Objective To evaluate the short-term outcome of robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) for the treatment of posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumour. Methods The clinical data of consecutive patients with mediastinal neurogenic tumors who received RATS treatment completed by the same operator in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Gansu Provincial People's Hospital from June 2016 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The tumors were preoperatively localized and evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging or enhanced CT. Results A total of 35 patients were enrolled, including 19 males and 16 females with a mean age of 34.9±7.1 years. All patients successfully completed the resection of posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumors under RATS, and no conversion to thoracotomy occurred during the operation. The average operative time was 62.3±18.0 min, docking time was 10.3±2.6 min, intraoperative bleeding was 33.9±21.6 mL, postoperative 24-hour chest drainage was 69.0±28.9 mL, postoperative chest drainage time was 2.0 (1.0, 3.0) d and the postoperative hospital stay was 3.0 (2.0, 4.0) d. Postoperative complications occurred in 3 patients, including 2 patients with transient Honor syndrome and 1 patient with transient anhidrosis of the affected upper limb. Conclusion RATS for posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumours is safe, effective and feasible, and allows the full benefit of the robotic surgical system to be exploited.

Objective     To systematically evaluate the accuracy of endoscopy-based artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted diagnostic systems in the diagnosis of early-stage esophageal cancer and provide a scientific basis for its diagnostic value. Methods    PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Wanfang database, VIP database and CNKI database were searched by computer to search for the relevant literature about endoscopy-based AI-assisted diagnostic systems for the diagnosis of early esophageal cancer from inception to March 2022. The QUADAS-2 was used for quality evaluation of included studies. Meta-analysis of the literature was carried out using Stata 16, Meta-Disc 1.4 and RevMan 5.4 softwares. A bivariate mixed effects regression model was utilized to calculate the combined diagnostic efficacy of the AI-assisted system and meta-regression analysis was conducted to explore the sources of heterogeneity. Results    A total of 17 articles were included, which consisted of 13 retrospective cohort studies and 4 prospective cohort studies. The results of the quality evaluation using QUADAS-2 showed that all included literature was of high quality. The obtained meta-analysis results revealed that the AI-assisted system in the diagnosis of esophageal cancer presented a combined sensitivity of 0.94 (95%CI 0.91 to 0.96), a specificity of 0.85 (95%CI 0.74 to 0.92), a positive likelihood ratio of 6.28 (95%CI 3.48 to 11.33), a negative likelihood ratio of 0.07 (95%CI 0.05 to 0.11), a diagnostic odds ratio of 89 (95%CI 38 to 208) and an area under the curve of 0.96 (95%CI 0.94 to 0.98). Conclusion    The AI-assisted diagnostic system has a high diagnostic value for early stage esophageal cancer. However, most of the included studies were retrospective. Therefore, further high-quality prospective studies are needed for validation.

Objective    To evaluate the efficacy and safety of robot-assisted thymectomy (RATS) versus video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy (VATS). Methods    Web of Science, PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, Wanfang, VIP and CNKI databases were searched by computer from inception to February 2022. Relevant literatures that compared the efficacy and safety of RATS with those of VATS were screened. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of included cohort studies, and Review Manager 5.4 software was utilized to perform a meta-analysis. Results    A total of 16 retrospective cohort studies were included, covering a total of 1 793 patients (874 patients in the RATS group and 919 patients in the VATS group). The NOS scores of the included studies were≥7 points. Meta-analysis results revealed that RATS had less intraoperative bleeding (MD=−22.45, 95%CI −34.16 to −10.73, P<0.001), less postoperative chest drainage (MD=−80.29, 95%CI −144.86 to −15.72, P=0.010), shorter postoperative drainage time (MD=−0.69, 95%CI −1.08 to −0.30, P<0.001), shorter postoperative hospital stay (MD=−1.14, 95%CI −1.55 to −0.72, P<0.001) and fewer conversion to thoractomy (OR=0.40, 95%CI 0.23 to 0.69, P=0.001) than VATS; whereas, the operative time (MD=8.37, 95%CI −1.21 to 17.96, P=0.090), incidence of postoperative myasthenia gravis (OR=0.85, 95%CI 0.52 to 1.40, P=0.530), overall postoperative complications rate (OR=0.80, 95%CI 0.42 to 1.50, P=0.480) and tumour size (MD=−0.18, 95%CI −0.38 to 0.03, P=0.090) were not statistically different between the two groups. Conclusion    In the aspects of intraoperative bleeding, postoperative chest drainage, postoperative drainage time, postoperative hospital stay and conversion to thoracotomy, RATS has unique advantages over the VATS.

Objective To compare the perioperative efficacy and safety of da Vinci robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) for treatment of anterior mediastinal tumors through subxiphoid versus lateral thoracic approaches under the laryngeal mask anesthesia. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 102 patients with anterior-mediastinal tumors treated by RATS under laryngeal mask anesthesia completed by the same operator. Forty-five patients underwent the subxiphoid approach (subxiphoid group), and 57 patients were treated with the lateral thoracic approach (lateral thoracic group). The operating time, intraoperative bleeding, and total postoperative drainage volume in the two groups were compared and analyzed. Results All patients successfully completed resection of the anterior mediastinal tumor without the occurrence of perioperative death. In terms of total postoperative drainage volume, postoperative drainage time, postoperative hospital stay, and VAS pain on postoperative days 2 and 3, the subxiphoid group was more advantages (P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of operative time, docking time, total operative time, intraoperative bleeding volume, postoperative day 1 VAS pain score, or postoperative complications (P > 0.05). Conclusion The subxiphoid approach of RATS is safe and feasible for resection of anterior mediastinal tumors. Compared with the lateral thoracic approach, the subxiphoid approach has advantages in terms of rapid postoperative recovery and postoperative pain.

Objective:To explore the correlation between cervical curve and ossification of ligaments in cranio-cervical junction and cervical spine in patients with cervical degenerative diseases.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted among 458 patients with cervical degenerative disease who underwent cervical spine X-ray and CT examinations at the Orthopedics Department of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University between January 2016 and July 2020. There were 265 males and 193 females, with an average age of 57.02±10.41 years (range, 22-87 years). Patients were divided into 5 types (lordosis, straight, S-type degenerative kyphosis, R-type degenerative kyphosis and C-type degenerative kyphosis). Cervical lordosis was defined as C 2-C 7 curve <-4°, cervical kyphosis was defined as >4°, cervical straight was defined as -4° to 4°. C 2-C 7 curve, C 0-C 2 curve were measured respectively, and correlations among these imaging parameters were analyzed. CT images were used to assess the presence of ossification of ligaments in cranio-cervical and cervical spine, including ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, nuchal ligament, ligamentum flavum, transverse ligament, apical ligament, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), as well as capped dens sign (CDS), and correlations between these cervical curve and presence of ossification of ligaments were analyzed. The different grades were based on the length of the ossification of interest with respect to the distance from the posterosuperior rim of the anterior arch of the atlas to the inferior margin of the foramen magnum on mid-sagittal cervical spine CT images, Grade 3 CDS was determined when the length was more than two-thirds. Results:There were 245 patients with cervical lordosis, 114 patients with straight, 53 patients with S-type degenerative cervical kyphosis, 36 patients with R-type degenerative cervical kyphosis and 10 patients with C-type degenerative cervical kyphosis. C 0-C 2 curve showed a negative correlation with C 2-C 7 curve in all enrolled patients ( r=-0.45, P<0.001) and R-type degenerative kyphosis group ( r=-0.58, P<0.001); C 0-C 2 curve showed no correlation with C 2-C 7 curve in lordosis ( r=-0.10, P=0.124), straight ( r=-0.11, P=0.233), S-type degenerative kyphosis ( r=-0.01, P=0.943) or C-type degenerative kyphosis groups ( r=0.03, P=0.946). CDS was detected in 38.4% (176/458) of patients, and Grade 3 was detected in 17.9% (82/458) of patients. The prevalence of CDS was correlated with R-type degenerative cervical kyphosis ( r=0.10, P=0.030). Cervical kyphosis, S-type degenerative kyphosis, C-type degenerative kyphosis, C 2-C 7 curve and C 0-C 2 curve showed no correlation with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, nuchal ligament, ligamentum flavum, transverse ligament, apical ligament, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) or different grades CDS ( P>0.05). Conclusion:R-type degenerative cervical kyphosis are more likely to correlate with the cranio-cervical curve and CDS, which is an ossification of ligament in cranio-cervical junction.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between gallbladder polyps and colon polyps of different locations.Methods:Healthy subjects who underwent colonoscopy in the Physical Examination Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University from January 2020 to October 2022 were included. They were divided into the proximal colon group and the distal colon group according to the location of colon polyps. Gallbladder polyps were compared with other known risk factors for colon cancer. Different parts and types of polyps were further explored.Results:A total of 2 811 patients had colon polyps, including 1 668 males and 1 143 females, with an average age of 47.3 years. One hundred and seventy-one (6.1%) had gallstones, and 459 (16.3%) had gallbladder polyps. The incidence of gallbladder polyps was higher in the proximal colon polyp group (21.7%, 93/429). Gallbladder polyps were independently associated with proximal colon polyps, including hyperplastic polyps ( OR=1.525, P=0.029) and adenomatous polyps ( OR=1.425, P=0.017). There was no significant correlation between gallbladder polyps and distal colon polyps. Conclusion:Gallbladder polyps are associated with proximal colon polyps, and colonoscopy screening is recommended for people with gallbladder polyps.

Objective:To explore the relationship between lipid accumulation product (LAP) and disease activity, nutritional status in patients with Crohn disease (CD).Methods:The clinical data of 74 patients with CD in the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University from July 2020 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into active group (32 cases) and remission group (42 cases) according to simplified Crohn disease activity index (CDAI). The general clinical data, laboratory examination results and body fat indexes were recorded, body fat indexes including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, LAP and nutritional risk screening 2002 (NRS2002) score. Spearman method was used for correlation analysis; the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze the efficacy of LAP in predicting the disease activity and nutritional status in patients with CD.Results:The proportion of males, body weight, hemoglobin, albumin, total cholesterol, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in active group were significantly lower than those in remission group: 46.9% (15/32) vs. 71.4% (30/42), (53.58 ± 8.13) kg vs. (61.05 ± 9.38) kg, (109.94 ± 23.70) g/L vs. (134.19 ± 18.03) g/L, (34.01 ± 5.71) g/L vs. (39.15 ± 4.27) g/L, (3.23 ± 0.68) mmol/L vs. (3.66 ± 0.74) mmol/L, (1.12 ± 0.36) mmol/L vs. (1.34 ± 0.55) mmol/L and (0.91 ± 0.23) mmol/L vs. (1.04 ± 0.33) mmol/L, the nutritional risk rate, platelet count, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were significantly higher than those in remission group: 68.8% (22/32) vs. 19.0% (8/42), (317.97 ± 130.19) ×10 9/L vs. (194.00 ± 51.91) × 10 9/L, 14.15 (6.15, 41.35) mg/L vs. 1.51 (0.22, 5.58) mg/L and 40.00 (20.50, 64.25) mm/1 h vs. 9.00 (3.00, 20.00) mm/1 h, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01 or <0.05); there were no statistical difference in age, height, total protein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol between the two groups ( P>0.05). The BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio and LAP in active group were significantly lower than those in remission group: 19.46 (17.70, 21.45) kg/m 2 vs. 21.08 (18.87, 23.12) kg/m 2, (72.51 ± 5.92) cm vs. (77.67 ± 7.27) cm, 0.44 ± 0.03 vs. 0.46 ± 0.04, 13.42 (5.07, 17.72) cm·mmol/L vs. 15.49 (9.37, 31.71) cm·mmol/L, the NRS2002 was significantly higher than that in remission group: 3.00 (1.00, 3.75) scores vs. 1.00 (0, 2.00) scores, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01 or <0.05). Spearman correlation analysis result showed that LAP was positively correlated with BMI, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio ( r = 0.701, 0.766 and 0.829; P<0.01); LAP was negatively correlated with NRS2002 score, platelet count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( r =- 0.609, - 0.249 and - 0.243; P<0.01 or<0.05). ROC curve analysis result showed that the areas under the curve of LAP predicting disease remission and nutritional status improvement in patients with CD were 0.645 and 0.832 (95% CI 0.520 to 0.770 and 0.739 to 0.925), the best cut-off values were 20.89 and 12.86 cm·mmol/L, the sensitivities were 45.2% and 81.8%, and the specificities were 87.5% and 73.3%. Conclusions:LAP has good predictive value for disease remission and nutritional status improvement in patients with CD.

Objective:This work developed a novel and convenient detection method which realized rapid and sensitive detection of the viral nucleic acid.Methods:Here we established a novel nucleic acid detection method based on a graphene field effect transistor (g-FET). By anchoring a chemical molecule on the sensing interface and then modifying with the highly sensitive DNA tetrahedral probes, it realized accomplish highly sensitive detection of the viral nucleic acid. By measuring the transfer curve of the devices, it can make the biological signal of the hybridization for the probe molecule and the target RNA converted into an electrical signal of the g-FET devices. Then through the signal amplification of the field effect transistor (FET) device, it realized a high-sensitive detection of the viral RNA.Results:The DNA tetrahedron probe we designed was targeted at the ORF1 ab gene region of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) RNA. The target RNA was hybridized and bound by the principle of base-pair complementation. Then we tested the 2019-nCoV simulative RNA samples with different concentrations in saliva, when the concentration of target RNA increased, the Dirac point of the devices presented a regular leftward offset. The limited of detection concentration of this sensor can reach 0.05 copy/μl, and the response time was shorter than 5 minutes in 100 μl volume of tested liquid. Conclusions:In this work, we developed a novel g-FET sensor based on DNA tetrahedral probes, which realized a rapid and sensitive detection of viral nucleic acid.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of open surgery and arthroscopic assisted surgery in treatment of knee dislocations.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 80 patients with knee dislocations admitted to Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from May 2013 to September 2019, including 59 males and 21 females, aged 18-66 years [(42.5±11.6)years]. Open multiple ligament reconstruction was performed in 49 patients (open group) and arthroscopic assisted multiple ligament reconstruction was performed in 31 patients (arthroscopic group). The postoperative hospitalization days, incidence of complications, time needed for recovery of knee range of motion (>0°, >90°, >120°), and time to complete weight-bearing were compared between the two groups. The Lysholm score, international knee documentation committee (IKDC) subjective knee form, Tegner activity level, score of the MOS item short-form health survey (SF-36), patient satisfaction and knee range of motion were compared between the two groups at the last follow-up.Results:All the patients were followed up for 1.2-7.4 years [(3.8±1.5)years]. There was no significant difference in postoperative hospitalization days or incidence of complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). No significant difference was found in time needed for recovery of knee range of motion (>0°, >120°) or time to complete weight-bearing ( P>0.05). The time needed for recovery of knee range of motion (>90°) was 90(60, 90)days in open group and 60(30, 90)days in arthroscopic group ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, there was no significant difference in Lysholm score, IKDC subjective score, Tegner activity level, SF-36 score, or patient satisfaction between the two groups ( P>0.05). At the last follow-up, the knee range of motion was 120°(90°, 130°) in open group and 135°(120°, 140°) in arthroscopic group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:For treatment of knee dislocations, open surgery and arthroscopic assisted surgery have similar results in the long-term effect, while arthroscopic assisted surgery has benefits in early rehabilitation and ultimately better knee range of motion.

Objective:To explore sagittal parameters change of upper cervical spine after anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) and analyze the influential factors by comparison between single-, double- and multi-level surgery.Methods:In this retrospective study, 126 patients (include 60 patients with radiculopathy, 41 patients with myelopathy and 25 patients with myeloradiculopathy) who underwent ACDF between December 2016 and December 2018, were followed up at least 1year ranged from14 to 38 months, with the average of 25.6±7.2 months. 20 patients were operated by single-level ACDF, 45 patients were operated by double-level ACDF and 61 patients were operated by 3- or 4-level ACDF. Standing radiographs of cervical spine and the flexion and extension cervical X-rays were obtained in all patients at 1week before, 3 months after and 1year after operation. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) Scores, visual analogue scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI) were used to evaluate the clinical effectiveness. Cervical sagittal parameters were assessed with the following parameters: the platform angle of axis (C2Slope), the cobb angle and the range of motion (ROM) of C2-7, C0-1 and C1-2.Results:All the patients obtained satisfactory clinical effects. The mean operative time of single-, double- and multi-level group were 86.4±15.5 min, 117.6±15.6 min and 170.2±28.7 min, respectively. The intraoperative blood loss of 3 groups were 16.5±5.2 ml, 37.2±30.5 ml and 63.4±41.5 ml, respectively. There was statistically significant difference between the 3 groups ( P<0.05). In the single- and double-level groups, the changes of the cobb angle and ROM of upper cervical spine between 1 week before operation and 1 year after operation was no significant difference ( P>0.05). In the multi-level group, the ROM of atlantooccipital joint (C0-1) increased significantly from 11.5°±6.1° before operation to 16.1°±13.9° 3 months and 15.3°±4.8° 1 year after operation ( P<0.05). The cobb angle of upper cervical spine and C2Slpoe was decreased significantly from 21.0°±7.6°, 6.1°±6.7° before operation to 18.6°±7.7°, 4.3°±6.9° 3 months and 19.7°±7.2°, 5.6°±6.3° 1 year after operation respectively ( P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference of cobb angle ofatlantooccipital joint between 1 week before operation and 1 year after operation ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Single- and double-level surgery makes a better ability of preserving the restoration of cervical lordosis, with little impact on the upper cervical spine, meanwhile multi-level fusion shows a negative influence on the restoration and limits the range of motion, also increases risk of surgical operation and degeneration of the atlantooccipital joint, with the increased stress distribution and range of motion.