Objective: To investigate the current status of iron metabolism among apheresis donors in Guangzhou and analyze the improvement effects of health education on iron deficiency in frequent apheresis donors. Methods: Using a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), a 180-day follow-up was conducted on 261 eligible apheresis donors at the Guangzhou Blood Center from January to July 2024. Hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (SF), unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC), total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and transferrin saturation (TS) were selected as outcome variables. The effects of gender, age group, and number of donations within 180 days on these outcomes were analyzed and modeled. A general linear model (GLM) with repeated measures was applied to 55 donors who received health education interventions, comparing changes in Hb and iron metabolism-related indicators before and after follow-up and health education. Results: No significant difference in Hb levels was observed between first-time and regular apheresis donors, but SF levels were significantly higher in first-time donors (F=6.195, P<0.05). The GLMM revealed that female donors exhibited more significant reductions in Hb (T=-12.546) and SF (T=-5.829)(P<0.05 for both). Age group showed no interactive effects on Hb or SF changes. While number of donations within 180 days had no interactive effect on Hb, SF levels significantly decreased with increased number of donations (using ≥9 donations as the reference group; P<0.05 for all groups). After health education, Hb levels remained unchanged, but SF increased compared to pre-intervention levels (mean difference: -18.571, P<0.05), though a declining trend persisted compared to baseline (mean difference from baseline to post-intervention: 23.068,P<0.05). Conclusion: Female and number of donations are primary factors contributing to SF reduction in apheresis donors. Health education interventions promote SF recovery. Extending donation intervals and reinforcing iron deficiency-related health education may improve iron status in donors.

BACKGROUND:The biological behavior of mesenchymal stem cells is influenced by the survival microenvironment.Pre-treatment of the microenvironment is an important means of regulating the function of mesenchymal stem cells. OBJECTIVE:To compare the differences in paracrine function of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells and adipose mesenchymal stem cells under oxidative stress and hypoxia,and to provide a theoretical basis for selecting appropriate pretreatment of mesenchymal stem cells to treat different diseases. METHODS:Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells and adipose mesenchymal stem cells were cultured by H2O2 or O2 oxygen,respectively,and cell morphology,proliferation,viability and paracrine factor expression were examined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and transforming growth factor-β were higher in umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells than in adipose mesenchymal stem cells under a normal culture environment,while the expressions of stromal cell-derived factor-1α and tumor necrosis factor stimulating factor-6 in the adipose mesenchymal stem cells were significantly higher than those in the umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.(2)There was no significant difference in the effect of low and moderate levels(≤100 μmol/L)of H2O2 on the viability of the two mesenchymal stem cells.However,increasing the H2O2 concentration from 50 μmol/L to 100 μmol/L resulted in a distinct increase in vascular endothelial growth factor expression in umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.The expression of basic fibroblast growth factor,vascular endothelial growth factor,stromal cell-derived factor-1α and interleukin-10 in adipose mesenchymal stem cells was greatly increased by increasing H2O2 concentration in this range.(3)1%O2 hypoxia promoted mesenchymal stem cell proliferation.After 24 hours of culture in 1%O2,gene expression levels were elevated in both mesenchymal stem cells,but the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor,interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factor stimulating factor-6 were significantly higher in adipose mesenchymal stem cells than in umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.(4)It is concluded that hypoxia and oxidative stress preconditioning enhances the paracrine function of mesenchymal stem cells.However,mesenchymal stem cells respond differently to hypoxia and oxidative stress.Treating diseases can choose suitable mesenchymal stem cells for appropriate pretreatment to further enhance their therapeutic potential.

Objective:To understand the major cognition, major choice motivation and the relationship between the two of medical students, and provide references and suggestions for the selection of talents in various majors of medical schools and the effective development of enrollment work.Methods:This study selected undergraduates of Batch 2019 from Peking University Health Science Center as the survey objects, conducted a questionnaire survey on their major cognition, major choice motivation and influencing factors, and used principal component analysis and Spearman rank correlation analysis.Results:The study found that the major cognition scores of 640 undergraduates of Batch 2019 from Peking University Health Science Center were clinical medicine (3.24±0.89) > stomatology (2.89±1.00) > basic medicine (2.66±1.02) > pharmacy (2.54±0.97) > preventive medicine (2.29±0.93) > nursing medicine (2.21±0.99) > medical laboratory (1.98±0.95) > medical English (1.95±0.93). Six major motivation factors for professional choice were school and professional strength, professional learning and job prospects, own factors, Peking University sentiments and the influence of others, medical factors, school policies, and the contribution rates were 34.60%, 12.97%, 7.42%, 6.00%, 5.59% and 5.37%, respectively. Major cognition scores and major choice motivation factors were positively correlated with each other to some extent.Conclusions:At present, students' major cognition level of medical majors still has a large room for improvement, and the motivational factors of major choice are more complicated, among which "the school and professional strength" and "the prospects of study and work" are important factors. Medical schools should focus on strengthening major publicity, improving students' major cognition, attracting aspiring students to apply for medical majors from many aspects, and improving the training quality of medical professionals.

Background Ozone (O₃) pollution has gradually become a primary problem of air pollution in recent years. Conducting epidemiological studies on the correlation between O₃ concentration variation and risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases can provide reference data for O₃ risk assessment and related policy making. Objective To quantitatively evaluate the effects of O₃ exposure on mortalities of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases among residents in Minhang District, Shanghai. Methods Data of mortalities of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, air pollutants, and meteorological factors in Minhang District of Shanghai from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2021 were collected. Associations between O₃ concentration and the mortalities due to total cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, coronary heart disease, and stroke were analyzed by generalized additive models with a quasi Poisson distribution with different lag patterns, such as current day effect (lag0), single-day lag effects (lag1-lag3), and cumulative lag effects (lag01-lag03). The subgroup analyses of age, sex, and season were conducted. Furthermore, temperature was divided into low, middle, and high levels based on the 25th percentile (P₂₅) and the 75th percentile (P₇₅) to perform hierarchical analyses. Increased excess risks (ER) of death from target diseases caused by a 10 µg·m⁻³ increase in daily maximum 8 h concentration of O₃ (O₃-8 h) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to indicate the effects of O₃. Results The associations between O₃ and the risks of death from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases were statistically significant at lag2, lag3, lag02, and lag03 (P<0.05), with the greatest effect size observed at lag03. The ER values of death from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in general population, male residents, and people aged 65 years and older, from coronary heart disease in male residents, and from stroke in general population increased by 1.02% (95%CI: 0.36%, 1.69%), 1.40% (95%CI: 0.47%, 2.34%), 0.87% (95%CI: 0.19%, 1.55%), 1.96% (95%CI: 0.49%, 3.44%), and 1.02% (95%CI: 0.07%, 1.98%) for a 10 µg·m⁻³ increase in O₃-8 h concentration at lag03, respectively. During the warm season (from April 1 to September 30), the ER values of death from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and coronary heart disease per 10 µg·m⁻³ increase in O₃ were 1.18% (95%CI: 0.33%, 3.33%) and 2.69% (95%CI: 0.39%, 5.03%), while the O₃ effect was only statistically significant on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases during the cold season (from October 1 to March 31 next year). At the middle and high temperature levels, the ER values of death from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases increased by 1.63% (95%CI: 0.32%, 2.96%) and 1.14% (95%CI: 0.17%, 2.12%) respectively. The two-pollutant models showed similar results after including other pollutants (carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, fine particulate matter, or inhalable particulate matter). Conclusion Ambient O₃ pollution may increase the mortality risks of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, coronary heart disease, and stroke in Minhang District of Shanghai.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Qingyusan capsules in the long-term treatment of mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis （UC） with the syndrome of large intestine dampness-heat. MethodA randomized， controlled design was adopted， and 88 patients with mild to moderate UC and syndrome of large intestine dampness-heat were randomized into a Qingyusan （Qingyusan capsules， 0.8 g·d^-1） group and a control （mesalazine， 0.4 g·d^-1） group， with 44 patients in each group. Three and one patients dropped out in the control and Qingyusan groups， respectively， during the 32 weeks of treatment. The clinical remission rate， mucosal healing rate， and modified Mayo score， TCM symptom score， and short inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire （SIBDQ） score before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. The colonoscopic and pathological changes were observed， and the clinical safety was compared between the two groups. ResultAfter treatment， the clinical remission rate and mucosal healing rate in the Qingyusan group were 72.1% （31/43） and 74.4% （32/43）， respectively， which were higher than those ［26.8% （11/41） and 41.5% （17/41）， respectively］ in the control group （χ²=17.200， χ²=10.843， respectively， both P<0.01）. The treatment in both groups decreased the modified Mayo score， partial Mayo score， and TCM symptom score （P<0.05）， and the decreases in the Qingyusan group were higher than those in the control group （P<0.01）. After treatment， the SIBDQ scores in both groups increased （P<0.05）， and the increase was more pronounced in the Qingyusan group than in the control group （P<0.01）. There was no difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups. ConclusionThe clinical efficacy of Qingyusan capsules is remarkable in the long-term treatment of UC with the syndrome of large intestine dampness-heat. Particularly， Qingyusan capsules demonstrates advantages in inducing and maintaining clinical remission， promoting mucosal healing， alleviating TCM symptoms， and enhancing the survival quality of patients， with high safety.

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) has a promising future in the treatment of ocular diseases due to its high efficiency, specificity, and low toxicity in inhibiting the expression of target genes and proteins. However, due to the unique anatomical structure of the eye and various barriers, delivering nucleic acids to the retina remains a significant challenge. In this study, we rationally design PACD, an A-B-C type non-viral vector copolymer composed of a hydrophilic PEG block (A), a siRNA binding block (B) and a pH-responsive block (C). PACDs can self-assemble into nanosized polymeric micelles that compact siRNAs into polyplexes through simple mixing. By evaluating its pH-responsive activity, gene silencing efficiency in retinal cells, intraocular distribution, and anti-angiogenesis therapy in a mouse model of hypoxia-induced angiogenesis, we demonstrate the efficiency and safety of PACD in delivering siRNA in the retina. We are surprised to discover that, the PACD/siRNA polyplexes exhibit remarkable intracellular endosomal escape efficiency, excellent gene silencing, and inhibit retinal angiogenesis. Our study provides design guidance for developing efficient nonviral ocular nucleic acid delivery systems.

Objective: To explore the changes in ribosomal DNA copy number in peripheral blood among patients with pneumoconiosis and its influencing factors, so as to provide insights into prevention and treatment of pneumoconiosis. Methods: Eighty-eight patients with pneumoconiosis who visited a designated hospital and 71 community residents with no history of pneumoconiosis or dust exposure were selected as the pneumoconiosis group and control group, and age, smoking history, drinking history and cumulative years of exposure to dust were collected through questionnaire surveys. The copy number of 45S rDNA and 5S rDNA was detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the differences between the two groups were compared. Factors affecting the copy number of 45S rDNA and 5S rDNA were identified by a multiple linear regression model. Results: The pneumoconiosis group had a median age of 56.00 (interquartile range, 15.25) and a mean cumulative dust exposure duration of (12.40±8.08) years, with 56.82% smoking and 62.50% drinking. The control group had a median age of 64.00 (interquartile range, 37.00) years, with 32.39% smoking and 26.76% drinking. The median copy number of 45S rDNA in the pneumoconiosis group was 1.29 (interquartile range, 0.59), which was lower than 2.10 (interquartile range, 1.88) in the control group; the median copy number of 5S rDNA in the pneumoconiosis group was 5.33 (interquartile range, 0.85), which was higher than 4.66 (1.34) in the control group (both P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis identified age (β=-0.034) and pneumoconiosis (β=-1.595) as factors affecting 45S rDNA copy number, age (β=-0.013) as a factor affecting 5S rDNA copy number, and age (β=0.018) as a factor affecting 5S rDNA copy number in the pneumoconiosis group (all P<0.05). Conclusions Compared with community residents with no history of pneumoconiosis or dust exposure, the copy number of 45S rDNA in peripheral blood among patients with pneumoconiosis is reduced and the copy number of 5S rDNA is increased.

Objective To explore the cerebral cortex activation in different swallowing periods using functional near-infrared spec-troscopy(fNIRS). Methods From October to December 2023,a total of 18 healthy adults were recruited to perform four tasks of visual stimulation,chewing,tongue tip sliding and repeated swallowing during fNIRS acquisition,to calculate the corti-cal activation β values covering a total of 41 channels in frontal,parietal and occipital lobes. Results During the preoral period,the bilateral pre-motor and supplementary motor cortex(PSMC),bilateral inferior pre-frontal gyrus,right visual association cortex(AVC),and left primary motor cortex(PMC)were significantly acti-vated(P<0.05).During oral preparation,the right pars triangularis(PTG),right frontal polar area(FPA),right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(DPC),left primary somatosensory cortex(PSC),left PSMC and left PMC were sig-nificantly activated(P<0.05).During the transition between oral and pharyngeal phases,bilateral PSMC and bi-lateral PMC were significantly activated(P<0.05).Bilateral PSC,bilateral PTG,bilateral FPA,bilateral orbito-frontal area,bilateral PSMC,bilateral DPC and bilateral PMC were significantly activated during two consecu-tive periods of oral and pharyngeal phases(P<0.05). Conclusion The swallowing movement requires the coordination of the frontal,parietal and occipital cortex.The main activated brain areas are different in different swallowing stages,and the PSMC and PMC are involved in most swallowing stages.

The clinical practice guidelines of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） have problems such as limited clinical application and unclear implementation effects， which may be related to the lack of clinical practice evidence. To provide reliable and precise evidence for clinical practice， this article proposes a model of combining TCM guidelines with real-world study， which includes 4 steps. Firstly， during the implementation process of the guidelines， a high-quality research database is established. Secondly， the recommendations in the guidelines are evaluated based on the established database in multiple dimensions， including applicability， effectiveness， safety， and cost-effectiveness， and thus their effectiveness in practical applications can be determined. Thirdly， based on the established database， core prescriptions are identified， and the targeted populations and medication plans are determined. That is， the best treatment regimen is established based on the analysis of abundant clinical data regarding the effects of different medication frequencies， dosages， and duration on efficacy. Fourthly， the guidelines are updated according to the real-world evidence. The research based on this model can provide real-world evidence for ancient and empirical prescriptions， improving their application in clinical practice. Moreover， this model can reduce research costs and improve research efficiency. When applying this model， researchers need to pay attention to the quality of real-world evidence， ensuring that it can truly reflect the situation in clinical practice. In addition， importance should be attached to the clinical application of guideline recommendations， ensuring that doctors can conduct standardized diagnosis and treatment according to the guidelines. Finally， full-process participation of multidisciplinary experts is encouraged to ensure the comprehensiveness and scientificity of the study. In conclusion， the application of this model will contribute to the development of TCM guidelines responsive to the needs of clinical practice and achieve the goal of promoting the homogenization of TCM clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Background::Although overnight fasting is recommended prior to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the benefits and safety of high-carbohydrate fluid diet (CFD) intake 2 h before ERCP remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze whether high-CFD intake 2 h before ERCP can be safe and accelerate patients’ recovery.Methods::This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial involved 15 tertiary ERCP centers. A total of 1330 patients were randomized into CFD group ( n = 665) and fasting group ( n = 665). The CFD group received 400 mL of maltodextrin orally 2 h before ERCP, while the control group abstained from food/water overnight (>6 h) before ERCP. All ERCP procedures were performed using deep sedation with intravenous propofol. The investigators were blinded but not the patients. The primary outcomes included postoperative fatigue and abdominal pain score, and the secondary outcomes included complications and changes in metabolic indicators. The outcomes were analyzed according to a modified intention-to-treat principle. Results::The post-ERCP fatigue scores were significantly lower at 4 h (4.1 ± 2.6 vs. 4.8 ± 2.8, t = 4.23, P <0.001) and 20 h (2.4 ± 2.1 vs. 3.4 ± 2.4, t= 7.94, P <0.001) in the CFD group, with least-squares mean differences of 0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.71, P <0.001) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.57–0.95, P <0.001), respectively. The 4-h pain scores (2.1 ± 1.7 vs. 2.2 ± 1.7, t = 2.60, P = 0.009, with a least-squares mean difference of 0.21 [95% CI: 0.05–0.37]) and positive urine ketone levels (7.7% [39/509] vs. 15.4% [82/533], χ2 = 15.13, P <0.001) were lower in the CFD group. The CFD group had significantly less cholangitis (2.1% [13/634] vs. 4.0% [26/658], χ2 = 3.99, P = 0.046) but not pancreatitis (5.5% [35/634] vs. 6.5% [43/658], χ2 = 0.59, P = 0.444). Subgroup analysis revealed that CFD reduced the incidence of complications in patients with native papilla (odds ratio [OR]: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.95, P = 0.028) in the multivariable models. Conclusion::Ingesting 400 mL of CFD 2 h before ERCP is safe, with a reduction in post-ERCP fatigue, abdominal pain, and cholangitis during recovery.Trail Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT03075280.