Background The high work intensity and possible subsequently increased susceptibility to occupational hazards of calcium carbide plants may lead to hypertension in workers, but there are few studies on the relationship between occupational hazard exposure and hypertension in workers involving the production process of calcium carbide. Objective To explore the influence of occupational hazards on the incidence of hypertension in calcium carbide plants. Methods Using historical cohort design, the employees of a calcium carbide factory in the western part of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were selected as research subjects. According to the pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria, the study population comprised an exposure group of 377 employees (including furnace workers, inspection workers, and maintenance workers) exposed to dust, noise & carbon monoxide, and a control group of 388 employees (including central control workers, electricians, and administrative personnel) without above-mentioned exposure. The total sample size was 765 participants. The follow-up period was from April 2011 to October 2022, and the study endpoint was defined as the conclusion of the follow-up period or diagnosed hypertension in annual occupational health examination. Information on general demographic characteristics, living habits, and work status was collected from all study subjects. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the association between occupational hazard exposure and the risk of hypertension among the calcium carbide plant employees. Results The average age, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, proportion of males, smoking rate, and alcohol consumption rate in the exposure group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared to baseline, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels increased in the exposure group and the control group at the end of the follow-up (P<0.05). At the end of the follow-up, the average differences between systolic/ diastolic blood pressure and baseline values in the exposure group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). During the follow-up period, a total of 223 cases of hypertension occurred, with a total follow-up of 2785 person-years, resulting in an incidence density of 8007.18 per 100000 person-years, an average age of onset of (35.90±8.22) years, and an average working age of onset of (2.69±1.97) years. The incidence density in the exposure group was 128.71% higher than that in the control group, and the risk of hypertension in the exposure group was 2.115 times that of the control group. The risk of hypertension was 2.199 times higher for men than for women, 1.344 times higher for those aged 30 and above than for those under 30, 1.546 times higher for smokers than for non-smokers, and 1.750 times higher for drinking workers than for non-drinking ones. The results of Cox proportional hazards regression modeling indicated that the hazard ratio (95%CI) of hypertension among the employees exposed to dust, noise, and carbon monoxide was 2.254 (1.703, 2.982), 1.594 (1.107, 2.295), and 1.567 (1.079, 2.274), respectively, when different covariates (gender, age, smoking, and alcohol consumption) were included. The results of Log-rank test showed that there were statistically significant differences in the distribution of disease-free survival between the exposure group and the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Occupational exposures to dust, noise, and carbon monoxide may increase the risk of hypertension among calcium carbide plant workers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of 4-methylcatechol (4MC) on the migration and inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), as well as its underlying mechanisms of action. METHODS: RA-FLS was isolated from synovial tissue donated by RA patients, and the optimal concentration of 4MC was determined by cell counting kit 8 method for subsequent experiments, and the effect of 4MC on the migratory ability of RA-FLS was evaluated via a cell scratch assay. An inflammation model of RA-FLS was induced by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and ELISA were employed to detect the gene and protein expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 in RA-FLS and their culture supernatants, respectively, thereby investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of 4MC. Western blot was used to examine the expressions of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway-related proteins, including inhibitor of NF-κB-α (IKBα), phosphorylated (P)-IκBα, NF-κB-inducing kinase α (IKKα), P-IKKαβ, P-p65, and p65. Cellular immunofluorescence was utilized to detect the expression and localization of p65 in RA-FLS, exploring whether 4MC exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. Finally, a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model was established. The anti-RA effect of 4MC in vivo was evaluated by gross observation and histological examination. RESULTS: 4MC inhibited RA-FLS migration in a concentration-dependent manner. In the TNF-α-induced RA-FLS inflammation model, 4MC significantly decreased the gene and protein expression levels of IL-1β and IL-6. Furthermore, 4MC markedly reduced the ratios of P-IΚBα/IΚBα, P-IKKαβ/IKKα, and P-p65/p65, thereby blocking the transcriptional activity of p65 by inhibiting its nuclear translocation. This mechanism effectively suppressed the activation of the TNF-α-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway. Animal studies demonstrated that 4MC [10 mg/(kg·day)] significantly lowered serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, and alleviated arthritis severity and bone destruction in CIA mice. CONCLUSION 4MC not only inhibits the migration of RA-FLS but also mitigates their inflammatory response by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby effectively exerting its anti-RA effects.
Synoviocytes/metabolism* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism* ; Animals ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; Humans ; Catechols/therapeutic use* ; Fibroblasts/drug effects* ; Mice ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Transcription Factor RelA/metabolism* ; Synovial Membrane/cytology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Male ; Arthritis, Experimental ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; Inflammation

Background In recent years, regional high-temperature weather in summer occurs frequently in China. Heat stroke is the most representative meteorological disease caused by high temperature. In order to improve monitoring, early warning, prevention, and control of heat stroke, it is of great significance to understand the epidemiological characteristics of heat stroke and the associated impact of heatwave. Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of heat stroke cases in Jinan City, and to explore the effects of heatwave exposure on heat stroke. Methods Case reports of heat stroke and daily data of meteorological factors in Jinan City from 2017 to 2022 were collected. We described the temporal, population, and regional distribution characteristics of heat stroke cases in Jinan City, and used a time-stratified case-crossover design combined with conditional logistic regression model to explore the effects of heatwave exposure on heat stroke under 12 heatwave definitions (different combinations of intensity and duration). The cut-off percentiles used for heatwave definitions were the 90th (P₉₀), 95th (P₉₅), 97.5th (P_97.5), and 99th (P₉₉) percentiles of daily mean temperature; the durations were ≥ 2 d, ≥ 3 d, and ≥ 4 d, respectively. P_i(k), where i is temperature threshold, and k is duration. For example, the definition of a heatwave was notated as P₉₀(2), indicating that the daily mean temperature is ≥ P₉₀ and lasts for ≥ 2 d. Alternatively, lag01 denotes the cumulative lag effect with a 1 d lag, and so on. Results A total of 1394 cases of heat stroke were reported in Jinan City from 2017 to 2022, including 581 mild cases and 813 severe cases, and 85 deaths were reported, with a cumulative fatality rate of 6.10%. The cases of heat stroke reported each year during the study period were concentrated from June to August and peaked in July (665 cases, 47.70%). The sex ratio of males to females in heat stroke cases was 2.02:1. A high incidence of heat stroke was in 50-89 years, with a smaller peak occurring in the age group of 50-59 years and a larger peak in the age group of 70-79 years, respectively. The high-incidence areas of heat stroke were distributed in the western part of Jinan City where city centers situated (Tianqiao District, 274 cases, 19.66%; Huaiyin District, 223 cases, 16.00%) and in the surrounding rural areas (Pingyin County, 254 cases, 18.22%). The effect of heatwave exposure on heat stroke was statistically significant during the study period. The largest effect estimates for the effect on heat stroke occurred under the heatwave definitions of P₉₉(2), P_97.5(3), and P_97.5(4) at lag04, lag03, and lag04, where corresponding OR (95%CI) values were 9.27 (4.71, 14.24), 8.95 (6.17, 12.98), and 8.22 (4.91, 13.78), respectively. The exposure-response curve showed that the risk of heat stroke tended to increase with the increase of average daily temperature. Conclusion July is the key period for the occurrence of heat stroke among Jinan City residents, while male cases are predominant, more serious cases, age concentration in the 50-89 years. The occurrence of heatwave can further increase the risk of heat stroke with a significant lag effect.

Objective:Employ Lasso regression to develop a nomogram model for predicting the risk of liver cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on age, gender, laboratory test results, and liver ultrasound results of 1218 patients diagnosed with CHB at the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University between 1 January 2023 and 30 November 2023. Based on the R caret package, patients were divided into a training set ( n=853) and an internal validation set ( n=365) at a ration of 7∶3, and an additional 185 patients with CHB treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University Qunli campus during the same period was included as an external validation set. Lasso regression and multiple logistic regression were employed for variable selection and nomogram model construction. The discriminative ability, calibration, and clinical utility of the prediction model were evaluated using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, Decision Curve Analysis (DCA), respectively. Results:Age, platelet, gamma-glutamine transpeptidase, prealbumin, portal vein diameter, and spleen thickness were selected as predictive variables for the occurrence of liver cirrhosis in CHB patients ( P<0.05), and a nomogram model was constructed based on the aforementioned variables. The AUC values for the ROC curves in the internal validation set and external validation set were 0.934 (95% CI 0.910-0.959) and 0.881 (95% CI 0.820-0.942), respectively. The fitting degree of calibration curve was observed in both sets (Internal validation set P=0.881; External validation set P=0.478). DCA curves demonstrated the high clinical utility of the model. Conclusion:Age, platelet, gammaglutamine transpeptidase, prealbumin, portal vein diameter, and spleen thickness were risk factors for the occurrence of liver cirrhosis in CHB patients. The constructed nomogram model exhibits good predictive value and clinical utility.

Objective To investigate Furin,tumor growth factor-β(TGF-β),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),neuron towards axon guidance factor-1(netrin-1)level expressions and polymorphism of Furin gene P1 promoter r2071410 locus C/T in endometriosis(EMT)patients with different r-AFS stages,and explore the correlation with the incidence of EMT in Shenzhen.Methods A total of 102 patients diagnosed with EMT from May 2021 to January 2023 in the People's Hospital of Longhua,Shenzhen were selected as EMT group,and the EMT group was divided into stage Ⅰ to Ⅱ group and stageⅢ to Ⅳ group according to r-AFS staging method.At the same time,78 non-EMT patients were collected as control group.The levels of serum Furin,TGF-β,VEGF and netrin-1 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and the polymorphism of the r2071410 C/T locus in the P1 promoter region of Furin gene was analyzed by reverse transcription-real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR).Results The levels of Furin(140.84±47.02pg/ml),TGF-β(376.46±82.36ng/L)and VEGF(167.67±53.02ng/L)in EMT group were higher than those in control group(55.49±13.67pg/ml,216.37±15.04ng/L,102.27±8.45ng/L),while the level of netrin-1(48.37±15.20pg/ml)was lower than that of the control group(165.85±15.63pg/ml),with significant differences(t=28.409,20.347,16.915,36.653,all P＜0.05).The levels of Furin(192.41±20.62pg/ml),TGF-β(452.61±72.03ng/L)and VEGF(201.84±28.01ng/L)in patients with stage Ⅲ to Ⅳ were higher than those in patients with stage Ⅰ to Ⅱ(78.05±16.54pg/ml,283.75±56.92ng/L,126.07±19.35ng/L),while the level of netrin-1(37.95±11.34pg/ml)was lower than that of stage Ⅰ to Ⅱ(61.05±9.52pg/ml),with significant differences(t=31.071,18.054,19.183,21.625,all P＜0.05).Pearson/Spearman correlation analysis showed that Furin was positively correlated with levels of TGF-β and VEGF and clinical stage(r=0.614 9,0.752 6,0.790 5,均 P＜0.05),but negatively correlated with netrin-1 level(r=-0.670 1,all P＜0.05).The TT genotype and T allele frequencies at r2071410 C/T locus of Furin gene P1 promoter in EMT group(42.16％,55.39％)were higher than those in control group(7.69％,19.87％),while the TT genotype and T allele frequencies at stages Ⅲ to Ⅳ(51.79％,65.18％)were higher than those at stage Ⅰ to Ⅱ(30.43％,43.48％),and the differences were statistically significant(x2=26.500,46.472,4.721,9.626,all P＜0.05).The Furin level of patients with different genotypes in EMT group was different(F=51.286,P＜0.001),in which the Furin level of TT genotype(216.29±68.53pg/ml)was higher than that of CC(83.04±21.37pg/ml)and CT genotype,(89.18±20.95pg/ml),and the differences were statistically significant(t=27.146,25.719,all P＜0.01),but there was no significant difference between CC and CT genotypes(t=1.326,P＞0.05).Conclusion The level of Furin in EMT patients was increased,and it was certainly correlated with the levels of TGF-β,VEGF,netrin-1 and clinical stage.Meanwhile,the r2071410 C/T locus in the promoter region of Furin gene P1 showed a polymorphic distribution,in which the Furin level increased more significantly in patients with TT genotype,which may be related to the incidence of EMT in Shenzhen area.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Biling Qutong prescription （BLQT） on serum levels of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 （NLRP3）， purinergic ligand-gated ion channel 7 receptor （P2X7R）， fibronectin （FN）， and hepatic steatosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） complicated with gouty arthritis （GA）. MethodSixty-four patients diagnosed with T2DM comorbid with GA and treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from January 2019 to December 2022 were enrolled and randomly divided into a BLQT group （Chinese medicine group， 32 cases） and the ibuprofen group （western medicine group， 32 cases）. Thirty healthy individuals who underwent routine health examinations during the same period were assigned to the control group. The BLQT group and the western medicine group received basic treatment along with BLQT and ibuprofen， respectively. After 8 weeks of continuous treatment， the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score （TCMSS） of the patients was evaluated before and after treatment. The differences in fasting plasma glucose （FPG）， 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose （2 h PG）， glycated hemoglobin （HbA1c）， fasting insulin （FINS）， homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance （HOMA-IR）， serum uric acid （SUA）， serum creatinine （SCr）， total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， controlled attenuation parameter （CAP）， liver stiffness measurement （LSM）， NLRP3， P2X7R， and FN levels before and after treatment were compared. Adverse drug reactions that occurred during treatment were recorded. ResultThe TCMSS for joint redness， swelling， pain， joint burning， yellow urine， and red tongue with yellow and greasy coating， as well as total score were significantly reduced in both the BLQT group and the western medicine group as compared with those before treatment （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The BLQT group also showed a significant reduction in symptom scores such as dry mouth， polyuria， polydipsia， and slippery and rapid pulse （P<0.01）. Compared with the western medicine group after treatment， the BLQT group exhibited a more significant reduction in all symptom scores and total score （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The BLQT group and the western medicine group showed a decrease in FPG， 2 h PG， HbA1c， SCr， SUA， TG， TC， and LDL-C levels （P<0.05， P<0.01） after treatment， and the BLQT group showed decreased HOMA-IR， ALT， AST， and HDL-C levels （P<0.05， P<0.01） compared with those before treatment. When compared with the western medicine group after treatment， the BLQT group showed a more significant reduction in all laboratory parameters except for HDL-C （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Before treatment， NLRP3， P2X7R， and FN levels in both the BLQT group and the western medicine group were higher than those in the control group （P<0.01）. After treatment， NLRP3 and P2X7R levels in both groups significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and FN levels in the BLQT group also decreased significantly （P<0.01）. When compared with the western medicine group after treatment， the BLQT group showed a more significant reduction in NLRP3， P2X7R， and FN levels （P<0.01）. Before treatment， CAP and LSM levels in both the BLQT group and the western medicine group were higher than those in the control group （P<0.01）. After treatment， CAP and LSM levels in both groups decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the western medicine group after treatment， the BLQT group showed a more significant reduction in CAP and LSM （P<0.01）. The incidence of adverse reactions was 3.13% （1/32） in the BLQT group and 15.63% （5/32） in the western medicine group， with no significant difference. ConclusionBLQT has good efficacy in patients with T2DM complicated with GA， which can significantly alleviate joint redness， swelling， heat， pain， limited mobility， dry mouth， and polydipsia， reduce blood glucose， uric acid， and lipid levels， suppress the high expression of NLRP3， P2X7R， and FN， and improve hepatic steatosis.

Objective:To investigate the in vitro inhibitory effect of methylene blue mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with berberine on Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g). Methods:P.g was cultured until the middle to late log phase, and methylene blue was added to P.g suspension at different mass concentrations for 5 min, and a laser (wavelength 660 nm, power 140 mW/cm 2) was irradiated for 2 min to find the optimal concentration of methylene blue combined with the laser for in vitro inhibition of P.g. The effect of methylene blue mediated PDT on the in vitro inhibition of P.g and the effect of berberine on the growth curve of P.g were observed. The inhibitory effect of methylene blue mediated PDT and berberine on P.g was investigated by successive combined applications. The effect of methylene blue mediated PDT on P.g morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The absorption peaks of each component were measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometer. Results:The best inhibition was achieved at a methylene blue mass concentration of 24.414 1 μg/ml under 660 nm laser excitation. The differences were statistically significant in both the methylene blue and PDT groups compared with the control group (all P<0.001). 0.05 mg/ml berberine had an inhibitory effect on the planktonic bacteria of P.g. After P.g was treated with methylene blue mediated PDT, the bacterial cell walls were crumpled into clusters. Compared with the control group, the number of colonies was reduced in the 0.05 mg/ml berberine group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). The difference between the 0.05 mg/ml berberine + light group and the control group was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). When PDT was combined with berberine, there was a synergistic inhibitory effect on P.g. PDT followed by berberine shows a better inhibitory effect on bacteria, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.01). After the berberine treatment, the bacterial surface became smooth, and the length of the bacterial body increased compared with the control group. Conclusions:Methylene blue mediated PDT has an inhibitory effect on P.g. When combined with berberine, it has a synergistic inhibitory effect on P.g., and the inhibition effect is better when PDT is applied first and then berberine is applied in combination.

Objective:To sort out the current status and development of standardized nursing terminology in China, and reveal research hotspots and trends.Methods:The bibliometric and keyword cluster analysis and burstiness detection were performed using CiteSpace software on periodicals of standardized nursing terminology in China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Database and VIP Database from their establishment to December 31, 2021.Results:A total of 1 761 articles were included. The development process of standardized nursing terminology includes three stages: sprouting period, stagnant period and rapid growth period. Researches were clinically-oriented. Researches focus on clinical application. The main reference tools of the studies include Omaha system, North America Nursing Diagnosis Association-International (NANDA-I) , Nursing Outcome Classification (NOC) and Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC) . Research settings mostly involve the elderly population and specialties such as stroke, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Research topics focus on transitional care, case management, home visiting and nursing educationbased on nursing process. The Delphi method is commonly used for quality evaluation.Conclusions:Standardized nursing terminology is paid more attention and the overall trend is positive, but the local construction of nursing terminology needs to be developed. It is suggested that future research aim at actual demand of domestic clinical applications, nursing informatics talents be developed and cultivated, and research consensus be gathered in order to promote the construction of a standardized nursing terminology system with Chinese characteristics.

Objective:To establish a method using activation-induced markers (AIM) to detect the function of HIV-1-specific CD4 + T cell subsets for evaluating the immune response of HIV-1-specific CD4 + T cells more effectively. Methods:Twelve chronically HIV-1-infected patients without antiviral therapy and six healthy people without HIV-1 infection were enrolled in this study. The function of HIV-1-specific T lymphocytes was detected by AIM and ICS based on polychromatic flow cytometry. The performance of the two methods in assessing HIV-1-specific CD4 + T cell immune response in HIV-1-infected patients was evaluated. Results:The positive rates of HIV-1-specific PD-1 + CD25 + CD4 + T, CD69 + CD200 + CD4 + T, CD69 + ICOS + CD4 + T, CD69 + ICOS + CD8 + T、CD137 + CD69 + CD8 + T、PD-1 + CD25 + CD8 + T and OX40 + PD-1 + CD8 + T cells in all of the HIV-1 patients were 11/12, 8/12, 7/12, 8/12, 8/12, 7/12 and 7/12 using AIM method. ICS results showed that the positive rates of HIV-1-specific IL-2 + CD4 + T, IFN-γ + CD4 + T, TNF-α + CD4 + T, IFN-γ + CD8 + T, TNF-α + CD8 + T and IL-2 + CD8 + T cells were 2/12, 2/12, 0, 12/12, 10/12 and 5/12, respectively. Conclusions:AIM method was more sensitive in antigen-specific CD4 + T cell detection, and could be used as a complementary method to ICS in assessing antigen-specific T cell response.

In recent years,various methods for detecting exogenous and endogenous hypochlorite have been studied,considering its essential role as a biomolecule.However,the existing technologies still pose obstacles such as their invasiveness,high costs,and complicated operation.In the current study,we developed a glow-type chemiluminescent probe,hypochlorite chemiluminescence probe(HCCL)-1,based on the scaffold of Schaap's 1,2-dioxetane luminophores.To better explore the physiological and pathological functions of hypochlorite,we modified the luminophore scaffold of HCCL-1 to develop several probes,including HCCL-2,HCCL-3,and HCCL-4,which amplify the response signal of hypo-chlorite.By comparing the luminescent intensities of the four probes using the IVIS? system,we determined that HCCL-2 with a limit of detection of 0.166 μM has enhanced sensitivity and selectivity for tracking hypochlorite both in vitro and in vivo.