Fast bilateral filter for edge-preserving smoothing

Edge-preserving lowpass filters are a valuable tool in several image processing tasks, including noise reduction and dynamic range compression. A high-quality algorithm is the bilateral filter, but its computational cost is very high. A fast but approximate implementation was introduced by Durand and Dorsey. Introduced are two modifications in this technique which allow further acceleration and a significant increase in quality.     

Space and time basis function design for the method of moments in time‐domain analysis of wire and planar structures

In this article, an algorithm able to deal at the same time with wire frame and surface patch models for the method of moments in time domain is presented. After a unified theory combining both models, attention is focused on stability dependence issues on the time basis function chosen and on other algorithm parameters. An accurate analysis of time interpolation functions and of their time filtering properties is provided. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2011.     

Src64 is required for ovarian ring canal morphogenesis during Drosophila oogenesis

The Src family of protein tyrosine kinases have been implicated as important regulators of cellular proliferation, differentiation and function. In order to understand further the role of Src family kinases, we have generated loss-of-function mutations in Src64, one of two Src family kinases known in Drosophila melanogaster. Animals with reduced Src64 function develop normally and are fully viable. However, Src64 female flies have reduced fertility, which is associated with the incomplete transfer of cytoplasm from nurse cells to the developing oocyte. Analysis of Src64 egg chambers showed defects in the ring canals that interconnect the oocyte and its 15 associated nurse cells. Src64 ring canals fail to accumulate the high levels of tyrosine phosphorylation that are normally present. Despite the reduced tyrosine phosphorylation, known ring canal components such as filamentous actin, a ring canal-specific product of the hu-li tai shao gene, and the kelch protein localize properly. However, Src64 ring canals are reduced in size and frequently degenerate. These results indicate that Src64 is required for the proper growth and stability of the ovarian ring canals.     

Original procedure of functional plasty of primary inguinal hernias]

We describe a novel autoplasty method we developed for primary inguinal hernia repair and report our results in nearly 150 operations. The method is based on novel principles: priority given to an individual stato-dynamic conception of the inguinal region; effect on physiological defense mechanisms of the inguinal canal; absence of tension on the sutures by autoplastic repair.     

Separation and characterization of histones and acidic proteins from heart muscle and calf thymus

A method for the isolation of histones and acidic proteins extracted from rabbit heart and calf thymus chromatins has been studied. The histones present five major electrophoretic fractions in both tissues. Only lysine rich fraction in the heart splits into three peptides of different mobility. Amino acid composition of total histones shows values very similar in almost all components. The acidic proteins of rabbit heart and calf thymus have been characterized by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by amino acid composition. The electrophoretic pattern reveals reproducible heterogeneous banding pattern from the two sources with different degree of phosphorylation. The amino acid composition of total acidic proteins is quite similar with the exception of serine content that in the heart is most elevated.     

The MEK5/ERK5 Pathway in Health and Disease

The MEK5/ERK5 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) cascade is a unique signaling module activated by both mitogens and stress stimuli, including cytokines, fluid shear stress, high osmolarity, and oxidative stress. Physiologically, it is mainly known as a mechanoreceptive pathway in the endothelium, where it transduces the various vasoprotective effects of laminar blood flow. However, it also maintains integrity in other tissues exposed to mechanical stress, including bone, cartilage, and muscle, where it exerts a key function as a survival and differentiation pathway. Beyond its diverse physiological roles, the MEK5/ERK5 pathway has also been implicated in various diseases, including cancer, where it has recently emerged as a major escape route, sustaining tumor cell survival and proliferation under drug stress. In addition, MEK5/ERK5 dysfunction may foster cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. Here, we highlight the importance of the MEK5/ERK5 pathway in health and disease, focusing on its role as a protective cascade in mechanical stress-exposed healthy tissues and its function as a therapy resistance pathway in cancers. We discuss the perspective of targeting this cascade for cancer treatment and weigh its chances and potential risks when considering its emerging role as a protective stress response pathway.     

Control of silver-polymer aggregation mechanism by primary particle spatial correlations in dynamic fractal-like geometry

Silver nanocrystals have been prepared by reacting silver nitrate with ascorbic acid in aqueous solution containing a low concentration of a commercial polynaphthalene sulfonate polymer (Daxad 19). Various crystalline morphologies have been obtained simply by tuning the reaction temperature. We have investigated the nanoparticle formation mechanism at three different temperatures by in situ and time resolved small angle X-ray scattering measurements. By modeling the scattering intensity with interacting spherical particles in a fractal-like polymer-Ag matrix, we found signatures of nucleation, growth and assembly of primary particles of about 15-20 nm. We observed how the time evolution of both spatial correlations between primary particles and the dynamic fractal geometry of the polymer-Ag matrix could influence and determine both the aggregation mechanism and the morphology of forming nanostructures in solution.     

The role of teat skin contamination in the epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus intramammary infections

Knowledge of the epidemiological pattern and the potential sources of infections is important to control Staphylococcus aureus in dairy herds. This paper reports the results of a study applying both pulse field gel electrophoresis (PGFE) and the assessment of a selected number of virulence genes to investigate the role of teat skin on Staph. aureus transmission among cows and on the contamination of milk. Overall 61 isolates were considered, 23 from teat skin, 33 from milk samples and 5 from curd samples. Teat swabs were taken in five herds, but in only three of them could Staph. aureus be isolated. Curd was sampled in three herds, but Staph. aureus could be isolated in only two herds. The distribution of isolates among herds confirmed the presence of herd-specific Staph. aureus strain in most of the herds. The same pattern was observed in teat skin samples, in quarter milk samples, and in the curd samples. Our findings are consistent with other studies showing the role of teat skin as a potential reservoir. Moreover, Staph. aureus was isolated from teat skin of confirmed Staph. aureus-negative cows that were segregated from infected ones. Our findings also suggest that some strains have higher chances to survive on teat skin and therefore to increase the risk for contamination of milk and milk products due to the persistence of intramammary infections.     

Analysis of major proteins and fat fractions associated with mare's milk fat globules

Although several studies have aimed to identify mare's milk proteins, only the major whey proteins and some caseins have yet been characterized. Incomplete sequencing of the equine genome and the difficulty of recovering highly hydrophobic proteins mean that little is known to date about the proteins associated with milk fat globules, which have been shown to play an important role in newborns' defense mechanisms. The fat fraction, in particular the distribution of unsaturated fatty acids, has been more extensively studied, but complex lipids are only partially elucidated. This study reports a 2-DE approach combined with a powerful method for de novo protein sequencing, and quali-quantitative data on complex lipid composition determined by high performance TLC (HPTLC) and GC. The presence in mare's milk of long-chain highly unsaturated fatty acids, and the evidence of close similarity between equine and human milk fat globule membrane proteins, support the use of mare's milk for human nutrition.     

Pharmacological and In Silico Analysis of Oat Avenanthramides as EGFR Inhibitors: Effects on EGF-Induced Lung Cancer Cell Growth and Migration

Avena sativa L. is a wholegrain cereal and an important edible crop. Oats possesses high nutritional and health promoting values and contains high levels of bioactive compounds, including a group of phenolic amides, named avenanthramides (Avns), exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) represents one of the most known oncogenes and it is frequently up-regulated or mutated in human cancers. The oncogenic effects of EGFR include enhanced cell growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis, and down-regulation or inhibition of EGFR signaling has therapeutic benefit. Front-line EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy is the standard therapy for patients with EGFR-mutated lung cancer. However, the clinical effects of EGFR inhibition may be lost after a few months of treatment due to the onset of resistance. Here, we showed the anticancer activity of Avns, focusing on EGFR activation and signaling pathway. Lung cancer cellular models have been used to evaluate the activity of Avns on tumor growth, migration, EMT, and anoikis induced by EGF. In addition, docking and molecular dynamics simulations showed that the Avns bind with high affinity to a region in the vicinity of αC-helix and the DGF motif of EGFR, jeopardizing the target biological function. Altogether, our results reveal a new pharmacological activity of Avns as EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors.