Convergent Estimation Mechanism Design for Nonlinear Fuzzy Systems With Faults.

The convergent estimation for a class of nonlinear Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy systems is concerned, where time-varying process faults and input disturbances are both involved. A convergent estimation mechanism (CEM) based on a set of fuzzy iterative estimation observers is constructed for the nonlinear fuzzy system; meanwhile, the convergence of the mean sequence of estimation errors (for both states and faults) to zero (vector) is proved. However, in the existing literature, the estimation errors can only be proved to be uniformly ultimately bounded when the fault is time varying. In the design procedure, the disturbances on systems in consideration can be isolated effectively in the obtained fuzzy iterative error dynamics through introducing a suitable isolation technique. Numerical examples give the simulation results to show the effectiveness and merits of the proposed CEM.

[Traces of Chinese and Western medicine in the Kanbun bronze acupuncture figure].

Acupuncture figure is the model of human body for the learners and practitioners of acupuncture to learn and memorize the meridians points on the body surface in ancient time. The earliest bronze acupuncture figure was made in the fifth year of the North Song Dynasty and it had been cast continuously or even spread to overseas in the later dynasties. Specially, the imitation and production of bronze acupuncture figure in Japan in Edo Period were the most prominent. At present, the bronze acupuncture figure of the Edo era, with the complete and detailed historical background records, is preserved in the Tokyo National Museum of Japan and exhibited as a metal reticulated bronze figure. Such figure was named as Kanbun bronze acupuncture figure because it was cast during the Kanbun period. In the paper, the study achievements were collected on the Kanbun bronze acupuncture figure at home and abroad and its history was reviewed in terms of time feature, production background and producer. Based on the traditional Chinese thought and theory of acupuncture and moxibustion embodied by Kanbun bronze acupuncture figure, the value of the Kanbun bronze acupuncture figure in acupuncture and moxibustion was explored. Additionally, align with the introduction of Western medicine in Edo era in Japan and in consideration with the specific understanding on anatomical knowledge in Western medicine reflected by the bronze acupuncture figure, the value of the Western medicine was discussed. Finally, in view of the reticule structure of bronze acupuncture figure, the orientation and selection were analyzed under the influence of the eastern and western medicine in the Edo era, based on which, the motivation of the acceptance and creation of this bronze acupuncture figure in Japan was explored in the culture dissemination of medicine.

Removal of Antibiotics From Water with an All-Carbon 3D Nanofiltration Membrane.

Recent industrial developments and increased energy demand have resulted in significantly increased levels of environmental pollutants, which have become a serious global problem. Herein, we propose a novel all-carbon nanofiltration (NF) membrane that consists of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) interposed between graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets to form a three-dimensional (3D) structure. The as-prepared membrane has abundant two-dimensional (2D) nanochannels that can physically sieve antibiotic molecules through electrostatic interaction. As a result, the prepared membrane, with a thickness of 4.26 µm, shows both a high adsorption of 99.23% for tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) and a high water permeation of 16.12 L m- 2 h- 1 bar- 1. In addition, the cationic dye methylene blue (MB) was also removed to an extent of 83.88%, indicating broad applications of the prepared membrane.

Mouse model of plasma cell mastitis.

BACKGROUND: Plasma cell mastitis is distinct from the common form of mastitis and clinically resembles breast carcinoma. The lesion occurs in non-lactating young women, and the incidence rate is rising. Surgical resection is the main treatment, but cannot prevent recurrence of the disease. Disfigurement or removal of breast after the operations can cause marked physical and psychological distress. The etiology of plasma cell mastitis is unclear up till now. It is therefore necessary to investigate further the underlying immunological changes of the disease. METHODS: The lesions of plasma cell mastitis removed from patients through aseptic operation were mixed with normal saline into homogenate tube machine (homogenate tubes were disinfected and sterilized prior to treatment). The mixture was homogenized at medium speed and grinded in ultrasonic cell disruptor. The homogenate obtained was made into oil emulsion with Freund's adjuvant. Thirty female BALB/c mice (6 weeks after sexual maturity) were divided into five groups A-E: group A was blank control; group B was normal saline control; group C was inoculated with 0.02 ml water-in-oil emulsion; group D was inoculated with 0.04 ml water-in-oil emulsion; group E was complete Freund's adjuvant control. RESULTS: Pathology results showed that mouse mammary gland acinar cells remained integral without any abnormal changes observed in control groups A and B. Experimental groups C and D showed dilation of mouse mammary ductal tissue with a large number of epithelial cells and debris in the lumen, and fibrosis around ducts accompanied by large duct cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and especially plasma cell infiltration. Pathological changes were observed in 3 (50%) mice and 5 (83.3%) mice in group C and D respectively. In group E, neutrophil infiltration in mammary gland was observed in 5 mice, but neither infiltration of plasma cells nor other abnormal pathological changes were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The lesions of patient with plasma cell mastitis could make the female BALB/c mice experience the similar clinical and pathological manifestation. High-dose group can successfully establish a mouse model of plasma cell mastitis.

Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy for the early-stage differential thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT), the modified Miccoli's thyroid surgery, is the most widespread minimally invasive technique and has been widely used for treatment of thyroid disease. This study aimed to verify the potential benefits of the modified Miccoli's thyroid surgery, determine the feasibility of the MIVAT for early-stage differential thyroid carcinoma and evaluate the likelihood of the surgical method as a standard operation for early malignant thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: A total of 135 patients were retrospectively compared which included two groups of patients: the first group underwent the conventional thyroidectomy; the other group underwent MIVAT. Patients with thyroid nodule smaller than 20 mm and without previous neck surgery were included while those with wide-ranging and distant metastases of cervical tissues, or any suspected thyroid nodal metastases were excluded for analysis. MIVAT and the central compartment (level VI) lymph nodes dissection (LND) were considered as a new treatment method for this retrospective study. In addition to the comparison of surgical outcomes between the new treatment and the conventional thyroid surgery, other surgical parameters including operative time, operative volume of hemorrhage, incisional length, postoperative volume of drainage, length of hospitalization, accidence of hoarse voice, accidence of bucking, accidence of hypocalcemia and peak angle of cervical axial rotation were also compared. RESULTS: Out of 135 patients, 111 patients underwent conventional thyroid surgery and 24 patients underwent MIVAT plus level VI LND for treatment of early-stage differential malignant carcinoma. Patients who received the new surgical treatment had significantly shorter incisional length (3.1 cm vs. 6.9 cm, p < 0.0001), shorter operative time (109 min vs. 139 min, p = 0.014) and fewer operative hemorrhage (29.5 ml vs. 69.7 ml, p < 0.0001) when compared to the conventional treatment. Postoperative peak angle of cervical axial rotation of patients treated with MIVAT was less than those treated with conventional surgery (L: 31.5° vs. 39.0°, p < 0.0001; R: 31.5° vs. 38.0°, p < 0.0001). Incisional wound infection, postoperative hoarse voice, bucking and hypocalcemia were not observed in all patients. Postoperative analgetica was not required as well. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with conventional thyroid surgery for early-stage differential thyroid carcinoma, the new surgical treatment could be considered as an alternative surgical method for treatment of early-stage thyroid carcinoma since it was feasible, safe and clinically effective with better surgical and cosmetic outcomes.

[Efficacy and safety of extended-release niacin alone or with atorvastatin for lipid profile modification].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of extended-release niacin (niacin ER) either alone or in combination with atorvastatin for the lipid profile modification in the patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and its equivalents. METHODS: One hundred and ten patients with CHD and its equivalents with serum total cholesterol (TC) > or = 3.5 mmol/L were randomly assigned into three treatment groups: (1) atorvastatin group (n = 38), receiving atorvastatin 10 mg/d for 8 weeks; (2) niacin ER group (n = 38), given niacin ER 500 mg/d for 4 weeks and then 1000 mg/d for 4 weeks; (3) combination treatment group (n = 34), treated with atorvastatin (10 mg/d) plus niacin ER, with the dose initiating from 500 mg/d, and increasing to 1000 mg/d after 4 weeks, for 8 weeks. The serums lipid profiles and adverse effects were assessed in all the patients before treatment, and 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: (1) After 8 weeks of treatment, the serum level of triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were reduced by 30% and 16% respectively in the niacin ER group compared with the baseline values (both P < 0.05). After 8 weeks, the TC, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and TG in the atorvastatin group decreased by 19%, 26%, and 17% respectively compared with the baseline values (all P < 0.05). Combination treatment decreased the TC, LDL-C, and TG levels by 28%, 38%, and 39% respectively, and increased the HDL-C level by 23% (all P < 0.05). The improvement in TC and LDL-C achieved by combination treatment was superior to treatment of atorvastatin alone and treatment of niacin ER alone (all P < 0.05). (2) The rate of achieving the LDL-C goal of The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) in Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) in the combination therapy group was 73.5%, significantly higher than those of the atorvastatin and niacin groups (47.7% and 42.1% respectively, both P < 0.05). (3) Adverse effect, such as flushing (15.8%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (23.7%) were found in the niacin ER group, however, no more adverse effects were found in the combination therapy group. There were no serious adverse events in all groups. CONCLUSION: Niacin ER has a favorable effect in modulating the blood lipid profile, especially in reducing TG and elevating HDL-C. Combined statin with niacin may produce a more global and effective improvement in lipid blood levels than monotherapy and is generally safe and well tolerable.

[Single nucleotide polymorphism and haplotype in TBX1 gene of patients with conotruncal defects: analysis of 130 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites in TBX1 gene and the distribution of related haplotypes in the patients with conotruncal defects (CTD) and normal people. METHODS: The genotypes of the 3 selected SNPs: G2857C (rs737868), G2963A (rs28649236), and A6571T (rs28939675) in TBX1 gene were analyzed by PCR-RFLP among 130 patients with CTD and 200 normal people. Contingency table was applied to analyze the frequencies of these SNP genotypes and related alleles. PHASE software was used to construct the haplotypes and analyze the haplotype frequencies in these 2 groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the allele frequency and genotype rates of the SNPs G2587C and A6571T between the CTD patients and normal controls (all P > 0.05). However, the allele frequency and genotype rates of the SNP G2963A were significant different between he CTD patients and normal controls: the G allele frequency in the CTD patients was 53.8%, significantly higher than that in the normal controls (42.5%, chi(2) = 8.14, P < 0.005); and the AA genotype rate of the CTD patients was 21.6%, significantly lower than that of the controls (38.0%), and the GA genotype rate in the CTD patients was 49.2%, significantly higher than that in the controls (39.0%) (both chi(2) = 9.9, P < 0.05). The haplotype frequencies of G2587/G2963/A6571 and G2587/A2963/T6571 of the CTD patients were 49.2% and 14.6% respectively, both significantly higher than those of the normal controls (36.3% and 9.5% respectively), and the haplotype frequencies of G2587/G2963/T6571 and G2587/A2963/A6571 in the CTD patients were 34.6% and 3% respectively, both significantly lower than those in the normal controls (48.3% and 18% respectively) (chi(2) = 22.39, P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: The SNP site G2963A located in the coding-region of TBX1 gene is associated with CTD. The persons with G2963 have higher risk of CTD than those with A2963. The haplotypes constructed with these 3 SNP sites may be linked with the susceptibility gene of CTD.

Fenofibrate enhances CD36 mediated endocytic uptake and degradation of oxidized low density lipoprotein in adipocytes from hypercholesterolemia rabbit.

BACKGROUND: CD36 as a fatty acid transporter is predominantly expressed in adipocytes. We studied whether adipocytes could uptake and degrade OxLDL through CD36 and explored the effect of fenofibrate on OxLDL uptake in adipocytes from hypercholesterolemia rabbits. METHODS: Subcutaneous adipose tissues were collected from normal, high-cholesterol and high-cholesterol plus fenofibrate treatment rabbits for adipocytes culture. CD36 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) mRNA expression were evaluated by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Cellular expression of CD36 was confirmed during differentiation of adipose cell by RT-PCR. Upon incubation at 37 degrees C, (125)I-OxLDL was endocytosed in a dose-dependent fashion and underwent lysosomal degradation by adipocytes. In binding experiments at 4 degrees C, (125)I-OxLDL exhibited specific and saturable binding to adipocytes (K(D) = 4.2 microg/mL). The endocytic uptake and degradation of (125)I-OxLDL by adipocytes were inhibited by 56 and 54% with anti-CD36 antibody. Fenofibrate treatment enhanced the (125)I-OxLDL uptake and degradation and up-regulated CD36 mRNA expression in adipocytes and suppressed PPARgamma mRNA expression in adipose tissue from hypercholesterolemia rabbits. CONCLUSION: CD36 plays a novel role in adipose tissues and adipocytes possibly involve in clearance of OxLDL in blood. Fenofibrate treatment improved the OxLDL uptake and degradation in adipocytes from hypercholesterolemia rabbits.

Atorvastatin enhances cellular uptake of oxidized LDL in adipocytes from hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and CD36, a plausible pathway for the oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) uptake in monocytes, is highly expressed in adipocytes. Few studies have explored the cellular uptake of ox-LDL in adipocytes and its significance on atherosclerosis. METHODS: Rabbits on high-cholesterol diets were randomly assigned to either 1.5 mg/kg/day atorvastatin (n = 5) or starch (n = 5) for 2 weeks. Subcutaneous adipose tissues were collected for adipocytes culture. The uptake of 125I-OxLDL in adipocytes was determined by a gamma-counter and each sample was normalized to protein concentration. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to evaluate PPARgamma and CD36 mRNA expressions. RESULTS: Adipocytes took up 125I-OxLDL in a concentration-dependent manner. Two weeks of atorvastatin treatment enhanced the cellular uptake of 125I-OxLDL, which was closely related to the reduced plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations and increased mRNA expressions of PPARgamma and CD36 in adipocytes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Adipocytes may be a potential pool for plasma ox-LDL, and atorvastatin can improve the ox-LDL uptake in adipocytes possibly through reducing cholesterol concentration and upregulating mRNA expressions of PPARgamma and CD36.

Atorvastatin reduces interleukin-6 plasma concentration and adipocyte secretion of hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is secreted by adipocytes and may be involved in atherosclerosis. Few studies have assessed the influence of statins on IL-6 secretion in adipocytes. METHODS: Rabbits on high-cholesterol diets were randomly given either atorvastatin 1.5 mg/kg day(-1) (n=5) or starch (n=5) for 2 weeks. Subcutaneous adipose was collected for adipocytes culture. IL-6 concentrations in plasma and adipocytes culture supernatant were measured by ELISA. RT-PCR was used to evaluate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma mRNA expression. The in vitro effect of atorvastatin on IL-6 production in adipocytes was observed. RESULTS: Two weeks atorvastatin treatment resulted in significant reduction of circulating IL-6 concentrations, which was associated with IL-6 secretion in adipocytes (r=0.849, P<0.01). Meanwhile mRNA expression of PPARgamma in adipocytes was intimately related to the IL-6 secretion in adipocytes (r=-0.900, P<0.01). Atorvastatin induced the decreased IL-6 secretion in dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Atorvastatin can inhibit IL-6 secretion in adipocytes possibly through upregulating PPARgamma, which may help to explain the anti-inflammatory effects of statins use.