ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Feixin decoction treats hypoxic pulmonary hypertension （HPH） by regulating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma （PPARγ）/nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB）/NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 （NLRP3） signaling pathway. MethodsForty-eight male SD rats were randomly allocated into normal， hypoxia， and low-， medium- and high-dose （5.85， 11.7， 23.4 g·kg^-1， respectively） Feixin decoction groups， with 8 rats in each group. Except the normal group， the remaining five groups were placed in a hypoxia chamber with an oxygen concentration of （10.0±0.5）% for 8 h per day， 28 days， and administrated with corresponding drugs during the modeling process. After 4 weeks of treatment， echocardiographic parameters ［pulmonary artery acceleration time （PAT）， pulmonary artery ejection time （PET）， right ventricular anterior wall thickness （RVAWd）， and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion （TAPSE）］ were measured for each group. The right ventricular systolic pressure （RVSP） was measured by the right heart catheterization method， and the right ventricular hypertrophy index （RVHI） was calculated by weighing the heart. The pathological changes in pulmonary arterioles were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The co-localization of α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） with NLRP3， N-terminal gasdermin D （N-GSDMD）， and cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 （Caspase-1） in pulmonary arteries was detected by immunofluorescence. The protein levels of PPARγ， NF-κB， NLRP3， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， N-GSDMD， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-18（IL-18）， and cleaved Caspase-1 in the lung tissue was determined by Western blot. The ultrastructural changes in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells （PASMCs） were observed by transmission electron microscopy. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the hypoxia group showed increased RVSP and RVHI （P<0.01）， decreased right heart function （P<0.01）， increased pulmonary vascular remodeling （P<0.01）， increased co-localization of α-SMA with NLRP3， N-GSDMD， and Caspase-1 in pulmonary arterioles （P<0.01）， up-regulated protein levels of NF-κB， NLRP3， ASC， N-GSDMD， IL-1β， IL-18， and cleaved Caspase-1 in the lung tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， a down-regulated protein level of PPARγ （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and pyroptosis in PASMCs. Compared with the hypoxia group， Feixin decoction reduced RVSP and RVHI， improved the right heart function and ameliorated pulmonary vascular remodeling （P<0.05， P<0.01）， decreased the co-localization of α-SMA with NLRP3， N-GSDMD， and Caspase-1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， down-regulated the protein levels of NF-κB， NLRP3， ASC， N-GSDMD， IL-1β， IL-18， and cleaved Caspase-1 in the lung tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， up-regulated the protein level of PPARγ （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and alleviated pyroptosis in PASMCs. ConclusionFeixin decoction can ameliorate pulmonary vascular remodeling and right heart dysfunction in chronically induced HPH rats by regulating pyroptosis in PASMCs through the PPARγ/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the anesthetic management characteristics of children undergoing resection of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL).Methods:The clinical data from patients undergoing resection of PPGL and confirmed histologically from January 1, 2010 to June 30, 2023 were retrospectively collected. The baseline characteristics, intraoperative conditions and postoperative complications were recorded.Results:The clinical data from 47 pediatric patients were analyzed. The overall incidence of hemodynamic instability events was 68% (32 cases). Lowering preoperative blood pressure to normal levels and the maximum diameter of tumor≥6 cm was helpful in reducing the incidence of the intraoperative hemodynamic instability events ( P<0.05). Postoperative hypotension developed in 7 cases, acute left heart failure in 1 case, arrhythmia in 1 case, adrenocortical insufficiency in 4 cases, and pulmonary infection in 13 cases. Conclusions:Thorough preoperative preparation, evidence-based anesthetic management, and meticulous postoperative vital sign monitoring can increase the perioperative safety for children undergoing resection of PPGL, thereby reducing the incidence of complications.

Objective To investigate the expression of Nanog and its regulatory relationship with MMP-2/MMP-9 proteins in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Methods We detected Nanog and MMP-2/MMP-9 protein expressions in 127 ESCC tissues and 82 adjacent normal tissues using immunohistochemistry and explored their correlations with the clinicopathological parameters and prognosis of the patients.GEO database was utilized to analyze the pathways enriched with the stemness-related molecules including Nanog,and TIMER online tool was used to analyze the correlations among TβR1,MMP-2,and MMP-9 in esophageal cancer.Results Nanog and MMP-2/MMP-9 proteins were significantly upregulated in ESCC tissues and positively intercorrelated.Their expression levels were closely correlated with infiltration depth and lymph node metastasis of ESCC but not with age,gender,or tumor differentiation.The patients with high expressions of Nanog and MMP-2/MMP-9 had significantly shorter survival time.Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of stemness-associated molecules in the TGF-β signaling pathway,and the expressions of MMP-2/MMP-9 and TβR1 were positively correlated.In cultured ESCC cells,Nanog knockdown significantly decreased the expression of TβR1,p-Smad2/3,MMP-2,and MMP-9 and strongly inhibited cell migration.Conclusion The high expressions of Nanog,MMP-2,and MMP-9,which are positively correlated,are closely related with invasion depth,lymph node metastasis,and prognosis of ESCC.Nanog regulates the expressions of MMP-2/MMP-9 proteins through the TGF-β signaling pathway,and its high expression promotes migration of ESCC cells.

Objective:To evaluate the optimization effect of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB)combined with general anesthesia on Nuss procedure in pediatric patients with pectus excavatum undergoing Nuss procedure.Methods:One hundred and eight pediatric patients of either sex, aged 7-18 yr, with body mass index within the normal range, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ, undergoing elective Nuss procedure, were randomized into 3 groups ( n=36 each) using a random number table method: ultrasound-guided ESPB combined with general anesthesia group (group E), thoracic epidural anesthesia plus general analgesia group (group T), and general analgesia group (group G). Pediatric patients received ultrasound-guided bilateral ESPB (0.3% ropivacaine was injected, 0.5 ml/kg bilateral total volume [maximum 20 ml]) or thoracic epidural anesthesia (0.3% ropivacaine 0.5 ml/kg [maximum 20 ml/side]) after induction of anesthesia in group E and group T, respectively. All the three groups underwent general anesthesia, anesthesia was induced with propofol 2-3 mg/kg, sufentanil 0.3-0.5 μg/kg and cis-atracurium 0.1-0.2 mg/kg and maintained with propofol 6-10 mg·kg -1·h -1 and remifentanil 0.1-0.3 μg·kg -1·min -1. The patients were endotracheally intubated and mechanically ventilated after anesthesia induction. The parent-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) was used for patients in all the three groups postoperatively. The consumption of intraoperative remifentanil and postoperative consumption of sufentanil for PCIA in each period after surgery were recorded. The time to the first rescue analgesia, consumption of ibuprofen and postoperative complications were also recorded. Results:Compared with group G, the intraoperative consumption of remifentanil and postoperative consumption of sufentanil for PCIA in each period were significantly decreased, the time to the first rescue analgesia was prolonged, and the consumption of ibuprofen was decreased in group E ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference among the three groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:ESPB combined with general analgesia is helpful in reducing postoperative hyperalgesia in pediatric patients undergoing the Nuss procedure.

Surgery takes up the core position in the treatment for rectal cancer. Compared to traditional laparoscopic surgery, the most significant technological advantage of robotic surgery is its ability to perform precise and dexterous procedures in narrow spaces, making it particularly suitable for rectal surgery. With the development of robotic surgery of rectal cancer, accumulating evidence suggests that the technological advantages of robotic surgery are gradually demonstrated in treatment effect. Several randomized controlled trials and large cohorts suggest that robotic rectal cancer surgery has certain advantages over laparoscopic surgery in terms of short-term outcomes (conversion rate, incidence of complication, etc.), and is comparable in terms of specimen quality. Evidence concerning long-term outcomes remains limited. In this article, we will review evidence in the field of robotic surgery of rectal cancer, summarize recent progress, and envision future development.

Surgery takes up the core position in the treatment for rectal cancer. Compared to traditional laparoscopic surgery, the most significant technological advantage of robotic surgery is its ability to perform precise and dexterous procedures in narrow spaces, making it particularly suitable for rectal surgery. With the development of robotic surgery of rectal cancer, accumulating evidence suggests that the technological advantages of robotic surgery are gradually demonstrated in treatment effect. Several randomized controlled trials and large cohorts suggest that robotic rectal cancer surgery has certain advantages over laparoscopic surgery in terms of short-term outcomes (conversion rate, incidence of complication, etc.), and is comparable in terms of specimen quality. Evidence concerning long-term outcomes remains limited. In this article, we will review evidence in the field of robotic surgery of rectal cancer, summarize recent progress, and envision future development.

Objective To investigate the expression of Nanog and its regulatory relationship with MMP-2/MMP-9 proteins in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Methods We detected Nanog and MMP-2/MMP-9 protein expressions in 127 ESCC tissues and 82 adjacent normal tissues using immunohistochemistry and explored their correlations with the clinicopathological parameters and prognosis of the patients.GEO database was utilized to analyze the pathways enriched with the stemness-related molecules including Nanog,and TIMER online tool was used to analyze the correlations among TβR1,MMP-2,and MMP-9 in esophageal cancer.Results Nanog and MMP-2/MMP-9 proteins were significantly upregulated in ESCC tissues and positively intercorrelated.Their expression levels were closely correlated with infiltration depth and lymph node metastasis of ESCC but not with age,gender,or tumor differentiation.The patients with high expressions of Nanog and MMP-2/MMP-9 had significantly shorter survival time.Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of stemness-associated molecules in the TGF-β signaling pathway,and the expressions of MMP-2/MMP-9 and TβR1 were positively correlated.In cultured ESCC cells,Nanog knockdown significantly decreased the expression of TβR1,p-Smad2/3,MMP-2,and MMP-9 and strongly inhibited cell migration.Conclusion The high expressions of Nanog,MMP-2,and MMP-9,which are positively correlated,are closely related with invasion depth,lymph node metastasis,and prognosis of ESCC.Nanog regulates the expressions of MMP-2/MMP-9 proteins through the TGF-β signaling pathway,and its high expression promotes migration of ESCC cells.

Objective To explore the correlation of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)parameters of adenomyoma before and after MR-guided focused ultrasound surgery(MRgFUS)with the therapeutic efficacy.Methods Uterine ultrasound and CEUS data of 26 patients with adenomyoma before and 24 h,1 and 6 months after MRgFUS,as well as MRI before and immediately after MRgFUS were retrospectively analyzed.The lesion volume shown on CEUS and MRI before MRgFUS,the non perfusion volume(NPV)of adenomyoma on MRI immediately after and CEUS 24 h after MRgFUS were compared.The ablation rate of lesions was calculated based on CEUS 24 h after MRgFUS.The focal blood flow score before,24 h after MRgFUS and the sum of the two,also the numerical rating scale(NRS)score before and 1,6 months after MRgFUS and the change rate were analyzed.The correlations of CEUS parameters with the efficacy of MRgFUS for treating adenomyoma were observed.Results No significant difference of lesion volume nor NPV on CEUS or MRI was found(both P＞0.05).The ablation rate of lesions 24 h after treatment was(58.11±24.92)%.The focal blood flow score before,24 h after MRgFUS and the sum of the two was 2.00(2.00,2.00),1.00(1.00,1.00)and 3.50(3.00,3.50),respectively,with significant difference between before and 24 h after MRgFUS(Z=-4.463,P＜0.001).NRS score was 5.00(4.00,6.00),3.00(2.00,4.00)and 2.00(1.00,3.00)before treatment,1 and 6 months after treatment,respectively,with significant differences at different time points(all P＜0.01).The change rate of NRS score 1 and 6 months after treatment was 35.42%(23.75%,50.00%)and 60.00%(50.00%,77.08%),respectively.The lesion blood flow score before and 24 h after MRgFUS and the sum of the two were all negatively correlated with ablation rate(rs=-0.552,-0.820,-0.745),while positively correlated with NRS scores 6 months after treatment(rs=0.513,0.552,0.496)but negatively correlated with the change rate of NRS scores 6 months after treatment(rs=-0.525,-0.479,-0.531).The ablation rate 24 h after treatment was negatively correlated with NRS scores(rs=-0.462)while positively correlated with the change rate of NRS scores 6 months after treatment(rs=0.500).Conclusion CEUS parameters before and after treatment were correlated with the therapeutic efficacy of MRgFUS for treating adenomyoma.

Purpose To investigate the diagnostic value of multimodal imaging in cardiac lipoma.Materials and Methods The clinical symptoms,echocardiography,CT and cardiac magnetic resonance images of 14 patients with cardiac lipoma diagnosed in Xijing Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from July 2016 to November 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.Results Five patients with lipoma had symptoms of chest tightness and shortness of breath.A total of 18 lesions were found in 14 cases with cardiac lipoma.The locations of cardiac lipomas were widely distributed in the heart,of which 9 were located under the inner lining of the ventricular lumen(6 in the left ventricle,3 in the right ventricle),5 in the myocardium(4 in the left ventricle wall,1 in the right ventricle wall),3 in the pericardium,and 1 in the right ventricle.Echocardiography of 12 cases showed strong echoic mass image,and CT of 7 cases showed uniform low-density mass image.All patients cardiac magnetic resonance showed high signal of T1WI,and the tumor signal of lipid-pressure sequence decreased significantly.T2WI showed high signal and low signal ring around the tumor,indicating a chemical shift artifact.In the film sequence of heart,the mass could be seen to wobble gently and change in the shape of spontaneous motion cycle.The first perfusion scan did not show perfusion elevation.No enhancement was observed on the delayed enhanced scan.Native T1 mapping showed that the T1 value of mass was significantly lower than that of normal myocarda[(255.9±48.4)ms vs.(994.2±66.4)ms],and the difference was statistically significant(t=-32.5,P<0.001).Conclusion Multimodal imaging can provide objective evidence for clinical diagnosis of cardiac lipoma.Lipomas with extremely low T1 values were found,which is helpful to assist in the diagnosis of cardiac lipoma,clearer observation of the lesions,accurate localization,and strong ability to detect small lesions.Therefore,when cardiac lipoma is suspected,T1 mapping can be used as a routine examination method for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of cardiac masses.

The latest epidemiological data suggests that the situation of adult diabetes in China is severe, and metabolic diseases have become significant chronic illnesses that have a serious impact on public health and social development. After more than six years of practice, the National Metabolic Management Center(MMC) has developed distinctive approaches to manage metabolic patients and has achieved a series of positive outcomes, continuously advancing the standardized diagnosis and treatment model. In order to further improve the efficiency, based on the first edition, the second edition guideline was composed by incorporating experience of the past six years in conjunction with the latest international and domestic guidelines.