Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common chronic respiratory disease around the world, and pharmacotherapy is the foremost treatment method currently. In recent decades, with the rapid development of bronchoscopic interventional therapy, endoscopic physical ablation technology presents a therapeutic effect in treating COPD, with few treatment-related side effects, showing excellent application prospects in treating COPD. Since ablation techniques in this field are emerging technologies with low patient acceptance, they are not widely used in the clinical treatment of COPD. This article reviews the development process of physical ablation techniques. Moreover, their current application status and the prospects in the field of COPD treatment are also summarized and analyzed. We hope to promote the application of physical ablation in the clinical treatment of COPD and provide practical references and a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of COPD.

Background As common public facilities essential to daily life, hair and beauty salons frequently contain various airborne toxic and hazardous pollutants potentially leading to adverse health effects for salon practitioners. Objective To characterize the indoor air pollution profiles of common contaminants in hair and beauty salons in Shanghai and to evaluate the associated health risks for practitioners, in order to provide a scientific basis for strengthening the public health management in Shanghai and protecting the health of practitioners. Methods The air quality monitoring data of hair and beauty salons in Shanghai from 2016 to 2024 were obtained from the “Health Hazard Factors Monitoring Program for Public Places” of the National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Monitoring indicators included particulate matter ≤10 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM₁₀), particulate matter ≤2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM_2.5), formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, toluene, and xylene. Indicator compliance rates were calculated across various years in accordance with GB 9666-1996 Hygienic standard for barber shop and beauty shop and GB 37488-2019 Hygiene indicators and limit for public places; specifically, PM_2.5 was assessed against the limits stipulated in GB/T 18883-2022 Standards for indoor air quality. A questionnaire survey was conducted among salon practitioners to collect weekly working days and daily working hours. The non-carcinogenic risks associated with inhalation exposure to formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, toluene, and xylene as well as the carcinogenic risks posed by formaldehyde and benzene were evaluated following WS/T 777-2021 Technical guide for environmental health risk assessment of chemical exposure and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency inhalation risk model. Results The overall compliance rates of PM₁₀, formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, and toluene in the air of hair and beauty salons in Shanghai from 2016 to 2024 were 92.13%, 96.59%, 96.15%, 94.93%, and 94.97%, respectively; the overall compliance rate of xylene was a little lower (85.92%), and the overall compliance rate of PM_2.5 was 57.18%. The P₅₀ concentrations of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, toluene, and xylene did not exceed the corresponding limits. The P₅₀ of non-carcinogenic risk indicator (hazard quotient, HQ) for formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, toluene, and xylene were <1. The probabilities of non-carcinogenic risk HQ >1 for formaldehyde and xylene were 41.4% and 10.9%, respectively, which were higher than that of other pollutants. The P₅₀ of carcinogenic risk (CR) for formaldehyde and benzene were between 1.0×10⁻⁶ and 1.0×10⁻⁴, while the probabilities of CR >1.0×10⁻⁴ were 16.9% and 14.0%, respectively. Conclusion The overall compliance rate of common pollutant concentrations in the air of hair and beauty salons in Shanghai is high, and the hygienic condition meets the requirements of national standards. The non-carcinogenic health risks posed by formaldehyde and xylene to employees (with formaldehyde being more prominent), as well as the carcinogenic risks associated with formaldehyde and benzene, deserve heightened attention in future health supervision.

Objective: To develop a RHCE genotyping assay based on kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) and assess its clinical accuracy for RhCE blood group determination. Methods: KASP primers were designed to interrogate three RHCE loci: the 109 bp insertion/deletion in intron 2, c. 307T>C, and c. 676C>G. A total of 1 194 RhD-positive inpatients from Chengdu were typed by both KASP genotyping and manual tube serology. Discordant samples (n=10) were retested by both methods and further resolved by Sanger sequencing. An additional 377 cases were tested for the c. 48C>G locus to evaluate the predictive accuracy of individual loci and combined locus testing for RhC antigen. Results: Genotyping concordance with serology was 100.0% for both the c. 676C>G locus (RhE/Rhe) and the c. 307T>C locus (Rhc). For RhC prediction using the 109 bp insertion, overall accuracy was 99.7% (1 191/1 194); the 3 discordant cases were confirmed by Sanger sequencing to be false negatives attributable to 109 bp deletion in intron 2. Testing the c. 48C>G allele for RhC prediction yielded 7 false positives, with an accuracy of 98.1% (370/377). RhC antigen status was determined by combining the 109 bp insertion and the c. 48C allele. After excluding 10 samples with inconsistent results between the two loci, the accuracy reached 100% in the remaining 367 samples. When both loci were applied in combination, accuracy reached 100% in the 367 cases with concordant results. Among the 1 194 patients, CCee (45.8%) and CcEe (31.7%) were the most common RhCE phenotypes. The e antigen had the highest positivity rate (92.2%), and the Ce haplotype was the most frequent (66.9%). Conclusion: The KASP-based RHCE genotyping method achieves high accuracy for clinical RhCE typing. Combining the 109 bp insertion/deletion with the c. 48C allele significantly improves RhC antigen prediction compared with either locus alone. This method was applied to RhCE genotyping of 1 194 RhD-positive inpatients in Chengdu, providing local RhCE phenotype and haplotype distribution data to support RhCE-matched transfusion practice.

Objective : To verify the role of vascular endothelial growth factor B(VEGFB) in maintenance of skeletal muscle mass under chow-fed and high-fat diet, and to investigate the role of crosstalk between VEGFB and fibroblast growth factor(FGF) signaling pathways in the process. Methods : Four experimental groups were designed: VEGFB+/+chow-fed diet group, VEGFB-/-chow-fed diet group, VEGFB+/+high-fat diet group, VEGFB-/-high-fat diet group. Skeletal muscles from 24 weeks mice were isolated and weighed. Gene expression association analysis and qPCR experiments were conducted to assess FGFs expression levels. Results : Under both dietary conditions, VEGFB ablation resulted in reduced muscle mass. Under chow-fed diet condition, 8 FGFs level reduced including 6 paracrine FGFs in the skeletal muscle from VEGFB-/-mice. Under high-fat diet condition, 11 FGFs level decreased including 8 paracrine FGFs in VEGFB-/-mice. Conclusion VEGFB may participate in regulating skeletal muscle mass through FGF networks in the skeletal muscles.

In recent years, cardiovascular disease has become a common disease. With the development of machine learning and big data technologies, the processing ability of electrocardiogram (ECG) signals has been greatly enhanced through new computer technologies, enabling the auxiliary diagnosis technology for cardiovascular disease (CVD) to achieve new improvements. This article discusses the application of machine learning in ECG processing, especially in the auxiliary diagnosis of diseases. Firstly, the conventional signal preprocessing methods are introduced, and then the EEG signal processing methods based on feature extraction and fuzzy classification are explored. Secondly, the application of auxiliary diagnosis in CVD is further summarized. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of the two methods are analyzed, and based on this, a design of an auxiliary diagnostic system compatible with the two methods is proposed, providing a new perspective for similar applied researches in the future.
Machine Learning ; Cardiovascular Diseases/diagnosis* ; Humans ; Electrocardiography ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted ; Fuzzy Logic ; Electroencephalography

OBJECTIVES: In recent years, the incidence and detection rate of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) have increased significantly. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) plays an indispensable role in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of PCLs. However, evidence comparing the diagnostic performance of EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and fine-needle biopsy (FNB) remains limited. This study aims to compare the diagnostic yield, adequacy of tissue acquisition, and safety between EUS-FNA and EUS-FNB in evaluating PCLs to inform clinical practice. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on patients with PCLs who underwent either EUS-FNA or EUS-FNB between January 2014 and August 2021. The diagnostic yield, tissue acquisition adequacy, and incidence of adverse events were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: A total of 90 patients with PCLs were included (52 in the FNA group and 38 in the FNB group). The diagnostic yield was similar between the FNA and FNB groups (94.2% vs 94.7%, P>0.05). The adequacy of tissue acquisition was 71.2% in the FNA group and 81.6% in the FNB group (P>0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed in the incidence of adverse events between the 2 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Both EUS-FNA and EUS-FNB demonstrate equally high diagnostic yields and tissue adequacy in PCLs, with excellent safety profiles. Both methods are safe and effective diagnostic tools for evaluating PCLs.
Humans ; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration/adverse effects* ; Retrospective Studies ; Female ; Male ; Pancreatic Cyst/diagnostic imaging* ; Middle Aged ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle/adverse effects* ; Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Adult ; Endosonography/methods* ; Pancreas/pathology* ; Diagnosis, Differential

Stroke, a major cerebrovascular disease, has high morbidity and mortality. Effective methods to reduce the risk and improve the prognosis are lacking. Currently, uric acid (UA) is associated with the pathological mechanism, prognosis, and therapy of stroke. UA plays pro/anti-oxidative and pro-inflammatory roles in vivo. The specific role of UA in stroke, which may have both neuroprotective and damaging effects, remains unclear. There is a U-shaped association between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and ischemic stroke (IS). UA therapy provides neuroprotection during reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Urate-lowering therapy (ULT) plays a protective role in IS with hyperuricemia or gout. SUA levels are associated with the cerebrovascular injury mechanism, risk, and outcomes of hemorrhagic stroke. In this review, we summarize the current research on the role of UA in stroke, providing potential targets for its prediction and treatment.
Humans ; Uric Acid/metabolism* ; Stroke/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Hyperuricemia/drug therapy* ; Ischemic Stroke/blood* ; Biomarkers/blood*

Objective The pathophysiological process of acute high-altitude hypoxia-induced lung injury affects protein expression levels,which are mainly evaluated by Western blot.No systematic study has investigated changes in internal control proteins as calibration loading amounts.Methods Lung injury at an altitude of 6000 m was induced in a low-pressure,low-oxygen chamber for 8,24,and 72 h using C57BL/6J mice.Establishment of the model was confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin staining.Expression levels of various internal control proteins,including vinculin,α-tubulin,eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5(EIF5),β-actin,and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH)were detected by Western blot,and total protein expression was detected by Coomassie blue staining.Furthermore,the lung injury model in vitro was establised by using,Bronchial epithelial cell(BZAS-2B)andhunman umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECS)confirmed by TUNEL staining.Expression levels of internal control proteins were detected by Western blot,and total protein expression was detected by Coomassie Blue staining.Results Acute 8,24,and 72 h hypoxic models were successfully established in lung tissue,demonstrating consistent total protein expression and stable levels of the internal reference proteins vinculin,α-tubulin,EIF5,andβ-actin.GAPDH expression was elevated in the HH8 h,HH24 h,and HH72 h groups compared with the normoxia(Nor)group,but only the increase at HH72 h groups was significant.Similarly,8,24,and 48 h hypoxic models were successfully established in BEAS-2B cells and HUVECs,with consistent total protein expression.In BEAS-2B cells,expression levels of the internal reference proteins β-actin and GAPDH were consistent with the normoxic control(NC)group,while vinculin,α-tubulin,and EIF5 expression levels were significantly reduced under hypoxic conditions for up to 24 h.In HUVECs,vinculin and α-tubulin expression levels were also consistent with the NC group,while EIF5,β-actin,and GAPDH expression levels were significantly reduced at 8 h and increased at 48 h.Conclusions Acute hypoxia induces lung tissue injury,and protein expression levels of the internal reference proteins vinculin,α-tubulin,EIF5,and β-actin are stable,making them suitable internal references for Western blot.Additionally,Western blot detected differential expression levels of the internal reference proteins vinculin,α-tubulin,EIF5,β-actin,and GAPDH in BEAS-2B cells and HUVECs,as the most important in vitro lung tissue models of hypoxia-induced injury.

Background and purpose:Human papilloma virus(HPV)infection status is crucial for diagnosing cervical precancerous lesions and classifying cervical cancer.High-risk(HR)HPV is often linked to P16 protein overexpression,so P16 detection via immunohistochemistry(IHC)is commonly used to assess HPV infection.However,the differences between HPV status and P16 expression remains unclear.An in-depth study of the correlation between HPV and P16 is essential for clinical guidance.Methods:We retrospectively collected clinical and pathological data of cervical lesions from 618 patients diagnosed at the Department of Pathology,Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from January 2020 to December 2023(Ethical number:050432-4-2307E).Polymerase chain reaction(PCR)reverse dot hybridization was used to detect HPV including HR and low-risk(LR)subtypes,and immunohistochemistry was used to detect P16 for comparative analysis.Based on different clinical and pathological diagnoses,the sensitivity and specificity of P16 expression in evaluating HPV infection were evaluated.Among the 618 cases of cervical lesions,there were 92 cases of cervical squamous cell carcinoma,257 cases of cervical adenocarcinoma,79 cases of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions(HSIL),105 cases of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions(LSIL),and 85 cases of chronic cervical inflammation.Results:According to clinical diagnosis,the HR-HPV positive rate in cervical squamous cell carcinoma was 88.0%(81/92),the P16 positive rate was 91.3%(84/92),and the overall consistency rate between P16 and HPV detection was 90.2%(88/92);for HR-HPV infection,the sensitivity and specificity of P16 were 96.3%and 45.5%.The positive rate of HR-HPV in adenocarcinoma was 54.5%(140/257),the positive rate of P16 was 58.8%(151/257),and the overall consistency rate between P16 and HPV detection was 82.5%(212/257);for HR-HPV infection,the sensitivity and specificity of P16 were 87.9%and 76.1%.In HSIL,the HR-HPV positive rate was 75.9%(60/79),the positive rate of P16 was 70.9%(56/79),and the overall consistency rate between P16 and HR-HPV detection was 82.2%(65/79);for HR-HPV infection,the sensitivity and specificity of P16 were 85.0%and 73.7%.In LSIL,the HR-HPV positive rate was 73.3%(77/105),the positive rate of P16 was 8.5%(9/105),and the overall consistency rate between P16 and HR-HPV detection was 33.3%(35/105);for HR-HPV infection,the sensitivity and specificity of P16 were 10.4%and 96.4%.In chronic cervical inflammation,the HR-HPV positive rate was 20%(17/85),the positive rate of P16 was 0.0%(0/85);for HR-HPV infection,the sensitivity and specificity of P16 were 0.0%and 100.0%.There was a significant positive correlation between P16 positivity and HPV16/18 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma,adenocarcinoma,and HSIL(P=0.000),while there was no significant correlation in LSIL and chronic cervical inflammation(P＞0.05).Conclusion:In cervical squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma,the consistency of P16 expression and HPV DNA positivity are high,especially in HPV16/18 subtype.There is a good concordance between HR-HPV positivity and P16 protein overexpression.The positive expression of P16 in HSIL may initially reflect HPV infection status.However,in LSIL and chronic cervicitis,P16 expression may not accurately correlate with HPV infection.The inconsistency between P16 and HPV DNA testing could be influenced by multiple factors,including HPV subtypes,histopathological categories,specimen quality,and technical limitations.In clinical practice,it is recommended to conduct comprehensive analysis or employ multiple diagnostic methods to confirm HPV infection status for precise evaluation.

Objective The pathophysiological process of acute high-altitude hypoxia-induced lung injury affects protein expression levels,which are mainly evaluated by Western blot.No systematic study has investigated changes in internal control proteins as calibration loading amounts.Methods Lung injury at an altitude of 6000 m was induced in a low-pressure,low-oxygen chamber for 8,24,and 72 h using C57BL/6J mice.Establishment of the model was confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin staining.Expression levels of various internal control proteins,including vinculin,α-tubulin,eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5(EIF5),β-actin,and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH)were detected by Western blot,and total protein expression was detected by Coomassie blue staining.Furthermore,the lung injury model in vitro was establised by using,Bronchial epithelial cell(BZAS-2B)andhunman umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECS)confirmed by TUNEL staining.Expression levels of internal control proteins were detected by Western blot,and total protein expression was detected by Coomassie Blue staining.Results Acute 8,24,and 72 h hypoxic models were successfully established in lung tissue,demonstrating consistent total protein expression and stable levels of the internal reference proteins vinculin,α-tubulin,EIF5,andβ-actin.GAPDH expression was elevated in the HH8 h,HH24 h,and HH72 h groups compared with the normoxia(Nor)group,but only the increase at HH72 h groups was significant.Similarly,8,24,and 48 h hypoxic models were successfully established in BEAS-2B cells and HUVECs,with consistent total protein expression.In BEAS-2B cells,expression levels of the internal reference proteins β-actin and GAPDH were consistent with the normoxic control(NC)group,while vinculin,α-tubulin,and EIF5 expression levels were significantly reduced under hypoxic conditions for up to 24 h.In HUVECs,vinculin and α-tubulin expression levels were also consistent with the NC group,while EIF5,β-actin,and GAPDH expression levels were significantly reduced at 8 h and increased at 48 h.Conclusions Acute hypoxia induces lung tissue injury,and protein expression levels of the internal reference proteins vinculin,α-tubulin,EIF5,and β-actin are stable,making them suitable internal references for Western blot.Additionally,Western blot detected differential expression levels of the internal reference proteins vinculin,α-tubulin,EIF5,β-actin,and GAPDH in BEAS-2B cells and HUVECs,as the most important in vitro lung tissue models of hypoxia-induced injury.