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Background Advances in the understanding of wrinkling crow's feet while improving the safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin type A injection has pointed to drug dispersion in the lateral orbital wrinkles as a cause of adverse events of botulinum toxin type A injection. The purpose of this study is to identify the distribution of temporal and zygomatic branches of facial nerve in the orbicularis oculi muscles. Methods Anatomical dissection of cadavers was performed in 31 cadavers, 13 females and 18 males, with ages ranging from 20 to 60 years, which of all had been embalmed by 10% formalin solution. The facial nerve was identified within subcutaneous tissue close periorbital region and both traced proximal and distal. Its temporal branch, zygomatic branch, facial and muscular entrance were located and accurately measured relative to established surface landmarks. Results Dissection of the facial nerve revealed 2 to 6 entrances of the temporal branch into the orbicularis oculi and 1 to 5 entrances of the zygomatic branch into the orbicularis oculi. Concerning the measurements of neural entering points, distance and angle from orbicularis oculi muscle to lateral ocular angle, a distribution map of its muscular entrance and their patterns of distribution were constructed. According to the dense area of the coordinate map, there were 3 points determined as the muscular entrance points to established surface landmarks. Conclusions An anatomical dissection of cadavers was performed to identify the distribution of temporal and zygomatic branches of the facial nerve in the orbicularis oculi. According to the dense area of the coordinate map, the surface landmarks of 3 points were established as the muscular entrance of the facial nerve (MEF).

The Liwu copper polymetallic deposits are located in the Jianglang Tectonic Dome in the southeastern Songpan-Ganzi Fold Belt. The deposits contain more than 0.8 million tonnes (Mt) of Cu, 0.5 Mt of Zn, 133 t of Ag and 1300 t of Co. However, the detailed geologic features, formation ages and metallogeny of these deposits remain poorly understood. Our new analyses indicate that the Liwu-type copper polymetallic deposits (LTCPD) are epigenetic hydrothermal deposits. The major copper polymetallic orebodies were emplaced in the Late Jurassic (ca. 151.1 ± 4.8 Ma), approximately 4–2.5 Myr later than the local granites (ca. 160.9 ± 1.0 Ma–159.3 ± 0.9 Ma). The ores show variable Pb isotopic compositions, with initial 206 Pb/ 204 Pb ratios of 18.048–18.420, 207 Pb/ 204 Pb ratios of 15.595–15.724, and 208 Pb/ 204 Pb ratios of 38.335–38.795, similar to those of local plutons but significantly lower than those of the ore-hosting rocks. The ore-associated tourmalines are dravitic and relatively homogeneous and exhibit similar δ 11 B values (between −15.47 ± 0.83 and −5.91 ± 0.67 ‰). These geological and Pb-B isotopic features suggest that the deposits at Liwu have a post-magmatic hydrothermal origin, similar to the stratiform skarn deposit. The major ore-forming source is dominantly related to the coeval upper crust-derived magmatism in the region.

A simple, reliable and rapid isocratic liquid chromatography (LC)-mass spectrometric detection (MS) coupled with electrospray ionization (ESI) method for simultaneous separation and determination of calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, ononin, calycosin and formonometin in Astragali Radix was developed. After the samples were extracted with ethanol, the optimum separation conditions for these analytes were achieved using water and acetonitrile (70:30, v/v) containing 0.2% (v/v) acetic acid as a mobile phase and a 2.0 mm×150 mm Hypersil-Keystone C18 column. Selective ion monitoring (SIM) mode and [M+H]+ ions at m/z 447, 431, 285 and 269 were used for quantitative analysis of four main active components above mentioned. The calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.4−175.0 μg/mL for calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, 0.2−146.0 μg/mL for ononin, 0.4−210.0 μg/mL for calycosin and 0.5−217.0 μg/mL for formonetion, respectively. The limits of quantification (LOQ) and detection (LOD) were 0.4 μg/mL and 0.08 μg/mL for calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, 0.2 μg/mL and 0.06 μg/mL for ononin, 0.4 μg/mL and 0.1 μg/mL for calycosin, 0.5 μg/mL and 0.1 μg/mL formonetion, respectively. The standard recoveries were in the range of 96.5%−104.7%. The developed method has successfully been used for the determination of four main flavonoids in Astragali Radix from various sources and can be used for identification, differentiation and quality evaluation of Astragali Radix.

Analysis of the volatile components in Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb with heuristic evolving latent projections (HELP) was presented. After extracted with water distillation method, the volatile components were detected by GCMS. Then the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the volatile components was completed with HELP resolving two-dimensional original data into mass spectra and chromatograms. 62 of 83 separated constituents in the total ion chromatogram of the volatile components were identified and quantified, accounting for about 86.49% of the total content. The obtained information can provide foundation for further study of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. This developed method can also be used for quality control of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb samples.

A method for the study of the volatile components in Atractlodesm acrocephala Koidz from different sources with combined chemometrics methods was developed. After the volatile components in Atractlodesm acrocephala Koidz from two different locations were detected by GCMS, the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the volatile components of Atractlodesm acrocephala Koidz from Tiantai was conducted with SFA. Then, the common peak in Atractlodesm acrocephala Koidz sample from Xinan was extracted with orthogonal projection method. Among the identified components, there were 37 components coexisting in the studied samples although the relative content of each component showed difference to some extent. The obtained results can provide useful information for the developing of fingerprint of Atractlodesm acrocephala Koidz. It also can be used to compare the sameness and differences of Atractlodesm acrocephala Koidz from different sources and for quality control of Atractlodesm acrocephala Koidz.

The networked measurements arrive at information processing center with different time delays. As a result, the filter is required for different filtration scenes. The existing filtering algorithms are mostly proposed for specific filtration scenes. This situation motivates our present research. A linear time-varying system with unknown noise statistical properties is considered in this paper, and a unified finite horizon H ∞ performance criterion function is built for different filtration scenes, firstly. Secondly, the performance criterion function is expressed as an indefinite quadratic inequality. And, the projection in Krein space corresponding to the indefinite quadratic form is analyzed in different filtration scenes. Thirdly, two unified finite horizon H ∞ filtering methods are deduced, according to the idea of re-filtering and updating directly. Finally, a numerical simulation with different measurement arrival scenes, illustrates the effectiveness and otherness of the proposed unified finite horizon H ∞ filtering methods.

Resumen El objetivo de nuestro metaanalisis fue evaluar la asociacion entre el polimorfismo BDNF Val66Met y la respuesta al tratamiento en pacientes con trastorno depresivo mayor (TDM). Se identificaron 8 estudios que incluian datos de 1.115 individuos. Estudiamos 2 fenotipos: tasa de respuesta y tasa de remision. Se utilizo la OR como medida del efecto de la asociacion en un modelo de efectos fijos/aleatorios. Se realizo un metaanalisis para los genotipos Met/Met frente a Val/Val, Val/Met frente a Val/Val, Met/Met frente a Val/Met, Val/Met + Met/Met frente a Val/Val, Met/Met frente a Val/Val + Val/Met, y alelo Met frente a alelo Val. Al combinar todos los grupos, se observo una asociacion significativa del genotipo Val/Met con un aumento de la tasa de respuesta en comparacion con el Val/Val en la poblacion global (OR = 1,66, IC del 95% = 1,07-2,57, p = 0,02). En el analisis de subgrupos se obtuvieron resultados similares para la poblacion asiatica (OR = 1,83, IC del 95%, 1,03-3,26, p = 0,04), pero no para la poblacion caucasica. No observamos una asociacion significativa del polimorfismo BDNF Val66Met con la tasa de remision. Este metaanalisis pone de manifiesto la asociacion entre el polimorfismo BDNF Val66Met y la respuesta al tratamiento en pacientes con TDM, y que los pacientes heterocigotos para Val66Met tienen una tasa de respuesta superior a la de los pacientes homocigotos Val/Val, especialmente en la poblacion asiatica.

The fault diagnosis of rolling bearing plays a significant role in rotating machinery. This paper makes a comparison between the acoustic emission and vibration signal in the fault diagnosis of the bearing of outer race pitting. The acoustic emission and vibration signal are processed by the wavelet transform, Hilbert envelope transform and FFT transform. Finally, the spectrum charts of the signals of acoustic emission and vibration are drew out. Based on the analysis results, the conclusion can be drawn that acoustic emission is superior to vibration in the fault diagnosis of the bearing.

Tool wear monitoring plays an important role in the automatic machining processes. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a reliable method to predict tool wear status. In this paper, features of acoustic emission (AE) extracted from time-frequency domain are integrated with force features to indicate the status of tool wear. Meanwhile, a support vector machine (SVM) model is employed to distinguish the tool wear status. The result of the classification of different tool wear status proved that features extracted from time-frequency domain can be the recognize-features of high recognition precision.

To give a relative accurate detection result in the computer vision which apply in the Video Surveillance and so on. A method based on the auto collects the seeds and then use the Cellular atuomata to subtract the moving object. Firstly we use the frame difference image to find the moving region and give the seeds of the foreground and background. Then we use the grow cut of CA to cut the frame into the foreground and background. The experiment is shown our seeds can give more accurate information of the foreground and get a relative precise result.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are designed to support the management, manipulation, analysis, and modeling of spatial data. Water supply pipeline network is a system which has a large of spatial attribute data. In order to improve the managing and working efficiency, the paper proposed a new method for designing the long distance pipeline based on GIS. Seamless integration of GIS platform, hydraulic model of long distance pipeline is built which is base of hydraulic calculation. The model is based on building pipeline concise model dynamic. The hydraulic calculation is to guarantee the authenticity of the model which can help to simulate the whole system status and analyze the condition of long distance pipeline. The pressure and safety coefficient models of long pipeline based on GIS can help operator to know the details of every segment in the long distance pipeline system. The method locates the weakness of long distance pipeline and displayed impressively on GIS platform. All the technologies strengthen the security of the pipeline design, improve the accuracy of hydraulic calculation, and help operators to analyze the long distance pipeline condition by spatial visualization. The example shows that the method is reasonable, effective, and has been applied to practical project.

Aim The aim of our meta-analysis was to summarize quantitatively the association of genetic polymorphisms with cerebral palsy (CP). Method We identified 16 studies on the association of genetic polymorphisms with CP in Pubmed, Elsevier Science Direct, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang. Eleven of these studies (involving a total of 2533 cases and 4432 controls) were used in the current meta-analysis. A study was included if (1) it was published up to September 2010 and (2) it was a case–control study. We excluded one study of family members because the analysis was based on linkage considerations. Meta odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals based on fixed-effects models or random-effects models were dependent on Cochran’s Q statistic. We examined the relationship between alleles, as well as genotypes and susceptibility to CP. Results Meta-analysis was performed for 17 genetic polymorphisms: apolipoprotein E (e2,e3,e4), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) (rs1801133), coagulation factor II (rs1799963]), coagulation factor V (rs6025), coagulation factor VII (rs5742910/rs6046), interleukin-6 (IL-6) (rs1800795), endothelial nitric oxide (rs1800779/rs1799983/rs3918226), fibrinogen β-polypeptide (rs1800790), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (rs1799768/rs7242), TNF-β lymphotoxin α precursor (rs1041981), adducin 1 (α) (rs4961), ADRB2 (rs1042714), and tumour necrosis factor α (rs1800629). We found a significant association between CP and IL-6 (rs1800795) [C vs G: odds ratio (OR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.44–2.22, p

BACKGROUND The results of recent published studies focusing on CYP17 polymorphisms in prostate cancer (PCa) susceptibility are often conflicting. We performed a meta-analysis based on 38 independent studies to evaluate the association. METHODS Data were collected from the following electronic databases: PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, with the last report up to September 2010. Meta-analysis was conducted in a fixed/random effect model. RESULTS Thirty-eight independent studies including 34,782 cases and 38,626 controls on the association of CYP17 gene polymorphisms with PCa risk in different ethnic groups were identified. The meta-analysis was performed for five polymorphisms: rs743572 (A1/A2, 38 studies), rs6162 (C/T, 3 studies), rs619824 (C/A, 4 studies), rs2486758 (T/C, 4 studies), and rs10883782 (A/G, 4 studies). When all groups were pooled, we did not detect the association of rs743572 polymorphism with PCa risk. In the subgroup analysis, a significant association of rs743572 polymorphism and PCa was found in Black population (A2/A2 vs. A1/A1 + A2/A1: OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.08–2.69, P = 0.02), but not in Caucasian or Asian population. For other polymorphisms, we found that rs619824 polymorphism was associated with a significant decreased risk of PCa (A vs. C: OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.92–0.99, P = 0.01), and rs2486758 polymorphism was associated with a significant increased risk of PCa (C vs. T: OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.03–1.12, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION This meta-analysis suggests that rs743572 polymorphism is associated with PCa risk in Black population, but not in Caucasian or Asian population. Moreover, our study suggests that rs619824 and rs2486758 polymorphisms are associated with PCa risk. Prostate 71:1167–1177, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The aim of our study was to assess the association between FKBP5 gene polymorphisms and treatment response in patients with mood disorders using a meta-analysis. Eight separate studies that included data from 2199 subjects were identified. Meta-analysis was performed for three FKBP5 gene polymorphisms (rs1360780, rs3800373, and rs4713916). A significant association of FKBP5 gene rs4713916 polymorphism and response rate was found in patients with mood disorders (Overall: A versus G: OR = 1.28, 95%CI = 1.06–1.53, P = 0.01; GA + AA versus GG: OR = 1.32, 95%CI = 1.05–1.67, P = 0.02. Caucasian: A versus G: OR = 1.28, 95%CI = 1.06–1.55, P = 0.01; GA + AA versus GG: OR = 1.33, 95%CI = 1.04–1.70, P = 0.02). However, we did not detect the association between FKBP5 gene rs1360780 and rs3800373 polymorphisms and treatment response in patients with mood disorders (P > 0.05). This meta-analysis demonstrates that treatment response in patients with mood disorders is associated with FKBP5 gene rs4713916 polymorphism, but not rs1360780 and rs3800373.

Summary The purpose of this study was to generate large-scale evidence on whether SUMO4 M55V polymorphism is associated with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases using a meta-analysis. We surveyed studies on the association of SUMO4 M55V polymorphism with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in PubMed. Meta-analysis was performed for genotypes AG versus AA, GG versus AA, GG versus AA + AG, AG + GG versus AA and G allele versus A allele in a fixed/random effect model. We identified 16 studies (11 407 cases and 10 679 controls) using PubMed search. When all groups were pooled, we detected the association of SUMO4 M55V polymorphism with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases (G versus A: OR = 1.11, 95%CI = 1.03–1.19, P = 0.005; AG + GG versus AA: OR = 1.17, 95%CI = 1.06–1.28, P = 0.001; GG versus AA + AG: OR = 1.07, 95%CI = 0.94–1.21, P = 0.29; GG versus AA: OR = 1.15, 95%CI = 1.00–1.34, P = 0.06; AG versus AA: OR = 1.15, 95%CI = 1.08–1.23, P

To quantitatively summarize the association of NFKBIA gene polymorphisms with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. We surveyed studies on the association of NFKBIA gene polymorphisms with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in PubMed. Meta-analysis was performed in a fixed/random effect model. We identified 14 studies using a PubMed search. Meta-analysis was performed for NFKBIA gene polymorphisms at positions 2758 (A/G, 5 studies), −881 (A/G, 3 studies), −826 (C/T, 3 studies), and −297 (C/T, 3 studies). We did not detect associations of NFKBIA gene polymorphisms at positions 2758, −881, −297 with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. An association of NFKBIA gene −826C/T polymorphism with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases was found (C vs. T: OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 0.97–3.36, P = 0.06; CT + TT vs. CC: OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.07–4.19, P = 0.03; TT vs. CC + CT: OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 0.78–6.21, P = 0.06; TT vs. CC: OR = 2.87, 95% CI = 0.78–10.62, P = 0.11; CT vs. CC: OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.22–3.36, P = 0.006). This meta-analysis demonstrates that autoimmune and inflammatory diseases are associated with NFKBIA gene −826C/T polymorphism, but not with 2758A/G, −881A/G, and −279C/T.

The aim of this study was to summarize results on the association of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) promoter -308A/G polymorphism with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility in Asian populations by using the meta-analysis. We searched all the publications about the association between TNF-α promoter -308A/G polymorphism and SLE in Asian populations from PubMed, Elsevier Science Direct, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang (Chinese). Meta-analysis was performed for genotypes AA versus GG, GA versus GG, AA versus GG + GA, GA + AA versus GG, and A allele versus G allele in a fixed/random effect model. A total of 12 studies (1017 cases and 1086 controls) were included in the current meta-analysis (Chinese, Japanese, and Thai). When all groups were pooled, a significant association of A allele and increased SLE risk was found (OR = 1.44, 95%CI = 1.04-2.01, P = 0.03). When analyses were restricted to more ethnically homogeneous populations, similar result was found in Chinese population (OR = 1.59, 95%CI = 1.12-2.26, P = 0.009). But the association between TNF-α promoter -308 polymorphism and SLE was not observed when examining the contrast of G/A + A/A versus G/G, A/A versus A/G + G/G, A/A versus G/G, and G/A versus G/G. This meta-analysis demonstrates the association between TNF-α promoter -308A/G polymorphism and SLE in Asian populations, especially in Chinese population.

Objective To explore the association of brain-derived neurotrophic-factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism with both baseline health related quality of life (HRQOL) scores and improvement in HRQOL scores in Chinese major depressive patients treated with fluoxetine. Methods Patientswithmajordepressivedisorder(MDD)tookfluoxetine(20mg/day)for6 weeks.TheHRQOL was measuredwith theMedical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) at baseline and at 6th week. Patients were genotyped for Val66Met polymorphism of BDNF gene. Results There was a significant association between social function (SF) and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, and patients with Met/Met genotype had better SF (compared with Val/Val P ¼0.004; compared with Val/Met P ¼0.005). A significant association was found between improvement in SF and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, and patients with Met/Met genotype had poorer improvement in SF (compared with Val/Val P ¼0.010; compared with Val/Met P ¼0.001). Similar association was found between improvement in mental component summary (MCS) and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, and patients with Met/Met genotype had poorer improvement in MCS (compared with Val/ Val P ¼0.066; compared with Val/Met P ¼0.006). Conclusions These results indicate that there may be association between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and both baseline HRQOL (SF) scores and improvement in HRQOL (SF, MCS) scores in Chinese major depressive patients treated with fluoxetine. Copyright # 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. key words—health related quality of life; major depressive disorder; brain-derived neurotrophic factor; polymorphism; SSRIs

Background: Preclinical studies have shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be involved in antidepressant action, and the BDNF gene has been suggested to be involved in the pharmacological treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). In this study, the relationship between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Database ID: rs6265) and severity of depression, efficacy of fluoxetine and its side effects was tested in Chinese patients with MDD. Methods: Patients with MDD took the oral selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine (20 mg/day) for 6 weeks. Its clinical efficacy and side effects were measured by the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Treatment-Emergent Symptoms Scale (TESS), respectively. The patients were genotyped for Val66Met polymorphism of the BDNF gene. Results: In the multivariate regression analysis, there was no significant association between severity of depression and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism. There was no association between efficacy of fluoxetine and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, but there was a marginal positive suggestion that heterozygous patients tended to have a better remission with fluoxetine in comparison with homozygous analogs. Insomnia and decreased sexual desire, side effects of fluoxetine, may have an association with the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, and Met allele carriers showed a lower incidence of these side effects. Conclusions: These results indicate that there was a lack of association between severity of depression and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism in Chinese patients with MDD. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism may play a major role in the efficacy and side effects of SSRI (fluoxetine) in Chinese patients with MDD.

Background: Several studies have investigated the association of FKBP5 gene polymorphisms with mood disorders, but findings are not always consistent. The aim of our study was to assess the association of FKBP5 gene polymorphisms with mood disorders using a meta-analysis.Methods: Data were collected from the following electronic databases: PubMed, Elsevier Science Direct, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang, with the last report up to March 2010. Meta-analysis was performed in a fixed/random effect model.Results: We identified six studies using search, and one study was excluded because of unavailable data. One study contained data on two different ethnicities and we treated them independently. Thus, six separate studies (2655 cases and 3593 controls) were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis was performed for three FKBP5 gene polymorphisms (rs1360780, rs3800373 and rs4713916) in overall and Caucasian populations. We did not detect any association of FKBP5 gene rs1360780 and rs3800373 polymorphisms with mood disorders (p > 0.05). However, a significant association of FKBP5 gene rs4713916 polymorphism with mood disorders was found, and the heterozygous individual (GA genotype) was more susceptible to mood disorders in comparison to homozygous analogues (GG or AA genotype) [overall: GA vs. GG: OR (odds ratio) = 1.20, 95% CI (confidence interval) = 1.03–1.40, p = 0.02; GA vs. AA: OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.09–1.90, p = 0.009; Caucasian: GA vs. GG: OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.04–1.44, p = 0.01; GA vs. AA: OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.09–1.89, p = 0.01].Conclusion: This meta-analysis shows that mood disorders are associated with FKBP5 gene rs4713916 polymorphism, but not with rs1360780 and rs3800373.

Recently, we read with interest the article by Yu et al. [1]. They performed a meta-analysis to make an estimation of the association between two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene promoter, -1082A [ G (rs1800896) and -592C [ A (rs1800872), and breast cancer, and the results suggest that there was lack of association between the two SNPs and breast cancer. However, I have several concerns. First, they concluded that there was lack of association between the two SNPs and breast cancer. Only 3 of the 10 studies were conducted in non-Caucasians included in the meta-analysis. Especially, the study by Guzowski et al. [2] only included 50 cases and 25 controls, and the study by Gonullu et al. [3] only included 38 cases and 24 controls. Therefore, the results of the meta-analysis indicate that there was lack of association between the two SNPs and breast cancer, mainly in Caucasians. Further studies with larger sample size are needed to clarify the role of IL-10 in breast carcinogenesis in non-Caucasians. Secondly, in the discussion, they stated that ‘‘the total subject number of rs1800896 studies seemed to be insufficient (*1,600 cases and 1,600 controls) to reach a reliable conclusion.’’ However, we estimated the expected power of rs1800896 studies at the 0.05 level of significance, assuming that odds ratio (OR) was 1.5 for difference in allele frequency, as well as the minor (a) allele frequency was 0.2, and we found the expected power was 0.999. Thus, the total subject number of rs1800896 studies was sufficient to reach a reliable conclusion. Thirdly, in the article, though the genotype contrasts (Aa genotype vs. AA genotype, aa genotype vs. AA genotype, aa?Aa genotypes vs. AA genotype, and aa genotype vs. Aa?AA genotypes) were included, the allele (a allele vs. A allele) contrast was not included. It is needed to perform the allele contrast. In conclusion, the meta-analysis suggests that there was lack of association between the two SNPs in IL-10 gene promoter and breast cancer, mainly in Caucasians. Further studies with larger sample size are needed in non-Caucasians. Meanwhile, further gene–gene and gene–environment interactions studies stratified by ethnicity are still needed. We look forward to seeing the results from these interesting studies.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and multivariate curve resolution were applied to the differential analysis of the volatile components in Agrimonia eupatoria specimens from different plant parts. After extracted with water distillation method, the volatile components in Agrimonia eupatoria from leaves and roots were detected by GC-MS. Then the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the volatile components in the main root of Agrimonia eupatoria was completed with the help of subwindow factor analysis resolving two-dimensional original data into mass spectra and chromatograms. 68 of 87 separated constituents in the total ion chromatogram of the volatile components were identified and quantified, accounting for about 87.03% of the total content. Then, the common peaks in leaf were extracted with orthogonal projection resolution method. Among the components determined, there were 52 components coexisting in the studied samples although the relative content of each component showed difference to some extent. The results showed a fair consistency in their GC-MS fingerprint. It was the first time to apply orthogonal projection method to compare different plant parts of Agrimonia eupatoria, and it reduced the burden of qualitative analysis as well as the subjectivity. The obtained results proved the combined approach powerful for the analysis of complex Agrimonia eupatoria samples. The developed method can be used to further study and quality control of Agrimonia eupatoria.

This paper investigates the problem of OOSM filtering for the system with arbitrary-step-lag OOSM. A new direct OOSM filtering algorithm is devised, based on the built equivalent measurement. The proposed algorithm takes fully consideration on the correlation of the equivalent measurement noise and the previous estimations, so it is optimal in the sense of MMSE. Finally, a simulation with two scenes is presented to illustrate the capabilities of the proposed algorithm.

The aim of our meta-analysis was to summarize quantitatively the association of genetic polymorphisms with cerebral palsy (CP).We identified 16 studies on the association of genetic polymorphisms with CP in Pubmed, Elsevier Science Direct, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang. Eleven of these studies (involving a total of 2533 cases and 4432 controls) were used in the current meta-analysis. A study was included if (1) it was published up to September 2010 and (2) it was a case-control study. We excluded one study of family members because the analysis was based on linkage considerations. Meta odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals based on fixed-effects models or random-effects models were dependent on Cochran's Q statistic. We examined the relationship between alleles, as well as genotypes and susceptibility to CP.Meta-analysis was performed for 17 genetic polymorphisms: apolipoprotein E (ε2,ε3,ε4), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) (rs1801133), coagulation factor II (rs1799963]), coagulation factor V (rs6025), coagulation factor VII (rs5742910/rs6046), interleukin-6 (IL-6) (rs1800795), endothelial nitric oxide (rs1800779/rs1799983/rs3918226), fibrinogen β-polypeptide (rs1800790), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (rs1799768/rs7242), TNF-β lymphotoxin α precursor (rs1041981), adducin 1 (α) (rs4961), ADRB2 (rs1042714), and tumour necrosis factor α (rs1800629). We found a significant association between CP and IL-6 (rs1800795) [C vs G: odds ratio (OR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.44-2.22, p0.001; CC+GC vs GG: OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.29-2.29, p=0.002; CC vs GG+GC: OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.52-3.09, p0.001], but no other genetic polymorphisms.This meta-analysis demonstrated that CP is associated with the genetic polymorphism IL-6 (rs1800795).

The aim of our meta-analysis was to assess the association between NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism and cancer risk. Eleven studies that included data from 2,743 cases and 2,195 controls were identified. When all groups were pooled, we did not detect the association between NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism and cancer risk. In the subgroup analysis, we detected the association of NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism with cancer in Caucasian population. The association also was found in Asian population. This meta-analysis demonstrates the association of NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism with cancer in Caucasian and Asian populations, and this association is ethno-specific.

The aim of our study is to assess the association of NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases using a meta-analysis. We surveyed the studies on the association of NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Meta-analysis was performed for genotypes DD vs WW, WD vs WW, DD vs WW + WD, WD + DD vs WW, and D allele vs W allele in a fixed/random effect model. Seventeen studies (7312 cases and 6193 controls) were identified. When all groups were pooled, we found no association between NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. In ethnic subgroup analyses, we found no association between NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in the Caucasian population. However, an association of NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases was found in the Asian population [D vs W: odds ratio (OR) = 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.77-0.99, P = 0.03; WD + DD vs WW: OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.65-0.95, P = 0.01; DD vs WW + WD: OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.73-1.16, P = 0.11; DD vs WW: OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.62-1.03, P = 0.09; WD vs WW: OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.65-0.95, P = 0.01]. In disease subgroup analyses, we found no association between NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism and inflammatory bowel disease, ankylosing spondylitis and Graves' disease. This meta-analysis suggests a possible association between NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism and certain autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in the Asian population, but not in the Caucasian population. This finding demands further investigation.

The results of recent published studies focusing on CYP17 polymorphisms in prostate cancer (PCa) susceptibility are often conflicting. We performed a meta-analysis based on 38 independent studies to evaluate the association.Data were collected from the following electronic databases: PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, with the last report up to September 2010. Meta-analysis was conducted in a fixed/random effect model.Thirty-eight independent studies including 34,782 cases and 38,626 controls on the association of CYP17 gene polymorphisms with PCa risk in different ethnic groups were identified. The meta-analysis was performed for five polymorphisms: rs743572 (A1/A2, 38 studies), rs6162 (C/T, 3 studies), rs619824 (C/A, 4 studies), rs2486758 (T/C, 4 studies), and rs10883782 (A/G, 4 studies). When all groups were pooled, we did not detect the association of rs743572 polymorphism with PCa risk. In the subgroup analysis, a significant association of rs743572 polymorphism and PCa was found in Black population (A2/A2 vs. A1/A1 + A2/A1: OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.08-2.69, P = 0.02), but not in Caucasian or Asian population. For other polymorphisms, we found that rs619824 polymorphism was associated with a significant decreased risk of PCa (A vs. C: OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.92-0.99, P = 0.01), and rs2486758 polymorphism was associated with a significant increased risk of PCa (C vs. T: OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.03-1.12, P = 0.002).This meta-analysis suggests that rs743572 polymorphism is associated with PCa risk in Black population, but not in Caucasian or Asian population. Moreover, our study suggests that rs619824 and rs2486758 polymorphisms are associated with PCa risk.

Published data on the association between interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene polymorphisms and prostate cancer (PCa) are inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of the association, we conducted a meta-analysis. Data were collected from the following electronic databases: PubMed, Elsevier Science Direct, Excerpta Medica Database and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, with the last report up to September 2010. The odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were used to assess the strength of association. A total of 13 separate studies including 5503 cases and 6078 controls based on the search criteria were involved in this meta-analysis. Meta-analysis was performed for three IL-10 gene polymorphisms (rs1800896, rs1800871, and rs1800872). We found no association between IL-10 gene rs1800896 polymorphism and PCa in overall population (G versus A: OR = 1.00, 95%CI = 0.91–1.10, P = 0.99; AG + GG versus AA: OR = 1.18, 95%CI = 0.97–1.43, P = 0.10; GG versus AA + AG: OR = 1.04, 95%CI = 0.86–1.26, P = 0.67). In subgroup analysis, similar results were found in Caucasian (G versus A: OR = 0.99, 95%CI = 0.84–1.18, P = 0.92; AG + GG versus AA: OR = 1.32, 95%CI = 0.90–1.94, P = 0.16; GG versus AA + AG: OR = 1.07, 95%CI = 0.89–1.28, P = 0.48), and Asian (G versus A: OR = 0.97, 95%CI = 0.78–1.20, P = 0.78; AG + GG versus AA: OR = 1.07, 95%CI = 0.79–1.45, P = 0.65; GG versus AA + AG: OR = 1.24, 95%CI = 0.38–4.07, P = 0.73) populations. We did not detect an association between IL-10 gene rs1800871 polymorphism and PCa in overall population (T versus C: OR = 0.96, 95%CI = 0.85–1.08, P = 0.51; CT + TT versus CC: OR = 0.94, 95%CI = 0.80–1.11, P = 0.48; TT versus CC + CT: OR = 0.94, 95%CI = 0.81–1.10, P = 0.44). Similar results were found in Asian population (T versus C: OR = 0.85, 95%CI = 0.71–1.09, P = 0.09; CT + TT versus CC: OR = 0.72, 95%CI = 0.52–1.17, P = 0.05; TT versus CC + CT: OR = 0.89, 95%CI = 0.68–1.17, P = 0.39). We found no association between IL-10 gene rs1800872 polymorphism and PCa in overall population (A versus C: OR=1.03, 95%CI = 0.96–1.11, P = 0.41; CA + AA versus CC: OR = 1.04, 95%CI = 0.92–1.17, P = 0.56; AA versus CC + CA: OR = 1.02, 95%CI = 0.85–1.22, P = 0.87). Similar results were found in Caucasian population (A versus C: OR = 1.06, 95%CI = 0.98–1.16, P = 0.16; CA + AA versus CC: OR = 1.07, 95%CI = 0.85–1.35, P = 0.57; AA versus CC + CA: OR = 1.23, 95%CI = 0.92–1.64, P = 0.17). This meta-analysis suggests that there is no association between IL-10 gene rs1800896, rs1800871 and rs1800872 polymorphisms and PCa.

To find evidences about whether NOD1/CARD4 insertion/deletion polymorphism is associated with inflammatory bowel disease by meta-analysis.We surveyed the studies on the association of NOD1/CARD4 insertion/deletion polymorphism with inflammatory bowel disease in PubMed. Meta-analysis was performed for genotypes GG/T vs T/T, GG/GG vs T/T, GG/T + GG/GG vs T/T, GG/GG vs T/T + GG/T, and GG allele vs T allele in a fixed/random effect model.We identified 8 studies (6439 cases and 4798 controls) in Caucasian populations using PubMed search. We found no association between NOD1/CARD4 insertion/deletion polymorphism and inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. Stratification of cases by age showed that NOD1/CARD4 insertion/deletion polymorphism was associated with inflammatory bowel disease in younger age group at onset (40 years) (GG vs T: OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.50-0.93, P = 0.02; GG/T + GG/GG vs T/T: OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.59-0.85, P = 0.0003).This meta-analysis demonstrates an association between NOD1/CARD4 insertion/deletion polymorphism and inflammatory bowel disease in the younger age group at onset (40 years) in Caucasian populations.

Background In the past few decades, a number of studies have investigated the association of dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene polymorphisms with mood disorders, but the findings are not always consistent. The aim of our study was to assess the association between DRD2 gene polymorphisms and mood disorders by using a meta-analysis. Methods Data were collected from the following electronic databases: PubMed, Elsevier Science Direct, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang, with the last report up to June 2010. Meta-analysis was performed in a fixed/random effect model by using the software Review Manager 4.2. Results We identified 19 separate studies using search, but only 14 separate studies (2157 cases and 3272 controls) were included in the current study. Meta-analysis was performed for three DRD2 gene polymorphisms (-141Cins/del, Ser311/Cys311, and TaqI A1). We performed meta-analysis in overall, Caucasian, and Asian populations. We also performed disease-specific meta-analysis in unipolar disorder and bipolar disorder. We found no association between DRD2 gene -141Cins/del polymorphism and mood disorders in overall and Caucasian populations ( P > 0.05). We also found no association between DRD2 gene Ser311/Cys311 polymorphism and mood disorders in overall, Caucasian, and Asian populations ( P > 0.05). An association of DRD2 gene TaqI A1 polymorphism with mood disorders was found in overall population, and the individuals with A1A1 genotype were more susceptible to mood disorders in comparison to those with A2A1 and A2A2 genotypes (OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.07–3.17, P = 0.03). Limitation Meta-analysis is retrospective research that is subject to the methodological deficiencies of the included studies. Conclusion This meta-analysis suggests that mood disorders may be associated with DRD2 gene TaqI A1 polymorphism, but not -141Cins/del and Ser311/Cys311.

The aim of our meta-analysis was to quantitatively summarize the association of TYK2 gene polymorphisms with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. 11 studies that included data from 21497 cases and 22647 controls were identified. OR was used as a measure of the effect of the association in a fixed/random effect model. Meta-analysis was performed for six TYK2 gene polymorphisms (rs34536443, rs2304256, rs280523, rs280519, rs12720270 and rs12720356). Significant association was found in rs34536443 (C versus G: OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.69–0.84, P

The aim of this meta-analysis was to summarize results on the association of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) promoter −2518 A/G polymorphism with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility. We searches all the publications about the association between MCP-1 promoter −2518 A/G polymorphism and SLE from Pubmed, Elsevier Science Direct, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure. The meta-analysis was performed for genotypes AA verse GG, AA+AG verse GG, AA verse AG+GG, and A allele verse G allele in a fixed/random effect model. A total of 14 studies (2,333 cases and 2,391 controls) were included in the meta-analysis. When all groups were pooled, we had not observed significant association between A allele and G allele (OR = 0.94, 95 %CI = 0.79–1.12, P = 0.50). When analysis were restricted to more ethnically homogeneous populations, the similar results were found in European population and Asian population (OR = 1.05, 95 %CI = 0.75–1.46, P = 0.80; OR = 1.00, 95 %CI = 0.86–1.17, P = 0.99). However, we had not detected a significant association between MCP-1 promoter −2518 A/G polymorphism and SLE when examining the genotypes AA verse GG, AA+AG verse GG, AA verse AG+GG. The meta-analysis did not demonstrate the association between MCP-1 promoter −2518 A/G polymorphism and SLE.

To explore the antiviral effect of Reduqing Oral Liquid on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).The anti-RSV effect of Reduqing Oral Liquid in Hep-2 cell culture was investigated by the cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition assay and MTT assay, with ribavirin as the positive control drug.Reduqing Oral Liquid was effectively antiviral agent for RSV in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro. The median toxic concentration (TC50) was 9182.4 mg/L, the median effective concentration (EC50) was 559.8 mg/L and the treatment index (TI) was 16.4.Reduqing Oral Liquid has obvious inhibitory effect on RSV in vitro.

To study the inhibitive effects of an effective section of a prescription of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM-ES) on influenza virus A FM1 strain in vitro.The experiments were performed by microcytopathic-inhibiting-assay, Neutral Red stain and inhibiting plaque-forming units (PFU) test on MDCK cell strain. By means of observing the cytopathic effects (CPE), measuring the absorbance [D(lambda)] and counting the PFU, according to Reed-Muench assay, the TCM-ES's effective dosage of 50 percentage (EC50) and treatment index (TI) to FM1 were calculated. The inhibiting dose of 50 percentage of PFU (IC50) was also figured up.By CPE assay, TCM-ES'S EC50, MTC and TI to 100TCID50 FM1 strain infection were (300 +/- 18.3) mg/L, (75 +/- 6.8) mg/L and (7.1 +/- 0.7), respectively; Whereas, ribavirin's EC50, MTC and TI was (52.3 +/- 10.1) mg/L, (25 +/- 4.1) mg/L and (20.8 +/- 5.1), respectively. By Neutral Red stain assay,TCM-ES's IC50 and TI was (285.0 +/- 19.2) mg/L and (7.2 +/- 0.6), respectively; whereas ribavirin's IC50 and TI was (45.3 +/- 4. 9) mg/L and (21.2 +/- 3.1), respectively. By reducing PFU assay, the IC50 of TCM-ES and ribavirin was 300 mg/L and 50 mg/L, respectively. All the results above were almost consistent with each other (P0.05).TCM-ES assumes antiviral action on IFV-FM1 strain in a certain degree in vitro and can rebel intracellular virus. But it is worse than the positive control medicine of ribavirin and is worthy of further study.

To the Editor, Recently, we read with great interest the article by Wang et al. [1]. They performed a meta-analysis of 10 case– control studies (4,443 cases and 5,447 controls) to examine the association between thymidylate synthase (TYMS) gene polymorphisms and breast cancer (BC). Their metaanalysis suggests that the TSER polymorphism may increase susceptibility to BC in the Caucasian population, and the TS30-UTR polymorphism may be a genetic determinant for developing BC in the Asian population. However, the authors have several concerns related to the article. First, the results of the meta-analysis should be interpreted with caution. In the conclusion, they stated that ‘‘ethnic background should be carefully considered in further studies.’’ For the TSER polymorphism, the overall odds ratios (ORs) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) showed a statistical association between this polymorphism and BC risk under homozygote comparison, allele comparison and the recessive model. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, the association was detected in the Caucasian population, but not in the Asian population. While, only two studies were conducted in the Asian population, and null findings may be due to a lack of statistical power in the Asian population. Similarly, for the TS30-UTR polymorphism, the overall ORs and the corresponding 95%CI showed a statistical association between this polymorphism and BC risk under homozygote comparison. Subgroup analysis revealed that there was only a marginal association in the Asian population for homozygote comparison (P = 0.05). Nevertheless, the meta-analysis showed a modest association in the overall population (All in HWE) when the Caucasian study by Justenhoven et al. [2] was included in the analysis (P = 0.03). Furthermore, for the TS30-UTR polymorphism, only two studies were conducted in the Caucasian population under homozygote comparison, and, of the two studies, the genotype distributions of controls in one study were not in agreement with Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) [3]. There may be no enough power to detect a significant association of the TS30-UTR polymorphism with BC in the Caucasian population. Therefore, the data included in the meta-analysis are insufficient to support the conclusion that ethnic background should be carefully considered in further studies. Second, there are some issues in the methods. In the results, they stated that ‘‘A total of 10 studies (4,443 cases and 5,447 controls) met the inclusion criteria.’’ However, in the methods, they stated that ‘‘The following criteria were used to select the eligible studies... (d) a genotype distribution among the control populations consistent with Hardy–Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE).’’ Of the ten studies, the genotype distributions among the control populations in two studies were not in agreement with HWE [3, 4]. Thus, the two studies did not meet the inclusion criteria and should be excluded. Poor reporting of meta-analysis diminishes their value to clinicians, policy makers, and other users. An international group that included experienced authors and methodologists developed PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and metaanalyses) as a guideline for systematic reviews and metaanalyses. The PRISMA statement consists of a 27-item Y.-F. Zou X.-L. Feng Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China

Dear editor, Complex diseases are caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, most of which have not yet been identiWed. The vast majority of diseases, including several congenital defects and a number of adult-onset diseases, fall into complex diseases. Complex diseases do not obey the standard Mendelian patterns of inheritance [1]. In the past few decades, many studies have been performed to relate genetic polymorphisms to complex diseases. In these studies, researchers examined the association between the allele, genotype and complex diseases. They usually select a dominant genetic eVect and a recessive genetic eVect of the minor allele. However, the two genetic inheritance patterns may not be comprehensive for complex diseases, and there may be another genetic eVect of the minor allele. Recently, we investigated the association between the tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) promoter i238A/G polymorphism (TNF- i238G>A, rs361525) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using a meta-analysis [2]. We