3D Geometric Analysis of Tubular Objects based on Surface Normal Accumulation

This paper proposes a simple and efficient method for the reconstruction and extraction of geometric parameters from 3D tubular objects. Our method constructs an image that accumulates surface normal information, then peaks within this image are located by tracking. Finally, the positions of these are optimized to lie precisely on the tubular shape centerline. This method is very versatile, and is able to process various input data types like full or partial mesh acquired from 3D laser scans, 3D height map or discrete volumetric images. The proposed algorithm is simple to implement, contains few parameters and can be computed in linear time with respect to the number of surface faces. Since the extracted tube centerline is accurate, we are able to decompose the tube into rectilinear parts and torus-like parts. This is done with a new linear time 3D torus detection algorithm, which follows the same principle of a previous work on 2D arc circle recognition. Detailed experiments show the versatility, accuracy and robustness of our new method.Comment: in 18th International Conference on Image Analysis and Processing, Sep 2015, Genova, Italy. 201

Pearling: stroke segmentation with crusted pearl strings

We introduce a novel segmentation technique, called Pearling, for the semi-automatic extraction of idealized models of networks of strokes (variable width curves) in images. These networks may for example represent roads in an aerial photograph, vessels in a medical scan, or strokes in a drawing. The operator seeds the process by selecting representative areas of good (stroke interior) and bad colors. Then, the operator may either provide a rough trace through a particular path in the stroke graph or simply pick a starting point (seed) on a stroke and a direction of growth. Pearling computes in realtime the centerlines of the strokes, the bifurcations, and the thickness function along each stroke, hence producing a purified medial axis transform of a desired portion of the stroke graph. No prior segmentation or thresholding is required. Simple gestures may be used to trim or extend the selection or to add branches. The realtime performance and reliability of Pearling results from a novel disk-sampling approach, which traces the strokes by optimizing the positions and radii of a discrete series of disks (pearls) along the stroke. A continuous model is defined through subdivision. By design, the idealized pearl string model is slightly wider than necessary to ensure that it contains the stroke boundary. A narrower core model that fits inside the stroke is computed simultaneously. The difference between the pearl string and its core contains the boundary of the stroke and may be used to capture, compress, visualize, or analyze the raw image data along the stroke boundary

Assessment of plasma nitric oxide concentration and erythrocyte arginase activity in dairy cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗThe aim of this study was to evaluate plasma nitric oxide (NO) concentrations, erythrocyte arginase (ARG) activity, plasma fibrinogen (Fb) and serum iron (Fe) levels and some biochemical parameters in dairy cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP). The animal material of the study consisted of 14 Swiss Brown cows diagnosed with TRP (TRP group) between 4-8 years old brought to Firat University Animal Hospital Clinics and 14 healthy Swiss Brown cows (control group) aged 4-8 years obtained from dairy farms in different regions. Blood samples were taken from the vena jugularis of the animals. Concentrations of plasma NO, Fb, erythrocyte ARG activity, and some biochemical markers were determined after the serum and plasma of the receiving blood were separated. While the NO (318.9±5.8 vs. 270.3±9.6 μmol/L) concentrations of the TRP group were found to be significantly higher than the control group (P<0.001), the erythrocyte ARG activity (29.5±0.5 vs. 35.2±1.0 U/hb) was found to be higher in the control group (P<0.001). It was also observed that total protein (TP) (6.6±0.5 vs. 7.8±0.1 g/dL) (P<0.05) and Fb (914.3±68.6 vs. 265.4±19.8 mg/dL) (P<0.001) concentrations were higher in the TRP group, compared to the control group, while albumin (ALB) (1.9±0.2 vs. 3.1±0.1 g/dL) and Fe (47.00±5.29 vs.106.79±9.44 μg/dL) concentrations were significantly lower than the control group (P<0.001). In addition, a positive correlation was found between NO and Fb concentrations and between erythrocyte ARG activity and Fe concentrations. As a result, it was determined that NO concentrations were increased and erythrocyte ARG activity was not significant in dairy cows with TRP. In addition, increased plasma Fb concentration and decreased serum Fe concentration were determined in dairy cows with TRP. This study demonstrated that plasma NO, Fb and serum Fe concentrations in dairy cows with TRP may be useful markers for prognosis

Assessment of plasma nitric oxide concentration and erythrocyte arginase activity in dairy cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗThe aim of this study was to evaluate plasma nitric oxide (NO) concentrations, erythrocyte arginase (ARG) activity, plasma fibrinogen (Fb) and serum iron (Fe) levels and some biochemical parameters in dairy cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP). The animal material of the study consisted of 14 Swiss Brown cows diagnosed with TRP (TRP group) between 4-8 years old brought to Firat University Animal Hospital Clinics and 14 healthy Swiss Brown cows (control group) aged 4-8 years obtained from dairy farms in different regions. Blood samples were taken from the vena jugularis of the animals. Concentrations of plasma NO, Fb, erythrocyte ARG activity, and some biochemical markers were determined after the serum and plasma of the receiving blood were separated. While the NO (318.9±5.8 vs. 270.3±9.6 μmol/L) concentrations of the TRP group were found to be significantly higher than the control group (P&lt;0.001), the erythrocyte ARG activity (29.5±0.5 vs. 35.2±1.0 U/hb) was found to be higher in the control group (P&lt;0.001). It was also observed that total protein (TP) (6.6±0.5 vs. 7.8±0.1 g/dL) (P&lt;0.05) and Fb (914.3±68.6 vs. 265.4±19.8 mg/dL) (P&lt;0.001) concentrations were higher in the TRP group, compared to the control group, while albumin (ALB) (1.9±0.2 vs. 3.1±0.1 g/dL) and Fe (47.00±5.29 vs.106.79±9.44 μg/dL) concentrations were significantly lower than the control group (P&lt;0.001). In addition, a positive correlation was found between NO and Fb concentrations and between erythrocyte ARG activity and Fe concentrations. As a result, it was determined that NO concentrations were increased and erythrocyte ARG activity was not significant in dairy cows with TRP. In addition, increased plasma Fb concentration and decreased serum Fe concentration were determined in dairy cows with TRP. This study demonstrated that plasma NO, Fb and serum Fe concentrations in dairy cows with TRP may be useful markers for prognosis

Assessment of oxidative stress, trace elements, serum biochemistry, and hormones levels in weaned calves with dermatophytosis

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗIn this study, it was aimed to evaluate oxidative stress, serum biochemistry, trace elements, minerals, and testosterone and thyroid hormone levels in weaned calves with dermatophytosis. A total of 28 weaned Holstein calves were used in the study, including 6-8 months old, 14 with dermatophytosis (7 males, 7 females) and 14 healthy (7 males, 7 females). The animals were grouped as the diseased and healthy animals, 14 animals in each group as well as the male diseased and the male healthy animals were grouped as 7 animals in each group for the comparison of testosterone levels. The blood analyses were performed using ELISA kits and biochemistry automatic analyzer. There was a significant difference between the diseased and healthy groups for NO (nitric oxide) (P&lt;0.05), TOS (total oxidative stress) (P&lt;0.001), TAC (total antioxidant capacity) (P&lt;0.01). However, in comparison of the diseased and healthy groups, serum biochemistry with the exception of glucose and triglyceride,trace elements except for manganese, minerals, and thyroid hormone levels were not statistically different (P&gt;0.05). In comparison of the diseased and healthy animals for testosterone levels, it was not determined any difference (P&gt;0.05). The present study revealed that dermatophytosis could affect oxidant status in calves with dermatophytosis, and that TOC (total oxidant capacity) and NO as oxidative stress marker might be increased for fungicidal effect in the diseased animals with dermatophytosis

Assessment of oxidative stress, trace elements, serum biochemistry, and hormones levels in weaned calves with dermatophytosis

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗIn this study, it was aimed to evaluate oxidative stress, serum biochemistry, trace elements, minerals, and testosterone and thyroid hormone levels in weaned calves with dermatophytosis. A total of 28 weaned Holstein calves were used in the study, including 6-8 months old, 14 with dermatophytosis (7 males, 7 females) and 14 healthy (7 males, 7 females). The animals were grouped as the diseased and healthy animals, 14 animals in each group as well as the male diseased and the male healthy animals were grouped as 7 animals in each group for the comparison of testosterone levels. The blood analyses were performed using ELISA kits and biochemistry automatic analyzer. There was a significant difference between the diseased and healthy groups for NO (nitric oxide) (P0.05). In comparison of the diseased and healthy animals for testosterone levels, it was not determined any difference (P>0.05). The present study revealed that dermatophytosis could affect oxidant status in calves with dermatophytosis, and that TOC (total oxidant capacity) and NO as oxidative stress marker might be increased for fungicidal effect in the diseased animals with dermatophytosis

Time evolution of methotrexate-induced kidney injury: A comparative study between different biomarkers of renal damage in rats

Methotrexate (MTX) is commonly used in the treatment of malignant diseases and autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders. Along with its effective therapeutic power, MTX has adverse effects on the kidneys. Discovery of new biomarkers is required to improve the early detection of renal damage and optimize the effectiveness of treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the time course of MTX-induced nephrotoxicity and to compare the urinary excretion of the organic anion transporter 5 (uOat5) with alterations in other markers of renal function, and to elucidate the possible molecular mechanisms involved in uOat5. Animals were exposed to a unique dose of MTX (80 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneal). Experiments were carried out at days 2, 4, 8 or 14 after MTX administration. Markers of renal damage, such as creatinine and urea plasma levels, urinary activity of alkaline phosphatase, microalbuminuria, urinary excretion of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) and histopathology, were evaluated. Renal organic anion transporter 5 (Oat5) expression and its presence in different urine fraction were assessed by western blotting. uOat5 was significantly increased 2 days after MTX treatment, before than any alteration in other parameters of kidney injury or renal morphology occurred. uNGAL showed an inverted pattern of urinary excretion compared to uOat5. Exosomal pathway is involved in the urinary excretion of Oat5 and depends on the degree of damage induced by MTX. These experimental data allow proposing uOat5 as a potential non-invasive biomarker for early detection of MTX-induced nephrotoxicity.Fil: Severin, María Julia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmaceuticas. Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas. Area Farmacología; ArgentinaFil: Campagno, Romina Valeria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmaceuticas. Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas. Area Farmacología; ArgentinaFil: Brandoni, Anabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmaceuticas. Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas. Area Farmacología; ArgentinaFil: Torres, Adriana Mónica. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmaceuticas. Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas. Area Farmacología; Argentin

Alzheimer's Disease: a Review of its Visual System Neuropathology. Optical Coherence Tomography-a Potential Role As a Study Tool in Vivo

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent, long-term progressive degenerative disorder with great social impact. It is currently thought that, in addition to neurodegeneration, vascular changes also play a role in the pathophysiology of the disease. Visual symptoms are frequent and are an early clinical manifestation; a number of psychophysiologic changes occur in visual function, including visual field defects, abnormal contrast sensitivity, abnormalities in color vision, depth perception deficits, and motion detection abnormalities. These visual changes were initially believed to be solely due to neurodegeneration in the posterior visual pathway. However, evidence from pathology studies in both animal models of AD and humans has demonstrated that neurodegeneration also takes place in the anterior visual pathway, with involvement of the retinal ganglion cells' (RGCs) dendrites, somata, and axons in the optic nerve. These studies additionally showed that patients with AD have changes in retinal and choroidal microvasculature. Pathology findings have been corroborated in in-vivo assessment of the retina and optic nerve head (ONH), as well as the retinal and choroidal vasculature. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) in particular has shown great utility in the assessment of these changes, and it may become a useful tool for early detection and monitoring disease progression in AD. The authors make a review of the current understanding of retinal and choroidal pathological changes in patients with AD, with particular focus on in-vivo evidence of retinal and choroidal neurodegenerative and microvascular changes using OCT technology.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio