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The international standards IEEE 1474 and IEC 62290 for fully automatic operation (FAO) systems in urban rail transit were respectively set by IEEE-SA (institute of electrical and electronics engineers-standard association) and IEC (international electrotechnical commission) in 1999 and 2004. These two standards are different but related. In this paper, the working progress, relevance, the driverless definition, application scope, architecture, functional requirements and focus issues of IEC 62290 and IEEE 1474 are compared and analyzed respectively. IEEE 1474 is the theoretical foundation for research and development personnel in the field of railway signaling, which is applicable to operation control systems of urban rail transit, trunk railways and medium to high speed maglev, and IEC 62290 is more suitable for FAO systems in urban rail transit.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effects of closed reduction and percutaneous pinning in treatment of "irreducible" supracondylar humeral fractures in children., Methods: Seventy-six consecutive children of Gartland III supracondylar humeral fractures treated in the Department of Pediatric Orthopedics of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University from July 2011 to July 2013 were analyzed retrospectively, of which 69 were extension type fractures and 7 were flexion type. There were 52 male and 24 female patients with an average age of 6.5 years (range 1.6 to 13 years). The average time from injury to operation was 6.8 hours (range 4 to 48 hours). The mechanism of injury included 15 cases of high falling, and 61 cases of falling to the ground while walking or running. All cases were treated via closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. The radiographs were assessed every follow-up, including the healing and function of the elbow., Results: No major complications such as osteofascial compartment syndrome or neurovascular injuries occurred in these patients. Two cases with neurological injuries before the surgery were recovered fully after the surgery. According to Flynn criteria at follow-up evolution, 71 cases were excellent, and 5 were good., Conclusions: For the treatment of Gartland type III supracondylar humerus fractures in children, including "irreducible" supracondylar fractures of the humerus, closed reduction and percutaneous pinning is a safe and minimally invasive procedure, by which good fractures reductions and postoperative functions of the elbow can be achieved.

Objective: To detect the proportion of CD1d(hi)CD5⁺CD19⁺ regulatory B cells (Bregs) in peripheral blood of the patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), and explore whether CD1d(hi)CD5⁺CD19⁺ Bregs can play a role as a biomarker in the diagnosis of NMO versus multiple sclerosis (MS)., Methods: Flow cytometry was performed to detect the proportion of CD1d(hi)CD5⁺CD19⁺ Bregs in peripheral blood from 44 cases of NMO, 38 cases of MS, and 30 healthy controls. The serum level of aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-Ab) of patients with NMO was detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay., Results: The proportion of CD1d(hi)CD5⁺CD19⁺ Bregs in CD19⁺ B cells and lymphocytes was significantly lower in NMO group than in MS and control groups; however, there was no significant difference between MS group and control group. The proportion of CD1d(hi)CD5⁺CD19⁺ Bregs in CD19⁺ B cells and lymphocytes was lower in AQP4-Ab-positive NMO patients than in AQP4-Ab-negative NMO patients, and the difference was statistically significant., Conclusion: CD1d(hi)CD5⁺CD19⁺ Bregs may be a biomarker in the differential diagnosis of NMO versus MS.

Objective: To study the expression of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with neuromyelitis optical (NMO)., Methods: Clinical data were collected from 44 patients with NMO and 38 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Thirty healthy controls and 15 controls with noninflammatory neurological diseases were also recruited. The concentration of BAFF in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)., Results: The mean serum BAFF level was 250.2 ± 126.9 pg/ml in NMO patients, 249.6 ± 130.7 pg/ml in MS patients, and 222.9 ± 126.1 pg/ml in the control subjects, showing no significant difference among the 3 groups (P>0.05). The mean BAFF level in the CSF was significantly higher in NMO patients than in MS patients (525.8 ± 230.0 pg/ml vs 298.4 ± 141.9 pg/ml, P<0.05), and higher in MS patients than in the control subjects (141.4 ± 76.2 pg/ml, P<0.05). Both NMO and MS group showed a positive correlation between EDSS scores and CSF BAFF level. But in NMO patients, CSF BAFF level was not associated with AQP4-antibody titer., Conclusion: BAFF in the CSF may be a useful biomarker for a differential diagnosis of NMO from MS and has an important value in evaluating the disease severity.

Objective: To explore minimally invasive surgical techniques for Gartland type III humeral supracondylar fracture in children and evaluate the outcomes of the patients., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 62 children (43 boys and 19 girls, aged 1 year and 8 months to 13 years and 2 months, mean 6 years and 3 months) with Gartland type III humeral supracondylar fracture treated in our department from July, 2011 to September, 2013, including 42 with extension-ulnar type humeral supracondylar fracture and 20 with deviation-ulnar type. The injury to operation time ranged from 6 to 48 h with a mean of 13.5 h. Close reduction and percutaneous pinning internal fixation was performed by a single surgeon in all cases with plaster cast fixation for 3 to 4 weeks. The patients were followed up regularly and Flynn elbow scoring criteria was used to evaluate the outcomes., Results: The mean operation time was 26.8 ± 15.6 min with a mean intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency of 9.2 ± 2.6 and a mean follow-up for 16.5 months (6 to 30 months). Clinical healing was achieved in 3 to 4 weeks without fracture displacement after removal of the internal fixation, and active and passive functional exercise was initiated. According to the Flynn elbow scoring criteria, excellent outcome was achieved in 53 (85%) cases at 3 months in 62 (100%) cases at 6 months after the surgery. No such complications as osteofascial compartment syndrome or vascular injuries occurred in these patients. Three children had alnar nerve injury symptoms after the operation but all recovered in 3 months., Conclusion: The minimally invasive method with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning internal fixation is feasible for treatment of Gartland type III humerus condyle fracture in children. This approach involves relatively simple operation with shorter operation time, minimal trauma, and less complications after operation, and promotes early functional recovery of the elbow joint.

Objective: To investigate the etiology of neurological disorders in elderly at outpatient clinic., Methods: Elderly patients aged 60 years old or more who visited the geriatric neurological outpatient clinic of PLA General Hospital from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2012 and underwent the brain MRI or CT imaging were retrospectively analyzed. The constituent ratio of common neurological disorders in all patients and patients from different age groups were statistically analyzed based on the information from PRIDE data management system., Results: A total of 1 188 patients were enrolled in this study with well documented record of complaint examination of the nerve system and brain MRI or CT imaging. Common neurological disorders in those patients were cerebrovascular disease(22.39%), mild cognitive impairment and dementia (15.99%), movement disorders including Parkinson disease, Parkinsonism and essential tremor(9.09%), sleep disorders (6.73%) and psychological diseases(6.65%). Spinal degenerative diseases accompanied by neurological symptoms also accounted for 10.52%. Less common causes in those patients were benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo(3.96%), headache and neck pain (3.28%), cranial nerve diseases (2.78%) and intracranial tumors (2.61%). Constituent ratios of mild cognitive impairment and dementia in different age groups were associated with aging, and the same was observed with Parkinson disease., Conclusion: The common neurological disorders in the geriatric outpatients are cerebrovascular disease and neurodegenerative diseases including different type of dementia and Parkinson disease. Those disorders should be focused for the prevention and treatment of the nervous system diseases in the elderly.

Objective: To investigate the risk factors for post-stroke pneumonia and assess the value of A(2)DS(2) score in predicting post-stroke pneumonia in elderly stroke patients., Methods: The clinical data were retrospectively collected from elderly stroke patients from January, 2007 to December, 2012. A(2)DS(2) score was then assigned using the clinical information from the medical record. The ability of the score to discriminate between patients with post-stroke pneumonia and those without was quantified using ROC analysis. The calibration of the score was analyzed using Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test., Results: A total of 131 elderly male stroke patients were enrolled in this study, among whom the incidence of post-stroke pneumonia was 29.01%. The independent risk factors for post-stroke pneumonia identified included moderate (P=0.0081, OR: 5.6089; 95%CI: 1.5663-20.0854) and severe (P=0.0048, OR: 44.4827; 95%CI: 3.1847-621.3126) neurological impairment, dysphagia (P=0.0005, OR: 7.5265; 95%CI: 2.4282-23.3292), and atrial fibrillation (P=0.0226, OR: 4.1778; 95%CI: 1.2221-14.2825). The incidence of post-stroke pneumonia ranged from 2.2% in patients with a A(2)DS(2) score less than 3 to 75% in those with a score higher than 8. The C-statistic of A(2)DS(2) score for predicting post-stroke pneumonia was 0.86 (95%CI: 0.784-0.911) by the ROC analysis. The A(2)DS(2) score was well calibrated to predict post-stroke pneumonia in elderly patients by Hosmer-Lemeshow test (7.083, P=0.528)., Conclusion: The A(2)DS(2) score can be useful for predicting post-stroke pneumonia and for routine monitoring of high-risk elderly stroke patients in the clinical setting.

Objective: To construct and investigate the cell model of a novel mutation R675Q in the skeletal muscle Na channel type 4 alpha subunit gene (SCN4A) identified from a Chinese family with normokalemic periodic paralysis., Methods: cDNA encoding the adult isoform of SCN4A was used as a template for in vitro site-directed mutagenesis by PCR method. The mutated plasmid was transiently transfected into HEK-293 cells by calcium phosphate precipitation. Twenty four and 48 hours after transfection, the expression level of SCN4A was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. Whole cell voltage-clamp recording was used to study the current of sodium channels., Results: The site-mutagenesis of the plasmid was confirmed by sequencing. The expression of SCN4A gene was significantly elevated 24 h and 48 h after transfection. The relative current of R675Q is smaller than that of wide type before reaching peak current under the same test voltage, but larger than that of wild type current after reaching peak current. They both had the largest peak current under 0 mV test pulse., Conclusion: A cell model of normokalemic periodic paralysis was successfully constructed. The R675Q mutation of the SCN4A gene enhances the activation and inactivation of the sodium channel, and the S4 transmembrane segment may have intimate relationship with the attack of weakness in normoKPP patients.

Objective: To establish a qualitative and quantitative method with RP-HPLC for controlling the quality of Aster tataricus L. f., Methods: The experimental conditions of the RP-HPLC method were as follows: Ultrasphere ODS C18 columns (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm), and the mobile phase methanol-acetonitrile (1:2) -0.4% phosphoric acid, the flow rate was 1.0 ml/min, the detection wave-lengths was at 360 nm and the column temperature was 25 degrees C. The qualitative fingerprint of the samples dealt by ultrasonic bath and the quantitative measurement of quercetin were finished under the selected chromatographic conditions., Results: Under the qualitative conditions, the 10 mutual peaks in RP-HPLC fingerprint of the samples from 6 different Aster tataricus L. f. can be used as index peaks for qualitative identification. In RP-HPLC quantitative analysis, the contents of quercetin in Aster tataricus L. f. were 0.135% approximately 0.246%., Conclusion: The analytical method is simple, quick and accurate for controlling the quality of the medicinal material of Aster tataricus L. f.

Objective: To establish HPLC fingerprint of Herba Veronicae Dilatatae., Methods: Beckman C18 column was used,with mixtures of 0.5% ice acetic acid-methanol as mobile phase. The flow rate was 1 mL/min. The wavelength of detection was 254 nm., Results: After the mutual mode of HPLC fingerprint was set up, comparsion of similar degree with the medicinal materials of different batch were carried out., Conclusion: According to the selected chromatographic conditions, a good fingerprint has been described. The method is simple, accurate and reproducible. It may have practical value for the quality control of samples of Herba Veronicae Dilatatae.