OBJECTIVE To investigate the protective effect of 2-dodecyl-6-methoxy-2，5-diene-1，4-cyclohexanedione （DMDD）， an active component from Averrhoa carambola root， on myocardial injury in diabetic mice based on the nuclear receptor coactivator 4/ferritin heavy chain 1/autophagy-related protein 8 （NCOA4/FTH1/ATG8） axis. METHODS The successfully modeled diabetic mice were randomly divided into model group and DMDD low-， medium-， and high-dose （12.5， 25， 50 mg/kg） groups， while an additional non-modeled control group was established， with 6 mice in each group. Each group received the corresponding drug solution or an equal volume of normal saline intragastically once daily for 21 consecutive days. After the administration， the levels of fasting blood glucose （FBG）， serum lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）， and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB （CK-MB） were measured. Myocardial pathological changes， degree of fibrosis， and myocardial cell ultrastructure were observed. Myocardial cell death index and NCOA4 protein positive index were detected. The protein expression levels of NCOA4， FTH1， ATG8， solute carrier family 7 member 11 （SLC7A11）， and glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4） in cardiac tissue were measured. RESULTS Compared with model group， each DMDD group showed significant alleviation of cardiac pathological injury and varying degrees of improvement in the myocardial cell ultrastructure. The FBG and serum LDH and CK-MB levels， the myocardial cell death index and NCOA4 protein positive index，the protein expression levels of NCOA4， FTH1， and ATG8 in cardiac tissue were significantly decreased （ P ＜0.001）， while the protein expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 were significantly increased （ P ＜0.001）. CONCLUSIONS DMDD can reduce blood glucose levels， alleviate myocardial histopathological injury， and inhibit cell death in diabetic mice. The mechanism is associated with inhibiting excessive activation of the NCOA4/FTH1/ATG8 axis and reducing ferritinophagy.

Objective To explore the prognostic factors for patients with descending duodenum gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), analyze the impact of different surgical approaches on prognosis, and develop a predictive model for surgical approach selection. Methods This single-center retrospective cohort study included patients with primary descending duodenum GIST treated in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from January 2010 to January 2015, with follow-up until August 2025. The primary outcomes were incidence of postoperative complications, disease-free survival (DFS) rate, and overall survival (OS) rate. Cox regression and logistic regression were used to identify factors influencing prognosis and surgical approach selection, respectively. A nomogram model for selecting the surgical approach was constructed. Results A total of 78 patients with descending duodenum GIST were included, with age of (56.14±11.76) years. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year OS rates were 100%, 98.7%, and 85.7%, respectively, and the corresponding DFS rates were 100%, 90.9%, and 82.3%. Intraoperative blood loss, postoperative gastroparesis, mucosal ulceration, maximum tumor diameter, and Ki-67-positive cell ratio were independent risk factors for DFS, while maximum tumor diameter and mitotic figure were independent risk factors for OS (P＜0.05). The 10-year DFS rate was higher in the local resection group than in the pancreaticoduodenectomy group (89.45% vs 74.24%; HR＝0.300, P＝0.013), but there was no statistical difference in OS between the two groups. The incidence of postoperative complications in the pancreaticoduodenectomy group was higher than that in the local resection group (P＜0.001). Maximum tumor diameter and distance from tumor to the duodenal papilla were independent factors influencing surgical approach selection. The nomogram model based on these two indices demonstrated good discrimination and accuracy upon internal validation. Conclusions The long-term prognosis of patients with descending duodenal GIST is favorable, and surgical treatment achieves satisfactory outcomes. The nomogram model developed in this study can effectively guide individualized surgical approach selection and provide a reference for clinical decision-making.

ObjectiveTo explore the role of cucurbitacin B （CuB） in inducing ferroptosis in 4T1 cells and its mechanism. MethodsThe effects of CuB（0.2， 0.4， 0.8 μmol·L^-1）on the proliferation ability of 4T1 cells in vitro were detected using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） assay. The clonogenic ability of 4T1 cells was detected by the plate cloning assay， and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） in 4T1 cells were detected by the use of a kit. The mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels in 4T1 cells were detected by flow cytometry， and the mitochondrial ultrastructure of 4T1 cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The western blot was used to detect the expression of ferroptosis-related protein p53 in 4T1 cells， solute carrier family 7 member 11 （SCL7A11）， glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 （ACSL4）， transferrin receptor protein 1 （TFR1）， and ferritin heavy chain 1 （FTH1）. ResultsCompared with that in the blank group， the survival rate of 4T1 cells in CuB groups was significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and the number of cell clones in CuB groups was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. In addition， compared with that in the blank group， the leakage of LDH in cells in CuB groups was significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells in CuB groups decreased significantly （P<0.01）. Cellular ROS levels were significantly elevated in CuB groups （P<0.01）. The mitochondria of cells in CuB groups were obviously wrinkled， and the mitochondrial cristae were reduced or even disappeared. Compared with that in the blank group， the protein expression of p53， ACSL4， and TFR1 were significantly up-regulated in CuB groups （P<0.05）， and that of SLC7A11， GPX4， and FTH1 were significantly down-regulated （P<0.05）. ConclusionCuB may inhibit SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression by up-regulating the expression of p53， which in turn regulates the p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway axis and accelerates the generation of lipid peroxidation substrate by up-regulating the expression of ACSL4. It up-regulates TFR1 expression to promote cellular uptake of Fe³⁺ and down-regulates the expression of FTH1 to reduce the ability of iron storage， resulting in an elevated free Fe²⁺ level. It catalyzes the Fenton reaction， generates excess ROS， imbalances the antioxidant system and iron metabolism， and then induces ferroptosis in 4T1 cells.

ObjectiveTo explore the role of cucurbitacin B （CuB） in inducing ferroptosis in 4T1 cells and its mechanism. MethodsThe effects of CuB（0.2， 0.4， 0.8 μmol·L^-1）on the proliferation ability of 4T1 cells in vitro were detected using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） assay. The clonogenic ability of 4T1 cells was detected by the plate cloning assay， and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） in 4T1 cells were detected by the use of a kit. The mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels in 4T1 cells were detected by flow cytometry， and the mitochondrial ultrastructure of 4T1 cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The western blot was used to detect the expression of ferroptosis-related protein p53 in 4T1 cells， solute carrier family 7 member 11 （SCL7A11）， glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 （ACSL4）， transferrin receptor protein 1 （TFR1）， and ferritin heavy chain 1 （FTH1）. ResultsCompared with that in the blank group， the survival rate of 4T1 cells in CuB groups was significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and the number of cell clones in CuB groups was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. In addition， compared with that in the blank group， the leakage of LDH in cells in CuB groups was significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells in CuB groups decreased significantly （P<0.01）. Cellular ROS levels were significantly elevated in CuB groups （P<0.01）. The mitochondria of cells in CuB groups were obviously wrinkled， and the mitochondrial cristae were reduced or even disappeared. Compared with that in the blank group， the protein expression of p53， ACSL4， and TFR1 were significantly up-regulated in CuB groups （P<0.05）， and that of SLC7A11， GPX4， and FTH1 were significantly down-regulated （P<0.05）. ConclusionCuB may inhibit SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression by up-regulating the expression of p53， which in turn regulates the p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway axis and accelerates the generation of lipid peroxidation substrate by up-regulating the expression of ACSL4. It up-regulates TFR1 expression to promote cellular uptake of Fe³⁺ and down-regulates the expression of FTH1 to reduce the ability of iron storage， resulting in an elevated free Fe²⁺ level. It catalyzes the Fenton reaction， generates excess ROS， imbalances the antioxidant system and iron metabolism， and then induces ferroptosis in 4T1 cells.

ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of Bushen Huoxue Granule （补肾活血颗粒， BHG） in treating Parkinson's disease （PD） from the perspecitve of dopamine （DA） homeostasis. MethodsSeventy-two mice were randomly divided into blank group， model group， madopar group and BHG low-， medium- and high-dose groups， with 12 mice in each group. Except for the blank group， all mice were administered intraperitoneal injections of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1，2，3，6-tetrahydropyridine （MPTP） for 7 consecutive days to induce a PD model. On the day following the injection， BHG low-， medium- and high-dose groups were administered BHG at doses of 1.25， 2.5， and 5.0 mg/（g·d） by oral gavage， respectively， while the madopar group received madopar tablets at dose of 0.093 8 mg/（g·d） by oral gavage. The blank group and the model group were given 0.2 ml/10 g of distilled water by gavage. All treatments were given once daily for 14 days. Open field test， pole climbing test and grip test were used to evaluate the behavior of mice in each group. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase （TH） in striatum. Nissl staining was used to detect the activity of striatal neurons. The contents of DA and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid （DOPAC） in striatum were detected by ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The number and volume of synaptic vesicles were observed by transmission electron microscope. The expression of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 （VMAT2） in striatum was detected by immunofluorescence. Western Blot was used to detect the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK）， phosphorylated ERK （p-ERK）， cAMP response element-binding protein （CREB）， phosphorylated CREB （p-CREB） and VMAT2 in striatum. ResultsCompared to the blank group， mice in the model group showed a significant decline in total distance and average speed in the open field test， along with an increase in total resting time； in the pole test， both the time required for the mice to turn completely downward （T-turn） and the total time taken to reach the bottom of the pole （T-total） were prolonged； forelimb grip strength was reduced； in the striatum， the mean optical density of TH， the average fluorescence intensity of VMAT2 protein， and DA content all decreased， while the number of striatal neurons was reduced， and the DOPAC/DA ratio was elevated； the levels of p-ERK/ERK， p-CREB/CREB， and VMAT2 in the striatum significantly decreased （P＜0.01）； transmission electron microscopy revealed that both the number and volume of synaptic vesicles in striatal neurons were markedly reduced. Compared to the model group， mice in the madopar group and BHG low-， medium- and high-dose groups showed significant improvements in all the above indicators （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to madopar group， the BHG high-dose group exhibited increased DA content and elevated p-CREB/CREB ratio in the striatum （P＜0.05）. Compared to the BHG low-dose group， the BHG high-dose group showed increased total distance and mean velocity， decreased total resting time， T-turn， and T-total， as well as enhanced forelimb grip strength； moreover， the average fluorescence intensity of VMAT2 protein， DA content， p-ERK/ERK， p-CREB/CREB， and VMAT2 levels in the striatum were all significantly elevated （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionBHG may restore DA homeostasis and alleviate the damage of dopaminergic neurons by regulating ERK/CREB/VMAT2 signaling pathway.

Objective:To verify the prognostic value of perineural invasion and lymphovascular tumor embolus for patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy and postoperative chemotherapy, and establish a prognostic prediction nomogram model.Methods:According to 7∶3 radio, 781 gastric cancer patients were randomly divided into training cohort and internal validation cohort. One hundred fifty patients were utilized as the external validation cohort. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to evaluate the prognostic value of perineural invasion and lymphovascular tumor embolus, and construct the dynamic nomogram. The concordance index (C-index), net reclassification index and integrated discrimination improvement index, receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration curves and decision curve analysis were used to evaluate the nomogram.Results:Perineural invasion ( HR=1.486, 95% CI: 1.150-1.919, P<0.01) and lymphovascular tumor embolus ( HR=1.321, 95% CI: 1.030-1.693, P<0.05) were independent prognostic risk factors for patients with gastric cancer after gastrectomy and postoperative chemotherapy. C-index (training cohort: 0.734, internal validation cohort: 0.755, external validation cohort: 0.715), net reclassification index (training cohort: 0.228 for 3-year and 0.213 for 5-year OS prediction; internal validation cohort: 0.211 for 3-year and 0.279 for 5-year OS prediction; external validation cohort: 0.220 for 3-year and 0.440 for 5-year OS prediction) and integrated discrimination improvement index (training cohort: 0.051 for 3-year and 0.041 for 5-year OS prediction; internal validation cohort: 0.027 for 3-year and 0.036 for 5-year OS prediction; external validation cohort: 0.063 for 3-year and 0.153 for 5-year OS prediction) indicated that the nomogram performed better than the traditional TNM staging system ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Perineural invasion and lymphovascular tumor embolus are independent prognostic risk factors of gastric cancer patients after postoperative chemotherapy. The novel dynamic nomogram model based on perineural invasion and lymphovascular tumor embolus provides better assistance in evaluating prognosis of gastric cancer patients.

Objective:To investigate the sero-conversion rate of HIV antibody and influencing factors in cross-border couples in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture(Dehong).Methods:A cohort design was used to recruit HIV-negative people in cross-border couples in Dehong in 2017. Follow-up was conducted in 2023, and questionnaire survey and HIV test were carried out to calculate the sero-conversion rate of HIV antibody. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the influence factors for HIV infections.Results:A total of 36 278 HIV-negative persons in cross-border couples were included in the 2017 baseline survey, of whom 22 438 (61.9%) were tested in follow-up in 2023. The sero-conversion rate between 2017 and 2023 was 0.51% (115/22 438). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that length of marriage <6 years, Jingpo ethnic group, education level of primary school or below, drug use, illegal marriage and HIV infected spouse were the risk factors of HIV infection in male spouses, and length of marriage <6 years, Jingpo ethnic group, illegal marriage and HIV infected spouse were the risk factors in female spouses.Conclusions:The sero-conversion rate of HIV antibody in cross-border couples in Dehong was relatively high. HIV infection was mainly caused by secondary transmission in the couples, and men might also be infected through drug use. It is necessary to strengthen the registration and management of cross-border couples, especially the couples with discordant HIV infection status, and the intervention in drug users to reduce the risk for secondary transmission of HIV in the cross-border couples.

Objective:To investigate the antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and to evaluate the eradication efficacy of individualized treatment for Hp in children. Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 227 children who visited the Department of Gastroenterology, Capital Center for Children′s Health, Capital Medical University from June 2022 to December 2023 due to gastrointestinal symptoms. All patients underwent gastroscopy and tested positive on 13C-urea breath testing. They were grouqed according to the Hp culture and drug susceptibility test. Children with positive Hp culture received personalized treatment based on the results of their drug sensitivity tests, while the other children who didn′t undergo Hp culture received empirical treatment. The effects of different treatment groups was compared by chi-square test or Fisher exact probability test. Results:A total of 227 children with Hp infection (121 males and 106 females) were included, with the age of 11.7 (8.9, 13.6) years. Among the 131 samples submitted for testing, 105 cases (80.1%) had positive results. Only 9.5% (10/105) of patients were sensitive to 6 antibiotics. The resistance rates to clarithromycin, metronidazole and levofloxacin were 90.5% (95/105), 86.7% (91/105) and 22.9% (24/105) respectively. The resistance rate to both clarithromycin and metronidazole was 77.1% (81/105). The resistance rate to both levofloxacin and metronidazole was 19.0% (20/105). The resistance rate to both levofloxacin and clarithromycin was 21.9% (23/105). The resistance rate to these three antibiotics was 16.2% (17/105). No strains resistant to furazolidone, amoxicillin or tetracycline hydrochloride were found. Eighty-nine cases were treated with bismuth quadruple therapy based on the drug sensitivity results, and the overall eradication rate was 88.8% (79/89), including 42 treatment-naive cases with a 100% eradication rate (42/42) and 47 retreatment cases with a 78.7% eradication rate (37/47). The eradication rate of empirical treatment was 75.7% (56/74). Among them, 65 patients received amoxicillin, clarithromycin and omeprazole because of negative penicillin skin tests, with a 75.4% (49/65) eradication rate; 9 patients received clarithromycin, metronidazole, omeprazole and bismuth with positive penicillin skin tests, achieving 7/9 eradication rate. The comparison of eradication rates between two treatment groups suggested a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in drug reactions such as nausea, vomiting, and rash between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Hp strains had a relatively high dual resistance to clarithromycin and metronidazole, especially clarithromycin. For areas with a high resistance rate to clarithromycin, the bismuth quadruplet of clarithromycin removal combined with bismuth agent can be chosen as empirical treatment. In medical institutions where drug susceptibility test can be conducted, personalized treatment plans are recommended as the first-line treatment.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of enteral nutrition (EN) initiated within 24 h after heart transplantation in pediatric patients.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data from 16 pediatric heart transplant recipients at the Seventh Medical Center of the Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital between October 2022 and October 2024 were collected, including demographics, anthropometric measurements, biochemical markers, cytokine levels, and clinical outcomes. Based on the timing of EN initiation, the patients were divided into EN-initiated within 24 h and EN-initiated after 24 h 2 groups. Demographic data, preoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support, physical examination indicators, laboratory parameters, and cytokine levels were compared between groups using independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher′s exact probability test. Results:The cohort comprised 16 patients (10 males and 6 females) with an age of (12.5±1.9) years. The EN-initiated within 24 h group comprised 6 cases, and the EN-initiated after 24 h group comprised 10 cases. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in age, preoperative body mass index Z-score, preoperative ECMO support, physical examination indicators, laboratory parameters (total protein, albumin, hemoglobin), or cytokine levels (all P>0.05). Compared to the EN-initiated after 24 h group, the EN-initiated within 24 h group exhibited a shorter intensive care unit stay ( t=2.65, P<0.05) and shorter mechanical ventilation duration ( t=2.23, P<0.05) than EN-initiated after 24 h group. Total hospitalization length had no significant difference ( P>0.05). At 72 h post-transplant, the EN-initiated within 24 h group had a lower interleukin-12 P70 ( t=2.46, P<0.05) and interferon-γ levels ( t=2.55, P<0.05) than EN-initiated after 24 h group. Prior to discharge, the EN-initiated within 24 h group has a lower mean skinfold thickness ( t=2.49, P<0.05) and lower mid-upper arm circumference ( t=2.36, P<0.05) compared with the EN-initiated after 24 h group. Conclusions:Initiating EN within 24 h postoperatively is safe and feasible in pediatric heart transplant recipients. Early EN may shorten the length of intensive care unit stay and mechanical ventilation while attenuating postoperative release of inflammatory cytokine.

Objective To investigate the effect of different radiotherapy doses on the prognosis of patients with stage cT1-4N0M0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)who received radical radio(chemo)therapy categorized into subgroups with different tumor local factors.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 256 patients with clinically nonmetastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.The optimal cutoff for tumor local factors was determined.The relationship between latest treatment efficacy and tumor local factors was analyzed,and independent indicators affecting patient overall survival(OS)were examined using multivariate analysis.The subgroup analysis was performed to determine the correlation between selected factors and radiation therapy doses.Results The shorter the X-ray length of esophageal tumor lesion and the smaller the lesion canal wall thickness and gross tumor volume(GTV),the better the latest treatment efficacy of the patients(χ2=9.066,10.310,15.661,respectively,P=0.011,0.006,P＜0.001).Multivariate analysis results showed that GTV(P＜0.001),radiation dose(P=0.038),and latest treatment efficacy(P＜0.001)were independent predictors of the patients'OS,and the latter two were also independent predictors of the patients'progression-free survival(PFS)(P=0.033,＜0.001).Subgroup analysis further showed that high doses of radiotherapy(over 60 Gy)resulted in good OS(χ2=5.040,4.588,5.400,P=0.025,0.032,0.020)and PFS(χ2=6.089,4.353,6.459,P=0.014,0.037,0.011)in the subgroup with maximum wall thickness below 3.7 cm,with esophageal lesions with GTV below 37.34 cm3,or not receiving simultaneous chemotherapy.Conclusion Local tumor factors are important prognostic factors of ESCC patients treated with radical radio(chemo)therapy.Patients with thin lesion walls and small tumor volumes may greatly benefit from high doses of radiation(over 60 Gy).