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.

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China emphasized the expansion of international scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation. Against this backdrop, the radiological health research institutions bear important responsibilities in the field of international radiological health. As a key institution in the industry, the National Institute for Radiological Protection (NIRP), Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention shoulders the important mission of promoting international exchanges in radiation health in China. A case study was conducted on the NIRP using data of official overseas visits from 2010 to 2024. The SWOT analysis was used to comprehensively and systematically examine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of NIRP in international cooperation and exchanges. To effectively enhance the depth and scope of international exchanges, this article proposes a series of innovative optimization strategies such as establishing dedicated personnel positions to ensure efficient handling of affairs, implementing stringent approval procedures to guarantee the rationality and compliance of overseas visits, strengthening pre-departure training to improve the professionalism of outbound personnel, conducting follow-up evaluations to continuously refine management practices, and centralizing the management of official passports to ensure their secure use. This article aims to provide practical optimization strategies for the management of official overseas visits for NIRP and other similar institutions, promote international exchanges and cooperation in the field of radiation health, and help China play a more important role in the global radiation health field.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the microbiological characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of Nocardia isolates in Hebei Province during the 9-year period.Methods The medical records of all hospitalized patients from whom Nocardia was isolated from 2015 to 2023 were analyzed retrospectively.The isolates were identified to the species level by amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA,secA1 and ropB genes of Nocardia.Antimicrobial susceptibility of Nocardia isolates were tested by microbroth dilution method.Results Of the 162 strains of Nocardia,128(79.0％)were isolated from respiratory tract specimens,followed by skin and soft tissue infection(25/162,15.4％).Most of the patients with respiratory tract infection were elderly(＞65 years old).Most of the patients with skin and soft tissue infection were middle-aged and elderly(＞45 years old).Twelve species were identified among the 162 isolates.The most common species were N.cyriacigeorgica(36.4％,59/162),N.farcinica(25.3％,41/162),and N.otitidiscaviarum(9.9％,16/162).The most common Nocardia species isolated from the respiratory tract was N.cyriacigeorgica,followed by N.farcinica.The most common species causing skin and soft tissue infection were N.cyriacigeorgica,N.farcinica and N.brasiliensis.All Nocardia strains were susceptible to linezolid,followed by 98.8％susceptible to amikacin and 98.1％susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole(TMP-SMZ).Conclusions Nocardia is mainly isolated from respiratory tract,skin and soft tissues.N.cyriacigeorgica and N.farcinica are the most prevalent species.TMP-SMZ is the first choice for treatment of nocardiosis.Combination therapy may be appropriate for moderate and severe infections according to the results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

BACKGROUND:Pedicle internal bone cement augmentation combined with vertebroplasty has been used to treat diseases such as Kummell's disease and osteolytic metastases of the pedicle.However,the impact of this surgical method on adjacent vertebrae and intervertebral discs remains unclear.OBJECTIVE:A three-dimensional finite element model was used to explore the impact of percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with pedicles augmentation in the treatment of severe osteoporotic vertebral fractures on the biomechanics of adjacent segmental vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs.METHODS:A female patient who had undergone percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with pedicles augmentation for a severe osteoporotic vertebral fracture(L1)was selected.Preoperative and postoperative CT files were extracted.The study range was T12 to L2,including the injured vertebra,adjacent vertebrae,and intervertebral discs.Software like Mimics,SolidWorks,and Geomagic was used to establish finite element models of the spinal functional unit before and after surgery.A 500 N force and a 10 N·m rotational torque were applied in the vertical direction of the T12 upper endplate to simulate movements such as flexion,extension,lateral bending,and rotation,analyzing the stress changes in the vertebral endplates and intervertebral discs of adjacent segments before and after surgery.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Three-dimensional finite element models of preoperative and postoperative spinal functional units were successfully established.(2)We calculated and analyzed that under simulated load,the stress distribution of the inferior endplate of T12 was more uniform and the maximum stress value was reduced after surgery,with no significant difference compared with before surgery(P＞0.05).The stress distribution of the superior endplate of L2 after surgery was more uniform and the maximum stress was not significantly different from that before surgery(P＞0.05).Similarly,the stress distribution of T12/L1 and L1/L2 intervertebral discs after surgery was also more uniform and the maximum stress value was significantly reduced(P＜0.05).(3)Therefore,percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with pedicles augmentation can effectively improve the stress distribution of adjacent vertebral endplates and intervertebral discs after surgery and reduce stress,ultimately reducing the risk of postoperative re-fractures and significantly delaying intervertebral disc degeneration.

"Wu Jian Shi Jia"was from Dai Tianzhang's Guang Wen Yi Lun in the Qing Dynasty.By combing the meaning of the word"Wu Jian Shi Jia"and the relevant theoretical views of physicians in the past dynasties,this article summarized the symptoms and treatment outcomes of"Wu Jian Shi Jia"and the situation of concomitant syndromes.The"Wu Jian"refers to epidemic pathogenic factors complicated by cold,wind,summer-heat,malaria,and dysentery,while the"Shi Jia"includes excess syndromes:complications with phlegm-fluid retention,food stagnation,depression,and blood stasis;deficiency syndromes:complications with spleen deficiency,kidney deficiency,and blood depletion;chronic disorders:complications with hernia,heart-stomach pain,and asthma.Additionally,this research expanded the scope of concomitant syndromes of epidemic diseases to accompanying dampness,dryness,toxicity,yin deficiency,and yang deficiency.The theory of"Wu Jian Shi Jia"holds significant literary and application value,enriching the theoretical framework of modern diagnosis and treatment of epidemic diseases.

BACKGROUND:Pedicle internal bone cement augmentation combined with vertebroplasty has been used to treat diseases such as Kummell's disease and osteolytic metastases of the pedicle.However,the impact of this surgical method on adjacent vertebrae and intervertebral discs remains unclear.OBJECTIVE:A three-dimensional finite element model was used to explore the impact of percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with pedicles augmentation in the treatment of severe osteoporotic vertebral fractures on the biomechanics of adjacent segmental vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs.METHODS:A female patient who had undergone percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with pedicles augmentation for a severe osteoporotic vertebral fracture(L1)was selected.Preoperative and postoperative CT files were extracted.The study range was T12 to L2,including the injured vertebra,adjacent vertebrae,and intervertebral discs.Software like Mimics,SolidWorks,and Geomagic was used to establish finite element models of the spinal functional unit before and after surgery.A 500 N force and a 10 N·m rotational torque were applied in the vertical direction of the T12 upper endplate to simulate movements such as flexion,extension,lateral bending,and rotation,analyzing the stress changes in the vertebral endplates and intervertebral discs of adjacent segments before and after surgery.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Three-dimensional finite element models of preoperative and postoperative spinal functional units were successfully established.(2)We calculated and analyzed that under simulated load,the stress distribution of the inferior endplate of T12 was more uniform and the maximum stress value was reduced after surgery,with no significant difference compared with before surgery(P＞0.05).The stress distribution of the superior endplate of L2 after surgery was more uniform and the maximum stress was not significantly different from that before surgery(P＞0.05).Similarly,the stress distribution of T12/L1 and L1/L2 intervertebral discs after surgery was also more uniform and the maximum stress value was significantly reduced(P＜0.05).(3)Therefore,percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with pedicles augmentation can effectively improve the stress distribution of adjacent vertebral endplates and intervertebral discs after surgery and reduce stress,ultimately reducing the risk of postoperative re-fractures and significantly delaying intervertebral disc degeneration.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the microbiological characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of Nocardia isolates in Hebei Province during the 9-year period.Methods The medical records of all hospitalized patients from whom Nocardia was isolated from 2015 to 2023 were analyzed retrospectively.The isolates were identified to the species level by amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA,secA1 and ropB genes of Nocardia.Antimicrobial susceptibility of Nocardia isolates were tested by microbroth dilution method.Results Of the 162 strains of Nocardia,128(79.0％)were isolated from respiratory tract specimens,followed by skin and soft tissue infection(25/162,15.4％).Most of the patients with respiratory tract infection were elderly(＞65 years old).Most of the patients with skin and soft tissue infection were middle-aged and elderly(＞45 years old).Twelve species were identified among the 162 isolates.The most common species were N.cyriacigeorgica(36.4％,59/162),N.farcinica(25.3％,41/162),and N.otitidiscaviarum(9.9％,16/162).The most common Nocardia species isolated from the respiratory tract was N.cyriacigeorgica,followed by N.farcinica.The most common species causing skin and soft tissue infection were N.cyriacigeorgica,N.farcinica and N.brasiliensis.All Nocardia strains were susceptible to linezolid,followed by 98.8％susceptible to amikacin and 98.1％susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole(TMP-SMZ).Conclusions Nocardia is mainly isolated from respiratory tract,skin and soft tissues.N.cyriacigeorgica and N.farcinica are the most prevalent species.TMP-SMZ is the first choice for treatment of nocardiosis.Combination therapy may be appropriate for moderate and severe infections according to the results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

"Wu Jian Shi Jia"was from Dai Tianzhang's Guang Wen Yi Lun in the Qing Dynasty.By combing the meaning of the word"Wu Jian Shi Jia"and the relevant theoretical views of physicians in the past dynasties,this article summarized the symptoms and treatment outcomes of"Wu Jian Shi Jia"and the situation of concomitant syndromes.The"Wu Jian"refers to epidemic pathogenic factors complicated by cold,wind,summer-heat,malaria,and dysentery,while the"Shi Jia"includes excess syndromes:complications with phlegm-fluid retention,food stagnation,depression,and blood stasis;deficiency syndromes:complications with spleen deficiency,kidney deficiency,and blood depletion;chronic disorders:complications with hernia,heart-stomach pain,and asthma.Additionally,this research expanded the scope of concomitant syndromes of epidemic diseases to accompanying dampness,dryness,toxicity,yin deficiency,and yang deficiency.The theory of"Wu Jian Shi Jia"holds significant literary and application value,enriching the theoretical framework of modern diagnosis and treatment of epidemic diseases.

Background::Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination are a priority in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, limited information is available on vaccination coverage among patients with acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) in China. This study aimed to determine the rates and associated factors of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in patients hospitalized with AECOPD.Methods::Baseline data from a national, multicenter, hospital-based study that included adult inpatients with AECOPD between 2017 and 2021 were analyzed. The outcomes of interest were the influenza vaccination in the past year and the pneumococcal vaccination in the past 5 years. To ensure national representativeness, rates were weighted according to the distribution of hospital levels and types enrolled in this study. Multivariable Poisson regression based on mixed-effects models were used to determine the associated factors. The independent variables included the region and hospital features where the participants were located, sociodemographic characteristics (age, sex, rural/urban residence, education, etc.), and clinical indicators (COPD disease history, lung function parameters, comorbidities, etc.). The treatment profiles of the vaccinated and unvaccinated participants were compared.Results::Of 6949 eligible participants, the weighted rates of influenza/pneumococcal, influenza, and pneumococcal vaccination were 2.72% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.34%-3.10%), 2.09% (95% CI: 1.76%-2.43%), and 1.25% (95% CI: 0.99%-1.51%), respectively. In multivariable models, age ≥60 years (60-69 years, odds ratio [OR]: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.11-3.25; ≥80 years, OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.06-3.78), geographical regions (Northern China relative to Eastern China, OR: 5.09, 95% CI: 1.96-13.21), urban residence (OR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.07-2.66), a higher education level (junior high school, OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.21-2.58; senior high school or above, OR: 2.61, 95% CI: 1.69-4.03), former smoking (OR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.15-2.79), and regular inhaled medication treatment (OR: 3.28, 95% CI: 2.29-4.70) were positively associated with vaccination. Patients who had experienced severe exacerbations in the past year were less likely to be vaccinated (OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.45-0.96). Compared with unvaccinated participants, vaccinated participants adhered better to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment.Conclusions::Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage are extremely low. Urgent measures are necessary to increase vaccination coverage among inpatients with AECOPD in China.

Background::Understanding willingness to undergo pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and the factors associated with poor uptake of PFTs is crucial for improving early detection and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to understand willingness to undergo PFTs among high-risk populations and identify any barriers that may contribute to low uptake of PFTs.Methods::We collected data from participants in the "Happy Breathing Program" in China. Participants who did not follow physicians’ recommendations to undergo PFTs were invited to complete a survey regarding their willingness to undergo PFTs and their reasons for not undergoing PFTs. We estimated the proportion of participants who were willing to undergo PFTs and examined the various reasons for participants to not undergo PFTs. We conducted univariable and multivariable logistic regressions to analyze the impact of individual-level factors on willingness to undergo PFTs.Results::A total of 8475 participants who had completed the survey on willingness to undergo PFTs were included in this study. Out of these participants, 7660 (90.4%) were willing to undergo PFTs. Among those who were willing to undergo PFTs but actually did not, the main reasons for not doing so were geographical inaccessibility ( n = 3304, 43.1%) and a lack of trust in primary healthcare institutions ( n = 2809, 36.7%). Among the 815 participants who were unwilling to undergo PFTs, over half ( n = 447, 54.8%) believed that they did not have health problems and would only consider PFTs when they felt unwell. In the multivariable regression, individuals who were ≤54 years old, residing in rural townships, with a secondary educational level, with medical reimbursement, still working, with occupational exposure to dust, and aware of the abbreviation "COPD" were more willing to undergo PFTs. Conclusions::Willingness to undergo PFTs was high among high-risk populations. Policymakers may consider implementing strategies such as providing financial incentives, promoting education, and establishing community-based programs to enhance the utilization of PFTs.