Background Pneumoconiosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that cannot be completely cured. Therefore, how to control lung inflammation and delay of the body aging is one of the keys to treating pneumoconiosis. The studies in past two decades suggested that many small molecule drugs are able to enhance cardiopulmonary function. Objective To explore the effects of homeopathic dosing and combined dosing of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide and taurine on experimental silicosis in rats. Methods Seventy-two SD specific pathogen-free rats were randomized into 4 groups (18 mice in each group): negative control group (ultrapure water, without dust), positive control group, homeopathic treatment group, co-administered treatment group. One mL of quartz dust suspension was injected into the rat trachea by disposable non-exposed tracheal injection method (50 mg·mL⁻¹) to establish a rat silicosis model. Rats were administered by gavage since the 4th day after dust exposure. The homeopathic treatment group rats received taurine solution (0.03 g·mL⁻¹) in the morning and β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (0.03 g·mL⁻¹) in the afternoon; the co-administered treatment group rats received a mixed solution (0.015 g·mL⁻¹ β-nicotinamide mononucleotide + 0.015 g·mL⁻¹ taurine) twice, in the morning and afternoon respectively. The positive and negative control groups received equivalent of ultrapure water in the morning and afternoon. All groups of rats were administered 5 d a week for a total of 6 weeks. The rats were neutralized after 6 weeks of administration. Organ coefficient, lung hydroxyproline content, whole lung dry and wet weights, whole lung free silica content, and cell count and classification in lung lavage fluid were measured and calculated, and lung histopathological changes in lung samples were observed. Results Compared with the positive control group, the whole lung wet weight, whole lung dry weight , total cell count, neutrophil rate, lung organ coefficient, lung hydroxyproline content, and whole lung free silica content were reduce in the homeopathic treatment group, and the co-administered treatment group (P＜0.05). Compared with the negative control group, the total cell count, neutrophil rate, lung organ coefficient, lung hydroxyproline content, and whole lung free silica content were elevated in the homeopathic treatment group and the co-administered treatment group, the whole lung dry weight was elevated in the co-administered treatment group, and those differences were all statistically significant (P＜0.05). The rat lung histopathological results showed that, in the positive control group, round or oval nodules were formed in the lung tissue, which were phagocytic cellular nodules, and the alveolar structures in some areas still existed. The histopathological changes in the homeopathic treatment group and the co-administered treatment group were similar to those of the positive group, but less severe. No pathological change was observed in the lung tissue of the negative control group. Conclusion Some improvement and dust removal in experimental silicosis rats by homeopathic dosing and combined dosing of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide and taurine are observed.

(+)-Borneol, the main component of "Natural Borneol" in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, is a high-end spice and precious medicine. Plant extraction cannot meet the increasing demand for (+)-borneol, while microbial biosynthesis offers a sustainable supply route. However, its production was extremely low compared with other monoterpenes, even with extensively optimizing the mevalonate pathway. We found that the key challenge is the complex and unusual dephosphorylation reaction of bornyl diphosphate (BPP), which suffers the side-reaction and the competition from the cellular dephosphorylation process, especially lipid metabolism, thus limiting (+)-borneol synthesis. Here, we systematically optimized the dephosphorylation process by identifying, characterizing phosphatases, and balancing cellular dephosphorylation metabolism. For the first time, we identified two endogenous phosphatases and seven heterologous phosphatases, which significantly increased (+)-borneol production by up to 152%. By engineering BPP dephosphorylation and optimizing the MVA pathway, the production of (+)-borneol was increased by 33.8-fold, which enabled the production of 753 mg/L under fed-batch fermentation in shake flasks, so far the highest reported in the literature. This study showed that rewiring dephosphorylation metabolism was essential for high-level production of (+)-borneol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and balancing cellular dephosphorylation is also helpful for efficient biosynthesis of other terpenoids since all whose biosynthesis involves the dephosphorylation procedure.

Objective: To explore the association between physical activity levels and depressive symptoms among college students, so as to provide evidence for promoting physical and mental health of college students. Methods: Using a cohort study design,a baseline survey of 1 415 college students in Shenyang Normal University in 2017 followed for three years from 2018 to 2020. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and Selfrating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to evaluate the physical activity levels and depressive symptoms of college students. According to the level of physical activity at baseline (MET ·h/week), participants were divided into three groups [T1 (≤36.4), T2 (>36.4-89.3) and T3 (>89.3)]. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between baseline physical activity levels and the incidence of depressive symptoms during the school years. Results: In the 3year followup (2018-2020), 852 (60.2%) participants exhibited depressive symptoms. The numbers of individuals with depressive symptoms in the T1, T2, and T3 groups were 324, 268, and 260, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that college students who participated in higher levels of physical activity decreased the risk of depressive symptoms by 34.2% [T2: OR(95%CI) = 0.658 (0.500-0.866)] and 38.9% [T3:OR(95%CI)=0.611(0.465-0.804)] compared with T1 group after adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, healthrelated factors, and baseline depressive symptoms as covariates. The sexstratified analysis showed a negative correlation between physical activity levels and the incidence of depressive symptoms in female college students. Compared with T1 group, higher levels of physical activity reduced the incidence of depressive symptoms by 39.6% [T2: OR(95%CI)=0.604(0.445-0.820)] and 37.7% [T3: OR(95%CI)=0.623(0.459-0.846)], respectively (P<0.01). However, there was no significant correlation between physical activity levels and depressive symptoms in male college students (P>0.05). Conclusions There is an inverse relationship between physical activity levels and depressive symptoms. The findings suggest that schools should reduce the risk of depressive symptoms by promoting physical activity levels among college students.

BACKGROUND:The landing error scoring system test is a standard for assessing the risk of non-contact injuries and has not yet been developed for Chinese college soccer programs. OBJECTIVE:To establish a test evaluation standard for the landing error scoring system to provide a basis for evaluating the risk of non-contact injuries in college soccer students. METHODS:A prospective cohort study was designed in which 219 athletes from 10 college soccer teams were tested with the standard landing error scoring system,and the subjects were followed up by questionnaires and medical examinations for non-contact injuries of the lower extremities and trunk for 1 year after testing to determine sex differences and assessment criteria for the landing error scoring system test indicators. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The total score of the landing error scoring system was(8.22±1.65)points for 219 subjects,(8.29±1.74)for males and(8.07±1.44)for females,with no significant difference between males and females(P>0.05).Within 1 year after the test,the overall injury rate of 219 subjects was 10.05%and the morbidity rate was 15.98%;the injury rate of male subjects with non-contact injury of the lower limbs and trunk was 12.75%and the morbidity rate was 20.13%;the injury rate of female subjects with non-contact injury of the lower limbs and trunk was 4.29%and the morbidity rate was 7.14%.There were no significant differences in the injury rate between men and women(P<0.05).The total score of the landing error scoring system was higher in the injury group than in the non-injury group[(9.50±1.14)vs.(8.08±1.64),P<0.01];for male subjects,the total score of the landing error scoring system was higher in the injury group than in the non-injury group[(9.63±1.12)vs.(8.09±1.73),P<0.01].The area under the curve for the total score of the landing error scoring system was 0.773(P=0.000),which had a diagnostic value for the risk of non-contact injury of the lower extremities and trunk in male subjects,with a best cut-off point of 8.5,sensitivity of 0.842,specificity of 0.623,positive likelihood ratio of 2.233,negative likelihood ratio of 0.254,relative risk factor of 8.400,and odds ratio of 8.816;the total score of the landing error scoring system was not applicable for assessing the risk of non-contact injury of the lower extremities and trunk in female subjects.To conclude,the landing error scoring system test can be used as a criterion to assess the risk of non-contact injury to the lower extremity and trunk in Chinese college male soccer players,with an optimal cut-off point of 8.5.The risk of non-contact injury to the lower extremity and trunk is 8.40 times higher in male athletes with a landing error scoring system test score of≥8.5 than in male athletes with a score of<8.5.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases are common clinical conditions. The number of patients with TMJ diseases is large, and the etiology, epidemiology, disease spectrum, and treatment of the disease remain controversial and unknown. To understand and master the current situation of the occurrence, development and prevention of TMJ diseases, as well as to identify the patterns in etiology, incidence, drug sensitivity, and prognosis is crucial for alleviating patients′suffering.This will facilitate in-depth medical research, effective disease prevention measures, and the formulation of corresponding health policies. Cohort construction and research has an irreplaceable role in precise disease prevention and significant improvement in diagnosis and treatment levels. Large-scale cohort studies are needed to explore the relationship between potential risk factors and outcomes of TMJ diseases, and to observe disease prognoses through long-term follw-ups. The consensus aims to establish a standard conceptual frame work for a cohort study on patients with TMJ disease while providing ideas for cohort data standards to this condition. TMJ disease cohort data consists of both common data standards applicable to all specific disease cohorts as well as disease-specific data standards. Common data were available for each specific disease cohort. By integrating different cohort research resources, standard problems or study variables can be unified. Long-term follow-up can be performed using consistent definitions and criteria across different projects for better core data collection. It is hoped that this consensus will be facilitate the development cohort studies of TMJ diseases.

MXenese is a type of two-dimensional inorganic compound in materials science that is composed of transi-tion metal carbides,nitrides,or carbonitrides with several atomic layer thicknesses.Owing to the presence of hydroxyl groups or terminal oxygen groups on the surface of MXene materials,they exhibit metallic conductivity similar to that of transition metal carbides.Owing to their excellent optical,mechanical,electrothermal,and biocompatible properties,emerging 2D MXenes are widely used in biomedical fields such as tissue engineering,antimicrobial drugs,photothermal therapy,drug/gene delivery,sensing,and regenerative medicine.In this paper,we review the methods for synthesizing and modifying MXene-based composites,their research and application in stomatology,and their development prospects and challenges in the clinical application of tissue engineering.The biocompatibility and osteogenic properties of MX-ene and its nanocomposites have the potential to promote cell proliferation and bone regeneration.The anti-bacterial ad-hesion and biofilm formation properties can be applied to implant coating and prevent caries.The excellent photother-mal,conductive,and mechanical sensitivity of this agent make it suitable for drug delivery,bio-photothermal therapy,immune signal sensing,and gene detection.On this basis,MXene has recently achieved outstanding results in the fields of stomatology,including bone tissue engineering,antimicrobial,drug delivery,physical and mechanical enhancement of dental biomaterials,oral cancer treatment,and periodontal disease monitoring.However,research on the prevention and treatment of refractory oral diseases has not yet been reported.At present,the properties and surface modification of MXene-based nanomaterials are relatively well understood.Future studies should focus on the dose-dependent biosafety,cellular and molecular mechanisms,and signaling pathways of MXene to fully exploit its unique advantages in oral clini-cal and tissue engineering fields.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of urinary liquid-based cytology(LBC)targeted fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.Methods Nuclear matrix protein 22(NMP22)detection,urinary LBC and FISH were performed in 128 patients.The sensitivity and specificity of the three kinds of tests were analyzed with postoperative pathological results as the gold standard.Results The sensitivity of NMP22,urinary LBC and FISH was 61.11％,79.17％and 82.46％,the specificity was 57.14％,73.21％and 86.67％,respectively.The sensitivity of NMP22 and urinary LBC in detecting high BUC was better than that of low BUC,and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.01,P=0.03).There was no significant difference in the sensitivity of the three tests for the diagnosis of muscle-invasive bladder cancer and non muscle-invasive bladder cancer(P≥0.05).Conclusion Urinary LBC targeted FISH has high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder and low-grade urothelial carcinoma.It can be an important method for the early screening and diagnosis of bladder cancer.

Objective To explore the gene expression profile in paraspinal muscle degeneration(PMD)and identify key ferroptosis genes.Methods RNA sequencing was performed on paraspinal muscle tissue of 3 normal and 3 PMD patients respectively to obtain differentially expressed genes.Through protein-protein interaction(PPI)and gene functional enrichment analysis,the intersection of ferroptosis genes was identified to identify key hub genes associated with ferroptosis.The diagnostic value for PMD disease was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Results A total of 292 differentially expressed genes were identified in PMD.Among them,125 genes were significantly downregulated and 167 genes were significantly upregulated.Bioinformatics analysis revealed that 14 differentially expressed genes were associated with ferroptosis.Among them,ferroptosis genes MUC1,ATF3 and CDKN1A were key hub genes with good specificity and sensitivity for diagnosing PMD.Functional enrichment analysis revealed that they may mediate the occurrence and progression of PMD by regulating cell apoptosis,ferroptosis and skeletal muscle tissue development and differentiation.Conclusion Ferroptosis genes MUC1,ATF3 and CDKN1A can serve as biomarkers for diagnosing PMD,providing theoretical basis for decoding the pathological mechanism of PMD and developing new drugs.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with tsutsugamushi disease in Guangdong Province from 2016 to 2021, and to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis, treatment, scientific prevention and control of tsutsugamushi disease.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted to collect the information of patients with tsutsugamushi disease admitted to Guangzhou Eighth Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University from 2016 to 2021, including the basic information, epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, auxiliary examinations, complications, misdiagnosis at first diagnosis and treatment outcomes.Results:Among 155 patients with tsutsugamushi disease, there were 75 males (48.39%) and 80 females (51.61%), with an e age of (54.41 ± 13.78) years old, and 30 cases (19.35%) had other underlying diseases. The peak time of onset was from June to September. There were 97 local patients (62.58%) in Guangzhou, and 58 cases (37.42%) in other prefecture-level cities; 76.77% (119/155) had a history of field activities before the onset of the disease. 36.13% (56/155) were farmers. The most common clinical manifestations were fever (100.00%, 155/155), chills and/or shivering (77.42%, 120/155), headache and/or dizziness (74.19%, 115/155), fatigue (65.81%, 102/155), eschar or ulcer (92.90%, 144/155), and lymphadenopathy (49.68%, 77/155). The laboratory test results mainly showed a decrease in eosinophils (81.94%, 127/155), a decrease in hematocrit (78.71%, 122/155), a decrease in hemoglobin (52.26%, 81/155), a decrease in platelet count (50.97%, 79/155), a decrease in albumin (92.26%, 143/155), an increase in lactate dehydrogenase (90.32%, 140/155), an increase in adenosine deaminase (88.39%, 137/155), and an increase in alanine aminotransferase (85.16%, 132/155), elevated aspartate aminotransferase (85.16%, 132/155), and elevated procalcitonin (52.90%, 82/155); 30 cases (19.35%) were positive for the Weil-Felix Test. There were 95 cases (61.29%) with abnormal chest imaging results, and 34 cases (21.94%) with abnormal abdominal ultrasound or CT results. Common complications were toxic hepatitis, pulmonary infection, organ failure, and acute kidney injury, etc. The misdiagnosis rate of the initial diagnosis of this disease was 75.48% (117/155). Doxycycline and symptomatic and supportive therapy were given, 154 patients (99.35%) were cured or improved and discharged from hospital.Conclusions:Tsutsugamushi disease is prevalent in summer and autumn in Guangdong Province. Before the onset, most of the patients have a history of field activities. Farmers are susceptible people. Its clinical manifestations are diverse, and can affect multiple systems and organs. There are many complications, and doxycycline can be used for anti-infection treatment, with a high cure rate.

Abstract: Objective To investigate the clinical features and risk factors for severe tsutsugamushi disease, so as to provide reference for diagnosis and differentiation of severe tsutsugamushi disease as soon as possible. Methods The clinical data of 178 cases of inpatients with tsutsugamushi disease admitted to the Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University from January 2016 to September 2021 were collected and analyzed according to their gender, age, underlying diseases, clinical characteristics at admission, laboratory examination results within 24 hours of admission and epidemiological history. The patients were divided into the severe group and the non-severe group according to the diagnostic criteria. The data of clinical characteristics, laboratory examination and prognosis of the two groups were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on the variables with statistical significance and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn. Results A total of 178 patients were included in this study, with 37 in the severe group and 141 in the non-severe group. Compared with the non-severe group, the age of the severe group was older, the underlying diseases were more, the incidence of dyspnea and the levels of white blood cell, total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, cystatin C, uric acid and serum creatinine were significantly increased, the levels of platelet and albumin were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). The dyspnea [odds ratio (OR value)=8.93, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.200-66.424; P=0.032], total bilirubin (OR=1.091, 95%CI: 1.028-1.159; P=0.004) and serum creatinine (OR=1.052, 95%CI: 1.004-1.102; P=0.033) were independent risk factors for severe tsutsugamushi disease. The area under ROC curve of total bilirubin and serum creatinine were 0.777 and 0.764, respectively (both P<0.01), indicating high predictive value for severe tsutsugamushi disease. The optimal cut-off value for total bilirubin was 23.01 µmol/L, with a sensitivity of 54.10% and a specificity of 90.60%; the optimal cut-off value for creatinine was 126.45 µmol/L, with a sensitivity of 43.20% and a specificity of 100.00%. The case fatality rate of severe tsutsugamushi disease was 2.70%. Conclusions The patients with severe tsutsugamushi disease are older, and have more underlying diseases. Dyspnea, increased total bilirubin and elevated serum creatinine are independent risk factors for severe tsutsugamushi disease, which can help in the early identification of severe tsutsugamushi disease early.