In recent years, hybrid brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have gained significant attention due to their demonstrated advantages in increasing the number of targets and enhancing robustness of the systems. However, Existing studies usually construct BCI systems using intense auditory stimulation and strong central visual stimulation, which lead to poor user experience and indicate a need for improving system comfort. Studies have proved that the use of peripheral visual stimulation and lower intensity of auditory stimulation can effectively boost the user's comfort. Therefore, this study used high-frequency peripheral visual stimulation and 40-dB weak auditory stimulation to elicit steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) and auditory steady-state response (ASSR) signals, building a high-comfort hybrid BCI based on weak audio-visual evoked responses. This system coded 40 targets via 20 high-frequency visual stimulation frequencies and two auditory stimulation frequencies, improving the coding efficiency of BCI systems. Results showed that the hybrid system's averaged classification accuracy was (78.00 ± 12.18) %, and the information transfer rate (ITR) could reached 27.47 bits/min. This study offers new ideas for the design of hybrid BCI paradigm based on imperceptible stimulation.
Brain-Computer Interfaces ; Humans ; Evoked Potentials, Visual/physiology* ; Acoustic Stimulation ; Photic Stimulation ; Electroencephalography ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory/physiology* ; Adult

【Objective】 To investigate the significance of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), nerve growth factor (NGF) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) in the prostate tissue of rats with experimental autoimmune prostatitis(EAP). 【Methods】 EAP rat models were established and divided into control group, EAP group, anti-GM-CSF group (blocking control group) and anti-GM-CSFEAP group (blocking EAP group). Pain behaviors were tested. The pathological changes were observed with HE staining. The mRNA and protein expressions of GM-CSF, NGF and IL-17 were detected with RT-PCR and Western blot. 【Results】 Pain test showed the anti-GM-CSF group had less chronic pelvic pain than the EAP group. HE staining showed the anti-GM-CSF group had less tissue inflammatory response. The EAP inflammation score was higher in the control group than in the anti-GM-CSF group. Immunohistochemistry showed GM-CSF was positive in the EAP group (mainly in the nucleus). RT-PCR and Western blot results showed the mRNA and protein expressions of IL-17 and NGF significantly decreased 50 days after EAP in the anti-GM-CSF group. 【Conclusion】 Increased expressions of GM-CSF, NGF and IL-17 in prostate tissue of EAP rats may be important inflammatory mediators of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS);decreased expressions of NGF and IL-17 after resistance against GM-CSF indicate that GM-CSF may be a potential therapeutic target for CP/CPPS.

Objective:To compare the short-term efficacy of Billroth Ⅱ+Braun anasto-mosis versus Roux-en-Y anastomosis in totally three-dimensional (3D) laparoscopic distal gastrectomy.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 140 patients with gastric cancer who were admitted to the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2016 to January 2020 were collected. There were 105 males and 35 females, aged from 23 to 84 years, with a median age of 55 years. Of the 140 patients, 54 patients undergoing totally 3D laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with Billroth Ⅱ+Braun anastomosis were allocated into Billroth Ⅱ+Braun group, and 86 patients undergoing totally 3D laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis were allocated into Roux-en-Y group, respectively. Observation indicators: (1) surgical situations; (2) postoperative situations; (3) follow-up. Follow-up using outpatient examination and telephone interview was conducted to detect remnant gastritis and its severity, bile reflux, reflux esophagitis in the postoperative 3 months up to April 2020. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the t test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results:(1) Surgical situations: 140 patients underwent totally 3D laparoscopic distal gastrectomy. The operation time, cases with volume of intraoperative blood loss <50 mL, 50 to 200 mL or >200 mL, the number of lymph node dissected were (233±39)minutes,15, 35, 4, 30±13 for the Billroth Ⅱ +Braun group , respectively, versus (240±52)minutes,25, 51, 10, 27±10 for the Roux-en-Y group, showing no significant difference between the two groups ( t=0.856， χ2=0.774， t=1.518， P>0.05). (2) Postoperative situations: cases with drainage tube, time to postoperative first flatus, cases with postoperative grade Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ, Ⅴ complications, cases with postoperative complications, cases with postoperative severe complications, duration of postoperative hospital stay, surgery cost and total hospitalization cost of the Billroth Ⅱ+Braun group were 38, (3.5±0.8)days,4, 1, 0, 0, 5, 1, (9.0±5.0)days, (3.8±1.2)×10 4 yuan and (9.7±2.1)×10 4 yuan, respectively. The above indicators of the Roux-en-Y group were 59, (3.7±1.0)days, 9, 1, 0, 1, 11, 2, (9.0±4.0)days, (4.3±1.0)×10 4 yuan and (9.2±2.1)×10 4 yuan, respectively. There was a significant difference in the surgery cost between the two groups ( t=2.453, P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in cases with drainage tube, time to postoperative first flatus, cases with postoperative grade Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ, Ⅴ complications, cases with postoperative complications, duration of postoperative hospital stay or total hospitalization cost between the two groups ( χ2=0.049, t=?1.339, Z=0.000, χ2=0.409, t=0.197, 1.383, P>0.05). There was also no significant difference in cases with postoperative severe complications between the two groups ( P>0.05).(3) Follow-up: 134 of 140 patients received the follow-up, including 52 cases in the Billroth Ⅱ+Braun group and 82 cases in the Roux-en-Y group. Results of follow-up within postoperative 3 months showed that the incidence rates of remnant gastritis, bile reflux, reflux esophagitis were 61.5%(32/52), 38.5%(20/52), 26.9%(14/52) for the Billroth Ⅱ+Braun group, respectively, versus 41.5%(34/82), 22.0%(18/82), 12.2%(10/82) for the Roux-en-Y group, showing significant differences between the two groups ( χ2=5.131, 4.270, 4.695, P<0.05). Cases with grade 0,Ⅰ,Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ residual food were 42, 3, 5, 2,0 for the Billroth Ⅱ+Braun group, versus 67, 9, 1, 5,0 for the Roux-en-Y group, showing no significant difference between the two groups ( Z=?0.156, P>0.05). Cases with minimal lesion, grade A, grade B gastritis (severity of gastritis) were 6, 5, 3 for the Billroth Ⅱ+Braun group, versus 8, 2, 0 for the Roux-en-Y group, showing no significant difference between the two groups ( Z=?1.468, P>0.05). Conclusions:It is safe and feasible to operate Billroth Ⅱ+Braun or Roux-en-Y anastomosis in totally 3D laparoscopic distal gastrectomy. Billroth Ⅱ+Braun anastomosis can reduce the surgical cost. Roux-en-Y anastomosis has advantages in reducing the incidence of reflux esophagitis, bile reflux and reflux gastritis.

Objective:To compare short-term efficacy of robotic versus 3D laparoscopic-assisted D2 radical distal gastrectomy in gastric cancerpatients and those with different body mass index (BMI).Method:A retrospective cohort study was performed. Inclusion criteria:(1) gastric cancer proved by preoperative pathological results and tumor location was suitable for D2 radical distal gastrectomy; (2) no distal metastases such as in liver, kidney or abdominal cavity, and no direct invasion to the pancreas or colon on preoperative imaging; (3) postoperative pTNM stage ranged from I to III; (4) no conversion to open surgery or change of surgical procedure during operation; (5) complete clinicopathological data. Patients with severe chronic diseases, other malignant tumors, tumor invasion of other organs or distant metastases, benign gastric tumors, gastrointestinal stromal tumors and recurrent gastric cancer were excluded. According to the above criteria, 531 patients who underwent robotic or 3D laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy at the General Surgery Department of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2016 to December 2019 were enrolled. Among them, 344 patients underwent 3D laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy (3D-LADG group), including 250 males, 94 females, 66 cases (19.2%) with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2, and 278 cases (80.8%) with a BMI < 25 kg/m 2, and 187 patients underwent robotic-assisted distal gastrectomy (RADG group), including 122 males, 65 females, 69 cases (36.9%) with a BMI≥25 kg/m 2 and 118 cases (63.1%) with a BMI < 25kg/m 2. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Operative indicators, postoperative recovery, pathological characteristics and complication rate were compared between the two groups. Subgroup analysis stratified BMI was also performed. Results:Compared with RADG group, 3D-LADG group presented more harvested lymph nodes (29.1±12.4 vs. 25.2±9.0, t=4.238, P<0.001), shorter postoperative hospital stay [8.0 (7.0 to 10.0) days vs. 10.0 (9.0 to 11.0) days, Z=-6.205, P<0.001], less operative cost [(3.6×10 4±1.1×10 4) yuan vs. (6.2×10 4±3.5×10 4) yuan, t=-9.727, P<0.001], less cost of hospitalization [8.6×10 4(7.5×10 4 to 10.0×10 4) yuan vs. 12.8×10 4(11.7×10 4 to 14.1×10 4) yuan, Z=-15.997, P<0.001] and longer first flatus time [(3.9±1.0) days vs. (3.4±1.2) days, t=4.271, P<0.001], whose differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). While there were no statistically significant differences in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, overall complication rate [10.8%(37/344) vs. 12.8%(24/187), χ 2=0.515, P=0.473] and severe complications rate [2.0%(7/344) vs. 3.2%(6/187), χ 2=0.294, P=0.588] between 3D-LADG group and RADG group (all P>0.05). In BMI<25 kg/m 2 group, propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce bias of baseline characteristics. After PSM, 3D-LADG group presented higher proportion of intraoperative blood loss <50 ml [26.7% (31/116) vs. 8.6% (10/116), χ 2=13.065, P<0.001], more harvested lymph nodes [30.3±12.2 vs. 25.3±9.5, t=-3.192, P=0.002] and shorter postoperative hospital stay [9.0 (7.0 to 10.0) days vs. 10.0 (9.0 to 11.0) days, Z=-4.275, P<0.001] compared with RADG group, while other perioperative indicators showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups (all P>0.05). In BMI≥25 kg/m 2 group, 3D-LADG group presented higher proportion of intraoperative blood loss >200 ml [18.2% (12/66) vs. 1.4% (1/69), χ 2=10.853, P=0.001] and shorter postoperative hospital stay [8.0 (6.0 to 10.0) days vs. 9.0 (8.0 to 10.5) days, Z=-3.039, P=0.002] compared with RADG group, while other perioperative indicators also showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:It is safe and feasible to perform 3D-LADG and RADG for patients with gastric cancer. The short-term efficacy of both is similar.

Objective:To compare short-term efficacy of robotic versus 3D laparoscopic-assisted D2 radical distal gastrectomy in gastric cancerpatients and those with different body mass index (BMI).Method:A retrospective cohort study was performed. Inclusion criteria:(1) gastric cancer proved by preoperative pathological results and tumor location was suitable for D2 radical distal gastrectomy; (2) no distal metastases such as in liver, kidney or abdominal cavity, and no direct invasion to the pancreas or colon on preoperative imaging; (3) postoperative pTNM stage ranged from I to III; (4) no conversion to open surgery or change of surgical procedure during operation; (5) complete clinicopathological data. Patients with severe chronic diseases, other malignant tumors, tumor invasion of other organs or distant metastases, benign gastric tumors, gastrointestinal stromal tumors and recurrent gastric cancer were excluded. According to the above criteria, 531 patients who underwent robotic or 3D laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy at the General Surgery Department of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2016 to December 2019 were enrolled. Among them, 344 patients underwent 3D laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy (3D-LADG group), including 250 males, 94 females, 66 cases (19.2%) with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2, and 278 cases (80.8%) with a BMI < 25 kg/m 2, and 187 patients underwent robotic-assisted distal gastrectomy (RADG group), including 122 males, 65 females, 69 cases (36.9%) with a BMI≥25 kg/m 2 and 118 cases (63.1%) with a BMI < 25kg/m 2. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Operative indicators, postoperative recovery, pathological characteristics and complication rate were compared between the two groups. Subgroup analysis stratified BMI was also performed. Results:Compared with RADG group, 3D-LADG group presented more harvested lymph nodes (29.1±12.4 vs. 25.2±9.0, t=4.238, P<0.001), shorter postoperative hospital stay [8.0 (7.0 to 10.0) days vs. 10.0 (9.0 to 11.0) days, Z=-6.205, P<0.001], less operative cost [(3.6×10 4±1.1×10 4) yuan vs. (6.2×10 4±3.5×10 4) yuan, t=-9.727, P<0.001], less cost of hospitalization [8.6×10 4(7.5×10 4 to 10.0×10 4) yuan vs. 12.8×10 4(11.7×10 4 to 14.1×10 4) yuan, Z=-15.997, P<0.001] and longer first flatus time [(3.9±1.0) days vs. (3.4±1.2) days, t=4.271, P<0.001], whose differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). While there were no statistically significant differences in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, overall complication rate [10.8%(37/344) vs. 12.8%(24/187), χ 2=0.515, P=0.473] and severe complications rate [2.0%(7/344) vs. 3.2%(6/187), χ 2=0.294, P=0.588] between 3D-LADG group and RADG group (all P>0.05). In BMI<25 kg/m 2 group, propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce bias of baseline characteristics. After PSM, 3D-LADG group presented higher proportion of intraoperative blood loss <50 ml [26.7% (31/116) vs. 8.6% (10/116), χ 2=13.065, P<0.001], more harvested lymph nodes [30.3±12.2 vs. 25.3±9.5, t=-3.192, P=0.002] and shorter postoperative hospital stay [9.0 (7.0 to 10.0) days vs. 10.0 (9.0 to 11.0) days, Z=-4.275, P<0.001] compared with RADG group, while other perioperative indicators showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups (all P>0.05). In BMI≥25 kg/m 2 group, 3D-LADG group presented higher proportion of intraoperative blood loss >200 ml [18.2% (12/66) vs. 1.4% (1/69), χ 2=10.853, P=0.001] and shorter postoperative hospital stay [8.0 (6.0 to 10.0) days vs. 9.0 (8.0 to 10.5) days, Z=-3.039, P=0.002] compared with RADG group, while other perioperative indicators also showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:It is safe and feasible to perform 3D-LADG and RADG for patients with gastric cancer. The short-term efficacy of both is similar.

Objective To investigate the aberrant methylation and expression of growth arrest and DNA-damage-in-ducible 45 gamma (GADD45G) gene in gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA). Methods Bisulfite conversion-methylation specific polymerase chain reaction method (BS-MSP) and immunohistochemistry method were used respectively to detect the methylation status and protein expression of GADD45G in 138 GCA tumor tissues and corresponding normal tissues. Re-sults The methylation status of GADD45G distal promoter (region 1) was not detected in GCA tumor tissues and corre-sponding normal tissues. For GADD45G region 2 and region 3, the BS-MSP results of region 3 were identical to that of re-gion 2. The methylation frequency of proximal promoter and exon 1 in GADD45G island 2 (region 2 and region 3) in GCA tu-mor tissues (49.3%, 68/138) was significantly increased compared to that in corresponding normal tissues (0, P＜0.01). The methylation status of this two sites in tumor tissues was associated with TNM stage of tumors (P＜0.05). The protein expres-sion of GADD45G in tumor tissues was significantly decreased than that in corresponding normal tissues (P ＜ 0.05),and threre was a significant negative correlation with methylation status of GADD45G proximal promoter and exon 1 (rs=-0.398). Conclusion The decreased expression of GADD45G by hypermethylation of proximal promoter exon 1 of the gene may play an important role in gastric cardia adenocarcinoma.