BACKGROUND: Without timely and effective rehabilitation, hearing loss may profoundly affect human life quality. China has a large population of hearing-impaired individuals, which imposes a heavy health burden on society. Moreover, this population is projected to increase rapidly owing to China's aging society. METHODS: We used data from a population-representative epidemiological investigation of hearing loss and ear diseases in four Chinese provinces. We estimated the national prevalence using multiple linear regression of the age-group proportions and prevalence in 31 provinces with clustering analysis. We used years lived with disability (YLDs) to analyze the disease burden and forecasted the prevalence of hearing loss by 2060 in China. RESULTS: An estimated 115 million people had moderate-to-complete hearing loss in 2015 across the 31 provinces of China (8.4% of 1.37 billion people). Of these, 85.7% were older than age 50 years (99 million people) and 2.4% were younger than 20 years old (2.8 million people). Of all YLDs attributable to hearing loss, 68.9% were attributable to moderate-to-complete cases. By 2060, a projected 242 million people in China will have moderate-to-complete hearing loss, a 110.0% increase from 2015. CONCLUSIONS The hearing loss prevalence in China is high. Population aging and socioeconomic factors substantially affect the prevalence and severity of hearing loss and the disease burden. The prevalence and severity of hearing loss are unevenly distributed across different provinces. Future public health policies should take these trends and regional variations into account.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Hearing Loss/epidemiology* ; Prevalence ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Aged ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Infant ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cost of Illness

This paper aimed to explore the effects of Duzhong Decoction(DZD)-containing serum on the proliferation and osteoblast differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells through L-type voltage-gated calcium channels(L-VGCCs). L-VGCCs inhibitors, nifedipine and verapamil, were used to block L-VGCCs in osteoblasts. MC3T3-E1 cells were divided into a control group, a low-dose DZD-containing serum(L-DZD) group, a medium-dose DZD-containing serum(M-DZD) group, a high-dose DZD-containing serum(H-DZD) group, a nifedipine group, a H-DZD + nifedipine group, verapamil group, and a H-DZD + verapamil group. The CCK-8 method was used for cell proliferation analysis, alkaline phosphatase(ALP) assay kits for intracellular ALP activity measurement, Western blot for protein expression level in cells, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR technology for intracellular mRNA expression level determination, fluorescence spectrophotometer for free Ca~(2+) concentration determination in osteoblasts, and alizarin red staining(ARS) for mineralized nodule formation in osteoblasts. The experimental results show that compared to the control group, DZD groups can promote MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation, ALP activity, and mineralized nodule formation, increase intracellular Ca~(2+) concentrations, and upregulate the protein expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP2), collagen Ⅰ(COL1), α2 subunit protein of L-VGCCs(L-VGCCα2), and the mRNA expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2), and BMP2. After blocking L-VGCCs with nifedipine and verapamil, the intervention effects of DZD-containing serum were inhibited to varying degrees. Both nifedipine and verapamil could inhibit ALP activity, reduce mineralized nodule areas, and downregulate the expression of bone formation-related proteins. Moreover, the effects of DZD-containing serum on increasing MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation, osteoblast differentiation, and Ca~(2+) concentrations, upregulating the mRNA expression of osteoprotegerin(OPG) and protein expression of phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-Akt) and phosphorylated forkhead box protein O1(p-FOXO1), and upregulating phosphatase and tensin homolog(PTEN) expression were reversed by nifedipine. The results indicate that DZD-containing serum can increase the Ca~(2+) concentration in MC3T3-E1 cells to promote bone formation, which may be mediated by L-VGCCs and the PTEN/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway, providing a new perspective on the mechanism of DZD in treating osteoporosis.
Animals ; Osteoblasts/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Mice ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Calcium Channels, L-Type/genetics* ; Alkaline Phosphatase/genetics* ; Serum/chemistry* ; Cell Line ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2/genetics*

Based on the interleukin-17(IL-17) signaling pathway, this study explores the effect and mechanism of Bufei Decoction on Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia in rats. SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, model group, Bufei Decoction low-dose group(6.68 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), Bufei Decoction high-dose group(13.36 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and dexamethasone group(1.04 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), with 10 rats in each group. A pneumonia model was established by tracheal drip injection of K. pneumoniae. After successful model establishment, the improvement in lung tissue damage was observed following drug administration. Core targets and signaling pathways were screened using transcriptomics techniques. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA expression of core targets interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and chemokine CXC ligand 6(CXCL6). Western blot was used to assess key proteins in the IL-17 signaling pathway, including interleukin-17A(IL-17A), nuclear transcription factor-κB activator 1(Act1), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6), and downstream phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p-p38 MAPK), and phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB p65(p-NF-κB p65). Apoptosis of lung tissue cells was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling(TUNEL). The results showed that, compared with the control group, the model group exhibited significant pathological damage in lung tissue. The mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and CXCL6, as well as the protein levels of IL-17A, Act1, TRAF6, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK, and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65, were significantly increased, and the number of apoptotic cells was notably higher, indicating successful model establishment. Compared with the model group, both low-and high-dose groups of Bufei Decoction showed reduced pathological damage in lung tissue. The mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and CXCL6, and the protein levels of IL-17A, Act1, TRAF6, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK, and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65, were significantly decreased, with a significant reduction in apoptotic cells in the high-dose group. In conclusion, Bufei Decoction can effectively improve lung tissue damage and reduce inflammation in rats with K. pneumoniae. The mechanism may involve the regulation of the IL-17 signaling pathway and the reduction of apoptosis.
Animals ; Interleukin-17/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Rats ; Male ; Klebsiella pneumoniae/physiology* ; Klebsiella Infections/immunology* ; Humans ; Lung/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between ABO blood types and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk. METHODS: A prospective birth cohort study was conducted. ABO blood types were determined using the slide method. GDM diagnosis was based on a 75-g, 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) according to the criteria of the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups. Logistic regression was applied to calculate the odds ratios ( ORs) and 95% confidence intervals ( CIs) between ABO blood types and GDM risk. RESULTS: A total of 30,740 pregnant women with a mean age of 31.81 years were enrolled in this study. The ABO blood types distribution was: type O (30.99%), type A (26.58%), type B (32.20%), and type AB (10.23%). GDM was identified in 14.44% of participants. Using blood type O as a reference, GDM risk was not significantly higher for types A ( OR = 1.05) or B ( OR = 1.04). However, women with type AB had a 19% increased risk of GDM ( OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.05-1.34; P < 0.05), even after adjusting for various factors. This increased risk for type AB was consistent across subgroup and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION The ABO blood types may influence GDM risk, with type AB associated with a higher risk. Incorporating it-either as a single risk factor or in combination with other known factors-could help identify individuals at risk for GDM before or during early pregnancy.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Diabetes, Gestational/etiology* ; ABO Blood-Group System ; Adult ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

Objective:To investigate the 10-year incidence of reproductive system malignancies and their associated risk factors among overweight and obese women with different metabolic phenotypes aged 40 years and older in Guiyang City.Methods:A total of 6 444 female residents in Yunyan District, Guiyang City were included from the 2011 " Epidemiological Study on the Risk of Malignancy in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus(REACTION)". Based on body mass index(BMI) and the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome(MetS), participants were categorized into four groups: metabolically healthy normal weight(MHNW, n=2 373), metabolically unhealthy normal weight(MUNW, n=1 098), metabolically healthy overweight/obese(MHO, n=2 229), and metabolically unhealthy overweight/obese(MUO, n=744). Baseline data were collected, and participants were followed up for 10 years to document the incidence of female reproductive system malignancies, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and endometrial cancer. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between metabolic phenotype and the 10-year risk of developing reproductive system malignancies. Results:Over a mean follow-up period of (9.89±0.77) years, the overall incidence of reproductive system malignancies was 1.15%(74/6, 444). Baseline characteristics such as age, BMI, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C), and triglycerides(TG) differed significantly among the groups( P<0.05). The cumulative incidence of reproductive system malignancies in each group was: MHNW 0.93%(22/2 373), MUNW 0.73%(8/1 098), MHO 1.57%(35/2 229), and MUO 1.21%(9/744). There were no statistically significant differences in incidence across the four groups( P>0.05). However, multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that, compared with the MHNW group, the adjusted HR (95% CI) were: MUNW 0.787(0.349-1.774, P>0.05), MHO 4.835(1.708-13.688, P<0.05), and MUO 3.719(1.144-12.089, P<0.05). Conclusion:Overweight and obesity are significant risk factors for reproductive system malignancies in women aged 40 and above. The presence of metabolic abnormalities in overweight or obese women further increases the risk of developing such malignancies.

Nitrofurantoin(NFT)is a nitrofuran antibiotic commonly used as a veterinary drug to treat bacterial infections in animals.However,due to the low solubility and bioaccumulation properties,NFT is prone to leave excessive residues in animal-derived foods and water systems,posing serious threats to human health and ecosystems.Therefore,there is an urgent need to develop an efficient and rapid detection method for NFT.In this work,nitrogen-doped carbon nanomaterials with unique bowl-like structures(N-CNBs)were synthesized via a hydrothermal-carbonization method.The morphology,surface structure,and specific surface area of N-CNBs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy(TEM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).The N-CNB modified glassy carbon electrode(N-CNB/GCE)was prepared,and the electrochemical test revealed that the N-CNB/GCE exhibited higher conductivity and larger electrochemical active surface area compared to bare GCE and nitrogen-doped hollow carbon nanosphere-modified electrode(N-HCNS/GCE).Additionally,the N-CNB/GCE demonstrated superior electrocatalytic activity toward NFT.An NFT electrochemical sensor was constructed based on N-CNB/GCE.The detection conditions of the sensor were optimized,and differential pulse voltammetry(DPV)was employed for NFT detection under optimal experimental conditions.The established NFT electrochemical sensor had a wide linear range of 0.4-500 μmol/L,a low detection limit(S/N=3)of 0.015 μmol/L and high selectivity,with excellent stability and reproducibility.The practical feasibility of this sensor was confirmed by analysis of NFT in milk and tap water samples,with spiked recoveries ranging from 94.2%to 108.9%.

Objective:To investigate the effect of intestinal air cavity on dose distribution of volumetric intensity modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for cervical cancer.Methods:A total of 10 patients who underwent radiotherapy for cervical cancer at Suzhou Municipal Hospital from January to May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. For each patient, the same optimization parameters were used to design both a normal full-arc plan and a field avoidance-region plan. The intestinal air cavity identified on computed tomography (CT) imaging was outlined as a separate structure. The dose distribution of the two plans were compared before and after changing the CT value (the electron density of the intestinal air cavity) to 0, using a paired t-test. Additionally, consecutive three-week cone beam CT (CBCT) images were collected for each patient. The intestinal air cavities from the three-week CBCT images were mapped onto the original CT, and the dose distributions of both plans were calculated on the CBCT images. The differences in dose distributions compared to the original plan were analyzed to assess plan robustness. Results:The 105% prescription dose coverage of the target volume ( V105) [(43.62±5.18)%)] within the target area for the field avoidance-region plan was greater than that for the normal full-arc plan [(36.38±10.20)%], with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). After modifying the electron density of the intestinal air cavity, the dose distribution in the target area worsened for both plans. However, the V100 and V105 for the field avoidance-region plan [(?0.64±0.58)%, (?2.16±1.66)%] were smaller than those for the normal full-arc plan [(?2.52±1.91)%, (?6.79±2.02)%], with a statistically significant difference (both P<0.05).The V30 for the small intestine in the field avoidance-region plan [(40.28±4.77)%] was lower than that in the normal full-arc plan [(42.63±4.82)%]. The V40 for the rectum [(61.70±15.39)%] and the V20 [(36.32±3.09)%, (35.06±5.32)%] and V30 [(17.76±3.05)%, (16.67±8.14)%] for the left and right femoral heads were higher than those in the normal full-arc plan {(59.72±15.13)%, [(31.36±3.97)%, (27.00±7.79%)] and [(12.99±4.55)%, (11.11±7.20)%]}, respectively, with a statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The changes in V105 on the weekly CBCT images [(3.27±2.91)%, (2.07±2.93)%, (2.14±2.08)%] and V100 on the second and third weeks′ images [(0.44±0.54)%, (0.54±0.50)%] for the field avoidance-region plan were smaller than those for the normal full-arc plan [(8.22±5.87)%, (5.31±3.97)%, (6.91±3.34)% and (1.70±1.53)%, (2.22±1.97)%], with a statistically significant difference (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The field avoidance-region plan demonstrates higher robustness and better small bowel protection than the normal full-arc plan. The influence of intestinal air cavities on dose distribution should be considered during VMAT planing for cervical cancer to guide optimal plan selection.

Objective To explore the role of nucleolin 6(NOL6)in the occurrence and development of hypertension and its mechanism of regulating ribosome biogenesis.Methods Differentially expressed genes were screened based on the GEO database(chip GSE212338),and intersection analysis was conducted in combination with genes related to ribosome generation to obtain genes related to ribosome biogenesis in hypertension.The rats were divided into control group and model group(L-NAME group).The hypertensive rat model was induced by N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME),and the thickness and pathological changes of the aortic wall in each group were observed by HE staining.The expression of ribosomal RNA(rRNA)in rat aortic tissues was detected by qPCR to reflect ribosome biogenesis,and the protein expression of NOL6 was detected by Western blotting.Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)were cultured and grouped for treatment(control group,L-NAME group,AngⅡ group,AngⅡ+si-NC group,AngⅡ+si-NOL6 group,and AngⅡ+CX-5461 group).The generation of neocRNA in HUVEC was detected by EU.The protein and mRNA expressions of NOL6 in HUVEC were detected by Western blotting and qPCR,respectively.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)and p-eNOS.Results By combining the differential expression analysis of the GEO hypertension dataset GSE212338 and the ribosome biogenesis gene set,six core genes with significantly altered expression in hypertension and related to ribosome biogenesis were identified.The difference in NOL6 was the most significant.Compared with the control group,the aortic wall thickness of rats in the L-NAME group increased significantly.Ribosomal RNA expression was significantly upregulated;the protein and mRNA expressions of NOL6 were significantly upregulated,too.Compared with the control group,the generation of neoRNA in the cells of the L-NAME group increased significantly;the levels of NOL6 protein and mRNA,ribosomal RNA and neoRNA in the Ang Ⅱ group were significantly increased compared with the control group but significantly decreased compared with the Ang Ⅱ+si-NC group.Compared with the Ang Ⅱ+si-NOL6 group,the protein and mRNA expressions of NOL6 in the AngⅡ+si-NC group and the AngⅡ+CX-5461 group cells were significantly increased.Compared with the AngⅡ+si-NC group,the levels of ribosomal RNA and neoRNA in the AngⅡ+si-NOL6 group and the AngⅡ+CX-5461 group were significantly decreased;the protein expressions of eNOS and p-eNOS were significantly increased.Conclusion NOL6 is associated with abnormal ribosome biogenesis in hypertension.NOL6 can affect the expression of eNOS by regulating ribosome biogenesis,thereby regulating the occurrence and development of hypertension.

With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence(GAI)technologies,their widespread application in academic research and writing is continuously expanding the boundaries of sci-entific inquiry.However,this trend has also raised a series of ethical and regulatory challenges,inclu-ding issues related to authorship,content authenticity,citation accuracy,and accountability.In light of the growing involvement of AI in generating academic content,establishing an open,controllable,and trustworthy ethical governance framework has become a key task for safeguarding research integrity and maintaining trust within the academic community.This expert consensus outlines ethical requirements across key stages of AI-assisted academic writing-including topic selection,data management,citation practices,and authorship attribution.It aims to clarify the boundaries and ethical obligations surrounding AI use in academic writing,ensuring that technological tools enhance efficiency without compromising in-tegrity.The goal is to provide guidance and institutional support for building a responsible and sustainable research ecosystem.