Chronic pancreatitis （CP） is a common disease in clinical practice characterized by progressive inflammatory fibrosis of the pancreas. Gut microbiota， known as the “second genome” of humans， bidirectionally modulates the progression of fibrosis in CP via the gut-pancreas axis. This article systematically elaborates on the characteristics of gut microbiota during the progression of CP and its molecular mechanism in mediating pancreatic fibrosis through bacterial translocation， metabolites， immune regulatory networks， and microbe-pancreatic stellate cell interactions， with a focus on the pivotal role of short-chain fatty acids and inflammatory cytokine networks in pancreatic stellate cell activation and extracellular matrix deposition. In addition， this article explores the potential value of gut microbiota-targeted interventions in the prevention and treatment of CP fibrosis， such as probiotics， prebiotics， and fecal microbiota transplantation， and discusses the translational potential of using multi-omics technologies to identify diagnostic biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets for CP， in order to provide new ideas for the precise diagnosis and treatment of CP.

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy and mechanism of Bupi Qingfei prescription （BPQF） in treating stable bronchiectasis in the patients with syndromes of lung-spleen Qi deficiency and phlegm-heat accumulation in the lungs. MethodsA randomized， double-blind， placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Patients were randomized into BPQF and placebo control （PC） groups. On the basis of conventional Western medicine treatment， the BPQF granules and placebo were respectively administered at 10 g each time， twice a day， for a course of 24 weeks. The TCM symptom scores， Quality of Life Questionnaire for Bronchiectasis （QOL-B） scores， lung function indicators， T lymphocyte subsets， level of inflammatory factors in the sputum， level of neutrophil elastase （NE） in the sputum， and occurrence of adverse reactions were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. ResultsA total of 64 patients completed the study， encompassing 32 in the BPQF group and 32 in the PC group. After treatment， the BPQF group showed decreased TCM symptom scores （P<0.01）， increased QOL-B scores （P<0.01）， and declined levels of tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α and NE （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The PC group showed decreased TCM symptom （except spleen deficiency） scores （P<0.01）， increased the QOL-B health cognition and respiratory symptom domain scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and a declined TNF-α level （P<0.01）. Moreover， the BPQF group had lower TCM symptom （except chest tightness） scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）， higher QOL-B （except treatment burden） scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and lower levels of interleukin-6 and TNF-α （P<0.05） than the PC group. Neither group showed serious adverse reactions during the treatment process. ConclusionBPQF can ameliorate the clinical symptoms of stable bronchiectasis patients who have lung-spleen Qi deficiency or phlegm-heat accumulation in the lungs by regulating the immune balance and inhibiting airway inflammatory responses.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common head and neck malignancy. Approximately 50% to 60% of patients with OSCC are diagnosed at a locally advanced stage (clinical staging III-IVa). Even with comprehensive and sequential treatment primarily based on surgery, the 5-year overall survival rate remains below 50%, and patients often suffer from postoperative functional impairments such as difficulties with speaking and swallowing. Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitors are increasingly used in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced OSCC and have shown encouraging efficacy. However, clinical practice still faces key challenges, including the definition of indications, optimization of combination regimens, and standards for efficacy evaluation. Based on the latest research advances worldwide and the clinical experience of the expert group, this expert consensus systematically evaluates the application of PD-1 inhibitors in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced OSCC, covering combination strategies, treatment cycles and surgical timing, efficacy assessment, use of biomarkers, management of special populations and immune related adverse events, principles for immunotherapy rechallenge, and function preservation strategies. After multiple rounds of panel discussion and through anonymous voting using the Delphi method, the following consensus statements have been formulated: 1) Neoadjuvant therapy with PD-1 inhibitors can be used preoperatively in patients with locally advanced OSCC. The preferred regimen is a PD-1 inhibitor combined with platinum based chemotherapy, administered for 2-3 cycles. 2) During the efficacy evaluation of neoadjuvant therapy, radiographic assessment should follow the dual criteria of Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 and immune RECIST (iRECIST). After surgery, systematic pathological evaluation of both the primary lesion and regional lymph nodes is required. For combination chemotherapy regimens, PD-L1 expression and combined positive score need not be used as mandatory inclusion or exclusion criteria. 3) For special populations such as the elderly (≥ 70 years), individuals with stable HIV viral load, and carriers of chronic HBV/HCV, PD-1 inhibitors may be used cautiously under the guidance of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), with close monitoring for adverse events. 4) For patients with a poor response to neoadjuvant therapy, continuation of the original treatment regimen is not recommended; the subsequent treatment plan should be adjusted promptly after MDT assessment. Organ transplant recipients and patients with active autoimmune diseases are not recommended to receive neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor therapy due to the high risk of immune related activation. Rechallenge is generally not advised for patients who have experienced high risk immune related adverse events such as immune mediated myocarditis, neurotoxicity, or pneumonitis. 5) For patients with a good pathological response, individualized de escalation surgery and function preservation strategies can be explored. This consensus aims to promote the standardized, safe, and precise application of neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor strategies in the management of locally advanced OSCC patients.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in treating metabolic hypertension induced by a high-sugar and high-fat diet in rats based on network pharmacology， proteomics， and animal experiments. MethodsThirty male SD rats were randomized into the control， model， positive drug （tetrandrine， Tet， 50 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， low-dose Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma （DS-L， 45×10⁴ mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and high-dose Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma （DS-H， 90×10⁴ mg·kg^-1·d^-1） groups. Except for the control group， each group was fed a high-fat and high-sugar diet for 8 weeks for the modeling of metabolic hypertension. Following successful modeling， drug interventions were conducted through gavage for 4 weeks. Blood pressure and lipid indicators were monitored， and cardiac function was assessed via echocardiography. Samples from the thoracic aorta and cardiac tissue were collected for histopathological examination. Network pharmacology analysis identified key active components， potential targets， and mechanisms of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in treating hypertension. Proteomics technology was employed to analyze the differential proteins and major pathway targets to synergistically elucidate the antihypertensive mechanism of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. Ca²⁺ concentrations in the thoracic aorta and cardiac tissue were measured. The protein levels of transient receptor potential cation channel （TRPC）3， TRPC6， NADPH oxidase （NOX）2， and NOX4 were quantified via Western blotting. The levels of oxidative stress markers and inflammatory factors， including superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Molecular docking analysis was performed for the main components of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma with TRPC3， TRPC6， NOX2， and NOX4. ResultsThe experimental results indicated that compared with the control group， the model group exhibited abnormally elevated blood pressure and increased lipid levels （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the DS-L group exhibited reduced systolic blood pressure （SBP）， diastolic blood pressure （DBP）， and mean arterial pressure （MAP） （P<0.05）， decreased serum levels of triglycerides （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） （P<0.05）， and increased level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） （P<0.01）. The DS-H and Tet groups showed more significant effects （P<0.01）. Moreover， the interventions attenuated vascular wall thickening， myocardial cell injury， and collagen and lipid deposition. Network pharmacology and proteomics prediction results indicated that the core targets of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in treating hypertension were TRPC3， TRPC6， NOX2， and NOX4， and the core pathways included calcium signaling， cyclic guanosine monophosphate （cGMP）/cGMP-dependent protein kinase （PKG） signaling， and atherosclerosis-related pathways. The molecular mechanism experiment results indicated that compared with the control group， the model group exhibited significantly elevated tissue Ca²⁺ concentrations， exacerbated oxidative stress and inflammatory responses， and upregulated protein levels of TRPC3， TRPC6， NOX2， and NOX4 in the thoracic aorta and myocardial tissue （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， DS-L reduced the free Ca²⁺ concentration， lowered the levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， SOD， and MDA （P<0.05）， and downregulated the protein levels of TRPC3， TRPC6， NOX2， and NOX4 in the thoracic aorta and myocardial tissue （P<0.05）. DS-H and Tet exhibited more significant effects （P<0.01）. Meanwhile， the main components of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma had strong binding affinity with the core targets of hypertension. ConclusionSalviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma may ameliorate oxidative stress and mitigate inflammatory responses by regulating the TRPC3/6/NOX2/4 signaling pathway， thereby alleviating abnormal blood pressure abnormality and myocardial injury in hypertensive rats.

ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of melanoma-associated antigen D4 （MAGED4） on the malignant biological behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）， providing experimental evidence for its evaluation as a potential therapeutic target in HCC. MethodsGenes positively correlated with MAGED4 expression in HCC were screened using the LinkedOmics database， followed by GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Endogenously low-expressing SMMC-7721 and Huh7 cells were selected， with normal hepatic LO2 cells serving as controls. Stable overexpression cell lines were established via lentiviral infection （MAGED4 overexpression group）， with RT-PCR and Western blot validating overexpression efficiency. The effects of MAGED4 overexpression on cell proliferation， cell cycle distribution， migration， and adhesion were systematically analyzed using CCK-8 assays， flow cytometry， scratch healing assays， Transwell migration assays， and cell adhesion assays. ResultsBioinformatics analysis indicated that MAGED4 co-expressed genes were significantly enriched in biological processes closely associated with tumor proliferation and metastasis， including cell-cell adhesion， extracellular matrix organization， and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. A stable MAGED4 overexpression cell model was successfully established. In vitro functional assays demonstrated that MAGED4-overexpressing SMMC-7721 and Huh7 cells exhibited a mesenchymal-like morphology， whereas LO2 cells maintained an epithelial-like morphology. Compared with the empty-virus control groups， the MAGED4-overexpressing groups showed significantly increased proliferative activity （48 h： t=3.887， 22.070， 8.866， all P<0.05； 72 h： t=3.231， 23.840， 9.848， all P<0.05； 96 h： t=5.123， 49.800， 5.909， P<0.05， P<0.01， P<0.05）， wound healing rates （12 h： F=40.90， 44.00， 200.50， all P<0.001； 24 h： F=112.00， 34.89， 249.20， all P<0.001）， and numbers of migrated cells （F=239.20， 59.79， 132.80， all P<0.001）， along with significantly decreased numbers of adherent cells （F=73.65， 85.91， 138.00， all P<0.001）， while no significant differences were observed in cell cycle phase distribution in all three cell lines. ConclusionMAGED4 enhances proliferation and migration while suppressing adhesion in both HCC and normal hepatocytes， however， induces mesenchymal-like morphological changes exclusively in HCC cells， suggesting that MAGED4 is capable of driving HCC progression and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for HCC.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of robot-assisted coronary artery bypass grafting through a small incision in the left intercostal space in the treatment of multivessel coronary disease. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting through a small incision in the left intercostal space at Central China Fuwai Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 1, 2023 to October 15, 2024. Patients were divided into a robotic group and a minimally invasive group based on whether the surgery was assisted by the Da Vinci robot. Results A total of 81 patients were included, with 57 in the minimally invasive group, including 41 males and 16 females, with a median age of 65.0 (57.5, 69.5) years; and 24 in the robotic group, including 17 males and 7 females, with a median age of 61.0 (56.0, 69.0) years. There was no statistically significant difference in baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05). The robotic group had less intraoperative bleeding [300 (200, 438) mL vs. 500 (375, 600) mL, P=0.006], shorter postoperative mechanical ventilation time [15.0 (13.3, 23.5) h vs. 22.0 (15.5, 39.5) h, P=0.037], and lower incidence of postoperative pain [8 (33.3%) vs. 33 (57.9%), P=0.043]. The hospitalization cost in the robotic group was higher than that in the minimally invasive group [130491 (123298, 135691) yuan vs. 123892 (115543, 133449) yuan, P=0.023]. There was no statistical difference in postoperative laboratory indicators between the two groups (P>0.05). There was also no statistical difference in the duration of surgery, postoperative 24 h drainage volume, ICU stay time, postoperative hospital stay or incidences of perioperative compications including pleural effusion, transfusion, new-onset atrial fibrillation, acute kidney injury, non-union of incision, major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular adverse events, and reoperation between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared with the minimally invasive group, the robotic group shows satisfactory efficacy and can effectively reduce postoperative pain and intraoperative bleeding, and shorten postoperative mechanical ventilation time.

Short-chain fatty acids （SCFA） are the main metabolic products generated by the fermentation of dietary fiber by gut microbiota. Studies have shown that SCFA not only play a role in energy metabolism， but also act as important signaling molecules， exhibiting a significant potential in alleviating liver and pancreatic fibrosis. The core mechanism of SCFA mainly involves the regulation of various key signaling pathways by activating G protein-coupled receptors and inhibiting the activity of histone deacetylase， thereby suppressing the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cell （HSC） and pancreatic stellate cell （PSC）， which is a key link in fibrosis formation. In addition， SCFA can effectively alleviate tissue inflammation response， improve intestinal barrier function， and regulate gut microbiota balance， thus indirectly preventing the process of fibrosis mediated by the “gut-liver/pancreas axis”. Compared with the research on SCFA in liver fibrosis， studies on their role in pancreatic fibrosis are limited. Given that HSC and PSC are highly homologous， the transcription factors and proteins that have been confirmed in liver fibrosis-related studies are also similarly expressed in PSC， suggesting that they may also influence the activation of PSC. This article systematically summarizes the recent advances in the research on SCFA in alleviating liver and pancreatic fibrosis， in order to provide new perspectives for exploring the mechanism of pancreatic fibrosis and developing related interventional strategies.

Xuanbi Xuanfuhua Decoction(XBXFHD), as an empirical formula developed by Professor Xie Sheng, a National Qihuang Scholar, for the treatment of critical and severe respiratory diseases, has demonstrated definite efficacy in pulmonary sepsis, but its mechanism of action requires further investigation. This study explores the intervention effect of XBXFHD on pulmonary sepsis in rats from the perspective of regulating PANapoptosis. A rat model of pulmonary sepsis was successfully established by combined intratracheal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, with control and different dosage drug groups established. HE staining, ELISA, Western blot, and flow cytometry were used to evaluate pathological changes in lung tissue, levels of inflammatory factors, cell apoptosis, expression of pan-apoptosis-related proteins (such as Caspase-3, Bcl-2, ZBP1, RIPK1, RIPK3, MLKL), and the proportion of CD4+ T cell subsets (Th17 and Treg). The results showed that XBXFHD significantly reduced alveolar inflammatory infiltration, congestion, and lung injury scores (P < 0.05), decreased the wet-to-dry weight ratio of the lungs, and reduced protein exudation in BALF. At the same time, XBXFHD inhibited the expression of Caspase-3, upregulated the expression level of Bcl-2 (P < 0.01), significantly reduced the apoptosis rate (P < 0.01), and downregulated the mRNA and protein levels of pan-apoptosis-related proteins (high-dose drug group P < 0.01). In addition, the formula reduced the proportion of Th17 (P < 0.01), increased the proportion of Treg (P < 0.05), downregulated the levels of pro-inflammatory factors (such as IL-18, IL-1β, TNF-α), and upregulated the levels of anti-inflammatory factors (such as IL-4, IL-10) (P < 0.05). The drug's effects were dose-dependent. These results indicate that XBXFHD improves pulmonary sepsis-related lung injury by inhibiting PANapoptosis-related proteins, regulating the Th17/Treg immune balance, and reducing inflammatory responses, with dose-dependent effects, providing experimental evidence for the clinical application of this formula.

Objective:To understand the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of residents in areas endemic for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) and the factors influencing these aspects, to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of SFTS among residents in endemic areas.Methods:A multi-stage sampling method was used to select subjects for a questionnaire survey, and the collected data were analyzed and compared.Results:The awareness rate of SFTS-related knowledge among residents in the endemic areas of Qingdao was 14.38%, while the awareness rate of tick-related knowledge was 69.78%. The mean score for protective attitudes among residents in the endemic areas was 24.50±4.09, and the mean score for protective behaviors was 11.20±2.76. Among residents of different ages, occupations, and educational levels, comparisons of SFTS-related knowledge awareness rates ( χ2=293.553, P<0.001; χ2=495.216, P<0.001; χ2=677.272, P<0.001), tick-related knowledge awareness rates ( χ2=29.986, P<0.001; χ2=23.239, P=0.002; χ2=41.003, P<0.001), protective attitude scores ( H=52.094, P<0.001; H=33.446, P<0.001; H=81.715, P<0.001), and protective behavior scores ( H=52.344, P<0.001; H=28.465, P<0.001; H=67.061, P<0.001) showed statistically significant differences. Comparisons of these same factors among residents of different genders showed no statistically significant differences ( χ2=1.159, P=0.282; χ2=0.298, P=0.585; t=-0.808, P=0.419; t=-1.229, P=0.219). Comparisons of tick-related knowledge awareness rates among residents with different frequencies of outdoor work showed no statistically significant differences ( χ2=5.367, P=0.147); however, comparisons of SFTS-related knowledge awareness rates, protective attitude scores, and protective behavior scores among residents with different frequencies of outdoor work showed statistically significant differences ( χ2=117.010, P<0.001; F=4.127, P=0.006; H=56.280, P<0.001). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that older age, lower educational level, and less frequent outdoor work were associated with lower protective behavior scores ( t=-3.479, P<0.001; t=4.861, P<0.001; t=-7.753, P<0.001). Conclusions:Residents in the epidemic areas of SFTS have a low level of knowledge, attitude and practice. Factors influencing protective behaviors include age, occupation, educational level, and frequency of outdoor work. Farmers are a group that requires particular attention.

Objective:To investigate the disease burden, clinical characteristics and independent risk factors affecting in-hospital outcomes of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) combined with heart failure (HF) in China.Methods:(1) Descriptive study: based on the global burden of disease study 2021, available data on children under 15 years of age with CHD and HF in China from 1990 to 2021 were collected. The prevalence and trends in different age subgroups (<1 year, 1-<2 years, 2-<5 years, 5-<10 years, 10-<15 years) were analyzed, and the annual percentage change (EAPC) was estimated using linear regression. (2) Retrospective cohort study: a total of 1 062 children with CHD and HF from a multicenter study on pediatric HF in China were included. The children were divided into two groups:<2 years group and 2-<18 years group. Data on demographics, clinical features, diagnosis, treatments, and in-hospital outcomes were analyzed. Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test were used for group comparisons.Multivariable Logistic regression was applied to identify factors influencing outcomes (in-hospital mortality and adverse cardiovascular events). Results:(1) From 1990 to 2021, the number of children with CHD and HF in China increased from 333 000 (95% uncertainty interval ( UI) 271 000-405 000) to 368 000 (95% UI 296 000-459 000), a growth of 10.8% (95% UI 5.0%-16.6%). Concurrently the prevalence rate increased from 104.5 (95% UI 85.1-127.3) per 100 000 to 142.0 (95% UI 114.0-176.8) per 100 000, a growth of 35.9% (95% UI 28.7%-43.0%), with an EAPC of 1.5% (95% CI 1.2%-1.8%). Although the number of cases in the<1 year and 1-<2 years groups decreased by 41.0% and 25.6%, respectively, the prevalence in all age groups showed an upward trend:<1 year EAPC 0.6% (95% CI 0.5%-0.7%); 1-<2 years EAPC 0.9% (95% CI 0.8%-1.0%); 2-<5 years EAPC 1.2% (95% CI 1.0%-1.4%); 5-<10 years EAPC 1.5% (95% CI 1.2%-1.8%); 10-<15 years EAPC 2.1% (95% CI 1.9%-2.3%). (2) The multicenter study revealed that among 1 062 hospitalized children, 528 (49.7%) were male and 534 (50.3%) were female, with the age at admission of 5.4 (2.2,18.2) months. The majority of the children (77.9%, 827/1 062) were under 2 years of age, whereas 22.1% (235/1 062) were aged between 2-<18 years. Children with complex congenital heart defects accounted for the highest proportion (48.6%, 516/1 062), while those with isolated CHD made up 31.5% (335/1 062). Statistically significant differences were observed in several variables in demographics, clinical features, diagnosis, treatments, and outcomes between the two age groups (all P<0.05). The use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (41.1%, 436/1 062) and beta-blockers (8.7%, 92/1 062) was lower in hospitalized children with CHD and HF. Logistic regression identified complex CHD ( OR=7.73, 95% CI 2.24-26.63; OR=3.17, 95% CI 1.92-5.23), pulmonary hyperperfusion ( OR=2.15, 95% CI 1.01-4.18; OR=2.00, 95% CI 1.35-2.97), left ventricular ejection fraction<55% ( OR=2.13, 95% CI 1.08-4.21; OR=2.80, 95% CI 1.45-5.56), arterial oxygen partial pressure ( OR=0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99; OR=0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99), and serum calcium levels ( OR=0.31, 95% CI 0.17-0.58; OR=0.42, 95% CI 0.28-0.62) as independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality and cardiovascular events. Conclusions:The disease burden of CHD combined with HF in China has shown a continuous upward trend from 1990 to 2021, with higher growth rates in older age groups. Complex CHD, pulmonary hyperperfusion, left ventricular ejection fraction <55%, arterial oxygen partial pressure, and serum calcium concentration are independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality and cardiovascular events.