Quantization level increase in human face images using multilayer neural network

In this paper, quantization level increase in human face images using a multilayer neural network (NN) is investigated. Basically speaking, it is impossible to increase quality without any other information. However, when images are limited to some category, image restoration could be possible, based on the common properties in this category. The multilayer NN is trained using human face images of 32ﾃ・2 pixels with 8-levels as the input data, and 256-level images as the targets. The standard back-propagation (BP) algorithm is employed. 20, 40 and 100 training data are examined. By increasing the training data, a general function of regenerating missing information can be achieved. The internal structure of the trained NN is analyzed using some special input images. As a result, it has been confirmed that the NN regards the input image as the human face, and extracts features of the face. The input image is transformed using these features and the common properties of the training data, extracted and held on the connection weights, to the human face image

Real-Time Time-Frequency Two-Dimensional Imaging of Ultrafast Transient Signals in Solid-State Organic Materials

In this review, we demonstrate a real-time time-frequency two-dimensional (2D) pump-probe imaging spectroscopy implemented on a single shot basis applicable to excited-state dynamics in solid-state organic and biological materials. Using this technique, we could successfully map ultrafast time-frequency 2D transient absorption signals of β-carotene in solid films with wide temporal and spectral ranges having very short accumulation time of 20 ms per unit frame. The results obtained indicate the high potential of this technique as a powerful and unique spectroscopic tool to observe ultrafast excited-state dynamics of organic and biological materials in solid-state, which undergo rapid photodegradation

Association of glucocorticoid doses and emotional health in lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS): a cross-sectional study

Background While survival of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients has improved substantially, problems remain in the management of their emotional health. Medium to high-dose glucocorticoid doses are known to worsen emotional health; the effect is unclear among patients receiving relatively low-dose glucocorticoids. This study aims to investigate the association between low glucocorticoid doses and emotional health in lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS). Methods This cross-sectional study drew on data from SLE patients in 10 Japanese institutions. The participants were adult patients with SLE duration of >= 1 year who met LLDAS criteria at the study visit from April 2018 through September 2019. The exposure was the daily glucocorticoid dose (mg oral prednisolone). The outcome was the emotional health score of the lupus patient-reported outcome scale (range: 0 to 100). Multiple linear regression analysis was performed with adjustment for confounders including disease-related damage, activity, and psychotropic drug use. Results Of 192 patients enrolled, 175 were included in the analysis. Their characteristics were as follows: female, 89.7%; median age, 47 years (interquartile range (IQR): 37.0, 61.0). Median glucocorticoid dose was 4.0 mg (IQR 2.0, 5.0), and median emotional health score 79.2 (IQR 58.3, 91.7). Multiple linear regression analysis showed daily glucocorticoid doses to be associated with worse emotional health (beta coefficient = - 2.54 [95% confidence interval - 4.48 to - 0.60], P = 0.01). Conclusions Daily glucocorticoid doses were inversely associated with emotional health among SLE patients in LLDAS. Further studies are needed to determine whether glucocorticoid tapering leads to clinically significant improvements in emotional health

Circulating KCNH2 Current-Activating Factor in Patients with Heart Failure and Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia

It is estimated that approximately half of the deaths in patients with HF are sudden and that the most likely causes of sudden death are lethal ventricular tachyarrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia (VT) or fibrillation (VF). However, the precise mechanism of ventricular tachyarrhythmias remains unknown. The KCNH2 channel conducting the delayed rectifier K(+) current (I(Kr)) is recognized as the most susceptible channel in acquired long QT syndrome. Recent findings have revealed that not only suppression but also enhancement of I(Kr) increase vulnerability to major arrhythmic events, as seen in short QT syndrome. Therefore, we investigated the existence of a circulating KCNH2 current-modifying factor in patients with HF.We examined the effects of serum of HF patients on recombinant I(Kr) recorded from HEK 293 cells stably expressing KCNH2 by using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Study subjects were 14 patients with non-ischemic HF and 6 normal controls. Seven patients had a history of documented ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT: 7 and VF: 1). Overnight treatment with 2% serum obtained from HF patients with ventricular arrhythmia resulted in a significant enhancement in the peaks of I(Kr) tail currents compared to the serum from normal controls and HF patients without ventricular arrhythmia.Here we provide the first evidence for the presence of a circulating KCNH2 channel activator in patients with HF and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. This factor may be responsible for arhythmogenesis in patients with HF

粘液性嚢胞腺腫の悪性化との鑑別に苦慮した膵未分化癌の1例

症例は70歳代の女性．7年前に膵尾部単純性嚢胞と診断され，経過観察中であった．4ヶ月持続する発熱と心窩部痛の精査を目的として入院した．入院時のCTでは多発肝腫瘍を認め，嚢胞内には結節病変を，嚢胞周囲には出血・感染を示唆する所見を認めた．以上より，嚢胞性病変が癌化して転移・浸潤をきたし，嚢胞周囲に膿瘍を形成したものと考えて対症的に治療したが，第15病日に死亡した．剖検所見から嚢胞の癌化は否定され，嚢胞に近接して発生した膵未分化癌と，肝転移，肺転移等の多臓器転移，腹膜播種と診断された

リュウキ ケイセイ オ テイ シタ ミブンカ ガタ イ ネンマク ナイ ガン ニ タイ シ ナイシキョウ チリョウ オ シコウ シタ 1 レイ

症例は67才男性.上部消化管内視鏡検査で胃前庭部前壁に0-I+IIc型隆起性病変を指摘され,生検結果は低分化型腺癌の診断であった.適応拡大病変と診断して内視鏡的胃粘膜下層剥離術(ESD)施行し適応拡大治癒切除であった.フォローの内視鏡で初回病変の近傍に0-I+IIc型の隆起を主体とした病変を認め,生検結果は印環細胞癌であり,再度ESDを施行した.初回病変のような,隆起を主体とした未分化型粘膜内癌の症例は稀である.二回目の病変の成因は,局所再発・腫瘍移植(implantation)・異時性癌のいずれか確定は困難であったが,貴重な症例と思われたので報告したA 67-year-old man was diagnosed with a small elevated undifferentiated gastric adenocarcinoma in situ and subsequently underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Curative resection was achieved. Fifteen months later, a new lesion was found near the ESD scar of the first lesion. This lesion was similarly elevated, and histopathological examination of the biopsy specimen revealed signet ring cell carcinoma. We performed ESD again for this lesion. Elevated early gastric cancer in which histological examination shows undifferentiated adenocarcinoma and depth M is very rare. We searched for elevated early undifferentiated gastric cancers in the PubMed and Ichushi databases and find only nine cases. The cause of the second lesion was suspected to be either local recurrence, or implantation or metachronous cancer, but it seemed to be very difficult to diagnose exactly. It should be careful observation, even if obtained curative resection of undifferentiated intramucosal gastric cancer by ESD