Objective To discuss the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)in combination with targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),and to identify the influencing factors.Methods A total of 60 patients with advanced HCC,who were admitted to the Air Force Medical Center of China from January 2016 to December 2022,were enrolled in this study.Thirty patients received TACE combined with targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors(TACE-L-P group),and the other 30 patients received TACE combined with targeted therapy(TACE-L group).The progression-free survival(PFS),overall survival(OS),disease control rate(DCR),and objective response rate(ORR)were compared between the two groups.Results In the TACE-L group and TACE-L-P group,the median PFS(mPFS)was 7 months and 10 months respectively(P=0.011),the median OS(mOS)was 15.5 months and 29 months respectively(P=0.014).Child-Pugh class B(HR=3.89,95％CI:1.27-11.94,P=0.018)and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer(BCLC)stage C(HR=2.83,95％CI:1.32-6.03,P=0.007)were the independent risk factors for OS,while micro wave ablation(HR=0.21,95％CI:0.07-0.63,P=0.005)and TACE-L-P(HR=0.09,95％CI:0.03-0.3,P=0.001)were the independent protection factors for OS.Besides,elevated bilirubin level(HR=1.03,95％CI:1-1.06,P=0.032)and elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase(GGT)level(HR=1.01,95％CI:1-1.01,P=0.002)were the independent risk factors for disease progression,and TACE-L-P(HR=0.27,95％CI:0.09-0.79,P=0.017)was the independent protection factor for disease progression.The ORR and DCR in TACE-L-P group were remarkably higher than those in TACE-L group,which were 43.4％vs 13.3％and 63.4％vs 23.3％respectively,the differences between the two groups were statistically significant(both P＜0.05).Conclusion In treating advanced HCC,TACE combined with targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors is superior to TACE combined with targeted therapy in therapeutic efficacy.

OBJECTIVE To explore the distribution of pathogens isolated from the cardiac surgery children with postoperative catheter-related bloodstream infection(CRBSI)and observe the transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1)gene polymorphisms and the change of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),Smad homologue 2 and Smad 3 levels.METHODS A total of 88 children who received peripherally inserted central catheter(PICC)puncture after cardiac surgery and were complicated with postoperative CRBSI in the First People's Hospital of Zunyi from Aug.2019 to Oct.2023 were assigned as the infection group.Meanwhile,110 children who were trea-ted with PICC and did not have postoperative CRBSI were randomly chosen as the non-infection group.The base-line data,TGF-β1 gene polymorphisms and the levels of hs-CRP,Smad 2 and Smad 3 were compared between the two groups.The distribution of the pathogens isolated from the infection group was observed.The values of hs-CRP,Smad 2 and Smad 3 in diagnosis of the postoperative CRBSI in the cardiac surgery children were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.RESULTS The proportions of patients with intravenous cathe-ter indwelling no less than 10 days,length of intensive care unit(ICU)stay no less than 5 days,the frequencies of CC genotypes and C allele at TGF-β1+869C/T locus were higher in the infection group than those in the non-infection group(P＜0.05).Acinetobacter baumannii was the predominant species of pathogen isolated from the infection group,accounting for 24.20％.The levels of serum hs-CRP,Smad 2 and Smad 3 of the infection group were(24.65±7.65)mg/L,(13.54±2.45)pg/ml and(13.65±2.65)pg/ml,respectively,higher than those of the non-infection group(all P＜0.001).The area under the curve(AUC)of the joint detection of hs-CRP,Smad 2 and Smad 3 was highest in diagnosis of the postoperative CRBSI in the cardiac surgery children(P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS A.baumannii is dominant among the pathogens isolated from the cardiac surgery children with postoperative CRBSI.The postoperative CRBSI may be associated with the intravenous catheter in-dwelling time and length of ICU stay.The C allele at TGF-β1+869C/T locus may be the susceptibility gene for the postoperative CRBSI.The joint detection of hs-CRP,Smad 2 and Smad 3 has the highest value in diagnosis of the postoperative CRBSI.

OBJECTIVE To explore the distribution of pathogens isolated from the cardiac surgery children with postoperative catheter-related bloodstream infection(CRBSI)and observe the transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1)gene polymorphisms and the change of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),Smad homologue 2 and Smad 3 levels.METHODS A total of 88 children who received peripherally inserted central catheter(PICC)puncture after cardiac surgery and were complicated with postoperative CRBSI in the First People's Hospital of Zunyi from Aug.2019 to Oct.2023 were assigned as the infection group.Meanwhile,110 children who were trea-ted with PICC and did not have postoperative CRBSI were randomly chosen as the non-infection group.The base-line data,TGF-β1 gene polymorphisms and the levels of hs-CRP,Smad 2 and Smad 3 were compared between the two groups.The distribution of the pathogens isolated from the infection group was observed.The values of hs-CRP,Smad 2 and Smad 3 in diagnosis of the postoperative CRBSI in the cardiac surgery children were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.RESULTS The proportions of patients with intravenous cathe-ter indwelling no less than 10 days,length of intensive care unit(ICU)stay no less than 5 days,the frequencies of CC genotypes and C allele at TGF-β1+869C/T locus were higher in the infection group than those in the non-infection group(P＜0.05).Acinetobacter baumannii was the predominant species of pathogen isolated from the infection group,accounting for 24.20％.The levels of serum hs-CRP,Smad 2 and Smad 3 of the infection group were(24.65±7.65)mg/L,(13.54±2.45)pg/ml and(13.65±2.65)pg/ml,respectively,higher than those of the non-infection group(all P＜0.001).The area under the curve(AUC)of the joint detection of hs-CRP,Smad 2 and Smad 3 was highest in diagnosis of the postoperative CRBSI in the cardiac surgery children(P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS A.baumannii is dominant among the pathogens isolated from the cardiac surgery children with postoperative CRBSI.The postoperative CRBSI may be associated with the intravenous catheter in-dwelling time and length of ICU stay.The C allele at TGF-β1+869C/T locus may be the susceptibility gene for the postoperative CRBSI.The joint detection of hs-CRP,Smad 2 and Smad 3 has the highest value in diagnosis of the postoperative CRBSI.

Objective To study the safety and effectiveness of arc edge needle therapy for moderate to severe tenosynovitis of the flexor digitorum tendon in the thumb.Methods A total of 62 patients with moderate to severe stenosing tenosynovitis of the flexor digitorum thumb who met the inclusion criteria were collected.The patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to the arc edge needle group and the needle knife group using a random number table method.Among them,31 patients in the arc edge needle group were treated with arc edge needles,while 31 patients in the needle knife group were treated with traditional needle knife release surgery.Both groups were treated once.Record the number rating scale(NRS),range of motion(ROM),Quinell grade,and disease efficacy score(WDES)of patients before and after treatment at various stages(1 week,2 weeks,4 weeks),and at follow-up after 24 weeks to evaluate the treatment effect.Results During the 24 weeks follow-up of 62 patients after treatment,the Quinell grading comparison between the two groups showed that the arc edge needle group was better than the needle knife group(P<0.05);The total effective rate of disease efficacy score(WDES)was 96.77%in the arc edge needle group and 83.87%in the needle knife group.The clinical total effective rate of the arc edge needle group was better than that of the needle knife group(P<0.05);After treatment,both groups showed significant improvement in pain numerical score(NRS)and joint range of motion(ROM),and the degree of improvement increased over time(P<0.05);And the inter group comparison at 1 week,2 weeks,4 weeks and 24 weeks time points after treatment showed that the curved blade needle was superior to the needle knife group in improving pain and joint mobility(P<0.05).Conclusion Both the 45° tenosynovitis incision and release surgery with arc edge needle and traditional needle knife release surgery are effective in treating moderate to severe tenosynovitis of the thumb flexor digitorum tendon.However,the 45° tenosynovitis incision and release surgery with arc edge needle has significant advantages in improving pain,interphalangeal joint mobility,and safety.

Objective:To study the changes in serum small molecule metabolites after brucella infection in humans using untargeted metabolomics methods, and screening representative biomarkers. Methods:A total of 109 serum samples collected from January 2019 to December 2021 at the Brucellosis Clinic of the Baotou Center for Disease Control and Prevention were divided into acute phase group ( n = 40), chronic phase group ( n = 35) of brucellosis, and healthy group ( n = 34) based on clinical diagnosis. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry technology was used to test serum samples and screen for differential metabolites. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the predictive ability of differential metabolites for brucellosis. Enriched pathways were screened using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway to identify metabolic pathways significantly affected. Results:A total of 17 differential metabolites were screened between the acute phase group and the healthy group, and 12 differential metabolites were screened between the chronic phase group and the healthy group. There were a total of 5 differential metabolites (oleamide, linoleamide, stearamide, palmitoleic acid, α-linolenic acid) statistically significant among the three groups ( F = 16.84, 17.52, 14.31, 13.01, 20.76, P < 0.05). KEGG pathway analysis showed that the differential metabolites in the acute phase group were enriched in metabolic pathways such as ether lipid metabolism, glycerophosphate metabolism, sphingolipid signal and sphingolipid metabolism. The differential metabolites in the chronic phase group were enriched in metabolic pathways such as glycerophosphate metabolism, ether lipid metabolism, protein digestion and absorption metabolism. Conclusion:Untargeted metabolomics methods can screen out serum small molecule metabolites that undergo changes after brucella infection in the human body, including oleamide, linoleamide, stearamide, palmitoleic acid, α-linolenic acid can serve as potential biomarkers to distinguish brucellosis patients from healthy people.

Circulating tumor cells(CTCs)are cells that dissociate from the tumor tissue and enter the lymphatic system or bloodstream with close association with tumor metastasis and recurrence.CTCs contain complete pathological information,which can be extracted by isolation,enrichment,and analysis of the CTCs to guide cancer diagnosis and treatment,thereby significantly improving the monitoring efficiency and prognosis of cancer.Compared with tissue biopsy,liquid biopsy with CTCs as a biomarker enables specific and dynamic detection of tumor growth with a less painful experience.For detection of CTCs,the cells must be captured from body fluids,followed then by their release and enrichment.This review summaries the latest research progress in responsive isolation of CTCs(e.g.with light,dielectrophoresis,acoustophoresis and magnetophoresis),chemical isolation(specific molecules and topological structure)and responsive release(e.g.,light,electric,thermal,pH,enzyme responsiveness,and substrates break).Responsive isolation utilizes the differences in physical properties between CTCs and blood cells,while chemical isolation utilizes specific recognition mechanisms to capture the CTCs.These techniques result in low cell damage with a high specificity to facilitate further analysis.Currently,CTC detection has been applied for early diagnosis and prognostic assessment of multiple cancers including lung cancer,liver cancer,colorectal cancer,and prostate cancer.

Circulating tumor cells(CTCs)are cells that dissociate from the tumor tissue and enter the lymphatic system or bloodstream with close association with tumor metastasis and recurrence.CTCs contain complete pathological information,which can be extracted by isolation,enrichment,and analysis of the CTCs to guide cancer diagnosis and treatment,thereby significantly improving the monitoring efficiency and prognosis of cancer.Compared with tissue biopsy,liquid biopsy with CTCs as a biomarker enables specific and dynamic detection of tumor growth with a less painful experience.For detection of CTCs,the cells must be captured from body fluids,followed then by their release and enrichment.This review summaries the latest research progress in responsive isolation of CTCs(e.g.with light,dielectrophoresis,acoustophoresis and magnetophoresis),chemical isolation(specific molecules and topological structure)and responsive release(e.g.,light,electric,thermal,pH,enzyme responsiveness,and substrates break).Responsive isolation utilizes the differences in physical properties between CTCs and blood cells,while chemical isolation utilizes specific recognition mechanisms to capture the CTCs.These techniques result in low cell damage with a high specificity to facilitate further analysis.Currently,CTC detection has been applied for early diagnosis and prognostic assessment of multiple cancers including lung cancer,liver cancer,colorectal cancer,and prostate cancer.

Objective:To investigate the safety and effectiveness of the laparoscopic hepatectomy guided by three-dimensional visualization technology for treating hepatolithiasis in military flying personnel and to discuss the aeromedical assessment.Methods:The diagnosis and treatment of a military flying personnel with hepatolithiasis admitted to the Air Force Medical Center in December of 2021 and the conclusions of aeromedical assessment were analyzed. The literature was reviewed in combination with the progress of new technologies.Results:This case, a 40-year-old male helicopter aerial machinist, had been found gallbladder stones for 12 years, hepatolithiasis for 8 years, and intermittent right upper abdominal pain for more than 3 months. Ultrasound and CT examination showed multiple gallbladder stones, intrahepatic bile duct stones in the right posterior lobe of the liver with bile duct dilatation. Under the guidance of three-dimensional visualization technology, laparoscopic liver segment 6 precise resection, cholecystectomy, common bile duct exploration and stone removal, and T-tube drainage were performed. The patient was well recovered and waivered to flight after 6 months of the operation. As of the submission date, he has safely flown for 50 h.Conclusions:Laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy guided by three-dimensional visualization technology in the military flying personnel with hepatolithiasis shows good safety and effect, and those who recover well after surgery can be waivered to flight.

Objective:To investigate the safety and effectiveness of the laparoscopic hepatectomy guided by three-dimensional visualization technology for treating hepatolithiasis in military flying personnel and to discuss the aeromedical assessment.Methods:The diagnosis and treatment of a military flying personnel with hepatolithiasis admitted to the Air Force Medical Center in December of 2021 and the conclusions of aeromedical assessment were analyzed. The literature was reviewed in combination with the progress of new technologies.Results:This case, a 40-year-old male helicopter aerial machinist, had been found gallbladder stones for 12 years, hepatolithiasis for 8 years, and intermittent right upper abdominal pain for more than 3 months. Ultrasound and CT examination showed multiple gallbladder stones, intrahepatic bile duct stones in the right posterior lobe of the liver with bile duct dilatation. Under the guidance of three-dimensional visualization technology, laparoscopic liver segment 6 precise resection, cholecystectomy, common bile duct exploration and stone removal, and T-tube drainage were performed. The patient was well recovered and waivered to flight after 6 months of the operation. As of the submission date, he has safely flown for 50 h.Conclusions:Laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy guided by three-dimensional visualization technology in the military flying personnel with hepatolithiasis shows good safety and effect, and those who recover well after surgery can be waivered to flight.

Objective:To explore the clinical diagnosis and treatment of common bile duct stones (CBDS) in military pilots and the aeromedical assessment.Methods:The detailed diagnosis and treatment process, as well as the aeromedical assessment of 3 military pilots diagnosed as CBDS in Air Force Medical Center, PLA from June 2009 to March 2015 were collected. Then it was analyzed by the new technology.Results:Three pilots were diagnosed as CBDS and obstructive jaundice due to long term cholecystolithiasis or calculus of intrahepatic duct. Case 1 was secondary to cholecystolithiasis, and received laparoscopic cholecystectomy and common bile duct exploration. Case 2 was secondary to intrahepatic cholelithiasis and underwent left lateral lobectomy and common bile duct exploration. Case 3 recurred after cholecystolithotomy and then underwent open cholecystectomy, choledochoplasty and T-tube drainage because of biliary stricture. All 3 cases recovered well. The aeromedical assessment conclusions were as follows: case 1 was qualified to flight 5 months after operation, case 2 was grounded due to hypertension after the operation, case 3 was qualified after 6 months of the operation.Conclusions:CBDS of military pilots is often secondary to cholecystolithiasis or intrahepatic bile duct stones. The operation should be performed as early as possible, and minimally invasive methods should be adopted. The pilots with proper treatment and good postoperative recovery can be qualified to flight.