Atherosclerotic plaques arise within the vessels， yet their morphological evolution parallels that of carbuncles and abscesses. Drawing on the pathomechanism progression of carbuncles and abscesses， this paper proposes a dynamic pathogenesis model of "constraint-putrefaction-ulceration" for atherosclerotic plaques. The formation of atherosclerotic plaque begins with phlegm-turbidity obstruction and qi-blood stagnation （constraint stage）； prolonged constraint transforms into heat that scorches the vessels and forms plaques （putrefaction stage）； ultimately， toxin invades inward and ruptures the vessels， injuring the heart （ulceration stage）. Accordingly， staged differentiation and treatments are proposed. During the constraint stage， the focus is venting constraint and unblocking collaterals， clearing and relieving constraint-heat， for which Yue Jyu Pills （越鞠丸） and Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder （丹栀逍遥散） with modifications can be used. During the putrefaction stage， the method is clearing heat and dispelling abscesses， resolving stasis and dissipating knot， with modified Wuwei Xiaodu Beverage （五味消毒饮） and Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction （血府逐瘀汤）. During the ulceration stage， it is suggested to expell toxin and stasis， benefit qi and nourish yin using modified Gualou Xiebai Banxia Decoction （瓜蒌薤白半夏汤） and Sheng Mai Powder （生脉散）. This framework offers new perspectives for the differentiation and treatment of atherosclerotic plaques in traditional Chinese medicine.

[Objective]To explore the pattern,symptom and treatment of Ge pulse,thus promoting the application of pulse diagnosis in clinical practice.[Methods]Through literature collation and theoretical analysis,this study traced the historical evolution of Ge pulse from the Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases,reviewed interpretations by various physicians,analyzed the mechanism and characteristics of Ge pulse based on ZHANG Zhongjing's original texts,and summarized four treatment methods,supplemented with case studies.[Results]Ge pulse is characterized by a wiry and large pulse with a weak feeling upon pressure.It reflects a severe condition of internal deficiency and cold,accompanied with dispersion of vital essence,commonly seen in asthenia-related diseases such as blood loss,spermatorrhea,miscarriage and persistent uterine bleeding.ZHANG Zhongjing's treatment methods include:astringing essence with mineral drugs,relieving exterior without inducing profuse sweating,treating according to pathological manifestations,and continuously tonifying deficiency and nourishing essence.Three clinical cases demonstrated that Ge pulse could present in various conditions such as hematochezia,jaundice and febrile diseases with deficiency,all effectively treated with corresponding formulas.[Conclusion]Ge pulse is a critical pulse pattern indicating severe asthenia.Its diagnostic significance and therapeutic system are clear.Clarifying its pattern and corresponding treatment expands the understanding of traditional pulse diagnosis and enhances clinical management of deficiency-related disorders.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia among HIV/AIDS patients aged 50 years and above receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, so as to provide insights into the prevention and intervention of chronic diseases for these populations. Methods: The HIV/AIDS patients aged 50 years and above receiving ART were recruited at designated HIV/AIDS medical institutions in Wuxi City using the convenient sampling method from March to June 2024. Demographic information, treatment status and self-reported prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia were collected through questionnaire surveys. Factors affecting the prevalence of chronic diseases were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 830 HIV/AIDS patients receiving ART were surveyed, including 656 males (79.04%) and 375 patients aged 50 to <60 years (45.18%). Among them, 366 patients reported having at least one type of chronic disease, including hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia, with a self-reported prevalence rate of 44.10%. Specifically, 280, 114 and 61 patients reported having hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia, with the self-reported prevalence rates of 33.73%, 13.73% and 7.35%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that male patients (OR=1.725, 95%CI: 1.187-2.507), those with monthly income less than 3 000 yuan (OR=1.521, 95%CI: 1.122-2.063), those with body mass index of 24 kg/m2 and above (OR=1.577, 95%CI: 1.168-2.130), those who initiated ART at ages of 50 years and above (50 to <60 years, OR=1.535, 95%CI: 1.052-2.238; ≥60 years, OR=3.322, 95%CI: 2.191-5.038), those with ART duration of 10 years and above (OR=2.069, 95%CI: 1.419-3.017), and those who received non-first-line regimens (OR=1.776, 95%CI: 1.304-2.418) had higher risks of developing at least one type of chronic disease, including hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Conclusions The self-reported prevalence of at least one type of chronic disease, including hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia among HIV/AIDS patients aged 50 years and above receiving ART in Wuxi City was 44.10%. Gender, monthly income, body mass index and ART status are the main influencing factors for the risk of chronic diseases.

[Objective]To explore the pattern,symptom and treatment of Ge pulse,thus promoting the application of pulse diagnosis in clinical practice.[Methods]Through literature collation and theoretical analysis,this study traced the historical evolution of Ge pulse from the Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases,reviewed interpretations by various physicians,analyzed the mechanism and characteristics of Ge pulse based on ZHANG Zhongjing's original texts,and summarized four treatment methods,supplemented with case studies.[Results]Ge pulse is characterized by a wiry and large pulse with a weak feeling upon pressure.It reflects a severe condition of internal deficiency and cold,accompanied with dispersion of vital essence,commonly seen in asthenia-related diseases such as blood loss,spermatorrhea,miscarriage and persistent uterine bleeding.ZHANG Zhongjing's treatment methods include:astringing essence with mineral drugs,relieving exterior without inducing profuse sweating,treating according to pathological manifestations,and continuously tonifying deficiency and nourishing essence.Three clinical cases demonstrated that Ge pulse could present in various conditions such as hematochezia,jaundice and febrile diseases with deficiency,all effectively treated with corresponding formulas.[Conclusion]Ge pulse is a critical pulse pattern indicating severe asthenia.Its diagnostic significance and therapeutic system are clear.Clarifying its pattern and corresponding treatment expands the understanding of traditional pulse diagnosis and enhances clinical management of deficiency-related disorders.

Objective To explore the short-term surgical outcomes of the modified surgical procedure for uniportal thoracoscopic right middle lobectomy (RML). Methods In this modified approach, the incision was created at sixth or seventh intercostal space inferior to the subscapular angle. The surgeon stood on the opposite side of the operating table. The surgery was performed by serial division of the anterior oblique fissure, the vein, bronchus, artery, and horizontal fissure following the single-direction strategy. As for patients with malignant lesions, hilar and mediastinal lymph node dissection was performed. Clinical characteristics and early surgical outcomes were collected and analyzed. Results Fifty two patients were included in this study in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University between January 2021 and June 2023. There were 20 males and 32 females at an average age of 48.0±10.5 years. No conversion or perioperative mortality was occurred. Mean surgical time was 68.1±16.8 min, mean blood loss was 16.5±4.9 mL, median chest tube duration was 2 (2-22) d and median postoperative hospital stay was 3 (3-24) d. There was no intraoperative or postoperative complication but one patient developed postoperative prolonged air leak (>5 d). Mean postoperative visual-analog scale on postoperative day 1, day 2 and day 3 was 1.5±0.8, 1.7±0.4, 0.8±0.7, respectively. Conclusion Trans-posterior-approach uniportal thoracoscopic single-direction RML is a safe, feasible, and effective procedure, which provides an appropriate direction and angle for dissection and stapling, solving the challenge of conventional uniportal RML lobectomy.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of virtual reality on upper limb function in stroke patients through diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). MethodsFrom September, 2021 to March, 2023, 80 stroke patients in the Fuzhou Second General Hospital were randomly divided into control group (n = 40) and experimental group (n = 40). Both groups received routine rehabilitation, while the experimental group received virtual reality training additionally, for four weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE) and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) before treatment, after treatment and after four-week follow-up; and they were scaned with DTI to measure the fractional anisotropy (FA) and relative anisotropy (RA) of cerebral peduncle and posterior limb of inner capsule of the affected side before and after treatment. ResultsTwo cases dropped in each group. The FMA-UE and ARAT scores increased in both groups after treatment and follow-up (F > 2.790, P < 0.001), and increased more in the experimental group than in the control group (t > 2.297, P < 0.05). FA and RA in the posterior limb of inner capsule increased in both groups after treatment (t > 21.013, P < 0.001), and increased more in the experimental group (t > 2.006, P < 0.05). The d-value of FA of the posterior limb of internal capsule before and after treatment (ΔFA) was positively correlated with the d-value of FMA-UE score (r > 0.362, P < 0.05) in both groups, the ΔFA of the posterior limb of internal capsule was positively correlated with the d-value of ARAT score (r = 0.459, P < 0.01). ConclusionVirtual reality training can promote the recovery of upper limb function in stroke patients, which may associate with the conductivity of posterior limb of inner capsule.

Postoperative pulmonary complications and anastomotic leakage are unfavorable prognostic factors in patients with esophageal carcinoma.However,the prognostic importance of pulmonary complications and anastomotic leakage after neoadjuvant treatment in these patients remains unclear.This study aimed to determine the effect of postoperative pulmonary complications and anastomotic leakage on long-term survival after neoadjuvant therapy for esophageal cancer.Our study were recruited 441 consecutive patients who had curative resection following neoadjuvant treatment for esophageal cancer in our institution from 2011-2021.The clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of these patients were studied in terms of postoperative pulmonary complications and anastomotic leaking.Survival was analyzed using the log-rank test and multivariable Cox regression analysis.Postoperative pulmonary complications and anastomotic leakage were present in 23.8％(n=105)and 5.2％(n=23)of esophageal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy,respectively.In the univariate analyses,pulmonary complications were associated with shorter disease-free survival,while anastomotic leakage was associated with shorter overall survival.Multivariable analysis revealed that pulmonary complications after neoadjuvant therapy were independent adverse prognostic factors for disease-free survival.Taken together,postoperative pulmonary complications and anastomotic leakage ware significantly negatively correlated with disease-free and overall survival,respectively.And the postoperative pulmonary complication is an independent poor prognostic factor of disease-free survival for esophageal cancer following neoadjuvant treatment.

Objective:To understand the uptake of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and related factors among male sex workers (MSW) and provide references for the promotion of PEP.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling to recruit MSW participants with the help of a community-based organization in October 2023, in Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province. The sample size was estimated at 340 people. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect their social demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, knowledge, beliefs, and uptake of PEP. A logistic regression model was used to analyze factors associated with the uptake of PEP in MSW. The SPSS 26.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 357 participants were recruited, mainly aged 18-20 (55.7%,199/357), unmarried (94.4%,337/357), and having an education background of junior high school or below (50.1%,179/357). Among 357 participants, 64.4% (230/357) knew about PEP, 51.0% (182/357) believed in the efficacy of PEP, and 13.4% (48/357) had experience of using PEP. Among 68 respondents having high-risk sexual behaviors in the past 3 months, 17.6% (12/68) have had uptake of PEP. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that group sex with men in the past 3 months (a OR=7.51, 95% CI: 1.37-41.09), HIV testing in the past 3 months (a OR=2.89, 95% CI: 1.16-7.16), the experience of using pre-exposure prophylaxis (a OR=30.18,95% CI: 12.60-72.24) and believing in the efficacy of PEP (a OR=2.94, 95% CI: 1.04-8.29) were the associated factors with the uptake of PEP in MSW. Conclusions:Although the overall uptake rate of PEP in MSW was high, the proportion of using PEP was still low among participants having high-risk sexual behaviors in the past 3 months. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen HIV risk awareness education considering their characteristics and promote timely uptake of PEP to interrupt HIV transmission.

Anthropometric indexes play a crucial role in identifying obesity. However, as an internationally commonly used indicator of obesity diagnosis, BMI has limitations in distinguishing lean body mass from fat mass. The weight-adjusted waist index (WWI), a novel anthropometric index, assesses adiposity through standardized waist circumference for weight, which presents an excellent capacity to predict the morbidity and mortality risks of various diseases. However, research on WWI is still in the exploratory stage, and there is a lack of unified standards for using this indicator to determine obesity. In addition, its potential application in children and adolescents also urgently needs to be explored. Therefore, this article comprehensively summarizes and compares the distinctive characteristics between WWI and other obesity-related anthropometric indexes. Bibliometric methods are used to analyze the hotspots and trends of WWI-related research, and we focus on discussing the value of WWI in predicting adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, liver and kidney diseases. We aim to promote the application of WWI in a broader field and fully demonstrate its important public health significance and broad application prospects.

Objective:To evaluate the extent and progression of coronary artery calcification in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, and to explore the risk factors of rapid progression of coronary artery calcification in MHD patients.Methods:The patients who underwent MHD in the Huashan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017 were enrolled. This study included cross-sectional study and prospective cohort study. Multi-slice spiral computed tomography was used to measure coronary artery calcification, and coronary artery calcium score (CACS) was calculated. In the cross-sectional study, 62 MHD patients were enrolled. According to baseline CACS, the patients were divided into low calcification group (CACS < 100) and high calcification group (CACS ≥ 100). The nutritional and bone mineral metabolism indexes were compared between the two groups. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between CACS and muscle mass and laboratory indicators. Since 6 patients were lost to follow-up, 56 MHD patients who were followed-up regularly were enrolled in the prospective cohort study. According to the progression of CACS, the patients were divided into slow progression group (ΔCACS/year < 100) and rapid progression group (ΔCACS/year ≥ 100). Logistic regression equation was used to analyze the risk factors of coronary calcification progression. Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test and receiver operating characteristic curve were used to evaluate the performance of multivariate logistic regression model.Results:In the cross-sectional study, the age of 62 patients was (62.34±10.82) years old, and the median dialysis age was 78 (39,139) months. Among the 33 male patients, compared with the low calcification group ( n=7), the high calcification group ( n=26) had older age ( t=-2.281, P=0.030) and higher blood triglyceride ( Z=-1.985, P=0.047), and there was no statistically significant difference in muscle mass between the two groups; among the 29 female patients, the muscle mass/height 2 ( t=-2.600, P=0.015) and serum calcium ( t=-2.641, P=0.014) in the high calcification group ( n=15) were both higher than those in the low calcification group ( n=14), and the hemoglobin level was lower ( t=2.531, P=0.018), and the difference in muscle mass between the two groups was not statistically significant. High sensitivity C-reactive protein ( β=0.425, P=0.022) was independently correlated with CACS in male patients, and muscle mass/extracellular water ( β=-0.580, P=0.001) was independently correlated with CACS in female patients. In the prospective cohort study, the age of 56 patients was (59.82±11.14) years old, and the median dialysis age was 82 (40, 146) months. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between slow progression group ( n=22) and rapid progression group ( n=34), but the proportion of cardiovascular events in rapid progression group was significantly higher than that in slow progression group ( P=0.017). Compared with the slow progression group, the rapid progression group had higher proportion of males ( χ2=4.791, P=0.029), older age ( Z=-2.131, P=0.038), lower baseline muscle mass/extracellular water ( Z=2.482, P=0.016) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( t=2.133, P=0.042), and faster rate of muscle mass loss (Δmuscle mass·height -2·year -1) ( Z=-2.282, P=0.023). Multivariate logistic regression analysis results showed that muscle mass loss ( OR=0.089, 95% CI 0.010-0.792, P=0.030) and baseline CACS ( OR=1.003, 95% CI 1.000-1.005, P=0.021) were influencing factors for progression of coronary artery calcification in MHD patients. Conclusion:Increasing baseline CACS and rapid reduction in muscle mass are risk factors for the progression of coronary artery calcification in MHD patients.