Objective To identify long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) associated with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) and investigate their mechanisms. Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected from RA-ILD patients (n＝3), RA patients without lung involvement (n＝3), and healthy controls (n＝3). Next-generation sequencing was performed to screen differentially expressed lncRNA. A human fibrotic lung cell model was established by inducing the MRC-5 cell line with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Following siRNA-mediated knockdown of target genes, changes in inflammatory and oxidative stress-related genes were analyzed via real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Western blotting and dual-luciferase reporter (DLR) assays were used to validate protein expression, ubiquitination levels, and nuclear translocation of oxidative stress regulators, and antioxidant response element (ARE) transcriptional activity. Rescue experiments were conducted to confirm the role of target lncRNA in oxidative stress and inflammation in fibrotic lung cells. Results High-throughput sequencing revealed significant downregulation of LINC00638 in RA-ILD patients. Knockdown of LINC00638 markedly reduced transcriptional levels of interleukin (IL)-4, nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), while increasing IL-6, IL-1β, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Furthermore, LINC00638 knockdown decreased Nrf2 protein expression, increased its ubiquitination, reduced nuclear translocation, and suppressed ARE transcriptional activity. In MRC-5 cells, LINC00638 knockdown combined with N-acetylcysteine treatment restored Nrf2 and HO-1 levels while reducing IL-6 expression. Conclusions LINC00638 suppresses inflammatory responses in RA-ILD by activating the Nrf2/ARE antioxidant signaling pathway, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for diagnosis and treatment.

Objective To systematically analyze the medical radiation exposure levels in a district of Ningbo City and to provide a scientific basis for the reasonable and effective control of medical radiation exposure. Methods Based on the radiological diagnosis frequency and dose information system, basic medical radiation exposure data were collected, such as radiation doses received by patients in various X-ray diagnostic examinations, from all 13 public medical institutions in a district of Ningbo City from January 1 to December 31, 2020. The data were analyzed for the percentage and collective effective dose of various diagnostic examinations, the distribution of examinations by sex and age, and the number of patients undergoing two or more examinations and their cumulative doses within multiple time intervals. Results Among medical X-ray diagnostic examinations in the district, the percentages of CT examination and routine photography examination were 50.88% and 47.93%, respectively, and the collective effective dose of CT examination accounted for 97.75%. By age and sex, the frequency of examination was the highest in the age group of 45-54 years, and the frequency of examination in the male was higher than that in the female before age 55. The annual effective dose for two patients exceeded 100 mSv. Conclusion In this study, CT examination accounted for up to 50.88% of all medical X-ray diagnostic examinations, and contributed 97.75% of the collective effective dose, highlighting the need for particular attention to the justification of medical radiation exposure from CT.

Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Constipation/therapy* ; Probiotics/therapeutic use* ; Patients

Objective: To explore the expression and clinical significance of histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and provide a research basis for targeted therapy of HDAC5. Methods: Screening sample data of OSCC patients in TCGA database, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the prognostic value of HDAC5 in OSCC. Kaplan-Meier analysis was also used to analyze the correlation between HDAC5 and the prognosis of OSCC patients. Further, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were used to explore the potential role of HDAC5 in OSCC. Finally, the study was approved by the ethics committee and the expression level of HDAC5 in OSCC was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC), while the relationship between HDAC5 and the clinical pathological characteristics of OSCC patients was analyzed. Results: The expression of HDAC5 can be used to assess the prognosis of OSCC patients (AUC=0.743). High expression of HDAC5 was significantly correlated with low survival probability in OSCC patients (P < 0.05). OSCC patients with high HDAC5 expression in G3/G4 pathological grading (P=0.022), OSCC patients with high HDAC5 expression in the T3/T4 stage (P=0.028), and OSCC patients with high HDAC5 expression in lymph node metastasis (P=0.019) had lower survival probability. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed that genes differentially expressed with HDAC5 were mainly enriched in axon generation, neuronal cell body formation, collagen fiber synthesis, neuroactive ligand receptor interactions, gated channel activity, and extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction pathways (P < 0.05). The IHC results showed that HDAC5 was highly expressed in OSCC (P < 0.05). The high expression group of HDAC5 had higher T staging (P=0.041) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.010). Conclusion HDAC5 is highly expressed in OSCC and can predict the prognosis of OSCC, and HDAC5 could serve as a therapeutic target for OSCC.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of leptospirosis in China from 2010 to 2022, so as to provide insights into formulation of the leptospirosis control strategy. Methods All data pertaining to clinically diagnosed cases and confirmed cases of leptospirosis reported in China from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2022 was collected from Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information Management System. The spatial, temporal and population distributions, and report and diagnosis institutions of leptospirosis cases were analyzed using a descriptive epidemiological method. Results A total of 4 559 leptospirosis cases were reported in China from 2010 to 2022, with an annual average number of 351 cases, and the number of reported leptospirosis cases reduced from 679 cases in 2010 to 158 cases in 2018. A total of 4 276 leptospirosis cases were reported in Sichuan Province, Yunnan Province, Guangdong Province, Hunan Province, Fujian Province, Zhejiang Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Anhui Province, Jiangxi Province and Guizhou Province, accounting for 93.79% of the total number of leptospirosis cases in China. The number of leptospirosis cases had recently appeared a remarkable decline in Yunnan Province, while a significant rise was seen in the number of leptospirosis cases in two provinces of Zhejiang and Guangdong. No leptospirosis cases were reported in Henan Province from 2010 to 2020; however, there were 5 cases and 2 cases reported in 2021 and 2022, respectively. There was only one leptospirosis case reported in Shaanxi Province from 2010 to 2017; however, leptospirosis cases were reported in the province for 5 consecutive years since 2018. Leptospirosis cases were reported throughout the year in China from 2010 to 2022, with the peak of incidence found during the period between August and October, and the peak of leptospirosis incidence varied in provinces. A higher number of leptospirosis cases was seen among men than among women, with a male to female ratio of 2.3:1, and the median age of leptospirosis cases was 50 years (interquartile range, 23 years), with the highest proportion of leptospirosis cases reported at ages of 51 to 60 years (23.21%). Among all reported leptospirosis cases, 53.28% were confirmed cases, and the proportion of confirmed cases increased from 35.05% in 2010 to 61.66% in 2022. In addition, there were 67.22% of leptospirosis cases (2 937 cases) reported by comprehensive hospitals, 20.44% (893 cases) by disease control and prevention institutions, 7.23% (316 cases) by grassroots healthcare institutions and 5.10% (223 cases) by other healthcare and medical institutions, and the mortality of reported leptospirosis cases was 1.07% in China from 2010 to 2022, with a higher mortality seen among men than among women (1.39% vs. 0.36%; χ² = 9.52, P = 0.002). Conclusions The incidence of leptospirosis remained at a low level in China from 2010 to 2022, and southern China was still the main endemic area for leptospirosis. The epidemiological characteristics of leptospirosis cases varied in endemic provinces, and leptospirosis cases had been continued to be reported in Shaanxi and Henan provinces, which should be paid much attention to. Intensified surveillance of leptospirosis, improved diagnosis and treatment capability of leptospirosis cases and leptospirosis control with adaptations to local circumstance are recommended.

BACKGROUND:Previous brain studies have mostly focused on adults and fetuses,and the developmental characteristics of young children's brainstems have rarely been studied. OBJECTIVE:To observe the brainstem development characteristics of healthy young children and to explore the age-related differences and their correlation with sex. METHODS:From January 2019 to April 2022,a retrospective study of 3.0T MRI images of 174 children aged 2 to 6 years in the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University was conducted,and the median sagittal diameter,area and angle of the brainstem(including midbrain,pons and medulla oblongata)were measured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There is an age-related increase in the anterior and posterior diameters of the midbrain,pons and medulla oblongata in the 2-5 years old group as well as in the longitudinal diameter and area of the midbrain,pons and medulla oblongata in the 2-6 years old group.Except for the longitudinal diameter of the medulla oblongata,all others show a positive correlation with age(r>0,P<0.05).In the 2-3 years old group and 4-5 years old group,the children are in the rapid growth and development stage,and these two age groups can be used as the key observation indicators for the development of young children.The anterior-posterior diameter,longitudinal diameter,area of the pons and total brainstem area are strongly correlated with age,which can be used as the key observation indicators for the brainstem development in young children.

Objective This study aimed to explore the relationships between residential greenness and cardiometabolic risk factors among rural adults in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region(Xinjiang)and thus provide a theoretical basis and data support for improving the health of residents in this region. Methods We recruited 9,723 adult rural residents from the 51st Regiment of the Third Division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps in September 2016.The normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI)was used to estimate residential greenness.The generalized linear mixed model(GLMM)was used to examine the association between residential greenness and cardiometabolic risk factors. Results Higher residential greenness was associated with lower cardiometabolic risk factor prevalence.After adjustments were made for age,sex,education,and marital status,for each interquartile range(IQR)increase of NDVI500-m,the risk of hypertension was reduced by 10.3%(OR=0.897,95%CI=0.836-0.962),the risk of obesity by 20.5%(OR=0.795,95%CI=0.695-0.910),the risk of type 2 diabetes by 15.1%(OR=0.849,95%CI=0.740-0.974),and the risk of dyslipidemia by 10.5%(OR=0.895,95%CI=0.825-0.971).Risk factor aggregation was reduced by 20.4%(OR=0.796,95%CI=0.716-0.885)for the same.Stratified analysis showed that NDVI500-m was associated more strongly with hypertension,dyslipidemia,and risk factor aggregation among male participants.The association of NDVI500-m with type 2 diabetes was stronger among participants with a higher education level.PM10 and physical activity mediated 1.9%-9.2%of the associations between NDVI500-m and obesity,dyslipidemia,and risk factor aggregation. Conclusion Higher residential greenness has a protective effect against cardiometabolic risk factors among rural residents in Xinjiang.Increasing the area of green space around residences is an effective measure to reduce the burden of cardiometabolic-related diseases among rural residents in Xinjiang.

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of laboratory examination in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) for interstitial lung disease (ILD) and its application value in assessing the degree of fibrosis in the disease.Methods:Retrospective analysis. The clinical data of ILD patients treated in Shanghai First People′s Hospital from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023[104 cases, male︰female=48︰56, (62.79±1.24) years] were collected. According to the imaging scores, they were divided into a mild fibrosis ILD group [53 cases, male︰female=26︰27, (61.32±1.71) years] and a moderate to severe ILD fibrosis group [51 cases, male︰female=22︰29, (64.31±1.88) years]. Patients with community-acquired pneumonia without fibrotic lesions by HRCTduring the same period were selected as the control group [49 cases, male︰female=25︰24, (65.37±1.65)years]. The clinical information of all study subjects, as well as BALF lymphocyte subset analysis, cytokine and cytology count detection results were collected. Furthermore, the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to screen the differential indexes, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the differential indexes to assess the degree of ILD pulmonary fibrosis.Results:Compared with the non-fibrotic pneumonia group, IL-6, IL-8, CD4+CD45RO+cells and macrophages (M%) were significantly upregulated in the mild fibrosis ILD group (P<0.05), and significantly higher in the moderate to severe fibrosis ILD group ( P<0.05). Compared with the non-fibrotic pneumonia group, IL-1β and white blood cell (WBC) count were significantly upregulated only in the moderate to severe fibrotic ILD group ( P<0.05). The correction model was constructed by stepwise logistic regression analysis, and the differential indexes were combined, and the proportion of IL-1β+IL-6+IL-8+CD4+CD45RO+cells+macrophages was finally screened as the optimal combined diagnostic mode, with an area under the curve of 0.925, sensitivity of 92.3%, and specificity of 80.0%. Conclusion:Compared with the non-fibrotic pneumonia group, BALF-derived IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, CD4+CD45RO+cells, WBC count and M% can be used as potential biomarkers to assess the degree of fibrosis, and the combination of IL-1β+IL-6+IL-8+CD4+CD45RO+cells+macrophages has a better diagnostic efficacy for moderate to severe fibrotic ILD.

Objective:To establish a standardized information management system (IMS) for preserving, managing, querying, and performing statistics on biospecimens and their clinical data, which is conducive to improving the utilization of biobank.Methods:Under the premise of ensuring operating environment and data security, a database-based data logic relationship model is created and applied to the IMS to manage and analyze biospecimens and their supporting clinical information of patients enrolled in the biobank of our center.Results:To ensure the establishment of the follow-up cohort, biospecimens and clinical information of inpatients and outpatients were continuously collected in the biobank of our center. Since December 2014, more than 270 000 biospecimens from inpatient, outpatient, and scientific research have been preserved. The IMS optimized by this model efficiently completes the basic work of the biobank. At the same time, the data can be queried jointly and in batches, and then converted into a report format for statistical analysis.Conclusions:The IMS of our center is suitable for application and popularization as a construction and management model for the hospital-level biobank, which meets the daily work of the biobank and diverse research needs, and provides a convenient platform and rich resources for the development of precision medicine.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of standard treatment with or without adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with highly malignant non-metastatic prostate cancer.Methods:In this prospective non-randomized controlled study, consecutive non-metastatic prostate cancer patients with pathologically proven Gleason score of 9-10 or Gleason score of 5 admitted to Peking University First Hospital were enrolled. Four to six cycles of chemotherapy using docetaxel ± carboplatin regimen were added or not after standard radical therapy. The primary end point was 5-year event-free survival (EFS), and the secondary end points were distant metastasis-free survival (MFS), overall survival (OS), and treatment-related adverse events. The survival curve was drawn by Kaplan-Meier method. The differences between two groups were analyzed by log-rank test.Results:A total of 176 patients were consecutively enrolled from November 2019 to January 2022 of which 138 patients received only standard radical therapy (control group), and 38 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy after standard radical therapy (chemotherapy group). The median follow-up time was 13.4 (2.0-34.0) months. All patients survived. The 30-month EFS rates in the chemotherapy and control groups were 100% and 85.6%, respectively ( P=0.064). There were no events in the chemotherapy group, while there were 12 cases of events in the control group, including 6 cases of biochemical recurrence and 6 cases of imaging progression. The 30-month MFS rates in two groups were 100% and 91.9%, respectively ( P=0.205). After the 1 vs. 2 propensity score matching, the EFS and MFS rates in two groups were 100% vs. 85.7% ( P=0.056), and 100% vs. 92.2% ( P=0.209), respectively. The incidence rates of grade 2 and above urinary toxicity in the chemotherapy and control groups were 2.6% and 7.2% ( P=0.354), respectively. The incidence rates of grade 2 and above rectal toxicity were 5.3% and 5.1% ( P=0.711), respectively. Grade 3 and above chemotherapy-related toxicity in the chemotherapy group were leukopenia (31.6%), thrombocytopenia (2.6%) and alopecia (13.2%). Conclusion:The addition of adjuvant chemotherapy after standard radical therapy tends to improve the overall EFS of patients with highly malignant prostate cancer, and the adverse effects are tolerable, which should be confirmed by long-term follow-up results.