Objective:To investigate the effect of circular RNAs (circRNAs) expressions in peripheral blood of residents around radon hot springs.Methods:Totally 51 residents around radon hot springs were selected as the radon hot sping group, and another 51 residents around non-radon hot springs were selected as the control group. Questionnaires were used to collect demographic information and the radon exposure levels in the two groups. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the relative expressions of selected circRNA candidates in peripheral blood of the two groups. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the differences in the relative expressions of the circRNAs between the two groups. Results:The cumulative doses of radon exposure per capita for residents around radon hot springs was (111.47±99.03) mSv, with dose range 3.32-458.68 mSv. The difference in the relative expressions of hsa_circ_0040573 between the two groups was statistically significant ( Z=-2.88, P<0.05). The expression of hsa_circ_0040573 was suppressed by radon exposure ( t=-2.52, P<0.05) with a dose-dependent manner ( H=12.21, P<0.05). Conclusion:Hsa_circ_0040573 has a potential to serve as a radiological response biomarker for radon exposure, contributing to early diagnosis and monitoring of health risks associated with radon exposure.

Objective:To investigate the number of medical institutions and staff involved in 131I diagnosis and therapy in China, and to ascertain the level of 131I activity incorporated in thyroid of medical staff performing the 131I treatment. Methods:Questionnaires were used to investigate the basic information on nuclear medicine practices in all the non-military hospitals in China. Portable gamma spectrometers were used to determine and analyze the 131I activity in thyroid of the medical staff in some radioiodine treatment workplaces. The result were reported through National Radiological Health Information Platform. Results:Until December 2022, there had been 959 hospitals performing clinical nuclear medicine practices in China, with a total of 10 820 medical staff. In China, there have been 623 hospitals performing 131I therapeutical procedures, accounting for 65.0% of all nuclear medicine hospitals, and 333 hospitals performing 131I treatment of thyroid cancer, accounting for 34.7%. The hospitals equipped with automated radiopharmaceutical dispenser accounted for 61.3% of the 623 hospitals. A total of 2 210 nuclear medicine staff were monitored for internal exposure in 20 provinces in 2022, with 249 (11.3%) having activities above 100 Bq and the maximum value of 2.9 × 10 4 Bq. A total of 426 nuclear medicine staff in four provinces were detected using HPGe detectors, with 101 (23.7%) detected to have 131I in their thyroid glands. A total of 1 748 in 17 provinces were detected using NaI or LaBr detectors, with 379 (21.2%) detected to have 131I in their thyroid glands. The detection rate of 131I in the staff was found to increase with the increased amount of 131I purchased by hospitals. The detection rate of 131I in the hosptitals having purchased the amount of 131I≥3.70 × 10 6 MBq in 2021 was 32.1%. This value was notably higher than in the other three groups whose purchased amount <3.70 × 10 6 MBq, with a statistically significant difference( χ2=15.46, P < 0.001). Conclusions:There were great differences in the number of both hospitals and staff performing 131I treatment between different provinces in China. About one fifth of the staff in the 131I treatment workplaces could be detected to have incorporated 131I in their thyroid glands.

Osteoporosis is a systemic disease characterized by imbalanced bone metabolism and destruction of bone microstructure, with reduced bone density, decreased bone quality, and significantly increased risk of fracture as its hallmarks. At present, osteoporosis is primarily diagnosed through bone density measurement. However, this method has low sensitivity and is challenging for the early diagnosis of osteoporosis. We analyzed osteoporosis-related metabolomics studies based on blood, urine, and fecal samples, as well as the application of multi-omics approaches in elucidating its pathogenesis. Evidence suggests that metabolomics can detect metabolic alterations prior to measurable changes in bone mineral density, offering promising avenues for early osteoporosis detection. Blood-based metabolomics studies indicate that amino acid metabolism dysregulation is a key feature of osteoporosis. Specifically, glycine, glutamine, lysine, and hydroxyproline exhibit negative correlations with bone mineral density, whereas tryptophan, branched-chain amino acids, and arginine show positive associations. Lipid metabolism disturbances are characterized by increased levels of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and triglycerides, alongside decreased levels of sphingomyelin and carnitine. Fecal metabolomics studies highlight the significance of the "gut-bone axis" in osteoporosis, where gut microbiota dysbiosis influences bone metabolism through modulation of arginine and proline metabolism and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis pathways. Multi-omics approaches integrate metabolomics, genomics, proteomics, and other omics data to provide a more comprehensive understanding of osteoporosis' molecular mechanisms, enabling the identification of key biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Metabolomics holds considerable potential for early diagnosis, while multi-omics integration offers novel insights into the complex pathophysiological mechanisms underlying osteoporosis. As detection technologies and analytical methods continue to advance, omics-based strategies are expected to play a pivotal role in the development of precision medicine for osteoporosis.

Radon, the only naturally occurring radioactive noble gas, is among the most common radioactive nuclides to which humans are exposed. Radon can induce various biological effects in the human body and is a risk factor for lung cancer. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are stable, tissue-specific, and abundantly expressed in body fluids. circRNAs can regulate gene expression and play an important role in the development of cancer. In this paper, we summarized the changes in the expression and function of circRNAs, highlighting the potential mechanisms of circRNAs in radon exposure-induced cancers. Our results provided theoretical support for the use of circRNAs as a biomarker of radon exposure-induced radiation damage, and offer a theoretical basis for the early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of radon exposure-induced diseases.

Osteoporosis is a systemic disease characterized by imbalanced bone metabolism and destruction of bone microstructure, with reduced bone density, decreased bone quality, and significantly increased risk of fracture as its hallmarks. At present, osteoporosis is primarily diagnosed through bone density measurement. However, this method has low sensitivity and is challenging for the early diagnosis of osteoporosis. We analyzed osteoporosis-related metabolomics studies based on blood, urine, and fecal samples, as well as the application of multi-omics approaches in elucidating its pathogenesis. Evidence suggests that metabolomics can detect metabolic alterations prior to measurable changes in bone mineral density, offering promising avenues for early osteoporosis detection. Blood-based metabolomics studies indicate that amino acid metabolism dysregulation is a key feature of osteoporosis. Specifically, glycine, glutamine, lysine, and hydroxyproline exhibit negative correlations with bone mineral density, whereas tryptophan, branched-chain amino acids, and arginine show positive associations. Lipid metabolism disturbances are characterized by increased levels of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and triglycerides, alongside decreased levels of sphingomyelin and carnitine. Fecal metabolomics studies highlight the significance of the "gut-bone axis" in osteoporosis, where gut microbiota dysbiosis influences bone metabolism through modulation of arginine and proline metabolism and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis pathways. Multi-omics approaches integrate metabolomics, genomics, proteomics, and other omics data to provide a more comprehensive understanding of osteoporosis' molecular mechanisms, enabling the identification of key biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Metabolomics holds considerable potential for early diagnosis, while multi-omics integration offers novel insights into the complex pathophysiological mechanisms underlying osteoporosis. As detection technologies and analytical methods continue to advance, omics-based strategies are expected to play a pivotal role in the development of precision medicine for osteoporosis.

The persistent high prevalence and poor survival outcomes of lung cancer underscore the urgent need for innovative therapeutic modalities. Here, we present a novel multifunctional delivery platform for the synergistic treatment of lung malignancies, combining in situ-triggerable photodynamic therapy (PDT) with radiotherapy. The new platform CLL was developed by loading a new reactive oxygen species (ROS)-triggerable photosensitizer, luminol-conjugated chlorin e6 (Ce6), into liposomes. CLL can be activated through the bioluminescence resonance energy transfer effect under oxidative stress, thereby producing singlet oxygen for targeted tumor treatment without external irradiation. In vitro studies showed significant cytotoxic effects of CLL in both 4T1 and A549 tumor cells. Furthermore, a PDT-radiopharmaceutical combination nanotherapy CLL-¹⁷⁷Lu was engineered by incorporating the radionuclide ¹⁷⁷Lu into CLL. CLL-¹⁷⁷Lu demonstrated synergistic antitumor effects in 4T1 and A549 tumor cells, as well as in mouse models of 4T1 breast cancer lung metastasis or A549 tumor xenografts. Mechanistically, CLL-¹⁷⁷Lu can induce singlet oxygen/ROS generation, enhance tumor cell apoptosis, and promote M1 macrophage-mediated immunotherapy. Preliminary assessments showed a favorable profile for CLL-¹⁷⁷Lu, highlighting its potential as a promising nanotherapy for cancer treatment. Additionally, CLL can serve as a versatile platform for delivering a range of therapies to achieve synergistic antitumor effects.

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that nucleic acid-based therapies are promising for atherosclerosis. However, nearly all nucleic acid delivery systems developed for atherosclerosis necessitate injection, which results in rapid elimination and poor patient compliance. Consequently, oral delivery strategies capable of targeting atherosclerotic plaques are imperative for nucleic acid therapeutics. Herein we report the development of yeast-derived capsules (YCs) packaging an antisense oligonucleotide (AM33) targeting microRNA-33 (miR-33) for the oral treatment of atherosclerosis. YCs provide stability for AM33, preventing its premature release in the gastrointestinal tract. AM33-containing YCs, defined as YAM33, showed high transfection in macrophages, thus promoting cholesterol efflux and inhibiting foam cell formation by regulating the target genes/proteins of miR-33. Orally delivered YAM33 effectively accumulated within atherosclerotic plaques in ApoE ^-/- mice, primarily by transepithelial absorption via M cells in Peyer's patches and subsequent translocation via macrophages through the lymphatic system. Inhibition of miR-33 by oral YAM33 significantly delayed the progression of atherosclerosis. Moreover, oral treatment with YCs co-delivering AM33 and atorvastatin afforded significantly enhanced anti-atherosclerotic effects. Our findings suggest that yeast-based microcapsules represent an effective carrier for oral delivery of nucleic acids, either alone or in combination with existing drugs, offering a promising approach for precision therapy of atherosclerotic diseases.

Objective:To investigate the effect of circular RNAs (circRNAs) expressions in peripheral blood of residents around radon hot springs.Methods:Totally 51 residents around radon hot springs were selected as the radon hot sping group, and another 51 residents around non-radon hot springs were selected as the control group. Questionnaires were used to collect demographic information and the radon exposure levels in the two groups. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the relative expressions of selected circRNA candidates in peripheral blood of the two groups. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the differences in the relative expressions of the circRNAs between the two groups. Results:The cumulative doses of radon exposure per capita for residents around radon hot springs was (111.47±99.03) mSv, with dose range 3.32-458.68 mSv. The difference in the relative expressions of hsa_circ_0040573 between the two groups was statistically significant ( Z=-2.88, P<0.05). The expression of hsa_circ_0040573 was suppressed by radon exposure ( t=-2.52, P<0.05) with a dose-dependent manner ( H=12.21, P<0.05). Conclusion:Hsa_circ_0040573 has a potential to serve as a radiological response biomarker for radon exposure, contributing to early diagnosis and monitoring of health risks associated with radon exposure.

Objective:To investigate the number of medical institutions and staff involved in 131I diagnosis and therapy in China, and to ascertain the level of 131I activity incorporated in thyroid of medical staff performing the 131I treatment. Methods:Questionnaires were used to investigate the basic information on nuclear medicine practices in all the non-military hospitals in China. Portable gamma spectrometers were used to determine and analyze the 131I activity in thyroid of the medical staff in some radioiodine treatment workplaces. The result were reported through National Radiological Health Information Platform. Results:Until December 2022, there had been 959 hospitals performing clinical nuclear medicine practices in China, with a total of 10 820 medical staff. In China, there have been 623 hospitals performing 131I therapeutical procedures, accounting for 65.0% of all nuclear medicine hospitals, and 333 hospitals performing 131I treatment of thyroid cancer, accounting for 34.7%. The hospitals equipped with automated radiopharmaceutical dispenser accounted for 61.3% of the 623 hospitals. A total of 2 210 nuclear medicine staff were monitored for internal exposure in 20 provinces in 2022, with 249 (11.3%) having activities above 100 Bq and the maximum value of 2.9 × 10 4 Bq. A total of 426 nuclear medicine staff in four provinces were detected using HPGe detectors, with 101 (23.7%) detected to have 131I in their thyroid glands. A total of 1 748 in 17 provinces were detected using NaI or LaBr detectors, with 379 (21.2%) detected to have 131I in their thyroid glands. The detection rate of 131I in the staff was found to increase with the increased amount of 131I purchased by hospitals. The detection rate of 131I in the hosptitals having purchased the amount of 131I≥3.70 × 10 6 MBq in 2021 was 32.1%. This value was notably higher than in the other three groups whose purchased amount <3.70 × 10 6 MBq, with a statistically significant difference( χ2=15.46, P < 0.001). Conclusions:There were great differences in the number of both hospitals and staff performing 131I treatment between different provinces in China. About one fifth of the staff in the 131I treatment workplaces could be detected to have incorporated 131I in their thyroid glands.

Objective:To compare the etiological characteristics between influenza-like illness (ILI) cases in outpatient and emergency departments and those with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) in Guangdong Province, hoping to provide scientific evidence for the treatment, prevention, and control of respiratory infectious diseases.Methods:Laboratory testing for multiple respiratory pathogens was conducted on 6 090 specimens collected from ILI and SARI cases in Guangdong Province from August to December 2023. Chi-square test was used to analyze the differences in positive rates. Results:The overall positive rate of respiratory pathogens was 49.5% (3 016/6 090). The positive rate was 54.5% (2 260/4 145) in ILI cases and 38.9% (756/1 945) in SARI cases. The overall positive rate was higher in ILI cases than in SARI cases across all genders and age groups, and in most cities of the province, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). No significant difference was found in the overall positive rate between different genders. However, the difference between different age groups was statistically significant( P<0.001), with the highest rate identified in children aged 5-14 years (57.2%, 957/1 673). The main pathogens detected in ILI cases were influenza virus, human rhinovirus/enterovirus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, while in SARI cases they were Mycoplasma pneumoniae, human rhinovirus/enterovirus, and influenza virus. The positive rates of adenovirus, human parainfluenza virus, SARS-CoV-2, human coronavirus, influenza virus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae were significantly higher in ILI cases than in SARI cases, while the positive rate of Mycoplasma pneumoniae was significantly higher in SARI cases ( P<0.05). Moreover, ILI cases were characterized by a higher risk of coinfection compared with SARI cases, especially in males or those aged 25-59 years. Conclusions:There are differences in the detection rates and spectrum of respiratory pathogens between ILI and SARI cases in Guangdong Province. Case features should be considered when developing strategies for preventing and treating respiratory infections.