ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanisms and pathways through which Gandouling （GDL） exerts its effects in the treatment of liver fibrosis in Wilson disease. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups： the normal group， the model group， the GDL low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （0.24， 0.48， 0.96 g·kg^-1）， and the penicillamine group （90 mg·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. A copper-loaded Wilson disease rat model was established by gavage administration of 300 mg·kg^-1 copper sulfate pentahydrate to all groups except the normal group. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathomorphological changes in the liver. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the levels of hyaluronic acid （HA）， laminin （LN）， procollagen type-Ⅲ peptide （PC-Ⅲ）， and collagen type-Ⅳ （C-Ⅳ）. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the ultrastructure of liver tissues. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the expression levels of liver tissues and serum exosomal long noncoding RNA H19 （LncRNA H19）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）， protein kinase B （Akt）， and mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）. Western blot analysis was performed to assess the expression levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， and their phosphorylated forms， as well as autophagy-related proteins Beclin1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B （LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ） in liver tissues. Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ fluorescence signal intensity was observed by immunofluorescence. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group exhibited inflammatory cell infiltration in hepatocytes， unclear nuclear boundaries with cell cleavage and necrosis， and collagen fiber deposition around confluent areas. The levels of HA， LN， PC-Ⅲ， and C-Ⅳ were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Transmission electron microscopy revealed an increased number of autophagic vesicles， with autophagic lysosomes exhibiting a single-layer membrane structure following degradation of most envelopes. Expression levels of Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and fluorescence signals of Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ were markedly enhanced. The protein expression levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， p-PI3K， p-Akt， and p-mTOR were reduced （P<0.01）， while LncRNA H19 expression was increased （P<0.01）， and mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， and mTOR were decreased （P<0.01）. After treatment with GDL， the degree of liver fibrosis was significantly improved， with decreased levels of HA， LN， PC-Ⅲ， and C-Ⅳ. The number of autophagic vesicles was significantly reduced， and expression levels of Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ proteins were lower （P<0.01）. The fluorescence signals of Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ weakened dose-dependently. The protein levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， p-PI3K， p-Akt， and p-mTOR were elevated （P<0.01）， while the expression level of LncRNA H19 was reduced （P<0.01）. Furthermore， the mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， and mTOR increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionGDL may alleviate liver fibrosis and reduce liver injury by regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR autophagy signaling pathway via LncRNA H19.

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.

Lower-extremity vascular disease has a high morbidity rate and often leads to disability and death in its advanced stages. Although angiography-guided endovascular intervention is the primary treatment for peripheral vascular disease, it frequently fails to detect subtle lumen features and falls short of meeting the increasing clinical need for precise management. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) merges noninvasive ultrasound imaging with invasive catheterization techniques, providing 360° imaging of the vascular cross-section and delivering accurate information about lesion morphology. IVUS has been crucial in supporting decisionmaking for preoperative assessment, intraoperative monitoring, and postoperative optimization during vascular interventions. This review aims to summarize the latest applications of IVUS in lower-extremity vascular disease, discuss its strengths and limitations, and explore future directions for its use.

Objective To investigate the relationship between tooth loss and the occurrence of esophageal cancer in a natural village in Wenfeng District, Anyang City, Henan Province. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted to observe the occurrence of tooth loss and esophageal cancer among the asymptomatic residents of the natural village for 16 years from January 2008 to July 2024. Data were analyzed by chi-square test, binary logistic regression, and restricted cubic spline. Results Among the total population of 711 cases, 136 cases were lost to follow-up and 575 cases were included in the final statistics, including 45 cases with esophageal cancer. Significant statistical difference was found between esophageal cancer patients with and without tooth loss (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that tooth loss was associated with the occurrence of esophageal cancer (OR=3.977, 95%CI: 1.543-10.255). After the adjustment for confounders, tooth loss remained significantly associated with the occurrence of esophageal cancer (OR=3.038, 95%CI: 1.035-8.914). A nonlinear dose-response relationship was observed between the number of teeth lost and the incidence of esophageal cancer. When the number of teeth lost was less than 12, the risk of esophageal cancer increased with the number of teeth lost. When more than 12 teeth were lost, the risk of esophageal cancer decreased as the number of teeth lost increased. Conclusion Tooth loss is a risk factor for the occurrence of esophageal cancer in this natural village. When the number of teeth lost is less than 12, the risk of esophageal cancer increases with the number of teeth lost.

Lower-extremity vascular disease has a high morbidity rate and often leads to disability and death in its advanced stages. Although angiography-guided endovascular intervention is the primary treatment for peripheral vascular disease, it frequently fails to detect subtle lumen features and falls short of meeting the increasing clinical need for precise management. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) merges noninvasive ultrasound imaging with invasive catheterization techniques, providing 360° imaging of the vascular cross-section and delivering accurate information about lesion morphology. IVUS has been crucial in supporting decisionmaking for preoperative assessment, intraoperative monitoring, and postoperative optimization during vascular interventions. This review aims to summarize the latest applications of IVUS in lower-extremity vascular disease, discuss its strengths and limitations, and explore future directions for its use.

Lower-extremity vascular disease has a high morbidity rate and often leads to disability and death in its advanced stages. Although angiography-guided endovascular intervention is the primary treatment for peripheral vascular disease, it frequently fails to detect subtle lumen features and falls short of meeting the increasing clinical need for precise management. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) merges noninvasive ultrasound imaging with invasive catheterization techniques, providing 360° imaging of the vascular cross-section and delivering accurate information about lesion morphology. IVUS has been crucial in supporting decisionmaking for preoperative assessment, intraoperative monitoring, and postoperative optimization during vascular interventions. This review aims to summarize the latest applications of IVUS in lower-extremity vascular disease, discuss its strengths and limitations, and explore future directions for its use.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) is a treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN), with a relatively low risk of stenosis; however, the long-term outcomes remain unclear. We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of patients with widespread superficial ESCN who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or ERFA. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with superficial ESCN who underwent ESD or ERFA between January 2015 and December 2021. The primary outcome measure was recurrence-free survival. Results: Ninety-two and 33 patients with superficial ESCN underwent ESD and ERFA, respectively. The en bloc, R0, and curative resection rates for ESD were 100.0%, 90.2%, and 76.1%, respectively. At 12 months, the complete response rate was comparable between the two groups (94.6% vs 90.9%, p=0.748). During a median follow-up of 66 months, recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in the ESD group than in the ERFA group (p=0.004), while no significant differences in overall survival (p=0.845) and disease-specific survival (p=0.494) were observed.Preoperative diagnosis of intramucosal cancer (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.55; vs high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia) was an independent predictor of recurrence. Significantly fewer patients in the ERFA group experienced stenosis compare to ESD group (15.2% vs 38.0%, p=0.016). Conclusions The risk of recurrence was higher for ERFA than ESD for ESCN but overall survival was not affected. The risk of esophageal stenosis was significantly lower for patients who underwent ERFA.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) is a treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN), with a relatively low risk of stenosis; however, the long-term outcomes remain unclear. We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of patients with widespread superficial ESCN who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or ERFA. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with superficial ESCN who underwent ESD or ERFA between January 2015 and December 2021. The primary outcome measure was recurrence-free survival. Results: Ninety-two and 33 patients with superficial ESCN underwent ESD and ERFA, respectively. The en bloc, R0, and curative resection rates for ESD were 100.0%, 90.2%, and 76.1%, respectively. At 12 months, the complete response rate was comparable between the two groups (94.6% vs 90.9%, p=0.748). During a median follow-up of 66 months, recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in the ESD group than in the ERFA group (p=0.004), while no significant differences in overall survival (p=0.845) and disease-specific survival (p=0.494) were observed.Preoperative diagnosis of intramucosal cancer (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.55; vs high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia) was an independent predictor of recurrence. Significantly fewer patients in the ERFA group experienced stenosis compare to ESD group (15.2% vs 38.0%, p=0.016). Conclusions The risk of recurrence was higher for ERFA than ESD for ESCN but overall survival was not affected. The risk of esophageal stenosis was significantly lower for patients who underwent ERFA.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) is a treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN), with a relatively low risk of stenosis; however, the long-term outcomes remain unclear. We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of patients with widespread superficial ESCN who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or ERFA. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with superficial ESCN who underwent ESD or ERFA between January 2015 and December 2021. The primary outcome measure was recurrence-free survival. Results: Ninety-two and 33 patients with superficial ESCN underwent ESD and ERFA, respectively. The en bloc, R0, and curative resection rates for ESD were 100.0%, 90.2%, and 76.1%, respectively. At 12 months, the complete response rate was comparable between the two groups (94.6% vs 90.9%, p=0.748). During a median follow-up of 66 months, recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in the ESD group than in the ERFA group (p=0.004), while no significant differences in overall survival (p=0.845) and disease-specific survival (p=0.494) were observed.Preoperative diagnosis of intramucosal cancer (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.55; vs high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia) was an independent predictor of recurrence. Significantly fewer patients in the ERFA group experienced stenosis compare to ESD group (15.2% vs 38.0%, p=0.016). Conclusions The risk of recurrence was higher for ERFA than ESD for ESCN but overall survival was not affected. The risk of esophageal stenosis was significantly lower for patients who underwent ERFA.

Lower-extremity vascular disease has a high morbidity rate and often leads to disability and death in its advanced stages. Although angiography-guided endovascular intervention is the primary treatment for peripheral vascular disease, it frequently fails to detect subtle lumen features and falls short of meeting the increasing clinical need for precise management. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) merges noninvasive ultrasound imaging with invasive catheterization techniques, providing 360° imaging of the vascular cross-section and delivering accurate information about lesion morphology. IVUS has been crucial in supporting decisionmaking for preoperative assessment, intraoperative monitoring, and postoperative optimization during vascular interventions. This review aims to summarize the latest applications of IVUS in lower-extremity vascular disease, discuss its strengths and limitations, and explore future directions for its use.