ESTATE: A Large Dataset of Under-Represented Urban Objects for 3D Point Cloud Classification

Cityscapes contain a variety of objects, each with a particular role in urban administration and development. With the rapid growth and implementation of 3D imaging technology, urban areas are increasingly surveyed with high-resolution point clouds. This technical advancement extensively improves our ability to capture and analyse urban environments and their small objects. Deep learning algorithms for point cloud data have shown considerable capacity in 3D object classification but still face problems with generally under-represented objects (such as light poles or chimneys). This paper introduces the ESTATE dataset (https://github.com/3DOM-FBK/ESTATE), which combines available datasets of various sensors, densities, regions, and object types. It includes 13 classes featuring intensity and/or colour attributes. Tests using ESTATE demonstrate that the dataset improves the classification performance of deep learning techniques and could be a game-changer to advance in the 3D classification of urban objects

Oxidative Stress Correlates with Headache Symptoms in Fibromyalgia: Coenzyme Q10 Effect on Clinical Improvement

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.[Background]: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome with unknown etiology and a wide spectrum of symptoms such as allodynia, debilitating fatigue, joint stiffness and migraine. Recent studies have shown some evidences demonstrating that oxidative stress is associated to clinical symptoms in FM of fibromyalgia. We examined oxidative stress and bioenergetic status in blood mononuclear cells (BMCs) and its association to headache symptoms in FM patients. The effects of oral coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ 10) supplementation on biochemical markers and clinical improvement were also evaluated. [Methods]: We studied 20 FM patients and 15 healthy controls. Clinical parameters were evaluated using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), visual analogues scales (VAS), and the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6). Oxidative stress was determined by measuring CoQ 10, catalase and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels in BMCs. Bioenergetic status was assessed by measuring ATP levels in BMCs. [Results]: We found decreased CoQ 10, catalase and ATP levels in BMCs from FM patients as compared to normal control (P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively) We also found increased level of LPO in BMCs from FM patients as compared to normal control (P<0.001). Significant negative correlations between CoQ 10 or catalase levels in BMCs and headache parameters were observed (r = -0.59, P<0.05; r = -0.68, P<0.05, respectively). Furthermore, LPO levels showed a significant positive correlation with HIT-6 (r = 0.33, P<.05). Oral CoQ 10 supplementation restored biochemical parameters and induced a significant improvement in clinical and headache symptoms (P<0.001). [Discussion]: The results of this study suggest a role for mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in the headache symptoms associated with FM. CoQ10 supplementation should be examined in a larger placebo controlled trial as a possible treatment in FM.This work has been supported by IV Plan Propio de Investigación (University of Seville, ref. 2010/00000453), FIS PI10/00543 grant, FIS EC08/00076 grant, Ministerio de Sanidad, Spain and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER-Unión Europea), SAS 111242 grant, Servicio Andaluz de Salud-Junta de Andalucía, Proyecto de Investigación de Excelencia de la Junta de Andalucía CTS-5725 and Federación Andaluza de Fibromialgia y Fatiga Crónica (ALBA Andalucía).Peer Reviewe

B-type natriuretic peptide-induced delayed modulation of TRPV1 and P2X3 receptors of mouse trigeminal sensory neurons

Important pain transducers of noxious stimuli are small- and medium-diameter sensory neurons that express transient receptor vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) channels and/or adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-gated P2X3 receptors whose activity is upregulated by endogenous neuropeptides in acute and chronic pain models. Little is known about the role of endogenous modulators in restraining the expression and function of TRPV1 and P2X3 receptors. In dorsal root ganglia, evidence supports the involvement of the natriuretic peptide system in the modulation of nociceptive transmission especially via the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) that activates the natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPR-A) to downregulate sensory neuron excitability. Since the role of BNP in trigeminal ganglia (TG) is unclear, we investigated the expression of BNP in mouse TG in situ or in primary cultures and its effect on P2X3 and TRPV1 receptors of patch-clamped cultured neurons. Against scant expression of BNP, almost all neurons expressed NPRA at membrane level. While BNP rapidly increased cGMP production and Akt kinase phosphorylation, there was no early change in passive neuronal properties or responses to capsaicin, \u3b1,\u3b2-meATP or GABA. Nonetheless, 24 h application of BNP depressed TRPV1 mediated currents (an effect blocked by the NPR-A antagonist anantin) without changing responses to \u3b1,\u3b2-meATP or GABA. Anantin alone decreased basal cGMP production and enhanced control \u3b1,\u3b2-meATP-evoked responses, implying constitutive regulation of P2X3 receptors by ambient BNP. These data suggest a slow modulatory action by BNP on TRPV1 and P2X3 receptors outlining the role of this peptide as a negative regulator of trigeminal sensory neuron excitability to nociceptive stimuli. \ua9 2013 Vilotti et al

The dinoflagellate cyst genera <i>Achomosphaera</i> Evitt 1963 and <i>Spiniferites</i> Mantell 1850 in Pliocene to modern sediments: a summary of round table discussions

We present a summary of two round-table discussions held during two subsequent workshops in Montreal (Canada) on 16 April 2014 and Ostend (Belgium) on 8 July 2015. Five species of the genus Achomosphaera Evitt 1963 and 33 of the genus Spiniferites Mantell 1850 emend. Sarjeant 1970 occuring in Pliocene to modern sediments are listed and briefly described along with remarks made by workshop participants. In addition, several holotypes and topotypes are reillustrated. Three species previously assigned to Spiniferites are here considered/accepted as belonging to other genera: Impagidinium inaequalis (Wall and Dale in Wall et al. 1973) Londeix et al. 2009, Spiniferites rubinus (Rossignol 1962 ex Rossignol 1964) Sarjeant 1970, and Thalassiphora balcanica Baltes & 1971. This summary forms the basis for a set of papers that follows, where points raised during the workshops are explored in greater detail

Antiinflammatory Therapy with Canakinumab for Atherosclerotic Disease

Background: Experimental and clinical data suggest that reducing inflammation without affecting lipid levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Yet, the inflammatory hypothesis of atherothrombosis has remained unproved. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of canakinumab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, involving 10,061 patients with previous myocardial infarction and a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level of 2 mg or more per liter. The trial compared three doses of canakinumab (50 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg, administered subcutaneously every 3 months) with placebo. The primary efficacy end point was nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: At 48 months, the median reduction from baseline in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was 26 percentage points greater in the group that received the 50-mg dose of canakinumab, 37 percentage points greater in the 150-mg group, and 41 percentage points greater in the 300-mg group than in the placebo group. Canakinumab did not reduce lipid levels from baseline. At a median follow-up of 3.7 years, the incidence rate for the primary end point was 4.50 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group, 4.11 events per 100 person-years in the 50-mg group, 3.86 events per 100 person-years in the 150-mg group, and 3.90 events per 100 person-years in the 300-mg group. The hazard ratios as compared with placebo were as follows: in the 50-mg group, 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.07; P = 0.30); in the 150-mg group, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.98; P = 0.021); and in the 300-mg group, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; P = 0.031). The 150-mg dose, but not the other doses, met the prespecified multiplicity-adjusted threshold for statistical significance for the primary end point and the secondary end point that additionally included hospitalization for unstable angina that led to urgent revascularization (hazard ratio vs. placebo, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.95; P = 0.005). Canakinumab was associated with a higher incidence of fatal infection than was placebo. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for all canakinumab doses vs. placebo, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.06; P = 0.31). Conclusions: Antiinflammatory therapy targeting the interleukin-1β innate immunity pathway with canakinumab at a dose of 150 mg every 3 months led to a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events than placebo, independent of lipid-level lowering. (Funded by Novartis; CANTOS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01327846.

Reversible anorgasmia with topiramate therapy for migraine prophylaxis

Topiramate is an effective drug for the prevention of migraine headaches. On occasion, topiramate can be associated with a dose-related anorgasmia. Presented here is an adult case of reversible anorgasmia induced by and possibly attributable to topiramate therapy. Physicians need to be aware of the potential for topiramate to dose related reversible anorgasmia, and should inquire about sexual symptoms of patients. © 2010 Versita Warsaw and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Applying lactic acids bacteria starter cultures to produce bread with high content of oat flour

Celem pracy badawczej było otrzymanie pieczywa owsianego o dużej zawartości mąki owsianej razowej i odpowiedniej jakości sensorycznej, poprzez zastosowanie wyselekcjonowanych kultur starterowych. Wyizolowano jedenaście szczepów bakterii fermentacji mlekowej (LAB) naturalnie występujących w ekologicznej mące owsianej. Sześć z wyizolowanych szczepów należało do gatunku Lactobacillus plantarum, po dwa do Pediococcus acidilactici i Pediococcus pentosaceus i jeden do Leuconostoc mesenteroides. Przydatność wyizolowanych LAB do komponowania piekarskich kultur starterowych określono na podstawie oceny: zdolności do wzrostu w różnej temperaturze, ilości syntetyzowanego kwasu mlekowego i octowego oraz indywidualnej zdolności każdego ze szczepów LAB do modyfikowania przebiegu fermentacji i pozytywnego wpływania na cechy sensoryczne zakwasu. Z wyselekcjonowanych szczepów LAB sporządzono trzy mieszane kultury starterowe, różniące się liczbą szczepów i składem gatunkowym. W próbnych wypiekach stosowano mieszaną kulturę starterową, charakteryzującą się zdolnością hamowania rozwoju pleśni w zakwasie owsianym, w skład której wchodziły: L. plantarum KKP 1797, L. plantarum KKP 1803, P. pentosaceus KKP 1804, P. acidilactici KKP 1805, L. mesenteroides KKP 1807. Przygotowano cztery warianty doświadczalne chlebów pszenno-owsianych na zakwasie wyprowadzonym z otrzymaną kulturą starterową, różniące się udziałem razowej mąki owsianej. Pieczywo z 30- procentowym udziałem mąki owsianej w zakwasie piekarskim charakteryzowało się objętością i jakością sensoryczną pozwalającą na zakwalifikowanie go do I klasy jakościowej zgodnie z polską normą (PN-A-74108:1996).The objective of the research study was to produce oat breads, containing a high amount of wholemeal oat flour and showing a proper sensory quality, by means of applying some selected starter cultures. Eleven strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), occurring naturally in organic wholemeal oat flour, were isolated. Among the isolated strains, six strains belonged to Lactobacillus plantarum species, two strains to Pediococcus acidilactici, two strains to Pediococcus pentosaceus, and one strain belonged to Leuconostoc mesenteroides species. The suitability of the isolated LAB for making baker’s starter cultures was determined based on the results of assessing the following: capability of growing at various temperatures, quantity of synthesized lactic acid and acetic acid, and individual ability of each LAB strain to modify the fermentation process and to positively impact sensory qualities of sourdough. From among the LAB strains selected, three mixed starter cultures were prepared; they varied in the number of strains and in the strain composition. A mixed starter culture, characterized by the capability of inhibiting mould growth in oat sourdough, was added to the baked experimental products; this started culture consisted of: L. plantarum KKP 1797, L. plantarum KKP 1803, P. pentosaceus KKP 1804, P. acidilactici KKP 1805, and L. mesenteroides KKP 1807. Four experimental variants of wheat-oats bread were prepared using the sourdough produced with the application of the starter culture made; the sourdoughs used to make the four bread variants differed in the content of wholemeal oat flour. The bread containing 30 % of wholemeal oat flour in the sourdough was characterized by such a volume and sensory quality that it was possible to classify it into the first quality class according to PN-A-74108:1996