Calculation of cardiac hemodynamic parameters is based on accurate detection of feature points in impedance cardiogram. According to these parameters, doctors can determine heart conditions, so it is very important to accurately detect the feature point of impedance differential signals. This article presents a process in which we used wavelet threshold method to de-noise signals, and then detected the feature points after six layers wavelet decomposition by using bior3. 7. The experimental data were collected from healthy persons in our laboratory and twenty two clinical patients in Chongqing Daping Hospital by using KF_ICG instrument. The results indicated that this method could precisely detect feature points whether it was from healthy people or clinical patients. This helps to achieve the application of noninvasive detection cardiac hemodynamic parameters in clinical treatments by using impedance method.
Cardiography, Impedance ; Electric Impedance ; Heart ; physiology ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Wavelet Analysis

Objective:Because of the lower proliferation ability of periodontal ligament cells of elderly people,how to choose suitable scaffold materials for them becomes very important.The aim of this study was to observe the morphological manifestation of the periodontal ligament cells of elderly people seeded onto the three-dimensional porous nano-hydroxylapatite scaffolds.Methods: Periodontal ligament cells from elderly people were seeded onto the three-dimensional porous nano-hydroxylapatite scaffolds,cultured for 15 days in vitro,and observed for the morphological changes by scanning electron microscopy in comparison with those of young people.Results:Fifteen days after seeded on the three-dimensional porous nano-hydroxylapatite scaffolds,the periodontal ligament cells of the elderly people exhibited sufficient adhesive behavior,proliferated well and produced tiny calcium nodules,but the number of the nodules was smaller than that in the young people.Conclusion: The periodontal ligament cells of elderly people grow well on three-dimensional porous nano-hydroxylapatite scaffolds,and can be considered as a suitable scaffold for periodontal tissue engineering in elderly people.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of using marrow stromal cells (MSC) as seed cells and three-dimensional porous nano-hydroxylapatite as scaffolds for constructing tissue-engineered bone.Methods:MSC from rat were cultured and induced to differentiate into osteoblasts in vitro. And then these induced cells were identified and seeded onto three-dimensional porous nano-hydroxylapatite scaffolds, cultured for 15 days in vitro. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the growth of these induced cells on three-dimensional porous nano-hydroxylapatite scaffolds. Results: The activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and the secretion of osteocalcin of MSC from rat appeared and were increased gradually along the culture. The cells seeded on three-dimensional porous nano-hydroxylapatite scaffolds could adhere and proliferate well, and come into being many tiny calcium nodules and collagenous fibers. Conclusion:The data demonstrated that the new developed culture method is conducive to MSC’s differentiating and proliferating into osteoblasts that have a fine activity and the three-dimensional porous nano-hydroxylapatite may be considered as a suitable scaffold for the seeded cells. Using marrow stromal cells as seed cells and three-dimensional porous nano-hydroxylapatite as scaffolds is advantageous for constructing tissue-engineered bone.

Objective To evaluate the short term results of endovascular laser for the treatment (ELVT) of great saphenous varicosity. Methods Twenty one cases (a total of 27 lower extremities) were enrolled. Treatment included EL combined with ligation and resection of communicating branches. One patient underwent high ligation and resection of the great saphenous vein for the purpose of pathology after ELVT treatment. Result Twenty patients were followed-up for a period of 2～6 months. Color Duplex ultrosonography was conducted 2 weeks,4 weeks,and 6 mos,respectively. Thrombotic obliteration was found in all cases. Pathology study showed perforation of the vein with intimal injury and thrombosis. Conclusion The short term efficacy of EL treatment is definite with insignificant side-effect,and quick patient recovery. The mechanism is related to direct thermal injury of laser to the venous intima resulting in thrombotic obliteration.

Objective To investigate the direct and indirect MRI manifestations of anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)tears and discuss its mechanism and diagnostic value.Methods The study involved 40 patients with ACL tears including 37 males and three females at age range of 16-49 years(mean age of 33 years).Arthroscopy and operation confirmed 28 patients at acute phase of ACL tears,12 at chronic phase of ACL tears,35 with complete ACL tears and five with partial ACL tears.All patients were examined on 1.5T Siemens MRI scanner,with SE,TSE or Medic sequence in multiple directions.The direct and indirect MRI manifestations of ACL tears were retrospectively and statistically analyzed by employing three experienced doctors.Results Among 28 patients with acute tears,the direct MRI signs included signal interruption or non-consecutive(86%),uneven signal(64%)and swelling and thickening ligament(36%).While in 12 patients with chronic teats,the MRI signs manifested swelling ligament(92%),signal interruption or non-consecutive(75%)and uneven signal(58%).The sign of thickening ligament was mainly seen at chronic phase of ACL tears(P ＜0.01).Of 35 patients with complete ACL tears,80% occurred in the middle part of ACL,with low incidence of upper and lower parts.All five patients with partial ACL tears occurred in the anteriomedialis bundle.The indirect MRI signs of ACL tears included 7-shaped deformity of posterior cruciate ligament(PCL)(34 patients,85%),meniscus exposure(26 patients)including 16 with lateral meniscus exposure(62%),bone injury(15 patients)including segond fracture(8 patients,53%),widened joint space(9 patients)including 78% at chronic phase,and tibia antelocation(23 patients,57%).Among 40 patients,37 patients were diagnosed correctly preoperatively,with accuracy rate of 92%.While three patients with partial ACL tears were missed diagnosis preoperatively,with inaccuracy rate of 8%.Conclusion ACL tear is relatively easy to identify preoperatively according to direct and indirect MRI signs in combination with trauma history.

Objective To investigate the expression of Kuppel-like factor 2( KLF2 )after focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion( I/R)injury in rats and the intervention effect of nuclear factor kappa B ( NF-κB)inhibitor. Methods Sixty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group,an I/R group,and a NF-κB inhibitor group( n=20 in each group). A focal cerebral I/R model was induced by the intraluminal suture method,and NF-κB inhibitor( pyrrolidinedithio carbamate,PDTC)was given to intervene. The observation time points were 6,12,24,and 48 hours after I/R. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and Western blot were used to measure KLF2 mRNA and protein expression in ischemic brain tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the levels of serum tumor necrosis factorα( TNF-α),and they were compared among groups. Results Compared with the sham operation group,the expression levels of KLF2 mRNA and protein in I/R group in the ischemic brain tissue at each time point were averagely decreased( the relative expression levels of KLF2 mRNA:0. 46 ± 0. 03 vs. 0. 82 ± 0. 04,0. 30 ± 0. 04 vs. 0. 78 ± 0. 05,0. 18 ± 0. 04 vs. 0. 76 ± 0. 02,0. 26 ± 0. 02 vs. 0. 81 ± 0. 04,respectively;the relative expression levels of KLF2 protein:0. 46 ± 0. 04 vs. 0. 80 ± 0. 02,0. 30 ± 0. 02 vs. 0. 79 ± 0. 02,0. 15 ± 0. 02 vs. 0. 77 ± 0. 01,0. 24 ± 0. 01 vs. 0. 79 ± 0. 02,respectively). They reached the lowest values at 24 hours after I/R,while the serum TNF-αlevels were increased. There were significant differences(all P<0. 05). After giving NF-κB inhibitor PDTC,the expression levels of KLF2 mRNA and protein at 6,12,24,and 48 hours after I/R were upregulated differently compared with the I/R group. The relative expression levels of KLF2 mRNA were 0. 61 ± 0. 04,0. 44 ± 0. 03,0. 34 ± 0. 02,and 0. 43 ± 0. 04, respectively. Those of KLF2 protein were 0. 60 ± 0. 02,0. 43 ± 0. 02,0. 33 ± 0. 01,and 0. 44 ± 0. 03, respectively,while the levels of TNF-αwere decreased. There were significant differences(all P<0. 05). There was a negative correlation between the KLF2 mRNA levels and the serum TNF-αlevels at each time point in the I/R group and the PDTC group( r= —0. 728 ,P<0. 05 ). Conclusions The expression levels of KLF2 mRNA in brain tissue are decreased after I/R,and it is negatively correlated with the serum TNF-α levels. It may be involved in the pathological process of I/R by NF-κB pathway mediated inflammatory reaction.

Objective To investigate protective effects of thrombopoietin ( TPO) on cerebral model control in rats and associated signal transduction pathway. Methods Thread embolism was performed to generate cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rat model. Eighty male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model control group, TPO group, TPO and Janus kinase 2 ( JAK2 ) kinase inhibitor ( AG490 ) group. Before 30 min of ischemia-reperfusion, TPO group was given TPO (5 μg·kg-1) by intraperitoneal injection, TPO + AG490 group was given TPO (5 μg·kg-1) before 30 min of ischemia reperfusion, then given AG490 (8 μg·kg-1), and model control group were given the same dose of 0. 9% sodium chloride solution. The observation time points were 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after ischemia reperfusion. Immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting were used to measure the protein levels of Bcl-2, JAK2 and signal transducer & activator of transcription (STAT3). TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) was used to detect apoptosis. Results Compared with model control group, the number of apoptotic cells were significantly reduced [(67. 50±9. 37) vs. (40. 20±7. 47)], the expression levels of Bcl-2, JAK2 and STAT3 protein were significantly increased [(35. 40±7. 39) vs. (78. 70±9. 75);(35. 68±6. 75) vs. (62.35±7.53); (25.40±9.45) vs.(55.36±9.69), respectively] 24 h after ischeia reperfusion in the TPO group (all P<0. 05). Compared with the TPO group, the Bcl-2, JAK2 and STAT3 protein levels were significantly decreased in TPO and AG490 group [(78. 70±9. 75) vs. (55. 40±9. 35);(62. 35±7. 53) vs. (40. 68±5. 89); (55. 36±9. 69) vs. (30. 40±9. 39), respetively], and the number of apoptotic cells was significantly increased [(40. 20±7. 47) vs. (55. 23±7. 65)] (all P<0. 05). Conclusion TPO can inhibit cell apoptosis after ischemia-reperfusion injury, the mechanism might be related to the activation of JAK2/STAT3 signal transduction pathway through raising the expression of Bcl-2 gene.

0.05). Conclusion It seems that LTA gene polymorphism has no significant correlation with the risk of osteoporosis in patients suffering from COPD.

Objective To explore the effects of co‐cultured heat‐treated candida glabrata with rat tracheal epithelial (RTE) cells on the expression of Dectin‐1 and the production of IL‐6 and TNF‐α.Methods RTE cells in vitro were co‐cultured with heat‐treated candida glabrata bacteria liquid for 2 ,4 ,6 h ,while without co‐cultured RTE cells were used as control group .We observed the morphological changes of RTE cells ,detected the protein expressions of Dectin‐1 by Western blot ,used real‐time PCR to detecte the mRNA expressions of IL‐6 and TNF‐αand measured protein expression of IL‐6 and TNF‐αby ELISA .Results With the pass‐ing of time ,the RTE cells were damaged extensively and the expression of Dectin‐1 ,IL‐6 and TNF‐αbecame more and more signifi‐cant .Obviously ,there had significant difference in the expression of Dectin‐1 ,IL‐6 and TNF‐α between the co‐cultured 2 h group and the control group ,the co‐cultured 4 h group and the co‐cultured 2 h group ,the co‐cultured 6 h group and the co‐cultured 4 h group (P<0 .05) .Conclusion RTE cells have natural immune function .The Dectin‐1 involves in the recognition of heat‐treated Candida glabrata ,activating secretion of IL‐6 and TNF‐αand mediating inflammatory reaction .IL‐6 plays a negative regulation role .

This review summarized the progress of researches on the active locomotion system for capsule endoscope, analyzed the moving and controlling principles in different locomotion systems, and compared their merits and shortcomings. Owing to the complexity of human intestines and the limits to the size and consumption of locomotion system from the capsule endoscope, there is not yet one kind of active locomotion system currently used in clinical practice. The locomotive system driven by an outer rotational magnetic field could improve the commercial endoscope capsule, while its magnetic field controlling moving is complex. Active locomotion system driven by shape memory alloys will be the orientated development and the point of research in the future.
Animals ; Biomimetic Materials ; Capsule Endoscopes ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Locomotion ; Magnetics ; instrumentation ; Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems ; instrumentation ; Motion ; Robotics ; instrumentation