Objective To investigate the effects of combined exposure to benzene series, dust and noise on occupational high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL) in the electronics manufacturing industry. Methods A total of 740 employees from an electronic manufacturing enterprise were selected as the study subjects. According to the detection of occupational hazard factors, they were divided into noise group, noise benzene group, and noise dust group, with 325, 167, and 248 people, respectively. Occupational health examinations were conducted on the study participants to analyze their HFHL detection status and influencing factors. Results Among all participants (n=740), 456 (61.62%) were male, 284 (38.38%) were female, and 123 (15.62%) were detected with HFHL. The detection rate of HFHL increased with age and length of service (P<0.01). According to the exposure factor grouping, the detection rates of HFHL in the noise group, noise benzene group, and noise dust group were 12.00%, 19.16%, and 20.97%, respectively (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that workers aged ≥ 40 years, with 10-20 years of work experience, ≥ 20 years of work experience, exposure to noise and benzene series, and exposure to noise and dust had an increased risk of developing HFHL to 1.734, 1.923, 3.071, 1.706, and 1.527, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion Combined exposure to noise and benzene series, combined exposure to noise and dust, as well as age and extended length of service may increase the risk of HFHL among workers.

Objective: To retrospectively compare the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with parotidectomy for superficial pleomorphic adenoma (PA). Materials and Methods: From March 2022 to October 2023, 88 patients diagnosed with superficial parotid PA underwent either RFA (n = 12; mean age, 47.1 years) or parotidectomy (n = 76; mean age, 47.8 years). Patients in the RFA group were matched to those in the surgery group in a 1:1 ratio using propensity scores based on age, sex, tumor volume, diameter, location, and comorbidities. Ultrasound characteristics, cosmetic scores (0–4), numerical rating scale scores (0–10), and complications were assessed before the procedures and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups. Outcomes were compared between baseline and follow-up in the RFA group and between the RFA and surgery groups. Results: In the RFA group, significant reductions in tumor volume were observed between baseline (median, 2.02 cm 3 ) and the 1-month follow-up (median, 1.21 cm 3 ; P = 0.015), between the 1-month and 3-month follow-ups (median, 0.53 cm 3 ; P= 0.002), and between the 3- and 6-month follow-ups (median, 0.23 cm 3 ; P = 0.003). The volume reduction ratios at 1, 3, and 6 months were 39.7%, 79.9%, and 88.0%, respectively. The cosmetic score was significantly lower at 3- and 6-month followup compared to baseline (median 1 and 1 vs. 4, P = 0.04). The numerical rating scale scores did not differ significantly from baseline throughout follow-up. In the propensity score-matched analysis (12 patients per group), RFA was associated with a shorter median procedure time (61.5 vs. 253.3 minutes; P < 0.001), shorter hospital stay (0 vs. 4 days; P < 0.001), and lower cost (1859.9 vs. 3512.4 USD; P < 0.001) than parotidectomy, with no significant difference in overall complication rates (33.3% [4/12] vs. 41.7% [5/12]; P = 1.000). Conclusion RFA may be a safe and effective alternative to surgery for superficial parotid PA, offering a shorter median procedure time, shorter hospital stay, and lower costs.

Objective To investigate the value of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters in the prognostic assessment of nasopharyngeal cancer patients. Methods The clinical data and PET/CT metabolic parameters of 185 nasopharyngeal cancer patients were retrospectively analyzed. The collected parameters were SUV_max, MTV, TLG, total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV) and whole-body total lesion glycolysis (WTLG). The ROC curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off values of PET/CT metabolic parameters. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to screen the independent prognostic factors. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to analyze the survival differences. Results The results of univariate Cox regression analysis showed that age, pathologic type, WTLG, TMTV, MTV, and TLG were closely associated with OS and PFS; and SUV_max was associated with PFS (P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis results showed that age, TMTV, and WTLG were the independent prognostic factors for OS and PFS (P<0.05). The combination of WTLG with T/N staging (AUC=0.781 and 0.781) and TMTV with T/N staging (AUC=0.800 and 0.790) yielded greater predictive accuracy than that of WTLG and TMTV alone (AUC=0.724 and 0.719) or T/N staging (AUC=0.593 and 0.575). Conclusion TMTV and WTLG are important prognostic predictors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. TLG and MTV of primary lesions are prognostic factors for patients’ PFS and OS. SUV_max has limited prognostic value. Systemic metabolic indexes (TMTV and WTLG), when combined with T/N staging, can optimize prognostic stratification.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)gene polymorphisms and non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)in Yunnan Han population.Methods A total of 407 NSCLC patients and 526 healthy controls were included.Five SNPs(rs1050171,rs2072454,rs2227983,rs1140475 and rs2293347)in EGFR were genotyped using TaqMan assay.The association between SNPs and NSCLC,as well as pathological types,were analyzed.Results In dominant mode,rs2072454 C/T-T/T may be a risk factor for NSCLC(P=0.004;OR=1.50,95%CI 1.14～1.96).There was a significant difference in genotype frequency between the SCC group and the control group(P=0.007),but no difference in allele frequency after Bonferroni correction(P>0.01);In the dominant mode,C/T-T/T at this locus relative to C/C was a risk for AC(P=0.002;OR=1.86,95%CI 1.24～2.80).rs1050171 A/A had a significantly higher risk of SCC in recessive mode(P=0.006,OR=2.66,95%CI 1.33～5.33).In dominant mode,rs2227983 A/G-G/G/G was a risk factor for the development of SCC relative to A/A(P=0.007;OR=1.83,95%CI 1.15～2.89).Conclusion The SNPs rs2072454,rs1050171 and rs2227983 in EGFR gene may be associated with the risk of NSCLC development as well as the type of pathology in Yunnan Han population.

On August 24 2024, Xiaoshan District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou City, received a report of two cases of varicella infection among staff in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital in its jurisdiction. The center immediately organized personnel to conduct an epidemiological investigation of the cases and their close contacts. The index case was a patient admitted to the ICU who had large areas of red rash and pustules on the chest, back, and right axilla. This case was diagnosed with herpes zoster by a dermatology consultation within the hospital. The other nine secondary cases were all nursing staff in the ICU, who were clinically diagnosed with varicella between August 21 and September 1, with an attack rate of 14.06%. All secondary varicella cases had a history of contact with the herpes zoster case and no history of varicella infection. Their varicella vaccination history was unknown. Based on the results of the on-site epidemiological and sanitary investigations, it was determined that this was an outbreak of varicella in the hospital caused by a herpes zoster case. After the last case was diagnosed, no new cases were reported within the longest incubation period (21 days), and the outbreak was declared over on September 21. Close contact with the herpes zoster case was likely the main cause of the outbreak. This highlights the need for early identification and isolation of suspected herpes zoster cases in hospitals in the future, as well as enhanced protective measures to prevent nosocomial infections.

BACKGROUND: Preclinical studies have indicated that Angong Niuhuang Pills (ANP) reduce cerebral infarct and edema volumes. This study aimed to investigate whether ANP safely reduces cerebral infarct and edema volumes in patients with moderate to severe acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial included patients with acute ischemic stroke with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores ranging from 10 to 20 in 17 centers in China between April 2021 and July 2022. Patients were allocated within 36 h after onset via block randomization to receive ANP or placebo (3 g/day for 5 days). The primary outcomes were changes in cerebral infarct and edema volumes after 14 days of treatment. The primary safety outcome was severe adverse events (SAEs) for 90 days. RESULTS: There were 57 and 60 patients finally included in the ANP and placebo groups, respectively for modified intention-to-treat analysis. The median age was 66.0 years, and the median NIHSS score at baseline was 12.0. The changes in cerebral infarct volume at day 14 were 0.3 mL and 0.4 mL in the ANP and placebo groups, respectively (median difference: -7.1 mL; interquartile range [IQR]: -18.3 to 2.3 mL, P = 0.30). The changes in cerebral edema volume of the ANP and placebo groups on day 14 were 11.4 mL and 4.0 mL, respectively ( median difference: 3.0 mL, IQR: -1.3 to 9.9 mL, P = 0.15). The rates of SAE within 90 days were similar in the ANP (3/57, 5%) and placebo (7/60, 12%) groups ( P = 0.36). Changes in serum mercury and arsenic concentrations were comparable. In patients with large artery atherosclerosis, ANP reduced the cerebral infarct volume at 14 days (median difference: -12.3 mL; IQR: -27.7 to -0.3 mL, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: ANP showed a similar safety profile to placebo and non-significant tendency to reduce cerebral infarct volume in patients with moderate-to-severe stroke. Further studies are warranted to assess the efficacy of ANP in reducing cerebral infarcts and improving clinical prognosis. TRAIL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov , No. NCT04475328.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Ischemic Stroke/drug therapy* ; Pilot Projects ; Stroke/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To retrospectively compare the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with parotidectomy for superficial pleomorphic adenoma (PA). Materials and Methods: From March 2022 to October 2023, 88 patients diagnosed with superficial parotid PA underwent either RFA (n = 12; mean age, 47.1 years) or parotidectomy (n = 76; mean age, 47.8 years). Patients in the RFA group were matched to those in the surgery group in a 1:1 ratio using propensity scores based on age, sex, tumor volume, diameter, location, and comorbidities. Ultrasound characteristics, cosmetic scores (0–4), numerical rating scale scores (0–10), and complications were assessed before the procedures and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups. Outcomes were compared between baseline and follow-up in the RFA group and between the RFA and surgery groups. Results: In the RFA group, significant reductions in tumor volume were observed between baseline (median, 2.02 cm 3 ) and the 1-month follow-up (median, 1.21 cm 3 ; P = 0.015), between the 1-month and 3-month follow-ups (median, 0.53 cm 3 ; P= 0.002), and between the 3- and 6-month follow-ups (median, 0.23 cm 3 ; P = 0.003). The volume reduction ratios at 1, 3, and 6 months were 39.7%, 79.9%, and 88.0%, respectively. The cosmetic score was significantly lower at 3- and 6-month followup compared to baseline (median 1 and 1 vs. 4, P = 0.04). The numerical rating scale scores did not differ significantly from baseline throughout follow-up. In the propensity score-matched analysis (12 patients per group), RFA was associated with a shorter median procedure time (61.5 vs. 253.3 minutes; P < 0.001), shorter hospital stay (0 vs. 4 days; P < 0.001), and lower cost (1859.9 vs. 3512.4 USD; P < 0.001) than parotidectomy, with no significant difference in overall complication rates (33.3% [4/12] vs. 41.7% [5/12]; P = 1.000). Conclusion RFA may be a safe and effective alternative to surgery for superficial parotid PA, offering a shorter median procedure time, shorter hospital stay, and lower costs.

The rapid screening of bioactive constituents within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) presents a significant challenge to researchers. Prevailing strategies for the screening of active components in TCM often overlook trace components owing to their concealment by more abundant constituents. To address this limitation, a fishing strategy based on offline two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) combined with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was utilized to screen bioactive trace components targeting peroxiredoxin 3 (PRDX3), using Uncaria alkaloids (UAs) as a case study. Initially, an orthogonal preparative offline 2D-LC system combining a positively charged C₁₈ column and a conventional C₁₈ column under disparate mobile phase conditions was constructed. To fully reveal the trace alkaloids, 13 2D fractions of UAs were prepared, and their components were characterized using mass spectrometry (MS). Subsequently, employing PRDX3 as the targeting protein, a SPR-based screening approach was established and rigorously validated with geissoschizine methyl ether (GSM) serving as a positive control for binding. Employing this refined strategy, 29 candidate binding alkaloids were fished from the 13 2D fractions. Notably, combining offline 2D-LC with SPR increased the yield of candidate binding components from 10 to 29 when compared to SPR-based screening alone. Subsequent binding affinity assays confirmed that PRDX3 was a direct binding target for the 12 fished alkaloids, with isovallesiachotamine (IV), corynoxeine N-oxide (CO-N), and cadambine (CAD) demonstrating the highest affinity for PRDX3. Their interactions were further validated through molecular docking analysis. Subsequent intracellular H₂O₂ measurement assays and transfection experiments confirmed that these three trace alkaloids enhanced PRDX3-mediated H₂O₂ clearance. In conclusion, this study introduced an innovative strategy for the identification of active trace components in TCM. This approach holds promise for accelerating research on medicinal components within this field.

OBJECTIVE: Humans are exposed to complex mixtures of environmental chemicals and other factors that can affect their health. Analysis of these mixture exposures presents several key challenges for environmental epidemiology and risk assessment, including high dimensionality, correlated exposure, and subtle individual effects. METHODS: We proposed a novel statistical approach, the generalized functional linear model (GFLM), to analyze the health effects of exposure mixtures. GFLM treats the effect of mixture exposures as a smooth function by reordering exposures based on specific mechanisms and capturing internal correlations to provide a meaningful estimation and interpretation. The robustness and efficiency was evaluated under various scenarios through extensive simulation studies. RESULTS: We applied the GFLM to two datasets from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). In the first application, we examined the effects of 37 nutrients on BMI (2011-2016 cycles). The GFLM identified a significant mixture effect, with fiber and fat emerging as the nutrients with the greatest negative and positive effects on BMI, respectively. For the second application, we investigated the association between four pre- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and gout risk (2007-2018 cycles). Unlike traditional methods, the GFLM indicated no significant association, demonstrating its robustness to multicollinearity. CONCLUSION GFLM framework is a powerful tool for mixture exposure analysis, offering improved handling of correlated exposures and interpretable results. It demonstrates robust performance across various scenarios and real-world applications, advancing our understanding of complex environmental exposures and their health impacts on environmental epidemiology and toxicology.
Humans ; Environmental Exposure/analysis* ; Linear Models ; Nutrition Surveys ; Environmental Pollutants ; Body Mass Index

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a neurological disorder that occurs after a direct or indirect violent injury to the spinal cord, often resulting in sensory and motor dysfunction below the injury level. Patients with SCI are often paralyzed in bed due to impaired nerve function and there has been no effective treatment for limb paralysis after SCI. As a cutting-edge technology with a multidisciplinary integration of neuroscience, computer science, biological engineering, electronic engineering and psychology, brain-computer interface (BCI) provides a new program for the rehabilitation of SCI patients by changing the traditional brain signal output pathways and realizing the direct connection between the brain and external devices. In order to further understand the application of BCI in SCI rehabilitation, the authors reviewed the classification, basic principles of BCI and the research progress of the application of BCI in SCI rehabilitation, which may provide references for the clinical transformation of BCI.