Objective To investigate the mechanism of action of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)signaling pathway in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),and to explore the mechanism of Gegen QinLian Decoction for the treatment of NAFLD,using in vivo and in vitro experiments.Methods Rats were fed with high-fat chow for 24 weeks to induce NAFLD,and were then divided randomly into normal(C),model(M),high-,medium-,and low-dose Gegen QinLian Decoction(GGQLT-H,GGQLT-M,GGQLT-L),and metformin(Met)groups.From week 25 onwards,the rats were administered the corresponding drugs by gavage for 2 weeks according to the grouping,until sampling.Levels of the oxidative stress markers malondialdehyde(MDA)and glutathione(GSH)in the liver tissues were measured in each group using biochemical kits and ferrous iron(Fe2+)in rat liver tissues was detected using a Fe2+kit.Nrf2,heme oxygenase-1(HO-1),SLC7A11,glutathione synthetase(GSS),GPX4,and acyl coenzyme A synthetase 4(ACSL4)mRNA levels in rat liver tissues were measured by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction.For cellular experiments lipid acc umulation was induced in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells using 1 mmol/L free fatty acid,to mimic the NAFLD in vitro model.Different concentrations of Gegen QinLian Decoction and metformin-containing serum were added for treatment.Lipid accumulation was detected in the cells in each group by Oil red O staining.The MDA and GSH contents of HepG2 cells in the different groups were determined using appropriate kits,and the ferrous contents were detected using a cell-specific ferrous kit.Expression levels of Nrf2,HO-1,SLC7A11,GSS,GPX4,and ACSL4 mRNA was detected in each group of cells using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Results In the animal experiments,MDA and Fe2+liver levels were significantly higher in the M group than in the C group,while GSH levels were significantly lower(P＜0.01).GGQLT-H,GGQLT-M and Met groups showed significantly reduced MDA and Fe2+and elevated GSH levels compared with the M group(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).High-and medium-dose Gegen QinLian Decoction and metformin increased Nrf2,HO-1,GSS,and GPX4 mRNA and decreased ACSL4 mRNA expression levels(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).In cellular experiments,lipid droplets were significantly increased in the HepG2 cell M group compared with those in the C group,and lipid droplets were significantly reduced by Gegen QinLian Decoction and metformin.MDA and Fe2+levels were significantly increased and GSH levels were significantly decreased in the HepG2 M group compared with the levels in the C group(P＜0.01),while all doses of Gegen QinLian Decoction and metformin significantly decreased MDA and Fe2+levels(P＜0.01)and increased the GSH content(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Nrf2,GSS,GPX4,and SLC7A11 mRNA expression levels in the GGQLT-H group,Nrf2,HO-1,and SLC7A11 in the GGQLT-L group,HO-1,SLC7A11,and GSS in the GGQLT-M group,and GSS,Nrf2,and HO-1 in the Met group were all significantly increased compared with the findings in the M group(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).ACSL4 mRNA expression levels were significantly decreased in the GGQLT-M and GGQLT-L groups and the Met group(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Conclusions Gegen QinLian Decoction can improve NAFLD by inhibiting ferroptosis,and its mechanism may he related to regulation of the Nrf2/SLC7A 11/GPX4 signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the expressions of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) homeobox A11 antisense RNA (HOXA11-AS) and lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 antisense RNA 1 (LEF1-AS1) in hypopharyngeal carcinoma tissues and their relationships with prognosis.Methods:Prospectively, 80 patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma who were treated in Handan Central Hospital from February 2019 to February 2021 were selected. The hypopharyngeal carcinoma tissues resected surgically and the adjacent normal tissues (more than 2 cm away from the edge of the cancer tissue) were obtained. The expressions of HOXA11-AS and LEF1-AS1 were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The expressions of HOXA11-AS and LEF1-AS1 in hypopharyngeal carcinoma tissues and adjacent normal tissues were compared. The relationships between their expressions and clinicopathological features were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the relationships between high/low expressions of HOXA11-AS and LEF1-AS1 and the prognosis of patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma.Results:The expressions of HOXA11-AS and LEF1-AS1 in hypopharyngeal carcinoma tissues were higher than those in adjacent normal tissues (all P<0.05). The expressions of HOXA11-AS and LEF1-AS1 in hypopharyngeal carcinoma tissues were related to tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, degree of differentiation, and lymph node metastasis (all P<0.05). The 3-year overall survival rates of patients with high expressions of HOXA11-AS and LEF1-AS1 in hypopharyngeal carcinoma tissues were lower than those of patients with low expressions (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The expressions of HOXA11-AS and LEF1-AS1 are increased in hypopharyngeal carcinoma tissues, which are related to poor prognosis of patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background and Aims:Rhabdoid carcinoma of the colon(RCC)is an exceptionally rare and highly aggressive malignancy characterized by early metastasis and poor prognosis,with no standardized treatment available.We report a case of ascending colon RCC and summarize previously published cases to improve understanding of its clinicopathologic and molecular features.Methods:The clinical data,imaging,pathology,and immunohistochemistry of one patient treated at Xiangya Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.In addition,36 published RCC cases were systematically reviewed.Clinical characteristics,tumor location,immunophenotype,molecular alterations,treatments,and survival outcomes were extracted and summarized.Results:A 71-year-old man presented with abdominal distension,pain,and altered bowel habits.Imaging and colonoscopy indicated an obstructing ascending colon mass.Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy was performed.Pathology revealed poorly differentiated RCC infiltrating the serosa with 4/21 lymph-node metastases.Immunohistochemistry showed AE1/AE3(+),vimentin(+),CDX2(-),CK20(-),and Ki-67(80%+),with retained INI1 expression.Genetic testing indicated KRAS mutation and wild-type BRAFV600E.The patient received no adjuvant therapy and died of peritoneal metastasis within 3 months.Including this case,37 RCC patients(male to female ratio=1.3∶1;mean age 66 years)have been documented.Sixty-two percent of tumors were right-sided.Most exhibited rhabdoid morphology with diffuse vimentin positivity(97.06%)and AE1/AE3 positivity(100.00%),while CDX2 was negative in 85.71%.BRAFV600E mutation was present in 65.00%,and KRAS mutation in 22.73%of tested cases.Among 28 patients with MMR data,60.71%were pMMR and 39.29%dMMR.Although surgery was the primary treatment,78.79%of patients died within 1 year(median survival 6.0 months),with only a few long-term survivors following adjuvant chemotherapy or immunotherapy.Conclusion:RCC is a rapidly progressive colorectal malignancy with extremely poor prognosis and limited response to conventional chemotherapy.Tumor dedifferentiation,INI1 deficiency,and alterations in KRAS/BRAF-MAPK signaling may contribute to its pathogenesis.Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment,but incorporation of immunotherapy,targeted agents,and radiotherapy may offer potential benefits.Further studies are urgently needed to define effective therapeutic strategies.

Objective:To explore the expressions of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) homeobox A11 antisense RNA (HOXA11-AS) and lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 antisense RNA 1 (LEF1-AS1) in hypopharyngeal carcinoma tissues and their relationships with prognosis.Methods:Prospectively, 80 patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma who were treated in Handan Central Hospital from February 2019 to February 2021 were selected. The hypopharyngeal carcinoma tissues resected surgically and the adjacent normal tissues (more than 2 cm away from the edge of the cancer tissue) were obtained. The expressions of HOXA11-AS and LEF1-AS1 were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The expressions of HOXA11-AS and LEF1-AS1 in hypopharyngeal carcinoma tissues and adjacent normal tissues were compared. The relationships between their expressions and clinicopathological features were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the relationships between high/low expressions of HOXA11-AS and LEF1-AS1 and the prognosis of patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma.Results:The expressions of HOXA11-AS and LEF1-AS1 in hypopharyngeal carcinoma tissues were higher than those in adjacent normal tissues (all P<0.05). The expressions of HOXA11-AS and LEF1-AS1 in hypopharyngeal carcinoma tissues were related to tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, degree of differentiation, and lymph node metastasis (all P<0.05). The 3-year overall survival rates of patients with high expressions of HOXA11-AS and LEF1-AS1 in hypopharyngeal carcinoma tissues were lower than those of patients with low expressions (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The expressions of HOXA11-AS and LEF1-AS1 are increased in hypopharyngeal carcinoma tissues, which are related to poor prognosis of patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of action of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)signaling pathway in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),and to explore the mechanism of Gegen QinLian Decoction for the treatment of NAFLD,using in vivo and in vitro experiments.Methods Rats were fed with high-fat chow for 24 weeks to induce NAFLD,and were then divided randomly into normal(C),model(M),high-,medium-,and low-dose Gegen QinLian Decoction(GGQLT-H,GGQLT-M,GGQLT-L),and metformin(Met)groups.From week 25 onwards,the rats were administered the corresponding drugs by gavage for 2 weeks according to the grouping,until sampling.Levels of the oxidative stress markers malondialdehyde(MDA)and glutathione(GSH)in the liver tissues were measured in each group using biochemical kits and ferrous iron(Fe2+)in rat liver tissues was detected using a Fe2+kit.Nrf2,heme oxygenase-1(HO-1),SLC7A11,glutathione synthetase(GSS),GPX4,and acyl coenzyme A synthetase 4(ACSL4)mRNA levels in rat liver tissues were measured by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction.For cellular experiments lipid acc umulation was induced in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells using 1 mmol/L free fatty acid,to mimic the NAFLD in vitro model.Different concentrations of Gegen QinLian Decoction and metformin-containing serum were added for treatment.Lipid accumulation was detected in the cells in each group by Oil red O staining.The MDA and GSH contents of HepG2 cells in the different groups were determined using appropriate kits,and the ferrous contents were detected using a cell-specific ferrous kit.Expression levels of Nrf2,HO-1,SLC7A11,GSS,GPX4,and ACSL4 mRNA was detected in each group of cells using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Results In the animal experiments,MDA and Fe2+liver levels were significantly higher in the M group than in the C group,while GSH levels were significantly lower(P＜0.01).GGQLT-H,GGQLT-M and Met groups showed significantly reduced MDA and Fe2+and elevated GSH levels compared with the M group(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).High-and medium-dose Gegen QinLian Decoction and metformin increased Nrf2,HO-1,GSS,and GPX4 mRNA and decreased ACSL4 mRNA expression levels(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).In cellular experiments,lipid droplets were significantly increased in the HepG2 cell M group compared with those in the C group,and lipid droplets were significantly reduced by Gegen QinLian Decoction and metformin.MDA and Fe2+levels were significantly increased and GSH levels were significantly decreased in the HepG2 M group compared with the levels in the C group(P＜0.01),while all doses of Gegen QinLian Decoction and metformin significantly decreased MDA and Fe2+levels(P＜0.01)and increased the GSH content(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Nrf2,GSS,GPX4,and SLC7A11 mRNA expression levels in the GGQLT-H group,Nrf2,HO-1,and SLC7A11 in the GGQLT-L group,HO-1,SLC7A11,and GSS in the GGQLT-M group,and GSS,Nrf2,and HO-1 in the Met group were all significantly increased compared with the findings in the M group(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).ACSL4 mRNA expression levels were significantly decreased in the GGQLT-M and GGQLT-L groups and the Met group(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Conclusions Gegen QinLian Decoction can improve NAFLD by inhibiting ferroptosis,and its mechanism may he related to regulation of the Nrf2/SLC7A 11/GPX4 signaling pathway.

Background and Aims:Rhabdoid carcinoma of the colon(RCC)is an exceptionally rare and highly aggressive malignancy characterized by early metastasis and poor prognosis,with no standardized treatment available.We report a case of ascending colon RCC and summarize previously published cases to improve understanding of its clinicopathologic and molecular features.Methods:The clinical data,imaging,pathology,and immunohistochemistry of one patient treated at Xiangya Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.In addition,36 published RCC cases were systematically reviewed.Clinical characteristics,tumor location,immunophenotype,molecular alterations,treatments,and survival outcomes were extracted and summarized.Results:A 71-year-old man presented with abdominal distension,pain,and altered bowel habits.Imaging and colonoscopy indicated an obstructing ascending colon mass.Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy was performed.Pathology revealed poorly differentiated RCC infiltrating the serosa with 4/21 lymph-node metastases.Immunohistochemistry showed AE1/AE3(+),vimentin(+),CDX2(-),CK20(-),and Ki-67(80%+),with retained INI1 expression.Genetic testing indicated KRAS mutation and wild-type BRAFV600E.The patient received no adjuvant therapy and died of peritoneal metastasis within 3 months.Including this case,37 RCC patients(male to female ratio=1.3∶1;mean age 66 years)have been documented.Sixty-two percent of tumors were right-sided.Most exhibited rhabdoid morphology with diffuse vimentin positivity(97.06%)and AE1/AE3 positivity(100.00%),while CDX2 was negative in 85.71%.BRAFV600E mutation was present in 65.00%,and KRAS mutation in 22.73%of tested cases.Among 28 patients with MMR data,60.71%were pMMR and 39.29%dMMR.Although surgery was the primary treatment,78.79%of patients died within 1 year(median survival 6.0 months),with only a few long-term survivors following adjuvant chemotherapy or immunotherapy.Conclusion:RCC is a rapidly progressive colorectal malignancy with extremely poor prognosis and limited response to conventional chemotherapy.Tumor dedifferentiation,INI1 deficiency,and alterations in KRAS/BRAF-MAPK signaling may contribute to its pathogenesis.Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment,but incorporation of immunotherapy,targeted agents,and radiotherapy may offer potential benefits.Further studies are urgently needed to define effective therapeutic strategies.

Objective:To explore the binary coping experience of elderly patients with chronic non-specific low back pain and their spouse caregivers, and provide reference for targeted intervention strategies.Methods:A purposive sampling method was used to select 12 patients with low back pain and their spouses who received treatment in the spinal surgery department of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital from December 2023 to February 2024 as the research subjects. Phenomenological research methods in qualitative research were used for semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis was used to summarize data and extract themes.Results:Totally 12 patients aged 60-75 years old, 4 males and 8 females; 12 spouses aged 56-78. Based on the binary coping system interaction model, two themes and nine sub themes were extracted: negative coping (disasters, mutual negation, questioning fate, derivative marital conflicts) and positive coping (taking responsibility, mutual support, mutual comfort, looking forward to the future, open and constructive communication).Conclusions:Elderly patients with chronic non-specific low back pain and their spouse caregivers have both positive and negative coping strategies. Medical workers need to attach importance to providing positive binary coping guidance to patients and their spouses, while also intervening in the coping strategies of both spouses, so that they can better cope with the disease and improve the clinical outcomes of patients.

Objective:This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety between high-dose intravenous iron and oral iron in treating iron deficiency anemia (IDA) .Methods:This prospective randomized controlled study (1∶1) enrolled 338 patients with IDA at The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou Hongci Hematology Hospital, and Huai’an Second People’s Hospital from June 1, 2022, to January 19, 2024. Of all the patients, 169 received high-dose intravenous iron therapy and 169 received oral iron treatment for 12 weeks of observation. Focus on the hemoglobin (HGB) change from baseline to week 4, secondary focus was on the HGB and iron metabolism parameters (serum iron [SI], transferrin saturation [TSAT], total iron binding force [TIBC], serum ferritin [SF]), and changes in the fatigue score, efficacy, and treatment-related adverse effects were monitored throughout in the two treatment groups.Results:The HGB levels were improved in both treatments, but the HGB improved faster in the intravenous group compared with the oral group. HGB increased from (76.8±15.0) g/L to (118.0±13.3) g/L in the intravenous group and from (77.9±11.6) g/L to (104.3±15.0) g/L in the oral group after 4 weeks of treatment. The increase from baseline in the intravenous group (40.7±17.3) g/L was significantly higher than that in the oral group (27.2±17.5) g/L ( P<0.001). The intravenous group demonstrated a more significant early effect than the oral group in terms of iron metabolism parameter improvement. SI, TSAT, TBIC, and SF increased better from baseline at 4 weeks in the intravenous group than in the oral group ( P<0.001). Additionally, the intravenous group exhibited better fatigue scores for early improvement than the oral group ( P<0.001). The incidence of total adverse effects was similar in the intravenous group as compared to the oral group (3.5% [6/169] vs 5.9% [10/169], P=0.442) . Conclusion:High doses of intravenous iron quickly boost HGB early, causing rapid improvement in SI, TSAT, TBIC, SF, and patient fatigue scores. The patient was well tolerated.

Objective:To explore the binary coping experience of elderly patients with chronic non-specific low back pain and their spouse caregivers, and provide reference for targeted intervention strategies.Methods:A purposive sampling method was used to select 12 patients with low back pain and their spouses who received treatment in the spinal surgery department of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital from December 2023 to February 2024 as the research subjects. Phenomenological research methods in qualitative research were used for semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis was used to summarize data and extract themes.Results:Totally 12 patients aged 60-75 years old, 4 males and 8 females; 12 spouses aged 56-78. Based on the binary coping system interaction model, two themes and nine sub themes were extracted: negative coping (disasters, mutual negation, questioning fate, derivative marital conflicts) and positive coping (taking responsibility, mutual support, mutual comfort, looking forward to the future, open and constructive communication).Conclusions:Elderly patients with chronic non-specific low back pain and their spouse caregivers have both positive and negative coping strategies. Medical workers need to attach importance to providing positive binary coping guidance to patients and their spouses, while also intervening in the coping strategies of both spouses, so that they can better cope with the disease and improve the clinical outcomes of patients.

Background In recent years, radiation diagnosis and treatment technology has been increasingly applied and popularized in the medical field, and the status of radiation health protection has attracted widespread attention. Objective To understand the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of radiological health protection in radiation workers in Jiading District of Shanghai. Methods Convenience sampling method was used to select 441 radiation workers from 33 medical institutions in Jiading District, Shanghai to conduct a questionnaire survey from May to August 2023. Basic information and radiation protection associated knowledge, attitude, and behavior were collected from the study participants, and the scores of knowledge, attitude, and behavior were calculated. Factors affecting the behavior were evaluated by multiple linear regression. Results A total of 441 subjects were included in this study, with an age range of 22-71 years, 53.06% male and 46.94% female. In terms of knowledge, the correct response rate of the study subjects to the seven questions on the basics of radiation protection ranged from 44.22%-96.60%, with the lowest rate of 44.22% for the question on "radiation stochastic effect diseases". The subjects acquired knowledge about radiation hygiene mainly through vocational training (98.41%), and wanted to acquire knowledge mainly about the basics of nuclear and radiation (76.42%). In terms of attitude, the recognition level (strongly agree/agree) of the study subjects on the six attitude questions ranged from 73.47% to 96.37%, in which only 56.92% of the radiological staff at tertiary hospitals believed that the radiation dose they were exposed to at work would be hazardous to their health, and 73.85% believed that it was necessary to participate in training on knowledge of radiological protection, both lower than those in other levels of hospitals. In terms of behavior, the implementation rate (always/often) of the five behavioral questions by the study participants ranged from 75.28% to 91.84%, and there was a statistically significant difference in the total behavioral scores of the study participants by levels of hospitals (P=0.015). The results of multiple linear regression showed that gender, age, and radiation work permit associated with the behavioral scores of the study subjects. Conclusion In Jiading District, Shanghai, the coginitive rate of radiation workers' basic knowledge of theoretical protection still needs to be improved, and occupational training should be carried out in a targeted manner; the attitude of radiation workers varies by levels of hospitals, and the publicity and education of workers at tertiary hospitals in particular should be strengthened; and the supervision and management of male, senior, and non-certified radiation workers in hospitals of different levels should be enhanced.