Background Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is associated with the development of metabolic syndrome (MS). However, the role of amino acids in PAH-induced MS remains unclear. Objective To explore the impact of PAHs exposure on the incidence of MS among coking workers, and to determine potential modifying effect of amino acid on this relationship. Methods Unmatched nested case-control design was adopted and the baseline surveys of coking workers were conducted in two plants in Taiyuan in 2017 and 2019, followed by a 4-year follow-up. The cohort comprised 667 coking workers. A total of 362 participants were included in the study, with 84 newly diagnosed cases of MS identified as the case group and 278 as the control group. Urinary levels of 11 PAH metabolites and plasma levels of 17 amino acids were measured by ultrasensitive performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between individual PAH metabolites and MS. Stratified by the median concentration of amino acids, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model was employed to assess the mixed effects of PAHs on MS. Due to the skewed data distribution, all PAH metabolites and amino acids in the analysis were converted by natural logarithm ln (expressed as lnv). Results The median age of the 362 participants was 37 years, and 83.2% were male. Compared to the control group, the case group exhibited higher concentrations of urinary 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OHPhe), 9-hydroxyphenanthrene (9-OHPhe), and hydroxyphenanthrene (OHPhe) (P=0.005, P=0.049, and P=0.004, respectively), as well as elevated levels of plasma branched chain amino acid (BCAA) and aromatic amino acid (AAA) (P<0.05). After being adjusted for confounding factors, for every unit increase in lnv_2-OHPhe in urine, the OR (95%CI) of MS was 1.57 (1.11, 2.26), and for every unit increase in lnv_OHPhe, the OR (95%CI) of MS was 1.82 (1.16, 2.90). Tyrosine, leucine, and AAA all presented a significant nonlinear correlation with MS. At low levels, tyrosine, leucine, and AAA did not significantly increase the risk of MS, but at high levels, they increased the risk of MS. In the low amino acid concentration group, as well as in the low BCAA and low AAA concentration groups, it was found that compared to the PAH metabolite levels at the 50th percentile (P₅₀), the log-odds of MS when the PAH metabolite levels was at the 75th percentile (P₇₅) were 0.158 (95%CI: 0.150, 0.166), 0.218 (95%CI: 0.209, 0.227), and 0.262 (95% CI: 0.241, 0.282), respectively, However, no correlation between PAHs and MS was found in the high amino acid concentration group. Conclusion Amino acids modify the effect of PAHs exposure on the incidence of MS. In individuals with low plasma amino acid levels, the risk of developing MS increases with higher concentrations of mixed PAH exposure. This effect is partly due to the low concentrations of BCAA and AAA.

[Objective] To analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of treatment-naive patients with highly suspected prostate cancer (PCa) with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level ≥20 ng/mL, to provide reference for promoting early screening of PCa. [Methods] A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of treatment-naive patients with PSA level ≥20 ng/mL, undergoing prostate biopsy for highly suspected PCa at the Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University Second Hospital during Jan.2013 and Jun.2023. The correlation between patients' age, body mass index (BMI), PSA, prostate volume (PV), prostate cancer-specific antigen density (PSAD), prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI-RADS) score, and International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade with highly suspected PCa metastasis and PSA stratification were analyzed. [Results] A total of 1778 suspected patients were enrolled. Pathological findings confirmed PCa in 1465 cases (82.4%), with 487(33.2%) diagnosed as metastatic PCa. Over the past decade, the number of patients undergoing prostate biopsy for highly suspected PCa and being confirmed has been increasing annually, with the proportion of metastatic cases remaining at around 30%. Compared with those with PSA level being 20-50 ng/mL, patients with PSA level >50 ng/mL had older age, lower BMI, higher PSAD, higher PI-RADS, higher ISUP, more diverse pathological types, and a higher incidence of metastasis (P<0.05) with lower proportion of urban residents. Additionally, analysis of metastatic PCa cases showed that 46.8%(228/487) had oligometastasis (≤5 metastatic lesions), including 99.0% bone metastasis, 4.1% extraregional lymph node metastasis, and 4.3% other organ metastasis. [Conclusion] Over the past 10 years, there has been a continuous increase in the number of treatment-naive biopsied cases and newly diagnosed cases of highly suspicious PCa with PSA level ≥20 ng/mL, while the proportion of metastatic cases remains high. Therefore, proactive efforts should be made to promote early screening of high-risk suspected cases.

Background During urbanization, the passenger load on urban public transport systems continues to increase, exposing bus drivers to a high risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This occupational health issue may also potentially compromise public transport safety. Objective To investigate the prevalence of MSDs among bus drivers in a first-tier city and to explore associated influencing factors. Methods A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted from December 2024 to March 2025 among 1300 bus drivers in a bus company. Data were collected on general demographic information, occupational activities, and MSDs indicators. A total of 1268 valid questionnaires were returned, yielding a response rate of 97.5%. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the distribution characteristics of MSDs. Pearson χ² tests were employed to examine the association between MSDs prevalence and individual/occupational characteristics. Logistic regression was performed to identify the influencing factors of MSDs. Results The survey revealed that the prevalence of MSDs among the bus drivers was 28.5%, with the highest prevalence in the 41–50 years age group (30.5%). The conditions primarily affected the cervical spine (60.5%) and lumbar spine (61.9%), with some cases involving multiple sites. The logistic regression model indicated that the following factors were associated with a higher risk of MSDs: frequent smoking (OR=1.477), poor or moderate self-reported health status (OR=4.422), 11–20 years of service (OR=1.749), daily cumulative driving time ≥361 min (OR=1.616), frequent whole-body fatigue during driving (OR=2.077), occasional whole-body fatigue during driving (OR=1.873), feeling tense during driving (OR=1.518), fatigue after work (OR=2.485), work-related stress (OR=1.882), and prolonged smartphone use with head-down posture (OR=1.671). Conversely, occasional exercise (OR=0.713)/frequent exercise (OR=0.569), driving intervals ≥21 min per round (OR=0.645), and perceiving the driving seat comfortable (OR=0.429) were associated with a lower risk of MSDs. Conclusion Physical exercise, smoking, years of service, daily cumulative driving time, driving intervals per round, prolonged smartphone use with head-down posture, self-reported health status, and psychological factors such as work-related stress are influencing factors for MSDs among bus drivers. Drivers should increase physical exercise and change unhealthy living habits. Employers should optimize working conditions, arrange reasonable driving schedules, and foster a positive work environment to reduce MSDs prevalence.

Background During urbanization, the passenger load on urban public transport systems continues to increase, exposing bus drivers to a high risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This occupational health issue may also potentially compromise public transport safety. Objective To investigate the prevalence of MSDs among bus drivers in a first-tier city and to explore associated influencing factors. Methods A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted from December 2024 to March 2025 among 1300 bus drivers in a bus company. Data were collected on general demographic information, occupational activities, and MSDs indicators. A total of 1268 valid questionnaires were returned, yielding a response rate of 97.5%. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the distribution characteristics of MSDs. Pearson χ² tests were employed to examine the association between MSDs prevalence and individual/occupational characteristics. Logistic regression was performed to identify the influencing factors of MSDs. Results The survey revealed that the prevalence of MSDs among the bus drivers was 28.5%, with the highest prevalence in the 41–50 years age group (30.5%). The conditions primarily affected the cervical spine (60.5%) and lumbar spine (61.9%), with some cases involving multiple sites. The logistic regression model indicated that the following factors were associated with a higher risk of MSDs: frequent smoking (OR=1.477), poor or moderate self-reported health status (OR=4.422), 11–20 years of service (OR=1.749), daily cumulative driving time ≥361 min (OR=1.616), frequent whole-body fatigue during driving (OR=2.077), occasional whole-body fatigue during driving (OR=1.873), feeling tense during driving (OR=1.518), fatigue after work (OR=2.485), work-related stress (OR=1.882), and prolonged smartphone use with head-down posture (OR=1.671). Conversely, occasional exercise (OR=0.713)/frequent exercise (OR=0.569), driving intervals ≥21 min per round (OR=0.645), and perceiving the driving seat comfortable (OR=0.429) were associated with a lower risk of MSDs. Conclusion Physical exercise, smoking, years of service, daily cumulative driving time, driving intervals per round, prolonged smartphone use with head-down posture, self-reported health status, and psychological factors such as work-related stress are influencing factors for MSDs among bus drivers. Drivers should increase physical exercise and change unhealthy living habits. Employers should optimize working conditions, arrange reasonable driving schedules, and foster a positive work environment to reduce MSDs prevalence.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a single-session implantation of spinal cord electrical stimulation with neurophysiological monitoring a spinal cord electrical stimulator under general anesthesia with neurophysiological monitoring for the treatment of high-risk diabetic foot.Methods:The clinical data of seven patients with high-risk diabetic foot who underwent spinal cord electrical stimulation in neurosurgery ward nine of Tianjin Huanhu Hospital from May 2022 to May 2023 were collected. The operation was performed under general anesthesia with the "C" arm X ray machine guidance and neurophysiological monitoring. The arterial diameter and peak flow rate of lower extremity, lower extremity skin temperature (calf skin temperature, foot skin temperature), visual analog scale (VAS), continuous distance of movement, blood glucose level and toe wound were compared between patients before and after surgery.Results:A total of seven patients with high-risk diabetic foot were included. The diameters and peak flow rates of femoral artery, popliteal artery, anterior tibial artery, posterior tibial artery and dorsal foot artery in both lower limbs were significantly improved after surgery. All patients had different degrees of lower limb pain before operation. After operation, VAS score decreased significantly (1.1±0.9 vs. 6.8±3.4), the pain was significantly relieved, and the calf skin temperature and foot skin temperature were significantly higher than those before surgery [calf skin temperature (℃): 33.3±0.9 vs. 30.9±0.7, foot skin temperature (℃): 31.4±0.8 vs. 29.1±0.6], fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose were significantly lower than those before surgery [fasting blood glucose (mmol/L): 7.6±1.4 vs. 10.5±1.2, postprandial blood glucose (mmol/L): 9.3±2.3 vs. 13.5±1.1], the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.01). The lower limb movement of all seven patients was significantly improved after surgery, including one patient who needed wheelchair travel before surgery, and one patient who had intermittent claudication before surgery. Among them, one patient needed wheelchair travel and one patient had intermittent claudication before surgery. All patients could walk normally at 2 weeks after operation. Among the seven patients, two patients had the diabetic foot wound ulceration before surgery, which could not heal for a long time. One month after surgery, blood flow around the foot wound recovered and the healing was accelerated. The wound was dry and crusted around the wound, and the wound healed well. Conclusion:For diabetic high-risk foot patients who are intolerant to diabetic peripheral neuralgia and local anesthesia spinal cord electrical stimulation test, one-time implantation of spinal cord electrical stimulator under general anesthesia under neurophysiological monitoring can effectively alleviate peripheral neuralgia and other diabetic foot related symptoms, improve lower limb blood supply, and reduce the risk of toe amputation. Clinical practice has proved the effectiveness of this technique, especially for the early treatment of diabetic high-risk foot patients.

Adverse reactions commonly associated with apalutamide include hot flashes, fatigue, joint pain, rash, hypertension, and anemia. Apalutamide-induced agranulocytosis is relatively rare. In this paper, we reported a case with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer who developed agranulocytosis after taking apalutamide for one month. The patient’s neutrophil count returned to normal with appropriate supportive therapy, and no significant decrease in neutrophil count was observed during 10 months of follow-up after discharge.

Objective:To evaluate the correlation between the degree of posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) injury and various parameters of vertebral body injury in patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures.Methods:A total of 48 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures were admitted to the Spine Surgery Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University between December 2022 and January 2024. The cohort consisted of 31 males and 17 females, with a mean age of 44.1±11.8 years (range, 18-65 years). Based on the PLL injury grading method proposed by Sun Zhaoyun, patients were classified into three groups: mild, moderate, and severe. However, due to an insufficient number of patients in the severe group ( n=3), the moderate and severe groups were combined for statistical analysis, resulting in two groups: mild, and moderate-to-severe. Patient demographic and clinical data were collected. Local kyphosis (LK), inversion angle (IA), horizontal rotation angle (HRA), increased interspinous distance (IISD), anterior vertebral body compression ratio (AVBCR), posterior vertebral body compression ratio (PVBCR), middle vertebral body compression ratio (MVBCR), the ratio of height of bone fragment (RHBF), the ratio of width of bone fragment (RWBF), and mid-sagittal canal diameter compression ratio (MSDCR) were measured. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0. Categorical variables were expressed as frequency (percentage) and analyzed using chi-square and Fisher exact tests. Continuous variables were tested for normality, with non-normally distributed data analyzed using the rank-sum test and expressed as median (interquartile range). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) to evaluate predictive performance. Results:Among the 48 patients, only 3 were found to have severe PLL injury, necessitating the combination of the moderate and severe groups for statistical purposes. Patients in the moderate-to-severe group demonstrated significantly higher AVBCR, PVBCR, RHBF, MVBCR, MSDCR, and IA compared to the mild group ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression identified AVBCR, PVBCR, MSDCR, and IA as independent risk factors for moderate-to-severe PLL injury ( OR>1, P<0.05). ROC curve analysis revealed that AVBCR, PVBCR, MSDCR, IA, and their combined index could effectively predict moderate-to-severe PLL injury ( P<0.05). Notably, the combined index showed superior predictive performance (AUC=0.970) compared to individual parameters. Threshold values were determined as follows: AVBCR>45.30%, PVBCR>12.17%, MSDCR>27.13%, IA>5.90°, and the combined index >0.61, indicating PLL damage. Conclusion:AVBCR, PVBCR, MSDCR, IA, and their combined index are significantly associated with moderate-to-severe PLL injury in thoracolumbar burst fractures. The combined index demonstrates superior predictive ability compared to single parameters, providing a reliable tool for assessing PLL integrity.

Objective:Based on multi-parametric prostate magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and related clinical indicators, a nomogram model for patients with PI-RADS ≥3 and PSA 4-20ng/ml was developed and validated, and the predictive value of the model in diagnosing clinically significant prostate cancer was evaluated.Methods:The clinical and pathological data of 865 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided transperineal prostate biopsy for the first time at the Department of Urology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from January 2020 to August 2023, with PI-RADS scores ≥3 and PSA levels between 4-20 ng/ml were retrospectively analyzed. These 865 patients were included in Cohort A, and from them, 437 patients with PHI were selected in Cohort B. In Cohort A, the median age was 68(64, 73); the median f/tPSA was 14.36 (10.63, 19.74); the median PSAD was 0.17(0.11, 0.25); 375 cases (43.35%) with PV≤50 ml and 490 cases (56.65%) with PV>50 ml; PSA fluctuation <-50% 84 cases (9.71%), -50%--20% in 206 cases (23.82%), and >-20% in 575 cases (66.47%); PI-RADS v2.1 3 scores 546 cases (63.12%), 4 in 230 cases (23.59%), and 5 in 89 cases (10.29%); localization of suspicious lesions on mpMRI in the peripheral zone in 619 cases (71.56%), transitional zone in 181 cases (20.92%), others in 42 cases (4.86%), and both peripheral and transitional zones in 23 cases (2.66%). In Cohort B, the median PSAD was 0.17 (0.12, 0.25); the median D-dimer was 310.00 (230.00, 411.48); the median PHI was 49.75 (35.90, 73.27); with 198 cases (45.31%) with PV≤50 ml and 239 cases (54.69%) with PV>50 ml; PSA fluctuation<-50% was in 40 cases (9.15%), -50%--20% in 107 cases (24.49%), and>-20% in 290 cases (66.39%); PI-RADS v2.1 scores 3 was in 289 cases (66.13%), 4 in 103 cases (23.57%), and 5 in 45 cases (10.30%).Patients in cohorts A and B were randomly assigned to the training set and validation set using R language with " 123" as the random number seed, at a ratio of 7∶3.There was no statistically significant difference between the clinical data of the training and validation sets for both groups ( P>0.05).Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent risk factors for CsPCa, and a nomogram model was constructed using R. The diagnostic performance of the prediction model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis(DCA).External validation of the model was conducted in the validation set. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), accuracy, and missed diagnosis rate analyses were performed on nomogram models A and B, as well as PSAD and PHI, under different thresholds. Results:Cohort A training set has 608 cases, and the validation set has 257 cases.The results of multivariate backward regression analysis in the training set show that age( OR=1.06, P=0.001), f/tPSA( OR=0.96, P=0.008), prostate volume (PV)>50ml( OR=0.36, P<0.01), prostate-specific antigen density(PSAD)( OR=145.19, P<0.01), PSA fluctuation(-50%--20%: OR=1.97, P=0.234; >-20%: OR=6.81, P<0.01), PI-RADS v2.1 score(4: OR=10.65, P<0.01; 5: OR=21.20, P<0.01), and localization of suspicious lesions on mpMRI(TZ: OR=0.57, P=0.074; Others: OR=0.26, P=0.022) were all risk factors for CsPCa. Nomogram A was developed based on these risk factors and had an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.905 (95% CI 0.881-0.928) for the training set and 0.893 (95% CI 0.854-0.931) for the validation set. Cohort B training set developed based on age( OR=1.05, P=0.053), PV>50ml( OR=0.18, P<0.01), PSAD( OR=54.14, P=0.021), PSA fluctuation(-50%--20%: OR=4.78, P=0.100; >-20%: OR=20.37, P=0.001), PHI( OR=1.02, P=0.002), D-Dimer( OR=1.00, P=0.031), and PI-RADS scores(4: OR=11.35, P<0.01; 5: OR=57.61, P<0.01) as risk factors for CsPCa. Nomogram B had an AUC of 0.933(95% CI 0.906-0.959) for the training set and 0.908 (95% CI 0.859-0.958) for the validation set.The two nomogram models mentioned above both have excellent discrimination, and the calibration curves also indicated that the calibration of the two models were good.Moreover, both nomogram A and nomogram B demonstrate good clinical net benefits in the DCA curves of the training and validation sets, especially when applying nomogram B to predict CsPCa, with an accuracy rate of up to 85.82%. Conclusions:The two nomogram models developed in study, based on mpMRI and related clinical indicators, both have excellent predictive value for the diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer prior to prostate biopsy in patients with PI-RADS≥3 and PSA 4-20ng/ml.

{L-End}Objective To study and develop a suitable scale to identify and assess risks of occupational stress in workplaces of enterprises, and to explore the establishment of a workplace occupational stress risk assessment method aimed at guiding enterprises to improve working conditions based on the electronics industry in Beijing City. {L-End}Methods The initial version of the Workplace Occupational Stress Risk Assessment Scale (WOSRAS) was constructed based on literature review and expert evaluation. A total of 1 284 employees from four electronics enterprises in Beijing City were selected as the research subjects using a convenient sampling method. Item analysis and exploratory factor analysis were used to determine the final items of the scale and test its reliability and validity. The method of percentile norms was used to establish risk assessment method for the electronics industry workplace and its stress sources, and the cut-off values of low, medium, high risk was graded by the 50th and 80th percentiles of the total score and the score of each dimension of the risk assessment scale. {L-End}Results i) Based on item analysis and exploratory factor analysis, a WOSRAS consisting of six dimensions and 23 items was constructed, which could explain 63.2% of the total variation of occupational stress. The results of confirmatory factor analysis showed that the root mean square error of approximation and standardized root mean square residual were both <0.080, and the comparative fit index and Tucker-Lewis index were both >0.900. The total criterion validity of the scale was 0.816. The total Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was 0.835, and the Spearman-Brown coefficient was 0.802. ii) The cut-off values of WOSRAS scores for high, medium and low risk in electronics industry were <53.0, 53.0-60.0 and >60.0,respectively. According to the result, the workplace stress risk levels of the production, research and development, and logistics departments of the electronics industry in Beijing were medium risk, while the management department was low risk. {L-End}Conclusion The WOSRAS constructed in this study has good reliability and validity. The proposed risk assessment method can reflect the actual risk status of enterprises in the electronic industry and is convenient for widespread application.

{L-End}Objective To explore the suitable methods for individual occupational stress examination and evaluation for workers in China based on the electronics industry. {L-End}Methods A total of 1 164 workers from four electronics enterprises in Beijing City were selected as the research subjects using a convenient sampling method. The Occupational Stress Measurement Scale, which was developed based on the Japanese Brief Job Stress Questionnaire, was used to assess the occupational stress of the research subjects, and test the reliability and validity of the scale. Percentile norms and T-score norms were established, and the T-scores of the three dimensions of stress reaction (psychological reaction and physical symptoms), stress factors, and social support were divided into five stages using the normal distribution method with x¯±0.5 s and x¯±1.5 s, which was used to explore a proposed standard for assessing individual stress levels. {L-End}Results The revised scale consisted of 57 items, which could explain 64.0% of the total variation of occupational stress based on the result of item analysis and exploratory factor analysis. The results of confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model fitted well, with root mean square error of approximation of 0.052, standardized root mean square residual of 0.070, comparative fit index of 0.960, and Tucker-Lewis index of 0.958. The Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was 0.951, and the Spearman-Brown coefficient was 0.837. Cronbach's α coefficients of the three dimensions ranged from 0.794 to 0.952, and the Spearman-Brown coefficients ranged from 0.737 to 0.850. The scores of the three dimensions of stress reaction, stress factors, and social support were (49.1±13.0), (44.9±7.7), and (18.1±3.6), respectively. Workers in the electronics industry met one of the following items were identified as the high level of occupational stress individuals: i) a score of stress reaction dimension ≥72.0 points; ii) a sum of stress factor and social support dimension scores ≥81.0 points, and a stress reaction dimension score ≥58.0 points. {L-End}Conclusion The Occupational Stress Measurement Scale and the criteria for determining high level of occupational stress can be used to assess the individual occupational stress levels of workers in the electronics industry in China. This method can provide a theoretical basis for the formulation of occupational stress examination and assessment for Chinese workers.