Laparoendoscopic Single-site Surgery for Comprehensive Staging of Early Ovarian Cancer

Study ObjectiveTo demonstrate the procedure and suspension skills of laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) staging surgery with infrarenal para-aortic lymphadenectomy for early-stage ovarian cancer.DesignA presentation of the surgery through this technical video.SettingA hospital.Patient and InterventionsA 45-year-old woman presented with a pelvic mass on gynecologic examination and a serum cancer antigen 125 level of 5910 U/mL (normal = <35 U/mL). A computed tomographic scan revealed a mixture of solid and cystic components (70 × 77 × 71 mm) arising from the right ovary and characterized by the “ovarian vascular pelvic” sign. Clinically early-stage ovarian cancer was suspected. Subsequently, LESS staging surgery was performed by an experienced surgeon in our department.ResultsThe surgery lasted 280 minutes, and the volume of blood loss was 50 mL; there were no intra- or postoperative complications. We “hid” the incision perfectly for cosmetic purposes. The histopathologic findings supported high-grade serous ovarian cancer of the right ovary with the left fallopian tube involved as well. In addition, a total of 34 negative pelvic and 18 negative para-aortic lymph nodes were identified, and a stage of IIA was diagnosed as a result.ConclusionWe performed an LESS staging surgery for early-stage ovarian cancer successfully. Our video shows that the LESS approach provided feasible, cosmetic, and safe access among the selected malignant gynecologic surgery. Therefore, we have experienced that the effective suspension was an auxiliary measure for LESS lymphadenectomy. In addition, compared with multiport laparoscopy, the LESS approach could provide easier access to infrarenal para-aortic regions; furthermore, it was safe and quick to extract an unknown sample.     

Bands of Fontana are caused exclusively by the sinusoidal path of axons in peripheral nerves and predict axon path; evidence from rodent nerves and physical models

The precise cause of the bands of Fontana, striations on peripheral nerves visible to the naked eye, has been the subject of debate for hundreds of years. Some researchers have described them as reflecting the sinuous course of nerve fibres passing through nerves, and others have proposed that endoneurial collagen and sheaths surrounding nerves play a role in their appearance. We hypothesised that the bands are caused exclusively by reflection of light from the surfaces of nerve fibres travelling in phase in sinusoidal waveforms through peripheral nerves. We aligned images of obliquely illuminated nerves with confocal images of axons in those nerves, and the numbers and positions of the bands precisely matched the axonal waves. We also developed three‐dimensional models of nerves with representations of the sinusoidal path of axons at their surface. We observed patterns resembling the bands of Fontana when these models were obliquely illuminated. This provides evidence that the bands of Fontana can be caused by light reflected sinusoidal path of axons alone. We subsequently describe a mechanism of band production based on our observations of both nerves and models. We report that smaller diameter nerves such as phrenic nerves and distal branches of sciatic nerves have shorter band intervals than larger nerves, such as proximal trunks of sciatic nerves, and that shorter band intervals correlate with longer axons per unit length of nerve, which suggests a greater tolerance to stretch. Inspection of banding patterns on peripheral nerves may permit prediction of axon length within nerves, and assist in the interpretation of nerve conduction data, especially in diseases where axon path has become altered.     

Variant analysis and genotype/phenotype association study in 42 Chinese patients with Bartter syndrome type 3

Objective To analyze the variants of 42 Chinese patients with Bartter syndrome type 3 (BS3) and explore the characteristics of genotype and phenotype. Methods Forty-two genetically diagnosed patients from 40 Han and one Hui families were collected in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University and the Affiliated Qingdao Municipal Hospital of Qingdao University during the period of June 2012 to October 2018. The second-generation sequencing and multiplex ligase probe-dependent amplification (MLPA) technique were used to analyze the CLCNKB gene variation and its characteristics in children with BS3. The clinical data were collected, and the therapeutic effect and growth improvement were observed and followed up. Thirty eight patients were divided into severe (n=26) and light (n=12) groups according to the severity of genetic variation. The clinical phenotypic characteristics of the two groups were compared. Results Thirty-six variants including 16 novel ones of CLCNKB gene were found. The whole gene deletion of CLCNKB gene was the most frequent mutation (40%), and the rate of large deletions was up to 55%. The most common symptoms included development retardation (38/42), polydipsia and polyuria (35/42), constipation (31/42) and vomiting (27/42). All patients presented with hypokalemia, hypochloremia and metabolic alkalosis. After the medicine treatment that based on indomethacin and potassium chloride, most patients could achieve obvious recovery of growth rate and restoration of hypokalemia. The severe group showed more severe metabolic alkalosis than the light group. Conclusions Thirty-six variants of CLCNKB gene have been found in this study, including 16 novel ones, which enrich the human gene mutation database (HGMD) and provide valuable references to diagnosis, treatment and the genetic counseling of Chinese population.     

医疗领域人工智能应用的研究进展＊

人工智能引发了医疗领域的数字革命，在推动行业发展方面具有极大潜力。本研究围绕临床诊疗、医学研究和公共卫生三个基本场景，聚焦人工智能与传统中医药的交叉与融合，并着重介绍人工智能在疾病诊断、决策支持、医学研究以及重大公共卫生事件中的应用。虽然人工智能在诸多方面显示出独特优势，但仍存在透明度不高、缺乏安全性评估和相关法律法规监管等问题需要谨慎解决，以促进人工智能技术在医疗领域的推广。     

Digital care technologies in people with dementia living in long-term care facilities to prevent falls and manage behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia: a systematic review

European Journal of Ageing - Fall prevention and management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in long-term care (LTC) facility is a major challenge. The objective of this...