Background Platelet parameters are important indicators of cardiovascular risk, and environmental pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may impair platelet function through oxidative stress. Objective To investigate the differential effects of single and mixed exposure to PCBs on platelet parameters among individuals with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to evaluate the potential modifying role of a healthy lifestyle. Methods This study included 2249 participants (including 707 with NGT, 759 with IFG, and 783 with T2DM). Plasma PCB concentrations were measured using triple quadrupole gaschromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Generalized linear regression was used to assess the associations between individual PCB congeners and platelet parameters. Quantile g-computation (QGC) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were used to evaluate the overall effects of PCBs mixture exposure on platelet parameters across different glycemic states, as well as its interaction with healthy lifestyle score (HLS). Results Generalized linear regression analyses showed significant differences in the effects of PCBs on platelet parameters across different glycemic states (P<0.05). After adjusting for confounders, PCBs mixture exposure was significantly associated with lower platelet counts (PLT) in individuals with NGT (b=−10.60, 95%CI: −16.48, −4.71) and IFG (b=−12.91, 95%CI: −18.90, −6.92), whereas no significant association was observed in individuals with T2DM (P=0.051). Mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet-large cell ratio (P-LCR) increased significantly with higher PCBs exposure levels across all three groups (P<0.05). BKMR analysis showed a positive association between PCBs mixture exposure and P-LCR, with the strongest association observed in the NGT group. Furthermore, a significant interaction was observed between HLS and PCBs mixture exposure, and a higher HLS attenuated the effects of PCBs on P-LCR. Conclusion Glycemic glycemic states may modify the effects of PCBs on platelets. Individuals with NGT appear more sensitive to PCBs exposure, whereas the T2DM state may attenuate this effect. Moreover, healthy lifestyles, including not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, maintaining moderate-to-high physical activity, a healthy diet, and an appropriate body mass index (BMI), may mitigate the adverse effects of most PCBs on platelet parameters.

Background Platelet parameters are important indicators of cardiovascular risk, and environmental pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may impair platelet function through oxidative stress. Objective To investigate the differential effects of single and mixed exposure to PCBs on platelet parameters among individuals with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to evaluate the potential modifying role of a healthy lifestyle. Methods This study included 2249 participants (including 707 with NGT, 759 with IFG, and 783 with T2DM). Plasma PCB concentrations were measured using triple quadrupole gaschromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Generalized linear regression was used to assess the associations between individual PCB congeners and platelet parameters. Quantile g-computation (QGC) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were used to evaluate the overall effects of PCBs mixture exposure on platelet parameters across different glycemic states, as well as its interaction with healthy lifestyle score (HLS). Results Generalized linear regression analyses showed significant differences in the effects of PCBs on platelet parameters across different glycemic states (P<0.05). After adjusting for confounders, PCBs mixture exposure was significantly associated with lower platelet counts (PLT) in individuals with NGT (b=−10.60, 95%CI: −16.48, −4.71) and IFG (b=−12.91, 95%CI: −18.90, −6.92), whereas no significant association was observed in individuals with T2DM (P=0.051). Mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet-large cell ratio (P-LCR) increased significantly with higher PCBs exposure levels across all three groups (P<0.05). BKMR analysis showed a positive association between PCBs mixture exposure and P-LCR, with the strongest association observed in the NGT group. Furthermore, a significant interaction was observed between HLS and PCBs mixture exposure, and a higher HLS attenuated the effects of PCBs on P-LCR. Conclusion Glycemic glycemic states may modify the effects of PCBs on platelets. Individuals with NGT appear more sensitive to PCBs exposure, whereas the T2DM state may attenuate this effect. Moreover, healthy lifestyles, including not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, maintaining moderate-to-high physical activity, a healthy diet, and an appropriate body mass index (BMI), may mitigate the adverse effects of most PCBs on platelet parameters.

Objective To analyze the disability level and long-term care needs assessment policies issued by 49 pilot cities in China's long-term care insurance system,providing insights for further improvement of the system.Methods Policy documents related to long-term care insurance,published between June 2016 and December 2024 on official platforms of local governments,the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security,the National Healthcare Security Administration,and the National Public Service Platform for Standards Information,were retrieved.A comparative analysis was used to summarize and compare the content of these policy texts.Results Currently,there are 49 pilot cities implementing the long-term care insurance system in China.47 cities have issued disability level assessment standards,with 38 cities adopting the trial standards issued by the National Healthcare Security Administration.In 42 pilot cities,the disability level assessment includes indicators such as activities of daily living,cognitive function,and sensory and communication abilities.22 cities have issued policies related to care needs assessment.In most cities,the care needs assessment partially or fully includes indicators from the disability level assessment.Conclusion There is no national uniformity in disability level assessment standards,and the care needs assessment framework needs further improvement.It is recommended to standardize disability level assessment criteria,clearly delineate the boundaries and content of disability level and care needs assessments,and enhance the development of the care needs assessment system.

Objective:To screen differentially expressed circular RNAs(circRNA)associated with lymph node metastasis in cervical cancer and investigate their molecular mechanism and biological function.Methods:Cancer tissue samples were collected from 40 cervical cancer patients(20 with lymph node metastasis and 20 without lymph node metastasis).Three specimens were randomly selected from each group,and the circRNA expression profile was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing technology,and perform KEGG and GO enrichment analy-sis was performed on the differentially expressed circRNA derived mother genes.Real-time fluorescence quantita-tive PCR(qRT-PCR)technology was used to validate four significantly upregulated circRNAs with high differential multiples,and a ceRNA network was constructed for database prediction.The relationship between circRNA with the most significant differential expression and clinical pathological features was analyzed.Transfect circRNA small interfering RNA(siRNA)into cervical cancer cell lines.Cell lines were divided into circRNA knockdown group and negative control(si-NC)group.The proliferation of SiHa cells and HeLa cells in cervical cancer was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8).Results:①A total of 2039 differentially expressed circRNAs were detec-ted.The differentially expressed circRNA derived mother genes are mainly enriched in ubiquitin mediated protein hydrolysis,MAPK signaling pathway,endocytosis,apoptosis and other signaling pathways.②Four significantly up-regulated circRNAs with high differential multiples in the transfer group were selected,which are hsa_circ_0067492,hsa_circ_0004904,hsa_circ_0085465,and hsa_circ_0007718.qRT-PCR showed that hsa_circ_0004904,hsa_circ_0085465,and hsa_circ_0007718 were all highly expressed in cervical cancer tissues with lymph node metas-tasis(P<0.01).Hsa_circ_0004904 could interact with microRNAs(miRNAs)such as hsa-miR-3916.Hsa_circ_0085465 could interact with miRNAs such as hsa-miR-4659b-3p,and hsa_circ_0007718 could interact with miRNAs such as hsa-miR-127-5p.③The high and low expression groups of hsa_circ_0004904 showed statistically signigi-cant differences in lymph node metastasis and lymphovascular invasion status(P<0.05).Compared with the si-NC group,the proliferation ability of SiHa cells and HeLa cells was significantly reduced after transfection with hsa_circ_0004904 at 24,48,and 72 hours(P<0.05).Conclusions:Differentially expressed circRNAs were identi-fied in cervical cancer patients with lymph node metastasis.Silencing these circRNAs significantly inhibited the proliferation of cervical cancer cells,suggesting their potential involvement in the progression of lymph node me-tastasis.These circRNAs may serve as specific biomarkers for predicting lymph node metastasis.

Objective:To explore the effects of Levothyroxine Sodium (L-T4) treatment on coagulation function and adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with hypothyroidism during pregnancy in early and mid-to-late pregnancy.Methods:A total of 120 patients with hypothyroidism during pregnancy who were treated by L-T4 in Linyi Central Hospital from Mar. 2021 to Mar. 2024 were included, and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. According to the gestational age of the patients at the time of treatment, 64 cases with a gestational age of <12 weeks were included in the early pregnancy group, and 56 cases with a gestational age of ≥12 weeks were included in the mid-to-late pregnancy group. The serum thyroid hormone indexes, coagulation function indexes, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and neuropsychological development of the offspring were compared between the two groups. Statistical analyses were conducted using independent/paired t-tests and chi-square tests.Results:After treatment, there were no significant differences in the thyroid hormone indexes and coagulation function indexes between the early pregnancy group and the middle and late pregnancy group ( P>0.05). The incidence of fetal growth restriction and gestational hypertension in the early pregnancy group was 10.94% (7/64) and 17.19% (11/64), and that in the middle and late pregnancy group was 26.79% (15/56) and 33.93% (19/56), respectively. The incidence in the early pregnancy group was significantly lower than that in the middle and late pregnancy group ( χ2=5.010, 4.464, P<0.05). The developmental quotient (DQ) of the offspring in the early pregnancy group at 6 months of age in various areas of neuropsychological development (social behavior, language, adaptability, fine motor skills and gross motor skills) was significantly higher than that in the middle and late pregnancy group. The DQ of the first trimester group was (97.82±7.25) points, (94.59±6.85) points, (95.87±8.02) points, (96.08±7.25) points, and (98.34±8.07) points. The DQ of the second trimester group was (92.54±7.06) points, (90.45±6.14) points, (91.01±7.51) points, (91.24±7.08) points, and (92.74±7.38) points. The DQ of the first trimester group was significantly higher than that of the second trimester group ( t=4.029, 3.466, 3.411, 3.688, 3.946, P<0.05) . Conclusion:L-T4 treatment in early or mid- to late-pregnancy patients with gestational hypothyroidism can effectively improve their thyroid hormone levels and coagulation function, but treatment in early pregnancy is beneficial to reduce the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as fetal growth restriction and alleviate the impact of the disease on the neuropsychological development of offspring.

Objective:To screen differentially expressed circular RNAs(circRNA)associated with lymph node metastasis in cervical cancer and investigate their molecular mechanism and biological function.Methods:Cancer tissue samples were collected from 40 cervical cancer patients(20 with lymph node metastasis and 20 without lymph node metastasis).Three specimens were randomly selected from each group,and the circRNA expression profile was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing technology,and perform KEGG and GO enrichment analy-sis was performed on the differentially expressed circRNA derived mother genes.Real-time fluorescence quantita-tive PCR(qRT-PCR)technology was used to validate four significantly upregulated circRNAs with high differential multiples,and a ceRNA network was constructed for database prediction.The relationship between circRNA with the most significant differential expression and clinical pathological features was analyzed.Transfect circRNA small interfering RNA(siRNA)into cervical cancer cell lines.Cell lines were divided into circRNA knockdown group and negative control(si-NC)group.The proliferation of SiHa cells and HeLa cells in cervical cancer was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8).Results:①A total of 2039 differentially expressed circRNAs were detec-ted.The differentially expressed circRNA derived mother genes are mainly enriched in ubiquitin mediated protein hydrolysis,MAPK signaling pathway,endocytosis,apoptosis and other signaling pathways.②Four significantly up-regulated circRNAs with high differential multiples in the transfer group were selected,which are hsa_circ_0067492,hsa_circ_0004904,hsa_circ_0085465,and hsa_circ_0007718.qRT-PCR showed that hsa_circ_0004904,hsa_circ_0085465,and hsa_circ_0007718 were all highly expressed in cervical cancer tissues with lymph node metas-tasis(P<0.01).Hsa_circ_0004904 could interact with microRNAs(miRNAs)such as hsa-miR-3916.Hsa_circ_0085465 could interact with miRNAs such as hsa-miR-4659b-3p,and hsa_circ_0007718 could interact with miRNAs such as hsa-miR-127-5p.③The high and low expression groups of hsa_circ_0004904 showed statistically signigi-cant differences in lymph node metastasis and lymphovascular invasion status(P<0.05).Compared with the si-NC group,the proliferation ability of SiHa cells and HeLa cells was significantly reduced after transfection with hsa_circ_0004904 at 24,48,and 72 hours(P<0.05).Conclusions:Differentially expressed circRNAs were identi-fied in cervical cancer patients with lymph node metastasis.Silencing these circRNAs significantly inhibited the proliferation of cervical cancer cells,suggesting their potential involvement in the progression of lymph node me-tastasis.These circRNAs may serve as specific biomarkers for predicting lymph node metastasis.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the attenuation of periappendiceal fat density and its relative CT value(rCT)with the severity of appendicitis,and whether rCT can evaluate the severity of acute appendicitis(AA).Methods A retro-spective selection was made of 79 patients who underwent whole-abdominal CT scans and were pathologically diagnosed with A A(45 with noncomplex A A,34 with complex AA)and 30 normal control group(NCG).Appendicitis-associated signs were recorded and the CT number of periappendiceal fat(CTa),CT number of mesenteric fat gap(CTm),CT number of abdominal anterior wall subcutaneous fat(CTaw),CT number of abdominal posterior wall subcutaneous fat(CTpw),CT number of retroperitoneal fat(CTrp),CT number of gluteal subcutaneous fat(CTgl),and CT number of psoasmajor muscle(CTps)were measured.The ratio of CTa to the CT values of the other 6 parts were calculated,defined as the rCT.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 soft-ware,and the differences were considered statistically significant at P＜0.05.Results Compared among the three groups,statistical differences were found between every two groups in CTa,rCTm,rCTaw,rCTpw,rCTrp,rCTgl,and rCTps(P＜0.05),and the rCT was the lowest in complex AA,followed by noncomplex A A.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that rCTm,rCTaw,rCTpw,rCTrp,rCTgl,rCTps had diagnostic predictive value for both noncomplex AA and complex AA(P＜0.05).Conclusion The attenuation of periappendiceal fat density is associated with the severity of appendicitis,and rCT has certain diagnos-tic predictive value for assessing the severity of appendicitis.The diagnosis of noncomplex AA and complex AA is based on the 95％ confidence interval of rCT.

Objective To investigate the pathogenesis of high-altitude cerebral edema(HACE)and develop new therapeutic strategies.Methods Male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats of 6 weeks old were selected and placed in a hypobaric chamber.The rats were exposed to the high-altitude environment of 7000 m above sea level for 3 days for HACE modeling.Whether the HACE model was successfully established in the rats was evaluated by measuring brain water content,the degree of disruption to the blood-brain barrier(BBB),and brain tissue Nissl staining.The experimental animals were divided into four groups,with 28 rats in each group.The blank control group was exposed to a normobaric and normoxic environment simulating the conditions at 500 m above sea level for 3 d.The other groups,including a model group(the HACE group),a bumetanide group(the positive control group),and a XH-6003 treatment group,were placed at an altitude of 7 000 m above sea level and were injected with normal saline,bumetanide,and XH-6003,a new type of Na-K-2C1 cotransporter 1(NKCC1)inhibitor,via the tail vein,respectively,twice daily for 3 d.The experimental animals were taken out of the hypobaric chamber for testing after 3 d.The primary outcome measures included brain water content,BBB permeability,changes in brain tissue morphology,and the expression levels of aquaporin-4(AQP4)and NKCC1.The secondary outcome measures included behavioral changes,apoptosis,and oxidative stress markers.Results The HACE rat model was successfully established.The model group exhibited increased brain water content(P＜0.0001),BBB disruption(P＜0.0001),impairment in learning skills and memory(P＜0.001),and anxiety/depression-like behaviors(P＜0.01).qPCR results showed significantly increased expression of NKCC1 and AQP4 in the brain tissue of the model group(P＜0.01).Pathology examination revealed neuronal and glial cell damage in the hippocampus of the model group(P＜0.01).Treatment with XH-6003,the NKCC1 inhibitor,reversed brain water content,BBB disruption,and neuronal and glial cell damage to a certain degree(P＜0.05),decreased the expression of NKCC1 and AQP4 in the brain tissue(P＜0.01),and inhibited apoptosis-related proteins.Among the oxidative stress indices,only glutathione(GSH)showed improvement(P＜0.001).Rats treated with XH-6003 showed functional improvement only in the time spent exploring novel objects,while other behavioral outcomes remained unchanged.Conclusion HACE is associated with the activation of the NKCC1/AQP4 pathway.Inhibition of this pathway alleviates brain edema,BBB disruption,and neuronal and glial cell damage.These findings suggest that XH-6003 holds potential as a therapeutic strategy for HACE at the cellular and molecular levels,but its effects in improving HACE-related behavioral disorders warrant further investigation.

Objective To analyze the disability level and long-term care needs assessment policies issued by 49 pilot cities in China's long-term care insurance system,providing insights for further improvement of the system.Methods Policy documents related to long-term care insurance,published between June 2016 and December 2024 on official platforms of local governments,the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security,the National Healthcare Security Administration,and the National Public Service Platform for Standards Information,were retrieved.A comparative analysis was used to summarize and compare the content of these policy texts.Results Currently,there are 49 pilot cities implementing the long-term care insurance system in China.47 cities have issued disability level assessment standards,with 38 cities adopting the trial standards issued by the National Healthcare Security Administration.In 42 pilot cities,the disability level assessment includes indicators such as activities of daily living,cognitive function,and sensory and communication abilities.22 cities have issued policies related to care needs assessment.In most cities,the care needs assessment partially or fully includes indicators from the disability level assessment.Conclusion There is no national uniformity in disability level assessment standards,and the care needs assessment framework needs further improvement.It is recommended to standardize disability level assessment criteria,clearly delineate the boundaries and content of disability level and care needs assessments,and enhance the development of the care needs assessment system.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the attenuation of periappendiceal fat density and its relative CT value(rCT)with the severity of appendicitis,and whether rCT can evaluate the severity of acute appendicitis(AA).Methods A retro-spective selection was made of 79 patients who underwent whole-abdominal CT scans and were pathologically diagnosed with A A(45 with noncomplex A A,34 with complex AA)and 30 normal control group(NCG).Appendicitis-associated signs were recorded and the CT number of periappendiceal fat(CTa),CT number of mesenteric fat gap(CTm),CT number of abdominal anterior wall subcutaneous fat(CTaw),CT number of abdominal posterior wall subcutaneous fat(CTpw),CT number of retroperitoneal fat(CTrp),CT number of gluteal subcutaneous fat(CTgl),and CT number of psoasmajor muscle(CTps)were measured.The ratio of CTa to the CT values of the other 6 parts were calculated,defined as the rCT.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 soft-ware,and the differences were considered statistically significant at P＜0.05.Results Compared among the three groups,statistical differences were found between every two groups in CTa,rCTm,rCTaw,rCTpw,rCTrp,rCTgl,and rCTps(P＜0.05),and the rCT was the lowest in complex AA,followed by noncomplex A A.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that rCTm,rCTaw,rCTpw,rCTrp,rCTgl,rCTps had diagnostic predictive value for both noncomplex AA and complex AA(P＜0.05).Conclusion The attenuation of periappendiceal fat density is associated with the severity of appendicitis,and rCT has certain diagnos-tic predictive value for assessing the severity of appendicitis.The diagnosis of noncomplex AA and complex AA is based on the 95％ confidence interval of rCT.