Objective To investigate the radon activity concentrations in subways of Nanning City and assess the average annual effective doses for subway staff and passengers due to radon exposure. Methods Sixty-three stations across the subway lines 2, 3, and 5 were selected as study sites. Radon activity concentrations were measured using the scintillation counting method with scintillation vials. Results The radon activity concentrations in subway lines 2, 3, and 5 were 7.9-24.4, 12.0-26.2, and 12.6-18.2 Bq/m³, respectively. The average radon activity concentrations for these three lines were (17.4 ± 4.6), (19.1 ± 4.1), and (14.6 ± 1.7) Bq/m³, respectively. Statistical analysis using SPSS 26.0 software revealed a significant difference in radon activity concentrations among these stations (P<0.01). Considering the data in previous research, the average radon activity concentration across all stations in the subway lines of Nanning City was determined to be 17.4 Bq/m³. The estimated average annual effective dose due to radon exposure was 0.131 mSv for subway staff and 0.033 mSv for passengers. Conclusion The radon activity concentrations in the subway lines of Nanning City were significantly lower than the national standard limit (400 Bq/m³). The annual effective doses from radon exposure for both subway staff and passengers were below the limits specified in the Basic Standards for Protection Against Ionizing Radiation and for the Safety of Radiation Sources (GB18871—2002). The health impact of radon and its progeny on subway staff and passengers in the subway lines of Nanning City was extremely low and can be considered negligible.

Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with different numbers of ports in the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax. Methods We conducted a comprehensive search of CNKI, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMbase, Wanfang Data, and the Chinese Medical Journal Full-text Database for clinical controlled trials on VATS with different port numbers for spontaneous pneumothorax, from their inception to March 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature and assessed its quality.The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the methodological quality of cohort and case-control studies, and the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used to evaluate randomized controlled trials (RCT). Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.1 software. Results A total of 107 studies were included, comprising 35 RCT, 2 cohort studies, and 70 case-control studies. All cohort and case-control studies included in the analysis had NOS scores≥7. The meta-analysis revealed that compared to two-port VATS (2P-VATS) and three-port VATS (3P-VATS), single-port thoracoscopic surgery (SPTS) was associated with less intraoperative blood loss (SMD=–1.58, 95%CI: –1.93 to –1.22, P<0.001; and SMD=–1.59, 95%CI: –2.03 to –1.14, P<0.001, respectively), shorter postoperative hospital stay (SMD=–1.05, 95%CI: –1.29 to –0.82, P<0.001; and SMD=–1.08, 95%CI: –1.39 to –0.77, P<0.001), shorter duration of postoperative chest tube drainage (SMD=–0.75, 95%CI: –1.00 to –0.50, P<0.001; and SMD=–1.23, 95%CI: –1.72 to –0.75, P<0.001), fewer postoperative complications (OR=0.34, 95%CI: 0.26 to 0.45, P<0.001; and OR=0.47, 95%CI: 0.33 to 0.68, P<0.001), and lower pain scores at 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery (P<0.05). The operative time for SPTS was shorter than that for 2P-VATS (SMD=–0.53, 95%CI: –0.90 to –0.16, P=0.005) but showed no significant difference compared to 3P-VATS (P=0.21). When comparing 2P-VATS with 3P-VATS, 2P-VATS demonstrated less intraoperative blood loss (SMD=–1.02, 95%CI: –1.81 to –0.22, P=0.01), shorter postoperative hospital stay (SMD=–0.59, 95%CI: –1.11 to –0.06, P=0.03), shorter duration of chest tube drainage (SMD=–0.46, 95%CI: –0.85 to –0.08, P=0.02), fewer postoperative complications (OR=0.36, 95%CI: 0.22 to 0.59, P<0.001), and lower pain scores at 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery (P≤0.05). Conclusion Both SPTS and 2P-VATS are effective and safe surgical options for spontaneous pneumothorax, deserving further promotion and application in clinical practice. However, due to limitations in the quantity and quality of the included studies, more large-sample, high-quality research is needed to validate these findings.

Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in treating esophageal cancer patients of different genders. Methods Computer searches were conducted on PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases to collect randomized controlled trial (RCT) on ICIs treatment for esophageal cancer patients from the establishment of the databases to January 25, 2024. Two researchers independently screened the literature and extracted data according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The outcome indicators were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), and RevMan 5.4 software was used for meta-analysis. The modified Jadad scoring scale was used to evaluate the quality of the included literature. Results A total of 10 RCT involving 5364 esophageal cancer patients were included in this study, with 2684 patients in the trial group and 2680 patients in the control group. The Jadad scores of the included literature were all ≥6 points, indicating high-quality RCT. Meta-analysis results showed that female esophageal cancer patients receiving ICIs treatment [HR=0.72, 95%CI (0.59, 0.87), P<0.001] had a more significant median OS prolongation than male patients [HR=0.73, 95%CI (0.68, 0.78), P<0.001]; while male patients [HR=0.57, 95%CI (0.52, 0.64), P<0.001] had a more significant PFS prolongation than female patients [HR=0.72, 95%CI (0.55, 0.94), P=0.01]. Female patients treated with ICIs alone [HR=0.66, 95%CI (0.50, 0.87), P=0.003] had a more significant median OS prolongation than male patients [HR=0.79, 95%CI (0.72, 0.87), P<0.001]; while male patients receiving ICIs combined with chemotherapy [HR=0.67, 95%CI (0.61, 0.74), P<0.001] had a more significant median OS prolongation than female patients [HR=0.77, 95%CI (0.59, 1.01), P=0.06]. Conclusion Female patients receiving ICIs have a slight advantage in OS compared to male patients, while male patients have an advantage in PFS. Male patients receiving ICIs combined with chemotherapy have better survival benefits than female patients, while female patients using ICIs monotherapy have better survival benefits than male patients.

BACKGROUND: Temozolomide (TMZ) resistance is a significant challenge in treating glioblastoma (GBM). Collagen remodeling has been shown to be a critical factor for therapy resistance in other cancers. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of TMZ chemoresistance by GBM cells reprogramming collagens. METHODS: Key extracellular matrix components, including collagens, were examined in paired primary and recurrent GBM samples as well as in TMZ-treated spontaneous and grafted GBM murine models. Human GBM cell lines (U251, TS667) and mouse primary GBM cells were used for in vitro studies. RNA-sequencing analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation, immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, and co-immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to explore the mechanisms involved in collagen accumulation. A series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were designed to assess the role of the collagen regulators prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit alpha 1 (P4HA1) and yes-associated protein (YAP) in sensitizing GBM cells to TMZ. RESULTS: This study revealed that TMZ exposure significantly elevated collagen type I (COL I) expression in both GBM patients and murine models. Collagen accumulation sustained GBM cell survival under TMZ-induced stress, contributing to enhanced TMZ resistance. Mechanistically, P4HA1 directly binded to and hydroxylated YAP, preventing ubiquitination-mediated YAP degradation. Stabilized YAP robustly drove collagen type I alpha 1 ( COL1A1) transcription, leading to increased collagen deposition. Disruption of the P4HA1-YAP axis effectively reduced COL I deposition, sensitized GBM cells to TMZ, and significantly improved mouse survival. CONCLUSION P4HA1 maintained YAP-mediated COL1A1 transcription, leading to collagen accumulation and promoting chemoresistance in GBM.
Temozolomide ; Humans ; Glioblastoma/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Mice ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics* ; YAP-Signaling Proteins ; Hydroxylation ; Dacarbazine/pharmacology* ; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism* ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Collagen/biosynthesis* ; Collagen Type I/metabolism* ; Prolyl Hydroxylases/metabolism* ; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating/therapeutic use*

Objective:The aim of this study was to assess the frailty status of patients with heart failure undergoing CRT-D and then explore the predictive value of frailty for all-cause mortality and heart failure-related readmissions in these patients.Methods:We retrospectively included 374 patients with chronic heart failure who underwent CRT-D treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between June 2020 and June 2024. Based on the Tilburg Debilitation Assessment Scale, 175 patients (46.8%) were classified as frail while 199 (53.2%) were classified as non-frail. The baseline data between the two groups was compared using Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier curves were used for survival analysis. P-values of <0.05 indicated statistically significant differences. Results:A total of 374 patients aged 25-93 (68±11) years were enrolled in this study, 101 (27.0%) of which were female. Among these, 175 (46.8%) were categorized as frail, and 199 (53.2%) were classified as non-frail. Over a median follow-up time of 23 (5, 45) months, 35 (9.4%) patients experienced all-cause mortality, with 30 (17.1%) deaths occurring in the frail group and 5 (2.5%) in the non-frail group; meanwhile, readmission events due to heart failure occurred in a total of 174 (46.5%) patients, including 122 (70.1%) in the frail group, and 52 (29.9%) in the non-frail group. Cox analysis showed that frailty was a significant determinant of all-cause mortality ( HR=21.25, 95% CI 3.99-113.30, P<0.001) and readmission among heart failure patients receiving CRT-D ( HR=2.52, 95% CI 1.73-3.68, P<0.001). Log-rank tests showed that the survival rate of patients in the frail group was significantly lower than that of patients in the non-frail group ( HR=7.22, 95% CI 2.80-18.60, P<0.001) and the risk of readmission events due to heart failure was significantly higher among patients in the frail group than among those in the non-frail group ( HR=2.75, 95% CI 1.98-3.81, P<0.001). Conclusions:Frailty is an independent predictor of postoperative all-cause mortality and the occurrence of heart failure-related readmissions in patients with heart failure treated receiving CRT-D.

Objective:The Fuxing Program was established in Zhuhai as an action plan to micro-eliminate hepatitis C in response to the World Health Organization's goal of eliminating hepatitis C by 2030. Therefore, the effectiveness of this program in terms of hepatitis C screening, treatment, follow-up, and other aspects is evaluated here.Methods:The "Fuxing Project" was established in May 2021 under the supervision of the Zhuhai Medical Quality Control Center for Infectious Diseases. A bridge was formed among the governmental entities, hospitals at all levels, and the community to train hepatitis C prevention and control strategies. Hepatitis C screening, publicity, and educational awareness were conducted in-and out-of-hospital. The responsibility for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of a patient with hepatitis C was assigned to the staff. The screening and treatment rates of hepatitis C in hospitals before and after the initiation of the project were compared and analyzed using the χ2 test or Fisher's exact test. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and treatment status were investigated and analyzed among the general population, high-risk populations such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, drug addicts, and the population residing in supervised sites within Zhuhai communities, rural areas, schools, or factories. Results:Anti-HCV positivity rate (0.82% vs. 0.43%, P<0.001), HCV RNA detection rate (98.1% vs. 59.5%, P<0.001), HCV RNA detection positivity rate (52.56% vs. 29.76%, P<0.001), HCV RNA positivity rate (0.4% vs. 0.13%, P<0.001), and hepatitis C treatment rate (76.76% vs. 31.97%, P<0.001) were significantly higher among the inpatient population after the Fuxing Program initiation than before. The HCV RNA detection rate (58.52% vs. 6.93%, P<0.001) and HCV RNA detection positivity rate (77.72% vs. 29.41%, P<0.001) in Zhuhai were significantly higher after the Fuxing Program initiation than before. Anti-HCV positivity rate (0.46% vs. 1.28%, P=0.009) and HCV RNA (0.32% vs. 0.99%, P=0.03) were significantly lower in the Zhuhai general population of urban communities than those of the general population in rural areas. The HCV infection rate was more than three times higher in rural populations than in urban populations. Anti-HCV positivity rate, HCV RNA positivity rate, HCV RNA detection positivity rate, and hepatitis C treatment rates were 2.64% (31/1 175), 3.40% (69/2 022) and 94.4% (34/36), 2.64% (31/1 175), 2.72% (55/2 022), 50.00% (18/36), and 100% (31/31), 79.71% (55/69) and 52.94% (18/34), and 100% (31/31), 0 (0/55) and 55.55% (10/18) among the HIV infection, supervised population under supervised sites, and methadone maintenance treatment clinic population, respectively. Anti-HCV positivity rate (4.15% vs. 0.72%, P<0.001) and HCV RNA (3.22% vs. 0.53%, P<0.001) were significantly higher in the high-risk group than those in the general population, while the treatment rate of hepatitis C in the high-risk group (39.42% vs. 82.35%, P<0.01) was significantly lower than that of the general population. Conclusion:The establishment of the hospital grid linkage mechanism and the management model of hepatitis C follow-up by specialists, with the infectious diseases medical quality control center as the supervisory body, have improved the screening rate, the HCV RNA detection rate, and the treatment rate in the hospital, thereby providing a reference for exploring a management model to eliminate the nationwide threat of hepatitis C.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of mucogingival surgery on aesthetic restoration during the resection of anterio tooth epulis.Methods:A total of 60 patients with gingival tumors in the anterior tooth area were collected,and a control group of17 cases were treated with traditional surgical resection.After tumor resection,the study group of 43 cases underwent simultaneous repair with gingival membrane surgery.Group A underwent coronal reduction flap surgery,group B underwent lateral transposition flap sur-gery,and group C underwent connective tissue graft and coronal reduction flap surgery.Follow up examinations were conducted at 2 month,6 months,and 1 year after surgery to record the distance of gingival recession,the difference between the width of the atta-ched gingiva and the corresponding tooth on the opposite side,the red aesthetic index,patient satisfaction VAS,and postoperative recurrence.Results:The postoperative gingival recession distance in the study group was lower than that in the control group,and the difference between the attached gingival width and the opposite homonymous tooth in the study group was lower than that in the control group.Conclusion:The use of gingival membrane surgery in the anterior tooth area for aesthetic restoration after gingival tumor resection is effective and worthy of promotion.

Osteoporosis is common in elderly population.The risk of falls and bone fractures in elderly patients with osteoporosis are closely related to the elderly syndrome[1].This article introduces the coexistence of osteoporosis and geriatric syndrome,which will limit the functional independence of patients and lead to more complex medical man-agement.Osteoporosis has some association with common geriatric syndromes,and patients with osteoporosis are more likely to suffer from more geriatric syndromes,and their quality of life and prognosis are worse.This article re-views epidemiological status,influencing factors and management strategies of osteoporosis comorbid with geriatric syndrome,aiming to provide a basis for the integrated management of osteoporosis.

Objective To explore the application value of CT combined with peripheral blood eosinophils(EOS)for distinguishing eosinophilic asthma(EA)from eosinophilic bronchitis(EB).Methods The clinical characteristics,peripheral blood EOS detection and imaging features of 523 patients(328 cases of EA and 195 cases of EB)were retrospectively analyzed.Univariate analysis identi-fied statistically significant parameters,which were further utilized in binary logistic regression to construct an imaging model and a combined model incorporating clinical characteristics,peripheral blood EOS and imaging features.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted to evaluate the performance of each model.Results Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in age,body mass index(BMI),peripheral blood EOS count,peripheral blood EOS percentage,and 11 ima-ging features,including bilateral lung,bronchial wall thickening and bronchial mucus plugs(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of the imaging model and the combined model were 0.891 and 0.918,respectively.Conclusion The combined application of CT and peripheral blood EOS detection can improve the efficiency,simplicity,and accessibility of distinguishing EA from EB.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of mucogingival surgery on aesthetic restoration during the resection of anterio tooth epulis.Methods:A total of 60 patients with gingival tumors in the anterior tooth area were collected,and a control group of17 cases were treated with traditional surgical resection.After tumor resection,the study group of 43 cases underwent simultaneous repair with gingival membrane surgery.Group A underwent coronal reduction flap surgery,group B underwent lateral transposition flap sur-gery,and group C underwent connective tissue graft and coronal reduction flap surgery.Follow up examinations were conducted at 2 month,6 months,and 1 year after surgery to record the distance of gingival recession,the difference between the width of the atta-ched gingiva and the corresponding tooth on the opposite side,the red aesthetic index,patient satisfaction VAS,and postoperative recurrence.Results:The postoperative gingival recession distance in the study group was lower than that in the control group,and the difference between the attached gingival width and the opposite homonymous tooth in the study group was lower than that in the control group.Conclusion:The use of gingival membrane surgery in the anterior tooth area for aesthetic restoration after gingival tumor resection is effective and worthy of promotion.