SPINA
(structure parameter inference approach)
provides the foundation of a set of
calculated biomarkers for endocrinology,
diabetology and metabolic research. The
method delivers estimated structure
parameters of endocrine feedback control
systems in vivo from concentrations
of hormones or metabolites. The algorithm is
based on steady-state analysis of a
compartmental nonlinear model.
The
first successful implementation of
this cybernetic approach applies
to the evaluation of thyroid function. It
allows for calculating the thyroid's maximum
secretory capacity (SPINA-GT) and the sum
activity of peripheral step-up deiodinases
(SPINA-GD) from concentrations of TSH, (F)T4
and (F)T3 that have been determined once
only (SPINA Thyr).
A second version has been developed for
insulin-glucose homeostasis. It delivers the
secretory capacity of pancreatic beta cells
(SPINA-GBeta), an estimate for the insulin
receptor gain (SPINA-GR) and a static
disposition index as a measure for the loop
gain of the feedback loop (SPINA-DI).
Both implementations of SPINA have been
validated in clinical studies on the basis
of large cohorts.
They are increasingly used in experimental
research. SPINA Thyr has been evaluated in clinical trials
covering more than 10,000 subjects with
various disorders of thyroid homeostasis.
SPINA Carb has been demonstrated to have
superior validity, reliability and
diagnostic utility compared to other methods
in large international cohorts.
SPINA
Thyr and SPINA Carb are free applications
that calculate SPINA-GT, SPINA-GD,
SPINA-GBeta, SPINA-GR, SPINA-DI and other
parameters of the respective homeostatic
systems. They are offered on the base of a
BSD license. Ready-to use binaries are
available for macOS and Windows. For other
operating systems, including Linux, Solaris
and BSD, the software is available as source
code in Object Pascal. A special version of
the calculation engine is available for
modern S implementations, e.g. R.
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