Background Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) readily adsorb onto the surface of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and are representative components of organic pollutants in the atmosphere. PAHs are known for their significant carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic toxicity, and long-term exposure to PAHs has adverse effects on human health. Objective To investigate the concentration, composition, and pollution sources of 16 priority PAHs in PM_{2. 5} of Yanta District, Xi'an, and to evaluate the associated health risks. Methods PM_2.5 samples were collected from March 2023 to February 2024. The concentrations of 16 PAHs (ΣPAHs) were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Diagnostic ratios (DR) and positive matrix factorization (PMF) were used to identify the sources of PAHs. Pearson correlation analysis was applied to examine the relationship between PAHs concentrations and meteorological factors. Furthermore, the toxicity of individual PAHs was converted into benzo[a]-pyrene (BaP) toxicity equivalents to calculate the toxicity of total PAHs. An incremental lifetime carcinogenic risk (ILCR) model was established to evaluate the health risks of PAHs inhalation across different demographic groups. Results The average concentration of ΣPAHs in PM_2.5 of Yanta District, Xi'an followed a seasonal descending order: winter (15.71 ng·m⁻³) > spring (5.55 ng·m⁻³) > autumn (4.34 ng·m⁻³) > summer (1.47 ng·m⁻³). The relative abundances of PAHs in PM_2.5 varied significantly by ring number, 4-ring PAHs accounted for the largest proportion, followed by 5-ring, 3-ring and 6-ring PAHs, while 2-ring PAHs were the least abundant. This ring distribution pattern remained consistent across seasons. The contribution rates of different emission sources to ΣPAHs concentration exhibited seasonal variations. Source apportionment revealed that industrial and traffic emissions were major contributors in spring; traffic emissions dominated in summer and autumn; and coal, natural gas, and biomass combustion were the predominant sources in winter. Correlation analysis showed that ΣPAHs concentration was highly positively correlated with atmospheric pressure and negatively correlated with temperature, but not significantly correlated with precipitation, wind speed, solar radiation, and relative humidity. The ILCR model indicated significant seasonal differences (winter > spring > autumn > summer) in inhalation health risks between adults and children, primarily due to variations in inhalation rates and body weight. Adults faced higher health risks than children across all seasons. Conclusion PAHs pollution in PM_2.5 of Yanta District, Xi 'an is primarily driven by traffic emissions and the combustion of coal, natural gas, and biomass. PAHs concentrations are significantly influenced by meteorological factors, particularly air pressure, and temperature. Inhalation exposure poses distinct health risks to adults in winter. To effectively reduce ΣPAHs concentrations and mitigate air pollution, emission controls on winter coal combustion should be prioritized.

BACKGROUND: The effect of the interval between previous Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication and rescue treatment on therapeutic outcomes remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between eradication rates and treatment interval durations in H. pylori infections. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted from December 2021 to February 2023 at six tertiary hospitals in Shandong, China. We recruited patients who were positive for H. pylori infection and required rescue treatment. Demographic information, previous times of eradication therapy, last eradication therapy date, and history of antibiotic use data were collected. The patients were divided into four groups based on the rescue treatment interval length: Group A, ≥4 weeks and ≤3 months; Group B, >3 and ≤6 months; Group C, >6 and ≤12 months; and Group D, >12 months. The primary outcome was the eradication rate of H. pylori . Drug compliance and adverse events (AEs) were also assessed. Pearson's χ2 test or Fisher's exact test was used to compare eradication rates between groups. RESULTS: A total of 670 patients were enrolled in this study. The intention-to-treat (ITT) eradication rates were 88.3% (158/179) in Group A, 89.6% (120/134) in Group B, 89.1% (123/138) in Group C, and 87.7% (192/219) in Group D. The per-protocol (PP) eradication rates were 92.9% (156/168) in Group A, 94.5% (120/127) in Group B, 94.5% (121/128) in Group C, and 93.6% (190/203) in Group D. There was no statistically significant difference in the eradication rates between groups in either the ITT ( P = 0.949) or PP analysis ( P = 0.921). No significant differences were observed in the incidence of AEs ( P = 0.934) or drug compliance ( P = 0.849) between groups. CONCLUSION: The interval duration of rescue treatment had no significant effect on H. pylori eradication rates or the incidence of AEs. REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT05173493.
Humans ; Helicobacter Infections/drug therapy* ; Helicobacter pylori/pathogenicity* ; Male ; Female ; Prospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects* ; Adult ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Proton Pump Inhibitors/therapeutic use*

Objective:To investigate the current state of death cognition among healthcare providers in hematology department and their attitudes toward hospice care for patients with hematologic malignancies.Methods:A cross-sectional investigation study was conducted. A total of 198 medical staff in hematology department of 4 teaching hospitals, including the First School of Clinical Medicine of Guangdong Medical University, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Putian University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University from March 2024 to June 2024 were selected as the investigation subjects. The general situation and background of medical staff in hematology department were investigated by using the "General Sociological Questionnaire". "Death Attitude Description Scale (Chinese version)" was used to investigate the status of death cognition among medical staff in hematology department. "Frommelt Attitudes Toward Care of the Dying Scale Form B (Chinese version)" was used to investigate the hospice care attitude of medical staff in hematology department. The survey results of doctors and nurses were compared.Results:There were 105 doctors and 93 nurses in hematology department included in this study. A total of 198 qualified "General Sociology Questionnaires" were collected. After excluding 6 unqualified questionnaires, 192 copies of "Death Attitude Description Scale (Chinese version)" and "Frommelt Attitudes Toward Care of the Dying Scale Form B (Chinese version)" were collected. There were statistically significant differences in gender, educational background, political status and experience of taking care of terminally ill patients between doctors and nurses (all P < 0.05). The scores of approaching acceptance, neutral acceptance, death escape, death fear and flight acceptance were (4.35±0.37), (4.03±0.51), (2.98±0.62), (2.54±0.29) and (2.19±0.42) points, respectively in the doctor group; the corresponding scores were (3.12±0.41), (3.89±0.46), (2.66±0.63), (2.81±0.57) and (2.37±0.65) points, respectively in the nurse group, and the differences between the 2 groups were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The total score of hospice care attitude of doctors in hematology department was (108±15) points, and that of nurses was (116±13) points, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = -3.61, P < 0.001). The hospice care attitude of doctors and nurses towards patients with hematologic malignancies is generally between positive and neutral. The nurse group showed more recognition of the positive role of the patient's family members in the process of hospice care, and the doctor group showed more recognition of the promoting role of medical staff in hospice care. There were statistically significant differences in hospice care attitude scores of medical staff in hematology department to patients with different occupational background, gender, age, place of residence, family discussion about death, whether the only child, whether they had the experience of taking care of terminally ill patients, and whether they suffered from serious illness and religious belief (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:The death cognition of medical staff in hematology department is neutral, and they show a certain sense of hospice care.

Objective:To investigate the effects of warming needle combined with pelvic floor muscle massage on clinical symptoms,quality of life(QOL),and sex hormone levels in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).Methods:A total of 140 patients diagnosed with BPH were randomly divided into a control group,a warming needle group,a massage group,and a combined treatment group,with 35 patients in each group.The control group was given oral finasteride tablets for treatment.In addition to oral finasteride tablets,the warming needle group was given warming needle treatment,the massage group was given pelvic floor muscle massage,and the combined treatment group was given both warming needle and pelvic floor muscle massage.After two treatment courses,the total effective rate was compared among the four groups,and changes in such clinical indicators as international prostate symptom score(I-PSS),QOL score,total prostate volume(TPV),testosterone(T),estradiol(E2),luteinizing hormone(LH),and prostate-specific antigen(PSA)were observed.Results:The differences in the total effective rate among the four groups indicated statistical significance(P<0.05),and the combined treatment group showed a significantly higher effective rate than the other three groups(P<0.05).After treatment,the I-PSS,QOL score,TPV,and serum levels of T,E2,LH,and PSA in all four groups improved compared to those before treatment(P<0.05),and the extent of improvement in the combined treatment group was significantly greater than that in the other three groups(P<0.05).Conclusion:Oral finasteride tablets,warming needle,and pelvic floor muscle massage can all improve the I-PSS,QOL score,TPV,and serum levels of T,E2,LH,and PSA in patients with BPH,and the combination of the three therapies demonstrates the most significant effect.

Objective:To investigate the effects of warming needle combined with pelvic floor muscle massage on clinical symptoms,quality of life(QOL),and sex hormone levels in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).Methods:A total of 140 patients diagnosed with BPH were randomly divided into a control group,a warming needle group,a massage group,and a combined treatment group,with 35 patients in each group.The control group was given oral finasteride tablets for treatment.In addition to oral finasteride tablets,the warming needle group was given warming needle treatment,the massage group was given pelvic floor muscle massage,and the combined treatment group was given both warming needle and pelvic floor muscle massage.After two treatment courses,the total effective rate was compared among the four groups,and changes in such clinical indicators as international prostate symptom score(I-PSS),QOL score,total prostate volume(TPV),testosterone(T),estradiol(E2),luteinizing hormone(LH),and prostate-specific antigen(PSA)were observed.Results:The differences in the total effective rate among the four groups indicated statistical significance(P<0.05),and the combined treatment group showed a significantly higher effective rate than the other three groups(P<0.05).After treatment,the I-PSS,QOL score,TPV,and serum levels of T,E2,LH,and PSA in all four groups improved compared to those before treatment(P<0.05),and the extent of improvement in the combined treatment group was significantly greater than that in the other three groups(P<0.05).Conclusion:Oral finasteride tablets,warming needle,and pelvic floor muscle massage can all improve the I-PSS,QOL score,TPV,and serum levels of T,E2,LH,and PSA in patients with BPH,and the combination of the three therapies demonstrates the most significant effect.

OBJECTIVE To investigate and analyze the protective effect of Huayu Jiedu Decoction(HYJD)on the inflammatory injury of cardiomyocytes induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide(LPS),and its molecular mecha-nism of inhibitory effect on inflammatory response.METHODS H9c2 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into:the blank control group(Control group),the model control group(LPS group),the drug treatment group(HYJD group)and the combined treatment group(LPS+HYJD group).H9c2 cells were treated with different concentrations of HYJD(2.5,5,10,20 and 40 mg/ml)for 24 h,and the activity of H9c2 cells was detected by MTT assay.Additionally,H9c2 cells were treated with LPS-induced myocardial inflammatory injury cell model after 24 h of HYJD intervention at each concentration gradients to detect the cell proliferation changes,as well as to detect the levels of apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and the levels of interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α in the culture supernatant of experimental groups,the changes in the protein ex-pression of NO production and the expression changes of iNOS and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway protein,and Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR)was used to detect mRNA expression of IL-7R,P38(MAPK)and CXCR2.RESULTS Compared with the Control group,low-concentration HYJD had no significant effect on H9c2 cell viability and did not induce cytotoxic effect,and HYJD increased the survival rate of H9c2 cells in the LPS-induced myocardial inflammatory injury model,and effectively reversed the inhibitory effect of the pro-liferative activity of H9c2 cells induced by LPS.Compared with the control group,the difference in apoptosis level of H9c2 cells in the HYJD monotherapy group was not statistically significant,while the levels of inflammatory apoptosis of H9c2 cells induced by LPS was elevated(P＜0.05).Compared with the LPS group,HYJD inhibited the levels of inflammatory apoptosis in H9c2 cells induced by LPS(P＜0.05),reduced the production of pro-in-flammatory cytokines such as IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-α in the supernatant of the LPS-induced myocardial in-flammatory injury H9c2 cell culture,and upregulated the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.Additionally,com-pared with the Control group,the LPS group showed an increased level of NO release(P＜0.05),while the difference in NO release in the low-concentration(5 mg/ml)HYJD was not statistically significant.Compared with the LPS group,the NO release levels in each HYJD intervention group showed a concentration-dependent de-crease(all P＜0.05).Furthermore,compared with the control group,whereas the expression levels of iNOS and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway proteins in the LPS-induced H9c2 cells were both elevated(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION HYJD exhibits protective effects against LPS-induced septic myocardial injury and can exert an in-hibitory effect on inflammatory response,and the molecular mechanisms may be related to the inhibition of the ac-tivation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and the down-regulation of the expression of inflammatory genes,etc.,and it may have a good biological activity in the prevention and treatment of septic myocardial injury.

OBJECTIVE To investigate and analyze the protective effect of Huayu Jiedu Decoction(HYJD)on the inflammatory injury of cardiomyocytes induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide(LPS),and its molecular mecha-nism of inhibitory effect on inflammatory response.METHODS H9c2 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into:the blank control group(Control group),the model control group(LPS group),the drug treatment group(HYJD group)and the combined treatment group(LPS+HYJD group).H9c2 cells were treated with different concentrations of HYJD(2.5,5,10,20 and 40 mg/ml)for 24 h,and the activity of H9c2 cells was detected by MTT assay.Additionally,H9c2 cells were treated with LPS-induced myocardial inflammatory injury cell model after 24 h of HYJD intervention at each concentration gradients to detect the cell proliferation changes,as well as to detect the levels of apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and the levels of interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,IL-8,IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α in the culture supernatant of experimental groups,the changes in the protein ex-pression of NO production and the expression changes of iNOS and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway protein,and Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR)was used to detect mRNA expression of IL-7R,P38(MAPK)and CXCR2.RESULTS Compared with the Control group,low-concentration HYJD had no significant effect on H9c2 cell viability and did not induce cytotoxic effect,and HYJD increased the survival rate of H9c2 cells in the LPS-induced myocardial inflammatory injury model,and effectively reversed the inhibitory effect of the pro-liferative activity of H9c2 cells induced by LPS.Compared with the control group,the difference in apoptosis level of H9c2 cells in the HYJD monotherapy group was not statistically significant,while the levels of inflammatory apoptosis of H9c2 cells induced by LPS was elevated(P＜0.05).Compared with the LPS group,HYJD inhibited the levels of inflammatory apoptosis in H9c2 cells induced by LPS(P＜0.05),reduced the production of pro-in-flammatory cytokines such as IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-α in the supernatant of the LPS-induced myocardial in-flammatory injury H9c2 cell culture,and upregulated the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.Additionally,com-pared with the Control group,the LPS group showed an increased level of NO release(P＜0.05),while the difference in NO release in the low-concentration(5 mg/ml)HYJD was not statistically significant.Compared with the LPS group,the NO release levels in each HYJD intervention group showed a concentration-dependent de-crease(all P＜0.05).Furthermore,compared with the control group,whereas the expression levels of iNOS and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway proteins in the LPS-induced H9c2 cells were both elevated(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION HYJD exhibits protective effects against LPS-induced septic myocardial injury and can exert an in-hibitory effect on inflammatory response,and the molecular mechanisms may be related to the inhibition of the ac-tivation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and the down-regulation of the expression of inflammatory genes,etc.,and it may have a good biological activity in the prevention and treatment of septic myocardial injury.

Objective To evaluate myocardial microvascular lesions in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)by 2D-speckle tracking echocardiography(2D-STE)and myocardial contrast echocar-diography(MCE).Methods A total of 45 T2DM patients admitted to the Endocrine Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from August to November 2022 were enrolled in this study.All the patients were divided into two groups:simple T2DM group(n=22)and T2DM with microvascular complication group(MIC,n=23).In addition,24 healthy subjects were included as normal control(NC)group.2D-STE obtained the global longitudinal strain(GLS)and global circumferential strain(GCS);MCE obtained the average acoustic intensity(A),perfusion slope(b)of left ventricular segment,then myocardial blood flow(Aβ)was calculated and compared between groups.Results Compared with NC group,GLS,GCS,β and Aβ were lower in T2DM and MIC group(P＜0.05).Among the parameters of 2D-STE and MCE,GLS and Aβ have high diagnostic performance(P＜0.05)and GCS and β have medium diagnostic performance(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the early warning values of myocardial microcirculation disorders were-17.63%(GLS),-21.55%(GCS),0.845 s-1(β),7.045 dB/s(Aβ)in patients with T2DM.Conclusion The mechanical strain and perfusion of myocar-dium in T2DM patients have already decreased even no lesion was shown in the peripheral micro-vessels.2D-STE combined with MCE can assess the changes of myocardial elasticity and microcirculation in T2DM in real time,which is helpful for early clinical diagnosis of diabetes cardiomyopathy and intervention guidance.

Objective:To carry out prenatal diagnosis for a fetus with Meckel syndrome(MKS) and explore its genetic basis.Methods:A pregnant woman presented at Suzhou Municipal Hospital in February 2018 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data was collected. Muscle tissue sample from the abortus and peripheral blood samples from the couple were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted and subjected to chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and whole exome sequencing. Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing.Results:The fetus was found to have microcephaly, oligohydramnios, polycystic kidneys and banana-shaped cerebellum at 18 weeks of gestation. After induction of labor, it was found to have encephalocele, renal cysts and polydactyly. CMA has found no abnormality. Whole exome sequencing revealed novel compound heterozygous variants c. 296delA (p.Lys99SerfsTer6) and c. 1243G>A (p.Val415Met) in the TMEM67 gene. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the c. 296delA variant was predicted to be pathogenic (PVS1+ PM2_Supporting+ PP4), whilst the c. 1243G>A variant was predicted to be likely pathogenic (PM2_Supporting+ PM3+ PP3_Moderate+ PP4). Conclusion:The c. 296delA and c. 1243G>A compound heterozygous variants of the TMEM67 gene probably underlay the MKS in this fetus.

Objective:To observe the recurrence condition of hepatitis B in different risk groups after liver transplantation in an attempt to provide useful information on whether to discontinue hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) in the future at an early stage.Methods:The patient population was divided into high, low-risk, and special groups [especially primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)] according to the guidelines for the prevention and treatment of hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation. The recurrence condition and risk factors in this population were observed for hepatitis B. Measurement data were analyzed using a t-test and a rank-sum test. Count data were compared using a χ2 test between groups. Results:This study finally included 532 hepatitis B-related liver transplant cases. A total of 35 cases had HBV recurrence after liver transplantation, including 34 cases that were HBsAg positive, one case that was HBsAg negative, and 10 cases that were hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA positive. The overall HBV recurrence rate was 6.6%. The recurrence rate of HBV was 9.2% and 4.8% in the high- and low-risk HBV DNA positive and negative groups before surgery ( P = 0.057). Among the 293 cases diagnosed with HCC before liver transplantation, 30 had hepatitis B recurrence after surgery, with a recurrence rate of 10.2%. The independent related factors for the recurrence of hepatitis B in patients with HCC after liver transplantation were HCC recurrence ( HR =181.92, 95% CI 15.99~2 069.96, P < 0.001), a high postoperative dose of mycophenolate mofetil dispersible tablets (MMF) ( HR =5.190, 95% CI 1.289~20.889, P = 0.020), and a high dosage of HBIG ( HR = 1.012, 95% CI 1.001~1.023, P = 0.035). Among the 239 cases who were non-HCC before liver transplantation, five cases (recurrence rate of 2.1%) arouse postoperative hepatitis B recurrence. Lamivudine was used in all cases, combined with on-demand HBIG prophylaxis after surgery. There was no hepatitis B recurrence in non-HCC patients who treated with entecavir combined with HBIG after surgery. Conclusion:High-barrier-to-resistance nucleotide analogues combined with long-term HBIG have a good effect on preventing the recurrence of hepatitis B after liver transplantation. The discontinuation of HBIG may be considered at an early stage after administration of a high-barrier-to-resistance nucleotide analogue in low-risk patients. Domestically, the HBV infection rate is high, so further research is still required to explore the timing of HBIG discontinuation for high-risk patients, especially those with HCC.