Traditional sample entropy fails to quantify inherent long-range dependencies among real data. Multiscale sample entropy (MSE) can detect intrinsic correlations in data, but it is usually used in univariate data. To generalize this method for multichannel data, we introduced multivariate multiscale entropy into multiscale signals as a reflection of the nonlinear dynamic correlation. But traditional multivariate multiscale entropy has a large quantity of computation and costs a large period of time and space for more channel system, so that it can not reflect the correlation between variables timely and accurately. In this paper, therefore, an improved multivariate multiscale entropy embeds on all variables at the same time, instead of embedding on a single variable as in the traditional methods, to solve the memory overflow while the number of channels rise, and it is more suitable for the actual multivariate signal analysis. The method was tested in simulation data and Bonn epilepsy dataset. The simulation results showed that the proposed method had a good performance to distinguish correlation data. Bonn epilepsy dataset experiment also showed that the method had a better classification accuracy among the five data set, especially with an accuracy of 100% for data collection of Z and S.
Algorithms ; Electroencephalography ; Entropy ; Epilepsy ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nonlinear Dynamics

BACKGROUND: The application of adipose derived stromal cells to tissue engineering has been more and more popular around the world. Compatibility of scaffold material is the key point for its further research.OBJECTIVE: To determine the growth rules of rabbit adipose-derived stromal cells with polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA).DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: An in vitro study was performed at the Institute of Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology Hospital,Fudan University and Shanghai Tissue Engineering Center from September 2007 to March 2009.MATERIALS: Six female New Zealand rabbits aged six months were used for extraction of adipose-derived stromal cells. PLGA was provided by Sigma, USA.METHODS: Adipose tissue was harvested from the nape fat pad of the rabbits following anesthesia. Primary cultured cells were established using type I collagenase and cell cultures were maintained with DMEM containing 10% volume fraction of fetal bovine serum. Cells were passaged when 80% was confluent. The fourth passages of cells were utilized for the study. PLGA consisted of polylactic acid and polyglycolic acid as the ratio of 7:3, and the relative molecular mass was 104900.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Initially, the adherent rate of cells to scaffold was detected. After one week co-culture, the scaffold bearing adipose-derived stromal cells labeled with Dio agent were investigated by fluorescence inverse microscope,scanning electron microscopy and laser scanning microscope.RESULTS: The best adherent rate of adipose-derived stromal cells with PLGA reached 99%. After one-week-incubation in vitro,cells of fiber-shaped or ovule-shaped proliferated well and exhibited stratified growth on the surface of PLGA scaffold. In addition,it also secreted visible extracellular matrices, which could be examined by scanning electron microscopic examination.Meanwhile, the adipose-derived stromal cells grew well and distributed equably inside the PLGA in terms of the investigation with laser scanning microscope.CONCLUSION: The compatibility of adipose-derived stromal cells to PLGA in vitro was well.

Objective:To investigate the effects of survivin antisense oligonucleotide (ASODN) on expression of survivin and ACC-M cell apoptosis. Methods: A phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotide (ASODN) of specific target survivin was designed and synthesized and then transferred to ACC-M cell line by lipofectin. At the same time blank control group, sense oligonucleotide (SODN) group were set up for comparison. MTT assay was used to detect cytotoxicity. Apoptosis was observed by flow cytometry. Survivin expression was determined by RT-PCR and Western-Blotting. Results: Compared with control group and SOND group, in ASODN groups, the expression of survivin mRNA and protein were obviously weak, apoptosis rate apparently increased, cells growth was inhibited. There was no obviously difference in SODN and control groups.Conclusion:ASODN can down-regulate the expression of survivin gene in ACC-M cell line specifically. It plays an important role in inducing tumor apoptosis and suppressing cell proliferation.

AIM: To evaluate the association between apolipoprotein E(apoE) gene polymorphism and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHOD: A case-control study was undertaken detecting the polymorphism of apoE by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS:(1) The frequencies of ?3/4 genotype and ?4 allele in AD were significantly higher than that in age-matched controls( P

Objective: To verify the hypothesis that cells with characteristics similar to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) can be isolated and cultured from human fetal articular cartilage. Methods: Human fetal articular cartilages were harvested from fetuses aborted between 12 and 20 weeks. Cells were grown in monolayer cultures in IMDM medium containing antibiotics, L-glutamine and fetal calf serum. Cells were induced to differentiate into adipocytes, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and neurons. At various time points, parental and passaged cells were subjected to FACS analysis to determine cell phenotype. Results: We successfully isolated and cultured MSCs from human fetal articular cartilage. These cells had the same morphology, phenotype, and ability to differentiate in vitro as MSCs of bone marrow origin. Conclusion: This study shows that cells with characteristics of MSCs can be isolated and cultured from human fetal articular cartilage.

Background The afferent signals of proprioceptor in extraocular muscles play an important role in controlling eye position and conjugate movement. Palisade ending in the extraocular muscles is the main source of proprioceptive information, and its abnormalities in structure and function may be associated with the occurrence of nystagmus. Objective This study was to observe the changes of palisade ending in the extraocular muscles of patients with congenital nystagmus ( CN) and discuss the probable mechanism. Methods Modified Kestenbaum procedure was performed on 10 patients with CN, and the extraocular muscle samples were collected during the operation. Normal extraocular muscle samples were obtained from the enucleated eyeballs after ocular wound. The ultrathin sections of extraocular muscles were prepared and double-staining by uranyl acetate and lead citrate. The morphological changes of the palisade ending of extraocular muscles were examined under the transmission electron microscopy. Written informed consent was obtained from each subject before surgery. Results The ultrastructure of palisade ending in the extraocular muscle of CN subjects showed the different degrees of alterations. The mild changes included the collapse and disconnection of external capsules and the nonhomogeneous electron-dense substracts. The degeneration and dissociation of myelin in nerve endings, swelling and vacuolation of mitochondria were also exhibited. Myeloid body was found in axon. In the severe patients,the necrosis of Schwann' s cells,dissolve of axon and disappear of capsules were seen. Conclusion The palisade ending of extraocular muscle in the patients with CN are obviously abnormal in comparison with normal one. These alterations are probably associated with the etiology and pathogenesis of CN.

Objective To summarize the first 16 eases in mainland China and to discuss the cli-nical experience of robot-assisted laparoseopie radical prostateetomy(RLRP). Methods Sixteen pa-tients with localized prostate carcinoma underwent RLRP with da Vinci S surgical system (Intuitive Surgical Inc.). The age of the patients was 62-76 years, average 69 years. The preoperative t-PSA level was 0.2-79. 2. Ng/ml. The volume of prostate was 9.8-232.9 ml. Fifteen patients were with biopsy-proven prostate cancer, the average Gleason score was 7(4-9). Three were T2a. N0 M0, 4 were T2b N0 M0 and 8 were T2c N0/M0 by clinical stage. One was prostatic intraepithelial neoplasm-Ⅲ. The level of t-PSA in serum and the result of urinary continence were followed up after RLRP. Results All the operations were accomplished successfully. The mean preoperative set-up time of the da Vinci surgical system was 64(60--90)min;the mean operation time was 236(190--390)rain;the mean esti-mated blood loss was 231(50-500)m.L The patients were ambulant between the 2nd and 3rd postop-erative days. Foley catheter was sueeeasfully removed on day 10 to 14, and mean hospital stay was 13 (6-19) days. Two eases had positive surgical margins, the pathological stages were both pT3b N0 M0. The average serum t-PSA was less than 0. 1 ng/ml during a median follow-up of 9(6-12) months. By the conventional definition of urinary continence (0 to 1 pads daily), 94%(15/16) and 100% (16/16)of patients were continent at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Of the patients, 75% (12/16)and 88% (14/16)had no urinary leakage(0 pads daily). Conclusions RLRP is small incision and safe. It is the direction of minimally invasive urologic surgery.

Objective To approach the effect of fluoride on the expression of thyroid peroxidase(TPO)activity and TPO mRNA in primary porcine thyrocytes.Methods Purified cultured porcine thyrocytes waft made into sodium fluoride model,and were divided according to the final concentration of NaF into 0(control group),40,80,160 mg/L.After exposed to NaF for 48 h,the morphology of the porcine thyrocytes was investigated with acridine orange staining method,TPO activity was measured with upgrade guaiacol method and RT-PCR method was used to detect the ratio of TPO/β-actin.Results The major changes included apoptotic bodies and cell fragments in the 80,160 mg/L groups under phase contrast microscope.With the increasing dose of fluoride.TPO activity,being(3.103±0.090),(1.944±0.025),(1.361±0.008),(0.668±0.026)U/L,respectively,had obviously lowered with a statistical significance compared between the groups(F=1563.864,P＜0.05).The TPO activity had a negative correlation with the dose of fluoride(r=-0.955,P＜0.05).With the dose of fluoride increasing,the expression of TPO mRNA had obviously lowered,being(0.947±0.013),(0.634±0.018),(0.448±0.028)and (0.210±0.009)with a statistical significance in group comparison(F=2713.855,P＜0.05).Conclusion Fluoride affects the thyroid via inhibiting TPO activity and expression of TPO mRNA.

Objective To observethe clinical efficacy of comprehensive acupuncture treatment in treating primary open-angle glaucoma, and to objectively evaluate the therapeutic efficacy.Method Twenty-eight patients (53 eyes) who received acupuncture treatment were recruited. By adopting a self-control design, the changes of intraocular tension, mean defect (MD) of vision field, mean sensitivity (MS), vision, and score of Quality of Life Scale for Patients with Visual Impairment (QLSPVI) were observed after 3-month acupuncture treatment.ResultThe intraocular tension of the 28 patients declined obviously after the treatment (P<0.01); MD, MS and vision didn't show significant improvements after the treatment (P>0.05); the QLSPVI score dropped significantly after the treatment (P<0.01);the total effective rate was 86.8%; the therapeutic efficacy wasn't correlated with age, disease duration, and treatment duration (P>0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture treatment can effectively reduce the intraocular tension, control the deterioration of MD and MS, maintain the level of vision, and enhance the quality of life of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma; with the same disease duration, the longer the treatment, the better the therapeutic efficacy.

Objective To construct an eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-N1-CKB and establish a stably transfected NCI-H520 cell line.Methods Human CKB gene was amplified by PCR with human CKB cDNA library as the template and the fragment was combined with plasmid pEGFP-N1.The recombinant expression vector,pEGFP-N1-CKB,was transfected to NCI-H520 using Lipofectamin.The stably transfected cell line was established after G418 selection and the expression level of CKB gene before and after transfection was detected by Western blot.Results After identification by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing,the eukaryotic expression vector,pEGFP-N1-CKB,was successfully constructed.The expression level of CKB in NCI-H520 transfected by pEGFP-N1-CKB was significantly higher than that in control.CKB gene had a stable transfection in NCI-H520 cells.Conclusions An eukaryotic plasmid encoding CKB (pEGFP-N1-CKB) has been constructed and a cell line expressed CKB stably has been successfully prepared.