Study of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes is a key to the research of TCM modernization, and the core is the classification and diagnostic criteria of syndromes. The purpose of this article is to review the usage of classification algorithms of data mining in TCM syndrome researches, and comprehensively analyze the main features of algorithms and their applications. The appropriate classification algorithm should be chosen according to different research purposes. Rough sets and cluster analysis are suitable for exploratory research without requiring a prior knowledge. Fuzzy sets theory, neural networks and decision tree are suitable for syndrome diagnostic criteria research when the classification goal is clear, because they require a prior knowledge. Among them, fuzzy sets theory could be used in combination with other classification algorithms. Thus, some new methods such as fuzzy clustering, fuzzy rough sets or fuzzy decision tree might be more suitable for TCM algorithm classification research. It is suggested that some novel classification algorithms need to be developed to fit the condition of TCM syndrome, based on the interdisciplinary theories and technologies.

Objective To investigate the companion care needs of inpatients at four tertiary hospitals in Wuhan,for providing targeted quality of care.Methods A questionnaire was customized according to Maslow＇s theory to survey 526 inpatients at four tertiary hospitals in Wuhan.Resnlts The companion care needs of inpatients were found high.Fore example,the esteem needs were the highest(2.41±0.39)yet with the lowest extent of satisfaction(2.59±0.43),followed by love and belonging needs(2.35±0.40)and safety needs(2.34±0.35)respectively.The physiological needs were the lowest(2.08±0.32)yet with the highest extent of satisfaction(2.63±0.44).Conclusion Nursing staff should change their mindset to respect patients' esteem needs,improve their nursing skills and service for safer care.Multimodel companion care needs should also be provided to meet patients' diversified needs.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and safety of autologous tumor tissue lysate loading den-dritic cells(DC) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods The monocytes-derived DC were induced and antigen loaded with tumor tissue lysate to produce DC vaccine. Vaccination and clinical observation were conducted in 12 HCC patients for 41 times. Results The average output of DC was 1.69×107(1.69×107±9.44×106>) from 90 ml peripheral blood. 63.41% (26/41)patients appeared to develop delayed-type hypersensitivity after intradermal injection. After an average of 9 months follow up, 1 patient out of 4 recurrence and metastasis pa- tients survived for 17 months. The other three patients progressed. Out of 8 patients undergoing immunotherapy post- operatively,6 patients had no signs of recurrence and the others were found to have liver rceurrence and progression. Conclusion DC based immunotherapy is safe and feasible,with no side effects,which can be applied in the immu- notherapy strategy of HCC patients.

To investigate the protective effects of Tangxinping Capsule, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on diabetic cardiomyopathy in rats.

Objective To establish the chromatographic fingerprint of Curcuma wenyujin by HPLC.Methods The chromatographic fingerprint of C.wenyujin was established by HPLC with Shimadzu VP-ODS C18 column(250 mm?4.6 mm,5 ?m),acetonitrile-water(0.1 phosphoric acid) gradient elution,the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min,column temperatures of 30 ℃,and detective wavelength at 210 nm.ResultsTaking germacrone as the reference peak,14 common-peaks were selected as the fingerprint peaks.The similarities among samples of C.wenyujin among 19 approved samples and their standard chromatographic fingerprints were calculated with a software "Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of Chinese Materia Medica" published by GPC(Version 2004A) and cluster analysis.ConclusionThis method with better accuracy and reproducibility could be used in the quality control of C.wenyujin.

Objective:To investigate the most effective strategy for mature induction of dendritic cells.Methods:Human monocyte-derived dendritic cells were induced in the presence of cytokines GM-CSF and IL-4. On day 6, the immature DCs were pulsed with each of CD40L, LPS, TNF-? or a cocktail of cytokines(TNF-?, IL-6, IL-1?, PGE2). DCs were harvested after 24 h induction. The surface markers for maturation CD80,CD83,CD86 and HLA-DR were detected by FCM. FITC-Dextra endocytic activity was measured by FCM. IL-12 production was detected by ELISA. The capacity of DCs for T cell activation was detected by MTT assay.Results:CD40L,LPS,TNF-? and the cocktail of cytokines all could induce DCs’ maturation. The most effective scheme for induction of maturation was the cocktail of cytokines, and the expression rate of CD83 was up to 66.91%(P

Objective To investigate the triceps skinfold thickness (TSF) of patients with stroke in community. Methods 42 hemiplegics after stroke and 42 normal persons in the same community were measured by a same doctor team, including height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate, waist circumference, hip circumference, and TSF. The grade of Brunnstrom and daily exercise time of the patients were investigated. Results The TSF was thicker in the non-affected side than in the affected side (P<0.05). The bilateral TSF was thinner in the patients than in the normal controls (P<0.05). In the patients, the TSF was thicker in those with function grade above Brunnstrom IV than those below (P<0.05), and in those who took part in exercise regularly than those did not (P<0.01). The body mass index was more in the patients than in the controls (P<0.05). Conclusion The TSF is thinner in the patients with stroke, which may associate with the motor function and daily exercise.

Objective To investigate the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI-3K)in adipose tissue of polycystic ovary syndrome patients(PCOS),and explore molecular mechanisms of insulin resistance(IR)in PCOS.Methods Samples from patients with PCOS with IR(n=19),PCOS without IR (n=10)and controls(n=15)were collected.Serum fasting insulin(FIN)and fasting plasma glucose (FPG)were measure& Insulin resistance index was calculated using homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)to analyze the relationship between these markers and IR.Western blot technique was used to detect the PI-3K p85 subunit.Gene expression of PI-3K p85 subunit was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)method.Kinase activity was detected by immunoprecipitation,thin- layer chromatography and gamma scintillation counting.Results(1)The levels of FIN[(25.2?3.8) mU/L]and HOMA-IR(1.6?0.3)in PCOS with IR were significantly higher than those in PCOS without IR[(13.4 +3.8)mU/L,0.9?0.3]and controls[(9.5 +2.6)mU/L,0.5?0.3;all P＜0.05).(2) There was no significant difference in the protein(0.65?0.10)and gene expression(0.92?0.12)of PI-3 K p85 subunit in PCOS with IR compared with PCOS without IR(0.72?0.10,1.01?0.10)and control groups(0.73?0.14,1.00?0.12;P＞0.05).(3)PI-3K activity in PCOS with IR(81%)and PCOS without IR(89%)was significantly decreased(P＜0.01,P＜0.05)and negatively correlated with HOMA- IR(r=-0.69,P＜0.01;r=-0.62,P＜0.05).Conclusions No significant difference in the protein and gene expression of PI-3K p85 subunit in PCOS with IR is found.The decreased PI-3K activity may lead to IR of PCOS.

Aim To iuvestigate the effect and the mechanism of salmonmilt DNA (SMD) on age-related involutions in mouse thymus. MethodsFemale BALB/c of 10 months were divided randomly into three groupsaccording to their weights: high dosage group 333.33 mg/(kg @ d), lowdosage group 166. 67 mg/(kg @ d) and control group 0 mg/(kg @ d) .After five weeks, with Image-Pro Plus (version. 4.0) software, the thymusindexes and the thymoctytes in the thymus section were measured, as wellas the thymus cortex thickness. All the data were analyzed by SAS statisticsoftware. Mieroarray technique was applied to screen the gene fragments,which were differently expressed between the high dosage group and thecontrol group, together with RT-PCR to further confirm some of them.Results No significant differences of the variables including bodyweight, thymus weight and thymus indexes among the three groups werefound (F ＜ 3.0 and P ＞ 0.05, respectively). The thymocytes quanti-ties of thymus cortex and medulla in the high dosage group were significantlyhigher than those of the control group [cortex D(H, C) = 9.46, P ＜ 0.01;medulla t( H.C) = 2.53, P ＜ 0.05]. The thymus cortex thicknesses of bothSMD supplement groups were significantly higher than that of the control group[cortex D(L,C)=3.65, P＞ 0.05; medulla t(L, C)=0.8, P＞ 0.05] .112differently expressed gene fragments were isolated. Furthermore, we foundthe fragments with the logged number of U23789, X80232 and Aw209102were highly expressed in the high dosage group when RT-PCR techniquewas used. Conclusion SMD may reverse the age-related involutions inmouse thymus via up-regulation the expression of proliferation related genesand development and differentiation related genes simultaneously.