Objective To explore enteral nutrition support and analyze its influencing factors in elderly patients with ischemic stroke. Methods A total of 328 patients with ischemic stroke in General Hospital of Western Theater Command were enrolled for nutritional screening between July 2020 and February 2024. Corresponding nutritional support plans were selected to investigate the compliance of patients with enteral nutrition support. Patients were divided into a standard group (n=140) and a non-standard group (n=97) based on whether their calorie intake met the standard. The effects of different clinical characteristics on enteral nutrition support were explored, and logistic analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of non-standard enteral nutrition support. Results In the 328 patients with ischemic stroke, proportions of total parenteral nutrition support, total enteral nutrition support, and parenteral/enteral nutrition support were 25.30%, 27.74% and 46.95%, respectively. The proportions of vomiting or regurgitation, gastric residual volume >100 mL, mechanical ventilation and use of antibiotics >2 in the non-standard group were higher than those in the standard group (P<0.05). Logistic analysis showed that the above clinical characteristics were risk factors influencing patients with enteral nutrition support and parenteral/enteral nutrition support. Conclusion Vomiting or regurgitation , gastric residual volume, mechanical ventilation, and amount of antibiotics used are important influencing factors of enteral nutrition support in patients. Clinicians should pay attention to the above clinical characteristics.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of Xingpi capsules （XPC） in treating diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome （IBS-D） with spleen deficiency and elucidate its potential molecular mechanisms. MethodsA rat model of IBS-D with spleen deficiency was established by administering senna leaf in combination with restrained stress and swimming fatigue for 14 d. Ten specific pathogen free （SPF）-grade healthy rats were used as the normal control group. After successful modeling， SPF-grade rats were randomly divided into a model group， a pinaverium bromide group （1.5 mg·kg^-1）， and low- and high-dose XPC groups （0.135 and 0.54 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the normal control group and the model group were given distilled water by gavage， while the remaining groups were administered corresponding drug solutions by gavage once a day for 14 consecutive days. The rat body weights and fecal condition were observed every day， and the Bristol score was recorded. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） in serum and colon tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the microvilli and tight junctions in the colon. The integrity of the colonic barrier， intestinal motility， and expression of related pathway proteins were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， immunohistochemistry， and Western blot. ResultsCompared with those in the normal control group， rats in the model group showed a significantly decreased body weight and increased diarrhea rate， diarrhea grade， and Bristol score （P<0.01）. HE staining revealed incomplete colonic mucosa in the model group， with evident congestion and edema observed. Electron microscopy results indicated decreased density and integrity of the colonic barrier， shedding and disappearance of microvilli， and significant widening of tight junctions. The expression levels of colonic tight junction proteins Occludin and Claudin-5 were downregulated （P<0.01）， and the levels of 5-HT in serum and colon tissue were elevated （P<0.01）. The small intestine propulsion rate significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the expression of contractile proteins Ras homolog family member A （RhoA） and Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2 （ROCK2） in colon and phosphorylation of myosin light chain （MLC₂₀） were upregulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the treatment groups showed alleviated diarrhea， diarrhea-associated symptoms， and pathological manifestations of colon tissue to varying degrees. Specifically， high-dose XPC exhibited effectively relieved diarrhea， promoted recovery of colonic mucosal structure， significantly reduced congestion and edema， upregulated expression of Occludin and Claudin-5 （P<0.01）， decreased levels of 5-HT in serum and colon tissue （P<0.05，P<0.01）， significantly slowed small intestine propulsion rate （P<0.01）， and significantly downregulated expression of contractile proteins RhoA and ROCK2 in colon and phosphorylation of MLC₂₀ （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionXPC effectively alleviates symptoms of spleen deficiency and diarrhea and regulates the secretion of brain-gut peptide. The characteristics of XPC are mainly manifested in alleviating IBS-D with spleen deficiency from the aspects of protecting intestinal mucosa and inhibiting smooth muscle contraction， and the mechanism is closely related to the regulation of the 5-HT-RhoA/ROCK2 pathway expression.

ObjectiveTo investigate the regulatory effect of icariin （ICA） on transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）/Smad pathway in bone microvascular endothelial cells （BMECs） and the effect on autophagy in BMECs. MethodsBMECs were isolated and cultured， and the cell types were identified by immunofluorescence. Cells were divided into the control group， model group （0.1 g·L^-1 methyl prednisolone）， ICA group （0.1 g·L^-1 methyl prednisolone +1×10^-5 mol·L^-1 ICA）， and TGF-β inhibitor group （0.1 g·L^-1 methyl prednisolone +1×10^-5 mol·L^-1 ICA +1×10^-5 mol·L^-1 LY2157299）. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure and autophagosome number of BMECs. Autophagy double-standard adenovirus was used to monitor the confocal autophagy flow generation of each cell. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were used to detect the gene and protein expression of autophagy in the TGF-β₁/ Smad pathway. ResultsAfter cell separation culture， platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule （CD31） and von willebrand factor （vWF） immunofluorescence identified BMECs. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the cell membrane was damaged， and the nucleus was pyknotic and broken in the model group. Compared with the model group， the ICA group had complete cell membranes， clear structures， with autophagy-lysosome sparsely distributed. The confocal photo showed that BMECs had autophagosomes and autophagy-lysosomes， and the autophagy expression of the ICA group was similar to that of the blank group. Compared with the blank group， in the model group and the LY2157299 group， autophagosomes and autophagy-lysosomes were barely seen in the autophagy flow. Compared with the blank group， the mRNA and protein expressions of autophagy effector protein 1 （Beclin1） and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B （LC3B） in the model group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and those of ubiquitin-binding protein （p62） were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of TGF-β₁， Smad homolog 2 （Smad2）， and Smad homolog 3 （Smad3） decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein expressions of TGF-β₁， p-Smad2， and p-Smad3 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with those of the model group， the mRNA and protein expression of Beclin1 and LC3B in BMECs of the ICA group increased （P<0.01）， and those of p62 significantly reduced （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of TGF-β₁， Smad2， and Smad3 increased significantly （P<0.01）. The protein expression of TGF-β₁， p-Smad2， and p-Smad3 increased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， the mRNA and protein expressions of Beclin1， LC3B， and p62 in the inhibitor group were not statistically significant. The expression of key genes and proteins of the TGF-β₁ pathway in the inhibitor group was not statistically significant. ConclusionICA can promote glucocorticoid-induced autophagy expression of BMECs， and its mechanism may be related to activating the TGF-β₁/Smad signaling pathway.

Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head （SONFH） is a severe musculoskeletal disorder often induced by the prolonged or excessive use of glucocorticoids. Characterized by ischemia of bone cells， necrosis， and trabecular fractures， SONFH is accompanied by pain， femoral head collapse， and joint dysfunction， which can lead to disability in severe cases. The pathogenesis of SONFH involves hormone-induced osteoblast apoptosis， bone microvascular endothelial cell （BMEC） apoptosis， oxidative stress， and inflammatory responses. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in the development of the disease. Modulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway can promote Akt phosphorylation， thereby stimulating the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts， promoting angiogenesis in BMECs， and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis. The research on the treatment of SONFH with traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has gained increasing attention. Recent studies have shown that TCM monomers and compounds have potential therapeutic effect on SONFH by intervening in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. These studies not only provide a scientific basis for the application of TCM in the treatment of SONFH but also offer new ideas for the development of new therapeutic strategies. This review summarized the progress in Chinese and international research on the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in SONFH over the past five years. It involved the composition and transmission mechanisms of the signaling pathway， as well as its regulatory effects on osteoblasts， mesenchymal stem cells， osteoclasts， BMECs， and other cells. Additionally， the review explored the TCM understanding of SONFH and the application of TCM monomers and compounds in the intervention of the PI3K/Akt pathway. By systematically analyzing and organizing these research findings， this article aimed to provide references and point out directions for the clinical prevention and treatment of SONFH and promote further development of TCM in this field. With in-depth research on the PI3K/Akt pathway and the modern application of TCM， it is expected to bring safer and more effective treatment options for patients with SONFH.

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.

Objective To investigatethe relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and clinicopathological characteristics, p53 expression, and survival of Chinese patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma. Methods A total of 3882 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma, 970 matched patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and 970 matched patients with gastric cardia adenocarcinoma were included to compare the incidence of GERD symptoms. Patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma were divided into two groups according to the presence and absence of GERD symptoms. The differences in clinicopathological characteristics and p53 expression between the two groups were compared by chi-square test, and the differences in survival between the two groups were compared by landmark analysis. Results The incidence of GERD symptoms increased successively in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, esophageal adenocarcinoma, and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma. In patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma, the proportions of male, less than 65 years old, lower thoracic tumors, tumors without squamous cell carcinoma, poorly differentiation, early tumors (stage 0-I), and p53-positive tumors in the group with GERD symptoms were higher than those in the group without GERD symptoms; moreover, the long-term survival (≥15 years) was better. Conclusion GERD symptom is an important clinical sign of esophageal adenocarcinoma. It is closely related to specific clinicopathological characteristics, p53 overexpression, and good long-term prognosis.

Depression is a frequently-seen mental disorder that profoundly affects the survival and quality of life of individuals.Present clinical medicine therapies for depression are not fully efficacious and novel therapeutic agents and targets remain necessary.Bupleuri Radix-Paeoniae Radix(BR-PRA),an essential and crucial compo-nent of traditional antidepressant compound,possesses the beneficial effect of lowering toxicity and amplifying the antidepressant effect when utilized in combination.The underlying mechanisms of these synergistic effects may involve the suppression of inflammation and oxidative stress,the regulation of monoamine neurotransmitters,brain-derived neurotrophic factors,the modulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis,and the metabolism of various amino acids and energy.This article summarizes the synergistic effects and antidepressant pharmacological effects of BR-PRA herb-pair,thereby providing valuable insights into the potential advantages of this combination and its potential mechanisms of antidepressant action.

ObjectiveTo investigate risk factors for postoperative sore throat in patients with double-lumen endotracheal intubation. MethodsThe data used in this post-hoc analysis were prospectively collected from a randomized， controlled trial. Age from 18 to 65 years old， ASAI-Ⅲ patients undergoing general anesthesia with a double-lumen endotracheal tube were enrolled. The perioperative data collected retrospectively were as follows： gender， age， smoking history， endotracheal tube diameter， duration of endotracheal tube， dose of Sufentanil， use of Flurbiprofen Axetil， cough after extubation， etc..Dynamometer was applied to assess extubation force. According to occurrence of postoperative sore throat， patients were divided into two groups： those who experienced sore throats and those who did not. Comparative analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to screen the risk factors. ROC curve was used for predicting the predictive value of risk factors. ResultsAmong the 163 patients ， 74 （45.4%） had postoperative sore throat vs 89 （54.6%） not had. Multivariate logistic regression showed female ［OR95%CI=3.83（1.73， 8.50）， P=0.000 1］ and extubation force ［OR95%CI=1.78（1.45， 2.17）， P＜0.001］ were independent risk factors for postoperative sore throat. AUC value showed the extubation force was 0.773［95%CI（0.701， 0.846）， P＜0.001］. Youden index was 0.447， and the cut-off valve of extubation force was 13N. ConclusionFemale and extubation force were risk factors for sore throat in patients with double lumen endotracheal intubation.

ObjectiveTo understand the mortality trends among residents of Fuling District， Chongqing， before and after theCOVID-19 outbreak， and to provide references for the government to formulate disease prevention and control policies and measures. MethodsData on mortality and population in Fuling District from 2017 to 2022 were collected to analyze population mortality and standardized mortality rates， and to compare the changes in the causes of death by year and before and after the pandemic. ResultsFrom 2017 to 2022， the crude mortality rate in Fuling District showed an upward trend （APC=3.04%， P<0.05）， while the standardized mortality rate showed a downward trend （APC=-6.47%， P<0.01）. The mortality rate of males was higher than that of females （P<0.05）， with different age groups having different causes of death composition. The highest proportion of deaths in 0-year-old group was from infectious diseases， maternal and neonatal diseases， and nutritional deficiencies， the highest proportion of deaths in the 1‒24 age group， with the exception of those aged 5‒9， was from injuries， and the main cause of death for residents aged 25 and above was chronic diseases. The mortality rate of mental and behavioral disorders rose from the 13th to the 9th place. According to the epidemic situation of COVID-19， there were no changes in the top five causes of death among the entire population. The motility rate of endocrine， nutritional and metabolic diseases rose from the sixth to the fifth place in male population， and the motility rate of malignant tumor rose from the 3rd to the 2nd place in female population. ConclusionThere are no changes in the top five causes of death among the entire population of Fuling District before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. Chronic diseases remain the main cause of death. It is necessary to control the risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as hypertension， diabetes， and dyslipidemia， and to curb the rising trend of mortality rates from strokes and acute myocardial infarction. For deaths caused by accidental injuries， targeted health education should be conducted for different populations.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of 0.2% chloroprocaine combined with ropivacaine on epidural labor analgesia and median effective concentration （EC50） of ropivacaine. METHODS Totally 67 parturients who scheduled for vaginal delivery and required epidural labor analgesia were collected from our hospital from July to October 2023 and randomly divided into RL group （33 cases） and R group （34 cases）. The concentration of ropivacaine was determined by modified Dixon sequential method. RL group was given 0.2% Chloroprocaine hydrochloride injection+Ropivacaine hydrochloride injection+0.4 μg/mL Sufentanil citrate injection； R group was given Ropivacaine hydrochloride injection+0.4 μg/mL Sufentanil citrate injection. EC50 of ropivacaine， analgesic effect during delivery， total dosage of analgesic drugs， analgesic satisfaction score， the incidence of adverse reactions， delivery status， and Apgar score of newborns were observed in two groups. RESULTS EC50 of ropivacaine， onset time， remedial analgesia rate， the incidence of perineal distension and breakthrough pain and total dosage of analgesic drugs of RL group were significantly lower than R group， and analgesic satisfaction score was significantly higher than R group （P＜0.05）. There was no statistical significance in the incidence of adverse reactions such as numbness， weakness， and chills in the lower limbs， or the duration of labor， amount of bleeding， mode of delivery， and Apgar score of newborns between 2 groups （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS For epidural labor analgesia， 0.2% chloroprocaine combined with ropivacaine can reduce EC50 of ropivacaine， improve analgesia effect and have good safety.