Background Air pollution exposure has a significant impact on maternal and child health. However, the research on the association between ambient ozone (O₃) exposure during pregnancy and the risk of premature birth in newborns is limited, and the conclusions are inconsistent. Objective To investigate the association of ambient O₃ exposure during pregnancy with the risk of preterm birth in Guangdong Province. Methods Data of pregnant women in Guangzhou from 2013 to 2019 and Foshan from 2018 to 2023 were collected, and O₃ concentrations during different trimesters were assessed according to maternal residential addresses. Bilinear interpolation was used to evaluate the concentrations of air pollution. A cohort study design was adopted in our study. Restricted cubic spline curves were used to evaluate the exposure-response relationship between O₃ exposure and preterm birth risk and explore potential exposure threshold of O₃. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association of O₃ exposure with preterm birth. Results A total of 702 924 pregnant women were included in this study, of whom 43 051 (6.12%) were preterm. The average O₃ exposure concentrations of pregnant women during the first, second, third, and whole trimesters were 95.51, 97.51, 100.60, and 97.87 μg·m⁻³, respectively. We observed J-shaped associations between O₃ exposure and preterm birth risk during the second, third, and whole trimesters of pregnancy using restricted cubic spline curves. This study found that there were threshold concentrations between O₃ exposure and preterm birth risk during different gestational periods, and the threshold concentrations in the first, second, third, and whole trimesters were 112.32, 99.83, 111.74, and 112.46 μg·m⁻³, respectively. During the second, third, and whole trimesters of pregnancy, after adjusting for maternal age, baby sex, pre-pregnancy body mass index, mode of delivery, baby birth weight, gestational diabetes, and gestational hypertension, the odds ratios (OR) of preterm birth were 1.02 (95%CI: 1.01, 1.04), 1.02 (95%CI: 1.00, 1.03), and 1.17 (95%CI: 1.13, 1.21) for each 10 μg·m⁻³ increase in O₃ concentration above the O₃ threshold. No significant association was found between O₃ exposure and the risk of preterm birth during the first trimester. Conclusion There is a nonlinear association between the risk of preterm birth and O₃ exposure during pregnancy, and higher concentrations of O₃ exposure during pregnancy are associated with the risk of preterm birth. Above the O₃ threshold concentration during pregnancy, especially during the second, third, and whole trimesters, the risk of preterm birth elevates with the increase of O₃ exposure concentrations.

Objective To establish a rat model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) expressing human triple mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the hippocampus, and to provide a model for the study of disease mechanisms and drug development. Methods Twenty-four 12-week-old SPF-grade female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group, a virus control group and an experimental group, with eight rats in each group; among them, the experimental group received a stereotaxic injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying the human triple mutant APP and NanoLuc luciferase genes into the hippocampus. In vivo imaging was used to observe viral expression in the brains of rats in each group, the novel object recognition test was used to assess the recognition memory of the rats in each group, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression level of the APP gene, HE staining was used to examine the brain histopathology, Nissl staining was used to assess the hippocampal lesions, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the deposition of amyloid β-protein (Aβ). Results In vivo imaging showed that reporter fluorescence was detected in the brains of rats in both experimental and virus control groups. Fluorescence quantitative PCR showed that the expression level of the APP gene was significantly increased in the brains of rats in the experimental group (P<0.01). Novel object recognition test revealed that the recognition memory of rats in the experimental group was significantly reduced compared with that of the blank control group (P<0.01). Six months after recombinant AAV virus infection, HE staining and Nissl staining of brain tissues showed that the number of neurons and Nissl bodies in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in the experimental group was reduced and disorganized; immuno-histochemistry testing of the CA1 region of the hippocampus and the pyramidal cell layer of the experimental group revealed prominent brown deposits, indicating Aβ protein deposition. Conclusion The rat model successfully established by stereotaxic injection and AAV-mediated delivery of human triple mutant APP gene exhibits typical AD features, providing a valuable animal model for studying AD pathology and developing drug therapies targeting Aβ protein deposition.

Objective To establish a rat model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) expressing human triple mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the hippocampus, and to provide a model for the study of disease mechanisms and drug development. Methods Twenty-four 12-week-old SPF-grade female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group, a virus control group and an experimental group, with eight rats in each group; among them, the experimental group received a stereotaxic injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying the human triple mutant APP and NanoLuc luciferase genes into the hippocampus. In vivo imaging was used to observe viral expression in the brains of rats in each group, the novel object recognition test was used to assess the recognition memory of the rats in each group, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression level of the APP gene, HE staining was used to examine the brain histopathology, Nissl staining was used to assess the hippocampal lesions, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the deposition of amyloid β-protein (Aβ). Results In vivo imaging showed that reporter fluorescence was detected in the brains of rats in both experimental and virus control groups. Fluorescence quantitative PCR showed that the expression level of the APP gene was significantly increased in the brains of rats in the experimental group (P<0.01). Novel object recognition test revealed that the recognition memory of rats in the experimental group was significantly reduced compared with that of the blank control group (P<0.01). Six months after recombinant AAV virus infection, HE staining and Nissl staining of brain tissues showed that the number of neurons and Nissl bodies in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in the experimental group was reduced and disorganized; immuno-histochemistry testing of the CA1 region of the hippocampus and the pyramidal cell layer of the experimental group revealed prominent brown deposits, indicating Aβ protein deposition. Conclusion The rat model successfully established by stereotaxic injection and AAV-mediated delivery of human triple mutant APP gene exhibits typical AD features, providing a valuable animal model for studying AD pathology and developing drug therapies targeting Aβ protein deposition.

Approximately 10% of the global adult population has diabetes, with accumulating evidence linking suboptimal vitamin D levels to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and its complications. Current clinical studies suggest that vitamin D supplementation may enhance insulin sensitivity and improve glycemic control, prompting significant interest in its potential as a therapeutic intervention. However, further high-quality, large-scale randomized controlled trials are required to validate its efficacy in glucose metabolism regulation and clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms. These investigations will provide critical evidence to inform precision medicine approaches for diabetes prevention and management.

Objective To investigate the value of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters in the prognostic assessment of nasopharyngeal cancer patients. Methods The clinical data and PET/CT metabolic parameters of 185 nasopharyngeal cancer patients were retrospectively analyzed. The collected parameters were SUV_max, MTV, TLG, total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV) and whole-body total lesion glycolysis (WTLG). The ROC curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off values of PET/CT metabolic parameters. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to screen the independent prognostic factors. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to analyze the survival differences. Results The results of univariate Cox regression analysis showed that age, pathologic type, WTLG, TMTV, MTV, and TLG were closely associated with OS and PFS; and SUV_max was associated with PFS (P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis results showed that age, TMTV, and WTLG were the independent prognostic factors for OS and PFS (P<0.05). The combination of WTLG with T/N staging (AUC=0.781 and 0.781) and TMTV with T/N staging (AUC=0.800 and 0.790) yielded greater predictive accuracy than that of WTLG and TMTV alone (AUC=0.724 and 0.719) or T/N staging (AUC=0.593 and 0.575). Conclusion TMTV and WTLG are important prognostic predictors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. TLG and MTV of primary lesions are prognostic factors for patients’ PFS and OS. SUV_max has limited prognostic value. Systemic metabolic indexes (TMTV and WTLG), when combined with T/N staging, can optimize prognostic stratification.

Stroke is a critical health issue in China, and carotid artery stenosis and plaque play key roles in its prevalence. Despite the acknowledged significance of this condition, detailed information regarding the prevalence of carotid artery stenosis and plaque across the Chinese population has been scarce. This study analyzed data from the China Stroke High-risk Population Screening and Intervention Program for 2020-2021, focusing on 194 878 Chinese adults aged 40 years and above. It assessed the prevalence of carotid artery stenosis and plaque and identified their associated risk factors. Results revealed a standardized prevalence of 0.40% for carotid artery stenosis and 36.27% for carotid plaque. Notably, the highest rates of stenosis were observed in north and south China at 0.61%, while southwestern China exhibited the highest plaque prevalence at 43.17%. Key risk factors included older age, male gender, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, smoking, and atrial fibrillation. This study highlights significant geographical and demographic disparities in the prevalence of these conditions, underlining the urgent need for targeted interventions and policy reforms. These measures are essential for reducing the incidence of stroke and improving patient outcomes, addressing this significant health challenge in China.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Prevalence ; Middle Aged ; Carotid Stenosis/epidemiology* ; Risk Factors ; Aged ; Adult ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/epidemiology* ; Stroke/epidemiology* ; Aged, 80 and over

Protozoan infections (e.g., malaria, trypanosomiasis, and toxoplasmosis) pose a considerable global burden on public health and socioeconomic problems, leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality. Due to the limited arsenal of effective drugs for these diseases, which are associated with devastating side effects and escalating drug resistance, there is an urgent need for innovative antiprotozoal drugs. The emergence of drug repurposing offers a low-cost approach to discovering new therapies for protozoan diseases. In this review, we summarize recent advances in drug repurposing for various human protozoan diseases and explore cost-effective strategies to identify viable new treatments. We highlight the cross-applicability of repurposed drugs across diverse diseases and harness common chemical motifs to provide new insights into drug design, facilitating the discovery of new antiprotozoal drugs. Challenges and opportunities in the field are discussed, delineating novel directions for ongoing and future research.

Objective To understand the cognition status of medical scientific research ethics review norms among physicians in tertiary hospitals and the factors influencing their awareness.Methods A survey was conducted using a questionnaire.A total of 2 067 questionnaires were distributed to physicians in tertiary hospitals in Henan Province,with an effective response rate of 81.95％.Results(1)Physicians'awareness rate of Regulations on Ethical Review of Biomedical Research Involving Human Subjects reached 69.01％,while that of Opinions on Strengthening Ethical Governance in Science and Technology was only 34.30％.A total of 310 respondents were aware of all six medical research ethics-related regulations.(2)1 153 respondents were familiar with all four basic principles of medical ethics.(3)78.98％of physicians had received training in medical research ethics knowledge.Learning through medical school and special lectures made it easier for physicians to understand medical research ethics knowledge(P＜0.05).(4)The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that educational level,membership in an ethics committee,and receipt of ethics training significantly influenced physicians'understanding of medical research ethics knowledge(P＜0.05).Conclusion Physicians have low awareness of newly issued medical research ethics review norms,targeted training is needed to enhance physicians'research ethics literacy.

Objective To understand the cognition status of medical scientific research ethics review norms among physicians in tertiary hospitals and the factors influencing their awareness.Methods A survey was conducted using a questionnaire.A total of 2 067 questionnaires were distributed to physicians in tertiary hospitals in Henan Province,with an effective response rate of 81.95％.Results(1)Physicians'awareness rate of Regulations on Ethical Review of Biomedical Research Involving Human Subjects reached 69.01％,while that of Opinions on Strengthening Ethical Governance in Science and Technology was only 34.30％.A total of 310 respondents were aware of all six medical research ethics-related regulations.(2)1 153 respondents were familiar with all four basic principles of medical ethics.(3)78.98％of physicians had received training in medical research ethics knowledge.Learning through medical school and special lectures made it easier for physicians to understand medical research ethics knowledge(P＜0.05).(4)The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that educational level,membership in an ethics committee,and receipt of ethics training significantly influenced physicians'understanding of medical research ethics knowledge(P＜0.05).Conclusion Physicians have low awareness of newly issued medical research ethics review norms,targeted training is needed to enhance physicians'research ethics literacy.

Objective To understand the cognition status of medical scientific research ethics review norms among physicians in tertiary hospitals and the factors influencing their awareness.Methods A survey was conducted using a questionnaire.A total of 2 067 questionnaires were distributed to physicians in tertiary hospitals in Henan Province,with an effective response rate of 81.95％.Results(1)Physicians'awareness rate of Regulations on Ethical Review of Biomedical Research Involving Human Subjects reached 69.01％,while that of Opinions on Strengthening Ethical Governance in Science and Technology was only 34.30％.A total of 310 respondents were aware of all six medical research ethics-related regulations.(2)1 153 respondents were familiar with all four basic principles of medical ethics.(3)78.98％of physicians had received training in medical research ethics knowledge.Learning through medical school and special lectures made it easier for physicians to understand medical research ethics knowledge(P＜0.05).(4)The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that educational level,membership in an ethics committee,and receipt of ethics training significantly influenced physicians'understanding of medical research ethics knowledge(P＜0.05).Conclusion Physicians have low awareness of newly issued medical research ethics review norms,targeted training is needed to enhance physicians'research ethics literacy.