SigmaScan Software Research Articles

Gait analysis of goat at different slopes and study on biomimetic walking mechanism

To study the walking status of a goat on slope and the walking mechanics, a comparative analysis of the walking gait mode of a goat on different slopes was conducted. The uphill and downhill walking processes on different slopes (6°, 18° and 36°) were recorded by a high speed video system. The experimental image results were processed and analyzed via SigmaScan software and MATLAB software. The characteristic parameters of locomotion gait on the different slopes and the angle change curves of each goat leg in the process of slope movement indicated that the goat performed tetrapod gait, static gait, ipsilateral gait and trot gait on different slopes. With the increase of gradient in the uphill process, the corresponding load factors of each leg were 0.65±0.15, 0.75 and 0.645±0.205, whereas those in the downhill process were 0.70±0.08, 0.66±0.06, and 0.685±0.125. Results showed that the load factors of each leg are higher than 0.5. The foreleg angle of  (the angle of wrist joints), which ranges from 100° to 130°, is suitable for different slopes. However, the angle of  (the angle between the thigh and the forward direction in the walking process of goat), which ranges from 99° to 109°, is suitable for the 6° slope, whereas the angle ranging from 46° to 91° is suitable for the 18° slope and 36° slope. For the hind leg, the angle of , which ranges from 105° to 153°, is suitable for the different slopes. The angle of , which ranges from 128° to 150°, is suitable for the different slopes. The research can provide a theoretical basis and experimental data for the design of biomimetic agricultural slope walking mechanism. Keywords: biomimetic walking, goat gait, slope walking mechanism, agricultural robot, SigmaScan, MATLAB DOI: 10.3965/j.ijabe.20160903.2260 Citation: Zhang F, Wang W, Zhang G Y, Wang J, Qiu Z M, Mao P J. Gait analysis of goat at different slopes and study on biomimetic walking mechanism. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2016; 9(3): 40－47.

Differences in second-intention wound healing of distal aspect of the limb between Caspian miniature horses and donkeys: macroscopical aspects

In this study, second-intention healing of limb wounds was studied in donkeys and Caspian miniature horses. Full-thickness, rectangular (2 × 3 cm) skin wounds were created on the lateral aspect of left metacarpi of four donkeys and four Caspian horses. Wound healing process was compared between limb wounds of donkeys and Caspian horses by clinical and geometrical assessments, over a 4-week period. At days 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, and 28, digital photographs were taken of all wounds. The area of epithelialization and granulation tissue was measured for each wound using sigma scan software. Percentages of wound contraction, epithelialization, and healing were calculated for each wound. The clinical and geometrical evaluation revealed that there were significant differences in second-intention wound healing patterns between donkeys and Caspian horses. The donkeys limb wound healed much faster and in better condition than the limb wound of the Caspian horses. Based on results of this study, it can be concluded that although Caspian miniature horses and donkeys have same body size, it seems that due to genetic differences, considerable heterogeneity was observed in second-intention wound healing between them.

Comparison of GPX with or without solvent and hand files in removing filling materials from root canals—An ex vivo study

The aim of this study was to compare GPX instruments and hand files for gutta-percha removal. Fifty maxillary central incisors with a single straight canal were instrumented and filled. The teeth were divided into 5 groups of 10 specimens each, according to the gutta-percha removal techniques: group 1: GPX (21-mm-long teeth); group 2: GPX and xylol as solvent (21-mm-long teeth); group 3: GPX (25-mm-long teeth); group 4: GPX and xylol as solvent (25-mm-long teeth); and group 5: hand files and xylol as solvent. The amount of time for gutta-percha removal and the number of fractured instruments were evaluated. Radiographs were taken, and the teeth were grooved longitudinally and split. The area of residual debris was measured using Sigma Scan software. The time for filling material removal was significantly shorter when GPX was used (P < .05). Overall, hand files and solvent produced fewer remnants of filling materials (P < .05). In the GPX 25 mm-long teeth group, the filling material was not removed in the apical third. Under the experimental conditions, the GPX instruments proved to be faster than hand instruments in removing root filling materials; however, hand instruments left a smaller amount of residual filling materials on the canal walls. The GPX instruments did not pull the gutta-percha beyond its tip.

Abstract 4116: Electrocardiographic Markers of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy: A reappraisal

Background: The Task Force criteria for diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) rely on depolarization and repolarization abnormalities detected on a surface ECG. Terminal activation delay (TAD) has recently been presented as specific and sensitive marker of ARVD/C. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of TAD in patients with ARVD/C. Methods : In a cohort of 74 patients with definite ARVD/C (51% male); age 36 ± 12 years) and 48 phenotypically normal non cardiac patients (35% male); age 35 ± 14 years) we studied the ECG criteria used to diagnose ARVD/C with specific a focus on TAD. The parameters analyzed were: T wave inversion (TWI) in ≥ V2, TWI ≥ V3, epsilon wave, QRS ≥ 110ms in V1 to V3, parietal block defined as QRSd V1–V6 or V2–V6 or V3–V6 &gt;25 ms in the presence of QRS ≥ 100ms in at least 2 right precordial leads, TAD in V1-V3 and QRSd in V1+V2+V3/V4+V5+V6 ≥ 1.2. Sigma scan software was used for the ECG analysis. Results : In the ARVD/C group, the prevalence of TWI ≥ V2 was 82%, TWI ≥ V3 was 66%, epsilon wave: 1%, QRSd ≥ 110ms V1-V3: 39%, parietal block: 16%, TAD: 46 %, QRSd ratio ≥ 1.2: 19%. In the non cardiac group the prevalence of TWI ≥ V2 was 6 %, TWI ≥ V3: 6%, epsilon wave: 0%, QRSd ≥ 110ms V1–V3: 4%, parietal block: 2%, TAD: 12%, and QRSd ratio ≥ 1.2: 4% (Figure). Conclusion : The results of this study reveal that terminal activation delay has only moderate sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of ARVD/C. Our results also reveal that T wave inversion in the right precordial leads is a very sensitive marker of ARVD/C.

Decreasing Intracellular Superoxide Corrects Defective Ischemia-induced New Vessel Formation in Diabetic Mice

Tissue ischemia promotes vasculogenesis through chemokine-induced recruitment of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Diabetes significantly impairs this process. Because hyperglycemia increases reactive oxygen species in a number of cell types, and because many of the defects responsible for impaired vasculogenesis involve HIF1-regulated genes, we hypothesized that HIF1 function is impaired in diabetes because of reactive oxygen species-induced modification of HIF1alpha by the glyoxalase 1 (GLO1) substrate methylglyoxal. Decreasing superoxide in diabetic mice by either transgenic expression of manganese superoxide dismutase or by administration of an superoxide dismutase mimetic corrected post-ischemic defects in neovascularization, oxygen delivery, and chemokine expression, and normalized tissue survival. In hypoxic fibroblasts cultured in high glucose, overexpression of GLO1 prevented reduced expression of both the EPC mobilizing chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and of vascular epidermal growth factor, which modulates growth and differentiation of recruited EPCs. In hypoxic EPCs cultured in high glucose, overexpression of GLO1 prevented reduced expression of both the SDF-1 receptor CXCR4, and endothelial nitric-oxide synthase, an enzyme essential for EPC mobilization. HIF1alpha modification by methylglyoxal reduced heterodimer formation and HIF1alpha binding to all relevant promoters. These results provide a basis for the rational design of new therapeutics to normalize impaired ischemia-induced vasculogenesis in patients with diabetes.

Abstract 1337: Attenuation of the Leptin-Induced Hypertrophy by NF-kB Inhibition Requires Activation of AMPK in Neonatal Cardiomyocytes

Introduction: Leptin, a 16 kDa product of the obesity gene, has been shown to be elevated in patients with heart failure. Recently we demonstrated that leptin induces hypertrophy in cultured cardiomyocytes, however the molecular mechanisms underlying the hypertrophic effect of leptin remain to be elucidated. In the present study we investigated whether nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) and adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase (AMPK) are key mediators in leptin-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Methods and Results: Leptin (3.1 nM) treatment for 24 hrs increased cell surface area by 40% (P&lt;0.002) as measured by Sigma scan software. The increase in cell surface area was completely blocked by NF-kB activation inhibitor (1μM) and AICAR (1 mM), the AMPK activator (P&lt;0.001). Incubation with leptin for 24 hrs had no effect on PRKA-α (α-subunit of AMPK) but upregulated the PRKAβ2 (β-subunit of AMPK) gene by 85% (P&lt;0.04) as determined by real-time PCR. In contrast, AICAR treatment increased the PRKA-α by 256% (P&lt;0.02) but not the PRKA-β gene. The leptin-dependent 90% increase in α-skeletal actin, a hypertrophic marker gene was inhibited by AICAR (P&lt;0.01). Western blot analysis revealed that leptin treatment for 5 min increased the phosphorylation of IkBs, a group of cytoplasmic NF-kB inhibitors by 51% (P&lt;0.03). Phosphorylation triggers their degradation and allows NF-kB to translocate into the nucleus. Leptin-induced IkB-α phosphorylation was associated with significant activation of NF-kB p65 by phosphorylation at Ser536 which is important for translocation into the nucleus. Inhibition of NF-kB induced upregulation of P-Thr172-AMPK but not P-Ser485 AMPK levels. Cglitazone (5 μM), a potent and selective PPAR-γ ligand, or AICAR treatment for 30 min significantly upregulated the expression of P-Thr172-AMPK while leptin had no effect. In addition, AICAR treatment for 24 hrs increased the expression of PPAR-γ by 450% (P&lt;0.006), FATCD36 by 35% (P&lt;0.03) and GLUT1 by 220% (P&lt;0.03). Conclusion : Attenuation of leptin-induced hypertrophy by NF-kB inhibition is mediated by AMPK activation. The anti-hypertrophic effect of AMPK activation is mediated through upregulation of PPAR-γ, FATCD36 and GLUT1 genes expression responsible for maintaining energy homeostasis.

A quantitative analysis of rotary, ultrasonic and manual techniques to treat proximally flattened root canals

Objective:The efficiency of rotary, manual and ultrasonic root canal instrumentation techniques was investigated in proximally flattened root canals.Material and Methods:Forty human mandibular left and right central incisors, lateral incisors and premolars were used. The pulp tissue was removed and the root canals were filled with red die. Teeth were instrumented using three techniques: (i) K3 and ProTaper rotary systems; (ii) ultrasonic crown-down technique; and (iii) progressive manual technique. Roots were bisected longitudinally in a buccolingual direction. The instrumented canal walls were digitally captured and the images obtained were analyzed using the Sigma Scan software. Canal walls were evaluated for total canal wall area versus noninstrumented area on which dye remained.Results:No statistically significant difference was found between the instrumentation techniques studied (p<0.05).Conclusion:The findings of this study showed that no instrumentation technique was 100% efficient to remove the dye.

Efficacy of Two Rotary NiTi Instruments in the Removal of Gutta-Percha During Root Canal Retreatment

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ProTaper and K3 in the removal of gutta-percha during root canal retreatment in comparison with hand Hedstrom files. Time of gutta-percha removal and amount of apically extruded debris were also evaluated. Sixty extracted single-rooted anterior teeth and premolars were instrumented and obturated with laterally condensed gutta-percha technique. The teeth were cleared and randomly divided into three groups of 20 teeth each. The roots were split longitudinally, digital images were created using a scanner, and the areas of remaining filling material were traced using Ulead Photoimpact7 then calculated using SigmaScan software. The results indicated that the two rotary nickel-titanium instruments left significantly less remaining filling material than hand instruments (p < 0.001). The ProTaper and K3 required significantly less time for filling material removal than hand instruments (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference among the three techniques regarding the amount of apically extruded debris (p = 0.159). In conclusion, ProTaper and K3 were found to be effective and faster in removing gutta-percha.

In vitro evaluation of the marginal microleakage of amalgam restorations associated with dentin adhesive, glass ionomer cement and cavity varnish by means of different evaluation methods

This in vitro study evaluated the marginal microleakage of amalgam restorations associated with the cavity varnish Copalite - Cooley & Cooley (GI-CP), dentin adhesive OptiBond Solo - Kerr (GII-OS) and the glass ionomer cement Vitremer - 3M (GIII-VT). Forty-five premolars were employed, which were submitted to independent class II preparations at the mesial and distal aspects comprising the marginal ridges and were restored with Dispersalloy - Dentsply. Afterwards, the teeth were thermocycled and stored in 0.5% basic fuchsine for 24 hours. The evaluations were conducted on a light microscope with 150x magnification and on the Sigma Scan software with employment of a single line and segmented lines. Data analysis allowed to establish that none of the materials was able to eliminate the marginal microleakage, having the GI - CP presented greater and statistically significant values in relation to the other groups in all evaluation methods (p<0.05). The lowest values were displayed by the GIII-VT, yet with no statistically significant difference when compared to GII-OS, except for the evaluation at the Sigma Scan in single line. The three evaluation methods showed a strong positive relationship to each other.

The Effect of MTAD on the Coronal Leakage of Obturated Root Canals

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of smear-layer removal using MTAD on coronal leakage of obturated root canals using a dye-leakage test. Fifty, extracted, single-rooted, human teeth were cleaned and shaped and divided into 5 equal groups of 10 each. The smear layer in groups 1 to 3 was left intact. The smear layer in groups 4 and 5 was removed using 17% EDTA or MTAD, respectively. After obturation of root canals, the access opening to each canal was filled with India ink for 48 h. The depth of coronal-dye penetration was measured using the Sigmascan software. ANOVA showed statistically significant differences among the groups (p < 0.05). Samples treated with MTAD yielded significantly less leakage than samples treated with sodium hypochlorite. The amount of dye penetration was not statistically different between teeth treated with MTAD or EDTA (p = 0.062).

Triticeous cartilage: Prevalence on panoramic radiographs and diagnostic criteria

To determine (1) the prevalence of calcified triticeous cartilage on panoramic radiographs of subjects older than 40 years of age, (2) the age and sex distribution of the subjects who have calcified triticeous cartilage, and (3) if the shape of triticeous cartilage differs from that of calcified carotid atheroma. In this retrospective study, triticeous cartilages were diagnosed from 847 panoramic radiographs. The shapes of triticeous cartilages and calcified carotid atheromas were determined using SigmaScan software. Prevalence of triticeous cartilage was 5.0% in males and 12.0% in females. The prevalence was 9.3% in the 40- to 60-year-old group (n=464) and 7.8% in the group older than 60 years (n=383). The triticeous cartilages were oval with smooth borders, whereas calcified carotid atheromas were mostly linear. Calcified triticeous cartilage was more prevalent in females. The prevalence was not age dependent. Shape, outline, and location of the triticeous cartilage can help in differentiating it from a carotid atheroma.

Quantifying Turfgrass Color Using Digital Image Analysis

Color is a major component of the aesthetic quality of turf and often evaluated in field studies. Digital image analysis may be an improved, objective method to quantify turf color. Studies were conducted to determine if digital image analysis with SigmaScan software (SPSS, Chicago, IL) was capable of: (i) accurately determining the hue, saturation, and brightness (HSB) levels of Munsell Plant Tissue color chips, (ii) quantifying visual color differences among zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) and creeping bentgrass {Agrostis palustris Huds. [= A. stolonifera var. palustris (Huds.) Farw.]} plots receiving various N treatments, and (iii) quantifying genetic color differences among bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) cultivars. Digital images of turf plots were analyzed with SigmaScan software to determine average HSB levels for each image. A dark green color index (DGCI) was created from HSB values for direct comparison with visual ratings. Digital image analysis accurately quantified the HSB levels (r2 = 0.99, 0.96, and 0.97, respectively) of Munsell color chips corresponding to turf colors. Significant HSB differences were present among N treatments in creeping bentgrass, while only significant hue differences existed in zoysiagrass. Significant hue and saturation differences were present among bermudagrass cultivars. There was strong agreement between DGCI values and visual ratings. The relative variances of the HSB and DGCI were significantly less than the variance associated with multiple raters. This evaluation technique may facilitate objective comparisons of turf color across researchers, locations, and years when images are collected under equal lighting conditions (i.e., the use of an artificial light source at night or in an enclosed system).

Frequency and distribution of DNA fragmentation as a marker of cell death in chronic liver diseases.

To study the early stages of cell death in various types of chronic liver injury, liver biopsies from a total of 26 patients, including 7 with chronic hepatitis C(CHC), 4 with chronic hepatitis B(CHB), 7 with alcoholic liver disease (ALD), 4 with autoimmune or drug hepatitis (AI/DH), and 4 with primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC), were examined by an in situ nucleotidyl transferase assay (ISNTA), which detects DNA fragmentation. Positive nuclei in hepatocytes and sinusoidal lining cells were counted in all parenchymal areas, excluding triads and areas of fibrosis, using a computer with Sigmascan software. The number of positive hepatocytes/mm2 was similar in the biopsies of patients with CHC, CHB, ALD and AI/DH, but significantly lower in PBC. The number of positive sinusoidal lining cells/mm2 was significantly greater in biopsies with CHC compared to CHB, ALD, AI/DH and PBC. Double staining revealed that the ISNTA-positive sinusoidal lining cells were also CD68 positive, indicating that they were Kupffer cells. The frequency of ISNTA positivity did not correlate with serum AST or ALT levels, steatosis, cell swelling or cirrhosis. ISNTA-positive hepatocytes were more frequent than acidophilic bodies in every disease category. We conclude that apoptosis may be a common pathway of cell death in different liver diseases, that the high frequency of DNA fragmentation in Kupffer cells in CHC suggests that during chronic hepatitis C infection activated Kupffer cells may be subject to regulatory control by apoptosis and that ISNTA is more sensitive than acidophilic bodies in assessing the degree of cell injury in the liver.

Enhanced expression of bcl-2 following antisense oligonucleotide mediated growth factor deprivation.

Although the role of bcl-2 in apoptosis has been described, its involvement in prostate cancer (CAP) progression is less well understood, but thought to be involved with the transition of CAP from androgen-sensitivity to androgen-independence, where its expression is augmented following androgen ablation. For treating these recurrent androgen-independent tumors, following hormone treatment failure, a new tier of therapy based upon growth factor deprivation has been suggested, implemented by antisense oligonucleotides (oligos) directed against mRNA encoding a critical growth regulatory autocrine loop (comprised of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and its binding site, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). To determine whether oligo-induced growth factor deprivation therapy similarly enhanced expression of bcl-2 (as follows androgen deprivation) human prostate cancer derived PC-3 cells were treated in vitro with oligos directed against TGF-alpha (MR-1) and/or EGFR (MR-2). After 5 days of treatment cells were immunochemically stained for human bcl-2. In similar experiments, cells were treated for 3 days prior to extraction of proteins, Western blot analysis, photography and computer evaluation of protein density by SigmaScan software. Immunostained cells treated with oligos directed against mRNA encoding TGF-alpha (MR-1) either alone or in combination with that directed against EGFR (MR-2) had increased bcl-2 expression (+3 to +5). In addition, the intensity of Western blots scanned for bcl-2 expression were 19%, 32% and 30% greater in cells treated with oligos directed against TGF-alpha, EGFR or their combination, respectively. We conclude that enhanced bcl-2 expression followed antisense oligo induced growth factor deprivation. This result is similar to that found upon androgen deprivation therapy, and also demonstrates additional biologic activity of this new class of molecular therapeutic agents.

Optimal conditions required for the creation of an iatrogenic chorioretinal venous anastomosis in the dog using argon green laser photocoagulation

We have previously reported iatrogenic retinal to choroidal vein anastomosis, developed as a potential method of by-passing the site of obstruction to venous outflow in retinal venous occlusion in dogs (1), and in rats (2). In order to minimise tissue damage to the retina and choroid and increase the rate of success in these experiments, we investigated in the dog model the factors that would promote an anastomosis and compare the effects of three different power levels. A small spot size (50 microns) argon green laser beam of 514 nm at power levels of 0.5w, 1.5w and 2.5w were used. Spaced serial sections from each lesion were examined by light and by transmission electron microscopy. Morphometric measurements of the corresponding retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/glial scar was computed using IBMPC digitising pad and sigma scan software and the extent of tissue damage at the different power levels assessed. At the lowest power level of 0.5w the damage to the retina was mild and there was an absence of anastomosis formation. At the 1.5w power level an anastomosis formed in 40% of the lesions. At the highest power level of 2.5w a 71% rate of success was obtained however, the damage to the retina tended to be severe. The results of this study also indicate that disruption of Bruch's membrane and vein rupture at the time of irradiation are essential for anastomosis formation, which may be further enhanced by necrotic tissue, retinal pigment epithelial and glial scar formation and inflammation. These findings are useful in establishing optimal conditions for the creation of a chorioretinal venous anastomosis, for consideration in human trials.