Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of gentle moxibustion at different temperatures in treating people with diarrhea-predominant bowel syndrome(IBS-D)due to spleen deficiency.Methods:A total of 108 IBS-D patients were divided into two groups using the random number table method,with 54 participants in each group.Moxibustion group 1 received gentle moxibustion at(43±1)℃at bilateral Tianshu(ST25)and Zusanli(ST36),lasting 30 min each session;moxibustion group 2 received gentle moxibustion at(37±1)℃at the same points.Both groups received the intervention 3 times weekly for a total of 18 sessions.Abdominal pain intensity,stool form,pattern-based efficacy,quality of life,and mental health assessments were performed at weeks 0,3,6,and 8.Results:The total effective rate for abdominal pain intensity was 87.8%in moxibustion group 1 versus 51.1%in moxibustion group 2,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).When the treatment finished,abdominal pain intensity,the Bristol score,IBS-symptom severity scale(IBS-SSS)score,self-rating anxiety scale(SAS)score,and self-rating depression scale(SDS)score dropped significantly in both groups(P<0.05),and the IBS-quality of life(IBS-QOL)score increased markedly(P<0.05).Between-group comparisons demonstrated that abdominal pain intensity,the Bristol general score,IBS-SSS score,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)pattern score,and SDS score were significantly lower in moxibustion group 1 than in moxibustion group 2 at treatment week 6(P<0.05),and the IBS-QOL score was notably higher in moxibustion group 1(P<0.05).Conclusion:Whether at 43℃or 37℃,gentle moxibustion at Tianshu(ST25)and Zusanli(ST36)can improve abdominal pain,stool form,and quality of life,reduce disease severity,and mitigate TCM pattern in IBS-D patients;43℃gentle moxibustion performs better than 37℃gentle moxibustion in improving abdominal pain,stool form,disease severity,TCM pattern,quality of life,anxiety,and depression in IBS-D.

Objective:Comparative study on the application value of bronchial ultrasound combined with different biopsy methods under thin-layer CT navigation in the diagnosis of malignant peripheral lung lesions.Methods:A retrospective analysis of patients with suspected malignant peripheral lung lesions identified by chest CT from January 2019 to September 2024 at the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, and Xianyang Central Hospital, who underwent routine bronchoscopy with negative results (209 cases). These patients were diagnosed using bronchial ultrasound under thin-layer CT navigation. The cases were divided into a cryobiopsy group (127 cases) and a conventional forceps biopsy group based on the biopsy method (82 cases). The diagnostic rates of the two groups were statistically analyzed, along with factors influencing the diagnostic rates. The tissue size obtained from both groups was compared, and the occurrence of complications was summarized.Results:This study included 209 cases with 216 peripheral lung lesions. A total of 209 cases with 210 lesions were successfully located through thin-slice CT guidance, resulting in a guiding success rate of 97.2% (210/216). Among the 130 lesions in the cryobiopsy group, 78 lesions were diagnosed as lung malignancies, with a diagnostic rate of 82.1% (64/78) for cryobiopsy in lung malignant lesions. In the forceps biopsy group, 46 of the 86 lesions were diagnosed as lung malignancies, with a diagnostic rate of 87.0% (40/46) for forceps biopsy in lung malignant lesions. There was no statistically significant difference between the two diagnostic rates ( P=0.473). The average longest diameter of tissue obtained by cryobiopsy was (6.11±0.23) mm, while the average longest diameter of tissue obtained by forceps biopsy was (1.58±0.43) mm. There was a statistically significant difference in tissue longest diameter between the two groups ( P＜0.001). When the distance from the bronchoscopic tip to the lesion was ≥3 cm and the most distal bronchus visible under bronchoscopy was ≤5th generation, the diagnostic rate of forceps biopsy was higher [83.3%(25/30) and 94.1%(32/34)] than that of cryobiopsy [79.3%(23/29) and 78.0%(46/59)], and the difference was statistically significant ( P＜0.05). Regarding complications, one case (1.3%, 1/78) of clinically significant complications occurred in the cryobiopsy group, while no complications occurred in the forceps biopsy group. Conclusions:Under thin-layer CT navigation, bronchial ultrasound combined with different biopsy methods demonstrates a high diagnostic rate for malignant peripheral lung lesions and is safe to operate. Cryobiopsy allows for the collection of larger tissue specimens.

Objective:To evaluate the short-term safety and efficacy of total laparoscopic, laparoscopy-assisted, and open total gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer who have undergone neoadjuvant therapy.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, relevant clinical data on 243 patients who had undergone radical total gastrectomy after receiving neoadjuvant therapy were collected. These patients had been admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Yuncheng Central Hospital of Shanxi Province, and Heji Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College between January 2020 and April 2024. Among them, 202 were male (83.1%) and 41 were female (16.9%), and their average age was 61.3±8.1 years. The patients were allocated to three groups according to surgical procedure: total laparoscopic (68 cases), laparoscopic- assisted (79 cases), and open surgery (96 cases). We compared relevant baseline characteristics, neoadjuvant treatment, intraoperative and postoperative conditions, postoperative histopathological findings, and related complications between these three groups.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics or neoadjuvant treatment between the three groups (all P>0.05). The operative time was longer in the total laparoscopic group than in the laparoscopic-assisted and open surgery groups (267.7±37.9 minutes vs. 243.9±38.3 minutes vs. 219.7±41.2 minutes, respectively; F=7,112.278; P<0.001). However, more lymph nodes were harvested in the total laparoscopic group than in the laparoscopic-assisted and open surgery groups (27.8±4.8 vs. 27.4±6.3 vs. 27.2±5.1, respectively; F=6.042; P=0.002). Additionally, the total laparoscopic group had shorter times to first postoperative flatus (2.3±0.7 days vs. 2.4±0.7 days vs. 2.6±0.6 days, respectively; F=5.094; P=0.006] and first postoperative bowel movement (2.9±0.5 days vs. 3.0±0.6 days vs. 3.0±0.6 days, respectively; F=3.929; P=0.020). There were no statistically significant differences in intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative transfusion rates, postoperative intensive care unit admission rates, maximum tumor diameter, number of positive lymph nodes dissected, TNM stage, time to first postoperative oral intake, time to drain removal, or length of hospital stay between the three groups (all P>0.05). Among the 243 patients, 22 developed postoperative complications, making the overall complication rate 9.1%. Six patients (8.8%) in the total laparoscopic group developed complications, comprising two (2.9%) Grade IIIa Clavien-Dindo complications. One of these patients (1.5%) was readmitted within 30 days due to complications. Seven patients (8.9%) in the laparoscopic-assisted group developed complications, comprising two (2.5%) Grade IIIa Clavien-Dindo complications. One of these patients was readmitted within 30 days and another was within 90 days due to complications. Nine patients (9.4%) in the open surgery group developed complications, comprising four (4.2%) Grade IIIa Clavien-Dindo complications. Two patients (2.1%) were readmitted within 30 days and another (1.0%) within 90 days due to complications. There were no statistically significant differences among the three surgical approaches in overall postoperative complication rates, Clavien-Dindo grades, or readmission rates 30 and 90 days postoperatively (all P>0.05). Conclusions:In patients with gastric cancer who have undergone neoadjuvant therapy, there are no significant differences in the overall safety and short-term effectiveness of the three surgical procedures. Although the operative time is longer for total laparoscopic total gastrectomy, this procedure offers the advantages of faster postoperative recovery and earlier resumption of feeding.

Objective:To evaluate the short-term safety and efficacy of total laparoscopic, laparoscopy-assisted, and open total gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer who have undergone neoadjuvant therapy.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, relevant clinical data on 243 patients who had undergone radical total gastrectomy after receiving neoadjuvant therapy were collected. These patients had been admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Yuncheng Central Hospital of Shanxi Province, and Heji Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College between January 2020 and April 2024. Among them, 202 were male (83.1%) and 41 were female (16.9%), and their average age was 61.3±8.1 years. The patients were allocated to three groups according to surgical procedure: total laparoscopic (68 cases), laparoscopic- assisted (79 cases), and open surgery (96 cases). We compared relevant baseline characteristics, neoadjuvant treatment, intraoperative and postoperative conditions, postoperative histopathological findings, and related complications between these three groups.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics or neoadjuvant treatment between the three groups (all P>0.05). The operative time was longer in the total laparoscopic group than in the laparoscopic-assisted and open surgery groups (267.7±37.9 minutes vs. 243.9±38.3 minutes vs. 219.7±41.2 minutes, respectively; F=7,112.278; P<0.001). However, more lymph nodes were harvested in the total laparoscopic group than in the laparoscopic-assisted and open surgery groups (27.8±4.8 vs. 27.4±6.3 vs. 27.2±5.1, respectively; F=6.042; P=0.002). Additionally, the total laparoscopic group had shorter times to first postoperative flatus (2.3±0.7 days vs. 2.4±0.7 days vs. 2.6±0.6 days, respectively; F=5.094; P=0.006] and first postoperative bowel movement (2.9±0.5 days vs. 3.0±0.6 days vs. 3.0±0.6 days, respectively; F=3.929; P=0.020). There were no statistically significant differences in intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative transfusion rates, postoperative intensive care unit admission rates, maximum tumor diameter, number of positive lymph nodes dissected, TNM stage, time to first postoperative oral intake, time to drain removal, or length of hospital stay between the three groups (all P>0.05). Among the 243 patients, 22 developed postoperative complications, making the overall complication rate 9.1%. Six patients (8.8%) in the total laparoscopic group developed complications, comprising two (2.9%) Grade IIIa Clavien-Dindo complications. One of these patients (1.5%) was readmitted within 30 days due to complications. Seven patients (8.9%) in the laparoscopic-assisted group developed complications, comprising two (2.5%) Grade IIIa Clavien-Dindo complications. One of these patients was readmitted within 30 days and another was within 90 days due to complications. Nine patients (9.4%) in the open surgery group developed complications, comprising four (4.2%) Grade IIIa Clavien-Dindo complications. Two patients (2.1%) were readmitted within 30 days and another (1.0%) within 90 days due to complications. There were no statistically significant differences among the three surgical approaches in overall postoperative complication rates, Clavien-Dindo grades, or readmission rates 30 and 90 days postoperatively (all P>0.05). Conclusions:In patients with gastric cancer who have undergone neoadjuvant therapy, there are no significant differences in the overall safety and short-term effectiveness of the three surgical procedures. Although the operative time is longer for total laparoscopic total gastrectomy, this procedure offers the advantages of faster postoperative recovery and earlier resumption of feeding.

Iron overload is strongly associated with heart disease. Ferroptosis is a new form of regulated cell death indicated in cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the specific molecular mechanism of myocardial injury caused by iron overload in the heart is still unclear, and the involvement of ferroptosis in iron overload-induced myocardial injury is not fully understood. In this study, we observed that ferroptosis participated in developing of iron overload and I/R-induced cardiomyopathy. Mechanistically, we discovered that Parkin inhibited iron overload-induced ferroptosis in cardiomyocytes by promoting the ubiquitination of long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4), a crucial protein involved in ferroptosis-related lipid metabolism pathways. Additionally, we identified p53 as a transcription factor that transcriptionally suppressed Parkin expression in iron-overloaded cardiomyocytes, thereby regulating iron overload-induced ferroptosis. In animal studies, cardiac-specific Parkin knockout mice (Myh6-CreER ^T2 /Parkin ^fl/fl ) fed a high-iron diet presented more severe myocardial damage, and the high iron levels exacerbated myocardial I/R injury. However, the ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 significantly suppressed iron overload-induced ferroptosis and myocardial I/R injury. Moreover, Parkin effectively protected against impaired mitochondrial function and prevented iron overload-induced mitochondrial lipid peroxidation. These findings unveil a novel regulatory pathway involving p53-Parkin-ACSL4 in heart disease by inhibiting of ferroptosis.

Objective:Comparative study on the application value of bronchial ultrasound combined with different biopsy methods under thin-layer CT navigation in the diagnosis of malignant peripheral lung lesions.Methods:A retrospective analysis of patients with suspected malignant peripheral lung lesions identified by chest CT from January 2019 to September 2024 at the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, and Xianyang Central Hospital, who underwent routine bronchoscopy with negative results (209 cases). These patients were diagnosed using bronchial ultrasound under thin-layer CT navigation. The cases were divided into a cryobiopsy group (127 cases) and a conventional forceps biopsy group based on the biopsy method (82 cases). The diagnostic rates of the two groups were statistically analyzed, along with factors influencing the diagnostic rates. The tissue size obtained from both groups was compared, and the occurrence of complications was summarized.Results:This study included 209 cases with 216 peripheral lung lesions. A total of 209 cases with 210 lesions were successfully located through thin-slice CT guidance, resulting in a guiding success rate of 97.2% (210/216). Among the 130 lesions in the cryobiopsy group, 78 lesions were diagnosed as lung malignancies, with a diagnostic rate of 82.1% (64/78) for cryobiopsy in lung malignant lesions. In the forceps biopsy group, 46 of the 86 lesions were diagnosed as lung malignancies, with a diagnostic rate of 87.0% (40/46) for forceps biopsy in lung malignant lesions. There was no statistically significant difference between the two diagnostic rates ( P=0.473). The average longest diameter of tissue obtained by cryobiopsy was (6.11±0.23) mm, while the average longest diameter of tissue obtained by forceps biopsy was (1.58±0.43) mm. There was a statistically significant difference in tissue longest diameter between the two groups ( P＜0.001). When the distance from the bronchoscopic tip to the lesion was ≥3 cm and the most distal bronchus visible under bronchoscopy was ≤5th generation, the diagnostic rate of forceps biopsy was higher [83.3%(25/30) and 94.1%(32/34)] than that of cryobiopsy [79.3%(23/29) and 78.0%(46/59)], and the difference was statistically significant ( P＜0.05). Regarding complications, one case (1.3%, 1/78) of clinically significant complications occurred in the cryobiopsy group, while no complications occurred in the forceps biopsy group. Conclusions:Under thin-layer CT navigation, bronchial ultrasound combined with different biopsy methods demonstrates a high diagnostic rate for malignant peripheral lung lesions and is safe to operate. Cryobiopsy allows for the collection of larger tissue specimens.

Purpose To provide technical support for the use of echo-planar imaging(EPI)in the diagnosis of brain diseases,the image quality and diagnostic effect of single-shot echo-planar imaging(ssEPI)diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)and multi-shot echo-planar imaging(msEPI)DWI sequences in the detection of brain diseases at 5.0T MR are analyzed.Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 42 patients with intracranial diseases who underwent T2-FLAIR,ssEPI DWI and msEPI DWI scans on a 5.0T MR system in the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC from August to September 2023.Two radiologists independently assessed image quality,measured distortion displacement,and compared signal-to-noise ratio,lesion-to-normal tissue contrast,contrast-to-noise ratio and apparent diffusion coefficient.Results msEPI sequence demonstrated significantly superior subjective scores,including geometric distortion,susceptibility artifacts,edge sharpness and overall image quality compared with those of ssEPI sequence(Z=5.728,4.197,5.766,5.777,all P<0.001).Quantitative analysis revealed substantial reduction in distortion displacement in msEPI sequence,including frontal lobe[(5.91±1.41)mm vs.(15.63±2.21)mm,t=34.050,P<0.001],anterior temporal lobe[(4.17±0.78)mm vs.(7.18±1.87)mm,t=12.263,P<0.001],posterior temporal lobe[(4.76±1.36)mm vs.(8.38±2.01)mm,t=21.336,P<0.001],cerebral diameter[(4.37±1.65)mm vs.(12.74±2.84)mm,t=23.255,P<0.001]and brainstem diameter[(0.80±0.63)mm vs.(1.98±1.63)mm,t=7.092,P<0.001],compared with ssEPI sequence.However,no statistically significant differences were observed in signal-to-noise ratio or contrast-to-noise ratio between the two sequences(P=0.848,0.638).Notably,msEPI sequences exhibited significantly enhanced lesion-normal tissue contrast compared with ssEPI sequences[221(131,311)vs.150(90,240),Z=3.89,P<0.001].Conclusion At 5.0T MRI,msEPI demonstrated superior image quality and diagnostic performance for craniocerebral diseases compared to ssEPI DWI sequences.

Purpose To provide technical support for the use of echo-planar imaging(EPI)in the diagnosis of brain diseases,the image quality and diagnostic effect of single-shot echo-planar imaging(ssEPI)diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)and multi-shot echo-planar imaging(msEPI)DWI sequences in the detection of brain diseases at 5.0T MR are analyzed.Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 42 patients with intracranial diseases who underwent T2-FLAIR,ssEPI DWI and msEPI DWI scans on a 5.0T MR system in the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC from August to September 2023.Two radiologists independently assessed image quality,measured distortion displacement,and compared signal-to-noise ratio,lesion-to-normal tissue contrast,contrast-to-noise ratio and apparent diffusion coefficient.Results msEPI sequence demonstrated significantly superior subjective scores,including geometric distortion,susceptibility artifacts,edge sharpness and overall image quality compared with those of ssEPI sequence(Z=5.728,4.197,5.766,5.777,all P<0.001).Quantitative analysis revealed substantial reduction in distortion displacement in msEPI sequence,including frontal lobe[(5.91±1.41)mm vs.(15.63±2.21)mm,t=34.050,P<0.001],anterior temporal lobe[(4.17±0.78)mm vs.(7.18±1.87)mm,t=12.263,P<0.001],posterior temporal lobe[(4.76±1.36)mm vs.(8.38±2.01)mm,t=21.336,P<0.001],cerebral diameter[(4.37±1.65)mm vs.(12.74±2.84)mm,t=23.255,P<0.001]and brainstem diameter[(0.80±0.63)mm vs.(1.98±1.63)mm,t=7.092,P<0.001],compared with ssEPI sequence.However,no statistically significant differences were observed in signal-to-noise ratio or contrast-to-noise ratio between the two sequences(P=0.848,0.638).Notably,msEPI sequences exhibited significantly enhanced lesion-normal tissue contrast compared with ssEPI sequences[221(131,311)vs.150(90,240),Z=3.89,P<0.001].Conclusion At 5.0T MRI,msEPI demonstrated superior image quality and diagnostic performance for craniocerebral diseases compared to ssEPI DWI sequences.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of gentle moxibustion at different temperatures in treating people with diarrhea-predominant bowel syndrome(IBS-D)due to spleen deficiency.Methods:A total of 108 IBS-D patients were divided into two groups using the random number table method,with 54 participants in each group.Moxibustion group 1 received gentle moxibustion at(43±1)℃at bilateral Tianshu(ST25)and Zusanli(ST36),lasting 30 min each session;moxibustion group 2 received gentle moxibustion at(37±1)℃at the same points.Both groups received the intervention 3 times weekly for a total of 18 sessions.Abdominal pain intensity,stool form,pattern-based efficacy,quality of life,and mental health assessments were performed at weeks 0,3,6,and 8.Results:The total effective rate for abdominal pain intensity was 87.8%in moxibustion group 1 versus 51.1%in moxibustion group 2,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).When the treatment finished,abdominal pain intensity,the Bristol score,IBS-symptom severity scale(IBS-SSS)score,self-rating anxiety scale(SAS)score,and self-rating depression scale(SDS)score dropped significantly in both groups(P<0.05),and the IBS-quality of life(IBS-QOL)score increased markedly(P<0.05).Between-group comparisons demonstrated that abdominal pain intensity,the Bristol general score,IBS-SSS score,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)pattern score,and SDS score were significantly lower in moxibustion group 1 than in moxibustion group 2 at treatment week 6(P<0.05),and the IBS-QOL score was notably higher in moxibustion group 1(P<0.05).Conclusion:Whether at 43℃or 37℃,gentle moxibustion at Tianshu(ST25)and Zusanli(ST36)can improve abdominal pain,stool form,and quality of life,reduce disease severity,and mitigate TCM pattern in IBS-D patients;43℃gentle moxibustion performs better than 37℃gentle moxibustion in improving abdominal pain,stool form,disease severity,TCM pattern,quality of life,anxiety,and depression in IBS-D.

Objectives:This study aims to investigate the impact of different Low-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)levels on progression of intermediate coronary stenosis,and the associated risk factors leading to the progression of such lesions. Methods:Data were collected on 219 consecutive patients admitted at the Fuwai Central China Vascular Hospital from January 2020 to February 2021,underwent angiographic examinations and diagnosed with intermediate coronary stenosis,with at least one follow-up angiography after 11 months.Offline quantitative flow ratio(QFR)analysis was performed on these cases.Patients were divided into two groups:LDL-C controlled group(LDL-C<1.8 mmol/L,148 patients with 191 vessels)and LDL-C uncontrolled group(LDL-C≥1.8 mmol/L,71 patients with 98 vessels).Coronary artery QFR and anatomical indicators such as minimal lumen diameter,minimal lumen area,percentage diameter stenosis,percentage area stenosis were compared within and between the groups.Further analysis was performed to identify influencing factors leading to changes in coronary physiological parameters derived from QFR. Results:Within the LDL-C controlled group,there was no significant difference in the QFR values of the vessels compared to baseline(P>0.05),whereas in the LDL-C uncontrolled group(P<0.05),a notable decline in QFR was observed.Patients in the LDL-C controlled group had lower rates of maximum diameter and area stenosis and higher minimum lumen diameter and area(all P<0.05).Through multifactorial Logistic regression analysis,it was found that a body mass index＞28 kg/m2,LDL-C≥1.8 mmol/L,and a history of myocardial infarction were independent risk factors leading to the decline in QFR(all P<0.05). Conclusions:It was found that patients in the LDL-C controlled group had higher coronary artery QFR,minimum lumen diameter and area,lower rates of maximum diameter and area stenosis.