Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of intelligent temperature-pressure-controlled flexible ureteroscopy combined with negative-pressure suction sheath lithotripsy in the treatment of upper urinary tract stones ≤2.5 cm. Methods: The clinical data of 225 patients with ≤2.5 cm upper urinary tract stones treated with this surgical method in our department during Aug. 2023 and Jul. 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into the dual-control group (n=36) and conventional group (n=189) according to whether or not the intelligent temperature and pressure control device was used during operation. In the dual-control group，the intraoperative temperature and pressure in the renal pelvis were monitored and controlled in real time by the temperature and pressure sensors distributed at the end of the ureteral soft lens. The perioperative parameters，stone-removal rate，complication rate and renal function were compared between the two groups. Results: All operations were successfully completed in both groups. The postoperative procalcitonin (PCT) level [(22.75±5.85) ng/L vs. (29.08±6.60) ng/L，P=0.001]，difference in the white blood cell (WBC) level [(0.24±2.12)×10 cells/L vs. (1.19±2.17)×10 cells/L，P=0.016]，incidence of fever (2.8% vs. 16.9%，P=0.028) and overall complication rate (5.6% vs. 19.6%，P=0.042) were significantly lower in the dual-control group than in the conventional group，while the stone-clearance rate was slightly higher (88.9% vs. 82.5%，P=0.346)，with no significant difference. Conclusion: For upper urinary tract stones ≤2.5 cm，intelligent temperature-pressure-controlled ureteroscopy combined with negative-pressure suction sheath lithotripsy has a satisfactory stone-removal rate and a low rate of complications，which is worthy of clinical promotion.

ObjectiveTo comprehensively elucidate the potential mechanisms of Xiao Xumingtang （XXMT） combined with electroacupuncture （EA） collaboratively in alleviating cerebral ischemia/reperfusion （I/R） injury. MethodThe rat model of cerebral I/R injury was established using the modified suture-occluded method. Seven days after modeling， rats in the XXMT+EA groups were administered XXMT at low （15 g·kg^-1）， medium （30 g·kg^-1）， and high （60 g·kg^-1） doses， alongside daily 20-min EA treatment （stimulating acupoints GV14 and GV20）. Cerebral infarction and neuronal damage were evaluated using the Zea Longa test score， TTC staining， and TUNEL staining. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of NOD-like receptor hot protein domain related protein 3 （NLRP3）， Gasdermin D （GSDMD）， cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 （Caspase-1）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-18 （IL-18） in the ischemic area of the cerebral cortex. ResultCompared with the sham group， the I/R group showed a significant increase in neurological deficit scores and infarct volume （P<0.01）， along with a higher apoptosis rate of cortical neurons and elevated mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3， GSDMD， Caspase-1， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.05）. In contrast， the medium- and high-dose XXMT combined with EA treatment significantly reduced neurological deficit scores and infarct volume （P<0.01）， and decreased the apoptosis rate of cortical neurons as well as the mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3， GSDMD， Caspase-1， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.05）. The improvement showed a dose-dependent relationship with XXMT. ConclusionThe combined use of XXMT and EA can exert neuroprotective effects by modulating the NLRP3/GSDMD/Caspase-1 signaling pathway， thereby reducing neurological deficits， minimizing brain infarct size， and improving cortical neuronal damage.

Objective To analyze the perioperative outcomes of cardiac valve surgery in patients with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods The perioperative clinical data of patients receiving heart valve replacement in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China from November 2022 to February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether the patients were infected with SARS-CoV-2, they were divided into a non-infected group and an asymptomatic group. The perioperative data of the patients were compared between the two groups, and the effect of asymptomatic infection on the result of heart valve replacement surgery was analyzed. Results A total of 66 patients were enrolled including 36 males and 30 females with a mean age of 58.0±11.1 years. There were 51 patients in the non-infected group and 15 patients in the asymtomatic group. There were 2 patients of mitral valve replacement, 20 patients of aortic valve replacement, 1 patient of double valve replacement, 3 patients of aortic valve replacement with tricuspid valvoplasty, 22 patients of mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valvoplasty, 18 patients of double valve replacement and tricuspid valvoplasty. Asymptomatic infected patients received more emergency surgery than uninfected patients (26.7% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). There was no statistical difference in the duration of extracorporeal circulation, aortic occlusion, mechanical ventilation time after the surgery, ICU stay, postoperative drainage volume, or postoperative complications between the two groups. Conclusion Perioperative results of cardiac valve surgery in patients with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and non-infection are almost the same.

Objective To evaluate the impact of optimizing the stroke green channel on the efficiency of acute ischemic stroke management in a county hospital. Methods A retrospective analysis of the emergency stroke green channel treatment data from Sixian People’s Hospital from May 2020 to April 2021 (before optimization of the green channel) and from May 2021 to April 2022 (after optimization of the green channel) was conducted. The rates of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and mechanical thrombectomy (MT) patients, as well as door-to-needle time (DNT), door-to-puncture time (DPT), and the modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores of patients three months post-treatment before and after the optimization of the stroke green channel were compared. Results Within one year before and after optimization of the green channel, the number of acute visits for ischemic stroke was 3 143 and 2 623, respectively. Before optimization, 84 and 51 underwent IVT and MT, respectively. After optimization of the green channel, the ratios of patients underwent IVT (n＝215) and MT (n＝103) significantly increased, and both DNT and DPT were significantly shortened (P＜0.000 1); the proportion of MT patients with an mRS score of 0-2 at 3 months post-discharge significantly increased (46/99 vs 13/46, P＝0.038). Conclusion After optimizing the green channel at Sixian People’s Hospital, the efficiency of stroke treatment has significantly improved, and the patients’ prognosis improved.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease whose main characteristic is the destruction of articular cartilage, causing pain and disability in patients and seriously affecting their quality of life. OA can be induced by a variety of causes, and pathological changes in articular cartilage are considered to be one of the key driving factors for the occurrence of OA. High mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1), as a non-histone protein in eukaryotic cells, can participate in regulating the inflammation and apoptosis process of OA chondrocytes, thus leading to the occurrence of OA. This article reviews the research on the mechanism of HMGB1 in OA chondrocytes, with a view to providing new ideas for the clinical prevention and treatment of OA.

Objective To compare the efficacy of mediastinoscope-assisted transhiatal esophagectomy (MATHE) and functional minimally invasive esophagectomy (FMIE) for esophageal cancer. Methods Patients who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy at Jining No.1 Hospital from March 2018 to September 2022 were retrospectively included. The patients were divided into a MATHE group and a FMIE group according to the procedures. The patients were matched via propensity score matching (PSM) with a ratio of 1 : 1 and a caliper value of 0.2. The clinical data of the patients were compared after the matching. Results A total of 73 patients were include in the study, including 54 males and 19 females, with an average age of (65.12±7.87) years. There were 37 patients in the MATHE group and 36 patients in the FMIE group. Thirty pairs were successfully matched. Compared with the FMIE group, MATHE group had shorter operation time (P=0.022), lower postoperative 24 h pain score (P=0.031), and less drainage on postoperative 1-3 days (P<0.001). FMIE group had more lymph node dissection (P<0.001), lower incidence of postoperative hoarseness (P=0.038), lower white blood cell and neutrophil counts on postoperative 1 day (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the bleeding volume, R0 resection, hospital mortality, postoperative hospital stay, anastomotic leak, chylothorax, or pulmonary infection between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared with the FMIE, MATHE has shorter operation time, less postoperative pain and drainage, but removes less lymph nodes, which is deficient in oncology. For some special patients such as those with early cancer or extensive pleural adhesions, MATHE may be a suitable surgical method.

Objective:To study the experience and efficacy of treating the isolated left vertebral artery (ILVA) during total aortic arch replacement combined with stent-trunk surgery in patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection (TAAD) combined with ILVA.Methods:The clinical data of 21 patients with TAAD combined with ILVA from July 2017 to March 2022 in the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with ILVA-left common carotid artery transplantation and total arch replacement combined with stent-trunk surgery under moderate hypothermia cardiopulmonary bypass and selective cerebral perfusion (SCP). Among them, aortic root repair surgery was in 15 cases, Bentall surgery in 6 cases, coronary artery bypass grafting performed simultaneously in 2 cases. The surgical details, postoperative complications and length of stay were recorded. The patients were followed up 1 and 12 months after surgery for CTA examination to observe the patency of transplanted ILVA. The follow-up was performed until October 1, 2022, and survival, aorta-related death and ILVA patency rate were recorded.Results:Three hundred and thirty-five TAAD patients were admitted during the same period, including 21 (6.27%) with ILVA. ILVA was reconstructed successfully in all patients. No complications related to ILVA were observed. Three cases died during the perioperative period: 1 case had preoperative myocardial infarction due to coronary artery involvement and the CPB could not be removed after operation; 1 case died of postoperative liver and renal failure due to severe organ hypoperfusion; 1 case suffered from postoperative acute renal failure and died of low cardiac output. The patients did not experience damage to the vagus nerve or recurrent laryngeal nerve, lymphatic leakage, chylothorax, ILVA thrombosis, paraplegia or cerebral vascular complications. The other 18 patients recovered and discharged from hospital. The median duration of follow-up was 30 (6 to 62) months. During the follow-up, aortic-related death did not observe, ILVA was unobstructed, and there were no manifestations of anastomotic stenosis or arterial stenosis.Conclusions:ILVA is a supra-aortic trunk variant, it is not so rare. ILVA may pose additional difficulties during total arch replacement surgery. The clinical effect of prior reconstruction of ILVA by ILVA-LCCA transposition is satisfactory, and it may be a simple and efficient method to complete reconstruction and optimize arch surgery before cardiopulmonary bypass.

Objective:To evaluate the dosimetric characteristics, safety and effectiveness of magnetic resonance-guided fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) for brain tumors.Methods:Clinical data of 8 brain tumor patients treated with magnetic resonance-guided FSRT in the Radiotherapy Department of the First Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from July 2023 to February 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Online adaptive radiotherapy was adopted for all patients. Adapt-to-position (ATP) or adapt-to-shape (ATS) radiotherapy was chosen by radiologists. Each adaptation was initiated after the radiotherapy plan was re-examined. The radiotherapy fractionation plan was 21-30 Gy/3-5 F. Clinical characteristics, radiotherapy plans and plan parameters were analyzed by statistical description. Median ( Q1， Q3) was used to describe continuous data and percentage was used to describe categorical data. Results:In this study, 9 lesions were treated a total of 41 times, including 20 times (49%) of ATP plan and 21 times (51%) of ATS plan. The median target area coverage rate was 95.1% (95%, 99.8%), the median target area maximum dose rate was 1.15 (1.07, 1.31), the median conformity index (CI) was 0.75 (0.69, 0.86), the median homogeneity index (HI) was 1.09 (1.06, 1.21), and the median gradient index (GI) was 4.73 (3.36, 8.45), respectively. After ATS plan, the median reduction in gross target volume (GTV) was 8.22 cm3 (1.2, 10.1 cm3), and the median reduction in brain tissue V12 Gy was 30.46 cm3 (8.34, 31.13 cm3).The median follow-up was 3.2 months (1.4, 6.1 months). No radiation necrosis was found in any patient. There were 2 cases of acute brain edema during radiotherapy (both were mild). Except for 1 case who died due to systemic disease progression, the remaining patients had no local recurrence, and achieved good quality of life. Conclusions:The parameters of the treatment plan of magnetic resonance-guided FSRT are generally acceptable. The adaptive plan can effectively reduce the dose of normal brain tissues. It is safe and feasible to use the magnetic resonance-guided FSRT for brain tumors.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with phase III gastric cancer and esophagogastric junction cancer.Methods:This study used a retrospective cohort study method based on real-world data. Clinical data of 403 patients with stage III gastric/esophagogastric junction cancer who underwent gastrectomy followed by adjuvant therapy in the Department of Gastric Surgery at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January 2020 to December 2023 were retrospectively collected. The study cohort comprised 147 (36.5%) patients with stage IIIA, 130 (32.3%) with stage IIIB, and 126 (31.3%) with stage IIIC gastric/esophagogastric junction cancer. Of them, 15 (3.7%) were HER-2 positive, 25 (6.2%) dMMR, and 22 (5.5%) patients Epstein-Barr virus encoding RNA (EBER) positive. Based on treatment plans, the patients were divided into immune checkpoint inhibitor combined with chemotherapy group (immune therapy group, n=110, 71 males and 39 females, median age 59 years old) and chemotherapy alone group (chemotherapy group, n=293, 186 males and 107 females, median age 60 years old). All patients in the immunotherapy group received immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1). Of them, 85 received pembrolizumab, 10 received sintilimab, 8 received tislelizumab, 4 received camrelizumab, 2 received toripalimab, and 1 received pabocizumab. The adjuvant chemotherapy regimens used among the chemotherapy alone group includes SOX regimen (132 cases), XELOX (102 cases), S-1 monotherapy (44 cases), and other regimens (15 cases). The 3-year DFS rate of the two groups was compared, and subgroup analysis was conducted based on different ages, molecular phenotypes, pTNM staging, extranodal infiltration, and tumor length. Results:The median follow-up was 20.5 months (range 3.1~46.3), with a 3-year overall DFS rate of 61.4% for the entire 403 patients. The 3-year DFS rate for the immunotherapy group was 82.7%, higher than the chemotherapy alone group (58.8%), with a statistically significant difference ( P=0.021). Multivariate analysis showed that postoperative immunotherapy was a protective factor for DFS (HR=0.352, 95%CI: 0.180~0.685). Subgroup analysis showed that stage IIIC (HR=0.416, 95%CI: 0.184~0.940), aged ≥60 years (HR=0.336, 95%CI: 0.121~0.934) and extranodal invasion (HR=0.378, 95%CI: 0.170~0.839) were associated with benefit from the combined immune adjuvant chemotherapy, while no association was observed for MMR, HER-2 or EBER status. Conclusion:Stage III gastric/esophagogastric junction cancer patients may benefite from postoperative immune checkpoint inhibitor combined with adjuvant chemotherapy in real-world settings.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with phase III gastric cancer and esophagogastric junction cancer.Methods:This study used a retrospective cohort study method based on real-world data. Clinical data of 403 patients with stage III gastric/esophagogastric junction cancer who underwent gastrectomy followed by adjuvant therapy in the Department of Gastric Surgery at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January 2020 to December 2023 were retrospectively collected. The study cohort comprised 147 (36.5%) patients with stage IIIA, 130 (32.3%) with stage IIIB, and 126 (31.3%) with stage IIIC gastric/esophagogastric junction cancer. Of them, 15 (3.7%) were HER-2 positive, 25 (6.2%) dMMR, and 22 (5.5%) patients Epstein-Barr virus encoding RNA (EBER) positive. Based on treatment plans, the patients were divided into immune checkpoint inhibitor combined with chemotherapy group (immune therapy group, n=110, 71 males and 39 females, median age 59 years old) and chemotherapy alone group (chemotherapy group, n=293, 186 males and 107 females, median age 60 years old). All patients in the immunotherapy group received immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1). Of them, 85 received pembrolizumab, 10 received sintilimab, 8 received tislelizumab, 4 received camrelizumab, 2 received toripalimab, and 1 received pabocizumab. The adjuvant chemotherapy regimens used among the chemotherapy alone group includes SOX regimen (132 cases), XELOX (102 cases), S-1 monotherapy (44 cases), and other regimens (15 cases). The 3-year DFS rate of the two groups was compared, and subgroup analysis was conducted based on different ages, molecular phenotypes, pTNM staging, extranodal infiltration, and tumor length. Results:The median follow-up was 20.5 months (range 3.1~46.3), with a 3-year overall DFS rate of 61.4% for the entire 403 patients. The 3-year DFS rate for the immunotherapy group was 82.7%, higher than the chemotherapy alone group (58.8%), with a statistically significant difference ( P=0.021). Multivariate analysis showed that postoperative immunotherapy was a protective factor for DFS (HR=0.352, 95%CI: 0.180~0.685). Subgroup analysis showed that stage IIIC (HR=0.416, 95%CI: 0.184~0.940), aged ≥60 years (HR=0.336, 95%CI: 0.121~0.934) and extranodal invasion (HR=0.378, 95%CI: 0.170~0.839) were associated with benefit from the combined immune adjuvant chemotherapy, while no association was observed for MMR, HER-2 or EBER status. Conclusion:Stage III gastric/esophagogastric junction cancer patients may benefite from postoperative immune checkpoint inhibitor combined with adjuvant chemotherapy in real-world settings.