Underwater optical signal detection system using diffuser-based lensless imaging.

We propose a diffuser-based lensless underwater optical signal detection system. The system consists of a lensless one-dimensional (1D) camera array equipped with random phase modulators for signal acquisition and one-dimensional integral imaging convolutional neural network (1DInImCNN) for signal classification. During the acquisition process, the encoded signal transmitted by a light-emitting diode passes through a turbid medium as well as partial occlusion. The 1D diffuser-based lensless camera array is used to capture the transmitted information. The captured pseudorandom patterns are then classified through the 1DInImCNN to output the desired signal. We compared our proposed underwater lensless optical signal detection system with an equivalent lens-based underwater optical signal detection system in terms of detection performance and computational cost. The results show that the former outperforms the latter. Moreover, we use dimensionality reduction on the lensless pattern and study their theoretical computational costs and detection performance. The results show that the detection performance of lensless systems does not suffer appreciably. This makes lensless systems a great candidate for low-cost compressive underwater optical imaging and signal detection.

End-to-end integrated pipeline for underwater optical signal detection using 1D integral imaging capture with a convolutional neural network.

Underwater optical signal detection performance suffers from occlusion and turbidity in degraded environments. To tackle these challenges, three-dimensional (3D) integral imaging (InIm) with 4D correlation-based and deep-learning-based signal detection approaches have been proposed previously. Integral imaging is a 3D technique that utilizes multiple cameras to capture multiple perspectives of the scene and uses dedicated algorithms to reconstruct 3D images. However, these systems may require high computational requirements, multiple separate preprocessing steps, and the necessity for 3D image reconstruction and depth estimation of the illuminating modulated light source. In this paper, we propose an end-to-end integrated signal detection pipeline that uses the principle of one-dimensional (1D) InIm to capture angular and intensity of ray information but without the computational burden of full 3D reconstruction and depth estimation of the light source. The system is implemented with a 1D camera array instead of 2D camera array and is trained with a convolutional neural network (CNN). The proposed approach addresses many of the aforementioned shortcomings to improve underwater optical signal detection speed and performance. In our experiment, the temporal-encoded signals are transmitted by a light-emitting diode passing through a turbid and partial occluded environment which are captured by a 1D camera array. Captured video frames containing the spatiotemporal information of the optical signals are then fed into the CNN for signal detection without the need for depth estimation and 3D scene reconstruction. Thus, the entire processing steps are integrated and optimized by deep learning. We compare the proposed approach with the previously reported depth estimated 3D InIm with 3D scene reconstruction and deep learning in terms of computational cost at receiver's end and detection performance. Moreover, a comparison with conventional 2D imaging is also included. The experimental results show that the proposed approach performs well in terms of detection performance and computational cost. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on signal detection in degraded environments with computationally efficient end-to-end integrated 1D InIm capture stage with integrated deep learning for classification.

Spatio-temporal continuous gesture recognition under degraded environments: performance comparison between 3D integral imaging (InIm) and RGB-D sensors.

In this paper, we introduce a deep learning-based spatio-temporal continuous human gesture recognition algorithm under degraded conditions using three-dimensional (3D) integral imaging. The proposed system is shown as an efficient continuous human gesture recognition system for degraded environments such as partial occlusion. In addition, we compare the performance between the 3D integral imaging-based sensing and RGB-D sensing for continuous gesture recognition under degraded environments. Captured 3D data serves as the input to a You Look Only Once (YOLOv2) neural network for hand detection. Then, a temporal segmentation algorithm is employed to segment the individual gestures from a continuous video sequence. Following segmentation, the output is fed to a convolutional neural network-based bidirectional long short-term memory network (CNN-BiLSTM) for gesture classification. Our experimental results suggest that the proposed deep learning-based spatio-temporal continuous human gesture recognition provides substantial improvement over both RGB-D sensing and conventional 2D imaging system. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of 3D integral imaging-based continuous human gesture recognition with deep learning and the first comparison between 3D integral imaging and RGB-D sensors for this task.

Partial splenic embolization of patients with hypersplenism by transradial or transfemoral approach: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Partial splenic artery embolization (PSE) is an effective treatment modality for patients with hypersplenism. It is less invasive and has a quicker recovery compared with surgical procedures. PSE is usually performed using a femoral artery approach that requires bedrest for a few hours, which is rarely the case for transradial PSE. PURPOSE: To compare the transradial and transfemoral approaches for embolization of spleen in patients with hypersplenism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In all, 84 patients with hypersplenism who required PSE were recruited. They were randomly divided into two groups on the basis of the procedure followed: the transradial approach (R-PSE, n = 39) or transfemoral approach (F-PSE, n = 45). Technical success, puncture rate, total procedure time, X-ray exposure time, length of stay in hospital (LOS), and complications of the two groups were recorded. RESULTS: The procedure time, X-ray exposure time, and LOS were found to be lower in the R-PSE group than in the F-PSE. However, this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The transradial artery approach for PSE in patients with hypersplenism is feasible with no major complications as compared to the femoral approach.

High-Throughput Analysis of the T Cell Receptor Beta Chain Repertoire in PBMCs from Chronic Hepatitis B Patients with HBeAg Seroconversion.

T lymphocytes are the most important immune cells that affect both the development and treatment of hepatitis B. We used high-throughput sequencing to determine the diversity in the V and J regions of the TCRß chain in 4 chronic hepatitis B patients before and after HBeAg seroconversion. Here, we demonstrate that the 4 patients expressed Vß12-4 at the highest frequencies of 10.6%, 9.2%, 17.5%, and 7.5%, and Vß28 was the second most common, with frequencies of 7.8%, 6.7%, 5.3%, and 10.9%, respectively. No significant changes were observed following seroconversion. With regard to the Jß gene, Jß2-1 was the most commonly expressed in the 4 patients at frequencies of 5.8%, 6.5%, 11.3%, and 7.3%, respectively. Analysis of the V-J region genes revealed several differences, including significant increases in the expression levels of V7-2-01-J2-1, V12-4-J1-1, and V28-1-J1-5 and a decrease in that of V19-01-J2-3. These results illustrate the presence of biased TCRVß and Jß gene expression in the chronic hepatitis B patients. TRBVß12-4, Vß28, Jß2-1, V7-2-01-J2-1, V12-4-J1-1, and V28-1-J1-5 may be associated with the development and treatment of CHB.

[Flavanoids Extracted from Onion Inhibited Activation of Microglia and Release of Proinflammatory Factors around the Hematoma in ICH Model Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study flavanoids extracted from onion (FEO) on the number of activated microglia and the release of proinflammatory factors in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) model rat at different time points, and to explore its possible mechanism for treating ICH. METHODS: Totally 100 Wistar rats were used for preparing ICH model, and ICH model was successfully established in 90 of them. The 90 rats were randomly divided into the sham-operation group (n =10) , the ICH group (n =40) , the FEO group (n =40). Totally 100 [L autoblood was injected from fixed position to rats in the ICH group and the FEO group during modeling. Meanwhile, FEO at 0. 2 mL/10 g was given to rats in the FEO group, twice daily. No drug intervention was given to rats in the ICH group and the sham-operation group. Each group was further sub-divided into 5 sub-groups according to different time points such as 6, 24, 48, 72 h, and 7 days. There were 8 rats in each sub-group of the ICH group and the FEO group, 10 groups in total. There were 2 rats in each subgroup of the sham-operation group, 5 groups in total. Neurological functions at different time points were observed by Garcia JH. The injury degree of brain tissue was observed at dif- ferent time points using HE staining. Activated microglia around hematoma were observed at different time points after ICH by using immunohistochemical staining. Expressions of TNF-α and IL-1 ß at different time points after ICH was detected using ELISA. RESULTS: In the ICH group, degenerated and necrotic zone occurred around hematoma after injecting autoblood, cells were untidily arranged with irregular nucleus, partial nucleus were shrunken with lamellar interstitial edema of the medulla. As time went by, degenerated and necrotic zone was dilated; vacant zone occurred around cells; cells were unevenly distributed with reduced neuron numbers. Meanwhile, infiltration of lymphocytes and neutrophils occurred. In the FEO group after FEO intervention, necrotic cells were lesser, cell arrangement and nucleus morphology were obviously alleviated, and infiltration of inflammatory cells was reduced at corresponding time points. Compared with the sham-operation group, behavioral scores at 5 time points all decreased, the number of activated microglia was added, and expressions of TNF-α and IL-1 ß in hematoma tissue increased in the ICH group (P <0. 01). Compared with the ICH group, behavioral scores at 48 and 72 h, as well as day 7 all increased, the number of activated microglia was reduced, and expressions of TNF-α and IL-1ß in hematoma tissue decreased in the FEO group (P <0. 01). CONCLUSION: FEO using the ethanol reflux method could improve symptoms of ICH model rats possibly by inhibiting activation of microolia and the release of proinflammatory factors around the hematoma.

The Therapeutic Effect of Stellate Ganglion Block on Facial Nerve Palsy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The conventional systemic corticosteroid treatment for acute peripheral facial nerve palsy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus can induce hyperglycemia, and an alternative local therapy may be necessary. Our purpose in this study is to evaluate therapeutic effects of stellate ganglion block (SGB) on facial nerve palsy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A total of 361 cases of acute peripheral, chronic peripheral, acute central and chronic central facial nerve palsy treated with SGB or conventional therapy were included in this retrospective study. The facial nerve function score (Sunnybrook Facial Grading System) obtained at before and after treatment in non-SGB and SGB groups was used to assess the outcome. Furthermore, the blood glucose level in acute peripheral facial nerve palsy was measured. RESULTS: The facial nerve function score in the SGB group was higher than that in the non-SGB group after treatment in peripheral facial nerve palsy, while the blood glucose level in the non-SGB group increased and was higher than that in the SGB group during the treatment in acute peripheral facial nerve palsy. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that SGB has better therapeutic effect than conventional treatment on acute and chronic peripheral facial nerve palsy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

[EMP3 inhibits the formation of heterotypic cell-in-cell structures in hepatocellular carcinoma].

Heterotypic cell-in-cell (heCIC) structures represent a unique intercellular interaction where tumor cells internalize immune cells to enhance the killing efficiency of immune cells. However, the mechanism of heCIC structure formation remains to be fully elucidated. In this study, we explored the role of epithelial membrane protein 3 (EMP3), a PMP-22/EMP/MP20 protein family member highly expressed in the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and poor prognosis, in the formation of the heCIC structure formed by natural killer cells and hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The analysis of monoclonal hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines revealed that EMP3 presented low expression in the cells with high capability to form heCIC structure and high expression in those with low capability. Knocking down the expression of EMP3 by gene editing promoted the formation of heCIC structures, while overexpression of EMP3 significantly inhibited this process. Additionally, the expression of factors involved in the heCIC structure formation suggested that EMP3 inhibited the formation of heCIC structures by modulating the adhesion ability and cytoskeleton of tumor cells. The findings lay a foundation for enhancing the heCIC-mediated tumor immunotherapy by targeting EMP3.

Effectiveness and safety of early lens extraction during par plana vitrectomy for proliferative diabetes retinopathy with mild cataract: a randomized clinical trial.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of early lens extraction during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) compared to those of PPV with subsequent cataract surgery. METHODS: This multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted in three Chinese hospitals on patients with PDR, aged >45y, with mild cataracts. The participants were randomly assigned to the combined (PPV combined with simultaneously cataract surgery, i.e., phacovitrectomy) or subsequent (PPV with subsequent cataract surgery 6mo later) group and followed up for 12mo. The primary outcome was the change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to 6mo, and the secondary outcomes included complication rates and medical expenses. RESULTS: In total, 129 patients with PDR were recruited and equally randomized (66 and 63 in the combined and subsequent groups respectively). The change in BCVA in the combined group [mean, 36.90 letters; 95% confidence interval (CI), 30.35-43.45] was significantly better (adjusted difference, 16.43; 95%CI, 8.77-24.08; P<0.001) than in the subsequent group (mean, 22.40 letters; 95%CI, 15.55-29.24) 6mo after the PPV, with no significant difference between the two groups at 12mo. The overall surgical risk of two sequential surgeries was significantly higher than that of the combined surgery for neovascular glaucoma (17.65% vs 3.77%, P=0.005). No significant differences were found in the photocoagulation spots, surgical time, and economic expenses between two groups. In the subsequent group, the duration of work incapacity (22.54±9.11d) was significantly longer (P<0.001) than that of the combined group (12.44±6.48d). CONCLUSION: PDR patients aged over 45y with mild cataract can also benefit from early lens extraction during PPV with gratifying effectiveness, safety and convenience, compared to sequential surgeries.

[Rac1 promotes the formation of heterotypic cell-in-cell structure].

Heterotypic cell-in-cell structures (heCICs) are closely related to tumor development and progression, and have become a new frontier in life science research. Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) belongs to the classic Rho GTPase, which plays a key role in regulating the cytoskeleton and cell movement. To investigate the role and mechanism of Rac1 in the formation of heCICs, tumor cells and immune killer cells were labeled with cell-tracker, respectively, to establish the heCICs model. Upon treatment with the Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766, the formation of heCICs between tumor and immune cells was significantly reduced. The plasmid pQCXIP-Rac1-EGFP constructed by gene cloning was packaged into pseudoviruses that subsequently infect tumor cells to make cell lines stably expressing Rac1. As a result, the formation of heCICs was significantly increased upon Rac1 overexpression. These results demonstrated a promotive role of Rac1 in heCICs formation, which may facilitate treating cell-in-cell related diseases, such as tumors, by targeting Rac1.

Quetiapine prevents Aß25-35-induced cell death in cultured neuron by enhancing brain-derived neurotrophic factor release from astrocyte.

ß-Amyloid (Aß)-induced neuronal toxicity is an early event in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Quetiapine (QTP) is an atypical antipsychotic drug that has neuroprotectant properties, but little is known about its direct protective effects on neurons against the Aß-induced cell toxicity. In the present study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of QTP on Aß25-35-induced cell death and the possible underlying mechanisms in primary cultures of neurons. Exposure of cortical neurons to 10 µM or more Aß25-35 caused significant viability loss in a MTT assay, and the toxic effects were not significantly prevented by the simultaneous coadministration of QTP. However, pretreated astrocyte conditioned medium (ACM) with QTP (ACMQTP) for 24 h markedly protected the neurons against the amyloid-induced cell loss. Furthermore, we revealed that QTP increased both the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor from cultured astrocytes and the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase after 24 h of treatment, which might be responsible for its protective effects on neurons. Consistent with the aforementioned findings, the protective effects of ACM on neurons could potentially be abolished by the extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitor and tropomyosin receptor kinase B receptor blocker. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that QTP exerted its neuroprotective effects against amyloid toxicity by enhancing the brain-derived neurotrophic factor release from astrocytes.

Tyrosol attenuates pro-inflammatory cytokines from cultured astrocytes and NF-κB activation in in vitro oxygen glucose deprivation.

Subsequent inflammation in stroke plays an important role in the damage of neurons in the perilesional area. Therapeutic intervention targeting inflammation may be a promising complementary strategy to current treatments of stroke. Here, we explored the possible beneficial effects of tyrosol, a derivative of phenethyl alcohol and natural antioxidant, playing an anti-inflammatory role in astrocyte culture and in vitro oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) model. MTT, western blot, ELISA and EMSA assays were carried out to investigate cell viability, protein expression level, cytokine expression and NF-κB activity. We found tyrosol protected cultured astrocytes against OGD-induced cell viability loss in MTT test. Meanwhile, tyrosol attenuated the released TNF-α and IL-6 level from astrocyte via regulating Janus N-terminal kinase (JNK). The reduction of cytokines from astrocyte might be due to its inhibition of astrocyte activation and regulation of STAT3 signaling pathway since tyrosol attenuated the expression level of GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) and the phosphorylation of STAT3. Additionally, we demonstrated that tyrosol prevented the degradation of IκBα and the increase of IκBα phosphorylation in astrocytes exposed to OGD, which led to the suppression of NF-κB function during ischemia. Collectively, our results showed that tyrosol may be a promising complementary treatment compound for stroke via modulating the inflammatory response in astrocytes during ischemia.

Analysis of the complementarity determining regions ß-chain genomic rearrangement using high-throughput sequencing in periphery cytotoxic T lymphocytes of patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are important for the recognition of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), mediating immunoprotective mechanisms and determining the clinical outcome following HBV infection. CTLs recognize the invading virus via the T cell receptor (TCR). The aim of the current study was to investigate the variability of TCR in lymphocytes from patients with chronic hepatitis B and whether TCR genomic recombination is regulated by the current treatment strategies. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from patients with chronic hepatitis B and high­throughput sequencing was performed to analyze the gene expression diversity of ß chain complementarity determining region. High­throughput sequencing produced ~380,000 reads. The sequences of V and J family mRNAs of the ß chain V area were analyzed and databases were created for all 30 V family and J family genes. Using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool, 15 genes were identified to be upregulated in the samples following treatment. Among them, the expression of T cell receptor ß variable 28 (TRBV28)_T cell receptor ß joining 1­5 (TRBJ1.5) and TRBV6_TRBJ2.10 were significantly different in the treated samples compared with samples taken prior to treatment. Genomic recombination patterns of TRBV and TRBJ of the ß chain V area were observed to be different in the samples following treatment. The data of the current study demonstrated that the genomic rearrangement of the V and J segments of TCR ß chain V area may be associated with the chronic progression of HBV and impact on treatment efficacy.

Deposition of BACE-1 Protein in the Brains of APP/PS1 Double Transgenic Mice.

The main causes of Alzheimer's disease remain elusive. Previous data have implicated the BACE-1 protein as a central player in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. However, many inhibitors of BACE-1 have failed during preclinical and clinical trials for AD treatment. Therefore, uncovering the exact role of BACE-1 in AD may have significant impact on the future development of therapeutic agents. Three- and six-month-old female APP/PS1 double transgenic mice were used to study abnormal accumulation of BACE-1 protein in brains of mice here. Immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and western blot were performed to measure the distributing pattern and expression level of BACE-1. We found obvious BACE-1 protein accumulation in 3-month-old APP/PS1 mice, which had increased by the time of 6 months. Coimmunostaining results showed BACE-1 surrounded amyloid plaques in brain sections. The abnormal protein expression might not be attributable to the upregulation of BACE-1 protein, as no significant difference of protein expression was observed between wild-type and APP/PS1 mice. With antibodies against BACE-1 and CD31, we found a high immunoreactive density of BACE-1 protein on the outer layer of brain blood vessels. The aberrant distribution of BACE-1 in APP/PS1 mice suggests BACE-1 may be involved in the microvascular abnormality of AD.