BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the first cohort of people in China treated with a responsive neurostimulation system (Epilcure TM , GenLight MedTech, Hangzhou, China) for focal drug-resistant epilepsy in this study. METHODS: This multicenter, before-and-after self-controlled study was conducted across 8 centers from March 2022 to June 2023, involving patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who were undergoing responsive neurostimulation (RNS). The study was based on an ongoing multi-center, single-blind, randomized controlled study. Efficacy was assessed through metrics including median seizure count, seizure frequency reduction (SFR), and response rate. Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to explore the relationships of basic clinical factors and intracranial electrophysiological characteristics with SFR. The postoperative quality of life, cognitive function, depression, and anxiety were evaluated as well. RESULTS: The follow-up period for the 19 participants was 10.7 ± 3.4 months. Seizure counts decreased significantly 6 months after device activation, with median SFR of 48% at the 6th month (M6) and 58% at M12 ( P  <0.05). The average response rate after 13 months of treatment was 42%, with 21% ( n  = 4) of the participants achieving seizure freedom. Patients who have previously undergone resective surgery appear to achieve better therapeutic outcomes at M11, M12 and M13 ( β  <0, P  <0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in patients' scores of quality of life, cognition, depression and anxiety following stimulation when compared to baseline measurements. No serious adverse events related to the devices were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary findings suggest that Epilcure TM exhibits promising therapeutic potential in reducing the frequency of epileptic seizures. However, to further validate its efficacy, larger-scale randomized controlled trials are required. REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No. ChiCTR2200055247).
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Drug Resistant Epilepsy/therapy* ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; China ; Adolescent ; Treatment Outcome ; Quality of Life ; Single-Blind Method ; Seizures ; Electric Stimulation Therapy/methods*

Epilepsy affects over 50 million people worldwide. Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) accounts for up to a third of these cases, and neuro-inflammation is thought to play a role in such cases. Despite being a long-debated issue in the field of DRE, the mechanisms underlying neuroinflammation have yet to be fully elucidated. The pro-inflammatory microenvironment within the brain tissue of people with DRE has been probed using single-cell multimodal transcriptomics. Evidence suggests that inflammatory cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the nervous system can lead to extensive biochemical changes, such as connexin hemichannel excitability and disruption of neurotransmitter homeostasis. The presence of inflammation may give rise to neuronal network abnormalities that suppress endogenous antiepileptic systems. We focus on the role of neuroinflammation and brain network anomalies in DRE from multiple perspectives to identify critical points for clinical application. We hope to provide an insightful overview to advance the quest for better DRE treatments.
Humans ; Drug Resistant Epilepsy/metabolism* ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/immunology* ; Animals ; Brain/pathology* ; Nerve Net/pathology*

Pancreatic cancer is also known as the " king of cancer" . It is difficult to diagnose and has a high degree of malignancy. Most patients are in advanced stage when they are found. The prognosis is very poor. Early diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer are very important to improve survival rate and prognosis. In recent years, with the continuous popularization of laparoscopic technology, as well as the updating and iteration of related equipment such as 3D visualization and 4K high-definition laparoscopy, and the continuous maturity of surgical technology, laparoscopic surgery for pancreatic tumors has also made unprecedented progress. This review will discuss the application and development of laparoscopic pancreatic surgery as a treatment strategy for pancreatic cancer based on the existing research progress.

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy accounts for a significant portion of the global disease burden. However, little is known about the disease burden of epilepsy in China and its provinces. METHODS: We assessed the burden of epilepsy in China and its provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions from 1990 to 2019. Burden was measured as incidence, prevalence, deaths, years lived with disability, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), by age, sex, year, and province. We used the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) to determine the association between the provincial development level and age-standardized DALY rates of epilepsy from 1990 to 2019. RESULTS: In 2019, epilepsy caused 1367.51 thousand (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 979.92-1837.61 thousand) DALYs, and the age-standardized DALY rate was 99.77 (95% UI: 71.33-133.52)/100,000. The age-standardized incidence and prevalence rates for epilepsy in China were 24.65/100,000 and 219.69/100,000, increased by 45.00% (95% UI: 8.03-98.74%) and 35.72% (95% UI: 0.47-86.19%) compared with that in 1990, respectively. From 1990 to 2019, the proportion of DALY caused by epilepsy in the age group under 25 years steadily decreased. The proportion of DALYs caused by epilepsy in people aged 50 years and over increased from 9.45% and 10.22% in 1990 to 29.01% and 32.72% for male and female individuals in 2019, respectively. The highest age-standardized mortality rates were seen in Tibet (4.26 [95% UI: 1.43-5.66]/100,000), Qinghai (1.80 [95% UI: 1.15-2.36]/100,000), and Yunnan (1.30 [95% UI: 0.88-1.62]/100,000), and the lowest mortality rates were in Guangdong (0.48 [95% UI: 0.39-0.64]/100,000), Zhejiang (0.56 [95% UI: 0.44-0.70]/100,000), and Shanghai (0.57 [95% UI: 0.41-0.73]/100,000). The age-standardized DALY rates across the country and in provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions generally decreased as their SDI increased. CONCLUSIONS The disease burden of epilepsy is still heavy in China, especially in the western provinces. The incidence and prevalence of epilepsy increased between 1990 and 2019, and the burden of epilepsy in the elderly increases gradually. This study provides evidence on epilepsy prevention and care of different regions in China.
Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Global Burden of Disease ; China/epidemiology* ; Quality-Adjusted Life Years ; Cost of Illness ; Epilepsy/epidemiology* ; Prevalence

Cancer vaccines represent a promising immunotherapeutic treatment modality. The promotion of cross-presentation of extracellular tumor-associated antigens on the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules and dendritic cell maturation at the appropriate time and place is crucial for cancer vaccines to prime cytolytic T cell response with reduced side effects. Current vaccination strategies, however, are not able to achieve the spatiotemporal control of antigen cross-presentation. Here, we report a liposomal vaccine loading the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) fluorophore BPBBT with an efficient photothermal conversion effect that offers an NIR-light-triggered endolysosomal escape under the imaging guidance. The NIR-II image-guided vaccination strategy specifically controls the cytosolic delivery of antigens for cross-presentation in the draining lymph nodes (DLNs). Moreover, the photothermally induced endolysosomal rupture initiates autophagy. We also find that the adjuvant simvastatin acts as an autophagy activator through inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. The light-induced autophagy in the DLNs together with simvastatin treatment cooperatively increase MHC class II expression by activating autophagy machinery for dendritic cell maturation. This study presents a paradigm of NIR-II image-guided light-triggered vaccination. The approach for remote control of antigen cross-presentation and autophagy represents a new strategy for vaccine development.

Objective:To study the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic subtotal distal pancreatectomy using the arterial first approach in treatment of patients with pancreatic neck-body cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.Methods:The clinical data of patients who underwent laparoscopic subtotal distal pancreatectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy at the Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2019 to June 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Seven patients were included in this study. There were 3 males and 4 females, aged 55(46, 67) years old. The clinical data analysed included chemotherapy, preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative and follow-up data. Follow up was done by outpatient visits, or contact using wechat or telephone.Results:Five borderline staged patients were treated with the AG chemotherapy regimen (gemcitabine+ albumin-bound paclitaxel), and two patients with locally advanced stage were treated with the mFOLFIRINOX chemotherapy regimen (oxaliplatin+ irinotecan+ calcium folate+ fluorouracil). All the 7 patients underwent portal vein/superior mesenteric vein resection and reconstruction using the superior mesenteric artery priority approach. The operation time was 400(350, 440) min, and the intraoperative blood loss was 300(150, 400) ml. Postoperative complications occurred in 2 patients with grade B pancreatic fistula and refractory ascites in 1 patient each. The postoperative hospital stay was 11(10, 14) days. All 7 patients underwent R 0 resection. During a follow-up period of 9 to 33 months, 5 patients were still alive without tumor, 1 patient survived with tumor, and 1 patient had died of recurrence. Conclusion:In selected cases, laparoscopic subtotal distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic neck-body cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy was safe and feasible.

Objective:To study the value of metastatic positivety in lymph nodes group 8a in deciding on extended lymph node dissection in pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD) for pancreatic head cancer.Methods:A retrospective study on 165 patients with pancreatic head cancer treated with PD at the Department of Pancreas and Spleen Surgery, Hepatobiliary Hospital of Hunan Provincial People's Hospital between January 2014 to June 2019 was performed. There were 101 males and 64 females with ages ranging from 38 to 75 (median 57) years. Patients who underwent standard lymph node dissection were included in the standard group ( n=88), and extended lymph node dissection in the extended group ( n=77). These patients were further divided into 4 subgroup. Subgroup A (standard PD in patients with negative nodes in group 8a, n=61), Subgroup B (extended PD in patients with negative nodes in group 8a, n=47), Subgroup C (standard PD in patients with positive nodes in group 8a, n=27), and Subgroup D (extended PD in patients with positive nodes in group 8a, n=30). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative survival rates, complications were compared among the groups and subgroups. Results:The operation time and intraoperative blood loss of the standard group were (456.8±30.4) min and (264.28±101.14) ml, respectively, which were significantly lower than the extended group of (507.1±45.7) min and (388.9±155.3) ml (all P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in the extended group (31.2%, 24/77) was significantly higher than that in the standard group (14.8%, 13/88) ( P<0.05). When compared with subgroup B, the cumulative survival rate of patients in subgroup A was not significantly different ( P>0.05). However, the cumulative survival rate of patients in subgroup C was significantly lower than that in subgroup D ( P<0.05). The cumulative survival rate of subgroup A was also significantly better than that of subgroup C ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the cumulative survival rates between group B and group D ( P>0.05). Conclusions:PD with extended lymph node dissection improved the survival rates in patients with cancer of the head of the pancreas with positive lymph nodes in group 8a. For these patients, extended lymph node dissection is recommended. With negative lymph nodes in group 8a, standard lymph node dissection is recommended.

Objective:To study the indications and clinical efficacy of video assisted small incision in treatment of infected pancreatic necrosis.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 27 patients with infected pancreatic necrosis treated by video assisted small incision at the Department of Pancreatic and Splenic Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, from January 2018 to December 2019. The surgical approach, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay and complications were analysed. Postoperative follow-up was carried out at outpatients’ clinic, and the patient's time to full recovery and long-term complications were studied.Results:The 27 patients successfully underwent the operations. There were 22 males and 5 females, aged (50.6±6.2) years. The treatment results were analyzed according to the different surgical approaches: the retroperitoneal approach group ( n=4); the omental sac approach group (n=14); the intercostal space approach group ( n=2); and the combined approach group ( n=7). The operation time was (85.3±31.6)min. The intraoperative blood loss was 65.0(45.2, 121.4)ml. The postoperative hospital stay was 23.0(12.5, 36.1)days. The incidence of complications (Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ and above) was 14.8%(4/27). There were 2 patients in this study who were admitted to the intensive care unit due to postoperative hemorrhage: 1 patient responded well to conservative treatment and the remaining patient required interventional treatment. Another patient because of poor results, underwent debridement by laparotomy 2 weeks after the operation. There was 1 patient who developed grade C pancreatic fistula which was cured by surgical treatment 6 months later. On follow-up, 2 patients developed colonic fistula 2 weeks after surgery and 2 patients gastric fistula 1 week and 3 weeks after surgery. These patients responded to conservative treatment. Conclusion:With proper case selection, video assisted small incision could safely and effectively be used to treat infected pancreatic necrosis.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of perihilar surgical techniques for diffuse hepatolithiasis.Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 122 patients with diffuse hepatolithiasis who were admitted to Hunan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2010 to December 2015 were collected. There were 39 males and 83 females, aged from 21 to 82 years, with a median age of 51 years. After perihilar hepatectomy, the first, second and third divisions of hepatic ducts were opened longitudinally. Strictures in the bile ducts were relieved by stricturoplasty and internal bile duct anastomosis, and stones were removed by multiple methods under direct vision. After resection of severe atrophic liver segment along the plane of hepatic atrophy or bile duct stricture, T-tube or hepaticojejunos-tomy was used for internal drainage. Observation indicators: (1) surgical situations; (2) stricture relief and stone removal. (3) Follow-up. Follow-up was conducted by Wechat, telephone interview or outpatient examination. Patients were followed up once every 3 months in the postoperative 1 year through liver function and abdominal B-ultrasound examination. Subsequently, liver function and abdominal B-ultrasound were reexamined once a year. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreato-graphy and computed tomography were performed when cholangitis or stone recurrence was suspected to analyze stone recurrence and patient survival. The follow-up was up to July 2020. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range). Count data were expressed as absolute numbers or percentages. Results:(1) Surgical situations: for the 122 patients, the operation time, hepatic portal occlusion time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, duration of postoperative hospital stay were (253±71)minutes, 15 minutes(range, 14?38 minutes), 200 mL(range, 100?1 100 mL), (12±5)days. Postoperative complications occurred to 40 of 122 patients. There were 9 cases of incision infection, 8 cases of bile leakage (5 cases of bile leakage at hepatic section, 3 cases of choledochojejunostomy leakage), 8 cases of septicemia, 7 cases of pleural effusion, 5 cases of abdominal abscess, 3 cases of liver failure, 1 case of biliary bleeding. Some patients had multiple complications. Among the 122 patients, 2 cases died after operation, including 1 case of postoperative liver failure and 1 case of disseminated intravascular coagulation caused by biliary-intestinal anastomotic leakage complicated with sepsis. Patients with bile leakage and abdominal abscess were improved after puncture and drainage under the guidance of B-ultrasound. Patients with cholangiojejunal anastomotic bleeding were embolized through the right hepatic artery. The other complications were improved after conservative treatment. (2) Stricture relief and stone removal: 85 of 88 patients with biliary stricture were relieved, with the stricture relief rate of 96.59%(85/88). Among the 122 patients, 103 cases had stones completely removed and 19 cases had residual stones. The immediate stone clearance rate was 84.43%(103/122). Of the 19 patients with residual stones, choledochoscopy was refused in 3 cases and choledochoscope lithotripsy was performed in 16 cases, of which 7 cases were removed and 9 cases were still residual stones. Of the 122 patients, 110 cases were finally removed stones, 12 cases were eventually residual stones, and the final stone clearance rate was 90.16%(110/122). (3) Follow-up: among the 122 patients, 120 cases including 110 cases with find stone removal and 10 cases with residual stones were followed up for (78±14)months. The 1-, 3, 5-year stone recurrence rates of 120 patients were 0.83%(1/120), 6.67%(8/120), 9.17%(11/120), respectively. The 1-, 3-, 5-year stone recurrence rates of 110 patients with final stone removal were 0, 5.45%(6/110), 5.45%(6/110), respectively. The number of cases with stone recurrence at postoperative 1-, 3- and 5-year of 10 patients with residual stones were 1, 2, 5 cases, respectively. Of 120 patients with follow-up, 1 case died of end-stage liver disease, and the other patients had good survival.Conclusion:Perihilar surgical techniques for diffuse hepatolithiasis is safe and effective.

Objective:To study and analyse the results of postoperative hemorrhage after laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD).Methods:The clinical data of patients who underwent LPD from May 2011 to December 2019 at Hunan Provincial People's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical characteristics of patients, onset time of postoperative hemorrhage, location of postoperative hemorrhage, postoperative biliary fistula, pancreatic fistula, infection and other short-term complications, reoperation and mortality rates were analyzed.Results:Of 356 patients who underwent LPD in this study, there were 200 males and 156 females, aged (58.0±10.5) years. The postoperative complication rate was 33.1% (118/356), the reoperation rate was 6.5% (23/356), and the mortality rate was 2.5% (9/356). The most common complications were postoperative hemorrhage [15.2% (54/356)], pancreatic fistula [14.6%(52/356)] and abdominal infection [13.8%(49/356)]. The onset time of postoperative hemorrhage was usually in the 1st - 14th day, and the highest rate of postoperative hemorrhage was 3.9% (14/356) on the first day after surgery. The postoperative hemorrhage rate then showed a downward trend, but increased again on the 7th day. The extraluminal hemorrhage locations were relatively widely distributed, and the incidence of gastrointestinal anastomotic hemorrhage in patients with intraluminal hemorrhage was the highest [67.9%(19/28)]. Of the 9 patients who died, 7 were related to postoperative bleeding.Conclusions:LPD resulted in a high incidence of complications. Postoperative hemorrhage was a complication that had the greatest impact on short-term recovery of patients. It was also an important cause of reoperation and death. In addition to postoperative bleeding caused by pancreatic fistula, gastrointestinal anastomotic bleeding was also clinically important.