The surgical management of empyema (excluding those caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria) is rapidly evolving towards minimally invasive, precise, and stepwise approaches. The traditional three-stage classification (exudative, fibrinopurulent, and organizing) has limitations in guiding dynamic clinical decision-making. For the first time, this consensus explicitly identifies two critical junctures in the pathological progression of empyema: "early transformation" (stage Ⅰ to Ⅱ) and "late transformation" (stage Ⅱ to Ⅲ), and thereby constructs a corresponding "identification-early warning-intervention" stepwise therapeutic framework. The consensus emphasizes that proactive debridement via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery should be performed during the early transformation phase to halt disease progression. Conversely, during the late transformation phase, therapeutic goals should be rationally adjusted to prioritize adequate drainage, avoiding futile pleural decortication. Moreover, the consensus underscores the pivotal role of precise perioperative etiological diagnosis (e.g. metagenomic nest-generation sequencing) and standardized anti-infective therapy. Integrating practical experiences from multiple thoracic surgery centers in China and relevant evidence-based literature, this consensus formulates recommendations on the precise definitions of staging, surgical indications for each phase, key technical points, perioperative management, and training systems. It aims to promote the standardized and individualized surgical management of empyema, ultimately optimizing patient prognosis.

Background/Aims: Natural killer (NK) cell function is generally considered dampened in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection; however, the NK cell pool exhibits phenotypic and functional heterogeneity, and the antibody--mediated effect of NK cells remains less characterized. This study evaluated the dynamic changes in antibody-mediated NK cell responses and the involvement of distinct NK subsets across disease stages and during antiviral treatment. Methods: A T-cell receptor-like antibody specific for the HBV core 18–27 peptide (cTCRL-Ab) was used to determine the antibody-mediated effect of NK cells, and an array of NK cell surface markers were analyzed in cross-sectional and longitudinal cohorts of patients with chronic HBV infection. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed to identify the heterogeneity of NK subsets. Results: The cTCRL-Ab enabled the detection of NK cell cytolytic activity and IFNγ production. Notably, cTCRL-Ab-mediated NK cell responses were compromised in chronically HBV-infected patients, particularly in those receiving pegylated interferon-α (Peg-IFNα), which was associated with the downregulation of CD16 expression. Correspondingly, Peg-IFNα inhibited cTCRL-Ab-mediated NK cell function by reducing CD16 expression in vitro. scRNA-seq revealed that CD16 downregulation occurred mainly within a dysfunctional CD16hi NK subset exhibiting exhaustion properties. In contrast, an activated CD16hiNK subpopulation (CX3CR1⁺KLRC2–CD16hi) with high cytotoxicity was enriched in patients who experienced favorable treatment responses. Furthermore, the intrahepatic CX3CR1+KLRC2–CD16hi subset tended to exhibit functional restoration in HBsAg-loss individuals. Conclusions Our data contribute to the understanding of antibody-mediated responses of NK cells in chronic HBV infection, and highlight a previously unappreciated functional CX3CR1+KLRC2–CD16hiNK subset as a potential therapeutic target.

Objective To investigate the effect of erioside E on myocardial injury after myocardial infarction(MI)by regulating hypoxia-inducible factor-2α(HIF-2α)-mediated pyroptosis of cardiomyocytes and its possible mechanism.Methods Thirty rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group,MI group,and erioside E group,with 10 rats in each group.Cardiomyocytes H9C2 were cultured and divided into control group,hypoxia group,erioside E group and HIF-2α overexpression group.Masson staining was used to observe myocardial fibrosis and infarct size.The protein expressions of HIF-2α,NLRP3,Caspase-1 and GSDMD were detected by Western blotting.RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of HIF-2α,NLRP3,Caspase-1 and GSDMD.EdU kit was used to detect the proliferation of cardiomyocytes.The expressions of NLRP3,Caspase-1 and GSDMD proteins in cardiomyocytes were detected by immunofluorescence staining.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the myocardial fibrosis level and infarct size were significantly increased in the MI group(P＜0.05),and the protein expressions of HIF-2α,pyroptosis-related proteins of NLRP3,Caspase-1 and GSDMD in myocardial tissue were increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the MI group,the level of myocardial fibrosis and infarct size were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the protein expression of HIF-2α in myocardial tissue was increased,and the protein expressions of NLRP3,Caspase-1 and GSDMD were decreased in the erioside E group(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,the hypoxia group had a significant reduction in the proliferation of cardiomyocytes and significant increase in the mRNA and protein expressions of HIF-2α,NLRP3,Caspase-1 and GSDMD(P＜0.05).Compared with the hypoxia group,the proliferation ability of cardiomyocytes was significantly increased,and the expressions of HIF-2α,NLRP3,Caspase-1 and GSDMD mRNA in cardiomyocytes were decreased in the erioside E group(P＜0.05),while the protein expression of HIF-2α in cardiomyocytes was increased in the HIF-2αoverexpression group.The protein expressions of NLRP3,Caspase-1 and GSDMD were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Erioside E can improve myocardial injury by upregulating HIF-2α to inhibit myocardial pyroptosis.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective To study the need for blood compatibility evaluation of medical devices that come into indirect contact with blood in order to accurately evaluate the risk of their interaction with blood.Methods Seven medical devices with indirect contact with blood were selected as samples including extension tubes of central venous catheters,port bodies of implantable drug delivery devices,infusion sets,receiving lines of dialysis equipment,auxiliary lines of left ventricular assist devices,blood monitors and catheter holders,with high-density polyethylene as the negative control,glass beads as the positive control and blank whole blood or plasma for the blank control.Partial thromboplastin time(PTT)test,platelet count test and hematology test(white blood cell and red blood cell count)were performed by direct contact method and indirect contact method,respectively.In the direct contact method,whole blood or plasma was in direct contact with the sample;while in the indirect contact method,whole blood or plasma was not in direct contact with the extraction solution,with no direct contact with the sample.Results With the indirect contact method the ratios(expressed as a percentage)of the PTT,platelate,WBC and RBC counts of the samples,positive and negative controls to those of the blank control were all higher than those with the direct contact method,and the indirect contact method had the sensitivity lower than that of the direct contact method.Conclusion Medical devices indirectly contacting blood have low risks for causing coagulation and platelet and hematologic adverse reactions,which are suggested to be evaluated for hemolysis testing only in case of the history of safe clinical use.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(8):44-49]

Objective:To explore the relationship between suicide attempts,school bullying,and psychological resilience in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder(MDD)and school bullying and psychological resilience.Methods:A total of 784 patients with MDD aged 10 to 18 years were included.The Chinese version of the Olweus Bullying Victimization Questionnaire,Adolescent Psychological Resilience Scale,and a suicide attempt assessment were utilized to evaluate school bullying,psychological resilience,and suicide attempt.Stepwise logistic regression was applied to identify the associated factors of suicide attempts.Results:The occurrence of suicide at-tempts in children and adolescents with MDD was positively associated with physical bullying(OR=1.85,95％CI:1.14-3.02)and indirect bullying(OR=1.48,95％CI:1.06-2.04),and negatively associated with higher levels of goal focus(OR=0.62,95％CI:0.45-0.85)and positive cognition(OR=0.62,95％CI:0.45-0.85)at higher levels.Conclusion:Bullying significantly increases the risk of suicide attempts in children and adolescents with MDD,while higher psychological resilience could mitigate this risk.

Objective:To analyze the effects of shared decision-making in patients with type 2 diabetic mellitus.Methods:Databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang Datebase, COVIP and SinoMed, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the application of shared decision-making in patients with type 2 diabetic mellitus from inception to July 22, 2023, used R Studio software for meta-analysis.Results:A total of 14 RCTs and 2 606 patients with type 2 diabetic mellitus were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the shared decision-making can alleviate the decision-making conflict of type 2 diabetic mellitus patients ( MD=-3.18, 95% CI -5.36 to -0.99, P<0.05), improve the decision-making self-efficacy ( MD=5.82, 95% CI 2.34 to 9.30, P<0.05), medication compliance ( RR=1.08, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.16, P<0.05), and diabetes-related knowledge ( SMD=0.46, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.75, P<0.05), reduce BMI ( MD=-0.75, 95% CI-1.33 to -0.17, P<0.05) and the HbA1c level ( MD=-0.45, 95% CI -0.65 to -0.24, P<0.05) in the 3-month follow-up. Conclusions:The shared decision-making improves the self-management in patients with type 2 diabetic mellitus. However, the long-term effect and potential risks of this model still need to be further studied. It is suggested that the application of shared decision-making in type 2 diabetic mellitus patients should be optimized in the future, and research on the long-term effects and potential risks of this model should be increased.

Objective:To explore the relationship between suicide attempts,school bullying,and psychological resilience in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder(MDD)and school bullying and psychological resilience.Methods:A total of 784 patients with MDD aged 10 to 18 years were included.The Chinese version of the Olweus Bullying Victimization Questionnaire,Adolescent Psychological Resilience Scale,and a suicide attempt assessment were utilized to evaluate school bullying,psychological resilience,and suicide attempt.Stepwise logistic regression was applied to identify the associated factors of suicide attempts.Results:The occurrence of suicide at-tempts in children and adolescents with MDD was positively associated with physical bullying(OR=1.85,95％CI:1.14-3.02)and indirect bullying(OR=1.48,95％CI:1.06-2.04),and negatively associated with higher levels of goal focus(OR=0.62,95％CI:0.45-0.85)and positive cognition(OR=0.62,95％CI:0.45-0.85)at higher levels.Conclusion:Bullying significantly increases the risk of suicide attempts in children and adolescents with MDD,while higher psychological resilience could mitigate this risk.

Objective To investigate the correlation of the characteristics of symptomatic middle cerebral artery plaques with the risk of stroke recurrence based on high-resolution vessel wall imaging(HR-VWI).Methods Totally 83 patients hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke(AIS)and transient ischemic attack(TIA)at Jingmen People's Hospital and Yichang Central People's Hospital from January 2019 to August 2022 were selected prospectively,who all underwent the treatment with antiplatelet aggregation and intensive lipid lowering by statins.During the follow-up,AIS or TIA recurrences were determined in case of newly found symptoms of neurological impairment in the same supply area of the responsible vessel or new infarct foci confirmed by cranial diffusion weighted imaging(DWI).The patients with AIS or TIA recurrences were enrolled into a recurrence group,and the remained ones were divided into a non-recurrence group.The recurrence group went through HR-VWI scanning within two weeks of recurrence and statin treatment,and the non-recurrence group was examined with HR-VWI half a year after receiving statin treatment.All the patients had their clinical indexes compared before and after statin treatment,the baseline data of the two groups underwent univariate analysis,and Logistic regression analysis was performed for the high-risk factors related to recurrence.SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results After six months of statin treatment,all the patients were improved in TC,TG,luminal stenosis rate,high T1WI signal,plaque burden,plaque enhancement rate and NIHSS score,with the differences being significant(all P＜0.05).Univariate analysis showed the recurrence group had higher plaque enhancement rates(P=0.012)and higher plaque burden(P=0.047)when compared with the non-recurrence group,with the differences being significant;the two groups were not statistically different in luminal stenosis rate,high T1WI signal,plaque thickness and remodeling index(all P＞0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated the plaque enhancement rate was independently correlated with stroke recurrence within 6 months(P=0.027).Conclusion HR-VWI can effectively assess MCA plaque characteristics in recurrent stroke patients,and high plaque enhancement rate faciliates the evaluation of stroke recurrence.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(2):63-67]

Objective To summarize the imaging characteristics of occult rib fracture(ORF),analyze the causes of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of ORF,and explore strategies to improve the detection rate of ORF.Methods A total of 142 patients with rib fractures who underwent multi spiral computed tomography(MSCT)were selected.The initial examination was conducted within 1 week after the injury,and follow-up examinations were performed at multiple time points after 1 week post-injury.A retrospective analysis was conducted to review the fracture detection and locations during the follow-up period.The time of fracture edge sclerosis or callus growth was observed in the young group(17 cases),middle-aged group(64 cases),and elderly group(61 cases).Results The anterior segment of the ribs was the predilection site for occult fractures,with 199 cases(53.4％).The missed diagnosis rates of fracture were higher for fractures near the costal cartilage segment and the posterior segment of the ribs,with missed diagnosis rates of 49.4％and 58.8％,respectively.Compared with the number of rib fractures identified in the initial examination,there was a statistically significant difference in the number of rib fractures at 3-6 weeks after injury(P＜0.05).The time of local sclerosis or callus growth in the young,middle-aged and elderly groups was(18.76±3.849)d,(26.14±6.597)d,and(37.69±5.726)d,respectively,with statistically significantl differences between the groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion MSCT has certain limits in diagnosing ORF in the short term after injury.Primarily observing the predilection sites and missed sites of occult fractures,systematically recognizing the imaging characteristics of ORF,and adopting the optimal detection-time window for patients of different age groups can reduce the missed diagnosis rate and misdiagnosis rate of ORF and improve the detection rate of fractures.This provides accurate and objective basis for clinical and forensic identification,with significant clinical importance and application value.