OBJECTIVE: To extract weak fetal ECG signals from mixed ECG signals recorded from maternal abdominal wall for accurate analysis of fetal heart rate and fetal ECG patterns. METHODS: By exploiting the superior nonlinear mapping ability of deep convolutional network, we developed a nonlinear adaptive noise cancelling (nonlinear ANC) extraction framework based on a temporal convolutional encoder-decoder network for extracting fetal ECG signals. We first constructed a deep temporal convolutional network (TCED-Net) model for fetal ECG signal extraction, and with the maternal chest ECG signal as the reference signal, the maternal ECG component in the abdominal mixed signal was estimated using this model. The estimated maternal ECG component was subtracted from the mixed abdominal ECG signals to obtain the fetal ECG component. Experimental analyses were performed using synthetic ECG signals (FECGSYNDB) and clinical ECG signals (NIFECGDB, PCDB) to test the performance of the propose method. RESULTS: The results of experiments on the FECGSYNDB dataset showed that the proposed approach achieved good performance in F₁-score (98.89%), mean-square-error (MSE; 0.20) and quality signalto-noise ratio (qSNR; 7.84). The F₁- score reached 99.1% on the NIFECGDB dataset and 98.61% on the PCDB dataset. The R peak detection accuracy index of the proposed method was higher than the existing best-performing algorithms such as EKF (F₁=93.84%), ES-RNN (F₁=97.20%) and AECG-DecompNet (F₁=95.43%) by 5.05%, 1.9% and 3.18%, respectively. CONCLUSION The fetal ECG signals extracted using the proposed method are clearer than those by the existing algorithms, suggesting the potential value this method for effective fetal health monitoring during pregnancy.
Female ; Pregnancy ; Humans ; Electrocardiography ; Algorithms

OBJECTIVEEscape from the body's immune response is a basic characteristic of lung cancer, and indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) plays a key role in mediating immune escape of non-small-cell lung cancer, which leads to recurrence and metastasis. Feiji Recipe, a compound Chinese herbal medicine, has the effect of stabilizing lesions and prolonging survival in patients with lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying the anticancer properties of Feiji Recipe.

METHODSAn orthotopic transplant model of mouse Lewis lung cancer, with stable expression of IDO gene, was established in C57BL/6 mice. Optical imaging was used to observe the effects of Feiji Recipe in the treatment of lung cancer in vivo. The effects of Feiji Recipe on the proliferation of mouse Lewis lung cancer cell line 2LL, 2LL-enhanced green fluorescent protein (2LL-EGFP) and 2LL-EGFP-IDO were investigated, and the apoptosis of T-cells was examined by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide using flow cytometry. Chemical composition of Feiji Recipe was validated by high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTSCompared to the control group, the survival of animals treated with Feiji Recipe was significantly prolonged (P = 0.0074), and the IDO protein level decreased (P = 0.0072); moreover, the percentages of CD4CD25 T-cells and Foxp3 T-cells were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The molecular mechanism of Feiji Recipe against lung cancer may relate to the regulation of immune cells, such as T-cells and regulatory T-cells.

CONCLUSIONThe molecular mechanism of Feiji Recipe in treatment of lung cancer is to restore the function of T-cells in the cancer microenvironment through interfering with the IDO pathway.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Lewis Lung ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Growth Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase ; genetics ; immunology ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; drug effects ; immunology

Objective To prepare nasal triptolide nano liposome thermosensitive gel (TP-NLS-TG) and investigate the in vitro penetrability through nasal mucosa. Methods The triptolide nanoliposomes were prepared by high pressure homogenization method, and the ratio of poloxamer 407 (P-407) and poloxamer 188 (P-188) was selected, using the azone dosage and stirring time as investigation factors. Gelation temperature (GT) and homogeneity of TG (RSD) were used as evaluation indexes, and TP-NLS-TG was prepared by optimized prescription. An isolated mucosal permeability model was established by frog abdominal skin to carry out the in vitro permeation test of TP-NLS-TG in nasal mucosa. Results The best prescription was 12% P-407, 10% P-188, and 3% azone, and swelling time was 4 h. The TP-SLN gelation temperature of the gel was 32 ℃, and the RSD was 0.005%. In the first 8 h, the cumulative infiltration volume per unit area was (9.296 3 ± 0.614 7) μg/cm2, and the release curve in line with the Higuchi mathematical model. Conclusion The triptolide nano liposome gel prepared by the optimum technology has an accurate gelling temperature, and uniform content, which has good permeability, can be absorbed through the frog skin.

We constructed a home care platform for orthopedics,and clinical nurse specialists in orthopedics in Jiangsu Province opened online clinics on it.Patients with knee or hip joint replacement could be added to the platform,and the clinical nurse specialists provided patients with professional home care service when discharged.In the interviews of clinical nurse specialists,they said that the application of the platform was conducive to enhance their own values,and expressed their willingness to continue to use it.The joint function and quality of life scores of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P＜0.001).The application of the home care platform is conducive to give full play to the role of clinical nurse specialists to provide professional home care services for patients.

Objective: To explore the optimum preparation process of triptolide nanometer coating agent. Methods: Optimum preparation process was investigated by uniform design with the amount of film forming material such as polyethylene glycol 124 (PVA124), carbomer, CMC-Na, and the mixing time as investigating factors, and with uniformity, film-forming ability, and peeling strength as indexes. We conducted sc simulation experiment in vitro to investigate the percutaneous penetration process of triptolide nanometer coating agent. Results: The best way to prepare triptolide nanometer coating agent is that we use glycerol monostearate 1.6 g, glycerin 0.25 g, PVA124 3.9 g, Carbomer 0.6 g, CMC-Na 0.9 g, and mix them in 150 min. With above preparation process, we can achieve better coating agent. JS was 0.350 µg/(cm2·h) and the cumulative permeation quantity in 24 h was 11.534 µg/cm2. Conclusion: Using the optimum preparation process, we can get better triptolide nanometer coating agent, which is uniform, easy coating,good adhesion with skin, strong flexibility, and drying soon.

Objective: To optimize the preparation method of triptolide-nano-liposomes (TP-NLS). Methods High pressure homogeneous method was used to prepare TP-SLN. According to even design U7(73), the preparation method of TP-SLN was optimized with the factors including weight ratio of phosphorlipid and cholesterol (A), quantity of Poloxamer 188 (B), and homogeneous pressure (C), using the encapsulation efficiency (EE), particle size, and Zeta potential of NLS as indexes. Results: The optimum prescription of TP-NLS was A1B5C7, i.g. lipid matrix a : b was 6 : 1, the dosage of Poloxamer 188 was 1.3 g, and the homogeneous pressure was 70 MPa, high pressure homogeneous method for 15 min. The TP-NLS prepared with the optimal method had good appearance. The EE was 83.52%, the average particle size was 117 nm, and the Zeta potential was 31.7 mV. TP-NLS solution was kept in avoiding light environment at 4℃ for 30 d, and the preservation stability was good. Conclusion: The formula is reasonable and the preparation method of TP-NLS is feasible, which is valuable to further study.

The arrenotokous toxicity of triptolide was evaluated, and the rate of sperm abnormality, the changes of the lipid peroxide, the enzyme activity and the hormone in male rats were observed. With the negative and positive control group, the healthy rats were respectively given by gavage triptolide suspension at the dose of 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 mg x kg(-1) for 30 days. Then the rats were killed for the measurement of the indicators in testis and serum, as well as the study on the sperm abnormality. The results showed that the positive control group had significant difference, compared with the negative control group. The content of SOD, LDH, G-6-PD, Na+ -K+ -ATPase, Ca+ -Mg+ -ATPase decreased significantly in 0.05 mg x kg(-1) group, and reduced more obviously with exposure to the dose of 0.1 mg x kg(-1). The levels of GSH-Px and beta-G showed a significant decrease in the testis of rats only at the dose of 0.1 mg x kg(-1). Nevertheless, the MDA levels, the FSH levels and the LH levels showed no significant difference. The deformity rate of sperm increased significantly in 0.05 mg x kg(-1) group and 0.1 mg x kg(-1) group. The results indicated the triptolide had the effect of the lipid peroxidation to damage Spermatogenic cells, Sertolis cells and Leydig cells. At the same time, the triptolide interfered not only with the energy supply process of aerobic and anaerobic glycolysis,but also with the energy utilization in testis by affecting the activities of testis marker enzymes, and produced a damage chain of the male reproductive system
Animals ; Diterpenes ; toxicity ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; toxicity ; Epoxy Compounds ; toxicity ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Phenanthrenes ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reproduction ; drug effects ; Spermatozoa ; abnormalities ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Testis ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Tripterygium ; chemistry ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on cervical spondylosis between acupuncture at three lines of cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) and oral administration of jingfukang granules.

METHODSThree hundred cases of cervical spondylosis were divided into an acupuncture group and a medication group, 150 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, according to the different types of cervical spondylosis, acupuncture was applied at three lines of cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2), once a day. In the medication group, jingfukang granules were prescribed for oral administration, one bag each time, three times a day. The treatment of ten days made one session in the two groups and two sessions were required totally. Before and after two sessions of treatment, the clinical assessment scale for cervical spondylosis (CASCS) was adopted to evaluate the score of subjective symptoms, clinical physical signs and adaptability as well as the total score in the patients of the two groups and the efficacy was compared.

RESULTSThe patients' symptoms and physical signs were alleviated, the adaptability was improved and the score of each item and the total score were increased in the two groups after treatment (all P<0.01). The improvements in the acupuncture group were better than those in the medication group (all P<0.01). The curative and markedly effective rate was 90.7% (136/150) in the acupuncture group, better than 66.0% (99/150) in the medication group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at three lines of cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) achieves the significant clinical efficacy on cervical spondylosis. This therapy is superior to relieving symptoms and physical signs and recovering adaptability as compared with jingfukang granules.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spondylosis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Exercise Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; therapy

In order to study the constituents and pharmacology of Tripterygium plants (Tripterygium willfordii Hook.f), a variety of chromatography methods were used. Four compounds were isolated from Tripterygium plant and their structures were elucidated by UV, IR, MS, HR-MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and 2D-NMR techniques. The isolated compounds were named as triptonide (1), neo-triptetraolide (2), 2alpha-hydroxytriptonide (3), and 15-hydroxytriptonide (4), separately. Compounds 3, 4 belong to new diterpenoids, which can inhibit the growth of K562 cells (leukemia cells) and HL60 cells (acute myeloid leukemia cells).
Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Diterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Tripterygium ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification