Micro/nanoplastics (MNPs), recognized as emerging environmental pollutants, are widely distributed in natural environments. Due to their small particle size and significant migratory capacity, MNPs can infiltrate diverse environmental matrices, then invade and accumulate in the organism via the skin, respiration, and digestion. Recently, concerns have grown over the detrimental effects and potential toxicity of MNPs on reproductive health. This review summarized published epidemiological and toxicological studies related to MNPs exposure and their effects on reproductive health. Firstly, this review critically examined the current landscape of epidemiological evidence and found that MNPs (e.g., polystyrene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, etc.) are present in various biological specimens from both males and females, and their presence may be associated with an increased risk of reproductive disorders. Secondly, extensive toxicological studies revealed that MNPs exposure induces reproductive health damage through mechanisms such as disrupting the microstructure of reproductive organs and altering molecular-level expressions. Oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis are identified as potential links between MNPs exposure and reproductive damage. Finally, this review addressed the prevalent shortcomings in existing studies and proposed future directions to tackle the challenges posed by MNPs-induced reproductive harm. These insights aim to inform strategies for safeguarding public reproductive health and ecological security, providing a scientific foundation for mitigating risks associated with MNPs pollution.

Objective To perform on-site calibration of high-pressure ionization chambers and NaI(Tl) γ spectrometers in state-controlled atmospheric radiation environment automatic continuous monitoring stations and verify the reliability of the online radiation environment monitoring system. Methods ¹³⁷Cs, ⁶⁰Co, and ²⁴¹Am were used as γ reference radiation sources to measure the metrological performance of high-pressure ionization chambers in nine state-controlled atmospheric radiation environment automatic monitoring stations in Hubei Province, China. The performance metrics included background radiation, response, and repeatability. Additionally, the correlation between dose rate and humidity was analyzed, and the energy resolution and activity response of NaI(Tl) γ spectrometers were measured. Results Among the nine state-controlled atmospheric radiation environment automatic monitoring stations, the background radiation of high-pressure ionization chambers ranged from 58.2 nGy/h to 82.6 nGy/h. The response of the high-pressure ionization chambers ranged from 0.94 to 1.08, fulfilling the requirement of 1.0 ± 0.2. The repeatability of high-pressure ionization chambers ranged from 0.43% to 3.80%, satisfying the requirement of not exceeding 10%. A significant correlation was observed between dose rate and humidity, with a correlation coefficient of 0.4476. For NaI(Tl) γ spectrometers, the energy resolution ranged from 6.8% to 7.9%, fulfilling the requirement of not exceeding 9% for the 661.7 keV energy peak of ¹³⁷Cs. The NaI(Tl) γ spectrometers showed 1.4% to 1.8% s⁻¹·Bq⁻¹ activity response to ²⁴¹Am and 6.6‰ to 8.4‰ s⁻¹·Bq⁻¹ activity response to ⁶⁰Co. Conclusion The online monitoring systems in the nine state-controlled atmospheric radiation environment automatic monitoring stations are stable and reliable, providing accurate radiation environment monitoring data for public awareness.

Objective:To investigate the current status of vocational training for pediatric clinical research coordinators (CRC), and discuss the construction of base-based pediatric CRC training, and to promote the ability of pediatric CRCs.Methods:From July 25 to October 16, 2023, an anonymous self-designed questionnaire survey was conducted through the Wenjuanxing platform to investigate the current situation of pediatric CRC vocational training and base training needs. The data were collated using Excel. Categorical data were described as numbers and percentages.Results:A total of 328 usable questionnaires were returned. Only 7.62% (25 people) believed that existing CRC training was sufficient and could meet actual work needs; 4.88% (16 people) responded that there was no training; 46.34% (152 people) believed that the training was insufficient to support actual work needs; 87.50% (287 people) believed that continuous CRC training was needed; 46.95% (154 people) preferred experienced CRCs for teaching, who should have at least 3 years of CRC work experience; and 46.95% (154 people) preferred a duration of 3 months for CRC training. The preferred training methods were: practice under the direction of experienced CRCs (90.85%, 298 people), step-by-step teaching of practical skills (88.41%, 290 people), case analysis and discussion (87.20%, 286 people), process simulation (83.23%, 273 people), and lecture-based teaching (76.52%, 251 people). The preferred post-training assessment methods were: case analysis (76.52%, 251 people), operation simulation (74.09%, 243 people), process simulation (73.17%, 240 people), written examination (66.16%, 217 people), and interview (63.72%, 209 people).Conclusions:The current pediatric CRC training is not enough to meet actual work needs. It is urgent to develop and promote a CRC training system that can meet work needs, laying the foundation for the construction of pediatric clinical research ecology in China.

Objective:To investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of tumor necrosis factor-α-inducible protein 8-like 2(TIPE2)on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)or interleukin-4(IL-4)-induced phenotypic switch of adipose tissue macrophages(ATM).Methods:The expression levels of TIPE2, inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1(MCP-1), CD206, and arginase 1(Arg-1)in the visceral adipose tissue of obese mice, TIPE2-knockout(KO)mice, and control mice were detected by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and real-time PCR(RT-qPCR). Peritoneal macrophages isolated from KO and wild-type mice and RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cell line were cultured, and then stimulated with LPS(100 ng/mL)or IL-4(20 ng/mL)for 6 hours. The expression levels of TIPE2, iNOS, MCP-1, CD206, and Arg-1 were detected by Western blotting and RT-qPCR.Results:Obese mice showed down-regulated TIPE2 expression, up-regulated pro-inflammatory markers iNOS and MCP-1 expressions, and down-regulated anti-inflammatory markers CD206 and Arg-1 expressions. LPS decreased the expression of TIPE2 in RAW 264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages from mice, increased the expression of the classically activated macrophages(M1 phenotype)markers iNOS and MCP-1, and decreased the expression of the substituting activated macrophages(M2 phenotype)markers CD206 and Arg-1. IL-4 increased the expression of TIPE2 in RAW 264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages, decreased the expression of iNOS and MCP-1, and increased the expression of CD206 and Arg-1. During the M1 polarization of macrophages, LPS increased toll-like receptor(TLR4)expression as well as nuclear transcription factor κBα suppressor protein(IκBα) and NF-κB phosphorylations in macrophages. Knockout of TIPE2 further increased the expression of the TLR4/IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathway and M1 macrophage markers, and further reduced the expression of the M2 macrophage markers.Conclusion:TIPE2 regulates ATM phenotypic transformation through inhibition of the TLR4/IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathway, which ameliorates adipose tissue inflammation in obese states.

Objective:To explore any changes with age in the center of plantar pressure among normal people after walking.Methods:Fifty healthy subjects were divided into a young group and an elderly group, each of 25. Gait descriptors were collected for each subject using a model AL-600 gait and balance training and evaluation apparatus. The gait descriptors were the center of pressure displacement (COPD), and the COPD in the medial-lateral (COPD-X) and anterior-posterior (COPD-Y) directions before and after 10 and 15 minutes of walking.Results:The average COPD, COPD-X and COPD-Y of the elderly group increased after both 10 and 15 minutes of walking, but among the young group increases were observed only after 15 minutes. The average COPD, COPD-X and COPD-Y of the elderly group were always significantly larger than the young group′s averages.Conclusions:Gait stability among the elderly decreases after as little as 10 minutes of walking, but among the young decreases are observed only after 15 minutes.

Objective:To document the blood indexes of middle-aged and elderly intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients complicated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of 77 hospitalized ICH patients using venous color Doppler ultrasonography within 3 days of admission. According to the results, they were divided into a DVT group (18 cases) and a non-DVT group (59 cases). The blood routine, biochemistry, coagulation, and D-dimer examinations were conducted on the 2nd day after admission. T-tests and rank sum tests tested the significance of any differences between the groups in average white blood cell counts, neutrophil percentages, platelets, albumin, globulin, fasting blood glucose, urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, electrolytes, fibrinogen or D-dimer.Results:The average levels of albumin, uric acid and calcium in the DVT group were significantly lower than in the non-DVT group. The average levels of fasting blood glucose and D-dimer were significantly higher.Conclusions:Decreased serum uric acid, calcium and albumin levels, together with increased fasting blood glucose and D-dimer are related to the occurrence of DVT in ICH patients. To reduce the risk of DVT it is important to maintain normal levels of serum uric acid, calcium and albumin and to limit D-dimer and fasting blood glucose.

Objective:To observe factors influencing the risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) after cerebral hemorrhage (ICH).Methods:A total of 77 ICH patients undergoing rehabilitation between August 2015 and August 2017 were studied. Among them, 24 were diagnosed with a UTI according to clinical manifestations and urine routine tests and urine culture. They formed the UTI group. The other 53 were the non-UTI group. Complete clinical evaluations were available for all 77, and those data were used to identify risk factors for UTI using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results:The univariate analysis showed that age, side of paralysis, consciousness dysfunction, Brunnstrom staging of the lower extremity, tracheotomy, indwelling catheter, lung infection, white blood cell count, neutrophil percentage, serum natrium, uric acid, D-dimer level and fibrinogen were all significant predictors of UTI. The multivariate analysis identified age, right side hemiplegia and D-dimer level as useful predictors.Conclusions:Advanced age and a high D-dimer level are independent risk factors for UTI after ICH, while hemiplegia on the right side is a protective factor.

Objective:To observe risk factors for lung infection (LI) after cerebral hemorrhage (ICH).Methods:A total of 118 patients with ICH were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 63 were diagnosed with an LI according to clinical manifestations and X-ray or CT on admission. They were selected into an LI group, while the rest formed the non-LI group. Gender, age, duration of disease, side of paralysis, position and type of ICH, complications, cognitive disorders, consciousness, dysphagia, motor function, and serum levels of albumin, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium were recorded on the second day after admission. The risk factors for LI were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results:Age, duration of disease, side of paralysis, position and type of ICH, tracheotomy, urinary tract infection, cognitive impairment, dysphagia, motor function, and serum levels of albumin, sodium, calcium, and magnesium were all significant predictors of LI after an ICH. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that right side hemiplegia, bilateral paralysis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, urinary tract infection, and serum magnesium are all significant predictors.Conclusions:Right or bilateral paralysis, subarachnoid hemorrhage and urinary tract infection are independent risk factors for LI after an ICH. High serum magnesium within the normal range can reduce the incidence of LI.

Objective:To explore the factors related to cognitive dysfunction after traumatic brain injury.Methods:A total of 55 patients with traumatic brain injury were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical information about the patients, including age, gender, paralyzed side, course of the disease, type of injury, degree of injury, treatment, speech function (grades of Boston aphasia severity), swallowing function (7-level evaluation method), limb motor function (Brunnstrom stages of the upper limb, hand and lower limb), complications (tracheotomy, lung infection, urinary tract infection, pressure sores, electrolyte imbalance and hypoproteinemia), whether the patient received rehabilitation therapy, and D-dimer and coagulation examination results were recorded. Univariate analysis and ordered multi-class logistic regression analysis were conducted to screen the related factors using Rancho Los Amigos cognitive function grades as the dependent variable.Results:The results of the univariate analysis showed that consciousness, aphasia severity, swallowing ability, Brunnstrom stages, having received a tracheotomy, urinary tract infection, hypoproteinemia, fibrinogen and D-dimer all significantly predicted Rancho Los Amigos cognitive function grades. The logistic regression analysis showed that disordered consciousness, aphasia severity, Brunnstrom stage of the upper limbs, and urinary tract infection were significant predictors.Conclusions:Disordered consciousness, aphasia severity, Brunnstrom stage of the upper limbs, and urinary tract infection are factors related to cognitive dysfunction after traumatic brain injury.

Objective To study the effect of age on the trajectory of the center of plantar pressure.Methods Twenty-five healthy young people constituted a youth group,while another 25 elderly counterparts formed an aged group.Descriptors of everyone's gait were collected using an AL-600 gait and balance training and evaluation apparatus.The length of the total trajectory of the center of plantar pressure (COPD) was recorded along with the average left and right deviation of the center of plantar pressure (COPD-X) and its average anterior-posterior deviation (COPD-Y) in the heel strike (LR),single plantar stance (SPS) and push-off (PS) phases of striding.Results The average COPD of the aged group was significantly longer than that of the youths.For both groups,the average COPD-X and COPD-Y deviations in SPS were significantly less than those in the LR and PS phases,with no significant difference between them.Compared with the youth group,the average COPD-X in the LR and PS phases and the average COPD-Y in the PS were significantly greater among the aged,but there was no significant difference between the two groups in the average COPD-X in SPS or in the average COPD-Y in the LR and SPS phases.Conclusions The average COPD,COPD-X and COPD-Y increase with age,indicating the higher risk of falling.The changes in each sub-phase of gait are different,but those in the LR and PS phases more reliably reflect stability.