OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy and safety of evolocumab and probucol in patients with ultra-high-risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease （ASCVD） following percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on 156 ultra-high-risk ASCVD patients who underwent PCI in our institution between January 1， 2023 and December 31， 2024. According to the lipid-lowering regimen， the patients were categorized into evolocumab group （ n ＝86） and probucol group （ n ＝70）. Changes in lipid parameters [total cholesterol （TC）， low-density lipoprot ein cholesterol （LDL-C）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， triglycerides， lipoprotein （a）， and lipid goal achievement rate ] ， inflammatory markers [interleukin-6 （IL-6） and C-reactive protein （CRP） ] ， and cardiac function indices （left ventricular ejection fraction， left ventricular end-systolic diameter， left ventricular end-diastolic diameter， and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide） were compared between two groups at baseline and after 6 months of treatment. The incidence of adverse clinical events during treatment， including acute myocardial infarction， in-stent restenosis， acute heart failure， cerebral hemorrhage， and stroke， was also evaluated. RESULTS No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups at baseline （ P ＞0.05）. After 6 months of treatment， both groups demonstrated significant improvements in lipid profiles （except HDL-C） and inflammatory markers compared to those at baseline （ P ＜0.05）. The evolocumab group exhibited greater reductions in TC， LDL-C， IL-6， and CRP， along with a higher lipid target achievement rate， compared with the probucol group （ P ＜0.05）. There were no statistically significant differences in the cardiac function-related indicators before and after treatment between the two groups， nor in the incidence of adverse events during the treatment （ P ＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS For ultra-high-risk ASCVD patients after PCI， both of the above treatment options are associated with improvements in blood lipid and inflammatory response， with good safety during short-term follow-up. Evolocumab shows superior efficacy in TC， LDL-C and inflammatory markers reduction and lipid target achievement， compared to probucol.

Cerebral sparganosis is a rare parasitic infection caused by plerocercoid larvae of Spirometra species.Intracranial involvement is uncommon and may mimic other parasitic or neoplastic diseases. We report the case of a 64-year-old man who presented with dysarthria and dizziness, later diagnosed with cerebellar sparganosis. Retrosigmoid craniotomy was performed, and two intact spargana were removed with the surrounding capsule. Histopathology demonstrated granulomatous inflammation with eosinophilic infiltration and characteristic calcareous corpuscles within degenerated parasitic tissue fragments. Postoperatively, dysarthria and dizziness improved, and the patient was able to ambulate independently. Sparganosis has been continuously reported in Korea for nearly a century, though incidence has declined in recent decades. Parasite invasion into the central nervous system is thought to occur through the foramen magnum, with the brain parenchyma particularly vulnerable due to its soft tissue composition. In our case, prior cerebellar infarction may have provided a structural weakness that facilitated parasite invasion. Differentiation from neurocysticercosis is essential, as imaging findings and clinical implications differ. Surgical excision remains the standard treatment, although recent evidence indicates that long-term, high-dose praziquantel may be effective in selected cases. Cerebral sparganosis should be considered in patients with compatible clinical and radiologic features in endemic regions. Complete surgical removal offers definitive therapy, while high-dose praziquantel may serve as a noninvasive alternative for inoperable cases.

Objectives: To evaluate the factors that influence the survival of dental implants and marginal bone loss (MBL) in patients taking osteoporosis or osteopenia medication. Materials and Methods: This study included patients who underwent dental implant treatment after taking medication for osteoporosis or osteopenia. Electronic medical records were used to collect data of patient age, sex, age at osteoporosis or osteopenia diagnosis, types of medications, age at medication initiation, duration of medication before implant surgery, whether the medication was paused before surgery, paused duration of medication, implant survival status, and MBL before and after prosthetic treatment. Firth’s logistic regression was used to analyze the relationships between each variable and implant survival as well as between MBL before and after prosthetic treatment. Results: Of the 267 patients, 111 with 209 implants were included in the study. The mean observation period was 57.9 months. The survival rate was 92.8% at the patient level and 96.2% at the implant level. No significant associations were found between implant survival and any of the variablesexamined. MBL before prosthetic treatment was significantly associated with use of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) inhibitors(P=0.032) and bone formation stimulators (P=0.022). Comparing the concurrent and single use of bisphosphonates and RANKL inhibitors, only the use of RANKL inhibitors alone was significantly associated with MBL before prosthetic treatment (P=0.039). MBL after prosthetic treatment was significantly associated with injection method among the routes of drug administration (P=0.011). Conclusion The implant survival rate in patients undergoing medical treatment for osteoporosis or osteopenia was comparable to the general implant survival rate. MBL before prosthetic treatment was associated with type of anti-osteoporotic medication, whereas MBL after prosthetic treatment was correlated with drug administration route. Further studies with larger sample sizes are required.

Objective:To explore the effects of deep hyperthermia on chemotherapy-related adverse effects and immune-inflammatory indicators in the patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.Methods:This retrospective study included 52 patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer at the Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University from September 2021 to December 2023. The patients were divided into two groups based on treatment method: the combination group ( n=29) received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy combined with deep hyperthermia, while the chemotherapy group ( n=23) received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy alone. Both groups were treated with the XELOX regimen (oxaliplatin + capecitabine). The degree of bone marrow suppression during treatment was assessed by analyzing peripheral blood parameters, including hemoglobin, leukocyte count, neutrophil count, and platelet count. Immune-inflammatory indicators, including complement, procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), were compared before and after treatment in both groups to evaluate the effects of deep hyperthermia on the immune-inflammatory response. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test (two-tailed) was used to compare bone marrow suppression rates, and the immune-inflammatory indicators between the two groups were compared using t-tests or non-parametric tests, depending on whether the data conformed to a normal distribution. Results:In terms of myelosuppression, the incidence rates of moderate to severe decreases in leukocytes, neutrophils, platelets, and hemoglobin in the combination group were 31%, 31%, 21%, and 14%, respectively, compared to 52%, 61%, 48%, and 9% in the chemotherapy group. The change in PCT levels before and after treatment was significantly greater in the combination group than in the chemotherapy group ( P = 0.010). Both the combination group and the chemotherapy group showed significant reductions in SII, NLR and PLR after treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The change in NLR before and after treatment was significantly greater in the combination group than in the chemotherapy group ( P = 0.031). Conclusions:Deep hyperthermia can alleviate chemotherapy-induced adverse effects such as thrombocytopenia and neutropenia in patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. It also appears to improve the inflammatory response in these patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the factors that influence the survival of dental implants and marginal bone loss (MBL) in patients taking osteoporosis or osteopenia medication. Materials and Methods: This study included patients who underwent dental implant treatment after taking medication for osteoporosis or osteopenia. Electronic medical records were used to collect data of patient age, sex, age at osteoporosis or osteopenia diagnosis, types of medications, age at medication initiation, duration of medication before implant surgery, whether the medication was paused before surgery, paused duration of medication, implant survival status, and MBL before and after prosthetic treatment. Firth’s logistic regression was used to analyze the relationships between each variable and implant survival as well as between MBL before and after prosthetic treatment. Results: Of the 267 patients, 111 with 209 implants were included in the study. The mean observation period was 57.9 months. The survival rate was 92.8% at the patient level and 96.2% at the implant level. No significant associations were found between implant survival and any of the variablesexamined. MBL before prosthetic treatment was significantly associated with use of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) inhibitors(P=0.032) and bone formation stimulators (P=0.022). Comparing the concurrent and single use of bisphosphonates and RANKL inhibitors, only the use of RANKL inhibitors alone was significantly associated with MBL before prosthetic treatment (P=0.039). MBL after prosthetic treatment was significantly associated with injection method among the routes of drug administration (P=0.011). Conclusion The implant survival rate in patients undergoing medical treatment for osteoporosis or osteopenia was comparable to the general implant survival rate. MBL before prosthetic treatment was associated with type of anti-osteoporotic medication, whereas MBL after prosthetic treatment was correlated with drug administration route. Further studies with larger sample sizes are required.

Objectives: To evaluate the factors that influence the survival of dental implants and marginal bone loss (MBL) in patients taking osteoporosis or osteopenia medication. Materials and Methods: This study included patients who underwent dental implant treatment after taking medication for osteoporosis or osteopenia. Electronic medical records were used to collect data of patient age, sex, age at osteoporosis or osteopenia diagnosis, types of medications, age at medication initiation, duration of medication before implant surgery, whether the medication was paused before surgery, paused duration of medication, implant survival status, and MBL before and after prosthetic treatment. Firth’s logistic regression was used to analyze the relationships between each variable and implant survival as well as between MBL before and after prosthetic treatment. Results: Of the 267 patients, 111 with 209 implants were included in the study. The mean observation period was 57.9 months. The survival rate was 92.8% at the patient level and 96.2% at the implant level. No significant associations were found between implant survival and any of the variablesexamined. MBL before prosthetic treatment was significantly associated with use of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) inhibitors(P=0.032) and bone formation stimulators (P=0.022). Comparing the concurrent and single use of bisphosphonates and RANKL inhibitors, only the use of RANKL inhibitors alone was significantly associated with MBL before prosthetic treatment (P=0.039). MBL after prosthetic treatment was significantly associated with injection method among the routes of drug administration (P=0.011). Conclusion The implant survival rate in patients undergoing medical treatment for osteoporosis or osteopenia was comparable to the general implant survival rate. MBL before prosthetic treatment was associated with type of anti-osteoporotic medication, whereas MBL after prosthetic treatment was correlated with drug administration route. Further studies with larger sample sizes are required.

Objective:To explore the effects of deep hyperthermia on chemotherapy-related adverse effects and immune-inflammatory indicators in the patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.Methods:This retrospective study included 52 patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer at the Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University from September 2021 to December 2023. The patients were divided into two groups based on treatment method: the combination group ( n=29) received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy combined with deep hyperthermia, while the chemotherapy group ( n=23) received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy alone. Both groups were treated with the XELOX regimen (oxaliplatin + capecitabine). The degree of bone marrow suppression during treatment was assessed by analyzing peripheral blood parameters, including hemoglobin, leukocyte count, neutrophil count, and platelet count. Immune-inflammatory indicators, including complement, procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), were compared before and after treatment in both groups to evaluate the effects of deep hyperthermia on the immune-inflammatory response. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test (two-tailed) was used to compare bone marrow suppression rates, and the immune-inflammatory indicators between the two groups were compared using t-tests or non-parametric tests, depending on whether the data conformed to a normal distribution. Results:In terms of myelosuppression, the incidence rates of moderate to severe decreases in leukocytes, neutrophils, platelets, and hemoglobin in the combination group were 31%, 31%, 21%, and 14%, respectively, compared to 52%, 61%, 48%, and 9% in the chemotherapy group. The change in PCT levels before and after treatment was significantly greater in the combination group than in the chemotherapy group ( P = 0.010). Both the combination group and the chemotherapy group showed significant reductions in SII, NLR and PLR after treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The change in NLR before and after treatment was significantly greater in the combination group than in the chemotherapy group ( P = 0.031). Conclusions:Deep hyperthermia can alleviate chemotherapy-induced adverse effects such as thrombocytopenia and neutropenia in patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. It also appears to improve the inflammatory response in these patients.

Purpose: Laparoscopic appendectomy, a routine surgical procedure for acute appendicitis, is commonly performed in general hospitals. However, postoperative outcomes based on surgical subspecialty have not been well established. This study aimed to compare surgical outcomes of laparoscopic appendectomy across different surgical subspecialties using risk-adjusted cumulative summation (RA-CUSUM) analysis. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 631 patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy between July 2020 and December 2022. Surgeons were categorized into gastrointestinal (GI) or non-GI groups and senior or young groups. Surgical failure was defined as operation time exceeding the mean plus 2 standard deviations, presence of postoperative complications, or readmission within 30 days after surgery. RA-CUSUM analysis was employed to evaluate surgical failure within each group. Results: The GI group performed more partial cecectomies (P = 0.017) and had longer operation times (P = 0.019) than the non-GI group. The senior group exhibited shorter operation time (P < 0.001), reduced length of stay (P = 0.011), and a higher complication rate (P < 0.001) than the young group. RA-CUSUM analysis indicated a decrease in surgical failure as accumulation progressed in both senior and young groups, as well as in the GI and non-GI groups. Conclusion Outcomes of laparoscopic appendectomy varied by subspecialty and length of experience. However, each surgeon showed trends of decreasing surgical failure over time. These results suggest that the surgeon’s subspecialty minimally affects the outcomes of laparoscopic appendectomy, reflecting its fundamental nature within general surgery.

Objective:To analyze the incidence and clinical phenotype of the concomitant extragenital malformations in the patients with female reproductive tract anomalies.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted using clinical data of hospitalized patients diagnosed with uterine, cervical, or vaginal malformations from January 2003 to December 2022 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The malformations were classified according to American Society for Reproductive Medicine müllerian anomalies classification 2021, and in each type, the incidence and specific manifestations of concomitant extragnital malformations were analyzed.Results:A total of 444 patients were included. The overall incidence of concomitant extragenital malformations was 43.5% (193/444), including urinary system, skeletal system, and other system malformations. Renal malformations on the obstructed side were present in all patients with oblique vaginal septum syndrome (100.0%, 78/78). The total incidence of concomitant extragnital malformations was as high as 8/11 in uterus didelphys, 43.5% (10/23) in unicornuate uterus, 33.6% (79/235) in Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome, 18.8% (6/32) in septate uterus and 18.5% (12/65) in cervical agenesis. Urinary system malformations (30.6%, 136/444) and skeletal system malformations (13.5%, 60/444) were the most common concomitant malformations in all types, in which, unilateral renal agenesis and scoliosis were the most common.Conclusions:Urinary and skeletal system malformations are important features of female reproductive tract anomalies. Urologic ultrasonography and spinal roentgenogram are recommended for all patients with female reproductive tract anomalies.

Objective:To explore changes of acid-base metabolism in the brain tissue of patients with chronic ischemic cerebrovascular disease (CICVD) using MRI amide proton transfer-weighted (APTw) imaging.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. From January 2021 to July 2022, thirty-nine patients with CICVD at West China Hospital, Sichuan University were retrospectively included. All patients received CT perfusion (CTP) and APTw imaging. NeuBrainCARE brain perfusion software was used to analyze the impaired perfusion sites and measure the mean transit time (MTT) and time to peak (TTP). Standard spatial matching between CTP and APTw images was performed to measure the APTw values of the same sites. For comparison with normal tissue, APTw values were measured for normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) in the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere, the contralateral cerebral hemisphere, and the ipsilateral cerebellar hemisphere in areas of impaired perfusion. ANOVA was used to compare the APTw values of impaired perfusion brain tissue, ipsilateral cerebral NAWM, contralateral cerebral NAWM, and ipsilateral cerebellar NAWM. The Bonferroni method was used to correct for multiple comparisons. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between APTw values and MTT and TTP in the cerebral tissue with impaired perfusion.Results:In 39 patients with CICVD, both the mean and minimum APTw values of cerebral tissue with impaired perfusion were significantly lower than those in the NAWM of the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere, the contralateral cerebral hemisphere, and the ipsilateral cerebellar hemisphere ( P<0.001). In the NAWM of the cerebellar hemispheres with unimpaired perfusion, both the mean and minimum APTw values were significantly higher than those in the ipsilateral cerebral hemispheres and the contralateral cerebral hemisphere ( P<0.001). Correlation analysis showed that MTT was significantly negatively correlated with both the mean APTw and the minimum APTw ( r values were -0.90 and -0.82, P<0.001). TTP was significantly negatively correlated with both the mean APTw and the minimum APTw ( r values were -0.86 and -0.78, P<0.001). Conclusion:APTw value can reflect acidosis in cerebral tissue with impaired perfusion in patients with CICVD.