Objective To longitudinally investigate the characteristics of postoperative weight changes in patients with esophageal cancer and analyze its influencing factors, which can provide certain guidance for nutritional intervention in patients with esophageal cancer. Methods Patients with esophageal cancer who underwent surgical treatment at the Sichuan Cancer Hospital from December 2020 to February 2022 were prospectively included. The general information questionnaire and body composition analyzer were used to longitudinally investigate the patients’ weight and body composition before surgery (T0), 1 month after surgery (T1), 3 months after surgery (T2) and 6 months after surgery (T3), and the change characteristics were analyzed. The generalized estimating equation was used to analyze the influencing factors for postoperative weight changes in patients with esophageal cancer. Results A total of 130 patients were enrolled, including 110 males and 20 females, aged 42-79 (63.33±8.16) years. The weight and body composition of patients with esophageal cancer showed a continuous slow downward trend within 6 months after surgery. The weight loss rate of patients at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery was 5.10%, 7.76%, and 9.86%, respectively. The analysis results of the influencing factors for postoperative weight showed that patients with the following characteristics had more weight loss: female (β=−7.703, P=0.001), ≥60 years (β=−3.657, P=0.010), smoking (β=4.622, P=0.010), low tumor differentiation degree (β=4.314, P=0.039), and high frequency of eating (β=−3.400, P=0.008). Conclusion Weight loss is an important health problem for patients with esophageal cancer after surgery, and patients have a continuous downward trend in weight within 6 months after surgery. Medical staff should pay special attention to the patients who are female, ≥60 years, having smoking history and low tumor differentiation degree.

ObjectiveTo investigate the distribution characteristics and correlation of paired oral and esophageal microbiota in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma （ESCC）. MethodsA total of 46 pathologically confirmed ESCC patients were enrolled， and oral swabs and cancerous tissue samples were collected. The microbial composition was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing， and bioinformatics methods were employed to compare the microbiota diversity， compositional differences， and correlations between the two sites. ResultsThe Alpha diversity of the oral microbiota in ESCC patients was significantly higher than that of their esophageal microbiota， though the overall community structure was similar between the two sites. LEfSe analysis revealed that Spirochaetes， Prevotella， Catonella， Enterococcus， Fusobacterium periodonticum， Veillonella parvula， Capnocytophaga sputigena， and Neisseria subflava were significantly enriched in ESCC tumor tissues. In contrast， Actinobacteria， Proteobacteria， Streptococcus， Neisseria， Haemophilus， Streptococcus mitis， Haemophilus parainfluenzae， Porphyromonas gingivalis， Haemophilus haemolyticus， and Prevotella tannerae were significantly enriched in the oral cavity. Correlation analysis demonstrated significant associations between the two sites at taxonomic levels such as Spirochaetes， Treponema， Granulicatella elegans， Neisseria macacae， Treponema amylovorum， Fusobacterium periodonticum， and Neisseria meningitidis （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe oral and esophageal microbiota in ESCC patients exhibit both distinct differences and similarities. Oral microbiota may influence the esophageal microenvironment through migration or local immune modulation.

Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of paeoniflorin(PF)in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury(SA-AKI)in mice.Methods Mouse SA-AKI model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of 15 mg/kg LPS.Twenty-four male C57BL/6J mice(6～8 weeks old,weighing 20～25 g)were randomly divided into Control group,model group,PF group(intraperitoneally injected with 50 mg/kg PF 30 min before LPS administration),and β-catenin specific agonist BML284 group(10 mg/kg BML284 by intraperitoneal injection after 50 mg/kg PF administration).The renal histopathological changes were observed by HE staining and Paller scoring.ELISA was used to determine the contents of serum creatinine(Scr),neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin(NGAL)and lactate,and renal contents of hexokinase 2(HK2),lactate dehydrogenase A(LDHA),IL-1β and IL-18.Western blotting was performed to detect the expression of total β-catenin,p-β-cateninY654,nucleus β-catenin and c-Myc.Results Compared with the Control group,the LPS group showed obviously damaged renal tissue,higher Paller score(P＜0.05),increased serum Scr and NGAL levels(P＜0.05),elevated renal contents of aerobic glycolytic indexes such as HK2,LDHA and serum lactate,as well as contents of IL-1β and IL-18(P＜0.05),and enhanced expression of total β-catenin,p-β-cateninY654,nucleus β-catenin and c-Myc in the renal tissue(P＜0.05).PF treatment attenuated the renal tissue damage,decreased Paller score(P＜0.05),reduced serum Scr and NGAL levels(P＜0.05),HK2,LDHA and serum lactate levels,and contents of IL-1 β and IL-18 in renal tissues(P＜0.05),and down-regulated the renal expression of total β-catenin,p-β-cateninY654,nucleusβ-catenin and c-Myc when compared with the levels in the model group(P＜0.05).While,addition of BML284 reversed above effects of PF treatment with significant differences(P＜0.05).Conclusion PF can alleviate SA-AKI,and its mechanism may be through its inhibiting the β-catenin/c-Myc pathway,thus reducing the aerobic glycolysis level and inflammatory response in renal tissue.

Objective:To investigate, for multi-sensitized allergic rhinitis (AR) patients allergic to dust mites combined with other allergens (pollen, mold, animal dander, etc.), whether the single dust mite subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) can improve the specific symptoms caused by other allergens in the patients, and to analyze the relationship between the effectiveness of symptom improvement in these patients and the type, quantity and severity of the allergens.Methods:A multicenter retrospective study was conducted to collect mul-sensitized AR patients from allergy or respiratory departments of 5 hospitals who received house dust mite allergen preparation SCIT for 12 to 36 months and met other inclusion and exclusion criteria from February to July 2024. General clinical data were collected and the perennial or seasonal symptoms before and after treatment were evaluated with visual analogue scale (VAS) to assess whether there was an perennial or allergen-specific symptom improvement (VAS score decrease ≥30%), by which the patients were divided into effective group and ineffective. R software was used to analyze the differences between groups by using Fisher′s exact test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results:A total of 62 patients were enrolled, and the treatment were effective in 39 of them, with an effective rate of 62.9%. For allergen-specific symptoms, the median age of the effective group was higher than that of the ineffective group (12 years old vs. 8 years old, P=0.039), and the effective rate in dust mite specific immunoglobin E (sIgE) grade ≤5 group was higher than that in sIgE grade >5 group (81.6% vs. 45.5%, P=0.008), and the effective rate of mold sIgE grade ≤2 group was higher than that of sIgE grade >2 group (83.3% vs. 28.6%, P=0.045), and there was no statistically significant correlation between the other allergen grades and the effective rate ( P>0.05). For perennial symptoms, the effective rate in the mold grade ≤2 group was higher than that in the sIgE grade >2 group (91.3% vs. 28.6%, P=0.010), and there was no statistically significant correlation between the other allergen grades and the effective rate ( P>0.05). There was no significant correlation between the treatment effectiveness of perennial or allergen-specific symptoms and the number of combined allergens, the grade of skin test, and the difference between the grade of combined allergens and that of dust mites ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Among the patients with multi-sensitized AR allergic to dust mites included in this study, single dust mite SCIT is effective in some of them, and for allergen-specific symptoms, the effective group was elder, and dust mite sIgE grade 6 and mold sIgE grade ≥2 was related to the low effective rate of SCIT. The present results are insufficient for selecting single or multiple AIT in any type of multi-sensitized patients.

Objective:To analyze the influence factors behind the effective prevention and control of Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) in Tibet Autonomous Region (Tibet).Methods:Based on the data of KBD in Tibet in 2010 and 2015 provided by the Tibet Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the contribution of different prevention and control measures for KBD in Tibet was analyzed from the natural environment and socio-economic aspects (including vegetation coverage, economic level, industrial structure, dietary nutrition, planting structure, land use, aid to Tibet policy and medical care) by using the method of optimal parameters-based geographical detector.Results:There were differences in the explanatory power of various influencing factors on the prevention and control effect of KBD in different periods. In 2010, the proportion of forest area and per capita food consumption of farmers and herdsmen were the dominant factors ( q = 0.482, 0.366, P < 0.05). In 2015, the normalized vegetation index, the proportion of sown area of grain and oil crops, and the proportion of forest area were dominant ( q = 0.378, 0.334, 0.323, P < 0.05). The interaction between various influencing factors was stronger than that of single factor. In 2010, the explanatory power of the interaction between the proportion of forest area and grassland area was the highest ( q = 0.737), followed by the interaction between the proportion of agricultural and animal husbandry output value and the proportion of forest area ( q = 0.688). In 2015, the explanatory power of the interaction between per capita disposable income of farmers and herdsmen and the proportion of agricultural and animal husbandry output value was the highest ( q = 0.844), followed by the interaction between per capita disposable income of farmers and herdsmen and the proportion of arable land area ( q = 0.808). Conclusion:The key to the prevention and control of KBD in Tibet is to improve the economic level, improve the dietary nutrition of residents, adjust the structure of agriculture and animal husbandry and agricultural planting, and change the land use mode.

Objective To investigate the effectiveness and safety of electroconvulsive therapy(ECT)in reducing suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms of major depressive disorder patients,as well as its effect on cognitive function.Methods A total of 160 adolescent patients with major depressive disorder were recruited for this study.The ECT group(n=81)received conventional antidepressant medication combined with 8 sessions of electroconvulsive therapy,and the control group(n=79)received conventional antidepressant medication only.Depressive symptoms,suicidal ideation,and cognitive functioning were assessed using 17-item Hamilton rating scale for depression(HAMD-17)and self-rating idea of suicide scale(SIOSS),at baseline(before ECT),after ECT,and at 2 and 6 weeks after treatment.The Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA)was used to evaluate the cognitive function of the patients,and the patients were followed up for side effects such as dizziness and nausea.Results Generalized estimating equation(GEE)analysis of HAMD-17 and SIOSS scores showed significant group×time interaction effects(P<0.01).Both groups exhibited a reduction in HAMD-17 scores before and after treatment(scores at four time points:ECT group 24.59±4.56 vs.13.25±4.32 vs.6.20±1.95 vs.3.62±2.04,control group 23.48±3.66 vs.15.42±3.11 vs.10.10±2.05 vs.4.68±2.01;P<0.01).The mean difference in HAMD-17 scores before and after treatment was-9.62±3.13 in the ECT group,and was-8.16±1.71 in the control group.Additionally,suicidal ideation reduced in both groups after treatment(SIOSS scores at four time points:ECT group 18.57±2.85 vs.10.93±3.52 vs.8.02±2.79 vs.3.70±1.96,control group 18.97±3.03 vs.15.51±2.98 vs.11.11±2.18 vs.6.44±1.78;P<0.01).For cognitive function scores,there was no interaction between group and time(P=0.21),the difference in the change in MoCA scores at different follow-up time points was significant(P<0.01),and the difference in the change in MoCA scores between the two groups was not significant(P=0.05),and the cognitive functions of the two groups could be restored to the baseline level at 6 weeks after treatment.No severe side effects were reported in either group of patients during the study.Conclusions Our findings confirm that ECT is effective and safe for improving suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms in adolescents with major depressive disorder.The impairment of cognitive function by ECT in adolescent patients with major depressive disorder is reversible.

AIM:To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of paeoniflorin(PF)on lipopolysac-charide(LPS)-induced intestinal injury in septic mice,using a combination of network pharmacology,molecular docking,and animal experiments.METHODS:Network pharmacology was used to identify key active components and therapeutic targets of Red Peony for treating sepsis.Molecular docking was performed to explore the binding affinity be-tween PF and silent information regulator 1(SIRT1).An LPS-induced mouse model of sepsis with intestinal injury was es-tablished.Samples were collected 24 h after modeling,and hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was performed to observe pathological changes in intestinal tissues.Chiu's scoring system was utilized to evaluate the extent of intestinal injury.En-zyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was employed to measure levels of inflammatory factors in intestinal tissues,including interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18,as well as indicators of intestinal permeability such as diamine oxidase(DAO)and intestinal-type fatty acid-binding protein(I-FABP),alongside serum levels of D-lactate and the aerobic gly-colysis product L-lactate.Western blot analysis was performed to assess changes in protein levels of SIRT1,M2-type pyru-vate kinase(PKM2),and NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)in intestinal tissues.RESULTS:Network pharmacolo-gy suggested that paeoniflorin,an active component of Red Peony,treats sepsis by targeting SIRT1 among other proteins.Molecular docking revealed a strong binding affinity of PF with SIRT1.In vivo experimentation revealed significant patho-logical damage in intestinal tissues in the LPS group compared to the control group as evidenced by HE staining.Chiu's score,along with levels of IL-1β,IL-18,D-lactate,and L-lactate were significantly elevated,while DAO and I-FABP levels were reduced(P＜0.05).SIRT1 expression decreased,while PKM2 and NLRP3 levels increased(P＜0.05).In contrast,the LPS+PF group displayed reduced intestinal histopathological injury,lower Chiu's scores,and decreased levels of IL-1β,IL-18,D-lactate,and L-lactate,along with increased DAO and I-FABP levels(P＜0.05).Notably,SIRT1 protein expression increased while PKM2 and NLRP3 levels decreased(P＜0.05).Furthermore,compared to the LPS+PF group,the LPS+PF+EX527 group exhibited exacerbated intestinal histopathological injury,increased Chiu's scores,as well as elevated levels of IL-1β,IL-18,D-lactate,and L-lactate,alongside reduced DAO and I-FABP levels(P＜0.05),decreased SIRT1 expression,and increased PKM2 and NLRP3 levels(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:Paeoni-florin effectively alleviates intestinal injury in mice with sepsis,potentially through the upregulation of SIRT1 expression and the inhibition of PKM2-mediated aerobic glycolysis,which subsequently reduces the activation of NLRP3 inflamma-somes,mitigates the release of inflammatory factors,and lessens intestinal inflammation.

Objective:To investigate the effect of metaphorical acceptance-based intervention on alleviating negative emotions in college students.Methods:Totally 112 college students were assigned to the metaphorical in-tervention group(n=40),the non-metaphorical intervention group(n=36),and the control group(n=36).Both intervention groups received online group intervention once a week for 2 weeks,while the control group received no intervention.The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7(GAD-7),Patient Health Questionnaire-9(PHQ-9),Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-2nd Edition(AAQ-Ⅱ),and a self-report acceptance item were used to assess participants'anxiety,depression,experiential avoidance,and acceptance at baseline,2-week post-intervention,1-week follow-up,and 3-week follow-up.Results:After 2-week interventions,the scores of GAD-7,PHQ-9,and AAQ-Ⅱ in the meta-phorical group were lower than that at baseline,and the scores of self-report acceptance were higher than that at baseline(Ps＜0.01).In the non-metaphorical group,the scores of GAD-7 at 1-week follow-up,the scores of PHQ-9 at 2-week post-intervention and 1-week follow-up,and the scores of AAQ-Ⅱ after 2-week post-intervention were all lower than that at baseline(Ps＜0.05).The scores of self-report acceptance after 2 weeks post-intervention were all higher than baseline(Ps＜0.001).The decrease of scores of AAQ-Ⅱ only mediated the reduction of scores of GAD-7(95％CI=-2.39--0.38)and PHQ-9(95％CI=-2.65--0.44)caused by metaphorical acceptance-based intervention.Conclusion:Online metaphorical acceptance-based intervention may have larger efficacy than non-metaphorical intervention in continuously alleviating anxiety,and the reduction of experiential avoidance plays an important role in alleviating anxiety and depression in metaphorical acceptance-based intervention.

Objective:To analyze the influence factors behind the effective prevention and control of Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) in Tibet Autonomous Region (Tibet).Methods:Based on the data of KBD in Tibet in 2010 and 2015 provided by the Tibet Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the contribution of different prevention and control measures for KBD in Tibet was analyzed from the natural environment and socio-economic aspects (including vegetation coverage, economic level, industrial structure, dietary nutrition, planting structure, land use, aid to Tibet policy and medical care) by using the method of optimal parameters-based geographical detector.Results:There were differences in the explanatory power of various influencing factors on the prevention and control effect of KBD in different periods. In 2010, the proportion of forest area and per capita food consumption of farmers and herdsmen were the dominant factors ( q = 0.482, 0.366, P < 0.05). In 2015, the normalized vegetation index, the proportion of sown area of grain and oil crops, and the proportion of forest area were dominant ( q = 0.378, 0.334, 0.323, P < 0.05). The interaction between various influencing factors was stronger than that of single factor. In 2010, the explanatory power of the interaction between the proportion of forest area and grassland area was the highest ( q = 0.737), followed by the interaction between the proportion of agricultural and animal husbandry output value and the proportion of forest area ( q = 0.688). In 2015, the explanatory power of the interaction between per capita disposable income of farmers and herdsmen and the proportion of agricultural and animal husbandry output value was the highest ( q = 0.844), followed by the interaction between per capita disposable income of farmers and herdsmen and the proportion of arable land area ( q = 0.808). Conclusion:The key to the prevention and control of KBD in Tibet is to improve the economic level, improve the dietary nutrition of residents, adjust the structure of agriculture and animal husbandry and agricultural planting, and change the land use mode.

Objective To investigate the effectiveness and safety of electroconvulsive therapy(ECT)in reducing suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms of major depressive disorder patients,as well as its effect on cognitive function.Methods A total of 160 adolescent patients with major depressive disorder were recruited for this study.The ECT group(n=81)received conventional antidepressant medication combined with 8 sessions of electroconvulsive therapy,and the control group(n=79)received conventional antidepressant medication only.Depressive symptoms,suicidal ideation,and cognitive functioning were assessed using 17-item Hamilton rating scale for depression(HAMD-17)and self-rating idea of suicide scale(SIOSS),at baseline(before ECT),after ECT,and at 2 and 6 weeks after treatment.The Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA)was used to evaluate the cognitive function of the patients,and the patients were followed up for side effects such as dizziness and nausea.Results Generalized estimating equation(GEE)analysis of HAMD-17 and SIOSS scores showed significant group×time interaction effects(P<0.01).Both groups exhibited a reduction in HAMD-17 scores before and after treatment(scores at four time points:ECT group 24.59±4.56 vs.13.25±4.32 vs.6.20±1.95 vs.3.62±2.04,control group 23.48±3.66 vs.15.42±3.11 vs.10.10±2.05 vs.4.68±2.01;P<0.01).The mean difference in HAMD-17 scores before and after treatment was-9.62±3.13 in the ECT group,and was-8.16±1.71 in the control group.Additionally,suicidal ideation reduced in both groups after treatment(SIOSS scores at four time points:ECT group 18.57±2.85 vs.10.93±3.52 vs.8.02±2.79 vs.3.70±1.96,control group 18.97±3.03 vs.15.51±2.98 vs.11.11±2.18 vs.6.44±1.78;P<0.01).For cognitive function scores,there was no interaction between group and time(P=0.21),the difference in the change in MoCA scores at different follow-up time points was significant(P<0.01),and the difference in the change in MoCA scores between the two groups was not significant(P=0.05),and the cognitive functions of the two groups could be restored to the baseline level at 6 weeks after treatment.No severe side effects were reported in either group of patients during the study.Conclusions Our findings confirm that ECT is effective and safe for improving suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms in adolescents with major depressive disorder.The impairment of cognitive function by ECT in adolescent patients with major depressive disorder is reversible.