Enhanced Thermoelectric Properties of p-Type Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3-Cu8GeSe6 Composite Materials.

Bismuth-telluride-based thermoelectric materials have been applied in active room-temperature cooling, but the mediocre ZT value of ∼1.0 limits the thermoelectric (TE) device's conversion efficiency and determines its application. In this work, we show the obviously improved thermoelectric properties of p-type Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 by the Cu8GeSe6 composite. The addition of Cu8GeSe6 effectively boosts the carrier concentration and thus limits the bipolar thermal conductivity as the temperature is elevated. With the Cu8GeSe6 content of 0.08 wt %, the hole concentration reaches 5.0 × 1019 cm-3 and the corresponding carrier mobility is over 160 cm2 V-1 s-1, resulting in an optimized power factor of over 42 µW cm-1 K-2 at 300 K. Moreover, the Cu8GeSe6 composite introduces multiple phonon-scattering centers by increasing dislocations and element and strain field inhomogeneities, which reduce the thermal conductivity consisting of a lattice contribution and a bipolar contribution to 0.51 W m-1 K-1 at 350 K. As a consequence, the peak ZT of the Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3-0.08 wt % Cu8GeSe6 composite reaches 1.30 at 375 K and the average ZT between 300 and 500 K is improved to 1.13. A thermoelectric module comprised of this composite and commercial Bi2Te2.5Se0.5 exhibits a conversion efficiency of 5.3% with a temperature difference of 250 K, demonstrating the promising applications in low-grade energy recovery.

Effect of trimodal pre-rehabilitation on the rehabilitation of patients with gastrointestinal tumors in the perioperative period.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of trimodal pre-rehabilitation on the rehabilitation of patients with gastrointestinal tumors in the perioperative period. METHODS: Clinical data of 878 patients with gastrointestinal tumors undergoing surgical treatment in our hospital were analyzed in this retrospective study. They were divided into a control group and an observation group. The patients in the control group received only routine preoperative education and guidance before operation, while those in the observation group received preoperative trimodal pre-rehabilitation. The nutritional status, sleep quality, psychological status, and physical function of two groups were compared 1 day before operation and at discharge. The postoperative complications, length of hospital stays, and hospitalization expenses were compared. The patients were followed up for three months after discharge from the hospital, and the quality of life between groups was compared. RESULTS: The nutritional status of two groups 1 day before operation and at discharge was improved compared with that at admission (all P<0.001). The nutritional status in the observation group was better than that in the control group 1 day before operation. The scores of sleep quality, psychological status, and physical function of the observation group were higher than those in the control group 1 day before surgery and at discharge (all P<0.001). The observation group had shorter hospital stays and lower hospitalization expenses than the control group (all P<0.001). The 3-month follow-up after discharge showed that the observation group had higher quality of life than the control group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Trimodal pre-rehabilitation can improve the preoperative nutritional status, sleep quality, psychological state, and physical function of patients with gastrointestinal tumors during the perioperative period. Besides, it can shorten the hospital stays, reduce the total hospitalization expenses, and improve the quality of life of patients after discharge. It is worthy of clinical promotion.

Experience of low-temperature plasma radiofrequency treatment of 53 patients with tongue hemangioma.

BACKGROUND: The main treatments of hemangioma of the tongueare are injection of sclerotherapy, freezing, surgical resection or combined application of the above methods. It is extremely difficult to remove it completely. Even if combined with multiple methods, it is often unable to control its continued growth, and many important physiological functions of the tongue will be affected, resulting in poor quality of life for patients. OBJECTIVE: To probe into the therapeutic effect of low-temperature plasma on hemangioma of the tongue. METHODS: The clinical data of 53 patients with hemangioma of the tongue admitted to our department from July 2013 to July 2019 were retrospectively analyzed and studied. RESULTS: Low-temperature plasma radiofrequency to treat hemangioma of the tongue might have advantages of simple operation, wide vision, fewer postoperative complications and quick recovery. SIGNIFICANCE: The low-temperature plasma system possesses advantages of precise location, light collateral damage, non­carbonization of the wound surface, light postoperative response, fewer complications and faster recovery. Combined with the endoscopic system with different angles, it can fully expose the surgical field and is especially suitable for the surgical treatment of patients with tumor of the tongue, which is worth popularizing application in clinic.

Clinical Application of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery in Perioperative Period of Laparoscopic Colorectal Cancer Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical application value of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) combined with the laparoscopic technique in the radical resection of colorectal cancer. METHODS: A total of 200 patients undergoing laparoscopic radical surgery for colorectal cancer from June 2014 to June 2017 were selected and randomly divided into ERAS group (n = 100) and conventional (CON) group (n = 100). The ERAS group adopted enhanced recovery approach after surgery for perioperative treatment, while the CON group adopted a CON approach. The operation time, blood loss, first exhaust time, first defecation time, extubation time, complication rate (incision infection, pneumonia, gastric retention, anastomotic leakage, intestinal obstruction, etc.), scores of visual analog scale (VAS) 1, 3, and 7 days after surgery, and nutritional status (albumin, total protein) 1, 3, and 7 days after surgery were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with the CON group, the ERAS group had significantly shorter first exhaust time, first defecation time, and extubation time (all P < .05). The incidence of overall complications in the ERAS group was less than those in the CON group (P < .05); and albumin and total protein were significantly higher in the ERAS group than in the CON group (both P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: ERAS combined with laparoscopic techniques for the treatment of colorectal cancer is a safe and feasible practice. It not only promoted the recovery of gastrointestinal function but also improved the perioperative nutritional status of patients.

[Analysis of monitoring results of Mattress-type of sleep monitoring system in elderly patients with OSAHS].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the sleep monitoring feature of the MSMS in elderly patients with OSAHS. METHOD: One hundred and ninety patients diagnosed with OSAHS were divided into elderly group and non elderly group according to age, then the results of MSMS were analyzed. RESULT: Majority elderly patients were with mild to moderate OSAHS. The nocturnal mean blood oxygen and the lowest oxygen were higher than non elderly group, coupled with higher percentage of the total oxygen saturation < 90% monitoring time (TS90). There was no significant difference in sleep structure between two groups, but the total sleep time of elderly group is lower than the non elderly group, the difference is statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The elderly patients with OSAHS were less severe in nature, but the nocturnal hypoxia last longer in the elderly group. There is no significant difference in the sleep structure between the two groups. But the total sleep time decrease in elderly group. With smaller interference, the MSMS is closer to the natural sleep stustus of the subjects.

[The application of micro-sensitive mattress type sleep monitor in the diagnosis of OSAHS in children].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the result of child-type micro-sensitive mattress sleep monitor on obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in children. METHOD: The PSG and child-type micro-sensitive mattress sleep monitor were synchronously performed on 58 cases of children with OSAHS. The breathing and sleep metrics were compared. RESULT: By PSG monitoring, 41 cases were diagnosed as mild OSAHS, 14 cases were moderate and 3 cases were severe. The results of mattress system monitoring showed mild OSAHS in 37 cases, 16 cases of moderate and severe OSAHS in 5 cases. Seven patients diagnosed as mild OSAHS monitored by PSG were classified as moderate by mattress system monitoring; three cases diagnosed as mild OSAHS by mattress system monitoring system were diagnosed as moderate by PSG. Among 14 cases of children diagnosed as moderate by PSG, three cases were diagnosed as mild by mattress system monitor and two cases as severe. Children diagnosed as severe by PSG got the same result by mattress system monitor. Two kinds of sleep monitoring methods were compared and there were no statistically significant difference in AHI (t = 2.316, P > 0.05), deep and shallow sleep constituent ratio (t = 2.280, t = 2.388, PF > 0.05). while there was significant difference in REM period Sleep constituent ratio (t = 3.135, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Child-type micro-sensitive mattress is in good agreement with the PSG for diagnosing OSAHS in children, which can be used as a monitoring method in clinical work.

[Endoscopic surgery using the low-temperature plasma radiofrequency for nasopharyngeal angiofibroma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of endoscopic surgery using the low-temperature plasma radiofrequency for nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (NA). METHODS: The clinical data of 4 patients treated between December 2005 and August 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. The tumor in one patient was at stage I and three patients were at stage II, all these patients were treated by endoscopic surgery using the low-temperature plasma radiofrequency under controlled hypotension anesthesia. Preoperative angiography and embolisation were underwent in all patients. Bipolar coagulation was used to help hemostasis during operation. RESULTS: The tumor in all 4 patients was completely removed. The operation time was 60, 80, 110, 90 min respectively. The blood loss was 250, 250, 320, 280 ml respectively. Neither blood transfusion nor complications were encountered perioperatively. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 4 years, none of the patients recurred. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic surgery using low-temperature plasma radiofrequency for nasopharyngeal angiofibroma has many advantages such as less bleeding and total tumor removal. It is a minimally invasive surgical method for nasopharyngeal angiofibroma.

[Comparative analysis of polysomnography and micro-sensitive mattress-sleep monitor used for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficiency of mattress-type micro sensitive monitor (MMSM) in sleep monitoring. METHODS: Forty patients diagnosed as obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) by polysomnography (PSG) were randomly chosen, then received MMSM examination within 2 - 5 days. The results of both methods were compared, using the respiratory disturbance index, sleep efficiency, and obstructive factors as indicators. RESULTS: All 40 patients were diagnosed as OSAHS, which were consistent with the results of PSG. There was no statistical difference when comparing the apnea hypopnea index (AHI, x(-) ± s, 35.6 ± 21.3 and 37.6 ± 18.8, respectively) and the ratio of rapid eyes movement (REM) stage (15.0 ± 4.5)% and (15.8 ± 6.3)%, respectively (t were 1.867 and 1.014, P > 0.01). Some statistical sense was found when patients'deep sleep, shallow sleep and sleep efficiency were compared (P < 0.01). According to the severity diagnosed by PSG, patients with mild, moderate and severe OSAHS were 11, 7 and 22 cases, respectively, Comparing by MMSM, 2, 19 and 19 cases, respectively. Among seventeen volunteers diagnosed by PSG as normal subjects, 2 of them were diagnosed as mild OSAHS. The sensitivity of MMSM was 100.0% and the specificity was 88.2%. CONCLUSIONS: With regard to the diagnosis of OSAHS, MMSM is well consistent with PSG. The MMSM can be applied clinically as a monitor technique.

[Demonstration of the maxillary mucosa restoration after operation to the nasal fungal sinusitis].

OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to demonstrate the maxillary mucosa restoration after operation to the nasal fungal sinusitis. METHOD: Observation by microscopic, transmission electron microscopic and scanning electron microscopic was done to the same parts in the maxillary mucosa 3-4 months before and after the endoscopic sinus surgery in the 24 cases of the nasal fungal sinusitis during 2003-2005. RESULT: Before the operation, all the cases demonstrated epithelia shedding, proliferation, squamous metaplasia, glandular and fibrous tissue proliferation and lymphocytes infiltration. The microtubule was abnormal and mitochondria diminished, 3-4 months after operation, the cavity was clear and smooth and the epithelia complete. The cilia average increased and the cilia lined in the same direction. The structure of microtubules was clear. The mitochondria was elongated and dense. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in the damage on ultramicrostructure of the maxillary mucosa between the chronic nasal sinusitis and chronic nasal fungal sinusitis. It is crucial in the successful recovery that the operation gives a thorough clean to the fungal clot and sinus aeration, and that good cleaning and sinus aeration are maintained after the operation. The ultramicrostructure restoration and the function recovery of mucosa will be achieved after careful cleaning for 3-4 months after operation.

[Effect of snoring on facial growth in children].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of snoring on facial growth in children and the changes after surgery. METHODS: Observations on facial growth were taken by X-ray 1.5 - 2 years before and after surgery on 40 children snorers aged between 2 - 5 years old, whose tonsils and (or) adenoids were completely removed. The data collected before surgery in the 2 - 3 years old snorers and in the 4 - 5 years old ones were compared with the data from healthy children at the same age respectively. RESULTS: The comparison of data between 21 children snorers aged from 2 - 3 and 17 healthy children of the same ages showed that there was no significant difference in the diameter of pharyngeal cavity at tongue base (PAS), the diameter of nasopharyngeal cavity (UPW-PNS) and the angle between mandibular plane and frankfort horizontal plane (FH-MP) within 2 - 3 years group by statistically (P > 0.05). There is no significance in UPW-PNS and FH-MP angle within 4 - 5 years group by statistics (P > 0.05). Others results is significance in all groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in all groups expect Y-axis Angle 1.5 - 2 years after surgery (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal facial growth was caused by the consistent force from the changed way of breathing due to the increasing narrowness of upper airway obstruction and the long-existing obstructive sleep. Surgery done as soon as possible is helpful to reduce the force caused by the obstruction and helpful to the normal facial growth.