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.

Background In recent years, the increasingly widespread application of nuclear and medical radiation technologies has resulted in a large number of occupational populations exposed to low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR). At present, there is no consistent conclusion on the effects of long-term exposure to LDIR on the metabolic health of the occupational population. Objective To explore the association between long-term exposure to LDIR and metabolic syndrome (MetS) among medical radiologists. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to enroll 6431 medical radiologists who ordered occupational health checkups from January 2022 to December 2023, and basic information such as demographic characteristics, occupational characteristics, lifestyles, and dietary habits was collected through questionnaires. Physical examinations were conducted using a standardized protocol. Individual dose equivalents of occupational external exposure were monitored by dosimeters worn by medical radiologists. Logistic regression model was used for identifying influencing factors of MetS and sensitivity analysis, and restricted cubic spline model was used to explore the dose-response relationship between cumulative effective dose and MetS. Two-stage linear regression was used to evaluate threshold effect of association between cumulative effective dose and MetS. Results The positive rate of MetS was 13.6% (877/6431) among the enrolled 6431 study participants. The logistic regression showed that gender, age, monthly income, body mass index (BMI), cumulative effective dose, and smoking were influencing factors for MetS. The risk of MetS was higher in males (OR=1.511, 95%CI: 1.209, 1.888); using the < 30 years old group as reference, the risk of MetS was higher in the 30-39 years old (OR=1.509, 95%CI: 1.095, 2.079), 40-49 years old (OR=2.214, 95%CI: 1.551, 3.161), and ≥50 years old (OR=3.480, 95%CI: 2.338, 5.181) groups; using the <10000 yuan group as reference, the risk of MetS was lower in the group with a monthly income of 10000-14999 yuan (OR=0.715, 95%CI: 0.582, 0.878); the risk of MetS was higher in the BMI ≥ 24 kg·m⁻² group (OR=7.548, 95%CI: 6.223, 9.156); using the < 0.76 mSv group as reference, the risk of MetS was higher in the cumulative effective dose of 0.76-2.73 mSv group (OR=1.270, 95%CI: 1.017, 1.586); the risk of MetS was higher in the smoking group (OR=1.734, 95%CI: 1.428, 2.107). The results of restricted cubic spline showed that the cumulative effective dose was nonlinearly correlated with MetS (P _{non-linearity}=0.028), with an inflection point of 1.25 mSv. The risk of developing MetS increased by 34.1% for each unit increase in cumulative effective dose up to 1.25 mSv, whereas above 1.25 mSv, the statistical association was not significant. The sensitivity analysis results showed that after excluding the self-reported hypertensive and diabetic patients, the cumulative effective dose 0.76-2.73 mSv group still had an increased risk of developing MetS compared with the < 0.76 mSv group (P < 0.05), and the results were robust. Conclusion Among medical radiologists, male, age, BMI, and smoking are positively correlated with MetS, and monthly income is negatively correlated with MetS; cumulative effective dose is non-linearly correlated with MetS among medical radiologists.

Objective To investigate the induction of senescence in L02 hepatocytes by low-dose fractionated X-ray radiation and its effects on oxidative stress, oxidative damage, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway protein levels. Methods L02 cells were subjected to fractionated X-ray irradiation at doses of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 Gy per fraction for a total of six fractions. Assays were performed 24 hours after the final irradiation. Measurements included SA-β-gal staining, the mRNAs of senescence-related genes p53 and p21 and their encoded proteins, mRNAs of genes encoding senescence-associated secretory phenotype factors (IL-6, IL-8, GM-CSF, MMP-15), reactive oxygen species, oxidative and anti-oxidative markers (malondialdehyde, glutathione, superoxide dismutase), DNA oxidative damage markers (8-OHdG and γ-H2AX), and NF-κB pathway protein levels. Results Compared with the control group, at 24 hours after the end of six irradiations, the number of cells positive in SA-β-gal staining was significantly increased in all dose groups. The mRNA and protein levels of p21 and p53 were significantly elevated in the 0.2 Gy × 6 and 0.5 Gy × 6 groups (P < 0.05). The mRNA levels of genes encoding IL-6, GM-CSF, and MMP-15 were significantly increased in all dose groups (P < 0.05). The mRNA levels of the gene encoding IL-8 were significantly increased in the 0.2 Gy × 6 and 0.5 Gy × 6 groups (P < 0.05). The levels of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and glutathione were significantly increased in all dose groups (P < 0.01). The level of superoxide dismutase was significantly increased in the 0.5 Gy × 6 group (P < 0.01). The levels of 8-OHdG were significantly increased in all dose groups (P < 0.05). In both the 0.2 Gy × 6 and 0.5 Gy × 6 groups, the expression levels of γ-H2AX and p-NF-κB p65 were significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the levels of IκBα were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Conclusion Low-dose fractionated X-ray radiation can induce senescence and cause alterations in oxidative stress, oxidative damage, and the levels of NF-κB pathway proteins in L02 hepatocytes.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor(rhGM-CSF)combined with bifidobacterium in the treatment of oral mucositis after chemotherapy.Methods A total of 60 post-chemotherapy patients with oral mucositis admitted to Ganzhou Cancer Hospital of Jiangxi Province from January 2023 to December 2024 were selected as subjects,the patients were divided into observation group(n=30)and control group(n=30)by using a randomized digital table method.The control group received rhGM-CSF mouthwash treatment,while the observation group was additionally administered bifidobacterium-lactobacillus triple live capsules orally.Clinical efficacy,symptom scores,inflammatory factor levels,oral microbiota indicators,and treatment safety were evaluated after 2 weeks of treatment.Results After treatment,the total effective rate in observation group was significantly higher than that in control group(P＜0.05).Post-treatment evaluations showed that patients in observation group exhibited lower scores for edema,congestion,and ulceration,along with reduced pain visual analog scores and decreased levels of inflammatory markers including Toll-like receptor 4,lectin-3,and interleukin-8,the difference were statistically significant(P＜0.05).After treatment,the oral microecological flora of patients in observation group,including lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacterium,were higher than that of control group,while porphyromonas gingivalis and fusetella were lower than that of control group,the difference were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The clinical effect of rhGM-CSF combined with bifidobacterium in the treatment of oral mucositis after chemotherapy was significant,which could reduce various symptoms of patients,inhibit inflammatory factors,improve oral microecology,and have good safety.

AIM:To investigate the immunosuppressive effects of M2-like tumor-associated macrophages(M2-TAMs)on CD8+T cells within the tumor microenvironment of esophageal cancer.METHODS:Multiplex fluores-cence immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the distribution of immune cells in esophageal cancer tissues.An in vitro co-culture system was established,and flow cytometry along with Calcein-AM/PI staining was employed to assess the im-pact of M2-TAMs on CD8+T cell function.The GEPIA database was utilized to evaluate the prognostic significance of PDCD1 expression in esophageal cancer patients and to analyze the correlations between gene expressions.Immunohisto-chemistry(IHC)was performed to detect the expression of TGF-β1 in esophageal cancer tissues.Flow cytometry and en-zyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)were used to measure PD-1,IFN-γ and TNF-α expression in CD8+T cells fol-lowing treatment with a TGF-β1 inhibitor.RESULTS:Compared with early-stage(stage I)esophageal cancer patients,the patients with advanced disease(stages Ⅱ to Ⅳ)exhibited dynamic changes in the infiltration of CD4+T cells,CD8+T cells,Tregs,and M2-TAMs within tumor tissues,with significant correlations observed among these cell populations(P<0.05).The distribution of M2-TAMs and Tregs was positively correlated with poor prognosis(P<0.05),while that of CD8+T cells was negatively correlated(P<0.05).In contrast,CD4+T cell infiltration showed no significant association with clinical outcomes(P>0.05).Co-culture of CD8+T cells with M2-TAMs resulted in significant downregulation of CD107a,granzyme B,IFN-γ and TNF-α expression(P<0.01).Additionally,M2-TAM-treated CD8+T cells co-cultured with esophageal cancer cells led to reduced apoptosis of cancer cells.High expression of PDCD1 was significantly associated with poor prognosis(P<0.05),and significant correlations were observed between CD8A and PDCD1 expression,as well as between TGF-β1 and CD274 gene expression(P<0.01).TGF-β1 was also significantly associated with CD163+macro-phage infiltration and the progression of esophageal cancer(P<0.05).Treatment with a TGF-β1 inhibitor in the M2-TAM and CD8+T cell co-culture system significantly down-regulated PD-1 expression and increased the secretion of IFN-γ and TNF-α(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The TGF-β1 derived from M2-TAMs inhibits the antitumor activity of CD8+T cells in the esophageal cancer microenvironment,suggesting potential therapeutic targets for overcoming immunosuppression in esophageal cancer.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor(rhGM-CSF)combined with bifidobacterium in the treatment of oral mucositis after chemotherapy.Methods A total of 60 post-chemotherapy patients with oral mucositis admitted to Ganzhou Cancer Hospital of Jiangxi Province from January 2023 to December 2024 were selected as subjects,the patients were divided into observation group(n=30)and control group(n=30)by using a randomized digital table method.The control group received rhGM-CSF mouthwash treatment,while the observation group was additionally administered bifidobacterium-lactobacillus triple live capsules orally.Clinical efficacy,symptom scores,inflammatory factor levels,oral microbiota indicators,and treatment safety were evaluated after 2 weeks of treatment.Results After treatment,the total effective rate in observation group was significantly higher than that in control group(P＜0.05).Post-treatment evaluations showed that patients in observation group exhibited lower scores for edema,congestion,and ulceration,along with reduced pain visual analog scores and decreased levels of inflammatory markers including Toll-like receptor 4,lectin-3,and interleukin-8,the difference were statistically significant(P＜0.05).After treatment,the oral microecological flora of patients in observation group,including lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacterium,were higher than that of control group,while porphyromonas gingivalis and fusetella were lower than that of control group,the difference were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The clinical effect of rhGM-CSF combined with bifidobacterium in the treatment of oral mucositis after chemotherapy was significant,which could reduce various symptoms of patients,inhibit inflammatory factors,improve oral microecology,and have good safety.

AIM:To investigate the immunosuppressive effects of M2-like tumor-associated macrophages(M2-TAMs)on CD8+T cells within the tumor microenvironment of esophageal cancer.METHODS:Multiplex fluores-cence immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the distribution of immune cells in esophageal cancer tissues.An in vitro co-culture system was established,and flow cytometry along with Calcein-AM/PI staining was employed to assess the im-pact of M2-TAMs on CD8+T cell function.The GEPIA database was utilized to evaluate the prognostic significance of PDCD1 expression in esophageal cancer patients and to analyze the correlations between gene expressions.Immunohisto-chemistry(IHC)was performed to detect the expression of TGF-β1 in esophageal cancer tissues.Flow cytometry and en-zyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)were used to measure PD-1,IFN-γ and TNF-α expression in CD8+T cells fol-lowing treatment with a TGF-β1 inhibitor.RESULTS:Compared with early-stage(stage I)esophageal cancer patients,the patients with advanced disease(stages Ⅱ to Ⅳ)exhibited dynamic changes in the infiltration of CD4+T cells,CD8+T cells,Tregs,and M2-TAMs within tumor tissues,with significant correlations observed among these cell populations(P<0.05).The distribution of M2-TAMs and Tregs was positively correlated with poor prognosis(P<0.05),while that of CD8+T cells was negatively correlated(P<0.05).In contrast,CD4+T cell infiltration showed no significant association with clinical outcomes(P>0.05).Co-culture of CD8+T cells with M2-TAMs resulted in significant downregulation of CD107a,granzyme B,IFN-γ and TNF-α expression(P<0.01).Additionally,M2-TAM-treated CD8+T cells co-cultured with esophageal cancer cells led to reduced apoptosis of cancer cells.High expression of PDCD1 was significantly associated with poor prognosis(P<0.05),and significant correlations were observed between CD8A and PDCD1 expression,as well as between TGF-β1 and CD274 gene expression(P<0.01).TGF-β1 was also significantly associated with CD163+macro-phage infiltration and the progression of esophageal cancer(P<0.05).Treatment with a TGF-β1 inhibitor in the M2-TAM and CD8+T cell co-culture system significantly down-regulated PD-1 expression and increased the secretion of IFN-γ and TNF-α(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The TGF-β1 derived from M2-TAMs inhibits the antitumor activity of CD8+T cells in the esophageal cancer microenvironment,suggesting potential therapeutic targets for overcoming immunosuppression in esophageal cancer.

177Lu-prostate specific membrane antigen(PSMA)radio-ligand therapy has been approved abroad for advanced prostate cancer and has been in several clinical trials in China.Based on domestic clinical practice and experimental data and referred to international experience and viewpoints,the expert group forms a consensus on the clinical application of 177Lu-PSMA radio-ligand therapy in prostate cancer to guide clinical practice.

Objective:To analyze the biological characteristics, phylogenic features and clinical significance of SQ219 and SQ220 isolated from clinical sputum and midstream urine specimens.Methods:The culture and biochemical characteristics of the two strains were observed. VITEK2 System, drug sensitivity testing and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry were used for bacterial identification. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA and core genome was performed. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) based on whole genome sequences was calculated.Results:SQ219 and SQ220 were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, and non-motile bacteria. Their optimum growth was observed in NaCl-free medium at 30℃ and pH7. Flexirubin-type pigments were produced by SQ220 on Colombia blood agar, but not by SQ219. Both SQ219 and SQ220 were resistant to aztreonam, amikacin, tobramycin and colistin, which was consistent with the drug resistance phenotype of genus Chryseobacterium. The genome sequences of SQ219 and SQ220 were 5.08 Mb and 4.80 Mb in length, and the G+ C contents were 36.72% and 36.36%, respectively. Both strains carried β-lactam resistance gene ( blaCGA). 16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis showed that SQ219 and SQ220 were closely related to Chryseobacterium gambrini DSM18014 T with the similarities of 98.93% and 98.36%, respectively. Core genome phylogenetic analysis revealed that SQ219 and SQ220 were highly homologous to Chryseobacterium gambrini DSM18014 T. However, the ANI values between the two strains and Chryseobacterium gambrini DSM18014 T were 92.49% and 93.27%, respectively, below the threshold for prokaryotic species identification. Conclusions:Based on the phenotypic and phylogenetic data, SQ219 and SQ220 represent a novel species of the genus Chryseobacterium. This study would help promote the understanding of the evolution of Chrysobacterium and provide reference for the identification of new species of Chrysobacterium.

【Objective】 To explore the distribution of polymorphisms of miR-208 genes rs8022522 and rs12894524 locus in Guangxi healthy population and compare the differences in the polymorphism distribution in different population. 【Methods】 SNPscan technology was used to detect genotypes of rs8022522 and rs12894524 from 297 healthy people in Guangxi, and the results were compared with other populations from Human genome Haplotype Map(HapMap) data. 【Results】 Three genotypes, namely, AA (2.7%), AG (24.2%) and GG (73.1%), in rs8022522 were found, with the allele frequencies of A and G being 14.8% and 85.2%. The genotypes of rs12894524 locus were TT (1.3%), TG (13.5%) and GG (85.2%), and the frequency of T and G allele was 8.1% and 91.9%, respectively. rs8022522 and rs12894524 locus genotypes and allele frequencies were significantly different from HapMap-CEU, HapMap- YRI and HapMap-TSI (P<0.05). Compared with HapMap-JPT and HapMap-CHB, there was no significant difference in genotype or allele frequency between the two sites (P>0.05). As for the blood lipid level among the three genotypes in rs8022522, the level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) with GG genotype was significantly different from that in AG group (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 The polymorphisms of rs8022522 and rs12894524 of miR-208 gene in Guangxi population are different from those in other regions to varying degrees. The polymorphism of rs8022522 locus is related to the level of HDL-C.