Low resolution face recognition using a two-branch deep convolutional neural network architecture

We propose a novel coupled mappings method for low resolution face recognition using deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs). The proposed architecture consists of two branches of DCNNs to map the high and low resolution face images into a common space with nonlinear transformations. The branch corresponding to transformation of high resolution images consists of 14 layers and the other branch which maps the low resolution face images to the common space includes a 5-layer super-resolution network connected to a 14-layer network. The distance between the features of corresponding high and low resolution images are backpropagated to train the networks. Our proposed method is evaluated on FERET, LFW, and MBGC datasets and compared with state-of-the-art competing methods. Our extensive experimental evaluations show that the proposed method significantly improves the recognition performance especially for very low resolution probe face images (5% improvement in recognition accuracy). Furthermore, it can reconstruct a high resolution image from its corresponding low resolution probe image which is comparable with the state-of-the-art super-resolution methods in terms of visual quality

Association between plasma leptin/adiponectin ratios with the extent and severity of coronary artery disease

Background: Leptin can have a direct effect on endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells and high level of leptin is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to determine the relationship between leptin/adiponectin (L/A) ratio and the extent and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: This case-control study was conducted in an educational hospital in Ilam, Iran from June 2014 to September 2015. Totally 300 participants including 150 patients with CAD (case group) and 150 healthy individuals (control group) were selected and their plasma leptin, adiponectin and leptin/adiponectin ratio was measured. The extent and severity of coronary artery disease were assayed based on the number of involved vessels and Gensini score (GS) and the relation between scores and L/A findings were compared between cases and controls. Results: Totally, 300 participants including 150 (42.7 male), mean age 59.5 ± 11.4 years as cases and 150 (50.7 male), mean age 59.8 ± 10.7 as controls were analyzed. Plasma level of leptin and L/A ratio were higher in cases compared to controls, but level of adiponectin was significantly lower in CAD patients than the control group. More number of involved coronary vessels was significantly correlated to higher level of plasma leptin, L/A ratio and lower level of adiponectin among case group. Moreover, adiponectin was negatively and leptin or L/A ratio were positively correlated with number of involved vessels. 7.3 of cases had only one involved vessel, 42.7 had two involved vessels, and 50 of total patients had involved vessels and the mean ± SD of GS in the case group was 23.6 ± 6.9. Conclusions: Plasma levels of leptin, and adiponectin can indicate the extent of coronary artery diseases but leptin may be a better marker of extent of CAD than either L/A ratio or adiponectin separately. © 2020, The Author(s)

A minor apocalypse Theorising the pregnant body

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DXN018713 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Effect of Education on Knowledge and Performance of Activity in Patients with Myocardial Infarction: Health Belief Model

Background: Myocardial infarction is the first cause of death in people over 35 years. Because most risk factors for heart disease are associated with behavior and consciousness. This study examined the impact of education based on knowledge and performance of the health belief model work has been done in patients with myocardial infarction. Methods: This quasi-experimental study in 74 patients with myocardial infarction based on the method selected and then randomly assigned to two groups. The data were collected through student t-test, paired t, t, chi square score was analyzed. Results: Independent t tests showed that both age groups are homogeneous (P=0.496). Significant gender differences between the two groups using statistical analysis when there was no score (P=0.314) between age and physical performance and gender awareness and gender and performance between the two groups of patients there was no significant difference.. Conclusion: Education in the model of increased awareness of disease and risk factors in disease activity and improves performance

Association between the increased level of high-sensitive CRP (hs CRP) and non-arrhythmic ECG changes and echocardiographic abnormalities in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Background: Abnormality in the cardiovascular system such as left ventricular dysfunction caused increased serum CRP and change in electrocardiography pattern. The present study aimed to understand the association between increased levels of highly sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) and non-arrhythmic ECG changes and electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with the acute coronary syndrome.Methods: This study was done on 120 patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome and hospitalized at CCU. The patients were classified into two groups, one group with an increased level of hs-CRP and another with a normal hs-CRP level.Results: The patients with an increased level of hs-CRP showed a significantly higher level of cardiac enzymes also ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was seen in the group with an increased level of hs-CRP than those with normal serum hs-CRP level, but another diagnosis including unstable angina, non-STEMI, heart failure, and emergency hypertension was similarly observed in both groups. Two groups were assessed in terms of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVeDD) the prevalence of valvular heart disease, and wall motion abnormality, also showed that groups with increased hs-CRP level, ST-segment elevation leads more significant differences than a normal group (P=0.001).Conclusion: Patients with an increased level of hs-CRP can be diagnosed as STEMI but not valuable to suppose as echocardiographic abnormalities such as left ventricular dysfunction or hypertrophy

Quality of life in heart patients in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis method

It is predicted that approximately 25 million deaths will occur due to cardiovascular disease per year 2010. Since this disease affects people's quality of life, The purpose of this study is to investigate the quality of life of cardiac patients in Iran using Meta-Analysis method. The search was done using keywords of Quality of Life, Cardiac, Iran in the foreign databases of Pub, Scopus, med, ISI, Google Scholar and native databases such as Sid, Medlib, Iran medex, Magiran. The data was analyzed using Meta-Analysis (Random Effects Model). The heterogeneity of the studies was investigated using the I2 index. Data was analyzed using STATA Ver.11 software. SF-36 questionnaires were used in the investigated studies. Among the 13 attempted studies with the sample size of 1581 people done through 2003 to 2015, the average quality of life of cardiac patients was 42.09 (Confidence interval 95: 19.90 to 64.29). the mean score of quality of life of heart patients is 45/64 from social dimension, 43/46 from physical dimension, 48/24 from mental dimension, and 51/54 from vitality dimension. Also, the prevalence of excellent, fair and bad quality of life among the cardiac patients was 28, 52, and 22. The quality of life of cardiac patients is moderate

Prevalence of Hypercholesterolemia, High LDL, and Low HDL in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Chronic and abnormal increase of different types of dyslipidemia leads to some important diseases, such as constriction and abstraction of vessels in various parts of the body, especially in the heart. High lipid profile, such as increased total cholesterol and LDL as well as decreased HDL are recognized as cardiovascular disease risk factors. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of different types of dyslipidemia in Iran by a meta-analysis method. Methods: A literature search for studies published during 19982015 was carried out using both Persian and English databases (SID, Magiran, IranMedex, MedLib, PubMed, and Scopus). Keywords such as lipid, dyslipidemia, CVD, cardiovascular risk factors, hypercholesterolemia, high LDL-C, low HDL-C, and prevalence were used in the search. Random-effects model was used for the analysis using STATA (version 11.2). Results: In total, 163 articles were identified of which 49 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The estimated prevalence (95 confidence interval) of eligible articles for high cholesterol >= 200 mg/dl and >= 240 mg/dl was 42 (95 CI: 38-45) and 17 (95 CI: 14-20), respectively. Moreover, the prevalence (95 confidence interval) for high LDL-C >= 130 mg/dl and >= 160 mg/dl was 40 (95 CI: 32-48) and 19 (95 CI: 16-23), respectively. The pooled prevalence estimate for low HDL-C (<40 among males, <50 among females) was 43 (95 CI: 33-53) in both sexes of the Iranian people. All types of lipid component abnormalities (hypercholesterolemia, high LDL-C, and low HDL-C) were more prevalent in women. Conclusion: The results indicate that the prevalence of different types of dyslipidemia in Iran is substantial. Given the risk of complications (e.g. cardiovascular disease and control of different types of dyslipidemia) in Iranian people, it is important to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases

Early repolarization and the severity of coronary artery disease: A case-control study

Background: Early repolarization (ER) is a common finding of the routine electrocardiogram (ECG). The ER usually considered a benign ECG finding, nevertheless a controversy. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between early repolarization (ER) and the severity of coronary artery disease in patients with a diagnostic corollary angiography. Methods: This case-control study included ninety patients (45 patients and 45 control groups) with a diagnostic angiography and was conducted in 2015. After obtaining informed consent, patients with angiography for ER were considered as cases and those for other purposes were as controls. Data were analyzed using SPSS software Version 16. A p-value lesser than 0.05 was significant. Results: The frequency of ER was higher in men (75.6), and there was a significant relationship between sex and ER (P=0.003). The mean age of the patients in the ER group was lower than that of non-ER patients, but not statistically significant (P=0.1). Abnormal angiography was more prevalent in patients with ER than non-ER patients (59.6 vs. 40.4). ER morphology showed a significant correlation to abnormal angiography and also stenosis severity (P=0.035). Conclusion: ER was higher in men than in women. There was a significant correlation between the existence of ER morphology and atherosclerosis severity. Screening programs for ER detection may reduce the risk of arrhythmias and prevent related complications

The Effects of Creatine Monohydrate on Permeability of Coronary Artery Endothelium and Level of Blood Lipoprotein in Diabetic Rats

Background. Creatine monohydrate has beneficial effects on serum glucose. This study aimed to investigate the effects of creatine on serum biochemical markers and permeability of coronary arteries among diabetic rats. Material and Methods. 32 Wistar rats, which weighed 150-200 grams were randomly divided into 4 groups including: group I, control; group II, creatine monohydrate; group III, diabetic rats; and group IV, diabetic rats + creatine. Creatine monohydrate was applied by 400 mg/kg/daily for 5 months. Animals' weights and blood samples were taken before and after the study. Endothelial permeability rate was measured by Evans Blue method. Data were analysed by SPSS 16. Results. At the end of fifth month, rats' weights in diabetic group under treatment with creatine, compared to those without, increased significantly (p<0.0001). Also, the serum levels of triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, glucose and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol decreased significantly among those under treatment with creatine (p<0.05), but high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol increased significantly (p<0.002). Permeability rate of coronary arteries was reduced significantly in the diabetic group treated by creatine compared to untreated groups, closed to the intact group (p<0.001). Conclusion. Results of this study showed that creatine monohydrate caused an improvement of serum biochemical markers associated with diabetes and reduced the permeability rate of coronary arteries among diabetic rats