Objective To assess the clinical value of a novel surgical technique—Tubeless subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with percutaneous suspension technique via balance-shaped sternal elevation device in the resection of anterior mediastinal masses. Methods Patients who underwent tubeless subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery via balance-shaped sternal elevation device in anterior mediastinal masses process at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from March to April 2025 were included, and their clinical data were analyzed. Results A total of 4 patients were included, with 2 males and 2 females, aged 58-75 years. The diameter of the tumor was 2.5-3.0 cm. The operation time was 60.0-150.0 min, intraoperative blood loss was 5-10 mL, pain score on the 3rd day after surgery was 0 points, and postoperative hospital stay was 2-3 days. All patients achieved complete resection of the masses and thymus without perioperative complications. Conclusion The tubeless subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with percutaneous suspension technique via balance-shaped sternal elevation device technique optimizes surgical visualization and instrument maneuverability while avoiding complications related to conventional anesthesia and tubing, thereby markedly enhancing the minimally invasive profile of anterior mediastinal masses resections. In addition to maintaining procedural safety, this approach effectively reduces postoperative pain and accelerates patient recovery, highlighting its potential for widespread clinical adoption.

To address the problem of data silos in dental specialties caused by equipment heterogeneity, this study developed an Intelligent Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled dental chair platform (hereinafter referred to as the intelligent platform) based on the concept of medical-engineering integration. The platform adopts a three-tier chair-domain interconnection architecture: the bottom tier integrates multi-source sensors and standardized interfaces for automated data acquisition and linkage with hospital information systems; the middle tier provides clinic-level management and remote teaching collaboration; and the top tier employs a blockchain-based secure cloud database for resource allocation and data management. Clinical validation at The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University demonstrated that, compared with a control group from the same period in 2023, the trial group achieved a 38.0% increase in average daily patient visits (80.6±6.8 vs. 58.4±5.2, t=15.16, P<0.001), a 24.6% reduction in average treatment time [(36.1±6.3) min vs. (47.9±8.5) min, t=7.72, P<0.001], a 39.2% reduction in waiting time [23.3 (16.5, 30.1) min vs. 38.3 (28.3, 48.3) min, U=32.00, P<0.001], a 30.4% reduction in equipment idle rate [8.7% (5.1%, 12.3%) vs. 12.5% (7.4%, 17.6%), U=251.00, P=0.003], and an increase in patient satisfaction from 88.2% (1 519/1 723) to 94.3% (2 186/2 318) ( t=7.26, P<0.001). User research confirmed that the functions most favored by clinicians and patients were "dental chair parameter updating and clinical data integration" [74.7% (80/107)] and "chairside display of diagnostic images" [76.8% (119/155)], respectively. Looking forward, the intelligent platform has the potential to integrate artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis and 5G-enabled multicenter collaboration to further expand its clinical applications and accelerate the digital transformation of dental healthcare.

To address the problem of data silos in dental specialties caused by equipment heterogeneity, this study developed an Intelligent Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled dental chair platform (hereinafter referred to as the intelligent platform) based on the concept of medical-engineering integration. The platform adopts a three-tier chair-domain interconnection architecture: the bottom tier integrates multi-source sensors and standardized interfaces for automated data acquisition and linkage with hospital information systems; the middle tier provides clinic-level management and remote teaching collaboration; and the top tier employs a blockchain-based secure cloud database for resource allocation and data management. Clinical validation at The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University demonstrated that, compared with a control group from the same period in 2023, the trial group achieved a 38.0% increase in average daily patient visits (80.6±6.8 vs. 58.4±5.2, t=15.16, P<0.001), a 24.6% reduction in average treatment time [(36.1±6.3) min vs. (47.9±8.5) min, t=7.72, P<0.001], a 39.2% reduction in waiting time [23.3 (16.5, 30.1) min vs. 38.3 (28.3, 48.3) min, U=32.00, P<0.001], a 30.4% reduction in equipment idle rate [8.7% (5.1%, 12.3%) vs. 12.5% (7.4%, 17.6%), U=251.00, P=0.003], and an increase in patient satisfaction from 88.2% (1 519/1 723) to 94.3% (2 186/2 318) ( t=7.26, P<0.001). User research confirmed that the functions most favored by clinicians and patients were "dental chair parameter updating and clinical data integration" [74.7% (80/107)] and "chairside display of diagnostic images" [76.8% (119/155)], respectively. Looking forward, the intelligent platform has the potential to integrate artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis and 5G-enabled multicenter collaboration to further expand its clinical applications and accelerate the digital transformation of dental healthcare.

Objective:To investigate the distribution characteristics of bacteria in urine of patients with ureteral stent crusting.Methods:Thirty-five patients who underwent ureteral stent placement at the Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan Central Hospital, and Jinan Jigang Hospital were selected from October, 2018 to March, 2019(the clinical study registration number is ChiCTR1800020025). The inclusion criteria were patients who had the stent intubated for 4 weeks after ureteroscopic lithotripsy, aged between 18 and 65 years. Exclusion criteria were patients with positive urine bacterial culture, severe gross hematuria, recent oral antibiotics, and patients with significant residual stones. This clinical study uses a cross-sectional study method, and those patients were divided into crusting group (n=23) and non-crusting group (n=12) according to the presence or absence of stent crusting. On the day of extubation, urine of the patients was collected for bacterial 16s DNA detection. The distribution characteristics of bacteria in urine of the two groups were analyzed using UPARSE, UCHIME and RDP calssifier. The total number of bacteria species, bacterial abundance and bacterial species with large-scale abundance in urine of the two groups were determined. The quantity of bacteria species and bacterial abundance in the urine between the two groups were compared, and the bacterial species with large-scale abundance in urine of the patients with stent crusting were identified.Results:There were no significant differences in general information such as age, body mass index, gender, affected side, type of stent tube, and stone composition between the two groups. Using 16s DNA sequencing to detect the bacteria in the urine of the two groups revealed that the number of bacterial species with abundance >1% was 11, and the number of bacterial species with abundance >0.01% was 74 in the crusting group. In the non-crusting group, the number of bacterial species with abundance >1% and >0.01% was 7 and 11, respectively. Compared with the non-crusting group, the number of bacterial species with abundance >1% in the crusting group was significantly larger ( t=5.12, P=0.000). In the crusting group, bacterial species with the top three abundance were g_Lactobacillus (23.1%), g_Bacteroides (18.8%) and g_norank_Bacteroides (17.1%). In the non-crusting group, bacterial species with the top three abundance were g_Escherichia-Shigella (32.2%), g_Enterococcus (24.9%) and g_Pseudomonas (18.2%). The three bacteria with the greatest difference between the two groups were g_ Lactobacillus ( P=0.010), g_Bacteroides ( P=0.004) and g_norank_Bacteroides ( P=0.004), respectively. Conclusion:The species and quantity of bacteria in the urine of patients with stent crusting are both significantly larger than those of patients without stent crusting. Bacteroides with larger-scale abundance in the urine of patients with stent crusting may promote the deposition of crystals on the stent wall through its structure, function and urease positive characteristics.

The transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-B) is activated in hepatocytes in the pathogenesis of hepatic steatosis. However, the action mechanism of NF-B remains to be established in the hepatic steatosis. In this study, the subunit of NF-B was found to promote the hepatic steatosis through regulation of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) in hepatocytes. The activity was supported by the phenotypes of knockout (-KO) mice and knockout (-KO) mice. Hepatic steatosis was reduced in the -KO mice, but not in the -KO mice. The reduction was a result of inhibition of HDAC1 activity in the -KO cells. Knockdown of gene led to suppression of hepatocyte steatosis in HepG2 cells. A decrease in sterol-regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) protein was observed in the liver of -KO mice and in cell with knockdown. The decrease was associated with an increase in succinylation of SREBP1c protein. The study suggests that stabilizes HDAC1 to support the SREBP1c activity in hepatic steatosis in the pathophysiological condition. Interruption of this novel pathway in the -KO, but not the -KO mice, may account for the difference in hepatic phenotypes in the two lines of transgenic mice.

Objective To investigate the association between bicuspid aortic valve ( BAV ) morphologic findings ( raphe vs nonraphe) ,the degree of valve dysfunction and prognosis . Methods Clinical and echocardiographic data in 317 BAV patients were analyzed retrospectively . According to the Sievers classification ,the morphologic BAV findings were categorized into no raphe ( type 0) ,one raphe ( type 1) and two raphes ( type 2 ) . T he patients with type 1 were further divided into three subtypes ,including R‐L subtype ( fusion of the left and right coronary cusps ) ,R‐N subtype ( fusion of the right and noncoronary cusps) and L‐N subtype ( fusion of the left and noncoronary cusps ) . Results Of the 317 patients ,there were 83 ( 26 .2% ) of type 0 ,232 ( 73 .2% ) of type 1 and 2 ( 0 .6% ) of type 2 .Among the 232 patients of type 1 ,there were 126 ( 54 .3% ) of R‐L subtype ,88 ( 37 .9% ) of R‐N subtype and 18 ( 7 .8% ) of L‐N subtype . BAV with raphe had a significantly higher prevalence of aortic valve calcification [ 120 ( 51 .3% ) vs 19 ( 22 .9% ) , P ＜ 0 .001 ] ,with significantly higher frequencies of aortic stenosis [ 164 ( 70 .1% ) vs 6 ( 7 .2% ) , P＜ 0 .001 ] ,aortic regurgitation [ 168 ( 71 .8% ) vs 40 ( 48 .2% ) , P ＝ 0 .001 ] ,increased left ventricular mass[ ( 253 .4 ± 113 .7) g vs ( 176 .4 ± 69 .3) g , P ＜0 .001] and left heart failure [ 34 ( 14 .5% ) vs 3 ( 3 .6% ) , P ＝0 .009] . Furthermore ,the dilation of aortic root and ascending aorta in BAV patients with raphe were significantly higher than those without raphe ( P ＜0 .01 ) ,however ,ascending aortic aneurysm rates were not significant between BAV with and without raphe[ 23( 9 .8% ) vs 4( 4 .8% ) , P ＝0 .251] . T he patients in R‐N subtype had a significantly higher proportion of aortic valve calcification than those in R‐L and L‐N subtype [ 55 ( 62 .5% ) vs 57 ( 45 .2% ) vs 6 ( 33 .3% ) , P ＝ 0 .01 ] ,with a significantly higher frequency of severe aortic stenosis [ 50 ( 56 .8% ) vs 21 ( 16 .7% ) vs 3 ( 16 .7% ) , P ＜0 .001 ] . However , there was no significant difference among different subtypes in other complications( P ＞0 .05).Conclusions T he presence of raphe is associated with a higher frequency of significant aortic valve calcification ,aortic valve dysfunction ,and increases left ventricular mass and left heart failure .T he R‐N type is also associated with aortic valve calcification and severe aortic stenosis .

Objective To summarize clinicopathologic features of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) coexistent with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) and investigate risk factors for lymph node metastasis.Methods The medical records of 4 264 consecutive papillary thyroid carcinoma patients who received surgical treatment from Oct 2013 to Oct 2015 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were reviewed.The diagnoses was confirmed by histopathological tests.Univariate analysis was performed to identify specific clinicopathologic features of PTC with CLT.Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to determine whether each clinicopathologic feature was an independent risk factor for lymph node metastasis.Results In all 4 265 cases,there were 3 059 papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) (71.7％),1 010 PTC patients (23.7％) with CLT.909 female patients (90％),624 cases with multifocal lesions (61.8％),422 cases with extra-thyroid extension (41.8％),429 cases with lymph node metastasis (42.5％),and 133 cases with metastatic lymph nodes(LNs) ≥6 (13.2％).The median age was 43 years old and median tumor size was 0.8 cm.Patients with CLT were more females (90.0％ vs.70.2％;P ＜ 0.001),younger median age (43 vs.44 years;P =0.001),and lower incidence of lymph node metastasis (42.5％ vs.50.9％;P ＜0.001).CLT was not associated with tumor size,multifocal lesions,extra-thyroid extension and metastatic LNs≥6 (0.8 cm vs.0.7 cm,61.8％ vs.62.9％,41.8％ vs.42.1％ and 13.2％ vs.14.8％,respectively,all P ＞ 0.05).In multivariate analysis,CLT was an independent protective factor for lymph node metastasis (OR =0.713,95％ CI 0.609-0.835,P ＜0.001).In PTC patients with lymph node metastasis,CLT was not associated with lymph node metastasis number (3 vs.3,P =0.300).Conclusions Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis was an independent protective factor for papillary thyroid carcinoma patients with lymph node metastasis.But in patients with lymph node metastasis,the metastatic number didn't decrease.

Objective To evaluate the accuracy and value of automatically assessing left ventricular systolic function in rats with myocardial infarction ( MI) by myocardial contrast echocardiography ( MCE) based on neutrosophic similarity score( NSS) algorithm. Methods According to different infarction size (IS),SD rats were divided into large MI (MI-L,IS≥15% ) and small MI (MI-S,IS＜15% ) groups. MCE was performed before MI and at 7,28 days after MI. In vitro study:the automatic segmentation of the endocardial contour based on neutrosophic similarity score algorithm was compared with the manual segmentation boundary. In vivo study:the left ventricular ejection fraction( LVEF) were calculated using the NSS system,biplane Simpson and PV-loop,respectively,and then NSS-LVEF,Simpson-LVEF and PV-LVEF were acquired,respectively. The IS was calculated by Masson and HE staining. The consistency between the two LVEFs was evaluated by Bland-Altman. The intraclass correlation coefficient ( ICC) was calculated to evaluate the reproducibility of MCE analysis system. Results ① The endocardial contour obtained by automatic segmentation had good agreement with the boundary of artificial tracing. ② There was no significant difference among the three LVEFs in same group ( F ＝0.028, P ＝ 0.973),but there was significant difference in different group ( F ＝78.61, P ＜0.01). NSS-LVEF was well consistent with both Simpson-LVEF and PV-LVEF. ③ The ICC of NSS algorithm for inter-observer and intra-observer were 0.96 and 0.98,respectively. ④Compared with before MI and at 7 days after MI,the LVEF in MI-L and MI-S groups at 28 days after MI decreased significantly ( P ＜0.05),especially in MI-L group ( P ＜0.01). There was significantly negative correlation between LVEF and IS ( r ＝ －0.917, P ＜ 0.01). Conclusions Left ventricular endocardium can be identificated automatically and LVEF can be calculated rapidly and accurately by MCE based on neutrosophic similarity score algorithm in rats with myocardial infarction.

Objective To study the diagnostic value of endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) combined with the new category of papanicolaou society of cytopathology in solid pancreatic lesions (SPL) rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE).Methods From February 2011 to October 2014,225 patients with SPL who underwent EUS-FNA and obtained the cytological diagnosis were enrolled.The lesions were finally diagnosed according to pathological results,imaging and follow-up data,and then the sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of EUS-FNA in the diagnosis of SPL were calculated based on the new papanicolaou society of cytopathology terminology.Logistic stepwise regression analysis was performed to analyze the risk factors.Results Among 225 patients with SPL,96 cases (42.7％)had uncertain cytological diagnosis,17.3％ (39/225) could not be diagnosed,8.0％ (18/225) were atypical lesions,and 17.3％ (39/225) were suspicious malignant carcinomas.Among 129 cases (57.3％)with certain cytological diagnosis,15.1％ (34/225) were benign lesions,14.7％ (33/225) were tumors (benign or others) and 27.6％ (62/225) were malignant tumors.When atypical lesions were added into non-tumor lesions or tumor lesions,the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of diagnosis were 87.3 ％,91.7％,88.2％,and 94.7％,72.2％,90.3％,respectively.Serum CA125≥14 kU/L (odds ratio (OR) =7.13,95％ confidence interval (CI) 2.02 to 25.22,P=0.002) and history of biliary disease (OR=3.85,95％CI 1.22 to 12.51,P=0.022) were two independent risk factors of pancreatic tumors.Conclusions Despite of a high percentage of uncertain cytological diagnosis,EUS-FNA still has high diagnostic value in SPL when combined with the new papanicolaou society of cytopathology terminology.Furthermore,serum CA125≥14 kU/L and history of biliary disease may help to diagnose pancreatic tumors.

Objective To investigate the value of digital image analysis (DIA) of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (PNEN).Methods The relation between various parameters of EUS-imaging and benign and malignant lesions in 47 patients clinically diagnosed PNEN were retrospectively analyzed.Photoshop CS5 software was performed for digital image processing,and lesions related parameters were collected,including area,perimeter,length,circularity,gray,gray ratio,and gray standard deviation.The statistical method of t test was performed for comparison between two groups.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was analyzed in length,circularity,average gray scale ratio and gray standard deviation.Results Among the 47 patients,35 cases and 12 cases were in benign group and malignant group,respectively.The mean gray scale ratio and the circularity of benign group were significantly higher than those of malignant group (0.80±0,05 vs 0.74±0.07,0.63±0.17 vs 0.40±0.09),and the differences were statistically significant (t=2.659 and 5.787,both P＜0.05).The gray standard deviation of benign group were lower than that of malignant group (9.90 ± 1.24 vs 12.55± 3.27),and the difference was statistically significant (t=-2.733,P=0.018).The area under the curve (AUC) of circularity was 0.724 (95％ confidence interval(CI):0.546 to 0.901),the cut-off value was 0.767,the sensitivity and specificity were 71.43 ％ and 66.67％,respectively.The AUC of average gray ratio was 0.888 (95％CI:0.785 to 0.991),the cut-off value was 0.412,the sensitivity and specificity were 94.29％ and 75.00％,respectively.The AUC of gray standard deviation was 0.811 (95％CI:0.647 to 0.974),the cut-off value was 11.02,the sensitivity and specificity were 66.67％ and 85.71％,respectively.When combined with the three parameters of circularity,average gray scale ratio and gray standard deviation,the sensitivity and specificity were 97.14％ and 83.33％,and the accuracy was 93.61％.Conclusions EUS with DIA technology can improve the detection of EUS images to PNEN,and which may be complementary to EUS guided fine needle aspiration.It also privided a noninvasive,objective,convenient,and effective option for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant PNEN.