EDGE PRESERVING FILTERS USING GEODESIC DISTANCES ON WEIGHTED ORTHOGONAL DOMAINS

We introduce a framework for image enhancement, which smooths images while preserving edge information. Domain (spatial) and range (feature) information are combined in one single measure in a principled way. This measure turns out to be the geodesic distance between pixels, calculated on weighted orthogonal domains. The weight function is computed to capture the underlying structure of the image manifold, but allowing at the same time to efficiently solve, using the Fast Marching algorithm on orthogonal domains, the eikonal equation to obtain the geodesic distances. We show promising results in edge-preserving denoising of gray scale, color and texture images. Index Terms — Adaptive smoothing filters, geodesic distance, Fast Marching Method, edge-preserving filtering. 1

Changing in gene expression profiling in children with non-obese obstructive sleep apnea

Background: La Sindrome delle apnee ostruttive del sonno (OSAS) è una malattia in cui possono essere coinvolti sia fattori genetici che ambientali. Se non trattata, può portare a significativa comorbidità cardiovascolare, neurocognitiva e comportamentale. Abbiamo ipotizzato che OSAS pediatrica potrebbe determinare cambiamenti nell’espressione genica. Metodi e risultati: Il profilo di espressione genica è stato valutato utilizzando i chip Human Transcriptome Arrays (HTA) per identificare i geni che possono essere regolati in modo differenziale nei bambini non obesi con OSAS rispetto ai controlli sani. Campioni di sangue di 12 bambini (6 OSAS e 6 controlli) sono stati prelevati e studiati. Specifici geni infiammatori (IL5RA, PDK4, HRH4, CLC4, IL1RL1) sono risultati essere differenzialmente espressi essendo up-regolati. Pathways biologici pertinenti ai geni differenzialmente espressi sono stati esplorati e hanno rivelato il coinvolgimento e l’attivazione di vie infiammatorie. Conclusioni: Il nostro studio ha evidenziato una up-regulation di geni pro-infiammatori nei casi affetti da OSAS rispetto ai controlli sani. Questa espressione aumentata induce un'attivazione di pathways cellulari specifici quali la risposta infiammatoria nel suo complesso e nelle sue componenti più specifiche come la chemiotassi. I nostri risultati confermano come si debba considerare OSAS come un “low-grade inflammatory disease”, condizione che comporta una comorbidità sistemica rilevante (metabolica, cardiovascolare e neuro-comportamentale), data la robusta relazione tra lo stato pro-infiammatorio e le sequele sistemiche a lungo termine.Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS) is a multi-factorial and highly prevalent disorder in which both genetic and environmental factors may be involved. If left untreated, OSA may lead to significant cardiovascular and neurocognitive and behavioral morbidities. We hypothesized that pediatric OSAS would lead to altered gene expression. Methods and results: Gene expression profile was studied through chip Human Transcriptome Arrays (HTA) to identify genes that may be differentially regulated in non-obese children with polysomnographically-established OSAS compared to matched control children. Total morning blood samples from 12 children (6 OSAS and 6 controls) were extracted and studied. Specific inflammatory genes (IL5RA, PDK4, HRH4, CLC4, IL1RL1) resulted differentially expressed being up-regulated. Biological pathways pertinent to the differentially expressed genes were explored and revealed prominent involvement of inflammatory pathways. Conclusions: The study confirms the presence of altered expression of functionally relevant gene clusters and the activation of specific inflammatory pathways in pediatric OSAS. Pediatric OSAS could be considered as a low grade inflammatory disease with significant cardiovascular and neurocognitive and behavioral morbiditie

Clues on the evolution of the Carina dwarf spheroidal galaxy from the color distribution of its red giant stars

The thin red giant branch (RGB) of the Carina dwarf spheroidal galaxy appears at first sight quite puzzling and seemingly in contrast with the presence of several distinct bursts of star formation. In this Letter, we provide a measurement of the color spread of red giant stars in Carina based on new BVI wide-field observations, and model the width of the RGB by means of synthetic color-magnitude diagrams. The measured color spread, Sigma{V-I}=0.021 +/- 0.005, is quite naturally accounted for by the star-formation history of the galaxy. The thin RGB appears to be essentially related to the limited age range of its dominant stellar populations, with no need for a metallicity dispersion at a given age. This result is relatively robust with respect to changes in the assumed age-metallicity relation, as long as the mean metallicity over the galaxy lifetime matches the observed value ([Fe/H] = -1.91 +/- 0.12 after correction for the age effects). This analysis of photometric data also sets some constraints on the chemical evolution of Carina by indicating that the chemical abundance of the interstellar medium in Carina remained low throughout each episode of star formation even though these episodes occurred over many Gyr.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Letter

Influence of Storage Temperature on Radiochemical Purity of 99mTc-Radiopharmaceuticals

The influence of effective room temperature on the radiochemical purity of 99mTc-radiopharmaceuticals was reported. This study was born from the observation that in the isolators used for the preparation of the 99mTc-radiopharmaceuticals the temperatures can be higher than those reported in the commercial illustrative leaflets of the kits. This is due, in particular, to the small size of the work area, the presence of instruments for heating, the continuous activation of air filtration, in addition to the fact that the environment of the isolator used for the 99mTc-radiopharmaceuticals preparation and storage is completely isolated and not conditioned. A total of 244 99mTc-radiopharmaceutical preparations (seven different types) have been tested and the radiochemical purity was checked at the end of preparation and until the expiry time. Moreover, we found that the mean temperature into the isolator was significantly higher than 25 C, the temperature, in general, required for the preparation and storage of 99mTc-radiopharmaceuticals. Results confirmed the radiochemical stability of radiopharmaceutical products. However, as required in the field of quality assurance, the impact that different conditions than those required by the manufacturer on the radiopharmaceuticals quality have to be verified before human administration

Untangling the extracellular matrix of idiopathic epiretinal membrane: a path winding among structure, interactomics and translational medicine

Idiopathic epiretinal membranes (iERMs) are fibrocellular sheets of tissue that develop at the vit-reoretinal interface. iERMs consist of cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) formed by a complex array of structural proteins and a large number of proteins that regulate cell-matrix interaction, matrix deposition and remodelling. Many components of the ECM tend to produce a layered pat-tern that can influence the tractional properties of the membranes. We applied a bioinformatics approach on a list of proteins previously identified with an MS-based proteomic analysis on sam-ples of iERM to report the interactome of some key proteins. The performed pathway analysis highlights interactions occurring among ECM molecules, their cell receptors, and intra or extra-cellular proteins that may play a role in matrix biology, in this special context. In particular, integ-rin β1, cathepsin B, epidermal growth factor receptor, protein-glutamine gam-ma-glutamyltransferase 2, and prolow-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 are key hubs in the outlined protein-protein cross-talks. A section on the biomarkers that can be found in the vitreous humor of patients affected by iERM and that can modulate matrix deposition is also pre-sented. Finally, translational medicine in iERM treatment has been summed up taking stock of the techniques that have been proposed for pharmacologic vitreolysi

Investigation on the role of biallelic variants in VEGF-C found in a patient affected by Milroy-like lymphedema

Background Milroy-like disease is the diagnostic definition used for patients with phenotypes that resemble classic Milroy disease (MD) but are negative to genetic testing forFLT4. In this study, we aimed at performing a genetic characterization and biochemical analysis of VEGF-C variations found in a female proband born with congenital edema consistent with Milroy-like disease. Methods The proband underwent next-generation sequencing-based genetic testing for a panel of genes associated with known forms of hereditary lymphedema. Segregation analysis was performed on family members by direct sequencing. In vitro studies were performed to evaluate the role of a novel identified variant. Results TwoVEGF-Cvariations were found in the proband, a novel p.(Ser65Arg) and a pathogenic c.148-3_148-2delCA, of paternal and maternal origin, respectively. Functional characterization of the p.(Ser65Arg) variation in vitro showed alterations in VEGF-C processing. Conclusions Our findings reveal an interesting case in which biallelic variants inVEGF-Care found in a patient with Milroy-like lymphedema. These data expand our understanding of the etiology of congenital Milroy-like lymphedema.Peer reviewe

OSAS In Young and Older Children: A Brief Review on the Role of Laryngomalacia

Freeze drying (Lyophilization) performed at temperature and pressure below the triple point is being practiced for the preservation of virus stocks for longer periods. The present study is aimed to lyophilize influenza virus strain to study its effects on infectivity and viral load

Co-Expression of Podoplanin and CD44 in Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy Epiretinal Membranes

Epiretinal membranes (ERMs) are sheets of tissue that pathologically develop in the vitreoretinal interface leading to progressive vision loss. They are formed by different cell types and by an exuberant deposition of extracellular matrix proteins. Recently, we reviewed ERMs’ extracellular matrix components to better understand molecular dysfunctions that trigger and fuel the onset and development of this disease. The bioinformatics approach we applied delineated a comprehensive overview on this fibrocellular tissue and on critical proteins that could really impact ERM physiopathology. Our interactomic analysis proposed the hyaluronic-acid-receptor cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) as a central regulator of ERM aberrant dynamics and progression. Interestingly, the interaction between CD44 and podoplanin (PDPN) was shown to promote directional migration in epithelial cells. PDPN is a glycoprotein overexpressed in various cancers and a growing body of evidence indicates its relevant function in several fibrotic and inflammatory pathologies. The binding of PDPN to partner proteins and/or its ligand results in the modulation of signaling pathways regulating proliferation, contractility, migration, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and extracellular matrix remodeling, all processes that are vital in ERM formation. In this context, the understanding of the PDPN role can help to modulate signaling during fibrosis, hence opening a new line of therap

Revisiting Delta Y/Delta Z from multiple main sequences in Globular Clusters: insight from nearby stars

For nearby K dwarfs, the broadening of the observed Main Sequence at low metallicities is much narrower than expected from isochrones with the standard helium-to-metal enrichment ratio DY/DZ=2. Though the latter value fits well the Main Sequence around solar metallicity, and agrees with independent measurements from HII regions as well as with theoretical stellar yields and chemical evolution models, a much higher DY/DZ~10 is necessary to reproduce the broadening observed for nearby subdwarfs. This result resembles, on a milder scale, the very high DY/DZ estimated from the multiple Main Sequences in Omega Cen and NGC 2808. Although not "inverted" as in omega Cen, where the metal-rich Main Sequence is bluer than the metal-poor one, the broadening observed for nearby subdwarfs is much narrower than stellar models predict for a standard helium content. We use this empirical evidence to argue that a revision of lower Main Sequence stellar models, suggested from nearby stars, could significantly reduce the helium content inferred for the subpopulations of those globular clusters. A simple formula based on empirically calibrated homology relations is constructed, for an alternative estimate of DY/DZ in multiple main sequences. We find that, under the most favourable assumptions, the estimated helium content for the enriched populations could decrease from Y~0.4 to as low as Y~0.3.Comment: 15 pages, 12 figures, in press on MNRA

Comparison of 5-year progression of retinitis pigmentosa involving the posterior pole among siblings by means of SD-OCT: a retrospective study

The blockchain technology promises to transform finance, money and evengovernments. However, analyses of blockchain applicability and robustness typicallyfocus on isolated systems whose actors contribute mainly by running the consensusalgorithm. Here, we highlight the importance of considering trustless platformswithin the broader ecosystem that includes social and communication networks. Asan example, we analyse the flash-crash observed on 21st June 2017 in the Ethereumplatform and show that a major phenomenon of social coordination led to acatastrophic cascade of events across several interconnected systems. We proposethe concept of “emergent centralisation” to describe situations where a single systembecomes critically important for the functioning of the whole ecosystem, and arguethat such situations are likely to become more and more frequent in interconnectedsocio-technical systems. We anticipate that the systemic approach we propose willhave implications for future assessments of trustless systems and call for the attentionof policy-makers on the fragility of our interconnected and rapidly changing world