Objective To compare the clinical outcomes of subxiphoid robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (SRATS) and intercostal robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (IRATS) in the treatment of anterior mediastinal tumors. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with anterior mediastinal tumors who underwent robot-assisted surgery in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Gansu Provincial Hospital, from May 2020 to July 2022. According to the surgical approach, patients were divided into an SRATS group and an IRATS group. Perioperative data were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 87 patients were included. There were 41 patients in the SRATS group [23 males, 18 females; mean age, (44.51±11.28) years] and 46 patients in the IRATS group [21 males, 25 females; mean age, (46.67±8.76) years]. Compared with the IRATS group, the SRATS group had significantly less intraoperative blood loss [(24.41±6.67) mL vs. (37.93±9.23) mL, P<0.001], shorter postoperative drainage duration [(1.73±0.59) days vs. (2.54±0.50) days, P<0.001], lower postoperative drainage volume [(94.46±34.08) mLvs. (116.72±24.90) mL, P=0.001], lower visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores on postoperative day 1 [(3.66±0.76) points vs. (4.15±0.84) points, P=0.005] and day 3 [(2.41±0.59) points vs. (2.89±0.82) points, P=0.003], shorter postoperative hospital stay [(4.12±0.81) days vs. (4.98±1.02) days, P<0.001], and lower hospitalization costs [(4.51±0.65) ten thousand yuan vs. (4.86±0.68) ten thousand yuan, P=0.020]. There were no statistical differences between the two groups in operative time or incidence of postoperative complications (P>0.05). Conclusion Both SRATS and IRATS are safe and effective for the treatment of anterior mediastinal tumors. However, SRATS is less invasive and more conducive to enhanced postoperative recovery.

Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) as first-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods PubMed, The Cochrane Library, and EMbase databases were searched for clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of ICIs as first-line treatment for NSCLC patients. The search period was from database inception to January 2023. Quality evaluation was conducted using the improved Jadad scale, and meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. Results Twelve RCTs were included, all of which were assessed as high-quality literature, involving a total of 7 121 patients. Meta-analysis results showed that, compared with chemotherapy, ICIs as first-line treatment for NSCLC patients significantly improved median overall survival (OS) [HR=0.72, 95%CI (0.64, 0.80), P<0.001] and median progression-free survival (PFS) [HR=0.65, 95%CI (0.53, 0.78), P<0.001], and improved objective response rate (ORR) [RR=1.52, 95%CI (1.28, 1.79), P<0.001]. Subgroup analysis showed that, compared with the ICIs monotherapy group, the ICIs combination therapy group significantly improved OS, PFS, and ORR in NSCLC patients. In terms of safety, the risk of any grade treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) and grade 3-5 TRAEs in the ICIs group was lower than that in the chemotherapy group. The incidence of TRAEs leading to treatment discontinuation was higher in the ICIs group than in the chemotherapy group. Subgroup analysis showed that the incidence of any grade, grade 3-5, and TRAEs leading to treatment discontinuation was higher in the immune combination therapy group than in the immune monotherapy group. Conclusion ICIs as first-line treatment for NSCLC patients can significantly improve OS, PFS, and ORR compared with chemotherapy. Compared to immune monotherapy, immune combination therapy can significantly improve the efficacy in NSCLC patients, but patients have a higher risk of TRAEs.

Background and aims:Early and accurate diagnosis of the coexistence of Wilson's disease(WD)and chronic hepatitis B(CHB)presents a significant challenge for clinicians.The objective of this study was to retrospectively analyse the characteristics of such patients to improve clinical practice and provide a reference for clinical management.Methods:From January 2011 to December 2022,35 patients with concurrent CHB and WD(CHB+WD group)were identified.A total of 127 patients with CHB(CHB group)and 168 patients with WD(WD group)were included in the control group between January 2016 and December 2021.Propensity score matching(PSM)was performed to balance the baseline values between groups.The Kaplan-Meier(K-M)survival analysis and log-rank test were performed to compare the prognoses.Results:In the cohort of 35 patients with concurrent CHB and WD,74.3％of patients(26 patients)faced a substantial delay of up to 10 years(range:0-40 years)in WD diagnosis following their CHB diagnosis.Twenty-three(65.7％)patients had cirrhosis at the time of WD diagnosis,and 26(74.3％)patients experienced liver failure.The levels of serum copper and uric acid were lower in patients in the CHB+WD group than in those in the CHB group.Patients in the CHB+WD group presented higher alanine transaminase and total bile acid levels compared to those in the WD group.K-M survival analysis indicated that patients with CHB and WD had poorer outcomes than those with CHB alone;however,the outcomes were similar to those of individuals with WD alone.The optimal cut-point of serum ceruloplasmin(CP)in identifying WD in CHB patients was 0.10 g/L before PSM and after PSM.Conclusions:The present study emphasizes the importance of clinicians being vigilant for concurrent CHB and WD diagnoses,as delays in WD diagnosis may adversely affect patient outcomes.CHB patients with serum CP below 0.10 g/L are highly recommended to screen for WD.

Objective To systematically evaluate the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive lung segment resection (MILSR) and lobe resection (MILLR) for stageⅠA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to provide reference for clinical application. Methods Online databases including The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, SinoMed, CNKI, and Wanfang were searched from inception to January 21, 2023 by two researchers independently. The quality of the included literature was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The prognostic indicators included the overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). The meta-analysis was performed using STATA 14.0. Results A total of 13 studies with 1 853 patients were enrolled in the final study, with NOS scores ≥7 points. The results of meta-analysis showed that compared with the MILLR group, the blood loss was less [SMD=−0.36, 95%CI (−0.49, −0.23), P<0.001], postoperative drainage tube retention time [SMD=−0.34, 95%CI (−0.62, −0.05), P=0.019] and hospitalization time [SMD=−0.28, 95%CI (−0.40, −0.15), P<0.001] were shorter in the MILSR group. More lymph nodes [SMD=−0.65, 95%CI (−0.78, −0.53), P<0.001] and shorter operation time [SMD=0.20, 95%CI (0.07, 0.33), P=0.003] were found in the MILLR group. There were no statistical differences in the incidence of postoperative complications, postoperative recurrence rate, OS, DFS or RFS between the two groups. Conclusion Although the number of lymph nodes removed by MILSR is limited compared with MILLR, it does not affect the prognosis. MILSR has advantages in reducing intraoperative blood loss and shortening postoperative drainage tube retention time and hospital stay. For the surgical treatment of stageⅠA NSCLC, MILSR may be a more appropriate surgical approach.

Objective To systematically evaluate of the difference in clinical outcomes between Da-Vinci robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for mediastinal tumor resection. Methods Online databases including The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, SinoMed, CNKI, and Wanfang were searched by two researchers independently from inception to October 10, 2022. The quality of the included literature was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.3. Results A total of 23 studies with 5 646 patients were enrolled in the final study. The NOS scores of the studies were≥6 points. The results of meta-analysis showed that compared with the VATS group, the blood loss was less [MD=−18.11, 95%CI (−26.12, −10.09), P＜0.001], time of postoperative drainage tube retention [MD=−0.79, 95%CI (−1.09, −0.49), P＜0.001] and postoperative hospitalization time [MD=−1.00, 95%CI (−1.36, −0.64), P＜0.001] were shorter, postoperative day 1 drainage [MD=−5.53, 95%CI (−9.94, −1.12), P=0.010] and total postoperative drainage [MD=−88.41, 95%CI (−140.85, −35.97), P=0.001] were less, the rates of postoperative complications [OR=0.66, 95%CI (0.46, 0.94), P=0.020] and conversion to thoracotomy [OR=0.32, 95%CI (0.19, 0.53), P＜0.001] were lower, and the hospitalization costs were higher [MD=2.60, 95%CI (1.40, 3.79), P＜0.001] in the RATS group. The operative time was not statistically different between the two groups [MD=5.94, 95%CI (−1.45, 13.34), P=0.120]. Conclusion RATS mediastinal tumor resection has a high safety profile. Compared with VATS, patients have less intraoperative blood loss, a lower rate of conversion to thoracotomy, and shorter postoperative tube time and hospital stay, which is more conducive to rapid postoperative recovery.

Objective To systematically evaluate the difference in clinical outcomes between subxiphoid video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (SVATS) and intercostal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (IVATS) for anterior mediastinal tumor resection. Methods Online databases including The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, Sinomed, CNKI, Wanfang from inception to December 19, 2022 were searched by two researchers independently for literature comparing the clinical efficacy of SVATS and IVATS in treating anterior mediastinal tumors. Two researchers independently screened literature and extracted relevant data. The quality of the included literature was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.3. Results A total of 12 studies with 1 517 patients were enrolled. NOS score≥6 points. The results of meta-analysis showed that compared with the IVATS, SVATS had less blood loss (MD=−17.76, 95%CI −34.21 to −1.31, P=0.030), less total postoperative drainage volume (MD=−70.46, 95%CI −118.88 to −22.03, P=0.004), shorter duration of postoperative drainage tube retention (MD=−0.84, 95%CI −1.57 to −0.10, P=0.030), lower rate of postoperative lung infections (OR=0.33, 95%CI 0.16 to 0.70, P=0.004), lower postoperative 24 h VAS pain score (MD=−1.95, 95%CI −2.64 to −1.25, P＜0.001) and 72 h VAS pain score (MD=−1.76, 95%CI −2.55 to −0.97, P＜0.001), and shorter postoperative hospital stay (MD=−1.12, 95%CI −1.80 to −0.45, P=0.001). There was no statistical difference in the operation time, the incidence of postoperative complications, incidence of postoperative phrenic nerve palsy or incidence of postoperative arrhythmia (P＞0.05). Conclusion SVATS for the treatment of anterior mediastinal tumors has high safety. Compared with the IVATS, the patients have less intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage volume, lower risk of postoperative pulmonary infection, less postoperative short-term pain, and shorter postoperative catheter duration and hospital stay, which is more conducive to rapid postoperative recovery.

Objective    To compare the surgical efficacy of Da-Vinci robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods    Online databases including PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and CBM from inception to 18 February, 2022 were searched by two researchers independently. The references of related studies were also searched to re-enroll the potential studies. The quality of the studies was evaluated with Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.3. Results     A total of 43 studies including 33 089 patients were enrolled in the final study. The NOS scores of the included studies were ≥6 points. The results of meta-analysis showed that the operation time was longer [MD=8.50, 95%CI (1.59, 15.41), P=0.020], the blood loss was less [MD=−46.58, 95%CI (−62.86, −30.29), P<0.001], the dissected lymph nodes stations were more [MD=0.67, 95%CI (0.40, 0.93), P<0.001], the dissected lymph nodes were more [MD=2.39, 95%CI (1.43, 3.36), P<0.001], the conversion rate was lower [OR=0.52, 95%CI (0.46, 0.59), P<0.001], the time of chest tube drainage was shorter [MD=−0.35, 95%CI (−0.58, −0.11), P=0.004], the length of hospital stay was shorter [MD=−0.32, 95%CI (−0.45, −0.19), P<0.001], and the recurrence rate was lower [OR=0.51, 95%CI (0.36, 0.72), P<0.001] in the RATS group than those in the VATS group. The rate of overall postoperative complications [OR=0.95, 95%CI (0.89, 1.01), P=0.110] and postoperative mortality rate [OR=0.85, 95%CI (0.62, 1.16), P=0.300] were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion    Compared with VATS, although RATS prolongs the operation time, it does not increase the incidence of postoperative complications and mortality rates. Moreover, RATS can dissect more lymph nodes, effectively control intraoperative bleeding, shorten the duration of chest drainage tube indwelling and shorten the postoperative hospital stay to a certain extent.

Since the first case of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at the end of 2019, the virus has spread rapidly around the world and has become a global public health problem. In the process of this virus epidemic, compared with the general population, cancer patients are considered to be highly susceptible people, especially the lung cancer patients. Some studies have shown that angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) may be the pathway for SARS-CoV-2 to infect the host. At the same time, ACE2 is often abnormally expressed in non-small cell lung cancer. Therefore, understanding the respective mechanisms of ACE2 in COVID-19 and non-small cell lung cancer has extremely important reference value for the study of vaccines and therapeutic drugs, and also provides meaningful guidance for the protection of patients with lung cancer during the epidemic. This article reviews the possible invasive mechanism of ACE2 in SARS-CoV-2 and its abnormal expression in non-small cell lung cancer.

Objective    To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of jejunostomy tube versus nasojejunal tube for enteral nutrition after radical resection of esophageal cancer. Methods    PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and CBM databases were searched to collect the clinical effects of jejunostomy tube versus nasojejunal nutrition tube after radical resection of esophageal cancer from inception to October 2021. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. Results    Twenty-six articles were included, including 17 randomized controlled studies and 9 cohort studies, with a total of 35 808 patients. Meta-analysis results showed that: in the jejunostomy tube group, the postoperative exhaust time (MD=–4.27, 95%CI –5.87 to –2.66, P=0.001), the incidence of pulmonary infection (OR=1.39, 95%CI 1.06 to 1.82, P=0.02), incidence of tube removal (OR=0.11, 95%CI 0.04 to 0.30, P=0.001), incidence of tube blockage (OR=0.47, 95%CI 0.23 to 0.97, P=0.04), incidence of nasopharyngeal discomfort (OR=0.04, 95%CI 0.01 to 0.13, P=0.001), the incidence of nasopharyngeal mucosal damage (OR=0.13, 95%CI 0.04 to 0.42, P=0.008), the incidence of nausea and vomiting (OR=0.20, 95%CI 0.08 to 0.47, P=0.003) were significantly shorter or lower than those of the nasojejunal tube group. The postoperative serum albumin level (MD=5.75, 95%CI 5.34 to 6.16, P=0.001) was significantly better than that of the nasojejunal tube group. However, the intraoperative operation time of the jejunostomy tube group (MD=13.65, 95%CI 2.32 to 24.98, P=0.02) and the indent time of the postoperative nutrition tube (MD=17.81, 95%CI 12.71 to 22.91, P=0.001) were longer than those of the nasojejunal nutrition tube. At the same time, the incidence of postoperative intestinal obstruction (OR=6.08, 95%CI 2.55 to 14.50, P=0.001) was significantly higher than that of the nasojejunal tube group. There were no statistical differences in the length of postoperative hospital stay or the occurrence of anastomotic fistula between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion    In the process of enteral nutrition after radical resection of esophageal cancer, jejunostomy tube has better clinical treatment effect and is more comfortable during catheterization, but the incidence of intestinal obstruction is higher than that of traditional nasojejunal tube.

Objective: To explore the expression of myocardial levels of connexin 43(Cx43), Cx40 in experimental dog model of sympathomimetic atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: 15 mongrels dogs were randomly divided into 3 groups: Control group, Rapid atrium pacing (RAP) group and RAP+isoprenaline (ISO) perfusion group. n=5 in each group. The hearts were taken to establish in vitro langendorff cardiac perfusion model. Atrial effective refractory period (AERP) and AF inducing rate were tested;intracellular expression and distribution of nerve growth factor (NGF) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were examined by immunohistochemistry, total protein contents of Cx43 and Cx40 were measured by Western blot analysis, mitochondria morphology was observed by transmission electron microscope and mitochondria reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was detected by fluorescent colorimetric method. Results: AERP was similar between Control group and RAP group (166±5.1) ms vs (160±3.2) ms which cannot induce AF; while it was shortened in RAP+ISO group (148±3.7) ms, P<0.05 which may successfully induce AF.Compared with Control group, mitochondria was slightly swollen in RAP group and the matrix was intact, while mitochondria was obviously swollen in RAP+ISO group and part of matrix was transparent; total protein contents of Cx43 and Cx40 were lower in both RAP group and RAP+ISO group, P<0.05; in addition, they were even lower in RAP+ISO group than RAP group, P<0.05. Compared with Control group and RAP group, RAP+ISO group had increased expression and distribution of NGF, TH and mitochondria ROS generation, P<0.05; NGF, TH and ROS in RAP group were higher than Control group, P<0.05. Conclusion: Sympathetic AF has been related to the contents and changes of myocardial levels of CX43 and Cx40; sympathetic nerve might trigger AF by oxidative stress induced down-regulation of myocardial CX43 and Cx40 in experimental dog model.