Ulcerative colitis （UC） is a refractory disease of the digestive system characterized by diverse etiologies， complex pathogenesis， a prolonged course， and frequent relapses. In recent years， the incidence of UC has been increasing annually， severely impairing patients' quality of life， posing a risk of malignant transformation that may threaten patients' lives， and resulting in a substantial medical burden. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） compound formulas， with their advantages of multi-component and multi-target actions， have become a new therapeutic option for UC. The NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 （NLRP3） inflammasome is a core component of innate immunity， and its aberrant activation is closely associated with the onset and progression of UC， involving multiple processes such as inflammation and oxidative stress， and exhibiting crosstalk with pathways including nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， and thioredoxin-interacting protein （TXNIP）. At present， NLRP3 has become one of the most intensely studied hotspots in UC-related research. Although increasing studies have focused on the regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by TCM compound formulas for UC treatment， challenges remain due to the complex pathogenesis of UC and the compositional diversity of TCM， hindering the realization of precision therapy. In this context， by reviewing literature from the past decade， this paper summarizes the activation process of NLRP3 and its relationship with UC， and elucidates the roles and mechanisms by which TCM compound formulas regulate the NLRP3 inflammasome and related signaling pathways， with a view to providing a reference for further research into the pathogenesis of UC， TCM treatment strategies， and their mechanisms of action.

Ulcerative colitis （UC） is a refractory disease of the digestive system characterized by diverse etiologies， complex pathogenesis， a prolonged course， and frequent relapses. In recent years， the incidence of UC has been increasing annually， severely impairing patients' quality of life， posing a risk of malignant transformation that may threaten patients' lives， and resulting in a substantial medical burden. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） compound formulas， with their advantages of multi-component and multi-target actions， have become a new therapeutic option for UC. The NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 （NLRP3） inflammasome is a core component of innate immunity， and its aberrant activation is closely associated with the onset and progression of UC， involving multiple processes such as inflammation and oxidative stress， and exhibiting crosstalk with pathways including nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， and thioredoxin-interacting protein （TXNIP）. At present， NLRP3 has become one of the most intensely studied hotspots in UC-related research. Although increasing studies have focused on the regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by TCM compound formulas for UC treatment， challenges remain due to the complex pathogenesis of UC and the compositional diversity of TCM， hindering the realization of precision therapy. In this context， by reviewing literature from the past decade， this paper summarizes the activation process of NLRP3 and its relationship with UC， and elucidates the roles and mechanisms by which TCM compound formulas regulate the NLRP3 inflammasome and related signaling pathways， with a view to providing a reference for further research into the pathogenesis of UC， TCM treatment strategies， and their mechanisms of action.

To address the limitations of traditional minimally invasive thermal ablation technology such as poor conformability, carbonization and electromagnetic radiation, this paper proposes a steam thermal ablation technology that uses saturated steam internal energy to replace the traditional electromagnetic radiation energy. Through the steam thermal ablation system and the steam thermal ablation needle designed based on simulation, the ex vivo pig liver experiments were carried out. The results have the characteristics of the maximum ablation axis ratio (short diameter / long diameter) and non-carbonization with the same type of thermal ablation technology. Based on the near-infrared light, in this paper the curative effect of the reduced scattering coefficient of the steam thermal ablation results was evaluated. The reduced scattering coefficients of the coagulation area all exceeded 16, reaching the completely damaged state, which verified that the steam thermal ablation can effectively inactivate the tumor cells.
Steam ; Animals ; Swine ; Liver Neoplasms/surgery* ; Ablation Techniques/methods* ; Liver/surgery* ; Equipment Design

The minimally invasive thermal ablation technology differs from traditional surgical operations, which requires auxiliary equipment to evaluate ablation results. However, the ultrasound and CT currently used in clinical practice have shortcomings such as artifacts and radiation. Therefore, this paper proposes a design for a minimally invasive thermal ablation evaluation system based on the principle of electrical impedance tomography technology to monitor the ablation range. At the same time, the innovative introduction of a programmable gain feedforward signal as the parameter signal of the multiplier demodulator in the electrical impedance tomography system design can effectively solve the problem of weak signals being submerged in noise and improve imaging accuracy. The system controls the amplitude of the excitation current signal and the acquisition / processing of boundary voltages via an STM32, uploads the collected data to an upper computer, and reconstructs the conductivity distribution using the Newton-Raphson algorithm to map the size of the ablation area. Experimental results show that the system can effectively reflect the size of the microwave ablation area. Under the same minimally invasive ablation parameters, the average imaging errors are 0.6 mm for the long diameter, 0.8 mm for the short diameter, and 1.75% for the axial ratio (long diameter / short diameter), demonstrating high consistency. This verifies the technical potential of electrical impedance tomography in minimally invasive thermal ablation.
Electric Impedance ; Tomography/instrumentation* ; Equipment Design

Objective To investigate the effect of subanesthetic dose of esketamine on emergence agitation(EA)in patients undergoing laparoscopic hernia repair.Methods Seventy-two male patients who treated with lapa-roscopic hernia repair under general anesthesia were randomly divided into AS group(subanesthetic esketamine)and control group.In the AS group,0.2 mg/kg of esketamine was administered intravenously 30 minutes before the surgery ended,while the control group was given an equal volume of normal saline.Upon surgery completion,patients were transferred to PACU with endotracheal tube retained,and the time to extubation was recorded.Hemo-dynamic parameters were measured immediately after extubation and at 10 min,30 min,1 h,and 4 h thereafter.Patients' pain and sedation levels were assessed at the above time points using RASS and VAS,respectively.The incidence of EA was evaluated using the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit(CAM-ICU).Observation duration in the PACU and recovery outcomes within 24 hours postoperatively were assessed via the QoR-40 and adverse events were recorded.Results Compared to those in the control group,patients in the AS group had higher HR and MAP at 10 min post-extubation,and the changes in HR and MAP over time were more stable(P<0.05).The RASS and VAS scores in the AS group were significantly lower than those in the control group at the time of extubation and all subsequent time points(P<0.05),both groups showed temporal changes in RASS and VAS scores(P<0.05),but the change process in the AS group was more stable(P<0.05).Postoperative extubation time,PACU observation duration,and adverse event rates(delirium,respiratory depression,nausea and vomiting)did not differ significantly between the two groups(P>0.05),while recovery quality was markedly better in the AS group(P<0.05).Conclusion Subanesthetic esketamine effectively alleviates pain and the incidence of EA,supports hemodynamic stability during PACU stay,and enhances recovery quality in patients undergoing laparo-scopic hernia repair,demonstrating clinical value.

The proband was a 32-year-old female patient who sought medical attention for over 9 months of pregnancy, reduced fetal movement, and discomfort in the lower abdomen. The proband and her father had normal activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time, decreased fibrinogen activity and antigen levels, and prolonged thrombin time, whereas the test results of her mother were normal. Ultrasonography showed intermuscular vein thrombosis in the left calf of the proband. Peripheral blood DNA was extracted from the proband and her parents, and Sanger sequencing was performed to detect the base sequences of the FGA, FGB, and FGG genes. The proband and her father had heterozygous missense mutations in exon 6 c.615A > C (p. Leu205Phe) and exon 8 c.1121A > C (p. Tyr374Ser) of the FGG gene. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that the two gene mutations may be the pathogenic mechanism of this congenital hypodysfibrinogenemia family.

Objective:To study the results of detection of pulmonary nodules among military flying personnel and analyze the contributors to pulmonary nodules so as to provide data for early prevention and interventions.Methods:The physical examination data of 1 465 military flying personnel was retrospectively analyzed who had received the annual health checkup and undergone chest CT examinations at Lintong Rehabilitation and Recuperation Center. They were grouped by age (<40 years and ≥40 years), flying hour (<1 000 h and ≥1 000 h) and type of personnel [pilots and air support (technical) personnel]. The detection rates of pulmonary nodules among flying personnel were compared across groups, and a multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the contributing factors to pulmonary nodules.Results:Among the 1 465 military flying personnel, 212 cases (14.47%) with pulmonary nodules were detected. A total of 230 pulmonary nodules were detected, including 35 pulmonary nodules (15.22%) in the left upper lung, 42 pulmonary nodules (18.26%) in the left lower lung, 52 pulmonary nodules (22.61%) in the right upper lung, 47 pulmonary nodules (20.43%) in the right middle lung, and 54 pulmonary nodules (23.48%) in the right lower lung. The detection rate of pulmonary nodules among military flying personnel in the ≥1 000 h group was higher than in the <1 000 h group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.14, P=0.042). More pulmonary nodules were detected among military flying personnel who smoked than among those who did not, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=9.34, P=0.002). Age, types of personnel, body mass index, and complications with other lung diseases made no significant difference in the detection rate of pulmonary nodules (all P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that smoking was a risk factor for pulmonary nodules ( OR=1.692, 95% CI: 1.217-2.351). Conclusions:Among military flying personnel, pulmonary nodules are more likely to occur in the right lung. Smoking is an independent risk factor for pulmonary nodules, suggesting that routine chest CT screening should be carried out during the annual physical examinations of military flying personnel in order to exercise early interventions.

BACKGROUND:The asymmetrical biomechanical environment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis can lead to further wedge deformation of the vertebral body,which may affect cardiopulmonary function and compress nerves in severe cases.Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with different degrees of scoliosis should be treated with exercise,bracing,and surgery.However,the mechanical mechanism of selecting an orthopedic approach remains unclear due to the individual variability of patients.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biomechanical mechanism of different orthopedic modalities for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis to provide a basis for clinical selection of treatment modalities based on the spine model of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.METHODS:Based on the CT images of an adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patient,a scoliosis model(C7-L5)was reconstructed in Mimics software in three dimensions,and lateral thrust force was applied at the T8/T9 thorax and vertical distraction force was applied over the C7 vertebra with the magnitude of 20,40,60,80,100,and 120 N.The intervertebral disc stress and vertebral displacement in concave and convex sides,and Cobb angle of the spine were analyzed under two orthopedic modalities.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)With lateral thrust,there was no significant change in the C7T1-T7T8 intervertebral disc.The concave and convex stress of T7T8-L4L5 segment decreased first and then increased with the increase of lateral thrust force.The correction effect of lateral thrust on the segment near T8T9 was obvious and weakened with the extension of the segment to the cephalic and caudal ends.At 120 N of lateral thrust,the thoracic Cobb angle changed from 53.2° to 32.5° and the lumbar Cobb angle changed from 50.2° to 43.9°.(2)With the vertical distraction,the thoracic intervertebral disc stresses first decreased and then increased,and all the lumbar disc stresses decreased.The C7 displacement was the most obvious,and the correction effect gradually diminished with the segment extended to the caudal end.At a vertical distraction force of 120 N,the thoracic Cobb angle changed from 53.2° to 39.4° and the lumbar Cobb angle changed from 50.2° to 47.6°.(3)It is concluded that both orthopedic modalities provide improvement in the degree of scoliosis,with the thoracic correction being greater than the lumbar correction.Also,the asymmetric stress distribution on the concave and convex sides is improved,which contributes to normal bone growth.A vertical distraction approach is appropriate for larger Cobb angles,and a lateral thrust approach is appropriate for smaller Cobb angles.The results of this study help to understand the mechanism of spinal orthosis and provide a theoretical basis for the choice of orthopedic approach.

Objective:To analyze the short-and medium-term clinical outcomes of Mako robotic-assisted posterior-lateral approach in complex primary total hip arthroplasty (THA).Methods:A retrospective case series analysis was conducted on 29 patients with complex hip conditions who underwent Mako robotic-assisted posterior-lateral approach at Department of Orthopaedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from November 2020 to December 2024. The patient cohort included 14 cases of developmental dysplasia of the hip, 8 cases of ankylosed hip, 3 cases of traumatic hip arthritis, 3 cases of sequelae of purulent hip arthritis, and 1 case of synovial chondromatosis. There were 12 males and 17 females, with an age of (62.3±9.4) years (range:44 to 79 years). Surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, vascular and nerve injury, postoperative infection, and other complications were recorded. Preoperative and postoperative lower limb length discrepancy, combined offset difference (ΔCO), acetabular abduction angle, and acetabular anteversion angle were measured. The Harris hip score was recorded at regular follow-ups. Data comparison was conducted using the paired sample t-test. Results:All patients successfully underwent surgery with the Mako robotic system. The surgical time was (107.6±41.5) minutes (range:50 to 235 minutes), and the intraoperative blood loss was (165.5±147.7) ml (range:50 to 800 ml). All patients were followed up for a duration of (27.3±16.7) months (range:3 to 51 months). The planned intraoperative acetabular cup abduction angle was 40.1°±1.6° (range: 36° to 45°), and the measured postoperative acetabular cup abduction angle was 40.2°±3.5° (range: 33° to 54°), with no significant difference ( t=0.231, P=0.819). The planned intraoperative acetabular cup anteversion angle was 19.1°±3.9° (range: 15° to 25°), and the measured postoperative acetabular cup anteversion angle was 18.5°±3.4° (range: 10° to 26°), with no significant difference ( t=1.792, P=0.084). The difference in length of both lower limbs was (-17.6±15.0) mm (range:-50 to 10 mm) before operation and (-1.5±16.0) mm (range:-33 to 53 mm) after operation ( t=6.282, P<0.01)(positive values indicate that the surgical side is longer than the contralateral side). The ΔCO was (4.1±12.0) mm (range:-18 to 30 mm) before operation and (-2.2±13.3) mm (range:-44 to 17 mm) after operation, with statistically significant difference ( t=2.635, P=0.014). One patient experienced vascular injury with embolism postoperatively, while no other complications were observed in the remaining patients. No loosening, dislocation, or fracture of the prosthesis was noted during the follow-up period. The Harris function score was improved from (47.1±8.3) points(range:15 to 62 points) preoperatively to (73.0±5.5) points(range:57 to 83 points) at the three-month postoperative follow-up ( t=22.630, P<0.01). Conclusion:The use of Mako robotic assistance in complex total hip arthroplasty can enhance the accuracy of prosthesis placement, minimize lower limb length discrepancy, and improve hip joint function.

Linxian County in Henan Province, Northern China is known as the region with the highest incidence and mortality rate of esophageal cancer worldwide. Since 1959, the Henan medical team has conducted field work on esophageal cancer prevention and treatment in Linxian. Through three generations of effort exerted by oncologists over 65 years of research on esophageal cancer prevention and treatment in Linxian, the incidence rate of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in this area has dropped by nearly 50%, and the 5-year survival rate has increased to 40%, reaching the international leading level. This article aims to summarize the history, present opportunities and new challenges, and explore the experience of esophageal cancer prevention and treatment in Linxian (referred to as the “Linxian experience”), providing reference and guidance to cancer prevention and treatment research in China.