OBJECTIVES: Recent evidence suggests that the gut may be a primary site of metformin action. However, studies on the effects of metformin on gut microbiota remain limited, and its impact on gut microbial metabolites such as short-/medium-chain fatty acids is unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of metformin on gut microbiota, short-/medium-chain fatty acids, and associated metabolic benefits in high-fat diet rats. METHODS: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: 1) Normal diet group (ND group), fed standard chow; 2) high-fat diet group (HFD group), fed a high-fat diet; 3) high-fat diet + metformin treatment group (HFD+Met group), fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks, followed by daily intragastric administration of metformin solution (150 mg/kg body weight) starting in week 9. At the end of the experiment, all rats were sacrificed, and serum, liver, and colonic contents were collected for assessment of glucose and lipid metabolism, liver pathology, gut microbiota composition, and the concentrations of short-/medium-chain fatty acids. RESULTS: Metformin significantly improved HFD-induced glucose and lipid metabolic disorders and liver injury. Compared with the HFD group, the HFD+Met group showed reduced abundance of Blautia, Romboutsia, Bilophila, and Bacteroides, while Lactobacillus abundance significantly increased (all P<0.05). Colonic contents of butyric acid, 2-methyl butyric acid, valeric acid, octanoic acid, and lauric acid were significantly elevated (all P<0.05), whereas acetic acid, isoheptanoic acid, and nonanoic acid levels were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis revealed that Lactobacillus abundance was negatively correlated with body weight gain and insulin resistance, while butyrate and valerate levels were negatively correlated with insulin resistance and liver injury (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Metformin significantly increases the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and promotes the production of short-/medium-chain fatty acids including butyric, valeric, and lauric acid in the colonic contents of HFD rats, suggesting that metformin may regulate host metabolism through modulation of the gut microbiota.
Animals ; Metformin/pharmacology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Rats ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Male ; Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism* ; Fatty Acids/metabolism*

Objective To analyze the current occupational health literacy (OHL) level and its influencing factors among manufacturing workers in Bao'an District, Shenzhen City. Methods The front-line workers of manufacturing enterprises from seven key industries in two streets of Bao'an District were selected as the research subjects using a stratified cluster random sampling method. The Occupational Health Literacy Questionnaire of National Key Populations was used to online investigate their OHL level. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to screen the influencing factors of OHL. Results A total of 633 front-line workers of manufacturing enterprises were surveyed, and 283 had OHL, with an overall OHL level of 44.7%. The levels of literacy across different dimensions, from high to low, were basic knowledge of occupational health protection (84.5%), legal knowledge of occupational health (41.5%), health behaviors and practices (41.2%), and basic skills for occupational health protection (22.0%). The results of the multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that younger age, higher educational level, and higher personal monthly income, were related to higher OHL level among the workers (all P<0.05). Conclusion The OHL level of manufacturing workers in Bao'an District, Shenzhen City still has room for improvement. Efforts should focus on workers with low education levels, low incomes, and older ages, with targeted training in theoretical knowledge to improve the practical application of basic skills for occupational health protection, to improve their OHL.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of newly diagnosed occupational chemical poisoning (OCP) cases in Guangdong Province from 2006 to 2023. Methods The basic information of newly diagnosed OCP cases in Guangdong Province from 2006 to 2023 was collected from the Occupational Disease Report Card of the occupational disease network reporting system in China. The epidemiological characteristics were analyzed by the descriptive epidemiological methods. Results A total of 2 201 newly diagnosed OCP cases were reported in Guangdong Province during 2006-2023, showing a fluctuating downward trend with an average annual decrease rate of 6.98%. Occupational acute chemical poisoning (OACP) and occupational chronic chemical poisoning (OCCP) accounted for 18.08% and 81.92% of cases, respectively. Among the OACP cases, the top five disease categories were other OCP, occupational acute 1,2-dichloroethane poisoning, occupational acute dimethylformamide poisoning, occupational acute organophosphate poisoning, and occupational acute hydrogen sulfide poisoning, accounting for 77.14% (307/398). Among the OCCP cases, the top five disease categories were occupational chronic benzene poisoning, occupational chronic n-hexane poisoning, occupational chronic lead poisoning, occupational chronic cadmium poisoning and occupational chronic mercury poisoning, accounting for 97.67% (1 761/1 803), with occupational chronic benzene poisoning being the most prevalent (67.22%). Newly diagnosed OCP cases were predominantly concentrated in the Pearl River Delta region (96.00%), particularly in Dongguan City, Shenzhen City, and Guangzhou City, accounting for 69.29%. The cases mainly occurred in the manufacturing industry, domestically funded enterprises, and small- and medium-sized enterprises, accounting for 93.82%, 54.98%, and 70.88%, respectively. Males accounted for 52.57% of cases, individuals aged <50 years accounted for 91.32%, and workers with <5 years of service accounted for 60.29%. There were significant differences in the distribution of gender, age and length of service between the OACP and OCCP cases (all P<0.01). Conclusion The newly diagnosed OCP cases in Guangdong Province demonstrates a pattern characterized by concentration in disease types, geographic regions, industries, enterprise types, and affected populations, along with a high level of social risk, which was summarized as the feature of "five areas of concentrations and one high-risk factor".

Objective To investigate the impact of various health education intervention strategies on the proper use of personal respiratory protective equipment (RPE) among workers exposed to dust. Methods Dust-exposed workers were recruited from 60 selected enterprises in Guangdong Province using cluster random sampling method. They were randomly allocated to the control, low-intensity intervention, and high-intensity intervention groups, with 358, 346, and 371 workers in each group, respectively. Workers in the control group received no designed intervention. Workers in the low-intensity intervention group received traditional plus mobile health education on the proper use of RPE. Workers in the high-intensity intervention group received all components of the low-intensity intervention, supplemented with peer education. The intervention lasted for six months. RPE usage was compared among the three groups of workers before and after the intervention. Results Workers in the control, low-intensity intervention, and high-intensity intervention groups showed higher rates of both RPE wearing and correct RPE wearing after the intervention than before it within their respective groups (RPE wearing rate: 94.1% vs 99.2%, 95.7% vs 100.0%, 94.6% vs 100.0%, all P<0.01; correct RPE wearing rate: 66.8% vs 91.1%, 67.3% vs 95.7%, 66.6% vs 96.5%, all P<0.01). Post-intervention correct RPE wearing rates were highest in the high-intensity intervention group, followed by the low-intensity intervention group, and the control group, with the percentage of 96.50%, 95.66% and 91.06%, respectively (P<0.01). Binary logistic regression analysis result showed that different intervention strategies affected the correct use of personal RPE among dust-exposed workers after adjusting for gender, age, and other confounding factors (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the rates of correct RPE use increased in the low-intensity intervention group and the high-intensity intervention group (odd ratio was 2.14 and 3.01; 95% confidence interval was 1.12 - 4.10 and 1.53 - 5.91, respectively). Conclusion The implementation of traditional plus mobile health education interventions on the proper use of RPE can promote correct RPE utilization among dust-exposed workers, and integrating peer education further enhances the intervention effectiveness.

Objective To establish high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)characteristic chromatograms of Xinqingduyin Granules(composed of Taraxaci Herba,Lonicerae Japonicae Flos,Chrysanthemi Indici Flos,etc.)and content determination of chicory acid and glycyrrhizic acid,and to optimize the preparation process of Xinqingduyin Granules.Methods Using the characteristic chromatograms of Xinqingduyin and the retention rate of chicory acid and glycyrrhizic acid as indexes,we carried out orthogonal experiment to optimize the extraction process of Xinqingduyin,and studied the concentration process.The molding process of Xinqingduyin Granules was conducted by screening the types and dosage of auxiliary materials,then three batches of pilot experiments were carried out.Results HPLC characteristic chromatograms of Xinqingshuyin Granules and the determination methods of chicory acid and glycyrrhizic acid were established.The optimal preparation technology was as follows:8 times amount of water was added,the drug was decocted for 3 times,with 1 hour per time.After the extract was concentrated under reduced pressure at 80℃,the appropriate amount of steviol glycoside and lactose was added into the extract and mixed.One-step granulation and packaging were adopted.The retention rates of chicoric acid and glycyrrhizic acid in the 3 batches of Xinqingduyin Granules,which were prepared on the pilot scale,were(54.56±1.63)%and(54.96±1.08)%,and the rate of finished product was(87.47±0.49)%,respectively.The quality is uniform,and the characteristic map of Xinqingduyin Granules showed high similarity with that of decoction prepared from the same batch of slices.Conclusion The optimized preparation technology is reasonable,feasible and reproducible.This preparation can be used to obtain the granule with similar materials of Xinqingduyin decoction.

Objective To establish a HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of artemisinin,arteannuin B,chrysosplenetin and chrysosplenol-D in the water extract of Artemisia annua L.Methods The analysis was performed on Agilent ZORBAX SB-C18(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm)column with a mobile phase of acetonitrile(A)-water(B)and the flow rate of 0.8 mL·min-1 in a gradient elution manner.The column temperature was 30℃.The injection volume was 10 μL,and the detection wavelength was 210 nm.Results Artemisinin,arteannuin B,chrysosplenetin and chrysosplenol-D were correlated well linearly with peak area in their respective ranges 1.608 8-16.088 μg(r=0.999 9),0.014 1-0.141 4 μg(r=1),0.185 1-1.850 9 μg(r=0.999 9),0.144 1-1.441 4 μg(r=0.999 9),the average recovery rate(n=6)were 102.44%,97.82%,95.07%,95.55%,and the RSD values were 1.12%,1.44%,1.29%,1.53%.Conclusion This method is convenient and accurate.It has good stability and repeatability,and can be used to simultaneously determine the content of artemisinin,arteannuin B,chrysosplenetin and chrysosplenol-D in the water extract of Artemisia annua L.

Objective To analyze the epidemic status of newly diagnosed occupational diseases in Guangdong Province during the “13th Five-Year Plan” period, and scientifically evaluate the critical risk factors for occupational disease prevention and control. Methods The data of newly diagnosed occupational diseases reported by internet in Guangdong Province from 2016 to 2020 was collected from Report Card of Occupational Diseases using Occupational Diseases and Health Hazard Factors Monitoring Information System under China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Data was used to determine the epidemic status and identify key risk factors. Results A total of 4 846 cases of occupational diseases were reported in Guangdong Province during the “13th Five-Year Plan”period, with an increase rate of 39.13% compared with the “12th Five-Year Plan” period (3 483 cases). The annual distribution of newly diagnosed occupational disease cases showed a trend of increasing and then declining. The top five percentage on types of occupational diseases were occupational noise-induced deafness, occupational silicosis, occupational chronic benzene poisoning, other occupational pneumoconiosis and occupational hand-arm vibration disease, accounting for 45.23%, 16.28%, 11.52%, 7.92% and 4.60%, respectively. Cases from the Pearl River Delta region accounted for 92.76%, while five non-Delta cities had “zero reported cases”. Regarding industry sector, cases were primarily concentrated in manufacturing, construction, and mining, accounting for 84.21%, 5.49% and 3.59%, respectively. Regarding industry categories, cases were concentrated in metal products, non-metallic mineral products, manufacturing of cultur, education, art, sports and entertainment goods, manufacturing of computer, communication and other electric devices, and manufacturing of specialized equipment, accounting for 11.70%, 10.17%, 8.60%, 7.82%, and 4.81%, respectively. A total of 196 enterprises (accounting for 7.39%) reported an average of three or more new cases per year, while 19 enterprises (accounting for 0.72%) reported an average of ten or more cases per year. Conclusion The epidemic status of occupational diseases in Guangdong Province showed a “triple concentration” characteristic in disease types, regions, and industries during the “13th Five-Year Plan” period. Particular attention should be paid to epidemic status of occupational noise-induced deafness, occupational silicosis, occupational chronic benzene poisoning, other occupational pneumoconiosis, and occupational hand-arm vibration disease, and also pay special attention to the prevention and control of occupational diseases in the Pearl River Delta region, cities with “zero reported cases”, manufacturing industry and occupational disease-prone enterprises.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of occupational hand-arm vibration disease (OHAVD) in Guangdong Province from 2006 to 2022. Methods The data of newly reported OHAVD cases and suspected occupational disease cases in Guangdong Province from 2006 to 2022 was collected from the Report Card of Occupational Diseases and Report Card of Suspected Occupational Diseases using Occupational Diseases and Health Hazard Factors Monitoring Information System under China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Epidemiological characteristics of the newly reported OHAVD cases and related suspected occupational disease reports were analyzed. Results A total of 660 newly reported OHAVD cases were reported in Guangdong Province from 2006 to 2022. The number of cases showed a periodic fluctuating trend over the years. Males accounted for 98.64% of the newly reported OHAVD cases with a median age of 38 years and a median hand-transmitted vibration exposure period of 8.7 years. These cases were predominantly distributed in the Pearl River Delta region, including Zhongshan City, Dongguan City, Guangzhou City, Shenzhen City and Foshan City, accounting for 99.25%. The manufacturing enterprises had 98.79% of the cases, investment enterprises of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan merchants of China had 83.18% of the cases, and large- and medium-sized enterprises had 92.73% of the cases. The 660 cases were distributed in 440 enterprises, but there were some characteristics of group outbreaks. There were 20 enterprises (4.55% of the total number of enterprises) had more than three cases involving 219 cases (33.18%). There were five enterprises which had more than 10 cases and the cases number ranged from 12 to 56. Among 382 newly reported OHAVD cases from 2014 to 2022, 44.24% were identified as suspected occupational diseases before diagnosis, of which 59.76% (101/169) were determined by occupational health inspection institutions. Conclusion Newly reported OHAVD cases in Guangdong Province were aggregated in terms of regional distribution, industry, enterprise ownership, and enterprise scale, with a risk of group outbreaks. It is suggested to enhance the OHAVD prevention and control in male workers exposed to hand-transmitted vibrations in the Pearl River Delta's manufacturing enterprises.

With the development of clinical related disciplines, the update and establishment of relevant standards/guidelines at home and abroad, GBZ 185-2006 Diagnostic Criteria for Occupational Medicamentose-like Dermatitis due to Trichloroethylene (hereinafter referred to as “GBZ 185-2006”) was unable to meet clinical needs. Therefore, the GBZ 185-2006 was revised based on the principles of evidence-based medicine, in accordance with relevant laws/regulations and relevant standards/guidelines in combination with review of research data on occupational medicamentose-like dermatitis due to trichloroethylene (OMDT) home and abroad, and the development of clinical practice and clinical related disciplines. The main modifications include: adding terms and definitions of OMDT, modifying the description of clinical manifestations of the diagnostic principles, adjusting the description of latency, deleting the diagnostic requirement of the incidence probability, adding the specific allergen patch test as the etiological diagnostic index, standardizing the application scope, operating procedure and precautions of the specific allergen patch test. In addition, the relevant content of “Basic Characteristics and Clinical Types of Skin Damage of Medicamentose-like Dermatitis due to Trichloroethylene” in Appendix A is improved, the treatment principles are revised, and the content of new progress in treatment, artificial liver application, are added. The revised GBZ 185-2024 Diagnostic Standard for Occupational Medicamentose-like Dermatitis due to Trichloroethylene is more scientific and practical, and can provide technical basis for the standardized diagnosis and treatment of OMDT in medical and health institutions.

ObjectiveTo assess the capacity of health emergency drills for poisoning emergencies at the municipal level in Guangdong Province. Methods A total of 21 municipal teams from cities in Guangdong Province participated in the health emergency drill competition, which included comprehensive tests and practical assessments. Results The pass rate for the total score, comprehensive tests, practical assessments of 21 municipal teams was 66.7%, 33.3%, 66.7%, respectively. The pass rate of the comprehensive tests was lower than that of practical assessments (P<0.01). The pass rate for the total score, comprehensive tests, and practical assessments of team from the Pearl River Delta region was higher than those in non-Pearl River Delta regions (88.9% vs 50.0%, 55.5% vs 16.7%, 88.9% vs 50.0%). For the four comprehensive test items, the highest pass rate was for personal protective principles against chemical poisoning (57.1%). For the five practical assessment items, the highest pass rate was for the selection and matching of personal protective equipment and practice of poisoning detection (both 71.4%). Conclusion It is urgent to improve the capacity of health emergency drills at the municipal level in Guangdong Province. Emphasis should be placed on strengthening capacity building in teams from non-Pearl River Delta regions.