Palm print image recovery and de-noising via multi-channel wavelet filter bank

In this paper, a 3-channel wavelet transform method is introduced to recover palm print images following serious deformation. The deformation processing is actually a kind of digital re-sampling. A filter bank consisting of three filters is implemented for wavelet decomposition of the palm print image, and then a procedure of binary interpolation is performed after the image is reconstructed by another filter bank consisting of another three filters. The design of multi-channel wavelet filter bank is based on the Quadrature Mirror Filter (QMF) method. Because the noise is caused by the Morie stripe, the images are further de-noised after the geometry deformation is addressed. Acceptable results have been obtained.     

Rootstock effect on serotonin and nutritional quality of tomatoes produced under low temperature and light conditions

In this study, we explored the capacity of different tomato rootstocks to improve the nutritional value of tomatoes grown in a greenhouse during the winter–spring period under low temperature and light conditions. The results showed that relative to nongrafted plants, some grafted rootstocks either did not affect or had detrimental effects on the nutritional parameters measured. In addition, the amount of serotonin was significantly lower in tomatoes from all grafted rootstocks than in tomatoes from the nongrafted plants. Nevertheless, relative to the nongrafted plants, some grafted treatments increased total macroelements (by 1.16 times), total microelements (by 1.43 times), protein content (by 17%), free total and essential amino acids (by respectively 23% and 19%), total phenolic compounds (by 11%), vitamin C (by 13.8%), lycopene (by 48%), and also total hydrocinnamic acids (by 67%) and flavonoids (by 279%). As the grafted treatments did not increase the tomato yield, we hypothesize that these compounds accumulated in the tomatoes due to the lack of increased biomass, which prevented a dilution effect on the compounds of interest in the fruits.     

Anterior convex lateral orbital wall: distinctive morphology in Apert syndrome

Bony malformations of the orbit and alterations to the soft tissue in Apert syndrome contribute to ophthalmic dysfunction. Recognised structural malformation of the sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses, together with corresponding deformities in the anterior and middle cranial base, are characteristic. Our aim was to explore the underlying structural components of disfigurement and the consequent development of the orbit in patients with Apert syndrome over time by studying 18 preoperative computed tomographic (CT) scans of affected patients and 36 scans from controls. Cephalometric measurements related to the orbit were collected, and analysed with Materialise software. The patients with Apert syndrome had larger than normal external orbital horizontal angles between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. The inside horizontal angle was narrower at 16.36° before 6 months, and continued to decrease into adulthood. The ethmoid and sphenoid side angles in affected patients consistently increased, starting at 7.93% and 14.68% of the external horizontal angle, respectively, during the first 6 months of age, and becoming 20.55% and 11.69%, respectively, in adulthood. In unaffected patients, both angles were less than 3% of the external horizontal angle overall. The orbital vertical angle also changed synchronously, with increasingly wide lateral orbits and shortened anteroposterior orbits. The anterior protrusion of the lateral orbital wall resulted from superior and posterior rotation of a curved, greater wing of the sphenoid, while the widened median orbital wall was caused by the widened ethmoid sinus. These resulted in bony deformities of the orbit, which predisposed to the visual impairments of Apert syndrome.     

Potential lack of “standardized” processing techniques for production of allogeneic and xenogeneic bone blocks for application in humans

In the present study, the structure of two allogeneic and three xenogeneic bone blocks, which are used in dental and orthopedic surgery, were histologically analyzed. The ultimate goal was to assess whether the components postulated by the manufacturer can be identified after applying conventional histological and histochemical staining techniques. Three samples of each material, i.e. allogeneic material-1 and -2 as well as xenogeneic material-1, -2 and -3, were obtained commercially. After decalcification and standardized embedding processes, conventional histological staining was performed in order to detect inorganic matrix, cellular or organic matrix components. Allogeneic material-1 showed trabecular bone-like structures, which were free of cellular components as well as of organic matrix. The allogeneic material-2 showed trabecular bone structures, in which connective tissue and cellular remnants were embedded. Additionally, some connective tissue, which resembled fat-like tissue, was found within this material. The xenogeneic material-1 showed trabecular bone-like structures and contained organic components comparable to that demonstrated for the allogeneic material-2. The xenogeneic material-2 showed trabecular bone structures with single cells located in lacunae. The xenogeneic material-3 also showed trabecular structures. Neither cellular nor organic matrix components were found within this material. According to the data of the present study, the allogeneic material-1 and the xenogeneic material-3 were the only investigated materials for which the obtained histological data were in accordance with the manufactureŕs advertised information. The remaining three materials showed discrepancies—although the manufacturers of all five bone substitute materials stated that their blocks were free of organic/cellular remnants. These data are of great clinical and material science interest. It seems that even patented processing techniques are not always able to deliver reproducible materials. Although the manufacturers of all five bone blocks stated that their blocks were free of organic/cellular remnants, our histological analysis revealed that three out of five bone blocks did contain such remnants. Such specimens might be able to induce an immune response within the recipient.     

Stargardt disease-associated mutation spectrum of a Russian Federation cohort

ABCA4-associated mutation screening is extensively performed in European, African, American and several other populations for various retinopathies. However, it has not been well studied in a Russian cohort. Using next-generation (325 genes inherited disease panel) and Sanger sequencing technologies for the first time we documented the spectrum of genetic variations in a Russian retinopathy cohort of 51 patients from 10 ethnic groups. We found ABCA4 variations in 70.5% cases and one case with BEST1 variation. Multiple ABCA4 variations, ABCA4 + RDH12, and ABCA4 + BEST1 variations are also observed and the disease severity is found proportionate to the variation burden. Ten novel ABCA4 variations are detected of which 8 belongs to non-Slavonian population. Most of the detected known variations are found in European and American Stargardt disease populations. No retinopathy causing variation is detected in 14 (27%) cases suggesting that in this Russian retinopathies cohort the causal variants could be in genes that are not covered by our 325 gene panel. Therefore, whole genome/exome analysis is required to identify novel retinopathy associated genes and provide better disease management for this heterogeneous cohort.     

Spray freeze drying for dry powder inhalation of nanoparticles

Formulating nanoparticles for delivery to the deep lung is complex and many techniques fail in terms of nanoparticle stability. Spray freeze drying (SFD) is suggested here for the production of inhalable nanocomposite microcarriers (NCM). Different nanostructures were prepared and characterized including polymeric and lipid nanoparticles. Nanoparticle suspensions were co-sprayed with a suitable cryoprotectant into a cooled, stainless steel spray tower, followed by freeze drying to form a dry powder while equivalent compositions were spray dried (SD) as controls. SFD-NCM possess larger specific surface areas (67–77 m²/g) and lower densities (0.02 g/cm³) than their corresponding SD-NCM. With the exception of NCM of lipid based nanocarriers, SFD produced NCM with a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of 3.0 ± 0.5 μm and fine particle fraction (FPF ⩽ 5.2 μm) of 45 ± 1.6% with aerodynamic performances similar to SD-NCM. However, SFD was superior to SD in terms of maintaining the particle size of all the investigated polymeric and lipid nanocarriers following reconstitution (S_f/S_i ratio for SFD ≈ 1 versus >1.5 for SD). The SFD into cooled air proved to be an efficient technique to prepare NCM for pulmonary delivery while maintaining the stability of the nanoparticles.