The incidence and mortality rate of hepatocellular carcinoma rank among the top of all cancer types,seriously threatening the life and health of human beings. In recent years,the rapid development of artificial intelligence and the deepening of the concept of precision medicine have led to a boom in interdisciplinary research. Pathomics,as an emerging omics technology driven by artificial intelligence,can mine massive information from high-resolution whole slide images,and shows broad application prospects in the diagnosis,treatment and prognosis assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, pathomics research in hepatocellular carcinoma is still in its infancy, and its research patterns and clinical applications still face several controversies and challenges, including data security, ethics, and “black box” issues. Future research should focus on conducting prospective studies, integrating multimodal data, improving computational technologies, and establishing professional standards to promote the high-quality development of pathomics technology in both clinical and basic research of hepatocellular carcinoma.

The incidence and mortality rate of hepatocellular carcinoma rank among the top of all cancer types,seriously threatening the life and health of human beings. In recent years,the rapid development of artificial intelligence and the deepening of the concept of precision medicine have led to a boom in interdisciplinary research. Pathomics,as an emerging omics technology driven by artificial intelligence,can mine massive information from high-resolution whole slide images,and shows broad application prospects in the diagnosis,treatment and prognosis assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, pathomics research in hepatocellular carcinoma is still in its infancy, and its research patterns and clinical applications still face several controversies and challenges, including data security, ethics, and “black box” issues. Future research should focus on conducting prospective studies, integrating multimodal data, improving computational technologies, and establishing professional standards to promote the high-quality development of pathomics technology in both clinical and basic research of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of a death case of meningococcal meningitis in Hengyang city, Hunan Province in 2024.Methods:Epidemiological investigation of the death case was performed, and samples from the patient and close contacts were collected. Following cultivation and isolation, Neisseria meningitidis ( Nm) strains were analyzed by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and whole-genome sequencing for analyzing epidemiological and etiological characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out using core genomic multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST). Results:The case was a 16-year-old high school boarding student with fulminant meningococcal meningitis. He had shock symptoms, and died within 24 h of the onset of symptoms. Six Nm strains were isolated from the patient and his roommates, belonging to two distinct clades. Isolate 144569 from the patient was highly homologous to isolate 144572 from a close contact, both belonging to the highly pathogenic sublineage L44.1 of CC4821. The typical molecular features was C: P1.7-2, 14: F5-101: ST4821 (CC4821). The two strains carried the antimicrobial resistance genes of gyrA-71 and penA-552, indicating reduced susceptibility to quinolone and penicillin, which was with their resistance phenotype. The isolates from four close contacts clustered within the same clade, characterized by the molecular features of B: P1.18-25, 9-18: ST5829 (UA). Conclusions:The death case is caused by Nm serogroup C from highly pathogenic sublineage L44.1 of CC4821. The spread of this isolate has the potential risk of outbreaks of invasive meningococcal disease. It is necessary to enhanced the molecular epidemiological surveillance, particularly focusing on the transmission of multiple serogroups of Nm among adolescents and the increasing exposure risk.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of continuous irrigation and drainage combined with lesion debridement surgery in the treatment of purulent bone and joint infections in children.Methods:A case-control study was conducted to retrospectively analyze the clinical data of 76 children with purulent bone and joint infections who received treatment at Hangzhou Children's Hospital from January 2021 to October 2022. Based on different treatment methods, these children were divided into a control group and an observation group, with 38 cases in each group. The control group received lesion debridement surgery, while the observation group underwent continuous irrigation and drainage combined with lesion debridement surgery. The clinical outcomes of the two groups were compared.Results:The total response rate in the observation group was 97.37% (37/38), which was significantly higher than that in the control group [76.32% (29/38), χ2 = 7.36, P < 0.05]. After treatment, the white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and percentage of neutrophils in the observation group were (4.32 ± 0.95) × 10 9/L, (14.20 ± 2.50) mm/h, and (52.12 ± 8.45)%, respectively, all of which were significantly lower than those in the control group [(5.68 ± 1.02) × 10 9/L, (22.35 ± 3.35) mm/h, and (66.65 ± 6.20)%, t = 6.01, 12.01, 8.54, all P < 0.05]. The levels of interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and tumor necrosis factor-α in the observation group were (5.20 ± 1.02) ng/L, (8.20 ± 1.11) mg/L, (0.80 ± 0.12) μg/L, and (3.20 ± 1.02) ng/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group [(8.12 ± 1.10) ng/L, (14.34 ± 2.20) mg/L, (1.12 ± 0.20) μg/L, and (7.50 ± 1.12) ng/L, t = 11.99, 15.36, 8.45, 17.49, all P < 0.05). At 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment, the Visual Analog Scale scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t = 3.14, 2.33, 11.36, all P < 0.05). The recurrence rate in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group [2.63% (1/38) vs. 21.05% (8/38), χ2= 4.53, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Continuous irrigation and drainage combined with lesion debridement surgery is more effective for treating purulent bone and joint infections in children than lesion debridement surgery alone. This combined therapy can more effectively reduce inflammatory responses, alleviate pain, and lead to a lower recurrence rate.

Objective:To discuss the effects and mechanism of triptolide regulating Caspase1/GSDMD pathway in bone destruction in collagen-induced arthritis rats.Methods:The rats were divided into blank group, model group, triptolide group, and methotrexate group using a random number table method, with 5 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, all other groups were injected with bovine typeⅡ collagen at the tail root to establish an arthritis model. After 7 days of strengthening immunity, the dosage of triptolide A was calculated based on the body surface area in rats, and the triptolide A group was orally administered with triptolide A for 18 μg/kg, 1 d/time; the methotrexate group received intraperitoneal injection of 0.3 mg/kg methotrexate for 3 days per dose, with continuous intervention for 15 days. The arthritis index (AI) score and toe volume changes of the rats were recorded. The ankle joint histological changes were observed with HE staining, and the ankle joint cartilage and bone changes were observed with ferruginine solid green staining. The contents of IL-18 and IL-1β in serum were determined by ELISA. The mRNA levels of GSDMD, Caspase-1, OPG and RANKL in ankle joints were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The expressions of GSDMD, Caspase-1, OPG and RANKL in ankle tissues were detected by Western blot.Results:After 1 and 2 weeks of administration, compared with the model group, the AI scores and toe volume values of the triptolide group, and methotrexate group decreased ( P<0.01); in the model group, a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration, synovial pannus formation, and blurred defects of the tide line of cartilage and bone staining were observed. The inflammatory infiltration, synovial pannus formation, articular cartilage and bone destruction were improved to varying degrees in each administration group. Compared with model group, serum IL-18 and IL-1β contents in triptolide group and methotrexate group significantly decreased ( P<0.01), mRNA and protein expressions of GSDMD, Caspase-1 and RANKL decreased ( P<0.01), and mRNA and protein expression of OPG increased ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Triptolide can effectively improve joint inflammation and bone destruction in collagen-induced arthritis rats, and its mechanism may be related to down-regulating the expressions of GSDMD, Caspase-1 and RANKL, and up-regulating the expression of OPG.

Objective:To investigate the influencing factors for textbook outcome (TO) after hepatectomy for hepatolithiasis.Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 216 patients with hepatolithiasis who were admitted to The First Affi-liated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2015 to March 2023 were collected. There were 69 males and 147 females, aged 61(range, 22-85)years. Observation indicators: (1) treatment situations; (2) TO after hepatectomy; (3) Influencing factors for TO after hepatectomy. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range). Count data were expressed as absolute numbers. Logistic regression models were used for univariate and multifactorial analyses. Results:(1) Treatment situations. All the 216 patients underwent hepatectomy, including 45 cases of laparoscopic hepatectomies and 171 cases of open hepatectomies, 161 cases of anatomical hepatectomies and 55 cases of non-anatomical hepatectomies. All the 216 patients underwent intraoperative choledochoscopy exploration and lithotripsy. There were 170 patients with normal Oddi sphincter function and 46 patients with Oddi sphincter dysfunction. All the 216 patients underwent biliary drainage, including 198 cases of external T-tube drainage and 18 cases of internal bile-intestinal drainage. The operation time was (226±75)minutes and volume of intraoperative blood loss was (106±82)mL. There were 29 patients with perioperative blood transfusion and 14 patients with intraoperative severe adverse events. There were 189 patients achieved immediate stone clearance. Of 183 patients with intraoperative bile cultures, 76 cases were positive for bacteria culture. (2) TO after hepatectomy. Of 216 patients, 93 cases had postoperative complications, all of which were successfully discharged after active treatment. One patient had surgery-related death within 90 days after surgery, and the cause of death was liver failure. Five patients were readmitted within 90 days after surgery, and 18 patients had postoperative stone residual. Of 216 patients, 164 cases achieved TO postoperatively and 52 cases did not achieve TO postoperatively. (3) Influencing factors for TO after hepatectomy. Results of multivariate analysis showed that cholangitis, stone distribution, surgical approaches, anatomical hepatectomy, immediate stone removal and postoperative review of choledochoscopy were independent influencing factors for TO after hepatectomy in patients with hepatolithiasis ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Cholangitis, stone distribution, surgical approaches, anatomical hepatectomy, imme-diate stone removal and postoperative review of choledochoscopy are independent influencing factors for TO after hepatectomy in patients with hepatolithiasis.

Primary liver cancer (PLC) is one of the most common malignant tumors with characteristics of strong invasiveness and poor prognosis. The morbidity and mortality of PLC rank among the top malignant tumors in the world. More than half of the world′s liver cancer occurs in China, which seriously threatens the health and life of Chinese people. Due to the imperceptible initial symptoms, most patients are not diagnosed until their tumors have progressed to be in advanced stage, and lose the chance for curative hepatectomy. At present, non-surgical treatment options, including interventional embolization, ablation, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and systemic chemotherapy, play an increasingly prominent role in the comprehensive treatment of liver cancer. The authors briefly review the current status and research progress of the non-surgical treatment for liver cancer.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common and frequently occurring disease in clinic. With the influence of environmental factors, social factors and dietary factors, the incidence rate of FD in the general population is yearly increasing. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history and far-reaching influence in the treatment of FD. It can prevent and treat FD in the form of multiple-components, targets and channels, with obvious effect and prominent advantages. This article starts with the common syndrome types of FD, and discusses the research progress of single Chinese medicine, effective ingredients and the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicines in treating FD, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of FD with traditional Chinese medicines.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of general anesthesia versus conscious sedation in patients with endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke.Methods:Databases, including English databases PubMed, Embase and Cochrane, as well as Chinese databases Wan Fang Data and CNKI, were screened for randomized controlled trials (RCT) of general anesthesia versus conscious sedation on the effect of endovascular treatment for acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke. The searching period was from the establishment of databases to July 14, 2022. Two researchers independently screened literatures, extracted data and evaluated the risk of bias. And meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.3 software.Results:A total of 7 RCTs involving 923 patients were included, with 461 in the general anesthesia group and 462 in the other. As the meta-analysis showing, general anesthesia could significantly improve the good outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score≤2) at 3 months after endovascular treatment in comparison with conscious sedation ( OR=1.34, 95% CI 1.01-1.78, P=0.04), and significantly increased the rate of successful revascularization ( OR=1.87, 95% CI 1.32-2.65, P<0.001). In addition, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in mortality ( OR=0.93, 95% CI 0.66-1.29, P=0.65), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage ( OR=0.88, 95% CI 0.57-1.35, P=0.55) and intervention-related complications ( OR=0.83, 95% CI 0.50-1.36, P=0.46). However, general anesthesia was associated with higher risk for both 20% reduction in mean arterial pressure ( OR=4.76, 95% CI 1.49-15.19, P=0.008) and pneumonia ( OR=2.58, 95% CI 1.51-4.39, P<0.001). Conclusions:Compared with conscious sedation, endovascular treatment under general anesthesia in patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke may contribute to better outcomes and higher successful revascularization. However, this method will lead to the risk of blood pressure variability and the incidence of pneumonia.

Objective:To establish an intelligent registration algorithm under the framework of original-mirror alignment algorithm to construct three-dimensional (3D) facial midsagittal plane automatically. Dynamic Graph Registration Network (DGRNet) was established to realize the intelligent registration, in order to provide a reference for clinical digital design and analysis.Methods:Two hundred clinical patients without significant facial deformities were collected from October 2020 to October 2022 at Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. The DGRNet consists of constructing the feature vectors of key points in point original and mirror point clouds (X, Y), obtaining the correspondence of key points, and calculating the rotation and translation by singular value decomposition. Original and mirror point clouds were registrated and united. The principal component analysis (PCA) algorithm was used to obtain the DGRNet alignment midsagittal plane. The model was evaluated based on the coefficient of determination (R 2) index for the translation and rotation matrix of test set. The angle error was evaluated on the 3D facial midsagittal plane constructed by the DGRNet alignment midsagittal plane and the iterative closet point (ICP) alignment midsagittal plane for 50 cases of clinical facial data. Results:The average angle error of the DGRNet alignment midsagittal plane and ICP alignment midsagittal plane was 1.05°±0.56°, and the minimum angle error was only 0.13°. The successful detection rate was 78% (39/50) within 1.50° and 90% (45/50) within 2.00°.Conclusions:This study proposes a new solution for the construction of 3D facial midsagittal plane based on the DGRNet alignment method with intelligent registration, which can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of treatment to some extent.