AR Spectral Analysis Technique for Human PPG,ECG and EEG Signals

In this study, Fast Fourier transform (FFT) and autoregressive (AR) methods were selected for processing the photoplethysmogram (PPG), electrocardiogram (ECG), electroencephalogram (EEG) signals recorded in order to examine the effects of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) at extremely low frequency (ELF) upon the human electrophysiological signal behavior. The parameters in the autoregressive (AR) method were found by using the least squares method. The power spectra of the PPG, ECG, and EEG signals were obtained by using these spectral analysis techniques. These power spectra were then used to compare the applied methods in terms of their frequency resolution and the effects in extraction of the features representing the PPG, ECG, and EEG signals. Some conclusions were drawn concerning the efficiency of the FFT and least squares AR methods as feature extraction methods used for representing the signals under study.     

Susceptibility for and clinical manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis are associated with polymorphisms of the TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-1Ra genes

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association of genetic polymorphisms of pro-inflammatory cytokines with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in comparison with healthy controls from Northern Sweden and the potential contribution of these genetic variants for disease severity and development of cardiovascular complications. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction amplification was used for analysis of TaqI restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), variable tandem repeat polymorphism of IL-I receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) gene and NcoI RFLP at position -308 of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene. One hundred and fifty-four patients with RA, 42 men and 112 women, were consecutively recruited into the study through the Department of Rheumatology. RESULTS: The allele A1 of TNF-alpha was more common in the patient group (p < 0.01; OR = 1.62). Patients having the genotype A1A2 seemed to develop more severe disease compared with patients with A1A1 genotype: they were younger at disease onset (p < 0.05), had a higher accumulated disease activity (p < 0.05) and worse functional class (p < 0.05). Patients with genotype A2A2 of IL- 1beta had higher accumulated disease activity score than patients with A1A1 and A1A2 (p < 0.05). The allelic combination Al IL-1beta/A2 IL-1Ra was less prevalent in RA patients who developed cardiovascular complications (p < 0.005; OR = 0.20). CONCLUSIONS: The Al allele of TNF-alpha associates with RA. Genotypes A1A2 of TNF-alpha and A2A2 of IL-1beta are associated with more severe disease. The allelic combination A1IL-1beta/A2 IL-1Ra is less often present in RA patients who developed cardiovascular complications.     

Effect of corticosteroid therapy on the phagocytosis of antibody-coated platelets by human leukocytes

Patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a disorder in which antibody coated platelets are cleared from the circulation by phagocytic cells, are often treated with glucocorticoids. The effect of corticosteroids on the recognition and ingestion of sensitized platelets by phagocytes can be quantified in these patients and compared to changes in platelet levels. Six patients with ITP were treated with 96 mg daily of methylprednisolone for 5 days. This treatment raised their platelet count and simultaneously decreased the ability of their granulocytes to phagocytize antibody-coated platelets and C3-coated paraffin oil droplets. Corticosteroid treatment did not affect the binding of antibody to platelets or the quantity of antibody in the patients' serum. The ingestion defect was present in isolated, washed leukocytes and persisted for 3-5 days after the corticosteroids were discontinued. Granulocytes and purified monocytes obtained from patients with other medical disorders receiving corticosteroids also ingested paraffin oil droplets and opsonized platelets at a slower rate. These studies provide direct evidence that corticosteroids induce a generalized phagocytic defect and that this may be the mechanism by which corticosteroids raise the platelet count in patients with ITP.     

Population based standards for pulmonary function in non-smoking adults in Singapore

Abstract Ethnic differences in lung function are well recognized, hence the use of normative data should therefore be based on reference equations that are derived specifically for different ethnic groups. We have collected data ( n =406) for population-based reference values of lung function from randomly selected samples of healthy non-smoking adults of both gender (aged 20–79 years) for each of the three major ethnic groups (Chinese, Malay and Indians) in Singapore. Lung function forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV₁/FVC, diffusion capacity (transfer factor) for carbon monoxide (DLCO), total lung capacity (TLC), residual volume (RV), RV/TLC and functional residual capacity (FRC) was measured using standardization procedures and acceptability criteria recommended by the American Thoracic Society. Lung function values were predicted from age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and transformed variables of these anthropometric measures, using multiple regression techniques. Ethnic differences were demonstrated, with Chinese having the largest lung volumes and flow rates, and Indians the smallest. These prediction equations provide improved and additional (TLC, RV, RV/TLC, FRC) population-based reference values for assessment of pulmonary health and disease in Singapore     

A staphylococcal slide test for detection of antineutrophil antibodies

We describe a simple test for direct or indrect detection of antineutrophil antibodies. Sensitized leukocytes adherent to glass slides and fixed with paraformaldehyde can be stored in buffer for at least 3 wk. Killed Cowan I staphylococci, containing protein A, bind to sensitized but not control cells, and binding is ascertainable by light microscopy. Indirect tests were positive for 39/41 patients suspected of having immune neutropenia and found to have antineutrophil antibodies by an indirect radiochemical opsonic method. Fifty-four control sera from healthy persons, patients with bone marrow failure, or with immune complex diseases without neutropenia, gave negative indirect tests. Direct tests for cell-bound antibody could be done even during severe neutropenia by reacting fixed autologous cells with staphylococci in the absence of added serum. In some patients only the direct test was positive.     

Germline deletions in the tumour suppressor gene FOCAD are associated with polyposis and colorectal cancer development

Heritable genetic variants can significantly affect the lifetime risk of developing cancer, including polyposis and colorectal cancer (CRC). Variants in genes currently known to be associated with a high risk for polyposis or CRC, however, explain only a limited number of hereditary cases. The identification of additional genetic causes is, therefore, crucial to improve CRC prevention, detection and treatment. We have performed genome‐wide and targeted DNA copy number profiling and resequencing in early‐onset and familial polyposis/CRC patients, and show that deletions affecting the open reading frame of the tumour suppressor gene FOCAD are recurrent and significantly enriched in CRC patients compared with unaffected controls. All patients carrying FOCAD deletions exhibited a personal or family history of polyposis. RNA in situ hybridization revealed FOCAD expression in epithelial cells in the colonic crypt, the site of tumour initiation, as well as in colonic tumours and organoids. Our data suggest that monoallelic germline deletions in the tumour suppressor gene FOCAD underlie moderate genetic predisposition to the development of polyposis and CRC. © 2015 Authors. Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.     

EFFECT OF SUBCLINICAL LEAD INTOXICATION ON LARYNGEAL CANCER

SUMMARY In this study we investigated the possible relationship of laryngeal cancer and subclinical lead intoxication, using the depression of aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity in blood as indicator. Twenty-six patients with laryngeal cancer and 53 normal controls met the criteria to enter the study. Blood ALAD activity values in the patients with laryngeal cancer ranged from 27.1 to 75.3 U/l with a mean of 50.79 U/l. The respective values in the control group ranged from 36.2 to 98 U/l with a mean of 59.76 U/l. There was a statistically significant difference between the two means (0.001 <p<0.01), whereas blood lead concentrations in all patients were within normal limits. These findings support the hypothesis that low level lead intoxication (subclinical blood lead levels), from cars, industries and products, may contribute to the risk of laryngeal cancer. Further investigation is needed to clarify the exact relationship between lead and cancer of the larynx.     

Evaluation of 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid in the inhibition of rouleaux formation

BACKGROUND: DIDS (4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid) inhibits the formation of serum-or plasma-induced rouleaux through its ability to bind to band 3 on red cell membranes. This property of DIDS was evaluated in the serologic testing of specimens exhibiting rouleaux. STUDY DESIGN and METHODS: Optimal test conditions for DIDS treatment of reagent red cells were determined by varying the volume and concentration of DIDS solution and the incubation temperature and duration and comparing the results of antibody screening procedures using specimens that exhibit macroscopically visible rouleaux. Blind titration studies compared untreated and DIDS-treated red cells to evaluate the maintenance of antigen integrity. The use of DIDS-treated red cells for antibody detection and identification was evaluated by comparing the results in donor specimens containing antibodies with those in untreated and DIDS-treated selected panel cells. In addition, 4-percent (wt/vol) dextran in serum was used to induce rouleaux formation as a way of determining the capability of DIDS to resolve ABO serum grouping discrepancies. RESULTS: Complete inhibition of rouleaux formation occurred when reagent red cells were treated by incubation at 37 degrees C for 10 minutes with 150 microliter (approx. 5 drops) of 0.05 mg per mL of DIDS in 0.9-percent NaCl. There were no significant differences in titration scores of untreated and DIDS-treated red cells tested with the 19 antisera used to assess antigen integrity. Antibody identification studies showed that DIDS-treated reagent red cells reacted similarly to untreated reagent red cells. In addition, DIDS resolved dextran-induced ABO serum grouping discrepancies. CONCLUSION: DIDS effectively resolved the serologic problems associated with the presence of rouleaux, without affecting the results of the test system itself. Implementation of this method to inhibit the rouleaux-forming properties of serum and plasma specimens can be useful in serologic testing.