Objective To determine the prognostic biomarkers and new therapeutic targets of the lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), based on which to establish a prediction model for the survival of LUAD patients. Methods An integrative analysis was conducted on gene expression and clinicopathologic data of LUAD, which were obtained from the UCSC database. Subsequently, various methods, including screening of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), were employed to analyze the data. Cox regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression were used to establish an assessment model. Based on this model, we constructed a nomogram to predict the probable survival of LUAD patients at different time points (1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year). Finally, we evaluated the predictive ability of our model using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and time-dependent ROC curves. The validation group further verified the prognostic value of the model. Results The different-grade pathological subtypes' DEGs were mainly enriched in biological processes such as metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, antigen processing and presentation, and regulation of enzyme activity, which were closely related to tumor development. Through Cox regression and LASSO regression, we constructed a reliable prediction model consisting of a five-gene panel (MELTF, MAGEA1, FGF19, DKK4, C14ORF105). The model demonstrated excellent specificity and sensitivity in ROC curves, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.675. The time-dependent ROC analysis revealed AUC values of 0.893, 0.713, and 0.632 for 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival, respectively. The advantage of the model was also verified in the validation group. Additionally, we developed a nomogram that accurately predicted survival, as demonstrated by calibration curves and C-index. Conclusion We have developed a prognostic prediction model for LUAD consisting of five genes. This novel approach offers clinical practitioners a personalized tool for making informed decisions regarding the prognosis of their patients.

After being treated with acupuncture, some patients with idiopathic tinnitus may experience a short-term aggravation of tinnitus symptoms on the original basis. These symptoms can be gradually relieved and the overall condition fluctuates towards recovery. This phenomenon has brought some difficulties to patients and clinicians. Based on the academic view of TCM, "destroying pathogens and re-building balance", and in association with the existing understanding of acupuncture in modern medicine for tinnitus, this paper briefly discusses the mechanism and influencing factors of symptom fluctuation in patients with idiopathic tinnitus after acupuncture treatment in terms of both TCM and modern medicine, and proposes the future direction in the research of symptom fluctuation, so as to promote the recognition of clinicians and patients on symptom fluctuation and make rational use of its positive effects. Besides, it is hoped that more researchers will pay attention to symptom fluctuation and advance the exploration of it in academic field.
Humans ; Tinnitus/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Female

OBJECTIVE: To explore and quantify the association of hot night exposure during the sperm development period (0-90 lag days) with semen quality. METHODS: A total of 6,640 male sperm donors from 6 human sperm banks in China during 2014-2020 were recruited in this multicenter study. Two indices (i.e., hot night excess [HNE] and hot night duration [HND]) were used to estimate the heat intensity and duration during nighttime. Linear mixed models were used to examine the association between hot nights and semen quality parameters. RESULTS: The exposure-response relationship revealed that HNE and HND during 0-90 days before semen collection had a significantly inverse association with sperm motility. Specifically, a 1 °C increase in HNE was associated with decreased sperm progressive motility of 0.0090 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: -0.0147, -0.0033) and decreased total motility of 0.0094 (95% CI: -0.0160, -0.0029). HND was significantly associated with reduced sperm progressive motility and total motility of 0.0021 (95% CI: -0.0040, -0.0003) and 0.0023 (95% CI: -0.0043, -0.0002), respectively. Consistent results were observed at different temperature thresholds on hot nights. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight the need to mitigate nocturnal heat exposure during spermatogenesis to maintain optimal semen quality.
Humans ; Male ; Semen Analysis ; Adult ; Sperm Motility ; Hot Temperature/adverse effects* ; China ; Middle Aged ; Spermatozoa/physiology* ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the role and underlying mechanism of the transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif(TAZ)and a histone variant of acute histone H2A(H2A.Z)in the repair of hypoxia-induced lung injury.Methods A mouse model of hypoxic lung injury was established by being placed in a hypoxia chamber(simulating an altitude of 5 800 m)for 4 d.HE staining was used to observe the severity of lung injury.A hypoxia model of murine alveolar epithelial cells(murine lung epithelial-12,MLE12)was constructed by treating the cells in a hypoxia workstation(1%O2 concentration)for 24 h.Western blotting was employed to detect TAZ expression.The proliferation of alveolar epithelial cells(AECs)was evaluated by CCK-8 assay.Co-immunoprecipitation(Co-IP)assay was utilized to verify the interaction between TAZ and H2A.Z.CUT&Tag sequencing was performed to determine the effect of TAZ on the chromatin deposition of H2A.Z.Results Hypoxia significantly induced alveolar atrophy and inflammatory infiltration in mouse lung tissues(P＜0.01).Hypoxia significantly up-regulated the protein level of TAZ in MLE12 cells(P＜0.05).CCK-8 assay showed that knockdown of TAZ significantly reduced the proliferative capacity of AECs(P＜0.01).Co-IP assay confirmed the physical interaction between TAZ and H2A.Z.CUT&Tag sequencing revealed that hypoxia promoted the deposition of H2A.Z on chromatin(31 817 peaks under normoxia,44 078 peaks under hypoxia),which was partially reversed by TAZ knockdown(37 840 peaks).Conclusion Hypoxia significantly up-regulates the expression of TAZ,which combines with H2A.Z and promotes the deposition of H2A.Z on chromatin,thus enhancing the proliferation of AECs in response to hypoxic injury.

The elimination of biofilms is a crucial step in controlling hospital-acquired infections.Once biofilms colonize luminal instruments,it is difficult to remove them using traditional disinfection methods.Conventional disinfection approaches now face a series of challenges,including microbial resistance,corrosiveness,cytotoxicity,residual disinfection byproducts,and environmental pollution.Therefore,developing novel disinfection technologies specifically targeting biofilm removal is vitally important.New disinfection technologies,such as slightly acidic electrolyzed water,plasma technology,surface modification techniques,nanomaterial-based disinfection,bacteriophage disinfection,and enzymatic disinfection,are constantly emerging.These technologies exhibit excellent performance against biofilms by leveraging the synergistic effects of multiple mechanisms,including the reactive oxygen species(ROS)burst,photocatalytic oxidation,physical disruption,and biological targeting.This review summarizes the characteristics,underlying mechanisms,and potential application scenarios of these novel disinfection technologies,with a particular focus on their effects against biofilms formed by common pathogenic bacteria on surfaces in hospital settings.It aims to provide a reference basis for the practical application and translation of these disinfection technologies and the development of new disinfection strategies.

Objective To investigate the value of receiver operating curve human papilloma virus(HPV)-DNA typing combined with serum neutrophil lymphocyte ratio(NLR)and bicorticoid kinase 1(DCLK1)levels in the early diagnosis of cervical cancer.Methods A total of 120 patients with early cervical cancer diagnosed in our obstetrics and gynecology department from August 2018 to June 2022 were randomly included as cervical cancer group,and 120 patients with benign lesions were included as benign group.The level of DCLK1 was detected by ELISA;NLR was detected by automatic blood cell analyzer;HPV subtypes in cervical secretions were detected by HPV genotyping gene chip detection system;the cut-off values of serum NLR and DCLK1 levels in the diagnosis of cervical cancer were analyzed by using the receiver operator curve(ROC);four table method was applied to analyze the diagnostic value of HPV-DNA typing,serum NLR,DCLK1 levels alone and in combination for cervical cancer.Results Compared with benign group,the levels of serum NLR and DCLK1 in cervical cancer group were obviously higher(P<0.05).The positive rate of HR-HPV in cervical cancer group was obviously higher than that in benign group(P<0.05).The ROC curve was drawn with serum NLR and DCLK1 levels as test variables,the results showed that the AUC of serum NLR and DCLK1 predicting early cervical cancer was 0.724 and 0.718,respectively,and the cut-off value was 3.08 and 3.32,respectively.HPV-DNA typing combined with serum NLR and DCLK1 detected 18 false positives and 17 false negatives,Kappa value was 0.725,which was consistent with pathological results.The sensitivity,negative predictive value and accuracy of HPV-DNA typing combined with serum NLR and DCLK1 levels in the diagnosis of early cervical cancer were obviously higher than those of HPV-DNA typing,serum NLR and DCLK1 levels alone(P<0.05).Conclusion The results of HPV-DNA typing combined with NLR and DCLK1 in the diagnosis of early cervical cancer are highly consistent with the pathological results,and the sensitivity and accuracy are obviously improved.

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is currently one of the most widely used plasticizers, widely found in all kinds of items, such as children’s toys and food packaging materials, but also added to wallpaper, cable protective agents and other building decoration materials. DEHP is toxic and absorbed by the human body through respiratory tract, digestive tract and skin contact, which can cause damage to multiple systems, especially the male reproductive system, and testis is an important target organ. Oxidative stress injury is the core mechanism of spermatogenesis disorder caused by DEHP. DEHP exposure can cause oxidative stress or reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase in germ cells, and on this basis, promote cell apoptosis or cause excessive autophagy. The toxicity of DEHP to Leydig cells is mainly to interfere with the synthesis of steroid hormones. For Sertoli cells, ferroptosis and destruction of the blood-testis barrier are common injury mechanisms. In addition, gene methylation caused by DEHP not only affects the spermatogenic process, but also has epigenetic effects on offspring. In this paper, we reviewed the pathological damage, germ cell toxicity and epigenetic effects of DEHP on testis, and focused on the damage and molecular mechanism on testicular spermatogenic cells, Leydig cells and Sertoli cells. Future research is required to elucidate the body’s clearance mechanism and treatment plan after exposure to DEHP and whether DEHP will damage the function of myoid cells. It is hoped that this can provide new ideas for prevention and treatment of male reproductive disorders resulting from long-term exposure to plastic products.

Objective To investigate the basic conditions of non-medical radiation institutions and their current status of occupational health management of radiation workers and radiation protection in workplaces in Tianjin City, China, and to clarify the key points of occupational health management and radiation protection efforts. Methods A comprehensive survey was conducted to assess the basic conditions of non-medical radiation institutions and their status of occupational health management for radiation workers across 16 districts in Tianjin in 2023. Then, some non-medical radiation institutions were chosen according to their industrial sections as sentinel institutions to investigate radiation protection in workplaces. Results In 2023, there were a total of 431 non-medical radiation institutions in 16 districts of Tianjin, primarily in the industries of nuclear instrument, industrial radiography, and others. In these institutions, there were a total of 5264 radiation workers, with 93.8%, 93.0%, and 93.7% participating in the training of radiation protection, the occupational health examination, and the personal dose monitoring, respectively. Eighty-six non-medical radiation institutions were chosen as the sentinel institutions for investigation of radiation protection conditions in workplaces. The resulting data met the stipulated limits according to relevant standards. Conclusion The current status of occupational health management and radiation protection in non-medical radiation institutions in Tianjin is satisfactory. However, there is a need for further management enhancements, particularly in key industries such as nuclear instrumentation and industrial radiography.

Objective To investigate the basic conditions of non-medical radiation institutions and their current status of occupational health management of radiation workers and radiation protection in workplaces in Tianjin City, China, and to clarify the key points of occupational health management and radiation protection efforts. Methods A comprehensive survey was conducted to assess the basic conditions of non-medical radiation institutions and their status of occupational health management for radiation workers across 16 districts in Tianjin in 2023. Then, some non-medical radiation institutions were chosen according to their industrial sections as sentinel institutions to investigate radiation protection in workplaces. Results In 2023, there were a total of 431 non-medical radiation institutions in 16 districts of Tianjin, primarily in the industries of nuclear instrument, industrial radiography, and others. In these institutions, there were a total of 5264 radiation workers, with 93.8%, 93.0%, and 93.7% participating in the training of radiation protection, the occupational health examination, and the personal dose monitoring, respectively. Eighty-six non-medical radiation institutions were chosen as the sentinel institutions for investigation of radiation protection conditions in workplaces. The resulting data met the stipulated limits according to relevant standards. Conclusion The current status of occupational health management and radiation protection in non-medical radiation institutions in Tianjin is satisfactory. However, there is a need for further management enhancements, particularly in key industries such as nuclear instrumentation and industrial radiography.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression of long non-coding RNA HOXA-AS2(lncRNA HOXA-AS2),long non-coding RNA FOXD2-AS1(lncRNA FOXD2-AS1),and long non-coding RNA CRNDE(lncRNA CRNDE)in endometrial carcinoma and the clinical pathological character-istics and prognosis of patients.Methods Collect samples of endometrial carcinoma cancer tissues and adja-cent tissues excised during surgery from 119 endometrial carcinoma patients admitted to a hospital from Octo-ber 2017 to February 2020.The relative expression levels of HOXA-AS2,FOXD2-AS1 and CRNDE in tissues were retrospectively analyzed,as well as their relationship with clinicopathological features and 3-year survival rate of patients.Results The relative expression levels of HOXA-AS2,FOXD2-AS1 and CRNDE in cancer tissues of endometrial carcinoma patients were higher than those in adjacent tissues,with statistical signifi-cance(P＜0.05).The relative expression levels of HOXA-AS2,FOXD2-AS1 and CRNDE in cancer tissues of endometrial carcinoma patients were positively correlated(rHOXA-As2 vs.FOXD2-AS1=0.384,P=0.001;rHoXA-AS2 vs.CRNDE=0.576,P＜0.001;rFoXD2-AS1 vs.CRNDE=0.326,P=0.003).In the HOXA-AS2,FOXD2-AS1 and CRNDE high expression group,the proportion of patients with international federation of gynecology and ob-stetrics(FIGO)stage Ⅲ+Ⅳ,lymph node metastasis,deep infiltration and low differentiation was higher than that in the low expression group,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).The 3-year survival rate of low HOXA-AS2 expression group in endometrial cancer patients(52/60,86.67％)was higher than that of high HOXA-AS2 expression group(40/59,67.79％),the difference was statistically significant(x2=6.039,P＜0.05).The 3-year survival rate of patients with endometrial cancer with low FOXD2-AS1 expression group(53/59,89.83％)was higher than that of patients with endometrial cancer with high FOXD2-AS1 expression group(39/60,65.00％),and the difference was statistically significant(x2=10.456,P＜0.05).The 3-year sur-vival rate of low CRNDE expression group in endometrial cancer patients(51/60,85.00％)was higher than that of high CRNDE expression group(41/59,69.49％),and the difference was statistically significant(x2=4.079,P＜0.05).HOXA-AS2,FOXD2-AS1,and CRNDE were risk factors for death in endometrial carcinoma patients(P＜0.05).Conclusion The expression of HOXA-AS2,FOXD2-AS1,and CRNDE in endometrial carcinoma cancer tissue is closely related to the clinical pathological characteristics and prognosis of patients.