Objective:To analyze the incidence and risk factors of ocular surface disease among power grid construction workers in plateau.Methods:A total of 11 132 construction personnel from the Ngari prefecture-central Tibet power grid interconnection project were included from 2019 to 2020.Baseline characteristics including age, gender, body mass index, developmental and nutritional status, relevant clinical indicators, etc.and follow-up data regarding incidence of ocular surface diseases were obtained from the medical records of Ali interconnection project staff medical station.The altitude of workplace and residence of the study population were obtained from the website (https: //zh-cn.topographic-map.com/legal/).The mean age of the subjects was (36.17±10.48) years, of which 95.33%(10, 612 subjects) were male.The median follow-up time was 1.53 years.The altitude of the residence and workplace were (1 954.77±940.64) and (4 535.09±232.71) meters, respectively.The incidence of ocular surface diseases in groups with different characteristics was calculated.Differential variables for the incidence of ocular surface diseases were screened by univariate Cox proportional hazards regression model.Influencing factors of ocular surface diseases multivariate were explored by Cox proportional hazards model.This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Peking University Health Science Center (No.IRB00001052-21066).Results:During the follow-up period, the incidence of ocular surface disease was 9.27% (1 032 cases), and the incidence of conjunctivitis and keratitis was 6.58% (733 cases) and 1.80% (200 cases), respectively.Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that for every 1 000 meters increase in altitude of residence, the risk of ocular surface disease decreased by 15% ( HR[95% CI]: 0.85[0.80~0.91], P<0.001).For every 100 meters increase in altitude of workplace, the risk of ocular surface disease increased by 5% ( HR[95% CI]: 1.04[1.01~1.07], P=0.006).Decreased blood oxygen saturation ( HR[95% CI]: 1.09[1.02~1.16], P=0.007), hearing pulmonary dry rales (hazard ratio ( HR)[95% CI]: 1.53[1.12~2.09], P=0.007) and heart murmurs ( HR[95% CI]: 4.44[1.43~13.83], P=0.010) were associated with ocular surface disease. Conclusions:The incidence of ocular surface disease in personnel engaged in electric grid construction at high altitudes should not be ignored.High working altitude, low residence altitude, pulmonary dry rales, heart murmurs and low blood oxygen saturation are factors associated with the incidence of ocular surface disease.

BACKGROUND:Synovitis is involved in all stages of osteoarthritis and is a key factor contributing to the development of osteoarthritis.Studies have shown that circular RNA(circRNA)plays an important role in the proliferation,apoptosis and extracellular matrix degradation of synovial cells and chondrocytes.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of circRNA SEC24A on the interleukin-1β-induced proliferation,apoptosis,and expression of inflammatory factors in human synovial fibroblasts.METHODS:Human synovial fibroblasts were divided into four groups,including control group,interleukin-1β group,empty vector group,and sh-circSEC24A group.Except for the control group,the other three groups were induced with 10 ng/mL interleukin-1β for 24 hours to establish inflammatory cell models;the empty vector group and sh-circSEC24A group were infected with empty vector virus and lentiviral vector knocking down circSEC24A.CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell proliferation.Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis.ELISA was used to detect the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9,matrix metalloproteinase-13,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α in cell supernatant.Western blot assay was used to detect the relative expression levels of Bax,Bcl-2,matrix metalloproteinase-9,matrix metalloproteinase-13,casepase3,cleaved-casepase3,casepase8,and cleaved-casepase8 proteins in cells.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)qRT-PCR results showed that compared with the normal group,the expression of circSEC24A in human synovial fibroblasts induced by interleukin 1β was significantly up-regulated.(2)The absorbance value of cells in the sh-circSEC24A group detected by CCK-8 assay was significantly higher than that of interleukin 1β group and empty vector group(P＜0.05).The apoptosis rate of sh-circSEC24A group detected by flow cytometry was significantly lower than that of interleukin 1β group and empty vector group(P＜0.05).(3)The levels of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 in the supernatant of human synovial fibroblasts in the sh-circSEC24A group detected by ELISA were significantly lower than those in the interleukin 1β group and the empty vector group(P＜0.01,P＜0.001).(4)Western blot assay results showed that compared with the interleukin 1β group and the empty vector group,the expression of the pro-apoptotic factor Bax protein in the sh-circSEC24A group significantly decreased,and the expression of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 protein increased significantly(P＜0.05);apoptosis and related activating factors cleaved-casepase3 and cleaved-casepase8 protein expressions were both reduced(P＜0.05).(5)ELISA and western blot assay results showed that compared with the interleukin 1β group and the empty vector group,the sh-circSEC24A group had lower levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and matrix metalloproteinase 13 protein(P＜0.05).These findings indicated that the expression of circSEC24A was abnormally increased in human synovial fibroblasts induced by interleukin 1β.Knocking down circSEC24A expression could promote the proliferation of human synovial fibroblasts and inhibit apoptosis,inflammatory factor release,and extracellular matrix degradation,suggesting that circSEC24A may be an important intervention target for early osteoarthritis.

Objective:To analyze the incidence and risk factors of ocular surface disease among power grid construction workers in plateau.Methods:A total of 11 132 construction personnel from the Ngari prefecture-central Tibet power grid interconnection project were included from 2019 to 2020.Baseline characteristics including age, gender, body mass index, developmental and nutritional status, relevant clinical indicators, etc.and follow-up data regarding incidence of ocular surface diseases were obtained from the medical records of Ali interconnection project staff medical station.The altitude of workplace and residence of the study population were obtained from the website (https: //zh-cn.topographic-map.com/legal/).The mean age of the subjects was (36.17±10.48) years, of which 95.33%(10, 612 subjects) were male.The median follow-up time was 1.53 years.The altitude of the residence and workplace were (1 954.77±940.64) and (4 535.09±232.71) meters, respectively.The incidence of ocular surface diseases in groups with different characteristics was calculated.Differential variables for the incidence of ocular surface diseases were screened by univariate Cox proportional hazards regression model.Influencing factors of ocular surface diseases multivariate were explored by Cox proportional hazards model.This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Peking University Health Science Center (No.IRB00001052-21066).Results:During the follow-up period, the incidence of ocular surface disease was 9.27% (1 032 cases), and the incidence of conjunctivitis and keratitis was 6.58% (733 cases) and 1.80% (200 cases), respectively.Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that for every 1 000 meters increase in altitude of residence, the risk of ocular surface disease decreased by 15% ( HR[95% CI]: 0.85[0.80~0.91], P<0.001).For every 100 meters increase in altitude of workplace, the risk of ocular surface disease increased by 5% ( HR[95% CI]: 1.04[1.01~1.07], P=0.006).Decreased blood oxygen saturation ( HR[95% CI]: 1.09[1.02~1.16], P=0.007), hearing pulmonary dry rales (hazard ratio ( HR)[95% CI]: 1.53[1.12~2.09], P=0.007) and heart murmurs ( HR[95% CI]: 4.44[1.43~13.83], P=0.010) were associated with ocular surface disease. Conclusions:The incidence of ocular surface disease in personnel engaged in electric grid construction at high altitudes should not be ignored.High working altitude, low residence altitude, pulmonary dry rales, heart murmurs and low blood oxygen saturation are factors associated with the incidence of ocular surface disease.

BACKGROUND:Synovitis is involved in all stages of osteoarthritis and is a key factor contributing to the development of osteoarthritis.Studies have shown that circular RNA(circRNA)plays an important role in the proliferation,apoptosis and extracellular matrix degradation of synovial cells and chondrocytes.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of circRNA SEC24A on the interleukin-1β-induced proliferation,apoptosis,and expression of inflammatory factors in human synovial fibroblasts.METHODS:Human synovial fibroblasts were divided into four groups,including control group,interleukin-1β group,empty vector group,and sh-circSEC24A group.Except for the control group,the other three groups were induced with 10 ng/mL interleukin-1β for 24 hours to establish inflammatory cell models;the empty vector group and sh-circSEC24A group were infected with empty vector virus and lentiviral vector knocking down circSEC24A.CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell proliferation.Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis.ELISA was used to detect the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9,matrix metalloproteinase-13,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α in cell supernatant.Western blot assay was used to detect the relative expression levels of Bax,Bcl-2,matrix metalloproteinase-9,matrix metalloproteinase-13,casepase3,cleaved-casepase3,casepase8,and cleaved-casepase8 proteins in cells.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)qRT-PCR results showed that compared with the normal group,the expression of circSEC24A in human synovial fibroblasts induced by interleukin 1β was significantly up-regulated.(2)The absorbance value of cells in the sh-circSEC24A group detected by CCK-8 assay was significantly higher than that of interleukin 1β group and empty vector group(P＜0.05).The apoptosis rate of sh-circSEC24A group detected by flow cytometry was significantly lower than that of interleukin 1β group and empty vector group(P＜0.05).(3)The levels of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 in the supernatant of human synovial fibroblasts in the sh-circSEC24A group detected by ELISA were significantly lower than those in the interleukin 1β group and the empty vector group(P＜0.01,P＜0.001).(4)Western blot assay results showed that compared with the interleukin 1β group and the empty vector group,the expression of the pro-apoptotic factor Bax protein in the sh-circSEC24A group significantly decreased,and the expression of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 protein increased significantly(P＜0.05);apoptosis and related activating factors cleaved-casepase3 and cleaved-casepase8 protein expressions were both reduced(P＜0.05).(5)ELISA and western blot assay results showed that compared with the interleukin 1β group and the empty vector group,the sh-circSEC24A group had lower levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and matrix metalloproteinase 13 protein(P＜0.05).These findings indicated that the expression of circSEC24A was abnormally increased in human synovial fibroblasts induced by interleukin 1β.Knocking down circSEC24A expression could promote the proliferation of human synovial fibroblasts and inhibit apoptosis,inflammatory factor release,and extracellular matrix degradation,suggesting that circSEC24A may be an important intervention target for early osteoarthritis.

Objective:To explore the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on interleukin-33 (IL-33)/growth stimulation expressed gene 2 (ST2) signaling pathway in the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) of rats modeling hyperalgesia (HP).Methods:This study consisted of two experiments. In the first, 30 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a Sham-HP group, an HP group, an antibody group and an inhibitor group, each of 6. HP was induced in all except the rats of the blank and Sham-HP groups by injecting carrageenan (Car) and prostaglandin E2 subcutaneously at the bottom of the left hind feet. The antibody and inhibitor groups were then given intrathecal injections of anti-ST2 antibody and a tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)-specific inhibitor, respectively. In the second experiment, 42 SD rats were randomly divided into a Sham-HP group, an HP group, a TENSⅠgroup, a TENS II group, a TENS I inhibitor group, a TENS II inhibitor group, and a Sham-TENS group, each of 6. All of the groups had HP induced as in experiment one. All of the rats except those in the Sham-HP, HP and Sham-TENS groups were then given TENS, and the TENS I and II inhibitor groups were offered intrathecal injection of TNF-α-specific inhibitors. Mechanical pain thresholds (MPTs) were documented 4h, 24h, 48h, 72h, 6d, 7d 4h, 7d 1h, and 7d after the Car injections. Western blotting was used to measure the protein expressions of IL-33, ST2 and TNF-α 6d after the Car injection in both experiments.Results:In experiment one, the average MPTs of the HP, antibody and inhibitor groups had decreased significantly 4 hours after the Car injection compared with the blank and Sham-HP groups. However, 7d 1h after the Car injection the value had increased significantly in the Sham-HP, antibody and inhibitor groups compared with the HP group, while the expressions of IL-33, ST2 and TNF-α had decreased significantly. In experiment two, by 4 hours after the Car injection, the average MPT of all the other groups had decreased significantly compared with the Sham-HP group. Moreover, by 7d 1h after the Car injection, the average MPTs of the groups receiving TENS had increased significantly, with significantly lower MPT in the TENS Ⅱ group than in group Ⅰ, on average. There was also significantly higher expression of IL-33, ST2 and TNF-α in group II. Compared with the TENS Ⅰ and Ⅱ groups, the average MPT was significantly higher in the TENS I and Ⅱ inhibitor groups, but IL-33, ST2 and TNF-α expression was lower.Conclusions:TENS can inhibit TNF-α expression, which influences the signals of the DRG IL-33/ST2 signaling pathway to reverse hyperalgesia. TENS combined with anti-TNF-α treatment is superior to TENS alone in treating hyperalgesia.

Objective To compare the differences in gut microbiota between cirrhosis patients receiving transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)and those not,and explore the relationship between TIPS surgery and gut microbiota in order to provide new ideas for improving the prognosis of cirrhosis patients after TIPS surgery based on gut microbiota.Methods Those who had received TIPS surgery previously were assigned into the operation group,and those without the surgery served as the control group.Their stool samples were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing,and the correlation between gut microbiota and clinical indicators was analyzed.Results There were no significant differences in gender,age,body mass index(BMI),etiology and other baseline data between the 2 groups(P＞0.05),but obvious differences were observed in clinical serological indicators between them,including INR,APTT,RBC and PT counts,and HGB,ALP,ALB,total bilirubin(TBIL),and URE levels(P＜0.05).No statistical difference in alpha diversity was observed between the operation group and the control group(P＞0.05),but beta diversity was obviously different(P＜0.01),among which Bacteroides was increased in the operation group(P＜0.01)and Bifidobacterium was increased in the control group(P＜0.05).The function prediction analysis of gut microbiota showed that the metabolism of D-glutamine and D-glutamate(P＜0.05)and biosynthesis with secondary bile acids(P＜0.05)were up-regulated in the operation group compared with the control group.Correlation analysis between clinical indicators and flora indicated that TBIL and direct bilirubin(DBIL)were significantly correlated with the metabolic pathways of Bacteroides and Secondary bile acids biosynthesis.Conclusion Characteristic changes in gut microbiota are found in cirrhosis patients with and without TIPS surgery.Bacteroides may be involved in the regulation of metabolism of bile acids and thus increase bilirubin level.

Humans ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/pathology* ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell/pathology* ; Genetic Markers ; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics* ; Urothelium/pathology*

Objective:To analyze the correlation between drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE), results, polysomnography (PSG) indicators, and clinical parameters in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and to establish and validate a predictive model for tongue base plane obstruction.Methods:This retrospective study analyzed 117 OSA patients diagnosed via PSG and treated at the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, between October 2014 and March 2022. The cohort comprised of 114 males and 3 females, with an age range of 20 to 54 years (mean age 38.1±8.4 years). Data on DISE results, PSG results, and clinical indicators were collected for all 117 patients. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify relevant indicators, and a predictive model for tongue base plane obstruction was constructed and internally validated using the R programming language.Results:Univariate logistic regression analysis identified four independent risk factors for predicting tongue root plane obstruction: tonsil grading, N2, N3, and rapid eye movement sleep(REM) stage [ OR:0.412(0.260~0.652),1.045(1.012~1.079),0.943(0.903~0.984),0.961(0.925~0.998), P <0.05]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed tonsil grading and N3 sleep stage (12.48±12.22%) as significant predictors. A nomogram model incorporating these factors demonstrated good predictive performance, with an area under curve(AUC) of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.548-1.000), an optimal cutoff of 0.519, a specificity of 80.0%, and a sensitivity of 86.7%. Internal validation of the model in the validation cohort yielded an AUC of 0.751 (95% CI: 0.625-0.876). Conclusions:Tongue base plane obstruction observed during DISE in OSA patients is associated with tonsil grading and N3 sleep stage duration. The predictive model developed for tongue base plane obstruction based on DISE demonstrates good efficacy, as evidenced by its internal validation.

Objective:To construct an evaluation indicator system for the efficiency of nursing human resources in integrated medical and elderly care institutions using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and subsequently evaluate its effectiveness.Methods:This cross-sectional survey utilized literature review and investigative methods to initially establish a library of evaluation indicators for nursing human resource efficiency. The Delphi method was employed in two rounds of consultations with 17 experts from various fields, including nursing management, elderly care institution management, integrated medical and elderly care institution management, health economics management, and public health. The reliability of the indicator system was assessed based on factors such as expert enthusiasm, authority, concentration of opinions, and coordination. Adjustments, modifications, and improvements were made to the indicators based on expert opinions to establish the final indicator system. From August to December 2022, the DEA model was applied to evaluate the efficiency of 12 integrated medical and elderly care institutions in Haikou city based on this indicator system.Results:The constructed evaluation indicator system comprised 68 items divided into three levels: 9 primary indicators, 19 secondary indicators, and 40 tertiary indicators. The positive coefficients of the two rounds of expert consultations were 100% and 94.1%, with authority coefficients of 0.88 and 0.92, Kendall harmony coefficients of 0.471 and 0.348, and mean coefficients of variation of 0.16 and 0.12 ( P<0.001). DEA evaluation results for the 12 integrated medical and elderly care institutions showed that 5 were DEA effective institutions with comprehensive efficiency (OE), technical efficiency (TE), and scale efficiency (SE) values all equal to 1.000, while 7 were non-DEA effective institutions, including 4 with SE <1.000 but TE=1.000 and 3 with both SE and TE<1.000. Conclusions:The constructed evaluation indicator system demonstrates high enthusiasm, authority coefficients, and coordination in expert consultations, indicating high acceptability and comprehensive content with distinct levels and strong specialty characteristics. The DEA model′s evaluation results objectively and effectively reflect the efficiency of nursing human resources in integrated medical and elderly care institutions, demonstrating practical utility.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the biomarkers of tinnitus in vestibular schwannoma patients using electroencephalographic (EEG) microstate technology. METHODS: The EEG and clinical data of 41 patients with vestibular schwannoma were collected. All the patients were evaluated by SAS, SDS, THI and VAS scales. The EEG acquisition time was 10-15 min, and the EEG data were preprocessed and analyzed using MATLAB and EEGLAB software package. RESULTS: Of the 41 patients with vestibular schwannoma, 29 patients had tinnitus and 12 did not have tinnitus, and their clinical parameters were comparable. The average global explanation variances of the non-tinnitus and tinnitus groups were 78.8% and 80.1%, respectively. The results of EEG microstate analysis showed that compared with those without tinnitus, the patients with tinnitus had an increased frequency (P=0.033) and contribution (P=0.028) of microstate C. Correlation analysis showed that THI scale scores of the patients were negatively correlated with the duration of microstate A (R=-0.435, P=0.018) and positively with the frequencies of microstate B (R=0.456, P=0.013) and microstate C (R=0.412, P=0.026). Syntax analysis showed that the probability of transition from microstate C to microstate B increased significantly in vestibular schwannoma patients with tinnitus (P=0.031). CONCLUSION EEG microstate features differ significantly between vestibular schwannoma patients with and without tinnitus. This abnormality in patients with tinnitus may reflect the potential abnormality in the allocation of neural resources and the transition of brain functional activity.
Humans ; Neuroma, Acoustic/complications* ; Electroencephalography ; Patients ; Probability