It is nonlinear relationship between breath sounds and respiratory flow rate, thus breath sounds might be a new solution for respiratory monitoring. The envelope of the breath sounds was created firstly. And the linear relationship between the logarithm of envelope and the respiratory flow rate was proved. Then model parameters were derived from every subject using regression analysis. Finally, using these parameters estimated respiratory flow rate was achieved by the logarithm of envelope with 14.9% error. Therefore, respiratory flow rate estimation and respiration monitoring based on breath sounds are feasible.
Humans ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; Respiratory Sounds

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of proliferation and apoptosis by genistein and zearalenone through regulation of mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, bcl-2 and bax in breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Methods: The cells were maintained in DMEM medium with 10% fetal bovine serum. Five days before the beginning of experiments, the cells were seeded in phenol red-free DMEM medium containing 5% charcoal dextran–treated FBS. The cells were harvested and seeded in 6-well culture plates or in 75 ml flacks. After various concentrations of genistein and zearalenone treatments for 72 h, the cells were harvested and mRNA and protein expression of proliferation cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), bcl-2 and bax were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results: At the concentration of 75 ?mol/L, GS could significantly down-regulate bcl-2 and PCNA mRNA expression and up-regulate bax mRNA expression, and zearalenone indicated an opposite result. These results were further confirmed by following immunohistochemistry. Conclusion:PCNA, bcl-2 and bax pathway might be involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis events regulated by dietary estrogens genistein and zearalenone in breast cancer MCF-7 cells.

8 ?mol/L)was markedly restrained. Zearalenone, like estradiol, could markedly increase the proliferation of MCF-7 cells. The effects were time-dependent and dose-dependent. Conclusion: The tested phytoestrogens are biologically active, and they can differently affect the proliferation of human breast cancer cells in vitro. These data suggest that genistein may have preventive and therapeutic applications against breast tumors.

BACKGROUND:Nanohydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 composite is very close to the human cortical bone in terms of mechanical properties, and has osteogenic activity, which is a safe and reliable bone material. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of nanohydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 composite bioactive supporting material on the restoration of vertebral structure and height. METHODS: Totaly 177 patients with spinal diseases, 116 males and 61 females, aged 17-81 years, were enroled, including 97 cases of spinal fractures, 5 cases of primary tumors of the spine, 17 cases of spinal tuberculosis and 58 cases of cervical spondylosis. The nanohydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 composite bioactive supporting body was filed into the bone grafts of patients and then subjected to anterior decompression and internal fixation. After 36 months of folow-up, imaging analysis, Frankel spinal cord injury classification, bone graft fusion, visual analog scale scores,Short Form 36 and Japanese Orthopedic Association scores were evaluated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:During the folow-up, except one patient with cervical spine fracture appeared to have slight supporting body displacement, there was no supporting body prolapse or rupture phenomena. The bone graft fusion rate was 96.0%, the average supporting body sinking distance was 1.7 mm. After treatment, 97 patients with spinal fractures had different degree of improvement in the neurological function (P < 0.05); the visual analog scale scores, Short Form 36 and Japanese Orthopedic Association scores were improved significantly in al the 177 patients compared with before treatment (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that the use of nanohydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 composite bioactive supporting material for spinal reconstruction can improve the bone fusion rate, and restore the vertebral structure and height effectively.

BACKGROUND:Comparative study results between the efficacies of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy with Western medicine therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis remain controversial. Currently, meta-analysis studies mainly focuson comparison of the efficacy between TCM and Western medicine,butlack investigations among TCM therapies. Itmakes usdifficult tofulyunderstand the efficacy of TCM therapy for knee osteoarthritis.
OBJECTIVE:To compare the efficacies of TCM therapy with intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid for knee osteoarthritis using a networkMeta-analysis method.
METHODS:PubMed, The Cochrane Library (tissue 10, 2015), EMbase, CNKI, CBM, VIP, Wangfang databaseswere searchedup to October 20, 2015forrelevantrandomized controled trialsaddressingthe efficacies of TCM therapyversusintra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid for knee osteoarthritis. Two reviewers independently selected the studies, extracted information, and assessed the quality of included trials. Data extraction from eligible studies was pooled and meta-analyzed using Stata12.0 and WinBUGS1.4.3softwares. Odd ratios with their 95% confidence interval were estimated as effect size between treatments.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 59 randomized controled trials involving 6 155 patients with knee osteoarthritis and 12 treatment strategies were included. The results of network meta-analysis showed that TCM comprehensive therapy wassuperior to the TCM monotherapy and intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid. Among thesetherapies, the efficacy of needle scalpel combined with acupuncture is optimal. TCM comprehensive therapies may be the best choice to treat patients with knee osteoarthritisofKelgren-LawrenceII-III. Morelarge-scaleand wel-designedrandomized controled trials are stil warranted due to the limitation of the present study.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of contrast enhanced dynamic MRI in differentiating benign from malignant solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) Methods A prospective study was undertaken in forty four patients with SPNs using contrast enhanced dynamic MRI Patterns of Time Signal Intensity Curve (T SI Curve) were assessed Steepest Slope (SS), Peak Height (PH) and the change rates in signal intensity at the first (E 1), second (E 2), and fourth (E 4) minute of T SI curve were calculated Results Malignant nodules and inflammatory nodules showed higher SS [(4 44?1 40) %/s,(3 99?0 71)%/s, (0 86? 0 37)%/s, P

Objective: To explore the mechanisms of the effect of isoflavone in reducing prostate cancer incidence throught studying the effects of isoflavone on apoptosis in PC-3 cell. Methods: Prostate cancer cell PC-3 was grown in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% bovine serum and 10 000 U/ml of penicillin/streptomycin in an incubator maintained at 5% CO 2 95% air and 100% humidity at 37 ℃. The respective test compound was added in fresh medium and the control cell received only the vehicle (MDSO). Apoptosis of PC-3 cells was analyzed by cell morphology under light microscope, agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry. Results: Exposure of PC-3 cell to 50 ?mol/L GS, 75 ?mol/L DA and 75 ?mol/L GL after 72 h, the cell morphology indicated typical features commonly used to define apoptosis; agarose gel electrophoresis demonstrated laddered electrophoretic profiles of oligonucleosomal DNA fragments indicative of apoptosis, and flow cytometric analysis revealed a hyperdiploid population in the tested cells. Conclusion: Isoflavones could induce apoptosis in prostate cancer cells PC-3 and it may be the main cause of their role in cancer inhibition.

Objective To observe the change of lipid metabolism during adaptive heart failure.Method The transverse aorta constriction mouse models established by minimal invasive surgery technique were evaluated for early small changes of body composition by EchoMRITM whole body composition analysis,and the different gene expression was analyzed by whole genome expression microarray.Results Three weeks after the surgery,the fat composition,in the mouse models were (0.49 ± 0.13) g,which was significantly lower than that in the sham surgery group [(0.81-±0.14) g] (P =0.002).The expression of the natriuretic peptide type A significantly increased over time (R2 =0.939,P =0.005).In addition,the levels of fatty acid desaturase,long-chain fatty acid elongase 5,and N-acylsphingosine amidohydrolase increased,and the levels of acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase,muscle glycogen phosphorylase,and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase decreased,showing increased fat mobilization and decreased carbohydrate utilization.Conclusions Surgery for transverse aorta constriction can cause complex metablic changes in heart.The activated lipid mobilization maybe lead to the low body fat composition.

Objective To investigate the expression of RhoA gene in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to discuss its significance during hepatocellular carcinogenesis. Methods Intratumor RhoA expression level was determined and compared with that in adjacent nontumorous hepatic tissues using quantitative real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot in 64 HCC patients. Results The mRNA levels of RhoA were significantly higher in tumor tissues than that in the unaffected portions (t =3.445 ,P =0.0006). The expression of RhoA mRNA in the primary lesion was higher in patients with venous invasion (t = 2.667, P = 0.009), microscopic satellite lesions (t=2.172,P =0.038), and advanced pTNM stage (stage Ⅱ/Ⅳ; t=2.551,P=0.013) than in those without. There was a significant difference between high RhoA protein levels in the tumor tissues and noncancerous liver tissues in HCC patients (t = 3.532, P = 0.0002), and there was a significant association between high tumor RhoA protein levels and the presence of venous invasion (t = 2.087, P = 0.042), microscopic satellite lesions (t = 2.254, P = 0.031), and advanced pTNM stage (t = 2.812, P = 0.007). Conclusions There is a significant correlation between RhoA expression, tumor stage, and intrahepatic metastasis. The expression of RhoA could be used as a good tumor marker for invasive and advanced carcinoma as well as a prognosis predictor.

Objective To compare the efficacy of operation and non-operatlon in treatment of cervical whiplash injuries. Methods A retrospective sturly was carried out in 88 cases of cervical whiplash injuries, of whom 24 cases were treated with non-operation and 64 with operation. There were 44 cases treated via anterior approach and 20 via posterior approach. NNeural function was evaluated by using Frankh classifications and ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) grades. Results All cases were followed up for 6-24 months, which showed that neural function was improved significantly in both operation and non-operation groups. However, the neural function was better improved in the operation group compared with the non-operation, with statistical difference. The anterior approach group had significantly better outcome in neural function than the posterior approach group (P<0.05). Conclusion Operation is a better method and anterior approach should be the choice of treatment for treatment of cervical whiplash injuries.