The quality of sleep has a great relationship with health and working efficiency. The result of sleep stage classification is an important indicator to measure the quality of sleep, and it is also an important way to diagnose and treat sleep disorders. In this paper, the method of detrended cross-correlation analysis (DCCA) was used to analyze sleep stage classification, sleep electroencephalograph signals, which were extracted from the MIT-BIH Polysomno graphic Database randomly. The results showed that the average DCCA exponent of the awake period is smaller than that of the first stage of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleeps. It is well concluded that the method of studying the sleep electroencephalograph with this method is of great significance to improve the quality of sleep, to diagnose and to treat sleep disorders.
Electroencephalography ; Humans ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Sleep Stages

OBJECTVEThis study evaluates the expression of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-lα in rat periodontitis model exposed to normoxia and chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) environments. The possible correlation between periodontitis and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) was also investigated. Methods: Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned into four groups: normoxia control, normoxia periodontitis, hypoxia control, and hypoxia periodontitis groups. The periodontitis models were established by ligating the bilateral maxillary second molars and employing high-carbohydrate diets. Rats in hypoxia control and hypoxia periodontitis groups were exposed to CIH treatment mimicking a moderately severe OSAHS condition. All animals were sacrificed after eight weeks, and the clinical periodontal indexes were detected. The levels of IL-18 and HIF-1α in serum and gingival tissues were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The correlation between attachment loss (AL) and the levels of IL-18 and HIF-lα in hypoxia periodontitis group was evaluated.

RESULTSThe levels of IL-18 and HIF-lα in hypoxia periodontitis group were significantly higher than that in normoxia periodontitis and hypoxia control groups (P<0.05). Furthermore, the levels of IL-18 and HIF-lα in serum (r-0.792, r=0.753, P<0.05) and gingival tissues (r-0.817, r=0.779, P<0.05) were positively correlated with AL.

CONCLUSIONCIH could aggravate the destruction of periodontal tissues, which is correlated with IL-18 and HIF-lα levels.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gingiva ; Hypoxia ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; Interleukin-18 ; Periodontal Index ; Periodontitis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serum ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive

Microbial genome reduction and modification are important strategies for constructing cellular chassis used for synthetic biology. This article summarized the essential genes and the methods to identify them in microorganisms, compared various strategies for microbial genome reduction, and analyzed the characteristics of some microorganisms with the minimized genome. This review shows the important role of genome reduction in constructing cellular chassis.
Genes, Essential ; genetics ; Genetic Engineering ; Genome, Microbial ; genetics ; Synthetic Biology ; methods

Objective To discuss the difference of preoperative examination and matters needing attention between osteoarthritis(OA)and rheumatoid arthritis(RA)patients who received total knee replacement(TKR).Methods Preoperative examination results were analyzed retrospectively between OA patients(362 cases)and RA patients(91 cases)who received TKR.Results The age of OA patients was significantly higher than RA patients[(66.55±7.78)years vs.(58.93±13.46)years,P＜0.05].There was significant difference in rate of diabetes between OA and RA patients[26.52％(96/362)vs.37.36％(34/91),P＜0.05].There was no significant difference in the rate of lumbar vertebrae disease between OA and RA patients[33.43％(121/362)vs.23.08％(21/91),P＞0.05].The body mass index,haematocrit and hemoglobin in OA patients were significantly higher than those in RA patients[(27.71±3.98)kg/m2 vs.(24.37±4.30)kg/m2,0.38±0.05 vs.0.33±0.06,(130.17±17.59)g/L vs.(111.45±18.56)g/L,P＜0.01].The erythrocyte sedimentation rate,C-reactive protein and D-dimer in OA patients were significantly lower than those in RA patients[(27.77±27.66)mm/1 h vs.(59.76±32.00)mm/1 h,(17.23±27.66)mg/L vs.(30.00±32.27)mg/L,(268.54±299.83)μ g/L vs.(990.09±550.91)μg/L,P＜0.01 or＜0.05].The rate of using glucocorticoid in RA patients was significantly higher than OA patients[8.8％(8/91)vs.0,P＜0.01].There was no significant difference in the rate of urinary system infection(P＞0.05).Conclusions The preoperative examination is found significantly different between OA and RA patients who received TKR.According to different focuses on,dealing with various kinds of complications and correct guidance on preoperative treatment,can ensure the safety of operation.

Objective To compare the value of prostatic specific antigen(PSA),prostate volume (PV)and PSA density(PSAD)in healthy Chinese males between Uygur and Han and to analyze the relationship between age and above indexes.Methods Serum PSA of 1278 healthy Chinese men over than 40 years was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.The group composed of 555 Uygur males and 723 Han males was divided into four different age groups based on every ten years.40-49 year group: 395 (Uygur: 175,Han: 220);50-59 year group: 325(Uygur: 143,Han: 182);60-69 year group: 281(Uygur: 131,Han: 150);over than 70 year group: 277(Uygur: 106,Han: 171).The length,width and height of the prostate were measured by trans-abdominal ultrasound.The value of PSA,PV and PSAD were correlated with age using the correlation analysis.Results PSA and PV of Uygur were as follows,40 year group:(0.69 ± 0.50)μg/L,(22.83 ± 8.20)ml;50 year group:(0.87 ± 0.52)μg/L,(25.30 ± 9.27)ml;60 year group:(1.08 ±0.56)μg/L,(27.68 ±13.10)ml;70 year group:(2.39 ±0.99)μg/L,(36.36 ± 18.71)ml.PSA and PV of Han were as follows,40 year group:(1.01 ± 0.83)μg/L,(23.01 ±7.57)ml;50 year group:(1.26 ±0.80)μg/L,(27.23 ±10.24)ml;60 year group:(1.66 ±0.79)μg/L,(33.88±17.59)ml;70 year group:(2.51 ±1.11)μg/L,(43.98 ±20.21)ml.The value of PSA and PV of Uygur were less than those of Han in each age group and there were significant differences(P ＜ 0.05).PSAD of Uygur and Han in different age group were as follows: 40 year group:0.041 ± 0.022,0.042 ± 0.027;50 year group: 0.039 ± 0.027,0.040 ± 0.031;60 year group: 0.040 ±0.021,0.041 ±0.025;70 year group: 0.039 ± 0.020,0.040 ± 0.029.The PSAD showed no difference between two nationalities or any age group.With the increasing age,the value of PSA and PV gradually increased and the positive correlation was found among age,PSA and PV in both Uygar and Han nationalities.Conclusions The value of PSA and PV are affected by nationality and age.PSAD between different nationalities and age groups has no difference.

Objective To investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs),serum CD31 and HCC.Methods We analyzed three single nucleotide polymorphisms of CD31 gene Leu125Val,Asn563Ser and Gly670Arg in 190 HCC patients and 210 age and sex matched controls in a Chinese population,using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) strategy,and the serum level of CD31 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results The distributions of CD31 gene Asn563Ser and Gly670Arg polymorphisms were not significantly different between HCC and control group (x2 =0.491,P ＞ 0.05),but the CD31 gene Leu125Val polymorphism was significantly different (x2 =10.988,P ＜ 0.05).The relative risk suffering from HCC of Val allele was 1.583 times of the Leu allele carriers(OR =1.583,95％ CI,1.197-2.093,P =0.001) ; Serum level of CD31 Val allele carriers was significantly higher than that of no carriers(x2 =10.408,P ＜ 0.05).Consistent with the results of the genotyping analyses,CD31 gene Leu125Val,Asn563Ser and Gly670Arg polymorphisms showed strong linkage disequilibrium,the Val-Ser-Arg haplotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of HCC as compared with the controls (OR =1.496,95％CI:1.095-2.046,P =0.011).Conclusions CD31 gene Leu125Val polymorphism and its Val-Ser-Arg haplotype were associated with HCC,Val allele is an important genetic susceptibility gene for HCC.CD31 Val allele carriers may subject to higher risk of HCC with enhanced CD31 expression.

Objective To compare the effects of transabdominal hysterectomy(TAH),transvaginal hysterectomy(TVH),and laparoscopic total hysterectomy(LTH)on sexual function and psychological health.Methods A total of 100 patients undergoing TAH,100 patients undergoing TVH,and 40 patients undergoing LTH were followed up for 1 year.All the patients were aged between 45 and 54 years.The Results of the questionnaire on sexual function and psychological health were analyzed and compared with those from 100 control subjects undergoing hysteromyomectomy.Results In pateints under 50 years of age,no significant difference in the sexual function and psychological health was found between control group and any one of TAH,TVH,and LTH goups.In patients aged 50 yeare and older.ESFI score decreased from control group to TVH group to LTH group to TAH group;CHQ-12 score increased from control group to TVH group to LTH group to TAH group;and there was significant difference in the FSFI and CHQ-12 scores both between TAH and control groups and between TAH and TVH groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion There is no obvious effect of these 3 surgical approches to hysterectomy on the sexual function and psychological health in patients under 50 years of age,and there is no significant difference in the sexual function and psychological health among these 3 surgcial approaches.In patients aged 50 yean;and older,TAH has a negative impact on the psychological health and sexual function.

Objective　To study the relationship between HCV infection and hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods　PCR techniques were used to detect the serologic markers of HCV-RNA of 92 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 117 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and 100 paraffin-embedded liver tissues from patients from Huainan area. The 89 HCV-RNA positive sera from the 209 patients were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Results　The infection rates of HCC, LC, liver tissues were 29.3%, 26.5%, 31.0%. HCV genotype of all groups was mainly of type Ⅱ (65.2%) whereas that of type Ⅲ was 31.5%. Conclusion　HCC is associated with the infection of HCV in Huainan area. The infection of HCV type Ⅱ appears to play a main role in the development of HCV-associated HCC and LC in this area.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sunitinib as first line treatment in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).Methods A total of 40 patients with mRCC were treated with sunitinib between January 2009 and December 2011,including 27 males and 13 females.The median age was 59 (31-75) years old.All patients received a pathologic diagnosis of renal clear cell carcinomas with radical nephrectomy.All cases were treated with first line therapy.Sunitinib monotherapy was administered in repeated 6-week cycles of daily oral therapy for 4 weeks,followed by 2 weeks off in 34 patients,while another 6 patients received 37.5 mg/d continuously until disease progression or unacceptable toxicities occurred.Overall response rate and safety were evaluated.Results The median follow up was 14 months (range 4-36 months).All patients could be evaluated the efficacy.17.5 ％ (7/40) patients achieved partial responses,77.5 ％ (31/40) atients were in stable and 2 (5.0 ％) patients were with disease progression including 1 death.The objective response rate was 17.5 ％ (7/40),and the disease control rate was 95.0 ％ (38/40).The most common side effects included fatigue 12 cases (30.0 ％),alopecia 3 cases (7.5 ％),thrombocytopenia 23 cases (57.5 ％),thyroid dysfunction 26 cases (65.0 ％),neutropenia 20 cases (50.0 ％),hypertension 18 cases (45.0 ％),hand-foot syndrome 17 cases (42.5 ％) and diarrhea 4 cases (10.0 ％).The major grade 3 adverse events included thrombocytopenia 2 cases (5.0 ％) and edema 1 case (2.5 ％).Most adverse events were ameliorated by treatment interruption.Conclusion Sunitinib has definitive efficacy for patients with mRCC with slight side effects.

Objective To investigate the risk factors and prognosis of pneumonia in elderly patients of cerebral stroke sequelae period.Methods Eighty-eight cases of pneumonia in elderly patients with cerebral stroke sequelae period were selected as stroke group,with non-stroke patients of the same period suffering from pneumonia 1 ∶ 1 matched as control group.The risk factors and prognosis of pneumonia in elderly patients of cerebral stroke sequelae period were analyzed.Results Pneumonia in stroke group was related with hypertension,diabetes,conscious disturbance,bucking or nasogastric feeding,dyscinesia,incision of trachea,multiple organ disfunction syndrome (MODS),hospitalizations,hospital stay and abandon treatment or death (P ＜ 0.05),and not related with smoking,coronary heart disease,kindey dysfunction,malignant tumor,phlegm bacterial culture,hypoxemia and mechanical ventilation was tested by conditioned Logistic regression quantitatively(P＞ 0.05).The independent risk factors for pneumonia in elderly patients of cerebral stroke sequelae period were bucking or nasogastric feeding,and MODS by two-way unconditional Logistic regression.Conclusions Hypertension,diabetes,conscious disturbance,bucking or nasogastric feeding,dyscinesia,incision of trachea,MODS,hospitalizations are risk factors for pneumonia in elderly patients of cerebral stroke sequelae period,and lead to relatively poor prognosis.Three-grade prevention and control of risk factors can improve prognosis.