A full convolutional network based on DenseNet for remote sensing scene classification.

The convolutional neural networks (CNN) applied in remote sensing scene classification have two common problems. One is that these models have large number of parameters, which causes over-fitting easily. The other is that the network is not deep enough, thus more abstract semantic information cannot be extracted. To solve these two problems, we propose a simple and efficient full convolutional network based on DenseNet for remote sensing scene classification. We construct a small number of convolutional kernels to generate a large number of reusable feature maps by dense connections, which makes the network deeper, but does not increase the number of parameters significantly. Our network is so deep that it has more than 100 layers. However, it has only about 7 million parameters, which is far less than the number of VGG's parameters. Then we incorporate an adaptive average 3D pooling operation in our network. This operation fixes feature maps of size 7 × 7 from the last DenseBlock to 1 × 1 and decreases the number of channels from 1024 to 512, thus the whole network can accept input images with different sizes. Furthermore, we design the convolutional layer instead of the fully connected layer that is used as a classifier usually, so that the output features of the network can be classified without flattening operation, which simplifies the classification operation. Finally, a good model is trained by exploiting pre-trained weights and data augmentation technology. Compared with several state-of-the-art algorithms, our algorithm improves classification performance significantly on UCM dataset, AID dataset, OPTIMAL-31 dataset and NWPU-RESISC45 dataset.

Anti-inflammatory effect of sugar-amino acid Maillard reaction products on intestinal inflammation model in vitro and in vivo.

The Maillard reaction is a nonenzymatic reaction between an amino acid and a reducing sugar that usually occurs upon heating. This reaction occurs routinely in cooking, generates numerous products, which are collectively referred to as Maillard reaction products (MRPs) contributing to aroma and color features. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) transformed from MRPs are participated in many types of inflammation reaction. In this study, various sugar-amino acid MRPs were prepared from three different amino acids (lysine, arginine, and glycine) and sugars (glucose, fructose, and galactose) for 1 h with heating at 121 °C. Treatment of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages with the MRPs decreased nitric oxide (NO) expression compared to control without MRPs treatment. MRPs derived from lysine and galactose (Lys-Gal MRPs) significantly inhibited NO expression. The retentate fraction of Lys-Gal MRPs with cut-off of molecular weight of 3-10 kDa (LGCM) suppressed NO expression more effectively than did Lys-Gal MRPs. The anti-inflammatory effect of LGCM was evaluated using a co-culture system consisting of Caco-2 (apical side) and RAW264.7 or THP-1 (basolateral side) cells to investigate the gut inflammation reaction by stimulated macrophage cells. In this system, LGCM prevented a decreased transepithelial electrical resistance, and decreased both tumor necrosis factor-α production in macrophages and interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-1ß mRNA expression in Caco-2 cells. In co-culture and in vivo dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model study, we also observed the anti-inflammatory activity of LGCM.

Dietary pattern and nutrient intake of korean children with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by itching and eczema-like skin lesions, and its symptoms alleviate with age. Recently, the prevalence of AD has increased among adolescents and adults. The increasing prevalence of AD seems to be related to westernized lifestyles and dietary patterns. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary patterns and nutrient intake of patients with AD. METHODS: The study population consisted of 50 children with AD who visited the Department of Dermatology at Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea from May 2008 to May 2009. Physical condition and calorie intake were evaluated using the Eczema Area and Severity Index score and Food Record Questionnaire completed by the subjects, and the data were analyzed using the Nutritional Assessment Program Can-pro 3.0 (The Korean Nutrition Society, 2005) program to determine the gap between the actual ingestion and average requirements of 3 major nutrients (i.e. carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids), vitamins (i.e. A, B, C, and E), niacin, folic acid, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc in all subjects. RESULTS: The intake rate of proteins was 18.02% (recommended dietary allowance [RDA], 7%~20%), of carbohydrates was 67.7% (RDA, 55%~70%), and of lipids was 14.24% (RDA, 15%~30%). Thirty-one subjects (62%) showed deficiency of folic acid, and 21 subjects (42%), of iron supplements. CONCLUSION: Essential nutrient intake tends to be lower in AD patients than in healthy subjects, and this low intake is closely related to the severity of AD.

Induction of a hardening phenomenon and quantitative changes of ceramides in stratum corneum.

BACKGROUND: Hardening phenomenon of human skin after repeated exposure to the irritants is well-known, but the precise mechanism remains elusive. OBJECTIVE: To modify the previous experimental model of hardening phenomenon by repeated applications of two different concentrations of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) solutions to Korean healthy volunteers and to investigate the quantitative changes of ceramides in stratum corneum before and after chronic repeated irritation. METHODS: Eight hundred microliters of distilled water containing 0.1% and 2% SLS was applied for 10 minutes on the forearm of 41 healthy volunteers for 3 weeks. After an intervening 3-week rest, 24-hour patch tests with 1% SLS were conducted on previously irritated sites. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema index and quantity of ceramide were measured in the stratum corneum before and after irritation. RESULTS: TEWL values on the sites preirritated with 2% SLS were lower than those with 0.1% SLS. Hardening phenomenon occurred in 24 volunteers at day 44. The changes in ceramide levels were not significantly higher in the hardened skin than in the non-hardened skin. CONCLUSION: Repetitive stimulation with a higher concentration of SLS can more easily trigger skin hardening.

Increased expression of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) are major environmental pollutants, and their effects on the human body critically depend on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of the AhR and its ligands in chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis. Expression of AhR-related mRNA was increased in lesional skin from patients with AD and psoriasis compared to those of normal skin from healthy controls. The AhR and aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator were colocalized in the nuclei of keratinocytes at the lower epidermis of psoriatic lesions, which suggested activation of the AhR pathway. After treatment of normal human epidermal keratinocytes with TCDD or PCBs, IL-6 and IL-8 production were increased. The results of this study suggest that AhR is highly expressed in the acute lesional skin of patients with AD and psoriasis, and the AhR pathway is activated especially in psoriasis.

Dose-dependent effects of evening primrose oil in children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Previous clinical trials with evening primrose oil in atopic dermatitis (AD) treatment have shown different results. In addition, the optimal dose and duration of treatment with evening primrose oil have not yet been determined. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the dose-response treatment effects of evening primrose oil on clinical symptoms of AD and serum concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids. METHODS: Forty AD patients were enrolled for the study and randomly divided into 2 groups: those who received evening primrose oil 160 mg daily for 8 weeks and those who received 320 mg of evening primrose oil twice daily for 8 weeks. We evaluated the Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) scores of all AD patients at weeks 0, 2, 4 and 8. In addition, we measured the levels of serum fatty acids, including C16 : 0 (palmitic), C18 : 2n (linoleic), C18 : 3n (linolenic) and C20 : 4 (arachidonic acid) using gas chromatography. RESULTS: The serum fatty acid levels C18 : 3n and C20 : 4 were higher in the 320 mg group than in the 160 mg group, with statistical significance. After evening primrose oil treatment, EASI scores were reduced in the 2 groups. The improvement in EASI scores was greater in the 320 mg group than in the 160 mg group. There were no side effects seen in either group during the study in the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the 320 mg and 160 mg groups may be equally effective in treating AD patients and show dose-dependent effects on serum fatty acid levels and EASI scores.

Improvement of atopic dermatitis severity after reducing indoor air pollutants.

BACKGROUND: Recent epidemiologic studies have shown that environmental contaminants such as air pollution and tobacco smoke play an important role in the pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the severity of AD and indoor air pollution. METHODS: The study population consisted of 425 children from 9 kindergartens, Korea. The authors surveyed the prevalence of AD and evaluated disease severity by the eczema area and severity index (EASI) score and investigator's global assessment (IGA). After measuring indoor air pollution, a program to improve indoor air quality was conducted in 9 kindergartens. Seven months later, the prevalence and disease severity were evaluated. RESULTS: The initial prevalence of AD was 8% and the mean EASI score was 2.37. The levels of particulate material 10 (PM10) and carbon dioxide (CO2) were higher in some kindergartens compared to the normal values. Subsequent to the completion of the indoor air quality improvement program, the mean PM10 level was significantly decreased from 182.7 to 73.4 µg/m(3). After the completion of the program, the prevalence of AD and the mean EASI were decreased, and the changes were both statistically significant. The mean number of hospital visits decreased from 1.3 per month during the first survey to 0.7 per month during the second survey, which was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Indoor air pollution could be related to AD. The reduction of PM10 through improving indoor air quality should be considered in kindergartens and schools in order to prevent and relieve AD in children.

Food hypersensitivity in patients with childhood atopic dermatitis in Korea.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that atopic dermatitis (AD) is related to food hypersensitivity, although its prevalence varies among several studies according to age group, severity, country, survey time, and test method. OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence and status of food hypersensitivity among childhood AD patients in Korea. METHODS: A total of 95 patients were enrolled in the study. The history of food hypersensitivity was collected by interviews. The severity of AD was evaluated by eczema area and severity index (EASI). We took blood samples to measure serum total and food-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Based on the histories and serum IgE levels, open oral food challenge (OFC) testing was performed to confirm food hypersensitivity. RESULTS: Forty-two (44.2%) of the 95 AD patients had histories of food hypersensitivity. They reported that the most common suspicious foods were egg (n=13, 13.7%), pork (n=9, 9.5%) and cow milk (n=8, 8.4%). The mean EASI score was 16.05±9.76. Thirty-nine (41.1%) of the 95 patients showed elevated serum food-specific IgE levels. The specific IgE levels were elevated for egg (n=17, 17.9%), milk (n=12, 12.6%), peanut (n=10, 10.5%) and wheat (n=8, 8.4%). Fifty-one (53.8%) of 95 patients underwent open OFC, and only 7 (13.7%) of these patients showed positive reactions. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of food hypersensitivity in patients with childhood AD in Korea was 8.3% (7/84). The most common foods causing food hypersensitivity were egg and milk. Among the foods causing hypersensitivity, AD patients in Korea often underestimated peanut, while they overestimated pork.

Synthesis and biological activity of fungal metabolite, 4-hydroxy-3-(3'-methyl-2'-butenyl)-benzoic acid.

4-Hydroxy-3-(3'-methyl-2'-butenyl)-benzoic acid (HMBA) was previously isolated from Curvularia sp. KF119 as a cell-cycle inhibitor. However, the present study used a novel and practical synthetic method to prepare a large quantity of HMBA. The synthetic HMBA was found to inhibit the cell-cycle progression of HeLa cells with a comparable potency to the natural fungal metabolite. The inhibition of the cell-cycle progression by the synthetic HMBA involved both the activation of p21(WAFI) and the inhibition of cyclin Dl expression in the cells. Consequently, this new synthetic procedure provides an easy and convenient way to produce or manipulate the original fungal metabolite.