Cumulative sum analysis for evaluating learning curve of endoscopic lateral neck dissection.

Objectives: Endoscopic lateral neck dissection (LND) can be a scarless procedure if a surgeon has performed a sufficient number of operations to become skilled at the techniques involved. Here, we examine the learning curve for a surgeon who performed 53 endoscopic LND procedures via chest approach.

Methods: Surgical outcomes for 53 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma who underwent endoscopic LND via chest approach between February 2017 and November 2022 were retrospectively reviewed.

Real-time Realistic Volume Rendering of Consistently High Quality with Dynamic Illumination.

Direct Volume Rendering (DVR) plays an important role in scientific data visualization. To generate photo-realistic DVR results, the physical light transport throughout the volume is simulated by applying the Monte Carlo-based volumetric path tracing (VPT) approach. For real-time applications, due to the time constraint for rendering each frame, only a limited number of samples shall be taken for the computation per pixel.

Causal associations of hyperthyroidism with prostate cancer, colon cancer, and leukemia: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Observational studies have shown that hyperthyroidism may increase the risk of cancer, but their causal effects and direction are unclear. We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to explore the associations between genetic predisposition to hyperthyroidism and nine common types of cancer, including prostate, lung, breast, colon, leukemia, brain, skin, bladder, and esophagus cancer.

Methods: We obtained summary statistics of hyperthyroidism and nine types of cancers from genome-wide association studies (GWAS).

Biomonitoring trace metal contamination in Guangzhou urban parks using Asian tramp snails (Bradybaena similaris).

Anthropogenic activities have caused environmental metal contamination in urban areas. Biomonitoring using organisms such as invertebrates can evaluate metal pollution, supplementing chemical monitoring, which cannot comprehensively reflect how metals influence organisms in the urban environment. To assess metal contamination in Guangzhou urban parks and its source, Asian tramp snails (Bradybaena similaris) were collected from ten parks in Guangzhou in 2021.

A novel hybrid approach for "Scarless" (at the neck) lateral neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma: A case series and literature review.

Lateral neck dissection (LND) is a necessary treatment for thyroid cancer with lateral lymph node metastasis. However, the defect created during open surgery leaves a visible scar on the neck. With advancements in surgical technology, many robotic and endoscopic surgical techniques have been reported as alternatives to open surgery.

Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy by Vestibular Approach for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma with Tumor Size ≥2 cm.

The transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy by vestibular approach (TOETVA) has been developed for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) treatment with satisfactory results. However, there were few malignant thyroid nodules ≥2 cm in previous studies of TOETVA. Therefore, we conducted this study to evaluate the results of treatment by TOETVA for PTC with tumor size ≥2 cm.

Fast and Accurate Illumination Estimation Using LDR Panoramic Images for Realistic Rendering.

A high dynamic range (HDR) image is commonly used to reveal stereo illumination, which is crucial for generating high-quality realistic rendering effects. Compared to the high-cost HDR imaging technique, low dynamic range (LDR) imaging provides a low-cost alternative and is preferable for interactive graphics applications. However, the limited LDR pixel bit depth significantly bothers accurate illumination estimation using LDR images.

Safety and feasibility of the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach with neuroprotection techniques for papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the trans-oral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) with neuroprotection techniques for the surgical management of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods: Patients with PTC who underwent TOETVA between December 2016 and July 2020 were included in this study, and their relevant clinical characteristics, operational details, and surgical outcomes were reviewed and extracted from their medical records for further analysis.

Results: A total of 75 patients successfully underwent TOETVA with zero conversions.

Endoscopic thyroidectomy via the combined trans-oral and chest approach for cT1-2N1bM0 papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Background: Recent years there have been witnessed considerable advances in endoscopic selective lateral neck dissection (LND). However, dissection of lymph nodes at level IV and level VI via the chest approach is inherently challenging. In this study, we used combined trans-oral and chest approach for endoscopic thyroidectomy in patients with cT1-2N1bM0 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

The effect of periodic ketogenic diet on newly diagnosed overweight or obese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: The ketogenic diet (KD) is characterized by fat as a substitute of carbohydrates for the primary energy source. There is a large number of overweight or obese people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), while this study aims to observe periodic ketogenic diet for effect on overweight or obese patients newly diagnosed as T2DM.

Methods: A total of 60 overweight or obese patients newly diagnosed as T2DM were randomized into two groups: KD group, which was given ketogenic diet, and control group, which was given routine diet for diabetes, 30 cases in each group.

Qin's seven steps for endoscopic selective lateral neck dissection via the chest approach in patients with papillary thyroid cancer: experience of 35 cases.

Background: Endoscopic thyroidectomy is widely performed as it does not result in neck scar. However, there is a paucity of reports pertaining to completely endoscopic lateral neck dissection (LND). In this study, we introduce our step-wise approach for performing endoscopic selective LND via the chest-breast approach.

Efficient reduction of antimony by sulfate-reducer enriched bio-cathode with hydrogen production in a microbial electrolysis cell.

Bio-cathode Microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) is a promising and eco-friendly technology for concurrent hydrogen production and heavy metal reduction. However, the bioreduction of Antimony (Sb) in a bio-electrochemical system with H production is not explored. In this study, two efficient sulfate-reducing bacterial (SRB) strains were used to investigate the enhanced bioreduction of sulfate and Sb with H production in the MEC.

Impact of overweightness and critical weight loss on overall survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma initially treated with chemoembolization.

Background: The effects of overweightness and weight loss on the development and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of overweightness and weight loss on the survival of patients with intermediate/advanced HCC receiving chemoembolization as initial treatment.

Methods: We examined 1,170 patients who underwent chemoembolization as initial treatment for Barcelona-Clínic Liver Cancer stages B and C HCC at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (Guangzhou, China) between December 2009 and May 2015.

Clinical conditions and treatment requirements for long-term survival among hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma initially treated with chemoembolization.

Objective: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is recommended to treat intermediate/advanced stage of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the overall survival among initially TACE-treated patients varies significantly. The clinical characterization of long-term survival following TACE remains uncertain.

Effect of Nucleos(t)ide Analogs on Patients with Intermediate and Advanced Hepatitis B Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: The role of nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) therapy in intermediate and advanced hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear.

Aims: The aim was to evaluate the effect of NAs therapy on survival of intermediate- and advanced-stage HBV-related HCC patients initially treated with chemoembolization.

Methods: A total of 1016 Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B/C HBV-related HCC patients initially treated with chemoembolization were included.

Plasma Cell Polarization to the Immunoglobulin G Phenotype in Hepatocellular Carcinomas Involves Epigenetic Alterations and Promotes Hepatoma Progression in Mice.

Background & Aims: Little is known about the composition and generation of plasma cell subsets in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and how these associate with outcomes. We investigated whether, or how, plasma cells differentiate and function in patients with HCC and mice with liver tumors.

Methods: We analyzed subset composition and distribution of plasma cells in HCC samples from 342 patients who underwent curative resection at the Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University in China; samples of non-tumor liver tissue were used as controls.

A Novel Flexible Sensor for Muscle Shape Change Monitoring in Limb Motion Recognition.

Human limb movement intent recognition fundamentally provides the control mechanism for assistive devices such as exoskeleton and limb prosthesis. While different biopotential signals have been utilized for limb movement intent decoding, they seldom could account for spatial information associated with changes in muscle shape that could also be used to characterize the limb motor intent. Therefore, this study developed a novel nano gold stretchable-flexible sensor that captures spatial information associated with the muscle shape change signal (MSCS) during different muscle activation patterns.

A Refined Staging Model for Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Incorporating Examined Lymph Nodes, Location of Tumor and Positive Lymph Nodes Ratio.

Nodal status and tumor site are prognostic factors for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Parameters for nodal status are diverse, and the number of examined lymph nodes (eNs) needed for good prognosis are uncertain. We try to modify staging system of resectable PDAC with parameters mentioned above by recursive partitioning analysis.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Children and Adolescents: Clinical Characteristics and Treatment.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs rarely in children and adolescents (C&A), and its clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, and treatment were rarely explored.

Methods: This retrospective study focused on 65 HCC patients aged ≤20 years from August 1994 to August 2012. Cox regression models and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to investigate prognostic factors and compare overall survival (OS), respectively.

[Pollution Characteristics and Ecological Risk Assessment of Organochlorine Pesticides in Water Source Areas of Guangdong and Guangxi].

The concentrations of 16 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in 7 water samples collected from different sites of water source areas of Guangdong and Guangxi were detected by SPE-GC-MS, and then the pollution characteristics were analyzed. This study established species sensitivity distribution(SSD) curves with BurrⅢ distribution model. In the meantime, HC values were calculated by BurrliOZ software, which were used to evaluate the toxicity effects of OCPs towards aquatic organisms.

Cellular microRNA-miR-548g-3p modulates the replication of dengue virus.

Objective: It has been well recognized that microRNA plays a role in the host-pathogen interaction network. The significance of microRNA in the regulation of dengue virus (DENV) replication, however, remains unknown. The objective of our study was to determine the biological function of miR-548g-3p in modulating the replication of dengue virus.

[Changes of distortion product otoacoustic emissions in the patients with iron deficient anaemia].

Objective: To observe the changes of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) in the patients with iron deficient anaemia (IDA).

Method: Sixty cases who were taken health physical examination at ZhaBei District Central Hospital were divided into two groups, the normal group (30 cases, 60 ears) and the IDA group (30 patients, 60 ears) depend on the results of examination of hemoglobin and serum ferritin. The changes of DPOAEs at 4 kHz were observed.