Objective To investigate the expression profile, prognostic value, gene co-expression network, and immunomodulatory role of BRF1 in a pan-cancer context, and to explore its biological functions and molecular regulatory mechanisms in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods The pan-cancer dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was utilized to analyze the differential expression of BRF1 in tumor versus normal tissues, its association with patient survival, pathway enrichment for co-expressed genes, and immune features (including immune checkpoints, cytokines, and immune cell infiltration). The expression profile of BRF1 in ESCC was validated using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. In vitro, BRF1 was knocked down in ESCC cells using siRNA. Cell proliferation and migration were assessed by MTT and Transwell assays, respectively. The expression levels of proliferation- and migration-related proteins were detected by Western blotting. The correlation between BRF1 and ferroptosis was analyzed using TCGA data. Results BRF1 was significantly upregulated in over 20 types of cancer, and its high expression was associated with poor prognosis in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma and prostate adenocarcinoma. BRF1 was found to positively regulate the T-cell-mediated cell death pathway in esophageal adenocarcinoma and was associated with the circadian rhythm regulation pathway in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The correlation of BRF1 with immune checkpoints, cytokine networks, and immune cell infiltration was found to be cancer type-specific. In vitro experiments demonstrated that knocking down BRF1 significantly inhibited the proliferation of ESCC cells, accompanied by the downregulation of the proliferation marker PCNA. Cell migration was also significantly impaired, with decreased expression of Vimentin and MMPs and increased expression of E-cadherin. Furthermore, the expression of BRF1 was positively correlated with that of ferroptosis-antagonizing genes, such as GPX4, HSPA5, and SLC7A11. Conclusion BRF1 plays complex roles in pan-cancer, participating in the regulation of tumorigenesis, progression, and immune infiltration. BRF1 promotes the proliferation and migration of ESCC cells, a mechanism potentially associated with the regulation of ferroptosis resistance. These findings suggest that BRF1 could be a potential therapeutic target for ESCC.

Esophageal cancer is a prevalent malignant tumor of the digestive tract in China, and radical surgery remains the cornerstone of its comprehensive treatment. However, multifactorial challenges such as postoperative gastrointestinal tract reconstruction, traumatic stress, and tumor-related metabolic disturbances render esophageal cancer patients highly susceptible to malnutrition. Perioperative nutritional support therapy plays a crucial role in enhancing surgical safety, improving clinical outcomes, and elevating patients' quality of life by regulating metabolic homeostasis, preserving organ function, and optimizing the immune microenvironment. This article reviews the mechanisms underlying malnutrition in esophageal cancer, methods for nutritional status assessment, and precision intervention pathways based on multi-omics evaluations. The aim is to strengthen clinicians' awareness of standardized perioperative nutritional management for esophageal cancer patients and promote its clinical implementation, thereby facilitating postoperative recovery and improving long-term quality of life.

Patients with Takayasu arteritis combined with aortic valve disease often have a poor prognosis following surgical valve replacement, frequently encountering complications such as perivalvular leakage, valve detachment, and anastomotic aneurysm. This article presents a high-risk case wherein severe aortic valve insufficiency associated with Takayasu arteritis was successfully managed through transcatheter aortic valve implantation via the transapical approach. The patient had satisfactory valve function with no complications observed during the six-month postoperative follow-up. This case provides a minimally invasive and feasible alternative for the clinical management of such high-risk patients.

Objective To explore the effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on preoperative heart rate variability in patients with heart valves. Methods Patients scheduled to undergo on-pump cardiac valve surgery in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, between January and July 2022 were initially enrolled. Eligible patients were randomly assigned at a 1 : 1 ratio to either the RIPC group or the control group. Relevant indicators of heart rate variability [standard deviation of NN interval (SDNN), standard deviation of mean value of NN interval in every five minutes (SDANN), mean square root of difference between consecutive NN intervals (RMSSD), percentage of adjacent RR interval>50 ms (PNN50), low frequency (LF) component, high frequency (HF) component and LF/HF] at 8 hours in the morning on the surgical day between two groups were compared. Results A total of 118 patients were initially assessed. After screening, 58 patients were excluded, and 60 patients provided written informed consent and were enrolled in the trial, with 30 allocated to the RIPC group and 30 to the control group. Seven patients in the control group and 5 patients in the RIPC group were subsequently excluded due to missing heart rate variability data resulting from cancelled operations. Finally, 23 patients in the control group and 25 patients in the RIPC group were included in the analysis. There was no statistical difference in baseline characteristics between the two groups, and there was no significant difference in heart rate variability 24 hours before intervention (P>0.05). After the intervention measures were taken, the comparison of the results of heart rate variability at 8 hours on the day of operation showed that SDNN and SDANN of patients in the RIPC group were higher than those in the control group, with statistical differences (P<0.05). Conclusion RIPC can stabilize the preoperative heart rate variability of patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery.

Hepatitis D is an inflammatory liver disease caused by hepatitis D virus （HDV） infection， and co-infection of HDV and hepatitis B virus dramatically accelerates the progression of liver disease and significantly increases the risk of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. However， due to insufficient awareness and concern about hepatitis D among the public， clinicians， and public health workers， the screening rate of hepatitis D remains at a relatively low level around the world. The true disease burden of hepatitis D has been seriously underestimated， and it has become one of the major challenges in the global campaign of hepatitis elimination. This article systematically reviews the current epidemiological situation of hepatitis D， prevention and control strategies， and related issues and challenges and analyzes the future strategies and measures for prevention and control， in order to provide a reference for promoting the achievement of the goal to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat.

BACKGROUND:The Guilu Erxian Glue consists of Testudinis Plastrum,Cornu Cervi,Lycii Fructus,and Ginseng Radix.In earlier clinical observations,it is discovered that using Guilu Erxian Glue to treat patients with liver-kidney deficiency type knee osteoarthritis effectively alleviated knee pain,increased the range of motion,and improved walking ability.However,the exact mechanism by which oral administration of Guilu Erxian Glue can produce local therapeutic effects on the knee joint is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of Guilu Erxian Glue on gut microbiota in rats with knee osteoarthritis and to evaluate its mechanism using 16S rDNA sequencing and machine learning analysis.METHODS:Totally 18 female SD rats were randomly divided into three groups:blank group,model group,and Guilu Erxian Glue group,with 6 rats in each group.A knee osteoarthritis model was prepared using the destabilization of the medial meniscus surgical method.After successful modeling,the Guilu Erxian Glue group was given a decoction of Guilu Erxian Glue by gavage,while the blank and model groups were given an equal amount of distilled water.After 28 days of continuous intervention,high performance liquid chromatography was used to detect the active ingredients of Guilu Erxian Glue.MRI imaging was used to observe the condition of rat knee articular cartilage.Fecal samples were collected;DNA was extracted using a kit,amplified and purified by PCR,and an Illumina sequencing library was constructed.The Illumina MiSeq platform was used for high-throughput sequencing to generate raw sequence data.After obtaining the raw data,QIIME2 software was used to process the data.Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size analysis and random forest algorithm were used to screen for differential species in microbial data.KEGG and MetaCyc functional pathway analyses were used to explore the association between key microbial communities and experimental groups.Linear discriminant analysis effect values and random forest algorithm were used to screen for differential species.Association networks were used to analyze the interactions between microbial communities,and machine learning methods were used to analyze the composition and changes of gut microbiota.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)LC-MS component identification was conducted on the traditional Chinese medicine formula of Guilu Erxian Glue,and a total of 7 effective ingredients were identified.(2)MRI imaging showed that synovitis scope of high-density shadows in rats of the Guilu Erxian Glue group was reduced,and the degeneration of medial femoral condyle cartilage was less than that in the model group.(3)16S rDNA sequencing showed that the model group rats exhibited significant microbial imbalance,with a significant decrease in the abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes at the phylum level,while the proportion of Proteobacteria increased significantly(P＜0.05).The gut microbiota structure of rats in the Guilu Erxian Glue group was significantly improved,and the proportion of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes increased,restoring a more diverse microbiota composition,approaching that of the blank group(P＜0.05).(4)KEGG and MetaCyc functional pathway analysis showed that the Guilu Erxian Glue group significantly activated multiple metabolic pathways,including amino acid metabolism,lipid metabolism,and biotin synthesis pathways(P＜0.05).(5)The results indicate that Guilu Erxian Glue contains seven active ingredients,and the changes in gut microbiota of knee osteoarthritis rats were analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing.Guilu Erxian Glue can significantly improve the imbalance of gut microbiota,restore the abundance of beneficial bacteria,and have a significant impact on the composition of gut microbiota,providing scientific basis for the efficacy and mechanism of Guilu Erxian Glue.

Hepatitis B virus （HBV） infection is the primary cause of viral hepatitis and represents a substantial disease burden in China. However， effective and safe agents capable of completely eliminating HBV DNA are still lacking. In modern medicine， anti-HBV strategies mainly target covalently closed circular DNA （cccDNA）， among other mechanisms， and multiple novel drugs are currently under clinical investigation. Traditional medicine has been shown to exert anti-HBV effects through direct pathways， such as blocking viral entry， as well as indirect pathways， including the regulation of programmed cell death. Studies have confirmed that the integration of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and Western medicine in treating HBV infection and its related complications offers complementary advantages， particularly in enhancing HBV clearance rates， improving liver function， preventing various complications， and delaying the progression from hepatic fibrosis to hepatocellular carcinoma. This review focuses on advances in anti-HBV research involving TCM， Western medicine， and their integrated application， aiming to provide a basis for integrated HBV therapy and new drug development.

Age-related macular degeneration(ARMD)is a progressive visual impairment fundus disease that frequently occurs in individuals aged >55 years. The main risk factors are aging, long-term smoking, genetics, and racial differences. Pathogenesis includes abnormal function of the retinal pigment epithelium, damaged blood-retinal barrier, and abnormal immune function. Currently, intravitreal injection(IVI)of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)drugs is the preferred treatment option for ARMD in clinical practice. However, it also faces challenges such as repeated treatments, high medical costs, and poor patient compliance. The predicament in the treatment of ARMD has given rise to several new treatment options. This article aims to review the treatment methods and progress of dry ARMD and wet ARMD, providing new ideas for addressing the limitations of the current clinical anti-VEGF treatment.

Neurocritical care involves complex pathophysiological mechanisms, and its incidence is higher, injuries are more severe, and treatment is more challenging in high-altitude environments. This consensus, based on the latest domestic and international evidence-based medical data, establishes a standardized, goal-oriented framework for neurocritical care management applicable in high-altitude regions and nationwide. The consensus was developed following international standards for evidence quality assessment and underwent two rounds of Delphi expert consultation, resulting in 32 recommendation statements covering three parts: management systems, monitoring and assessment, and core strategies. Key updates include: advocating for the establishment of independent neurocritical care units and implementing precise tiered diagnosis and treatment based on the "Five Differences in Critical Care" concept; constructing a "trinity" multimodal brain monitoring system centered on cerebral blood flow, cerebral oxygenation, and brain function, emphasizing routine bedside transcranial Doppler ultrasound, cerebral oximetry, and continuous electroencephalography monitoring; shifting management strategies from mild hypothermia therapy to targeted temperature management, and defining the "446" target management pathway for the supercritical stage; emphasizing the assessment of static and dynamic cerebrovascular autoregulation functions through multimodal methods to achieve individualized optimal mean arterial pressure management; elevating cerebrospinal fluid management goals to the level of "glymphatic system" function maintenance; implementing a multidisciplinary collaborative, whole-process management model focusing on patients' long-term neurological functional outcomes; de-escalation criteria include multidimensional indicators such as recovery of brain structure, restoration of cerebrovascular autoregulation, improvement in cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, and reduction in biomarker levels; and integrating cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence into post-critical care management and rehabilitation planning. This consensus systematically integrates the entire process of neurocritical care management, reflecting the modern connotation of goal-oriented, dynamic, and multimodal integration in neurocritical care medicine. It aims to adapt to new trends such as deepening understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms, the integration of medicine and engineering, and the empowerment of artificial intelligence, thereby further advancing the discipline of critical care medicine.

Central nervous system adaptation represents a core compensatory mechanism whereby the nervous system dynamically adjusts structure and function to counteract pathological damages, relying on the synergistic effects of multi-level neural plasticity. Amblyopia training may enhance cortical function through dichoptic augmented reality and visual attention exercises, cognitive training and neuroimmunomodulation may facilitate multifocal intraocular lens adaptation after cataract surgery, transcranial alternating current stimulation may improve visual fields in glaucoma, and perceptual learning may optimize eccentric fixation in age-related macular degeneration rehabilitation. These therapeutic approaches may shift the focus of managements from traditional structural repair to neural functional remodeling in ophthalmic diseases, which will open a new way for enhancing patients' visual function and quality of vision. This review aims to systematically review the mechanisms underlying central nervous system adaptability, its current applications in ocular disease rehabilitation and future prospects.