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 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.

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.

AIM:To explore the effects of CD38 on lysosome reformation and cholesterol efflux in macro-phages.METHODS:Bone marrow-derived macrophages from low-density lipoprotein(LDL)receptor knockout(LDLr-/-)mice were cultured as cell model.Live cell imaging system was applied to evaluate the effect of nicotinic acid adenine di-nucleotide phosphate(NAADP)on lysosome number.ELISA was conducted to measure NAADP level in macrophages.After the cells were treated with nicotinic acid(NA),RT-qPCR was conducted to detect CD38 mRNA expression,and Western blot was conducted to observe CD38 protein expression and phosphorylated transcription factor EB(TFEB)level.Laser scanning confocal microscopy was applied to evaluate the influence of CD38/NAADP signaling on lysosome number and cholesterol egression.RESULTS:NAADP remarkably increased lysosome number(P<0.05),and this effect was significantly inhibited by NAADP antagonist NED-19,Ca2+ chelator BAPTA,and calcineurin inhibitor CsA(P<0.05).CD38 markedly enhanced NAADP synthesis in macrophages(P<0.05).NAADP synthetic substrate NA prominently ele-vated the expression of CD38 mRNA and protein(P<0.05).NA significantly decreased the phosphorylated TFEB level;this effect was also attenuated by NED-19,BAPTA and CsA(P<0.05).Disrupting CD38/NAADP signaling pathway markedly inhibited NA-induced enhancement of lysosome number,lysosomal free cholesterol and cytosol cholesterol ester efflux in macrophages(P<0.05).NA-induced enhancement of lysosome number,lysosomal free cholesterol and cytosol cholesterol ester efflux abolished in LDLr/CD38 DKO macrophages(P<0.05),whereas these effects induced by NA were recovered after CD38 gene rescue.CONCLUSION:CD38 triggers lysosome reformation via TFEB and consequently pro-motes the efflux of lysosomal free cholesterol and cytosol cholesterol ester.

Objective To investigate and analyze a group occupational acute dimethylacetamide (DMA) poisoning incident occurred during the post-fire cleaning operation in a spandex manufacturing enterprise. Methods This study focused on the involved enterprise, employing units, poisoning patients, and workers with similar occupational exposure history from a group occupational acute chemical poisoning incident in Guangdong Province in 2023. Occupational health on-site investigation data, clinical records of poisoned patients, and occupational disease diagnostic data were collected to determine the cause of the poisoning. Results The incident occurred at a spandex manufacturing enterprise during the cleaning of polymerization reaction vessels after a fire, resulting in poisoning of six cleaning workers. The clinical symptoms of patients included varying degrees of liver function abnormalities and skin damage. All six patients wore long-tube air-supplied full-face masks during work. The patients were in a confined work space with poor ventilation, and worked more than 8 hours per day. Patients felt unwell after 5-13 days of work. Post-incident investigation revealed that the DMA exposure concentration of short term near the reaction vessels was 36.06 mg/m³. DMA accounted 13.74% to 30.09% of the volatile organic compounds in the raw and auxiliary materials and waste in the vessel. N-methylacetamide was detected in the urine of these six patients, with levels up to 1 639.78 mg/g creatinine, exceeding the occupational exposure limit (20.00 mg/g creatinine). All six patients were diagnosed as occupational acute DMA poisoning. Conclusion Occupational acute DMA poisoning mainly causes liver damage, has a latent onset, and poses a risk of group occurrence. The main causes of group poisoning are confined work space, inadequate management, insufficient protective measures, and excessive working hours.

OBJECTIVE To study the effects of the curcumin derivative bisdemethoxycurcumin （BC） promoting neuronal differentiation of neuroblastoma cells Neuro-2a （N2a） in mice and its mechanism. METHODS The effects of BC （1， 2， 4， 6， 8， 10 μmol/L） on the viability of N2a cells were detected by MTT assay to determine the concentration range of drug treatment. The control group， retinoic acid （RA） group （10 μmol/L） and BC groups （1， 2 and 4 μmol/L） were set up， and the length of neural protrusions of the differentiated cells was measured and the cell differentiation rate was calculated after 48 h and 72 h of culture. Compared with 0 min group， Western blot was used to detect the phosphorylation levels of protein kinase B （Akt）， extracellular- signal regulated kinase 1/2 （ERK1/2）， and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38） proteins in cells treated by 4 μmol/L BC for 5， 15， 30， 60， 120 min. After intervention with inhibitors LY294002 （LY） and PD98059 （PD）， the effects of BC on Akt and ERK1/2 protein phosphorylation levels and promoting neural differentiation were further validated. RESULTS According to the MTT experiment， the BC concentrations for subsequent induction of cell differentiation were determined to be 1， 2， and 4 μmol/L. After 48 hours of differentiation， compared with the control group， the cell differentiation rate in RA group and BC 1， 2 and 4 μmol/L groups， the length of cellular neural processes wjxhhxx413@163.com in the BC 4 μmol/L group significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）；after inducing differentiation of BC for 72 hours，compared with the control group， the cell differentiation rate and the length of cellular neural processes in the RA group， the cell differentiation rate in the BC 4 μmol/L group， and the length of cellular neural processes in the BC 2 μmol/L group all significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）.Compared with the 0 min group， the phosphorylation levels of Akt， ERK1/2， and p38 proteins in cells of the 5， 15， 30， 60 and 120 min groups increased to varying degrees after treated by 4 μmol/L BC， and some differences were statistically significant （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. After adding the inhibitor LY/PD， compared with the BC group， the phosphorylation level of ERK1/2 protein in the PD+BC group cells were significantly reduced （P＜0.01）， and the cell differentiation rates in the LY group， LY+BC group， PD group， and PD+BC group was significantly reduced （P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS BC promotes N2a cell differentiation mainly by increasing cell differentiation rate and neural protrusion length. The mechanism may be related to the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase/ ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect and mechanism of curcumin on cognitive function in the mouse model of low oxygen-induced chronic nerve injury. MethodEighty male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into eight groups： control， low-， medium-， and high-dose （100， 200， and 300 mg·kg^-1， respectively） curcumin， model， model + low-dose curcumin， model + medium-dose curcumin， and model + high-dose curcumin groups （n=10）. The mouse model of low oxygen-induced nerve injury was prepared by continuous stimulation with simulated oxygen concentration at Lhasa altitude （13% O₂ at about 3 700 m） for 14 days. After the completion of modeling， mice in the six curcumin groups were administrated with curcumin at corresponding doses by gavage， while those in the control group and the model group were administrated with the same amount of normal saline once a day for one week. After that， open field， novel object recognition， and Morris water maze tests were carried out to reveal the behavioral changes of mice. The morphological changes of the hippocampus were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The mRNA levels of interleukin （IL）-6 and tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α in the hippocampus and peripheral blood of mice were determined by real-time PCR. The activation of microglia in the hippocampus was observed by Iba-1 staining. The protein levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） and cAMP-response element-binding protein （CREB） in the hippocampus were determined by Western blot. ResultCompared with the control group， the model group showed decreased new object recognition rate （P<0.01）， extended time to find the platform （P<0.01）， and reduced platform crossings （P<0.05）， which proved that the cognitive function of mice was impaired. Compared with model group， the model + medium-dose curcumin group showed increased new object recognition rate， shortened time to find the platform， and increased platform crossings （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Moreover， the application of curcumin repaired the abnormal morphological and structural changes in the hippocampus， reduced the inflammatory cytokine levels and activation of microglia， and upregulated the expression of CREB and BDNF （P<0.05）. ConclusionCurcumin demonstrates a therapeutic effect on low oxygen-induced cognitive decline， which provide a potential cure for treating chronic brain injury induced by high-altitude low oxygen in clinical practice.

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 investigate the effect of polymerized human cord hemoglobin (PolyCHb) in chemoimmunotherapy for breast cancer in mice. 【Methods】 A 4T1 breast cancer in situ tumor model was established, and 15 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: blank group: no intervention; Control group: doxorubicin + PD-1 inhibitor was given intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin 5 mg·kg^-1 once a week and PD-1 inhibitor 12.5 mg·kg^-1 once a week; Experimental group: DOX+ a-PD-1+ PolyCHb, the usage of DOX and a-PD-1 was the same as above, PolyCHb: PolyCHb 600 mg·kg^-1 was injected into the tail vein, three times a week; The administration period was 4 weeks. During the administration, the tumor volume was recorded 3 times per week, the tumor growth curve of each group was drawn and the tumor inhibition rate was calculated. The mice were killed on the 29th day, and the tumor was removed and weighed to calculate the tumor inhibition rate. Immunofluorescence, HE staining, TUNEL method and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of HIF-1α, observe the pathological changes of tumor tissue, detect the apoptosis of tumor cells, and detect the expression of tumor proliferation index Ki67. 【Results】 Compared with the blank group and the control group, the tumor volume in the experimental group decreased significantly (P<0.05) and the tumor inhibition rate (%) increased significantly (P<0.05). The content of HIF-1α in tumor tissue in experimental group decreased (P<0.05). In the experimental group, the growth area of tumor tissue decreased, accompanied by the increase of necrosis area; The positive rates (%) of apoptosis in tumor tissues of blank group, control group and experimental group were 18.79±0.62, 20.68±1.19 and 41.65±2.99 respectively (F=135.2, P<0.001). In addition, the results of tumor proliferation index Ki67 showed that there was a statistical difference between the control group and the experimental group (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 PolyCHb increases the sensitivity of chemoimmunotherapy in breast cancer mouse model, and the mechanism may be related to the decrease of HIF-1α expression, the promotion of apoptosis and the inhibition of cell proliferation.