Objective:To investigate differential gene expression, enriched biological processes, and pathway differences between residents of a high-background radiation area (HBRA), Yangjiang, and a control area—Enping.Methods:Seven residents were selected from the HBRA (the HBRA group) and seven from the control area (the control group) using the two-stage random sampling method. The cumulative radiation dose for each individual was calculated based on the ambient gamma exposure levels. Peripheral blood samples were collected and analyzed via high-throughput sequencing to identify differentially expressed genes. Subsequent analyses included gene ontology (GO) for biological process (BP), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA).Results:The median ages of the HBRA and control groups had no statistically significant difference ( P = 0.370). The cumulative external doses for the HBRA and control groups were (99.59±20.07) and (33.82±10.61) mSv, respectively. This difference was statistically significant ( t = -5.88, P = 0.001). High-throughput sequencing identified 1 224 differentially expressed genes in the HBRA group, including 32 senescence-related genes, compared to the control group. The result of GO-BP analysis showed that these genes were predominantly enriched in cell signaling, biosynthesis, localization, cell cycle regulation, and cellular stress responses. KEGG analysis revealed significant enrichment in the chemokine and MAPK signaling pathways, as well as in pathways related to the cell cycle, autophagy, and mitophagy. Furthermore, GSEA analysis confirmed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly related to cell cycle regulation and mitochondrial functions. Conclusions:Differentially expressed mRNAs are found in the peripheral blood of residents in the HBRA. These mRNAs are predominantly associated with key biological processes and pathways, including cell cycle regulation, chemokine and MAPK signaling pathways, and mitophagy.

Occupational heavy metal exposure has become a critical issue in China's high-quality economic development within the field of occupational health. Current occupational exposure now extends beyond traditional contaminants like lead and mercury to include emerging materials such as rare earth elements, forming a dual pollution pattern that combines both conventional and novel pollutants. These substances can damage multiple bodily systems including the nervous and respiratory systems, imposing significant disease burdens on working populations. This paper examines the mechanisms of traditional heavy metals' toxicity, highlighting their distinct indirect neurotoxic effects compared to previous understanding. It analyzes exposure pathways and multi-system toxicological effects of rare earth elements, clarifying current gaps in their toxicology research and standardization efforts while identifying future research directions. The study aims to provide theoretical references for improving occupational heavy metal exposure prevention systems, thereby laying the foundation for safeguarding workers' health and addressing new challenges in modern occupational health.

As a new strategic resource, rare earth elements have important applications in modernization and sustainable development, and are widely used in many fields such as clean energy, industrial materials and medical imaging. However, rare earth elements are also an emerging group of pollutants that can be transferred from the environment to humans through various pathways, with potential hazards to our health. Occupational and environmental exposures are common ways of exposure to rare earth elements. This work provides an overview of the distribution of rare earth elements in humans, discusses the potential harmful effects of occupational and environmental exposures to rare earth elements in terms of respiratory, reproductive, neurological systems, etc.

Occupational heavy metal exposure has become a critical issue in China's high-quality economic development within the field of occupational health. Current occupational exposure now extends beyond traditional contaminants like lead and mercury to include emerging materials such as rare earth elements, forming a dual pollution pattern that combines both conventional and novel pollutants. These substances can damage multiple bodily systems including the nervous and respiratory systems, imposing significant disease burdens on working populations. This paper examines the mechanisms of traditional heavy metals' toxicity, highlighting their distinct indirect neurotoxic effects compared to previous understanding. It analyzes exposure pathways and multi-system toxicological effects of rare earth elements, clarifying current gaps in their toxicology research and standardization efforts while identifying future research directions. The study aims to provide theoretical references for improving occupational heavy metal exposure prevention systems, thereby laying the foundation for safeguarding workers' health and addressing new challenges in modern occupational health.

As a new strategic resource, rare earth elements have important applications in modernization and sustainable development, and are widely used in many fields such as clean energy, industrial materials and medical imaging. However, rare earth elements are also an emerging group of pollutants that can be transferred from the environment to humans through various pathways, with potential hazards to our health. Occupational and environmental exposures are common ways of exposure to rare earth elements. This work provides an overview of the distribution of rare earth elements in humans, discusses the potential harmful effects of occupational and environmental exposures to rare earth elements in terms of respiratory, reproductive, neurological systems, etc.

Objective:To investigate differential gene expression, enriched biological processes, and pathway differences between residents of a high-background radiation area (HBRA), Yangjiang, and a control area—Enping.Methods:Seven residents were selected from the HBRA (the HBRA group) and seven from the control area (the control group) using the two-stage random sampling method. The cumulative radiation dose for each individual was calculated based on the ambient gamma exposure levels. Peripheral blood samples were collected and analyzed via high-throughput sequencing to identify differentially expressed genes. Subsequent analyses included gene ontology (GO) for biological process (BP), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA).Results:The median ages of the HBRA and control groups had no statistically significant difference ( P = 0.370). The cumulative external doses for the HBRA and control groups were (99.59±20.07) and (33.82±10.61) mSv, respectively. This difference was statistically significant ( t = -5.88, P = 0.001). High-throughput sequencing identified 1 224 differentially expressed genes in the HBRA group, including 32 senescence-related genes, compared to the control group. The result of GO-BP analysis showed that these genes were predominantly enriched in cell signaling, biosynthesis, localization, cell cycle regulation, and cellular stress responses. KEGG analysis revealed significant enrichment in the chemokine and MAPK signaling pathways, as well as in pathways related to the cell cycle, autophagy, and mitophagy. Furthermore, GSEA analysis confirmed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly related to cell cycle regulation and mitochondrial functions. Conclusions:Differentially expressed mRNAs are found in the peripheral blood of residents in the HBRA. These mRNAs are predominantly associated with key biological processes and pathways, including cell cycle regulation, chemokine and MAPK signaling pathways, and mitophagy.

Objective To analyze the differences in microRNA (miRNA) expression between A549 and A549/DDP cells and explore the association between miRNA expression and drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods The drug resistance of A549/DDP cells was evaluated using CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry.Microarray technique and RT-PCR were used to analyze the differential expression of the miRNA between A549 and A549/DDP cells.Enforced or inhibited target miRNA expression in cisplatin resistant cell was used to investigate whether miRNA involve in modulating the sensitivity of NSCLC cells to chemotherapeutic agent,exploiting the emerging knowledge of miRNA for the development of new human therapeutic applications for overcoming anticancer drug resistance and trying to discover biomarkers that were better able to predict the cancer chemotherapy sensitivity.Results The drug resistance index of A549/DDP cells relative to the parental A549 cells was 18.Microarray analysis of A549 and A549/DDP cells identified 51 differentially expressed genes (≥4-fold),including 24 up-regulated and 27 down-regulated genes in A549/DDP cells.RT-PCR identified 9 miRNA that were differentially expressed between A549 and A549/DDP cells.Of these differentially expressed miRNA,miR-376c,miR-31,miR-29a,miR-221 showed significantly increased expression,and miR-196a,miR-20a,miR-20b,miR-17,miR-451 showed significantlylowered expression in A549/DDP cells as indicated by the results of microarray analysis and RT-PCR.DDP sensitivity was increased 11.7 ％ in A549/DDP cells transfected with miR-17,but the chemosensitivity was decreased when miR-451 was over-expressed or miR-29a was inhibited by selective inhibitor,the reduction was 15.5 ％,12.9 ％,respectively,whereas chemosensitivity did not change when miR-376c,miR-31,miR-221 were inhibited or miR-196a,miR-20b,miR-20a were over-expressed.Conclusion A549/DDP cells show a different miRNA expression profile from its parental A549 cells,suggesting the involvement of miRNA in tumor cell drug resistance.miR-17 has the potential to be an efficient agent for preventing and reversing DDP-resistance in NSCLC.These results provide a strong rationale for the development of miRNA-based therapeutic strategies aiming to overcome cancer cell resistance.

Abnormal expression of microRNA (miRNA) and aberration epigenetic regulation can both contribute to cancer development. miRNA expression can be changed by epigenetic regulation such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation, thereby regulates relative oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes, and consequently leads to carcinogenesis.