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a b s t r a c tLarge scale 3D shape retrieval has become an important research direction in content based 3D shape retrieval. To promote this research area, two Shape Retrieval Contest (SHREC) tracks on large scale com prehensive and sketch based 3D model retrieval have been organized by us in 2014. Both tracks were based on a unified large scale benchmark that supports multimodal queries (3D models and sketches). This benchmark contains 13680 sketches and 8987 3D models, divided into 171 distinct classes. It was compiled to be a superset of existing benchmarks and presents a new challenge to retrieval methods as it comprises generic models as well as domain specific model types. Twelve and six distinct 3D shape retrieval methods have competed with each other in these two contests, respectively. To measure and compare the performance of the participating and other promising Query by Model or Query by Sketch 3D shape retrieval methods and to solicit state of the art approaches, we perform a more comprehensive comparison of twenty six (eighteen originally participating algorithms and eight additional state of the art or new) retrieval methods by evaluating them on the common benchmark. The benchmark, results, and evaluation tools are publicly available at our websites

Background-Cystic medial degeneration (CMD) is a histological abnormality that is common in the aortic diseases associated with Marfan's syndrome (MFS). Although little known about the mechanism underlying CMD, several recent reports have demonstrated that vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) apoptosis could play a substantial role in CMD.On the other hand, angiotensin II (Ang II) has been reported to play an important role in the regulation of VSMC growth and apoptosis via the Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and type 2 receptor (AT2R). Methods and Results-To elucidate the role of Ang II signaling via the Ang II receptors in CMD, we investigated AT1R and AT2R mRNA expression and tissue concentration of Ang II in MFS aortas (nϭ10) and control aortas (nϭ12). Furthermore, we examined the effects of an ACE inhibitor, an AT1R blocker, and an AT2R blocker on serum deprivation-induced VSMC apoptosis by organ culture system. AT1R expression was significantly decreased (PϽ0.01) and AT2R expression was significantly increased (PϽ0.001) in MFS aortas compared with control aortas, and tissue Ang II concentration was significantly higher in CMD than in the control condition (PϽ0.01). Both the ACE inhibitor and AT2R blocker significantly inhibited serum deprivation-induced VSMC apoptosis (PϽ0.05), although the AT1R blocker did not inhibit apoptosis in cultured aortic media from MFS patients. Conclusions-Accelerated ACE-dependent Ang II formation and signaling via upregulated AT2R play a pivotal role in VSMC apoptosis in CMD, and the ACE inhibitor could have clinical value in the prevention and treatment of CMD. (Circulation. 2001;104[suppl I]:I-282-I-287.)

The aim of this study was the evaluation of the thrombogenicity and the biocompatibility of the SunMedical EVAHEART left ventricular assist system (LVAS) coated with 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer compared to a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating. Four calves were implanted with the MPC polymer-coated LVAS. Eight calves were implanted with DLC coated LVAS. The thrombogenicity and biocompatibility of the pumps were evaluated. At explant, 60.0 +/- 37.2% (5-85%) of the pump surface area was still coated with MPC polymer after the duration of 45.0 +/- 32.0 days. In 1 out of 4 MPC and 2 out of 8 DLC coated pumps, there was a very small amount of thrombus around the seal ring; otherwise the blood contacting surfaces were free of thrombus. Major organs were normal except for a few lesions in kidneys from both groups. The MPC polymer coated EVAHEART LVAS seems to have low thrombogenicity and high biocompatibility similar to the DLC coated system. The current study demonstrated that the MPC polymer coating shows great promise for being used as an antithrombogenic substrate for the LVAS due to its ease of application, significant cost benefit, and reduction in anticoagulation therapy in acute postoperative period.

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