Objective To introduce an innovative technique, the "balance-shaped sternal elevation device" and its application in the subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for anterior mediastinal masses resection. Methods Patients who underwent single-port thoracoscopic assisted anterior mediastinal tumor resection through the xiphoid process at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from May to June 2024 were included, and their clinical data were analyzed. Results A total of 7 patients were included, with 3 males and 4 females, aged 28-72 years. The diameter of the tumor was 1.9-17.0 cm. The operation time was 62-308 min, intraoperative blood loss was 5-100 mL, postoperative chest drainage tube retention time was 0-9 days, pain score on the 7th day after surgery was 0-2 points, and postoperative hospital stay was 3-12 days. All patients underwent successful and complete resection of the masses and thymus, with favorable postoperative recovery. Conclusion The "balance-shaped sternal elevation device" effectively expands the retrosternal space, providing surgeons with satisfactory surgical views and operating space. This technique significantly enhances the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive surgery for anterior mediastinal masses, reduces trauma and postoperative pain, and accelerates patient recovery, demonstrating important clinical significance and application value.

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) thymectomy for the treatment of thymoma through subxiphoid uniportal approach using double sternum retractors, and subxiphoid and subcostal arch approach. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of the patients diagnosed with thymoma who underwent VATS thymectomy from June 2023 to June 2024 in West China Hospital. Patients were categorized based on the surgical approach into two groups: a subxiphoid uniportal VATS thymectomy (SUVT) group and a subxiphoid and subcostal arch VATS thymectomy (SASAT) group. Comparisons were made between the two groups regarding surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, thymoma size and location, and postoperative pain assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Results The SUVT group consisted of 20 patients, including 11 males and 9 females, with an average age of (51.5±14.3) years. The SASAT group comprised 40 patients, including 26 males and 14 females, with an average age of (50.0±13.0) years. Compared to the SASAT group, the SUVT group had significantly larger thymomas [ (5.9±2.7) cm vs. (4.2±2.1) cm, P=0.010] and a higher proportion of neoplasms located in the superior mediastinum (30.0% vs. 2.5%, P=0.007). Additionally, the VAS pain scores on postoperative days 3, 7, and 30 were significantly lower in the SUVT group compared to the SASAT group (P<0.05). There were no statistical differences between the two groups in demographic characteristics, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, duration and volume of postoperative drainage, length of postoperative hospital stay, or the VAS pain score on the first postoperative day. Conclusion SUVT using double sternum retractors significantly reduces postoperative pain and provides superior efficacy in the resection of larger thymomas or those situated in the superior mediastinum.

Objective To discuss the accuracy and effectiveness of digital subtraction angiography(DSA)in determining the cause of limb ischemia after extra corporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO.Methods The clinical data of 3 child patients,who developed 4 times of acute limb ischemia during perioperative period of ECMO at the Affiliated Children's Hospital of Zhengzhou University of China from July to October of 2023,were retrospectively analyzed.In all the child patients,emergency angiography was carried out to quickly identify the cause,then,appropriate treatment plan was adopted to open the blood vessels of the right lower limb.Results After the child patients entered the operating room and received DSA examination,the causes of the limb ischemia were quickly identified.After treatment,the blood supply to the lower limbs was restored.Except for one child who experienced irreversible necrosis of the distal limb due to repeated ischemia-reperfusion injury and required amputation,the other two child patients recovered well.Conclusion It is of great significance to perform DSA examination as soon as possible when the child patients develop limb ischemic manifestations after ECMO so as to quickly identify the cause,promptly restore blood supply to ischemic limbs and increase limb preservation rate,besides,DSA examination can also be used as a preventive measure for child patients after ECMO.

Objective To explore the safety and efficacy of semiconductor laser combined with sclerotherapy in the treatment of venous malformations(VM)in child patients.Methods The clinical data of 68 child patients with VM,who were admitted to the Affiliated Children's Hospital of Zhengzhou University of China from April 2023 to April 2024,were retrospectively analyzed.The child patients were divided into semiconductor laser combined with sclerotherapy group(laser+sclerotherapy group)and simple sclerotherapy group(sclerotherapy group),with 34 child patients in each group.The reduction rate of lesion size and the incidence of complications were compared between the two groups.Results The total effective rate and significant effective rate in the laser+sclerotherapy group were 100％ and 79.41％(27/34)respectively,which were higher than 82.35％(28/34)and 29.41％(10/34)respectively in the sclerotherapy group.The incidences of blister and pigmentation complications in the laser+sclerotherapy group were 11.76％(4/34)and 14.71％(5/34)respectively,which were lower than 41.18％(14/34)and 38.24％(13/34)respectively in the sclerotherapy group,and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion In treating child patients with VM,the combination use of semiconductor laser and sclerotherapy has higher clinical safety and effectiveness.

Objective To discuss the application value of intracavitary semiconductor laser therapy in improving facial appearance for child patients with facial venous malformations(VM)after receiving sclerotherapy.Methods The clinical data of 12 child patients with facial VM after receiving sclerotherapy,for whom the improvement of their facial appearance was difficult and who were admitted to the Affiliated Children's Hospital of Zhengzhou University of China from February 2023 to February 2024,were retrospectively analyzed.Intracavitary semiconductor laser treatment was adopted in all the 12 child patients.All the child patients were followed up to check the degree of appearance improvement and lesion volume reduction,and the curative effect was evaluated.Results Three months after intracavitary semiconductor laser treatment,obvious improvement of facial appearance was obtained in all the 12 child patients.The mean postoperative PAC-QOL psychological discomfort score was(10.4±3.9)points,when compared with the preoperative(23.7±4.3)points the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).MRI examination showed that after treatment no obvious improvement of the lesion was seen in 0 case,moderate improvement in one case,significant improvement in 4 cases,and cure in 7 cases.Conclusion Intracavitary semiconductor laser therapy has significant therapeutic effect in improving facial appearance for child patients with facial VM after receiving sclerotherapy,for whom the improvement of their facial appearance is difficult,therefore,this therapy has high clinical application value.

Objective To discuss the clinical efficacy of absolute ethanol and foam hardening agent in the treatment of large venous malformations(VM)in child patients.Methods The clinical data of a total of 60 child patients with solitary large VM were retrospectively analyzed.The child patients were divided into group A(n=30)and group B(n=30).Patients in group A received absolute ethanol injection followed by foam hardening agent injection,while patients in group B received foam hardening agent injection followed by absolute ethanol injection.The clinical efficacy,complications,mean number of injections and mean dosage of absolute ethanol were compared between the two groups.Results The total effective rate in both group A and group B was 100%.The markedly effective rate in group A and group B was 63.33%(19/30)and 90%(27/30)respectively,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).In group A and group B,the mean dosage of absolute ethanol was(10.30±3.19)mL and(6.73±2.06)mL respectively,the mean number of injection was(3.57±1.01)times and(2.63±0.61)times respectively,and the differences in the above two indexes were statistically significant(both P＜0.05).No serious complications occurred in either group.The incidence of blisters in group A and group B was 30%(9/30)and 6.67%(2/30)respectively,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion For large VM in child patients,combination use of absolute ethanol and foam hardening agent can improve the curative efficacy,reduce the dosage of absolute ethanol,and lower the incidence of complications.In addition,the therapeutic mode of foam hardening agent injection followed by absolute ethanol injection can achieve better efficacy.(J Intervent Radiol,2024,32:28-32)

AIM:To explore the impact of Delta-like ligand 3(DLL3)on the progression of prostate cancer(Pca)and to elucidate its potential molecular mechanisms.METHODS:Overexpression and interference plasmids of DLL3 gene were constructed,and the effects of DLL3 on the proliferation,migration and invasion of Pca cells were as-sessed.Tumorigenesis assay was employed to determine whether DLL3 influenced the proliferation of PC-3 cells in vivo.The impact of DLL3 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling was investigated through Western blotting.RESULTS:Overexpression of DLL3 significantly enhanced the proliferation,migration,invasion and EMT processes of Pca cells compared with empty vector group and blank control group(P＜0.05).Conversely,knockdown of DLL3 expression yielded opposite effects(P＜0.05).Moreover,up-regulation of DLL3 promoted tumor growth in the nude mouse xenograft model(P＜0.05).Further investigation demonstrated that DLL3 up-regulation led to increases in the levels of MAPK signaling pathway-related proteins.Interestingly,MAPK inhibitor effec-tively reduced the proliferation,migration and invasion of Pca cells caused by DLL3 overexpression(P＜0.05).CON-CLUSION:DLL3 promotes the proliferation,migration and invasion of Pca through the MAPK pathway.

Objective:To develop an improved wireless intelligent capsule cystoscope (WCE)for dynamic detection of bladder mucosa in a pig model.Methods:The WCE was introduced into a healthy experimental pig that under general anesthesia via urethra by applying an improved device. Multi-angle images of the bladder mucosa were then obtained by controlling the position of capsule cystoscope with an external magnetic field system. The shutter speed of the WCE was 2.5 fps and was automatically converted to 1.5 fps 30 minutes after initiation. The Vue software was utilized to download the shoot pictures which were former received by a computer via wireless transmission. The pig was roused and sent to the pigpen, without limitations in moving. The improved WCE was connected with a 2 cm thread. 12 hours later, the dilated sheath was inserted again, and the capsule was removed by a foreign body forceps under observation of a ureteroscopy.Results:The WCE was successfully placed and removed from the pig's bladder with the application of the improved devices. Over 20 thousand images that with 60K pixels of bladder mucosa were captured by the WCE at various angles within 12 hours, which revealed the process of urine filling and excreting in a time-dependent way. No notable adverse effects (bleeding, urinary tract injury, etc) were noted during the process of cystoscope placement, image acquisition, transmission, and removal.Conclusion:This study developed a novel WCE that could dynamically, intelligently and accurately monitor all aspects of the pig bladder mucosa, and has preferable application prospect.

Objective: To explore the role of autophagy in PM2.5-induced inflammation in human nasal epithelial cells and related mechanism. Methods: Human nasal epithelial cells were exposed to different concentration of PM2.5 for different times, and the expression levels of microtubule-associated protein-1 light chain-3 Ⅱ (LC3 Ⅱ) and Beclin1 proteins were measured by Western blot. The typical autophagosome and autolysosome were observed by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). To observe autophagic flux, mRFP-GFP-LC3 plasmid was transfected to nasal epithelial cells and the punctate staining of mRFP-GFP-LC3 were determined by confocal laser scanning microscope. The expression of inflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in cell culture supernatant were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To assess the role of autophagy in PM2.5-mediated inflammation, autophagy related gene Atg5 and Beclin-1 were silenced by siRNA knockdown, and inflammatory cytokines were analyzed.GraphPad Prism 6.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: PM2.5 exposure increased the expression of LC3 Ⅱ and Beclin-1 proteins in a dose- (in PM2.5 group with concentration of 0, 15, 30, 60, 120 μg/ml, the expression of LC3 Ⅱ was 0.021±0.001(±s), 0.037±0.002, 0.058±0.005, 0.075±0.006, 0.085±0.004, respectively, F=126.8, P<0.05; the expression of Beclin-1 was 0.002±0.000, 0.003±0.000, 0.005±0.000, 0.007±0.001, 0.008±0.001, respectively, F=137.3, P<0.05) and time-dependent manner (in PM2.5 group with exposure time of 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 h, the expression of LC3Ⅱ was 0.160±0.007, 0.222±0.003, 0.251±0.015, 0.483±0.029, 0.585±0.035, respectively, F=215.3, P<0.05; the expression of Beclin-1 was 0.059±0.002, 0.080±0.002, 0.087±0.002, 0.183±0.007, 0.228±0.005, respectively, F=137.3, P<0.05) in human nasal epithelial cells. TEM analysis showed typical autophagosome and autolysosome in cells after PM2.5 exposure for 24 h. PM2.5 significantly increased the number of yellow and red dots representing autophagosomes and autolysosomes respectively, indicating autophagic flux was elevated. Moreover, PM2.5 enhanced the secretion of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α, which was dramatically prevented by Atg5-siRNA and Beclin-1-siRNA. Conclusion Autophagy plays an important role in PM2.5-caused inflammation response in nasal epithelial cells, which can induce release of inflammatory factors such as IL-6 and TNF-α and advance the inflammatory reaction.