OBJECTIVE: The study aim was to investigate the effects of exposure to multiple environmental organic pollutants on cardiopulmonary health with a focus on the potential mediating role of oxidative stress. METHODS: A repeated-measures randomized crossover study involving healthy college students in Beijing was conducted. Biological samples, including morning urine and venous blood, were collected to measure concentrations of 29 typical organic pollutants, including hydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs), bisphenol A and its substitutes, phthalates and their metabolites, parabens, and five biomarkers of oxidative stress. Health assessments included blood pressure measurements and lung function indicators. RESULTS: Urinary concentrations of 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OH-PHE) ( β = 4.35% [95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.85%, 7.97%]), 3-hydroxyphenanthrene ( β = 3.44% [95% CI: 0.19%, 6.79%]), and 4-hydroxyphenanthrene (4-OH-PHE) ( β = 5.78% [95% CI: 1.27%, 10.5%]) were significantly and positively associated with systolic blood pressure. Exposures to 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH-PYR) ( β = 3.05% [95% CI: -4.66%, -1.41%]), 2-OH-PHE ( β = 2.68% [95% CI: -4%, -1.34%]), and 4-OH-PHE ( β = 3% [95% CI: -4.68%, -1.29%]) were negatively associated with the ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity. These findings highlight the adverse effects of exposure to multiple pollutants on cardiopulmonary health. Biomarkers of oxidative stress, including 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and extracellular superoxide dismutase, mediated the effects of multiple OH-PAHs on blood pressure and lung function. CONCLUSION Exposure to multiple organic pollutants can adversely affect cardiopulmonary health. Oxidative stress is a key mediator of the effects of OH-PAHs on blood pressure and lung function.
Humans ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Cross-Over Studies ; Female ; Young Adult ; Environmental Pollutants/toxicity* ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Adult ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/urine* ; Beijing

Objective:To relate the changes in electroencephalography (EEG) signals after a spinal cord injury (SCI) with functional independence.Methods:The EEG data describing ninety SCI patients in both open and closed eye states were compared with those collected from 45 healthy counterparts. The SCI patients′ EEG data were correlated with their spinal cord independence measure (SCIM) scores at corresponding time points. The SCI patients were divided into a cervical SCI group (SCI-C group) and a non-cervical SCI group (SCI-NC group), with 45 cases in each group. The difference in EEG data between them and its correlation with the SCIM scores were also compared and analyzed.Results:In the eyes-open state, the EEG power in the frontal, central, temporal, and right occipital regions of the SCI group was lower than among the control group, on average. There were significant differences in the δ and θ low-frequency bands. The α1 band power in the frontal and right parietal regions was significantly higher in the SCI group, on average. With the eyes closed the δ band power in the right prefrontal, frontal, left central, and temporal regions of the SCI group was lower than among the control group, while the α1 band power in the right prefrontal, frontal, central, and parietal regions was significantly higher. The reactivity to eye opening of the α1 band in the right prefrontal, frontal, central, parietal, and temporal regions was less in the SCI patients compared to healthy subjects. Among the SCI patients, higher EEG power in the β2 band of the right frontal lobe and the α2 and β bands of the right temporal lobe was significantly positively correlated with higher SCIM scores during the eyes-open measurements. And the higher EEG power in the α2 band of the prefrontal and frontal lobes, the β2 band of the frontal lobe, the α2 band of the right central region, the α2 and β bands of the temporal lobe, and the α2 and β2 bands of the occipital lobe was significantly positively correlated with higher SCIM scores during the eyes-closed state. The subgroup analysis showed that the δ band power in the left temporal lobe and the α2 band power in the parietal lobe were lower among the SCI-C compared with the SCI-NC patients in the eyes-open state. With the eyes closed, the δ band power in the left frontal, left parietal, and left temporal lobes and the α2 band power in the frontal, central, parietal, temporal, and right occipital lobes was significantly lower in the SCI-C group compared to the SCI-NC group, on average. The reactivity to eye opening of the δ band in the temporal lobe, the α2 band in the left prefrontal, frontal, central, parietal, temporal, and right occipital lobes, and the β2 band in the right parietal and left occipital lobes was less in the SCI-C group than in the SCI-NC group ( P≤0.05). Among the SCI-C patients, higher EEG power in the β1 and β2 bands of the right temporal lobe with the eyes open was significantly positively correlated with higher SCIM scores. With the eyes closed, higher EEG power in the α2 and β1 bands of the right prefrontal lobe was significantly positively correlated with higher SCIM scores. Among the SCI-NC patients, higher EEG power in the δ band of the prefrontal lobe, the β1 and β2 bands of the left prefrontal lobe, and the δ bands of the frontal, central, right parietal, and right temporal lobes during the eyes open measurements was significantly positively correlated with higher SCIM scores. Conclusions:The EEG power of cervical and non-cervical SCI patients shows characteristic changes which correlate with their functional independence.

Objective:To evaluate the impact of roxadustat on thyroid function and to identify the associated factors in patients undergoing maintenance peritoneal dialysis (PD).Methods:This study was a single-center retrospective study. PD patients who received roxadustat or recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) treatment at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between January 2020 and June 2024 were included. The general and clinical information as well as laboratory indexes were collected. Serum free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were compared before and after treatment initiation. Hemoglobin (Hb) responses were also observed between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the factors associated with thyroid function changes.Results:A total of 120 patients were enrolled, with an age of (55.17±16.42) years, including 66 males (55.0%). There were 81 patients received roxadustat (roxadustat group) and 39 patiens received rHuEPO (rHuEPO group). Compared to the rHuEPO group, the roxadustat group had a higher proportion of patients with diabetes ( χ 2= 4.172, P=0.041), a shorter PD vintage ( Z=-3.406, P=0.002), a lower serum level of total cholesterol ( Z=-2.082, P=0.037) and a lower level of fasting blood glucose ( Z=-2.589, P=0.010). Following treatment with roxadustat, the levels of FT4 ( Z=-5.349, P<0.01) and TSH ( Z=-3.720, P<0.01) decreased significantly. In contrast, no significant changes in FT4 or TSH levels were observed in the rHuEPO group (both P>0.05). For both roxadustat and rHuEPO groups, there were no significant changes in FT3 levels after treatment (both P>0.05). Multivariate analysis identified that higher baseline TSH (TSH≥2.27 μIU/ml, OR=1.581, 95% CI 1.196-2.089, P=0.001) and roxadustat exposure ( OR=3.432, 95% CI 1.410-8.355, P=0.007) as independent associated factors of subsequent TSH decline, and identified that higher baseline FT4 (FT4≥14.9 pmol/L, OR=1.390, 95% CI 1.162-1.662, P=0.001) and roxadustat exposure ( OR=5.798, 95% CI 2.225-15.113, P=0.001) as independent associated factors of subsequent FT4 decline. The degrees of hemoglobin changes after roxadustat or rHuEPO treatment did not differ significantly between roxadustat group and rHuEPO group ( t=-1.062, P=0.290). Of the 31 patients who underwent a second thyroid function test during roxadustat treatment, 24 continued with the original regimen, while 7 discontinued roxadustat. Among 24 patients who maintained roxadustat treatment, TSH ( Z=-0.400, P=0.689) and FT4 ( t=0.143, P=0.888) remained stable between the second and third tests. All 7 patients who discontinued roxadustat treatment showed TSH rebound and the changes of TSH levels were more significant than that in continuers ( Z=-2.505, P=0.012). FT4 recovery occurred in only 3 of them, with no significant difference in FT4 change between discontinuers and continuers ( Z=-0.685, P=0.493). Conclusions:Roxadustat commonly suppresses TSH and FT4, but not FT3, in PD patients. Baseline levels of TSH and FT4 are key associated factors of the inhibitory effect of roxadustat on thyroid function. This suppression does not intensify with prolonged exposure and is reversible after discontinuation, with TSH levels normalizing more quickly than FT4. Roxadustat-induced thyroid suppression does not compromise its efficacy in treating renal anemia.

A 70-year-old female patient with tumor in the neck and body of the pancreas received 11 cycles of chemotherapy with paclitaxel and gemcitabine. Due to disease progression, she subsequently underwent chemotherapy of fluorouracil, calcium folinate, and irinotecan, combined with immunotherapy of serplulimab. After 28 days (only one session of immunotherapy), the patient developed drooping of the right upper eyelid and chest tightness, followed by pain in the middle and lower segments of the sternum and radiating pain to the throat, accompanied by speech difficulties, dysphagia, and chest tightness and wheezing. Laboratory tests indicated hypersensitive troponin T 0.551 μg/L, creatine kinase (CK) 3 426 U/L, CK-MB 176 μg/L, and myoglobin 1 702 μg/L. The imaging examination of head and neck ruled out intracranial lesions, while the electrocardiogram suggested myocardial damage. Immune-related myocarditis with myositis and/or myasthenia gravis overlap syndrome (IM3OS) induced by serplulimab was considered. Immunotherapy was temporarily halted, and treatments with methyprednisolone and human immunoglobulin were administered. Sixteen days later, clinical symptoms of IM3OS in the patient were improved, with laboratory tests showing hypersensitive troponin I 0.075 μg/L, CK 216 U/L, CK-MB 58 μg/L, and myoglobin 273 μg/L. Upon follow-up, the patient switched to monotherapy with irinotecan alone or combined with raltitrexed for cancer treatment, clinical symptoms of IM3OS did not recur, and no abnormalities were observed in myocardial injury markers or muscle enzymes.

Objective To analyze the expression level of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1(TREM-1)in serum and ascites of patients with cirrhotic ascites,and to investigate its correlation with clinical features and inflammatory markers and its role in the diagnosis of infection and prognostic evaluation.Methods A total of 110 patients with cirrhotic ascites who were hospitalized in The Fifth Hospital of Shijiazhuang from January 2019 to December 2020 were enrolled,and according to the presence or absence of intra-abdominal infection,they were divided into infection group with 72 patients and non-infection group with 38 patients.The patients with infection were further divided into improvement group with 38 patients and non-improvement group with 34 patients.Clinical data and laboratory markers were collected from all patients.Serum and ascites samples were collected,and ELISA was used to measure the level of TREM-1.The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups;the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups,and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups;the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups.A Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between indicators.A multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors for the prognosis of patients with cirrhotic ascites and infection.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic efficacy of each indicator,and the Delong test was used for comparison of the area under the ROC curve(AUC).Results The level of TREM-1 in ascites was significantly positively correlated with that in serum(r=0.50,P<0.001).Compared with the improvement group,the non-improvement group had a significantly higher level of TREM-1 in ascites(Z=-2.391,P=0.017)and serum(Z=-2.544,P=0.011),and compared with the non-infection group,the infection group had a significantly higher level of TREM-1 in ascites(Z=-3.420,P<0.001),while there was no significant difference in the level of TREM-1 in serum between the two groups(P>0.05).The level of TREM-1 in serum and ascites were significantly positively correlated with C-reactive protein(CRP),procalcitonin(PCT),white blood cell count,and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio(r=0.288,0.344,0.530,0.510,0.534,0.454,0.330,and 0.404,all P<0.05).The ROC curve analysis showed that when PCT,CRP,and serum or ascitic TREM-1 were used in combination for the diagnosis of cirrhotic ascites with infection,the AUCs were 0.715 and 0.740,respectively.The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that CRP(odds ratio[OR]=1.019,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.001-1.038,P=0.043)and serum TREM-1(OR=1.002,95%CI:1.000-1.003,P=0.016)were independent risk factors for the prognosis of patients with cirrhotic ascites and infection,and the combination of these two indicators had an AUC of 0.728 in predicting poor prognosis.Conclusion The level of TREM-1 is closely associated with the severity of infection and prognosis in patients with cirrhotic ascites,and combined measurement of TREM-1 and CRP/PCT can improve the diagnostic accuracy of infection and provide support for prognostic evaluation.

Objective:To relate the changes in electroencephalography (EEG) signals after a spinal cord injury (SCI) with functional independence.Methods:The EEG data describing ninety SCI patients in both open and closed eye states were compared with those collected from 45 healthy counterparts. The SCI patients′ EEG data were correlated with their spinal cord independence measure (SCIM) scores at corresponding time points. The SCI patients were divided into a cervical SCI group (SCI-C group) and a non-cervical SCI group (SCI-NC group), with 45 cases in each group. The difference in EEG data between them and its correlation with the SCIM scores were also compared and analyzed.Results:In the eyes-open state, the EEG power in the frontal, central, temporal, and right occipital regions of the SCI group was lower than among the control group, on average. There were significant differences in the δ and θ low-frequency bands. The α1 band power in the frontal and right parietal regions was significantly higher in the SCI group, on average. With the eyes closed the δ band power in the right prefrontal, frontal, left central, and temporal regions of the SCI group was lower than among the control group, while the α1 band power in the right prefrontal, frontal, central, and parietal regions was significantly higher. The reactivity to eye opening of the α1 band in the right prefrontal, frontal, central, parietal, and temporal regions was less in the SCI patients compared to healthy subjects. Among the SCI patients, higher EEG power in the β2 band of the right frontal lobe and the α2 and β bands of the right temporal lobe was significantly positively correlated with higher SCIM scores during the eyes-open measurements. And the higher EEG power in the α2 band of the prefrontal and frontal lobes, the β2 band of the frontal lobe, the α2 band of the right central region, the α2 and β bands of the temporal lobe, and the α2 and β2 bands of the occipital lobe was significantly positively correlated with higher SCIM scores during the eyes-closed state. The subgroup analysis showed that the δ band power in the left temporal lobe and the α2 band power in the parietal lobe were lower among the SCI-C compared with the SCI-NC patients in the eyes-open state. With the eyes closed, the δ band power in the left frontal, left parietal, and left temporal lobes and the α2 band power in the frontal, central, parietal, temporal, and right occipital lobes was significantly lower in the SCI-C group compared to the SCI-NC group, on average. The reactivity to eye opening of the δ band in the temporal lobe, the α2 band in the left prefrontal, frontal, central, parietal, temporal, and right occipital lobes, and the β2 band in the right parietal and left occipital lobes was less in the SCI-C group than in the SCI-NC group ( P≤0.05). Among the SCI-C patients, higher EEG power in the β1 and β2 bands of the right temporal lobe with the eyes open was significantly positively correlated with higher SCIM scores. With the eyes closed, higher EEG power in the α2 and β1 bands of the right prefrontal lobe was significantly positively correlated with higher SCIM scores. Among the SCI-NC patients, higher EEG power in the δ band of the prefrontal lobe, the β1 and β2 bands of the left prefrontal lobe, and the δ bands of the frontal, central, right parietal, and right temporal lobes during the eyes open measurements was significantly positively correlated with higher SCIM scores. Conclusions:The EEG power of cervical and non-cervical SCI patients shows characteristic changes which correlate with their functional independence.

Objective:To evaluate the impact of roxadustat on thyroid function and to identify the associated factors in patients undergoing maintenance peritoneal dialysis (PD).Methods:This study was a single-center retrospective study. PD patients who received roxadustat or recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) treatment at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between January 2020 and June 2024 were included. The general and clinical information as well as laboratory indexes were collected. Serum free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were compared before and after treatment initiation. Hemoglobin (Hb) responses were also observed between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the factors associated with thyroid function changes.Results:A total of 120 patients were enrolled, with an age of (55.17±16.42) years, including 66 males (55.0%). There were 81 patients received roxadustat (roxadustat group) and 39 patiens received rHuEPO (rHuEPO group). Compared to the rHuEPO group, the roxadustat group had a higher proportion of patients with diabetes ( χ 2= 4.172, P=0.041), a shorter PD vintage ( Z=-3.406, P=0.002), a lower serum level of total cholesterol ( Z=-2.082, P=0.037) and a lower level of fasting blood glucose ( Z=-2.589, P=0.010). Following treatment with roxadustat, the levels of FT4 ( Z=-5.349, P<0.01) and TSH ( Z=-3.720, P<0.01) decreased significantly. In contrast, no significant changes in FT4 or TSH levels were observed in the rHuEPO group (both P>0.05). For both roxadustat and rHuEPO groups, there were no significant changes in FT3 levels after treatment (both P>0.05). Multivariate analysis identified that higher baseline TSH (TSH≥2.27 μIU/ml, OR=1.581, 95% CI 1.196-2.089, P=0.001) and roxadustat exposure ( OR=3.432, 95% CI 1.410-8.355, P=0.007) as independent associated factors of subsequent TSH decline, and identified that higher baseline FT4 (FT4≥14.9 pmol/L, OR=1.390, 95% CI 1.162-1.662, P=0.001) and roxadustat exposure ( OR=5.798, 95% CI 2.225-15.113, P=0.001) as independent associated factors of subsequent FT4 decline. The degrees of hemoglobin changes after roxadustat or rHuEPO treatment did not differ significantly between roxadustat group and rHuEPO group ( t=-1.062, P=0.290). Of the 31 patients who underwent a second thyroid function test during roxadustat treatment, 24 continued with the original regimen, while 7 discontinued roxadustat. Among 24 patients who maintained roxadustat treatment, TSH ( Z=-0.400, P=0.689) and FT4 ( t=0.143, P=0.888) remained stable between the second and third tests. All 7 patients who discontinued roxadustat treatment showed TSH rebound and the changes of TSH levels were more significant than that in continuers ( Z=-2.505, P=0.012). FT4 recovery occurred in only 3 of them, with no significant difference in FT4 change between discontinuers and continuers ( Z=-0.685, P=0.493). Conclusions:Roxadustat commonly suppresses TSH and FT4, but not FT3, in PD patients. Baseline levels of TSH and FT4 are key associated factors of the inhibitory effect of roxadustat on thyroid function. This suppression does not intensify with prolonged exposure and is reversible after discontinuation, with TSH levels normalizing more quickly than FT4. Roxadustat-induced thyroid suppression does not compromise its efficacy in treating renal anemia.

Objective To compare the cost-effectiveness between sodium valproate and levetiracetam in the treatment of childhood epilepsy and provide an economic basis for clinical medication choices. Methods A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using a decision tree model to compare the effectiveness and drug costs of sodium valproate and levetiracetam in treating childhood epilepsy. Single-factor sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were used to assess the impact of parameter variations on the study results. Results The treatment cost of levetiracetam was significantly higher than that of sodium valproate. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio （ICER） of levetiracetam compared to sodium valproate was ¥8 628.43. Sensitivity analysis results were consistent with the base-case analysis. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that, over a 6-month treatment period, levetiracetam became a more cost-effective option when the willingness-to-pay （WTP） threshold was ¥9,000 or higher. One-way sensitivity analysis revealed that the price of levetiracetam was the most influential factor affecting the ICER. Conclusion When the WTP per effective pediatric epilepsy case is ¥9,000 or higher, levetiracetam demonstrates a cost-effectiveness advantage.

Objective To investigate the impact of phase Ⅱ cardiac rehabilitation on the rehabilitation needs and physical activity status of patients after coronary heart disease intervention.Methods A total of 90 patients with coronary heart disease who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in the Coronary Heart Disease Center of the hospital from August 2023 to August 2024 were selected as the research subjects.They were subjected to a 12-week standardized phase Ⅱ cardiac rehabilitation training.General data survey forms,cardiac rehabilitation scales,and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire were used for scale surveys to understand the patients' needs before and after rehabilitation and their weekly physical activity en-ergy expenditure.The cardiopulmonary exercise test gold standard,which reflects exercise capacity through three indicators-maximum oxygen uptake(VO2 max),anaerobic threshold(AT),and metabolic equivalents(MET),were used to compare the physical activity status before and after cardiac rehabilitation.Results Compared with before the implementation,after the implementation of cardiac rehabilitation,the autonomy score in-creased(21.36±1.85 vs.16.73±3.28),the process anxiety(12.60±3.87 vs.14.27±2.12)and outcome anxiety scores(2.31±1.76 vs.4.56±3.56)decreased,the level of low-intensity physical activity decreased[(2 711.62±1 487.09)min/week vs.(3 845.97±2 083.71)min/week],the levels of moderate-intensity[(1 314.67±783.54)min/week vs.(686.22±126.79)min/week],high-intensity[(1 861.33±798.27)min/week vs.(112.00±40.77)min/week],and total physical activity increased[(5 887.62±2 843.54)min/week vs.(4 644.19±2 287.16)min/week].The levels of VO2 max[(28.11±14.28)mL·min-1·kg-1 vs.(23.82±12.34)mL·min-1·kg-1],AT[(16.06±5.41)mL·min-1·kg-1 vs.(13.53±4.56)mL·min-1·kg-1],and MET[(6.89±1.59)mL·min-1·kg-1 vs.(5.78±1.21)mL·min-1·kg-1]all in-creased,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Conclusion Phase Ⅱ rehabilitation after PCI can effectively improve patients' physical activity levels.