Background Exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) may impair lung function through various mechanisms; however, it remains uncertain whether BaP induces ferroptosis in lung tissue cells, resulting in lung function impairment. Objective To investigate the ferroptosis of lung tissue cells triggered by subchronic BaP exposure in mice and its correlation with lung injury, and to explore the function of ferroptosis in BaP-induced lung tissue damage. Method Seventy-two healthy 3-weeks-old male C57BL/6J mice were acclimatized for 1 week and then randomly divided into six groups: control group (corn oil 10 mL·kg⁻¹), low-dose BaP group (2.5 mg·kg⁻¹), medium-dose BaP group (5 mg·kg⁻¹), high-dose BaP group (10 mg·kg⁻¹), BaP+ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) group (10 mg·kg⁻¹+1 mg·kg⁻¹), and Fer-1 group (1 mg·kg⁻¹), with 12 mice each group. Corn oil and BaP were administered via gavage every other day, followed by an intraperitoneal injection of Fer-1 the subsequent day, throughout a period of 90 d. Whole-body plethysmography was applied to detect lung function; hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) and Masson staining were used to observe lung tissue injury and fibrosis; microscopy of alveolar epithelial cells was conducted to reveal mitochondrial morphology; biochemical assays were used to measure the content of tissue iron, malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH), as well as the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px); Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analyses were performed to reveal the protein and mRNA expression of ferroptosis markers. Results Compared to the control group, the high-dose BaP group showed a significant increase in expiration time (Te) (P<0.01), and a significant decrease in ratio rate of achieving peak expiratory flow (Rpef), tidal volume (TVb), peak inspiratory flow (PIF), minute volume (MVb), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) (P<0.05 or 0.01). Based on the results of HE and Masson staining, partial destruction of alveolar structures, thickening of alveolar walls, infiltration of inflammatory cells, significant thickening of tracheal walls and a large deposition of collagen fibers in lung tissue were observed in the medium- and high-dose BaP groups. By microscopy, the alveolar epithelial cells exposed to low-dose BaP showed condensed chromatin, and the mitochondria exposed to medium and high-dose BaP showed wrinkles, increased mitochondrial membrane density, and diminished mitochondrial cristae. Compared to the control group, in the medium- and high-dose BaP groups, the lung tissue iron content and the expression levels of ACSL4 protein and mRNA significantly elevated (P<0.01 or 0.05), while the mRNA expression level of SLC7A11 significantly decreased (P<0.05); in the high-dose BaP group, the MDA content, COX2 protein, and PTGS2 mRNA expression levels significantly increased (P<0.05 or 0.01), GSH content and GSH-Px activity, GPX4 protein and mRNA expression levels, and the expression level of SLC7A11 protein significantly decreased (P<0.01 or 0.05). The ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 markedly reversed respiratory function, morphology, mitochondrial alterations, and the aforementioned ferroptosis-related biochemical indicators. Conclusion Subchronic exposure to BaP can induce ferroptosis in mice lung tissue cells, resulting in compromised lung function.

This study investigates the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships of different Artemisia argyi germplasm resources to provide a basis for germplasm identification, variety selection, and resource protection. A total of 192 germplasm resources of A. argyi were studied, and EST-based simple sequence repeat(EST-SSR) primers were designed based on transcriptomic data of A. argyi. Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) amplification was performed on these resources, followed by fluorescence capillary electrophoresis to detect genetic diversity and construct DNA fingerprints. From 197 pairs of primers designed, 28 pairs with polymorphic and clear bands were selected. A total of 278 alleles were detected, with an average of 9.900 0 alleles per primer pair and an average effective number of alleles of 1.407 2. The Shannon's diversity index(I) for the A. argyi germplasm resources ranged from 0.148 1 to 0.418 0, with an average of 0.255 7. The polymorphism information content(PIC) ranged from 0.454 5 to 0.878 0, with an average of 0.766 9, showing high polymorphism. Cluster analysis divided the A. argyi germplasm resources into three major groups: Group Ⅰ contained 136 germplasm samples, Group Ⅱ contained 45, and Group Ⅲ contained 11. Principal component analysis also divided the resources into three groups, which was generally consistent with the clustering results. Mantel test results showed that the genetic variation in A. argyi populations was to some extent influenced by geographic distance, but the effect was minimal. Structure analysis showed that 190 germplasm materials had Q≥ 0.6, indicating that these germplasm materials had a relatively homogeneous genetic origin. Furthermore, 8 core primer pairs were selected from the 28 designed primers, which could distinguish various germplasm types. Using these 8 core primers, DNA fingerprints for the 192 A. argyi germplasm resources were successfully constructed. EST-SSR molecular markers can be used to study the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of A. argyi, providing theoretical support for the identification and molecular-assisted breeding of A. argyi germplasm resources.
Artemisia/classification* ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Genetic Variation ; Expressed Sequence Tags ; DNA Fingerprinting ; Phylogeny ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; DNA, Plant/genetics* ; Genetic Markers

Cervical spine health issues not only seriously affect patients' quality of life but also impose a heavy burden on the social healthcare system. Existing guidelines lack sufficient clinical guidance on lifestyle and work habits, such as exercise, posture, daily routine, and diet, making it difficult to meet practical needs. To address this, relying on the China Association of Chinese Medicine, Wangjing Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences took the lead and joined hands with more than ten institutions to form a multidisciplinary guideline development group. For the first time, the group developed the Guidelines for Cervical Spine Health Intervention based on evidence-based medicine methods, strictly following the standardized procedures outlined in the World Health Organization Handbook for Guideline Development and the Guiding Principles for the Formulation/Revision of Clinical Practice Guidelines in China (2022 Edition). This proposal systematically explains the methods and steps for developing the guideline, aiming to make the guideline development process scientific, standardized, and transparent.
Humans ; Practice Guidelines as Topic/standards* ; Cervical Vertebrae ; China

OBJECTIVE: To examine the mechanistic of organochlorine-associated changes in lung function. METHODS: This study investigated 76 healthy older adults in Jinan, Shandong Province, over a five-month period. Personal exposure to organochlorines was quantified using wearable passive samplers, while inflammatory factors and thyroid hormones were analyzed from blood samples. Participants' lung function was evaluated. After stratifying participants according to their thyroid hormone levels, we analyzed the differential effects of organochlorine exposure on lung function and inflammatory factors across the low and high thyroid hormone groups. Mediation analysis was further conducted to elucidate the relationships among organochlorine exposures, inflammatory factors, and lung function. RESULTS: Bis (2-chloro-1-methylethyl) ether (BCIE), was negatively associated with forced vital capacity (FVC, -2.05%, 95% CI: -3.11% to -0.97%), and associated with changes in inflammatory factors such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-7, IL-8, and IL-13 in the low thyroid hormone group. The mediation analysis indicated a mediating effect of IL-2 (15.63%, 95% CI: 0.91% to 44.64%) and IL-13 (13.94%, 95% CI: 0.52% to 41.07%) in the association between BCIE exposure and FVC. CONCLUSION Lung function and inflammatory factors exhibited an increased sensitivity to organochlorine exposure at lower thyroid hormone levels, with inflammatory factors potentially mediating the adverse effects of organochlorines on lung function.
Environmental Exposure ; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated/metabolism* ; China ; Ethyl Ethers/metabolism* ; Environmental Monitoring ; Thyroid Hormones/blood* ; Lung/physiology* ; Inhalation Exposure/statistics & numerical data* ; Air Pollution/statistics & numerical data* ; Air Pollutants/metabolism* ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the bone marrow characteristics of methimazole-induced agranulocytosis and other hematologic damage, and to explore its correlation with clinical features and prognosis.Methods:The bone marrow and clinical parameters of 20 patients of Graves′ disease diagnosed with methimazole-induced agranulocytosis at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University from January 2000 to December 2022 were collected. The intergroup differences in bone marrow characteristics and granulocyte recovery time were analyzed. Differences in peripheral blood and bone marrow characteristics between patients with single agranulocytosis and pancytopenia were compared. Besides, literature review of the bone marrow characteristics of methimazole-induced hematologic diseases was conducted.Results:Compared to patients with bone marrow characteristics of granulocyte and precursor maturation disorders(Type Ⅱ), patients with aplastic marrow(Type Ⅰ) had significant decreases in the proportions of granulocytes in all phases( P<0.05). Patients with bone marrow characteristics of Type Ⅰ had a significant increase in the proportion of the lymphocyte system [51.00%(41.50%, 75.50%) vs 22.00%(14.00%, 35.00%), P=0.002], and got a longer to recovery time [(6.58±1.68)d vs(3.71±1.60)d, P=0.003]; Correlation analysis suggested the granulocyte to erythrocyte ratio was negatively correlated with the granulocyte recovery time( r=-0.520, P=0.023), and the proportion of the bone marrow lymphocyte was positively correlated with granulocyte recovery time( r=0.622, P=0.004). Compared to patients with single agranulocytosis, patients with pancytopenia had a markedly longer hospital stay duration [(27.14±5.27)d vs(14.15±7.36)d, P=0.001]. Literature review suggestsed that methimazole may cause various degrees of damage to blood system and bone marrow. Conclusion:Methimazole can induce a variety of hematologic damages. Analysis of bone marrow characteristics can aid in further prognosis assessment. Clinicians should be vigilant about potential hematologic adverse reactions when using methimazole and promptly diagnose and treat them to prevent serious consequences.

The MADS-box gene family is a very important transcriptional regulator gene, which plays a role in the whole growth and development process of plants. The APETALA1 (AP1) gene is considered to play an important regulatory role in the transformation of plant flowering, but also to control the characteristic development of floral organs. Lonicera macranthoides is used as medicine with dry buds and early flowers. Therefore, studying the potential mechanism of AP1 gene in regulating flower organ development can provide a basis for improving its medicinal value by molecular means. To explore the potential mechanism of the AP1 gene in the regulation of floral organ development in L. macranthoides, the full-length cDNA of the AP1 was cloned by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and named LmMADS4. The results show that the CDS of the LmMADS4 gene is 729 bp and encodes 242 amino acids, and the LmMADS4 protein contains no signal peptide and no transmembrane structure, which is an unstable hydrophilic protein. Through homologous sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis, LmMADS4 and L. japonica MADS27 protein cluster into one class and are closely related. Finally, the expression pattern and protein interaction pattern of LmMADS4 were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) and yeast two-hybrid technology. The qRT-PCR showed that LmMADS4 gene was differentially expressed in the stems, leaves and flower bud at different developmental stages, including bud type variety Longhua and common variety Baiyun; and LmMADS4 gene was highly expressed in the flower buds, and with the development of flower buds, LmMADS4 gene was continuously up-regulated in the flower bud variety Longhua, however, the expression level of LmMADS4 in the Baiyun terminal flower bud was lower than that in the late flower bud, but the difference was not significant. The yeast two-hybrid results showed that the bait vector pGBKT7-LmMADS4 was not toxic to yeast strains and had no self-activating activity. LmMADS4 protein interacted with LmSVP1, LmSVP3 and LmSOC1s proteins. This study can provide a theoretical basis for exploring the mechanism of long flower bud stage and corolla non-unfolding at the molecular level and variety improvement of L. macranthoides.

This experiment aims to study the taste-masking effects of different kinds of corrigent used individually and in combination on ibuprofen oral solution, in order to optimize the taste-masking formulation. Firstly, a wide range of corrigent and the mass fractions were extensively screened using electronic tongue technology. Subsequently, a combination of sensory evaluation, analytic hierarchy process (AHP)-fuzzy mathematics evaluation, and Box-Behnken experimental design were employed to comprehensively assess the taste-masking effects of different combinations of corrigent on ibuprofen oral solution, optimize the taste-masking formulation, and validate the results. The study received ethical approval from the Review Committee of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (ethical code: 2024BZYLL0102). The results showed that corrigent fractions and types were screened separately through single-factor experiments. Subsequently, a Box-Behnken response surface design combined with AHP and fuzzy mathematics evaluation was used to fit a functional model: Z = 688.310 11 - 3 023.722 22X₁ - 11.477 00X₂ + 62.721 67X₃ + 14.600 00X₁X₂ - 179.666 67X₁X₃ - 3.152 00X₂X₃ + 4 031.111 11X₁² + 0.525 28X₂² + 9.772 00X₃². This model is stable and reliable, determining the optimal taste-masking formulation to be 3.9 g·L^-1 of stevioside, 100 g L^-1 of xylitol, and 30 g L^-1 of methyl-β-cyclodextrin. The comprehensive score of the verification test is 88.14, with a relative RSD of 0.39%, indicating the feasibility of this model. This study achieved the improvement of the taste of ibuprofen oral solution through a combination of objective and subjective methods. Three types of corrigent were identified for enhancing drug taste, leading to the selection of the optimal taste-masking formulation for ibuprofen oral solution. This significantly enhanced the taste of the original formulation, improved patient compliance, and offered a new approach to mitigating the undesirable taste of formulations.

Objective To explore a precise method with a microwave antenna for puncture of pulmonary nodules and analyze phenomena that affect the puncture results. Methods Clinical data of 107 cases with solitary malignant pulmonary nodules were collected, and the mean length of pulmonary nodules was 13.6±0.6 mm in CT axial position. A thread-hanging method was used to assist the puncture of pulmonary nodules. The procedure was successful when the needle was not withdrawn and inserted into the central region of the nodule. The success rate and complications of the pulmonary procedure were recorded. The incidence of the following phenomena were also documented: needle coercing, needle slipping, needle tip pushing, pulmonary nodule prolapsing, radial nodule deformation, nodular masking, and radial movement distance of needle tip. Results In all of 107 cases evaluated, the antenna puncture was successful in 101 cases (94.4%) but failed in 6 cases (5.6%). Pneumothorax and pulmonary hemorrhage occurred in 23 (21.5%) and 19 cases (17.8%), respectively. The following phenomena occurred: needle coercing in 9 cases (8.4%), needle slipping in 6 cases (5.6%), needle tip pushing in 19 cases (17.8%), pulmonary nodule prolapsing in 15 cases (14%), radial nodule deformation in 14 cases (13.1%), and nodular masking in 5 cases (4.7%). The mean radial adjusting distance of needle tip was 0.7±0.4 cm. Conclusion The thread-hanging method can assist in the accurate puncture of microwave antenna for pulmonary nodules. We should focus and deal with phenomena that may occur and affect the result of puncture.

BACKGROUND:Prevention of fractures after stroke is very important,and there are currently no models to predict the occurrence of hip fractures after stroke. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the risk factors leading to hip fracture in stroke patients and to establish a risk prediction model to visualize this risk. METHODS:A total of 439 stroke patients were selected from the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from June 2014 to June 2017,including 107 males and 332 females,with a mean age of(71.38±9.74)years.They were divided into fracture group(n=35)and non-fracture group(n=404)according to the presence or absence of hip fracture.Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the risk factors for hip fracture after stroke.The data were randomly divided into training set(70%)and test set(30%).Nomogram predicting the risk of hip fracture occurrence was created based on the results of the multifactor analysis,and performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve,calibration curves,and decision curve analysis.A web calculator was created to facilitate a more convenient interactive experience for clinicians. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Univariate analysis showed significant differences between the two groups in the number of falls,smoking,hypertension,glucocorticoids,number of strokes,Mini-Mental State Examination,visual acuity level,National Institute of Health Stroke Scale,Berg Balance Scale,and Stop Walking When Talking scale scores(P<0.05).(2)Multivariate analysis showed that number of falls[OR=17.104,95%CI(3.727-78.489),P=0.000],National Institute of Health Stroke Scale[OR=1.565,95%CI(1.193-2.052),P=0.001],Stop Walking When Talking[OR=12.080,95%CI(2.398-60.851),P=0.003]were independent risk factors positively associated with new hip fractures.Bone mineral density[OR=0.155,95%CI(0.044-0.546),P=0.012]and Berg Balance Scale[OR=0.840,95%CI(0.739-0.954),P=0.007]were negatively associated with new hip fractures after stroke.(3)The AUC values of nomogram were 0.956 and 0.907 in the training and test sets,respectively,and the calibration curves showed a high agreement between predicted and actual status with an area under the decision curve of 0.038 and 0.030,respectively.(4)These findings conclude that the number of falls,low bone mineral density,low Berg Balance Scale score,high National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score,and positive Stop Walking When Talking are risk factors for hip fracture after stroke.Based on this,a nomogram with high accuracy was developed and a web calculator(https://stroke.shinyapps.io/DynNomapp/)was created.

Objective:To investigate the effects of different tube voltages combined with artificial intelligence reconstruction algorithm(CI)on the computed tomography(CT)imaging quality and radiation dose of chest phantom on the basis of the CT scan for an adult male simulated chest phantom(PH-N1).Methods:A 512-slice CT scanner of ultrahigh-end was adopted to conduct scan,and the images were divided into 70 kV group,80 kV group,100 kV group and 120 kV group according to different tube voltage.For 4 groups of CT scan images with different tube voltages,the 10%,30%,50%,70%and 90%CI were adopted to reconstruct 1mm thin layer image.The CT volume dose index(CTDIvol)and the dose-length product(DLP)of the scans of 4 groups were compared.The CT values and standard deviation(SD)values of the aorta,abdominal wall fat and erector spine muscle were measured.Two senior diagnostic physicians with more than 5 years of work experience independently and double-blindly evaluated the image quality by using 5-point scale.A Kappa consistency test was conducted.One-way analysis of variance was adopted to compare the differences of CT values and SD values of the tissues of image targets.The Friedman rank-sum test was adopted to compare the differences of subjective image qualities among different groups.Results:The differences of CTDIvol and DLP among 4 groups with different tube voltages were significant(F=1855.617,3996.118,P<0.05),respectively.Under 70 kV tube voltage,there were no significant differences in CT values of the aorta,abdominal wall fat and erector spine muscle,which were reconstructed by using 10%,30%,50%,70%and 90%CI(P>0.05),while the differences of SD values among them were statistically significant(F=32.267,53.327,14.873,P<0.05),respectively.Under the different tube voltages of 4 groups,which were reconstructed by 90%CI,the CT values of aorta,abdominal wall fat and erector spine muscle gradually decreased with decreasing of tube voltage,the differences were significant(F=139.899,2563.93,219.231,P<0.05),respectively.The consistency of subjective scores between two diagnostic physicians was better for each group of images(Kappa=0.712～0.869).Conclusion:Compared with 80 kV,90 kV and 120 kV images,the reconstructed images with 90%CI algorithm under 70 kV tube voltage can significantly reduce the radiation dose,and the images have a favorable signal-to-noise ratio at the same time.