Investigation of the super-resolution methods for vision based structural measurement

Zhi Cong Chen,Lijun Wu,Zhouwei Cai,Chenghao Lin,Shuying Cheng,Peijie Lin 국제구조공학회 2022 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.30 No.3

The machine-vision based structural displacement measurement methods are widely used due to its flexible deployment and non-contact measurement characteristics. The accuracy of vision measurement is directly related to the image resolution. In the field of computer vision, super-resolution reconstruction is an emerging method to improve image resolution. Particularly, the deep-learning based image super-resolution methods have shown great potential for improving image resolution and thus the machine-vision based measurement. In this article, we firstly review the latest progress of several deep learning based super-resolution models, together with the public benchmark datasets and the performance evaluation index. Secondly, we construct a binocular visual measurement platform to measure the distances of the adjacent corners on a chessboard that is universally used as a target when measuring the structure displacement via machine-vision based approaches. And then, several typical deep learning based super resolution algorithms are employed to improve the visual measurement performance. Experimental results show that super-resolution reconstruction technology can improve the accuracy of distance measurement of adjacent corners. According to the experimental results, one can find that the measurement accuracy improvement of the super resolution algorithms is not consistent with the existing quantitative performance evaluation index. Lastly, the current challenges and future trends of super resolution algorithms for visual measurement applications are pointed out.

ORiginal Article : miR-197 Expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Hepatitis B Virus-Infected Patients

( Li Chen ),( Cong Zhi Li ),( Zaiquan Peng ),( Jin Xiang Zhao ),( Guo Zhong Gong ),( De Ming Tan ) The Editorial Office of Gut and Liver 2013 Gut and Liver Vol.7 No.3

Background/Aims: This study aimed to investigate the microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients with different clinical manifestations and to analyze the function of miR-197. Methods: PBMC miRNA expression profiles in 51 healthy controls, 70 chronic asymptomatic carriers, 107 chronic hepatitis B patients, and 76 HBV-related acute on chronic liver failure patients were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). miR-197 mimic and inhibitor were transfected in THP-1 cells. qRT PCR and ELISA for interleukin (IL)-18 mRNA and protein levels were performed, respectively. Results: The microarray analysis revealed that 17 PBMC miRNA expression profiles (12 miRNAs downregulated and five miRNAs upregulated) differed significantly in HBV-induced liver disease patients presenting with various symptoms. The qRT-PCR results suggested that the PBMC miR-197 levels regularly decreased as the severity of liver disease symptoms became aggravated. IL 18, a key regulator in inflammation and immunity, was inversely correlated with miR-197 levels. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that IL-18 was a target of miR-197. Exogenous expression of miR-197 could significantly repress IL 18 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels in THP-1 cells. Conclusions: We concluded that multiple PBMC miRNAs had differential expression profiles during HBV infection and that miR-197 may play an important role in the reactivation of liver inflammation by targeting IL-18. (Gut Liver 2013; 7:335-342)

In Vitro and in Vivo Antitumor Evaluation of Berbamine for Lung Cancer Treatment

Hou, Zhi-Bo,Lu, Kai-Jin,Wu, Xiao-Li,Chen, Cong,Huang, Xin-En,Yin, Hai-Tao Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.4

Purpose: Lung cancer, one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in the world, is characterized by relatively high morbidity and mortality. Berbamine (BER) has been initially reported to exert anti-proliferative effects against a series of cancers. Methods: In this study the in vitro cytotoxicity of BER was measured by MTT assay. In vivo anti-cancer efficacy of BER was assessed in A549 xenografts. Results: Cytotoxicity tests showed dose-dependent cell growth inhibition effects of BER against A549 cells. Moreover, BER significantly reduced the growth of lung cancer in a dose-dependent manner in nude mice with prolonged survival time. Conclusion: Therefore, BER might be in herbal medicine for cancer therapy and further efforts are needed to explore therapeutic strategies.

Moderating Effects and Maintenance of Lung Cancer Cellular Immune Functions by CIK Cell Therapy

Jin, Cong-Guo,Chen, Xiao-Qun,Li, Jia,Wu, Zhi-Pin,Liu, Xin,Wang, Xi-Cai Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.6

Aims: To study the CIK cell treatment effects on regulation of cellular immune function disorders in patients with lung cancer, and to analyze the time characteristics. Methods: Cellular immune function was assessed by FCM, and patients with functional disorders were randomly divided into two groups, one given CIK cell therapy within 18 months (5 courses) and the other the controls, which were followed up for 1 year with cellular immune functions tested once a month. Results: There were 5 types of cellular immunity, 4 of which are disorders; after CIK treatment, the improvement rate of the 4 groups were 79.1%, 70.8%, 76.0% and 70.0%, intergroup differences not being statistically significant (P=0.675), all significantly higher than in the control group (P=0.000). The median maintenance times for the 4 groups were 10.4 months (9.76-11.04), 8.4 months (7.86-8.94), 9.8 months (9.20-10.4) and 7.9 months (6.25-9.55), respectively. Conclusions: CIK cells were able to improve the immune functions of patients with lung cancer, the rate of improvement and maintenance time being related to the immune function before the treatment and CIK-cell-therapy courses.

Synergy of monitoring and security

Sara Casciati,Zhi Cong Chen,Lucia Faravelli,Michele Vece 국제구조공학회 2016 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.17 No.5

An ongoing research project is devoted to the design and implementation of a satellite based asset tracking for supporting emergency management in crisis operations. Due to the emergency environment, one has to rely on a low power consumption wireless communication. Therefore, the communication hardware and software must be designed to match requirements, which can only be foreseen at the level of more or less likely scenarios. The latter aspect suggests a deep use of a simulator (instead of a real network of sensors) to cover extreme situations. The former power consumption remark suggests the use of a minimal computer (Raspberry Pi) as data collector.

Clinical Profles and Short-Term Outcomes of Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis in Adult Chinese Patients

Hong-Qi Yang,Wen-Cong Zhao,Wei-Min Yang,Yong-Li Li,Zhi-Kun Sun,Shuai Chen,Wei Li,Jian-Jun Ma 대한신경과학회 2016 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.12 No.3

Background and PurposezzAcute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an infammatory demyelinating disorder that predominantly afects children. Previous studies have mostly involved children in Western developed countries. MethodszzTis study retrospectively reviewed the clinical profles of ADEM in adult Chinese patients. ResultszzADEM occurred during summer and autumn in about two-thirds of the 42 included patients. Prior infection was found in fve patients and no preimmunization was recorded. Te most frequent clinical presentations were alterations in consciousness (79%) and behavior changes (69%), followed by motor defcits (64%) and fever (50%). About one-quarter (26%) of the patients showed positive results for oligoclonal bands, and about half of them exhibited increases in the IgG index and 24-hour IgG synthesis rate. Magnetic resonance imaging showed white- and gray-matter lesions in 83% and 23% of the patients, respectively. Steroids were the main treatment, and full recovery occurred in 62% of the patients, with residual focal neurological defcits recorded in a few patients. Afer a mean follow-up period of 3.4 years, two patients exhibited recurrence and one patient exhibited a multiphasic course. One patient was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). ConclusionszzWith the exception of the seasonal distribution pattern and prior vaccine rate, the clinical profles of ADEM in adult Chinese patients are similar to those in pediatric populations. No specifc markers are available for distinguishing ADEM from MS at the initial presentation. Careful clinical evaluations, cerebrospinal fuid measurements, and neuroradiological examinations with long-term follow-up will aid the correct diagnosis of ADEM.

Association between Pax8-PPARγ1 Rearrangement and Follicular Thyroid Cancer: a Meta-Analysis

Li, Hang-Yu,Xie, Zhi-Hao,Xu, Cong-Hui,Pu, Mei-Ling,Chen, Zi-Yan,Yu, Miao,Wang, Heng-Shu,Zhou, Chen-Ming,Pu, Chao-Yu,Liu, Wei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.9

Background: Pax8 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 1 gene (Pax8-$PPAR{\gamma}1$) are important factors in tumors. Several studies have suggested that follicular thyroid cancer may arise from Pax8- $PPAR{\gamma}1$ rearrangement. In order to have a better understanding of the association between Pax8-$PPAR{\gamma}1$ rearrangement and follicular thyroid cancer, we conducted the presenmt meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: The information was extracted from PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science. Statistic analysis was performed with Stata12.0 software. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using a fixed-effects model. We also performed heterogeneity and publication bias analyses. Results: Nine studies including 198 follicular thyroid cancer patients and 268 controls were considered eligible. The frequency of Pax8-$PPAR{\gamma}1$ rearrangement was significantly higher in the follicular thyroid cancer group than in the control group, with a pooled OR of 6.63 (95%CI=3.50-12.7). In addition, through subgroup analysis, the OR between Pax8-$PPAR{\gamma}1$ rearrangement and follicular thyroid cancer was 6.04 (95%CI = 3.18-11.5) when using benign tumor tissues as controls. The OR for the method subgroup was 9.99 (95% CI =4.86-20.5) in the RT-PCR. Conclusions: The final results demonstrated that Pax8-$PPAR{\gamma}1$ rearrangement has significant association with follicular thyroid cancer.

Molecular features and functional studies of transcription factor, Cap ‘n’ collar C, in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens Stål (Hemiptera Delphacidae)

Zeng Bin,Feng Ze-Rui,Liu Ya-Ting,Chen Fu-Rong,Wang Shuai,Wu Shun-Fan,Yu Zhi-Tao,Gao Cong-Fen 한국응용곤충학회 2022 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.25 No.4

Cap ‘n’ collar C (CncC), a transcription factor, plays a vital role in the development of insect resistance by regulating the expression of multiple detoxifying genes. Clarifying the molecular characteristics of CncC and its pathway regulating insecticide resistance will aid the development of integrated pest control strategies. Here we cloned and identified the molecular feature of CncC genes from the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), (Hemiptera Delphacidae). The full-length open reading frame of NlCncC was 3015 nucleotides with 1005 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence has a high similarity with other insect homologs and contains the characteristic Cnc/bZip domain architecture. Functional studies showed that silencing NlCncC by RNA interference (RNAi) could downregulate the transcript expression of NlCYP6ER1, NlCYP6CW1, and NlCYP6AY1, which increase the susceptibility to imidacloprid in N. lugens. The identification of molecular characteristics of NlCncC and func tional studies in this paper will contribute to designing effective control strategies for N. lugens.