Robot-assisted surgery with its advantages such as three-dimensional high-definition vision, dexterous robotic arms, and tremor filtration, is increasingly being applied to complex radical gastrectomy. However, the role of the surgical assistant remains crucial during the procedure. The assistant is responsible for tasks outside the console, including adjusting robotic arms, changing instruments, exposing the surgical field, and addressing unexpected situations. The technical proficiency of the assistant and their collaboration efficiency with the primary surgeon directly impact the smoothness of surgery and patients' outcomes. With the expansion of robot-assisted surgical indications, the establishment of a standardized training system and the optimization of team collaboration models have become urgent challenges to address. This article draws on the author's practical experience as an assistant in robot-assisted gastric cancer surgeries, conducting an in-depth analysis of the responsibilities and operational skills of surgical assistants in robot-assisted procedures. The aim is to develop a relatively comprehensive set of operational guidelines for surgical assistants in robot-assisted radical gastrectomy, providing valuable references for enhancing the overall efficiency of surgical teams and improving surgical outcomes.

Neuropathic pain (NP) is a chronic and intractable pain syndrome triggered by lesions or diseases of the somatosensory nervous system. It has a high incidence in the general population and currently lacks effective treatment methods, which seriously reduces the life quality of patients. Peripheral sensitization and central sensitization are the key mechanisms for the occurrence and development of NP. A variety of immune cells are involved in the processes of peripheral sensitization and central sensitization. After peripheral nerve injury, immune cells such as macrophages, astrocytes and Schwann cells infiltrate and release chemical substances. Through regulating inflammatory reactions and ion channels, they initiate and amplify pain signals, increasing the sensitivity of nociceptors to incoming signals and forming peripheral sensitization. Immune cells in the central nervous system, represented by microglia and astrocytes, are stimulated by pro-nociceptive substances released by primary afferent nerve fibers, enhancing their excitability. Subsequently, they synthesize and release pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to the enhancement and remodeling of neuronal connections in the spinal cord and brain, resulting in central sensitization. This article reviews the role of immune cells and peripheral sensitization and central pain sensitization, providing a theoretical basis and practical guidance for the understanding and treatment of NP.

Objective:To analyze the perioperative risks and prognosis in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) complicated by Graves' disease (GD) .Methods:Clinical data of 880 DTC patients who underwent radical thyroidectomy at the Department of General Surgery, the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital between Jan. 2016 and Dec. 2022 was retrospectively collected. The cohort included 119 DTC patients with GD (hyperthyroid group) and 761 DTC patients with normal thyroid function without GD (normal group) . Use propensity score matching (PSM) was used to obtain cohorts with balanced baseline characteristics between the hyperthyroid and normal groups. Perioperative risks and prognos were compared between the two groups.Results:For perioperative risk comparison, after 1∶2 matching, 116 patients were included in the hyperthyroid group and 232 patients in the normal group. The operation time was longer in the hyperthyroid group compared to normal group ([107.26±30.27]min vs. [96.45±32.51]min, P=0.003) . There were no statistical differences between the two groups in intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume or postoperative hospital stay ( P>0.05) . There were no statistical difference in the incidence of complications such as temporary or permanent hypoparathyroidism, temporary or permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and lymphatic leakage between the two groups. For prognostic comparison, after 1∶2 matching, 117 cases were included in the hyperthyroid group and 234 cases in the normal group. During follow-up period, 16 patients experienced DTC recurrence, including 5 cases in the hyperthyroid group and 11 cases in the normal group. There was no statistical difference in reccurence-free survival rates between the two groups (5-year RFS: 95.7% vs. 95.3%, P=0.907) . Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed GD was not the risk factor for DTC recurrence. Conclusions:With standardized and adequate preoperative preparation, the perioperative risks of DTC patients complicated by GD were not increased compared to patients without GD. Additionally, GD does not increase the risk of postoperative tumor recurrence in DTC patients.

Objective Investigate the clinical efficacy and application value of gasless trans-subclavian approach endoscopic surgery(GTAES)for the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism(PHPT).Methods 55 PHPT patients who underwent unilateral parathyroid adenoma resection from January 2023 to October 2024 were absorbed.Based on surgical approaches,31 patients were divided into the traditional low-collar arc incision open surgery group(open group)and 24 patients were divided into gasless trans-subclavian approach endoscopic surgery group(endoscopic group).The perioperative data,anterior neck function recovery,and incision healing were compared between two groups.Results There were no significant differences in operation time,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative drainage volume and postoperative hospital stay between the two groups(P＞0.05).The preoperative blood calcium levels of the endoscopic group and the open group were(2.68±0.10)mmol/L and(2.63±0.16)mmol/L,respectively.The blood calcium levels on the first day after surgery were(2.39±0.12)mmol/L and(2.36±0.16)mmol/L,respectively.Preoperative parathyroid hormone(PTH)was 27.55(110.05,155.75)pg/ml in endoscopic group and 137.00(107.00,210.30)pg/ml in open group,respectively.PTH on the first day after surgery was 18.98(12.64,23.53)pg/ml and 13.85(7.36,23.23)pg/ml,respectively.Blood calcium and PTH in each group 1 day after surgery decreased compared with that before surgery,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).There were no postoperative complications such as hoarseness,bleeding and incision infection in both groups.Postoperative hand and foot numbness:5 cases(20.8％)in endoscopic group and 8 patients(25.8％)in the open group,there was no significant difference between the two groups(P=0.667).There was no significant difference in the score of neck pain 3 days after surgery between the two groups(P＞0.05).The score of swallowing tension[(1.92±1.06)points compared with(2.77±1.38)points,P=0.015]and the score of anterior neck discomfort[(1.63±0.88)points compared with(2.35±1.33)points,P=0.018]in the endoscopic group one month after surgery were better than those in the open group.There was no significant difference in the score of neck scar scale between the two groups 3 months after surgery(P＞0.05).VAS score of incision satisfaction was(9.08±0.88)in endoscopic group and(8.19±1.30)in open group,and the endoscopic group was better than the open group,the difference was statistically significant(P=0.004).Conclusion For PHPT patients caused by unilateral parathyroid adenoma confirmed through preoperative localization examination,GTAES is a safe and effective surgical approach,which offers unique advantages in intraoperative lesion identification,cosmetic outcomes of the incision,and preservation of anterior neck function,providing a new surgical option for PHPT patients.

Neuropathic pain (NP) is a chronic and intractable pain syndrome triggered by lesions or diseases of the somatosensory nervous system. It has a high incidence in the general population and currently lacks effective treatment methods, which seriously reduces the life quality of patients. Peripheral sensitization and central sensitization are the key mechanisms for the occurrence and development of NP. A variety of immune cells are involved in the processes of peripheral sensitization and central sensitization. After peripheral nerve injury, immune cells such as macrophages, astrocytes and Schwann cells infiltrate and release chemical substances. Through regulating inflammatory reactions and ion channels, they initiate and amplify pain signals, increasing the sensitivity of nociceptors to incoming signals and forming peripheral sensitization. Immune cells in the central nervous system, represented by microglia and astrocytes, are stimulated by pro-nociceptive substances released by primary afferent nerve fibers, enhancing their excitability. Subsequently, they synthesize and release pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to the enhancement and remodeling of neuronal connections in the spinal cord and brain, resulting in central sensitization. This article reviews the role of immune cells and peripheral sensitization and central pain sensitization, providing a theoretical basis and practical guidance for the understanding and treatment of NP.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis. Mesangial hyperplasia and deposition of IgA immune complex are typical pathological changes of IgAN. Animal model is an important tool to explore the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment plan, and evaluate the safety and efficacy of drugs. At present, there are many kinds of IgAN animal models, including humanized animal models and non-humanized animal models, and there are great differences in the modeling principle, method, time and pathological changes. The humanized animal model is closer to the pathogenesis of IgAN in humans and has gradually become a research hotspot. In this paper, common animal models of IgAN in detail from the aspects of modeling method and time, characteristics and significance of each model, and the research progress of anthropomorphic animal models are reviewed to provide reference and inspiration for the basic research of IgAN.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of non-ECG-gated scan using wide-body detector in left atrial computed tomo-graphy angiography(CTA)and to assess its value in evaluating left atrial appendage closure(LAAC)outcomes.Methods Patients who underwent LAAC and completed left atrial CTA were prospectively selected.Participants were randomly divided into groups A and B.In group A,the heart rate was measured using a finger clip oximeter before the examination,and the heart rate was set as the simula-ted heart rate.The simulated signal was generated by the CT equipment to complete the examination.In group B,the conventional ECG-gated scan was adopted.The residual leakage of left atrial appendage occluder,image quality,patient comfort and radiation dose of the two groups were compared,and statistical analysis was performed for these indicators.Results Both groups completed the evaluation of the endothelialization degree of the left atrial appendage occluder,and there was no significant difference in the objective image quality evaluation or subjective image score between the two groups(P＞0.05).The total scores of the physiological dimension,psy-chological dimension,social cultural dimension and environmental dimension of patients in group A were higher than those in group B(P＜0.001),and the volume CT dose index(CTDIvol)and dose length product(DLP)decreased by 25％and 25.36％respectively,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.001).Conclusion During the left atrial CTA examination,the wide-body detector with non-ECG-gated scan mode can provide good image quality for clinical use and observe the embolization of the left atrial appendage after LAAC surgery.At the same time,it can effectively reduce the radiation dose for patients and improve patient comfort dur-ing the examination,showing high clinical feasibility and appli-cation value.

Background::An evidence gap still exists regarding the efficacy and safety of tegoprazan in patients with erosive esophagitis (EE) in China. This study aimed to verify the efficacy and safety of tegoprazan vs. esomeprazole in patients with EE in China. Methods::This study was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel, active-controlled, non-inferiority phase III trial of patients with EE randomized 1:1 to tegoprazan 50 mg/day vs. esomeprazole 40 mg/day. This study was conducted in 32 sites between October 24, 2018 and October 18, 2019. The primary endpoint was the cumulative endoscopic healing rate at week 8. The secondary endpoint included endoscopic healing rate at week 4, changes in the reflux disease questionnaire (RDQ) and gastroesophageal reflux disease health-related quality of life (GERD-HRQL) scores, and symptom improvement. Results::A total of 261 patients were randomized: 132 to the tegoprazan group and 129 to the esomeprazole group. The cumulative endoscopic healing rate at 8 weeks in the tegoprazan group was non-inferior to that of the esomeprazole group (91.1% vs. 92.8%, difference: -1.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -8.5%, 5.0%, P = 0.008). There were no statistically significant differences in the changes in RDQ (total, severity, and frequency) and GERD-HRQL scores between the two groups (all P >0.05). The percentages of days without symptoms, including daytime and nighttime symptoms based on patients' diaries, were similar between the two groups (all P >0.05). In the tegoprazan and esomeprazole groups, 71.5% (93/130) and 61.7% (79/128) of the participants reported adverse events (AEs), 2.3% and 0 experienced serious AEs, while 70.0% and 60.2% had treatment-emergent AEs, respectively. Conclusion::Tegoprazan 50 mg/day demonstrated non-inferior efficacy in healing EE, symptom improvement, and quality of life, and it has similar tolerability compared with esomeprazole 40 mg/day.

To investigate the application value of disposable subscope-assisted intestinal metal stent placement in the treatment for acute malignant colorectal obstruction, a retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients who underwent intestinal metal stent placement assisted by disposable subscope for acute malignant colorectal obstruction at the Digestive Endoscopy Center, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University from June 2023 to July 2024. The technical success rate, clinical success rate, operation time, postoperative complications and first-stage surgical resection anastomosis rate of intestinal metal stent placement assisted by subscope were analyzed. Among the 16 included patients, there were 10 males and 6 females, with the age of 72.19±9.40 years. Obstruction occurred at the descending colon in 8 cases (50.00%), at the sigmoid colon in 6 cases (37.50%), at the rectosigmoid junction in 1 case (6.25%), and at the splenic flexure of the transverse colon in 1 case (6.25%). All 16 patients successfully underwent stent placement, with a technical success rate of 100.00% (16/16). Obstruction symptoms did not relieve in one patient (6.25%) after stent placement, resulting in a clinical success rate of 93.75% (15/16). The endoscopic operation time for the 16 patients was 37.8±13.9 minutes. No bleeding, perforation, stent displacement, or detachment occurred after the operation. Fourteen patients underwent subsequent surgical treatment, the first-stage surgical resection anastomosis rate was 71.43% (10/14). This preliminary study suggests that the disposable subscope-assisted intestinal metal stent placement for the treatment of acute malignant colorectal obstruction is safe and effective, with no radiation exposure.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the common chronic complications of diabetes, presenting with neuropathic pain, sensory abnormalities, and sensory loss, and may lead to foot infections, ulcers, or amputation in severe cases. Its pathogenesis remains unclear, with challenge in early diagnosis and limited treatment efficacy. Emerging evidences suggest that DPN involves in not only the peripheral nervous system but also the central nervous system (CNS). With advances in imaging technologies, multimodal MRI has become a key tool to investigate CNS involvement in DPN. This review summarizes the structural, functional, metabolic, and perfusion-related CNS changes in DPN patients based on structural MRI, functional MRI, MR spectroscopy, and perfusion-weighted imaging, aiming to help early detection, clinical subtyping, and personalized treatment of DPN.