Módulos de entrenamiento para la medición y adquisición de datos (Módulo de visión)

The Project proposes a design for the implementation of a laboratory tool which aims to contribute toward a solution for the current defecit in methods of student training in electrical engineering in the National University of Engineering. As well as in the area of industrial automatization, specifically in the acquisition and processing of images. The system of artificial vision to be implemented has the capacity to allow for different practical studies in the areas of acquisition and image processing. Included in the application are the following: the detection of manufacturing faults in different products, such as, electrical fuses integrated within HSIP capping, circular objects etc; Information on bar codes; Visual character recognition; Visual oversight of analogical, digital indicators (LCD). The hardware components meet the regulation standards IEEE 1394 (Sensor and Acquisition Hardware) and the processing software is implemented using the platform of LabVIEW. Different scenarios have been incorporated into the hardware component. These include, camera position, amount of illumination in relation to the object under scrutiny and guaranteed acquisition of data with which to evaluate and compare use and application. The software exemplifies the different methods and algorithms of image processing, recreating applications which are typically found in Nicaraguan Industry. To ensure the greatest advantage and adequate use, the necessary documentation regarding use and maintainance of the system is included. Keywords: Viewing machines; image processing; quality control; data acquisition.DOI: 10.5377/nexo.v22i2.43Nexo: Revista Científica Vol. 22, No. 02, pp.56-60/Diciembre 2009En este artículo se presenta el proyecto de diseño e implementación de una herramienta de laboratorio, que pretende contribuir a solucionar el déficit existente de medios de entrenamiento para los estudiantes de la carrera de Ingeniería Electrónica de la Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería. El proyecto está enmarcado dentro del área de automatización industrial, específicamente en la adquisición y procesamiento de imágenes. El sistema de Visión Artificial implementado tiene capacidad de permitir la realización de diferentes prácticas en el área de adquisición y procesamiento de imágenes. Entre las aplicaciones que este sistema ofrece se destacan: Detección de fallas en la fabricación de diferentes productos tales como: Fusibles, Integrados con encapsulado HSIP, Objetos circulares, etc; Lectura de códigos de barras; Reconocimiento óptico de caracteres; Supervisión óptica de indicadores digitales (LCD) y analógicos. Los componentes de hardware cumplen con los estándares de la norma IEEE 1394 (Sensor y Hardware de Adquisición) y el software de procesamiento se implementó utilizando la plataforma LabVIEW. Dentro de los componentes del hardware, se diseñaron diferentes escenarios que incluyeron la posición de la cámara y la cantidad de iluminación en función del objeto a inspeccionar y que a su vez garantizó la adquisición adecuada de los datos, lo que permitió evaluar y contrastar sus usos y aplicaciones. Por su parte el software, ejemplifica los diferentes métodos y algoritmos de procesamiento de imágenes, recreando aplicaciones comunes en la industria nicaragüense. Para asegurar el aprovechamiento y uso adecuado del sistema se incluyó la documentación necesaria para conocer el sistema, lo cual es necesario para su correcto uso y mantenimiento. Palabras claves: maquinas de visión; procesamiento de imágenes; control de calidad; adquisición de datos.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/nexo.v22i2.43Nexo: Revista Científica Vol. 22, No. 02, pp.56-60/Diciembre 200

Módulos de entrenamiento para la medición y adquisición de datos (Módulo de visión)

En este artículo se presenta el proyecto de diseño e implementación de una herramienta de laboratorio, que pretende contribuir a solucionar el déficit existente de medios de entrenamiento para los estudiantes de la carrera de Ingeniería Electrónica de la Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería. El proyecto está enmarcado dentro del área de automatización industrial, específicamente en la adquisición y procesamiento de imágenes. El sistema de Visión Artificial implementado tiene capacidad de permitir la realización de diferentes prácticas en el área de adquisición y procesamiento de imágenes. Entre las aplicaciones que este sistema ofrece se destacan: Detección de fallas en la fabricación de diferentes productos tales como: Fusibles, Integrados con encapsulado HSIP, Objetos circulares, etc; Lectura de códigos de barras; Reconocimiento óptico de caracteres; Supervisión óptica de indicadores digitales (LCD) y analógicos. Los componentes de hardware cumplen con los estándares de la norma IEEE 1394 (Sensor y Hardware de Adquisición) y el software de procesamiento se implementó utilizando la plataforma LabVIEW. Dentro de los componentes del hardware, se diseñaron diferentes escenarios que incluyeron la posición de la cámara y la cantidad de iluminación en función del objeto a inspeccionar y que a su vez garantizó la adquisición adecuada de los datos, lo que permitió evaluar y contrastar sus usos y aplicaciones. Por su parte el software, ejemplifica los diferentes métodos y algoritmos de procesamiento de imágenes, recreando aplicaciones comunes en la industria nicaragüense. Para asegurar el aprovechamiento y uso adecuado del sistema se incluyó la documentación necesaria para conocer el sistema, lo cual es necesario para su correcto uso y mantenimiento. Palabras claves: maquinas de visión; procesamiento de imágenes; control de calidad; adquisición de datos. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/nexo.v22i2.43 Nexo: Revista Científica Vol. 22, No. 02, pp.56-60/Diciembre 200

Increase of the Adiponectin/Leptin Ratio in Patients with Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Bariatric surgery remains the most effective option for achieving important and sustained weight loss. We explored the effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on the circulating levels of adiponectin, leptin, and the adiponectin/leptin (Adpn/Lep) ratio in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Twenty-five T2D volunteers undergoing RYGB were included in the study, and further subclassified as patients that responded or not to RYBG, regarding remission of T2D. Anthropometric and biochemical variables were evaluated before and after RYGB. Obese patients with T2D exhibited an increase (p < 0.0001) in the Adpn/Lep ratio after RYGB. Changes in the Adpn/Lep ratio correlated better with changes in anthropometric data (p < 0.001) than with the variations of adiponectin or leptin alone. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the change in the Adpn/Lep ratio in patients with T2D was an independent predictor of the changes in body mass index (p < 0.001) and body fat percentage (p = 0.022). However, the Adpn/Lep ratio did not differ between individuals with or without T2D remission after RYGB. In summary, the current study demonstrated that after weight and body fat loss following RYGB, the Adpn/Lep ratio increased in patients with obesity and T2D

GLP-1 limits adipocyte inflammation and its low circulating pre-operative concentrations predict worse type 2 diabetes remission after bariatric surgery in obese patients

Objective: Glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 has been proposed as a key candidate in glucose improvements after bariatric surgery. Our aim was to explore the role of GLP-1 in surgically-induced type 2 diabetes (T2D) improvement and its capacity to regulate human adipocyte inflammation. Methods: Basal circulating concentrations of GLP-1 as well as during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were measured in lean and obese volunteers with and without T2D (n = 93). In addition, GLP-1 levels were determined before and after weight loss achieved by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) (n = 77). The impact of GLP-1 on inflammation signalling pathways was also evaluated. Results: We show that the reduced (p < 0.05) circulating levels of GLP-1 in obese T2D patients increased (p < 0.05) after RYGB. The area under the curve was significantly lower in obese patients with (p < 0.01) and without (p < 0.05) T2D compared to lean volunteers while obese patients with T2D exhibited decreased GLP-1 levels at baseline (p < 0.05) and 120 min (p < 0.01) after the OGTT. Importantly, higher (p < 0.05) pre-operative GLP-1 concentrations were found in patients with T2D remission after RYGB. We also revealed that exendin-4, a GLP-1 agonist, downregulated the expression of inflammation-related genes (IL1B, IL6, IL8, TNF) and, conversely, upregulated the mRNA levels of ADIPOQ in human visceral adipocytes. Furthermore, exendin-4 blocked (p < 0.05) LPS-induced inflammation in human adipocytes via downregulating the expression and secretion of key inflammatory markers. Conclusions: Our data indicate that GLP-1 may contribute to glycemic control and exert a role in T2D remission after RYGB. GLP-1 is also involved in limiting inflammation in human visceral adipocytes

The role of tumour-derived iNOS in tumour progression and angiogenesis

BACKGROUND: Progressive tumour growth is dependent on the development of a functional tumour vasculature and highly regulated by growth factors and cytokines. Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical, produced both by tumour and host cells, and functions as a signalling molecule downstream of several angiogenic factors. Both pro-and antitumourigenic properties have been attributed to NO. METHODS: The expression of the inducible isoform of NO synthase (iNOS) was knocked down in the C6 glioma cell line using constitutive expression of antisense RNA, and the effect of tumour-derived NO on tumour progression and angiogenesis was investigated. RESULTS: Tumours in which iNOS expression was decreased displayed significantly reduced growth rates compared with tumours derived from parental C6 cells. Quantitative non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging and fluorescence microscopy of tumour uptake of Hoechst 33342, and haematoxylin and eosin staining, revealed significantly impaired vascular development and function in antisense iNOS tumours compared with control in vivo, primarily associated with the more necrotic tumour core. Decreased iNOS expression had no effect on tumour VEGF expression. CONCLUSION: Nitric oxide derived from tumour iNOS is an important modulator of tumour progression and angiogenesis in C6 gliomas and further supports the therapeutic strategy of inhibiting iNOS for the treatment of cancer. British Journal of Cancer (2011) 104, 83-90. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6606034 www.bjcancer.com Published online 7 December 2010 (C) 2011 Cancer Research U

ZEB1 Links p63 and p73 in a Novel Neuronal Survival Pathway Rapidly Induced in Response to Cortical Ischemia

Background: Acute hypoxic/ischemic insults to the forebrain, often resulting in significant cellular loss of the cortical parenchyma, are a major cause of debilitating injury in the industrialized world. A clearer understanding of the pro-death/ pro-survival signaling pathways and their downstream targets is critical to the development of therapeutic interventions to mitigate permanent neurological damage. Methodology/Principal Findings: We demonstrate here that the transcriptional repressor ZEB1, thought to be involved in regulating the timing and spatial boundaries of basic-Helix-Loop-Helix transactivator-mediated neurogenic determination/ differentiation programs, functions to link a pro-survival transcriptional cascade rapidly induced in cortical neurons in response to experimentally induced ischemia. Employing histological, tissue culture, and molecular biological read-outs, we show that this novel pro-survival response, initiated through the rapid induction of p63, is mediated ultimately by the transcriptional repression of a pro-apoptotic isoform of p73 by ZEB1. We show further that this phylogenetically conserved pathway is induced as well in the human cortex subjected to episodes of clinically relevant stroke. Conclusions/Significance: The data presented here provide the first evidence that ZEB1 induction is part of a protective response by neurons to ischemia. The stroke-induced increase in ZEB1 mRNA and protein levels in cortical neurons is both developmentally and phylogenetically conserved and may therefore be part of a fundamental cellular response to thi

Increased obesity-associated circulating levels of the extracellular matrix proteins Osteopontin, Chitinase-3 Like-1 and Tenascin C are associated with colon cancer

Excess adipose tissue represents a major risk factor for the development of colon cancer with inflammation and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling being proposed as plausible mechanisms. The aim of this study was to investigate whether obesity can influence circulating levels of inflammation-related extracellular matrix proteins in patients with colon cancer (CC), promoting a microenvironment favorable for tumor growth. Methods Serum samples obtained from 79 subjects [26 lean (LN) and 53 obese (OB)] were used in the study. Enrolled subjects were further subclassified according to the established diagnostic protocol for CC (44 without CC and 35 with CC). Anthropometricmeasurements as well as circulating metabolites and hormoneswere determined. Circulating concentrations of the ECM proteins osteopontin (OPN), chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40), tenascin C (TNC) and lipocalin-2 (LCN-2) were determined by ELISA. Results Significant differences in circulating OPN, YKL-40 and TNC concentrations between the experimental groups were observed, being significantly increased due to obesity (P<0.01) and colon cancer (P<0.05). LCN-2 levels were affected by obesity (P<0.05), but no differences were detected regarding the presence or not of CC. A positive association (P<0.05) with different inflammatorymarkers was also detected.Conclusions To our knowledge, we herein show for the first time that obese patients with CC exhibit increased circulating levels of OPN, YKL-40 and TNC providing furtherevidence for the influence of obesity on CC development via ECM proteins, representing promising diagnostic biomarkers or target molecules for therapeutics