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Pulmonary inflammation is a condition that can result from different diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and influenza as well as other antigenic substances including a high-fat diet. The potency of syringic acid (SYR), a bioactive substance with therapeutic properties, was evaluated on high-fat (HF) diet–induced pulmonary inflammation in male Wistar rats. Thirty male rats were randomly grouped into five: control, SYR (50 mg/kg), HF only, HF + SYR (25 mg/kg), and HF + SYR (50 mg/kg). Animals were sacrificed after 7 weeks of SYR treatments. Blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and lungs were collected for biochemical and histopathological analyses. SYR at 50 mg/kg significantly reversed the HFD-induced dyslipidemia. Furthermore, the observed alterations in both the enzymic and non-enzymic oxidative indicators (MDA, SOD, CAT, and GST) due to intake of HF were ameliorated by SYR. A further dose-dependent increase in GSH was observed following treatments. The increased levels of inflammatory cytokines (NF-κB, IL6, TNF-α, and COX-2) quantified in the BALF and lung tissue were significantly lowered when treated with SYR. Furthermore, exposure to HF lowered the inflammatory indices (albumin) quantified in the BALF, while the levels of LDH and globulin were significantly increased. Also, inflammatory indices including platelet/lymphocytes and (neutrophils × platelets)/lymphocytes quantified in the BALF were significantly lowered with SYR treatments, while over twofold increase in albumin/globulin ratio was recorded by 50 mg/kg SYR. SYR demonstrated antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects via inhibition of HF-induced activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in rats. Summary of the findings in this study [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-malignant disease of the prostate characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of the prostate gland. Inflammation and oxidative stress have been reported to play a role in the development of BPH. Kolaviron, a bioflavonoid complex of Garcinia kola seed, has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory effect. In this study, we investigated the effect of Kolaviron on testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH in rats. Fifty male rats were assigned in 5 groups. Groups 1 and 2 were orally exposed to corn oil (2 ml/kg) and Kolaviron (200 mg/kg/day, p.o) for 28 days. Group 3 rats received TP (3 mg/kg/day, s.c) for 14 days while Groups 4 and 6 were treated with Kolaviron (200 mg/kg/day, p.o) and Finasteride (5 mg/kg/day, p.o), respectively, for 14 days prior to TP (3 mg/kg, s.c) co-exposure for the remaining 14 days. Administration of Kolaviron to TP-treated rats reverted histological alteration and significantly decreased prostate weight, prostate index, 5α-reductase, dihydrotestosterone, androgen receptor expression, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-1β, cyclooxygenase-2, prostaglandin E2, 5-lipoxygenase leukotriene B4, inducible nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide concentration. In addition, Kolaviron alleviated TP-induced oxidative stress and reduced the expression of Ki-67, VEGF, and FGF to almost control levels. Furthermore, Kolaviron promoted apoptosis in TP-treated rats through downregulation of BCL-2 and upregulation of P53 and Caspase 3 expressions. Overall, Kolaviron prevented BPH via regulation of androgen/androgen receptor signaling, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intermittency of electrical power in developing countries, as well as some European countries such as Turkey, can be eluded by taking advantage of solar energy. Correct prediction of solar radiation constitutes a very important step to take advantage of PV solar panels. We propose an experimental study to predict the amount of solar radiation using a classical artificial neural network (ANN) and deep learning methods. PV panel and solar radiation data were collected at Duzce University in Turkey. Moreover, we included meteorological data collected from the Meteorological Ministry of Turkey in Duzce. Data were collected on a daily basis with a 5-min interval. Data were cleaned and preprocessed to train long-short-term memory (LSTM) and ANN models to predict the solar radiation amount of one day ahead. Models were evaluated using coefficient of determination (R2), mean square error (MSE), root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean biased error (MBE). LSTM outperformed ANN with R2, MSE, RMSE, MAE, and MBE of 0.93, 0.008, 0.089, 0.17, and 0.09, respectively. Moreover, we compared our results with two similar studies in the literature. The proposed study paves the way for utilizing renewable energy by leveraging the usage of PV panels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sodium benzoate (SB) is a widely used food preservative. However, excessive intake of a high dose of SB poses a risk of neurotoxicity. Ascorbic acid (AA) is a naturally occurring antioxidant found in fruits with reported neuroprotective properties. The present study investigated the neurobehavioral and biochemical alterations in SB‐treated rats and the ameliorative effect of AA in rats. Methods: Forty‐two male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n = 7). Group 1 (vehicle, 10 ml/kg), Groups 2–4 rats SB (150, 300, and 600 mg/kg), Group 5 AA (100 mg/kg) and Group 6 (SB 600 mg/kg + AA 100 mg/kg). Treatment was daily administered for 28 days by oral route. Anxiogenic behavior, locomotor, and exploratory activities were evaluated in the open field monitored with a camera, and memory performance in Y‐maze. Brain oxidative stress, inflammatory, apoptosis, and cholinergic markers were determined. The cortico‐hippocampal tissues were examined histologically. Results: SB‐treated rats showed significant anxiogenic‐like behavior and impairment in locomotor, exploratory, and memory performance. This was reversed in SB (600 mg/kg)‐treated rats coadministered with AA. SB‐treated rats showed a decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities, increase malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrite, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, caspase‐3, and acetylcholinesterase activity in the striatum, hippocampus, frontal cortex, and cerebellum. These biochemical changes were reversed in AA‐treated rats. Reduced cortico‐hippocampal neuronal cell count and the pyknotic index were found in SB‐treated rats, which was also reversed in AA‐treated rats. Conclusion: Conclusively, sodium‐benzoate‐induced neurobehavioral deficits and brain biochemical changes were ameliorated by ascorbic acid probably via antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and apoptotic mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodissociation dynamics of methyl iodide (CH3I) adsorbed on both amorphous solid water (ASW) and porous amorphous solid water (PASW) has been investigated. The ejected ground-state I(2P3/2) and excited-state I(2P1/2) photofragments produced by 260- and 290-nm photons were detected using laser resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization. In contrast to gas-phase photodissociation, (i) the I(2P3/2) photofragment is favored compared to I(2P1/2) at both wavelengths, (ii) I(2P3/2) and I(2P1/2) have velocity distributions that depend upon ice morphology, and (iii) I2 is produced on ASW. The total iodine [I(2P3/2)+I(2P1/2)+I2] yield varies with substrate morphology, with greater yield from ASW than PASW using both 260- and 290-nm photons. Temperature-programmed desorption studies demonstrate that ice porosity enhances the trapping of adsorbed CH3I, while pore-free ice likely allows monomer adsorption and the formation of two-dimensional CH3I clusters. Reactions or collisions involving these clusters, I atomic fragments, or I-containing molecular fragments at the vacuum-surface interface can result in I2 formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumption of camphor infusions is widely used as an aphrodisiac in preparation for sexual intercourse, to boost performance. There is dearth of information associating or relating its consumption to liver or lung inflammation. Therefore, we investigated the effect of various doses of camphor in an acute study, on hepatic and pulmonary levels of some pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in male wistar rats. Following administration, 2000 and 4000 mg/kg body weight camphor significantly increase liver and lung levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in a dose dependent manner compared with control, while interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels were significantly increased only by 1000 and 4000 mg/kg body weight camphor in liver and lung respectively, compared with control. Also compared with control, camphor administration resulted in a significant increase in the expressions of hepatic and pulmonary nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) or CCL5, and monocyte chemo-attractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in a dose dependent manner. It is therefore advised that the use and consumption of camphor should be with caution as it could trigger liver and lung inflammation via activation of NF-kB and up-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Random deployment of sensor nodes is susceptible to initial communication hole, even when the network is densely populated. However, eliminating holes using structural deployment poses its difficulties. In either case, the resulting coverage holes can degrade overall network performance and lifetime. Many solutions utilizing Relay Nodes (RNs) have been proposed to alleviate this problem. In this regard, one of the recent solutions proposed using artificial bee colony (ABC) to deploy RNs. This paper proposes RN deployment using two other evolutionary techniques - gravitational search algorithm (GSA) and differential evolution (DE) and compares them with existing solution that uses ABC. These popular optimization tools are deployed to optimize the positions of relay nodes for lifetime maximization. Proposed algorithms guarantee satisfactory RNs utilization while maintaining desired connectivity level. It is shown that DE-based deployment improves the network lifetime better than other optimization heuristics considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The deterioration of male reproductive health may represent an outcome of an active disease and environmental factors. The present study investigated the modulatory role of [6]-gingerol in spermatotoxicity resulting from colitis and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), an environmental and food-borne pollutant. Methods: Group I (control) mice received corn oil alone, while group II ([6]-gingerol alone) mice orally received [6]-gingerol alone at 100 mg/kg body weight. Group III [benzo[a]pyrene+dextran sulfate sodium (BDS) alone] mice were orally exposed to B[a]P at 125 mg/kg for 7 days followed by three cycles of 4% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water. A cycle consisted of seven consecutive days of exposure to DSS-treated water followed by 14 consecutive days of normal drinking water. Group IV (BDS+[6]-gingerol) mice were orally treated daily with 100 mg/kg of [6]-gingerol during exposure to B[a]P and DSS in the same manner as those of group III. Results: [6]-Gingerol significantly abrogated BDS-mediated increase in disease activity index and restored the colon wet weight, colon length and colon mass index to near normal when compared to BDS alone group. Moreover, [6]-gingerol significantly prevented BDS-induced decreases in the daily sperm production (DSP), testicular sperm number (TSN), epididymal sperm number, sperm progressive motility and sperm membrane integrity when compared with the control. [6]-Gingerol markedly increased the sperm antioxidant enzymes activities and decreased the sperm head, mid-piece and tail abnormalities as well as suppressed oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers in BDS-exposed mice. Conclusions: [6]-Gingerol protected against spermatotoxicity in experimental model of interaction of colitis with environmental pollutant B[a]P. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this present work, post deposition of metallic Ag nanoparticles on carbon-doped TiO nanocomposites supported on stainless steel mesh was achieved via a combination of sol-gel and thermal evaporation techniques. Poly acrylonitrile dissolved in dimethyl formamide and titanium tetra chloride was used as a carbon and titanium precursor, respectively. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared supported catalysts was evaluated by the degradation of an aqueous solution of methylene blue as a model pollutant under ultra-violet light irradiation. The prepared photocatalysts were characterized by several analytical techniques such as high resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The XRD patterns and HRTEM micrographs confirmed the formation of a highly crystalline pure anatase TiO phase irrespective of the deposited metallic Ag particles. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller N adsorption-desorption analysis revealed that the specific surface area of supported carbon-doped TiO nanocomposites without silver was 152 and 160 m/g for metallic Ag deposited carbon-doped TiO nanocomposites. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy profile of the photocatalysts revealed the existence of Ti in oxidation state of +4 and metallic Ag in zero state, respectively. The results revealed that the percentage methylene blue removed was dependent on the amount of silver deposited and the catalyst surface area. The supported metallic Ag particles deposited carbon-doped TiO nanocomposites demonstrated 10.8% higher activity than the carbon-doped TiO nanocrystals without metallic Ag. The excellent reusability and stability of the Ag deposited carbon-doped TiO nanocomposites and high photocatalytic behavior after four consecutive applications was determined and methylene blue removal rate was maintained. Graphical Abstract: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a globally marketed flavoring agent and cooking spice with a long history of human health benefits. The fungicide carbendazim (CBZ) is often detected in fruits and vegetables for human nutrition and has been reported to elicit toxic effects in different experimental animal models. The present study investigated the protective effects of 6-Gingerol-rich fraction (6-GRF) from ginger on hematotoxicity and hepatorenal damage in rats exposed to CBZ. CBZ was administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg alone or simultaneously administered with 6-GRF at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, whereas control rats received corn oil alone at 2 mL/kg for 14 days. Hematological examination showed that CBZ-mediated toxicity to the total white blood cell (WBC), neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets counts were normalized to the control values in rats cotreated with 6-GRF. Moreover, administration of CBZ significantly decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase as well as glutathione level in the livers and kidneys of rats compared with control. However, the levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde were markedly elevated in kidneys and livers of CBZ-treated rats compared with control. The significant elevation in the plasma indices of renal and hepatic dysfunction in CBZ-treated rats was confirmed by light microscopy. Coadministration of 6-GRF exhibited chemoprotection against CBZ-mediated hematotoxicity, augmented antioxidant status, and prevented oxidative damage in the kidney and liver of rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stress analysis by FLIR (forward-looking infrared) evaluation (SAFE) has been demonstrated to monitor sweat pore activation (SPA) as a novel surrogate measure of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity in a normal population. SNS responses to a series of 15 1-s, 82 dB, white noise bursts were measured by skin conductance (SC) and SAFE monitoring of SPA on the fingers (FiP) and face (FaP) in 10 participants with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 16 trauma-exposed participants without PTSD ( Mage = 48.92 ± 12.00 years; 26.9% female). Within participants, SC and FiP responses across trials were strongly correlated ( r = .92, p < .001). Correlations between SC and FaP ( r = .76, p = .001) and between FiP and FaP ( r = .47, p = .005) were smaller. The habituation of SNS responses across the 15 trials was substantial (SC: d = −2.97; FiP: d = −2.34; FaP: d = −1.02). There was a strong correlation between habituation effects for SC and FiP ( r = .76, p < .001), but not for SC and FaP ( r = .15, p = .45) or FiP and FaP ( r = .29, p = .16). Participants with PTSD showed larger SNS responses to the first loud noise than those without PTSD. PTSD reexperiencing symptoms assessed by the PTSD Checklist on the day of testing were associated with the SNS responses to the first loud noise measured by SC ( d = 1.19) and FiP ( d = .99), but not FaP ( d = .10). This study confirms convergence of SAFE and SC as valid measures of SNS activity. SAFE FiP and SC responses were highly predictive of self-rated PTSD reexperiencing symptoms. SAFE may offer an attractive alternative for applications in PTSD and similar populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gingerols are phenolic compounds in ginger ( Zingiber officinale), which have been reported to exhibit antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. The present study aimed at evaluating the possible pharmacologic activity of 6-gingerol in a mouse model of dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis. Adult male mice were exposed to DSS in drinking water alone or co-treated with 6-gingerol orally at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg for 7 days. Disease activity index, inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress indices, and histopathological examination of the colons were evaluated to monitor treatment-related effects of 6-gingerol in DSS-treated mice. Administration of 6-gingerol significantly reversed the DSS-mediated reduction in body weight, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and colon shrinkage to near normal. Moreover, 6-gingerol significantly suppressed the circulating concentrations of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor alpha and restored the colonic nitric oxide concentration and myeloperoxidase activity to normal in DSS-treated mice. 6-Gingerol efficiently prevented colonic oxidative damage by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and glutathione content, decreasing the hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels, and ameliorated the colonic atrophy in DSS-treated mice. 6-Gingerol suppressed the induction of ulcerative colitis in mice via antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities, and may thus represent a potential anticolitis drug candidate. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beneficial effects of kolaviron, a natural biflavonoid from the seeds of Garcinia kola, have been attributed mainly to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study investigated these effects on dextran sulphate sodium ( DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Sulfasalazine served as standard reference in this study. Kolaviron and sulfasalazine were separately co-administered orally at 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively, to dextran sulphate sodium-exposed rats for 5 days. The result indicated that kolaviron or sulfasalazine significantly prevented DSS-induced body weight loss as well as the incidence of diarrhoea and bleeding in DSS-exposed rats. Kolaviron suppressed the DSS-mediated increase in colonic nitric oxide concentration and myeloperoxidase activity and significantly prevented the increase in inflammatory mediators, interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor alpha, in the colon of DSS-treated rats. The significant depletion in colonic antioxidant status in rats exposed to DSS alone was evident by marked reduction in colonic catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities as well as glutathione content, leading to elevated hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation levels. Histopathologically, DSS alone resulted in severe epithelial erosion, total absence of goblet cells, destruction of the crypts, necrotic and distorted glands, accompanied by marked cellular mononuclear cells infiltration. However, administration of kolaviron and sulfasalazine ameliorated DSS-induced colitis by increasing the antioxidant status decreased hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation levels and attenuated the adverse effect of DSS on colon architecture. In conclusion, the anti-colitis effect of kolaviron is related to its intrinsic anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a research conducted in order to describe the chemical composition of the African palm weevil, Rhychophorus phoenicis larvae. It discusses the evaluation of chemical composition of the larvae using standard methodology like lipid extraction using the chloroform-methanol solvent and energy content determination using a bomb calorimeter. The study revealed the dried and defatted palm weevil larva as a good source of protein and a good complement of essential amino acids.

The presence of latent infections was studied in five cowpeas varieties. Seeds of the varieties were planted and the seedlings inoculated with antigens from Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) genus Cucumovirus, Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) genus Potyvirus (Blackeye cowpea mosaic virus strain), Southern bean mosaic virus (SBMV) genus Sobemovirus and Cowpea mottle virus (CPMoV) genus Carmovirus seven days after planting. Seedlings expressing symptoms were rouged at two weeks after inoculation, while asymptomatic ones were subjected to serological indexing to detect the presence/absence of latent infection. Protein A-sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PAS ELISA) was employed for the serological detection of CMV, SBMV and CPMoV, while antigen-coated plate (ACP) ELISA was used to detect BCMV in the asymptomatic plants. Cowpea seedlings without virus symptoms but with positive serological reactions were considered as being latently infected. All of the inoculated TVu 1272 and SuVita-2 plants showed symptoms consistent with CMV and CPMoV infections, respectively. The rate of CMV latent infection was high in TVu 1179 (14.5%), low in SuVita-2 (1.3%) but not recorded in TVu 1272. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Electrical stimulation has been successfully employed to treat diseases involving electro-pathology in the heart, skeletal muscles, and the brain, but not in the GI tract. Aim: This study examined the clinical feasibility and efficacy of GES in treating patients with severe gastroparesis. Methods: Nausea, vomiting, GEA, and liquid and solid gastric emptying were monitored in eleven patients with refractory gastroparesis at baseline and after one week of continuous electrical stimulation administered at 12 cycles/min. Eight patients were subsequently implanted with permanent stimulation devices. Follow-up studies were conducted after 1, 3, 6, and 12 mo. of stimulation. Results: After one week of stimulation, patients' quantified symptoms of nausea and vomiting decreased significantly, and liquid emptying and GEA improved. This improvement was maintained over time in the patients who continued to receive stimulation. Emptying of solids showed progressive improvement that became significant after 3 mo. The three patients who did not receive stimulation after the trial period showed significantly higher symptoms at 12 mo. Conclusion: This paper demonstrates that GES at a frequency of 12 cycles/mm has an immediate antiemetic effect, followed by an improvement in disordered gastric emptying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) therapy is generating a lot of interest, but it is still investigational. Its efficacy in driving gastric electrical activity and improving motility, and the ideal frequency for bringing this about are still controversial. In this study, a rule-based computer model of tissue electrical response to stimulation was developed to examine the interaction between tissue electrical refractoriness and the onset of tissue activation. The results were compared to response to GES in 8 dogs implanted with electrodes and strain gauges and stimulated at frequencies ranging from 3 to 30 cycles/min. Simulated electrical control activity at an intrinsic frequency of 5/min was entrained from 2.0 cycles/min to 7.92 cycles/min. The regularity of the ECA elicited by stimulation depended on the number of pulses injected. Electrical stimulation in canine stomach entrained the native electrical control activity from a baseline average of 5.14± 0.32 cycles/min up to 9.2 cycles/min. Contractile response to stimulation at 20–30 cycles/min were significantly higher (p < 0.05). Computer simulation of GES may be a useful tool to complement and reduce some of the costs associated with empirical studies of gastric electrical stimulation in establishing its possible use in treating drug refractory gastroparesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The treatment of gastroparesis remains unsatisfactory despite prokinetic and anti-emetic drugs. Gastric electrical stimulation has been proposed as a therapeutic option. We have assessed the effect of gastric electrical stimulation on symptoms, medical treatment, body weight and gastric emptying in patients with intractable symptomatic gastroparesis in a non-placebo-controlled study. Methods: In this multicenter study, 38 highly symptomatic patients with drug-refractory gastroparesis were enrolled. Patients first received temporary electrical stimulation using percutaneous electrodes. The 33 responders to temporary stimulation then underwent surgical implantation of a permanent stimulator. Severity of vomiting and nausea was assessed before and after stimulation. Patients were reassessed 3, 6, and 12 months after permanent implantation. Results: With stimulation, 35/38 patients (97%) experienced >80% reduction in vomiting and nausea. This effect persisted throughout the observation period (2.9–15.6 months, 341 patient-months). Gastric emptying did not initially change, but improved in most patients at 12 months. At 1 year, the average weight gain was 5.5% and 9/14 patients initially receiving enteral or parenteral nutrition were able to discontinue it. Conclusion: Electrical stimulation of the stomach has an immediate and potent anti-emetic effect. It offers a safe and effective alternative for patients with intractable symptomatic gastroparesis.Copyright © 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Fetus-in-fetu (FIF) is a pathological condition in which the malformed foetus is found in the body of its twin. We report this rare case of a 3-month-old female baby whose diagnostic work-up suggested a mesenteric cyst but the mass at surgery was a FIF. Discussion: Although current imaging modalities like computerized Tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have a higher Sensitivity for accurate delineation of tissues, cheaper imaging alternatives like plain abdomen and ultrasonography still have a place in the preoperative work-up of FIF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A honeycomb core is a discontinuous material with a thin-wall structure—a characteristic that makes accurate surface measurement difficult. This paper presents a cell wall detection method based on the Harris corner detection algorithm using laser measurement data. The vertexes of honeycomb cores are recognized with two different methods: one method is the reduction of data density, and the other is the optimization of the threshold of the Harris corner detection algorithm. Each cell wall is then identified in accordance with the neighboring relationships of its vertexes. Experiments were carried out for different types and surface shapes of honeycomb cores, where the proposed method was proved effective in dealing with noise due to burrs and/or deformation of cell walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 67-year-old man with six weeks of double vision and left-sided periorbital pain that has altered sensation. An extensive gadolinium-enhancing pachymeningeal thickening, which include the left Meckel's cave was revealed through magnetic resonance scan of the brain. He was diagnosed with sarcoidosis and was treated with corticosteroids and improved within three months.