OBJECTIVE: To construct the data envelopment analysis (DEA) inference model for word-computing. METHODS: Firstly, a syndrome assembly was established based on the Chinese medical patterns contained in Shanghanlun, then the subjective evaluation was set by the linguistic description for the corresponding patterns. Secondly, with the data of decoctions, the evaluation was modified according to the requirement of DEA to construct the inference model. Finally, the word-computing was completed by the inference function of this model. RESULTS: DEA model could describe the diagnostic thinking process of Shanghanlun theory. CONCLUSION: DEA model can upload the information embodied among the words of the corresponding classical doses and symptoms, and it provides a kind of method for modernization of traditional Chinese medicine.

Adolescent ; Female ; Humans ; Mucocele ; Nose Diseases ; pathology ; Turbinates ; pathology

Objective To evaluate angiogenesis of the benign and malignant solid thyroid nodules with color Doppler ultrasound and immunohistochemistry staining. Methods Fifty-six solid thyroid nodules in 55 patients (28 papillary thyroid cancer, 23 goiter, 4 adenoma, 1 Hashimoto' s disease) were observed before surgery with color Doppler ultrasound. Pathological specimens of paraffin-embedded were immunohistochemically stained with CD34 and VEGF antibody. Results There were significant differences between the benign and malignant thyroid nodules in vascular morphology and regional rich blood flow. The irregular or less irregular vessels were found in 75 % of the malignant nodules. Regional rich blood flow or suspicious regional rich blood flow were found in 64. 3% of malignant nodules. The regular vessels were found in 89. 3% of the benign nodules, non-regional rich blood flow was found in 71.4% of the benign nodules. The number of CD34 in malignant lesions [(37.31 ± 11.55)/HP] was significantly higher than benign lesions [(29. 02 ± 8.32)/HP, P = 0.04]. There was a significantly difference of VEGF expression between the benign and malignant nodules which was higher in malignant nodules than in benign nodules(P ＜ 0.01). Conclusions Compared with the benign nodules, the vessles in malignant thyroid nodules were irregular,the distribution of vessles was asymmetry and angiogenesis was active.

Adult ; Aged ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscular Atrophy ; therapy ; Spondylosis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Background and purpose:Three-dimensional power Doppler angiography (3D-PDA) is a new technique to investigate the vessels in the organs, but the research in thyroid is limited. The purpose of this research was to investigate three-dimensional power Doppler angiography (3D-PDA) in differentiating malignant from benign thyroid nod-ules.Methods:This study prospectively evaluated 103 lesions in 94 patients who were scheduled for surgery. The patients underwent preoperative 3D-PDA scanning. Analysis of the 3D-PDA characteristics includes blood flow pattern, the num-ber of blood vessels, the shape of vessels, the spatial distribution of the vessels, the existence of rich local blood flow within nodules or in the parenchyma surrounding the nodules. This study also analyzed the difference between the benign lesions and the malignant lesions.Results:There were 50 benign lesions and 53 malignant lesions. The sensitivity and specificity of irregular vessels, the asymmetry spatial distribution, rich local blood flow within nodules or in the parenchyma surround-ing the nodules were 64.2%, 96.0%; 56.0%, 88.0%; 54.7%, 96.0%; 60.4% and 94.0%, respectively. The sensitivity, speci-ficity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of 3D-PDA were 83.0%, 94.0%, 93.6%, 83.9% and 90.3%, respectively.Conclusion:3D-PDA provides a useful tool to investigate vascularization of thyroid leisions.This technique is feasible for clinical application and plays an important role in diagnosis of thyroid nodules.

Humans ; Diverticulum, Colon/surgery* ; Cholecystectomy/adverse effects* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo propose an algorithm of the similarity between UV-spectra for controlling the quality of Chinese medical injection.

METHODThe similarity is calculated base on the data of two UV-spectrum curves, thus the sample quality is evaluated according to the average value of the similarity of the UV-spectra between sample with each of standard samples; the proposed algorithm of the similarity is compared with cosine of vectorial angle and relative coefficient; the proposed method for quality evaluation of traditional Chinese injection is discussed with the method according to the chromatographic fingerprint similarity.

RESULTThe calculated similarity with the proposed method can be sensitive to show the difference between UV-spectra. This proposed method for quality evaluation was applied for assessing quality of 14 batches of Xiangdan injection and the results well coincident with sample quality.

CONCLUSIONThe proposed method can be used to evaluate the quality of the Chinese medical injection according to the similarity of two UV-spectrum curves.

Algorithms ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Dalbergia ; chemistry ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; standards ; Injections ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; methods

To raise the syndrome sequence quantification, differentiation and classification algorithm based on data envelopment analysis for solving the modeling issue of syndrome differentiation and classification of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This algorithm has three steps: first, in order to obtain basic units for explaining pathogenesis, and establish a syndrome collection on this basis mechanisms of syndrome differentiation and classification were analyzed and classified according to TCM theory, mechanisms of syndrome differentiation and classification were analyzed and classified according to TCM theory; second, regularity and syndromes of corresponding prescriptions were sought according to the incidence and development progress of syndromes, and mathematical tools of data envelopment analysis were used to calculate state data of syndromes in each stage and obtain quantitative syndrome sequence; finally, syndrome sequence was taken as the measurement standard to quantify candidate syndromes and diagnostic information, and the similarity was calculated to obtain the matching degree between diagnostic information and candidate syndromes, so as to complete the syndrome differentiation and classification calculation. According to the results of model-based reasoning, the algorithm could indicate the regularity implied in prescription materials, and grasp the dynamic process of syndromes in an all-round way, and its results were verified through calculation and analysis on clinical cases. At least, it provides an idea for quantitative modeling of TCM.
Data Mining ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Models, Theoretical ; Phytotherapy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: High-fat diets contribute to pancreatic fibrogenesis, but the pathogenesis remains unclear. This study investigated the role of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) in high-fat diet-induced pancreatic fibrosis in rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were fed a high-fat diet or standard normal chow for 20 weeks. Pancreatic fibrosis was determined by Sirius red staining. Immunohistochemical staining, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to identify NF-kappaB-associated genes or protein expressions. RESULTS: Inflammation, fat deposition, pancreatic stellate cell activation and fibrosis were observed in the pancreases of the high-fat diet group. NF-kappaB subunit p65 (NF-kappaB/p65) expression was localized to the nucleus, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) was over-expressed. Pancreatic gene expression levels of NF-kappaB/p65, ICAM-1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha were all elevated significantly in rats fed a high-fat diet compared with control rats. Western blotting also revealed significantly increased levels of ICAM-1 and nuclear NF-kappaB/p65 in rats fed high-fat diets comparison with control rats. CONCLUSIONS: NF-kappaB is involved in high-fat diet-related pancreatic fibrosis.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Diet, High-Fat ; Fibrosis ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Stellate Cells ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

OBJECTIVETo explore the method of fabricating larynx-shape tissue engineered cartilage by means of filling together with wrapping with pedicle myofascial flap.

METHODSSerial steps of solution casting, extrusion molding and particulate leaching were used to make larynx-shape [poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate), PHBHH] biomaterial models. The chondrocytes were seeded onto PHBHH models to form cell-PHBHH composites for culture in vitro for one week and then to fill and wrap larynx-shape composites with pedicle myofascial flap. After that to implant larynx-shape composites in situ on the back of adult New Zealand white rabbits (experimental groups n = 9). Control groups (n = 3) were the same measure as experimental groups but without chondrocytes on PHBHH models. Finally, morphological observation, HE & special staining and immunohistochemical test were conducted to evaluate the cartilage regeneration and its shape at 6, 8 and 12 weeks following implantation.

RESULTSThe PHBHH models appeared to be hollow half-trumpet with edges and corners of larynx-shape and its porosity > 90%. Pedicle myofascial flap using fascia as lining presented rich blood supply and had enough to fill and wrap larynx-shape composites. Tissue engineered larynx-shape cartilage specimens could be harvested at different period. It was demonstrated that the cartilaginous tissue formed in 6 weeks after implantation through histological and immunohistochemical examination and further maturity in 12 weeks and 18 weeks. But no cartilaginous tissue showed without chondrocytes on PHBHH as control groups to implant at the same time.

CONCLUSIONIt seems that pedicled myofascial flap showed sufficient blood supply and that the filling together with wrapping method with pedicled myofascial flap is appropriate for fabricating larynx-shape tissue engineered cartilage.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid ; Animals ; Cartilage ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Fascia ; transplantation ; Larynx, Artificial ; Rabbits ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds