The presented system (Unicam) offers a complex state-of-the-art machine vision equipment and technology to provide automated video image vehicle detection devices dedicated for traffic monitoring ...applications. The system provides real time video image capturing, digital signal processing, compression, storage, and transmission over communication interfaces. It uses proprietary artificial intelligence algorithms and special image processing modules to achieve highly accurate vehicles detection. According to the users' needs, the system can be used for detection of red-light violations at road intersections, speed measurement, traffic data collection, video recording, or surveillance. Yet another possible application of the system is surveys based on license plate recognition for transportation engineers, stolen car searching, or toll-tag data collection. The system functionality has been improved by coupling camera sensors with specialized real-time processing units and adding networking capability. Implementation of video detection algorithms, hardware design units, and networking features are also discussed.
Particle rendering engine in DSP and FPGA Zemcik, P.; Herout, A.; Crha, L. ...
Proceedings. 11th IEEE International Conference and Workshop on the Engineering of Computer-Based Systems, 2004,
2004
Conference Proceeding
We present an algorithm for rendering 3D point-clouds, which exploits an FPGA chip coupled with a DSP processor on an experimental board. Point-clouds are sets of graphical data in 3D space, which ...seem to be more suitable for potentially many purposes than the most frequently, used triangle meshes. The actual experimental implementation, which verifies the concept and reports promising results, is also described.
A summary of new knowledge on embryo implantation in dependence on quality of the endometrium.
Literature review from August 2022 of the relevant publications in Web of Science, Scopus and ...PubMed/Medline databases, focused on “endometrial receptivity”, “polycystic ovary syndrome”, “endometriosis”, “SARS-CoV-2”.
The receptive state of the endometrium is a result of physiological remodeling and immune system activity modulated by the microbio-me. This balance can be disturbed by myomas, polyps, sactosalpings, adenomyosis, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, infections. The effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection is being discussed. For a successful implantation, timing of transfer is crucial. The ultrasound examination is used conventionally. In specific cases, hysteroscopy and endometrium bio-psy are recommended. Histological and immunohistochemical evaluation is performed together with examination of microbio-me or transcriptome. To support the implantation, gestagenes are used, or metformin in the patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. In cases of a repeated implantation failure, the intrauterine infusion of mononuclear cells or platelet rich plasma is used, subcutaneous application of granulocyte colony stimulating growth factor, intravenous application of atosiban or intrauterine application of human chorionic gonadotropin.
Recent research in the field of transcriptomics, proteomics and reproductive immunology uncovers the process of implantation more deeply and opens a new stage of the assisted reproduction.
A two-year-old female Prague Ratter dog was presented for evaluation of cough, exercise intolerance and worsening dyspnea. A previous treatment with antibiotics did not resolve the clinical signs. A ...diagnostic approach revealed peripheral eosinophilia, endoscopic bronchial changes, and bronchoalveolar lavage with eosinophilic inflammation. Thoracic radiographs revealed a solitary mass and bilateral interstitial lung pattern. These radiographic findings were confirmed by computed tomography and ultrasound-guided biopsy of the lung mass. Treatment with prednisolone and azathioprine was initiated. Two months afterwards, the granuloma was no longer detectable radiographically. All medication was gradually discontinued after nine months and currently, after almost three years, the dog remains free of clinical signs.
Abstract
Study question
Is there a relationship between concentration of Bisphenol A (BPA), Zn contents and Zn/Cu ratio in seminal fluid and spermiogram parameters in men with varicocele?
Summary ...answer
Our results document correlations between BPA, Zn/Cu and sperm motility. We found that the negative effect of BPA can be attenuated by higher Zn/Cu levels.
What is known already
A range of environmental factors including organic endocrine disruptors affects spermatogenesis. Bisphenols are endocrine disruptors often used in production of plastics. BPA is an endocrine disruptor with negative effects on reproduction. Presence of BPA also induces production of reactive oxygen species with negative impact on spermatogenesis. Zinc and copper are trace elements important for human spermatogenesis. Zn and especially the ratio of Zn/Cu are good parameters of the antioxidant potential of seminal plasma. The relationship between BPA levels, Zn concentration and Zn/Cu ratio with human sperm parameters is still unclear.
Study design, size, duration
In this study, we evaluated correlation between BPA concentration, Zn concentration and ratio of Zn/Cu in seminal plasma in relation to sperm concentration, number of spermatozoa, total motility, progressive motility, morphology and DNA fragmentation. A total of 123 nonsmoking patients aged 18 - 45 (average 28) years with varicocele were included in this prospective study from 2019 to 2021.
Participants/materials, setting, methods
All the men signed an informed consent and agreed with analyses. Ethical Committee of University Hospital Brno approved analyses. Seminal plasma was collected after centrifugation. BPA was determined by the LC-MS/MS method (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry). The concentrations of Zn and Cu were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Agilent 8900 ICP-MS/MS). Statistical evaluation was performed using Spearmen test (p = 0.05). The relationship between parameters was expressed by Spearman's correlation coefficient (ρ).
Main results and the role of chance
Analytical examination of seminal fluids detected presence of BPA in 89 samples (72.3 % of all samples analysed with average value 0.1627 ng/ml). In 18 samples, the concentration was under the level of detection and in 16 samples under the level of quantification. Zn was detected in all 123 patients with average concentration 139.44 µg/ml. The Zn/Cu ratio was calculated with average value 1.73. Subsequently, individual parameters of spermiogram plus DNA integrity were assessed. In case of BPA, negative correlations were found between BPA concentration and total motility (p = 0.010) and progressive motility (p = 0.012). Similarly, positive significant correlations between Zn/Cu ratio and total motility (p = 0.032) and progressive motility (p = 0.028) were found. For Zn concentration, we found positive non-significant correlation with total motility (p = 0.144) or progressive motility (p = 0.147). There were non-significant correlations between the BPA, Zn/Cu ratio or Zn and other parameters. Similarly, for BPA and Zn/Cu ratio a non-significant positive correlation was found (p = 0.157) and neither significant correlation was found between BPA and Zn (p = 0.452). In several cases we observed normal progressive and total motility in patients with high BPA concentrations together with high Zn/Cu ratio which probably has a protecting effect from the high BPA levels.
Limitations, reasons for caution
A limitation for this study is the final number of patients analysed in this study, which slightly reduced the power of statistical analysis. Currently, more analyses focused on detection of BPA in seminal plasma are being carried out in order to obtain sufficiently larger data set.
Wider implications of the findings
In this study, BPA was detected in 72 % of analysed samples. Our first results indicate a higher sensitivity of spermatozoa to BPA presence in seminal fluid, affecting mainly their motility. Interestingly, a higher Zn/Cu ratio is potent to reduce partially the negative impact of BPA on human spermatozoa.
Trial registration number
Supported by Czech Health Research Council (NV18-01-00544 and NV18-08-00291) and MH CZ – DRO (FNBr, 65269705). Jana Navratilova was supported by the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/19_074/0012727). Authors also thanks to Research Infrastructure RECETOX RI (No LM2018121) financed by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, and Operational Programme Research, Development and Innovation - project CETOCOEN EXCELLENCE (No CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/17_043/0009632) for supportive background.
As a step towards clinical use of AAV-mediated gene therapy, brains of large animals are used to settle delivery parameters as most brain connections, and relative sizes in large animals and ...primates, are reasonably common. Prior to application in the clinic, approaches that have shown to be successful in rodent models are tested in larger animal species, such as dogs, non-human primates, and in this case, minipigs.
We evaluated alternate delivery routes to target the basal ganglia by injections into the more superficial corona radiata, and, deeper into the brain, the thalamus. Anatomically known connections can be used to predict the expression of the transgene following infusion of AAV5. For optimal control over delivery of the vector with regards to anatomical location in the brain and spread in the tissue, we have used magnetic resonance image-guided convection-enhanced diffusion delivery.
While the transduction of the cortex was observed, only partial transduction of the basal ganglia was achieved via the corona radiata. Thalamic administration, on the other hand, resulted in widespread transduction from the midbrain to the frontal cortex
Compared to other methods, such as delivery directly to the striatum, thalamic injection may provide an alternative when for instance, injection into the basal ganglia directly is not feasible.
The study results suggest that thalamic administration of AAV5 has significant potential for indications where the transduction of specific areas of the brain is required.
•The minipig brain was used to model AAV delivery to the CNS.•Both superficial and deep areas can targeted by MRI guided infusion.•Anterograde and retrograde transduction patterns observed.•With thalamic delivery a broad range of transduction can be achieved in areas away from the injection site.
Neutron imaging on the VR-1 reactor Crha, J; Sklenka, L; Soltes, J
Journal of physics. Conference series,
09/2016, Letnik:
746, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Training reactor VR-1 is a low power research reactor with maximal thermal power of 1 kW. The reactor is operated by the Faculty of Nuclear Science and Physical Engineering of the Czech Technical ...University in Prague. Due to its low power it suits as a tool for education of university students and training of professionals. In 2015, as part of student research project, neutron imaging was introduced as another type of reactor utilization. The low available neutron flux and the limiting spatial and construction capabilities of the reactor's radial channel led to the development of a special filter collimator insertion inside the channel and choosing a nonstandard approach by placing a neutron imaging plate inside the channel. The paper describes preliminary experiments carried out on the VR-1 reactor which led to first radiographic images. It seems, that due to the reactor construction and low reactor power, the neutron imaging technique on the VR-1 reactor is feasible mainly for demonstration or educational and training purposes.
The objective of this study was to evaluate potential changes in intraocular pressure in spontaneously breathing dogs undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy with capnoperitoneum. Twenty bitches ...undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy were enrolled in a prospective clinical trial. The dogs were under general anaesthesia and were breathing spontaneously throughout the entire period of the procedure. Capnoperitoneum was then established with an intra-abdominal pressure setting of 10 mmHg. Collected data included intraocular pressure, pupil size, heart rate, respiratory frequency, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure, end-tidal CO2, oxygen saturation of haemoglobin and tidal volume. Data were recorded 5 min before starting CO2-insufflation (baseline), after capnoperitoneum establishment (T0), and at further 5-min intervals (T5, T10, T15, T20, T25, T30). Compared to baseline, pupil size was increased at T30 (P = 0.03) and respiratory frequency at T25 (P < 0.01) and T30 (P = 0.02). No other significant changes were found regarding intraocular pressure. Our data show that the induction of an intra-abdominal pressure of 10 mmHg for a 30-min laparoscopy with the use of medetomidine-butorfanol-propofol-isoflurane in spontaneously breathing dogs in the horizontal position does not result in any important changes in intraocular pressure or end-tidal CO2.
Purpose
Aim of this prospective observational study was to analyze fertility status of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients treated with different types of chemotherapy while receiving GnRH analogues to ...preserve ovarian function.
Methods
Fertility status was assessed among 108 females in reproductive age treated by curative chemotherapy for freshly diagnosed HL between 2005 and 2010 in university-based tertiary fertility and oncology center. All patients received GnRH analogues during chemotherapy to preserve their ovarian function. Their reproductive functions were assessed by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) measurement and pregnancy achievement. Ovarian function was determined separately in three groups with increasing gonadotoxicity of chemotherapy.
Results
One year following the treatment, normal ovarian function was found in 89 (82.4 %) of patients. Two years after chemotherapy, 98 (90.7 %) of patients retained their ovarian function, and 23 (21.3 %) achieved clinical pregnancy during the follow-up period. Average FSH after chemotherapy was 11.6 ± 17.9 IU/l 1 year after the treatment resp. 9.0 ± 13.8 at the 2 years interval. There were significantly more patients with chemotherapy induced diminished ovarian reserve (chDOR) among the group receiving escalated BEACOPP chemotherapy in comparison with the other types of treatment (58.1 % vs. 87.9 % resp. 95.5 %).
Conclusion
The rate of chDOR is significantly higher after EB poly-chemotherapy and there is no tendency for improvement in time. The 2 + 2 chemotherapy with GnRH-a required for more advanced HL retained ovarian function significantly better after 2 years. Another important advantage of GnRH-a co-treatment is the excellent control of patient’s menstrual cycle.
BACKGROUND Frequent negative consequence of chemotherapy (CHT) is ovarian damage and premature ovarian failure (POF). Aim of this prospective case–control study is evaluation of GnRH analogue ...(GnRH-a) administration to patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) during CHT and prevention of ovarian damage depending upon CHT regimen. METHODS Study group consists of 72 patients in fertile age (18–35 years) with HL diagnosis treated in 2004–2005 by curative CHT together with GnRH analogue (Triptorelin) administration according to a standardized protocol. Patients were divided into three groups according to the stage of disease and treated by three types of CHT regimens (A,B,C) with increased cytotoxicity. Ovarian function of all patients was assessed by gonadotrophin levels (FSH, LH) analysis from peripheral blood before treatment and also 6 and 12 month after it. The number of women with POF after CHT in study group was compared with control group (n = 45, age 18–35 years) of patients treated in 2002–2003 according to the same protocol but without protective GnRH analogue application. RESULTS In study group with GnRH analogue administration during CHT, there was significantly (P < 0.001) fewer cases with POF 6 and 12 month after the end of CHT (37.5% and 20.8%, respectively) than in control group (73.3% and 71.1%, respectively). Comparative analysis depending on cytotoxicity of CHT regimen used showed significant differences in percentage of patient with acquired POF between study and control group only in less aggressive CHT protocols. CONCLUSIONS Study showed a significant reduction of ovarian failure risk in women with HL treated with less aggressive CHT regimens plus a GnRH analogue.
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