Narrative medicine focuses on empathy， relevance， and emotion， precisely aligning with the elements of “clown doctor” such as compassion， interaction， and pain relief. From the perspective of narrative medicine， the practice of “clown doctors” not only focuses on the emotional changes of patients but also enhances their sense of belonging by recreating their experiences. The key element for the success of “clown doctors” lies in establishing a multi-dimensional trust relationship among medical workers， patients， colleagues， and society， while ensuring their practice adheres to medical ethics norms. “Clown doctors” should concentrate on dimensions such as concept dissemination， clinical application， social recognition， and ethical practice of narrative medicine. They should also constantly optimize narrative techniques， deepen the understanding of patients’ stories， and intervene in the medical process in a more delicate and comprehensive way， thereby fostering in-depth communication and understanding between doctors and patients.

Childhood simple obesity has become a significant public health issue in China. Modern medicine primarily relies on lifestyle interventions and often suffers from poor long-term compliance， while pharmacological options are limited and associated with potential adverse effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM） has a long history in the prevention and management of this condition， demonstrating eight distinct advantages， including systematic theoretical foundation， diversified therapeutic approaches， definite therapeutic efficacy， high safety profile， good patient compliance， comprehensive intervention strategies， emphasis on prevention， and stepwise treatment protocols. Additionally， TCM is characterized by six distinctive features： the use of natural medicinal substances， non-invasive external therapies， integration of medicinal dietetics， simple exercise regimens， precise syndrome differentiation， and diverse dosage forms. By combining internal and external treatments， TCM facilitates individualized regimen adjustment and holistic regulation， demonstrating remarkable effects in improving obesity-related metabolic indicators， regulating constitutional imbalance， and promoting healthy behaviors. However， challenges remain， such as inconsistent operational standards， insufficient high-quality clinical evidence， and a gap between basic research and clinical application. Future efforts should focus on accelerating the standardization of TCM diagnosis and treatment， conducting multicenter randomized controlled trials， and fostering interdisciplinary integration， so as to enhance the scientific validity and international recognition of TCM in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiological dynamics and spatiotemporal diffusion trend of brucellosis in China from 2010 to 2024.Methods:Data on reported human brucellosis cases in mainland China from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2024, were collected via the"China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention", including detailed information on the date of onset, gender, age, occupation, and residential address of the cases. The Joinpoint regression and spatial interpolation techniques were used to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics and population distribution characteristics of human brucellosis in pastoral/semi-pastoral areas and other regions, as well as urban and rural areas, and explore the epidemic trends of the disease.Results:From 2010 to 2024, pastoral/semi-pastoral regions reported 252 094 brucellosis cases, with a mean annual incidence rate of 36.57±7.28 per 100 000. In contrast, other regions cumulatively recorded 519 748 cases during the same period, demonstrating a significantly lower mean annual incidence rate of 2.54±0.74 per 100 000. The incidence rate of human brucellosis in pastoral/semi-pastoral regions exhibited a declining-rebounding-declining trend. Specifically, the incidence rate decreased significantly from 2010 to 2017 (APC=-7.20; P<0.001) and increased notably from 2017 to 2021 (APC=18.00; P=0.015) with a decline again from 2021 to 2024 (APC=-7.53; P=0.027). In other regions, the incidence rate showed a fluctuating upward trend. Specifically, the incidence rate increased significantly from 2010 to 2015 (APC=20.37; P<0.001) and decreased notably from 2015 to 2018 (APC=-21.78; P<0.001), followed by an increase again from 2018 to 2024, a significant upward trend in incidence rate from 2018 to 2021 (APC=26.73; P<0.001) and a non-significant decline from 2021 to 2024 (APC=-0.99; P=0.735), resulting in the maintenance of a relatively high incidence level. Rural areas demonstrated significantly higher brucellosis incidence rates than urban settings (all P<0.001). Brucellosis exhibited a diffusion trend from the northern epidemic areas of China to neighboring regions, along with sporadic diffusion in southern regions between 2010 and 2024. The age structure of patients in pastoral/semi-pastoral areas differed significantly from that in other regions. Specifically, in pastoral/semi-pastoral areas, the incidence rate was higher among the 35-49 age groups, while in other regions, the incidence rate was higher among those aged 55-64. Conclusion:There are notable disparities in the incidence of human brucellosis between pastoral/semi-pastoral areas and other regions in China. Human brucellosis exhibits a diffusion trend from the northern epidemic areas of China to neighboring regions, along with sporadic diffusion in southern regions.

Objective This study aimed to adapt the data-driven Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration(PCOC)model to the local context and evaluate its feasibility and preliminary effectiveness in a palliative care unit in China,with the goal of informing its broader integration into national palliative care practice.Methods Based on international experience,a localized implementation protocol for the PCOC model was developed through expert con-sultations and a pilot study.The protocol incorporated key elements including organizational and managerial sup-port,team training and capacity building,information system integration,supervision and feedback mechanisms,pro-cess optimization,and data-driven decision-making.From June to December 2023,the protocol was piloted in the palliative care unit of a tertiary cancer hospital in Changsha,China.Implementation outcomes were assessed by comparing patients' urgent care response rates,symptom stability rates,and symptom improvement rates between the first 1～3 months and 4～6 months after implementation.Results During the study period,a total of 355 inpatients were enrolled,with the PCOC assessment achieving full coverage(100％)and a completion rate of 97.78％.There was no statistically significant difference in the urgent needs response rate between the first 1～3 months and the 4～6 months after the implementation of the PCOC model(P=0.533).However,compared to the first 1～3 months af-ter implementation,patients in the 4～6 months period showed significantly higher symptom stability rates for pain,psychological/spiritual issues,and family/caregiver problems,as well as a higher improvement rate for pain(P＜0.05).Conclusion The localized PCOC implementation protocol facilitates standardized assessment and symptom manage-ment,and its application can enhance the quality of palliative care.

Objective:This study aimed to compare postoperative pain between minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (MICS-CABG) and conventional CABG for multivessel coronary artery disease, comparing baseline characteristics and perioperative data between the two groups, and analyzing risk factors influencing postoperative pain.Methods:A total of 545 patients undergoing elective off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) for multivessel coronary artery disease at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from July 2022 to July 2023 were included. There were 397 patients in the conventional CABG group (289 males, 108 females, aged 35-77 years) and 148 patients in the minimally invasive CABG group (121 males, 27 females, aged 37-84 years), with 148 patients in each group after propensity score matching. Pain levels were assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at the first 5 days postoperatively (acute postoperative pain, APP) and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively (chronic post-surgical pain, CPSP). Logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors for CPSP at 3 months postoperatively in both groups. Results:Within 48 hours postoperatively, both groups reported maximum NRS pain intensities at rest (NRS 4.0 vs. 6.0) and during activity (NRS 5.2 vs. 7.5). From the third day after surgery, there were no significant differences in resting pain intensity between the two groups, and from the fourth day after surgery, there were no significant differences in pain intensity during movement. With 60.2% in the conventional group and 92.6% in the minimally invasive group experiencing moderate to severe pain at rest (NRS ≥ 4), and 83.5% in the conventional group and 98.0% in the minimally invasive group experiencing moderate to severe pain during activity (NRS ≥ 4). Immediately after drain removal, there was a significant reduction in pain intensity at rest in the minimally invasive group (pre-drain removal NRS 6.0 vs. post-drain removal NRS 2.7), compared to the conventional group (pre-drain removal NRS 4.0 vs. post-drain removal NRS 2.3). However, there was no significant difference in the reduction of pain intensity during activity between the minimally invasive group (pre-drain removal NRS 7.5 vs. post-drain removal NRS 4.2) and the conventional group (pre-drain removal NRS 6.0 vs. post-drain removal NRS 2.7). At 3 months postoperatively, the incidence of CPSP was 35.9% in the conventional group and 35.1% in the minimally invasive group. At 6 months postoperatively, the incidence of CPSP was significantly lower compared to 3 months in both groups (conventional group 8.7% vs. minimally invasive group 6.8%, P<0.001). In the conventional group, higher Europe SCORE Ⅱ was identified as an independent risk factor for CPSP at 3 months postoperatively, while in the minimally invasive group, higher BMI and postoperative use of flurbiprofen for rescue analgesia were identified as independent risk factors. Conclusion:In patients undergoing minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), the early postoperative acute pain intensity and incidence were higher than those in the conventional CABG group. After drain removal, there were no significant differences in resting pain intensity between the two groups, but pain intensity during movement remained higher in the minimally invasive group compared to the conventional group. The incidence of chronic pain did not differ between the two groups but decreased significantly from 3 months postoperatively. Conventional CABG patients with high preoperative Europe SCORE Ⅱ scores, high preoperative BMI and severe postoperative acute pain tend to have more chronic pain after minimally invasive bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: Owing to the high prevalence of antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) in China, bismuth-containing quadruple therapies have been recommended for H. pylori eradication. This study compared the efficacy and safety of quadruple regimens containing vonoprazan vs . esomeprazole for H. pylori eradication in a patient population in China. METHODS: This was a phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind study. Patients with confirmed H. pylori infection were randomized 1:1 to receive quadruple therapy for 14 days: amoxicillin 1000 mg and clarithromycin 500 mg after meals, bismuth potassium citrate 600 mg before meals, plus either vonoprazan 20 mg or esomeprazole 20 mg before meals, all twice daily. The primary outcome was the eradication rate of H. pylori , evaluated using a 13 C urea breath test at 4 weeks after treatment. The non-inferiority margin was at 10%. RESULTS: The study included 510 patients, 506 of whom completed the follow-up assessment. The primary analysis revealed eradication rates of 86.8% (210/242) and 86.7% (208/240) for vonoprazan and esomeprazole therapy, respectively (treatment difference: 0.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -5.95, 6.17; non-inferiority P  = 0.0009). Per-protocol analysis showed eradication rates of 87.4% for vonoprazan and 86.3% for esomeprazole (treatment difference: 1.2%; 95% CI: -5.03, 7.36; non-inferiority P  = 0.0004). Vonoprazan and esomeprazole were well tolerated, with similar safety profiles. CONCLUSION: Vonoprazan was found to be well-tolerated and non-inferior to esomeprazole for eradicating H. pylori in patients from China. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT04198363.
Humans ; Esomeprazole/therapeutic use* ; Double-Blind Method ; Helicobacter Infections/drug therapy* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Helicobacter pylori/pathogenicity* ; Pyrroles/therapeutic use* ; Sulfonamides/therapeutic use* ; Adult ; Clarithromycin/therapeutic use* ; Amoxicillin/therapeutic use* ; Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use* ; Pyrrolidines/therapeutic use* ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Proton Pump Inhibitors/therapeutic use*

Objective:To reveal the relationship between fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) protein and the occurrence of diseases in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) combined with metabolic syndrome (MS).Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted, and general clinical data and laboratory test indicators of 50 PCOS patients (PCOS group) and 54 healthy individuals (control group) were collected from December 2023 to October 2024. The PCOS group was divided into the PCOS without MS subgroup (PCOS+nMS subgroup, n=25) and the PCOS with MS subgroup (PCOS+MS subgroup, n=25) based on whether MS was present or not. The expression level of serum FTO protein was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The clinical data and metabolic characteristics of PCOS patients were analyzed, as well as the correlation between serum FTO protein level and the occurrence of PCOS with MS. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drew to analyze the predictive ability of serum FTO protein level for PCOS combined MS, and the correlation between serum FTO protein level and metabolic status of PCOS patients was evaluated through logistic regression model. Results:The level of serum FTO protein in the PCOS group [57.42 (45.87, 68.53) μg/L], and PCOS+nMS subgroup [48.41 (37.84, 64.30) μg/L] was all significantly higher than that in the control [45.70 (36.41, 52.86) μg/L, P<0.001; adjusted P=0.016]. The expression level of serum FTO protein in PCOS+MS subgroup [60.31 (50.99, 72.28) μg/L] was significantly higher than that in PCOS+nMS subgroup (adjusted P=0.013) and the control (adjusted P<0.001). The serum FTO protein expression level in the PCOS group was significantly positively correlated with body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, homeostasis model to assess insulin resistance index (all P<0.05). The expression level of serum FTO protein had a certain predictive value for PCOS, with an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.725 (95% CI: 0.627-0.824) and a better predictive value for the occurrence of MS in PCOS, with an AUC value of 0.869 (95% CI: 0.762-0.976) as shown by the ROC curve. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that in PCOS patients, the expression level of serum FTO protein had a significant positive effect on the coexistence of MS, ( OR=1.092,95% CI: 1.010-1.180, P=0.026). Conclusion:PCOS patients have higher serum FTO protein levels than healthy women, and PCOS patients with MS have higher serum FTO protein levels than those without MS. The serum FTO protein level has a good predictive value for the occurrence of PCOS and PCOS complicated with MS, and is an independent risk factor for the occurrence of MS in PCOS.

Epidural spinal cord stimulation (eSCS) represents an emerging neuromodulation technology that ameliorates motor dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, and stroke by activating sensory afferent fibers, enhancing spinal cord neural network integration, optimizing brain-spinal cord information transmission, and inducing neural plasticity. This article reviews the mechanism, electrode implantation, and stimulation parameter of eSCS, and application of eSCS in spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, and stroke, aiming to provide valuable insight for its clinical implementation.

Objectives:To investigate the impact of the Micra AV leadless pacemaker on cardiac function.Methods:A total of 76 patients who received the implantation of Micra AV leadless pacemaker due to sick sinus syndrome or atrioventricular block at Ruijin Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from September 2022 to April 2023 were included in this study.Among them,26 patients(34.2%)had sick sinus syndrome,and 50 patients(65.8%)had atrioventricular block.The patients were followed up for 1 year postoperatively.Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography,and the parameters of the pacemaker were collected through the outpatient clinic programming system.Results:After a follow-up of 120(87,181)days,compared with the preoperative state,the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)decreased postoperatively([66.6±5.6]%vs.[63.8±5.2]%,P<0.001),and the cardiac output increased[(4.3±1.2)L/min vs.(5.3±1.5)L/min,P<0.001].There were no statistically significant differences in various cardiac function indexes of patients with sick sinus syndrome between the postoperative and preoperative states(all P>0.05).Compared with the preoperative state,in patients with atrioventricular block,the LVEF decreased postoperatively([67.0±5.1]%vs.[63.4±4.4]%,P<0.001),the cardiac output increased([4.2±1.1]L/min vs.[5.2±1.2]L/min,P<0.001),and the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased[(49.9±5.4)mm vs.(48.6±5.0)mm,P=0.044].Firth's logistic regression analysis indicated that the preoperative LVEF(for every 1%increase,OR=1.56,95%CI:1.12-2.17,P=0.001),stroke volume(for every 1 ml increase,OR=1.15,95%CI:1.04-1.28,P=0.001),body mass index(for every 1 kg/m2 increase,OR=1.49,95%CI:1.02-2.17,P=0.020),and hypertension(OR=12.71,95%CI:1.11-145.13,P=0.039)were independent risk factors for the decrease in LVEF after surgery in patients with atrioventricular block.After the implantation of the MciraTM AV leadless pacemaker,the overall atrioventricular synchrony rate was 81.2%(68.8%,89.0%).The atrioventricular synchrony rates of patients with sick sinus syndrome and those with atrioventricular block were 70.6%(59.5%,83.4%)and 82.4%(74.2%,89.3%)respectively(P<0.05).Firth's logistic regression analysis indicated that sick sinus syndrome(OR=0.26,95%CI:0.07-0.89,P=0.029)and preoperative LVEF(for every 1%increase,OR=1.18,95%CI:1.03-1.35,P=0.015)were independent predictive factors for the atrioventricular synchrony rate>80%.Conclusions:There are differences in the impacts of the Micra AV leadless pacemaker on the LVEF and atrioventricular synchrony rate between patients with sick sinus syndrome and those with atrioventricular block.The preoperative LVEF,stroke volume,body mass index,and hypertension have independent predictive effects on the decrease in postoperative LVEF in patients with atrioventricular block.Sick sinus syndrome and preoperative LVEF are independent predictive factors for the atrioventricular synchrony rate>80%after surgery.