1.Sleep Traits and Malignant Risk of Pulmonary Nodules: Evidence Triangulation From Questionnaire, Cohort, and Mendelian Randomization
Xiangyu CHEN ; Yiqiao XUE ; Mengqing LIU ; Yile HU ; Weizuo LIANG ; Hanqing LIU ; Yizheng WANG ; Mingfang ZHAO
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(3):663-676
To investigate the association between sleep-related phenotypes and the risk of malignancy in pulmonary nodules, and to provide complementary evidence from a general population cohort and genetic analyses. This study comprised three parts. Part 1 was a cross-sectional study that consecutively enrolled patients with imaging-confirmed pulmonary nodules at the First Hospital of China Medical University from November 2024 to December 2025. Nine sleep domains were constructed using items from the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), with domain severity coded on a 0-6 scale according to the frequency of occurrence. Benign or malignant status of pulmonary nodules was determined based on pathological results or clinical follow-up. Multivariable Logistic regression models with progressive adjustment were constructed. Stratified, interaction, and dose-response analyses (including categorical grouping and restricted cubic splines) were performed focusing on the insomnia symptom domain to explore the association between sleep-related phenotypes and the risk of malignant pulmonary nodules. Part 2 was a prospective cohort study using the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) to investigate the association between sleep duration and incident lung cancer risk in the general population. Part 3 comprised genetic causality analyses, including two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) and linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC), using data from the OpenGWAS database, to assess whether directionally consistent genetic association signals exist between sleep-related phenotypes and lung cancer risk. In the cross-sectional study, a total of 800 patients with pulmonary nodules were included, of whom 288 (36.0%) were in the malignant group. In the continuous-variable main model fully adjusted for baseline confounders, all nine sleep domains, imaging findings, and depression and anxiety status, the severity of the insomnia symptom domain showed a positive association signal with the risk of malignant pulmonary nodules (fully adjusted model: per 1-point increase, In patients with pulmonary nodules, an association signal exists between insomnia-related symptoms and the risk of malignancy, but the dose-response relationship remains unclear. The CHARLS cohort and genetic analyses provide supplementary directional clues for the above associations, albeit with limited statistical strength and result consistency. Definitive conclusions regarding the association between sleep phenotypes and the risk of malignant pulmonary nodules require further validation in prospective studies.
2.Functional perforator flap: concept and clinical applications.
Hu JIAO ; Mengqing ZANG ; Lu ZHOU ; Shengyang JIN ; Jiadong PAN ; Miao WANG ; Xin WANG ; Yuanbo LIU
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(9):1076-1085
OBJECTIVE:
To review the clinical applications of functional perforator flaps in restoring human body functions.
METHODS:
An extensive literature review was conducted on both domestic and international publications to summarize the clinical use of functional perforator flaps for functional restoration.
RESULTS:
Perforator flaps are among the most commonly used flaps in reconstructive surgery. Beyond providing soft tissue repair, they are increasingly employed to reconstruct diverse bodily functions, leading us to propose the concept of the "functional perforator flap". Although various forms of functional perforator flaps are currently utilized, reports are predominantly scattered case studies, lacking systematic organization. Commonly used functional perforator flaps can be categorized into five types: chimeric perforator flaps, perforator flaps for nerve function restoration, perforator flaps for lymphatic drainage enhancement, flow-through perforator flaps, and perforator flaps for restoring bone and joint motion. These flaps significantly broaden the application scope of perforator flaps, elevating the goal of reconstruction from mere wound repair to achieving repair concurrent with functional reconstruction.
CONCLUSION
The application of various functional perforator flap designs significantly improves wound reconstruction outcomes and represents an effective approach for managing complex defects. Future developments will undoubtedly see more forms of functional perforator flaps reported to meet increasingly sophisticated reconstructive demands.
Humans
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Perforator Flap/blood supply*
;
Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods*
;
Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery*
;
Skin Transplantation/methods*
;
Wound Healing
3.Clinical effect of indocyanine green angiography-assisted design and harvest of expanded flaps for scar reconstruction
Yanan HU ; Tingjun XIE ; Yuanbo LIU ; Shan ZHU ; Zengjie YANG ; Jia TIAN ; Cheng GAN ; Hu JIAO ; Shanshan LI ; Zixiang CHEN ; Lu ZHOU ; Bing HAN ; Shengyang JIN ; Yan ZENG ; Miao WANG ; Mengqing ZANG
Chinese Journal of Burns 2025;41(4):341-347
Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA)-assisted design and harvest of expanded flaps for scar reconstruction.Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. From April 2019 to August 2023, 19 patients with scars (8 males, 11 females; aged 3-38 years) treated at the Plastic Surgery Hospital of Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences met the inclusion criteria. The scars were distributed on the head, face, trunk, and extremities. In stage Ⅰ surgery, skin soft tissue expanders were implanted in suitable areas around the scars for skin soft tissue expansion. In stage Ⅱ surgery, the scar tissue was excised, resulting in wound areas ranging from 100 to 210 cm 2, and expanded flaps were designed. ICGA was used to identify target perforators and their accompanying veins, and the flap design was adjusted to ensure the inclusion of complete arterial and venous axes. The expanded flap with an area of 120 to 240 cm2 was harvested using unilateral back-cut technique and transferred to the recipient site, and the donor site wound was sutured directly. The durations of the arterial and venous phases of ICGA during flap design were recorded. The length-to-width ratios of the back-cut flaps were calculated for different regions. After stage Ⅱ surgery, the blood perfusion and survival of the flap, the wound healing at the donor site, and the occurrence of complications were observed. During follow-up, the appearance, color, and texture of the patient's flap were observed. Results:The arterial phase of ICGA lasted 10-27 (18±5) s, and the venous phase lasted 78-116 (100±10) s. The length-to-width ratios of the back-cut flaps were 1.22±0.32, 1.63±0.12, and 1.15±0.21 for the head and neck, trunk, and limb regions, respectively. After stage Ⅱ surgery, one patient had a large area of insufficient blood perfusion in the flap. By comparing ICGA images before and after flap transfer, the sutures at the oral commissure were loosened, the blood flow of the flap was restored. The blood perfusion of the flaps in other patients was good. All flaps survived completely, with well-healed donor site wounds and no complications. During 0.5-14.0 months of follow-up, all flaps of patients demonstrated excellent appearance, with color and texture matching the surrounding skin.Conclusions:As a means of superficial blood flow visualization, ICGA can not only clearly show the microvascular distribution of the expanded flap before operation, assist in optimizing the design of the flap, but also evaluate the blood perfusion of the flap after operation, reduce the occurrence of complications, and provide a full-process navigation for the harvesting of expanded flaps, thereby improving the safety of flap transfer for scar reconstruction.
4.Research advances on scar makeup
Haixiao LIANG ; Yuanbo LIU ; Mengqing ZANG
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2025;41(9):975-980
Scar makeup is a specialized technique that involves concealing scars on exposed areas of the patients using makeup techniques based on color theory and "band-aid" theory as well as light and dark technique. Scar makeup serves as an effective supplement to conventional scar management. Scar makeup significantly promotes the psychological health and improves the quality of life for patients with scar. This review outlined the key characteristics, underlying principles, and practical method of scar camouflage; summarized advances in materials and clinical applications; described the current development of scar makeup clinics and therapist training; and highlighted existing challenges. This review aims to provide a valuable reference toward the establishment of scar makeup clinics in China.
5.Short-term outcome study on cervical deep lymph node-venous anastomosis technique in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Cheng GAN ; Zhengdong KONG ; Xiaoye RAN ; Shudong QIAO ; Yixin ZHANG ; Lu YUE ; Yingjie WANG ; Hui BI ; Dong YANG ; Hongtong MA ; Yuan CHEN ; Hongli CHAI ; Ying JIA ; Chenhao MA ; Zixiang CHEN ; Ke LI ; Miao WANG ; Liguo XUE ; Siwen ZHAO ; Ke WEN ; Lin YIN ; Bo DING ; Shan ZHU ; Yuanbo LIU ; Mengqing ZANG
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2025;41(2):130-143
Objective:To explore the short-term clinical effects of deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods:A prospective exploratory study was conducted on the treatment of AD patients using the cervical deep lymph node-venous anastomosis technique in Scar and Wound Treatment Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from September to October 2024. The patients underwent high-frequency ultrasound to locate deep cervical lymph nodes and the external jugular vein. Under general anesthesia, bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses were performed. Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography was conducted via subcutaneous injection behind the ear to visualize lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. After making a skin incision along the posterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the external jugular vein, internal jugular veins, and associated lymph nodes were exposed. Adjacent veins were selected for anastomosis of lymph node. Using microsurgical techniques, end-to-side or end-to-end anastomosis was completed for lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. Preoperative assessments included the mini-mental state examination (MMSE, a higher score indicates better cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog, a higher score indicates greater impairment of cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease cooperative study scale for activities of daily living (ADCS-ADL, a higher score indicates better ability to perform daily activity), and neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI, a higher score indicates more severe behavioral and emotional symptom). Postoperative follow-up included the same scales to observe changes in cognitive function, activities of daily living, and emotional communication.Results:Four patients (1 male, 3 females, aged 58-79 years) with AD were included. All were diagnosed based on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. All patients successfully underwent bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses. On average, 4.3 (2-7 per person) anastomoses were performed per patient. Surgical procedures lasted an average of 6.5 h (5.5-8.5 h) with minimal blood loss (less than 50 ml). Patients resumed normal activity within 6 hours postoperatively and were discharged after an average of 4.1 d (3.5-5.0 d). Postoperative complications included one case each of aspiration pneumonia, lower limb venous thrombosis, and transient delirium, all of whom resolved without long-term effects. Clinical symptoms, including memory decline, mood swings, and anxiety, showed varying degrees of improvement. Patients reported enhanced quality of life, emotional stability, and social engagement, confirming the procedure’s safety and potential cognitive benefits. At one month postoperatively, the MMSE scores of the four patients increased by an average of 0.8 points compared to preoperative levels. Additionally, the two patients who completed the ADAS-Cog assessments showed a decrease in their scores (reduced by 1.0 points and 11.3 points, respectively, compared to preoperative scores), indicating a certain degree of improvement in cognitive function during this period. The ADCS-ADL and NPI scores of four patients varied significantly, without showing any clear pattern.Conclusion:Lymphovenous anastomosis of the deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis may provide a new surgical intervention approach for AD, but further large-scale studies and long-term follow-up are needed to validate its safety and effectiveness.
6.Implementation efficacy of Guangxi's"regulations on medical dispute prevention and resolution"from healthcare practitioners' perspective
Ziyi YE ; Lu YE ; Qiwei LI ; Qingsong XIE ; Mengqing LIU
Modern Hospital 2025;25(5):669-672,678
Objective To assess the effectiveness of the Regulations on Medical Dispute Prevention and Resolution(hereafter referred to as the Regulations)and to provide evidence-based recommendations for enhancing the legal governance sys-tem of medical dispute management.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted involving physicians,nurses,techni-cians,clinical department directors,and head nurses.The investigation was conducted through literature review,questionnaire surveys,and expert interviews.Factor analysis and chi-square tests were employed for statistical analysis.Results Significant differences(P<0.01)were observed among healthcare practitioners in Guangxi concerning their understanding of the Regula-tions,preferences for dispute resolution methods,implementation of informed consent,and risk intervention practices.However,no significant differences emerged in medical quality and safety evaluations or recommendations for surgical accident insurance.Conclusion This study suggests it is a need to refine the legal framework for medical dispute prevention and resolution.It is rec-ommended to strengthen medical personnel's compliance with informed consent obligations and deepen their understanding of rel-evant laws and regulations.Efforts should be intensified to promote third-party mediation mechanisms such as the Medical Dispute Mediation Committee(MedMC)and medical accident insurance coverage.Additionally,pre-dispute risk assessments should be enhanced,and a risk early intervention model integrating artificial intelligence,healthcare practices,and legal regulations should be established.
7.Implementation efficacy of Guangxi's"regulations on medical dispute prevention and resolution"from healthcare practitioners' perspective
Ziyi YE ; Lu YE ; Qiwei LI ; Qingsong XIE ; Mengqing LIU
Modern Hospital 2025;25(5):669-672,678
Objective To assess the effectiveness of the Regulations on Medical Dispute Prevention and Resolution(hereafter referred to as the Regulations)and to provide evidence-based recommendations for enhancing the legal governance sys-tem of medical dispute management.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted involving physicians,nurses,techni-cians,clinical department directors,and head nurses.The investigation was conducted through literature review,questionnaire surveys,and expert interviews.Factor analysis and chi-square tests were employed for statistical analysis.Results Significant differences(P<0.01)were observed among healthcare practitioners in Guangxi concerning their understanding of the Regula-tions,preferences for dispute resolution methods,implementation of informed consent,and risk intervention practices.However,no significant differences emerged in medical quality and safety evaluations or recommendations for surgical accident insurance.Conclusion This study suggests it is a need to refine the legal framework for medical dispute prevention and resolution.It is rec-ommended to strengthen medical personnel's compliance with informed consent obligations and deepen their understanding of rel-evant laws and regulations.Efforts should be intensified to promote third-party mediation mechanisms such as the Medical Dispute Mediation Committee(MedMC)and medical accident insurance coverage.Additionally,pre-dispute risk assessments should be enhanced,and a risk early intervention model integrating artificial intelligence,healthcare practices,and legal regulations should be established.
8.Research advances on scar makeup
Haixiao LIANG ; Yuanbo LIU ; Mengqing ZANG
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2025;41(9):975-980
Scar makeup is a specialized technique that involves concealing scars on exposed areas of the patients using makeup techniques based on color theory and "band-aid" theory as well as light and dark technique. Scar makeup serves as an effective supplement to conventional scar management. Scar makeup significantly promotes the psychological health and improves the quality of life for patients with scar. This review outlined the key characteristics, underlying principles, and practical method of scar camouflage; summarized advances in materials and clinical applications; described the current development of scar makeup clinics and therapist training; and highlighted existing challenges. This review aims to provide a valuable reference toward the establishment of scar makeup clinics in China.
9.Clinical effect of indocyanine green angiography-assisted design and harvest of expanded flaps for scar reconstruction
Yanan HU ; Tingjun XIE ; Yuanbo LIU ; Shan ZHU ; Zengjie YANG ; Jia TIAN ; Cheng GAN ; Hu JIAO ; Shanshan LI ; Zixiang CHEN ; Lu ZHOU ; Bing HAN ; Shengyang JIN ; Yan ZENG ; Miao WANG ; Mengqing ZANG
Chinese Journal of Burns 2025;41(4):341-347
Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA)-assisted design and harvest of expanded flaps for scar reconstruction.Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. From April 2019 to August 2023, 19 patients with scars (8 males, 11 females; aged 3-38 years) treated at the Plastic Surgery Hospital of Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences met the inclusion criteria. The scars were distributed on the head, face, trunk, and extremities. In stage Ⅰ surgery, skin soft tissue expanders were implanted in suitable areas around the scars for skin soft tissue expansion. In stage Ⅱ surgery, the scar tissue was excised, resulting in wound areas ranging from 100 to 210 cm 2, and expanded flaps were designed. ICGA was used to identify target perforators and their accompanying veins, and the flap design was adjusted to ensure the inclusion of complete arterial and venous axes. The expanded flap with an area of 120 to 240 cm2 was harvested using unilateral back-cut technique and transferred to the recipient site, and the donor site wound was sutured directly. The durations of the arterial and venous phases of ICGA during flap design were recorded. The length-to-width ratios of the back-cut flaps were calculated for different regions. After stage Ⅱ surgery, the blood perfusion and survival of the flap, the wound healing at the donor site, and the occurrence of complications were observed. During follow-up, the appearance, color, and texture of the patient's flap were observed. Results:The arterial phase of ICGA lasted 10-27 (18±5) s, and the venous phase lasted 78-116 (100±10) s. The length-to-width ratios of the back-cut flaps were 1.22±0.32, 1.63±0.12, and 1.15±0.21 for the head and neck, trunk, and limb regions, respectively. After stage Ⅱ surgery, one patient had a large area of insufficient blood perfusion in the flap. By comparing ICGA images before and after flap transfer, the sutures at the oral commissure were loosened, the blood flow of the flap was restored. The blood perfusion of the flaps in other patients was good. All flaps survived completely, with well-healed donor site wounds and no complications. During 0.5-14.0 months of follow-up, all flaps of patients demonstrated excellent appearance, with color and texture matching the surrounding skin.Conclusions:As a means of superficial blood flow visualization, ICGA can not only clearly show the microvascular distribution of the expanded flap before operation, assist in optimizing the design of the flap, but also evaluate the blood perfusion of the flap after operation, reduce the occurrence of complications, and provide a full-process navigation for the harvesting of expanded flaps, thereby improving the safety of flap transfer for scar reconstruction.
10.Short-term outcome study on cervical deep lymph node-venous anastomosis technique in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Cheng GAN ; Zhengdong KONG ; Xiaoye RAN ; Shudong QIAO ; Yixin ZHANG ; Lu YUE ; Yingjie WANG ; Hui BI ; Dong YANG ; Hongtong MA ; Yuan CHEN ; Hongli CHAI ; Ying JIA ; Chenhao MA ; Zixiang CHEN ; Ke LI ; Miao WANG ; Liguo XUE ; Siwen ZHAO ; Ke WEN ; Lin YIN ; Bo DING ; Shan ZHU ; Yuanbo LIU ; Mengqing ZANG
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2025;41(2):130-143
Objective:To explore the short-term clinical effects of deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods:A prospective exploratory study was conducted on the treatment of AD patients using the cervical deep lymph node-venous anastomosis technique in Scar and Wound Treatment Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from September to October 2024. The patients underwent high-frequency ultrasound to locate deep cervical lymph nodes and the external jugular vein. Under general anesthesia, bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses were performed. Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography was conducted via subcutaneous injection behind the ear to visualize lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. After making a skin incision along the posterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the external jugular vein, internal jugular veins, and associated lymph nodes were exposed. Adjacent veins were selected for anastomosis of lymph node. Using microsurgical techniques, end-to-side or end-to-end anastomosis was completed for lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. Preoperative assessments included the mini-mental state examination (MMSE, a higher score indicates better cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog, a higher score indicates greater impairment of cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease cooperative study scale for activities of daily living (ADCS-ADL, a higher score indicates better ability to perform daily activity), and neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI, a higher score indicates more severe behavioral and emotional symptom). Postoperative follow-up included the same scales to observe changes in cognitive function, activities of daily living, and emotional communication.Results:Four patients (1 male, 3 females, aged 58-79 years) with AD were included. All were diagnosed based on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. All patients successfully underwent bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses. On average, 4.3 (2-7 per person) anastomoses were performed per patient. Surgical procedures lasted an average of 6.5 h (5.5-8.5 h) with minimal blood loss (less than 50 ml). Patients resumed normal activity within 6 hours postoperatively and were discharged after an average of 4.1 d (3.5-5.0 d). Postoperative complications included one case each of aspiration pneumonia, lower limb venous thrombosis, and transient delirium, all of whom resolved without long-term effects. Clinical symptoms, including memory decline, mood swings, and anxiety, showed varying degrees of improvement. Patients reported enhanced quality of life, emotional stability, and social engagement, confirming the procedure’s safety and potential cognitive benefits. At one month postoperatively, the MMSE scores of the four patients increased by an average of 0.8 points compared to preoperative levels. Additionally, the two patients who completed the ADAS-Cog assessments showed a decrease in their scores (reduced by 1.0 points and 11.3 points, respectively, compared to preoperative scores), indicating a certain degree of improvement in cognitive function during this period. The ADCS-ADL and NPI scores of four patients varied significantly, without showing any clear pattern.Conclusion:Lymphovenous anastomosis of the deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis may provide a new surgical intervention approach for AD, but further large-scale studies and long-term follow-up are needed to validate its safety and effectiveness.

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