Exponential–Exponential Cosine Fitting of Blood Pressure Decay Induced by a Long‐Acting Calcium Blocker,Amlodipine, Using Home Blood Pressure Measurement

Blood pressure (BP) decay data obtained from home BP measurements in six patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension treated with a calcium blocker, amlodipine, were fitted to an exponential–exponential cosine function to determine the characteristic BP‐lowering effects of amlodipine. An exponential–exponential cosine function fitted the morning and night systolic BP (sBP) decay data better than a simple exponential function. From the coefficients of the equation, the estimated BP lowering, time constant for BP decay and BP oscillation induced by amlodipine for morning and night sBP were approximately 23 and 25 mmHg, 10 and 6 days, and 12 and 12 mmHg, respectively. Diastolic BP showed a similar fitting though the fitting was weaker. The fitting results indicate that the BP decay, especially the sBP decay, induced by amlodipine occurred in an oscillative fashion, and the present analysis using home BP data may provide clinically useful information about the characteristic effects of amlodipine.     

Work-related bilateral osteoarthritis of the first carpometacarpal joints

BACKGROUND: A 44-year-old industrial worker produced panels for folding doors for 9 years. During this period, he developed osteoarthritis (OA) of both first carpometacarpal joints. Surgery was performed without improvement. METHODS: Clinical examination, demonstration and recording of work conditions, with photos and videos. The literature concerning first carpometacarpal OA was reviewed using PubMed. RESULTS: The observation of work conditions demonstrated unusual forceful and repetitive ulnar flexion of both first fingers. No competing causes of OA could be identified. CONCLUSION: This patient had specific and intense work-related strain of both first carpometacarpal joints. A good temporal relation between work exposure and disease development was demonstrated and it appears likely that the OA was caused by work. However, there is very limited epidemiological evidence relating first carpometacarpal OA to work exposure.     

Efficacy of a house dust mite sublingual immunotherapy tablet as add-on dupilumab in asthma with rhinitis

BackgroundHDM SLIT is one of the disease-modifying treatment for allergic asthma, and has demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials. Dupilumab, blocks IL-4 and IL-13 signaling, key drivers of type 2 inflammation, and is approved for patients with uncontrolled, moderate-to-severe asthma. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes after HDM SLIT initiation in asthma with rhinitis not optimally controlled with dupilumab in a real-world setting.MethodsAt baseline and 48 weeks after treatment, asthma control questionnaire (ACQ)-5, asthma quality of life questionnaire (AQLQ) and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) were assessed. Spirometry, type 2 inflammatory biomarkers and quantitative computed tomographic parameters of airway remodeling were also collected.ResultsOf 47 patients received HDM SLIT and 41 completed the study. Combined HDM SLIT and dupilumab improved ACQ-5 (p < 0.05), AQLQ (p < 0.05), RQLQ (p < 0.05), and increased lung function and reduced FeNO (p < 0.05) and airway percentage wall area, and wall thickness (each, p < 0.05). The change in ACQ-5 and AQLQ score correlated with both changes in FeNO and FEV₁ percent predicted. Multiple regression analysis showed that the change in FEV₁ percent predicted was independent factor for improvement of AQLQ (r² = 0.510, p = 0.012). Based on ROC analysis for predicting SLIT responders, the baseline area under the curves in serum HDM specific-IgE, total IgE and FEV₁ percent predicted were high (>0.8).ConclusionsThese results support the benefits of adding HDM SLIT to pharmacotherapy plus dupilumab in uncontrolled asthma with rhinitis.     

基于PLS的虚热证大鼠模型表征评价体系的研究

目的：探讨采用偏最小二乘回归（PLS）法对符合虚热证动物模型表征评价体系进行研究。方法：使用中药复方附子、干姜、肉桂建立虚热证大鼠模型,检测体温、一般状况、寒热趋向、自主活动及代谢能等表征,PLS法建立回归模型,并进行数据分析。结果：粪质地、粪色、平均趾温、体质量、肛温、单位体质量可代谢能、活动状态对模型有重要影响力（VIP〉1）。结论：虚热证模型动物的主要症状及体征与虚热证的临床诊断基本相符,体现了虚热证阴虚内热的病理特点。     

Early-life stress and antidepressants modulate peripheral biomarkers in a gene–environment rat model of depression

Background

Availability of peripheral biomarkers for depression could aid diagnosis and help to predict treatment response. The objective of this work was to analyse the peripheral biomarker response in a gene–environment interaction model of depression. Genetically selected Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) rats were subjected to maternal separation (MS), since early-life trauma is an important antecedent of depression. An open-ended approach based on a proteomic analysis of serum was combined with the evaluation of depression-associated proteins.

Methods

Rats experienced MS and chronically received escitalopram (ESC) or nortryptiline (NOR). Serum proteins were compared by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Corticosterone, cytokines, BDNF and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured by immunoassays.

Results

Comparing FSL with the control Flinders Resistant Line (FRL), Apo-AI and Apo-AIV, α1-macroglobulin, glutathione peroxidase and complement-C3 were significantly modulated. Significant increases were detected in leptin, interleukin (IL) 1α and BDNF. CRP levels were significantly reduced.The impact of early-life stress was assessed by comparing FSL + MS versus FSL. Apo-E, α1-macroglobulin, complement-C3, transferrin and hemopexin were significantly modulated.The effect of stress in antidepressant response was then evaluated. In the comparison FSL + ESC + MS versus FSL + ESC, albumin, α1-macroglobulin, glutathione peroxidase and complement-C3 were modulated and significant reductions were detected in IL4, IL6, IL10, CRP and BDNF. By comparing FSL + NOR + MS versus FSL + NOR proteins like Apo-AIV, pyruvate dehydrogenase, α1-macroglobulin, transferrin and complement-C3 showed different levels.

Conclusions

Lipid metabolism and immunity proteins were differently expressed in FSL in comparison with FRL. Exposure to MS induced changes in inflammation and transport proteins which became apparent in response to antidepressant treatments. Modulated proteins could suggest biomarker studies in humans.     

基于最小二乘支持向量机的秦皮提取工艺的研究

目的：应用最小二乘支持向量机（LS-SVM）技术优化秦皮的提取工艺。方法：以秦皮甲素和秦皮乙素为指标,采用均匀设计安排提取试验,并用最小二乘支持向量机建立关系模型。结果：最小二乘支持向量机对秦皮甲素和秦皮乙素的拟和相关系数分别为0．9997与0．9999;得到的最优工艺条件为提取温度100℃、乙醇浓度50％、液固比11、提取时间70min,机器模型在此条件下的预测值为秦皮甲素提取量为9．291mg·g^-1,秦皮乙素提取量为2．241mg·g^-1,和实际测量值的相对误差仅为-2．97％和2．66％,具有较好的预测性。结论：最小二乘支持向量机可用优化秦皮提取工艺。     

渐消记忆递推最小二乘法与曲线拟合法的比较

在油酸致急性肺损伤动物模型上，用渐消记忆递推最小二乘算法瓣识跟踪慢时变呼吸力学参数，并与最小二乘曲线拟合法得出的参数估计结果进行了比较，除肺力学参数外，还对胸－肺系统总的呼吸力学参数也一并进行了估计。结果显示：在注入油酸的四小时期间，ＲＬＳ与ＬＳ算法估计吸，呼时相的胸－肺系统总顺应性与肺顺应性结果基本一致，均显示下降变化，且Ｃｒｓ为ＣＬ的１／２左右。但估计呼吸阻力的结果不一致，ＬＳ算法得出的结果不     

基于小波变换的自适应滤波器消除脉搏波基线漂移

脉诊仪的研制中,由于呼吸运动和身体移位导致脉搏信号的基线漂移是必须克服的.本文提出了一种新的基于Meyer小波变换的自适应滤波器,其参考输入选择原始信号经小波分解后的高频分量.通过仿真和实际测量实验表明,该方法能有效消除脉搏波的基线漂移.     

Physical model-based indirect measurements of blood pressure and flow using a centrifugal pump

This article describes a technique offering indirect measurements of pump pressure differential and flow with certain accuracy independent of changes in blood viscosity. This technique is based on noninvasive measurements of the motor current and rotation speed using the physical model equations of the centrifugal pump system. Blood viscosity included in the coefficients of the dynamic equations is first estimated, and then substitution of the estimated viscosity into the steady equations of the model provides pump flow and pressure differential. In vitro tests using a Capiox pump showed a sufficient linear correlation between actual values and their estimates for pressure differential and pump flow. An in vivo test using a 45 kg sheep showed that the proposed algorithm needs robustness for the convergence of estimates of viscosity. An overall evaluation, however, of the developed algorithm/model showed indications of success in terms of efficient computation and modeling.