OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion on the quality of life in the elderly patients with malignant tumor based on palliative treatment. METHODS: A total of 100 elderly patients with malignant tumor were randomly divided into an observation group (50 cases, 3 cases dropped out) and a control group (50 cases, 4 cases dropped out). The conventional palliative treatment was performed in the control group. On the basis of conventional palliative treatment, heat-sensitive moxibustion was added at Shenque (CV8) and Zhongwan (CV12) in the observation group, once a day, 5 times a week, one course of treatment was composed of 2 weeks, and 2 consecutive courses of treatment were given. In the observation group, 15 patients voluntarily continued heat-sensitive moxibustion treatment, which was collected in the sub-observation group No.1, these patients were treated 3 times a week and for 6 months consecutively. Using the propensity score matching method, 15 patients who only completed 2 courses of treatment were assigned into the sub-observation group No.2. Before and after treatment, the scores of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), the Karnofsky performance status (KPS), and the anorexia/cachexia subscale-12 (A/CS-12), as well as the immune indexes (the contents of serum immune globulin [Ig]G, IgA, IgM and complements C3 and C4) were observed in the patients of the observation group and the control group. The monthly survivals were recorded in the two sub-observation groups after 6 months of treatment completion. The coordination was analyzed on the score of deqi scale of heat-sensitive moxibustion at the probing stage before treatment and the change in the score of EORTC QLQ-C30 before and after treatment in the patients of the observation group. RESULTS: After treatment, except the score related to the financial difficulties, the score of every items in EORTC QLQ-C30 was greater than that before treatment in the observation group (P<0.05); the scores for overall health, nausea/vomiting, pain, short breath, constipation and diarrhea of the scale were higher than those before treatment in the control group (P<0.05). The score for each item of the scale in the observation group was higher when compared with that in the control group, except the score for financial difficulties (P<0.05). After treatment, KPS score increased in the observation group when compared with that before treatment (P<0.05), and the score was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, A/CS-12 score was elevated in comparison with that before treatment in each group (P<0.05), and the score in the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, in the observation group, the contents of serum IgG, IgA and IgM, and C3 and C4 increased in comparison with those before treatment (P<0.05); and in the control group, the contents of serum IgG, C3 and C4 were declined (P<0.05). After treatment, the contents of serum IgG, IgA and IgM, and C3 and C4 in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). After 6 months of treatment completion, the survival rate in the sub-observation group No.1 was higher than that of the sub-observation group No.2 (P<0.05). In the observation group, the positive coordination was presented between the score of deqi scale of heat-sensitive moxibustion and the change in the score of EORTC QLQ-C30 in the observation group (r>0, P<0.001). CONCLUSION On the basis of palliative treatment, heat-sensitive moxibustion can improve the quality of life, appetite and the immunity of the elderly patients with malignant tumor. Consecutive long-term moxibustion is contributed to prolonging the life span. The stronger deqi is felt during moxibustion delivery, the more significant the therapeutic effect is obtained.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Quality of Life ; Neoplasms/psychology* ; Palliative Care ; Aged, 80 and over ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Points

The in-depth research of artificial intelligence in the medical field has greatly improved the workflow and diagnostic ability of diagnostic radiology.This article focuses on artificial intelligence technology in the field of interventional medicine,and enumerates its potential application scenarios,including improving image analysis capabilities to assist diagnosis and predict treatment response.It also describes the challenges that need to be overcome for practical application.Finally,with the continuous development of artificial intelligence in interventional medicine,artificial intelligence will further optimize the channels of interventional medicine and bring revolutionary changes to the clinical practice of interventional medicine.

Objective:To review and analyze clinical data of patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and mucormycosis, and to explore the surgical indication.Methods:Clinical data of 10 patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and mucormycosis were analyzed retrospectively from March 2018 to November 2022 in our hospital, Department of Thoracic Surgery.Results:The age of children varied from 2.58 years old to 16.00 years old and 6 children were males while 4 females. Five patients suffer from invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Five patients suffer from invasive pulmonary mucormycosis. The operative indication of 7 patients was the risk of massive bleeding in the airway. The surgical indication for two patients is to control infection and continue treating malignant tumors. One patient chose surgical treatment because the infection could not be cured after long-term antifungal treatment but the focus was limited. Two patients died of sudden acute hemoptysis before operation, the prognosis of 8 patients undergoing surgical treatment was good.Conclusion:The lethal rate of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and mucormycosis is very high. Antifungal drug treatment combined with timely surgical treatment can save patients lives.

Humans ; Hospital Mortality ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Comorbidity ; Registries ; Neoplasms/complications*

Objective:To investigate clinical characteristics and factors influencing the prognosis of patients with mucosal melanoma.Methods:The clinical data of 49 patients with mucosal melanoma in Fujian Cancer Hospital from March 2012 to March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, and their clinical characteristics and prognostic influencing factors were observed. Kaplan‐Meier method was used for survival analysis and Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze the prognostic influencing factors.Results:Female accounted for 61.2% (30/49) of all 49 patients with mucosal melanoma and the median age was 56 years (42-79 years). The most frequent primary tumor sites occurred in head and neck (42.9%, 21/49), followed by the reproductive system (32.7%, 16/49). At the time of initial diagnosis, 81.6% (40/49) of patients had no distant metastasis and 79.6% (39/49) of patients had normal levels of peripheral blood lactate dehydrogenase. The median overall survival time of 49 patients with mucosal melanoma was 39.5 months (95% CI 23.1-55.9 months). The median overall survival time of patients without distant metastasis at the time of initial diagnosis was significantly longer than that of patients with distant metastasis [46.5 months (95% CI 31.6-61.4 months) vs. 19.2 months (95% CI 0-42.2 months, P = 0.025]. There were no statistically significant differences in median overall survival time of patients with different gender, age at the time of initial diagnosis, primary tumor site, and the level of lactate dehydrogenase in peripheral blood at the time of initial diagnosis (all P > 0.05). The presence of distant metastasis at the time of initial diagnosis was an independent risk factor for the prognosis of patients with mucosal melanoma ( HR = 0.379, 95% CI 0.157-0.918, P = 0.032). Conclusions:Mucosal melanoma is more common in female. The most frequent primary tumor sites occur in head and neck. At the time of initial diagnosis, most patients have non‐distant metastasis and the normal level of peripheral blood lactate dehydrogenase. At the time of initial diagnosis, whether there is distant metastasis is an independent influencing factor for the prognosis of patients with mucosal melanoma.

Objective:To summarize the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment experience of esophageal hamartoma in children.Methods:From December 2013 to December 2019, 3 cases of esophageal hamartoma were admitted to our hospital, and a retrospective analysis was conducted.Results:There were 1 male and 2 females, with an average age of 6.4 years old. The clinical manifestations were vomiting in 2 cases and dysphagia with esophageal foreign body sensation in 1 case. Esophagography, chest contrast-enhanced CT, and esophagoscopy showed esophageal stenosis or esophageal mass effectg, and esophageal dilatation above the affected segment. The tumor was found in upper esophagus in 1 case and lower esophagus in 2 cases. Tumors were complete resection in all 3 cases and the patients were discharged smoothly. All the 3 cases were followed up after surgery for 10-74 months(average 37 months), and 1 case had gastroesophageal reflux. No stenosis or recurrence was found in all the cases, and all the patients could eat normal diet.Conclusion:The main manifestations of esophageal hamartoma in children are vomiting and choking. Complete surgical resection is the main treatment method, and the prognosis is good.

Objective:Gasless laparoscopic surgery using lifting device was first introduced in 1993 mainly for general surgery and gynecology. Here we report its application in bifid rib treatment and explore the feasibility and safety of the surgery.Methods:From July 2008 to December 2019, according to the enrollment criteria, 278 patients of bifid ribs were treated at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, including 183 males and 95 females, the mean age was(5.7±2.5) years old. There were 242 cases of single bifid rib and 36 cases of multiple bifid ribs. The bifid ribs were more common on the right side, as 184 cases had bifid ribs on right side, while only 68 cases on the left side and 26 cases on both sides. Patients’ clinical data were retrospectively summarized and analyzed, including the patients’ gender, age, location and type of bifid rib, perioperative outcome, and follow-up.Results:All the 278 patients successfully completed the operation. The abnormality was most frequently found in the fifth rib(incidence ranking: fifth > fourth > third > sixth). The mean operation time was(64.5±16.1)min, and the mean blood loss was(4.8±2.1)ml. No serious complications occurred during the surgery. Follow-up was done for 7 to 120 months, and no recurrent patients were observed.Conclusion:Gasless endoscopy with lifting device has been used as a safe and effective method to treat bifid ribs in our hospital. This surgery leads to less injury, smaller incision, and no scars on the front chest. Gasless endoscopic surgery with lifting device can be one of the options for correcting bifid ribs.

Objective:To explore risk factors of skin pruritus in peritoneal dialysis patients and the effect of individualized care intervention, to provide guidance for clinical practice.Methods:The total of 87 patients with peritoneal dialysis who were followed-up with pruritus in the Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2017 to June 2020 were selected. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the degree of pruritus, and the patients were divided into two groups: mild-to-moderate skin pruritus group (VAS≤6 points) and severe skin pruritus group (VAS>6 points). The risk factors of severe skin pruritus were analyzed by single factor and multivariate Logistic regression. The improvement of skin pruritus after 3 months of individualized nursing intervention was observed.Results:Among the 87 patients, the mild-to-moderate skin pruritus group and the severe skin pruritus group accounted for 64.4%(56/87) and 35.6%(31/87), respectively. Single factor analysis showed that the age, prevalence of diabetes, serum albumin, serum phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone and C-reactive protein levels were (61.8 ± 11.5) years old, 33.3%(19/56), (36.3 ± 5.3) g/L, (1.6 ± 0.5) mmol/L, 328.4(144.9, 494.5) ng/L, 2.8(0.6, 8.3) ng/L in the mild-to-moderate skin pruritus group, and (67.0 ± 9.2) years old, 61.1%(19/31), (33.9 ± 4.8) g/L, (1.9 ± 0.3) mmol/L, 397.0(300.0,758.6) ng/L, 7.2(2.6, 17.2) mg/L in the severe skin pruritus group, the differences were significant between the two groups ( t values were -2.17, 2.14, -2.32, Z values were -2.28, -2.90, χ 2 value was 6.07, P<0.05). Logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that low albumin, high blood phosphorus and high C-reactive protein were independent risk factors for severe skin pruritus in peritoneal dialysis patients ( P<0.05). After 3 months of individualized care,18.4% (16/87) patients had complete remission,19.5% (17/87) patients significantly relieved, 55.2% (48/87) relieved, 6.9% (6/87) were ineffective, and the total response rate was 93.1%(81/87). Conclusions:More than one-third of peritoneal dialysis patients with pruritus are severe. Lower serum albumin, higher serum phosphorus and higher C-reactive protein are independent risk factors for severe pruritus in peritoneal dialysis patients. Individualized care can effectively improve pruritus in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Parkinson's disease(PD)is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the world;however,it lacks effective and safe treatments.Ginkgo biloba dropping pill(GBDP),a unique Chinese G.biloba leaf extract preparation,exhibits antioxidant and neuroprotective effects and has a potential as an alternative therapy for PD.Thus,the aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of GBDP in in vitro and in vivo PD models and to compare the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of GBDP and the G.biloba extract EGb 761.Using liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry,46 GBDP constitu-ents were identified.Principal component analysis identified differences in the chemical profiles of GBDP and EGb 761.A quantitative analysis of 12 constituents showed that GBDP had higher levels of several flavonoids and terpene trilactones than EGb 761,whereas EGb 761 had higher levels of organic acids.Moreover,we found that GBDP prevented 6-hydroxydopamine-induced dopaminergic neuron loss in zebrafish and improved cognitive impairment and neuronal damage in methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced PD mice.Although similar effects were observed after EGb 761 treatment,the neuroprotective effects were greater after GBDP treatment on several endpoints.In addition,in vitro results suggested that the Akt/GSK3β pathway may be involved in the neuroprotective effects of GBDP.These findings demonstrated that GBDP have potential neuroprotective effects in the treatment of PD.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of using sternal suspension technique in correcting pectus excavatum after open repair of congenital heart disease and improve the safety of this technique. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted for 8 cases of pectus excavatum treated with sternal suspension procedure after open repair of congenital heart disease from October 2005 to October 2018 in our institution, 5 males and 3 females. The median age of patients was 5.75 years (range 3.75-12.33 years) and the median Haller index was 4.20(range 3.60-5.19). All patients underwent cardiac ultrasound and chest CT scan to evaluate the severity retrosternal adhesions. Results: All patients underwent the sternal suspension procedure successfully with a median operation time 55 min (range 30-230 min) and a median blood loss of 2 ml (range 2-120 ml). There was one patient suffered pneumothorax after operation. The patients were followed up for 4 months to 13 years with an excellent and good outcome. Conclusion Sternal suspension technique is a safe and effective procedure for pectus excavatum. To improve the security and reduce the incidence of cardiac injury, sternal suspension technique is a promising alternative for pectus patients with severe adhesion after open repair of congenital heart disease.