Objective:To develop a robotic digestive endoscope system (RDES) and to evaluate its feasibility, safety and control performance by experiments.Methods:The RDES was designed based on the master-slave control system, which consisted of 3 parts: the integrated endoscope, including a knob and button robotic control system integrated with a gastroscope; the robotic mechanical arm system, including the base and arm, as well as the endoscopic advance-retreat control device (force-feedback function was designed) and the endoscopic axial rotation control device; the control console, including a master manipulator and an image monitor. The operator sit far away from the endoscope and controlled the master manipulator to bend the end of the endoscope and to control advance, retract and rotation of the endoscope. The air supply, water supply, suction, figure fixing and motion scaling switching was realized by pressing buttons on the master manipulator. In the endoscopy experiments performed on live pigs, 5 physicians each were in the beginner and advanced groups. Each operator operated RDES and traditional endoscope (2 weeks interval) to perform porcine gastroscopy 6 times, comparing the examination time. In the experiment of endoscopic circle drawing on the inner wall of the simulated stomach model, each operator in the two groups operated RDES 1∶1 motion scaling, 5∶1 motion scaling and ordinary endoscope to complete endoscopic circle drawing 6 times, comparing the completion time, accuracy (i.e. trajectory deviation) and workload.Results:RDES was operated normally with good force feedback function. All porcine in vivo gastroscopies were successful, without mucosal injury, bleeding or perforation. In beginner and advanced groups, the examination time of both RDES and ordinary endoscopy tended to decrease as the number of operations increased, but the decrease in time was greater for operating RDES than for operating ordinary endoscope (beginner group P=0.033; advanced group P=0.023). In the beginner group, the operators operating RDES with 1∶1 motion scaling or 5∶1 motion scaling to complete endoscopic circle drawing had shorter completion time [1.68 (1.40, 2.17) min, 1.73 (1.47, 2.37) min VS 4.13 (2.27, 5.16) min, H=32.506, P<0.001], better trajectory deviation (0.50±0.11 mm, 0.46±0.11 mm VS 0.82±0.26 mm, F=38.999, P<0.001], and less workload [42.00 (30.00, 50.33) points, 43.33 (35.33, 54.00) points VS 52.67 (48.67, 63.33) points, H=20.056, P<0.001] than operating ordinary endoscope. In the advanced group, the operators operating RDES with 1∶1 or 5∶1 motion scaling to complete endoscopic circle drawing had longer completion time than operating ordinary endoscope [1.72 (1.37, 2.53) min, 1.57 (1.25, 2.58) min VS 1.15 (0.86, 1.58) min, H=13.233, P=0.001], but trajectory deviation [0.47 (0.13, 0.57) mm, 0.44 (0.39, 0.58) mm VS 0.52 (0.42, 0.59) mm, H=3.202, P=0.202] and workload (44.62±21.77 points, 41.24±12.57 points VS 44.71±17.92 points, F=0.369, P=0.693) were not different from those of the ordinary endoscope. Conclusion:The RDES enables remote control, greatly reducing the endoscopists' workload. Additionally, it gives full play to the cooperative motion function of the large and small endoscopic knobs, making the control more flexible. Finally, it increases motion scaling switching function to make the control of endoscope more flexible and more accurate. It is also easy for beginners to learn and master, and can shorten the training period. So it can provide the possibility of remote endoscopic control and fully automated robotic endoscope.

Objective:To investigate the current status of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in China, and to provide supporting data and reference for the development of endoscopic treatment.Methods:In this study, initiated by the Liver Health Consortium in China (CHESS), a questionnaire was designed and distributed online to investigate the basic condition of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in 2022 in China. Questions included annual number and indication of endoscopic procedures, adherence to guideline for preventing esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB), management and timing of emergent EGVB, management of gastric and isolated varices, and improvement of endoscopic treatment. Proportions of hospitals concerning therapeutic choices to all participant hospitals were calculated. Guideline adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals were compared by using Chi-square test.Results:A total of 836 hospitals from 31 provinces (anotomous regions and municipalities) participated in the survey. According to the survey, the control of acute EGVB (49.3%, 412/836) and the prevention of recurrent bleeding (38.3%, 320/836) were major indications of endoscopic treatment. For primary [non-selective β-blocker (NSBB) or endoscopic therapies] and secondary prophylaxis (NSBB and endoscopic therapies) of EGVB, adherence to domestic guideline was 72.5% (606/836) and 39.2% (328/836), respectively. There were significant differences in the adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals in primary prophylaxis of EGVB [71.0% (495/697) VS 79.9% (111/139), χ2=4.11, P=0.033] and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB [41.6% (290/697) VS 27.3% (38/139), χ2=9.31, P=0.002]. A total of 78.2% (654/836) hospitals preferred endoscopic therapies treating acute EGVB, and endoscopic therapy was more likely to be the first choice for treating acute EGVB in tertiary hospitals (82.6%, 576/697) than secondary hospitals [56.1% (78/139), χ2=46.33, P<0.001]. The optimal timing was usually within 12 hours (48.5%, 317/654) and 12-24 hours (36.9%, 241/654) after the bleeding. Regarding the management of gastroesophageal varices type 2 and isolated gastric varices type 1, most hospitals used cyanoacrylate injection in combination with sclerotherapy [48.2% (403/836) and 29.9% (250/836), respectively], but substantial proportions of hospitals preferred clip-assisted therapies [12.4% (104/836) and 26.4% (221/836), respectively]. Improving the skills of endoscopic doctors (84.2%, 704/836), and enhancing the precision of pre-procedure evaluation and quality of multidisciplinary team (78.9%, 660/836) were considered urgent needs in the development of endoscopic treatment. Conclusion:A variety of endoscopic treatments for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension are implemented nationwide. Participant hospitals are active to perform emergent endoscopy for acute EGVB, but are inadequate in following recommendations regarding primary and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB. Moreover, the selection of endoscopic procedures for gastric varices differs greatly among hospitals.

Objective:To develop and evaluate the efficacy and safety of a three-dimensional (3D) digestive endoscope for gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) through animal experiments.Methods:Two Dutch pigs were utilized from the Zhengzhou University Animal Experiment Center for the study. ESD procedures were performed by two senior endoscopists, one using 3D glasses and the other utilizing a 3D high-definition head display. The success of ESD was assessed based on predefined criteria, including completion of surgical steps, complete detachment of the presumptive lesion, and effective bleeding control during and after the surgery. The number of successful procedures and incidences of perforation were recorded. The stereoscopic experience of the endoscopists, including both the primary endoscopist and the assistant, was also evaluated. Furthermore, the assessment encompassed any reported symptoms of eye discomfort, such as eye fatigue, ocular pain, and blurred vision. Additionally, the confidence level of the endoscopists in the mechanical aspects of the operation, as well as encountered issues during the endoscopic procedures, were documented.Results:Two ESD were successful and no perforation occurred. Feedback from endoscopists suggested that 3D digestive endoscopy offered clear images with enhanced three-dimensionality during surgery, clear sense of distance and layering, allowing for a precise judgment of bleeding points, which surpassed 2D capabilities. No eye discomfort was experienced by endoscopists or assistants during or after the procedures. While endoscopists exhibited high confidence in 3D digestive endoscopy, they noted issues with image blurring when the camera was positioned less than 10 mm from the gastrointestinal tract wall.Conclusion:Preliminary results show that 3D digestive endoscopes can provide excellent stereo imaging, improved positioning accuracy, and safety during live animal stomach ESD procedures, without significantly increasing endoscopists' eye discomfort. Nevertheless, efforts are needed to address image blurring concerns when the camera is close to the gastrointestinal tract wall.

AIM: To explore the predictive value of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) in early poor neurologic improvement after intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). METHODS: A total of 102 patients with acute ischemic stroke who received intravenous thromblysis with alteplase within 4.5 hours of onset were analyzed retrospectively. RDW level was measured before thrombolysis. According to the percentage change in NIHSS at 24 hours, the patients were divided into two groups: good neurological improvement (≥ 30%) group (n=53) and poor neurological improvement (<30%) group (n=49). The univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to investigate whether RDW level is an independent factor affecting patients' neurological improvement. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the cut-off value of RDW to predict poor early neurological improvement after thrombolysis. RESULTS: Compared with the good neurological improvement group, higher proportion of atrial fibrillation (24.5% vs. 9.4%, P= 0.042), diabetes mellitus (57.1% vs. 30.2%, P= 0.006), hemorrhagic transformation (10.2% vs. 0%, P=0.023) in the poor neurological improvement group. The level of RDW in poor neurological improvement group was significantly higher than that in good neurological improved group(14.09±0.77) vs. (13.31±0.63), P=0.000. Logistic regression analysis showed that elevated RDW (OR=4.614, 95%CI: 2.263-9.408, P=0.000) and history of diabetes mellitus (OR=2.606, 95%CI: 1.034-6.573, P=0.042) were independently associated with early poor neurological improvement. The ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off value of RDW to predict poor early neurological improvement after thrombolysis was 13.56% (AUC=0.782, 95%CI: 0.690-0.874; sensitivity 76%; specificity 74%). CONCLUSION: Elevated RDW is of a certain value in predicting the poor early neurological improvement of AIS patients after thrombolysis.

Background: Hemangioma is a vasogenic benign tumor commonly seen in the head and neck. However, it is rare in gastrointestinal tract and can cause symptoms such as gastrointestinal bleeding and abdominal pain, and it also can be life-threatening in severe cases. Aims: To analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of gastrointestinal hemangioma, and to provide appropriate therapy for the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal hemangioma. Methods: The patients with gastrointestinal hemangioma from August 2011 to October 2021 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were collected, and the clinical data, examination results, treatment and prognosis were analyzed retrospectively. Results: A total of 51 patients with gastrointestinal hemangioma were included, the ratio of male to female was 1.43:1, and the average age was (46.2±19.2) years old. Single gastrointestinal hemangioma was found in 45 patients (88.24%), and 18 lesions (35.29%) were in the esophagus, followed by the stomach (15.69%), small intestine (15.69%), colon (11.76%), and rectum (9.80%). The majority of patients were asymptomatic (50.98%), while 15 patients (29.41%) were presented by gastrointestinal bleeding. Thirty-two patients (62.75%) underwent endoscopic treatment, including 25 patients underwent endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), 6 patients underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), and 1 patient underwent endoscopic ligation. Nineteen patients (37.25%) underwent surgical surgery, including 5 patients underwent transrectal lesion resection, 1 patient underwent small intestinal lesion resection and 13 patients underwent resection of digestive tract. All patients recovered well after surgery. The average follow-up period was (61±32) months. One patient relapsed 1 year after surgery, 4 patients died of other diseases, and the remaining patients did not occur tumor recurrence, and 5 patients were lost to follow-up. Conclusions: Gastrointestinal hemangioma is rare and has no specific clinical symptoms. Endoscopy is important for its diagnosis, and endoscopic therapy is safe and effective for patients with indications.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a serious autoimmune disease that affects multiple systems and organs throughout the body. Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a rare clinical syndrome that can lead to multiple organ dysfunction and even threaten life. Clinically, SLE patients with TMA are relatively rare, especially in children, but the mortality of SLE patients with TMA is significantly increased. The article reports 2 cases of successful remission of SLE complicated with TMA after treatment with eculizumab, and discusses the diagnosis, clinical manifestations and treatment of SLE complicated with TMA in children, so as to provide clinical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of SLE complicated with TMA in children.

Objective:To evaluate endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy in treatment of children with acute uncomplicated appendicitis.Methods:Sixty children patients were admitted at the Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from Oct 2019 to Jun 2021 and were divided into ERAT group ( n=30) and LA group ( n=30). Results:All operations were successfully performed . ERAT children started oral feeding earlier [(6.8±2.0) h vs. (12.3±2.0) h, t=-10.636, P<0.001], postoperative hospital stay was shorter [(3.2±1.3) d vs. (5.0±1.3) d, t=-5.360, P<0.001]. After 14 months follow up, the recurrence rate in the ERAT group was 6%. The complication rate of LA was 10%. Conclusion:ERAT is a safe and effective therapy in treating children with acute uncomplicated appendicitis with low,acceptable recurrence rate.

Clinical data of 62 patients with gastrointestinal submucosal tumors (diameter ≥1 cm) who were treated with kissing suture by single-channel endoscope after endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFR) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from February 2017 to May 2019 were analyzed retrospectively to evaluate the clinical value of kissing suture technique by single-channel endoscope in defect closure after EFR. All the post-EFR defects were successfully closed (100%). No postoperative anastomotic leakage or other serious complications occurred. The mean maximum diameter of lesions was 3 cm (ranged 1-7 cm), and 13 (21%) of them were greater than or equal to 5 cm.The mean number of clips used was 25.7 (ranged 7-78). The mean procedure time was 168 min (ranged 44-300 min), and the mean suture time was 63 min (ranged 13-211 min). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 7 days (ranged 4-12 days). Endoscopic reexamination 3-6 months after operation showed that all wounds healed well. Kissing suture method by single-channel endoscope is a safe, effective, easy and feasible for closing gastrointestinal defect after EFR.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of endoscopic resection and laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with a maximum diameter of 2 to 5 cm, and to analyze the influence of factors such as tumor surface, growth pattern and lesion origin on the choice of resection method, so as to provide a safer and more effective treatment for patients with gastric GIST.Methods:From January 2012 to November 2019, at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, the clinical data of 301 patients with gastric GIST who underwent endoscopic resection (137 cases in the endoscopic resection group) or laparoscopic surgery (164 cases in the laparoscopic surgery group) were retrospectively analyzed, including age, gender, whether there was depression on the tumor surface (the local subsidence depth of the mucosa on the tumor surface was >5 mm), whether the tumor surface was irregular (non-hemispherical or non-elliptical tumor surface), whether there was combined ulcer, location, shape, origin of the lesion, growth pattern (intralumina growth or combined intraluminal and extraluminal growth), risk classification (very low risk, low risk, medium risk, high risk), whether the tumor was en bloc resection, operation time, whether bleeding or not, fasting time, indwelling time of gastric tube, time of hospitalization, time of postoperative hospital stay, postoperative complications and follow-up. Independent sample t test, chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used for statistical analysis. Results:Among the 137 patients with gastric GIST in the endoscopic resection group, 85 cases (62.0%) underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection, 9 cases (6.6%) underwent endoscopic submucosal excavation, 42 cases (30.7%) underwent endoscopic full-thickness resection, and 1 case (0.7%) underwent submucosal tunnel endoscopic resection. There were no significant differences in gender, age, lesion location, tumor size, and risk classification between the endoscopic resection group and the laparoscopic surgery group (all P>0.05). The tumor surface was depressed, with ulcer or irregular in 1, 49, 26, and 2 cases of patients with gastric GIST of very low risk, low risk, medium risk and high risk, respectively. There was statistically significant difference in the proportion of depression, irregularity and ulcer on the tumor surface at different risk levels ( Z=-2.55, P=0.011). The complete tumor resection rate of the endoscopic resection group was lower than that of the laparoscopic surgery group (86.1%, 118/137 vs. 100.0%, 164/164), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=24.28, P<0.001). However the operation time, fasting time, the indwelling time of gastric tube, time of hospitalization, and the time of postoperative hospital stay of the endoscopic resection group were shorter than those of the laparoscopic surgery group, and the total hospitalization cost was lower than that of the laparoscopic surgery group (90.0 min (62.5 min, 150.0 min) vs. 119.5 min, (80.0 min, 154.2 min); 3 d (3 d, 4 d) vs. 5 d (4 d, 7 d); 3 d (2 d, 4 d) vs. 4 d (2 d, 6 d); 11 d (10 d, 14 d) vs. 16 d (12 d, 20 d); 7 d (6 d, 9 d) vs. 9 d (7 d, 11 d); (38 211.6±10 221.0) yuan vs. (59 926.1±17 786.1) yuan), and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=-2.46, -7.12, -4.44, -6.89 and -5.92, t=-13.24; all P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative abdominal pain and other severe postoperative complications (including shock, respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, gastroparesis, etc.) of the endoscopic resection group were all lower than those of the laparoscopic surgery group (16.8%, 23/137 vs. 27.4%, 45/164; 0.7%, 1/137 vs. 4.9%, 8/164), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=4.84, Fisher′s exact test, P=0.028 and 0.043). There were no significant differences in the incidence of intraoperative bleeding, postoperative bleeding, fever and perforation between the two groups (all P>0.05). The incidence of operation-related complications of lesions with intraluminal growth and originating from muscularis propria in the endoscopic resection group were lower than those of the laparoscopic surgery group (19.5%, 25/128 vs. 32.6%, 45/138; 12.6%, 12/95 vs. 31.4%, 37/118), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=5.86 and 10.42, P=0.016 and 0.001). There was no significant difference in the postoperative tumor recurrent rate between the endoscopic resection group and the laparoscopic surgery group (0, 0/137 vs. 2.4%, 4/164; Fisher’s exact test, P=0.129). Conclusions:Endoscopic treatment is safe and effective for gastric GIST with a maximum diameter of 2 to 5 cm, which is superior to laparoscopic surgery. However, laparoscopic surgery is recommended for tumor with depressed, ulcerative, or irregular surface and combined intraluminal and extraluminal growth.

Aiming at the low efficiency and low quality detection level of the manual infusion set, a gas detection system for infusion set based on STM32 single-chip microcomputer was designed. The detection system includes hardware system design and software system design. The hardware system is based on the STM32F103 single-chip microcomputer. It mainly designs the gas pressure sensor acquisition circuit and the multi-way solenoid valve control circuit. The software system uses a C ++ real-time operating system to ensure system monitoring's real-time performance and validity. Test data is transmitted to the upper computer and displayed via USB serial communication. The experiment proves that the infusion set gas detection system can perform gas detection on the infusion set. The system has the characteristics of stability and high accuracy. The relative error of the experimental measurement is within ±5%, and the detection efficiency is better than manual detection.
Computers ; Equipment Design ; Microcomputers ; Software