Objective To investigate and analyze the occupational stress levels and influencing factors among radiation workers in China, and provide a reference for alleviating occupational stress and promoting mental health. Methods Using the general situation questionnaire, Effort-Reward Imbalance questionnaire, and radiation protection knowledge questionnaire, a convenience sampling method was adopted to investigate the occupational stress of 243 radiation workers in Liaoning, Fujian, Guangdong, and Xinjiang provinces. The independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors. Results The average score of Effort-Reward Imbalance was 0.97 ± 0.22, and 100 (41.15%) radiation workers had occupational stress. There were significant differences in the detection rate of occupational stress among radiation workers of different ages, working years in radiation positions, monthly incomes, daily sleep durations, and daily working hours (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified daily working hours as a factor contributing to occupational stress. Conclusion The occupational stress among radiation workers in China is relatively severe. It is recommended to pay attention to the associated risks and implement targeted intervention measures to reduce the impact of occupational stress.

ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of Shufeng Jiedu capsules （SFJD） in alleviating influenza A （H1N1） virus pneumonia and focus on its effect on Toll-like receptor （TLR） signaling pathway in respiratory epithelial cells. MethodsA mouse model of viral pneumonia was established via the A/PR/8/34 （PR8） strain of influenza A virus. Mice were randomly divided into a normal group， a PR8 infection （PR8） group， and an SFJD group （8.4 g·kg^-1）， with 10 mice in each group. The day of infection was designated as day 1. The SFJD group was administered intragastrically at a volume of 20 mL·kg^-1 daily， while the normal and PR8 groups were given an equal volume of deionized water. Micro-computed tomography （Micro-CT） was performed on day 5， and the mice were dissected to collect their lungs， after which the lung index was calculated to verify the therapeutic effect of SFJD. Single-cell sequencing was used to analyze the differentially expressed genes in respiratory epithelial cells. Multiplex fluorescence immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of TLR， tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 （TRAF6）， and myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88） proteins in epithelial cell adhesion molecule （EpCAM）-positive cells， and the proportion of respiratory epithelial cells expressing TLR pathway proteins was calculated. Respiratory epithelial cells were then sorted by flow cytometry， and Western blot was used to detect the expression of TLR， MyD88， TRAF6， Toll-interleukin receptor domain-containing adaptor inducing interferon-β （TRIF）， inhibitor of κB kinase α （IKKα）， and nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） in the sorted epithelial cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure the levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in lung tissue. ResultsAt the transcriptional level， SFJD reversed the expression of TLR signaling pathway genes in respiratory epithelial cells， downregulating multiple TLR signaling pathway-related genes （P<0.01）. At the protein level， SFJD significantly reduced the proportion of respiratory epithelial cells expressing TLR3 （P<0.05）， the expression levels of TLR2， TLR3， TLR4， TRIF， TRAF6， IKKα， and NF-κB in epithelial cells（P<0.05， P<0.01）， as well as the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α in lung tissue （P<0.01）. ConclusionSFJD may alleviate viral pneumonia by suppressing the expression of TLR in respiratory epithelial cells and their subsequent signaling cascades.

Xiaoaiping (XAP) Injection demonstrates the anti-prostate cancer (PCa) effects, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of XAP on PCa and elucidate its mechanism of action. PCa cell proliferation was evaluated using a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed through Hoechst staining and Western blotting assays. Proteomics technology was employed to identify key molecules and significant signaling pathways modulated by XAP in PCa cells. To further validate potential key genes and important pathways, a series of assays were conducted, including acridine orange (AO) staining, transmission electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence assays. The molecular mechanism of XAP against PCa in vivo was examined using a PC3 xenograft mouse model. Results demonstrated that XAP significantly inhibited cell proliferation in multiple PCa cell lines. In C4-2 and prostate cancer cell line-3 (PC3) cells, XAP induced cellular apoptosis, evidenced by reduced B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) levels and elevated Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) levels. Proteomic, immunofluorescence, and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) investigations revealed a strong correlation between forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a) autophagic degradation and the anti-PCa action of XAP. XAP hindered autophagy by reducing the expression levels of autophagy-related protein 5 (Atg5)/autophagy-related protein 12 (Atg12) and enhancing FoxO3a expression and nuclear translocation. Furthermore, XAP exhibited potent anti-PCa action in PC3 xenograft mice and triggered FoxO3a nuclear translocation in tumor tissue. These findings suggest that XAP induces PCa apoptosis via inhibition of FoxO3a autophagic degradation, potentially offering a novel perspective on XAP injection as an effective anticancer therapy for PCa.
Male ; Humans ; Prostatic Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Proteomics ; Mice ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Forkhead Box Protein O3/genetics* ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Mice, Nude ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and their influencing factors in community-based schizophrenia patients in Shanghai, and to provide a scientific basis for the early identification and prevention of cardiovascular disease in this population. MethodsBased on the Shanghai community cohort with severe mental disorders in 2022, a total of 3 954 community-based schizophrenia patients were identified and included in this study through a stratified cluster sampling method. Basic information and relevant clinical data (including metabolic index data) were collected through questionnaire survey, physical examination and laboratory testing. Univariate analyses were performed using the chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to identify influencing factors of comorbid cardiovascular diseases. ResultsA total of 3 954 community-based schizophrenia patients were included, of which a total of 1 237 (31.28%) patients had comorbid cardiovascular diseases. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that age 60 years old or above (OR=5.524, 95%CI: 3.716‒8.214), smoking behavior (OR=1.328, 95%CI: 1.042‒1.692), overweight (OR=1.900, 95%CI: 1.046‒3.451) or obesity (OR=2.678, 95%CI: 1.439‒4.985), elevated blood pressure (OR=1.546, 95%CI: 1.294‒1.846), abnormal fasting blood glucose (OR=1.552, 95%CI: 1.322‒1.823) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol abnormalities (OR=1.283, 95%CI: 1.025‒1.606) were positively associated with the risk of comorbid cardiovascular diseases in patients with schizophrenia, while educational attainment of college/bachelor’s degree or above (OR=0.640, 95%CI: 0.450‒0.910) and being unmarried (OR=0.552, 95%CI: 0.457‒0.667) were negatively associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases comorbidity. ConclusionAdvanced age, unhealthy behaviors and lifestyles, as well as abnormalities in blood pressure, blood glucose, and blood lipids, could all increase the risk of comorbid cardiovascular diseases in community schizophrenia patients. It is suggested to strengthen the monitoring and management of these risk factors in this population in the future, so as to achieve early detection, early diagnosis and early intervention of cardiovascular diseases.

AIM: To explore the characteristics of astigmatism distribution among preschool children from Tongzhou District, Beijing, discuss its categorizations, severity, and the effect on preschoolers' vision, and clarify the influence of cycloplegic refraction on the detection of astigmatism.METHODS:In this cross-sectional study conducted from December 2021 to January 2022, a cluster random sampling method was utilized to assess 1 498 preschool children(2 996 eyes)from Tongzhou District, Beijing. The sample comprised 791 males and 707 females, with 222 children aged 3 to <4 years, 521 children aged 4 to <5 years, 647 children aged 5 to <6 years, and 108 children aged 6 to <7 years. Evaluations included visual acuity, anterior segment, computerized optometry, and cycloplegic refraction.RESULTS:Prior to cycloplegic refraction, the prevalence of astigmatism was found to be 61.88%(927/1498). For post-cycloplegic refraction, this percentage slightly increased to 64.02%(959/1498, P=0.095). Following cycloplegic refraction, the distribution of astigmatism severity was as follows: 51.87%(777/1498)had mild astigmatism, 9.41%(141/1498)had moderate astigmatism, and 2.74%(41/1498)had severe astigmatism. Astigmatism was predominantly with-the-rule across all age groups, with compound hyperopic astigmatism being the most frequent type. In cases of subnormal vision caused by astigmatism: low degree accounted for 9.38%, moderate degree accounted for 25.4%,and high degree accounted for 52.6%.CONCLUSION:The findings reveal a high incidence of astigmatism in preschool children, predominantly in a mild nature. Cycloplegic refraction was observed to have a negligible effect on the rate of astigmatism detection. Moreover, its impact on vision becomes more significant as the degree of astigmatism increases.

Pyroptosis,an inflammatory caspase-dependent programmed cell death,plays a vital role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and activating inflammatory responses.Orthodontic tooth movement(OTM)is an aseptic force-induced inflammatory bone remodeling process mediated by the activation of periodontal ligament(PDL)progenitor cells.However,whether and how force induces PDL progenitor cell pyroptosis,thereby influencing OTM and alveolar bone remodeling remains unknown.In this study,we found that mechanical force induced the expression of pyroptosis-related markers in rat OTM and alveolar bone remodeling process.Blocking or enhancing pyroptosis level could suppress or promote OTM and alveolar bone remodeling respectively.Using Caspase-1-/-mice,we further demonstrated that the functional role of the force-induced pyroptosis in PDL progenitor cells depended on Caspase-1.Moreover,mechanical force could also induce pyroptosis in human ex-vivo force-treated PDL progenitor cells and in compressive force-loaded PDL progenitor cells in vitro,which influenced osteoclastogenesis.Mechanistically,transient receptor potential subfamily V member 4 signaling was involved in force-induced Caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis in PDL progenitor cells.Overall,this study suggested a novel mechanism contributing to the modulation of osteoclastogenesis and alveolar bone remodeling under mechanical stimuli,indicating a promising approach to accelerate OTM by targeting Caspase-1.

Objective:To investigate the effects of the Y-box binding protein 1(YBX1)on the proliferation and apoptosis of granulosa cells by regulating silent information regulator 1(SIRT1),and explore the differential ex-pression of YBX1 and SIRT1 of premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)patients and health controls,as well as its clinical significance.Methods:We recruited patients with POI and patients with normal ovarian function during in vitro fertilization(IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)assisted pregnancy in the Department of Reproduc-tive Medical Center of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University from June 2022 to July 2023.The granu-losa cells and serum were collected.Western-Blot(WB)to detect YBX1 protein expression.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)to detect YBX1 and SIRT1 mRNA levels,and the correlation between the abundance of YBX1 and SIRT1 in serum and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),estra-diol(E2),anti-Mullerian Hormone(AMH),and antral follicle count(AFC)were analyzed.5-bromo-2-deoxyuracil(EdU)and cell counting Kit-8(CCK8)were applied to detect cell proliferation;TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay(TUNEL)to detect cell apoptosis;RT-qPCR to detect cell proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PC-NA),B cell lymphoma 2(Bcl2),Bcl2 associated X protein(BAX),and cysteine-aspartate protease 3(Caspase-3)mRNA expression;RNA Immunoprecipitation(RIP)experiment to detect the interaction between YBX1 and SIRT1.Results:The expression of YBX1 protein and SIRT1 mRNA in granulosa cells and serum of POI patients were significantly lower than that of the control group(P＜0.05).The expression of YBX1 and SIRT1 mRNA in serum were negatively correlated with FSH,LH(r＜0,P＜0.05),and positively correlated with E2,AMH and AFC(r＞0,P＜0.05).Upregulating YBX1 in granulosa cells increased SIRT1 protein expression,SIRT1 mRNA stabili-ty,EdU positive rate,cell viability,PCNA mRNA expression level,Bcl2/BAX ratio(P＜0.05),while decreased Caspase-3 mRNA expression level,TUNEL positive rate(P＜0.05).Conclusions:The expression levels of YBX1 and SIRT1 in POI patients were significantly reduced and correlated with clinical ovarian function indicators.YBX1 can bind to SIRT1 mRNA and enhance its stability,which may promote the proliferation of granulosa cells,and in-hibit apoptosis.These findings suggested that YBX1 and SIRT1 are expected to become new targets for POI diag-nosis and treatment.

Pyroptosis,an inflammatory caspase-dependent programmed cell death,plays a vital role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and activating inflammatory responses.Orthodontic tooth movement(OTM)is an aseptic force-induced inflammatory bone remodeling process mediated by the activation of periodontal ligament(PDL)progenitor cells.However,whether and how force induces PDL progenitor cell pyroptosis,thereby influencing OTM and alveolar bone remodeling remains unknown.In this study,we found that mechanical force induced the expression of pyroptosis-related markers in rat OTM and alveolar bone remodeling process.Blocking or enhancing pyroptosis level could suppress or promote OTM and alveolar bone remodeling respectively.Using Caspase-1-/-mice,we further demonstrated that the functional role of the force-induced pyroptosis in PDL progenitor cells depended on Caspase-1.Moreover,mechanical force could also induce pyroptosis in human ex-vivo force-treated PDL progenitor cells and in compressive force-loaded PDL progenitor cells in vitro,which influenced osteoclastogenesis.Mechanistically,transient receptor potential subfamily V member 4 signaling was involved in force-induced Caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis in PDL progenitor cells.Overall,this study suggested a novel mechanism contributing to the modulation of osteoclastogenesis and alveolar bone remodeling under mechanical stimuli,indicating a promising approach to accelerate OTM by targeting Caspase-1.

Objective:To investigate the effects of the Y-box binding protein 1(YBX1)on the proliferation and apoptosis of granulosa cells by regulating silent information regulator 1(SIRT1),and explore the differential ex-pression of YBX1 and SIRT1 of premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)patients and health controls,as well as its clinical significance.Methods:We recruited patients with POI and patients with normal ovarian function during in vitro fertilization(IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)assisted pregnancy in the Department of Reproduc-tive Medical Center of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University from June 2022 to July 2023.The granu-losa cells and serum were collected.Western-Blot(WB)to detect YBX1 protein expression.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)to detect YBX1 and SIRT1 mRNA levels,and the correlation between the abundance of YBX1 and SIRT1 in serum and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),estra-diol(E2),anti-Mullerian Hormone(AMH),and antral follicle count(AFC)were analyzed.5-bromo-2-deoxyuracil(EdU)and cell counting Kit-8(CCK8)were applied to detect cell proliferation;TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay(TUNEL)to detect cell apoptosis;RT-qPCR to detect cell proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PC-NA),B cell lymphoma 2(Bcl2),Bcl2 associated X protein(BAX),and cysteine-aspartate protease 3(Caspase-3)mRNA expression;RNA Immunoprecipitation(RIP)experiment to detect the interaction between YBX1 and SIRT1.Results:The expression of YBX1 protein and SIRT1 mRNA in granulosa cells and serum of POI patients were significantly lower than that of the control group(P＜0.05).The expression of YBX1 and SIRT1 mRNA in serum were negatively correlated with FSH,LH(r＜0,P＜0.05),and positively correlated with E2,AMH and AFC(r＞0,P＜0.05).Upregulating YBX1 in granulosa cells increased SIRT1 protein expression,SIRT1 mRNA stabili-ty,EdU positive rate,cell viability,PCNA mRNA expression level,Bcl2/BAX ratio(P＜0.05),while decreased Caspase-3 mRNA expression level,TUNEL positive rate(P＜0.05).Conclusions:The expression levels of YBX1 and SIRT1 in POI patients were significantly reduced and correlated with clinical ovarian function indicators.YBX1 can bind to SIRT1 mRNA and enhance its stability,which may promote the proliferation of granulosa cells,and in-hibit apoptosis.These findings suggested that YBX1 and SIRT1 are expected to become new targets for POI diag-nosis and treatment.

Pyroptosis,an inflammatory caspase-dependent programmed cell death,plays a vital role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and activating inflammatory responses.Orthodontic tooth movement(OTM)is an aseptic force-induced inflammatory bone remodeling process mediated by the activation of periodontal ligament(PDL)progenitor cells.However,whether and how force induces PDL progenitor cell pyroptosis,thereby influencing OTM and alveolar bone remodeling remains unknown.In this study,we found that mechanical force induced the expression of pyroptosis-related markers in rat OTM and alveolar bone remodeling process.Blocking or enhancing pyroptosis level could suppress or promote OTM and alveolar bone remodeling respectively.Using Caspase-1-/-mice,we further demonstrated that the functional role of the force-induced pyroptosis in PDL progenitor cells depended on Caspase-1.Moreover,mechanical force could also induce pyroptosis in human ex-vivo force-treated PDL progenitor cells and in compressive force-loaded PDL progenitor cells in vitro,which influenced osteoclastogenesis.Mechanistically,transient receptor potential subfamily V member 4 signaling was involved in force-induced Caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis in PDL progenitor cells.Overall,this study suggested a novel mechanism contributing to the modulation of osteoclastogenesis and alveolar bone remodeling under mechanical stimuli,indicating a promising approach to accelerate OTM by targeting Caspase-1.