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

AlM: To investigate the refractive status of the preschool children in Xiantao, Hubei Province in order to find out the abnormal refraction error beyond the physiological range.
METHODS: ln this cross - sectional study, we investigated preschool children in kindergartens and the scattered ones were 12 716 ( 25 432 eyes ) ranging from 6mo ~ 6 years old. 1 581 children ( 3 162 eyes ) were diagnosed ametropia by Suresight refractive screening instrument, which were confirmed again after mydriasis optometry.
RESULTS: The incidence rate of ametropia in preschool children in Xiantao was 12. 4%, and statistics showed no significant difference between boys and girls (P>0. 05), but had differences of morbility rate among each age group (P<0. 05). With age increasing morbility rate of the refractive error decreased. The simple hyperopia and the compound hyperopia astigmatism were dominant in all refraction error. Professional ophthalmologists diagnosed amblyopia in 261 children (522 eyes), which was 16. 5%, among 1581 abnormal refractive children (3 162 eyes) screened out by Suresight refractive screening instrument.
CONCLUSlON: The incidence rate of ametropia decreases with age increasing in the preschool children from 6mo~6 years old, which imply preschool children should have mydriasis optometry in order to find out amblyopia and other congenital eye disease.

ObjectiveTo study the protection of Chinese herbs on the ischemic brain of rats. Methods 75 Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups, Group 1 for false operation. For the other four groups, the common carotid artery was exposed then was ligatured and cut off, Group 2 for model. From the 20th hour after operation on,Group 3, 4, 5 were fed with complex prescription of Chinese medicine named Prescription 1, 2 and 3 once a day respectively. 3 hours after taking medicine, Groups 2-5 were put in the hypoxia environment for 1 hours, then taking the medicine for 7 days. On the 7th day after operation,the blood was taken from R. atria then the rats were killed and the whole right brains were cut off. Malonaldehyde (MDA), notric oxide synthetase (NOS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the brain tissue and serum, and calcium in the brain were measured respectively. ResultsThe three prescriptions can decrease the quantity of MDA both in brain tissue and serum and the calcium in brain tissue(P<0.05-0.001).Prescription 1 can enhance the activity of SOD in brain tissue while the others can decrease the activity of NOS. The hippocampus cells show tidy, and the number of the necrotic cells decrease greatly among them, Groups 4 and 5 are better than Group 3.Conclusions Prescriptions 1-3 can protect the brain tissue of the rat form ischemic brain injury.

AIMTo search for flavonoids which possess stronger vasorelaxation action.

METHODSFour quercetin glycosides (1a - d) were synthesized from quercetin in three steps i. e. selective protection of quercetin, condensation with corresponding acetyiglycosyl bromide, and then removal of the protecting group; Six flavone compounds (2a - f) were prepared from phloroglucinol according to the conventional methods; The structures of synthetic compounds were confirmed by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS. Vasorelaxation action of ten synthetic quercetin derivatives (or analogues) and four natural flavonoids compounds were examined on the isolated rat thoracic aorta rings; Comparative octanol-water partition coefficients (logP) were measured using a reversed-phase HPLC method.

RESULTSMost of the tested flavonoids showed concentration dependent relaxation effects against PE-induced contractions of rat aortic rings. These compounds had stronger action with the augment of logP values.

CONCLUSIONCompound 3-bromo-5 ,7-dihydroxyflavone (2d) was identified to have the most potent vasodilating action. These compounds exert vasodilating effects that are related to the logP values. A structure-activity relationship of flavonoids was suggested.

Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Flavonoids ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Male ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Quercetin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Vasodilation ; drug effects ; Vasodilator Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the second to the fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) and body mass index (BMI) in infertile men of the Han ethnic group in Ningxia.

METHODSUsing anthropometry, we calculated the mean ratio of 2D:4D and BMI of 197 infertile men and 148 normal healthy male controls, followed by analysis of their relationship.

RESULTSThe BMI was correlated positively with the 2D:4D ratio of the left hand in the infertile men (P < 0.05) and in the patients with a higher 2D:4D ratio of the left hand (P < 0.05), but negatively with the 2D:4D ratio of the righ/left (Dr-1) (left: P < 0.01; Dr-l: P < 0.05). The mean 2D: 4D ratio and BMI were both lower in the normal control than in the infertile men, with statistically significant differences in BMI (P < 0.05) and the 2D:4D ratio of the left hand (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is a correlation between the 2D:4D ratio and BMI in infertile men.

Body Mass Index ; Case-Control Studies ; Fingers ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; diagnosis ; Male

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy of tendons of minimally invasive therapy (TMIT) combined drug therapy by comparing it with treatment by drug therapy alone on patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

METHODSTotally 60 KOA patients were assigned to the treatment group and the control group according to random digit table, 30 in each group. Patients in the control group took Hydrochloric Acid Glucosamine Capsule and Celecoxib Capsule. Patients in the treatment group additionally received TMIT. The treatment course for all was 4 weeks. Scores for visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index were observed and recorded at week 1 and 4 after treatment by acupotomology mirror.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment, improvement was shown in VAS score, pain and stiffness degrees, activities and functions, and WOMAC scores at week 1 and 4 after treatment in all patients with statistical difference (P < 0.05). Besides, better effect was shown in the treatment group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTMIT combined drug therapy could relieve KOA patients' pain, stiffness and joint activities, elevate the overall efficacy. TMIT was easily operated with less injury.

Celecoxib ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; methods ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; drug therapy ; Pain ; Pain Measurement ; Tendons ; Treatment Outcome

UNLABELLEDOBJECTIVE To study the in vitro effect and mechanism of Ginkgo biloba Extract 50 (GBE50) for inhibiting beta-amyloid (Abeta)-induced oxidative stress in rats' hippocampal neurons.

METHODSThe primary hippocampal neurons were cultured in vitro and divided into 4 groups, i. e. the normal control group (Ctrl), the Abeta group, the propanediol control group (PDO), and the six GBE50 concentrations groups (5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 200 microg/mL). Excepted the Ctrl group, neurons were induced to oxidative stress by 20 gmolLAbeta25-35. The MTT and fluorescent probes labeling were used to observe the effect of GBE50 with different concentrations on the cell viability and the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neurons. Furthermore, Western blot was used to detect the cytoplasmic/total cytochrome C (Cyto C) ratio and total intracytoplasmal Cyto C, and the effect of the expression of oxidative stress-related protein Cyto C and activated Caspase-3 in three GBE50 concentrations groups (25, 50, and 100 microg/mL).

RESULTSCompared with the Ctrl group, the cell vitality was obviously lowered and intracellular ROS generation significantly increased after induction of 20 micromol/L Abeta25-35 (both P < 0.05). Compared with the Abeta group, the cell vitality was evidently improved after treated with different GBE50 doses. Except for 10 microg/mL, the cell vitality could be obviously elevated along with increased drug concentrations (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the intracellular ROS generation decreased significantly in each GBE50 dose groups (P < 0.05). Abeta could increase the cytoplasmic/total Cyto C ratio and enhance the activated Caspase-3 expression significantly (P < 0.05). Compared with the Abeta group, among the three concentrations of GBE50, the Cyto C ratio was obviously lowered in the 100 microg/mL GBE50 group (P < 0.05), and the expression of activated Caspase-3 significantly decreased in 50 microg/mL and 100 microg/mL GBE50 groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS20 micromol/L Abeta25-35 could induce the generation of intracellular ROS in hippocampal neurons. GBE50 could inhibit Abeta induced intracellular oxidative stress of neurons through lowering the cytoplasmic/total Cyto C ratio and inhibiting the activation of apoptosis protein Caspase-3 expression.

Amyloid beta-Peptides ; toxicity ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Peptide Fragments ; toxicity ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo analyze and evaluate the clinical efficacy of heat-sensitive moxibustion for symptoms of large intestine cancer.

METHODSSixty patients with large intestine cancer were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. FOLFOX chemotherapy regimen was used in the two groups,and heat-sensitive moxibustion was added in the observation group. The acupoints were Zusanli(ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) Xuehai (SP 10) and Geshu (BL 17), etc. The treatment was applied once a day,five-day treatment as one course. Four courses were required. The reaction rates of uncomfortable symptoms by the Chinese version of the M. D. Anderson symptom inventory (MDASI-C) scale and clinical effects were analyzed and evaluated in the two groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the MDASI-C reaction rate of uncomfortable symptoms in the observation group was 50.4% which was lower than 53.3% in the control group (P < 0.05). The total effective rate of symptom improvement in the observation group was 83.3% (25/30), which was higher than 60.0% (18/30) in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHeat-sensitive moxibustion can improve symptoms of chemotherapy for large intestine cancer.

Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; etiology ; therapy ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Intestine, Large ; drug effects ; Leucovorin ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; instrumentation ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To observe the change of collagen in osteoarthritis and study the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.Methods The right hind limb of twenty-four adult New Zealand White rabbits were immobilized with plaster cast in extension position for 10,20,30 and 40 days,respectively.Six animals without immobilization served as control.The articular cartilage of the medial femur condyle was harvested for transmission electron microscopy,in-situ hybridization of collagenⅡ,and immunohistochemistry of collagenⅠ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ.Results Transmission electron microscopy showed articular cartilage was destructed from the fine collagen fiber network of tangential zone.The fine collagen fiber network did not contain chondrocyte.Immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization showed that in earlier period of osteoarthritis,the collagen typeⅡand its gene expression firstly increased,then decreased with destruction of ultrastructure,and chondrocytes enhanced type Ⅱ collagen expressing and synthesizing mainly in transition zone and upper deep zone.In articular cartilage of osteoarthritis there was type Ⅲ collagen,instead of typeⅠcollagen.Conclusion In osteoarthritis,articular cartilage degenerated from tangential layer,in which collagen can not be repaired after destruction,this may contribute to the chondral degeneration.

Objective To study the reasons of seroma formation and long-term existence after modified radi-cal mastectomy ( MRM) .Methods The structure of fibrous lamina for seroma postoperative breast cancer was ana-lyzed by pathological methods;the composition of drainage fluids after MRM in the different postoperative time peri-ods was determined;and the structure of fibrous lamina following an experimental mastectomy model created in rats was investigated,which the process of fibrous lamina formation was imitated.Results There were three layer struc-tures in fibrous lamina,including fibrous leakage,capillaries and fiber lay.Hematology test results supported seroma for exudate.Animal model showed that with the extension of time,fibrous lamina thickened gradually.Conclusion It is capillaries in fibrous lamina that seroma long-standing histological basis.Maybe excising or destructing the structure of subcutaneous fibrous lamina,making the procedure of wound healing to begin again as soon as possible,which is a kind of effective method to solve the problem of seroma long-term existence after MRM.