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.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in the management of chronic pain among military personnel stationed in plateau area of China. Methods Military personnel who had been stationed at an altitude ranging from 3 300 to 3 500 meters for over four months and suffered from chronic pain were selected as the study subjects by the judgment sampling method. A total of 51 individuals were assigned to the control group, and 53 individuals were assigned to the MBSR group using the random number table method. Individuals of the control group received conventional pain management, while the MBSR group received an additional eight-week MBSR training alongside conventional management. Pain, mindfulness levels, mood state, and psychological resilience of individuals were assessed before and 12 weeks after the intervention using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form, the Profile of Mood States, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Results After the intervention, the BPI scores, and the scores of the pain intensity and pain impact dimensions of individuals in the MBSR group were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.01). The reductions in these three scores were greater in the MBSR group than those in the control group (all P<0.01). Meanwhile, individuals in the MBSR group showed superior improvements in the mindfulness level score, the total mood disturbance, and the psychological resilience score compared with the control group (all P<0.05). The multiple linear regression analysis results showed that the pre-intervention BPI score, post-intervention changes in mindfulness levels, headache and lower back pain were influencing factors for the improvement of the BPI score in the MBSR group individuals (all P<0.05). Conclusion Conducting MBSR in military units in plateau areas is an effective approach for alleviating chronic pain. The pain relief effect is more pronounced in individuals with higher initial pain scores, a greater increase in mindfulness scores after training, and those with headache and low back pain.

Intervention in chronically activated microglia-mediated neuroinflammation is a novel approach to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD). The low permeability of the blood‒brain barrier (BBB) and non-selective distribution in the brain severely restrict AD drugs' disease-modifying efficacy. Here, an immunosuppressant TREM2-lowing antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and resveratrol co-loaded cationic liposome is developed as an immune reprogramming nanomodulator modified by acid-cleavable BBB-targeting peptide and microglia-targeting peptide (Res@TcMNP/ASO) for AD management. Res@TcMNP/ASO can enter brain endothelial cells via D-T7 peptides. Then D-T7 undergoes an acid-responsive cleavage, facilitating the escape of Res@MNP/ASO from endo/lysosomes to cross the BBB. The detached Res@MNP/ASO specifically targets M1-phenotype microglia via exposed MG1 peptides to prompt the simultaneous delivery of two drugs into activated microglia. This nanomodulator can not only restore the immune function of microglia through TREM2-lowing ASO but also mitigate the immune stimulation to microglia caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) through resveratrol, thereby synergistically inhibiting the chronic activation of microglia to alleviate neuroinflammation in AD. Our results indicate that this combination treatment can achieve significant behavioral and cognitive improvements in late APP/PS1 mice.

G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) participates in the phosphorylation and desensitization of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), impacting various biological processes such as inflammation and cell proliferation. Dysregulated expression and activity of GRK2 have been reported in multiple cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, whether and how GRK2 regulates synovial hyperplasia and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) proliferation is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the regulation of GRK2 and its biological function in RA. We found that GRK2 transmembrane activity was increased in FLSs of RA patients and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats. Additionally, we noted a positive correlation between high GRK2 expression on the cell membrane and serological markers associated with RA and CIA. Immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry and pull-down analyses revealed tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) as a novel substrate of GRK2. Furthermore, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and molecular docking assays determined that the C-terminus of GRK2 binds to the C-terminus of TRAF2 at the Gln340 residue. GRK2 knockdown and the GRK2 inhibitor CP-25 attenuated synovial hyperplasia and FLS proliferation in CIA both in vitro and in vivo by decreasing GRK2 membrane expression and activity. Mechanistically, increased GRK2 transmembrane activity contributed to the recruitment of TRAF2 on the cell membrane, promoting GRK2-TRAF2 interactions that facilitate the recruitment of the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM47 to TRAF2. This enhanced TRAF2 Lys63 polyubiquitylation and induced nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation, leading to synovial hyperplasia and abnormal proliferation of FLSs. Our study provides a mechanistic and preclinical rationale for further evaluation of GRK2 as a therapeutic target for RA.

Objective To observe the effects of Huoxue Digui Decoction on iron accumulation and ferroptosis in renal podocytes of diabetic nephropathy(DN)mice.Methods Totally 50 C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal group(6 mice)and modeling group(44 mice).The DN model was established by streptozotocin injection.Mice conforming to DN model were randomly divided into model group(8 mice),and sulforaphane group,Huoxue Digui Decoction low-,medium-and high-dosage groups(6 mice for each group).The sulforaphane group was injected with sulforaphane intraperitoneally,while Huoxue Digui Decoction low-,medium-and high-dosage groups were orally administered with corresponding solution for 12 consecutive weeks.The fasting blood glucose,blood urea nitrogen,serum creatinine,24 h urinary albumin were detected,HE staining was used to observe the morphology of renal tissue,PAS staining was used to observe glycogen deposition in renal tissue,Masson staining was used to observe fibrosis in renal tissue;transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of renal tissue,immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of Podocin and Nephrin in renal tissue,Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),ACSL4,nuclear factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2)and ferroportin 1(FPN1)in renal tissue,Prussian blue staining was used to observe the deposition of ferric ion in renal tissue.Results Compared with the normal group,the fasting blood glucose,blood urea nitrogen,serum creatinine and 24 h urinary albumin in model group significantly increased(P<0.01),with renal tissue capillary atrophy,increased glycogen deposition,and worsening fibrosis,the expressions of Podocin and Nephrin in renal tissue were down-regulated,while the expressions of GPX4,Nrf2 and FPN1 protein were significantly decreased(P<0.01),the expression of ACSL4 protein significantly increased(P<0.01),and the deposition of ferric ion in renal tissue increased.Compared with the model group,the fasting blood glucose,blood urea nitrogen,serum creatinine and 24 h urinary albumin in sulforaphane group and Huoxue Digui Decoction groups were reduced to different degrees(P<0.05,P<0.01),renal tissue pathological damage was reduced to varying degrees,glycogen deposition was reduced,and fibrosis was alleviated,the expressions of Podocin and Nephrin in renal tissue were up-regulated,while the expressions of GPX4,Nrf2 and FPN1 protein significantly increased(P<0.01),the expression of ACSL4 protein significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the deposition of ferric ion in renal tissue was reduced.Conclusion Huoxue Digui Decoction can alleviate renal pathological injury,reduce blood glucose and delay the progression of DN mice.The mechanism may be related to regulating the expressions of Nrf2 and FPN1,inhibiting iron accumulation and ferroptosis in renal podocytes of DN mice.

Metal-organic complexes have a long history of clinical application and have shown remarkable efficacy in the treatment of hypertension,skin infections and gastrointestinal diseases.In recent years,the application of metalloids in anti-bacterial infection thera-py and their mechanism of action have been widely studied.In this paper,three commonly used metallodrugs are selected as examples to review the progress and mechanism of metalloids in antibacterial applications,the research of novel metal-based drugs and the metallo-drugs with extracted components of traditional Chinese medicines and their derivatives,and to analyze the potential advantages of metallo-drugs in the field of antibacterial.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of Rivaroxaban in preventing catheter related thrombosis (CRT) in patients with breast cancer who are undergoing central venous catheter chemotherapy, and provide basis for making standardized prevention and treatment strategies.Methods:In this research, a prospective cohort study was adopted, and breast cancer patients who received central venous catheter chemotherapy in Sanhuan Cancer Hospital during September 2020 to March 2022 were selected as a treatment group to take the rivaroxaban anticoagulation therapy with 10 mg.po.qd for one month. The control group got no preventive anticoagulation therapy. Vascular ultrasound examination was taken to confirm the occurrence of CRT, and a chi-square test was done for comparison the disparity between the groups. Logistic regression was applied to analyze the univariate and multivariate factors for the formation of CRT.Results:In the research, a total of 235 patients were selected, and there were a total of 19 035 days of catheterization with 81 days of catheterization on average. While in the control group, the incidence of CRT was 28.0% (33/118), the incidence of CRT in the treatment group was 20.5% (24/117), the difference was no significant ( P=0.183). Subgroup analysis results showed that the peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) was performed in 165 cases with the CRT incidence of 18.2% (30/165) and thrombosis was mostly seen around axillary vein, accounting for 63.3%. Subclavian vein catheterization was performed in 63 cases with the CRT incidence of 39.7% (25/63), and thrombosis was mostly seen around subclavian vein, accounting for 88.0% (22/25). Implantable venous access port was implanted in 7 cases around subclavian vein and internal jugular vein with the CRT incidence of 28.6% (2/7). The patients who developed CRT within 30 days after catheterization accounted for 54.4% (31/57), 22.8% (13/57) in a period during 30 days and 60 days) and 22.8% (13/57) in a period during 60 days and 180 days). The diagnosed CRT patients had been treated with rivaroxaban 15 mg.bid.po for 3 months. During the 3 months, 100.0% of the thrombosis waned, 71.9% (41/57) of the thrombosis waned within 30 days, 19.3% (11/57) in a period during 30 and 60days and 8.8% (5/57) in a period during 60 days and 90 days. Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that the risk of CRT in subclavian vein catheterization was higher than that in PICC, respectively ( OR=2.898, 95% CI:1.386-6.056 P=0.005), and the type of catheterization was an independent factor for the formation of thrombosis. Safety analysis result showed that in the prevention of CRT, rivaroxaban treatment did not induce drug-related bleeding, liver function damage, bone marrow suppression or any other side effects. While CRT diagnosed patients were treated with anticoagulation, they kept the central venous catheter, and the infusion was smooth. These patients all finished the anti-tumor treatment as planned, and no abnormalities like new thrombosis or pulmonary embolism were observed. Conclusions:In the mid-term analysis, the proportion of Rivaroxaban in preventing anticoagulant CRT decreases, but it don't reach statistical significance. The sample size should be further increased for observation. Rivaroxaban is proved effective and very safe in the treatment of CRT, and does not affect the concurrent chemotherapy. Medical personnel should carry out the policy of "early prevention, early detection and early treatment" for CRT so as to improve the patients' quality of life.

Diabetes mellitus(DM)stands as a chronic metabolic ailment predominantly characterized by elevated blood glucose lev-els,stemming from either a resistance to insulin or aberrations in insulin secretion.The ensuing persistent hyperglycemia,a direct con-sequence of pancreatic β-cell devastation,acts as a catalyst for a myriad of complications,inclusive of extensive neuropathies.The dis-ease has substantial prevalence and mortality rates,underscoring the gravity of its impact on public health.Dental pulp stem cells(DPSCs)are readily obtainable,and they exhibit a profound capacity for self-renewal,multi-lineage differentiation,and vigorous pro-liferation.Remarkably,DPSCs can differentiate into pancreatic β-cells,subsequently participate in insulin secretion and play a pivotal role in immune modulation.This has achieved notable advancements in the therapeutic domain,particularly in the treatment of chronic diseases.Furthermore,DPSCs harbor the potential to mitigate symptoms in patients afflicted with type 1 diabetes.They navigate this therapeutic pathway through mechanisms that involve suppressing autoimmunity,modulating inflammatory responses,and counteracting oxidative stress.This article meticulously reviews the biological characteristics inherent to DPSCs and explores their multifaceted thera-peutic potential in addressing DM and its associated complications.Through this endeavor,the article aims to contribute to the refine-ment and enhancement of DM management strategies.

Objective:To compare and discuss the mid-to-long-term outcomes of mitral valve repair (MVP) versus biological mitral valve replacement (bMVR) in patients aged 60 years and above with rheumatic mitral valve disease.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study. A total of 765 patients aged 60 years and older, diagnosed with rheumatic mitral valve disease and who underwent MVP or bMVR at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2010 to January 2023, were retrospectively included. Among them, 186 were male and 579 were female, with an age of (66.1±4.5) years (range: 60 to 82 years). Patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical method: the mitral valve repair group (MVP group, n=256) and the bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement group (bMVR group, n=509). A 1∶1 propensity score matching was performed using a caliper value of 0.2 based on preoperative data. Paired sample t-tests, χ2 tests, or Fisher′s exact tests were used for intergroup comparisons. Kaplan-Meier method was employed to plot survival curves and valve-related reoperation rate curves for both groups before and after matching, and Log-rank tests were used to compare the mid-to long-term survival rates and valve-related reoperation rates between the two groups. Results:A total of 765 patients who completed follow-up were ultimately included, with a follow-up period ( M(IQR)) of 5.1(5.0) years (range: 1.0 to 12.9 years). After matching, each group consisted of 256 patients. The incidence of early postoperative atrial fibrillation (39.1% vs. 49.2%, χ2=4.95, P=0.026) and early mortality rates (2.0% vs. 6.2%, χ2=4.97, P=0.026) were lower in the MVP group. Unadjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significantly higher 5-year and 10-year survival rates for the MVP group (92.54% vs. 83.02%, 86.22% vs. 70.19%, Log-rank: P=0.001). After adjustment with propensity scores, the Kaplan-Meier analysis still indicated higher 5-year and 10-year survival rates in the MVP group compared to the bMVR group (92.54% vs. 85.89%, 86.22% vs. 74.83%, Log-rank: P=0.024). There were no significant differences in the rates of valve-related reoperation between the two groups before and after matching (5-year and 10-year reoperation rates pre-matching: 1.75% vs. 0.57%, 5.39% vs. 7.54%, Log-rank: P=0.207; post-matching: 1.75% vs. 0, 5.39% vs. 9.27%, Log-rank: P=0.157). Conclusion:For patients aged 60 years and above with rheumatic mitral valve disease, mitral valve repair offers better mid-to-long-term survival compared to biological valve replacement.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of Rivaroxaban in preventing catheter related thrombosis (CRT) in patients with breast cancer who are undergoing central venous catheter chemotherapy, and provide basis for making standardized prevention and treatment strategies.Methods:In this research, a prospective cohort study was adopted, and breast cancer patients who received central venous catheter chemotherapy in Sanhuan Cancer Hospital during September 2020 to March 2022 were selected as a treatment group to take the rivaroxaban anticoagulation therapy with 10 mg.po.qd for one month. The control group got no preventive anticoagulation therapy. Vascular ultrasound examination was taken to confirm the occurrence of CRT, and a chi-square test was done for comparison the disparity between the groups. Logistic regression was applied to analyze the univariate and multivariate factors for the formation of CRT.Results:In the research, a total of 235 patients were selected, and there were a total of 19 035 days of catheterization with 81 days of catheterization on average. While in the control group, the incidence of CRT was 28.0% (33/118), the incidence of CRT in the treatment group was 20.5% (24/117), the difference was no significant ( P=0.183). Subgroup analysis results showed that the peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) was performed in 165 cases with the CRT incidence of 18.2% (30/165) and thrombosis was mostly seen around axillary vein, accounting for 63.3%. Subclavian vein catheterization was performed in 63 cases with the CRT incidence of 39.7% (25/63), and thrombosis was mostly seen around subclavian vein, accounting for 88.0% (22/25). Implantable venous access port was implanted in 7 cases around subclavian vein and internal jugular vein with the CRT incidence of 28.6% (2/7). The patients who developed CRT within 30 days after catheterization accounted for 54.4% (31/57), 22.8% (13/57) in a period during 30 days and 60 days) and 22.8% (13/57) in a period during 60 days and 180 days). The diagnosed CRT patients had been treated with rivaroxaban 15 mg.bid.po for 3 months. During the 3 months, 100.0% of the thrombosis waned, 71.9% (41/57) of the thrombosis waned within 30 days, 19.3% (11/57) in a period during 30 and 60days and 8.8% (5/57) in a period during 60 days and 90 days. Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that the risk of CRT in subclavian vein catheterization was higher than that in PICC, respectively ( OR=2.898, 95% CI:1.386-6.056 P=0.005), and the type of catheterization was an independent factor for the formation of thrombosis. Safety analysis result showed that in the prevention of CRT, rivaroxaban treatment did not induce drug-related bleeding, liver function damage, bone marrow suppression or any other side effects. While CRT diagnosed patients were treated with anticoagulation, they kept the central venous catheter, and the infusion was smooth. These patients all finished the anti-tumor treatment as planned, and no abnormalities like new thrombosis or pulmonary embolism were observed. Conclusions:In the mid-term analysis, the proportion of Rivaroxaban in preventing anticoagulant CRT decreases, but it don't reach statistical significance. The sample size should be further increased for observation. Rivaroxaban is proved effective and very safe in the treatment of CRT, and does not affect the concurrent chemotherapy. Medical personnel should carry out the policy of "early prevention, early detection and early treatment" for CRT so as to improve the patients' quality of life.