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

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

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

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

Objective To investigate the clinical therapeutic effects of endovascular repair for patients with DeBakey Ⅲ aortic dissection.Methods From 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.Results Eighty-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.Conclusions Endovasular 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 endovasular repair therapy for artery complication of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism and the suppression effect of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) on hematopoietic system.

METHODSSemi-solid culture system was used to observe the effect of HCMV AD169 strain on colony forming unit granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM), CFU-erythroid (CFU-E), CFU-multipotent (CFU-Mix) and CFU-megakaryocyte (CFU-MK) growth. The techniques of in situ polymerase chain reaction (IS-PCR) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to demonstrate the existence of HCMV DNA in the colony cells of cultured CFU-GM, CFU-Mix, CFU-MK and CFU-E, respectively. The immediate early antigen (IEA) mRNA in CFU-MK and late antigen (LA) mRNA in CFU-E were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). HCMV early protein P52 was detected with immunohistochemical technique.

RESULTSHCMV AD169 suppressed the differentiation and proliferation of CFU-GM, CFU-E, CFU-Mix and CFU-MK in vitro significantly (P < 0.05). The suppression was dose-dependent. HCMV DNA was successfully detected in CFU-GM, CFU-Mix, CFU-MK colony cells from viral infection groups by IS-PCR, and was detected in CFU-E by PCR, while it was negative in blank control or mock control groups. CFU-MK colony cells expressed HCMV IEA mRNA with the size of 340 bp in virus infection groups of 10(3) plague forming unit (PFU), 10(4) PFU and 10(5) PFU, respectively. The HCMV LA mRNA was detected by RT-PCR and was 263 bp long in positive control group of HCMV-infected human embryonic fibroblasts. The expression of HCMV LA mRNA in CFU-E was negative. The early protein P52 of HCMV in 10(4) PFU group was also identified by immunohistochemical staining.

CONCLUSIONHCMV AD169 strains inhibited the differentiation and proliferation of CFU-GM, CFU-E, CFU-Mix and CFU-MK by the infection of the hematopoietic progenitors. HCMV might cause the suppression of hematopoiesis by direct infection, which is thought to be one of the reasons of HCMV infection associated with thrombocytopenia, neutropenia and anemia.

Colony-Forming Units Assay ; Cytomegalovirus ; genetics ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Erythrocytes ; virology ; Hematopoietic System ; cytology ; virology ; Humans ; Megakaryocytes ; virology ; Multipotent Stem Cells ; virology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo explore the lipid peroxidation induced by deltamethrin (DM) in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of rat.

METHODSWistar male rats were administrated with DM (daily dose was 3.125, 12.500 mg/kg respectively). The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of total-superoxide dismutase (T-SOD, including Mn-SOD and CuZn-SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GR) in cerebral cortex and hippocampus tissue were determined. The reduced glutathione (GSH) content and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS) activity in cytosolic fraction of cerebral cortex and hippocampus tissue was determined by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic assay with o-phthalaldehyde pre-column derivation.

RESULTS(1) MDA content in cerebral cortex of the high dose group was significantly higher than those in the low dose group, and MDA content in hippocampus tissue of the high dose group was significantly higher than those in both the control and the low dose group after 5 d of DM exposure. (2) The activity of T-SOD and CuZn-SOD in cerebral cortex of both high and low dose group were significantly lower than that in the control group, and there was no effect on CAT activity in cerebral cortex (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). (3) GSH content in cerebral cortex of the high dose group was significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.05), and that in hippocampus tissue of high dose was significantly lower than that in both control and low dose group (P < 0.05). GR activity of low dose group in cerebral cortex was significantly lower than that in both control and high group [(11.80 +/- 5.15) vs (18.98 +/- 3.68), (17.35 +/- 2.47) U/mg pro] (P < 0.01). Gamma-GCS activity in hippocampus tissue of the high dose group was significantly lower than that in both control and low dose group [(1.75 +/- 0.60) vs (3.17 +/- 0.79), (2.72 +/- 0.75) nmol x mg pro(-1) x min(-1)] (P < 0.01). GR activity in hippocampus tissue of both high and low dose group was significantly lower than that in the control group [(21.63 +/- 4.92), (21.46 +/- 8.89) vs (31.22 +/- 6.97) U/mg pro] (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe oxidative stress in nerve tissue, which could be resulted from effect of DM on the activity of SOD, gamma-GCS and GR and GSH content, is one of the mechanisms of neuro-toxicity induced by DM; The decreased activity of gamma-GCS and GR may be the primary cause of DM-induced decrease in that GSH content in hippocampus tissue.

Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Insecticides ; toxicity ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Nitriles ; toxicity ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Oxidoreductases ; metabolism ; Pyrethrins ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar