Motion-based object segmentation using hysteresis and bidirectional inter-frame change detection in sequences with moving camera

We present an unsupervised motion-based object segmentation algorithm for video sequences with moving camera, employing bidirectional inter-frame change detection. For every frame, two error frames are generated using motion compensation. They are combined and a segmentation algorithm based on thresholding is applied. We employ a simple and effective error fusion scheme and consider spatial error localization in the thresholding step. We find the optimal weights for the weighted mean thresholding algorithm that enables unsupervised robust moving object segmentation. Further, a post processing step for improving the temporal consistency of the segmentation masks is incorporated and thus we achieve improved performance compared to the previously proposed methods. The experimental evaluation and comparison with other methods demonstrate the validity of the proposed method.     

The Present and Future of Prostate Cancer Urine Biomarkers

In order to successfully cure patients with prostate cancer (PCa), it is important to detect the disease at an early stage. The existing clinical biomarkers for PCa are not ideal, since they cannot specifically differentiate between those patients who should be treated immediately and those who should avoid over-treatment. Current screening techniques lack specificity, and a decisive diagnosis of PCa is based on prostate biopsy. Although PCa screening is widely utilized nowadays, two thirds of the biopsies performed are still unnecessary. Thus the discovery of non-invasive PCa biomarkers remains urgent. In recent years, the utilization of urine has emerged as an attractive option for the non-invasive detection of PCa. Moreover, a great improvement in high-throughput “omic” techniques has presented considerable opportunities for the identification of new biomarkers. Herein, we will review the most significant urine biomarkers described in recent years, as well as some future prospects in that field.     

Synthesis of Functionalized Bicyclic Imines via Intramolecular Azide‐Alkene 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition/Intramolecular Stork Alkylation Cascade Reaction

A cascade intramolecular azide‐alkene 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition/Stork alkylation reaction has been developed for the synthesis of functionalized cyclic imines with a pyrroline and piperideine structures, employing readily available ω‐azidodienes.     

Validation of a mutant of the pore-forming toxin sticholysin-I for the construction of proteinase-activated immunotoxins

The use of pore-forming toxins from sea anemones (actinoporins) in the construction of immunotoxins (ITs) against tumour cells is an alternative for cancer therapy. However, the main disadvantage of actinoporin-based ITs obtained so far has been the poor cellular specificity associated with the toxin's ability to bind and exert its activity in almost any cell membrane. Our final goal is the construction of tumour proteinase-activated ITs using a cysteine mutant at the membrane binding region of sticholysin-I (StI), a cytolysin isolated from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus. The mutant and the ligand moiety would be linked by proteinase-sensitive peptides through the StI cysteine residue blocking the toxin binding region and hence the IT non-specific killing activity. To accomplish this objective the first step was to obtain the mutant StI W111C, and to evaluate the impact of mutating tryptophan 111 by cysteine on the toxin pore-forming capacity. After proteolysis of the cleavage sequence, a short peptide would remain attached to the toxin. The next step was to evaluate whether this mutant is able to form pores even with a residual peptide linked to cysteine 111. In this work we demonstrated that (i) StI W111C shows pore-forming capacity in a nanomolar range, although it is 8-fold less active than the wild-type recombinant StI, corroborating the previously reported importance of residue 111 for the binding of StI to membranes, and (ii) the mutant is able to form pores even with a residual seven-residue peptide linked to cysteine 111. In addition, it was demonstrated that binding of a large molecule to cysteine 111 renders an inactive toxin that is no longer able to bind to the membrane. These results validate the mutant StI W111C for its use in the construction of tumour proteinase-activated ITs.     

Prenatal exposure to lead in Spain: cord blood levels and associated factors

Introduction and Objective

Lead is a known neurotoxic. Fetuses and infants are very vulnerable to lead exposure, since their blood-brain barrier is not completely formed. Hence, there is an importance for monitoring of blood lead levels prenatally and during early infancy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prenatal exposure to lead and its association with maternal factors in four population based mother-child cohorts in Spain. The present research was carried out within the framework of the INMA project INfancia y Medio Ambiente (Environment and Childhood).

Methods

A total of 1462 pregnant women were recruited between 2004 and 2008. Lead was analyzed in a sample of cord blood by thermal decomposition, amalgation, and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Maternal sociodemographic, lifestyle and dietary factors were obtained by questionnaires during pregnancy. A multivariate logistic regression model was constructed. The dependent variable was a dichotomous lead level variable (detected vs no detected, i.e. ≥ vs < 2 μg/dL).

Results

A low percentage of cord blood samples with lead levels ≥ 2 μg/dL were found (5.9%). Geometric mean and maximum were 1.06 μg/dL and 19 μg/dL, respectively. Smoking at the beginning of pregnancy, age, social class, weight gain during pregnancy, gravidity, and place of residence were the maternal factors associated with detectable cord blood lead levels. Mother's diet does not appear to be a determining factor of lead exposure. Nevertheless, daily intake of iron and zinc may act as a protective factor against having cord blood lead levels ≥ 2 μg/dL.

Conclusion

In the different regions of Spain taking part in this study, lead levels to which newborns are exposed are low. Mobilization of lead from bones may be the main contributor to the cord blood levels.     

Surface wind speed reconstruction from synoptic pressure fields: machine learning versus weather regimes classification techniques

This paper tackles a problem of surface wind speed reconstruction based on synoptic‐scale meteorological fields. Specifically, two different approaches are discussed and compared: a pure Machine Learning method, formed by a Support Vector Regression and a genetic algorithm that only considers synoptic pressure as input variable, and a Weather Regimes Classification Technique, based on a k‐means clustering of the main three principal components of the geopotential height field and a simple, but efficient, linear regression between the surface pressure gradient and the observed surface wind. Both algorithms are shown to be accurate enough for wind speed reconstruction at medium latitude regions, even when there are only a few years of observations. These methodologies can also be used for filling gaps in wind speed series and, with some modifications and further research, they could be used for wind speed forecasting. The algorithms proposed are fully described and compared in this paper, and their performance has been comparatively evaluated in several real problems of wind speed reconstruction at three sites (Cabauw (The Netherlands), Capel (Wales, UK) and Kaegnes (Denmark)), obtaining excellent results in terms of wind speed reconstruction with moderate complexity in data processing and algorithms. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chymotrypsin isolation from jumbo squid (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dosidicus gigas</Emphasis>) hepatopancreas: Partial characterization and effect on muscle collagen

Chymotrypsin was purified from jumbo squid hepatopancreas (HP) with 2.4-fold and yield 1.9%, and characterized with a molecular weight of 31 kDa, as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Chymotrypsin effect over collagen extracted from the mantle, fins and arms of the jumbo squid was evaluated. The enzyme exhibited the maximum activity at pH 7 and 65°C using Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-p-nitroanilide (SAAPNA) as a substrate and it was identified using the specific inhibitors N-tosyl-L-phenylalaninechloromethyl ketone (TPCK) and phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), showing residual activities of 6% and 0%, respectively. Furthermore, high activity was observed in the pH range of 4.0 to 8.0. Purified enzyme showed a moderate in vitro activity using muscle collagen as a substrate. Although further research is needed, the results suggest that the enzyme has a potential application where acidic or slightly alkaline conditions are needed.     

Structural Impact of Single Ribonucleotide Residues in DNA

Single ribonucleotide intrusions represent the most common nonstandard nucleotide type found incorporated in genomic DNA, yet little is known of their structural impact. This lesion incurs genomic instability in addition to affecting the physical properties of the DNA. To probe for structural and dynamic effects of single ribonucleotides in various sequence contexts—AxC, CxG, and GxC, where x=rG or dG—we report the structures of three single‐ribonucleotide‐containing DNA duplexes and the corresponding DNA controls. The lesion subtly and locally perturbs the structure asymmetrically on the 3′ side of the lesion in both the riboguanosine‐containing and the complementary strand of the duplex. The perturbations are mainly restricted to the sugar and phosphodiester backbone. The ribose and 3′‐downstream deoxyribose units are predominately in N‐type conformation; backbone torsion angles ? and/or ζ of the ribonucleotide or upstream deoxyribonucleotide are affected. Depending on the flanking sequences, the C2′?OH group forms hydrogen bonds with the backbone, 3′‐neighboring base, and/or sugar. Interestingly, even in similar purine‐rG‐pyrimidine environments (A‐rG‐C and G‐rG‐C), a riboguanosine unit affects DNA in a distinct manner and manifests different hydrogen bonds, which makes generalizations difficult.