Objective To explore the diagnosis and treatment strategies for elderly patients with ground-glass opacity (GGO). Methods The imaging features and postoperative pathological findings of the elderly patients with pulmonary GGO receiving surgery in our hospital from 2017 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into an elderly patient group and a non-elderly patient group based on their age. Results Finally 575 patients were included in the study. There were 281 elderly patients, including 83 males and 198 females, with an average age of (67.0±5.3) years. There were 294 non-elderly patients, including 88 males and 206 females, with an average age of (49.1±7.3) years. Compared with the non-elderly patients, elderly GGO patients showed the following distinct clinical features: long observation time for lesions (P=0.001), high proportion of rough edges of GGO (P<0.001), significant pleural signs (P＜0.001) and bronchial signs (P＜0.001), and high proportion of type Ⅱ-Ⅳ GGO (P<0.001), lobectomy type (P=0.013), and invasive lesions reported in postoperative pathology (P<0.001). There was no statistical difference in the average hospital stay between the two groups (P=0.106). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that GGO diameter and GGO type were the main factors affecting the operation. Observation time, GGO diameter, GGO type and pleural signs were the main influencing factors for postoperative pathological infiltrative lesions. The cut-off value of GGO diameter in predicting infiltrating lesions was 10.5 mm in the elderly patients group. Conclusion The size and type of GGO are important factors in predicting invasive lesions and selecting surgical methods. Elderly patients with radiographic manifestations of type Ⅱ-Ⅳ GGO lesions with a diameter greater than 10.5 mm should be closely followed up.

Objective To explore the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of transesophageal endoscopic surgery for mediastinal tumors. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 17 patients who underwent transesophageal endoscopic resection for benign mediastinal tumors at the Endoscopy Center of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2024. Epidemiological characteristics, surgical parameters, adverse events, and follow-up outcomes were analyzed. Results Among the 17 patients, there were 9 males and 8 females, with an average age of (42.4±14.5) years and an average tumor size of (2.6±1.6) cm. Pathological types included esophageal duplication cysts (6 cases, 35.3%), bronchogenic cysts (5 cases, 29.4%), gastroenteric cysts (3 cases, 17.6%), schwannomas (2 cases, 11.8%), and lymphangioma (1 case, 5.9%). Fourteen patients (82.4%) underwent submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER), 3 patients (17.6%) underwent natural orifice transluminal endoscopic mediastinal surgery. All surgeries were successfully completed without conversion to open surgery. En bloc resection was achieved in 11 patients (64.7%), with an average operative time of (60.9±32.6) min. No intraoperative bleeding or mucosal injury occurred, and 4 patients (23.5%) experienced minor complications (pneumothorax, fever, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury), all of which resolved with conservative treatment. The average postoperative hospital stay was (3.2±1.5) days, and no recurrence was observed during the follow-up period. Conclusions Transesophageal endoscopic resection of benign mediastinal tumors is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment method. Further validation of its efficacy and safety through large-scale prospective studies is warranted.

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) capable of clearing heat and removing toxin is most commonly used in clinical practice and has the effect of removing fire-heat and toxin. Studies have shown that most of the Ilex plants have the effect of clearing heat and removing toxin, among which the varieties of I. cornuta, I. pubescens, I. rotunda, I. latifolia, and I. chinensis are most widely used. These plants generally contain triterpenoids and their glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and other chemical components, especially pentacyclic triterpenoids. According to their skeletons, pentacyclic triterpenoids can be divided into the oleanane type, the ursane type, the lupinane type, etc. Among them, ursane-type components are the most abundant, and 136 species have been found so far. These components have been proved to have pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, hypolipidemic, anti-thrombosis, cardiomyocyte-protective, antibacterial, and hepatoprotective effects. Therefore, this paper systematically reviews the domestic and foreign literature on Ilex plants with a focus on the research progress on pentacyclic triterpenoids and their pharmacological activities, aiming to provide reference for the development of TCM resources with the effect of clearing heat and removing toxin.
Ilex/chemistry* ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry* ; Pentacyclic Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Animals

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Homo- or heterodimeric compounds that affect dimeric protein function through interaction between monomeric moieties and protein subunits can serve as valuable sources of potent and selective drug candidates. Here, we screened an in-house dimeric natural product collection, and panepocyclinol A (PecA) emerged as a selective and potent STAT3 inhibitor with profound anti-tumor efficacy. Through cross-linking C712/C718 residues in separate STAT3 monomers with two distinct Michael receptors, PecA inhibits STAT3 DNA binding affinity and transcription activity. Molecular dynamics simulation reveals the key conformation changes of STAT3 dimers upon the di-covalent binding with PecA that abolishes its DNA interactions. Furthermore, PecA exhibits high efficacy against anaplastic large T cell lymphoma in vitro and in vivo, especially those with constitutively activated STAT3 or STAT3^Y640F. In summary, our study describes a distinct and effective di-covalent modification for the dimeric compound PecA to disrupt STAT3 function.

The incidence of benign convulsions with mild gastroenteritis（CwG）is increasing year by year.Cluster seizures are one of the characteristics of CwG and are difficult to control with antiepileptic drugs.The pathogenesis of CwG is complex and is a hot topic of current research.Relevant studies believe that genetic factors play an important role in its development.By exploring the pathological mechanism of CwG and clarifying the role of related genes in the development of CwG，gene research provides a theoretical basis for early screening，early prevention，early diagnosis，and early treatment of the possible clinical symptoms of CwG in the later stage，so as to provide clues for targeted therapy.This article reviews the research progress of CwG related genes，in order to understand its pathogenesis，effectively control recurrent seizures and prevent the appearance of possible clinical symptoms in the later stage.

Objective To investigate the pathological damage to and inflammation of different intestinal segments in a rat model of severe hemorrhage,and to explore the effect of polarization of intestinal macrophage on the pathophysiology of intestinal inflammation.Methods Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups:the sham operation group and hemorrhage group.In the hemorrhage group,40％of the total blood volume was lost in 25-30 minutes,while in the sham operation group,only the femoral artery and vein were intubated without bleeding.The rats were killed at 0,3,6,12 and 24 hours.The entire intestine was isolated quickly,and sections of the intestine were cut at the duodenum,jejunum,ileocecal junction,colon and rectum for histopathological evaluation.ELISA was adopted to determine related inflammation factors while multi-color immunohistochemistry was used to calculate macrophage surface markers.The data was statistically analyzed.Results(1)Compared with the sham group,there was no significant difference in colon histology at 3 h and 6 h,but significant difference was detected in rectum scores only at 24 h.The scores of other intestinal segments were significantly different at each time point.The severity of ileocecal and colonic lesions after bleeding increased with time.The duodenum,jejunum and ileocecum were more critically injured at 3 h than the rectum at 6 h.The injury to the duodenum,jejunum,ileum and colon was much more pronounced than to the rectum at 12 h.(2)The expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β in the rectum were increased significantly at 12 h post operation.The expressions of IL-1β,TNF-α in the jejunum increased obviously at 3 h and 6 h,respectively.(3)Three hours after severe bleeding,the level of macrophages in the jejunum and ileocececal area increased significantly,and the percentage of M1 macrophages was higher.After 6 hours,the proportion of M2 macrophages in the jejunum and M1 macrophages decreased significantly.After 3 hours,the percentage of M1 macrophages in the colon decreased,but that of M2 macrophages increased.The proportion of M2 polarized macrophages in the duodenum and rectum increased at 3 h after severe bleeding but decreased at 6 h.Conclusion Pathological damage to intestinal sections after bleeding varies depending on the time,and is correlated with the inflammatory level of macrophages.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of ultrafiltration therapy in elderly patients with congestive heart failure(CHF)and frailty.Methods A total of 88 hospitalized elderly patients with CHF and frailty were randomly assigned to the ultrafiltration group(n=44)and the control group(n=44).The control group treated with standard drug therapy.The ultrafiltration group treated with ultrafiltration,however,diuretics were not used during ultrafiltration treatment.Efficacy assessment was compared between the two groups,including patient body weight,N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)levels at 48 hours after treatment,dyspnea severity scores at 48 hours and 1 week after treatment,hospitalization duration and readmission rate within 3 months.Safety assessment parameters included serum creatinine,urea nitrogen,Na+and K+concentration at 48 hours after treatment and creatinine level 1 week after treatment.Results Efficacy assessment indicated that at 48 hours after treatment,both groups showed a significant reduction in patient body weight and NT-proBNP levels compared to pre-treatment levels(P＜0.05).However,there were no significant difference in body weight and NT-proBNP levels before and after treatment between the two groups(P＞0.05).Dyspnea severity scores for both groups increased at 48 hours after treatment,then decreased at 1 week after treatment.The ultrafiltration group exhibited higher dyspnea severity scores than that of the control group at 48 hours after treatment(P＜0.05).The length of hospital stay and the rate of re-hospitalization within 3 months were lower in the ultrafiltration group compared to those of the control group(P＜0.05).Safety assessment revealed that there were no significant differences in serum urea nitrogen and Na+levels before and 48 hours after treatment between the two groups(P＞0.05).However,serum K+levels were higher after 48-hours treatment in the ultrafiltration group than those of the control group(P＜0.05).There were no significant changes in creatinine levels before and after treatment in the control group(P＞0.05),while creatinine levels were lower 1 week after treatment in the ultrafiltration group compared to those of pre-treatment and 48 hours after treatment,and were lower than those of the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Ultrafiltration is a safe and effective method for elderly patients with CHF and frailty.

Objective:To explore the trend of Out-of-Pocket as a proportion of total health expenditure in Heilongjiang Province from 2013 to 2022,assessing the medical economic burden on residents and the equitable distribution of health resources.Methods:It employs statistical description and comparative research methods,collecting data on total health expenditure and Out-of-Pocketfor medical care in Heilongjiang Province from 2013 to 2022.A horizontal comparative analysis is conducted,comparing these trends with other provinces in the Northeast region and at the national level.Results:The Out-of-Pocket proportion in total health expenditure in Heilongjiang Province decreased from 41.56％in 2013 to 28.88％in 2022,indicating a downward trend;however,it remains higher than the national average during the same period.Additionally,the proportion of government health expenditure and social health expenditure has gradually increased,reflecting greater investment in the health sector by both the government and society.Conclusion:Although the Out-of-Pocket proportion in total health expenditure in Heilongjiang Province has decreased,the medical economic pressure on residents remains significant.It is recommended that the government continue to enhance health investment,optimize the health financing model,improve the efficiency of health services,reduce the burden of personal health expenditure,and achieve a more equitable distribution of health resources.

Objective:To explore the trend of Out-of-Pocket as a proportion of total health expenditure in Heilongjiang Province from 2013 to 2022,assessing the medical economic burden on residents and the equitable distribution of health resources.Methods:It employs statistical description and comparative research methods,collecting data on total health expenditure and Out-of-Pocketfor medical care in Heilongjiang Province from 2013 to 2022.A horizontal comparative analysis is conducted,comparing these trends with other provinces in the Northeast region and at the national level.Results:The Out-of-Pocket proportion in total health expenditure in Heilongjiang Province decreased from 41.56％in 2013 to 28.88％in 2022,indicating a downward trend;however,it remains higher than the national average during the same period.Additionally,the proportion of government health expenditure and social health expenditure has gradually increased,reflecting greater investment in the health sector by both the government and society.Conclusion:Although the Out-of-Pocket proportion in total health expenditure in Heilongjiang Province has decreased,the medical economic pressure on residents remains significant.It is recommended that the government continue to enhance health investment,optimize the health financing model,improve the efficiency of health services,reduce the burden of personal health expenditure,and achieve a more equitable distribution of health resources.