Objective To investigate the radon activity concentrations in subways of Nanning City and assess the average annual effective doses for subway staff and passengers due to radon exposure. Methods Sixty-three stations across the subway lines 2, 3, and 5 were selected as study sites. Radon activity concentrations were measured using the scintillation counting method with scintillation vials. Results The radon activity concentrations in subway lines 2, 3, and 5 were 7.9-24.4, 12.0-26.2, and 12.6-18.2 Bq/m³, respectively. The average radon activity concentrations for these three lines were (17.4 ± 4.6), (19.1 ± 4.1), and (14.6 ± 1.7) Bq/m³, respectively. Statistical analysis using SPSS 26.0 software revealed a significant difference in radon activity concentrations among these stations (P<0.01). Considering the data in previous research, the average radon activity concentration across all stations in the subway lines of Nanning City was determined to be 17.4 Bq/m³. The estimated average annual effective dose due to radon exposure was 0.131 mSv for subway staff and 0.033 mSv for passengers. Conclusion The radon activity concentrations in the subway lines of Nanning City were significantly lower than the national standard limit (400 Bq/m³). The annual effective doses from radon exposure for both subway staff and passengers were below the limits specified in the Basic Standards for Protection Against Ionizing Radiation and for the Safety of Radiation Sources (GB18871—2002). The health impact of radon and its progeny on subway staff and passengers in the subway lines of Nanning City was extremely low and can be considered negligible.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） is a chronic respiratory disease that poses a significant threat to global health， exhibiting high morbidity， disability and mortality rate， with its prevention and treatment situation becoming increasingly critical. The pathogenesis of COPD is complex， and the underlying cellular and molecular biological mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Programmed cell death （PCD） is the process wherein cells actively undergo demise to maintain internal environmental stability in response to certain signals or specific stimuli. Contemporary medical research indicates that the dysregulation of PCD patterns such as apoptosis， necroptosis， pyroptosis， autophagy， and ferroptosis is closely related to the onset and progression of COPD. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms of PCD in COPD may provide novel perspectives for in-depth understanding and prevention of the disease. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） is characterized by holistic regulation. In recent years， extensive research has been conducted in the TCM field focusing on modulating apoptosis， necroptosis， pyroptosis， autophagy， and ferroptosis for the treatment of COPD， yielding remarkable achievements. Therefore， this study systematically explored the molecular mechanism of PCD in COPD and reviewed the potential mechanisms and intervention status of TCM targeting PCD in COPD， aiming to provide insights and references for the clinical prevention， treatment and in-depth research of COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） is a chronic respiratory disease that poses a significant threat to global health， exhibiting high morbidity， disability and mortality rate， with its prevention and treatment situation becoming increasingly critical. The pathogenesis of COPD is complex， and the underlying cellular and molecular biological mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Programmed cell death （PCD） is the process wherein cells actively undergo demise to maintain internal environmental stability in response to certain signals or specific stimuli. Contemporary medical research indicates that the dysregulation of PCD patterns such as apoptosis， necroptosis， pyroptosis， autophagy， and ferroptosis is closely related to the onset and progression of COPD. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms of PCD in COPD may provide novel perspectives for in-depth understanding and prevention of the disease. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） is characterized by holistic regulation. In recent years， extensive research has been conducted in the TCM field focusing on modulating apoptosis， necroptosis， pyroptosis， autophagy， and ferroptosis for the treatment of COPD， yielding remarkable achievements. Therefore， this study systematically explored the molecular mechanism of PCD in COPD and reviewed the potential mechanisms and intervention status of TCM targeting PCD in COPD， aiming to provide insights and references for the clinical prevention， treatment and in-depth research of COPD.

This paper introduces a real-world cohort research model for community-acquired pneumonia （CAP） based on the Jiangsu Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM） Dominant Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment Data Platform. Firstly， data cleaning is performed by standardizing diagnosis， symptoms， treatment and imaging， intelligently extracting unstructured information， and cleaning and constructing a standardized database. Secondly， for cohort establishment， CAP patients across the province are screened in accordance with CAP diagnostic criteria to build a high-quality disease-specific cohort. Lastly， in terms of protocol design， the characteristics of TCM research and the CAP disease profile are considered to determine appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria， estimate sample size， define interventions， outcomes and economic evaluations， providing a reference for real-world TCM research on CAP.

This paper introduces a real-world cohort research model for community-acquired pneumonia （CAP） based on the Jiangsu Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM） Dominant Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment Data Platform. Firstly， data cleaning is performed by standardizing diagnosis， symptoms， treatment and imaging， intelligently extracting unstructured information， and cleaning and constructing a standardized database. Secondly， for cohort establishment， CAP patients across the province are screened in accordance with CAP diagnostic criteria to build a high-quality disease-specific cohort. Lastly， in terms of protocol design， the characteristics of TCM research and the CAP disease profile are considered to determine appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria， estimate sample size， define interventions， outcomes and economic evaluations， providing a reference for real-world TCM research on CAP.

Histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) is an epigenetic modification enzyme that plays a crucial role in the development and progression of diabetes and its complications. Studies have reported that increased HDAC3 activity is associated with pancreatic β-cell dysfunction in type 1 diabetes, while in type 2 diabetes, HDAC3 affects insulin resistance and signaling by regulating the metabolism of the liver, adipose tissue, and muscle. Additionally, HDAC3 plays a key role in diabetic complications such as cardiomyopathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy. Selective inhibition of HDAC3 has the potential to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce chronic inflammation, and enhance pancreatic cell function, offering a promising new therapeutic strategy for diabetes and its complications.

Objective To analyze the urban drinking water quality and its influencing factors in Anhui Province from 2014 to 2022, and to provide a scientific basis for water quality improvement and protection. Methods The data were collected, saved and monitored according to the Standard Test Method for Drinking Water (GB/T5750-2006) and evaluated according to the Hygienic Standard for Drinking Water (GB 5749-2006). Results A total of 20 941 samples were collected, and the overall qualified rate was 84.26%. The qualified rate of urban drinking water increased from 76.9% in 2014 to 93.3% in 2022, and the qualified rate of water quality was on the rise (χ²=544.43, P＜0.01). From 2014 to 2022, the qualified rate of water quality in dry season was higher than that in wet season (χ²=35.98, P<0.001), the qualified rate of surface water was higher than that of ground water (χ²=4440.8, P<0.001), and the qualified rate of peripheral tap water was higher than that of factory water (χ²=145.1, P<0.001). Among all kinds of disinfection methods, chlorination disinfection had the highest qualified rate (χ²=1483.8, P<0.001). The qualified rate of water quality increased with the increase of the scale of water plant. Among the inspected indicators, the main unqualified indicators were chlorine dioxide (7.72%), fluoride (7.41%), free residual chlorine (3.90%), and total bacterial count (2.13%). Conclusion The passing rate of urban drinking water quality in Anhui Province is on an upward trend, and the quality of urban drinking water has improved. However, it is still important to pay attention to the problem of excessive microorganism and fluoride in water, and the quality of drinking water varies from place to place.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of Polygala tenuifolia compatibility on toxicity， anti-inflammatory and analgesic efficacy of sand-ironing Strychnos nux-vomica （SS）. METHODS The preparation of SS single decoction， SS-P. tenuifolia core-removed （PC） （1∶2.5） or （1∶5） combined decoction， and SS-PC （1∶5） mixture were carried out to investigate their median lethal dose （LD50）. Using aspirin as positive control， the number of writhing movements， analgesic rate， pain latency， ear swelling degree and inflammation inhibition rate induced by the above-mentioned medicinal liquids in mice were compared. The contents of the active and toxic components， strychnine and brucine， in the above-mentioned medicinal liquids were also determined. RESULTS The LD50 values of SS single decoction， SS-PC （1∶2.5） combined decoction， SS-PC （1∶5） combined decoction and SS- PC （1∶5） mixture were 302.00， 614.47， 1 445.44 and 1 778.28 mg/kg， respectively. Compared with control group， the number of writhing movements and ear swelling degree in the mice of the above-mentioned medicinal liquid groups were reduced or decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； pain latency [at 90 and 120 minutes in the SS single decoction group， at 60 and 90 minutes in the SS-PC （1∶2.5） combined decoction group， and at 60，90， 120 minutes in the SS-PC （1∶5） combined decoction group and SS-PC （1∶5） mixture group] was significantly prolonged （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； analgesic rates of the respective medicinal liquids were 39.30%， 70.87%， 80.00% and 82.46%， and inflammation inhibition rates were 38.08%，TD 57.89%， 76.47% and 50.46%； analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of combined decoction and mixture were generally better than those of the single decoction （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. In the above-mentioned four medicinal liquids， the total contents of strychnine were 0.71%， 0.42%， 0.47% and 0.64%， and the total contents of brucine were 0.88%， 0.63%， 0.57% and 0.88%， respectively. CONCLUSIONS The combination of P. tenuifolia can reduce the toxicity of SS and enhance its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Moreover， there is a tendency for the toxicity-reducing and efficacy-enhancing effects to increase with the increasing dosage of P. tenuifolia. Additionally， the combined decoction of SS and P. tenuifolia can reduce the contents of the active and toxic components， strychnine and brucine， in SS.

BACKGROUND:Gradient artificial bone repair scaffolds can mimic unique anatomical features in musculoskeletal tissues,showing great potential for repairing injured musculoskeletal tissues. OBJECTIVE:To review the latest research advances in gradient artificial bone repair scaffolds for tissue engineering in the musculoskeletal system and describe their advantages and fabrication strategies. METHODS:The first author of the article searched the Web of Science and PubMed databases for articles published from 2000 to 2023 with search terms"gradient,bone regeneration,scaffold".Finally,76 papers were analyzed and summarized after the screening. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)As an important means of efficient and high-quality repair of skeletal system tissues,gradient artificial bone repair scaffolds are currently designed bionically for the natural gradient characteristics of bone tissue,bone-cartilage,and tendon-bone tissue.These scaffolds can mimic the extracellular matrix of native tissues to a certain extent in terms of structure and composition,thus promoting cell adhesion,migration,proliferation,differentiation,and regenerative recovery of damaged tissues to their native state.(2)Advanced manufacturing technology provides more possibilities for gradient artificial bone repair scaffold preparation:Gradient electrospun fiber scaffolds constructed by spatially differentiated fiber arrangement and loading of biologically active substances have been developed;gradient 3D printed scaffolds fabricated by layered stacking,graded porosity,and bio-3D printing technology;gradient hydrogel scaffolds fabricated by in-situ layered injections,simple layer-by-layer stacking,and freeze-drying method;and in addition,there are also scaffolds made by other modalities or multi-method coupling.These scaffolds have demonstrated good biocompatibility in vitro experiments,were able to accelerate tissue regeneration in small animal tests,and were observed to have significantly improved histological structure.(3)The currently developed gradient artificial bone repair scaffolds have problems such as mismatch of gradient scales,unclear material-tissue interactions,and side effects caused by degradation products,which need to be further optimized by combining the strengths of related disciplines and clinical needs in the future.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.