AIM: To explore the therapeutic effect and prognosis of intense pulsed light combined with pralprofen eye drops for meibomian gland cysts in children. METHODS: Children with meibomian gland cysts visited the hospital for treatment from April 2023 to October 2024 were selected as the research subjects. All subjects were grouped using the random number table methed. In the control group, patients were treated with hot compress. In the drug group, patients were treated with pralprofen eye drops combined with hot compress. In the laser group, patients were treated with intense pulsed light combined with hot compress. In the combination group, patients were treated with pralprofen eye drops combined with intense pulsed light and hot compress. The treatment effective rate, cyst surface area, ocular symptom score, and occurrence of adverse reactions of children in each group were compared. RESULTS: A total of 80 children(80 eyes)were enrolled in this study, with 20 cases(20 eyes)in each of the control group, drug group, laser group, and combination group. The mean age was 7.49±1.09 y in the control group(9 males and 11 females), 7.63±0.98 y in the drug group(11 males and 9 females), 7.39±0.59 y in the laser group(12 males and 8 females), and 7.63±1.21 y in the combination group(12 males and 8 females). The total effective rate was 70%(14/20)in the combination group, which was significantly higher than that in the control group, drug group, and laser group(all P<0.05). After treatment, the cyst surface area and ocular symptom scores decreased to varying degrees in all groups. Notably, at 21 d post-treatment, the cyst surface area and ocular symptom scores in the combination group were significantly lower than those in the control group, drug group, and laser group(all P<0.05). No adverse reactions occurred in the combination group, which was lower than that in the control group, drug group, and laser group, with no statistically significant difference among the four groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Intense pulsed light combined with pralprofen eye drops can improve the ocular symptoms of children with meibomian gland cysts, reduce the surface area of meibomian gland cysts, increase the clinical cure rate, and this treatment method is highly safe.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of subcutaneous flap and/or pedicled penile skin flap combined with advancement flap coverage technique in the treatment of urethrocutaneous fistula(UCF)secondary to failed repair and to improve the success rate. Methods The clinical data of 36 UCF patients after urethral repair admitted to our hospital during Jan. 2020 and Jan. 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the location and surrounding condition of the fistula, the fistula was closed without tension, the subcutaneous flap and/or pedicled penile skin flap was combined with advancement flap coverage technique. The effects of the treatment were followed up. Successful repair was defined as unobstructed urination, no recurrence of fistula and no urethral stricture. Results The patients' age was(25.7±11.6)years, and the diameter of fistula was(8.1±2.2)mm. UCF occurred in 24 cases after hypospadias repair, and in 12 cases after the repair of other urethral injuries, including 2 cases of urethral compression injury after improper indwelling catheterization, 2 cases of urethral stone removal, 2 cases of urethral diverticulum repair, 2 cases of circumcision repair, 1 case of congenital anal atresia repair, and 3 cases of other urethral repair. The primary repair success rate was 83.3%(30/36). Among the 6 patients with unsuccessful primary repair, 3 were cured with a secondary repair, 1 was cured after wound dressing, and 2 were lost to follow-up. The primary repair success rates of penile shape, penile scrotal junction, and perineal urethral skin fistulas were 82.1%(23/28), 83.3%(5/6), and 100%(2/2), respectively. The primary repair success rates for fistulas with diameter ≤1.0 cm and＞1.0 cm were 85.2%(23/27)and 77.8%(7/9), respectively; for single and two urethrocutaneous fistulas, the success rates were 84.8%(28/33)and 66.7%(2/3); for patients with 1 and ≥2 previous repair attempts, the success rates were 87.5%(14/16)and 80.0%(16/20). During the follow-up of(15.1±3.5)months, no recurrence of fistula occurred, and all patients experienced unobstructed urination with a maximum urinary flow rate of(19.5±4.2)mL/s. Conclusion The failure rate of UCF repair is still high. Based on the location of the fistulas and the condition of the surrounding tissue, the surgical success rate can be improved by utilizing subcutaneous flap and/or pedicled penile skin flap combined with advancement flap coverage technique. This approach allows for tension-free suturing and multi-layer closure of the fistula.

Background/Aims: Extended hepatectomy combined with caudate lobe resection has been approved for the radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. There was a lack of credible research on the clinical value of caudate lobectomy (CL) for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma involving the hepatic hilus when combined with hepatectomy. We aimed to compare the short-term and long-term outcomes of the combined procedure with those of only CL for curative resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma involving the hepatic hilus. Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study of patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma was conducted from January 2007 to December 2021. Patients who underwent radical resection were enrolled in this study. The short-term and long-term clinical outcomes of the groups were compared before and after propensity score matching (PSM). Results: A total of 282 patients were included. There were no statistically significant differences in perioperative clinical outcomes between the CL group and the non-CL group before and after PSM. Compared to patients in the non-CL group, patients in the CL group had significantly longer overall survival before and after PSM (p=0.007 before PSM, p=0.033 after PSM). Moreover, compared to the non-CL group, the CL group had longer disease-free survival before and after PSM (p<0.001 before PSM, p=0.019 after PSM). Conclusions The postoperative complications of the CL group were comparable to those of the non-CL group. CL improved the long-term survival of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma involving the hepatic hilus when combined with hepatectomy. Therefore, hepatectomy combined with caudate lobe resection should be performed for patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Obesity is a worldwide health problem. An imbalance in energy metabolism is an important cause of obesity and related metabolic diseases. Our previous studies showed that inhibition of miR-429 increased the protein level of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in beige adipocytes; however, whether local inhibition of miR-429 in subcutaneous adipose tissue affects diet-induced obesity and related metabolic disorders remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of local overexpression of miR-429 sponge in subcutaneous adipose tissue on obesity and related metabolic disorders. The control adeno-associated virus (AAV) or AAV expressing the miR-429 sponge was injected into mouse inguinal white adipose tissue. Seven days later, the mice were fed a high-fat diet for 10 weeks to induce obesity. The effects of the miR-429 sponge on body weight, adipose tissue weight, plasma glucose and lipid levels, and hepatic lipid content were explored. The results showed that the overexpression of miR-429 sponge in subcutaneous white adipose tissue reduced body weight and fat mass, decreased fasting blood glucose and plasma cholesterol levels, improved glucose tolerance, and alleviated hepatic lipid deposition in mice. Mechanistic investigation showed that the inhibition of miR-429 significantly upregulated the expression of UCP1 in adipocytes and adipose tissue. These results suggest that local inhibition of miR-429 in subcutaneous white adipose tissue ameliorates obesity and related metabolic disorders potentially by upregulating UCP1, and miR-429 is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity and related metabolic disorders.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/physiology* ; Obesity/metabolism* ; Mice ; Adipose Tissue, White/metabolism* ; Metabolic Diseases ; Subcutaneous Fat/metabolism* ; Male ; Uncoupling Protein 1/metabolism* ; Diet, High-Fat ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

To analyze inpatient mortality cases in a tertiary general hospital in Beijing based on diagnosis-related groups (DRG), with the aim of providing references for healthcare quality management.

Background/Aims: Extended hepatectomy combined with caudate lobe resection has been approved for the radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. There was a lack of credible research on the clinical value of caudate lobectomy (CL) for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma involving the hepatic hilus when combined with hepatectomy. We aimed to compare the short-term and long-term outcomes of the combined procedure with those of only CL for curative resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma involving the hepatic hilus. Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study of patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma was conducted from January 2007 to December 2021. Patients who underwent radical resection were enrolled in this study. The short-term and long-term clinical outcomes of the groups were compared before and after propensity score matching (PSM). Results: A total of 282 patients were included. There were no statistically significant differences in perioperative clinical outcomes between the CL group and the non-CL group before and after PSM. Compared to patients in the non-CL group, patients in the CL group had significantly longer overall survival before and after PSM (p=0.007 before PSM, p=0.033 after PSM). Moreover, compared to the non-CL group, the CL group had longer disease-free survival before and after PSM (p<0.001 before PSM, p=0.019 after PSM). Conclusions The postoperative complications of the CL group were comparable to those of the non-CL group. CL improved the long-term survival of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma involving the hepatic hilus when combined with hepatectomy. Therefore, hepatectomy combined with caudate lobe resection should be performed for patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: Lateral patellar compression syndrome (LPCS) is characterized by a persistent abnormally high stress exerted on the lateral articular surface of the patella due to lateral patellar tilt without dislocation and lateral retinaculum contracture, leading to anterior knee pain. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and prognosis of lateral retinaculum release (LRR) combined with chondroplasty in the treatment of LPCS. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated 40 patients who underwent LRR combined with chondroplasty for LPCS between 2020 and 2021. The assessment included improvement in postoperative tenderness and knee joint function. Patients were evaluated using the Lysholm, Tegner, and International Knee Documentation Committee 2000 scoring systems, as well as the visual analog scale, both preoperatively and postoperatively, with the paired comparisons analyzed using a t-test. Additionally, intraoperative observations were made regarding knee joint lesions, including cartilage damage and osteophyte formation, with analysis by the Chi-square test. RESULTS: The visual analog scale score for tenderness showed a significant decrease after surgery (p < 0.001). Evaluation of knee joint function also indicated significant improvements, as demonstrated by increased Lysholm, Tegner, and International Knee Documentation Committee 2000 scores postoperatively (p < 0.001, p = 0.011, p < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, all LPCS patients included in the study presented with cartilage injuries and osteophyte formation. Significant differences were noted in the incidence of cartilage damage and osteophyte formation at different locations within the knee among patients with LPCS. CONCLUSION LRR combined with chondroplasty is an effective surgical approach for treating patients with LPCS, with satisfactory recovery observed at the 1-year follow-up. Additionally, the incidence of cartilage damage and osteophyte formation in LPCS patients varies significantly depending on the specific location within the knee joint.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Patella/surgery* ; Knee Joint/physiopathology* ; Recovery of Function ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Cartilage, Articular/surgery* ; Adolescent

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, is mechanistically characterized by disrupted iron homeostasis, lipid peroxidation, and compromised antioxidant defense systems. Recent studies have demonstrated that artemisinin and its derivatives, such as dihydroartemisinin and artesunate, exhibit therapeutic potential against lymphatic system malignancies through ferroptosis induction. These compounds exert their antitumor effects by modulating critical regulatory proteins including SLC7A11, GPX4, and STAT3, as well as activating pivotal signaling pathways such as ATF4-CHOP and SREBP2-IPP-GPX4 axes. Notably, synergistic therapeutic effects have been observed when artemisinin derivatives are combined with conventional chemotherapeutic agents or targeted therapies, demonstrating enhanced tumor-suppressive activity and circumvention of drug resistance mechanisms. This review systematically summarizes recent advancements in understanding the ferroptosis-mediated antitumor mechanisms of artemisinin compounds in lymphoid malignancies, with particular emphasis on their molecular targets and clinical translational potential.
Humans ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Artemisinins/therapeutic use* ; Signal Transduction