Automatic Reconstruction of Semantic 3D Models from 2D Floor Plans

Digitalization of existing buildings and the creation of 3D BIM models for them has become crucial for many tasks. Of particular importance are floor plans, which contain information about building layouts and are vital for processes such as construction, maintenance or refurbishing. However, this data is not always available in digital form, especially for older buildings constructed before CAD tools were widely available, or lacks semantic information. The digitalization of such information usually requires manual work of an expert that must reconstruct the layouts by hand, which is a cumbersome and error-prone process. In this paper, we present a pipeline for reconstruction of vectorized 3D models from scanned 2D plans, aiming at increasing the efficiency of this process. The method presented achieves state-of-the-art results in the public dataset CubiCasa5k, and shows good generalization to different types of plans. Our vectorization approach is particularly effective, outperforming previous methods.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figur

Intramolecular Cyclization of N-phenyl N'(2-chloroethyl)ureas leads to Active N-phenyl-4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-amines Alkylating β-Tubulin Glu198 and Prohibitin Asp40

International audienceThe cyclization of anticancer drugs into active intermediates has been reported mainly for DNA alkylating molecules including nitrosoureas. We previously defined the original cytotoxic mechanism of anticancerous phenyl '(2-chloroethyl)ureas (CEUs) that involves their reactivity towards cellular proteins and not against DNA; two CEUs subsets have been shown to alkylate β-tubulin and prohibitin leading to inhibition of cell proliferation by G/M or G/S cell cycle arrest. In this study, we demonstrated that cyclic derivatives of CEUs, -phenyl-4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-amines (Oxas) are two to threefold more active than CEUs and share the same cytotoxic properties in B16F0 melanoma cells. Moreover, the CEU original covalent binding by an ester linkage on β-tubulin Glu198 and prohibitin Asp40 was maintained with Oxas. Surprisingly, we observed that Oxas were spontaneously formed from CEUs in the cell culture medium and were also detected within the cells. Our results suggest that the intramolecular cyclization of CEUs leads to active Oxas that should then be considered as the key intermediates for protein alkylation. These results could be useful for the design of new prodrugs for cancer chemotherapy

Increased bioavailability of hesperetin-7-glucoside compared with hesperidin results in more efficient prevention of bone loss in adult ovariectomised rats

Hesperidin (Hp), a citrus flavonoid predominantly found in oranges, shows bone-sparing effects in ovariectomised (OVX) animals. In human subjects, the bioavailability of Hp can be improved by the removal of the rhamnose group to yield hesperetin-7-glucoside (H-7-glc). The aim of the present work was to test whether H-7-glc was more bioavailable and therefore more effective than Hp in the prevention of bone loss in the OVX rat. Adult 6-month-old female Wistar rats were sham operated or OVX, then pair fed for 90d a casein-based diet supplemented or not with freeze-dried orange juice enriched with Hp or H-7-glc at two dose equivalents of the hesperetin aglycone (0·25 and 0·5%). In the rats fed 0·5%, a reduction in OVX-induced bone loss was observed regarding total bone mineral density (BMD):+7·0% in OVX rats treated with Hp (HpOVX) and +6·6% in OVX rats treated with H-7-glc (H-7-glcOVX) v. OVX controls (P<0·05). In the rats fed 0·25% hesperetin equivalents, the H-7-glcOVX group showed a 6·6% improvement in total femoral BMD v. the OVX controls (P<0·05), whereas the Hp diet had no effect at this dose. The BMD of rats fed 0·25% H-7-glc was equal to that of those given 0·5% Hp, but was not further increased at 0·5% H-7-glc. Plasma hesperetin levels and relative urinary excretion were significantly enhanced in the H-7-glc v. Hp groups, and the metabolite profile showed the absence of eriodictyol metabolites and increased levels of hesperetin sulphates. Taken together, improved bioavailability of H-7-glc may explain the more efficient bone protection of this compoun

When nutrition interacts with osteoblast function: Molecular mechanisms of polyphenols

ReviewInternational audienceRecent research has provided insights into dietary components that may optimise bone health and stimulate bone formation. Fruit and vegetable intake, as well as grains and other plant-derived food, have been linked to decreased risk of major chronic diseases including osteoporosis. This effect has been partially attributed to the polyphenols found in these foods. Thus, it has been suggested that these compounds may provide desirable bone health benefits through an action on bone cell metabolism. The present review will focus on how some polyphenols can modulate osteoblast function and reports which cellular signalling pathways are potentially implicated. However, to date, despite numerous investigations, few studies have provided clear evidence that phenolic compounds can act on osteoblasts. Polyphenols cited in the present review seem to be able to modulate the expression of transcription factors such as runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2) and Osterix, NF-kappa B and activator protein-1 (AP-1). It appears that polyphenols may act on cellular signalling such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), oestrogen receptor and osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of NF-kappa B ligand (OPG/RANKL) and thus may affect osteoblast functions. However, it is also important to take in account the possible interaction of these compounds on osteoclast metabolism to better understand the positive correlation reported between the consumption of fruit and vegetables and bone mass

An Advanced Formulation of a Magnesium Dietary Supplement Adapted for a Long-Term Use Supplementation Improves Magnesium Bioavailability: In Vitro and Clinical Comparative Studies

International audienceWhile general recommendations are for 300-mg magnesium intake a day, an advanced low-dose formulation of magnesium chloride, ChronoMag (R), was designed to provide 100mg of magnesium element, thus decreasing the risk of gastrointestinal side effects and allowing long-term supplementation in health conditions related to low magnesium levels. The present study aimed to compare magnesium release profile and bioavailability between this patented low-dose continuous-release magnesium chloride tablet (100mg magnesium element) and a reference tablet at the usually prescribed dose (300mg magnesium element). Magnesium release profile was determined by dissolving the tablets in solutions simulating the gastrointestinal tract environment. A randomized double-blind crossover controlled trial of ChronoMag (R) versus reference tablet (3x100mg magnesium element tablets) in 12 normo-magnesemic healthy volunteers was conducted to evaluate the bioavailability of the patented magnesium chloride tablets (two 50mg magnesium tablets, once-a-day intake). While the reference tablet released 100% of its magnesium within 1h of dissolution, release from the magnesium chloride formulation was continuous for 6h. Cumulative urinary magnesium levels compared to those with the reference tablet were 76% (0-5h), 89% (0-10h), and 87% (0-24h). Elimination after 24h was fairly similar with both supplements. Our results suggest that the new magnesium chloride formulation, providing continuous low-dose magnesium release throughout the gastrointestinal tract, improves absorption and bioavailability. This formulation conforms to the physiological mechanism of magnesium absorption throughout the digestive tract, allowing high absorption, and may improve gastrointestinal tolerance in long-term use

Differential effects of two citrus flavanones on bone quality in senescent male rats in relation to their bioavailability and metabolism

International audienceThe effect of hesperidin (Hp) and naringin (Nar), two major citrus flavanones, on the regulation of bone metabolism was examined in male senescent rats. Twenty -month -old gonad-intact male Wistar rats received a casein-based diet supplemented with or without either 0.5% hesperidin (Hp), 0.5% naringin (Nar) or a mix of both flavanones (Hp+Nar, 0.25% each). After 3months, daily Hp intake significantly improved femoral bone integrity as reflected by improvements in total and regional bone mineral densities (BMD) (9.7%–12.3% improvements, p5-fold higher than that of hesperidin (1.44μM) at equivalent doses (0.5%) and a linear reduction in plasma levels was observed upon co-administration (0.25% each) indicating absence of competition for their intestinal absorption sites and metabolism. The higher efficacy of Hp at a lower plasma concentration than naringin, as well as the identification of the major circulating metabolite of hesperidin (hesperetin-7-O-glucuronide) underlines the importance of flavanone bioavailability and metabolism in their biological efficacy and suggests a structure–function relationship in the mechanism of action of the active metabolites

Effect of citrus flavanones on bone metabolism in old male rats

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Influence of high and low protein intakes on age-related bone loss in rats submitted to adequate or restricted energy conditions

International audienceLow energy and protein intake has been suggested to contribute to the increased incidence of osteoporosis in the elderly. The impact of dietary protein on bone health is still a matter of debate. Therefore, we examined the effect of the modulation of protein intake under adequate or deficient energy conditions on bone status in 16-month-old male rats. The animals were randomly allocated to six groups (n = 10/group). Control animals were fed a diet providing either a normal-protein content (13%, C-NP) or a high-protein content (26%) (C-HP). The other groups received a 40% protein/energy-restricted diet (PER-NP and PER-HP) or a normal protein/energy-restricted diet (ER-NP and ER-HP). After 5 months of the experiment, protein intake (13% or 26%) did not modulate calcium retention or bone status in those rats, although a low-grade metabolic acidosis was induced with the HP diet. Both restrictions (PER and ER) decreased femoral bone mineral density and fracture load. Plasma osteocalcin and urinary deoxypyridinoline levels were lowered, suggesting a decrease in bone turnover in the PER and ER groups. Circulating insulin-like growth factor-I levels were also lowered by dietary restrictions, together with calcium retention. Adequate protein intake in the ER condition did not elicit any bone-sparing effect compared to PER rats. In conclusion, both energy and protein deficiencies may contribute to age-related bone loss. This study highlights the importance of sustaining adequate energy and protein provision to preserve skeletal integrity in the elderly

Long-Term Intake of a High-Protein Diet with or without Potassium Citrate Modulates Acid-Base Metabolism, but Not Bone Status, in Male Rats

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