BACKGROUND: It is inaccurate to reflect the level of dust exposure through working years. Furthermore, identifying a predictive indicator for lung function decline is significant for coal miners. The study aimed to explored whether club cell secretory protein (CC16) levels can reflect early lung function changes. METHODS: The cumulative respiratory dust exposure (CDE) levels of 1,461 coal miners were retrospectively assessed by constructed a job-exposure matrix to replace working years. Important factors affecting lung function and CC16 were selected by establishing random forest models. Subsequently, the potential of CC16 to reflect lung injury was explored from multiple perspectives. First, restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were used to compare the trends of changes in lung function indicators and plasma CC16 levels after dust exposure. Then mediating analysis was performed to investigate the role of CC16 in the association between dust exposure and lung function decline. Finally, the association between baseline CC16 levels and follow-up lung function was explored. RESULTS: The median CDE were 35.13 mg/m³-years. RCS models revealed a rapid decline in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV₁), and their percentages of predicted values when CDE exceeded 25 mg/m³-years. The dust exposure level (<5 mg/m³-years) causing significant changes in CC16 was much lower than the level (25 mg/m³-years) that caused changes in lung function indicators. CC16 mediated 11.1% to 26.0% of dust-related lung function decline. Additionally, workers with low baseline CC16 levels experienced greater reductions in lung function in the future. CONCLUSIONS CC16 levels are more sensitive than lung indicators in reflecting early lung function injury and plays mediating role in lung function decline induced by dust exposure. Low baseline CC16 levels predict poor future lung function.
Uteroglobin/blood* ; Humans ; Dust/analysis* ; Occupational Exposure/analysis* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Lung Injury/chemically induced* ; Coal Mining ; Biomarkers/blood* ; China/epidemiology* ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; Female

Objective To explore the function of electroacupuncture(EA)on body mass,fasting blood glucose,heat pain threshold,and transient receptor potential vanilloid 4(TRPV4)in the dorsal root ganglia(DRG)of rats with diabetic neuropathic pain(DNP).Methods A DNP rat model was formed by intraperitoneally injecting the animals with STZ.From days 15 to 21,bilateral Zusanli and Kunlun points of the DNP rat model were treated with electroacupuncture once daily for 30 min.We then measured their body mass,fasting blood glucose,and heat pain threshold.The co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN in the rat L4～L6 DRG was detected by immunofluorescence.The effects of the TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A on body mass,fasting blood glucose,and the heat pain threshold of DNP rats treated with electroacupuncture were detected.Results After the 7th day,body mass was significantly decreased(P<0.01)and fasting glucose was significantly increased(P<0.01)in the model group compared with the normal group.After the 21st day,compared with the model group,heat pain threshold of the model+electroacupuncture group was significantly higher(P<0.01);the results of co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN immunofluorescence on rat L4～L6 DRG showed that:the expression of positive cells in the model group was significantly higher(P<0.01)than that in the normal group,the co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN positive cells in L4～L6 DRG of rats in the model+electroacupuncture group was significantly lower(P<0.01)than that in the model group.The TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A can reverse the downregulation of thermal pain threshold induced by electroacupuncture in DNP rats(P<0.01).Conclusion Electroacupuncture alleviated the DNP induced by STZ,and its mechanism may involve the inhibition of TRPV4 protein expression in the DRG.

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune rheumatic disease that often leads to multisystem diseases,frequently resulting in pulmonary interstitial fibrosis.According to the theory of sanjiao(triple energizers)membranous channels,sanjiao connects the five zang-organs and six fu-viscera internally and the skin,muscles,and bones externally.It serves as a four-way membranous channel that connects internal organs and external structures,linking with the micromembranes of organs and blood vessels.The pathogenesis of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis secondary to systemic sclerosis involves external cold obstructing the skin and interstitial layers,impairing the defense qi and defense yang,which originate in the essence of the kidney.This leads to weak defensive qi and kidney deficiency,causing stagnation in sanjiao's energy flow and disruption of water and gasification and loss of fluid,resulting in accumulation of dampness,phlegm,and blood stasis.These obstructive factors spread along sanjiao's membranous channels,leading to multiorgan micromembrane involvement and systemic damage.The lungs,which are in direct contact with the external environment,are particularly susceptible to invasion by external pathogens.When combined with stagnation of dampness,phlegm,and blood in the lungs,this leads to secondary pulmonary fibrosis,resulting in lung dysfunction.Continuous stagnation of sanjiao exacerbates the overall condition of the patient,leading to a mixed cold-heat imbalance.Treatment focuses on"unblocking,transforming,and regulating"to restore sanjiao function,promote qi and fluid circulation,invigorate blood,and adjust the cold-heat imbalance,ultimately restoring the overall condition of the patient.

Objective To construct a swallowing dynamic model for simulating dysphagia caused by reduced tongue movement am-plitude.Methods A swallowing dynamic model was established based on medical imaging data from CT and videofluoroscopic swallowing study(VFSS).The finite element method was used to simulate soft tissues,while the smoothed parti-cle hydrodynamics method(SPH)was used to simulate bolus.The model's posture at each time point was com-pared with the imaging data of VFSS from twelve patients with dysphagia,and a normalization method was used for quantitative evaluation of the model's validity.By adjusting the tongue movement amplitude under different viscosity conditions,the role of tongue movement in the swallowing process was investigated,and the swallow-ing safety and efficiency were assessed.Results The tongue posture and bolus trajectory presented by the swallowing dynamic model were consistent with the VFSS imaging.The brightness in the epiglottis area in VFSS images correlated with the equivalent brightness of SPH particles in the simulation results(r=0.97).As the tongue movement amplitude reducing by 20%,the num-ber of aspirated particles,swallowing efficiency and the average velocity of bolus particles in the oropharyngeal cavity all performed well.Pudding-like fluids exhibited favorable swallowing characteristics even when tongue movement amplitude reducing significantly.Conclusion The swallowing dynamic model can simulate the human swallowing process,providing good support for re-habilitation training of patients with dysphagia and the development of specialized medical foods,demonstrating significant potential for clinical applications.

Objective:To observe the effects of moxibustion at Shenshu(BL23)and Zusanli(ST36)on Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)-myeloid differentiation factor 88(Myd88)signaling pathway-mediated inflammatory factors in the synovial tissue of ankle joints of rats with rheumatoid arthritis(RA),and to explore the molecular and biological mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.Methods:A total of 24 male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,and a moxibustion group,with 8 rats in each group.The RA model was established with exposure to wind,cold,and damp environmental factors,along with Freund's complete adjuvant.After three days of modeling,mild moxibustion was applied to bilateral Shenshu(BL23)and Zusanli(ST36)in the moxibustion group using moxa sticks of 0.9 cm in diameter for 30 min each time,once a day for 14 d.Structural changes in the synovial tissue and cells were then observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy,while immunohistochemistry analysis was used to detect tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interleukin(IL)-17,IL-1β,and IL-6 levels.Moreover,the protein expression levels of Myd88,TLR4,and transient potential receptor vanilloid type 1(TRPV1)in the synovial tissue were detected using Western blotting,while their mRNA expression levels were detected using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.Finally,the levels of IL-1β,IL-2,IL-6,IL-17A,and TNF-α in rat serum were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:Compared to the normal group,the model group exhibited notable pathological synovial tissue damage,along with significantly higher IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α levels(P<0.01)and a slightly higher IL-17 content(P>0.05).Furthermore,the Myd88,TLR4,and TRPV1 protein and mRNA expression levels and serum IL-1β,IL-2,IL-6,IL-17A,and TNF-α levels were all significantly higher in the model group than in the normal group(P<0.01).Compared to the model group,the moxibustion group exhibited a lower degree of synovial tissue pathological damage,along with significantly lower IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α levels(P<0.05 or P<0.01)and a lower IL-17 content without statistical significance(P>0.05).Moreover,the Myd88,TLR4,and TRPV1 protein and mRNA expression levels,and serum IL-1β,IL-2,IL-6,IL-17A,and TNF-α levels were all significantly lower in the moxibustion group than in the model group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Conclusion:Mild moxibustion at Shenshu(BL23)and Zusanli(ST36)can effectively inhibit TLR4-MyD88 signaling pathway-mediated inflammatory factor expression in the synovial tissue of ankle joints of RA rats.Furthermore,the effect of moxibustion on synovial tissue inflammation in RA rats may be attributed to TRPV1 channel activation.

In 2022， Hainan provincial government launched the project for the prevention and control of viral hepatitis with the goals of a hepatitis B screening rate of 90%， a diagnostic rate of 90%， and a treatment rate of 80% among people aged 18 years and above by the year 2025， and the main intervention measures include population-based prevention， case screening， antiviral therapy， and health management. As of December 31， 2024， a total of 6.875 million individuals in the general population had been screened for hepatitis B， with a screening rate of 95.6%. A total of 184 710 individuals with positive HBsAg were identified， among whom 156 772 were diagnosed through serological reexamination， resulting in a diagnostic rate of 84.9%. A total of 50 742 patients with chronic hepatitis B were identified， among whom 42 921 had hepatitis B-specific health records established for health management， with a file establishment rate of 84.6%. A total of 31 553 individuals received antiviral therapy， with a treatment rate of 62.2%. A total of 2.503 million individuals at a high risk of hepatitis C were screened， among whom 4 870 tested positive for HCV antibody and 3 858 underwent HCV RNA testing， resulting in a diagnostic rate of 79.2%， and 1 824 individuals with positive HCV RNA were identified， among whom 1 194 received antiviral therapy， with a treatment rate of 65.5%. In addition， 159 301 individuals with negative HBsAg and anti-HBs and an age of 20 — 40 years were inoculated with hepatitis B vaccine free of charge. Through the implementation of the project for the prevention and control of viral hepatitis， a large number of hepatitis patients have been identified， treated， and managed in the province within a short period of time， which significantly accelerates the efforts to eliminate the crisis of viral hepatitis.

Secondary organizing pneumonia after infection is a pathological condition characterized by connective tissue filling and obstructing the alveoli and bronchioles, in which following an infection in the lung, the inflammatory response is not controlled in a timely and effective manner. The pathogenesis and treatment of this condition can be interpreted through the Sanjiao membranous tube theory and the concept of stagnation within the pulmonary micro-membrane. Sanjiao is conceptualized as a four-way membranous tube that internally connects with the zangfu organs and externally with the skin and muscles, enabling the circulation of energy and fluids throughout the body. It also maintains communication with the zangfu micro-membranes. Within the lungs, the pulmonary micro-membrane is distributed and connected to the upper jiao membranous tube, facilitating the movement of qi and fluids and supporting nutrient distribution. External pathogens may invade the Sanjiao membranous system through the external membranous tube, travel internally along this system, and transform into latent pathogens that settle within the pulmonary micro-membrane. These latent pathogens can subsequently transform into heat or dampness, leading to the depletion of lung qi and impairing the lung′s ability to regulate and transport body fluids. Consequently, fluids may seep into the pulmonary micro-membrane, where they are transformed into dampness, turbidity, and phlegm. The accumulation of damp-turbidity and phlegm obstructs the flow of qi and blood, resulting in blood stasis in the pulmonary collaterals. This stagnation occurring within both the pulmonary micro-membrane and its associated collaterals underlies the development of secondary organizing pneumonia after infection. In severe cases, this condition may progress to pulmonary interstitial fibrosis. The therapeutic approach emphasizes expelling latent pathogens, regulating and dredging the pulmonary micro-membrane, tonifying the healthy qi, and supporting health. Regulating and dredging the pulmonary micro-membrane is a crucial step, with a focus on promoting the flow of lung qi, resolving dampness and phlegm, and activating blood circulation to remove stasis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness of insulin degludec and insulin aspart （IDegAsp） in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） in China. METHODS A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system， using the CORE diabetes model to simulate long-term （20-year） health and economic outcomes. Baseline cohort characteristics and treatment effect data were derived from the CREATE study. The prices of glucose- lowering drugs were obtained from medical insurance payment standards and the average winning bid prices in the follow-up round of the specialized centralized procurement for insulin， while the daily dosages were derived from the CREATE study. The costs of complications and utility values were obtained from published literature， with a discount rate of 5%. One-way sensitivity analysis， scenario analysis， and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed to verify the robustness of the results. RESULTS Patients switching from previous once-daily basal insulin regimens to IDegAsp therapy gained an incremental 0.190 quality-adjusted life year （QALY） with direct medical cost savings of 42 163.58 yuan. For those switching from premixed insulin therapies， IDegAsp treatment provided 0.130 incremental QALY and reduced direct healthcare costs by 41 129.11 yuan. The outcome was significantly influenced by the discount rate and the cost of complications. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis and scenario analysis confirmed the robustness of these findings. CONCLUSIONS Switching from previous daily basal insulin or premixed insulin regimens to IDegAsp in Chinese patients with T2DM can improve patients’ long-term health outcomes and achieve cost savings， making it a more cost-effective treatment option.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) on gut microbiota and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) with constipation. METHODS: A total of 80 PD patients with constipation were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each group. Additionally, 40 healthy individuals were recruited as a healthy control group. The control group received conventional Western medical treatment for PD combined with polyethylene glycol (PEG), once daily for eight weeks. The observation group received additional ACE treatment at bilateral Tianshu (ST25), Zusanli (ST36), and Shangjuxu (ST37), once every two weeks for eight weeks. The healthy control group received no intervention. The spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) per week and patient assessment of constipation quality of life (PAC-QOL) scores were assessed at baseline and after treatment in the two groups. Fecal samples were collected at the end of treatment for the observation and the control groups and at baseline for the healthy control group. Gut microbiota composition and diversity were analyzed using 16S rRNA method, and SCFA levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the observation group showed a significant increase in SBMs (P<0.01), and PAC-QOL scores including physical discomfort, psychosocial discomfort, worry and concern, and total score were significantly reduced (P<0.01) after treatment; the control group also showed a reduction in PAC-QOL total score after treatment (P<0.01). After treatment, the observation group had significantly more SBMs (P<0.01), and lower PAC-QOL physical discomfort, psychosocial discomfort, worry and concern scores, and total score (P<0.01), and higher PAC-QOL satisfaction score (P<0.01) than the control group. Compared with the healthy control group, the control group showed decreased Chao1 and Ace indices (P<0.01). Compared with the healthy control group, the relative abundance of Prevotella and Roseburia was increased (P<0.05), while that of Enterobacter and Ruminococcus torques (six species in total) was decreased (P<0.05) in the control group. Compared with the control group, the observation group had increased relative abundance of Dialister, Parabacteroides, and Ruminococcus torques (P<0.05), and decreased relative abundance of Prevotella and Eubacterium ruminantium (P<0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, the control group had increased fecal SCFA levels (P<0.05); compared with the control group, the observation group had reduced fecal SCFA levels (P<0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid levels were elevated in the control group (P<0.05); compared with the control group, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid levels were decreased in the observation group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION ACE could increase spontaneous bowel movements and improve the quality of life in PD patients with constipation, which may be related to the regulation of gut microbiota composition and SCFA levels.
Humans ; Constipation/metabolism* ; Male ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Acupuncture Points ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Parkinson Disease/complications* ; Aged ; Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism* ; Catgut ; Feces/microbiology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Quality of Life ; Adult