Background Depressive symptoms have become a significant factor affecting the physical and mental health of the occupational population, and workers in petroleum refining enterprises face multiple stressors in their work environment. Objective To explore the impact of occupational noise exposure on depressive symptoms among workers in a petroleum refining enterprise. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2024 using a questionnaire survey among workers of a petroleum refining enterprise in Hainan Province. Basic information of the subjects was collected. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to measure depressive symptoms, the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scale was used to assess sleep quality, and the Chinese version of the Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) scale was used to evaluate occupational stress. Chi-square test was employed to compare the differences in reporting depressive symptoms among populations with different characteristics. Binary logistic regression models were used to analyze the impact of occupational noise exposure and other factors on depressive symptoms. Results The overall positive rate of depressive symptoms in the study population was 42.7%. The results of the multifactor analysis indicated that compared with the control group, employees in both the low-exposure and high-exposure groups had elevated odds of depressive symptoms, with OR (95%CI) of 2.244 (1.131, 4.454) and 1.970 (1.009, 3.850), respectively. This association remained robust after adjusting for potential confounders, including gender, age, work tenure, and other occupational exposures. Additionally, female [OR (95%CI)=1.483 (1.039, 2.118)], exposure to benzene, toluene, or xylene [OR (95%CI)=1.621 (1.208, 2.174)], sleep disturbance [OR (95%CI)=3.772 (2.942, 4.838)], and occupational stress [OR (95%CI)=2.018 (1.575, 2.585)] were also significantly associated with higher odds of depressive symptoms. Conclusion The positive rate of depressive symptoms is relatively high among employees in this petrochemical enterprise, and occupational noise exposure may be a risk factor for depressive symptoms.

Objective To explore the role of X chromosome encoded epigenetic regulator UTX in NK cell-mediated anti-tumor activity.Methods Male Ncr1-iCre mice were crossed with female UTXfl/fl mice to generate F1 Ncr1-iCre+UTXfl/-male mice,which were further crossed with female UTXfl/fl mice to obtain male Ncr1-iCre-UTX fl/-control mice(M-Con)and NK-specific deletion of UTX male mice Ncr1-iCre+UTXfl/-(M-KO),as well as female Ncr1-iCre-UTXfl/fl control mice(F-Con)and UTX-deficient female mice Ncr1-iCre+UTXfl/fl(F-KO).UTX-deficient mice were injected with melanoma cell line B16F10 via tail vein to observe pulmonary metastatic tumor nodules.Moreover,flow cytometry was applied to detect the proportion and quantity of pulmonary NK cells(CD3-CD19-NK1.1+),maturation makers KLRG1 and CD11b,activation receptors NKG2D and CD69,and effector molecules,including perforin,granzyme B,CD107a,and IFN-γ.Then pulmonary NK cells were sorted and co-cultured with B16F10 cells,and the apoptosis of the melanoma cells was measured with flow cytometry.Results Compared with the M-Con mice,the M-KO mice presented less number of pulmonary tumor nodules(P<0.05),increased proportion and quantity of NK cells in the tumor microenvironment(P<0.01),though no obvious changes in the ratio of NK maturation makers KLRG1 to CD11b,enhanced expression level of cytotoxic molecule perforin(P<0.01),but no changes in the expression of effector molecule granzyme B,degranulation marker CD107a and cytokine IFN-γ in NK cells.Co-culture of NK cells and B16F10 cells promoted the apoptosis of tumor cells(P<0.05).Compared with the F-Con mice,the F-KO mice had no statistical difference in the number of pulmonary tumor nodules,but larger proportion and number of NK cells(P<0.05),decreased ratio of KLRG1 to CD11b(P<0.01),elevated level of perforin but decreased levels of granzyme B,CD107a and IFN-γ in NK cells(P<0.01).The co-culture of NK cells and B16F10 cells reduced the apoptosis of tumor cells in F-KO female mice(P<0.05).Conclusion NK-specific deletion of UTX regulates pulmonary metastasis of melanoma in a sex-dependent manner.

Objective:To investigate the potential characteristic manifestations and application value of the Dynamic Visual Acuity Test（DVAT） in vestibular migraine（VM）. Methods:A total of 50 VM patients（case group） and 50 healthy subjects（control group） diagnosed at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University between November 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024, were enrolled. The case group underwent DVAT, video head impulse test（vHIT）, caloric test, and Dizziness Handicap Inventory（DHI） assessment, whereas the control group only received DVAT. Group-based analyses were conducted to examine the effect of age on Dynamic Visual Acuity Loss（DVALoss）, as well as the correlations of DVALoss with vestibular function tests and DHI scores. Results:DVALoss in the case group was significantly higher than that in the control group（P<0.001）. In both groups, age was significantly and positively correlated with DVALoss（P<0.001）. Within the case group, DVALoss was strongly and positively correlated with DHI scores（r=0.807, P<0.001）; it was negatively correlated with the vestibulo-ocular reflex（VOR） gain in vHIT, though without clinical significance, and showed no significant association with the caloric test. Age and DVALoss collectively accounted for 71.3% of the variance in DHI scores（R²=0.713）, with age exerting a relatively minor actual impact. Conclusion:DVAT can sensitively identify the core functional impairments of VM. DVALoss, as a direct functional reflection of the pathological mechanism of VM, is strongly correlated with DHI scores. Incorporating DVALoss into standardized assessments may provide an objective basis for the diagnosis and management of VM.
Humans ; Migraine Disorders/diagnosis* ; Visual Acuity ; Case-Control Studies ; Head Impulse Test ; Vestibular Function Tests ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Vestibular Diseases/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Caloric Tests

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of quercetin against 5-fluorouracil(5-FU)-induced damage in the human immortalized keratinocytes(HACAT),and to elucidate its possible mechanism.Methods:The HACAT cells were divided into control group(normal cultured cells),5-FU group(treated with 7.5 mg·L-1 5-FU for 24 h),and low,medium,and high doses of quercetin groups(HACAT cells treated with 25,50,and 75 μmol·L-1 quercetin combined with 7.5 mg·L-15-FU for 24 h).Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay was used to detect the survival rates of HACAT cells treated with different doses(0,10,25,50,75 and 100 μmol·L-1)of quercetin in various groups.The fluorescent probe of reactive oxygen species(ROS)was used to detect ROS levels in the HACAT cells in various groups.Annexin Ⅴ-FITC/PI double staining was used to detect the apoptosis of HACAT cells in various groups.Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax),Cleaved Caspase-3,cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2),interleukin-1 β(IL-1β),and interleukin-6(IL-6)in the HACAT cells in various groups.Results:The CCK-8 assay results showed that compared with 0 μmol·L-1 quercetin group,the survival rates of HACAT cells in 10,25,50 and 75 μmol·L-1quercetin groups showed no significant differences(P＞0.05),while the survival rates of HACAT cells in 100 μmol·L-1 quercetin group was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with 5-FU group,the survival rates of the HACAT cells in low,medium and high doses of quercetin group were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with 5-FU group,the ROS levels in low,medium,and high doses of quercetin groups were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Annexin Ⅴ-FITC/PI double staining assay showed that compared with 5-FU group,the apoptotic rates in low,medium and high doses of quercetin groups were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).The Western blotting results showed that compared with 5-FU group,the expression levels of Bcl-2 protein in medium and high doses of quercetin groups were significantly increased(P＜0.05),the expression levels of Bax and Cleaved Caspase-3 proteins in low,medium and high doses of quercetin groups were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the expression levels of COX-2 protein in medium and high doses of quercetin groups were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the expression levels of IL-1β and IL-6 proteins in medium dose of quercetin group were significantly decreasd(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Quercetin has protective effect on 5-FU-induced damage in the HACAT cells,and its mechanism may be related to the reduction of the expression of ROS and inflammatory factor COX-2 which attenuate the apoptosis.

BACKGROUND:Some patients still have unsatisfactory improvement of operative limb fatigue and pain after total knee arthroplasty.Clinical findings show that Jianpi Yiqi Huoxue Formula can promote recovery after total knee arthroplasty,but the specific efficacy remains to be studied. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of Jianpi Yiqi Huoxue Formula on the muscle strength and pain of the operated limb after the primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty. METHODS:A total of 74 patients undergoing primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty were randomly divided into a trial group and a control group with 37 patients in each group.All patients received the same prostheses and surgical methods during the operation.Patients in the control group were treated with routine analgesics,anticoagulant drugs and functional exercise after the operation.The trial group received Jianpi Yiqi Huoxue Formula after the treatment in the control group.Both groups were treated continuously and followed up for 1 month.The changes in isokinetic muscle strength(peak torque and total work amount of extensor and flexor),visual analog scale score and the hospital for special surgery score of the two groups were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The trial group had better improvement in peak torque and total work amount of extensor and flexor and the hospital for special surgery score than the control group 14 days and 1 month after surgery(P<0.05).(2)In contrast to the control group,the visual analog scale score of the trial group improved better at 7 and 14 days and 1 month after surgery(P<0.05).(3)It is indicated that Jianpi Yiqi Huoxue Formula can effectively improve the muscle strength of the operated limb,enhance the degree of postoperative joint pain,and promote functional rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty.

Objective:To analyze the effect of depressive state on Alzheimer's disease(AD)mice,3xTg-AD mice were stimulated with chronic social frustration stress(CSDS)and chronic mild unpredictable stress(CUMS),to estab-lish an early AD-induced depression mouse model,and to detect cognitive and behavioral changes,activation of micro-glia in the hippocampus and neuronal loss.Methods:Three-month-old mice were subjected to 8-day stress stimulation alternately,the depressive state of the mice was evaluated by behavior,the evaluation criteria were formulated,and the cognitive behavior was detected and analyzed,and the hippocampal brain tissue sections were stained with immunofluo-rescence to observe the deposition of β-amyloid(Aβ)and the aggregation of microtubule-associated protein(tau),mi-croglia activation and neuronal loss.Results:Depression-related behavioral results showed that the CSDS+CUMS group had depression-related phenotypes.Cognitive-behavioral testing showed that the new object recognition index of the mice in the CSDS+CUMS group was significantly reduced(P＜0.05),and the Morris water maze showed that the spatial memory ability of the CSDS+CUMS group was significantly reduced(P＜0.05),but there was no obvious fear memory loss in the CSDS+CUMS group in the conditioned fear experiment.The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that Aβ deposition appeared in the hippocampus at 4 months of age,the activated microglia increased(P＜0.001),and a certain degree of neuronal loss appeared in the CSDS+CUMS group(P＜0.001);At 8 months of age,the CSDS+CUMS group showed tau protein aggregation early.Conclusion:We established a model of AD-induced de-pression in AD mice,in which 3xTg-AD mice experienced early decline in learning memory and increased AD-related pathological deposition of neurons in the hippocampus,accompanied by microglial activation and neuronal loss.

Objective To investigate the changes in blood microbiota in patients with high altitude polycythemia(HAPC)and the correlation with the risk of HAPC.Methods A cross-sectional trial was carried out among 41 HAPC patients(HAPC group)and 41 healthy plateau individuals(control group)who took physical examination in the Health Management Department of No.953 Hospital of PLA Army in 2021.High-throughput sequencing technology was used to detect the V3-V4 variable region of the 16S ribosomal RNA(16S rRNA)gene in the blood smaples,and the composition and difference of the blood microbiota were compared and analyzed between the 2 groups.Results All the participants were male and Han people,and there were no significant differences in baseline data such as age,body mass index and plateau migration time between the 2 groups(P＞0.05).The α-diversity of blood microbiota in the HAPC group,including the Simpson index(0.931±0.005 vs 0.907±0.008,P＜0.05),Goods Coverage index(0.998±0.001 vs 0.997±0.001,P＜0.001)and Pielou index(0.597±0.011 vs 0.567±0.009,P＜0.05)were significantly higher than those in the control group.Meanwhile,obvious difference was observed in the β diversity between the 2 groups(P＜0.01).The relative abundance analysis of bacteria showed that Pelomonas(0.046±0.004 vs 0.033±0.003,P＜0.05),Azospirillum(0.046±0.006 vs 0.021±0.003,P＜0.01),Acidovorax(0.032± 0.003 vs 0.019±0.002,Azospirillum(0.046±0.006 vs 0.021±0.003,P＜0.01)and Acidovorax(0.032± 0.003 vs 0.019±0.002,P＜0.05)were statistically higher in the HAPC group than the control group.LEfSe analysis showed that the characteristic blood microbiota of the HAPC group were α-Proteobacteria,and those of control group were Trichospiridae.Conclusion Significant changes are found in diversity,relative abundance and characteristic bacteria of the blood microbiota between the HAPC patients and healthy people at the high altitude,which might be closely associated with the occurrence and development of HAPC.

Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancy in the urinary system over the world. Urine cytology and cystoscopy are important tools for bladder cancer diagnosis and recurrence monitoring. However, due to the limited sensitivity and invasive procedure, there is an urgent need to develop new non-invasive and highly sensitive liquid biopsy approaches. Urine biopsy is a research focus in the field and has great potential. This review focused on protein-based urine markers (including NMP22, BTA and UroVysion etc.) and DNA or RNA-based urine markers (including cfDNA, AssureMDx and Xpert BC Monitor etc.), which were used for bladder cancer diagnosis and recurrence monitoring, and summarized the sensitivity and specificity of each biomarker as well as their characteristics in the diagnosis and recurrence surveillance of bladder cancer. This study provides theoretical and empirical support for further optimization and application of these biomarkers in clinical practice.

Objective:To explore the causal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and sleep disorder using Mendelian randomization (MR); To explore the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorder with GERD by combining with the TCM theory that "gastric disharmony causing restless sleep".Methods:Genetic loci independent of each other and closely related to GERD were taken as instrumental variables by pooling data from a large-scale genome-wide association study. The causal relationship between GERD and sleep disorder was explored with Mendelian randomization methods, such as Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW), MR Egger, Weighted Median (WME), Simple Mode (SM), Weighted Mode (WM) and MR Multiple Effectiveness Residual Sum and Heteroscedasticity (MR-PRESSO) using OR as an evaluation index.Results:The results of the IVW method showed that GERD led to a 44.3% higher risk of developing sleep disorder ( P=4.96×10 -15, OR=1.443, 95% CI:1.317-1.582); horizontal pleiotropy was detected using the MR-Egger intercept, which was calculated to be P=0.646 ( P>0.05), proving that there was no horizontal pleiotropy in the results; Leave-one-out sensitivity test showed that the results were stable and there were no instrumental variables that strongly influenced the results. Conclusion:GRED is a risk factor for the development of sleep disorder, which is consistent with the TCM theory of "gastric disharmony causing restless sleep".

AIM:This study aimed to observe the analgesic effects of Hegu acupoint catgut embedding in a rat model of labor and investigate its influence on biomarkers such as calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)signals at the Hegu acupoint.METHODS:Thirty-six pregnant rats were randomly divided into three groups:control group,Hegu acu-puncture group,and Hegu catgut embedding group.Pain threshold changes were assessed using the tail immersion test and paw withdrawal thermal latency at four time points:pre-induction,before the onset of labor,at the onset of labor,and at the mid-stage of labor.Tissue samples from the Hegu acupoint were collected at the mid-stage of labor to detect the ex-pression of CGRP,substance P(SP),and mast cells using immunofluorescence.The concentrations of ATP and ade-nosine were measured using ELISA.RESULTS:Before labor induction,there was no significant difference in tail immer-sion test and paw withdrawal thermal latency among the three groups(P>0.05).Before the onset of labor,both the acu-puncture and catgut embedding groups exhibited significantly higher tail-flick times and paw withdrawal latencies com-pared to the control group(P<0.05).At labor initiation and mid-labor,the catgut embedding group had significantly higher tail-flick times and paw withdrawal latencies compared to both the control and acupuncture groups(P<0.05).During mid-labor,the expression of CGRP,SP,mast cells,ATP,and adenosine concentrations in the catgut embedding group was significantly higher than that in the control and acupuncture groups(P<0.05),with co-expression of CGRP,SP,and mast cells observed.CONCLUSION:Hegu acupoint catgut embedding effectively alleviates labor pain,and its mechanism may involve increased local expression of CGRP and SP,promoting mast cell degranulation,and increasing ATP release and its conversion to adenosine.