Differential Mean Deviation Factor based Contrast Enhancement Technique Using DWT-SVD for Non-Contrast CT Scan Images

In proper clinical analysis and diagnosis of a patient, accurate visual representation of CT scan images plays a vital role. Due to technical constraints and poor imaging device, sometimes low contrast images can be obtained. To interpret and analyzed the minute details present in the image, the image needs to be enhanced appropriately. This proposed novel low contrast enhancement technique rely on the singular value decomposition (SVD) with discrete wavelet transform (DWT) for improving the minute visual information present in a image as well as retaining the mean brightness. By scaling the values of the singular matrix properly these existing SVD based techniques enhances the contrast of image but the contrast in case of the original CT scan image is too low and hinder proper enhancement result in poor analysis. In this suggested algorithm, the proposed differential mean-deviation factor properly equalized the singular matrix. Introduction of this parameter adjusted the singular value matrix in such a way that proper contrast enhancement is attained. Results of the simulation also reveal that the suggested approach also balanced the brightness of the picture more reliably and increases the contrast comparatively with negligible visual artifacts. It outperforms traditional methodologies of equalization of images such as GHE (Global histogram equalization) and LHE (local histogram equalization). Our proposed algorithm is evaluated and compared using different CT scan images and different algorithms based on SVD and DWT but the inclusion of our proposed factor mean deviation provides a niche over the existing ones in terms of subjective and objective analysis

Attenuated Antioxidant property of UV-B Irradiated Piperine in Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in SD rat

PIP is well known antioxidant that showed neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia (2h) /reperfusion (24h) (I/R) injury. However, it can degrade very easily in presence of UV-R/sunlight. Here, comparative study of non-irradiated and UV-B (0.6mW/cm2) irradiated PIP was performed against cerebral I/R injury. First, the dose dependence evaluation of neuroscore was investigated after the non-irradiated PIP intravenously (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg b w, i.v.) treatment. The neuroprotective outcome of UV-B irradiated and non-irradiated PIP (5 mg/kg b w, i.v.) against cerebral I/R in SD rats was investigated through evaluation of neuroscore and quantification of infarct volume by TTC staining. The result of photodegradation of PIP under UV-B irradiation revealed the formation of photoproducts. There were no changes in Cortical and mitochondrial ROS level and antioxidant defence enzyme (CuZn-SOD, Mn-SOD, and catalase) and non-enzyme (LPO, protein carbonyl and reduced glutathione) activities in UV-B irradiated compare vehicle group. Thus, our results demonstrated that PIP could lose its parent structure in presence of UV-B and attenuates its neuroprotective efficacy. Thus, UV-B exposure must be avoided during dietary intake of PIP to obtain best neuroprotective response

Male germ cell development: turning on the apoptotic pathways

From the viewpoint of improving germ cell production and treatment of testicular cancers, understanding the control of testicular cell death is of great relevance. One of the prominent features of spermatogenesis is apoptosis of germ cells at different stages of differentiation, by which excess and unfit cells are discarded to maintain proper tissue homeostasis. A phase of heightened apoptosis known as the 'first wave of spermatogenesis' occurs when the gonocytes differentiate into spermatogonia. The germ cells use an extrinsic pathway of apoptosis involving the Fas/FasL molecules as well as the mitochondrial pathway of death using the Bcl-2 family of proteins. A comprehensive view of the involvement of the different pro-and anti-apoptotic molecules has been defined through the use of mutant and knockout mice and toxin-induced cell death models. In addition, hormones such as estrogens in the male are of great interest. The presence of estrogen receptors on germ cells makes these cells susceptible to environmental agents which can mimic estrogens and potentially cause functional impairment of the male gamete. Post-industrialization, an increase in testicular cancers has been recorded and carcinoma of germ cell origin is susceptible to platinum-based compounds that induce multiple apoptotic pathways. This review covers recent progress made on the above issues. The challenge is now to identify the precise signaling pathways and the mechanisms by which germ cells and germ cell tumors initiate cell death processes, and to utilize this information for improving reproductive health related issues

Investigation of Latent Fingerprint Detection and Cheiloscopy Development Using Li₂SrSiO₄:Tb³⁺ Phosphor for Forensic-Based Applications

Inorganic phosphors with rare-earth metal doping have recently been created and used in hot topics including phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (pc-LEDs), counterfeit prevention, cheiloscopy (lip print detection), and fingerprint visualization. Using the Pechini sol–gel process, a silicate-based rare-earth metal-doped Li2SrSiO4:Tb3+ (LSS:Tb) green-emitting phosphor was synthesized, and its characteristics were determined by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and photoluminescence studies. Through the JCPDS file, the prepared phosphor’s structure was confirmed. Photoluminescence studies displayed the characteristic emission peaks of Tb3+ under an excitation wavelength of 254 nm. Implementation of the powder dusting method using LSS:3 mol % Tb phosphor on the latent fingerprint displayed good selectivity and contrast. Along with this, latent fingerprints were also detected on different surfaces to see the practicality of the prepared phosphor. Under UV irradiation, the level 1–3 structural properties of latent fingerprints and the level 1–6 detection of lip prints were distinguished and probed. The obtained results indicated that the synthesized phosphor could be used for fingerprint and lip print detection

Attenuated neuroprotective effect of riboflavin under UV-B irradiation via miR-203/c-Jun signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro

Background Riboflavin (RF) or vitamin B2 is known to have neuroprotective effects. In the present study, we report the attenuation of the neuroprotective effects of RF under UV-B irradiation. Preconditioning of UV-B irradiated riboflavin (UV-B-RF) showed attenuated neuroprotective effects compared to that of RF in SH-SY5Y neuroblostoma cell line and primary cortical neurons in vitro and a rat model of cerebral ischemia in vivo. Results Results indicated that RF pretreatment significantly inhibited cell death and reduced LDH secretion compared to that of the UV-B-RF pretreatment in primary cortical neuron cultures subjected to oxygen glucose deprivation in vitro and cortical brain tissue subjected to ischemic injury in vivo. Further mechanistic studies using cortical neuron cultures revealed that RF treatment induced increased miR-203 expression which in turn inhibited c-Jun expression and increased neuronal cell survival. Functional assays clearly demonstrated that the UV-B-RF preconditioning failed to sustain the increased expression of miR-203 and the decreased levels of c-Jun, mediating the neuroprotective effects of RF. UV-B irradiation attenuated the neuroprotective effects of RF through modulation of the miR-203/c-Jun signaling pathway. Conclusion Thus, the ability of UV-B to serve as a modulator of this neuroprotective signaling pathway warrants further studies into its role as a regulator of other cytoprotective/neuroprotective signaling pathways

Male germ cell apoptosis: regulation and biology

Cellular apoptosis appears to be a constant feature in the adult testis and during early development. This is essential because mammalian spermatogenesis is a complex process that requires precise homeostasis of different cell types. This review discusses the latest information available on male germ cell apoptosis induced by hormones, toxins and temperature in the context of the type of apoptotic pathway either the intrinsic or the extrinsic that may be used under a variety of stimuli. The review also discusses the importance of mechanisms pertaining to cellular apoptosis during testicular development, which is independent of exogenous stimuli. Since instances of germ cell carcinoma have increased over the past few decades, the current status of research on apoptotic pathways in teratocarcinoma cells is included. One other important aspect that is covered in this review is microRNA-mediated control of germ cell apoptosis, a field of research that is going to see intense activity in near future. Since knockout models of various kinds have been used to study many aspects of germ cell development, a comprehensive summary of literature on knockout mice used in reproduction studies is also provided