Aim To investigate the mechanism of py-roptosis mediated by the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway and the intervention effect of Radix Angelica Sinensis and Radix Astragalus ultrafiltration extract(RAS-RA)in radiation-induced pulmonary fi-brosis.Methods Fifty Wistar rats were randomly di-vided into five groups,with ten rats in each group.Ex-cept for the blank control group,all other groups of rats were anesthetized and received a single dose of 40 Gy X-ray local chest radiation to establish a radiation-in-duced pulmonary fibrosis rat model.After radiation,the rats in the RAS-RA intervention groups were orally administered doses of 0.12,0.24 and 0.48 g·kg-1 once a day for 30 days.The average weight and lung index of the rats were observed after 30 days of contin-uous administration.Hydroxyproline(HYP)content in lung tissue was determined by hydrolysis method.The levels of IL-18 and IL-1 β in serum were detected by ELISA.Lung tissue pathological changes were ob-served by HE and Masson staining.Ultrastructural changes in lung tissue were observed by transmission e-lectron microscopy.The expression levels of NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway-related proteins and fibrosis-related proteins in lung tissue were detec-ted by Western blot.Results Compared with the blank group,the HYP content in lung tissue and the levels of IL-18 and IL-1 β in serum significantly in-creased in the model group(P＜0.01).HE and Mas-son staining showed inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fiber deposition.Transmission electron mi-croscopy revealed increased damaged mitochondria,disordered arrangement,irregular morphology,shallow matrix,outer membrane rupture,mostly fractured and shortened cristae,mild expansion,increased electron density of individual mitochondrial matrix,mild sparse structure of lamellar bodies,partial disorder,unclear organelles,and characteristic changes of pyroptosis.Western blot analysis showed increased expression of caspase-1,GSDMD,NLRP3,CoL-Ⅰ,α-SMA,and CoL-Ⅲ proteins(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the RAS-RA intervention group showed signifi-cant improvement in body mass index and lung index of rats,decreased levels of IL-18 and IL-1 β inflammatory factors(P＜0.01),improved mitochondrial structure,reduced degree of fibrosis,and decreased expression of caspase-1,GSDMD,NLRP3,COL-Ⅰ,COL-Ⅲ,and α-SMA proteins in lung tissue(P＜0.01).Conclusion RAS-RA has an inhibitory effect on radiation-in-duced pulmonary fibrosis,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of pyroptosis through the regu-lation of the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate clinical significance of WDR4 gene expression,prognosis and immune infiltration in lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD).Methods:Clinicopathological data and WDR4 mRNA expression data of 535 patients with LUAD were collected through TCGA database,WDR4 protein expression data of 111 patients with LUAD were collected through CPTAC database.Associations between WDR4 expression and various clinicopathological features,as well as with overall survival in LUAD were ana-lyzed by R software.Diagnostic value of WDR4 expression in LUAD were assessed by ROC.Correlation between WDR4 expression and immune infiltration in tumor microenvironment in LUAD were investigated by Estimates and ssGSEA algorithms.Results:WDR4 mRNA expression in LUAD was significantly higher than that in normal lung tissues(all P<0.001).Protein expression of WDR4 in LUAD was also significantly up-regulated(P<0.05).Univariate analysis showed that expression of WDR4 was correlated with lymph node metastasis(P<0.05).Log-rank test showed that overall survival of patients with LUAD in WDR4 high expression group was significantly lower than that in low expression group(P=0.004).Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that T stage,lymph node metasta-sis and WDR4 mRNA expression remained independently associated with prognosis of LUAD patients.Death risk in patients with high expression of WDR4 mRNA was 1.478 times that of patients with low expression(95%CI:1.041～2.097).ROC curve analysis showed that WDR4 mRNA expression predicted diagnosis of LUAD to high extent(AUC=0.912,95%CI:0.885～0.935).High expression of WDR4 was negatively correlated with tumor microenvironment immune infiltration(all P<0.05).Conclusion:WDR4 expression in LUAD is significantly higher than that in normal lung tissue,and high WDR4 expression indicates poor prognosis in patients with LUAD.High expression of WDR4 inhibits immune infiltration in tumor microenvironment.WDR4 may be a novel potential biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of patients with LUAD and therapeutic target.

Objective:To investigate the effect of CD8+CD28-T cells on acute graft-versus-host disease(aGVHD)after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(haplo-HSCT).Methods:The relationship between absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells and aGVHD in 60 patients with malignant hematological diseases was retrospectively analyzed after haplo-HSCT,and the differences in the incidence rate of chronic graft-versus host disease(cGVHD),infection and prognosis between different CD8+CD28-T absolute cells count groups were compared.Results:aGVHD occurred in 40 of 60 patients after haplo-HSCT,with an incidence rate of 66.67％.The median occurrence time of aGVHD was 32.5(20-100)days.At 30 days after the transplantation,the absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells of aGVHD group was significantly lower than that of non-aGVHD group(P=0.03).Thus the absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells at 30 days after transplantation can be used to predict the occurrence of aGVHD to some extent.At 30 days after transplantation,the incidence rate of aGVHD in the low cell count group(CD8+CD28-T cells absolute count＜0.06/μl)was significantly higher than that in the high cell count group(CD8+CD28-T cells absolute count ≥0.06/μl,P=0.011).Multivariate Cox regression analysis further confirmed that the absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells at 30 days after transplantation was an independent risk factor for aGVHD,and the risk of aGVHD in the low cell count group was 2.222 times higher than that in the high cell count group(P=0.015).The incidence of cGVHD,fungal infection,EBV infection and CMV infection were not significantly different between the two groups with different CD8+CD28-T cells absolute count.The overall survival,non-recurrent mortality and relapse rates were not significantly different between different CD8+CD28-T cells absolute count groups.Conclusion:Patients with delayed CD8+CD28-T cells reconstitution after haplo-HSCT are more likely to develop aGVHD,and the absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells can be used to predict the incidence of aGVHD to some extent.The absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells after haplo-HSCT was not associated with cGVHD,fungal infection,EBV infection,and CMV infection,and was also not significantly associated with the prognosis after transplantation.

Objective:To investigate the value of 18F-FDG PET/CT combined with conventional imaging modalities in the evaluation of the depth of tumor invasion, regional lymph node metastasis, distant organ and lymph node metastasis (TNM staging), and the adjacent structure invasion of rectal cancer. Methods:Fifty-four patients (28 males, 26 females, age (65.8±11.0) years) with pathologically confirmed rectal cancer admitted to the Affiliated Qingdao Central Hospital of Qingdao University between September 2019 and June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. 18F-FDG PET/CT examination, conventional imaging modalities including high-resolution MRI (HR-MRI), chest CT plain scan, upper abdominal MRI or CT plain scan+ enhanced examination were performed within 2 weeks before or after the rectal cancer being confirmed. The TNM staging and adjacent structural invasions including circumferential resection margin (CRM), extramural vascular invasion (EMVI), anal sphincter complex involvement were evaluated by 18F-FDG PET/CT and conventional imaging modalities separately or in combination, and those results based on imaging were compared with the pathological results or clinical follow-up results. χ2 test was used to compare the differences of diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy between the 18F-FDG PET/CT or conventional imaging modalities and combined examination. Results:The accuracy for T staging and the sensitivity and accuracy for N staging of the combined examination were 96.30%(52/54), 98.65%(73/74) and 93.91%(185/197), respectively, which were significantly higher than those of 18F-FDG PET/CT (85.19%(46/54), 66.22%(49/74), 81.73%(161/197); χ2 values: 3.97, 26.88, 13.66, all P<0.05). The specificity (91.06%, 112/123) and accuracy of the combined examination for N staging were higher than those of the conventional imaging modalities (77.24%(95/123), 83.76%(165/197); χ2 values: 8.81, 10.23, both P<0.05). The sensitivity and accuracy of the combined examination for M staging were higher than those of the conventional imaging modalities (97.01%(65/67) vs 73.13%(49/67), 95.95%(71/74) vs 68.92%(51/74); χ2 values: 15.05, 18.66, both P<0.001). The sensitivities of the combined examination in evaluating CRM and EMVI were 100%(22/22) and 95.00%(19/20), and the accuracies were 98.15%(53/54) and 96.30%(52/54), all of which were higher than those of 18F-FDG PET/CT (CRM: 54.55%(12/22), 74.07%(40/54); EVMI: 30.00%(6/20), 74.07%(40/54); χ2 values: 12.94, 13.08, 18.03, 10.56, all P<0.01). The accuracy of the combined examination in evaluating EMVI was higher than that of the conventional imaging modalities (85.19%(46/54); χ2=3.97, P=0.046). Conclusion:18F-FDG PET/CT combined with conventional imaging modalities can improve the diagnostic efficacy for TNM staging and assessment of adjacent structural invasion in rectal cancer.

Patients with severe trauma require an extremely timely treatment and transfusion plays an irreplaceable role in the emergency treatment of such patients. An increasing number of evidence-based medicinal evidences and clinical practices suggest that patients with severe traumatic bleeding benefit from early transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood or hemostatic resuscitation with red blood cells, plasma and platelet of a balanced ratio. However, the current domestic mode of blood supply cannot fully meet the requirements of timely and effective blood transfusion for emergency treatment of patients with severe trauma in clinical practice. In order to solve the key problems in blood supply and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma, Branch of Clinical Transfusion Medicine of Chinese Medical Association, Group for Trauma Emergency Care and Multiple Injuries of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Young Scholar Group of Disaster Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized domestic experts of blood transfusion medicine and trauma treatment to jointly formulate Chinese expert consensus on blood support mode and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma patients ( version 2024). Based on the evidence-based medical evidence and Delphi method of expert consultation and voting, 10 recommendations were put forward from two aspects of blood support mode and transfusion strategies, aiming to provide a reference for transfusion resuscitation in the emergency treatment of severe trauma and further improve the success rate of treatment of patients with severe trauma.

Tuberculosis （TB） and human immunodeficiency virus infection / acquired immune deficiency syndrome （HIV/AIDS） are both serious global public health threats. Early detection of infected persons and/or patients through TB/HIV bi-directional screening is crucial for prevention and control strategy in China and globally. In recent years， with the promotion and application of new TB and HIV detection technologies worldwide， TB/HIV bi-directional screening technologies and strategies have made remarkable changes. This expert consensus introduces the significance and challenges of TB/HIV bi-directional screening， summarizes important progress of research and applications， and makes recommendations on screening measures and procedures to further strengthen TB/HIV bi-directional screening in China.

Objective China is among the 30 countries with a high burden of tuberculosis(TB)worldwide,and TB remains a public health concern.Kashgar Prefecture in the southern Xinjiang Autonomous Region is considered as one of the highest TB burden regions in China.However,molecular epidemiological studies of Kashgar are lacking. Methods A population-based retrospective study was conducted using whole-genome sequencing(WGS)to determine the characteristics of drug resistance and the transmission patterns. Results A total of 1,668 isolates collected in 2020 were classified into lineages 2(46.0%),3(27.5%),and 4(26.5%).The drug resistance rates revealed by WGS showed that the top three drugs in terms of the resistance rate were isoniazid(7.4%,124/1,668),streptomycin(6.0%,100/1,668),and rifampicin(3.3%,55/1,668).The rate of rifampicin resistance was 1.8%(23/1,290)in the new cases and 9.4%(32/340)in the previously treated cases.Known resistance mutations were detected more frequently in lineage 2 strains than in lineage 3 or 4 strains,respectively:18.6%vs.8.7 or 9%,P<0.001.The estimated proportion of recent transmissions was 25.9%(432/1,668).Multivariate logistic analyses indicated that sex,age,occupation,lineage,and drug resistance were the risk factors for recent transmission.Despite the low rate of drug resistance,drug-resistant strains had a higher risk of recent transmission than the susceptible strains(adjusted odds ratio,1.414;95%CI,1.023-1.954;P = 0.036).Among all patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis(DR-TB),78.4%(171/218)were attributed to the transmission of DR-TB strains. Conclusion Our results suggest that drug-resistant strains are more transmissible than susceptible strains and that transmission is the major driving force of the current DR-TB epidemic in Kashgar.

An adsorption and concentration sampling device for volatile organic compounds(VOCs)was designed in this work,which improved the long-term monitoring stability of the online monitoring system for VOC adsorption and concentration,and solved the issue of rapid attenuation of responses toward higher carbon compounds.The designed VOC desorption device achieved an average heating rate of 40 ℃/s,with a relative standard deviation(RSD)of 0.4％.Quantitative analysis of mixture of 116 kinds of different VOC standard gases was performed,and the test results showed that the qualification rate of standard curves increased significantly from 90％to 99％,the proportion of detection limits below 0.1 nmol/mol improved from 85％to 90％,and the proportion of residual levels in the system below 0.1 nmol/mol also increased from 85％to 90％.The stable monitoring period was extended from 20 d to over 30 d,making it more conducive to long-term unattended monitoring by the developed instrument.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the level of N-terminal pro-Brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)and cardiorespiratory fitness following acute exposure to high altitude.Methods Forty-six subjects were recruited from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University in June 2022,including 19 males and 27 females.After completing cardiopulmonary exercise test(CPET),serological detection of myocardial cell-related markers,and multiple metabolites at a plain altitude(300 meters above sea level),all subjects flew to a high-altitude location(3900 meters above sea level).Biomarker testing and CPET were repeated on the second and third days after arrival at high altitude.Changes in serum biomarker and key CPET indicators before and after rapid ascent to high altitude were compared,and the correlation between serum levels of various myocardial cell-related markers and metabolites and high altitude cardiorespiratory fitness was analyzed.Results Compared with the plain altitude,there was a significant decrease in maximal oxygen uptake after rapid ascent to high altitude[(25.41±6.20)ml/(kg.min)vs.(30.17±5.01)ml/(kg.min),P<0.001].Serum levels of NT-proBNP,Epinephrine(E),plasma renin activity(PRA),angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ),angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2)and leptin(LEP)significantly increased,with all differences being statistically significant(P<0.05)after acute high altitude exposure.In contrast,no statistically significant differences were observed for creatine kinase MB(CK-MB),cardiac troponin I(cTnI),myoglobin(Myo)and norepinephrine(NE)(P>0.05).Correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between NT-proBNP at plain altitude(r=-0.768,P<0.001)and at high altitude(r=-0.791,P<0.001)with maximal oxygen uptake at high altitude.Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that maximal oxygen uptake at plain altitude(t=2.069,P=0.045),NT-proBNP at plain altitude(t=-2.436,P=0.020)and at high altitude(t=-3.578,P=0.001)were independent influencing factors of cardiorespiratory fitness at high altitude.Conclusion Cardiorespiratory fitness significantly decreases after rapid ascent to high altitude,and the baseline NT-proBNP level at plain altitude is closely related to cardiorespiratory fitness at high altitude,making it a potential predictor indicator for high altitude cardiorespiratory fitness.

Background/Aims: Low educational attainment is a well-established risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in developed areas. However, the association between educational attainment and the risk of NAFLD is less clear in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study including over 200,000 Chinese adults across mainland China was conducted. Information on education level and lifestyle factors were obtained through standard questionnaires, while NAFLD and advanced fibrosis were diagnosed using validated formulas. Outcomes included the risk of NAFLD in the general population and high probability of fibrosis among patients with NAFLD. Logistic regression analysis was employed to estimate the risk of NAFLD and fibrosis across education levels. A causal mediation model was used to explore the potential mediators. Results: Comparing with those receiving primary school education, the multi-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for NAFLD were 1.28 (1.16 to 1.41) for men and 0.94 (0.89 to 0.99) for women with college education after accounting for body mass index. When considering waist circumference, the odds ratios (95% CIs) were 0.94 (0.86 to 1.04) for men and 0.88 (0.80 to 0.97) for women, respectively. The proportions mediated by general and central obesity were 51.00% and 68.04% for men, while for women the proportions were 48.58% and 32.58%, respectively. Furthermore, NAFLD patients with lower educational attainment showed an incremental increased risk of advanced fibrosis in both genders. Conclusions In China, a low education level was associated with a higher risk of prevalent NAFLD in women, as well as high probability of fibrosis in both genders.