In order to preprocess mammograms for diagnosing the early cases of breast cancer and improving the computational efficiency in the computer-aided detection of micro-calcifications in mammograms, we have advanced a novel processing technique for the extraction of micro-calcification region of interest (MROI). The proposed method is based on a three-step procedure: (1) the mammogram is divided into sub-images of the same size; (2) the wavelet multi-resolution method is conducted on the sub-images, and the parameters related to wavelet transform and threshold T are discussed according to rho; (3) the classification of sub-images is determined by T. It is tested with 20 mammograms and the results show that the method can achieve a true positive rate as high as 89.7% with a false positive rate as low as 2.1%.
Breast Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Calcinosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted ; Humans ; Mammography

Objective To study the potential effects of angiopoietin 1(Ang1) via adenovirus mediated gene transfer on ischemic heart disease in rabbits. Methods Forty-five male New Zealand white rabbits underwent high positioned double-ligation of the anterior descending left coronary artery, and were divided into three groups: Ang1 group (n=15) received direct myocardium injection of Ang1 recombinant adenovirus; DMEM group (n=15) and LacZ group (n=15) received only DMEM and LacZ recombinant adenovirus as controls respectively. The myocardial infarcted size was evaluated by N-BT macroscopic standing and the degree of angiogenesis was assessed by use of immunohistochemical analysis. The echocardiographic changes were measured on before operation and the 7 th, 14 th, and 28 th postoperative days. Results Animals in three groups had no significant difference in the percentage of infarction size of left ventricle at the 7 th, 14 th day and capillary density at the 7 th day. Animals in Ang1 group showed less infarcted size than DMEM group or LacZ group at the 28 th day and higher capillary density at the 14 th and the 28 th day. The results from echocardiographic measurements showed that animals in all three groups had no significant difference in the left ventricular systolic function before operation and at the 7 th , 14 th day, but the left ventricular systolic function in Ang1 group was better than that in DMEM group or LacZ group at the the 28 th day(P

Objective To investigate the cognitive difference between uni-modal (V,A) and bi-modal (VA)target stimuli from both vision and audition,and then to study the neural mechanisms of bi-modal enhancement.Methods This experiment adopted a speeded target stimuli detection task, both behavioral and electroencephalographic responses to uni-modal and bi-modal target stimuli which were combined from visual and auditory target stimuli,were recorded from 14 normal subjects using a 64-channel EEG NeuroScan system.The differences of cognitive between uni-modal and bi-modal stimulus were tested from both behavioral (reaction time (RT) and error rate (ER)) and event-related potentials (ERPs) (P2 latency and amplitude,P3 latency and amplitude)data,and the correlation between behavioral and ERPs results were analyzed.Results As a result,the RT,ER and P3 latency has significant difference between uni-modal and bi-modal target stimuli.In addition,there were significant correlation between behavioral data and P3 latency,especially from the RT and P3 latency.Conclusion By comparing the difference between uni-modal and bi-modal from both behavioral and ERPs results,we could reached the conclusion that the neural mechanism of bi-modal target detection was predominant over that of vision and audition uni-modal target detection,the enhancement take place not only involved in early ERP components (such as P1 and N1),but engaged at the late ERP components (such as P2 and P3).

Brain computer interface (BCI) is an information channel independent of routine brain output ways such as peripheral nerves and muscle organization. As a special human-computer interface mode, it provides a direct communication pathway between the brain and external devices so as to exert control over those devices by ways other than primitive human communication. Controlling over mobile peripheral devices such as intelligent wheelchairs or nursing robots is a very important application of BCI technology in the future. This paper describes the newest progress of the above mentioned technology, analyzes and compares key techniques involved, and forecasts future development in this field.
Algorithms ; Brain Diseases ; rehabilitation ; Communication Aids for Disabled ; Computer Systems ; Electroencephalography ; instrumentation ; Evoked Potentials ; physiology ; Humans ; Neuromuscular Diseases ; physiopathology ; rehabilitation ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; instrumentation ; User-Computer Interface

BACKGROUND:There is still controversy whether human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can maintain their biological characteristics,energy metabolism patterns,and multidirectional differentiation potential after long-term expression in vitro.Further comprehensive and systematic research is needed. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effects of long-term expansion in vitro on the biological characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS:Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells cultured to passage 5,10,and 15 in vitro.MTT assay was used to detect cell proliferation ability.Flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle.The multi-differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells was detected by inducing to adipogenic,osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation.Cell migration and invasion abilities were detected by scratch test and Transwell assay.The mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis function were analyzed using energy metabolism analyzer.The cell senescence was detected by senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining.The expression levels of p21,p16,and p53 proteins were detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells at passages 5,10,and 15 grew adherently;the volume of passage 15 mesenchymal stem cells increased and its proliferation ability decreased;the percentage of S-phase cells decreased(P<0.05).With the increase of culture passages,the migration and invasion abilities decreased gradually(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the differentiation potential,demonstrated by adipogenic,osteogenic and chondrogenesis induction.The ability of oxidative phosphorylation of mitochondria and glycolysis decreased gradually(P<0.05).The number of senescence-associated β-galactosidase-positive cells increased with the increase of passages(P<0.05),and the expression of senescence protein p21,p16,and p53 increased gradually(P<0.05).The results indicated that the biological characterization of mesenchymal stem cells changed after long-term in vitro expansion.Mesenchymal stem cells cultured over 10 passages may have a reduced activity due to increasing senescence.Therefore,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells cultured less than 10 passages are suitable for clinical research/therapy.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between gastric disharmony and daily eating behaviors in college students, and to provide intervention measures for improving gastric disharmony among college students.Methods:From April 10 to 30, 2021, 3 825 college students from five Chinese medicine colleges and universities in China were selected for this study using the multi-level sampling method. The information regarding college student's general situation, daily eating behavior, and stomach disharmony was collected by questionnaire.Results:A total of 3 700 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective response rate of 96.73%. The average age was (20.0 ± 3.0) years, and 66.41% of college students included in this study were female. Students with different characteristics had different gastric disharmonies and eating behaviors, and gastric disharmony was correlated with eating behavior. Multivariate analysis results showed that snacking ( OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.02-1.21), partial eclipse ( OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.00-1.26), picky eaters ( OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.08-1.41), and supper ( OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.04-1.36) were positively correlated with gastric disharmony. Eating regular meals ( OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.79-0.94) and 80% fullness ( OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.81-0.98) were negatively correlated with gastric disharmony. Conclusion:Poor eating behaviors may be an important factor leading to gastric disharmony.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between unhealthy dietary behaviors and traditional Chinese medicine constitution among students from colleges and universities of traditional Chinese medicine.Methods:College students from Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine and Gansu University of Chinese Medicine were collected during April 10-30, 2021 and grouped taking classes as units. Research subjects were obtained by multistage sampling. Their dietary behaviors, traditional Chinese medicine constitution and demographic characteristics were surveyed using questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS23.0 software.Results:A total of 3825 college students were investigated and 3 700 valid questionnaires (96.7%) were collected. Peaceful constitution was detected in 7.9% of included college students. There was significant difference in peaceful constitution among studies of different sexes and different body types ( P < 0.05). There were significant differences in attention to diet, physical exercise and body weight control, out-of-control diet, excessive eating and drinking, denying body shape, and dissatisfaction with body shape between patients with peaceful and unbalanced constitutions. Multivariate analysis showed that attention to diet ( OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.14-1.68), physical exercise and body weight control ( OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.03-1.39), dissatisfaction with body shape ( OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.10-1.45) were conducive to the development of peaceful constitution. Conclusion:Students from colleges and universities of traditional Chinese medicine have a low proportion of developing peaceful constitution. Dietary behaviors may be an important factor that affects the development of peaceful constitution.

AIM:To investigate the effect of plate-let(PLT)on angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcino-ma and the intervention effect of Cinobufagin(CBG).METHODS:Firstly,we screened the suitable co-incubation ratio of PLT and hepatocellular carci-noma cells,prepared conditioned medium,and de-termined the half inhibitory concentration of Cinob-ufagin;then,we set up a control group(human um-bilical vein endothelial cells(EC)+conventional me-dium),a crosstalk group(EC+CM_HP(strip culture prepared by crosstalk of HUH7 and PLT)),and an in-tervention group(EC+CM_HP+CBG).The migration,tube-formation and sprouting capacity of EC and the level of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in co-cultured supernatant were evaluated by scratch assay,tube-formation assay,budding as-say and ELISA assay.Western blot was used to de-tect the expression of VEGFR2 and p-VEGFR2,and reverse verification was performed with inhibitors.A subcutaneous transplantation tumour model of hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice was estab-lished,with Model group,Model+CBG group and Model+Apa group.The collagen expression of the transplantation tumour was observed by Masson staining,and the expression levels of vascular endo-thelial markers CD31 and CD34 were detected by immunofluorescence.RESULTS:When PLT:HUH7=200,the activity of HUH7 was the strongest,and the crosstalk between HUH7 and PLT significantly promoted the proliferation of EC(P＜0.01).Com-pared with Control group,the migration,tube-for-mation and budding ability of Crosstalk group were enhanced,and those of Intervention group were lower than those of Crosstalk group(P＜0.01).The expression level of VEGF in the supernatant of Crosstalk group was higher than that of Control group,while that of Intervention group was lower than that of Crosstalk group(P＜0.01).The expres-sion level of p-VEGFR2 protein in Crosstalk group was significantly higher than that of Control group,but the expression level of Intervention group was lower than that of Crosstalk group(P＜0.01).Large collagen fibre deposition was seen in the Model group,and CBG intervention significantly reduced collagen fibre deposition in the transplanted tu-mour tissues.CD31 and CD34 expression was pres-ent in the hepatocellular carcinoma transplanted tumour tissues in the Model group,and CBG inter-vention significantly reduced the expression of CD31 and CD34 in the liver cancer transplanted tu-mour tissues(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:PLT enhances angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma,and CBG may inhibit its tube-forming ability via the VEGF/VEGFR2 pathway.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of combined use of Yulu Shengjing Decoction and Levocarnitine in the treatment of oligoasthenozoospermia resulting from spleen and kidney deficiency and its effect on traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score and sperm motility. Methods:A randomized controlled study was conducted on 64 patients with oligoasthenozoospermia resulting from spleen and kidney deficiency who received treatment at the Huaibei Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Anhui University of Chinese Medicine between March 2022 and December 2023. These patients were randomly divided into an observation group ( n = 33) and a control group ( n = 31) using a random number table method. The control group received treatment with Levocarnitine, while the observation group received treatment with a combination of Yulu Shengjing Decoction and Levocarnitine. After 3 months of treatment, the clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared. The relative changes in traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores and semen indicators (including semen volume, sperm concentration, progressive motility, and progressive motility + non-progressive motility) were evaluated after treatment compared with their respective pre-treatment levels. Results:The total response rate in the observation group was 84.85% (28/33), which was significantly higher than that in the control group [61.29% (19/31), χ2 = 4.55, P < 0.05]. After treatment, the main symptom score and secondary symptom score of the observation group were (1.64 ± 1.20) points and (1.27 ± 0.84) points, respectively, which were significantly lower than (1.82 ± 1.04) points and (2.19 ± 0.87) points in the control group ( t = -2.94, -4.30, both P < 0.05). The semen volume, sperm concentration, progressive motility, and progressive motility + non-progressive motility of the observation group were (4.07 ± 0.86) mL, (28.81 ± 6.48) × 10 6/mL, (30.82 ± 11.43)%, and (70.69 ± 13.60)%, respectively. These values were significantly higher than those in the control group [(3.62 ± 0.73) mL, (23.87 ± 11.38) × 10 6/mL, (24.31 ± 8.27)%, (63.11 ± 14.28)%, t = 2.14, 2.02, 2.47, 2.05, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:The combination of Yulu Shengjing Decoction and Levocarnitine is effective in treating oligoasthenozoospermia with spleen and kidney deficiency. It can significantly improve patients' symptoms in traditional Chinese medicine, enhance semen quality, and increase sperm motility.

Houpo Qiwutang originated from the Synopsis of the Golden Chamber， and it consists of seven medicines： Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex， Rhei Radix et Rhizoma， Aurantii Fructus Immaturus， Cinnamomi Ramulus， Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens， Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， and Jujubae Fructus. It is a basic formula for the treatment of abdominal fullness. Through the bibliometric method， the historical history， drug base， preparation and dosage， decoction method， and ancient and modern applications of Houpu Qiwu Tang were analyzed by means of textual research. The research finds that Houpu Qiwu Tang has been passed down through the generations in an orderly manner with fewer changes. The drug base of this formula is basically clear， and the base of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex， Rhei Radix et Rhizoma， Cinnamomi Ramulus， Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens， and Jujubae Fructus is consistent with the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The mainstream base of Aurantii Fructus Immaturus is the dried young fruit of Citrus aurantium of Rutaceae family， and the historical mainstream base of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma is the dried root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis of Leguminosae family. The modern dosage of this formula is 110.40 g of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex， 41.40 g of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma， 69 g of Aurantii Fructus Immaturus， 27.60 g of Cinnamomi Ramulus， 69 g of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens， 41.40 g of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， and 30 g of Jujubae Fructus. In addition， the decoction method is to add 2 000 mL of water with the above seven flavors of the medicine， boil it to 800 mL， and then take 160 mL in a warm state each time. The amount of the medicine taken for each time is 22.08 g of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex， 8.28 g of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma， 13.80 g of Aurantii Fructus Immaturus， 5.52 g of Cinnamomi Ramulus， 13.80 g of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens， 8.28 g of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， and 6 g of Jujubae Fructus. The modern application of this formula involves the digestive system， respiratory system， and urinary system. It is more advantageous in digestive system diseases such as early postoperative inflammatory bowel obstruction， functional dyspepsia， gastric pain， functional abdominal distension， and gastric reflux esophagitis. By comprehensively examining the key information of Houpu Qiwu Tang， this paper aims to provide literature support for the development and clinical application of this formula.