This report summarized and analyzed the clinical data of 3 patients with food-borne botulism admitted to our department. One case was sporadic, while the other two involved family members living together. All patients initially presented with blurred vision, ptosis, and dysphagia, and the disease progressed rapidly. During the course of the disease, all three cases developed respiratory failure; one patient received non-invasive ventilatory support, whereas the other two required invasive ventilator assisted ventilation. The serum toxin tests of the 3 patients were all positive for botulinum toxin type A. Sporadic food-borne botulism shares similar early symptoms and signs to myasthenia gravis and Guillain-Barre syndrome, and requires careful differential diagnosis. Botulinum antitoxin serum is the only effective treatment, and empirical antitoxin administration can be initiated immediately upon suspicion of botulism. Early detection and timely specific treatment are critical for improving patient outcomes.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of different myotomy procedures during peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia (AC).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted involving patients diagnosed as having achalasia and underwent POEM at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from April 2020 to October 2023. Patients were divided into conventional myotomy group, short myotomy group and full-thickness myotomy group according to myotomy length and depth. Outcomes including operation duration, procedure-related complications, efficacy and incidence of postoperative reflux esophagitis were compared between conventional vs. short, and conventional vs. full-thickness groups.Results:Among 70 patients, 26 underwent conventional myotomy, 19 short myotomy, and 25 full-thickness myotomy. The short myotomy group demonstrated significantly shorter procedure duration (72.89±20.57 min) compared to the conventional group (91.81±36.70 min, t=2.197, P=0.034). There were no statistically significant differences in procedure-related complications [26.3% (5/19) VS 34.6% (9/26), χ2=0.353, P=0.553], treatment efficacy [94.7% (18/19) VS 96.2% (25/26), χ2=0.052, P=0.820], or incidence of postoperative reflux esophagitis [50.0% (5/10) VS 41.7% (5/12), χ2=0.306, P=0.580] between the short and conventional myotomy groups. No statistically significant differences were observed between the conventional and full-thickness myotomy group in procedure duration (99.64±29.13 min VS 91.81±36.70 min, t=0.336, P=0.404), procedure-related complications [28.0% (7/25) VS 34.6% (9/26), χ2=0.259, P=0.611], treatment efficacy [96.0% (24/25) VS 96.2% (25/26), χ2=0.001, P=0.977], or incidence of postoperative reflux esophagitis [35.7% (5/14) VS 41.7% (5/12), χ2=0.022, P=0.883]. Conclusion:Short myotomy POEM achieves comparable efficacy to conventional myotomy with reduced operative time and no increased complication risk. Full-thickness myotomy demonstrates similar efficacy, operative duration, and safety to conventional myotomy.

ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of Bushen Huoxue Granule （补肾活血颗粒， BHG） in treating Parkinson's disease （PD） from the perspecitve of dopamine （DA） homeostasis. MethodsSeventy-two mice were randomly divided into blank group， model group， madopar group and BHG low-， medium- and high-dose groups， with 12 mice in each group. Except for the blank group， all mice were administered intraperitoneal injections of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1，2，3，6-tetrahydropyridine （MPTP） for 7 consecutive days to induce a PD model. On the day following the injection， BHG low-， medium- and high-dose groups were administered BHG at doses of 1.25， 2.5， and 5.0 mg/（g·d） by oral gavage， respectively， while the madopar group received madopar tablets at dose of 0.093 8 mg/（g·d） by oral gavage. The blank group and the model group were given 0.2 ml/10 g of distilled water by gavage. All treatments were given once daily for 14 days. Open field test， pole climbing test and grip test were used to evaluate the behavior of mice in each group. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase （TH） in striatum. Nissl staining was used to detect the activity of striatal neurons. The contents of DA and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid （DOPAC） in striatum were detected by ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The number and volume of synaptic vesicles were observed by transmission electron microscope. The expression of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 （VMAT2） in striatum was detected by immunofluorescence. Western Blot was used to detect the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK）， phosphorylated ERK （p-ERK）， cAMP response element-binding protein （CREB）， phosphorylated CREB （p-CREB） and VMAT2 in striatum. ResultsCompared to the blank group， mice in the model group showed a significant decline in total distance and average speed in the open field test， along with an increase in total resting time； in the pole test， both the time required for the mice to turn completely downward （T-turn） and the total time taken to reach the bottom of the pole （T-total） were prolonged； forelimb grip strength was reduced； in the striatum， the mean optical density of TH， the average fluorescence intensity of VMAT2 protein， and DA content all decreased， while the number of striatal neurons was reduced， and the DOPAC/DA ratio was elevated； the levels of p-ERK/ERK， p-CREB/CREB， and VMAT2 in the striatum significantly decreased （P＜0.01）； transmission electron microscopy revealed that both the number and volume of synaptic vesicles in striatal neurons were markedly reduced. Compared to the model group， mice in the madopar group and BHG low-， medium- and high-dose groups showed significant improvements in all the above indicators （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to madopar group， the BHG high-dose group exhibited increased DA content and elevated p-CREB/CREB ratio in the striatum （P＜0.05）. Compared to the BHG low-dose group， the BHG high-dose group showed increased total distance and mean velocity， decreased total resting time， T-turn， and T-total， as well as enhanced forelimb grip strength； moreover， the average fluorescence intensity of VMAT2 protein， DA content， p-ERK/ERK， p-CREB/CREB， and VMAT2 levels in the striatum were all significantly elevated （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionBHG may restore DA homeostasis and alleviate the damage of dopaminergic neurons by regulating ERK/CREB/VMAT2 signaling pathway.

Alveolar soft part sarcoma(ASPS)is a rare malignant tumor characterized by a lack of specific clinical manifestations,often presenting as painless,progressively enlarging masses.Its occur-rence in the retroperitoneum is uncommon.Due to the large retroperitoneal space,the tumor typically does not cause significant symptoms in the early stages,leading to advanced disease or metastasis at presentation,and consequently,poor prognosis.This article reported the clinical diagnosis and treatment of a patient with retroperitoneal ASPS and elucidated the features of epidemiology,clinical manifesta-tions,diagnostic modalities,and treatment approaches of this disease in conjunction with the literature.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of action of Bushen Huoxue Granules （补肾活血颗粒， BHG） in the treatment of Parkinson's disease （PD） through the Nrf2/NLRP3 inflammasome axis. MethodsA total of 84 male C57/BL 6 mice were randomly divided into blank group， model group， Madopar group， dimethyl fumarate group， and low-， medium， and high-dose BHG group， with 12 mice in each group. Except for the blank group， all groups were induced into PD models by intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine （MPTP） at a concentration of 30 mg/ml for 7 consecutive days. The blank group received an equal volume of saline. After model establishment， the low-， medium， and high-dose BHG groups were treated with 1.5， 3， and 6 g/（kg·d） of the BHG by gavage， respectively. The Madopar group was given 0.113 g/（kg·d） of Madopar tablets by gavage， and the dimethyl fumarate group was given 50 mg/（kg·d） of dimethyl fumarate solution. The blank group and the model group were given 10 ml/（kg·d） of distilled water by gavage. Gavage was administered once daily for 14 days. Behavioral changes were evaluated using the open field test （total distance， central area distance， and average speed）， rotarod test （time on the rod）， and climbing pole test （climbing time）. Serum levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-18 （IL-18）， and myeloperoxidase （MPO） were measured by ELISA. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect tyrosine hydroxylase （TH） expression in the brain substantia nigra. Immunofluorescence was used to detect α-synuclein （α-syn） expression. Western Blot was used to detect Nrf2， NLRP3， Caspase-1， and α-syn protein levels in the brain substantia nigra. RT-PCR was used to detect mRNA expression levels of Nrf2， NLRP3， and Caspase-1 in the brain substantia nigra. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed decreased total distance， central area distance， and average speed， reduced time on the rotarod， prolonged climbing time， reduced TH expression， increased α-syn expression， decreased Nrf2 protein and mRNA expression， increased NLRP3 and Caspase-1 protein and mRNA expression， and elevated serum IL-1β， IL-18， and MPO levels （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， all drug interventions significantly improved the above indicators （P＜0.05）. There was no significant differences in all indicators between the high-dose BHG group and the Madopar group （P＞0.05）. Compared with the dimethyl fumarate group， the medium and high-dose BHG groups showed increased Nrf2 mRNA expression in the brain substantia nigra （P＜0.05）. Compared with the high-dose BHG group， the low-dose group showed decreased total distance， central area distance， and average speed， reduced serum IL-18 levels， decreased α-syn， Nrf2， NLRP3， and Caspase-1 protein levels， and lower Nrf2 mRNA expression （P＜0.05）. ConclusionThe mechanism by which BHG treat PD may involve activating the Nrf2/NLRP3 inflammasome axis in the brain substantia nigra， thereby reducing neuroinflammation and α-syn aggregation. The high-dose group showed the best effects.

Objective To explore terminal neuromagnetic activity and functional connectivity changes in childhood absence epilepsy(CAE)by multi-frequency magnetoencephalogram(MEG)analysis,and explore the mechanisms of termination and identify biological markers to better understand seizure termination and the recovery of consciousness.Methods This study recruited 20 drug-naive children with CAE and collected MEG data from 30 seizures and interictal periods using a MEG system.Minimum-norm estimation was used to model the distribution of the MEG data,the joint Welch method was used for Power Spectral Density(PSD)analysis,and corrected Amplitude Envelope Correlation was used to assess functional connectivity.Results During seizure termination,the low-frequency power decreased,with beta-band changes occurring first,while high-frequency power remained low and stable.Functional connectivity also shifted,showing transient increased synchrony in the delta band at seizure termination and continual reductions in alpha and beta connectivity.NBS analyses also showed the earliest whole-brain decrease in connectivity in the beta band and a transient enhancement of connectivity in the delta band 1 s before termination.Conclusion This study investigated neuromagnetic changes during seizure termination in CAE using MEG,highlighting the distinct roles of beta-band involvement and delta-band hypersynchronization in CAE termination.

Objective To explore terminal neuromagnetic activity and functional connectivity changes in childhood absence epilepsy(CAE)by multi-frequency magnetoencephalogram(MEG)analysis,and explore the mechanisms of termination and identify biological markers to better understand seizure termination and the recovery of consciousness.Methods This study recruited 20 drug-naive children with CAE and collected MEG data from 30 seizures and interictal periods using a MEG system.Minimum-norm estimation was used to model the distribution of the MEG data,the joint Welch method was used for Power Spectral Density(PSD)analysis,and corrected Amplitude Envelope Correlation was used to assess functional connectivity.Results During seizure termination,the low-frequency power decreased,with beta-band changes occurring first,while high-frequency power remained low and stable.Functional connectivity also shifted,showing transient increased synchrony in the delta band at seizure termination and continual reductions in alpha and beta connectivity.NBS analyses also showed the earliest whole-brain decrease in connectivity in the beta band and a transient enhancement of connectivity in the delta band 1 s before termination.Conclusion This study investigated neuromagnetic changes during seizure termination in CAE using MEG,highlighting the distinct roles of beta-band involvement and delta-band hypersynchronization in CAE termination.

This report summarized and analyzed the clinical data of 3 patients with food-borne botulism admitted to our department. One case was sporadic, while the other two involved family members living together. All patients initially presented with blurred vision, ptosis, and dysphagia, and the disease progressed rapidly. During the course of the disease, all three cases developed respiratory failure; one patient received non-invasive ventilatory support, whereas the other two required invasive ventilator assisted ventilation. The serum toxin tests of the 3 patients were all positive for botulinum toxin type A. Sporadic food-borne botulism shares similar early symptoms and signs to myasthenia gravis and Guillain-Barre syndrome, and requires careful differential diagnosis. Botulinum antitoxin serum is the only effective treatment, and empirical antitoxin administration can be initiated immediately upon suspicion of botulism. Early detection and timely specific treatment are critical for improving patient outcomes.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of different myotomy procedures during peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia (AC).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted involving patients diagnosed as having achalasia and underwent POEM at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from April 2020 to October 2023. Patients were divided into conventional myotomy group, short myotomy group and full-thickness myotomy group according to myotomy length and depth. Outcomes including operation duration, procedure-related complications, efficacy and incidence of postoperative reflux esophagitis were compared between conventional vs. short, and conventional vs. full-thickness groups.Results:Among 70 patients, 26 underwent conventional myotomy, 19 short myotomy, and 25 full-thickness myotomy. The short myotomy group demonstrated significantly shorter procedure duration (72.89±20.57 min) compared to the conventional group (91.81±36.70 min, t=2.197, P=0.034). There were no statistically significant differences in procedure-related complications [26.3% (5/19) VS 34.6% (9/26), χ2=0.353, P=0.553], treatment efficacy [94.7% (18/19) VS 96.2% (25/26), χ2=0.052, P=0.820], or incidence of postoperative reflux esophagitis [50.0% (5/10) VS 41.7% (5/12), χ2=0.306, P=0.580] between the short and conventional myotomy groups. No statistically significant differences were observed between the conventional and full-thickness myotomy group in procedure duration (99.64±29.13 min VS 91.81±36.70 min, t=0.336, P=0.404), procedure-related complications [28.0% (7/25) VS 34.6% (9/26), χ2=0.259, P=0.611], treatment efficacy [96.0% (24/25) VS 96.2% (25/26), χ2=0.001, P=0.977], or incidence of postoperative reflux esophagitis [35.7% (5/14) VS 41.7% (5/12), χ2=0.022, P=0.883]. Conclusion:Short myotomy POEM achieves comparable efficacy to conventional myotomy with reduced operative time and no increased complication risk. Full-thickness myotomy demonstrates similar efficacy, operative duration, and safety to conventional myotomy.

Objective:To investigate alterations in functional connectivity network and brain function activity in childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) based on neuromagnetic signals by using multi-frequency magnetoencephalography.Methods:Twenty-five drug-naive children diagnosed with CAE from the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and the Affiliated Children′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University during October 2022 and March 2024 and 25 healthy controls matched for age and sex from community were recruited in this cross-sectional study. The interictal data, ictal data of CAE and healthy control children were collected using a CTF-275 channel magnetoencephalography system. Corrected amplitude envelope correlation was used to construct functional connectivity network, and network-based statistics were used to compare network differences between groups. Relative power spectral density was used to describe the distribution characteristics of whole-brain spectral power. Nonparametric permutation tests were conducted 1 000 times to compare spectral power differences between groups.Results:In terms of functional connectivity, significant increases in network activity were observed in the low-frequency bands (δ, θ) during interictal periods in children with CAE. A sub-network with significantly increased functional connectivity, including key nodes of the default mode network, was observed in the δ band. Compared with interictal periods, functional connectivity in the δ band decreased during absence seizures in children with CAE, while connectivity in the mid-to-high-frequency bands (α-γ2) increased. In terms of spectral power, children with CAE during interictal periods exhibited widespread magnetic source activation in the δ band, activation in parts of the parietal and occipital lobes in the θ band, and significantly decreased magnetic source intensity in most areas of the parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes in the α-γ2 band. Compared with interictal periods, children with CAE during absence seizures exhibited widespread magnetic source activation in the δ band, and significantly decreased activation in the θ-γ2 band. According to the magnetic source distribution map, during absence seizures, the frontal lobe replaced the parieto-occipital region in cortical activation in the α band.Conclusion:In the analysis of functional network and spectral power based on multi-frequency neuromagnetic signals, the network pattern and magnetic source activation of children with CAE during interictal periods were significantly different from those of healthy children, and there were characteristic changes in neuromagnetic signals during consciousness impairment caused by absence seizures in children with CAE.