1.Prevalence and associated factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among workers in a manganese enterprise
Tianzi SHAN ; Junxiang MA ; Tian CHEN ; Kang NONG ; Yucheng SUN ; Xueting WANG ; Gaoman ZHANG ; Teng MA ; Zhuoran XIA ; Fengtao CUI ; Li CHEN ; Yanyan ZHENG ; Piye NIU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(3):333-340
Background Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a major occupational health concern, particularly among workers exposed to adverse ergonomic conditions. Manganese production involves heavy physical demands, yet research on WMSDs among manganese workers remains limited. Objective To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of WMSDs among manganese workers in a manganese enterprise in Guangxi. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted from May to June 2024 on workers at a manganese factory in Guangxi. The Chinese Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire was used to collect information on demographic characteristics, distribution of musculoskeletal symptoms, and work-related exposures. χ2 test was applied to compare differences in positive WMSDs rates across groups, and logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associated factors. Results A total of 1476 workers were enrolled in the study after pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The overall prevalence of WMSDs was 34.15%. The most commonly affected body regions were the lower back (17.28%), neck (16.67%), and shoulders (13.82%). The results of logistic regression analysis indicated that female, older age, and education level of college or above were associated with a higher risk of WMSDs (P<0.05). Awkward working postures were significantly associated with WMSDs in corresponding body regions; in particular, awkward postures of the neck, upper limbs, trunk, and lower limbs were related to an increased risk of WMSDs in multiple body sites (P<0.05). In addition, poor lighting conditions, high workplace temperature, frequent or sustained arm support during work, and high job demands were associated with an increased risk of overall or site-specific WMSDs (P<0.05). Conclusion The high prevalence of WMSDs among manganese workers is closely associated with demographic characteristics, working postures, and work environment and organizational factors. Targeted ergonomic interventions focusing on high-risk body regions and key ergonomic exposures are warranted to reduce the risk of WMSDs among manganese workers.
2.Mechanism of activating transcription factor 4 promoting benign prostatic hyperplasia using single-cell RNA sequencing
Junyan XU ; Yuhan GUO ; Jiaohuang CHEN ; Xueting SUN ; Zhong WANG ; Yanting SHEN
Journal of Modern Urology 2026;31(5):460-466
Objective To investigate the role of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in order to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying BPH progression. Methods Firstly, we analyzed the correlation between the expression of ATF4 and the volume of prostate transition zone in BPH tissues using publicly available datasets. Subsequently, we explored the potential association among ATF4, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and BPH through single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Finally, we validated the findings by silencing ATF4 and treating BPH cells with ATF4 protein inhibitors, followed by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), CCK-8 assay, and Western blot. Results The expression of ATF4 in BPH tissues exhibited a significant positive correlation with the volume of prostate transition zone (r=0.64, P<0.05). scRNA-seq analysis revealed that ATF4 was significantly upregulated in the prostate epithelial cells of BPH patients (P<0.05), and its expression demonstrated a significant positive correlation with the Hallmark EMT singscore (r=0.14, P<0.05). In vitro experiments further indicated that knockdown of ATF4 led to a significant reduction in the proliferative activity of BPH-1 cells (P<0.05). Similarly, inhibition of ATF4 activity resulted in a marked decrease in the proliferative capacity and EMT of BPH-1 cells (P<0.05). Conclusion ATF4 may exert a promoting effect on BPH by modulating the EMT signaling pathway;therefore, ATF4 may serve as a novel therapeutic target of BPH.
3.Changes in health status and management strategies for workers in a chemical enterprise under low-level multiple occupational exposure
Xueting WANG ; Jiming ZHANG ; Yulai TIAN ; Zhiping DUAN ; Wenjie LI ; Chaoye SHEN ; Dasheng LU ; Zhijun ZHOU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(6):693-701
Background Long-term occupational health surveillance facilitates the identification of chronic health risks arising from occupational hazard exposures. However, under low-level exposure conditions in chemical enterprises, traditional workplace-centered risk assessment models are insufficient to fully explain the observed health effects among workers, highlighting the need for individual-focused health management strategies that focus on the worker. Objective To characterize long-term health trends among workers in a chemical enterprise and examine the limitations of workplace hazard monitoring and health surveillance under low-level multiple exposure scenarios, thereby providing a scientific basis for more comprehensive worker health protection measures. Methods We analyzed 972 occupational health examination records collected over a 15-year period (2010–2024) from a chemical enterprise, integrating these with enterprise hazard monitoring reports and workshop air monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The annual counts and prevalences of abnormalities in liver function tests, metabolic syndrome-related indicators, and liver imaging were summarized. Temporal trends were evaluated using the Cochran-Armitage trend test. Time-related changes in abnormal health indicators among active workers were evaluated by generalized linear mixed-effects models (GLMMs), adjusting for age and sex. Individual longitudinal profiles were described for nine workers with continuous 15-year records. In addition, paired comparisons of health outcomes were conducted for 81 workers with both pre-employment and periodic examinations. Results Workplace hazard monitoring indicated that airborne concentrations of major occupational contaminants including VOCs, acids and bases, dust, and physical factors were below national occupational exposure limits. However, 62 VOC species—including chlorobenzene, chloromethane, and cyclohexane—were detected in workshop air, suggesting complex mixed organic solvent exposure. From 2010 to 2015, occupational health examination records were primarily based on physicians’ qualitative assessment, yielding generally low abnormality detection rates. During 2016–2024, data collection was complete, and the prevalences of abnormalities in liver function, metabolic syndrome-related indicators, and liver imaging among active workers remained relatively high. Trend analysis indicated that only the abnormality rates of total bilirubin (TBIL) and hypertension showed statistically significant temporal trends; other indicators exhibited no significant linear changes despite high prevalences. After adjusting for age and sex, the GLMMs showed that the abnormality rates of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), TBIL, and hypertension decreased over time, whereas those of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and fatty liver increased. In a subgroup of 9 workers with continuous 15-year follow-up data, the cumulative number of abnormal health indicators increased in several individuals after 2016. Among the 81 workers with both pre-employment and periodic records, abnormalities in total cholesterol, triglycerides, body mass index, and fatty liver were significantly more prevalent after employment over time, whereas changes in liver function enzymes were not statistically significant. Conclusion With increasing age, workers exhibit a gradual deterioration in liver function and metabolic-related health indicators, reaching abnormality rates comparable to those reported in the general population. These findings suggest that both workplace-related and non-occupational factors jointly contribute to the observed health changes. Consequently, occupational health management should shift towards an "individual-centered" approach. Enhancing workers' health literacy, strengthening workplace health promotion, and extending occupational health services beyond the workplace are essential to comprehensively protect workers' health.
4.Prospective study of association between dietary macronutrients and lung function in school aged children
LI Lu, CHEN Mengxue, LI Ruirui, LIU Xueting, WANG Xiaoyu, XU Yujie, XIONG Jingyuan, CHENG Guo
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(2):200-204
Objective:
To explore the longitudinal associations between dietary macronutrients and lung function in schoolaged children, so as to provide the nutritional research evidence for promoting children s lung health.
Methods:
In November 2021, two primary schools located in Chengdu, Sichuan Province were selected from the Southwest China Childhood Nutrition and Growth (SCCNG) cohort by a stratified cluster random sampling method, enrolling a total of 1 112 school aged children aged 8 to 13 years. At baseline, the dietary and sociodemographic characteristics of the children were assessed. One year later, the forced vital capacity (FVC) of the children was measured and converted into Z scores (FVC- Z ), while the vital capacity index (VCI) was also calculated. Generalized linear regression analysis was employed to examine the associations between dietary macronutrients and lung function, considering interactions with gender and age, followed by stratified analysis.
Results:
After adjusting for confounding factors, the analysis results of the generalized linear regression model showed that the carbohydrate energy ratio was negatively correlated with FVC- Z ( β =-0.02) and VCI ( β =-0.16), while the fat energy ratio showed a positive correlation with FVC- Z ( β =0.03) and VCI ( β =0.23) ( P <0.05). The protein energy ratio was positively correlated with FVC- Z ( β =0.09) and VCI ( β =0.60) specifically in girls ( P <0.05). Additionally, there was an interaction effect of age on the associations between macronutrients and lung function ( P <0.01); in children aged 8-9 and 10-11, the carbohydrate energy supply ratio was negatively correlated with FVC- Z ( β =-0.04, -0.03) and VCI ( β =-0.29, -0.21), and fat energy supply ratio was positively correlated with FVC- Z ( β =0.07, 0.05) and VCI ( β =0.46, 0.32) ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
There are age and sex differences in the association of dietary macronutrients with lung function, with a low carbohydrate, high fat diet promoting lung function in children. Additionally, protein intake appears to have a positive influence on the lung function of girls. The early school age period may represent a critical window for dietary interventions aimed at promoting lung health.
5.Relationship between psychological distress and psychosomatic symptoms in obsessive-compulsive disorder patients: the mediating role of anhedonia
Yuhan LI ; Fangqing SONG ; Shaoxia WANG ; Xueting ZHANG ; Yanrong WANG ; Jianqun FANG
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(3):217-222
BackgroundObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common neuropsychiatric illness and is listed as one of the top ten disabling conditions causing loss of income and reduced quality of life. Psychological distress is an important cause of anhedonia in OCD patients, and is closely related to psychosomatic symptoms. Therefore, exploring the role of anhedonia in the relationship between psychological distress and psychosomatic symptoms is of great significance for optimizing clinical psychological treatment protocols for OCD patients. ObjectiveTo explore the role of anhedonia in the relationship between psychological distress and psychosomatic symptoms in OCD patients, with the aim of providing references for managing psychosomatic symptoms in patients. MethodsA total of 90 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for OCD according to the International Classification of Diseases, tenth edition (ICD-10), and who visited the Mental Health Center outpatient clinic of General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from September 2023 to November 2024 were selected as the study objects. The instruments and techniques used for the evaluation were: Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS), 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and Psychosomatic Symptom Scale (PSSS). Model 4 of the Process for SPSS 26.0 was used to test the mediating role of anhedonia in the relationship between psychological distress and psychosomatic symptoms, with Bootstrapping used to assess the significance of mediating effect. ResultsA total of 84 patients (93.33%) completed the valid questionnaire. K10 score was positively correlated with PSSS total score, psychological symptom score and physical symptom score (r=0.559, 0.460, 0.551, P<0.01). K10 score was negatively correlated with DARS total score (r=-0.527, P<0.01). The total score of DARS was negatively correlated with PSSS total score (r=-0.497, P<0.01). Anhedonia mediated the relationship between psychological distress and psychosomatic symptoms, with an indirect effect value was 0.148 (95% CI: 0.042~0.278), accounting for 26.48% of the total effect. ConclusionPsychological distress can affect the psychosomatic symptoms in OCD patients both directly and indirectly via anhedonia.
6.Challenges and future directions of medicine with artificial intelligence
Xiaoqin ZHOU ; Huizhen LIU ; Ting WANG ; Xueting LIU ; Fang LIU ; Deying KANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(02):244-251
This comprehensive review systematically explores the multifaceted applications, inherent challenges, and promising future directions of artificial intelligence (AI) within the medical domain. It meticulously examines AI's specific contributions to basic medical research, disease prevention, intelligent diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, nursing, and health management. Furthermore, the review delves into AI's innovative practices and pivotal roles in clinical trials, hospital administration, medical education, as well as the realms of medical ethics and policy formulation. Notably, the review identifies several key challenges confronting AI in healthcare, encompassing issues such as inadequate algorithm transparency, data privacy concerns, absent regulatory standards, and incomplete risk assessment frameworks. Looking ahead, the future trajectory of AI in healthcare encompasses enhancing algorithm interpretability, propelling generative AI applications, establishing robust data-sharing mechanisms, refining regulatory policies and standards, nurturing interdisciplinary talent, fostering collaboration among industry, academia, and medical institutions, and advancing inclusive, personalized precision medicine. Emphasizing the synergy between AI and emerging technologies like 5G, big data, and cloud computing, this review anticipates a new era of intelligent collaboration and inclusive sharing in healthcare. Through a multidimensional analysis, it presents a holistic overview of AI's medical applications and development prospects, catering to researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in the healthcare sector. Ultimately, this review aims to catalyze the deep integration and innovative deployment of AI technology in healthcare, thereby driving the sustainable advancement of smart healthcare.
7.Predictive effect of intestinal microbiota structure in db/db diabetic mice on hypoglycemic effect of liraglutide
Zhongshuai SUN ; Ruifeng WANG ; Xueting LI ; Qingyu GUO ; Heng ZHAO ; Zhouqin ZHENG ; Hong DU
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(17):79-84
Objective To investigate the effects of liraglutide on the gut microbiota of db/db diabetic mice and the predictive value of the microbial structure for the hypoglycemic efficacy.Methods The db/db mice were randomly divided into control group and liraglutide group(0.4 μg/g).Fasting blood glucose levels were measured in the mice,and fecal samples were collected to determine the structure of the gut microbiota.Results Compared with the control group,the liraglutide group exhibi-ted a significant increase in the average number of operational taxonomic unit(OTU)(P<0.01).The number of observed species,Chao1 index and ACE index were all significantly higher in the liraglutide group than those in the control group(P<0.05).Additionally,the liraglutide group showed a signifi-cant increase in the relative abundance of Firmicutes and a significant decrease in the abundance of Actinobacteria compared with the control group(P<0.01).The percentage decrease in blood glucose levels in db/db mice was positively correlated with the abundance of Pseudomonadaceae and negatively correlated with the abundances of Clostridiaceae and Peptostreptococcaceae.Conclusion Liraglutide treatment can modulate the structure of the gut microbiota,increasing the number of OTU and diversity,particularly enhancing the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Clostridium,Lachnospira and Oscillospira.The gut microbiota structure in mice serves as a predictive factor for the hypoglycemic efficacy of liraglutide,with diabetic mice exhibiting a higher abundance of Pseudomonas being more likely to benefit from liraglutide-induced hypoglycemic therapy.
8.The value of machine learning models based radiomics for predicting high-risk molecular subtypes of lower-grade gliomas
Xiangli YANG ; Guoqiang YANG ; Wenju NIU ; Xueting LI ; Yan TAN ; Xiaochun WANG ; Lizhi XIE ; Hui ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(8):909-916
Objective:To evaluate the clinical utility of machine learning model based radiomics in predicting high-risk molecular subtypes of lower-grade gliomas(LrGGs).Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 287 patients diagnosed with LrGGs in the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Provincial People′s Hospital, and the Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 2011 to September 2023 were retrospectively collected, including 166 males and 121 females; 114 cases of high-risk molecular subtypes and 173 cases of non-high-risk molecular subtypes. All patients were divided into 201 cases in the training set and 86 cases in the test set according to 7∶3 in simple randomized grouping method. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced T 1WI (CE-T 1WI) and T 2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequence imaging (T 2-FLAIR), and the imaging features of high-risk and non-high-risk molecular subtypes were analyzed. Analysis of variance, recursive feature elimination, and Kruskal-Wallis were used for radiomics feature screening, and a support vector machine (SVM) classifier was used to construct a radiomics-based classifier model. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze clinical variables independently influencing high-risk molecular subtypes of LrGGs to construct a clinical model; a combined model was developed by integrating radiomics labels and clinical variables. Receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC), calibration curve, and decision curve were used to compare the predictive performance of different models. Results:The patient′s age ( OR=1.042, 95% CI 1.018-1.068, P=0.001), pathological grade ( OR=2.270, 95% CI 1.212-4.311, P=0.011), MGMT methylation status ( OR=0.456, 95% CI 0.238-0.866, P=0.017), and ependymal involvement ( OR=7.335, 95% CI 2.929-18.370, P<0.001) were independent influencing factors for the high-risk molecular subtype of LrGGs, and a clinical model was developed based on these factors. An SVM model was constructed based on 12 radiomics features (3 radiomics features based on CE-T 1WI and 9 radiomics features based on T 2-FLAIR). The radiomics score of the probability output by the SVM model was combined with age, pathological grade, MGMT methylation status, and ependymal involvement to develop a combined model. The AUC values of the SVM model for predicting the high-risk molecular subtype of LrGGs were 0.824 and 0.859 in the training set and test set, respectively; the AUC values of the clinical model in the training set and test set were 0.759 and 0.721, respectively; and the AUC values of the combined model in the training set and test set were 0.823 and 0.815, respectively. The combined model had a high clinical net benefit. Conclusion:The machine learning MRI radiomics model can preoperatively predict high risk molecular subtypes of LGGrs, assist in individualized treatment decisions.
9.Preliminary exploration of the symptom fluctuation after acupuncture for idiopathic tinnitus.
Baiqing WANG ; Yuanbo FU ; Baijie LI ; Xueting ZHANG ; Yuhan ZENG ; Yutong NI ; Huilin LIU ; Peng CHEN ; Xiaobai XU ; Bingcong ZHAO
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(10):1477-1483
After being treated with acupuncture, some patients with idiopathic tinnitus may experience a short-term aggravation of tinnitus symptoms on the original basis. These symptoms can be gradually relieved and the overall condition fluctuates towards recovery. This phenomenon has brought some difficulties to patients and clinicians. Based on the academic view of TCM, "destroying pathogens and re-building balance", and in association with the existing understanding of acupuncture in modern medicine for tinnitus, this paper briefly discusses the mechanism and influencing factors of symptom fluctuation in patients with idiopathic tinnitus after acupuncture treatment in terms of both TCM and modern medicine, and proposes the future direction in the research of symptom fluctuation, so as to promote the recognition of clinicians and patients on symptom fluctuation and make rational use of its positive effects. Besides, it is hoped that more researchers will pay attention to symptom fluctuation and advance the exploration of it in academic field.
Humans
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Tinnitus/physiopathology*
;
Acupuncture Therapy
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Male
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Female
10.Causal relationship between immune cells and myopia:a two-sample bidirec-tional and multivariable Mendelian randomization analysis
Xueting WANG ; Yalong DANG ; Fang LEI
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2025;45(3):221-226
Objective To explore the causal relationship between myopia and specific immune cells through Mende-lian randomization(MR)analysis.Methods Data were mined from the Genome-Wide Association Studies(GWAS)data-base,and 731 immune cell characteristics were selected as exposure factors and myopia as the outcome factor.A signifi-cance threshold was established to filter single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)significantly associated with immune cells and myopia,and the influence of weak instrument variable bias was eliminated.The primary analysis method employed was the inverse variance weighted(IVW)approach,supplemented by simple mode,weighted median,weighted mode,and MR-Egger regression for data analysis.The causal relationship between circulating immune cells and myopia was assessed using odds ratios(OR)and 95%confidence intervals.For the SNPs of immune cells that met the hypothesis,Cochran's Q test was used to evaluate heterogeneity,and MR-Egger regression and MR-PRESSO methods were employed to exclude hor-izontal pleiotropy.The leave-one-out analysis was utilized to assess whether significant results were driven by individual SNPs.To avoid reverse causal relationships,myopia was taken as the exposure variable and immune cell phenotypes as outcome variables in the reverse MR analysis.Additionally,multivariate Mendelian randomization(MVMR)was used to e-valuate the causal and independent effects of these immune cells on myopia.Results(1)The results from the two-sam-ple MR IVW method indicated that Memory B cell AC and CD24+CD27+AC(B cells)were protective factors against my-opia.In contrast,Naive CD8br%CD8br(T cells),CD39+CD8br AC(T cells),CD25 on CD39+activated Treg(T cells),PDL-1 on CD 14+CD 16+monocytes and CD80 on myeloid DC were identified as risk factors for myopia.These re-sults are consistent with those of MR-Egger and other methods.MR-Egger regression and MR-PRESSO analyses demonstra-ted that there was no horizontal pleiotropy(P>0.05).(2)The reverse two-sample MR analysis revealed no bidirectional causal relationships between myopia and the aforementioned seven immune cells(all P>0.05).(3)In the MVMR analysis,the significant causal relationship between CD80 on myeloid DC and myopia remained robust after adjusting for potential confounding variables.Conclusion This study reveals the complex causal relationships between various immune pheno-types and myopia through genetic methods,and demonstrates the intricate regulatory patterns of interactions between the immune system and myopia.


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