Objective This study aimed to investigate the association between long-term radon exposure and changes in peripheral blood DNA methylation levels, as well as alterations in the expression of methylation-related regulatory genes (DNMT1, DNMT3A, and MBD2) among underground non-uranium metal miners. Methods Five non-uranium metal mines with varying levels of radon exposure were enrolled in this study. From each mine, 30 underground miners and 30 aboveground workers were randomly recruited. Basic demographic information was collected via a standardized questionnaire, and peripheral venous blood samples were obtained from all participants. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) colorimetric method was used to detect peripheral blood DNA methylation levels. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to measure mRNA expression levels of DNMT1, DNMT3A, and MBD2. These indicators were compared between underground and aboveground groups and among underground miners with different radon exposure levels. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the associations between cumulative radon dose and two outcomes: peripheral blood DNA methylation levels, and the expression levels of methylation-related regulatory genes in underground miners. Results The average radon concentration in the underground workplaces of the five mines was 4,088 Bq/m³ (range: 116-18,188 Bq/m³), corresponding to an estimated annual effective dose of approximately 25.67 mSv for miners. The average radon concentration in aboveground workplaces was 58 Bq/m³ (range: 28-1796 Bq/m³), equivalent to an annual effective dose of approximately 0.51 mSv for aboveground workers. The average cumulative radon dose of underground miners was approximately 26.56 times that of aboveground workers (Z=−12.469, P<0.001). Compared with the aboveground workers, the peripheral blood DNA methylation level of underground miners was significantly decreased, approximately 0.77 times that of the aboveground group (Z=−2.313，P<0.05), accompanied by decreased expression of DNA methyltransferase genes DNMT1 and DNMT3A, which were 0.83 and 0.68 times those of the aboveground group, respectively (Z=−3.002、−4.190，P<0.01). After adjusting for age, working years, body mass index, smoking status, and alcohol consumption, multiple linear regression analysis revealed two key findings: cumulative radon dose was significantly and inversely correlated with peripheral blood DNA methylation levels (β=−0.752, P<0.001); and cumulative radon dose was significantly negatively associated with the expression of DNMT1 and DNMT3A (β=−0.319, −0.369, P<0.01). Conclusion The reduced DNA methylation levels and downregulated expression of DNA methyltransferase genes in underground miners are closely associated with long-term radon exposure.

Objective To investigate prognostic value of serum levels of cathepsin B(CTSB)and NADPH oxidase 4(NOX4)in patients with sepsis associated acute kidney injury(S-AKI).Methods A total of 306 pa-tients with sepsis treated to the hospital from June 2023 to June 2024 were selected,including 192 patients with S-AKI(S-AKI group)and 114 patients without S-AKI(non-S-AKI group).According to the prognosis of S-AKI patients,they were divided into poor prognosis group(n=127)and non-poor prognosis group(n=65).The differences of CTSB and NOX4 in different groups were compared.Pearson analysis was conducted to analyze the correlation between CTSB,NOX4 and clinical indicators.The influencing factors of poor prognosis in S-AKI patients was analyzed according to multivariate Logistic regression.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the predictive value of CTSB and NOX4 on the poor prognosis of S-AKI pa-tients.Results Th e serum levels of CTSB,NOX4 and serum creatinine(SCr)in S-AKI group were signifi-cantly higher than those in non-S-AKI group(P＜0.05),while the mean arterial pressure and oxygenation in-dex were lower than those in non-S-AKI group(P＜0.05).Serum levels of CTSB and NOX4 in patients with sepsis were positively correlated with SCr(P＜0.05).Compared to non-poor prognosis group,the age,SCr,CTSB and NOX4 of patients in the poor prognosis group were higher,while the mean arterial pressure and ox-ygenation index were lower(P＜0.05).The increased mean arterial pressure and oxygenation index were pro-tective factors for poor prognosis in S-AKI patients(P＜0.05),and the increased age,SCr,CTSB and NOX4 levels were risk factors for poor prognosis in S-AKI patients(P＜0.05).ROC curve showed that the area un-der the curve(AUC)of CTSB combined with NOX4 was significantly higher than AUC of single detection of CTSB and NOX4(Z=4.066,P＜0.001,Z=3.801,P＜0.001).Conclusion The serum levels of CTSB and NOX4 in S-AKI patients are elevated,and can indirectly reflect kidney function.CTSB combined with NOX4 can significantly improve the prediction efficiency of poor prognosis in S-AKI patients,which has potential ap-plication value for clinical treatment and nursing.

Objective To explore the five-circuit and six-qi features of birth time and onset time of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL).Methods A total of 877 cases of children with ALL from Children's Hospital of Soochow University from June 2021 to February 2023 were collected,and their five-circuit and six-qi features of birth time and onset time were analyzed.And then the correlation of five-circuit and six-qi features of birth time and onset time with ALL was explored preliminarily,and the pathogenic characteristics of congenital factors and acquired pathogenic factors were revealed.Results(1)The children who were born in the year with the heavenly stems being bing(the 3rd of the ten heavenly stems)and ding(the 4th of the ten heavenly stems)and with the earthly branches being shen(the 8th of the twelve earthly branches)and you(the 9th of the twelve earthly branches)are prone to suffer from ALL,and the birth year of children with ALL had the five-circuit and six-qi features of the joining of guest circuit with dominant circuit being rebellious.ALL is commonly seen in the year with the heavenly stems being geng(the 7th of the ten heavenly stems)and xin(the 8th of the ten heavenly stems)and with the earthly branches being zi(the 1st of the twelve earthly branches)and chou(the 2nd of the twelve earthly branches),and the onset year of ALL in children had the five-circuit and six-qi features of the yearly circuit being gold-circuit and water-circuit,sitian-zaiquan yearly circuit qi being shaoyin monarch-fire with yangming dryness-gold,taiyin damp-earth with taiyang cold-water,and the qi-circuit assimilation relationship being celestial correspondence,same celestial correspondence,celestial correspondence in convergent year,disharmony,mildly-rebellious,and celestial restriction.Conclusion Gold-dryness and water-cold are the congenital factors and acquired pathogenic factors of ALL.The onset of ALL in children is closely related to qi insufficiency and qi stagnation of wood and fire in five-circuit and six-qi theory.

Objective To explore the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with comprehensive rehabilitation therapy in children with autism.Methods A total of 120 children with autism who were admitted to Department of Rehabilitation Medicine,Nanjing Tongren Hospital from July 2020 to June 2023 were randomly divided into control group(60 cases,conventional rehabilitation therapy)and research group(60 cases,transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with comprehensive rehabilitation therapy).The scores of Psychoeducational Profile Third Edition(PEP-3),Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist(ATEC),Autism Behavior Checklist(ABC),Childhood Autism Rating Scale(CARS)were compared between the two groups.Results PEP-3 scores in all dimensions were increased in both groups after 6 months of treatment,and the scores in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group(all P<0.05).The scores of ATEC in all dimensions,CARS score,and ABC score were decreased in both groups after 6 months of treatment,and these scores in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group(all P<0.05).Conclusion Transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with comprehensive rehabilitation therapy can help to ameliorate core symptoms of children with autism.It is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective To discuss the clinical efficacy of catheter-directed thrombolysis(CDT)in treating acute pulmonary embolism(APE).Methods A total of 215 patients with APE,who were admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University of China,were enrolled in this study.Pulmonary angiography was performed in all the patients.After the location of the thrombus was identified,the pigtail catheter was rotated so as to break the thrombus into small pieces,which was followed by local infusion of thrombolytic agent urokinase to make recanalization of the occluded pulmonary artery.The postoperative clinical symptoms,blood oxygen saturation,mean pulmonary artery pressure,BNP,D-dimer,RV/LV diameter ratio were compared with their preoperative values.PESI scoring was used to evaluate the severity of the pulmonary embolism.Patients with PESI grade-Ⅲ and PESI grade-Ⅳ were classified into medium-risk group,and patients with PESI grade-V were classified into higher-risk group.Results Symptom relief immediately after surgery was observed in 210 patients,complete recanalization of pulmonary artery was achieved in 200 patients,and partial recanalization of pulmonary artery was seen in 15 patients.The preoperative mean pulmonary artery pressure,blood oxygen saturation,BNP,D-dimer,RV/LV diameter ratio were(46.24±5.32)mmHg,(90.36±3.23)％,(8 000.12±750.56)pg/mL,(7.5±2.3)mg/L and(1.63±0.22)respectively;at one week after surgery the above indicators were(26.12±3.36)mmHg,(98.74±2.12)％,(240.35±33.52)pg/mL,(1.75±0.36)mg/L and(1.11±0.13)respectively;the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).In the patients who had symptoms of hemoptysis,shock and syncope before surgery,all these symptoms were completely disappeared in one week after CDT,and the symptoms of dyspnea,chest pain,and palpitations were significantly relieved after CDT,the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The difference in survival time between different PESI grade groups was statistically significant(P＜0.05).No serious postoperative complications such as severe arrhythmia,cerebral hemorrhage,or gastrointestinal bleeding occurred.Postoperative 3-month CT pulmonary angiography(CTPA)showed that the main pulmonary artery was well visualized and no thrombus-produced filling defect shadow was detected.Conclusion For the treatment of APE,CDT can promptly and rapidly open the obstructed pulmonary artery lumen,restore pulmonary artery hemodynamics,and correct hypoxemia.Therefore,CDT is a safe,effective and quick treatment for APE.

Objective To investigate the differences in cortical activation and functional connectivity during speech under different cognitive loads in young individuals.Methods Twenty-one participants(mean age 21.9±1.33 years)were instructed to read short sentences embedded with color words under both congruent(where the color words matched the font color)and incongruent(where the color words did not match the font color)condi-tions.The color words required reading the font color instead of the word itself.Functional near-infrared spectros-copy(fNIRS)was utilized to analyze differences in cortical activation(changes in HbO concentration)and functional connectivity(Pearson correlation of HbO between brain regions)in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(DLPFC)and supplementary motor area(SMA)bilaterally.Results The fNIRS results revealed significant increase in HbO con-centration changes in the RDLPFC(t=3.4,P=0.003),LDLPFC(t=2.58,P=0.019),RSMA(t=3.59,P=0.002),and LSMA(t=4.06,P=0.001)under the incongruent condition compared to the congruent condition.Additionally,there was a significant enhancement in the correlation between RDLPFC and LDLPFC(t=2.44,P=0.025).However,the differences in correlation between left and right SMA,as well as between SMA and DLPFC,were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion These findings suggest that during speech under incongru-ent conditions,increased cognitive load leads to elevated cortical activation in the DLPFC and SMA,along with in-creased functional connectivity between the left and right DLPFC.

The integration of artificial intelligence(AI)into medical practice has significantly impacted the field of cerebrovascular disease.AI algorithms are increasingly being employed to enhance the diagnosis and management of cerebrovascular conditions.However,the clinical application and accuracy of these AI tools require further rigorous evaluation.This review probes into the current applications of AI in diagnosis and decision-making in cerebrovascular disease,and explores the potential and challenges associated with their implementation.

Five previously undescribed diterpenoids, named succipenoids D‒H (1‒5), along with four undescribed lignans, named succignans A‒D (6‒9), were isolated from the dichloromethane extract of Chinese medicinal succinum. Compounds 1‒5 were characterized as nor-abietane diterpenoids, while compounds 6‒9 were identified as lignans polymerized from two groups of phenylpropanoid units. The structures of these novel compounds, including their absolute configurations, were determined through spectroscopic and computational methods. Biological assessments of renal fibrosis demonstrated that compounds 6 and 7 effectively reduce the expression of proteins associated with renal fibrosis, including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, and fibronectin in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) induced normal rat kidney proximal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52e).
Animals ; Rats ; Lignans/isolation & purification* ; Diterpenes/isolation & purification* ; Fibrosis/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Molecular Structure ; Cell Line ; Kidney Diseases/pathology* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/genetics* ; Kidney/metabolism* ; Actins/genetics* ; Fibronectins/genetics* ; Collagen Type I/genetics* ; Epithelial Cells/metabolism*

Objective:To investigate the correlation between vitamin D levels and thyroid hormone sensitivity in euthyroid individuals.Methods:This cross-sectional study included 5 894 euthyroid individuals who underwent health examinations at the Department of Health Management, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, from December 2023 to February 2024. Thyroid feedback quantile-based index (TFQI), TSH index (TSHI), thyrotroph thyroxine resistance index (TT4RI), and the ratio of free triiodothyronine (FT3)/free thyroxine (FT4) were calculated to assess thyroid hormone sensitivity. Participants were categorized into vitamin D deficiency and non-deficiency groups based on serum 25(OH)D levels. The differences in thyroid hormone sensitivity indices and other clinical characteristics between the two groups were compared. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between vitamin D levels and thyroid hormone sensitivity, and stratified analysis was conducted to explore the association in different genders.Results:Among the study participants, 4 731 (80.3%) had vitamin D deficiency. Compared with the non-deficient group, the deficient group had a lower TFQI (-0.03(-0.31, 0.23) and -0.01(-0.28, 0.27)) ( Z=-2.130, P=0.033) and a higher FT3/FT4 ratio ((0.36±0.04) and (0.35±0.04)) ( t=-4.592, P<0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors including gender and age, the risk of impaired central and peripheral thyroid hormone sensitivity significantly increased in the non-deficient group (TFQI ( OR=1.16, 95% CI: 1.01-1.34); FT3/FT4 ( OR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.05-1.45)) (all, P<0.05). Conclusion:In euthyroid individuals, people with higher vitamin D levels have a higher risk of impaired thyroid hormone sensitivity.

Objective:To investigate the role of Platycoside E(PE)in a mouse model of bleomycin(BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis by targeting the JAK/STAT signaling pathway to suppress macrophage M2 polarization.Methods:Forty BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to five experimental groups:blank control group,model group,pirfenidone(PDF)experimental group,PE high-dose group and PE low-dose experimental group,each with eight mice.After adaptive feeding,except for blank control group,all mice were used in the model of BLM nasal drip-induced pulmonary fibrosis.HE and Masson staining were employed to examine pathological alterations of lung tissue in mice;ELISA to detect concentrations of IL-10,IL-4,IL-17A and TNF-α in mice serum;expressions of CD206 and CD11b in lung tissue were detected by immunofluorescence.Western blot to detect protein expressions of JAK1,p-JAK1,STAT6 and p-STAT6 in lung tissues.Results:Compared with blank control group,tissues in model group showed distorted structure and thickened alveolar walls,fibrotic foci were formed,and alveolar inflammatory fraction and collagen volume fraction were significantly increased(P<0.01).ELISA showed that concentrations of IL-4,IL-10,IL-6 and TNF-α in serum were significantly reduced compared to those of model group.Immunofluorescence showed that fluorescence intensity of CD11b and CD206 treated by PE were decreased significantly.Western blot showed that expressions of JAK1,p-JAK,STAT6 and p-STAT6 proteins were significantly elevated in lung tissues of model mice.Following PE treatment,levels of the above proteins were diminished.Conclusion:PE can effectively improve lung fibrosis induced by BLM in mice,the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of JAK/STAT pathway to block macrophage M2 polarization.