Background Metals and metalloids in fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) may cause damage to the respiratory and circulatory systems of the human body, and long-term exposure is prone to causing chronic poisoning, cancer, and other adverse effects. Objective To assess the distribution characteristics of metals and metalloids in outdoor PM_2.5 in a southern city of China, conduct source apportionment, and evaluate the associated health risks, thereby providing theoretical support for further pollution control measures. Methods PM_2.5 samples were collected in districts A, B, and C of a southern China city, and the concentrations of 17 metals and metalloids were detected by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Pollution sources were assessed through enrichment factor and principal components analysis, and the main pollution sources were quantified using absolute principal component scores-multivariate linear regression (APCS-MLR). Health risks were evaluated based on the Technical guide for environmental health risk assessment of chemical exposure (WS/T777—2021). Results The ambient air PM_2.5 concentrations in the city were higher in winter and spring, and lower in summer and autumn. The annual average concentrations of ambient PM_2.5 in districts A, B, and C were 36.7, 31.9, and 24.4 μg·m⁻³, respectively. The ambient PM_2.5 levels in districts B and C were below the second-grade limit set by the Ambient air quality standards (GB 3095—2012). The enrichment factors of cadmium (Cd), aluminum (Al), and antimony (Sb) were greater than 10, those of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), and molybdenum (Mo) fell between 1 and 10, and those of manganese (Mn), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), barium (Ba), beryllium (Be), and uranium (U) were below or equal to 1. The comprehensive evaluation of source analysis showed that the main pollution sources in districts A and C and the whole city were coal-burning. In district B, the main pollution source was also coal combustion, followed by industrial process sources and dust sources. The carcinogenic risks of As and Cr were between 1×10⁻⁶ and 1×10⁻⁴. However, the hazard quotients for 15 metals and metalloids in terms of non-carcinogenic risk were below 1. Conclusion Cr and As in the atmospheric PM_2.5 of the city present a certain risk of cancer and should be paid attention to. In addition, preventive control measures should be taken against relevant pollution sources such as industrial emission, dust, and coal burning.

The accumulation of uremic toxins such as urea nitrogen, blood creatinine, and uric acid of patients with renal failure in vivo would lead to aggravated kidney damage. In this study, coated aldehyde oxy-starch (CAO) was used as an adsorbent to investigate its in vitro adsorption performance on renal failure indexes for urea, indoxyl sulfate (INS), monomethylamine (MMA), dimethylamine (DMA), uric acid (UA), and creatinine (Cr). The effects of variables such as pH, temperature, concentration, dosage, and time on the adsorption capacity of CAO were systematically investigated, employing analytical techniques of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC). The results revealed that CAO exhibited a strong adsorption capacity for urea, INS, and MMA, alongside a moderate adsorption capacity for DMA, UA, and Cr. The adsorption kinetics and thermodynamic studies indicated that the adsorption of urea and UA by CAO were fitted in pseudo-first-order kinetics, and the adsorption isotherm aligned with the Freundlich adsorption model. The enthalpy change ΔH of urea in adsorption was in the range of 40 to 60 kJ·mol^-1, which demonstrated the presence of strong adsorption force due to the interactions of coordinating groups. The ΔH of UA was greater than 80 kJ·mol^-1, indicating the generation of chemical bonds during the adsorption. Both of them, Gibbs free energy ΔG was less than 0, within the range of -20 to 0 kJ·mol^-1, suggested that the adsorption of urea and UA by CAO occurred spontaneously as physical adsorption process. The adsorption entropy ΔS of urea and UA was > 0, which indicated an increase in entropy throughout the adsorption. The infrared spectroscopygram showed the formation of a chemical bond, specifically the imine bond, following the adsorption of urea by CAO, thereby indicating a chemical reaction during the adsorption. This study elucidates the adsorption mechanism of CAO on various indexes of renal failure, providing a scientific basis for its clinical usage.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of 3D printing spinal external fixator combined with McKenzie therapy for patients with lumbar dics herniation (LDH). METHODS: Sixty patients with LDH between January 2022 and January 2023 were enrolled. Among them, 30 patients were given McKinsey training. According to different treatment methods, all patients were divided into McKenzie group and McKenzie + 3D printing group, 30 patients in each group. The McKenzie group provided McKenzie therapy. The McKenzie + 3D printing group were treated with 3D printing spinal external fixation brace on the basis of McKenzie therapy. Patients in both groups were between 25 and 60 years of age and had their first illness. In the McKenzie group, there were 19 males and 11 females, with an average age of (48.57±5.86) years old, and the disease duration was (7.03 ±2.39) months. The McKenzie + 3D printing group, there were 21 males and 9 females, with an average age of (48.80±5.92) years old, and the disease duration was(7.30±2.56) months. Pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), and lumbar spine function was assessed using the Oswestry disability index (ODI) and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. VAS, ODI and JOA scores were compared between two groups before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 12 months. The VAS for the McKenzie combined with 3D printing group before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment were(6.533±0.860), (5.133±1.008), (3.933±0.868), (2.900±0.759), (2.067±0.640), (1.433±0.504), respectively. In the McKenzie group, the corresponding scores were (6.467±0.860), (5.067±1.048), (4.600±0.968), (3.533±1.008), (2.567±0.728), (1.967±0.809), respectively. The ODI of the McKenzie group before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment were (41.033±6.810)%, (37.933±6.209)%, (35.467±6.962)%, (27.567±10.081)%, (20.800±7.531)%, (13.533±5.158)%, respectively. For the McKenzie combined with 3D printing group, the corresponding ODI were(38.033±5.605)%, (33.000±6.192)%, (28.767±7.045)%, (22.200±5.517)%, (17.700±4.836)%, (11.900±2.771)%, respectively. The JOA scores of the McKenzie combined with 3D printing group before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment were(8.900±2.074), (13.133±2.330), (15.700±3.583), (20.400±3.480), (22.267±3.084), (24.833±2.640), respectively. In the McKenzie group, the corresponding scores were(9.200±2.091), (12.267±2.406), (15.333±3.198), (18.467±2.240), (20.133±2.751), (22.467±2.849), respectively. Before the initiation of treatment, no statistically significant differences were observed in the VAS, ODI, and JOA scores between two groups (P>0.05). At 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment, the VAS in the McKenzie combined with 3D printing group was significantly lower than that in the McKenzie group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The comparison of ODI between two groups at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment revealed statistically significant differences (P<0.05). At 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment, the JOA score in the McKenzie combined with 3D printing group was significantly higher than that in the McKenzie-only group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The combination of 3D printed functional spinal external fixation brace with McKenzie therapy can significantly improve and maintain lumbar function in patients with LDH.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/surgery* ; External Fixators ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Adult ; Braces ; Treatment Outcome

Cinnabar(HgS) was widely used in ancient times for medicinal purposes, religious rituals, and pigments. A group of bright red powdery clumps was excavated from Mawangdui Tomb No.3 of the Han Dynasty. Early studies considered the clumps as evidence of cinnabar's medicinal use during the Qin-Han period. This study employed a range of archaeometric techniques, including extended-depth-of-field stereo imaging, micro-CT, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry FTIR, to systematically analyze the material composition and structural characteristics of these remains. The results revealed that the cinnabar particles were granular, finely ground, and tightly bound to silk matrix, with no detectable excipients typically associated with medicinal formulations. Micro-CT imaging indicated a well-preserved textile structure, with clear signs of sedimentary accumulation and mechanical damage. Based on historical and archaeological studies, this study suggested that these remains were more likely degraded accumulations of cinnabar-colored silk textiles rather than medicinal cinnabar. By clarifying the diversity of ancient cinnabar applications and preservation states, this study provides new insights for the archaeological identification of mineral medicinal materials and contributes to the standardized study of Chinese medicinal materials and understanding of the historical use of cinnabar.
History, Ancient ; China ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history* ; Archaeology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/history* ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; Spectrum Analysis, Raman ; Mercury Compounds

Objective:To investigate the effect of nuclide distribution with time from the in vivo metabolism based on measurement of radioactive contamination using lung counting method. Methods:The distribution of nuclides in the body with time was calculated on a basis of a single inhalation of aerosols containing 235U and the International Commission of Radiological Protection(ICRP) nuclide metabolism compartment model. A passive efficiency calibration of the lung counter, was performed using the simulation and calculation software Geant4 to obtain the contribution of the tissue or organs of interest to the lung counter, and to investigate the effect of the nuclide distribution on the lung counting method. Results:The time elapsed after inhalation of radionuclides, as well as their physicochemical state, has the effect on their distribution in the body and on the detection efficiency of the lung counter. Radionuclides with smaller particulate sizes have a higher initial retention in the lungs, and those with an activity median aerodynamic diameter (ADAM) of 1 μm contributed more fraction to the lung counter than those with an ADAM of 5 μm. F-type compounds were metabolized more rapidly by the respiratory system, and after 8 h of ingestion, nuclides were distributed in the lungs. F-type compounds were metabolized in the respiratory system at a relatively fast rate, and 8 h after inhalation, the fraction of nuclides retained in the lung contributed no more than 30% to the lung counter. Within 3 d after ingestion of M-type and S-type compounds, radioactive particulats largely deposites in the nasopharyngeal region. With biological metabolization and clearance, the fraction contributed by lung to counter is in rising, and the fraction to the lung counter typically remained larger than 80% after 3 d.Conclusions:Radionuclide metabolization in the body varies with their physicochemical properties and measurement time and site. For estimating internal contamination, consideration should be given to the distribution of nuclides, in order to avoid the overestimation.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of chronic hepatitis C(CHC)patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 3(HCV GT3)infection and the risk factors for disease progression.Methods A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted among 1 002 CHC patients from 11 clinical centers in Northwest China from December 2017 to November 2023,and according to their genotype,they were divided into GT1,GT2,GT3,and GT6 groups.Clinical features were compared between the patients with different genotypes.The one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups,and the Scheffe test was used for further comparison between two groups.The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of data with skewed distribution between groups;the chi-square test or Fisher test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors for the progression of CHC to liver cirrhosis.Results In terms of the genotype,there were 427 patients with GT1 infection,242 with GT2 infection,299 with GT3 infection(210 patients with GT3a infection,87 with GT3b infection,and 2 with unclassified genotype),and 34 with GT6 infection.The patients with GT3 infection had a significantly younger age than those with GT1 infection(51.3±0.5 years vs 53.2±0.6 years,P<0.05)or GT2 infection(51.3±0.5 years vs 53.7±0.8 years,P<0.05),and for the patients with liver cirrhosis,the patients with GT3 infection had a significantly younger age than those with GT1 infection(52.1±0.5 years vs 59.4±0.9 years,P<0.001)or GT2 infection(52.1±0.5 years vs 58.1±1.1 years,P<0.001).Among the patients with GT3 infection,male patients accounted for 77.9%and the patients with liver cirrhosis accounted for 46.2%,which were significantly higher than those among the patients with GT1,GT2 or GT6 infection(all P<0.001).At baseline,the patients with GT3 infection had significantly higher levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)than those with GT1 or GT2 infection,significantly higher aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index(APRI)and fibrosis-4(FIB4)than those with GT1,GT2 or GT6 infection,a significantly lower platelet count(PLT)than those with GT2 or GT6 infection,a significantly higher level of alpha-fetoprotein than those with GT2 or GT6 infection,and a significantly lower level of albumin(Alb)than those with GT6 infection(all P<0.05).There were no significant differences between the patients with GT3a infection and those with GT3b infection in age,sex,the proportion of patients with liver cirrhosis,comorbidities,HCV RNA quantification,PLT,ALT,AST,alkaline phosphatase,Alb,APRI,and FIB-4(all P>0.05).The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that PLT≤150×109/L(odds ratio[OR]=10.72,95%confidence interval[CI]:5.76-35.86,P<0.001)and Alb≤35 g/L(OR=3.74,95%CI:1.22-11.45,P=0.021)were risk factors for liver cirrhosis.Conclusion Most CHC patients with GT3 infection are male in Northwest China,and compared with the patients with other genotypes,such patients tend to have a younger age of onset and higher degrees of liver inflammation activity and fibrosis.Low PLT and a low level of Alb are risk factors for progression to liver cirrhosis in CHC patients with GT3 infection.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided median interspinous in-plane approach to subarachnoid puncture in obese pregnant patients.Methods:This study was a randomized controlled trial. Eighty obese parturients who underwent elective cesarean section from March 2022 to January 2024 in our hospital were divided into 2 groups( n=40 each) by the random number table method: median interspinous in-plane approach group(group M) and paramedian interlaminar in-plane approach group(group P). After successful puncture, 0.5% ropivacaine 15 mg(3 ml) was intrathecally injected in both groups. The first-attempt success of puncture, the number of puncture attempts, operation time, the total success of puncture, and the visibility scores of the anterior and posterior union, positioning structure(lamina in group P, spinous process in group M) and puncture needle under ultrasound were recorded. Results:Compared with group P, the visibility score of positioning structure under ultrasound was significantly increased, the success rate of puncture at the first attempt was increased, the number of puncture attempts was decreased, the operation time was shortened, the total success rate of puncture was increased( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the visibility scores of the anterior and posterior union and puncture needle in group M( P>0.05). Conclusions:For obese pregnant patients, the ultrasound-guided median interspinous in-plane approach can accurately and quickly perform subarachnoid puncture, which has more advantages than the traditional paramedian interlaminar in-plane approach.

Objective:To investigate the effect of nuclide distribution with time from the in vivo metabolism based on measurement of radioactive contamination using lung counting method. Methods:The distribution of nuclides in the body with time was calculated on a basis of a single inhalation of aerosols containing 235U and the International Commission of Radiological Protection(ICRP) nuclide metabolism compartment model. A passive efficiency calibration of the lung counter, was performed using the simulation and calculation software Geant4 to obtain the contribution of the tissue or organs of interest to the lung counter, and to investigate the effect of the nuclide distribution on the lung counting method. Results:The time elapsed after inhalation of radionuclides, as well as their physicochemical state, has the effect on their distribution in the body and on the detection efficiency of the lung counter. Radionuclides with smaller particulate sizes have a higher initial retention in the lungs, and those with an activity median aerodynamic diameter (ADAM) of 1 μm contributed more fraction to the lung counter than those with an ADAM of 5 μm. F-type compounds were metabolized more rapidly by the respiratory system, and after 8 h of ingestion, nuclides were distributed in the lungs. F-type compounds were metabolized in the respiratory system at a relatively fast rate, and 8 h after inhalation, the fraction of nuclides retained in the lung contributed no more than 30% to the lung counter. Within 3 d after ingestion of M-type and S-type compounds, radioactive particulats largely deposites in the nasopharyngeal region. With biological metabolization and clearance, the fraction contributed by lung to counter is in rising, and the fraction to the lung counter typically remained larger than 80% after 3 d.Conclusions:Radionuclide metabolization in the body varies with their physicochemical properties and measurement time and site. For estimating internal contamination, consideration should be given to the distribution of nuclides, in order to avoid the overestimation.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal distribution of hepatitis C in Henan province from 2012 to 2022.Methods:The case report data on hepatitis C from counties and districts in Henan between 2012 and 2022 were collected. The distribution characteristics were analyzed by descriptive epidemiological methods, and GeoDa1.2 software was used to perform spatial autocorrelation analysis. The spatiotemporal epidemiological analysis was conducted using SaTScan 10.1 software.Results:A total of 274 485 hepatitis C cases were reported in Henan from 2012 to 2022. The reported annual average incidence rate was 25.84/100 000 and showed an overall downward trend from 2012 to 2022 ( Z=-4.05, P<0.001). More cases were reported in women. The cases were mainly aged 40-69 years and farmers. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that the reported cases of hepatitis C present spatial clustering during 2012—2022, and the areas with high incidence were mainly distributed in counties or districts of Zhengzhou, Zhumadian, Xuchang, Zhoukou, and Nanyang. One class I clustering area was detected by spatiotemporal scanning, which mainly covered Xuchang, Pingdingshan and the surrounding counties ( LLR=16 117.73, RR=1.81, P<0.001). Conclusion:The reported cases of hepatitis C in Henan Province show an overall downward trend from 2012 to 2022 and present spatiotemporal clustering. The seasonal regularity of the hepatitis C epidemic is not obvious. People aged 40-69 years old and farmers are the key population for prevention and control.