Background In the Global Burden of Disease research, it has been found that atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) pollution significantly harms human health. Currently, there is limited research on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) that exhibit high toxicity effects in PM_2.5 . Objective By studying the spatiotemporal distribution and variation characteristics of PCDD/Fs in PM_2.5 in Pudong area of Shanghai, to assess the associated population health risk. Methods This study set up 28 sampling points in Pudong area. One sample of PM_2.5 was collected during winter (February 2022) and summer (July 2022) at each site, with a sampling period lasting 24 h. The concentration of PM_2.5 was measured by membrane filter method, and the content of 17 kinds of 2,3,7,8-substituted chlorinated PCDD/Fs in the samples was analyzed using isotope dilution. Seasonal variations (winter and summer) in the concentrations of PM_2.5 and PCDD/Fs were evaluated, sources of PCDD/Fs pollution were tracing by principal component analysis, and health risks to the population from respiratory exposure to PCDD/Fs were estimated by VLIER-HUMAAN model. Results The PM_2.5 concentrations in the 28 samples ranged from 10 to 126 μg·m⁻³, while the concentrations of PCDD/Fs in PM_2.5 ranged from 58 to 2625 fg·m⁻³. The concentration of PM_2.5 during winter (11-126 μg·m⁻³) was higher than that during summer (10-60 μg·m⁻³). The concentration range of PCDD/Fs in winter was from 58 to 2625 fg·m⁻³, which corresponded to a range of toxic equivalent quantity (WHO-TEQ) concentration from 2.99 to 40.97 fg·m⁻³ when taking World Health Organization's toxic equivalency factor (WHO-TEQ); the concentration range of PCDD/Fs in summer was from 72 to 446 fg·m⁻³, which corresponded to a range of WHO-TEQ concentration from 2.66 to 16.61 fg·m⁻³. This range in summer was significantly lower than that observed in winter. The results of principal component analysis revealed that waste incineration was the primary source of PCDD/Fs in winter PM_2.5 in the area, whereas traffic emissions emerged as the main source in summer. The assessment of Pudong residents' respiratory exposure to PCDD/Fs in PM_2.5 showed significantly higher exposure of children in summer and winter than that of adults, indicating higher susceptibility of children to air pollutants. Both the hazard ratios (HR) for children and adults were below 1, while the cancer risks (CR) ranged from 8.41×10⁻⁸ to 2.35×10⁻⁶. Notably, during winter, the CR at 4 locations slightly exceeds 1×10⁻⁶, indicating a potential carcinogenic risk. Conclusion The overall pollution level of PCDD/Fs in PM_2.5 in Pudong area is relatively low, but it shows clear seasonal patterns. Waste incineration and traffic are the main sources of PCDD/Fs in PM_2.5 in the area. Although the cancer risk of exposure to PCDD/Fs in PM_2.5 for children or adults is relatively low, there is a certain risk at some locations in winter, necessitating additional monitoring and control.

Objective To investigate the effect of microglial derived extracellular vesicles on neuronal damage in the context of heat stress.Methods After BV2 microglial cells were exposed to heat stress,the supernatant was collected and subjected to ultracentrifugation at different speeds to obtain large and small vesicles,respectively.Nano Particle Tracking and Zeta Potential Distribution Analyzer was used to measure and analyze the size distribution of the large vesicles and small vesicles.Western blotting was used to detect the expression of specific vesicle surface markers,TSG101,CD63 and flotillin-1.Microglial extracellular vesicles were labeled with PKH67 dye and then co-cultured with N2a cells to examine the uptake by capacity the neurons.After large and small vesicles derived from microglia after heat stress stimulation were co-cultured with N2a cells,respectively,CCK-8 assay,lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)assay,Trypan blue staining and TUNEL assay were employed to evaluate heat stress induced neuronal damage.Results The small vesicles were in a particle size of 30～120 nm,and highly expressed TSG101 and CD63,whereas the large vesicles,in a size of 90～1000 nm,highly expressed flotillin-1.The BV2-derived extracellular vesicles could be taken up by N2a cells and were proved to be involved in the modulation of N2a cell injury caused by heat stress.CCK-8 assay showed that both large and small vesicles of microglial cells inhibited the viability of N2a cells after heat exposure (P<0.05).The results of LDH assay,Trypan blue staining and TUNEL assay showed that both large (P<0.05)and small vesicles (P<0.01)significantly enhanced the LDH release,blue stain intensity and apoptosis of N2a cells after heat exposure,and the release,intensity and apoptosis were stronger in the cells treated with small vesicles than those group of large vesicles.Conclusion Microglia aggravate heat stress-induced neuronal damage through releasing extracellular vesicles.

ObjectiveTo prepare matrine lipid-based cubic liquid crystalline nanoparticle （MAT-LLCN） gels and investigate its in vitro release and transdermal absorption behavior. MethodTaking entrapment efficiency as the index， the optimal formulation of MAT-LLCN was screened by extreme vertex mixture method based on the optimal ratio of glycerol monooleate （GMO） to poloxamer 407 （P407）， and its drug loading was investigated. MAT-LLCN gels was prepared by mixing MAT-LLCN with pre-swelled carbomer 940 as the gel matrix. The structure of MAT-lipid-based cubic liquid crystalline （LLC） was characterized by polarized light microscopy （PLM） and small angle X-ray scattering （SAXS）. The in vitro release and transdermal absorption properties of MAT-LLCN gels and MAT ordinary gels were compared by modified Franz diffusion cell method， skin structure changes caused by them were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. ResultThe optimal formulation of MAT-LLCN gels was 5.5% of GMO-P407 （9∶1）， 1%-6% of MAT， 0.6% of carbomer 940， adding water to sufficient amount. The prepared MAT-LLC was confirmed as body-centered （Im3m） LLC. The in vitro release behavior of MAT-LLCN gels was in accordance with the Weibull equation （R²=0.954 0）， and the release mechanism was the Fick diffusion. In vitro transdermal test showed that all the parameters of MAT-LLCN gels were higher than those of MAT ordinary gels （P<0.05）， including cumulative release rate， steady-state release rate and the amount of drug retention in skin. HE staining results showed that MAT-LLCN gels could loose the cellular arrangement of skin stratum corneum， and maintain the stability of the cell structure of the dermis. ConclusionThe prepared MAT-LLCN gels can accelerate the transdermal drug transport and form drug storage in the dermis by rapidly opening the skin stratum corneum barrier， suggesting that LLC has good application prospects in the field of transdermal drug delivery.

Worldwide, the incidence of cancer is greatest in China. Tumor screening is effective to achieve early diagnosis, improve prognosis, increase the quality of life, and reduce mortality among cancer patients. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging provides metabolic data to support initial staging, treatment planning, and response evaluation in tumor screening, as well as tumor follow-up. The progressive integration of PET/CT imaging in radiotherapy has its basic principle in the biological heterogeneity of inter- and intra-tumor malignant lesions, and the radiation dose is required to be adjusted to achieve effective local tumor control among cancer patients. In addition, PET/CT imaging provides data on the biological features of tumor lesions, such as metabolism, hypoxia, and proliferation, which is useful to identify radiation-resistant regions and optimize treatment plans. These data are effective to reduce the uncertainty and variability in the anatomic description of tumor sites. This review summarizes the application of PET/CT imaging in common tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence, risk factors, duration and outcome of delirium in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted for critically ill patients admitted to the department of critical care medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from September to November 2021. Delirium assessments were performed twice daily using the Richmond agitation-sedation scale (RASS) and confusion assessment method of ICU (CAM-ICU) for patients who met the inclusions and exclusion criteria. Patient's age, gender, body mass index (BMI), underlying disease, acute physiologic assessment and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) at ICU admission, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) at ICU admission, oxygenation index (PaO₂/FiO₂), diagnosis, type of delirium, duration of delirium, outcome, etc. were recorded. Patients were divided into delirium and non-delirium groups according to whether delirium occurred during the study period. The clinical characteristics of the patients in the two groups were compared, and risk factors for the development of delirium were screened using univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 347 ICU patients were included, and delirium occurred in 57.6% (200/347) patients. The most common type was hypoactive delirium (73.0% of the total). Univariate analysis showed statistically significant differences in age, APACHE score and SOFA score at ICU admission, history of smoking, hypertension, history of cerebral infarction, immunosuppression, neurological disease, sepsis, shock, glucose (Glu), PaO₂/FiO₂ at ICU admission, length of ICU stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation between the two groups. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.045, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 1.027-1.063, P < 0.001], APACHE score at ICU admission (OR = 1.049, 95%CI was 1.008-1.091, P = 0.018), neurological disease (OR = 5.275, 95%CI was 1.825-15.248, P = 0.002), sepsis (OR = 1.941, 95%CI was 1.117-3.374, P = 0.019), and duration of mechanical ventilation (OR = 1.005, 95%CI was 1.001-1.009, P = 0.012) were all independent risk factors for the development of delirium in ICU patients. The median duration of delirium in ICU patients was 2 (1, 3) days. Delirium was still present in 52% patients when they discharged from the ICU. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of delirium in ICU patients is over 50%, with hypoactive delirium being the most common. Age, APACHE score at ICU admission, neurological disease, sepsis and duration of mechanical ventilation were all independent risk factors for the development of delirium in ICU patients. More than half of patients with delirium were still delirious when they discharged from the ICU.
Humans ; Prevalence ; Critical Care ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis ; Intensive Care Units

The combination of conventional single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and computed tomography (CT) may display the morphological changes of lesions and distribution of imaging agents, which is effective to improve the imaging sensitivity and specificity of tumors and non-tumor diseases. SPECT/CT is feasible to analyze the anatomical structure and metabolic status through displaying multi-site lesions with single imaging, thereby improving differential diagnosis and diagnostic accuracy of diseases. In addition, the novel mixed SPECT/CT device shortens the duration of image acquisition and provides precise attenuation correction and fusion imaging, which provides a scientific basis for rational selection of treatment regimens in clinical practice. This review describes the advances in clinical application of SPECT/CT.

A group of compounds structurally related to tetrahydrocannabinol or capable of binding to cannabinoid receptors are collectively referred to as cannabinoids. Cannabinoids can be divided into plant derived cannabinoids， synthetic cannabinoids， and endogenous cannabinoids. Δ-9-THC is the only psychoactive compound in plant cannabinoids. Cannabis with Δ-9-THC>0.3% is internationally listed as a prohibited drug， while cannabis with Δ-9-THC<0.3% is industrial cannabis. Due to its low addiction and high commercial value， it is allowed to be added to food in many countries. More and more industrial cannabis foods become popular， and the detection/analysis of cannabinoid compounds in cannabis foods is particularly important； In addition to industrial cannabis， which is widely used in food， there are also various new drugs， synthetic cannabinoids， disguised as conventional food， which can cause the social problems and increase the food safety risks. This article will elaborate on the regulatory status of cannabinoid compounds in food， In order to promote the safety supervision of the domestic cannabis food.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional support in the treatment of primary chylous reflux obstacle caused by primary lymphatic dysplasia among infants and investigate the effects of the essential components of therapeutic formula milk in treating this disease.Methods Seven infants,who were diagnosed at Beijing Shijitan Hospital between 2012 and 2014 with primary chylous reflux obstacle and aged (8.9±4.6) months at the onset,were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate effectiveness of the nutrition support and prognosis of the disease.Results After personalized enteral nutrition support (using proteins,short peptides and medium-chain triglyceride) of (8.3±2.8) months,heights and weights of all the seven infants were kept between the 3rd and 97th percentile lines,and the growth curve showed onward and upward trend.Their plasma albumin levels reached (43.7±4.4) g/L.The infants defecated 1-2 times a day and the texture of feces was formed and soft with yellow color.Conclusion Clinical symptoms and physical signs of the seven infants were improved after nutrition support,which contributed to the recovery.

Objective: To assess blood levels of renal function related influencing factors with baseline clinical parameters for predicting the risk of 8-year survival in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods: A total of 293 CHF patients admitted in our hospital from 2006-07 to 2009-11 were enrolled. The patients were followed-up until 2014-6-30, the end point was death. According to followed-up results, they were divided into 2 groups: Survival group,n=107 and Death group,n=186. All patients received routine renal function and electrolytes examination including blood levels of urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, anion gap and phosphorus; GFR was calculated by MDRD formula. Baseline clinical parameters as left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were measured by echocardiography; blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded. The risk factors for 8-year survival in CHF patients were analyzed. Results: Compared with Survival group, Death group had increased LVEDD, urea nitrogen, creatinine and uric acid, while decreased LVEF, HR, GFR, blood sodium and calcium, allP<0.05. Univariate analysis indicated that LVEDD, LVEF, GFR, urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, blood sodium, calcium and phosphorus had the better predictive value for the risk of 8-year survival in CHF patients, allP<0.05. Multivariate analysis presented that LVEDD, GFR and blood sodium had the highest predictive value for the risk of 8-year survival, allP<0.001; the next one was blood calcium,P<0.01. Conclusion: LVEDD, GFR, blood sodium and calcium were the independent predictors for the risk of 8-year survival in CHF patients.

Objective:To explore the effect of ionizing radiation on apoptosis of lung cancer H460 cells after ATRX was silenced by RNAi and its mechanism.Methods:The lentivirus expression vectors targeting ATRX were transfected into the 293T cells,and the lung cancer H460 cells were infected with lentivirus twice,and the ATRX silenced cell model was obtained after puromycin positive screening,then they were named as sh-ATRX1-H460,sh-ATRX2-H460,and sh-ATRX3-H460 cells;the sh-control-H460 cells were regarded as control cells.The cells were divided into sh-control-H460 group and sh-ATRX3-H460 group,accroding to the silencing results and were irradiated by 0,2 and 8 Gy X-rays.The expression levels of ATRX,poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1(PARP1),and caspase-3 proteins were measured by Western blotting method;the apoptotic rate was measured by flow cytometry and AnnexinⅤ-FITC/PI kits.Results:The lung cancer cell model of sh-ATRX3-H460 silenced by ATRX was obtained successfully.After 2 and 8 Gy X-ray irradiation,compared with before irradiation,the expression level of ATRX protein in sh-control-H460 group was increased,while there was no expression of ATRX protein in sh-control-H460 group;compared with before irradiation,the apoptotic rates of cells in two groups were increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);the apoptotic rate in sh-ATRX3-H460 group was significantly higher than that in sh-control-H460 group after 8 Gy X-ray irradiation (P<0.01).The expressions of cleaved PARP1 in the cells in both two groups after 2 Gy and 8 Gy X-ray irradiation were increased and showed similar rule.The expression level of procaspase-3 protein in sh-control-H460 group had little change,and it was increased significantly in sh-ATRX3-H460 group after 8 Gy X-ray irradiation.Conclusion:ATRX silencing can be achived by RNAi,then the silencing could increase the apoptosis induced by irradiation and its mechanism may be related to the PARP1-caspase-3 pathway.