OBJECTIVE: The study aim was to investigate the effects of exposure to multiple environmental organic pollutants on cardiopulmonary health with a focus on the potential mediating role of oxidative stress. METHODS: A repeated-measures randomized crossover study involving healthy college students in Beijing was conducted. Biological samples, including morning urine and venous blood, were collected to measure concentrations of 29 typical organic pollutants, including hydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs), bisphenol A and its substitutes, phthalates and their metabolites, parabens, and five biomarkers of oxidative stress. Health assessments included blood pressure measurements and lung function indicators. RESULTS: Urinary concentrations of 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OH-PHE) ( β = 4.35% [95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.85%, 7.97%]), 3-hydroxyphenanthrene ( β = 3.44% [95% CI: 0.19%, 6.79%]), and 4-hydroxyphenanthrene (4-OH-PHE) ( β = 5.78% [95% CI: 1.27%, 10.5%]) were significantly and positively associated with systolic blood pressure. Exposures to 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH-PYR) ( β = 3.05% [95% CI: -4.66%, -1.41%]), 2-OH-PHE ( β = 2.68% [95% CI: -4%, -1.34%]), and 4-OH-PHE ( β = 3% [95% CI: -4.68%, -1.29%]) were negatively associated with the ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity. These findings highlight the adverse effects of exposure to multiple pollutants on cardiopulmonary health. Biomarkers of oxidative stress, including 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and extracellular superoxide dismutase, mediated the effects of multiple OH-PAHs on blood pressure and lung function. CONCLUSION Exposure to multiple organic pollutants can adversely affect cardiopulmonary health. Oxidative stress is a key mediator of the effects of OH-PAHs on blood pressure and lung function.
Humans ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Cross-Over Studies ; Female ; Young Adult ; Environmental Pollutants/toxicity* ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Adult ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/urine* ; Beijing

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of avatrombopag in promoting platelet engraftment after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in children, compared with recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 53 pediatric patients who underwent allo-HSCT at the Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from April 2023 to August 2024. Based on medications used during the periengraftment period, patients were divided into two groups: the avatrombopag group (n=15) and the rhTPO group (n=38). RESULTS: At days 14, 30, and 60 post-transplant, platelet engraftment was achieved in 20% (3/15), 60% (9/15), and 93% (14/15) of patients in the avatrombopag group, and in 39% (15/38), 82% (31/38), and 97% (37/38) in the rhTPO group, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups in platelet engraftment rates at each time point, cumulative incidence of platelet engraftment, overall survival, and relapse-free survival (all P>0.05). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis indicated that acute graft-versus-host disease was an independent risk factor for delayed platelet engraftment (P=0.043). CONCLUSIONS In children undergoing allo-HSCT, avatrombopag effectively promotes platelet engraftment, with efficacy and safety comparable to rhTPO, and represents a viable therapeutic option.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Infant ; Adolescent ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Blood Platelets/drug effects* ; Thiazoles/therapeutic use* ; Thrombopoietin/therapeutic use* ; Thiophenes

OBJECTIVES: To explore the status and risk factors of neuropsychological development in small for gestational age (SGA) infants at corrected 12-24 months of age. METHODS: Clinical data were retrospectively collected for 754 SGA infants at corrected ages 12-24 months in Shenzhen Bao'an Women and Children's Hospital between April 2018 and December 2023. Developmental quotient (DQ) levels were analyzed. According to the presence of global developmental delay (GDD), participants were divided into a GDD group (71 cases) and a control group (683 cases), and the incidence and influencing factors of GDD were investigated. RESULTS: In the high-risk preterm SGA group, the total DQ and DQ in all domains were lower than in the full-term SGA group (P<0.017). The overall incidence of GDD was 9.4% (71/754) and increased with decreasing gestational age (P<0.017). Compared with the control group, the GDD group had higher proportions of males; low-risk and high-risk preterm birth; mothers with less than a bachelor's degree; multiple birth; neonatal hypoglycemia; neonatal pneumonia; neonatal respiratory distress syndrome; bronchopulmonary dysplasia; and, at corrected 12-24 months, low body weight, growth retardation, and microcephaly. The length of neonatal hospital stay was longer in the GDD group than in the control group (P<0.05). The weight-for-age Z score, length-for-age Z score, and head circumference-for-age Z score at birth and at corrected 12-24 months were lower in the GDD group than in the control group (P<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression showed that male sex and maternal education below a bachelor's degree were independent risk factors for GDD in SGA infants (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Neuropsychological development in preterm SGA infants is comparatively delayed; male SGA infants born to mothers with less than a bachelor's degree should receive priority attention.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Infant, Small for Gestational Age/psychology* ; Risk Factors ; Infant ; Retrospective Studies ; Child Development ; Developmental Disabilities/epidemiology* ; Infant, Newborn ; Child, Preschool

Background The prevalence of low back pain among workers using vibrating tools in the automobile manufacturing industry is high; however, research on associated risk factors remains limited. Objective To investigate the association between use of vibrating tools and low back pain among automobile manufacturing workers, and to estimate related population attributable risk percentage (PAR%). Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the Chinese Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire among workers with over one year of service in an automobile manufacturing enterprise. Workers were categorized into an exposed group (vibrating tool users) and a control group (non-users) based on their use of vibrating tools during work. The variables showing statistically significant differences between the two groups were selected as covariates for matching by 1∶2 nearest-neighbor propensity score. Chi-square test was used to compare the prevalence of low back pain between the matched exposed and control groups. Log-binomial regression model was employed to calculate the prevalence ratio (PR), and the PAR% of low back pain attributable to vibrating tool use was subsequently determined. Results A total of 6973 valid questionnaires were collected, comprising 5676 males and 1297 females, with an overall low back pain prevalence of 40.3% (2809/6973). The exposed group included 1255 workers (1134 males, 121 females), with a mean age of (44.2 ± 8.7) years and a mean tenure in the current position of (23.5 ± 9.9) years; the matching control group consisted of 2510 workers (2279 males, 231 females), with a mean age of (44.7 ± 8.6) years and a mean tenure in the current position of (24.0 ± 10.0) years. The prevalence of low back pain was 76.7% (963/1255) in the exposed group, significantly higher than the 29.9% (750/2510) in the control group (P<0.001). The log-binomial regression analysis showed a PR of 2.57 (95%CI: 2.28, 2.90) for the exposed group, with a PAR% of 22.03%. Conclusion The use of vibrating tools among automobile manufacturing workers is positively associated with reporting low back pain. Implementing effective measures to mitigate vibration hazards is crucial for reducing the burden of low back pain in this population.

Objective To investigate the associations of serum transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)and klotho expression levels with the severity of epilepsy and cognitive function in patients with epilepsy.Methods A total of 188 patients with epilepsy were enrolled as epilepsy group,and 188 healthy volunteers(without epilepsy)who underwent physical examinations during the same peri-od were recruited as control group.Based on seizure types,188 patients with epilepsy were further di-vided into partial seizure group(n=84)and generalized seizure group(n=104).According to the Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)scores,the patients were also divided into cognition normal group(n=76)and cognition impairment group(n=112).Enzyme-linkedimmunosorbent assay(ELISA)was utilized to measure the serum levels of TGF-β1 and klotho.Spearman correlation analy-sis was conducted to explore the correlations of serum levels of TGF-β1 and klotho with the severity of epilepsy as well as cognitive function.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to iden-tify the factors influencing cognitive function in patients with epilepsy.Results The serum levels of TGF-β1 and klotho in the epilepsy group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The serum levels of TGF-β1 and klotho in the generalized seizure group were significantly lower than those in the partial seizure group,and the National Hospital Seizure Severity Scale(NHS3)score was significantly higher than that in the partial seizure group(P＜0.05).There were negative correlations of serum levels of TGF-β1 and klotho with the severity of epilepsy(P＜0.05).The levels of TGF-β1 and klotho in the cognition impairment group were significantly lower than those in the cognition normal group(P＜0.05).Negative correlations were observed between serum levels of TGF-β1 as well as klotho and cognitive function(P＜0.05).TGF-β1 and klotho were identified as significant factors influencing cognitive function in patients with epilepsy(P＜0.05).Conclusion The serum levels of TGF-β1 and klotho are significantly decreased in patients with ep-ilepsy,and they are negatively correlated with the severity of epilepsy and closely associated with cognitive function.

Objective To investigate the effects of miR-34a on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal stem cells.Methods Twenty healthy teeth that needed to be extracted for orthodontic treatment were collected.Human periodontal stem cells(hPDLSCs)were isolated and cultured in vitro,and miR-34a mimetics were constructed and transfected into hPDLSCs.The experimental groups were subsequently categorized into the mimics group(miR-34a overexpression group)and the mimics-NC group(control group without load).The transfection efficiency was assessed using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR),while CCK-8 assays were used to evaluate the proliferation capacity of hPDLSCs post-transfection.Osteogenic differentiation of miR-34a-transfected hPDLSCs was induced,with samples being collected at day 0 and day 14 after the osteogenic induction.The expression level of Runx2-associated transcription factor 2(Runx2)was quantified via qRT-PCR,protein levels of Runx2-associated proteins were analyzed through Western blot,and mineralized nodule formation was examined using alizarin red staining.Results The expression level of miR-34a in the mimics group was significantly higher than that in the mimics-NC group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the value-added rate between the mimics group and the mimics-NC group on days 1～5(P>0.05),and the value-added rate between the mimics group and the mimics-NC group was significantly lower than that between the mimics-NC group and the mimics-NC group on days 5～11,and the difference was statistically significant.After the osteogenic induction,the mRNA expression level of Runx2 in the mimics group was higher than that in the mimics-NC group(P<0.05),and the expression level of Runx2 protein in the mimics group was also higher than that in the mimics-NC group(P<0.05),and there were more mineralized nodules in the mimics group than in the mimics-NC group after 14 days of osteogenic induction.Conclusion Under in vitro conditions,miR-34a inhibits the proliferative activity of hPDLSCs and promotes the osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells.

Objective With the development of manned space missions to the moon and space exploration,extravehicular activities become more frequent and extravehicular mission become more complex,which puts forward higher requirements for the extravehicular spacesuit.In order to ensure the ergonomics of spacesuit,the flexible joints are usually adopted in the limbs of spacesuit.The structural design of large angle of movement and low resistance joints is the basic for ensuring the ergonomics of spacesuit.Methods This study established a method of spacesuit joint structure to analysis the motion characteristic of typical joints.Firstly,the structure and activity characteristics of the spacesuit and lunar space suits were comprehensively analyzed,and the activity characteristics of different typical structure are qualitatively analyzed based on existing empirical method.Then,the dynamics of typical structure was analyzed by finite element model.By studying the change trend of motion of spacesuit joint with motion angle,and the motion characteristic curve was obtained.Finally,the model was studied according to different structural size parameters.The influence of structural parameters on the motion characteristics was analyzed,and the curves was obtained to provide a basis for design of spacesuit motion joint structure.Results Through the above analysis,the motion characteristics of different typical structure are obtained qualitatively.And the influence of different structure parameters on the motion characteristics was analyzed.This establishes the method basis for structure design.Conclusion The study was carried out a method based on finite element model for joint motion analysis,which is suitable for the design of typical joint structure of spacesuit.

Objective To investigate the factors influencing global longitudinal strain(GLS)measured by cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR)in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI).Methods Clinical data of 315 hospitalized patients diagnosed with acute STEMI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)at the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from June 2016 to September 2021 were retrospectively collected.After analyzing CMR images of all patients,GLS and other strain parameters were obtained,and then the patients were divided into two groups according to the median GLS.In order to balance gender and age differences,1:1 propensity score matching was performed,and 206 patients were eventually included:GLS>-11.3%group(indicating severe GLS impairment,n=103)and GLS≤-11.3%group(n=103).Baseline characteristics,laboratory indicators,coronary angiographic parameters,electrocardiogram(ECG)features,and CMR parameters were compared between the two groups.Variables showing significant differences were analyzed for their correlation with GLS.Multivariate logistic regression and multiple stepwise linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with GLS impairment.Results Compared with GLS≤-11.3%group,GLS>-11.3%group had significantly higher peak levels of creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB)and troponin T(TnT)(P<0.001).A higher proportion of patients in GLS>-11.3%group had the left anterior descending artery(LAD)as the culprit vessel,while a lower proportion had the right coronary artery(RCA)as the culprit vessel(P<0.001).Additionally,GLS>-11.3%group had longer QRS duration(P<0.001)and a higher incidence of pathological Q waves(P=0.001).Regarding CMR parameters,GLS>-11.3%group exhibited larger global circumferential strain(GCS),infarct size(IS),and left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV),as well as lower global radial strain(GRS)and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)(P<0.001).Multivariate logistic regression indicated that peak TnT(OR=1.092,P=0.001),LAD culprit vessel(OR=3.744,P<0.001),and QRS duration(OR=1.026,P<0.001)were significantly associated with severely impaired GLS.Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis showed that the logarithmic value of peak TnT,LAD as the culprit vessel,and the square root of QRS duration were linearly correlated with GLS values(adjusted R2=0.301,P<0.001),and these independent variables explained 30.1%of the variation in GLS.Conclusion Elevated peak TnT,prolonged QRS duration,and LAD as the culprit vessel are significantly associated with severe GLS impairment in STEMI patients,indicating more severe myocardial infarction and worse left ventricular function.

Aim To verify the therapeutic effect of the Qushi Huoxue decoction(QSHXF)on a mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)using network pharmacology and experimental approaches,to examine the changes in the PI3K-AKT-lipid metabo-lism signaling pathway,and to elucidate its molecular mechanisms.Methods The potential active ingredi-ents and targets of the QSHXF were identified using the TCMSP platform.NAFLD-related genes were sourced from the GeneCards,PharmGkb,TTD,and OMIM data-bases.The intersection of drug targets and NAFLD treatment targets was analyzed to identify the key tar-gets of the QSHXF in treating NAFLD.The STRING database and Cytoscape 3.9.1 software were utilized to construct networks linking traditional Chinese medicine active ingredients to disease targets and PPI networks,allowing for the screening of key active ingredients and core targets.GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of the intersecting targets were conducted using R version 4.2.2.The NAFLD model was established by feeding mice a methionine-choline deficient diet for a duration of five weeks.Following successful modeling,low,me-dium,and high doses of the QSHXF were administered for intervention over a period of six weeks.The efficacy was verified and the underlying mechanisms were ex-plored using methods such as HE staining,Oil Red O staining,and Western blot analysis.Results The net-work pharmacology prediction indicated that QSHXF might effectively treat NAFLD through key components such as quercetin and kaempferol,as well as core tar-gets including STAT3,AKT1,and HIF1A.KEGG en-richment analysis further suggested that QSHXF might exert its therapeutic effects on NAFLD via signaling pathways such as AGE-RAGE and PI3K-AKT.Verifi-cation through animal experiments demonstrated that QSHXF could significantly reduce hepatic steatosis and lipid droplet accumulation in NAFLD mice.Specifical-ly,it markedly decreased serum levels of TC,TG,ALT,AST,and LDL,while increasing HDL levels.Addition-ally,the treatment significantly reduced the protein ex-pression levels of p-PI3K,p-AKT,SREBP-1c,FASN,and ACC1 in the liver.Conclusions QSHXF can sig-nificantly enhance liver function,improve blood lipid levels,and alleviate hepatic steatosis in NAFLD mice,with its mechanism potentially linked to the inhibition of the PI3K-AKT-lipid metabolism signaling pathway.

Purpose To investigate the prenatal ultrasound features and prognosis of fetal patent urachal.Materials and Methods The prenatal ultrasound characteristics of six cases with patent urachal diagnosed in Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from September 2018 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed,their pregnancy and postnatal conditions were followed up.Results In the first and second trimester of pregnancy,the prenatal ultrasonography of six fetuses showed that the epurachus was occluded.Among them,two cases were diagnosed as bladder diverticulum.The ultrasonography showed that the bladder was malformed,the top of the bladder was changed like a beak,and was connected to the umbilical cord entrance of the abdominal wall through an abnormal tube.Four cases were diagnosed as urachal fistula with allantoic cyst.Ultrasound showed that the cyst was at the root of the umbilical cord,and the cyst communicated with the bladder through an abnormal duct.The size of the cyst changed with the filling and emptying of the bladder.Color Doppler showed that the cysts were surrounded by the umbilical artery.None of the six fetuses were abnormal by chromosome examination.Among them,two fetuses with simple urachal fistula and allantoic cyst were born with good prognosis,and the remaining four fetuses were induced by other malformations.One of the six fetuses was female,and five fetuses were male.Conclusion Prenatal ultrasound of patent urachus has typical features and low correlation with chromosomal abnormalities.It is more common in males clinically and has a good prognosis without other structural abnormalities.