Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent programmed cell death process driven by reactive oxygen species-mediated lipid peroxidation, is regulated by several metabolic processes, including iron metabolism, lipid metabolism, and redox system. Macrophages are a group of innate immune cells that are widely distributed throughout the body, and play pivotal roles in maintaining metabolic balance by its phagocytic and efferocytotic effects. There is a profound association between the biological functions of macrophage and ferroptosis. Therefore, this review aims to elucidate three key aspects of the unique relationship between macrophages and ferroptosis, including macrophage metabolism and their regulation of cellular ferroptosis; ferroptotic stress that modulates functions of macrophage and promotion of inflammation; and the effects of macrophage ferroptosis and its role in diseases. Finally, we also summarize the possible mechanisms of macrophages in regulating the ferroptosis process at the global and local levels, as well as the role of ferroptosis in the macrophage-mediated inflammatory process, to provide new therapeutic insights for a variety of diseases.
Ferroptosis/physiology* ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Humans ; Animals ; Iron/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Lipid Peroxidation/physiology* ; Inflammation/metabolism*

Objective To summarize and analyze the main clinical characteristics,feature and composition changes of gut microbiota in elderly patients with severe pneumonia,and to further explore the potential correlation between the gut characteristics and the etiology of severe pneumonia in elderly patients.Methods Patients with severe pneu-monia admitted to the respiratory intensive care unit of a tertiary teaching hospital in Changsha were selected as the research subjects.Patients aged ≥65 years were assigned to the elderly severe pneumonia group,while those aged＜65 years were assigned to the non-elderly severe pneumonia group.Based on clinical characteristics and pathogen detection of lower respiratory secretion,the elderly severe pneumonia group was further divided into a pulmonary bacterial infection group and a pulmonary fungal infection group.The pulmonary bacterial infection group was sub-divided into Gram-positive bacteria group and Gram-negative bacteria group based on Gram-staining results.Clinical data of patients were collected,and fecal specimens within 24 hours after admission were obtained for 16S rRNA se-quencing.Differences in gut microbiota characteristics between two groups of patients were compared,and the cor-relation between clinical characteristics of patients in the elderly severe pneumonia group and the abundance of dif-ferential microbiota was analyzed.Subsequently,the gut microbiota characteristics of elderly patients in severe pneumonia group infected by different pathogens were analyzed.Results Gut microbiota analysis showed no signifi-cant statistical differences in α-and β-diversity indicices between patients in the elderly and non-elderly severe pneu-monia groups(both P＞0.05).Linear discriminant analysis effect size(LEFSe)analysis indicated that,compared with patients in the non-elderly severe pneumonia group,the relative abundance of opportunistic pathogens,inclu-ding Pseudomonadales,Moraxellaceae,and Acinetobacter,was significantly higher in patients in the elderly severe pneumonia group(all P＜0.05).Some differential gut microbiota in two groups of patients were correlated with clinical indicators in patients in the elderly severe pneumonia group(all P＜0.05).β-diversity analysis(principal co-ordinate analysis)combined with Anosim analysis revealed that in patients in elderly severe pneumonia group,there was significant differences in gut colony structures between patients in the bacterial and fungal infection groups(R=0.149,P=0.02).Compared with the fungal infection group,patients in bacterial infection group showed a signifi-cantly reduced abundance of probiotics,including Verrucomicrobiales and Collinsella,and opportunistic pathogens such as Akkermansia(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Elderly patients with severe pneumonia have a dysregulated gut microbiota with significantly increased abundance of pathogenic bacteria compared with non-elderly patients.Differ-ential gut microbiota of two groups of patients are correlated with some infection-related and organ function indica-tors in elderly patients with severe pneumonia.Compared with elderly patients with severe fungal pneumonia,those with severe bacterial pneumonia have significant differences in gut colony structures and a notably reduction in probi-otics abundance.

Objective To summarize and analyze the main clinical characteristics,feature and composition changes of gut microbiota in elderly patients with severe pneumonia,and to further explore the potential correlation between the gut characteristics and the etiology of severe pneumonia in elderly patients.Methods Patients with severe pneu-monia admitted to the respiratory intensive care unit of a tertiary teaching hospital in Changsha were selected as the research subjects.Patients aged ≥65 years were assigned to the elderly severe pneumonia group,while those aged＜65 years were assigned to the non-elderly severe pneumonia group.Based on clinical characteristics and pathogen detection of lower respiratory secretion,the elderly severe pneumonia group was further divided into a pulmonary bacterial infection group and a pulmonary fungal infection group.The pulmonary bacterial infection group was sub-divided into Gram-positive bacteria group and Gram-negative bacteria group based on Gram-staining results.Clinical data of patients were collected,and fecal specimens within 24 hours after admission were obtained for 16S rRNA se-quencing.Differences in gut microbiota characteristics between two groups of patients were compared,and the cor-relation between clinical characteristics of patients in the elderly severe pneumonia group and the abundance of dif-ferential microbiota was analyzed.Subsequently,the gut microbiota characteristics of elderly patients in severe pneumonia group infected by different pathogens were analyzed.Results Gut microbiota analysis showed no signifi-cant statistical differences in α-and β-diversity indicices between patients in the elderly and non-elderly severe pneu-monia groups(both P＞0.05).Linear discriminant analysis effect size(LEFSe)analysis indicated that,compared with patients in the non-elderly severe pneumonia group,the relative abundance of opportunistic pathogens,inclu-ding Pseudomonadales,Moraxellaceae,and Acinetobacter,was significantly higher in patients in the elderly severe pneumonia group(all P＜0.05).Some differential gut microbiota in two groups of patients were correlated with clinical indicators in patients in the elderly severe pneumonia group(all P＜0.05).β-diversity analysis(principal co-ordinate analysis)combined with Anosim analysis revealed that in patients in elderly severe pneumonia group,there was significant differences in gut colony structures between patients in the bacterial and fungal infection groups(R=0.149,P=0.02).Compared with the fungal infection group,patients in bacterial infection group showed a signifi-cantly reduced abundance of probiotics,including Verrucomicrobiales and Collinsella,and opportunistic pathogens such as Akkermansia(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Elderly patients with severe pneumonia have a dysregulated gut microbiota with significantly increased abundance of pathogenic bacteria compared with non-elderly patients.Differ-ential gut microbiota of two groups of patients are correlated with some infection-related and organ function indica-tors in elderly patients with severe pneumonia.Compared with elderly patients with severe fungal pneumonia,those with severe bacterial pneumonia have significant differences in gut colony structures and a notably reduction in probi-otics abundance.

Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is a surgical method for quickly establishing an artificial airway, which has been favored by clinicians because of its simple operation, small trauma and bedside operation. However, for patients with tracheal intubation in intensive care unit (ICU), the tip and balloon of the existing endotracheal tube will not only hinder percutaneous puncture, but also hinder insertion of guidewire and tracheotomy tube, and consequently affect the process of PDT. On the contrary, blind withdrawal of the existing endotracheal tube may cause the tracheal tube tipleave the glottis, leading to an emergency airway situation that endangers the patient's life. Therefore, the medical staff from intensive care medicine department of the First People's Hospital of Chenzhou designed a laryngeal mask and its monitoring device, which is convenient for withdrawal of endotracheal tube, and obtained the national utility model patent of China (patent number: ZL 2020 2 2795887.1). The device is composed of a laryngeal mask and a monitoring device. The laryngeal mask mainly includes a laryngeal mask body, a vent tube, a guidance tube and other components. The laryngeal mask body is mainly used to seal the throat and provide the air supply channel for the patient together with the ventilation tube. The main function of the guidance tube is to accommodate the tracheal tube and facilitate the withdrawal of the inserted tracheal tube. During percutaneous dilatation tracheotomy, this device can monitor the withdrawal of tracheal catheter in real time, and immediately ensure the airway patency of patients without re-intubation when the cuff of tracheal catheter exits the glottis. The utility model has the advantages of real-time monitoring, simple operation, safety and convenience, and is worthy of transformation and promotion.

Objective To investigate the influence of the national volume-based procurement(NVBP)policy on the economy and use structure of anti-infective drugs in a general 3-A hospital,and to provide a reference for the standardization of clinical application management and policy implementation.Methods The price,defined daily doses(DDDs),average defined daily cost(DDDc),actual cost saving,substitution rate of selected drugs(SRSD)and avoidance rate of alternative drugs(ARAD)of anti-infective drugs before and after the implementation of 1-7 collection NVBP policy were analysed.Results The NVBP policy led to a＞70％reduction in the price of 70.73％of the hospital's target drugs,69.70％of the DDDs increased,81.82％of the DDDc decreased and 63.64％showed the relationship of"volume increase and price decrease".The average SRSD was 84.49％in the first cycle and 95.94％in the second cycle.The average actual cost saving in the first cycle was 474 100 yuan,with an average saving rate of 407.60％,and in the second cycle was 803 100 yuan,with an average saving rate of 1 257.04％,showing an increasing trend year by year.The consumption of alternative drugs increased by 53.85％in the first cycle and 66.67％in the second cycle,with the highest annual increase of 555.63％,and the average of 74.65％.Conclusion After the implementation of NVBP policy,selected drugs mainly replaced unselected drugs,and the cost of anti-infection treatment was greatly reduced.However,it was necessary to strengthen the control of alternative drugs,standardize the management of clinical application,carry out clinical comprehensive evaluation of selected drugs and real world research.

Objective:To compare the dose and image quality of selected photon shield (SPS) technique, organ-based tube current modulation (OBTCM) technique and the combination of these two techniques for reducing the organ dose in head CT examination for infants.Methods:Two anthropomorphic head phantoms (CIRS 1-yr-old and 5-yr-old) were scanned by using Reference mode, Reference + OBTCM mode, SPS mode and SPS + OBTCM mode, respectively. Radiation doses to the lens of the eye, the anterior of the brain, the posterior of the brain, noise level and CNR of orbit and brain in different phantoms were measured and compared by using different scanning modes.Results:Compared with Reference mode, the doses to the lens of the eye in 1-yr-old and 5-yr-old phantom decreased by (21.89 ± 0.01)% and (28.33 ± 0.34)%, respectively. In SPS mode, the reduction in doses to the lens of the eye in 1-yr-old and 5-yr-old phantom were (71.38 ± 1.30)% and (53.72 ± 2.42)%, respectively. In SPS + OBTCM mode, the reduction was (71.12 ± 2.54)% and (55.73 ± 1.90)%, respectively. There was significant difference in the noise level of orbit and brain in different phantoms under various scanning modes ( F=5.67-85.47, P< 0.05). The noise level in OBTCM mode compared with reference mode increased slightly (<1.45 HU) in various phantoms. SPS and SPS + OBTCM mode resulted in a small noise increase (<2.58 HU). There was no significant difference in CNR of different phantoms under various scanning modes ( P>0.05). Conclusions:SPS and SPS + OBTCM mode can significantly reduce the radiation dose of lens and the whole image plane in the head CT scan for infants, with maintaining the image quality.

OBJECTIVE: To screen the optimal acupuncture regimen for cricopharyngeal achalasia (CPA) after brain stem infarction and compare the therapeutic effect between the combined therapy of catheter balloon dilation and acupuncture and the simple application of catheter balloon dilation. METHODS: The patients suffering from neuropathic dysphagia in CPA after brain stem infarction were selected as the subjects. After confirmed in the diagnosis with video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), they were randomized into 6 groups, 15 cases in each one, named group A (routine treatment), group B (catheter balloon dilation), group C1 (treated with acupuncture in local area), group C2 (treated with acupuncture based on differentiation), group C3 (treated with acupuncture at the local area and the acupoints based on differentiation) and group D (catheter balloon dilation combined with the optimal acupuncture). Two phases were included in the study. In the first phase of study, the therapeutic effect was compared among the three acupuncture groups, named C1, C2 and C3 group, so as to screen the optimal acupuncture regimen. In the group C1, the main acupoints included Fengchi (GB 20), Wangu (GB 12), Yifeng (TE 17) and three-tongue points (Extra). In the group C2, the main acupoints were Neiguan (PC 6), Tongli (HT 5), Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) as well as the supplementary acupoints in accordance with the syndrome differentiation. In the group C1 and group C2, after , the electroacupuncture was used, with continuous dense wave, 5 to 8 Hz in frequency. The needles were retained for 30 min. Acupuncture was given once a day, 5 treatments a week. Before treatment, in 6 weeks of treatment or after removal of gastric tube, the rehabilitation was evaluated. In the group C3, the acupoints, manipulation and treating course were same as the group C1 and group C2. In the 2nd phase of study, theresults of rehabilitation treatment were compared among the group A, group B and group D. The treatment was given once a day, 5 times a week. Before treatment, after gastric tube removal or in 6 weeks of treatment, the evaluation was conducted. The feedingswallowing function grade and VFSS were adopted in the evaluation among the above 6 groups. RESULTS: ① In the VFSS comparison at 1st phase of study after treatment, the food transporting ability at oral dysphagia, the results in the group C3 and group C1 were better obviously than the group C2 (both <0.05). For the improvement in aspiration, the result in the group C3 was better obviously than the group C2 (<0.05). In comparison of the three acupuncture groups with the group A, the difference was not significant statisticallys in the extubation rate among the four groups (>0.05). The severity of dysphagia in the group C3 was milder than the group C2 and group A (both <0.05). ② In the VFSS comparison at the 2nd phase of study, for the food transporting ability, the results in the group D and the group B were obviously better than the group A (both <0.05). Regarding the function at the pharyngeal dysphagia and aspiration, the results in the group D were better than the group B and group A, those in the group B were better than the group A (all <0.05). The difference in the extubation rate among the group A, group B and group D after treatment was significant statistically (<0.01), of which, the extubation rate in the group D was the highest and the rate in the group A was the lowest. The dysphagia degree in the group D was milder than the group B and group A and that in the group B was milder than the group A (all <0.05). CONCLUSION In the study of the different acupuncture methods, the acupuncture at the local acupoints and the acupoints selected based on differentiation is the optimal acupuncture regimen for cricopharyngeal achalasia after brain stem infarction. The catheter balloon dilation combined with acupuncture present the synergistc effect on cricopharyngeal achalasia after brain stem infarction, obviously relieve dysphagia and reduce aspiration.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Brain Stem Infarctions ; complications ; Catheterization ; Dilatation ; Esophageal Achalasia ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To understand the current situation of soil-transmitted nematode infections and influencing factors of pupils in rural areas of Yi Ethnicity in Butuo County, Sichuan Province, so as to provide the evidence for the prevention and control of soil-transmitted nematode infections. Methods In 2016, the pupils of 2 villages in Butuo County were selected by the multi-stage random sampling method, and the relevant information was obtained by questionnaires, including social demographic information, diet and hygiene habits and acknowledge of parasitic disease prevention. The soil-transmitted nematode infections were examined by Kato-Katz technique. The results were statistically analyzed by the single factor analysis and multivariate logistic regression methods. Results A total of 160 pupils were investigated in this survey. The soil-transmitted nematodes included Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm. The overall infection rate was 89.38%, and the multi-infection rate was 54.55%. The infection rates of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura were higher. The infection densities were mild (75.68%) or moderate (22.97%). The logistic regression analysis showed that the protective factor of soil-transmitted nematode infections was the knowledge about correct diet and health habits notified by teachers (OR = 0.67), but the risk factor was drinking unboiled water (OR = 19.26). Conclusions The infection rate of nematodes is still high in the pupils in rural areas of Yi Ethnicity in Butuo County, Sichuan Province. Therefore, we should strengthen the prevention and control of soil-transmitted nematode infections, especially A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infections, and mostly develop the teachers’function in health education.

The solubilization and protection of curcumin (Cur) by mixed surfactants were studied through the determination about the critical micellar concentration (CMC) of the mixed surfactants of Tween 80 and dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB), molar solubilization ratio (MSR), degradation rate (k) of Cur in pH 13 solution and mixed surfactant solutions prepared at pH 13. The results showed that when Tween 80 was used alone, it exhibited high solubilization ability but poor stability. DTAB was used alone, it showed strong stability but poor solubilization ability. When DTAB was mixed with Tween 80 at different mole fractions, the stability of Cur was enhanced, and the best stability was observed when the mole fraction of DTAB was 0.4, although the solubilization ability was not the best at this mole fraction, but MSR was increased by 1.7 times compared to DTAB used alone. Mixed surfactant not only increased the solubility but also improved the stability of Cur. In addition, mixed surfactant has the advantages of less dosage and low toxicity, which is worth popularizing in application.

Lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are both serious threats to human health,resulting in a heavy economic burden for the society.Epidemiological studies have shown that lung cancer and COPD have a high comorbid rate.Cigarette smoking is a congenerous risk factor for both lung cancer and COPD,and may lead to these diseases by triggering certain similar pathways.The common pathogenesis of lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease involves premature pulmonary failure,oxidative stress and inflammation,telomere length,genetic susceptibility,and epigenetics.