INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis of sarcopenia relies on key indicators such as handgrip strength, walking speed and muscle mass. Developing a composite index that integrates these measures could enhance clinical evaluation in older adults. This study aimed to standardise and combine these metrics to establish a z score for the sarcopenia composite index (ZoSCI) tailored for the ageing population. Additionally, we explore the risk factors associated with ZoSCI to provide insights into early prevention and intervention strategies. METHOD: This retrospective study analysed data between January 2017 and December 2021 from an elderly health programme in Taiwan, applying the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria to assess sarcopenia. ZoSCI was developed by standardising handgrip strength, walking speed and muscle mass into z scores and integrating them into a composite index. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine optimal cut-off values, and multiple regression analysis identified factors influencing ZoSCI. RESULTS: Among the 5047 participants, the prevalence of sarcopenia was 3.7%, lower than the reported global prevalence of 3.9-15.4%. ROC curve analysis established optimal cut-off points for distinguishing sarcopenia in ZoSCI: -1.85 (sensitivity 0.91, specificity 0.88) for males and -1.97 (sensitivity 0.93, specificity 0.88) for females. Factors associated with lower ZoSCI included advanced age, lower education levels, reduced exercise frequency, lower body mass index and creatinine levels. CONCLUSION This study introduces ZoSCI, a new compo-site quantitative indicator for identifying sarcopenia in older adults. The findings highlight specific risk factors that can inform early intervention. Future studies should validate ZoSCI globally, with international collaborations to ensure broader applicability.
Humans ; Sarcopenia/physiopathology* ; Male ; Aged ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Hand Strength ; Taiwan/epidemiology* ; ROC Curve ; Aged, 80 and over ; Risk Factors ; Walking Speed ; Geriatric Assessment/methods* ; Prevalence ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Middle Aged

The Guidelines for Occupational Hazard Assessment and Control of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient in the Pharmaceutical Industry (T/WSJD 60—2024) is the first guiding standard in the field of health in China that focuses on occupational health protection for active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). It covers the general principles, work procedures, assessment methods, and control strategies for API occupational hazard assessment, providing practical guidance and recommendations for pharmaceutical enterprises to eliminate or reduce occupational health risks associated with API, improve working environment, and enhance refined management practices. This article interpreted and analyzed the background of standard establishment, formulation process, fundamental basis, and main content, to provide scientific and comprehensive technical support for occupational health managers in the pharmaceutical industry to better apply this standard.

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) significantly impact clinical medication safety. The timely identification and prediction of ADRs rely on the efficient analysis of real-world data, such as electronic health records, social media, and spontaneous reporting databases. In recent years, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, particularly large language models, in natural language processing, causal reasoning, and complex data mining has provided new technological means for real-time ADRs monitoring and individualized prediction. This paper summarizes the latest research achievements in AI-driven ADRs monitoring. Focusing on diverse data sources, including structured databases and electronic health records, it elaborates on the advantages andchallenges of AI in ADRs event extraction, relationship identification, causal analysis, and risk prediction. The aim is to provide a theoretical reference for constructing more intelligent and efficient ADRs monitoring systems.

Background Workers in printing jobs are exposed to a variety of organic solvents at low levels for a long period of time. Previous studies have focused on the main components in Material Safety Data Sheet or high-risk occupational hazardous agents, but have not been able to comprehensively and accurately identify the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in printing jobs. Objective To qualitatively analyze the VOCs in ink, detergent, varnish, fountain solution, and other raw and auxiliary materials by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and to accurately identify the occupational hazardous agents in printing jobs. Methods Raw and auxiliary materials used in printing jobs in 6 printing enterprises in Shanghai were sampled by headspace sampling, analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, identified by National Institute of Standards & Technology ( NIST) Standard Library and retention time, and quantified by peak area percentage. Results A total of 181 VOCs were reported in the headspace of 25 organic solvent samples, with a total detection frequency of 337 items and 13.2±12.3 VOCs per sample. The most frequently detected VOCs category was naphthene, with a total of 69 items detected (22.5%), dominated by cyclohexane. The characteristics of VOCs components in the headspace of different types of samples were different. The largest number of VOCs was detected in the headspace of detergent samples, with an average of 31.5 VOCs detected. The characteristic components in detergent were aromatic hydrocarbons and ester compounds; alcohols were the characteristic components in varnish; and ester compounds were the characteristic components in ink. The results of cluster analysis showed that ethanol, toluene, ethyl acetate, cyclohexane, and acetone were occupational hazardous agents with high levels of exposure in printing jobs. Conclusion Many kinds of organic solvents used in printing process are difficult to identify by traditional methods. Headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry can help to accurately identify VOCs in the workplace, so as to more accurately assess the occupational hazards, and to provide a technical basis for guiding occupational health monitoring and implementing corresponding occupational health risk management and control.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of sleep deprivation on the expression of sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) in the cerebellum of immature mice.Methods:Fifty SPF healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 4 weeks, weighing 14-16 g, were divided into 2 groups ( n=25 each) using a random number table method: control group (Con group) and sleep deprivation group (SD group). The chronic sleep deprivation model was prepared by using the multi-platform water environment method, with 20 h of sleep deprivation per day for 10 consecutive days. After sleep deprivation, a balance beam experiment was performed to test the balance and coordination ability of mice. The mice were sacrificed after anesthesia and cerebellar lobular IV-VI (4-6 cb) tissues were taken for microscopic examination of the ultrastructure (with a transmission electron microscope) and for determination of the dendritic spine density of cerebellar 4-6cb Purkinje neurons (by Golgi staining), co-expression of SIRT6 and Calbindin D-28k (CbD-28k) and expression of glucose transporter Glut3 of cerebellar 4-6cb (by immunofluorescence staining). Results:Compared with group Con, the duration of passage through the balance beam was significantly prolonged, and the number of posterior foot slips was increased, the synaptic gap of cerebellar 4-6cb neurons was increased, the thickness of postsynaptic density was increased, the density of dendritic spines of Purkinje cells and the number of positive cells co-expressing SIRT6 and CbD-28k were decreased, and the expression of Glut3 was down-regulated in group SD ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which sleep deprivation decreases the abilities of balance and coordination is related to down-regulating SIRT6 expression in cerebellar Purkinje cells and decreasing neuronal glucose metabolism, thus damaging the synaptic plasticity of cerebellum in immature mice.

ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics and related factors of pesticide poisoning occurred in daily life in Tiantai County, Zhejiang Province from 2015 to 2023, and to provide a basis for the prevention and control of pesticide poisoning. MethodsThe information of pesticide poisoning cases was obtained from the occupational disease and occupational health information monitoring system of the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System, death data was obtained from the Zhejiang Province Chronic Disease Surveillance Information Management System, so that the poisoning incidence rate and the fatality rate were analyzed. ResultsA total of 439 cases of pesticide poisoning occurred in life were reported in Tiantai County from 2015 to 2023, of which mainly concentrated in the second quarter of each year, with an average annual incidence rate of 10.62/10⁵ and fatality rate of 14.81%.The main cause of poisoning in < 15 years old group was accidental ingestion, while the main cause in ≥15 years old group was self-poisoning, and the difference was statistically significant (χ²＝103.518, P<0.001).The average annual incidence of pesticide poisoning occurred in life in the urban area was significantly lower than that in the rural area, and the difference was statistically significant (χ²＝30.871, P<0.001).The main types of pesticide poisoning were insecticides (65.15%), and paraquat had the highest fatality rate (47.73%). The results of binary logistic regression analysis indicated that age and types of pesticide poisoning may be the independent risk factors affecting the fatality of pesticide poisoning in daily life. ConclusionPesticide poisoning occurred frequently in Tiantai County over the years, and mainly occurred in summer, rural areas. Except for <15 years old group who were accidental ingestion,the other cases were mainly self-poisoning. The elderly and herbicide users should be the focus of key intervention targets. It is suggested to take personalized preventive and curative measures to intervene by age, seasons, regions and types to reduce the incidence and fatality rate of pesticide poisoning in daily life, and strengthen psychological health interventions to the cases of attempting to suicide.

Objective:To evaluate various blood lactate parameters in elderly patients with sepsis for prognostic prediction and exploration of optimal threshold values.The parameters include initial lactate concentration(LACinitial), lactate peak concentration(LACpeak), lactate peak time(LACtimetopeak), lactate accumulation area(LACarea), and 6-hour and 12-hour lactate clearance rates(LC_6 h and LC_12 h).Methods:This study conducted a retrospective screening of elderly patients with sepsis who were admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU)of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center between 2008 and 2019.The study collected general information of the patients, as well as vital signs and laboratory indicators within 24 hours after admission.Additionally, the APSⅢ score, SOFA score, and OASIS score were continuously collected or calculated.The outcome variables examined were 28-day mortality from ICU admission, ICU length of stay, hospital length of stay, and mechanical ventilation time.The study compared the blood lactate parameters between the survival group and the nonsurvival group, and calculated the odds ratio( OR). A receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC curve)was plotted to analyze and compare the predictive performance of each lactate parameter based on 28-day mortality.The area under the curve(AUC)was calculated.Additionally, Kaplan-Meier survival curves were analyzed using the cutoff value of each lactate parameter. Results:A total of 4 773 elderly sepsis patients were included in the study.Among them, 1 166(24.4%)died within 28 days.The nonsurvival group had significantly higher levels of LACinitial[3.30(2.40, 5.30) vs.2.70(2.20, 3.50)mmol/L, Z=-13.047, P<0.001], LACarea[36.40(18.28, 63.00) vs.14.80(7.40, 27.30)mmol·L -1·h, Z=-10.298, P<0.001], LACpeak[4.00(2.80, 6.70) vs.3.10(2.50, 4.10)mmol/L, Z=-15.573, P<0.001], and LACtimetopeak[7.00(3.00, 15.00) vs.4.00(2.00, 8.00)h, Z=-13.084, P<0.001]. Additionally, the nonsurvival group had significantly lower levels of LC_6 h[0.06(-0.21, 0.29) vs.0.14(-0.22, 0.39), Z=2.966, P=0.003]and LC_12 h[0.12(-0.21, 0.42) vs.0.29(-0.09, 0.50), Z=5.638, P<0.001]. In this study involving 4 773 elderly sepsis cases, the lactate parameters were evaluated for their ability to predict death within 24 hours of ICU admission.The area under the curve(AUC)values, presented in descending order, were as follows: LACpeak[0.651(0.632, 0.670)], LACinitial[0.627(0.607, 0.646)], LACtimetopeak[0.626(0.607, 0.646)], and LACarea[0.590(0.569, 0.610)]. After excluding the cases where the LACarea was 0, the AUC increased to LACarea2[0.739(0.714, 0.764)]. A total of 1 217 patients had their lactate clearance rates at 6 hours and 12 hours calculated, with AUCs of LC_6 h[0.515(0.481, 0.548)]and LC_12 h[0.568(0.534, 0.603)], respectively.Furthermore, among 1 042 elderly sepsis patients with LACinitial>2 mmol/L, the AUCs of LC were LC_6 h[0.560(0.524, 0.596)]and LC_12 h[0.614(0.577, 0.651)]. The optimal cutoff values for LACinitial, LACpeak, LACtimetopeak, LACarea, LC_6 h, and LC_12 h, calculated from ROC curve analysis, were 3.55 mmol/L, 4.45 mmol/L, 7.50 h, 28.65 mmol·L -1·h, 0.304 and 0.272, respectively.The study population was divided into two groups based on whether they achieved the optimal cutoff value or not.The Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed a significant and distinguishable difference between these two groups(all P<0.05). Conclusions:In the prediction of 28-day mortality in elderly sepsis patients, LACarea was found to be the most effective indicator.LACpeak, LACinitial, and LACtimetopeak also showed acceptable predictive capabilities.On the other hand, LC performed the worst among the indicators, but its performance could potentially be enhanced by adjusting the applicable population.

Objective:To evaluate the role of sonic hedgehog (Shh)/glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1) signaling pathway in sleep deprivation-induced cognitive impairment in young mice.Methods:Forty-eight SPF healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 4 weeks, weighing 14-16 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=16 each) by the random number table method: control group (C group), sleep deprivation group (SD group) and Shh agonist SAG group (SD+ SAG group). Multi-platform water environment method was used to prepare the sleep deprivation model in mice, and the sleep deprivation was 20 h a day for 10 consecutive days.In SD+ SAG group, SAG 10 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 5 min before each sleep deprivation, while the equal volume of normal saline was intraperitoneally injected in group C and group SD.The mice underwent novel object recognition and Y-maze tests at 24 h after development of the model.Mice were sacrificed after the behavioral testing, and the hippocampi were isolated for determination of the density of dendritic spines in hippocampal CA1 region (by Golgi staining), expression of Gli1 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampal tissues (by Western blot), and expression of Gli1 and BDNF mRNA in hippocampal tissues (by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction). Results:Compared with group C, the preference index in novel object recognition and Y-maze tests and density of dendritic spines in CA1 region were significantly decreased, and the expression of Gli1 and BDNF protein and mRNA in hippocampus was down-regulated in group SD ( P<0.05). Compared with group SD, the preference index in novel object recognition and Y-maze tests and density of dendritic spines in CA1 region were significantly increased, and the expression of Gli1 and BDNF protein and mRNA in hippocampus was up-regulated in group SD+ SAG ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Inhibition of Shh/Gli1 signaling pathway and reduction of plasticity of dendritic spines of hippocampal neurons are involved in sleep deprivation-induced cognitive impairment in young mice.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease caused by abnormal accumulation of fat in the hepatocytes. Its prevalence is rising globally and has become the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is multifaceted, involving insulin resistance, genetic and epigenetic factors, chronic systemic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, diet, gut microbiota, and other significant contributors. This article primarily delves into the mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the development of NAFLD, aiming to provide new insights and therapeutic strategies for NAFLD.

Objective:To investigate the effects of hyperuricemia on the prognosis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) using propensity score matching (PSM) method.Methods:IgAN patients proven by biopsy were included. PSM was used to match patients. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, and Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the effects of hyperuricemia on IgAN prognosis. Primary outcome events were defined as death, or end-stage renal disease (dialysis, transplantation), or a decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) greater than 40%. Renal outcome was defined as end-stage renal disease (dialysis, transplantation), or a decrease in eGFR greater than 40%.Results:A total of 1 454 IgAN patients were included in this study, including 850 females and 604 males. Uric acid level was (368.26±92.87) μmol/L in the males, and (277.23±92.71) μmol/L in the females. The median follow-up time was 85.00(56.10, 106.33) months. During the follow-up period, a total of 134 patients reached the primary outcome events, including 5 deaths, 24 dialysis patients, 5 kidney transplant patients, and 100 patients with eGFR decreased by more than 40%. After 1∶1 matching, 131 males and 159 females in the hyperuricemia group were successfully matched with 131 males and 159 females in the normal uric acid group, and there was no significant statistical difference in each parameter in baseline between the hyperuricemia group and normal uric acid group after matching. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that either before or after matching, the incidence of primary outcome events in male or female patients with hyperuricemia was higher than those with normal uric acid, but there was no statistically significant difference in incidence of primary outcome events between female hyperuricemia group and female normal uric acid group after matching (Log-rank test, χ2=3.586, P=0.058). Cox proportional hazard regression model showed that, in the pre-match fully adjusted model, the hazard ratio ( HR) of entering primary outcome events was 2.29-fold (95% CI 1.27-4.11, P=0.006) for men with hyperuricemia and 1.85-fold (95% CI 1.01-3.37, P=0.045) for women with hyperuricemia compared with those with normal uric acid. In the post-match fully adjusted model, the HR of entering primary outcome events was 2.41-fold (95% CI 1.18-4.93, P=0.016) for men with hyperuricemia and 1.83-fold (95% CI 0.91-3.67, P=0.091) for women with hyperuricemia compared with those with normal uric acid. In the pre-match fully adjusted model, the HR of entering renal outcome events was 2.68-fold (95% CI 1.47-4.88, P=0.001) for men with hyperuricemia and 1.81-fold (95% CI 0.99-3.33, P=0.056) for women with hyperuricemia compared with those with normal uric acid. In the post-match fully adjusted model, the HR of entering renal outcome events was 2.89-fold (95% CI 1.36-6.15, P=0.006) for men with hyperuricemia and 1.81-fold (95% CI 0.88-3.72, P=0.106) for women with hyperuricemia compared with those with normal uric acid. Conclusion:Hyperuricemia may be associated with IgAN progression, and it has a more significant effect on male IgAN patients.