Esophageal cancer is the seventh most common cancer worldwide. On August 29, 2023, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) released the NCCN esophageal and esophagogastric junction cancers clinical practice guidelines in oncology (version 3. 2023). This article aims to highlight the key updates in treatment and follow-up recommendations between the version 3 and the version 2 in 2023, providing the latest guidance for the management of esophageal cancer in our country.

Objective:To analyze clinical features, short-term efficacy and side effects of salvage re-irradiation therapy for patients with locally recurrent esophageal cancer after definitive chemoradiotherapy, to investigate the prognostic factors of re-irradiation with precise radiotherapy techniques.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on patients with locally recurrent esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after definitive chemoradiotherapy treated in the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2008 to December 2016. The patients underwent re-irradiation therapy (re-RT) or re-irradiation therapy concurrent chemotherapy (re-CCRT). The main observation index was after-recurrence survival (ARS), which was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method for survival analysis. Univariate analysis was conducted by log-rank test, and multivariate analysis was performed by Cox regression model.Results:A total of 109 patients were included, with a median age of 66 years (43-89 years), and a median follow-up time of 120.8 months (79.0-176.5 months). The objective response rates (ORR) and dysphagia improvement rates (DIR) in all patients were 64.2% and 63.0%, respectively. The median ARS and 1-, 3-, 5-, 8-year survival rates in all patients were 7.8 months and 32.1%, 9.2%, 7.3% and 2.3%, respectively. The median ARS and 1-, 3-, 5-years survival rates were 10.8 months and 45.9%, 13.5%, 10.8% for patients with time to recurrence (TTR) ≥24 months, significantly longer than those of 5.7 months and 25.0%, 6.9%, 5.6% for patients with TTR<24 months ( χ2=7.99, P=0.005). The median ARS in groups with re-irradiation dose of ≤50 Gy,>50-54 Gy, and>54 Gy groups were 5.7, 10.0 and 8.1 months, respectively ( χ2=6.94, P=0.031). The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 30.4%, 5.1%, and 3.8% for re-RT versus 36.7%, 20.0%, and 16.7% for re-CCRT ( χ2=2.12, P=0.145). Multivariate analysis showed that TTR ( HR=0.607, 95% CI=0.372-0.991, P=0.046) and lesion length ( HR=0.603, 95% CI=0.371-0.982, P=0.042) were the independent factors for ARS. There was no significant difference in ≥2 grade pneumonitis and 2-3 grade radiation esophagitis between the re-RT and re-CCRT groups ( χ2=0.25, P=0.619; χ2=0.51, P=0.808). The morbidity of ≥2 grade myelosuppression in the re-RT group was significantly lower than that in the re-CCRT group (3.7% vs. 36.7%, χ2=18.15, P<0.001). Conclusions:Precise re-irradiation therapy for patients with locally recurrent esophageal cancer after definitive chemoradiotherapy can alleviate dysphagia, but ARS remains poor. Re-irradiation dose range from>50-54 Gy may be suitable for locally relapse patients as salvage treatment. Patients with TTR≥24 months and lesion length ≤5 cm obtain favorable prognosis.

Ischemia-reperfusion (I / R) is a complex hemodynamic process that can cause tissue damage through oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammatory reactions. It is an important factor leading to poor prognosis in patients, and the exploration of effective prevention and treatment measures is of significant clinical significance. As an endogenous hormone with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, Melatonin plays an important role in reducing cell death and improving tissue I / R injury. Therefore, this article reviews the relationship between Melatonin and organ I/R injury in order to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of melatonin to alleviate organ I/R injury.

The wind, phlegm, and blood stasis are important pathogenic factors of cough variant asthma in children, and they are also the pathological products in the occurrence and development of this disease. They have typical pathogenic characteristics. The main pathogenesis characteristics of cough caused by wind, phlegm and blood stasis are as follows that external wind attacks the lungs and induces internal wind, phlegm and dampness accumulates in the lungs, and the lungs fail to declare and descend, and blood stasis obstructs the collaterals and stagnation of Qi. The wind, phlegm, and blood stasis have their own pathogenic characteristics, and their cough-causing also have their own pathogenic characteristics and clinical characteristics. Based on the characteristics of wind, phlegm, and blood stasis, the application of medicine based on the differentiation of symptoms and signs can effectively prevent and treat this disease, and provide theoretical basis and treatment ideas for the treatment of cough variant asthma in children with Chinese medicine.

Objective    To analyze the clinical efficacy of transthoracic occlusion via a right subaxillary incision and conventional surgery in the treatment of ventricular septal defect (VSD). Methods    The clinical data of patients with congenital VSD undergoing right subaxillary incision surgery in our hospital from January 2017 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the surgical methods, the patients were divided into two groups: a conventional surgery group (conventional group) and a transthoracic occlusion group (occlusion group). There were 221 patients in the conventional group, including 97 males and 124 females, with an average age of 2.6±2.2 years and an average weight of 13.4±6.2 kg; there were 185 patients in the occlusion group, including 90 males and 95 females, with an average age of 3.2±2.6 years and an average weight of 14.7±6.6 kg. The clinical effectiveness was compared. Results    The success rate of surgery was 100% in both groups. The intraoperative blood loss was less in the occlusion group (P<0.05). The incision length, operation time, postoperative mechanical ventilation time, retention time in the intensive care unit, the time to resume normal diet and normal activities after operation were all shorter than those in the conventional group (P all <0.05). The total cost during hospitalization of the conventional group was less than that of the occlusion group (P<0.001). There was no statistical difference in the incidence rate of perioperative complications between the two groups (P>0.05). During the follow-up (15.8±8.8 months), the incidence of complications in the conventional group was higher than that in  the occlusion group with a statistical difference (P<0.001). Conclusion    Compared with conventional surgery, transthoracic occlusion for VSD via right subaxillary incision has the advantages of smaller incision, shorter operation time, less blood loss, shorter postoperative recovery time and less long-term complications. However, the total hospitalization cost is relatively high, mainly because of the high consumables cost, and the long-term effects still need further comparative observation.

Objective    To reveal the risk factors for delayed recovery and complications in infants with weight≤ 5.0 kg after surgical ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure. Methods    We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of 86 patients with weight≤5.0 kg who were admitted to our institution for surgical VSD closure between January 2016 and July 2019, including 31 males and 55 females with an age of 17-266 (80.3±40.4) d and a weight of 2.5-5.0 (4.4±0.6) kg. The VSDs were divided into perimembranous (n=65, 75.6%), subaortic (n=17, 19.8%) and subaortic combined muscular types (n=4, 4.7%). Mechanical ventilation (MV) time≥24 h or ICU stay≥72 h were defined as delayed recovery. Death, sudden circulatory arrest, complete heart block requiring a permanent or temporary pacemaker implantation, neurological complications, reoperation (for residue shunt or valvular regurgitation), reintubation and diaphragmatic paralysis were considered as significant major adverse events. Results    There was no death, reoperation due to residual VSD or neurological complication. Totally 51 (59.3%) patients had MV timec≥24 h and 51 (59.3%) patients stayed in the ICU≥ 72 h. Two (2.3%) patients required temporary pacemaker and six (7.0%) patients required reintubation. During the follow-up of 3-36 (15.8±8.8) months, 1 patient died of pneumonia after discharge, 5 patients suffered mild tricuspid valve regurgitation and 1 patient suffered decreased left ventricular systolic function in the follow-up. No aortic valve injuries occurred. Conclusion    For patients whose weight≤5.0 kg, short-term results of surgical VSD closure are excellent. Low weight and age may prolong MV time; low birth weight and pulmonary hypertension may prolong ICU stay, but are not independent risk factors.

Objective To evaluate the role of GABAA receptors in sevoflurane-induced inhibition of the discharge activities of inspiratory neurons in the medullary respiratory center of neonatal rats.Methods The medulla oblongnta slices of neonatal rats (aged 0-4 days) including the medial region of the nucleus retrofacialis with the hypoglossal nerve rootlets retained were prepared.The slices were perfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF),and the activity of the inspiratory neurons in the medial region of the nucleus retrofacialis and the respiratory rhythmical discharge activity of the hypoglossal nerve rootlets were simultaneously recorded using microelectrodes and suction electrodes,respectively.The ACSF,5％ sevoflurane,GABAA receptor blocker bicuculline 10 μmol/L and combination of 5％ sevoflurane and 10 μmol/L bicuculline were added to the perfusion liquid after the discharge activity was stable.The respiratory cycle (RC),inspiratory time (TI),integral amplitude (IA) and changes in peak frequency (PFn) of the inspiratory neurons were recorded.Results Compared with that after giving ACSF,RC was significantly prolonged,TI was shortened,and IA and PFn were decreased after giving sevoflurane,and RC was significantly shortened,IA and PFn were increased (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in TI after giving bicuculline (P＞ 0.05).Compared with that after giving sevoflurane,RC was significantly shortened,TI was prolonged,and IA and PFn were increased after giving sevoflurane and bicuculline (P＜ 0.05).Conclusion Sevoflurane inhibits the discharge activities of inspiratory neurons through GABAA receptors in the medullary respiratory center of neonatal rats.

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for simultaneous determination of 6 residual organic solvents in aprepitant raw material as methanol,ethanol,acetone,isopropyl alcohol,methyl tert-butyl ether and tetrahydrofuran.METHODS:Headspace capillary gas chromatography was adopted.The determination was performed on DB-624 capillary column using temperature programming.The temperature of injector port was 180 ℃,and flame ionization detector was used with temperature of 260 ℃.Nitrogen was used as carrier gas with flow rate 3.0 mL/min.The spilt ratio was 5 ∶ 1,and head-space injection volume was 1.0 mL.The head-space equilibrium temperature was set at 80 ℃,and equilibrium time was 40 min.RESULTS:The linear ranges of methanol,ethanol,acetone,isopropyl alcohol,methyl tert-butyl ether,tetrahydrofuran were 6.052-605.232 μ g/mL (r=0.999 9),9.987-998.718 μg/mL(r=0.999 9),9.998-999.768 μg/mL(r=0.999 8),9.986-998.634 μg/mL(r=0.999 9),9.991-999.090 μg/mL (r=0.999 7),1.461-146.133 μg/mL(r=0.999 5),respectively.The limits of quantitation were 1.782 1,2.079 0,0.749 8,1.777 8,0.223 1,0.607 0 μg/mL;the limits of detection were 0.594 0,0.693 0,0.249 9,0.592 6,0.074 4,0.202 3 μg/mL,respectively.RSD of precision test was lower than 2.0％.Only acetone and isopropyl alcohol were detected in stability test and reproducibility tests,RSD＜2.0％.Their recoveries were 99.34-100.75％ (RSD=0.52％,n=9),98.20％-100.24％ (RSD=0.69％,n=9),98.07％-100.07％ (RSD=0.84％,n=9),99.86％-101.32％ (RSD=0.58％,n=9),97.87％-104.02％ (RSD=2.13％,n=9),98.26 ％-100.58 ％ (RSD =0.75 ％,n =9),respectively.CONCLUSIONS:The established method is simple,accurate and reproducible,and can be used for simultaneous determination of 6 residual organic solvents in aprepitant raw material.

Insomnia is the most common type of sleep disorder in the clinic. Long-term insomnia seriously affects people's work and life, and the incidence of insomnia is increasing year by year.In order to provide reference for the clinic, this paper summarizes the current advances in the treatment of insomnia, including pharmacotherapy and non-pharmacotherapy. Non-pharmacotherapy includes cognitive behavioral therapy and physical therapy. Pharmacotherapy includes benzodiazepine receptor agonists, including benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, melatonin and melatonin receptor agonists, antidepressant drugs with sedative effects, antipsychotic drugs, antihistamines that have central inhibitory effects, Chinese medicine.

Objective To investigate the effect of paroxetine in the adjuvant treatment of maintenance hemodialysis(MHD)com-plicating depression.Methods 60 patients with MHD complicating depression were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group,30 cases in each group.The control group received the routine therapeutical scheme(hemodialysis,complication treatment and correcting the renal anemia,etc).On the basis of the routine therapy the observation group was given oral paroxetine 10 mg/d,once daily for continuous 8 weeks.The depression level was assessed by the Hamilton depression scale(HAMD).The clinical symptoms,levels of Hb,ALB,Kt/V,iPTH,SF and HAMD scores were statistically analyzed and compared between the two groups.Results The clinical symptoms,levels of Hb,ALB,Kt/V after 8-week treatment in the two groups were significantly im-proved compared with pretherapy(P<0.05);the level of iPTH,SF and the HAMD scores in the two groups were decreased com-pared with pretherapy(P<0.05).The effective rate of depression was 86.67% in the observation group and 23.33% in the control group,the difference between the two groups had statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion Paroxetine in the assisted treat-ment of MHD complicating depression symptom can improve the quality of life in MHD patients.