Objective To quantitatively assess the association of short-term exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) with residents mortality. Methods A time-stratified case-crossover study was conducted from 2020 to 2022 among 10606 non-accidental residents by using the Guangzhou Cause of Death Surveillance System in Conghua District, Guangzhou. Exposure levels of PAHs in PM_2.5 and meteorological data during the study period were obtained from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Conghua District and the China Meteorological Administration Land Data Assimilation System (CLDAS-V2.0), respectively. Conditional Poisson regression model was used to estimate the exposure-response association between PAHs and the mortality risk. Results Fluoranthene, chrysene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene were significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality. For every one interquartile range increase in exposure levels, the non-accidental mortality risks increased by 8.33% (95% CI: 1.80%, 15.27%), 4.67% (95% CI: 1.86%, 7.57%), 6.07% (95% CI: 2.08%, 10.21%), 4.62% (95% CI: 1.85%, 7.47%), and 4.70% (95% CI: 0.53%, 9.03%), respectively. The estimated non accidental deaths attributable to exposure to fluoranthene, chrysene, benzo[k]fluorine, benzo[a]pyrene and indine[1,2,3-cd]pyrene were 5.91%, 6.08%, 6.51%, 6.46%, and 4.21%, respectively. Conclusions Short-term exposure to PAHs in PM_2.5, including fluoranthene, chrysene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene and indine[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, was significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality among residents.

Hearing loss is the most prevalent disabling disease. Cochlear implantation（CI） serves as the primary intervention for severe to profound hearing loss. This consensus systematically explores the value of genetic diagnosis in the pre-operative assessment and efficacy prognosis for CI. Drawing upon domestic and international research and clinical experience, it proposes an evidence-based medicine three-tiered prognostic classification system（Favorable, Marginal, Poor）. The consensus focuses on common hereditary non-syndromic hearing loss（such as that caused by mutations in genes like GJB2, SLC26A4, OTOF, LOXHD1） and syndromic hereditary hearing loss（such as Jervell & Lange-Nielsen syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome）, which are closely associated with congenital hearing loss, analyzing the impact of their pathological mechanisms on CI outcomes. The consensus provides recommendations based on multiple round of expert discussion and voting. It emphasizes that genetic diagnosis can optimize patient selection, predict prognosis, guide post-operative rehabilitation, offer stratified management strategies for patients with different genotypes, and advance the application of precision medicine in the field of CI.
Humans ; Cochlear Implantation ; Prognosis ; Hearing Loss/surgery* ; Consensus ; Connexin 26 ; Mutation ; Sulfate Transporters ; Connexins/genetics*

Background Exposure to air pollutants increases the risk of diseases in multiple systems, including respiratory and cardiovascular systems, yet its association with neurological diseases remains unclear. Objective To quantitatively evaluate the association between short-term exposure to air pollutants and outpatient and emergency visits for neurological diseases, identify potential susceptible populations, and quantify associated disease burden. Methods Daily 24-hour average concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), inhalable particulate matter (PM₁₀), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO), daily maximum 8-hour average concentration of ozone (O₃), daily meteorological data (24-hour average temperature, 24-hour average relative humidity), and data on daily outpatient and emergency department visits for neurological diseases from two hospitals in Conghua District, Guangzhou, China, were collected from 2015 to 2022. A time-stratified case-crossover design was adopted, and a conditional Poisson regression model was constructed to analyze the association between air pollution exposure and neurological disease visits. Two-pollutant models and sensitivity analysis were used to validate model stability. Stratified analyses by season (cold season: from November to March; warm season: from April to October), sex (male, female), and age (≤45 years, 46–60 years, ≥61 years) were performed to identify vulnerable group. Additionally, the number and proportion of neurological disease visits attributable to short-term air pollutant exposure were calculated. Results A total of 72 673 outpatient and emergency department visits for neurological diseases were included during the study period. Most of the patients were middle-aged and elderly individuals (69.89% were over 45 years old) and females (60.25%). The results of single-pollutant models showed that for each interquartile range (IQR) increase in exposure to PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, CO, and O₃, the risk of outpatient and emergency department visits for neurological diseases increased by 7.54% (95%CI: 4.69%, 10.46%), 6.66% (95%CI: 3.92%, 9.46%), 16.72% (95%CI: 10.58%, 23.19%), 8.12% (95%CI: 4.82%, 11.53%), 5.60% (95%CI: 2.34%, 8.97%), and 6.11% (95%CI: 2.91%, 9.40%), respectively. The results of the two-pollutant model showed that the association between PM_2.5 and SO₂ exposure and outpatient and emergency department visits for neurological diseases were relatively stable. The stratified analyses showed that the effect of SO₂ was stronger in the cold season. It was estimated that 8.32% (95%CI: 5.55%, 10.96%) and 6.65% (95%CI: 4.27%, 8.96%) of the outpatient and emergency department visits were attributable to short-term exposure to SO₂ and PM_2.5, respectively. Conclusion Exposure to PM_2.5 and SO₂ is associated with increased risks of outpatient and emergency visits for neurological diseases. SO₂ shows stronger effects during the cold season, and exposure to air pollution contributes to up to 8.32% of neurological disease visits.

Objective To observe the value of augmented reality(AR)navigation system for assisting CT-guided puncture of pulmonary nodules in dog models.Methods Five healthy dogs were selected,and 4 target lung rings were implanted in each dog to build pulmonary nodule models.Deferring to crossover design,CT-guided punctures were performed with or without AR navigation 2 and 4 weeks after successful modeling,respectively,while punctures with AR navigation were regarded as AR group and the others as conventional group,respectively.The time duration of puncturing,the times of CT scanning,of needle adjustment,and the deviation distance between needle pinpoint to the center of pulmonary nodule shown on three-dimensional reconstruction were compared between groups.Results The duration time of puncture in AR group and conventional group was(13.62±5.11)min and(20.16±4.76)min,respectively.In AR group,the times of CT scanning,of needle adjustment,and the deviation distance was 2.40±0.50,2.75±0.44 and(2.94±1.92)mm,respectively,while in conventional group was 3.10±0.64,3.70±0.57 and(4.90±3.38)mm,respectively.The introduction of AR navigation was helpful to shortening the duration of puncture,reducing times of CT scanning and needle adjustment,also decreasing positioning error of needle pinpoint(all P＜0.05).In contrast,the variance of puncture sequences and dogs had no obvious effect on the results(both P＞0.05).Conclusion AR navigation system could improve accuracy and efficiency in CT-guided puncture of pulmonary nodules in dog models.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of peritoneal dialysis solution (PDS)-induced peritoneal microinflammation through activation of ceramide (CER) in peritoneal dialysis model mice.Methods:Thirty 5-week-old male C57BL/6 mice weighing about 22 g were used to set up peritoneal dialysis models, and then were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham operation group (1.5 ml sterilized water, n=7), high glucose-PDS group (1.5 ml 4.25% PDS, n=8), high glucose-PDS+ acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) inhibitor desipramine (DES) group (1.5 ml sterilized water+10 mg/kg DES, n=8), high glucose-PDS+Src kinase inhibitor PP2 group (1.5 ml sterilized water +1 mg/kg PP2, n=7), with intraperitoneal injection once a day. After 28 days, the mice were sacrificed to retain peritoneal tissues. HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe the histological changes of peritoneum. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and macrophages. High performance liquid chromatography, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of ASMase and CER. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of c-Src, p-Src, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Western blotting was used to detect the protein levels of c-Src, and p-Src. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the serum C reactive protein (CRP), IL-6 and TNF-α. Results:(1) High glucose-PDS led to peritoneal hyperplasia, collagen deposition and fibrosis in the peritoneal dialysis mice, indicating successful modeling. Compared with high glucose-PDS group, peritoneal hyperplasia, collagen deposition and fibrosis of mice treated with DES and PP2 were significantly improved (all P<0.05). (2) Compared with sham operation group, ASMase activation and CER level of peritoneal tissues were significantly higher in high glucose-PDS group, and DES could significantly inhibit activated ASMase and increased CER expression caused by high glucose-PDS (both P<0.05). PP2 had no significant effect on ASMase activation and CER level (both P>0.05). (3) Compared with sham operation group, there were more TLR4 and macrophage positive staining cells in peritoneal tissues in high glucose-PDS group, and the mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in peritoneal tissues and serum CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α were higher (all P<0.05). DES and PP2 could significantly inhibit the increased TLR4, macrophages and related inflammatory factors induced by high glucose-PDS (all P<0.05). (4) Compared with sham operation group, c-Src and p-Src mRNA and protein expression levels of peritoneal tissues in high glucose-PDS group were significantly higher (all P<0.05). PP2 significantly inhibited the increased p-Src mRNA and protein levels caused by high glucose-PDS (both P<0.05), but had no significant effect on the mRNA and protein expression levels of c-Src (both P>0.05). DES had no significant effect on the mRNA and protein expression levels of c-Src and p-Src (all P>0.05). Conclusions:High glucose-PDS may enhance the expression of CER through stimulating the activity of ASMase, phosphorylate Src, activate TLR4 and induce inflammatory damage of peritoneum in peritoneal dialysis model mice.

Humans ; Alzheimer Disease/genetics* ; Apolipoprotein E4/genetics* ; Amyloid beta-Peptides

Objective: To compare the functional changes of neurotransmitters in the dopamine ( DA) system of rats lesioned by 6-hydroxydopamine in unilateral medial forebrain bundle ( MFB) and unilateral striatum after 4 weeks of modeling． Methods : Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 62) were divided randomly into four groups : single-site model ( one site striatal lesion model，n = 18) ，four-site model ( four sites striatal lesion model，n = 18) ，MFB model (MFB lesion model，n = 18) and a sham operated control group (n = 8) ．Immunohistochemical tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) staining was used to calculate the loss rate of positive DA neurons．The functional changes of dopamine transporters(DAT) and D2 receptors in rat models of four groups were detected by radioligand-receptor binding assay in vitro，behavioral test and small-animal PET. Results : Immunohistochemical staining results of TH at 1-lesion，4-lesion and MFB model showed that the TH-positive cell loss rates of the lesion side in three models were 19. 1% ，84. 7% and 97. 1% ，respectively，indicating that the model was successfully constructed. The results of DAT / D2 receptor functions in the three models showed that，compared with the sham operated control group，the DAT binding ratio of radioactivity on the lesion side of 1-lesion，4-lesion and MFB model significantly decreased (P＜0. 05，P＜0. 05 and P＜0. 01) ．The DAT binding ratio of radioactivity on the lesion side was compared among 1，4 lesion and MFB model．It was found that the decrease degree of MFB model was significantly higher than that of the previous two models (P＜0. 01) ，and the decrease degree of 4-lesion model was significantly higher than that of 1-lesion model (P＜0. 05) ．Compared with the sham operated control group，the D2 receptor binding ratio of radioactivity on the lesion side of 1-lesion and 4-lesion model significantly decreased (P＜0. 05) ， and there was no significant difference in the degree of decrease between the two models，but the D2 receptor binding ratio of radioactivity on the lesion side of MFB model significantly increased (P＜0. 05) ．There was no difference in the distribution of DAT / D2 receptor on the lesion side and the normal side of the sham operated control group．Methamphetamine caused ipsilateral rotations to the lesion side in all models． There were no significant differences in methamphetamine-induced rotation among 1-lesion，4-lesion and MFB models．Bromocriptine caused ipsilateral rotations to the lesion side in 1-lesion and 4-lesion models but contralateral rotations in MFB model. There were no significant differences in bromocriptine-induced rotation between 1-lesion and 4-lesion models．The results of stepping test showed the motion initiation time of the lesion side was significantly longer than that of the normal side，the stepping length of the lesion side was significantly shorter than that of the normal side，and the adjusting steps of the lesion side was significantly less than that of the normal side (P＜0. 001) ，but there was no significant difference of the lesion side in the initiation time ，stepping length ，and adjusting steps among the three groups of models． Conclusion The striatal lesion and MFB lesion models showed different pathophysiological processes in terms of DA neurotransmitter functions and behavior．The MFB lesion model can mimic primary Parkinson's disease，while the striatal lesion model is similar to some Parkinson syndromes.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) in Jiangsu province during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in China from December 7, 2022 to January 27, 2023, and to analyze the influencing factors of all-cause death.Methods:It was a multi-center cross-sectional investigation. Structured questionnaire was used to collect patient information by medical staff of each hemodialysis center (room) as investigators. Part of the demography data and laboratory examination data came from the Jiangsu Province Hemodialysis Data Information System. MHD patients from hemodialysis centers (rooms) at all levels of medical institutions and independent hemodialysis institutions in Jiangsu province during the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection were included, and the clinical characteristics and all-cause mortality of confirmed and suspected cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were analyzed.Results:Questionnaire surveys and data analysis on 57 278 patients in 407 hemodialysis centers (rooms) were completed, accounting for 90.41% of the total number of MHD patients (63 357 cases) in Jiangsu province during the same period. There were 24 038 cases (41.97%) of SARS-CoV-2 infection and 14 805 cases (25.85%) of suspected infection, which were widely distributed in all dialysis centers in Jiangsu province. After clinical classification of 38 843 confirmed and suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection cases, 3 662 cases were severe and critical cases, accounting for 9.43% of the infected and suspected cases. Among the patients who had completed the questionnaires, there were 1 812 all-cause deaths, with an all-cause mortality rate of 3.16%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elderly (taking ≤50 years as a reference, 51-59 years: OR=1.583, 95% CI 1.279-1.933, P=0.001; 60-69 years: OR=3.972, 95% CI 3.271-4.858, P<0.001; 70-79 years: OR=7.236, 95% CI 5.917-8.698, P<0.001; ≥80 years: OR=11.738, 95% CI 9.459-14.663, P<0.001), male ( OR=1.371, 95% CI 1.229-1.529, P<0.001), and co-infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) (positive serum HBV surface antigen, OR=0.629, 95% CI 0.484-0.817, P<0.001) were independent influencing factors for all cause mortality. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve for male, age and current HBV infection prediction of all-cause death was 0.529 ( P<0.001), 0.724 ( P<0.001) and 0.514 ( P=0.042), respectively, and the cut-off value for age prediction of all-cause death was 65.5 years old. Compared with patients without HBV infection, MHD patients with HBV infection significantly reduced the proportion of severe and critically ill patients, all-cause hospitalizations and all cause deaths when infected with SARS-CoV-2 (4.99% vs. 6.41%, χ2=6.136, P=0.013; 8.90% vs. 11.44%, χ2=11.662, P<0.001; 2.01% vs. 3.37%, χ2=10.713, P=0.001, respectively). Conclusion:The MHD patients in Jiangsu province are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. Elderly age and male gender are independent risk factors for death in MHD patients during the epidemic, while the HBV infection may be a protective factor for death of MHD patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Objective:To explore whether assisted reproductive technology (ART) can affect the mental health of pregnant women during pregnancy.Methods:Convenient sampling method was used to select 500 pregnant women who underwent prenatal examination in Dalian Women and Children′s Medical Group from July 2019 to July 2020, including 193 cases of ART pregnant women (observation group) and 307 cases of natural pregnant women (control group). PEM-D psychosomatic holistic diagnosis and treatment system combined with Symptom Checklist- 90 (SCL-90), 7- item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to evaluate and compare the mental health status between the two groups.Results:The total score of SCL-90 in the observation group was (154.34 ± 14.42), which was significantly higher than that in the control group (142.42 ± 14.39), the difference was statistically significant ( t=5.35, P<0.05). The scores of anxiety, depression and paranoia in the observation group were (2.17 ± 0.47), (2.15 ± 0.68), (1.78 ± 0.45), which were significantly higher than those in the control group (1.95 ± 0.52), (1.77 ± 0.55), (1.58 ± 0.39), the differences were statistically significant ( t=2.86, 3.88, 3.20, all P<0.015). The scores of GAD-7 and PHQ-9 in the observation group were (6.72 ± 2.44), (5.43 ± 2.54), which were significantly higher than those in the control group (5.76 ± 2.47), (3.74 ± 1.66), the differences were statistically significant ( t=2.52, 3.57, both P<0.05). There was no significant difference in PSQI scores between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:ART affects the mental health of pregnant women, especially increases the level of depression and anxiety. We should provide corresponding psychological support and help for these pregnant women to reduce their depression and anxiety level.

Objective:To assess the prognostic value of modified Charlson comorbidity index (mCCI) combined with serum albumin for long-term prognosis in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.Methods:From January 1, 2007 to June 30, 2015, patients who started PD in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Clinical data including gender, age, underlying diseases, laboratory examination and prognosis were collected. The mCCI at the beginning of PD was calculated. Whether the duration of PD exceeded 5 years was used as an indicator to evaluate the prognosis. The patients were divided into≥5 years group and<5 years group according to the duration of PD, and the data were compared between the two groups. Cox regression model was constructed to analyze the influencing factors of all-cause death in PD patients. Multivariate logistic regression model and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to analyze the predictive value of mCCI and serum albumin levels on whether patients could maintain long-term PD.Results:Of the 183 patients included [males 106(57.9%), females 77(42.1%); (53.35±16.50) years old; 162 cases (88.5%) with hypertension, 55 cases (30.1%) with diabetes], 97 cases had PD duration for ≥5 years and 86 cases less than 5 years. The overall 5-year technical survival rate was 65.1%. At the beginning of PD, compared with the dialysis age≥5 years group, the patients in the dialysis age less than 5 years group had older age, higher mCCI, lower serum albumin level, and higher C-reactive protein (CRP) level (all P<0.05), but there were no significant differences in gender, education level, electrolyte, mean arterial pressure, high densitv lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and PD adequacy index between the two groups (all P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that increased age ( OR=1.022, 95% CI 1.000-1.043, P=0.046), increased mCCI ( OR=1.620, 95% CI 1.300-2.018, P<0.001) and decreased serum albumin ( OR=0.807, 95% CI 0.730-0.893, P<0.001) were independent predictors for the duration of PD<5 years. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under ROC curves ( AUC) of mCCI, serum albumin level and combined prediction probability of the two for the duration of PD<5 years were 0.647(95% CI 0.568-0.727), 0.655(95% CI 0.577-0.734), and 0.767(95% CI 0.700-0.835), respectively, indicating that the accuracy of combined parameters to predict survival outcome was higher than that of any single parameter. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that increased age ( HR=1.073, 95% CI 1.046-1.100, P<0.001), increased mCCI ( HR=1.198, 95% CI 1.044-1.375, P=0.010) and decreased serum albumin ( HR=0.904, 95% CI 0.843-0.969, P=0.004) were independent influencing factors for all-cause death in PD patients. Conclusions:Old age, high mCCI and low serum albumin level are influencing factors for dialysis age<5 years and all-cause death in PD patients. mCCI combined with serum albumin level can improve the accuracy of predicting the long-term dialysis in PD patients.