Objective To quantitatively assess the association of short-term exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) with residents mortality. Methods A time-stratified case-crossover study was conducted from 2020 to 2022 among 10606 non-accidental residents by using the Guangzhou Cause of Death Surveillance System in Conghua District, Guangzhou. Exposure levels of PAHs in PM_2.5 and meteorological data during the study period were obtained from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Conghua District and the China Meteorological Administration Land Data Assimilation System (CLDAS-V2.0), respectively. Conditional Poisson regression model was used to estimate the exposure-response association between PAHs and the mortality risk. Results Fluoranthene, chrysene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene were significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality. For every one interquartile range increase in exposure levels, the non-accidental mortality risks increased by 8.33% (95% CI: 1.80%, 15.27%), 4.67% (95% CI: 1.86%, 7.57%), 6.07% (95% CI: 2.08%, 10.21%), 4.62% (95% CI: 1.85%, 7.47%), and 4.70% (95% CI: 0.53%, 9.03%), respectively. The estimated non accidental deaths attributable to exposure to fluoranthene, chrysene, benzo[k]fluorine, benzo[a]pyrene and indine[1,2,3-cd]pyrene were 5.91%, 6.08%, 6.51%, 6.46%, and 4.21%, respectively. Conclusions Short-term exposure to PAHs in PM_2.5, including fluoranthene, chrysene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene and indine[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, was significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality among residents.

Background Exposure to air pollutants increases the risk of diseases in multiple systems, including respiratory and cardiovascular systems, yet its association with neurological diseases remains unclear. Objective To quantitatively evaluate the association between short-term exposure to air pollutants and outpatient and emergency visits for neurological diseases, identify potential susceptible populations, and quantify associated disease burden. Methods Daily 24-hour average concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), inhalable particulate matter (PM₁₀), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO), daily maximum 8-hour average concentration of ozone (O₃), daily meteorological data (24-hour average temperature, 24-hour average relative humidity), and data on daily outpatient and emergency department visits for neurological diseases from two hospitals in Conghua District, Guangzhou, China, were collected from 2015 to 2022. A time-stratified case-crossover design was adopted, and a conditional Poisson regression model was constructed to analyze the association between air pollution exposure and neurological disease visits. Two-pollutant models and sensitivity analysis were used to validate model stability. Stratified analyses by season (cold season: from November to March; warm season: from April to October), sex (male, female), and age (≤45 years, 46–60 years, ≥61 years) were performed to identify vulnerable group. Additionally, the number and proportion of neurological disease visits attributable to short-term air pollutant exposure were calculated. Results A total of 72 673 outpatient and emergency department visits for neurological diseases were included during the study period. Most of the patients were middle-aged and elderly individuals (69.89% were over 45 years old) and females (60.25%). The results of single-pollutant models showed that for each interquartile range (IQR) increase in exposure to PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, CO, and O₃, the risk of outpatient and emergency department visits for neurological diseases increased by 7.54% (95%CI: 4.69%, 10.46%), 6.66% (95%CI: 3.92%, 9.46%), 16.72% (95%CI: 10.58%, 23.19%), 8.12% (95%CI: 4.82%, 11.53%), 5.60% (95%CI: 2.34%, 8.97%), and 6.11% (95%CI: 2.91%, 9.40%), respectively. The results of the two-pollutant model showed that the association between PM_2.5 and SO₂ exposure and outpatient and emergency department visits for neurological diseases were relatively stable. The stratified analyses showed that the effect of SO₂ was stronger in the cold season. It was estimated that 8.32% (95%CI: 5.55%, 10.96%) and 6.65% (95%CI: 4.27%, 8.96%) of the outpatient and emergency department visits were attributable to short-term exposure to SO₂ and PM_2.5, respectively. Conclusion Exposure to PM_2.5 and SO₂ is associated with increased risks of outpatient and emergency visits for neurological diseases. SO₂ shows stronger effects during the cold season, and exposure to air pollution contributes to up to 8.32% of neurological disease visits.

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of combining Ki67, molecular subtyping, and ultrasonographic parameters in predicting axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer.Methods:200 breast cancer patients who were admitted to Meizhou People’s Hospital from Jan. 2020 to Dec. 2022 were collected. Based on the presence or absence of axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer, the patients were divided into an axillary lymph node metastasis group and a non-axillary lymph node metastasis group. Age, clinical stage, tumor location, tumor size, degree of differentiation, boundary, blood flow, echo, calcification, morphology, vascular invasion, Ki67, molecular typing, resistance index (RI) , shear wave velocity were collected. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the risk factors for axillary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer, and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the clinical value of ki67, molecular typing combined with ultrasound parameters in the diagnosis of axillary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in age, clinical stage, tumor location, tumor size, differentiation degree, boundary, blood flow, echo or calcification between the axillary lymph node metastasis group and the non-axillary lymph node metastasis group ( t=0.80, χ20.13, χ2=0.14, χ2=0.90, χ2=0.64, χ2=1.03, χ2=0.04, χ2=0.34, χ2=1.2, P>0.05) , while there were statistically significant differences in morphology, vascular invasion, Ki67, molecular classification, RI and shear wave velocity between the two groups ( χ2=12.01, χ2=8.75, χ2=11.36, χ2=11.43, t=6.34, t=7.25, P<0.05) . Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that vascular invasion, Ki67 high expression, triple negative breast cancer, RI and shear wave velocity were all risk factors for axillary lymph node metastasis ( OR=5.572,4.026,3.632,107.639,1.936, P<0.05) . ROC curve analysis results showed that the AUC of Ki67, molecular typing, RI and shear wave velocity in the diagnosis of axillary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer was 0.620, 0.594, 0.744 and 0.792, respectively, and the AUC of Ki67, molecular typing, RI and shear wave velocity in the diagnosis of axillary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer was 0.846. The AUC of the combination of Ki67, molecular typing, RI and shear wave velocity in the diagnosis of axillary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer was higher than that of Ki67, molecular typing, RI and shear wave velocity alone ( Z=5.55,7.10,3.44,2.45, P<0.05) . Conclusions:High Ki67 expression, triple-negative breast cancer, lymphovascular invasion,RI, and shear wave velocity are all risk factors for axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer. The combined use of Ki67, molecular subtype, RI, and shear wave velocity can improve the diagnostic accuracy for axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer.

The goal of medical talent training under the new medical science concept is to comprehensively enhance the quality of medical education and cultivate high-quality medical talents with interdisciplinary integration, innovation spirit, and an international perspective to meet the demands of the new era. To achieve this goal, the joint education program between Chongqing Medical University and the University of Leicester integrates comprehensive quality development into the undergraduate medical education system, introducing the cutting-edge international course "Respiratory and Cancer Precision Medicine". This course centers on precision medicine, spanning respiratory diseases and oncology, and uses a clinical-basic cyclical integrated course design with a highly-informationized blended teaching model. Students have gained a close integration of clinical practice and research capabilities, significantly enhancing their inquiry spirit, critical thinking, independent learning, and higher-order cognitive skills. They also engage in innovative thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration within an international context to better address complex medical issues. This paper provides a detailed analysis of the practice and research of the introduced course, offering valuable insights for cultivating high-quality medical talents.

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of combining Ki67, molecular subtyping, and ultrasonographic parameters in predicting axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer.Methods:200 breast cancer patients who were admitted to Meizhou People’s Hospital from Jan. 2020 to Dec. 2022 were collected. Based on the presence or absence of axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer, the patients were divided into an axillary lymph node metastasis group and a non-axillary lymph node metastasis group. Age, clinical stage, tumor location, tumor size, degree of differentiation, boundary, blood flow, echo, calcification, morphology, vascular invasion, Ki67, molecular typing, resistance index (RI) , shear wave velocity were collected. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the risk factors for axillary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer, and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the clinical value of ki67, molecular typing combined with ultrasound parameters in the diagnosis of axillary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in age, clinical stage, tumor location, tumor size, differentiation degree, boundary, blood flow, echo or calcification between the axillary lymph node metastasis group and the non-axillary lymph node metastasis group ( t=0.80, χ20.13, χ2=0.14, χ2=0.90, χ2=0.64, χ2=1.03, χ2=0.04, χ2=0.34, χ2=1.2, P>0.05) , while there were statistically significant differences in morphology, vascular invasion, Ki67, molecular classification, RI and shear wave velocity between the two groups ( χ2=12.01, χ2=8.75, χ2=11.36, χ2=11.43, t=6.34, t=7.25, P<0.05) . Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that vascular invasion, Ki67 high expression, triple negative breast cancer, RI and shear wave velocity were all risk factors for axillary lymph node metastasis ( OR=5.572,4.026,3.632,107.639,1.936, P<0.05) . ROC curve analysis results showed that the AUC of Ki67, molecular typing, RI and shear wave velocity in the diagnosis of axillary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer was 0.620, 0.594, 0.744 and 0.792, respectively, and the AUC of Ki67, molecular typing, RI and shear wave velocity in the diagnosis of axillary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer was 0.846. The AUC of the combination of Ki67, molecular typing, RI and shear wave velocity in the diagnosis of axillary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer was higher than that of Ki67, molecular typing, RI and shear wave velocity alone ( Z=5.55,7.10,3.44,2.45, P<0.05) . Conclusions:High Ki67 expression, triple-negative breast cancer, lymphovascular invasion,RI, and shear wave velocity are all risk factors for axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer. The combined use of Ki67, molecular subtype, RI, and shear wave velocity can improve the diagnostic accuracy for axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer.

The goal of medical talent training under the new medical science concept is to comprehensively enhance the quality of medical education and cultivate high-quality medical talents with interdisciplinary integration, innovation spirit, and an international perspective to meet the demands of the new era. To achieve this goal, the joint education program between Chongqing Medical University and the University of Leicester integrates comprehensive quality development into the undergraduate medical education system, introducing the cutting-edge international course "Respiratory and Cancer Precision Medicine". This course centers on precision medicine, spanning respiratory diseases and oncology, and uses a clinical-basic cyclical integrated course design with a highly-informationized blended teaching model. Students have gained a close integration of clinical practice and research capabilities, significantly enhancing their inquiry spirit, critical thinking, independent learning, and higher-order cognitive skills. They also engage in innovative thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration within an international context to better address complex medical issues. This paper provides a detailed analysis of the practice and research of the introduced course, offering valuable insights for cultivating high-quality medical talents.

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of clinical, multi-parameter magnetic resonance imaging (MP-MRI) combined with transrectal ultrasound elasticity data for prostate cancer.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on patient data from November 2021 to March 2023 when transrectal prostate two-dimensional ultrasound, real-time strain elastography of the prostate, MP-MRI examination of the prostate, and prostate biopsy were performed simultaneously at the Meizhou People′s Hospital. We collected patient age, height, weight, free serum prostate specific antigen (fPSA), total prostate specific antigen (tPSA), fPSA/tPSA, MRI prostate imaging report and data system (PI-RADS) scores, and ultrasound elasticity values. Four predictive models for prostate cancer diagnosis were constructed using multivariate logistic regression for comparison, and the optimal model was selected to construct a column chart. The diagnostic performance of different models was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and the diagnostic performance of column charts was evaluated using calibration curves.Results:This study included a total of 117 patients with 117 prostate lesions, 47 benign prostate lesions, and 70 prostate cancer lesions. There were statistically significant differences in age, fPSA, tPSA, fPSA/tPSA, PI-RADS scores, and ultrasound elasticity values between benign and malignant lesions patients (all P<0.01). The area under the curve (AUC) of the clinical model (age+ tPSA+ fPSA+ fPSA/tPSA), MRI model (PI-RADS score), ultrasound elastic model, and clinical+ MRI+ ultrasound elastic combined model for diagnosing prostate cancer were 0.86, 0.86, 0.92, and 0.98, respectively. Conclusions:Compared with a single diagnostic model, the combination of age, tPSA, fPSA/tPSA, PI-RADS scores, and ultrasound elasticity value model can improve the diagnostic rate of prostate cancer.

Objective:To investigate the changes in gray matter volume of the subsystems as well as intra-subsystem and inter-subsystem functional connectivity in the default mode network (DMN) of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients with preserved cognitive function.Methods:In this prospective study, thirty-seven RRMS patients with preserved cognitive function who were admitted to Huashan Hospital of Fudan University from April 2020 to January 2021 (RRMS group) and 43 healthy volunteers (HC group) were recruited. Patients in the RRMS group received the cognitive assessment using a clinical cognitive functioning scale. Three-dimensional T 1WI and resting-state functional MRI were performed to obtain the brain structural and functional data. The DMN was divided into three subsystems: CORE, dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC), and medial temporal lobe (MTL). The gray matter volume of the three subsystems were extracted from the gray matter volume map generated by spatial normalization; 24 regions of interest (ROIs) of the DMN were defined based on Yeo′s 17 networks, and their functional connectivity values were calculated to derive the mean intra-subsystem and inter-subsystem functional connectivity values. Differences in gray matter volume and functional connectivity between the RRMS and HC groups were compared using independent sample t-tests; Spearman′s partial correlation was used to analyze the correlation between subsystems′ gray matter volume and functional connectivity, as well as between subsystems′ functional connectivity and clinical scale scores. Results:Compared to the HC group, the gray matter volume of the three subsystems of the DMN were considerably reduced in the RRMS group ( P<0.05). The functional connectivity within and between the three subsystems were not statistically significantly different between the HC and RRMS groups ( P>0.05). Based on the ROI analysis, patients with RRMS the brain regions with significantly reduced DMN intra-subsystem functional connectivity values were mainly located in the left dorsomedial prefrontal cortex of the DMPFC, the right lateral temporal cortex of the DMPFC, and the left medial temporal cortex of the MTL, as compared with the HC group ( P<0.01). The gray matter volume of DMPFC was positively correlated with the functional connectivity within DMPFC in the control group ( r=0.326, P=0.040). In the RRMS group, the gray matter volume of CORE was positively correlated with the functional connectivity between CORE and DMPFC ( r=0.363, P=0.038), and the functional connectivity within CORE was positively correlated with scores on the memory and executive screening scale ( r=0.430, P=0.036). Conclusions:RRMS patients with preserved cognitive function exhibit gray matter atrophy in all three DMN subsystems. There is no correlation between the structure and function of the DMPFC subsystem. The functional connectivity within CORE subsystem may reflect memory and execution status; DMPFC and CORE may be critical encephalic regions for neurodegeneration and brain functional changes in RRMS patients with preserved cognitive function.

Objective Health education resource allocation is one of the basic indicators for evaluating health equity. At present, the research on the equity of health education resource allocation in China is mostly limited to a single year or regional data. This study was aimed to understand the equity of health education resources in the whole China from 2015-2019, and to provide a corresponding basis for further rational allocation of health education resources. Methods The data was obtained based on the number of health education training work, health education publicity work, distribution of health education publicity materials and the annual use of funds carried out mainly by the CDC or health education centers in each province according to the 2016-2020 China Health Statistics Yearbook. The inequality coefficient (Gini coefficient) and Lorenz curve were applied to study the selected data. Results The total number of health education resources in China from 2015-2019 was 1 789 735 and 1 933 336, respectively. The Gini coefficients of health education resource allocation by population distribution were all below the warning line of 0.4, which were in an equitable state. Conclusion The equity of health education resources in China is good according to demographic indicators, and there is no significant inequity. Especially, the aspects of health education services, such as technical consultation and media cooperation, are relatively good, but there is still much room for improvement in the construction of websites.

With the emergence of DNA nanotechnology in the 1980s, self-assembled DNA nanostructures have attracted considerable attention worldwide due to their inherent biocompatibility, unsurpassed programmability, and versatile functions. Especially promising nanostructures are tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNAs), first proposed by Turberfield with the use of a one-step annealing approach. Benefiting from their various merits, such as simple synthesis, high reproducibility, structural stability, cellular internalization, tissue permeability, and editable functionality, tFNAs have been widely applied in the biomedical field as three-dimensional DNA nanomaterials. Surprisingly, tFNAs exhibit positive effects on cellular biological behaviors and tissue regeneration, which may be used to treat inflammatory and degenerative diseases. According to their intended application and carrying capacity, tFNAs could carry functional nucleic acids or therapeutic molecules through extended sequences, sticky-end hybridization, intercalation, and encapsulation based on the Watson and Crick principle. Additionally, dynamic tFNAs also have potential applications in controlled and targeted therapies. This review summarized the latest progress in pure/modified/dynamic tFNAs and demonstrated their regenerative medicine applications. These applications include promoting the regeneration of the bone, cartilage, nerve, skin, vasculature, or muscle and treating diseases such as bone defects, neurological disorders, joint-related inflammatory diseases, periodontitis, and immune diseases.
Nucleic Acids/chemistry* ; Regenerative Medicine ; Consensus ; Reproducibility of Results ; DNA/chemistry*