BACKGROUND: It is inaccurate to reflect the level of dust exposure through working years. Furthermore, identifying a predictive indicator for lung function decline is significant for coal miners. The study aimed to explored whether club cell secretory protein (CC16) levels can reflect early lung function changes. METHODS: The cumulative respiratory dust exposure (CDE) levels of 1,461 coal miners were retrospectively assessed by constructed a job-exposure matrix to replace working years. Important factors affecting lung function and CC16 were selected by establishing random forest models. Subsequently, the potential of CC16 to reflect lung injury was explored from multiple perspectives. First, restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were used to compare the trends of changes in lung function indicators and plasma CC16 levels after dust exposure. Then mediating analysis was performed to investigate the role of CC16 in the association between dust exposure and lung function decline. Finally, the association between baseline CC16 levels and follow-up lung function was explored. RESULTS: The median CDE were 35.13 mg/m³-years. RCS models revealed a rapid decline in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV₁), and their percentages of predicted values when CDE exceeded 25 mg/m³-years. The dust exposure level (<5 mg/m³-years) causing significant changes in CC16 was much lower than the level (25 mg/m³-years) that caused changes in lung function indicators. CC16 mediated 11.1% to 26.0% of dust-related lung function decline. Additionally, workers with low baseline CC16 levels experienced greater reductions in lung function in the future. CONCLUSIONS CC16 levels are more sensitive than lung indicators in reflecting early lung function injury and plays mediating role in lung function decline induced by dust exposure. Low baseline CC16 levels predict poor future lung function.
Uteroglobin/blood* ; Humans ; Dust/analysis* ; Occupational Exposure/analysis* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Lung Injury/chemically induced* ; Coal Mining ; Biomarkers/blood* ; China/epidemiology* ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; Female

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.

Abstract Esophageal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive system in China , with e-sophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) being the predominant pathological type. The exact etiology of ESCC remains incompletely understood. With advances in 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomics , microbial dys- biosis has been suggested to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of ESCC. Currently , research on the rela- tionship between microorganisms and ESCC is still in its early stages. This review summarizes the association be- tween oral and esophageal microbiota and ESCC , factors influencing microbial composition , and microbial commu- nities linked to ESCC prognosis , which may contribute to early detection and optimized treatment strategies for ES- CC.

Abstract Esophageal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive system in China , with e-sophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) being the predominant pathological type. The exact etiology of ESCC remains incompletely understood. With advances in 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomics , microbial dys- biosis has been suggested to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of ESCC. Currently , research on the rela- tionship between microorganisms and ESCC is still in its early stages. This review summarizes the association be- tween oral and esophageal microbiota and ESCC , factors influencing microbial composition , and microbial commu- nities linked to ESCC prognosis , which may contribute to early detection and optimized treatment strategies for ES- CC.

Objective:To evaluate the clinically curative effect of intervention treatment of electronic bronchoscope in treating tracheobronchial tuberculosis at clinical activity stage.Methods:Sixty patients with tracheobronchial tuberculosis at clinical activity stage(type I,II,III and VI)who admitted to Liuzhou People's Hospital from September 2020 to September 2023 were selected,and they were divided into drug group(anti-tuberculosis drug treatment)and combination group(anti-tuberculosis drug treatment+interventional treatment with electronic bronchoscope)by the random number table method,with 30 cases in each group.The curative effects of the two groups were observed,and the negative conversion rate of sputum bacteria,clinical symptom scores(cough symptom,expectoration symptom)before and after treatment,Modified British Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale(mMRC)score between two groups were compared,and the differences in indicators of pulmonary function such as forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1),forced vital capacity(FVC)and maximum voluntary ventilation(MVV)between the two groups also were compared.And then,the incidence of complications was calculated.Results:During the 1,2 and 3 months of follow-up,there were respectively 21 cases,27 cases and 30 cases occurred negative conversion of sputum bacteria in 30 patients of the combination group,and there were respectively 15 cases,18 cases and 23 cases occurred negative conversion of sputum bacteria in 30 patients of the drug group.At the 1st month of follow-up,the negative conversion rate of sputum bacteria in combination group was higher than that in drug group,while there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).At the 2nd and 3rd month of follow-up,the negative conversion rate of sputum bacteria in the combination group was higher than that in the drug group,and the differences were statistically significant(x2=7.200,7.925,P<0.05).The effective rate of treatment of the combination group was 100%,which was higher than 80%of the drug group,and the difference of that between two groups was significant(x2=6.667,P<0.05).After 2 months of treatment,the mMRC score,cough symptom score and expectoration symptom score of the combination group were all lower than those of the drug group,and the differences were statistically significant(t=3.504,3.950,3.530,P<0.05).The improvement effects of FEV1,FVC and MVV of the combination group were all better than those of the drug group,and the differences were statistically significant(t=6.626,4.966,4.097,P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:Anti-tuberculosis drug therapy combined with electronic bronchoscopy intervention has a good therapeutic effect in clinically active tracheobronchial tuberculosis.

Objective:To evaluate the clinically curative effect of intervention treatment of electronic bronchoscope in treating tracheobronchial tuberculosis at clinical activity stage.Methods:Sixty patients with tracheobronchial tuberculosis at clinical activity stage(type I,II,III and VI)who admitted to Liuzhou People's Hospital from September 2020 to September 2023 were selected,and they were divided into drug group(anti-tuberculosis drug treatment)and combination group(anti-tuberculosis drug treatment+interventional treatment with electronic bronchoscope)by the random number table method,with 30 cases in each group.The curative effects of the two groups were observed,and the negative conversion rate of sputum bacteria,clinical symptom scores(cough symptom,expectoration symptom)before and after treatment,Modified British Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale(mMRC)score between two groups were compared,and the differences in indicators of pulmonary function such as forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1),forced vital capacity(FVC)and maximum voluntary ventilation(MVV)between the two groups also were compared.And then,the incidence of complications was calculated.Results:During the 1,2 and 3 months of follow-up,there were respectively 21 cases,27 cases and 30 cases occurred negative conversion of sputum bacteria in 30 patients of the combination group,and there were respectively 15 cases,18 cases and 23 cases occurred negative conversion of sputum bacteria in 30 patients of the drug group.At the 1st month of follow-up,the negative conversion rate of sputum bacteria in combination group was higher than that in drug group,while there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).At the 2nd and 3rd month of follow-up,the negative conversion rate of sputum bacteria in the combination group was higher than that in the drug group,and the differences were statistically significant(x2=7.200,7.925,P<0.05).The effective rate of treatment of the combination group was 100%,which was higher than 80%of the drug group,and the difference of that between two groups was significant(x2=6.667,P<0.05).After 2 months of treatment,the mMRC score,cough symptom score and expectoration symptom score of the combination group were all lower than those of the drug group,and the differences were statistically significant(t=3.504,3.950,3.530,P<0.05).The improvement effects of FEV1,FVC and MVV of the combination group were all better than those of the drug group,and the differences were statistically significant(t=6.626,4.966,4.097,P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:Anti-tuberculosis drug therapy combined with electronic bronchoscopy intervention has a good therapeutic effect in clinically active tracheobronchial tuberculosis.

Objective To analyze the effects of Porphyromonas gingivalis(Pg)infection and expression of vitamin D pathway-related proteins on the survival and prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ES-CC).Methods Pg infection and the expression of 24 hydroxylase(CYP24A1),1α hydroxylase(CYP27B1)and vitamin D receptor(VDR)in 173 ESCC tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry.The correlation between each index and the survival time of patients was analyzed.Results The positive rates of Pg,CYP24A1,CYP27B1 and VDR in ESCC were 43.35％,37.57％,20.23％and 21.97％,respectively.The 5-year survival time of ES-CC patients in the Pg+CYP24A1+CYP27B-VDR-high-risk group was shortened(P＜0.05).Conclusion Pg infection and vitamin D pathway-associated proteins can be used as reliable indicators to predict the survival and prognosis of ESCC patients.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Porphyromonas gingivallis ( Pg) infection of esophageal cancer cells on the polarization of tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) and functional changes. Methods: The secretion of tumor⁃related cytokines in the supernatant of Pg infected and uninfected esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells was detected by ELISA. A co⁃culture model of ESCC cells and macrophages in vitro was established ,and the changes of TAMs surface markers were detected by qPCR , cellular immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Cytokines secreted by TAMs after co⁃culture were detected by ELISA. ESCC cells were cultured using conditioned medium of co⁃cultured TAMs , and the effects of TAMs on the proliferation , migration and invasion of esophageal cancer cells were evaluated by CCK⁃8 , Wound⁃healing assay and Transwell assay. Results: The expression quantity of IL⁃6 and IL⁃10 of Pg⁃infected ESCC cells increased (P < 0. 01) . The contents of CD163 and CD206 on the surface of TAMs co⁃cultured with Pg⁃infected ESCC cells increased (P < 0. 001) . The cytokines IL⁃6 and IL⁃10 secreted by TAMs co⁃cultured with Pg⁃infected ESCC cells relatively increased (P < 0. 01) . TAMs co⁃cultured with Pginfected ESCC cells were able to enhance ESCC cells proliferation , migration and invasion (all P < 0. 05) . Conclusion Pg infection of ESCC cells can induce the secretion of cytokines , remodel TAMs to polarize toward the M2type immunosuppressive phenotype , thereby promoting the malignant biological behavior of ESCC cells. This study provides data support for the etiology of esophageal cancer and potential target molecules for clinical immunotherapy targeting TAMs.

Objective : To explore the relationship between Porphyromonas gingivalis(Pg) and mitophagy in esopha- geal cancer cells，and to explore new therapeutic targets for esophageal cancer． Methods : ① Western blot was used to detect the phosphorylation of unc-51-like authophagy activating kinase1 (ULK1) in mitochondria of the Pg infected cells and immunohistochemical method was used to detect the correlation between the expression of Pg and the phosphorylation status of ULK1 in esophageal cancer tissues. ② Western blot，ICC and ELISA were used to de- tect the transfer of nucleotide blinding domain and leucine rich repeat containing family member X1 (NLRX1) from cytoplasm to mitochondria，mitophagy，and the secretion levels of interleukin ( IL) -6 and reactive oxygen species (ROS) under Pg infection. ③ Pg colonization in esophageal tissues of mice in each group was detected by qPCR and Pg colonization in esophageal squamous epithelial cells of mice by RNAscope. Results : Compared with the un- treated group，the phosphorylation level of mitochondrial ULK1 (P＜0．01) ，NLRX1 expression (P＜0. 001) and mitophagy (P＜0. 001) of esophageal cancer cells increased after Pg infection．Compared with the control group， the combined intervention group could inhibit Pg colonization in esophageal tissue and esophageal squamous epithe- lial cells of mice (P＜0. 001) ． Conclusion Pg promotes the translocation of NLRX1 from cytoplasm to mitochon- dria by up-regulating the phosphorylation level of ULK1 in the mitochondria of esophageal cancer cells，and then induces mitophagy，leading to the reduction secretion of IL-6 and ROS，and ultimately maintaining Pg colonization.

Objective::This study aimed to examine the associations of waist circumference with hypertension and cardiometabolic dysregulation among normal-weight adults.Methods::This cross-sectional study included 8795 normal-weight participants aged 20 to 79 years from the 2009-2018 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The demographic characteristics and cardiometabolic risk factors across waist circumference quartiles were summarized. We used adjusted multivariate logistic regression models, subgroup analysis, and restricted cubic spline to analyze the association between waist circumference and the prevalence of hypertension. Thereafter, we used the random forest supervised machine learning method, together with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, to select hypertension-related features and created a predictive model based on regression analysis to identify hypertension in normal-weight individuals.Results::Waist circumference was positively correlated with hypertension in the non-adjusted, minimally adjusted, and fully adjusted models, with odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of 2.28 (2.14-2.44), 1.27 (1.12-1.44), and 1.27 (1.12-1.44), respectively. In the fully adjusted model, participants in the highest waist circumference quartile had a higher risk of hypertension relative to those in the lowest quartile, with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 3.87 (1.59-10.34). Sensitivity analysis demonstrated the robustness of the association. In the testing set, the predictive model exhibited good performance, with an area under the curve of 0.803, sensitivity of 0.72, specificity of 0.76, and negative predictive value of 0.84.Conclusions::Measuring waist circumference may improve the evaluation of the risk of hypertension and help to manage cardiometabolic risk in normal-weight individuals.