[Early efficacy of three dimensional printed anatomical biomimetic cervical artificial disc replacement in the treatment of cervical degenerative diseases].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of a new cervical artificial disc prosthesis in the treatment of cervical degenerative diseases. Methods: The clinical data of 18 patients with single-level cervical degenerative diseases who underwent three dimensional printed anatomical bionic cervical disc replacement at Department of Spinal Surgery,Honghui Hospital,Xi'an Jiaotong University from May 2019 to July 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 7 males and 11 females,aged (45±8) years old(range:28 to 58 years).The surgical segment was located at C3－4 level in 2 cases, C4－5 level in 5 cases, C5－6 level in 9 cases, and C6－7 level in 2 cases.The clinical and radiographic outcomes were recorded and compared at preoperative,postoperative times of one month and twelve months.The clinical assessments contained Japanese orthopedic association (JOA) score,neck disability index (NDI) and visual analogue scale (VAS).Imaging assessments included range of motion (ROM) of cervical spine, prosthesis subsidence and prosthesis anteroposterior migration.Repeated measurement variance analysis was used for comparison between groups,and paired t test was used for pairwise comparison. Results: All patients underwent the operation successfully and were followed up for more than 12 months.Compared with preoperative score,the JOA score,NDI and VAS were significantly improved after surgery (all P<0.01).There was no significant difference in postoperative ROM compared with 1-and 12-month preoperative ROM (t=1.570,P=0.135;t=1.744,P=0.099). The prosthesis subsidence was (0.29±0.13) mm (range: 0.18 to 0.50 mm) at 12-month postoperatively.The migration of prosthesis at 12-months postoperatively were (0.71±0.20) mm (range: 0.44 to 1.08 mm).There was no prosthesis subsidence or migration>2 mm at 12-month postoperatively. Conclusion: Three dimensional printed anatomical biomimetic cervical artificial disc replacement has a good early clinical effect in the treatment of cervical degenerative diseases, good mobility can be obtained while maintaining stability.

[Dynamic visual analysis of neutrophils chemotaxis in peritoneal cavity of schizophrenic model in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the differences of neutrophils chemotaxis ability in peritoneal cavity between normal rats and schizopherenic rats with cell dynamic visualization system. METHODS: In the study,18 healthy Kunming rats were randomly divided into 3 groups which were control group (n=6), 0.3 mg/kg MK-801 treatment group (n=6), 0.6 mg/kg dizocilpine maleate (MK-801) treatment group(n=6), extracted neutrophils separately, and observed the morphology and counted under a microscope. Each group of cells was divided into two parts for chemotactic experiment, called chemokine agent treatment group and no chemokine agent treatment group respectively, indicating control 1, 0.3 mg/kg MK-801 treatment 1,0.6 mg/kg MK-801 treatment 1 and control 2, 0.3 mg/kg MK-801 treatment 2,0.6 mg/kg MK-801 treatment 2. The dynamic migration of cells was recorded using the NIS-Elements software, and TAXIScan Analyzer 2 software was used to select 30 cells (n=30) in each group of cells and analyze cells migration trajectory, speed and distance, and use pair test and One-Way analysis of variance for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The number of neutrophils in control group, 0.3 mg/kg MK-801 treatment group and 0.6 mg/kg MK-801 treatment group were(1.00±0.03)×104/mL,(0.05±0.02)×104/mL,(0.32±0.01)×104/mL respectively, the differences of results were statistically significant(P<0.05).Under the effect of chemotactic agent,the directional migration capability of neutrophils in control group 1, 0.3 mg/kg MK-801 treatment group 1 and 0.6 mg/kg MK-801 treatment group 1 were(0.85±0.11) radian,(1.00±0.11) radian,(0.96±0.10) radian respectively (P<0.05); the migration velocities of neutrophils were (0.09±0.02) µm/s,(0.12±0.01) µm/s,(0.14±0.01) µm/s respectively (P<0.05);the migration distances of neutrophils were (94.26±0.02) µm,(134.61±0.01) µm,(156.19±0.01) µm respectively(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with neutrophils in peritoneal cavity of control group, the neutrophils in peritoneal cavity of schizophrenic rats have stronger chemotactic movement ability.

A MoS2-based coplanar neuron transistor for logic applications.

The human brain is an extremely complex system of 1010-1011 neurons. To construct brain-like neuromorphic hardware, the neuron unit should be implemented effectively. Here, we report a neuron transistor based on a MoS2 flake, which has summation and threshold functions similar to biological neurons and may act as a basic neuron unit in neuromorphic hardware. The neuron transistor is composed of a floating gate and two control gates. A heavily doped silicon substrate serves as the floating gate, while the two control gates are capacitively coupled with the floating gate. The neuron transistor can be well controlled by the two control gates individually or simultaneously. The drain current can be modulated by the input voltages at the control gates. While the current response of the neuron transistor has a large dependence on the magnitude of the input signal, it shows little dependence on the frequency of the input signal. To demonstrate the potential neuromorphic application of the neuron transistor, functions including abacus-like function, AND logic and OR logic are realized in the neuron transistor.

Highly spectrum-selective ultraviolet photodetector based on p-NiO/n-IGZO thin film heterojunction structure.

Ultraviolet photodetector with p-n heterojunction is fabricated by magnetron sputtering deposition of n-type indium gallium zinc oxide (n-IGZO) and p-type nickel oxide (p-NiO) thin films on ITO glass. The performance of the photodetector is largely affected by the conductivity of the p-NiO thin film, which can be controlled by varying the oxygen partial pressure during the deposition of the p-NiO thin film. A highly spectrum-selective ultraviolet photodetector has been achieved with the p-NiO layer with a high conductivity. The results can be explained in terms of the "optically-filtering" function of the NiO layer.

Genetic variability of DNA repair mechanisms in chemotherapy treatment outcome of gastric cancer patients.

We investigate whether three common polymorphisms in ERCC1 and ERCC2 are predictor factors for the chemotherapy response, as well as the clinic outcome of patients with gastric cancer. Between May 2011 and May 2013, 263 patients with gastric cancer who were newly diagnosed by histopathology were enrolled in our study. Genotyping of the ERCC1 rs11615 and rs3212986, and ERCC2 rs1799793 polymorphisms were conducted by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Patients carrying the TT genotype and TT+CT genotype of ERCC1 rs11615 were associated with poorer response to chemotherapy and shorter survival times when compared with the CC genotype. In conclusion, our results suggested that the ERCC1 rs11615 polymorphism in the DNA repair pathways can be used as predictive factors to the clinical outcome of patients with gastric cancer.

Communication: state mixing by spin-orbit coupling in the anionic chloroiodine dissociations.

Three spin-orbit states, 1(2)Π1/2, 2(2)Π3/2, and 2(2)Π1/2, of chloroiodine anion (ICl(-)) formed by low-energy electron attachment in the Franck-Condon region are associated with the dissociative limits of I(-) ((1)S0) and Cl ((2)P3/2) or Cl(*) ((2)P1/2) fragments. Within the adiabatic scheme, the presumptive Π-symmetry of the fragment angular distributions is dramatically changed to be the Π-Σ mixing symmetry, due to the significant spin-orbit interaction effect on the electronic state couplings of ICl(-). The present experimental approach also enables us to separate the contributions of different electronic states from the mixed states, providing a crucial method for quantitatively evaluating the configuration-interaction wavefunctions.

Safety, cost-effectiveness and feasibility of daycase paracentesis in the management of malignant ascites with a focus on ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: Paracentesis for malignant ascites is usually performed as an in-patient procedure, with a median length of stay (LoS) of 3-5 days, with intermittent clamping of the drain due to a perceived risk of hypotension. In this study, we assessed the safety of free drainage and the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of daycase paracentesis. METHOD: Ovarian cancer admissions at Hammersmith Hospital between July and October 2009 were audited (Stage 1). A total of 21 patients (Stage 2) subsequently underwent paracentesis with free drainage of ascites without intermittent clamping (October 2010-January 2011). Finally, 13 patients (19 paracenteses, Stage 3), were drained as a daycase (May-December 2011). RESULTS: Of 67 patients (Stage 1), 22% of admissions and 18% of bed-days were for paracentesis, with a median LoS of 4 days. In all, 81% of patients (Stage 2) drained completely without hypotension. Of four patients with hypotension, none was tachycardic or symptomatic. Daycase paracentesis achieved complete ascites drainage without complications, or the need for in-patient admission in 94.7% of cases (Stage 3), and cost £954 compared with £1473 for in-patient drainage. CONCLUSIONS: Free drainage of malignant ascites is safe. Daycase paracentesis is feasible, cost-effective and reduces hospital admissions, and potentially represents the standard of care for patients with malignant ascites.

Factors influencing hospital readmission rates after acute medical treatment.

It is a concern that increasing pressure to diagnose, treat and discharge patients rapidly is leading to unacceptably high readmission rates. Readmissions were studied over a two-month period. Patients were identified through the hospital coding system, and electronic discharge summaries provided details of each admission. In total, 69 readmissions were identified, representing 4.34% of medical admissions. Readmitted patients were older than those with single admissions (median age 75 and 71 years, respectively; p < 0.05). Initial length of stay was greater in those patients who would go on to be readmitted (median six days; single admission, two days; p < 0.0001). Seventy-one per cent of readmissions were deemed avoidable, with discharge before conclusive therapy being the leading factor implicated (56%). Readmission is more likely in older patients with complex care needs. Rapid throughput of patients is not associated with readmission. The majority of readmissions can potentially be avoided with judicious medical care.

Radiologic findings in infected and noninfected scleral buckles.

PURPOSE: To present the radiologic findings in scleral buckle infections and in the early postoperative period after scleral buckling. METHODS: Retrospective multicenter orbital computed tomography (CT) study of 14 patients and brain magnetic resonance (MR) in one patient with scleral buckle infections, some with the referring diagnosis of endophthalmitis, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, orbital cellulitis, or unilateral headache. The control population consisted of early postoperative prospective CT study of 38 consecutive patients with scleral buckle without clinical infection. RESULTS: Diffuse scleral thickening and preseptal soft tissue swelling were noted in acute scleral buckle infections. Scleral thickening decreased radiologically following prompt antibiotic therapy in five patients with acute infections. Silicone sponge had low attenuation without infection and high attenuation with infection. In chronically infected scleral buckle, the sclera was thickened around the buckle, with scleral melt under the buckle. MR showed increased signal intensity in the preseptal region in one patient with chronic fungal infection. In the controls, two had thickening of the sclera without soft tissue swelling. CONCLUSIONS: CT or MR can assist in the early diagnosis and management of scleral buckle infections.

Telemedicine and ophthalmology.

Technology to create and move multimedia medical information is creating alternatives to physically transporting patients and health care professionals. Teletechnology is a physician extender, both supplementing and reinventing traditional health care delivery systems. The potential of comprehensive teleophthalmology is compelling. This article provides a historical perspective of telemedicine, describes various teleophthalmology systems, and surveys teleophthalmology in clinical consultation, research, and education programs around the world. It also discusses basic issues in applying teleophthalmology to public health.

Transscleral ciliary sulcus fixation of a posterior chamber lens in an eye with congenital aniridia.

A 30-year-old man with bilateral congenital aniridia presented with a subluxated cataract in the right eye. He wore a soft contact lens for aphakic correction in the fellow eye after lensectomy for a subluxated cataract. We performed pars plana lensectomy and vitrectomy with implantation of a transscleral ciliary sulcus fixated posterior chamber intraocular lens in the right eye. Good postoperative visual acuity was obtained.

The measurement of AgNORs in human glioma cells.

Sixty gliomas obtained by neurosurgical resections were examined. Paraffin blocks were retrieved from pathological files of the Second Affiliated Hospital in Guangzhou Medical College. The methods of argyrophilic technique for AgNORs staining, and Image Analysis System for measurement of AgNORs were used. Six parameters, which included hcount, count, narea, agnrea, agpern and agperc were used to correlated well with histopathological grades (compared grade 2 & 3, grade 3 & 4, and grade 2 & 4, respectively). We concluded that AgNORs is useful in evaluating proliferative activity and assessing the malignancy of human gliomas. It may also be used as a target for anti-neoplastic drugs in the treatment of gliomas.

Alteration of nuclear matrix protein composition of neuroblastoma cells after arsenic trioxide treatment.

The aims of the present study were to assess the effects of arsenic trioxide on the nuclear matrix protein profiles of mouse neuroblastoma cells. Arsenic trioxide induces apoptosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells. Our results demonstrated that 2 microM As2O3 could significantly inhibit the growth of Neuro-2a cells. As early as 24 hours after As2O3 treatment, we began to observe the alteration of nuclear matrix proteins and apoptosis in tumor cells by TUNEL assay but not by DNA ladder. An increase expression of Hsc in nuclear matrix proteins of 2 microM As2O3 treated cells was also noted. Our results also showed that before a mass range of apoptosis occurred, the composition of nuclear matrix proteins had altered. Hence the alteration of nuclear matrix proteins, such as increased expression of Hsc, may be a sensitive indicator for the detection of early apoptosis.

The effect of arsenic trioxide on the expression of Hsc and HNF4 in nuclear matrix proteins in HepG2 cells.

Anticancer agents interfere with the proliferation and survival of tumor cells by a variety of mechanisms. An important factor in the development of a cytotoxic effect by certain anticancer agents is the localization of drug-induced lesions within the cell nucleus. Drug-target interactions at the level of nuclear matrix (NM) may be critical events in the induction of cell death by some of these agents. Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) was identified as a very potent anti-leukemic agent by inducing apoptosis. The present study shows that As2O3 significantly inhibits the growth of hepatoblastoma cell line, HepG2, changes the composition of nuclear matrix proteins and reduces the expression of Hsc 70 and HNF4 in HepG2, which in turn initiate a cascade of events that compromise multiple nuclear functions and, ultimately, cell survival.

Hair analysis using proton induced X-ray emission techniques.

A reliable and non-destructive technique for determination of the absolute elemental concentrations, as well as their distributions along the length and across the diameter of a single hair strand is described.

[Changes in the relaxation and compliance of the left ventricle in cardiomyopathy].

In order to study the left ventricular diastolic events in cardiomyopathy, carotid pulse tracing, electrocardiogram, phonocardiogram and apexcardiogram with its first derivatives (dA/dt) were simultaneously recorded in 240 normal subjects, 30 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and 44 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Total relaxation time (TRT), total relaxation time index (TRTI), the ratio of A wave to total diastolic amplitude in apexcardiogram (A/D), diastolic amplitude time index (DATI), the ratio of RF wave in apexcardiogram to the total amplitude of apex tracing (F/H) and the variables reflecting the diastolic properties were measured to evaluate the left ventricular relaxation and compliance. Meanwhile, two variables reflecting the contractile ability of the left ventricle were measured in order to compare with the diastolic events. The results demonstrated that in normal subjects relaxation and compliance of the left ventricle showed a tendency of natural "decay" with aging and in patients with DCM and HCM these were significantly decreased, especially in patients with HCM. A/D, which reflects the left ventricular compliance, was increased in patients with HCM as compared with normal subjects (P less than 0.01) and also with patients with DCM. It means that a greater A/D is in favor of the diagnosis of HCM rather than DCM. In addition to abnormal diastolic events, systolic dysfunction, as evidenced by remarkable abnormalities of the contractile variables (PEP/LVET and R-dA/dt.I), was found as well in patients with DCM.

[Study of the charge transfer reaction between clotrimazolum and alizarin red].

The charge transfer reaction between clotrimazolum and alizarin red was studied spectrophotometrically. The reaction was achieved with good results in water-acetone solution. The apparent molar absorptivity is 8.7 x 10(3) L.mol-1.cm-1 at 525 nm. The Beer's law was obeyed in the range of 0-100 micrograms.mL-1 of clotrimazolum. The composition of the complex is 1:1. The proposed method has been applied successfully to the determination of clotrimazolum tablets.