1.Arterial switch operation under an integrated management mode of prenatal diagnosis-postnatal treatment for congenital heart disease: A single-center retrospective cohort study
Zirui PENG ; Jing LING ; Jiaxiong WU ; Runzhang LIANG ; Canxin WANG ; Jinxin LI ; Haiyun YUAN ; Shusheng WEN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(03):415-423
Objective To evaluate the impact of an integrated management mode of prenatal diagnosis-postnatal treatment for congenital heart disease (CHD) on perioperative and long-term outcomes of the arterial switch operation (ASO), and to analyze the efficacy of ASO in a single center. Methods This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of 183 children who underwent ASO at Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital from 2018 to 2024. The cohort included 106 (57.9%) patients of transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum (TGA/IVS), 61 (33.3%) patients of transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect (TGA/VSD), and 16 (8.7%) patients of Taussig-bing anomaly (TBA). Perioperative indicators were compared between 91 patients in the prenatal-postnatal integrated management group (an integrated group) and 92 patients in the traditional management group (a non-integrated group). Long-term survival and reoperation rates were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Results The overall perioperative mortality rate was 4.9% (9/183), showing a downward trend year by year. The primary cause of perioperative mortality was low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS), which occurred in 12 patients (6.6% incidence) with a mortality rate of 75.0%. The integrated group had a higher proportion of males (89.0% vs. 72.8%, P<0.05) and lower body weight [3.1 (2.7, 3.3) kg vs. 3.3 (3.0, 3.7) kg, P<0.05] compared to the non-integrated group. The age at surgery was significantly earlier in the integrated group [7 (3, 10) d vs. 14 (9, 48) d, P<0.05], and all children in the integrated group underwent ASO within the optimal surgical window (100.0% vs. 82.6%, P<0.05). Intraoperatively, cardiopulmonary bypass time [173 (150, 207) min vs. 186 (159, 237) min, P<0.05] and aortic cross-clamp time [100 (90, 117) min vs. 116 (97, 142) min, P<0.05] were significantly shorter in the integrated group. Although the integrated group had longer postoperative mechanical ventilation time [145 (98, 214) h vs. 116 (77, 147) h, P<0.05] and higher 48-hour maximum vasoactive inotropic score [15 (10, 21) points vs. 12 (8, 16) points, P<0.05], there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of severe complications (LCOS, necrotizing enterocolitis, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) or mortality rate (3.3% vs. 6.5%, P=0.51) between the two groups, despite earlier surgical intervention and a higher proportion of critically ill cases in the integrated group. The length of hospital stay in the emergency surgery group was significantly shorter than that in the elective surgery group [20 (15, 28) d vs. 25 (21, 30) d, P<0.05], suggesting that early surgery may be of potential benefit. A total of 163 patients were successfully followed up for a median of 4.7 years, with a 5-year survival rate of 95.1% and a freedom from reintervention survival rate of 95.1%. There were no late deaths, and the most common postoperative complication was pulmonary artery stenosis. Conclusion The integrated management model allowed critically ill children with lower body weights to safely undergo surgery, significantly optimizing the timing of surgery and shortening intraoperative times. The long-term risk of reoperation after ASO is primarily concentrated on pulmonary artery stenosis, necessitating long-term follow-up and monitoring.
2.Overactivation of the ILC2-AREG-Treg axis promotes the progression of cervical cancer by shaping an immunosuppressive microenvironment
WANG Bihui1,2 ; ZHANG Yulian3 ; WU Yufeng1,2 ; DING Jianbing4 ; CHEN Zhifang1,2
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2026;33(4):389-399
[摘 要] 目的:探讨Ⅱ型固有淋巴细胞(ILC2)-双调蛋白(AREG)-调节性T(Treg)细胞轴在宫颈癌免疫微环境调控中的作用及机制。方法:收集2021年5月—2022年5月于新疆医科大学第一附属医院收治的Ⅰ~ⅡA期宫颈癌患者肿瘤组织(n = 8),以子宫肌瘤手术患者的正常宫颈组织(n = 8)作为对照;另收集全分期宫颈癌患者的外周血样本(n = 30),并以健康志愿者外周血作为对照(n = 30)。利用GEPIA数据库分析AREG与叉头框蛋白P3(Foxp3)的mRNA表达水平。采用多重免疫荧光技术、流式细胞术检测组织及外周血中ILC2、Treg细胞浸润水平;通过ELISA、IHC和WB法验证AREG、Foxp3及IL-10的表达水平,并对ILC2、AREG、Treg细胞及IL-10进行相关性分析。体外分离宫颈癌患者ILC2与PBMC,分别使用重组人IL-33(rhIL-33)、抗人IL-33抗体(α-IL-33)及重组人AREG(rhAREG)、抗人AREG抗体(α-AREG)进行干预;采用CCK-8法与流式细胞术检测不同浓度rhAREG对HeLa、SiHa细胞增殖及凋亡的影响,ELISA检测上清中AREG、IL-10浓度,流式细胞术检测Treg细胞比例变化。此外,本研究还比较了宫颈癌患者手术前后外周血中ILC2、AREG、Treg细胞及IL-10的水平差异。结果:宫颈癌患者组织及外周血中ILC2浸润水平和AREG表达显著高于对照组,Treg细胞比例、Foxp3及IL-10表达亦明显上调(P < 0.05);相关性分析显示,ILC2、Treg细胞、AREG与IL-10彼此正向关联。体外实验表明,不同浓度rhAREG对宫颈癌细胞(HeLa、SiHa)的增殖及凋亡无明显作用(P > 0.05);rhIL-33可激活ILC2并上调AREG分泌(P < 0.01),而α-IL-33可逆转该效应(P < 0.05);rhAREG可促进Treg细胞分化及IL-10分泌(P < 0.001),α-AREG则显著逆转上述作用(P < 0.01)。此外,宫颈癌患者术后外周血中ILC2、Treg细胞、AREG及IL-10水平均显著降低(P < 0.000 1)。结论:ILC2-AREG-Treg免疫调控轴异常激活,可能通过介导免疫抑制性肿瘤微环境形成参与宫颈癌进展。
3.Research advances in biodegradable esophageal stents
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(05):815-825
Esophageal stricture is a common esophageal lesion in adults and children, and endoscopic dilatation is currently the standard treatment. However, high recurrence rate and frequent dilations have become a major problem in patients. Esophageal stents provide sustained dilation therapy but can lead to serious complications such as displacement, perforation, and bleeding, necessitating removal. Biodegradable stents, with the advantage of both dilation and self-degradation, are promising potential solutions to this problem. Currently, biodegradable materials are mainly categorized into metals and polymers, leading to the development of magnesium alloy esophageal stents and polymer esophageal stents. Among polymer stents, poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) stents and SX-ELLA stents have been put into clinical application. In recent years, with the advancement of 3D bioprinting technology, the personalized fabrication of biodegradable stents has become feasible. In this paper, we will outline the current research status and progress of biodegradable magnesium alloy stents and polymer stents, introduce the new process of constructing esophageal stents by 3D bioprinting technology, focusing on the clinical research of SX-ELLA stents in pediatric and adult patients. We will also analyze the existing problems with biodegradable stents and the directions for future development.
4.Bali Chronic Constipation Roundtable Report: Chronic ConstipationManagement in Asia
Yi Ping REN ; Wah Loong CHAN ; Kee Huat CHUAH ; Yong Sung KIM ; Atsushi NAKAJIMA ; Sanjiv MAHADEVA ; Yeong Yeh LEE ; Andrew S B CHUA ; Tao BAI ; Ari Fahrial SYAM ; Chien-Lin CHEN ; Ching-Liang LU ; M. Masudur RAHMAN ; Tanisa PATCHARATRAKUL ; Victoria Ping Y TAN ; Dao Viet HANG ; Xiaohua HOU ; Yinglian XIAO ; Justin WU ; Uday C GHOSHAL ; Hidekazu SUZUKI ; Sutep GONLACHANVIT ; Kewin T H SIAH
Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility 2026;32(1):109-128
Background/Aims:
Chronic constipation is prevalent yet under-diagnosed across Asia, compromising quality of life and burdening healthcare systems. Cultural stigma, varied diets, and limited access to standardized diagnostic tools delay timely care.
Methods:
The Bali Chronic Constipation Roundtable in November 2024, brought together experts from 11 Asian countries. The group reviewed epidemiological data, analyzed multinational questionnaire on clinical practice pattern, and conducted structured discussions to identify key barriers and propose region-specific recommendations.
Results:
Chronic constipation prevalence varies across Asia, ranging from 1.8% in India to 16.6% in Japan, with women and the elderly disproportionately affected. Under-reporting persists owing to cultural taboos and widespread self treatment with laxatives and traditional medications. Although the Rome IV criteria remains the global standard, they may not fully reflect Asian symptom profiles, and diagnosis is limited by scarce motility laboratories. First line therapies such as dietary-fiber optimization and osmotic laxatives are widely available, but newer pharmacotherapies (prucalopride, linaclotide, lubiprostone, and elobixibat) remain costly and unevenly accessible. Biofeedback for dyssynergic defecation is underutilized due to limited availability. Experts recommend expanded regional research on to refine diagnostic criteria, coupled with enhanced physician education and public awareness. They advocate accessibility to second-line and novel therapies that incorporate culturally attuned regional guidelines, and improved access to gastrointestinal motility testing.
Conclusions
The Bali Chronic Constipation Roundtable highlighted Asia’s need for region specific diagnostics and management. Addressing diagnostic and treatment gaps will improve outcomes, while ongoing researcher clinician policy collaboration must standardize guidelines, advance research, and ensure equitable care across Asia.
5.Dynamic Interactions Between Hemispheres Reveal a Compensatory Pathway for Motor Recovery in Moderate-to-Severe Subcortical Stroke
Huaxin FAN ; Hewei WANG ; Zhengxu LIAN ; Qiurong YU ; Xinran WU ; Nanyu KUANG ; Benjamin BECKER ; Jianfeng FENG ; Mingxia FAN ; Lili SONG ; Limin SUN ; Jie ZHANG ; Craig S. ANDERSON
Journal of Stroke 2026;28(1):97-114
Background:
and Purpose Therapeutic target selection in noninvasive brain stimulation for poststroke motor recovery typically relies on the interhemispheric inhibition model, which is effective for mildly affected patients but offers limited benefits for severely affected individuals. The mechanisms governing recovery from moderate-to-severe stroke remain poorly understood, which hinders the development of targeted interventions.
Methods:
We analyzed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from patients with unilateral subcortical stroke and moderate-to-severe upper limb deficits, both pre- and postintervention, along with data from healthy controls. We developed a novel dynamic lag analysis method for identifying recovery-related homotopic sensorimotor regions with altered interhemispheric interactions. To further uncover the global reorganization pathway, we developed dynamic lateralization approaches to detect large-scale functional connectivity (FC) alterations associated with the identified regions in transient lateralization states.
Results:
Dynamic time-lag analysis revealed significantly reduced synchronized states in the homotopic dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) post-intervention compared with pre-intervention, which correlated with motor recovery. Further dynamic lateralization analysis revealed a prolonged segregation state in patients, characterized by weakened interhemispheric and strengthened intrahemispheric interactions. In this state, patients showed decreased FC in the ipsilesional PMd and increased FC in the contralesional PMd with bilateral subcortical networks. These recoveryrelated alterations were absent in the traditional static analysis.
Conclusions
Dynamic analyses targeting interhemispheric interactions are valuable for understanding neural reorganization after stroke. The diminished interactions between the homotopic PMd indicate a compensatory mechanism. Importantly, a state-dependent compensatory pathway was identified, wherein the contralesional PMd assumes the functions of the ipsilesional PMd through enhanced interactions with subcortical structures, potentially guiding more effective interventions.
6.The Role of Interferon Signaling Pathway in the Pathogenesis of Juvenile Dermatomyositis
Siqi DU ; Wenyue LIU ; Xinrong WU ; Lingyun MA ; Xinyi TIAN ; Yan LI
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(2):254-262
Juvenile dermatomyositis(JDM) is the most common idiopathic inflammatory myopathy in children, characterized by symmetric proximal muscle weakness and characteristic skin rashes, which may be accompanied by involvement of major organs. Aberrant upregulation of the interferon signaling pathway has been confirmed as the core pathological mechanism of JDM, and is closely associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, peripheral blood immune cell dysregulation, muscle damage and repair dysfunction, as well as cutaneous and pulmonary lesions. Interferon-related biomarkers and interferon scores can serve as evaluation indicators for disease activity. Type Ⅰ interferon inhibitors and Janus kinase inhibitors provide new therapeutic options for refractory JDM. This review systematically summarizes the role of the interferon signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of JDM and its potential therapeutic targets, aiming to provide references for the mechanistic research and precise treatment of JDM.
7.Expert consensus on the application of artificial intelligence in lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment (2026 edition)
Wenzhao ZHONG ; Haibo WANG ; Yi HU ; Hao ZHANG ; Jigang DAI ; Junqiang FAN ; Guibin QIAO ; Fan YANG ; Jian HU ; Fengwei TAN ; Xuening YANG ; Qiang PU ; Zihao CHEN ; Hongxia TIAN ; Lunxu LIU ; Hecheng LI ; Xiaolong YAN ; Zongyang YU ; Zhenbin QIU ; Yihua SUN ; Jing HU ; Yuhang SHI ; Zhifei GUO ; Peng ZHANG ; Kezhong CHEN ; Shugeng GAO ; Yilong WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):848-856
With the continuous deepening of the concept of precision diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer, how to achieve higher efficiency and accuracy in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment pathways in clinical practice has become an important issue that urgently needs to be overcome. The current clinical difficulty lies in the fact that despite continuous advancements in imaging and molecular diagnostic technologies, there are still limitations in manual efficiency and subjective experience when it comes to massive data analysis and multi-scale feature extraction. Artificial intelligence (AI), especially algorithm systems based on deep learning, is an innovative technology capable of deeply empowering medical big data. This method utilizes algorithms such as convolutional neural networks, combined with radiomics, pathomics, and multi-modal data fusion analysis, demonstrating immense potential in early precise detection and benign-malignant differentiation of pulmonary nodules, digital pathological subtype recognition and non-invasive prediction of driver genes, precise 3D surgical planning and automatic delineation of radiotherapy target volumes, as well as dynamic risk warning during follow-up. This innovative technology provides a brand-new solution for realizing intelligent and individualized lung cancer diagnosis and treatment models. This consensus, based on the latest evidence from evidence-based medicine and combined with the development trends in the AI field and real-world clinical needs, was ultimately formed by gathering the consensus opinions of multidisciplinary experts in radiology, pathology, thoracic surgery, and other fields. The main content covers the application specifications of AI in the three core scenarios of lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment, the technical standards for data collection and algorithm validation, as well as the ethical and regulatory challenges faced at the current stage. It aims to clarify the applicable boundaries of AI as a clinical auxiliary decision support tool, providing scientific guidance and standardized exploration directions for peers currently engaged in or planning to carry out AI-assisted clinical diagnosis, treatment, and translation of lung cancer.
8.Interpretation of the 2025 ACC/AHA guidelines for the management of adults with congenital heart disease
Jing LING ; Jiaxiong WU ; Runzhang LIANG ; Zirui PENG ; Haiyun YUAN ; Shusheng WEN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):874-883
With the rapid advancements in surgical and interventional therapies, over 90% of children with congenital heart disease can now survive into adulthood with appropriate treatment. As a rapidly expanding population, adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients often present with complex anatomical abnormalities and post-procedural complications, posing significant long-term management challenges for clinicians. The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association jointly released the 2025 guidelines for the management of adult congenital heart disease, which represents a comprehensive and fundamental update following the inaugural 2008 edition. This new guideline not only integrates the latest evidence-based data but also marks a paradigm shift in ACHD management, from a disease-centered approach to a patient-centered lifelong continuum of care. This article aims to provide an interpretation of the guidelines from the perspective of a cardiac surgeon to provide references for the management of various disease subtypes.
9.Development and reliability and validity testing of a patient-reported symptom and function scale for patients with pectus excavatum after the Nuss procedure
Qibin CHEN ; Liang XIE ; Dongkun ZHANG ; Cheng DENG ; Yong TANG ; Yinghong WU ; Qiuling SHI ; Guibin QIAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(08):1234-1239
Objective To develop a symptom and function assessment scale for patients after Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum and to test its reliability and validity. Methods Following the principles and procedures of patient-reported outcome (PRO) scale development stipulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, an initial draft was formed through literature analysis, qualitative interviews, and Delphi expert consultation. The preliminary draft was used to conduct a pre-survey on patients who underwent Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, and the reliability and validity of the scale were tested. Results A preliminary PRO-based symptom and function scale was constructed, covering two domains: symptoms and impact on daily functions. The symptom dimension included six items: chest tightness, palpitations, pain, shortness of breath, foreign body sensation of the steel plate, and distress; while the impact on daily functions included four items: difficulty in getting out of bed or lying down, raising arms, bending over, and standing or sitting for a long time. A total of 73 patients who underwent Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum were included in the questionnaire survey, with 70 valid questionnaires collected, including 64 males and 6 females, with 56 patients aged 12-17 years and 14 patients ≥18 years. Through exploratory factor analysis, two common factors were extracted, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 70%. The Cronbach’s α coefficient of the scale was 0.917. Conclusion The scale developed in this study has good reliability and validity, high reliability and stability, and can be used as an evaluation tool for the recovery status of patients after Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum.
10.Clinical features and influencing factors of misophonia severity
Weixin ZHANG ; Keyu ZHAO ; Yaping WU ; Yuehan ZHAO
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(5):87-91
Objective To investigate clinical features and severity influencing factors of misophonia in psychiatric outpatients. Methods A total of 130 misophonia patients from Weifang People's Hospital (Oct 2023-Jun 2025) were assessed with scales and psychiatric interviews. Linear regression was used to analyze influencing factors. Results Among the 52.3% reported gradually worsening symptoms. Primary triggers were human oronasopharyngeal sounds (65.3%). Core emotional responses were disgust (86.2%) and anger (61.5%), with 75.4% experiencing loss of control. Common coping strategies included covering ears/wearing earplugs (66.1%) and avoidance (64.6%). Mean Amsterdam Misophonia Scale-Revised score was 26.4±5.2, indicating severe social dysfunction. Common comorbidities were obsessive-compulsive disorder (11.5%), depressive disorder (8.5%), and social anxiety disorder (5.4%). Multivariate analysis identified depressive disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder as independent factors affecting severity (all P<0.05). Conclusion Misophonia follows a chronic course with severe impairment in social functioning and quality of life. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, depressive disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder are key factors influencing symptom severity.


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