OBJECTIVE: Pneumoconiosis, a lung disease caused by irreversible fibrosis, represents a significant public health burden. This study investigates the causal relationships between gut microbiota, gene methylation, gene expression, protein levels, and pneumoconiosis using a multi-omics approach and Mendelian randomization (MR). METHODS: We analyzed gut microbiota data from MiBioGen and Esteban et al. to assess their potential causal effects on pneumoconiosis subtypes (asbestosis, silicosis, and inorganic pneumoconiosis) using conventional and summary-data-based MR (SMR). Gene methylation and expression data from Genotype-Tissue Expression and eQTLGen, along with protein level data from deCODE and UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project, were examined in relation to pneumoconiosis data from FinnGen. To validate our findings, we assessed self-measured gut flora from a pneumoconiosis cohort and performed fine mapping, drug prediction, molecular docking, and Phenome-Wide Association Studies to explore relevant phenotypes of key genes. RESULTS: Three core gut microorganisms were identified: Romboutsia ( OR = 0.249) as a protective factor against silicosis, Pasteurellaceae ( OR = 3.207) and Haemophilus parainfluenzae ( OR = 2.343) as risk factors for inorganic pneumoconiosis. Additionally, mapping and quantitative trait loci analyses revealed that the genes VIM, STX8, and MIF were significantly associated with pneumoconiosis risk. CONCLUSIONS This multi-omics study highlights the associations between gut microbiota and key genes ( VIM, STX8, MIF) with pneumoconiosis, offering insights into potential therapeutic targets and personalized treatment strategies.
Humans ; Male ; East Asian People/genetics* ; Europe ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Lung ; Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors/metabolism* ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Multiomics ; Pneumoconiosis/microbiology* ; Intramolecular Oxidoreductases

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical features and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome distribution of treatment-naïve patients with hepatitis B virus-related primary liver cancer （HBV-PLC）， and to provide a basis for integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the prevention and treatment of HBV-PLC. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 99 treatment-naïve HBV-PLC patients who were admitted to Department of Hepatology and Infectious Diseases in The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine from January 2019 to December 2024. According to whether the patient received standardized antiviral therapy （for ≥3 years）， they were divided into antiviral group and non-antiviral group， and according to the status of HBeAg， they were divided into HBeAg-positive group and HBeAg-negative group. Demographic features， laboratory test results， imaging data， and TCM syndrome data were collected， and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio （NLR）， Child-Pugh score， and CNLC stage were calculated. The independent samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. ResultsThe 99 treatment-naïve HBV-PLC patients had a mean age of 57.12±11.60 years， and the patients aged 50 — 75 years accounted for the highest proportion of 72.7%， with a male/female ratio of 5.2∶1. The patients with liver cirrhosis accounted for 81.8%， and 67.7% of the patients did not receive antiviral therapy in the past. The positive rates of HBV DNA， HBeAg， and alpha-fetoprotein were 80.8%， 18.2%， and 69.7%， respectively， and the patients with Child-Pugh class A/B disease accounted for 89.9%. Compared with the non-antiviral group， the antiviral group had a significantly smaller maximum tumor diameter （t=2.310， P=0.024）， a significantly lower HBV DNA positive rate （χ²=14.006， P<0.001）， and a significantly lower number of tumor thrombi （χ²=7.347， P=0.007）. In addition， there were significant differences between the HBeAg-negative group and the HBeAg-positive group in Child-Pugh class （χ²=6.780， P=0.034） and CNLC stage （χ²=8.746， P=0.033）. Among the 99 treatment-naïve HBV-PLC patients， 41.4% had liver depression and spleen deficiency with blood stasis， 22.2% had Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome， and 19.2% had damp-heat accumulation with blood stasis. ConclusionTreatment-naïve HBV-PLC patients are mainly middle-aged and elderly male individuals， and most of the patients are comorbid with liver cirrhosis. Standardized antiviral therapy can significantly reduce tumor burden and improve virologic response， with better hepatic compensation in HBeAg-negative patients， and hypoproteinemia is more common in patients with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.

ObjectiveTo investigate the application of the novel inflammatory factor adsorption column CA280 combined with low-dose plasma exchange （LPE） in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure （ACLF）. MethodsA prospective cohort study was designed， and a total of 93 ACLF patients who were admitted to The Ninth Hospital of Nanchang from June 2023 to January 2025 were enrolled and randomly divided into DPMAS+LPE group with 50 patients and CA280+LPE group with 43 patients. In addition to comprehensive medical treatment， the patients in the DPMAS+LPE group received DPMAS and LPE treatment， and those in the CA280+LPE group received CA280 and LPE treatment. The two groups were observed in terms of routine blood test results， liver function parameters， renal function markers， electrolytes， coagulation function parameters， cytokines， adverse events， and 28-day prognosis before surgery （baseline）， during surgery （DPMAS or CA280）， and after surgery （after sequential LPE treatment）. The paired t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data before and after treatment within each group， and the independent-samples t test was used for comparison between groups； the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data before and after treatment within each group， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between groups. The chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups， and the Spearman test was used for correlation analysis. ResultsAfter CA280 treatment， the ACLF patients had significant reductions in the levels of cytokines （IL-6， IL-8， IL-10， TNF-α， and IFN-γ）， liver function parameters （ALT， AST， ALP， TBil， DBil， Alb， and glutathione reductase）， and the renal function marker urea nitrogen （all P<0.05）， and in terms of coagulation function parameters， there were significant increases in prothrombin time， activated partial thromboplastin time （APTT）， thrombin time， and international normalized ratio （INR） and significant reductions in prothrombin activity （PTA） and fibrinogen （FIB） （all P<0.05）. Compared with the DPMAS+LPE group， the CA280+LPE group showed better improvements in the serum cytokines IL-8 （Z=-2.63， P=0.009）， IL-10 （Z=-3.94， P<0.001）， and TNF-α （Z=-1.53， P=0.023）， and the two artificial liver support systems had a similar effect in improving liver function （ALT， AST， GGT， GR， TBil， and DBil） （all P >0.05）， but the CA280+LPE group showed a significantly greater reduction in Alb （Z=-2.08， P=0.037）. CA280+LPE was more effective in reducing uric acid （Z=-2.97， P=0.003）. Compared with DPMAS+LPE， CA280+LPE treatment resulted in a significant reduction in INR （Z=-4.01， P<0.001）， a significant increase in APTT （Z=-2.53， P=0.011）， and significant greater increases in PTA （Z=-6.28， P<0.001） and FIB （Z=-3.93， P<0.001）. There were no significant differences in the incidence rates of adverse reactions and the rate of improvement at discharge between the two groups （all P>0.05）. The Spearman correlation analysis showed that IL-6 was significantly correlated with WBC （r=0.22， P=0.042）， TBil （r=0.29， P=0.005）， and FIB （r=-0.33， P=0.003）； IL-8 was positively correlated with APTT （r=0.37， P<0.001） and INR （r=0.25， P=0.013）； TNF-α was significantly correlated with WBC （r=0.40， P<0.001） and TBil （r=0.34， P<0.001）. ConclusionCompared with DPMAS， CA280 combined with LPE can effectively clear proinflammatory cytokines and improve liver function in ACLF patients， but it has a certain impact on Alb and coagulation function. This regimen provides a new option for the individualized treatment of ACLF and can improve the short-term prognosis of patients， but further studies are needed to verify its long-term efficacy.

Objective To elucidate the effects and mechanisms of Biejiajian pill(BJJP)-containing serum on the malignant biological behaviors of hepatocellular carcinoma Huh7 cells.Methods This research knocked down CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain containing 6(CMTM6)expression using a CMTM6-specific small interfering RNA(siRNA).Healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were used to prepare normal rat serum and low-(0.55 g/kg),medium-(1.1 g/kg),and high-(2.2 g/kg)BJJP-containing.Huh7 cells were cultured with normal fetal bovine serum(BC),normal rat serum(NC),and low-,medium-,and high-dose BJJP serum(LBJJP,MBJJP,and HBJJP,respectively).BJJP-containing serum and si-CMTM6 were applied to Huh7 cancer cells,and the proliferation,migration,and invasion abilities were evaluated by CCK-8 and Transwell assays,respectively.Protein expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)markers,and CMTM6 were detected by Western blot.Results CMTM6 knockdown significantly reduced the mRNA and protein expression level of CMTM6 in Huh7 cells(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences between the BC and NC groups in terms of cell proliferation,migration,invasion,expression levels of PCNA,EMT markers,and CMTM6(all P＞0.05).BJJP-containing serum markedly inhibited Huh7 cell proliferation,migration,and invasion(P＜0.05),downregulated PCNA,CMTM6,N-cadherin,and Vimentin expression,and upregulated E-cadherin compared with the NC group(all P＜0.05).CMTM6 knockdown suppressed malignant behaviors,with reduced PCNA,Vimentin,and N-cadherin and elevated E-cadherin expression(all P＜0.05).Conclusions BJJP-containing serum can significantly inhibit Huh7 cell growth,invasion,migration,and EMT progression,potentially mediated via CMTM6 suppression.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To explore the application value of three-dimensional visualization reconstruction technology in robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy（RAPN）for the treatment of highly complex（R.E.N.A.L. score≥10）renal hilar tumors.Methods:The clinical data of 87 patients with highly complex renal hilar tumors with R.E.N.A.L. scores ≥10 who were treated in First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from January 2021 to December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed，of which 36 underwent 3D visualization reconstruction and 51 underwent conventional CT. The 3D visualization reconstruction method was to import the patient’s enhanced CT images in DICOM format into the 3D reconstruction image data processing software to produce a 3D visualization model. There were 22 males and 14 females in the 3D visualization group，with an average age of（54.2 ± 9.5）years，a body mass index of（24.8 ± 4.5）kg/m 2，and a tumor size of（4.3 ± 1.0）cm. Tumors were located on the left side in 16 cases and on the right side in 20 cases. Tumor stages were classified as T 1a in 11 cases，T 1b in 21 cases，and T 2a in 4 cases. The R.E.N.A.L. scores were distributed as follows：10 points in 21 cases，11 points in 12 cases，and 12 points in 3 cases. The estimated glomerular filtration rate（eGFR）before operation was（78.2±9.6）ml/（min·1.73 m 2）. There were 35 males and 16 females in the conventional CT group，with an average age of（51.3±8.9）years，a body mass index of（25.4 ± 3.9）kg/m 2，and a tumor size of（4.1 ± 1.2）cm. Tumors were located on the left side in 25 cases and on the right side in 26 cases. Tumor stages were classified as T 1a in 12 cases，T 1b in 33 cases，and T 2a in 6 cases. The R.E.N.A.L. scores were distributed as follows：10 points in 31 cases，11 points in 18 cases，and 12 points in 2 cases . The preoperative eGFR was（80.6 ± 8.8）ml/（min·1.73 m 2）. There was no statistical difference in general data and preoperative renal function between the two groups（ P > 0.05）. Both groups underwent RAPN. The two groups were analyzed and compared in terms of operation time，warm ischemia time，intraoperative blood loss，postoperative hospital stay，postoperative complications，and changes in renal function 3 months after surgery. Results:There were no cases of conversion to radical treatment or open surgery in both the 3D visualization group and the conventional CT group. The 3D visualization group had shorter operation time［（94.6 ± 18.5）min vs.（110.2 ± 17.2）min， P < 0.001］，shorter renal artery occlusion time［（23.3 ± 4.0）min vs.（27.2 ± 3.3）min， P < 0.001］，less intraoperative blood loss［120（100，250）ml vs. 150（120，300）ml， P = 0.018］，and a lower proportion of intraoperative collecting system incision（19/36 vs. 38/51， P = 0.042）than the conventional CT group. There was no significant statistical difference in the time of postoperative drainage tube removal and postoperative hospital stay between the two groups（ P > 0.05）. One case in the 3D visualization group had postoperative fever，and two cases in the conventional CT group had postoperative obvious macroscopic hematuria. Postoperative pathological diagnosis of the patients was clear cell carcinoma in 78 cases，papillary cell carcinoma in 6 cases，chromophobe cell carcinoma in 2 cases，and oncocytoma in 1 case. No positive resection margin was found in both groups. Three months after surgery，there was no significant statistical difference in eGFR between the two groups［（70.6 ± 8.5）ml/（min·1.73 m 2）vs.（71.4 ± 9.2）ml/（min·1.73 m 2）， P = 0.681］. During the median follow-up of 17.8 months，no tumor recurrence or metastasis was observed in either group. Conclusions:RAPN has good safety and feasibility in the treatment of highly complex（R.E.N.A.L. score ≥10）renal hilar tumors. Preoperative three-dimensional visualization reconstruction technology helps to reduce RAPN operation time，renal artery occlusion time and intraoperative blood loss，and has good clinical application value.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of the modified medial gastrocnemius myocutaneous flap (MGMF) with extended anterior, posterior and (or) inferior boundaries.Methods:From January 2002 to September 2022, modified MGMFs were applied onto 33 patients who received reconstructive surgery for soft-tissue defects around knee or in calf, in the Department of Orthopaedics, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. The size of defects ranged from 10 cm×4 cm to 22 cm×12 cm, and the flap size ranged from 15 cm×6 cm to 28 cm×14 cm. Twenty-five patients had the complication of chronic osteomyelitis. The boundaries of a modified MGMF were as follows: the anterior boundary was the anterior border of the tibia, where the posterior boundary at 3.0 cm lateral to the posterior midline, the proximal boundary at the popliteal fossa crease, and the distal boundary at the plane 2.0 cm above the tip of medial malleolus. The anterior edge of the modified MGMF was designed running along the medial edge of the defect and its curved extension line. Pretibial skin was equally divided into 9 zones, with the 1st to 9th zones from proximal to distal in sequence. Postoperative routine anti-infection treatment was offered. All patients were included in the postoperative follow-up through outpatient visits, telephone or WeChat interviews. Flap viability and wound healing in both donor and recipient sites were evaluated. Function of the affected limb was assessed using the evaluation criteria established by Punor et al.Results:All patients were included in the follow-up for 1 to 169 (median duration: 9)months. The 33 modified MGMFs included MGMFs with extended boundary of anterior ( n=18), inferior ( n=5), anterior combined with inferior ( n=6), posterior combined with anterior ( n=2), and posterior combined with inferior ( n=2) boundaries. Twenty-nine (87.9%) flaps survived completely. Partial necrosis occurred in 4 flaps(12.1%)(2 flaps with extended anterior boundary and 2 flaps with extended inferior boundary). The anterior margins of 26 flaps (78.7%) with extended anterior boundary alone or in combination with extended inferior or posterior boundary exceeded the medial edge of the tibia by 1.0-4.5 (mean, 2.1) cm, and 3 of them reached the anterior edge of tibia. Fourteen (42.4%) modified MGMFs were used to reconstruct the defects involving 1/3 of distal calf, and the distal ends of these defects were located in the 7th ( n=8) or 8th ( n= 6) zone. All the skin grafts in the donor sites survived. During follow-up, 31 patients (93.9%) showed no sign of infection, and 2 patients (6.1%) who had recurrence of chronic osteomyelitis. Functions of the affected limbs were excellent ( n=25), good ( n=6) and fair ( n=2) by Punor et al. Conclusion:Modified MGMF with extended anterior, posterior and (or) inferior boundaries is clinically feasible. It offers advantages of easier design and operation. It can be used to reconstruct a more distal, wider and larger defect as well as broadens the application of the MGMF.

Objective To investigate the factors that influence ocular surface biology and visual acuity in individuals with diabetic dry eye(DDE)and analyze how these factors contribute to changes in visual quality.Methods Based on the disease duration,fasting blood glucose(FBG),and glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c)levels of patients with type 2 diabe-tes mellitus(T2DM),the DDE patients were divided into different groups.Logistic regression analysis was used to identify influencing factors related to ocular surface biology and visual quality in each group of DDE patients.Tear film stability was evaluated based on the tear film rupture time(BUT),Schirmer I test(SIt),and ocular surface disease index(OSDI).Lip-iview? Surface interferometers were used to measure tear film lipid layer thickness(LLT),meibomian gland loss rate(MGP),meibomian gland opening number(MGYLS),and meibomian gland secretion score(MGYSS).Wavefront aber-rometry was used to measure corneal wavefront aberration values at 4 mm and 6 mm pupil diameters.Ocular response ana-lyzer(ORA)was adopted to analyze corneal hysteresis(CH)and corneal resistance factor(CRF).Moreover,ELISA ex-periment to evaluate the trend of changes in inflammatory factors in tears.Results Logistic regression analysis revealed that T2DM duration,smoking history,FBG,HbA1c,total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),OSDI score,LLT,BUT,SIt,MGP,MGYLS,MGYSS,total higher-order aberrations,spherical aberration,coma aberration,trefoil aberration,tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-6,matrix metalloproteinase-9,receptor for advanced glycation end products,and insu-lin were all influencing factors for the risk of DDE(all P＜0.05).As the T2DM course prolonged and FBG or HbA1 c levels rose,tear film-related indicators(LLT,BUT,and SIt)and meibomian gland-related indicators(MGYLS and MGYSS)inpa-tients gradually decreased,while OSDI scores and MGP gradually increased(all P＜0.05).As the T2DM course prolonged and FBG or HbA1c levels rose,the total higher-order aberrations,spherical aberration,coma aberration,and trefoil aber-ration in DDE patients under 4 mm and 6 mm pupil diameters gradually increased;Meanwhile,best corrected visual acuity,corneal hysteresis,and corneal resistance factor gradually decreased;The contents of tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-6,matrix metalloproteinase-9,receptor for advanced glycation end products,and insulin in tears all gradually increased,while mucin-5AC gradually decreased(all P＜0.05).Conclusion With the prolongation of T2DM duration and the in-crease of FBG or HbA1c,the ocular surface inflammatory response in DDE patients gradually worsens,corneal biological function decreases,and visual quality deteriorates.Timely systemic and local interventions are of great significance for im-proving dry eye symptoms and visual quality in DDE patients.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of hydrogen peroxide disinfectant on terminal disinfection in wards of medical institutions.METHODS The surfaces of highly frequent contact objects of the wards of the First Affilia-ted Hospital of Nanchang University from which the public health center patients were discharged between Apr.2024 and Jun.2024 were respectively disinfected with 0.5％(low)and 5％(high)concentrations of hydrogen peroxide disinfecting wipes,totally 180 samples were randomly collected before and after the disinfection,and the pathogens were detected.The air of the wards from which the public health center patients were discharged be-tween Jul.2024 and Aug.2024 were disinfected with hydrogen peroxide dry mist disinfection device,and 90 sam-ples were respectively collected before and after the disinfection.Geobacillus stearothermophilus was used as the biological indicator and placed at various points within the air-disinfected wards to evaluate the disinfection level.The environmental sampling results and distribution of bacteria were observed and compared.RESULTS The qualified rates of disinfection of the object surfaces were 95.56％(86/90)and 98.89％(89/90)respectively for the low and high concentratioins of hydrogen peroxide disinfecting wipes,and there was no significant difference in the disinfection effect.Totally 120 strains of pathogens were isolated from unqualified samples before the disinfection,among which gram-negative bacteria(69.17％)were dominant,and the isolation rate of multidrug-resistant or-ganisms was 22.50％(27/120);only 1 strain of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii was isolated after the disinfection.The qualified rate of disinfection of air in the wards was 96.00％by 7.5％hydrogen peroxide dry mist disinfection device,the average bacterial colony counts in the air were 2 CFU/(5 min·vsl)after the dis-infection,and the killing rate of Geobacillus stearothermophilus was 100.00％by the air disinfection.CONCLUSION The hydrogen peroxide disinfectant can meet the requirement for terminal disinfection of the wards of the medical institutions,and it is portable and highly efficient.

Objective:To explore the genetic and clinical characteristics of Guizhou patients with enlarged vestibular aqueduct（EVA） syndrome through combined SLC26A4 variant analysis and clinical phenotype analysis. Methods:Seventy-two EVA patients underwent comprehensive genetic testing using a multiplex PCR-based deafness gene panel and next-generation sequencing（NGS）. The audiological and temporal bone imaging characteristics were compared across mutation subtypes. Results:A total of 27 pathogenic loci of SLC26A4 were detected in 72 patients, including c.919-2A>G in 79.2%（57/72）. A novel deletion（c.1703_1707+6del） was discovered. Among 65 cases, truncated mutations were 89.2%（58/65）, 52.3%（34/65）, 28（43.1%） and 7（10.8%）. No significant differences were observed in the midpoint diameter of the vestibular aqueduct and the incidence of incomplete partitioning typeⅡ（IP-Ⅱ） of the cochlea among the three groups of patients. Moreover, there was no difference in the midpoint diameter of different vestibular pipes or the combination with IP-Ⅱ. Conclusion:The most common mutation site of SLC26A4 in EVA patients in Guizhou is c.919-2A>G, though genotype-phenotype correlations remain elusive. The detection of 27 mutation sites and the discovery of new mutation sites suggested the precise diagnostic significance of NGS technology in EVA patients in Guizhou.
Humans ; Sulfate Transporters ; Vestibular Aqueduct/abnormalities* ; Mutation ; Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics* ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/genetics* ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Adolescent ; Child, Preschool ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Phenotype ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing