Quantum dots (QDs), nanoscale semiconductor crystals, have emerged as a revolutionary class of nanomaterials with unique optical and electrochemical properties, making them highly promising for applications in disease diagnosis and treatment. Their tunable emission spectra, long-term photostability, high quantum yield, and excellent charge carrier mobility enable precise control over light emission and efficient charge utilization, which are critical for biomedical applications. This article provides a comprehensive review of recent advancements in the use of quantum dots for disease diagnosis and therapy, highlighting their potential and the challenges involved in clinical translation. Quantum dots can be classified based on their elemental composition and structural configuration. For instance, IB-IIIA-VIA group quantum dots and core-shell structured quantum dots are among the most widely studied types. These classifications are essential for understanding their diverse functionalities and applications. In disease diagnosis, quantum dots have demonstrated remarkable potential due to their high brightness, photostability, and ability to provide precise biomarker detection. They are extensively used in bioimaging technologies, enabling high-resolution imaging of cells, tissues, and even individual biomolecules. As fluorescent markers, quantum dots facilitate cell tracking, biosensing, and the detection of diseases such as cancer, bacterial and viral infections, and immune-related disorders. Their ability to provide real-time, in vivo tracking of cellular processes has opened new avenues for early and accurate disease detection. In the realm of disease treatment, quantum dots serve as versatile nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery. Their nanoscale size and surface modifiability allow them to transport therapeutic agents to specific sites, improving drug bioavailability and reducing off-target effects. Additionally, quantum dots have shown promise as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy (PDT). When exposed to specific wavelengths of light, quantum dots interact with oxygen molecules to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can selectively destroy malignant cells, vascular lesions, and microbial infections. This targeted approach minimizes damage to healthy tissues, making PDT a promising strategy for treating complex diseases. Despite these advancements, the translation of quantum dots from research to clinical application faces significant challenges. Issues such as toxicity, stability, and scalability in industrial production remain major obstacles. The potential toxicity of quantum dots, particularly to vital organs, has raised concerns about their long-term safety. Researchers are actively exploring strategies to mitigate these risks, including surface modification, coating, and encapsulation techniques, which can enhance biocompatibility and reduce toxicity. Furthermore, improving the stability of quantum dots under physiological conditions is crucial for their effective use in biomedical applications. Advances in surface engineering and the development of novel encapsulation methods have shown promise in addressing these stability concerns. Industrial production of quantum dots also presents challenges, particularly in achieving consistent quality and scalability. Recent innovations in synthesis techniques and manufacturing processes are paving the way for large-scale production, which is essential for their widespread adoption in clinical settings. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the latest research progress in quantum dot applications, including drug delivery, bioimaging, biosensing, photodynamic therapy, and pathogen detection. It also discusses the multiple barriers hindering their clinical use and explores potential solutions to overcome these challenges. The review concludes with a forward-looking perspective on the future directions of quantum dot research, emphasizing the need for further studies on toxicity mitigation, stability enhancement, and scalable production. By addressing these critical issues, quantum dots can realize their full potential as transformative tools in disease diagnosis and treatment, ultimately improving patient outcomes and advancing biomedical science.

Eight compounds were isolated and purified from the ethyl acetate part of 70% acetone extract of Rehmannia glutinosa by various chromatographic techniques such as silica gel, MCI gel CHP-20, ODS, Toyopearl HW-40C, combined with TLC and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by modern spectroscopy techniques (NMR, MS, UV, IR), and identified as neomartynoside A (1), osmanthuside B₆ (2), martynoside (3), isomartynoside (4), (E)-p-hydroxycinnamic acid (5), caffeic acid (6), ferulic acid (7), and methyl caffeate (8). Compound 1 is a new phenylethanol glycoside, which was identified as neomartynoside A. Compound 2 was isolated from Rehmannia glutinosa for the first time. In addition, compounds 2, 6 and 7 significantly increased relative glucose consumption, showing potential hypoglycemic activity.

OBJECTIVE: The results of limited studies on the relationship between environmental pollution and dementia have been contradictory. We analyzed the combined effects of PM _2.5 and smoking on the prevalence of dementia and cognitive impairment in an elderly community-dwelling Chinese population. METHODS: We assessed 24,117 individuals along with the annual average PM _2.5 concentrations from 2012 to 2016. Dementia was confirmed in the baseline survey at a qualified clinical facility, and newly suspected dementia was assessed in 2017, after excluding cases of suspected dementia in 2015. National census data were used to weight the sample data to reflect the entire population in China, with multiple logistic regression performed to analyze the combined effects of PM _2.5 and smoking frequency on dementia and cognitive impairment. RESULTS: Individuals exposed to the highest PM _2.5 concentration and smoked daily were at higher risk of dementia than those in the lowest PM _2.5 concentration group ( OR, 1.603; 95% CI [1.626-1.635], P < 0.0001) and in the nonsmoking group ( OR, 1.248; 95% CI [1.244-1.252]; P < 0.0001). Moderate PM _2.5 exposure and occasional smoking together increased the short-term risk of cognitive impairment. High-level PM _2.5 exposure and smoking were associated with an increased risk of dementia, so more efforts are needed to reduce this risk through environmental protection and antismoking campaigns. CONCLUSION High-level PM _2.5 exposure and smoking were associated with an increased risk of dementia. Lowering the ambient PM _2.5, and smoking cessation are recommended to promote health.
Humans ; Dementia/etiology* ; Male ; Aged ; Female ; Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Smoking/epidemiology* ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Prevalence ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between physical activity and genetic risk and their combined effects on the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 318,085 biobank participants from the UK. Physical activity was assessed using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The participants were stratified into low-, intermediate-, and high-genetic-risk groups based on their polygenic risk scores. Multivariate Cox regression models and multiplicative interaction analyses were used. RESULTS: During a median follow-up period of 13 years, 9,209 participants were diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. For low genetic risk, compared to low physical activity, the hazard ratios ( HRs) for moderate and high physical activity were 0.853 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: 0.748-0.972) and 0.831 (95% CI: 0.727-0.950), respectively. For intermediate genetic risk, the HRs were 0.829 (95% CI: 0.758-0.905) and 0.835 (95% CI: 0.764-0.914), respectively. For participants with high genetic risk, the HRs were 0.809 (95% CI: 0.746-0.877) and 0.818 (95% CI: 0.754-0.888), respectively. A significant interaction was observed between genetic risk and physical activity. CONCLUSION Moderate or high levels of physical activity were associated with a lower risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease across all genetic risk groups, highlighting the need to tailor activity interventions for genetically susceptible individuals.
Humans ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology* ; Exercise ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Aged ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Risk Factors ; United Kingdom/epidemiology* ; Incidence ; Adult

The 2024 National Education Work Conference pointed out that at the current juncture of the critical period for achieving the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan,the implementation of the Education Powerhouse Construction Plan Outline should be taken as the main line of work,and building first-class disciplines is an crucial task for a higher education powerhouse.In 2022,forensic medicine was officially listed as a first-level discipline under the medical category,presenting an un-precedented historical opportunity for the development of forensic medicine.The forensic medicine dis-cipline of Southern Medical University comprehensively improves the quality of talent cultivation and facilitates the construction of first-class disciplines as its main direction.It aims to initiate and imple-ment a high-level faculty team building plan featuring"combining recruitment and cultivation,inter-disciplinary integration";make vigorous efforts to establish a first-level doctoral program,refine advan-tageous second-level disciplines and research directions;and establish an innovative research platform from a high starting point with deep integration.The discipline adheres to moral cultivation and the Five Domains of Education simultaneous development,to build a high-quality talent joint training model.Guided by the construction of the national legal system and industry needs,the discipline will enhance social service capabilities.The forensic medicine construction in our university will continue to contribute to the rule of law in China and educational power.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of serum β 2-microglobulin (β 2M) and pro-inflammatory cytokines for post-stroke depression (PSD) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods:Patients with AIS admitted to the Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2020 to May 2023 were included retrospectively. At the 6-month outpatient follow-up, the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) was used to assess depression. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent influencing factors of PSD. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of individual and combined independent influencing factors on PSD. Results:A total of 161 patients were enrolled, including 82 males (50.93%), aged 61.78±11.95 years; 47 patients (29.20%) developed PSD. Univariate analysis showed that the proportion of males, serum β 2M, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level, and baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score in the PSD group were significantly different from those in the non-PSD group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that serum β 2M (odds ratio [ OR] 4.257, 95% confidence interval [ CI]1.441-12.574; P=0.009), IL-1β ( OR 1.415, 95% CI 1.116-1.793; P=0.004), IL-6 ( OR 1.262, 95% CI 1.020-1.561; P=0.032), and TNF-α ( OR 1.246, 95% CI 1.021-1.521; P=0.030) were the independent influencing factors of PSD. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of serum β 2M for predicting PSD was 0.753 (95% CI 0.668-0.838), with an optimal cutoff value of 2.255 mg/L. The sensitivity and specificity were 59.6% and 80.7%, respectively. When serum β 2M was combined with IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α for prediction, the area under the curve increased to 0.893 (95% CI 0.837-0.948). Conclusion:The serum β 2M in combination with pro-inflammatory cytokines has good predictive value for PSD.

Objective To assess the effectiveness of the evaluation of military physical function(EMPF)system in predicting the occurrence of military training injuries among new recruits to provide scientific guidance and methodological choice for military training.Methods A total of 527 new recruits from 5 grassroots units from July 2016 to February 2018 were selected for the study.The recruits underwent EMPF testing,and their military training injuries were monitored over a 2-year follow-up period.Those who sustained injuries during training were divided into injury group(n=163),while the remaining recruits were placed in healthy group(n=364).The predictive ability of the total EMPF score for training injuries was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC),and the correlation between the total EMPF score,individual test scores,and military training injuries were analyzed using binary logistic regression.Results The total EMPF score of new recruits in injury group(19.52±1.97)was significantly lower than that of healthy group(24.31±1.54)(P<0.001),which also demonstrated a high diagnostic value in predicting the risk of military training injuries,with an area under the curve(AUC)of ROC of 0.971(P<0.001).A cut-off value of 22 scores was found to have the highest accuracy in predicting future training injuries,with an odds ratio(OR)of 25.63,sensitivity of 0.939,specificity of 0.879,positive likelihood ratio of 7.76,and a post-test probability of 0.67.Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that 6 EMPF tests,including holding the ball over and leaning back,bending forward and touching the ground with the ball,lunge squat and twist,swallow balance with holding the ball afterward,vertical jump,and respiratory pattern assessment,were negatively associated with the risk of military training injuries(P<0.0001).Conclusion The EMPF system can effectively predict the risk of military training injuries,with military personnel whose total EMPF score is less than 22 being at higher risk of sustaining such injuries.

Objective To establish a stable,reliable,and clinically relevant porcine model of endotoxin-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Methods Ten 8-month-old male Bama minipigs were deeply sedated,followed by invasive mechanical ventilation and electrocardiographic monitoring.Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)was intravenously pumped at 600 μg/(kg·h)for 3 hours,then maintained at 15 μg/(kg·h)thereafter.Dynamic monitoring was performed at five time points after LPS injection(LPS 0,1,3,5,and 8 h),including arterial blood gas analysis and chest computed tomography(CT)scans.Pathological examination of lung tissues obtained via bronchoscopic biopsy(HE staining and transmission electron microscopy)was conducted.These indicators were comprehensively used to evaluate the success of the animal model.Results At 5 hours after LPS administration,8 minipigs developed symptoms such as skin cyanosis,elevated body temperature,and respiratory distress.The oxygenation index decreased to<300 mmHg.Chest CT scans showed diffuse pulmonary infiltrates.Histopathology revealed alveolar edema and hyaline membrane formation.Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated disruption of pulmonary blood-air barrier,depletion of lamellar bodies in type Ⅱ pneumocytes,inflammatory cell infiltration,and exudation of plasma proteins and fibrin.Compared with LPS 0 h,at LPS 8 h,the oxygenation index and arterial blood pH were significantly decreased(P<0.001),while blood lactic acid and serum potassium were significantly increased(P<0.05);serum calcium and base excess were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the lung injury score based on HE-stained lung sections was significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion The porcine ARDS model established by continuous LPS injection can dynamically simulate the pathophysiological characteristics and typical pathological manifestations of clinical septic ARDS,making it an effective tool to study the pathogenesis,prevention,and treatment strategies of septic ARDS.

Objective To explore the impact of polymorphisms in the solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1B1(SLCO1B1)and apolipoprotein E(APOE)genes on statins selection and prognosis in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods This retrospective study enrolled 612 patients with coronary heart disease hospitalized in Tianjin Beichen Hospital from January 2021 to February 2023.Among them,411 patients who underwent PCI were assigned to PCI group,and 201 patients who did not undergo PCI were assigned to non-PCI group.According to treatment methods,PCI group was further divided into two subgroups:observation subgroup(n=305)and control subgroup(n=106).Non-PCI group was also divided into two subgroups:observation subgroup(n=147)and control subgroup(n=54).Patients in all observation subgroups underwent the detection of SLCO1B1 and APOE gene polymorphisms before medication,and an initial individualized treatment plan(including the selection of appropriate statins and dosages)was formulated based on the detection results.Patients in control subgroups were given statins at conventional dosages.Basic data before medication,post-medication lipid compliance rates[lipid intention-to-treat(ITT)compliance rate and lipid per-protocol analysis(PP)compliance rate],time to lipid compliance,liver function indicators before and after medication,and prognosis,as well as SLCO1B1 and APOE genotyping and allele frequency distribution were compared between observation subgroup and control subgroup.Conditional logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between different genotypes and prognostic susceptibility.Multifactor dimensionality reduction(MDR)was applied to analyze the interaction between SLCO1B1 genotype and APOE genotype.Results All genotypes of SLCO1B1 and APOE genes in observation subgroups conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg genetic equilibrium test(P>0.05).Compared with control subgroups,the observation subgroups had significantly higher lipid PP compliance rates after 6 and 12 months of treatment.After 3 months of treatment,the number of completed cases and compliant cases in observation subgroups was significantly higher,and the time to lipid compliance was significantly shorter than that in control subgroups(P<0.05).Compared with before treatment,there were no significant changes in alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB)levels in either observation subgroups or control subgroups(P>0.05);the levels of total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)were significantly decreased(P<0.001),while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)level was significantly increased(P<0.01).After 12 months of treatment,the aspartate aminotransferase(AST)level in observation subgroups was significantly lower than that before medication and also lower than that in the corresponding control subgroups(P<0.05).Within PCI group:there were 1 case and 5 cases of myocardial infarction,2 cases and 6 cases of target vessel revascularization,0 cases and 3 cases of stroke,0 cases and 7 cases of recurrent angina pectoris,1 case and 5 cases of readmission in observation subgroup and control subgroup,respectively.There were statistically significant differences between observation subgroup and control subgroup(P<0.05).Within non-PCI group:there were 0 cases and 3 cases of cardiogenic death,2 cases and 6 cases of myocardial infarction,2 cases and 5 cases of target vessel revascularization,0 cases and 4 cases of stroke,0 cases and 8 cases of recurrent angina pectoris,and 2 cases and 4 cases of readmission in observation subgroup and control subgroups,respectively,with statistically significant differences between the two subgroups(P<0.05).In the recessive model,SLCO1B1 and APOE genes were significantly correlated with prognosis in both PCI observation subgroup and non-PCI observation subgroup(P<0.05).MDR analysis of the interaction between SLCO1B1 genotype and APOE genotype in PCI observation subgroup and non-PCI observation subgroup showed that there was a significant interaction between the genotypes,which was closely related to prognosis(P<0.05).Conclusion Individualized statin treatment regimens based on the detection of SLCO1B1 and APOE gene polymorphisms can improve the lipid compliance rate,shorten the time to lipid compliance,and improve the prognosis of patients after PCI.

Objective This study aimed to provide an effective scientific basis for prevention and control of cockroaches on aircrafts by identifying cockroach-carried pathogens,and assess the insecticidal efficacy of gel bait mediated cockroach control on aircrafts,to provide technical guidance for aircraft disinsection.Methods Cassette-trapping was used to trap cockroaches,and the carried pathogens were detected using bacterial cultivation techniques.The gel bait mediated killing rate was calculated after 1,7,and 30 d by field application of gel bait.Results A total of 411 cockroaches were captured,and all were identified as Blattella germanica.26 strains of pathogenic bacteria were isolated from the trapped cockroaches.The killing rates of cockroaches were 58.8％-96.3％with 1-30 day application of gel bait.Statistically significant differences were observed in cockroach killing rates on different days(χ2=58.95,P<0.01).Conclusions B.germanica carry a large variety of pathogenic bacteria and opportunistic pathogens and are thus important infectious disease carriers.Gel bait agents have proven to be very effective against cockroaches on aircrafts.