Technology and Health Care - Volume 31, issue 5

Authors: Lin, Rui | Li, Guo-Sheng | Gan, Xiang-Yu | Peng, Jun-Xi | Feng, Yue | Wang, Li-Ting | Zhang, Chu-Yue | Huang, Kun-Ying | Huang, Shi-Hai | Yang, Lin | Kong, Jin-Liang | Zhou, Hua-Fu | Chen, Gang | Huang, Wan-Ying

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: At present, studies on MircoRNA-22-3p (miR-22-3p) in lung adenocarcinoma use a single method, lack multi-center validation and multi-method validation, and there is no big data concept to predict and validate target genes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression, potential targets and clinicopathological significance of miR-22-3p in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) tissues. METHODS: LUAD formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumors and adjacent normal lung tissues were collected for real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Collect miR-22-3p in LUAD and non-cancer lung tissue from high-throughput datasets, standardized mean difference (SMD) and area under the curve (AUC) of the …comprehensive receiver operating curve (summary receiver operating characteristic cure, sROC curve) were calculated. Cell function experiments on A549 cells transfected with LV-hsa-miR-22-3p. Target genes were predicted by the miRwalk2.0 website and the resulting target genes were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) pathway enrichment analysis and constructed to protein-protein interaction network. Finally, the protein expression level of the key gene TP53 was validated by searching The Human Protein Atlas (THPA) database to incorporate TP53 immunohistochemical results in LUAD. RESULTS: RT-qPCR result from 41 pairs of LUAD and adjacent lung tissues showed that miR-22-3p was downregulated in LUAD (AUC = 0.6597, p = 0.0128). Globally, a total of 838 LUADs and 494 non-cancerous lung tissues were included, and were finally combined into 14 platforms. Compared with noncancerous tissue, miR-22-3p expression level was significantly reduced in LUAD tissue (SMD = - 0.32, AUC = 0.72l); cell function experiments showed that miR-22-3p has inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and has promotion effect on apoptosis. Moreover, target genes prediction, GO pathway enrichment analysis and PPI network exhibited TP53 as a key gene of target gene of miR-22-3p; at last, a total of 114 high-throughput datasets were included, including 3897 LUADs and 2993 non-cancerous lung tissues, and were finally combined into 37 platforms. Compared with noncancerous tissue, TP53 expression level was significantly increased in LUAD (SMD = 0.39, p < 0.01) and it was verified by the protein expression data from THPA. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of miR-22-3p may inhibit LUAD cell proliferation, migration and invasion through TP53, and promote cell apoptosis. Show more

Keywords: miR-22-3p, lung adenocarcinoma, target gene, TP53

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220494

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 1691-1707, 2023

Authors: You, Xiao-Lan | Huang, Chang-Yun | Liu, Ru-Meng

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Local inflammatory reaction is the basis of wound healing. Inappropriate inflammatory reaction will delay wound healing. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of silver-containing dressings combined with hydrogel on healing of immunosuppression-induced skin ulcerations (IISU). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 48 cases of patients with IISU admitted to The First People’s Hospital of Jiande from March 2018 to March 2019. According to the different treatment methods, the patients were divided into the observation group and the control group, with 24 cases in each group. Patients in the observation …group were treated with silver-containing dressings combined with hydrogel, while patients in the control group were treated with silver-containing dressings alone. Initially, patients in the observation group and control group were treated with the same method of debridement and cleaning. Afterwards, for patients in the observation group, the wounded surface was coated with a layer of hydrogel. Both groups had the wound covered with a silver-containing dressing as the inner dressing, and gauze was used as the outer dressing to wrap and fix the wound. The dressing change frequency was the same for both groups. The effective rate, basic healing rate, and complete healing rate of the two groups were compared after one week and two weeks of treatment. RESULTS: The effective rate of dressing application and wound healing rate in the observation group were significantly better than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A silver-containing dressing combined with hydrogel as the inner dressing can provide a better environment for wound healing, significantly shorten the course of treatment of patients with IISU, promote the early recovery of patients, and improve the quality of life of patients. Therefore, it can be applied in clinical practice. Show more

Keywords: Skin ulceration, silver dressing, hydrogel

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220540

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 1709-1714, 2023

Authors: Wang, Hua-Xin | Gao, Wen-Yu | Yang, Yang | Li, Yun-Feng | Zhang, Yan | Zhang, Xin-Yi | Li, Yu-Xia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: It is estimated that 1.95% and 5.55% of adults in China suffer from subclinical thyroid diseases, which is difficult to diagnose and treat. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the development and prognosis of subclinical thyroid diseases to provide a reference from our single center experience. METHODS: A total of 240 cases from April 2019 to August 2021 in the laboratory information system database of Huanghua Development Boai Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Binary logistic regression was conducted to analyze odds ratio (OR) of subclinical thyroid disease types returning to a normal state. …RESULTS: Among the patients hypothyroidism Ia and hyperthyroidism Ia were the most common type with conversion to the normal state (P < 0.001). TSH level of patients with conversion to a normal state was significantly lower than that of those who developed to abnormal disease (P = 0.015). The OR values of hyperthyroidism Ia and hypothyroidism Ia that returned to a normal state compared with hyperthyroidism Ib were 2.659 (1.159 ∼ 6.096, P = 0.021) and 3.138 (1.1.278 ∼ 7.709, P = 0.013), respectively. The OR value of hypothyroidism Ib that returned to normal compared with hyperthyroidism Ib was 0.629 (0.131 ∼ 3.010, P = 0.561). Thyroid hormone levels, age, and gender at first diagnosis were not impact factor for prognosis of subclincal thyroid disease (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Cases with grade hypothyroidism Ia and hyperthyroidism Ia are more likely to revert to normal state than other subclinical thyroid diseases. TSH reference range should be explored for diagnosis and treatment. Show more

Keywords: Subclinical hyperthyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, diagnostic grading, prognosis, odds ratio

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220562

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 1715-1722, 2023

Authors: Senirkentli, G. Burcu | İnce Bingöl, Sinem | Ünal, Metehan | Bostancı, Erkan | Güzel, Mehmet Serdar | Açıcı, Koray

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pedodontists and general practitioners may need support in planning the early orthodontic treatment of patients with mixed dentition, especially in borderline cases. The use of machine learning algorithms is required to be able to consistently make treatment decisions for such cases. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to use machine learning algorithms to facilitate the process of deciding whether to choose serial extraction or expansion of maxillary and mandibular dental arches for early treatment of borderline patients suffering from moderate to severe crowding. METHODS: The dataset of 116 patients who were previously treated by …senior orthodontists and divided into two groups according to their treatment modalities were examined. Machine Learning algorithms including Multilayer Perceptron, Linear Logistic Regression, k-nearest Neighbors, Naïve Bayes, and Random Forest were trained on this dataset. Several metrics were used for the evaluation of accuracy, precision, recall, and kappa statistic. RESULTS: The most important 12 features were determined with the feature selection algorithm. While all algorithms achieved over 90% accuracy, Random Forest yielded 95% accuracy, with high reliability values (kappa = 0.90). CONCLUSION: The employment of machine learning methods for the treatment decision with or without extraction in the early treatment of patients in the mixed dentition can be particularly useful for pedodontists and general practitioners. Show more

Keywords: Serial extraction, maxillary expansion, machine learning, orthodontic treatment planning

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220563

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 1723-1735, 2023

Authors: Baser, Baris | Gulnar, Burak | Tuhan Kutlu, Esra

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: With the development of modern technology, the use of software-based applications in the field of health has become increasingly widespread. For this reason, computer-assisted personal registration forms have been developed using software programs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare surface contamination during the filling of orthodontic anamnesis-consent forms, traditionally on paper and digitally on a tablet equipped with a software application, measured in confined spaces using the 3M Clean-Trace Luminometer device. METHODS: In order for the participants to complete the orthodontic anamnesis-consent forms, two separate identical cabins with standard …flat surfaces were prepared. In the first cabin, the participants conventionally completed these forms on paper (conventional group), while in the second cabin, the other group used a tablet equipped with a software program for this purpose (digital group). After the form completion process, surface pollution of the predetermined areas was measured in both cabins using a 3M Clean-Trace Luminometer device. RESULTS: Surface contamination was found to be statistically significantly higher in all measurement areas in the conventional group than in the digital group. Despite a statistically significant difference between the two groups in relation to the measurements performed using the pens (conventional or electronic), this was not as strong as those found for the remaining surfaces. CONCLUSION: The completion of orthodontic anamnesis-consent forms over tablets significantly reduced surface contamination in the close environment. This study reflects the importance of digitization – which has become beneficial in many fields – in reducing the spread of infections. Show more

Keywords: Patient consent-anamnesis form, conventional-digital applications, software, surface contamination

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220600

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 1737-1746, 2023

Authors: Aryani, Toetik | Budiatin, Aniek Setiya | Samirah, | Maulidina, Aulia | Firdaus, Aulia Intan | Gani, Maria Apriliani | Nisak, Khoirotin | Khotib, Junaidi | Syukriya, Alvi Jauharotus

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Bone fracture is the main consequence of osteoporosis, which may become a neglected disease. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to fabricate bovine hydroxyapatite-gelatine (BHA-GEL) based bone-implant with alendronate (ALE) in vivo. METHODS: Wistar rats were used for an osteoporotic animal model induced by ovariectomy. There were three groups: negative control, BHA-GEL implant, and BHA-GEL-ALE implant. Each group performed a defect by drilling the femur (diameter of 2.2 mm and depth of 2 mm). Observations on the closure of bone defects were performed by X-ray radiography at the second and sixth week after surgery. The …mechanism of bone healing was observed by using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemical technique with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and anti-alkaline phosphatase (ALP) antibodies. RESULTS: The radiograph examination showed the implanted group had accelerated bone growth. In addition, the osteoblast, osteoclast and osteocyte had accelerated migration to the defect area. Moreover, the immunoreactive score (IRS) of VEGF at the sixth week in the BHA-GEL-ALE group was lower than the other groups. Meanwhile, the IRS of ALP in BHA-GEL-ALE was higher compared to other groups. CONCLUSION: The BHA-GEL-ALE implant accelerates the healing of bone defect in the osteoporotic rat by increasing the ALP expression and the total number of cells. Show more

Keywords: Osteoporosis, bovine hydroxyapatite, implant, alendronate, neglected disease

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220612

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 1747-1757, 2023

Authors: Hong, Mei | Sun, Wen-Hao | Lu, Ming | Zhong, Tao-Li | Chen, Tian-Yuan | Zhao, Yi-Dong | Hong, Nan | Zhu, Yao | Ding, Yi-Yan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In recent years, malignant tumors have gradually become one of the main causes of death for Chinese residents, of which lung cancer ranks first in both the incidence and mortality in China. OBJECTIVE: To mine the text of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinical medical cases after data cleaning, analyze it, and study the experience of TCM doctors in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: The applied approach was based on the data mining methods of decentralized and hierarchical system clustering of data from a drug and prescription database. This study involved …215 patients, 287 cases, and 147 types of clinical drugs. RESULTS: The data analysis of the clinical treatment of NSCLC in TCM showed that Erchen Decoction was the main method for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in clinical treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Junjian recipes were close to each other, with Banzhilian, Lobelia, Shanci Mushroom, Hedyotis diffusa to anticancer and detoxify. CONCLUSION: This study analyzed the core TCM prescription for NSCLC by collecting the empirical essence and characteristics of specific medications. It has some guiding scientific significance for the clinical treatment of lung cancer. Show more

Keywords: Traditional Chinese medicine medical records, cluster analysis, non-small cell lung cancer, clinical experience, data mining, clinical research

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220644

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 1759-1770, 2023

Authors: Wang, Miao | Yue, Meng | Zhao, Xiaopeng | He, Xu | Zhang, Haoran | Jin, Jing | Wang, Hongyan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: According to the eighth edition of the tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging system for esophageal cancer, it is recommended that extracapsular lymph node involvement (EC-LNI) is included as a registered independent variable for the disease. However, its role in the prognosis has not been clearly explained. OBJECTIVE: To study the value of EC-LNI in the prognosis of esophageal cancer and attempt to explore its molecular mechanism via an enrichment analysis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 544 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who underwent radical surgery in the department …of thoracic surgery of our hospital, focusing on the relationship between EC-LNI and clinicopathological characteristics and its effect on prognosis. Additionally, the mechanism of EC-LNI in esophageal cancer was explored. RESULTS: Among the 271 patients with lymph node metastasis, 125 were EC-LNI (+ ). The degrees of tumor differentiation, location, TNM stage, vascular tumor thrombus, and nerve invasion were related to the occurrence of EC-LNI. The stage of TNM was considered an independent risk factor for the development of EC-LNI. A significant difference was found in terms of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) between the EC-LNI (+ ) and EC-LNI (- ) groups. A univariate analysis showed that the degrees of tumor differentiation, T stage, N stage, TNM stage, EC-LNI, EC-LNI number, and EC-LNI distance were significantly correlated with prognosis. A multivariate survival analysis showed that tumor differentiation, TNM stage, and EC-LNI were independent prognostic factors for OS, while TNM stage and EC-LNI were independent prognostic factors for DFS. The enrichment analysis identified the molecular targets and signaling pathways that can regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Extracapsular LNI has a high prognostic value in patients with esophageal cancer and is closely related to the stage of tumors. Our preliminary molecular mechanism research indicated that the molecular targets of EC-LNI are expected to become a new direction for the treatment of esophageal cancer. Show more

Keywords: ESCC, EC-LNI, prognosis, risk factor

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220645

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 1771-1786, 2023

Authors: Luo, Zhi-Juan | Lin, Yun-Hong | Yin, Yi | Zhou, Ting | Li, Xing-Xing

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Removable partial dentures (RPDs) are widely used as a dental prosthesis and have a wide application scope. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of using design software in the preclinical teaching of removable partial dentures (RPDs). METHODS: Unreal Engine software was used to build the RPD framework design teaching and training software. All 131 undergraduate students majoring in stomatology in the class of 2018, Kunming Medical University, were randomly divided into three groups and received either traditional experiment teaching, flipped classroom teaching, or software teaching for RPD design. The application effect of the …software in the preclinical teaching of RPD design was evaluated by analyzing the examination results and through the use of a questionnaire survey. RESULTS: The differences in the theoretical examination scores among the traditional teaching group, the flipped classroom group, and the software teaching group were not statistically significant (P > 0.05), while the average design scores of upper Kennedy Class I and lower Kennedy Class II subclass II in the software teaching group were significantly higher than those in the traditional teaching group (P < 0.05). Overall, 75% of the students in the software teaching group reported that this teaching method could improve their learning initiative, a higher percentage than in the traditional teaching group (55.8%, P < 0.05). Meanwhile, 90.9% of the students in the software teaching group reported that the software could make RPD-related theoretical knowledge more visual and intuitive, and 93.2% of these students felt it was helpful for understanding the RPD three-dimensional (3D) spatial structure. These percentages were higher than those in the traditional teaching and flipped classroom groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the preclinical teaching of RPD design, software training helped the students better understand the 3D structure of RPDs and establish clear design ideas, and it may also be valuable for in-depth research and promotion purposes. Show more

Keywords: Removable partial denture framework design, teaching software, dental education

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220654

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 1787-1798, 2023

Authors: He, Yongsheng | Qi, Xuan | Luo, Xiao | Wang, Wuling | Yang, Hongkai | Xu, Min | Wu, Xuanyuan | Fan, Wenjie

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer death. Due to the low rate of early diagnosis, most patients are already in the advanced stage and lose the chance of radical surgery. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical value of computed tomography (CT) dual-energy imaging in preoperative evaluation of pathological types of gastric cancer patients. METHODS: 121 patients with gastric cancer were selected. Dual-energy CT imaging was performed on the patients. The CT values of virtual noncontrast (VNC) images and iodine concentration of the …lesion were measured, and the standardized iodine concentration ratio was calculated. The iodine concentration, iodine concentration ratio and CT values of VNC images of different pathological types were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: The iodine concentration and iodine concentration ratio of gastric mucinous carcinoma patients in venous phase and parenchymal phase were lower than those of gastric non-mucinous carcinoma patients, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The iodine concentration and iodine concentration ratio of patients with mucinous adenocarcinoma in venous phase and parenchymal phase were lower than those of patients with choriocarcinoma, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The iodine concentration and iodine concentration ratio of middle and high differentiated adenocarcinoma patients in venous phase and parenchymal phase were lower than those of low differentiated adenocarcinoma patients, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in CT values of VNC images among venous, arterial, and parenchymal phases in all pathological types of gastric cancer patients (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dual-energy CT imaging plays an important role in the preoperative evaluation of patients with gastric cancer. The pathological types of gastric cancer are different, and the iodine concentration will change accordingly. Dual-energy CT imaging can effectively evaluate the pathological types of gastric cancer and has high clinical application value. Show more

Keywords: Dual-energy CT imaging, gastric cancer, pathological type, preoperative evaluation

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220664

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 1799-1808, 2023