1.Disease burden and changing trend in tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer attributable to air pollution globally and in China and the United States from 1990 to 2021
Shoucai HU ; Chenglong YANG ; Lingling ZHANG ; Fu LI ; Yanan ZHANG ; Bin LIU ; Qingxin LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(01):97-104
Objective To systematically analyze the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics and epidemiological trends of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer (TBL) disease burden attributed to air pollution globally and in China and the United States from 1990 to 2021, and to assess the patterns of disease burden changes from 2022 to 2031 based on predictive models, providing a scientific basis for formulating targeted TBL prevention and control strategies. Methods Based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database, we analyzed the disease burden data of TBL attributed to air pollution globally and in China and the United States from 1990 to 2021. R Studio 4.3.2 software was used to analyze the corresponding trends and the Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) prediction model was used to predict the status of the disease burden of TBL attributed to air pollution in the world and in China and the United States from 2022 to 2031. Results In 2021, China had the highest number of deaths and disability-adjusted life years attributed to air pollution (211 400 patients and 4.8947 million person-years), followed by the United States (6 000 patients and 124 300 person-years). The age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) and age-standardized disability-adjusted life years rate (ASDR) of TBL due to air pollution in the world and in China and the United States showed a decreasing trend. From 1990 to 2021, the ASMR and ASDR of TBL in China due to air pollution were much higher than those in the United States and the global average. In terms of gender, from 1990 to 2021, the disease burden of male patients with TBL attributed to air pollution was much higher than that of female patients. The BAPC prediction model showed that from 2022 to 2031, the ASMR and ASDR of TBL attributed to air pollution showed an upward trend globally, while they showed a downward trend in China and the United States. Conclusion Over the past 30 years, the air pollution-related TBL disease burden in the world and in China and the United States has continued to decline, but China's disease burden is still significantly higher than the global average. The disease burden in men far exceeds that in women, with men and the population aged ≥50 years being high-risk groups. In the future, the global disease trend may reverse and rise, while China and the United States are expected to continuously decline. However, precise prevention and control for high-risk groups remains a key challenge.
2.Interpretive radiology reports for lung cancer generated by GPT-4 large language model to enhance doctor–patient communication efficiency
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(02):231-240
Objective To explore the application of the GPT-4 large language model in simplifying lung cancer radiology reports to enhance patient comprehension and doctor–patient communication efficiency. Methods A total of 362 radiology reports of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients were collected from two hospitals between September and December 2024. Interpretive radiology reports (IRRs) were generated using GPT-4. Original reports (ORRs) and IRRs were compared through radiologist consistency evaluation and volunteer-based assessments of reading time, comprehension scores, and simulated communication duration. Results The average word count of ORRs was (459.83±55.76) words, compared with (625.42±41.59) words for IRRs (P<0.001). No significant differences were observed in expert consistency scores between ORRs and IRRs across dimensions of image interpretation accuracy, report detail completeness, explanatory depth and insight, and clinical practicality. Compared with reading ORRs, volunteers (simulated patient) read IRRs with shorter time [(346.88±29.15) s versus (409.01 ±102.40) s], with higher comprehension scores [(7.83±1.04) points versus (5.53±0.94) points] and shorter doctor-patient communication times [(317.31±57.81) s versus (714.20±56.67) s]. All differences were statistically significant (all P<0.001). Conclusion GPT-4 generated IRRs significantly improve patient comprehension and shorten communication time while maintaining medical accuracy. These findings suggest a new approach to optimizing radiology report management and enhancing healthcare service quality.
3.5G-enabled remote robot-assisted thoracic surgery: Clinical outcomes, current challenges, and future perspectives
Wenlong CHEN ; Jiyong YANG ; Yaling LIU ; Zhuang ZUO ; Changhao QUE ; Li DOU ; Yunjiu GOU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(05):698-709
With the integration of 5G communication technology and robotic surgical systems, remote robot-assisted thoracic surgery is overcoming geographical barriers, offering an innovative approach to addressing the uneven distribution of medical resources. This study conducted a systematic literature review—using databases such as PubMed and CNKI, with the search period extending up to 2025—incorporating clinical studies, case reports, and review articles to comprehensively evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of 5G-enabled remote robot-assisted thoracic surgery (5G-RRATS). The analysis also examined current technological limitations and potential future development trajectories. Existing evidence indicates that, given adequate technical support, 5G-RRATS can achieve perioperative outcomes comparable to those of conventional local robotic surgeries across procedures including pulmonary wedge resection, lobectomy, and esophagectomy. Furthermore, it demonstrates potential advantages in minimizing surgical incisions and reducing intraoperative blood loss. Nevertheless, challenges related to network stability, latency control, interdisciplinary collaboration between medical and engineering teams, and legal, regulatory, and ethical considerations continue to hinder widespread clinical adoption. Looking ahead, the emergence of a "one-to-many" remote surgical model, combined with the integration of artificial intelligence and augmented reality technologies, as well as advancements in low-orbit satellite communications, may enable 5G-RRATS to further advance precision and efficiency in thoracic surgery, thereby facilitating equitable access to high-quality care for a broader patient population.
4.Emergency medical response strategy for the 2025 Dingri, Tibet Earthquake
Chenggong HU ; Xiaoyang DONG ; Hai HU ; Hui YAN ; Yaowen JIANG ; Qian HE ; Chang ZOU ; Si ZHANG ; Wei DONG ; Yan LIU ; Huanhuan ZHONG ; Ji DE ; Duoji MIMA ; Jin YANG ; Qiongda DAWA ; Lü ; JI ; La ZHA ; Qiongda JIBA ; Lunxu LIU ; Lei CHEN ; Dong WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(04):421-426
This paper systematically summarizes the practical experience of the 2025 Dingri earthquake emergency medical rescue in Tibet. It analyzes the requirements for earthquake medical rescue under conditions of high-altitude hypoxia, low temperature, and low air pressure. The paper provides a detailed discussion on the strategic layout of earthquake medical rescue at the national level, local government level, and through social participation. It covers the construction of rescue organizational systems, technical systems, material support systems, and information systems. The importance of building rescue teams is emphasized. In high-altitude and cold conditions, rapid response, scientific decision-making, and multi-party collaboration are identified as key elements to enhance rescue efficiency. By optimizing rescue organizational structures, strengthening the development of new equipment, and promoting telemedicine technologies, the precision and effectiveness of medical rescue can be significantly improved, providing important references for future similar disaster rescues.
5.Trends in the disease burden of esophageal cancer attributable to alcohol consumption in China from 1990 to 2019 and a gender comparison analysis
Shoucai HU ; Chenglong YANG ; Haotian MA ; Yancheng TAO ; Gawei HU ; Qingxin LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(04):500-507
Objective To integrate and analyze the disease burden of esophageal cancer caused by alcohol consumption in China from 1990 to 2019, along with the differences between genders, and predict the trends in disease burden changes from 2020 to 2029 to improve prevention and treatment strategies. Methods The disease burden of esophageal cancer caused by alcohol consumption in China from 1990 to 2019 was extracted and integrated from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database, and the corresponding trend was analyzed using the Joinpoint regression model with Joinpoint 4.9.1.0 software. The gray prediction model [GM (1, 1) ] was used to forecast the disease burden of alcohol-related esophageal cancer in China from 2020 to 2029. Results In 2019, the leading causes of esophageal cancer in China were tobacco, alcohol, high body mass index, and insufficient fruit and vegetable intake, accounting for the first to fifth positions in esophageal cancer deaths. From a gender perspective, in 2019, the death number and standardized mortality rate for males were 18.97 times and 20.00 times higher than for females, respectively. The disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and standardized DALYs rate for males were 33.08 times and 24.78 times higher than those for females, respectively, indicating a heavier disease burden of alcohol-related esophageal cancer among Chinese males. From 1990 to 2019, the average annual percentage change (AAPC) in deaths and DALYs due to alcohol-related esophageal cancer in China was 2.08% and 1.63%, respectively, showing a continuous upward trend with statistical significance (P<0.05). The AAPC values for standardized mortality rate and standardized DALYs rate from 1990 to 2019 were –0.92% and –1.23%, respectively, showing a continuous downward trend with statistical significance (P<0.05). The population aged ≥55 years was the main group bearing the disease burden among all age groups from 1990 to 2019. The gray prediction model predicted that by 2029, the overall standardized mortality rate and standardized DALYs rate would decrease to 2.94/100 000and 67.94/100 000, with a greater decline in females than in males. Conclusion Over the past 30 years, the disease burden of alcohol-related esophageal cancer in China has slightly decreased. However, the reduction in disease burden is still lower compared to the overall decline in esophageal cancer burden, and the disease burden for males is significantly higher than for females. Focusing on prevention and treatment for males and the elderly population remains a major issue in addressing alcohol-related esophageal cancer in China.
6.Research progress on PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in neoadjuvant therapy for esophageal cancer
Liji CHEN ; Hongmei MA ; Shifa ZHANG ; Kaize ZHONG ; Dongbao YANG ; Jiuhe SUN ; Hongfeng LIU ; Ru SONG ; Jishan ZHANG ; Haibo CAI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(05):714-721
Esophageal cancer is one of the malignant tumors that poses a threat to human health, with both high incidence and malignancy. Currently, surgery following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer; however, the long-term prognosis remains unsatisfactory. In recent years, inhibitors of programmed death protein-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (programmed death ligand-1, PD-L1) have achieved breakthrough progress in other solid tumors, and research on esophageal cancer is gradually being conducted. With the demonstration of good efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the first-line and second-line treatment of advanced unresectable esophageal cancer, their incorporation into neoadjuvant treatment regimens has become a hot topic. Therefore, this article reviews the mechanism of action of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and their application in the neoadjuvant treatment of esophageal cancer.
7.Research progress on unplanned readmissions in patients with left ventricular assist devices
Yaxie HE ; Li XIAO ; Mengshi CHEN ; Yushuang SU ; Qin YANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(06):869-874
The implantation of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has significantly improved the quality of life for patients with end-stage heart failure. However, it is associated with the risk of complications, with unplanned readmissions gaining increasing attention. This article reviews the influencing factors, prediction methods and models, and intervention measures for unplanned readmissions in LVAD patients, aiming to provide scientific guidance for clinical practice, assist healthcare professionals in accurately assessing patients' conditions, and develop rational care plans.
8.Clinical application of an artificial intelligence system in predicting benign or malignant pulmonary nodules and pathological subtypes
Zhuowen YANG ; Zhizhong ZHENG ; Bin LI ; Yiming HUI ; Mingzhi LIN ; Jiying DANG ; Suiyang LI ; Chunjiao ZHANG ; Long YANG ; Liang SI ; Tieniu SONG ; Yuqi MENG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(08):1086-1095
Objective To evaluate the predictive ability and clinical application value of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in the benign and malignant differentiation and pathological type of pulmonary nodules, and to summarize clinical application experience. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with pulmonary nodules admitted to the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, from February 2016 to February 2025. Firstly, pulmonary nodules were divided into benign and non-benign groups, and the discriminative abilities of AI systems and clinicians were compared. Subsequently, lung nodules reported as precursor glandular lesions (PGL), microinvasive adenocarcinoma (MIA), and invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) in postoperative pathological results were analyzed, comparing the efficacy of AI systems and clinicians in predicting the pathological type of pulmonary nodules. Results In the analysis of benign/non-benign pulmonary nodules, clinical data from a total of 638 patients with pulmonary nodules were included, of which there were 257 males (10 patients and 1 patient of double and triple primary lesions, respectively) and 381 females (18 patients and 1 patient of double and triple primary lesions, respectively), with a median age of 55.0 (47.0, 61.0) years. Different lesions in the same patient were analyzed as independent samples. Univariate analysis of the two groups of variables showed that, except for nodule location, the differences in the remaining variables were statistically significant (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, nodule type (subsolid pulmonary nodule), average density, spicule sign, and vascular convergence sign were independent influencing factors for non-benign pulmonary nodules, among which age, nodule type (subsolid pulmonary nodule), spicule sign, and vascular convergence sign were positively correlated with non-benign pulmonary nodules, while average density was negatively correlated with the occurrence of non-benign pulmonary nodules. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the malignancy risk value given by the AI system in predicting non-benign pulmonary nodules was 0.811, slightly lower than the 0.898 predicted by clinicians. In the PGL/MIA/IAC analysis, clinical data from a total of 411 patients with pulmonary nodules were included, of which there were 149 males (8 patients of double primary lesions) and 262 females (17 patients of double primary lesions), with a median age of 56.0 (50.0, 61.0) years. Different lesions in the same patient were analyzed as independent samples. Univariate analysis results showed that, except for gender, nodule location, and vascular convergence sign, the differences in the remaining variables among the three groups of PGL, MIA, and IAC patients were statistically significant (P<0.05). Multinomial multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the differences between the parameters in the PGL group and the MIA group were not statistically significant (P>0.05), and the maximum diameter and average density of the nodules were statistically different between the PGL and IAC groups (P<0.05), and were positively correlated with the occurrence of IAC as independent risk factors. The average AUC value, accuracy, recall rate, and F1 score of the AI system in predicting lung nodule pathological type were 0.807, 74.3%, 73.2%, and 68.5%, respectively, all better than the clinical physicians’ prediction of lung nodule pathological type indicators (0.782, 70.9%, 66.2%, and 63.7% respectively). The AUC value of the AI system in predicting IAC was 0.853, and the sensitivity, specificity, and optimal cutoff value were 0.643, 0.943, and 50.0%, respectively. Conclusion This AI system has demonstrated high clinical value in predicting the benign and malignant nature and pathological type of lung nodules, especially in predicting lung nodule pathological type, its ability has surpassed that of clinical physicians. With the optimization of algorithms and the adequate integration of multimodal data, it can better assist clinical physicians in formulating individualized diagnostic and treatment plans for patients with lung nodules.
9.Analysis of risk factors for diaphragmatic dysfunction after cardiovascular surgery with extracorporeal circulation: A retrospective cohort study
Xupeng YANG ; Yi SHI ; Fengbo PEI ; Simeng ZHANG ; Hao MA ; Zengqiang HAN ; Zhou ZHAO ; Qing GAO ; Xuan WANG ; Guangpu FAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(08):1140-1145
Objective To clarify the risk factors of diaphragmatic dysfunction (DD) after cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of patients who underwent cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of Peking University People's Hospital from January 2023 to March 2024. Patients were divided into two groups according to the results of bedside diaphragm ultrasound: a DD group and a control group. The preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative indicators of the patients were compared and analyzed, and independent risk factors for DD were screened using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results A total of 281 patients were included, with 32 patients in the DD group, including 23 males and 9 females, with an average age of (64.0±13.5) years. There were 249 patients in the control group, including 189 males and 60 females, with an average age of (58.0±11.2) years. The body mass index of the DD group was lower than that of the control group [(18.4±1.5) kg/m2 vs. (21.9±1.8) kg/m2, P=0.004], and the prevalence of hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, and renal insufficiency was higher in the DD group (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in intraoperative indicators (operation method, extracorporeal circulation time, aortic clamping time, and intraoperative nasopharyngeal temperature) between the two groups (P>0.05). In terms of postoperative aspects, the peak postoperative blood glucose in the DD group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P=0.001), and the proportion of patients requiring continuous renal replacement therapy was significantly higher than that in the control group (P=0.001). The postoperative reintubation rate, tracheotomy rate, mechanical ventilation time, and intensive care unit stay time in the DD group were higher or longer than those in the control group (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low body mass index [OR=0.72, 95%CI (0.41, 0.88), P=0.011], preoperative dialysis [OR=2.51, 95%CI (1.89, 4.14), P=0.027], low left ventricular ejection fraction [OR=0.88, 95%CI (0.71, 0.93), P=0.046], and postoperative hyperglycemia [OR=3.27, 95%CI (2.58, 5.32), P=0.009] were independent risk factors for DD. Conclusion The incidence of DD is relatively high after cardiac surgery, and low body mass index, preoperative renal insufficiency requiring dialysis, low left ventricular ejection fraction, and postoperative hyperglycemia are risk factors for DD.
10.Development of Zinc-Containing Chitosan/Gelatin Coatings with Immunomodulatory Effect for Soft Tissue Sealing around Dental Implants
Jing HAN ; Jorine G. F. SANDERS ; Lea ANDRÉE ; Bart A. J. A. van OIRSCHOT ; Adelina S. PLACHOKOVA ; Jeroen J. J. P. van den BEUCKEN ; Sander C. G. LEEUWENBURGH ; Fang YANG
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine 2025;22(1):57-75
BACKGROUND:
Soft tissue integration (STI) around dental implant abutments is a prerequisite to prevent bacterial invasion and achieve successful dental implant rehabilitation. However, peri-implant STI is a major challenge after dental abutment placement due to alterations in the immune microenvironment upon surgical dental implant installation.
METHODS:
Based on known immunomodulatory effects of zinc, we herein deposited zinc/chitosan/gelatin (Zn/CS/Gel) coatings onto titanium substrates to study their effect on macrophages. First, we exposed macrophages to cell culture media containing different zinc ion (Zn2+) concentrations. Next, we explored the immunomodulatory effect of Zn/CS/Gel coatings prepared via facile electrophoretic deposition (EPD).
RESULTS:
We found that Zn2+ effectively altered the secretome by reducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory and enhancing pro-regenerative cytokine secretion, particularly at a Zn2+ supplementation of approximately 37.5 μM. Zn/CS/Gel coatings released Zn2+ in a concentration range which effectively stimulated pro-regenerative macrophage polarization as demonstrated by M2 macrophage polarization. Additionally, the impact of these Zn2+-exposed macrophages on gingival fibroblasts incubated in conditioned medium showed stimulated adhesion, proliferation, and collagen secretion.
CONCLUSION
Our promising results suggest that controlled release of Zn2+ from Zn/CS/Gel coatings could be applied to immunomodulate peri-implant STI, and to enhance dental implant survival.

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