Objective To investigate the effects of fractionated low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR) on the ferroptosis in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells as well as the associated differentially expressed genes (DEGs), biological processes, and signaling pathways. Methods HBE cells were exposed to different single doses of X-ray irradiation (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mGy) for 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. The change in cell viability was detected by MTT assay. Cells were irradiated with 0, 25, 50, and 100 mGy X-rays 5 times, with 48 h between each irradiation and a dose rate of 50 mGy/min. Cells were harvested 24 h after irradiation for the measurement of the expression of ferroptosis-related genes SLC7A11 and GPX4 at the mRNA and protein levels, cellular iron content, and the expression of FTH1 and FTL mRNAs. High-throughput sequencing was used to screen for the DEGs in each dose group, followed by Gene Ontology-Biological Process (GO-BP) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). Results Compared with the control group, single-dose LDIR significantly increased cell proliferation at 75 mGy after 24 h (P < 0.05), at 50, 75, and 100 mGy after 48 h (P < 0.05), and at 75 and 100 mGy after 72 h (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, at the end of the fifth fractionated LDIR, SLC7A11 and GPX4 mRNAs decreased at all doses (P < 0.05), SLC7A11 protein decreased at all doses, GPX4 protein decreased at 25 and 100 mGy, iron content increased at all doses, and FTH1 and FTL mRNAs decreased at all doses (P< 0.05). Sequencing analysis identified 248, 30, and 291 DEGs and 10, 2, and 9 ferroptosis-associated genes at the three doses compared to the control. Gene Ontology-Biological Process analysis showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in biological processes such as response to lipids, cell death, and response to unfolded proteins. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, lipids and atherosclerosis, ferroptosis, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, and FoxO signaling pathway. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in ferroptosis, fatty acid degradation, and glutathione metabolism. Conclusion Fractionated low-dose radiation induced ferroptosis in HBE cells, and DEGs were predominantly enriched in biological processes and signaling pathways related to inflammation, ferroptosis, and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Objective:To investigate the application value of scenario simulation combined with standardized patient teaching in the training of doctor-patient communication skills among interns.Methods:A total of 110 clinical medicine interns were selected from Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and were divided into experimental group and control group using a random number table, with 55 interns in each group. The interns in the control group received traditional lecturing, and those in the experimental group received scenario simulation combined with standardized patient case-based teaching. The SEGUE Communication Skill Evaluation Scale and Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire were used to assess the improvement in communication skills in both groups, and Physician Self-Evaluation Scale and Course Satisfaction Questionnaire were used to assess the effectiveness of the course and the degree of satisfaction with the course. SPSS 26.0 was used for the t-test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and the rank sum test. Results:After training, both groups showed significant improvements in communication skills and patient satisfaction [experimental group in terms of communication skills: (55.38±13.11) vs. (74.82±6.75), P<0.001; experimental group in terms of patient satisfaction: 39.00 (39.00, 42.00) vs. 81.00 (79.00, 83.00), P<0.01; control group in terms of communication skills: (56.53±12.34) vs. (65.45±10.18), P<0.001; control group in terms of patient satisfaction: 39.00 (39.00, 42.00) vs. 73.00 (68.00, 77.00), P<0.001], and the experimental group had significantly higher scores than the control group [communication skills: (74.82±6.75) vs. (65.45±10.18), P<0.001; patient satisfaction: 81.00 (79.00, 83.00) vs. 73.00 (68.00, 77.00), P<0.001]. The Physician Self-Evaluation Scale showed that the experimental group had a significant improvement compared with the control group ( P<0.05). The results of the Course Satisfaction Questionnaire showed that the degree of overall satisfaction of the course was only 87.28% in the control group, while all the interns in the experimental group were satisfied with the course ( P<0.001); the new teaching method showed great advantages ( P<0.001). Conclusions:In the training of doctor-patient communication skills among interns, the application of scenario simulation combined with standardized patient case-based teaching can significantly improve their abilities of the application of knowledge application, humanistic concern, and communication skills, and therefore, it is an effective and promising method for the training of doctor-patient communication skills.

Objective:To investigate differential gene expression, enriched biological processes, and pathway differences between residents of a high-background radiation area (HBRA), Yangjiang, and a control area—Enping.Methods:Seven residents were selected from the HBRA (the HBRA group) and seven from the control area (the control group) using the two-stage random sampling method. The cumulative radiation dose for each individual was calculated based on the ambient gamma exposure levels. Peripheral blood samples were collected and analyzed via high-throughput sequencing to identify differentially expressed genes. Subsequent analyses included gene ontology (GO) for biological process (BP), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA).Results:The median ages of the HBRA and control groups had no statistically significant difference ( P = 0.370). The cumulative external doses for the HBRA and control groups were (99.59±20.07) and (33.82±10.61) mSv, respectively. This difference was statistically significant ( t = -5.88, P = 0.001). High-throughput sequencing identified 1 224 differentially expressed genes in the HBRA group, including 32 senescence-related genes, compared to the control group. The result of GO-BP analysis showed that these genes were predominantly enriched in cell signaling, biosynthesis, localization, cell cycle regulation, and cellular stress responses. KEGG analysis revealed significant enrichment in the chemokine and MAPK signaling pathways, as well as in pathways related to the cell cycle, autophagy, and mitophagy. Furthermore, GSEA analysis confirmed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly related to cell cycle regulation and mitochondrial functions. Conclusions:Differentially expressed mRNAs are found in the peripheral blood of residents in the HBRA. These mRNAs are predominantly associated with key biological processes and pathways, including cell cycle regulation, chemokine and MAPK signaling pathways, and mitophagy.

Objective:To investigate differential gene expression, enriched biological processes, and pathway differences between residents of a high-background radiation area (HBRA), Yangjiang, and a control area—Enping.Methods:Seven residents were selected from the HBRA (the HBRA group) and seven from the control area (the control group) using the two-stage random sampling method. The cumulative radiation dose for each individual was calculated based on the ambient gamma exposure levels. Peripheral blood samples were collected and analyzed via high-throughput sequencing to identify differentially expressed genes. Subsequent analyses included gene ontology (GO) for biological process (BP), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA).Results:The median ages of the HBRA and control groups had no statistically significant difference ( P = 0.370). The cumulative external doses for the HBRA and control groups were (99.59±20.07) and (33.82±10.61) mSv, respectively. This difference was statistically significant ( t = -5.88, P = 0.001). High-throughput sequencing identified 1 224 differentially expressed genes in the HBRA group, including 32 senescence-related genes, compared to the control group. The result of GO-BP analysis showed that these genes were predominantly enriched in cell signaling, biosynthesis, localization, cell cycle regulation, and cellular stress responses. KEGG analysis revealed significant enrichment in the chemokine and MAPK signaling pathways, as well as in pathways related to the cell cycle, autophagy, and mitophagy. Furthermore, GSEA analysis confirmed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly related to cell cycle regulation and mitochondrial functions. Conclusions:Differentially expressed mRNAs are found in the peripheral blood of residents in the HBRA. These mRNAs are predominantly associated with key biological processes and pathways, including cell cycle regulation, chemokine and MAPK signaling pathways, and mitophagy.

Objective:To investigate the application value of scenario simulation combined with standardized patient teaching in the training of doctor-patient communication skills among interns.Methods:A total of 110 clinical medicine interns were selected from Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and were divided into experimental group and control group using a random number table, with 55 interns in each group. The interns in the control group received traditional lecturing, and those in the experimental group received scenario simulation combined with standardized patient case-based teaching. The SEGUE Communication Skill Evaluation Scale and Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire were used to assess the improvement in communication skills in both groups, and Physician Self-Evaluation Scale and Course Satisfaction Questionnaire were used to assess the effectiveness of the course and the degree of satisfaction with the course. SPSS 26.0 was used for the t-test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and the rank sum test. Results:After training, both groups showed significant improvements in communication skills and patient satisfaction [experimental group in terms of communication skills: (55.38±13.11) vs. (74.82±6.75), P<0.001; experimental group in terms of patient satisfaction: 39.00 (39.00, 42.00) vs. 81.00 (79.00, 83.00), P<0.01; control group in terms of communication skills: (56.53±12.34) vs. (65.45±10.18), P<0.001; control group in terms of patient satisfaction: 39.00 (39.00, 42.00) vs. 73.00 (68.00, 77.00), P<0.001], and the experimental group had significantly higher scores than the control group [communication skills: (74.82±6.75) vs. (65.45±10.18), P<0.001; patient satisfaction: 81.00 (79.00, 83.00) vs. 73.00 (68.00, 77.00), P<0.001]. The Physician Self-Evaluation Scale showed that the experimental group had a significant improvement compared with the control group ( P<0.05). The results of the Course Satisfaction Questionnaire showed that the degree of overall satisfaction of the course was only 87.28% in the control group, while all the interns in the experimental group were satisfied with the course ( P<0.001); the new teaching method showed great advantages ( P<0.001). Conclusions:In the training of doctor-patient communication skills among interns, the application of scenario simulation combined with standardized patient case-based teaching can significantly improve their abilities of the application of knowledge application, humanistic concern, and communication skills, and therefore, it is an effective and promising method for the training of doctor-patient communication skills.