Objective To investigate the radon activity concentrations in subways of Nanning City and assess the average annual effective doses for subway staff and passengers due to radon exposure. Methods Sixty-three stations across the subway lines 2, 3, and 5 were selected as study sites. Radon activity concentrations were measured using the scintillation counting method with scintillation vials. Results The radon activity concentrations in subway lines 2, 3, and 5 were 7.9-24.4, 12.0-26.2, and 12.6-18.2 Bq/m³, respectively. The average radon activity concentrations for these three lines were (17.4 ± 4.6), (19.1 ± 4.1), and (14.6 ± 1.7) Bq/m³, respectively. Statistical analysis using SPSS 26.0 software revealed a significant difference in radon activity concentrations among these stations (P<0.01). Considering the data in previous research, the average radon activity concentration across all stations in the subway lines of Nanning City was determined to be 17.4 Bq/m³. The estimated average annual effective dose due to radon exposure was 0.131 mSv for subway staff and 0.033 mSv for passengers. Conclusion The radon activity concentrations in the subway lines of Nanning City were significantly lower than the national standard limit (400 Bq/m³). The annual effective doses from radon exposure for both subway staff and passengers were below the limits specified in the Basic Standards for Protection Against Ionizing Radiation and for the Safety of Radiation Sources (GB18871—2002). The health impact of radon and its progeny on subway staff and passengers in the subway lines of Nanning City was extremely low and can be considered negligible.

Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with different numbers of ports in the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax. Methods We conducted a comprehensive search of CNKI, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMbase, Wanfang Data, and the Chinese Medical Journal Full-text Database for clinical controlled trials on VATS with different port numbers for spontaneous pneumothorax, from their inception to March 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature and assessed its quality.The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the methodological quality of cohort and case-control studies, and the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used to evaluate randomized controlled trials (RCT). Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.1 software. Results A total of 107 studies were included, comprising 35 RCT, 2 cohort studies, and 70 case-control studies. All cohort and case-control studies included in the analysis had NOS scores≥7. The meta-analysis revealed that compared to two-port VATS (2P-VATS) and three-port VATS (3P-VATS), single-port thoracoscopic surgery (SPTS) was associated with less intraoperative blood loss (SMD=–1.58, 95%CI: –1.93 to –1.22, P<0.001; and SMD=–1.59, 95%CI: –2.03 to –1.14, P<0.001, respectively), shorter postoperative hospital stay (SMD=–1.05, 95%CI: –1.29 to –0.82, P<0.001; and SMD=–1.08, 95%CI: –1.39 to –0.77, P<0.001), shorter duration of postoperative chest tube drainage (SMD=–0.75, 95%CI: –1.00 to –0.50, P<0.001; and SMD=–1.23, 95%CI: –1.72 to –0.75, P<0.001), fewer postoperative complications (OR=0.34, 95%CI: 0.26 to 0.45, P<0.001; and OR=0.47, 95%CI: 0.33 to 0.68, P<0.001), and lower pain scores at 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery (P<0.05). The operative time for SPTS was shorter than that for 2P-VATS (SMD=–0.53, 95%CI: –0.90 to –0.16, P=0.005) but showed no significant difference compared to 3P-VATS (P=0.21). When comparing 2P-VATS with 3P-VATS, 2P-VATS demonstrated less intraoperative blood loss (SMD=–1.02, 95%CI: –1.81 to –0.22, P=0.01), shorter postoperative hospital stay (SMD=–0.59, 95%CI: –1.11 to –0.06, P=0.03), shorter duration of chest tube drainage (SMD=–0.46, 95%CI: –0.85 to –0.08, P=0.02), fewer postoperative complications (OR=0.36, 95%CI: 0.22 to 0.59, P<0.001), and lower pain scores at 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery (P≤0.05). Conclusion Both SPTS and 2P-VATS are effective and safe surgical options for spontaneous pneumothorax, deserving further promotion and application in clinical practice. However, due to limitations in the quantity and quality of the included studies, more large-sample, high-quality research is needed to validate these findings.

Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in treating esophageal cancer patients of different genders. Methods Computer searches were conducted on PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases to collect randomized controlled trial (RCT) on ICIs treatment for esophageal cancer patients from the establishment of the databases to January 25, 2024. Two researchers independently screened the literature and extracted data according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The outcome indicators were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), and RevMan 5.4 software was used for meta-analysis. The modified Jadad scoring scale was used to evaluate the quality of the included literature. Results A total of 10 RCT involving 5364 esophageal cancer patients were included in this study, with 2684 patients in the trial group and 2680 patients in the control group. The Jadad scores of the included literature were all ≥6 points, indicating high-quality RCT. Meta-analysis results showed that female esophageal cancer patients receiving ICIs treatment [HR=0.72, 95%CI (0.59, 0.87), P<0.001] had a more significant median OS prolongation than male patients [HR=0.73, 95%CI (0.68, 0.78), P<0.001]; while male patients [HR=0.57, 95%CI (0.52, 0.64), P<0.001] had a more significant PFS prolongation than female patients [HR=0.72, 95%CI (0.55, 0.94), P=0.01]. Female patients treated with ICIs alone [HR=0.66, 95%CI (0.50, 0.87), P=0.003] had a more significant median OS prolongation than male patients [HR=0.79, 95%CI (0.72, 0.87), P<0.001]; while male patients receiving ICIs combined with chemotherapy [HR=0.67, 95%CI (0.61, 0.74), P<0.001] had a more significant median OS prolongation than female patients [HR=0.77, 95%CI (0.59, 1.01), P=0.06]. Conclusion Female patients receiving ICIs have a slight advantage in OS compared to male patients, while male patients have an advantage in PFS. Male patients receiving ICIs combined with chemotherapy have better survival benefits than female patients, while female patients using ICIs monotherapy have better survival benefits than male patients.

Objective To explore the application value of CT combined with peripheral blood eosinophils(EOS)for distinguishing eosinophilic asthma(EA)from eosinophilic bronchitis(EB).Methods The clinical characteristics,peripheral blood EOS detection and imaging features of 523 patients(328 cases of EA and 195 cases of EB)were retrospectively analyzed.Univariate analysis identi-fied statistically significant parameters,which were further utilized in binary logistic regression to construct an imaging model and a combined model incorporating clinical characteristics,peripheral blood EOS and imaging features.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted to evaluate the performance of each model.Results Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in age,body mass index(BMI),peripheral blood EOS count,peripheral blood EOS percentage,and 11 ima-ging features,including bilateral lung,bronchial wall thickening and bronchial mucus plugs(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of the imaging model and the combined model were 0.891 and 0.918,respectively.Conclusion The combined application of CT and peripheral blood EOS detection can improve the efficiency,simplicity,and accessibility of distinguishing EA from EB.

Objective To explore the multimorbidity pattern and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome characteristics of patients with adenomyosis(AM)and to provide insights and data support for medical treatment and comprehensive AM management.Methods By retrospectively analyzing multi-center,large-sample,nationwide cross-sectional survey data,patients were divided into a single AM group or a multimorbidity group based on whether they had other diseases.The prevalence rates of specific multimorbidity or a combination of multimorbidities were calculated respectively.Single-factor analysis was used to explore the influence of age,course of disease,education level,labor nature,monthly income,production history,abortion history,operation history,region,and TCM syndromes on multimorbidity in patients with AM.The multimorbidity patterns of patients with AM were explored using Apriori association rules,and the distribution characteristics of TCM syndromes in different multimorbidity patterns were explored.Results Among 1,814 patients with AM,1,429 were in the multimorbidity group(prevalence of 78.78％).Compared with the single AM group,the patients in the multimorbidity group had a long disease course,high academic qualifications,jobs that mostly involved sitting,a history of surgery,and were primarily concentrated in the north(P＜0.05).The proportion of patients with qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome decreased,whereas the proportion of patients with kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome increased.Ten multimorbidity association rules were sorted according to the confidence level,and the first place of binary association rules was breast nodule to breast hyperplasia,and the first place of ternary association rules was hysteromyoma,breast nodule to breast hyperplasia.Comprehensive support and confidence level,in the binary association rules,the strong association rule was breast nodule to thyroid nodule,and sub-strong association rule was thyroid nodule to breast hyperplasia;In the ternary association rules,the strong association rule was hysteromyoma,breast nodules to breast hyperplasia,and sub-strong association rule was endometriosis,thyroid nodules to breast hyperplasia.There was no significant difference in the distribution of TCM syndromes in AM patients with different binary and ternary multimorbidity patterns.Conclusion Patients with AM have different multimorbidity patterns,and the TCM syndromes of patients with AM under different multimorbidity patterns have different characteristics.The management system of AM multimorbidity should be further developed to ensure more comprehensive and standardized health management for patients with AM.

Objective To explore the multimorbidity pattern and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome characteristics of patients with adenomyosis(AM)and to provide insights and data support for medical treatment and comprehensive AM management.Methods By retrospectively analyzing multi-center,large-sample,nationwide cross-sectional survey data,patients were divided into a single AM group or a multimorbidity group based on whether they had other diseases.The prevalence rates of specific multimorbidity or a combination of multimorbidities were calculated respectively.Single-factor analysis was used to explore the influence of age,course of disease,education level,labor nature,monthly income,production history,abortion history,operation history,region,and TCM syndromes on multimorbidity in patients with AM.The multimorbidity patterns of patients with AM were explored using Apriori association rules,and the distribution characteristics of TCM syndromes in different multimorbidity patterns were explored.Results Among 1,814 patients with AM,1,429 were in the multimorbidity group(prevalence of 78.78％).Compared with the single AM group,the patients in the multimorbidity group had a long disease course,high academic qualifications,jobs that mostly involved sitting,a history of surgery,and were primarily concentrated in the north(P＜0.05).The proportion of patients with qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome decreased,whereas the proportion of patients with kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome increased.Ten multimorbidity association rules were sorted according to the confidence level,and the first place of binary association rules was breast nodule to breast hyperplasia,and the first place of ternary association rules was hysteromyoma,breast nodule to breast hyperplasia.Comprehensive support and confidence level,in the binary association rules,the strong association rule was breast nodule to thyroid nodule,and sub-strong association rule was thyroid nodule to breast hyperplasia;In the ternary association rules,the strong association rule was hysteromyoma,breast nodules to breast hyperplasia,and sub-strong association rule was endometriosis,thyroid nodules to breast hyperplasia.There was no significant difference in the distribution of TCM syndromes in AM patients with different binary and ternary multimorbidity patterns.Conclusion Patients with AM have different multimorbidity patterns,and the TCM syndromes of patients with AM under different multimorbidity patterns have different characteristics.The management system of AM multimorbidity should be further developed to ensure more comprehensive and standardized health management for patients with AM.

Objective To analyze the clinical efficacy and safety of Huoxue Xiaoyi decoction combined with exercise in the treatment of ovarian endometriosis.Methods 36 patients with ovarian endometriosis treated in Guang'anmen Hospital,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from May 2022 to November 2022 were selected and treated with Huoxue Xiaoyi decoction combined with exercise for 3 months.The size of ovarian ectopic cyst,dysmenorrhea VAS score,PBAC score,female hormones,serum CA125 and CA199,catecholamines and cytokines levels were observed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety.Results After treatment,the maximum diameter of ovarian ectopic cyst,dysmenorrhea VAS score,PBAC score,cytokines(serum IL-1β,IL-2,IL-4,IL-6,IL-8,IL-10)levels were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05).The levels of SHBG and adrenaline were significantly higher than those before treatment(P<0.05).During the treatment,the patient had no adverse drug reactions,vital signs,liver,and kidney function indexes were normal.Conclusion Huoxue Xiaoyi decoction combined with exercise therapy can reduce the size of ovarian ectopic cyst,relieve dysmenorrhea,regulate menstrual volume,increase the level of adrenaline,increase the level of sex hormone binding globulin,reduce the level of cytokines,and has fewer adverse reactions and good safety.

Objective To explore the application value of CT combined with peripheral blood eosinophils(EOS)for distinguishing eosinophilic asthma(EA)from eosinophilic bronchitis(EB).Methods The clinical characteristics,peripheral blood EOS detection and imaging features of 523 patients(328 cases of EA and 195 cases of EB)were retrospectively analyzed.Univariate analysis identi-fied statistically significant parameters,which were further utilized in binary logistic regression to construct an imaging model and a combined model incorporating clinical characteristics,peripheral blood EOS and imaging features.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted to evaluate the performance of each model.Results Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in age,body mass index(BMI),peripheral blood EOS count,peripheral blood EOS percentage,and 11 ima-ging features,including bilateral lung,bronchial wall thickening and bronchial mucus plugs(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of the imaging model and the combined model were 0.891 and 0.918,respectively.Conclusion The combined application of CT and peripheral blood EOS detection can improve the efficiency,simplicity,and accessibility of distinguishing EA from EB.

Objective To investigate the articulation acoustic characteristics of children with spastic cerebral palsy and their correlation with articulation intelligibility.Methods A total of 17 children with cerebral palsy and 17 ordinary children aged 6-12 years were included in the study,and the articulation acoustics and articulation intelligi-bility performance of the two types of children were compared by using three kinds of corpus:monophthong,single word and sentence,and the correlation between them was studied.Results The articulation intelligibility of the monophthong,single word and sentence corpus of children with spastic cerebral palsy was lower than that of ordina-ry children(P＜0.01),as follows:monophthong＞single word＞sentence.In the monophthong corpus,only mandibular distance and tongue distance were significantly lower than that of ordinary children(P＜0.05),and only mandibular distance and vowel space area(VSA)were significantly correlated with articulation intelligibility(P＜0.05).In the single word corpus,mandibular distance,tongue distance and VSA were significantly lower than that of ordinary children,while vowel ellipse area(VEA)was significantly higher than that of ordinary children(P＜0.05).All other indexes except VSA and formant centralization ratio(FCR)were significantly correlated with artic-ulation intelligibility(P＜0.05).In the sentence corpus,all the other indexes except mandibular distance were sig-nificantly worse than those of ordinary children(P＜0.05),and all the acoustic indexes were significantly correlated with articulation intelligibility(P＜0.05).Conclusion Children with cerebral palsy have poor articulation acoustic cha-racteristics and articulation intelligibility,and the corpus complexity will affect the degree of correlation between the two.

Objective To analyze the clinical efficacy and safety of Huoxue Xiaoyi decoction combined with exercise in the treatment of ovarian endometriosis.Methods 36 patients with ovarian endometriosis treated in Guang'anmen Hospital,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from May 2022 to November 2022 were selected and treated with Huoxue Xiaoyi decoction combined with exercise for 3 months.The size of ovarian ectopic cyst,dysmenorrhea VAS score,PBAC score,female hormones,serum CA125 and CA199,catecholamines and cytokines levels were observed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety.Results After treatment,the maximum diameter of ovarian ectopic cyst,dysmenorrhea VAS score,PBAC score,cytokines(serum IL-1β,IL-2,IL-4,IL-6,IL-8,IL-10)levels were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05).The levels of SHBG and adrenaline were significantly higher than those before treatment(P<0.05).During the treatment,the patient had no adverse drug reactions,vital signs,liver,and kidney function indexes were normal.Conclusion Huoxue Xiaoyi decoction combined with exercise therapy can reduce the size of ovarian ectopic cyst,relieve dysmenorrhea,regulate menstrual volume,increase the level of adrenaline,increase the level of sex hormone binding globulin,reduce the level of cytokines,and has fewer adverse reactions and good safety.