Lung cancer is one of the most common malignancies and has the highest number of deaths among all cancers. Despite continuous advances in medical strategies, the overall survival of lung cancer patients is still low, probably due to disease progression or drug resistance. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death triggered by the lethal accumulation of lipid peroxides, and its dysregulation is implicated in cancer development. Preclinical evidence has shown that targeting the ferroptosis pathway could be a potential strategy for improving lung cancer treatment outcomes. In this review, we summarize the underlying mechanisms and regulatory networks of ferroptosis in lung cancer and highlight ferroptosis-targeting preclinical attempts to provide new insights for lung cancer treatment.

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

Alkylated DNA lesions, induced by both exogenous chemical agents and endogenous metabolites, represent a major form of DNA damage in cells. The repair of alkylation damage is critical in all cells because such damage is cytotoxic and potentially mutagenic. Alkylation chemotherapy is a major therapeutic modality for many tumors, underscoring the importance of the repair pathways in cancer cells. Several different pathways exist for alkylation repair, including base excision and nucleotide excision repair, direct reversal by methyl-guanine methyltransferase (MGMT), and dealkylation by the AlkB homolog (ALKBH) protein family. However, maintaining a proper balance between these pathways is crucial for the favorable response of an organism to alkylating agents. Here, we summarize the progress in the field of DNA alkylation lesion repair and describe the implications for cancer chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect differences among the comprehensive therapy, acupuncture and oral mecobalamine for senile sensorineural hearing loss.

METHODSA total of 126 senile sensorineural hearing loss patients were randomized into a comprehensive group, an acupuncture group and a western medication group, 42 cases in each group. After removing and discontinuing cases, 40 cases in each group were included in the analysis. Acupuncture, acupoint injection and auricular point pressing were used in the comprehensive group. Acupuncture for 2 courses was at the affected Tinggong (SI 19), Tinghui (GB 2), Yifeng (TE 17), etc, once every other day, 10 times as a course with one week rest between 2 courses, 3 times a week. Acupuncture as the comprehensive group was applied in the acupuncture group. Mecobalamin tablet was prescribed orally for 2 courses in the western medication group, 3 times a day, 0.5 mg a time, 3 weeks as a course, one week at the interval. Pure tone hearing threshold value and tinnitus grading were observed before and after intervention in the three groups. The clinical effects were compared.

RESULTSAfter treatment, pure tone hearing threshold value and tinnitus grading were better than those before treatment in the three groups (all <0.05), with better results in the comprehensive group than those in the other two groups (all <0.05). The total effective rate of pure tone hearing threshold value was 82.5% (33/40) in the comprehensive group, which was superior to 67.0% (27/40) in the acupuncture group and 62.5% (25/40) in the western medication group (both <0.05). The total effective rate of tinnitus was 83.3% (30/36) in the comprehensive group, which was superior to 69.7% (23/33) in the acupuncture group and 57.1% (20/35) in the western medication group (both <0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe clinical effects of comprehensive therapy on senile sensorineural hearing loss are superior to those of simple acupuncture and oral administration of mecobalamin in terms of pure tone hearing threshold value and tinnitus grading.

Objective To summarize our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid Hurthle cell neoplasms. Methods Clinical data of thyroid Hurthle cell neoplasm patients admitted from 1972 to 2003 were analyzed retrospectively. Results The main symptoms were thyroid solitary node or mass (37 cases) and multiple nodule (9 cases). 4 cases had cervical lymph node metastasis. With BUS、CT、ECT and FNAC,only 10 cases were diagnosed as HCNs preoperatively, 36 cases were misdiagnosed as nodular benign single or multiple node. Twenty-eight cases were diagnosed by FNAC and quick freezing pathology. Benign HCNs was treated by isolateral thyroidectomy and malignant HCNs by additional contralateral subtotal thyroidectomy. Eighteen cases were diagnosed by postoperative paraffin pathology, and retrival second operation was performed according to the benignity or malignancy of the thyroid lesion. All cases were followed-up for 2 to 10 years and doing well without recurrence. Conclusions We should realize thyroid Hurthle cell neoplasms fully, if HCNs is suspected intraoperatively, quick freezing pathology is helpful. With appropriate therapy, the prognosis is satisfactory.