Background Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of persistent organic pollutants widely used in various products, leading to population exposure and long-term accumulation. At present, there is a lack of research on the relationships between pre-pregnancy PFAS and menstrual characteristics among women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) in China. Objective To explore the relationships between pre-pregnancy PFAS exposure among women undergoing ART and menstrual characteristics prior to assisted reproductive treatment. Methods This study employed a cross-sectional research design, recruiting women undergoing ART treatment at the Reproductive Clinic of the International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, from 2017 to 2020 as study participants. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect 42 types of PFAS in pre-pregnancy serum samples. Questionnaires were administered to collect information on demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, and menstrual characteristics (average menstrual cycle length, average menstrual period length, menstrual irregularities, and menstrual bleeding volume) of women undergoing ART. Multiple linear regression, binary logistic regression, and multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the relationships between individual PFAS exposure before pregnancy and menstrual characteristics among ART women. Additionally, weighted quantile sum (WQS) model was applied to analyze the association between PFAS mixtures and menstrual characteristics. Results In the pre-pregnancy serum samples of the study population, 15 PFAS were detected in more than 60% of the samples, including perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDA), perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA), 8:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (8:2 Cl-PFESA), perfluoro-2-propoxypropanoic acid (HFPO-DA), perfluoro-2-methoxyacetic acid (PFMOAA), and perfluoro-(3,5,7,9,11-pentaoxadodecanoic) acid (PFO5DoDA). Among them, PFOA had the highest median concentration of 9.160 ng·mL⁻¹. The single PFAS exposure analysis revealed a positive correlation between PFAS and irregular menstrual cycles. Specifically, for every natural-log unit (e) increase in PFOA, PFBS, or PFHxS level, the incidence of irregular menstrual cycles increased by 57%, 42%, or 39%, respectively. Most PFAS were positively correlated with the average number of menstrual cycle days, such as PFHpA (b=1.08, 95%CI: 0.11, 2.05), PFOA (b=1.69, 95%CI: 0.39, 3.00), PFBS (b=1.23, 95%CI: 0.25, 2.22), PFHxS (b=1.47, 95%CI: 0.61, 2.32), PFHpS (b=1.48, 95%CI: 0.35, 2.61), and 6:2 Cl-PFESA (b=0.90, 95%CI: 0.08, 1.72). Furthermore, levels of PFHpA (OR=1.39, 95%CI: 1.06, 1.82), PFOA (OR=1.58, 95%CI: 1.09, 2.30), PFBS (OR=1.37, 95%CI: 1.04, 1.80), PFHxS (OR=1.34, 95%CI: 1.05, 1.71), PFHpS (OR=1.53, 95%CI: 1.10, 2.14), and 6:2 Cl-PFESA (OR=1.34, 95%CI: 1.06, 1.70) were positively correlated with low menstrual blood volume, while PFOA (OR=0.40, 95%CI: 0.23, 0.71), PFHpS (OR=0.45, 95%CI: 0.29, 0.71), and HFPO-DA (OR=0.68, 95%CI: 0.48, 0.97) were negatively correlated with high menstrual blood volume. The mixed exposure model showed that PFAS mixtures were positively correlated with the average number of menstrual cycle days (b=1.60, 95%CI: 0.49, 2.71), irregular menstrual cycles (OR=1.77, 95%CI: 1.19, 2.63), and low menstrual blood volume (OR=1.59, 95%CI: 1.08, 2.35), but negatively correlated with high menstrual blood volume (OR=0.40, 95%CI: 0.22, 0.73). Conclusion Women undergoing ART in Shanghai are widely exposed to PFAS prior to conception. Exposure to PFAS before pregnancy may be related to menstrual characteristics among women seeking ART before undergoing fertility treatments, but additional data from larger populations are required to validate the findings of this study.

With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technology, chatbots have shown great potential in the healthcare sector. From personalized health advice to chronic disease management and psychological support, chatbots have demonstrated significant advantages in improving the efficiency and quality of healthcare services. As the scope of their applications expands, the relationship between technological complexity and practical application scenarios has become increasingly intertwined, necessitating a more comprehensive evaluation of both aspects. This paper, from the perspective of he althcare applications, systematically reviews the technological pathways and development of chatbots in the medical field, providing an in-depth analysis of their performance across various medical scenarios. It thoroughly examines the advantages and limitations of chatbots, aiming to offer theoretical support for future research and propose feasible recommendations for the broader adoption of chatbot technologies in healthcare.

High-performance phototheranostics with combined photothermal therapy and photoacoustic imaging have been considered promising approaches for efficient cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, developing phototheranostic materials with efficient photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE), especially over the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm), remains challenging. Herein, we report an ultraefficient NIR-II-activated nanomedicine with phototheranostic and vaccination capability for highly efficient in vivo tumor elimination and metastasis inhibition. The NIR-II nanomedicine of a semiconducting biradical oligomer with a motor-flexible design was demonstrated with a record-breaking PCE of 87% upon NIR-II excitation. This nanomedicine inherently features extraordinary photothermal stability, good biocompatibility, and excellent photoacoustic performance, contributing to high-contrast photoacoustic imaging in living mice and high-performance photothermal elimination of tumors. Moreover, a whole-cell vaccine based on a NIR-II nanomedicine with NIR-II-activated performance was further designed to remotely activate the antitumor immunologic memory and effectively inhibit tumor occurrence and metastasis in vivo, with good biosafety. Thus, this work paves a new avenue for designing NIR-II active semiconducting biradical materials as a promising theranostics platform and further promotes the development of NIR-II nanomedicine for personalized cancer treatment.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.08.006.].

Background and objective Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma(PSC)is a rare subtype of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC),which is featured by low incidence,high malignancy rate,robust aggressive behavior and inferior prognosis.To date,there is no standardized treatment.The aim of this study is to better understand and accumulate more clini-cal experience of the disease by summarizing the clinicopathological features,diagnosis methods,therapeutic regimen and prognostic factors of PSC.Methods A total of 39 patients with PSC who diagnosed and received treatment in Beijing Chest Hospital from December 2013 to December 2023 were retrospectively recruited,and information including demographic char-acteristics,clinicopathological features,tumor-node-metastasis(TNM)stage,diagnosis method and therapeutic regimen were carefully collected.Meanwhile,follow-up was conducted.Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the prognostic factors of the disease.Results The PSC patients in this study ranged in age from 45 to 76 years old,including 35 males and 4 females.There were no specific clinical manifestations of PSC at initial diagnosis.Among the 39 patients,20 underwent surgical resec-tion and 19 received palliative chemoradiation or symptomatic supportive treatment.The 1-year and 5-year survival rates were 61.90％and 35.20％respectively.Univariate analysis indicated that family history of carcinoma,primary tumor site,TNM stage,lymph node metastasis,distant metastasis,whether or not received surgical resection,surgical method,treatment regimens,tumor tissue programmed cell death ligand 1(PD-L1)expression＞1％and mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor(MET)pathway abnormalities were correlated with the overall survival(OS)of patients(P＜0.05).In the subsequent multivariate analysis,lymph node metastasis emerged as the only independent prognosticator in predicting inferior OS(P=0.037).Conclu-sion PSC is rarely seen in clinical practice and commonly occurs in elder men with smoking history.Tumor tissue PD-L1 ex-pression＞1％and MET abnormalities may predict inferior prognosis of PSC and lymph node metastasis was determined as the independent prognosticator of PSC.Surgical resection along with adjuvant medical treatment is the cornerstone for early and locally advanced patients,and the clinical utility of molecular targeting therapy and immunotherapy in PSC needs to be further investigated.

Osteoporosis can be induced by various factors including prolonged glucocorticoid usage, diminished estrogen levels, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and alterations in the microenvironment of bone tissue. The bone metabolism imbalance(osteogenic-lipogenic imbalance) plays a crucial role in the development of osteoporosis. This imbalance is primarily driven by an increase in the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into adipocytes and a decrease in their differentiation into osteoblasts, thus forming the core of the osteogenic-lipogenic imbalance observed in osteoporosis. The bone morphogenesis protein(BMP) plays a crucial role in the regulation of the osteogenic-lipid balance in osteoporosis. This regulatory function is accomplished through both the Smad-dependent and Smad-independent pathways. This review centers on the Smad-dependent and Smad-independent pathways facilitated by BMP, offering a comprehensive overview of the potential mechanisms through which BMP-2, 4, 6, 7, and 9 contribute to the regulation of osteogenesis and lipid metabolism in osteoporosis via these pathways. In order to present novel insights for the identification of efficacious targets for clinical anti-osteoporosis medications.

Chlorinated polyfluoroalkyl ether sulfonic acid (Cl-PFESA, trade name F-53B), a substitute for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), notably featuring 6:2 Cl-PFESA and 8:2 Cl-PFESA as its primary components, are the most biologically persistent per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) currently known. Since its initial synthesis in China in 1975, F-53B has served as an antifogging agent in the electroplating industry for over four decades. Recently, F-53B has been detected across various matrix and human samples, ranking among the top three PFAS concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord blood sera in China, according to available epidemiological studies. Current limited epidemiological studies indicate that F-53B poses multiple adverse effects on maternal and infant health. Therefore, this article reviewed the exposure levels of F-53B in mothers and infants, along with its adverse health effects, thereby providing insights for evaluating the toxic effects of F-53B on maternal and infant health and establishing safety thresholds.

ObjectiveTo analyze the individual monitoring results of the radiation workers in Shanghai’s Jing’an District from 2017 to 2023, to assess the occupational protection status as well as to offer scientific references for enhancing occupational health and radiation safety, and to provide support for health education initiatives targeting radiation workers. MethodsRadiation workers from several medical institutions in Jing’an District from 2017 to 2023 were selected as the subjects for this study. The individual dose of occupational external radiation exposure was monitored by using thermoluminescence dosimeters. Continuous data of seven years were statistically analyzed using SPSS 20.0. ResultsFrom 2017 to 2023, the annual collective effective dose for radiation workers in Jing’an District was 329.53 person·mSv, with an average individual annual effective dose of 0.17 mSv, and the median individual annual effective dose was 0.12 mSv. There were statistically significant differences in the individual annual effective doses across different years (H=277.131, P<0.05). The individual doses varied significantly among different levels of medical institutions (H=46.097, P<0.05), with tertiary institutions having the lowest median individual dose of 0.09 mSv, which was significantly lower than those at primary, secondary, and ungraded institutions (P<0.05). The median annual effective dose in males was lower than that in females, showing a statistically significant difference (Z=-3.438, P<0.05). There were significant differences in the individual annual effective doses among different occupational categories (H=150.727, P<0.05), with nuclear medicine workers experiencing the highest median annual dose of 0.56 mSv. ConclusionFrom 2017 to 2023, the individual dose of radiation workers in medical institutions in Jing’an District of Shanghai remained at a low level, reflecting the effective measures of radiation protection facilities in workplaces in Jing’an District, but particular attention should be given to radiological workers in nuclear medicine and workers in primary medical institutions.

Objective:To investigate the effect of goal-directed fluid therapy(GDFT)under the guidance of LIDCOrapid hemodynamic monitor on postoperative nausea and vomiting(PONV)of patients after gynecological laparoscopic surgery.Methods:A total of 90 patients who underwent laparoscopic extensive hysterectomy under general anesthesia in Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University from August 2020 to June 2021 were selected,and they were divided into observation group and control group as random number table,with 45 cases in each group.Patients in control group supplemented fluid according to the guidance of urine output and mean arterial pressure(MAP).Patients in observation group supplemented fluid according to GDFT under guidance of stroke volume variation(SVV).The MAP values,heart rates(HR),SVV values and cardiac index(CI)values at the 10th min after patients entered the operation room(T0),the 3rd min after anesthesia induction(T1),and the 3rd min(T2),the 30th min(T3)and the 1st h(T4)after Terndelenburg position,and the time of completing surgery(T5)were observed.In addition,the intraoperative intake and output volume of liquid,the indicators of gastrointestinal function recovery after surgery,and the length of stay also were observed.The PONV incidence of main outcome indicators,and the PONV scores of postoperative 0-6h(T6),6-12 h(T7),12-24 h(T8)and 24-48 h(T9)of secondary outcome indicators,as well as the number of patients who received the treatment of antiemetic compensation after surgery,were analyzed.Results:The PONV incidence of observation group was significantly lower than that of control group(x2=6.40,P<0.05).The PONV scores of postoperative T6 and T7 of observation group were significantly lower than those of control group(t=4.92,3.42,P<0.05),respectively.The HR and CI value at T4 of observation group were significantly higher than those of control group(t=0.73,0.64,P<0.05),while the SVV of observation group increased from T3 to T5,with significant differences(t=2.28,3.42,4.10,P<0.05),respectively.The intraoperative crystalline fluid input and total infusion volume decreased,while colloidal fluid input increased,and the differences of them between two groups were significant(t=15.10,12.36,8.19,P<0.05),respectively.The postoperative exhaust time,defecation time and feeding time of observation group were significantly earlier than these of control group(t=3.79,2.09,2.54,P<0.05),respectively.But there was no statistical difference in the length of stay between the two groups.Conclusion:GDFT,which is guided by LIDCOrapid hemodynamic monitor,may decrease the incidence of PONV of gynecological laparoscopic surgery and the severity of PONV within 12 hours after surgery.

Objective:To explore the effect of "Internet plus" exercise prescription intervention on upper limb dysfunction and quality of life of breast cancer patients at home after surgery, so as to provide reference for health management of breast cancer patients after surgery.Methods:Adopting a prospective randomized controlled trial research method. From November 2021 to January 2023, 124 breast cancer patients in the breast and thyroid surgery department of Xiang′an Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University were selected for the study. According to the random number table method, they were randomly divided into an intervention group (62 cases) and a control group (62 cases). The control group patients were given routine training, and the intervention group patients received routine training in the first four weeks after operation, and "Internet plus" exercise prescription intervention in the fifth week after operation. The upper limb dysfunction, quality of life before and after the intervention and motor compliance after the intervention between the two groups were compared.Results:A total of 117 patients were ultimately included, and they were all female, with 58 patients in the intervention group aged (51.01 ± 9.77) years old and 59 patients in the control group aged (51.47 ± 9.85) years old. There was no statistically significant difference in upper limb dysfunction and quality of life between the two groups of patients before intervention ( P>0.05). After the intervention, the degree of upper limb dysfunction in the intervention group was (63.55 ± 7.02) points, which were lower than that in the control group (67.13 ± 7.25) points, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 2.71, P<0.01). After the intervention, the total score of quality of life and the scores of physiological status, social/family status, emotional status, functional status and additional attention of breast cancer patients in the intervention group were (115.27 ± 17.35), (22.65 ± 4.53), (22.79 ± 4.36), (20.96 ± 3.95), (19.56 ± 4.22), (29.31 ± 5.24) points, which were higher than those in the control group (104.28 ± 17.04), (20.57 ± 4.48), (20.85 ± 4.23), (18.75 ± 4.04), (17.18 ± 4.06), (26.93 ± 5.21) points, the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 2.44-3.46, all P<0.05). In terms of exercise compliance of breast cancer patients in the intervention group, the aerobic exercise completion rate was 91.38% (53/58), muscle strength training completion rate was 77.59% (45/58), stretching exercise completion rate was 86.21% (50/58), exercise frequency was (3.96 ± 1.13) times/week, exercise duration was (29.51 ± 7.64) min/time, which was superior to 77.97% (46/59), 57.63% (34/59), 69.49% (41/59), (3.38 ± 0.94) times/week, (23.96 ± 7.33) min/time in the control group, the differences were statistically significant ( χ2 = 4.04, 5.31, 4.73, t = 3.02, 4.01, all P<0.05). Conclusions:"Internet plus" exercise prescription intervention has the characteristics of convenience, intuition and strong operability, which is conducive to improving the upper limb dysfunction, quality of life and exercise compliance of breast cancer patients at home after surgery. It is recommended to be popularized and applied clinically.