Copper is an essential trace element in the human body, extensively involved in key physiological and biochemical processes such as antioxidant defense, energy metabolism, neural signaling, and immune regulation. In recent years, increasing research has focused on the potential role of copper dyshomeostasis in the development of chronic diseases. Studies indicate that abnormal copper levels, particularly elevated free copper, may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, and cancer by inducing oxidative stress, impairing mitochondrial function, and disrupting immune regulation. Concurrently, copper homeostasis abnormalities have been demonstrated to be closely associated with increased all-cause mortality and accelerated aging. This systematic review comprehensively examined physiological functions, metabolic pathways, and environmental exposure characteristics of copper. It emphasized the epidemiological and mechanistic links between copper metabolism disorders and multiple chronic diseases, while exploring the potential applications of copper ion transporters and chelating agents in disease intervention. This work provides scientific evidence for the prevention, control, and precision treatment of copper-related chronic diseases.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effectiveness and safety of Qingfei Shenshi Decoction （清肺渗湿汤） combined with western medicine for patients with bronchial asthma of heat wheezing syndrome， and to explore its potential mechanism of action. MethodsEighty-six participants with bronchial asthma of heat wheezing syndrome were randomly divided into treatment group and control group， each group with 43 participants. The control group received conventional western medicine， and the treatment group was additionally administered Qingfei Shenshi Decoction orally on the basis of the control group， 1 dose per day. Both groups were treated for 14 days. The primary outcome measure was clinical effectiveness； secondary outcome measures included traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome score， asthma control test （ACT） score， pulmonary function indices such as forced expiratory volume in 1 second （FEV₁）， forced vital capacity （FVC）， peak expiratory flow （PEF）， serum inflammatory factor levels including interleukin-4 （IL-4）， tumour necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）， and immune function indices including CD3⁺， CD4⁺， CD8⁺， CD4⁺/CD8⁺. All outcome measures were evaluated before and after treatment. Vital signs were monitored， and electrocardiography， blood routine， urine routine， liver function， and renal function tests were performed before and after treatment. Adverse events and reactions during the study were recorded. ResultsA total of 80 patients completed the trial with 40 in each group. The total clinical effective rate of the treatment group was 97.5% （39/40）， which was significantly higher than that of the control group （85.0%， 34/40， P＜0.05）. After treatment， both groups showed decreased TCM syndrome scores， IL-4， TNF-α， hs-CRP， and CD8⁺ levels， as well as increased ACT scores， CD3⁺， CD4⁺， CD4⁺/CD8⁺， FEV₁， FVC， and PEF levels （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Moreover， the improvements in these indices were more significant in the treatment group than in the control group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. No significant abnormalities in safety indicators were observed in either group， and no adverse events or reactions occurred. ConclusionQingfei Shenshi Decoction combined with conventional western medicine for patients with bronchial asthma of heat wheezing syndrome can effectively improve the clinical symptoms， pulmonary function， and clinical effectiveness， with good safety. Its mechanism may be related to reducing inflammatory factor levels and regulating T lymphocyte subsets to improve immune function.

Objective To systematically analyze the characteristics of the disease burden of hypertensive heart disease (HHD) in the elderly (≥60 years) globally and in China from 1990 to 2021, and to predict its future trends from 2022 to 2040, with the aim of providing data support for optimizing comprehensive prevention and control strategies for HHD. Methods Based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database, the number of prevalent cases and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of HHD in the elderly were extracted for the world, China, and five regions categorized by sociodemographic index (SDI). Joinpoint regression was used to analyze the temporal trends of age-standardized prevalence rate and age-standardized DALYs rate of HHD in the elderly. A three-factor decomposition method was applied to evaluate the relative contributions of aging, population growth, and epidemiological changes to the variations in the elderly HHD burden. Additionally, a Bayesian age-period-cohort model was used to predict the elderly HHD burden from 2022 to 2040. Results In 2021, the number of prevalent elderly HHD cases reached 10 283 000 globally and 3 412 400 in China, representing increases of 179.20% and 159.20% respectively, compared with 1990. The DALYs of elderly HHD were 18 812 700 person-years globally and 4 731 400 person-years in China, rising by 76.08% and 29.45% respectively from 1990. Meanwhile, the growth rates of the number of prevalent cases and DALYs of elderly HHD varied across different SDI regions. From 1990 to 2021, the age-standardized prevalence rate of elderly HHD in China, as well as the age-standardized DALYs rate of elderly HHD both globally and in China, showed significant downward trends (all average annual percentage changes<0, all P<0.001). In 2021, the 70-74 years age group accounted for the highest proportion of prevalent cases and DALYs of elderly HHD, both globally and in China. Decomposition analysis revealed that population growth was the dominant factor driving the increase in the elderly HHD burden across all regions. The prediction model results indicated that the number of prevalent cases and DALYs of elderly HHD would continue to rise globally and in China from 2022 to 2040, with the growth rate of the elderly HHD burden in China between 2021 and 2040 expected to exceed the global average. Conclusion Over the past 32 years, although the age-standardized disease rates of elderly HHD have mainly shown a downward trend globally and in China, the absolute number of the disease burden has increased substantially. The projection model indicates a continued upward trajectory, with the growth rate in China higher than the global average. Therefore, there is an urgent need to implement precise prevention and control strategies to effectively mitigate the disease burden of elderly HHD.

With the continuous deepening of the concept of precision diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer, how to achieve higher efficiency and accuracy in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment pathways in clinical practice has become an important issue that urgently needs to be overcome. The current clinical difficulty lies in the fact that despite continuous advancements in imaging and molecular diagnostic technologies, there are still limitations in manual efficiency and subjective experience when it comes to massive data analysis and multi-scale feature extraction. Artificial intelligence (AI), especially algorithm systems based on deep learning, is an innovative technology capable of deeply empowering medical big data. This method utilizes algorithms such as convolutional neural networks, combined with radiomics, pathomics, and multi-modal data fusion analysis, demonstrating immense potential in early precise detection and benign-malignant differentiation of pulmonary nodules, digital pathological subtype recognition and non-invasive prediction of driver genes, precise 3D surgical planning and automatic delineation of radiotherapy target volumes, as well as dynamic risk warning during follow-up. This innovative technology provides a brand-new solution for realizing intelligent and individualized lung cancer diagnosis and treatment models. This consensus, based on the latest evidence from evidence-based medicine and combined with the development trends in the AI field and real-world clinical needs, was ultimately formed by gathering the consensus opinions of multidisciplinary experts in radiology, pathology, thoracic surgery, and other fields. The main content covers the application specifications of AI in the three core scenarios of lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment, the technical standards for data collection and algorithm validation, as well as the ethical and regulatory challenges faced at the current stage. It aims to clarify the applicable boundaries of AI as a clinical auxiliary decision support tool, providing scientific guidance and standardized exploration directions for peers currently engaged in or planning to carry out AI-assisted clinical diagnosis, treatment, and translation of lung cancer.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods The clinical data of patients with stage ⅡA-ⅢB NSCLC who underwent surgical treatment after receiving neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone at the First People’s Hospital of Jining between April 2021 and January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the preoperative neoadjuvant regimens, the patients were divided into a combined group and a chemotherapy group, and the clinical data of the two groups were compared. Results A total of 66 patients were included, including 61 males and 5 females. There were 53 patients in the combined group with a mean age of (63.40±6.80) years, and 13 patients in the chemotherapy group with a mean age of (58.62±8.30) years. There was a statistical difference in age between the two groups (P＜0.001), while no statistical difference was observed in other baseline data (P>0.05). The major pathological response rates in the combined group and the chemotherapy group were 54.7% and 23.1%, respectively (P=0.041), and the pathological complete response rates were 39.6% and 0.0%, respectively (P=0.006). The operative time in the combined group was shorter (P=0.039). There were no statistical differences between the two groups in intraoperative blood loss, duration of postoperative tube carrying, incidence of postoperative complications, overall survival, or event-free survival (P>0.05). Conclusion Surgical treatment following neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy is safe and feasible, and its long-term efficacy requires further follow-up for confirmation.

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant sintilimab combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with locally advanced resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods Clinical data were collected from patients with locally advanced resectable ESCC who received neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy followed by surgical treatment at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Jining No.1 People's Hospital from April 2020 to April 2022. The endpoints included major pathological response (MPR), pathological complete response (pCR), R0 resection rate, safety, and postoperative survival. Results A total of 43 patients with ESCC who received at least one cycle of neoadjuvant immunotherapy before surgery were included. Among them, there were 31 males and 12 females with a median age of 65 years (interquartile range: 58-69). All patients successfully completed the surgery without any surgical delays. The pCR rate was 14.0% (6/43), the MPR rate was 58.1% (25/43), and the R0 resection rate was 97.7% (42/43). Patients exhibited reliable safety during neoadjuvant therapy and postoperatively. The 2-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 90.7% and 81.4%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test revealed lower recurrence rates and better survival in the MPR patients compared to the non-MPR patients. Conclusion The combination of neoadjuvant sintilimab and chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with locally advanced resectable ESCC has demonstrated significant clinical efficacy, while also being safe and reliable.

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and management strategies of metronidazole-associated Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), and to provide a clinical basis for medication safety during the oral perioperative period. Methods: The study adhered to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Stomatological Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University. A retrospective analysis was conducted on a case of SJS following mandibular impacted tooth extraction, for which the patient had taken metronidazole. Additionally, a literature review was performed by searching databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, PubMed, and Web of Science to identify reported cases of metronidazole-associated SJS. Demographic features, medication regimens, latency periods, clinical signs, interventions, and prognosis were analyzed. Results: The patient presented with lip swelling, extensive erosion and ulceration of the oral mucosa, and severe odynophagia. Scattered erythematous macules and bullae were observed on the trunk and extremities, with a positive Nikolsky sign. Additionally, there was erosion of the perineal skin and glans penis mucosa, along with skin desquamation of the scrotum. The patient with SJS was managed in the hospital by discontinuing metronidazole and administering sequential treatments, including glucocorticoids, immunomodulators, intravenous immunoglobulin, and plasma exchange. The condition gradually improved; after a 14-month follow-up, only mild dry eye remained, with no significant scarring of the skin or mucosa. However, delayed recognition of early warning signs resulted in delayed drug withdrawal and intervention. The literature review identified 6 additional cases (3 males, 3 females) with a median age of 45.5 years (range 31-61). Indications for metronidazole included postoperative sepsis prophylaxis after duodenal ulcer perforation repair, digestive system infections, mucosal diseases, pelvic inflammatory disease, septic cellulitis with pneumonia, and gingivitis. Administration routes comprised oral (n = 2), intravenous (n = 3), and topical (n = 1). The latency period from drug administration to onset ranged from 0.25 to 7 days (median 4 days). All of the cases presented with oral mucosal erosion, and a positive Nikolsky’s sign was noted for five patients. Discontinuation of the causative drug was the cornerstone of treatment, supplemented by immunomodulatory therapy, symptomatic support, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Prognoses varied significantly: among the four patients treated with “drug withdrawal + glucocorticoids + supportive care,” three recovered fully and one improved; among the two patients receiving “drug withdrawal + simple supportive care,” one recovered and one died Conclusion Although metronidazole-associated SJS is rare, it progresses rapidly and frequently involves oral mucosal damage, typically occurring within one week of administering the medication. Early drug withdrawal and prompt initiation of glucocorticoid therapy can improve prognosis. During the oral perioperative period, strict adherence to metronidazole indications, enhanced monitoring for early warning symptoms, and the establishment of a multidisciplinary collaborative diagnosis and treatment model are essential to minimize the risk of severe adverse drug reactions.

Objective To analyze the disease burden trend of non-rheumatic degenerative mitral valve disease (NR-DMVD) in China from 1990 to 2023 and compare it with global levels and those in the United States and India. Methods Based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 database, data on incidence, mortality, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for NR-DMVD were extracted. Joinpoint regression, decomposition analysis, and autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA) were used to analyze trends, drivers, and project burden to 2040. Results In 2023, China's age-standardized DALY rate (2.56/100 000) and mortality rate (0.037/100 000) for NR-DMVD were significantly lower than those in the United States, India, and globally, while its age-standardized incidence rate (10.39/100 000) and prevalence rate (126.03/100 000) showed slow increases. From 1990 to 2023, the estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) for China's age-standardized DALY rate and mortality rate were –2.11% [95%CI (–2.25%, –1.98%)] and –4.54% [95%CI (–4.92%, –4.16%)], respectively, while the incidence rate and prevalence rate continued to rise; India showed increasing trends in all burden indicators. Decomposition analysis indicated that population aging was the primary driver of the increase in DALYs and prevalence cases, while epidemiological improvement was the key factor that led to the reduction in the number of deaths. Joinpoint analysis showed that China's age-standardized DALY rate declined most rapidly between 2000 and 2013, while the age-standardized mortality rate decreased fastest between 2007 and 2013. ARIMA models projected that China's prevalence rate would continue to rise and mortality rate would continue to decline through 2040. Conclusion NR-DMVD in China exhibits a dual-track pattern of "declining mortality but rising prevalence", driven by population aging. A tiered prevention and control system focusing on the elderly and high-risk male groups is needed.

Based on the theory of cancer-toxin pathogenesis， this article proposes that cancer toxin persists throughout the entire course of colorectal cancer （CRC）， with spleen qi depletion as the root of disease and damp-heat and stasis toxin as key factors in the evolution of pathogenesis. It further explores the intrinsic relationship between these pathogenetic features and the modern pathological process of "inflammasome pre-activation/repeated activation/gasdermin D-mediated pyroptotic microenvironmental imbalance". Spleen qi depletion is regarded as an upstream pathological basis for inflammasome pre-activation， while damp-heat and stasis toxin are considered key drivers of repeated inflammasome activation， the gasdermin D-mediated amplification of pyroptotic inflammation， and persistent microenvironmental imbalance. These two pathogenetic aspects interact sequentially and concurrently， jointly contributing to the early development and progression of CRC. Guided by the principle of anti-cancer and detoxification， and based on the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） treatment strategy of simultaneously fortifying the spleen and replenishing qi， clearing and resolving damp-heat， and resolving stasis and toxins， this study further elucidates the modern mechanistic connotations of how these relevant therapies intervene in the gasdermin D-mediated pyroptotic microenvironment imbalance in CRC. The ultimate aim is to provide a theoretical basis for the modern scientific interpretation of cancer-toxin pathogenesis and the clinical syndrome differentiation and treatment of CRC.

Based on the theory of cancer-toxin pathogenesis， this article proposes that cancer toxin persists throughout the entire course of colorectal cancer （CRC）， with spleen qi depletion as the root of disease and damp-heat and stasis toxin as key factors in the evolution of pathogenesis. It further explores the intrinsic relationship between these pathogenetic features and the modern pathological process of "inflammasome pre-activation/repeated activation/gasdermin D-mediated pyroptotic microenvironmental imbalance". Spleen qi depletion is regarded as an upstream pathological basis for inflammasome pre-activation， while damp-heat and stasis toxin are considered key drivers of repeated inflammasome activation， the gasdermin D-mediated amplification of pyroptotic inflammation， and persistent microenvironmental imbalance. These two pathogenetic aspects interact sequentially and concurrently， jointly contributing to the early development and progression of CRC. Guided by the principle of anti-cancer and detoxification， and based on the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） treatment strategy of simultaneously fortifying the spleen and replenishing qi， clearing and resolving damp-heat， and resolving stasis and toxins， this study further elucidates the modern mechanistic connotations of how these relevant therapies intervene in the gasdermin D-mediated pyroptotic microenvironment imbalance in CRC. The ultimate aim is to provide a theoretical basis for the modern scientific interpretation of cancer-toxin pathogenesis and the clinical syndrome differentiation and treatment of CRC.