Background Lead is a typical persistent environmental pollutant that can accumulate in bones for decades. During pregnancy, alterations in calcium metabolism promote the mobilization of bone lead, resulting in secondary exposure; however, the mechanisms by which pregnancy-associated bone lead mobilization affects maternal renal function remain unclear. Objective To investigate the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in pregnancy-related bone lead mobilization-induced renal injury. Methods Newly weaned female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a control or a lead-exposed group administered either 0.05% sodium acetate or 0.05% lead acetate in drinking water. Following a 4-week lead exposure and a 4-week washout period, the females were co-housed with healthy age-matched males for mating. Rats were sacrificed at early (gestational day 3) and late (gestational day 17) pregnancystages, respectively. Renal histopathology was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining staining. Mitochondria-related indicators, including oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and energy metabolism, were measured. Differential metabolites were identified using serum metabolomics. Results Renal injury in the lead-exposed pregnant rats progressed in a time-dependent manner, characterized by degeneration of proximal tubular epithelial cells, glomerular hyaline changes, and interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated a significant interaction between the treatment factor (lead exposure) and the temporal factor (gestational stage) on renal injury (P<0.001). Further analysis of mitochondrial function-related indicators in late-pregnancy renal tissue revealed that the lead exposure group exhibited significantly increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (P<0.05), accompanied by a reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) activities (P<0.05); regarding inflammatory markers, levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were elevated (P<0.01), whereas interleukin-33 (IL-33) was decreased in the lead-exposed group (P<0.05); energy metabolism-related indicators, including adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level, Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase activities, and mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, III, and V activities, were significantly reduced (P<0.05) in the lead-exposed gorup. The typical differential metabolite N-methylisoleucine, identified through serum metabolomics analysis, was negatively correlated with blood lead levels, kidney injury scores, and IL-1β, while positively correlated with catalase (CAT) activity and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase. Conclusions Mitochondrial dysfunction may play a critical role in renal injury induced by bone lead mobilization during late gestation.

Objective To analyze the infection status and epidemic trends of soil-borne nematode infections in Yubei, Chongqing City, in 2010,2021, and 2022. Methods The local populations from four survey sites of four towns in 2010 and five sites of five towns in 2021 and 2022 were surveyed regarding their basic information using a unified form. Fecal samples of the participants were collected and tested for soil-borne nematode infections using the modified Kato-Katz thick smear method. Results In 2010, 2 049 participants were surveyed, followed by 1 000 participants in 2021 and 2022. The overall prevalence of parasitic infections declined significantly from 3.86% to 0.20%. In 2010, soil-transmitted nematode included hookworms(3.81%) and roundworms(0.29%). In 2021, the infection rates of roundworms and hookworms were 1.70% and 0.10% respectively. Notably, only Ascaris was identified in 2022(0.20%). The≥60 age group consistently exhibited the highest infection rates across all surveys, followed by the 40-59 age group. The infection rates of males in the three surveys were 3.31%,1.92%, and 0.20% respectively, and those of females were 4.37%, 1.46%, and 0.20% respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the infection rates between males and females. Educational attainment was inversely associated with infection; in 2010, the highest prevalence was observed among those with primary education or below, whereas in 2021, illiterate or semi-literate individuals showed the highest susceptibility. The occupational distribution of infections in 2010 indicated that retirees (8.33%), farmers(4.86%), and homemakers or unemployed individuals(3.45%)were the most affected. However, in 2021 and 2022, farmers emerged as the predominant occupational group with soil-transmitted nematode infections. Conclusions The infection rate of soil-borne nematodes showed a decreasing trend in Yubei, and the infection species changed from hookworms in 2010 to Ascaris in 2022. Farmers, the elderly, and people with low education levels should continue to be the focus of preventive and control efforts.

In the context of burgeoning economic trade, there has been a remarkable increase in the number of ships travelling between domestic and international ports. Inbound and outbound cargo ships, cruise liners, ferries, and other types of vessels have emerged as critical vehicles for the dispersal of vector organisms and the spread of infectious disease agents. Public health concerns associated with these vessels represent a significant threat to human welfare. In this paper, we comprehensively review the hazards posed by vector organisms on ships, the latest advances in prevention and control strategies, and proposes appropriate countermeasures. The aim is to provide effective guidance for the prevention and control of public health security issues caused by ship-borne vector organisms.

Chronic kidney disease(CKD)is a chronic renal structural and functional disorder caused by multiple causes(history of kidney injury>3 months),with complex etiology and high inci-dence,which will eventually lead to end-stage re-nal disease(ESRD).Common chronic kidney diseas-es include diabetic nephropathy,polycystic ne-phropathy,nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and re-nal fibrosis.At present,there is still a lack of effec-tive specific treatment for chronic kidney disease.The Apelin system is an endogenous physiological regulator.Studies have shown that Apelin is in-volved in the occurrence and development of the above diseases mainly through the regulation of kidney body fluids and blood vessels,and the regu-lation of kidney glucose and lipid metabolism and immunity.This article aims to review the role of Apelin in chronic kidney diseases in recent years,and provide ideas for the treatment and drug de-velopment of kidney diseases with Apelin as a new target.

Objective This study sought to establish a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)model in Wistar-SD hypercholesterolemia(WSHc)rats induced by a high-fat diet and to reveal the pathogenesis of NAFLD in these rats through the Srebp-1 gene.Methods After 2 weeks of dietary treatment,thirty 6-week-old WSHc rats were divided into High-fat control group,HFD+AAV no load group,and HFD+AAV group,with 10 rats in each group.The HFD+AAV no load group and HFD+AAV group were intravenously injected with a vector virus and an shRNA-containing virus,respectively.WSHc rats were fed with a normal fat diet as a normal control group.Serum levels of ALT,AST,TBIL,ALP,TBA,GLU,CHOL,and TG were measured every 2 weeks.After a further 8 weeks of feeding,the rats were euthanized and livers were excised for HE staining,Oil Red O staining,Masson staining,and Sirius red staining to observe the morphology,lipid deposition,and fibrosis of the liver tissues.RT-qPCR was performed to detect the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes namely Srebp-1,Aacs,FASN and LDLR in the livers.Furthermore,hepatocytes were isolated,cultured,and divided into a normal control group and a high-fat control group.Next,expression of the Srebp-1 gene was detected by RT-qPCR.Srebp-1 knockout(KO)hepatocytes were constructed,then TG content was detected and the lipid accumulation was observed by Oil Red O staining.Results After 10 weeks of high-fat diet treatment,serum ALT(P＜0.001),ALP(P＜0.001),TBA(P＜0.05),GLU(P＜0.001),and CHOL(P＜0.001)significantly increased in WSHc rats.Abnormal lipid deposition with formation of large vacuolar lipid droplets and fibrotic lesions in livers were observed.The mRNA expression of Srebp-1 noticeably increased in WSHc rats(P＜0.001).Moreover,compared with the high-fat control group,the ALT(P＜0.05)and GLU(P＜0.01)in the HFD+AAV group decreased,and liver lipid deposition and the formation of large vacuolar lipid droplets were alleviated.Expressions of genes such as FASN(P＜0.05)and LDLR(P＜0.01)were significantly upregulated.Additionally,there was a significant increase in the expression of Srebp-1 in hepatocytes of the high-fat control group(P＜0.001),while after Srebp-1 gene knockout,cellular TG levels decreased and the degree of lipid droplet aggregation was reduced.Conclusions The Srebp-1 gene plays a regulatory role in hepatic lipid metabolism and deposition,modulating the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes in WSHc rats with NAFLD.In vitro experiments demonstrated that downregulation of Srebp-1 alleviates lipotoxic injury in hepatocytes,suggesting that the development of NAFLD in WSHc rats is closely associated with abnormally high expressions of the Srebp-1 gene.

[Purpose]To analyze the cost-effectiveness of endoscopic screening for upper gastroin-testinal cancer in Yangcheng County of Shanxi Province.[Methods]People aged from 40 to 69 who participated in upper gastrointestinal cancer screening in Yangcheng County in 2018 were se-lected as the study subjects to participate in upper gastrointestinal cancer screening in 2018,and endoscopic examination with iodine staining and indicative biopsy were performed for screening.The detection rates of precancerous lesions and upper gastrointestinal malignancies,and early di-agnosis rates were calculated,and compared among different groups.The data of screening cost were collected;and the per capita screening cost,the average cost of early case detection and ear-ly detection cost index(EDCI)were calculated.[Results]Among 2 950 subjects undergoing en-doscopy,pathological biopsy was completed in 2 073 cases(70.27％),374 cases of precancerous le-sions(12.68％)and 52 cases of malignancies(1.76％)were detected,among which 17 cases were up-per gastrointestinal cancer with a detection rate of 0.58％,there were 44 early cases with an early diagnosis rate of 84.62％.The detection rate of precancerous lesions and positive cases in men was higher than that of women,but the early diagnosis rate of upper gastrointestinal cancer was lower than that of women;the detection rate of positive cases and digestive tract cancer of 50 years and above were higher than those of people aged 40 to 49.The cost of screening for one positive lesion was 25 528.85 CNY,the cost of screening for one early case was 30 170.46 CNY.The EDCI was 0.52,indicating a good cost-effective value.[Conclusion]The study shows that the early diagnosis and early treatment screening program of upper gastrointestinal cancer has achieved remarkable re-sults in Yangcheng County.The follow-up screening work should focus on men and people over 50 years old,and strengthen the publicity of upper gastrointestinal screening for cancer.

Aim To establish and evaluate an alternative meth-od for detecting skin sensitization of cosmetics based on local lymph node assay using bromodeoxyuridine(BrdU)with flow cytometry(FCM).Methods(1)25％hexyl cinnamic alde-hyde(HCA)was chosen as a positive control with an acetone:olive oil(4∶1,V/V,AOO)mixture as a vehicle control for the experiment.The dorsal sides of both ears of mice were treated with test solutions on day 1,day 2,and day 3.Brdu solution was injected inter-peritoneally on day 5.On day 6,the bilateral ears and mandibular lymph nodes were excised,and the number of Brdu positive cells was measured by flow cytometry.The stim-ulation index(SI)was calculated to identify whether it was ≥3,in order to establish the method of LLNA:Brdu-FCM.(2)BrdU-FCM test was conducted using a blind method with the fif-teen reference substances listed in OECD TG429 whose skin sensitization potentials were known.The test substances were dissolved in AOO,N,N-dimethylformamide(DMF)or dimeth-yl sulfoxide(DMSO)at three different concentrations.Tests were performed the same as above.SI and EC2.7 were calculat-ed to evaluate whether the test substance was categorized as a skin sensitizer.The reliability and accuracy of the method were validated by comparing the classification of test substances with that in OECD TG429.Results The SI for 25％HCA was 3.9,showing positive in the skin sensitization test.It demonstrated that the LLNA:Brdu-FCM test method was properly implemen-ted.Nine test substances(2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene,4-pheny-lenediamine,cobalt chloride,2-mercaptobenzothiazole,hexyl-cinnamaldehyde,eugenol,phenyl benzoate,cinnamic alcohol,imidazolidinyl urea)were positive,and six test substances(methyl methacrylate,chlorobenzene,isopropanol,lactic acid,methyl salicylate,salicylic acid)were negative.The method was evaluated with sensitivity of 90％,specificity of 100％,positive prediction rate of 100％,negative prediction rate of 83％,false positive rate of 0％,false negative rate of 17％and accuracy of 93％.The LLNA:BrdU-FCM assay could correctly categorize the test substances that were skin sensitizers or non-sensitizers.Conclusion The LLNA:BrdU-FCM assay appears to be a relia-ble predictor of skin sensitization protential of chemicals,and it is expected to an alternative method for identifying skin sensitization as a supplementary in safety evaluation of cosmetic ingredient.

Objective:To evaluate the value of acid-base indicators and strong ion gap (SIG) in the prognostic diagnosis of patients with acute paraquat poisoning (APP).Methods:The medical records of 78 APP patients admitted to the First People′s Hospital of Lianyungang from March 2021 to March 2024 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into the death group ( n=56) and the survival group ( n=22) according to their prognosis. Clinical data, acid-base indicators, and SIG levels were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors of prognosis in APP patients and construct a nomogram. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was established to analyze the diagnostic value of combined acid-base indicators and SIG for the prognosis of APP patients. Results:There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, body mass index, time from poisoning to treatment, history of diabetes, or history of hypertension between the two groups (all P>0.05). The levels of anion gap (AG), bicarbonate ion (HCO 3-), lactic acid (Lac), and SIG in the death group were higher than those in the survival group (all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that AG, HCO 3-, Lac, and SIG levels were influencing factors for the prognosis of APP patients (all P<0.05). ROC curve results indicated that the area under the curve (AUC) of AG, HCO 3-, Lac, and SIG combined in predicting the prognosis of APP patients was significantly higher than that of single prediction. Conclusions:Acid-base indicators and SIG have good diagnostic value for the prognosis of APP patients.

Objective:To develop machine learning models for interpreting brain maturity in preterm infants based on electroencephalographic (EEG) features and analyze factors affecting interpretation accuracy.Methods:This prospective study enrolled preterm infants requiring bedside EEG monitoring in the Department of Neonatology at the First Hospital of Jilin University from January 2023 to March 2024. Data from each integer-corrected gestational age (GA) group were randomly split into training and testing sets (7∶3 ratio) using Python's sklearn.model_selection.train_test_split function. Three machine learning models, including support vector regression (SVR), random forest, and decision tree, were employed to analyze EEG signals. Model performance was evaluated against manually interpreted GA as the gold standard using prediction deviation, mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and correlation coefficient ( r). Accuracy was defined based on the difference between predicted and manually interpreted GA (categorized into accurate and inaccurate groups), with a difference less than one week considered accurate. Statistical analyses included Chi-square test (or Fisher's exact test), t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and multivariate logistic regression. Results:Among 241 preterm infants (training set: n=168; testing set: n=73), the random forest model demonstrated optimal performance: concordance rate 90.4% (66/73) with MAE 0.378 weeks, RMSE 0.577 weeks, and r=0.932 ( P<0.001). The decision tree model achieved 87.7% concordance (64/73) with MAE 0.316 weeks, while SVR showed 64.2% concordance (47/73) and MAE 0.840 weeks. Stratified by GA, random forest performed best in the 34 weeks group [concordance 100.0% (52/52), MAE 0.269 weeks], followed by the 32-34 weeks group [89.0% (81/91), MAE 0.448 weeks] and <32 weeks group [88.8% (87/98), MAE 0.561 weeks]. Compared to the accurate group ( n=205), the inaccurate group ( n=36) had higher rates of vaginal delivery [41.7% (15/36) vs. 19.5% (40/205), χ2=8.53], grade ≥Ⅱ intracranial hemorrhage [11.1% (4/36) vs. 2.4% (5/205), χ2=4.22], and periventricular echogenicity [33.3% (12/36) vs. 7.8% (16/205), χ2=17.03] (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis identified vaginal delivery ( OR=0.190, 95% CI: 0.068-0.527), lower corrected GA ( OR=0.678, 95% CI: 0.488-0.941), and periventricular echogenicity ( OR=11.339, 95% CI: 3.250-39.559) as independent factors affecting accuracy (all P<0.05). Conclusion:The random forest-based model shows optimal accuracy for predicting brain maturity in preterm infants. Vaginal delivery, lower corrected GA, and periventricular echogenicity reduce its predictive accuracy.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of children with anti-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (anti-HMGCR) antibody-mediated necrotizing myopathy, and to explore early identification and management strategies to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data and treatment outcomes of 10 pediatric patients with anti-HMGCR antibody-mediated necrotizing myopathy admitted to the Department of Rheumatology, Children′s Hospital of Fudan University from December 2020 to December 2024. Statistical description was performed using SPSS 22.0.Results:Among the 10 patients, the male-to-female ratio was 1:4, the age of onset was (7.2±4.0) years, and the disease duration at diagnosis was (22.2±19.6) months. None had a history of statin exposure. Six patients presented with muscle weakness, and4 were diagnosed due to asymptomatic elevation of creatine kinase (CK); 4 had dermatomyositis-like rashes. All patients showed significantly elevated CK levels [median 3 291(1 969, 8 776)U/L] and underwent muscle biopsy. Histopathological findings revealed myofiber degeneration, necrosis, and regeneration in all cases, with inflammatory infiltration in 9 cases, MHC-Ⅰ positivity in all, and C5b-9 positivity in 9 cases. The median follow-up duration was (15.7±6.3) months. At the last follow-up, muscle strength was normal or nearly normal, and the CK median value had decreased to 977.5 (211.0, 3 536.0) U/L.Conclusion:For patients with suspected idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and significantly elevated CK, muscle-specific antibody testing-including anti-HMGCR-and muscle biopsy should be performed promptly regardless of the presence of skin rash, to ensure accurate diagnosis and guide treatment, thereby avoiding misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis.