ObjectiveExisting artificial vision devices can be divided into two types: implanted devices and extracorporeal devices, both of which have some disadvantages. The former requires surgical implantation, which may lead to irreversible trauma, while the latter has some defects such as relatively simple instructions, limited application scenarios and relying too much on the judgment of artificial intelligence (AI) to provide enough security. Here we propose a system that has voice interaction and can convert surrounding environment information into tactile commands on head and neck. Compared with existing extracorporeal devices, our device can provide a larger capacity of information and has advantages such as lower cost, lower risk, suitable for a variety of life and work scenarios. MethodsWith the latest remote wireless communication and chip technologies, microelectronic devices, cameras and sensors worn by the user, as well as the huge database and computing power in the cloud, the backend staff can get a full insight into the scenario, environmental parameters and status of the user remotely (for example, across the city) in real time. In the meanwhile, by comparing the cloud database and in-memory database and with the help of AI-assisted recognition and manual analysis, they can quickly develop the most reasonable action plan and send instructions to the user. In addition, the backend staff can provide humanistic care and emotional sustenance through voice dialogs. ResultsThis study originally proposes the concept of “remote virtual companion” and demonstrates the related hardware and software as well as test results. The system can not only achieve basic guide functions, for example, helping a person with visual impairment to shop in supermarkets, find seats at cafes, walk on the streets, construct complex puzzles, and play cards, but also can meet the demand for fast-paced daily tasks such as cycling. ConclusionExperimental results show that this “remote virtual companion” is applicable for various scenarios and demands. It can help blind people with their travels, shopping and entertainment, or accompany the elderlies with their trips, wilderness explorations, and travels.

Objective:To investigate the prognostic factors for all-cause mortality in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer(MIBC)with intermediate-to-high-risk primary prostate cancer.Methods:From January 2012 to October 2023,the clinical data of the patients with MIBC with intermediate-to-high-risk primary prostate cancer in Peking University Third Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.All the patients were monitored and the occurrence of all-cause death was documented as the outcome event in the prognostic study.Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional risk regression analysis models were implemented to search for independent influences on the prognosis of patients.For significant influencing factors(pathological T stage,M stage and perineural invasion of bladder cancer),survival curves were plotted before and after multifactorial Cox regression adjusting for confounding factors.Results:A total of 32 patients were included in this study.The mean age was(72.5±6.6)years;the median preoperative total prostate specific antigen(tPSA)was 6.68(2.47,6.84)μg/L;the mean preoperative creatinine was(95±36)μmol/L,and the median survival time was 65 months.The majority of the patients(87.5％)had high-grade bladder cancer,53.1％had lymphatic invasion,and 31.3％had perineural invasion.Prostate involvement was observed in 25.0％of the cases,and the positive rate of soft-tissue surgical margin was 37.5％.Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that preoperative creatinine level(HR=1.02,95％CI:1.01-1.04),pathological stage of bladder cancer T3(HR=11.58,95％CI:1.38-97.36)and T4(HR=19.53,95％CI:4.26-89.52)metastasis of bladder cancer(HR=9.44,95％CI:1.26-70.49)and perineural invasion of bladder cancer(HR=6.26,95％CI:1.39-28.27)were independent prognostic factors(P＜0.05).Survival curves with Log-rank test after adjusting for confounding factors demonstrated that bladder cancer pathology T3,T4,M1,and perineural invasion were unfavorable factors affecting the patients'survival prognosis(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Patients with MIBC with intermediate-to-high risk primary prostate cancer generally portends a poor prognosis.High preoperative serum creatinine,T3 or T4 pathological stage of bladder cancer,metastasis of bladder cancer and bladder cancer perineural invasion are poor prognostic factors for patients with MIBC with intermediate-to-high risk primary prostate cancer.

The aim of our research was to obtain Listeria bacteriophages from food and related environments,and conduc-ted the analysis of the electron microscopic morphology,host range specificity,and biological characteristics of the purified phages.The double-layer agar method and the spot test were employed for the isolation and identification of a virulent Listeria phage named LMLPA5,with the isolated strain Listeria in-nocua Lin08 as the host.Phage morphology was observed by transmission electron microscope.The biological characteris-tics of the phage were assessed by determining their host range,optimal multiplicity of infection(MOI),one-step growth curve,and physicochemical stability.Additionally,the preservation efficacy of the phage at 4 ℃,-20 ℃,and-80 ℃ was explored.The phage LMLPA5 belongs to the family Myoviridae based on morphology,exhibiting clear and transparent plaques without halo surrounded.Strains of sever-al Listeria species and different serotypes strains of Listeria monocytogenes were susceptible to lysis by LMLPA5,indica-ting its broad-spectrum activity against Listeria monocytogenes.Optimal MOIs and single-step growth curve analyses revealed optimal MOIs of 0.1 and latent period of 10 minutes for LMLPA5,with average burst size at 95.2 PFU/cell.LMLPA5 was sensitive to high temperatures,and completely inactivated after exposure to 70 ℃ for 1 h,while the phage remained stable for over 32 hours ranging from 4 ℃ to 40 ℃.Within the pH range of 4 to 10,phage titer remained stable and completely inactiva-ted until 60 minutes of ultraviolet exposure.LMLPA5 displayed insensitivity to chloroform,confirming its non-enveloped phage morphology.The phages remained stable for over 8 months when store at 4 ℃ and-80 ℃.The biological characteristics and lysis capacity of phage LMLPA5 were elucidated in this study,which provide the basis for further application.

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of superior mediastinal lymph node metastases (sMLNM) in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Methods: This retrospective analysis enrolled the patients who were treated for sMLNM of MTC in our hospital from May 2012 to January 2021. All patients were suspected of sMLNM due to preoperative imaging. According to the pathological results, the patients were divided into two groups named sMLNM group and the negative superior-mediastinal-lymph-node group. We collected and analyzed the clinical features, pathological features, pre- and post-operative calcitonin (Ctn), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels of the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze risk factors, and receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to determine the optimal cut-off values of preoperative Ctn and preoperative CEA for predicting sMLNM. Results: Among the 94 patients, 69 cases were in the sMLNM group and 25 cases were in the non-SMLNM group. Preoperative Ctn level (P=0.003), preoperative CEA level (P=0.010), distant metastasis (P=0.022), extracapsular lymph node invasion (P=0.013), the number of central lymph node metastases (P=0.002) were related to sMLNM, but the multivariate analysis did not find any independent risk factors. The optimal threshold for predicting sMLNM by pre-operative Ctn is 1500 pg/ml and AUC is 0.759 (95% CI: 0.646, 0.872). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of diagnosis are 61.2%, 77.3%, 89.1%, 39.5%, respectively. In patients who underwent mediastinal lymph node dissection through transsternal approach, the metastatic possibility of different levels from high to low were level 2R (82.3%, 28/34), level 2L (58.8%, 20/34), level 4R (58.8%, 20/34), level 3 (23.5%, 8/34), level 4L (11.8%, 4/34). Postoperative complications occurred in 41 cases (43.6%), and there was no perioperative death in all cases. 14.8% (12/81) of the patients achieved biochemical complete response (Ctn≤12 pg/ml) one month after surgery, 5 of these patients were in sMLNM group. Conclusions: For patients who have highly suspicious sMLNM through imaging, combining with preoperative Ctn diagnosis can improve the accuracy of diagnosis, especially for patients with preoperative Ctn over 1 500 pg/ml. The superior mediastinal lymph node dissection for the primary sternotomy should include at least the superior mediastinal levels 2-4 to avoid residual lesions. The strategy of surgery needs to be cautiously performed. Although the probability of biochemical cure in sMLNM cases is low, nearly 40% of patients can still benefit from the operation at the biochemical level.
Humans ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Lymphatic Metastasis/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Lymph Nodes/pathology* ; Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology* ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/pathology* ; Lymph Node Excision/methods*

AIM: To investigate the effects of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction(PANDO)on the tear film and ocular surface using LipiView ocular surface interferometer and Keratograph 5M anterior segment analyzer.METHODS: A self-controlled clinical trials. A total of 40 patients diagnosed with unilateral PANDO for at least 6mo who were admitted to our department from September 2021 to March 2022 were enrolled in the study, and the healthy eyes of the patients were assessed as control group. The LipiView ocular surface interferometer and Keratograph 5M anterior segment analyzer were used to measure the changes in related parameters of the tear film and ocular surface in both eyes.RESULTS: The non-invasive tear meniscus height(NITMH), stimulated NITMH, loss rate of upper meibomian gland, nasal and temporal ciliary redness index, temporal conjunctival redness index of the affected eyes were higher than healthy eyes(P<0.05), but there were no statistical differences in the non-invasive break-up time(NIBUT), loss rate of lower meibomian gland, nasal conjunctival redness index, dry eye grading, blink responses, partial blink rate and lipid layer thickness(LLT)between the both eyes(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: PANDO may lead to the aggravation of ocular surface inflammation and the loss of upper meibomian gland, and damage the ocular surface of patients. Attention should be paid to the early treatment of PANDO.

OBJECTIVE: This study prospectively investigates the association between immunoglobulin G (IgG) N-glycan traits and ischemic stroke (IS) risk. METHODS: A nested case-control study was conducted in the China suboptimal health cohort study, which recruited 4,313 individuals in 2013-2014. Cases were identified as patients diagnosed with IS, and controls were 1:1 matched by age and sex with cases. IgG N-glycans in baseline plasma samples were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 99 IS cases and 99 controls were included, and 24 directly measured glycan peaks (GPs) were separated from IgG N-glycans. In directly measured GPs, GP4, GP9, GP21, GP22, GP23, and GP24 were associated with the risk of IS in men after adjusting for age, waist and hip circumference, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Derived glycan traits representing decreased galactosylation and sialylation were associated with IS in men (FBG2S2/(FBG2 + FBG2S1 + FBG2S2): odds ratio ( OR) = 0.92, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.87-0.97; G1 ⁿ: OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.63-0.87; G0 ⁿ: OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.03-1.22). However, these associations were not found among women. CONCLUSION This study validated that altered IgG N-glycan traits were associated with incident IS in men, suggesting that sex discrepancies might exist in these associations.
Male ; Humans ; Female ; Immunoglobulin G/metabolism* ; Ischemic Stroke ; Case-Control Studies ; Cohort Studies ; Glycosylation ; Polysaccharides

In 2004, it was the first time that Wollensak and Spoerl had applied physical and chemical cross-linking methods to scleral tissue. They found that the biomechanical strength of cross-linked sclera, induced by riboflavin/ultraviolet A, glyceraldehyde and glutaraldehyde, could be improved and proposed that scleral collagen cross-linking is expected to be a new method for the treatment of pathologic myopia. In recent years, a series of explorations have been made on the effectiveness and adverse reactions of physical and chemical cross-linking in the prevention and treatment of pathologic myopia, including the establishment of various animal models and different myopia modeling methods, the improvement of cross-linking methods, the amelioration of the measurement of biomechanical strength of scleral tissue and the attention of biological parameters such as the thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer and the amplitude of electroretinogram in vivo. Genipin-crosslinking of the scleral collagen combined with posterior scleral contraction/reinforcement has been applied to clinical research. This review summarizes physical cross-linking and the genipin-crosslinking of scleral collagen to explore the effectiveness and safety of the methods in the prevention and treatment of the pathologic myopia.

Objective:To analyze the risk factors for residual pain after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF).Methods:Retrospectively analyzed were the patients with OVC who had been treated at Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University by single level PKP from January 2020 to December 2021. They were 40 men and 181 women, with an age of (69.6±8.2) years. By the pain score of visual analogue scale (VAS) on the postoperative day 3, they were assigned into 2 groups: a residual pain group (VAS≥4) and a control group (VAS<4). The general demographics, radiographic and surgical related data of the 2 groups were analyzed by single factor analysis, including their gender, age, bone mineral density, body mass index, glucocorticoid usage, follow-up time, duration of symptoms, fracture location, severity of fracture compression, intravertebral cleft, middle column involvement, thoracolumbar fascia injury, anesthesia method, puncture method, volume of bone cement injected, cement-endplates contact, pattern of cement distribution, cement leakage, vertebral height restoration, preoperative cobb angle and correction of cobb angle. The P<0.1 factors screened were further analyzed by the multivariate logistic regression to determine the final variables. Results:In the present study, 19 patients were assigned into the residual pain group and 202 patients the control group. The univariate analysis showed that body mass index ( P=0.059), intravertebral cleft ( P=0.049) and thoracolumbar fascia injury ( P< 0.001) increased the risk for residual pain. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that thora-columbar fascia injury was an independent risk factor for residual pain ( OR=6.127, 95% CI: 2.240 to 16.755, P<0.001). Conclusion:Thoracolumbar fascia injury is an independent risk factor for residual pain after PKP for OVF.

Catheter Ablation ; Graves Disease/surgery* ; Humans ; Microwaves/therapeutic use* ; Radiofrequency Ablation ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

Objective To investigate the modification effect of atmospheric temperature on outpatient visits caused by O₃ in Linzhi City. Methods The daily outpatient data, the daily O₃ concentration and daily meteorological data (including daily average temperature, average relative humidity, etc.) in Linzhi City from 2018 to 2019 were collected. The distributed lag non-liner-model (DLNM) was used to quantitatively evaluate the impact of O₃ in different temperature layers on the risk of outpatient visits. Results At low temperature layers, the cumulative relative risk (CRR) of total outpatient visits and non-injury outpatient visits increased by 53.8%（4.2% -126.9%) and 59.1%（5.8% -139.2%）for every 10 μg/m³ increase of O₃ concentration, respectively. The subgroup analysis showed that for every 10 μg/m³ increase of O₃ concentration at low temperature, the CRR of patients with circulatory diseases, men, women, and people being <14 years old and 14-65 years old increased by 152.1% (15.1% - 451.9%), 58.3% (2.1%-145.5%), 49.2% (3.0% -116.1%), 39.6% (2.5% - 90.3%), and 61% (0.8%-157.1%), respectively. Conclusion The average temperature may have a modifying effect on the outpatient visits caused by O₃ in Linzhi City. In general, the cumulative risk increases as the temperature decreases.