Despite its crucial role in interventional therapies for liver malignancy, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has not yet been fully integrated into clinical practice due to several complicating factors, including nonstandardized operations and limited recognition of CBCT among interventional radiologists. In response, the Chinese College of Interventionalists has released a consensus statement aimed at standardizing and promoting the application of CBCT in the interventional therapies for liver malignancy. This statement summarizes CBCT scanning techniques, and operational standards, and highlights its potential applications in clinical practice.

In recent years, global warming has led to regionally high temperatures, causing lasting and extreme impacts in some areas of China. Cases of heat stroke and even fatalities have been seen in many parts of the country. Traditional Chinese medicine considers heat stroke to be a type of summerheat stroke, which belongs to the extreme heat of the Yang. Bloodletting therapy is a classical treatment in traditional Chinese medicine. Bloodletting involves puncturing certain acupoints or small epidermal veins to release a small amount of blood to dredge the channel and clear heat-fire, thus lowering a patient’s body temperature. Therefore, studying bloodletting therapy as a treatment for heat stroke has significance. Here, we analyzed the core acupoint prescriptions and the application characteristics of bloodletting therapy for the treatment of heat stroke. Our review provides a basis for the selection of acupoints and treatment methods for the clinical use of bloodletting therapy for heat stroke.

Pancreatic cancer encompasses a heterogeneous group of malignancies, primarily divided into endocrine and exocrine types, with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma representing approximately 90% of cases. While the incidence of pancreatic cancer is relatively low, accounting for about 3% of all cancers in the United States, it has a disproportionately high mortality rate, responsible for around 7% of cancer-related deaths. In 2024, it is estimated that there will be 66,440 new diagnoses and 51,750 fatalities associated with this disease. The overall five-year survival rate remains alarmingly low at just 13%, primarily due to late-stage diagnosis; over 80% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients present with unresectable tumors and metastases at the time of diagnosis. This review aims to highlight recent advancements in imaging and laboratory tests that are paving the way for innovative screening and diagnostic approaches. Some of the modalities discussed in detail include endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and its modifications, such as EUS elastography, EUS contrast-enhanced, and EUS Fine Needle Aspiration, as well as multi-detector computed tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography scans. Furthermore, laboratory tests, such as multi-marker analysis and circulating tumor DNA, alongside traditional markers like carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, and carbohydrate antigen 125, are explored. The role of radiomics and proteomics in the early detection of pancreatic cancer is also discussed. These developments hold the promise of improving early detection, which is crucial for enhancing patient outcomes in pancreatic cancer. On the treatment front, conventional therapies, including platinum-based therapies and monoclonal antibodies, are reviewed, alongside innovative therapies such as immunotherapies, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, and cancer vaccines. It has been increasingly recognized that the intricate patho-mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis in pancreatic cancers necessitate a deeper understanding to facilitate targeted therapeutic strategies. We also explore various newer therapies currently in clinical trials, assessing their practicality and effectiveness in real-world settings.

Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), characterized by a wide variety of types and diverse clinical manifestations, have always been difficult to diagnose and differentiate. All of them carry a risk of malignant transformation. In addition to pathological examination, which remains the gold standard, various auxiliary diagnostic tests are used in clinical practice. Deep learning, a branch of artificial intelligence, has been applied to medical image analysis. Among deep learning techniques, convolutional neural networks are commonly used for image segmentation, detection, classification, and computer-aided diagnosis. We reviewed several image analysis methods based on deep learning neural networks for the diagnosis and prognosis of OPMDs, including photographic images, autofluorescence images, exfoliative cytology images, histopathological images, and optical coherence tomography images. Additionally, we assessed the current limitations and challenges in applying deep learning to the diagnosis of OPMDs.

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a brain disorder secondary to cirrhosis, characterized by cognitive deficits, psychiatric manifestations, and motor impairments. It is associated with frequent hospitalizations, high mortality rates, and poor quality of life in cirrhotic patients. Additionally, ammonia and inflammation are key contributors to the onset of HE. Rifaximin is minimally absorbed in the intestine and is considered a locally acting, semi-synthetic antibiotic with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. The pharmacological effects of rifaximin include reducing plasma ammonia levels, decreasing proinflammatory cytokine levels, and modulating gut microbiota and their functions. Currently, both Chinese and EASL clinical practice guidelines recommend rifaximin (800–1,200 mg/d) as a first-line treatment for HE for up to six months. However, the efficacy and safety of long-term (≥six months) use of rifaximin for HE remain debated. This review aimed to analyze the long-term (≥six months) use and dose-effect relationships of rifaximin treatment for HE. Long-term, low-dose use of rifaximin (600–800 mg/d) may offer potential benefits in terms of efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest malignant tumors in the world, and its incidence and mortality have increased year by year. HCC research has increasingly focused on understanding its pathogenesis and developing treatments.The Wnt signaling pathway, a complex and evolutionarily conserved signal transduction system, has been extensively studied in the genesis and treatment of several malignant tumors. Recent investigations suggest that the pathogenesis of HCC may be significantly influenced by dysregulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling. This article aimed to examine the pathway that controls Wnt signaling in HCC and its mechanisms. In addition, we highlighted the role of this pathway in HCC etiology and targeted treatment.

Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS), including transcutaneous cervical (tcVNS) and auricular (taVNS) modalities, has garnered increasing attention as a neuromodulatory therapy for various neurological and psychiatric disorders. This narrative review synthesizes findings from over 80 studies, including randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and observational research published up to March 2024, evaluating nVNS in epilepsy, depression, stroke rehabilitation, headache, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Evidence suggests that taVNS can reduce seizure frequency and improve quality of life in epilepsy. In major depressive disorder, nVNS demonstrates antidepressant effects comparable to pharmacotherapy, though the optimal stimulation parameters remain unclear. For post-stroke motor rehabilitation, both tcVNS and closed-loop stimulation systems enhance neuroplasticity and motor recovery. In Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, preliminary findings indicate possible modulation of neuroinflammatory pathways and cognitive-motor functions, although recent meta-analyses report mixed efficacy. Challenges include methodological heterogeneity, protocol variability, and difficulties in designing effective sham controls, all of which limit the generalizability of current findings. Mechanistic differences between tcVNS and taVNS remain inadequately characterized. Overall, nVNS appears to be a safe and accessible therapeutic approach with broad clinical potential, particularly for treatment-resistant or underserved populations. However, future research must prioritize standardized protocols, robust clinical endpoints, and adequately powered trials to define efficacy and optimize treatment strategies. A greater focus on long-term outcomes, biomarker-guided personalization, and clinical significance over statistical findings will be critical in translating nVNS into routine practice.

Cancer is thought to be the second most prevalent and leading cause of mortality worldwide, affecting both men and women among other chronic diseases. While there are several treatment options available, significant strains, side effects, and resistance have led researchers to focus on finding novel alternative medications for cancer treatment. Antioxidants and the immunomodulatory activities of medicinal plants are studied and considered to have anti-cancer effects. Medicinal plants contain diverse phytoconstituents as natural drugs, which possess numerous medicinal properties used for treating and preventing various illnesses. These phytoconstituents work through several mechanisms to target and kill cancer cells. Anticancer mechanisms include suppression and arrest of the G0/G1 phase, acting as anti-mitotic and anti-microtubule agents, enhancing the activity of macrophages, inhibiting cancer cells through various signaling cascades, anti-angiogenesis, and cytotoxicity. Investigating botanical sources and their metabolites can uncover new chemical entities for cancer treatment at the molecular target level and provide future interventions in cancer therapy. This article summarizes a few medicinal plants and their mechanisms of action for their anticancer potential. Furthermore, we discuss the future prospects and limitations of using medicinal plants in cancer treatment.

High-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) is an architectural chromosomal protein with various roles depending on its cellular localization. Extracellular HMGB1 functions as a prototypical damage-associated molecular pattern that triggers inflammation and adaptive immune responses, mediated by specific cell surface receptors, including receptors for advanced glycation end products and toll-like receptors. Post-translational modifications of HMGB1 significantly impact various cellular processes that contribute to the pathogenesis of liver diseases. Recent studies have highlighted the close relationship between HMGB1 and the pathogenesis of acute liver injuries, including acetaminophen-induced liver injury, hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury, and acute liver failure. In chronic liver diseases, HMGB1 plays a role in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, alcohol-associated liver disease, liver fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Targeting HMGB1 as a therapeutic approach, either by inhibiting its release or blocking its extracellular function, is a promising strategy for treating liver diseases. This review aimed to summarize the available evidence on HMGB1’s role in liver disease, focusing on its multifaceted signaling pathways, impact on disease progression, and the translation of these findings into clinical interventions.

This review explores how the gut microbiome influences aging, particularly examining the effects of microbiome imbalances (dysbiosis) on immune system function, inflammation, and the integrity of genetic material. As we age, there is a noticeable decline in cellular and physiological capabilities, which heightens the risk of diseases and diminishes the body’s resilience to stress. A significant contributor to this decline is the change in the gut microbiome, which affects immune reactions, triggers chronic inflammation, and worsens DNA damage. The review is structured into several key areas: first, the connection between dysbiosis and age-related ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus; second, how aging influences immune tolerance, especially regarding dendritic cells, and its link to autoimmune diseases; third, the acceleration of immunosenescence and the prolonged inflammatory responses associated with aging; and fourth, the impact of senescent cells and oxidative stress on increasing inflammation and damaging DNA. We also underscored the significance of short-chain fatty acids produced by beneficial gut bacteria in modulating immune responses and facilitating DNA repair. The discussion includes the potential use of probiotics and other microbiome-related interventions as treatment options to promote healthy aging. Ultimately, we stressed the necessity for additional research to deepen our comprehension of the microbiome’s effect on DNA damage and to create personalized therapeutic strategies for fostering healthier aging and enhancing longevity.