BACKGROUND: Chronic noise exposure is one environmental hazard that is associated with genetic susceptibility factors that increase Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. However, the comprehensive understanding of the link between chronic noise stress and AD is limited. Herein, we investigated the effects of chronic noise exposure on AD-like changes in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8). METHODS: A total of 30 male SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into the noise-exposed group, the control group, and aging group (positive controls), and mice in the exposure group were exposed to 98 dB SPL white noise for 30 consecutive days. Transcriptome analysis and AD-like neuropathology of hippocampus were examined by RNA sequencing and immunoblotting. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time PCR were used to further determine the differential gene expression and explore the underlying mechanisms of chronic noise exposure in relation to AD at the genome level. RESULTS: Chronic noise exposure led to amyloid beta accumulation and increased the hyperphosphorylation of tau at the Ser202 and Ser404 sites in young SAMP8 mice; similar observations were noted in aging SAMP8 mice. We identified 21 protein-coding transcripts that were differentially expressed: 6 were downregulated and 15 were upregulated after chronic noise exposure; 8 genes were related to AD. qPCR results indicated that the expression of Arc, Egr1, Egr2, Fos, Nauk1, and Per2 were significantly high in the noise exposure group. These outcomes mirrored the results of the RNA sequencing data. CONCLUSIONS These findings further revealed that chronic noise exposure exacerbated aging-like impairment in the hippocampus of the SAMP8 mice and that the protein-coding transcripts discovered in the study may be key candidate regulators involved in environment-gene interactions.

Objective: To study the effects of different holding gun methods and gun weight on health when standing guard, and propose a way to support the health of long-term standing guard soldiers. Methods: We created different percentile mannequins by Classic JACK, and adjusted the standing guard posture based on its standards for soldiers. The pressure on lumbar L4/L5 and moment on ankles and knees were analysied for different holding gun methods and gun weight. Then the mathematical models of joint load, gun weight and body mass index were studied by multiple regression analysis. Results: Holding gun methods and gun weight influence the force characteristics on ankles, knees and lumbar L4/L5. Holding gun with a brace and hands applying downward force -2 kgf could significantly reduce lumbar L4/L5 pressure. When the hand force is -5, -3, -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2 kgf, and the weight of the gun is 0, Lumbar vertebrae L4/L5 joint pressure of people with different body mass index(P₁, P₅, P₅₅, P₉₅, P₉₉) are the smallest, respectively 269, 281, 321, 408, 444 N, and the same change trend occurs when the weight of the gun is 2, 4, and 8 kg.The moment on ankles and knees were less with the same holding gun method and the hands downward force ranged from 0 to -4 kgf, and the higher the body mass index is, the more the hands downward force needed to make the moment on ankles and knees zero. That is, the moment on ankles could be zero when the hands downward force ranged from -1 to -3 kgf, the moment on knees could be zero when the hands downward force ranged from -1.1 to -3.7 kgf. Conclusion To reduce the pressure on lumbar L4/L5 and moment on ankles and knees, so as to cut down occupational risk of long-standing operation, we advise the long-term standing guard soldiers holding gun with a brace and hands applying downward force -2 kgf.

Objective To investigate the clinical and imaging features of the aquaporin-4 (AQP4)antibody-negative binocular optic neuritis and to analyze the predictive factors of visual function outcome.Methods Fifty-eight patients with AQP4-negative binocular optic neuritis were reviewed and followed up from January 2014 to December 2015.Patients at baseline and at the end of follow-up were evaluated for visual function and neurological examination.All patients underwent optic nerve and brain MRI, cerebrospinal fluid and routine laboratory tests.Results AQP4 antibody-negative binocular optic neuritis accounted for 9.4%(58/615)of the total optic neuritis in the same period.At baseline, 99 eyes (85.3%,99/116)had best corrected visual acuity<0.1.At the end of follow-up, 31 eyes(26.7%,31/116) had best corrected visual acuity < 0.1. There were 43 cases (74.1%, 43/58) with multi-segment involvement of optic nerve at the baseline.Baseline visual acuity(P=0.005), early treatment response (P=0.011), and segment numbers of optic nerve involvement(P=0.025)were independently associated with end-point outcome of visual function.Forty-nine patients(84.5%,49/58)showed monophasic course in (3.1 ± 0.9) years follow-up period, 7 cases (12.1%, 7/58) had recurrence, and 2 cases (3.4%, 2/58) converted to neuromyelitis optic spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Conclusions AQP4 antibody-negative binocular optic neuritis is common and the recovery of visual function is not satisfied. Baseline visual function and the length of optic lesion in MRI is related to the end-point prognosis. Most patients performs the single phase course during the follow-up period.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study are to investigate the incidence and reporting behavior of sharp injuries among healthcare workers (HCWs) and identify the risk factors associated with these injuries. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in February 2017 in a provincial teaching hospital in China. Data were collected from 901 HCWs using a self-administered questionnaire which included demographic information, experience, and reporting behavior of sharp injuries. Stepwise logistical regression was used to analyze the risk factors. RESULTS: HCWs (248 [27.5%]) had sustained a sharp injury in the previous year. Factors including seniority, job category, title, education, department, and training programs were associated with the occurrence of sharp injuries. According to the stepwise logistical regression, seniority, and training programs were the risk factors associated with the occurrence of sharp injuries. Of 248 sharp injuries, 130 HCWs were exposed to blood. Only 44 (33.9%) HCWs reported their injuries to the concerned body. The main reasons for not reporting the sharp injuries were as follows: perception that the extent of the injury was light (30.2%), having antibodies (27.9%), and unaware of injury (16.3%). CONCLUSIONS Sharp injuries in the studied hospital were common and were likely to be underreported. Therefore, an effective reporting system and sufficient education on occupational safety should be implemented by the relevant institutions. Moreover, it is important to take effective measures to manage sharp injuries in HCWs and provide guidance for their prevention.
Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Health Personnel ; statistics & numerical data ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Needlestick Injuries ; epidemiology ; etiology ; psychology ; Occupational Exposure ; statistics & numerical data ; Risk Factors

Objective: To construct a recombinant short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) lentiviral vector targeting the β-catenin gene in cochlear precursor cells (CPCs) in mice, and to investigate its inhibitory effect. Methods: PCR was used for the multiplication of the β-catenin gene, and shRNA oligo was designed based on the β-catenin gene to construct an interference vector. Gateway Technology was used to construct shRNA lentiviral vector which carried the β-catenin gene, and then 293FT cells were transfected with the constructed lentiviral vector and helper plasmids pLV/helper-SL3, pLV/helper-SL4, and pLV/helper-SL5. The virus supernatant was collected to obtain viral particles, and then mouse CPCs were transiently infected with the recombinant lentivirus with four different concentrations (0, 5, 10, and 20 μl) . The shRNA control group was established. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to investigate the inhibitory effect of shRNA β-catenin lentiviral vector on β-catenin. Results: The recombinant shRNA β-catenin lentiviral vector was successfully constructed, and the virus titers of shβ-catenin and shβ-catenin-control were 5.05×10⁷ and 4.34×10⁷, respectively. The results of in vitro experiments showed that in CPCs transfected with four different concentrations of recombinant lentivirus, the content of β-catenin protein gradually decreased with the increase in concentration, and there was a significant difference between groups (P<0.05) ; the CPCs transfected with shβ-catenin had significantly lower mRNA expression of β-catenin than those in the shβ-catenin-control group (P<0.05) . Conclusion The constructed lentiviral vector targeting the β-catenin gene has a high infection efficiency, and the successful construction of lentiviral vectors provides a technical support for analyzing the role of β-catenin in the differentiation of CPCs into auditory hair cells.

Objective To analyze the clinical features, recurrent characters in patients with recurrent Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS). Methods The clinical data of 24 hospitalized patients with recurrent THS from January 2006 to May 2016 were collected The general features, clinical manifestations, disease courses, recurrent features, lab and imaging studies, treatment measures and outcoming of recurrent THS patients was investigated , and compared with 69 patients with first attack THS in corresponding period. Results Recurrent THS patients were 25.8%(24/93) of total THS. The male rate in recurrent group was significantly higher than that in first attack group: 66.7%(16/24) vs. 42.0%(29/69), P<0.05. The involved rate of trigeminal nerves in recurrent group was significantly lower than that in first attack group:16.7%(4/24) vs. 33.0%(23/69), P<0.05. The disease courses were from 3 months to 20 years. The total recurrent frequencies were from 2 to 10 times. The recurrence occurred in the same side in 18 patients, and in contralateral in other 6 patients. The intervals were from 3 months to 6 years, and average intervals were 1.9 years. Two patients recurred in hormone reduction, and 22 patients recurred in hormone withdrawal. All cases received MRI examination. Nineteen patients (79.2%) of them had lesions in cavernous sinus. 16 patients had one side lesions and 3 patients had bilateral lesions. The recurrent patients still had good responds to corticosteroids treatment. Conclusions Recurrences in THS are common, taking place in about 26%total patients, and usually at an interval of months or years from the initial attack. These recurrences may be ipsilateral, contralateral, or rarely, bilateral. Corticosteroids are still effective to recurrent cases.

Objective To observe the characteristics of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) for leakage point in acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).Methods A total of 21 acute CSC patients (21 eyes) were enrolled in this retrospective study,including 17 men (17 eyes) and 4 women (5 eyes).The mean age was (47.3±8.8) years (range 35-66 years).The mean duration was (1.6±0.8) months (range 0.5-3.0 months).All patients were underwent mydriatic fundus photography,SD-OCT examination and fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA).SD-OCT and FFA images were carefully compared to observe the SD-OCT examination characteristics of fluorescence leakage point.Results 21/21 eyes had one fluorescein leakage point.In addition to serous retinal detachment,leakage point in the SD-OCT examination showed retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) protrusion in 10 eyes (47.6 ％),RPE detachment in 7 eyes (33.3 ％),highly reflective areas suggesting fibrinous exudate in the subretinal space in 3 eyes (14.3 ％),and RPE defect in 1 eye (4.8 ％).Conclusion The SD-OCT characteristics of acute CSC include RPE protrusion,RPE detachment,highly reflective areas suggesting fibrinous exudate in the subretinal space and RPE defect.

Objective To understand the characteristics of acute hepatitis B inpatients reported by the hepatitis B surveillance pilot points and to estimate the consistency between the diagnosed and reported types of hepatitis B by the clinicians involved.Methods Data related to acute hepatitis B was from the NNDRS and the characteristics of acute hepatitis B were classified by querying Hospital Information System.We recorded the results based on clinical diagnosis and analyzed the consistency between the reported and diagnosed types that the clinicians made,on hepatitis B.Resulis A total of 179 patients were included in this study with all of them as acute hepatitis B reported through NNDRS in 2015-2016.In terms of the durations of disease,among the 179 cases who were HBsAg positive,32.40％ (58/179) of them exceeding 6 months,2.79％ (5/179) within 6 months and 64.80％ (116/179) tested the first time or never.Among the 179 cases who claimed having the history of hepatitis,33.52％ (60/179) of them identified as having hepatitis B,1.12％ (2/179) were hepatitis A,C or E,41.34％ (74/179) did not have the signs on hepatitis,while the rest 24.02％ (43/179) did not know the situation.Only 79.89％(143/179) of the patients showed the symptoms or signs of hepatitis,but the rest 20.11％(36/179) did not.Among the 179 reported acute hepatitis patients,67 of them were diagnosed as acute hepatitis B while 112 cases were as non-acute hepatitis B.The consistent rate of acute hepatitis B was 37.43％ (67/179).Among the 112 cases that were diagnosed as non-acute hepatitis B,proportions of chronic hepatitis B and cirrhosis were 49.11％(55/112) and 16.07％(18/112) respectively.Conclusion Consistency between the reported type of acute hepatitis B inpatients and the types diagnosed by clinicians was poor.Our results suggested that clinicians should make the accurate diagnosis at first place and then report to the Network in accordance with the clinical diagnosis classification criterfia,set by the government.

OBJECTIVETo assess the safety, feasibility and clinical outcome of laparoscopic radical resection for low rectal cancer with telescopic anastomosis or with colostomy by stapler through transanal resection without abdominal incisions.

METHODSFrom January 2010 to September 2014, 37 patients underwent laparoscopic radical resection for low rectal cancer through transanal resection without abdominal incisions. The tumors were 4-7 cm above the anal verge. On preoperative assessment, 26 cases were T1N0M0 and 11 were T2N0M0.

RESULTSFor all cases, successful surgery was performed. In telescopic anastomosis group, the mean operative time was (178±21) min, with average blood loss of (76±11) ml and (13±7) lymph nodes harvested. Return of bowel function was (3.0±1.2) d and the hospital stay was (12.0±4.2) d without postoperative complications. Patients were followed up for 3-45 months. Twelve months after surgery, 94.6%(35/37) patients achieved anal function Kirwan grade 1, indicating that their anal function returned to normal.

CONCLUSIONSLaparoscopic radical resection for low rectal cancer with telescopic anastomosis or colostomy by stapler through transanal resection without abdominal incisions is safe and feasible. Satisfactory clinical outcome can be achieved mini-invasively.

Anal Canal ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; Colostomy ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Lymph Nodes ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Safety