Objective:To investigate the impact of deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR), adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-veo (ASiR-V) and filtered back projection (FBP) on the histogram and wavelet features of portal venous phase abdominal CT in patients with hepatic tumor.Methods:The CT data of 68 patients with hepatic tumor who underwent enhanced CT scans were retrospectively collected. FBP, 30%ASiR-V, DLIR-L, DLIR-M and DLIR-H images were reconstructed. The images of portal venous phase were reconstructed with five algorithms, including FBP, ASIR-V at a level of 30% (ASiR-V 30%), DLIR at low (DLIR-L), medium (DLIR-M), and high (DLIR-H). Histogram and wavelet features were extracted from hepatic lesion, liver, spleen, kidney and erector spinae muscle, and compared using one-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis test. Two radiologists delineated the three-dimensional lesions independently and one of them repeated the delineation after one month. Intra-class correlation coefficients ( ICC) among five sets of images were calculated to evaluate the consistency of radiomics features of hepatic lesion. P<0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results:Most histogram and wavelet features extracted from hepatic lesion, liver, spleen, kidney and erector spinae muscle showed significant differences among five groups (all P<0.05). The number of features without significant differences decreased with the intensity of DLIR reconstruction increased. For histogram features, there were no significant differences of energy, mean, median, and total energy among five sets of images ( P>0.05). For wavelet features, there were no significant differences of mean and median among five sets of images ( P>0.05). The consistency of all histogram features was high except for the mean value of wavelet feature. The intra-and inter-observer ICC ranged from 0.756 to 1 and 0.767 to 1, respectively. Conclusion:Both 30%ASiR-V and DLIR at three levels algorithms had influence on the histogram and wavelet features of abdominal organs and hepatic tumors extracted from CT images in portal venous phase, and the effects expanded with the strengthening of levels. Median can be a reliable quantitative parameter for CT texture analysis of hepatic tumor.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of Bushen Zhuyun prescription （BSZY） on abortion rats with kidney deficiency-corpus luteum inhibition syndrome. MethodsAn abortion rat model with kidney deficiency-corpus luteum inhibition syndrome was constructed. Pregnant mice aged 8-10 weeks were randomly divided into a control group （Control）， a model group （Model）， low-dose BSZY （BSZY-L）， medium-dose BSZY （BSZY-M）， and high-dose BSZY （BSZY-H） groups （2.57， 5.14， 10.28 g·kg^-¹）， and a Zishen Yutai Pill （ZSYT） group （1.575 g·kg^-¹）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to evaluate histopathological changes in ovarian and decidual tissue of rats in each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure levels of estrogen （E₂）， progesterone （P）， luteinizing hormone （LH）， prolactin （PRL）， and follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH） in serum. The candidate targets of BSZY were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Platform （TCMSP） and Integrative Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCMIP） v2.0 databases， while disease targets for recurrent spontaneous abortion （RSA） were retrieved from GeneCards， DrugBank， Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM）， and Therapeutic Target Database （TTD）. The intersection targets were identified by the Venny 2.1.0 platform. Pathway enrichment analysis was conducted based on the Metascape database to predict the potential mechanisms of BSZY. Additionally. Western blot was used to verify the effects of BSZY on the expression of estrogen receptor （ERα）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）， and protein kinase B （Akt） and explore its protective mechanism on RSA rats. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited significantly decreased uterine， ovarian， and embryonic wet weights （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with an abortion rate of 57.18%. The ovarian tissue showed varying degrees of reduction in primordial follicles， primary follicles， mature follicles， and corpora lutea， along with a large number of atretic follicles. The endometrium was thinner， and decidual tissue exhibited cellular edema and disorganized arrangement. In contrast， compared with the model group， the BSZY groups at all doses and the ZSYT group demonstrated increased uterine， ovarian， and embryonic wet weights， along with a reduced abortion rate. The number of primordial follicles， primary follicles， mature follicles， and corpora lutea increased， while atretic follicles decreased. The endometrium thickened， and decidual tissue displayed normal cellular structure with tight arrangement. Additionally， the model group showed significantly decreased levels of E₂， P， PRL， and FSH in serum （P<0.05， P<0.01）， along with a decreasing trend in LH level. In contrast， the BSZY groups at all doses exhibited significantly elevated levels of E₂， P， LH， PRL， and FSH in serum （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Network pharmacology predictions suggested that BSZY may exert protective effects against abortion in rats by activating the ERα/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Western blot results confirmed that BSZY significantly upregulated the expression of ERα， PI3K， and p-Akt proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionBSZY has a protective effect on the abortion rats with kidney deficiency-corpus luteum inhibition syndrome， possibly by activating the ERα/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to reduce ovarian apoptosis and regulate endocrine function， thereby lowering the abortion rate.

Piezo is a newly discovered mechanosensitive ion channel (MSC) in mammals, characterized by a unique homotrimeric three-leaf propeller-shaped structure that converts mechanical signals into biological and electrical signals, thus participating in the regulation of various physiological and pathological processes. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated the crucial role of Piezo channel in renal physiology and pathophysiology. This article aims to provide new perspectives and targets for the prevention and treatment of renal diseases by reviewing the recent research advances in the structure, kinetics and pharmacology of Piezo channel, especially their expression and physiopathologic roles in the kidney.

Rare diseases are a collective term for diseases with extremely low prevalence and incidence rates.Up to now,China has released two lists identifying a total of 207 rare diseases.Given that most rare diseases do not have drugs with corresponding indications,physicians frequently resort to using off-label drugs when treating patients with rare diseases.However,there is currently no systematic guideline or expert consensus for the use of off-label medications in China.To comprehensively collect existing evidence of off-label drug use for rare diseases,fully analyze and evaluate the rationality of off-label drug use for rare diseases,and standardize the management of off-label drug use for rare diseases,the Rare Disease Branch of Beijing Medical Association,Chinese Pharmaceutical Association,Beijing Pharmaceutical Association,and the School of Public Health,Peking University have jointly initiated the drafting of the Expert Consensus on Off-label Use of Drugs for Rare Diseases.This consensus refer to the WHO Handbook for Guideline Development,the Guidelines for Developing/Revising Clinical Diagnostic and Treatment Guidelines in China(2022 Edition),the AGREE Ⅱ and the STAR tools.This protocol outlines the background and purpose of consensus,as well as the comprehensive framework for consensus development,encompassing panel formation,clinical issue identification,evidence retrieval,data extraction,and evidence-based recommendation formulation.

Rare diseases are a collective term for diseases with extremely low prevalence and incidence rates.Up to now,China has released two lists identifying a total of 207 rare diseases.Given that most rare diseases do not have drugs with corresponding indications,physicians frequently resort to using off-label drugs when treating patients with rare diseases.However,there is currently no systematic guideline or expert consensus for the use of off-label medications in China.To comprehensively collect existing evidence of off-label drug use for rare diseases,fully analyze and evaluate the rationality of off-label drug use for rare diseases,and standardize the management of off-label drug use for rare diseases,the Rare Disease Branch of Beijing Medical Association,Chinese Pharmaceutical Association,Beijing Pharmaceutical Association,and the School of Public Health,Peking University have jointly initiated the drafting of the Expert Consensus on Off-label Use of Drugs for Rare Diseases.This consensus refer to the WHO Handbook for Guideline Development,the Guidelines for Developing/Revising Clinical Diagnostic and Treatment Guidelines in China(2022 Edition),the AGREE Ⅱ and the STAR tools.This protocol outlines the background and purpose of consensus,as well as the comprehensive framework for consensus development,encompassing panel formation,clinical issue identification,evidence retrieval,data extraction,and evidence-based recommendation formulation.

Piezo is a newly discovered mechanosensitive ion channel (MSC) in mammals, characterized by a unique homotrimeric three-leaf propeller-shaped structure that converts mechanical signals into biological and electrical signals, thus participating in the regulation of various physiological and pathological processes. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated the crucial role of Piezo channel in renal physiology and pathophysiology. This article aims to provide new perspectives and targets for the prevention and treatment of renal diseases by reviewing the recent research advances in the structure, kinetics and pharmacology of Piezo channel, especially their expression and physiopathologic roles in the kidney.

Objective:To investigate the impact of deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR), adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-veo (ASiR-V) and filtered back projection (FBP) on the histogram and wavelet features of portal venous phase abdominal CT in patients with hepatic tumor.Methods:The CT data of 68 patients with hepatic tumor who underwent enhanced CT scans were retrospectively collected. FBP, 30%ASiR-V, DLIR-L, DLIR-M and DLIR-H images were reconstructed. The images of portal venous phase were reconstructed with five algorithms, including FBP, ASIR-V at a level of 30% (ASiR-V 30%), DLIR at low (DLIR-L), medium (DLIR-M), and high (DLIR-H). Histogram and wavelet features were extracted from hepatic lesion, liver, spleen, kidney and erector spinae muscle, and compared using one-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis test. Two radiologists delineated the three-dimensional lesions independently and one of them repeated the delineation after one month. Intra-class correlation coefficients ( ICC) among five sets of images were calculated to evaluate the consistency of radiomics features of hepatic lesion. P<0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results:Most histogram and wavelet features extracted from hepatic lesion, liver, spleen, kidney and erector spinae muscle showed significant differences among five groups (all P<0.05). The number of features without significant differences decreased with the intensity of DLIR reconstruction increased. For histogram features, there were no significant differences of energy, mean, median, and total energy among five sets of images ( P>0.05). For wavelet features, there were no significant differences of mean and median among five sets of images ( P>0.05). The consistency of all histogram features was high except for the mean value of wavelet feature. The intra-and inter-observer ICC ranged from 0.756 to 1 and 0.767 to 1, respectively. Conclusion:Both 30%ASiR-V and DLIR at three levels algorithms had influence on the histogram and wavelet features of abdominal organs and hepatic tumors extracted from CT images in portal venous phase, and the effects expanded with the strengthening of levels. Median can be a reliable quantitative parameter for CT texture analysis of hepatic tumor.

Objective:To report the long-term outcomes of Chinese rectal cancer patients after adopting a Watch and Wait (W&W) strategy following neoadjuvant therapy (NAT).Methods:This multicenter, cross-sectional study was based on real-world data. The study cohort comprised rectal cancer patients who had achieved complete or near complete clinical responses (cCRs, near-cCRs) after NAT and were thereafter managed by a W&W approach, as well as a few patients who had achieved good responses after NAT and had then undergone local excision for confirmation of pathological complete response. All participants had been followed up for ≥2 years. Patients with distant metastases at baseline or who opted for observation while living with the tumor were excluded. Data of eligible patients were retrospectively collected from the Chinese Wait-and-Watch Data Collaboration Group database. These included baseline characteristics, type of NAT, pre-treatment imaging results, evaluation of post-NAT efficacy, salvage measures, and treatment outcomes. We herein report the long-term outcomes of Chinese rectal cancer patients after NAT and W&W and the differences between the cCR and near-cCR groups.Results:Clinical data of 318 rectal cancer patients who had undergone W&W for over 2 years and been followed up were collected from eight medical centers (Peking University Cancer Hospital, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Liaoning Cancer Hospital, the First Hospital of Jilin University, and Yunnan Cancer Hospital.) The participants comprised 221 men (69.4%) and 107 women (30.6%) of median age 60 (26-86) years. The median distance between tumor and anal verge was 3.4 (0-10.4) cm. Of these patients, 291 and 27 had achieved cCR or near-cCR, respectively, after NAT. The median duration of follow-up was 48.4 (10.2-110.3) months. The 5-year cumulative overall survival rate was 92.4% (95%CI: 86.8%-95.7%), 5-year cumulative disease-specific survival (CSS) rate 96.6% (95%CI: 92.2%-98.5%), 5-year cumulative organ-preserving disease-free survival rate 86.6% (95%CI: 81.0%-90.7%), and 5-year organ preservation rate 85.3% (95%CI: 80.3%-89.1%). The overall 5-year local recurrence and distant metastasis rates were 18.5% (95%CI: 14.9%-20.8%) and 8.2% (95%CI: 5.4%-12.5%), respectively. Most local recurrences (82.1%, 46/56) occurred within 2 years, and 91.0% (51/56) occurred within 3 years, the median time to recurrence being 11.7 (2.5-66.6) months. Most (91.1%, 51/56) local recurrences occurred within the intestinal lumen. Distant metastases developed in 23 patients; 60.9% (14/23) occurred within 2 years and 73.9% (17/23) within 3 years, the median time to distant metastasis being 21.9 (2.6-90.3) months. Common sites included lung (15/23, 65.2%), liver (6/23, 26.1%), and bone (7/23, 30.4%) The metastases involved single organs in 17 patients and multiple organs in six. There were no significant differences in overall, cumulative disease-specific, or organ-preserving disease-free survival or rate of metastases between the two groups (all P>0.05). The 5-year local recurrence rate was higher in the near-cCR than in the cCR group (41.6% vs. 16.4%, P<0.01), with a lower organ preservation rate (69.2% vs. 88.0%, P<0.001). The success rates of salvage after local recurrence and distant metastasis were 82.1% (46/56) and 13.0% (3/23), respectively. Conclusion:Rectal cancer patients who achieve cCR or near-cCR after NAT and undergo W&W have favorable oncological outcomes and a high rate of organ preservation. Local recurrence and distant metastasis during W&W follow certain patterns, with a relatively high salvage rate for local recurrence. Our findings highlight the importance of close follow-up and timely intervention during the W&W process.

Objective:To report the long-term outcomes of Chinese rectal cancer patients after adopting a Watch and Wait (W&W) strategy following neoadjuvant therapy (NAT).Methods:This multicenter, cross-sectional study was based on real-world data. The study cohort comprised rectal cancer patients who had achieved complete or near complete clinical responses (cCRs, near-cCRs) after NAT and were thereafter managed by a W&W approach, as well as a few patients who had achieved good responses after NAT and had then undergone local excision for confirmation of pathological complete response. All participants had been followed up for ≥2 years. Patients with distant metastases at baseline or who opted for observation while living with the tumor were excluded. Data of eligible patients were retrospectively collected from the Chinese Wait-and-Watch Data Collaboration Group database. These included baseline characteristics, type of NAT, pre-treatment imaging results, evaluation of post-NAT efficacy, salvage measures, and treatment outcomes. We herein report the long-term outcomes of Chinese rectal cancer patients after NAT and W&W and the differences between the cCR and near-cCR groups.Results:Clinical data of 318 rectal cancer patients who had undergone W&W for over 2 years and been followed up were collected from eight medical centers (Peking University Cancer Hospital, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Liaoning Cancer Hospital, the First Hospital of Jilin University, and Yunnan Cancer Hospital.) The participants comprised 221 men (69.4%) and 107 women (30.6%) of median age 60 (26-86) years. The median distance between tumor and anal verge was 3.4 (0-10.4) cm. Of these patients, 291 and 27 had achieved cCR or near-cCR, respectively, after NAT. The median duration of follow-up was 48.4 (10.2-110.3) months. The 5-year cumulative overall survival rate was 92.4% (95%CI: 86.8%-95.7%), 5-year cumulative disease-specific survival (CSS) rate 96.6% (95%CI: 92.2%-98.5%), 5-year cumulative organ-preserving disease-free survival rate 86.6% (95%CI: 81.0%-90.7%), and 5-year organ preservation rate 85.3% (95%CI: 80.3%-89.1%). The overall 5-year local recurrence and distant metastasis rates were 18.5% (95%CI: 14.9%-20.8%) and 8.2% (95%CI: 5.4%-12.5%), respectively. Most local recurrences (82.1%, 46/56) occurred within 2 years, and 91.0% (51/56) occurred within 3 years, the median time to recurrence being 11.7 (2.5-66.6) months. Most (91.1%, 51/56) local recurrences occurred within the intestinal lumen. Distant metastases developed in 23 patients; 60.9% (14/23) occurred within 2 years and 73.9% (17/23) within 3 years, the median time to distant metastasis being 21.9 (2.6-90.3) months. Common sites included lung (15/23, 65.2%), liver (6/23, 26.1%), and bone (7/23, 30.4%) The metastases involved single organs in 17 patients and multiple organs in six. There were no significant differences in overall, cumulative disease-specific, or organ-preserving disease-free survival or rate of metastases between the two groups (all P>0.05). The 5-year local recurrence rate was higher in the near-cCR than in the cCR group (41.6% vs. 16.4%, P<0.01), with a lower organ preservation rate (69.2% vs. 88.0%, P<0.001). The success rates of salvage after local recurrence and distant metastasis were 82.1% (46/56) and 13.0% (3/23), respectively. Conclusion:Rectal cancer patients who achieve cCR or near-cCR after NAT and undergo W&W have favorable oncological outcomes and a high rate of organ preservation. Local recurrence and distant metastasis during W&W follow certain patterns, with a relatively high salvage rate for local recurrence. Our findings highlight the importance of close follow-up and timely intervention during the W&W process.

Objective:To explore the pathogenesis of flunarizine-induced parkinsonism from gut-brain axis perspective.Methods:Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group and flunarizine group ( n=15). Mice in the control group were given 0.1 mL 50% polyethylene glycol 400+50% saline by gavage once/d for 2 weeks, while mice in the flunarizine group were given 6 mg/mL flunarizine+50% polyethylene glycol 400+50% saline by gavage at a daily dose of 30 mg/kg for 2 weeks. Body mass was recorded 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 d after drug administration, and motor function was assessed by rotarod test 14 d after drug administration; 16s RNA sequencing was performed in the feces to observe the intestinal flora; intestinal transit function was detected by Evans blue by gavage; and then, the mice were sacrificed and homogenate or frozen sections (brain and intestinal tissues) were prepared; dopamine-ergic neuron expression was detected by Western blotting; RT-qPCR was applied to detect the expressions of inflammatory factors in the substantia nigra, and immunofluorescent staining was used to detect the expressions of ZO-1 and Claudin-5 in the intestinal epithelial tissues. Results:Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had lower body mass ratio 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 d after drug administration (ratio to body mass before drug administration). Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had significantly shortened residence time in rod rotating and lower rotational speed when falling ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had decreased tyrosine hydroxylase protein in the substantia nigra without significant difference ( P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had significantly increased interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the substantia nigra (1.00±0.00 vs. 2.79±0.83; 1.00±0.00 vs. 3.39±1.37), significantly lower intestinal Evans blue propulsion rate (80.67%±4.51% vs. 50.67%±6.03%), and statistically decreased ZO-1 and Claudin-5 expressions in the colonic epithelial tissues (27.01±1.41 vs. 16.32±2.83; 37.00±2.80 vs. 24.52±2.12, P<0.05). Totally, 576 microorganisms were noted in both control group and flunarizine group, 744 in the control group alone, and 634 in the flunarizine group alone. The intestinal flora β diversity indices in the 2 groups were significantly different based on weighted Unifrac-principle coordinates analysis (PCoA, PCoA1: 39.88%; PCoA2: 30.69%). Compared with the control group, the microbial colony structure of mice in flunarizine group was dominated by phylum thick-walled bacteria and phylum warty microbacteria, and by families Muribaculaceae, Lachnospiraceae and Akkermansiaceae. Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had significantly decreased relative abundance of Ackermannia spp. and Lactobacillus spp. in the intestinal flora ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Flunarizine may contribute to the pathogenesis of DIP by causing structural disturbances in the intestinal flora and inducing neuroinflammation based on the gut-brain axis.