Objective To quantitatively assess the association of short-term exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) with residents mortality. Methods A time-stratified case-crossover study was conducted from 2020 to 2022 among 10606 non-accidental residents by using the Guangzhou Cause of Death Surveillance System in Conghua District, Guangzhou. Exposure levels of PAHs in PM_2.5 and meteorological data during the study period were obtained from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Conghua District and the China Meteorological Administration Land Data Assimilation System (CLDAS-V2.0), respectively. Conditional Poisson regression model was used to estimate the exposure-response association between PAHs and the mortality risk. Results Fluoranthene, chrysene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene were significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality. For every one interquartile range increase in exposure levels, the non-accidental mortality risks increased by 8.33% (95% CI: 1.80%, 15.27%), 4.67% (95% CI: 1.86%, 7.57%), 6.07% (95% CI: 2.08%, 10.21%), 4.62% (95% CI: 1.85%, 7.47%), and 4.70% (95% CI: 0.53%, 9.03%), respectively. The estimated non accidental deaths attributable to exposure to fluoranthene, chrysene, benzo[k]fluorine, benzo[a]pyrene and indine[1,2,3-cd]pyrene were 5.91%, 6.08%, 6.51%, 6.46%, and 4.21%, respectively. Conclusions Short-term exposure to PAHs in PM_2.5, including fluoranthene, chrysene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene and indine[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, was significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality among residents.

Osteoporosis is a prevalent skeletal condition characterized by reduced bone mass and strength, leading to increased fragility. Buqi-Tongluo (BQTL) decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, has yet to be fully evaluated for its potential in treating bone diseases such as osteoporosis. To investigate the mechanism by which BQTL decoction inhibits osteoclast differentiation in vitro and validate these findings through in vivo experiments. We employed MTS assays to assess the potential proliferative or toxic effects of BQTL on bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) at various concentrations. TRAcP experiments were conducted to examine BQTL's impact on osteoclast differentiation. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were utilized to evaluate the relative expression levels of osteoclast-specific genes and proteins under BQTL stimulation. Finally, in vivo experiments were performed using an osteoporosis model to further validate the in vitro findings. This study revealed that BQTL suppressed receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast resorption activity in vitro in a dose-dependent manner without observable cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effects of BQTL on osteoclast formation and function were attributed to the downregulation of NFATc1 and c-fos activity, primarily through attenuation of the MAPK, NF-κB, and Calcineurin signaling pathways. BQTL's inhibitory capacity was further examined in vivo using an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model, demonstrating a strong protective effect against bone loss. BQTL may serve as an effective therapeutic TCM for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and the alleviation of bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency and related conditions.
Animals ; NFATC Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Ovariectomy ; Osteoclasts/metabolism* ; Female ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Osteoporosis/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Bone Resorption/genetics* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Humans ; RANK Ligand/metabolism* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Transcription Factors

Background Exposure to air pollutants increases the risk of diseases in multiple systems, including respiratory and cardiovascular systems, yet its association with neurological diseases remains unclear. Objective To quantitatively evaluate the association between short-term exposure to air pollutants and outpatient and emergency visits for neurological diseases, identify potential susceptible populations, and quantify associated disease burden. Methods Daily 24-hour average concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), inhalable particulate matter (PM₁₀), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO), daily maximum 8-hour average concentration of ozone (O₃), daily meteorological data (24-hour average temperature, 24-hour average relative humidity), and data on daily outpatient and emergency department visits for neurological diseases from two hospitals in Conghua District, Guangzhou, China, were collected from 2015 to 2022. A time-stratified case-crossover design was adopted, and a conditional Poisson regression model was constructed to analyze the association between air pollution exposure and neurological disease visits. Two-pollutant models and sensitivity analysis were used to validate model stability. Stratified analyses by season (cold season: from November to March; warm season: from April to October), sex (male, female), and age (≤45 years, 46–60 years, ≥61 years) were performed to identify vulnerable group. Additionally, the number and proportion of neurological disease visits attributable to short-term air pollutant exposure were calculated. Results A total of 72 673 outpatient and emergency department visits for neurological diseases were included during the study period. Most of the patients were middle-aged and elderly individuals (69.89% were over 45 years old) and females (60.25%). The results of single-pollutant models showed that for each interquartile range (IQR) increase in exposure to PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, CO, and O₃, the risk of outpatient and emergency department visits for neurological diseases increased by 7.54% (95%CI: 4.69%, 10.46%), 6.66% (95%CI: 3.92%, 9.46%), 16.72% (95%CI: 10.58%, 23.19%), 8.12% (95%CI: 4.82%, 11.53%), 5.60% (95%CI: 2.34%, 8.97%), and 6.11% (95%CI: 2.91%, 9.40%), respectively. The results of the two-pollutant model showed that the association between PM_2.5 and SO₂ exposure and outpatient and emergency department visits for neurological diseases were relatively stable. The stratified analyses showed that the effect of SO₂ was stronger in the cold season. It was estimated that 8.32% (95%CI: 5.55%, 10.96%) and 6.65% (95%CI: 4.27%, 8.96%) of the outpatient and emergency department visits were attributable to short-term exposure to SO₂ and PM_2.5, respectively. Conclusion Exposure to PM_2.5 and SO₂ is associated with increased risks of outpatient and emergency visits for neurological diseases. SO₂ shows stronger effects during the cold season, and exposure to air pollution contributes to up to 8.32% of neurological disease visits.

Objective:To investigate the impact of sarcopenia on the short-term outcomes and long-term prognosis in cervical cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).Methods:A total of 410 cervical cancer patients who received CCRT in Henan Provincial People′s Hospital between January 2017 and December 2021 were prospectively enrolled in this study. They were divided into the sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups based on the body muscle content measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Short-term outcomes were assessed according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), and acute adverse reactions were assessed based on the toxicity criteria of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG). CCRT termination or prolonged treatment associated with various acute adverse reactions were recorded. All patients were followed up with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) as endpoints. Finally, the survival rate was estimated and the association between sarcopenia and PFS was analyzed.Results:Among the patients, 152 (37.1%) had sarcopenia. Compared to the non-sarcopenia group, the sarcopenia group exhibited higher incidences of grade 2 or above acute adverse reactions in the lower gastrointestinal and hematological systems, CCRT termination, or prolonged treatment. In the non-sarcopenia group, 27 deaths were recorded, with an OS of 30 (18-36) months, a 3-year OS rate of 88.7%, and a 5-year OS rate of 85.6%. In the sarcopenia group, 23 deaths were found, with an OS of 24 (15-33) months, a 3-year OS rate of 83.8%, and a 5-year OS rate of 77.7%. There was no significant difference in survival curves between both groups ( P > 0.05). In the non-sarcopenia group, 52 cases of recurrence were recorded, with a PFS of 21 (12-33) months, a 3-year PFS rate of 77.9%, and a 5-year PFS rate of 71.0%. In the sarcopenia group, 41 cases of recurrence were found, with a PFS of 15 (10.5-24) months, a 3-year PFS rate of 69.0%, and a 5-year PFS rate of 56.5%. There was a significant difference in the PFS curves between both groups ( χ2 = 5.89, P = 0.015). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified sarcopenia as an independent risk factor for PFS ( χ2 =4.33, P = 0.037). Conclusions:Sarcopenia increases the risks of acute adverse reactions and long-term recurrence in cervical cancer patients undergoing CCRT.

Objective:To explore the current situation of fear of progression among parents of school-age children with asthma, and to analyze the latent profile categories and influencing factors, so as to provide the reference for the formulation of prevention and intervention.Methods:Using convenient sampling method, school-age children with asthma and their parents treated in the Affiliated Children's Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University from March to August 2023 were selected as the study objects. The General Data Questionnaire, Parent Fear of Progression Scale, Childhood Asthma Control Test, and Social Support Rating Scale were used to investigate school-age children with asthma and their parents. Latent profile analysis was performed on the fear of disease progression among parents of school-age children with asthma, and χ2 test and binary Logistic regression were used to explore the influencing factors. Results:A total of 210 parents of the children were included with 51 fathers and 159 mothers.The age distribution was 20-30 years old with 42 parents, 31-40 years old with 112 parents, 41-50 years old with 56 parents. In 210 children with asthma, there were 123 males and 87 females, with 141 cases aged<10 years old and 69 cases aged ≥10 years old. The fear of progression among parents of school-age children with asthma could be divided into two potential profile categories: "psychological dysfunction group (46.7%, 98/210)" and "psychological health good group (53.3%, 112/210)". The results of binary Logistic regression analysis showed that asthma family history, combined allergic rhinitis, child-parent relationship, marital status, asthma symptom control level, and social support level were the influencing factors of fear of progression among parents of school-age children with asthma( OR values were 0.925-10.010, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The fear of progression among parents of school-age children with asthma is at a moderate level, and there are obvious different classification characteristics. In the future, targeted and precise prevention and intervention should be implemented according to the category characteristics of fear of progression among parents of school-age children with asthma.

Objective To analyze three-dimensional imaging characteristics and advantages for severe portal vein stenosis after liver transplantation, and to evaluate clinical efficacy of portal vein stent implantation. Methods Clinical data of 10 patients who received portal vein stent implantation for severe portal vein stenosis after liver transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. Imaging characteristics of severe portal vein stenosis, and advantages of three-dimensional reconstruction imaging and interventional treatment efficacy for severe portal vein stenosis were analyzed. Results Among 10 patients, 3 cases were diagnosed with centripetal stenosis, tortuosity angulation-induced stenosis in 2 cases, compression-induced stenosis in 2 cases, long-segment stenosis and/or vascular occlusion in 3 cases. Three-dimensional reconstruction images possessed advantages in accurate identification of stenosis, identification of stenosis types and measurement of stenosis length. All patients were successfully implanted with portal vein stents. After stent implantation, the diameter of the minimum diameter of portal vein was increased [(6.2±0.9) mm vs. (2.6±1.7) mm, P<0.05], the flow velocity at anastomotic site was decreased [(57±19) cm/s vs. (128±27) cm/s, P<0.05], and the flow velocity at the portal vein adjacent to the liver was increased [(41±6) cm/s vs. (18±6) cm/s, P<0.05]. One patient suffered from intrahepatic hematoma caused by interventional puncture, which was mitigated after conservative observation and treatment. The remaining patients did not experience relevant complications. Conclusions Three-dimensional visualization technique may visually display the location, characteristics and severity of stenosis, which is beneficial for clinicians to make treatment decisions and assist interventional procedures. Timely implantation of portal vein stent may effectively reverse pathological process and improve portal vein blood flow.

Objective To quantitatively evaluate the association of short-term exposure to ambient submicron particulate matter (PM₁) with hospital admissions for angina in older adults. Methods A case-crossover study was conducted among 46 687 older adults hospitalized for angina from 2016 to 2019 in Guangzhou medical institutions. Grid data on ambient PM₁ concentrations in Guangzhou were obtained from the ChinaHighAirPollutants (CHAP) dataset. Exposure to PM₁ was assessed according to each subject's residential addresses. Conditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the the exposure-response association between PM₁ and hospital admissions for angina. Results From 2016 to 2019, the average exposure level of PM₁ on the same day of hospital admissions (lag 0) for angina was 21.0 ± 11.5 μg/m³. The results of main model analysis showed that lag 0 day exposure to ambient PM₁ was significantly associated with a higher odds of hospital admissions for angina in older adults. Each 10 μg/m³ increase of PM₁ exposure level was significantly associated with a 1.31% (95% CI: 0.05%, 2.59%) increased odds of angina admissions. Results from a two-pollutant model adjusting for O₃ showed that the association between short-term exposure to PM₁ and odds of hospitalization for angina remained stable. According to the results of the above model, it was estimated that the excess hospitalization attributable to ambient PM₁ exposure accounted for 2.46% (95% CI: 0.09%, 4.76%) of the total admissions in Guangzhou during 2016-2019, corresponding to 1539 (95% CI: 54, 2976) admissions. No significant effect modification on the associations was observed by sex, age, or season. Conclusion Short-term exposure to ambient PM₁ was significantly associated with an increased odds of hospital admissions for angina in older adults.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence that long-term exposure to ambient air pollution increases mortality among older adults, particularly those residing in low-level air pollution locations, remains scarce. This study investigated the potential links between long-term low-level air pollution exposure and mortality among Chinese older adults. METHODS: A population-based study with 317,464 individuals aged ≥ 65 years was conducted in Shenzhen, China during 2018 and 2020. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the associations between long-term exposure to air pollution and all-cause mortality, as the primary outcome, as well as non-accidental, cancer and cardiovascular mortality. RESULTS: Significant associations of PM ₁, PM _2.5, PM ₁₀, SO ₂, CO, and O ₃ exposures with a higher risk of all-cause mortality were found. Adjusted odds ratio ( OR) for each 1 µg/m ³ increment was 1.49 [95% confidence interval ( CI): 1.46, 1.53] for PM ₁, 1.30 (1.27, 1.32) for PM _2.5, 1.05 (1.04, 1.06) for PM ₁₀, 5.84 (5.39, 6.32) for SO ₂, 1.04 (1.04, 1.05) for CO, and 1.02 (1.00, 1.03) for O ₃, respectively. Long-term PM ₁, PM _2.5, PM ₁₀, SO ₂, and CO exposures also elevated the risks of non-accidental, cancer and cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSION Long-term low-level air pollution exposure was associated with an increased mortality risk among Chinese older adults.
Humans ; Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Air Pollution/adverse effects* ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Particulate Matter/adverse effects* ; Cardiovascular Diseases/mortality* ; Mortality ; Neoplasms/mortality* ; East Asian People

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common tumors of primary hepatic carcinoma, and one of the major causes of cancer related deaths worldwide. HCC has high incidence and mortality, with limited treatment. The prevention and treatment of HCC faces great challenges. At present, interventional therapy combined with immune plus targeted therapy has a synergistic effect and a significant effect in prolonging the survival time of patients and controlling tumors, which brings a brand-new therapeutic hope to patients with advanced HCC. The authors report a case of advanced HCC with lung metastasis who underwent hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with immune plus targeted therapy, with a result of good clinical effect on tumor controlling in a short time.

Objective:To design a pediatric early warning score (PEWS) ruler and observe the effect of its application in the nursing of critically ill children hospitalized in neurology department.Methods:A total of 200 critically ill children admitted to Department of Neurology of Hunan Children′s Hospital from 2018 to 2019. 98 cases who were hospitalized from January to September 2019 were selected as the observation group, and 102 cases who were hospitalized from January to September 2018 were set as the control group. The control group received conventional care, while the observation group conducted PEWS ruler for nursing intervention on the basis of conventional care. The differences in hospital days, ICU transfer rate, and frequency of medical intervention between the two groups were compared.Results:The hospital days of the control group and observation group were 18.17 ± 6.33 and 13.33 ± 6.38 respectively, and the difference between the two groups was significant ( t=5.38, P<0.01). The ICU transfer rate was significantly different between the control group 17.6% (18/102) and observation group 8.2% (8/98) ( χ2=3.98, P<0.05). The reduction of increased intracranial pressure, cooling, calm, sedation and oxygen breathing in the control group were 6.86% (7/102), 13.73% (14/102), 6.86% (7/102), 7.84% (8/102), while the observation group were 17.35% (17/98), 27.55% (27/98), 24.49% (24/98), 28.57% (28/98), and the differences between the two groups were significant ( χ2 values were 5.20-14.55, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The application of PEWS ruler is helpful for nurses to recognize the progress of diseases of the critically ill children. Also, it can shorten the hospitalization days of these children, reduce the ICU transfer rate, as well as improve the nursing quality for them.