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.

Traditional treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus （T1DM） primarily involves insulin replacement， yet some patients encounter issues such as significant blood glucose fluctuations， high risk of hypoglycemia， and weight gain. In recent years， the adjuvant therapeutic role of non-insulin hypoglycemic drugs in T1DM has gradually gained attention. This article reviews the mechanisms of action and clinical research progress of five types of non-insulin hypoglycemic drugs in the treatment of T1DM： amylin analogues （pramlintide）， biguanides （metformin）， sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor， dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor， and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. It is found that these drugs can enhance clinical benefits for T1DM patients by improving insulin sensitivity， delaying gastric emptying， promoting urinary glucose excretion， and regulating incretin levels， thereby reducing glycated hemoglobin levels， decreasing insulin dosage， and managing body weight. Simultaneously， these drugs also present limitations such as low patient compliance due to complex dosing regimens， increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis， and heterogeneity in glycemic control. Future research could focus on developing individualized treatment strategies， combining pharmacogenomics with novel biomarkers to precisely identify subpopulations of patients who may benefit， and delving into the potential value of these drugs in delaying diabetic vascular complications and improving patients’ quality of life.

ObjectiveThis study leverages structural data from antigen-antibody complexes of the influenza A virus neuraminidase (NA) protein to investigate the spatial recognition relationship between the antigenic epitopes and antibody paratopes. MethodsStructural data on NA protein antigen-antibody complexes were comprehensively collected from the SAbDab database, and processed to obtain the amino acid sequences and spatial distribution information on antigenic epitopes and corresponding antibody paratopes. Statistical analysis was conducted on the antibody sequences, frequency of use of genes, amino acid preferences, and the lengths of complementarity determining regions (CDR). Epitope hotspots for antibody binding were analyzed, and the spatial structural similarity of antibody paratopes was calculated and subjected to clustering, which allowed for a comprehensively exploration of the spatial recognition relationship between antigenic epitopes and antibodies. The specificity of antibodies targeting different antigenic epitope clusters was further validated through bio-layer interferometry (BLI) experiments. ResultsThe collected data revealed that the antigen-antibody complex structure data of influenza A virus NA protein in SAbDab database were mainly from H3N2, H7N9 and H1N1 subtypes. The hotspot regions of antigen epitopes were primarily located around the catalytic active site. The antibodies used for structural analysis were primarily derived from human and murine sources. Among murine antibodies, the most frequently used V-J gene combination was IGHV1-12*01/IGHJ2*01, while for human antibodies, the most common combination was IGHV1-69*01/IGHJ6*01. There were significant differences in the lengths and usage preferences of heavy chain CDR amino acids between antibodies that bind within the catalytic active site and those that bind to regions outside the catalytic active site. The results revealed that structurally similar antibodies could recognize the same epitopes, indicating a specific spatial recognition between antibody and antigen epitopes. Structural overlap in the binding regions was observed for antibodies with similar paratope structures, and the competitive binding of these antibodies to the epitope was confirmed through BLI experiments. ConclusionThe antigen epitopes of NA protein mainly ditributed around the catalytic active site and its surrounding loops. Spatial complementarity and electrostatic interactions play crucial roles in the recognition and binding of antibodies to antigenic epitopes in the catalytic region. There existed a spatial recognition relationship between antigens and antibodies that was independent of the uniqueness of antibody sequences, which means that antibodies with different sequences could potentially form similar local spatial structures and recognize the same epitopes.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) at "four points of sacral region" for mild-to-moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). METHODS: A total of 58 patients with BPH/LUTS were randomly divided into a sacral four-point EA group (29 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a conventional EA group (29 cases, 1 case dropped out). EA was applied at bilateral points 0.5 cun lateral to the sacrococcygeal joint and Huiyang (BL35) in the sacral four-point EA group; and was applied at Guanyuan (CV4), Zhongji (CV3), Qugu (CV2) and bilateral Shuidao (ST28), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Zusanli (ST36) in the conventional EA group. Both groups received continuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency, 30 min a time, once every other day, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Before treatment, after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, and in follow-up of 1 month after treatment completion, the international prostate symptom score (IPSS), the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS), the quality of life (QOL) score were observed; before and after treatment, the prostate volume (PV) was measured by abdominal ultrasound; and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the scores of IPSS, OABSS and QOL were decreased after 4 weeks of treatment and in follow-up in both groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). In the sacral four-point EA group, the scores of IPSS and QOL after 4 weeks of treatment and in follow-up were lower than those in the conventional EA group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the OABSS score in follow-up was lower than that in the conventional EA group (P<0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment and in follow-up, the reductions of IPSS and OABSS scores compared before treatment in the sacral four-point EA group were larger than those in the conventional EA group (P<0.01, P<0.05); After 2, 4 weeks of treatment and in follow-up, the reductions of QOL score compared before treatment in the sacral four-point EA group were larger than those in the conventional EA group (P<0.01). No significant difference in PV was observed after treatment between the two groups (P>0.05). The total effective rate was 75.0% (21/28) in the sacral four-point EA group, which was higher than 39.3% (11/28) in the conventional EA group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION EA at "four points of sacral region" can effectively improve the LUTS, overactive bladder symptom and quality of life in patients with mild-to-moderate BPH, and has good short-term and long-term efficacy, although it can not reduce prostate volume.
Humans ; Male ; Electroacupuncture ; Prostatic Hyperplasia/complications* ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Points ; Treatment Outcome ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture on chondrocyte autophagy in rats of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and explore its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Forty male SPF-grade SD rats were randomized into a blank group, a model group, a suspension group, an acupuncture group, and a combined therapy group, 8 rats in each one. Except the blank group, KOA model was prepared by the injection with papain. The suspension exercise therapy (10 min each time, three times daily), acupuncture (at "Yanglingquan" [GB34], "Zusanli" [ST36], and "Dubi" [ST35] on the right side, 30 min each intervention, once daily) and the combined therapy (the suspension exercise therapy combined with acupuncture) were delivered in the suspension group, the acupuncture group and the combined therapy group, respectively. The intervention of each group was performed continuously for 6 days, and 4 consecutive weeks, at the interval of 1 day. Before and after intervention, Lequesne MG score was assessed in the rats. After intervention, HE staining was adopted to observe the cartilaginous tissue morphology of the right knee joints, and Mankin score was evaluated; the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor neurosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured using ELISA; the real-time PCR was provided to determine the mRNA expression of collagen protein type Ⅱ(COL2), collagen protein type Ⅹ (COL10), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and autophagy-regulated protein (Beclin-1) in the cartilaginous tissue of the right knee joint; Western blot was employed to detect the protein expression of PI3K, phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K), Akt, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), mTOR, phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) and Beclin-1 in the cartilaginous tissue of the right knee joint. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, the rats in the model group showed the higher Lequesne MG score (P<0.01), thinner cartilage of the right knee, reduced chondrocytes and disordered arrangement, and higher Mankin score (P<0.01). Besides, in the model group, the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were elevated (P<0.01), the mRNA expression of COL2 and Beclin-1 and the protein expression of Beclin-1 decreased (P<0.01), the mRNA expression of COL10, PI3K, Akt and mTOR, and the protein expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt and p-mTOR increased (P<0.01) in the cartilaginous tissue of the right knee joint. Compared with the model group, in the suspension group, the acupuncture group and the combined therapy group, the Lequesne MG scores were reduced (P<0.01), the cartilage of the right knee was thickened, the arrangement of chondrocytes was improved, and the Mankin scores were lower (P<0.01). Besides, in these intervention groups, the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were reduced (P<0.01), the mRNA expression of COL2 and Beclin-1 and the protein expression of Beclin-1 increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), the mRNA expression of COL10, PI3K, Akt and mTOR, and the protein expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt and p-mTOR decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the cartilaginous tissue of the right knee joint. When compared with the suspension group and the acupuncture group, in the combined therapy group, the Lequesne MG score was reduced (P<0.01), and the Mankin score was reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). Besides, the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were reduced (P<0.05), the mRNA expression of COL2 and Beclin-1 and the protein expression of Beclin-1 increased (P<0.05), the mRNA expression of COL10, PI3K, Akt and mTOR, and the protein expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt and p-mTOR decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the cartilaginous tissue of the right knee joint. CONCLUSION Acupuncture can promote cartilage regeneration of knee joint and autophagy in KOA rats, alleviate inflammation, so as to retard cartilage degeneration, which may be possibly associated with the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
Animals ; Male ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/physiopathology* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Chondrocytes/metabolism* ; Humans ; Autophagy ; Acupuncture Points

OBJECTIVE To summarize the clinical data of 2 cases of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS)induced by infection with renal leptospira so as to provide bases for prevention and control of severe dis-eases.METHODS The clinical data of the 2 patients with leptospirosis were retrospectively analyzed after the super typhoon'Yagi'on Sep.6,2024.The cases of leptospirosis that were reported at home and abroad in recent 5 years were retrieved.The epidemiological characteristics,clinical manifestations and treatment outcomes of the cases were observed.RESULTS The 2 patients began to have symptoms on the nineth day after the typhoon,both cases presented with the manifestation such as fever,pain and fatigue,shortness of breach and cough,jaundice and anu-ria,with the blood culture negative;the definite diagnosis was mased by blood metagenomic capture method(MetaCAP).The poultry was considered as the infection source,and the illness condition progressed to sepsis and MODS.Case 1 was complicated with empsyxis,jaundice hemorrhage and renal failure and finally died.Case 2 was also detected with leptospira from cerebrospinal fluid and was complicated with renal failure and meningoencephal-itis but was cured.Among 17 cases of leptospirosis from the literatures,the male and peasants were dominant,the infected water was the major infection factor(at least 7 cases);fever,pain and fatigue,shortness of breath and cough as well as hemoptysis were the major symptoms.There were at least 12 cases with the decline of plate-lets counts,10 cases complicated with empsyxis,11 cases complicated with shock and MODS and 10 cases treated with invasive mechanical ventilation.The misdiagnosis rate was up to 76.47％,and the mortality rate was 29.41％.CONCLUSIONS The leptospirosis is a severe disease,early precise antimicrobial treatment and timely or-gan function support are the crucial to the improvement of prognosis.The health care workers should attach great importance to inquiry for diagnosis,maintain vigilant to the disease for the people with fever of unknown ori-gin,shortness of breath,pain and fatigue by combining the epidemiological history,and make an early definite di-agnosis based on novel molecular diagnosis technique so as to avoid the progression to sepsis and MODS.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of virtual simulation-guided unilateral locking plate combined with Jail screw technique for double column tibial plateau fractures involving the posterolateral plateau.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 32 patients with double column tibial plateau fractures involving the posterolateral plateau admitted to Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Group Suqian Hospital from March 2018 to March 2022, including 20 males and 12 females, aged 37-69 years [(47.5±6.9)years]. According to AO/OTA classification, the fractures were classified as type 41B in 17 patients and type 41C in 15. According to the three-column classification, the fractures were classified as lateral column+posterior column in 17 patients and medial column+posterior column in 15. Virtual simulation technique was used to simulate surgical operation before surgery. After reduction, the patients′ tibial plateau mirror models of the healthy side were used to simulate the implantation of internal fixators on the affected side. The position data of the placed internal fixators were obtained to guide the personalized treatment with unilateral locking plate combined with Jail screw technique. The total number of Jail screws, average number of Jail screws, distribution and accuracy of screw placement, operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, and fracture healing status were recorded. The posterior tibial plateau angle (PTSA), proximal medial tibial angle (MPTA) and Rasmussen anatomical score were compared before operation, at 1, 3, 6, 12 months after operation and at the last follow-up. The Lysholm scores at 6, 12 months after operation and at the last follow-up were used to evaluate the knee function. At the last follow-up, the knee range of motion was measured. Postoperative complications were observed.Results:All the patients were followed up for 28-36 months [(30.7±2.3)months]. The total number of Jail screws inserted was 48, with an average of (1.5±0.5) screws. In the sagittal direction, 1-2 Jail screws were inserted in each patient, with an accuracy rate of 88% (42/48). The operative duration was 78-116 minutes [(98.7±10.5)minutes]. The intraoperative blood loss was 70-120 ml [(96.6±15.6)ml]. All the fractures had healing of stage I, with a healing time of 4-7 months [(5.4±0.9)months]. At 1, 3, 6, 12 months after operation and at last follow-up, the PTSA, MPTA, and Rasmussen anatomical scores were significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05), while there was no statistically significant difference between those at various postoperative time points ( P>0.05). The Lysholm knee scores were (83.6±3.9)points, (88.5±3.6)points, and (93.7±2.6)points at 6, 12 months after operation, and at the last follow-up, respectively, which were gradually increased with the passage of the follow-up time ( P<0.05). The range of motion was (121.4±4.6)° in flexion and was 0.0(0.0, 3.0)° in extension at the last follow-up. Two patients had superficial wound infection and 1 had wound dehiscence after operation, which recovered with dressing change or debridement and suturing. No deep infection, vascular injury or nerve damage occurred. Conclusions:The virtual simulation-guided unilateral locking plate combined with Jail screw technique has the advantages of high accuracy of screw placement, shorter operative duration, less intraoperative blood loss, satisfactory fracture reduction, favorable recovery of knee function and range of motion, and fewer postoperative complications in the treatment of double column tibial plateau fractures involving the posterolateral plateau.

Objective:To assess the efficacy and safety of Gongxuening Capsules in reducing post-abortion bleeding following artificial abortion.Methods:A multicenter, randomized, double-blind study was conducted. From May 31, 2022 to March 31, 2023, 484 women who underwent vacuum aspiration abortion for early intrauterine pregnancy were enrolled in 11 centers and randomly assigned to control group and the study group at a 1∶1 ratio using a center-block randomization method. Control group were administered a placebo of Gongxuening Capsules for 9 d, while the study group received the actual Gongxuening Capsules for the same duration. The outcomes measured included vaginal bleeding volume, duration of vaginal bleeding, endometrial thickness, time to menstrual recovery, and complications.Results:1) A total of 484 subjects were enrolled, and 472 completed the study. Totally 450 subjects were included in the efficacy analysis set, with 224 in control group and 226 in the study group; 468 subjects were included in the safety analysis set, with 236 in control group and 232 in the study group. The baseline characteristics of the two groups were comparable (all P>0.05). 2) The vaginal bleeding volume was lower in the study group [(13.30±12.14) mL] than in control group [(19.00±17.67) mL, P<0.001]. The proportion of subjects in the study group with bleeding days less than 4 d [29.65% (67/226)] was higher than that in control group [19.20% (43/224), P=0.010]. 3) No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of time to menstrual recovery and endometrial thickness (all P>0.05). 4) In the study group, 3 subjects experienced non-therapeutic-related complications, while 11 subjects in control group. The incidence of complications was lower in the study group [1.29% (3/232)] than in control group [4.66% (11/236), P=0.033]. Conclusion:The administration of Gongxuening Capsules to women following artificial abortion significantly reduced vaginal bleeding volume and was associated with good safety, with the treatment being well-tolerated by the subjects.

Objective To investigate the expression levels of Ubiquitin Carboxy-Terminal Hydrolase-L1(UCH-L1)and Netrin-1 in the serum of patients with spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage(ICH)complicated with cerebral edema,and to analyze their impacts on neurological deficits and prognosis.Methods A retrospec-tive analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 173 patients with spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery,The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University from September 2023 to January 2025.The serum levels of UCH-L1 and Netrin-1 were measured within 24 hours after the onset.They were divided into three groups according to the size of the cerebral edema volume(CEV):Group A(CEV<10 mL),Group B(CEV 10～30 mL),and Group C(CEV>30 mL).Pearson's correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum expression levels of UCH-L1 and Netrin-1 with hemorrhage,volume of cere-bral edema,distance of midline shift,Modified Edinburgh-Scandinavian Stroke Scale(MESSS)score,Modified Rankin Scale(mRS)score,and Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)score.Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for poor prognosis.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive value of UCH-L1 and netrin-1 for poor prognosis.Results Significant differences were observed in the serum levels of UCH-L1 and netrin-1 among patients with different volumes of cerebral edema(P<0.05).The larger the volume of cerebral edema,the higher the expression levels of UCH-L1 and netrin-1.The serum levels of UCH-L1 and Netrin-1 were significantly higher in the poor prognosis group compared to the good prognosis group(P<0.05).The serum levels of UCH-L1 and Netrin-1 were positively correlated with MESSS score,hemorrhage volume,cerebral edema volume,distance of midline shift,and mRS score(P<0.05),and negatively correlated with GCS score(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that both UCH-L1 and netrin-1 were independent risk factors for poor neurological prognosis in basal ganglia hemorrhage patients(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis indicated that both markers had important predictive value for poor prognosis.The AUC for serum UCH-L1 level predicting poor prognosis was 0.77[95%confidence interval(CI):0.69～0.85,P<0.01],with a sensitivity of 84.9%and a specificity of 50.6%.The AUC for serum Netrin-1 level predicting poor prognosis was 0.89(95%CI:0.85～0.94,P<0.01),with a sensitivity of 82.1%and a specificity of 68.7%.Conclusions Serum UCH-L1 and Netrin-1 are differentially expressed in patients with spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage complicated with different volumes of cerebral edema.They are independent risk factors for poor prog-nosis and are important predictors of neurological function prognosis in these patients.