi, G., Parrini, S. (2006). Node degree distribution in complex microvascular networks: a potential new diagnostic tool for extracellular matrix-related diseases. FRACTALS-COMPLEX GEOMETRY PATTERNS AND SCALING IN NATURE AND SOCIETY, 14(4), 251-258 [10.1142/S0218348X0600326X].

Node degree distribution in complex microvascular networks: a potential new diagnostic tool for extracellular matrix-related diseases.

BIANCIARDI, GIORGIO;PARRINI, STEFANO
2006-01-01

Abstract

Recent research indicates the presence of increased vascular density and irregularity on oral mucosal vascular networks in extracellular matrix (ECM)-related illness or conditions. Here, we estimated the frequency of occurrence of nodes of various degrees (K3, K4 and K5, where Kn designates a node with n connections) in patients with proven or suspected ECM-related conditions and in controls. Subjects with ECM-related conditions exhibited lower K3 and higher K4 frequency than controls (p < 0.0001) in their vascular networks. Inverse statistical correlations between the local fractal dimension and L-Z values and percentage of K3 (Pearson's r values range: -0.91 to -0.81; p values range: 0.0013 to < 0.0001), together with a positive relationship with K4 were observed (r values range: 0.81 to 0.86; p values range: 0.0015 to 0.0003). A positive correlation coefficient between D(1–46) and K5 frequency was also found (r = 0.6334, p = 0.027). K3 ≥ 52% or K4 <28% discriminated ECM patients from controls with 100% sensitivity (true positive cases to true positive + false negative ratio) and specificity (true negative cases to true negative + false positive ratio). These findings suggest that node degree distribution in oral vascular networks could be a helpful new marker of pathological conditions associated with proven or suspected ECM abnormalities.
2006
De Felice, C., Barducci, A., Latini, G., Bianciardi, G., Parrini, S. (2006). Node degree distribution in complex microvascular networks: a potential new diagnostic tool for extracellular matrix-related diseases. FRACTALS-COMPLEX GEOMETRY PATTERNS AND SCALING IN NATURE AND SOCIETY, 14(4), 251-258 [10.1142/S0218348X0600326X].
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Node Degree Fractal 2006.pdf

non disponibili

Tipologia: Post-print
Licenza: NON PUBBLICO - Accesso privato/ristretto
Dimensione 639.09 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
639.09 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11365/27392
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo