Objective: To explore the relationship between non suicidal self injury (NSSI) behavior and serum lipid levels as well as thyroid function among college students with depression. Methods: A total of 169 college students with depression in the psychiatry departments of tertiary hospitals (grade 3A and 3B) in Ningbo from December 2023 to April 2025 were selected. The Adolescent Self injury Scale (ASIS) was used to assess the presence of NSSI, and participants were accordingly divided into a NSSI group ( n =51) and a non NSSI group ( n =118). General demographic data (including gender, age, and family situation) were collected from both groups. Blood tests were performed to measure lipid profiles [triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)] and thyroid hormones [triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)]. Multivariate Logistic regression was employed to analyze risk factors for NSSI, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive value of serum lipid and thyroid hormone levels for NSSI occurrence in college students with depression. Results: The levels of TC, LDL-C, and TSH in the NSSI group were (4.02±0.73) mmol/L, (2.32±0.36) mmol/L, and (6.57±1.95) mU/L , which were significantly higher than those in the non NSSI group [(3.41±0.56) mmol/L, (2.00±0.27) mmol/L, and ( 4.48± 1.09) mU/L, respectively] ( t =5.32, 5.60, 7.20, all P <0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that college students from single parent/reconstituted families, those who had experienced school bullying, and those with higher levels of TC, LDL-C, and TSH had a significantly increased risk of engaging in NSSI ( OR =5.22, 6.12, 5.90, 83.64, 3.64, all P <0.05). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the combined detection of TC, LDL-C, and TSH had high diagnostic efficacy for predicting NSSI in college students with depression, with a sensitivity of 86.3% and a specificity of 94.9%. Conclusions NSSI behavior in college students with depression is associated with serum lipid levels and thyroid function. These biomarkers may serve as useful reference indicators for assessing the conditions of these patients.

ObjectiveBiochemistry and Molecular Biology, a discipline that elucidates life phenomena at the molecular level, serves as a core foundational course in medical education. It provides the theoretical basis for studying other basic and clinical medical subjects, as well as for understanding pathogenesis, disease diagnosis, and treatment. However, its complex content and highly abstract concepts have posed a dual challenge to traditional teaching models: “inefficient instruction” and “inadequate learning outcomes”. Within limited classroom hours, how to engage students and stimulate their intrinsic motivation, and how to help them recognize, understand, and develop a passion for biochemistry from the perspective of the discipline’s essence, have long been key focuses of curriculum research. MethodsUsing the lipid metabolism chapter as an example, this study employs “Rain Classroom”, a generative artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted platform, to support education in four dimensions: teaching, learning, evaluation, and research. In teaching, it assists instructors through virtual experiments, lesson preparation support, knowledge mapping, and assignment design. For learning, it serves as an intelligent study assistant for students, providing automated assignment review, enabling educational resource sharing, and facilitating personalized learning pathways. In evaluation, the platform automates assignment grading, analyzes student performance data, and offers diagnostic feedback and teaching recommendations. In research, it aids educators in collecting and analyzing teaching data, as well as searching for and summarizing relevant literature. ResultsThe results indicate that an educational model integrating teacher-led instruction, student-centered learning, and generative AI assistance significantly enhances teaching quality, students’ self-directed learning abilities, and knowledge mastery. Furthermore, with the support of generative AI, curriculum-based ideological education—focusing on cutting-edge disciplinary advances and topical medical issues—helps cultivate students’ medical spirit of “honoring life and healing the wounded”, thereby fostering the establishment of appropriate professional values. Finally, while generative AI presents both opportunities and challenges for higher education, this study also analyzes potential risks in its teaching applications, emphasizing the need for both instructors and students to avoid over-reliance and to ensure that technological tools consistently serve the fundamental goals of education. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that integrating generative AI, specifically via the “Rain Classroom” platform, can effectively enhance biochemistry education. By supporting teaching, learning, evaluation, and research, this approach improves both educational effectiveness and student outcomes. It also facilitates the incorporation of cutting-edge knowledge and professional ethics, nurturing a patient-centered mindset. Additionally, the study addresses potential implementation risks to ensure that such technological tools remain aligned with the core purpose of education.

ObjectiveTo optimize the flow cytometric sorting workflow for myeloid-derived suppressor cells （MDSCs） from murine Lewis lung carcinoma （LLC） subcutaneous tumor tissues， improving single-cell suspension preparation efficiency and sorting purity， thereby providing high-quality cells for subsequent functional studies. MethodsSubcutaneous LLC tumor tissues were harvested from C57BL/6 mice， and two enzymatic digestion protocols were first compared to evaluate their effects on single-cell suspension preparation. After staining with a viability dye （Live/Dead） and fluorochrome-conjugated anti-mouse antibodies against CD45， CD11b， and Gr-1， cells were loaded onto a Beckman CytoFLEX cell sorter. Next， conventional and optimized gating strategies were applied. In the optimized strategy， the CD45⁺ population was used as the initial gate to directly define an MDSC-enriched region， followed by selection of CD11b⁺Gr-1⁺ cells. Finally， purity was assessed by flow cytometry， viability was determined by trypan blue staining， and RT-qPCR was performed to measure the expression of MDSC signature genes， including Arg1， Nos2， IL-10， and S100A8/A9. ResultsThe optimized enzymatic digestion protocol significantly increased the yield and viability of single cells. After optimization of the gating strategy， the post-sort positivity rate （purity） was markedly improved. Arg1， Nos2， IL-10 and S100A8/A9 were highly expressed in the sorted cells， indicating that the isolated cells retained characteristic MDSC features and functional signatures. ConclusionBy optimizing both the tissue digestion protocol and the flow cytometric gating strategy， we establish an efficient workflow for isolating MDSCs from tumor tissues. This method improves the yield and purity of single-cell preparations while preserving antigen integrity， providing a reliable methodological foundation for subsequent studies on MDSC function and metabolism.

Dendritic cell (DC), as pivotal antigen-presenting cells within the immune system, plays a critical role in overcoming immunosuppression and eliciting tumor-specific immune responses. Hypofractionated radiotherapy, as a distinct form of radiotherapy, not only shortens the treatment duration and improves local tumor control, but also profoundly modulates the tumor microenvironment through immune regulation. Nevertheless, the impact of hypofractionated radiotherapy on the functionality of DC remains incompletely understood. In this article, the effects of hypofractionated radiotherapy on DC survival, phenotypic characteristics, antigen-presenting capacity, migratory ability, cytokine secretion, and T-cell activation were systematically investigated to deepen the understanding of the interplay between hypofractionated radiotherapy and immune system. These findings are anticipated to provide a scientific foundation for optimizing immune modulation strategies in tumor radiotherapy, thereby offering enhanced clinical guidance and improving therapeutic outcomes.

Objective To develop four novel cocrystals of felodipine aimed at improving its poor solubility.Methods Felodipine-caproamide,felodipine-2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid,felodipine-2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid,and felodipine-3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid cocrystals were prepared using the slurry method.The cocrystals were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction(PXRD),differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),thermogravimetric analysis(TGA),and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR).Stability tests and in vitro dissolution studies were conducted to assess their pharmaceutical properties.Results All four cocrystals demonstrated improved solubility and dissolution rates compared to pure felodipine.Notably,the felodipine-3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid cocrystal showed superior stability and a marked increase in solubility.Conclusion Cocrystallization technology significantly enhanced the stability and dissolution profile of felodipine,underscoring its potential for pharmaceutical formulation development.

Objective To develop four novel cocrystals of felodipine aimed at improving its poor solubility.Methods Felodipine-caproamide,felodipine-2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid,felodipine-2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid,and felodipine-3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid cocrystals were prepared using the slurry method.The cocrystals were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction(PXRD),differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),thermogravimetric analysis(TGA),and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR).Stability tests and in vitro dissolution studies were conducted to assess their pharmaceutical properties.Results All four cocrystals demonstrated improved solubility and dissolution rates compared to pure felodipine.Notably,the felodipine-3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid cocrystal showed superior stability and a marked increase in solubility.Conclusion Cocrystallization technology significantly enhanced the stability and dissolution profile of felodipine,underscoring its potential for pharmaceutical formulation development.

Background/Aims: Dexamethasone (DEX) is a widely used exogenous therapeutic glucocorticoid in clinical settings. Its long-term use leads to many side effects. However, its effect on metabolic disorders in individuals on a high-fat diet (HFD) remains poorly understood. Methods: In this study, HFD-fed mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEX 2.5 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Lipid metabolism, adipocyte proliferation, and inflammation were assayed using typical approaches. Results: DEX increased the epididymal fat index and epididymal adipocyte size in HFD-fed mice. The number of epididymal adipocytes with diameters > 70 μm accounted for 0.5% of the cells in the control group, 30% of the cells in the DEX group, 19% of the cells in the HFD group, and 38% of all the cells in the D+H group. Adipocyte proliferation in the D+H group was inhibited by DEX treatment. Adipocyte enlargement in the D+H group was associated with increased the lipid accumulation but not the adipocyte proliferation. In contrast, the liver triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and their metabolism were downregulated by the same treatment, indicating the therapeutic potential of DEX for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Conclusions DEX synergizes with HFD to promote lipid deposition in adipose tissues. A high risk of obesity development in patients receiving HFD and DEX treatment is suggested.

Methods: Seventy-five patients with atlas fracture were included from January 2015 to December 2020. Based on the anatomy of the fracture line, atlas fractures were divided into three types. Each type was divided into two subtypes according to the fracture displacement. Unweighted Cohen kappa coefficients were applied to evaluate the reliability and reproducibility. Results: According to the new classification, 17 cases of type A1, 12 of type A2, seven of type B1, 13 of type B2, 12 of type C1, and 14 of type C2 were identified. The K-values of the interobserver and intraobserver reliability were 0.846 and 0.912, respectively, for the new classification. The K-values of interobserver reliability for types A, B, and C were 0.843, 0.799, and 0.898, respectively. The K-values of intraobserver reliability for types A, B, and C were 0.888, 0.910, and 0.935, respectively. The mean K-values of the interobserver and intraobserver reliability for subtypes were 0.687 and 0.829, respectively. Conclusions The new classification of atlas fractures can cover nearly all atlas fractures. This system is the first to evaluate the severity of fractures based on the C1 articular facet and fracture displacement and strengthen the anatomy ring of the atlas. It is concise, easy to remember, reliable, and reproducible.

Background/Aims: Dexamethasone (DEX) is a widely used exogenous therapeutic glucocorticoid in clinical settings. Its long-term use leads to many side effects. However, its effect on metabolic disorders in individuals on a high-fat diet (HFD) remains poorly understood. Methods: In this study, HFD-fed mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEX 2.5 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Lipid metabolism, adipocyte proliferation, and inflammation were assayed using typical approaches. Results: DEX increased the epididymal fat index and epididymal adipocyte size in HFD-fed mice. The number of epididymal adipocytes with diameters > 70 μm accounted for 0.5% of the cells in the control group, 30% of the cells in the DEX group, 19% of the cells in the HFD group, and 38% of all the cells in the D+H group. Adipocyte proliferation in the D+H group was inhibited by DEX treatment. Adipocyte enlargement in the D+H group was associated with increased the lipid accumulation but not the adipocyte proliferation. In contrast, the liver triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and their metabolism were downregulated by the same treatment, indicating the therapeutic potential of DEX for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Conclusions DEX synergizes with HFD to promote lipid deposition in adipose tissues. A high risk of obesity development in patients receiving HFD and DEX treatment is suggested.

Background/Aims: Dexamethasone (DEX) is a widely used exogenous therapeutic glucocorticoid in clinical settings. Its long-term use leads to many side effects. However, its effect on metabolic disorders in individuals on a high-fat diet (HFD) remains poorly understood. Methods: In this study, HFD-fed mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEX 2.5 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Lipid metabolism, adipocyte proliferation, and inflammation were assayed using typical approaches. Results: DEX increased the epididymal fat index and epididymal adipocyte size in HFD-fed mice. The number of epididymal adipocytes with diameters > 70 μm accounted for 0.5% of the cells in the control group, 30% of the cells in the DEX group, 19% of the cells in the HFD group, and 38% of all the cells in the D+H group. Adipocyte proliferation in the D+H group was inhibited by DEX treatment. Adipocyte enlargement in the D+H group was associated with increased the lipid accumulation but not the adipocyte proliferation. In contrast, the liver triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and their metabolism were downregulated by the same treatment, indicating the therapeutic potential of DEX for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Conclusions DEX synergizes with HFD to promote lipid deposition in adipose tissues. A high risk of obesity development in patients receiving HFD and DEX treatment is suggested.