Esophageal cancer （EC） is a highly prevalent malignant tumor in China. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway， as one of the key oncogenic pathways， can promote the cell cycle progression， proliferation， migration， and invasion， induce chemoresistance， and inhibit apoptosis and autophagy of EC cells. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， with the advantages of targeting multiple points with multiple components to delay cancer progression， can target the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway for EC treatment. This article preliminarily discusses the molecular mechanism and role of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in EC and elaborates on the specific targets and efficacy of TCM in treating EC through intervention in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the past five years. TCM materials and extracts inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in EC include Borneolum， spore powder of Ganoderma lucidum without spore coat， extract of Celastrus orbiculatus， root extract of Taraxacum， and Bruceae Fructus oil emulsion. TCM active ingredients exerting the effect include flavonoids， terpenoids， saponins， phenols， polysaccharides， alkaloids， and other compounds. TCM compound prescriptions with such effect include Qige San， Huqi San， Xuanfu Daizhetang， Tongyoutang and its decomposed prescriptions， Liujunzi Tang， and Xishenzhi Formula. In addition， TCM injections such as Compound Kushen Injection and Kang'ai injection also inhibit the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in EC. This paper summarizes the role of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in EC and the TCM interventions， aiming to provide reference for the research and clinical application of new drugs for EC.

Objective To analyse the clinical efficiency of endolymphatic sac surgery (ESS) in the management of Meniere’s disease (MD). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 274 patients with MD who were hospitalized for treatment in Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University from January 2009 to August 2023. All patients received lifestyle management and drug treatment such as diuretics. For those whose conditions were not well controlled 3 to 6 months after the initial treatment, intratympanic glucocorticoid (ITG) or ESS treatment was carried out. Six months after the treatment, the classes of vertigo relief and hearing changes in the patients were evaluated. After adjusting the confounding factors through propensity score matching (PSM), the impact of ESS on the prognosis of MD patients was evaluated. Results Among 274 patients, 194 and 80 patients underwent ITG and ESS, respectively. Eighty patients were enrolled into each group after PSM. Before and after PSM, the rate of patients reaching vertigo relief class A in ESS group was higher than that in the ITG group (P＝0.004); there was no significant difference in hearing preservation between the two groups. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that vertigo relief in the ESS group was better than that in the ITG group (P=0.029); there was no statistically significant difference in hearing preservation between the two groups. Conclusion When the initial treatment for patients with MD is ineffective, choosing ESS is more beneficial than ITG for controlling vertigo.

Purpose: Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) represents a particularly aggressive subtype of prostate cancer with a challenging prognosis. The purpose of this investigation is to craft and confirm the reliability of nomograms that can accurately forecast the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates for individuals afflicted with NEPC. Materials and Methods: Data pertaining to patients diagnosed with NEPC within the timeframe of 2010 to 2020 was meticulously gathered and examined from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER). To predict OS and CSS, we devised and authenticated two distinct nomograms, utilizing predictive variables pinpointed through both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Results: The study encompassed 393 of NEPC patients, who were systematically divided into training and validation cohorts at a 2:1 ratio. Key prognostic factors were isolated, verified, and integrated into the respective nomograms for OS and CSS. The performance metrics, denoted by C-indices, stood at 0.730, 0.735 for the training set, and 0.784, 0.756 for the validation set. The precision and clinical relevance of the nomograms were further corroborated by the analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves, calibration plots, and decision curve analyses. Conclusions The constructed nomograms have demonstrated impressive efficacy in forecasting the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS and rates for patients with NEPC. Implementing these predictive tools in clinical settings is anticipated to considerably enhance the care and treatment planning for individuals diagnosed with this aggressive form of prostate cancer, thus providing tailored and more precise prognostic assessments.

Purpose: Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) represents a particularly aggressive subtype of prostate cancer with a challenging prognosis. The purpose of this investigation is to craft and confirm the reliability of nomograms that can accurately forecast the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates for individuals afflicted with NEPC. Materials and Methods: Data pertaining to patients diagnosed with NEPC within the timeframe of 2010 to 2020 was meticulously gathered and examined from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER). To predict OS and CSS, we devised and authenticated two distinct nomograms, utilizing predictive variables pinpointed through both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Results: The study encompassed 393 of NEPC patients, who were systematically divided into training and validation cohorts at a 2:1 ratio. Key prognostic factors were isolated, verified, and integrated into the respective nomograms for OS and CSS. The performance metrics, denoted by C-indices, stood at 0.730, 0.735 for the training set, and 0.784, 0.756 for the validation set. The precision and clinical relevance of the nomograms were further corroborated by the analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves, calibration plots, and decision curve analyses. Conclusions The constructed nomograms have demonstrated impressive efficacy in forecasting the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS and rates for patients with NEPC. Implementing these predictive tools in clinical settings is anticipated to considerably enhance the care and treatment planning for individuals diagnosed with this aggressive form of prostate cancer, thus providing tailored and more precise prognostic assessments.

Purpose: Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) represents a particularly aggressive subtype of prostate cancer with a challenging prognosis. The purpose of this investigation is to craft and confirm the reliability of nomograms that can accurately forecast the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates for individuals afflicted with NEPC. Materials and Methods: Data pertaining to patients diagnosed with NEPC within the timeframe of 2010 to 2020 was meticulously gathered and examined from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER). To predict OS and CSS, we devised and authenticated two distinct nomograms, utilizing predictive variables pinpointed through both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Results: The study encompassed 393 of NEPC patients, who were systematically divided into training and validation cohorts at a 2:1 ratio. Key prognostic factors were isolated, verified, and integrated into the respective nomograms for OS and CSS. The performance metrics, denoted by C-indices, stood at 0.730, 0.735 for the training set, and 0.784, 0.756 for the validation set. The precision and clinical relevance of the nomograms were further corroborated by the analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves, calibration plots, and decision curve analyses. Conclusions The constructed nomograms have demonstrated impressive efficacy in forecasting the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS and rates for patients with NEPC. Implementing these predictive tools in clinical settings is anticipated to considerably enhance the care and treatment planning for individuals diagnosed with this aggressive form of prostate cancer, thus providing tailored and more precise prognostic assessments.

Purpose: Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) represents a particularly aggressive subtype of prostate cancer with a challenging prognosis. The purpose of this investigation is to craft and confirm the reliability of nomograms that can accurately forecast the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates for individuals afflicted with NEPC. Materials and Methods: Data pertaining to patients diagnosed with NEPC within the timeframe of 2010 to 2020 was meticulously gathered and examined from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER). To predict OS and CSS, we devised and authenticated two distinct nomograms, utilizing predictive variables pinpointed through both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Results: The study encompassed 393 of NEPC patients, who were systematically divided into training and validation cohorts at a 2:1 ratio. Key prognostic factors were isolated, verified, and integrated into the respective nomograms for OS and CSS. The performance metrics, denoted by C-indices, stood at 0.730, 0.735 for the training set, and 0.784, 0.756 for the validation set. The precision and clinical relevance of the nomograms were further corroborated by the analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves, calibration plots, and decision curve analyses. Conclusions The constructed nomograms have demonstrated impressive efficacy in forecasting the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS and rates for patients with NEPC. Implementing these predictive tools in clinical settings is anticipated to considerably enhance the care and treatment planning for individuals diagnosed with this aggressive form of prostate cancer, thus providing tailored and more precise prognostic assessments.

Purpose: Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) represents a particularly aggressive subtype of prostate cancer with a challenging prognosis. The purpose of this investigation is to craft and confirm the reliability of nomograms that can accurately forecast the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates for individuals afflicted with NEPC. Materials and Methods: Data pertaining to patients diagnosed with NEPC within the timeframe of 2010 to 2020 was meticulously gathered and examined from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER). To predict OS and CSS, we devised and authenticated two distinct nomograms, utilizing predictive variables pinpointed through both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Results: The study encompassed 393 of NEPC patients, who were systematically divided into training and validation cohorts at a 2:1 ratio. Key prognostic factors were isolated, verified, and integrated into the respective nomograms for OS and CSS. The performance metrics, denoted by C-indices, stood at 0.730, 0.735 for the training set, and 0.784, 0.756 for the validation set. The precision and clinical relevance of the nomograms were further corroborated by the analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves, calibration plots, and decision curve analyses. Conclusions The constructed nomograms have demonstrated impressive efficacy in forecasting the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS and rates for patients with NEPC. Implementing these predictive tools in clinical settings is anticipated to considerably enhance the care and treatment planning for individuals diagnosed with this aggressive form of prostate cancer, thus providing tailored and more precise prognostic assessments.

Objective:To examine the mid - and long-term outcomes of surgical treatment of brachiocephalic Takayasu arteritis.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. The clinical data of 39 patients,which had been diagnosed as brachiocephalic Takayasu arteritis (244 cases),who underwent surgical treatment,were analyzed between July 2012 to November 2022 at Department of Endoluminal Vascular Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. There were 5 males and 34 females, aged (37.9±14.0)years (range:13 to 71 years). Despite medical treatment, the patients suffered severe ischemic symptoms continually and then underwent surgical interventions. Among them, 20 patients underwent endovascular procedures, 11 underwent open surgical procedures, and 8 underwent hybrid procedures. Patients were followed up through outpatient visits at 1, 3, 6 months after surgery and once every year later. Follow-up was conducted until November 2022. Operation status, postoperative complications and re-intervention of patients were recorded and the Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to analyze postoperative vascular patency rates.Results:All 39 surgeries were successful, with no intraoperative death or serious complications. The follow-up period was (48.8±38.2) months(range:1 to 123 months). Thirty-three patients experienced symptom relief after surgery, and 6 patients required secondary surgical interventions. The patency rates for the endovascular treatment group at 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year were 95.0%, 75.2%, 60.2%, and 60.2%, respectively, while the patency rates for open surgery were all 90.9%. In the hybrid surgery group, the patency rates at 1-, 3-, 5-, and 8-year were all 87.5%.Conclusion:For patients with brachiocephalic Takayasu arteritis, choice of an appropriate blood flow revascularization intervention should be based on the patient′s condition,and the mid-and long-term outcomes are satisfactory.

Objective:To explore the clinical and genetic etiology of a Chinese pedigree affected with type 2 Long QT syndrome (LQTS).Methods:A pedigree with type 2 LQTS presented at Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital on August 23, 2019 was selected as the study subject. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the proband and her parents. Following extraction of genomic DNA, whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out for the proband, and candidate variant was screened through functional annotation and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. Sanger sequencing was conducted to verify the pathogenicity of candidate variant. This study was approved by Medical Ethics Committee of the Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital (Ethics No. 2019-15).Results:WES revealed that the proband has harbored a missense variant of the KCNH2 gene, namely c. 1478A>G (p.Tyr493Cys), which was confirmed by Sanger sequencing to have inherited from her father. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was classified as likely pathogenic (PM2_supporting+ PM5+ PP3+ PP4). Conclusion:The KCNH2 gene c. 1478A>G (p.Tyr493Cys) variant probably underlay the type 2 LQTS in this pedigree.

Objective:To examine the mid - and long-term outcomes of surgical treatment of brachiocephalic Takayasu arteritis.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. The clinical data of 39 patients,which had been diagnosed as brachiocephalic Takayasu arteritis (244 cases),who underwent surgical treatment,were analyzed between July 2012 to November 2022 at Department of Endoluminal Vascular Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. There were 5 males and 34 females, aged (37.9±14.0)years (range:13 to 71 years). Despite medical treatment, the patients suffered severe ischemic symptoms continually and then underwent surgical interventions. Among them, 20 patients underwent endovascular procedures, 11 underwent open surgical procedures, and 8 underwent hybrid procedures. Patients were followed up through outpatient visits at 1, 3, 6 months after surgery and once every year later. Follow-up was conducted until November 2022. Operation status, postoperative complications and re-intervention of patients were recorded and the Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to analyze postoperative vascular patency rates.Results:All 39 surgeries were successful, with no intraoperative death or serious complications. The follow-up period was (48.8±38.2) months(range:1 to 123 months). Thirty-three patients experienced symptom relief after surgery, and 6 patients required secondary surgical interventions. The patency rates for the endovascular treatment group at 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year were 95.0%, 75.2%, 60.2%, and 60.2%, respectively, while the patency rates for open surgery were all 90.9%. In the hybrid surgery group, the patency rates at 1-, 3-, 5-, and 8-year were all 87.5%.Conclusion:For patients with brachiocephalic Takayasu arteritis, choice of an appropriate blood flow revascularization intervention should be based on the patient′s condition,and the mid-and long-term outcomes are satisfactory.