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 Investigating the correlation between fluctuations in proliferation-inducing ligand(APRIL),M-type phospholipase A2 receptor antibody(PLA2R Ab),and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3[25-(OH)D3]levels and their impact on the severity and prognosis of primary membranous nephropathy(PMN).Methods A prospective study design was employed,wherein 100 confirmed PMN patients from Xingtai People's Hospital were recruited as the PMN group,and 100 healthy volunteers served as the control group.The levels of APRIL,PLA2R Ab,and 25-(OH)D3 were compared between the two groups of participants,stratified by PMN disease stage and treatment outcomes.A simple linear correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate the correlation between APRIL,PLA2R Ab,and 25-(OH)D3 with renal function indicators.Additionally,a multiple regression model was utilized to analyze the associations between these indicators and patient treatment outcomes as well as prognosis.Results The levels of APRIL and PLA2R Ab in the MN group were significantly higher than those in the control group,whereas the levels of 25-(OH)D3 were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).Among 100 patients with PMN,there were 20 in stage I,42 in stage Ⅱ,34 in stage Ⅲ,and 4 in stage Ⅳ.The levels of APRIL and PLA2R Ab in stage Ⅲ+Ⅳ patients were significantly higher than those in stage Ⅰ+Ⅱ patients,while the level of 25-(OH)D3 was significantly lower in stage Ⅲ+Ⅳ patients compared to stage Ⅰ+Ⅱ patients(P<0.05).In PMN patients,serum APRIL and PLA2R-Ab levels were negatively correlated with urea nitrogen(BUN),creatinine(Scr),and 24-h urinary protein(P<0.05).Additionally,APRIL and PLA2R-Ab levels were positively correlated with total protein(TP)and albumin(ALB)(P<0.05),while serum 25-(OH)D3 levels were negatively correlated with BUN,Scr,and 24-h urinary protein(P<0.05).After treatment,42 patients achieved complete remission,while 58 patients did not meet the remission criteria.Serum APRIL and PLA2R-Ab levels in the remis-sion group were significantly lower than those in the non-remission group both before treatment and after 12 months of treatment.Furthermore,serum 25-(OH)D3 levels in the remission group were significantly higher than those in the non-remission group both before treatment and after 12 months of treatment(P<0.05).Conclusions Elevated levels of serum APRIL and PLA2R antibodies,which contribute to immune dysfunction,are closely asso-ciated with the onset and severity of PMN.Renal impairment leads to a substantial reduction in serum 25-(OH)D3 levels.Collectively,these three indicators serve as critical markers for the occurrence,progression,and prognosis of PMN.

Objective:To investigate the role of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) /nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway in the occurrence of lung tissue in the pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) model of rats induced by indium tin oxide nanoprticles (Nano-ITO) .Methods:In October 2019, 120 SD rats were divided into 3, 7, 14, 28, 56, and 84 day Nano ITO exposure groups and corresponding time point control groups, with 10 rats in each group; the exposure group was treated with 6 mg/kg·bw Nano-ITO via non exposed tracheal injection, twice a week. Time-course studies were performed to examine the pulmonary toxicity induced by Nano-ITO. At the end of the experiment, cytokines levels and oxidative stress were analyzed in the bronchoalveolar lavaged fluid (BALF). Rat lung tissues were also harvested for staining with HE, PAS, Masson, and Oil Red O. Ultrastructure of lung tissue cells was observed by transmission electron microscope. The localization and expression of NF-κB p65, IκB-α, IKK-β, Nrf2, NQO1, HO-1 were observed by immunohistochemistry, Western blot and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The comparison between the two groups was analyzed by independent sample T test, and the comparison between the multiple groups was analyzed by one-way ANOVA.Results:Nano-ITO intratracheal instillation caused pulmonary toxicity by inducing acute inflammation, granuloma (nodule) formation, and alveolar proteinosis. ELISA analysis showed that, compared with the corresponding time points control groups, the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin (IL) -1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IL-10, total protein (TP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in BALF of rats exposed to Nano ITO were all increased ( P<0.05) ; The protein expression of Nrf2 and NF-κB p65 was upregulated in rat lung tissue, while the protein expression of KK-β was increased ( P<0.01). Nrf2 and its downstream proteins NQO1 and HO-1 were highly expressed in Nano-ITO-induced PAP rat. Conclusion:NF-κB/Nrf2 signal pathway is involved in the process of Nano-ITO induced pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in rats.

Objective To compare the ability of single-phase,dual-phase,and triphasic models in forecasting postoperative pancreatic fistula(POPF)after pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD)using radiomics based on triphasic enhanced CT.Methods A total of 181 patients who underwent multi-phase enhanced CT prior to PD were retrospectively selected,and the collection phase included non-contrast,arterial phase(AP),and equilibrium phase(EP).3D Slicer software was utilized to segment the region of interest(ROI)for the postoperative pancreatic remnant on each phase.Radiomics feature extraction was performed using R software,followed by feature selection through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression with five-fold cross-validation to prevent model overfitting.The effective features selected were combined in a weighted linear manner to obtain a Radiomics score(Radscore).The patients were divided into training set and test set in a 7︰3 ratio.Logistic regression was employed to construct seven POPF prediction models(three single-phase,three dual-phase,and one triphasic models)based on different phase combinations.The diagnostic performance of the models was evaluated using the area under the curve(AUC)of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,accuracy(ACC),sensitivity(SEN),and specificity(SPE).The DeLong test was applied to compare the differences in AUC among different models.Results After LASSO regression,24 effective features associated with POPF were selected from different phases.In the test set,the triphasic model exhibited the highest AUC and ACC(AUC=0.76,ACC=0.808).The calibration curve demonstrated the strongest agreement between the estimated probabilities and observed probabilities for the triphasic model.The decision curve analysis(DCA)curve indicated that the triphasic model had the largest threshold range with a higher net benefit.Conclusion Compared with single-phase and dual-phase models,the triphasic model based on enhanced CT provides better prediction of POPF after PD,aiding clinical decision-making and improve prognosis.

Objective To analyze the serum high-density lipoprotein 3 subtype cholesterol(HDL3-C)levels in patients with ischemic stroke(IS)and explore its clinical value in evaluating the condition and prognosis.Methods A total of 124 patients with IS and 47 healthy controls admitted to the Department of Neurology of the General Hospital of the Eastern Theater Command were continuously se-lected from January to June 2023.The serum samples of IS patients at admission and healthy controls were collected respectively,and the levels of HDL3-C,total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low-density lipopro-tein cholesterol(LDL-C),blood glucose(Glu),albumin(Alb),interleukin 6(IL-6)and procalcitonin(PCT)were measured.The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score at admission,modified Rankin Scale(MRS)score at discharge,and Barthel index of the IS patients were calculated.All the IS patients were followed up for 1 year.The time of sequelae caused by stroke,and re-currence of acute cerebrovascular events were recorded in detail.Spearman's correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation be-tween HDL3-C levels and other clinical events and biochemical parameters in the IS patients.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the clinical value of serum HDL3-C levels in evaluating the presence of IS.Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the clin-ical value of serum HDL3-C levels in assessing the prognosis of patients with IS.Results Compared with controls,the levels of HDL3-C,HDL-C and Alb of the patients with IS decreased significantly,but the levels of TG and Glu of the IS patients increased sig-nificantly(all P＜0.05).The level of serum HDL3-C in patients with IS was significantly positively correlated with TC(r=0.231,P=0.003),HDL-C(r=0.831,P＜0.001),Alb(r=0.451,P＜0.001)and Barthel index at discharge(r=0.216,P=0.018),while it was significantly negatively correlated with the levels of TG(r=-0.396,P＜0.001),IL-6(r=-0.290,P=0.013),NIHSS at admis-sion(r=-0.187,P=0.041)and MRS at discharge(r=-0.227,P=0.012).Multivariate Logistic regression analyses showed that the decreased level of serum HDL3-C was still independently related to the presence of IS(OR=0.853,95％CI=0.740-0.984,P=0.030)after adjusting for the fectors of age,sex,TC,TG,HDL-C and LDL-C.Multivariate Cox regression analyses demonstrates that the de-creased level of serum HDL3-C was still independently related to the poor prognosis of IS patients(HR=0.710,95％CI=0.517-0.976,P=0.035)after adjusting for the fectors of age,sex,TC,TG,HDL-C and LDL-C.Conclusion The level of serum HDL3-C in pa-tients with IS decreased significantly,and it is independently correlated with poor prognosis.The level of HDL3-C has reference value in evaluating the condition and prognosis of the patients with IS.

Objective To explore the value of CT radiomics analysis in predicting the curative effect of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(ESWL)in ureteral calculus(UC)patients.Methods A total of 126 UC patients who underwent ESWL from January 2018 to December 2023 were selected,and randomly divided into training group and validation group at a ratio of 7∶3.Forty-five UC patients from January 2024 to September 2024 were selected as external validation group and divided into two groups according to whether the residual stones were less than 4 mm after operation.There were 81 cases in the successful lithotripsy group and 45 cases in the failed lithotripsy group.The 3D Slicer software was used to outline the stone layer by layer to obtain region of interest(ROI),and 851 radiomics features were extracted.After the observer consistency test,maximum relevance and minimum redundancy(mRMR)algorithm and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO),the radiomics features were selected,and the logistic regression model was established.The diagnostic efficiency of the model was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The six optimal features were obtained from the radiomics features.The combined clinical-radiomics model showed the best prediction efficiency with area under the curve(AUC)of 0.908,0.906 and 0.908 in the training,validation and external validation groups respectively.Conclusion CT radiomics model can be used to predict the curative effect of UC patients after ESWL,and provide a basis for assisting UC patients in individualized treatment.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of anti-G straining maneuver (AGSM) in pilots by surface electromyography (sEMG), and to explore the relationships between characteristics of sEMG and anti-G endurance in pilots.Methods:Thirty-eight male high-performance fighter pilots who completed the human centrifuge test at the Air Force Medical Center were selected. Among them, 25 completed the 8.0 G for 10 s anti-G endurance test and 13 completed the 9.0 G for 10 s anti-G endurance test. The sEMG tester was used to keep track of the changes of sEMG in rectus abdominis, rectus femoris, anterior tibial and gastrocnemius muscles while pilots were engaged in AGSM. The anti-G endurance was evaluated according to the changes of visual fields and consciousness. The pilots were divided into 3 groups: the good vision and consciousness group, peripheral visual field narrowing group and endurance endpoint group. The differences in the integral electromyogram (iEMG), mean power frequency (MPF) and muscle input rates between the 3 groups were investigated.Results:A total of 25 pilots completed the 8.0 G for 10 s anti-G endurance test. Among them, 8 (32.0%) were in the good vision and consciousness group, 13 (52.0%) in the peripheral visual field narrowing group and 4 (16.0%) reached the endurance endpoint. Among the 13 pilots who completed the 9.0 G for 10 s anti-G endurance test, 3 (23.1%) were in the good vision and consciousness group, 6 (46.1%) in the peripheral visual field narrowing group, and 4 (30.8%) in the endurance endpoint group. The results of sEMG showed that the iEMG values of the anterior tibialis muscle in pilots under the 9.0 G for 10 s load were significantly different across endurance groups ( H=7.54, P=0.023), and that the iEMG values of the tibialis anterior muscle in the good vision and consciousness group were higher than those in the endurance endpoint group ( P=0.036). The negative slopes of MPF for the rectus abdominis, rectus femoris, anterior tibialis, and gastrocnemius muscles were higher in the good vision and consciousness group than in the other 2 groups, but the differences were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). During the 8.0 G for 10 s anti-G endurance test, there were significant differences in lower limb muscle contribution rates between the 3 groups ( F=4.19, P=0.029). The endurance endpoint group exhibited a lower contribution rate than the good vision and consciousness group ( P=0.025). During the 9.0 G for 10 s anti-G endurance test, there were significant differences in tibialis anterior muscle contribution rates between the 3 groups ( F=4.16, P=0.049). The endurance endpoint group demonstrated a lower contribution rate than the good vision and consciousness group ( P=0.049). Conclusions:The full and balanced activation of abdominal muscles and lower limb muscles, especially the effective mobilization of calf muscles, plays a pivotal role in improving pilots′ AGSM efficiency in high G environments.

Objective:To find out whether the performance of a China-made high performance human centrifuge can satisfy the need of high G training by conducting physiological experiments.Methods:The dynamic physical performance of the anti-G equipment with the human centrifuge was tested before 5 subjects underwent the gradual-onset rate (GOR) run and rapid onset rate (ROR) run experiments. The G onset rate of GOR was 0.1 G/s. The relaxed G-tolerance under GOR (GOR tolerance 1) and the anti-G straining maneuver aided G-tolerance under GOR (GOR tolerance 2) were tested respectively. The G onset rate of ROR was 3 G/s, and the closed-loop mode and pre-programed mode were employed respectively. The closed-loop mode involved 5 G 10 s and 8 G 10 s, where the subjects were required to manipulate the joystick to ensure that the real-time curve of the load matched the target curve. In the pre-programmed mode, the subjects were exposed to 8 G 10 s passively, without any operation requirements. A subjective evaluation form was filled out by subjects after the experiments, in which the 14 indexes for evaluation were about the gondola facilities and environment, running processes, medical monitoring and overall assessment.Results:Both the oxygen mask and anti-G suit achieved full pressurization within 2.0 s. The GOR tolerance 1 was [4.0(3.8, 4.6)] G while the GOR tolerance 2 was (6.2±0.5) G, suggesting a statistically significant difference ( Z=-2.63, P=0.008). The HP anti-G straining maneuver effect was (2.0±0.6) G. All the 5 subjects finished the 5 G 10 s experiment in a closed-loop mode. Three of them attempted 8 G 10 s in the closed-loop mode (1 subject achieved only 7.6 G peak acceleration, and the other 2 achieved full 8 G 10 s exposure), while the remaining 2 completed the 8 G 10 s in the pre-programmed mode. In the closed-loop mode, it was found that the stick force was too strong, the guiding G and real time G curve were not easy to distinguish for some of the subjects because the curve colors were similar, and that the subjects could not see the G curves clearly in case of a grayout. Both seat comfort and the voice quality of communication got the highest subjective assessment score [5.0(4.0, 5.0)] while the sensation of tumble got the lowest score (2.8±0.8). The median or mean scores of other subjective evaluation indexes ranged from 3.0 to 4.6 points. The overall score of subjective assessment was [4.0(3.5, 4.0)] points. Conclusions:The China-made high performance human centrifuge can meet the requirements of 8.0 G high G training, which can be made more effective and comfortable if the strong stick force and feeling of tumble during stop running are overcome.

Objective: Accurate evaluation of inflammation severity in ulcerative colitis (UC) can guide treatment strategy selection. The potential value of the pericolic fat attenuation index (FAI) on CT as an indicator of disease severity remains unknown.This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of pericolic FAI in predicting UC severity. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 148 patients (mean age 48 years; 87 males). The fat attenuation on CT was measured in four different locations: the mesocolic vascular side (MS) and opposite side of MS (OMS) around the most severe bowel lesion, the retroperitoneal space (RS), and the subcutaneous area. The fat attenuation indices (FAI MS, FAI OMS, and FAI RS) were calculated as the fat attenuation measured in MS, OMS, and RS, respectively, minus that of the subcutaneous area, and were obtained in the non-enhanced, arterial, and delayed phases. Correlations between the FAI and UC Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) were assessed using Spearman’s correlation. Predictors of severe UC (UCEIS ≥7) were selected by univariable analysis. The performance of FAI in predicting severe UC was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores were significantly higher than FAI RS in three phases (all P < 0.001). The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores moderately correlated with the UCEIS score (r = 0.474–0.649 among the three phases). Additionally, FAI MS and FAI OMS identified severe UC, with AUC varying from 0.77 to 0.85. Conclusion Increased CT attenuation of pericolic adipose tissue could serve as a noninvasive marker for evaluating UC severity. FAI MS and FAI OMS of three phases showed similar prediction accuracies for severe UC identification.

Objective: Accurate evaluation of inflammation severity in ulcerative colitis (UC) can guide treatment strategy selection. The potential value of the pericolic fat attenuation index (FAI) on CT as an indicator of disease severity remains unknown.This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of pericolic FAI in predicting UC severity. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 148 patients (mean age 48 years; 87 males). The fat attenuation on CT was measured in four different locations: the mesocolic vascular side (MS) and opposite side of MS (OMS) around the most severe bowel lesion, the retroperitoneal space (RS), and the subcutaneous area. The fat attenuation indices (FAI MS, FAI OMS, and FAI RS) were calculated as the fat attenuation measured in MS, OMS, and RS, respectively, minus that of the subcutaneous area, and were obtained in the non-enhanced, arterial, and delayed phases. Correlations between the FAI and UC Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) were assessed using Spearman’s correlation. Predictors of severe UC (UCEIS ≥7) were selected by univariable analysis. The performance of FAI in predicting severe UC was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores were significantly higher than FAI RS in three phases (all P < 0.001). The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores moderately correlated with the UCEIS score (r = 0.474–0.649 among the three phases). Additionally, FAI MS and FAI OMS identified severe UC, with AUC varying from 0.77 to 0.85. Conclusion Increased CT attenuation of pericolic adipose tissue could serve as a noninvasive marker for evaluating UC severity. FAI MS and FAI OMS of three phases showed similar prediction accuracies for severe UC identification.