Objective To investigate the screening results and factors affecting abnormal detection rates among high-risk groups of esophageal cancer and to explore effective intervention measures. Methods We investigated and collected the information on gender, education level, age, marital status, symptoms of reflux esophagitis (heartburn, acid reflux, belching, hiccup, foreign body sensation in the pharynx, and difficulty swallowing), consumption of pickled vegetables, salt use, and esophageal cancer incidence of villagers in a natural village in Wenfeng District, Anyang City, Henan Province. Changes in reflux esophagitis symptoms in the high-incidence area of esophageal cancer before and after 16 years were observed, and the relationship of such changes with esophageal cancer was analyzed. Results In 2008, 711 cases were epidemiologically investigated, including 213 cases with one of the symptoms of reflux esophagitis such as heartburn, acid reflux, belching, hiccups, foreign body sensation in the pharynx, and difficulty swallowing (sorted in accordance with the abovementioned symptoms; if there are multiple symptoms, then the former is taken); 55 cases with at least two related symptoms, among which the most symptom was heartburn in 108 cases (15.1%); followed by acid reflux, belching, etc. In 2024, the same group of people was investigated, and eight people were missing because of relocation. A total of 703 people were successfully investigated, of which 189 cases (26.8%) had one of the symptoms of reflux esophagitis, such as heartburn (sorted in accordance with relevant symptoms, if there are multiple symptoms, then the former will be selected); 167 cases (23.7%) had at least two related symptoms, among which the most symptom was heartburn in 139 cases (19.7%); followed by acid reflux. Over 16 years, among the 703 people investigated, 45 cases had esophageal cancer and they had one or more of the abovementioned symptoms. No significant differences in the reflux esophagitis-like symptoms were found between 2008 and 2024 (P=0.26); no significant differences in the composition of reflux esophagitis-like symptoms were found between 2008 and 2024 (P=0.299). Conclusion The detection rate of reflux esophagitis-related symptoms in the population in a high-risk area of esophageal cancer has not decreased in the past 16 years, and the high-risk factors still exist. Esophageal cancer is closely related to reflux esophagitis, and clinical practice can provide early diagnosis and treatment for high-risk population.

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.

Objective To understand the disease spectrum of a natural village in an area with high incidence of esophageal cancer to provide a reference for precise prevention and control. Methods From 2008 to 2024, 711 asymptomatic people over the age of 35 years in a natural village with high incidence of esophageal cancer in China were surveyed, and 171 of them were subjected to gastroscopy, biopsy, and pathological examination. All participants were followed up for a long time, and their disease history was recorded. Results A total of 16 years of follow-up were performed, and 703 people were effectively followed up. In 2008, 171 people underwent gastroscopy, and 160 people had biopsy and pathological results in endoscopic screening. By 2024, 76 people had been diagnosed with malignant tumors of 12 different types, and among these people, 45 had esophageal cancer. Conclusion Esophageal cancer remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality from malignant tumors in this region. Biopsy and pathological examination should be strengthened during gastroscopy, and follow-ups and regular check-ups should be given high importance to reduce the incidence and mortality rates of esophageal cancer.

Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effect and potential mechanism of rehabilitation training combined with citicoline on cerebral hemorrhage model in mice based on Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.Methods The C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into sham operation group(sham operation treatment),model group(right caudate putamen hemorrhage model induced by type Ⅶcollagenase),choline group(model+choline 64 mg·kg-1),rehabilitation training group(rehabilitation training)and combined group(model+rehabilitation training+choline 64 mg·kg-1).The study observed the modified neurological severity score(mNSS)in mice with cerebral hemorrhage;colorimetric assays were used to detect the expression of malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and catalase(CAT)in brain tissues;protein imprinting and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction were employed to assess the expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1),nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/antioxidant response element(ARE),heme oxygenase-1(HO-1),quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQ01)proteins and mRNA in brain tissues.Results The mNSS scores of sham operation group,model group,citicoline group,rehabilitation training group and combined group were 0,1.56±0.73,1.00±0.00,0.78±0.44 and 0.67±0.50;the MDA contents were(6.93±0.92),(22.97±0.77),(19.26±1.73),(13.21±0.78)and(7.25±0.97)nmol·mgprot-1;the relative expression of Keap1 protein were 0.79±0.03,1.02±0.04,0.95±0.10,0.90±0.09 and 0.86±0.05;the relative expression levels of Nrf2 protein were 0.94±0.12,0.71±0.08,0.90±0.07,0.98±0.12 and 1.33±0.25.There were significant differences in the above indexes between the model group and the sham operation group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);there were significant differences between the citicoline group and the rehabilitation training group,the model group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);there were significant differences between the combined group and the citicoline group,the rehabilitation training group except for protein expression of Keap1(all P＜0.01).Conclusion Rehabilitation training and citicoline can reduce the symptoms of neurological deficits in mice with cerebral hemorrhage.The mechanism way be that they can activate the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway to exert anti-oxidative stress,and the combined effect is the best.

Objective This study investigated the impact of occupational mercury(Hg)exposure on human gene transcription and expression,and its potential biological mechanisms. Methods Differentially expressed genes related to Hg exposure were identified and validated using gene expression microarray analysis and extended validation.Hg-exposed cell models and PTEN low-expression models were established in vitro using 293T cells.PTEN gene expression was assessed using qRT-PCR,and Western blotting was used to measure PTEN,AKT,and PI3K protein levels.IL-6 expression was determined by ELISA. Results Combined findings from gene expression microarray analysis,bioinformatics,and population expansion validation indicated significant downregulation of the PTEN gene in the high-concentration Hg exposure group.In the Hg-exposed cell model(25 and 10 μmol/L),a significant decrease in PTEN expression was observed,accompanied by a significant increase in PI3K,AKT,and IL-6 expression.Similarly,a low-expression cell model demonstrated that PTEN gene knockdown led to a significant decrease in PTEN protein expression and a substantial increase in PI3K,AKT,and IL-6 levels. Conclusion This is the first study to report that Hg exposure downregulates the PTEN gene,activates the PI3K/AKT regulatory pathway,and increases the expression of inflammatory factors,ultimately resulting in kidney inflammation.

Currently,human health due to corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has been seriously threatened.The coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)spike(S)protein plays a crucial role in virus transmission and several S-based therapeutic approaches have been approved for the treatment of COVID-19.However,the efficacy is compromised by the SARS-CoV-2 evolvement and mutation.Here we report the SARS-CoV-2 S protein receptor-binding domain(RBD)inhibitor licorice-saponin A3(A3)could widely inhibit RBD of SARS-CoV-2 variants,including Beta,Delta,and Omicron BA.1,XBB and BQ1.1.Furthermore,A3 could potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Omicron virus in Vero E6 cells,with EC50 of 1.016 pM.The mechanism was related to binding with Y453 of RBD deter-mined by hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry(HDX-MS)analysis combined with quan-tum mechanics/molecular mechanics(QM/MM)simulations.Interestingly,phosphoproteomics analysis and multi fluorescent immunohistochemistry(mIHC)respectively indicated that A3 also inhibits host inflammation by directly modulating the JNK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)path-ways and rebalancing the corresponding immune dysregulation.This work supports A3 as a promising broad-spectrum small molecule drug candidate for COVID-19.

Renal fibrosis is a devastating consequence of progressive chronic kidney disease,representing a major public health challenge worldwide.The underlying mechanisms in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis remain unclear,and effective treatments are still lacking.Renal tubular epithelial cells(RTECs)maintain kidney function,and their dysfunction has emerged as a critical contributor to renal fibrosis.Cellular quality control comprises several components,including telomere homeostasis,ubiquitin-proteasome system(UPS),autophagy,mitochondrial homeostasis(mitophagy and mitochondrial metabolism),endoplasmic reticulum(ER,unfolded protein response),and lysosomes.Failures in the cellular quality control of RTECs,including DNA,protein,and organelle damage,exert profibrotic functions by leading to senescence,defective autophagy,ER stress,mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunction,apoptosis,fibro-blast activation,and immune cell recruitment.In this review,we summarize recent advances in un-derstanding the role of quality control components and intercellular crosstalk networks in RTECs,within the context of renal fibrosis.

Objective To investigate the population characteristics,distribution of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndromes and influencing factors of long-term prognosis of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-D),and to provide evidence for the formulation of intervention program for IBS-D patients.Methods A total of 124 patients with IBS-D admitted to the medical institutions of the project team members from July 2020 to August 2022 were selected.According to the scoring results of IBS Quality of Life Measure(IBS-QOL),the patients were divided into the good prognosis group(81 cases)and the poor prognosis group(43 cases).The distribution of TCM syndromes in patients with IBS-D was explored,and the difference of IBS-QOL scores of the patients between good prognosis group and poor prognosis group was compared.Univariate logistic regression analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to determine the main risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with IBS-D.Results(1)The analysis of population characteristics showed that there was no significant difference in the proportion of male and female patients with IBS-D.The patients with IBS-D were usually middle-aged,and had a large interval span of the course of disease.The severity of their symptoms was mostly moderate.All of the patients with IBS-D had various degrees of anxiety and depression,and had nutritional imbalance.(2)The distribution of TCM syndromes in the patients with IBS-D were shown as the following:78 cases were identified as liver depression and spleen deficiency type,accounting for 62.90％;26 cases were identified as spleen-qi deficiency type,accounting for 20.97％;20 cases were identified as spleen and kidney yang deficiency type,accounting for 16.13％.(3)Analysis of IBS-QOL score showed that compared with the good prognosis group,the items scores of negative emotion,physical function,behavioral disorder,health status,being fastidious about food,social function,sexual behavior and interpersonal relationship of IBS-QOL in the poor prognosis group were significantly lowered(P＜0.01).(4)The univariate analysis showed that the risk of poor prognosis in patients with IBS-D would be increased by the factors of age,education level,course of disease,severity of symptoms,anxiety state,depression state,TCM syndrome types,Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation scoring system Ⅱ(APACHE 11)score,complication of neurological diseases,hemoglobin level,albumin level and total protein level(P＜0.01).(5)The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors for poor prognosis of IBS-D patients involved age,education level below junior high school,the severity of symptoms being severe,Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)score,Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS)score,TCM syndrome being liver depression and spleen deficiency type,hemoglobin level,albumin level and total protein level(P＜0.01).Conclusion Most of IBS-D patients exert long-term poor prognosis,and their long-term prognosis is affected by the factors of age,education level,severity of symptoms,anxiety and depression state,nutritional imbalance and TCM syndrome being liver depression and spleen deficiency type.The identification of the risk factors of poor prognosis will provide evidence for the formulation and adjustment of clinical intervention programs.

Objective:To investigate the value of serum free light chain(sFLC)and serum calcium ion in the diagnosis and prognosis of multiple myeloma(MM).Methods:Forty patients with MM treated in Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2018 to January 2022 were selected as the observation group,and 40 healthy volunteers were selected as the control group.The differences of sFLC-κ,sFLC-λ,sFLC-κ/λ,serum calcium ions,etc between the two groups were compared.Meanwhile,the differences of sFLC-κ,sFLC-λ,sFLC-κ/λ,serum calcium ions,etc in different international staging systems(ISS),chemotherapy efficacy and prognosis patients were analyzed.Results:The levels of sFLC-κ[(98.39±21.19)vs(12.01±4.45)mg/L],sFLC-λ[(210.20±45.54)vs(14.10±5.11)mg/L]and proportions of hypocalcemia(65％vs 0)in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05),while sFLC-κ/λ ratio[(0.44±0.10)vs(0.87±0.12)]and serum calcium ions[(1.98±0.46)vs(2.42±0.40)mmol/L]were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The sFLC-κ,sFLC-λ,the proportion of hypocalcemia and the course of hypocalcemia in ISS stage Ⅲ patients in the observation group were significantly higher than those in stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ patients(P＜0.05),while sFLC-κ/λ ratio,and serum calcium ions were significantly lower than those in stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ patients(P＜0.05).The levels of sFLC-κ[(107.76±21.22)vs(94.67 ±20.11)mg/L],sFLC-λ[(245.54±41.12)vs(205.54±50.22)mg/L]of patients with hypocalcemia in the observation group was significantly higher than those without hypocalcemia(P＜0.05),while the sFLC-κ/λ ratio was significantly lower than those without hypocalcemia[(0.42±0.04)vs(0.47±0.06);P＜0.05].The levels of sFLC-κ[(107.29±20.14)vs(91.11±18.92)mg/L],sFLC-λ[(247.98±42.26)vs(179.29±39.32)mg/L]in patients with ineffective chemotherapy were significantly higher than those in patients with effective chemotherapy(P＜0.05),while the sFLC-κ/λ ratio was significantly lower than those in patients with effective chemotherapy[(0.43± 0.10)vs(0.50±0.09);P＜0.05)].The area under the ROC curve for sFLC-κ,sFLC-λ,sFLC-κ/λ predicting ineffective chemotherapy was 0.803,0.793 and 0.699 respectively,P＜0.05.There was no significant difference in sFLC-κ,sFLC-λ,sFLC-κ/λ ratio,serum calcium ion,hypocalcemia ratio and hypocalcemia course between survival and death patients(P＞0.05).Conclusion:sFLC and serum calcium are related to 1SS stage of MM patients.sFLC level has a certain value to predict the curative effect of chemotherapy in MM patients.However,the prognostic values of sFLC and serum calcium are not yet confirmed for MM patients.

Hepatohilar cholangiocarcinoma is a common malignant tumor of the biliary system,and radical surgery is one of the important treatment methods.Due to the narrow space at the hi-lum and the high rate of anatomical variation,radical surgery is challenging.By using medical imag-ing technology and 3D reconstruction,surgeons can accurately determine the stage and classifica-tion of hilar cholangiocarcinoma preoperatively.They can assess the tumor's resectability by Ac-cording to the bile duct separation limit points(U point,P point)and anticipate the impact of portal vein,bile duct,and arterial variations on the surgical plan,thereby improving the rate of radical re-section and reducing complication rates.