Background Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common chronic urinary disease in middle-aged and older men, yet the impact of long-term exposure to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) on its pathogenesis remains unclear. Objective To investigate the association between PM exposure and the risk of incident BPH in middle-aged and older men. Methods Based on four waves of follow-up data (2011–2018) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), 4766 participants were enrolled. Robust Poisson regression models were employed to assess the association between exposure to PM (PM₁, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀) and the risk of incident BPH. Relative risks (RR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated. Dose-response relationships were fitted using restricted cubic splines (RCS). Subgroup analyses were performed to explore potential effect modifications, and multiple imputation was used to handle missing data. Results Over a mean follow-up of 6 years, 914 incident BPH cases were identified among the4766 participants (cumulative incidence: 19.18%). After adjusting for confounders, each 10 μg·m⁻³ increase in PM₁, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀ concentrations was associated with a 13.1% (RR=1.131, 95%CI: 1.063, 1.203), 8.5% (RR=1.085, 95%CI: 1.050, 1.122), and 5.1% (RR=1.051, 95%CI: 1.034, 1.069) increased risk of BPH, respectively. RCS analysis showed that no nonlinear relationship was found between PM₁ and PM_2.5 and the risk of BPH (P>0.05); however, a nonlinear association was observed for PM₁₀ (P=0.03), with the risk increment slowing beyond 100 μg·m⁻³. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings. Conclusion Long-term exposure to ambient particulate matter may be associated with an increased risk of incident BPH in middle-aged and older men.

Background Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common chronic urinary disease in middle-aged and older men, yet the impact of long-term exposure to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) on its pathogenesis remains unclear. Objective To investigate the association between PM exposure and the risk of incident BPH in middle-aged and older men. Methods Based on four waves of follow-up data (2011–2018) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), 4766 participants were enrolled. Robust Poisson regression models were employed to assess the association between exposure to PM (PM₁, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀) and the risk of incident BPH. Relative risks (RR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated. Dose-response relationships were fitted using restricted cubic splines (RCS). Subgroup analyses were performed to explore potential effect modifications, and multiple imputation was used to handle missing data. Results Over a mean follow-up of 6 years, 914 incident BPH cases were identified among the4766 participants (cumulative incidence: 19.18%). After adjusting for confounders, each 10 μg·m⁻³ increase in PM₁, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀ concentrations was associated with a 13.1% (RR=1.131, 95%CI: 1.063, 1.203), 8.5% (RR=1.085, 95%CI: 1.050, 1.122), and 5.1% (RR=1.051, 95%CI: 1.034, 1.069) increased risk of BPH, respectively. RCS analysis showed that no nonlinear relationship was found between PM₁ and PM_2.5 and the risk of BPH (P>0.05); however, a nonlinear association was observed for PM₁₀ (P=0.03), with the risk increment slowing beyond 100 μg·m⁻³. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings. Conclusion Long-term exposure to ambient particulate matter may be associated with an increased risk of incident BPH in middle-aged and older men.

Objective To analyze the pollution characteristics of PM_2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during the non-heating period, heating period, and haze period in Harbin, and infer their possible sources, and to evaluate their impact on population carcinogenesis. Methods From 2020 to 2022, sampling points were set up in different districts of Harbin. PM_2.5 samples were regularly collected every month to analyze the contents of 10 types of PM_2.5-bound 4-6 rings PAHs. The pollution characteristics of PAHs were analyzed during different monitoring periods (non-heating period, heating period, and haze period). The excess carcinogenesis risks of PM_2.5-bound PAHs were assessed according to the Technical Specifications for Health Risk Assessment of Ambient Air Pollution and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) risk assessment method. The characteristic ratio method and the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model were used to infer the sources of PAHs. Results The median mass concentrations of ambient PM_2.5-bound 4-6 rings PAHs (ΣPAHs) during the non-heating period, heating period, and haze period were 6.44 ng/m³, 37.85 ng/m³, and 106.79 ng/m³, respectively. During the heating season and haze period, the concentrations of benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, pyrene and fluoranthene were relatively high. The excess carcinogenic risks for ASF_>16, ASF_2-16 and ASF_<2 caused by exposure to PM_2.5-bound 4-6rings PAHs during the heating season were 2.34×10^-6, 1.82×10^-6, and 0.88×10^-6, respectively, while the excess carcinogenic risks for the whole population during the heating season and haze period were 5.05×10^-6 and 1.75×10^-6, respectively. The results of the two source methods showed that the main characteristic elements during the heating season were fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, and benzo[a]pyrene. According to the emission source standards, it was determined that the sources were mainly coal and biomass combustion, accompanied by traffic source emissions. Conclusion In Harbin, the PM_2.5-bound 4-6 rings PAHs during the haze period is significantly higher than that during the heating period. The pollution is mainly from coal combustion emissions, accompanied by continuous traffic source pollution. The exposure to PAHs during the heating period poses a potential carcinogenic risk to the population.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism underlying the weight loss effect of electrothermal acupuncture （ETA） in diet-induced obese （DIO） model mice based on the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）/sphingosine-1-phosphate （S1P）sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 3 （S1PR3） signaling pathway-mediated macrophage polarization. MethodsAn obesity mouse model was established by continuously feeding at a high-fat diet （HFD） for 8 weeks. Twenty successfully modeled obese mice were randomly divided into a model group and an electrothermal acupuncture （ETA） group with 10 mice per group， both of which continued to receive the HFD till week 12. Another 10 mice were assigned to the normal group and fed a standard chow diet continuously for 12 weeks. Starting from week 9 of the experiment， mice in the ETA group received electrothermal acupuncture stimulation at Zhongwan （CV12）， bilateral Tianshu （ST25）， and bilateral Zusanli （ST36） for 30 minutes per session， with the instrument current set at （40±0.5）mA and a constant temperature of （40±0.5）℃. Mice in the normal group and the model group were restrained in the same manner for 30 minutes without acupuncture. All interventions were performed once every other day for a total of 4 weeks. Ten hours after the final intervention， the body weight， waist circumference， and body length of mice in each group were measured， and Lee's index was calculated. Serum biochemical analysis was performed to assess fasting blood glucose （FBG）， total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， and creatinine （Cr）. Serum leptin （LEP） and adiponectin （ADPN） levels， as well as sphingosine-1-phosphate （S1P） levels in epididymal white adipose tissue （eWAT）， were detected by ELISA. Histomorphological changes in eWAT were monitored via HE staining. Flow cytometry was used to analyze macrophage subtype-related indexes in eWAT， including the total proportion of macrophages， the proportion of M1 macrophages， the proportion of M2 macrophages， and the M1/M2 ratio. Antibody array technology was used to determine the levels of differentially expressed inflammatory factors in eWAT between the model and blank groups， as well as between the ETA and model groups. Western blot and qPCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α and S1PR3 in the eWAT， respectively. ResultsCompared to the normal group， the model group showed significantly increased body weight， Lee's index， waist circumference， and FBG， TC， TG， HDL-C， LDL-C， AST， and ALT levels， upgraded LEP and S1P levels， decreased ADPN level and ADPN/LEP ratio， elevated proportion of M1 macrophages and the M1/M2 ratio， reduced proportion of M2 macrophages， and upregulated protein and mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α and S1PR3 （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. With the exception of HDL-C， all the abovementioned indicators in the ETA group were significantly improved compared to the model group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Analysis of differentially expressed inflammatory cytokines revealed that， compared to the normal group， the levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interferon-γ （IFN-γ）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and interleukin-12p70 （IL-12p70） in the eWAT of the model group were elevated； conversely， the levels of interleukin-17 （IL-17）， interleukin-5 （IL-5）， IL-6， and interleukin-23 （IL-23） in the eWAT of the ETA group decreased compared to the model group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionETA exerts a weight-reducing effect in obese model mice， and the mechanism may involve inhibition of the HIF-1α/S1P/S1PR3 signaling pathway activation， which shifts macrophage polarization from the M1 to M2 phenotype， thereby alleviating chronic inflammation.

OBJECTIVE To study the improvement effect and mechanism of Shengmai powder on heart failure （HF） mice with qi-yin deficiency. METHODS The mice were randomly divided into blank group （water）， model group （water）， Shengmai powder low-， medium-， and high-dose groups [2.61， 5.22 and 10.44 g/kg （based on crude drug dosage）] and positive control group （metoprolol， 30 mg/kg）， with 10 mice in each group. Except for the blank group， all other groups were subcutaneously injected with D-galactose， and a qi-yin deficiency HF mice model was established by continuous food restriction and weight-bearing swimming. At the same time of modeling， the corresponding medicine/water was gavaged once a day for five weeks. The general state of mice was recorded and the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome score was evaluated. Behavioral experiments were conducted to investigate the total distance of open field action， the percentage of immobility time， and the swimming exhaustion time of mice. The contents of aspartate transaminase （AST）， creatine kinase （CK） and lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） in the serum of mice were detected； cardiac function indexes [heart rate， left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， left ventricular end systolic diameter （LVESD）， left ventricular end diastolic diameter （LVEDD）， left ventricular mass index and whole heart mass index] were all detected； the histopathological morphology of mice myocardium was observed； the level of cardiomyocyte apoptosis in mice was detected； mRNA expression levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax）， and Cleaved-caspase-3 in myocardial tissue of mice were detected； the phosphorylation levels of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium regulatory related proteins [ryanodine receptor 2 （RyR2） and phospholamban （PLB）] in myocardial tissue of mice were detected. RESULTS Compared with the blank group， the body weight， total distance of open field action， swimming exhaustion time， LVEF， LVEDD， Bcl-2 mRNA expression level in myocardial tissue and PLB protein phosphorylation level in the model group were significantly reduced/shortened （P＜0.05）； TCM syndrome score， the percentage of immobility time， heart rate， LVESD， left ventricular mass index， whole heart mass index， cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate， the contents of CK， LDH and AST in serum， mRNA expression levels of Cleaved-caspase-3 and Bax and the phosphorylation level of RyR2 protein in myocardial tissue were significantly increased （P＜0.05）； there were inflammatory cell infiltration， disordered cell arrangement and obvious myocardial interstitial fibrosis in myocardial tissue. After the intervention of Shengmai powder， most of the above quantitative indexes in mice were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）， the inflammatory cell infiltration in myocardial tissue was reduced， and the degree of fibrosis was significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS Shengmai powder can improve cardiac function， reduce the level of cardiomyocyte apoptosis and myocardial fibrosis in HF mice with qi-yin deficiency. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium regulation related proteins.

AIM:To investigate the therapeutic effects of botulinum toxin A(BTXA)injection versus strabismus surgery in the treatment of acute acquired comitant esotropia(AACE).METHODS:Patient records of AACE cases treated at First People's Hospital of Nantong from January 2019 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Patients were categorized into either strabismus surgery or BTXA injection groups based on treatment modality. Further stratification was performed according to preoperative deviation angles [>35 prism diopters(PD)vs ≤35 PD] and age(≥18 years adult group vs <18 years adolescent group). The baseline patient characteristics were collected, deviation angles at multiple timepoints before and after treatment were measured, and stereopsis test results were documented. Through comparative analysis of therapeutic outcomes across subgroups, we systematically evaluated the efficacy of different treatment approaches.RESULTS:A total of 43 AACE patients were included. At the final follow-up, both the surgery and BTXA injection groups showed a statistically significant decrease in deviation angle compared to pretreatment measurements(P<0.001). Significant differences were noted between the two groups in terms of the cure rate of strabismus and the recovery rate of stereopsis(P<0.05). For patients with deviations >35 PD, surgery yielded significantly better outcomes than injection therapy in postoperative angle, success rate, and stereopsis recovery(P<0.05). Similarly, in patients aged ≥18 years, surgical treatment was superior to injections in reducing strabismus angle, improving success rates, and restoring stereopsis(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Both BTXA injection and strabismus surgery demonstrate therapeutic efficacy in AACE. Surgical treatment demonstrated superior efficacy compared to BTXA injection therapy, particularly in patients with deviations >35 PD and those aged ≥18 years. For patients with angles ≤35 PD or under 18 years, BTXA injection remains a viable treatment option.

BACKGROUND:Disruption of biological rhythms(circadian rhythms)is a typical problem associated with aging.Maintaining the normal function of biological rhythms may be a promising anti-aging strategy.Expression of nuclear factor erthroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)is biologically regulated.The glycogen synthase kinase 3(GSK3)system represents a"regulatory valve"that controls subtle oscillations in Nrf2 levels.Circadian changes in the transcript levels of antioxidant genes can influence the response of organisms to oxidative stress.However,the specific molecular mechanism of GSK3/Nrf2 in regulating organismal aging is still puzzling. OBJECTIVE:To search for the general pattern of GSK3/Nrf2-regulated biological rhythms in organismal aging by reviewing the literature in this field. METHODS:The bibliographic method was used to search,review and screen the relevant literature using the keywords of"glycogen synthase kinase 3,nuclear factor erthroid 2-related factor 2,biorhythms and aging"to lay a theoretical foundation for the analysis of the whole paper.Comparative analysis method,through reading and analyzing the obtained literature,was performed to compare the similarities and differences between the literature,thereby providing reasonable theoretical support for the argument.Further comparative analysis of the literature was conducted to clarify the relationship between the relevant indicators as well as the ideas for analysis throughout the text. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:GSK3 can indirectly regulate Nrf2 expression through the regulation of rhythm genes.GSK3 and Nrf2 are components of anti-aging programs and are associated with biological rhythms.In addition,GSK3/Nrf2 is involved in several metabolic pathways,including those associated with age-related diseases(type 2 diabetes and cancer)and neurodegenerative diseases.

Both the incidence and mortality of primary liver cancer in China rank first globally. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is valued for its ability to significantly enhance the irradiation precision of target volumes while reducing the radiation doses to surrounding normal tissues. Respiratory motion management represents a critical SBRT technology. Meanwhile, abdominal compression has been extensively applied as a critical approach to respiratory motion management thanks to its convenient operation and high applicability. Furthermore, applying abdominal compression to the liver can effectively reduce the extent of motion of the gross target volumes, thus reducing the expanding ranges of the internal target volumes (ITVs). This further contributes to increased radiation dose to target volumes and decreased radiation dose to surrounding normal tissues. Focusing on respiratory motion management for the liver, the application of abdominal compression, improvements in abdominal compression devices, and method for assessing the abdominal compression effects, this study presents a review of advances in research on the application of abdominal compression in SBRT for liver cancer, aiming to provide a valuable reference for clinical practice.

In February 2025, a local cluster outbreak caused by the D8 genotype Measles virus (MV) was first discovered in Henan Province. Epidemiological investigations and laboratory testing were conducted, including the collection of serum and throat swabs for MV IgM antibody and nucleic acid detection, virus isolation and genetic homology analysis. Measures such as close contact tracing, vaccination rate assessment and supplementary immunization activities were implemented, successfully preventing broader community transmission. A total of three cases were reported during the outbreak, including one imported-related adolescent and two secondary local adult cases. All cases presented with typical symptoms such as fever and rash. Both adult cases were complicated by pneumonia, with one case developing into severe pneumonia. MV genotyping showed that the two secondary cases were both the D8 genotype, with the viral sequences being completely homologous to the Kazakhstan strain. Among the close contacts, 98.2% were adults, and 142 individuals received emergency vaccination.

Objective:To develop and validate machine learning-based radiomics models using preoperative CT images for individualized prediction of mitotic index (MI) in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).Methods:The study was a case-control study. The data of 348 GIST patients confirmed by pathology were retrospectively collected from two independent medical centers: the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University (center 1) and Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University (center 2), covering the period from January 2013 to June 2018. Patients from center 1 were divided into a training cohort (176 cases) and an internal validation cohort (75 cases) at a ratio of 7∶3 using random sampling. Patients from center 2 served as an independent external validation cohort (97 cases). The primary endpoint was MI, categorized into high MI (145 cases) and low MI (203 cases) groups. Radiomic features were extracted from the portal venous phase images of preoperative contrast-enhanced CT scans. Five machine learning algorithms, including logistic regression, support vector machine, random forest, decision tree, and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost),were employed to construct MI prediction models. The optimal model was identified using receiver operating characteristic curves. An individualized prediction model was developed by integrating the the optimal machine learning model combined with selected independent clinical factors, and the importance of features was visualized using Shapley Additive Explanation (SHAP) analysis. Patients were followed up, and Kaplan-Meier curves along with log-rank tests were used to evaluate recurrence-free survival (RFS) differences between the predicted high MI and low MI groups.Results:Among the five constructed machine learning models, the XGBoost model demonstrated the best predictive performance, with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.809 (95% CI 0.738-0.872), 0.693 (95% CI 0.571-0.809), and 0.718 (95% CI 0.605-0.822) in the training cohort, internal validation cohort, and external validation cohort, respectively. An individualized prediction model combining the XGBoost model with independent clinical factors (tumor location and tumor size) was developed. The model achieved AUC of 0.843 (95% CI 0.785-0.899), 0.791 (95% CI 0.680-0.894), and 0.777 (95% CI 0.678-0.861) in the training cohort, internal validation cohort, and external validation cohort, respectively. SHAP analysis indicated that radiomic features had the highest predictive impact. In both the training cohort and internal validation cohort, the RFS of patients predicted to be in the high MI group was lower than that of the low MI group, with statistically significant differences ( χ2=14.58, 9.52, both P<0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in RFS in the external validation set ( χ2=6.18, P=0.080). Conclusions:The optimal XGBoost model based on radiomic features extracted from preoperative portal venous phase CT images, when combined with clinical factors, can effectively predict the MI of GIST patients.