Qiqiang Chen^{1, *}, Xinxin Gan², Wei Huang¹, Jingjing Feng¹, H. Shim³

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.65, No.3, pp. 2201-2215, 2020, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2020.011191 - 16 September 2020

Abstract Automatic road damage detection using image processing is an important aspect of road maintenance. It is also a challenging problem due to the inhomogeneity of road damage and complicated background in the road images. In recent years, deep convolutional neural network based methods have been used to address the challenges of road damage detection and classification. In this paper, we propose a new approach to address those challenges. This approach uses densely connected convolution networks as the backbone of the Mask R-CNN to effectively extract image feature, a feature pyramid network for combining multiple scales More >

Chao Guo¹, Cheng Gong², Juan Guo³, Zhanzhen Wei^{1, *}, Yanyan Han¹, Sher Zaman Khan⁴

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.64, No.1, pp. 527-540, 2020, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2020.09788 - 20 May 2020

Abstract Under the background of the rapid development of ground mobile communication, the advantages of high coverage, survivability, and flexibility of satellite communication provide air support to the construction of space information network. According to the requirements of the future space information communication, a software-defined Space-Air-Ground Integrated network architecture was proposed. It consisted of layered structure satellite backbone network, deep space communication network, the stratosphere communication network and the ground network. The SpaceAir-Ground Integrated network was supported by the satellite backbone network. It provided data relay for the missions such as deep space exploration and controlled… More >

Sahar ALZAIN¹, Hana AL SHEIKH¹, Arwa AL THOMALI², Fatimah AL-MUKAYNIZI², Noha ALMOBEREK², Sahar A. ALMALKI², Narasimha Reddy PARINE³, Arjumand WARSY²,

BIOCELL, Vol.44, No.1, pp. 55-62, 2020, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2020.07974 - 01 March 2020

Abstract Residual ridge resorption (RRR) is the decrease in the jaw structure that follows tooth extraction. It is a multifactorial disorder, but reports on the associated genetic factors are scarce, particularly amongst the Saudis. This study aimed to investigate the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 oncogene partner 2 (FGFR1OP2) in RRR development in Saudis. The study included 192 individuals (RRR = 96; controls = 96) attending outpatient clinics at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University. Demographic and clinical data were collected, the digital panoramic dental radiograph was obtained,… More >

Zhiqiang Huang^{1, 2}, Yufeng Nie^{1, *}, Yiqiang Li¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.62, No.1, pp. 245-265, 2020, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2020.06284

Abstract This paper is devoted to the microstructure geometric modeling and mechanical properties computation of cancellous bone. The microstructure of the cancellous bone determines its mechanical properties and a precise geometric modeling of this structure is important to predict the material properties. Based on the microscopic observation, a new microstructural unit cell model is established by introducing the Schwarz surface in this paper. And this model is very close to the real microstructure and satisfies the main biological characteristics of cancellous bone. By using the unit cell model, the multiscale analysis method is newly applied to More >

Alexander H. Wu¹, Supreet Kaur², Sharon Peng², Ashima Kapoor¹, Michael Maroules²

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.26, No.3, pp. 9799-9801, 2019

Abstract Most germ cell tumors are located in the gonads however there are instances where these tumors are located elsewhere in which are termed extragonadal germ cell tumors. When primary lesion of the testicular tumor has regressed, the term “burned-out testicular tumor” has been proposed. We herein report the first case of burned-out seminoma of the testis presenting as a cervical spinal mass causing cord compression with bone metastasis. More >

Xinshan Cao^*, Ling Xu^†, Quanyuan Liu^*, Lijuan Yang^‡, Na Li^§, Xiaoxiao Li^*

Oncology Research, Vol.27, No.3, pp. 301-309, 2019, DOI:10.3727/096504018X15213058045841

Abstract Our study aimed to investigate the roles and possible regulatory mechanism of miR-1277 in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC patients were identified from patients who were diagnosed with focal liver lesions using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The expression levels of miR-1277 in the serum of HCC patients and HepG2 cells were measured. Then miR-1277 mimic, miR-1277 inhibitor, or scramble RNA was transfected into HepG2 cells. The effects of miR-1277 overexpression and suppression on HepG2 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were then investigated. Additionally, the expression levels of epithelial– mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers, including… More >

Simone Goa Diab¹, Kristin Godang², Lil‐Sofie Ording Müller³, Runar Almaas⁴, Charlotte de Lange³, Leif Brunvand¹, Kari Margrethe Hansen¹, Anne Grethe Myhre⁵, Gaute Døhlen¹, Erik Thaulow^1,6, Jens Bollerslev^2,6, Thomas Möller¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.6, pp. 996-1004, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12848

Abstract Objective: We investigated bone mineral density (BMD) at different ages after the Fontan completion, and we evaluated the relationship between BMD, vitamin D levels, and pertinent patient variables.
Methods: A cross‐sectional sample of 64 patients was examined with dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans to determine BMD. Of these patients, 24 were also examined with BoneXpert software to determine bone mass density (BMX), expressed as the bone health index (BHI). Blood samples from all patients were analyzed. Patients were divided into three different age groups; A: 4‐9 years old (n = 22), B: 10‐15 years old (n =… More >

Paolo D’Ambrosio^1,2, Derek Tran^1,2, Charlotte E. Verrall^3,4, Chantal Attard⁵, Maria Fiatarone Singh^6,7, Julian Ayer^3,4,8, Yves d’Udekem^5,9,10, Stephen Twigg^2,11, David S. Celermajer^1,2,12, Rachael Cordina^1,2,5

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.6, pp. 987-995, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12836

Abstract Objective and Patients: This study aimed to characterize bone mineral density abnormalities and pathophysiological associations in young adults living with a Fontan circulation.
Design: Participants underwent bone mineral density measurement using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry and serum biochemical analysis, cardiopulmonary exercise and strength testing and transthoracic echocardiography.
Results: In our cohort (n = 28), 29% had osteopenic‐range bone mineral density and one patient was osteoporotic (average hip t score: −0.6 ± 1.1; spine t score: −0.6 ± 0.9). Four patients (14%) had z scores < −2.0. Parathyroid hormone levels were increased compared with laboratory median (6.1 ± 3.5 vs… More >

Pan Zhang^1,2, Chen Zhang^1,2, Jiyang Han^1,2, Xiru Liu^1,2, Qishan Wang³, Hui Yang^1,2,4,*

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 132-132, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.06839

Abstract Research in stem cell biology relies on the knowledge of the cell microenvironment in vivo, known as “stem cell niche”, where stem cells are nurtured by the niche signals. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are capable of continuously generating and maintaining the body’s full immune and hematopoietic systems. In adult, a pool of hematopoietic cells, including HSCs, primarily reside in the bone marrow (BM) niches that plays critical roles on cell fate. Niche supporting cells, cytokines, extracellular matrix proteins and other biochemical cues associated with HSCs behaviors (quiescence, self-renewal, proliferation, differentiation, mobilization, homing, and apoptosis) has… More >

Taiji Adachi^1,*, Yoshitaka Kameo¹

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 88-88, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07417

Abstract Bone adaptation by remodeling is a process to change its outer shape and internal structure to the changing mechanical environment by osteoclastic bone resorption and osteoblastic bone formation. These cellular activities are regulated by mechanosensory network of osteocytes embedded in bone matrix. An imbalance between bone resorption and formation due to low loadings or disuse results in metabolic bone disorders such as osteoporosis. Many studies have identified various signaling pathways that regulate these cellular activities; however, the physiological and pathological conditions of bone as a system remain difficult to understand because of the complexity of… More >