AIM: To investigate whether proanthocyanidins(PAC)can ameliorate ferroptosis in retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)cells via the Nrf2/GPX4 pathway, and to evaluate its protective effect in dry age-related macular degeneration(ARMD). METHODS: The protective effects of PAC against ferroptosis were evaluated using an in vitro model of H2O2-stimulated human RPE cells(ARPE-19)and an in vivo dry ARMD animal model induced by sodium iodate(NaIO3). CCK-8 assay was applied to assess cell viability. Calcein-AM/PI staining was applied to determine the level of cell death. Lipid peroxidation(LPO)levels were measured using a lipid peroxidation assay kit. CM-H2DCFDA was used to detect the level of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in cells. MitoSOX probe was employed to measure the mitochondrial ROS level. JC-1 staining was used to evaluate the changes in mitochondrial membrane potential. Western Blot was performed to detect the expression levels of proteins(Nrf2, GPX4, and HO-1)related to the Nrf2 pathway. Retinal flat mounts were used to evaluate the structure and function of RPE. Hematoxylin and eosin(H & E)staining was applied to assess the morphological changes in rat retinas. Rhodopsin and opsin staining was used to evaluate visual function in the retina. TUNEL staining was employed to detect apoptosis in retinal cells. RESULTS: H2O2 exacerbates ferroptosis in ARPE-19 cells, as evidenced by elevated levels of Fe2+, ROS, and LPO. PAC preconditioning ameliorates mitochondrial function, reduces intracellular Fe2+, ROS, and LPO levels, and suppresses ferroptosis in RPE cells via activation of the Nrf2/GPX4 signaling pathway. In a NaIO3-induced dry ARMD model, both PAC and the ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 reverse the downregulation of retinal Nrf2/GPX4 expression and attenuate retinal cell death.CONCLUSION:PAC inhibits ferroptosis via the Nrf2/GPX4 pathway, offering a novel potential therapeutic strategy for retinal degeneration.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism by which Shenfukang capsule （SFK） ameliorates renal interstitial fibrosis （RIF） by regulating macrophage-fibroblast crosstalk via the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）/Yes-associated protein （YAP） pathway. METHODS RAW264.7 macrophages were induced to polarize with transforming growth factor-β 1 （TGF-β 1 ）. Subsequently， a non-contact co-culture system of macrophages with renal fibroblasts NRK-49F， as well as a non-contact co-culture system of macrophages with YAP-knockdown renal fibroblasts， were established. Cells were treated with low， medium， and high concentrations （4， 8， 16 μg/mL） of SFK， as well as a STAT3 inhibitor （STAT3-I，1.64 μg/mL） and losartan potassium tablets （positive control， 0.28 μg/mL）， for 48 h. After intervention， the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD86， CD163， and STAT3 in macrophages， as well as CD86， F4/80， and STAT3 mRNA， were detected. In co-cultured renal fibroblasts， the protein and mRNA expression levels of α -smooth muscle actin （ α -SMA）， Vimentin， collagen type Ⅰ （Col-Ⅰ）， matrix metalloproteinase-1 （MMP-1）， and YAP were detected. In co-cultured YAP-knockdown renal fibroblasts， the protein and mRNA expression levels of α -SMA， Vimentin， and MMP-1 were also detected. RESULTS Following TGF-β 1 induction， the protein expression levels of CD86， CD163， and STAT3， as well as the mRNA expression levels of CD86， F4/80， and STAT3 in macrophages were significantly increased （ P ＜0.05）. The conditioned medium from polarized macrophages activated renal fibroblasts， as evidenced by significantly increased protein and mRNA expression levels of α -SMA， Vimentin， Col-Ⅰ， and YAP， and significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of MMP-1 in renal fibroblasts （ P ＜0.05）. Treatment with SFK and STAT3-I reversed the changes in the above indicators， with the medium concentration SFK group showing stronge r effects on some indicators than the low and high concentration groups. In the non-contact co-culture experiment of macrophages and YAP-knockdown renal fibroblasts， there were no statistically significant differences in the protein and mRNA expression of α-SMA， Vimentin， and MMP-1 among the groups. CONCLUSIONS SFK can inhibit macrophage-renal fibroblast crosstalk by blocking the STAT3/YAP pathway， thereby delaying the progression of RIF.

Objective To establish and internally validate a predictive model for poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma based on CT imaging and tumor marker results. Methods Patients with solid and partially solid lung nodules who underwent lung nodule surgery at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University in 2023 were selected and randomly divided into a training set and a validation set at a ratio of 7:3. Patients' CT features, including average density value, maximum diameter, pleural indentation sign, and bronchial inflation sign, as well as patient tumor marker results, were collected. Based on postoperative pathological results, patients were divided into a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma group and a non-poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma group. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed on the training set to establish the predictive model. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the model's discriminability, the calibration curve to assess the model's consistency, and the decision curve to evaluate the clinical value of the model, which was then validated in the validation set. Results A total of 299 patients were included, with 103 males and 196 females, with a median age of 57.00 (51.00, 67.25) years. There were 211 patients in the training set and 88 patients in the validation set. Multivariate analysis showed that carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) value [OR=1.476, 95%CI (1.184, 1.983), P=0.002], cytokeratin 19 fragment antigen (CYFRA21-1) value [OR=1.388, 95%CI (1.084, 1.993), P=0.035], maximum tumor diameter [OR=6.233, 95%CI (1.069, 15.415), P=0.017], and average density [OR=1.083, 95%CI (1.020, 1.194), P=0.040] were independent risk factors for solid and partially solid lung nodules as poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Based on this, a predictive model was constructed with an area under the ROC curve of 0.896 [95%CI (0.810, 0.982)], a maximum Youden index corresponding cut-off value of 0.103, sensitivity of 0.750, and specificity of 0.936. Using the Bootstrap method for 1000 samplings, the calibration curve predicted probability was consistent with actual risk. Decision curve analysis indicated positive benefits across all prediction probabilities, demonstrating good clinical value. Conclusion For patients with solid and partially solid lung nodules, preoperative use of CT to measure tumor average density value and maximum diameter, combined with tumor markers CEA and CYFRA21-1 values, can effectively predict whether it is poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, allowing for early intervention.

Objective:To investigate the effect of ligation methods of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) on preserving left colic artery (LCA) in laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer.Methods:The prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. The clinical data of 864 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer at Renji Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from January 2020 to December 2024 were selected. Patients were randomly divided into the low ligation group and high ligation group using a random number table. Patients of the low ligation group underwent laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer with preserving LCA by low ligation of IMA and apical lymph node dissection, and patients of the high ligation group underwent laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer with traditional high ligation of IMA. Observation indicators: (1) grouping of the enrolled patients; (2) intraoperative conditions; (3) postoperative pathological examination; (4) postoperative recovery. Comparison of measurement data with normal distribution between groups was conducted using the independent sample t test. Comparison of count data between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data between groups was conducted using the non-parametric test. Results:(1) Grouping of the enrolled patients. A total of 864 patients with rectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer were screened for eligibility, including 410 males and 454 females, aged (63±11)years. All 864 patients were randomly divided into the low ligation group and high ligation group, with 432 patients in each group. There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, carcinoembryonic antigen, distance from tumor to anal margin, diabetes, hypertension, neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy, IMA subtypes and IMA length between the two groups ( P>0.05), ensuring comparability. (2) Intraoperative conditions. All patients of the two groups successfully completed surgery, with no errors in blood vessel ligation during operation or conversion to open surgery. There was a significant difference in time of IMA dissection between the low ligation group and high ligation group [(31±11)minutes vs. (28±9)minutes, t=4.39, P<0.05], and there was no significant difference in total operation time, volume of intra-operative blood loss or prophylactic stoma rate between the two groups ( P>0.05). (3) Postopera-tive pathological examination. There was a significant difference in the number of lymph node dissected between the low ligation group and high ligation group (1.8±1.4 vs. 1.5±1.4, t=2.51, P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in tumor diameter, the total number of lymph node dissected, total lymph node positive status, No.253 lymph node positive status, TNM staging between the two groups ( P>0.05). (4) Postoperative recovery. The time to postoperative first flatus and the number of anastomotic leakage of patients in the low ligation group were (74±22)hours and 16 cases, versus (78±20)hours and 31 cases in the high ligation group, respectively, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( t=2.52, χ2=5.06, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the time to postoperative initial liquid food intake, duration of post-operative hospital stay, duration of abdominal drainage tube indwelling, duration of anal tube indwelling, postoperative wound infection, pulmonary infection, intestinal obstruction, or urinary dysfunction between the two groups ( P>0.05). None of patients in the two groups had readmission or death during the postoperative 30 days. Conclusion:Low ligation of IMA in laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer can guide precise LCA preservation, which is beneficial for accelerating the recovery of intestinal function and reducing the incidence of anastomotic leakage.

In order to investigate the teaching effectiveness of artificial intelligence(AI)in molecular bi-ology,this study selected students from the Animal Medicine major of the College of Animal Science and Technology at Hebei North University in 2022 and 2023 as research subjects.There was no significant difference in professional foundation,admission scores,and other aspects between the two grades,and they were taught by the same lecturer to ensure the reliability of research results.The 2022 students will adopt the traditional teaching mode,while the 2023 students will implement the AI-enabled teaching mode,which includes four stages:pre class exploration,in class assistance,post class learning support,and teaching reflection and improvement.Before class,the teaching team pushes teaching videos of vari-ous knowledge points in the course and relevant preview materials organized by the AI system to students to complete self-learning,and use AI systems to track students' learning difficulties.In class,the teacher uses various teaching methods such as case teaching,group discussions,AI animation demonstrations and virtual experiments,etc..Thus,they provide in-depth explanations of key contents based on the feed-back data from the intelligent learning companion AI system,promoting students' understanding of the knowledge.After class,the AI system generates personalized learning plans for students and provides dif-ferent levels of learning resources to broaden their horizons.At the same time,the AI system provides teachers with students'learning data analysis reports,and teachers can adjust and optimize their teaching plans accordingly.Research has found that students in the 2023 AI-empowered teaching class have signif-icantly higher satisfaction in multiple dimensions such as learning interest,understanding and mastery of knowledge points,and cultivation of scientific research thinking than those in the 2022 traditional teach-ing class.In terms of student participation in comprehensive activities,the proportion of 2023 students participating in subject competitions and innovation and entrepreneurship activities has significantly in-creased.In terms of academic performance,the mid-term,laboratory,and final grades of 2023 students are higher than those of 2022 students,with a significant increase in the excellence rate and a significant decrease in the failure rate.The results indicate that the application of AI technology in molecular biology teaching has stimulated students' interest in learning,helped them better understand and master knowl-edge,significantly improved their academic performance.In sum,it has a positive impact on improving teaching quality.

Background:Ideal bowel preparation is the prerequisite for the successful diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy.The retention of intestinal bubbles can seriously affect the clarity of the intestinal mucosa and subsequently decrease the detection rate of colonoscopy.Aims:To investigate the application value of dyclonine hydrochloride mucilage in bowel preparation for colonoscopy.Methods:This study was a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial.Patients who underwent colonoscopy from October 2020 to October 2023 at Hainan West Central Hospital were enrolled and randomly allocated into the dyclonine hydrochloride mucilage group and the control group.3 L polyethylene glycol(PEG)+dyclonine hydrochloride mucilage and 3 L PEG+placebo were given for bowel preparation,respectively.The quality of bowel preparation was evaluated by Boston bowel preparation scale(BBPS)score and bubble score.Furthermore,a questionnaire was conducted.The cecal intubation time,withdrawal time,adenoma detection rate and adverse reaction were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 482 patients who underwent colonoscopy were included.No significant differences in clinical characteristics such as gender,age,body mass index(BMI)and main reasons for colonoscopy were found between the dyclonine hydrochloride mucilage group and the control group(all P>0.05).Compared with the control group,no significant differences existed in total BBPS score and segment scores for right,transverse,and left colon in the dyclonine hydrochloride mucilage group(all P>0.05),but the total bubble score and segment scores for right,transverse,and left colon were significantly decreased(all P<0.001).The withdrawal time in the dyclonine hydrochloride mucilage group was significantly decreased compared to the control group(P<0.001),and the adenoma detection rate was significantly increased(P=0.001).However,no significant differences in cecal intubation time and incidence of adverse reaction were found between the two groups(all P>0.05).Conclusions:Administration of dyclonine hydrochloride mucilage during bowel preparation for colonoscopy can reduce the formation of intestinal bubbles,shorten the withdrawal time and increase the adenoma detection rate.

Objective To investigate the nebulization characteristics of human interferon α1b for injection.To characterize and compare the delivery rate,total drug substance and the aerodynamic characteristics between the two types of nebulizer.Methods Connect two types of nebulizers with a breathing simulator,respectively,and simulate the breathing patterns of an infant and child.Measure the delivery rate,total delivered dose,and delivery uniformity.The aerodynamic properties of human interferon α1b for injection were evaluated by the next generation impactor(NGI).The content of human interferon α1b was quantified by double antibody sandwich ELISA.Results In the three batches of samples in infant mode,the delivery rate and total delivered dose determind by A nebulizer were 0.45,0.49,0.44 μg·min-1,3.06,3.21,3.81 μg,respectcively;and 0.12,0.14,0.16 μg·min-1,0.73,0.73,0.75 μg,respectcively by B nebulizer.In child mode,the delivery rate and total delivered doses determined by A nebulizer were 1.36,1.49,1.20 μg·min-1,7.44,7.17,and 6.54 μg,respectcively;and 0.37,0.36,0.43 μg·min-1,1.66,1.59,and 1.41 μg,respectcively by B nebulizer.In child and infant mode,the ten results of the total drug substance delivered determined by nebulizer A were both between 65%to 135%of the average.The FPD,FPF,MMAD,and GSD determined by A neublizer of three batch samples were 2.48,2.92,2.35 μg,59.0%,57.4%,59.1%,4.18,4.34,4.15 μm,1.94,1.98,2.01,respectively.The FPD,FPF,MMAD and GSD determined by B neublizer of three batches samples were 2.70,3.38,3.06 μg,67.6%,66.4%,66.3%,3.55,3.65,3.68 μm,2.03,2.04,2.06,respectively.Conclusions The data obtained in this research characterized the in vitro nebulization characteristics of human interferon α1b for injection and provided a theoretical basis and reference for in vitro study and clinical practice.The influence of different types of nebulizers on nebulization characteristics was evaluated as well.It is suggested that the quality standard of nebulizers be strictly formulated and the use of nebulizers be standardized.

Objective We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shengxuebao Mixture in the treatment of cancer-related anemia(CRA)presenting with syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood.Methods A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,multicenter clinical trial was conducted.Eligible patients with malignant tumors meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled from 26 hospitals,including Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,Xiaogan Central Hospital,and Yangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,from June 1,2022,to September 30,2024.Patients were allocated 1:1 to either the experimental group receiving Shengxuebao Mixture or the control group receiving its simulator(placebo)using a block randomization method under double-blind conditions.Both groups received 15 mL orally three times daily for 28 consecutive days.The primary efficacy indicators included the hemoglobin(Hb)improvement rate(RHb)and the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome improvement rate(RTCM)at week 4 of treatment.The secondary efficacy indicators encompassed Hb and red blood cell(RBC)count,Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)score,TCM syndrome score,individual TCM symptom scores,and changes in each of these indicators compared to the baseline period at weeks 2,4,and 6 of treatment.Safety evaluations were conducted at week 4 of treatment.Results A total of 239 patients were enrolled,with 225 cases included in the Full Analysis Set(FAS)(109 in the experimental group vs.116 control group),163 in the Per Protocol Set(PPS)(77 vs.86),and 225 in the Safety Set(SS)(109 vs.116).Baseline characteristics between groups showed no significant differences.Significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in RHb at week 4(FAS:49.51%vs.35.24%,P<0.05;PPS:53.25%vs.36.05%,P<0.05)and RTCM at week 4(FAS:61.54%vs.39.62%,P<0.01;PPS:64.94%vs.40.70%,P<0.01).At weeks 2,4,and 6,the experimental group showed greater improvements in Hb and RBC counts than the control group.Additionally,the TCM syndrome scores were lower in the experimental group than in the control group at these time points.Except for week 2 in PPS,the KPS improvement was better in the experimental group than in the control group(P<0.05).The experimental group also demonstrated a greater reduction in scores for individual TCM symptoms such as spiritlessness and weakness,poor appetite and reduced food intake at weeks 4 and 6 compared to the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Furthermore,the reduction in vertigo score was more pronounced in the experimental group at week 6(P<0.01).For the score of pale and lusterless complexion,only in the PPS was the reduction from baseline more significant in the experimental group than in the control group at weeks 4 and 6(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in the incidence of all adverse events or drug-related adverse reactions.Conclusion Shengxuebao Mixture demonstrates significant efficacy in patients with CRA presenting syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood,effectively increasing Hb levels,ameliorating TCM syndromes,alleviating clinical symptoms,and enhancing functional status,with no significant difference in adverse drug reactions compared to the placebo.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and mechanism of action in Jishengshenqi pill combined with dapagliflozin in the treatment of diabetes nephropathy(DN)based on NOD like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflamma tory corpuscles.Methods:140 DN patients were divided into control group(n=70,treated with dapagliflozin)and study group(n=70,treated with Jishengshenqi pill combine with dapagliflozin)used random number table.The TCM syndrome scores,blood glucose index,renal function index,peripheral blood NLRP3 levels,and related factor levels between two groups of patients were compared.Results:The scores of dysuria,fatigue and cold intolerance,edema,soreness and coldness in the waist and knees,abdominal distension,pale complexion and lower five shift diarrhea in the study group after treatment were lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Fasting blood glucose(FBG),serum creatinine(SCr),2-hour postprandial blood glucose(2hPG),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c),NLRP3 messenger RNA(mRNA),and cysteine protease 1(Caspase-1)levels in the study group after treatment were lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:After the treatment of Jishengshenqi pill combined with dapagliflozin in DN patients,the clinical symptoms and blood glucose can be effectively controlled,and renal function can also be improved,it is speculated that this is related to the inhibition of NLRP3 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the activation and amplification of downstream inflammatory pathways.