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.

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) is an infectious phenotype characterized by recurrent or persistent infections caused by Candida species that affect the skin, nails, oral, and genital mucosae for a duration exceeding six months. Current research suggests that CMC is an immunodeficiency disease with a complex pathogenesis. Patients with CMC have various defects in nonspecific and/or specific immunity against Candida infection, resulting in the inability of patients to defend themselves against Candida infection. CMC can be stratified into primary CMC and secondary CMC based on etiology. Primary CMC is often associated with genetic mutations leading to immunodeficiencies in T helper cell 17 and interleukin-17, whereas secondary CMC is frequently linked to factors such as human immunodeficiency virus infection, diabetes mellitus, and immunosuppressive therapy. Primary CMC typically manifests as Candida infections, with distinct genetic mutations often correlating to varied concomitant symptoms. Secondary CMC may present with not only superficial mucosal Candida infections and manifestations of the underlying primary disease but also with invasive fungal infections. Diagnosing CMC requires an integration of medical history and clinical presentation, supplemented by the outcomes of auxiliary diagnostic procedures, including microscopic examination of fungal smear, fungal culture, immunological testing, and genetic sequencing and analysis. Furthermore, confirming primary CMC requires exclusion of the aforementioned secondary factors. At present, antifungal drugs such as triazoles, echinocandins, and polyenes are the main treatment for CMC. Moreover, immunotherapy with biologics such as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors provides more options for the clinical treatment of patients with CMC. Gene therapy also has potential clinical application value. In this review, we discuss the etiologies, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatments of CMC, aiming to provide a reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CMC.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a prototypical neurodegenerative disorder, encompasses multifaceted pathological processes. As pivotal cellular structures within the central nervous system, ion channels play critical roles in regulating neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission, and neurotransmitter release. Extensive research has revealed significant alterations in the expression and function of ion channels in AD, implicating an important role of ion channels in the pathogenesis of abnormal Aβ deposition, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and disruptions in calcium homeostasis and neural network functionality. This review systematically summarizes the crucial roles and underlying mechanisms of ion channels in the onset and progression of AD, highlighting how these channel abnormalities contribute to AD pathophysiology. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of ion channel modulation in AD treatment, emphasizing the importance of addressing multifactorial nature and heterogeneity of AD. The development of multi-target drugs and precision therapies is proposed as a future direction of scientific research.
Alzheimer Disease/therapy* ; Humans ; Ion Channels/physiology* ; Oxidative Stress ; Animals ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism* ; Synaptic Transmission ; Calcium/metabolism*

Dopamine, as a catecholamine neurotransmitter widely distributed in the central nervous system, is involved in physiological functions such as motivation, arousal, reinforcement, and movement through various dopamine signaling pathways. The hippocampus receives dopaminergic neuron projections from regions such as the ventral tegmental area, locus coeruleus, and substantia nigra. Through D1-like and D2-like receptors, dopamine exerts significant regulatory effects such as spatial navigation, episodic memory, fear, anxiety, and reward. This review mainly summarizes the research progress on the functions of dopamine in the hippocampus from aspects including the sources of dopamine, receptor distribution and function, and the association of hippocampal dopamine system dysregulation with neurodegenerative diseases. The aim is to provide insights into the involvement of the dopamine system in hippocampal functions and the diagnosis and treatment of related diseases.
Hippocampus/physiology* ; Dopamine/physiology* ; Humans ; Animals ; Receptors, Dopamine D2/physiology* ; Memory/physiology* ; Signal Transduction/physiology* ; Neurodegenerative Diseases/physiopathology*

OBJECTIVE To explore the potential mechanisms of astragalin （AG） in allevating ulcerative colitis （UC） in mice through modulation of the intestinal flora. METHODS Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal group （CON group）， model group [dextran sodium sulfate （DSS） group]， 5-aminosalicylic acid group （5-ASA group）， AG low-dose group and high-dose group （AGL and AGH groups）， with 8 mice in each group. The mice UC model was established by drinking 3% DSS solution continuously for 7 days in all groups except the CON group. After that， 3% DSS solution was replaced by water， and the mice of each drug group were gavaged with the corresponding drug solution. Mice in the CON and DSS groups were gavaged with an equal volume of normal saline， once a day， for 7 days. After the last gavage， the body weight change index， disease activity index （DAI） score， colon length and spleen index， and levels of inflammatory factors （tumor necrosis factor-α， interleukin-1β， interleukin-6） were compared among the mice in each group； pathological changes in colonic tissues of the mice were observed in each group， and the pathological score and the percentage of goblet cells were compared； mRNA expressions of barrier-related factors [occludin and ZO-1] and inflammation-related factors [silencing information regulatory factor 1 （SIRT1）， c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK） and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK）] were detected in each group of mice； the changes in the intestinal flora of mice in each group were analyzed and the contents of intestinal metabolites short-chain fatty acids （SCFAs） was determined. Using DSS and AG-treated fecal bacterial liquid as an intervention， the mechanism of anti-UC effect of AG was further verified by a fecal microbiota transplant experiment. RESULTS Compared with the CON group， the intestinal mucosal structure of mice in the DSS group was severely damaged， with obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells collapsing the wall； their body weight change index， colon length， the percentage of goblet cells， mRNA expressions of occludin， ZO-1 and SIRT1， Chao1 and Shannon indexes， and contents of acetic acid and butyric acid were significantly reduced， shortened or down-regulated （P＜0.05）； however， DAI score， spleen index， levels of inflammatory factors， pathological score， as well as mRNA expressions of p38 MAPK and JNK， were all significantly increased or up-regulated （P＜0.05）. Compared with the DSS group， colon tissue lesions of AG mice in all dose groups showed different degrees of improvement， and the above quantitative indexes were generally regressed （P＜0.05）， and the intervention effect of AG-treated fecal bacterial fluid was basically the same as that of AG. CONCLUSIONS AG can improve relevant symptoms in UC mice and reduce their inflammatory response and colonic histopathological changes. The above effects may be related to regulating the diversity of intestinal flora in mice， increasing the contents of butyric acid and propionic acid， and promoting the repair of the colonic mucosal barrier， thus regulating the expressions of genes related to the SIRT1/p38 MAPK inflammatory pathway.

AIM To investigate the ameliorative effects of Compound Fufangteng Mixture(CFM)on cyclophosphamide(CTX)-induced immunosuppression in mice.METHODS Forty-eight male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the blank control group,the model group,the levamisole hydrochloride group(40 mg/kg)and the low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose CFM groups(3.75,7.5,10 g/kg),with 8 mice in each group,and given respective intervention orally once daily for 14 days.On the 5th to 7th day of administration,with the blank control group given normal saline intraperitoneally,the other groups underwent intraperitoneal CTX injections(80 mg/kg).24 hours after the last administration,organ indices of thymus and spleen were calculated;splenic histopathological alterations were assessed by HE staining;serum levels of IL-2,IL-6 and IgG were quantified using ELISA;splenic CD4+,CD8+T lymphocytes,alongside CD86+and CD206+macrophages populations were analyzed by flow cytometry;and splenic expression of CD4,CD8 and F4/80 was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS In CTX-treated mice,CFM administration mitigated body weight loss;enhanced thymus weight and thymic index;ameliorated splenic immune cell populations,elevated serum levels of cytokines IL-2,IL-6 and IgG in serum;and upregulated splenic levels of CD45+CD3+T lymphocytes and F4/80+CD11b+macrophages,alongside increasing the expression of CD4,CD8 and F4/80 surface markers.CONCLUSION CFM alleviates CTX-induced immunosuppression state in mice by modulating immune cells,restoring immune function and enhancing anti-inflammatory and tissue repair capabilities.

AIM To explore the clinical effects of Jinfukang Oral Liquid combined with thymosin α1 on patients with non-small cell lung cancer due to Dual Deficiency of Qi and Yin.METHODS Seventy-five patients were randomly assigned into thymosin α1 group(15 cases)for 4-week administration,Jinfukang Oral Liquid group(30 cases)for 4-week administration,and combination group(30 cases)for 4-week administration.The changes in TCM clinical syndrome effects,immunity indices(CD3+T,Th,CTL,total NK,CD56dim CD16+NK,NKT,Treg,MDSC),lethality/inhibition ratios(CTL/Treg,total NK/Treg,NKT/Treg,CTL/MDSC,total NK/MDSC,NKT/MDSC)and FACT-L scores were detected.RESULTS The Jinfukang Oral Liquid group and combination group demonstrated higher total effective rates than the thymosin α1 group(P＜0.05).After the treatment,the Jinfukang Oral Liquid group and combination group displayed increased NKT(P＜0.05)and decreased MDSC(P＜0.05),which were more obvious than those in the thymosin α1 group(P＜0.05),and higher NKT was observable in the Jinfukang Oral Liquid group(P＜0.05);the Jinfukang Oral Liquid group and combination group displayed increased lethality/inhibition ratios(P＜0.05),among which NKT/Treg,CTL/MDSC,total NK/MDSC,NKT/MDSC were higher than those in the thymosin α1 group(P＜0.05),and higher CTL/MDSC,NKT/MDSC were observable in the Jinfukang Oral Liquid group(P＜0.05);the Jinfukang Oral Liquid group(except for physiological status,society and family status)and combination group(except for society and family status)displayed increased FACT-L scores(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION For the patients with non-small cell lung cancer due to Dual Deficiency of Qi and Yin,Jinfukang Oral Liquid single use or combined with thymosin α1 can enhance peripheral blood immune surveillance,inhibit immune escape,restore the balanced state of tumor immune responses,and improve TCM syndromes and life quality.

Objective To explore the effects of different nerve blocks under ultrasound guidance on the expression of inflammatory factors after total hip replacement in the elderly,and its correlation with postoperative cognitive dysfunction(POCD).Methods A total of 100 elderly patients who underwent total hip replacement in our hospital from February to November 2023 were selected as the research objects,and they were divided into the femoral nerve block(FNB)group and the pericapsule nerve group block(PNGB)group according to different nerve block methods during the operation.The expression of inflammatory factors such as serum interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-10(IL-10),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and tumor necrosis factor-β(TNF-β)1 day before surgery,6 hours after anesthesia,1 day after surgery,and 3 days after surgery of patients in the two groups were compared.The cognitive function of patients was evaluated by the mini-mental state examination(MMSE)score,and the pain of patients was evaluated by visual analogue scale(VAS)score.GEE model was used to evaluate the effects of two kinds of nerve block on the expression of inflammatory factors.Logistic regression was used to analyzed the correlation between postoperative inflammatory factors and POCD in patients.Results The levels of IL-1β,IL-6,IL-10,TNF-α and TNF-β 1 day after operation in the PNGB group were higher than those in the FNB group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The MMSE score 1 day after surgery in the PNGB group was significantly higher than that in the FNB group(P<0.05),and the VAS score 3 days after surgery was significantly lower than that in the FNB group(P<0.05).GEE model showed that PNGB has a greater impact on IL-1β,IL-6,IL-10,TNF-α,and TNF-β.IL-1β,IL-6,IL-10,TNF-α,and TNF-β were all independently related to POCD induced by two different nerve blocks(P<0.05).Conclusion PNGB can effectively inhibit pro-inflammatory factors,reduce inflammatory stress responses,and maintain the balance of inflammatory factors.Inflammatory factors are independently related to POCD induced by different nerve blocks.With the occurrence of inflammatory stress response,the risk of POCD in patients increases.

Streptococcus equinus is a zoonotic disease that can cause illness in various animals under specific environmental condi-tions.No reports have described isolation of this bacterium from the liver in affected sheep.This study successfully isolated and identi-fied a strain of Streptococcus equinus through bacterial isolation and culture,Gram staining,drug sensitivity testing,mouse sensitivity testing,bacterial biochemical testing,and whole genome sequencing.The strain was found to have pathogenicity toward Kunming white mice,and to be sensitive to four antibiotics(penicillin,ampicillin,ceftiofur sodium,and ceftriaxone sodium)but resistant to four antibiotics(streptomycin,amoxicillin,tetracycline,and gentamicin).On the basis of drug sensitivity testing,targeted treatment of the affected sheep flock with ceftiofur sodium effectively controlled the disease within 2 days,and no new cases occurred.This study provides a reference for biological characterization of ovine Streptococcus equinus;public health;and the investigation of disease pre-vention,control,and epidemiology.