Portable Arduino-Based Multi-Sensor Device (SBEDAD): Measuring the Built Environment in Street Cycling Spaces.

The built environment's impact on human activities has been a hot issue in urban research. Compared to motorized spaces, the built environment of pedestrian and cycling street spaces dramatically influences people's travel experience and travel mode choice. The streets' built environment data play a vital role in urban design and management. However, the multi-source, heterogeneous, and massive data acquisition methods and tools for the built environment have become obstacles for urban design and management. To better realize the data acquisition and for deeper understanding of the urban built environment, this study develops a new portable, low-cost Arduino-based multi-sensor array integrated into a single portable unit for built environment measurements of street cycling spaces. The system consists of five sensors and an Arduino Mega board, aimed at measuring the characteristics of the street cycling space. It takes air quality, human sensation, road quality, and greenery as the detection objects. An integrated particulate matter laser sensor, a light intensity sensor, a temperature and humidity sensor, noise sensors, and an 8K panoramic camera are used for multi-source data acquisition in the street. The device has a mobile power supply display and a secure digital card to improve its portability. The study took Beijing as a sample case. A total of 127.97 G of video data and 4794 Kb of txt records were acquired in 36 working hours using the street built environment data acquisition device. The efficiency rose to 8474.21% compared to last year. As an alternative to conventional hardware used for this similar purpose, the device avoids the need to carry multiple types and models of sensing devices, making it possible to target multi-sensor data-based street built environment research. Second, the device's power and storage capabilities make it portable, independent, and scalable, accelerating self-motivated development. Third, it dramatically reduces the cost. The device provides a methodological and technological basis for conceptualizing new research scenarios and potential applications.

The S1PR1 agonist SEW2871 promotes the survival of skin flap.

Skin flap transfer is an important method to repair and reconstruct various tissue defects; however, avascular necrosis largely affects the success of flap transfer. The sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) agonist SEW2871 has been proven to ameliorate ischemic injury; however, its effect on flap survival has not been reported. In this study, an experimental skin flap model was established in rats to investigate the roles of SEW2871. The results indicated that SEW2871 greatly increased the survival of the skin flap, alleviated pathological injury, promoted the angiogenesis, and inhibited cells apoptosis in skin flap tissues. SEW2871 activated S1PR1 downstream signaling pathways, including heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), and protein kinase B (Akt). In addition, SEW2871 promoted the expression of S1PR1. These findings may provide novel insights for skin flap transfer.

Clinical and Radiological Analysis of Bryan Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement for "Skip" Multi-Segment Cervical Spondylosis: Long-Term Follow-Up Results.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the clinical and radiological efficacy of Bryan cervical artificial disc replacement (ADR) for "skip" multi-segment cervical spondylosis (SCS). MATERIAL AND METHODS We enrolled 49 patients with SCS treated with either Bryan cervical ADR (18 cases) or ACDF (31 cases). Each case was evaluated preoperatively and at more than 48 months postoperatively in follow-up using the JOA, NDI, and VAS. Cervical sagittal curvature, total cervical ROM, and degree of middle segments of motion were also evaluated. MRI was used to assess adjacent segment degeneration(ASD), spinal cord compression, and signal changes. RESULTS The JOA, NDI, and VAS scores in the 2 groups improved significantly postoperatively. At the last follow-up, the results of Group Bryan were better than those of Group ACDF with respect to the incidence of axial symptoms (11.1% and 45.2%, respectively), VAS, ROM, and the degree of middle segments of motion. The ROM in Group Bryan was 38.2±4.6° and in Group ACDF was 25.3±4.6°. The middle segments of motion were 8.4±2.0° in Group Bryan and 12.2±2.2° in Group ACDF. There were no patients with ASD in Group Bryan. In Group ACDF, 1 case with an internal fixation device developed dislocation, and 2 cases developed degeneration, but there was no need for reoperation. CONCLUSIONS ADR for SCS can effectively improve neurological function and retain the overall activity of the cervical, thereby reducing ASD and the incidence of postoperative axial symptoms.

The role of surgical timing in the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis.

PURPOSE: To determine the outcome and safety of surgical treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis in patients without obvious clinical and laboratory improvement after preoperative short-time chemotherapy. METHODS: Data of 86 patients with single-level thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis, treated by one-stage posterior instrumentation combined with anterior radical debridement and fusion, were studied retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups based on the results of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) after preoperative 2-week chemotherapy. Surgical outcome and prognosis were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After antituberculous chemotherapy for 2 weeks, the ESR did not decrease or even increase in 57 patients (group A), but decreased in 29 patients (group B). However, the ESR decreased gradually after surgery and returned to a normal level at the final follow-up in both groups. Between group A and B, no significant difference was observed in pain improvement (6.3 ± 1.4, 6.4 ± 1.4, respectively, P = 0.805). The corrected angle was 12.4° ± 5.9°, 13.8° ± 6.4°, respectively, for group A and group B (P = 0.305). CONCLUSIONS: It is safe and effective to carry out the surgery just after a short-time antituberculous chemotherapy. And it is the postoperative drugs, not the preoperative drugs, that play an important role in reinforcing the surgical outcome.

Comparison of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with intravertebral clefts.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have compared the surgical outcomes of vertebroplasty (VP) and kyphoplasty (KP) in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) with intravertebral clefts. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to review patients with a single-level osteoporotic VCF treated by VP or KP. Intravertebral clefts were assessed by preoperative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance scans. All enrolled patients were followed up for 12 months. Clinical outcomes, radiological findings and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 53 patients were available for data analysis. Most of the fractures (75.5 %) occurred in the region of the thoracolumbar junction (T10-L2). Twenty-four patients received VP and 29 patients received KP. Patients in both group had significant pain relief after surgery (P < 0.01). Compared with VP group, there was a significant lower visual analogue scale (VAS) score in KP group at the 6- (P = 0.04) and 12-month follow-up (P = 0.02), but the decreased values of VAS score had no significant correlation with the magnitude of deformity correction. Restoration of vertebral body height and reduction in kyphotic angle were achieved in both groups, and the magnitude of correction was more significant in KP group (P < 0.01). Cement leakage rate in VP group (66.7 %) was higher than that in KP group (20.7 %), and there was a significant difference (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Intravertebral clefts occur primarily at the thoracolumbar junction and can be detected easily by CT and magnetic resonance imaging scans. Both VP and KP are effective in the treatment of clefts, but patients in KP group tend to have a better pain relief at the medium and long-term follow-up. However, the better pain relief effect of KP cannot be attributed to the higher magnitude of deformity correction.

Targeting cancer stem cells by disulfiram and copper sensitizes radioresistant chondrosarcoma to radiation.

Overcoming the radiosensitivity of chondrosarcoma (CS), the second most common primary bone tumor, is needed. Radioresistance is attributed to cancer stem cells (CSCs) in many malignancies. Disulfiram (DSF), an FDA-approved anti-alcoholism drug, complexed with Cu (DSF/Cu) can radiosensitize epithelial CSCs. This prompted us to investigate the radiosensitizing effect of DSF/Cu on CS CSCs (CCSCs). The radiosensitizing effects of DSF/Cu on CCSCs were investigated in vitro using cell lines SW1353 and CS-1. Stemness was identified independently by flow cytometry for CCSCs (ALDH+CD133+), sphere-forming ability, and Western blot analysis of stemness gene protein expression. The radiosensitizing effect of DSF/Cu was studied in an orthotopic CS xenograft mouse model by analyzing xenograft growth and residual xenografts for stemness. CCSCs were found to be resistant to single-dose (IR) and fractionated irradiation (FIR). IR and FIR increased CS stemness. Combined with DSF/Cu in vitro and in vivo, IR and FIR eliminated CS stemness. RT + DSF/Cu was safer and more effective than either RT ± DSF in inhibiting growth of orthotopic CS xenografts. In conclusion, DSF/Cu radiosensitizes CCSCs. These results can be translated into clinical trials for CS patients requiring RT for improved outcomes.

Evaluation of conservative treatment and timing of surgical intervention for mild forms of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

The optimal management approach for patients with mild forms of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (MCSM) has not been well established. The aim of the present study was to investigate the outcome of conservative treatment, identify prognostic factors and provide evidence for the timing of surgical intervention. A total of 90 patients with MCSM attending hospital between February 2007 and January 2009 were prospectively enrolled. Initially, all patients received conservative treatment and were followed up periodically. When a deterioration in myelopathy was clearly identified, surgical treatment was conducted. Clinical and radiological factors correlating with the deterioration were examined, and final clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score. At the end of January 2012, follow-ups of >3 years were completed. Seventy-eight patients were available for data analysis. Only 21 patients (26.9%) deteriorated and underwent surgery thereafter (group A), while the remaining 57 patients (73.1%) were treated conservatively throughout (group B). Statistical analysis revealed that segmental instability and cervical spinal stenosis were adverse factors for the prognosis of conservative treatment. Although the JOA scores of the patients in group A declined initially, following surgical intervention, no significant differences were identified in JOA scores between the two groups at the time of the final follow-up (P=0.46). In summary, conservative treatment is effective in MCSM patients. Patients with segmental instability and cervical spinal stenosis have a tendency to deteriorate, but conservative treatment remains the recommendation for the first action. If the myelopathy deteriorates during conservative treatment, timely surgical intervention is effective.