Background Exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) may impair lung function through various mechanisms; however, it remains uncertain whether BaP induces ferroptosis in lung tissue cells, resulting in lung function impairment. Objective To investigate the ferroptosis of lung tissue cells triggered by subchronic BaP exposure in mice and its correlation with lung injury, and to explore the function of ferroptosis in BaP-induced lung tissue damage. Method Seventy-two healthy 3-weeks-old male C57BL/6J mice were acclimatized for 1 week and then randomly divided into six groups: control group (corn oil 10 mL·kg⁻¹), low-dose BaP group (2.5 mg·kg⁻¹), medium-dose BaP group (5 mg·kg⁻¹), high-dose BaP group (10 mg·kg⁻¹), BaP+ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) group (10 mg·kg⁻¹+1 mg·kg⁻¹), and Fer-1 group (1 mg·kg⁻¹), with 12 mice each group. Corn oil and BaP were administered via gavage every other day, followed by an intraperitoneal injection of Fer-1 the subsequent day, throughout a period of 90 d. Whole-body plethysmography was applied to detect lung function; hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) and Masson staining were used to observe lung tissue injury and fibrosis; microscopy of alveolar epithelial cells was conducted to reveal mitochondrial morphology; biochemical assays were used to measure the content of tissue iron, malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH), as well as the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px); Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analyses were performed to reveal the protein and mRNA expression of ferroptosis markers. Results Compared to the control group, the high-dose BaP group showed a significant increase in expiration time (Te) (P<0.01), and a significant decrease in ratio rate of achieving peak expiratory flow (Rpef), tidal volume (TVb), peak inspiratory flow (PIF), minute volume (MVb), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) (P<0.05 or 0.01). Based on the results of HE and Masson staining, partial destruction of alveolar structures, thickening of alveolar walls, infiltration of inflammatory cells, significant thickening of tracheal walls and a large deposition of collagen fibers in lung tissue were observed in the medium- and high-dose BaP groups. By microscopy, the alveolar epithelial cells exposed to low-dose BaP showed condensed chromatin, and the mitochondria exposed to medium and high-dose BaP showed wrinkles, increased mitochondrial membrane density, and diminished mitochondrial cristae. Compared to the control group, in the medium- and high-dose BaP groups, the lung tissue iron content and the expression levels of ACSL4 protein and mRNA significantly elevated (P<0.01 or 0.05), while the mRNA expression level of SLC7A11 significantly decreased (P<0.05); in the high-dose BaP group, the MDA content, COX2 protein, and PTGS2 mRNA expression levels significantly increased (P<0.05 or 0.01), GSH content and GSH-Px activity, GPX4 protein and mRNA expression levels, and the expression level of SLC7A11 protein significantly decreased (P<0.01 or 0.05). The ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 markedly reversed respiratory function, morphology, mitochondrial alterations, and the aforementioned ferroptosis-related biochemical indicators. Conclusion Subchronic exposure to BaP can induce ferroptosis in mice lung tissue cells, resulting in compromised lung function.

Objective We aimed to observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Compound Congrong Yizhi Capsule in subjects with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods A total of 65 subjects with mild to moderate AD who visited the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University and Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University from February 2023 to February 2024 were selected and divided into the Compound Congrong Yizhi Capsule group (40 cases) and the Donepezil Hydrochloride group (25 cases) for a 6-month treatment. The primary outcome measures included the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) score and Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) score. Secondary outcome measures included the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE),Activities of Daily Living (ADL),Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCFT),Trail Making Test (TMT),Verbal Fluency Test (VFT),Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT),Digital Span Test (DST),Clock Drawing Test (CDT),and Boston Naming Test (BNT) scores,as well as clinical biochemical indicators including blood lipids,blood glucose,liver and kidney function. Results Compared with the Donepezil Hydrochloride group after treatment,subjects in the Compound Congrong Yizhi Capsule group showed an increase in ADAS-Cog and AVLT-total scores,and a decrease in MMSE,Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Copy Test,and CDT scores (P<0.05). Additionally,there was an increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),and total bilirubin (TBIL) levels,and a decrease in indirect bilirubin (IBIL) levels (P<0.05).Conclusion Compound Congrong Yizhi Capsule exerts a regulatory effect on cognitive function in subjects with AD,especially in the cognitive domains of episodic memory and visual-spatial processing ability. It also improves certain clinical indicators such as ALT,BUN,TBIL,and IBIL. This suggests that the early intervention with Compound Congrong Yizhi Capsule in AD can effectively improve symptoms,delay disease progression,and fully embody the concept of traditional Chinese medicine's preventive approach to illness.

Objective Polymorphic microsatellite markers developed for Apodemus peninsulae can enrich its genetic data and lay a foundation for genetic quality control and gene mapping.Methods Microsatellite loci were screened based on the genome sequence of Apodemus peninsulae,and microsatellite primers were identified.The genetic diversity of the population was analyzed by multiplex PCR.Results Thirty microsatellite markers were successfully developed and evaluated using 60 samples of Apodemus peninsulae.A total of 152 alleles were detected,with an average of 5.067 alleles per locus.The average observed heterozygosity was 0.592.The average Shannon index was 1.265.The average polymorphism information content was 0.598.Conclusions Based on the microsatellite loci developed in this study,the genetic diversity of Apodemus peninsulae can be effectively analyzed,laying a foundation for establishing genetic quality standards and detection method.

Children and adults differ significantly in physiology,biochemistry and immune function,which leads to sig-nificant differences in blood transfusion strategies between children and adults.To guide the clinical transfusion practice of pediatric patients and improve the prognosis of children,the National Health Commission organized the formulation and re-lease of the health industry standard Guideline for Pediatric Transfusion(WS/T 795-2022).This paper will briefly introduce some concepts that help understand of the Standard and the preparation process of the Standard,and explain and interpret the preparation of the"scope","general provisions"and"factors to consider"of the Standard,hoping to contribute to the understanding and implementation of the Standard.

Objective To explore the current status of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)research on alopecia areata(AA)and arogenetic alopecia(AGA),analyzing the clinical syndrome and treatment characteristics,and providing reference for TCM clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods Search for research literature on traditional Chinese medicine treatment of hair loss in CNKI,Wanfang,and VIP separately.Removing duplicates through Notexpress and using CiteSpace and VOSviewer software for bibliometric analysis.Furthermore,focusing on the RCT research of traditional Chinese medicine internal treatment for AA and AGA,the data mining methods were used to analyze the pathogenesis,treatment methods,and prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine.Results There are a total of 2954 literature on the treatment of hair loss by traditional Chinese medicine,with clinical research being the main research type.Among them,the main pathogenesis of AA is liver and kidney deficiency,qi and blood deficiency,etc.Commonly used herbs includes Polygonum multiflorum,Rehmannia glutinosa,Chuanxiong,Poria cocos,and Ligustrum lucidum,while the pathogenesis of AGA is mainly dampness heat accumulation,yin deficiency dampness heat,etc.,with commonly used herbs such as Platycladus orientalis,Alisma orientalis,Poria cocos,hawthorn,and Coix seed.Meanwhile,AA and AGA both pay more attention to the use of tonifying drugs in their treatment.Conclusion There is a growing trend in literature on the treatment of hair loss with TCM,and there are differences in the pathogenesis and treatment methods between AA and AGA in traditional Chinese medicine.It is worth further reference in the prescription and medication of clinical treatment of hair loss.

Objective To investigate the effect of lidocaine on cardiomyocyte H9C2 injury induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) by regulating microRNA -181a (miR-181a). Methods H9C2 cells were cultured and an H/R model was established as H/R group; normal cultured cells were used as the control (Con) group. H/R-induced H9C2 cells were treated with 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 μmol/L lidocaine and were set as 1.0 μmol/L group, 2.5 μmol/L group, 5.0 μmol/L group, 10.0 μmol/L group and 20.0 μmol/L group, respectively. Anti-miR-NC and anti-miR-181a were transfected into H/R-induced H9C2 cells, included in H/R+anti-miR-NC group and H/R+anti-miR-181a group, respectively. The miR-NC and miR-181a were transfected into H/R-induced H9C2 cells, and then treated with 20 μmol/L lidocaine, which were recorded as H/R+miR-NC+20 μmol/L group and H/R+miR-181a+20 μmol/L group, respectively. The cell activity was detected by MTT assay; flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis; the expression of Caspase-3 protein was detected by Western blot; real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of miR-181a; the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected; the levels of inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6)] were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Compared with the Con group, the cell activity in the H/R group was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the H/R group, the cell activity of 5.0 μmol/L group, 10.0 μmol/L group and 20.0 μmol/L group was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Therefore, the experiment was conducted with 20.0 μmol/L lidocaine. Compared with the Con group, apoptosis rate and Caspase-3 protein expression in the H/R group were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the H/R group, the apoptosis rate and Caspase-3 protein expression in the 20.0 μmol/L group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the Con group, MDA content, LDH activity and inflammatory factor levels in the H/R group were significantly increased, while SOD activity was significantly decreased in the H/R group; compared with the H/R group, MDA content, LDH activity and inflammatory factor level in the 20.0 μmol/L group were significantly decreased, and SOD activity was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the H/R+anti-miR-NC group, the expression of miR-181a, apoptosis rate and Caspase-3 protein in the H/R+anti-miR-181a group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the H/R+anti-miR-NC group, the MDA content, LDH activity and inflammatory factor levels in the H/R+anti-miR-181a group were significantly decreased, while SOD activity was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the H/R+miR-NC+20.0 μmol/L group, the apoptosis rate, the contents of Caspase-3 protein as well as MDA content, the activity of LDH and the level of inflammatory factors in the H/R+miR-181a+20.0 μmol/L group were significantly increased, and the SOD activity was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Conclusion Lidocaine inhibits H/R-induced cardiomyocyte H9C2 injury by interfering with the expression of miR-181a.

Background Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) has neurotoxicity, which can induce the loss of hippocampal neurons in humans and animals and lead to spatial learning and memory dysfunction, but its mechanism is still unclear. Objective To observe the ferroptosis of mouse hippocampal neuron HT22 cells induced by 7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxybenzo[a]pyrene (BPDE), an active metabolite of BaP, and to explore its potential mechanism, so as to provide a basis for the study of BaP neurotoxicity mechanism. Method Mouse hippocampal neuron HT22 cells were selected and divided into four groups: solvent control group and low, medium, and high concentration BPDE exposure groups (0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 μmol·L⁻¹). Cell survival was detected by CCK8 method. Cell morphology and ultrastructure were observed under light and electron microscopes. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Fe²⁺ were detected by fluorescence probe method. Iron, 4-hydroxynonenoic acid (4-HNE), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) levels were detected with commercial kits. The expression levels of acyl-CoA synthase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) were detected by Western blotting. After interventions with ferroptosis inhibitors 20 μmol·L⁻¹ deferoxamine (DFO) and 10 μmol·L⁻¹ ethyl 3-amino-4-cyclohexylaminobenzoate (Fer-1), the cell survival rate of each BPDE exposure group and the changes of the ferroptosis characteristic indicators and protein expression levels were observed. Results With the increase of BPDE concentration, the survival rate of HT22 cells decreased gradually, and the survival rate of each BPDE group was significantly lower than that of the solvent control group (P<0.01). Under light microscope, the number of cells in the high concentration BPDE group was significantly reduced, and atrophic cells and reduced synapses were recorded. Under electron microscope, the HT22 cells in the high concentration BPDE group showed mitochondrial shrinkage, decreased crista, and increased mitochondrial membrane density. Compared with the solvent control group, the levels of intracellular lipid ROS, Fe²⁺, 4-HNE, and MDA significantly increased in the high concentration group (P<0.01), the GSH and GSH-PX levels were significantly decreased (P<0.01), the protein expression levels of ASCL4 and COX2 were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of SCL7A11 and GPX4 were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The ferroptosis inhibitors DFO and Fer-1 significantly reversed the cell survival rate (P<0.01), the ferroptosis characteristic indicators (ROS, Fe²⁺, 4-HNE, MDA, GSH, and GSH-PX levels) (P<0.01), and the expression levels of ferroptosis-related proteins (ACSL4, COX2, SLC7A11, and GPX4) (P<0.01) in the high concentration BPDE group. Conclusion BPDE can induce ferroptosis in mouse hippocampal neuron HT22 cells, which may be related to the inhibition of SLC7A11/GSH/GPX4 axis and the induction of iron metabolism disorder.

Objective:To analyze the costs and effectiveness of five common screening modes and genetic screening for thalassemia in China in order to find the optimal way and provide evidence for the implementation of thalassemia prevention and control projects in Hunan Province.Methods:From June 2020 to April 2021, 12 971 couples from 14 cities and autonomous prefectures in Hunan Province were selected as the study population. The diagnosis of thalassemia was based on the results of genetic testing. Results of routine blood test and hemoglobin electrophoresis were collected and analyzed. The efficacy of five screening modes, at the cut-off value of <80 fl or 82 fl for the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), was analyzed by positive predictive value, negative predictive value, Jorden index and cost-effectiveness ratio. Sensitivity analysis was used to assess the feasibility of genetic screening at different costs after fixing the costs of routine blood and hemoglobin electrophoresis. The five thalassemia screening models are as follows: Mode 1: The woman had a blood routine test first. If the result was positive, the spouse required a blood routine test. If both results were positive, a thalassemia gene test should be offered to the couple. Mode 2: Both husband and wife were screened by blood routine and hemoglobin electrophoresis. If one or both of them were positive, both would be tested for thalassemia gene. Mode 3: The couple received blood routine tests initially. If either was positive, both should receive hemoglobin electrophoresis testing. If either was positive, both parties will conduct thalassemia gene testing. Mode 4: The woman was screened by blood routine and hemoglobin electrophoresis. If any one of them was positive, the woman would be tested for thalassemia gene. If the gene test result was positive, the spouse should receive thalassemia gene. Mode 5: Both spouses conducted a blood routine test. If either was positive, both would conduct hemoglobin electrophoresis test. If both were positive, both spouses should receive thalassemia gene testing. Gene testing mode: The woman would be tested for thalassemia, and her spouse would have thalassemia test too if her result was positive.Results:When using MCV<80 fl as the cut-off for diagnosing thalassemia, the Youden indices of the five prenatal screening modes in Hunan Province were 0.551, 0.639, 0.898, 0.555 and 0.356, while when using MCV<82 fl as the cut-off, the Youden indices were 0.549, 0.629, 0.851, 0.548 and 0.356. When the MCV cut-off value was <80 fl, the missed diagnosis rates of the five screening modes were 44.44%, 0.00, 0.00, 18.52% and 62.96%, and the cost-effectiveness ratios were 21 709, 250 939, 76 870, 138 463 and 92 860 yuan (RMB)/couple, respectively. When the price of genetic testing was lower than 55 yuan (RMB), the cost-effectiveness ratio of genetic screening was lower than that of Mode 3.Conclusions:MCV<80 fl can be considered as the positive criteria in blood routine screening for thalassemia in Hunan Province, and the cost-effectiveness ratio of Mode 3 (the couple received blood routine tests initially. If either was positive, both should receive hemoglobin electrophoresis testing. If either was positive, both parties will conduct thalassemia gene testing) is the best. Genetic screening has certain advantages with the decreasing price.

Background There is a lack of research evidence on the association between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in China. Objective To explore the association between frequency of SSB consumption before pregnancy and risk of GDM in pregnant women in Shaanxi Province, and to provide a scientific basis for targeted interventions to control maternal blood glucose. Methods The recruitment to the China Birth Cohort study started in October 2020. Pregnant women at 6-16 weeks who had their first prenatal examination at five hospitals in Shaanxi Province were recruited. A maternal health questionnaire was used to collect basic information about pregnant women. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to collect the consumption of carbonated beverages, fruit and vegetable juice beverages, coffee beverages, and milk tea beverages in one year before pregnancy, which were summed to obtain the SSB consumption. Pregnant women were divided into three groups according to SSB consumption, namely <1 serving·week⁻¹, 1-4 servings·week⁻¹, and ≥5 servings·week⁻¹. GDM was confirmed by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) between 24-28 weeks of gestation. A binary logistic regression model was applied to explore the association between SSB consumption and risk of GDM. Multiple linear regression was applied to investigate the associations between SSB consumption (per 1-serving·d⁻¹ increase) and OGTT fasting plasma glucose, 1-hour glucose, and 2-hour glucose. Results A total of 3811 pregnant women were finally enrolled in this study, of which 752 developed GDM, with an incidence rate of 19.7%. The incidence rates of GDM in pregnant women with SSB consumption frequency of <1 serving·week⁻¹, 1-4 servings·week⁻¹, and ≥5 servings·week⁻¹ were 18.0%, 21.1%, and 26.8%, respectively. After adjusting for maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), education, number of children born, family history of diabetes, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity level, and total energy intake, the risk of GDM increased by 26% (OR=1.26, 95%CI: 1.05, 1.50) in the 1-4 servings·week⁻¹ group and by 76% (OR=1.76, 95%CI: 1.31, 2.38) in the ≥5 servings·week⁻¹ group compared to the <1 serving·week⁻¹ SSB consumption group, respectively. Further stratified analysis revealed no interaction effect (P_interaction>0.05) between SSB consumption and maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI, or first labor or not. For each additional SSB consumption per day, the risk of GDM increased by 94% (OR=1.94, 95%CI: 1.37, 2.75); and the maternal OGTT 1-hour glucose and 2-hour glucose increased by 0.33 mmol·L⁻¹ and 0.18 mmol·L⁻¹, respectively (P<0.05), and no significant increase in fasting plasma glucose was found (P>0.05). Conclusion Higher SSB consumption before pregnancy increases the risk of GDM in pregnant women.

Objective:To determine whether insulin resistance is associated with all-cause mortality in subjects without diabetes.Methods:A total of 505 participants without diabetes, 198 with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and 307 with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), were recruited from the Daqing Diabetes Study. The participants were followed up for 30 years. They were stratified into three groups (tertiles) according to baseline homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR) levels, as the HOMA-IR 0, the HOMA-IR 1 and the HOMA-IR 2 groups, to assess the predictive effect of insulin resistance on risk of all-cause mortality.Results:During the 30-year follow-up, 52, 56 and 78 participants died across the three HOMA-IR groups, respectively. The corresponding mortality per 1 000 person-years (95 %CI) were 12.12 (9.56-15.01), 13.10 (10.46-16.03) and 19.91 (16.73-23.15), respectively. Participants in the HOMA-IR 2 group had a significantly higher risk of death than those in the HOMA-IR 0 group after adjustment of age, sex and smoking status ( HR=1.97,95 %CI 1.38-2.81, P<0.001). Cox analyses showed that a one standard deviation increase in HOMA-IR was associated with a 22% increase in the mortality after adjustment of potential confounders ( HR=1.22, 95 %CI 1.08-1.39, P=0.002). Conclusions:Insulin resistance is associated with increased risk of all-cause death in Chinese people without diabetes, suggesting that improving insulin resistance could be beneficial for people without diabetic in reducing risk of long-term all-cause mortality.