Objective To explore the effect of autophagy and apoptosis on heart failure(HF)induced by pressure overload.Methods In the animal experiment,twenty C57/BL6J mice(aged 8-12 weeks)underwent transverse aortic constriction(TAC)to duplicate the model of pressure overload-induced HF.The mice were randomly divided into sham group(only threading was performed without ligation)and surgery group(TAC group).Four weeks after post-operation,echocardiography was used to assess cardiac function.Ratios of heart weight/body weight(HW/BW)and heart weight/tibia length(HW/TL)were calculated.Histopathological changes were assessed with Masson and WGA staining.Quantitative real-time PCR was used to quantify the mRNA levels of hypertrophy-related genes:ANP,BNP,and β-MHC.Western blot analysis was used to determine the expression of autophagy proteins(Beclin1,P62,LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ)and apoptosis proteins(BCL2,BAX,c-caspase-3).In the cell experiment,H9C2 cells were induced with angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)to serve as an in vitro HF model.The H9C2 cells were divided into control(PBS group),Ang II group,PBS with chloroquine(PBS+CQ group),and Ang Ⅱ with chloroquine(Ang II+CQ group).After modeling,western blotting was used to assay apoptosis protein expression(Beclin1,P62,LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ,BAX,BCL2,c-caspase-3).Autophagy double-labeled lentivirus mRFP-eGFP-LC3 was used to detect autophagic flux.Results Compared with the control group,the TAC group enlarged mouse heart,significantly increased HW/BW and HW/TL values,and decreased ejection fraction(EF)and shortened fraction(FS)(P<0.001).Fibrosis and collagen deposition were aggravated,the cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes increased(P<0.001),and the mRNA expression levels of myocardial hypertrophy markers ANP,BNP and β-MHC(P<0.001)were significantly increased,suggesting the successful construction of an understress-induced heart failure model in vivo.Compared to the control group,there was an upregulation of autophagy-related proteins Beclin1,P62,LC3-II/I(P<0.01)and apoptosis proteins BAX,c-caspase-3(P<0.01),while the expression of BCL-2(P<0.001)protein was reduced.In the cell experiments,in the in vitro heart failure model group,the autophagosomes were significantly increased,but there was no significant change in autophagic lysosomes,and autophagic flux was impaired.After blocking the autophagy process with chloroquine(CQ),the Ang II+CQ group showed further increased expression of the autophagic proteins Beclin 1,LC3-II/I,P62(P<0.05),and apoptosis proteins BAX and cleaved caspase-3(P<0.01)compared to the Ang II group,and a further decrease in protein levels of BCL-2(P<0.001).Additionally,CQ led to a significant increase in the number of autophagosomes,but there was no significant change in autophagic lysosomes,and autophagic flux was impaired.Conclusion Both autophagy and apoptosis are activated in pressure overload-induced heart failure,and impaired autophagic flux exacerbates apoptosis in this model.

To address the challenge of cultural integration in multi-campus public hospitals,the Cancer Center of Sun Yat-Sen University has embarked on a practical exploration using cultural and creative work as a vehicle,guided by cultural confi-dence.The center has created a cultural and creative matrix for its 60th anniversary,systematically innovating the cultural and creative work mechanism,vertically activating historical and cultural resources,and linking both inside and outside the hospital campuses.Additionally,a"full-cycle"cultural and creative system has been designed for the Huangpu campus,covering multi-ple scenarios and horizontally strengthening cross-campus identity.Following the principle of"appreciating the beauty of diversity while cherishing our own,"the Cancer Center of Sun Yat-Sen University aims to transform cultural soft power into a driving force for high-quality development and enhance cultural confidence through party building leadership.The"Cancer Center of Sun Yat-Sen University approach"of promoting cultural integration in multi-campus hospitals through cultural and creative work provides an empirical example for transforming cultural soft power into a driving force for high-quality development and enhancing cultural confidence in multi-campus public hospitals.The key lessons lie in deeply tapping into historical and cultural resources,emphasi-zing identity,building a collaborative innovation mechanism,and realizing the organic integration of cultural integration and high-quality hospital development.

Hypothermia is a clinical syndrome characterized by core body temperature<35℃,caused by significant heat loss from body surface in cold environment.As a systemic cold injury,it can be lethal if treatment is delayed.Emergent diagnosis and treatment of hypothermia are expected to improve the prognosis of patients.In 2005,the U.S.Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine(USARIEM)issued guidelines for the prevention and management of cold injuries,but there has been no corresponding standard in China.Therefore,Emergency Branch of Chinese Medical Rescue Association,Emergency Medical Equipment Society of China Association of Medical Equipment,Integrated Rehabilitation Medical Branch of Chinese Medical Rescue Association,and Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Working Committee of Chinese Aging Well Association jointly developed the Chinese Expert Consensus on Emergent Treatment of Hypothermia(2025 edition).The consensus covers the pathophysiology,etiology and epidemiology,diagnosis and severity grading,prehospital treatment,and in-hospital treatment of hypothermia,including 15 recommendations in total,aiming to provide guidance for the relevant clinical rescue work.

Objective:To investigate the effect of KRAS,NRAS and BRAF gene mutations on the efficacy of pre-operative short-course radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy and postoperative liver metastasis in patients with stage Ⅱ～Ⅲ mid-low rectal cancer.Methods:The clinical data of 149 patients with stage Ⅱ～Ⅲ low rectal cancer admitted to Dongnan Hospital of Xiamen University from January 2017 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients received neoadjuvant therapy with preoperative short-course radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy and radical surgery,and were followed up until June 30,2023.The mutations of KRAS,NRAS and BRAF genes were de-tected by pathological tissue before surgery.The effect of neoadjuvant therapy was evaluated according to tumor re-gression grade(TRG).The risk factors of postoperative liver metastasis were analyzed by Logistic multivariate analysis.Results:There were 44 cases of KRAS,10 cases of NRAS and 12 cases of BRAF gene mutation in 149 patients with stage Ⅱ～Ⅲ low rectal cancer,and the mutation rates were 29.53%,6.71%and 8.05%.The incidence of positive vas-cular invasion in patients with KRAS gene mutation was higher than negative(P＜0.05).In NRAS mutation patients,the incidence of positive lymph node metastasis was higher than negative(P＜0.05),and the incidence of maximum tumor diameter≥5 cm was higher than that of maximum tumor diameter＜5 cm(P＜0.05).The clinical stage of BRAF muta-tion was higher in stage Ⅲ than in stage Ⅱ(P＜0.05),and the incidence of positive lymph node metastasis was higher than negative(P＜0.05).During the follow-up period,liver metastasis occurred in 42 patients,and the liver metastasis rate was 28.18%.The KRAS,NRAS and BRAF gene mutations in the effective group were 25.81%,2.15%and 3.23%,lower than those in the ineffective group(35.71%,14.29%and 17.07%,P＜0.05).Multiple factors found clinical stage Ⅲ(OR=10.620,95%CI:2.645～22.575),lymph node metastasis was positive(OR=8.774,95%CI:1.878～19.645),neoadju-vant therapy failed(OR=3.373,95%CI:1.014～11.218),KRAS gene mutation(OR=6.245,95%CI:1.876～20.789),BRAF gene mutation(OR=9.497,95%CI:1.754～19.335)were independent risk factors for postoperative liver metastasis of stage Ⅱ～Ⅲ mid-low rectal cancer.Conclusion:Mutations in the KRAS and BRAF genes of middle are associated with poorer efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy in patients with stage Ⅱ～Ⅲ mid-low rectal cancer and are also indepen-dent risk factors for postoperative liver metastasis.

The scientific research and innovation capabilities of medical students are intrinsically linked to the sustained and high-quality development of national healthcare initiatives.Cultivating outstanding medi-cal students with independent scientific capabilities and innovative consciousness is a critical component in the education and training of high-level medical professionals.Our investigation revealed that within the imperfections of the cultivating model,some faculty and students at medical schools have an insufficient understanding of scientific research and innovation and lack motivation for engaging in such activities,which hinder the progression of scientific research activities.Consequently,we initiated a teaching practice and exploratory study on the"tutorial system"aimed at fostering medical students'scientific research and innovation abilities.Based on the principle of"research informing teaching,teaching and research advan-cing together,"this study implements a"tutorial system"coordinated by tutors,supplemented by graduate and undergraduate student mentors,to cultivate innovative thinking,stimulate interest in scientific re-search,and enhance practical and research skills among medical students.Through collaborative efforts within"scientific research innovation teams,"various educational methods—including preliminary re-search,in-class and extracurricular activities,intra-group and inter-group interactions,and theoretical and practical applications—are employed to improve and strengthen the cultivation of medical students'scientif-ic research and innovation abilities.This study aims to provide valuable references for optimizing medical education management systems and enhancing the quality of medical student training.

Under the multi-campus development model of public hospitals,cultural integration and innovation face nu-merous challenges due to spatial constraints,personnel structure differences,and functional positioning across campuses.System-atic cultural development is required to bridge these gaps and enhance the sense of belonging among both patients and staff in new campuses.This case study focuses on the Huangpu Campus of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center,launched in 2021,explo-ring a dual-dimensional approach to multi-campus cultural integration through"healing spaces."The practical strategies include:①Direct Space Construction:Establishing patient-centered healing environments through service hubs to optimize clinical experi-ences and humanistic care;(②Inidirect Environment Development:Leveraging staff service centers to foster the integration of the hospital's"collaborative,fulfilling,and striving culture,"thereby strengthening employee engagement.Post-implementation,significant improvements were observed in both patient and staff satisfaction metrics.The initiative has yielded a replicable cultur-al management framework for multi-campus public hospitals,offering valuable insights for cultural innovation in similar healthcare settings.

Aim To study the correlation between es-trogen metabolism function of intestinal flora and liver fibrosis disease phenotype and differential intestinal bacteria by fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT).Methods C57BL/6J male mice were divided into normal group(Control-M),liver fibrosis Model group(Model),FMT-1 group(normal mice fecal microbiota transplantation from liver fibrosis mice),and FMT-2 group(liver fibrosis mice fecal microbiota transplanta-tion from female mice).The model group was induced by high fat and high glucose combined with low dose of CCl4 for 16 weeks.In the FMT group,the bacteria were destroyed by mixed antibacterial solution and then the corresponding fecal microbiota solution was given.The model group was established in the FMT-2 group and the model group at the same time.Liver function(ALT,AST)was detected by biochemical methods;liver inflammation(IL-1α,IL-6)was detected by ELISA;liver pathology was detected by HE and Mas-son methods;the expressions of α-SMA,collagen Ⅰ,estrogen receptor ERα,ERβ and GPER were detected by Western blot;estrogen metabolic enzymes β-glucu-ronidase and β-glucosidase in intestinal flora were de-tected by double antibody sandwich assay;gut microbi-ota was detected by 16S rDNA method;the correlation between estrogen metabolic enzymes,estrogen receptors and disease phenotypes and disease-related differential bacteria was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.Results Liver function,inflammation and fibrosis in-dices were significantly higher in the model group than those in the control-M group and significantly lower in the FMT-2 group than in the model group;estrogen metabolic enzymes of the intestinal flora significantly increased in the model group compared to the control-M group and significantly decreased in the FMT-2 group compared to the model group;the model group showed a significant increase in ERβ and GPER and a significant decrease in ERα compared to the control-M group,while the FMT-2 group showed a significant de-crease in ERβ and GPER and a significant increase in ERα compared to the model group;the FMT-2 group increased the enterobacterial abundance and diversity reduced by modelling;estrogen metabolic enzymes,es-trogen receptor ERβ and GPER were all positively cor-related with the disease phenotype,while the opposite was true for ERα;estrogen metabolic enzymes were positively correlated with Allobaculum,Ruminococcus and Alistipes,and negatively correlated with Akkerman-sia,Lactobacillus and Prevotella.Conclusions Fecal microbiota transplantation in female mice can alleviate liver fibrosis in male mice,which is related to the im-provement of estrogen metabolism of intestinal flora.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of stir-fried Semen Armeniacae Amarum (SAA) against aristolochic acid I (AAI)-induced nephrotoxicity and DNA adducts and elucidate the underlying mechanism involved for ensuring the safe use of Asari Radix et Rhizoma. METHODS: In vitro, HEK293T cells overexpressing Flag-tagged multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 (MRP3) were constructed by Lentiviral transduction, and inhibitory effect of top 10 common pairs of medicinal herbs with Asari Radix et Rhizoma in clinic on MRP3 activity was verified using a self-constructed fluorescence screening system. The mRNA, protein expressions, and enzyme activity levels of NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) and cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) were measured in differentiated HepaRG cells. Hepatocyte toxicity after inhibition of AAI metabolite transport was detected using cell counting kit-8 assay. In vivo, C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups according to a random number table, including: control (1% sodium bicarbonate), AAI (10 mg/kg), stir-fried SAA (1.75 g/kg) and AAI + stir-fried SAA (1.75 and 8.75 g/kg) groups, 6 mice in each group. After 7 days of continuous gavage administration, liver and kidney damages were assessed, and the protein expressions and enzyme activity of liver metabolic enzymes NQO1 and CYP1A2 were determined simultaneously. RESULTS: In vivo, combination of 1.75 g/kg SAA and 10 mg/kg AAI suppressed AAI-induced nephrotoxicity and reduced dA-ALI formation by 26.7%, and these detoxification effects in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). Mechanistically, SAA inhibited MRP3 transport in vitro, downregulated NQO1 expression in vivo, increased CYP1A2 expression and enzymatic activity in vitro and in vivo, respectively (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Notably, SAA also reduced AAI-induced hepatotoxicity throughout the detoxification process, as indicated by a 41.3% reduction in the number of liver adducts (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Stir-fried SAA is a novel drug candidate for the suppression of AAI-induced liver and kidney damages. The protective mechanism may be closely related to the regulation of transporters and metabolic enzymes.
Aristolochic Acids/toxicity* ; Animals ; Humans ; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone)/genetics* ; HEK293 Cells ; Kidney/pathology* ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; DNA Adducts/drug effects* ; Male ; Kidney Diseases/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Mice ; Prunus armeniaca ; Plant Extracts

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Tongmai Hypoglycemic Capsule (THC) on myocardium injury in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) rats. METHODS: A total of 24 Sprague Dawley rats were fed for 4 weeks with high-fat and high-sugar food and then injected with streptozotocin intraperitoneally for the establishment of the DCM model. In addition, 6 rats with normal diets were used as the control group. After modeling, 24 DCM rats were randomly divided into the model, L-THC, M-THC, and H-THC groups by computer generated random numbers, and 0, 0.16, 0.32, 0.64 g/kg of THC were adopted respectively by gavage, with 6 rats in each group. After 12 weeks of THC administration, echocardiography, histopathological staining, biochemical analysis, and Western blot were used to detect the changes in myocardial structure, oxidative stress (OS), biochemical indexes, protein expressions of myocardial fibrosis, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related faactor 2 (Nrf2) element, respectively. RESULTS: Treatment with THC significantly decreased cardiac markers such as creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase-MB, etc., (P<0.01); enhanced cardiac function indicators including heart rate, ejection fraction, cardiac output, interventricular septal thickness at diastole, and others (P<0.05 or P<0.01); decreased levels of biochemical indicators such as fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, aspartate transaminase, (P<0.05 or P<0.01); and decreased the levels of myocardial fibrosis markers α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and collagen I (Col-1) protein (P<0.01), improved myocardial morphology and the status of myocardial interstitial fibrosis. THC significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels in model rats (P<0.01), increased levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione (P<0.01), and significantly increased the expression of Nrf2, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, heme oxygenase-1, and superoxide dismutase 2 proteins in the left ventricle of rats (P<0.01). CONCLUSION THC activates the Nrf2 signaling pathway and plays a protective role in reducing OS injury and cardiac fibrosis in DCM rats.
Animals ; Diabetic Cardiomyopathies/physiopathology* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Fibrosis ; Male ; Capsules ; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Rats ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/drug therapy*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies