Objective To analyze the influencing factors of hospitalization costs in patients with occupational noise-induced deafness (ONID), and provide evidence for health policy development. Methods A total of 109 ONID patients in a hospital for occupational disease prevention and treatment in Guangdong Province were collected from 2018 to 2022 as the study subjects using a retrospective analysis method. Hospitalization information was collected, and influencing factors of hospitalization costs were analyzed. Results The average hospitalization cost per admission from 2018 to 2022 was 26 948.1, 27 805.0, 25 291.1,20 741.2 and 18 865.1 yuan, respectively, showing a downward trend. Grey relational analysis showed that the top three cost components most closely associated with the average hospitalization cost per admission were treatment expenses, medical service fees, and other expenses, with correlation coefficients of 0.786 1, 0.720 4, and 0.654 3, respectively. Univariate logistic regression analysis indicated that length of hospital stay was the primary influencing factor for average hospitalization cost per admission (P<0.01). Conclusion It is recommended to optimize clinical care pathways, improve diagnostic and treatment techniques, and reduce hospital stay duration, to lower the hospitalization costs of ONID patients.

Objective To explore the association between long working hours, anxiety symptoms, and insomnia symptoms among footwear industry workers, and to examine the mediating effect of anxiety symptoms between long working hours and insomnia symptoms. Methods A total of 710 workers from 15 footwear manufacturing enterprises in Guangdong Province were selected as study subjects using a stratified random sampling method. Long working hours, anxiety symptoms, and insomnia symptoms among the workers were assessed using the National Key Population Occupational Health Literacy Monitoring Questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Self-Rating Scale, and the Self-Rating Sleep Questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was applied to analyze the associations of long working hours and anxiety symptoms with insomnia symptoms, and a mediation effect model was used to examine the mediating role of anxiety symptoms. Results The workers with long working hours accounted for 69.6% of participants. The detection rates of anxiety symptoms and insomnia symptoms were 17.0% and 20.7% in these workers, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that both long working hours and anxiety symptoms were influencing factors for insomnia symptoms (both P<0.01). Mediation analysis indicated that long working hours had a direct effect on insomnia symptoms, accounting for 67.9% of the total effect. Anxietysymptoms played a partial mediating role between long working hours and insomnia symptoms, with an effect value of 0.18 (95% confidence interval 0.07-0.30, P<0.01), accounting for 32.1% of the total effect. Conclusion Both long working hours and anxiety symptoms are influencing factors for insomnia symptoms among the footwear industry workers, and anxiety symptoms partially mediate the impact of long working hours on insomnia symptoms.

Objective To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture in alleviating hyperlipidemia in a rat model by modulating mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1(mTORC1)-mediated lipophagy in hepatocytes.Methods A total of 30 SD rats were randomly divided into blank(n=6)and modeling groups(n=24)using the random number table method.A hyperlipidemic rat model was established by feeding rats a high-fat diet(feeding for 8 weeks).After successful modeling,the modeling group was randomly divided into the model,electroacupuncture,mTORC1 inhibitor,and electroacupuncture+mTORC1 agonist groups,with six rats in each group.Except for the blank group,all other rats were fed with high fat diet.Rats in the electroacupuncture and electroacupuncture+mTORC1 agonist groups received electroacupuncture intervention at bilateral"Fenglong"(ST40)acupoints(dilatational wave 2 Hz/100 Hz,current intensity 1 mA)for 30 min once daily.Rats in the mTORC1 inhibitor group received intraperitoneal injections of the mTORC1 inhibitor,rapamycin(2 mg/kg),once daily.Rats in the electroacupuncture+mTORC1 agonist group received intraperitoneal injections of the mTORC1 agonist MHY1485(10 mg/kg)once daily.The interventions were administered for five consecutive days per week for 4 weeks.Upon completion of the intervention,the following analyses were performed:serum contents of total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TAG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),free fatty acids(FFA),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)were measured using a fully automated biochemical analyzer.Hepatic histopathological changes and lipid deposition were observed using hematoxylin-eosin and oil red O staining.The liver condition was observed and the liver index was calculated.Hepatic TC and TAG levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The ultrastructure of the liver tissue was observed using transmission electron microscopy,and the mean fluorescence intensity of perilipin 2(PLIN2)and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3)-Ⅱ in the liver tissue was detected using immunofluorescence.Protein expression of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin(p-mTOR)/mTOR,and mTORC1 in liver tissue was detected using Western blotting.Results Compared to the blank group,the model group rats showed increased serum TC,TAG,LDL-C,ALT,AST,and FFA levels,along with decreased HDL-C levels(P<0.05).The liver index and hepatic TC and TAG levels were also elevated(P<0.05).Histological examination of liver tissue revealed substantial lipid accumulation,numerous lipid droplets within hepatocytes,abnormal mitochondrial morphology,and scarce autophagic vacuole.The mean fluorescence intensity of PLIN2 increased,whereas that of LC3-Ⅱ decreased(P<0.05).Additionally,the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio was reduced,whereas the p-mTOR/mTOR ratio and mTORC1 protein expression were increased(P<0.05).Compared to the model group,rats in the mTORC1 inhibitor and electroacupuncture groups exhibited decreased serum TC,TAG,LDL-C,ALT,AST,and FFA levels(P<0.05),along with a reduced liver index and hepatic TC and TAG levels(P<0.05).Histological examination showed markedly attenuated lipid accumulation and visible autophagic vacuole in the hepatocytes.The mean fluorescence intensity of PLIN2 decreased,whereas that of LC3-Ⅱ increased(P<0.05).Moreover,the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio increased,whereas the p-mTOR/mTOR ratio and mTORC1 protein expression decreased(P<0.05).In comparison with both the electroacupuncture and mTORC1 inhibitor groups,the electroacupuncture+mTORC1 agonist group demonstrated increased serum TAG,TC,LDL-C,ALT,AST,and FFA levels(P<0.05)as well as elevated liver index and hepatic TC and TAG levels(P<0.05).Liver tissues exhibited aggravated lipid deposition and absence of autophagic vacuole in liver cells.The mean fluorescence intensity of PLIN2 was enhanced,whereas that of LC3-Ⅱ was reduced(P<0.05).Furthermore,the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio decreased,and the p-mTOR/mTOR ratio and mTORC1 protein expression increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture at"Fenglong"(ST40)may improve blood lipid levels in hyperlipidemic rats by inhibiting mTORC1 and promoting hepatocyte lipophagy.

Objective To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture in alleviating hyperlipidemia in a rat model by modulating mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1(mTORC1)-mediated lipophagy in hepatocytes.Methods A total of 30 SD rats were randomly divided into blank(n=6)and modeling groups(n=24)using the random number table method.A hyperlipidemic rat model was established by feeding rats a high-fat diet(feeding for 8 weeks).After successful modeling,the modeling group was randomly divided into the model,electroacupuncture,mTORC1 inhibitor,and electroacupuncture+mTORC1 agonist groups,with six rats in each group.Except for the blank group,all other rats were fed with high fat diet.Rats in the electroacupuncture and electroacupuncture+mTORC1 agonist groups received electroacupuncture intervention at bilateral"Fenglong"(ST40)acupoints(dilatational wave 2 Hz/100 Hz,current intensity 1 mA)for 30 min once daily.Rats in the mTORC1 inhibitor group received intraperitoneal injections of the mTORC1 inhibitor,rapamycin(2 mg/kg),once daily.Rats in the electroacupuncture+mTORC1 agonist group received intraperitoneal injections of the mTORC1 agonist MHY1485(10 mg/kg)once daily.The interventions were administered for five consecutive days per week for 4 weeks.Upon completion of the intervention,the following analyses were performed:serum contents of total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TAG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),free fatty acids(FFA),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)were measured using a fully automated biochemical analyzer.Hepatic histopathological changes and lipid deposition were observed using hematoxylin-eosin and oil red O staining.The liver condition was observed and the liver index was calculated.Hepatic TC and TAG levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The ultrastructure of the liver tissue was observed using transmission electron microscopy,and the mean fluorescence intensity of perilipin 2(PLIN2)and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3)-Ⅱ in the liver tissue was detected using immunofluorescence.Protein expression of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin(p-mTOR)/mTOR,and mTORC1 in liver tissue was detected using Western blotting.Results Compared to the blank group,the model group rats showed increased serum TC,TAG,LDL-C,ALT,AST,and FFA levels,along with decreased HDL-C levels(P<0.05).The liver index and hepatic TC and TAG levels were also elevated(P<0.05).Histological examination of liver tissue revealed substantial lipid accumulation,numerous lipid droplets within hepatocytes,abnormal mitochondrial morphology,and scarce autophagic vacuole.The mean fluorescence intensity of PLIN2 increased,whereas that of LC3-Ⅱ decreased(P<0.05).Additionally,the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio was reduced,whereas the p-mTOR/mTOR ratio and mTORC1 protein expression were increased(P<0.05).Compared to the model group,rats in the mTORC1 inhibitor and electroacupuncture groups exhibited decreased serum TC,TAG,LDL-C,ALT,AST,and FFA levels(P<0.05),along with a reduced liver index and hepatic TC and TAG levels(P<0.05).Histological examination showed markedly attenuated lipid accumulation and visible autophagic vacuole in the hepatocytes.The mean fluorescence intensity of PLIN2 decreased,whereas that of LC3-Ⅱ increased(P<0.05).Moreover,the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio increased,whereas the p-mTOR/mTOR ratio and mTORC1 protein expression decreased(P<0.05).In comparison with both the electroacupuncture and mTORC1 inhibitor groups,the electroacupuncture+mTORC1 agonist group demonstrated increased serum TAG,TC,LDL-C,ALT,AST,and FFA levels(P<0.05)as well as elevated liver index and hepatic TC and TAG levels(P<0.05).Liver tissues exhibited aggravated lipid deposition and absence of autophagic vacuole in liver cells.The mean fluorescence intensity of PLIN2 was enhanced,whereas that of LC3-Ⅱ was reduced(P<0.05).Furthermore,the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio decreased,and the p-mTOR/mTOR ratio and mTORC1 protein expression increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture at"Fenglong"(ST40)may improve blood lipid levels in hyperlipidemic rats by inhibiting mTORC1 and promoting hepatocyte lipophagy.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of occupational stress on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in electronics manufacturing workers. Methods A total of 392 front-line workers in two electronic manufacturing enterprises in Guangdong Province were selected as the research subjects using the judgment sampling method. The prevalence of WMSDs and the level of occupational stress of the research subjects were investigated using the Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire and the Core Occupational Stress Scale. Results The total WMSDs detection rate was 39.5%, and the multi-site WMSDs detection rate was 30.6%. The detection rate of occupational stress was 14.8%. The total WMSDs detection rate and multi-site WMSDs detection rate in the occupational stress group were higher than those in the non-occupational stress group (65.5% vs 35.0%, 56.9% vs 26.0%, both P<0.01). Binary logistic regression analysis result showed that the risk of WMSDs in the occupational stress group was higher than that in the non-occupational stress group after adjusting the effect of confounding factors such as age, gender, job type and work days per week (P<0.01). Conclusion The occupational stress may increase the risk of WMSDs in electronics manufacturing workers. Reducing the level of occupational stress among workers in electronic manufacturing enterprises is beneficial for reducing the risk of WMSDs.

Objective:To investigate the value of fetal heart quantification (fetal HQ) in assessing ventricular function of fetuses with small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and fetal growth restriction (FGR).Methods:A total of 152 singleton pregnancies with estimated fetal weight (EFW) or abdominal circumference less than the 10th percentile in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were prospectively selected from August 2022 to September 2023, where fetal EFW or abdominal circumference were in the 3rd to 9th percentile with normal Doppler findings were classified as the SGA group ( n=79), and the rest as the FGR group ( n=73). In the same period, 161 cases of normal single fetuses were matched as the control group.Based on the gestational week in which FGR occurred, the FGR group were categorized into the early-onset group (<32 weeks, n=46) and the late-onset group (≥32 weeks, n=27), and fetuses in the FGR group with absent end-diastolic velocity of the umbilical artery were defined as severe FGR ( n=11), and the rest as mild FGR ( n=62). Fetal ventricular fractional area change (FAC), global longitudinal strain (GLS), longitudinal fractional shortening (LFS) and 24-segment fractional shortening (FS) were obtained by fetal HQ. The cardiac systolic function between groups were compared, the correlations between each parameter and gestational week were analyzed, the inter-observer and intra-observer repeatability tests were performed. Results:Compared with the control group, ventricular FAC, LFS, and GLS were lower in the SGA and the FGR group, right ventricular FS of segments 9-24 were reduced in the SGA group, and left ventricular FS of segments 10-19, 21-24 and right ventricular FS of segments 18-24 were reduced in the FGR group, the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Left ventricular GLS, LFS and right ventricular FAC, GLS, LFS, FS of segments 1-14 were lower in the severe FGR group than in the mild FGR group, the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The values of left ventricular GLS and LFS were higher in the early-onset FGR group than in the late-onset FGR group, the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The ROC showed that the ventricular systolic function parameters predicted adverse perinatal outcomes with an AUC>0.6 (all P<0.05). Left ventricular GLS and right ventricular partial-segments FS were no correlations with gestational week in the FGR group (-0.3< rs<0.3, all P<0.05). There was no correlation between the parameters and gestational week in the SGA group (all P>0.05). The inter-observer and intra-observer intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were >0.75, with good reproducibility. Conclusions:Fetal HQ can quantitatively assess the changes of ventricular function in SGA and FGR fetuses, and the ventricular overall, longitudinal and localized contractile function in SGA and FGR fetuses are reduced, and abnormal ventricular systolic function is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dupilumab in the treatment of prurigo nodularis (PN) in the real world.Methods:PN patients who were subcutaneously injected with dupilumab for over 12 weeks were collected from the China Type Ⅱ Inflammatory Skin Disease Clinical Research and Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment Project Database from June 2021 to October 2022. Their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed, which included demographic data, and changes in pruritus numeric rating scale (NRS), investigator global assessment for PN-Stage (IGA PN-S), dermatology life quality index (DLQI) and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) scores before and after treatment. Differences in scores before and after treatment, as well as in efficacy between patients with and without a history of atopic diseases, were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test, paired t-test or chi-square test. Results:A total of 66 PN patients were collected, including 42 males and 24 females, and they were aged 8 to 89 (44.12 ± 24.17) years. Thirty-six patients had a history of atopic diseases, and 27 had a family history of atopic diseases. After 12-week treatment with dupilumab, the pruritus NRS, IGA PN-S and DLQI scores in the 66 patients significantly decreased from the baseline scores (7.00 [5.00, 8.00], 3.00 [3.00, 4.00], 12.00 [7.75, 20.25], respectively) to 3.00 [2.00, 4.25], 2.00 [2.00, 3.00], 5.00 [1.75, 8.25], respectively (all P < 0.001). Among the 66 patients, 39 continued the regular treatment with dupilumab after 12 weeks and were followed up to 16 weeks; their pruritus NRS and IGA PN-S scores at week 16 further decreased compared with those at week 12 (both P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the proportion of patients showing an improvement of ≥ 4 points in the NRS score or the proportion of patients achieving IGA 0/1 at week 12 between the patients with history of atopic diseases and those without (both P > 0.05). Before treatment, 32 PN patients were accompanied by mild to severe anxiety and/or depression; after 12-week treatment, the HADS-A scores in the 28 patients with anxiety (HADS-A scores > 7 points) and the HADS-D scores in the 20 patients with depression (HADS-D scores > 7 points) significantly decreased compared with their baseline scores (both P < 0.001) ; 18 (56.52%) patients achieved remission in anxiety and depression (both HADS-A and HADS-D scores < 7 points). Among the 66 PN patients, there were 13 minor patients, including 7 males and 6 females, and they were aged 8 to 17 (13.77 ± 3.09) years; after 12-week treatment, their pruritus NRS, IGA PN-S, and DLQI scores significantly decreased compared with the corresponding baseline scores (all P < 0.05) ; 8 minor patients continued dupilumab treatment for 16 weeks, with a further decrease in the IGA PN-S score compared with that at week 12 ( P < 0.05), but without significant differences between the pruritus NRS and DLQI scores at week 16 and those at week 12 (both P > 0.05). Adverse reactions were observed in 7 adult patients, including eye pruritus, local injection reactions, and systemic erythema accompanied by pruritus on the day of injection. No adverse reactions were reported in minor patients. Conclusion:In the real world, dupilumab could markedly alleviate pruritus, skin lesions, anxiety and depression symptoms in PN, improve the quality of life, and exhibited a good safety profile.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect and possible mechanism of electroacupuncture （EA） at Fenglong （ST40） on liver lipid synthesis and insulin resistance （IR） in hyperlipidemic （HLP） rats. MethodEighteen rats were randomly divided into three groups， blank group， model group， and EA group， each consisting of six rats. The blank group rats were with fed a basic diet， while those in the model group and EA group were fed high-fat diet for 8 weeks. After modeling， the rats in the EA group received bilateral EA treatment at “Fenglong” （ST 40）. The rats in the model group underwent daily binding treatment， once a day， continuously 5 days a week， for a total of 4 weeks. Following the intervention， the levels of triglycerides （TG） and free fatty acids （FFA） in liver tissue was determined using ELISA. Serum TG， FFA， fasting insulin （FINS）， alanine transaminase （ALT）， aspartate Transaminase （AST）， tumor necrosis factor-ɑ （TNF-ɑ）and interleukin 6 （IL-6） were also measured. The fasting plasma glucose （FBG） assessed using a glucose meter and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance （HOMA-IR） was calculated. Liver pathology was examined through HE staining and oil red O staining. The expression of hepatic sterol regulator binding protein 1c （SREBP1c）， recombinant fatty acid synthase （FASN） and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 （SCD1） were detected through immunofluorescence. The protein expression levels of liver insulin receptor substrate 1 （IRS1） and tyrosine-phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1 （p-IRS1-Tyr） were determined via Western blot. ResultsWhen compared to the blank group， the model group of rats exhibited elevated serum and liver tissue levels of TG and FFA， as well as increased serum levels of AST， ALT， TNF-α， IL-6， FBG， FINS， and HOMA-IR （P＜0.05）. HE staining revealed disordered arrangements of liver cells， indicating widespread fatty degeneration. Oil red O staining showed abundant bright red lipid droplets within liver cell cytoplasm， indicating severe lipid accumulation. The average fluorescence intensity of SREBP1c， FASN， and SCD1 in liver tissue significantly increased （P＜0.05）， while p-IRS1-Tyr protein expression levels significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. In comparison to the model group， the EA group of rats showed significantly reduced serum and liver tissue levels of TG and FFA， along with decreased serum levels of AST， ALT， TNF-α， IL-6， FBG， FINS， and HOMA-IR （P＜0.05）. HE staining indicated more regular arrangements of liver cells， and oil red O staining revealed a significant reduction in liver cell lipid droplets， indicating a less severe degree of lipid accumulation. The average fluorescence intensity of SREBP1c， FASN， and SCD1 in liver tissue significantly decreased （P＜0.05）， while p-IRS1-Tyr protein expression levels significantly increased （P＜0.05）， with no significant difference in IRS1 protein expression （P＞0.05）. ConclusionEA at “Fenglong” （ST 40） can significantly decrease serum lipid in HLP rats， improves liver fat accumulation， and also ameliorate insulin resistance. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of hepatic lipid synthesis molecule expression， reduced serum inflammatory factors， and an increase in insulin substrate receptor phosphorylation levels.

Objective To analyze result of the external quality assessment for laboratories of toxicological pathology diagnosis in organizations in China. Methods A total of 86 organizations that participated in the 2020-2021 external quality assessment in laboratory of toxicological pathology diagnosis (hereinafter referred to as "reference units") were selected as research subjects using convenient sampling method, and the assessment results were analyzed. Results The median of total score was 92, and the 0-100 percentiles were 64-100 in these 86 reference units. Among these reference units, 76 were rated as excellent, 10 as qualified, with the excellent and the qualified rate of 88.4% and 11.6%, respectively. No reference unit was rated as unqualified. The rates of excellence of the reference units in public health institutions, pharmaceutical research institutions, drug safety evaluation centers and testing companies were 95.7%, 84.2%, 85.7% and 86.7%, and the qualified rates were 4.3%, 15.8%, 14.3% and 13.3%, respectively. The distribution of excellence and qualification among the four types of reference units showed no statistical difference (P>0.05). The distribution of sample scores according to the three grades of poor, good, and excellent were 4.9%, 20.7%, and 74.5% in public health institutions, 8.6%, 23.7%, and 67.8% in pharmaceutical research institutions, 12.5%, 25.0%, and 62.5% in drug safety evaluation centers, and 5.4%, 17.5%, and 77.1% in testing companies. The proportion of excellence unit in public health institutions was higher than that in pharmaceutical research institutions (P<0.05). Conclusion The overall toxicological pathology diagnostic capabilities in China are good, and various types of reference units demonstrate comparable technical capabilities. However, there is a need for standardization of diagnostic terminology.

{L-End}Objective To establish the norm of Core Occupational Stress Scale (COSS) for electronic manufacturing industry workers in China. {L-End}Methods A total of 3 049 workers from five electronic manufacturing enterprises in four prefecture-level cities concentrated distribution of the electronics manufacturing industry in China were selected as research subjects using a stratified sampling method. COSS was used to investigate occupational stress levels, and the mean norm, percentile norm and threshold norms were established. {L-End}Results The average score of COSS for the electronic manufacturing industry workers in China was (43.5±7.4) points, and the average scores of social support, organization and reward, demand and effort, and autonomy dimensions were (9.5±3.1), (15.1±3.9), (13.1±3.0), and (5.7±2.0) points, respectively. A total score of 0.0-<47.0 points was determined as no occupational stress, 47.0-<51.0 points as mild occupational stress, 51.0-≤54.0 points as moderate occupational stress, and >54.0 points as severe occupational stress. {L-End}Conclusion The norm of COSS for workers in China's electronics manufacturing industry has been established, which can provide a reference for the evaluation and intervention of their occupational stress levels.