Objective:To observe any effect of using a lower limb exoskeleton robot during ankle rehabilitation training on the walking ability of stroke survivors.Methods:Forty-five persons with cerebral apoplexy were randomly divided into a control group, a robot group and a combination group, each of 15. In addition to routine rehabilitation training 5 days a week for 3 weeks, the robot group additionally trained for 10 minutes assisted by a lower limb exoskeleton. The combined group joined that training and additionally undertook 10 minutes of ankle rehabilitation training. Before and after the experiment all of the participants were evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer lower extremity scale (FMA-LE), the Holden functional walking scale (FAC), and for walking speed and step frequency.Results:After treatment, significant improvement was observed in the average FMA-LE score, FAC grade, walking speed and step frequency in all 3 groups. The robot group′s average FMA-LE score, walking speed and step frequency were then significantly better than those of the control group ( P<0.05). Moreover, the average FMA-LE score, step speed and step frequency of the combined group after treatment were (22.67±1.63) min, (0.65±0.05) m/s and (80.80±4.28) steps /min, respectively, significantly better than the other two groups ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Using an exoskeleton robot combined with ankle rehabilitation training can significantly improve the walking of stroke survivors.

Femoral fracture is a common type of fracture in clinical practice, and poor fracture reduction may lead to malunion and dysfunction. At present, traditional reduction with manipulation and intramedullary nailing are the mainstream treatments, but there exist problems such as X-ray exposure or poor reduction. Fracture reduction robots are of positive significance in improving the safety of surgical treatment of femur fracture, avoiding repetitive operations and poor alignment, and shortening the patients′ postoperative recovery time. Navigation algorithm is the key to achieve the function of femoral repositioning. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages that various types of navigation algorithms demonstrated in femoral reduction applications is important for giving full play to the value of fracture reduction robots in femoral reduction. Therefore, the authors reviewed the research progress in existing robot navigation algorithms applied in femoral fracture repositioning from the following four aspects, including image alignment algorithm, algorithm for establishing the target pose of femoral repositioning, algorithm for compensating the mechanical error, and algorithm for path planning, hoping to provide a reference for the application and research of navigation algorithms of fracture reduction robots.

Bone defects, often accompanied by osteomyelitis, soft tissue contusions, etc, are facing lengthy treatment process and slow healing, seriously jeopardizing the structural integrity of the human bone tissue. Currently, the main treatment for bone defects involves autologous or allogeneic bone transplant. However, autologous bone transplant poses problems, including long surgical duration, increased pain and complications such as infections. Additionally, immune rejection reactions also limit the effectiveness of allogeneic bone transplant of the same species. Bone scaffolds have become a potential alternative for bone transplant, but problems such as sharp edges of the scaffolds and poor compatibility with human tissues exist. Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS), with an average curvature of zero has lower levels of stress concentration and the ability to be precisely expressed with mathematical formulas, compared with other structures. Its application in bone scaffolds attracts much attention, but there is currently a lack of comprehensive understanding of the impacts of different types of TPMS on the performance of bone scaffolds. With this purpose, the authors reviewed the research progress in the impacts of different types of TPMS on the performance of bone scaffolds, providing a reference for the construction of bone scaffolds.

Objective:To investigate the influencing of preoperative biliary drainage on surgery-related complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy.Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinical data of 267 patients with periampullary space-occupying lesion who were admitted to Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University from January 2016 to July 2020 were collected. There were 166 males and 101 females, aged 61 (range, 54?84)years. Observation indicators: (1) comparison of preoperative situations in patients with and without preoperative biliary drainage; (2) comparison of intraoperative and postoperative situations in patients with and without preoperative biliary drainage; (3) methods and efficacy of preoperative biliary drainage; (4) factors influencing surgery-related complications after pancreaticoduodenec-tomy. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(rang) or M( Q1, Q3), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. Univariate analysis was conducted using the corresponding statistical methods based on data type. Multivariate analysis was conducted using the Logistic stepwise regression model. Results:(1) Comparison of preoperative situations in patients with and without preoperative biliary drainage. Of the 267 patients, there were 104 cases with preoperative biliary drainage and 163 cases without preoperative biliary drainage. Cases with malignant tumor, cases with borderline tumor, cases with chronic pancreatitis were 89, 13, 2 in patients with preoperative biliary drainage, versus 111, 41, 11 in patients without preoperative biliary drainage, showing significant differences in pathology type between them ( χ2=10.652, P<0.05). (2) Comparison of intraoperative and postoperative situations in patients with and without preoperative biliary drainage. There was no significant difference in operation time, volume of intra-operative blood loss, postoperative complications, grade B pancreatic fistula, grade C pancreatic fistula, biliary leakage, abdominal or gastrointestinal bleeding, incidence of abdominal infection, white blood cell count at postoperative day 1, white blood cell count at postoperative day 3, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio at postoperative day 1, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio at postoperative day 3, C-reactive protein-albumin ratio at postoperative day 1, C-reactive protein-albumin ratio at post-operative day 3, duration of hospital stay between the 104 patients with preoperative biliary drainage and the 163 patients without preoperative biliary drainage ( P>0.05). (3) Methods and efficacy of preoperative biliary drainage. Of the 104 patients with preoperative biliary drainage, there were 40 cases receiving endoscopic nasobiliary drainage with drainage time as (12±2)days, there were 38 cases receiving percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage with drainage time as (7±1)days, and there were 26 cases receiving endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage with drainage time as (19±2)days. The total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotrans-ferase in 104 patients were (223±18)μmol/L, (134±11)μmol/L, (112±10)U/L, (160±16)U/L before biliary drainage and (144±13)μmol/L, (84±8)μmol/L, (79±8)U/L, (109±12)U/L after biliary drainage, showing significant differences in the above indicators ( t=3.544, 3.608, 2.523, 2.509, P<0.05). (4) Factors influencing surgery-related complications after pancreatocoduodenectomy. Results of multi-variate analysis showed that operation time was an independent factor influencing surgery-related complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy ( odds ratio=1.005, 95% confidence interval as 1.002?1.008, P<0.05). Conclusions:Preoperative biliary drainage does not increase the incidence of complications related to pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with periampullary space-occupying lesion. Operation time is an independent factor influencing postoperative surgery-related complications.

OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress of design of bone scaffolds with different single cell structures. METHODS: The related literature on the study of bone scaffolds with different single cell structures at home and abroad in recent years was extensively reviewed, and the research progress was summarized. RESULTS: The single cell structure of bone scaffold can be divided into regular cell structure, irregular cell structure, cell structure designed based on topology optimization theory, and cell structure designed based on triply periodic minimal surface. Different single cell structures have different structural morphology and geometric characteristics, and the selection of single cell structure directly determines the mechanical properties and biological properties of bone scaffold. It is very important to choose a reasonable cell structure for bone scaffold to replace the original bone tissue. CONCLUSION Bone scaffolds have been widely studied, but there are many kinds of bone scaffolds at present, and the optimization of single cell structure should be considered comprehensively, which is helpful to develop bone scaffolds with excellent performance and provide effective support for bone tissue.
Bone and Bones ; Tissue Scaffolds

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the influence of microstructure on performance of triply-periodic minimal surface (TPMS) bone scaffolds. METHODS: The relevant literature on the microstructure of TPMS bone scaffolds both domestically and internationally in recent years was widely reviewed, and the research progress in the imfluence of microstructure on the performance of bone scaffolds was summarized. RESULTS: The microstructure characteristics of TPMS bone scaffolds, such as pore shape, porosity, pore size, curvature, specific surface area, and tortuosity, exert a profound influence on bone scaffold performance. By finely adjusting the above parameters, it becomes feasible to substantially optimize the structural mechanical characteristics of the scaffold, thereby effectively preempting the occurrence of stress shielding phenomena. Concurrently, the manipulation of these parameters can also optimize the scaffold's biological performance, facilitating cell adhesion, proliferation, and growth, while facilitating the ingrowth and permeation of bone tissue. Ultimately, the ideal bone fusion results will obtain. CONCLUSION The microstructure significantly and substantially influences the performance of TPMS bone scaffolds. By deeply exploring the characteristics of these microstructure effects on the performance of bone scaffolds, the design of bone scaffolds can be further optimized to better match specific implantation regions.
Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry* ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Bone and Bones ; Porosity

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at investigating the carrier rate of, and molecular variation in, α- and β-globin gene mutations in Hunan Province. METHODS: We recruited 25,946 individuals attending premarital screening from 42 districts and counties in all 14 cities of Hunan Province. Hematological screening was performed, and molecular parameters were assessed. RESULTS: The overall carrier rate of thalassemia was 7.1%, including 4.83% for α-thalassemia, 2.15% for β-thalassemia, and 0.12% for both α- and β-thalassemia. The highest carrier rate of thalassemia was in Yongzhou (14.57%). The most abundant genotype of α-thalassemia and β-thalassemia was -α ^3.7/αα (50.23%) and β ^IVS-II-654/β ^N (28.23%), respectively. Four α-globin mutations [CD108 (ACC>AAC), CAP +29 (G>C), Hb Agrinio and Hb Cervantes] and six β-globin mutations [CAP +8 (C>T), IVS-II-848 (C>T), -56 (G>C), beta nt-77 (G>C), codon 20/21 (-TGGA) and Hb Knossos] had not previously been identified in China. Furthermore, this study provides the first report of the carrier rates of abnormal hemoglobin variants and α-globin triplication in Hunan Province, which were 0.49% and 1.99%, respectively. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates the high complexity and diversity of thalassemia gene mutations in the Hunan population. The results should facilitate genetic counselling and the prevention of severe thalassemia in this region.
Humans ; beta-Thalassemia/genetics* ; alpha-Thalassemia/genetics* ; Hemoglobinopathies/genetics* ; China/epidemiology* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing

Objective:To investigate the effect of the duration of preoperative biliary drainage on postoperative complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy.Methods:The clinical data of 102 patients with benign and malignant hepatopancreatic ductal periampullary tumors who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and preoperative biliary drainage in Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2016 to July 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the median duration of preoperative biliary drainage, the patients were divided into short-term drainage group (≤ the median duration of biliary drainage) and long-term drainage group (> the median duration of biliary drainage). The general data, the effect of biliary drainage, inflammation-related indicators and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was used to screen the risk factors related to the postoperative severe complications.Results:Of the 102 patients, 68 (66.7%) were males and 34 (33.3%) were females, with a median age of 63 years (43-80 years). The median duration of preoperative biliary drainage was 14 d. There were 68 patients in short-term drainage group and 34 patients in long-term drainage group. There were no statistically significant differences in age, gender, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, surgery history of upper abdominal, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 125, alpha-fetoprotein, prothrombin time, pancreaticojejunostomy method, operation time, and pathological type between the two groups (all P > 0.05). However, patients in long-term drainage group had higher conversion rate, more blood loss and longer hospital stay compared with those in short-term drainage group (all P < 0.05). Before biliary drainage, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level in short-term drainage group was higher than that in long-term drainage group ( Z = -2.59, P = 0.009), and there were no statistically significant differences in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TB) and direct bilirubin (DB) levels between the two groups before biliary drainage (all P > 0.05). After biliary drainage, DB in short-term drainage group was higher than that in long-term drainage group ( Z = -3.34, P = 0.001), and there was no statistically significant difference in ALT, AST, ALB, TB levels between the two groups (all P > 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the levels of white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes and the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes between the two groups on the 1st and 3rd day after the operation (all P > 0.05). The total incidence of postoperative related complications in short-term drainage group and long-term drainage group was 63.2% (43/68), 70.6% (24/34), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 0.54, P = 0.461); the incidences of bile leakage, abdominal or gastrointestinal bleeding, intra-abdominal infection, delayed gastric emptying, all grades of pancreatic leakage, grade B and C pancreatic leakage were not statistically different between the two groups (all P > 0.05); the incidence of severe postoperative related complications in short-term drainage group was higher than that in long-term drainage group [27.9% (19/68) vs. 8.8% (3/34), χ2 = 4.90, P = 0.027]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the long-term preoperative biliary drainage was an independent protective factor for postoperative severe complications (long-term drainage vs. short-term drainage: OR = 0.253, 95% CI 0.066-0.975, P = 0.046), while BMI ( OR = 1.174, 95% CI 0.986-1.398, P = 0.071) and pathological type (benign or borderline vs. malignant tumor: OR = 0.247, 95% CI 0.043-1.419, P = 0.117) were not independent influencing factors for postoperative severe complications. Conclusions:Short-term biliary drainage (≤14 d) is a risk factor for postoperative severe complications in patients with hepatopancreatic ductal periampullary tumor undergoing preoperative biliary drainage. Preoperative biliary drainage time is not associated with postoperative total complications, pancreatic leakage, bile leakage, abdominal or gastrointestinal bleeding, intra-abdominal infection, delayed gastric emptying.

Objective:To evaluate the use of serosa muscular layers circumferential incision combined with mucosal layer cutting and closure by laparoscopic or robotic surgery for gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors at difficult sites of the stomach.Methods:From Jul 2019 to Apr 2021, 18 gastric mesenchymal tumor patients undergoing serosa muscular layers circumferential incision combined with mucosal layer cutting and closure by laparoscopic or robotic surgery at the Department of Surgery, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University were retrospectively analyzed.Results:All 18 patients had successful surgery, including 7 cases of robotic surgery, 11 cases of laparoscopic surgery, and there was no conversion to open surgery. Tumors were at the gastric in cardia, 8 cases at the gastric body and lesser curvature in 4 cases, and at the gastric antrum in 6 cases, respectively. Eleven cases were of endogenous and 7 cases were of dumbbell type. The average operation time was (99±29) min, the intraoperative blood loss was (10±5) ml, the first time taking food per mouth was (2.0±1.0) d, and the postoperative hospital stay was (4.9 ± 1.2) d. Pathology showed gastrointestinal stromal tumor in 11 cases, leiomyoma in 5 cases and schwannoma in 2 cases. All were with negative margins. The average tumor diameter was (4.7±1.4) cm. The median follow-up time was 16.5 months, and there was no sign of tumor recurrence or metastasis.Conclusion:The serosa muscular layers circumferential incision combined with mucosal layer cutting and closure technique in laparoscopic or robotic surgery is a safe and feasible procedure for treating gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumor at difficult sites of the stomach.

Objective:To explore the effect of continuing care based on timing theory in the postoperative rehabilitation of patients with ectopic pregnancy.Methods:Using the convenient sampling method, a total of 86 patients with ectopic pregnancy who were admitted to Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Anhui No.2 Provincial People 's Hospital were selected as the research objects from November 2018 to November 2020. According to the random number table method, they were divided into the observation group and the control group, with 43 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were given routine care and follow-up, and patients in the observation group implemented the continuing care based on timing theory on the basis of the control group. The Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale (ESCA) , Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores, nursing satisfaction and the incidence of complications were compared between the two groups at the time of admission and one month after discharge. Results:The scores of all dimensions in the ESCA of the observation group were higher than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05) . The SAS and SDS scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05) . The incidence of complications in the observation group was 4.65% (2/43) , which was lower than 18.60% (8/43) in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05) . The satisfaction of nursing care of patients in the observation group was 95.35% (41/43) , which was higher than 81.40% (35/43) of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The implementation of transitional care under the guidance of timing theory for patients after ectopic pregnancy can achieve good rehabilitation effects and improve the self-care ability of patients, which is worthy of clinical promotion.