Detection and recognition of illegally parked vehicles based on an adaptive gaussian mixture model and a seed fill algorithm.

In this paper, we present an algorithm for the detection of illegally parked vehicles based on a combination of some image processing algorithms. A digital camera is fixed in the illegal parking region to capture the video frames. An adaptive Gaussian mixture model (GMM) is used for background subtraction in a complex environment to identify the regions of moving objects in our test video. Stationary objects are detected by using the pixel-level features in time sequences. A stationary vehicle is detected by using the local features of the object, and thus, information about illegally parked vehicles is successfully obtained. An automatic alarm system can be utilized according to the different regulations of different illegal parking regions. The results of this study obtained using a test video sequence of a real-time traffic scene show that the proposed method is effective

The effect of rapid maxillary expansion on the upper airway’s aerodynamic characteristics

Background The effect of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on the upper airway (UA) has been studied earlier but without a consistent conclusion. This study aims to evaluate the outcome of RME on the UA function in terms of aerodynamic characteristics by applying a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. Methods This retrospective cohort study consists of seventeen cases with two consecutive CBCT scans obtained before (T0) and after (T1) RME. Patients were divided into two groups with respect to patency of the nasopharyngeal airway as expressed in the adenoidal nasopharyngeal ratio (AN): group 1 was comprised of patients with an AN ratio < 0.6 and group 2 encompassing those with an AN ratio ≥ 0.6. CFD simulation at inspiration and expiration were performed based on the three-dimensional (3D) models of the UA segmented from the CBCT images. The aerodynamic characteristics in terms of pressure drop (ΔP), maximum midsagittal velocity (Vms), and maximum wall shear stress (Pws) were compared by paired t-test and Wilcoxon test according to the normality test at T0 and T1. Results The aerodynamic characteristics in UA revealed no statistically significant difference after RME. The maximum Vms (m/s) decreased from 2.79 to 2.28 at expiration after RME (P = 0.057). Conclusion The aerodynamic characteristics were not significantly changed after RME. Further CFD studies with more cases are warranted.publishedVersio

Zinc inhibits TRPV1 to alleviate chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain

Zinc is a transition metal that has a long history of use as an anti-inflammatory agent. It also soothes pain sensations in a number of animal models. However, the effects and mechanisms of zinc on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy remain unknown. Here we show that locally injected zinc markedly reduces neuropathic pain in male and female mice induced by paclitaxel, a chemotherapy drug, in a TRPV1-dependent manner. Extracellularly applied zinc also inhibits the function of TRPV1 expressed in HEK293 cells and mouse DRG neurons, which requires the presence of zinc-permeable TRPA1 to mediate entry of zinc into the cytoplasm. Moreover, TRPA1 is required for zinc-induced inhibition of TRPV1-mediated acute nociception. Unexpectedly, zinc transporters, but not TRPA1, are required for zinc-induced inhibition of TRPV1-dependent chronic neuropathic pain produced by paclitaxel. Together, our study demonstrates a novel mechanism underlying the analgesic effect of zinc on paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain that relies on the function of TRPV1

Polydopamine-Decorated Microcomposites Promote Functional Recovery of an Injured Spinal Cord by Inhibiting Neuroinflammation

Neuroinflammation following spinal cord injury usually aggravates spinal cord damage. Many inflammatory cytokines are key players in neuroinflammation. Owing largely to the multiplicity of cytokine targets and the complexity of cytokine interactions, it is insufficient to suppress spinal cord damage progression by regulating only one or a few cytokines. Herein, we propose a two-pronged strategy to simultaneously capture the released cytokines and inhibit the synthesis of new ones in a broad-spectrum manner. To achieve this strategy, we designed a core/shell-structured microcomposite, which was composed of a methylprednisolone-incorporated polymer inner core and a biocompatible polydopamine outer shell. Thanks to the inherent adhesive nature of polydopamine, the obtained microcomposite (MP-PLGA@PDA) efficiently neutralized the excessive cytokines in a broad-spectrum manner within 1 day after spinal cord injury. Meanwhile, the controlled release of immunosuppressive methylprednisolone reduced the secretion of new inflammatory cytokines. Benefiting from its efficient and broad-spectrum capability in reducing the level of cytokines, this core/shell-structured microcomposite suppressed the recruitment of macrophages and protected the injured spinal cord, leading to an improved recovery of motor function. Overall, the designed microcomposite successfully achieved the two-pronged strategy in cytokine neutralization, providing an alternative approach to inhibit neuroinflammation in the injured spinal cord.Peer reviewe