Objective To investigate the protective effects of ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1(Fer-1)on high-altitude hypoxic lung injury and explore novel preventive strategies for high-altitude hypoxia-induced lung injury.Methods ①Eighteen SPF male Wistar rats(5～6 weeks old,210～230 g)were randomly divided into 3 groups(n=6):normoxic control,hypoxic lung injury,and Fer-1 pretreatment groups.A hypobaric chamber was used to establish a rat model of high-altitude hypoxic lung injury.Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)was employed to compare pulmonary protein profiles between normoxic and hypoxic groups,followed by bioinformatics analysis of pathways enriched with differentially expressed proteins(DEPs).Histopathological changes and lung injury scores were assessed with HE staining.ELISA was used to quantify the inflammatory cytokines,flow cytometry and immunofluorescence assay were employed to measure the production of reactive oxygen species(ROS),and spectrophotometry was utilized to determine the contents of Fe2?,glutathione(GSH),malondialdehyde(MDA),and superoxide dismutase(SOD)to evaluate oxidative stress and detect ferroptosis-related markers.② Human bronchial epithelial cells(bronchial epithelium transformed with Ad12-SV40,BEAS-2B)and macrophages induced by tumor human peripheral blood monocytes-1(THP-1)cells were placed in a low oxygen conditions for 48 h to establish a cellular model of hypoxic lung injury,on which Fer-1 was administered as a preventive group.Ferroptosis markers in BEAS-2B cells and inflammatory cytokine secretion in macrophages were analyzed.Results ①Proteomics identified 2 962 proteins,with 357 DEPs(199 up-regulated,158 down-regulated).Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analysis showed ferroptosis as the most enriched pathway.Hypoxic lung injury resulted in elevated ROS,MDA,Fe2?,and inflammatory cytokines(P<0.05),reduced SOD,GSH,solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),and ferritin heavy chain 1(FTH1),and increased acyl-coa synthetase long chain family member 4(ACSL4)(P<0.05).Fer-1 pretreatment significantly mitigated oxidative stress(ROS,MDA,SOD,GSH;P<0.05),up-regulated SLC7A11 and FTH1,down-regulated ACSL4(P<0.05),and reduced inflammation(P<0.05).②In cellular models,Fer-1 increased SLC7A11,GPX4,FTH1,GSH,and SOD(P<0.05),declined ROS(P<0.05),and suppressed macrophage inflammatory cytokines(P<0.05).Conclusion Fer-1 alleviates high-altitude hypoxic lung injury by inhibiting ferroptosis in pulmonary epithelial cells and attenuating macrophage-driven inflammation,providing experimental evidence for novel therapeutic strategies.

Objective To investigate the relationship of aberrant SMAD family member 7(SMAD7)signaling pathway and ferroptosis in myelodysplastic syndromes(MDS)and evaluate the effect of asiaticoside(AC)-modulating SMAD7 up-regulation to suppress ferroptosis in MDS cell lines.Methods Publicly available MDS-related datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes(DEGs)between MDS patients and healthy controls.These DEGs were cross-referenced with ferroptosis-associated genes from the Ferroptosis Database(FerrDb)to identify potential ferroptosis-related targets in MDS.Bone marrow mononuclear cells(BMMNCs)were isolated from 18 MDS patients freshly diagnosed in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospitaland and from 16 healthy donors during October 2022 and November 2024.RT-qPCR was employed to detect the expression of SMAD7 and ferroptosis-related genes.Immunomagnetic bead sorting was applied to purify CD33+cells,and then qPCR and Western blotting were utilized to measure the expression of SMAD7 and ferroptosis-related biomarkers at mRNA and protein levels.Human normal bone marrow cells(HS-5)and MDS cell lines(MUTZ-1,SKM-1)were treated with gradient concentrations of AC(SMAD7 activator)and ferrostatin-1(Fer-1,ferroptosis inhibitor),and SMAD7 overexpression plasmids were transfected into MDS cells.qPCR and Western blotting were utilized to measure the expression of SMAD7 and ferroptosis-related biomarkers at mRNA and protein levels,and the contents of glutathione(GSH),malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and reactive oxygen species(ROS)were detected.Flow cytometry of CD11b+was performed to measure cellular differentiation.Results ①Bioinformatics analysis revealed significant down-regulation of SMAD7 in MDS patients,correlating with ferroptosis activation.Compared to the healthy controls,MDS patients exhibited decreased SMAD7 expression(P<0.05),reduced levels of negative regulators of ferroptosis,glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)and ferritin heavy chain(FTH1)(P<0.05),and elevated expression of its positive regulator transferrin receptor protein 1(TFRC)(P<0.05).Consistent with this,when compared with the normal human bone marrow stromal cell line HS-5,the MDS cell lines MUTZ-1 and SKM-1 exhibited declined expression of SMAD7,GPX4,and FTH1,alongside elevated expression of TFRC(P<0.05).② Treatment with gradient concentrations of the ferroptosis inhibitors ferrostatin-1(Fer-1),the expression levels of GPX4 and FTH1 in MDS cell lines were significantly upregulated in a concentration-dependent manner(P<0.05),while TFRC was markedly downregulated(P<0.05).Additionally,GSH content and SOD activity were enhanced,whereas ROS levels and MDA content were significantly reduced(P<0.05).These results suggest that Fer-1 effectively suppresses ferroptosis in MDS cells.③SMAD7 overexpression led to up-regulation of GPX4 and FTH1 ih MDS cell lines,while downregulation of TFRC,improved anti-oxidative ability and reduced ferroptosis,with enhanced CD11b+expression and myeloid differentiation.④ Following AC treatment,the expression levels of GPX4 and FTH1 in MDS cell lines were significantly upregulated in a concentration-dependent manner(P<0.05),whereas the downregulation of TFRC did not reach statistical significance.Additionally,AC treatment effectively enhanced the antioxidant capacity of the cells,increased the proportion of CD11b+cells(P<0.05),and facilitated cellular differentiation.Conclusion AC activates SMAD7 in MDS cell lines,up-regulating GPX4 and FTH1 while suppressing TFRC expression.This mechanism alleviates oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation,thereby inhibiting ferroptosis in MDS cells.Concurrently,SMAD7 activation promotes cellular differentiation.

Objective To observe the effect of the self-made reverse leveling device for assisting CT-guided puncture of phantom.Methods The reverse leveling device was made using protractor base,leveling bubble,puncture needle fixator,protractor and protractor pointer,and a puncture phantom was self-made with 18K foam plastic.Using a random function to set the puncture angle,3 physicians performed each 50 punctures at different angles respectively on the puncture phantom without assistance(control group)or under assistance of the self-made reverse leveling device(experimental group),and the absolute values of the errors in angles of puncture needle at head-foot and left-right directions measured on CT among 3 physicians were observed and compared between groups.Taken the absolute values of puncture angle errors at head-foot and left-right directions both≤3° as criteria of qualified puncture,the puncture qualification rates were calculated and compared between groups.Results There was no significant difference of the absolute values of puncture angle error at head-foot or left-right direction with or without assistance among 3 physicians(all P＞0.05).In experimental group,the absolute values of puncture angle error at head-foot and left-right directions were all lower than(both P＜0.001),while the puncture qualification rate was higher than those in control group(52.00%[78/150]vs.4.67%[7/150],χ2=82.752,P＜0.001).Conclusion The self-made reverse leveling device could improve the accuracy of CT-guided puncture of phantom.

Experimental teaching of Medical Immunology is an important way to achieve the teaching goal of cultivating"prac-tical,applied,and innovative high-quality medical talents".Applying the ATR teaching mode to Medical Immunology experimental teaching,fully utilizing the advantages of artificial intelligence teaching assistants,can not only stimulate students'learning enthusi-asm,achieve simultaneous progress of"knowledge learning"and"thinking exercise",promote deep learning,and improve teaching quality,but also enhance students'teamwork ability,achieve a dual approach of"value thinking"and"practical exercise",integrate ideological and political education into the curriculum,and achieve moral education.

Objective To observe the effect of the self-made reverse leveling device for assisting CT-guided puncture of phantom.Methods The reverse leveling device was made using protractor base,leveling bubble,puncture needle fixator,protractor and protractor pointer,and a puncture phantom was self-made with 18K foam plastic.Using a random function to set the puncture angle,3 physicians performed each 50 punctures at different angles respectively on the puncture phantom without assistance(control group)or under assistance of the self-made reverse leveling device(experimental group),and the absolute values of the errors in angles of puncture needle at head-foot and left-right directions measured on CT among 3 physicians were observed and compared between groups.Taken the absolute values of puncture angle errors at head-foot and left-right directions both≤3° as criteria of qualified puncture,the puncture qualification rates were calculated and compared between groups.Results There was no significant difference of the absolute values of puncture angle error at head-foot or left-right direction with or without assistance among 3 physicians(all P＞0.05).In experimental group,the absolute values of puncture angle error at head-foot and left-right directions were all lower than(both P＜0.001),while the puncture qualification rate was higher than those in control group(52.00%[78/150]vs.4.67%[7/150],χ2=82.752,P＜0.001).Conclusion The self-made reverse leveling device could improve the accuracy of CT-guided puncture of phantom.

Experimental teaching of Medical Immunology is an important way to achieve the teaching goal of cultivating"prac-tical,applied,and innovative high-quality medical talents".Applying the ATR teaching mode to Medical Immunology experimental teaching,fully utilizing the advantages of artificial intelligence teaching assistants,can not only stimulate students'learning enthusi-asm,achieve simultaneous progress of"knowledge learning"and"thinking exercise",promote deep learning,and improve teaching quality,but also enhance students'teamwork ability,achieve a dual approach of"value thinking"and"practical exercise",integrate ideological and political education into the curriculum,and achieve moral education.

Objective:To analyze clinical characteristics of acromegaly patients who have discordant growth hormone(GH) or insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) levels and evaluate impact of different GH cut-offs on discordance rate.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 66 acromegaly patients treated at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from November 2017 to March 2023. Patients were categorized based on the nadir GH(GHn) and IGF-1 levels at the last follow-up into four groups: controlled, high GH, high IGF-1, and active. Clinical and metabolic parameters were compared across these groups, and impact of different GHn and fasting growth hormone(GHf) cut-offs on discordance rate was evaluated.Results:No statistically significant differences were observed among groups in age, duration of follow-up, imaging characteristics(all P>0.05). High IGF-1 group had higher fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment for β cell function compared to controlled and high GH group(all P<0.05), while these parameters did not differ between high GH and controlled group. High IGF-1 group had higher carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen, osteocalcin and procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide compared to controlled and high GH group, but differences were not statistically significant(all P>0.05). These parameters also did not differ between high GH and controlled group. Discordance rate was not significantly different when GHn cut-offs was 1.0 μg/L or 0.4 μg/L(30.3% vs 21.3%, P=0.146). Compared to 2.5 μg/L, discordance rate was lower when GHf cut-off was 1.0 μg/L(39.4% vs 24.3%, P=0.041). Conclusion:The discordance rate in treated acromegaly patients during follow-up is approximately 30%. Different GH measurement timings and cut-offs significantly impact discordance rate. Patients with normal GH and elevated IGF-1 levels are at potential risk of active disease, and require closer follow-up. This study provides a valuable reference for treatment of patients with discordant GH and IGF-1 levels.

Objective:To establish HPLC fingerprints of Aristolochia contorta and honey-processed Aristolochia contorta; To analyze the changes of chemical components before and after honey processing with multivariate statistics; To provide a reference for the study on the toxicity reduction of Aristolochia contorta.Methods:The fingerprints of 11 batches of Aristolochia contorta and honey-processed Aristolochia contorta were established through HPLC. Clustering analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and independent sample t-test were used to compare the changes of chemical components of Aristolochia contorta before and after honey processing.Results:The results showed that there were 14 common peaks in the fingerprints of Aristolochia contorta and Aristolochia contorta. 7 common peaks were identified. Both HCA and PCA could clearly distinguish the samples of Aristolochia contorta before and after honey processing. OPLS-DA found and screened 7 differential markers, and the order of difference significance was peak 3 > peak 7 (7-hydroxy aristolochic acid A) > peak 5 (aristolochic acid C)> peak 8 (aristolochic acid D) > peak 6 > peak 2 (Magnolia alkaloid) > peak 14 (aristolochic acid Ⅰ). After honey processing, the content of chemical components represented by peaks 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 14 decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:This method is simple and specific, which can be used for the fingerprint analysis of Aristolochia contorta and honey-processed Aristolochia contorta, and can effectively distinguish Aristolochia contorta and honey-processed Aristolochia contorta, and provide a reference for the processing research of toxicity reduction of Aristolochia contorta honey processing.

Objective:To explore the hematological phenotype and genotypic characteristics of five Chinese individuals with a rare thalassemia mutation HBB: c. 93-21G>A. Methods:A retrospective study was carried out on five individuals identified by the People′s Hospital of Yangjiang and Guangzhou Hybribio Co., Ltd. from May 2018 to September 2022. Routine blood test and hemoglobin electrophoresis were performed, and the genotypes of five subjects were determined by using PCR combined with reverse dot blotting (RDB), nested PCR, Gap-PCR and Sanger sequencing. This study was approved by Medical Ethics Cornmittee of the People′s Hospital of Yangjiang (Ethics No. 20240001).Results:Among the five individuals, hematological data of one was unavailable, and the remaining four had presented with microcytosis and hypochromia. The results of hemoglobin electrophoresis indicated that all of them had a HbA 2 level of ≥4.7%. Genetic analysis showed that one case had harbored compound heterozygous mutations of ααα anti3.7 triplet and HBB: c. 93-21G>A, one had compound heterozygous mutations of -α 3.7 and HBB: c. 93-21G>A, whilst the remaining three were heterozygous for the HBB: c. 93-21G>A mutation. Conclusion:The hematological phenotype of β-thalassemia carriers ( HBB: c. 93-21G>A) is similar to that of other β + thalassemia heterozygotes with mild β-thalassemia characteristics.

Purpose: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is strongly recommended for advanced gastric cancer due to good local control and a high rate of R0 dissection with this strategy. Minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy-assisted or total laparoscopic approaches is becoming more and more acceptable in the treatment for gastric cancer. However, the safety and efficiency of total laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy (TLG) for advanced gastric cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy have not been well evaluated. Methods: A retrospective study in a single center from 2014 to 2016 was conducted. A total of 65 locally advanced gastric cancers were treated by laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (LAG) or TLG. Parameters which include operation time, blood loss, complications, hospital stay, 3-year overall survival, and 3-year disease-free survival were used for comparison. Results: The time of operation in the TLG group was shorter than in the LAG group (P = 0.013), blood loss was less (P = 0.002) and time to first flatus was shorter (P = 0.039) in the TLG group than that in the LLG group. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were comparable in both groups. No significant difference was found in 3-year overall and disease-free survival. Conclusion For patients with locally advanced gastric cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy can be considered as a safe and efficient alternative. A further multicenter prospective randomized controlled study is needed to elucidate the applicability of this technique for advanced gastric cancer.