Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal cancers in Hebei province. Most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage due to untypical early symptoms, making surgical treatment often unfeasible. As a result, most of them are treated with comprehensive medical treatment, which tends to have limited effectiveness and poor prognosis. However, the recent introduction of immunotherapy has considerably advanced treatment options for patients with advanced ESCC, notably improving their prognosis. Uncertainties regarding immune resistance, the selection of predictive indicators of efficacy, the identification of dominant population, and the choice of combined treatment strategies are still evident. Therefore, based on the high incidence and poor prognosis of ESCC in Hebei Province, this article will briefly review the research progress in the treatment of advanced ESCC, aiming to provide guidance for treatment strategies for advanced esophageal cancer.

Objective To observe the value of pituitary radiomics and MRI features combined model for predicting growth hormone(GH)status in pediatric short stature.Methods Totally 300 children with short stature were enrolled as training set,while other 73 cases were taken as external validation set.Based on growth hormone stimulation test,the children were divided into GH deficiency(GHD)group(n=228)and non-GHD group(n=145).The training set included 196 cases in GHD subgroup and 104 cases in non-GHD subgroup,while the validation set included 32 cases in GHD subgroup and 41 cases in non-GHD subgroup.Radiomics features of pituitary were extracted from T1WI.The key features were selected using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression,and machine learning models were subsequently constructed using support vector machine(SVM),logistic regression(LR),naive Bayes(NB)and K-nearest neighbor(KNN),respectively.Then combined models were constructed combining with MRI features,and the efficacy of each model was evaluated.Results The area under the curve(AUC)of SVM,LR,NB,and KNN radiomics model for predicting GH status in pediatric short stature was 0.860,0.831,0.838 and 0.901 in training set,0.788,0.829,0.823 and 0.770 in validation set,while of the relative combined SVM,LR,NB and KNN model was 0.924,0.903,0.859 and 0.920 in training set,and 0.827,0.881,0.836 and 0.718 in validation set.LRcombined model had the best overall performance,with sensitivity of 84.94％,specificity of 80.56％and accuracy of 83.61％in training set,and 80.95％,72.22％and 80.00％in validation set,respectively.Conclusion Pituitary radiomics and MRI features combined model could effectively predict GH status in pediatric short stature.

Purpose To investigate the independent risk factors for early recurrence of solitary hepatocellular carcinoma after radiofrequency ablation based on gadoxetic acid disodium(Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced MRI combined with clinical features.Materials and Methods Clinical and imaging data of hepatocellular carcinoma patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation at the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from January 2019 to June 2022 were retrospectively collected.All patients underwent preoperative Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI and were followed up for up to two years post-surgery.Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression were performed to identify independent risk factors for recurrence after radiofrequency ablation.Results A total of 58 patients were finally included,including early recurrence group(n=22)and non-early recurrence group(n=36).Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that preoperative alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)levels(HR=1.103,95%CI 1.008-1.206,P=0.033),arterial-phase irregular margin enhancement(HR=4.647,95%CI 1.527-14.110,P=0.007),peritumoral arterial-phase enhancement(HR=11.575,95%CI 3.575-37.478,P=0.001)and peritumoral hepatobiliary phase hypointensity(HR=5.058,95%CI 1.129-22.668,P=0.034)were independent risk factors for early recurrence.The area under the curve for AFP combined with arterial-phase irregular margin enhancement,peritumoral arterial-phase enhancement and peritumoral hepatobiliary phase hypointensity were 0.896,0.842 and 0.860,with accuracy rates of 81.0%,84.5%and 82.8%,respectively.Conclusion Preoperative serum AFP levels,arterial-phase irregular margin enhancement,peritumoral arterial-phase enhancement and peritumoral hepatobiliary phase hypointensity are independent risk factors for early recurrence after radiofrequency ablation in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.The combination of AFP and any of these MRI features significantly improves predictive efficacy.

Objective To explore the impact of factors such as economic level,regional differences,and healthcare policies on the medical costs and the clinical treatment behaviors for benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)using big data technology.Methods A combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches was employed,including descriptive statistical analysis,central tendency analysis,comparative analysis,and structural analysis to explore regional differences in the treatment of BPH and the underlying causes.Results The mean medical cost per case in the provincial capital city(19 502 yuan)was significantly higher than that in the prefecture-level city(16 526 yuan),with a difference of 2 976 yuan(+18%).Moreover,the cost distribution was more dispersed in the provincial capital([8 370 yuan-26 344 yuan]vs.[9 687 yuan-21 974 yuan]in the prefecture-level city).However,the provincial capital demonstrated better hospitalization efficiency,with a significantly shorter mean length of stay(9.24 days vs 10.21 days,-10.5%).All these differences were statistically significant(P<0.01).Payment methods influenced surgical choices.In the provincial capital,43.99%of patients underwent transurethral resection of the prostate(TURP),with no cases of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate(HOLEP).In contrast,the prefecture-level city reported 22.71%of patients receiving plasmakinetic resection of the prostate(PKRP)and 19.19%undergoing HoLEP.Significant differences were observed in antibiotic utilization patterns.The most commonly used antibiotic in the provincial capital was piperacillin-tazobactam(19.96%),while cefotaxime dominated in the prefecture-level city(21.11%).Notably,ertapenem was frequently used in the provincial capital but rarely in the prefecture-level city,potentially due to cost considerations(P<0.05).Regional preferences were evident in antispasmodic medication;phloroglucinol injection was used in 80%of cases in the prefecture-level city,while anisodamine hydrobromide injection predominated in the provincial capital(P<0.05).For BPH-specific medications,although tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained-release capsules were the primary choice in both regions,the prefecture-level city showed significantly higher usage(80.11%vs 49.17%).Finasteride tablets were more commonly prescribed in the provincial capital(39.03%vs.14.14%,P<0.05).Conclusion Economic levels,healthcare policies,and different hospitals significantly influence clinical decision-making and medical expenses.Hospitals should enhance refined management,while healthcare policy reforms need to advance from multiple perspectives and levels to improve the efficiency and equity of healthcare services.

Objective To observe the value of pituitary radiomics and MRI features combined model for predicting growth hormone(GH)status in pediatric short stature.Methods Totally 300 children with short stature were enrolled as training set,while other 73 cases were taken as external validation set.Based on growth hormone stimulation test,the children were divided into GH deficiency(GHD)group(n=228)and non-GHD group(n=145).The training set included 196 cases in GHD subgroup and 104 cases in non-GHD subgroup,while the validation set included 32 cases in GHD subgroup and 41 cases in non-GHD subgroup.Radiomics features of pituitary were extracted from T1WI.The key features were selected using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression,and machine learning models were subsequently constructed using support vector machine(SVM),logistic regression(LR),naive Bayes(NB)and K-nearest neighbor(KNN),respectively.Then combined models were constructed combining with MRI features,and the efficacy of each model was evaluated.Results The area under the curve(AUC)of SVM,LR,NB,and KNN radiomics model for predicting GH status in pediatric short stature was 0.860,0.831,0.838 and 0.901 in training set,0.788,0.829,0.823 and 0.770 in validation set,while of the relative combined SVM,LR,NB and KNN model was 0.924,0.903,0.859 and 0.920 in training set,and 0.827,0.881,0.836 and 0.718 in validation set.LRcombined model had the best overall performance,with sensitivity of 84.94％,specificity of 80.56％and accuracy of 83.61％in training set,and 80.95％,72.22％and 80.00％in validation set,respectively.Conclusion Pituitary radiomics and MRI features combined model could effectively predict GH status in pediatric short stature.

Objective To analyze the risk factors and re-intervention strategies for mid- and long-term residual after arterial switch operation (ASO). Methods The clinical data of children with complex congenital heart disease who underwent ASO surgery in Shanghai Children’s Medical Center from January 2006 to June 2022 were retrospectively collected, and the risk factors for mid- and long-term residual after ASO were analyzed. Results A total of 952 children undergoing ASO were enrolled in this study, including 654 males and 298 females with an average age of (102.9±90.1) d and weight of (4.6±1.6) kg. There were 421 patients with D-transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum (D-TGA/IVS), 357 patients with D-transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect (D-TGA/VSD), and 174 patients with right ventricle double outlet combined with subpulmonary ventricular septal defect (Taussig-Bing malformation). Eighty-nine patients died early after the surgery, the mortality rate was 9.3%. The 746 surviving children were regularly followed up after the surgery (follow-up rate 86.4%), with a median follow-up time of 79.4 (12.0-188.0) months. During the follow-up, 53 children underwent surgical re-intervention due to residual, including 33 males and 20 females, with a median age of 62.5 (17.0-214.0) months. The median surgical weight was 19.0 (8.2-86.0) kg, and the mean time of re-intervention was 28.0-170.0 (77.5±45.4) months after the ASO. Residual problems included common trunk and branch stenosis of the pulmonary artery in 23 patients, right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction in 11 patients, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in 6 patients, aortic arch restenosis in 5 patients, aortic insufficiency in 5 patients, residual shunt of ventricular septal defect in 2 patients, and tricuspid valve insufficiency in 1 patient. The early postoperative mortality rate was 3.8% (2/53), with the causes of death being acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery injury and acute left heart failure, respectively. The mean follow-up time of the surviving children was (52.4±28.6) months, and no mid- and long-term death occurred. Two patients underwent the third operations due to pulmonary restenosis. The multivariate analysis result showed that combined aortic arch surgery and early postoperative RVOT velocity>3 m/s were independent risk factors for mid- and long-term residual after ASO. Conclusion ASO is an ideal procedure for the treatment of D-TGA/IVS, D-TGA/VSD and Taussig-Bing malformations. Combined aortic arch surgery and early postoperative RVOT velocity>3 m/s are independent risk factors for mid- and long-term residual after ASO.

Objective To explore the impact of factors such as economic level,regional differences,and healthcare policies on the medical costs and the clinical treatment behaviors for benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)using big data technology.Methods A combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches was employed,including descriptive statistical analysis,central tendency analysis,comparative analysis,and structural analysis to explore regional differences in the treatment of BPH and the underlying causes.Results The mean medical cost per case in the provincial capital city(19 502 yuan)was significantly higher than that in the prefecture-level city(16 526 yuan),with a difference of 2 976 yuan(+18%).Moreover,the cost distribution was more dispersed in the provincial capital([8 370 yuan-26 344 yuan]vs.[9 687 yuan-21 974 yuan]in the prefecture-level city).However,the provincial capital demonstrated better hospitalization efficiency,with a significantly shorter mean length of stay(9.24 days vs 10.21 days,-10.5%).All these differences were statistically significant(P<0.01).Payment methods influenced surgical choices.In the provincial capital,43.99%of patients underwent transurethral resection of the prostate(TURP),with no cases of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate(HOLEP).In contrast,the prefecture-level city reported 22.71%of patients receiving plasmakinetic resection of the prostate(PKRP)and 19.19%undergoing HoLEP.Significant differences were observed in antibiotic utilization patterns.The most commonly used antibiotic in the provincial capital was piperacillin-tazobactam(19.96%),while cefotaxime dominated in the prefecture-level city(21.11%).Notably,ertapenem was frequently used in the provincial capital but rarely in the prefecture-level city,potentially due to cost considerations(P<0.05).Regional preferences were evident in antispasmodic medication;phloroglucinol injection was used in 80%of cases in the prefecture-level city,while anisodamine hydrobromide injection predominated in the provincial capital(P<0.05).For BPH-specific medications,although tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained-release capsules were the primary choice in both regions,the prefecture-level city showed significantly higher usage(80.11%vs 49.17%).Finasteride tablets were more commonly prescribed in the provincial capital(39.03%vs.14.14%,P<0.05).Conclusion Economic levels,healthcare policies,and different hospitals significantly influence clinical decision-making and medical expenses.Hospitals should enhance refined management,while healthcare policy reforms need to advance from multiple perspectives and levels to improve the efficiency and equity of healthcare services.

Purpose To investigate the independent risk factors for early recurrence of solitary hepatocellular carcinoma after radiofrequency ablation based on gadoxetic acid disodium(Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced MRI combined with clinical features.Materials and Methods Clinical and imaging data of hepatocellular carcinoma patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation at the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from January 2019 to June 2022 were retrospectively collected.All patients underwent preoperative Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI and were followed up for up to two years post-surgery.Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression were performed to identify independent risk factors for recurrence after radiofrequency ablation.Results A total of 58 patients were finally included,including early recurrence group(n=22)and non-early recurrence group(n=36).Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that preoperative alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)levels(HR=1.103,95%CI 1.008-1.206,P=0.033),arterial-phase irregular margin enhancement(HR=4.647,95%CI 1.527-14.110,P=0.007),peritumoral arterial-phase enhancement(HR=11.575,95%CI 3.575-37.478,P=0.001)and peritumoral hepatobiliary phase hypointensity(HR=5.058,95%CI 1.129-22.668,P=0.034)were independent risk factors for early recurrence.The area under the curve for AFP combined with arterial-phase irregular margin enhancement,peritumoral arterial-phase enhancement and peritumoral hepatobiliary phase hypointensity were 0.896,0.842 and 0.860,with accuracy rates of 81.0%,84.5%and 82.8%,respectively.Conclusion Preoperative serum AFP levels,arterial-phase irregular margin enhancement,peritumoral arterial-phase enhancement and peritumoral hepatobiliary phase hypointensity are independent risk factors for early recurrence after radiofrequency ablation in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.The combination of AFP and any of these MRI features significantly improves predictive efficacy.

This article explores the technological innovations and clinical prospects of robot-assisted hiatal hernia repair (RAHHR). RAHHR demonstrates outstanding performance in hiatal hernia repair, particularly for complex hernias, owing to its advantages such as 3D visualization and 7-degree-of-freedom robotic arms, which contribute to reduced recurrence rates and accelerated recovery. However, challenges remain, including high costs and limited operative space. Future directions include the development of single-port robotic systems, force feedback technology, and AI-powered surgical navigation. Standardized training and technological innovations are expected to promote its widespread application.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of homebred endoscopic surgical robot system in the repair of ventral hernia.Methods:This study included eligible patients with ventral hernia admitted at the Department of Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery of Peking University People's Hospital from Nov 2023 to Mar 2024.Results:There were 26 patients,12 males and 14 females,with median age of 53 years, and median BMI of 26.69 kg/m 2. There were 7 cases of umbilical hernia, 14 cases of incisional hernia, 2 cases of parastomal hernia, 2 case of abdominal wall hernia, and 1 case of diastasis recti abdominis. All the defects were repaired according to the established surgical protocol. The median time of equipment docking was 274(262,289) s, and the median master and slave control time was 89(66,131) min. No instrument-related adverse events occurred during the operation. The median postoperative hospital stay was 7(5,10) d. There were no complications of Clavien≥Ⅱ in all patients during perioperative period and after 1 month follow-up. Conclusion:The domestic endoscopic surgical robot system can be safely applied to repair abdominal hernia.