Background Kurtosis reflecting noise's temporal structure is an effective metric for evaluating noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), and its threshold is still unclear. Objective To explore the energy range of kurtosis and the threshold of NIHL induced by kurtosis in this energy rangeMethods Using cross-sectional design, 4631 noise-exposed workers in manufacturing industry were selected. The hearing loss and noise exposure data of each worker were collected. Logistic regression model was used to establish the dose-response relationship between noise exposure and hearing loss and estimate the range of energy effects. Restricted cubic spline model was utilized to analyze the dose-response relationship curves of kurtosis to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHI) and high-frequency noise-induced hearing loss (HFNIHL) under different 8 h equivalent sound levels (L_{EX,8 h}), as well as to estimate the kurtosis effect threshold. Results The logistic regression model analysis showed that the prevalence of NIHI and HFNIHL increased significantly with increase of L_{EX,8 h} for steady noise; when L_{EX,8 h} of non-steady noise was 80-100 dB(A), the risk of hearing loss increased with an increase in kurtosis (P<0.05). The restricted cubic spline model showed that when L_{EX,8 h} of non-steady noise was 0-80 dB(A) or >100 dB(A), there was no significant relationship between kurtosis and NIHI or HFNIHL. When L_{EX,8 h} was 80-100 dB(A), there was a significant nonlinear dose-response relationship between kurtosis and NIHL or HFNIHL (P <0.001), and kurtosis > 28.08 exerted effect in elevating NIHI or HFNIHL. Conclusion The effect threshold of kurtosis on NIHL is 28.08 when non-steady noise levels are in the range of 80-100 dB(A). The effect threshold of kurtosis needs further verification.

Background Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a prevalent occupational health problem in workplace settings, with non-steady noise exposure being particularly widespread. Although kurtosis-adjusted equivalent sound level (\begin{document}$ {{L'}}_{\text{EX,}\text{8}\text{ h}} $\end{document}) methods based on linear regression are available to assess hearing damage, the complexity of kurtosis effects necessitates introducing new metrics through nonlinear regression to improve predictive accuracy for hearing loss from non-steady noise exposure. Objective To examine the adjustment terms [\begin{document}$ \mathrm{lg}(\beta _{N}/{\beta }_{G}) $\end{document}] and coefficients (λ) of \begin{document}$ {{L'}}_{\text{EX,}\text{8}\text{ h}} $\end{document} using nonlinear regression and evaluate the method’s effectiveness in assessing occupational hearing loss associated with non-steady noise exposure. Methods A cross-sectional study design was employed, enrolling 1034 manufacturing workers and evaluating noise exposure to estimate hearing loss metrics. Quantile regression analysis quantified the proportional contributions of influencing factors for noise-induced permanent threshold shift at 3, 4, and 6 kHz frequencies (NIPTS₃₄₆). \begin{document}$ {{L'}}_{\text{EX,}\text{8}\text{ h}} $\end{document} was computed using multiple linear regression and nonlinear least squares optimization. Paired t-tests analyzed predictive efficacy before and after kurtosis adjustment to evaluate its impact on ISO 1999 NIPTS₃₄₆ predictions. Chow tests compared the similarity of logistic regression curves for high-frequency noise-induced hearing loss (HFNIHL) incidence between non-steady noise (\begin{document}$ {{L'}}_{\text{EX,}\text{8}\text{ h}} $\end{document}) and steady noise (\begin{document}$ {{L}}_{\text{EX,}\text{8}\text{ h}} $\end{document}), thereby validating the effectiveness of \begin{document}$ {{L'}}_{\text{EX,}\text{8}\text{ h}} $\end{document}. Results The quantile regression analysis showed that kurtosis was a significant indicator of occupational hearing loss risk from non-steady noise (contribution rate was 27.5%, P<0.05). The linear regression and nonlinear least squares methods obtained six different combinations of coefficients (λ) and adjustment terms [\begin{document}$ \mathrm{lg}(\beta _{N}/{\beta }_{G}) $\end{document}]. Incorporating these \begin{document}$ {{L'}}_{\text{EX,}\text{8}\text{ h}} $\end{document} adjustments into the ISO 1999 predictive model significantly reduced NIPTS underestimation (from 14.2 dB HL with \begin{document}$ {{L}}_{\text{EX,}\text{8}\text{ h}} $\end{document} to 11.5–5.6 dB HL with \begin{document}$ {{L'}}_{\text{EX,}\text{8}\text{ h}} $\end{document}, P < 0.001). The model \begin{document}$ {{{L'}}_{\text{EX,}\text{8}\text{ h}\text{,6}}=L}_{\mathrm{E}\mathrm{X},8\;\mathrm{h}}+7.9\mathrm{lg}({{\beta }_{N}}/{10}) $\end{document} achieved the most significant improvement, reducing underestimation by 8.7 dB HL. The logistic curve analysis further demonstrated that all \begin{document}$ {{L'}}_{\text{EX,}\text{8}\text{ h}} $\end{document} dose-response relationships for non-steady noise aligned more closely with the steady noise group than \begin{document}$ {{L}}_{\text{EX,}\text{8}\text{ h}} $\end{document}, with \begin{document}$ {{L'}}_{\text{EX,}\text{8}\text{ h}\text{,6}} $\end{document} showing the smallest divergence (difference: 4.1%). Conclusions \begin{document}$ {{L'}}_{\text{EX,}\text{8}\text{ h}} $\end{document} demonstrates superior efficacy in assessing the risk of occupational hearing loss induced by non-steady noise exposure. The \begin{document}$ {{L'}}_{\text{EX,}\text{8}\text{ h}} $\end{document} metric, constructed by calculating adjustment terms and coefficients through nonlinear regression analysis, exhibits greater effectiveness than linear regression methods in evaluating occupational hearing loss associated with non-steady noise exposure.

Background Temporal kurtosis (without frequency weighting, i.e., Z-weighted kurtosis) can evaluate noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). However, few studies have considered the function of frequency weighting (A- or C-weighted) kurtosis on NIHL. Objective To study the significance of A- and C-weighted kurtosis adjustment for equivalent sound level (L'_{EX,8 h}) in evaluating occupational hearing loss. Methods A cross-sectional survey was used to select 973 noise-exposed workers in seven industries as the subjects. The noise exposure of all workers was assessed by distributions of A-, C-, and Z-weighted kurtosis (e.g., K_A, K_C, and K_Z) and respective adjusted equivalent sound level (e.g., L'_{EX,8 h}-K_A, L'_{EX,8 h}-K_C, and L'_{EX,8 h}-K_Z). The significance of A- and C-weighted kurtosis in evaluating NIHL was evaluated by correlations between three types of L'_{EX,8 h} and NIHL, and improvement of noise-induced permanent threshold shift (NIPTS) underestimation predicted by the ISO prediction model (Acoustics—Estimation of noise-induced hearing loss, ISO 1999-2013). Results The median K_A, K_C, and K_Z were 68.33, 28.22, and 19.82, respectively. The binary logistic regression showed that L_{EX, 8 h}-K_A, L_{EX, 8 h}-K_C, and L'_{EX, 8 h}-K_Z were risk factors for NIHL (OR>1, P<0.001). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that when the outcome variable was noise-induced hearing impairment (NIHI), the areas under the curves corresponding to L'_{EX,8 h}-K_A, L'_{EX,8 h}-K_C, and L'_{EX,8 h}-K_Z were 0.625, 0.628, and 0.625, respectively. When the outcome variable was high-frequency noise-induced hearing loss (HFNIHL), the areas under the curves corresponding to L'_{EX,8 h}-K_A, L'_{EX, 8 h}-K_C, and L'_{EX,8 h}-K_Z were 0.624, 0.623, and 0.622, respectively (P<0.05). The order of underestimation improvement values predicted by L'_{EX,8 h} for NIPTS₁₂₃₄ was: L'_{EX,8 h}-K_A (4.68 dB HL)>L'_{EX,8 h}-K_C (4.38 dB HL)>L'_{EX,8 h}-K_Z (4.28 dB HL) (P<0.001). The order of underestimation improvement values predicted by L'_{EX,8 h}-K for NIPTS₃₄₆ was: L'_{EX,8 h}-K_A (7.20 dB HL)>L'_{EX,8 h}-K_C (6.83 dB HL)>L'_{EX,8 h}-K_Z (6.71 dB HL) (P<0.001). Conclusion The adjustment of A- and C-weighted kurtosis to equivalent sound level L_{EX,8 h} can effectively improve the accuracy of the ISO 1999 prediction model in NIPTS prediction, and compared with the C-weighted, the A-weighted kurtosis can improve the result of the ISO 1999 prediction model in terms of underestimating NIPTS.

Objective: To investigate the correlation of chemerin levels in the serum and intestinal mucosal with in- testinal mucosal inflammation in IBS-D mice . Methods: A total of 128 female C57BL/6J mice were randomly di- vided into IBS-D group and control group , with 64 mice in each group . Wire Restraint Stress method (WRS) was used to construct an animal model of IBS-D . Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum and co- lonic mucosal chemerin levels in mice . Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe colonic mucosal in- flammation . Geboes value was used to evaluate the severity of colonic mucosal inflammation . Results: In the IBS- D group , the concentration of serum chemerin increased and reached the peak in the first week of the experiment ( t = 6. 538 , P < 0. 001) , and the concentration of colonic mucosa chemerin increased and reached the peak in the fourth week of the experiment ( t = 8 . 104 , P < 0. 001) ; in the first week of experiment , the colonic mucosa of IBS- D mice showed inflammatory reaction , which was the most significant in the fifth week (P < 0. 05) . Geboes score was ( 1 . 75 ±0. 50) vs (0. 55 ±0. 52) . Conclusion There is a temporal sequence between the elevation of serum and intestinal mucosal chemerin levels and the severity of intestinal mucosal inflammation , and it is hypothesized that the elevated serum and intestinal mucosal chemerin levels correlate with the onset and progression of intestinal mucosal inflammation .

Objective To retrospectively analyze the distribution and differences of oral behavior among patients with acute and chro-nic painassociated with temporomandibular disorders(TMD).Methods A total of 212 patients with pain TMD in West China Hospital of Stomatology completed oral behaviors checklist(OBC).SPSS statistical software was used to analyze all the data.Results The pa-tients with pain-related TMD had specific oral behaviors,such as"pressure on the jaw during sleep"(49.5%),"unilateral chewing"(49.5%),"upper and lower teeth contact when not eating"(37.7%),etc.Scores of"upper and lower teeth contact when not eating"and"muscle tension when teeth are not clenched or teeth are not in contact"in patients with chronic pain TMD were higher than those of acute patients,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The total OBC scores and daytime OBC scores of chronic pain TMD patients were higher than those of acute pain patients,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in OBC scores of patients with acute and chronic pain TMD during sleep(P＞0.05).Conclusion Pain-related TMD patients had specific oral behaviors,and patients with chronic pain TMD exhibited higher levels of total OBC,daytime OBC,"upper and lower teeth contact when not eating"and"muscle tension when teeth do not bite or teeth are not in contact"oral behavior than acute pain TMD patients.In the treatment of patients with painful TMD,correcting the patient's bad oral behavior can help the treatment of pain-related TMD.

Objective To retrospectively analyze the distribution and differences of oral behavior among patients with acute and chro-nic painassociated with temporomandibular disorders(TMD).Methods A total of 212 patients with pain TMD in West China Hospital of Stomatology completed oral behaviors checklist(OBC).SPSS statistical software was used to analyze all the data.Results The pa-tients with pain-related TMD had specific oral behaviors,such as"pressure on the jaw during sleep"(49.5%),"unilateral chewing"(49.5%),"upper and lower teeth contact when not eating"(37.7%),etc.Scores of"upper and lower teeth contact when not eating"and"muscle tension when teeth are not clenched or teeth are not in contact"in patients with chronic pain TMD were higher than those of acute patients,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The total OBC scores and daytime OBC scores of chronic pain TMD patients were higher than those of acute pain patients,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in OBC scores of patients with acute and chronic pain TMD during sleep(P＞0.05).Conclusion Pain-related TMD patients had specific oral behaviors,and patients with chronic pain TMD exhibited higher levels of total OBC,daytime OBC,"upper and lower teeth contact when not eating"and"muscle tension when teeth do not bite or teeth are not in contact"oral behavior than acute pain TMD patients.In the treatment of patients with painful TMD,correcting the patient's bad oral behavior can help the treatment of pain-related TMD.

Objective To investigate the current status,obstacles,and specific needs associated with the application of transradial access(TRA)in peripheral interventions in Chinese hospitals,with the aim of promoting the broader adoption of TRA in interventional procedures.Methods The Committee of Interventional Oncology of China Anti-Cancer Association conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey to investigate and analyze the nationwide situation of TRA in peripheral interventional surgeries in 2022.Results Personnel from 60 hospitals participated in the questionnaire.The results showed that the number of peripheral interventionals performed using TRA was significantly lower than that performed using transfemoral access(TFA),with considerable variability among hospitals.The primary obstacles to the adoption of TRA were the lack of suitable catheters and the difficulty of radial artery puncture.Approximately 86.67％of the institutions expressed a high expectation for the innovation of new TRA-specific devices,particularly catheters,microcatheters,and guidewires.60.00％of medical institutions indicated a strong desire for systematic training and participation in multi-center clinical trials.Conclusions TRA peripheral intervention is feasible in many hospitals in China,however,systematic training and further promotion of TRA are essential.The innovation of new TRA-specific devices and TRA in peripheral intervention is urgent.

Background As the population ages, there has been a growing focus on the decline in fertility. Research has identified age and fertility history as the primary influencing factors. Nevertheless, there is a deficiency in fundamental data regarding the fertility status among different industries. Objective To investigate the fertility status and influencing factors among female workers aged 22-35 years in different industries. Methods From July 2020 to February 2021, a cross-sectional survey was conducted using a staged sampling approach. This survey specifically targeted 22-35-year-old married female workers with a history of pregnancy in industries such as education, healthcare, finance, and telecommunications, totaling 22903 participants. The survey encompassed industry, demographic characteristics, pregnancy history, time to pregnancy (TTP), and other influencing factors. The influencing factors of decline in fertility were identified by chi-square test and Cox proportional hazards regression. Subsequent industry-specific Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to compared fertility decline patterns across a spectrum of industries after selected influencing factors were adjusted. Results Among the 22903 respondents, 19194 valid questionnaires were collected, with a valid recovery rate of 83.8%. The cumulative pregnancy rates (CRP) of 1-6 months and 1-12 months for the 22-35-year-old female workers were 67.23% and 91.33% respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that region, age, education level, personal annual income, housework time, coping style, gravidity, parity, and spontaneous abortion were influencing factors of fertility decline (P<0.05). Female workers with ≥3 gravidities and ≥2 spontaneous abortions had a higher risk of fertility decline, with hazard ratios (HR) and associated 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of 0.633 (0.582, 0.688) and 0.785 (0.670, 0.921) respectively (P<0.01). Compared to the education industry, the healthcare and finance industries showed a higher risk of fertility decline, with HR (95%CI) values of 0.876 (0.834, 0.920) and 0.909 (0.866, 0.954), respectively (P<0.05). These two HR (95%CI) values remained statistically significant [0.899 (0.852, 0.948) and 0.882 (0.833, 0.934) respectively, P<0.05)] after further adjustment with nine influencing factors such as region and age. Conclusion Regions, age, education level, personal annual income, housework time, coping style, pregnancy and childbirth times, and natural abortion times are influencing factors of fertility decline in female workers. Compared to the education industry, the healthcare and finance industries have a higher risk of declining fertility.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have reported inconsistent results with positive,negative,and J-shaped associations between alcohol consumption and the hazard of aortic aneurysm and dissection(AAD).This study aimed to examine the connections between weekly alcohol consumption and the subsequent risk of AAD. METHODS:The UK Biobank study is a population-based cohort study.Weekly alcohol consumption was assessed using self-reported questionnaires and the congenital risk of alcohol consumption was also evaluated using genetic risk score(GRS).Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios(HRs)with 95%confidence intervals(CIs)for the associations between alcohol consumption and AAD.Several sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results. RESULTS:Among the 388,955 participants(mean age:57.1 years,47.4%male),2,895 incident AAD cases were documented during a median follow-up of 12.5 years.Compared with never-drinkers,moderate drinkers(adjusted HR:0.797,95%CI:0.646-0.984,P<0.05)and moderate-heavy drinkers(adjusted HR:0.794,95%CI:0.635-0.992,P<0.05)were significantly associated with a decreased risk of incident AAD.Interaction-based subgroup analysis revealed that the protective effect of moderate drinking was reflected mainly in participants younger than 65 years and women. CONCLUSION:Our findings support a protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption on AAD,but are limited to participants younger than 65 years and women.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have reported inconsistent results with positive,negative,and J-shaped associations between alcohol consumption and the hazard of aortic aneurysm and dissection(AAD).This study aimed to examine the connections between weekly alcohol consumption and the subsequent risk of AAD. METHODS:The UK Biobank study is a population-based cohort study.Weekly alcohol consumption was assessed using self-reported questionnaires and the congenital risk of alcohol consumption was also evaluated using genetic risk score(GRS).Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios(HRs)with 95%confidence intervals(CIs)for the associations between alcohol consumption and AAD.Several sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results. RESULTS:Among the 388,955 participants(mean age:57.1 years,47.4%male),2,895 incident AAD cases were documented during a median follow-up of 12.5 years.Compared with never-drinkers,moderate drinkers(adjusted HR:0.797,95%CI:0.646-0.984,P<0.05)and moderate-heavy drinkers(adjusted HR:0.794,95%CI:0.635-0.992,P<0.05)were significantly associated with a decreased risk of incident AAD.Interaction-based subgroup analysis revealed that the protective effect of moderate drinking was reflected mainly in participants younger than 65 years and women. CONCLUSION:Our findings support a protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption on AAD,but are limited to participants younger than 65 years and women.