Spectrum of the nonstationary electromyographic signal modelled with integral pulse frequency modulation and its application to estimating neural drive information

The spectrum of nonstationary electromyographic signal (EMG) is investigated, from which the error for neural drive information estimation from nonstationary EMG is studied in terms of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), in analytical, numerical simulation, and experimental work. The signal refers to the neural drive information embedded within the nonstationary EMG, and noise refers to other portions of EMG that induce error in the estimation. The analytical expressions for the SNRs of force-modulated EMG with both single and multiple motor units (MU) are derived based on a sinusoidal integral pulse frequency modulation (IPFM) model. It is shown that the previously developed SNR expressions for stationary (unmodulated) EMG are special cases of the formulas presented here. The SNR results obtained from numerical simulated EMG agree very well with the analytical result. Results from nonstationary (modulated) surface EMG obtained from seven subjects also match the analytical and simulation results reasonably well. The results obtained from this work establish an analytical framework in studying and estimating the neural drive information contained in the EMG in the context of anisotonic and isometric contractions. Through the analytical study, the effects of different physiological parameters are identified, thus providing theoretical guidelines for developing advanced signal processing methods for nonstationary EMG in applications such as prosthesis control.     

Effects of stimulation frequency versus pulse duration modulation on muscle fatigue.

During functional electrical stimulation (FES), both the frequency and intensity can be increased to increase muscle force output and counteract the effects of muscle fatigue. Most current FES systems, however, deliver a constant frequency and only vary the stimulation intensity to control muscle force. This study compared muscle performance and fatigue produced during repetitive electrical stimulation using three different strategies: (1) constant pulse-duration and stepwise increases in frequency (frequency-modulation); (2) constant frequency and stepwise increases in pulse-duration (pulse-duration-modulation); and (3) constant frequency and pulse-duration (no-modulation). Surface electrical stimulation was delivered to the quadriceps femoris muscles of 12 healthy individuals and isometric forces were recorded. Muscle performance was assessed by measuring the percent changes in the peak forces and force-time integrals between the first and the last fatiguing trains. Muscle fatigue was assessed by measuring percent declines in peak force between the 60Hz pre- and post-fatigue testing trains. The results showed that frequency-modulation showed better performance for both peak forces and force-time integrals in response to the fatiguing trains than pulse-duration-modulation, while producing similar levels of muscle fatigue. Although frequency-modulation is not commonly used during FES, clinicians should consider this strategy to improve muscle performance.     

Evaluation of respiratory modulation on the pulse wave amplitude in low-birth-weight neonate.

A slow oscillation of sympathetic vasoconstriction (Mayer waves) which is affected by the respiratory movements seems to appear as the fluctuation of pulse wave amplitude (PPG.P-P) in the frequency domain (0.1 Hz). Whether the vasomotor in low frequency has appeared in the pulse wave of the neonate and whether Mayer waves appear as the pulse wave oscillation of the immature low-birth-weight neonate are not fully understood from the point of autonomic nerve regulation mechanism. We therefore analyzed the frequency characteristics of PPG.P-P, respiration wave and its amplitude (RW.P-P) together with the heart rate variability (HRV) to examine the relationships between the frequency spectra.     

Interrelation between arterial pressure and speed of the pulse wave spreading

To describe the dependence of arterial pressure on the speed of spreading of pulse wave, an curvilinear regression equation with two constants was proposed. The causes of the discrepancy in the dependences reported in literature are discussed.     

Equivalence between "feeling the pulse" on the human wrist and the pulse pressure wave at fingertip

Feeling the pulse on the wrist is the regular diagnostic method in traditional Chinese medicine. However it is natural to ask whether there is any difference between feeling the pulse on the wrist or at any other part of the body: such as the fingertips at which it is easily measured by electronic devices. We employ a series of neural networks to model blood pressure propagation from the wrist to the fingertip. In order to avoid the problem of over-fitting we apply information theoretic criterion to determine the optimal model in these networks and then apply surrogate data method to the residuals in this model. We demonstrate the application of this method to recordings of human pulse in six subjects. Our result indicates that there is no significant difference between pulse waveform measure on the lateral arterial artery (wrist) and at the fingertip.     

Metaphase I bound arms and crossing over frequency in rye

Using a Giemsa C-banding procedure it has been possible to identify at meiosis three chromosome pairs of a local Spanish rye cultivar. Two of these chromosomes (3 and 5) were heterozygous for an interstitial C-band in the long arm and the other (chromosome 7) was heterozygous for a telomeric C-band, also in the long arm. From the frequency of being bound at metaphase I and the frequency of recombined chromatids at anaphase I in the arms considered, estimates of actual chiasma frequencies have been derived. The results have been compared with those obtained in a Fl between two inbred lines. It is concluded that: (i) Although the frequency of bound arms analyzed was similar in all cases, the chiasma frequency was higher in the cultivar than in the Fl plants. Cultivar plants showed a variation in chiasma frequency for the bivalent arms studied which was correlated with the frequency of bound arms per cell, indicating that the estimation for chiasma frequency by means of bound arm frequency has an error that increases with increasing number of bound arms per cell, (ii) Evidence of chiasma terminalization has not been found, (iii) It is suggested that the different rye chromosomes have different chiasma localization patterns, which, in turn, are related with the chiasma frequency.     

Computation of aortic pulse wave velocity and aortic pulse wave velocity and aortic extensibility from pressure gradient measurements.

This study is concerned with the computation of aortic pulse wave velocity based on simultaneous recordings of the aortic pressure gradient and first-time derivative of aortic pressure. These variables were recorded by means of a double-lumen catheter introduced in the aorta of four anesthetized closed chest dogs, and connected to critically damped manometer systems. Results of aortic pulse wave velocity were then compared: (i) to the true phase velocity obtained from spectra of apparent phase velocity, and (ii) to the pulse wave velocity computed from the time shift between maximum slopes of the pressure wave. From the aortic valves to 37 cm down the aortic trunk, pulse wave velocity increased from 410-460 cm/s to approximately 600-800 cm/s. Based on the wave propagation equation presented of Bramwell and Hill (Bramwell, J.C., and Hill, A. V. 1922. Proc. R. Soc. 93, 298-306), volumetric extensibility coefficients were computed from pulse wave velocity data. Results indicated that, from the aortic valves to 37 cm down to the aorta, the mean volumetric extensibility decreased from 0.43-0.56% deltaV/cm H2O to 0.16-0.25% deltaV/cm H2O (1 cm H2O = 94.1 N/m2).     

Comparison between single and three portal laparoscopic splenectomy in dogs

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is a newly growing technique to replace a more invasive conventional multiple portal laparoscopic surgery. The objective of this study was to compare single (SILS) with three portal (Conventional) laparoscopic splenectomy in dogs. Mongrel dogs (n = 18), weighting 15 +/- 3 kg, were selected for this study (n = 12 SILS; n = 6 conventional). The area from xiphoid to pubis was prepared under aseptic conditions in dorsal recumbency with the head down and tilted 30 degree in the right lateral position. Pneumoperitoneum was established by CO2 using an automatic high flow pressure until achieving 12 mm Hg. Instrumentation used consisted of curved flexible-tip 5 mm Maryland forceps and ultracision harmonic scalpel for sealing and cutting of the vessels and splenic attachments. RESULTS: All dogs recovered uneventfully. The splenectomy procedure using SILS and conventional methods were significantly different in the respective operative time (29.1 +/- 1.65 vs. 42.0 + 2.69 min) and the length of the surgical scar (51.6 +/- 1.34 mm vs. 72.0 +/- 1.63 mm; P < 0.001). There were no post-operative wound complication including inflammation, infection, hernia formation and dehiscence up to one month after surgery. Meanwhile, the conversion to open surgery or application of additional portals was not required in both approaches. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that SILS is a safe and feasible operation and could be used as an alternative approach to three portal (Conventional) for splenectomy in dog.     

Comparison of frequency distributions of doubled haploid and single seed descent lines in barley

Summary Both doubled haploid (DH) and single seed descent (SSD) methods were used to derive homozygous lines from two crosses of barley. The frequency distributions of grain yield, heading date, and plant height of the DH and SSD lines were compared by the Mann-Whitney U test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov twosample test and Wald-Wolfowitz runs test. It was found that the DH lines distributed in the same manner as the SSD lines with respect to the three characters. The results indicated that although the SSD method had more opportunity for recombination than the DH method, it did not produce a sample of recombinants which differed significantly from the DH sample; thus both methods were equally efficient for use in deriving homozygous lines from F₁ hybrids in a relatively short time.Contribution no. 455 Charlottetown Research Station, Agriculture Canada, P.E.I. (Canada)     

年轻健康正常人单次精准功率运动前后脉搏波波形特征个体化分析研究*

目的: 观察研究年轻健康正常人的静息桡动脉脉搏波特征及单次个体化运动后脉搏波的变化情况。方法: 选取阜外医院年轻健康、无任何疾病诊断的正常人16例,首先完成症状限制性极限心肺运动试验（CPET）,根据CPET计算Δ50%功率为个体化精准运动强度,完成持续30 min的单次运动。于运动前和运动后10 min、20 min、30 min分别测量50 s桡动脉脉搏波,先用软件自动定点再人工复检得到每个脉搏波特征点：起始点（B）、主波波峰点（P1）、重搏波波谷点（PL）、重搏波波峰点（P2）、结束点（E）,从仪器中导出各点对应的横坐标（时间T）和纵坐标（幅值Y）的原始数据,将上一个脉搏波的结束点E视为下一个波的起始点B,TB归零,得到主要观察指标：YB、YP1、YPL、YP2及TP1、TPL、TP2、TE,并计算出ΔYP1（YP1-YB）、ΔYPL（YPL-YB）、ΔYP2（YP2-YB）,TE-TPL、（TE-TPL）/TPL、脉率,S1（主波升支斜率）、S2（重搏波升支斜率）,ΔYP2-ΔYPL、TP2-TPL作为次要观察指标;定义波峰明显的重搏波为YP2>YPL,计算波峰明显的重搏波出现率（50 s内YP2>YPL的波形个数/波形总个数×100%）;对每位患者运动前后的50 s脉搏波数据个体化分析,再将所有数据求均值进行整体分析。结果: ①16例年轻健康受试者（男10女6）,年龄（30.6±6.4,24~48）岁;身高（170.4±8.2, 160~188）cm;体质量（63.9±12.8, 43~87）kg。②静息时YB（87.2±5.8,78.1~95.9）、YP1（223.5±15.8,192.7~242.3）、YPL（122.8±7.8,110.0~133.8）、YP2（131.4±4.9,116.7~137.5）、TP1（126.2±42.2,94.2~280.0）、TPL（360.2±44.8,311.5~507.3）、TP2（432.4±50.8,376.2~589.0）、TE（899.7±86.9,728.3~1042.0）;ΔYP1（136.3±19.9,96.8~158.6）、ΔYPL（35.7±10.7,16.0~55.7）、ΔYP2（44.3±8.1,22.5~56.5）、TE-TPL（539.5±79.3,405.9~691.3）、（TE-TPL）/TPL（1.5±0.3,0.8~2.0）、脉率（67.3±6.6,57.6~82.4）、S1（1.1±0.2,0.6~1.4）、S2（0.1±0.1,0.0~0.2）、ΔYP2-ΔYPL（8.6±6.1,0.9 ~19.8）、TP2-TPL（72.3±19.9,38.3~108.4）。③运动后10 min, YPL（97.0±13.2比122.8±7.8）、YP2（109.6±12.8比131.4±4.9）、ΔYPL（6.6±9.8比35.7±10.7）、ΔYP2（19.3±11.2比44.3±8.1）显著减小,TE（667.8±123.1比899.7±86.9）、TE-TPL（330.2±128.4比539.5±79.3）、（TE-TPL）/TPL（1.0±0.4比1.5±0.3）显著减小,而脉率（92.2±14.0比67.3±6.6）、ΔYP2-ΔYPL（12.7±9.7比8.6±6.1）、 TP2-TPL（98.0±38.1比72.3±19.9）显著增大（P均<0.05）。运动后20 min和30 min的脉搏波变化趋势与运动后10 min保持一致,但从20 min开始大部分指标逐渐向运动前静息水平恢复。④静息时16例正常人波峰明显的重搏波出现率为94.5%,运动后10 min（96.3%）、20 min（98.5%）、30 min（99.8%）的出现率升高（P均<0.01）。其中10例运动前后波峰明显的重搏波出现率均维持在100%左右;2例运动前出现率已达100%,但运动后10 min有所降低,后又继续升高,30 min时恢复到100%;3例静息出现率偏低,运动后升高近100%;还有1例仅运动后20 min出现率偏低,考虑人为因素影响。结论: 运动对正常人脉搏波的影响主要体现在重搏波上;整体上看,单次精准功率运动后,重搏波位置降低、幅度加深,波峰明显的重搏波出现率普遍提高,且这种改变至少能维持30 min;从个体上看,每位受试者的反应又有所不同。     

Evidence that changes in LH pulse frequency may regulate the seasonal modulation of LH secretion in ovariectomized mares

To determine whether tonic LH secretion in ovariectomized mares is characterized by pulsatile release, frequent blood samples (every 15 min) were collected from 5 ovariectomized horse mares in nine 8-h periods between February and May. Mean serum LH concentrations increased 9-fold and were associated with a 4-fold increase in mean LH pulse frequency. These results provide the first evidence of pulsatile LH release in ovariectomized mares and suggest that the increasing daylengths of the spring months may increase serum LH by increasing LH pulse frequency.     

Comparison of automated and manual techniques for analysis of DNA frequency distributions in bladder washings

Quantitative methods for interpretation of flow cytometry DNA histograms are required for the widespread clinical use of this technology. The usefulness of a histogram analysis technique in this setting requires that it be operator independent, easy to implement in a clinical laboratory, and provide high sensitivity to the desired information. Additionally, the technique must be tolerant of the relatively low signal-to-noise ratios often found in DNA distributions obtained from clinical samples. Among the factors that have been used to assess the malignant potential of tumors are the presence of an aneuploid population, the proportion of hyperdiploid cells, the width of the G1 peak, the DNA index, and the fraction of cells in S. A computer-based method has been developed for extraction of the above-mentioned features from DNA histograms. The program detects peaks in the histogram and uses straight-line fits to the cumulative frequency distribution to define cell population bounds. A test set of 44 histograms compiled from bladder irrigation specimens obtained from patients with a present or past history of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) was analyzed by five collaborating laboratories forming a Network sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). This test set was used to evaluate the performance of the computer-based method by comparing results with those of four expert observers. In this preliminary analysis, perfect agreement was found in the detection of aneuploid cell populations by all observers and the computer-based method. Correlation of percent hyperdiploid cell fraction was also excellent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Integral dose: Comparison between four techniques for prostate radiotherapy

Aim

Comparisons of integral dose delivered to the treatment planning volume and to the whole patient body during stereotactic, helical and intensity modulated radiotherapy of prostate.

Background

Multifield techniques produce large volumes of low dose inside the patient body. Delivered dose could be the result of the cytotoxic injuries of the cells even away from the treatment field. We calculated the total dose absorbed in the patient body for four radiotherapy techniques to investigate whether some methods have a potential to reduce the exposure to the patient.

Materials and methods

We analyzed CyberKnife plans for 10 patients with localized prostate cancer. Five alternative plans for each patient were calculated with the VMAT, IMRT and TomoTherapy techniques. Alternative dose distributions were calculated to achieve the same coverage for PTV. Integral Dose formula was used to calculate the total dose delivered to the PTV and whole patient body.

Results

Analysis showed that the same amount of dose was deposited to the treated volume despite different methods of treatment delivery. The mean values of total dose delivered to the whole patient body differed significantly for each treatment technique. The highest integral dose in the patient''s body was at the TomoTherapy and CyberKnife treatment session. VMAT was characterized by the lowest integral dose deposited in the patient body.

Conclusions

The highest total dose absorbed in normal tissue was observed with the use of a robotic radiosurgery system and TomoTherapy. These results demonstrate that the exposure of healthy tissue is a dosimetric factor which differentiates the dose delivery methods.     

Comparison between two techniques for endometrial swab culture and between biopsy and culture in barren mares

The endometria of 77 barren mares was swabbed simultaneously using a swab guarded with a single cannula and distal, gelatin capsule (completely guarded swab - CGS) and a partially guarded swab (PGS) with an open cannula. Sheep blood (5%) agar plates were inoculated with each swab, while MacConkey's agar plates were inoculated with the swabs from 44 mares. The presence of bacterial or fungal growth was determined after 24 and 48 hours of aerobic incubation at 37 C. Organisms present were identified, counted, and categorized as saprophytic or pathogenic flora. The endometria of all mares were biopsied immediately following swabbing. Histologic evidence of inflammation in biopsy specimens was classified as (1) none, (2) slight, discrete, focal, and (3) slight or moderate, diffuse, widespread infiltration of inflammatory cells. The number of inflammatory cells migrating through the luminal epithelium was counted and averaged. There were significantly fewer CGS than PGS cultures that yielded growth at 24 and 48 hours of incubation after being streaked on blood agar and MacConkey's agar plates. There were fewer pathogenic bacterial or fungal colonies present at 48 hours of incubation on blood agar plates after being streaked with CGS as compared to PGS. There were no differences in the number of pathogenic bacterial or fungal colonies present at 24 hours of incubation on blood agar or at 24 and 48 hours of incubation on MacConkey's agar plates. There was no correlation between CGS or PGS culture of pathogens and severity of histologic inflammation. There was a positive correlation between culture of pathogens and number of inflammatory cells migrating through the luminal epithelium.