Background Ozone (O₃) is a major air pollutant. The existing monitoring system has uneven distribution of sites, insufficient coverage in underdeveloped areas, and low temporal resolution, making it difficult to obtain hourly data. This limits the dynamic identification of pollution and the formulation of prevention and control strategies. Objective To construct an hourly O₃ concentration estimation model based on ensemble machine learning, aiming to improve the accuracy of pollution exposure assessment and explore O₃ health impacts. Methods This study integrated land use regression modeling with modern machine learning techniques, employing random forest and XGBoost algorithms to construct base models, and stacking integration using non-negative least squares. The ensemble model was trained and validated across China using high-resolution, multi-source geographic data (e.g., meteorologicaldata, population density, land cover types, and aerosol optical thickness). It was tested in Taiyuan City, combined with a distributed lag non-linear model to analyze the association between O₃ and emergency admissions. Results The constructed ensemble model performed well in predicting O₃ concentration, with a higher coefficient of determination (R²) and a lower root-mean-square deviation (RMSE) compared to the single models. The R² improved from 0.90 to 0.92, and the RMSE decreased from 11.41 to 10.62, enhancing both prediction accuracy and generalization ability. In the application to Taiyuan City, the model successfully imputed the hourly-level data for the entire year. The distributed lag non-linear model analysis revealed that the relative risk (RR) values for the 6th to 8th days following O₃ exposure were 1.14 (95%CI: 1.01, 1.29), 1.16 (95%CI: 1.02, 1.31), and 1.14 (95%CI: 1.01, 1.29), respectively, which were significantly higher than 1, indicating a significant lagged association (lagged 6-8 d) between O₃ and the number of emergency room visits. Conclusion A high-precision, hourly-level O₃ concentration estimation model is successfully constructed by combining the land use regression model with an ensemble machine learning approach to provide a scientific basis for environmental policy formulation and public health intervention. The application of the model verifies its generalization ability and practical application value, which can provide a new technical framework for subsequent environmental health research.

Objectives:To investigate the prognostic value of soluble growth stimulation expressed gene 2 protein(sST2)combined with N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI). Methods:A total of 206 patients who were diagnosed with STEMI for the first time and underwent emergency PCI from August 2020 to February 2021 in the People's Hospital of Liaoning Province were enrolled.Patients were followed up for 3 years and divided into major adverse cardiac event(MACE,a composite endpoint event including cardiac death,stroke,heart failure,and ischemia-driven revascularization)group and MACE-free group.Multivariate cox analysis was performed to determine the independent risk factors for the prognosis of primary PCI in STEMI patients;the predictive value of sST2 and NT-proBNP for the occurrence of MACE in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI was assessed by ROC analysis and the prediction of MACE by each factor by itself and the combined variables was analyzed with the Delong test. Results:There were 62 cases of MACE during the 3-year follow-up.Compared with the MACE-free group,patients in the MACE group had higher levels of sST2 and NT-proBNP,higher proportion of patients with left anterior descending branch lesions,anterior wall myocardial infarction,lower LVEF,and higher proportion of coronary artery slow flow(all P<0.05).Multivariate Cox analysis showed that sST2(HR=1.018,95%CI:1.012-1.024,P<0.001)and NT-proBNP(HR=1.001,95%CI:1.000-1.010,P<0.001)were independent predictors of MACE.According to the statistical analysis of ROC and Delong test,the AUC of combined sST2 and NT-proBNP in predicting MACE was 0.854,the sensitivity was 64.5%,the specificity was 93.1%,and the combined prediction of prognosis was better than that of individual prediction,with statistically significant difference(Z=2.119,P=0.034;Z=2.178,P=0.029). Conclusions:Serum sST2 and NT-proBNP are valuable predictors of MACE after emergency PCI in patients with STEMI,and the predictive efficacy increases with combined assessment of both sST2 and NT-proBNP.

Essential fatty acids are those that could not be synthesized by the body itself but crucial for health and life. Studies have shown that ω-3 fatty acids may facilitate human physiological functions. Mammals lack ω-3 desaturase gene, and the Δ15 fatty acid desaturase (Δ15 Des) from Caenorhabditis elegans can transform the ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) into ω-3 PUFAs. Transgenic mice expressing Δ15 Des enzyme activity was constructed by using a PiggyBac transposon (PB). Homozygous transgenic mice with stable inheritance was bred in a short time, with a positive rate of 35.1% achieved. The mice were fed with 6% ω-6 PUFAs and the changes of fatty acids in mice were detected by gas chromatography (GC). The expression level of Δ15 Des in mice was detected by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting (WB). qPCR and GC analysis revealed that the percentage of positive mice harboring the active gene was 61.53%. Compared with traditional methods, the transformation efficiency and activity of Δ15 Des were significantly improved, and homozygotes showed higher activity than that of heterozygotes. This further verified the efficient transduction efficiency of the PiggyBac transposon system.
Animals ; Caenorhabditis elegans/genetics* ; Fatty Acid Desaturases/genetics* ; Fatty Acids ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic

Very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFAs) are unique fatty acids in tissues of mammals such as retina and testis, and the key enzyme of its biosynthesis is very long chain fatty acid elongase 4 (Elovl4). Development of an animal model of tissue-specific knockout of Elovl4 gene is conducive to the in-depth study of the biological function of VLC-PUFAs. Therefore, we constructed Stra8-Cre mice and Elovl4 floxed mice based on Cre/loxP system, and obtained the (Elovl4[flox/+], Stra8-Cre) heterozygous knockout mice by hybridization. Subsequently, female mice were selected to cross with male mice with homozygous Elovl4[flox/flox] to gain homozygous mice (Elovl4[flox/flox], Stra8-Cre) through genotype identification and screening. RT-PCR, qRT-PCR, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence techniques were used to detect the knock-out efficiency of Elovl4 in testis. The expression of Elovl4 in testis of both heterozygous and homozygous knockout mice were significantly down-regulated at mRNA and protein levels, but were not affected in other tissues. In summary, we constructed a mouse model with specific knockout of Elovl4 gene in testis, which provides a reliable animal model for studying the effect of VLC-PUFAs on the reproductive function of male mice and the underpinning molecular mechanisms.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Eye Proteins/metabolism* ; Female ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; Integrases ; Male ; Mammals/metabolism* ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Testis/metabolism*

The transposon vector containing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was injected into early housefly (Musca domestica L.) eggs by microinjection method to realize stable gene expression in vivo for verification, and to study housefly gene function. A borosilicate glass micro injection needle suitable for microinjection of housefly eggs was made, the softening treatment conditions of housefly egg shells were explored, and a microinjection technology platform suitable for housefly was constructed with a high-precision microsyringe Nanoject Ⅲ as the main body. The recombinant plasmid PiggyBac-[3×P3]-EGFP containing the eye-specific 3×P3 promoter and EGFP and the stable genetic expression helper plasmid pHA3pig helper were microinjected into the treated housefly eggs. After emergence, the eye luminescence was observed, and the expression and transcription level of EGFP were detected. The results showed that the normal hatching rate of housefly eggs was 55% when rinsed in bleaching water for 35 s. The hardness of the egg shell treated for 35 s was suitable for injection and the injection needle was not easy to break. About 3% of the emerged housefly eyes had green fluorescence. Through further molecular detection, EGFP specific fragments with a size of 750 bp were amplified from DNA and RNA of housefly. Through the technical platform, the stable expression of reporter genes in housefly can be conveniently and effectively realized, and a bioreactor with housefly as the main body can be established, which provides certain reference value for subsequent research on housefly gene function.
Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Gene Expression ; Genes, Reporter ; Green Fluorescent Proteins/genetics* ; Houseflies/genetics* ; Microinjections

Objective:To study the clinical value of left ventricle Tei index in evaluating hemodynamics after interventional therapy of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).Methods:From May 2017 to May 2019, 50 children with PDA who underwent interventional therapy (PDA group) and 27 healthy children (healthy control group) in Anhui Provincial Children’s Hospital were selected. The left ventricle Tei index, plasma brain natriuretic peptides (BNP), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVDD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were compared between 2 groups.Results:The left ventricle Tei index was not correlated with heart rate and age in 2 groups ( P>0.05). The left ventricle Tei index before operation in PDA group was significantly lower than that in healthy control group: 0.20(0.16, 0.25) vs. 0.27(0.20, 0.30), and there was statistical difference ( P<0.05). In PDA group, the left ventricle Tei index immediately, 3 d, 1 month and 3 months after operation was significantly higher than before operation: 0.38(0.29, 0.47), 0.32(0.26, 0.40), 0.30(0.27, 0.35) and 0.32(0.26, 0.37) vs. 0.20(0.16, 0.25), and there was statistical difference ( P<0.05); the plasma BNP immediately after operation was significantly lower than before operation: 288 (126, 433) ng/L vs. 582 (303, 1 675) ng/L, and there was statistical difference ( P<0.05); the LVDD 3 months after operation was significantly lower than before operation: (3.03 ± 0.54) cm vs. (3.38 ± 0.51) cm, and there was statistical difference ( P<0.05); the LVEF immediately after operation was significantly lower than before operation: (54.24 ± 6.09)% vs. (59.45 ± 5.93)%, the LVEF 1 and 3 months after operation was significantly higher than that immediately after operation: (63.18 ± 4.71)% and (65.46 ± 4.78)% vs. (54.24 ± 6.09)%, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The left ventricle Tei index before operation was negatively correlated with inner diameter of PDA and plasma BNP ( r = -0.362 and -0.388, P = 0.013 and 0.009), and there was no correlation between LVDD and LVEF ( r = -0.192 and -0.283, P = 0.229 and 0.053); the differences of Tei index before operation and immediately after operation (ΔTei) was positively correlated with inner diameter of PDA ( r = 0.325, P = 0.030), and there was no correlation with BNP, LVDD and LVEF ( r = 0.234, 0.283 and -0.039, P = 0.126, 0.076 and 0.798). Conclusions:The left ventricle Tei index can quickly and accurately assess the change of hemodynamics after interventional therapy of PDA.

In most insects, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are mainly polyunsaturated fatty acids with a carbon-chain length less than 18 carbon atoms, hardly any long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids such as C20 and C22 that are more valuable and bioactive. This study, by using Drosophila melanogaster (Fruit fly) as a model organism, optimized the Δ6-fatty acid elongase enzyme Elovl5 gene from mice and transferred it to fruit flies for expression. Vectors containing Elovl5 gene were successfully injected into drosophila embryo through the microscopic injection. There were enhanced green fluorescent proteins expressed in the whole developmental stage of Drosophila be means of fluorescence microscope. At the same time, expression of Elovl5 gene significantly contributed to the transformation of fruit flies C18-polyunsaturated fatty acids in the body towards the biosynthesis of longer-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. The transgenic fruit fly model rich in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids such as C20 and C22 were obtained, providing a basis for further research on biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids in fruit flies.
Acetyltransferases/genetics* ; Animals ; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics* ; Fatty Acid Elongases/metabolism* ; Fatty Acids/genetics* ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Mice

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients complicated with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and papillary thyroid micro-carcinoma (PTMC) and risk factors for central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) by analyzing the clinical data.Methods:Clinical data of 770 patients with PTMC admitted to Head and Neck Surgery Center of Sichuan Cancer Hospital from May. 2015 to Nov. 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, including 250 HT-PTMC patients (observation group) and 520 non-HT-PTMC patients (control group) . There were 197 males and 573 females, with a male to female ratio of 1.00:2.91. Into observation indexes included patient’s age, gender, serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) , thyroglobulin antibody (TG-Ab) , thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) , number of foci, diameter of foci, calcification of foci, location of foci (with or without extra-glandular invasion) , number of nodules (no matter benign or malignant) , and lymph node metastasis in central and lateral cervical regions. SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Normally distributed data were expressed ± s. The difference between observation group and control group was compared by chi-square test of single factor analysis. The risk factors of CLNM of the observation group were analyzed with multivariate Logistic regression, the difference was statistically significant if P<0.05. Results:There were statistically significant differences between the observation group and the control group in age ( P=0.006) , gender ( P<0.001) , TSH ( P<0.001) , TG-Ab ( P<0.001) , TPO-Ab ( P<0.001) , number of nodules ( P=0.016) , and central lymph node ( P<0.001) . Compared with non-HT-PTMC group, HT-PTMC group had a higher proportion of women under 55 years old, and both TG-Ab and TPO-Ab had higher positive rates. Patients with HT-PTMC were more likely to show polynodule changes, but their central lymph node metastasis rate was lower than that of the non-HT-PTMC group. Single-factor analysis showed that the number of cancer foci, calcification of cancer foci, and location of cancer foci were significantly correlated with the CLNM of HT-PTMC patients (all P<0.001) . Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that multiple cancer foci ( P<0.001) , invasion and capsule ( P<0.001) , and cancer foci with calcification ( P=0.005) were independent risk factors for CLNM. Conclusions:HT-PTMC is more common in women under 55 years of age, and most of them show multiple nodules in bilateral glandular lobes, often accompanied by elevated serum TSH, TG-Ab and TPO-Ab levels. Meanwhile, the lymph node metastasis rate of HT-PTMC is relatively low, and the prognosis may be relatively good. In HT-PTMC, the risk of multiple carcinoma foci, cancer foci with calcification, cancer foci invasion and the occurrence of CLNM is higher. Preventive central lymph node dissection helps to reduce the occurrence of postoperative cervical lymph node recurrence.

Objective To study the clinical characteristics, respond of treatment and prognosis in infants with atrial tachycardia (AT). Methods The clinical data of 23 infants with AT from August 2014 to November 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. The respond of treatment and prognosis were observed. Results Of all the 23 infants with AT, incessant AT was in 5 cases, and paroxysmal AT was in 18 cases. There were 13 infants diagnosed with AT combined with cardiac insufficiency, and among them, 5 cases were combined with tachycardia induced cardiomyopathy (TIC). Echocardiography showed that atrial septal defect in 3 cases, patent foramen oval in 6 cases, ventricular septal defect in 1 case, ventricular septal defect combined with patent foramen oval in 2 cases, ventricular septal defect combined with atrial septal defect in 1 case, and ventricular septal defect combined with coarctation of the aorta in 1 case. The curative effect was excellent in 11 cases, effective in 8 cases, and ineffective in 4 cases at discharge. There was no statistical difference in curative effect between patients with normal cardiac function and cardiac insufficiency at discharge (P＞0.05). The infants were followed up for 12 months, AT disappeared in 19 cases, 1 case progressed to sick sinus syndrome, and 3 cases were lost in follow-up. Conclusions AT can be insidious in infants, but with a favorable prognosis if treated with cardiotonic drugs and antiarrhythmic drugs during the short and mid-term follow-up. Long-term follow-up should be taken to learn more about the prognosis.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the characteristics and rules of new and severe ADR induced by TCM for removing blood stasis and clearing heat in our hospital,and to provide reference for safe drug use in clinic. METHODS:New and severe ADR induced by TCM for removing blood stasis and clearing heat reported to national ADR monitoring center were collected from our hospital during Jan. 2006-Dec. 2016. Those ADR cases were analyzed retrospectively in respects of gender,age,allergic history,route of administration,drug type and dosage form,occurrence time,organs/systems involved and clinical manifestations, outcome. RESULTS:Among 298 reports,the incidence of ADR in female(70.13%)was higher male(29.87%),especially in patients aged 50-59(21.48%);there were 77 allergic cases(25.84%). Route of administration was mainly oral administration (57.37%),and dosage form was mainly injection(25.50%). Main ADR-inducing drug was Chinese patent medicine(53.53%). ADR mostly occurred over 1 d after medication(48.32%). Systems/organs involved in ADR were mainly lesion of skin and its appendants,systemic damage and gastrointestinal damage. Main clinical manifestations were rash,contact dermatitis,pruritus, infusion reaction,chills,fever,nausea,vomiting,diarrhea,etc.After drug withdrawal or symptomatic treatment,97.99% patients were revered and cured. There was no death case. CONCLUSIONS:TCM for removing blood stasis and clearing heat causes most new and severe ADR.Clinical drug use should be monitored closely to reduce the occurrence of ADR.