Objective:To screen differential proteins in the serum of workers with rare earth samarium oxide pneumoconiosis, in order to provide new ideas for finding its early diagnostic biomarkers.Methods:In April 2019, three male workers diagnosed with samarium oxide pneumoconiosis at a rare earth factory in Baotou City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were selected as the observation group, and three male workers who were not exposed to dust were selected as the control group. The serum was sequenced using the Label-free proteomic method to screen for differentially expressed proteins, followed by cluster of orthologous groups of proteins (COG) annotation, gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. The interaction gene library retrieval tool database and Cytoscape 3.9.1 software were used to draw protein-protein interaction networks. CytoHubba plugin was used to screen for differentially expressed proteins with high scores, and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT/q-PCR) was used to validate the proteomic sequencing results.Results:A total of 45 up-regulated differentially expressed proteins and 5 down-regulated differentially expressed proteins were screened out in the serum of workers with rare earth samarium oxide pneumoconiosis. In the COG functional classification, post-translational modifications, protein turnover, and chaperones were the most numerous. GO enrichment included 25 entries for biological processes such as complement activation (classical pathways), 15 entries for cellular components such as extracellular recombinants, and 10 entries for molecular functions such as protein binding. The pathways identified by KEGG enrichment analysis mainly included infectious diseases, immune system, signal transduction, and immune related diseases. The top 10 scoring proteins were haptoglobin, complement C1r subcomponent, complement C1s subcomponent, apolipoprotein C-Ⅲ, apolipoprotein A-Ⅱ, prothrombin, afamin, complement component C8 gamma chain, complement component C6, complement component C7. The RT/q-PCR validation results showed that the mRNA expression levels of haptoglobin, prothrombin and complement C1s subcomponent in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:Ten differentially expressed proteins in the serum of workers with rare earth samarium oxide pneumoconiosis are screened, which provides a good idea for the screening of biomarkers for early diagnosis of samarium oxide pneumoconiosis.

Objective:To screen differential proteins in the serum of workers with rare earth samarium oxide pneumoconiosis, in order to provide new ideas for finding its early diagnostic biomarkers.Methods:In April 2019, three male workers diagnosed with samarium oxide pneumoconiosis at a rare earth factory in Baotou City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were selected as the observation group, and three male workers who were not exposed to dust were selected as the control group. The serum was sequenced using the Label-free proteomic method to screen for differentially expressed proteins, followed by cluster of orthologous groups of proteins (COG) annotation, gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. The interaction gene library retrieval tool database and Cytoscape 3.9.1 software were used to draw protein-protein interaction networks. CytoHubba plugin was used to screen for differentially expressed proteins with high scores, and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT/q-PCR) was used to validate the proteomic sequencing results.Results:A total of 45 up-regulated differentially expressed proteins and 5 down-regulated differentially expressed proteins were screened out in the serum of workers with rare earth samarium oxide pneumoconiosis. In the COG functional classification, post-translational modifications, protein turnover, and chaperones were the most numerous. GO enrichment included 25 entries for biological processes such as complement activation (classical pathways), 15 entries for cellular components such as extracellular recombinants, and 10 entries for molecular functions such as protein binding. The pathways identified by KEGG enrichment analysis mainly included infectious diseases, immune system, signal transduction, and immune related diseases. The top 10 scoring proteins were haptoglobin, complement C1r subcomponent, complement C1s subcomponent, apolipoprotein C-Ⅲ, apolipoprotein A-Ⅱ, prothrombin, afamin, complement component C8 gamma chain, complement component C6, complement component C7. The RT/q-PCR validation results showed that the mRNA expression levels of haptoglobin, prothrombin and complement C1s subcomponent in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:Ten differentially expressed proteins in the serum of workers with rare earth samarium oxide pneumoconiosis are screened, which provides a good idea for the screening of biomarkers for early diagnosis of samarium oxide pneumoconiosis.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinicopathological features of laryngeal squamous carcinoma tumors and their correlation with prognosis in order to improve the understanding and diagnosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.METHODS The clinical and pathological data(including gender,age,stage,differentiation,immunohistochemistry,etc.)of 179 patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma[171 males,8 females,aged 30-84(61.53±8.02)years]who were treated in Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,The First and Second Clinical Medical Schools of Ningxia Medical University from January 2015 to December 2022 were retrospectively studied,and the effects of various factors on prognosis were analyzed.RESULTS Among the 179 patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma,the male-to-female ratio was 21.4:1,and the incidence was high in the age group of 60-79 years old(58.7%),and the youngest age of onset was 30 years old.The main clinical manifestations were hoarseness 138 cases(77.1%),sore throat 16 cases(8.9%)and pharyngeal foreign body sensation 13 cases(7.3%).Glottic type was more common in the primary site 135 cases(75.4%),and 31 cases were accompanied by cervical lymph node metastasis(17.3%).The degree of differentiation was more common in the moderately differentiated type 80 cases(44.7%).The positive rates of immunohistochemistry markers p16,EGFR(epidermal growth factor receptor),PD-1/PD-L1 and VEGF(vascular endothelial growth factor)were 20.3%,96.4%,36.4%and 77.3%,respectively.Univariate Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the site of disease,lymph node metastasis,and tumor stage were significantly correlated with disease recurrence.Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the clinical stage of the tumor was an independent risk factor for the prognosis of the disease(HR=3.715,95%CI:1.519-9.088,P=0.04).CONCLUSION The stage of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma,the site of the disease,and the metastasis of the lymph nodes are the main factors affecting the prognosis.The high positive expression rate of immunohistochemistry markers EGFR and VEGF is worth paying attention to Targeted therapy for patients with positive PD-1/PD-L1 testing is a promising research direction.

Objective:To investigate urinary pH distribution and its influencing factors in gout patients, to provide insights for individualized treatment.Methods:This is a retrospective study. The gout patients in the Gout Outpatient Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from September 2019 to August 2021 were collected. Clinical data were collected and relevant indicators were measured. The patients were divided into different groups according to urinary pH. Clinical characteristics and factors related to urinary pH were compared among the groups. SPSS 23.0 software was used.Results:A total of 2 553 patients were enrolled. There were significant statistical differences in age, body mass index, triglyceride, alanine aminotransferase(ALT), blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR), blood uric acid, urinary uric acid/creatinine ratio, fraction excretion of uric acid(FEUA) among groups with different urinary pH( F were 5.114, 4.772, 7.170, 4.721, 13.603, 2.812, 3.422, 22.834, 18.230, 26.332, all P<0.05). Urinary uric acid and FEUA in acute group were higher than those in remission group( Z were -2.295, -3.528, both P<0.05). After adjusting for gender, age, eGFR, logistics regression analysis showed that body mass index, triglyceride, total cholesterol, ALT, blood uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen were still risk factors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that triglyceride, blood uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen were independent risk factors associated with acid urine. Linear correlation analysis showed that urinary pH was negatively correlated with body mass index, triglyceride, total cholesterol, blood uric acid, fasting glucose, blood urea nitrogen, ALT( r were -0.079, -0.106, -0.051, -0.186, -0.040, -0.122, -0.051, all P<0.05), but positively correlated with eGFR( r=0.058, P=0.003). Conclusion:The overall urine pH levels in patients with primary gout are below normal reference. Several metabolic components are related to it. Triglyceride, blood uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen are independent risk factors of acidic urine. In clinical practice, attention should be paid to timely alkalization of urine to prevent complications.

Objective:To investigate the distribution of allergens in patients with allergic rhinitis （AR） in Ningxia, and provide theoretical data for the prevention and treatment of AR in this region. Methods:A total of 1664 patients diagnosed with AR in the Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department of Yinchuan First People's Hospital Outpatient Clinic from January 2018 to December 2021 were retrospectively collected. Use the allergen sIgE antibody detection kit （immunoblotting method） to detect inhalation and ingestion allergens in patients.Results: ①Among all AR patients, 1 158 cases were detected positive, resulting in the detection rate was 69.59%; ②The detection rate of inhalation allergen was 65.87%, and the detection rate of ingestion allergen was 19.83%; ③Mugwort was the most sensitive allergen, and 76.32% of the patients having a positive grade ≥3; ④Out of the patients, 294 cases （25.39%） were allergic to only one allergen, 244 cases （21.07%） were allergic to two allergens, and 620 cases （53.54%） were allergic to three or more allergens; ⑤During different seasons, the highest number of positive allergens detected was in the summer, with 968 cases （83.59%）. Mugwort was the main allergen during this season （69.01%）. After the COVID-19 epidemic, the total positive rate of sIgE tests in AR patients decreased compared to before, and the difference was statistically significant （P<0.001）; ⑥Mugwort, dog epithelium, mold combination, egg, peanut, soybean, Marine fish combination and fruit combination all showed statistically significant differences between different gender groups （P<0.05）; ⑦Common ragweed, mugwort, dust mite combination, cockroach, egg, milk, Marine fish combination, shrimp, fruit combination and nut combination all showed statistically significant differences among different age groups （P<0.05）; ⑧There were statistically significant differences in hay dust among different ethnic groups （P<0.05）. Conclusion:Artemisia argyi is the main allergen in Ningxia, and the distribution characteristics of different allergens are influenced by treatment season, the COVID-19 epidemic, gender, age, ethnicity, and other factors, showing certain distribution patterns and rules.
Allergens ; Artemisia ; COVID-19 ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Skin Tests ; Humans ; Male ; Female

Objective:For tympanosclerosis patients with ossicular chain fixation, we use ossicular chain bypass technique and evaluate its long-term effects. Methods:From June 2017 to June 2019, 147 patients with tympanosclerosis who underwent middle ear surgery with otoscopy in Yinchuan First People's Hospital were reviewed. The subjects were divided into three groups according to the implemented operation plan, 51 cases in the ossicular chain mobilization group（OCM）, 56 cases in the ossicular chain bypass reconstruction group（OCB）, and 40 cases in the malleus-incus complex resection reconstruction group（MICR）. Through a three-year follow-up, the medium and long-term effects of different operation plans were compared and analyzed. Results:There was no significant difference among the three groups in the incidence of tympanic membrane perforation, delayed facial nerve palsy, and the dispatch and displacement of PORP. The incidence of tympanic membrane retraction pocket or cholesteatoma after operation in OCB group（0） was significantly lower than that in OCM group（11.76%） and MICR group（7.5%）（P<0.05）. At 12 months after operation, ΔABG of OCB group and MICR group were better than that in the OCM group（P<0.05）. At 36 months after operation, ΔABG of OCB group was better than that in the OCM group（P<0.05）, and there was no significant difference between OCB group and MICR group. The audiological performance of patients with epitympanic sclerosis（ETS） at 12, 24 and 36 months after operation was better than that of patients with posterior tympanosclerosis（PTS） and total tympanosclerosis（TTS）（P<0.05）. Conclusion:Compared with patients undergoing ossicular chain mobilization and malleus-incus complex resection for ossicular chain reconstruction, patients with tympanosclerosis undergoing bypass technique have better and stable hearing prognosis in medium and long term. This technique can effectively prevent the formation of retracted pocket and cholesteatoma in patients with tympanosclerosis after operation.
Humans ; Tympanosclerosis ; Ear Ossicles/surgery* ; Ear, Middle ; Malleus/surgery* ; Cholesteatoma ; Retrospective Studies ; Ossicular Prosthesis ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of multiple tophi among gout patients.Methods:Gout patients treated at Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from September 2017 to September 2021 were included retrospectively. According to the number of tophi, the patients were divided into the multiple tophi group, the single tophi group and the non-tophi group. Clinical data were collected, biochemical indices and urine pH value were determined. One- way ANOVA or Chi-square test was used to compare groups, and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors. Results:The age, disease course, blood pressure, serum uric acid, urea nitrogen, and the rate of family history, smoking, drinking, gout attacks≥2 twice per year, hypertension, cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, kidney stones in the multiple tophi group were significantly higher than those in the single tophi group and the non-tophi group. The glomerular filtration rate, urine pH value and the rate of regular exercise were significantly lower than those of single tophi group and non-tophi group. In the multiple tophi group, 245 cases(44.46%) were involved in the interphalangeal joint or metacarpophalangeal joint, 212 cases(38.47%) were involved in other joints of the upper limb, which was second only to the first metatarsophalangeal joint(349 cases, 63.33%). Logistic regression analysis showed that the course of disease, urea nitrogen, serum uric acid, positive family history, drinking, gout attacks ≥twice per year and hypertension were the risk factors for multiple tophi in gout patients. Conclusion:Patients with a long disease course, elevated uric acid, high urea nitrogen, positive family history, alcohol consumption, frequent gout flare and hypertension are more likely to develop multiple tophi.

Objective:To investigate the protective effect and potential mechanisms of microRNA-26a-5p (miR-26a-5p) on podocyte injury in diabetic kidney disease (DKD).Methods:(1) In vivo experiment: Four-week-old db/db mice were divided into db/db group, db/db+agomir-NC group and db/db+miR-26a-5p agomir group according to random number table method, with 10 mice in each group, and 10 db/m mice of the same week-old were set as normal control group. At the age of 10 weeks, pathological changes were observed through light and electron microscopy. Kidney weight/body weight (KW/BW), urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and other biochemical indicators were also detected. The position and expression of miR-26a-5p in kidney tissue were determined through fluorescence in situ hybridization and quantitative real-time PCR, while the expressions of transient receptor potential cation channel-6 (TRPC6) and Nephrin in kidney tissue were determined by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. (2) In vitro experiment: The immortalized mouse podocytes (MPC5) were divided into 5 groups: normal glucose group, high mannitol group, high glucose group, high glucose+miR-26a-5p mimic group, and high glucose+mimic-NC group. The expressions of miR-26a-5p, TRPC6 and Nephrin were detected. Luciferase reporter assay was conducted to research the relationship of miR-26a-5p and TRPC6. Results:(1) In vivo experiment: Compared with db/m group, db/db mice exhibited lower KW/BW and disrupted conditions of ACR, FBG, total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (all P<0.01). Increased glomeruli volume, more extracellular matrix deposition, thicker basement membrane and more foot process fusion were observed by light and electron microscope. Increased expression of TRPC6 protein as well as decreased expression of Nephrin protein and miR-26a-5p were detected in kidney tissues of db/db mice ( P<0.05). Compared with db/db+agomir-NC group, db/db mice transfected by miR-26a-5p agomir exhibited less albuminuria, with less protein expression of TRPC6 and more Nephrin in kidney tissue (all P<0.05). (2) In vitro experiment: Compared with normal glucose group, high glucose-treated podocytes exhibited increased expression of TRPC6 ( P<0.05), as well as decreased expression of Nephrin ( P<0.05) and miR-26a-5p ( P<0.01). Compared with high glucose+mimic-NC group, lower expression of TRPC6 and higher expression of Nephrin were detected in podocytes transfected by miR-26a-5p mimic (both P<0.05). Luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-26a-5p could regulate the expression of TRPC6 precisely. Conclusions:The expression of miR-26a-5p in podocytes is down-regulated in the context of high glucose and miR-26a-5p protects podocytes from injury via inhibiting the expression of TRPC6 in DKD.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and risk factors of impaired liver and renal function in hospitalized patients with gout.Methods:A total of 494 hospitalized patients with confirmed gout were selected and divided into four groups according to liver and renal function, control(Con), impaired liver function (ILF), impaired renal function (IRF), and both function impaired (ILRF) group. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors related with impaired liver and renal function.Results:Compared to Con group, ILF group were younger with shorter gout duration, higher body mass index, waist circumference, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), serum uric acid, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol, triglycerides, C reactive protein, higher prevalence of dyslipidemia, obesity, fatty liver, and monosodium urate crystal (MSU) deposition (all P<0.05). IRF group were older and with higher serum uric acid, serum creatinine, C reactive protein, and hypertension, MSU deposition prevalence, with lower prevalence of fatty liver (all P<0.05). Compared to ILF group, IRF group were older, with longer gout duration, lower level of body mass index, waist circumference, HOMA-IR, LDL-C, total cholesterol, triglycerides, lower prevalence of obesity, fatty liver, and higher prevalence of hypertension and type 2 diabetes (all P<0.05). The univariate logistic regression analysis showed that age( OR=0.941, 95% CI 0.906-0.977, P<0.001), serum uric acid ( OR=1.002, 95% CI 1.000-1.005, P=0.043), HOMA-IR ( OR=1.147, 95% CI 1.024-1.285, P=0.018), and MSU deposition ( OR=1.959, 95% CI 1.154-3.326, P=0.013) were the independent risk factors of impaired liver function, while the independent risk factors of impaired renal function were age ( OR=1.104, 95% CI 1.048-1.162, P<0.001), serum uric acid ( OR=1.007, 95% CI 1.004-1.010, P<0.001), and MSU deposition ( OR=2.393, 95% CI 1.191-4.805, P=0.014). Conclusions:Serum uric acid and MSU deposition are the common independent risk factors for impaired liver and renal function in patients with gout. Younger patients with insulin resistance are susceptible to impaired liver function, older patients with hypertension and diabetes are susceptible to impaired renal function.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with the formation of subcutaneous tophi among young gout patients.Methods:Gout patients treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from September 2016 to June 2020 were included. The clinical information was collected and relevant biochemical indices were detected. Fasting urine was collected to test urine pH value, urine uric acid and urine creatinine. Patients were divided into young tophi group and non-tophi group according to age. The measurement data of normal distribution was expressed as Mean±Standard deviation, and independent sample t test and one-way analysis of variance were used. The counting data was tested by Chi-square test. The risk factors were analyzed by logistic regression. Results:A total of 4 798 primary gout patients were collected. There were 915 patients with subcutaneous tophi, 2 308 young gout patients, 252 young gouty tophi patients among them. The average BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, triglyceride level, serum uric acid level, glomerular filtration rate, alanineamino -transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino -transferase (AST) in the young tophi group were significantly higher than those in the middle-age tophi group ( F=46.074, 2.551, 9.203, 10.370, 15.118, 68.741, 35.023, 5.175, all P<0.05). Average age of disease onset, systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, urine FEUA, Uua/Ucr and urea nitrogen level in young tophi group were significantly lower than those in middle-age tophi group ( F=474.876, 7.629, 6.441, 34.877, 3.633, 50.867, all P<0.05]. The age [(35±7) years old vs (33±7) years old], disease course [(7±4) years vs (4±3) years], blood pressure [(139±17) mmHg vs (135±16) mmHg], [(90±13) mmHg vs (86±12) mmHg], serum triglyceride [(2.6±2.1) mmol/L vs (2.4±2.0) mmol/L], total cholesterol [(4.9±1.4) mmol/L vs (4.6±1.4) mmol/L], serum uric acid [(547±171) μmol/L vs (490±160) μmol/L], urea nitrogen [(5.0±2.0) mmol/L vs (4.4±1.7) mmol/L], family history (27.0% vs 19.6%) and smoking rate(56.0% vs 48.9%) of tophi patients were significantly higher than those of non-tophi patients in young patients ( t=4.717, P<0.05; t=12.838, P<0.05; t=3.414, P<0.05; t=4.676, P<0.05; t=2.085, P<0.05; t=2.451, P<0.05; t=5.308, P<0.05; t=4.090, P<0.05; χ2=7.423, P<0.05; χ2=4.235, P<0.05) . The age of disease onset [(28±6) years vs (29±7) years] and glomerular filtration rate [(96±21) ml·min -1·1.73 m -2vs (103±21) ml·min -1·1.73 m -2] were statistically significantly lower than those of non-tophi patients ( t=-2.711, P<0.01; t=-4.907, P<0.01). Logistics regression analysis showed that age, course of disease, blood pressure, blood lipids level, serum uric acid level, family history of gout and smoking were risk factors for the formation of tophi in young people. After further adjusted for age, course of disease and family history of gout, it was found that serum uric acid, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and urea nitrogen remined risk factors for tophi, while glomerular filtration rate remained a protective factor in young patients. Conclusion:Young tophi patients are always obese and have lipid metabolism disorder. Young patients with high level of serum uric acid and blood pressure, decreased renal function are prone to complicate with subcutaneous tophi. More attention should be paid in clinical practice to prevent or delay the formation of tophi.