Pixel-Wise Symbol Spotting via Progressive Points Location for Parsing CAD Images

Parsing Computer-Aided Design (CAD) drawings is a fundamental step for CAD revision, semantic-based management, and the generation of 3D prototypes in both the architecture and engineering industries. Labeling symbols from a CAD drawing is a challenging yet notorious task from a practical point of view. In this work, we propose to label and spot symbols from CAD images that are converted from CAD drawings. The advantage of spotting symbols from CAD images lies in the low requirement of labelers and the low-cost annotation. However, pixel-wise spotting symbols from CAD images is challenging work. We propose a pixel-wise point location via Progressive Gaussian Kernels (PGK) to balance between training efficiency and location accuracy. Besides, we introduce a local offset to the heatmap-based point location method. Based on the keypoints detection, we propose a symbol grouping method to redraw the rectangle symbols in CAD images. We have released a dataset containing CAD images of equipment rooms from telecommunication industrial CAD drawings. Extensive experiments on this real-world dataset show that the proposed method has good generalization ability.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures,6 table

Effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate on bovine oocytes matured

Objective Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a major ingredient of catechin polyphenols and is considered one of the most promising bioactive compounds in green tea because of its strong antioxidant properties. However, the protective role of EGCG in bovine oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) has not been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to study the effects of EGCG on IVM of bovine oocytes. Methods Bovine oocytes were treated with different concentrations of EGCG (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 μM), and the nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, cumulus cell expansion, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, total antioxidant capacity, the early apoptosis and the developmental competence of in vitro fertilized embryos were measured. The mRNA abundances of antioxidant genes (nuclear factor erythriod-2 related factor 2 [NRF2], superoxide dismutase 1 [SOD1], catalase [CAT], and glutathione peroxidase 4 [GPX4]) in matured bovine oocytes were also quantified. Results Nuclear maturation which is characterized by first polar body extrusion, and cytoplasmic maturation characterized by peripheral and cortical distribution of cortical granules and homogeneous mitochondrial distribution were significantly improved in the 50 μM EGCG-treated group compared with the control group. Adding 50 μM EGCG to the maturation medium significantly increased the cumulus cell expansion index and upregulated the mRNA levels of cumulus cell expansion-related genes (hyaluronan synthase 2, tumor necrosis factor alpha induced protein 6, pentraxin 3, and prostaglandin 2). Both the intracellular ROS level and the early apoptotic rate of matured oocytes were significantly decreased in the 50 μM EGCG group, and the total antioxidant ability was markedly enhanced. Additionally, both the cleavage and blastocyst rates were significantly higher in the 50 μM EGCG-treated oocytes after in vitro fertilization than in the control oocytes. The mRNA abundance of NRF2, SOD1, CAT, and GPX4 were significantly increased in the 50 μM EGCG-treated oocytes. Conclusion In conclusion, 50 μM EGCG can improve the bovine oocyte maturation, and the protective role of EGCG may be correlated with its antioxidative property

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Gene silencing efficiency of TXNI

Photooxidative Coupling of Thiols Promoted by Bromo(trichloro)methane in a Basic Aqueous Medium

AbstractA transition-metal- and organic-solvent-free oxidative coupling of thiols catalyzed by BrCCl3 and NaOH in an aqueous medium with oxygen as a green oxidant was established The facile and green method has a broad substrate scope in converting thiols into the corresponding disulfides with medium to excellent yields (up to 91%). This method could potentially be used to construct bioactive molecules containing disulfide bonds and to label bioactive molecules with disulfide bonds.</jats:p

Effects of Inhibin A on Apoptosis and Proliferation of Bovine Granulosa Cells

Inhibin A is well known for its inhibitory properties against follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), released through a pituitary–gonadal negative feedback loop to regulate follicular development. Ovarian folliculogenesis, hormonal biosynthesis, and gametogenesis are dependent on inhibins, playing vital roles in promoting or inhibiting cell proliferation. The present study explored the physiological and molecular response of bovine granulosa cells (GCs) to different concentrations of inhibin A in vitro. We treated the primary GCs isolated from ovarian follicles (3–6 mm) with different levels of inhibin A (20, 50, and 100 ng/mL) along with the control (0 ng/mL) for 24 h. To evaluate the impact of inhibin A on GCs, several in vitro cellular parameters, including cell apoptosis, viability, cell cycle, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were detected. Besides, the transcriptional regulation of pro-apoptotic (BAX, Caspase-3) and cell proliferation (PCNA, CyclinB1) genes were also quantified. The results indicated a significant (p &lt; 0.05) increase in the cell viability in a dose-dependent manner of inhibin A. Likewise, MMP was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) enhanced when GCs were treated with high doses (50, 100 ng/mL) of inhibin A. Furthermore, inhibin A dose (100 ng/mL) markedly improved the progression of the G1 phase of the cell cycle and increased the cell number in the S phase, which was supported by the up-regulation of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen PCNA (20, 50, and 100ng/mL) and CyclinB (100 ng/mL) genes. In addition, higher doses of inhibin A (50 and 100 ng/mL) significantly (p &lt; 0.05) decreased the apoptotic rate in GCs, which was manifested by down regulating BAX and Caspase-3 genes. Conclusively, our study presented a worthy strategy for the first time to characterize the cellular adaptation of bovine GCs under different concentrations of inhibin A. Our results conclude that inhibin A is a broad regulatory marker in GCs by regulating apoptosis and cellular progression.</jats:p

AMH: Could It Be Used as A Biomarker for Fertility and Superovulation in Domestic Animals?

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a reliable and easily detectable reproductive marker for the fertility competence of many farm animal species. AMH is also a good predictor of superovulation in cattle, sheep, and mares. In this review, we have summarized the recent findings related to AMH and its predictive reliability related to fertility and superovulation in domestic animals, especially in cattle. We focused on: (1) the dynamics of AMH level from infancy to prepubescence as well as during puberty and adulthood; (2) AMH as a predictor of fertility; (3) the association between antral follicle count (AFC) and plasma AMH level; (4) AMH as a predictor of superovulation; and (5) factors affecting AMH levels in domestic animals, especially cattle. Many factors affect the circulatory levels of AMH when considering the plasma, like nutrition, activity of granulosa cells, disease state and endocrine disruptions during fetal life. Briefly, we concluded that AMH concentrations are static within individuals, and collection of a single dose of blood has become more popular in the field of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). It may act as a potential predictor of fertility, superovulation, and ovarian disorders in domestic animals. However, due to the limited research in domestic animals, this potential of AMH remains underutilized.</jats:p

Thioredoxin-interacting protein regulates glucose metabolism and improves the intracellular redox state in bovine oocytes during in vitro maturation

The extent of glucose metabolism during oocyte maturation is closely related to oocyte developmental potential. Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) is an α-arrestin family protein that negatively regulates glucose uptake into cells. However, little information is available regarding the function of TXNIP in bovine oocytes. Accordingly, the present study was performed to investigate the influence of TXNIP on glucose metabolism in bovine oocytes during in vitro maturation. Pharmacological inhibition of TXNIP by azaserine enhanced glucose uptake and imparted a specific metabolic effect on glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). RNA interference (RNAi) was adopted to further determine the biological significance of TXNIP in regulating glucose metabolism. The maturation rate and the developmental competence of TXNIP siRNA-treated oocytes were significantly improved. Knockdown of TXNIP in bovine oocytes significantly increased glycolysis by increasing the activities of phosphofructokinase (PFK), pyruvate kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase; pyruvate and lactate production; and intracellular ATP level, as well as mitochondrial activity. Furthermore, glucose metabolism through PPP was also enhanced by TXNIP depletion, as TXNIP siRNA treatment promoted glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity and NADPH content, and helped maintain a high level of glutathione and a low level of reactive oxygen species within the oocytes. Further studies revealed that inhibition of TXNIP resulted increases in glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) expression, as well as PFK1 platelet isoform ( PFKP) and G6PDH mRNA levels. These results reveal that TXNIP depletion promotes oocyte maturation by enhancing both glycolysis and the PPP. During in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes, TXNIP serves as a key regulator of glucose uptake by controlling GLUT1 expression. </jats:p

Supplementation of EGF, IGF-1, and Connexin 37 in IVM Medium Significantly Improved the Maturation of Bovine Oocytes and Vitrification of Their IVF Blastocysts

The quality and developmental capacity of oocytes derived from in vitro maturation (IVM) remain unsatisfactory, which greatly impairs the efficiency and application of embryo technologies. The present experiment was designed to investigate the effect of the supplementation of EGF, IGF-1, and Cx37 in an IVM medium on the maturation quality and development ability of bovine oocytes. The cytoplasmic maturation events of oocytes and the quality of in vitro fertilization (IVF) blastocysts were examined to investigate the relative mechanisms. Our results showed that the nuclear maturation and blastocyst development after the IVF of oocytes treated with 25 &mu;g/mL Cx37 or the combination of 50 ng/mL EGF and 100 ng/mL IGF-1 were significantly increased compared to those of the control group (p &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, the blastocyst rate, and blastocyst total cell number and survival rate after vitrification of the EGF+IGF-1+Cx37 group, were significantly higher than those of the control group (p &lt; 0.05), but lower than those of the FSH+LH+EGF+IGF-1+Cx37 group (p &lt; 0.05). The transzonal projection (TZP) intensity, glutathione (GSH) level, and mitochondrial function of the EGF+IGF-1+Cx37 group were significantly higher than that of the control group, and lower than those of the FSH+LH+EGF+IGF-1+Cx37 group, in contrast to the results of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. In conclusion, our results showed that the supplementation of 50 ng/mL EGF, 100 ng/mL IGF-1, and 25 &mu;g/mL Cx37 in the IVM of bovine oocytes significantly improved their quality and developmental ability by increasing the TZP, mitochondrial function, and GSH level

Sulforaphane suppresses paraquat-induced oxidative damage in bovine in vitro-matured oocytes through Nrf2 transduction pathway

Sulforaphane (SFN), a bioactive phytocompound extracted from cruciferous plants, has received increasing attention due to its vital cytoprotective role in eliminating oxidative free radical through activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2)-mediated signal transduction pathway. This study aims at a better insight into the protective benefit of SFN in attenuating paraquat (PQ)-caused impairment in bovine in vitro-matured oocytes and the possible mechanisms involved therein. Results showed that addition of 1 μM SFN during oocyte maturation obtained higher proportions of matured oocytes and in vitro-fertilized embryos. SFN application attenuated the toxicological effects of PQ on bovine oocytes, as manifested by enhanced extending capability of cumulus cell and increased extrusion proportion of first polar body. Following incubation with SFN, oocytes exposed to PQ exhibited reduced intracellular ROS and lipid accumulation levels, and elevated T-SOD and GSH contents. SFN also effectively inhibited PQ-mediated increase in BAX and CASPASE-3 protein expressions. Besides, SFN promoted the transcription of NRF2 and its downstream antioxidative-related genes GCLC, GCLM, HO-1, NQO-1, and TXN1 in a PQ-exposed environment, indicating that SFN prevents PQ-caused cytotoxicity through activation of Nrf2 signal transduction pathway. The mechanisms underlying the role of SFN against PQ-induced injury included the inhibition of TXNIP protein and restoration of the global O-GlcNAc level. Collectively, these findings provide novel evidence for the protective role of SFN in alleviating PQ-caused injury, and suggest that SFN application may be an efficacious intervention strategy against PQ cytotoxicity