Semantic and Geometric-Aware Day-to-Night Image Translation Network.

Autonomous driving systems heavily depend on perception tasks for optimal performance. However, the prevailing datasets are primarily focused on scenarios with clear visibility (i.e., sunny and daytime). This concentration poses challenges in training deep-learning-based perception models for environments with adverse conditions (e.g., rainy and nighttime). In this paper, we propose an unsupervised network designed for the translation of images from day-to-night to solve the ill-posed problem of learning the mapping between domains with unpaired data. The proposed method involves extracting both semantic and geometric information from input images in the form of attention maps. We assume that the multi-task network can extract semantic and geometric information during the estimation of semantic segmentation and depth maps, respectively. The image-to-image translation network integrates the two distinct types of extracted information, employing them as spatial attention maps. We compare our method with related works both qualitatively and quantitatively. The proposed method shows both qualitative and qualitative improvements in visual presentation over related work.

GAN-Based LiDAR Translation between Sunny and Adverse Weather for Autonomous Driving and Driving Simulation.

Autonomous driving requires robust and highly accurate perception technologies. Various deep learning algorithms based on only image processing satisfy this requirement, but few such algorithms are based on LiDAR. However, images are only one part of the perceptible sensors in an autonomous driving vehicle; LiDAR is also essential for the recognition of driving environments. The main reason why there exist few deep learning algorithms based on LiDAR is a lack of data. Recent translation technology using generative adversarial networks (GANs) has been proposed to deal with this problem. However, these technologies focus on only image-to-image translation, although a lack of data occurs more often with LiDAR than with images. LiDAR translation technology is required not only for data augmentation, but also for driving simulation, which allows algorithms to practice driving as if they were commanding a real vehicle, before doing so in the real world. In other words, driving simulation is a key technology for evaluating and verifying algorithms which are practically applied to vehicles. In this paper, we propose a GAN-based LiDAR translation algorithm for autonomous driving and driving simulation. It is the first LiDAR translation approach that can deal with various types of weather that are based on an empirical approach. We tested the proposed method on the JARI data set, which was collected under various adverse weather scenarios with diverse precipitation and visible distance settings. The proposed method was also applied to the real-world Spain data set. Our experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can generate realistic LiDAR data under adverse weather conditions.

Correction to: Stiripentol alleviates neuropathic pain in L5 spinal nerve-transected mice.

In the original publication of the article, the value "40-µm thickness" was incorrect in the legend of Figure 4. The correct value is 10-µm thickness.

Stiripentol alleviates neuropathic pain in L5 spinal nerve-transected mice.

PURPOSE: Antiepileptic drugs are used not only for the treatment of epilepsy but also for that of neuropathic pain. However, their action mechanisms have not always been well explained. Stiripentol, an effective antiepileptic drug indicated as a therapeutic for Dravet syndrome, was recently shown to act as an inhibitor of lactate dehydrogenase in astrocytes. In this present study, we examined the effect of stiripentol on neuropathic pain in L5 spinal nerve-transected mice. METHODS: We carried out behavioral tests using calibrated von Frey filaments and the immunohistochemistry of glial fibrillary acidic protein, an astrocyte marker, in L5 spinal nerve-transected mice after intrathecal administration of drugs. RESULTS: Like other anticonvulsants such as gabapentin and carbamazepine, stiripentol alleviated mechanical hyperalgesia induced by L5 spinal nerve transection in a dose-dependent manner, when intrathecally administered to mice 7, 14, and 28 days after L5 spinal nerve transection. Likewise, α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, a broad inhibitor of monocarboxylate transporters, diminished mechanical hyperalgesia induced by L5 spinal nerve transection. Simultaneous administration of L-lactate negated the analgesic effect elicited by stiripentol, carbamazepine or α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, but not that by gabapentin. None of the anticonvulsants affected the immunoreactivity of glial fibrillary acidic protein. CONCLUSIONS: This present study demonstrated that stiripentol was effective against neuropathic pain and suggested that the astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle was involved in such pain.

Yokukansan Alleviates Cancer Pain by Suppressing Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in a Mouse Bone Metastasis Model.

Bone cancer pain control is difficult because it includes various characteristics of pain such as nociceptic and neuropathic pain. In this study, we investigated the effect of yokukansan (YKS), one of the traditional Japanese herbal medicines, on cancer pain in mouse bone metastasis model. Oral administration of YKS significantly alleviated pain behavior measured by quantitative body weight bearing. Furthermore, the pain behavior was also significantly alleviated by intrathecal and intraperitoneal administration of matrix metalloproteinase- (MMP-) 9 inhibitor, but not of MMP-2 inhibitor. MMP-9 expression was significantly elevated in the bone tissue on day 3 after carcinoma cell injection and in the ipsilateral spinal cord on day 7, which was suppressed by YKS administration. Taken together, these results suggest that YKS alleviates cancer pain via suppressing MMP-9 expression in bone metastasis model in mice.

The Oxidative Pathway to Dopamine-Protein Conjugates and Their Pro-Oxidant Activities: Implications for the Neurodegeneration of Parkinson's Disease.

Neuromelanin (NM) is a dark brown pigment found in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra (SN) and in norepinephrinergic neurons of the locus coeruleus (LC). Although NM is thought to be involved in the etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) because its content decreases in neurodegenerative diseases such as PD, details are still unknown. In this study, we characterized the biosynthetic pathway of the oxidation of dopamine (DA) by tyrosinase in the presence of thiol peptides and proteins using spectroscopic and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods and we assessed the binding of DA via cysteine residues in proteins by oxidation catalyzed by redox-active metal ions. To examine whether the protein-bound DA conjugates exhibit pro-oxidant activities, we measured the depletion of glutathione (GSH) with the concomitant production of hydrogen peroxide. The results suggest that the fate of protein-bound DA conjugates depends on the structural features of the proteins and that DA-protein conjugates produced in the brain possess pro-oxidant activities, which may cause neurodegeneration due to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the depletion of antioxidants.

Corrigendum to "Yokukansan Alleviates Cancer Pain by Suppressing Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in a Mouse Bone Metastasis Model".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2019/2956920.].

Pheomelanogenesis is promoted at a weakly acidic pH.

The diversity of pigmentation in the skin, hair, and eyes of humans has been largely attributed to the diversity of pH in melanosomes with an acidic pH being proposed to suppress melanin production, especially eumelanogenesis. We previously showed that an acidic pH greatly suppresses the late stage of eumelanogenesis after the dopachrome stage. The oxidation of tyrosine by tyrosinase in the presence of cysteine forms cysteinyldopa isomers, which are further oxidized to give rise to pheomelanin via benzothiazine intermediates. However, how those steps are controlled by pH has not been characterized. We therefore examined whether pheomelanin synthesis is chemically promoted at an acidic pH. We found that pheomelanin production either from dopa or tyrosine in the presence of cysteine by tyrosinase was greatest at pH values of 5.8-6.3, while eumelanin production was suppressed at pH 5.8. This suggests that mixed melanogenesis is chemically shifted to more pheomelanic states at a weakly acidic pH.

[Successful Airway Management Using the air-Q Intubating Laryngeal Airway under Dexmedetomidine and Laryngeus Superior Nerve Block for Severe Tracheal Stenosis due to Thyroid Cancer Invasion].

A 75-year-old woman suffering from respiratory difficulty was diagnosed with severe tracheal stenosis due o malignant thyroid cancer. She was scheduled for an mergent tracheotomy, but preoperative computed omography revealed severe tracheal stenosis below he glottis due to thyroid cancer invasion. Anticipating lifficult tracheal intubation and risk of obstruction from hemorrhage, intubation preserving spontaneous ventiation was performed to avoid a 'can't ventilate, can't intubate' situation. A size 3.5 air-Q intubating laryngeal airway was inserted using a bronchofiberscope to perform tracheal intubation in a semi-sitting position. Successful tracheal intubation which avoided damage to the tumor was achieved while maintaining spontaneous ventilation. The air-Q intubating laryngeal airway was useful in this setting of severe tracheal stenosis due to thyroid cancer just under the glottis.

[Successful Awake Nasal Endotracheal Intubation with the McGrath Videolaryngoscope and a Soft-tipped Extra Firm Exchange Catheter in a Patient with a Necrotic Mandible].

Here we report a case of successful awake nasal intubation with the McGrath videolaryngscope (McGrath) in conjunction with a soft-tipped extra firm exchange catheter in a patient with a necrotic mandible developing a hole. An 81-year-old woman underwent partial tongue resection and cervical lymph node dissection. After additional radiation therapy, she developed a necrotic mandible with a hole from the oral cavity to the neck region. She was scheduled for resection of the necrotic mandible under general anesthesia. Upon sedation with dexmedetomidine 1.0 µg xkg-(1 )-xhr-(1 )and applying topical anesthesia with lido-aine, we inserted the McGrath orally and the soft- ipped extra firm tube exchange catheter (TE) nasally. Under the guide of the McGrath's monitor, we inserted the TE, using Magill forceps, into her trachea. A 6.0 mm internal diameter spiral tracheal tube was inserted via the TE uneventfully.

Rapid-Sequence Intubation in the Left-Lateral Tilt Position in a Pregnant Woman with Premature Placental Abruption Utilizing a Videolaryngoscope.

Case A 24-year-old pregnant woman was admitted to our hospital with decreased fetal heart rate. Obstetric examination revealed premature placental abruption; emergent caesarean section was planned under general anesthesia. On entering the operating room, the patient showed severe vital sign deterioration (blood pressure, 75/45 mm Hg; heart rate, 142 beats per minute). As left uterine displacement may worsen the premature placental abruption, the patient was placed in the left-lateral tilt position by rotating the operating table to release compression on the inferior vena cava by theuterus. To avoid circulatory collapse, rapid-sequence intubation was performed in this position. Tracheal intubation was performed with the Pentax-AWS Airwayscope (AWS videolaryngoscope, AWS; HOYA, Japan) to obtain a good laryngeal view and minimize stress from laryngoscopy. After sufficient oxygenation, 120 mg of thiopental was administered. A second anesthesiologist performed cricoid pressure and 50 mg of rocuronium was administered after confirming loss of consciousness. This was followed by insertion of the AWS with a thin intlock into the mouth. Tracheal intubation was performed uneventfully. Discussion Rapid-sequence intubation in the left-lateral tilted position with the AWS videolaryngoscope may be beneficial for pregnant women with vital sign deterioration.

[Successful fiberoptic tracheal intubation guided by Airwayscope with a thin Intlock blade in a patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis].

We present a case of anticipated difficult airway with severe rheumatoid arthritis in which intubation with fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB) assisted by Pentax-AWS Airwayscope with the thin Intlock (AWS T) was effective. A 69-year-old woman was scheduled to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in a previous hospital. Tracheal intubation with Glidescope or nasal intubation was unsuccessful and abandoned due to mucosal injury and bleeding. Ventilation via several supraglottic airway devices was unsatisfactory, while mask ventilation was easy after induction of anesthesia. She was referred to our hospital for application of veno-arterial extracorporeal life support in case of 'cannot ventilate and cannot intubate'. We planned to perform tracheal intubation preserving spontaneous breathing under intravenous administration of dexmedetomidine and fentanyl. We could visualize the epiglottis, but could not set the target mark to the invisible glottis with AWS-T. Finally, we could accomplish uneventful tracheal intubation with FOB along with the Intlock's guides of AWS-T.

[Successful double-lumen tube intubation with the Pentax-AWS Airwayscope and a tracheal tube introducer in the lateral position for a patient with a giant mediastinal tumor].

Anesthetic management of a patient with giant mediastinal tumors is challenging from the perspective of both cardiovascular and respiratory management. We report the successful use of the Pentax-AWS Airwayscope (AWS; Hoya, Japan) and a tracheal tube introducer in the left lateral position for a patient with a giant mediastinal tumor. An 18-year-old man weighing 62 kg was scheduled for resection of a giant mediastinal tumor. He suffered from slight dyspnea in the supine position, and slept in the left lateral position. Preoperative chest X-P and computed tomography revealed compression of the left bronchus, heart and aorta. To avoid cardiac and respiratory collapse, anesthesia was induced in the left lateral position without a muscle relaxant. The patient was administered fentanyl 200 microg and propofol 150 mg; mask ventilation with the two-hand technique in the lateral position was successful. Subsequently, the AWS was inserted into his mouth and a 10 Fr tracheal tube introducer was placed in the trachea under the guidance of the AWS monitor. The patient was then intubated with a 35 Fr right-sided double-lumen tracheal tube under the guidance of the tracheal tube introducer. The head of the double-lumen tube was placed in the right bronchus under the guidance of a bronchofiberscope. Following tracheal tube placement, posture was shifted from the left lateral position to supine position without affecting vital signs. After median sternotomy, a muscle relaxant was administered for immobilization.

[Intubation using the Pentax-AWS Airwayscope with an infant-size Intlock in a patient with increased intracranial pressure due to acute hydrocephalus].

We report our experience with the Pentax-AWS Airwayscope with an infant-size Intlock (AWS-I) in a patient with increased intracranial pressure due to acute hydrocephalus. A 12-month-old female infant with increased intracranial pressure due to acute hydrocephalus was scheduled to undergo emergent ventriculoperitoneal shunting under general anesthesia. She had a clonic convulsion and was sedated with midazolam. As her head was enlarged, head-tilting was difficult. Tracheal intubation while preventing an intracranial pressure increase was needed. After induction of general anesthesia with thiamylal and fentanyl the AWS-I was inserted to obtain a laryngoscopic view without excessive force. Under AWS observation, tracheal intubation was uneventful, and no vital sign change was observed.

[One-lung ventilation using dexmedetomidine in an emphysema patient with pneumothorax due to metastatic lung cancer].

We report a case of double-lumen tube intubation and intraoperative one-lung ventilation under spontaneous breathing with continuous dexmedetomidine administration. A 61-year-old man developed pneumothorax due to multiple metastatic cancer, had multiple bilateral bullae, and underwent bullae resection under general anesthesia. An epidural catheter was placed at T8-9. Under dexmedetomidine sedation and regional anesthesia with lidocaine, a double-lumen tube was inserted with a Macintosh laryngoscope. The patient was under one-lung ventilation with spontaneous breathing during the operation. There were no complications from one-lung ventilation and the patient was extubated in the operating room. One-lung ventilation, which preserves spontaneous breathing, under dexmedetomidine sedation is considered effective for preventing barotrauma in patients with multiple metastatic cancer.

[Difference in nitrous oxide-mediated increases in intracuff pressure between two tracheal tubes in a simulated pediatric lung model].

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the nitrous oxide-mediated increases in cuff pressure between a tracheal tube with a tapered cuff (Taper) or conventional high volume low pressure cuff (HVLP) utilizing a simulated pediatric lung model. METHODS: The automated cuff pressures were adjusted to 10, 20, and 30 cmH2O. The Taper and HVLP were exposed to 80% nitrous oxide and cuff pressure was measured 15 and 30 minutes later. RESULTS: The cuff pressure of the Taper was significantly lower than that of the HVLP after 15 and 30 minutes, regardless of the initial pressure. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the Taper may be more effective than the HVLP in preventing hyperinflation of the tracheal tube cuff in response to nitrous oxide exposure in children.

[Comparison of TaperGuard tube and the Portex Softseal for prevention of vomitus leakage in an in vitro simulation airway model].

BACKGROUND: Microaspiration of vomitus can cause a serious condition known as Mendelson's syndrome. The present study used simulated stomach contents and an airway model to compare a tracheal tube with a tapered cuff (Taper) to the conventional high volume low pressure cuff (HVLP) in their abilities to prevent microaspiration. METHODS: The automated cuff pressure was adjusted to 10, 20, and 30 cmH2O. We poured 5 ml of simulated stomach contents above the cuff in the vertically situated airway model and measured the leakage volume after 5 minutes as well as 4 hours. RESULTS: After 5 minutes, leakage volume was significantly lower for the Taper than for the HVLP at 10 cmH2O, but not for 20 and 30 cmH2O. After 4 hours, stomach content leakage was significantly less with the Taper than with the HVLP, regardless of cuff pressure (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the Taper may be more effective than the conventional HVLP in preventing vomitus microaspiration in an airway model simulation.

Development of an artificial synapse using an electrochemical micropump.

Improving the resolution of artificial sensory organs requires an interface that receives external information from electronic circuits and stimulates appropriate neurons individually in response to that information. The method of electric stimulation in available artificial sensory organs is fairly nonselective; therefore, we developed a method of chemical stimulation of neurons using a neurotransmitter containing an electrochemical micropump powered by the bubbling that occurs during water electrolysis. The micropump contains a glass nozzle with a tip 10 microm in diameter. Two blackened platinum electrodes for the electrolysis were inserted into the body of the pump, which was filled with neurotransmitter solution. The distance between a neuron of the gastropod Aplysia and the tip of the nozzle was adjusted to about 100 microm. A potential difference of 3.0 V was applied to the electrodes to propel the solution toward the neuron while its membrane potential was monitored. Administration of 1-mM acetylcholine to a resting neuron caused neural firing only when the voltage was applied for 0.5 s and without a time lag. During administration of 50-mM gamma-aminobutyric acid to spontaneously firing neurons, the firing disappeared with a time lag of 1 s after application of 3.0 V. We concluded that an electrochemical micropump can be applied for rapid neurotransmitter administration to control the excitation and inhibition of neurons. This simple pump can be miniaturized to create "synapses" in artificial sensory organs.