Hepatitis B virus （HBV） is a unique hepatotropic DNA virus that forms covalently closed circular DNA within the nucleus of hepatocytes and can partially integrate into the host genome， establishing the molecular basis for persistent viral infection. HBV infection and replication depends on multiple hepatocyte-enriched host factors and is modulated by the hepatic microenvironment. The host achieves natural control and clearance of HBV through various mechanisms， including cytolytic elimination mediated by cellular immunity such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells， innate immunity and noncytolytic clearance driven by interferons and various cytokines， and antibody-mediated protection and clearance as part of humoral immune response. In addition， intracellular restriction factors and pathways， hepatocyte turnover through division and replacement， and changes in the hepatic microenvironment （such as the increase in matrix stiffness） collectively influence the efficiency and outcome of viral control and clearance. This article clarifies and elaborates on related mechanisms， so as to deepen the understanding of HBV chronicity， spontaneous resolution， and cure and provide a theoretical basis for optimizing clinical management and developing novel therapeutic strategies.

Objective To investigate the effects of low-dose ionizing radiation on the thyroid status and hormone levels of radiation workers. Methods Radiation workers who underwent occupational health examinations at a hospital in Guangzhou from 2015 to 2022 were selected as the subjects of this study. The levels of FT3, FT4 and TSH were analyzed, and the thyroid abnormality status of radiation workers in different groups were compared. Results A total of 1152 participants were included in this study, consisting of 885 (76.82%) males and 267 (23.18%) females, with an average age of (35.26 ± 10.16) years. The prevalence of thyroid abnormalities was 9.38%, which was significantly higher in females (13.86%) than in males (8.02%) (P < 0.05). The TSH level of females [(2.15 ± 1.29) mIU/L] was higher than that of males [(1.85 ± 1.20) mIU/L], while the levels of FT3 [(5.10 ± 0.64) pmol/L] and FT4 [(15.84 ± 2.32) pmol/L] in females were lower than those in males [(5.23 ± 0.63) pmol/L and (16.61 ± 2.75) pmol/L, P < 0.05]. The FT3 of industrial workers [(5.25 ± 0.63) pmol/L] was higher than that of medical workers [(5.10 ± 0.63) pmol/L], while the TSH of industrial workers [(1.80 ± 1.12) mIU/L] was lower than that of medical workers [(2.15 ± 1.37) mIU/L]. FT4 levels decreased with increasing age and duration of occupational exposure. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that sex was a significant independent predictor of thyroid abnormalities among radiation workers. Female workers were more likely to experience thyroid abnormalities (β = −0.62, P < 0.05). Conclusion Low-dose ionizing radiation may have a certain impact on the thyroid status of radiation workers, especially for female workers, which requires further attention and research.

Addressing the enduring challenge of evaluating traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), the integrated evidence chain-based effectiveness evaluation of TCMs (Eff-iEC) has emerged. This paper explored its capacity through a demonstration study that evaluated the effectiveness evidence of six commonly used anti-hepatic fibrosis Chinese patent medicines (CPMs), including Biejiajian Pill (BP), Dahuang Zhechong Pill (DZP), Biejia Ruangan Compound (BRC), Fuzheng Huayu Capsule (FHC), Anluo Huaxian Pill (AHP), and Heluo Shugan Capsule (HSC), using both Eff-iEC and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. The recognition of these CPMs within the TCM academic community was also assessed through their inclusion in relevant medical documents. Results showed that the evidence of BRC and FHC received higher assessments in both Eff-iEC and GRADE system, while the assessments for others varied. Analysis of community recognition revealed that Eff-iEC more accurately reflects the clinical value of these CPMs, exhibiting superior evaluative capabilities. By breaking through the conventional pattern of TCMs effectiveness evaluation, Eff-iEC offers a novel epistemology that better aligns with the clinical realities and reasoning of TCMs, providing a coherent methodology for clinical decision-making, new drug evaluations, and health policy formulation.

BACKGROUND: There are few multi-city studies on the association between temperature and mortality in basin climates. This study was based on the Sichuan Basin in southwest China to assess the association of basin temperature with non-accidental mortality in the population and with the temperature-related mortality burden. METHODS: Daily mortality data, meteorological and air pollution data were collected for four cities in the Sichuan Basin of southwest China. We used a two-stage time-series analysis to quantify the association between temperature and non-accidental mortality in each city, and a multivariate meta-analysis was performed to obtain the overall cumulative risk. The attributable fractions (AFs) were calculated to access the mortality burden attributable to non-optimal temperature. Additionally, we performed a stratified analyses by gender, age group, education level, and marital status. RESULTS: A total of 751,930 non-accidental deaths were collected in our study. Overall, 10.16% of non-accidental deaths could be attributed to non-optimal temperatures. A majority of temperature-related non-accidental deaths were caused by low temperature, accounting for 9.10% (95% eCI: 5.50%, 12.19%), and heat effects accounted for only 1.06% (95% eCI: 0.76%, 1.33%). The mortality burden attributable to non-optimal temperatures was higher among those under 65 years old, females, those with a low education level, and those with an alternative marriage status. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggested that a significant association between non-optimal temperature and non-accidental mortality. Those under 65 years old, females, and those with a low educational level or alternative marriage status had the highest attributable burden.
Female ; Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Cities ; Cold Temperature ; Hot Temperature ; Mortality ; Temperature ; Time Factors ; Middle Aged ; Male

BACKGROUND:Plastic as a durable,inexpensive,easy to manufacture organic synthetic polymer materials are widely used.At the same time,plastic resistance to high temperatures,acid and alkali resistance,corrosion-resistant properties make it difficult to degrade in nature,and ultimately forming a huge number of microplastic pollution threatening human health. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of microplastic exposure on growth and development and hepatic lipid metabolism in mice. METHODS:Twenty C57BL/6J male mice were adaptively fed for one week,and then randomly divided into normal and microplastic groups(n=10 per group).Mice in the normal group were given a normal diet and water,for 4 weeks.Mice in the microplastic group were given a normal diet and free drinking of microplastic(polystyrene)water with a concentration of 1 000 μg/L,for 4 weeks.At 2 and 4 weeks of drinking,body mass and grip strength,blood lipids and liver and kidney function,ultrasonic morphology and pathological morphology of liver and lipid deposition were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)With the extension of time,the body mass of mice in the two groups gradually increased,and the body mass of mice in the microplastic group was greater than that in the normal group after 2,4 weeks of drinking water(P<0.05).With the extension of time,the grip strength of mice in the normal group gradually increased,and the grip strength of mice in the microplastic group first decreased and then increased,and the grip strength of mice in the microplastic group was lower than that in the normal group after drinking water for 4 weeks(P<0.05).(2)Liver ultrasound examination showed that compared with the normal group,the ultrasonic echo signal of the liver in the microplastic group was enhanced after 2 and 4 weeks of drinking water.(3)Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that the morphology of liver cells in the microplastic group did not change significantly after 2 and 4 weeks of drinking water,but inflammatory cell infiltration could be seen.Oil red O staining showed that obvious lipid deposition was observed in the liver of microplastic group after 2 and 4 weeks of drinking water.(4)Compared with the normal group,the levels of serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol,triacylglycerol,and aspartate aminotransferase in the microplastic group were decreased after 2 weeks of drinking water(P<0.05),and the serum triacylglycerol concentration was decreased after 4 weeks of drinking water(P<0.05).(5)These findings confirm that microplastics may cause weight gain,loss of physical strength,and abnormal hepatic lipid metabolism in mice.

Elbow stiffness leads to a restricted range of motion, significantly impacting daily activities of patients. Elbow arthrolysis is a commonly used procedure for treating elbow stiffness. However, the procedure is associated with substantial intraoperative and postoperative bleeding, as well as high drainage volume. As an antifibrinolytic agent, tranexamic acid has been increasingly applied in both open and arthroscopic elbow arthrolysis, and its application methods include topical application, intravenous infusion, and combined topical-intravenous application. Studies indicated that tranexamic acid can effectively reduce postoperative bleeding and drainage without increasing the risk of thromboembolic complications, thereby facilitating early recovery and enhancing postoperative patient satisfaction. Future research should focus on optimizing treatment protocols by evaluating the efficacy of different administration methods and dosages of tranexamic acid. The application of tranexamic acid in elbow arthrolysis shows promising potential, and further large-scale studies will be instrumental in supporting its widespread use.

Objective To analyze the quality of 22 batches of Fritillariae thunbergii bulbus Formula Granules from 12 different manufacturers by using water-extraction reference substance of Fritillariae thunbergii bulbus(ZBM ERS ST)and water-extraction reference substance of Fritillariae hupehensis bulbus(HBBM ERS ST)as references.Methods Ethyl acetate-methanol-triethylamine-water(17∶1∶1∶0.5)was used as the developing solvent for high-performance thin-layer chromatography(HPTLC)fingerprint analysis.The high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)fingerprint analysis was performed on a Agilent Eclipse XDB-C18 column(4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm)with the gradient mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.03%diethylamine solution.The column temperature was set at 25℃and evaporative light-scattering detector was used.The determination was conducted according to standard test method for measurement of Fritillariae thunbergii bulbus Formula Granules(Guangdong PFKL00117).Results The results of HPTLC and HPLC analysis showed that there are significant differences among the 22 batches of Fritillariae thunbergii bulbus Formula Granules.There were 4 batches of Fritillariae thunbergii bulbus Formula Granules from 3 manufacturers among them showed fingerprint characteristics of Fritillariae hupehensis bulbus.The total amount of peimine and peiminine in the remaining 18 batches of Fritillariae thunbergii bulbus Formula Granules was 0.291-3.179 mg·g-1,which were quite different.Conclusion Currently,the quality of Fritillariae thunbergii bulbus Formula Granules on the market varies greatly.Standardized water-extract reference substance has better applicability for the analysis of the quality of Fritillariae thunbergii bulbus Formula Granules than the control medicinal materials.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is one of the most effective revascularization treatments for coronary heart disease. Secondary prevention strategies, which rely on antiplatelet and lipid-lowering drugs, are crucial after CABG to ensure the durability of revascularization treatment effects and prevent adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in the medium to long term. Previous research conducted by Professor Zhao Qiang's team from Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, known as the DACAB study, indicated that dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT, specifically ticagrelor+aspirin) after CABG can enhance venous graft patency. However, it remains uncertain whether DAPT can further improve the medium to long-term clinical outcomes of CABG patients. Recently, the team reported the medium to long-term follow-up results of the DACAB study, termed the DACAB-FE study, finding that DAPT administered after CABG can reduce the incidence of major cardiovascular events over five years and improve patients' medium to long-term clinical outcomes. This article will interpret the methodological highlights and significant clinical implications of the DACAB-FE study.

Objective:To explore the effects of Undaria pinnatifida polysaccharides(UPPs)on depressive-like behavior,neurotransmitter content,oxidative stress,and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis in rats treated with chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS).Methods:A rat model of depression was prepared using the CUMS method,and rats were treated with normal saline(NS)or different doses of UPPs by gavage.The general condition of the rats was observed,and depressive-like behavior was detected by the open field test(OFT),sucrose preference test(SPT),and forced swimming test(FST).The activity or levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),dopamine(DA)and norepinephrine(NE),malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide disidase(SOD)and catalase(CAT),adrenocorticotrop-ic hormore(ACTH),corticosterone(CORT)in the hippocampus or serum of rats were detected using commercial kits.Western Blot was used to detect the expression level of hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor(GR)protein,and hema-toxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the tissue structure of hippocampus of rats.Results:The depressive-like behavior of rats in the UPPs medium and high dose groups was significantly improved(P＜0.05).In the UPPs high dose group,the contents of 5-HT,DA,and NE in the hippocampus of rats increased(P＜0.05),while the con-tents of MDA in both serum and hippocampus decreased(P＜0.05),and the activities of SOD and CAT increased(P＜0.05).The contents of ACTH and CORT in serum decreased(P＜0.05).In the UPPs medium dose group,the levels of hippocampal MDA and CAT,as well as serum SOD,ACTH,and CORT were improved(P＜0.05).The expression level of GR protein in the hippocampus increased(P＜0.05),and the pathological changes in the hipp-ocampal dentate gyrus were significantly improved.Conclusion:UPPs can alleviate depressive-like behavior in CUMS rats,and its mechanism may be related to increasing the content of monoamine neurotransmitters in the hippocampus,reducing oxidative stress damage,and HPA axis hyperfunction.