Objective To introduce an improved method of continuous intradermal suture,and to evaluate its clinical efficacy for the closure of surgical incisions.Methods Eighty-two patients were enrolled in this study,including 37 cases of nevus,10 cases of basal cell carcinoma,16 cases of sebaceous cyst,6 cases of lipoma,8 cases of seborrheic keratosis,3 cases of dermatofibroma and 2 cases of depressed scar.All the patients were managed by simple surgical excision with the shortest length of postoperative incisions being 0.8 cm and the longest length being 12 cm.An improved method of continuous intradermal suture was used for the closure of all the postoperative incisions.Specifically,an absorbable thread with a small triangle needle in both ends was inserted through and pulled out from the dermal layer at one side of the incision,and then inserted through and pulled out from the dermal layer at the opposite side of the incision,which was repeated until the incision was entirely closed.Results Among the 82 patients,80 achieved primary healing,and 2 developed erythematous painful swelling at the incision site 2 days after the operation,which disappeared after symptomatic treatment for 5 days.During 3-6 months of follow-up,the incisions closed leaving a flat and smooth surface in 78 patients,and proliferative scar formed in 4 patients,which was obviously improved after local injection with glucocorticoids.No disruption of incisions was observed.Conclusion The improved method of continuous intradermal suture can be applied to the closure of skin defects in the face,neck,trunk and extremities with a favorable healing outcome and cosmetic result.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals provide an objective physiological index for the identification of the driver's fatigue state. It is very important to choose appropriate channels and EEG signal features adaptively due to the features varying with different subjects and time. A support vector machine (SVM) based increasing feature selection algorithm for driving fatigue EEG classification is presented in this paper. The algorithm is a method to select EEG channels and features for driving fatigue adaptively in an ascending order. We can select the optimal feature each time from the remaining candidate features using the optimized SVM model minimum error rate as the index. The experimental calculation has characteristics of using 16 electrode channels which cover the whole head in the main area, of selecting 208 candidate features as the initial set, of selecting to the EEG data calculation recorded in 5 different time periods of a subject, and of choosing error rate of 2% as the algorithm termination condition. The selected features and models, therefore, can reach a high level of classification and generalization ability.
Algorithms ; Automobile Driving ; Electrodes ; Electroencephalography ; Fatigue ; Humans ; Support Vector Machine ; Time Factors

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Lianhua Dingchuan Tablets in bronchial asthma.Methods Fifty BALB/C mice were randomly and equally divided into control (Con) group,ovalbumin (OVA) group,dexamethasone (DEX) group,high-dose Lianhua group,low-dose Lianhua group.The mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA plus aluminium hydroxide to establish asthmatic model and were pre-treated 30 minutes before challenge.Specific airway resistance (sRaw) was used to evaluate airway hyperresponsiveness,and airway inflammatory changes were measured.ELISA and Magnetic Luminex(R) were used to quantified the levels of IL-4,IL-13 and INF-γ.Results Airway resistance significantly decreased in DEX group and High-dose Lianhua group (P＜0.05).Levels of inflammatory cells and IL-13 in BALF evidently reduced in DEX group,high-dose Lianhua group and low-dose Lianhua group (P ＜ 0.05),while IL-13 level in serum only decreased in DEX group.There was no significant changes in the levels of IL 4 and INF γ among those groups.Conclusions Lianhua Dingchuan Tablets might relieve the symptoms of asthma by reducing IL-13 level and inhibiting the airway inflammation.

Objective To investigate the effects of berberine on tumor-associated macrophages (TAM)and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)of intestinal polyps in Apc(Min/+) mice.Methods A total of 20 Apc(Min/+) mice,four weeks old,were equally divided into the control group and the berberine group,10 in each group.The mice of the control group drank plain water,while the mice of berberine group drank water with 0.1 % berberine.After 12 weeks,all the mice were sacrificed.The intestine and colon were isolated,and the numbers of polyps were counted.The expression of F4/80,inducible nitric oxide synthase-2 (iNOS),macrophage mannose receptor (MR)and COX-2 was detected by immunohisto-chemistry method.The relative expression of COX-2 at protein level was measured by Western blotting. The t test was performed for comparison between two independent groups.Results The total number of intestinal polyps,the number of small intestinal polyps and the number of colon polyps of the berberine group (11 .50±2.05 ,10.50±1 .77 and 1 .00±0.46,respectively)were all less than those of the control group (30.63±1 .69,28.00±2.00 and 2.63±0.74,respectively),and the differences were statistically significant (t=16.727,16.952 and 3.162,P =0.001 ,0.001 and 0.010,respectively).The percentage of F4/80 positive cells in the stroma of polyps of the berberine group ((17.40 ±4.23 )%)was less than that of the control group ((31 .24±6.34)%),and the difference was statistically significant (t =5 .327, P =0.043).The percentage of iNOS positive cells in the stroma of polyps of the berberine group ((7.43± 1 .78 )%) was higher than that of the control group ((2.72±0.68)%), and the difference was statistically significant (t=7.335 ,P =0.004).The percentage of MR positive cells in stroma of polyps of the berberine group ((19.52±1 .54)%)was less than that of the control group ((12.63±0.68)%),and the difference was statistically significant (t=5 .634,P =0.016).The percentage of COX-2 positive cells in stroma of polyps of berberine group ((3.38 ± 0.51 )%)was less than that of the control group ((7.60±0.57 )%),and the difference was statistically significant (t = 7.234,P = 0.001 ).The relative expression of COX-2 at protein level of polyps of the berberine group was lower than that of the control group. Conclusion Berberine may take the role in inhibiting the growth of intestinal polyps in Apc(Min/+) mice through interfering the differentiation of TAM in polyps and suppression the expression of COX-2.

ObjectiveTo investigate the treatment strategies and factors influencing the prognosis of patients with primary gallbladder carcinoma.MethodsThe clinical data of 135 patients with primary gallbladder cancer who were admitted to the Cancer Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from January 2000 to December 2009 were retrospectively analyzed.The survival curve was drawn by the Kaplan-Meier method,and the survival rates were analyzed by using the Log-rank test.Factors which may have influences on the prognosis were analyzed by univariate analysis and COX multivariate analysis.ResultsThe overall 1-,3-,5-year survival rates of the 135 patients were 46.7％,10.4％ and 5.2％,respectively.The 1-,3-,5-year survival rates of 74 patients who received radical resection of gallbladder cancer were 68.9％,18.9％ and 9.5％,respectively.The 1-,3-,5-year survival rates of 50 patients who received palliative treatment were 24.0％,0 and 0,respectively.The 1-,3-,5-year survival rates of 11 patients who received conservative treatment were 0,0 and 0,respectively.There was no significant difference in the survival rates among patients who received different treatment methods (x2 =5.642,P ＜ 0.05 ). Of the 9 patients with gallbladder cancer who received reoperation after laparoscopic choledochotomy,the survival time of 1 patient in stage Ⅰ and 1 of the 3 patients in stage Ⅱ who received radical surgery exceeded 5 years,while the survival time of 5 patients in stage Ⅱ who received palliative treatment was shorter than 5 years.There was a significant difference in the survival time among the 3 groups of patients ( x2 =5.642,P＜0.05).Under the condition of same TNM stages ( Ⅱ,ⅢA,ⅢB,ⅣA,ⅣB),the survival rates of patients who received radical resection of gallbladder cancer were significantly higher than those who received palliative or conservative treatment ( x2 =8.971,21.250,44.153,6.696,21.722,P ＜ 0.05 ).The results of univariate analysis showed that age,CA19-9,TNM stages and treatment methods were risk factors influencing the median survival time ( x2 =8.466,3.977,9.837,5.642,P ＜ 0.05 ).The results of multivariate analysis showed that age,TNM stages and treatment methods were the independent risk factors influencing the median survival time ( Wald=5.779,14.724,11.640,P＜0.05).ConclusionThe prognosis of primary gallbladder cancer is poor.Age,TNM stages and treatment methods are the independent factors influencing the prognosis of patients with gallbladder cancer,and patients who receive radical resection have relatively good prognosis.

Objectives To investigate the prevalence of heterogeneous vancomycin intermediate Staphylococcus aureus(hVISA) and the sensitivity of hVISA to novel antibiotics,and to explore the risk factors and infection attributable mortality associated with hVISA infection.Methods A total of 456 methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates were isolated in Zhongshan Hospital from January,2008 to November,2010.All MRSA isolates were investigated for hVISA by two agar screening methods BHIA5T (brain-heart infusion containing teicoplanin 5 mg/L)or BHIA6V (brain-heart infusion containing vancomycin 6 mg/L),as well as macroEtest method(MET).Possible hVISA isolates were tested by modified population analysis profile-area under the curve (PAP-AUC).The minimal inhibitory concentrations(MICs) of vancomycin,teicoplanin and linezolid were determined by microbroth dilution as recommended by Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI).The contribution difference between hVISA and vancomycin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (VSSA) in different MIC range was compared.A retrospective case-control study of the patients with hVISA infection or VSSA infection was carried out and statistical analysis was performed using t test,Mann-Whitney test,x2 test and Fisher exact test.Results A total of 105 isolates of hVISA were screened by BHIA5T and BHIA6V (23.0％) with other 23 isolates by MET(5.0％) and 21 by PAP-AUC(4.6％).All isolates were 100％ sensitive to vancomycin,teicoplanin and linezolid.The vancomycin MIC [(1.76 ±-0.16) mg/L] in hVISA group was significantly higher than that in VSSA group[(1.09 ± 0.07)mg/L,P ＜ 0.01],which was a potential risk factor for hVISA infection.The retrospective study showed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was also a risk factor for hVISA infection of the lower respiratory tract.No significant difference in infection attributable mortality was showed between the hVISA group and the VSSA group.Conclusions The overall prevalence of hVISA in Zhongshan Hospital is estimated as 4.6％,while the prevalence of hVISA isolated from blood is as high as 12.5％.All isolates are 100％ sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid.COPD is a risk factor for hVISA infection of the lower respiratory tract.

AIM:To investigate the role of heat shock protein 70(HSP70)in hepatitis B virus (HBV) replica-tion.METHODS:The effect of HBV replication on the expression of HSP 70 was analyzed by RT-qPCR.The overexpres-sion efficiency of HSP70 was confirmed by Western blot .The effect of HSP70 overexpression on HBV DNA replicative in-termediates was analyzed by RT-qPCR and Southern blot .The effects of HSP70 overexpression on the expression level of HBV 3.5 kb mRNA and HBV core protein were measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively.The Effect of HSP70 overexpression on HBV promoter activity was detected by dual luciferase reporter system .RESULTS: The mRNA levels of HSP70 were inhibited by HBV replication .Overexpression of HSP70 repressed the expression of HBV DNA repli-cative intermediates, 3.5 kb mRNA and core protein, as well as HBV core promoter activity .CONCLUSION:HBV rep-lication inhibits the expression of HSP70.Overexpression of HSP70 represses HBV replication.These data suggest that HSP70 repressed HBV replication by inhibiting HBV core promoter activity .

Objective:To observe the effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture combined with electroacupuncture on neurological function and limb motor function in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods:A total of 106 eligible subjects were divided into a treatment group and a control group according to the random number table method,with 53 cases in each group.Patients in the control group were treated with conventional rehabilitation.The treatment group was treated with wrist-ankle acupuncture and electroacupuncture in addition to the treatment used in the control group.The National Institute of Heath stroke scale(NIHSS)score,Fugl-Meyer assessment scale score,Berg balance scale score,lower limb main nerve conduction velocity,and total response rate were compared between the two groups. Results:The total response rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the NIHSS score,Fugl-Meyer assessment scale score,and Berg balance scale score of the two groups were improved compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the treatment group was significantly better than the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,only the conduction velocity of femoral nerve in the control group was better than that before treatment(P<0.05),and the conduction velocity of femoral nerve,tibial nerve,sural nerve,and common peroneal nerve in the treatment group was better than that before treatment(P<0.05),and was better than that in the control group(P<0.05). Conclusion:Wrist-ankle acupuncture and electroacupuncture combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy can significantly improve nerve and muscle function and the motor and living ability of patients with ischemic stroke,and its therapeutic effect is superior to that of conventional rehabilitation therapy alone.

Objective To investigate the expression of regulators of G protein signaling(RGS), including RGS2, RGS3 and RGS4 in OLETF rats, as well as the effects of metformin on these expressions. Methods LETO rats were used as control group. Eight-week-old male OLETF rats were assigned to two guoups randomly:model and trial(metfomin dose during 8~(th) to 22~(nd) weeks:300mg kg~(-1)·d~(-1);during 23rd to 28th weeks:400 mg·kg~(-1) ·d~(-1))groups. Expressions of RGS mRNA in aorta and heart werequantified by real-time PCR. Results RGS2, RGS3 and RGS4 mRNA of the thoracic aorta and left ventricle were significantly higher in model group than in control group (P<0.01). Compared with model group, metformin significantly reduced their mRNA in trial group (P<0.01). Conclusions Upregulation of RGS2, RGS3 and RGS4 mRNA expression in the thoracic aorta and left ventricle of OLETF rats is in correlation with cardiovascular lesions; while downregulation of their expression is in correlation with the action of metformin.

AIM: To investigate the role of transcription factor hairy and enhancer of split 1 (Hes1) in the malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cell line BEP2D induced by tobacco.METHODS: The BEP2D cells were chronically exposed to cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) at 1 cigarette per L until the 70th generation.The phenotype of malignant transformation of the cells induced by CSC was detected by soft agar clony formation assay.RT-PCR and Western blot were used to determined the expression of Hes1 at mRNA and protein levels in each generation of the cells.The proliferation and apoptosis of the BEP2D cells exposed to CSC were analyzed with the methods of MTT assay, flow cytometry and cell colony formation assay after treatment with Notch pathway bloker DAPT or liposome transfection with Hes1-siRNA.The expression of Hes1 in the peripheral small airway tissues of the smoking rats was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining.The expression of Hes1 in non-small-cell lung cancer and normal airway tissues was also detected by the methods of immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR.RESULTS: The BEP2D cells in the 70th generation had a malignant transformation phenotype.The expression of Hes1 in the BEP2D cells exposed to CSC for different time showed an increa-sing trend.DAPT and liposome transfection with Hes1-siRNA down-regulated the expression of Hes1, inhibited the cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis.The expression of Hes1 in the airway mucosa of the rats exposed to cigarette smoke for 1 month and 6 months was significantly higher than that in control group.Cigarette smoking induced the expression of Hes1 in lung cancer and normal airway tissues.CONCLUSION: Hes1 may be involved in smoking-induced lung cancer by promoting the imbalance between apoptosis and proliferation.