Artificial intelligence strategies based on run length matrix and wavelet analyses for detection of subtle alterations in hepatocyte chromatin organization following exposure to iron oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

This study focuses on the development of machine learning models based on the features of the run length matrix (RLM) and wavelet analyses, with the potential to detect subtle alterations in hepatocyte chromatin organization due to iron oxide nanoparticle exposure. A total of 2000 hepatocyte nuclear regions of interest (ROIs) from mouse liver tissue were analyzed, and for each ROI, 5 different parameters were calculated: Long Run Emphasis, Short Run Emphasis, Run Length Nonuniformity, and 2 wavelet coefficient energies obtained after the discrete wavelet transform. These parameters served as input for supervised machine learning models, specifically random forest and gradient boosting classifiers. The models demonstrated robust performance in distinguishing hepatocyte chromatin structures belonging to the group exposed to IONPs from the controls. The study's findings suggest that iron oxide nanoparticles induce substantial changes in hepatocyte chromatin distribution and underscore the potential of AI techniques in advancing hepatocyte evaluation in physiological and pathological conditions.