As a novel research tool in the field of the spinal biomechanics, the finite element method (FEM) complements and verifies the traditional research methods, which has been attached increasingly greater importance. In this paper, we briefly introduce the achievement made in the field of spinal biomechanics by FEM in the past decade, summarize the physiological and pathological behaviors of various spinal anatomical parts described by FEM, and present the basic view of using FEM to optimize the surgery instrument design.

The role of bracing for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis,which came into application in 1960's,has long been controversial.There are various brace instrument with different reported effectiveness.In this paper,we summarize the research findings and main views in the effectiveness of bracing for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in the past ten years,and explore the possible causes leading to the different results.Besides,we are trying to point out the research trend,in hope of drawing a scientific conclusion on the effectiveness of bracing treatment in the near future.

Objective To explore the changes of amplitude integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) during brain development in premature.Methods One hundred and forty-eight premature (gestational age 28-36 weeks) were selected.According to their gestational ages,148 premature were divided into 28-30 weeks group(40 cases),with 21 male,19 female;＞30-33 weeks group (49 cases),with 25 male,24 female;＞33-36 weeks group (59 cases),33 male,26 female.At the same time,40 cases of gestational age 37-40 weeks full-term newborns were selected as control group,with 23 male,17 female.Olympic CFM 6000 cerebral function monitor(produced by the American Natus company) was used to detect the changes of their aEEG,and analysis of the changes of aEEG were conducted.The first monitor was performed 3 days after birth,then once a week,monitoring for 2 hours each time,till the premature were discharged from hospital.The average of the monitoring data was obtained as a result for the analysis,and data analysis was conducted by using SAS 9.0 statistical software.Results The sleep-wake cycle continuity voltage positive rate and cycle occurrence rate of the 28-30 weeks,＞ 30-33 weeks,＞ 33-36 weeks premature were significantly lower than those of the 37-40 weeks full-term newborns (all P ＜ 0.05).The 28-30 weeks,＞ 30-33 weeks,＞ 33-36 weeks premature spectrun lower bound voltage value of quiet sleep cycle and activity sleep cycle were significantly lower than those of the 37-40 weeks full-term newborns (all P ＜ 0.05).The 28-30 weeks,＞ 30-33 weeks,＞ 33-36 weeks premature spectrum width of quiet sleep cycle and activity sleep cycle were significantly wider than the 37-40 weeks full-term newborns (F =13.444,11.982,all P ＜ 0.05).The 28-30 weeks,＞ 30-33 weeks,＞ 33-36 weeks premature total duration of sleep cycle were significantly higher than the 37-40 weeks full-term newborns (F =12.451,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions With the increase of gestational age,premature brain development becomes gradually mature,and aEEG can reflect the degree of premature brain development to some extent.

Objective:To investigate the clinical significance of changes of platelet count after splenectomy in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension.Methods:In this study,from January 2002 to January 2006,the platelet count and liver function in 153 splenomegaly and hypersplenism due to cirrhosis patients who had been carried out splenectomy were selected.The change tendency of platelet count was observed,the relationship of changes of platelet count and liver function was analysed,and compared with patients of spleen trauma.Results:Postoperative platelet count was higher than preoperatively in most patients with cirrhosis,the portion did not elevate,even decreased.The change tendency of platelet count was correlated with the liver function.The change in cirrhosis patients is not more than patients of spleen trauma.Conclusions:The reason of thrombocytopenia in patients with cirrhosis may be correlated with the change of liver function besides the splenomegaly.

In order to supply the multichannel electrical stimulator, a DC-DC flyback switch mode power supply based on a high-performance current mode controller UC3845 has been designed. The experimental results indicate that the power supply has satisfied the demands and can supply the multichannel electrical stimulator and similar apparatuses.
Electric Power Supplies ; Electric Stimulation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Equipment Design

Objective To explore the value of ~(18)F 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-d-glucose(~(18)F-FDG)positron e-mission tomography (PET)/computed tomographic (CT) imaging and CT perfusion in evaluating metabolic and blood flow characteristics in breast cancer.Methods 32 women with untreated breast masses were both ex-amined with ~(18)F-FDG PET/CT and CT perfusion at the same day.All the lesions were confirmed histopothologi-cally by surgery or biopsy.The PET/CT images were analyzed semi-quantitatively.CT perfusion images were analyzed using the GE perfusion 3 soft package.The findings of two modalities above were commed with patho-logical diagnosis.Results There were significant differences between standardized uptake values (SUVs) of ~(18)F-FDG of benign tumors and breast cancer (Wilcoxon test:P=0.000 3,T=15.000,u=3.433,C=1).Differ-ences of SUVs between the center and periphery of breast Inasses were also significant.In addition.the SUVs were related to the pathological type and the grading of tumors.In the CT perfnsion,the differences of perfusion including bloodflow (BF),blood volume(BV)and permeability surface area product (PS) values between tumor and normal breast tissue were statistically significant(t=8.065,P<0.000 1;t=2.769 1,P=0.011 5;T~+=253.000 0,T~- =0.000 0,P<0.000 1)respectively.The differences of BF,BV and PS values between pe-ripheral zone and central portions of tumor were also statistically significant (t=8.015 8,P<0.000 1;t=2.243 4,P=O.017 9;t=3.485 7,P=0.002 2),respectively.Conclusion ~(18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging and CT peffusion reveal the metabolic and blood flow characteristics,and reflect biological behavior of breast tumor indirectly and have important value for the diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer.

Objective To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of multi-mode interventional therapy for complications occurring after renal transplantation.Methods The clinical data of 26 patients with complications occurring after renal transplantation were retrospectively analyzed.Vascular and non-vascular complications were treated with different interventional techniques,and the curative effects were analyzed.Results Vascular complications were observed in 19 patients and non-vascular complications were seen in 7patients.The technical success rate of interventional therapy was 100％.One week after the treatment,the total creatinine level (SCr) was significantly improved,which decreased from preoperative (372.7±295.5)μmol/L to postoperative (184.3±138.4) μmol/L (P＜0.001).No severe complications occurred.Further analysis indicated that no statistically significant differences in patient's general condition,kidney donor source,anastomosis method existed between vascular intervention group and non-vascular intervention (P＞0.05).However,the onset time of vascular complications was markedly earlier than that of non-vascular complications (1.8± 1.4 months vs.118.3 ±54.4 months),the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.001).During the follow-up period lasting for 4-55 months (mean of 18.6 months),3 patients developed recurrence of complications;interventional therapy had to be carried out in 2 patients and their creatinine level returned to normal after treatment,and transplanted renal artery embolization had to be performed in the other patient as whose pseudoaneurysm became enlarged.Conclusion For the treatment of complications occurring after renal transplantation,interventional therapy is less-invasive,rapidly-effective and safe,this technique can timely and effectively improve the renal function and save the transplanted kidney.

BACKGROUND:Studies have demonstrated that the success rate of isolation of umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs)is low,which also lacks of unified identification method.OBJECTIVE:To modify the traditional in vitro isolation and culture method of UC8-MSCs to obtain a higher success rate and to observe its biological characteristics.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:In vitro observation of cytology.The study was performed at the Ninth People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical College between April 2006 and January 2007.MATERIALS:A totaI of 28 UCB samples were obtained from full-term normal delivery.Department of Matemity,Shanghai Red House Hospital.The written informed consent was obtained from the puerpera and their families.METHODS:NeonataI umbilical cord blood was collected under sterile condition.Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were separated from using lymphocyte isolation medium by centrifugation and suspended in α-minimum essential medium(α-MEM)containing 10% fetal bovine serum.The medium was half exchanged after 5-7 days of primary culture and then was totally exchanged every 3-4 days.The confluent cells were divided into 2 groups.In group 1.when the round megakaryocytes were confluent and fusiform fibroblast-like cells were fell off.the cell suspension was transferred to new culture dish;in group 2.when the round megakaryocytes dominated the majodty,the culture medium was replaced by α-MEM containing 15% calf serum,followed by culture in α-MEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum when the round megakaryocytes fell off.The fifth passage of UCB-MSCs was harvested for subsequent osteoinduction in vitro.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:The cell morphology was observed by microscopy;Flow cytometry was used to examine the surface antigen phenotype;alkaline phosphatase and oil red staining was performed to detect cell differentiation capacity.RESULTS:Of 28 samples of UCB,attaching cells were obtained from 20 samples(6/10 in group 1,14/18 in group 2),fibroblast-like cells that could passage steadily(4 samples in group 1,9 in group 2)were cultured from 13 0f 20 samples with success rate of 46.4%,among which MSCs were passaged steadily up to P22.UCB-MSCs were all positive for MSC-related antigens such as CD29 and CD105,but negative for CD34,CD45 and CD106.Incubation of UCB-MSCs under special condition resulted in a differentiation of osteoblast and adipocyte.CONCLUSIONMSCs exist in UCB,which have multi-differentiation capacity,and passage steadily.The modified in vitro culture method improves culture success rale of UCB-MSCs.

This paper introduces a new fetal electrocardiogram monitoring system based on S3C2410 and telecommunication, and its framework and flow chart. Based on the genetic algorithm, the improved IIR adaptive filter achieves the non-invasive, real-time extraction of FECG. The system provides the reliable gist for the diagnosis of fetal congenital diseases. FECG extraction, S3C2410, telecommunication, genetic algorithm, IIR adaptive filter.
Electrocardiography ; instrumentation ; Fetal Monitoring ; instrumentation ; Microcomputers ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Wireless Technology ; instrumentation

An alternative method based on an off-line solid phase extraction ( SPE ) combined with programmable temperature vaporizer-based ( PTV) large volume injection-gas chromatography-flame ionization detection ( LVI-GC-FID ) was developed. The goal of this study was to determine mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons ( MOSH ) in camellia seed oils. The purification condition of SPE columns with silver impregnated the activated silica gel and activated aluminum oxide was optimized. The optimal SPE cartridge was loaded with 10 g of Ag-activated silica gel per 10 g of activated aluminum oxide. The PTV initial temperature was set at 75℃ for 1 min (split 200:1), and heated from 75℃ to 370℃ at 250℃/min. Then the diverter valve was closed for 1 min and opened again with the split flow ratio changing to 50:1 . The injection volume was 40μL. The calibration curve of paraffin oil was liner in the range of 5-500 mg/kg with correlation coefficient of 0. 998. The detection limit (LOD) and the quantification limit (LOQ) of paraffin oils in hexane were 0. 26 mg/kg and 0. 80 mg/kg, respectively. The recoveries from spiked oil samples were between 93 . 3% and 112 . 7%, with relative standard deviation ( RSD ) of 1 . 8%-5 . 2%, the RSD of intra-day and inter-day were less than 2 . 6% . This procedure was applied to analyze the MOSH in 11 commercial camellia seed oils and the contamination was found to range from 6. 8 mg/kg to 76. 7 mg/kg. The method is simple in operation with high sensitivity, good reproducibility and low cost, and suitable for determination of MOSH in vegetable oils.