Multi-channel in vivo recording techniques are used to record ensemble neuronal activity and local field potentials (LFP) simultaneously. One of the key points for the technique is how to process these two sets of recorded neural signals properly so that data accuracy can be assured. We intend to introduce data processing approaches for action potentials and LFP based on the original data collected through multi-channel recording system. Action potential signals are high-frequency signals, hence high sampling rate of 40 kHz is normally chosen for recording. Based on waveforms of extracellularly recorded action potentials, tetrode technology combining principal component analysis can be used to discriminate neuronal spiking signals from differently spatially distributed neurons, in order to obtain accurate single neuron spiking activity. LFPs are low-frequency signals (lower than 300 Hz), hence the sampling rate of 1 kHz is used for LFPs. Digital filtering is required for LFP analysis to isolate different frequency oscillations including theta oscillation (4-12 Hz), which is dominant in active exploration and rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep, gamma oscillation (30-80 Hz), which is accompanied by theta oscillation during cognitive processing, and high frequency ripple oscillation (100-250 Hz) in awake immobility and slow wave sleep (SWS) state in rodent hippocampus. For the obtained signals, common data post-processing methods include inter-spike interval analysis, spike auto-correlation analysis, spike cross-correlation analysis, power spectral density analysis, and spectrogram analysis.
Action Potentials ; Animals ; Humans ; Neurons ; physiology ; Sleep

Objective: To study the pathology and its significance of early colorectal cancer and precancerous lesions treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Methods: A total of consecutive 113 cases were collected at the endoscopy center from August 2012 to June 2016, which were diagnosed as early colorectal cancer and precancerous lesions and undergone ESD. According to Japanese colorectal cancer treatment guidelines, specimens were processed and pathologically evaluated for histological type, tumor diameter, depth of invasion, budding grading, vessel invasion, and horizontal and vertical margin, as well as curative resection. Results: There were 63 cases of adenoma (55.75%), including 29(25.66%) tubular adenoma, 2(1.77%) villous adenoma, and 32(28.32%) villioustublar adenoma. Thirty-four cases of serrated lesion were found, which included 19(16.81%) traditional serrated adenoma, 11(9.73%) sessile serrated adenoma, and 4(3.54%) hyperplasic polyp. There were also 16(14.16%) cases of early colorectal cancer with 7 cases of well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, 7 cases of moderately-differentiated adenocarcinoma, 1 case of poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma, and 1 case of mucinous adenocarcinoma. Vessel invasion were observed in 2 of 16 cases of early colorectal cancer which were both moderately-differentiated adenocarcinoma in sigmoid colon. The vertical margins were negative in 108(95.58%) of 113 cases. Positive vertical margin were found in only 1 case (moderately-differentiated adenocarcinoma, pT1b2) and another case was suspected as positive. The rest 3 cases could not be precisely diagnosed. The horizontal margins were negative in 80(70.80%) of 113 cases and positive horizontal margin were found in 20(17.7%) cases (19 adenoma and 1 moderately-differentiated adenocarcinoma). Thirteen cases cannot be precisely diagnosed. Histologically, complete resection rate was 82.30%. The complete resection rate of invasive adenocarcinoma was 93.75%. Among 16 cases of invasive adenocarcinoma, 5 cases (curative rate: 31.25%) were judged as curative resection whereas 11 cases were considered as non-curative resection. Seven non-curative resection cases were treated with further surgery and did not relapse after the follow-up. Conclusion The standardized processing and precise histopathological evaluation are key factors for colorectal ESD technique, which play an important role in the success of endoscopic therapy.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of different subtypes IFN alpha (IFN alpha2b, IFN alpha2a, and IFN alpha1b) transduction molecular STAT1, STAT2, IFNAR, PKR, and RNase L, and to study the differences of their antiviral effects and to evaluate the key signaling transduction molecules.

METHODS(1) After HepG2 cells were treated with IFN alpha2b, IFN alpha2a, or IFN alpha1b, the mRNA levels of STAT1, STAT2, IFNAR, PKR, and RNase L were detected by RT-PCR. (2) After HepG2 cells were treated with 1000 U/ml IFN alpha2b, IFN alpha2a, or IFN alpha1b, the protein expression levels of STAT1 and IFNAR were examined by Western blot.

RESULTSRT-PCR results: (1) IFNAR, STAT1, and STAT2 mRNA expression levels were slightly higher in the IFN alpha1b group than those in the IFN alpha2b group (P > 0.05). The mRNA expression levels in IFN alpha1b or IFN alpha2b groups were significantly higher than in the IFN alpha2a group (P < 0.05). (2) The PKR mRNA expression showed no significant differences among IFN alpha1b, IFN alpha2b, and IFN alpha2a groups. (3) The RNase L mRNA expression was very weak. We could not compare the differences of the RNase L mRNA levels in different groups by RT-PCR. Western blot results: (1) The IFNAR, and STAT1 protein expressions were greatly up-regulated after IFN alpha induction compared with the untreated group (P < 0.05). (2) The IFNAR, and STAT1 protein expression levels in IFN alpha1b group were slightly higher than the IFN alpha2b group. IFNAR, and STAT1 protein levels of IFN alpha1b or IFN alpha2b group were significantly higher than IFN alpha2a group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTAT1, STAT2, IFNAR mRNA and protein expressions could all be markedly up-regulated after IFN alpha treatment. Effects of IFN alpha1b or IFN alpha2b were greatly stronger than IFN alpha2a. The PKR mRNA expression also was greatly up-regulated after IFN alpha treatment. Expression levels of PKR in IFN alpha1b, IFN alpha2b, and IFN alpha2a groups were all similar. The mRNA level results were consistent with the protein level results. Our results showed that the antiviral activity of IFN alpha1b or IFN alpha2b were stronger than that of IFN alpha2a. The signal transduction molecules STAT1, STAT2, and IFNAR could be regarded as a key index to evaluate antiviral activity of IFN alpha. Further confirmation is still needed to see whether PKR could be regarded as a key index.

Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; virology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; pharmacology ; Liver Neoplasms ; virology ; Recombinant Proteins ; STAT1 Transcription Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; STAT2 Transcription Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo detect gene mutations associated with autosomal dominant congenital stationary night blindness(ADCSNB) in a large Chinese family.

METHODSGenomic DNAs were extracted from peripheral blood samples of 16 affected and 14 unaffected family members. According to 5 missense mutations in 3 genes reported previously, 4 pairs of primers were designed and corresponding exons containing the five mutation sites were amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Amplified products were purified and sequenced by MegaBACE1000 capillary array electrophoresis DNA sequencer. Full field electroretinogram (ERG, ISCEV) of patients was recorded and analyzed by Roland Consult System.

RESULTSDark-adapted ERG showed a-wave was normal, but b-wave of the patients was markedly decreased. None of the five missense mutations were detected in 16 affected and 14 unaffected family members.

CONCLUSIONThe molecular pathogenesis of ADCSNB in this family does not involve point mutations or deletions of these five sites, which indicates the heterogeneity of ADCSNB.

Adult ; Base Sequence ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Night Blindness ; congenital ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation

The purpose of this article is to introduce the measurements of phase coupling between spikes and rhythmic oscillations of local field potentials (LFPs). Multi-channel in vivo recording techniques allow us to record ensemble neuronal activity and LFPs simultaneously from the same sites in the brain. Neuronal activity is generally characterized by temporal spike sequences, while LFPs contain oscillatory rhythms in different frequency ranges. Phase coupling analysis can reveal the temporal relationships between neuronal firing and LFP rhythms. As the first step, the instantaneous phase of LFP rhythms can be calculated using Hilbert transform, and then for each time-stamped spike occurred during an oscillatory epoch, we marked instantaneous phase of the LFP at that time stamp. Finally, the phase relationships between the neuronal firing and LFP rhythms were determined by examining the distribution of the firing phase. Phase-locked spikes are revealed by the non-random distribution of spike phase. Theta phase precession is a unique phase relationship between neuronal firing and LFPs, which is one of the basic features of hippocampal place cells. Place cells show rhythmic burst firing following theta oscillation within a place field. And phase precession refers to that rhythmic burst firing shifted in a systematic way during traversal of the field, moving progressively forward on each theta cycle. This relation between phase and position can be described by a linear model, and phase precession is commonly quantified with a circular-linear coefficient. Phase coupling analysis helps us to better understand the temporal information coding between neuronal firing and LFPs.
Action Potentials ; Hippocampus ; physiology ; Neurons ; physiology ; Periodicity

OBJECTIVETo investigate COX-2 expression in patients with gastric cancer and its relationship with angiogenesis and clinicopathologic features of gastric cancer.

METHODSCOX-2 expression and CD34-stained microvessel density (MVD) were detected by immunohistochemical methods in specimens from 96 patients with gastric cancer. The correlations among COX-2 expression, MVD and clinicopathologic features were analyzed.

RESULTSThe COX-2 positive rate and MVD in gastric cancer were significantly higher than those in the normal gastric mucosa (80.2% vs. 13.3%; 32.5+/- 8.3 vs. 13.1+/- 2.4, all P< 0.01). The COX-2 positive rate and MVD in the patients with stage III and IV were significantly higher (91.4% and 34.9+/- 8.7 respectively, P< 0.01), than that in the patients with stage I and II. The COX-2 positive rate and MVD in the cases with lymph node metastasis were 87.9% and (35.0+/- 8.5) respectively, higher than those in the cases without lymph node metastasis (P< 0.05). The Spearman rank correlation test showed a significant correlation between COX-2 expression and tumor MVD (r=0.311, P< 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSCOX-2 plays an important role in gastric cancer angiogenesis. COX-2 and angiogenesis induced by COX-2 contribute to tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis.

Adult ; Aged ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

Recent randomized controlled clinical trials in Africa have demonstrated that adult male circumcision (MC) efficiently decreases the rate of HIV, HPV and HSV-2 infections. Many studies have clearly shown that MC is a simple, safe, and cost-effective method for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and urinary tract infection, and for improving genital hygiene. While a 30% MC prevalence exists worldwide, only 5% or less of the Chinese males have undergone circumcision. In this review, we report recent trends in international MC and HIV prevention efforts, as well as the potential benefits and importance of promoting MC in China. We appeal to medical and public health authorities to pay close attention to the international experience in MC and HIV prevention.
Circumcision, Male ; HIV Infections ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Male ; Reproductive Medicine ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; prevention & control

Here we describe and illustrate our methods for multi-channel in vivo recording in mice, including the fabrication of the microdrive array and the surgical procedure for implanting electrodes. The multi-channel microdrive is fabricated from printed circuit board base, screws, nuts and clamping screws. Rotation of the screw drives both the nut and the attached electrodes to move forward simultaneously. Each full turn of the screw corresponds to 280 µm in depth penetration. The recording electrodes are self-made tetrodes consisting 4 wires (13 µm in diameter). The major steps of headstage fabrication include: tetrode making, microdrive construction, headstage assembling and tetrode plating. The finished headstage is suitable for multi-channel recording in freely moving rodents with the modest weight and the adjustable number of recording electrodes. Additionally, the recording site is allowed to be manipulated after implantation at any time. In the latter part of this paper, we introduce the procedure of the implant surgery to record in bilateral hippocampus in mice. Using these headstages, we simultaneously recorded population activity in bilateral CA1 in freely behaving mice.
Animals ; Electrodes, Implanted ; Electrophysiology ; instrumentation ; Hippocampus ; Mice

Objective To evaluate the population health for disease prevention and control in Shanghai Minhang District of Shanghai the data of mortality from 1993 to 2015 and communicable diseases from 2002 to 2015.Methods We adopted descriptive epidemiological method to analyze the trends of average life expectancy (ALE),specific death rate and causes of death cis-position from 1993 to 2015,and the incident rates of communicable diseases,incidence trends in Minhang District from 2002 to 2015.Results Overall,the ALE of population in Minhang District increased 11.80 years from 1993 to 2015 (from 71.78 years in 1993 to 83.58 years in 2015),including the ALE of male population increased 14.03 years (from 67.43 years in 1993 to 81.37 years in 2015) and the ALE of female population elevated 9.67 years (from 76.22 years in 1993 to 85.89 years in 2015).In 2015,Crude death rate (CDR) was 755.35/105,which was 21.45％ higher than in 1993 and 2.71％ higher than in 2014,respectively.In the same year,standardized mortality rate (SMR) was 196.07/105,which was 54.17％ lower than in 1993 and 0.51％ lower than in 2014.The top five leading causes of death were circulatory system diseases,tumors,respiratory diseases,endocrine and metabolic diseases,and injury and poisoning,which contributed 91.33％ of the population death.From 2002 to 2015,a total of 23 kinds of notifiable infectious diseases were reported in Minhang District,including 62 845 cumulative cases and 152 cases died.The total reported incidence rate of communicable diseases sharply elevated by 291.98％ during 14 years (Z=10 943.83,P＜0.001),and it increased after standardized.The top five communicable diseases were hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD),scarlet fever,syphilis,tuberculosis and hepatitis B in 2015.Conclusions Over the years,Minhang District of Shanghai comprehensive implemented "health in all policies" by integrating the resources of all levels of regional healthcare institutions.The ALE of the residents was at a high level.The control and prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases and major communicable diseases will continue to be the priority of public health.

BACKGROUNDPatients on hemodialysis have a high-mortality risk. This study analyzed factors associated with death in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). While some studies used baseline data of MHD patients, this study used the most recent data obtained from patients just prior to either a primary endpoint or the end of the study period to find the characteristics of patients preceding death.

METHODSParticipants were selected from 16 blood purification centers in China from January 2012 to December 2014. Patients' data were collected retrospectively. Based on survival status, the participants were divided into two groups: survival group and the death group. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with all-cause mortality.

RESULTSIn total, 4104 patients (57.58% male, median age 59 years) were included. Compared with the survival group, the death group had more men and more patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) and hypertensive nephropathy. The patients preceding death also had lower levels of diastolic blood pressure, hemoglobin, serum albumin, serum calcium, serum phosphate, Kt/V, and higher age. Multivariate analysis revealed that male sex (odd ratio [OR]: 1.437, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.094-1.886), age (OR: 1.046, 95% CI: 1.036-1.057), and presence of DN (OR: 1.837, 95% CI: 1.322-2.552) were the risk factors associated with mortality. High serum calcium (OR: 0.585, 95% CI: 0.346-0.989), hemoglobin (OR: 0.974, 95% CI: 0.967-0.981), albumin (OR: 0.939, 95% CI: 0.915-0.963) levels, and dialysis with noncuffed catheter (OR: 0.165, 95% CI: 0.070-0.386) were protective factors based on a multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONSHemodialysis patients preceding death had lower hemoglobin, albumin, and serum calcium levels. Multivariate analysis showed that male sex, age, DN, low hemoglobin, low albumin, and low serum calcium were associated with death in hemodialysis patients.

Adult ; Aged ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Renal Dialysis ; adverse effects ; mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors