OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture based on the "head qijie" theory combined with endovascular intervention in the treatment of ischemic stroke (IS). METHODS: Sixty-six IS patients were randomly divided into an experimental group (33 cases, 3 cases dropped out) and a control group (33 cases, 3 cases dropped out). The control group received endovascular intervention. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, the experimental group received acupuncture based on the "head qijie" theory starting from the second day after surgery, Baihui (GV20) and bilateral Fengchi (GB20), Tianzhu (BL10), etc. were selected, once a day, 6 times a week for 2 weeks. Before and after treatment, the scores of National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), modified Barthel index (MBI) and modified Rankin scale (mRS) were observed in the two groups, the clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, the NIHSS and mRS scores were decreased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.01), the NIHSS and mRS scores in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the MBI scores were increased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.01), the MBI score in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the experimental group was 86.7% (26/30), which was higher than 66.7% (20/30) in the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse events in the experimental group was 6.7% (2/30), which was lower than 13.3% (4/30) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture based on the "head qijie" theory combined with endovascular intervention in treating IS has good efficacy, improves neurological function, and enhances daily living ability.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Ischemic Stroke/therapy* ; Acupuncture Points ; Endovascular Procedures ; Treatment Outcome ; Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy

The dysregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12), which may result from genomic alterations or modulation by upstream effectors, is implicated in cancer oncogenesis and progression. CDK12 overexpression or activation is sufficient to induce tumor initiation, recurrence, and therapeutic resistance. However, CDK12 may also exert tumor-suppressive functions in a context-dependent manner. Therefore, caution is warranted when targeting CDK12 in future clinical trials. A comprehensive elucidation of the dual roles and underlying mechanisms of CDK12 in carcinogenesis is urgently needed to advance precision oncology. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the dysregulation and biological roles of CDK12 in cancer. Subsequently, we systematically summarize the functions and mechanisms of the oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles of CDK12 in different contexts. Finally, we discuss the potential of CDK12 as a novel therapeutic target and its implications in clinical oncology, offering insights into future directions for innovative cancer treatment strategies.

Objective     To compare the perioperative outcomes of atypical segmentectomy between robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) and conventional video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods    The data of patients who underwent minimally invasive anatomic atypical segmentectomy in our hospital from October 2016 to December 2021 were collected. These patients were divided into a RATS group and a VATS group according to the operation method. Propensity score (PS) matching was used to select patients with close clinical baseline characteristics, and the perioperative results of the two groups were compared. Results    A total of 1 048 patients were enrolled, including 320 males and 728 females, with a mean age of 53.51±11.13 years. There were 277 patients in the RATS group and 771 patients in the VATS group. After 1∶1 PS matching, 277 pairs were selected. Both groups were well balanced for age, sex, smoking history, body mass index, Charlson comorbidity index, pulmonary function, tumor size, tumor location, and histological type. All patients were R0 resection, and there were no deaths within 30 days after surgery. The RATS group had shorter operative time [85 (75, 105) min vs. 115 (95, 140) min, P<0.001] and less blood loss [50 (30, 100) mL vs. 60 (50, 100) mL, P=0.001]. There were no statistical differences between the two groups in lymph node resection, conversion to thoracotomy, thoracic drainage time, total amount of thoracic drainage or postoperative complications (P>0.05). Conclusion    Both RATS and VATS atypical segment-ectomies are safe and feasible for early-stage NSCLC. RATS can effectively shorten the operative time, and reduce blood loss.

Objective    To summarize the experience of robot-assisted lung basal segmentectomy, and analyze the clinical application value of intersegmental tunneling and pulmonary ligament approach for S9 and/or S10 segmentectomy. Methods    The clinical data of 78 patients who underwent robotic lung basal segmentectomy in our hospital between January 2020 to May 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 32 males and 46 females with a median age of 50 (33-72) years. The patients who underwent S9 and/or S10 segmentectomy were divided into a single-direction group (pulmonary ligament approach, n=19) and a bi-direction group (intersegmental tunneling, n=19) according to different approaches, and the perioperative outcomes between the two groups were compared. Results    All patients successfully completed the operation, without conversion to thoracotomy and lobectomy, serious complications, or perioperative death. The median operation time was 100 (40-185) min, the blood loss was 50 (10-210) mL, and the median number of dissected lymph nodes was 3 (1-14). There were 4 (5.1%) patients with postoperative air leakage, and 4 (5.1%) patients with hydropneumothorax. No patient showed localized atelectasis or lung congestion at 6 months after the operation. Further analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the operation time, blood loss, thoracic drainage time, complications or postoperative hospital stay between the single-direction and bi-direction groups (P>0.05). However, the number of dissected lymph nodes of the bi-direction group was more than that of the single-direction group [6 (1-13) vs. 5 (1-9), P=0.040]. Conclusion    The robotic lung basal segmentectomy for pulmonary nodules is safe and effective. The  perioperative results of robotic S9 and/or S10 complex segmentectomy using intersegmental tunneling and pulmonary ligament approach are similar.

In this paper, the mechanism of destroying human alveolar epithelial cells and pulmonary tissue by 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was discussed firstly. There may be multiple mechanisms including killing directly the target cells and hyperinflammatory responses. Secondly, the clinical features, CT imaging, short-term and long-term pulmonary function damage of the 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) was analyzed. Finally, some suggestions for thoracic surgery clinical practice in non-epidemic area during and after the epidemic of COVID-19 was provided, to help all the thoracic surgery patients receive active and effective treatment.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will reduce the cardiopulmonary function and increase perioperative risk. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of preoperative short-term high intensity lung rehabilitation training on lung function and postoperative complications in patients with COPD who are eligible for lung cancer surgery. METHODS: We analysis of 101 patients with COPD and a diagnosis of lung cancer, with 43 patients in pulmonary rehabilitation group and 58 patients in conventional group. The pulmonary function, postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) and length of stay (LOS) will be compared between the two groups, the lung function will be compared before and after the rehabilitation at the same time. RESULTS: There were no significant difference between the two groups in general information, lung function before surgery, postoperative pulmonary infection [8 (18.6%) vs 17 (29.3%)], atelectasis [1 (2.3%) vs 1 (1.7%)], respiratory failure [1 (2.3%) vs 2 (3.4%)] and postoperative LOS [(8.93±3.78) d vs (9.62±3.98) d, P>0.05]. In the rehabilitation group, the FEV1 [(2.06±0.45) L vs (2.15±0.45) L, P<0.001] and PEF [(4.32±0.90) L/s vs (5.15±1.05) L/s, P<0.001) were higher, and PCO2 [(42.42±2.79) mmHg vs (41.58±2.98) mmHg, P=0.009] was lower after rehabilitation, significantly. The increase value of FEV1 in moderate to severe COPD group was higher than that of the mild COPD group after the rehabilitation [(0.16±0.05) L, 8.6% vs (0.06±0.05) L, 2.8%, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The short-term highly-intensity lung rehabilitation can improve lung function in lung cancer patients with COPD, and the improvement of pulmonary function in moderate to severe COPD patients is more obviously.
Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; complications ; rehabilitation ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perioperative Period ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Safety

Objective To evaluate the influence of fast track surgery on the early outcomes of thoracoscopic and laparoscopic minimally invasive esophageal cancer operation for thoracic segment esophageal cancer.Methods The inpatients with thoracic segment esophageal squamous cancer in this hospital from January 2012 to June 2016 were retrospectively analyzed,who in the same operation group performed thoracoscopic and laparoscopic minimally invasive esophageal cancer resection,gastroesophageal left neck anastomosis and two-field lymphadenectomy.Among them,the conventional group had 156 cases from January 2012 to December 2014 and the fast track surgery group had 93 cases from January 2015 to June 2016.Their perioperative related indicators were recorded and analyzed.Results The age,sex,BMI,complications index,ASA score,tumor segment,pathological stage had no statistical difference between the fast track surgery group and conventional group;the postoperative pain score in the fast track surgery group was significantly lower than that in the conventional group(on 1 d:5.13±1.16 vs.5.69±1.17,P=0.000;on 3 d:2.63±0.76 vs.2.86±0.78,P=0.032;on 7 d:1.82±0.71 vs.2.56±0.47,P=0.005);the pneumonia occurrence rate in the fast track surgery group was much lower(7.5％ vs.17.3％,P=0.030) and sacrococcygeal skin injury was much less(4.3％ vs.12.2％,P=0.038);the occurrence rates of pulmonary atelectasi,ARDS,re-tracheal intubation,neck anastomosis fistula,atrial fibrillation and re-operation had no statistical difference between the two groups;the hospitalization stay time in the fast track surgery was shorter than that in the conventional group[(13.89 ±7.36)d vs.(17.41±6.77)d,P=0.000].Conclusion Implementing fast-track surgery measure intervention during perioperative period in the patients with thoracic segment esophageal cancer resection can alleviative postoperative pain,decreases postoperative complications and shortens the hospitalization length.

Objective To verify the feasibility of discriminating tissue types in the anterior approach of the cervical spine by the Electrical impedance (EI) and decrease the rate of severe complications.Methods Six New Zealand white rabbits and 6 mini-pigs were performed standard anterior cervical surgery.The esophagus,carotid artery,tracheal cartilage,annular ligaments of trachea,longus colli muscle and anterior longitudinal ligament are classified as the prevertebral group;The cortical bone,cancellous bone,anulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus are classified as the vertebral group.Once all the tissues were exposed completely,over the frequency range of 200-3 000 kHz (the frequency points were 200 kHz,400 kHz,600 kHz,800 kHz,1 000 kHz,2 000 kHz,3 000 kHz),the in vivo EI of prevertebral group and vertebral group were measured by a probe and a precision inductance-capacitance-resistance (LCR) meter;then the data were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics 22 software.At every frequency,Kruskal-Wallis test followed by all pairwise multiple comparisons was applied for all the four groups (the prevertebral group of rabbits,the vertebral group of rabbits,the prevertebral group of mini-pigs,and the vertebral group of mini-pigs),respectively.P values ＜ 0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results At every frequency,the results of Kruskal-Wallis test for all the four groups were significant,and the results of multiple comparisons were as follows.(1) In both miniature experimental animals and large experimental animals,the EI of the vertebral group tissues was significantly different at every investigated frequency (multiple comparisons).(2) In the miniature experimental animals,the EI between longus colli muscle and esophagus,carotid artery and annular ligaments of trachea,and tracheal cartilage and anterior longitudinal ligament had no significant difference at any frequency (multiple comparisons);significant difference could not be detected in the EI between anterior longitudinal ligament and annular ligaments of trachea at the frequencies of 2000-3 000 kHz (multiple comparisonsk) and could be detected at the frequencies of 200-1 000 kHz (multiple comparisons);for comparison of all other paired tissues of prevertebral group there were significant differences at all frequencies (multiple comparisonsk).(3) In the large experimental animals,the EI between longus colli muscle and esophagus,carotid artery and annular ligaments of trachea,and tracheal cartilage and anterior longitudinal ligament had no significant difference at any frequency (multiple comparisons),the same was true for the EI between annular ligaments of trachea and esophagus,carotid artery and anterior longitudinal ligament,and longus colli muscle and annular ligaments of trachea at the frequencies of 800-3 000 kHz,3 000 kHz and 3 000 kHz (multiple comparisons),respectively;for comparison of all other paired tissues of prevertebral group there were significant differences at all frequencies (multiple comparisons).Conclusion At certain frequencies,the EI among tissues was significantly different and could discriminate tissues in the anterior approach of the cervical spine.

Objective To assess the therapeutic efficacy of a recombined adenovirus expressing p53 (rAd-p53) via intrapleural injec-tion in the treatment of lung cancer with malignant pleural effusion. Methods Thirty-six cases with lung cancer and malignant pleural effu-sion were randomly divided into two groups,which were given intravenous injection of Nedaplatin with (observation group,n=20) or without (control group,n=16) intrapleural injection of rAd-p53,respectively. Between the two groups,the efficacy in treatment of pleural effusion, the amelioration of maximal ventilatory volume ( MVV) ,Kamofsky scoring ( KPS) and quality of life were compared. Results The efficacy in treatment of pleural effusion in observation group are significantly higher than that in control group(17/20 vs. 50%,P<0. 05). The cases with KPS≥80 in observation group were significantly increased following treatment (5/20 vs. 11/20,P <0. 05). However,there was no difference with the cases in control group. Conclusion Intrapleural injection of recombinant adenovirus expressing p53 (rAd-p53) is effec-tive to reduce the occurrence of malignant pleural effusion and increase the quality of life remarkably.