Background High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a sensitive biomarker for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and can independently predict the risk of cardiovascular events. Although the association between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and CVD risk has been widely reported, studies on the association between hs-CRP and PFAS remain limited. Objective To investigate the association between PFAS and hs-CRP levels, to provide a scientific basis for early identification and prevention of environment-related cardiovascular events. Methods This study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database (2015–2018). Based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 3219 participants were included for subsequent analysis. Five PFAS with detection rates exceeding 90% were selected as exposure factors and log-transformed (lnPFAS) for subsequent analysis, including perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA). After selecting potential confounders through a change-in-estimate approach, logistic regression was employed to examine the effects of individual PFAS on serum hs-CRP level. Additionally, quantile g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were applied to assess the combined effects of PFAS mixtures on hs-CRP. Results The study included 3219 participants with a mean age of (50.4±17.6) years, of whom 1554 (48.28%) were male. The median concentrations of the five PFAS compounds were: 1.20 ng·mL⁻¹ (PFHxS), 0.50 ng·mL⁻¹ (PFNA), 1.50 ng·mL⁻¹ (PFOA), 5.20 ng·mL⁻¹ (PFOS), and 0.20 ng·mL⁻¹ (PFDA). The Wilcoxon rank-sum tests revealed statistically significant differences between the elevated serum hs-CRP (≥2 mg·L⁻¹) and normal (<2 mg·L⁻¹) groups for all five PFAS compounds (PFHxS: P=0.005; PFNA: P=0.009; PFOA: P<0.001; PFOS: P<0.001; PFDA: P<0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, the analysis of individual PFAS exposure demonstrated significant negative associations between serum hs-CRP levels and both ln-PFOS (OR: 0.87; 95%CI: 0.79, 0.96; P=0.0036) and lnPFDA (OR: 0.78; 95%CI: 0.71, 0.86; P < 0.001). The joint effect analysis using quantile g-computation revealed an overall inverse association between PFAS mixtures and hs-CRP, with lnPFDA emerging as a primary contributor; an similar association was observed in males, but not significant in females. Further evaluation through BKMR showed that when PFAS mixture concentrations reached or exceeded P₇₀, their combined effect on hs-CRP became significantly lower than when all PFAS concentrations were at P₅₀, establishing a clear negative dose-response relationship. Conclusion The mixed exposure to PFAS showed a significant negative joint effect on serum hs-CRP levels, with PFDA being the key component contributing to this combined effect. Future prospective cohort studies are warranted to further validate these findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved.

Objective To analyze the difference of diseases between the coal mine workers and the general population inpatients by the disease spectrum in Datong City. Methods A total of 282 639 hospitalized patients in Datong City in 2023 were included as the study subjects. Participants were divided into a general population group and a coal mine workers group based on health insurance types, with 247 897 and 34 742 cases, respectively. The disease spectrum of participants in both groups was coded and analyzed according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10). The standardized constituent ratios of disease categories were calculated and compared between the two groups. Results Patients aged 60-<70 years had the largest standardized proportion in both cohorts (29.02% in the general population group and 33.08% in coal mine workers group). Circulatory system diseases had the highest standardized proportion in both groups. Within the top six disease categories ranked by standardized composition ratio in the coal mine workers, three demonstrated a higher burden, including neoplasms (C00-D48), symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical/laboratory findings not elsewhere classified (R00-R99), and factors influencing health status/contact with health services (Z00-Z99), compared with the general population (11.82% vs 10.44%, 12.99% vs 8.03%, and 6.17% vs 2.04%, respectively). In both groups, male workers had higher standardized constituent ratios of circulatory, respiratory, and digestive system diseases than females (coal mine workers group, 19.53% vs 14.31%, 13.56% vs 9.10%, 10.61% vs 8.43%; general population group, 26.15% vs 22.42%, 15.45% vs 11.87%, 11.52% vs 10.41%). Conversely, the ratios for conditions classified under symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical/laboratory findings not elsewhere classified (R00-R99). and factors influencing health status/contact with health services (Z00-Z99) were higher in females than males (coal mine workers group, 13.31% vs 12.68%, 7.26% vs 5.13%; general population group, 8.91% vs 7.18%, 2.35% vs 1.74%). Mental and behavioral disorders (F00-F99) were most prevalent in the 22-<50-year age group in the general population (9.92%) and in the 50-<60-year age group in coal mine workers (8.58%). The standardized proportion of respiratory system diseases ranked first in≥80-year age workers in general population group and coal mine workers group (29.54% and 26.46%, respectively). Regarding specific malignancies, unspecified malignant neoplasm of the bronchus or lung was the most common cancer among males in both groups (3.44% and 3.62%). Among females, the standardized proportion of unspecified malignant neoplasm of breast was higher in coal mine workers group than in the general population group (2.60% vs 2.09%). Conclusion Neoplasms, abnormal symptoms, and mental health disorders should be prioritized in disease prevention strategies for coal mine workers. Greater attention should be paid to mental health screening in younger populations, and medical resource allocation should be optimized according to sex-specific high-incidence cancers.

Objective:To construct an evaluation index system for the effectiveness of ideological and political education in the curriculum of professional master's degree nursing programs, providing an evaluation tool for objectively assessing the teaching quality of ideological and political education in these programs.Methods:The initial draft of the index system was designed based on a review of domestic and international literature. From October 2022 to January 2023, 15 experts were selected using convenience sampling for three rounds of Delphi expert consultation, and the analytic hierarchy process was used to determine the weight of the indicators.Results:The positive response rate from the 15 experts in all three rounds of consultation was 100% (15/15), and the expert authority coefficient was 0.813. The Kendall's coefficient of concordance for the overall indicators in the third round was 0.116 ( P<0.01). The constructed evaluation index system includes 5 first-level indicators (goal and concept, faculty, course resources, teaching implementation, teaching effectiveness), 12 second-level indicators, and 49 third-level indicators. Conclusions:The evaluation index system for the effectiveness of ideological and political education in the curriculum of professional master's degree nursing programs demonstrates good scientific validity and reliability. It can provide objective and quantitative evaluation criteria for the development of ideological and political education in these programs.

Objective:To construct an evaluation index system for the effectiveness of ideological and political education in the curriculum of professional master's degree nursing programs, providing an evaluation tool for objectively assessing the teaching quality of ideological and political education in these programs.Methods:The initial draft of the index system was designed based on a review of domestic and international literature. From October 2022 to January 2023, 15 experts were selected using convenience sampling for three rounds of Delphi expert consultation, and the analytic hierarchy process was used to determine the weight of the indicators.Results:The positive response rate from the 15 experts in all three rounds of consultation was 100% (15/15), and the expert authority coefficient was 0.813. The Kendall's coefficient of concordance for the overall indicators in the third round was 0.116 ( P<0.01). The constructed evaluation index system includes 5 first-level indicators (goal and concept, faculty, course resources, teaching implementation, teaching effectiveness), 12 second-level indicators, and 49 third-level indicators. Conclusions:The evaluation index system for the effectiveness of ideological and political education in the curriculum of professional master's degree nursing programs demonstrates good scientific validity and reliability. It can provide objective and quantitative evaluation criteria for the development of ideological and political education in these programs.

Background::The correlation between metals and hypertension, such as sodium, zinc, potassium, and magnesium, has been confirmed, while the relationship between aluminum and hypertension is not very clear. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between plasma aluminum and hypertension in electrolytic aluminum workers by the Bayesian networks (BN).Methods::In 2019, 476 male workers in an aluminum factory were investigated. The plasma aluminum concentration of workers was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The influencing factors on the prevalence of hypertension were analyzed by the BN.Results::The prevalence of hypertension was 23.9% in 476 male workers. The risk of hypertension from plasma aluminum in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups was 5.20 (1.90-14.25), 6.92 (2.51-19.08), and 7.33 (2.69-20.01), respectively, compared with that in the Q1 group. The risk of hypertension from the duration of exposure to aluminum of >10 years was 2.23 (1.09-4.57), compared without aluminum exposure. Area under the curve was 0.80 of plasma aluminum and the duration of exposure to aluminum was based on covariates, indicating that aluminum exposure had important predictive value in the prevalence of hypertension in the occupational population. The results of the study using the BN model showed that if the plasma aluminum of all participants was higher than Q4 (≥47.86 μg/L) and the participants were drinking, smoking, diabetes, central obesity, dyslipidemia, and aged >50 years, the proportion of hypertension was 71.2%.Conclusions::The prevalence of hypertension increased significantly with the increase of plasma aluminum level.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Bushen Huoxue enema in treating the rat model of kidney deficiency and blood stasis-thin endometrium （KDBS-TE） by transcriptome sequencing. MethodThe rat model of KDBS-TE was established by administration of tripterygium polyglycosides tablets combined with subcutaneous injection of adrenaline. The pathological changes of rat endometrium in each group were then observed. Three uterine tissue specimens from each of the blank group， model group， and Bushen Huoxue enema group were randomly selected for transcriptome sequencing. The differentially expressed circRNAs， lncRNAs， and miRNAs were screened， and the disease-related specific competitive endogenous RNA （ceRNA） regulatory network was constructed. Furthermore， the gene ontology （GO） functional annotation and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment were performed for the mRNAs in the network. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed endometrial dysplasia， decreased endometrial thickness and endometrial/total uterine wall thickness ratio （P<0.01）， and differential expression of 18 circRNAs， 410 lncRNAs， and 7 miRNAs. Compared with the model group， the enema and estradiol valerate groups showed improved endometrial morphology and increased endometrial thickness and ratio of endometrial to total uterine wall thickness （P<0.05）. In addition， 21 circRNAs， 518 lncRNAs， and 17 miRNAs were differentially expressed in the enema group. The disease-related specific circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network composed of 629 nodes and 664 edges contained 2 circRNAs， 34 miRNAs， and 593 mRNAs. The lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network composed of 180 nodes and 212 edges contained 5 lncRNAs， 10 miRNAs， and 164 mRNAs. The mNRAs were mainly enriched in Hippo signaling pathway， autophagy-animal， axon guidance， etc. ConclusionBushen Huoxue enema can treat KDBS-TE in rats by regulating specific circRNAs， lncRNAs， and miRNAs in the uterus and the ceRNA network.

BACKGROUND:Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system mediated by T cells.The Toll-like receptors(TLRs)/myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88)/nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)signaling pathway plays an important role in the development of the disease.Exploring the specific mechanism of the signaling pathway is essential for further treatment of the disease and improving the prognosis of patients. OBJECTIVE:To review the TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and its role in multiple sclerosis/experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis models,which provides new ideas and strategies for the treatment of multiple sclerosis by inhibiting the TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. METHODS:The literature related to the topic from January 2002 to December 2022 was searched in CNKI,WanFang and PubMed databases.A total of 61 articles were finally included for analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway is an important pathway that triggers a pro-inflammatory immune response.The TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway plays an important role in the development of multiple sclerosis by regulating the antigen presentation of dendritic cells,destroying the integrity of the blood-brain barrier,and promoting the activation of T cells,B cells and microglia.By targeting TLRs,MyD88 and NF-κB molecules,inhibiting the activation or signal transduction of TLRs,MyD88 and NF-κB,and reducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors,multiple sclerosis can be treated.Animal studies have shown that active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicines,such as flavonoids and glycosides,and traditional Chinese medicine compound formulas,such as Buyang Huanwu Tang,can also treat experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by regulating the TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway,which points to the direction of searching for medicines targeting the TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND:Astrocytes play an important role in the pathology of central nervous system diseases.The phenotypic and functional changes in astrocytes suggest that it may be an effective therapeutic target for central nervous system diseases.Our previous studies have confirmed that astragaloside can inhibit the lipopolysaccharide-induced astrocyte inflammatory response.Whether astragaloside can regulate the phenotype and function of astrocytes through Notch-1 and its downstream signaling pathway remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of astragaloside on astrocyte activation and inflammatory response induced by inflammation and its possible mechanism. METHODS:Cerebral cortex astrocytes derived from neonatal C57BL/6 mouse were cultured in vitro.CCK-8 assay was used to determine the optimum concentration of astragaloside and Notch active inhibitor DAPT.The astrocytes were divided into five groups:PBS group,lipopolysaccharide group,lipopolysaccharide + astragaloside group,lipopolysaccharide + DAPT group and lipopolysaccharide + DAPT + astragaloside group.The secretion level of inflammatory factors was detected by ELISA,and the level of nitric oxide was detected by Griess method.The astrocytes and splenic mononuclear cells were co-cultured in Transwell chamber to observe the migration of CD4T cells.The expression of astrocyte activation marker GFAP,A1 marker C3 and A2 marker S100A10 as well as Notch 1 and Jag-1 was detected by immunofluorescence staining.The expressions of CFB,C3,S100A10,PTX3,Notch-1,Jag-1,and Hes were detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)According to the results of CCK8 assay,the final concentration of astragaloside was selected as 25 μmol/L and the final concentration of DAPT was 50 μmol/L for follow-up experiments.(2)Compared with PBS group,interleukin-6,interleukin-12 and nitric oxide secretion levels in the lipopolysaccharide group were significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,interleukin-6(all P<0.05),interleukin-12(P>0.05,P<0.05,P<0.05)and nitric oxide(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.01)secretion significantly reduced in the lipopolysaccharide + astragaloside group,lipopolysaccharide +DAPT group,lipopolysaccharide + DAPT + astragaloside group.(3)Compared with the PBS group,the expression of GFAP that is the marker of activated astrocytes and the migration of CD4 T cells were significantly increased in the lipopolysaccharide group(P<0.01).Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,astrocyte activation was significantly inhibited and CD4 T cell migration was significantly reduced in the lipopolysaccharide + astragaloside,lipopolysaccharide +DAPT,lipopolysaccharide + DAPT + astragaloside group(P<0.05,P<0.05,P<0.01).(4)Compared with the PBS group,the expressions of A1 markers C3 and CFB in the lipopolysaccharide group were increased(P<0.01,P<0.05),and the expressions of A2 markers S100A10 and PTX3 were decreased(P<0.01,P<0.05).Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,C3(all P<0.01)and CFB(both P<0.05)were significantly reduced and S100A10(all P<0.01)and PTX3(P<0.05,P<0.05 and P>0.05)were increased in the lipopolysaccharide + astragaloside,lipopolysaccharide +DAPT,lipopolysaccharide + DAPT + astragaloside group.(5)Compared with the PBS group,the expressions of Jag-1,Notch-1 and Hes in the lipopolysaccharide group were significantly increased(all P<0.01).Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the expressions of Jag-1(all P<0.01),Notch-1(all P<0.01)and Hes(P<0.05,P<0.01 and P<0.01)were significantly reduced in the lipopolysaccharide + astragaloside,lipopolysaccharide +DAPT,lipopolysaccharide + DAPT + astragaloside group.(6)The results indicate that astragaloside can promote the transformation of astrocytes from A1 to A2 by regulating Notch-1 signaling pathway,reduce the secretion of inflammatory factors and the migration of CD4 T cells,and thus inhibit astrocyte activation and inflammatory response.

Background::The correlation between metals and hypertension, such as sodium, zinc, potassium, and magnesium, has been confirmed, while the relationship between aluminum and hypertension is not very clear. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between plasma aluminum and hypertension in electrolytic aluminum workers by the Bayesian networks (BN).Methods::In 2019, 476 male workers in an aluminum factory were investigated. The plasma aluminum concentration of workers was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The influencing factors on the prevalence of hypertension were analyzed by the BN.Results::The prevalence of hypertension was 23.9% in 476 male workers. The risk of hypertension from plasma aluminum in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups was 5.20 (1.90-14.25), 6.92 (2.51-19.08), and 7.33 (2.69-20.01), respectively, compared with that in the Q1 group. The risk of hypertension from the duration of exposure to aluminum of >10 years was 2.23 (1.09-4.57), compared without aluminum exposure. Area under the curve was 0.80 of plasma aluminum and the duration of exposure to aluminum was based on covariates, indicating that aluminum exposure had important predictive value in the prevalence of hypertension in the occupational population. The results of the study using the BN model showed that if the plasma aluminum of all participants was higher than Q4 (≥47.86 μg/L) and the participants were drinking, smoking, diabetes, central obesity, dyslipidemia, and aged >50 years, the proportion of hypertension was 71.2%.Conclusions::The prevalence of hypertension increased significantly with the increase of plasma aluminum level.

Objective:To evaluate partial ventral hepatectomy in the treatment of patients with complicated iatrogenic high bile duct injury.Methods:The clinical data of 8 cases of complicated iatrogenic high bile duct injury treated with the assistance of hepatic ventral segmentectomy from Mar 2013 to May 2020 at Hunan Provincial People's Hospital was retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 8 patients, 5 patients underwent partial Ⅳb lobectomy, and 3 patients received partial Ⅳb and Ⅴ segmentectomy of the liver. All the operation was successful without death in hospital. One case developed subphrenic infection and seroperitoneum, which was healed by anti-infection treatment and abdominocentesis. The postoperative follow-up time was 5-90 months, and all of patients are doing well. There was no stenosis in intrahepatic bile duct by postoperative cholangiography or MRI.Conclusions:Quadrate lobe hepatectomy provides a wide view for the treatment of complicated iatrogenic high bile duct injury by fully opening the first porta hepatis and exposing the primary and secondary bile duct branch helping establish a wide patent tension free bile duct-jejunostomy.