AI Machine Vision based Oven White Paper Color Classification and Label Position Real-time Monitoring System to Check Direction

We develop a vision system for batch inspection by oven white paper model color by manufacturing a machine vision system for the oven manufacturing automation process. In the vision system, white paper object detection (spring), color clustering, and histogram extraction are performed. In addition, for the automated process of home appliances, we intend to develop an automatic mold combination detection algorithm that inspects the label position and direction (angle/coordinate) using deep learning

A lab-on-a-disc platform enables serial monitoring of individual CTCs associated with tumor progression during EGFR-targeted therapy for patients with NSCLC

Rationale: Unlike traditional biopsy, liquid biopsy, which is a largely non-invasive diagnostic and monitoring tool, can be performed more frequently to better track tumors and mutations over time and to validate the efficiency of a cancer treatment. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are considered promising liquid biopsy biomarkers; however, their use in clinical settings is limited by high costs and a low throughput of standard platforms for CTC enumeration and analysis. In this study, we used a label-free, high-throughput method for CTC isolation directly from whole blood of patients using a standalone, clinical setting-friendly platform. Methods: A CTC-based liquid biopsy approach was used to examine the efficacy of therapy and emergent drug resistance via longitudinal monitoring of CTC counts, DNA mutations, and single-cell-level gene expression in a prospective cohort of 40 patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. Results: The change ratio of the CTC counts was associated with tumor response, detected by CT scan, while the baseline CTC counts did not show association with progression-free survival or overall survival. We achieved a 100% concordance rate for the detection of EGFR mutation, including emergence of T790M, between tumor tissue and CTCs. More importantly, our data revealed the importance of the analysis of the epithelial/mesenchymal signature of individual pretreatment CTCs to predict drug responsiveness in patients. Conclusion: The fluid-assisted separation technology disc platform enables serial monitoring of CTC counts, DNA mutations, as well as unbiased molecular characterization of individual CTCs associated with tumor progression during targeted therapy

A nanohybrid system for taste masking of sildenafil

A nanohybrid was prepared with an inorganic clay material, montmorillonite (MMT), for taste masking of sildenafil (SDN). To further improve the taste-masking efficiency and enhance the drug-release rate, we coated the nanohybrid of SDN–MMT with a basic polymer, polyvinylacetal diethylaminoacetate (AEA). Powder X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared experiments showed that SDN was successfully intercalated into the interlayer space of MMT. The AEA-coated SDN–MMT nanohybrid showed drug release was much suppressed at neutral pH (release rate, 4.70 ± 0.53%), suggesting a potential for drug taste masking at the buccal cavity. We also performed in vitro drug release experiments in a simulated gastric fluid (pH = 1.2) and compared the drug-release profiles of AEA-coated SDN–MMT and Viagra®, an approved dosage form of SDN. As a result, about 90% of SDN was released from the AEA-coated SDN–MMT during the first 2 hours while almost 100% of drug was released from Viagra®. However, an in vivo experiment showed that the AEA-coated SDN–MMT exhibited higher drug exposure than Viagra®. For the AEA-coated SDN–MMT, the area under the plasma concentration– time curve from 0 hours to infinity (AUC0-∞) and maximum concentration (Cmax) were 78.8 ± 2.32 μg · hour/mL and 12.4 ± 0.673 μg/mL, respectively, both of which were larger than those obtained with Viagra® (AUC0-∞ = 69.2 ± 3.19 μg · hour/mL; Cmax = 10.5 ± 0.641 μg/mL). Therefore, we concluded that the MMT-based nanohybrid is a promising delivery system for taste masking of SDN with possibly improved drug exposure

Structure stability evaluation of offshore heave compensator using multi-body dynamics analysis method

Heave compensator attenuate vessel heave motion during drilling operation of drillship. Heave compensator functions as damping form motion of drillship, such as principle spring of suspension system. The load transfers on the parts of heave compensator. Stress and deformation of all parts is evaluated to diagnose the stability of the compensator. This study makes a decision on the safety of structure. Results of analysis confirm the structure stability of heave compensator for simulation. This result can be used as data for structural analysis to determine safety of a structure

Exposures to Particulate Matter and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Oxidative Stress in Schoolchildren

BACKGROUND: Air pollution is known to contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular mortality, and morbidity. Oxidative stress has been suggested as one of the main mechanisms for these effects on health. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of exposure to particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameters <= 10 mu m (PM(10)) and <= 2.5 mu M (PM(2.5)) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on urinary malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in schoolchildren. METHODS: The study population consisted of 120 schoolchildren. The survey and measurements were conducted in four cities two in China (Ala Shan and Beijing) and two in Korea (Jeju and Seoul) between 4 and 9 June 2007. We measured daily ambient levels of PM and their metal components at the selected schools during the study period. We also measured urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) and 2-naphthol, to assess PAH exposure, and MDA, to assess oxidative stress. Measurements were conducted once a day for 5 consecutive days. We constructed a linear mixed model after adjusting for individual variables to estimate the effects of PM and PAH on oxidative stress. RESULTS: We found statistically significant increases in urinary MDA levels with ambient PM concentrations from the current day to the 2 previous days (p < 0.0001). Urinary 1-OHP level also showed a positive association with urinary MDA level, which was statistically significant with or without PM in the model (p < 0.05). Outdoor PM and urinary 1-OHP were synergistically associated with urinary MDA levels. Some metals bound to PM(10) (aluminum, iron, strontium, magnesium, silicon, arsenic, barium, zinc, copper, and cadmium) and PM(2.5) (magnesium, iron, strontium, arsenic, cadmium, zinc, aluminum, mercury, barium, and copper) also had significant associations with urinary MDA level. CONCLUSION: Exposure to PM air pollution and PAHs was associated with oxidative stress in schoolchildren.Environmental SciencesPublic, Environmental & Occupational HealthToxicologySCI(E)40ARTICLE4579-58311

A novel family VII esterase with industrial potential from compost metagenomic library

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Among the vast microbial genomic resources now available, most microbes are unculturable in the laboratory. A culture-independent metagenomic approach is a novel technique that circumvents this culture limitation. For the screening of novel lipolytic enzymes, a metagenomic library was constructed from compost, and the clone of <it>estCS2 </it>was selected for lipolytic properties on a tributyrin-containing medium.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The <it>estCS2 </it>sequence encodes a protein of 570 amino acid residues, with a predicted molecular mass of 63 kDa, and based on amino acid identity it most closely matches (45%) the carboxylesterase from <it>Haliangium ochraceum </it>DSM 14365. EstCS2 belong to family VII, according to the lipolytic enzyme classification proposed by Arpigny and Jaeger, and it retains the catalytic triad Ser₂₄₅-Glu₃₆₃-His₄₆₆that is typical of an α/β hydrolase. The Ser₂₄₅residue in the catalytic triad of EstCS2 is located in the consensus active site motif GXSXG. The EstCS2 exhibits strong activity toward <it>p</it>-nitrophenyl caproate (C6), and it is stable up to 60°C with an optimal enzymatic activity at 55°C. The maximal activity is observed at pH 9, and it remains active between pH 6-10. EstCS2 shows remarkable stability in up to 50% (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or dimethylformamide (DMF). The enzyme has the ability to cleave sterically hindered esters of tertiary alcohol, as well as to degrade polyurethanes, which are widely used in various industries.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The high stability of EstCS2 in organic solvents and its activity towards esters of ketoprofen and tertiary alcohols, and in polyurethane suggests that it has potential uses for many applications in biotransformation and bioremediation.</p

KITENIN increases invasion and migration of mouse squamous cancer cells and promotes pulmonary metastasis in a mouse squamous tumor model

AbstractKAI1 C-terminal interacting tetraspanin (KITENIN) is reported to promote metastasis in mouse colon cancer models. We investigated the role of KITENIN on the progression of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). In a preliminary clinical study using resected tissues from head and neck SCC patients, KITENIN was highly expressed in tumors and metastatic lymph nodes, while KAI1 was more increased in adjacent mucosa than in tumor. KITENIN-transfected mouse squamous cancer (SCC VII/KITENIN) cells showed significantly higher invasion, migration, and proliferation than empty vector-transfected cells. In syngeneic mouse squamous tumor models, more increased tumor volume and enhanced lung metastasis were found in SCC VII/KITENIN cells-injected mice. Thus, KITENIN increases invasion and migration of squamous cancer cells and thereby promotes distant metastasis in mouse squamous tumor models

Postoperative sore throat and subglottic injury after McGrath® MAC videolaryngoscopic intubation with versus without a stylet in patients with a high Mallampati score: a randomized controlled trial

Background A tracheal tube stylet can be used to assist successful tracheal intubation, especially during videolaryngoscopic intubation because videolaryngoscopes with a Macintosh-type blade such as McGrath® MAC videolaryngoscope have more acute angle than conventional Macintosh laryngoscope. However, the use of a stylet during tracheal intubation can raise concerns about stylet-induced postoperative airway complications, such as sore throat, subglottic injury, and hoarseness. In this study, we compared the incidence of postoperative airway complications after McGrath® MAC videolaryngoscopic intubation with versus without a stylet in patients with a high Mallampati score. Methods In 104 patients with Mallampati score III or IV and who were scheduled for lumbar or thoracic spine surgery, McGrath® MAC videolaryngoscopic intubation was performed either with a stylet (group S, n = 52) or without a stylet (group N, n = 52). The primary outcome measure was the incidences of sore throat evaluated at 1 and 24 h postoperatively. Secondary outcome measures were the incidences of subglottic injury and postoperative hoarseness. Results The incidence of CL grade III in group S and N was 3.8 and 5.8%, respectively. No patient showed CL grade IV. The incidences of sore throat at 1 (26.9 vs 19.2%, P = 0.485) and 24 h (17.3 vs 13.5%, P = 0.786, respectively) postoperatively were not significantly different between the group S and N. However, the incidence of subglottic injury was significantly higher in the group S, compared with the group N (65.4 vs 42.3%, P = 0.030). The incidence of postoperative hoarseness did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusions The use of a stylet during McGrath® MAC videolaryngoscopic intubation did not have a significant impact on the incidence of postoperative sore throat in patients with a high Mallampati score. Avoiding the use of a stylet during intubation with McGrath® MAC videolaryngoscope may reduce the incidence of subglottic injury in such patients. Trial registration Clinical Research Information Service (identifier: KCT0002427 , date of registration: June 12, 2017)