In order to improve the storage and transmission efficiency of dynamic photoplethysmography (PPG) signals in the detection process and reduce the redundancy of signals, the modified adaptive matching pursuit (MAMP) algorithm was proposed according to the sparsity of the PPG signal. The proposed algorithm which is based on reconstruction method of sparse adaptive matching pursuit (SAMP), could improve the accuracy of the sparsity estimation of signals by using both variable step size and the double threshold conditions. After experiments on the simulated and the actual PPG signals, the results show that the modified algorithm could estimate the sparsity of signals accurately and quickly, and had good anti-noise performance. Contrasting with SAMP and orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP), the reconstruction speed of the algorithm was faster and the accuracy was high.
Algorithms ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Photoplethysmography

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chronic Disease ; Colonoscopy ; methods ; Diarrhea ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male

Objective To develop a real time amplification refractory system(RT-ARMS-qPCR) quantitative PCR method with SYBR Green I to assess the mtDNA A1555G mutation. Methods A specific fragment flanking mtDNA 1555 site was amplified with PCR and ligated into a pGEM Easy T vector. Serial dilutions of the plasmid DNA were quantified the actual copy numbers were assessed using RF-ARMS-qPCR with SYBR Green I. RF-ARMS-qPCR was established with mismatched base pairs at 3' in the primer todetect the copy number of mtDNA containing wild or mutant mtDNA. The specificity of amplified products was checked by melting curve analysis. Results The intra- and interassay variation was 1.34% and 1.96%, respectively when the assay was used to detect 1 copy/ul recombinant template of plasmid. Thequantitative standard curve showed that the assay had good linear correlation from 102 copies/ul to108 copies/ul. This assay could be served for the quantification of other samples. There was significantcorrelation between frequency of mutant mtDNA and phenotype (r=0.771, P = 0.003) in hearing lossgroup. Conclusions The established assay can be used to detect quantitatively mtDNA A1555G mutation byRF-ARMS-qPCR. This assay is specific, stable and accurate. There is significant correlation betweenquantification of mtDNA AI555G and the severity of hearing loss.

Background As one of the most common microvascular complication of diabetes in eyes,diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most important cause of blindness.Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) is involved in the occurrence and development of the disease through the activation of a series of inflammatory cytokines.Objective The present study was to investigate the effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) excitomotor,rosiglitazone,on NF-κB expression and apoptosis of the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the retina with diabetes mellitus. Methods Ninety SPF male Wistar rats were randomized into normal control group,diabetic control group and rosiglitazone group.Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin(STZ).Then 3 mg/kg rosiglitazone was intragastricly administered once per day in the rosiglitazonegroup,and the same volume of saline solution was used at the same way in the normal control group and diabetic control group from 3 days after modeling.The rats were sacrificed and the eye cups specimen was made at 4,8 and 12 weeks after usage of drugs.Retinal histopathological examination was performed by hematine-eosin staining,and expression of NF-κB p65 protein in retina and apoptotic index(AI) of RGCs were detected by immunohistochemistry and TUNEL assay,respectively in different time points mentioned above.The use of the animals complied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State and Technology Commission.Results The blood glucose level was significantly elevated at various time points in the diabetic control group and rosiglitazone group compared with normal control group (P＜0.01 ),and that of the rosiglitazone group was significantly declined in comparison to the diabetic control group (q =0.81,0.82,1.23,P＞ 0.05 ).Normal retinal structure was seen in the normal control group,and edema retinal cell and disorder of retinal layers were exhibited in the diabetic control group.Retinal structure was almost normal in the rosiglitazone group.The NF-κB p65 was expressed weakly in the retina of normal control group,but the expression of NF-κB p65 was significantly elevated in the diabetic control group and rosiglitazone group compared with the normal control group(P＜0.01 ).However,the expression of NF-κB p65(A value)was significantly decreased in the rosiglitazone group compared with diabetic control group at 8 weeks and 12 weeks( q=17.77,15.30,P＜0.01 ).There were a few apoptotic cells in rat retina of the normal control group.Compared with the normal control group,the AI of the diabetic control group and rosiglitazone group was significantly reduced(P＜0.01 ).However,the AI of RGCs in the rosiglitazone group was significantly lower than that of diabetic control group in various time points (q =19.28,27.39,49.92,P＜0.01 ). Conclusions As one of the PPAR-γexcitomotors,rosiglitazone can inhibit apoptosis of RGCs through downregulating the expression of NF-κB in rat retina with diabetes mellitus,indicating a protective effect of rosiglitazone on retina in diabetic rat.

Objective To investigate the expression of aquaporin-5(AQP5) in lipo-polysaccharide(LPS)-cigarette smoking inducible SD rats,and the effect of ambroxol chloride(AMB)on its expression. Methods Twenty-one SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: AMB intervention group,model group(LPS-cigarette smoking induction group) and control group.TNF-? was determined from lung homogenate supernatant,bronchial alveolar lavage fluid(BALF) and serum by ELISA.The semi-quantitation of AQP5 transcription and expression were measured by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry,respectively. Results TNF-? from lung homogenate supernatant and BALF in model group was more than AMB intervention group and control group(P

Cubic and conductive teaching pattern is based on standardized operation process of microbiological specimens. It uses multi-dimensional teaching methods including tests, question guid-ance, discussion, lectures, measurements and scientific researches to lead the undergraduate students to master the standardized inspection process and to train talents with good gifts and abilities in prac-tical application. The teaching pattern helps the trainees complete training in basic experiment skills, analysis and problem solving skills, scientific thinking and working methods. Then the corresponding practical quantification evaluation criteria has been established according to the standardized inspec-tion process to assess the interns' level of grasping various vocational skills and comprehensive appli-cation in the inspection process. This pattern reflects the teaching philosophy of modern laboratory medicine and can scientifically and objectively assess the talent cultivation quality and teaching quality. Since its implementation, these trainees have improved their overall vocational abilities, and made a good preparation for their practical work after school. Besides, it has enhanced the teaching level of microbiology laboratory practice and has been highly valued by interns. It is hoped that this practical experience will be a useful attempt to promote medical education development of modern laboratory medicine.

Objective To study the prevalence of the mtDNA A1555G gene mutation in Chinese population with nonsyndromic hearing impairment.Methods PCR-RFLP,directional sequencing of PCR products were applied in 325 patients with nonsyndromic hearing impairment and 50 normal controls.Results The mutation rate of the mtDNA A1555G was 14.5% (47/325),28 of 47 cases were homozygosis,19 of 47 cases were heterozygosis.The same mutation was not detected in the control subjects.Conclusion The mutation rate of the mtDNA A1555G is relatively high in the Chinese NSHI patients,the mutation type includes both heterozygosis and homozygosis.

This study was conducted to explore a proper training model of interns' clinical thinking ability under the construction of a new four-year system of medical laboratory technology courses, combined with the establishment of innovative standard whole process practice mode. Multi-teaching methods of clinical thinking, such as explanation of laboratory sheet, interactive teaching based on micro digital system, interdisciplinary multiple information system, combined PBL teaching and intern report, were applied and evaluated in the laboratory. Integrated application of these methods remarkably improved the intern's com-prehensive professional quality and their practice performance. All methods received high evaluation from both the interns and teachers.

Objective To evaluate clinical features,therapeutic effects and outcomes of patients with non-human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-infected cryptococcal meningitis treated with fluconazole or fluconazole and flucytosine.Methods Twenty-four cases of non-HIV-infected cryptococcal meningitis(fluconazole with or without flucytosine as initial therapy)in Huashan Hospital,Fudan University from 1997 to 2007 were retrospectively reviewed.Clinical manifestations,therapeutic effects and outcomes of the patients were collected.Results Fluconazole was administered with median dosage of 400 mg/d,for a median duration of 20.5 days.After fluconazole initial therapy for 2 weeks,16.7% showed partial response,83.3% showed no response,and the overall response rate was 16.7%.After 10 weeks,33.3% showed partial response,29.2% showed complete response,16.7% showed no response,and the overall response rate was 62.5%.Mortality at week 10 was 20.8%.Twenty-two patients who failed to respond to initial therapy were switched to other antifungal drugs(amphotericin B,amphotericin B colloidal dispersion,itraconazole)or other fluconazole containing combined therapy.Eleven out of the 24 patients died during one-year follow-up,8 of whom died of eryptococcal meningitis,and 3 died of other diseases.Conclusions The initial therapy of fluconazole with or without flucytosine is inefficient,and most of the patients need other antifungal drugs because of initial therapy failure.Therefore,fluconazole might not be appropriate for initial therapy in non-HIV-infected cryptococcal meningitis.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effects of transpedicular eggshell technique in treating thoracolumbar deformity.

METHODSFrom December 2008 to December 2011,36 patients with thoracolumbar deformity were treated with transpedicular eggshell technique. There were 20 males and 16 females with an average age of 45 years old (ranged from 20 to 58). Among them, 5 cases were congenital hemivertebrae deformity, 12 cases were secondary to tuberculotic deformity, 14 cases were post-traumatic deformity with pain, 5 cases were ankylosing spondylitis. Low back pain, living ability, scoliotic Cobb angle were analyzed according to VAS scoring, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), radiological examination.

RESULTSAverage operative time was 245 min and average bleeding was 1 900 ml in 36 patients. All patients were followed up more than 1 year and obtained bone fusion at 1 year after operation. Preoperative,postoperative at 1 week and 1 year, VAS scoring was 7.2 +/- 1.4, 2.5 +/- 1.0, 1.8 +/- 0.5, respectively; ODI was (72.50 +/- 10.80)%, (42.50 +/- 11.10)%, (22.50 +/- 7.90)%, respectively; kyphosis Cobb angle was (76.31 +/- 2.52) degrees, (23.66 +/- 1.16) degrees, (23.67 +/- 1.16) degrees, respectively; lumbar scoliosis Cobb angle was (71.86 +/- 4.02) degrees, (30.81 +/- 2.33) degrees, (30.82 +/- 2.32) degrees, respectively. Postoperative at 1 week and 1 year,above data had obviously improved than that of preoperative (P < 0.05); and there was no significant difference in Cobb angle between postoperative at 1 week and postoperative at 1 year (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTreatment of thoracolumbar deformity with transpedicular eggshell technique could obtain effective correcting and clinical results.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orthopedic Procedures ; methods ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult