Nuance Communications (Austria)

Robotic grasping in scenes with transparent and specular objects presents great challenges for methods relying on accurate depth information. In this paper, we introduce NeuGrasp, a neural surface reconstruction method that leverages background priors for material-agnostic grasp detection. NeuGrasp integrates transformers and global prior volumes to aggregate multi-view features with spatial encoding, enabling robust surface reconstruction in narrow and sparse viewing conditions. By focusing on foreground objects through residual feature enhancement and refining spatial perception with an occupancy-prior volume, NeuGrasp excels in handling objects with transparent and specular surfaces. Extensive experiments in both simulated and real-world scenarios show that NeuGrasp outperforms state-of-the-art methods in grasping while maintaining comparable reconstruction quality. More details are available at https://neugrasp.github.io/.

The therapeutic efficacy remaining from prior treatments with botulinum toxins (BoNTs) when cervical dystonia (CD) patients prefer to be re-treated has not been well characterized. Here, we assessed the residual therapeutic efficacy of BoNT injections at the time of a patient-desired re-treatment. In pivotal trials for daxibotulinumtoxinA (DAXI) in CD, subjects could request re-treatment before returning to pre-treatment symptom levels (defined as ≤20% of peak efficacy remaining). In this post hoc analysis of the Phase 3 ASPEN-OLS trial, the median percent efficacy remaining (based on change in TWSTRS total score) was determined in subjects who requested re-injection before returning to pre-treatment symptoms. Dysphagia and muscle weakness were evaluated in patients requesting re-treatment with efficacy remaining, relative to those waiting to return to baseline. There were 264 (28.7% of 920 total treatments) patient requests for re-treatment before returning to pre-treatment status across the study. The median percent efficacy remaining at the time of requested re-injection was 45.5%, which corresponded to a median of 16.0 weeks (range 10.9-40.3) post-treatment. The rates of dysphagia (≤4.9%) and muscle weakness (≤6.8%) were low and were not significantly different in those who waited for return to pre-treatment symptom status versus subjects who requested re-injection with efficacy remaining. A significant proportion of CD patients wished to be re-treated with efficacy still remaining from prior BoNT injections as early symptoms re-emerged. With the overall clinical profile of DAXI, physicians can safely provide individualized treatment regimens based on the treatment goals or symptomatic needs of their patients.

Abstract Misfolding of the cellular PrP (PrPc) protein causes prion disease leading to neurodegenerative disorders in numerous mammalian species including goats. Lack of PrPc induces complete resistance to prion disease. The aim of this work was to engineered Alpine goats carrying knockout (KO) alleles of PRNP, the PrPc-encoding gene, using CRISPR/Cas9-ribonucleoproteins and single-stranded donor oligonucleotides. The targeted region preceded the PRNPTer mutation previously described in Norwegian goats. Genome editors were injected under the zona pellucida prior to the electroporation of 565 Alpine goat embryos/oocytes. Of those, 122 two-cell stage embryos were transferred to 46 hormonally synchronized recipient goats. Six of the goats remained pregnant and naturally gave birth to 10 offspring. Among the 10 newborns, eight founder animals carrying PRNP genome-edited alleles were obtained. Eight different mutated alleles were observed including five inducing KO mutations. Three founders carried only genome-edited alleles and were phenotypically indistinguishable from their wild type counterparts. Among them, one male carrying a one base pair insertion leading to a KO allele is currently used to rapidly extend a PRNP KO line of Alpine goats for future characterizations. In addition to KO alleles, a PRNPdel6 genetic variant has been identified in one third of the founder animals. This new variant will be tested for its potential properties in regards to prion disease. Follow-on studies will also evaluate the effect of the genetic background on other characters associated with PRNP KO as previously described in the Norwegian breed or other species.

Pectin is a complex polysaccharide important to the pharmaceutical and food industry, and due to its versatility, cheapness, and notable health benefits, it is proposed to be investigated as an encapsulation material to protect sensitive food components such as living bacteria during their passage through the gastrointestinal tract. The main objective of this study was to evaluate both, the ability of pectin-based beads to maintain the viability and functionality of L. plantarum WCFS1 and the protective effect on intestinal epithelial barrier disruption in vitro. Pectin isolated from lemon with two degrees of methylation (DM18 and DM88) was used to form microbeads with either alginate or chitosan, producing four bead types, which were alginate/pectin DM18 (AlgDM18), alginate/pectin DM88 (AlgDM88), chitosan/pectin DM18 (ChitoDM18), and chitosan/pectin DM88 (ChitoDM88).The beads were loaded with L. plantarum, and it was demonstrated that all pectin-based beads could preserve the viability of L. plantarum after encapsulation. While some differences in metabolism was observed, the alginate-pectin beads exhibited higher activity and loading capacity. Then these beads were tested on intestinal epithelial cells to assess their protective impact in the presence of a barrier disruptor A23187. The effect on gut barrier function demonstrates that the composition of the microbeads significantly affected their protective effects. Empty ChitoDM88 beads demonstrated protective effects by delaying barrier disruption and modulating the release of gut epithelial cell-specific cytokines. They increased the production of CCL20 while reducing levels of IL-8 and IL-13, which are markers of inflammation.L. plantarum WCFS1-loaded Chitosan DM88-pectin microbeads provided the strongest protection. These beads not only delayed disruption of the gut epithelial barrier but also increased epithelial barrier function before and after treatment of the monolayer with the A23187 disruptor. Additionally, the loaded ChitoDM88 beads upregulated key genes associated with the tight junction integrity of the intestinal epithelium, including ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1, further supporting their protective role. The immune response was also modulated by the loaded ChitoDM88 beads, as they increased CCL20 production and reduced IL-8 levels, highlighting a bead-type-dependent impact on epithelial immune signaling.This study demonstrates that pectin-based microbeads can preserve the viability and functionality of encapsulated L. plantarum, protecting against gut barrier impairment. The results highlight pectin's potential as a promising polymer for probiotic delivery, with encapsulation effectiveness depending on the pectin's methylation degree and the stabilizing agent used.

Đái tháo đường có liên quan đến tăng nguy cơ thai chết lưu. Chúng tôi đã phân tích các đặc điểm của thai phụ có thai chết lưu liên quan tới đái tháo đường và tìm các yếu tố nguy cơ để dự phòng. Nghiên cứu hồi cứu, mô tả trên 20 thai phụ có thai chết lưu liên quan tới đái tháo đường từ 01/01/2020 đến 31/12/2023. Tuổi trung bình của thai phụ là 30,2 ± 7,4 với 70% dưới 35 tuổi. Tuổi thai trung bình khi thai chết lưu là 30,2 ± 6,2 tuần. 65% thai phụ chưa được chẩn đoán đái tháo đường trước khi mang thai. Nồng độ HbA1c trung bình là 9,0 ± 3,3% với 65% có HbA1c ≥ 6,5%. Đường máu trung bình lúc nhập viện là 21,8 ± 10,3 mmol/L. 85% thai phụ có thai chết lưu bị toan chuyển hóa với HCO3 < 18 mEq/L, trong đó 65% bị toan mất bù với pH < 7,35. Kết quả cho thấy rằng thai phụ gặp các vấn đề phổ biến như đường máu cao không được kiểm soát, toan chuyển hóa, và thiếu sàng lọc đái tháo đường khi có thai chết lưu. Việc chẩn đoán và kiểm soát đường máu kịp thời là rất quan trọng để giảm nguy cơ thai chết lưu trong nhóm đối tượng này.

To assess the residual therapeutic efficacy of prior botulinum toxin (BoNT) injection at the patient-desired retreatment interval in cervical dystonia (CD).

Good patient outcomes after treatment of the glabellar complex with botulinum toxin type A entail elimination of glabellar lines and maintenance of a natural eyebrow position. A precise injection technique that accurately targets the muscles that influence eyebrow position is required to reduce the risk of adverse aesthetic outcomes or unmasking an underlying eyelid ptosis. Here, we describe the glabellar lines optimization (GLO 3 + 2) injection anatomy technique, a precise five-point injection pattern that is based on current understanding of facial functional anatomy and which aims to minimize the risk of affecting nontargeted muscles. Injection sites above the brow or that do not target the precise location of the muscles in the glabellar complex are likely to inadvertently expose the frontalis to botulinum toxin type A and result in undesirable aesthetic outcomes. Because the frontalis is a strong determinant of aesthetic outcomes, it is important to consider the overall effects of the interactions between the eyebrow depressors and the opposing forces of the frontalis on brow outcomes in both the resting brow position and during dynamic brow movement.

Ruang Terbuka Hijau (RTH) merupakan infrastruktur hijau di ruang terbuka yang berisi vegetasi dan fasilitas untuk mendukung fungsi dan manfaat dari ruang terbuka hijau. Ruang terbuka hijau Imam Bonjol adalah salah satu ruang terbuka hijau di Kota Padang. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui serta menilai tingkat kenyamanan ruang terbuka hijau pada Ruang Terbuka Hijau Imam Bonjol. Penelitian dilaksanakan pada bulan Juni hingga Agustus 2022 pada RTH Imam Bonjol di Kota Padang. Alat dan bahan yang digunakan adalah thermohygrometer, lux meter, sound level meter, kuesioner, Laptop, kamera digital, alat tulis, Microsoft word 2010 dan Microsoft excel 2010. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode observasi dengan melakukan pengumpulan data suhu, kelembaban, kebisingan, intensitas radiasi matahari dan jenis vegetasi. Selain itu juga menggunakan metode kuesioner yang diberikan kepada responden untuk mengetahui persepsi mengenai parameter tingkat kenyamanan area RTH Imam Bonjol. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan parameter iklim mikro pada RTH Imam Bonjol termasuk kategori tidak nyaman, karena memiliki nilai THI (Thermal Index Humidity ) sebesar 26,41. Pada parameter kebisingan hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kebisingan di RTH Imam Bonjol telah melewati ambang batas kebisingan sebuah Ruang Terbuka Hijau yaitu sebesar 63,2 dB. Berdasarkan analisis kuesioner persepsi masyarakat dapat diartikan bahwa sebagian besar parameter tingkat kenyamanan berada pada kategori tidak nyaman. Diantaranya parameter iklim mikro, kebisingan, kondisi fasilitas dan tanaman, keamanan, kebersihan, keindahannya tergolong tidak nyaman dan untuk parameter kenyamanan akses masih dalam kategori nyaman.