Objective To analyze the effect of residual cholesterol (RC) on hearing loss in noise-exposed workers. Methods A total of 3 412 workers engaged in noise operation work in an underground railway enterprise were selected as the research subjects using the judgment sampling method. Their occupational health examination data were collected to analyze the relationship between RC and hearing loss. Results The noise intensity of workplace in the underground rail enterprise was 80.0-85.0 (81.4±3.2) dB(A). The detection rate of hearing loss was 20.2% (691/3 412). The rates of abnormal total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol were 35.6%, 25.7%, 9.5% and 42.4%, respectively. The median and the 25th and 75th percentiles [M(P₂₅,P₇₅)] of RC level were 0.24 (0.15, 0.37) mmol/L. The levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and RC of workers in hearing loss group were higher than those in normal hearing group [M(P₂₅,P₇₅): 4.91(4.37, 5.58) vs 4.84(4.30, 5.46) mmol/L, 1.29(0.91, 1.93) vs 1.16(0.82, 1.67) mmol/L, 0.26(0.16, 0.41) vs 0.24(0.14, 0.37) mmol/L, all P<0.05]. The detection rate of hearing loss in abnormal triglyceride group was higher than that in normal triglyceride group (24.8% vs 18.7%, P<0.01), and the detection rate of hearing loss in abnormal HDL-C group was higher than that in normal HDL-C group (25.0% vs 19.8%, P<0.05). The higher the serum RC level, the higher the detection rate of hearing loss (P<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression result showed that individual with older age, longer work time and higher serum RC level had higher risk of hearing abnormality (all P<0.05), and the risk of hearing abnormality was higher in patients with abnormal fasting blood glucose than patients with normal faseing blood glucose (P<0.05) after controlling for confounding factors such as gender, alcohol consumption, body mass index, and elevated blood pressure. However, abnormal triacylglycerol and HDL-C levels were not significantly related to the risk of hearing abnormality (both P>0.05). Conclusion Serum RC levels are an independent risk factor for hearing loss among noise-exposed workers exposed to noise level of 80.0-85.0 dB(A) in the workplace.

Objective To investigate the effect of trunk control on the biomechanical characteristics of lower limb movements during Asian squats(AS)and Western squats(WS)in young adults to provide empirical support for the application and promotion of deep squat training.Methods Twenty-four healthy young male collegiate students performed AS and WS with and without bar control,and their lower limb kinematic and kinetic characteristics were collected using an infrared light-point motion capture system and a three-dimensional(3D)dynamometer.The 3D angles of the lower limbs were obtained using Cortex-642.6.2 software,based on the calculation of Euler angles,and the 3D moments were obtained by applying the inverse dynamics method.The effects of trunk control and deep squatting posture on the lower limb kinematic characteristics were examined using a two-factor analysis of variance with a 2×2 repeated design.Results There was no significant interaction between trunk control and the deep squatting posture for either kinematic or kinetic parameters(P>0.05).The WS group had a large knee flexion angle,peak patellofemoral contact force,and ratio of peak hip and knee extension moments,and small ankle dorsiflexion and hip flexion angles(P<0.05).The deep squat with a bar had a large ankle dorsiflexion angle,peak patellofemoral contact force,and hip flexion angle as well as a small knee flexion angle and ratio of peak hip and knee extension moments(P<0.05).Conclusions WS is helpful for training hip extension muscle groups,whereas AS is helpful for training knee extension muscle strength.The peak patellofemoral joint contact force of the WS is significantly greater than that of the AS;therefore,it is recommended that patients with patellofemoral joint pain use the AS.A squat with a bar can compensate for the body's balance;thus,people with limited ankle dorsiflexion range of motion or anterior tibial muscle weakness may consider trunk control training,such as a deep squat with a bar.This may help improve lower limb stability during squats.

Objective To analyze the incidence of lens opacity in radiation workers. Methods A total of 46 733 radiation on-the-job workers who underwent occupational medical examinations from 2017 to 2023 were selected as the radiation group, and 19 944 non-ionizing radiation exposed workers in same period were selected as the control group using a convenient sampling method. The lens opacity of workers was compared between these two groups. Results The incidence of lens opacity in workers of the radiation group was higher than that in the control group (6.27% vs 3.95%, P<0.01). The annual incidence of lens opacity among female radiation workers was higher than that of male workers in 2017 and 2021 to 2023(9.36% vs 6.76%, 8.06% vs 6.58%, 8.12% vs 6.96%, 5.32% vs 4.37%, all P<0.05). In 2017 and 2018, the incidence of lens opacity in workers of radiation group increased with age (all P<0.01). From 2019 to 2023, the annual incidence of lens opacity in the radiation group increased with both age and length of radiation work experience (all P<0.01). In 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2022, the incidence of lens opacity was higher among the medical group compared with other groups (all P<0.05). Conclusion There is a dose-effect relationship between the incidence of lens opacity and both age and length of service in radiation among radiation workers. The incidence of lens opacity is relatively higher among female workers and those engaged in medical radiation.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of filiform needle combined with fire needles for cervical radiculopathy(CR)due to wind-cold obstructing the meridians. Methods:A total of 60 patients with CR due to wind-cold obstructing the meridians were randomized into an observation group and a control group,with 30 cases in each group.The control group was treated with filiform needle treatment,and the observation group was treated with additional fire needle point-pricking treatment.The visual analog scale(VAS)and 20-point scale of CR developed by Yasuhisa TANAKA(YT-20)were scored before treatment and after 1,2,3,and 4 weeks of treatments.The tenderness threshold was measured.The local skin temperature was measured by an infrared thermal imager.A safety evaluation was performed after treatment. Results:After treatment,the VAS score in the observation group at each time point was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).The YT-20 score,tenderness threshold,and local skin temperature in the observation group were all higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The VAS score in the observation group at each time point after treatment was lower than that before treatment(P<0.05),and the YT-20 score,tenderness threshold,and local skin temperature at each time point were higher than those before treatment(P<0.05).After 3 and 4 weeks of treatments,the VAS score in the control group was lower than that before treatment(P<0.05),and the YT-20 score,tenderness threshold,and local skin temperature were higher than those before treatment(P<0.05).The group factor effects of VAS and YT-20 scores,tenderness threshold,and local skin temperature between the two groups were statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the time effect and the interaction effect between time and group(P>0.05). Conclusion:Filiform needle combined with fire needle or applied alone both can relieve neck pain in patients with CR due to wind-cold obstructing the meridians,and improve the temperature of the neck.The combination of filiform needle and fire needle works more quickly and has better efficacy.

Modified electroconvulsive therapy(MECT)has a good therapeutic effect on major depressive disorder(MDD),but its mechanism of action is still unclear.In recent years,accumulated studies have confirmed the effects of MECT on brain structure and function using neuroimaging techniques and large datasets obtained through global collaborations and the conclusions are becoming increasingly consistent.For example,there is an increase in gray matter volume in specific brain regions such as the hippocampus and amygdala,an increase in white matter microstructural integrity and normalization of brain functional connections associated with MDD,such as the hippocampus-amygdala-subgenual anterior cingulate cortex-prefrontal cortex network,hippocampus-thalamus-temporal cortex-parietal cortex network,etc.However,the relationship between these changes and the mechanism of MECT action still needs further investigation.This review provides an overview of the research progress on the structural and functional changes of the brain by MECT to provide methodological support and theoretical basis for its better application in clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Kidney fibrosis is an inevitable result of various chronic kidney diseases(CKDs)and significantly contributes to end-stage renal failure.Currently,there is no specific treatment available for renal fibrosis.ELA13(amino acid sequence:RRCMPLHSRVPFP)is a conserved region of ELABELA in all vertebrates;however,its biological activity has been very little studied.In the present study,we evaluated the therapeutic effect of ELA13 on transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)-treated NRK-52E cells and unilateral ureteral occlusion(UUO)mice.Our results demonstrated that ELA13 could improve renal function by reducing creatinine and urea nitrogen content in serum,and reduce the expression of fibrosis biomarkers confirmed by Masson staining,immunohistochemistry,real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),and western blot.Inflammation biomarkers were increased after UUO and decreased by administration of ELA13.Furthermore,we found that the levels of essential molecules in the mothers against decapentaplegic(Smad)and extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)pathways were reduced by ELA13 treatment in vivo and in vitro.In conclusion,ELA13 protected against kidney fibrosis through inhibiting the Smad and ERK signaling pathways and could thus be a promising candidate for anti-renal fibrosis treatment.

Background::Although overnight fasting is recommended prior to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the benefits and safety of high-carbohydrate fluid diet (CFD) intake 2 h before ERCP remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze whether high-CFD intake 2 h before ERCP can be safe and accelerate patients’ recovery.Methods::This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial involved 15 tertiary ERCP centers. A total of 1330 patients were randomized into CFD group ( n = 665) and fasting group ( n = 665). The CFD group received 400 mL of maltodextrin orally 2 h before ERCP, while the control group abstained from food/water overnight (>6 h) before ERCP. All ERCP procedures were performed using deep sedation with intravenous propofol. The investigators were blinded but not the patients. The primary outcomes included postoperative fatigue and abdominal pain score, and the secondary outcomes included complications and changes in metabolic indicators. The outcomes were analyzed according to a modified intention-to-treat principle. Results::The post-ERCP fatigue scores were significantly lower at 4 h (4.1 ± 2.6 vs. 4.8 ± 2.8, t = 4.23, P <0.001) and 20 h (2.4 ± 2.1 vs. 3.4 ± 2.4, t= 7.94, P <0.001) in the CFD group, with least-squares mean differences of 0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.71, P <0.001) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.57–0.95, P <0.001), respectively. The 4-h pain scores (2.1 ± 1.7 vs. 2.2 ± 1.7, t = 2.60, P = 0.009, with a least-squares mean difference of 0.21 [95% CI: 0.05–0.37]) and positive urine ketone levels (7.7% [39/509] vs. 15.4% [82/533], χ2 = 15.13, P <0.001) were lower in the CFD group. The CFD group had significantly less cholangitis (2.1% [13/634] vs. 4.0% [26/658], χ2 = 3.99, P = 0.046) but not pancreatitis (5.5% [35/634] vs. 6.5% [43/658], χ2 = 0.59, P = 0.444). Subgroup analysis revealed that CFD reduced the incidence of complications in patients with native papilla (odds ratio [OR]: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.95, P = 0.028) in the multivariable models. Conclusion::Ingesting 400 mL of CFD 2 h before ERCP is safe, with a reduction in post-ERCP fatigue, abdominal pain, and cholangitis during recovery.Trail Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT03075280.

OBJECTIVE: To explore early effectiveness of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) technique in the treatment of migrated lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 87 patients with migrated lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, who were treated with UBE technique between May 2021 and December 2022 and met the selection criteria. There were 55 males and 32 females, with an average age of 48.8 years (range, 29-74 years). The disease duration ranged from 2 to 23 months, with an average of 9.1 months. The surgical segments included 17 cases of L _{3, 4}, 32 cases of L _{4, 5}, and 38 cases of L ₅, S ₁. According to Lee's classification criteria, there were 12 cases of type 1, 17 cases of type 2, 37 cases of type 3, and 21 cases of type 4. The operation time, length of hospital stay, and complications were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to assess the degree of low back and leg pain before operaion and at 3 days, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after operation. The Oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to evaluate the lumbar spine function. At last follow-up, the modified MacNab criteria was used to evaluate the effectiveness. According to the preoperative migrated intervertebral disc classification, the patients were allocated into groups Ⅰ to Ⅳ. The differences in VAS score and ODI were compared. RESULTS: All 87 patients successfully completed the operations. There was no nerve root injury, dural sac injury, or dural tear during operation. The operation time was (58.6±14.6) minutes and the length of hospital stay was (4.0±0.8) days. All incisions healed by first intention after operation. No symptomatic epidural hematoma occurred. All patients were followed up for 12 months. There were significant differences in VAS scores and ODI at each time point after operation when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). There were significant differences in VAS score at 3 days after operation when compared with that at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation ( P<0.05). For ODI, except that there was no significant difference between 6 and 12 months after operation ( P>0.05), there were significant differences between other time points after operation ( P<0.05). At last follow-up, the effectiveness was rated as excellent in 66 cases, good in 13 cases, and fair in 8 cases according to the modified MacNab criteria, and the excellent and good rate was 90.8%. There was no intervertebral disc herniation recurred during follow-up period. There was no significant difference in VAS score and ODI among groups Ⅰ -Ⅳ before operation and at each time point after operation ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION The UBE technique is safe and effective in the treatment of migrated lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, with a low complication rate and satisfactory early effectiveness.
Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/surgery* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Adult ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged ; Pain Measurement ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Operative Time

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of choledocholithiasis com-bined with periampullary diverticulum and influencing factor for difficult cannulation of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinical data of 1 920 patients who underwent ERCP for choledocholithiasis in 15 medical centers, including the First Hospital of Lanzhou University, et al, from July 2015 to December 2017 were collected. There were 915 males and 1 005 females, aged (63±16)years. Of 1 920 patients, there were 228 cases with periampullary diverticulum and 1 692 cases without periampullary diverticulum. Observation indicators: (1) clinical characteristics of patients with choledocholithiasis; (2) intraoperative and postoperative situations of patients undergoing ERCP for choledocholithiasis; (3) influencing factor analysis for difficult cannulation in patients undergoing ERCP for choledocholithiasis. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the independent sample t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range) or M( Q1, Q3), and com-parison between groups was conducted using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. The Logistic regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results:(1) Clinical characteristics of patients with choledocholithiasis. Age, body mass index, cases with complications as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diameter of common bile duct, cases with diameter of common bile duct as <8 mm, 8?12 mm, >12 mm, diameter of stone, cases with number of stones as single and multiple were (69±12)years, (23.3±3.0)kg/m 2, 16, (14±4)mm, 11, 95, 122, (12±4)mm, 89, 139 in patients with choledocholithiasis combined with periampullary diverticulum, versus (62±16)years, (23.8±2.8)kg/m 2, 67, (12±4)mm, 159, 892, 641, (10±4)mm, 817, 875 in patients with choledocholithiasis not combined with periampullary diver-ticulum, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( t=?7.55, 2.45, χ2=4.54, t=?4.92, Z=4.66, t=?7.31, χ2=6.90, P<0.05). (2) Intraoperative and postoperative situations of patients undergoing ERCP for choledocholithiasis. The balloon expansion diameter, cases with intraoperative bleeding, cases with hemorrhage management of submucosal injection, hemostatic clip, spray hemostasis, electrocoagulation hemostasis and other treatment, cases with endoscopic plastic stent placement, cases with endoscopic nasal bile duct drainage, cases with mechanical lithotripsy, cases with stone complete clearing, cases with difficult cannulation, cases with delayed intubation, cases undergoing >5 times of cannulation attempts, cannulation time, X-ray exposure time, operation time were 10.0(range, 8.5?12.0)mm, 56, 6, 5, 43, 1, 1, 52, 177, 67, 201, 74, 38, 74, (7.4±3.1)minutes, (6±3)minutes, (46±19)minutes in patients with choledocholithiasis combined with periampullary diverticulum, versus 9.0(range, 8.0?11.0)mm, 243, 35, 14, 109, 73, 12, 230, 1 457, 167, 1 565, 395, 171, 395, (6.6±2.9)minutes, (6±5)minutes, (41±17)minutes in patients with choledocholithiasis not combined with periampullary diverticulum, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( Z=6.31, χ2=15.90, 26.02, 13.61, 11.40, 71.51, 5.12, 9.04, 8.92, 9.04, t=?3.89, 2.67, ?3.61, P<0.05). (3) Influencing factor analysis for difficult cannulation in patients undergoing ERCP for choledocholithiasis. Results of multivariate analysis showed total bilirubin >30 umol/L, number of stones >1, combined with periampullary diverticulum were indepen-dent risk factors for difficult cannulation in patients with periampullary diverticulum who underwent ERCP for choledocholithiasis ( odds ratio=1.31, 1.48, 1.44, 95% confidence interval as 1.06?1.61, 1.20?1.84, 1.06?1.95, P<0.05). Results of further analysis showed that, of 1 920 patients undergoing ERCP for choledocholithiasis, the incidence of postoperative pancreatitis was 17.271%(81/469) and 8.132%(118/1 451) in the 469 cases with difficult cannulation and 1 451 cases without difficult cannula-tion, respectively, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=31.86, P<0.05). In the 1 692 patients with choledocholithiasis not combined with periampullary diverticulum, the incidence of postopera-tive pancreatitis was 17.722%(70/395) and 8.250%(107/1 297) in 395 cases with difficult cannula-tion and 1 297 cases without difficult cannulation, respectively, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=29.00, P<0.05). In the 228 patients with choledocholithiasis combined with peri-ampullary diverticulum, the incidence of postoperative pancreatitis was 14.865%(11/74) and 7.143%(11/154) in 74 cases with difficult cannulation and 154 cases without difficult cannulation, respectively, showing no significant difference between them ( χ2=3.42, P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with patients with choledocholithiasis not combined with periampullary divertioulum, periampullary divertioulum often occurs in choledocholithiasis patients of elderly and low body mass index. The proportion of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is high in choledocholithiasis patients with periampullary diverticulum, and the diameter of stone is large, the number of stone is more in these patients. Combined with periampullary diverticulum will increase the difficult of cannulation and the ratio of patient with mechanical lithotripsy, and reduce the ratio of patient with stone complete clearing without increasing postoperative complications of choledocholithiasis patients undergoing ERCP. Total bilirubin >30 μmol/L, number of stones >1, combined with periampullary diverticulum are independent risk factors for difficult cannulation in patients of periampullary diverticulum who underwent ERCP for choledocholithiasis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the social support status and influencing factors of schizophrenics in remission in Northeast Sichuan， and to provide ideas for improving their social support. MethodsFrom May to September 2020， a total of 533 patients who met the diagnosis criteria of the International Classification of Diseases， tenth edition （ICD-10） for schizophrenics in remission at the mental health institutions in Guangyuan， Bazhong and Dazhou cities were selected for the survey， and patients were assessed by self-made demographic and clinical data inventory and Social Support Rating Scale （SSRS）. Then the social support status of schizophrenic in remission and influencing factors were analyzed， meantime， the impact of the second round reimbursement policy of medical insurance benefits on their social support was addressed particularly. Results①The SSRS total score， objective support， subjective support， and utilization of support scores of schizophrenics in remission were lower than those of the national norm （t=5.065~30.382， P<0.01）. ②Univariate analysis showed that SSRS score was relatively high among patients with female gender （t=-3.632）， retired status （F=5.951）， married status （F=5.951）， spouse as primary caregiver （F=23.841）， annual household income >5 000 yuan （F=15.892）， patient's economic income （t=4.083）， and outpatient or online follow-up （F=3.954）， with statistically significant differences （P<0.05 or 0.01）. ③The total and dimensional scores of SSRS in patients with access to the second round medical insurance reimbursement were significantly higher than those without （t=10.195~25.103， P<0.01）. ④Multiple linear regression analysis denoted that gender， work status， marital status， primary caregivers， annual family income， economic income， follow-up visits and the second round medical insurance reimbursement were the factors influencing social support status of schizophrenics in remission （β=0.201~2.115， P<0.05 or 0.01）. ConclusionThe social support of schizophrenics in remission in Northeast Sichuan is below the national average， furthermore， their social support levels are affected by the gender， work status， marital status， primary caregivers， annual family income， economic income， follow-up visits and the second round medical insurance reimbursement， and the second round medical insurance reimbursement may ameliorate the social support status of patients.