Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma can easily penetrate into the esophageal wall and invade adjacent organs due to the lack of serosa. Stage cT4b tumors involving organs adjacent to the aorta, vertebral body, trachea, or bronchus were considered unresectable. For unresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, radical chemoradiotherapy or chemotherapy is recommended. However, the therapeutic effect is poor. With the advent of conversion surgery, surgical resection is feasible after induction therapy for patients with esophageal tumors that are initially unresectable due to adjacent organ invasion or distant metastasis. This article reviews the research on conversion surgery for unresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in recent years in order to explore the clinical application prospects of conversion surgery.

BACKGROUND: Long-term remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) has been proven to be beneficial in multiple diseases, such as cerebral and cardiovascular diseases. However, the hyperacute and acute effects of a single RIC stimulus are still not clear. Quantitative proteomic analyses of plasma proteins following RIC application have been conducted in preclinical and clinical studies but exhibit high heterogeneity in results due to wide variations in experimental setups and sampling procedures. Hence, this study aimed to explore the immediate effects of RIC on plasma proteome in healthy young adults to exclude confounding factors of disease entity, such as medications and gender. METHODS: Young healthy male participants were enrolled after a systematic physical examination and 6-month lifestyle observation. Individual RIC sessions included five cycles of alternative ischemia and reperfusion, each lasting for 5 min in bilateral forearms. Blood samples were collected at baseline, 5 min after RIC, and 2 h after RIC, and then samples were processed for proteomic analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. RESULTS: Proteins related to lipid metabolism (e.g., Apolipoprotein F), coagulation factors (hepatocyte growth factor activator preproprotein), members of complement cascades (mannan-binding lectin serine protease 1 isoform 2 precursor), and inflammatory responses (carboxypeptidase N catalytic chain precursor) were differentially altered at their serum levels following the RIC intervention. The most enriched pathways were protein glycosylation and complement/coagulation cascades. CONCLUSIONS One-time RIC stimulus may induce instant cellular responses like anti-inflammation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis balancing, and lipid metabolism regulation which are protective in different perspectives. Protective effects of single RIC in hyperacute and acute phases may be exploited in clinical emergency settings due to apparently beneficial alterations in plasma proteome profile. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of long-term (repeated) RIC interventions in preventing chronic cardiovascular diseases among general populations can also be expected based on our study findings.
Young Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Proteome ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Proteomics ; Ischemia ; Blood Coagulation

Neural recording electrodes enable the acquisition and collection of electrical signals from neu-rons,and these recorded neural electrical signals are an important means of understanding neuronal activity.As a major component of the brain-machine interface,neu-ral recording electrodes serve as a bridge between the nervous system and external devices.The extracted information can be used to understand the state of the brain and acts as a feedback signal to regulate external devices,thus providing important information for the clini-cal treatment of neurological diseases.Moreover,the electrodes can be used as a vehicle for drug injection to directly treat diseases.Since the time that Strumwas-ser used microwires to achieve long-term recordings of neural activity in hibernating squirrels,implantable elec-trode technology has gradually improved over three gen-erations of development,and progress has been made in improving the biocompatibility,mechanical performance(size,shape,density,etc.),and signal-to-noise ratio.Implantable neural recording electrodes can acquire sig-nals from cortical and deep neural clusters,with the advantages of high signal-to-noise ratio,information con-tent,and spatial/temporal resolution.However,there is still a need to improve the structure and performance of these electrodes;for example,their high invasiveness and lack of biocompatibility pose technical difficulties in the process of translation to the clinic.This paper reviews the basic requirements for electrodes,main recording methods and signal types,common types of implant-able neural recording electrodes,and their challenges and future development directions.With the continuous development of electrode materials,equipment,systems,and neurotechnology,it should be possible to apply neu-ral recording electrodes in clinical practice,to promote safe and efficient treatment of human diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of the incidence of knee donor -site morbidity after autologous osteochondral mosaicplasty. METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, EMbase, Wanfang Medical Network, and CNKI databases from January 2010 to April 20, 2021. Relevant literature was selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data were evaluated and extracted. The correlation between the number and size of transplanted osteochondral columns and donor-site morbidity was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 13 literatures were included, comprising a total of 661 patients. Statistical analysis revealed an incidence of knee donor-site morbidity at 8.6% (57/661), with knee pain being the most common complaint, accounting for 4.2%(28/661). There was no significant correlation between the number of osteochondral columns and postoperative donor-site incidence (P=0.424, N=10), nor between the diameter size of osteochondral columns and postoperative donor-site incidence(P=0.699, N=7). CONCLUSION Autologous osteochondral mosaicplasty is associated with a considerable incidence of knee donor-site morbidity, with knee pain being the most frequent complaint. There is no apparent correlation between donor-site incidence and the number and size of transplanted osteochondral columns. Donors should be informed about the potential risks.
Humans ; Incidence ; Cartilage/transplantation* ; Knee ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Pain ; Cartilage, Articular ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Bone Transplantation

Biomarkers, Tumor ; Humans ; Sarcoma, Synovial/surgery* ; Stomach

Objective: To investigate the prognosis factors for death within 90 days after discharge in patients with acute kidney injury(AKI) treated requiring continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT) undergoing surgery for acute Standford type A aortic dissection. Methods: The clinic data of 126 patients undergoing CRRT for postoperative AKI after acute type A aortic dissection surgery in the Center for Cardiac Intensive Care, Beijing Anzhen Hospital from July 2016 to February 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 83 males and 43 females, aging (52.9±11.2) years(range: 25 to 70 years). The patients' demographic characteristics, disease-related information, perioperative data, laboratory indexes during CRRT, complications, and survival information within 90 days after discharge were recorded. Independent prognosis factors for death within 90 days of discharge were determined by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, univariate and multifactorial Cox regression analysis. Results: Totally 57 of 126 patients(45.2%) died over the first 90 days after discharge. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and univariate Cox regression analysis showed that there were significant differences between the non-survival and survival group including ≥65 years old, high lactate values 12 hours after CRRT, pulmonary infection, liver dysfunction, presence of permanent neurological complications, and postoperative ejection fraction(EF)<45%. Multifactorial Cox regression analysis revealed that ≥65 years old(HR=2.14, 95%CI: 1.09 to 4.21, P=0.03), high lactate values 12 hours after CRRT(HR=1.13, 95%CI: 1.06 to 1.20, P=0.01) and postoperative EF<45%(HR=2.21, 95%CI: 1.09 to 4.51, P=0.03) were independent prognosis factors for patients' death within 90 days after hospital discharge. Conclusions: ≥65 years old, high lactate values 12 hours after CRRT and postoperative EF<45% are independent prognosis factors for death within 90 days after discharge in patients undergoing CRRT for AKI after acute type A aortic dissection surgery. Proper identification and management of prognosis factors could be beneficial to improve patients' outcomes.
Acute Kidney Injury/therapy* ; Aged ; Aneurysm, Dissecting/surgery* ; Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lactates ; Male ; Patient Discharge ; Prognosis ; Renal Replacement Therapy/adverse effects* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Objective: To explore the heterogeneity and correlation of clinical phenotypes and genotypes in children with disorders of sex development (DSD). Methods: A retrospective study of 1 235 patients with clinically proposed DSD in 36 pediatric medical institutions across the country from January 2017 to May 2021. After capturing 277 DSD-related candidate genes, second-generation sequencing was performed to analyzed the heterogeneity and correlation combined with clinical phenotypes. Results: Among 1 235 children with clinically proposed DSD, 980 were males and 255 were females of social gender at the time of initial diagnosis with the age ranged from 1 day of age to 17.92 years. A total of 443 children with pathogenic variants were detected through molecular genetic studies, with a positive detection rate of 35.9%. The most common clinical phenotypes were micropenis (455 cases), hypospadias (321 cases), and cryptorchidism (172 cases) and common mutations detected were in SRD5A2 gene (80 cases), AR gene (53 cases) and CYP21A2 gene (44 cases). Among them, the SRD5A2 mutation is the most common in children with simple micropenis and simple hypospadias, while the AMH mutation is the most common in children with simple cryptorchidism. Conclusions: The SRD5A2 mutation is the most common genetic variant in Chinese children with DSD, and micropenis, cryptorchidism, and hypospadias are the most common clinical phenotypes. Molecular diagnosis can provide clues about the biological basis of DSD, and can also guide clinicians to perform specific clinical examinations. Target sequence capture probes and next-generation sequencing technology can provide effective and economical genetic diagnosis for children with DSD.
3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase/genetics* ; Child ; China/epidemiology* ; Cryptorchidism/genetics* ; Disorders of Sex Development/genetics* ; Female ; Genital Diseases, Male ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypospadias/genetics* ; Male ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Penis/abnormalities* ; Phenotype ; Retrospective Studies ; Steroid 21-Hydroxylase/genetics*

SARS-CoV-2 has infected more than 600 million people worldwide and caused more than 6 million deaths. The emerging novel variants have made the epidemic rebound in many places. Meteorological factors can affect the epidemic spread by changing virus activity, transmission dynamic parameters and host susceptibility. This paper systematically analyzed the currently available laboratory and epidemiological studies on the association between the meteorological factors and COVID-19 incidence, in order to provide scientific evidence for future epidemic control and prevention, as well as developing early warning system.
Humans ; SARS-CoV-2 ; COVID-19 ; Meteorological Concepts ; Laboratories ; Epidemiologic Studies

Phyllanthus emblica is a kind of traditional medicine and medicinal and edible plant, with rich variety resources and high development value. It is a key poverty alleviation variety in China at present. As P. emblica processing industry is rising gradually in recent years, in order to fully develop and utilize its industrial resources, this paper systematically introduces current comprehensive development and utilization of P. emblica, discusses the problems in P. emblica processing industry, and puts forward comprehensive development and utilization strategies and industrial models in terms of cultivation, breeding, grading, quality evaluation and waste recycling, so as to provide a certain reference for promoting the high-quality development of P. emblica industry in China.
China ; Medicine ; Medicine, Traditional ; Phyllanthus emblica ; Plant Breeding ; Plant Extracts

Mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic (DA) neurons have been implicated in regulating nociception in chronic pain, yet the mechanisms are barely understood. Here, we found that chronic constructive injury (CCI) in mice increased the firing activity and decreased the KCNQ channel-mediated M-currents in ventral tegmental area (VTA) DA neurons projecting to the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Chemogenetic inhibition of the VTA-to-NAc DA neurons alleviated CCI-induced thermal nociception. Opposite changes in the firing activity and M-currents were recorded in VTA DA neurons projecting to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) but did not affect nociception. In addition, intra-VTA injection of retigabine, a KCNQ opener, while reversing the changes of the VTA-to-NAc DA neurons, alleviated CCI-induced nociception, and this was abolished by injecting exogenous BDNF into the NAc. Taken together, these findings highlight a vital role of KCNQ channel-mediated modulation of mesolimbic DA activity in regulating thermal nociception in the chronic pain state.