Definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) has become a cornerstone in the treatment of locally advanced esophageal cancer; however, local control remains suboptimal, and persistent lesions or locoregional recurrences after treatment are not uncommon. For patients without distant metastases but with local failure, whether surgical intervention can still offer curative potential remains a major clinical dilemma. Salvage esophagectomy (SE) offers potential long-term survival for selected patients, but this procedure is performed in the context of severe fibrosis, impaired local blood supply, and obscured anatomical planes following chemoradiotherapy, resulting in significantly higher perioperative risk compared to primary esophagectomy. Consequently, controversies exist regarding patient selection, preoperative restaging, choice of surgical approach, extent of lymphadenectomy, gastrointestinal reconstruction, and perioperative management. In recent years, with the refinement of restaging modalities such as PET/CT, the accumulation of experience in high-volume centers, and emerging evidence from clinical studies, the clinical role of SE has gradually shifted from a "high-risk salvage measure" to a "selective curative strategy aimed at achieving long-term survival in carefully selected patients". Nevertheless, standardized guidelines for patient selection, technical approaches, and perioperative management are still lacking. Based on current evidence and clinical experience, experts organized by the Integrated Esophageal Cancer Committee of Chinese Anti-Cancer Association systematically reviewed key issues regarding SE, including its definition, indications, preoperative evaluation, choice of surgical approach, lymphadenectomy, gastrointestinal reconstruction, and perioperative management, and formulated a Chinese expert consensus. This consensus aims to provide guidance for standardized assessment, appropriate referral, individualized surgical decision-making, and optimized perioperative management of patients with locoregional failure after dCRT. Ultimately, this will increase the likelihood of R0 resection, reduce the risk of severe complications, and promote the safer, more judicious, and standardized implementation of SE in high-risk scenarios.

ObjectiveTo investigate the potential therapeutic effects of Dengzhan Shengmai capsules （DZSM） on myocardial fibrosis after myocardial infarction and decipher the underlying molecular mechanisms by virtue of network robustness algorithm. MethodsA rat model of myocardial infarction was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. Successfully modeled Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into a model group， an enalapril group（3.15 mg·kg^-1）， and high- and low-dose DZSM groups（226.8，113.4 mg·kg^-1）. In addition， a sham group was set up. After four consecutive weeks of intervention， the cardiac function was assessed via echocardiography， and myocardial collagen deposition was observed through Sirius red staining. The key regulatory pathways of DZSM were analyzed by the network robustness algorithm. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） and immunofluorescence assay were employed to validate the mechanisms. ResultsCompared with the sham group， the model group exhibited decreased left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF%） and fractional shortening （FS%） （P<0.01） and increased myocardial collagen volume fraction （CVF%） （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， high-dose DZSM and enalapril improved LVEF% and FS% （P<0.01）. Both high- and low-dose DZSM reduced the CVF% （P<0.05， P<0.05，）. Network analysis indicated that DZSM exerted its effects by regulating neutrophil infiltration and related inflammatory pathways. Experimental validation showed that DZSM significantly reduced the protein levels of nuclear factor （NF）-κB， Janus kinase 2 （JAK2）， and signal transduction activator and transducer 3 （STAT3） in the cardiac tissue， as well as the levels of chemokine （C-X-C motif） ligand 1 （CXCL1）， interleukin （IL）-1β， neutrophil elastase-DNA complex （NE-DNA）， and myeloperoxidase-DNA complex （MPO-DNA） in the plasma. ConclusionDZSM may ameliorate myocardial fibrosis by inhibiting neutrophil infiltration and extracellular trap formation and regulating the NF-κB/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Objective: To investigate follow-up participation situation, negative conversion, and tuberculosis incidence among boarding junior and senior high school freshmen with latent tuberculosis infection(LTBI) in Zhuhai, so as to provide a reference for better LTBI management in school settings. Methods: A prospective cohort study enrolled 413 LTBI and 27 184 non LTBI boarding junior and senior high school freshmen in Zhuhai from September to October 2023. The LTBI group underwent follow up retesting at >3-6, >6-12, >12-24, >24 months after screening. The followup content included mycobacterium tuberculosis infection testing,chest X ray examination,and questionaire survey(basic demographic information, lifestyle, history of close contact with tuberculosis, and suspected symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis). Follow-up participation, negative conversion, and tuberculosis incidence were analyzed. Rate was compared by using the Chi-square test, and factors associated with negative conversion were assessed by multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Results: Follow-up participation rates increased initially and then declined, with rates of 25.67% within >3-6 months, 37.05% within >6-12 months, 82.02% within >12-24 months, and 52.21% after 24 months. The overall negative conversion rate was 61.03%. The differences in the conversion rate to negative of mycobacterium tuberculosis infection detection among junior and senior high school freshmen in the LTBI group by different testing methods, school types, smoking history, sleep status, and academic stress were all statistically significant( χ 2=124.96, 22.70, 4.71, 6.31, 6.08, all P <0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis identified testing methods, smoking history, and sleep status as factors associated with negative conversion ( OR =1.90-21.67, all P <0.05). The cumulative incidence of tuberculosis was 726.39 per 100 000 in the LTBI group versus 14.71 per 100 000 in the non-LTBI group ( RR =49.37, 95% CI =11.08-219.87, P <0.01). Conclusions Boarding junior and senior high school freshmen with LTBI in Zhuhai have a higher risk of tuberculosis than concurrent non-LTBI students; they therefore represent a priority group for tuberculosis prevention and control. Centralized follow up is recommended to improve participation, and high specificity methods should be used in follow up retesting and maintain consistency across assessments.

Mutations in the cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 gene (CDKL5) cause a severe neurodevelopmental disorder, yet the impact of truncating mutations remains unclear. Here, we introduce the Cdkl5^492stop mouse model, mimicking C-terminal truncating mutations in patients. 492stop/Y mice exhibit altered dendritic spine morphology and spontaneous seizure-like behaviors, alongside other behavioral deficits. After creating cell lines with various Cdkl5 truncating mutations, we found that these mutations are regulated by the nonsense-mediated RNA decay pathway. Most truncating mutations result in CDKL5 protein loss, leading to multiple disease phenotypes, and offering new insights into the pathogenesis of CDKL5 disorder.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/deficiency* ; Mutation/genetics* ; Epileptic Syndromes/genetics* ; Humans ; Dendritic Spines/pathology* ; Spasms, Infantile/genetics* ; Male ; Seizures/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

OBJECTIVE: Patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection frequently develop central nervous system damage, yet the mechanisms driving this pathology remain unclear. This study investigated the primary pathways and key factors underlying brain tissue damage induced by the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant (lineage B.1.351). METHODS: K18-hACE2 and C57BL/6 mice were intranasally infected with the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant. Viral replication, pathological phenotypes, and brain transcriptomes were analyzed. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis was performed to identify altered pathways. Expression changes of host genes were verified using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. RESULTS: Pathological alterations were observed in the lungs of both mouse strains. However, only K18-hACE2 mice exhibited elevated viral RNA loads and infectious titers in the brain at 3 days post-infection, accompanied by neuropathological injury and weight loss. GO analysis of infected K18-hACE2 brain tissue revealed significant dysregulation of genes associated with innate immunity and antiviral defense responses, including type I interferons, pro-inflammatory cytokines, Toll-like receptor signaling components, and interferon-stimulated genes. Neuroinflammation was evident, alongside activation of apoptotic and pyroptotic pathways. Furthermore, altered neural cell marker expression suggested viral-induced neuroglial activation, resulting in caspase 4 and lipocalin 2 release and disruption of neuronal molecular networks. CONCLUSION These findings elucidate mechanisms of neuropathogenicity associated with the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant and highlight therapeutic targets to mitigate COVID-19-related neurological dysfunction.
Animals ; COVID-19/genetics* ; Mice ; Brain/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; SARS-CoV-2/physiology* ; Pyroptosis ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Transcriptome ; Male ; Female

OBJECTIVE: CRISPR-Cas protects bacteria from exogenous DNA invasion and is associated with bacterial biofilm formation and pathogenicity. METHODS: We analyzed the type I-F CRISPR-Cas system of Legionella pneumophila WX48, including Cas1, Cas2-Cas3, Csy1, Csy2, Csy3, and Cas6f, along with downstream CRISPR arrays. We explored the effects of the CRISPR-Cas system on the in vitro growth, biofilm-forming ability, and pathogenicity of L. pneumophila through constructing gene deletion mutants. RESULTS: The type I-F CRISPR-Cas system did not affect the in vitro growth of wild-type or mutant strains. The biofilm formation and intracellular proliferation of the mutant strains were weaker than those of the wild type owing to the regulation of type IV pili and Dot/Icm type IV secretion systems. In particular, Cas6f deletion strongly inhibited these processes. CONCLUSION The type I-F CRISPR-Cas system may reduce biofilm formation and intracellular proliferation in L. pneumophila.
Legionella pneumophila/pathogenicity* ; CRISPR-Cas Systems ; Biofilms/growth & development* ; Phenotype ; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism* ; Gene Deletion

Objective To develop a deep learning model based on fundus retinal images to improve the detection rate of mild cognitive impairment(MCI)in patients with coronary heart disease,achieve early intervention and improve prognosis.Methods The study was a single-center cross-sectional study that retrospectively included patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease(CHD)by coronary angiography(≥50％ stenosis of at least one coronary vessel)from Beijing Anzhen Hospital between November 2021 and December 2022.The whole data set was randomly divided into the training set and the testing set according to the ratio of 8∶2 for model development.After that,the patient data of the same center from January 2023 to April 2023 were included in the time verification method to verify the model.The diagnostic criteria for MCI were MMSE＜27 or MoCA＜26.Four kinds of convolutional neural network(CNN)architectures were used to train fundus images,and a comprehensive vision model of MCI detection was established through model integration.The area under the curve(AUC),sensitivity and specificity of the receiver operating curve(ROC)were used to evaluate the performance of the AI model.Results We collected 5 880 eligible fundus images from 3 368 CHD patients.Based on the results of the MMSE scale,the algorithm was labeled,including 2 898 males and 527 MCI patients.The AUC of the deep learning model in the test group is 0.733(95％CI 0.688-0.778),and the sensitivity of the algorithm in the test group is 0.577(95％CI 0.528-0.625)by using the operating point with the maximum sum of sensitivity and specificity.With a specificity of 0.758(95％CI 0.714-0.802),corresponding to a validated AUC of 0.710(95％CI 0.601-0.818).Based on the results of the MoCA scale,the algorithm labels 2 437 males and 1 626 MCI patients.The AUC of the deep learning model in the test group was 0.702(95％CI 0.671-0.733).The operating point with the maximum sum of sensitivity and specificity was selected,and the sensitivity of the algorithm was 0.749(95％CI 0.719-0.778)and the specificity was 0.561(95％CI 0.527-0.595),corresponding to the AUC value of the verification group was 0.674(95％CI 0.622-0.726).Conclusions The deep learning algorithm model based on fundus images has good diagnostic performance,and may be used as a new non-invasive,convenient and rapid screening method for MCI in CHD population.

AIM To study the chemical constituents from ethyl acetate fraction of Balanophora harlandii Hook.f.and their tyrosinase inhibitory activity.METHODS Separation and purification were performed using silica gel,MCI,ODS,Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The monophenolase inhibitory activity was determined by the tyrosinase-catalyzed oxidation of L-tyrosine.RESULTS Twenty-four compounds were isolated and identified as sesamin(1),methyl caffeate(2),quercetin(3),5,7-dihydroxychromanone(4),methyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate(5),esculetin(6),kaempferol(7),naringenin(8),pyrogallic acid(9),pinosylvin(10),methyl propionate(11),caffeic acid(12),saccharinol(13),ferulic acid(14),trans-p-hydroxycinnamic acid(15),cinnamic acid(16),vanillic acid(17),vanillin(18),4-hydroxyacetophenone(19),4-hydroxybenzaldehyde(20),apigenin(21),(-)-isolariciresinol(22),(-)-secoisolariciresinol(23)and meso-2,3-di(3′,4′-methylenedioxybenzyl)butane-1,4-diol(24).The IC50 values of compounds 3,5,7,8,19,and 20 ranged from(0.246 5±0.028 3)to(1.278 2±0.021 3)mmol/L.CONCLUSION Compounds 1-9、11、15、17-21、24 are isolated from this plant for the first time,and 1,6,9,17-19,24 are first isolated from genus Balanophora.Compounds 3、5、7、8、19 and 20 have tyrosinase inhibitory activity.

AIM To study the chemical constituents from Citri reticulatae Pericarpium Viride and their anti-triple negative breast cancer activities in vitro.METHODS The ethanolic extract of Citri reticulatae Pericarpium Viride was isolated and purified by silica gel,polyamide,MCI,Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The anti-triple negative breast cancer activities were screened by SRB assay,and their effects on the proliferation of triple negative breast cancer cell lines HCC1806,HCC1937 and MDA-MB-231 in vitro were evaluated.RESULTS Twenty compounds were isolated and identified as nobiletin(1),tangeritin(2),5,4'-dihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxy flavonoid(3),naringenin(4),artemetin(5),5-demethynobiletin(6),3,5,6,7,8,3',4'-pentamethoxy flavonoid(7),5,4'-dihydroxy-3,6,7,8,3'-pentamethoxyflavone(8),xanthomicrol(9),p-hydroxycinnamic acid(10),5,4'-dihydroxy-6,7,8,3'-tetramethoxyflavone(11),pectolinarigenin(12),4'-dihydroxy-5,6,7-tetramethoxyflavone(13),hispidulin(14),4',5,6,7-tetramethoxy-flavone(15),1-methyl-4-(prop-1-en-2-yl)cyclohexane-1,2-diol(16),umbelliferone(17),5-hydroxymethyl furfural(18),hydroquinone(19),1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde(20).Compound 8 showed a significant inhibitory effect with the IC50 value of(5.36±0.24)μmol/L on HCC1806 cells.CONCLUSION Compound 20 is isolated from genus Citrus for the first time,8,12-13,16-17 are isolated from this plant for the first time.Compound 8 show inhibitory effects on the proliferation of HCC1806,HCC1937 and MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro and have the strongest activities.Compounds 3-4,11-12,15,17 and 19 show strong inhibitory effect on HCC1806 cells.Compounds 15,19 also inhibit the proliferation of HCC1937 cells in vitro.

Objective To investigate biological markers associated with psychotic symptoms in patients with bipolar disorder(BD)based on electronic medical records of patients,and to develop an interpretable risk prediction model that supports the identification of high-risk individuals and that facilitates decision-making for providing clinical intervention in a timely manner.Methods A total of 2 352 patients diagnosed with BD and admitted to West China Hospital,Sichuan University were enrolled using the electronic medical records system of the hospital.The participants were divided into two subgroups,the bipolar disorder depression(BDD)group and the bipolar disorder mania(BDM)group.The logistic regression algorithm was used to train and validate the prediction model,and interpretability methods were used to analyze the contribution of each feature to individuals and the effect of the features on specific target prediction decisions.Results The logistic regression model demonstrated robust predictive performance across the BD,BDD,and BDM cohorts,with areas under the curve(AUC)of the receiver operating characteristic curves always exceeding 81.6%.The core predictive features included platelet distribution width(PDW),fibrinogen(FIB),platelet large cell ratio(P-LCR),activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),prothrombin time(PT),and triglyceride(TG).The logistic regression model exhibited strong interpretability and was combined with nomograms for intuitive risk quantification and individualized prediction.Conclusion The logistic regression model enables rapid and simple screening of BD patients with psychotic symptoms.Distinct patterns of changes observed in blood biomarkers of BDD and BDM subgroups enrich the understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and highlight the importance of considering subtypes in the intervention and management of patients.