Objective　To explore the characteristics of toxic heavy metal pollution in atmospheric PM2.5 (Particulate matter 2.5) during winter in Nanning City and to evaluate the health risks for the population. Methods　Atmospheric PM2.5 samples were continuously collected in the urban areas of Nanning from January to February 2019. The concentrations of seven toxic heavy metals, including cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), and manganese (Mn) in atmospheric PM2.5 were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The pollution characteristics of toxic heavy metals were studied by geo-accumulation index and enrichment factor methods, and their health risks to children and adults were assessed using the health risk assessment model of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Results　The mass concentration of atmospheric PM2.5 in Nanning in winter 2019 was (44±29) μg/m3, which was generally at a low level. Different degrees of pollution were found for Hg, Cd, As, Cr, and Pb in PM2.5, with Hg and Cd being more seriously polluted. Hg and Cd were highly enriched in PM2.5, followed by Pb with moderate enrichment. These three elements mainly originated from man-made pollution. As, Cr and Ni were mildly enriched and affected by both natural and anthropogenic sources. The non-carcinogenic risks were in the order of As>Pb>Hg>Cr>Cd>Mn>Ni. The total non-carcinogenic risks for the three populations were all less than 1, which is within acceptable limits. The carcinogenic risks were ranked as Cr>As>Cd>Ni, with Cr, As, and Cd posing carcinogenic risks to children and adults ranging from 1×10-6 to 1×10-4. Moreover, the total carcinogenic risks of heavy metals (Cr, As, Cd, and Ni) were higher than 1×10-4 for children, indicating a potential carcinogenic risk. Conclusions　The mass concentration of PM2.5 and heavy metal elements in Nanning City during the winter of 2019 was relatively low, but the pollution of heavy metals still exists. The non-carcinogenic risk of heavy metals is within an acceptable range, but the carcinogenic risk poses a potential danger to children.

Objective:Bacterial liver abscess is one of the common infectious diseases of the digestive system.Invasive Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess syndrome(IKLAS)refers to cases where,in addition to liver abscess,there are migratory infections foci or other invasive manifestations.The clinical characteristics and risk factors of IKLAS are not fully elucidated,and there is a lack of research on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different treatment methods.This study aims to compare the clinical characteristics of patients with IKLAS and non-IKLAS,and explore effective and economical treatment methods. Methods:This retrospective study collected medical records of patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess treated at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2010 to December 2023.A total of 201 patients were included,dividing into an IKLAS group(n=37)and a non-IKLAS group(n=164).Differences in demographics,symptoms and signs,laboratory indicators,imaging characteristics,comorbidities,treatment methods,treatment outcomes,and direct treatment costs between 2 groups were analyzed.The study also compared the effectiveness and costs of different treatment methods. Results:Compared with the non-IKLAS group,the proportion of patients with diabetes,Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(qSOFA)≥2,immune deficiency,anemia,and thrombocytopenia in the IKLAS group was higher,and the level of procalcitonin at the onset in the IKLAS group was also higher(all P<0.05).In terms of symptoms and signs,the IKLAS group had a higher proportion of visual abnormalities and a lower proportion of complaints of abdominal pain(both P<0.05).In terms of complications,the incidence of combined pleural effusion,pulmonary infection,acute renal failure,respiratory failure,and multiple organ failure was higher in the IKLAS group(all P<0.05).The IKLAS group had a higher proportion of patients treated with antibiotics alone(24.32%vs 11.59%),while the non-IKLAS group had a higher proportion of patients treated with antibiotics combined with puncture and drainage(86.59%vs 64.86%,both P<0.05).The overall effective rate of the IKLAS group(83.78%)was lower than that of the non-IKLAS group(95.73%),and the treatment and drug costs were higher(all P<0.05).The treatment method of antibiotics combined with surgical resection of infectious foci showed a 100%improvement rate,antibiotics combined with abscess puncture and drainage had an 84.9%improvement rate,and in antibiotics alone had an 82.1%improvement rate,with statistical differences among the 3 treatment methods(P<0.05).In terms of treatment costs,antibiotics alone were the most expensive(P<0.05). Conclusion:Patients with IKLAS have poorer prognosis and higher direct medical costs.The combination of abscess puncture and drainage or surgery has a higher improvement rate and lower hospitalization costs compared to antibiotics alone,suggesting that surgical intervention may reduce antibiotic costs and save medical expenses.

Increased intestinal barrier permeability, leaky gut, has been reported in patients with autism. However, its contribution to the development of autism has not been determined. We selected dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to disrupt and metformin to repair the intestinal barrier in BTBR T⁺tf/J autistic mice to test this hypothesis. DSS treatment resulted in a decreased affinity for social proximity; however, autistic behaviors in mice were improved after the administration of metformin. We found an increased affinity for social proximity/social memory and decreased repetitive and anxiety-related behaviors. The concentration of lipopolysaccharides in blood decreased after the administration of metformin. The expression levels of the key molecules in the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)-nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway and their downstream inflammatory cytokines in the cerebral cortex were both repressed. Thus, "leaky gut" could be a trigger for the development of autism via activation of the lipopolysaccharide-mediated TLR4-MyD88-NF-κB pathway.
Mice ; Animals ; NF-kappa B ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism* ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Autistic Disorder/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/physiology*

Objective:To investigate the application value of simulated teaching combined with psychological suggestion in residency training of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery.Methods:A total of 36 physicians who underwent standardized training in Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery in our hospital were selected, and according to the teaching model, they were divided into study group with 20 physicians (simulated teaching combined with psychological suggestion) and control group with 16 physicians (traditional teaching). The two groups were compared in terms of assessment scores, comprehensive abilities, teaching effect, and degree of satisfaction with teaching. SPSS 22.0 was used to perform the t-test and the chi-square test. Results:After teaching, both groups had significant increases in the scores of theoretical and skill assessments, learning interest, self-learning ability, communication ability, and the level of clinical diagnosis and treatment, and the study group had significantly greater increases than the control group ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the study group had significantly higher interest level, difficulty level, participation level, and mastery score ( P<0.05). The study group had a significantly higher degree of satisfaction with teaching than the control group (95.00% vs. 68.75%, P<0.05). Conclusion:The application of simulated teaching combined with psychological suggestion in residency training of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery can improve the theoretical knowledge, operation skills, and comprehensive ability of trainees and the level of teaching, and trainees have a high degree of satisfaction with this teaching method.

Objective:To analyze the application effect of online and offline linkage teaching model based on dynamic cases on the residency teaching of department of otolaryngology head and neck surgery.Methods:The teaching data of 62 residents who received standardized residency training in this specialty between December 2018 and July 2020 were collected in the study. According to the sequence of admission to the department, the residents were divided into observation group ( n=32, online and offline linkage teaching) and control group ( n=30, traditional offline teaching). The professional knowledge assessment scores and teaching satisfaction of the two groups of standardized residents, the independent learning ability scores and 360-degree evaluation scale scores under different teaching methods after 6 months were compared between the two groups. SPSS 19.0 was used for chi-square test and t test. Results:The professional knowledge assessment scores of standardized residents in observation group were significantly higher than those in control group [(86.79±7.03) vs. (82.14±6.52)]. After 5 months of teaching, the independent learning ability in both groups was improved, and the scores of learning motivation and learning strategy in observation group were higher than those in control group ( P<0.05). The teaching satisfaction was 93.75% in observation group and 66.67% in control group, and that was better in observation group compared with control group ( P<0.05). The ability scores of seven roles of medical experts, communicators, collaborators, leaders, health advocates, scholars and professionals were significantly better in observation group compared to control group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Online and offline linkage teaching model based on dynamic cases has a good effect and high teaching satisfaction for the residency teaching of department of otolaryngology head and neck surgery, and it stimulates the learning enthusiasm of the trainees and is conducive to the formation of clinical thinking.

Objective:To provide evidence for optimizing the screening strategy for gastric cancer (GC), we evaluated the risk of incident GC for individuals with different precancerous gastric lesions in a prospective cohort study.Methods:Based on the National Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Early Detection Program launched in Linqu, Shandong, a high-risk area of gastric cancer in China, we included a total of 14 087 subjects diagnosed with different gastric lesions stages by endoscopic screening from 2012 to 2018. Study subjects were prospectively followed up until December 31, 2019. The incidence of GC during the follow-up was ascertained by repeated endoscopic examinations, cancer, death registry reports, and active follow-up of study subjects and was confirmed by reviewing medical records extracted from the hospital information management system. The Poisson regression model was applied to calculate the relative risk ( RR) and 95% CI for GC occurrence among subjects with different gastric lesions. Results:Among 14 087 subjects with different gastric lesions as determined by their first endoscopic examination in 2012-2018, 7 608 (54.00%) had a global diagnosis of superficial gastritis (SG), 2 848 (20.22%) had chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), 3 103 (22.03%) had intestinal metaplasia (IM), and 520 (3.69%) had low-grade intestinal neoplasia (LGIN). During the follow-up, 109 subjects were diagnosed with GC, including 63 with high-grade intestinal neoplasia (HGIN) and 46 with invasive GC. Compared to subjects having normal gastric mucosa or SG, those with CAG ( RR=3.85, 95% CI: 2.04-7.28), IM ( RR=5.18, 95% CI: 2.79-9.60), and LGIN ( RR=19.08, 95% CI: 9.97-36.53) had significantly increased risk of progression to GC. Individuals with these gastric lesions had an elevated risk of developing HGIN and invasive GC. For subjects with LGIN, the RR was 22.96 (95% CI: 9.71-54.27) for developing HGIN and 14.64 (95% CI: 5.37-39.93) for developing invasive GC. Subgroup analyses found that all age group subjects with LGIN diagnosed during the initial endoscopic examination had a significantly increased risk of developing the GC. Conclusions:Our large-scale prospective study on a high-risk area of GC showed that most residents aged 40-69 years had gastric lesions of different stages. Subjects with more advanced gastric lesions had a significantly increased risk of progression to GC.

OBJECTIVE： To study the effects of superfine grinding on the powder properties and dissolution of oyster shell， and to provide experimental basis for its comprehensive exploitation. METHODS： Oyster shells were firstly prepared into ordinary powder by grinder. Then the ordinary powder was prepared into micro-powder Ⅰ （crushing 5 min） and Ⅱ （crushing 10 min） by ultrafine pulverizer. The differences of micromeritic properties were investigated before and after superfine grinding from the aspects of particle size distribution， specific surface area and porosity， angle of repose， bulk density， hygroscopicity， etc. Scanning electron microscope （SEM）， Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR） and X-ray powder diffraction （XRD） techniques were used to analyze the morphological characteristics and chemical structure of oyster shell before and after superfine grinding. The dissolution were investigated. RESULTS： Compared with ordinary powder， micropowder Ⅰ and micropowder Ⅱ’s were small in particle size and uniformly distributed， but the particles were easy to adhere and aggregate； the specific surface area， porosity and the angle of repose increased， while bulk density decreased； the hygroscopicity increased. FTIR and XRD showed no significant change in chemical structure of oyster shell after superfine grinding. The dissolution rate of micropowder Ⅱ and micropowder Ⅰ was 18.5％ and 10.3％ at 10 min， and the dissolution of ordinary powder was only 6.4％ at 60 min. CONCLUSIONS： Compared with ordinary powder， oyster shell show obvious differences in powder properties after superfine grinding； the dissolution rate of the powders increases， and there is no significant change in chemical structure.

Background and objective Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KARS) mutation is one of the major driver genes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). KARS is a resistant predictor of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), which raises controversy because of its role in chemotherapy sensitivity and prognosis. hTe aim of this study is to accumulate clinical experience in treating NSCLC patients harboringKARSmutation.MethodsA total of 107 NSCLC patients harboringKARSmutation were analyzed retrospectively. hTe effcacy was analyzed in terms of ifrst-line chemotherapy or EGFR-TKIs therapy.Results hTe objective response rate (ORR) to ifrst-line chemotherapy of 52 pa-tients with advanced disease harboringKARS mutation was 9.6%. hTe disease control rate (DCR) was 53.8%, and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3 months. hTe ORR to EGFR-TKIs therapy in 21 patients harboringKARS mutation and EGFR/KARS co-mutation was 9.5%; the DCR was 23.8%, and the median PFS was 1 month. hTe ORR and DCR to EGFR-TKIs therapy of patients withEGFR/KARS co-mutation were signiifcantly higher than those of patients withKARS mutation (50%vs 0,P=0.029; 75%vs 11.8%,P=0.043); the median PFS was also signiifcantly longer (3 monthsvs 1 month,P=0.004). Conclusion hTe effcacy to ifrst-line chemotherapy and EGFR-TKIs therapy in NSCLC patients harboringKARS mutation was poor; thus, new drugs should be developed. Furthermore, the existence ofEGFR/KARS co-mutation was conifrmed. Hence, EGFR-TKIs therapy should be administered to patients withEGFR/KARS co-mutation.

Background and objective Status of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene is a predictor of response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). However, lile is know about the relationship between EGFR status and response to chemotherapy. We evaluated the prediction value of EGFR mutation status on response to first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods e data of 181 patients with stage IIIb/IV NSCLC who diagnosed by histopathology from January 10, 2006 to December 20, 2013 in Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University were collected. e relationships between EGFR gene status, clinical characteristics and response and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed. Results All of the 181 patients’ EGFR statuses were determined. 75 (41.4%) patients har-bored EGFR-activating mutations and 106 (58.6%) patients were EGFR wild-type. All patients received first-line chemother-apy. e objective response rate (ORR) was 26.0% and disease control rate (DCR) was 70.2%. Patients with EGFR-activating mutations had a higher DCR than patients with EGFR wild-type (84.0% vs 60.4%, P=0.001) did. Subgroup analysis showed that the ORR and DCR in patients with EGFR exon 19 deletions were remarkably higher than those with EGFR wild-type (P= 0.049, 0.002, respectively). e DCR in patients with EGFR exon 21 L858R mutation was significantly higher than that in patients with EGFR wild-type (P=0.010). 168 patients were available for response evaluation in all of 181 patients and median PFS was 4.3 mo. e PFS of patients with adenocarcinoma was significantly higher than that patients with squamous cell carci-noma (4.7 mo vs 3.0 mo, P=0.036). e PFS in patients harbored EGFR-activating mutations was significantly higher than that in the patients with EGFR wild-type (6.3 mo vs 3.0 mo, P=0.002). e PFS of patients with a performance status (PS) of 0-1 was significantly higher than that in patients with a PS of 2 (4.4 months vs. 0.7 months, P= 0.016). Cox multivariate analysis indicates the EGFR-activating mutation is an independent factor aecting PFS (HR=0.654, 95%CI: 0.470-0.909, P=0.012). Conclusion EGFR-activating mutation is a predictor for PFS of first-line chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC patients.

Background and objective Activating mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and KARS are important markers in non-small cell lung cancer. However, EGFR and KARS gene mutations in lung squamous cell carcinoma are rarely reported. hTe aim of this study was to analyze EGFR and KARS gene mutation rate and their relationship with clinical features in patients with lung squamous cell carcinomas. Methods A total of 139 patients undergoing treatment for na?ve lung squamous cell carcinomas with tumor tissue samples available for testing were recruited. EGFR and KARS mutation statuses of the tumor samples were detected using a mutant enriched liquid chip. Results Of the 139 cases of lung squamous cell carcinoma, EGFR mutations were detected in 25 cases (18%), KARS mutations were detected in 7 cases (5%), and the pres-ence of both EGFR and KARS mutations was detected in 1 case (0.7%). EGFR mutations occurred more otfen in females than in males (33.3%vs 16.5%) and in patients that never smoked than in those who smoke (29.6%vs 16.1%). However, the differ-ence did not reach statistical signiifcance (P>0.05). No signiifcant differences were observed in age, stage, and different biopsy type. KARS mutations occurred more otfen in males than in females (5.5%vs 0%), but the difference did not reach statistical signiifcance (P>0.05). No signiifcant differences were observed in age, stage, different biopsy type, and smoking status (P>0.05). Conclusion EGFR and KARS mutations were low in lung squamous cell carcinomas, and had no signiifcant correlation with clinical features. Before using tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeted therapy, EGFR and KARS mutations should be detected in pa-tients with lung squamous cell carcinomas.