Human Face Mask Identification using Deep Learning with OpenCV Techniques

According to the WHO, COVID 19 virus is spread by respiratory droplets and personal contact. To prevent the transmission of this virus, the use of masks and social isolation is recommended. Because COVID 19 virus droplets may fall on any surface, the more crucial of the two measures is to wear a mask. It is vital to keep track of who is and is not wearing a mask. To comply with regulatory requirements, a mask recognition system capable of recognizing any kind of mask as well as masks in a variety of configurations inside video streams has been developed. To detect masks from images/video streams, a deep learning approach and the Python TensorFlow, Keras, and Pytorch packages are utilized. The suggested technology is capable of distinguishing persons who use masks from those who do not. © 2022 IEEE.

Considerations in the Design of Non-Clinical Development Programmes to Support Non-Viral Genetically Modified Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapies.

Due to their immune suppressive pharmacology, regenerative capacity, and immune privileged status, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are an attractive cell type to treat a variety of diseases. Genetically engineered MSCs are currently in non-clinical and clinical development for a wide range of applications including the delivery of pro-drugs and therapeutic proteins or modified to enhance their regenerative potential. Unmodified MSCs have been shown to have good safety profiles in clinical development. The introduction of exogenous transgenes introduces possible additional risks that need to be assessed in non-clinical studies prior to initiating clinical studies. The use of ex vivo non-viral genetic modification approaches potentially reduces the risks associated with viral vector transfection approaches, including the potential for cell transformation. This review provides an overview of the regulatory-compliant non-clinical proof-of-concept and safety studies required to take MSC-based gene therapy products from the bench to the clinic.

Regulatory concepts to guide and promote the accelerated but safe clinical development and licensure of COVID-19 vaccines in Europe.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has affected the health of tens of millions of people worldwide. In particular, in elderly and frail individuals the infection can lead to severe disease and even fatal outcomes. Although the pandemic is primarily a human health crisis its consequences are much broader with a tremendous impact on global economics and social systems. Vaccines are considered the most powerful measure to fight the pandemic and protect people from COVID-19. Based on the concerted activities of scientists, manufacturers and regulators, the urgent need for effective countermeasures has provoked the development and licensure of novel COVID-19 vaccines in an unprecedentedly fast and flexible manner within <1 year. To ensure the safety and efficacy of these novel vaccines during the clinical development and the routine use in post-licensure vaccination campaigns existing regulatory requirements and procedures had to be wisely and carefully adapted to allow for an expedited evaluation without compromising the thoroughness of the regulatory and scientific assessment. In this review, we describe the regulatory procedures, concepts and requirements applied to guide and promote the highly accelerated development and licensure of safe and efficacious COVID-19 vaccines in Europe.