ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the action mechanism by which Banxia Xiexintang （BXT） inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） in chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） rats by regulating the interleukin-17（IL-17）/extracellular regulated protein kinases（ERK）/CCAAT enhancer binding protein β（C/EBPβ）signaling pathway， thereby providing new theoretical evidence for the treatment of CAG with classic traditional Chinese medicine formulas. MethodsA CAG rat model was established by using the combined factor method. After successful modeling， the rats were randomly divided into the model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （0.549， 1.098， 2.196 g·kg^-1， respectively） of BXT， and the positive drug group （vitacoenzyme， 0.3 g·kg^-1）. A normal control group was also set up. After 8 weeks of intervention， the pathological changes of gastric tissue were evaluated. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the contents of IL-17， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2）， and C/EBPβ in serum， as well as the contents of EMT markers in gastric mucosal tissue including E-cadherin， N-cadherin， and vimentin. The immunohistochemistry method was employed to determine the localization and protein expression levels of IL-17， p-ERK， and C/EBPβ in gastric mucosal tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of C/EBPβ， ERK， and its phosphorylated form （p）-ERK in gastric mucosa. Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was applied to measure the mRNA expression levels of ERK， COX-2， and C/EBPβ in gastric mucosa. ResultsCompared with those in the normal control group， the rats in the model group showed gastric mucosal glandular atrophy and inflammatory cell infiltration. The protein and their related mRNA expressions of C/EBPβ， ERK， and p-ERK in gastric mucosa were significantly increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The levels of IL-17， TNF-α， COX-2， and C/EBPβ in serum were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The contents of N-cadherin and vimentin in gastric mucosal tissue were significantly increased， while the content of E-cadherin was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， after intervention with different doses of BXT， the pathological damage of the gastric mucosa was improved to varying degrees. The protein and mRNA expressions of C/EBPβ， ERK， and p-ERK in gastric mucosa were significantly reduced （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The levels of IL-17， TNF-α， COX-2， and C/EBP β in serum were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The contents of N-cadherin and vimentin in gastric mucosa tissue were decreased， while the content of E-cadherin was increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionBXT can effectively improve the pathological damage of gastric mucosal tissue in CAG rats. Its action mechanism may be related to reducing the levels of IL-17 and TNF-α in serum， regulating the IL-17/ERK/C/EBPβ signaling pathway and inhibiting the EMT process.

Objective This study reports on the obligatory parasitism of water mites Arrenurus sp. on Anopheles messeae at the Manzhouli Port, Inner Mongolia, China. Methods Duing July 2024, a survey on the mosquito diversity was conducted at the Manzhouli Port. Captured mosquitoes and their ectoparasites were identified to species level. Results A total of 1840 adult mosquitoes were collected, representing species from three genera: Culex(Cx. modestus, Cx. pipiens pallens), Aedes(Ae. dorsalis, Ae. flavidorsalis, Ae. flavescens), and Anopheles (An. messeae). Among all the mosqutioes specimens,3 out of 150 captured An. messeae were found to carry ectoparasitic mites, with number of 2,4,27 mites separately. Morphological and molecular identification reached the same result as water mites(Hydrachnidiae, Hydracrina). COI gene sequence showed 94% similarity with the closest species Arrenurus truncatellus. Conlusions Literature review suggests water mites are host-specific parasitism of mosquito species and herein with the first record of Arrenurus sp. parasiting on An. Messeae in the most high-latitude region globally.

Background/Aims: Treatment indications for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remain contentious, particularly for patients with mild alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation. We aimed to evaluate treatment effects in this patient population. Methods: This rollover study extended a placebo-controlled trial that enrolled non-cirrhotic patients with CHB and ALT levels below two times the upper limit of normal. Following 3 years of randomized intervention with either tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) or placebo, participants were rolled over to open-label TDF for 3 years. Liver biopsies were performed before and after the treatment to evaluate histopathological changes. Virological, biochemical, and serological outcomes were also assessed (NCT02463019). Results: Of 146 enrolled patients (median age 47 years, 80.8% male), 123 completed the study with paired biopsies. Overall, the Ishak fibrosis score decreased in 74 (60.2%), remained unchanged in 32 (26.0%), and increased in 17 (13.8%) patients (p<0.0001). The Knodell necroinflammation score decreased in 58 (47.2%), remained unchanged in 29 (23.6%), and increased in 36 (29.3%) patients (p=0.0038). The proportion of patients with an Ishak score ≥ 3 significantly decreased from 26.8% (n=33) to 9.8% (n=12) (p=0.0002). Histological improvements were more pronounced in patients switching from placebo. Virological and biochemical outcomes also improved in placebo switchers and remained stable in patients who continued TDF. However, serum HBsAg levels did not change and no patient cleared HBsAg. Conclusions In CHB patients with minimally raised ALT, favorable histopathological, biochemical, and virological outcomes were observed following 3-year TDF treatment, for both treatment-naïve patients and those already on therapy.

AIM:To investigate the protective ef-fect of plumbagin(PL)against pulmonary fibrosis(PF)and its possible mechanisms.METHODS:Sixty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control,bleomycin group(BLM),low dose PL group(1 mg/kg)and high dose PL group(2 mg/kg).The mice PF model was replicated using intratracheal injection of BLM(3 mg/kg),and then PL(1 or 2 mg/kg)was injected intraperitoneally for 3 weeks and the animals were executed.HE and Masson staining were used to observe morphological changes in lung tissue and collagen deposition.The activities or levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione(GSH),malondialdehyde(MDA)and hy-droxyproline(HYP)were measured in mouse lung tissue;ELISA for interleukin-6(IL-6)in mouse lung tissue.Immunohistochemical detection of nuclear factor-related factor 2(Nrf2)and reduced nicotin-amide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4(NOX4)positive cell expression in mouse lung tis-sue.The expression levels of α-smooth muscle ac-tin(α-SMA),collagen Ⅰ(Col Ⅰ),collagen Ⅲ(Col Ⅲ),IL-6,transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),p-Smad2,Nrf2 and NOX4 were detected by Western blotting.RESULTS:Compared with the BLM group,PL treatment attenuated lung parenchymal and in-terstitial injury and extracellular matrix deposition in mice,reduced HYP content(P＜0.01,P＜0.05),de-creased protein expression of α-SMA,collagen Ⅰand Ⅲ(P＜0.01,P＜0.05),diminished IL-6 secretion(P＜0.01);improved the body's antioxidant capacity(increased SOD and GSH activity and decreased MDA content,P＜0.01,P＜0.05),significantly down-regulated TGF-β1,p-Smad2 and NOX4-positive cells and protein expression(P＜0.01,P＜0.05)and up-regulated Nrf2-positive cells and protein expression(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:PL may slow down the PF process by modulating the TGF-β1/Smad2 and Nrf2/NOX4 pathways to attenuate inflammato-ry responses and collagen deposition and improve the body's antioxidant capacity.

In recent decades,the incidence of human papillomavirus(HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma(OPSCC)has shown a marked increase.Significant changes have also occurred in the OPSCC diagnosis and treatment paradigm.Deter-mining HPV status prior to treatment is now essential,and radiotherapy/chemotherapy,immunotherapy,and minimally invasive surgical techniques have progressively emerged as key modalities for managing OPSCC.However,alongside these paradigm shifts,a comprehen-sive technical consensus guiding the entire diagnostic and therapeutic process for OPSCC patients is currently lacking.Given China's large population base and the rising incidence of OPSCC,an expert panel convened to develop a clinical technical consensus on OPSCC diagno-sis and management tailored to China's specific context.This consensus aims to further enhance and standardize understanding of OPSCC management techniques among relevant healthcare professionals.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of right-sided overlap and single-flap valvuloplasty (ROSF) in Da Vinci robotic proximal gastrectomy.Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 12 patients who underwent ROSF in Da Vinci robotic proximal gastrectomy at The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from September 2023 to May 2024 were collected. There were 7 males and 5 females, aged 62(range, 35?75)years. Observation indicators: (1) surgical conditions; (2) postoperative pathological results; (3) follow-up. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and mea-surement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range). Count data were expressed as absolute numbers. Results:(1) Surgical conditions. All patients successfully completed the surgery, without conversion to laparotomy. The operation time of 12 patients was (236±24)minutes. The time of single-layer fabrication and anastomosis was (105±28)minutes. The volume of intra-operative blood loss was (36±19)mL. Time to postoperative first fluid food intake was (3.5±1.1)days. The amylase levels in the abdominal drainage fluid on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3 were (321±121)U/L, (225±97)U/L, and (85±22)U/L, respectively. Time to postoperative drainage tube removal was (5.3±1.5)days. Duration of postoperative hospital stay was (7.6±1.1)days. All 12 patients had no anasto-motic related complications such as anastomotic leakage, anastomotic bleeding, anastomotic stenosis, and had no functional complications such as gastric emptying disorders or gastroesophageal reflux after surgery. (2) Postoperative pathological results. The distance of the proximal tumor margin of the 12 patients was (1.8±1.1)cm. The distance of distal margin was (5.7±2.1)cm. Number of lymph node dissected was 31.0(range, 22.0?45.0). Number of positive lymph node dissected was 3.4±2.4. Number of lymph node dissected from the pancreatic superior margin was 14.7±4.3. Results of postoperative pathological examination in the 12 patients showed 8 cases of Ⅰ stage, 3 cases of Ⅱ stage, 1 case of Ⅲ stage of the TNM staging. (3) Follow-up. All 12 patients were followed up for 6 (range, 3?24)months. During the follow-up period, all 12 patients had no local tumor recurrence or distant metastasis. All 12 patients had no complications such as anastomotic leakage, anastomotic bleeding, or anastomotic stenosis, and did not experience symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux such as heartburn or vomiting.Conclusion:The ROSF in Da Vinic robotic proximal gastrectomy is safe and feasible.

Chronic pancreatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by progre-ssive fibrosis of pancreatic tissue. Its pathological features primarily include parenchymal fibrosis, intraductal stone formation or calcification deposits, as well as segmental stenosis and dilation of the pancreatic duct. Prolonged chronic inflammatory stimulation not only leads to progressive pancreatic dysfunction but may also trigger the formation of pancreatic pseudocysts and even malignant transformation. In the comprehensive treatment of chronic pancreatitis, the core clinical goals are the removal of pancreatic duct stones, restoration of unobstructed pancreatic duct drainage, and preservation of residual pancreatic function. Traditional treatment strategies have been based on the principle of progressive intervention and early surgical management. In recent years, with advancements in extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, the application of new techniques such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography combined with laser lithotripsy under direct cholan-gioscopic visualization, and improvements in pancreas-preserving surgical approaches, the debate over the superiority of progressive intervention versus early surgical treatment has intensified. Against this backdrop, the treatment mode of Xi′an Jiaotong University Pancreatic Disease Center (hereinafter referred to as "Western Pancreas") has emerged, emphasizing a personalized, multimodal treatment strategy based on different types of pancreatic duct stones. The treatment mode of "Western Pancreas" integrates lithotripsy, endoscopic treatment, and surgical interventions to optimize patient outcomes. By conducting a comprehensive analysis of domestic and international pancreatic duct stone classi-fication systems and drawing from our team′s clinical experience in managing over a thousand cases of chronic pancreatitis, the authors have further refined and proposed a classification system for pancreatic duct stones under the treatment mode of "Western Pancreas". This refinement aims to enhance the overall diagnostic and therapeutic standards for chronic pancreatitis.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of extended abdominal wall resec-tion combined with reconstruction for abdominal wall aggressive fibromatosis (AF).Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinical data of 70 patients with abdominal wall AF who were admitted to 3 medical centers, including The First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China, between January 2009 and July 2024 were collected. There were 6 males and 64 females, aged (36±13)years. All patients underwent extended abdominal wall resection combined with abdominal wall reconstruction. Observation indicators: (1) surgical situations; (2) tumor recurrence and postoperative complications. Comparisons of measurement data with skewed distribution between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Comparison of count data between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. Results:(1)Surgical situations. All 70 patients underwent extended abdominal wall resection combined with abdominal wall recons-truction. The operation time was 90(91)minutes and duration of postoperative hospital stay was 10(6)days. Of the 70 patients, 41 patients underwent abdominal wall AF resection plus polypropylene mesh abdominal wall reconstruction, with a defect area of 60(54)cm2. The mesh placement method was uniformly Sublay repair. The remaining 29 patients underwent abdominal wall AF resection plus direct suture repair, with a defect area of 34(31)cm2. There was a significant difference in the abdominal wall defect area between the two groups ( U=291.00, P<0.05). All 70 patients achieved R 0 resection. The distance from surgical margin to tumor edge was 2-3 cm in 39 cases and >3 cm in 31 cases. (2) Tumor recurrence and postoperative complications. All 70 patients were followed up for 78(90)months. During follow-up, 10 patients developed tumor recurrence (5 cases with mesh reinforced abdominal wall reconstruction and 5 cases with direct suture repair). Among them, one case was monitored, one case underwent radiotherapy, and neither received further surgical treatment. The remaining 8 patients underwent repeat R 0 resection, and no further recurrence occurred. There was no significant difference in recurrence rate between the patients with mesh reconstruction and patients with direct suture repair ( χ2=0.06, P>0.05). The postoperative recurrence rate was 9.7%(3/31) in patients with the distance from surgical margin to tumor edge >3 cm, versus 17.9%(7/39) in patients with the distance from surgical margin to tumor edge of 2-3 cm, showing no significant difference between them ( χ2=0.97, P>0.05). Sixty patients had no tumor recurrence. During follow-up, none of the 70 patients developed incisional hernia. Two patients experienced postoperative wound infection, and 6 cases developed postoperative chronic pain. Conclusion:Extended abdominal wall resection combined with reconstruction is safe and feasible for abdominal wall AF.

Objective To establish an optimized diagnostic model for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),designated as G-GADA,in chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients based on the parameters of age,sex,alpha-fetoprotein(AFP),des-γ-carboxy prothrombin(DCP),and Golgi protein 73(GP73),to address the problems of low sensitivity and specificity in the early diagnosis of hepatitis B virus(HBV)-related liver cancer,and to assess the value of this model in the diagnosis of HCC.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for 201 CHB patients(CHB group),137 patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis(LC group),and 111 treatment-na?ve patients with newly diagnosed HCC(HCC group)who were admitted to Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University from June 2015 to June 2020.Serological markers(AFP,DCP,alpha-fetoprotein L3%[AFP-L3%],and GP73)were compared between groups and were analyzed in terms of their differences from the clinical and tumor characteristics of HCC patients,and the Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between different markers.A Logistic regression analysis was used to establish a diagnostic model for liver cancer,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to assess the diagnostic performance of each marker.Results Comparison of clinical features between CHB,LC,and HCC patients showed that HCC patients had significantly higher age,proportion of male patients,and serum levels of DCP,AFP,GP73,and AFP-L3%(all P<0.05).In HCC patients,DCP levels are associated with tumor size and microvascular invasion;AFP levels are related to patient age,tumor size,tumor number,distant metastasis,and microvascular invasion;AFP-L3%levels are associated with patient age,tumor size,tumor number,distant metastasis,Milan staging,and microvascular invasion;GP73 levels are linked to tumor number,distant metastasis,and microvascular invasion(all P<0.05).The correlation analysis of the serum markers showed a strong positive correlation between AFP and AFP-L3%(r=0.71,P<0.05)and a moderate positive correlation between AFP and GP73(r=0.33,P<0.05)and between AFP-L3%and GP73(r=0.41,P<0.05).Based on the features of age,sex,DCP,AFP,and GP73,the multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to establish a G-GADA diagnostic model for HCC,and for all patients,the G-GADA model had an area under the ROC curve(AUC)of 0.915(95%confidence interval[CI]:0.875-0.945)in the derivation cohort and 0.913(95%CI:0.862-0.950)in the validation cohort for the diagnosis of HCC.In the AFP-negative patients,the G-GADA model achieved an AUC of 0.884(95%CI:0.833-0.924)in the derivation cohort and 0.851(95%CI:0.779-0.907)in the validation cohort,and in the patients with liver cirrhosis,the G-GADA model achieved an AUC of 0.901(95%CI:0.841-0.944)in the derivation cohort and 0.885(95%CI:0.806-0.940)in the validation cohort.Conclusion The G-GADA diagnostic model based on multiple variables significantly improves the detection rate of HCC,and demonstrates superior diagnostic performance in patients with low AFP expression and those with liver cirrhosis.The G-GADA model has a better clinical application value in the noninvasive diagnosis of HCC.