[Development of a flexible embedded neurostimulator for animal robots].

The neural stimulator is a core component of animal robots. While the control effect of animal robots is influenced by various factors, the performance of the neural stimulator plays a decisive role in regulating animal robots. In order to optimize animal robots, embedded neural stimulators had been developed using flexible printed circuit board technology. This innovation not only enabled the stimulator to generate parameter-adjustable biphasic current pulses through control signals, but also optimized its carrying mode, material, and size, overcoming the disadvantages of traditional backpack or head-inserted stimulators, which have poor concealment and are prone to infection. Static, in vitro, and in vivo performance tests of the stimulator demonstrated that it not only had precise pulse waveform output capability, but also was lightweight and small in size. It had excellent in vivo performance in both laboratory and outdoor environments. Our study has high practical significance for the application of animal robots.

Absorption and transport of myofibrillar protein-bound Nɛ-(carboxymethyl)lysine in Caco-2 cells after simulated gastrointestinal digestion.

This study aimed to investigate the absorption and transport of myofibrillar protein-bound Nɛ-(carboxymethyl)lysine (MP-bound CML) in Caco-2 cells after simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Four kinds of MP-bound CML hydrolysates with molecular weights (MWs) less than 1 kDa, 1-3 kDa, 3-5 kDa and greater than 5 kDa, were obtained by ultrafiltration; their absorption and transport were studied in Caco-2 cells. Peptide-bound CML in hydrolysates with MWs less than 1 kDa was absorbed by 6.58 % and might transport across Caco-2 cells monolayer through paracellular pathway; peptide-bound CML in hydrolysates with MWs 1-3 kDa was absorbed by 12.8 % and might transport across Caco-2 cells monolayer through paracellular pathway and transcytosis route; peptide-bound CML in hydrolysates with MWs 3-5 kDa was absorbed by 14.66 % and might be through active route via PepT-1 transport across Caco-2 cells monolayer; whereas protein-bound CML in hydrolysates with MWs greater than 5 kDa was only absorbed by 1.02 %, which was hardly transported into Caco-2 cells. In conclusion, MP-bound CML could be absorbed by 35.06 % into Caco-2 cells after simulated gastrointestinal digestion and is transported across Caco-2 cells through paracellular pathway, transcytosis route and active route via PepT-1.

Septuagenarians with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy undergoing myectomy: the experience of a single center.

PURPOSES: A previous study reported that the ventricular septum is more fragile in geriatric patients, and thus myectomy may expose geriatric patients to a higher risk of serious complications. This single-center study evaluates the impacts of the advanced age on the results following myectomy for symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). METHODS: All eligible patients were divided into an elderly group (septuagenarians, n = 35) and a control group (patients under 70 years, n = 197). The patients were followed up for a median of 10 months. Thereafter, the perioperative and follow-up results were compared. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (8.6% for the elderly group and 5.1% for the control group, p = 0.422) underwent immediate repeat surgery. Surgical mortality did not differ between groups (0 vs. 0.5%, p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complete atrioventricular block between groups (5.7 vs. 3.0%, p = 0.346). No follow-up deaths occurred in either group. The maximum gradients at the latest follow-up were significantly lower than the preoperative values in either group. Additionally, grouping (septuagenarians vs. patients under 70 years of age) was not an independent risk factor for surgical complications and results via multivariable logistic regression. CONCLUSIONS: Septuagenarians with HOCM may obtain favorable results following septal myectomy, the same as did HOCM patients under 70 years of age.

del Nido cardioplegia in surgery for aortic root disease: a historically controlled study.

BACKGROUND: To determine the safely and effectively of del Nido cardioplegia (DNC) in surgery for aortic root disease, with mild hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS: From July to December 2017, all patients undergoing the surgery for aortic root disease (total aortic root replacement, valve-sparing aortic root replacement and replacement of aortic valve plus ascending aorta), with mild hypothermic CPB, were retrospectively reviewed at our institution. Patients were divided into two groups based on the type of cardioplegia: the classical blood cardioplegia (CBC group) and del Nido cardioplegia (DNC group). Demographics, operative details, perioperative data and postoperative complications were recorded and compared. A propensity score matching was performed in this study. RESULTS: The preoperative data in DNC group were similar to CBC group. The volume of ultrafiltration was lower in DNC than CBC group (2,053.49±806.62 DNC vs. 2,666.00±967.14 CBC, P=0.001), when matched. The use of temporary pacemaker was more in DNC group (n=20, 46.5%, P=0.023), and the rate of automatic heart resuscitating was higher in the CBC group (92.0% vs. 72.1% DNC group, P=0.024, unmatched).There were no differences in in-hospital mortality, troponin T (mean 0.66 ng/mL for CBC group vs. 0.49 ng/mL for DNC group, P=0.152), left ventricular ejection fraction (mean 58.37% for CBC group vs. 60.07% for DNC group, P=0.395) or other postoperative complications between two groups, after matching. In subgroup analysis, the ultrafiltration volume was lower in DNC than CBC group (1,932.26±749.39 DNC vs. 2,640.00±996.24 CBC, P=0.004), when ACC time less than or equal to 90 minutes. The apache score was better in DNC group (4.75±3.41, P=0.041), when ACC time greater than 90 min. There were no statistical significances in other characteristics between groups. CONCLUSIONS: DNC is safe and effective for surgery for aortic root disease, not inferior to the CBC.

Study of injectable Blueberry anthocyanins-loaded hydrogel for promoting full-thickness wound healing.

Injectable hydrogels with high anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties are highly desirable for clinical application. In the present study, injectable hydrogels were prepared based on carboxymethyl chitosan and oxidized hyaluronic acid. Blueberry anthocyanins (BA), which are known for their antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties, were successfully loaded into the hydrogels. The gelation kinetics and mechanical properties of the hydrogels were investigated. Oxidized hyaluronic acid with an oxidation degree of 38.1% conferred a suitable gelation time (~70 s) and mechanical properties (76.0 kPa compression stress at strain of 80%) of the hydrogel. The injectable BA-loaded hydrogel significantly accelerated the wound healing process in a full-thickness skin wound model in rats, promoted epithelial and tissue regeneration, exerted antiinflammatory effects, and promoted collagen deposition and angiogenesis. Besides, the hydrogel could upregulate the expression of VEGF and IL-10 proteins, downregulate the NF-κB level, and promote macrophage transformation from M1 phenotype to M2. The promotion of the BA-loaded hydrogel on wound healing were mainly realized by its biological effects, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and regulation of various wound healing related factors. The results suggested that BA and the hydrogels exert synergistic effects in promoting wound healing. Injectable BA-loaded hydrogels appear to be promising candidates for wound healing application.

Heat-induced whey protein isolate gels improved by cellulose nanocrystals: Gelling properties and microstructure.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were successfully prepared from wheat bran, and their effects on the gelling properties and microstructure of heat-induced whey protein isolate (WPI) gels were investigated. The results showed that the water holding capacity, gel strength, viscoelasticity, and thermal stability of the composite gels were improved by increasing the CNC concentration from 0 to 1.0 % (w/v). The incorporation of CNC restricted water mobility and facilitated conformation conversion of the secondary structure from α-helix to ß-sheet. CNC has good compatibility with the protein matrixes at relatively low concentrations. At higher CNC concentrations, the agglomerated CNC can serve as an active dehydrating agent to absorb moisture in the protein matrixes, which promotes unfolding and cross-linking of the protein molecules. Moreover, the active filling effects of CNC contributed to the formation of a compact and homogeneous gel structure. Therefore, naturally sourced CNC is suggested as a potential gel modifier in food industry.

Focused Ultrasound Assistance to the MOS Gas Sensor System.

It is known that the ultrasound-assisted metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) gas sensor system can improve the sensitivity and lower detection limit (LDL) of a MOS gas sensor. The existing ultrasound-assisted MOS gas sensor system employs the standing-wave ultrasonic field. As the size of the sensing element is much smaller than that of the ultrasonic field, energy utilization rate of the ultrasonic subsystem has been very poor. In this work, we propose a method to raise the energy utilization rate, and the limit-sensing properties of the ultrasound-assisted MOS gas sensor system, which utilizes the focused ultrasound generated by a low-frequency ultrasonic transducer with a concave radiation face. By placing the sensing element at the focal region, the electric power input of the ultrasonic transducer can be decreased by about 50% for the same sensing response. Moreover, the maximum sensitivity can be increased by 45%, and the LDL can be decreased by 50% by the new method.

Single-dose del Nido cardioplegia used in adult minimally invasive valve surgery.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the protective effect of single-dose del Nido cardioplegia (DNC) in adult minimally invasive valve surgery. METHODS: From January to December 2017, 165 consecutive adult patients who underwent minimally invasive valve surgery by the same team of surgeons were divided into two cohorts based on the type of cardioplegia administered during surgery: (I) single-dose DNC (DNC group (n=76, male 41, female 35) used in patients from May to December, 2017 and (II) intermittent standard 4:1 blood cardioplegia based on St.Thomas solution (SBC group, n=89, male 45, female 44) used in patients from January to April, 2017. Preoperative baseline demographics, preoperative comorbidities, operative variables, postoperative complications, and patient outcomes were collected and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Preoperative characteristics were shown to be similar between the two groups before and after propensity matching. Patients in the DNC group required a significantly lower volume of cardioplegia. The volume of ultrafiltration in the DNC group was substantially higher than that in the SBC group. The spontaneous return of heartbeat rate in the DNC group was considerably higher than that in the SBC group (97.0% vs. 78.8%, P=0.006). The Euroscore II in the DNC group was markedly lower than that in the SBC group (2.00 vs. 3.00, P<0.05). The level of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in the DNC group was significantly lower than that in the SBC group (6.20 vs. 6.95, P<0.05). There were no differences in surgery procedure, cross-clamp time, bypass time, Apache score, troponin T (cTnT), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), liver and renal function, postoperative complications or patient outcomes between two groups. Regression analysis showed that cTnT increased with the prolongation of myocardial ischemia time, and was closely related to the type of operation, but had no significant correlation with the type of cardioplegia. CONCLUSIONS: In our initial experience, single-dose DNC in adult minimally invasive valve surgery in which the cross-clamp time was mostly less than 90 min, achieved equivalent myocardial protection and clinical outcomes when compared with standard whole blood cardioplegia. In addition, single-dose DNC made the minimally invasive valve surgery procedure progress in a smoother and more convenient fashion.

Patients over 70 years of age with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation undergoing surgical revascularization plus mitral valve repair: insights from a single-center study of propensity-matched data.

BACKGROUND: Elderly patients, compared with the young, have a higher burden of surgical risk factors with reduced functional capacity and increased comorbidities conditions, and may have worse clinical outcomes. So far, few reports have focused on clinical outcomes of patients over 70 years of age with moderate chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) undergoing mitral valve repair at the time of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This single-center study of propensity-matched data attempts to answer a question: compared with patients with age of 70 or less, whether patients over 70 years of age with moderate IMR undergoing CABG plus mitral valve repair receive poor outcomes. METHODS: All eligible patients were included in this study and were entered into either an elderly group (n=142) or a control group (n=182) according to patients' age. In-hospital outcomes (consisting of surgical mortality and major postoperative morbidity) and midterm clinical outcomes (including all-cause mortality and recurrent mitral regurgitation) were compared after propensity score matching (1:1). RESULTS: Using propensity-score matching, 103 pairs of patients were successfully established in a 1:1 ratio. No significant differences between the two matched groups were found with regard to surgical mortality (5.8% vs. 3.9%, P=0.754) and major postoperative morbidity. A total of 184 patients (91 in the elderly group and 93 in the control group) received regular follow-up visit with the median duration of 38 months [interquartile range (IQR), 27-56 months]. There were not any significant differences between the two matched groups regarding overall survival and recurrent IMR-free survival (stratified log-rank P=0.185 and stratified log-rank P=0.453, respectively). The elderly group as compared to the control group did not affect midterm mortality via cox proportional hazard regression (propensity score adjusted hazard ratio, 1.143; 95% confidence interval, 0.761-1.943; P=0.285). CONCLUSIONS: Patients over 70 years of age with moderate chronic IMR undergoing combined CABG and mitral valve repair may receive favorable in-hospital and midterm clinical outcomes.

Mammographic calcification can predict outcome in women with breast cancer treated with breast-conserving surgery.

The impact of calcification in patients with breast carcinoma treated with breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is unclear. The present study aimed to determine the outcome of breast cancer patients with calcification treated with BCS. The records of 409 patients with breast carcinoma treated with BCS from January 2005 to December 2008 were reviewed. Patients were categorized as those with calcification (on mammography or ultrasonography), or those without calcification (neither on mammography nor ultrasonography). The local relapse free survival time (LRFS), disease free survival time (DFS) and overall survival time (OS) were compared, and subgroup analysis was performed based on morphological types and distribution patterns of mammographic calcification. Survival analysis demonstrated that patients with calcification had a significantly increased risk of local recurrence, distant metastasis and mortality compared with those without calcification [relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI): local recurrence, 2.46 and 1.11-5.44; distant metastasis, 2.24 and 1.19-4.24; mortality, 2.50 and 1.06-5.86]. Subgroup analysis revealed that the distribution patterns (rather than morphological types of calcification) accounted for the increased risk of recurrence following BCS. Patients with mammographic calcification of liner/segmental distribution had significantly decreased LRFS (RR=6.20; 95% CI, 2.26-16.98), DFS (RR=6.81; 95% CI, 2.86-16.20) and OS (RR=9.14; 95% CI, 2.53-33.00), while patients with mammographic calcification of clustered distribution did not have significantly decreased LRFS, DFS and OS (P>0.05), compared with those without calcification. In addition, the mammographic calcification spreading along the ducts was more likely to be accompanied by an extensive intraductal component (P<0.001). Finally, the outcome of patients with calcification on breast ultrasound was as good as those without calcification. Patients with mammographic calcification, particularly those with calcification spreading along the ducts, have a higher risk of recurrence following BCS, which has a negative impact on long-term survival. Calcification identified on breast ultrasonography does not affect the survival of patients treated with BCS.