Infrared Small Targets Detection based on MRF Model

AbstractAiming at the difficulty in detecting infrared dim small target under strong background clutter, we propose a novel algorithm of infrared dim small target detection based on Markov random fields(MRF) model. We at first use adaptive morphological filter to suppress the background clutter, then introduce new potential function and energy function according to MRF theory and infrared small target image features, and build a target detection model to confirm automatically the location and size of the target. Simulation results show that the algorithm is effective

The role of the neutrophil Fcγ receptor I (CD64) index in diagnosing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients

SummaryObjectiveTo investigate the role of the neutrophil Fcγ receptor I (CD64) index in the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in cirrhotic patients.MethodsA total of 123 cirrhotic patients with ascites who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. Ascites and blood samples were collected; the polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) count, bacterial culture, and related laboratory tests were performed. The CD64 index was determined for each sample using flow cytometry.ResultsThe neutrophil CD64 index results were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients with SBP than in those without SBP (p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between the neutrophil CD64 index and the PMN count in ascites. In the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.894 (95% confidence interval 0.823–0.964, p<0.001). The optimal cut-off value for the neutrophil CD64 index was 2.02. The sensitivity and specificity of the neutrophil CD64 index for cirrhotic patients with SBP were 80.49% and 93.90%, respectively. The elevated neutrophil CD64 index was down-regulated by antibiotic therapy (p=0.002).ConclusionsThe neutrophil CD64 index could be used as a sensitive and specific indicator for the diagnosis of SBP in cirrhotic patients with ascites and is also modulated by antibiotic therapy

Cross-referencing social media and public surveillance camera data for disaster response

Physical media (like surveillance cameras) and social media (like Instagram and Twitter) may both be useful in attaining on-the-ground information during an emergency or disaster situation. However, the intersection and reliability of both surveillance cameras and social media during a natural disaster are not fully understood. To address this gap, we tested whether social media is of utility when physical surveillance cameras went off-line during Hurricane Irma in 2017. Specifically, we collected and compared geo-tagged Instagram and Twitter posts in the state of Florida during times and in areas where public surveillance cameras went off-line. We report social media content and frequency and content to determine the utility for emergency managers or first responders during a natural disaster

Use of Xinfeng capsule to treat abarticular pathologic changes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

AbstractObjectiveTo observe the influence of Xinfeng-capsule (XFC) on abarticular pathologic changes (APCs) and other indices of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and explore the mechanism of action of XFC in improving such changes.MethodsThree-hundred RA patients were divided randomly into a treatment group (n=150) and control group (n=150). A normal control (NC) group (n=90) was also created. Changes in cardiac function, pulmonary function, anemia indices and platelet parameters of RA patients were measured. Curative effects of the two groups were compared, and comparison carried out with the NC group.ResultsIn 300 RA patients, late diastolic peak flow velocity (A peak) was much higher (P<0.01) and early diastolic peak flow velocity (E peak), E/A, and left ventricular fraction shortening much lower (P<0.01) than those in the NC group. Vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity in one second, forced vital capacity (FVC), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), maximal expiratory flow in 50% of VC (FEF50) and FEF75 were lowered remarkably (P< 0.05 or P<0.01). Platelet count (PLT), plateletcrit (PCT) and mean platelet volume (MPV) increased markedly (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and hemoglobin (Hb) level decreased significantly (P<0.05). After XFC treatment, the A peak and PLT and PCT were much lower (P<0.05), and E/A and the number of red blood cells as well as Hb level were much higher (P< 0.05), as were FVC, MVV and FEF50 (P<0.05 or P< 0.01), in the treatment group than those in the NC group. Total score of pain and swelling in joints, uric-acid level and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level were much lower, and superoxide dismutase level as well as the number of CD4 + CD25 + regulation T cells (Treg) and CD4 + CD25 + CD127-Treg were much higher (P<0.05 or P<0.01) in the treatment group than those in the NC group.ConclusionRA patients with pathologic changes in joints also suffer from lower cardiac and pulmonary functions and from parameters of anemia and platelet factors. XFC can improve the symptoms of RA patients, ameliorate their cardiac and pulmonary functions and reduce the parameters of anemia and platelet factors. XFC lowers the immune inflammatory reaction to improve APCs in RA patients

Clinical presentation of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in adults is less typical than in children

OBJECTIVE: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in adults is largely underdiagnosed. To improve the rate and accuracy of diagnosis in adults, the clinical and laboratory characteristics of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis were analyzed in and compared between adults and children in a Chinese cohort. METHOD: Data from 50 hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis patients, including 34 adults and 16 children who fulfilled the 2004 hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis diagnostic criteria, were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: 1. Etiological factors: The proportion of Epstein-Barr virus infection was lower in adults compared with children, whereas fungal infection and natural killer/T cell lymphoma were more frequent in adults (

miR-146a is a significant brake on autoimmunity, myeloproliferation, and cancer in mice

Excessive or inappropriate activation of the immune system can be deleterious to the organism, warranting multiple molecular mechanisms to control and properly terminate immune responses. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), ~22-nt-long noncoding RNAs, have recently emerged as key posttranscriptional regulators, controlling diverse biological processes, including responses to non-self. In this study, we examine the biological role of miR-146a using genetically engineered mice and show that targeted deletion of this gene, whose expression is strongly up-regulated after immune cell maturation and/or activation, results in several immune defects. Collectively, our findings suggest that miR-146a plays a key role as a molecular brake on inflammation, myeloid cell proliferation, and oncogenic transformation

A novel mRNA vaccine, SYS6006, against SARS-CoV-2

The development of vaccines that can efficiently prevent the infection of SARS-CoV-2 is necessary to fight the COVID-19 epidemic. mRNA vaccine has been proven to induce strong humoral and cellular immunity against SARS-CoV-2. Here, we studied the immunogenicity and protection efficacy of a novel mRNA vaccine SYS6006. High expression of mRNA molecules in 293T cells was detected. The initial and boost immunization with a 21-day interval was determined as an optimal strategy for SYS6006. Two rounds of immunization with SYS6006 were able to induce the neutralizing antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 wild-type (WT) strain, and Delta and Omicron BA.2 variants in mice or non-human primates (NHPs). A3rd round of vaccination could further enhance the titers of neutralization against Delta and Omicron variants. In vitro ELISpot assay showed that SYS6006 could induce memory B cell and T cell immunities specifically against SARS-CoV-2 in mice. FACS analysis indicated that SYS6006 successfully induced SARS-CoV-2-specific activation of T follicular helper cell (Tfh) and Th1 cell, and did not induce CD4+Th2 response in NHPs. SYS6006 vaccine could significantly reduce the viral RNA loads and prevent lung lesions in Delta variant infected hACE2 transgenic mice. Therefore, SYS6006 could provide significant immune protection against SARS-CoV-2

Thyroid Disruption by Di-n-Butyl Phthalate (DBP) and Mono-n-Butyl Phthalate (MBP) in Xenopus laevis

BACKGROUND: Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), a chemical widely used in many consumer products, is estrogenic and capable of producing seriously reproductive and developmental effects in laboratory animals. However, recent in vitro studies have shown that DBP and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), the major metabolite of DBP, possessed thyroid hormone receptor (TR) antagonist activity. It is therefore important to consider DBP and MBP that may interfere with thyroid hormone system. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Nieuwkoop and Faber stage 51 Xenopus laevis were exposed to DBP and MBP (2, 10 or 15 mg/L) separately for 21 days. The two test chemicals decelerated spontaneous metamorphosis in X. laevis at concentrations of 10 and 15 mg/L. Moreover, MBP seemed to possess stronger activity. The effects of DBP and MBP on inducing changes of expression of selected thyroid hormone response genes: thyroid hormone receptor-beta (TRβ), retinoid X receptor gamma (RXRγ), alpha and beta subunits of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSHα and TSHβ) were detected by qPCR at all concentrations of the compounds. Using mammalian two-hybrid assay in vitro, we found that DBP and MBP enhanced the interactions between co-repressor SMRT (silencing mediator for retinoid and thyroid hormone receptors) and TR in a dose-dependent manner, and MBP displayed more markedly. In addition, MBP at low concentrations (2 and 10 mg/L) caused aberrant methylation of TRβ in head tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings highlight potential disruption of thyroid signalling by DBP and MBP and provide data for human risk assessment

The prevention effect of probiotics against eczema in children: an update systematic review and meta-analysis

Accumulated evidences support the fetus’s intestinal flora unbalance is associated with the development of allergic diseases. Probiotic supplements in pregnancy and childhood might prevent atopic diseases. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and early infancy in preventing eczema, atopic eczema, and other allergic diseases. We also explored whether different probiotic strains or intervention objects affected the antiallergic effect of probiotics and the prevention atopy effect of the long-term period. Fixed-effect models were used, and random-effects models where significant heterogeneity was present. Results were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Twenty-one studies were included in the meta-analysis. The probiotics group had a significantly lower risk of eczema and atopic eczema compared to controls, especially those treated with probiotic combinations. Mothers’ probiotics intake significantly contributed to reducing the risk of eczema as well as atopic eczema. What’s more, probiotics seemed effective on eczema prevention ≤2 years of age, but against atopic eczema after 1 of age year. No significant difference in terms of prevention of asthma, rhinitis, wheeze, allergic diseases and sensation. In brief, a probiotic supplement is expected to become a novel potential strategy for infant eczema and atopic eczema