To improve the performance of brain-controlled intelligent car based on motor imagery (MI), a method based on neurofeedback (NF) with electroencephalogram (EEG) for controlling intelligent car is proposed. A mental strategy of MI in which the energy column diagram of EEG features related to the mental activity is presented to subjects with visual feedback in real time to train them to quickly master the skills of MI and regulate their EEG activity, and combination of multi-features fusion of MI and multi-classifiers decision were used to control the intelligent car online. The average, maximum and minimum accuracy of identifying instructions achieved by the trained group (trained by the designed feedback system before the experiment) were 85.71%, 90.47% and 76.19%, respectively and the corresponding accuracy achieved by the control group (untrained) were 73.32%, 80.95% and 66.67%, respectively. For the trained group, the average, longest and shortest time consuming were 92 s, 101 s, and 85 s, respectively, while for the control group the corresponding time were 115.7 s, 120 s, and 110 s, respectively. According to the results described above, it is expected that this study may provide a new idea for the follow-up development of brain-controlled intelligent robot by the neurofeedback with EEG related to MI.
Brain control is a new control method. The traditional brain-controlled robot is mainly used to control a single robot to accomplish a specific task. However, the brain-controlled multi-robot cooperation (MRC) task is a new topic to be studied. This paper presents an experimental research which received the "Innovation Creative Award" in the brain-computer interface (BCI) brain-controlled robot contest at the World Robot Contest. Two effective brain switches were set: total control brain switch and transfer switch, and BCI based steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP) was adopted to navigate a humanoid robot and a mechanical arm to complete the cooperation task. Control test of 10 subjects showed that the excellent SSVEP-BCI can be used to achieve the MRC task by appropriately setting up the brain switches. This study is expected to provide inspiration for the future practical brain-controlled MRC task system.
Brain-computer interface (BCI) based on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a new-type human-computer interaction technique. To explore the separability of fNIRS signals in different motor imageries on the single limb, the study measured the fNIRS signals of 15 subjects (amateur football fans) during three different motor imageries of the right foot (passing, stopping and shooting). And the correlation coefficient of the HbO signal during different motor imageries was extracted as features for the input of a three-classification model based on support vector machines. The results found that the classification accuracy of the three motor imageries of the right foot was 78.89%±6.161%. The classification accuracy of the two-classification of motor imageries of the right foot, that is, passing and stopping, passing and shooting, and stopping and shooting was 85.17%±4.768%, 82.33%±6.011%, and 89.33%±6.713%, respectively. The results demonstrate that the fNIRS of different motor imageries of the single limb is separable, which is expected to add new control commands to fNIRS-BCI and also provide a new option for rehabilitation training and control peripherals for unilateral stroke patients. Besides, the study also confirms that the correlation coefficient can be used as an effective feature to classify different motor imageries.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common, chronic disease of the digestive system. In recent years, endoluminal therapy for GERD has become a research hotspot. The reduced anti-reflux barrier function plays an important role in the occurrence of GERD. Peroral endoscopic therapy can improve the defect of anti-reflux barrier function. According to the involved layers, the endoscopic therapy can be classified as transmural which represented by transoral incisionless and transoral incisionless fundoplication, and non-transmural which represented by peroral endoscopic cardia constriction and radiofrequency ablation. This article reviews the progress of endoscopic non-full-thickness therapy for GERD in recent years, and introduces the action mechanism of peroral endoscopic therapy of GERD, the therapy of the mucosal layer and muscle layer of anti-reflux barrier, and other treatments. The purpose is to provide a reference for further exploring suitable endoscopic treatment of GERD.
Multi-modal brain-computer interface and multi-modal brain function imaging are developing trends for the present and future. Aiming at multi-modal brain-computer interface based on electroencephalogram-near infrared spectroscopy (EEG-NIRS) and in order to simultaneously acquire the brain activity of motor area, an acquisition helmet by NIRS combined with EEG was designed and verified by the experiment. According to the 10-20 system or 10-20 extended system, the diameter and spacing of NIRS probe and EEG electrode, NIRS probes were aligned with C3 and C4 as the reference electrodes, and NIRS probes were placed in the middle position between EEG electrodes to simultaneously measure variations of NIRS and the corresponding variation of EEG in the same functional brain area. The clamp holder and near infrared probe were coupled by tightening a screw. To verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the multi-modal EEG-NIRS helmet, NIRS and EEG signals were collected from six healthy subjects during six mental tasks involving the right hand clenching force and speed motor imagery. These signals may reflect brain activity related to hand clenching force and speed motor imagery in a certain extent. The experiment showed that the EEG-NIRS helmet designed in the paper was feasible and effective. It not only could provide support for the multi-modal motor imagery brain-computer interface based on EEG-NIRS, but also was expected to provide support for multi-modal brain functional imaging based on EEG-NIRS.
Objective To systematically review the efficacy of intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGF) on macular edema (ME) secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Methods Databases including PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP were electronically searched to identify randomized controlled trials on different anti-VEGF drugs in the treatment of RVO-ME from inception to September 17th 2021. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk bias of the included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Results A total of 11 RCTs were included. Data from these studies included 2 436 eyes, of which 1 682 involved central retinal vein occlusion and 754 involved branch retinal vein occlusion. The results of meta-analysis showed that at 6 months of follow-up, anti-VEGF drug treatment of RVO-ME improved corrected visual acuity (MD=14.97, 95%CI 10.09 to 19.86, P<0.000 01) and reduced central retinal thickness (MD= −218.21, 95%CI −295.56 to −140.86, P<0.000 01) compared with control groups. At 12 months, anti-VEGF treatment of RVO-ME showed better improvement in corrected visual acuity compared with control group (MD=5.70, 95%CI 3.90 to 7.50, P<0.000 01). No statistically differences were observed in the improvements corrected visual acuity with different anti-VEGF drugs. However, for central retinal vein occlusion, different anti-VEGF drugs improved the central retinal thickness including aflibercept vs. bevacizumab (MD=−46.79, 95%CI −83.12 to −10.46, P=0.01), and bevacizumab vs. ranibizumab (MD=76.03, 95%CI 30.76 to 121.30, P=0.001) had significant differences. Conclusions The current evidence shows that anti-VEGF drugs can improve vision and reduce macular edema in the treatment of RVO-ME. Bevacizumab may be an effective alternative to ranibizumab or aflibercept. Existing evidence cannot determine differences between the improvement of best-corrected vision and the reduction of central retinal thickness during the long-term treatment of RVO, which requires to be verified by further research.
Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is currently recognized as a precancerous lesion of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Gender, age, obesity, smoking and some other factors are closely related to BE, but the exact pathogenesis is still unclear. Gastrointestinal microecology is of great significance to the human body. It is closely related to human immunity, tumor, chronic inflammation, nutrient absorption, material metabolism. It may be closely related to the occurrence and development of BE. This article reviews the research progress of the relationship between BE and gastrointestinal microecology, aiming to provide a basis for further clarifying the pathogenesis of BE and targeting intervention in BE.
Gastroparesis is a gastrointestinal motility disorder that refers to delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Clinical manifestations include postprandial fullness and epigastric discomfort, abdominal distension, nausea, and vomiting. According to its etiology, it can be divided into three categories: surgery-related gastroparesis, non-surgery-related gastroparesis and idiopathic gastroparesis. Non-surgery-related gastroparesis is common clinically. At present, the exact pathogenesis of gastroparesis remains to be unclear. The intestinal flora is huge and abundant. It participates in a variety of physiological functions of the host. Studies have confirmed that the intestinal flora is related to perioperative treatment measures, surgical stress, and various system diseases (endocrine and metabolic system diseases, nervous system diseases, and immune system diseases), especially the weakening of gastrointestinal motility, and gastrointestinal motility. Attenuation can further promote the occurrence and development of gastroparesis. Based on the current research, this article reviews the research on the correlation between gastroparesis and intestinal flora.
Non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (NERD) refers to a disease that has typical gastroesophageal reflux symptoms but lacks endoscopic esophageal mucosal damage. Its exact pathogenesis remains unclear. Studies have shown that the occurrence and development of NERD may be related to the gastrointestinal flora. The digestive tract flora can directly or indirectly participate in the occurrence and development of NERD by affecting the body’s immune, metabolic, neurological and other functions. In order to further clarify the possible correlation between NERD and gastrointestinal flora, this article reviews the research progress on the correlation between NERD and gastrointestinal flora, with a view to providing new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of NERD.
Non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (NERD) refers to a disease with symptoms such as acid reflux, heartburn and pathological reflux, but no significant esophageal mucosal damage under endoscopy. Its pathogenesis may be related to factors such as lower esophageal sphincter dysfunction, weakened esophageal clearance ability, visceral hypersensitivity, and disordered intestinal microecology, but the specific mechanism is still unclear. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a common intestinal flora disorder syndrome. A number of studies have shown that SIBO has a certain correlation with NERD, and SIBO may be involved in the occurrence and development of NERD through mechanisms such as inflammatory response, gas production, and increased short-chain fatty acids. Therefore, this article reviews the correlation between NERD and SIBO, aiming to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of NERD.