In recent years, wearable devices grew up gradually and developed increasingly. Aiming at the problems of skin sensibility and the change of electrode impedance of Ag/AgCl electrode in the process of long-term electrocardiogram (ECG) signal monitoring and acquisition, this paper discussed in detail a new sensor technology–fabric electrode, which is used for ECG signal acquisition. First, the concept and advantages of fabric electrode were introduced, and then the common substrate materials and conductive materials for fabric electrode were discussed and evaluated. Next, we analyzed the advantages and disadvantages from the aspect of textile structure, putting forward the evaluation system of fabric electrode. Finally, the deficiencies of fabric electrode were analyzed, and the development prospects and directions were prospected.
ObjectiveTo explore value of ultrasound real-time elastography (RTE) technology for identification of benign and malignant solid thyroid nodules.MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on 125 patients with thyroid nodules who underwent ultrasound RTE in this hospital from February 2018 to August 2019. All patients underwent RTE on the basis of conventional ultrasound. The ultrasound elasticity contrast index (ECI) was used as the evaluation index and the pathological examination result was used as the gold standard. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the value of ECI in the identification of benign and malignant solid thyroid nodules. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of ECI.ResultsAmong the 125 patients with solid thyroid nodules, 51 were malignant nodules, 74 were benign nodules. The ECI value of patients with benign thyroid nodules was lower than that of patients with malignant nodules (2.71±0.83 versus 3.42±1.14, t=–4.030, P<0.001). The result of ROC analysis showed that the cutoff value of ECI to distinguish benign and malignant solid thyroid nodules was 3.07, area under curve of ROC was 0.806 [95%CI (0.717, 0.894), P<0.001], sensitivity was 80.3%, specificity was 70.4%. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the thyroid nodules with diffuse lesions, calcification, and maximum nodule diameter ≥1 cm were the risk factors for elevated ECI values (P<0.05). For the solid thyroid nodules without diffuse lesions, without calcification, and maximum nodule diameter <1 cm, ECI had the higher sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive predictive value for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules (all exceed 80%), but these indexes were lower (under 60%) for the differential diagnosis of solid thyroid nodules with diffuse diseases, with calcification, and maximum nodule diameter ≥1 cm.ConclusionsECI obtained by ultrasound RTE can be used to differentiate solid thyroid nodules from benign ones. The presence or absence of diffuse lesions, calcification, and maximum nodule diameter are the influencing factors for ECI to differentiate solid thyroid nodules. In clinical diagnosis, it should be paid attention to the comprehensive analysis of the above factors.
Objective To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of silkworm larvae plasma (SLP) colorimetry in the accurate diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Methods Ninety healthy male New Zealand white rabbits were used for knee arthroplasty with Swanson prosthesis. Then they were randomly divided into 3 groups according to different pathogenic bacteria: group A (Staphylococcus aureus group), group B (Staphylococcus epidermidis group) and group C (Escherichia coli group), with 30 rats in each group. The PJI model was prepared by knee injection with 1 mL of pathogenic bacteria of different concentrations. Samples were taken before inoculation and at 7, 14, and 21 days after inoculation, and based on the 2018 PJI Philadelphia International Consensus diagnostic criteria, the success rate of modeling among 3 groups of experimental animals was determined. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic efficiency of SLP colorimetry were calculated. Results At 21 days after inoculation, 26, 18, and 23 rabbits in groups A, B, and C were diagnosed as infection, respectively. The success rates of modeling were 86.7%, 60.0%, and 76.7%, respectively, showing no significant difference among the 3 groups (χ2=5.724, P=0.073). The results of PJI colorimetry showed that 1 false-positive animal (specificity 75.0%) appeared in group A at 7 days, and the specificity of SLP increased to 100.0% over time (on 14 and 21 days); on 14 and 21 days, another animal appeared false-negative results (sensitivity decreased from 100.0% to 96.2%). One false-positive animal appeared in group B at 7 days (specificity 91.7%), the specificity returned to 100.0% over time; 1 and 4 false-negative animals appeared at 14 and 21 days, respectively (sensitivity 94.4% and 83.3%, respectively). In group C, two false-positive animals (specificity 71.4%) were found at 7 days, and then returned to 100.0%. The diagnostic efficiency of groups A and C was very high at 21 days (96.7% and 100.0%), even for the low virulence Staphylococcus epidermidis in group B, the diagnostic efficiency could be maintained at 90.0% (21 days), and the overall diagnostic efficiency was very good (95.6%). Conclusion SLP colorimetry has high sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic efficiency in the diagnosis of PJI, which is a potential diagnostic method.
Objective To investigate the correlation between RUNX3 expression and human gastric cancer, as well as its clinically pathologic features. Methods Such databases as PubMed, EMbase, VIP, WanFang Data and CBM were searched from their inception to February 28th, 2013 to collect case-control studies about the correlation between RUNX3 expression and human gastric cancer, as well as its clinically pathologic features, and the relevant references of the included literature were also retrieved. Two reviewers independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted the data, and assessed the methodological quality. Then meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.0 software. Results A total of 6 case-control studies were included, which included 405 cases in the gastric cancer group and 185 cases in the normal gastric mucosa group. The results of meta-analysis showed that, RUNX3 expression was lower in the gastric cancer group than the normal gastric mucosa group, with a significant difference (OR=0.07, 95%CI 0.04 to 0.12, Plt;0.000 01); it was also lower in the subgroup of gastric cancer accompanied with lymph node metastasis than that without lymph node metastasis (OR=0.37, 95%CI 0.23 to 0.61, Plt;0.000 1); but it was higher in the subgroup of gastric cancer that had infiltrated into serosa than that had not, with a significant difference (OR=3.92, 95%CI 2.29 to 6.71, Plt;0.000 01); and it was also higher in the subgroup of well differentiated gastric cancer that the moderately and poorly differentiated, with a significant difference (OR=0.36, 95%CI 0.22 to 0.58, Plt;0.000 1). Conclusion RUNX3 expression is notably correlated to gastric cancer and its clinically pathologic features. For the quantity and quality limitation of the included studies, this conclusion still needs to be further proved by performing more high quality studies.
Objective To summarize the surgical technique of ankle arthrodesis using lateral malleolus osteotomy and locking proximal humeral plate internal fixation, and to evaluate the cl inical effectiveness. Methods Between March 2009 and June 2010, 18 patients with ankle joint disease were treated, including 8 cases of post-traumatic arthritis, 3 casesof rheumatoid arthritis, 5 cases of osteoarthritis, and 2 cases of post-traumatic necrosis of talus. There were 10 males and 8 females with an average age of 48 years (range, 36-67 years). The average disease duration was 3 years (range, 1-6 years). The main symptoms included swell ing, pain, and a l imited range of motion of the ankle. Four patients accompanied with ankle varus deformity and 2 patients with valgus deformity. According to American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score system, the preoperative score was 43.5 ± 10.2. An ankle arthrodesis using lateral malleolus osteotomy and locking proximal humeral plate internal fixation was performed in all patients. Results Superficial wound infection and partial skin necrosis occurred in 1 case respectively, and were cured after symptomatic treatment; the other incisions healed by first intention without compl ications. Sixteen patients were followed up 16 months on average (range, 1-2 years). The X-ray films showed that bone fusion was obtained at 8-16 weeks (mean, 12 weeks) after operation. The symptom was rel ieved completely in all patients at last follow-up without compl ication of implant failure, nonunion, and malunion. The postoperative AOFAS ankle and hindfoot score was 83.0 ± 6.3, showing significant difference when compared with the preoperative score (t=26.20, P=0.00). Conclusion Ankle arthrodesis using lateral malleolus osteotomy and locking proximal humeral plate internal fixation has the advantages of feasible technique, the rigid fixation, and high fusion rate, soit may obtain a good cl inical effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo bioinformatically analyze the gene chip data of chondrocytes from osteoarthritis patients from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and explore the molecular mechanisms of osteoarthritis.MethodsWe searched the GEO database (up to April 23rd, 2021) for data of chondrocytes and gene expression profiling in human knee osteoarthritis via the key words of “osteoarthritis OR cartilage OR chondrocyte*”. Then, we selected the samples by our inclusion criteria. The data were normalized before analysis. After differentially expressed genes were identified, Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, Search Tool for the Retrival of Interacting Genes/Proteinsm, R language, Perl language, Cytoscape software, and DAVID database were used to perform differentially expressed gene analysis, functional annotation, and enrichment analysis.ResultsThe differentially expressed genes were mostly enriched in cell components and some extracellular regions, which participated in cell division, mitosis, cell proliferation and inflammatory response mainly via the regulation of protein kinase activity. The differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in the cell proliferation signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, oocyte meiosis, cell cycle and so on.ConclusionsMultiple signaling pathways are involved in the changes of chondrocytes in human knee osteoarthritis, mainly about cell cycle and protein metabolism genes/pathways. Inflammatory factors and cytokines may be the most important links in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.
The human spine injury and various lumbar spine diseases caused by vibration have attracted extensive attention at home and abroad. To explore the biomechanical characteristics of different approaches for lumbar interbody fusion surgery combined with an interspinous internal fixator, device for intervertebral assisted motion (DIAM), finite element models of anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) are created by simulating clinical operation based on a three-dimensional finite element model of normal human whole lumbar spine. The fusion level is at L4–L5, and the DIAM is implanted between spinous process of L4 and L5. Transient dynamic analysis is conducted on the ALIF, TLIF and LLIF models, respectively, to compute and compare their stress responses to an axial cyclic load. The results show that compared with those in ALIF and TILF models, contact forces between endplate and cage are higher in LLIF model, where the von-Mises stress in endplate and DIAM is lower. This implies that the LLIF have a better biomechanical performance under vibration. After bony fusion between vertebrae, the endplate and DIAM stresses for all the three surgical models are decreased. It is expected that this study can provide references for selection of surgical approaches in the fusion surgery and vibration protection for the postsurgical lumbar spine.
Cartilage with limited self-repairing ability is a kind of tissue with relatively hypocellular structure, low nerve distribution and vascular nutrient. Cartilage tissue engineering provides a new therapeutic idea for cartilage injured cartilage repairing in clinical practice. Electrospinning fibrous scaffold with three-dimensional structure like extracellular matrix is suitable for cell growth and bioactive factor loading for cartilage tissue engineering. This paper introduces studies of the application of electrospinning technology in repairing damaged cartilage by simulating highly hierarchical structures and mechanical features from the aspects of composition optimization, structure optimization and multi-technology combination.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of ultrasound-guided anterior injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combined with routine physiotherapy on pain and functional improvement in patients with rotator cuff injury.MethodsThe patients with rotator cuff injury treated in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from August 2017 to June 2018 were randomly divided into control group and PRP group. The control group was treated with routine physiotherapy for 4 weeks, and the PRP group was treated with PRP injection guided by musculoskeletal ultrasound (once a week, two injections) combined with routine physiotherapy for 4 weeks. The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and the European Shoulder Association Constant-Murley Score (CMS) were used to evaluate the changes of pain and function before intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 24 weeks after intervention.ResultsFinally, 65 patients were included, with 33 in the control group and 32 in the PRP group. Compared with the control group, there were significant differences in the CMS and SAPDI scores between the PRP group and the control group at 12 and 24 weeks after intervention (P<0.05), except before intervention (P>0.05). Twelve and 24 weeks after intervention, the CMS scores of the two groups were higher than those before intervention, while the SPADI scores were lower than those before intervention (P<0.05). The results of repeated measures analysis of variances showed that there was no statistical significance in group effect of CMS or SAPDI scores (F=2.753, P=0.102; F=2.724, P=0.104), but the time effects of CMS and SAPDI scores were statistically significant (F=251.002, P<0.001; F= 1 846.753, P<0.001), and there was interaction between group and time (F=4.931, P=0.020; F=36.405, P<0.001).ConclusionAnterior injection of PRP guided by musculoskeletal ultrasound combined with conventional physiotherapy is more effective than conventional physiotherapy in relieving shoulder pain and improving shoulder joint function.