Alcohol consumption is responsible for approximately 6% of all deaths and 5.1% of the global disease burden. The most common alcohol-related causes of death include liver cirrhosis (50% of cases), pancreatitis (25%), and esophageal cancer (22%). In this review, we provide an overview of ethanol metabolism and highlight the major diseases caused by alcohol consumption in the liver and gastrointestinal tract. Due to its central metabolic role, the liver is particularly susceptible to ethanol, which is known to cause a wide spectrum of conditions, including steatosis, steatohepatitis, alcohol-associated hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma). The gastrointestinal tract is often one of the first areas to show signs of damage from excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic alcohol abuse is a well-established risk factor for both acute and chronic pancreatitis, as well as pancreatic cancer. Approximately 70% of acute pancreatitis cases and 30% of chronic pancreatitis cases are attributable to alcohol abuse. Epidemiological studies have consistently demonstrated a positive correlation between alcohol intake and the prevalence of gallstones. Moreover, alcohol is an important risk factor for gastroenteropancreatic cancer, as ethanol metabolism produces acetaldehyde, a potent carcinogen for humans. In conclusion, chronic ethanol intake, through one of its main metabolic products, acetaldehyde, causes pathological changes in the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. Even moderate amounts of alcohol may increase the risk of cancers, such as colorectal cancer. Therefore, if there is clinical suspicion of excessive alcohol intake in a patient with persistent digestive symptoms (e.g., abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and bloody stools), immediate medical evaluation is essential. Referral to specialized centers with expertise in alcohol use disorder is a key management option for patients with established alcohol use disorder.

The role of radiosurgery in the treatment of grade 2 meningioma remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) in patients with grade 2 meningiomas and to identify factors influencing tumor control and survival.

In this retrospective study, seventy patients underwent GKRS for grade 2 meningioma between 2007 and 2016. Tumor recurrence was categorized as local, marginal, or distant. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, while the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model were employed to analyze potential risk factors.

The median follow-up period was 48 months (range: 8 to 132 months). The one-year, three-year, and five-year local control rates were 92%, 73%, and 65%, respectively. The one-, three-, and three-year progression-free survival rates were 87%, 51%, and 44%, respectively. Multiple lesions and multiple prior recurrences were identified as negative predictors of marginal control and progression-free survival. Similarly, multiple lesions and marginal doses ≤13 Gy were associated with poor local control. Serious complications related to gamma knife use occurred in 4% of patients.

Our results support that GKRS is a reasonable treatment option in the management of grade 2 meningiomas. However, outfield progression remains a significant challenge, particularly in patients with multiple prior relapses and/or multiple lesions. More aggressive treatment strategies should be explored for these high-risk patients.

Fluorescence navigation is a novel technique for accurately identifying hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesions during hepatectomy, enabling real-time visualization. Indocyanine green-based fluorescence guidance has been commonly used to demarcate HCC lesion boundaries, but it cannot distinguish between benign and malignant liver tumors. This review focused on the clinical applications and limitations of indocyanine green, as well as recent advances in novel fluorescent probes for fluorescence-guided surgery of HCC. It covers traditional fluorescent imaging probes such as enzymes, reactive oxygen species, reactive sulfur species, and pH-sensitive probes, followed by an introduction to aggregation-induced emission probes. Aggregation-induced emission probes exhibit strong fluorescence, low background signals, excellent biocompatibility, and high photostability in the aggregate state, but show no fluorescence in dilute solutions. Design strategies for these probes may offer insights for developing novel fluorescent probes for the real-time identification and navigation of HCC during surgery.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy play important roles in diagnosing gastrointestinal bleeding; however, they may sometimes fail to identify the source of the bleeding during the initial examination. In such cases, repeated endoscopic examination may be beneficial. Currently, no consensus exists on which patients would benefit from repeated examination. In this review, we discuss the role of repeated endoscopy and conclude that repeated esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy can help improve detection rates. It is particularly valuable to repeat the procedure when the quality of the initial endoscopy is poor, the patient’s condition deteriorates, or other examinations suggest that lesions are within the scope of endoscopy.

This study investigates the potential of methyl eugenol (ME), a compound found in the essential oils of various plants, to inhibit oxidative stress and its impact on diseases associated with this process. ME has been shown to possess antioxidant properties and antiproliferative activity in several cancers. It also demonstrates neuroprotective potential in conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and ischemic brain injury. The mechanism of action involves the activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, which facilitates the transcription of antioxidant genes and modulation of pathways such as AMP-activated protein kinase/glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta, thereby reducing the production of reactive oxygen species and pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, research has identified potential toxicological risks associated with ME, including hepatotoxicity and changes in the gut microbiota. These findings highlight the need for caution when considering prolonged exposure to this compound.

Various devices are used to study the unique electrical properties of acupuncture points (APs), with Voll’s electropuncture diagnostics (EAV) occupying a prominent role. The technical design of EAV allows for the testing of drugs to determine their individual selection and dosages. However, the physiological basis of this phenomenon remains unclear. This study investigated the feasibility of evaluating the electrodermal activity of APs to determine the daily dose of ribavirin using electroacupuncture according to the Voll diagnostic system in patients with long COVID.

This blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial included 101 patients (aged 16 to 50) who met the definition of long COVID and were examined using an EAV testing system that measures the electrodermal activity of APs. Ribavirin was tested at the APs with established decreased electrical impedance readings to determine the daily doses. Fifty-two participants were randomized to the experimental group, and forty-nine to the placebo group. These patients were considered for data analysis.

The results of this study demonstrated the feasibility of using EAV to identify APs with decreased levels of electrodermal activity, followed by medicament testing (MT) of different ribavirin doses to restore the electrodermal activity at these points.

The results indicated that the tested doses of ribavirin in patients with long COVID correlate with electrodermal activity at certain APs along specific meridians. Higher doses of the drug were associated with lower electrodermal activity readings during MT using the EAV diagnostic system. However, further clinical and instrumental studies are needed to evaluate the clinical application of MT in the assessment of long COVID.

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a major global health challenge, characterized by chronic inflammation that can progress to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately hepatocellular carcinoma. Early identification of biomarkers is crucial for effective intervention. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown potential in improving CLD symptoms and protecting the liver, although its mechanisms remain unclear. Metabolomics, the comprehensive study of metabolites, offers a promising approach to understanding CLD pathogenesis and identifying biomarkers. Notably, metabolomics aligns with TCM’s holistic approach and may help reveal its therapeutic mechanisms. This review summarizes key metabolites associated with CLD diagnosis and progression and discusses how TCM may modulate metabolic pathways to alleviate CLD symptoms. These insights could lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for CLD.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in China. Early detection and diagnosis of CRC are essential for improving survival rates. However, socioeconomic factors such as regional disparities, economic conditions, and varying levels of awareness impact the uptake of screening programs. Recently, rapid advancements in non-invasive tests, including high-quality fecal immunochemical tests and the emergence of stool and blood biomarkers for CRC, have facilitated improvements in early detection and diagnosis. Additionally, image-enhanced endoscopy, a group of advanced imaging technologies, has been developed to assist in the early identification of colorectal lesions, including narrow band imaging and linked-color imaging. The emergence of artificial intelligence also offers promising opportunities to improve early diagnosis and treatment of CRC. This review mainly introduces screening technologies and the current status of CRC screening in China, provides an overview of CRC early detection and diagnosis, and discusses the limitations and future prospects.