OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) in improving early enteral nutrition tolerance in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) under the concept of accelerated rehabilitation, and to explore the related mechanism based on the changes in autonomic nerve characteristics. METHODS: A total of 42 patients with AP were randomized into an observation group (21 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a control group (21 cases, 1 case dropped out). The control group received standard basic treatment for AP. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, EA was applied in the observation group, bilateral Zusanli (ST36), Yixian point (Extra), Tianshu (ST25), Neiguan (PC6) and Zhongwan (CV12) were selected as the main points, and the supplementary points were selected according to syndrome differentiation. Ipsilateral Zusanli (ST36) and Yixian point (Extra) were connected to EA, using discontinuous wave, in frequency of 2 Hz, 30 min a time, once a day for 6 continuous days. The enteral nutrition tolerance score was observed before treatment and after 3 and 5 days of treatment; the visual analogue scale (VAS) score for abdominal pain was observed before treatment and after 3 days of treatment; the time of reaching the feeding goal and hospital stay was recorded; the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and amylase were measured before treatment and after 5 days of treatment; the heart rate variability (HRV) indexes (standard deviation of NN intervals [SDNN], average standard deviation of NN intervals [SDANN], root mean square of successive NN interval differences [rMSSD], low frequency [LF] and high frequency [HF], ratio of low frequency to high frequency [LF/HF]) were monitored in the two groups. RESULTS: After 3 and 5 days of treatment, the enteral nutrition tolerance scores were decreased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.01), the reductions in the observation group were larger than those in the control group (P<0.01). After 3 days of treatment, the VAS scores for abdominal pain were decreased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.01), the reduction in the observation group was larger than that in the control group (P<0.01). The time of reaching the feeding goal and hospital stay in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group (P<0.05). After 5 days of treatment, the CRP and amylase levels were decreased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.01), the reduction of CRP level in the observation group was larger than that in the control group (P<0.01). In the observation group, SDNN, SDANN and LF/HF were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01), while rMSSD was higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). SDNN, SDANN and LF/HF were positively correlated with the enteral nutrition tolerance scores after 3 and 5 days of treatment (P<0.05), while rMSSD was negatively correlated with the enteral nutrition tolerance scores after 3 and 5 days of treatment (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture can improve enteral nutrition tolerance in patients with AP by regulating autonomic nervous function, alleviating the inflammation, promoting accelerated recovery, and reducing the length of hospital stay.
Humans ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Female ; Enteral Nutrition ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Pancreatitis/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Acupuncture Points ; Young Adult ; Acute Disease/therapy* ; Autonomic Pathways/physiopathology*

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.

Objective:To analyze the CT and MRI manifestations of hepatic angiomyolipoma (HAML) to improve the diagnostic accuracy of HAML.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 46 cases of HAML confirmed by tumor surgery or biopsy in Yueqing People's Hospital of Zhejiang and Rui'an People's Hospital of Zhejiang from November 2015 to June 2024. Among them, there were 20 males and 26 females, with an average age of (40±18) years. The CT and MRI manifestations of the patients were recorded, and the tumor location, size, shape, boundary, CT density, T 1-weighted imaging, T 2-weighted imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), fat suppression sequence, and inverse phase signal were observed. Results:29 cases underwent plain CT scan combined with enhanced scan. Among them, 4 cases (13.8%) had a round shape, 22 cases (47.8%) had a nearly round shape, and 3 cases (10.3%) had an irregular shape. 26 cases (89.7%) had clear boundaries, and 3 cases (10.3%) had unclear boundaries. 5 cases (17.2%) had uniform density, and 24 cases (82.8%) had non-uniform density. The CT value of the tumor was (32±6.8) Hu. 25 cases (86.2%) contained fat tissue within the tumor. Among them, 13 cases (44.8%) were mixed type. After enhancement, the fat tissue and necrotic cystic changes did not enhance, and the soft tissue components showed varying degrees of enhancement in the arterial phase. Among them, 6 cases continued to enhance in the portal venous phase and delayed phase, showing " fast in and slow out" , and 7 cases showed decreased enhancement in the portal venous phase and delayed phase, showing " fast in and fast out" . 17 cases underwent plain MRI scan combined with enhanced scan. Among them, 12 cases were mixed type. On T 2-weighted imaging with fat suppression, it was a mixed high signal, on T 1-weighted imaging, it was an isointense/low signal or mixed low signal, and on DWI, it was a high signal, with partial signal reduction on the inverse phase. 9 cases of tumor septation showed isointense signals on T 1-weighted imaging, 7 cases showed isointense signals on T 2-weighted imaging, and 2 cases showed high signals on T 2-weighted imaging. After enhancement, the mass showed heterogeneous enhancement, with 7 cases showing " fast in and fast out" and 5 cases showing " fast in and slow out" . Conclusion:Plain CT scan shows that HAML is round or nearly round, with non-uniform low density or uniform isodensity. Plain MRI scan shows isointense or slightly high signal on T 2-weighted imaging, low signal on T 1-weighted imaging, and high signal on T 2-weighted imaging with fat suppression. After enhancement, there is significant or mild to moderate enhancement in the arterial phase, with " fast in and fast out" or " fast in and slow out" as the characteristics.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of enteral nutrition (EN) initiated within 24 h after heart transplantation in pediatric patients.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data from 16 pediatric heart transplant recipients at the Seventh Medical Center of the Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital between October 2022 and October 2024 were collected, including demographics, anthropometric measurements, biochemical markers, cytokine levels, and clinical outcomes. Based on the timing of EN initiation, the patients were divided into EN-initiated within 24 h and EN-initiated after 24 h 2 groups. Demographic data, preoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support, physical examination indicators, laboratory parameters, and cytokine levels were compared between groups using independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher′s exact probability test. Results:The cohort comprised 16 patients (10 males and 6 females) with an age of (12.5±1.9) years. The EN-initiated within 24 h group comprised 6 cases, and the EN-initiated after 24 h group comprised 10 cases. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in age, preoperative body mass index Z-score, preoperative ECMO support, physical examination indicators, laboratory parameters (total protein, albumin, hemoglobin), or cytokine levels (all P>0.05). Compared to the EN-initiated after 24 h group, the EN-initiated within 24 h group exhibited a shorter intensive care unit stay ( t=2.65, P<0.05) and shorter mechanical ventilation duration ( t=2.23, P<0.05) than EN-initiated after 24 h group. Total hospitalization length had no significant difference ( P>0.05). At 72 h post-transplant, the EN-initiated within 24 h group had a lower interleukin-12 P70 ( t=2.46, P<0.05) and interferon-γ levels ( t=2.55, P<0.05) than EN-initiated after 24 h group. Prior to discharge, the EN-initiated within 24 h group has a lower mean skinfold thickness ( t=2.49, P<0.05) and lower mid-upper arm circumference ( t=2.36, P<0.05) compared with the EN-initiated after 24 h group. Conclusions:Initiating EN within 24 h postoperatively is safe and feasible in pediatric heart transplant recipients. Early EN may shorten the length of intensive care unit stay and mechanical ventilation while attenuating postoperative release of inflammatory cytokine.

The liver is the most common site of metastases from colorectal cancer,and its treatment is relatively difficult.Nowadays in China,selective internal radiotherapy(SIRT)with yttrium-90 microspheres for colorectal cancer liver metastasis(CRLM)has been employed in clinical practice.Although it has technical difficulties,this novel therapeutic mode of internal radiation therapy carries some unique advantages when compared with the traditional therapy.SIRT with yttrium-90 microspheres can effectively control the tumor progression and increase the volume of future liver remnant(FLR)for patients who are temporarily unable to receive surgical resection of the tumor,thus it can create conditions for subsequent R0 resection or radiation ablation.Combined with first-line and second-line chemotherapy,SIRT with yttrium-90 microspheres can improve the local regional response of liver metastases,thus providing patients with sufficient chemotherapy intervals.For patients whose chemotherapy failed and whose tumor is unresectable,SIRT with yttrium-90 microspheres can better control the tumor progression and prolong the survival of patients.SIRT with yttrium-90 microspheres combined with targeted therapy and immunotherapy also has broad application prospects.This paper aims to make a comprehensive review about the application and recent progress of yttrium-90 microspheres in treating CRLM.

With the continuous updates and iterations of molecular targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors,transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with systemic targeted immunotherapy has become the main treatment method for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).However,due to the high heterogeneity of HCC,not all patients can get benefit from this combination therapy.In addition,due to the lack of specific prognostic markers,there are significant differences in therapeutic efficacy among individuals.Although various predictive indicators have achieved significant results in predicting the prognosis of HCC patients receiving TACE or targeted immunotherapy,there are few reports on the predictive prognosis of TACE combined with systemic targeted immunotherapy for HCC patients.This article explores the possibility and progress of using predictive indicators in personalized prediction of the prognosis of unresectable HCC patients undergoing TACE combined with targeted immunotherapy.It is expected to provide new ideas for clinical screening of beneficiary populations and improving patient prognosis.

Objective To analyze the risk factors and re-intervention strategies for mid- and long-term residual after arterial switch operation (ASO). Methods The clinical data of children with complex congenital heart disease who underwent ASO surgery in Shanghai Children’s Medical Center from January 2006 to June 2022 were retrospectively collected, and the risk factors for mid- and long-term residual after ASO were analyzed. Results A total of 952 children undergoing ASO were enrolled in this study, including 654 males and 298 females with an average age of (102.9±90.1) d and weight of (4.6±1.6) kg. There were 421 patients with D-transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum (D-TGA/IVS), 357 patients with D-transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect (D-TGA/VSD), and 174 patients with right ventricle double outlet combined with subpulmonary ventricular septal defect (Taussig-Bing malformation). Eighty-nine patients died early after the surgery, the mortality rate was 9.3%. The 746 surviving children were regularly followed up after the surgery (follow-up rate 86.4%), with a median follow-up time of 79.4 (12.0-188.0) months. During the follow-up, 53 children underwent surgical re-intervention due to residual, including 33 males and 20 females, with a median age of 62.5 (17.0-214.0) months. The median surgical weight was 19.0 (8.2-86.0) kg, and the mean time of re-intervention was 28.0-170.0 (77.5±45.4) months after the ASO. Residual problems included common trunk and branch stenosis of the pulmonary artery in 23 patients, right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction in 11 patients, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in 6 patients, aortic arch restenosis in 5 patients, aortic insufficiency in 5 patients, residual shunt of ventricular septal defect in 2 patients, and tricuspid valve insufficiency in 1 patient. The early postoperative mortality rate was 3.8% (2/53), with the causes of death being acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery injury and acute left heart failure, respectively. The mean follow-up time of the surviving children was (52.4±28.6) months, and no mid- and long-term death occurred. Two patients underwent the third operations due to pulmonary restenosis. The multivariate analysis result showed that combined aortic arch surgery and early postoperative RVOT velocity>3 m/s were independent risk factors for mid- and long-term residual after ASO. Conclusion ASO is an ideal procedure for the treatment of D-TGA/IVS, D-TGA/VSD and Taussig-Bing malformations. Combined aortic arch surgery and early postoperative RVOT velocity>3 m/s are independent risk factors for mid- and long-term residual after ASO.

Background::Hepatitis B poses a heavy burden for children in China, however, the national studies on the distributional characteristics and health care costs of children with severe hepatitis B is still lacking. This study aimed to analyze the disease characteristics, health economic effects, and medical cost for children with severe hepatitis B in China.Methods::Based on patient information in the Hospital Quality Monitoring System, cases with severe hepatitis B were divided into four groups according to age, and the etiology and symptoms of each group were quantified. The cost of hospitalization was calculated for cases with different disease processes, and severity of disease. The spatial aggregation of cases and the relationship with health economic factors were analyzed by Moran’s I analysis. Results::The total number of children discharged with hepatitis B from January 2016 to April 2022 was 1603, with an average age of 10.5 years. Liver failure cases accounted for 43.48% (697/1603) of total cases and cirrhosis cases accounted for 11.23% (180/1603). According to the grouping of disease progression, there were 1292 cases without associated complications, and the median hospitalization cost was $818.12. According to the spatial analysis, the aggregation of cases was statistically significant at the prefectural and provincial levels in 2019, 2020, and 2021 (all P <0.05). The number of severe cases was negatively correlated with gross domestic product (Moran’s I <0) and percentage of urban population (Moran’s I <0), and positively correlated with the number of pediatric beds per million population (Moran’s I >0). Conclusion::The number of severe hepatitis B cases is low in areas with high gross domestic product levels and high urban population ratios, and health care costs have been declining over the years.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of different types of aortic root replacement in adolescent patients with aortic root aneurysm by analyzing the perioperative and follow-up conditions of surgical treatment for adolescent aortic root aneurysm.Methods:The clinical data of patients aged ≤18 years who were admitted to the Beijing Anzhen Hospital from November 2012 to February 2025, diagnosed with aortic root aneurysm by ultrasound or aortic computed tomography angiography (CTA) and requiring surgical intervention, were collected retrospectively. They were divided into the valve-sparing aortic root replacement group (David operation group) and the aortic root replacement group (Bentall operation group) according to the surgical method. The perioperative results and long-term follow-up results of the two groups were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were drawn to compare the reoperation intervention rate between the two groups.Results:A total of 25 patients were included in this study, including 17 in the Bentall group and 8 in the David group. There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, blood routine, liver and kidney function, coagulation function, and electrolyte internal environment between the two groups (all P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in operation time and intensive care unit stay between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with the Bentall operation group, the intraoperative blood loss in the David operation group was more ( P<0.05). During the follow-up, no reoperation occurred in the Bentall operation group, while 3 patients in the David operation group had long-term re-intervention. The long-term reoperation intervention rate in the David operation group was higher than that in the Bentall group ( P=0.042), but there was no statistically significant difference in the aortic valve-related surgical intervention rate between the two groups ( P=0.15). Conclusions:For adolescent patients with aortic root aneurysm, although David operation may face long-term reoperation intervention, this intervention may not be due to the difference in surgical methods. Both Bentall operation and David operation are safe and reliable, with good perioperative results and stable medium and long-term prognosis.