Pilot and Feasibility Study on Elderly Support Services Using Communicative Robots and Monitoring Sensors Integrated With Cloud Robotics

PurposeThis pilot before-after study investigated the possible effects of communicative robots, used with a sensing system supported by cloud robotics, in caring for elderly people.MethodsTwo elderly women in nursing homes and 4 care workers participated in the trial. The overnight life rhythm assessments of the study participants and care workers were surveyed to determine when and how the robots should be integrated into care. The system consisted of the robot Sota, a noncontact vital sensor and a sheet-shaped bed sensor. Real-time sensing data and conversations between the participants and robots were sent to the servers, prompting a quick verbal response by the robot supported by cloud robotics.FindingsCare workers devoted 3 h to the maintenance of records during their most stressful periods. Automatic recording of vital information using robot sensors can improve the quality of nursing care work. Care workers' stress levels were maximized when responding to nurse calls. Temporary responses to nurse calls by the robots may help to effectively reduce the burden on nursing care workers. Robots can stimulate elderly people to communicate more with others (P < 0.05). Appropriate vocalization by communicative robots may prevent the deterioration of quality of life in elderly individuals.ImplicationsCommunicative robots, used with a sensing system, may stimulate elderly people to activate a communication link with others and help care workers to effectively reduce the burden during the night shift. A follow-up study involving a broader research program on communicative robots and elderly care would be beneficial.     

Whole-genome sequencing and intensive analysis of the undomesticated soybean (Glycine soja Sieb. and Zucc.) genome

The genome of soybean (Glycine max), a commercially important crop, has recently been sequenced and is one of six crop species to have been sequenced. Here we report the genome sequence of G. soja, the undomesticated ancestor of G. max (in particular, G. soja var. IT182932). The 48.8-Gb Illumina Genome Analyzer (Illumina-GA) short DNA reads were aligned to the G. max reference genome and a consensus was determined for G. soja. This consensus sequence spanned 915.4 Mb, representing a coverage of 97.65% of the G. max published genome sequence and an average mapping depth of 43-fold. The nucleotide sequence of the G. soja genome, which contains 2.5 Mb of substituted bases and 406 kb of small insertions/deletions relative to G. max, is ～0.31% different from that of G. max. In addition to the mapped 915.4-Mb consensus sequence, 32.4 Mb of large deletions and 8.3 Mb of novel sequence contigs in the G. soja genome were also detected. Nucleotide variants of G. soja versus G. max confirmed by Roche Genome Sequencer FLX sequencing showed a 99.99% concordance in single-nucleotide polymorphism and a 98.82% agreement in insertion/deletion calls on Illumina-GA reads. Data presented in this study suggest that the G. soja/G. max complex may be at least 0.27 million y old, appearing before the relatively recent event of domestication (6,000～9,000 y ago). This suggests that soybean domestication is complicated and that more in-depth study of population genetics is needed. In any case, genome comparison of domesticated and undomesticated forms of soybean can facilitate its improvement.     

Phylogenetic character mapping of proteomic diversity shows high correlation with subspecific phylogenetic diversity in Trypanosoma cruzi

We performed a phylogenetic character mapping on 26 stocks of Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite responsible for Chagas disease, and 2 stocks of the sister taxon T. cruzi marinkellei to test for possible associations between T. cruzi-subspecific phylogenetic diversity and levels of protein expression, as examined by proteomic analysis and mass spectrometry. We observed a high level of correlation (P < 10(-4)) between genetic distance, as established by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, and proteomic dissimilarities estimated by proteomic Euclidian distances. Several proteins were found to be specifically associated to T. cruzi phylogenetic subdivisions (discrete typing units). This study explores the previously uncharacterized links between infraspecific phylogenetic diversity and gene expression in a human pathogen. It opens the way to searching for new vaccine and drug targets and for identification of specific biomarkers at the subspecific level of pathogens.     

机器人辅助下借用NOSES理念同期切除直肠癌和肝转移灶患者一例

本文报道并分析一例腹部无辅助切口经肛门取出标本的机器人辅助下直肠癌联合肝转移灶切除术（NOSES IV式）,旨在说明机器人NOSES对于直肠癌肝转移患者的可行性,为微创外科理念提供新角度,使更多患者受益。     

机器人辅助腹腔镜肾盂输尿管连接处狭窄成形术

目的 探讨ZEUS机器人辅助腹腔镜肾盂输尿管连接处狭窄成形术治疗肾盂输尿管连接部(UPJ)狭窄所致肾积水的临床疗效.方法 采用经腹腔途径施行机器人辅助腹腔镜肾盂输尿管连接处狭窄成形术治疗UPJ狭窄患者25例.结果 25例手术均获成功.手术时间185～245min,平均205min;出血量50～90mL;术后住院时间5～9d.平均6d.术后随访3～22个月,25例腰痛症状均消失,逆行肾盂造影(RP)示UPJ吻合口无狭窄,肾积水减轻,20例重度肾积水者中12例转为中度、8例转为轻度,4例中度积水者中3例转为轻度、1例积水消失,1例轻度肾积水者积水消失.IVU显影良好者22例,显影改善者3例.结论 机器人辅助腹腔镜肾盂输尿管连接处狭窄成形术治疗UPJ狭窄所致肾积水使手术效率提高,操作更加精确,疗效满意.     

“一主多辅”导师制在儿科研究生培养中的应用

目的探讨在并轨培养模式下一主多辅导师制在儿科专业学位研究生培养中的应用。方法选取2013级和2014级儿科专业学位研究生为研究对象,2013级儿科专业学位研究生采用单一导师负责制培养,2014级儿科专业学位研究生采用一主多辅导师制培养。从学生满意度,阶段性考试成绩,执业医师资格考试一次性通过率,结业考试通过情况,科研发表文章情况等多维度方面评价一主多辅导师制对儿科专业学位研究生培养的质量。结果采用一主多辅导师制培养的学生在科研能力培养方面、对指导老师带教情况和临床实践能力培养的满意度明显好于单导师制负责制,差异具有统计学意义(P <0.05),用一主多辅导师制培养的学生在三次年终考试成绩明显优于采用单导师制培养的学生,差异具有统计学意义(P <0.05);2013级学生发表14篇国家级核心期刊文章,其中论著2篇;2014级学生发表16篇国家级核心期刊文章,其中论著4篇。结论在新的并轨培养的模式下,一主多辅导师制有利于儿科专业学位研究生的培养。     

基于MOTOMAN机器人的髓内钉自动打孔系统

本文介绍了骨科手术中一种新的髓内钉的打孔方法.由双目空间定位系统获得标志点的空间坐标,通过一系列的计算得出电钻到达正确的空间位置和方向所需的旋转量和平移量,将计算的结果显示在计算机屏幕上,同时传递给MOTOMAN机器人系统,使机器人手持电钻获得正确的平移量和旋转量,从而达到在髓内钉上正确打孔,避免人为因素造成不必要的手术伤害.     

利用孕妇血浆中胎儿游离DNA进行无创伤性产前基因诊断的研究进展

孕妇血浆中胎儿游离DNA,源于胎儿细胞和/或胎盘的凋亡,经核酸内切酶选择性地剪切为313 bp以下的短片段分子,因相对含量丰富,成为了当前无创伤性产前分子遗传诊断中胎儿DNA的重要来源,业已开展了胎儿性别鉴定、RhD阴性孕妇的Rh（D）基因检测、胎儿非整倍体病的诊断、STR遗传标记检测等应用研究。根据胎儿游离DNA的浓度、纯度、分子片段大小分布的特征和检测的靶基因,采用相应的分子基因诊断策略和实验设计,限制扩增产物的片段长度,有助于提高无创伤性产前胎儿分子遗传诊断的成功率。当前,大规模并行基因组测序技术为直接利用胎儿游离DNA进行无创伤性产前基因诊断开辟了新途径。     

First-in-man application of a cold ablation robot guided laser osteotome in midface osteotomies

The aim of the study was to assess the clinical applicability of robot guided laser osteotomy for clinical application.This is the initial report on 14 consecutive patients requiring an orthognathic procedure with a midface osteotomy (no restrictions made on the surgical indication itself) who have undergone surgery by means of the Cold Ablation Laser Osteotome CARLO® (AOT Advanced Osteotomy Tools, Basle, Switzerland), which is an integrated system, functionally comprising: an Er:YAG laser source, intended to perform osteotomies using cold laser ablation, a robot arm that controls the position of the laser source, an optical tracking device that provides a continuous and accurate measurement of the position of the laser source and of reference elements attached to instruments or bones, a navigation system (software) that is able to read preoperatively defined planned osteotomies, and – under the control of a surgeon – performs the planned osteotomies. Safety was assessed by unimpaired postoperative healing and the absence of device related injuries; performance was assessed as ability to cut the maxilla along the preoperatively planned cutting path with a rage of accuracy of 2mm.Cold ablation robot-guided laser osteotomy could successfully be performed in 14 consecutive patients. No intraoperative complications or technical failure occurred. All osteotomies were within an average deviation of 0.80 mm (±0.26 mm) of the virtually preplanned location. The registration procedure to set up the robot at the beginning of the operation required a mean time of 4.6 min (±5.3min).In this report we describe the effective and successful routine use of Cold ablation robot-guided laser osteotomy in an actual clinical setting. It is a promising technical innovation that has the potential to set new standards for accuracy and safety in orthognathic surgery.