Analysis of the functional role and mRNA expression of GABABR in the nucleus accumbens of cocaine-addicted rats.

BACKGROUND: Drug addiction is a social and medical problem that must be urgently addressed. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is closely related to addiction-related learning memory, and γ-aminobutyric acid type B receptor (GABABR) is a potential target for the treatment of drug addiction. However, the role of GABABR activity levels in the NAc in cocaine addiction is unclear. METHODS: In this study, we established an animal model of cocaine dependence, modulated the level of GABABR activity, applied a conditioned place preference assay (CPP) to assess the role of the NAc in reconsolidation of addiction memory, evaluated learning and memory functions by behavioral experiments, examined the expression of GB1, GB2, CREB, p-CREB, PKA, ERK, and BDNF in the NAc by molecular biology experiments, and screened differentially significantly expressed genes by transcriptome sequencing. RESULTS: Our study showed that the GABAB receptor agonist BLF had a significant effect on locomotor distance in rats, promoted an increase in GABA levels and significantly inhibited the PKA and ERK1/2/CREB/BDNF signaling pathways. Moreover, transcriptome sequencing showed that GABABR antagonist intervention identified a total of 21 upregulated mRNAs and 21 downregulated mRNAs. The DE mRNA genes were mainly enriched in tyrosine metabolism; however, further study is needed. CONCLUSION: GABABR activity in the NAc is involved in the regulation of cocaine addiction and may play an important role through key mRNA pathways.

Environmental and economic analysis of the transformation of paper mill sludge treatment technologies in China.

Paper mill sludge (PMS) is featured with a high content of cellulose and hemicellulose, and using its characteristics to make paperboard can achieve a high-value utilization of PMS, which has attracted growing interest. In this study, currently prevalent landfill, incineration technologies (generating heat and electricity by incineration), and three paperboard technologies (medium density fiberboard, pulp board, and corrugated paper) were evaluated and compared via life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) methods. LCA results show that the PMS-to-pulp board outperforms others with an energy conservation and emission reduction (ECER) value of - 2.86 × 10-8, while the landfill exhibits the highest overall environmental impact with an ECER value of 4.80 × 10-9. LCC results reveal that the PMS-to-pulp board delivers the highest economic profit with $257.357, while the landfill is the lowest with $ - 35.63. The PMS paperboard technologies are more economically friendly than the incineration technologies due to additional electricity/steam consumption during the PMS pre-drying process in incineration. In addition, different scenarios were set up to explore national GHG emission reduction potential by increasing paperboard technologies application rate and reducing the proportion of landfill and incineration. The scenario analysis suggests that replacing 90% of landfill and incineration ratio with PMS paperboard technologies could tremendously improve the overall emission reduction performance with - 9.08 × 1010 kg CO2 eq. This result indicates that the PMS treatment technology transformation has a significant favorable impact on the achievement of the "carbon neutrality" target.

Porphyromonas gingivalis can degrade dental zirconia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of present study was to examine the effect of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.) adhesion on dental zirconia by characterizing the physical and chemical properties. METHODS: Eighty polished-sintered zirconia discs were prepared and randomly distributed to 5 groups (n = 16): Zirconia cultured with - Group 1: broth containing P.g. for - 3 days; Group 2: 7 days; Group 3: broth (alone) for - 3 days; Group 4: 7 days; and Group 5: dry discs (negative control). After experimental period, broths were analyzed for pH and Zr release with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The zirconia surface was evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), water contact angle (WCA), and biaxial flexural strength (BFS). RESULTS: The mean pH with zirconia adhesion to P.g. group was significantly higher than the broth control (p < 0.05). As per ICP-OES, Zr ion/particulate release with P.g. adhesion to zirconia were significantly higher than the controls (p < 0.05). Post-experimental incubation, no defects were found on zirconia surfaces; tetragonal phase remained constant with no transformation to monoclinic phase but lower peak intensities were identified in experimental groups. WCA of zirconia surfaces with P.g. bacteria for 3 days (12.04° ± 2.05°) and 7 days (15.09° ± 2.95°) were significantly higher than zirconia surfaces immersed with broth (only) for 3 days (7.17° ± 1.09°) and 7 days (7.55° ± 0.65°), respectively (p < 0.05). BFS values of zirconia with P.g. for 3 days (632.57 ± 119.96 MPa) and 7 days (656.17 ± 100.29 MPa) were significantly lower than zirconia incubated in broth alone (765.01 ± 20.12 MPa) conditions (p < 0.05). SIGNIFICANCE: Under the conditions of present study, it can be concluded that P.g. adhesion on zirconia leads to structural alterations of dental zirconia further contributing to zirconia degradation.

Interactive effect between sleep and exercise on depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents.

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the effects of sleep and exercise, individually and jointly, on depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents. Methods: Cluster sampling was used to conduct a cross-sectional, electronic survey among 11,563 students from five primary and high schools in Sichuan Province in Western China. The questionnaire contained custom-designed items concerning sleep and exercise, while it used the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale to assess depressive symptoms and the Core Self-Evaluations Scale to assess core self-evaluation. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate linear regression. Results: A total of 10,185 valid questionnaires were collected, corresponding to an effective response rate of 88.1%. Among the respondents in the final analysis, 5,555 (54.5%) were boys and 4,630 (45.5%) were girls, and the average age was 15.20 ± 1.72 years (range, 11-18 years). Only less than half of the respondents (4,914, 48.2%) reported insufficient sleep, while the remainder (5,271, 51.8%) had adequate sleep. Nearly one-quarter (2,250, 22.1%) reported insufficient exercise, while the remainder (7,935, 77.9%) reported adequate exercise. More than half of the respondents (5,681, 55.7%) were from vocational high school, 3,368 (33.1%) were from junior high school, 945 (9.3%) were from senior high school, and 191 (1.9%) were from primary school. The prevalence of depressive symptoms among all respondents was 29.5% (95% CI 28.7%-30.4%). When other variables were controlled, the depression score did not vary significantly with gender (B = -0.244, SE = 0.127, P = 0.054), but it decreased by 0.194 points per 1-year increase in age (B = -0.194, SE = 0.037, P < 0.001). Students getting adequate sleep had depression scores 2.614 points lower than those getting insufficient sleep (B = -2.614, SE = 0.577, P < 0.001), while students who engaged in adequate exercise had depression scores 1.779 points lower than those not exercising enough (B = -1.779, SE = 0.461, P < 0.001). The depression score decreased by 0.919 points per 1-point increase in the core self-evaluation score (B = -0.919, SE = 0.008, P < 0.001). In regression controlling for gender, age, and core self-evaluation, sleep and exercise were found to be related significantly to influence depressive symptoms (B = 0.821, SE = 0.315, P = 0.009). Conclusion: Adequate sleep and adequate exercise are individually associated with milder depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents. Our results further highlight the need for researchers and clinicians to take into account not only the individual but also the joint effects of sleep and exercise on depression in adolescents when conducting research and designing interventions. If sleep or physical exercise has substantially reduced the risk of depressive symptoms, further reductions by improving sleep and exercise become difficult and may even have opposite effects.

Sphingomonas baiyangensis sp. nov., isolated from water in Baiyang Lake.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, short-rod-shaped, orange-pigmented bacterial strain, designated L-1-4 w-11T, was isolated from Baiyang Lake in China. The strain grew at 15-35 °C (optimum 30 °C) and pH 7-8 (optimum pH 7) in TSA medium. The predominant polar lipids of strain L-1-4 w-11T were sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified glycolipid and three unidentified lipids; the major cellular fatty acids were C17 : 1ω6c and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c); and the major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 10 (Q-10). Strain L-1-4 w-11T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Sphingomonas japonica JCM 15438T (98.3 %) and S. spermidinifaciens GDMCC 1.657T (98.0 %). The draft genome size of strain L-1-4 w-11T was 3.3 Mbp, and the G+C content was 67.8 mol%. Digital DNA-DNA hydridization and average nucleotide identity values between the genome sequences of strain L-1-4 w-11T and S. spermidinifaciens GDMCC 1.657T (76.9 and 21.0 %), S. japonica JCM 15438T (76.0 and 19.9 %) and S. paucimobilis CGMCC 1.12825T (72.8 and 19.6 %) were far below the thresholds for prokaryotic conspecific assignment. With the evidence from the phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic analyses, we propose that strain L-1-4 w-11T represents a novel Sphingomonas species with the name S. baiyangensis sp. nov. The type strain is L-1-4 w-11T (=CGMCC 1.13572T=JCM 33962T).

A simple AI-enabled method for quantifying bacterial adhesion on dental materials.

Purpose: Measurement of bacterial adhesion has been of great interest for different dental materials. Various methods have been used for bacterial counting; however, they are all indirect measurements with estimated results and therefore cannot truly reflect the adhesion status. This study provides a new direct measurement approach by using a simple artificial intelligence (AI) method to quantify the initial bacterial adhesion on different dental materials using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images. Materials and Methods: Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.) and Fusobacterium nucleatum (F.n.) were used for bacterial adhesion on dental zirconia surfaces, and the adhesion was evaluated using SEM images at time points of one, seven, and 24 h(s). Image pre-processing and bacterial area measurement were performed using Fiji software with a machine learning plugin. The same AI method was also applied on SEM with Streptococcus mutans (S.m.) inoculated PMMA nano-structured surface at 1, 24, 72, and 168 h(s), and then further compared with the CLSM method. Results: For both P.g. and F.n. initiation adhesion on zirconia, a new linear correlation (r2 > 0.98) was found between bacteria adhered area and time, such that: b acteria   adhered   area   ( m m 2 ) ∝ log ⁡ ( time ) For S.m. on PMMA surface, live/dead staining CLSM method and the newly proposed AI method on SEM images were strongly and positively associated (Pearson's correlation coefficient r > 0.9), i.e. both methods are comparable. Conclusions: SEM images can be analyzed directly for both morphology and quantifying bacterial adhesion on different dental materials' surfaces by the simple AI-enabled method with reduced time, cost, and labours.

Core self-evaluation as mediator between depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the role of core self-evaluation in mediating between depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in Chinese adolescents. METHODS: We used the cluster sampling method to analyze 11,563 students from five primary and secondary schools in China for depressive symptoms, core self-evaluation, and suicidal ideation using the following scoring scales: Core Self-Evaluation Scale (CSES), Center for Epidemiologic Survey Depression Scale (CES-D), the Second Edition of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI- II), Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED), and Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist (ASLEC). RESULTS: The incidence of depression was 29.7%; anxiety, 34.2%; and suicidal ideation, 28.0%. Core self-evaluation was a protective factor for suicidal ideation [OR 0.947, 95% CI 0.937-0.959, p<0.001]. Conversely, depression as measured by the CSES score was a risk factor for suicidal ideation (OR 1.084, 95% CI 1.073-1.096, p<0.001), as were anxiety as measured by the SCARED score (OR 1.011, 95% CI 1.006-1.016, p<0.001) and adolescent life events according to ASLEC score groups (OR 1.524, 95% CI 1.434-1.621, p<0.001). Core self-evaluation mediated the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation with an effect size of 13.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Better core self-evaluation is a protective factor against suicidal ideation and mediates the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation. We may be able to reduce the risk of suicidal ideation and therefore suicide among adolescents by improving their core self-evaluation.

Rufibacter latericius sp. nov., isolated from Baiyang Lake.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, brick red-pigmented bacterium, designated R-22-1 c-1T, was isolated from water from Baiyang Lake, Hebei Province, PR China. The strain was able to grow at 20-30 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and pH 6-7 (optimum, pH 6) in Reasoner's 2A medium. 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic analyses of R-22-1 c-1T revealed closest relationships to Rufibacter immobilis MCC P1T (97.8 %), Rufibacter sediminis H-1T (97.9 %) and Rufibacter glacialis MDT1-10-3T (97.0 %), with other species of the genus Rufibacter showing less than 97.0 % sequence similarity. The predominant polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminophospholipids and three unidentified lipids. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, C15 : 1 ω6c, C17 : 1 ω6c, anteiso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c) and summed feature 4 (iso-C17 : 1I and/or anteiso-C17 : 1B). The respiratory quinone was MK-7. The draft genome of R-22-1 c-1T was 5.6 Mbp in size, with a G+C content of 50.2 mol%. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization relatedness values between strain R-22-1 c-1T and related type strains were R. immobilis MCC P1T (77.2 and 21.8 %), R. sediminis H-1T (81.6 and 21.4 %) and R. tibetensis 1351T (78.5 and 22.9 %). Based on these phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic results, strain R-22-1 c-1T represents a novel species in the genus Rufibacter, for which the name Rufibacter latericius sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is R-22-1 c-1T (=CGMCC 1.13570T=KCTC 62781T).

Pseudomonas xionganensis sp. nov., isolated from Baiyangdian Lake in Xiong'an New Area.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, designated as strain R-22-3 w-18T, was isolated from Baiyangdian Lake in Xiong'an New Area, PR China. Growth was observed at 15-37 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and pH 7.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 8.0). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis placed the strain in a separate branch in the Pseudomonas putida group, with Pseudomonas anguilliseptica DSM12111T as its closest phylogenetic relative (98.2 %). Whole-genome comparisons, using average nucleotide identity (ANI), average amino acid identity (AAI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) analyses, confirmed low genome relatedness to the closely related Pseudomonas species [below the recommended thresholds of 95 % (ANI), 95 % (AAI) and 70 % (DDH) for species delineation]. Phenotypic characterization tests could also distinguish this strain from other related species of the genus Pseudomonas. Therefore, based on genetic and phenotypic evidence, it is clear that strain R-22-3 w-18T represents a novel species of the genus Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonas xionganensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is R-22-3 w-18T (=CGMCC 1.17250T=KCTC 72658T).

Rational Design of a Rigid Fluorophore-Molecular Rotor-Based Probe for High Signal-to-Background Ratio Detection of Sulfur Dioxide in Viscous System.

Many viscous microenvironments exist in living systems. For instance, at the cellular level, the viscosity of subcellular organelles (mitochondria, lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, nucleus, etc.) is much greater than that of cytoplasm; at the organismal level, compared with normal states of health, blood, or lymphatic fluid viscosity will increase to some extent in diabetes, hypertension, inflammation, tumors, and so on. However, due to the design shortcoming, there is a lack of efficient tools for detecting biomolecules in viscous living systems. Herein, we propose a rational design strategy for constructing ratiometric fluorescent probes with superior response signal-to-background (S/B) ratio in viscous systems based on rigid-fluorophore-molecular rotor platform, and a practical sulfur dioxide (SO2) probe (RFC-MRC) based on conmarin-cyanine dyad was prepared as a proof-of-concept. The probe performs a significant enhancement (71.5-fold) of ratiometric response signal stimulated by SO2 in viscous aqueous media. The cationic probe can selectively in mitochondria and was successfully utilized to sense SO2 in living HeLa cells through ratiometric fluorescence imaging. What's more, in the fluorescence imaging experiments of monitoring SO2 in apoptotic cells using probe RFC-MRC, a more obvious superior of S/B ratio was observed in the early apoptotic cells than in the lately apoptotic cells.

Azospirillum griseum sp. nov., isolated from lakewater.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, gray-pigmented bacterial strain, designated L-25-5 w-1T, was isolated from the water at Baiyang Lake, PR China. Cells of strain L-25-5 w-1T were motile, with a single polar flagellum. L-25-5 w-1T was able to grow at 15-37 °C (optimum 37 °C) and pH 5-8 (optimum pH 6) in R2A medium. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and phylogenetic analysis of L-25-5 w-1T showed the highest relationship to Azospirillum doebereinerae GSF71T (97.9 %), Azospirillum thiophilum DSM 21654T (97.9 %) and Azospirillum agricola CC-HIH038T (97.0 %), with other species of the genus Azospirillum showing less than 97 % sequence similarity. The predominant polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and two unidentified aminolipids; the major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, C16 : 0 3-OH, C18 : 1 2-OH, iso-C18 : 0, summed feature 2 (C12 : 0 aldehyde and/or unknown 10.9525 and/or iso-C16 : 1I and/or C14 : 0 3-OH), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c); and the major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 10. The draft genome size of L-25-5 w-1T was 5.8 Mbp, and the DNA G+C content was 66.6 %. The average nucleotide identity value and digital DNA-DNA hybridization relatedness value between L-25-5 w-1T and related type strains were 80.2 and 24.7 % with A. doebereinerae GSF71T and 78.8 and 23.6 % with A. thiophilum DSM 21654T, respectively. According to the phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic properties, strain L-25-5 w-1T represents a novel species in the genus Azospirillum, for which the name Azospirillum griseum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is L-25-5 w-1T (=CGMCC 1.13672T=KCTC 62777T).

A ratiometric fluorescent hydrogen peroxide chemosensor manipulated by an ICT-activated FRET mechanism and its bioimaging application in living cells and zebrafish.

A H2O2-responsive fluorescent chemosensor (CNBE) with a ratiometric emission signal was elaborately designed and synthesized. The ratio signal of the chemosensor was manipulated by an interplaying ICT-activated FRET mechanism. The ratiometric fluorescence imaging was successfully applied to detect H2O2 using CNBE in living cells and zebrafish.

A multifunctional logic gate by means of a triple-chromophore fluorescent biothiol probe with diverse fluorescence signal patterns.

A novel multifunctional logic gate based on a triple-chromophore (coumarin-NBD-flavylium, CNF) fluorescent biothiol probe with diverse fluorescence signal patterns was rationally designed and synthetized. On the new triad CNF, diverse logic operations such as OR, TRANSFER, INH, NOT, and YES logic gates were achieved by using biothiols and fluorescence signal patterns as the multiple inputs and outputs, respectively.

Recycled hierarchical tripod-like CuCl from Cu-PCB waste etchant for lithium ion battery anode.

Hierarchical CuCl with high economic value added (EVA) was successfully recycled with 85% recovery from the acid Cu printed circuit board (Cu-PCB) waste etchant via facile liquid chemical reduction. The micro-structure and morphology of the recycled hierarchical CuCl were systematically characterized in terms of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). Furthermore, the corresponding electrochemical performances as lithium ion battery (LIB) anode were also investigated in terms of galvanostatic charge/discharge, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and AC impedance. As expected, the recycled CuCl displayed a hierarchical tripod-like structure and large specific surface area of 21.2m2/g. As the anode in LIB, the reversible discharge capacity was about 201.4 mAh/g even after 100 cycles, implying the satisfactory cycle performance. Clearly, the satisfactory results may open a new avenue to develop the sustainable industry, which is very important in terms of both the resource recovery and the environmental protection.

Mouse model of plasma cell mastitis.

BACKGROUND: Plasma cell mastitis is distinct from the common form of mastitis and clinically resembles breast carcinoma. The lesion occurs in non-lactating young women, and the incidence rate is rising. Surgical resection is the main treatment, but cannot prevent recurrence of the disease. Disfigurement or removal of breast after the operations can cause marked physical and psychological distress. The etiology of plasma cell mastitis is unclear up till now. It is therefore necessary to investigate further the underlying immunological changes of the disease. METHODS: The lesions of plasma cell mastitis removed from patients through aseptic operation were mixed with normal saline into homogenate tube machine (homogenate tubes were disinfected and sterilized prior to treatment). The mixture was homogenized at medium speed and grinded in ultrasonic cell disruptor. The homogenate obtained was made into oil emulsion with Freund's adjuvant. Thirty female BALB/c mice (6 weeks after sexual maturity) were divided into five groups A-E: group A was blank control; group B was normal saline control; group C was inoculated with 0.02 ml water-in-oil emulsion; group D was inoculated with 0.04 ml water-in-oil emulsion; group E was complete Freund's adjuvant control. RESULTS: Pathology results showed that mouse mammary gland acinar cells remained integral without any abnormal changes observed in control groups A and B. Experimental groups C and D showed dilation of mouse mammary ductal tissue with a large number of epithelial cells and debris in the lumen, and fibrosis around ducts accompanied by large duct cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and especially plasma cell infiltration. Pathological changes were observed in 3 (50%) mice and 5 (83.3%) mice in group C and D respectively. In group E, neutrophil infiltration in mammary gland was observed in 5 mice, but neither infiltration of plasma cells nor other abnormal pathological changes were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The lesions of patient with plasma cell mastitis could make the female BALB/c mice experience the similar clinical and pathological manifestation. High-dose group can successfully establish a mouse model of plasma cell mastitis.

Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy for the early-stage differential thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT), the modified Miccoli's thyroid surgery, is the most widespread minimally invasive technique and has been widely used for treatment of thyroid disease. This study aimed to verify the potential benefits of the modified Miccoli's thyroid surgery, determine the feasibility of the MIVAT for early-stage differential thyroid carcinoma and evaluate the likelihood of the surgical method as a standard operation for early malignant thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: A total of 135 patients were retrospectively compared which included two groups of patients: the first group underwent the conventional thyroidectomy; the other group underwent MIVAT. Patients with thyroid nodule smaller than 20 mm and without previous neck surgery were included while those with wide-ranging and distant metastases of cervical tissues, or any suspected thyroid nodal metastases were excluded for analysis. MIVAT and the central compartment (level VI) lymph nodes dissection (LND) were considered as a new treatment method for this retrospective study. In addition to the comparison of surgical outcomes between the new treatment and the conventional thyroid surgery, other surgical parameters including operative time, operative volume of hemorrhage, incisional length, postoperative volume of drainage, length of hospitalization, accidence of hoarse voice, accidence of bucking, accidence of hypocalcemia and peak angle of cervical axial rotation were also compared. RESULTS: Out of 135 patients, 111 patients underwent conventional thyroid surgery and 24 patients underwent MIVAT plus level VI LND for treatment of early-stage differential malignant carcinoma. Patients who received the new surgical treatment had significantly shorter incisional length (3.1 cm vs. 6.9 cm, p < 0.0001), shorter operative time (109 min vs. 139 min, p = 0.014) and fewer operative hemorrhage (29.5 ml vs. 69.7 ml, p < 0.0001) when compared to the conventional treatment. Postoperative peak angle of cervical axial rotation of patients treated with MIVAT was less than those treated with conventional surgery (L: 31.5° vs. 39.0°, p < 0.0001; R: 31.5° vs. 38.0°, p < 0.0001). Incisional wound infection, postoperative hoarse voice, bucking and hypocalcemia were not observed in all patients. Postoperative analgetica was not required as well. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with conventional thyroid surgery for early-stage differential thyroid carcinoma, the new surgical treatment could be considered as an alternative surgical method for treatment of early-stage thyroid carcinoma since it was feasible, safe and clinically effective with better surgical and cosmetic outcomes.