Microplastics(MPs)and nanoplastics(NPs)have become hazardous materials due to the massive amount of plastic waste and disposable masks,but their specific health effects remain uncertain.In this study,fluorescence-labeled polystyrene NPs(PS-NPs)were injected into the circulatory systems of mice to determine the distribution and potential toxic effects of NPs in vivo.Interestingly,whole-body imaging found that PS-NPs accumulated in the testes of mice.Therefore,the toxic effects of PS-NPs on the reproduction systems and the spermatocytes cell line of male mice,and their mechanisms,were investigated.After oral exposure to PS-NPs,their spermatogenesis was affected and the spermatogenic cells were damaged.The spermatocyte cell line GC-2 was exposed to PS-NPs and analyzed using RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)to determine the toxic mechanisms;a ferroptosis pathway was found after PS-NP exposure.The phenomena and indicators of ferroptosis were then determined and verified by ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1(Fer-1),and it was also found that nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)played an important role in spermatogenic cell ferroptosis induced by PS-NPs.Finally,it was confirmed in vivo that this mechanism of Nrf2 played a protective role in PS-NPs-induced male reproductive toxicity.This study demonstrated that PS-NPs induce male reproductive dysfunction in mice by causing spermatogenic cell ferroptosis dependent on Nrf2.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between diabetic nephropathy(DN)and diabetic retinopathy(DR)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)based on imaging and clinical testing data.Methods Totally 600 T2DM patients who visited the First People's Hospital of Ziyang from March 2021 to December 2022 were included.The fundus photography and fundus fluorescein angiography were performed on all these patients and their age,gender,T2DM duration,cardiovascular diseases,cerebrovascular disease,hypertension,smoking history,drinking history,body mass in-dex,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure and other clinical data were collected.The levels of fasting blood glu-cose(FPG),triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low-density lipo-protein cholesterol(LDL-C),glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c),24 h urinary albumin(UAlb),urinary albumin to creati-nine ratio(ACR),serum creatinine(Scr)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)were measured.Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors associated with DR.DR staging was performed according to fundus images,and the convolutional neural network(CNN)algorithm was used as an image analysis method to explore the correlation between DR and DN based on emission computed tomography(ECT)and clinical testing data.Results The average lesion area rates of DR and DN detected by the CNN in the non-DR,mild-non-proliferative DR(NPDR),moderate-NPDR,severe-NPDR and pro-liferative DR(PDR)groups were higher than those obtained by the traditional algorithm(TCM).As DR worsened,the Scr,BUN,24 h UAlb and ACR gradually increased.Besides,the incidence of DN in the non-DR,mild-NPDR,moderate-NPDR,severe-NPDR and PDR groups was 1.67％,8.83％,16.16％,22.16％and 30.83％,respectively.Logistic regression analysis showed that the duration of T2DM,smoking history,HbA1c,TC,TG,HDL-C,LDL-C,24 h UAlb,Scr,BUN,ACR and glomerular filtration rate(GFR)were independent risk factors for DR.Renal dynamic ECT analysis demonstrated that with the aggravation of DR,renal blood flow perfusion gradually decreased,resulting in diminished renal filtration.Conclusion The application of CCN in the early stage DR and DN image analysis of T2DM patients will improve the diag-nosis accuracy of DR and DN lesion area.The DN is worsening as the aggravation of DR.

BACKGROUND: Antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) can significantly improve the outcomes of preterm infants. This study aimed to describe the ACS use rates among preterm infants admitted to Chinese neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and to explore perinatal factors associated with ACS use, using the largest contemporary cohort of very preterm infants in China. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled all infants born at 24 +0 to 31 +6 weeks and admitted to 57 NICUs of the Chinese Neonatal Network from January 1st, 2019 to December 30th, 2019. The ACS administration was defined as at least one dose of dexamethasone and betamethasone given before delivery. Multiple logistic regressions were applied to determine the association between perinatal factors and ACS usage. RESULTS: A total of 7828 infants were enrolled, among which 6103 (78.0%) infants received ACS. ACS use rates increased with increasing gestational age (GA), from 177/259 (68.3%) at 24 to 25 weeks' gestation to 3120/3960 (78.8%) at 30 to 31 weeks' gestation. Among infants exposed to ACS, 2999 of 6103 (49.1%) infants received a single complete course, and 33.4% (2039/6103) infants received a partial course. ACS use rates varied from 30.2% to 100% among different hospitals. Multivariate regression showed that increasing GA, born in hospital (inborn), increasing maternal age, maternal hypertension and premature rupture of membranes were associated with higher likelihood to receive ACS. CONCLUSIONS The use rate of ACS remained low for infants at 24 to 31 weeks' gestation admitted to Chinese NICUs, with fewer infants receiving a complete course. The use rates varied significantly among different hospitals. Efforts are urgently needed to propose improvement measures and thus improve the usage of ACS.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Infant, Premature ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use*

Objective:To analyze the clinically acceptable and reproducible bladder and rectum volumes of prostate cancer patients during radiotherapy under bladder and bowel preparation, aiming to provide quantitative indicators for bowel and bladder preparation before and after radiotherapy.Methods:Clinical data of 275 prostate cancer patients with strict bladder and bowel preparation and completion of whole course radical radiotherapy at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from April 2015 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were scanned with cone beam CT (CBCT) before each treatment and the setup error was recorded. Sixty-six patients were selected by simple random sampling and the bladder and rectum on daily CBCT was outlined using MIM software. The relationship between the ratio of daily bladder or rectum volume to the planned bladder or rectum volume (relative value of volume) and setup error was analyzed. Quantitative data were expressed as mean±SD. Normally distributed data were analyzed by paired t-test while non-normally distributed data were assessed by Kruskal-Wallis test.Results:The bladder and rectum volume on planning CT were (370.87±110.04) ml and (59.94±25.07) ml of 275 patients. The bladder and rectum volumes on planning CT were (357.51±107.38) ml and (65.28±35.37) ml respectively of the 66 selected patients with 1611 sets of CBCT images. And the bladder and rectum volumes on daily CBCT were (258.96±120.23) ml and (59.95 ± 30.40) ml. The bladder volume of patients was decreased by 3.59 ml per day on average during the treatment and 0.37 ml for the rectum volume. According to the bladder volume on planning CT, all patients were divided into three groups: <250 ml, 250-450 ml and >450 ml groups. The relative value of volume in the 250-450 ml group during the course of radiotherapy was the smallest. And the setup error in the superior and inferior (SI) direction was (0.28±0.24) cm and (0.19±0.17) cm in the left and right (LR) direction, significantly lower than those in the other two groups (both P≤0.027). According to the rectum volume on planning CT, all patients were divided into four groups: <50 ml, 50-<80 ml, 80-120 ml and >120 ml groups. The <50 ml group had the smallest relative value of volume during radiotherapy, and the setup error in the SI direction was (0.26±0.22) cm and (0.24±0.22) cm in the anterior and posterior (AP) direction, significantly smaller than those in the other groups (both P≤0.003). The setup errors in the SI, LR, AP directions of the enrolled 66 patients were (0.30±0.25) cm, (0.20±0.18) cm and (0.28±0.27) cm, respectively. Among them, the relative value of bladder volume in the AP direction was (0.73±0.37) in the setup error <0.3 cm group, which was statistically different from those in the setup error 0.3-0.5 cm and >0.5 cm groups (both P<0.05). Conclusion:Under the bladder and bowel preparation before planning CT, the appropriate bladder and rectum volumes are in the range of 250-450 ml and <50 ml, which yields higher reproducibility and smaller setup error.

Breast cancer is one of the most malignant tumors and is associated with high mortality rates among women. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) is an extract from the fruits of the traditional Chinese herb, L. barbarum. LBP is a promising anticancer drug, due to its high activity and low toxicity. Although it has anticancer properties, its mechanisms of action have not been fully established. Ferroptosis, which is a novel anticancer strategy, is a cell death mechanism that relies on iron-dependent lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. In this study, human breast cancer cells (Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) and MD Anderson-Metastatic Breast-231 (MDA-MB-231)) were treated with LBP. LBP inhibited their viability and proliferation in association with high levels of ferroptosis. Therefore, we aimed to ascertain whether LBP reduced cell viability through ferroptosis. We found that the structure and function of mitochondria, lipid peroxidation, and expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11, also known as xCT, the light-chain subunit of cystine/glutamate antiporter system X_c^-) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) were altered by LBP. Moreover, the ferroptosis inhibitor, Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), rescued LBP-induced ferroptosis-associated events including reduced cell viability and glutathione (GSH) production, accumulation of intracellular free divalent iron ions and malondialdehyde (MDA), and down-regulation of the expression of xCT and GPX4. Erastin (xCT inhibitor) and RSL3 (GPX4 inhibitor) inhibited the expression of xCT and GPX4, respectively, which was lower after the co-treatment of LBP with Erastin and RSL3. These results suggest that LBP effectively prevents breast cancer cell proliferation and promotes ferroptosis via the xCT/GPX4 pathway. Therefore, LBP exhibits novel anticancer properties by triggering ferroptosis, and may be a potential therapeutic option for breast cancer.
Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Female ; Ferroptosis ; Glutathione/metabolism* ; Humans ; Iron/metabolism*

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of externalizing behavior problems (EBPs) and its influencing factors among Hui left-behind children (LBC) in rural China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among school students from the southern rural areas in Ningxia, China (2012–2013). The general self-made questionnaire, Egma Minnen av Bardndosna Uppforstran, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (for Children), Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale, and Achenbach’s Child Behavior Checklist (for parents) were used to investigate the related information. Binary logistic regressions were conducted. Results: The prevalence of EBPs in boys Hui LBC was significantly higher than that of non-LBC (12.37% vs. 6.84%, χ2=4.09, and p=0.04). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low self-awareness of behavior (odds ratio [OR]=29.78), introversion (OR=21.67) and intermediate personality (OR=15.83), poor academic performance (OR=11.65) and both parent migrating (OR=2.73) were the risk factors for the EBPs of Hui LBC, while middle and high father refusal and denial (OR=0.11, OR=0.09) were their protective factors. Conclusion Our findings suggest that both parent migrating is a potential risk factor for EBPs among Hui LBC. Hui boys LBC should be paid more attention when formulating relevant policies.

Objective To study the association of NLRP3 gene polymorphism with primary hyper tension (PH) and carotid atherosclerosis (CA) in patients of Xinjiang Kazakh nationality.Methods Three hundred and fifty PH patients of Xinjiang Kazakh nationality were divided into CA group (n=150) and CA-free group (n=200) with 200 Xinjiang Kazakh nationality people undergoing physical examination served as a control group in this study.Their NLRP3 rs10754558 genotypes and alleles were detected using the Tapman probe method and their serum IL-1β level was measured by ELISA.Results The detection rate of rs10754558 genotypes and alleles was significantly higher in CA group than in control group (20.0％ vs 9.0％,43.0％ vs 34.8％,P＜0.05).No significant difference was found in NLRP3 gene types and G alleles between the two groups (P＞ 0.05).The serum IL-1β level was significantly higher in CA and CA-free groups than in control group (2.79±0.83 ng/L and 2.82±0.92 ng/L vs 2.21±0.91 ng/L,P＜0.05) and in GG gene type carriers of CA and CA-free groups than in those of control group (3.40±± 0.37 ng/L and 3.35±0.43 ng/L vs 2.21±0.90 ng/L,P＜0.05).Conclusion NLRP3 rs10754558 gene polymorphism is associated with genetic susceptibility to hypertension and carotid atherosclerosis in patients of Xinjiang Kazakh nationality.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of epileptic children at early stage,and to explore the high risk factors for children′s refractory epilepsy(RE)in order to provide evidence for the early and timely treatment of RE.Methods A total of 147 epileptic patients with correct diagnosis and reasonable treatment were enrolled.Forty-nine patients were classified as drug non-responsive epilepsy(DNR-EP group).The remaining 98 patients were classified as drug-responsive epilepsy(DR-EP group).With multiple conditional Logistic regression,the clinical characte-ristics between the 2 groups were compared to identify the early predictors for RE.Results Single factor Logistic regression analysis showed that the initial age of onset <1 year,more than 20 seizures before treatment in a week,focal seizures,more than 2 kinds of epileptic seizures,changes in seizure type in the course of disease,neurological impairment,early intellectual disability,abnormal cranial magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),fixed focal abnormalities on video electroencephalogram(VEEG) after seizure-free interval,diffused anomaly of non-epileptic wave in VEEG before treatment,poor response to initial antiepileptic drugs(AEDs) therapy,compliance with the characteristics of epileptic encephalopathy at early stage significantly increased in DNR-EP group.Then multivariate conditional Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that more than 20 seizures before treatment in a week(OR=2.679,P=0.043),more than 2 kinds of epileptic seizures(OR=4.364,P=0.013),fixed focal abnormalities on VEEG after seizure-free interval(OR=3.898,P=0.008),poor response to initial AEDs therapy(OR=2.611,P=0.036),and compliance with the characteristics of epileptic encephalopathy at early stage(OR=6.022,P=0.002) were the risk factors for developing into RE.Conclusions Children are likely to develop into RE if they have more than 20 seizures before treatment in a week,with more than 2 kinds of epileptic seizures,fixed focal abnormalities on VEEG after seizure-free intervals,poor response to initial AEDs therapy,and compliance with the characteristics of epileptic encephalopathy at early stage.

Objective To explore the relationship among boredom proneness,core self-evaluation and aggression in medical students and to provide clues and evidence for preventing aggression and their relevant interventions.Methods The Boredom Proneness Scale for College Students(C-BPQ),Chinese Version of Buss & Perry Aggression Questionnaire (AQ-CV)and Core Self-evaluations Scale were employed to investigate 1667 medical students in one medical university in Ningxia.Results There were significant differences between high and low boredom proneness groups in core self-evaluations,total aggression score and each factors (core self-evaluations:(29.67±5.10) vs (41.67±4.64),AQ-CV scores:(36.43±17.18) vs (17.58±12.45),physical aggression:(31.62 ±20.46) vs (17.02 ±15.28),verbal aggression:(37.44±19.03) vs (24.68±17.14),anger:(40.93±22.32) vs (18.85±16.86),hostility:(37.34± 19.41) vs (14.86± 13.57),self-aggression:(35.47 ±21.66) vs (13.57± 14.28),all P＜0.001).There were positive correlation among total score of boredom proneness,internal and external stimuli dimensions,total score of AQ-CV and each factors (P＜0.001) and negative correlation between total score of boredom proneness and core self-evaluation(P＜0.001).There were negative correlation among core self-evaluation score,AQ-CV scores and each factor(P＜0.001).Regression analysis showed that boredom proneness and core self-evaluation could predict the aggression to a certain extent (P＜0.01).Core self-evaluation played a mediating role between boredom proneness and aggression taking 48.25％ proportion of the total effect of the mediation.Conclusion Boredom proneness is closely related to aggressive behavior.Core self-evaluation plays a mediating role between boredom proneness and aggression.

Objective To investigate the relationships between depression and life events and coping style of left-behind children in Ningxia rural district.Methods 1455 children,between 7 and 15 years old,of which 643 were left-behind children and 812 were non-left-behind children,were selected from six primary schools and two junior middle schools in Ningxia using cluster-random-sampling.All of them were assessed by the Depression Self-rating Scale for Children (DSRSC),Adolescent Self-rating Life Event Checklist (ASLEC) and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ).Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between leftbehind children' s depression phenomenon and all items in the questionnaires above,and Hierarchical multiple linear regression were used to analyze the correlative factors associated with depression among left-behind children.Results The detectable rate of left-behind children and non-left-behind children' s depression were respectively 30.30％ and 21.20％,and the former was higher than the later (x2 =15.909,P＜0.01).In the left-behind children group,the depression relevance ratio were significant difference (35.23％ vs.26.52％) between the 7-11 years old group and the 12 to 15 one(P＜0.05).The detectable rate of Han and Hui ethnic children(29.00％ vs.37.14％)had no statistically significance.Except positive replying,left-behind children had got higher scores in all factors of DSRSC,ASLEC and negative replying compared with non-left-behind children.According to the Pearson correlation analysis,the scores of DSRSC had positive correlation with all factors in ASLEC,while had negative correlation with active coping style in SCSQ (P ＜ 0.05).According to hierarchical multiple linear regression,positive replying,passive coping style,health and adaptation and human relationship went into the equation,which were important predictive variables for depression.Conclusion The left-behind children in Ningxia have high detectable rate of depression,and active coping styles are useful buffer for the life events' harmful effects.