Aerosol removal using flame-retardant atomized fixatives, as a major means of aerosol control, has achieved remarkable results in the field of nuclear facility decommissioning and decontamination. Traditional atomized fixatives for aerosol removal have deficiencies in high-temperature resistance and flame retardancy, rendering them inadequate for operational scenarios involving high temperatures and flammability encountered during nuclear decommissioning. This paper investigates the current development of flame-retardant atomized fixatives for aerosol removal both domestically and internationally and presents a preliminary exploration of this technology. The experiments showed that atomized fixatives modified with flame-retardant properties not only maintained excellent aerosol capture efficiency, but also exhibited significantly improved flame-retardant performance. This confirmed the technical feasibility of the proposed approach. Finally, suggestions and reflections are proposed for the development of this technology and its application in nuclear facility decommissioning.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of skin adverse events associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy in patients with urologic neoplasms, and establish a predictive model.Methods:A single-center retrospective case-control study enrolled 91 advanced urologic neoplasms patients who received ICI therapy at the Department of Urology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2020 to June 2025. Patients were divided into the skin lesion group ( n=44) and the control group ( n=47). Patients in the skin lesion group experienced related skin adverse events during ICI treatment, while patients in the control group did not experience such events during ICI treatment. The general data and laboratory indicators were compared between the two groups. The normally distributed measurement data were expressed as mean±standard deviation ( ± s), and the independent sample t-test was used for comparison between groups; the non-normally distributed measurement data were expressed as the median (interquartile range) [ M ( Q1, Q3)], and the Kruskal-Wallis test was used for comparison between groups. The count data were expressed as the number of cases and percentages, and the Chi-test was used for comparison between groups. First, a univariate analysis was conducted on the influencing factors of skin adverse events in patients with urologic neoplasms after ICI treatment. Then, the indicators with statistically significant differences in the univariate analysis were further included in the multivariate Logistic regression model to screen the independent risk factors for predicting skin adverse events. The R software was used to incorporate the factors with significant differences from multivariate analysis into the prediction model and construct a Nomogram. The calibration curve was utilized to evaluate the consistency between predicted values and actual observed results. Meanwhile, the discrimination of the model was verified by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC), so as to comprehensively verify the reliability and clinical application value of the prediction model. Results:The results of univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences between the skin lesion group and the control group in terms of the proportion of other immune responses, serum albumin level, absolute eosinophil count, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels ( P<0.05). These factors were included in multivariate Logistic regression, which identified elevated absolute eosinophil count and elevated CRP as the independent risk factors for related skin adverse events in patients with urologic neoplasms after ICI treatment. A predictive nomogram was built based on these factors. The calibration curve showed high consistency between predicted and actual probabilities, and ROC analysis confirmed the combined model had high predictive value (AUC=0.883, P<0.001). Conclusions:Elevated absolute eosinophil count and elevated CRP level are independent predictors of immune-related skin adverse events in urologic neoplasms patients after ICI treatment. The prediction model constructed based on these two factors facilitates early clinical screening and identification of high-risk patients.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of Xingpi capsules （XPC） in treating diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome （IBS-D） with spleen deficiency and elucidate its potential molecular mechanisms. MethodsA rat model of IBS-D with spleen deficiency was established by administering senna leaf in combination with restrained stress and swimming fatigue for 14 d. Ten specific pathogen free （SPF）-grade healthy rats were used as the normal control group. After successful modeling， SPF-grade rats were randomly divided into a model group， a pinaverium bromide group （1.5 mg·kg^-1）， and low- and high-dose XPC groups （0.135 and 0.54 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the normal control group and the model group were given distilled water by gavage， while the remaining groups were administered corresponding drug solutions by gavage once a day for 14 consecutive days. The rat body weights and fecal condition were observed every day， and the Bristol score was recorded. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） in serum and colon tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the microvilli and tight junctions in the colon. The integrity of the colonic barrier， intestinal motility， and expression of related pathway proteins were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， immunohistochemistry， and Western blot. ResultsCompared with those in the normal control group， rats in the model group showed a significantly decreased body weight and increased diarrhea rate， diarrhea grade， and Bristol score （P<0.01）. HE staining revealed incomplete colonic mucosa in the model group， with evident congestion and edema observed. Electron microscopy results indicated decreased density and integrity of the colonic barrier， shedding and disappearance of microvilli， and significant widening of tight junctions. The expression levels of colonic tight junction proteins Occludin and Claudin-5 were downregulated （P<0.01）， and the levels of 5-HT in serum and colon tissue were elevated （P<0.01）. The small intestine propulsion rate significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the expression of contractile proteins Ras homolog family member A （RhoA） and Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2 （ROCK2） in colon and phosphorylation of myosin light chain （MLC₂₀） were upregulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the treatment groups showed alleviated diarrhea， diarrhea-associated symptoms， and pathological manifestations of colon tissue to varying degrees. Specifically， high-dose XPC exhibited effectively relieved diarrhea， promoted recovery of colonic mucosal structure， significantly reduced congestion and edema， upregulated expression of Occludin and Claudin-5 （P<0.01）， decreased levels of 5-HT in serum and colon tissue （P<0.05，P<0.01）， significantly slowed small intestine propulsion rate （P<0.01）， and significantly downregulated expression of contractile proteins RhoA and ROCK2 in colon and phosphorylation of MLC₂₀ （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionXPC effectively alleviates symptoms of spleen deficiency and diarrhea and regulates the secretion of brain-gut peptide. The characteristics of XPC are mainly manifested in alleviating IBS-D with spleen deficiency from the aspects of protecting intestinal mucosa and inhibiting smooth muscle contraction， and the mechanism is closely related to the regulation of the 5-HT-RhoA/ROCK2 pathway expression.

AIM: To explore the therapeutic effect of oral Xuefu Zhuyu Pill combined with intravitreal injection of aflibercept in the treatment of retinal vein occlusion(RVO).METHODS: A total of 80 patients(80 eyes)with RVO admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to March 2024 were prospectively selected. According to the treatment method, they were divided into a control group of 40 patients treated with intravitreal injection of aflibercept, and an observation group of 40 patients treated with oral Xuefu Zhuyu Pill combined with intravitreal injection of aflibercept. The efficacy, TCM syndrome score, retinal microcirculation parameters, macular edema(ME), and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups of patients in the treatment of RVO.RESULTS: All patients have completed follow-up. The clinical effective rate of the observation group after treatment was 95%, obviously higher than that of the control group(80%; χ2=4.114, P=0.043). After treatment for 3 mo, the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores, foveal avascular area(FAZ)area, FAZ circumference, macular central retinal thickness, and neovascularization leakage area of both groups decreased, the overall blood flow density of the superficial capillary plexus(SCP)and deep capillary plexuses(DCP)increased, and the observation group showed better results than the control group(all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of adverse reactions between the two groups during the treatment period(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Oral administration of Xuefu Zhuyu Pill combined with intravitreal injection of aflibercept in the treatment of RVO can improve retinal microcirculation, enhance vision, restore ocular blood circulation, improve bleeding, promote ME absorption, and improve clinical efficacy.

Progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) is a progressive and lethal condition with few effective treatment options. Improvements in quality of life for patients with PPF remain limited even while receiving treatment with approved antifibrotic drugs. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the potential to improve cough, dyspnea and fatigue symptoms of patients with PPF. TCM treatments are typically diverse and individualized, requiring urgent development of efficient and precise design strategies to identify effective treatment options. We designed an innovative Bayesian adaptive two-stage trial, hoping to provide new ideas for the rapid evaluation of the effectiveness of TCM in PPF. An open-label, two-stage, adaptive Bayesian randomized controlled trial will be conducted in China. Based on Bayesian methods, the trial will employ response-adaptive randomization to allocate patients to study groups based on data collected over the course of the trial. The adaptive Bayesian trial design will employ a Bayesian hierarchical model with "stopping" and "continuation" criteria once a predetermined posterior probability of superiority or futility and a decision threshold are reached. The trial can be implemented more efficiently by sharing the master protocol and organizational management mechanisms of the sub-trial we have implemented. The primary patient-reported outcome is a change in the Leicester Cough Questionnaire score, reflecting an improvement in cough-specific quality of life. The adaptive Bayesian trial design may be a promising method to facilitate the rapid clinical evaluation of TCM effectiveness for PPF, and will provide an example for how to evaluate TCM effectiveness in rare and refractory diseases. However, due to the complexity of the trial implementation, sufficient simulation analysis by professional statistical analysts is required to construct a Bayesian response-adaptive randomization procedure for timely response. Moreover, detailed standard operating procedures need to be developed to ensure the feasibility of the trial implementation. Please cite this article as: Zhang C, Nie YS, Zhang CT, Yang HJ, Zhang HR, Xiao W, Cui GF, Li J, Li SJ, Huang QS, Yan SY. An adaptive Bayesian randomized controlled trial of traditional Chinese medicine in progressive pulmonary fibrosis: Rationale and study design. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(2): 138-145.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Bayes Theorem ; Disease Progression ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Pulmonary Fibrosis/therapy* ; Quality of Life ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Research Design ; Adaptive Clinical Trials as Topic

OBJECTIVE: The results of limited studies on the relationship between environmental pollution and dementia have been contradictory. We analyzed the combined effects of PM _2.5 and smoking on the prevalence of dementia and cognitive impairment in an elderly community-dwelling Chinese population. METHODS: We assessed 24,117 individuals along with the annual average PM _2.5 concentrations from 2012 to 2016. Dementia was confirmed in the baseline survey at a qualified clinical facility, and newly suspected dementia was assessed in 2017, after excluding cases of suspected dementia in 2015. National census data were used to weight the sample data to reflect the entire population in China, with multiple logistic regression performed to analyze the combined effects of PM _2.5 and smoking frequency on dementia and cognitive impairment. RESULTS: Individuals exposed to the highest PM _2.5 concentration and smoked daily were at higher risk of dementia than those in the lowest PM _2.5 concentration group ( OR, 1.603; 95% CI [1.626-1.635], P < 0.0001) and in the nonsmoking group ( OR, 1.248; 95% CI [1.244-1.252]; P < 0.0001). Moderate PM _2.5 exposure and occasional smoking together increased the short-term risk of cognitive impairment. High-level PM _2.5 exposure and smoking were associated with an increased risk of dementia, so more efforts are needed to reduce this risk through environmental protection and antismoking campaigns. CONCLUSION High-level PM _2.5 exposure and smoking were associated with an increased risk of dementia. Lowering the ambient PM _2.5, and smoking cessation are recommended to promote health.
Humans ; Dementia/etiology* ; Male ; Aged ; Female ; Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Smoking/epidemiology* ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Prevalence ; Middle Aged

Ferroptosis has received great attention as an iron-dependent programmed cell death for efficient cancer therapy. However, with the accumulation of iron in tumor cells, the antioxidant system is activated by reducing glutathione (GSH) with glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), which critically limits the ferroptosis therapeutic effect. Herein, an iron and GPX4 silencing siRNA (siGPX4) co-encapsulated ferritin nanocage (HFn@Fe/siGPX4) was developed to enhance ferroptosis by disruption of redox homeostasis and inhibition of antioxidant enzyme synergistically. The siGPX4 were loaded into the nanocages by pre-incubated with iron, which could significantly improve the loading efficiency of the gene drugs when compared with the reported gene drug loading strategy by ferritin nanocages. And more iron was overloaded into the ferritin through the diffusion method. When HFn@Fe/siGPX4 was taken up by human breast cancer cell MCF-7 in a TfR1-mediated pathway, the excess iron ions in the drug delivery system could for one thing induce ferroptosis by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), for another promote siGPX4 escaping from the lysosome to exert gene silencing effect more effectively. Both the in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that HFn@Fe/siGPX4 could significantly inhibit tumor growth by synergistical ferroptosis. Thus, the developed HFn@Fe/siGPX4 afforded a combined ferroptosis strategy for ferroptosis-based antitumor as well as a novel and efficient gene drug delivery system.

This report described a pregnancy and delivery in a 28-year-old patient with methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) cblC type. The diagnosis was established during the perioperative period of thrombectomy for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, when hyperhomocystei-nemia was detected. Further investigation confirmed MMA with MMACHC gene variants c.80A>G (paternal) and c.609G>A (maternal), consistent with the cblC subtype. During pregnancy, the patient continued supplementation with hydroxocobalamin, levocarnitine, and betaine while maintaining a normal diet without protein restriction. Both the metabolic disease and fetal growth remained well-controlled. Unexplained vomiting occurred at 32?1 weeks of gestation, leading to cesarean delivery at 33?1 weeks. Postoperative recovery was uneventful with resolution of vomiting. The newborn was discharged after four weeks of neonatal care and demonstrated normal growth during follow-up. As adult MMA patients may pursue pregnancy, and evidence-based guidelines for management during gestation are limited, further case reports are needed to accumulate experience.

Objective·To explore the mechanism at the atomic level by which the KRASG12D/R68G mutation induces tumor cell resistance to MRTX1133.Methods·The crystal structure data of the KRASG12D-MRTX1133 complex were obtained from the RCSB Protein Data Bank(PDB).PyMOL software was used to mutate arginine at position 68 of KRAS to glycine(R68G),constructing the initial conformations of the KRASG12D-MRTX1133 and KRASG12D/R68G-MRTX1133 complexes.The LEaP module was used to build simulation systems under periodic boundary conditions.The ff19SB force field was applied to standard amino acids in KRAS,GAFF(general AMBER force field)to MRTX1133,and TIP3P(intermolecular potential three point)to water molecules.Energy minimization was performed using the Amber software suite.The systems were then heated to 300 K,followed by NVT(constant volume and temperature)equilibration and NPT(constant pressure and temperature)production.Root mean square deviation(RMSD),root mean square fluctuation(RMSF),principal component analysis(PCA)and solvent-accessible surface area(SASA)of MRTX1133 and GDP were analyzed using cpptraj.The number of hydrogen bonds between regions and the dynamic cross-correlation matrix(DCCM)of amino acid movements were also calculated.Results·RMSD analysis showed greater structural variation in KRAS in the KRASG12D/R68G system compared to the KRASG12D system.RMSF analysis revealed significantly higher fluctuations in the Switch Ⅰ and Switch Ⅱ regions of the KRASG12D/R68G system.PCA indicated that Switch Ⅰ and Switch Ⅱ in the KRASG12D/R68G system were more frequently in an open conformation.The distances between Switch Ⅰ and the P-loop,and between Switch Ⅱ and the P-loop,were larger in the KRASG12D/R68G system,indicating an expanded binding pocket for GDP and MRTX1133 compared to the KRASG12D system.SASA analysis indicated that both GDP and MRTX1133 had increased solvent exposure in the KRASG12D/R68G system.DCCM analysis revealed more decoupled movements among the Switch Ⅰ,Switch Ⅱ and P-loop regions in the KRASG12D/R68G system.Conclusion·The KRASG12D/R68G mutation disrupts the interactions between the Switch Ⅰ and Switch Ⅱregions,leading to their separation and the opening of the MRTX1133 binding pocket.This increases the solvent exposure of MRTX1133,accelerates its dissociation,and ultimately results in KRASG12D/R68G resistance to MRTX1133.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of Formononetin on mice with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP)by regulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)/nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway.Methods Six-week-old SPF-grade male BALB/c mice were selected.The MPP mouse model was established as the model group by instillating Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacterial solution through the nose.On the second day after successful modeling,mice were intraperitoneally injected with 15,30,and 60 mg/kg of Formononetin and 60 mg/kg of Formononetin+20 mg/kg of Anisomycin respectively as the low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose Formononetin groups and the high-dose Formononetin+Anisomycin group,with 12 mice in each group.Another 12 mice were intraperitoneally injected with the same amount of 0.9％sodium chloride injection as the control group.The cough frequency of mice in each group was detected through the cough induction test.The partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PCO2)and partial pressure of oxygen(PO2)in each group of mice were detected by a blood gas analyzer,and the oxygenation index(OI)was calculated.The levels of inflammatory factors in each group were detected by ELISA,and the apoptosis of lung tissue cells in each group of mice was detected by TUNEL.HE staining was performed to observe the pathological changes of lung tissues in each group.The expression of MAPK/NF-κB pathway-related proteins in the lung tissues of mice in each group was detected by Western blot method.Results The lung tissue morphology of the mice in the control group was normal.The alveolar ducts and alveolar structures of mice in the model group were damaged,the alveolar septa thickened,and there was a large amount of inflammatory cell infiltration.Compared with the model group,the lung tissue morphology was improved in the low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose Formononetin groups.The lung tissue injury in the high-dose Formononetin+Anisamycin group was more severe compared with the high-dose Formononetin group.Compared with the control group,the cough latency period in the model group was shortened,and PO2,OI,and interleukin-10(IL-10)were decreased,while the frequency of coughing,PCO2,interleukin-18(IL-18),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),apoptosis rate,and the ratios of p-P38 MAPK/P38 MAPK,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65,p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2)/ERK1/2,and p-C-jun N-terminal kinase(p-JNK)/JNK increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the low-,medium-and high-dose Formononetin groups had improved lung tissue morphology,prolonged cough latency,increased PO2,OI and IL-10,and reduced cough frequency.The PCO2,IL-18,TNF-α,apoptosis rate,and the ratios of p-p38 MAPK/P38 MAPK,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65,ERK1/2/ERK1/2,and p-JNK/JNK decreased(P＜0.05).In the low-,medium-,and high-dose Formononetin groups,with the increase of Formononetin dose,the cough latency gradually prolonged,the cough frequency gradually decreased,and the PO2,oxygenation index,and IL-10 gradually increased.The PCO2,IL-18,TNF-α,apoptosis rate and the ratios of p-p38 MAPK/P38 MAPK,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65,p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2,and p-JNK/JNK gradually decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the high-dose Formononetin group,the high-dose Formononetin+Anisamycin group had shorter cough latency,lower PO2,OI and IL-10.The frequency of coughing,PCO2,IL-18,TNF-α,apoptosis rate,and the ratios of p-p38 MAPK/P38 MAPK,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65,p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2,and p-JNK/JNK increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Formononetin may improve lung injury in MPP mice by inhibiting the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.