Background::Bladder cancer, characterized by a high potential of tumor recurrence, has high lifelong monitoring and treatment costs. To date, tumor cells with intrinsic softness have been identified to function as cancer stem cells in several cancer types. Nonetheless, the existence of soft tumor cells in bladder tumors remains elusive. Thus, our study aimed to develop a microbarrier microfluidic chip to efficiently isolate deformable tumor cells from distinct types of bladder cancer cells.Methods::The stiffness of bladder cancer cells was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The modified microfluidic chip was utilized to separate soft cells, and the 3D Matrigel culture system was to maintain the softness of tumor cells. Expression patterns of integrin β8 (ITGB8), protein kinase B (AKT), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were determined by Western blotting. Double immunostaining was conducted to examine the interaction between F-actin and tripartite motif containing 59 (TRIM59). The stem-cell-like characteristics of soft cells were explored by colony formation assay and in vivo studies upon xenografted tumor models. Results::Using our newly designed microfluidic approach, we identified a small fraction of soft tumor cells in bladder cancer cells. More importantly, the existence of soft tumor cells was confirmed in clinical human bladder cancer specimens, in which the number of soft tumor cells was associated with tumor relapse. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the biomechanical stimuli arising from 3D Matrigel activated the F-actin/ITGB8/TRIM59/AKT/mTOR/glycolysis pathways to enhance the softness and tumorigenic capacity of tumor cells. Simultaneously, we detected a remarkable up-regulation in ITGB8, TRIM59, and phospho-AKT in clinical bladder recurrent tumors compared with their non-recurrent counterparts.Conclusions::The ITGB8/TRIM59/AKT/mTOR/glycolysis axis plays a crucial role in modulating tumor softness and stemness. Meanwhile, the soft tumor cells become more sensitive to chemotherapy after stiffening, that offers new insights for hampering tumor progression and recurrence.

Objectives:To examine the functional outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with preservation of pelvic floor stabilized structure and early elevated retrograde liberation of the neurovascular bundle (PEEL).Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. Between June 1, 2022, and March 20, 2023, 27 cases of RARP with PEEL and 153 cases of RARP with preservation of pelvic floor stabilized structure (PPSS) were included in this study. All patients were males, aged (62.5±5.2) years (range: 50 to 73 years). There were 18 cases of ≤T2b stage and 9 cases of T2c stage. After 1∶1 propensity score matching, the postoperative functional outcomes of 27 cases of RARP with PEEL and 27 cases of RARP with PPSS were compared. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon and included patients were clinically staged as cT1-2N0M0 without preoperative urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction. In RARP with PEEL, the prostate was cut near the midline at the front when dissecting the neurovascular bundle, dissection was performed between the visceral layer of the pelvic fascia and the prostatic fascia, preserving the parietal layer and the visceral layer of the pelvic fascia, and the neurovascular bundle was retrogradely released from the apex. The cumulative probability curve was plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Log-rank test was used to compare the differences in functional outcomes between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare postoperative urinary continence and sexual function.Results:The recovery time of continence and potency was significantly longer in the PPSS group than in the PEEL group (all P<0.05). The continence rate of the PEEL group was significantly higher than that of the PPSS group (92.59% vs. 68.10%, P=0.026) at 3 months after surgery. The potency rate of the PEEL group was also significantly higher than that of the PPSS group (40.70% vs. 15.10%, P=0.037) at 3 months after surgery. In the univariate analysis, compared to the PPSS technique, the PEEL technique was associated with a shorter recovery time of continence ( HR=1.94, 95% CI: 1.08 to 3.48, P=0.027) and a shorter recovery time of potency ( HR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.03 to 4.13, P=0.042). In the multivariate analysis, the PEEL technique was an independent prognosis factor for postoperative recovery of continence ( HR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.01 to 4.17, P=0.047) and potency ( HR=3.57, 95% CI: 1.43 to 8.92, P=0.007). All the cases of the PPSS group and the PEEL group were performed successfully with negative surgical margins. Conclusion:Compared with PPSS, PEEL may be more conducive to the recovery of urinary continence and sexual function after RARP.

Objective:To explore the risk factors for stone recurrence after laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) combined with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and to develop a risk prediction model.Methods:Clinical data of 344 patients with bile duct stones who underwent LCBDE combined with LC at Hebei General Hospital from January 2016 to March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 165 males and 179 females, aged (62.72±13.56) years old. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether stones recurred during the follow-up period: recurrence group ( n=37) and non-recurrence group ( n=307). Clinical data such as common bile duct diameter, stone size, number of stones and duration of T-tube drainage were collected from the patients. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for postoperative stone recurrence, and then developed a logistic regression model. The predictive efficacy of the model was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Results:The results of multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that patients with ≥2 choledochal stones had a high risk of stone recurrence after LCBDE combined with LC ( OR=3.094, 95% CI: 1.069-8.954, P=0.037). In contrast, regular postoperative oral choleretic medication was a protective factor for stone recurrence after LCBDE combined with LC ( OR=0.160, 95% CI: 0.072-0.354, P=0.001). A logistic regression model, based on the number of common bile duct stones and regular postoperative oral choleretic medication, was developed to predict the recurrence of bile duct stones in patients who underwent LCBDE combined with LC. The area under the ROC curve for this model was found to be 0.821 (95% CI: 0.758-0.885). The Hosmer-Lemeshow test, χ 2=7.26, P=0.509, suggested that there is good agreement between the model's predicted probabilities and ideal probabilities. Conclusions:The number of stones (≥2) is an independent risk factor for stone recurrence after LCBDE combined with LC in patients with bile duct stones. Regular postoperative oral choleretic medication is a protective factor for stone recurrence after LCBDE combined with LC. Predictive models based on the number of choledochal stones and regular postoperative oral choleretic medication have better efficacy in predicting postoperative stone recurrence.

Objectives:To examine the functional outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with preservation of pelvic floor stabilized structure and early elevated retrograde liberation of the neurovascular bundle (PEEL).Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. Between June 1, 2022, and March 20, 2023, 27 cases of RARP with PEEL and 153 cases of RARP with preservation of pelvic floor stabilized structure (PPSS) were included in this study. All patients were males, aged (62.5±5.2) years (range: 50 to 73 years). There were 18 cases of ≤T2b stage and 9 cases of T2c stage. After 1∶1 propensity score matching, the postoperative functional outcomes of 27 cases of RARP with PEEL and 27 cases of RARP with PPSS were compared. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon and included patients were clinically staged as cT1-2N0M0 without preoperative urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction. In RARP with PEEL, the prostate was cut near the midline at the front when dissecting the neurovascular bundle, dissection was performed between the visceral layer of the pelvic fascia and the prostatic fascia, preserving the parietal layer and the visceral layer of the pelvic fascia, and the neurovascular bundle was retrogradely released from the apex. The cumulative probability curve was plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Log-rank test was used to compare the differences in functional outcomes between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare postoperative urinary continence and sexual function.Results:The recovery time of continence and potency was significantly longer in the PPSS group than in the PEEL group (all P<0.05). The continence rate of the PEEL group was significantly higher than that of the PPSS group (92.59% vs. 68.10%, P=0.026) at 3 months after surgery. The potency rate of the PEEL group was also significantly higher than that of the PPSS group (40.70% vs. 15.10%, P=0.037) at 3 months after surgery. In the univariate analysis, compared to the PPSS technique, the PEEL technique was associated with a shorter recovery time of continence ( HR=1.94, 95% CI: 1.08 to 3.48, P=0.027) and a shorter recovery time of potency ( HR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.03 to 4.13, P=0.042). In the multivariate analysis, the PEEL technique was an independent prognosis factor for postoperative recovery of continence ( HR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.01 to 4.17, P=0.047) and potency ( HR=3.57, 95% CI: 1.43 to 8.92, P=0.007). All the cases of the PPSS group and the PEEL group were performed successfully with negative surgical margins. Conclusion:Compared with PPSS, PEEL may be more conducive to the recovery of urinary continence and sexual function after RARP.

Objective:To explore the possible pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of Shaogan Fuzi Decoction in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis through ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS/MS) combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking method.Methods:The blood components of Shaogan Fuzi Decoction were analyzed by UPLC-HRMS/MS; the targets of blood components in Shaogan Fuzi Decoction were predicted by PubChem database and Swiss Target Prediction database; DrugBank database, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD) and GeneCards database were used to screen rheumatoid arthritis-related targets, and Venn map of common targets was obtained; the protein interaction network was constructed by STRING database, and the key targets and key components were screened; GO function enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed by DAVID 6.8 database; the "blood component-target-pathway" network was constructed by Cytoscape 3.2.1 software; Autodock software was used to verify the molecular docking between the predicted key components and key targets in the network.Results:Totally 26 blood components of Shaogan Fuzi Decoction, 526 related targets, 478 related targets of rheumatoid arthritis, and 111 common targets were obtained; the key components such as tangeretin, kaempferol, glycyrrhetinic acid, liquiritigenin, quillaic acid and glabrolide were screened, which acted on key targets such as TNF, IL6, VEGFA, PTGS2, JUN and PPARG. They were mainly involved inflammatory response, steroid metabolic process, response to lipopolysaccharide, extracellular region, cytoplasm, RNA polymerase Ⅱ transcription factor activity, steroid bindingand other biological processes. It mainly regulated steroid hormone biosynthesis, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, apoptosis, IL-17 signaling pathway, rheumatoid arthritisand other signaling pathways. Molecular docking results showed that the key components had good binding activity with key targets.Conclusion:Shaogan Fuzi Decoction may act on TNF, IL6, VEGFA, PTGS2, JUN, PPARG and other targets through tangeretin, kaempferol, glycyrrhetinic acid and other blood components to regulate PI3K-Akt and other signaling pathways, inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis, reducing inflammation, to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

As an interface between external electronic devices and internal neural nuclei, microelectrodes play an important role in many fields, such as animal robots, deep brain stimulation and neural prostheses. Aiming at the problem of high price and complicated fabrication process of microelectrode, a microelectrode twisting machine based on open source electronic prototyping platform (Arduino) and three-dimensional printing technology was proposed, and its microelectrode fabrication performance and neural stimulation performance were verified. The results show that during the fabrication of microelectrodes, the number of positive twisting turns of the electrode wire should generally be set to about 1.8 times of its length, and the number of reverse twisting rings is independent of the length, generally about 5. Moreover, compared with the traditional instrument, the device is not only inexpensive and simple to manufacture, but also has good expandability. It has a positive significance for both the personalization and popularization of microelectrode fabrication and the reduction of experimental cost.
Equipment Design ; Microelectrodes ; Printing, Three-Dimensional

Objective: To explore the safety and feasibility of transumbilical single channel laparoscopic cryptorchidopexy with conventional instruments in treatment of cryptorchidism in children. Methods: Thirty-five children with cryptorchidism were treated by transumbilical single channel laparoscopic cryptorchidopexy with conventional instruments from November 2017 to March 2018 at Department of Pediatric Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University.Clinical data were recorded including the general information, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative testicular position and postoperative complications, etc. Results: All 35 patients completed the cryptorchidopexy in one operation.Among those 35 patients, 28 patients had unilateral lesions and 7 patients had bilateral lesions, with a total of 42 sides.Twenty-six patients were of groin type(33 sides), 9 patients abdominal type(9 sides). The average operation time was (40.4±8.2) min for unilateral lesion, and (62.5±15.3) min for bilateral lesions; the average intraoperative blood loss was (3.0±1.8) mL; and the average postoperative hospital stay was (6.4±2.1) h. Testis of 32 patients (40 sides) were fixed in the middle and bottoms of the scrotum, and testis of 2 patients (2 sides) were fixed on the top of the scrotum.One case had poor healing of naval incision, which was recovered in 1 week after dressing change.There were no postoperative complications such as scrotum hematoma, infection of incision, testicular epididymitis, testicular necrosis, testicular retraction or testicular atrophy, etc.No obvious visible scar was found in the abdomen review 2 weeks postoperatively, with the incidence of complications was 2.9%(1/35 cases). Conclusions Transumbilical single channel laparoscopic cryptorchidopexy with conventional instruments in treatment of cryptorchidism is characterized by small trauma, quick recovery, low complication rate and visible scar free result, which is worthy of clinical promotion, but the operation is relatively complex and the correct procedures are required.

Objective: To explore the effects of continuous care based on WeChat platform on self-care ability of patients with ileal bladder stoma. Methods: A total of 80 patients with ileal conduit were recruited from a urological department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou university from September 2016 to October 2017. The patients were randomly divided into intervention group (n=40) and control group (n=40). Both groups received routine care, and the experimental group also used the continuation care based on WeChat platform. The outcomes of complication incidence, self-care level with stoma were evaluated at the times of 1 day before discharge, 4 weeks after discharge and 12 weeks after discharge. Results: The self-care scores of the intervention group at 3 time points were 5.13 ± 2.79, 9.98 ± 2.68, and 15.65 ± 2.37, The control group were 5.35 ± 3.20, 8.13 ± 3.45, and 12.30 ± 5.93. The interaction of self-care level scores of the two groups were statistically significant (F(1.735, 67.680)=23.301, P<0.05). The incidence of complications of the intervention group at the 3 time points was 5.00%(2/40), 42.50%(17/40), and 22.50% (9/40). The control group were 0(0/40), 51.22% (21/40), and 63.41% (26/40). The incidence of complications in the two groups was statistically significant at the 12th week after discharge (χ²=14.679, P<0.05). Conclusions With continuous care based on WeChat platform, the self-care level of patients with ileal bladder stoma can be effectively improved, and reduce the incidence of complications.

Objective To observe the influence of nutrition cognition and behavior intervention of family caregivers on nutritional status of gastric cancer patients during chemotherapy. Methods We selected 100 patients who received complete chemotherapy at the Department of gastrointestinal surgery from September 2015 to February 2017.Each patient selected 1 family caregiver.It was divided into the control group and the intervention group by the draw method.The control group carried out routine nursing measures.The intervention group carried out nutritional cognitive behavior intervention.The effects of cognitive behavior intervention were investigated by observing the scores of PG-SGA,albumin, prealbumin in gastric cancer patients and the scores of nutrition knowledge,attitude and practice in family caregivers. Results The scores of nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice of the control group and the intervention group were respectively 44.17 ± 9.35 and 46.50 ± 9.32, and the difference was statistically significant(t=15.02, P<0.05).There was significant difference in PG-SGA score, hemoglobin and BMI in patients with gastric cancer patients (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of malnutrition and prealbumin in patients with gastric cancer patients (P>0.05). Conclusion Nutrition cognition and behavior intervention can effectively improve the nutritional cognition of family caregivers, improve the nutritional status of gastric cancer patients during chemotherapy, and promote the rehabilitation of patients with gastric cancer and improve their quality of life.

Objective To investigate and analyze the nutritional knowledge needs and cognitive level of the main family caregivers of patients with gastric cancer. Methods A total of 208 patients who underwent radical resection of gastric cancer and received complete chemotherapy at the Department of gastrointestinal surgery from September 2015 to February 2017 were selected.Each patient selected 1 family caregivers.A questionnaire survey was conducted among 208 family caregivers, including general information, nutritional knowledge needs questionnaire, nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice and so on. Results The total score of nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice among the family caregivers of patients with gastric cancer was (41.11 ± 9.33) points. The score of nutrition knowledge was (6.26 ± 1.87) points. The score of nutrition attitude was (15.45±4.75) points.The score of nutrition practice was (17.47± 4.45) points .There was a significant positive correlation between nutrition knowledge and attitude(r=0.88, P<0.05), knowledge and practice (r=0.766, P<0.01), attitude and practice (r=0.186, P<0.01) by using Pearson correlation.Family caregivers had a strong demand for nutrition knowledge. 37.5％(78/208) of family caregivers chose to cooperate with doctors and nurses to carry out nutrition knowledge. 51.4％(107/208) of family caregivers preferred bedside individualized guidance. Conclusions Family caregivers have a strong demand for nutrition knowledge,but the nutrition cognition level is poor. Health care providers should strengthen the education on patients and family caregivers' knowledge of nutrition, improve the nutrition knowledge level of caregivers and care ability.