Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with different numbers of ports in the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax. Methods We conducted a comprehensive search of CNKI, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMbase, Wanfang Data, and the Chinese Medical Journal Full-text Database for clinical controlled trials on VATS with different port numbers for spontaneous pneumothorax, from their inception to March 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature and assessed its quality.The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the methodological quality of cohort and case-control studies, and the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used to evaluate randomized controlled trials (RCT). Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.1 software. Results A total of 107 studies were included, comprising 35 RCT, 2 cohort studies, and 70 case-control studies. All cohort and case-control studies included in the analysis had NOS scores≥7. The meta-analysis revealed that compared to two-port VATS (2P-VATS) and three-port VATS (3P-VATS), single-port thoracoscopic surgery (SPTS) was associated with less intraoperative blood loss (SMD=–1.58, 95%CI: –1.93 to –1.22, P<0.001; and SMD=–1.59, 95%CI: –2.03 to –1.14, P<0.001, respectively), shorter postoperative hospital stay (SMD=–1.05, 95%CI: –1.29 to –0.82, P<0.001; and SMD=–1.08, 95%CI: –1.39 to –0.77, P<0.001), shorter duration of postoperative chest tube drainage (SMD=–0.75, 95%CI: –1.00 to –0.50, P<0.001; and SMD=–1.23, 95%CI: –1.72 to –0.75, P<0.001), fewer postoperative complications (OR=0.34, 95%CI: 0.26 to 0.45, P<0.001; and OR=0.47, 95%CI: 0.33 to 0.68, P<0.001), and lower pain scores at 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery (P<0.05). The operative time for SPTS was shorter than that for 2P-VATS (SMD=–0.53, 95%CI: –0.90 to –0.16, P=0.005) but showed no significant difference compared to 3P-VATS (P=0.21). When comparing 2P-VATS with 3P-VATS, 2P-VATS demonstrated less intraoperative blood loss (SMD=–1.02, 95%CI: –1.81 to –0.22, P=0.01), shorter postoperative hospital stay (SMD=–0.59, 95%CI: –1.11 to –0.06, P=0.03), shorter duration of chest tube drainage (SMD=–0.46, 95%CI: –0.85 to –0.08, P=0.02), fewer postoperative complications (OR=0.36, 95%CI: 0.22 to 0.59, P<0.001), and lower pain scores at 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery (P≤0.05). Conclusion Both SPTS and 2P-VATS are effective and safe surgical options for spontaneous pneumothorax, deserving further promotion and application in clinical practice. However, due to limitations in the quantity and quality of the included studies, more large-sample, high-quality research is needed to validate these findings.

Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in treating esophageal cancer patients of different genders. Methods Computer searches were conducted on PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases to collect randomized controlled trial (RCT) on ICIs treatment for esophageal cancer patients from the establishment of the databases to January 25, 2024. Two researchers independently screened the literature and extracted data according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The outcome indicators were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), and RevMan 5.4 software was used for meta-analysis. The modified Jadad scoring scale was used to evaluate the quality of the included literature. Results A total of 10 RCT involving 5364 esophageal cancer patients were included in this study, with 2684 patients in the trial group and 2680 patients in the control group. The Jadad scores of the included literature were all ≥6 points, indicating high-quality RCT. Meta-analysis results showed that female esophageal cancer patients receiving ICIs treatment [HR=0.72, 95%CI (0.59, 0.87), P<0.001] had a more significant median OS prolongation than male patients [HR=0.73, 95%CI (0.68, 0.78), P<0.001]; while male patients [HR=0.57, 95%CI (0.52, 0.64), P<0.001] had a more significant PFS prolongation than female patients [HR=0.72, 95%CI (0.55, 0.94), P=0.01]. Female patients treated with ICIs alone [HR=0.66, 95%CI (0.50, 0.87), P=0.003] had a more significant median OS prolongation than male patients [HR=0.79, 95%CI (0.72, 0.87), P<0.001]; while male patients receiving ICIs combined with chemotherapy [HR=0.67, 95%CI (0.61, 0.74), P<0.001] had a more significant median OS prolongation than female patients [HR=0.77, 95%CI (0.59, 1.01), P=0.06]. Conclusion Female patients receiving ICIs have a slight advantage in OS compared to male patients, while male patients have an advantage in PFS. Male patients receiving ICIs combined with chemotherapy have better survival benefits than female patients, while female patients using ICIs monotherapy have better survival benefits than male patients.

Objective To investigate the preventive effects of lidocaine administered through different routes on cardiovascular stress responses during anesthesia tracheal intubation. Methods Total 120 patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia were randomly divided into three groups: intravenous injection group （group IV）, throat spray group （group LJ）, and control group （group CT）, with 40 patients in each. Group IV received 50 mg of lidocaine via intravenous injection 1 minute before tracheal intubation. Group LJ received 50 mg of lidocaine sprayed into the pharyngeal cavity, glottis, and subglottic area. Group CT did not receive any treatment, and the remaining procedures were performed following the routine general anesthesia induction protocol. Heart rate （HR）, systolic blood pressure （SBP）, diastolic blood pressure （DBP）, and mean arterial pressure （MAP） were recorded at four time points: T₀ （before tracheal intubation）, T₁ （immediately after tracheal intubation）, T₂ （3 minutes after intubation）, and T₃ （5 minutes after intubation）. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS 22.0. Results There were no significant differences in HR at various time points within the group LJ. The changes in HR in the group IV and group CT were different statistically from those in the throat spray group. The blood pressure of patients in all three groups increased to varying degrees immediately after tracheal intubation, with the group CT showing particularly significant changes that differed significantly from both the group IV and the group LJ. The group LJ rapidly returned to levels close to those before intubation. Conclusion The preventive effects of lidocaine on stress responses during tracheal intubation were different depending on the route of administration. The inhibitory preventive effect of the throat spray method was superior to that of intravenous lidocaine, especially in preventing changes in heart rate.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the inhibitory effect of multimerin-2 (MMRN2) overexpression on growth and metastasis of cutaneous melanoma cells. METHODS: Clinical data of patients with cutaneous melanoma were obtained from the GEO database to compare MMRN2 expressions between normal and tumor tissues. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed using the STRING database, and the intersecting genes from GEPIA2.0 were subjected to GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. The prognostic relevance of MMRN2 expression level was assessed using Cox regression and "timeROC". The correlations of MMRN2 expression level with immune infiltration and angiogenesis-related genes were analyzed using GSCA database and the ssGSEA algorithm. Colony-forming assay, Transwell assay, and wound healing assay were used to examine the changes in proliferation and migration of cultured cutaneous melanoma cells following MMRN2 knockdown. In a mouse model bearing cutaneous melanoma xenograft, the effect of MMRN2 knockdown on vital organ pathologies, survival of the mice and GM-CSF, CXCL9, and TGF‑β1 protein expressions were analyzed. RESULTS: MMRN2 was significantly upregulated in metastatic cutaneous melanoma (P<0.001). Protein interaction network analysis identified 15 intersecting genes, which were enriched in endothelium development and cell-cell junctions. In patients with cutaneous melanoma, a high MMRN2 expression was correlated with a poor prognosis, an advanced T stage, a greater Breslow depth, and ulceration (P<0.05). MMRN2 expression level was strongly correlated with 24 immune cell types (P<0.001), fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and expressions of the pro-angiogenic genes (KCNJ8, SLCO2A1, NRP1, and COL3A1; P<0.001). In cultured B16F10 cells, MMRN2 knockdown significantly suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion and caused remo-deling of the immunosuppressive microenvironment. CONCLUSIONS MMRN2 overexpression drives progression of cutaneous melanoma by enhancing tumor metastasis, angiogenesis and immune evasion, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for melanomas.
Humans ; Melanoma/metabolism* ; Animals ; Cell Movement ; Prognosis ; Skin Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Mice ; Cell Proliferation ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Protein Interaction Maps

Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans ; Dental Cementum/injuries* ; Consensus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Tooth Fractures/therapy*

OBJECTIVE By conducting evidence evaluation research on literatures,this study aims to reveal the o-verall characteristics and research hotspots in the field of combat trauma-related infections,ultimately providing data support for the prevention and control of such infections.METHODS Relevant research in this field was sys-tematically collected from open-source databases to construct a dataset.The overall characteristics,research hotspots,prevention and control strategies,and future challenges of trauma-related infections were summarized and analyzed.RESULTS From 2004 to 2024,184 papers were published.The United States contributed the most publications,with Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences being the most productive research insti-tution and Professor Clinton K.Murray as the author with the highest number of publications.The top five key-words with the highest frequency were combat related injury,infection,Acinetobacter baumannii,epidemiology and management.Among the publicly published literature data on war trauma-related infections,blast injuries ac-counted for the largest proportion,mainly multi-site injuries,with limb injuries being the most common.Bacteri-al infections were more common than fungal infections,with gram-negative bacteria being predominant and A.baumannii being the most common.Besides early wound management and the use of antibacterial drugs,in-creased attention should be paid to infection prevention and control in austere environments and the development of novel countermeasures.These advancements are critical to address projected changes in combat trauma,inclu-ding increasingly complex injuries and substantially elevated risks of infection and antimicrobial resistance.CONCLUSION This study systematically presents research hotspots,developmental trends,and prospects in com-bat trauma-related infections through evidence evaluation study,providing novel perspectives for researchers and facilitating further development in this field.

Objective To investigate the intervention effect of sacubitril/valsartan(Sac/Val)on doxorubicin-induced heart failure(HF)in rabbits and its regulative effect on the transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1)/SMAD family member 3(Smad3)/connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)signaling pathway.Methods Thirty-eight male New Zealand rabbits were subjected,and 8 of them were randomly assigned into a control group.The other 30 rabbits were injected with doxorubicin to establish a rabbit HF model,and finally,there were 6 rabbits in a model group,7 in a valsartan group,and 7 in a Sac/Val group.After 8 weeks of intervention,echocardiography[left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD)],and myocardial histopathologic observation(HE staining,Masson staining)were performed,and collogen volume fraction(CVF)was calculated.The levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP),soluble growth stimulation expressed gene 2(sST2),galectin-3(Gal-3)were detected.Activities of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system(RAAS)and levels of atrial natriuretic peptide,B-type brain natriuretic peptide(BNP),cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP)and protein kinase G(PKG)were measured.The expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),typeⅠ collagen,TGF-β1,Smad3,recombinant SMAD family member 7(Smad7)and CTGF in the myocardial tissues were detected.Results Compared with the control group,the model group exhibited significantly lower LVEF and LVFS and decreased expression of Smad7,higher LVEDD and LVESD(P＜0.01).The CVF of each group was(7.15±0.82)％、(43.20±5.09)％、(29.53±4.05)％、(22.48±2.93)％.Valsartan and Sac/Val treatment resulted in obvious increases in LVEF and LVFS,up-regulation of Smad7,decreased in LVEDD,LVESD and CVF,reduced levels of NT-proBNP,sST2,Gal-3,AngⅡ,aldosterone,atrial natriuretic peptide,BNP,cGMP and PKG,and down-regulation of α-SMA,collagen I,TGF-β1,Smad3 and CTGF when compared with the model group(P＜0.01).Sac/Val treatment showed better effects in above indicators than simple valsartan treatment(P＜0.01).Conclusion Sac/Val can reduce myocardial fibrosis and improve cardiac function in doxorubicin-induced HF rabbits,which may be related to the dual inhibition of TGF-β1/Smad3/CTGF signaling pathway by upregulating atrial natriuretic peptide and BNP levels and blocking RAAS activation.

Objective:To analyze the imaging features of primary leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava (PLV).Methods:This study was a case series analysis. The clinical and imaging data of 17 patients with PLV confirmed by pathology who underwent CT, MRI and/or PET-CT examinations in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from June 2012 to September 2022 were retrospectively collected. The CT or MRI findings, including the number, location, size, shape, margin, density (signal), enhancement characteristics, surrounding invasion, and metastasis of the lesion were analyzed.Results:Among the 17 cases there were 7 males and 10 females, aged 32 to 78 years. All patients had single tumors, the maximum diameter of the mass was 3.8 to 19.0 cm, and in 12 cases it was consistent with the inferior venacava.There were 11 cases of "petal-like" necrosis cystic lesion, and 6 cases of "fissure" necrosis cystic lesion. Collateral circulation was found around the mass in 15 cases. There were 3 cases of intraluminal type, 2 cases of extraluminal type, and 12 cases of junctional type. The tumors of intraluminal type presented as "worm-like" appearance, while the extraluminal and junctional type tumors presented as lobulated shape, with local "umbilical depression sign". The margins were clear in 3 cases and unclear in 14 cases. Vascular invasion by the mass was observed in 7 cases. On CT plain scan, the solid component of PLV presented as isodense or slightly hypodense. On MRI T1-weighted images, the solid component presented as isodense or slightly hypodense, and on fat-suppressed T2-weighted images, it presented as isodense or slightly hyperdense. On MRI diffusion-weighted imaging, 12 cases showed high signal intensity, and the corresponding apparent diffusion coefficient map showed low signal intensity. On CT enhanced scan, 8 cases showed mild to moderate enhancement of the solid part of PLV in the arterial phase and 9 cases showed obvious enhancement. In the venous phase and delayed phase, 10 cases showed continuous enhancement and 7 cases showed progressive enhancement. On MRI enhanced scan, 8 cases showed moderate enhancement and 6 cases showed obvious enhancement of the solid part of PLV in the arterial phase. In the venous phase and delayed phase, continuous progressive enhancement was observed; no enhancement was seen in the necrotic and cystic areas.Conclusion:The imaging characteristics of PLV show that the maximum diameter of the masses are consistent with the direction of inferior vena cava, most masses exhibit a "petal-like" necrotic cyst morphology with collateral circulation, and a localized "umbilical concave sign", and some cases possess hemophilic tube features.

The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) and the Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE) jointly held the second European Consensus Workshop on Education in Periodontology in February, 2023. Building on the first consensus workshop in 2009, expert working groups from European Workshop Committee updated four educational levels: undergraduate, specialist, continuing professional development (CPD), as well as teaching methods, culminating in the updated consensus report in March, 2024. This article introduces and interprets the contents of the 2024 consensus report. Specific to China′s national conditions, we also propose future perspectives and considerations on different levels of periodontal education in China based on this consensus.

Objective:To explore advantages of CT and MRI imaging in clinical assessment of specific indicators (trochlear dysplasia and tibial tubercle lateralization) of acute patellar dislocation in adolescents by comparing CT versus MRI imaging.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the CT and MRI imaging data of 73 patients with acute patellar dislocation who had been admitted to Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital of Tangshan from January 2014 to September 2024. There were 37 males (21 left knees and 16 right knees) and 36 females (19 left knees and 17 right knees), with a mean age of 15 (13, 16) years. On MRI images, the distance between the patellar tendon-trochlear groove (PT-TG) was measured. On CT images, the distance between the tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove (TT-TG) was measured. Additionally, the distance from the tibial tubercle-Roman arch (TT-RA), the sulcus angle (SA), the trochlear depth (TD), the lateral trochlear inclination (LTI), and the trochlear facet asymmetry (TFA) were measured on both MRI and CT images.Results:The TT-TG measured on CT [(20.47±4.42) mm] was significantly greater than that on MRI [(17.89±4.23) mm] ( t = -4.047, P < 0.001). The TT-RA [(24.28±4.27) mm], TD [2.95 (2.36, 4.08) mm], LTI (15.4°±3.85°), and TFA [0.42 (0.38, 0.49)] measured on CT were all significantly greater than those on MRI [(21.34±3.99) mm, 2.52 (1.64, 2.98) mm, 14.11°±3.58°, 0.38 (0.34, 0.44)] ( P < 0.001). The SA measured on CT (151.30°±6.74°) was significantly less than that measured on MRI (159.06°±5.40°) ( P < 0.001). The intra-observer ICC values for all indicators were greater than 0.9, and the inter-observer ICC values greater than 0.85. Conclusions:There are differences between CT and MRI in each indicator in evaluation of acute patellar dislocation in adolescents. The PT-TG measured on MRI and the TT-RA measured on CT can better evaluate the tibial tubercle lateralization; the indicators for trochlear dysplasia measured on MRI respond better to the severity of trochlea dysplasia than those on CT.