ObjectiveTo study the mechanism of compound Xishu granules （CXG） in inhibiting the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating ferroptosis. MethodsThe transplanted tumor model of human Huh7 was established with nude mice and the successfully modeled mice were randomized into model， Fufang Banmao （0.21 g·kg^-1）， low-dose （1.87 g·kg^-1） CXG， medium-dose （3.74 g·kg^-1） CXG， and high-dose （7.49 g·kg^-1） CXG groups. Mice were administrated with drinking water or CXG for 28 days， and the body weight and tumor volume were measured every 4 days. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the histopathological changes of tumors. The cell-counting kit-8 （CCK-8） was used to examine the survival rate of Huh7 cells treated with different concentrations （0， 31.25， 62.5， 125， 250， 500， 1 000 mg·L^-1） of CXG for 24 h and 48 h. CA-AM， DCFH-DA， and C11-BODIPY^581/591 fluorescent probes were used to determine the intracellular levels of ferrous ion （Fe²⁺）， reactive oxygen species （ROS）， and lipid peroxide （LPO）， respectively. The colorimetric method was employed to measure the levels of glutathione （GSH） and superoxide dismutase （SOD）. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， transferrin receptor 1 （TFR1）， and ferritin heavy chain 1 （FTH1）， respectively. ResultsIn the animal experiment， compared with the model group， the drug treatment groups showed reductions in the tumor volume from day 12 （P<0.01）. After treatment， the Fufang Banmao and low-， medium-， and high-dose CXG groups had lower tumor volume， relative tumor volume， and tumor weight than the model group （P<0.05）， with tumor inhibition rates of 48.99%， 79.93%， 91.38%， and 97.36%， respectively. Moreover， the CXG groups had lower tumor volume and relative tumor volume （P<0.05 in all the three dose groups） and lower tumor weight （P<0.05 in medium-dose and high-dose groups） than the Fufang Banmao group. Compared with the model group， the drug treatment groups showed reduced number of tumor cells， necrotic foci with karyopyknosis， nuclear fragmentation， and nucleolysis， and the high-dose CXG group showed an increase in the proportion of interstitial fibroblasts. In the cell experiment， compared with the blank group， CXG reduced the survival rate of Huh7 cells in a dose-dependent manner after incubation for 24 h and 48 h （P<0.05）. Compared with the blank group， the RSL3 group and the low-， medium-， and high-dose CXG groups showed a decrease in the relative fluorescence intensity of CA-AM and increases in the fluorescence intensity of DCFH-DA and fluorescence ratio of C11-BODIPY^581/591， which indicated elevations in the levels of Fe²⁺ （P<0.01）， ROS （P<0.05）， and LPO （P<0.01）， respectively. Compared with the blank group， the RSL3 and low-， medium-， and high-dose CXG groups showed lowered levels of GSH and SOD （P<0.05）. In addition， the RSL3 group and the medium- and high-dose CXG groups showed down-regulated expression of GPX4 and FTH1 （P<0.05）， and the low- and high-dose CXG groups presented up-regulated expression of TFR1 （P<0.05）. ConclusionCXG suppresses the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by inducing ferroptosis via downregulating the GSH-GPX4 signaling axis and increasing intracellular Fe²⁺and LPO levels.

Objective:To investigate the application effect of problem-based learning (PBL) combined with scenario simulation in nursing teaching of needlestick injuries.Methods:A total of 123 undergraduates majoring in nursing were selected as research subjects from the classes of 2020 and 2021 in a medical university. The 60 undergraduates in the class of 2020 were established as control group and were given PBL teaching, and the 63 undergraduates in the class of 2021 were established as experimental group and were given PBL combined with scenario simulation. The two groups were compared in terms of theoretical score, skill examination score, and knowledge-attitude-practice (KAP) score of needlestick injury knowledge. SPSS 25.0 was used to perform the t-test, the chi-square test, and the rank sum test. Results:Compared with the control group, the experimental group had significantly higher scores of theoretical examination [(84.43±5.03) vs. (80.30±4.81), P<0.001] and skill examination [(88.40±4.26) vs. (83.55±5.84), P<0.001], as well as significantly higher scores of knowledge [(14.46±1.03) vs. (13.18±1.23), P<0.001], attitude [(52.59±3.09) vs. (48.05±3.06), P<0.001], and practice [(67.37±4.28) vs. (62.17±3.92), P<0.001] in KAP questionnaire. Conclusions:PBL combined with scenario simulation teaching can effectively improve the knowledge of protection against needlestick injuries and related skills in nursing students, enhance their awareness of needlestick injuries, and promote the protective behavior against needlestick injuries.

Objective To investigate the association of the serum levels of ischemia-modified albumin（IMA）and homocysteine（Hcy）with the onset and severity of white matter ischemic lesions（WMIL）. Methods A total of 89 patients who were diagnosed with WMIL by cranial magnetic resonance imaging（MRI）in our hospital from March 2020 to June 2022 were enrolled as WMIL group，and the volunteers with normal cranial MRI results，matched for sex and age，during the same period of time were enrolled as control group. The two groups were compared in terms of general information and laboratory markers，and the conditions of WMIL were evaluated and classified into mild and moderate-to-severe cases. A logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the influencing factors for the onset and severity of WMIL，and the receiver operating characteristic（ROC）curve was used to analyze the value of the serum levels of IMA and Hcy in the diagnosis of WMIL. Results Compared with the control group，the WMIL group had a significantly higher proportion of patients with hypertension or type 2 diabetes and significantly higher levels of uric acid（UA），IMA，and Hcy（P<0.05）. Compared with the control group，the WMIL group had a significantly higher proportion of the patients with moderate-to-severe WMIL who had hypertension or the proportion of type 2 diabetes，significantly higher levels of IMA and Hcy，and a significantly lower level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol（P<0.05）. The logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension，elevated IMA level，and elevated Hcy level were influencing factors for the onset of WMIL（P<0.05），and hypertension，elevated IMA level，and elevated Hcy level were influencing factors for the increase in WMIL severity（P<0.05）. The ROC curve analysis showed that serum IMA and Hcy had a certain value in the diagnosis of WMIL and moderate-to-severe WMIL. Conclusion Increases in the serum levels of IMA and Hcy are associated with the onset and aggravation of WMIL，and measurement of the serum levels of IMA and Hcy has a certain value in the diagnosis of WMIL and moderate-to-severe WMIL.
Homocysteine

Objective Space radiation is an important environmental factor affecting the health and efficiency of astronauts.To explore the effects of radiation on electroencephalogram(EEG)signal,and to provide references for further study of the effects of radiation on Central Nervous System(brain)injury.Methods The resting state EEG of radiotherapy volunteers were collected before and after X-ray exposure.The effects of radiation on EEG was studied by means of spectral analysis,nonlinear dynamic characteristic analysis,correlation coefficient analysis and microstate analysis.Results The results show that radiation induced a"slow wave"phenomenon in the EEG spectrum,with a decrease in Gravity Frequency,Sample Entropy,and Lempel-Ziv Complexity,and an increase in Fatigue Index.The average duration and frequency of EEG microstate C both significantly decreased,and the proportion of time for microstate D decreased,while the average correlation coefficient between microstates A and C increased.Conclusion A decrease was induced by radiation in neuronal excitability,which may affect cognitive brain networks and brain attention.This study can provide reference for the study of radiation damage to the Central Nervous System(brain).

AIM:To investigate the potential impact of mitoNEET[mitochondrial protein containing Asn-Glu-Glu-Thr(NEET)sequence]on mitochondrial metabolism in brown adipocytes,and to elucidate its underlying mecha-nism.METHODS:An in vitro model of primary mouse brown adipocytes was established.Western blot were utilized to detect relevant proteins,and iron ion and ATP content was measured using kits.Mitochondrial membrane potential and re-active oxygen species(ROS)were assessed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry.RESULTS:The expression of the ferroptosis-related protein ACSL4 increased by 1.13 times in ferroptosis inducer erastin treatment group,whereas the expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 decreased by 27.33%and 25.33%,respectively,compared with control group(P<0.05).The expression of Nrf1,PGC-1α,MFN2 and UCP1 proteins,related to mitochondrial energy metabolism,de-creased by 20.98%,15.17%,15.03%and 34.22%,respectively(P<0.05).Additionally,the mitoNEET protein con-tent was significantly reduced by 42.14%(P<0.05).The iron ion content in erastin group was substantially increased by 1.80 times compared with control group.However,a notable decrease in ATP content of 14.95%was seen(P<0.05).The results obtained from fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry demonstrated a significant decrease in the mitochon-drial membrane potential of brown adipocytes in erastin group,with reductions of 52.18%and 61.31%(P<0.05),re-spectively.A substantial increase in mitochondrial ROS content of 80.97%was seen(P<0.05).Western blot analysis of overexpressed stable strains revealed a significant elevation in mitoNEET levels in brown adipocytes following lentivirus transfection,exhibiting an increase of 11.19 times(P<0.05),thus confirming successful transfection.The LV-mitoNEET group exhibited a significant decrease of 37.95%in the expression of ferroptosis-related protein ACSL4 in brown adipose cells compared with control group.Additionally,there was a notable increase of 77.82%and 66.3%in the expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4,respectively(P<0.05).Up-regulation was observed in the expression of MFN2(79.06%),PGC-1α(72.89%),Nrf1(40.14%),and UCP1(31.68%)(P<0.05).The test results demonstrated that the LV-mitoNEET group experienced a reduction of 43.5%in iron ion content compared with control group while exhibiting an increase of 33.5%in ATP content(P<0.05).The results obtained from fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry demonstrated that mitoNEET overexpression led to a significant increase in the mitochondrial membrane potential of erastin-induced brown adipocytes,with increments of 17.61%and 96.05%,respectively.Additionally,mitoNEET overexpression effec-tively reduced the production of mitochondrial ROS by 24.48%(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Our findings suggest that mitoNEET overexpression can effectively inhibit the disruption of mitochondrial energy metabolism caused by ferroptosis-induced death of brown adipocytes.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice and the role of the Notch signaling pathway.Methods:Thirty-six SPF healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6 weeks, weighing 20-22 g, were divided into 6 groups ( n=6 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (group S), partial hepatectomy group (group PH), non-acupoint electroacupuncture+ partial hepatectomy group (group NPH), partial hepatectomy+ Fli-06 group (group PH+ F), acupoint electroacupuncture+ partial hepatectomy group (group EPH), and acupoint electroacupuncture+ partial hepatectomy+ Fli-06 group (group EPH+ F). All the mice except for group S underwent partial hepatectomy. Fli-06 4.8 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected starting from 2 days before surgery, once a day, until the mice were sacrificed in group PH+ F and group EPH+ F, while the equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution was injected in the other groups. In EPH group, electroacupuncture of bilateral " Zusanli" acupoints lasting for 15 min was performed using continuous waves with a frequency of 2 Hz and an intensity of 1 mA once a day starting from the time point immediately after surgery for 3 consecutive days. Mice were anesthetized at day 2 after partial hepatectomy, and blood samples were taken from the eyeball for determination of the serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentrations (using a fully automated biochemical analyzer) and concentrations of serum epidermal growth factor (EGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). The mice were subsequently sacrificed and liver tissues were taken for calculation of the liver mass to body mass ratio and for determination of the expression of liver proliferation marker Ki-67 (by immunohistochemical staining), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin D1 (CCND1), Notch Intracellular Domain (NICD), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α) (using Western blot) and Notch1, jagged canonical Notch ligand 1 (Jagged1) and hairy and enhancer of split 1 (Hes1) mRNA (by real-time polymerase chain reaction). Results:Compared with group S, the serum ALT, AST, EGF and HGF concentrations were significantly increased, and the expression of hepatic Notch1, Jagged1 and Hes1 mRNA and Ki-67, PCNA, CCND1 and NICD was up-regulated in group PH ( P<0.05 or 0.01). Compared with group PH, the liver mass to body mass ratio and serum EGF and HGF concentrations were significantly increased, the serum ALT and AST concentrations were decreased, and the expression of hepatic Notch1, Jagged1, Hes1 mRNA and Ki-67, PCNA, CCND1, NICD and HIF-1α was up-regulated in group EPH, and the liver mass to body mass ratio and the serum HGF concentrations were significantly decreased, the serum ALT and AST concentrations were increased, and the expression of hepatic Jagged1 and Hes1 mRNA and Ki-67, PCNA, CCND1, NICD, and HIF-1α was down-regulated in group PH+ F ( P<0.05 or 0.01). Compared with group EPH, the liver mass to body mass ratio and serum EGF and HGF concentrations were significantly decreased, the serum ALT and AST concentrations were increased, and the expression of hepatic Notch1, Jagged1, Hes1 mRNA and Ki-67, PCNA, CCND1, NICD and HIF-1α was down-regulated in group EPH+ F ( P<0.01). Conclusions:Electroacupuncture at Zusanli acupoint promotes liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice, and the mechanism may be related to the activation of the Notch signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the temporal trend of the mortality rate of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) among residents with different characteristics during the comprehensive prevention and control of hypertension in Tengzhou, Shandong Province from 2013 to 2021.Methods:Comprehensive prevention and control of hypertension was conducted in Tengzhou, Shandong Province from 2013 to 2021. ICH mortality rate was calculated from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2021. ICH mortality monitoring data from Tengzhou, Shandong Province was used to analyze the temporal trend of ICH mortality among residents with different characteristics. The registered residence population came from the Public Security Bureau of Tengzhou, Shandong Province. The age and gender standardized mortality rate was calculated based on the data of China's seventh population census in 2020. The temporal and age trends of mortality were analyzed using Cochran Armitage Trend Tests.Results:From 2013 to 2021, the overall crude and standardized mortality rates of ICH in Tengzhou, Shandong Province decreased from 50.51/100 000 and 63.21/100 000 to 17.51/100 000 and 16.74/100 000, respectively ( Z=-11.013 and -15.426, P<0.001), with an average annual mortality rate decrease of 12.41% and 15.30%, respectively. The overall crude and standardized mortality rates in 2017 peaked compared to 2016, mainly due to an increase of 32.94% and 30.92% in male ICH crude and standardized mortality rates, respectively ( χ2=12.328 and 15.854, P<0.05). The mortality rate of ICH increased with age, and the decreasing trend over time became increasingly evident with age. The mortality rate of ICH in the ≥65 year old age group decreased by 77.94% over 9 years ( Z=-14.065, P<0.001). In 2017, the mortality rate of ICH in the male age group ≥65 years old and female 45-54 years old increased by 31.13% and 125.79% compared to 2016 respectively, there were statistically significant differences ( χ2=8.877 and 5.421, P<0.05). In 2021, the mortality rates of urban and rural ICH decreased by 93.22% and 46.40% compared to 2013, respectively ( Z=-13.279 and -5.393, P<0.001), with an average annual decrease of 28.56% and 7.50%, respectively. The ICH mortality rate in rural areas increased by 30.54% in 2017 compared to 2016 ( χ2=16.086, P<0.001); after 2018, the mortality rate of ICH began to be higher than that of urban areas ( χ2=33.400 and 67.305, P<0.001). Conclusions:The ICH mortality rate in Tengzhou, Shandong Province has shown a significant downward trend over time, with male mortality rate higher than female mortality rate and rural mortality rate higher than urban areas. This suggests that the key attention should be paid to both male and rural areas.

Objective:To compare the value of 3 methods (threshold method, visual method and CT method) based on 18F-FDG PET-CT for qualitative diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN). Methods:The clinical characteristics, pathological results, CT signs and maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max) of 226 SPN patients who underwent 18F-FDG PET-CT and met lung imaging reporting and data system (Lung-RADS1.1) grading criteria grade 2-4 in Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital from January 2015 to January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, and the diagnostic efficacy of threshold method (according to SUV max), visual method [according to the degree of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the mediastinum or liver blood pool] and CT method (according to Lung-RADS1.1 grading criteria) for SPN were compared by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The highest diagnostic accuracy of CT method and the highest diagnostic accuracy of threshold method and visual method were combined as PET-CT comprehensive diagnosis method, and the diagnostic efficiency of which was compared with the other methods. Results:Among the 226 patients with SPN, 174 cases were malignant and 52 cases were benign in pathology. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of CT method 2 (defined Lung-RADS1.1 grade 4A and below as benign, grade 4B and above as malignant) in CT methods for qualitative diagnosis of SPN was 0.622, the sensitivity was 87.93%, and the accuracy was 76.11%, the diagnostic efficiency was higher than method 2. The AUC of the threshold method 1 (defined solid nodules that SUV max≥2.5 and ground-glass nodules that SUV max≥1.14 as malignant, the others as benign) in threshold methods for qualitative diagnosis of SPN was 0.675, the sensitivity was 85.06%, and the accuracy was 76.99%, the diagnostic efficiency was higher than other methods in the threshold methods and visual methods. The AUC of PET-CT comprehensive diagnosis method (combination of CT method 2 and threshold method 1) for qualitative diagnosis of SPN was 0.652, the sensitivity was 97.70%, and the accuracy was 82.74%, the diagnostic efficiency was higher than other methods. Conclusions:There is no significant difference among threshold method, visual method and CT method based on 18F-FDG PET-CT in qualitative diagnosis of SPN. The diagnostic efficiency of combining CT method with threshold method is significantly improved.

Objective:To evaluate the value of 18F-FDG uptake features in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant solitary pulmonary lesions. Methods:A total of 274 patients (181 males, 93 females, age: (61.0±10.2) years) with solitary pulmonary lesions who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT between September 2010 and March 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The 18F-FDG uptake features of lesions were divided into 5 types: full uptake (Group A), circular uptake (Group B), multi-focus uptake (Group C), mild uptake (Group D) and no-uptake (Group E). According to the pathology or follow-up results, the incidences of benign and malignant lesions in each group were analyzed. The diagnostic efficiencies of 18F-FDG uptake feature classification(A+ B=malignancy, C+ D+ E=benign) and SUV method (lesions with SUV max≥2.5 was taken as the malignancy) were calculated. χ2 test and ROC curve were used to analyze the data. Results:The malignant incidences of Groups A-E were 86.25%(138/160), 71.05%(27/38), 31.25%(10/32), 43.48%(10/23) and 14.29%(3/21), respectively ( χ2=79.49, P<0.001), and the rate of Group A was the highest ( χ2 values: 5.11-55.84, all P<0.05). There were significant differences in the malignancy incidence between A+ B group and C+ D+ E group (83.33%(165/198) vs 30.26%(23/76)), and between SUV max≥2.5 group and SUV max<2.5 group (76.09%(175/230) vs 29.55%(13/44); χ2 values: 71.83 and 37.15, both P<0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the 18F-FDG uptake feature classification and the SUV method were 87.77%(165/188) vs 93.09%(175/188), 61.63%(53/86) vs 36.05%(31/86), 79.56%(218/274) vs 75.18%(206/274), 83.33%(165/198) vs 76.09%(175/230), 69.74%(53/76) vs 70.45%(31/44), respectively. ROC curve analysis showed that the diagnostic accuracy of the 18F-FDG uptake feature classification was higher than that of SUV method (AUCs: 0.747, 0.646; Z=4.05, P<0.001). Conclusions:18F-FDG uptake feature classification can improve the diagnostic specificity and accuracy of solitary pulmonary lesions. The multi-focus uptake feature maybe a sign of benign lesions, which still needs more researches to confirm.

ObjectiveTo establish a neuroinflammation-based obesity and depression comorbidity （COM） model in mice and explore the pharmacodynamics and preliminary pharmacological mechanism of tripterine on COM mice. MethodC57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal group （Chow）， a diet-induced obesity group （DIO）， and a COM group. The mice in the COM group were fed on a high-fat diet and chronically stressed with moist litter for 12 weeks to establish the COM model. C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a Chow group， a COM group， and a tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α） knock-down group. In the TNF-α knock-down group， TNF-α shRNA adeno-associated virus was injected into the amygdala through brain stereotaxis， and the expression of TNF-α in the amygdala was down-regulated. C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a Chow group， a DIO group， a DIO + low-dose tripterine group （0.5 mg·kg^-1）， a DIO + high-dose tripterine group （1.0 mg·kg^-1）， a COM group， a COM + low-dose tripterine group （0.5 mg·kg^-1）， and a COM + high-dose tripterine group （1.0 mg·kg^-1）. The body weight， food intake， glucose tolerance， white/brown fat ratio， serum total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， and high-/low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C and LDL-C） content were recorded， and obesity of mice in each group was evaluated. Forced swimming test （FST）， tail suspension test （TST）， and open field test were used to evaluate the degree of depression of mice in each group. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the protein expression levels of neuropeptide Y， tryptophan hydroxylase 2 （TPH2）， and brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） in various brain nuclei of mice. Correlation analysis was used to detect the correlation of obesity and depression indexes. ResultThe comparison of the Chow group and the DIO group indicated that COM mice showed obesity and depression. To be specific， obesity was manifested as increased body weight and food intake （P<0.05， P<0.01）， as well as increased NPY expression in the central amygdala， and depression was manifested as prolonged immobility time in FST and TST （P<0.01）， and reduced TPH2-positive 5-hydroxytryptamine neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus （DRN） and basolateral nucleus of the amygdala （BLA）. The down-regulation of TNF-α protein in BLA of COM mice shortened the immobility time in FST and TST （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased TPH2/BDNF-positive neurons in BLA， and showed no significant changes in obesity. In DIO mice， the administration of 0.5 mg·kg^-1 tripterine for 9 days significantly decreased the 60 min blood glucose in glucose tolerance （P<0.01） and food intake （P<0.05）. In COM mice， 1.0 mg·kg^-1 tripterine was administered for 14 days to significantly decrease 30 min blood glucose in glucose tolerance （P<0.01）， and food intake （P<0.05）， and immobility time in TST （P<0.01）， increase TPH2-BDNF double-labeled cells in BLA and DRN， and reduce the area of TMEM119-stained cells. ConclusionThe model of obesity and depression comorbidity can be properly induced in mice under the condition of dual stress of energy environment. Tripterine can effectively interfere with obesity-depression comorbidity， and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of central nervous system inflammation.