By analyzing the characteristics of maternal abdominal ECG (Electrocardiogram), a method based on wavelet transform and matched filtering is proposed to detect the R-wave in fetal EGG (FECG). In this method, the high-frequency coefficients are calculated by using wavelet transform. First, the maternal QRS template is obtained by using the arithmetic mean scheme. Finally, the R-wave of FECG is detected based on matched filtering. The experimental results show that this method can effectively eliminate the noises, such as the maternal ECG signal and baseline drift, enhancing the accuracy of the detection of fetal ECG.
Abdomen ; Algorithms ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Wavelet Analysis

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of auricular point sticking plus moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) in preventing spleen-stomach disharmony due to intravenous analgesia pump.Method Totally 120 post-operation patients with intravenous analgesia pump were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 60 in each group. Patients in the control group were asked to take a semireclining position, and to turn over the body and do morning exercise under assistance. In addition to the intervention given to the control group, the treatment group received auricular point sticking plus moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36). The occurrence rate of post-operation nausea, vomiting and abdominal bloating was observed.Result The occurrence rate of nausea, vomiting and abdominal bloating was 11.7% in the treatment group, versus 33.3% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion Auricular point sticking plus moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) is effective in preventing spleen-stomach disharmony due to intravenous analgesia pump, and can reduce pain and complications.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of aluminum hydroxide adjuvant on a murine model of allergic rhinitis (AR) and to confirm an appropriate method of establishing a mouse model of AR. METHOD: Establishing two types of BALB/c mice models of AR, one was identified as Local group which was characterized through intranasal sensitization and challenge using ovalbumin (OVA), and the other Systemic group which was made by intraperitoneal sensitization with OVA plus aluminum hydroxide and intranasal challenge through OVA. Then the numbers of sneezing and nasal rubbing were counted after the last challenge and the eosinophils in the nasal mucosa of mice models were observed and counted though Luna stain. Furthermore, morphological hyperplasia was examined in intraepithelial goblet cells and submucosal glands with HE stain. In addition, interlukin (IL) -4, IL-5, OVA specific IgE (sIgE) and interferon (IFN)-gamma in nasal lavage fluid (NLF) and serum of mice were examined u sing enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULT: The counts of sneezing and nasal rubbing in local group were more than those in systemic group and eosinophilia in the nasal mucosa of former group was greater than that in the latter one. Morphological hyperplasia was stronger in intraepithelial goblet cells and submucosal glands in local group compared with that in systemic group. Furthermore, the contents of IL-4, IL-5 and sIgE increased in the NLF and serum of mice of local group compared to those of systemic one. However, the production of IFN-gamma of mice in local group decreased when compared with that in Systemic group. CONCLUSION OVA plus aluminum hydroxide adjuvant may promote Th1 type immune response as well as Th2 response. OVA intranasal sensitization and challenge locally is an appropriate way in the establishment of AR mice models.
Adjuvants, Immunologic ; pharmacology ; Aluminum Hydroxide ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Immunoglobulin E ; immunology ; Interferon-gamma ; immunology ; Interleukin-4 ; immunology ; Interleukin-5 ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; immunology

Objective To investigate the effects of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)combined with Huaiqihuang on hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) in rats. Methods Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups according to the random number table method:normal control group (group A), prednisone group (group B), Huaiqihuang group (group C), ACTH group (group D) and combined treatment group (group E) with 10 rats in each group. Rats in group B, C, D and E were gavaged by acetic acid prednisone water solution 12.5 mg/(kg · d) for 4 weeks to establish HPA axis suppression model. Group A was given distilled water 10 mL/(kg·d) as control. Rats in group C and E were gavaged with Huaiqihuang 5 g/(kg·d) 30 minutes after intragastric administration of prednisone acetate. At the third week of the experiment, group D and E were subcutaneous injected with ACTH 200 μg/(kg·d). The serum cortisol levels were measured respectively at the start of the ex?periment, 2 weeks and 4 weeks of experiment. Animals were sacrificed at the end of the experiment, and then weights of the pituitary, adrenal glands and the viscera index were calculated. The pathological changes of the pituitary and adrenal glands were observed by HE stainning. Results After 2 weeks, the serum cortisol levels were significantly lower in group B, C, D and E than those of group A (P<0.05), suggesting that the model was successful. After 4 weeks, the serum cortisol levels were significantly higher in group C, D and E than those of group B (P<0.05), and between the treatment group the value was group E>group D>group C (P<0.05). At the same time, the weights of pituitary and adrenal gland and the viscera in?dex were higher in the three groups than those of B group (P<0.05). The HE staining showed that there were no significant changes in the distal part of the pituitary gland in five groups. The adrenal cortex zona was thinning and the structure was dis?ordered in group B. There were different degrees of hyperplasia in group C, group D, and group E, which was the most obvi?ous in group E. Conclusion ACTH combined with Huaiqihuang can promote adrenal cortex zona hyperplasia and cortisol secretion, which reduces the glucocorticoid induced inhibition of HPA axis in rats.

Objective To investigate the expression of glucose-regulated protein 78(GRP78)and cysteine aspartic acid protease 12(Caspase-12) and evaluate the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in rats with contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN),and observe the protective effects of hydroxytyrosol on CIN rats.Methods Eighty-four Wistar rats,(220±20) g,were randomly divided into control group,CIN group,hydroxytyrosol treated group (group C+H).At 12th,24th,48th,72th day after the rats model were established,BUN and Scr were detected.ELISA were used to detect the expression of methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA),superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px).HE staining were used to evaluate the pathological change of kidney.TUNEL were used to detect the apoptosis of tubular ceils.Real-time PCR were used to detect the expression of GRP78 mRNA and Caspase-12 mRNA in tubular cells.Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of GRP78 and Caspase-12 protein in tubular cells.Results BUN,Scr,the mRNA and protein expression of GRP78,Caspase-12 in hydroxytyrosol treated group were higher than that in control group(P ＜ 0.05),but were significantly lower than that in CIN group (P ＜ 0.05).Pathological changes and the apoptosis of tubular cells in CIN group were more serious than that in hydroxytyrosol treated group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Endoplasmic reticulum stress may be associated with contrast-induced nephropathy.Hydroxytyrosol can protect kidney from contrast medium via reducing the endoplasmic reticulum stress.

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) is a member of MAP kinase family. Its widespectrum roles in the control of energy metabolism have been indicated in numerous studies. P3 8 participates in the energy metabolism in all major tissues/organs involved in the control of energy metabolism, including adipose tissue, skeletal muscles, islet cells, and liver. In white adipose tissue, p38 plays an important role in adipose differentiation and glucose uptake although it is still inconclusive whether this role of p38 is stimulatory or inhibitory. The stimulatory role of p38 in transcription of the uncoupling protein 1 ( UCP1 ) gene in brown adipose tissue is relatively clear. A fundamental role for p38 in the differentiation of skeletal muscles and mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscles is rather definitive although the role of p3 8 in glucose uptake of skeletal muscles remains controversial. In islet cells, p38 appears to be involved in β-cell apoptosis. P38 has been indicated in the control of preproinsulin gene transcription, but remains controversial. However, it seems clear that p38 does not play a significant role in insulin secretion. In the liver, p38 plays a central role in hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism. Activation of p38 participates in the processes to increase blood glucose levels through reducing glycogen synthesis and increasing hepatic gluconeogenesis. P38 appears to prevent fat storage by inhibiting hepatic lipogenesis and promoting fatty acid oxidation in the liver. Additionally, p38 may play a critical role in cholesterol metabolism by regulating expression of the LDLR gene and bile metabolism. P38 does not only participate in various physiological and pathophysiological processes in cardiomyocytes, but also is heavily involved in the development of atherosclerotic lessions through its influences on monocytes/macrophages, vascular endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of normal saline nasal irrigation with different temperature on allergic rhinitis (AR) and to confirm the appropriate temperature of nasal irrigation.

METHODSSixty patients with AR were randomly divided into 3 groups (according to random number table) and received 15 °C, 25 °C or 40 °C normal saline nasal irrigation respectively, and 20 healthy controls received no treatment. Visual analogue scale ( VAS) was used to assess the symptoms among the control group and the various intervention groups and the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to detect the contents of histamine, leukotriene C4 (LTC4), house dust mite D1 specific IGE (sIGE) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) among the control group and the various intervention groups. GraphPad Prism 5 software was used to analyze the data.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference between 15 °C normal saline nasal irrigation group and 25 °C normal saline nasal irrigation group. Pre-intervention and post intervention whether is VAS scores of rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal obstruction and nasal pruritis or in contents of histamine, LTC4, sIgE and ECP showed no difference (all P > 0.05). However, the symptoms of (sneezing VAS score: 3.765 ± 0.291; nasal obstruction VAS score: 3.529 ± 0.365). The difference was significant (t = 4.678, P < 0.001; t = 3.901, P < 0.01). The contents of histamine [ (21.78 ± 0.62) ng/ml] and LTC4 (17.43 ± 0.67 ng/ml) were also decreased after intervention of 40 °C normal saline nasal irrigation [ histamine content: (18.82 ± 0.52) ng/ml; LTC4 content: (13.14 ± 0.59) ng/ml ]. The difference was significant (t = 3.632, P < 0.01; t = 4.79, P < 0.001). Nonetheless, there were no statistical differences in VAS scores of rhinorrhea (t = 2.02, P = 0.051) and nasal pruritis (t = 1.984, P =0.056) and in contents of sIgE (t = 1.891, P = 0.066) and ECP (t = 2.021, P = 0.05). There were statistical differences between the 40 °C group and the 25 °C group normal saline nasal irrigation group in symptoms of sneezing (t = 2.060, P = 0.048) and nasal obstruction (t = 2.1053, P = 0.048). and inflammatory factors of histamine (t = 2.078, P = 0.045) and LTC4 (t = 2.149, P = 0.038). In symptoms of rhinorrhea and nasal pruritis and local production of sIgE and ECP, there was no statistical difference (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION40 °C normal saline nasal irrigation can improve the symptoms of sneezing and nasal obstruction and can alleviate the local levels of inflammatory factors like histamine and LTC4 in AR patients, and is the appropriate irrigation temperature.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Lavage ; methods ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; therapy ; Sodium Chloride ; administration & dosage ; Temperature

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the results of superficial parotidectomy with preservation of the Steven’s duct. METHODS 27 cases of superficial parotidectomy with preservation of the Steven’s duct were reviewed retrospectively. Complications and treatment outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS Almost all cases investigated resulted in satisfactory outcomes. CONCLUSION Superficial parotidectomy with preservation of the Steven’s duct is a possible alternative for some patients, especially those with benign parotid tumour.

AIM: To study the change of intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) expression in intestine tissues of mice induced by LPS and regulatory effect of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) on ICAM-1 expression. METHODS: Protein and mRNA of ICAM-1 were measured using Western blotting and RT-PCR respectively in intestine tissue of BALB/c mice treated by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) or LPS plus SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the expression of ICAM-1 protein and mRNA was increased significantly by LPS stimulation in dose- and time-dependent manner. ICAM-1 expression reached peak value at 12-36 h after LPS stimulation. 20.0 mg/kg of LPS could induce the maximum of ICAM-1 expression. Pretreatment of mice with SB203580 for 30 min could inhibit significantly LPS-induced expression of ICAM-1 protein and mRNA expression in mouse intestine tissues. CONCLUSIONS: These data highlight that LPS could up-regulate ICAM-1 protein and mRNA expression in intestine tissue of mice in dose- and time-dependent manner, and p38 MAPK signal pathway plays an important role in ICAM-1 expression induced by LPS. It suggests that inhibition of p38 MAPK might be a useful principle for the prevention and treatment of intestine damage of endotoxic shock.

Objective To establish a practical and effective predictive model for predicting carotid plaque/thickened intima,and to provide a novel perspective for stroke screening.Methods A retrospective analysis of the community screening data collected from September 2012 to March 2013 was performed.The data of blood pressure,serum lipid profile and fasting blood glucose and ultrasonographic checks of carotid artery were documented.One thousand subjects were randomly sampled from totally 14 226 individuals and divided into 2 groups according to the presence of carotid plaque/thickened intima.Analysis of relevant data of subjects with Logistic regression were performed.Predictive model was established according to the odds ratio for each risk factor and evaluated by C statistics.Results In the randomly sampled 1000 subjects,164 ones were found to be with carotid plaque/thickened intima.The mean age was (60.23 ± 10.09) years old,110 (67.1％) were male.Smoker,hypertension,angina pectoris,diabetes and hyperlipidemia were seen more often in the subjects with carotid plaque/thickened intima.Logistic regression analysis showed the independent risk factors for carotid plaque/thickened intima included advanced age (OR =1.15,95％ CI:1.12-1.84,P＜0.01),male (OR=3.97,95％CI:2.49-6.33,P＜0.01),smoking (OR=1.80,95％CI:1.24-2.56,P =0.002),diabetes (OR =1.80,95％ CI:1.15-2.98,P =0.012),hypertension (OR =2.82,95％ CI:1.15-2.98,P ＜ 0.01),high total cholesterol level (OR =1.63,95％ CI:1.31-2.02,P ＜ 0.01) and high LDL-C (low density lipoprotein-cholesterol) level (OR =1.70,95 ％ CI:1.35-2.14,P ＜ 0.01).The advanced age was found to be the strongest predictive factor in this model.The C statistics of this model is 0.804,which overweighs other models previously reported.The optimal cutoff point for prediction was 3.5,with a sensitivity of 0.713 and a specificity of 0.757.Conclusion An practical and effective model for predicting carotid plaque/thickened intima established from sampling data of community residents is favorable for both stroke screening and primary stroke prevention.