Emotion recognition will be prosperious in multifarious applications, like distance education, healthcare, and human-computer interactions, etc. Emotions can be recognized from the behavior signals such as speech, facial expressions, gestures or the physiological signals such as electroencephalogram and electrocardiogram. Contrast to other methods, the physiological signals based emotion recognition can achieve more objective and effective results because it is almost impossible to be disguised. This paper introduces recent advancements in emotion research using physiological signals, specified to its emotion model, elicitation stimuli, feature extraction and classification methods. Finally the paper also discusses some research challenges and future developments.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) via Luxor retractor associated with Mantis pedicle screw for the treatment of moderate or severe lumbar spondylol isthesis (LSL). MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the cl inical data of 32 patients with LSL treated with TLIF via Luxor retractor associated with Mantis pedicle screw between June 2010 and June 2012. There were 20 males and 12 females, with the mean age of 48 years (range, 36-69 years). LSL occurred at the L4, 5 in 17 patients and at the L5, S1 in 15 patients. Of them, 18 cases were rated as Meyerding grade Ⅱ, and 14 cases as grade Ⅲ. The disease duration was 8 months to 6 years (mean, 3.5 years). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and preoperative and postoperative (1 week and 1 year) intervertebral height and sl ipping angle were recorded, and the sl ipping rate was calculated; Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was used for cl inical efficacy assessment. ResultsThe operation time was 90-130 minutes (mean, 110 minutes); intraoperative blood loss was 120-300 mL (mean, 210 mL). Incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 24-36 months (mean, 28 months), and no complications of leakage of cerebrospinal fluid and nerve root injury occurred; X-ray films showed satisfactory reduction of spondylolisthesis and good position of pedicle screw and interbody fusion cage. The mean bone fusion time was 4.0 months (range, 3.8-6.0 months). The JOA score, sl i pping rate, sl i pping angle, and intervertebral height at 1 week and 1 year after operation were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between at 1 week and at 1 year after operation (P>0.05). ConclusionTLIF via Luxor retractor associated with Mantis pedicle screw fixation is a safe and effective minimally invasive technique in treating moderate or severe LSL.
ObjectiveTo summarize the relevant studies of pharmacological mechanism of tamoxifen and its influence on ovary function in order to provide information and evidence for the therapy of breast cancer. MethodsPapers published from January 1950 to January 2014, were retrieved in MedLine, OVID, CBM, CNKI databases using the keywords on tamoxifen, drug metabolism, ovary, sex hormone, etc, 1286 papers were retrieved in English literatures, and 621 in Chinese literatures. Criteria of paper adoption:①The clinical and basic studies about metabolism of tamoxifen, metabolic effect of tamoxifen, and gene polymorphism of CYP2D6.②The role played by estrogen receptor and protein cofactors in tamoxifen effect.③The clinical and basic studies about tamoxifen induced ovulation, caused endometrial thickening, changed sex hormone levels. According to the above criteria, 152 papers were selected, and 77 papers out of them were finally analyzed and reviewed. Results①The tamoxifen metabolite 4-OH-N-tamoxifen was the main working component, the decreased levels could predict the poor prognosis.②The CYP2D6 gene polymorphism could affect the metabolic effect of tamoxifen and the therapeutic effect of patients with breast cancer.③The metabolic effect of tamoxifen needed the participation of the estrogen receptors and protein cofactors.④Tamoxifen could affect the reproductive system function through the estrogen receptor of H-P-O axis, ovary, and endometrium. ConclusionsMetabolic effect of tamoxifen is regulated by gene, it could affect reproductive system functions through estrogen receptor. the mechanism that tamoxifen cowld affect the hormone levels and wherther it could reflect the ovarian function by monitering the hormone levels continuously for patients with breast cancer need to be researched.
ObjectiveTo assesse the effectiveness of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with Cage alone in treating multi-level cervical degenerative disease. MethodsBetween August 2010 and August 2012, 62 eligible patients with multi-level cervical degenerative disease were treated, and the clinical data were reviewed. Of 62 patients, 32 underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with Cage alone (group A), and 30 underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with plate fixation (group B). Both groups showed no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, lesion types, and affected segments (P>0.05), it had comparability. Clinical outcomes were assessed using Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and visual analogue scale (VAS) score; the fused segment height, subsidence rates of Cages, global cervical lordosis, and fusion rates were also compared. ResultsThe operation time of group B[(109.7±11.2) minutes] was significantly more than group A[(87.8±6.9) minutes] (t=-2.259, P=0.037). Primary healing of incisions was obtained in all patients of 2 groups. All patients were followed up; the follow-up period ranged from 8 to 27 months (mean, 15.8 months) in group A, and from 9 to 28 months (mean, 16.4 months) in group B. There was no complication and internal fixation failure. The JOA score and VAS score were significantly improved at last follow-up when compared with preoperative scores in 2 groups (P<0.05). According to Robinson standard for axial symptom severity, the results were excellent in 20 cases, good in 9, fair in 2, and poor in 1, with an excellent and good rate of 90.63% in group A; the results were excellent in 19 cases, good in 7, fair in 3, and poor in 1, with an excellent and good rate of 86.67% in group B; and no significant difference was found between 2 groups (χ2=0.765, P=0.382). The fused segment height at immediate after operation and at last follow-up and global cervical lordosis at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones in 2 groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between groups A and B in the Cage subsidence height[(1.4±0.9) mm vs. (1.2±1.6) mm], Cage subsidence rate[9.52% (8/84) vs. 7.59% (6/79)], and fusion rate[95.24% (80/84) vs. 96.20% (76/79)]. ConclusionAnterior cervical discectomy and fusion with Cage alone can obtain good clinical results and radiologic indexes, avoid plate-related complications and reduce operation time. It is a safe and effective surgical option in the treatment of multi-level cervical degenerative disease.
ObjectiveTo analyze the effectiveness of a new type of decellularized allogeneic bone in the application of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 73 patients with single segmental cervical spondylosis treated with ACDF between January 2009 and December 2013. Of 73 cases, autologous iliac bone was used in 22 cases (group A), new decellularized allogeneic bone transplantation (Bio-Gene) in 22 cases (group B), and normal allogeneic bone (Xin Kang Chen) in 24 cases (group C). There was no significant difference in gender, age, type of cervical spondylosis, course of disease, and involved segment among 3 groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and complications were compared between groups; X-ray films and CT images were taken to observe the bone fusion, and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was used to assess the clinical efficacy. ResultsThe operation time and intraoperative blood loss of group A were significantly more than those of groups B and C (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between groups B and C (P>0.05). Pain and numbness at donor site occurred in 12 cases, and poor healing in 1 case of group A; red swelling and exudate were observed in 1 case of group B and in 6 cases of group C; and there was significant difference in complications among 3 groups (χ2=18.82, P=0.00). All patients were followed up 6-54 months (mean, 30 months). The graft fusion rate was 100% in groups A and B, and was 95.8% in group C, showing no significant difference (χ2=2.04, P=0.36). The JOA score at 6 months after operation were significantly improved when compared with preoperative score in 3 groups (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found among the 3 groups at preoperation and 6 months after operation (P>0.05). The excellent and good rates of groups A, B, and C were 90.9%, 88.9%, and 87.5% respectively, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.14, P=0.93). ConclusionNew type of decellularized allogeneic bone in ACDF has the advantages of shorter operation time, less blood loss, and better early effectiveness. But whether there is a chronic rejection or delayed rejection needs further studies.
ObjectiveTo explore an optimized protocol of decellularization to fabricate an ideal scaffold derived from porcine skeletal muscle acellular matrix. MethodsSerial-step protocol of homogenating-milling-detergent method was used to fabricate decellularized porcine muscle tissue (DPMT) derived from native porcine skeletal muscle tissue from adult pig waist. Histological method was used to assess the effects of decellularization and degreasing. Sirius red staining was used to analyze collagen components. Scanning electron microscopy, BCA assay, and PicoGreen assay were used to evaluate the ultrastructure, total protein content, and DNA content in DPMT. The adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs), NIH3T3 cells, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured in extraction liquor of DPMT in different concentrations for 1, 3, and 5 days, then the relative growth rate was calculated with cell counting kit 8 to assess the toxicity in vitro. Live/dead cell staining was used to evaluate the cytocompatibility by seeding HUVECs on the surface of DPMT and co-cultured in vitro for 3 days. For in vivo test, DPMT was subcutaneously implanted at dorsal site of male specific-pathogen free Sprague Dawley rats and harvested after 3, 7, 14, and 28 days. Gross obersvation was done and transverse diameter of remained DPMT in vivo was determined. HE staining and immunohistochemical staining of CD31 were used to assess inflammatory response and new capillary rings formation. ResultsDecellularization of the porcine skeletal muscle tissue by homogenating-milling-detergent serial steps protocol was effective, time-saving, and simple, which could be finished within only 1 day. The decellularizarion and degreasing effect of DPMT was complete. The main component of DPMT was collagen type I and type IV. The DNA content in DPMT was (15.902±1.392) ng/mg dry weight, the total protein content was 68.94% of DPMT dry weight, which was significantly less than those of fresh skeletal muscle tissue[(140.727±10.422) ng/mg and 93.14%] (P<0.05). The microstructure of DPMT was homogeneous and porous. The result of cytocompatibility revealed that the cytotoxicity of DPMT was 0-1 grade, and HUVECs could stably grow on DPMT. In vivo study revealed DPMT could almost maintain its structural integrity at 14 days and it degraded completely at 28 days after implantation. The inflammatory response peaked at 3 days after implantation, and reduced obviously at 7 days. Difference was significant in the number of inflammatory cells between 2 time points (P<0.05). Neovascularization was observed at 7 days after implantation and the number of new vessels increased at 14 days, showing significant difference between at 7 and 14 days (P<0.05). ConclusionThe homogenating-milling-detergent serial-steps protocol is effective, time-saving, and reproducible. The DPMT reveals to be cell and lipid free, with highly preserved protein component. DPMT has good biocompatibility both in vitro and in vivo and may also have potential in promoting neovascularization.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) combined with Coflex interspinous process dynamic reconstruction system for the treatment of youth lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Methods The clinical data of 52 patients with LDH treated by PTED combined with Coflex were retrospectively analyzed between February 2013 and March 2015. The involved segments were L4, 5 in 30 cases and L5, S1 in 22 cases. In 30 patients at L4, 5 level, there were 18 males and 12 females with an average age of 25 years (range, 18-34 years) and a mean disease duration of 10 months (range, 6-16 months). In 22 patients at L5, S1 level, there were 10 males and 12 females with an average age of 25.5 years (range, 19-32 years) and a mean disease duration of 12 months (range, 6-18 months). The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. Oswestry disability index (ODI) and Japanese Orthpoaedic Association (JOA) score were used for effectiveness assessment. Radiograpic indexes were calculated on X-ray films before operation and final follow-up, including ventral intervertebral space height (VH), dorsal intervertebral space height (DH), intervertebral foramen height (IFH), the range of motion (ROM) of involved segment, and the ROM of upper adjacent segment. Results The operations were successfully completed in 52 patients. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were (89.7±16.5) minutes and (42.7±11.3) mL in patients at L4, 5 level, and were (94.6±18.2) minutes and (47.6±13.4) mL in patients at L5, S1 level. Incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-18 months (mean,16 months) in patients at L4, 5 level and 12-20 months (mean, 17 months) in patients at L5, S1 level. At final follow-up, ODI, and JOA score were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones in all patients (P<0.05). X-ray films showed no complication of Coflex loosening, spinous process fracture, or articular process fracture occurred. At final follow-up, VH, DH, and IFH were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones in all patients (P<0.05), and the ROM of involved segment was significantly reduced compared with preoperative one (P<0.05), but the ROM of upper adjacent segment showed no significant difference when compared with preoperative one (P>0.05). Conclusion PTED combined with Coflex is a safe and effective minimally invasive surgery in treating youth LDH; however, it still needs further clinical studies.