In recent years, with the clinical application of minimally invasive surgical techniques and comprehensive preoperative treatment, the survival rate of locally advanced esophageal cancer has significantly improved. However, the treatment of metastatic esophagogastric cancer still relies mainly on systemic therapy, and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy has become a first-line treatment option, prolonging the survival of patients with metastatic esophageal cancer. Oligometastatic esophageal cancer is expected to bring survival benefits through systemic therapy combined with local treatment. The 2024 European clinical practice guidelines for oligometastatic esophagogastric cancer have been officially released, which standardize the definition, diagnosis, and treatment of oligometastatic esophageal cancer for further prospective studies. The authors interpret this guideline, especially by reviewing the clinical evidence of oligometastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, to provide reference for the diagnosis and treatment of oligometastatic esophageal cancer in China.

Objective The study aimedto investigate the effects and metabolic mechanisms of Gegen Qinlian Decoction(GQD)containing serum on hypoxia-induced glucose metabolism in L02 cells.Methods The effects of five hypoxia durations(6,12,18,24,and 48 hours)on glucose consumption and cell viability of L02 cells were examined under hypoxic conditions to determine the optimal hypoxia time.Normal hepatocytes served as the normal control group.L02 cells with hypoxia-induced reduction in glucose consumption were divided into several groups:hypoxia group,metformin 2 mmol/L group,and 25 g/kg GQD groups treated with 5%,10%,and 15%GQD contain-ing serum.Glucose consumption was used as an indicator of drug efficacy.High-resolution liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)was employed to collect metabolite signals from each group.Data were analyzed by using Progenesis QI software,and potential biomarkers were identified through online databases such as HMDB.Finally,metabolic pathways of potential biomarkers were analyzed via the Metabo Analyst 5.0 website.Results An 18 hour hypoxia period was identified as the optimal duration for the replication of the hypoxia-induced L02 cell model.GQD containing serums at 5%and 10%significantly increased glucose consumption in hypoxia-induced L02 cells after 18 hours.14 biomarkers of hypoxia-induced L02 cells were identified,with the levels of 13 biomarkers significantly increased and 1 biomarker significantly decreased.GQD containing serum notably regulated the levels of 3 biomarkers.Conclusion GQD containing serum might improve hypoxia-induced abnormal glucose metabolism in L02 cells and enhance glucose consumption by modulating glycero-phospholipid metabolism,glycosylphosphatidylinositol biosynthesis,and sphingolipid metabolism.

Objective The study aimedto investigate the effects and metabolic mechanisms of Gegen Qinlian Decoction(GQD)containing serum on hypoxia-induced glucose metabolism in L02 cells.Methods The effects of five hypoxia durations(6,12,18,24,and 48 hours)on glucose consumption and cell viability of L02 cells were examined under hypoxic conditions to determine the optimal hypoxia time.Normal hepatocytes served as the normal control group.L02 cells with hypoxia-induced reduction in glucose consumption were divided into several groups:hypoxia group,metformin 2 mmol/L group,and 25 g/kg GQD groups treated with 5%,10%,and 15%GQD contain-ing serum.Glucose consumption was used as an indicator of drug efficacy.High-resolution liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)was employed to collect metabolite signals from each group.Data were analyzed by using Progenesis QI software,and potential biomarkers were identified through online databases such as HMDB.Finally,metabolic pathways of potential biomarkers were analyzed via the Metabo Analyst 5.0 website.Results An 18 hour hypoxia period was identified as the optimal duration for the replication of the hypoxia-induced L02 cell model.GQD containing serums at 5%and 10%significantly increased glucose consumption in hypoxia-induced L02 cells after 18 hours.14 biomarkers of hypoxia-induced L02 cells were identified,with the levels of 13 biomarkers significantly increased and 1 biomarker significantly decreased.GQD containing serum notably regulated the levels of 3 biomarkers.Conclusion GQD containing serum might improve hypoxia-induced abnormal glucose metabolism in L02 cells and enhance glucose consumption by modulating glycero-phospholipid metabolism,glycosylphosphatidylinositol biosynthesis,and sphingolipid metabolism.

Mediastinal lymph node metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is associated with a high metastasis rate and surgical difficulty. Minimally invasive surgical techniques,such as laparoscopy,allow for precise lymph node dissection in esophageal cancer with guidance for microanatomy. Different surgical concepts,including mesonephrectomy and the "concentric circle" anatomical model,have been proposed by scholars. The use of Da Vinci robots in esophageal surgery is advantageous over traditional laparoscopy in facilitating up-per mediastinal lymph node dissection and protecting recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) function. Based on the experience of our center,we explore robot-assisted lymph node dissection and quality control for esophageal cancer adjacent to the RLN,which can further standardize lymph node dissection in the upper mediastinum and improve perioperative quality of life and long-term survival.

AIM:Given the uncertain impact of osmotic pressure on embryoid body(EB)differentiation,this study aimed to investigate the effects of increased osmotic pressure on EB differentiation and explore the potential relation-ship between this process and cadherin.METHODS:Polhethylene glycol 300(PEG 300)was used to increase the os-motic pressure of the culture medium used for cultivating EBs under both high osmotic pressure and standard culture condi-tions.The experimental design included a control group,an experimental group(hypertonic group),groups treated with varying concentrations of PEG 300,and an experimental group treated with an inhibitor.Western blot,RT-qPCR,AM/PI staining,CCK-8,and immunocytochemical staining was used to analyze the cell viability and the expression of CDH1 and CDH2 markers of the three germ layers,and pluripotency markers within the EBs.RESULTS:Hypertonicity did not af-fect cell viability.Significant differences were observed in the expression of the cadherin proteins CDH1 and CDH2 in EBs between the experimental and control groups;however,no cleartrend towards an EMT shift was observed.Specifically,CDH2 expression was significantly down-regulated in experimental group,showing a clear correlation with variations in os-motic pressure.Moreover,compared with control group,pluripotency markers in the EBs from experimental group exhibited significantly higher expression levels from the 2nd day to the 5th day.A substantial increase in the expression of mesoder-mal markers was also observed;however,a downward trend was observed for ectodermal markers in experimental group.Intervention using SB431542,which up-regulates CDH2 expression by affecting TGF-β signaling,reversed the expression trend of mesodermal and ectodermal markers in experimental group.CONCLUSION:Elevated osmotic pressure appears to enhance the mesodermal differentiation efficiency in EBs,possibly correlating with CDH1 and CDH2 changes induced by osmotic pressure.Therefore,this study emphasizes the significant role of osmotic pressure in stem cell applications.

Mediastinal lymph node metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is associated with a high metastasis rate and surgical difficulty. Minimally invasive surgical techniques,such as laparoscopy,allow for precise lymph node dissection in esophageal cancer with guidance for microanatomy. Different surgical concepts,including mesonephrectomy and the "concentric circle" anatomical model,have been proposed by scholars. The use of Da Vinci robots in esophageal surgery is advantageous over traditional laparoscopy in facilitating up-per mediastinal lymph node dissection and protecting recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) function. Based on the experience of our center,we explore robot-assisted lymph node dissection and quality control for esophageal cancer adjacent to the RLN,which can further standardize lymph node dissection in the upper mediastinum and improve perioperative quality of life and long-term survival.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of Da Vinci robot-assisted superior mediastinum lymph node dissection around recurrent laryngeal nerve.Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 404 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent Da Vinci robot-assisted esophagectomy in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital and Institute from June 2017 to June 2022 were collected. There were 349 males and 55 females, aged (62±8)years. Observation indicators: (1) intraoperative conditions; (2) postoperative conditions; (3) comparison of clinical features in patients who were admitted in different time periods. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the one way ANOVA. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(IQR), and comparison among multiple groups was conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis H test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and com-parison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Results:(1) Intraoperative conditions. The operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, the total number of lymph node dissected, the number of thoracic lymph node dissected, left recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node dissection rate, the number of left recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node dissected, left recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node metastasis rate, right recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node dissection rate, the number of right recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node dissected, right recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node metastasis rate were (306±56)minutes,200(100)mL, 29.9±13.1, 18.5±9.7, 78.47%(317/404), 4.0(3.0), 17.35%(55/317), 94.55%(382/404), 3.0(2.0), 21.20%(81/382). (2) Postoperative conditions. The tumor histopathological type (squamous cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, carcinosarcoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, malignant melanoma), incidence rate of overall complications, cases with recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis, cases with pulmonary complications, cases with anastomotic fistula, cases with incision infection, cases with chylothorax, cases with arrhythmia, cases with deep vein thrombosis, cases with other complications, incidence of re-admission to the intensive care unit, duration of postoperative hospital stay, 90-day mortality were 377, 11, 7, 5, 3, 1, 27.48%(111/404), 8.91%(36/404), 10.64%(43/404), 6.93%(28/404), 0.99%(4/404), 2.48%(10/404), 1.73%(7/404), 0.50%(2/404), 1.98%(8/404), 6.93%(28/404), 16(11)days, 0.50%(2/404). (3) Comparison of clinical features in patients who were admi-tted in different time periods. The number of patients who were admitted from June 2017 to May 2018, from June 2018 to May 2019, from June 2019 to May 2020, from June 2020 to May 2021, from June 2021 to June 2022 was 40, 56, 57, 116, 135, respectively. There were significant differences in age, tumor histopathological type, pT staging, neoadjuvant therapy, operation time, volume of intra-operative blood loss, the total number of lymph node dissected, the number of thoracic lymph node dissected, left recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node dissection rate, the number of left recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node dissected, the number of right recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node dissected, incidence rate of overall complications among patients who were admitted in different time periods ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The Da Vinci robot-assisted superior mediastinum lymph node dissection around recurrent laryngeal nerve is safe and feasible, which can achieve good short-term efficacy.

Objective:To compare physical activity and its influencing factors in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) between China and the United Kingdom.Methods:We analyzed baseline data from China Kadoorie Biobank and the United Kingdom Biobank among COPD patients who were diagnosed with a one-second rate (FEV 1/FVC) less than 70%. Physical activity level was calculated as metabolic equivalent (MET) and divided into three levels: low, medium, and high, according to tertiles stratified by gender and age. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate ORs and 95% CIs for COPD and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) grade about physical activity level, and subgroup analysis was conducted. Results:A total of 506 073 Chinese adults and 231 884 British adults were included. After adjusting for potential confounders, COPD was associated with lower physical activity levels in both Chinese and British COPD patients, with OR (95% CI) of 1.07(1.03-1.10) and 1.03(1.01-1.06) compared with non COPD patients, respectively. The GOLD grade was inversely correlated with physical activity level, particularly in a dose-response manner in the CKB population (trend test P<0.001). The negative relationship was stronger among the elderly, people with less education and lower economic status, and those with a smoking or chronic disease history. Chinese rural COPD patients were at high risk of decline of physical activity. Conclusions:Physical activity is inversely related to COPD, with a dose-response connection to GOLD grade. Therefore, physical activity maintenance and improvement should be encouraged and promoted in COPD patients, especially in high-risk groups.

Objective:To observe the efficacy of drug combined with red-blue light irradiation, chemical peeling by glycolic acid and intense pulsed light (IPL) in the treatment of moderate acne vulgaris.Methods:A total of 187 patients with moderate acne vulgaris were divided into five groups. There were 59 males and 128 females, aged from 16 to 29 years (21.79±2.52). In group A, patients were treated with oral medicines; the patients were treated with oral medicines combined with red-blue light irradiation, chemical peeling by glycolic acid and IPL respectively in group B, group C and group D. In group E, patients were treated with oral medicines combined with chemical peeling by glycolic acid and IPL. The number of different types of skin lesions (comedoes, papules, pustules) were compared between before and after treatment in five groups. The clinical effect of five treatment groups was evaluated by comparing regression rates of different types of skin lesions and total skin lesions and treatment efficiency.Results:All the patients with moderate acne vulgaris were brought into this study. The regression rates of comedoes, papules and total skin lesions were (86.37±9.64)%, (94.25±9.79)% and (88.80±9.40)% respectively in group E, and significantly higher than that of other four groups ( P<0.05). The treatment efficiency of group E also were significantly higher than that of other four groups ( P<0.05). Then, the regression rates of comedoes (70.91±18.52) in group C was significantly higher than that of group A and group B ( P<0.05). The regression rates of papules (91.42±13.86) in group D was significantly higher than that of group A and group B ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Oral medicines combined with chemical peeling by glycolic acid and IPL has obvious clinical efficacy in treatment of patients with moderate acne vulgaris. Oral medicines combined with chemical peeling by glycolic acid can obviously improve comedoes, and oral medicines combined with IPL can obviously improve papules.

Esophagectomy and lymph node dissection are the cornerstones for the treatment of esophageal cancer. Upper mediastinal lymph node dissection is of great value for accurate staging and improving the prognosis of patients. Lymph node dissection along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve is the most challenging procedures in esophageal surgery, and there has been no relevant consensus on the scope and boundary of lymph node dissection. In recent years, with the application of endoscopic technology, especially robotic surgery system in esophagectomy, and the introduction of the concept of superior mediastinal microdissection, the authors have proposed the border of lymph node dissection along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve, so as to achieve precise, radical and standardized dissection. Combined with their own experiences, the authors elaborate on the anatomic boundary, extent and technique of lymph node dissection along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve.