RESUMO
This paper introduces a deep learning based methodology for analyzing the self-assembled, fractal-like structures formed in evaporated droplets. To this end, an extensive image database of such structures of the plant extract Viscum album Quercus [Formula: see text] was used, prepared by three different mixing procedures (turbulent, laminar, and diffusion based). The proposed pattern analysis approach is based on two stages: (1) automatic selection of patches that exhibit rich texture along the database; and (2) clustering of patches in accordance with prevalent texture by means of a Dense Convolutional Neural Network. The fractality of the patterns in each cluster is verified through Local Connected Fractal Dimension histograms. Experiments with Gray-Level Co-Occurrence matrices are performed to determine the benefit of the proposed approach in comparison with well established image analysis techniques. For the investigated plant extract, significant differences were found between the production modalities; whereas the patterns obtained by laminar flow showed the highest fractal structure, the patterns obtained by the application of turbulent mixture exhibited the lowest fractality. Our approach is the first to analyze, at the pure image level, the clustering properties of regions of interest within a database of evaporated droplets. This allows a greater description and differentiation of the patterns formed through different mixing procedures.
Assuntos
Aprendizado Profundo , Viscum album , Processamento de Imagem Assistida por Computador , Redes Neurais de Computação , Extratos VegetaisRESUMO
The XXXIV annual GIRI Meeting was held for the first time together with the V International Workshop on Homeopathy (IWH) in frames of an academic-scientific partnership between the Brazilian Public University (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ) and the GIRI society (International Research Group on Very Low Dose and High Dilution Effects). This event occurred on December 2ndto 4th2021 as online conference. Thanks to the partnership as well as the use of the virtual platform, the GIRI meeting 2021 reached the highest visibility in the whole history of already 34 meetings (there were ca. 600 inscriptions and more than 14 000 page views on the last conference day). At the meeting 12 abstractswere presented as oral contributions and further 34 as e-posters. The 5thEdition of International Workshop on Homeopathy regarded "The scientific evidence of homeopathy in health care" and provided the possibilities to exchange scientific experiences, todiscuss many research details, and to meet other researchers involved into basic and clinical homeopathic research from all over the world. The scientific sections were dedicated to the following subjects: -Homeopathy teaching and practice; -Chemical and physical models; -In vivoand in vitromodels; -Clinical trials.We are convinced that the content of the present special issue of the International Journal High Dilution Research dedicated to the memories of XXXIV GIRI meeting will bring new insights to the homeopathic scientific community.© International Journal of High Dilution Research. Not for commercial purposes.
Assuntos
HomeopatiaRESUMO
The 2022 International Society for Low Dose and High Dilution Research -GIRI-meeting was a joint meeting held alongside the annual Science Meets Homeopathy -SMH -meeting organized by the International Academy of Science in Homeopathy and Integrative Medicine, founded by Irene Schingensiepen. The two meetings took place from June1st to 4th in Berlin/Germany. For the convenience of participants from other countries, the meetings also allowed online participation; while the live events gave the GIRI & SMH members, researchers from different Universities and hospitals from European countries and South America, and homeopathy practitionersthe opportunity to meet again for the first time after the pandemic restrictions. About 40 participants took part in the meetings.The quiet and beautiful location near the Havelsee enabled concentrated work in an inviting and friendly atmosphere.The scientific program included contributions on basic and clinical research, case reports, and theorieson homeopathy's mode of action. Furthermore, there was one presentation onthe Natura Academy [1] in Germany giving the possibility of obtaining the bachelor's degree in integrative medicine and another one ona new initiative for raising awareness for the potential offered byalternative and complementarymedicine. A total of 27 full oral contributions and eight short poster presentations were presented over the four days.This year the presentation of overview lectures summarizingthe main results archived by the different research groups or scientists was encouraged. Several such lectures focused on water research and reported, among other things, on the water structures and the fourth phase of water. There were also overviewpresentations on spectroscopic analysisof dilutions, application of the droplet evaporation method in homeopathyresearch, vitality of crops treated with homeopathic preparations,and veterinary biotypology. As with the last two GIRI meetings, this year there were several contributions dealing with the use of homeopathic treatments in COVID patients.Furthercontributionsintroduceda new experimental setup with immobilized solvatochromic dyes, electronic spectra and UV/VIS measurements of high dilutions, and theveterinary use of homeopathic remedies in snakes,catsanddogs. Important findings were presented on the role of the standard deviation in basic experiments with potentised substances.Regardingclinical research there were contributions on the methodology of drug prescription, long-time evaluation of case studies, and one on the periodic table and its importance in homeopathy. Finally, two lectures focused on homeopathy's possible mode of action and put it inrelationto anthroposophical conceptsand clinical research on hormesis.
Assuntos
Preparações Derivadas , HomeopatiaRESUMO
Homeopathic preparations in low potencies, containing still measurable quantities of the starting substance, constitute a unique research field in homeopathic basic research. Here a series of experiments is presented carried out by means of the droplet evaporation method (DEM), investigating the specificity of the method, and presumed effects of the succussion procedure applied in the production of homeopathic preparations. Methods:DEM analysis consisted in the evaporation of droplets of the potencies perse placed on microscope slides. Resulting patterns were photographed. Images were evaluated by means of ImageJ software, by measuring grey level distribution, texture, and fractality. The experimentation consisted of four series: (i) screening (1x6x potencies from 19 substances), (ii) differentiation experiments (2x6x potencies of Echinacea, Baptisia, Luffa, and Spongia), (iii) differentiation between succussed (100 or 10 times) and unsuccussed samples (Echinacea 2x, Baptisia 3x, Baptisia 4x, Luffa 4x, and Spongia 6x). (iv) investigation of the influence upon the patterns of single compounds present in a remedy complex. The experimental set-up stability was examined by systematic positive control experiments. Results:(i) Homeopathic preparations of mineral origin showed the greatest form variety, whereas those of vegetal origin created fractal patterns in the potency range 2x4x. (ii) Differentiation of potencies of different origin at the same dilution level was possible from 2x to 4x. (iii) In all potency levels, succussed (100 and 10 times) and unsuccussed variants could be significantly differentiated. Significant differences between all variants were found in some cases in potency levels 4x and higher. In general, application of succussion reduced size, homogeneity, and complexity of the DEM patterns. (iv) Patterns of a remedy complex Luffa 4x -Mercurius bijodatum 9x showed a clear predominance of the Luffa 4x; however also the second component, present in a much lower concentration, influenced significantly the pattern of the remedy complex as also differed significantly from the pattern of succussed water control. Conclusions:The results suggest that DEM is a suitable tool for scientific investigation of homeopathic preparations in the low potency range. DEM might be applied to assess further research questions, such different potentization procedures (vessel shape, overhead volume, material), storing time, and difference between batches.
Assuntos
Baixas Potências , Cristalização , Gotículas LipídicasRESUMO
The droplet evaporation method (DEM) is based on the evaporation-induced pattern formation in droplets and is applied mainly for medical diagnosis[1].Here, we present aseries of experiments performed by our team showing DEMs potential also forhomeopathy basic research, in particular, for the investigation of(i) low potencies, (ii) low potency complexes (physical model), and (iii) the action of high potencies (plant-based model).Methods:(i) DEM differentiated significantly between Luffa, Baptisia, Echinacea, and Spongiauntil 4x[2]. Furthermore, the patterns varied in function of the numberof succussion strokes (0, 10, or 100) applied during potentization[3]. The performance of chaotic succussions vs. laminar flow vs. slight mixing during the potentization of Viscum album quercus3x influenced the DEM patterns; the chaotic succussions reduced, whereas laminar flow enhanced the patterns complexity vs. the unsuccussed control.(ii) The addition of Mercurius bijodatus9x to Luffa4x changed significantly the DEM patterns, even if the material quantity present in the 9x potency lied far beyond that of ultrapure water.(iii) Leakages obtained by placing healthy or arsenic-damaged wheat-seeds into Arsenicum album45x orheat-damaged intoZincum metallicum30c vs. water created significantly different DEM structures [4, 5]. Results:The damaged seeds put into the potency created structures characterized by a higher complexity than those obtained from damaged seeds put into control water. Furthermore, the potency action seemed to increase with rising numbers ofsuccussion strokes applied during potentization,ascould be shown by means of DEM patterns and germination rate using the same wheat-seed model[6].In all our studies, the pattern evaluation was computerized (texture and fractal analysis performed by means of ImageJ) or based on deep-learning algorithms and the robustness of the experimental system was checked by means of systematic control experiments.Conclusion:DEM together with other similarmethods has also been reviewed by our team for what concerns theapplication in homeopathy basic research[7].