"Leverage pry-off method" for effective prevention of thermal injury during microwave ablation of benign thyroid nodules / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To assess the safety and efficacy of"leverage pry-off method"for preventing thermal injury during microwave ablation of benign thyroid nodules.@*METHODS@#From July, 2017 to September, 2019, a total of 348 patients with benign thyroid nodules underwent ultrasound-guided microwave ablation. For protecting from thermal injury during the ablation, "hydrodissection technique" was used in 174 of the patients (admitted from July, 2017 to August, 2018) and "leverage pry-off method" in the other 174 patients (admitted from September, 2018 to September, 2019). All the patients were followed up for 1 to 12 months after the operation for observation of severe complications and nodular residues.@*RESULTS@#Ultrasound-guided microwave ablation was completed in all the 348 patients. The most common severe complication associated with the ablation was voice change, occurring in 3 cases (1.7%) in "hydrodissection technique" group and in 4 (2.3%) in the "leverage pry-off method" group, showing no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). During the follow-up, no significant difference was found in the rate of nodular residues between the "hydrodissection technique" group and "hydrodissection technique" group (9.8% vs 10.9% (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The "leverage pry-off method" is simple and effective for preventing thermal injury during microwave ablation of benign thyroid nodules.

Current status of diagnosis and treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in China: A national multicenter survey research / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To understand the current status of diagnosis and treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) /small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) among hematologists, oncologists, and lymphoma physicians from hospitals of different levels in China. Methods: This multicenter questionnaire survey was conducted from March 2021 to July 2021 and included 1,000 eligible physicians. A combination of face-to-face interviews and online questionnaire surveys was used. A standardized questionnaire regarding the composition of patients treated for CLL/SLL, disease diagnosis and prognosis evaluation, concomitant diseases, organ function evaluation, treatment selection, and Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor was used. Results: ①The interviewed physicians stated that the proportion of male patients treated for CLL/SLL is higher than that of females, and the age is mainly concentrated in 61-70 years old. ②Most of the interviewed physicians conducted tests, such as bone marrow biopsies and immunohistochemistry, for patient diagnosis, in addition to the blood test. ③Only 13.7% of the interviewed physicians fully grasped the initial treatment indications recommended by the existing guidelines. ④In terms of cognition of high-risk prognostic factors, physicians' knowledge of unmutated immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable and 11q- is far inferior to that of TP53 mutation and complex karyotype, which are two high-risk prognostic factors, and only 17.1% of the interviewed physicians fully mastered CLL International Prognostic Index scoring system. ⑤Among the first-line treatment strategy, BTK inhibitors are used for different types of patients, and physicians have formed a certain understanding that BTK inhibitors should be preferentially used in patients with high-risk factors and elderly patients, but the actual use of BTK inhibitors in different types of patients is not high (31.6%-46.0%). ⑥BTK inhibitors at a reduced dose in actual clinical treatment were used by 69.0% of the physicians, and 66.8% of the physicians had interrupted the BTK inhibitor for >12 days in actual clinical treatment. The use of BTK inhibitors is reduced or interrupted mainly because of adverse reactions, such as atrial fibrillation, severe bone marrow suppression, hemorrhage, and pulmonary infection, as well as patients' payment capacity and effective disease progression control. ⑦Some differences were found in the perceptions and behaviors of hematologists and oncologists regarding the prognostic assessment of CLL/SLL, the choice of treatment options, the clinical use of BTK inhibitors, etc. Conclusion: At present, a gap remains between the diagnosis and treatment of CLL/SLL among Chinese physicians compared with the recommendations in the guidelines regarding the diagnostic criteria, treatment indications, prognosis assessment, accompanying disease assessment, treatment strategy selection, and rational BTK inhibitor use, especially the proportion of dose reduction or BTK inhibitor discontinuation due to high adverse events.

Risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma to TACE refractoriness / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To study the risk factors of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) refractoriness.Methods:The clinical data of 106 HCC patients who underwent TACE at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2020 to December 2021 were retrospectively studied. There were 90 males and 16 females, with the age of (59.9±9.3) years. These patients were divided into the TACE-refractory group ( n=47) and the control group ( n=59) based on whether TACE refratoriness occurred after surgery. Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVIKA-II), maximum diameter of tumor, number of tumor and tumor vascularization patterns between the two groups were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyse the risk factors of TACE refractoriness in patients with HCC after TACE. Results:The proportion of patients with AFP >400 μg/L, PIVIKA-II >40 AU/L, number of tumor and tumor vascularization patterns Ⅲ+ Ⅳ (uneven enhancement) were significantly higher in the TACE-refractory group than the control group (all P<0.05). The maximum diameter of tumor for patients in the TACE-refractory group was significantly larger than that in the control group ( Z=-2.41, P=0.016). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with serum AFP >400 μg/L( OR=2.707, 95% CI: 1.008-7.271), multiple tumors ( OR=6.069, 95% CI: 2.115-17.415) and tumor vascularization patterns Ⅲ+ Ⅳ (uneven enhancement)( OR=7.813, 95% CI: 2.246-27.176) before the first TACE were at increased risks of TACE refractoriness (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Preoperative AFP >400 μg/L, multiple tumors and tumor vascularization patterns Ⅲ+ Ⅳ were independent risk factors for TACE refractoriness in patients with HCC.

Mixed epithelial and stromal tumor family of the kidney: clinical and MRI features / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical and MRI features of the mixed epithelial and stromal tumor family (MESTF) of the kidney.Methods:From January 2009 to September 2021, 42 patients with pathologically-proven MESTF from the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital were collected in this retrospective study. Clinical information, MRI features, and pathological results were documented. According to the Bosniak classification (BC) version 2019, all MESTFs were divided into cystic MESTFs (36 cases) and solid-cystic MESTFs (6 cases). The R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score (RNS), lesion size, laterality, location, margin, shape, growth pattern, presence of protruding into renal sinus, hemorrhage, and enhancement pattern were evaluated and documented. Based on BC versions 2005 and 2019, all the cystic MESTFs were assessed and divided into low (Ⅰ, Ⅱ, ⅡF) and high (Ⅲ, Ⅳ) grades. The independent sample t test or Mann-Whitney U test were performed to compare age, RNS, and lesion size between cystic MESTFs and solid-cystic MESTFs. Pearson χ 2 test, continuity-adjusted χ 2 test or Fisher exact probability test were utilized to evaluated the differences of clinical and MRI features and the distribution of low or high grades in two versions of BC. Results:Forty-two MESTFs were unilateral and solitary masses, 25 males and 17 females, with a mean age of (41±13) years old. Compared to solid-cystic MESTFs, cystic MESTFs were prone to demonstrate endophytic growth pattern (χ 2=17.77, P<0.001), and no significant differences in other clinical and MRI features were observed between cystic and solid-cystic MESTFs (all P>0.05). There were 7 low-grade and 29 high-grade tumors in the BC version 2005, respectively. Meanwhile, 24 low-grade and 12 high-grade tumors in the BC version 2019, respectively. The distribution of low or high-grade tumors in the two versions of BC had a statistically significant difference (χ 2=16.37, P<0.001). Conclusion:MESTFs demonstrated middle-age onset and no gender predilection. Cystic MESTFs are more likely to exhibit endophytic growth pattern with low-grade classification in BC system version 2019.

Interobserver agreement and diagnostic performance assessment of clear cell likelihood score using T 2WI with fat suppression technique / 中华放射学杂志

Objectives:To investigate the effect of fat suppression (FS) T 2WI on the interobserver agreement and diagnostic performance of clear cell likelihood score version 2.0 (ccLS v2.0) for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Methods:In this retrospective study, the MR images of 111 patients with pathologically confirmed small renal masses (SRM) from January to December 2021 were analyzed in the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital. Of the 111 SRM, 82 cases were ccRCC and 29 cases were non-ccRCC. Two radiologists independently assessed ccLS scores based on T 2WI signal intensity (hypointense, isointense, hyperintense) and other MRI features (ccLS-T 2WI). After a one-month interval, the ccLS scores were independently evaluated utilizing the frequency-selective saturation FS-T 2WI and other MRI features (ccLS-FS-T 2WI). Fisher′s exact test was used to compare the difference in SRM signal intensity on T 2WI and FS-T 2WI. The weighted Kappa test was performed to assess the interobserver agreement of the two radiologists, and differences in the weighted Kappa coefficients were compared using the Gwet consistency coefficient. Receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ccLS-T 2WI and ccLS-FS-T 2WI in diagnosing ccRCC, and the area under the curve (AUC) was compared utilizing the DeLong test. Results:The signal intensity of 111 SRM on T 2WI and FS-T 2WI had statistically significant difference (χ 2=126.33, P<0.001), consistent in 88 cases (79.3%) and varied in 23 cases (20.7%). The weighted Kappa coefficient of ccLS-T 2WI was 0.57 (95%CI 0.45-0.69) between the two radiologists, and the weighted Kappa coefficient of ccLS-FS-T 2WI was 0.55 (95%CI 0.42-0.67), and the difference was not statistically significant ( t=-0.65, P=0.520). The AUC of ccLS-T 2WI for ccRCC diagnosis was 0.92 (95%CI 0.86-0.97), while the AUC of ccLS-FS-T 2WI for ccRCC diagnosis was 0.91 (95%CI 0.85-0.96), and the difference was not statistically significant ( Z=1.50, P=0.133). Conclusions:The interobserver agreement and diagnostic performance of ccLS v2.0 based on T 2WI and FS-T 2WI sequences for ccRCC are comparable, and FS-T 2WI is applicable for the clinical application of ccLS v2.0.

Value of quantitative parameters of enhanced MRI in predicting collateral circulation in patients with renal cell carcinoma and inferior vena cava tumor thrombus / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To explore the value of quantitative parameters of enhanced MRI in predicting the establishment of inferior vena cava collateral circulation in patients with renal cell carcinoma and inferior vena cava tumor thrombus.Methods:Sixty-seven patients with renal cell carcinoma and inferior vena cava tumor thrombus who underwent radical resection and inferior vena cava venography in First Medical Center, PLA General Hospital from May 2006 to January 2021 were included retrospectively. According to the results of inferior vena cava venography, the patients were divided into two groups: the well-established collateral circulation group ( n=41) and the poor-established collateral circulation group ( n=26). Quantitative parameters were measured on preoperative enhanced MRI images, including tumor size, the maximum diameter of bilateral lumbar veins, the length of tumor thrombus, and the long and short diameters of tumor thrombus. Student′s t test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between the two groups. The independent risk factors related to the establishment of collateral circulation were obtained by binary logistic regression analysis and the model was established. The receiver operating characteristic curve was employed to evaluate MRI quantitative parameters and the logistic model, and the area under the curve (AUC) was compared by the DeLong test. Results:Between the well-established collateral circulation group and the poor-established collateral circulation group, the maximum diameter of the right lumbar vein, the maximum diameter of the left lumbar vein, the length of the tumor thrombus, the long diameter of the tumor thrombus, and the short diameter of the tumor thrombus were different significantly ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the tumor size between the two groups ( t=0.30, P=0.766). The AUC of the maximum diameters of the right lumbar veins and left lumbar veins, length of tumor thrombus, long and short diameters of tumor thrombus in predicting the collateral circulation were 0.917 (95%CI 0.824-0.971), 0.869 (95%CI 0.764-0.939), 0.756 (95%CI 0.636-0.853), 0.886 (95%CI 0.785-0.951), and 0.906 (95%CI 0.809-0.963). The AUC of the maximum diameter of the right lumbar vein and the short diameter of the tumor thrombus were larger than those of the length of the tumor thrombus, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=2.25, 2.04, P=0.025, 0.041), but the AUC between other parameters had no significant difference ( P>0.05). The maximum diameter of the right lumbar vein (OR 24.210, 95%CI 2.845-205.998), the maximum diameter of the left lumbar vein (OR 20.973, 95%CI 2.359-186.490), and the length of the tumor thrombus (OR 23.006, 95%CI 2.952-179.309) were independent risk factors for predicting the establishment of inferior vena cava collateral circulation. The AUC of logistic model was 0.969 (95%CI 0.931-1.000). Conclusion:Quantitative parameters of tumor thrombus and lumbar vein based on enhanced MRI have a good ability in predicting the establishment of inferior vena cava collateral circulation in patients with renal cell carcinoma and inferior vena cava tumor thrombus. The maximum diameter of bilateral lumbar veins and the length of the tumor thrombus were independent risk factors for inferior vena cava collateral circulation.

The clinical characteristics and surgical prognosis of Beh?et′s disease with heart valve involvement and literature review / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment of Beh?et′s disease complicated with cardiac valve involvement.Methods:We searched the wanfang medical database and Medline database to reviewed the domestic and foreign literature reports on cardiac Beh?et′s disease and analyzed their clinical features and therapeutic strategies. Chi-squared test was used for data analysis.Results:It was shown that Beh?et′s disease with cardiac valve involvement mainly affect men. The male to female ratio was 3.86∶1 in China and 2.50∶1 in foreign patients( χ2=1.32, P=0.251). The preoperative diagnosis rate was not high(60.3% in China, 57.1% abroad) ( χ2=0.13, P=0.716). Aortic valve and perivalvular lesions were the most common involved sites, of which aortic regurgitation was the most frequenty occurred, followed by mitral valve lesions. Glucocorticoids was still the main means treatment for medical(93/235 in China, 28/420 abroad), cyclophosphamide was more widely used in China(28/235), azathioprine was more widely used in foreign countries (12/42). Aortic replacement (AVR) was the mainly surgical approach, followed by artificial aortic valve replacement and left ventricular outflow tract plasty (Bentall).The incidence of postoperative perivalvular leakage or valve prolapse was higher with AVR than with Bentall(AVR 76.3%/Bentall 21.8% at home, χ2=32.60, P<0.001, AVR 71.4%/Bentall 0 abroad, χ2=13.84, P<0.001). Conclusions:Cardiac valve involvement is a severe complication of Beh?et′s disease. Heart involvement are more common, and the preoperative diagnosis rate is lower in China. The incidence of perivalve leakage (PVL) or valve prolapse (PD) after operation is higher with AVR than with Bentall surgery.The Bentall operation could improve prognosis and the postoperative complications abroad are lower than domestic.

Optimal evidence analysis for the nursing management of limb spasm in patients with spinal cord injury / 中华创伤杂志

Objective:To explore the optimal evidence for the nursing management of limb spasm in patients with spinal cord injury.Methods:Based on the "6S" evidence model, the databases including CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed and Cochrane Library, the guideline websites such as the National Guideline Clearinghouse, Guidelines International Network and Registered Nurses′ Association of Ontario, and the websites of professional associations such as the Royal College of Physicians, American Spinal Injury Association and Canadian Spine Association were systematically searched. Search period of each database was set from the year of inception until July 2022. Two investigators independently screened the literatures related to the management of limb spasm in patients with spinal cord injury, and conducted quality evaluation and evidence recommendation level evaluation.Results:Totally 17 literatures consisting of 6 guidelines, 3 expert consensuses, 5 systematic reviews, 2 evidence summaries, and 1 clinical decision were included. Moreover, 30 pieces of evidence were summarized from 3 aspects, including evaluation and identification, drug therapy (chemical denervation, and oral medication), rehabilitation training (hydrotherapy, electrical stimulation, magnetic stimulation, vibration therapy, heat and cold therapy, body position, and exercise therapy).Conclusion:Nursing staff can set up a multidisciplinary team according to the clinical environment and take into consideration of the characteristics of spinal cord injury patients to provide personalized interventions involving evaluation and identification, drug therapy, rehabilitation training, etc., so as to alleviate the degree of limb spasm.

Analysis on the Exemplary Role of Medical Youth in Public Health Emergencies / 中国医学伦理学

In recent years, due to the complex international situation, frequent outbreaks of public health emergencies, and the rapid development of various new media, negative emotions and various rumors often spread at an extremely fast speed within certain groups, and increase in geometric multiples. Medical youth, as young talents with medical professional knowledge, have a certain influence, and can adapt to the development of various new things in the new era and timely respond to various emergencies. They are also the backbone of various departments in hospitals in emergencies, especially public health emergencies. Therefore, combining the actual situation with on-site investigation to analyze the role model and exemplary role played by medical youth in public health emergencies, and further summarize and amplify this exemplary and pioneering role of medical youth through analysis and research, has important practical significance for fully exerting their positive role in such events.

Da Vinci robotic versus thoracoscopic surgery via subxiphoid approach for treatment of anterior mediastinal tumor: A retrospective cohort study / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective     To compare the effects of anterior mediastinal tumor resection by the Da Vinci robot and video-assisted thoracoscopy via subxiphoid approach. Methods     A retrospective cohort study was conducted to continuously enroll patients who underwent anterior mediastinal tumor resection between 2020 and 2021 in our department. They were divided into a robotic group and a subxiphoid thoracoscopic group. The differences of general indexes (intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, postoperative catheterization time, postoperative hospital stay), postoperative pain visual analogue scale (VAS), perioperative declining levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum prealbumin and serum albumin were compared and analyzed. Results     A total of 113 patients were enrolled. There were 76 patients in the robotic group (46 males and 30 females, median age of 50 years) and 37 patients in the subxiphoid thoracoscopic group (21 males and 16 females, median age of 51 years). Intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, postoperative catheterization time and postoperative hospital stay of the robotic group were better than those in the subxiphoid thoracoscopic group (P<0.05). The postoperative VAS scores in the robotic group were lower than those in the subxiphoid thoracoscopic group, but there was no statistical difference (P>0.05). Perioperative declining levels of hemoglobin, and hematocrit were not statistically different between the two groups (P>0.05). Declining levels of serum prealbumin, and serum albumin in the robotic group were lower than those in the subxiphoid thoracoscopic group (P<0.05). Conclusion     Da Vinci robotic and subxiphoid video-assisted thoracoscopic surgeries for the treatment of anterior mediastinal tumors are both safe and reliable, with short postoperative hospital stay, mild postoperative pain and quick recovery. Da Vinci robot surgery has a slight advantage in the treatment outcome.

Analysis of the current situation and countermeasures of pediatric drug procurement in China under the background of centralized drug procurement / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To analyze the current situation of pediatric drug use under centralized drug procurement， and to provide reference for the subsequent design of pediatric drug centralized procurement rules. METHODS The comparative analysis method was used to analyze the problems in the centralized procurement， clinical use and supply of pediatric drugs from the aspects of centralized procurement selection results and actual use of pediatric drugs， price difference and online prices of pediatric drugs. The solutions were put forward to optimize the centralized procurement and pricing rules of pediatric drugs. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS The demands for pediatric drugs in China were increasing， but the supply of marketed pediatric drugs was insufficient （including insufficient coverage of disease fields， insufficient varieties， insufficient suitable dosage forms for children， insufficient specifications for children， etc.）， and the development of pediatric drugs was relatively difficult. After merging the dosage forms of centralized procurement according to the medical insurance list， some suitable dosage forms and specifications for children couldn’t be selected， resulting in a shortage of clinical pediatric medication. Relevant enterprises’ enthusiasm for developing and producing pediatric drugs and participating in online competitions had decreased. There was also the problem of underpricing of pediatric drugs under the drug price difference ratio rule. It is recommended that when conducting centralized drug procurement， special drugs for children should be grouped separately for centralized procurement based on attributes and the population covered by the indications. The specifications of suitable pediatric drugs that were not selected are converted into the agreed purchase quantity of medical institutions in a certain proportion. It is necessary to further optimize the pricing rules for pediatric specialized drugs， ensure a certain profit margin for such drugs， increase the willingness of production enterprises to research， develop and supply drugs， and thus ensure the use and supply of pediatric drugs.

Identification of taste critical quality attribute and formulation optimization of Xiaoer Qingrening Granules based on electronic tongue and human senses / 药学学报

This study primarily concentrated on scientific problems of poor taste caused by unclear critical quality attributes of oral preparations manufactured by Chinese materia medica, successfully established an identification method for taste critical quality attribute and a taste improvement method combining electronic tongue with human senses, and determined the optimal taste formula, to improve patients' oral medication compliance. The study received ethical approval from the Review Committee of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. The results showed that the proportion of bitterness of Xiaoer Qingrening Granule was 61.8%, and its bitterness grade was 3.70, it was determined that bitterness is the critical quality attribute that caused the poor taste of Xiaoer Qingrening Granule. Additionally, the optimal taste formula per milliliter of Xiaoer Qingrening sugar-free intermediate was determined with allowable daily intake, solubility, and sweetness as the limiting conditions, which was 40 mg hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin, 180 mg trehalose, and 1.5 mg acesulfame potassium. Compared with the Xiaoer Qingrening Granule, the sensory evaluation score of the optimal taste formula was increased by 37.5 points. In conclusion, this study achieved the taste improvement of Xiaoer Qingrening Granule and formed a set of taste improvement strategies including the identification of taste critical quality attribute, the selection of the type and dosage of corrigent, and the optimization of taste formula, which provided a thought reference for the taste improvement of other oral preparations and a new perspective for quality control of intelligent manufacturing of traditional Chinese medicines.

Analysis of influencing factors for prolonged postoperative hospital stay after Da Vinci robot-assisted mediastinal tumor resection with non-endotracheal intubation and the process optimization / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@# Objective     To analyze the risk factors for postoperative length of stay (PLOS) after mediastinal tumor resection by robot-assisted non-endotracheal intubation and to optimize the perioperative process. Methods    The clinical data of patients who underwent Da Vinci robot-assisted mediastinal tumor resection with non-endotracheal intubation at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from 2016 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the median PLOS, the patients were divided into two groups. The univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze risk factors for prolonged PLOS (longer than median PLOS). Results    A total of 190 patients were enrolled, including 92 males and 98 females with a median age of 51.5 (41.0, 59.0) years. The median PLOS of all patients was 3.0 (2.0, 4.0) d. There were 71 patients in the PLOS>3 d group and 119 patients in the PLOS≤3 d group. Multivariate logistic regression showed that indwelled thoracic catheter [OR=11.852, 95%CI (2.384, 58.912), P=0.003], preoperative symptoms of muscle weakness [OR=4.814, 95%CI (1.337, 17.337), P=0.016] and postoperative visual analogue scale>5 points [OR=6.696, 95%CI (3.033, 14.783), P<0.001] were independent factors for prolonged PLOS. Totally no tube (TNT) allowed patients to be discharged on the first day after surgery. Conclusion    Robot-assisted mediastinal tumor resection with non-endotracheal intubation can promote rapid recovery. The methods of optimizing perioperative process are TNT, controlling muscle weakness symptoms and postoperative pain relief.

Method exploration of telephone follow-up in clinical research / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Telephone follow-up is one of the important ways to follow up patients. High-quality follow-up can benefit both doctors and patients. However, clinical research-related follow-up is often faced with problems such as time-consuming, laborious and poor patient compliance. The authors belong to a team that has been committed to the study of patient-reported outcomes for a long time. The team has carried out long-term follow-up of symptoms, daily function and postoperative complications of more than 1 000 patients after lung cancer surgery, and accumulated certain experience. In this paper, the experience of telephone follow-up was summarized and discussed with relevant literatures from the aspects of clarifying the purpose of clinical research follow-up, understanding the needs of patients in follow-up, and using follow-up skills.

Perioperative effects of da Vinci robot with totally no tube versus subxiphoid video-assisted thymectomy surgery for thymic tumors: A retrospective cohort study / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective     To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of da Vinci robot with totally no tube (TNT) versus subxiphoid video-assisted thymectomy surgery (SVATS) in the treatment of thymic tumors. Methods     From 2019 to 2021, a retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with thymic tumor resection in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command. All patients underwent total thymectomy and mediastinal fat removal, and they were divided into a TNT group and a SVATS group according to the operation method. The intraoperative blood loss, conversion rate, postoperative visual analogue score (VAS), postoperative hospital stay time and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Results     We finally included 435 patiets. There were 168 patients with 83 males and 85 females at an average age of 61.920±9.210 years in the TNT group and 267 patients with 147 males and 120 females at an average age of 61.460±8.119 years in the SVATS group. There was no death or postoperative myasthenic crisis in both groups. There was no statistical difference in postoperative hospital stay (1.540±0.500 d vs. 3.400±0.561 d, P=0.000), intraoperative blood loss (13.450±5.498 mL vs. 108.610±54.462 mL, P=0.000), postoperative 24 h VAS score (4.960±1.757 points vs. 3.600±1.708 points, P=0.000), or postoperative complication rate (3.0% vs. 11.6%, P=0.001). Conclusion     TNT is a more efficient, safe, and effective surgical approach for treating thymic tumors, which can shorten hospital stay time and reduce postoperative complications. However, SVATS can minimize postoperative pain.

Perioperative outcomes of robot-assisted versus video-assisted left upper lobectomy in non-small cell lung cancer: A retrospective cohort study / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To summarize the efficacy of robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the treatment of left upper lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer. Methods    The clinical data of patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent left upper lobectomy with RATS or VATS in our center from January 2019 to October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to surgical methods: a RATS group and a VATS group. The baseline clinical data and results were compared between the two groups. Results    A total of 145 patients were included. There were 78 males and 67 females with a mean age of 59.9 years. There were 63 patients in the RATS group and 82 patients in the VATS group. There was no death within 30 days after operation in both groups. In the RATS group, the drainage volume on the second postoperative day (233.49±83.94 mL vs. 284.88±120.21 mL, P=0.003), total operative time (126.94±29.50 min vs. 181.59±61.51 min, P=0.000), intraoperative resection time of the left upper lobe (76.48±27.52 min vs. 107.23±47.84 min, P=0.000), intraoperative blood loss (P=0.000), and conversion rate to thoracotomy (P=0.018) were significantly better than those in the VATS group. The group (5.41±0.94 groups vs. 4.83±1.31 groups, P=0.002) and number (18.27±7.39 vs. 12.76±6.54, P=0.000) of dissected lymph nodes in the RATS group were significantly more than those in the VATS group. The differences in the drainage volume on the first day after operation, postoperative intubation time, postoperative hospital stay or postoperative complications between the two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion    The application of RATS in the left upper lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer is safe and feasible, and has obvious advantages over VATS.

A multi-center study on evaluation of leukocyte differential performance by an artificial intelligence-based Digital Cell Morphology Analyzer / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the performance of an artificial intelligent (AI)-based automated digital cell morphology analyzer (hereinafter referred as AI morphology analyzer) in detecting peripheral white blood cells (WBCs).Methods:A multi-center study. 1. A total of 3010 venous blood samples were collected from 11 tertiary hospitals nationwide, and 14 types of WBCs were analyzed with the AI morphology analyzers. The pre-classification results were compared with the post-classification results reviewed by senior morphological experts in evaluate the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and agreement of the AI morphology analyzers on the WBC pre-classification. 2. 400 blood samples (no less than 50% of the samples with abnormal WBCs after pre-classification and manual review) were selected from 3 010 samples, and the morphologists conducted manual microscopic examinations to differentiate different types of WBCs. The correlation between the post-classification and the manual microscopic examination results was analyzed. 3. Blood samples of patients diagnosed with lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, or myeloproliferative neoplasms were selected from the 3 010 blood samples. The performance of the AI morphology analyzers in these five hematological malignancies was evaluated by comparing the pre-classification and post-classification results. Cohen′s kappa test was used to analyze the consistency of WBC pre-classification and expert audit results, and Passing-Bablock regression analysis was used for comparison test, and accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and agreement were calculated according to the formula.Results:1. AI morphology analyzers can pre-classify 14 types of WBCs and nucleated red blood cells. Compared with the post-classification results reviewed by senior morphological experts, the pre-classification accuracy of total WBCs reached 97.97%, of which the pre-classification accuracies of normal WBCs and abnormal WBCs were more than 96% and 87%, respectively. 2. The post-classification results reviewed by senior morphological experts correlated well with the manual differential results for all types of WBCs and nucleated red blood cells (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, immature granulocytes, blast cells, nucleated erythrocytes and malignant cells r>0.90 respectively, reactive lymphocytes r=0.85). With reference, the positive smear of abnormal cell types defined by The International Consensus Group for Hematology, the AI morphology analyzer has the similar screening ability for abnormal WBC samples as the manual microscopic examination. 3. For the blood samples with malignant hematologic diseases, the AI morphology analyzers showed accuracies higher than 84% on blast cells pre-classification, and the sensitivities were higher than 94%. In acute myeloid leukemia, the sensitivity of abnormal promyelocytes pre-classification exceeded 95%. Conclusion:The AI morphology analyzer showed high pre-classification accuracies and sensitivities on all types of leukocytes in peripheral blood when comparing with the post-classification results reviewed by experts. The post-classification results also showed a good correlation with the manual differential results. The AI morphology analyzer provides an efficient adjunctive white blood cell detection method for screening malignant hematological diseases.

Discussion of the process of conducting an investigator-initiated research / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#The number of investigator initiated research (IIR) is increasing. But the recognition and management of IIR in China is still in its infancy, and there is a lack of specific and operable guidance for the implementation process. Based on our practical experiences, previous literature reports, and current policy regulations, the authors took prospective IIR as an example to summarize the implementation process of IIR into 14 steps, which are as the following: study initiation, ethical review, study registration, study filing, case report form design, database establishment, standard operating procedure making, investigator training, informed consent, data collection, data entry, data verification, data locking and data archiving.

Effects of propofol on glutamatergic neuronal activity in paraventricular thalamus / 药学学报

This study explored the effects of propofol on the activity of glutamatergic neurons in the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) and the underlying mechanisms at the molecular level using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. Acute brain slices containing the PVT were obtained from 8 weeks old C57BL/6J mice. The electrophysiological characteristics of PVT neurons were recorded in current-clamp mode, then single-cell sequencing was used to identify neuronal types. The firing frequencies before, during, and after propofol or intralipid application were recorded as FB, FD and FW; and the membrane potentials were recorded as MPB and MPD. Picrotoxin (PTX) was used to block inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors during the application of propofol at 10 μmol·L-1. Then, GABAA receptor-mediated spontaneous and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs and mIPSCs) were recorded, and the effects of 10 μmol·L-1 propofol were investigated. The animal experiments were approved by the Medical Animal Administrative Committee of Shanghai Medical College Fudan University. The results showed that there were no significant differences in FB, FD and FW during intralipid and 2 μmol·L-1 propofol application. With propofol at 5, 10 and 20 μmol·L-1, FD decreased significantly when compared with FB, and FW increased significantly as compared with FD (P < 0.01). The inhibition degree of the three concentration groups was significantly different (P < 0.01). In addition, with propofol at 20 μmol·L-1, MPD hyperpolarized significantly (P < 0.01). In the presence of PTX, 10 μmol·L-1 propofol could not suppress the firing frequency of PVT glutamatergic neurons. Propofol at 10 μmol·L-1 prolonged the decay time of sIPSCs (P < 0.01) and mIPSCs (P < 0.05), and increased the amplitude (P < 0.01) of mIPSCs of PVT glutamatergic neurons. Together, these results indicate that propofol can inhibit the activity of PVT glutamatergic neurons in a concentration-dependent and reversible manner, and the effect is likely to be mediated by postsynaptic GABAA receptors.

Efficacy，safety and cost-effectiveness of polyisobutylene-type Gutong plaster in the treatment of osteoarthritis in Chinese adults / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy， safety and cost-effectiveness of polyisobutylene （PIB）-type Gutong plaster （called “PIB Gutong plaster” for short） versus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs （NSAIDs） in the treatment of osteoarthritis in Chinese adults. METHODS Based on a real-world study， after propensity score matching， the decrease in pain visual simulation score， utility increase， time to pain resolution， time to return to normal range of motion and total adverse events of PIB Gutong plaster versus three NSAIDs （celecoxib， diclofenac sodium， and ibuprofen） were evaluated. Cost-utility analysis was used to calculate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio （ICER） of patients using PIB Gutong plaster versus the three NSAIDs from the perspective of the whole society， and sensitivity analysis was carried out. RESULTS In terms of effectiveness， the recovery time of joint activity in PIB Gutong plaster group was significantly longer than that in celecoxib group， the decrease in VAS score of PIB Gutong plaster was significantly higher than that of ibuprofen but significantly lower than that of diclofenac sodium； the time of pain disappearance was longer than that in diclofenac sodium group and ibuprofen group， and the increase in health utility was significantly lower than that in diclofenac sodium group （P＜0.05）. In terms of safety， there were no significant differences in the incidence and severity of adverse events of PIB Gutong plaster， compared with the three NSAIDs， without statistical significance （P＜0.05）. In terms of cost-effectiveness， compared with celecoxib and diclofenac sodium， PIB Gutong plaster was dominant. Compared with ibuprofen， the ICER value of PIB Gutong plaster was 178 611.58 yuan/QALY， indicating that at the current price， PIB Gutong plaster was cost-effective if the threshold was 3 times GDP per capita. The results of sensitivity analysis were consistent with those of basic analysis. CONCLUSIONS The efficacy of PIB Gutong plaster was better than that of ibuprofen， similar to that of celecoxib， but worse than that of diclofenac sodium， the safety was consistent with the three NSAIDs， and the cost-effectiveness of PIB Gutong plaster needs to be improved.