ObjectiveGastrodia elata has evolved ecological types with shortened rhizome internodes and diversified flower and fruit coloration in response to different altitudes. Studying the genetic mechanisms of different ecotype germplasm is significant for guiding variety breeding in different cultivation areas. MethodsThe bHLH gene family was identified based on the whole-genome datasets of G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Subsequently， the gene family members were subject to analysis， including gene structure， chromosomal localization， cis-acting elements， gene synteny， and phylogeny. Combined with transcriptome data and quantitative Real-time PCR， the expression patterns of bHLH genes in the stems of the different G. elata ecotype germplasm were analyzed. Finally， correlation analysis was conducted between gene expression patterns and color to obtain the key bHLH genes regulating the color formation of stem. ResultsA total of 63 bHLH genes were identified in both G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca， unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes and clustered into 16 subfamilies， with significant expansion in some family members. Obvious inversions of bHLH genes on the same chromosome and interchromosomal translocations were detected in the two ecotype germplasm. Among these genes， 12 bHLH genes （such as bHLH62-3 and bHLH74） were associated with the bright yellow color of G elata f. elata stem， while 9 bHLH genes （such as PIL13， UNE12， and bHLH130） were correlated with the red color of G. elata f. glauca stem. Compared to G. elata f. glauca， the bHLH48 expression level was significantly higher in flowers and scale leaves of G elata f. elata， and the bHLH62-3 expression level was significantly higher in all organs of G elata f. elata. ConclusionsFunctional pathway divergence of the bHLH family members has occurred across different chromosomes in G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Through synergism or antagonism with other genes， 21 bHLH genes participate in the coloration metabolic pathway regulation of stems， flowers， and fruits. Specifically， bHLH62-3 is involved in regulating stem color differentiation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of G. elata， thus relevant to the color formation of stem. Additionally， GebHLH48 positively regulates flowering-related pathways to promote the early-flowering phenotype of G. elata f. elata. These findings have laid the foundation for analyzing the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying the color formation of the G. elata stem.

Liver cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the digestive system and ranks sixth among newly diagnosed malignant tumors worldwide. Transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β） regulates cell differentiation， proliferation， apoptosis， and other physiological and pathological mechanisms and exerts cancer-suppressive and pro-cancerous dual effects in the process of tumor development. In recent years， with the continuous exploration of the mechanism of liver cancer， it has been found that the conversion of the cancer-suppressive effect into a pro-cancerous effect of this pathway plays a key role in the development of liver cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） provides a unique perspective for the classification， diagnosis， and treatment of liver cancer with its comprehensive regulatory effects of multi-components， multi-targets， and multi-pathways. This paper summarized that the cancer-suppressive mechanisms of the TGF-β signaling pathway included promoting cancer cell cycle arrest， apoptosis， autophagy， et al， while the pro-cancerous mechanisms included promoting cancer cell proliferation， invasion and metastasis， immunosuppression， angiogenesis， et al. The TCM compounds intervening this pathway were sorted out， including Jianpi Huayu compound， Fuyang Baoyuan compound， Yipi Yanggan compound， Fuzheng Jiedu compound， compound Astragalus and Salvia， Biejia Jianwan， Dahuang Zhechong pill， and Qingxiang powder. The single TCMs mainly included Schizocapsa plantaginea， Dendrobii Caulis， Gleditsia sinensis， and Dracaena cochinchinensis. The active ingredients of TCM are mainly concentrated on flavonoids， alkaloids， glycosides， phenolics， terpenoids， polysaccharides， and other kinds of compounds. At the same time， it summarized that the liver cancer inhibition mechanism of TCM by regulating this pathway mainly included promoting apoptosis of liver cancer cells， blocking the cell cycle， and inhibiting liver cancer cell proliferation， migration， invasion， angiogenesis， immune escape， etc. The mechanism aims to give full play to the advantages of TCM and precisely regulate the TGF-β signal， thereby exerting positive anti-tumor effects， opening up a new direction for the precise targeted treatment of liver cancer， and providing a scientific basis and a new strategy for the application of TCM in the treatment of liver cancer.

Esophageal cancer is a prevalent malignant tumor of the digestive tract in China, and radical surgery remains the cornerstone of its comprehensive treatment. However, multifactorial challenges such as postoperative gastrointestinal tract reconstruction, traumatic stress, and tumor-related metabolic disturbances render esophageal cancer patients highly susceptible to malnutrition. Perioperative nutritional support therapy plays a crucial role in enhancing surgical safety, improving clinical outcomes, and elevating patients' quality of life by regulating metabolic homeostasis, preserving organ function, and optimizing the immune microenvironment. This article reviews the mechanisms underlying malnutrition in esophageal cancer, methods for nutritional status assessment, and precision intervention pathways based on multi-omics evaluations. The aim is to strengthen clinicians' awareness of standardized perioperative nutritional management for esophageal cancer patients and promote its clinical implementation, thereby facilitating postoperative recovery and improving long-term quality of life.

Objective To analyze the effect of releasing the lower pulmonary ligament on right residual lung expansion after right upper lobe resection under different body mass index (BMI) levels. Methods The clinical data of patients who underwent thoracoscopic right upper lobe resection in the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University from 2021 to 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into a group A (17 kg/m2＜BMI≤23 kg/m2), a group B (23 kg/m2＜BMI≤29 kg/m2) and a group C (BMI＞29 kg/m2) according to BMI. The presence of residual cavity was judged by chest X-ray at 7-10 days after operation, the degree of compensation change of the right main bronchus angle was measured, and the changes in lung volume were determined by CT three-dimensional reconstruction. Results A total of 157 patients who underwent thoracoscopic right upper lobe resection were included, including 71 males and 86 females, with an average age of (59.7±11.2) years. There were 50 patients in the group A, 75 patients in the group B, and 32 patients in the group C. In the group A, compared with those without releasing the lower pulmonary ligament, patients with releasing had a lower incidence of postoperative residual cavity (P=0.016), greater changes in bronchus angle (P<0.001), and smaller changes in lung volume (P<0.001). In the group B and C, there was no significant effect of releasing the lower pulmonary ligament on postoperative residual cavity, bronchus angle, and lung volume changes (P>0.05). Conclusion For patients with thin and long body shape and low BMI, releasing the lower pulmonary ligament is helpful to promote the expansion of the residual lung after right upper lobe resection and reduce the occurrence of postoperative residual cavity in patients.

Objective To investigate the 30-day mortality risk factors in elderly patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and to construct a nomogram for predicting mortality risk. Methods A retrospective analysis of elderly (≥70 years) HFrEF patients undergoing isolated CABG at Tianjin Chest Hospital from 2010 to 2024 was performed. Simple random sampling in R software was used to divide the dataset into training and validation sets in a 7 : 3 ratio. The training set was further divided into survivors and non-survivors. Univariate logistic regression was performed to identify differences between groups, followed by multivariate logistic regression to select independent risk factors for death and to establish a death-risk nomogram, which underwent internal validation. The predictive value of the nomogram was assessed by plotting receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision-curve analyses for both the training and validation sets. Results A total of 656 patients were included. The training set consisted of 458 patients (survivors 418, deaths 40); the validation set consisted of 198 patients (survivors 180, deaths 18). In the training set, univariate analysis showed significant differences between survivors and deaths for creatinine (Cr) level, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), maximum Cr, intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) use, assisted ventilation, reintubation, hyperlactatemia, low cardiac output syndrome, and renal failure (P<0.05). After multivariable logistic regression, five independent risk factors were identified: IABP use (OR=3.391, 95%CI 1.065-11.044, P=0.038), reintubation (OR=15.991, 95%CI 4.269-67.394, P<0.001), hyperlactatemia (OR=8.171, 95%CI 2.057-46.089, P=0.007), Cr (OR=4.330, 95%CI 0.997-6.022, P=0.024), and BNP (OR=1.603, 95%CI 1.000-2.000, P=0.010). Accordingly, a nomogram predicting mortality risk was constructed. The ROC and calibration analyses indicated good predictive value: area under the curve (AUC) in the training set was 0.898 (95%CI 0.831-0.966) and in the validation set was 0.912 (95%CI 0.805-1.000). Calibration and decision-curve analyses showed good agreement and clinical utility. Conclusion The nomogram incorporating IABP use, reintubation, hyperlactatemia, creatinine, and BNP provides good predictive value for 30-day mortality after CABG in elderly patients with HFrEF and demonstrates potential clinical utility.

Objective: To investigate the status and associated factors of sports supplement usage among grade 9 students, so as to provide a scientific basis for targeted supervision and health education regarding sports supplement usage among junior high school students. Methods: From June to September 2025, a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 2 261 grade 9 students from 10 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) in China. A questionnaire survey was conducted on their sports supplement usage and related factors. The Chi square test was used to compare the usage rates of sports supplements among different groups of students, and binary Logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate the related factors of sports supplement usage among grade 9 students. Results: Totally 59.7% of the grade 9 students used sports supplements. The usage rate (62.5%) was higher among boys than girls (56.3%), higher among students from rural areas and towns/counties (66.5%, 66.2%) than those from urban districts (52.9%), higher among boarding students (65.2%) than non resident students (54.3%), higher among students whose parents occupations were businessmen and workers (fathers: 65.0%, 63.7%; mothers: 63.6%, 61.1%) than those whose parents were farmers and civil servants (fathers: 57.5%, 54.1%; mothers: 58.8%, 55.7%), higher among students with a monthly family income of 5 000- 10 000 yuan (66.3%) than those in other income groups, and higher among students in the high score zone for the entrance physical examination to senior high school (67.7%) than those in the medium and low score zones ( 56.3% , 56.5%) ( χ 2=8.99, 42.21, 27.98, 20.55, 8.20, 22.74, 24.70, respectively, all P <0.05). Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that boys ( OR =1.26), those from rural areas ( OR =1.59), boarding students ( OR =1.36), those with a monthly family income of 5 000- 10 000 yuan ( OR =1.41), and those in the high score zone for entrance physical examination to senior high school ( OR =1.34) were more likely to use sports supplements during the entrance physical examination to senior high school; the probability of sports supplement usage was lower among students whose fathers were civil servants ( OR =0.74) (all P <0.05). Conclusions The usage of sports supplements is relatively common among grade 9 students. Intervention measures should be targeted at specific populations to reduce the risk of misuse.

Objective: To explore the association between meat consumption and anxiety symptoms in first year junior high school students in Yunnan Province, and to provide theoretical support for preventing and relieving anxiety symptoms in junior high school students. Methods: From October to December 2022, a random cluster sampling method was used to select 8 500 first year junior high school students from 11 counties in Yunnan Province as the survey subjects for a questionnaire survey. The study used Food Frequency Questionnaire and the Chinese version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) to assess the meat consumption and anxiety symptoms of junior high school students.The distribution differences in anxiety symptoms among first year junior high school students with different demographic characteristics were analyzed statistically by using the Chi-square test,and the association between meat consumption and anxiety symptoms in students was analyzed by using a generalized linear model. Results: The detection rate of anxiety symptoms was 48.47%. After controlling for demographic variables and confounding factors, the consumption of livestock meat, poultry meat, processed meat, cured meat, barbecued meat and raw skin meat was statistically significant with anxiety symptoms ( β =-0.05, 0.04, 0.04, 0.08, 0.14, 0.17, all P <0.05). Stratified by ethnicity, The consumption of livestock meat, cured meat and barbecue was statistically correlated with anxiety symptoms in Han adolescents ( β =-0.07, 0.14, 0.22 ); the consumption of processed meat and raw skin meat was statistically correlated with anxiety symptoms in ethnic minority adolescents ( β =0.08, 0.18) (all P <0.05). Conclusions There is a statistical association between meat comsumption and the risk of anxiety symptoms in first year junior high school students in Yunnan Province. Guidance on meat consumption should be strengthened to prevent the occurrence of anxiety symptoms.

ObjectiveTo systematically synthesize the illness experiences and unmet needs of patients with stroke during the rehabilitation phase. MethodsQualitative studies focusing on the illness experiences and needs of stroke patients in the rehabilitation period were retrieved from the databases of Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, CNKI, CBM, Wanfang data and VIP. The search timeframe was from database inception to December, 2024. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument. A meta-synthesis method was adopted to categorize and integrate the findings. ResultsA total of ten studies were included. Forty-nine themes were extracted and further grouped into ten categories, which were finally integrated into three overarching themes: negative illness perceptions, multifaceted rehabilitation motivations and unmet multidimensional needs. ConclusionPatients with stroke undergo complex physical and psychological experiences during rehabilitation and present diverse and multidimensional needs.

ObjectiveTo analyze the current status, hotspot and development trends of rehabilitation technologies for post-stroke dysphagia (PSD). MethodsLiteratures related to rehabilitation technologies for PSD were retrieved from CNKI, VIP and Web of Science Core Collection from inception to July, 2025. Visualization analysis was conducted using CiteSpace 6.3.R1 and VOSviewer 1.2.20. ResultsA total of 1 265 articles were included, consisting of 794 Chinese and 471 English publications. The annual volume of Chinese literature peaked in 2019 (74 articles) and English literature peaked in 2022 (61 articles). Research hotspots included low-frequency surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, surface electromyography biofeedback and transcranial direct current stimulation. Keyword clustering and timeline analysis indicated that researches evolved from early traditional rehabilitation methods to the diversified and integrated application of combined rehabilitation technologies. ConclusionResearch on rehabilitation technologies for PSD is developing rapidly. Future efforts should focus on researches of multi-technology integration, individualized treatment protocols and long-term efficacy assessments.

ObjectiveTo observe the activation patterns and functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortex of patients with post-stroke anxiety (PSA) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, in order to explore the underlying neural mechanism. MethodsFrom December, 2024 to September, 2025, 120 stroke patients were selected in Changzhou De'an Hospital. They were divided into PSA group (n = 60) and non-PSA group (n = 60) according to the score of Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). All patients wore an 18-channel fNIRS acquisition cap for detection. The differences in resting-state functional connectivity between the frontopolar cortex (FPC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) were examined in both groups, as well as task-related activation in these brain regions. ResultsResting-state functional connectivity analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in network connectivity between two groups in the FPC and DLPFC regions (|t| < 1.301, P > 0.05). Task-related activation results revealed significantly reduced activation in the contralateral FPC of PSA group compared to the non-PSA group (Z = -2.063, P < 0.05). Activation levels in this region showed a negative correlation with the scores of HAMA (ρ = -0.201, P = 0.028). ConclusionActivation decreased in the contralateral frontal pole during the task state for patients with PSA, and the activation levels negatively correlates with anxiety severities.