A Method for Tree Image Segmentation Combined Adaptive Mean Shifting with Image Abstraction

( Ting-ting Yang ),( Su-yin Zhou ),( Ai-jun Xu ),( Jian-xin Yin ) 한국정보처리학회 2020 Journal of information processing systems Vol.16 No.6

Although huge progress has been made in current image segmentation work, there are still no efficient segmentation strategies for tree image which is taken from natural environment and contains complex background. To improve those problems, we propose a method for tree image segmentation combining adaptive mean shifting with image abstraction. Our approach perform better than others because it focuses mainly on the background of image and characteristics of the tree itself. First, we abstract the original tree image using bilateral filtering and image pyramid from multiple perspectives, which can reduce the influence of the background and tree canopy gaps on clustering. Spatial location and gray scale features are obtained by step detection and the insertion rule method, respectively. Bandwidths calculated by spatial location and gray scale features are then used to determine the size of the Gaussian kernel function and in the mean shift clustering. Furthermore, the flood fill method is employed to fill the results of clustering and highlight the region of interest. To prove the effectiveness of tree image abstractions on image clustering, we compared different abstraction levels and achieved the optimal clustering results. For our algorithm, the average segmentation accuracy (SA), over-segmentation rate (OR), and under-segmentation rate (UR) of the crown are 91.21%, 3.54%, and 9.85%, respectively. The average values of the trunk are 92.78%, 8.16%, and 7.93%, respectively. Comparing the results of our method experimentally with other popular tree image segmentation methods, our segmentation method get rid of human interaction and shows higher SA. Meanwhile, this work shows a promising application prospect on visual reconstruction and factors measurement of tree.

Intravenous Flurbiprofen Axetil Enhances Analgesic Effect of Opioids in Patients with Refractory Cancer Pain by Increasing Plasma β-Endorphin

Wu, Ting-Ting,Wang, Zhi-Gang,Ou, Wu-Ling,Wang, Jun,Yao, Guo-Qing,Yang, Bo,Rao, Zhi-Guo,Gao, Jian-Fei,Zhang, Bi-Cheng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.24

Background: The study aimed to investigate the analgesic effect of a combination of intravenous flurbiprofen axetil and opioids, and evaluate the relationship between refractory pain relief and plasma ${\beta}$-endorphin levels in cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 cancer patients was randomly divided into two groups, 60 patients took orally morphine sulfate sustained-release tablets in group A, and another 60 patients receiving the combination treatment of intravenous flurbiprofen axetil and opioid drugs in group B. After 7 days, pain relief, quality of life improvement and side effects were evaluated. Furthermore, plasma ${\beta}$-endorphin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results: With the combination treatment of intravenous intravenous flurbiprofen axetil and opioids, the total effective rate of pain relief rose to 91.4%, as compared to 82.1% when morphine sulfate sustained-release tablet was used alone. Compared with that of group A, the analgesic effect increased in group B (p=0.031). Moreover, satisfactory pain relief was associated with a significant increase in plasma ${\beta}$-endorphin levels. After the treatment, plasma ${\beta}$-endorphin level in group B was $62.4{\pm}13.5pg/ml$, which was higher than that in group A ($45.8{\pm}11.2pg/ml$) (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest the combination of intravenous flurbiprofen axetil and opioids can enhance the analgesic effect of opioid drugs by increasing plasma ${\beta}$-endorphin levels, which would offer a selected and reliable strategy for refractory cancer pain treatment.

Allergic Identification for Ginkgo Kernel Protein in Guinea Pigs

Cai-e Wu,Jian-Ting Yang,Gong-Jian Fan,Ting-Ting Li,Zhen-Xing Tang,Fu-Liang Cao 한국식품과학회 2016 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.25 No.3

Ginkgo biloba L. can cause allergic reactions when consumed. In this paper, an allergy test to guinea pig was investigated. Guinea pigs were sensitized with 50 mg/mL of ginkgo kernel protein orally on days 1, 3, and 5, and intraperitoneally challenged with 100mg/mL of the protein on day 7 after the last sensitization. The volume of sensitization and challenge was 0.20mL/100 g weight. The results showed the average allergy grade for guinea pigs reached four and the allergy rate was 100%. The immunoglobulin G and E levels in sera were significantly higher than those in the controls. Footpads swelled distinctly, and the passive cutaneous allergy test manifested a positive response. There were inflammatory changes in the lungs and intestines. In conclusion, the present results may indicate that gingko kernel protein has an allergenic capacity.

Comparison of Apixaban and Low Molecular Weight Heparin in Preventing Deep Venous Thrombosis after Total Knee Arthroplasty in Older Adults

Ting Guo,Jian-ning Zhao,Hui Jiang,Jia Meng,Yi-cun Wang,Jun Wang,Yang Qiu,Hao Ding 연세대학교의과대학 2019 Yonsei medical journal Vol.60 No.7

Purpose: To compare the effect of apixaban and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in the prevention and treatment of deepvenous thrombosis (DVT) after total knee arthroplasty in older adult patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 220 patients (average age of 67.8±6.4 years) undergoing total knee arthroplasty were randomlyselected as research subjects and were divided into apixaban and LMWH groups (110 in each group). Results: The incidence of DVT was lower in the apixaban group than in the LMWH group (5.5% vs. 20.0%, p=0.001). Activatedpartial thromboplastin times (35.2±3.6 sec vs. 33.7±2.2 sec, p=0.010; 37.8±4.6 sec vs. 34.1±3.2 sec, p<0.001; 39.6±5.1 sec vs. 35.7±3.0sec, p=0.032) and prothrombin times (14.0±1.0 sec vs. 12.8±0.9 sec, p<0.001; 14.5±1.2 sec vs. 13.0±1.1 sec, p<0.001; 15.3±1.4 sec vs. 13.2±1.3 sec, p=0.009) in the apixaban group at 1 week after surgery, 3 weeks after surgery, and the end of treatment were higherthan those in the LMWH group. Platelet and fibrinogen levels in the apixaban group were lower than those of the LMWH group. Also, capillary plasma viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation in the apixaban group at 1 week after surgery, 3 weeks after surgery,and the end of treatment were lower than those in the LMWH group. Conclusion: Apixaban, which elicits fewer adverse reactions and is safer than LMWH, exhibited better effects in the preventionand treatment of DVT after total knee arthroplasty in older adults.

Gene microarray analysis revealed a potential crucial gene RACK1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)

Jian-Wei Zheng,Yinshen Yang,Shujuan Yang,Wei Zhou,Hongtian Qiu,Xiaoping Li,Qiuyun Cai,Ting Li,Gang Luo 한국통합생물학회 2018 Animal cells and systems Vol.22 No.2

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, which appears as a consequence of multiple molecular genetic events in various chromosomes and genes. In order to unveil the possible mechanisms underlying OSCC tumorigenesis, the OSCC-related gene expression variance and the gene interaction network should be further investigated. Herein, we conducted the NimbleGen Human Gene Expression Microarray to analyze expression heterogeneity between OSCC primary tumor tissue and its adjacent normal tissue from two patients. A total number of 7872 out of 32,448 detected genes are differentially expressed in OSCC. Gene ontology (GO) analysis demonstrated that these differentially expressed transcripts were critical in a series of metabolic processes, cancer-related signal pathways, and biological regulations. KEGG signaling pathway enrichment suggested a number of pathways (metabolic process and immune response) which are frequently enrolled during cancer progression. 15 most differential regulated genes between OSCC tumor and non-tumor were confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Furthermore, the interaction network analysis of these confirmed genes by STRING database showed the two subunits of RACK1 had direct interaction with 14 differential proteins. This bioinformatics research lends support about the critical role of RACK1 which functions as a key node protein driving OSCC development.

An assumed mode method and finite element method investigation of the coupled vibration in a flexible-disk rotor system with lacing wires

Shui-Ting Zhou,YiJui Chiu,Guo-Fei Yu,Chia-Hao Yang,Hong-Wu Huang,Sheng-Rui Jian 대한기계학회 2017 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.31 No.2

The Assumed mode method (AMM) and Finite element method (FEM) were used. Their results were compared to investigate the coupled shaft-torsion, disk-transverse, and blade-bending vibrations in a flexible-disk rotor system. The blades were grouped with a spring. The flexible-disk rotor system was divided into three modes of coupled vibrations: Shaft-disk-blade, disk-blade, and blade-blade. Two new modes of coupled vibrations were introduced, namely, lacing wires-blade and lacing wires-disk-blade. The patterns of change of the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the system were discussed. The results showed the following: first, mode shapes and natural frequencies varied, and the results of the AMM and FEM differed; second, numerical calculation results showed three influencing factors on natural frequencies, namely, the lacing wire constant, the lacing wire location, and the flexible disk; lastly, the flexible disk could affect the stability of the system as reflected in the effect of the rotational speed.

Intense red photoluminescence and mechanoluminescence from Mn2+-activated SrZnSO with a layered structure

Zhou, Yu,Yang, Yun-Ling,Fan, Yu-Ting,Yang, Woochul,Zhang, Wei-Bin,Hu, Jian-Feng,Zhang, Zhi-Jun,Zhao, Jing-Tai The Royal Society of Chemistry 2019 Journal of Materials Chemistry C Vol.7 No.26

<P>A series of novel red emitting Mn<SUP>2+</SUP>-activated SrZnSO phosphors were successfully synthesized by solid-state reaction at high temperature. The photoluminescence (PL) and mechanoluminescence (ML) properties of these Mn<SUP>2+</SUP>-activated SrZnSO phosphors with different Mn<SUP>2+</SUP> concentrations were investigated. With increasing the concentration of Mn<SUP>2+</SUP> from <I>x</I> = 0 to 0.04, the unit cell volume increased from 153.82 to 154.19 Å<SUP>3</SUP> while the optical band gap decreased from 3.74 to 3.43 eV. The site occupation of Mn<SUP>2+</SUP> in the host lattice was demonstrated by Rietveld refinement, the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum, and the spectroscopic properties. A broad band emission peak at 603 nm of SrZn1−xMnxSO (0.001 ≤ <I>x</I> ≤ 0.04) with an excitation wavelength of 318 nm was attributed to electronic transitions of Mn<SUP>2+</SUP> from the <SUP>4</SUP>T1(<SUP>4</SUP>G) level to the <SUP>6</SUP>A1(<SUP>6</SUP>S) level. The lifetime of SrZn1−xMnxSO (0.001 ≤ <I>x</I> ≤ 0.04) decreased monotonously from 2.97 to 0.82 ms with increasing Mn<SUP>2+</SUP> concentration. In particular, intense emission of red light from SrZn1−xMnxSO (0.001 ≤ <I>x</I> ≤ 0.04) under compressive load could be observed even with the naked eye, indicating that SrZn1−xMnxSO could be used for stress sensors or stress imaging. There was a linear correlation between the ML intensity and external load in SrZn1−xMnxSO, and the ML intensity could be recovered under UV light irradiation. Considering its advantages of non-destruction, reproducibility, and high ML intensity, SrZn1−xMnxSO might be useful for non-destructive detection of stress.</P>

Cloning of porcine chemerin, ChemR23 and GPR1 and their involvement in regulation of Lipogenesis

( Jianfeng Huang ),( Jian Zhang ),( Ting Lei ),( Xiaodong Chen ),( Yan Zhang ),( Lulu Zhou ),( An Yu ),( Zhilong Chen ),( Ronghua Zhou ),( Zaiqing Yang ) 생화학분자생물학회 (구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2010 BMB Reports Vol.43 No.7

Chemerin is a novel adipokine which is abundant in adipose tissue to promote adipocyte differentiation and with significant relativity to BMI and insulin sensitivity. We report here the molecular characterization of porcine chemerin and its receptors ChemR23 and GPR1, as well as their transcriptional regulation during lipogenesis. Chemerin was mainly expressed in liver, intestine, kidney and adipose tissue, consistent with the expression pattern of GPR1, but not ChemR23, which was predominantly present in spleen and temperately in adipose tissue. We further investigated the lipogenesis-related transcriptional activation of PPARγ and KLF15 on chemerin and its receptors. The data showed that KLF15, but not PPARγ, can up-regulate the mRNA level of chemerin, ChemR23 and GPR1, which was consistent with the results of luciferase assay that confirmed the effect of KLF15 on ChemR23 promoter. Taken together, our data provide basic molecular information for the further investigation on the function of chemerin in lipogenesis. [BMB reports 2010; 43(7): 491-498]

Vγ1+ γδT Cells Are Correlated With Increasing Expression of Eosinophil Cationic Protein and Metalloproteinase-7 in Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps Inducing the Formation of Edema

Luo-ying Yang,Xia Li,Wen-ting Li,Jian-cong Huang,Zhi-yuan Wang,Zi-zhen Huang,Li-hong Chang,Ge-hua Zhang 대한천식알레르기학회 2017 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.9 No.2

Purpose: We have found that expression of γδT cells is increased in pathological mucosa of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) compared with normal nasal mucosa. This increase is correlated with the infiltration of eosinophils in CRSwNP. Here, we investigated the expression of γδT cells, inflammation and tissue remodeling factors as well as their probable relationships in different types of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in China. Methods: A total of 76 surgical tissue samples that included 43 CRSwNP samples (15 eosinophilic and 28 non-eosinophilic), 17 CRS samples without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), and 16 controls were obtained. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of Vγ1+ γδT cells, Vγ4+ γδT cells, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), interleukin (IL)-8, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2, metalloproteinase (MMP)-7, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-4 and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the protein level of ECP and MMP-7 in CRSwNP. The eosinophils were counted and the level of edema was analyzed with HE staining. Results: The mRNA expression levels of the Vγ1 subset, ECP and MMP-7 were significantly increased in CRSwNP with histological characteristics of eosinophilic infiltration and edema. The expression of the Vγ1 gene in CRSwNP correlated positively with the expression of both ECP and MMP-7. No significant decreases in the mRNA expression levels of TGF-β2, TIMP-4 or HIF-1α were observed in the CRSwNP samples. The expression levels of Vγ1 gene, ECP and MMP-7 were significantly increased in eosinophilic CRSwNP compared to non-eosinophilic CRSwNP. Conclusions: Our results suggest the associations between Vγ1+ γδT cells, ECP and MMP-7 in CRSwNP, indicating that Vγ1+ γδT cells can induce the eosinophilic inflammation, which has a further effect on the formation of edema.

miR-638 is a new biomarker for outcome prediction of non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

Fang Wang,Jian-fang Lou,Yan Cao,Xin-hui Shi,Peng Wang,Jian Xu,Er-fu Xie,Ting Xu,Rui-hong Sun,Jianyu Rao,Pu-wen Huang,Shi-yang Pan,Hong Wang 생화학분자생물학회 2015 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.47 No.-

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs, mediate gene expression by either cleaving target mRNAs or inhibiting their translation. They have key roles in the tumorigenesis of several cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of miR-638 in the evaluation of NSCLC patient prognosis in response to chemotherapy. First, we detected miR-638 expression levels in vitro in the culture supernatants of the NSCLC cell line SPC-A1 treated with cisplatin, as well as the apoptosis rates of SPC-A1. Second, serum miR-638 expression levels were detected in vivo by using nude mice xenograft models bearing SPC-A1 with and without cisplatin treatment. In the clinic, the serum miR-638 levels of 200 cases of NSCLC patients before and after chemotherapy were determined by quantitative real-time PCR, and the associations of clinicopathological features with miR-638 expression patterns after chemotherapy were analyzed. Our data helped in demonstrating that cisplatin induced apoptosis of the SPC-A1 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner accompanied by increased miR-638 expression levels in the culture supernatants. In vivo data further revealed that cisplatin induced miR-638 upregulation in the serum derived from mice xenograft models, and in NSCLC patient sera, miR-638 expression patterns after chemotherapy significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis. Moreover, survival analyses revealed that patients who had increased miR-638 levels after chemotherapy showed significantly longer survival time than those who had decreased miR-638 levels. Our findings suggest that serum miR-638 levels are associated with the survival of NSCLC patients and may be considered a potential independent predictor for NSCLC prognosis.