Super-pulse thulium fiber laser (hereinafter referred to as thulium laser) has shown broad application prospects in medical research, especially in the treatment of urinary tract stones.Thulium laser has a thin fiber diameter, which reduces the occupation of the working channel and increases the irrigation water flow.Currently, the peak power reaches up to 500 W, the single pulse energy to 6 J, and the frequency to 2000 Hz.The stone-breaking mechanism of thulium laser is photothermal and photomechanical.Different combinations of energy and frequency will significantly affect the volume of stone fragments. "High energy and low frequency" is more suitable for "fragmentation" stone breaking, while "low energy and high frequency" is more suitable for "powderization" stone breaking.Some in vitro experiments have confirmed that thulium laser has higher stone-breaking efficiency, less stone displacement, and more obvious thermal effects compared to holmium laser.Clinically, thulium laser has been applied to ureteroscopic lithotripsy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy., and the stone free rate and safety are relatively high.This article reviews the stone-breaking principles, in vitro experiments, and clinical applications of thulium laser, aiming to provide better theoretical support and practical experience for the development and application of super-pulse thulium fiber laser in the future.

Under the background of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, together with 15 national ministries and commissions, has formulated the Implementation Plan on Establishing a Carbon Footprint Management System, and it is urgent for traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) pharmaceutical enterprises to carry out research on carbon footprint accounting methods of related products. Based on the life cycle assessment(LCA) theory, taking mulberry leaf extract produced by a certain enterprise as an example, this study analyzed the carbon footprint of TCM extracts during the life cycle. The results show that for every 1 kg of product produced, the carbon emissions from the stages of raw material acquisition, transportation, and extract production are-20.569, 1.205, and 173.577 kgCO_2eq(CO_2 equivalent), respectively. The carbon footprint of the product is 154.213 kgCO_2eq·kg~(-1). In addition, the carbon emission is the highest in the production stage, in which the consumption of ethanol solvents makes the greatest contribution to the carbon footprint, accounting for 25.71%, more than one-fourth of the total carbon footprint. The second contribution was from the treatment process of TCM residues, accounting for 19.67%, closely followed by wastewater treatment(17.71%), the consumption of hot steam(17.43%), and drinking water(16.90%). The consumption of electric power and packaging materials has a smaller carbon emission of 2.58%. In particular, the carbon emission caused by the consumption of packaging materials is only 0.04%, which is negligible. The results of the study are expected to provide a reference for TCM enterprises to carry out research on the carbon footprint of products, offer ideas for collaborative innovation in reducing pollution and carbon emissions throughout the entire industry chain of TCM, and develop new quality productivity of modern TCM industry based on green and low-carbon manufacturing.
Morus/chemistry* ; Plant Leaves/chemistry* ; Carbon Footprint ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Plant Extracts/analysis* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Aromatic immunity in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is the medical knowledge accumulated in the process of people's struggling with diseases. It plays an important role in plague prevention, disease treatment, health preservation, and rehabilitation, and has profound TCM basic theoretical support and abundant modern scientific evidence. With the in-depth promotion of the Healthy China initiative and the succession of health needs in the post-COVID-19 era, how to practice the health concept of aromatic immunity in TCM and develop its health service resources with high quality has become an important proposition to be discussed urgently. This paper summarizes the cognitive process, puts forward the basic concept, discusses the scientific connotation and clinical application value, and looks forward to the future development trend of aromatic immunity in TCM, aiming to provide guidance for the development of great health products and promote the application of aromatic immunity in TCM in serving people's health.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Humans ; COVID-19/immunology* ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; SARS-CoV-2

Objective To analyze the influencing factors of death in the elderly with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).Methods The case data of death caused by COVID-19 in West China Fourth Hospital from January 1 to July 8,2023 were collected,and surviving cases from the West China Elderly Health Cohort infected with COVID-19 during the same period were selected as the control.LASSO-Logistic regression was adopted to analyze the data after propensity score matching and the validity of the model was verified by drawing the receiver operating characteristic curve.Results A total of 3 239 COVID-19 survivors and 142 deaths with COVID-19 were included.The results of LASSO-Logistic regression showed that smoking(OR=3.33,95%CI=1.46-7.59,P=0.004),stroke(OR=3.55,95%CI=1.15-10.30,P=0.022),malignant tumors(OR=19.93, 95%CI=8.52-49.23, P<0.001),coronary heart disease(OR=7.68, 95%CI=3.52-17.07, P<0.001),fever(OR=0.51, 95%CI=0.26-0.96, P=0.042),difficulty breathing or asthma symptoms(OR=21.48, 95%CI=9.44-51.95, P<0.001),and vomiting(OR=8.19,95%CI=2.87-23.58, P<0.001)increased the risk of death with COVID-19.The prediction model constructed based on the influencing factors achieved an area under the curve of 0.889 in the test set.Conclusions Smoking,stroke,malignant tumors,coronary heart disease,fever,breathing difficulty or asthma symptoms,and vomiting were identified as key factors influencing the death risk in COVID-19.
Humans ; COVID-19/mortality* ; Aged ; Propensity Score ; China/epidemiology* ; Risk Factors ; Logistic Models ; Smoking ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Male ; Female ; Stroke ; Neoplasms

【Objective】 The thermal effects of super-pulsed thulium fiber laser (TFL) at different powers,lithotripsy modes and irrigation rates were studied using a 3D kidney model to simulate ureteral lithotripsy in vivo. 【Methods】 A thermal effect model was established in vitro. Under the same conditions of laboratory temperature and equipment,the temperature around the optical fiber was measured and compared when different optical fiber diameters,powers,lithotripsy modes and irrigation rates were used to simulate lithotripsy by TFL. 【Results】 There was significant difference in the temperature around the optical fiber caused by two fibers with different diameters under the same conditions (P<0.05). Under the same conditions,different lithotripsic modes produced different temperatures,and the temperature of "high energy and low frequency" was lower than that of "low energy and high frequency" (P<0.05). When the power was 10 W and the minimum irrigation rate was 10 mL/min,the plateau temperature did not reach the safety threshold (43 ℃). When the power was 20 W and the minimum irrigation rate was 10 mL/min,the platform temperature exceeded the safety threshold. When the irrigation rate was 20 mL/min,the platform temperature did not reach the safety threshold. 【Conclusion】 In the study of ureteral lithotripsy in vitro,the power,mode,irrigation rate and optical fiber diameter are factors affecting the thermal effects of TFL. No matter what kind of lithotripsy mode and fiber diameter,the temperature around the fiber is safe when the lithotripsy power is ≤10 W and the irrigation rate is ≥10 mL/min;when the lithotripsy power is ≤20 W and the irrigation rate is ≥20 mL/min,the temperature around the fiber is safe.

Objective:To compare the temperature rise curve and steady-state temperature of thulium and holmium laser in lithotripsy.Methods:This study was conducted from November to December 2021. Firstly, we designed an experimental water tank(10 cm×10 cm×10 cm) that can carry out constant temperature water bath, with a 8ml simulated renal pelvis, and can carry out constant velocity perfusion in the simulated renal pelvis. A 1 cm×1 cm×1 cm cubic artificial stone was placed in the simulated renal pelvis to perform 36.5℃-37.5 ℃ water bath. The simulated renal pelvis was closed with an oak plug, the temperature measuring probe and flexible ureteroscope were placed through the hole on the oak plug and entered into the simulated renal pelvis. Flexible ureteroscope was carried out by urologists. The lithotripsy lasted a total of 180 seconds for thulium and holmium laser respectively under different parameter settings (10 Hz×1.0 J, 10 Hz×2.0 J, 10 Hz×3.0 J, 20 Hz×0.5 J, 20 Hz×1.0 J, 20 Hz×1.5 J, the corresponding gravel power is 10 W, 20 W and 30 W respectively), the constant speed water pump flow rate was separate as the high flow rate group (35 ml/min) and low flow rate group (15ml/min), and leave a temperature probe 5mm around the optical fiber. Water temperature change during the lithotripsy was recorded by probes, the average of 10 temperature values of two probes measured every 5 seconds was taken as the water temperature value of this period, with a total of 216 time points in 6 parameter settings. Under the same parameter settings, the temperature of two lasers at each time point was plotted and compared to form the corresponding temperature rise curve. The average temperature in the last 30 seconds during lithotripsy in the record was used as the steady-state temperature, which of thulium and holmium laser lithotripsy was compared under the same parameter setting and the same water flow velocity. Finally, 43℃ was taken as the safety threshold temperature to evaluate whether the temperature of the two lasers during lithotripsy exceeds the safety threshold.Results:According to the temperature rise curve, the water temperature of thulium laser during lithotripsy was higher than that of holmium laser at 77.7% (168/216)of time points. At the flow rate of 15 ml/min, thulium laser was significantly higher than that of holmium laser at 10 Hz×1.0 J[(32.43±2.19℃)vs. (30.99±0.90)℃, P<0.01], 10 Hz×2.0 J[(41.21±3.30℃) vs. (38.13±1.26)℃, P<0.01], 10 Hz×3.0 J[(49.54±2.44)℃vs. (44.91±0.65)℃, P<0.01], 20 Hz×0.5 J[(32.75±1.41)℃vs. (30.84±1.16)℃, P<0.01], 20 Hz×1.0 J[(41.67±1.76)℃vs. (37.51±1.25)℃, P<0.01], 20 Hz×1.5 J [(47.54 ± 3.48)℃vs. (46.12±1.04)℃, P<0.01]. At the flow rate of 35 ml/min, the thulium laser was significantly higher than that of holmium laser at 10 Hz×1.0 J[(28.01±0.57)℃ vs. (26.84±0.97)℃, P<0.01], 10 Hz×2.0 J[(31.31±1.07)℃vs.(30.41±1.39)℃, P<0.01], 10 Hz×3.0 J[(33.29±0.70)℃vs.(32.25±2.55)℃, P<0.01], 20 Hz×0.5 J[(28.36±0.99)℃vs.(26.22±0.66)℃, P<0.01], 20 Hz×1.0 J [(30.80±2.06)℃vs.(30.08±0.78)℃, P=0.012], and the steady-state temperature was not significant different between two laser at 20 Hz×1.5 J [(34.54±3.08)℃ and(33.93±1.49)℃, P=0.163]. In the low flow rate group, thulium laser at 10 Hz×1.0 J, 10 Hz×2.0 J, 20 Hz×0.5 J and 20 Hz×1.0 J does not exceed the safety threshold temperature, while in the high flow rate group, any combination of laser parameters of the two lasers does not exceed the safety threshold temperature. Conclusion:Under the same laser parameter setting and flow rate, the thermal eff of thulium laser is more obvious. When using thulium laser for lithotripsy, the flow rate in the process of lithotripsy being faster than that of holmium laser with the same laser setting should be ensured to avoid tissue damage.

Objective:To analyze the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided needle-perc assisted retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in the treatment of small but complex renal calculi, and summarize our clinical experience.Methods:The clinical data of 36 patients with small but complicated renal stones treated by ultrasound-guided needle-perc assisted RIRS in Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital from January 2020 to April 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. There were 25 males and 11 females. The average age was (54.7±6.1) years, and the body mass index (BMI) was (26.3±3.1) kg/m 2. The maximum diameter of the calculi was (1.8±0.7) cm. There were 28 patients without renal hydronephrosis before operation, 8 patients with mild to moderate renal hydronephrosis, 4 patients with caliceal diverticular stones, 32 patients with lower pole stones, 10 patients with ureteral stones, 6 patients with previous surgical history of ipsilateral kidney stones, and 3 patients with stones in the solitary kidneys. Patients were placed in oblique supine lithotomy position or prone split leg position (female). For lower pole stones or diverticular stones that were difficult to be handled by flexible ureteroscope, the needle-perc was used to puncture the stones in target calyx under ultrasound guidance. Holmium laser was then used to pulverize or fragment the calculi, and the flexible ureteroscope was used to remove or further pulverize the stone fragments. Perioperative indexes and postoperative complications were recorded, and stone-free rate was analyzed. Results:All 36 cases were successfully operated. The median operation time was 61.5(59.0, 66.8)min, with a median decrease in hemoglobin on the first postoperative day of 1.6(0.8, 2.0)g/ L, a median postoperative hospital stay of 1.5(1.0, 2.0)days, and a median needle-perc tract of 1(1, 2). The complications were recorded in 4 patients (11.1%), all of which were Clavien-Dindo grade I, including postoperative fever in 2 patients and analgesic use in 2 patients. The primary stone-free rate was 83.3% (30/36). The 6 patients with residual stones were treated by external physical vibration lithecbole on the 3rd to 7th day after surgery. After 1 month follow-up, residual stone expulsion were seen in 3 patients. Three patients with residual stones were followed up regularly. The final stone-free rate was 91.7% (33/36).Conclusions:Ultrasound-guided needle-per assisted RIRS is safe and effective in the treatment of small but complex renal calculi, with high postoperative stone free rate and low complication rate.

Objective:To study the relationship of pathogenic bacteria in midstream urine culture and stone composition of patients characteristics with infection stones.Methods:Between January 2016 and December 2020, 989 patients with infectious stones who attended Tsinghua Chang Gung Hospital, affiliated with Tsinghua University, for surgical treatment were enrolled in the study. There were 545 male and 444 female patients, with the mean age (48±14) years. The left and right side stones were 396 and 333, respectively. There were 260 bilateral stones, 264 single stones, 334 multiple stones, and 391 deer-stalker-shaped stones. The maximum diameter of stones was (33.4±26.5)mm, combined with diabetes in 109 cases and hypertension in 235 cases. Clean middle-urine was collected for bacterial culture, and intraoperative stone specimens were collected by percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Personal characteristics of the patient such as gender, age, body mass index, clinical information such as stone size, location, comorbidities, results of urine culture and stone composition were recorded. The differences of infectious stone composition was analyzed between urease-producing, non-urease-producing bacteria.Results:Among the 989 patients with infectious stones, 259 were pure infectious stones, 131 were mixed infectious stones, and 599 were combined with infectious stone components. Urine cultures were positive in 627(63.4%) patients with infectious stones. The predominant urease-producing bacteria included Ureaplasma urealyticum(94 case), Proteus mirabilis(58 case), and Staphylococcus spp.(36 case). Pure infectious stones were common in Proteus mirabilis, while combined with infectious stone components were common in Ureaplasma urealyticum and Staphylococcus spp. The predominant non-urease-producing bacteria included Escherichia coli(175 case), Enterococcus spp.(76 case) and Streptococcus spp.(35 case). Escherichia coli commonly contained in infectious stone components and pure infectious stones, whereas Enterococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. commonly contained in infectious stone components. Escherichia coli (61 case), Proteus mirabilis (44 case) and Enterococcus spp.(20 case) were the most common bacteria in 259 cases of pure infectious stones. Escherichia coli (36 case), Enterococcus spp. (14 case) and Ureaplasma urealyticum (10 case) were the most common bacteria in 131 cases of mixed infectious stones. The most common bacteria in 599 cases of combined infectious stones were Escherichia coli (78 case), Ureaplasma urealyticum (68 case) and Enterococcus spp. (42 case).Conclusions:Urease producing bacteria were not common in infectious stones. It was common for the Ureaplasma urealyticum in combined infectious stone components, while Escherichia coli was common in pure and combined infectious stone components.

Objective To evaluate the outcome of liver transplantation in patients with recurrent liver cancer after resection.Methods Data of 23 patients underwent liver transplantation for recurrent liver cancer from April 2001 to March 2008 were retrospectively collected and analyzed.Results Previous history of liver resection had little negative effect in subsequent liver transplantation in technical aspect.Liver function recovered uneventfully after transplantation in all cases.Alpha fetoprotein(AFP) recovered to normal value in 13 of 17 cases with elevated AFP before transplantation within one month after operation.Five cases(21.74%) had postoperative complications.Nineteen cases(82.61%) were followed up,average follow-up duration were 610 days.There were 5 cases(26.32%) of cancer recurrence and 6 deaths during follow-up,survival rate was 68.42%.Conclusion Liver transplantation is a reasonable treatment for recurrent liver cancer after resection.