ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture in treatment of simple obesity patients and its effects on the metabolism-inflammation network. MethodsSeventy-two patients with simple obesity were randomly divided into a electroacupuncture group and a sham electroacupuncture group， with 36 patients in each group. In the electroacupuncture group， conventional acupuncture was applied at Zhongwan （CV 12）， bilateral Tianshu （ST 25）， bilateral Daheng （SP15）， Qihai （CV 6）， Guanyuan （CV 4）， bilateral Zusanli （ST 36） and Fenglong （ST 40）. The sham electroacupuncture group used placebo needle at same acupoints as the electroacupuncture group. Both groups were given sparse-dense waves with a frequency of 2/10 Hz， 30 minutes per session， 3 times a week， for a total of 8 weeks of treatment. The changes of human body parameters including body weight， body mass index （BMI）， waist circumference， and body fat percentage （BFP）， metabolic factors including serum fasting blood glucose （FBG）， triglyceride （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， high density lipoprotein （HDL）， low density lipoprotein （LDL）， leptin， and ghrelin， and inflammatory factors including interleukin-6 （IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor α （TNF-α） were compared before and after treatment. Correlations between changes in leptin， ghrelin and inflammatory factors were further analyzed. ResultsWaist circumference was significantly reduced after treatment in both groups compared with baseline （P＜0.05）， and the post-treatment waist circumference was lower in the electroacupuncture group than in the sham electroacupuncture group （P＜0.05）； body weight， BMI and BFP decreased significantly after treatment compared to pretreatment levels in the electroacupuncture group （P＜0.05）. Serum leptin， IL-6 and TNF-α declined significantly after treatment in both groups versus baseline （P＜0.05）； the electroacupuncture group had lower post-treatment levels of leptin， IL-6 and TNF-α as well as larger pre-post changes than the sham group （P＜0.05）； ghrelin increased markedly after treatment in both groups （P＜0.05）， with higher post-treatment ghrelin and greater pre-post variation observed in the electroacupuncture group （P＜0.05）. In the electroacupuncture group， changes in ghrelin were negatively correlated with IL-6 and positively correlated with TNF-α （P＜0.01）； in the sham electroacupuncture group， ghrelin changes were negatively correlated with both IL-6 and TNF-α， whereas leptin changes were positively correlated with the two inflammatory markers （P＜0.01）. ConclusionElectroacupuncture can effectively improve clinical manifestations， as well as regulate serum metabolic and pro-inflammatory factors in patients with simple obesity， and discrepant correlation patterns of metabolism-inflammation are observed between the two groups.

Objective:To establish normal reference value ranges for dynamic balance function parameters in healthy Chinese adults aged 20-69 years. Methods:A total of 100 healthy subjects were selected and evenly divided into five age groups: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60-69 years, with equal gender distribution in each group. Balance function was assessed using the EquiTest system （NeuroCom）, with following tests performed Sensory Organization Test （SOT）, Motor Control Test （MCT）, Adaptation Test （ADT）, and Limits of Stability （LOS） test. All parameters were statistically analyzed and expressed as ±S. Results:The normal reference ranges for SOT, MCT, ADT, and LOS parameters were established for each age group. Multiple balance function parameters demonstrated a gradual decline with advancing age, with more pronounced deterioration observed after the age of 60. Specific findings included decreased vestibular ratio and reduced visual preference in SOT, as well as prolonged reaction time, impaired directional control, and reduced maximum excursion in the backward direction during LOS testing. Conclusion:This study is the first to establish age-specific reference ranges for dynamic balance function parameters in a healthy Chinese population aged 20-69 years, providing localized and objective criteria for the assessment of balance function and supporting clinical diagnosis of balance-related disorders in China.
Humans ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Postural Balance/physiology* ; Reference Values ; Aged ; Male ; Female ; Young Adult ; Healthy Volunteers

Objective:To investigate the differential effects of proton FLASH irradiation and conventional dose rate (CONV) irradiation on human normal liver cells WRL68 and human hepatocellular carcinoma cells HepG2.Methods:Using a 100 MeV high-current proton cyclotron accelerator, WRL68 and HepG2 cells were subjected to CONV (0.8 Gy/min) and FLASH (40 Gy/s) irradiation with 4 Gy protons. After irradiation, changes in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest were detected at different time points. Additionally, transcriptome sequencing was employed to analyze alterations in the gene expression profiles of the two cell lines.Results:For WRL68 cells, compared with CONV irradiation, proton FLASH irradiation enhanced cell proliferative activity ( t=10.18-16.67, P<0.05), reduced the apoptotic rate ( t=3.21-8.30, P<0.05), and decreased the proportion of cells arrested in the G 2 phase at the same time points ( t=34.08-65.16, P<0.05). In contrast, for HepG2 cells, proton FLASH irradiation significantly inhibited cell proliferation ( t=2.57-9.39, P<0.05), increased the apoptotic rate ( t=3.25-66.70, P<0.05), and similarly induced cell cycle arrest predominantly in the G 2 phase ( t=10.87-27.47, P<0.05). Transcriptome sequencing identified 906 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the FLASH group and the CONV group in WRL68 cells, and 1 243 DEGs were detected in HepG2 cells. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses of these DEGs suggested that cellular adhesion and oxygen effect may serve as crucial microscopic mechanisms underlying FLASH radiotherapy. Conclusions:Under proton FLASH irradiation, the radiation-induced damage to human normal liver cells was significantly alleviated, whereas the damage to hepatocellular carcinoma cells was aggravated. The identified DEGs are involved in multiple radiobiological functional pathways.

ObjectiveTo compare colonoscopy compliance rates under different screening strategies, to explore ways to enhance colonoscopy compliance among residents with colorectal carcinoma. MethodsResidents aged between 50‒80 years were recruited through extensive community outreach and voluntary participation. A total of 210 630 residents who participated in the colorectal carcinoma screening program in Jiading District, Shanghai, between 2013 and 2019 were selected as the research subjects. All subjects underwent a colorectal carcinoma risk assessment questionnaire survey and two fecal occult blood tests (FOBT). Positive results in the initial screening were defined as a positive questionnaire survey or a positive result in at least one FOBT. Participants with positive initial screening results were advised to undergo colonoscopy screening in a hospital. Colonoscopy results were collected from hospital reports and physician follow-ups. Compliance with colonoscopy was analyzed under different screening strategies to identify possible factors influencing residents’ willingness to undergo the procedure. ResultsA total of 21 403 individuals (10.16%) were identified as positive with the questionnaire survey, 31 595 individuals (15.00%) tested positive with at least one FOBT. Combined questionnaire and FOBT positivity was observed in 3 501 individuals (1.66%). Among the 48 453 individuals with positive initial screening results, 17 230 (35.56%) underwent colonoscopy, and a total of 315 cases of colorectal cancer were detected. The sensitivity, specificity value of FOBT initial screening were 83.81% and 84.66%, respectively. According to the combined risk assessment and FOBT initial screening preliminary screening, the lowest colonoscopy compliance rate (25.63%) was observed among individuals with only a positive questionnaire, and the highest compliance rate (52.55%) was among those with both positive questionnaire survey and two positive FOBT results. Multivariate analysis revealed that FOBT positivity had the greatest impact on colonoscopy compliance. Those with one positive FOBT test result were 2.64 times more likely to undergo colonoscopy screening than those with negative FOBT results, while individuals with two positive FOBT results were 3.18 times more likely to do so. After adjusting for FOBT results, individuals with positive questionnaire survey results were 1.43 times more likely to undergo colonoscopy screening than those with negative results (95%CI: 1.34‒1.52). Compared to questionnaire-based risk assessment, FOBT results were more influential in determining compliance with colonoscopy. ConclusionThe choice of initial screening method significantly impacts residents’ compliance with colonoscopy. While implementing colorectal carcinoma screening programs, it is necessary to strictly adhere to screening protocols, including risk assessment and FOBT. Additionally, efforts should be made to raise public awareness, encouraging residents to actively participate in risk assessments and FOBT, thereby improving their compliance with colonoscopy.

Objective:To investigate the differential effects of proton FLASH irradiation and conventional dose rate (CONV) irradiation on human normal liver cells WRL68 and human hepatocellular carcinoma cells HepG2.Methods:Using a 100 MeV high-current proton cyclotron accelerator, WRL68 and HepG2 cells were subjected to CONV (0.8 Gy/min) and FLASH (40 Gy/s) irradiation with 4 Gy protons. After irradiation, changes in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest were detected at different time points. Additionally, transcriptome sequencing was employed to analyze alterations in the gene expression profiles of the two cell lines.Results:For WRL68 cells, compared with CONV irradiation, proton FLASH irradiation enhanced cell proliferative activity ( t=10.18-16.67, P<0.05), reduced the apoptotic rate ( t=3.21-8.30, P<0.05), and decreased the proportion of cells arrested in the G 2 phase at the same time points ( t=34.08-65.16, P<0.05). In contrast, for HepG2 cells, proton FLASH irradiation significantly inhibited cell proliferation ( t=2.57-9.39, P<0.05), increased the apoptotic rate ( t=3.25-66.70, P<0.05), and similarly induced cell cycle arrest predominantly in the G 2 phase ( t=10.87-27.47, P<0.05). Transcriptome sequencing identified 906 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the FLASH group and the CONV group in WRL68 cells, and 1 243 DEGs were detected in HepG2 cells. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses of these DEGs suggested that cellular adhesion and oxygen effect may serve as crucial microscopic mechanisms underlying FLASH radiotherapy. Conclusions:Under proton FLASH irradiation, the radiation-induced damage to human normal liver cells was significantly alleviated, whereas the damage to hepatocellular carcinoma cells was aggravated. The identified DEGs are involved in multiple radiobiological functional pathways.

Objective To carry out a joint simulation exercise of tabletop deduction for the staff performing overseas medical services on hospital ships,so as to improve the infection prevention and control.Methods Sixty mission members were selected by convenience sampling to carry out joint simulation drills for tabletop deduction.The effects of the drills were assessed by the survey on the satisfaction and participation of mission members,before-and-after control study,and mission execution.Results Overseas medical service tasks were successfully completed through the desktop-propelled joint simulation drills.The total score of response for infectious emergencies,prevention score,preparedness score,and rescue score after training were higher than those before training(P<0.05).There were high degrees of participation and satisfaction in the drills(≥4.5 points).Conclusion The tabletop deduction and simulation exercise achieve good results in the infection prevention and control of hospital ships.The scheme of tabletop deduction combined with simulation drills will be optimized to continuously improve the infection prevention and control of hospital ships.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between metabolic syndrome (MS), its different components and the risk of cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp in Uygur population in rural areas of southern Xinjiang.Methods:This study was a prospective cohort study. A baseline survey was conducted in August 2016. A typical sampling method was used to select 10 476 Uygur people in rural areas of southern Xinjiang as the research objects. Baseline clinical data were collected, including demographic data such as age, gender, and education level, and laboratory examination indicators such as blood glucose and triglyceride levels. According to the MS diagnostic criteria of the relevant guidelines, 10 476 subjects were divided into the MS group (3 475 cases) and the non-MS group (7 001 cases). The incidence of cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp was followed up in 2019, 2021 and 2023, respectively. Cox regression was used to analyze the correlation between MS, its different components and the risk of cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp. Chi-square test and independent sample t test were used for statistical analysis. Results:The median follow-up time was 6.43 years in 10 476 subjects, and the overall cumulative incidence of cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp was 5.43% (569/10 476). The cumulative incidence of cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp in the MS group was 10.73% (373/ 3 475), which was significantly higher than that in the non-MS group (2.80% (196/7 001)); χ2= 284.62, P<0.001). The results of multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that, 41 to 59 years old ( HR=1.26, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.03 to 1.54, P=0.025), ≥60 years old ( HR=1.88, 95% CI: 1.45 to 2.45, P<0.001), female ( HR=1.34, 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.60, P=0.001), MS ( HR=2.19, 95% CI: 1.59 to 3.01, P<0.001), hypertriglyceridemia ( HR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.18 to 1.83, P=0.001), hypertension ( HR=1.30, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.62, P=0.023), and hyperglycemia ( HR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.52, P=0.041) were independent risk factors for cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp. After the adjustment of age and gender, MS ( HR=3.39, 95% CI: 2.82 to 4.07, P<0.001), hypertriglyceridemia ( HR=2.37, 95% CI: 2.00 to 2.81, P<0.001), hypertension ( HR=2.00, 95% CI: 1.66 to 2.41, P<0.001), and hyperglycemia ( HR=1.86, 95% CI: 1.55 to 2.23, P<0.001) were still correlated with cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp, and there was the srtongest correlation between MS and cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp. The results of univariate Cox regression analysis showed that along with the increase of accumulated of MS components, the risk of cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp significantly increased (1 to 5 components corresponding HR (95% CI) were 1.92 (1.13 to 3.24), 2.21 (1.32 to 3.69), 6.91 (4.22 to 11.30), 8.56 (5.15 to 14.22), and 10.73 (5.66 to 20.33); P=0.015, =0.002, <0.001, <0.001, and <0.001); after age and gender were adjusted, this trend still existed (1 to 5 components corresponding HR (95% CI) were 1.81(1.07 to 3.06), 1.95(1.16 to 3.27), 5.64(3.42 to 9.32), 6.69(3.97 to 11.25), and 7.76(4.04 to 14.91); P=0.028, =0.012, <0.001, <0.001, and <0.001). Conclusion:MS and its components can increase the risk of cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp, and the risk of cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp significantly increases along with the increase of accumulated of MS components.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between metabolic syndrome (MS), its different components and the risk of cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp in Uygur population in rural areas of southern Xinjiang.Methods:This study was a prospective cohort study. A baseline survey was conducted in August 2016. A typical sampling method was used to select 10 476 Uygur people in rural areas of southern Xinjiang as the research objects. Baseline clinical data were collected, including demographic data such as age, gender, and education level, and laboratory examination indicators such as blood glucose and triglyceride levels. According to the MS diagnostic criteria of the relevant guidelines, 10 476 subjects were divided into the MS group (3 475 cases) and the non-MS group (7 001 cases). The incidence of cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp was followed up in 2019, 2021 and 2023, respectively. Cox regression was used to analyze the correlation between MS, its different components and the risk of cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp. Chi-square test and independent sample t test were used for statistical analysis. Results:The median follow-up time was 6.43 years in 10 476 subjects, and the overall cumulative incidence of cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp was 5.43% (569/10 476). The cumulative incidence of cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp in the MS group was 10.73% (373/ 3 475), which was significantly higher than that in the non-MS group (2.80% (196/7 001)); χ2= 284.62, P<0.001). The results of multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that, 41 to 59 years old ( HR=1.26, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.03 to 1.54, P=0.025), ≥60 years old ( HR=1.88, 95% CI: 1.45 to 2.45, P<0.001), female ( HR=1.34, 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.60, P=0.001), MS ( HR=2.19, 95% CI: 1.59 to 3.01, P<0.001), hypertriglyceridemia ( HR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.18 to 1.83, P=0.001), hypertension ( HR=1.30, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.62, P=0.023), and hyperglycemia ( HR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.52, P=0.041) were independent risk factors for cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp. After the adjustment of age and gender, MS ( HR=3.39, 95% CI: 2.82 to 4.07, P<0.001), hypertriglyceridemia ( HR=2.37, 95% CI: 2.00 to 2.81, P<0.001), hypertension ( HR=2.00, 95% CI: 1.66 to 2.41, P<0.001), and hyperglycemia ( HR=1.86, 95% CI: 1.55 to 2.23, P<0.001) were still correlated with cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp, and there was the srtongest correlation between MS and cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp. The results of univariate Cox regression analysis showed that along with the increase of accumulated of MS components, the risk of cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp significantly increased (1 to 5 components corresponding HR (95% CI) were 1.92 (1.13 to 3.24), 2.21 (1.32 to 3.69), 6.91 (4.22 to 11.30), 8.56 (5.15 to 14.22), and 10.73 (5.66 to 20.33); P=0.015, =0.002, <0.001, <0.001, and <0.001); after age and gender were adjusted, this trend still existed (1 to 5 components corresponding HR (95% CI) were 1.81(1.07 to 3.06), 1.95(1.16 to 3.27), 5.64(3.42 to 9.32), 6.69(3.97 to 11.25), and 7.76(4.04 to 14.91); P=0.028, =0.012, <0.001, <0.001, and <0.001). Conclusion:MS and its components can increase the risk of cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp, and the risk of cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder polyp significantly increases along with the increase of accumulated of MS components.

Epigenetic pathways play a critical role in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of cancer. Over the past few decades, significant progress has been made in the development of targeted epigenetic modulators (e.g., inhibitors). However, epigenetic inhibitors have faced multiple challenges, including limited clinical efficacy, toxicities, lack of subtype selectivity, and drug resistance. As a result, the design of new epigenetic modulators (e.g., degraders) such as PROTACs, molecular glue, and hydrophobic tagging (HyT) degraders has garnered significant attention from both academia and pharmaceutical industry, and numerous epigenetic degraders have been discovered in the past decade. In this review, we aim to provide an in-depth illustration of new degrading strategies (2017-2023) targeting epigenetic proteins for cancer therapy, focusing on the rational design, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, clinical status, and crystal structure information of these degraders. Importantly, we also provide deep insights into the potential challenges and corresponding remedies of this approach to drug design and development. Overall, we hope this review will offer a better mechanistic understanding and serve as a useful guide for the development of emerging epigenetic-targeting degraders.

To clarify the genetic diversity and structure of the nucleus population of F1-generation Litopenaeus vannamei, this study utilized 15 pairs of highly polymorphic microsatellite primers to analyze the simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and genetic diversity in 15 full-sib families of L. vannamei. A total of 112 alleles (N_a) and 60.453 effective alleles (N_e) were identified among the selected 15 SSR loci, with the average polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.648. The average N_e, observed heterozygosity (H_o), and expected heterozygosity (H_e) in the 15 F1 families varied from 1.925 to 2.626, 0.425 to 0.783, and 0.403 to 0.572, respectively. The 15 full-sib families were primarily clustered into three categories in the phylogenetic analysis, with the genetic distance between families ranging from 0.252 to 0.574. Additionally, the genetic differentiation coefficient (F_st) among the families varied from 0.112 to 0.278, indicating substantial genetic differentiation. Overall, this study suggested that the genetic diversity of the 15 full-sib families was moderate, providing valuable genetic insights for the subsequent breeding initiatives aimed at enhancing the tolerance of L. vannamei to high levels of soybean meal.
Penaeidae/classification* ; Microsatellite Repeats/genetics* ; Animals ; Genetic Variation ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Phylogeny ; Alleles ; Genetic Markers