Linxian County in Henan Province, Northern China is known as the region with the highest incidence and mortality rate of esophageal cancer worldwide. Since 1959, the Henan medical team has conducted field work on esophageal cancer prevention and treatment in Linxian. Through three generations of effort exerted by oncologists over 65 years of research on esophageal cancer prevention and treatment in Linxian, the incidence rate of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in this area has dropped by nearly 50%, and the 5-year survival rate has increased to 40%, reaching the international leading level. This article aims to summarize the history, present opportunities and new challenges, and explore the experience of esophageal cancer prevention and treatment in Linxian (referred to as the “Linxian experience”), providing reference and guidance to cancer prevention and treatment research in China.

Objective:To evaluate spinal-pelvic mobility and sagittal spinal-pelvic alignment characteristics in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), and to investigate differences in sagittal spinal-pelvic parameters between patients with DDH and those with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).Methods:A total of 55 patients with DDH who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between April 2021 and March 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The cohort included 8 males and 47 females, with a mean age of 56.16±10.82 years (range: 26-76 years). Among them, 18 patients had bilateral DDH and 37 had unilateral DDH. Fifty-five age- and sex-matched patients with ONFH were selected as the control group. Unilateral DDH cases were classified according to the Hartofilakidis classification: 18 cases of type A, 13 cases of type B, and 6 cases of type C. Lateral spinal-pelvic radiographs were used to measure pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), and lumbar lordosis (LL) in both standing and sitting positions. Changes in sagittal spinal-pelvic parameters between standing and sitting positions were analyzed to assess spinal-pelvic mobility. Spinal-pelvic mobility was considered abnormal if △SS was outside the range of 10°-30°. Abnormal mobility was further categorized as stiffness (△SS<10°) or hypermobility (△SS>30°).Results:The PI (52.37°±12.43°), standing PT (12.13°±9.50°), and sitting PT (36.49°±13.43°) of DDH patients were significantly higher than those of ONFH patients (44.88°±11.38°, 7.80°±11.36°, and 28.91°±11.38°, respectively), with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). Abnormal spinal-pelvic mobility, including both stiffness and hypermobility, was observed in 53% of DDH patients, with stiffness accounting for 20%. These proportions were significantly higher than those in ONFH patients, which were 24% and 6%, respectively ( P<0.05). The prevalence of abnormal spinal-pelvic mobility in Hartofilakidis type C DDH patients was 83%, significantly higher than the 30.8% observed in type B patients (χ 2=4.550, P=0.033). The standing LL (54.37°±11.59°) and sitting LL (28.56°±15.51°) in unilateral DDH patients were significantly greater than those in bilateral DDH patients (46.88°±15.30° and 20.42°±9.77°, respectively), with statistically significant differences ( P< 0.05). Conclusions:Compared with patients with ONFH, those with DDH demonstrate a higher prevalence of abnormal spinal-pelvic mobility, particularly a greater incidence of spinal stiffness. Among DDH subtypes, Hartofilakidis type C patients exhibit a higher proportion of abnormal mobility compared to types A and B. Additionally, patients with unilateral DDH present with greater lumbar lordosis than those with bilateral involvement.

Plasma medicine, as an interdisciplinary research field of plasma physics and chemistry, life sciences and clinical medicine, etc., has received widespread attention from researchers in different research fields and has obtained dramatic development in this century. In this article, based on a brief introduction of the characteristics of cold atmospheric plasmas (CAP), the CAP action mechanisms on tumors, clinical translation challenges, similarities and differences between CAP cancer therapy and radiotherapy, and the synergistic effects of CAP and radiation on the tumors were reviewed. Finally, some possible clinical application scenarios and their feasibilities of the combined CAP-radiation therapy for tumors were discussed.

This study aims to explore protective effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides(LBP)on intestinal damage caused by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)in chicks.Network pharmacology was initially employed to determine the target proteins of wolfberry in the prevention and treatment of IBD.Following this,protein-protein interaction analy-sis,GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis,and molecular docking studies were conducted.Subsequently,an animal study was conducted:a total of 100 one-day-old male Hy-line brown lay-ing hens were randomly divided into five groups:a blank control group(CON),an LPS treatment group(LPS),a low-dose LBP group(LPS+LBP 0.25 g/L,L-LBP),a medium-dose LBP group(LPS+LBP 0.5 g/L,M-LBP),and a high-dose LBP group(LPS+LBP 1 g/L,H-LBP).Upon reac-hing 21 days old,duodenal,jejunal,ileal,and cecal tissues were collected to determine SOD and GSH-Px levels.Furthermore,the mRNA expression levels of TNF-α,AKT1,IL-6,IL-1β and TP53 in the intestinal tissues were measured using quantitative real-time PCR.The results demonstrated that network pharmacology identified 45 active ingredients in wolfberry that target 116 key protein sites,including TNF,AKT1 and IL6.The primary objectives focus on signaling pathways including AGE-RAGE,IL-17,TNF,HIF-1,and NF-κB.Molecular docking showed excellent ligand-receptor docking scores,with stable binding facilitated by hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions.Compared to the LPS group,the 0.5 g/L LBP exhibited notably higher levels of SOD and T-AOC.In comparison with the LPS group,the medium and high-dose LBP experimental groups showed notably decreased the mRNA expressions of TNF-α,AKT1,IL-6,and IL-1β,while TP53 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated(P＜0.01).In summary,wolfberry exerts preventive and therapeutic effects on IBD through a multi-component,multi-target,and multi-pathway mecha-nism.

Objective:To evaluate spinal-pelvic mobility and sagittal spinal-pelvic alignment characteristics in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), and to investigate differences in sagittal spinal-pelvic parameters between patients with DDH and those with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).Methods:A total of 55 patients with DDH who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between April 2021 and March 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The cohort included 8 males and 47 females, with a mean age of 56.16±10.82 years (range: 26-76 years). Among them, 18 patients had bilateral DDH and 37 had unilateral DDH. Fifty-five age- and sex-matched patients with ONFH were selected as the control group. Unilateral DDH cases were classified according to the Hartofilakidis classification: 18 cases of type A, 13 cases of type B, and 6 cases of type C. Lateral spinal-pelvic radiographs were used to measure pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), and lumbar lordosis (LL) in both standing and sitting positions. Changes in sagittal spinal-pelvic parameters between standing and sitting positions were analyzed to assess spinal-pelvic mobility. Spinal-pelvic mobility was considered abnormal if △SS was outside the range of 10°-30°. Abnormal mobility was further categorized as stiffness (△SS<10°) or hypermobility (△SS>30°).Results:The PI (52.37°±12.43°), standing PT (12.13°±9.50°), and sitting PT (36.49°±13.43°) of DDH patients were significantly higher than those of ONFH patients (44.88°±11.38°, 7.80°±11.36°, and 28.91°±11.38°, respectively), with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). Abnormal spinal-pelvic mobility, including both stiffness and hypermobility, was observed in 53% of DDH patients, with stiffness accounting for 20%. These proportions were significantly higher than those in ONFH patients, which were 24% and 6%, respectively ( P<0.05). The prevalence of abnormal spinal-pelvic mobility in Hartofilakidis type C DDH patients was 83%, significantly higher than the 30.8% observed in type B patients (χ 2=4.550, P=0.033). The standing LL (54.37°±11.59°) and sitting LL (28.56°±15.51°) in unilateral DDH patients were significantly greater than those in bilateral DDH patients (46.88°±15.30° and 20.42°±9.77°, respectively), with statistically significant differences ( P< 0.05). Conclusions:Compared with patients with ONFH, those with DDH demonstrate a higher prevalence of abnormal spinal-pelvic mobility, particularly a greater incidence of spinal stiffness. Among DDH subtypes, Hartofilakidis type C patients exhibit a higher proportion of abnormal mobility compared to types A and B. Additionally, patients with unilateral DDH present with greater lumbar lordosis than those with bilateral involvement.

Objective:To explore the application effects of the solution-focused approach combined with empathic nursing in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) .Methods:A total of 96 AMI patients who underwent PCI in the Department of Cardiology at Cangzhou Central Hospital from March 2020 to March 2023 were selected using convenience sampling. They were randomly assigned to an experimental group ( n=48) and a control group ( n=48) using a random number table. The control group received routine nursing care, while the experimental group received a solution-focused approach combined with empathic nursing. Medication adherence, coping strategies, and patient satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Results:After the intervention, medication adherence and satisfaction scores in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the differences werestatistically significant ( P<0.05) . Additionally, the experimental group scored higher in confrontation coping, and lower in avoidance and resignation coping than the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.01) . Conclusions:The combination of a solution-focused approach and empathic nursing can effectively improve medication adherence, coping strategies, and patient satisfaction in AMI patients after PCI.

Objective:To analyze the factors influencing the prognoses of stroke survivors with pseudobulbar palsy (PBP) dysphagia and construct a prediction model.Methods:Data on two hundred and fifty-one stroke survivors with PBP dysphagia were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The subjects were divided into a good prognosis group ( n=164) and a poor prognosis group ( n=87) according to the results of Kubota water swallowing tests administered at discharge. Their clinical data were analyzed using univariate correlation analysis, and the statistically significant independent variables found were further analyzed using multivariate logistic regression to obtain the important predictors of prognosis. R software was then used to assemble the useful factors into a nomogram prediction model. The area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was employed to verify the model′s predictive power. Results:According to the univariate correlation analysis, significant differences were found between the two groups′ average National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, mouth opening grades and ages. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NIHSS score, mouth opening grade and age could be useful and independent predictors of poor prognosis. The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve for the nomogram model was 0.727, with a sensitivity of 59.8% and a specificity of 81.6%, suggesting that the model had good predictive power and was properly calibrated.Conclusions:NIHSS score, mouth opening grade and age are independent predictors of prognosis for stroke patients with PBP dysphagia. The nomogram model constructed in this study is of great value in developing a prognosis for such patients, which is helpful in the prevention and treatment of post-stroke dysphagia.

Objective:To observe any differences in the brain′s functional responses during swallowing with healthy young, middle-aged and elderly individuals.Methods:Fifteen healthy young people formed the youth group, while 15 healthy middle-aged or elderly subjects were the middle-aged and elderly group. Both groups performed repeated swallowing tasks while being observed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. The data were processed using NirSpark software, and brain activation was compared between the two groups.Results:Swallowing-related brain regions were all significantly activated in the youth group, while in the middle-aged and elderly group only the primary motor cortex (M1), primary somatosensory cortex (PSC), premotor and supplementary motor cortex (pSMC), and inferior central region on the left side showed significantly increased activation. Compared to the youth group, the middle-aged and elderly group exhibited significantly reduced activation in seven channels, including the right M1 and pSMC, the left M1, the pSMC, the PSC, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and frontal pole area.Conclusions:The middle-aged and elderly show significantly less activation in certain brain regions during swallowing compared with younger persons. That may be related to aging and its associated cognitive decline, as well as reduced motor and sensory abilities related to swallowing.

Objective:To explore the factors influencing the recovery of swallowing function after a brainstem hemorrhage and to construct a prediction model.Methods:Clinical data on 134 persons with dysphagia after a brainstem hemorrhage were collected retrospectively. According to their swallowing ability at discharge, the patients were divided into a swallowing recovery group and a non-recovery group. Univariate correlation analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to explore the independent factors influencing the recovery of swallowing function and to construct a prediction nomogram. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were evaluated to analyze the nomogram′s predictive value and those of the relevant influencing factors.Results:Sixty-two of the patients (46%) had recovered their swallowing function at discharge, while 72 (54%) had not. Univariate correlation analysis showed that there had been significant differences in tracheal intubation, NIHSS score, FOIS score, Barthel index and Glasgow coma scale (GCS )score between the two groups, on average. The multivariate logistic regressions showed that a low NIHSS score, a high FOIS score and a high GCS score were independent predictors of swallowing function recovery, so they were used in the prediction model. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of the prediction model was 0.953 (95% CI: 0.902~0.982) with a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 93%. The model′s predictions were thus better than using an NIHSS score, GCS score or FOIS score alone. Conclusions:NIHSS score, GCS score and FOIS score can independently predict the recovery of swallowing function after a brainstem hemorrhage. A prediction model constructed using all three has good predictive power.

Objective:To observe any therapeutic effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with intermittent oroesophageal tube feeding (IOE) on dysphagia among ischemic stroke survivors.Methods:Eighty-four ischemic stroke survivors with dysphagia were randomized into an observation group and a control group, each of 42. In addition to conventional rehabilitation, swallowing training and IOE, the observation group received tDCS while the control group received sham stimulation. Before and after 14 days of this treatment, both groups′ swallowing, life quality and depression were evaluated using the Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS), the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), the Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI), and a 9-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9).Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups before the experiment in terms of their general data, their average PAS, FOIS, DHI or PHQ-9 scores, or the incidence of depression. After the treatment, significant improvement was observed in the above indicators among both groups, but with significantly better average PAS, FOIS, DHI [(51.25±6.78) vs. (44.78±5.75)] and PHQ-9 [(4.17±1.15) vs. (6.01±1.93)] scores and less depression (14.29% vs. 42.86%) in the observation group compared with the control group.Conclusions:Combining tDCS with IOE better improves swallowing function, depression, and life quality after an ischemic stroke.