Based on force sensing resistor(FSR) sensor, we designed insoles for pressure measurement, which were stable and reliable with a simple structure, and easy to wear and to do outdoor experiments with. So the insoles could be used for gait detection system. The hardware includes plantar pressure sensor array, signal conditioning unit and main circuit unit. The software has the function of data acquisition, signal processing, feature extraction and classification function. We collected 27 groups of gait data of a healthy person based on this system to analyze the data and study pressure distribution under various gait features, i.e. walking on the flat ground, uphill, downhill, up the stairs, and down the stairs. These five gait patterns for pattern recognition and classification by K-nearest neighbors (KNN) recognition algorithm reached up to 90% accuracy. This preliminarily verified the usefulness of the system.
Two vectors were used to construct the recombinant gene yeast cell that can be used to bioassay of the pollution of tetracycline antibiotics in the environment. In the expression vector, the GPD (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) promoter was used to drive the gene expression of tetracycline repressor protein (TR) fused with V5 antigen epitope gene, while in the reporter vector, the tetracycline response element (TRE) was used to regulate Lac Z report gene expression. The specificity and the sensitivity of the recombinant gene yeast cell were evaluated respectively by different concentrations of tetracycline antibiotics and non-tetracycline antibiotics. The results showed that there were significant dose effect relationships between the tetracycline antibiotics and the yeast cells, while non-tetracycline antibiotics showed no dose effect relationships with this biosensor. It is illustrated that the recombinant yeast cells can be used to monitor the tetracycline antibiotic pollution on the environment.
Objective To determine the efficacy of D980-nm laser in dissolving fat and renewing skin, and to explore the clinical application of D980-nm laser in reconstruction of photodamaged skin. Methods Eighteen 12-14 month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 400-450 g, were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=6). The rat skin at the left side was exposed to D980-nm laser irradiation at a density of 20 J/cm2, a power of 8 W, a pulse width of 20 ms, and a pulse frequency of 40 Hz for 1 time (group A), 2 times of 5-minute interval (group B), and 3 times of 5-minute interval (group C) as a treatment course, for 4 treatment courses with an interval of 1 week; the other side of the skin was not treated as the control groups (groups A1, B1, and C1, respectively). After 8 weeks, the skin was harvested for HE staining and immunohistochemical staining to observe the structure changes of skin, to measure the dermal thickness, to count the number of fibroblasts, and detect the expressions of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Results Compared with groups A1, B1, and C1, the skin structure was significantly improved in groups A, B, and C. After D980-nm laser irradiation, the number of fat cells decreased; local angiogenesis was observed; the total number of fibroblasts and fibers increased; the collagen fiber had large diameter, and arranged closely and regularly; the dermal thickness and the number of the fibroblasts increased; and the expressions of TGF-β1 and bFGF were significantly enhanced, showing significant differences (P<0.05). With increased D980-nm laser irradiation times, the above indexes increased, showing significant differences between group C and groups A, B (P<0.05). Conclusion D980-nm laser treatment has lipolytic and tender effect on the skin, and the frequency of the treatment is an important factor in skin renewal.
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of hesperdin (HDN) on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver injury in mice. MethodsForty-eight male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into six groups:normal group, model group, HDN (the doses respectively were 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg) group and bifendate group. The HDN group was separately intragastrically given different doses of hesperidin for ten days. The bifendate group was given bifendate. Acute liver injury was induced by injecting APAP (150 mg/kg) in all mice except those in the normal group. After 16 hours, all mice were sacrificed. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured. The contents of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver homogenates were determined. Pathological changes in hepatic tissue were observed under an optical microscope. The expression of high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) in hepatic tissue was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. ResultsHDN could significantly reduce serum ALT, AST, liver homogenate MDA levels, improve liver tissue GSH activity and the liver injury was lightened. By RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, it showed that HDN could inhibit the releasing and expression of HMGB1. ConclusionHDN protects mice from acetaminophen-induced liver injury possibly via mechanisms related to inhibition of the expression and releasing of HMGB1.