Objective To investigate the expression profile, prognostic value, gene co-expression network, and immunomodulatory role of BRF1 in a pan-cancer context, and to explore its biological functions and molecular regulatory mechanisms in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods The pan-cancer dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was utilized to analyze the differential expression of BRF1 in tumor versus normal tissues, its association with patient survival, pathway enrichment for co-expressed genes, and immune features (including immune checkpoints, cytokines, and immune cell infiltration). The expression profile of BRF1 in ESCC was validated using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. In vitro, BRF1 was knocked down in ESCC cells using siRNA. Cell proliferation and migration were assessed by MTT and Transwell assays, respectively. The expression levels of proliferation- and migration-related proteins were detected by Western blotting. The correlation between BRF1 and ferroptosis was analyzed using TCGA data. Results BRF1 was significantly upregulated in over 20 types of cancer, and its high expression was associated with poor prognosis in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma and prostate adenocarcinoma. BRF1 was found to positively regulate the T-cell-mediated cell death pathway in esophageal adenocarcinoma and was associated with the circadian rhythm regulation pathway in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The correlation of BRF1 with immune checkpoints, cytokine networks, and immune cell infiltration was found to be cancer type-specific. In vitro experiments demonstrated that knocking down BRF1 significantly inhibited the proliferation of ESCC cells, accompanied by the downregulation of the proliferation marker PCNA. Cell migration was also significantly impaired, with decreased expression of Vimentin and MMPs and increased expression of E-cadherin. Furthermore, the expression of BRF1 was positively correlated with that of ferroptosis-antagonizing genes, such as GPX4, HSPA5, and SLC7A11. Conclusion BRF1 plays complex roles in pan-cancer, participating in the regulation of tumorigenesis, progression, and immune infiltration. BRF1 promotes the proliferation and migration of ESCC cells, a mechanism potentially associated with the regulation of ferroptosis resistance. These findings suggest that BRF1 could be a potential therapeutic target for ESCC.

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy and mechanism of Bupi Qingfei prescription （BPQF） in treating stable bronchiectasis in the patients with syndromes of lung-spleen Qi deficiency and phlegm-heat accumulation in the lungs. MethodsA randomized， double-blind， placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Patients were randomized into BPQF and placebo control （PC） groups. On the basis of conventional Western medicine treatment， the BPQF granules and placebo were respectively administered at 10 g each time， twice a day， for a course of 24 weeks. The TCM symptom scores， Quality of Life Questionnaire for Bronchiectasis （QOL-B） scores， lung function indicators， T lymphocyte subsets， level of inflammatory factors in the sputum， level of neutrophil elastase （NE） in the sputum， and occurrence of adverse reactions were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. ResultsA total of 64 patients completed the study， encompassing 32 in the BPQF group and 32 in the PC group. After treatment， the BPQF group showed decreased TCM symptom scores （P<0.01）， increased QOL-B scores （P<0.01）， and declined levels of tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α and NE （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The PC group showed decreased TCM symptom （except spleen deficiency） scores （P<0.01）， increased the QOL-B health cognition and respiratory symptom domain scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and a declined TNF-α level （P<0.01）. Moreover， the BPQF group had lower TCM symptom （except chest tightness） scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）， higher QOL-B （except treatment burden） scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and lower levels of interleukin-6 and TNF-α （P<0.05） than the PC group. Neither group showed serious adverse reactions during the treatment process. ConclusionBPQF can ameliorate the clinical symptoms of stable bronchiectasis patients who have lung-spleen Qi deficiency or phlegm-heat accumulation in the lungs by regulating the immune balance and inhibiting airway inflammatory responses.

ObjectiveTo clarify the graded quantitative diagnostic characteristics of lung qi deficiency syndrome in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） based on latent class analysis combined with a hidden structure model. MethodsClinical data， including the four diagnostic methods of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， were collected from 745 COPD patients with lung qi deficiency syndrome. Latent class modeling was performed using R 4.1.2 software， and each patient was classified into one of three severity categories （mild， moderate， or severe） based on probabilistic parameterization， parameter estimation， and model fitting. A database was established for different severity levels of lung qi deficiency syndrome. Based on this， Lantern 5.0 software was used to construct hidden structure models for mild， moderate， and severe lung qi deficiency syndrome， and syndrome differentiation rules were developed through comprehensive clustering. ResultsA latent class model was constructed using 28 symptoms and signs with a frequency greater than 10%. Considering TCM theory and model simplicity， the optimal model was determined when the number of latent classes was three， categorizing lung qi deficiency syndrome into mild （298 cases）， moderate （164 cases）， and severe （283 cases）. Hidden structure models were separately developed for each severity level， and syndrome differentiation rules were established. A comparison of common symptoms in the syndrome differentiation rules for mild and moderate lung qi deficiency syndrome showed no statistically significant differences in diagnostic values and weights （P＞0.05）， leading to their combined analysis and the development of a unified syndrome differentiation rule. Value and weight of quantitative diagnosis of mild-to-moderate lung qi deficiency syndrome were as followed： shortness of breath （diagnostic value 9.3， diagnostic weight 86.92%）， dyspnea on exertion （8.2， 76.64%）， low voice and reluctance to speak （6.7， 62.62%）， poor appetite （4.0， 37.38%）， loose stools （4.0， 37.38%）， weak cough sound （2.9， 27.10%）， wheezing （2.3， 21.50%）， fatigue （1.8， 16.82%）， spontaneous sweating （1.7， 15.89%）， susceptibility to colds （1.6， 14.95%）， swollen tongue （1.4， 13.08%）， teeth marks on the tongue edge （1.2， 11.21%）， deep pulse （1.6， 14.95%）， with a diagnostic threshold of 10.3. Value and weight of quantitative diagnosis of severe lung qi deficiency syndrome were as followed： weak cough sound （15.1， 61.13%）， soreness and weakness of the waist and knees （12.6， 51.01%）， shortness of breath （11.1， 44.94%）， low voice and reluctance to speak （8.3， 33.60%）， frequent nocturia （6.1， 24.70%）， spontaneous sweating （3.7， 14.98%）， susceptibility to colds （3.5， 14.17%）， teeth marks on the tongue edge （7.8， 31.58%）， pale tongue body （1.9， 7.69%）， white tongue coating （5.5， 22.27%）， thin pulse （1.5， 6.07%）， with a diagnostic threshold of 23.7. ConclusionThe combination of latent class analysis and a hideen structure model effectively clarified the graded quantitative diagnostic characteristics of lung qi deficiency syndrome， providing a reference for the quantitative diagnosis of other fundamental syndromes in TCM.

BACKGROUND:Traditional Chinese medicine has rich experience and unique advantages in the empirical treatment of phlegm-heat and Fu-organs excess syndrome of ischemic stroke.In order to further explore the therapeutic targets and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine for this disease,it is crucial to establish a stable and reliable animal model of phlegm-heat and Fu-organs excess syndrome combined with empirical symptoms of ischemic stroke. OBJECTIVE:To explore the establishment method and evaluation system of the rat model of ischemic stroke with phlegm-heat and Fu-organ excess syndrome. METHODS:Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups:blank control group(n=12),ischemic stroke group(n=18),disease+syndrome group(n=18),phlegm-heat and Fu-organ excess syndrome group(n=12),all of which were given high-fat diet for 25 days.On the 26th day,the rats in the blank control group and ischemic stroke group were intragastrically given normal saline and high fat diet,while those in the other two groups were intragastrically given autologous feces suspension and high fat diet for 3 continuous days.After gavage,ischemic stroke models were established using the suture method in the ischemic stroke group and disease+syndrome group.The changes in diet,water intake,body mass,body temperature,fecal traits,nasal secretions,sputum in the throat,and tongue image were recorded.Neurological deficits,tongue image,blood lipid levels,morphological changes of brain tissue and carotid artery,and the serum levels of motilin and somatostatin were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group,the rats in the disease+syndrome group had shortness of breath,listlessness,irritability,bradykinesia,a large number of secretions around the nose,audible and heavy sputum in the throat,decreased diet and water intake,increased body mass,body temperature,and slingual vein score,decreased fecal pellet count,Bristol score and fecal moisture content,increased serum total cholesterol,triglyceride,low-density lipoprotein and somatostatin levels,decreased motilin level,increased neurological deficit score,significant pathological changes of the carotid artery,and significant morphological changes of the brain tissue.The ischemic stroke group only showed pathological changes of ischemic brain tissue,without the characteristics of phlegm-heat and Fu-organ excess syndrome.The phlegm-heat and Fu-organ excess syndrome group could present with the typical characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes,without the pathological changes of brain tissue with ischemic stroke.To conclude,the compound modeling method of high-fat induction combined with suture method and autologous feces gavage can establish an animal model of ischemic stroke with phlegm-heat and Fu-organ excess syndrome.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Weichang'an prescription-containing serum on ferroptosis of human gastric cancer cells and explore the possible mechanism. MethodsSD rats were administrated with 18， 36， 72 g·kg^-1·d^-1 Weichang'an prescription by gavage for preparation of serum samples containing different doses of Weichang'an prescription， which were then used to treat MKN-45 cells. The cell proliferation was examined by the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8）. In addition， inhibitors of apoptosis， necroptosis， and ferroptosis were added， and the survival of the cells treated with the serum samples was observed. The fluorescent probe dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate （DCF-DA） and the lipid peroxidation sensor C11-BODIPY were employed to detect the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS） and lipid peroxidation， respectively. The levels of ferrous ion （Fe²⁺）， glutathione （GSH）， and malondialdehyde （MDA） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were employed to determine the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B1 （AKR1B1）， glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 （ACSL4）， signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）， and mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）. ResultsCompared with the blank group， Weichang'an prescription-containing serum decreased the viability of MKN-45 cells （P<0.05， P<0.01） in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Compared with the Weichang'an prescription group， the apoptosis inhibitor+Weichang'an prescription group and the ferroptosis inhibitor+Weichang'an prescription group showed increased cell viability （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， Weichang'an prescription elevated the levels of ROS， lipid peroxidation， and intracellular Fe²⁺ and MDA （P<0.05， P<0.01） and lowered the level of GSH （P<0.05， P<0.01） in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the blank group， Weichang'an prescription down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2， AKR1B1， and GPX4 （P<0.05， P<0.01） and up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of ACSL4 （P<0.05， P<0.01） in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the blank group， Weichang'an prescription down-regulated the protein levels of p-STAT3 and p-ERK （P<0.05， P<0.01） in a dose-dependent manner. ConclusionThe Weichang'an prescription-containing serum can promote the ferroptosis and inhibit the proliferation of MKN-45 cells by regulating the STAT3 and MAPK pathways.

Objective To investigate the effects of artesunate(Art)on the proliferation,apoptosis,and autophagy of nephroblastoma cell line(SK-NEP-1).Methods SK-NEP-1 cells were intervened with different concentrations of Art(0,10,20,40 and 80 μmol/L),and MTT method was applied to calculate the cell proliferation inhibition rate to screen the optimal intervention concentration;SK-NEP-1 cells were separated into control group,Art group,3-MA group(Art+autophagy inhibitor,3-methyladenine),and Rapa group(Art+autophagy activator rapamycin).EdU and flow cytometry were applied to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis,respectively;MDC staining was applied to detect autophagy in cells;the level of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in cells was detected by DCFH-DA fluorescent probe;the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),anti apoptotic factor B cell lym-phomatoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax),microtubule junction protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ/3 Ⅰ(LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ),selective autophagy junction protein 1(p62),and benzyl chloride 1(Beclin-1)proteins in cells were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with 0 μmol/L Art,the proliferation inhibition rate of SK-NEP-1 cells was gradually increased after 10,20,40 and 80 μmol/L Art treatment(P＜0.05),and the IC50 value was 46.881 μmol/L,so 40 μmol/L Art was selected for follow-up experiments.Compared with the control group,the apoptosis rate,relative autophagy fluorescence intensity,ROS level,Bax,LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ,Beclin-1,PINK1,and Parkin protein expression levels of SK-NEP-1 cells in the Art group were obviously increased,the EdU positive cell rate,PCNA,Bcl-2,and P62 protein expression levels were obviously reduced(P＜0.05);The auto-phagy inhibitor 3-MA inhibited the promoting effect of Art on apoptosis and autophagy of nephroblastoma cells and inhibit proliferation(P＜0.05).Conclusions Art inhibits the proliferation of nephroblastoma cell line SK-NEP-1,and promotes autophagy and apoptosis.

Objective:To investigate the current status of breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery in hospitals in China.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study using convenience sampling. A self-designed survey questionnaire was used to investigate nurses of department of breast diseases in China from May to August 2023. The content of the questionnaire included four aspects: identification information, basic hospital information, the implementation situation of breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery, and the situation of medical and nursing human resources for breast reconstruction, with a total of 39 items. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 software. The non-normally distributed measurement data were expressed as M( Q1, Q3), and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between groups. Numeric data were expressed as frequency and percentage, and comparisons between groups were made using the χ2-test or Fisher’s exact probability method. P<0.05 indicated that the difference was statistically significant. Results:A total of 212 public hospitals from 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities participated in the survey. Two hundred and three hospitals (95.8%) returned valid data, including 155 Grade Ⅲ Level A hospitals, 19 Grade Ⅲ Level B and C hospitals, and 29 Grade Ⅱ hospitals. There were 157 general hospitals, 32 specialized cancer hospitals, and 14 other hospitals. Thirty-nine hospitals did not perform breast reconstruction surgery. A total of 164 hospitals (80.8%) had already carried out breast reconstruction surgery, among which the proportion of breast reconstruction in Grade Ⅲ Level A hospitals [90.3% (140/155)] was significantly higher than that in Grade Ⅲ Level B and C hospitals [52.6% (10/19)] and Grade Ⅱ hospitals [48.3% (14/29)] ( P<0.01). The proportion of breast reconstruction in specialized cancer hospitals [96.9% (31/32)] was significantly higher than that in general hospitals [79.0% (124/157)] and other types of hospitals [64.3% (9/14)] ( P<0.05). Among the 164 hospitals, 310 (150, 637.5) patients underwent breast cancer surgery and 30 (10, 100) patients underwent breast reconstruction in 2022. The proportion of patients undergoing breast reconstruction surgery among breast cancer surgery patients was 13.3% (4.0%, 20.0%). The number of patients receiving immediate breast reconstruction was 11 (2.5, 46.5) cases, and the number of those receiving delayed breast reconstruction was 5 (0, 18.5) cases. Among 203 hospitals, the median proportions of breast oncoplastic surgeons and specialized nurses among healthcare providers in breast surgery departments were 28.6% (2/7) and 75.0% (12/16), respectively. In comparison of the 164 hospitals offering breast reconstruction surgery and 39 hospitals not, the median numbers of breast oncoplastic surgeons were 3 (1, 8) versus 1 (0, 3), and qualified breast reconstruction nurses were 12 (6, 16) versus 1 (0, 8), respectively. All differences were statistically significant (all P<0.01). Conclusion:About 80% of hospitals in China have offered breast reconstruction procedures after breast cancer surgery, and the proportion of Grade Ⅲ Level A hospitals and specialized cancer hospitals is higher than that of other types of hospitals. The proportion of patients undergoing breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery is relatively low, and there is a considerable potential of improvements. Breast oncoplastic surgeons and nurses are insufficient, so it is necessary to strengthen the training of specialized medical staff and improve surgical techniques and the level of nursing services simultaneously, so as to improve the quality of life of breast cancer patients.

Objective To review the damage outcomes of patients in medical damage events and to analyze the influencing factors of medical causality determination in medical damage events in Tianjin city,with a view to reducing the occurrence of medical damage events by avoiding risk factors and standardizing the diagnostic and therapeutic activities of medical personnel.Methods 316 cases of medical damage events handled by the Medical Damage Identification Office of Tianjin Medical Association from 2017 to 2023 were selected as the research object,and descriptive analysis was used to summarize the basic situation of medical damage events,and the medical fault factors affecting the magnitude of the cause force of the medical side of medical damage events were explored through single-factor analysis and the construction of multiomal logistic regression models.Results Medical malpractice(OR=3.140)and incomplete preoperative assessment(OR=6.008)are factors that influence the determination of the liability of the medical institution in medical malpractice events(P＜0.05),and all three regression coefficients were greater than 0,all three were positively correlated with the probability that the medical cause power was judged to be greater than or equal to the equivalent cause.Conclusion The number of medical damage incidents in Tianjin shows a fluctuating downward trend.In Tianjin,the number of medical injury incidents showed a fluctuating downward trend,and the number of medical injury incidents in tertiary public general hospitals was the largest.Therefore,medical institutions should establish and improve multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment mode to improve the level of diagnosis and treatment.Strengthen preoperative evaluation to avoid surgical risk.

Objective To investigate the impact of the artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction (AIIR) algorithm on image quality in chest computed tomography (CT) at different radiation doses, and assess its value in reducing radiation dose during chest CT examinations. Methods A simulated chest phantom was scanned with 12 groups of tube voltages and milliampere-seconds, and the radiation dose was recorded for each group. The images of each group were reconstructed using seven methods: AIIR with noise levels 1-5, KARL iterative reconstruction, and filtered back projection (FBP). The CT values and standard deviations of soft tissue, thoracic vertebrae, pulmonary nodules, and the mediastinum were measured, with standard deviation representing image noise. Subjective evaluation of image quality was performed. The Friedman test was used to compare CT values among the seven reconstruction groups, a linear mixed model was employed for statistical analysis of image noise, and the Friedman test was also used for comparing subjective evaluation scores. Results The reconstruction algorithm, tube voltage, milliampere-seconds, and their interactions all showed statistically significant effects on image noise for the four tissues (F = 2.041-391.283, P < 0.05). Among the reconstruction algorithms, noise reduction capability decreased in the following order: AIIR levels 1-5, KARL, and FBP. The interaction between the reconstruction algorithm and tube voltage or milliampere-seconds indicated that AIIR exhibited improved noise reduction efficacy under low tube voltage and low milliampere-second conditions (|t| = 1.892-8.245, P < 0.05). In terms of subjective evaluation of image quality, there was no statistically significant difference among AIIR levels 3-5 (|Z| ≤ 0.567, P > 0.05), and the score of AIIR level 3 was significantly higher than those of AIIR level 1, AIIR level 2, FBP, and KARL level 2 (|Z| = 3.449-5.906, P < 0.05). Conclusion The AIIR reconstruction algorithm significantly reduced image noise in chest CT examinations. For improving image quality while maintaining image realism, AIIR level 3 is recommended, which can reduce the radiation dose by more than 75%. Furthermore, AIIR showed superior performance in noise reduction under low tube voltage and low milliampere-second conditions, demonstrating significant potential for reducing radiation dose.