Objective To study the method of internal boundary parameters identification of middle ear.Method The numerical model is created using CT technology.Based on Matlab tools,the neural network for identifying internal boundary is proposed.Result The uniform pressure of 105 dB is applied at the outside of the tympanic membrane,and the harmonic analysis is calculated on the model to take the training samples.The internal condition parameters are identified using the good neural network.Conclusions The investiga-tion shows that the inverse method reveals a fast convergence and a high degree of accuracy.

Objective To summarize the achievement and experience in leprosy control in Jiangxi Province and provide scientific basis for formulation of leprosy strategies. Methods Based on the National Leprosy Recording and Reporting System, epidemiological data of leprosy in Jiangxi Province were analyzed using computer. Results Jiangxi Province was a leprosy medium endemic area with a higher distribution of leprosy in the south than the north. The prevalence, incidence and detection rates were highest in the 1959s or 1960s and had decreased annually since then. Average incidence rate for the recent 5 years (0.1604 per 100 000) and prevalence rate (0.049 per 10 000) in 1998 reached the criteria of basic elimination of leprosy at provincial level, however, still 15 counties or cities not reaching the criteria. Conclusion The comprehensive measures including early detection of cases, immediate treatment with multidrug therapy and effective health education are helpful and important for leprosy control.

Objective To investigate the value of combined detection of viral capsid antibody(VCA -IgA), early antigen antibody(EA -IgG),and Rta protein antibody IgG(Rta -IgG)in the diagnosis of EB virus associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC).Methods A total of 47 nasopharynx cancer patients,45 patients with benign rhinitis and 45 healthy controls were recruited.The serum levels of VCA -IgA,EA -IgA and Rta -IgG were tested by enzyme -linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Specificity and sensitivity of the indicators alone and combined detection were compared using the clinical diagnosis as the gold standard.Results The expression levels of serum VCA -IgA,EA -IgA and Rta -IgG in the rhinitis group were (0.82 ±0.25),(0.74 ±0.13),(0.89 ±0.27),the levels in the NPC group were (2.16 ±0.39),(1.26 ±0.24),(3.95 ±0.76),and the levels in the healthy control group were (0.65 ±0.14),(0.51 ±0.11),(0.41 ±0.16)respectively.The levels of VCA -IgA,EA -IgA and Rta-IgG in the rhinitis group,NPC group and healthy group were significantly different (F =400.065,232.803, 740.215,P =0.000,0.000,0.000).The levels of VCA -IgA,EA -IgA and Rta -IgG in the NPC patients with different TNMstages were significantly different(F =195.679,30.878,38.561,P =0.000,0.000,0.000),and the trend of each antibody was increased with the severity of the disease.The sensitivity of VCA -IgA was the highest (85.11%),and the specificity of EA -IgA was the highest(95.56%).The sensitivity of the combined assay was 95.74%,which was higher than that of the other three combinations.Conclusion The combination of VCA -IgA, EA -IgA and Rta -IgG can reflect the expression of EBV -associated antigen to a greater extent,and it is superior to single or two combined detection in the diagnosis of EB -associated NPC,with a high clinical value.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen presenting cells with dual functions in immune response or im-mune tolerance. Regulatory dendritic cells (DCreg) have negative immunomodulation effects. They can inhibit T cell stimula-tory activity and induce immune tolerance. DCreg can be generated by the induction of drugs, cytokines and cell microenvi-ronment with different mechanisms. DCreg induced tolerance is of great clinical significance in organ transplantation and au-toimmune disease. Recently, several clinical trials have been conducted in type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, with re-sults that emphasize the tolerance and safety of DCreg therapy. In this review, we will focus on the strategies for generating DCreg and the clinical application of immune tolerance.

Objective To compare drug therapy in patients suffering from chronic heart failure between Tianjin and Kashi region of Xinjiang autonomous region and to analyse their disparities in drug uses by guideline between the two regions.Methods All data were retrospectively taken from the hospitalized chronic heart failure cases from June 2005 to June 2006 in the 2nd Hospital of Tianjin Medical University and the 2nd People's Hospital of Kashi in Xinjiang respectively.The heart functions level NYHA Ⅱ-Ⅳ were recorded for analysis of drug use in the two regions.Results 749 cases were enrolled,491 from Tinajin and 258 from Kashi of Xinjiang.The average age of group Tianjin[(70.39±10.84)yrs]was older than that[(62.91±12.54)yrs]of group Kashi(t=8.488,P＜0.01).The distribution of≥165 cases in the group Tianjin(75.6%)was higher than that of group Kashi(51.2%)(X2=45.642,P＜0.01).The male cases in group Tianjinwere 264(53.8%)andthatwere 134(51.9%)in group Kashi with no significant differences in sex distribution between the two groups(P＞0.05).The first three etiological diseases were coronary heart disease(84.9%),rheumatic heart disease(5.9%)and dilated cardiomyopathy (3.3%)in group Tianjin,and that were coronary heart disease(63.2%),pulmonary heart disease(19.8%)and dilated eardiomyopathy(6.6%)in group Kashi respectively.The proportions of level NYHA Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ on admission were 29.7%,39.1%and 31.2%in group Tianjin respectively,and that were 15.5%,39.5%and 45.0%in group Kashi respectively,with significant difference in heart function levels between the two groups(X2=22.770,P＜0.01).Theusages of nitrides and β-blockers in group Tianjin were more than that in group Kashi(both P＜0.01).The usages of diuretics,digitalis was more in group Kashi(all P＜0.01).There was no difference in ACEI usages between the two groups.The dosages of drugs in group Tianjin achieved the target dosages by the guideline and the dosages in group Kashi did not achieve the targets.The use frequency of β-blockers was more in male cases and＜65yrs respectively of group Tianjin.The usage frequency of uretics and aldosterone antagonist were more in＜65yrs cases of group Kashi and the usages of nitrides,ACEI,B-blockers,calcium antagonists,aldosterone antagonist of male cases were more than that of female cases(all P＜0.05)in this group.The usages of uretics,digitalis,aldostemne antagonist increased following the grading of heart function of the two groups(P＜0.05).Moreover the usage of ACEI decreased following the worsen heart function in group Tainjin and this was not the same in group Kashi.Conclusion There are differences in drug medications for chronic heart failure between Tianjin and Kashi.The majority of treatment drugs in Tianjin is approaching the guideline and there is a gap from guideline in Kashi of Xinjiang,especially on the dosage.

Objective To explore the effects of traditional Chinese formula Danchaiheji on the differentiation of regula?tory dendritic cells (DCs) and the underlying mechanism. Methods The rat blood serums with or without the formula Dan?chaiheji were prepared. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells were separated from the peripheral venous blood of healthy donors. CD14+monocytes were isolated using CD14+magnetic beads and cultured for 5-7 days to obtain immature dendritic cells (imDCs). Then the cells was divided into control group and Danchaiheji containing rat serum group. Control group was divided into two subgroups (containing LPS and without LPS). Danchaiheji containing rat serum group was also divided into two subgroups (containing LPS and without LPS). The surface markers CD86, CD11b and HLA-DR of DCs were detected by flow cytometry. The level of IL-10 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The proliferation of al?logeneic T-cells was detected by flow cytometry and the expression level of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) was deter?mined using quantitative real-time PCR. Results DCs treated with the formula Danchaiheji exhibited high CD11b and low CD86 and HLA-DR expression levels as well as promoted the secretion of IL-10. In addition, the drug could inhibit the pro?motion of DCs on the proliferation of T cells, which was associated with the up-regulation of IDO expression. Conclusion The traditional Chinese formula Danchaiheji can induce the differentiation of DCs into regulatory DCs and play a role in in?hibitory effect on immune function.

The mechanical model of femur mid-diaphysis with a rectangular open section in the exterior cortex was developed and a finite element method was adopted in calculating and analysing the changes of torsional stiffness and the stress distribution when the dimension of the open section altered. It showed that the open section with a length of 1 OD (femur mid-diaphysis diameter) had little influence on the femur torsional stiffness or stress distribution. The torsional stiffness decreased most dramatically as the length increased from 2 to 4 OD. Shear stress peaked at the center of the open section. This conclusion provides an important theoretical ground for the operative methods and the dimension control of an open section in clinical orthopaedics.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Femur ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Models, Theoretical

By creating two kinds of stress environment in the same animal model, we performed a three-point bending test and a compressing test on the rat femurs growing under different stress conditions to characterize the effect of stress on bone mechanical properties. The right hindlimbs were subjected to sciatic nerve resection to become cripple and were used as unloading group; the left hindlimbs bore excess load and made up the overloading group; the normal rats were used as control group. The animals were encouraged to exercise for half an hour everyday in the morning, noon and evening. The experiment observation finished in four weeks. The biomechanical parameters of femur diaphyses were measured. The experiment results showed that stress environment may change several mechanical parameters of rat femurs. This study indicated that bone tissues can adapt to its stress environment by changing its mechanical properties. The experimental model in this article is practical and reliable.
Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Diaphyses ; physiology ; Femur ; physiology ; Rats ; Stress, Mechanical

6-week old rats were subjected to sciatic nerve resection and the right hindlimbs were then under a low stress environment. Bone mineral density (BMD) of different regions and geome-morphological parameters of femurs were measured. The results showed that the increase in the diameter, subperiosteal area and bone mineral density of femurs were suppressed obviously under low stress environment. But the sensitivity of BMD of different regions of the femur to the low stress environment was different. The suppression of the increase in femoral BMD was composed of an early impairment in the gain of BMD at the femoral metaphysis, which is rich in trabecular bone, and a sustained reduction in the gain of BMD at the femoral diaphysis, which is rich in cortical bone. The results of geome-morphology suggested that the early reduction in the increase of BMD at the metaphysis was due to an enhancement of bone resorption, whereas the suppression of gain in cortical bone mass and size is the result of a sustained reduction of periosteal bone formation.
Animals ; Bone Density ; physiology ; Bone Resorption ; etiology ; Female ; Femur ; pathology ; Immobilization ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sciatic Nerve ; physiology ; surgery ; Stress, Mechanical ; Weight-Bearing ; physiology

Objective To investigate the value of neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) in quantitative evaluation of the microstructural changes in basal ganglia and thalamus in Wilson's disease (WD) patients,and to assess the diagnostic efficacy of NODDI.Methods Totally 27 WD patients (WD group) and 26 age-and sex-matched controls (control group) were enrolled.All subjects underwent MR scanning with NODDI.Parameters of NODDI,including intracellular volume fraction (Vic),orientation dispersion index (ODI) and isotropic volume fraction (Viso) of bilateral caudate nucleus,globus pallidus,putamen and thalamus were compared between the 2 groups.Correlation analysis was performed between each parameter of NODDI and clinical Young scores.Random Forest model was used to assess the relative importance of each parameter and to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy.Results The Vic and ODI of bilateral caudate nucleus,globus pallidus and putamen in WD patients were significantly lower than those in normal controls (all P＜0.05),while Viso was significantly higher than that in normal controls (all P＜0.05).The Vic of bilateral thalamus was lower,while Viso was higher in WD patients than those in normal controls (all P＜0.05),and ODI had no significant difference between the 2 groups (P=0.055).In WD patients,Vic and ODI of bilateral caudate nucleus,globus pallidus and putamen were negatively correlated with clinical Young scores.Viso of globus pallidus and putamen were positively correlated with clinical scores.The prediction accuracy of NODDI was 96.23％,and the area under ROC curve was 0.96.Conclusion NODDI can effectively evaluate changes in microstructures and metabolism during copper deposition in WD patients,and it may be useful in detecting changes of brain deep nuclei and assessing the progression of WD.