Application of simulated annealing for estimating BAEPs in endocochlear pathologies

In this paper, we propose a new approach aimed at handling the temporal Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEPs) non-stationarity. It is pointed out that for some endocochlear pathologies, BAEPs could be randomly delayed from one response to another. This non-stationarity leads to smoothed BAEPs when applying ensemble averaging or any other technique based on BAEPs stationarity. In that case, waves identification is very difficult, sometimes impossible. The problem consists in estimating time delays. Knowing the distribution of delays allows subsequent study of the dynamic of the cochlea and, perhaps, identification of the nature of its pathology. The approach suggested in this paper is based on Simulated Annealing, used to minimize a non-linear criterion involving delays. This technique is advantageously compared to the non-corrected ensemble averaging method, using a set of simulated data based on a realistic model. As an illustration, results based on real signals recorded from two patients are presented and discussed at the end of the paper.     

Early rehabilitation program in postmastectomy patients: a prospective clinical trial

The purpose of this study was to determine whether 20 patients who received an early postmastectomy rehabilitation treatment program showed more improvement in range of shoulder motion and functional activities than 13 patients who received instruction for exercise only. Data were obtained at preoperatively, three days after operation, at discharge and at postdischarge one month for each patient on parameters such as range of motion of the ipsilateral shoulder joint, upper extremity circumferential measurements, as well as 10 elements of shoulder function. Postoperatively, both groups showed an increased range of motion of the shoulder joint and improved functional activities, but the group that received postoperative rehabilitation management had a better range of shoulder motion and less difficulty in five items for functional assessment. This study also showed that an early rehabilitation program did not increase postoperative complications. We concluded that an early rehabilitation program or intensive instruction program only by a well-trained physical therapist or physiatrist was beneficial to postmastectomy patients in regaining the function and range of shoulder motion, and significantly better in a rehabilitation group.     

PCR-RFLP based molecular typing of enteroviruses isolated from patients with aseptic meningitis in Korea

Summary.  We have evaluated PCR–RFLP as a practical method for rapid typing of enteroviruses causing aseptic meningitis in Korea. Through blind examination of 80 clinical isolates from patients with aseptic meningitis, we have compared the results of conventional serotyping with PCR–RFLP based genotyping, which was developed for this study. Among the 80 case isolates, which had been previously typed by routine neutralization test, only 42 cases (52.5%) were matched with typing by PCR–RFLP. The result clearly demonstrated that the enterovirus serotype does not coincide with the genotype. Therefore, the classification of enteroviruses by genotyping with PCR–RFLP, although rapid and simple, may be complicated by regional or seasonal differences. However, the PCR–RFLP method developed in this study is applicable to the epidemiological study of enteroviruses when regional or seasonal differences exist, and is useful in identifying the source of an infection. Received August 6, 2001; accepted April 15, 2002 Published online July 10, 2002     

Cyclin D1 induced apoptosis maintains the integrity of the G1/S checkpoint following ionizing radiation irradiation

Cell cycle “checkpoints” help to ensure the integrity of normal cellular functions prior to replicative DNA synthesis and/or cell division. Cell kinetic abnormalities, particularly arrests at the G1/S and G2/M cell cycle checkpoints, are induced following exposure to ionizing radiationin vitro. Following irradiation, cellular signaling pathways may lead to G1 arrest and/or apoptosis at the G1/S cell cycle transition point. Transfection of cyclin D1, a G1/S cyclin, into a rat embryo cells (REC) results in cellular populations that overexpress cyclin D1, are transformed morphologically, demonstrate an increased incidence of apoptosis, and are tumorigenic in immune-deficient mice. Despite such phenotypic changes, transfected cell populations maintain the itegrity of the G1 checkpoint following ionizing radiation. The transfected cells overexpressing Cyclin D1 have a statistically significant increase in the incidence of apoptosis as compared to parental REC strains or mock-transfected REC. The work provides further evidence of Cyclin D1 playing a critical role in maintaining the integrity of the G1/S checkpoint, via the activation of apoptotic pathways following exposure to ionizing radiationin vitro.     

The Impact of Dental Insurance and Medical Insurance on Dental Care Utilization During Pregnancy

Maternal and Child Health Journal - To measure the association between dental and medical insurance with the receipt of dental cleaning during pregnancy. We analyzed Pregnancy Risk Assessment...     

中华眼镜蛇毒F组分对沙鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的：研究中华眼镜它毒F组分脑缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用,方法：结扎沙鼠双侧颈总动脉1h,造成前脑缺血模型,用比色法测定脑匀浆过氧化脂质的最终产物丙二醛（MDA）的含量及超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）的活性,结果：F组分0．9,0．3,0．1mg/kg可显著抑制脑内脂质过氧化,降低MDA的含量,并提高超化物歧化酶的活,性且呈一定的量效关系,同缺血再灌组比较P＜0．05,同阳性对照药尼莫通比较,P＞0．05,结论：中华眼镜蛇毒F组分对脑缺血再灌注损伤有保护作用,可能与抑制自由基的生成和促进自由基的清除有关。     

小型中医经络检测仪的研制

在传统中医经络理论的基础上，结合先进的电子技术设备，设计了一种小型中医经络检测仪。此检测仪通过采集人体穴位经电流测试(给一定电流刺激)所反射出来的信息，经微控制器处理后，能够精确显示或打印出人体的健康状况。检测仪具有方便、快捷等优势，易推广普及。