ObjectiveTo investigate the expression level of mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1 （MST1） in prostate cancer （PCa） tissues， its biological functions， and its regulatory effects on androgen receptor （AR） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） expression. MethodsImmunohistochemistry was performed to detect MST1 expression in 77 prostate cancer tissues and 34 benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH） tissues， and the relationship between MST1 expression and clinicopathological parameters was analyzed. MST1-overexpressing C4-2 and LNCaP cell lines were constructed. CCK-8 assay， Transwell migration assay， and angiogenesis assay were conducted to evaluate the effects of MST1 on cell proliferation， migration， and angiogenesis. The expression changes of AR and VEGF were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. ResultsMST1 expression was significantly lower in PCa tissues compared with BPH tissues （P=0.012）. Low MST1 expression was significantly associated with tumor metastasis （P=0.033）. MST1 overexpression inhibited C4-2 cell proliferation and migration， with transmembrane migrated cells reduced by 53.6% （P<0.01）. MST1 overexpression decreased the mRNA and protein expression levels of AR and VEGF （P<0.05）. Angiogenesis assay demonstrated that the length of new vessel structure was significantly reduced （P<0.05）. ConclusionMST1 shows a low expression level in PCa tissues and is associated with tumor metastasis. MST1 exerts tumor-suppressive effects in prostate cancer by inhibiting cell proliferation， migration， and angiogenesis， as well as downregulating the expression of AR and VEGF， indicating its potential as a therapeutic target for prostate cancer.

Objective:To investigate the effect of dulagopeptide on physical examination indexes,plasma glucose metabolism and islet function in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)patients with poorly controlled plasma glucose.Methods:135 T2DM patients with poorly controlled plasma glucose who were admitted in our hospital from January 2023 to July 2024 were selected.A prospective randomized controlled design was adopted,they were divided into control group 1(received treatment with sitagliptin,n=45),control group 2(received treatment with insulin glargine,n=45),and observation group(received treatment with dulaglutide,n=45)according to the random number table method.Physical examination indexes,plasma glucose indicators,islet function,and incidence of adverse reactions were compared among the three groups.Results:12 weeks after treatment,body mass index(BMI),waist circumference,fasting plasma glucose(FPG),glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),and postprandial 2-hour plasma glucose(2hPG)in the observation group were lower than those in control group 1 and control group 2(P＜0.05).12 weeks after treatment,the observation group had the highest HbA1c compliance rate,reaching 71.1％(P＜0.05).12 weeks after treatment,the fasting C-peptide(FC-P)and HOMA-islet(CP-DM)levels in the observation group were higher than those in control group 1 and control group 2(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Dulagopeptide can effectively improve physical examination indexes,plasma glucose indicators,and islet function in T2DM patients with poorly controlled plasma glucose.

Objective To investigate the relationship between vertical laminar fracture(VLF)in thoracolumbar burst fractures and both neurological injury and dural tear.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data and multi spiral computed tomography(MSCT)coronal images of 255 patients of thoracolumbar burst fractures.The patients were divided into three groups based on the presence of VLF[Ⅰ group(complete VLF group),Ⅱ group(partial VLF group),and Ⅲ group(normal lamina group)].Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance and Fisher's exact test to compare radiological parameters,inci-dence of dural tear,and neurological injury among the groups.Results The Ⅰ group showed significant differences in spinal canal sagittal diameter,pedicle distance,and spinal canal area compared with the other two groups(P<0.05).However,there was no sig-nificant difference in vertebral body compression rate between the Ⅰ group and the Ⅱ group(P>0.05).The Ⅰ group had the high-est incidence of severe neurological injury[American Spinal Injury Association(ASIA)impairment scale grades A and B]and dural tear(P<0.05).Conclusion The severity of VLF is closely related to dural tear and neurological injury.MSCT coronal images can clearly display the extent of VLF,providing an important basis for clinical evaluation and treatment plan.

Aim To explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Qingjie Huagong decoction in modulating PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway in inflammatory response of acute pancreatitis(AP)mice.Methods Twenty-four mice were randomly divided into Blank group,Model group,Ustekin group,and Qingjie Hua-gong decoction group,with six mice in each group.The AP model was prepared by using rain frogin.Serum α-AMS,PNLP,IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-18,and TNF-α lev-els were detected by ELISA;the pancreatic pathology was detected by HE staining;the expressions of PI3K,AKT,and NF-κB-related proteins and mRNAs were de-tected by immunohistochemistry,Western blot,and RT-qPCR.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group showed obvious pathological damage to the pancreas,with significantly higher serum α-AMS,PN-LP,IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-18,and TNF-α levels(P＜0.01),and significantly higher levels of PI3K,AKT,and NF-κB-related proteins and mRNA expression(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,both the Qingjie Huagong decoction group and the ustekin group improved the histopathological changes in the pancreas of AP mice,decreased the serum α-AMS,PNLP,IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-18,and TNF-α levels,and down-reg-ulated the expression levels of pancreatic PI3K,AKT,NF-κB-related proteins and mRNA(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion Qingjie Huagong decoction may inhibit the inflammatory response and protect pancreat-ic tissues by regulating the expression of PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the current status of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) in China in 2024 and to provide recommendations for ensuring the consistency of PGT-A results.Methods:This study was a nationwide external quality assessment research. The National Center for Clinical Laboratories of the National Health Commission conducted two surveys in June and December 2024, with participation from 31 laboratories across China. During each survey, quality control samples of varying concentrations were distributed: the first survey distributed 6 samples (Batch Nos. 202401-202406) and the second survey distributed 3 samples (Batch Nos. 202431-202433). Participating laboratories were required to submit information including detection platforms, single-cell amplification methods, library construction methods, sequencing instruments, and test results. Collected data were statistically analyzed using Microsoft Excel to evaluate laboratories' PGT-A testing capabilities and determine whether results met predefined quality control requirements.Results:All 31 laboratories submitted results for both surveys. In the first survey, 90.3% (28/31) met qualification criteria with a 9.7% failure rate (3/31). For individual batches, pass rates were 90.3% (28/31) for batches 202401-202403 and 100% (31/31) for batches 202404-202406. The second survey achieved 100% (31/31) compliance across all three batches (202431-202433), with each batch maintaining a 100% pass rate.Conclusion:The detection quality of PGT-A in China is generally good, but with differences, and factors such as sample concentration, transportation conditions and detection methods affect the consistency of the results. The study highlights the urgent need for nationwide external quality assessment of PGT-A in China. This will help identify issues in laboratories in a timely manner and ensure the consistency of PGT-A test results.

Objective:To analyze the quality level of maternal mid-trimester serum prenatal screening in China from 2019 to 2023.Methods:A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect information from laboratories participating in the National Health Commission′s Clinical Laboratory Center inter-laboratory quality assessment program for prenatal screening from 2019 to 2023. The collected data included screening protocols, detection methods, testing systems, and monthly laboratory screening quality indicators. The Chi-square test was used to compare the initial screening positive rates among different screening protocols, provinces, detection methods, and testing systems. A log-transformed linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between the average annual sample size and the out-of-control rate of various median multiple of the median (mMoM) values.Results:This study included 806 laboratories from 29 provinces (including autonomous regions and municipalities). The five-year average out-of-control rates for mMoM values across indicators ranged from 15.8% to 31.3%. The initial positive rates of dual, triple, and quadruple screening protocols were statistically different ( χ2=760.2, P<0.001). The initial positive rates across different provinces ranged from 4.7% to 10.3%, with statistically significant differences ( χ2=35 388.0, P<0.001). There were also statistically significant differences in initial positive rates between different testing systems ( χ2=2 493.2, P<0.001). Testing systems using chemiluminescence methods had significantly higher initial positive rates compared to systems using time-resolved fluorescence methods (7.2% vs. 6.5%, χ2=533.6, P<0.001). Log-linear regression analysis showed that testing systems with larger annual average sample sizes had lower out-of-control rates for mMoM values (AFP: β=-0.100, P=0.005; hCG: β=-0.123, P=0.008; uE3: β=-0.139, P=0.007). Conclusion:There are significant differences in the quality of maternal mid-trimester serum screening across different detection methods, testing systems and provinces in China.

Aim To investigate the effect of hydrogen sulfide on macrophage calcification and its underlying mo-lecular mechanisms.Methods Oil red O staining was used to observe intracellular lipid accumulation,and von Kossa staining and atomic absorption spectroscopy were used for morphological and quantitative analysis of calcium deposition and intracellular calcium content in a mononuclear macrophage calcification model.Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of osteopontin(OPN)at different doses and treatment times of hydrogen sulfide.At the same time,Western blot was used to detect the expression changes of early growth response factor 1(EGR1),endo-plasmic reticulum stress-related markers C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP)and glucose-regulated protein 78(GRP78).Reactive oxygen species levels were evaluated by fluorescence probe staining,and the effect of hydrogen sulfide on macro-phage calcification was evaluated by combining von Kossa staining and calcium ion fluorescence probe staining.The mo-lecular mechanisms of hydrogen sulfide affecting macrophage calcification were explored by interfering with EGR1 expression and using endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid(4-PBA).Results Compared with oxidized low density lipoprotein(ox-LDL)group,β-glycerophosphate(β-GP)+40 g/L ox-LDL group showed a significant increase in intracellular lipid accumulation,while hydrogen sulfide significantly inhibited macrophage calcification in a con-centration-and time-dependent manner.Compared with the β-GP+ox LDL group,the most significant effect was observed after incubation with 100 μmol/L NaHS for 4 days.The hydrogen sulfide group showed a 66％decrease in intracellular calcium content(P＜0.01),a 71％decrease in intercellular calcium deposition(P＜0.01),and a 50％and 48％decrease in OPN mRNA and protein expression,respectively(P＜0.05).Hydrogen sulfide treatment upregulated the ex-pression of EGR1 by 21％,while downregulating the expression of CHOP and GRP78 by 58％and 59％,respectively(P＜0.01).The endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor 4-PBA could downregulate OPN expression by 73％(P＜0.01),while interfering with EGR1 expression completely counteracts the inhibitory effect of hydrogen sulfide on OPN expression and calcium deposition(P＜0.01).Conclusion Hydrogen sulfide significantly inhibits macrophage calcification by upregulating EGR1 expression and suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Objective To design a positive and negative pressure sequential irrigation suction device and explore its efficacy when applied to unblocking nasoenteric tubes.Methods The device consisted of a positive-pressure irrigation component,a negative-pressure suction component,a three-way adapter and a precise unblocker.The positive-pressure irrigation compo-nent was composed of a positive-pressure irrigation unit,a positive pressure regulator,a pressure sensor,a pressure bag and etc;the negative-pressure suction component was made up of a negative-pressure suction unit,a negative pressure regulator,a negative-pressure gauge,a negative-pressure bottle and etc.The pressure bag was hollow cylinder-shaped,and made of ordinary polyvinyl chloride for its inner layer and acrylonitrile-styrene-butadiene copolymer for its outer layer.Sixty patients with nasoenteric tube blockage were selected and randomly divided into a control group and an observation group,with 30 cases in each group.Irrigation suction was carried out with a 10 mL syringe for the control group and with the device for the observation group,and then unblocking was performed with lukewarm water between 38 and 40 degrees.The two groups were compared in terms of the unblocking efficacy,time required for unblocking and the days and cost of nutritional support.SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results The observation group gained advantages over the control group in terms of the total effective rate(93.3％vs 73.4％),unblocking efficacy,time required for unblocking((7.63±4.97)min vs(10.73±4.57)min),days of nutritional support((10.07±3.07)d vs(13.03±4.05)d)and cost of nutritional support((3 180±260)yuan vs(4 550±660)yuan).Conclusion The device developed effectively enhances the efficacy for unblocking nasoenteric tubes,shortens the time required and decreases the days and cost of nutritional support,and thus is worthy promoting practi-cally.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(1):114-117]

Aim To investigate the effect and mechanism of angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)on ferroptosis in white adi-pocytes.Methods The 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated into white adipocytes by inducer stimulation.The experiment was divided into control group,Ang Ⅱ group,Ang Ⅱ+Fer-1(ferroptosis inhibitor)group and Ang Ⅱ+PFT-α(p53 inhibitor)group.Ang Ⅱ was used to treat cells.RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression levels of ferroptosis factors and adipokines.JC-1 kit was used to detect mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)level.Iron ion kit was used to detect intracellular iron content.Glutathione(GSH)kit was used to detect GSH content.Fer-1 and Ang Ⅱ were added to treat cells to detect the the changes of ferroptosis level.The expression of p53 and spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1(SAT1)protein was detected.Subsequently,PFT-α and Ang Ⅱ were added to co-treat cells to detect the changes of p53 and SAT1 protein expression,and to observe the effect of inhibiting p53 expression on the expression levels of ferroptosis factors and adipokines.Results 3T3-L1 cells were successfully differentiated into white adipocytes by stimulator-induced differentiation.Ang Ⅱ induced ferroptosis in white adipocytes.RT-qPCR results showed that compared with control group,the mRNA expression of anti-ferroptosis factor glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)and iron regulatory protein 1(IRP-1)was down-regulated in Ang Ⅱ group,and the mRNA expression of pro-ferroptosis factor acyl-CoA synthetase of long-chain family member 4(ACSL4)was up-regulated.Western blot results showed that compared with control group,the protein expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 was down-regulated in Ang Ⅱ group,and the protein expression of ACSL4 was up-regulated.Ang Ⅱ treatment increased the content of intracellular iron ions and decreased the levels of GSH and MMP.Compared with Ang Ⅱ group,the mRNA expression of IRP-1 and SLC7A11 was up-regulated in Ang Ⅱ+Fer-1 group.Ang Ⅱ induced changes in the expression profile of adipokines in white adipocytes.Western blot results showed that compared with control group,the protein ex-pression of pro-inflammatory adipokine leptin(LEP),resistin(RETN),interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)was up-regulated in Ang Ⅱ group,and the protein expression of anti-inflammatory adipokine adiponectin(AD-PN)and omentin 1(ITLN1)was down-regulated.In addition,Ang Ⅱ increased the protein expression of p53 and SAT1.Inhibition of p53 expression can improve the level of ferroptosis and adipokine expression in white adipocytes trea-ted with Ang Ⅱ.Western blot results showed that compared with Ang Ⅱ group,the protein expression of p53 and SAT1 was down-regulated in Ang Ⅱ+PFT-α group,the protein expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 was up-regulated,and the protein expression of ACSL4 was down-regulated.The protein expression of ADPN was up-regulated in Ang Ⅱ+PFT-αgroup,and the protein expression of TNF-α,LEP and RETN was down-regulated.Conclusion Ang Ⅱ induces fer-roptosis in white adipocytes through activating the p53/SAT1 signaling pathway.

Immunometabolism studies focus on the relationships between immune cell functions and cellular energy metabolism pathways.Immunometabolism plays an important regulatory role in immune-related diseases.Mycobacterium tuberculosis(M.tb),an important intracellular pathogenic bacterium,enters alveolar macrophages after infection.The confrontation between M.tb and the host is a complex and dynamic process involving multiple aspects and mechanisms,such as the immune response,granuloma formation,and immune evasion.M.tb effector proteins play key roles in maintaining bacterial virulence and regulating host cell metabolism.This article reviews the reprogramming process of glucose metabolism,lipid metabolism,and immunometabolism,as well as changes in mi-tochondrial function in M.tb-infected host cells,thereby revealing the relationship between M.tb pathogenicity and host metabolic regu-lation,which is important for understanding tuberculosis.