Machado-Joseph disease, or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), represents the most common autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia worldwide. Despite its progressive and debilitating nature, disease-modifying therapies remain elusive. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has emerged as a promising non-invasive intervention; however, its clinical application has been hindered by inconsistent protocols and a lack of mechanistic understanding. A recent landmark study published in Brain Stimulation by Chen et al. addressed these challenges by combining a high-dose intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) protocol with concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation-electroencephalography (TMS-EEG). This commentary provides an in-depth analysis of their findings, highlighting the restoration of cerebello-cortical inhibition (CBI) as a key therapeutic mechanism. Furthermore, we discuss the broader implications of this work, proposing that future translational research should integrate accelerated iTBS (aiTBS) paradigms, cortical response measurements (CRM), and individualized neuro-navigation to establish a new era of precision neuromodulation for ataxia.

Machado-Joseph disease, or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), represents the most common autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia worldwide. Despite its progressive and debilitating nature, disease-modifying therapies remain elusive. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has emerged as a promising non-invasive intervention; however, its clinical application has been hindered by inconsistent protocols and a lack of mechanistic understanding. A recent landmark study published in Brain Stimulation by Chen et al. addressed these challenges by combining a high-dose intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) protocol with concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation-electroencephalography (TMS-EEG). This commentary provides an in-depth analysis of their findings, highlighting the restoration of cerebello-cortical inhibition (CBI) as a key therapeutic mechanism. Furthermore, we discuss the broader implications of this work, proposing that future translational research should integrate accelerated iTBS (aiTBS) paradigms, cortical response measurements (CRM), and individualized neuro-navigation to establish a new era of precision neuromodulation for ataxia.

Background/Aims: Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues. Results: We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts. Conclusion Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.

Objective To elucidate the pharmacokinetic characteristics and primary metabolic pathways of anthocyanins in vivo,as well as the endogenous metabolites exhibiting sensitive responses to bilberry extract intervention in rats by LC-MS/MS technology,following oral administration of bilberry extract.Methods Multi-component pharmacokinetic technology was employed to study the systemic exposure characteristics of anthocyanins in blood,the metabolic product profile,and the dynamic concentration changes of anthocyanins and their metabolites in plasma after oral administration of bilberry extract to rats.Metabolomics technology was used to analyze changes in endogenous metabolites at the time point when most anthocyanins reached their peak plasma concentration.Results After administration of European cranberry extract,a total of 18 anthocyanin parent compounds and 14 metabolites were detected in rat plasma.Glucuronidation was identified as the primary metabolic pathway.The time to reach peak concentration(Tmax)for most parent compounds ranged from 15 to 60 minutes.Moreover,30 minutes after oral dosing with the cranberry extract,the levels of various endogenous acyl-carnitines,fatty acids,and lysophosphatidylcholines in the blood decreased.The plasma exposure of most anthocyanin components and their metabolites showed a highly linear correlation with the administered dose(R2>0.9).Conclusion This study clarified the main pharmacokinetic characteristics and metabolic pathways of anthocyanins from bilberry extract in rats,as well as the potential impact on various endogenous metabolites.It provides data support for effectively exploring the pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of action of bilberry extract.

Family with sequence similarity 3 member A(FAM3A),a novel mitochondrial protein,plays a pivotal role in hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism by enhancing ATP synthesis and secretion and mod-ulating the ATP-P2 receptor-Akt signaling pathway.Dysregulation of FAM3A is closely associated with the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).In this study,targeting FAM3A as a therapeutic candidate,we conducted virtual screening to identify 47 small-molecule compounds with potential binding activity.Surface plasmon resonance(SPR)analysis re-vealed three compounds exhibiting high binding affinity to FAM3 A.Further structural characterization of the FAM3A-compound complexes,combined with intermolecular interaction analysis,elucidated the binding mode of the lead compound Index 2(taxifolin)to FAM3A at atomic resolution.These findings provide critical insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying ligand-FAM3A interactions and deliver valuable chemical scaffolds for the development of therapeutics targeting NAFLD and T2DM.This work establishes a foundation for advancing drug discovery efforts focused on FAM3A-mediated metabolic disor-ders.

Objective To evaluate the safety and feasibility of percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty with the assistance of arterio-venous circuit.Methods From January 2015 to October 2022,a total 25 patients[19 females,6 males;age(61.60±9.00)years]were included,who were diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease and severe mitral stenosis.A transseptal puncture was performed to establish a femoral arterio-venous circuit,followed by graded dilation with Inoue balloon(diameters:22.00 mm to 28.00 mm).The target was a mitral valve area≥1.50 cm2 with mild or less regurgitation.Results The arterio-venous circuit was established,and mitral balloon valvuloplasty was successfully completed in all 25 patients.Among them,20 patients experienced difficulty with transvalvular crossing using the balloon catheter with conventional methods,16 patients had valvular severe calcification,and 3 patients presented with a left atrial appendage thrombus despite of more than 6-month anticoagulation therapy with warfarin.The mean balloon diameter was(25.00±1.40)mm.The mitral valve area increased from(0.91±0.15)cm2 preoperatively to(1.70±0.14)cm2 postoperatively(P＜0.001).Mean left atrial pressure decreased from(27.00±7.50)mmHg to(16.36±4.07)mmHg(P＜0.001),and mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased from(40.84±13.81)mmHg to(25.00±7.12)mmHg(P＜0.001).All patients showed significant symptom improvement with no complications.Conclusions Arterio-venous circuit for percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty is safe and feasible.This technique can serve as an alternative to standard technique for patients with complex mitral stenosis.

Objective:This article introduces a novel technique for totally laparoscopic, right thoracic approach, esophagojejunostomy for digestive tract reconstruction.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction who successfully underwent totally laparoscopic esophagojejunostomy via the right thoracic approach at Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, between February 2022 and March 2022.The surgical procedure was performed as follows:(1)Following total laparoscopic resection of the gastric tumor and lymph node dissection, the specimen was transected distal to the tumor margin. The specimen was then placed into a retrieval bag and extracted through the umbilical observation port.(2)Dissection was continued through the esophageal hiatus to mobilize the esophagus. The tumor-bearing tissue, along with the esophagus, was delivered into the thoracic cavity via the esophageal hiatus.(3)The jejunum was transected 20 cm distal to the ligament of Treitz. The distal Jejunum was mobilized for 15-20 cm and subsequently delivered into the thoracic cavity through the esophageal hiatus.(4)A Roux-en-Y jejunojejunostomy was constructed 45-50 cm distal to the cut end of the distal jejunal limb; the mesenteric defect was closed, and the duodenal stump was reinforced.(5)The patient was repositioned into the left lateral decubitus position. Port placement was established as follows: the observation port at the 7th intercostal space (ICS) in the right midaxillary line, the main operating port at the 4th ICS in the anterior axillary line, and the assistant operating port at the 9th ICS in the scapular line.(6)The main operating port incision was enlarged. Using a purse-string instrument, the esophagus was clamped and transected at least 5 cm proximal to the upper tumor margin, and the specimen was removed. (7)The distal jejunum was delivered into the thoracic cavity via the esophageal hiatus. Under total laparoscopic visualization, esophagojejunostomy was completed.Results:Both patients who underwent totally laparoscopic esophagojejunostomy via the right thoracic cavity successfully completed the procedure without conversion to laparotomy, unplanned reoperation, or any intraoperative/postoperative complications. The patients recovered well postoperatively, with no evidence of abdominal or thoracic hemorrhage. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest and abdomen confirmed the absence of anastomotic leakage or other related complications.Conclusions:The esophagojejunostomy was performed totally laparoscopically via the right thoracic cavity. This approach overcomes the drawback of significant trauma associated with open surgery while ensuring safe esophageal resection margins and thorough lymph node dissection. This technique offers advantages including minimal invasiveness, accelerated postoperative recovery, and a reduced incidence of reflux esophagitis. To our knowledge, no similar method of digestive tract reconstruction has been reported in the literature. Its novelty and clinical potential may offer new therapeutic options for patients with Siewert type II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG).

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of hydrogen peroxide disinfectant on terminal disinfection in wards of medical institutions.METHODS The surfaces of highly frequent contact objects of the wards of the First Affilia-ted Hospital of Nanchang University from which the public health center patients were discharged between Apr.2024 and Jun.2024 were respectively disinfected with 0.5％(low)and 5％(high)concentrations of hydrogen peroxide disinfecting wipes,totally 180 samples were randomly collected before and after the disinfection,and the pathogens were detected.The air of the wards from which the public health center patients were discharged be-tween Jul.2024 and Aug.2024 were disinfected with hydrogen peroxide dry mist disinfection device,and 90 sam-ples were respectively collected before and after the disinfection.Geobacillus stearothermophilus was used as the biological indicator and placed at various points within the air-disinfected wards to evaluate the disinfection level.The environmental sampling results and distribution of bacteria were observed and compared.RESULTS The qualified rates of disinfection of the object surfaces were 95.56％(86/90)and 98.89％(89/90)respectively for the low and high concentratioins of hydrogen peroxide disinfecting wipes,and there was no significant difference in the disinfection effect.Totally 120 strains of pathogens were isolated from unqualified samples before the disinfection,among which gram-negative bacteria(69.17％)were dominant,and the isolation rate of multidrug-resistant or-ganisms was 22.50％(27/120);only 1 strain of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii was isolated after the disinfection.The qualified rate of disinfection of air in the wards was 96.00％by 7.5％hydrogen peroxide dry mist disinfection device,the average bacterial colony counts in the air were 2 CFU/(5 min·vsl)after the dis-infection,and the killing rate of Geobacillus stearothermophilus was 100.00％by the air disinfection.CONCLUSION The hydrogen peroxide disinfectant can meet the requirement for terminal disinfection of the wards of the medical institutions,and it is portable and highly efficient.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of different doses of tranexamic acid (TXA) for traumatic hemorrhagic shock (THS) in the early phase of trauma following acute exposure to high altitude in rabbits.Methods:Twenty-five healthy male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into plain control group ( n=5) and acute high-altitude THS group ( n=20) according to the random number table method. The plain control group did not undergo THS modeling throughout the experiment while the acute high-altitude THS group was raised in a hypoxia simulation chamber with a volume fraction of 10% for 3 days to establish the THS model. Based on the different doses of TXA administered intravenously at 30 minutes after THS modeling, the acute high-altitude THS group was further divided into four subgroups: acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA subgroup, acute high-altitude THS+45 mg/kg TXA subgroup, acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA subgroup and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA subgroup, with 5 rabbits in each. The vital signs [mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, rectal temperature] and blood cell counts [red blood cell count (RBC), platelet count (PLT)], 4 coagulation parameters [fibrinogen (FIB), D-dimer, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT)], thromboelastography [clotting reaction time (R value), clot formation time (K value), maximum amplitude (MA value)], syndecan-1, inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)], and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were recorded before blood loss, at 30 minutes and 120 minutes after blood loss. At 6 hours after THS, the lungs, terminal ileum, and kidneys of the rabbits were collected to observe tissue damage, and the wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) and total water content (TLW) of the lung tissue were measured. Results:(1) Vital signs: Before blood loss, there were no significant differences in MAP, heart rate, or rectal temperature between the acute high-altitude THS subgroups and the plain control group ( P>0.05). At 30 minutes and 120 minutes after blood loss, the acute high-altitude THS subgroups exhibited significantly lower MAP, heart rate, and rectal temperature compared to those in the plain control group ( P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in MAP, heart rate or rectal temperature among the acute high-altitude THS subgroups at any time point ( P>0.05). In the acute high-altitude THS subgroups, MAP, heart rate and rectal temperature were significantly decreased at 30 minutes and 120 minutes after blood loss compared to those before blood loss ( P<0.05); At 120 minutes after blood loss, these parameters were further significantly decreased compared to those at 30 minutes after blood loss ( P<0.05). (2) Blood cell counts: Before blood loss, the RBC count was significantly higher in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to that in the plain control group ( P<0.05), while the PLT was significantly lower ( P<0.05). At 30 minutes after blood loss, there was no significant difference in RBC count between the acute high-altitude THS subgroups and the plain control group ( P>0.05), but the PLT remained significantly lower in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups ( P<0.05). At 120 minutes after blood loss, the RBC count was significantly lower in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to that in the plain control group ( P<0.05), with no significant differences among the acute high-altitude THS subgroups ( P>0.05). The PLT count was significantly lower in the acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA subgroup compared to the other subgroups ( P<0.05). The PLT count in the acute high-altitude THS+45 mg/kg TXA subgroup was significantly lower than those in the acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA subgroups ( P<0.05), with no significant differences between the latter two subgroups ( P>0.05). (3) Four Coagulation parameters: Before blood loss, D-dimer level was significantly higher in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to that in the plain control group ( P<0.05), while no significant difference was observed in FIB ( P>0.05). APTT and PT were significantly shortened in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups ( P<0.05). At 30 minutes after blood loss, D-dimer level remained significantly higher in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to that in the plain control group ( P<0.05), while FIB was significantly lower ( P<0.05), with significant increase of APTT and PT compared to those before blood loss ( P<0.05). At 120 minutes after blood loss, the acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA subgroup exhibited significantly higher D-dimer level compared to the other subgroups ( P<0.05), with significantly lower FIB and higher APTT and PT ( P<0.05). The acute high-altitude THS+45 mg/kg TXA subgroup also showed significantly higher D-dimer level compared to those in the acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA subgroups ( P<0.05), with significantly lower FIB and increased APTT and PT ( P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in D-dimer, FIB, APTT or PT between the acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA subgroups ( P>0.05). (4) Thromboelastography parameters: Before blood loss, the R value was significantly shorter in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to that in the plain control group ( P<0.05), while no significant differences were observed in K value or MA value ( P>0.05). At 30 minutes after blood loss, both R value and K value were significantly shorter in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to those in the plain control group ( P<0.05), with no significant differences in MA value ( P>0.05). At 120 minutes after blood loss, the acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA subgroup exhibited significantly increased R value and K value compared to those in the other subgroups ( P<0.05), while MA value was significantly decreased ( P<0.05). The remaining acute high-altitude THS subgroups showed significant decrease of R value and K value compared to those in the plain control group ( P<0.05), while MA value was significantly lower ( P<0.05). The acute high-altitude THS+45 mg/kg TXA subgroup exhibited significantly lower R value and K value compared to those in the acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA subgroups ( P<0.05), with no significant differences in R value, K value and MA value between the later two groups ( P<0.05). (5) Changes in Syndecan-1, inflammatory factors and PAI-1: Before blood loss, syndecan-1 was significantly higher in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to that in the plain control group ( P<0.05), while no significant differences were observed in IL-6, TNF-α, or PAI-1 ( P>0.05). At 30 minutes after blood loss, syndecan-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and PAI-1 were significantly higher in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to those in the plain control group ( P<0.05). At 120 minutes after blood loss, syndecan-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and PAI-1 were significantly higher in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to those in the plain control group ( P<0.05). Among them, the acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA group exhibited significantly higher levels of syndecan-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and PAI-1 compared to the other acute high-altitude THS subgroups ( P<0.05). The acute high-altitude THS+45 mg/kg TXA subgroup had significantly higher syndecan-1, IL-6, and TNF-α compared to those in the acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA subgroups ( P<0.05), with no significant difference in PAI-1 ( P>0.05). No significant differences were observed in syndecan-1, IL-6, TNF-α or PAI-1 between the acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA subgroups ( P>0.05). (6) Tissue injury: At 6 hours after THS, acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA group exhibited significant interstitial thickening of the lung with extensive inflammatory cell infiltration, localized loss of intestinal brush border accompanied by cellular disruption, and marked structural disruption of renal corpuscles with focal cellular injury and necrosis. At 6 hours after THS, the acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA subgroup exhibited significantly higher lung injury scores, Chiu′s intestinal injury scores, and kidney injury scores compared to those of the other subgroups ( P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the tissue injury scores of the lungs, intestines and kidneys among the other subgroups ( P>0.05). The acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA subgroup also had significantly higher lung W/D and TLW compared to those in the other subgroups ( P<0.05). At 6 hours after THS, the acute high-altitude THS+45 mg/kg TXA group exhibited significantly higher W/D and TLW of the lung tissues compared to those in the acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA groups ( P<0.05), with no significant differences between the latter two subgroups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:At 3 days after acute exposure to high altitude, rabbits show a hypercoagulable state of the blood, accompanied by endothelial barrier dysfunction. At 30 minutes after the induction of acute high-altitude THS, a single slow intravenous bolus injection of TXA at doses of 90 mg/kg and 135 mg/kg is more effective in improving coagulation and fibrinolysis function, inflammatory response, endothelial injury, and reduced the risk of pulmonary edema than that at a dose of 45 mg/kg.

Aim To explore the role and mechanism of epimedokoreanin B(EKB)in HepaRG cell pyroptosis through endoplasmic reticulum stress and NLRP1-me-diated pyroptosis pathway.Methods The effect of EKB on the viability of HepaRG cells at different con-centrations was determined by MTT assay,and the cell growth status was recorded by Incucyte.Four groups of HepaRG cells were set up.The control group was cul-tured with complete medium for 24 h;the drug admin-istration group was cultured with three concentration gradients of 6.25,12.5 and 25 μmol·L-1 of EKB for 24 h.Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins and pyroptosis-related proteins in the cells of each group.Results HepaRG cells showed cytotoxicity at a concentration of 6.25 μmol·L-1 for 24 h,and the half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)was 12.41 μmol·L-1.Incucyte recordings of the cell growth status showed that the cells in the control group were in good growth status,and the vesicular pyropto-sis cells appeared in the different concentrations of EKB and the cells swelled and ruptured after 24 h.Western blot showed that the protein expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins pERK,eIF-2α,ATF-4,GRP78,and CHOP significantly in-creased in HepaRG cells at 25 μmol·L-1 of EKB compared with the control group.The proteins of the classical pathway of cellular pyroptosis mediated by NLRP1,caspase-1,cleaved caspase-1,GSDMD,GS-DMD-N significantly increased in HepaRG cells.Con-clusion EKB administration induces HepaRG cell py-roptosis,and EKB activates HepaRG cells to undergo endoplasmic reticulum stress and activates the NLRP1/caspase-1/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis pathway.