The region segmentation of the pap-smear image is known to be a difficult and important part in the automatic image recognition system. Both the pixel based methods(thresholding) and the region based methods(split and merge, region growing and edge detection) are widely used for segmentation of the nucleus, cytoplasm and background in the pap-smear images. The pixel based methods are relatively fast, but not accurate, while the region based methods are accurate, but slow. This paper proposes a multistage segmentation strategy which uses thresholding and incremental color clustering methods to reduce computation time while not sacrificing accuracy. Proposed method consists of three stages. The first stage uses global thresholding method to search nucleus blob position, and the second stage employs incremental color clustering with color information. The final stage segments unsuitable nuclei using thresholding method after calculating suitability for each extracted nucleus blob. The proposed segmentation method is tested under various error measures. The experimental results showed that each stage of the proposed method reduced specific error measures: The second stage reduced false negative error and the third stage false positive error.
Cytoplasm

Lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei (LMDF) is a rare granulomatous skin disease mainly affecting the central area of the face. A variety of treatments are reportedly of some benefit; however, controlled studies to establish the best treatment are lacking. Here, we report the cases of a 33-year-old man who presented with multiple, various-sized, erythematous maculopapules on the face and a 19-year-old man who presented multiple, reddish papuloplaques distributed on the face. Histopathological examinations of the two cases revealed large clear-boundary epithelioid cell granulomas with central necrosis surrounded by lymphocytic infiltration. Based on the clinical and histological findings, diagnoses of LMDF were made. As oral tetracycline and antimalarials were not fully effective in our cases, oral mini-pulse steroid therapy (dexamethasone, 5 mg bid for 2 days per week) was initiated. After several months, the eruption significantly improved, and most lesions were resolved. Here, we report two cases of LMDF successfully treated with oral mini-pulse steroid therapy.
Adult ; Antimalarials ; Diagnosis ; Epithelioid Cells ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Skin Diseases ; Tetracycline ; Young Adult

Purpose: Endocrine therapy is the first-line treatment recommended for patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer without visceral crisis. However, this recommendation has not been followed clinically because of efficacy issues. In this study, the survival of patients with HR-positive/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer was evaluated based on the following first-line treatment regimens: the combination of palbociclib plus letrozole, conventional endocrine therapy, or chemotherapy. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for this retrospective analysis. Patients with HR-positive/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer were included. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared based on first-line treatment regimens. Results: A total of 184 patients were included in the analysis. The first-line treatments were palbociclib plus letrozole in 46 patients (25.0%), endocrine therapy in 40 patients (21.7%), and chemotherapy in 98 patients (53.3%). The PFS of the palbociclib plus letrozole group was significantly longer than that of the endocrine therapy (hazard ratio=3.43, p<0.001) and chemotherapy (hazard ratio=2.88, p=0.001) groups. No significant difference was observed between the endocrine therapy and chemotherapy groups (p=0.430). The OS of the palbociclib plus letrozole group was significantly longer than that of the endocrine therapy (hazard ratio=5.34, p=0.009) and chemotherapy (hazard ratio 4.23, p=0.043) groups. No significant difference was observed between the endocrine therapy and chemotherapy groups (p=0.451). Conclusion The combination regimen of palbociclib and letrozole could be recommended as the first-line treatment of choice in patients with HR-positive/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer.