Classification of temporal lobe epilepsy based on neuropsychological tests and exploration of its underlying neurobiology

ObjectiveTo assist improving long-term postoperative seizure-free rate, we aimed to use machine learning algorithms based on neuropsychological data to differentiate temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) from extratemporal lobe epilepsy (extraTLE), as well as explore the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuropsychological tests.MethodsTwenty-three patients with TLE and 23 patients with extraTLE underwent neuropsychological tests and MRI scans before surgery. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator were firstly employed for feature selection, and a machine learning approach with neuropsychological tests was employed to classify TLE using leave-one-out cross-validation. A generalized linear model was used to analyze the relationship between brain alterations and neuropsychological tests.ResultsWe found that logistic regression with the selected neuropsychological tests generated classification accuracies of 87.0%, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.89. Three neuropsychological tests were acquired as significant neuropsychological signatures for the diagnosis of TLE. We also found that the Right-Left Orientation Test difference was related to the superior temporal and the banks of the superior temporal sulcus (bankssts). The Conditional Association Learning Test (CALT) was associated with the cortical thickness difference in the lateral orbitofrontal area between the two groups, and the Component Verbal Fluency Test was associated with the cortical thickness difference in the lateral occipital cortex between the two groups.ConclusionThese results showed that machine learning-based classification with the selected neuropsychological data can successfully classify TLE with high accuracy compared to previous studies, which could provide kind of warning sign for surgery candidate of TLE patients. In addition, understanding the mechanism of cognitive behavior by neuroimaging information could assist doctors in the presurgical evaluation of TLE

Control design for regulation of blood pressure during postoperative hypertension

In special intensive care environments, automatic control could potentially be a cost effective solution for improving patient monitoring system. Postsurgical hy-pertension causing increase in blood pressure may occur in adult cardiac patients. Blood pressure can be quickly lowered in most patients by continuously infusing vasodilator drugs such as sodium nitroprusside (SNP). The rate of drug infusion is critical, hence requires close attention and frequent adjustment. Manual control by clinical personnel can be very tedious, time consuming and inconsistent. Great caution is required to handle the wide range of sensitivities to the drug, and over-dose of drug could cause serious toxic side effects on the patient. Therefore, there is a need to devise methods such as using control algorithms that can effectively regulate the drugs automatically. In this project, we propose some methods to adapt to different sensitivities and to regulate the desired MAP.Master of Engineerin

Effective Biodegradation of Mycotoxin Patulin by Porcine Pancreatic Lipase

Patulin is a common contaminant in fruits and vegetables, which is difficult to remove. In this study, the biodegradation of patulin using porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) was investigated. The method of HPLC was used to analyze the concentration of patulin. Batch degradation experiments were performed to illustrate the effect of PPL amount, pH, temperature, contact time, and initial concentration. Besides, the degradation product of patulin was characterized by full wavelength scanning and MS technologies. The results showed that the optimum degradation conditions of PPL for patulin was observed at pH 7.5, 40°C for 48 h. The percentage of degradation could reach above 90%. The structure of degradable product of patulin was inferred by the molecular weight 159.0594, named C7H11O4+. It indicated that PPL was effective for the degradation of patulin in fruits and vegetables juice

Provenance analysis of the Late Triassic Yichuan Basin: constraints from zircon U-Pb geochronology

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb dating has been performed on detrital zircons from the Chunshuyao Formation sandstone of Yichuan Basin. The ages of 85 detrital zircon grains are divided into three groups: 252-290 Ma, 1740-2000 Ma, and 2400-2600 Ma. The lack of Early Paleozoic and Neoproterozoic U-Pb ages indicates that there is no input from the Qinling Orogen, because the Qinling Orogen is characterized by Paleozoic and Neoproterozoic material. In combination with previous research, we suggest that the source of the Chunshuyao Formation is most likely recycled from previous sedimentary rocks from the North China Craton. In the Late Triassic, the Funiu ancient land was uplifted which prevented source material from the Qinling Orogen. Owing to the Indosinian orogeny, the strata to the east of the North China Craton were uplifted and eroded. The Yichuan Basin received detrital material from the North China Craton

Chitosan disrupts Penicillium expansum and controls postharvest blue mold of jujube fruit

Chitosan has been shown to be effective for control of postharvest diseases on various fruit. However, little is known about the effect of chitosan on blue mold caused by Penicillium expansum on jujube fruit. Here we show that application of chitosan reduced disease development of blue mold caused by P. expansum in wounded and inoculated jujube fruit at 25 degrees C. Chitosan also provided an inhibitory effect on natural decay of jujube fruit during storage at 0 degrees C. Application of a chitosan coating to fruit had hardly any significant effect on the changes of weight loss, soluble solid contents, titratable acidity, and vitamin C, as storage time increased. To investigate the mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of chitosan against blue mold on jujube fruit, we analyzed the growth of P. expansum after chitosan treatment. Results indicated that spore germination, germ tube length and mycelial growth of P. expansum were significantly inhibited by chitosan in a concentration-dependent mode. Using the fluorescent probe propidium iodide, we found that the plasma membrane of P. expansum collapsed significantly after chitosan treatment. Further observation by electron microscopy revealed that plasma membrane of P. expansum was gradually disrupted after chitosan application. Our data suggest that chitosan may be potentially used for controlling postharvest diseases in jujube fruit without negative effect on fruit quality. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved