Brain computer interface is a control system between brain and outside devices by transforming electroencephalogram (EEG) signal. The brain computer interface system does not depend on the normal output pathways, such as peripheral nerve and muscle tissue, so it can provide a new way of the communication control for paralysis or nerve muscle damaged disabled persons. Steady state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) is one of non-invasive EEG signals, and it has been widely used in research in recent years. SSVEP is a kind of rhythmic brain activity simulated by continuous visual stimuli. SSVEP frequency is composed of a fixed visual stimulation frequency and its harmonic frequencies. The two-dimensional ensemble empirical mode decomposition (2D-EEMD) is an improved algorithm of the classical empirical mode decomposition (EMD) algorithm which extended the decomposition to two-dimensional direction. 2D-EEMD has been widely used in ocean hurricane, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Lena image and other related image processing fields. The present study shown in this paper initiatively applies 2D-EEMD to SSVEP. The decomposition, the 2-D picture of intrinsic mode function (IMF), can show the SSVEP frequency clearly. The SSVEP IMFs which had filtered noise and artifacts were mapped into the head picture to reflect the time changing trend of brain responding visual stimuli, and to reflect responding intension based on different brain regions. The results showed that the occipital region had the strongest response. Finally, this study used short-time Fourier transform (STFT) to detect SSVEP frequency of the 2D-EEMD reconstructed signal, and the accuracy rate increased by 16%.
Algorithms ; Brain ; physiology ; Brain Mapping ; Brain-Computer Interfaces ; Electroencephalography ; Evoked Potentials, Visual ; Humans ; Neural Pathways

Objective This study is to investigate the set-up accuracy of thermoplastic mask used for immobilization of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients being treated by Intensity Modulated Radia- tion Therapy (IMRT).Methods Nineteen patients with early stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (T1- T2N0M0),treated by fractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapy,underwent repeated CTs during their 6-week treatment course.We evaluated their anatomic landmark coordinates in a total of 85 repeated CT data sets and respective x,y and z shifts relative to their position in the 19 treatment-planning reference CTs.Results The translation in x,y,and z-axes with their mean value derived from both positive and negative set-up errors was-0.84 mm(x-axis),+0.65 mm(y-axis) and +0.01 mm(z-axis).Mean target isocenter translation was (0.89?0.69) mm,(0.82?0.79) mm,(0.95?1.24) mm in x,y and z-direc- tions,respectively.The mean total magnitude vector and 95% CI of isocenter motion were 1.87 mm and 4.65 mm.The data measured over the 6-week fractionated course of treatment revealed a slight deterioration of isocenter accuracy.The 95% CI,considered by us to be a valuable parameter for characterizing the sys- tem,of 4.17 mm for measurement within the first 3 weeks increased to 5.12 mm in the last 3 weeks of treat- ment.Conclusions The sequential CT scanning is a pronounced valuable method of evaluating the quality of departmental specific patient positioning procedures.The thermoplastic mask is eyed as well suited tool for immobilization and repositioning of NPC patients receiving intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of cadmium (Cd) on estrogen receptor and to assess its endocrine disrupting action.

METHODSThe estrogen receptor rich supernatant was prepared from the ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats. The effects of cadmium on estrogen binding were performed using a sing-dose ligand-binding assay. Extract from uterus were treated with various concentrations of cadmium (0, 10(-3), 10(-5) or 10(-7) mol/L) for various pre-incubation time (0, 30, 60, 90 min) by means of orthogonal experimental design with orthogonal layout of L16(4(5)) (the experiment was repeated for 5 times). In addition to the radioinert competitor, each assay included a zero tube and a DES standard curve for quality control purpose. Data for cadmium and the DES standard curve were plotted as percent [3H]-E2 bound versus log (molar concentration), and the IC50 for cadmium was determined. The RBA for cadmium was calculated by dividing the IC50 of DES in terms of the IC50 of cadmium.

RESULTSCadmium could not block the binding of estradiol to the receptor because hormone binding did not change with increasing cadmium concentration or increasing preincubation time. The results showed that the binding of [3H]-estradiol to uterine cytosols was not significant (P > 0.05). The Bmax (its unit is pmol/mg protein) of various concentrations of cadmium (0, 10(-3), 10(-5) or 10(-7) mol/L) for pre-incubating 0 min is 203.15 +/- 75.16, 203.41 +/- 22.78, 220.82 +/- 45.35, 209.10 +/- 49.66 respectively; The Bmax of them for pre-incubating 30 min is 215.67 +/- 92.97, 139.79 +/- 53.78, 205.27 +/- 23.60, 172.63 +/- 55.09 respectively. The Bmax of them for pre-incubating 60 min is 197.11 +/- 50.68, 203.24 +/- 66.33, 183.92 +/- 31.89, 183.33 +/- 32.70, respectively. The Bmax of them for pre-incubating 90 min is 229.69 +/- 76.88, 175.70 +/- 70.28, 164.26 +/- 24.46, 150.78 +/- 65.97 respectively. Mean IC50 for cadmium is 10(-4) - 10(-3) M. If the affinities of DES binding to estrogen receptors was taken to be 100%, the relative binding affinities of cadmium was 10(-6) - 10(-7). The results indicated that cadmium had only a very poor affinity with estrogen receptor.

CONCLUSIONIn vitro assay cadmium did not have distinct disrupting effect on binding of estradiol to estrogen receptors from rat uterine.

Animals ; Cadmium ; toxicity ; Female ; In Vitro Techniques ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Estrogen ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Uterus ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the skull characteristics of the Li people in Hainan through 3-D CT.

METHODSCT scan and 3-D reconstruction are very helpful for the cephalometry including the distance and angle measurement. The image can also be enlarged to make the measurement more precisely. 80 Li volunteers underwent the cephalometry through 3-D CT. The data were analyzed and compared with those an people.

RESULTSThe results showed difference between the genders of Li people. Compared with Han people, Li people has their own facial characteristics, such as wider face and wider orbital distance.

CONCLUSIONSCephalometry through 3-D CT can show the skull characteristics precisely. The data in this study has great significance in craniomaxillofacial surgery and ethnology.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cephalometry ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Skull ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the level of occupational exposure to 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) in the pharmacy intravenous admixture service (PIVAS) of a hospital, and identify the sources of 5-Fu contamination.

METHODSThe 5-Fu concentrations in air, on the surface of different areas in PIVAS and personal protective equipments were detected using UV-vis spectrophotometry.

RESULTSThe 5-Fu in air could not be detected. The 5-Fu concentrations on five different surfaces of biological safety cabinets were (22.00 +/- 6.35), (13.99 +/- 2.46), (14.13 +/- 0.72), (7.25 +/- 1.19) and (9.87 +/- 1.23) ng/cm2, respectively, which were significantly higher than those [(3.14 +/- 0.04), (5.43 +/- 0.65), (2.26 +/- 0.17), (2.26 +/- 0.17) and (3.63 +/- 0.46) ng/cm2] of corresponding controls (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The 5-Fu concentrations of the floor under cabinets [(18.19 +/- 5.22) ng/cm2], the floor in front of cabinets [(10.25 +/- 2.57)ng/cm2], the office floor [(11.64 +/- 2.53) ng/cm2], the terrace floor [(99.89 +/- 14.06 ) ng/cm2], the floor beside trash can in dressing room [(24.54 +/- 0.23) ng/cm2] were significantly higher than those of control [(3.36 +/- 0.11 ) ng/cm2] (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The 5-Fu concentrations of the tables in preparation room [(7.22 +/- l.04) ng/cm2] and the tables in office [(11.81 +/- 1.18) ng/cm2] were significantly higher than those of control [(5.56 +/- 0.14) ng/cm2] (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The 5-Fu concentrations of the indoor handle in preparation room were significantly higher than those of controls (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). 5-Fu concentrations on the surfaces of outdoor handle and floor beside door in preparation room were not significantly increased compared with controls (P > 0.05). The 5-Fu concentrations on the surfaces of infusion bags, transfer box, transfer trays were significantly higher than those of controls (P < 0.05). The differences of 5-Fu concentrations between outer and inner masks and controls were not significant (P > 0.05). The 5-Fu concentrations of gloves of preparing and checking staffs were significantly higher than those of controls (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe preparing and checking process of 5-Fu and the treatment of medical wastes are major sources of 5-Fu contamination.

Antineoplastic Agents ; analysis ; Drug Administration Routes ; Fluorouracil ; analysis ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; Pharmacy Service, Hospital

China ; ethnology ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism underlying the curcumin-induced apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell line NCE cells.

METHODSThe characteristics of apoptosis were identified by observation acridine orange and ethidium bromide stains, ultrastructure assay, DNA fragmentation assay and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling method (TUNEL). Mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi m), activity of caspase-3, cytosol cytochrome C and expression of gene Fas were determined by flow cytometry (FCM), Western Blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSSeveral evidences of apoptosis were obtained from curcumin-treated NCE cells by acridine orange and ethidium bromide stains, ultrastructure identification, DNA fragmentation assay and TUNEL staining. And the mean TUNEL-positive rates increased significantly at the 3 different time points (12 h, 24 h and 48 h; 25.6%, 40.3% and 54.5%, respectively). In the curcumin-treated-groups, delta psi m altered significantly and the positive rates increased in a time-dependent manner. At the 3 different time points, the mean positive rates were 26.8%, 42.3% and 68.2%, respectively. When caspase-3 activity was detected, 80.5% cells presented proteases activities after 12 h incubation with curcumin. Western Blot analysis showed that cytoplasmic cytochrome C increased significantly after incubation with curcumin. Flow cytometry and RT-PCR analysis showed that curcumin could up-regulate the Fas expression in time-depended manner , the positive rates of Fas protein increased from 33.6% to 89.9%.

CONCLUSIONSCurcumin induced apoptosis of NCE cells both through mitochondria-dependent pathway and death receptor pathway.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; fas Receptor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical therapeutic effects of endovascular repair for patients with DeBakey III aortic dissection.

METHODSFrom December 2002 to June 2007, endovascular TALENT stent-graft exclusion was performed in 75 (65 males, mean age 54.4 +/- 12.6 years) patients with DeBakey III aortic dissection (1 young woman due to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, 2 young men due to primary aldosteronism and trauma respectively). All patients were diagnosed by contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) or MRI. Stent-grafts were deployed via femoral artery to exclude the tear of dissection. Aortic angiography was performed immediately after procedure.

RESULTSEighty-one stent-grafts were installed in 75 patients successfully without operation related dissection. Endoleakage immediately after stent-graft deploying was evidenced in 25 patients and disappeared after stent placements (n = 6) or balloon dilation (n = 19). Two patients died from aortic rupture within 2 days after procedure. Iliac artery was torn in a female patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, this patient developed hemorrhagic shock after stent-graft placement and recovered after anti-shock treatments and iliac artery replacement with synthetic artery. During the follow-up of 1 - 24 months, 2 patients (including the woman with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) suddenly died half a year after procedure. The remaining patients were alive and well. Repeat CT during follow up showed that reduced lumen size and thrombosis in the false lumen. There was no aortic rupture, endoleak and stent migration during the follow-up period except descending aortic dissection distal of the stent-graft in 1 patient 1 year after procedure and the patient were successfully treated surgically without complication.

CONCLUSIONSEndovascular repair is a safe and effective treatment for patients with DeBakey III aortic dissection, suitable for old patients with high risk of surgery. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome should be considered in young DeBakey III aortic dissection patients without hypertension. Further studies are warranted on endovascular repair therapy for artery complication of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents

OBJECTIVE: Anxiety trait, anxiety and depression states have all been reported to increase risks for cardiovascular disease (CVD), possibly through altering cardiac autonomic regulation. Our aim was to investigate whether the relationship between harm avoidance (HA, an anxiety-related personality trait) and cardiac autonomic regulation is independent of anxiety and depression states in healthy adults. METHODS: We recruited 535 physically and mentally healthy volunteers. Participants completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Tri-dimensional Personality Questionnaire. Participants were divided into high or low HA groups as discriminated by the quartile value. Cardiac autonomic function was evaluated by measuring heart rate variability (HRV). We obtained the time and frequency-domain indices of HRV including variance (total HRV), the low-frequency power (LF; 0.05-0.15 Hz), which may reflect baroreflex function, the high-frequency power (HF; 0.15-0.40 Hz), which reflects cardiac parasympathetic activity, as well as the LF/HF ratio. RESULTS: The BDI and HA scores showed associations with HRV parameters. After adjustment for the BDI scores and other control variables, HA is still associated with reduced variance, LF and HF power. Compared with the participants with low HA, those with high HA displayed significant reductions in variance, LF and HF power and a significant increase in their LF/HF ratio. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the independent role of HA in contributing to decreased autonomic cardiac regulation in healthy adults and provides a potential underlying mechanism for anxiety trait to confer increased risk for CVD.
Adult* ; Anxiety ; Baroreflex ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Depression ; Healthy Volunteers ; Heart Rate* ; Heart* ; Humans

OBJECTIVEHepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was detected from infants whose mothers were negative for all HBV markers and the fathers were HBV carrier, the homology of HBV sequence of fathers and fetus was high, and HBV mutations concentrated on some points, and the transmission of HBV from father to fetus was also identified in some reports. The present study aimed to study HBV transmission from father to infant.

METHODSThe study enrolled 16 pairs of fathers who were HBV carriers and infants whose mothers were negative for HBV markers. The infants had evidences for intrauterine HBV infection. The five HBV serum markers HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc were detected with ELISA. The positive results for HBsAg and/or HBeAg were regarded as markers of HBV infection. Amplification of HBV DNA was done using a nested PCR method. The first amplification was carried out using primer C1 (nt 2394-2370), and primer C3 (nt 1730-1754). The second amplification was carried out using primer C2 (nt 1955-1974) and primer C6 (nt 2348-2330). Both primers were designed to amplify the part of sequence coding for the hepatitis B C antigen. The size of the amplified fragment obtained by the nested PCR was expected to be 394 bp. The PCR products were electrophoresed on 1.5% agarose gels, which were then stained with ethidium bromide and observed with ultraviolet transillumination. When 394 bp specific band was detectable, the sample was designated positive. Then the positive samples were identified by dot blot. The second PCR products were extracted by phenol-chloroform and 70% ethanol precipitation, then resuspended in TE buffer (pH8.0), and used as the template for cloning. The template was connected into pGEM-T vector by ligase. The ligated products were cloned into fresh competent JM109 cells, and incubated for 90 minutes at 37 degrees C on roller drum. Finally several dilutions were plated on plates containing ampicillin, X-Gal and IPTG, and incubated at 37 degrees C overnight. The white colony on plates was used for identification by the nested PCR with the above primers. When the 394 bp band was detectable by electrophoresis of PCR products in 1.5% agarose gels, the colony was designated positive; a positive colony was incubated in LB medium for 8 to 12 hrs, then plasmid was extracted using the Wizard Plus SV Minipreps DNA Purification System Kit (Promega). The purified plasmid was sent to Beijing Saibaisheng Company for sequencing. The homology of HBV C nt 2022-2301 sequence was compared between fathers and infants.

RESULTSThe homology of HBV C nt 2022-2301 sequence were 99% - 100% in 16 pairs of fathers and infants. The results were referred to the published sequence of HBV adw/adr clones, and the nucleic acid databases were searched for homology by using BLAST tool on Internet. HBV of the sixteen pairs of father/infant was closely related to the Japan strain (Genebank accession number AF121249), but there were still 17 more mutations at nucleotide positions 2029, 2034, 2044, 2059, 2078, 2095, 2104, 2154, 2161, 2169, 2189, 2201, 2233, 2251, 2284, 2288, 2293. Moreover the mutations at positions 2189, 2288 resulted in the substitution of the encoded amino acid (corresponding to amino acid positions 97 and 130, respectively), the other mutations at the position were nonphenotypic. The mutation of 2189, 2288 nucleotide of HBV C gene caused 97, 130 amino acid substitution for isoleucine to leucine and proline to threonine. The mutation of 2189, 2288 nucleotide of HBV C gene were detected in 6 (37.5%) of 16 pairs of fathers and infants.

CONCLUSIONThe HBV transmission from father to infants did exist. The main HBV C gene mutation strains also existed in the transmission.

Adult ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Viral ; chemistry ; genetics ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Father-Child Relations ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; transmission ; virology ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Male ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction