Objective To investigate the effects of simvastatin on the production of interleukin (IL)-17and B-cell activating transcription factor (BATF) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy individuals.Methods PBMCs were isolated from heparinized blood of healthy donors or RA patients using Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation.The cells were stimulated by PMA and ionomycin in the absence or presence of simvastatin or MVA at 37 ℃ 5％CO2.The mRAN level of IL-17,BATF and GAPDH was detected by RT-PCR; the protein level of IL-17 in supernatants was assayed by ELISA kit; and the protein level of BATF was detected by Western Blotting.The comparison between the two groups was carried out by paired-t test and Chi-square test was used for muhi-group comparison.Results PBMCs of healthy donors [(69.2±12.2) vs (8.1±2.2) pg/ml,P＜0.05; (76.6±14.7) vs (10.2±7.2) pg/ml,P＜0.05] and RA patients [(79.6±12.7) vs (15.8±5.8) pg/ml,P＜0.05; (90.3±9.7) vs (12.9±7.9) pg/ml,P＜0.05] were stimulated with PMA and ionomycin to produce high levels of IL-17.After treatment with simvastatin,the expression and secretion level of IL-17 in healthy controls and RA PBMCs were markedly decreased.The inhibition of simvastatin on the production of IL-17 was reversed by mevalonic acid (MVA),but no significant changes of BATF after treating with simvastatin.Conclusion Simvastatin inhibits the production of IL-17 in the PBMCs at gene and protein levels,which is not targeted at suppressing the expression of IL-17 transcription factor BATF.

Objective To probe into the preventive effect of Xinhuang tablet dissolved in vinegar on phlebitis caused by Doxorubicin? Methods The self-control study was performed in 30 patients treated by doxorubicin? In the initial course,33%magnesium sulfate by wet dressings was externally applied on the skin along the vein until completion of transfusion of chemotherapeutic drugs? In the second course,Xinhuang tablet dissolved in vinegar was used on the skin along the vein until completion of transfusion?The phlebitis rate by magnesium sulfate by wet dressings was compared to that by Xinhuang tablet dissolved in vinegar? Result The phlebitis rate in the initial course was 83?3% while 36?7% in the second course(P<0?01)? Conclusions Xinhuang tablet dissolved in vinegar applied on the skin may be of use for the prevention of phlebitis? It may reduce the damage and improve the quality of the life?

AIM: Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) as polyphenic morphogen can induce the formation of bone and cartilage. This study investigates the effect of BMP on articular cartilage regeneration after periosteal graft. METHODS: Experiments were performed at the Animal Laboratory (absl-3) of Weifang People's Hospital from September 2006 to January 2007. Sixteen New Zealand white rabbits (32 knees) (2.5-3.0 kg) were divided into experimental and control groups randomly, each 8 rabbits (16 knees). The 3.5 mm in diameter of full-thickness articular cartilage defect was made on femoral intercondylar fossa in all rabbits, and 3.5 mm in diameter of periosteum was cut out from the anteromedial part of the upper tibial bone. In the experimental group, the cartilage defect was covered with periosteum, into which 20 ?g BMP and 20% Pluronic were injected. In the control group, the cartilage defect was covered with periosteum, into which the same dosages of 9 g/L saline and 20% Pluronic were injected. All the rabbits were sacrificed in 4, 8 and 12 weeks postoperatively. Motion of joint, conjunction of repair tissue and perienchyma were examined macroscopically. Haematoxylin-eosin staining and toluidine blue staining were used to observe the characteristics of repair tissues. Histological scores on samples in each group were measured by Wakitani score standard at different time points with light microscope. Ultramicrostructure of transplanted tissues was observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: Sixteen rabbits were included in the final analysis. Macroscopic observation: 4 weeks after the surgery, the defect was covered with tissue like cartage in the experimental group, and with periosteum in the control group. 8 weeks after the surgery, the surface of the defect was smooth, with boundary unclear in the experimental group. In the control group, the outcome was the opposite. In 12 weeks, cartilage had formed in the experimental group, and tissue like cartilage began to happen in control one. Histological observation: 4 weeks after the surgery, the defect was filled with cells and matrix with abundant proliferation of periosteal cambium layer in the experimental group, and slight proliferation in the control group. 8 weeks after the surgery, the periosteum in the experimental group became fibrocartilage with little hyaline cartilage. Just little fibrocartilage with on hyaline one was detected in the control group. In 12 weeks, the repair tissue in the experimental group approached to normal cartilage. Just fibrous tissue with little fibrocartilage was detected in the control group. Regenerative repair of cartilage defect was better in the experimental group than in the control group (P

To solve the problem of cardiac arrhythmias classification, we proposed a novel algorithm based on the multi-feature fusion and support vector machines (SVM). Kernel independent component analysis (KICA) was used to extract nonlinear features and wavelet transform (WT) was used to extract time-frequency features. Combining these features could include more information about the disease. We designed the classification model based on SVM combined with error correcting output codes (ECOC). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and Area Under the ROC curve (AUC) value were used to assess the classification model. The value of AUC is 0.956 against MIT-BIH arrhythmia database. Experimental results showed effectiveness of the proposed method.
Algorithms ; Area Under Curve ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; classification ; diagnosis ; Electrocardiography ; methods ; Humans ; Principal Component Analysis ; ROC Curve ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Support Vector Machine

This review systematically introduces the functional connections among cardiovascular centers from spinal cord to cortex, and the mechanisms underlying pressor or depressor response of these cardiovascular centers, including the pathways, transmitters and receptors involved. The pressor or depressor response of these cardiovascular centers is mainly mediated by RVLM-sympathetic vasoconstrictor nerve system.
Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Central Nervous System ; physiology ; Cerebral Cortex ; physiology ; Humans ; Hypothalamus ; physiology ; Medulla Oblongata ; physiology ; Spinal Cord ; physiology

The phase lock value(PLV) is an effective method to analyze the phase synchronization of the brain, which can effectively separate the phase components of the electroencephalogram (EEG) signal and reflect the influence of the signal intensity on the functional connectivity. However, the traditional locking algorithm only analyzes the phase component of the signal, and can't effectively analyze characteristics of EEG signal. In order to solve this problem, a new algorithm named amplitude locking value (ALV) is proposed. Firstly, the improved algorithm obtained intrinsic mode function using the empirical mode decomposition, which was used as input for Hilbert transformation (HT). Then the instantaneous amplitude was calculated and finally the ALV was calculated. On the basis of ALV, the instantaneous amplitude of EEG signal can be measured between electrodes. The data of 14 subjects under different cognitive tasks were collected and analyzed for the coherence of the brain regions during the arithmetic by the improved method. The results showed that there was a negative correlation between the coherence and cognitive activity, and the central and parietal areas were most sensitive. The quantitative analysis by the ALV method could reflect the real biological information. Correlation analysis based on the ALV provides a new method and idea for the research of synchronism, which offer a foundation for further exploring the brain mode of thinking.

Objective: To examine the accuracy of computer-aided intraoperative navigation (Ci-Navi) in bimaxillary orthognathic surgery by comparing preoperative planning and postoperative outcome. Methods: The study comprised 45 patients with congenital dentomaxillofacial deformities who were scheduled to undergo bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. Virtual bimaxillary orthognathic surgery was simulated using Mimics software. Intraoperatively, a Le Fort I osteotomy of the maxilla was performed using osteotomy guide plates. After the Le Fort I osteotomy and bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy of the mandible, the mobilized maxilla and the distal mandibular segment were fixed using an occlusal splint, forming the maxillomandibular complex (MMC). Realtime Ci-Navi was used to lead the MMC in the designated direction. Osteoplasty of the inferior border of the mandible was performed using Ci-Navi when facial symmetry and skeletal harmony were of concern. Linear and angular distinctions between preoperative planning and postoperative outcomes were calculated. Results: The mean linear difference was 0.79 mm (maxilla: 0.62 mm, mandible: 0.88 mm) and the overall mean angular difference was 1.20°. The observed difference in the upper incisor point to the Frankfort horizontal plane, midfacial sagittal plane, and coronal plane was < 1 mm in 40 cases. Conclusions This study demonstrates the role of Ci-Navi in the accurate positioning of bone segments during bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. Ci-Navi was found to be a reliable method for the accurate transfer of the surgical plan during an operation.

Objective: To examine the accuracy of computer-aided intraoperative navigation (Ci-Navi) in bimaxillary orthognathic surgery by comparing preoperative planning and postoperative outcome. Methods: The study comprised 45 patients with congenital dentomaxillofacial deformities who were scheduled to undergo bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. Virtual bimaxillary orthognathic surgery was simulated using Mimics software. Intraoperatively, a Le Fort I osteotomy of the maxilla was performed using osteotomy guide plates. After the Le Fort I osteotomy and bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy of the mandible, the mobilized maxilla and the distal mandibular segment were fixed using an occlusal splint, forming the maxillomandibular complex (MMC). Realtime Ci-Navi was used to lead the MMC in the designated direction. Osteoplasty of the inferior border of the mandible was performed using Ci-Navi when facial symmetry and skeletal harmony were of concern. Linear and angular distinctions between preoperative planning and postoperative outcomes were calculated. Results: The mean linear difference was 0.79 mm (maxilla: 0.62 mm, mandible: 0.88 mm) and the overall mean angular difference was 1.20°. The observed difference in the upper incisor point to the Frankfort horizontal plane, midfacial sagittal plane, and coronal plane was < 1 mm in 40 cases. Conclusions This study demonstrates the role of Ci-Navi in the accurate positioning of bone segments during bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. Ci-Navi was found to be a reliable method for the accurate transfer of the surgical plan during an operation.

Focused on the world-wide issue of improving the accuracy of emotion recognition, this paper proposes an electroencephalogram (EEG) signal feature extraction algorithm based on wavelet packet energy entropy and auto-regressive (AR) model. The auto-regressive process can be approached to EEG signal as much as possible, and provide a wealth of spectral information with few parameters. The wavelet packet entropy reflects the spectral energy distribution of the signal in each frequency band. Combination of them gives a better reflect of the energy characteristics of EEG signals. Feature extraction and fusion are implemented based on kernel principal component analysis. Six emotional states from a public multimodal database for emotion analysis using physiological signals (DEAP) are recognized. The results show that the recognition accuracy of the proposed algorithm is more than 90%, and the highest recognition accuracy is 99.33%. It indicates that this algorithm can extract the feature of EEG emotion well, and it is a kind of effective emotion feature extraction algorithm, providing support to emotion recognition.

OBJECTIVETo detect the most prevalent mutations, R778L and P992L of ATP8B gene, in Chinese Wilson disease(WD) patients by high resolution melting (HRM) analysis after polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

METHODSGenomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples obtained from 30 cases of WD by the standard phenol/chloroform method. DNA fragments encompassing ATP7B exons 8 and 13 were produced by PCR amplification. The amplicons containing the R778L or P992L mutations were then generated by nested PCR. The nested PCR products were subjected to HRM analysis using the HR-1 instrument. Mutations detected in HRM analysis were verified by restriction analysis using restriction enzyme (MspI or AluI or AfaI) or DNA sequencing.

RESULTSHRM analysis of the fragments encompassing ATP7B exon 8 showed four curve patterns. Subsequent restriction analysis and DNA sequencing proved that the four different curves represent four different genotypes: the wild type, the R778L/R778L homozygote, the R778L heterozygote, and the R778L/752.33delG compound heterozygote. Three HRM curve patterns were observed for the fragments encompassing ATP7B exon 13, representing the wild type, the P992L heterozygote, and the P992L/S975Y compound heterozygote. In our studied samples, allele frequencies of the R778L, P992L and S975Y mutations were 25%, 15% and 1.67%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONHRM analysis is a simple, accurate and sensitive approach for rapid detection of the ATP7B mutations and could be used as an optimized method for genetic testing in WD.

Adenosine Triphosphatases ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Cation Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Copper-transporting ATPases ; DNA ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; methods ; DNA Restriction Enzymes ; metabolism ; Exons ; genetics ; Freezing ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; genetics ; Humans ; Nucleic Acid Denaturation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Time Factors