Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between urinary metals copper (Cu), arsenic (As), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) and grip strength. Methods We used linear regression models, quantile g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to assess the relationship between metals and grip strength.Results In the multimetal linear regression, Cu (β=-2.119), As (β=-1.318), Sr (β=-2.480), Ba (β=0.781), Fe (β= 1.130) and Mn (β=-0.404) were significantly correlated with grip strength (P < 0.05). The results of the quantile g-computation showed that the risk of occurrence of grip strength reduction was -1.007 (95％ confidence interval:-1.362, -0.652; P < 0.001) when each quartile of the mixture of the seven metals was increased. Bayesian kernel function regression model analysis showed that mixtures of the seven metals had a negative overall effect on grip strength, with Cu, As and Sr being negatively associated with grip strength levels. In the total population, potential interactions were observed between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn (Pinteractions of 0.003 and 0.018, respectively).Conclusion In summary, this study suggests that combined exposure to metal mixtures is negatively associated with grip strength. Cu, Sr and As were negatively correlated with grip strength levels, and there were potential interactions between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn.

Objective To study the effect of panatinib on cholangiocarcinoma(CCA)and its molecular mechanism.Methods QBC939 cells were divided into control group(no treatment),low dose group(0.1 μmol·L-1 panatinib treatment),medium dose group(0.5μmol·L-1panatinib treatment),high dose group(1.0 μmol·L-1 panatinib treatment)and high dose+microRNA-92b-3 group(after treatment with 1.0 μmol·L-1 panatinib transfected miR-92b-3p mimic),high-dose+miR-92b-3p mimic+overexpressed homologous domain interacting protein kinase 3 plasmid(oe-HIPK3)group(after treatment with 1.0 μmol·L-1 panatinib,miR-92b-3p mimic and oe-HIPK3),mimic-NC group(transfected miR-92b-3p NC),and miR-92b-3p mimic group(transfected miR-92b-3p mimic)were transfected.Cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit 8(CCK-8);cell migration was detected by Transwell,the relative expression level of protein was detected by Western blot.Results Cell proliferation rates of control group,high-dose group,high-dose+miR-92b-3p mimic group,and high-dose+miR-92b-3p mimic group mimic+oe-HIPK3 group were(76.58±8.56)％,(61.85±7.77)％,(74.54±7.68)％and(58.63±6.87)％,respectively;the number of cells migrated were 185.32±20.14,132.33±18.99,168.23±19.85 and 138.66±15.95,respectively;phosphorylated phosphatidyl inositide 3-kinase(p-PI3K)/PI3K ratios were 1.00±0.23,0.68±0.09,0.91±0.18 and 0.60±0.08,respectively;phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-AKT)/AKT ratios were 1.00±0.25,0.61±0.08,1.12±0.28 and 0.72±0.14,respectively.The above indexes were compared with those of the control group in the high-dose group,and those of the high-dose+miR-92b-3p mimic group in the high-dose+miR-92b-3p mimic group in the oe-HIPK3 group.There were statistically significant differences(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Panatinib can effectively inhibit the evil biological behavior of cholangiocarcinoma,which may be related to inhibiting the level of miR-92b-3p and promoting HIPK3-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Objective By investigating the retention and fatigue performance of polyetheretherketone(PEEK)clasps with increased proportions of clasp arm engaging the undercut,an innovative method to improve PEEK clasps'performance was proposed and verified.Methods Three groups of PEEK clasps(n=10/group)with the terminal 1/3,2/3 and whole of their retentive arms engaging the 0.75 mm undercut were designed and fabricated respectively along with a group of cobalt-chrome clasps(n=10)with their terminal 1/3 of retentive arms engaging the 0.25 mm undercut.Retentive forces were recorded initially and every 1 500 cycles for a total of 15 000 in-sertion and removal fatigue cycles.Optical scanning and software analysis were applied to evaluate the deformation of the clasps by root mean square(RMS)after fatigue test.The inner surface morphology of clasps'arms was observed by scanning electron microscopy.Re-sults PEEK clasps with the whole of their retentive arms engaging the undercut exhibited highest mean retentive force(9.24±1.78)Namong other PEKK clasps,which was slightly lower than that of cobalt-chrome clasps(11.88±2.05)N.The retentive force of each group turned out to be reduced after fatigue cycles and cobalt-chrome clasps showed the greatest reduction(38.38%).The RMS of the PEEK clasps groups were of no statistical difference(P=0.111)and were lower than that of cobalt-chrome clasps(105.47±10.82)μm.Evidence of surface abrasion was observed on all groups of clasps especially on the section that engaged the undercut.Conclusion Increasing the proportion of PEEK clasp arm engaging the undercut effectively improved the retentive force and satisfied clinical re-quirements after fatigue cycles.PEEK clasps exhibited greater retention stability than cobalt-chrome clasps.It is feasible to improve the performance of PEEK clasps by increasing the proportion of clasp arm engaging the undercut.

Objective The objective of this study was to establish a mouse model of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and investigate the role of the NLRP3 signaling pathway in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.Methods Thirty-three female C57 mice(SPF)were randomLy divided into 3 groups:the control group,the experimental group,and the NLRP3-/-group.On days 0,4,7,14,and 21,the experimental group and NLRP3-/-group received a 0.2 mL intraperitoneal injection of medicine containing OVA(100 μg)and adjuvant Al(OH)3(4 mg),respectively.After an interval of 3 days,each eye and nose were dosed with 10 μL of 5%OVA for five consecutive days a week to induce allergic symptoms.During sensitization and excitation stages,the control group was replaced with an equiva-lent amount of PBS.Ocular and nasal symptoms were observed and scored.The levels of OVA-specific IgE,IL-4,IL-17,and IL-18 in serum were measured using ELISA,while changes in palpebral conjunctiva and nasal mucosa were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The expression of NLRP3 mRNA in conjunctival tissue and nasal mucosa was determined using real-time PCR analysis.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS17.0 software with P<0.05 considered as statistically significant difference.Results The experimental group and NLRP3-/-group exhibited induced nasal and ocular allergic symptoms.In the experimental group,the duration of nasal allergy symptoms was(10.500±1.080)days,while the duration of eye allergy symptoms was(20.300±2.058)days.In the NLRP3-/-group,the duration of nasal allergy symptoms was(13.400±1.955)days,and for eye allergy symp-toms it was(20.900±2.132)days.The duration of nasal allergies in the NLRP3-/-group significantly exceeded that in the experimental group(P<0.05),whereas there were no significant differences observed in eye allergy durations between these two groups(P>0.05).Levels of OVA-specific IgE,IL-4,and IL-17 were significantly higher in both the experimental and NLRP3-/-groups compared to those in the control group(P<0.05).Additionally,serum IL-18 content increased significantly in the experimental group when compared with both control and NLRP3-/-groups(P<0.05).Conjunctival tissue lesions as well as nasal mucosa damage were evident in both experimental and NLRP3-/-groups.mRNA expression levels of NLRP3 within conjunctival tissue and nasal mucosa from the experimental group showed a significant increase when compared to those from both control and NLRP3-/-groups(P<0.05).Conclusion Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis pathogenesis is influenced by various factors;however,the involvement of NLPR3 signaling pathway promotes its development.

Objective:To investigate the interactive effect of mismatch repair (MMR) protein status and adverse clinicopathological features on prognosis of stage Ⅰ-Ⅲ colon cancer.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 1 650 patients with colon cancer of stage Ⅰ-Ⅲ who were admitted to 7 hospitals in China from January 2016 to December 2017 were collected. There were 963 males and 687 females, aged 62(53,71)years. Patients were classified as 230 cases of MMR deficiency (dMMR) and 1 420 cases of MMR proficiency (pMMR) based on their MMR protein status. Observation indicators: (1) comparison of clinicopathological characteristics between patients of different MMR protein status; (2) analysis of factors affecting the survival outcomes of patients of dMMR; (3) analysis of factors affecting the survival outcomes of patients of pMMR; (4) interaction analysis of MMR and adverse clinicopathological features on survival outcomes. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the independent t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. The random forest interpolation method was used for missing values in data interpolation. Univariate analysis was conducted using the COX proportional risk regression model, and multivariate analysis was conducted using the COX stepwise regression with forward method. The coefficient of multiplication interaction effect was obtained using the interaction term coefficient of COX proportional risk regression model. Evaluation of additive interaction effects was conducted using the relative excess risk due to interaction ( RERI). Results:(1) Comparison of clinicopathological characteristics between patients of different MMR protein status. There were significant differences in age, T staging, the number of lymph node harvest, the number of lymph node harvest <12, high grade tumor between patients of dMMR and pMMR ( P<0.05). (2) Analysis of factors affecting the survival outcomes of patients of dMMR. Results of multivariate analysis showed that T staging, N staging, the number of lymph node harvest <12 were independent factors affecting the disease-free survival (DFS) of colon cancer patients of dMMR ( hazard ratio=3.548, 2.589, 6.702, 95% confidence interval as 1.460-8.620, 1.064-6.301, 1.886-23.813, P<0.05). Age and N staging were independent factors affecting the overall survival (OS) of colon cancer patients of dMMR ( hazard ratio=1.073, 10.684, 95% confidence interval as 1.021-1.126, 2.311-49.404, P<0.05). (3) Analysis of factors affecting the survival outcomes of patients of pMMR. Results of multivariate analysis showed that age, T staging, N staging, vascular tumor thrombus were independent factors affecting the DFS of colon cancer patients of pMMR ( hazard ratio=1.018, 2.214, 2.598, 1.549, 95% confidence interval as 1.006-1.030, 1.618-3.030, 1.921-3.513, 1.118-2.147, P<0.05). Age, T staging, N staging, high grade tumor were independent factors affecting the OS of colon cancer patients of pMMR ( hazard ratio=1.036, 2.080, 2.591, 1.615, 95% confidence interval as 1.020-1.052, 1.407-3.075, 1.791-3.748, 1.114-2.341, P<0.05). (4) Interaction analysis of MMR and adverse clinicopathological features on survival outcomes. Results of interaction analysis showed that the multiplication interaction effect between the number of lymph node harvest <12 and MMR protein status was significant on DFS of colon cancer patients ( hazard ratio=3.923, 95% confidence interval as 1.057-14.555, P<0.05). The additive interaction effects between age and MMR protein status, between high grade tumor and MMR protein status were significant on OS of colon cancer patients ( RERI=-0.033, -1.304, 95% confidence interval as -0.049 to -0.018, -2.462 to -0.146). Conclusions:There is an interaction between the MMR protein status and the adverse clinicopathological features (the number of lymph node harvest <12, high grade tumor) on prognosis of colon cancer patients of stage Ⅰ-Ⅲ. In patients of dMMR, the number of lymph node harvest <12 has a stronger predictive effect on poor prognosis. In patients of pMMR, the high grade tumor has a stronger predictive effect on poor prognosis.

A young female patient with acne and elevated testosterone level underwent plasma steroid hormones testing and found a significant increase in aldosterone. We excluded testing interference and verified the absence of hypertension, hypokalemia, and adrenal occupancy, as well as primary and secondary hyperaldosteronism. During follow-up, a temporal correlation was found between aldosterone levels and the use of drospirenone and ethinylestradiol tablets. It was observed that the combination of drospirenone and ethinylestradiol could lead to the increase of aldosterone level and the concentration ratio of aldosterone to direct renin through different mechanisms. Drospirenone exerts an antagonistic effect on mineralocorticoid receptor to prevent the development of hypertension or hypokalemia. In clinical practice, it is necessary to pay attention to the effect of this drug on screening markers for primary aldosteronism. In the laboratory examination, when female patients with no symptoms of hypertension and hypokalemia but with elevated aldosterone levels are encountered, it can be verified whether they have a history of use of compound estrogen-progestin such as drospirenone and ethinylestradiol tablets, and appropriate tips are provided in the report.

Objective: To understand the current status of diagnosis and treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) /small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) among hematologists, oncologists, and lymphoma physicians from hospitals of different levels in China. Methods: This multicenter questionnaire survey was conducted from March 2021 to July 2021 and included 1,000 eligible physicians. A combination of face-to-face interviews and online questionnaire surveys was used. A standardized questionnaire regarding the composition of patients treated for CLL/SLL, disease diagnosis and prognosis evaluation, concomitant diseases, organ function evaluation, treatment selection, and Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor was used. Results: ①The interviewed physicians stated that the proportion of male patients treated for CLL/SLL is higher than that of females, and the age is mainly concentrated in 61-70 years old. ②Most of the interviewed physicians conducted tests, such as bone marrow biopsies and immunohistochemistry, for patient diagnosis, in addition to the blood test. ③Only 13.7% of the interviewed physicians fully grasped the initial treatment indications recommended by the existing guidelines. ④In terms of cognition of high-risk prognostic factors, physicians' knowledge of unmutated immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable and 11q- is far inferior to that of TP53 mutation and complex karyotype, which are two high-risk prognostic factors, and only 17.1% of the interviewed physicians fully mastered CLL International Prognostic Index scoring system. ⑤Among the first-line treatment strategy, BTK inhibitors are used for different types of patients, and physicians have formed a certain understanding that BTK inhibitors should be preferentially used in patients with high-risk factors and elderly patients, but the actual use of BTK inhibitors in different types of patients is not high (31.6%-46.0%). ⑥BTK inhibitors at a reduced dose in actual clinical treatment were used by 69.0% of the physicians, and 66.8% of the physicians had interrupted the BTK inhibitor for >12 days in actual clinical treatment. The use of BTK inhibitors is reduced or interrupted mainly because of adverse reactions, such as atrial fibrillation, severe bone marrow suppression, hemorrhage, and pulmonary infection, as well as patients' payment capacity and effective disease progression control. ⑦Some differences were found in the perceptions and behaviors of hematologists and oncologists regarding the prognostic assessment of CLL/SLL, the choice of treatment options, the clinical use of BTK inhibitors, etc. Conclusion: At present, a gap remains between the diagnosis and treatment of CLL/SLL among Chinese physicians compared with the recommendations in the guidelines regarding the diagnostic criteria, treatment indications, prognosis assessment, accompanying disease assessment, treatment strategy selection, and rational BTK inhibitor use, especially the proportion of dose reduction or BTK inhibitor discontinuation due to high adverse events.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/drug therapy* ; Prognosis ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Immunohistochemistry ; Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains/therapeutic use*

Objective: To investigate the association of mixed exposure to greenness and nitrogen dioxide(NO₂) and hypertension among the older adults aged 65 years and over in China. Methods: The study subjects were from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey from 2017 to 2018. A total of 15 423 older adults aged 65 years and over meeting the criteria were finally included in the study. A questionnaire survey was used to collect information on demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits and self-reported prevalence of hypertension. Blood pressure values were obtained through physical examination. The level of normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI) was measured by the Medium-resolution Imaging Spectral Radiator(MODIS) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA). The concentration of NO₂ was from China's surface air pollutant data set. Meteorological data was from NASA MERRA-2. The exposure to NDVI and NO₂ for each study subject was calculated based on the area within a 1 km radius around their residence. The association between mixed exposure of NDVI and NO₂ as well as their interaction and hypertension in older adults was analyzed by using the multivariate logistic regression model. The restrictive cubic spline(RCS) function was used to explore the exposure-response relationship between greenness and NO₂ and the risk of hypertension in study subjects. Results: The mean age of 15 423 older adults were (85.6±11.6). Women accounted for 56.3%(8 685/15 423) and 55.6%(8 578/15 423) lived in urban areas. The mean time of residence was (60.9±28.5) years. 59.8% of participants were with hypertension. The mean NDVI level was 0.41±0.13, and the mean NO₂ concentration was (32.18±10.36) μg/cm³. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NDVI was inversely and linearly associated with the hypertension in older adults, with the OR(95%CI) value of 0.959(0.928-0.992). Compared with the T₁ group of NDVI, the risk of hypertension was lower in the T₃ group, with the OR(95%CI) value of 0.852(0.769-0.944), and the trend test was statistically significant(P<0.05). Compared with the T₁ group of NO₂, the risk of hypertension was higher in the T₂ and T₃ groups, with OR(95%CI) values of 1.160(1.055-1.275) and 1.244(1.111-1.393), and the trend test was statistically significant (P<0.05). The result of the RCS showed that NDVI was inversely and linearly associated with hypertension in older adults. NO₂ was nonlinearly associated with hypertension in older adults. The interaction analysis showed that NDVI and NO₂ had a negative multiplicative interaction on the risk of hypertension, with OR(95%CI) value of 0.995(0.992-0.997). Conclusion: Exposure to greenness and NO₂ are associated with hypertension in older adults.
Aged ; Humans ; Female ; Nitrogen Dioxide ; Air Pollution ; Prevalence ; Hypertension/epidemiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Particulate Matter/analysis*

【Objective】 To compare the supply data of red blood cells(RBCs) from 18 blood centers in China before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 during 2018 to 2021. 【Methods】 Eight indicators related to RBCs supply from 18 blood centers in China during 2018-2021 were collected retrospectively, including the storage of total amount of qualified RBCs (referred to as the total amount of storage), the distribution of total amount of RBCs (referred to as the total amount of distribution), the distribution amount of RBCs per 1 000 population (referred to as the amount of distribution per 1 000 population), the distribution amount of RBCs from 400 mL original blood per 1 000 population [referred to as the amount of distribution per 1 000 population (400 mL)], the average daily distribution amount of RBCs (referred to as the average daily distribution amount), the average daily storage amount of RBCs (referred to as the average daily storage amount), the average storage days of RBCs when distribute (referred to as the RBC storage days), and the expired amount of RBCs (referred to as the expired amount). Based on the outbreak time of COVID-19, the data of 2018 and 2019 were the pre-pandemic group, and the data of 2020 and 2021 were the post-pandemic group. 【Results】 Data on RBCs supply in 18 blood centers from 2018 to 2021(comparison of the pre-pandemic group and the post-pandemic group): the amount of distribution per 1 000 population (median 14.68 U>13.92 U) decreased, the amount of distribution per 1 000 population (400 mL) (median 10.16 U>9.21 U) decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); data comparison between 2019 and 2020:the total amount of distribution (median 117 770.38 U>99 084.08 U) decreased, the amount of distribution per 1 000 population (median 15.04 U>12.19 U) decreased, the amount of distribution per 1000 population (400 mL) (median 10.11 U>8.94 U), the average daily distribution amount(322.66 U>270.73 U) decreased and RBC storage days (median 10.50 d<11.45 d) increased, the difference has statistical significance (P<0.05); data comparison between 2020 and 2021:the total amount of storage (median 101 920.25 U<120 328.63 U), the total amount of distribution (median 99 084.08 U<118 428.62 U), the amount of distribution per 1 000 population (median 12.19 U<15.00 U), the amount of distribution per 1 000 population (400 mL) (median 8.94 U<9.46 U), the average daily distribution amount (270.73 U>324.46 U), the average daily inventory (median 3 222.00 U<4 328.00 U) increased, the expired amount (median 1.50 U>0.00 U) decreased, the difference has statistical significance (P<0.05). The results of ANOVA showed that there were significant differences on the data related to RBCs supply (except expired amount) in different blood centers (P<0.05). The ratio of average daily stock to average daily distribution in the post-outbreak group (median 12.36 d) was higher than that in the pre-outbreak group (median 10.92 d), the difference has statistical significance (P<0.05), with significant difference among different blood centers (P <0.05). 【Conclusion】 The COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on RBCs supply in different blood centers. In the second year of the pandemic, the supply capability had recovered to some extent, and there were differences in RBCs supply in different blood centers.

【Objective】 To study the changes of platelet components(PC), apheresis platelets (AP) and pooled platelet concentrates (PPC) production of 19 provincial blood centers before and during the COVID-19 epidemic. 【Methods】 The data related to the collection of AP and the preparation of PPC from 2016 to 2021 of 19 provincial blood centers was collected. The production of PC, AP and PPC during the four years before the epidemic (i.e. 2016-2019) and during the COVID-19 epidemic (i.e. 2020 and 2021) were calculated respectively, and the change of production was analyzed. 【Results】 The total production of PC in 19 blood centers steadily increased from 2016 to 2019, with a decrease of 4.16% in 2020 and an increase of 15.60% in 2021, exceeding the output before the COVID-19 epidemic. In 2020, the production of PC of 42.11% (8/19) blood centers decreased compared with 2019, while 94.74% (18/19) in 2021 increased compared with 2020. The changes of AP output was basically consistent with the trend of PC. The total production of PPC in 2017 and 2018 both doubled compared to the previous year, while decreased by 67.98% in 2019, increased by 30.38% in 2020 and decreased by 27.08% in 2021. 【Conclusion】 The total production of PC kept increasing steadily between 2016 and 2019, but decreased in 2020 under the COVID-19 epidemic, with some blood centers being significantly affected. In 2021, with the strong support from government and various measures by blood centers, the total production of PC increased.