The Influence of Computer Experience and Screen Size on Use Performance and Perceptions of a Tablet-Based Chronic Illness Self-Management System for Older Adults

A usability study of a tablet-based chronic illness self-management system was conducted to evaluate the system’s usability and to examine the effects of screen size and computer experience on use performance and perceptions of the system. A two-factor, between-subjects design was implemented, in which 40 older adults aged from 55 to 88 years were equally assigned to two screen size groups and required to perform a set of self-management tasks. The results showed that screen size had no effect on either the use performance or perceptions of the system, and that computer experience had significant effects on the former but no effect on the latter. Older adults without computer experience tended to perceive the large tablet screen system as more useful. This study verified the usability of the tablet-based self-management system with older adults. Its findings suggest the need to determine an optimal screen size for consumer health information technologies, and highlight the importance of computer experience in usability studies. Future studies may address its limitations.

A TALEN-based specific transcript knock-down of PIWIL2 suppresses cell growth in HepG2 tumor cell

OBJECTIVES

PIWIL2 is widely expressed in various tumours and implicated in playing a role in tumourigenesis. For a more thorough study of PIWIL2 functions in tumour cells, we aimed to establish PIWIL2-specific transcript knock-down/knockout HepG2 cell lines using transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) technology. Furthermore, we proposed to use the cell models to explore PIWIL2 functions in TGF-β signalling in HepG2 cells. HepG2s are human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We established PIWIL2 knock-down or knock-out cell lines in HepG2 using TALEN technology. Next, we sought to use the cell line models to investigate effects of full length PIWIL2-specific transcripts in cell proliferation induced by TGF-β.

RESULTS

First, we established PIWIL2-specific transcript mono-allele and bi-allele knockout HepG2 cell lines. By using the cell line models, we found that specific transcript knockdown of full length PIWIL2 can suppress cell proliferation, while ectopic expression of PIWIL2 enhanced proliferation of HepG2 by suppressing the TGF-β pathway. Furthermore, we demonstrated that PIWIL2 can interact with HSP90 to prevent formation of HSP90-TβR complexes, which promote degradation of TβRs.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our study revealed critical negative regulation of TGF-β signalling by PIWIL2 in HepG2 tumour cells, and provided an effective strategy to study specific gene transcript functions in cells.

A clinical analysis of uterine artery embolisation in the treatment of placenta praevia or placenta praevia state

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of uterine artery embolisation (UAE) for postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) related to placenta praevia. A total of 45 women with placenta praevia or placenta praevia state underwent UAE before inducing labour. The locations of uterine artery and placenta were determined through selective and super-selective catheterisation into the internal iliac artery and uterine artery digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The target arteries were then super-selectively catheterised and embolised using small pieces of gelatin sponge. The above processes were repeated until the darkly stained areas of placenta were no longer developing. The success rate of UAE was 100%. There was no longer haemorrhage after embolisation for all the cases of labour induction and the average volume of blood loss was 56 ml. UAE is an effective, reliable and minimally traumatic treatment method for preventing postpartum haemorrhage after induction of labour in patients with placenta praevia state.

Differential effect of specific gr/gr deletion subtypes on spermatogenesis in the Chinese Han population

As a common variation in the azoospermia factor c (AZFc) region of Y chromosome, the gr/gr deletion is regarded as a significant risk factor for spermatogenic impairment, whereas the association of the deletion's phenotypic expression with Y-chromosomal background is still a subject of debate. To further investigate the contribution of the deletion to spermatogenic impairment in different Y-chromosomal haplogroups, the partial AZFc deletion was detected with AZFc-specific sequence tagged sites, gene dosage and gene copy analyses of deleted in azoospermia (DAZ), chromodomain Y1 (CDY1) and basic protein Y2 (BPY2) in 1426 azoo/oligozoospermic and 672 normozoospermic men from a Chinese population. The haplogrouping was performed in 231 deletion carriers with 12 polymorphic loci of Y chromosome. As a result, five gr/gr rearrangement types in eight Y haplogroups were observed, in which the simple gr/gr deletion was the most common type, and its frequency was significantly higher in men with azoo/oligozoospermia relative to normozoospermia. Also the distribution of gr/gr-rearranged Y haplogroups was significantly different between the two groups, in which gr/gr-deleted haplogroups C and DE were more common in men with azoo/oligozoospermia. In the 6 gr/gr copy deletion haplotypes, the frequencies of DAZ1/DAZ2+CDY1a or CDY1b deletion were significantly higher in men with azoo/oligozoospermia, while all DAZ3/DAZ4+CDY1b+BPY2.2 or 2.3 deletions were found only in haplogroup Q1 without any distribution difference between the azoo/oligozoospermic and normozoospermic groups. This study provided further evidence for the existence of multiple subtypes of gr/gr deletion and indicates that gr/gr-DAZ1/DAZ2 deletion is a significant risk factor. However, the association of the phenotypic variation of gr/gr deletion with Y-chromosomal haplogroups is not definite yet, because of the limited amounts of the deletions observed in each of the haplogroups and the lack of the quantitative trait analyses such as sperm density analysis. The fact that a common gr/gr copy deletion haplotype was found exclusively in the Y hgr Q1, without pathogenic consequences, implies the importance of haplogrouping and of copy deletion typing prior to genetic counselling of deletion carriers of Chinese descent.

[The bionic artificial joint capsule study (1)--mechanics simulation]

In this paper, a three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) model was created for bionic artificial joint with joint capsule. Finite element method (FEM) was used to calculate and simulate mechanics distribution of the joint capsule under different thickness of the joint capsule, different loading, and different angular displacements. The results of the simulation show that the maximum stress is created in the joint area between artificial joint capsule. And the effect of the thickness of the artificial joint capsule on the stress magnitude and distribution is depend on motion model. On standing situation, the maximum stress decreases with the increase of the thickness of joint capsule. However, on walking situation, the maximum stress increases with the increase of the thickness of joint capsule. Whatever conditions simulated, the maximum stress of the artificial joint capsule is not over the limit of the material strength (9.97 megapascals). All the large stress, which gained from the simulation under different situations, locates at the interface between the capsule and the artificial joint. This is because the artificial joint and the capsule transfer loading each other at the interface. At the same time, supporting area of the capsule at the location of the interface is minimum for the whole vesicle. The stress concentration is inevitable at the interface due to the model structure. This result will offer guidance for the optimum joint structure of the capsule and the artificial joint.

Unscheduled CDK1 activity in G1 phase of the cell cycle triggers apoptosis in X-irradiated lymphocytic leukemia cells

Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) is a major component of the cell cycle progression engine. Recently, several investigations provided evidence demonstrating that unscheduled CDK1 activation may also be involved in apoptosis in cancerous cells. In this article, we demonstrate that X-ray irradiation induced G1 arrest in MOLT-4 lymphocytic leukemia cells, the arrest being accompanied by reduction in the activity of CDK2, but increased CDK1 activity and cell apoptosis in the G1 phase. Interestingly, this increase in CDK1 and apoptosis by ionizing radiation was prevented by pretreatment with the CDK1 inhibitor, roscovitine, suggesting that CDK1 kinase activity is required for radiation-induced apoptotic cell death in this model system. Furthermore, cyclin B1 and CDK1 were detected co-localizing and associating in G1 phase MOLT-4 cells, with the cellular lysates from these cells revealing a genotoxic stress-induced increase in CDK1 phosphorylation (Thr-161) and dephosphorylation (Tyr-15), as analyzed by postsorting immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting. Finally, X-irradiation was found to increase Bcl-2 phosphorylation in G1 phase cells. Taken together, these novel findings suggest that CDK1 is activated by unscheduled accumulation of cyclin B1 in G1 phase cells exposed to X-ray, and that CDK1 activation, at the wrong time and in the wrong phase, may directly or indirectly trigger a Bcl-2-dependent signaling pathway leading to apoptotic cell death in MOLT-4 cells.

Expression of adherent molecule and cyclin by ligustrazine in bone marrow of mice with immune-induced aplastic anemia

Mice with immune-induced aplastic anemia (AA) were given 5 mg ligustrazine intraperitoneally twice a day. On the 14th day, the expression of CD49d, CD49c, cyclinD2 in bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNC) was examined by flow cytometry, and VCAM-1 on stromal cells was immunohistochemically measured by Strept Avidin-Biotin Complex (SABC). The expression of CD49d, CD49c, VCAM-1 and cyclinD2 in ligustrazine-treated group was significantly higher than that in AA group (P < 0.01), but the ratio of G0 + G1 phase cells was significantly lower than that in AA group (P < 0.01). The results showed that ligustrazine could improve the expression of adherent molecule and cyclin D2 in the bone marrow of mice with immune-induced aplastic anemia, thereby promoting the growth of hematopoietic cells.

[A contour map segmentation for laser scanning confocal microscopic biomedical images]

We propose a contour map segmentation method for laser scanning confocal microscopic (LSCM) biomedical images. In this method, an image is first segmented into sub-regions by contour map. Then the sub-regions are merged from top to bottom or from bottom to top, according to a segmentation criterion of intensity homogeneity. The merging procedures continue until no region needs to be merged. The advantage of this method is that the objects with wide intensity ranges and different intensity homogeneity can be segmented properly. In this paper, the region segmentation by contour map is first addressed. Next a region merging according to a segmentation criterion of intensity homogeneity is presented, and then the design of a linear intensity homogeneity segmentation criterion is introduced. Two examples of image segmentation by this method are given at the end of this paper.

Cell cycle analysis by cyclin E + A/DNA multiparameter flow cytometry in exponential growth MOLT-4 cells

OBJECTIVE

To establish a new method for analyzing the cell cycle in tumor which is a kind of cell cycle disease.

METHODS

Mixtures of cyclin E and cyclin A antibodies were incubated with fixed MOLT-4 cells, and measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

We developed a cyclin E + A/DNA flow cytometry analysis method, which may distinguish G0, early G1, late G1, S, G2 and M phase cells, rather than three phases in the DNA content histogram.

CONCLUSION

Cyclin E + A/DNA multiparameter flow cytometry can simultaneously differentiate in the same sample six cell groups: G0, early G1, late G1, S, G2 and M phase cells. It performed better than any other cell cycle analysis methods that we have used and has a definite cell biology foundation.

[Green electroluminescence generated from a new rare earth complex: Tb(asprin)3phen]

Pure Green and narrow bandwidth emission from organic electroluminescent device was presented by using a new rare earth complex Tb(asprin)3phen as emissive layer. The structure of the device was ITO/PVK:Tb(asprin)3phen/Al, where PVK was used to improve the film-forming ability and conductivity of Tb(asprin)3phen. The electroluminescent property of the device was studied. It proved that this new kind of rare earth complex has excellent optoluminescent and electroluminescent properties. The electroluminescent mechanism of the device was proposed by measuring and analyzing the emission and excitation spectra of the emissive layer. The excitation spectrum of Tb(asprin)3phen-dispersed PVK film was very similar to that of the PVK. We proposed that the excited carriers of PVK and Tb(asprin)3phen were captured by Tb3+ and light was emitted when the electrons and holes recombined at Tb3+.

[Research and development of standard (DICOM) interface for digital color ultrasound system]

In this paper, the authors, who have the experience in developing DICOM interface for a digital color Doppler ultrasound system, analyze the requirements for a digital ultrasound system DICOM interface, set forth it's design and implementation using object oriented and hierarchy method. Finally, conclusion is given.

[Edge-detection and its application in medical image processing]

Edge-detection is all the time a major problem in the computer early vision, and it plays an important role in image processing. This paper reviews classical and new methods of edge-detection and discusses its application in medical image processing.

[Time for extubation and sequential noninvasive mechanical ventilation in COPD patients with exacerbated respiratory failure who received invasive ventilation]

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the optimal time for extubation and sequential non-invasive mechanical ventilation in COPD patients with exacerbated respiratory failure who received invasive ventilation.

METHODS

24 patients received invasive ventilation for 3 days were randomly assigned to receive noninvasive ventilation (study group) or to continue the weaning process with invasive ventilation (control group). The incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), the incidence of death, the duration of ventilation, the hospitalization were analyzed in two groups.

RESULTS

Between study group and control group, the incidence of VAP was 0/12 vs 7/12, P = 0.027; the incidence of death was 0/12 vs 3/12, P = 0.217; the continued duration of ventilation after invasive ventilation for 3 days was (7 +/- 5) days vs (15 +/- 12) days, P < 0.05; the hospitalization was (16 +/- 6) days vs (25 +/- 12) days, P < 0.05, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In COPD patients with exacerbated respiratory failure who received invasive ventilation, invasive ventilation for 3 days followed by noninvasive ventilation may decrease the incidence of VAP, shorten the duration of ventilation and hospitalization.

Immunophenotyping of lymphocyte T and B in the peripheral blood of systemic lupus erythematosus

The immunophenotyping expression levels of lymphocyte in the peripheral blood from 21 patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were analyzed by using the immunofluorescence labeling-flow cytometry technique to investigate the immunophenotyping expression of lymphocytes T and B in the peripheral blood of active SLE patients and its clinical value. It was showed that, compared with normal controls, the expression of CD3+, CD4+ and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ in the peripheral blood of these patients were decreased (P < 0.01), while the expression of CD8+, CD20+ was significantly increased (P < 0.01). It was suggested that both T and B cells in patients with active SLE involved in immunoregulation, were activated. The abnormal expression of lymphocyte immunophenotyping could influence the immune reaction in SLE patients, which might be one of the important pathogenesis factors in SLE.

The application of CD71 and Hoechst33258 to staining method for sorting fetal nucleated red blood cells in the peripheral blood of pregnant women

OBJECTIVE

To compare mononuclear cells labeled by CD71 single-staining method with CD71 and Hoechst33258(HO258) double-staining one, and sort nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) in peripheral blood in pregnant women by use of the latter method.

METHODS

Mononuclear cells in umbilical blood and peripheral blood in normal pregnant women and patients with mild or moderate pregnant hypertension syndrome were labeled by erythrocyte specific antibody CD71 and nuclear dye HO258. Furthermore, NRBCs were sorted in combination with the use of flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Labeled by CD71 and Hoechst33258 double-staining method, the positive labeling rate of mononuclear cells in umbilical blood and peripheral blood in normal pregnant women and patients with pregnant hypertension syndrome was remarkably lower than that labeled by CD71 single-staining method (t-test, P<0.01). Meanwhile, CD71 and Hoechst33258 double-staining method was successfully used in sorting NRBCs in peripheral blood in pregnant women by flow cytometry.

CONCLUSION

CD71 and HO258 double-staining method could exclude mature erythrocytes, thrombocytes and reticulocytes and this improve NRBCs' specific label and sorting purity.