Over the past two decades, genome-wide association study(GWAS) has identified numerous genetic variants and loci associated with heritable diseases. With the gradual maturation and saturation of GWAS methodologies, transcriptome-wide association study(TWAS) offers a novel perspective by linkinggenetic phenotypes to gene expression levels. By integrating TWAS with other multi-omics analyses, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of heritable diseases. This article provides an overview of recent groundbreaking and representative TWAS methods and tools, analyzes their strengths and limitations, and discusses future trends in TWAS development.

Background With China's socio-economic development, the dietary structure of Chinese residents has gradually shifted from a traditional Eastern pattern characterized by high carbohydrate intake to a relatively high-fat Western dietary model, alongside a growing burden of chronic diseases. However, dietary changes may vary across different occupational groups. Objective To analyze the long-term trends in dietary energy and three major macronutrient intake among various occupational groups aged 18-59 years in nine provinces of China from 1989 to 2018, providing a scientific basis for developing occupation-specific dietary intervention strategies. Methods Based on 11 waves of data (1989–2018) from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), 57458 employed individuals aged 18-59 years were selected as observation subjects after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Joinpoint regression was used to analyze temporal trends by calculating the annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC) with 95% confidence intervals. The analysis covered the energy supply ratio from the three major macronutrients and the proportion of the participants within the acceptable macronutrient distribution ranges (AMDR) for the total occupational population and specific occupational group. Results From 1989 to 2018, the dietary structure of the occupational population in the nine provinces gradually Westernized. The carbohydrate energy supply ratio showed a decreasing trend (AAPC=−0.77%, 95%CI: −1.00%, −0.55%, P<0.05), while the fat energy supply ratio increased (AAPC=1.42%, 95%CI: 1.07%, 1.77%, P<0.05). The protein energy supply ratio remained largely unchanged (AAPC=−0.19%, 95%CI: −0.08%, 0.46%, P>0.05), and the total energy intake declined (AAPC=−0.62%, 95%CI: −0.94%, −0.30%, P<0.05). Among the occupational groups studied, white-collar workers were the first to show characteristics of dietary Westernization. Using the AMDR as the criterion, their average fat energy supply ratio first exceeded the AMDR upper limit (30%) in 1993, and their average carbohydrate energy supply ratio first fell below the AMDR lower limit (50%) in 2006, both time points being earlier than other occupational groups. Agricultural workers lagged in this transition (their average fat energy supply ratio first reached ≥30% in 2011), but their rate of increase in the fat energy supply ratio was the fastest among all occupational groups (AAPC=1.59%, 95%CI: 0.90%, 2.30%, P<0.05; P for trend comparison between groups<0.05). The other three occupational groups (blue-collar workers, service workers, and others) generally fell between these two extremes. Taking the fat energy supply ratio as an example, their AAPCs of increase were 1.02% (95%CI: 0.73%, 1.32%, P<0.05) for blue-collar workers, 0.85% (95%CI: 0.61%, 1.09%, P<0.05) for service workers, and 0.88% (95%CI: 0.58%, 1.17%, P<0.05) for others. Conclusion From 1989 to 2018, the macronutrient structure of the occupational population aged 18-59 years in nine China provinces is gradually Westernized. The energy supply ratios of carbohydrates and proteins primarily face issues of potential inadequacy, while the fat energy supply ratio is excessively high. Furthermore, the patterns of change vary among different occupational groups. It is recommended to propose personalized dietary advice tailored to specific occupations.

Background With China's socioeconomic development, significant lifestyle changes have occurred among occupational groups, leading to alterations in cardiovascular metabolic risk factors. However, few studies have examined the secular trends of these risk factors in China's working population. Objective To analyze the trends in cardiovascular metabolic risk factors among the occupational population in nine provinces of China from 2009 to 2018, and to explore the associations between different occupational types and these risk factors, along with their clustering patterns, thereby providing evidence for targeted interventions. Methods This study utilized data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) in 2009, 2015, and 2018. The dataset covered 13274 employed individuals aged 18-59 years. Only participants with complete blood test results and physical measurement data were included in the final analysis. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) in the positive rates of risk factors was calculated using Joinpoint regression to analyze temporal trends. Multinomial logistic regression and binary logistic regression models were employed to examine the cross-sectional associations between occupational types (categorized as white-collar workers, agricultural workers, blue-collar workers, service workers, and others) and nine cardiovascular metabolic risk factors and their clustering (defined as having ≥2 risk factors) in 2018. Results A total of 8451 participants were included. From 2009 to 2018, significant increasing trends (AAPC>0, P<0.05) were observed for overweight, obesity, central obesity, borderline elevated triglycerides (TG), borderline elevated to elevated total cholesterol (TC), borderline elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), elevated blood pressure and hypertension, diabetes. The most rapid increases were found for obesity (AAPC=6.07%, 95%CI: 3.42%, 8.88%), hypertension (AAPC=4.10%, 95%CI: 0.62%, 7.77%), and central obesity (AAPC=3.27%, 95%CI: 1.24%, 5.36%). The clustering rate of risk factors increased from 62.3% in 2009 to 73.2% in 2018 (AAPC=1.87%, 95%CI: 1.02%, 2.73%). The cross-sectional analysis in 2018, after adjusting for confounders, showed that compared with white-collar workers, blue-collar workers had a significantly lower risk of overweight (OR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.48, 0.95), central obesity (OR=0.65, 95%CI: 0.45, 0.92), and borderline high TG (OR=0.54, 95%CI: 0.35, 0.82). In contrast, agricultural workers had a higher risk of hypertension (OR=1.76, 95%CI: 1.14, 2.72). Conclusion Between 2009 and 2015, the burden of most cardiometabolic risk factors increases significantly among the Chinese occupational population, with the rate of increase slowing by 2018. Risks vary across occupational types, among which blue- collar workers report lower target outcomes. Targeted interventions focusing on the rapidly increasing risk factors and high-risk occupational groups are recommended.

Background The global prevalence of obesity is on the rise and is closely associated with various chronic non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. There is a relative lack of long-term dynamic studies on compound obesity among occupational populations. Objective To explore the changing trends of compound obesity among different occupational groups aged 18–59 years in nine provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) of China from 1993 to 2018, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating targeted weight management strategies for occupational populations. Methods A total of 34519 employed adults aged 18–59 years from nine waves of the China Health and Nutrition Survey in1993, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2015, and 2018 were included. Obesity types were determined according to the Chinese Adult Weight Management Guidelines. The Joinpoint regression model was used to calculate the average annual percentage change (AAPC) and annual percentage change (APC) of compound obesity rates. Results From 1993 to 2018, the age-standardized compound obesity rate among the occupational population aged 18–59 years showed an upward trend (AAPC=6.24%, 95%CI: 5.09%, 7.41%, P<0.05). The AAPCs (95%CI) for age-standardized compound obesity rates among agricultural workers, blue-collar workers, other occupational groups, service workers, and white-collar workers were 9.55% (7.51%, 11.64%), 6.18% (4.70%, 7.69%), 5.53% (2.27%, 8.90%), 4.07% (2.40%, 5.77%), and 3.89% (2.16%, 5.65%), respectively, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Among males, the AAPCs (95%CI) for age-standardized compound obesity rates among agricultural workers, blue-collar workers, other occupational groups, service workers, and white-collar workers were 11.52% (7.71%, 15.47%), 7.28% (6.18%, 8.40%), 5.92% (2.28%, 9.69%), 5.56% (2.11%, 9.12%), and 4.22% (2.33%, 6.15%), respectively, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Among females, the AAPCs (95%CI) for age-standardized compound obesity rates among agricultural workers, blue-collar workers, and white-collar workers were 7.45% (6.22%, 8.69%), 3.72% (0.84%, 6.67%), and 2.41% (0.17%, 4.70%), respectively, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). A turning point was observed in the compound obesity rate among female white-collar workers in 2006, with an APC (95%CI) of 9.69% (5.24%, 14.33%) from 2006 to 2008, showing a statistically significant difference (P<0.05), while no significant trend was found from 1993 to 2006 (P>0.05). No significant trends were observed in the age-standardized compound obesity rates among females in other occupational groups and service workers (P>0.05). Conclusion The compound obesity rate among China's occupational population is increasing rapidly, with the growth rate among agricultural workers being particularly prominent. In 2018, male white-collar workers and female agricultural workers exhibit relatively high compound obesity rates, warranting focused attention. Although the overall growth rate among service workers is slower, the expanding workforce in this sector indicates that obesity remains a serious issue. Targeted occupational health and weight management interventions are needed in the future.

Background With rising obesity rates and earlier hypertension onset among occupational populations, there is an urgent need to elucidate the long-term cardiovascular impacts of dynamic body weight patterns. Current evidence lacks trajectory modeling studies examining occupation-specific prevention strategies. Objective To investigate the association between long-term body mass index (BMI) trajectories and incident hypertension risk in Chinese working adults, and to examine occupation-specific heterogeneity in this relationship. Methods A dynamic sub-cohort of 4 413 occupational participants was constructed from ten survey waves (1991–2018) of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). Eligible individuals had valid key BMI records at three or more independent follow-ups before the outcome event; the individual baseline was set as the year of their first participation in the survey. Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) was used to identify BMI change patterns. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for hypertension incidence across trajectory groups, with stratified analysis by occupational categories. Results Among 4413 occupational participants, 1441 incident hypertension cases were reported during the follow-up window. Three long-term BMI trajectories were identified: low-stable, moderate-slowly rising, and high-rising. In Model 3 with all selected confounders adjusted, compared with the low-stable group, the moderate-slowly rising group showed a significantly higher risk of incident hypertension (HR=1.28, 95%CI: 1.12, 1.45; P < 0.001), as did the high-increasing group (HR=1.80, 95%CI: 1.45, 2.23; P < 0.001). The stratified analyses revealed occupational differences in the association. Among agricultural workers, the moderate-slowly rising group (HR=1.35, 95%CI: 1.15, 1.57) and the high-rising group (HR=2.00, 95%CI: 1.50, 2.66) both exhibited significantly increased risks of hypertension (P<0.001). Conversely, among white-collar workers, an increased risk of hypertension was observed only in the high-rising group (HR=1.97, 95%CI: 1.23, 3.17; P<0.05). Conclusion Rapid BMI escalation constitutes a significant risk factor for incident hypertension in occupational populations. Targeted long-term weight monitoring and tailored interventions are recommended for high-risk occupations.

BackgroundPost-traumatic stress symptoms （PTSS） is highly prevalent in adolescents who have experienced earthquake， which seriously threatens their physical and mental health， yet there is currently a lack of research on the effects of loneliness， social support and social media use on PTSS among post-earthquake adolescents. ObjectiveTo assess the PTSS among adolescents experiencing MS6.0 Luxian， Sichuan， earthquake on 16 September 2021， and to investigate the effects of loneliness， social support and social media use on PTSS， so as to provide references for the intervention of PTSS among post-earthquake adolescents. MethodsOn November 12， 2021， simple random sampling technique was used to select 2 522 post-earthquake adolescents in Luxian county of Luzhou city in Sichuan province. All subjects were assessed using Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 （PCL-5）， Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support （MSPSS）， Short-form UCLA Loneliness Scale （ULS-3） and Social Media Use Scale （SM-10）. Binary Logistic regression was used to determine the factors influencing PTSS among post-earthquake adolescents. ResultsPTSS was detected in 91 （3.61%） adolescents. Binary Logistic regression revealed that perceived social support from family members （OR=0.926， 95% CI： 0.879~0.976） was a protective factor for PTSS among post-earthquake adolescents. Lack of companionship （OR=1.764， 95% CI： 1.141~2.727）， feeling isolated （OR=2.037， 95% CI： 1.282~3.236）， and viewing negative emotional response of disaster victims through social media （OR=1.615， 95% CI： 1.291~2.020） were risk factors for PTSS among post-earthquake adolescents. ConclusionLack of companionship， feeling isolated， and viewing negative emotional response of disaster victims through social media pose a negative impact on PTSS among post-earthquake adolescents， while perceived social support from family members exert a positive impact on PTSS among post-earthquake adolescents. ［Funded by Humanity and Social Science Youth foundation of Ministry of Education of China （number， 22YJC190019）； Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province （number， 2023NSFSC1486）］

Background Recent advances in understanding the toxic effects of inorganic arsenic have revealed that arsenic exposure impacts multiple endocrine organs, thereby altering their functions. However, the mechanisms underlying arsenic-induced thyroid injury remain unclear. Objective To investigate the mechanisms by which sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂) affects the proliferation and apoptosis of normal thyroid cells (Nthy-ori3-1) through the estrogen receptor (ER)-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway. Methods Nthy-ori3-1 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into the following groups: a control group (complete medium without drugs, 0 μmol·L⁻¹), and NaAsO₂-treated groups at 1, 2, and 4 μmol·L⁻¹. Additionally, 1 μmol·L⁻¹ of the ER inhibitor ICI182780 was used to intervene in the NaAsO₂ exposure groups, resulting in the following combinations: 1 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ + ICI182780, 2 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ + ICI182780, and 4 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ + ICI182780. The median lethal concentration of NaAsO₂ was determined using cell viability assay. Cell viability was assessed at 24, 36, and 48 h using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Colony formation ability was evaluated via plate cloning assay. Apoptosis was detected using Hoechst 33342 staining. Protein and mRNA expression levels of ERα, ERβ, c-MYC, Bax, Bcl-2, PI3K, p-PI3K, AKT, and p-AKT were measured using Western blot (WB) and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), respectively. Results The median lethal concentration of NaAsO₂ was determined to be 4.034 μmol·L⁻¹. CCK-8 assay at 24, 36, and 48 h revealed that, compared with the control group, the 1, 2, and 4 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ groups significantly inhibited Nthy-ori3-1 cell proliferation (P < 0.001). The plate cloning assays demonstrated a concentration-dependent reduction in colony formation ability (P < 0.001). Following the ICI182780 intervention, the cell viability and colony formation ability in the 1, 2, and 4 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ groups were significantly restored compared with the corresponding NaAsO₂-only groups (P < 0.001, P < 0.01). The Hoechst 33342 staining indicated that compared with the control group, the nuclear staining intensity and apoptosis levels in the 1, 2, and 4 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ groups increased in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.001). However, the ICI182780 intervention reduced the apoptosis levels in the NaAsO₂-treated groups compared with their NaAsO₂-only counterparts (P < 0.001). The WB analysis showed that, compared with the control group, the protein expression of ERα, ERβ, c-MYC, Bcl-2, p-PI3K, and p-AKT in the 1, 2, and 4 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ groups decreased manner (P < 0.001, P < 0.01), while the Bax expression increased in a concentration-dependent (P < 0.001); the PI3K and AKT protein levels showed no significant differences (P > 0.05). In the ICI182780-treated NaAsO₂ groups, the ERα, ERβ, c-MYC, Bcl-2, p-PI3K, and p-AKT protein expression increased (P < 0.001, P < 0.01), the Bax expression decreased (P < 0.001), and the PI3K and AKT levels remained unchanged (P > 0.05) compared with the corresponding NaAsO₂-only groups. The mRNA expression patterns of ERα, ERβ, c-MYC, Bcl-2, and Bax were consistent with the WB results. Conclusion NaAsO₂ inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis in Nthy-ori3-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The underlying mechanism likely involves NaAsO₂-mediated suppression of the ER-PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which subsequently regulates downstream proliferation- and apoptosis-related genes.

Aromatherapy refers to the method of using the aromatic components of plants in appropriate forms to act on the entire body or a specific area to prevent and treat diseases. Essential oils used in aromatherapy are hydrophobic liquids containing volatile aromatic molecules， such as limonene， linalool， linalool acetate， geraniol， and citronellol. These chemicals have been extensively studied and shown to have a variety of functions， including reducing anxiety， relieving depression， promoting sleep， and providing pain relief. Terpenoids are a class of organic molecules with relatively low lipid solubility. After being inhaled， they can pass through the nasal mucosa for transfer or penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream upon local application. Some of these substances also have the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier， thereby exerting effects on the central nervous system. Currently， the academic community generally agrees that products such as essential oils and aromatherapy from aromatic plants have certain health benefits. However， the process of extracting a single component from it and successfully developing it into a drug still faces many challenges. Its safety and efficacy still need to be further verified through more rigorous and systematic experiments. This article systematically elaborated on the efficacy of aromatic substances， including plant extracts and natural small molecule compounds， in antibacterial and antiviral fields and the regulation of nervous system activity. As a result， a deeper understanding of aromatherapy was achieved. At the same time， the potential of these aromatic substances for drug development was thoroughly explored， providing important references and insights for possible future drug research and application.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of combined platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and arterial supercharging technique on the survival rate and functional restoration of cross-body region skin flaps in rabbits. METHODS: Twelve healthy 6-month-old New Zealand White rabbits were randomly assigned to 4 groups ( n=3): sham group, PRP group, anastomosis group, and combined treatment group. An axial skin flap with an area of 12 cm×6 cm on the inner side of the hind limbs of all animals were prepared, with the saphenous artery as the main blood supply. Following the ligation of both the proximal and distal ends of the saphenous artery across all groups, the sham group received no further intervention, the PRP group was subjected to PRP injection, the anastomosis group underwent in situ end-to-end anastomosis of the distal saphenous artery, and the combined treatment group received both in situ distal saphenous artery anastomosis and PRP administration. Flap survival was evaluated and recorded on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7, with survival rates calculated accordingly. On day 7, flap tissue samples were harvested for HE staining to assess basal tissue morphology. Additionally, immunohistochemical staining was conducted to detect the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and CD31 in the flap tissues. RESULTS: At postoperative day 1, no significant difference in flap survival rates were observed among the 4 groups ( P>0.05). At day 3, the PRP group showed no significant difference compared to the sham group ( P>0.05); however, both the anastomosis and combined treatment groups exhibited significantly higher survival rates than the sham group ( P<0.05), the combined treatment group further demonstrated superior survival rates compared to both the PRP and anastomosis groups ( P<0.05). At day 7, the combined treatment group maintained significantly higher survival rates than all other groups ( P<0.05), while both the PRP and anastomosis groups exceeded the sham group ( P<0.05). HE staining at day 7 revealed persistent inflammatory cell infiltration, sheet-like erythrocyte deposition, and disordered collagen fibers in the sham group. The PRP group showed nascent microvessel formation and early collagen reorganization, whereas the anastomosis group displayed mature microvasculature with resolved interstitial edema. The combined treatment group exhibited differentiated microvessels with densely packed collagen bundles. Immunohistochemical analysis at day 7 demonstrated significantly larger relative area percentages of α-SMA, VEGF, and CD31 positive cells in the combined treatment group compared to all other groups ( P<0.05). Both the PRP and anastomosis groups also showed significantly higher values than the sham group ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION The combination of PRP and arterial supercharging techniques significantly enhances flap healing, potentially through mechanisms involving augmented angiogenesis and improved blood supply.
Animals ; Rabbits ; Platelet-Rich Plasma ; Surgical Flaps/blood supply* ; Graft Survival ; Anastomosis, Surgical/methods* ; Ischemia/surgery* ; Arteries/surgery* ; Skin/blood supply* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Male ; Skin Transplantation/methods*