Background Temporal kurtosis (without frequency weighting, i.e., Z-weighted kurtosis) can evaluate noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). However, few studies have considered the function of frequency weighting (A- or C-weighted) kurtosis on NIHL. Objective To study the significance of A- and C-weighted kurtosis adjustment for equivalent sound level (L'_{EX,8 h}) in evaluating occupational hearing loss. Methods A cross-sectional survey was used to select 973 noise-exposed workers in seven industries as the subjects. The noise exposure of all workers was assessed by distributions of A-, C-, and Z-weighted kurtosis (e.g., K_A, K_C, and K_Z) and respective adjusted equivalent sound level (e.g., L'_{EX,8 h}-K_A, L'_{EX,8 h}-K_C, and L'_{EX,8 h}-K_Z). The significance of A- and C-weighted kurtosis in evaluating NIHL was evaluated by correlations between three types of L'_{EX,8 h} and NIHL, and improvement of noise-induced permanent threshold shift (NIPTS) underestimation predicted by the ISO prediction model (Acoustics—Estimation of noise-induced hearing loss, ISO 1999-2013). Results The median K_A, K_C, and K_Z were 68.33, 28.22, and 19.82, respectively. The binary logistic regression showed that L_{EX, 8 h}-K_A, L_{EX, 8 h}-K_C, and L'_{EX, 8 h}-K_Z were risk factors for NIHL (OR>1, P<0.001). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that when the outcome variable was noise-induced hearing impairment (NIHI), the areas under the curves corresponding to L'_{EX,8 h}-K_A, L'_{EX,8 h}-K_C, and L'_{EX,8 h}-K_Z were 0.625, 0.628, and 0.625, respectively. When the outcome variable was high-frequency noise-induced hearing loss (HFNIHL), the areas under the curves corresponding to L'_{EX,8 h}-K_A, L'_{EX, 8 h}-K_C, and L'_{EX,8 h}-K_Z were 0.624, 0.623, and 0.622, respectively (P<0.05). The order of underestimation improvement values predicted by L'_{EX,8 h} for NIPTS₁₂₃₄ was: L'_{EX,8 h}-K_A (4.68 dB HL)>L'_{EX,8 h}-K_C (4.38 dB HL)>L'_{EX,8 h}-K_Z (4.28 dB HL) (P<0.001). The order of underestimation improvement values predicted by L'_{EX,8 h}-K for NIPTS₃₄₆ was: L'_{EX,8 h}-K_A (7.20 dB HL)>L'_{EX,8 h}-K_C (6.83 dB HL)>L'_{EX,8 h}-K_Z (6.71 dB HL) (P<0.001). Conclusion The adjustment of A- and C-weighted kurtosis to equivalent sound level L_{EX,8 h} can effectively improve the accuracy of the ISO 1999 prediction model in NIPTS prediction, and compared with the C-weighted, the A-weighted kurtosis can improve the result of the ISO 1999 prediction model in terms of underestimating NIPTS.

Objective To observe the effect of comorbidity for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) on exercise tolerance and cardiopulmonary function. Methods NSCLC patients who underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) before surgery were retrospectively included. According to the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score, patients were divided into two groups: a CCI≥3 group and a CCI＜3 group. The patients were matched with a ratio of 1 : 1 by propensity score matching according to the age, body mass index, sex, smoking history, exercise habits, pathological stage and type of surgery. After matching, CPET indexes were compared between the two groups to explore the differences in exercise tolerance and cardiopulmonary function. Results A total of 276 patients were included before matching. After matching, 56 patients were enrolled with 28 patients in each group, including 38 (67.9%) males and 18 (32.1%) females with an average age of (70.7±6.8) years. Compared with the CCI＜3 group, work rate at peak (WR peak), WR peak/predicted value (WR peak%), kilogram oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold (VO2/kg AT), VO2/kg peak, VO2/kg peak%, peak carbon dioxide output, the minute ventilation to carbon dioxide production slope, O2 pulse peak and O2 pulse peak% of CCI≥3 group were statistically different (P＜0.05). Among them, the rate of postoperative pulmonary complication in the CCI≥3 group was higher than that in the CCI＜3 group (60.7% vs. 32.1%, P=0.032). Conclusion In the NSCLC patients, exercise tolerance and cardiopulmonary function decreased in patients with CCI≥3 compared with those with CCI<3. CPET can provide an objective basis for risk assessment in patients with comorbidity scored by CCI for pulmonary resection.

Background::Total human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) DNA and integrated HIV DNA are widely used markers of HIV persistence. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) can be used for absolute quantification without needing a standard curve. Here, we developed duplex ddPCR assays to detect and quantify total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA.Methods::The limit of detection, dynamic ranges, sensitivity, and reproducibility were evaluated by plasmid constructs containing both the HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) and human CD3 gene (for total HIV DNA) and ACH-2 cells (for integrated HIV DNA). Forty-two cases on stable suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) were assayed in total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA. Correlation coefficient analysis was performed on the data related to DNA copies and cluster of differentiation 4 positive (CD4 +) T-cell counts, CD8 + T-cell counts and CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio, respectively. The assay linear dynamic range and lower limit of detection (LLOD) were also assessed. Results::The assay could detect the presence of HIV-1 copies 100% at concentrations of 6.3 copies/reaction, and the estimated LLOD of the ddPCR assay was 4.4 HIV DNA copies/reaction (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 3.6-6.5 copies/reaction) with linearity over a 5-log 10-unit range in total HIV DNA assay. For the integrated HIV DNA assay, the LLOD was 8.0 copies/reaction (95% CI: 5.8-16.6 copies/reaction) with linearity over a 3-log 10-unit range. Total HIV DNA in CD4 + T cells was positively associated with integrated HIV DNA ( r = 0.76, P <0.0001). Meanwhile, both total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA in CD4 + T cells were inversely correlated with the ratio of CD4/CD8 but positively correlated with the CD8 + T-cell counts. Conclusions::This ddPCR assay can quantify total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA efficiently with robustness and sensitivity. It can be readily adapted for measuring HIV DNA with non-B clades, and it could be beneficial for testing in clinical trials.

Aim To explore the effect and mechanism of the artesunate(ART)on hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The cell lines MHCC-97H and HCC-LM3 were used to be detected.MTT and clone formation were used to determine the cell proliferation;Wound healing was used to detect the cell migration;Transwell was used to test the cell invasion.Flow-cy-tometry was used to detect cell apoptosis and cell cy-cle.RNA-seq and qRT-PCR was used to detect the genes expression.Results The proliferation,migra-tion and invasion of treated cells were obviously inhibi-ted(P＜0.01).Moreover,the apoptosis rate in-creased significantly,so did the proportion of G2/M cells.Transcriptomic analysis identified GADD45A as a potential target of ART through RNA-sequencing da-ta,and suggested that ART might induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest through regulating the expression of GADD45A.In addition,the results of mechanism studies and signaling analysis suggested that GADD45A had interaction with its upstream gene NACC1(nucle-us accumbens associated 1).Moreover,after ART treatment,the expressions of GADD45A and NACC1 were changed significantly.Conclusion ART may be a potential drug to resist HCC by affecting the expres-sion of GADD45A and its upstream gene NACC1,which provides a new drug,a new direction and a new method for the clinical treatment of HCC.

Objective To analyze the effects of agatroban combined with mitochondrial transplantation on endothelial function and hemorheology in mice with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.Methods 50 SPF grade Kunming mice,with 10 as the normal group,38 mices were successfully modeled and divided into a model group of 9,a mitochondrial transplantation group of 9,an Agatroban group of 10,and a combination group of 10.The mitochondrial transplantation group was given exogenous mitochondrial extract,the agatroban group was given agatroban,the combined group was given agatroban combined with mitochondrial transplantation,and the blank group and model group were injected with normal saline.Observation of changes in cerebral infarction volume,pathological morphology of brain tissue,endothelial function,hemorheology,and relative expression of apoptosis related proteins in mice after 7 days of intervention.Results Compared with normal group,cerebral infarction volume ratio,ET-1,whole blood viscosity,plasma viscosity,Caspase-3 and Bax protein expression levels were increased in model group,mitochondrial transplantation group,agatroban group and combined group,while NO level and Bcl-2 protein expression levels were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the cerebral infarction volume ratio,ET-1,whole blood viscosity,plasma viscosity,Caspase-3 and Bax protein expressions in the mitochondrial transplantation group,agatroban group and combined group were decreased,and the combined group was lower than the mitochondrial transplantation group and agatroban group,and the NO level and Bcl-2 protein expression were increased.The combined group was higher than that of mitochondrial transplantation group and agatriban group(P<0.05).Conclusion In mice with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury,endothelial function injury was improved,hemorheology was regulated,and brain injury was alleviated after agatroban combined with mitochondrial transplantation.

Objective To analyze the status and gene subtype distribution of human papillomavirus(HPV)infec-tion in male patients in dermatology outpatient department,provide reference for the prevention and treatment of male HPV infection.Methods Male patients who visited and conducted HPV detection in the dermatology outpa-tient department of a hospital from January 2022 to March 2023 were retrospectively surveyed.Patients were divi-ded into five groups:viral warts group,dermatitis and rash group,urinary tract infection group,balanoposthitis group,and asymptomatic group.Relationship between genotype distribution and patient age,clinical diagnosis,and symptom types was statistically analyzed.Results A total of 1 035 male patients underwent HPV detection,out of which 567 were positive,with a positive detection rate of 54.78％.286,164,6,109,and 470 cases were from viral warts,dermatitis and rash,urinary tract infection,balanoposthitis,and asymptomatic group,respectively.21 sub-types of HPV were detected,with the top three subtypes being type 6(17.97％),11(12.37％),and 52(8.70％).The positive rate of single type HPV infection was 29.86％,accounting for 54.50％.Positive rates of infection,low-risk infection,and multiple mixed infection in different age groups were compared,differences were all statisti-cally significant(all P＜0.05).The positive infection rate in the age group of＜20 years old was higher than that in the age groups of 20-＜30,30-＜40,and 40-＜50 years old,differences were all statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Among the positive patients,199 cases(35.10％)had no clinical symptoms,while 368(64.90％)had clinical symptoms,mainly manifested as viral warts(40.74％,n=231).In viral warts group,HPV-positive pa-tients were mainly of low-risk type,accounting for 80.95％;In balanoposthitis group,HPV-positive patients were mainly of high-risk type,accounting for 84.78％;In asymptomatic group,HPV-positive patients were mainly infected with high-risk types,accounting for 86.43％.Conclusion HPV infection in male outpatient department of derma-tology is mainly single type infection.The clinical diagnosis of low-risk infection is mainly viral warts,while high-risk in-fection is mainly manifested as balanoposthitis.In asymptomatic group,positive infections are mainly of high-risk type.

Objective To observe the impact of ultrasonic image quality on the consistency of artificial intelligence(Al)assisted diagnosis system and manual measurements of biological indicators of developmental dysplasia of hip(DDH).Methods Hip ultrasonic data of 75 DDH and 345 non-DDH children were retrospectively analyzed,and the quality of ultrasonic images were subjectively scored.An evaluation model of ultrasonic image quality was constructed based on 140 ultrasonic images acquired from 140 cases(group A,containing 25 DDH and 115 non-DDH)using entropy weighting method,the weight of anatomic structures and impact factors related to DDH were obtained.The comprehensive image quality scores of other ultrasonic images acquired from 280 cases(group B,including 50 DDH and 230 non-DDH)were calculated,and the images in group B were classified into grade A,B and C in descending order.The consistency of AI and manual measurements of DDH biological indicators in group B was assessed.Results The weight of each anatomic structure and impact factors of DDH obtained with the model were as follows:The lower edge of iliac branch＞ilium＞glenoid labrum＞bony margin＞femoral head＞motion artifacts.In group B,grade A was observed in 67(9 DDH and 58 non-DDH),grade B was found in 160(26 DDH and 134 non-DDH),while grade C was noticed in 53(15 DDH and 38 non DDH)images.Except for β,femoral head coverage(FHC)and femoral head length diameter,the consistencies between AI and manual measurements of other indicators of DDH were grade A＞B＞C.In group B,AI and manual measurements were more consistent in DDH than in non-DDH cases.Conclusion Ultrasonic image quality affected the consistency between AI and manual measurements of biological indicators of DDH.When image quality was not good enough,further attention should be paid to measurement of FHC and sizes of femoral head.

CRISPR/Cas system, an adaptive immune system with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, may interfere with exogenous nucleic acids and protect prokaryotes from external damages, is an effective gene editing and nucleic acid detection tools. The CRISPR/Cas system has been widely applied in virology and bacteriology; however, there is relatively less knowledge about the application of the CRISPR/Cas system in parasitic diseases. The review summarizes the mechanisms of action of the CRISPR/Cas system and provides a comprehensive overview of their application in gene editing and nucleic acid detection of parasitic diseases, so as to provide insights into future studies on parasitic diseases.

Abstract Health literate schools (HeLit-Schools) play a significant role in fostering students health literacy. The paper elucidates the background and conceptual connotations of HeLit-Schools, and analyzes how HeLit-Schools effectively integrate and enhance the health literacy of schools in three aspects: philosophy and core drivers, strategy and method implementation, as well as evaluation mechanisms and standard setting. Furthermore, the paper explores the implications of foreign HeLit-Schools research and practice for China under the context of "Healthy China" construction, as well as the key strategies for Chinese schools in the implementation of HeLit-Schools, aiming to provide a new perspective and theoretical support for Chinese schools to practice the "Healthy China initiative" and strengthen school construction from the perspective of health literacy.

Objective To investigate the application value of spectral computed tomography venography(CTV)in the display and staging of deep venous thrombosis(DVT)in the lower extremity.Methods Eighty-two patients with CTV were selected and ran-domly divided into group A(42 patients)and group B(40 patients).Group A:tube voltage 120 kVp.Group B:gemstone spectral ima-ging(GSI)mode,reconstruction of 50 keV and iodine(water)maps.The CT and standard deviation(SD)values of the veins were measured,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)were calculated in 120 kVp images of group A and in 50 keV images of group B.Two observers scored the image quality of the 2 groups subjectively,and Kappa test was used to examine the con-sistency.Based on the duration from the occurrence of clinical symptoms,the DVTs were classified.The CT values and iodine con-centration(IC)of DVT were measured in the 120 kVp images of group A and in the iodine(water)maps of group B,respectively.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to compare the effectiveness of CT values and IC in diagnosing DVT staging.Results CT values,SNR,and CNR of veins in group B were higher than those in group A(P<0.05).The subjective scores of the two groups were consistent(Kappa=0.926-0.955,P<0.05).The score for the display of veins and thrombus clarity in group B was 5(4,5),which was better than the score of 4(3,4)in group A(P<0.05).The efficiency of IC in diagnosing DVT staging[area under the curve(AUC)=0.973]was better than that of CT values(AUC=0.891).Conclusion The spectral CTV can improve the contrast of lower extremity deep veins and the clarity of thrombus,and can provide more objective indicators for the diagnosis of thrombus staging,which is conducive to accurate clinical diagnosis and treatment.