Background Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent organic pollutants widely distributed in the environment. Epidemiological studies have shown that PFAS exposure is closely associated with liver dysfunction and an increased risk of liver cancer. Some animal and cell experiments have also revealed its hepatotoxicity and potential carcinogenicity; however, the related carcinogenic mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated. Objective To explore the potential molecular mechanism of PFAS-induced liver cancer, identify the key causal genes, and specifically evaluate the causal association and expression changes of KMT2C in this process, as well as the binding stability between KMT2C and PFAS, and to provid a theoretical basis for mechanistic studies and molecular target discovery in PFAS-related liver cancer. Methods Toxicity prediction was performed on six representative PFAS. Potential target genes of PFAS were identified by integrating results from SwissTargetPrediction, STITCH, and TargetNet databases. Liver cancer-related genes were retrieved from GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and Therapeutic Target Database (TTD). The intersection of PFAS targets and liver cancer-related genes was used to obtain core genes. A compound-gene-disease regulatory network was constructed, and a protein–protein interaction network was established using STRING database. A core gene network was visualized based on node degree values. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed to explore biological functions and enriched signaling pathways. Subsequently, two-sample Mendelian randomization was employed to assess potential causal relationships between candidate genes and hepatocellular carcinoma, enabling the identification of key genes. Molecular docking analysis using AutoDock was conducted to evaluate the binding stability between KMT2C and PFAS, and TCGA data were used to validate the differential expression of KMT2C between hepatocellular carcinoma and adjacent normal tissues. Results PFAS exhibited multisystem toxicity and posed significant risks of liver injury and carcinogenesis. A total of 266 PFAS target genes and 2923 liver cancer-related genes were identified, with 61 intersecting genes obtained. The enrichment analysis revealed that these intersecting genes were primarily involved in epigenetic regulation, nuclear receptor signaling pathways, and apoptosis-related pathways including TGF-β FoxO and Notch, suggesting their roles in diverse tumor-related biological processes. The two-sample Mendelian randomization results showed a significant negative causal association between KMT2C and hepatocellular carcinoma (OR=0.68, P <0.05). The molecular docking results demonstrated that all tested PFAS exhibited favorable binding to the KMT2C protein, with binding energies below –5.0 kcal·mol⁻¹. KMT2C was significantly upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues (unpaired P=0.025; paired P=8.38 × 10⁻⁴). Conclusion The KMT2C protein is found to stably bind with all six PFAS, exhibiting strong structural affinity. A causal relationship is identified between KMT2C and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. TCGA data indicate that KMT2C is significantly upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues, and it may serve as a key regulatory target in PFAS-related liver cancer.

Objective To compare the association of the incidence and mortality of leukemia and the human development index(HDI)in different countries or regions in 2022,and the trend of leukemia incidence and mortality with age in countries with different HDI levels.Methods GLOBOCAN 2022 data related to leukemia incidence and mortality in different countries or regions worldwide and HDI were evaluated by Pearson correlation analysis and Kruskal-Wallis test.The incidence and mortality rates of each age and the age change trend were analyzed using the Joinpoint Regression model.Results Age-standardized incidence rate(ASIR),age-standardized mortality rate(ASMR),and mortality to incidence ratio(M/I)were statistically significantly different among the four groups of HDI countries(P<0.001).HDI was positively correlated with ASIR and ASMR and negatively correlated with M/I.Among all ages,ASIR and ASMR of leukemia of the four groups had similar trends with age,and the risk of leukemia was high at ages less than 15 and more than 40.The incidence of leukemia in all age groups in China differed from those in other countries with high HDI,while the mortality rate was lower than those in other countries with high HDI.Conclusion Countries or regions with higher HDI have higher ASIR and ASMR and lower M/I because of their better medical condition.

Objective To compare artificial intelligence-assisted diagnostic system and conventional manual CT image interpretation for detection of positive pulmonary nodules and differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules, and to provide a reference for the application of artificial intelligence in clinical screening for lung cancer. Methods Patients who underwent chest CT scans for pulmonary nodules from March 2019 to December 2023 were enrolled. The CT images were subjected to artificial intelligence-based and conventional manual CT image interpretation. The pathological examination results of pulmonary lesions served as a gold standard for comparison of artificial intelligence-based and conventional manual CT image interpretation in detection rate of positive pulmonary nodules and differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules. Results A total of 327 positive pulmonary nodules were identified in 207 patients. The detection rate of positive pulmonary nodules was significantly higher with artificial intelligence-based CT image interpretation than with conventional manual CT image interpretation (95.72% vs. 86.85%; χ²=16.16, P < 0.01). Moreover, artificial intelligence-based CT image interpretation showed significantly higher detection rates for solid (χ²=7.71, P < 0.01) and ground-glass pulmonary nodules (χ²=5.80, P < 0.05) than conventional manual CT image interpretation. The detection rates for pulmonary nodules with < 1 cm (χ²=4.97, P < 0.05), 1 to < 2 cm (χ²=7.04, P < 0.01), and 2 to < 3 cm (χ²=4.91, P < 0.05) diameters were significantly higher with artificial intelligence-based CT image interpretation than with conventional manual CT image interpretation. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy for differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules were 98.08%, 91.53%, 95.33%, 96.43%, and 95.71% with artificial intelligence-based CT image interpretation and 91.34%, 77.97%, 87.96%, 32.62%, and 86.50% with conventional CT image interpretation. The sensitivity (χ²=4.70, P < 0.05), specificity (χ²=4.20, P < 0.05), negative predictive value (χ²=65.28, P < 0.01), and accuracy (χ²=8.52, P < 0.01) were significantly higher with artificial intelligence-based CT image interpretation than with conventional manual CT image interpretation. However, there was no significant difference in the positive predictive value (χ²=3.80, P > 0.05). Conclusion Compared with conventional manual CT image interpretation, artificial intelligence-assisted diagnostic system for CT image interpretation can significantly increase the detection rate of positive pulmonary nodules and improve the efficiency of differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules, so it deserves widespread applications in physical examination and early screening for lung cancer.

Objective To compare artificial intelligence-assisted diagnostic system and conventional manual CT image interpretation for detection of positive pulmonary nodules and differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules, and to provide a reference for the application of artificial intelligence in clinical screening for lung cancer. Methods Patients who underwent chest CT scans for pulmonary nodules from March 2019 to December 2023 were enrolled. The CT images were subjected to artificial intelligence-based and conventional manual CT image interpretation. The pathological examination results of pulmonary lesions served as a gold standard for comparison of artificial intelligence-based and conventional manual CT image interpretation in detection rate of positive pulmonary nodules and differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules. Results A total of 327 positive pulmonary nodules were identified in 207 patients. The detection rate of positive pulmonary nodules was significantly higher with artificial intelligence-based CT image interpretation than with conventional manual CT image interpretation (95.72% vs. 86.85%; χ²=16.16, P < 0.01). Moreover, artificial intelligence-based CT image interpretation showed significantly higher detection rates for solid (χ²=7.71, P < 0.01) and ground-glass pulmonary nodules (χ²=5.80, P < 0.05) than conventional manual CT image interpretation. The detection rates for pulmonary nodules with < 1 cm (χ²=4.97, P < 0.05), 1 to < 2 cm (χ²=7.04, P < 0.01), and 2 to < 3 cm (χ²=4.91, P < 0.05) diameters were significantly higher with artificial intelligence-based CT image interpretation than with conventional manual CT image interpretation. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy for differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules were 98.08%, 91.53%, 95.33%, 96.43%, and 95.71% with artificial intelligence-based CT image interpretation and 91.34%, 77.97%, 87.96%, 32.62%, and 86.50% with conventional CT image interpretation. The sensitivity (χ²=4.70, P < 0.05), specificity (χ²=4.20, P < 0.05), negative predictive value (χ²=65.28, P < 0.01), and accuracy (χ²=8.52, P < 0.01) were significantly higher with artificial intelligence-based CT image interpretation than with conventional manual CT image interpretation. However, there was no significant difference in the positive predictive value (χ²=3.80, P > 0.05). Conclusion Compared with conventional manual CT image interpretation, artificial intelligence-assisted diagnostic system for CT image interpretation can significantly increase the detection rate of positive pulmonary nodules and improve the efficiency of differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules, so it deserves widespread applications in physical examination and early screening for lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of bioabsorbable steroid-releasing sinus stents for improving surgical outcomes and subjective symptoms when placed in the bilateral frontal sinus opening(FSO)following full functional endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps(CRSwNP).METHODS CRSwNP patients who had under full functional endoscopic sinus surgery with complete data of nasal endoscopy and sinus computed tomography data were identified and included in the study.The patients were divided into a control group consisting of patients receiving only full functional endoscopic sinus surgery(n=92)and a stent group consisting of patients receiving full functional endoscopic sinus surgery combined with placement of steroid implants in both FSO(n=38).The visual analogue scale(VAS)subjective symptom scores and surgical outcomes were compared preoperatively,and on postoperative day(PD30 and PD90)between the two groups.RESULTS Compared to baseline,the overall symptom VAS scores of patients after operation decreased significantly in both groups(P<0.05),and the degree of improvement of overall symptoms in the stent group was significantly better than in the control group(P<0.05).On PD30,the proportion of patients requiring postoperative interventions for bilateral FSO was reduced by 42.3%in the stent group,and was significantly lower than in the control group(P<0.05).Compared to the control group,the proportion of patients needing postoperative intervention in both ethmoid sinus on the stent group decreased by 17.7%(P>0.05).The results at PD90 were consistent with those at PD30.CONCLUSION Full functional endoscopic sinus surgery in combination with bilateral frontal sinus stent implantation is better than full functional endoscopic sinus surgery alone.

Objective To understand the distribution of ecological suitability of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi;To screen the main ecological factors affecting its distribution;To predict its suitable planting area in China.Methods A total of 231 batches of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi were collected through the fourth national survey of TCM resources.The environment information of sampling points were recorded,and 55 ecological factors were analyzed by MaxEnt model and GIS.Results Rainfall,vegetation type and soil types had a greater influence on the distribution of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi.The ecological suitable areas of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi mainly concentrated in the eastern part of Shaanxi Province,the western part of Hebei Province and most areas of Chengde,the most part of Shanxi Province,the western part of Beijing,the western part of Liaoning Province,the central and eastern part of Shandong Province,the junction of Jiangsu and Anhui Province,the northern part of Yunnan Province,and the eastern and southern part of Sichuan Province.Conclusion The ecological suitability areas of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi were classified in this study,and the results could provide reference for the selection of cultivation areas of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi.

The Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltransferase (SAGA) is an ancillary transcription initiation complex which is highly conserved. The ADA1 (alteration/deficiency in activation 1, also called histone H2A functional interactor 1, HFI1) is a subunit in the core module of the SAGA protein complex. ADA1 plays an important role in plant growth and development as well as stress resistance. In this paper, we performed genome-wide identification of banana ADA1 gene family members based on banana genomic data, and analyzed the basic physicochemical properties, evolutionary relationships, selection pressure, promoter cis-acting elements, and its expression profiles under biotic and abiotic stresses. The results showed that there were 10, 6, and 7 family members in Musa acuminata, Musa balbisiana and Musa itinerans. The members were all unstable and hydrophilic proteins, and only contained the conservative SAGA-Tad1 domain. Both MaADA1 and MbADA1 have interactive relationship with Sgf11 (SAGA-associated factor 11) of core module in SAGA. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that banana ADA1 gene family members could be divided into 3 classes. The evolution of ADA1 gene family members was mostly influenced by purifying selection. There were large differences among the gene structure of banana ADA1 gene family members. ADA1 gene family members contained plenty of hormonal elements. MaADA1-1 may play a prominent role in the resistance of banana to cold stress, while MaADA1 may respond to the Panama disease of banana. In conclusion, this study suggested ADA1 gene family members are highly conserved in banana, and may respond to biotic and abiotic stress.
Musa/genetics* ; Phylogeny ; Fungal Proteins ; Cell Nucleus ; Histones ; Stress, Physiological/genetics*

ObjectiveTo compare the annual and age trends of the age-standard incidence rate （ASIR） and the age-standard mortality rate （ASMR） of lung cancer in countries with different human development index （HDI） from 1990 to 2019. MethodsThe data were collected from the global burden of disease study and GLOBOCAN 2020. The average annual percentage change （AAPC） and age trends of ASIR and ASMR in lung cancer were analyzed by the Joinpoint regression model， and the comparison between the four groups was analyzed by Kruskale-Wallis analysis. ResultsIn 2020， the incidence and mortality of lung cancer gradually increased with age and HDI grade. From 1990 to 2019， the global ASIR and ASMR of lung cancer decreased， and the ASIR of lung cancer among male decreased， while the ASIR of lung cancer among female increased. The results showed that ASIR of lung cancer in female residents in countries with very high HDI increased significantly from 1996 to 2011， resulting in an overall upward trend in female ASIR， while the other groups showed a downward trend. It was found that ASIR and ASMR of lung cancer in China and India were on the rise， while ASIR and ASMR of lung cancer in Russia and the United States were on the decline. ConclusionAlthough very high/high HDI countries face a higher burden of lung cancer occurrence and death， the accumulation of lung cancer burden is completed in the transitioning period. Therefore， lung cancer prevention measures in countries in transition are critical for global lung cancer control.

Objective:To provide scientific basis for prevention and control measures of island regions through analyzing the characteristics of malignant tumor incidence and mortality in eastern island areas of China and comparing the data with the national cancer mortality data in the same period. Methods:Using the incidence and mortality data of malignant tumor in Daishan county,Zhoushan collected by the Daishan Center for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC)from 2014 to 2019,which was stratified by gender,the crude incidence rates(CIR)and crude mortality rates(CMR)were calculated,and the top 10 malignant tumors with the highest incidence or mortality rates were then ranked.The Segi's world standard population was used to calculate the age-standardized incidence(ASIR)and age-standardized mortality rate(ASMR).The local data were compared with the national cancer mortality data from 2014 to 2019,and Chi-square test was used to analyze the differences between these two sets of data using the SPSS software.The difference was considered statistically significant when P<0.05. Results:There was a total of 7 305 incidence cases of malignant tumors in Daishan county,Zhoushan from 2014 to 2019.The CIR was 662.39/105 and the ASIR was 306.81/105.Notably,the CIR was the highest in the age group of 75-79 years old.The top 5 malignant tumors with the highest incidence rates were lung cancer(27.15％),gastric cancer(12.76％),liver cancer(10.95％),colorectal cancer(6.92％)and breast cancer(5.42％),whose ASIR were 75.09/105,32.06/105,31.01/105,17.81/105 and 18.36/105,respectively.There was a total of 3 412 mortality cases of malignant tumors in Daishan county,Zhoushan from 2014 to 2019.The CMR was 309.39/105 and the ASMR was 122.73/105.Notably,the CMR was the highest in the age group of 80-85 years old.The top 5 malignant tumors with the highest mortality rates were lung cancer(24.94％),liver cancer(18.64％),gastric cancer(17.00％),colorectal cancer(7.56％)and esophageal cancer(5.72％),whose ASMR were 29.65/105,24.97/105,19.01/105,8.75/105 and 6.60/105,respectively.The total ASMR of malignant tumors in Daishan county,Zhoushan was higher than national total ASMR from 2014 to 2019(100.34/105)(P<0.001).Specifically,the ASMR of gastric cancer,lung cancer and colorectal cancer in Daishan county were significantly higher than national levels(gastric cancer:12.46/105;liver cancer:16.45/105;colorectal cancer:6.63/105)(P<0.01),whereas no significant difference in the ASMR of lung cancer and esophageal cancer between Daishan county and the whole nation(lung cancer:28.06/105;esophageal cancer:7.61/105)was observed. Conclusion:Lung cancer,gastric cancer,liver cancer and colorectal cancer were malignant tumors with higher incidence and mortality rates in Daishan county,Zhoushan from 2014 to 2019.Particularly,the ASMR of gastric cancer,liver cancer and colorectal cancer were significantly higher than the national levels,and these malignant tumors should be considered as the major focus of cancer prevention and control.

Objective:To observe the impact of core stability training in the sling exercise therapy pattern on the balance of stroke survivors.Methods:Sixty stroke survivors were randomly divided into a control group ( n=30) and an experimental group ( n=30). In addition to routine rehabilitation training, the control group received traditional core stability training, while the experimental group underwent core stability training applying the sling exercise therapy pattern. Before and after 4 weeks of training, the standing balance of both groups was evaluated using the Prokin balance trainer, with the length and area of motion recorded when performing the balance test with the eyes open and closed. Surface electromyography was used to record the average EMG (AEMG) values of the bilateral erector spinae and multifidus muscles during the balance testing. Results:After the 4 weeks of training the length and the area of progression of the center of the pressure were both significantly smaller for both groups than before the training with the eyes both open and closed. The average length and area in the experimental group were significantly less than among the controls. The AEMG values recorded during the balance tests were significantly higher than those before the intervention for both groups, with the multifidus muscle averages on the affected side significantly greater in the experimental group than among the controls when performing the balance test with the eyes closed.Conclusion:Core stability training in the sling exercise therapy pattern is superior to conventional core stability training because it can better improve the balance of stroke survivors.