OBJECTIVE To predict and validate the mechanisms of Chaiqi yigan granules （CQYG） improving hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. METHODS The signaling pathways of CQYG intervention in HCC were predicted using network pharmacology. A mice model of transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma was established by injecting H22 hepatoma cells into the axilla. Successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into model group （normal saline）， sorafenib group （positive control， 50 mg/kg）， and CQYG low-， medium- and high-dose groups （24.83， 49.66， 99.32 g/kg）， with 10 mice in each group. Mice in each group were administered the corresponding drug solution or normal saline intragastrically， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. After last administration， pathological morphological changes in the tumor tissues of mice were observed in each group. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expression of the nuclear proliferation antigen Ki-67 in tumor tissues of mice. Western blot assay was used to measure the expression of proteins related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） [N-cadherin， E-cadherin， Vimentin， matrix metalloproteinase 7 （MMP7）] and the mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） signaling pathway [p38 MAPK， phosphorylated p38 MAPK， c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK）， phosphorylated JNK， extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 （ERK1/2）， phosphorylated ERK1/2] in tumor tissue of mice. RESULTS Network pharmacology analysis revealed that metabolic pathways， pathways in cancer， and the MAPK signaling pathway were key signaling pathways through which CQYG exert their anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects. In animal experiments， the tumor tissues of mice in the model group exhibited dense tumor cells and vigorous growth. Compared with model group， CQYG high-dose group showed a decreased density of tumor cells in the tumor tissues of mice. Moreover， the expression levels of Ki-67， N-cadherin， MMP7 and Vimentin proteins， along with the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and JNK proteins， were all significantly reduced （ P ＜0.05）. The expression level of E-cadherin protein was significantly increased （ P ＜0.05）， the phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK protein was increased， the difference was not statistically significant （ P ＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS CQYG can inhibit EMT by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway， thereby suppressing tumor cell invasion and metastasis and ultimately exerting a therapeutic effect in improving HCC.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of schistosomiasis surveillance in Jiangsu Province during the stage moving from transmission control to transmission interruption, and to analyze the current risk and challenges, so as to provide the evidence for achieving the target of schistosomiasis elimination. Methods Schistosomiasis surveillance data were collected from Jiangsu Province from 2012 to 2024, and the endemic areas, Schistosoma japonicum infections in humans and livestock, Oncomelania hupensis snail distribution and implementation of integrated interventions were descriptively analyzed. In addition, the trends in areas with snails, seroprevalence of human S. japonicum infections and numbers of advanced schistosomiasis cases were assessed using a Joinpoint regression model. Results The endemic areas of schistosomiasis continued to shrink in Jiangsu Province from 2012 to 2024, with the number of schistosomiasis-eliminated counties (cities, districts) increasing from 53 (75.71%) to 63 (96.92%), and interruption of schistosomiasis transmission was achieved across the province. A total of 4 600 300 person-times were tested for serum antibodies against S. japonicum, with 28 719 person-times positive detected; and 616 500 person-times were tested S. japonicum infections among local residents in Jiangsu Province from 2012 to 2024, with only 3 egg-positives detected, and no egg-positives found since 2017. A total of 187 600 herd-times were tested for schistosomiasis in livestock, and no S. japonicum infections were found. O. hupensis snail survey was performed covering 1 018 408.97 hm², and a total of 35 556.35 hm² was found with snail-infested habitats, including 174.40 hm2 of emerging snail-infested habitats. A total of 1 102 800 O. hupensis snails were identified for S. japonicum infections, and no infections were found. The areas of snail-infested habitats appeared a tendency towards a rise in Jiangsu Province from 2019 to 2023 (APC = 23.67%, P < 0.05), and the actual areas of snail-infested habitats appeared a tendency towards a decline from 2012 to 2015 (APC = −22.77%, P < 0.05), and towards a rise from 2015 to 2023 (APC = 9.76%, P < 0.01). The seroprevalence of anti-S. japonicum antibodies appeared a tendency towards a decline among residents in Jiangsu Province from 2017 to 2023 (APC = −14.92%, P < 0.01). In addition, the number of newly diagnosed advanced schistosomiasis cases appeared a tendency towards a decline from 2012 to 2024 (APC = −12.02%, P < 0.01), and the numbers of advanced schistosomiasis patients requiring treatment showed a tendency towards a decline from 2012 to 2021 (APC = −10.56%, P < 0.01) and from 2021 to 2023 (APC = −20.06%, P < 0.01). Conclusions Great progresses had been achieved in schistosomiasis control in Jiangsu Province following transmission control, and transmission interruption had been achieved; however, there are still snail-infested habitats. High-intensity surveillance and integrated control are required to be maintained to advance the achievement of the target of schistosomiasis elimination in Jiangsu Province.

Objective To explore the prevalence of depressive symptoms in postoperative patients with ovarian cancer and to analyze its influencing factors from multiple dimensions, including clinical characteristics, psychological factors, and laboratory indicators. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted, which enrolled 235 postoperative patients with ovarian cancer. Depressive status was assessed using the patient health questionnaire, and the demographic, pathological, and medical record data of the patients were collected using the generalized anxiety disorder scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index, European organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire core 30, and ECOG performance status score. Peripheral blood tumor marker (CA125), routine blood test, lymphocyte subsets, and serum cytokine levels were measured. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results The prevalence of depression in postoperative patients with ovarian cancer was 39.15% (92/235). Univariate analysis showed that ECOG score ≥ 2 points, pain, anxiety, poor sleep quality, low quality of life, low life satisfaction, tumor recurrence, six or more cycles of chemotherapy, as well as higher levels of CA125, NLR, and NAR, and lower hemoglobin levels were significantly associated with depression (all P<0.05). Multivariate binary Logistic regression analysis showed that anxiety (OR=1.975, 95%CI: 1.231-3.170), sleep efficiency (OR=4.181, 95%CI: 1.211-14.43), sleep latency (OR=34.806, 95%CI: 4.258-284.542), ECOG performance status score, cognitive function (OR=0.918, 95%CI: 0.868-0.97), and life satisfaction were independent risk factors for depression (all P<0.05). Laboratory indicators were not independent influencing factors in the multivariate Logistic regression model. Conclusion Depression in postoperative patients with ovarian cancer is influenced by physiological, psychological, and social factors. Clinical management should focus on patients with anxiety, sleep disorders, poor physical condition, and low life satisfaction, and a comprehensive prevention and treatment strategy centered on psychological intervention and taking into account symptom management and social support should be implemented.

Objective:To investigate gut microbiota differences between individuals with and without colorectal adenoma(CRA)and to identify gut microbes associated with CRA.Methods:This cross-sectional study analyzed the gut microbiota of 100 patients with CRA and 68 individuals without CRA(aged 40-75 years)who underwent colonoscopies between March 2021 and March 2022 at Tianjin Nankai Hospital.Fecal samples were sequenced for the V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene using the Illumina NovaSeq platform.Results:Compared to the non-CRA group,the CRA group exhibited reduced relative abundances of identified and unidentified Lachnospiraceae,with increased Faecalibacterium and Streptococcus.In the non-CRA group,the relative abundances of Coprococcus,unidentified Clostridiaceae,and Clostridium were higher.LEfSe analysis revealed significant enrichment of Gammaproteobacteria,Proteobacteria,Enterobacteriales,and Faecalibacterium in the CRA group,while the non-CRA group was enriched for Moraxellaceae,Acinetobacter,and Anaerostipes.Conclusions:These findings suggest a discernible disparity in the gut microbiota structure between CRA patients and individuals without adenoma.The enrichment of potential pathogenic taxa,such as Faecalibacterium and Streptococcus,in the CRA group suggests a possible association with adenoma development.

Objective:To understand the current status and influencing factors for science and technology ethics awareness among medical postgraduates, explore scientific cultivation path, and provide empirical evidence for higher medical colleges to carry out science and technology ethics education.Methods:The study adopted a cluster sampling method and designed a questionnaire. A total of 2 095 medical postgraduates from Hebei Medical University participated in the survey from June to December 2023. SPSS 24.0 was used for non-parametric tests, and the ordered logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors.Results:A total of 1 992 valid questionnaires were collected, with a valid response rate of 95.08% (1 922/2 095). The qualified rate of science and technology ethics awareness among medical postgraduates was 90.76% (1 808/1 992), with 48.24% (961/1 992) of students falling into the good interval and 16.21% (323/1 992) falling into the excellent interval. The regression analysis showed that sex, academic category, students' attention to science and technology ethical issues, and understanding of ethical principles were significant influencing factors for medical postgraduates' science and technology ethics awareness ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The science and technology ethics awareness of medical postgraduates is at a medium level. Higher medical colleges should start from the needs and adhere to the direction of lifelong education to build a multi-subject, all-round, and all-process cultivation path. They can help students cultivate ethical awareness by improving the educational system, building a scientific teaching system, and creating a social education atmosphere. They can also help students internalize ethical norms and externalize them in their behaviors, and ensure that they can maintain ethical sensitivity in scientific and technological activities, thereby cultivating high-quality new medical and health professionals who can anticipate scientific and technological risks and assume ethical responsibilities.

Objective To establish a backpack-based field emergency medical rescue equipment system to enhance emergency rescue efficiency.Methods A backpack-based field emergency medical rescue equipment system was preliminarily constructed with the concept of medical treatment in echelons and prolonged field care(PFC)and the method of capability-based equipment need analysis;with the Delphi method 15 experts from relevant fields were invited to execute two rounds of questionnaire consultations,and the final equipment system was determined after the equipment varieties and quantities were revised based on the expert opinions.Results The response rate for the two rounds of expert questionnaire surveys was 100%.The experts'authority coefficients were 0.8734 and 0.87,respectively;Kendall coefficients were 0.232 and 0.345(both P<0.001),indicating statistically significant results.Ultimately,a backpack-based field emer-gency medical rescue equipment system comprising 15 backpacks and 158 individual pieces of equipment was established.Conclusion The established system demonstrates a certain degree of specificity and practicability,providing references for the equipment allocation and utilization of emergency medical rescue teams.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(10):17-22]

Fucoidan(FUC)is a natural seaweed-derived drug.Previously,our experiments have shown that FUC can significantly inhibit the cell viability of human osteosarcoma 143B cells and induce cell death,but the mechanism remains unclear.Ferroptosis,a novel form of cell death,has emerged as an important target for tumor therapy.This study aims to investigate whether FUC induces ferroptosis of 143B cells and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.CCK-8 and LDH assays result showed that FUC(10,100,400 μg/mL)significantly reduced cell viability of 143B cells and induced cell death.Calce-in-AM staining,FeRhoNox-1 staining,and C11 BODIPY 581/591 staining indicated that FUC obviously increased the levels of labile iron pool(LIP),Fe2+,and lipid reactive oxygen species(Lip ROS)in 143B cells.Chemical colorimetric analysis revealed that FUC markedly decreased intracellular Glutathi-one(GSH)contents.Real-time quantitative PCR showed that FUC dramatically reduced the mRNA lev-els of ferroptosis-related factors solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),while increasing the mRNA levels of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2(PTGS2)and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4(ACSL4).Western blotting analysis demonstrated that FUC significantly reduced the protein levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4,and the ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-AktSer473/Akt,and p-AktThr308/Akt,but increased the protein level of ACSL4.Immunofluorescence staining showed that FUC obviously inhibited the nuclear translocation of p-AktSer473.The ferroptosis in-hibitor ferrostatin-1(Fer-1)and iron chelator deferoxamine(DFO)remarkably suppressed cell death in-duced by FUC in 143B cells.Additionally,the PI3K/Akt pathway activator 740Y-P significantly inhibi-ted FUC-induced iron overload and lipid peroxidation in 143B cells,and restored the protein levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4.In conclusion,FUC can induce ferroptosis of 143B cells by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,which may be a potential target for the prevention and treatment of osteosarcoma.

Objective This study aimed to examine whether body mass index(BMI)was causally associated with blood transfusion reactions.Methods A two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis using the inverse variance weighted(IVW),MR-Egger regression,weighted median method(WME),weighted model method(WM),simple model method(SM)and simple median method(SM)was performed.Public genome-wide association study(GWAS)analysis was used as the data source,with summary statistical data sets of BMI(n=126 003;GWAS ID:ebi-a-GCST90095042)as the exposure variable and summary statistical data sets of transfusion reactions(n=199 451;GWAS ID:finn-b-ST19)as the outcome variable.The causal association between BMI and transfusion reactions was analyzed.Results 42 single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with transfusion reactions were identified by MR analysis.The IVW showed evidence to support the causal relationship between BMI and transfusion reactions(OR=0.29,95%CI=0.10～0.85).Nonetheless,the effect value β of the MR-Egger regression approach contrasts with that of IVW.The outcomes of the heterogeneity analysis,pleiotropy analysis,and sensitivity analysis indicated that P>0.05.Conclusion The results of MR analysis supported the possibility of a causal relationship between BMI and blood transfusion reactions,that is,the reduction of BMI will increase the risk of blood transfusion reactions.

Objective This study aimed to examine whether body mass index(BMI)was causally associated with blood transfusion reactions.Methods A two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis using the inverse variance weighted(IVW),MR-Egger regression,weighted median method(WME),weighted model method(WM),simple model method(SM)and simple median method(SM)was performed.Public genome-wide association study(GWAS)analysis was used as the data source,with summary statistical data sets of BMI(n=126 003;GWAS ID:ebi-a-GCST90095042)as the exposure variable and summary statistical data sets of transfusion reactions(n=199 451;GWAS ID:finn-b-ST19)as the outcome variable.The causal association between BMI and transfusion reactions was analyzed.Results 42 single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with transfusion reactions were identified by MR analysis.The IVW showed evidence to support the causal relationship between BMI and transfusion reactions(OR=0.29,95%CI=0.10～0.85).Nonetheless,the effect value β of the MR-Egger regression approach contrasts with that of IVW.The outcomes of the heterogeneity analysis,pleiotropy analysis,and sensitivity analysis indicated that P>0.05.Conclusion The results of MR analysis supported the possibility of a causal relationship between BMI and blood transfusion reactions,that is,the reduction of BMI will increase the risk of blood transfusion reactions.

Objective:To evaluate the sample preparation proficiency and storage proficiency of 11 clinical biobanks in Beijing through simulated experiments, and to establish an assessment method for the quality comparability of biological samples.Methods:An exploratory research design was adopted. In November 2023, artificial composite serum quality control materials containing six recombinant human protein markers—recombinant human alanine aminotransferase (rhALT), recombinant human aspartate aminotransferase (rhAST), recombinant human creatine kinase (rhCK), recombinant human creatine kinase-MB (rhCK-MB), recombinant human B-type natriuretic peptide (rhBNP), and recombinant human troponin I (rhTNI)—were distributed to 11 clinical biobanks in Beijing City. Sample preparation and storage followed the standardized operating procedures. Proficiency differences were assessed through statistical analysis.Results:Three-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed all six protein markers showed a declining trend over storage time in ultra-low-temperature environments ( F values 11.68-4 179.66, all P<0.01). However, neither long-term/temporary refrigerator types ( F values 0.01-1.23, all P>0.05)nor placement locations within refrigerators significantly affected the stability of these six proteins ( F valus 0.03-1.47, all P>0.05). The biases in detection results for rhALT, rhAST, rhTNI, and rhBNP at different storage time points were within the allowable bias limits for each item, supporting their use as markers for protein stability in biobank samples. All 11 institutions passed the storage proficiency assessment. In the preparation proficiency assessment, deviations were observed in post-preparation sample results, with a notably high out-of-control rate for rhCK (36.36%). Conclusion:Sample preparation proficiency can serve as a quality control metric for clinical biobanks. Future external quality assessment systems for biobanks should focus on sample preparation rather than storage processes.