Confusion in the imaging ranks: time for a change?
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Diagnosis, Differential↗
Biomedical subjects
Liping Cao
Publications and source records attributed to Liping Cao.
A functional neural network computing some eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a special real matrix.
How to quickly compute eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a matrix, especially, a general real matrix, is significant in engineering. Since neural network runs in asynchronous and concurrent manner, and can achieve high rapidity, this paper designs a concise functional neural network (FNN) to extract some eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a special real matrix. After equivalent transforming the FNN into a complex differential equation and obtaining the analytic solution, the convergence properties of the FNN are analyzed. If the eigenvalue whose imaginary part is nonzero and the largest of all eigenvalues is unique, the FNN will converge to the eigenvector corresponding to this special eigenvalue with general nonzero initial vector. If all eigenvalues are real numbers or there are more than one eigenvalue whose imaginary part equals the largest, the FNN will converge to zero point or fall into a cycle procedure. Comparing with other neural networks designed for the same domain, the restriction to matrix is very slack. At last, three examples are employed to illustrate the performance of the FNN.
Algorithms↗
Association of specific haplotypes of D2 dopamine receptor gene with vulnerability to heroin dependence in 2 distinct populations.
CONTEXT: Dopamine receptor-mediated pathways play critical roles in the mechanism of addiction. However, associations of the D(2) dopamine receptor gene (DRD2) with substance abuse are controversial. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether susceptibility sites resided at DRD2. DESIGN: Haplotype-based case-control analysis of 2 distinct populations using 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with heroin dependence. SETTING: Universities of Mainz and Bonn, Germany, and 3 local hospitals in southwestern China. Patients Cases and control subjects recruited from China (486 cases, 313 controls) and Germany (471 cases, 192 controls). INTERVENTIONS: Genotyping for 10 SNPs by 5'-exonuclease fluorescence assays. The D' value of linkage disequilibrium and haplotypes were generated by the expectation-maximization algorithm. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Genotype, allele, and haplotype frequencies were compared between cases and controls by chi(2) tests constructed for each population. An additional 32 SNPs randomly distributed in the genome were genotyped for detecting population admixture in the 2 populations. RESULTS: A haplotype block of 25.8 kilobases (kb) was defined by 8 SNPs extending from SNP3 (TaqIB) at the 5' end to SNP10 site (TaqIA) located 10 kb distal to the 3' end of the gene. Within this block, specific haplotype cluster A (carrying TaqIB1 allele) was associated with a high risk of heroin dependence in Chinese patients (P = 1.425 x 10(-22); odds ratio, 52.80; 95% confidence interval, 7.290-382.5 for 8-SNP analysis). A putative recombination "hot spot" was found near SNP6 (intron 6 ins/del G), creating 2 new daughter haplotypes that were associated with a lower risk of heroin dependence in Germans (P = 1.94 x 10(-11) for 8-SNP analysis). There was no evidence of population stratification in either population. CONCLUSIONS: These results strongly support a role of DRD2 as a susceptibility gene with heroin dependence in Chinese patients and was associated with low risk of heroin dependence in Germans.
Adult↗
Topical mechlorethamine restores autoimmune-arrested follicular activity in mice with an alopecia areata-like disease by targeting infiltrated lymphocytes.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease targeted at hair follicles with infiltrated T lymphocytes probably playing an important role in the pathogenesis. It was reported in 1985 that mechlorethamine was effective on alopecia areata patients. This has never been confirmed since. The aims of the study were to investigate the effects of mechlorethamine on balding C3H/HeJ mice affected with an alopecia-areata-like disease and to study the underlying mechanisms. Mice were treated on half of the dorsal skin with mechlorethamine and the contralateral side was treated with the vehicle ointment. After 10 wk of mechlorethamine therapy, a full pelage of hair covered the treated side in all the mice and was maintained during the study, whereas the vehicle-treated sides showed either no change or continued hair loss. Immunohistochemistry revealed that infiltrated CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes were eliminated from the treated side. In vitro cell viability assay showed that lymphocytes were much more sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of mechlorethamine than skin and hair follicular cells. RNase protection assay and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed that tumor necrosis factor alpha/beta, interleukin-12, and interferon-gamma were inhibited by mechlorethamine upon successful treatment. Our findings support that mechlorethamine restores follicular activity by selectively targeting infiltrated lymphocytes in vivo in alopecia-areata-affected mice.
Alkylating Agents↗
Cytokines and signal transduction pathways mediated by anthralin in alopecia areata-affected Dundee experimental balding rats.
Although many therapeutic modalities have been tested on alopecia areata, patient outcomes have been disappointing. Use of animal models would help to develop more efficient therapies as well as understanding therapeutic mechanisms. We have demonstrated that 0.1% topical anthralin ointment is 100% effective in restoring follicular activity in Dundee experimental balding rats. This is the most promising topical treatment for Dundee experimental balding rats among the therapeutic agents tested on this model. Various cytokines have been shown to be associated with the pathogenesis of alopecia areata. To test whether any of these cytokines might be modulated by anthralin, an RNase protection assay and the real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed to compare their expression between anthralin-treated and control skins. These experiments showed that expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma was inhibited by anthralin, whereas expression of interleukin-1alpha/beta and their receptor antagonist, interleukin-1Ra, and interleukin-10 was stimulated by anthralin. In addition, using an antibody-based multi-immunoblotting technique, we found that certain signaling regulatory proteins were modulated by anthralin. Their potential roles in reversing the autoimmune-arrested follicular activity in Dundee experimental balding rats are discussed.
Alopecia Areata↗
[Association study of heroin dependence and catechol-O-methyltransferase gene].
OBJECTIVE: To detect the relationship between heroin dependence and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene. METHODS: Genotype and allele frequencies of 108 val/met and 900 Ins C/Del C polymorphisms of COMT gene were examined in 313 heroin-dependent subjects and 214 normal controls. RESULTS: No differences in genotype and allele frequencies of 108 val/met polymorphism of COMT gene were observed between heroin-dependent subjects and normal controls (genotype-wise: chi-square=1.67, P=0.43; allele-wise: chi-square=1.23, P=0.27). No differences in genotype and allele frequencies of 900 Ins C/Del C polymorphism of COMT gene were observed between heroin-dependent subjects and normal controls (genotype-wise: chi-square=3.73, P=0.16; allele-wise: chi-square=0.76, P=0.38). CONCLUSION: The results suggested that neither 108 val/met polymorphism nor 900 Ins C/Del C polymorphism of COMT gene was associated with heroin dependence.
Adolescent↗
Study on the relationship between opioid receptors and fetal distress.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of opioid receptors in the fatal distress. METHODS: Pregnant near-term rabbits were given an intravenous dose of normal saline solution or the opiate antagonist beta-FNA and ICI and then asphyxiated. The rabbit fetus were delivered by cesarean section and evaluated for respiration, heart beat, color, muscle tone, and response to stimulation at 1, 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes of age. RESULTS: The FNA-treated pups (6.8 +/- 1.7) and the ICI-treated pups (4.9 +/- 0.7) had significantly better scores than the saline-treated pups (2.5 +/- 1.1) and the fetal distress group (2.1 +/- 1.0, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05); there was no statistical difference between the saline group and the non treated pups (P > 0.05). The Apgar scores in ICI group, saline group, and fetal distress group were significantly decreased than that in control group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05); Scores of all five subjects could be raised markedly in FNA group, there was no significant difference in the FNA-treated pups and the control group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that both mu- and delta- receptors participated in conducting the endogenous opioid peptides effect, it was associated with the pathophysiological changes in fetal distress; mu- receptor was much more important between the two.
Animals↗
[Analysis of the efficacy of lung-protective ventilation strategy in burn patients with respiratory dysfunction].
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of lung-protective ventilation strategy in burn patients with respiratory dysfunction. METHODS: Mechanical ventilation was employed in 11 cases of severely burned patients with the pattern of synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation and pressure support ventilation (SIMV + PSV). The tidal volume was set at 6 approximately 8 ml/kg and inspiratory plateau pressure was equal to or less than (</=) 30 cmH(2)O. PEEP was set at 8 approximately 10 cmH(2)O and FiO(2) 40% approximately 50%. Blood gas analysis indices were dynamically monitored and clinical outcome was observed. RESULTS: SIMV and PSV were applied in these patients for an average of 12.77 +/- 8.06 days. After treatment, the PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio was obviously increased from 193.54 +/- 53.3 to 327.14 +/- 106.53 (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the PaCO(2) and pH values remained at normal range. Five out of 11 patients finally died, in which 3 were due to renal failure and one due to multiple organ dysfunction (MOD). CONCLUSION: Respiratory support in severely burned patients could be achieved by lung-protective ventilation strategy.
Adolescent↗
[Association study of heroin-dependence and -287 A/G polymorphism of catechol-O-methyltransferase gene].
OBJECTIVE: To detect the relationship between heroin-dependence and -287 A/G polymorphism of catechol-O-methyltransferase(COMT) gene. METHODS: Genotype and allele frequencies of -287 A/G polymorphism of COMT gene were examined in 268 heroin-dependent subjects and 177 normal controls. RESULTS: Weak but significant difference in genotype of -287 A/G polymorphism of COMT gene was observed between heroin-dependent subjects and controls (chi(2)=7.41, P=0.025), and genotype AA was higher in the former. The frequency of allele A of -287 A/G polymorphism of COMT gene was also significantly higher in heroin-dependent subjects than in the controls (chi(2)=5.69, P=0.017). CONCLUSION: The results suggested that liability to heroin-dependence was associated with -287 A/G polymorphism of COMT gene.
Adolescent↗
[Study on the relationship between endogenous opioid peptides and fetal distress].
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of endogenous opioid peptides (EOP) in the fetal distress. METHODS: Forty three patients with fetal distress (fetal distress group) and 40 healthy pregnant women (control group) in their third trimester were studied. The concentrations of plasma EOP (beta-endorphin, dorphin A(1 - 13) and leu-enkephalin) were measured by radioimmunoassay. Umbilical artery pH, PO(2) and PCO(2) were also measured. RESULTS: The levels of umbilical artery plasma EOP (beta-endorphin, dorphin A(1 - 13) and leu-enkephalin) in fetal distress group were (453 +/- 68) ng/L, (242 +/- 33) ng/L, and (498 +/- 68) ng/L, respectively. In control group, the levels of EOP were (251 +/- 39) ng/L, (103 +/- 22) ng/L, and (322 +/- 40) ng/L, respectively. The levels of umbilical artery plasma EOP (beta-endorphin, dorphin A(1 - 13) and leu-enkephalin) in fetal distress group were significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01,P < 0.05). The umbilical artery blood gas analysis: pH was (7.0 +/- 0.1), PO(2) was (1.7 +/- 0.6) kPa, PCO(2) was (8.9 +/- 0.7) kPa; the levels of beta-endorphin and dorphin A(1 - 13) were negatively correlated to pH and PO(2) in umbilical artery plasma (P < 0.01; P < 0.05), significant correlation was found between the EOP and PCO(2) (P < 0.05). In fetal distress group, the levels of maternal plasma EOP were (40 +/- 13) ng/L, (64 +/- 16) ng/L and (219 +/- 40) ng/L respectively. In control group, the levels were (37 +/- 9) ng/L, (59 +/- 15) ng/L and (199 +/- 37) ng/L respectively. There was no statistical difference in the levels of maternal plasma EOP between the control group and fetal distress group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The fetal distress was associated with EOP, the changes of EOP levels in umbilical artery plasma may play an important role in the pathophysiological changes in fetal distress.
Adult↗