OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at changbing fang (prescription for intestinal disease) on autophagy of colonic cells and gut microbiota in rats with ulcerative colitis (UC), and to explore the mechanism of EA in the treatment of UC. METHODS: Thirty-two SD male rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, an EA group and a sham-EA group, with 8 rats in each group. Except the control group, the UC rat model was established by free drinking of 5% dextran sulfate sodium solution for 7 days in the other groups. In the EA group, changbing fang was adopted, in which, EA was applied at "Tianshu" (ST25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST37), at disperse-dense wave and frequency of 10 Hz/50 Hz, for 20 min in each intervention. In the sham-EA group, shallow transcutaneous puncture was performed at the sites, 5 mm away from the points as the EA group, with the same parameters as the EA group. The intervention was delivered once daily for 3 consecutive days. The body weight was measured daily and the disease activity index (DAI) score was calculated before and after intervention. After intervention completion, the colon length was measured. Using HE staining, the colon morphology was observed and the score of colonic pathology was assessed. With ELISA adopted, the contents of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2 and IL-10 in the serum of the rats were detected. The ultrastructure of the colon tissue was observed under electron microscopy. Using Western blotting, the protein expression was detected for microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)Ⅱ, LC3Ⅰ, autophagy-related genes (ATG) 5, ATG12, sequestosome 1 (p62), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT), protein kinase B (AKT), and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in the colon tissue. The mRNA expression of PI3K, AKT and m-TOR in the colon tissue was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze the structure of gut flora in the feces of rats. RESULTS: From day 1 to day 7, compared with the control group, the body weight decreased in the model group, EA group, and SEA group (P<0.05, P<0.01). From day 9 to day 10, the EA group showed an increase in body weight compared with the model group and SEA group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Before intervention, the DAI score in the model group, EA group, and SEA group was higher than the score of the control group, respectively (P<0.01). After intervention, the DAI score in the EA group was reduced compared with the model group and SEA group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, in the model group, the colon length of rats was shorter (P<0.01); it showed the distorted crypts, thinner mucosal layer, reduced goblet cells, inflammatory cell infiltration and the disarranged histological structure; and the pathological score of the colon tissue increased (P<0.01); the serum contents of TNF-α and IL-1β increased (P<0.01), and those of IL-2 and IL-10 decreased (P<0.01). The structure of colon epithelial cells was disarranged, with cilia pelt off, and a large number of vacuoles in the cytoplasm; the mitochondria were swollen, with unclear structure and cristae partially disappeared; and few autophagosomes were observed. The value of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰand the protein expression of ATG5 and ATG12 in the colon tissues were reduced (P<0.01), the protein expression of p62 and PI3K, and the values of p-AKT/AKT, and p-mTOR/mTOR increased (P<0.01), and mRNA expression of PI3K, AKT and mTOR was elevated (P<0.01). The indexes of Chao1, Ace and Shannon decreased (P<0.01). At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Firmicutes decreased (P<0.05), that of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). At the genus level, the relevant abundance of Lactobacillus decreased (P<0.05), while that of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Phascolarctobacterium increased (P<0.01, P<0.05 ). Compared with the model group and SEA group, in the EA group, the colon length increased (P<0.01), the infiltration of inflammatory cells was reduced, the arrangement of intestinal epithelial cells was arranged regularly, with a small amount of shedding, and the pathological score of the colon tissue decreased (P<0.01). The serum contents of TNF-α and IL-1β decreased (P<0.01), and those of IL-2 and IL-10 increased (P<0.01). The colonic epithelial cells were arranged relatively, the morphology of organelles was basically normal, and autophagosomes were visible. The value of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰand the protein expression of ATG5 and ATG12 in colon tissue increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), the protein expression of p62 and PI3K, and the values of p-AKT/AKT, and p-mTOR/mTOR decreased (P<0.01); and mRNA expression of PI3K, AKT, m-TOR was reduced (P<0.01). The indexes of Chao1, Ace and Shannon increased (P<0.01). At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Firmicutes increased (P<0.01), while that of Bacteroidetes decreased (P<0.01). At the genus level, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus increased (P<0.05), whereas that of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group decreased (P<0.01). When compared with the model group, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria decreased (P<0.05), and that of Phascolarctobacterium was reduced (P<0.05) in the EA group. CONCLUSION EA at changbingfang alleviates UC symptoms probably through inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to regulate colonic autophagy and improve the intestinal flora.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Colitis, Ulcerative/metabolism* ; Male ; Rats ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Colon/metabolism* ; Humans ; Autophagy ; Acupuncture Points ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics* ; Interleukin-10/genetics*

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of fixation through dual minimally invasive incisions and dual osseous channels with a loop titanium plate combined with a Dog-Bone titanium plate for acute Rockwood Ⅲ acromioclavicular dislocation in comparison with open reduction and fixation with a clavicular hook plate.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of the 60 patients with acute type Ⅲ acromioclavicular dislocation who had been treated at Department of Orthopedics, Liaocheng People's Hospital from February 2019 to May 2022. There were 35 males and 25 females with an age of (43.2±8.0) years, and 34 left sides and 26 right sides affected. According to different surgical methods, they were divided into a double titanium plates group of 32 cases who had been treated by fixation through dual minimally invasive incisions and dual osseous channels with a loop titanium plate combined with a Dog Bone titanium plate and a hook plate group of 28 cases who had been treated by open reduction and internal fixation with a clavicle hook plate. The time from injury to operation was (2.1±1.3) d. The 2 groups were compared in terms of incision length, operation time, intraoperative bleeding, and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, Constant-Murley shoulder function score and the coracoclavicular distance on the affected side which were recorded preoperatively and at the last follow-up. Complications such as infection, loosening of internal fixation or secondary fracture were observed.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P > 0.05). All patients were followed up for (11.2±2.1) months. The incision length in the double titanium plates group [(3.5±0.3) cm] was significantly shorter than that in the hook plate group [(6.2±0.7) cm], and the intraoperative bleeding [(45.3±7.5) mL] in the former was significantly less than that in the latter [(64.1±6.2) mL] ( P < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the operation time between the 2 groups ( P > 0.05). The VAS score [0.5 (0, 1.0) points] and Constant-Murley shoulder function score [(95.1±2.1) points] in the double titanium plates group were significantly better than those in the hook plate group [0.8 (0, 1.0) points, (86.0±4.4) points] at the last follow-up ( P < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in the coracoclavicular distance on the affected side ( P > 0.05). Good acromioclavicular joint repositioning and fixation were achieved in all patients. There were no surgery-related complications except for sinus tract formation in one patient in the double titanium plates group. Conclusion:In the treatment of acute Rockwood Ⅲ acromioclavicular dislocation, fixation through dual minimally invasive incisions and dual osseous channels with a loop titanium plate combined with a Dog-Bone titanium plate is superior to open reduction and internal fixation with a clavicular hook plate, showing advantages of minimal invasion, better safety, less intraoperative bleeding, and faster joint function recovery.

Objective:To compare the short- and mid-term clinical outcomes of robotic versus laparoscopic radical resection of right- and left-sided colon cancer.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, clinical data on patients who had undergone robotic or laparoscopic radical resection of right and left sided-colon cancer performed by two senior physicians in the Department of Gastro-Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University between January 2015 and December 2023 were collected. The patients were allocated to robotic ( n=117) or laparoscopic groups ( n=267). Propensity score matching in a ratio of 1∶1 was implemented to minimize the impact of imbalances in baseline information between the two groups. Propensity score matching left 228 patients in the study cohort, with 114 in each group. The participants were aged (60.8±12.1) and (60.3±13.1) years and the body mass indices were (23.1±3.0) kg/m 2 and (23.1±2.8) kg/m 2 in the robotic and laparoscopic groups respectively. After matching, relevant perioperative indicators, postoperative complications, and 3-year survival outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results:After propensity score matching, the differences in baseline information between the two groups were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). After matching, in the robotic surgery group, radical resection of right- versus left-sided colon cancer had been performed on 80 and 34 patients, respectively; compared with 78 and 36, respectively, in the laparoscopic surgery group. Compared with the laparoscopic group, the robotic group had a longer operative time ( [209.8±48.4] minutes vs. [186.7±46.9] minutes, t=3.665, P<0.001), higher hospitalization cost ( [88657.8±18548.1] yuan vs. [61179.5±13822.7] yuan, t=12.683, P<0.001), and lower rate of postoperative complications (7.9% [9/114] vs. 17.5% [20/114], χ 2=4.780, P=0.029); these differences are statistically significant. The robotic group tended to have a lower conversion rate than the laparoscopic group (0 vs. 4.4% [5/114]); however, this difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (χ 2=3.272, P=0.070). The amount of intraoperative bleeding, time to first passage of flatus, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade), number of resected lymph nodes, and number of positive lymph nodes did not differ significantly between the two groups (all P>0.05). Furthermore, the differences between the robotic and laparoscopic groups in 3-year disease-free survival (81.4% vs. 82.8%, P=0.863) and overall survival (83.1% vs. 86.5%, P=0.921) were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Robotic radical resection of right and left-sided colon cancer is safe and feasible and an effective alternative to laparoscopic surgery. Although robotic surgery has a longer operative time and higher hospitalization costs than laparoscopic surgery, it has a lower rate of postoperative complications, and a 3-year survival outcome comparable to that of laparoscopic surgery.

Objective:To compare the short- and mid-term clinical outcomes of robotic versus laparoscopic radical resection of right- and left-sided colon cancer.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, clinical data on patients who had undergone robotic or laparoscopic radical resection of right and left sided-colon cancer performed by two senior physicians in the Department of Gastro-Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University between January 2015 and December 2023 were collected. The patients were allocated to robotic ( n=117) or laparoscopic groups ( n=267). Propensity score matching in a ratio of 1∶1 was implemented to minimize the impact of imbalances in baseline information between the two groups. Propensity score matching left 228 patients in the study cohort, with 114 in each group. The participants were aged (60.8±12.1) and (60.3±13.1) years and the body mass indices were (23.1±3.0) kg/m 2 and (23.1±2.8) kg/m 2 in the robotic and laparoscopic groups respectively. After matching, relevant perioperative indicators, postoperative complications, and 3-year survival outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results:After propensity score matching, the differences in baseline information between the two groups were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). After matching, in the robotic surgery group, radical resection of right- versus left-sided colon cancer had been performed on 80 and 34 patients, respectively; compared with 78 and 36, respectively, in the laparoscopic surgery group. Compared with the laparoscopic group, the robotic group had a longer operative time ( [209.8±48.4] minutes vs. [186.7±46.9] minutes, t=3.665, P<0.001), higher hospitalization cost ( [88657.8±18548.1] yuan vs. [61179.5±13822.7] yuan, t=12.683, P<0.001), and lower rate of postoperative complications (7.9% [9/114] vs. 17.5% [20/114], χ 2=4.780, P=0.029); these differences are statistically significant. The robotic group tended to have a lower conversion rate than the laparoscopic group (0 vs. 4.4% [5/114]); however, this difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (χ 2=3.272, P=0.070). The amount of intraoperative bleeding, time to first passage of flatus, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade), number of resected lymph nodes, and number of positive lymph nodes did not differ significantly between the two groups (all P>0.05). Furthermore, the differences between the robotic and laparoscopic groups in 3-year disease-free survival (81.4% vs. 82.8%, P=0.863) and overall survival (83.1% vs. 86.5%, P=0.921) were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Robotic radical resection of right and left-sided colon cancer is safe and feasible and an effective alternative to laparoscopic surgery. Although robotic surgery has a longer operative time and higher hospitalization costs than laparoscopic surgery, it has a lower rate of postoperative complications, and a 3-year survival outcome comparable to that of laparoscopic surgery.

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the leading causes of heart failure (HF) in pediatrics.In 2024, the American Heart Association, based on existing knowledge and research findings, issued its first scientific statement on the assessment and management of HF in children and adolescents with CHD.The statement emphasizes the current lack of understanding of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, staging, and outcomes of chronic HF in pediatrics with CHD, and calls for the development of standardized definitions, monitoring protocols, and treatment strategies to improve the clinical outcomes and quality of life for this population.This article interprets the main content of the statement, aiming to provide reference and guidance for the accurate assessment and comprehensive management of chronic HF in children and adolescents with CHD.

Objective:To investigate the application value of Da Vinci robotic transanal minimally invasive surgery (R-TAMIS) for local resection of rectal neoplasms.Methods:The retros-pective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 7 rectal neoplasms patients undergoing R-TAMIS in Daping Hospital of Army Medical University from June 2017 to March 2021 were collected. There were 3 males and 4 females, aged (60±7)years. Observation indicators: (1) intraoperative situations; (2) postoperative recovery; (3) postoperative histopatholo-gical examinations; (4) follow-up. Follow-up was conducted using telephone interview or outpatient examination to detect readmission of patients within postoperative 30 days, tumor recurrence and metastasis and survival of patients. Follow-up was performed at postoperative 1, 3, 6 months and once every 6 months thereafter up to April 2021. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers. Results:(1) Intraoperative situations. All the 7 patients underwent R-TAMIS successfully without conversion to laparotomy or laparoscopic surgery. Of the 7 patients, 2 cases underwent full-thickness rectal resection and 5 cases underwent submucosal dissection of tumor. The rectal wounds were not sutured in 2 cases because of large lesions, and the rectal wounds were sutured with synthetic sutures in 5 cases after resection of lesions. Transanal drainage tube was placed in 2 cases and not in 5 cases. The volume of intra-operative blood loss of the 7 patients was 15(range, 2?50)mL. The total operation time of the 7 patients was (91.4±18.4)minutes, including (19.1±2.3)minutes for transanal platform placement and Da Vinci robotic surgical system installation, and (72.3±16.6)minutes for operation. There was no intraoperative complication such as urethral injury. (2) Postoperative recovery. All the 7 patients started water drinking and out-of-bed activities at postoperative day 1 and liquid food intake at postoperative day 2. The time to postoperative first flatus of the 7 patients was 1(range, 1?3)days. The two cases with transanal drainage underwent removing of transanal drainage at postoperative day 2. There was no postoperative complication and the duration of postoperative hospital stay of the 7 patients was 3(range, 3?9)days. (3) Postoperative histopathological examinations. Of the 7 patients, 3 cases had villous adenoma, 2 cases had villous adenoma combined with high grade intraepithelial neoplasia, local canceration and tumor invasion into submucosa (stage SM1), 1 case had villous adenoma combined with high grade intraepithelial neoplasia, local canceration and tumor localized in the inner mucosa (stage Tis) and 1 case had moderately differentiated adeno-carcinoma with tumor invasion into superficial muscle layer (stage T2). All the 7 patients had negative surgical margins with none of tumor cell remained in the base. (4) Follow-up. All the 7 patients were followed up for 18(range, 1?42)months. One of the 7 patients showed rectal adenocarcinoma with tumor invasion into superficial muscle layer by the postoperative histopathological examina-tion and was recommended for remedial radical surgery. The patient refused further surgery and underwent 3 courses of oral capecitabine chemotherapy. The other 6 patients did not receive postoperative chemotherapy. None of 7 patients underwent readmission within postoperative 30 days, and no patient had tumor local recurrence, distant metastasis or death during the follow-up.Conclusion:R-TAMIS for local resection of rectal neoplasms is safe and feasible for patients with rectal adenoma and early rectal cancer, with reliable short-term efficacy and short-term oncological efficacy.

Objective To investigate the risk factors of anastomotic leakage after transanal total mesorectal excision.Methods Retrospective analysis of clinical data of 46 patients with rectal cancer who underwent TaTME surgery from May 2015 to May 2018 in Daping Hospital,Army Medical University.There were 22 males and 24 females,the median age was 61.2 (range from 40 to 79)years.To observe the correlation between perioperative factors and anastomotic leakage,including preoperative staging,operation time,bleeding volume,anastomotic approach,anastomotic height,intraoperative adverse events,and concurrent diseases.The software of SPSS 20.0 was adopted to analyze the above indicators.Results Among 46 patients with rectal cancer,38 were treated with TaTME combined with laparoscopic surgery,5 with robotic transanal combined with transabdominal surgery,and 3 with pure transanal total mesorectal excision.There were no deaths in the whole group.The incidence of postoperative anastomotic leakage was 13.0％,1 case of grade B and 1 cases of grade A anastomotic leakage,both accounting for 2.2％ and 4 cases of grade C anastomotic leakage,accounting for 8.7％.Anastomotic leak discovery time average (9.8 ± 4.8) d.No anastomotic leakage occurred in 17 cases of ileostomy.Among them,diabetes mellitus,protective ostomy,blood loss ≥ 100 ml,BMI,height of anastomosis and total operation time were significantly correlated with anastomotic leakage.Conclusions In addition to the influence of the learning curve during TaTME surgery,obesity,diabetes,anastomotic height,intraoperative blood loss ≥ 100 ml,and prolonged total operation time are risk factors for anastomotic leakage.Ileal protective ostomy is valuable for reducing anastomotic leakage.

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect and is also the leading cause of death in infants and young children.Studying the pathogenesis of CHD and preventing the development of CHD are major scientific problems that need to be solved urgently.Now, it is known that the occurrence of CHD is caused by multiple factors such as genetic factors and environmental factors.In this paper, the genetic mechanisms in the progress of CHD were summarized.

It is recognized that the increasing prevalence of diastolic heart failure in adults has signifi-cantly worsen the quality of life and shorten lifespan.However,the assessment and diagnostic criterion of dias-tolic heart failure in children is controversial.The diagnosis and treatment of DHF are mainly based on small samples of clinical research and clinical experience.There is no effective treatment plan of diastolic heart failure from evidence-based medicine.In this article,we review the progress of diastolic heart failure in children in as-pects of its pathological mechanism,clinical manifestations,function evaluation,diagnosis and treatment.

There is a trackphenomenon in the development of hypertension and pediatric hypertension has an important predictive value for adult hypertension. However pediatric hypertension is not typical and normal blood pressure is associated with age,sex and height. The blood pressure level,clinical presentation and complication rates of secondary pediatric hypertension are higher than primary pediatric hypertension. So secondary pediatric hypertension could get timely treatment compared to primary pediatric hypertension. This paper focus on the clinical presentation and diagnosis criterion of pediatric hypertension and provide a reference for the pediatrician.