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Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) help severely paralyzed people communicate with the outside world. One type of BCI depends on eye movements and has high information transfer (ITR) but is tiring for users and not applicable to people with eye dyskinesia. Conversely, independent BCIs enable attention shifts across visual stimuli without eye movement, but at the cost of a lower ITR. Steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) is an oscillatory brain response and typically used as BCI signal sources because of high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Considering the effect of attentional modulation on the SSVEP, we proposed the novel concept of one-to-two BCI to optimize existing problems, wherein the target and other stimuli shared the same location. Specifically, two spatially overlapping stimuli were displayed in the center-of-view field, as in the independent BCI, and participants were required to divide their attention between the right and left visual fields, as in the dependent BCI. Using three different design schemes in two experiments, we aimed to provide a new framework for BCI design by exploring the feasibility of a combined BCI that can realize a single stimulus location for two inputs. The results strongly demonstrated that, even when the targets and distractors overlapped spatially, the former evoked stronger SSVEP responses. Notably, the BCI scheme based on the object-based attention could achieve a recognition rate as high as 83.2% and an ITR of 12.5 bits per minute. The feasibility of a one-to-two BCI design, which simplified the keyboard layout, reduced the attention shift, and relieved user fatigue, was established.

Ultrasonography-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been used to treat low-risk small papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and yielded promising results. However, little research has been conducted on the application of RFA for the management of T1bN0M0 PTC. Therefore, this study was to compare the midterm outcome of RFA with that of surgery for the treatment of clinical solitary T1bN0M0 PTC.

This is a retrospective study.

In total, 182 patients with solitary T1bN0M0 PTC between April 2014 and May 2019 were treated with RFA or surgery (n=91/group).

The primary end points were local tumour progression and complication rates. selleck chemicals llc Local tumour progression were defined as (a) new or persistent PTC confirmed by core needle biopsy; (b) cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) confirmed by core needle biopsy or surgery; (c) ablation zone increased in the RFA group.

In the RFA group, local tumour progression was seen in four patients (4.4%, three persistent PTC and one LNM). In the surgery group, two patients (2.2%) developed LNM; no new or persistent PTC was confirmed. There was no significant difference between the two groups in local tumour progression. Permanent hypoparathyroidism was observed in four patients (4.4%) in the surgery group, while no major or minor complications were observed in the RFA group.

Ultrasonography-guided RFA is feasible and safe for treating solitary T1bN0M0 PTC, so it may be considered an alternative to surgery in select patients, especially those who are ineligible for or refusal of surgery.

Ultrasonography-guided RFA is feasible and safe for treating solitary T1bN0M0 PTC, so it may be considered an alternative to surgery in select patients, especially those who are ineligible for or refusal of surgery.Esophageal sponge cytology is an endoscopy alternative well accepted by patients with extensive data for accuracy in the context of adenocarcinoma. Few studies have assessed its feasibility in asymptomatic community members, and fewer still in East Africa, where esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) rates are high. We aimed to assess the feasibility of a capsule-based diagnosis of esophageal squamous dysplasia (ESD), an ESCC precursor, which may benefit epidemiological and early detection research. We collected Cytosponge collections in 102 asymptomatic adults from Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Uptake, acceptability and safety were assessed. Participants scored acceptability immediately following the procedure and 7 days later on a scale of 0 (least) to 10 (most acceptable). Slides from paraffin-embedded cell clots were read by two pathologists for ESD and other pathologies. All participants (52 men, 50 women, aged 30-77) swallowed the device at first attempt, 100 (98%) of which gave slides of adequate cellularity. Acceptability scores were 10 (53%), 9 (24%), 8 (21%), 7 (2%) and 6 (1%), with no differences by age, sex or time of asking. Cytological findings were esophageal inflammation (4%), atypical squamous cells of uncertain significance (1%), low-grade dysplasia (1%), gastritis (22%) and suspected intestinal metaplasia (6%). Setting-specific logistical and ethical considerations of study implementation are discussed. We demonstrate the safety, acceptability and feasibility of Cytosponge sampling in this setting, paving the way for innovative etiology and early-detection research. Targeted sampling strategies and biomarker development will underpin the success of such initiatives. The study protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04090554).

Consanguineous unions occur when a couple are related outside marriage and is associated with adverse genetic and perinatal outcomes for affected offspring. The objectives of this study were to evaluate (i) background characteristics, (ii) uptake of prenatal and postnatal investigation and (iii) diagnostic outcomes of UK consanguineous couples presenting with a fetal structural anomaly.

This was a retrospective and partly prospective cohort study comparing consanguineous (n=62) and non-consanguineous (n=218) pregnancies with current or previous fetal structural anomalies reviewed in a UK prenatal genetic clinic from 2008 to 2019. Outcomes were compared using odds ratios (OR).

Most consanguineous couples were of Pakistani ethnicity (odds ratio [OR] 29, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 13-62) and required use of an interpreter [OR 9, 95% CI 4-20). In the consanguineous group, the uptake of prenatal invasive testing was lower (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.7) and the number declining follow up was greater (OR 10, 95% CI 3-34) than in the non-consanguineous group.