OBJECTIVE To explore the potential mechanism by which drug-containing serum of Dianxianqing granules （DXQ） inhibits microglial ferroptosis. METHODS Male SD rats were given normal saline and Dianxianqing granules solution via intragastric administration to prepare normal serum and DXQ， respectively. Mice microglia BV2 cells were collected and successfully transfected with a negative control small interfering RNA （si-NC）， and then they were included in the si-NC group and cultured under normal conditions. Cells successfully transfected with small interfering RNA targeting glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4） （si-GPX4） were divided into the si-GPX4 group， the CsA group （treated with 1 μmol/L cyclosporine A）， and the DXQ- L， DXQ-M and DXQ-H groups （treated with 5%， 7% and 10% DXQ， respectively）. These groups were subsequently treated with their corresponding drug solutions and ferroptosis inducer Erastin （10 μmol/L）. The intracellular levels of total iron ions， glutathione （GSH）， reactive oxygen species （ROS）， and the expression of mitochondrial superoxide were determined in each group after 48 h of treatment. Additionally， mitochondrial membrane potential， the opening degree of mitochondrial permeability transition pore （MPTP）， and mRNA expressions of GPX4 and cyclophilin D （CypD） were detected. Furthermore， the expressions of ferroptosis-related proteins[GPX4， transferrin receptor 1 （TfR1） and ferritin heavy chain 1 （FTH1）]， as well as MPTP-related proteins [adenine nucleotide translocator （ANT）， cytochrome C （CytC）， mitochondrial calcium uniporter （MCU） and CypD] were assessed. RESULTS Compared with si-NC group， the levels of total iron ions and ROS， the expression level of mitochondrial superoxide， the opening degree of MPTP， protein and its mRNA expressions of CypD as well as protein expressions of TfR1 and MCU were increased or up-regulated significantly （P＜0.01）； however， GSH content， mitochondrial membrane potential， protein and mRNA expressions of GPX4， and protein expressions of FTH1， ANT and CytC were decreased or down-regulated significantly （P＜0.01）. Compared with the si-GPX4 group， the cells in the DXQ-M， DXQ-H groups showed a general improvement in the above quantitative indicators （P＜0.01 or P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS DXQ can enhance antioxidant capacity by activating the GSH/GPX4 pathway， regulate the expressions of TfR1 and FTH1 protein to correct iron ion homeostasis， inhibit excessive opening of MPTP to improve mitochondrial function， and ultimately suppress microglial ferroptosis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stands as the predominant type of primary liver cancer, frequently accompanied by portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). PVTT is a harbinger of a grim prognosis, with current treatment modalities falling short of expectations. Delving deeper into the pathophysiology of PVTT, researchers have come to recognize that PVTT and HCC may originate from different clones. Previous clinical investigations have proposed various PVTT classification systems, offering a scientific basis for individualized and precise treatment. The innovative surgical approach of “thrombectomy first” is designed to mitigate the risk of tumor spread, thereby enhancing patient outcomes. Moreover, the multidisciplinary and integrated treatment model, including targeted therapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy, has demonstrated promising efficacy for the treatment of PVTT. With the continuous progress and optimization of PVTT diagnostic technology, classification systems and precision treatment strategies, the prospects for long-term survival in HCC patients with PVTT are poised to see a significant uplift.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stands as the predominant type of primary liver cancer, frequently accompanied by portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). PVTT is a harbinger of a grim prognosis, with current treatment modalities falling short of expectations. Delving deeper into the pathophysiology of PVTT, researchers have come to recognize that PVTT and HCC may originate from different clones. Previous clinical investigations have proposed various PVTT classification systems, offering a scientific basis for individualized and precise treatment. The innovative surgical approach of “thrombectomy first” is designed to mitigate the risk of tumor spread, thereby enhancing patient outcomes. Moreover, the multidisciplinary and integrated treatment model, including targeted therapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy, has demonstrated promising efficacy for the treatment of PVTT. With the continuous progress and optimization of PVTT diagnostic technology, classification systems and precision treatment strategies, the prospects for long-term survival in HCC patients with PVTT are poised to see a significant uplift.

From the perspective of the knowledge history,the development of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)knowledge re-lated to esophageal cancer began with early records of"difficulty in swallowing"during the Qin and Han dynasties.Through the accu-mulation of symptom-treatment experience during the Wei and Jin dynasties,it shifted towards theoretical exploration during the Song and Yuan dynasties,clarifying the pathogenesis of stomach cold,phlegm qi,and blood stasis,and so on.By the Ming and Qing dynas-ties,a rudimentary system for the syndrome differentiation of esophageal cancer was gradually formed,and the characteristic of"esopha-geal stricture"in this disease was identified.Finally,in the late Qing dynasty,Western medicine introduced the concept of"cancerous swelling".The current theory of cancer toxin pathogenesis,with cancer toxin pathogenesis at its core,innovatively integrates related knowledge,representing a reconstruction and transformation of traditional knowledge in the context of the new era.The relevant knowl-edge from past dynasties serves as both the premise and foundation for the innovation of the cancer toxin pathogenesis theory,and it also inspires new vitality in clinical practice through this theory,providing insights and methodologies for the innovation of modern TCM theory.

Objective:To determine the prevalence and associates of hyperuricemia (HUA) among the middle- and older-aged population of the island and mountainous areas in Taizhou City of Zhejiang Province.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted on individuals aged 45 and above in the island and mountainous area of Taizhou City. The study included questionnaires, physical examinations, and laboratory tests. Data were primarily collected on sociodemographic characteristics, chronic disease history, lifestyle factors, waist circumference, blood pressure, and serum uric acid levels. The association between hyperuricemia and these factors was analyzed by logistic regression.Results:A total of 971 individuals were included in the study, comprising 468 from island and 503 from mountainous area. The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 17.9%, with a significantly higher prevalence in the island area (25.6%) compared to the mountainous area (10.7%). Stratified by gender and age, differences in the prevalence of hyperuricemia between island and mountainous areas were observed in males aged 55 to 64, females aged 45 to 54, 55 to 64, 75 and above (all P<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that high intake of sea food (>3 times/week) was positively associated with hyperuricemia ( OR=2.10, 95% CI:1.33-3.34). Furthermore, separate regionally stratified logistic regression analyses showed that in the island area, male gender ( OR=3.15, 95% CI:1.78-5.66), central obesity ( OR=2.38, 95% CI:1.46-3.93), and hypertriglyceridemia ( OR=2.00, 95% CI:1.22-3.30) were positively correlated with hyperuricemia (all P<0.05). In the mountainous area, the age group of 65 and above ( OR=3.50, 95% CI:1.09-12.50), male ( OR=6.79, 95% CI:2.87-17.81), those employed in enterprises and institutions ( OR=6.57, 95% CI:1.92-23.73) and hypertension ( OR=3.68, 95% CI:1.66-8.87) were positively correlated with hyperuricemia (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The prevalence of hyperuricemia among the middle- and older-aged population in the island of Taizhou City is significantly higher than that in the mountainous areas. Targeted comprehensive behavioral interventions such as routine screening of chronic diseases, low-fat diet, alcohol control, reduced seafood intake, enhanced exercise, weight management, and blood pressure control are warranted.

Objective:To determine the prevalence and associates of hyperuricemia (HUA) among the middle- and older-aged population of the island and mountainous areas in Taizhou City of Zhejiang Province.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted on individuals aged 45 and above in the island and mountainous area of Taizhou City. The study included questionnaires, physical examinations, and laboratory tests. Data were primarily collected on sociodemographic characteristics, chronic disease history, lifestyle factors, waist circumference, blood pressure, and serum uric acid levels. The association between hyperuricemia and these factors was analyzed by logistic regression.Results:A total of 971 individuals were included in the study, comprising 468 from island and 503 from mountainous area. The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 17.9%, with a significantly higher prevalence in the island area (25.6%) compared to the mountainous area (10.7%). Stratified by gender and age, differences in the prevalence of hyperuricemia between island and mountainous areas were observed in males aged 55 to 64, females aged 45 to 54, 55 to 64, 75 and above (all P<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that high intake of sea food (>3 times/week) was positively associated with hyperuricemia ( OR=2.10, 95% CI:1.33-3.34). Furthermore, separate regionally stratified logistic regression analyses showed that in the island area, male gender ( OR=3.15, 95% CI:1.78-5.66), central obesity ( OR=2.38, 95% CI:1.46-3.93), and hypertriglyceridemia ( OR=2.00, 95% CI:1.22-3.30) were positively correlated with hyperuricemia (all P<0.05). In the mountainous area, the age group of 65 and above ( OR=3.50, 95% CI:1.09-12.50), male ( OR=6.79, 95% CI:2.87-17.81), those employed in enterprises and institutions ( OR=6.57, 95% CI:1.92-23.73) and hypertension ( OR=3.68, 95% CI:1.66-8.87) were positively correlated with hyperuricemia (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The prevalence of hyperuricemia among the middle- and older-aged population in the island of Taizhou City is significantly higher than that in the mountainous areas. Targeted comprehensive behavioral interventions such as routine screening of chronic diseases, low-fat diet, alcohol control, reduced seafood intake, enhanced exercise, weight management, and blood pressure control are warranted.

Closed-loop neuromodulation, especially using the phase of the electroencephalography (EEG) rhythm to assess the real-time brain state and optimize the brain stimulation process, is becoming a hot research topic. Because the EEG signal is non-stationary, the commonly used EEG phase-based prediction methods have large variances, which may reduce the accuracy of the phase prediction. In this study, we proposed a machine learning-based EEG phase prediction network, which we call EEG phase prediction network (EPN), to capture the overall rhythm distribution pattern of subjects and map the instantaneous phase directly from the narrow-band EEG data. We verified the performance of EPN on pre-recorded data, simulated EEG data, and a real-time experiment. Compared with widely used state-of-the-art models (optimized multi-layer filter architecture, auto-regress, and educated temporal prediction), EPN achieved the lowest variance and the greatest accuracy. Thus, the EPN model will provide broader applications for EEG phase-based closed-loop neuromodulation.
Humans ; Electroencephalography/methods* ; Brain/physiology* ; Machine Learning ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Adult ; Neural Networks, Computer ; Brain Waves/physiology*

Background and Objectives: There is no dedicated occlusive device for closing coronary artery fistulas (CAFs), and specific efficacy and safety data of various off-label occlusive devices for CAFs closure are scarce. Methods: Patients undergoing transcatheter closure of CAFs from January 2011 to December 2022 were included in the single-center retrospective study. The study population was divided into 2 groups: coils group (n=35) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occluders group (n=66). Results: No significant intergroup differences were observed in demographic characteristics except age. The presence of multiple CAF origins (54.3% vs. 4.5%, p<0.001) and multiple draining sites (51.4% vs. 3.0%, p<0.001) were more common in the coils group. In contrast, the presence of aneurysm (72.7% vs. 14.3%, p<0.001), and large fistula (75.8% vs. 37.1%, p<0.001) were more prevalent in the PDA occluders group. The acute procedural success rate of the PDA occluders group was higher compared to that of the coils group (87.9% vs.62.9%, adjusted odds ratio [OR], 7.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.59–32.64; p=0.01).In addition, no significant intergroup differences were noted in both the recanalization rate (7.8% vs. 20%, p=0.107) and the reintervention rate (3.1% vs. 8.6%, p=0.342). Conclusions Transcatheter closure of CAFs using PDA occluders was associated with significantly higher acute procedural success rates compared to coil embolization with comparable late outcomes.

Background and Objectives: There is no dedicated occlusive device for closing coronary artery fistulas (CAFs), and specific efficacy and safety data of various off-label occlusive devices for CAFs closure are scarce. Methods: Patients undergoing transcatheter closure of CAFs from January 2011 to December 2022 were included in the single-center retrospective study. The study population was divided into 2 groups: coils group (n=35) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occluders group (n=66). Results: No significant intergroup differences were observed in demographic characteristics except age. The presence of multiple CAF origins (54.3% vs. 4.5%, p<0.001) and multiple draining sites (51.4% vs. 3.0%, p<0.001) were more common in the coils group. In contrast, the presence of aneurysm (72.7% vs. 14.3%, p<0.001), and large fistula (75.8% vs. 37.1%, p<0.001) were more prevalent in the PDA occluders group. The acute procedural success rate of the PDA occluders group was higher compared to that of the coils group (87.9% vs.62.9%, adjusted odds ratio [OR], 7.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.59–32.64; p=0.01).In addition, no significant intergroup differences were noted in both the recanalization rate (7.8% vs. 20%, p=0.107) and the reintervention rate (3.1% vs. 8.6%, p=0.342). Conclusions Transcatheter closure of CAFs using PDA occluders was associated with significantly higher acute procedural success rates compared to coil embolization with comparable late outcomes.