Esophageal cancer （EC） is a highly prevalent malignant tumor in China. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway， as one of the key oncogenic pathways， can promote the cell cycle progression， proliferation， migration， and invasion， induce chemoresistance， and inhibit apoptosis and autophagy of EC cells. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， with the advantages of targeting multiple points with multiple components to delay cancer progression， can target the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway for EC treatment. This article preliminarily discusses the molecular mechanism and role of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in EC and elaborates on the specific targets and efficacy of TCM in treating EC through intervention in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the past five years. TCM materials and extracts inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in EC include Borneolum， spore powder of Ganoderma lucidum without spore coat， extract of Celastrus orbiculatus， root extract of Taraxacum， and Bruceae Fructus oil emulsion. TCM active ingredients exerting the effect include flavonoids， terpenoids， saponins， phenols， polysaccharides， alkaloids， and other compounds. TCM compound prescriptions with such effect include Qige San， Huqi San， Xuanfu Daizhetang， Tongyoutang and its decomposed prescriptions， Liujunzi Tang， and Xishenzhi Formula. In addition， TCM injections such as Compound Kushen Injection and Kang'ai injection also inhibit the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in EC. This paper summarizes the role of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in EC and the TCM interventions， aiming to provide reference for the research and clinical application of new drugs for EC.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors （ICIs） combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of early triple-negative breast cancer （TNBC）. METHODS Randomized controlled trials （RCTs） comparing ICIs combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy （experimental group） versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone （control group） were retrieved from PubMed， Cochrane Library， Embase， Web of Science， CNKI， Wanfang Data， and VIP databases， as well as relevant studies published at oncology academic conferences. The search period was from database inception to June 30， 2025. After literature screening， data extraction， and quality assessment， a meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS A total of 6 RCTs involving 3 786 patients were finally included. The meta-analysis results showed that the experimental group had superior event-free survival [HR＝0.73， 95%CI （0.62， 0.85）， P＜0.000 1]， overall survival [HR＝0.69， 95%CI （0.57， 0.84）， P＝0.000 3]， and pathological complete response （pCR） [OR＝1.57， 95%CI （1.37， 1.80）， P＜0.000 01] compared to the control group. The incidence of ≥grade 3 adverse event （AE）， severe AE （SAE）， and ≥ grade 3 immune-related adverse event （irAE） in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of any AE or any irAE （P＞0.05）. Subgroup analysis revealed that， regardless of programmed cell death ligand 1 expression status （negative or positive），the pCR in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group （P＜0.05）. Additionally， the pCR of the patients with positive lymph nodes in the experimental group was significantly higher to that in the ontrol group （P＜0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference in pCR between the two groups with negative lymph nodes （P＝0.09）. CONCLUSIONS ICIs combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy can significantly improve event-free survival and overall survival in patients with TNBC， providing patients with long-term survival benefits. However， the risk of ≥ grade 3 AE， SAE and ≥ grade 3 irAE has increased.

Emerging evidence suggests that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota is associated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. The microbiota-gut-brain axis plays a crucial role in the development and progression of PD, and numerous studies have demonstrated the potential therapeutic benefits of modulations in the intestinal microbiota. This review provides insights into the characterization of the gut microbiota in patients with PD and highlights associations with clinical symptoms and underlying mechanisms. The discussion underscores the increased influence of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of PD. While the relationship is not fully elucidated, existing research demonstrates a strong correlation between changes in the composition of gut microbiota and disease development, and further investigation is warranted to explain the specific underlying mechanisms.
Humans ; Parkinson Disease/microbiology* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology* ; Dysbiosis/microbiology*

Microbial-derived metabolites are important mediators of host-microbial interactions. In recent years, the role of intestinal microbial metabolites in colorectal cancer has attracted considerable attention. These metabolites, which can be derived from bacterial metabolism of dietary substrates, modification of host molecules such as bile acids, or directly from bacteria, strongly influence the progression of colitis-associated cancer (CAC) by regulating inflammation and immune response. Here, we review how microbiome metabolites short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), secondary bile acids, polyamines, microbial tryptophan metabolites, and polyphenols are involved in the tumorigenesis and development of CAC through inflammation and immunity. Given the heated debate on the metabolites of microbiota in maintaining gut homeostasis, serving as tumor molecular markers, and affecting the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in recent years, strategies for the prevention and treatment of CAC by targeting intestinal microbial metabolites are also discussed in this review.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology* ; Animals ; Carcinogenesis/metabolism* ; Colitis-Associated Neoplasms/microbiology* ; Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism* ; Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism* ; Colitis/microbiology*

OBJECTIVES: To explore the efficacy of DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy for management of cancer pain and provide reference for its standardized clinical application. Methods and. RESULTS: Recommendations were formulated based on literature review and expert group discussion, and consensus was reached following expert consultation. The consensus recommendations are comprehensive, covering the entire treatment procedures from preoperative assessment and preparation, surgical operation process, postoperative management and traditional Chinese medicine treatment to individualized treatment planning. The study results showed that the treatment plans combining traditional Chinese with Western medicine effectively alleviated cancer pain, reduced the use of opioid drugs, and significantly improved the quality of life and enhanced immune function of the patients. Postoperative follow-up suggested good treatment tolerance among the patients without serious complications. CONCLUSIONS The formulated consensus is comprehensive and can provide reference for clinicians to use DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy. The combined treatment has a high clinical value with a good safety profile for management of cancer pain.
Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Cancer Pain/therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Pain Management/methods* ; China

Objective The effects of carrimycin(CAM)on the biological functions of intrahepatic cholan-giocarcinoma HuCCT1 cells were examined through in vitro experiments,and a preliminary investigation was conducted into its mechanism of action.Methods The intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell line HuCCT1 was selected for the study.The effect of CAM on cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay,and the IC50 concen-tration was determined accordingly.The impact of CAM on cell migration was evaluated through a scratch wound healing assay.In addition,the effect of CAM on clonogenic ability was examined using a colony formation assay.Cell invasion capacity was assessed using a Transwell invasion assay.Flow cytometry was employed to analyze the effect of CAM on cell cycle progression.Furthermore,Western blotting was conducted to evaluate the expression levels of key proteins associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the cell cycle.Finally,the influence of CAM on the AXL/c-Myc/c-Met signaling axis was also investigated.Results Compared with the control group,CAM significantly inhibited the proliferation of HuCCT1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner(P<0.05).Plate cloning assays demonstrated that CAM markedly suppressed the colony-forming ability of HuCCT1 cells(P<0.05).Scratch wound healing assays confirmed that CAM treatment significantly reduced the migration speed and narrowed the migration area of HuCCT1 cells(P<0.05).Flow cytometry analysis revealed that CAM treatment led to a significant increase in the proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase and a decrease in the S phase(P<0.05).Western blot analysis further confirmed that the expression levels of key regulatory proteins CCND1 and CDK4,which are involved in the G1/S phase transition,were down-regulated,while the expression of p21 was up-regulated(P<0.05).Transwell invasion assays indicated that CAM inhibited the invasive capacity of HuCCT1 cells.Consis-tently,Western blot results showed that E-Cadherin expression was increased(P<0.05),whereas the expression levels of N-Cadherin and Vimentin were decreased(P<0.05).Moreover,Western blot analysis verified that the expression of AXL,c-Met,and c-Myc was up-regulated in HuCCT1 cells treated with AXL recombinant protein(P<0.05).However,co-treatment with CAM and AXL recombinant protein significantly attenuated the expression of these proteins(P<0.05).Conclusions CAM inhibits the proliferation,migration,and invasion of intrahe-patic cholangiocarcinoma HuCCT1 cells,thereby demonstrating antitumor effects,which may be associated with the AXL/c-Met/c-Myc signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of astragaloside Ⅳ(AS-Ⅳ)on the pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH)model induced by monocrotaline(MCT)/monocrotaline pyrrole(MCTP)in SD rats/human pulmonary artery endothelial cell(HPAEC).Methods In vivo experiment,60 male SD rats were randomly assigned to control group,PAH model group,AS-Ⅳ low-dose(20 mg/kg)group,AS-Ⅳ medium-dose(40 mg/kg)group,AS-Ⅳ high-dose(80 mg/kg)group,or sildenafil(Sil,100 mg/kg)group,with 10 rats in each group;except for the control group,PAH rat models were established by single intraperitoneal injection of MCT(60 mg/kg)in other groups.In vitro experiment,HPAECs were randomly assigned to control group,PAH model group,AS-Ⅳ low-dose(10 μmol/L)group,AS-Ⅳ medium-dose(20 μmol/L)group,MCTP+AS-Ⅳ high-dose(40 μmnol/L)group,or p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathway inhibitor(SB203580,5 μmol/L)group;except for the control group,in vitro PAH cell models were established by MCTP(60 μg/mL)induction for 24 h in other groups.In vivo experiments,after 4 weeks of drug intervention,the right ventricular systolic pressure(RVSP)and mean pulmonary artery pressure(mPAP)of rats were measured by hemodynamic methods,the right ventricle hypertrophy index was measured by weighing methods,the percentage of pulmonary arteriole wall thickness to outer diameter(WT％)and percentage of the wall area to total vascular area(WA％)were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining,the expression of cysteine aspartic acid specific protease 3(caspase 3)protein in lung tissue was observed by immunohistochemistry(IHC),and the apoptosis of lung tissue cells was detected by TUNEL assay.In vitro experiments,JC-1 staining was used to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential in cells,and immunofluorescence was used to detect caspase 3 protein expression.In vitro and in vivo experiments,Western blotting was used to detect the expression of caspase 3,B-cell lymphoma gene 2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax),p38 MAPK,and phosphorylated p38 MAPK proteins in lung tissue and HPAECs.Results In vivo experiments,the RVSP,mPAP,and right ventricle hypertrophy index were decreased in the Sil group and each dose group of AS-Ⅳ(all P＜0.01);the WA％and WT％of each dose group of AS-Ⅳ were decreased(all P＜0.01),the expression of caspase 3 protein in lung tissue was decreased(all P＜0.01),and the apoptosis of lung tissue cells was decreased(all P＜0.01).In vitro experiments showed that after intervention with each dose of AS-Ⅳ and SB203580,the mitochondrial membrane potential of HPAEC was increased(all P＜0.01)and the expression of caspase 3 was decreased(all P＜0.01).In vivo and in vitro experiments,each dose of AS-Ⅳand SB203580 reduced the expression of Bax and phosphorylated p38 MAPK proteins,and increased the expression of Bcl-2 protein(all P＜0.01).Conclusion AS-Ⅳ reduces apoptosis by inhibiting p38 MAPK signaling pathway,improving PAH in SD rats.

Alveolar soft part sarcoma(ASPS)is a rare malignant tumor characterized by a lack of specific clinical manifestations,often presenting as painless,progressively enlarging masses.Its occur-rence in the retroperitoneum is uncommon.Due to the large retroperitoneal space,the tumor typically does not cause significant symptoms in the early stages,leading to advanced disease or metastasis at presentation,and consequently,poor prognosis.This article reported the clinical diagnosis and treatment of a patient with retroperitoneal ASPS and elucidated the features of epidemiology,clinical manifesta-tions,diagnostic modalities,and treatment approaches of this disease in conjunction with the literature.

Objective To explore the efficacy of DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy for management of cancer pain and provide reference for its standardized clinical application.Methods and Results Recommendations were formulated based on literature review and expert group discussion,and consensus was reached following expert consultation.The consensus recommendations are comprehensive,covering the entire treatment procedures from preoperative assessment and preparation,surgical operation process,postoperative management and traditional Chinese medicine treatment to individualized treatment planning.The study results showed that the treatment plans combining traditional Chinese with Western medicine effectively alleviated cancer pain,reduced the use of opioid drugs,and significantly improved the quality of life and enhanced immune function of the patients.Postoperative follow-up suggested good treatment tolerance among the patients without serious complications.Conclusion The formulated consensus is comprehensive and can provide reference for clinicians to use DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy.The combined treatment has a high clinical value with a good safety profile for management of cancer pain.

Objective:To evaluate the changes in brain network function indicators in premature infants with language developmental disorders by resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI).Methods:Premature infants admitted to Changzhou Children's Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University from January 2021 to December 2023 were selected as the study subjects to evaluate language development. Language development assessment was conducted using the Gesell developmental scales during follow-up until 12 months of corrected gestational age. According to the evaluation results, the subjects were divided into language development disorders group (31 cases) and normal language development group (19 cases). rs-fMRI was performed on all premature infants with corrected gestational age of 40-42 weeks. The amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) analysis were performed on MRI data. Regions of interest (ROI) were obtained as seed points based on previous literature, then functional connectivity (FC) was extracted between these ROIs for inter-group comparison. Independent sample t-test, non parametric test, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test were performed on the data using SPSS 23.0 software. Results:(1)There were statistically significant differences in birth weight, gestational age, moderate to severe respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, and maternal education level between the two groups of premature infants (all P<0.05).(2)The FC values of left temporal gyrus-left angular gyrus (1.220±0.155, 1.139±0.118), left insula-left trigone (0.520±0.199, 0.411±0.152), and left angular gyrus-left marginal gyrus (1.588±0.333, 1.330±0.437) in language development disorders group were higher than those in normal language development group ( t=-2.089, -2.186, -2.359, all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the FC values of ROI-ROI between the two groups in the right hemisphere of the brain (all P>0.05). The FC values of left superior temporal gyrus-right insula (0.588±0.257, 0.398±0.305) and left superior temporal gyrus-right marginal gyrus (1.550±0.393, 1.374±0.213) in language development disorders group were higher than those in the normal language development group ( t=-2.363, 2.057, both P<0.05). Conclusions:Functional connectivity between local brain regions in preterm infants with language development is significantly enhanced. The change of local brain network functional connectivity has certain predictive value for the language developmental outcome of preterm infants.