Hybrid particle swarm global optimization algorithm for phase diversity phase retrieval.

The core problem of phase diversity phase retrieval (PDPR) is to find suitable optimization algorithms for wave-front sensing of different scales, especially for large-scale wavefront sensing. When dealing with large-scale wave-front sensing, existing gradient-based local optimization algorithms used in PDPR are easily trapped in local minimums near initial positions, and available global optimization algorithms possess low convergence efficiency. We construct a practicable optimization algorithm used in PDPR for large-scale wave-front sensing. This algorithm, named EPSO-BFGS, is a two-step hybrid global optimization algorithm based on the combination of evolutionary particle swarm optimization (EPSO) and the Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (BFGS) algorithm. Firstly, EPSO provides global search and obtains a rough global minimum position in limited search steps. Then, BFGS initialized by the rough global minimum position approaches the global minimum with high accuracy and fast convergence speed. Numerical examples testify to the feasibility and reliability of EPSO-BFGS for wave-front sensing of different scales. Two numerical cases also validate the ability of EPSO-BFGS for large-scale wave-front sensing. The effectiveness of EPSO-BFGS is further affirmed by performing a verification experiment.

Treatment of persistent pain associated with osteoarthritis with controlled-release oxycodone tablets in a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study, lasting up to 90 days, was undertaken in patients with osteoarthritis with persistent moderate to severe pain uncontrolled by standard therapy (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, and/or short-acting opioids) to evaluate functional outcomes, as well as efficacy and safety, of controlled-release oxycodone versus placebo. METHODS: One hundred seven patients received either controlled-release oxycodone or placebo every 12 hours in this double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. Stable previous regimens of acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents were allowed to continue. Primary efficacy variables included Brief Pain Inventory average pain intensity scores at completion of initial titration, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores at days 30 and 60, and the percentage of patients discontinuing due to inadequate pain control. RESULTS: Controlled-release oxycodone was significantly superior to placebo in decreasing average pain intensity and in reducing pain-induced interference with general activity, walking ability (except at day 30), and normal work, as well as mood, sleep, relations with people (at days 60 and 90), and enjoyment in life. Daily functioning, as measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, was also significantly improved in the controlled-release oxycodone group. In the placebo group, a significantly greater percentage of patients discontinued due to inadequate pain control. Adverse events were consistent with opioid adverse events, and no safety concerns were noted. DISCUSSION: Treatment with controlled-release oxycodone of patients with osteoarthritis with persistent moderate to severe pain uncontrolled by standard therapy resulted in significant pain control and improvements in physical functioning.

The half-life of thymidine kinase 1 in serum measured by ECL dot blot: a potential marker for monitoring the response to surgery of patients with gastric cancer.

Thymidine kinase 1 in serum (STK1) of patients with gastric cancer was determined by two methods: ECL dot blot and radioactivity assay. Both measurements showed significantly different values for preoperative STK1 and healthy STK1 (p=0.012 for ECL dot blot and p=0.003 for the radioactivity assay). The preliminary results of ECL dot blot STK1 measurement showed that in tumor-free subjects the level of the enzyme was significantly reduced to 52.7% 35 days after surgery (n=8, p=0.0106). The decrease in STK1 levels in the tumor-free subjects paralleled the decline of the half-life of the STK1 enzyme. In patients with distant metastases (n=6) the enzyme level had increased to 173% 35 days postoperatively. By contrast, with the radioactivity assay no significant differences in thymidine kinase activity for 0-day-postoperative patients and 35-day-postoperative tumor-free patients was found (p=0.329). The activity decreased to 80% in 35-day-postoperative patients with metastatic disease. We suggest that the value of the half-life of STK1 measured by ECL dot blot can be used as a potential marker for monitoring the response to surgery in patients with gastric or other cancers one month after surgery.

[Primary surgical operation in the treatment of varicosis of lower limb accompanied by chronic leg ulcer].

OBJECTIVE: Retrospective clinical analysis of primary surgical operation in the treatment of lower limb accompanied by chronic leg ulcer were adopted in this study. METHODS: From September 1990 to June 1998, there were 31 males and 20 females, aged 68 years in average, the area of ulcer varied from 5 cm x 3 cm to 22 cm x 11 cm. The ligation and strip of saphenous vein, debridement and free skin flap grafting were finished in primary operation. RESULTS: The skin flaps were survived completely in 50 cases, only 1 case was necrosis partially and healed after changing dressing. Forty-two cases were followed up for 16 months to 9 years (66 months in average), the varicosis and ulcer were healed in 39 cases and only 3 relapsed in ulceration. CONCLUSION: Primary surgical operation in the treatment of varicosis of lower limb accompanied by chronic ulcer is practicable in clinic. The curative efficacy is satisfactory and the operative manipulation is simple.