Atherosclerosis (AS), a chronic inflammatory disorder of the vasculature, remains the principal driver of cardiovascular disease, accounting for substantial morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burden worldwide. Beyond its vascular implications, recent research highlights the metabolic reprogramming of glutamine (Gln) as a central axis in disease biology. Glutamine metabolism, long recognized for its role in tumorigenesis, is now emerging as a critical determinant of clinical outcomes across diverse cancers, underscoring its broader relevance to pathological processes.

Thoracotomy often causes respiratory muscle injury, reduced chest wall expansion, decreased lung volume, and limited shoulder range of motion (ROM). Respiratory muscle-stretching exercises (RMSE) have been proposed to enhance chest expansion and facilitate recovery. This aimed to compare the effects of RMSE combined with conventional physical therapy versus conventional therapy alone in patients undergoing elective thoracotomy.

Bronchial Dieulafoy disease (BDD) is a rare vascular anomaly that can cause severe hemoptysis, often complicating the management of patients with unexplained bleeding. Misdiagnosis and inappropriate procedures, such as blind bronchoscopic biopsies, can lead to catastrophic hemorrhage. This study is aimed to enhance clinicians' understanding of BDD and to evaluate the effectiveness of interventional treatment strategies in preventing severe hemorrhage.

Competitive flow (CF) in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) occurs when graft flow is impaired due to higher competing flow from either the native circulation or another graft and may result in functional graft occlusion. We report a case of functional graft occlusion of a left internal mammary artery (LIMA) due to flow competition with a saphenous vein graft (SVG) and discuss the rationale of ligating the graft responsible for the CF.

Pacing catheter-induced right ventricular (RV) perforation is a rare, life-threatening complication. Its surgical procedure typically involves lead extraction and perforation site repair via a median sternotomy. Recently, a minimally invasive approach via a minithoracotomy has been the alternative feasible approach to cardiac surgery; it reportedly prevents sternotomy-related morbidities or offers favorable cosmetic results. Herein, we present two cases in which a temporary pacing catheter-induced RV perforation was repaired via left minithoractomy. CASE 1: An 84-year-old female was admitted with a complete atrioventricular block, which was then treated by temporary pacing catheterization. Two days later, the pacing failed. Computed tomography and echocardiography revealed that the temporary pacing catheter migrated and penetrated the RV apex without pericardial effusion. Subsequently, we repaired the perforation via a left minithoracotomy through the left sixth intercostal space. Intraoperatively, a hematoma was detected on the RV apex, with the penetrated catheter covered by the epicardium. After removing the pacing catheter, we achieved hemostasis by using sheet-type hemostatic agents. CASE 2: A 91-year-old female developed a complete atrioventricular block following transcatheter aortic valve implantation. She then underwent temporary pacing catheterization. Two days postoperatively, the pacing failed because the catheter was dislocated, as confirmed by chest X-ray. Computed tomography also revealed RV perforation apparently. Meanwhile, the fixing sutures of the pacing catheter were loose. She then underwent RV repair via a left minithoracotomy in the same fashion as that of case 1. The pacing catheter perforated the RV apex apparently, with bloody pericardial effusion. After removing the pacing catheter percutaneously, we repaired the perforation site through mattress suturing.

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a common malignancy with poor prognosis. Telomeres, composed of repetitive DNA sequences and shelterin complexes, play important roles in tumor biology. However, the prognostic value of telomere-related genes (TRGs) in EC remains unclear.

Acute type A aortic dissection(aTAAD) complicated by mesenteric malperfusion (MMP) is associated with a high mortality rate due to bowel necrosis and subsequent multiorgan failure [(Yang B et al. in J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 158:675-687 e674, 2019), (Wang C et al. in Rev Cardiovasc Med 24:127, 2023)]. The optimal management strategy remains controversial, particularly regarding the timing and extent of bowel resection. Extensive resection can lead to short bowel syndrome, resulting in chronic intestinal failure and poor nutritional outcomes. Here, we present a case of aTAAD successfully managed with staged bowel resection guided by intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography.

Existing prognostic models for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) are based on previous versions of tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging. Therefore, this study was devoted to developing a nomogram based on the 9th TNM staging to predict the prognosis of stage II SCLC patients. This nomogram aims not only to provide a more accurate prognostic prediction for clinicians but also to assist in personalized treatment decision - making for stage II SCLC patients, which is of great significance in improving the overall survival rate and quality of life of patients.

Cardioplegia is routinely used in cardiac surgery to prevent endothelial damage associated with ischemia-reperfusion. However, there is no consensus on the optimal vasculoprotective cardioplegia. We aim to assess endothelial integrity using coronary sinus blood samples in patients who have received various types of cardioplegia.

Papillary muscle rupture is a rare and potentially fatal complication of acute myocardial ischemia, which typically results in acute severe mitral regurgitation and cardiogenic shock. Due to the urgent need for medical and surgical intervention and high mortality, chronic presentation of mitral regurgitation from papillary muscle rupture is unusual and, to our knowledge, with no reported incidence.

Congenital descending aorta to pulmonary vein fistula (cDAPVF) is a rare congenital vascular malformation diagnosed in infancy and childhood. Adult cDAPVF is often asymptomatic and usually detected incidentally by imaging. At present, cases of adults with an enlarged left heart due to cDAPVF have rarely been reported.

The objective of this study was to comprehensively assess the radiological and pathological impacts of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor - Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (EGFR - TKIs) on ground - glass opacity (GGO) - featured lung adenocarcinoma. This evaluation aimed to provide valuable insights into the efficacy of EGFR - TKIs treatment for such tumors.