Surface electromyogram (sEMG) may have low signal to noise ratios. An adaptive wavelet thresholding technique was developed in this study to remove noise contamination from sEMG signals. Compared with convention- al wavelet thresholding methods, the adaptive approach can adjust thresholds based on different signal to noise ratios of the processed signal, thus effectively removing noise contamination and reducing distortion of the EMG signal. The advantage of the developed adaptive thresholding method was demonstrated using simulated and experimental sEMG recordings.
Algorithms ; Electromyography ; Humans ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Wavelet Analysis

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) has emerged as a promising anticancer drug target due to its key role in the DNA repair process. It can polymerize ADP-ribose units on its substrate proteins which are involved in the regulation of DNA repair. In this work, a novel series of para-substituted 1-benzyl-quinazoline-2, 4 (1H, 3H)-diones was designed and synthesized, and the inhibitory activities against PARP-1 of compounds 7a-7e, 8a-8f, 9a-9c and 10a-10c were evaluated. Of all the tested compounds, nine compounds displayed inhibitory activities with IC50 values ranging from 4.6 to 39.2 micromol x L(-1). In order to predict the binding modes of the potent molecules, molecular docking was performed using CDOCKER algorithm, and that will facilitate to further develop more potent PARP-1 inhibitors with a quinazolinedione scaffold.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Drug Design ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Molecular Structure ; Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases ; Quinazolinones ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Structure-Activity Relationship

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of double dosage Tamsulosin in treating patients with type Ⅲ prostatitis.Methods According to the results of prostate secretion(EPS) examination and the national institute health-chronic prostatitis symptom index(NIH-CPSI) questionnaire,120 patients with type Ⅲ prostatitis were recruited and randomly divided into single dosage group (n =60),treated with 0.2 mg Tamsulosin and placebo once daily for 12 weeks,and double dosage group (n =60),treated with 0.4mg Tamsulosin once daily for 12 weeks.Before treatment,the NIH-CPSI total scores in single and double dosage group were 26.91 ± 4.08 and 27.31 ± 4.98,respectively.The pain index in each group was 10.64±2.23 and 11.47 ± 3.00,respectively.The voiding index was 6.52 ± 2.24 and 6.41 ± 2.97 respectively.In those groups,the quality of life index was 9.68 ± 1.81 and 9.45 ± 1.79,respectively.All those items didn't show significant difference among those groups (P ＞ 0.05).The patients were follow-up and evaluate by those items on weeks 12.Results Because of losing during follow-up,4 patients were excluded from single dosage group.2 patients were excluded from double dosage group.After treatment in single dosage group,the NIH-CPSI total scores were 12.11 ± 3.60,pain index were 3.57 ± 1.67,voiding index were 2.88 ± 1.70,quality of life index were5.59 ± 2.06.After treatment in double dosage group,the NIH-CPSI total scores were 9.90 ± 4.15,pain index were 3.21 ± 2.21,voiding index were 2.21 ± 2.11,quality of life index were 4.50 ± 1.97.After 12 weeks treatment,the NIH-CPSI total scores,pain index,voiding index,quality of life index in both two groups were improved (P ＜ 0.05),and the double dosage group improve better(P ＜ 0.05).In the course of treatment,there were 2 cases of patients (3.8％) with adverse drug reactions in single dosage group,including dizziness in 1 case,headache in 1 cases.There were 4 cases of patients (6.9％) with adverse drug reactions in double dosage group,including dizziness in 3 cases of and rhinitis in 1 case.The rate of adverse reactions had no significant differences in the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Compared with single dosage Tamsulosin in the treatment of type Ⅲ prostatitis,double therapy had a better efficacy.Double dosage Tamsulosin therapy had an equal safety to the single dosage Tamsulosin.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and safety of transumbilical laparoendoscopic sin-gle-site dismembered pyeloplasty ( U-LESS-P ) for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). Methods Between Mar.2011 and Mar.2012, U-LESS-P was performed in 8 consecutive pa-tients with UPJO by one experienced laparoscopic surgeon .The patients included 5 males and 3 females, with an average age of 28 (16-45) years.Of the 8 patients, six presented with flank pain , and two were a-symptomatic and discovered incidentally by health check .Of the 8 patients, seven had UPJO on the left side and one on the right side .The diagnosis was established by renal ultrasonography , diuretic renal scan , intra-venous urography (IVU) or/and computed tomography urography (CTU).Renal ultrasonography, IVU and ( or) CTU showed hydronephrosis and UPJO in the affected side , while diuretic renal scan demonstrated re-nal function deteriorated .No patients had undergone abdominal surgery previously .A 2-2.5 cm umbilical in-cision was made for single-port access .The procedures were performed using 30°5 mm or 10 mm laparoscope with a combination of conventional and bent laparoscopic instruments . Results All procedures were com-pleted successfully .None was converted to open surgery or traditional laparoscopic surgery .The mean opera-tive time was 153 (117-190) min, and the average estimated blood loss about 20 (10-40) ml.The mean time to resume oral diet was 1.5 days.The drainage remained 2-7 days.The mean hospital stay was 6 (4-8) days.With the follow-up of 3-6 months, symptom-free was investigated in all 8 cases.Ultrasonography , diuretic renal scan and IVU showed decreased or disappeared hydronephrosis .No operative complication , such as anastomotic stoma stenosis , was founded . Conclusions U-LESS-P is a safe and effective proce-dure for the treatment of UPJO , with the advantages of decreased operative morbidity , postoperative rapid re-covery and improved cosmetic result .

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on circadian rhythm of temperature and melatonin (MT) in depression rats model induced by chronic stress, so as to explore the biological mechanism of EA for depression.

METHODSTwenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group and an EA group, 8 cases in each one. Rats in the control group were treated with normal diet for 21 days without any treatment. In the model and EA group, rat model was established by chronic unpredictable stress combined with solitarily feeding method, and rats in the EA group was treated with EA at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Yintang" (GV 29) 1 h before stress stimulation everyday, 2 Hz in frequency and intensity was favorable with the head of rat slightly shivering. The needles were retained for 20 min, once a day for totally 21 days. After EA treatment, open-field experiment was adopted to observe the behavioral improvement; the rats temperatures were monitored at six time points (2:00, 6:00, 10:00, 14:00, 18:00, 22:00) and orbital blood sampling was collected. The level of serum MT was tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The circadian rhythm changes of temperature and serum MT in each group were compared.

RESULTSThe numbers of horizontal movement and vertical movement in the model group were obviously lower than those in the control group (both P < 0.05), while those in the EA group were significantly improved compared with those in the model group (both P < 0.01). The circadian rhythm of temperature and MT disappeared in the model group, which was improved into normal level after EA treatment.

CONCLUSIONThe electroacupuncture has regulation effects on circadian rhythm of temperature and melatonin in depression rat model induced by chronic stress.

Animals ; Circadian Rhythm ; Depression ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Male ; Melatonin ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective: To investigate the willingness to receive measles-containing vaccine (MCV) and its influencing factors among healthcare workers in the Yangtze River Delta region, so as to provide the evidence for improving the measles-containing vaccination rate Methods: Healthcare workers were sampled from 19 medical institutions in each of Shanghai Municipality, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province and Anhui Province for questionnaire surveys using a multi-stage stratified convenience sampling methods from July 2020 to March 2021. Participants' gender, age, educational level, professional title, measles-containing vaccination, awareness of MCV and willingness to receive MCV were collected, and the factors affecting the willingness to receive MCV were identified among healthcare workers using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Totally 1 403 questionnaires were allocated, and 1 394 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 99.36%. The respondents included 327 men and 1 067 women, with a male to female ratio of 1∶3.26, and 64.35% (897) were at ages of 31 to 50 years. There were 1 005 respondents with a bachelor degree (72.09%), 765 with middle and senior professional titles (54.88%), 676 with a history of measles-containing vaccination (48.49%), 1 176 with willingness to receive MCV (84.36%) and 218 without willingness to receive MCV due to convenience of vaccination (30.73%) and cost (19.27%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that region (Zhejiang, OR=1.613, 95%CI: 1.054-2.470; Anhui, OR=2.058, 95%CI: 1.259-3.363), and no history of measles (OR=2.219, 95%CI: 1.302-3.781) were factors improving the willingness to receive MCV among healthcare workers, and hospital level (secondary, OR=0.483, 95%CI: 0.306-0.763; tertiary, OR=0.251, 95%CI: 0.160-0.394), history of measles-containing vaccination (no, OR=0.262, 95%CI: 0.172-0.399; unknown, OR=0.386, 95%CI: 0.266-0.559), and unawareness of MCV knowledge (OR=0.208, 95%CI: 0.081-0.536) were factors inhibiting the willingness to receive MCV among healthcare workers. Conclusions The willingness to receive MCV correlates with region, history of measles, hospital level, history of measles-containing vaccination and awareness of MCV knowledge among healthcare workers in the Yangtze River Delta region.

Licorice-gypsum (gancao-shigao, GC-SG) drug pair was used as the research object, using supramolecular chemistry to explore the scientific connotation of combining herbal medicine GC with insoluble mineral medicine SG in clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine. ① The Tyndall effect, microscopic morphology and particle size of the single and co-decocted of GC and SG were observed, the paste content and conductivity were determined, and the interaction between GC and SG was detected by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and infrared absorption spectroscopy (IR). ② Calcium chloride (CaCl₂), a soluble calcium salt of equal gypsum quality, was used instead of SG with GC for co-decocting to explore the effect of calcium salt content on the water decocting, and the characteristics were combined with the Tyndall effect, microscopic morphology, paste content and conductivity. ITC and IR techniques were used to detect the interaction between the two, and the interaction between them was detected by ITC and IR. The zeta potential and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-vis) of GC-SG and GC-CaCl₂ co-decoction were compared, and the inorganic and organic components in the co-decoction were detected by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed: ① Compared with the liquid phase of single decoction, GC-SG co-decoction had more obvious Tyndall effect, and showed uniform spherical nanoparticles under electron microscope. Physical characterization results such as paste content and conductivity showed that co-decoction promoted the dissolution of each other's components; ITC and IR results showed that there was strong interaction between GC and SG, which preliminatively indicated that GC and SG co-decoction promoted the formation of uniform and stable supramolecular system of traditional Chinese medicine. ② When soluble calcium salt was used to substitute insoluble SG with GC for co-decocting, a stronger but astigmatic light path appeared than single decocting solution, the zeta potential was reduced, and a large number of accumulated polymers were formed. The results of paste content and conductivity showed that the dissolution of the co-decocting component was reduced than the single decocting component. ITC, UV-vis and IR results showed that there was interaction between GC with Ca²⁺ and SG. The formation of polysink indicated that a large amount of soluble calcium salt would destroy the stability of supramolecular Chinese medicine. The results of ICP-OES and HPLC showed that the glycyrrhizic acid (GA) content of the former lower than the latter, which was related to the formation of a large number of polycondensates with the increase of Ca²⁺ concentration and the decrease of the dissolution of GA and other active ingredients. This study indicates that the compatibility of GC and SG can form a uniform and stable supramolecular system of traditional Chinese medicine. Calcium salt, the main component of SG, is taken as the starting point. Excessive soluble Ca²⁺ can promote the aggregation of active ingredients such as GA, so as to reveal the scientific connotation of the compatibility of GC and SG, an insoluble mineral medicine.

OBJECTIVETo understand the molecular epidemiologic characteristics of hantavirus Shandong isolate JNL virus strain.

METHODSThe complete M and S gene of the JNL virus isolated from Shandong Province was amplified by RT- PCR, and the purified PCR product was cloned into T vector for sequencing.

RESULTSThe results revealed that the JNL M segment was 3615 bp in length, encoding 1135 amino acids, and the S segment was 1698 bp encoding 429 amino acids, JNL belongs to HTN virus. The comparison of homology with HTN and SEO types showed that the difference of M and S complete sequences between JNL and all other HTN virus strains reached 20.0%-20.6%, and 15.5%-16.0%, respectively. Phylogenetic tree also showed that the position of JNL is located at a different clade.

CONCLUSIONSHTN virus Shandong local isolate JNL strain is a new specific HTN subtype virus.

DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Hantaan virus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; virology ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid

Objective To investigate the efficacy, safety and tolerance of bosentan, a dual endothelin receptor antagonist, in Chinese patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH).Methods Totally 79 IPAH patients (hemodynamic criteria confirmed by right heart catheterization) were included in this open-label, prospective multicenter study. Patients received 62. 5 mg of bosentan twice daily for the first 4 weeks, and then up-titrated to 125 mg twice daily for another 12 weeks. The primary end point was the change in exercise capacity showed by six-minute walk distance (6MWD) from baseline to 16 weeks. Secondary end points included the change in World Health Organization (WHO) functional class,Borg dyspnoea scale and systolic pulmonary artery pressure measured by echocardiography. Results The 6MWD increased from (343. 7 ± 93.7) meters at baseline to (397.5 ± 104. 4) meters after 16 weeks ( P ＜0. 01 ), WHO functional class and Borg dyspnoea scale were also significantly improved after 16 weeks therapy compared to baseline levels (all P ＜0. 01 ). Furthermore, the systolic pulmonary artery pressure was significantly decreased from (97.8±25.2) mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0. 133 kPa) to (92.8 ±29.5) mm Hg (P ＜0. 05) after 16 weeks bosentan treatment. There was no patient withdrawal from this study for safety consideration. Conclusion Bosentan therapy is well tolerated and can improve the exercise capacity and WHO functional class in Chinese IPAH patients.

OBJECTIVETo construct a recombinant human CD59 gene containing intercellular adhesion molecule-2 promoter for high level endothelial-specific expression in xenotransplantation.

METHODSICAM-2 promotor fragment and CD59-intron 1 fragment were produced by PCR from the human blood genome, and then clone these fragments into a pcDNA3-CD59 eukaryotic expression vector which was followed by digestion with the specific restricted endonuclease (for example: EcoRI, Hind III). The ICAM-2 promoter and CD59-intron 1 fragments were identified by PCR, and sequencing. The recombinant was then transfected into pig aorta endothelial cells with Lipofection, and the expression was measured by flow cytometer.

RESULTSProducts of the sequences measured were in accord with the frames of the gene bank. The expression of the protein of this recombinant was positive.

CONCLUSIONThe CD59 recombinant gene is constructed successfully, providing a basis for transgenic research.

Animals ; Antigens, CD ; genetics ; CD59 Antigens ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; Eukaryotic Cells ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Swine ; Transfection ; Transplantation, Heterologous