Elderly patients are a crucial population for medical treatment and referral.The establishment of standardized and efficient referral channels is essential for enhancing the referral process, improving treatment outcomes for the elderly, and optimizing the allocation of medical resources.Referral network analysis examines the integrity, structure, and dynamics of referrals to infer the characteristics of the network.This can offer insights for enhancing referral policies and elevating medical service standards.While existing research predominantly concentrates on referral networks within the general population, there is a noticeable gap in studies focusing on elderly patients.This review article assesses domestic and international research on networks formed between medical institutions or physicians through patient referrals, aiming to inform and enhance referral policies in our country.

Objective:To investigate the current situation of depressive symptoms, effort-reward imbalance (ERI), and sleep quality among train drivers, explore the interaction mechanism between various factors and depressive symptoms, and provide a certain theoretical basis for reducing the level of depressive symptoms among train drivers.Methods:From January to December 2022, train drivers were selected as the research subjects from the locomotive depot of a certain railway bureau through cluster sampling, with a total of 1392 people. A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the basic situation, ERI, sleep quality and depressive symptoms of train drivers. Multiple stepwise regression was used to analyze the effects of each dimension of ERI and sleep quality on depressive symptoms, and binary logistic regression was used to analyze the effects of ERI and sleep quality on depressive symptoms.Results:Among 1392 train drivers, 897 (64.4%) were classified as having depressive symptoms. The results of multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the dimensions of external effort, reward and overcommitment of ERI explained 10.3% of the variation in depressive symptoms ( P<0.01). Sleep quality explained 9.9% of the variation in depressive symptoms ( P< 0.01). The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding variables such as age, length of service, and educational level, high external effort ( OR=2.22, 95% CI: 1.76-2.79) and high overcommitment ( OR=1.90, 95% CI: 1.50-2.39) and poor sleep quality ( OR=5.82, 95% CI: 4.52-7.49) increased the risk of depressive symptoms for train drivers ( P<0.01), while reward was a protective factor for depressive symptoms ( OR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.35-0.55, P<0.01). In the ERI model, high effort and low reward was the greatest risk factor for depressive symptoms ( OR=4.77, 95% CI: 3.41-6.69, P<0.01). In the interaction between ERI and sleep quality, high ERI and poor sleep quality had the greatest negative impact on depressive symptoms ( OR=15.90, 95% CI: 7.27-34.76, P<0.01) . Conclusion:The influence of ERI on depressive symptoms of train drivers has both direct and indirect effects, and sleep quality plays a partial mediating role in the influence of ERI on depressive symptoms.

Mitochondria are the convergence point of multiple pathways that trigger programmed cell death (PCD). Mitochondrial-associated PCD (mtPCD) is involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases. However, the role of mtPCD in the prognostic prediction of cancers including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains to be investigated. Here, 12 mtPCD patterns were analyzed in transcriptomics, genomics, and clinical data collected from 4 datasets containing 977 patients. A risk-score assessment system containing 18 genes was established. We found that NSCLC patients with a high-risk score had a poorer prognosis. A nomogram was constructed by incorporating the risk score with clinical features. The risk score was further associated with clinicopathological information, tumor-mutation frequency, and immunotherapy responses. NSCLC patients with a high risk score had more Treg cells infiltration. However, these patients had higher tumor-mutation burden scores and may be more sensitive to immunotherapy. Moreover, receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinase 2 (RIPK2) was selected from mtPCD gene model for validation. We found that RIPK2 exhibited oncogenic function, and its expression level was inversely associated with the overall survival of NSCLC. Taken together, our results indicated the accuracy and practicability of the mtPCD gene model and RIPK2 in predicting the prognosis of NSCLC.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology* ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Prognosis ; Male ; Female ; Nomograms ; Middle Aged ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/genetics* ; Mutation ; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics* ; Aged

The p60 subunit of the chromatin assembly factor-1 complex, that is, chromatin assembly factor-1 subunit B (CHAF1B), is a histone H3/H4 chaperone crucial for the transcriptional regulation of cell differentiation and self-renewal. CHAF1B is overexpressed in several cancers and may represent a potential target for cancer therapy. However, its expression and clinical significance in lung squamous-cell carcinoma (LUSC) remain unclear. In this study, we performed weighted gene correlation network analysis to analyze the Gene Expression Omnibus GSE68793 LUSC dataset and identified CHAF1B as one of the most important driver gene candidates. Immunohistochemical analysis of 126 LUSC tumor samples and 80 adjacent normal lung tissues showed the marked upregulation of CHAF1B in tumor tissues and the negative association of its expression level with patient survival outcomes. Silencing of CHAF1B suppressed LUSC proliferation in vitro and LUSC tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, bulk RNA sequencing of CHAF1B knockdown cells indicated SET domain containing 7 (SETD7) as a significant CHAF1B target gene. In addition, CHAF1B competitively binds to the SETD7 promoter region and represses its transcription. Altogether, these results imply that CHAF1B plays a vital role in LUSC tumorigenesis and may represent a potential molecular target for this deadly disease.
Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase/metabolism* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Disease Progression ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chromatin Assembly Factor-1/metabolism* ; Animals ; Mice ; Male ; Female

Objective:To assess the impact of vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) on the terminal decontamination effectiveness following the spillage of infectious materials in a BSL-3 laboratory.Methods:Within BSL-3 laboratories with volumes of 92.5 m 3 and 218 m 3, two types of Geobacillus stearothermophilus spore strips were used as biological indicators. ATCC7953 was affixed to stainless steel strips, while ATCC12980 was applied to paper strips. The strips were soaked in cell culture medium and chicken embryo egg fluid to simulate minor spill models. While strips continuously immersed in cell culture medium or chicken embryo egg fluid served as major spill models. These were compared against untreated biological indicator strips to evaluate the terminal decontamination efficacy of VHP. Results:After the completion of terminal disinfection, in laboratories of different volumes and at various sampling points, the culture result of both types of bacterial strips from the minor spill models and the untreated control strips were all negative. In the major spill models, the positivity rate of the two types of bacterial strips soaked in cell culture medium was 75%, while the positivity rate of the two types of bacterial strips soaked in chicken embryo egg fluid was 100%.Conclusions:In the event of a large spill of infectious materials in a laboratory, to ensure biosafety, it is recommended to first treat the spilled materials before initiating the terminal disinfection process. Additionally, under the same disinfection conditions, the material of the biological indicator strips does not affect the terminal disinfection outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the current situation of depressive symptoms, effort-reward imbalance (ERI), and sleep quality among train drivers, explore the interaction mechanism between various factors and depressive symptoms, and provide a certain theoretical basis for reducing the level of depressive symptoms among train drivers.Methods:From January to December 2022, train drivers were selected as the research subjects from the locomotive depot of a certain railway bureau through cluster sampling, with a total of 1392 people. A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the basic situation, ERI, sleep quality and depressive symptoms of train drivers. Multiple stepwise regression was used to analyze the effects of each dimension of ERI and sleep quality on depressive symptoms, and binary logistic regression was used to analyze the effects of ERI and sleep quality on depressive symptoms.Results:Among 1392 train drivers, 897 (64.4%) were classified as having depressive symptoms. The results of multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the dimensions of external effort, reward and overcommitment of ERI explained 10.3% of the variation in depressive symptoms ( P<0.01). Sleep quality explained 9.9% of the variation in depressive symptoms ( P< 0.01). The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding variables such as age, length of service, and educational level, high external effort ( OR=2.22, 95% CI: 1.76-2.79) and high overcommitment ( OR=1.90, 95% CI: 1.50-2.39) and poor sleep quality ( OR=5.82, 95% CI: 4.52-7.49) increased the risk of depressive symptoms for train drivers ( P<0.01), while reward was a protective factor for depressive symptoms ( OR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.35-0.55, P<0.01). In the ERI model, high effort and low reward was the greatest risk factor for depressive symptoms ( OR=4.77, 95% CI: 3.41-6.69, P<0.01). In the interaction between ERI and sleep quality, high ERI and poor sleep quality had the greatest negative impact on depressive symptoms ( OR=15.90, 95% CI: 7.27-34.76, P<0.01) . Conclusion:The influence of ERI on depressive symptoms of train drivers has both direct and indirect effects, and sleep quality plays a partial mediating role in the influence of ERI on depressive symptoms.

Elderly patients are a crucial population for medical treatment and referral.The establishment of standardized and efficient referral channels is essential for enhancing the referral process, improving treatment outcomes for the elderly, and optimizing the allocation of medical resources.Referral network analysis examines the integrity, structure, and dynamics of referrals to infer the characteristics of the network.This can offer insights for enhancing referral policies and elevating medical service standards.While existing research predominantly concentrates on referral networks within the general population, there is a noticeable gap in studies focusing on elderly patients.This review article assesses domestic and international research on networks formed between medical institutions or physicians through patient referrals, aiming to inform and enhance referral policies in our country.

Objective:To assess the impact of vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) on the terminal decontamination effectiveness following the spillage of infectious materials in a BSL-3 laboratory.Methods:Within BSL-3 laboratories with volumes of 92.5 m 3 and 218 m 3, two types of Geobacillus stearothermophilus spore strips were used as biological indicators. ATCC7953 was affixed to stainless steel strips, while ATCC12980 was applied to paper strips. The strips were soaked in cell culture medium and chicken embryo egg fluid to simulate minor spill models. While strips continuously immersed in cell culture medium or chicken embryo egg fluid served as major spill models. These were compared against untreated biological indicator strips to evaluate the terminal decontamination efficacy of VHP. Results:After the completion of terminal disinfection, in laboratories of different volumes and at various sampling points, the culture result of both types of bacterial strips from the minor spill models and the untreated control strips were all negative. In the major spill models, the positivity rate of the two types of bacterial strips soaked in cell culture medium was 75%, while the positivity rate of the two types of bacterial strips soaked in chicken embryo egg fluid was 100%.Conclusions:In the event of a large spill of infectious materials in a laboratory, to ensure biosafety, it is recommended to first treat the spilled materials before initiating the terminal disinfection process. Additionally, under the same disinfection conditions, the material of the biological indicator strips does not affect the terminal disinfection outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the seasonal impact of diurnal temperature range (DTR) on hospitalization rates for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in middle-aged and elderly adults. METHODS: We collected data on the DTR and hospitalization records of ≥45-year-old patients with ICH in 2019 in Hunan Province, central China. Time-series analyses were performed using a distributed lag non-linear model. RESULTS: Overall, 54,690 hospitalizations for ICH were recorded. DTR showed a non-linear relationship with ICH hospitalization in both middle-aged and elderly populations (45-59 and ≥60 years, respectively). During spring, a low DTR coupled with persistently low temperatures increased ICH risk in both age groups, while a high DTR was associated with an increased risk in the middle-aged group only (relative risk [RR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 to 1.27). In the summer, a low DTR combined with persistently high temperatures was linked to a higher risk exclusively in the middle-aged group. A high DTR in the autumn was correlated with increased risk in both age groups. In winter, either a low DTR with a continuously low temperature or a high DTR elevated the risk solely in the elderly population (RR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.69). In the elderly group, the impact of DTR on hospitalization risk manifested within a 5-day period. CONCLUSIONS The impact of DTR on ICH hospitalization risk differed significantly across seasons and between age groups. Elderly individuals demonstrated greater sensitivity to the impact of DTR. Weather forecasting services should emphasize DTR values, and interventions targeting sensitive populations are needed.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the seasonal impact of diurnal temperature range (DTR) on hospitalization rates for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in middle-aged and elderly adults. METHODS: We collected data on the DTR and hospitalization records of ≥45-year-old patients with ICH in 2019 in Hunan Province, central China. Time-series analyses were performed using a distributed lag non-linear model. RESULTS: Overall, 54,690 hospitalizations for ICH were recorded. DTR showed a non-linear relationship with ICH hospitalization in both middle-aged and elderly populations (45-59 and ≥60 years, respectively). During spring, a low DTR coupled with persistently low temperatures increased ICH risk in both age groups, while a high DTR was associated with an increased risk in the middle-aged group only (relative risk [RR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 to 1.27). In the summer, a low DTR combined with persistently high temperatures was linked to a higher risk exclusively in the middle-aged group. A high DTR in the autumn was correlated with increased risk in both age groups. In winter, either a low DTR with a continuously low temperature or a high DTR elevated the risk solely in the elderly population (RR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.69). In the elderly group, the impact of DTR on hospitalization risk manifested within a 5-day period. CONCLUSIONS The impact of DTR on ICH hospitalization risk differed significantly across seasons and between age groups. Elderly individuals demonstrated greater sensitivity to the impact of DTR. Weather forecasting services should emphasize DTR values, and interventions targeting sensitive populations are needed.