Uncertainty of digital image correlation under video compression and DSP optimization.

The storage and transmission of videos at high spatial resolution remain a great challenge in image-based optical techniques. The uncertainty of digital image correlation (DIC) was assessed following speckle video compression under High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC/H.265). First, the evaluation criterion for the DIC accuracy affected by compression was provided. The stability of H.265 video compression in DIC was studied considering different compressed frames under different target quantization parameters (QPs) and compression ratios (CRs). The deformation uncertainty of the DIC itself as affected by H.265 video compression was further investigated through uniform translation and non-uniform sinusoidal deformation performance. Moreover, the optimized digital speckle pattern (DSP) was re-evaluated considering video compression-induced uncertainty. DSPs with parameters of different diameters and randomness were compressed using various QPs and CRs. In addition, DSP evaluation was performed under both translation and non-homogeneous deformation conditions. The feasibility of the re-optimized DSP under H.265 video compression was validated using a defective bending beam, and DSP videos with a speckle size of 8 pixels reached a high CR within an acceptable margin of error.

Three-Dimensional Shape and Deformation Measurements Based on Fringe Projection Profilometry and Fluorescent Digital Image Correlation via a 3 Charge Coupled Device Camera.

We propose a novel hybrid FPP-DIC technique to measure an object's shape and deformation in 3D simultaneously by using a single 3CCD color camera, which captures the blue fringe patterns and red fluorescent speckles within the same image. Firstly, red fluorescent speckles were painted on the surface of the specimen. Subsequently, 12 computer-generated blue fringe patterns with a black background were projected onto the surface of the specimen using a DLP projector. Finally, both the reference and deformed images with three different frequencies and four shifted phases were captured using a 3CCD camera. This technique employed a three-chip configuration in which red-green-blue chips were discretely integrated in the 3CCD color camera sensor, rendering independent capture of RGB information possible. Measurement of out-of-plane displacement was carried out through the implementation of Fringe Projection Profilometry (FPP), whereas the in-plane displacement was evaluated using a 2D Digital Image Correlation (DIC) method by leveraging a telecentric-lens-based optical system. In comparison to the traditional FPP-DIC hybrid methodology, the present approach showed a lower incidence of crosstalk between the fringe patterns and speckle patterns while also offering a corrective for the coupling of the in-plane displacement and out-of-plane displacement. Experimental results for the in-plane cantilever beam and out-of-plane disk comparisons with the traditional 3D-DIC method indicated that the maximum discrepancy obtained between FPP-DIC and 3D-DIC was 0.7 µm and 0.034 mm with different magnifications, respectively, validating the effectiveness and precision of the novel proposed FPP-DIC method.

LINC01060 knockdown inhibits osteosarcoma cell malignant behaviors in vitro and tumor growth and metastasis in vivo through the PI3K/Akt signaling.

Despite its low frequency, osteosarcoma is one of the deadliest malignancies in children and adolescents. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling activation and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are critical issues during osteosarcoma development. This study found long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 1060 (LINC01060) to be an EMT-related long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) up-regulated in osteosarcoma; higher LINC01060 expression was linked to a worse prognosis in osteosarcoma patients. In vitro, knocking down LINC01060 significantly inhibits osteosarcoma cell malignant behaviors, including hyperproliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT. In vivo, LINC01060 knockdown inhibited tumor growth and metastasis, and suppressed PI3K and Akt phosphorylation. In osteosarcoma cells, Akt agonist SC79 exerted opposite effects to those of LINC01060 knockdown through the promotion of cell viability, cell migration, and cell invasion. Moreover, the Akt agonist SC79 partially eliminated LINC01060 knockdown effects on osteosarcoma cells, suggesting that LINC01060 exerts its effects through the PI3K/Akt signaling. Therefore, it is deduced that LINC01060 is overexpressed in osteosarcoma. In vitro, LINC01060 knockdown inhibits cancer cell malignant behaviors; in vivo, LINC01060 knockdown inhibits tumor development and metastasis. The PI3K/Akt signaling is involved in LINC01060 functions in osteosarcoma.

Internal displacement measurements based on color fluorescent speckle pattern by multispectral stereo-DIC and refractive index correction.

Fluorescent digital image correlation (DIC) is becoming popular for measuring 3D profiles and deformations in external surfaces. However, the simultaneous monitoring of interior layers is highly challenging due to the penetrability and refraction of light using monochromatic fluorescence. We propose a color fluorescent speckle pattern (CFSP) method for measuring the internal displacement of transparent objects based on multispectral stereo-DIC and refractive index correction. During sample fabrication, fluorescent speckle patterns exciting different colors are fabricated on both the surface and interior layers of objects. A virtual color stereo-DIC system is utilized to capture the CFSP on the surface and interior layers simultaneously from two different perspectives. Different color channels are practically equivalent to synchronized monochrome vision systems, having separate CFSP in external and internal measurements. In multispectral stereo-DIC calculation, the external surface is initially reconstructed through one channel of the system even if the surface is non-planar. Based on Snell's law and the CFSP method, the internal layer is then reconstructed and corrected by establishing the geometry of the refractive stereo-DIC through another channel. The relative error of the thickness between two planar layers was proved to decrease from 33.4% to 0.7% after refractive index correction. Further experimental results validate the efficacy of this method for correcting the profile of the non-planar arc profile and determining the internal deformations of disc materials.

Dual stereo-digital image correlation system for simultaneous measurement of overlapped wings with a polarization RGB camera and fluorescent speckle patterns.

Simultaneous monitoring of overlapped multi-wing structure by stereo-digital image correlation (stereo-DIC) may be used to quantify insect motion and deformation. We propose a dual stereo-DIC system based on multispectral imaging with a polarization RGB camera. Different fluorescent speckle patterns were fabricated on wings, which emit red and blue spectra under ultraviolet light that were imaged and separated using a polarization RGB camera and auxiliary optical splitting components. The resulting dual stereo-DIC system was validated through translation experiments with transparent sheets and reconstructed overlapped insect wings (cicadas). Dynamic measurements of the Ruban artificial flier indicate the efficacy of this approach to determining real insect flight behavior.

Epigenetic modifications of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in joint cartilage tissue from osteoarthritis patients - CONSORT.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) remains one of the most common osteopathy for centuries, which can be attributed to multiple risk factors including mechanical and biochemical ones. More and more studies verified that inflammatory cytokines play important roles in the progression of OA, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between epigenetic manifestations of TNF-? and the pathogenesis of OA. METHODS: Totally, 37 OA patients' cartilage was collected through the knee joint and 13 samples of articular cartilage as healthy control was collected through traumatic amputation. Real-time PCR, Western blot and ELISA analysis were performed to observe the expression of target genes and proteins in collected samples. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy control group, TNF-? was over-expressing in cartilage which was collected from OA patients. DNA hypomethylation, histone hyperacetylation and histone methylation were observed in the TNF-? promoter in OA compared with normal patients, and we also studied series of enzymes associated with epigenetics. The results showed that by increasing DNA methylation and decreasing histone acetylation in the TNF-? promoter, and TNF-? over-expression in OA cartilage was suppressed, histone methylation has no significant correlation with OA. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the changes of epigenetic status regulate TNF-α expression in the cells, which are pivotal to the OA disease process. These results may give us a better understanding of OA and may provide new therapeutic options.

Antiosteoporotic effect of hesperidin against ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats via reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation.

Osteoporosis is a serious health problem, especially in geriatric patients. Worldwide, it affects 8.9 million people every year. Oxidative stress and inflammation expand the osteoporosis reaction. Hesperidin supplement helps to decrease inflammation and oxidative stress. In this study, we estimated the antiosteoporotic effect of hesperidin against the ovariectomized (OVX) rat model of osteoporosis. Hesperidin was orally administered at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg to OVX rats for 10 weeks. Different biochemical parameters, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and antioxidant parameters, were also estimated. The three-point bending test, bone mineral density (BMD), and histomorphometric features of the femoral bone were also scrutinized. Hesperidin significantly decreased body weight and increased uterine weight. Hesperidin significantly reduced the ALP, OC, acid phosphatase, and ß-isomerized C-terminal telopeptides levels in OVX rats. Hesperidin considerably increased BMD and dose-dependently reduced the pixel density. Hesperidin considerably increased the maximum load, energy, stiffness, maximum stress, and young modulus. Hesperidin significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance and increased the level of superoxide dismutase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, catalase in OVX-induced rats. Hesperidin significantly diminishes the cytokine levels, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1ß, and inflammatory mediators such as nuclear factor-kappa B. It significantly reduced the level of Ca, P, and increased the level of vitamin D in OVX rats. Hesperidin significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the expression of sirtuin 1. Collectively, we can conclude that hesperidin exhibited better protection against osteoporosis by enhancing the bone density and bone mineral content in addition to biomechanical parameters.

Hesperetin Prevents Bone Resorption by Inhibiting RANKL-Induced Osteoclastogenesis and Jnk Mediated Irf-3/c-Jun Activation.

Bone homeostasis and resorption is regulated by the proper activation of osteoclasts, whose stimulation largely depends on the receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)-RANK signaling. Herein, for the first time, we showed that interferon regulatory factor (Irf)-3 was intimately involved in RANKL-induced osteoclast formation. In addition, hesperetin (Hes) derived from citrus fruit could inhibit RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and maturation among three types of osteoclast precursors with inhibited formation of F-actin rings and resorption pits on bone slices. More importantly, by using SP600125, a selective Jnk inhibitor, we showed that Hes was able to significantly attenuate the Jnk downstream expression of Irf-3 and c-Jun, thereby inactivating NF-κB/MAPK signaling and transcriptional factor NFATc-1, leading to suppression of osteoclast-specific genes, which resulted in impaired osteoclastogenesis and functionality. An ovariectomized (OVX) osteoporosis mouse model demonstrated that Hes could increase trabecular bone volume fractions (BV/TV), trabecular thickness, and trabecular number, whereas it decreased trabecular separation in OVX mice with well-preserved trabecular bone architecture and decreased levels of TRAP-positive osteoclasts. This is further evidenced by the diminished serum expression of bone resorption marker CTX and enhanced production of osteoblastic ALP in vivo. Taken together, these results suggested that Hes could inhibit Jnk-mediated Irf-3/c-Jun activation, thus attenuating RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and function both in vitro and in vivo.