Background Staff in tertiary hospitals are a high-risk group for occupational burnout. Timely identification and precise intervention are crucial for improving healthcare service quality. However, comparative studies on perceived stress and occupational burnout among hospital staff in different positions are lacking. Objective To describe the status of perceived stress and occupational burnout among hospital staff in different positions and compare the differences, explore the relationship between perceived stress and occupational burnout, and identify the influencing factors of occupational burnout. Methods In May 2022, 1526 hospital staff members were selected by convenience sampling from six tertiary hospitals in Guangzhou. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Chinese Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS), and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) to assess demographic characteristics, perceived stress, and occupational burnout. Chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used to compare differences in perceived stress and occupational burnout among staff in different positions. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore possible correlation between perceived stress and occupational burnout. Multiple linear regression was conducted to identify influencing factors of occupational burnout. Results A total of 1388 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective response rate of 90.96%. Among them, 437 nurses (57.0%), 273 physicians (58.6%), 24 pharmacists (57.1%), and 62 administrators (54.9%) reported positive perceived health risk stress (P=0.892). Additionally, 392 nurses (51.1%), 213 physicians (45.7%), 19 pharmacists (45.2%), and 53 administrators (46.9%) reported positive occupational burnout (P=0.005). Perceived stress was positively correlated with occupational burnout among nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and administrators (r=0.5973, 0.5687, 0.5464, and 0.5276, respectively; P＜0.01). The multiple linear regression identified perceived stress (b=1.4587, P＜0.001), job satisfaction (b=−7.4195, P＜0.001), self-rated health (b=−2.0428, P＜0.001), working years (b=−0.1135, P=0.016), and being a nurse (compared with an administrators) (b=3.2435, P=0.045) as significant factors for occupational burnout (P<0.001). Conclusion Perceived health risk stress and occupational burnout are common among hospital staff, with nurses experiencing significantly higher levels of occupational burnout compared to other positions. Hospital managers should pay more attention to staff with higher perceived stress, lower job satisfaction, poorer self-rated health, and shorter working years, particularly nurses.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a common liver disease and may become the leading cause of severe liver disease in the future. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study assesses MAFLD's impact in countries and regions worldwide, providing insights into its prevalence. METHODS: Prevalence data for MAFLD from 1990 to 2021 by country and region in all sex and age groups were collected from the Global Health Data Exchange. The categorization of countries and geographic areas by development was performed using the Sociodemographic Index (SDI). RESULTS: Between 1990 and 2021, the global crude prevalence rate of MAFLD increased from 10.6% to 16.1% (beta-coefficient: 0.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.2-0.2%, P  <0.001), and the age-standardized prevalence rate was increased from 12.1% to 15.0% (beta-coefficient: 0.1%, 95% CI: 0.1-0.1%, P  <0.001). In 2021, MAFLD was estimated to have affected 1.3 billion people worldwide. Significant uptrends were observed in all regions, super regions, and SDI categories. The fastest increase from 1990 to 2021 and the highest prevalence rate in 2021 were experienced by countries and territories with high-middle and middle SDI. An increase in the prevalence of MAFLD from 1990 to 2021 was demonstrated in all but six countries. CONCLUSIONS In 2021, the number of patients affected by MAFLD was doubled compared to 1990, and the prevalence rate increased by over 50%. The burden of MAFLD, as measured by prevalence, was more prominent in countries and territories with middle SDI and in those located in North African and Middle Eastern, possibly due to changes in lifestyle in these areas over the past 30 years.
Humans ; Global Burden of Disease ; Prevalence ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Global Health ; Fatty Liver/epidemiology* ; Aged

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the distribution of Y chromosome azoospermia factor (AZF) microdeletions and their association with testicular development in male pediatric patients with congenital reproductive system disorders, including hypospadias, cryptorchidism, and disorders of sex development (DSD). METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted on pediatric patients admitted to the Department of Urology of Shanghai Children's Hospital from November 2021 to December 2023. The observation group included boys with hypospadias, cryptorchidism, or DSD, while the control group comprised boys with phimosis, indirect inguinal hernia, or hydrocele. Blood samples were collected for AZF microdeletion analysis using multiplex PCR to detect 15 sequence-tagged sites. Testicular ultrasound was performed to record testicular position and volume. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the groups. After matching, testicular volume differences were assessed. Stratified analyses compared testicular volume among children with AZF microdeletions, the control group, and children without micro-deletions in observation group. RESULTS: A total of 493 children were enrolled (observation group: 463; control group: 30). No Y chromosome microdeletions were detected in the control group. Four boys in the observation group had AZF microdeletions: one with cryptorchidism (AZFc+AZFd), one with isolated hypospadias (AZFc), and two with DSD (one with AZFb+AZFc+AZFd and one with AZFa). Ultrasonography measured 888 testicles. After PSM, testicular volume was significantly smaller in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.01). Stratified analysis revealed that among children under 9 years, those with AZF microdeletions tended to be older but had smaller testicular volumes compared to the control group and those without microdeletions in the observation group, although differences were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). Among children over 9 years, ages were comparable, but children with AZF microdeletions had smaller testicular volumes than the other two groups (statistical analysis was not performed due to small sample size). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of Y chromosome microdeletions is higher in male children with congenital reproductive system disorders compared to the general population, particularly in those with DSD. Hypospadias, cryptorchidism, DSD, and AZF microdeletions may be associated with delayed testicular development in these children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of palliative care on drug use, medical service utilization and medical expenditure of patients with advanced cancer. METHODS: A cohort of patients including pal-liative care and standard care was constructed using the medical records of the patients in Peking University Cancer Hospital from 2018 to 2020, and coarsened exact matching was used to match the two groups of patients. The average monthly opioid consumption, hospitalization rate, intensive care unit (ICU) rate and operation rate, and the average monthly total cost were selected to evaluate drug use, medical service utilization and medical expenditure. Chi-square test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to compare the differences between the two groups before and after exposure and the change in the palliative care group. The net impact of palliative care on the patients was calculated using the difference-in-differences analysis. RESULTS: In this study, 180 patients in the palliative care group and 3 101 patients in the stan-dard care group were finally included in the matching, and the matching effect of the two groups was good (L₁ < 0.1). Before and after exposure, the average monthly opioid consumption in the palliative care group was significantly higher than that in the standard care group (Before exposure: 0.3 DDD/person-month vs. 0.1 DDD/person-month, P < 0.01; After exposure: 0.7 DDD/person-month vs. 0.1 DDD/person-month, P < 0.01; DDD refers to defined daily dose), palliative care significantly increased the average monthly opioid consumption in the patients (0.3 DDD/person-month, P < 0.01). The hospitalization rate (48.9% vs. 74.3%, P < 0.01) and operation rate (3.9% vs. 8.8%, P < 0.01) of the patients in palliative care group were significantly lower than those in standard care group, and the ICU rate became similar between the two groups (1.1% vs. 1.6%, P=0.634). Palliative care significantly reduced the patients ' hospitalization rate (-25.6%, P < 0.01), ICU rate (-4.9%, P < 0.01) and operation rate (-14.5%, P < 0.01). Before and after exposure, the average monthly total costs of pal-liative care group were slightly higher than those of standard care group (Before exposure: 20 092.3 yuan vs. 19 132.8 yuan, P=0.725; After exposure: 9 719.8 yuan vs. 8 818.8 yuan, P=0.165). Palliative care increased the average monthly total cost by 2 208.8 yuan, but it was not statistically significant (P=0.316). CONCLUSION Palliative care can increase the opioid consumption in advanced cancer patients, reduce the rates of hospitalization, ICU and surgery, but has no significant effect on medical expenditure.
Humans ; Palliative Care/economics* ; Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Analgesics, Opioid/economics* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Hospitalization/economics* ; Intensive Care Units/statistics & numerical data* ; Health Expenditures/statistics & numerical data* ; Adult ; Drug Utilization/statistics & numerical data* ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data*

Gut microbial communities are likely remodeled in tandem with accumulated physiological decline during aging, yet there is limited understanding of gut microbiome variation in advanced age. Here, we performed a metagenomics-based enterotype analysis in a geographically homogeneous cohort of 367 enrolled Chinese individuals between the ages of 60 and 94 years, with the goal of characterizing the gut microbiome of elderly individuals and identifying factors linked to enterotype variations. In addition to two adult-like enterotypes dominated by Bacteroides (ET-Bacteroides) and Prevotella (ET-Prevotella), we identified a novel enterotype dominated by Escherichia (ET-Escherichia), whose prevalence increased in advanced age. Our data demonstrated that age explained more of the variance in the gut microbiome than previously identified factors such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or diet. We characterized the distinct taxonomic and functional profiles of ET-Escherichia, and found the strongest cohesion and highest robustness of the microbial co-occurrence network in this enterotype, as well as the lowest species diversity. In addition, we carried out a series of correlation analyses and co-abundance network analyses, which showed that several factors were likely linked to the overabundance of Escherichia members, including advanced age, vegetable intake, and fruit intake. Overall, our data revealed an enterotype variation characterized by Escherichia enrichment in the elderly population. Considering the different age distribution of each enterotype, these findings provide new insights into the changes that occur in the gut microbiome with age and highlight the importance of microbiome-based stratification of elderly individuals.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Bacteroides ; China ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/microbiology* ; Escherichia coli/classification* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics* ; Metagenomics ; East Asian People

Natural products (NPs) have historically been a fundamental source for drug discovery. Yet the complex nature of NPs presents substantial challenges in pinpointing bioactive constituents, and corresponding targets. In the present study, an innovative natural product virtual screening-interaction-phenotype (NP-VIP) strategy that integrates virtual screening, chemical proteomics, and metabolomics to identify and validate the bioactive targets of NPs. This approach reduces false positive results and enhances the efficiency of target identification. Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM), a herb with recognized therapeutic potential against ischemic stroke (IS), was used to illustrate the workflow. Utilizing virtual screening, chemical proteomics, and metabolomics, potential therapeutic targets for SM in the IS treatment were identified, totaling 29, 100, and 78, respectively. Further analysis via the NP-VIP strategy highlighted five high-confidence targets, including poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase 1 (PARP1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), amyloid precursor protein (APP), glutamate-ammonia ligase (GLUL), and glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67). These targets were subsequently validated and found to play critical roles in the neuroprotective effects of SM. The study not only underscores the importance of SM in treating IS but also sets a precedent for NP research, proposing a comprehensive approach that could be adapted for broader pharmacological explorations.

Objective:To discuss the effect of sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin-15(Siglec15)derived from M2 tumor-associated macrophages(M2-TAMs)on promoting the malignant biological behavior of the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)through bioinformatics analysis,and to validate the findings through cell experiment.Methods:The Tumor Immune Estimation Resource(TIMER)online Database was used to analyze the expression differences and immune infiltration of Siglec15 in pan-cancer and adjacent normal tissues.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of Siglec15 mRNA in M2-TAMs and ESCC EC109 and KYSE150 cells.Based on the non-contact co-culture of M2-TAMs and ESCC cells,the following groups were set up,such as EC109/KYSE150 group,EC109/KYSE150+si-NC group(transfected with si-NC sequence),and EC109/KYSE150+si-Siglec15 group(transfected with si-Siglec15#1 and si-Siglec15#2 sequences).CCK-8 method was used to detect the proliferation activities of the cells in various groups;wound healing assay was used to detect the wound healing rates of the cells in various groups;Transwell chamber assay was used to detect the numbers of migration and invasion cells in various groups;flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptotic rates of the cells in various groups.Results:The bioinformatics analysis results showed that compared with adjacent normal tissue,the expression levels of Siglec15 mRNA in pan-cancer tissues such as esophageal cancer,colon cancer,and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tissues were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the expression level of Siglec15 mRNA in esophageal cancer tissue was significantly positively correlated with the infiltration of the macrophages(P＜0.05).Compared with the EC109 cells and KYSE150 cells,the expression level of Siglec15 mRNA in M2-TAMs was significantly increased(P＜0.01).There was no significant difference in the proliferation rate of the cells among EC109/KYSE150 group,EC109/KYSE150+si-NC group,and EC109/KYSE150+si-Siglec15 group(P＞0.05).Compared with EC109/KYSE150 group,after treated for 24 and 48 h,the wound healing rate of the cells in EC109/KYSE150+si-NC group was increased(P＜0.01),the numbers of migration and invasion cells were increased(P＜0.05),and the apoptotic rate was decreased(P＜0.01).Compared with EC109/KYSE150+si-NC group,the wound healing rates of the cells in EC109/KYSE150+si-Siglec15#1 group and EC109/KYSE150+si-Siglec15#2 group were decreased(P＜0.05),the numbers of migration and invasion cells were decreased(P＜0.05),and the apoptotic rates of the cells had no significant difference(P＞0.05).Conclusion:Siglec15 derived from M2-TAMs may be a key factor in promoting the migration and invasion of the ESCC cells.

Objective To determine the optimal conditions for CXCR4 upregulation by comparing the expression levels of chemokine(C-X-C motif)receptor 4(CXCR4)in MSCs cultured with varying concentrations of oxygen and hydrogen peroxide(H2O2).Methods MSCs were cultured with 0.1％,1％,or 3％O2 and 50 μmol/L H2O2 for different lengths of time(3,6,12,and 24 h).The mRNA and protein expressions of CXCR4 in MSCs were measured by real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR),Western blotting,and immunofluorescence staining.The viability and chemotactic ability of MSCs were measured using CCK-8,wound-healing and Transwell migration assays.Results Both hypoxia and H2O2 treatment were found to upregulate MSC expressions of CXCR4 to some extent.The mRNA and protein levels of CXCR4 were higher after 6-12 h of culture of MSCs with 3％O2,and significantly higher when treated with H2O2 for 6 h.Cell viability was significantly increased after culture with 3％O2 compared with the control group and both 3％O2 and H2O2 pretreatment could enhance chemotactic migration in MSCs.Conclusion Culture with 3％O2 and H2O2 pretreatment can upregulate CXCR4 expressions in MSCs and enhance migration in cells,with superior effects observed with 3％O2.Therefore,treatment with 3％O2 represents the best choice for upregulating the chemotactic ability of MSCs.

Objective To analyze the mutation rates of thrombolytic genes antiphospholipid antibody(APOH),thrombo-regulatory protein(THBD)and PC anticoagulant protein(PROC),providing a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of thrombolytic diseases in adolescents.Methods A total of 582 cases 16-year-old adolescents who underwent routine physical examination from May to December 2019 were selected as the study objects.The gene loci such as PROC c.574_576del,THBD c.-151G>T and APOHc.461G>A were detected by PCR-RFLP genotyping detection and gene sequencing technology,and statistical analysis was performed on mutation rates.Results PCR-RFLP genotyping detecting of 582 samples showed that the mutation rate of PROC c.574_576del was about 0.69%(4/582),which was lower than the overall mutation rate in the Chinese population(2.4%),while the mutation rates of THBD c.-151G>T and APOHc.461G>A were about 2.92%(17/582)and 12.71%(74/582),which were higher than the overall mutation rates in Chinese population(0.97%,10.27%).Sequencing analysis showed that APOHc.461G>A mutation was linked with APOHc.422T>C and APOHc.1004G>C mutation.Conclusion The mutation rate of thrombolytic gene in adolescents is different from that of the whole population.The mutation rates of APOHc.461G>A and THBD c.-151G>T are higher than those of the whole Chinese population,indicating that timely detection should be used in the diagnosis and treatment of thrombolytic diseases in adolescents.

Objective To construct a regulatory network of competing endogenous RNA(ceRNA)with prognostic value for bladder urothelial carcinoma(BLCA),and analyze the relationship between key messenger RNA(mRNA)and immune function.Methods The UCSC Xena database was used to download mRNA expression data from 404 BLCA patients and 28 normal individuals and key mRNAs were screened by differential analysis.ENCORI database was utilized to search microRNAs(miRNAs)that bind to key mRNAs and all long non-coding RNAs(LncRNAs)that bind to miRNAs.The expression data of miRNA and LncRNA were downloaded from TCGA database,co-expression analysis was performed to identify key mRNA with all miRNAs and miRNA with all LncRNAs,and thus key miRNAs and LncRNAs were screened out.Survival analysis was conducted based on the differences in expression levels of these key mRNAs,miRNAs,and LncRNAs between tumor patients and normal individuals,and finally a ceRNA regulatory network was constructed.The correlation between key mRNAs and immune cells,immune checkpoints(CD274,PDCD1 and CTLA4),and immune cell marker genes(IG)was analyzed using the TIMER 2.0 database.Results A total of 22 key mRNAs were screened,with the most significant difference being proline 3-hydroxylase 4(P3H4).The expression of P3H4 in patients with BLCA was high,and survival time was shorter in patients with high expression.A sum of 33 miRNAs and 14 LncRNAs were screened using the key mRNAs as the central link.Through co-expression analysis and survival analysis,hsa-miR-151a-3p and MIR100 HG were identified as the key miRNA and key LncRNA with prognostic value.The differences in the above analysis results were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Based on these findings,a ceRNA regulatory network consisting of 1 mRNA,1 miRNA,and 1 LncRNA was constructed.Immunoassay firstly revealed a significant positive correlation between double positive T cells and P3H4 expression in the tumor microenvironment of BLCA.Moreover,there were 3 types of immune cells(tumor-associated neutrophils,and tumor-associated macrophages,dendritic cells),3 immune checkpoints(CD274,PDCD1,CTLA4),and 15 IGs with significant correlation with P3H4.These differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.01).Conclusion This study could help to reveal the progression mechanism of BLCA.The constructed ceRNA network and immune analysis can offer new insights into potential biological targets and immunotherapy directions for the diagnosis,treatment,and prediction of BLCA patients.