Esophageal cancer （EC） is a highly prevalent malignant tumor in China. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway， as one of the key oncogenic pathways， can promote the cell cycle progression， proliferation， migration， and invasion， induce chemoresistance， and inhibit apoptosis and autophagy of EC cells. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， with the advantages of targeting multiple points with multiple components to delay cancer progression， can target the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway for EC treatment. This article preliminarily discusses the molecular mechanism and role of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in EC and elaborates on the specific targets and efficacy of TCM in treating EC through intervention in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the past five years. TCM materials and extracts inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in EC include Borneolum， spore powder of Ganoderma lucidum without spore coat， extract of Celastrus orbiculatus， root extract of Taraxacum， and Bruceae Fructus oil emulsion. TCM active ingredients exerting the effect include flavonoids， terpenoids， saponins， phenols， polysaccharides， alkaloids， and other compounds. TCM compound prescriptions with such effect include Qige San， Huqi San， Xuanfu Daizhetang， Tongyoutang and its decomposed prescriptions， Liujunzi Tang， and Xishenzhi Formula. In addition， TCM injections such as Compound Kushen Injection and Kang'ai injection also inhibit the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in EC. This paper summarizes the role of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in EC and the TCM interventions， aiming to provide reference for the research and clinical application of new drugs for EC.

AIM:To compare the effect of AT TORBI 709M and Tecnis ZMT intraocular lenses on astigmatism correction in patients with corneal astigmatism at 3 mo after operation based on the standard astigmatism vector analysis.METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study. The clinical data of 69 patients(69 eyes)with corneal astigmatism who underwent phacoemulsification and implantation of toric intraocular lens(IOL)from June 2021 to December 2021 in Day Surgery Center of Xi'an No.1 Hospital was analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups. In group one, 38 cases(38 eyes)were implanted with AT TORBI 709M, and 31 patients(31 eyes)with Tecnis ZMT in group two. The axial length, preoperative astigmatism and axis, and the degree of intraocular lens were recorded. The uncorrected distance visual acuity(UCDVA), best corrected distance visual acuity(BCDVA), diopter, residual astigmatism and axis were recorded preoperatively and at 1 wk, 1 and 3 mo postoperatively. The postoperative surgical indicators, including spherical equivalent(SE), target induced astigmatism vector(TIA), surgically induced astigmatism vector(SIA), magnitude of error(ME), absolute value of angle of error(|AE|), absolute value of difference vector(|DV|), correction index(CI), and index of success(IOS)were evaluated by the standard astigmatism vector analysis.RESULTS:Postoperative UCDVA and BCDVA were significantly improved(all P<0.001), and there were statistically significant differences compared to preoperative UCDVA and BCDVA(all P<0.001). While, there was no significant difference in UCDVA and BCDVA between the two groups(P=0.275, 0.124). The standard astigmatism vector analysis showed that a good astigmatism correction was achieved in both AT TORBI 709M group and Tecnis ZMT group, and both |DV| and IOS were close to 0(P=0.329, 0.288). The CI of the AT TORBI 709M group was closer to 1, indicating a better astigmatism correction, while the CI of the Tecnis ZMT group was higher than 1, suggesting an overcorrection of astigmatism. However, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant(P=0.193). The mean residual astigmatism at 3 mo postoperatively was -0.11±0.91 D in the AT TORBI 709M group and -0.46±0.76 D in the Tecnis ZMT group, respectively, showing no statistically significance difference(t=1.732, P=0.088).CONCLUSION:Both the flat loop AT TORBI 709M and the double C-loop Tecnis ZMT intraocular lenses can effectively improve postoperative visual acuity in patients with regular corneal astigmatism, showing good rotational stability and comparable correction abilities for both astigmatism with the rule and against-the-rule astigmatism.

Compared with total knee arthroplasty, unicondylar knee replacement has the advantage of preserving the knee tissue structure and motor function to the greatest extent. Pre-clinical in-vitro test is an important tool to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of unicondylar knee prostheses, and it is also a key focus of the product registration process. Through collection, comparison, and analysis of current regulations, technical standards, guidelines, and related research literature, this paper expounds on the relevant research methods for the pre-clinical in-vitrotesting of unicondylar knee prostheses. At the same time, in conjunction with current evaluation requirements and experience, the study discusses the focus of pre-clinical performance research for unicondylar knee prostheses during the registration process to clarify the performance evaluation requirements of this product category. This aims to provide a reference for the pre-clinical performance research of unicondylar knee prostheses and to standardize industry testing standards.
Knee Prosthesis ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Humans ; Prosthesis Design ; Materials Testing

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with spontaneous splenorenal shunt (SSRS) in liver cirrhosis, and to compare the effects and prognosis of different treatments.Methods:The data of cirrhotic patients with SSRS at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between 2016-2022 were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were divided into Group A receiving conservative treatment, Group B by simple embolization, Group C undergoing TIPS combined with embolization, and Group D given liver transplantation. Life status, liver function changes, incidences of adverse events, and survival between groups were compared.Results:SSRS diameter was positively correlated with blood ammonia ( R=0.478) and negatively correlated with portal vein diameter ( R=-0.301). SSRS diameter is a protective factor for gastrointestinal hemorrhage and ascites and a risk factor for hepatic encephalopathy; Blood ammonia decreased and prothrombin time prolonged after treatment in group A ( P<0.05), blood ammonia decreased and albumin increased in group B ( P<0.05). Hemoglobin and bilirubin increased in group C ( P<0.05), blood ammonia and bilirubin decreased and platelets and albumin increased in group D ( P<0.05); Survival analysis showed that the prognosis of groups A and C was related to liver function, and the survival rate of group D was the highest of all ( P<0.05). Conclusions:SSRS embolization is safe and effective, and liver transplantation improves patient survival. Individualized treatment should be selected based on patient symptoms, liver function, and shunt diameter.

OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of Huangjing Jiangya Decoction on blood pressure and sleep in patients with hy-pertension of qi-deficiency type accompanied by insomnia.METHODS 73 patients with hypertension of qi-deficiency type accompa-nied by insomnia who met the inclusion criteria were selected and randomly divided into an observation group of 36 cases and a control group of 37 cases.The control group was treated with amlodipine besylate tablets,and the observation group was given Huangjing Jian-gya Decoction oral treatment on the basis of the control group.Both groups were treated continuously for 8 weeks.The changes in TCM syndrome scores,office blood pressure monitoring(OBPM),home blood pressure monitoring(HBPM),24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring(ABPM),Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)scores and clinical efficacy of the two groups of patients before and after treatment were observed.RESULTS After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores in the observation group were significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),which were better than the control group(P<0.01);OBPM and HBMP in both groups were signifi-cantly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01),the observation group was better than the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01);the ABPM of the observation group was significantly reduced(P<0.01),which was better than the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01);the sleep quali-ty,sleep latency,sleep duration,daytime dysfunction score and PSQI total score of the observation group were significantly decreased(P<0.01),which were better than those in the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01);the clinical efficacy of hypertension and insomnia in the observation group was both better than the control group(P<0.01).CONCLUSION Huangjing Jiangya Decoction combined with amlodipine can improve the symptoms of patients with hypertension of qi-deficiency type accompanied by insomnia,lower blood pressure,improve sleep quality,shorten sleep latency,alleviate daytime dysfunction,and has good clinical efficacy.

Objective:To examine the mid - and long-term outcomes of surgical treatment of brachiocephalic Takayasu arteritis.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. The clinical data of 39 patients,which had been diagnosed as brachiocephalic Takayasu arteritis (244 cases),who underwent surgical treatment,were analyzed between July 2012 to November 2022 at Department of Endoluminal Vascular Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. There were 5 males and 34 females, aged (37.9±14.0)years (range:13 to 71 years). Despite medical treatment, the patients suffered severe ischemic symptoms continually and then underwent surgical interventions. Among them, 20 patients underwent endovascular procedures, 11 underwent open surgical procedures, and 8 underwent hybrid procedures. Patients were followed up through outpatient visits at 1, 3, 6 months after surgery and once every year later. Follow-up was conducted until November 2022. Operation status, postoperative complications and re-intervention of patients were recorded and the Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to analyze postoperative vascular patency rates.Results:All 39 surgeries were successful, with no intraoperative death or serious complications. The follow-up period was (48.8±38.2) months(range:1 to 123 months). Thirty-three patients experienced symptom relief after surgery, and 6 patients required secondary surgical interventions. The patency rates for the endovascular treatment group at 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year were 95.0%, 75.2%, 60.2%, and 60.2%, respectively, while the patency rates for open surgery were all 90.9%. In the hybrid surgery group, the patency rates at 1-, 3-, 5-, and 8-year were all 87.5%.Conclusion:For patients with brachiocephalic Takayasu arteritis, choice of an appropriate blood flow revascularization intervention should be based on the patient′s condition,and the mid-and long-term outcomes are satisfactory.

Objective:To explore the clinical and genetic etiology of a Chinese pedigree affected with type 2 Long QT syndrome (LQTS).Methods:A pedigree with type 2 LQTS presented at Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital on August 23, 2019 was selected as the study subject. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the proband and her parents. Following extraction of genomic DNA, whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out for the proband, and candidate variant was screened through functional annotation and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. Sanger sequencing was conducted to verify the pathogenicity of candidate variant. This study was approved by Medical Ethics Committee of the Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital (Ethics No. 2019-15).Results:WES revealed that the proband has harbored a missense variant of the KCNH2 gene, namely c. 1478A>G (p.Tyr493Cys), which was confirmed by Sanger sequencing to have inherited from her father. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was classified as likely pathogenic (PM2_supporting+ PM5+ PP3+ PP4). Conclusion:The KCNH2 gene c. 1478A>G (p.Tyr493Cys) variant probably underlay the type 2 LQTS in this pedigree.

Objective:To examine the mid - and long-term outcomes of surgical treatment of brachiocephalic Takayasu arteritis.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. The clinical data of 39 patients,which had been diagnosed as brachiocephalic Takayasu arteritis (244 cases),who underwent surgical treatment,were analyzed between July 2012 to November 2022 at Department of Endoluminal Vascular Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. There were 5 males and 34 females, aged (37.9±14.0)years (range:13 to 71 years). Despite medical treatment, the patients suffered severe ischemic symptoms continually and then underwent surgical interventions. Among them, 20 patients underwent endovascular procedures, 11 underwent open surgical procedures, and 8 underwent hybrid procedures. Patients were followed up through outpatient visits at 1, 3, 6 months after surgery and once every year later. Follow-up was conducted until November 2022. Operation status, postoperative complications and re-intervention of patients were recorded and the Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to analyze postoperative vascular patency rates.Results:All 39 surgeries were successful, with no intraoperative death or serious complications. The follow-up period was (48.8±38.2) months(range:1 to 123 months). Thirty-three patients experienced symptom relief after surgery, and 6 patients required secondary surgical interventions. The patency rates for the endovascular treatment group at 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year were 95.0%, 75.2%, 60.2%, and 60.2%, respectively, while the patency rates for open surgery were all 90.9%. In the hybrid surgery group, the patency rates at 1-, 3-, 5-, and 8-year were all 87.5%.Conclusion:For patients with brachiocephalic Takayasu arteritis, choice of an appropriate blood flow revascularization intervention should be based on the patient′s condition,and the mid-and long-term outcomes are satisfactory.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanism of Yiqi huoxue decoction （YQHX） on lumbar disc herniation in rats. METHODS Rats were randomly divided into sham operation group， model group， NF-κB inhibitor group （QNZ group， 1 mg/kg）， YQHX group （9.1 g/kg） and combination group （YQHX+QNZ group， the same dose as each single drug group）， with 10 rats in each group. Except for sham operation group， lumbar disc herniation model of rats was induced in other groups； administration groups were given QNZ intraperitoneally or/and YQHX intragastrically， once a day， for 8 consecutive weeks. The severity of intervertebral disc herniation was evaluated in each group； the pathological changes of intervertebral discs and the changes of autophagy of nucleus pulposus cells were all observed； the level of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in serum， and the ratios of Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B interacting protein 3 （BNIP3） and Beclin-1 positive cells in intervertebral disctissues were detected； the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） p65， the expressions of tumor necrosis factor receptor- associated factor-2 （TRAF-2）， TRAF-3， BNIP3 and LC3B protein， and mRNA expressions of NF-κB p65， LC3B， p62，BNIP3 and Beclin-1 were determined. RESULTS Compared with model group， Pfirrmann grading score decreased significantly，the pathological injury of intervertebral disc tissue was relieved in YQHX group； the number of autophagosomes in nucleus pulposus cells increased； serum level of TNF-α and mRNA expression of p62 in intervertebral disc tissue decreased significantly； the ratios of BNIP3 and Beclin-1 positive cells， the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65， the expressions of TRAF-2， TRAF-3， BNIP3 and LC3B protein as well as the mRNA expressions of NF- κB p65， LC3B， BNIP3 and Beclin-1 decreased significantly in intervertebral disc tissues （P＜0.05）. The changes of above indexes in YQHX group were reversed partly in YQHX+QNZ group. CONCLUSIONS YQHX promotes the elevation of autophagy level of intervertebral discs， slows down the inflammatory response and the progression of lumbar disc herniation by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway.