Fetal heart rate (FHR) baseline estimation is of significance for the computerized analysis of fetal heart rate and the assessment of fetal state. In our work, a fetal heart rate baseline correction algorithm was presented to make the existing baseline more accurate and fit to the tracings. Firstly, the deviation of the existing FHR baseline was found and corrected. And then a new baseline was obtained finally after treatment with some smoothing methods. To assess the performance of FHR baseline correction algorithm, a new FHR baseline estimation algorithm that combined baseline estimation algorithm and the baseline correction algorithm was compared with two existing FHR baseline estimation algorithms. The results showed that the new FHR baseline estimation algorithm did well in both accuracy and efficiency. And the results also proved the effectiveness of the FHR baseline correction algorithm.
Algorithms ; Female ; Heart Rate, Fetal ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Reference Values

In recent years, 40Hz auditory steady state response (ASSR) has been paid more attention when the depth of anaesthesia monitored because its same source with the middle latency auditory evoked potential (MLAEP), strong anti-jamming ability and close relationship with consciousness level. This article brings forward some effective and steady methods for extracting ASSR according to its characteristics. The results of these methods are analyzed and compared based on the actual records from clinical practice. And thus an extraction method fit for monitoring the depth of anaesthesia is determined.

Objective To demonstrate the histopathological changes of sequestration-type herniated disc, and investigate the related factors of its absorption. Methods 39 tissue samples were surgically removed from 37 patients with sequestration-type lumbar disc herniation. All the tissues were performed with HE stain and immunohistochemical study. In HE stain, the origin of tissue was identified; in immunohistochemical study, anti-CD34 antibody was used for detecting the vascular endothelial cells, and anti-CD68 for macrophages. The sequestration-type lumbar disc was divided into 3 groups according to the content of nucleus pulposus: nucleus pulposus group, nucleus pulposus contained group and non-nucleus pulposus group. The correlation between the extent of angiogenesis and macrophage infiltration and the factor of age, disease duration, origin of sequestrated tissue and imaging features was studied. Results 62% (24/39) of the sequestrated tissues were mainly originated from nucleus pulposus. Granulation tissue with many macrophages around new blood vessels was found in 92%(36/39) of the sequestrated tissues. There was a significant difference of the extent of angiogenesis and macrophage infiltration among these 3 groups in terms of the content of nucleus pulposus group(F=5.663, P=0.008; F=3.604, P=0.038). There was no significant correlation between the extent of angiogenesis and macrophage infiltration and age or disease duration, whereas, a positive significant correlation was found for the size of sequestrated tissue (r=0.342, P=0.033; r=0.440, P=0.005). Furthermore, the extent of angiogenesis and macrophage infiltration was significant when the relative signal intensity of sequestrated tissue on MRI was in 0.30-0.72. Conclusion The origin of sequestration-type herniated disc is mainly from nucleus pulposus, and most of the sequestration tissue can be absorbed in different extent. The extent of spontaneous absorption was mainly depended on the origin of the sequestration tissue, but not the age or disease duration. Predominant absorption is found in bigger size of the sequestration tissue and their relative signal intensity on MRI being 0.30-0.72.

Scaffolds provide a three-dimensional environment that is desirable for inducing and promoting the production of cartilaginous tissue.Ideally the scaffold should:① have directed and controlled degradation;② promote cell viability,differentiation,and extracellular matrix production;③ adhere and integrate with the surrounding native cartilage;④ span and assume the size of the defect;⑤ provide mechanical integrity depending on the defect location;⑥ have no toxicity,no immunogenicity or inflammatory induction;⑦ allow for the diffusion of nutrients and waste products.To date,a wide range of natural and synthetic materials have been investigated as a scaffold for cartilage repair.Based on the morphology and structure,these materials can be divided into hydrogel,sponge,fiber mesh and so on.Natural polymers that have been explored as bioactive scaffolds for cartilage engineering include:alginate,agarose,fibrin,hyaluronic acid,collagen,gelatin,chitosan,chondroitin sulfate,and cellulose.Synthetic polymers currently explored for cartilage repair include poly(?-hydroxy esters),polyethylene glycol,poly(NiPAAm),poly(propylene fumarates),and polyurethanes.

Stimulating factors have been employed to induce,accelerate,and/or enhance cartilage formation.For instance,stimulating factors and other additives may be added to culture media in vitro or incorporated into scaffolds for in vivo delivery to control cellular differentiation and tissue formation.At present,many growth factors and other dissoluble factors such as hyaluronic acid,chondroitin sulfate,and insulin have been used alone or synergistically in cartilage tissue engineering.The application efficacy depends on cell type and culture condition.In addition,gene therapy has emerged as another method of local delivery,where cells can be engineered to over-express bioactive molecules.An additional approach is the introduction of mechanical signals through loading regimes such as hydrostatic or dynamic compression or through the use of bioreactors.Current bioreactors used in cartilage tissue engineering include flat-sheet bioreactor,rotating wall vessel bioreactor and concentric cylinder bioreactor.Bioreactor can improve nutrition transmittability,provide hydrodynamic environment,induce shear stress,and promote production of cartilage specific matrix protein.

Objective To clone and sequence the cDNA encoding farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase(FPS) from Panax notoginseng.Methods The cDNA,encoding FPS in P.notoginseng,was amplified by RACE strategy with the total RNA of root as the template.The fragment of FPS was cloned and sequenced.Results The analysis results revealed that the full-length cDNA had(1 409) bp with an open reading frame encoding 343 amino acids of protein.The FPS sequence had 95%,87%,and 86% amino acid sequence homology to the FPS sequence of Centella asiatica,Parthenium argentatum,and Artemisia annua,respectively. Conclusion The cDNA encoding FPS from P. notoginseng is cloned and reported.This works provide a foundation for exploring the mechanism of saponins biosynthesis and application to the other medical plants.

Objective: To explore the regulative role of extracellular regulated protein kinase-5 (ERK5)/Bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death (Bim) pathway in hypothermal stimulation induced neonatal rat’s cardiomyocytes (CMs) damage and apoptosis.
Methods: CMs were cultured for hypothermal stimulation and the speciifc siRNA was used to down-regulate the ERK5 or Bim in CMs. The cell apoptosis was detected by lfow cytometry, protein expression was examined by Western blot analysis, the intracellular Ca2+, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) were evaluated by lfuorescent labeling and lfow cytometry.
Results: In hypothermal stimulated CMs, ERK5 siRNA could promote Bim protein expression, but Bim siRNA could not inlfuence ERK5, while attenuated p-ERK5 expression. ERK5 siRNA induced higher apoptosis rate, while Bim siRNA could decrease such effect. ERK5 siRNA increased the intracellular Ca2+overloading, ROS activation andΔΨm damage, while Bim siRNA played the role to against those effects in hypothermal stimulated CMs.
Conclusion: Our study revealed that ERK5/Bim pathway played the important regulative roll in hypothermal stimulation induced neonatal rat’s CMs damage and apoptosis.

Objective To study the effect of endoscopic devascularization of perforating vein(EDPV)on the treatment of varicose veins with perforating vein insufficiency in lower limbs. Methods Clinical data of 40 patients (53 limbs) with lower limbs varicose veins underwent EDPV were retrospectiely analyzed. Results All patients lower limb ulcers healed in 5～25 days after operation.All patients were followed up for 14 (5～19)months,and no reccurence was found yet. The pigmentation of leg greatly decreased. Conclusions The EDPV is an effective procedure with fewer complications in treating the patients with varicose veins with perforating vein insufficiency in the lower limbs,EDPV has great value of clinical application.

Objective To investigate the effect of high volume hemofiltration (HVHF) on expression of miRNA-146 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in posttraumatic sepsis patients and its therapeutic mechanism.Methods Twenty-five cases of posttraumatic sepsis were included as HVHF group.Another 25 age-and gender-matched traumatic sepsis patients with similar APACHE-Ⅱ who received no HVHF treatment for some reasons were used as controls.Therapeutic measurements were the same of the two groups except for HVHF.At 0-,6-,12-,24-and 48-hour time points,the peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from patients of both groups to detect level of miRNA-146.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated at 24 hours were incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro.At hours 4,8,12,24 and 48 after incubation,level of miRNA-146 in mononuclear cells was determined and levels of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-10 in the substrate was detected by ELISA.Results (1) Level of miRNA-146 in HVHF group was decreased significantly over time as compared with that in sepsis group;(2) Before incubation and at 4-and 8-hour after incubation,miRNA-146 level was lowered significantly in HVHF group as compared with that in sepsis group.After LPS stimulation,mononuclear cell also presented a stronger inflammatory response in HVHF group than in sepsis group.Conclusions HVHF provides a definite effect on immune function recovery and a significant improvement in prognosis.Moreover,HVHF may attenuate the impact of miRNA-146 on mononuclear cell inflammatory factor release and enhance the cell ability to respond to external stimuli again via down-regulating miRNA-146,as may be one of the therapeutic mechanisms of HVHF for posttraumatic sepsis.