The core idea of occupational health risk assessment models is to systematically evaluate occupational health risks according to target hazard characteristics and relevant exposure levels of workers. Occupational exposure assessment is based on concentration, frequency, exposure time, and other indicators that indicate actual exposure of workers to occupational hazards, which is a critical component of health risk assessment. However, the accuracy and comparability of assessment results are affected by differences in parameter assignment for exposure assessment across different studies, as well as insufficient emphasis on multiple occupational hazard exposure. This review aimed to explore the assignment and standardization of exposure assessment parameters for occupational health risk assessment modeling, and systematically sorted out the meaning, assignment methods, and sources of exposure assessment related parameters in commonly used occupational health risk assessment models, with the goal of providing researchers with standardized assessment tools to enhance the scientific rigor and practicality of occupational health risk assessments. Considering the individual differences and temporal fluctuations in occupational exposure, it is recommended that researchers should adopt appropriate sampling strategies, reasonably select sample subjects and time based on the division of similar exposure group (SEG), and conduct statistical inference on the obtained data to derive representative exposure parameters. For combined exposure to chemicals with similar toxic effects, the health risk assessment methods are relatively mature. However, the assessment of combined exposure to hazards with different properties and health effects still lacks scientific authority and needs further research and discussion.

Objective To observe the clinical and imaging features of invasive Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess syndrome(IKPLAS).Methods Data of 68 patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess(KPLA)were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into IKPLAS group(n=25)or non-IKPLAS group(n=43)according to extrahepatic invasive infection or not.Clinical data as well as CT and/or MRI findings were compared between groups.Results The patients'age was lower,while glycated hemoglobin and D-dimer levels were higher in IKPLAS group than those in non-IKPLAS group(all P＜0.05).Hepatic venous thrombophlebitis was detected in 18 cases in IKPLAS group and 6 cases in non-IKPLAS group,while arterial phase abnormal high perfusion around abscess was noticed in 10 cases in IKPLAS group and 28 cases in non-IKPLAS group,both being significantly different between groups(both P＜0.05).The extrahepatic infection in IKPLAS group mainly observed in lungs(19/25,76.00%).Conclusion The ages were lower,while glycated hemoglobin and D-dimer levels were both higher in IKPLAS than in the other KPLA patients.Often appeared hepatic venous thrombophlebitis and extrahepatic infection mainly affecting lungs were imaging characteristics of IKPLAS.

Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Constipation/therapy* ; Probiotics/therapeutic use* ; Patients

Objective:To assess the consistency of ultrasound and dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in the diagnosis of gouty arthritis(GA), reasons of the differences were further analyzed.Methods:The ultrasound and DECT images of 150 knee joints from 147 patients diagnosed with gout at the Gout Specialty Clinic of Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital from February 2022 to October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. According to anatomy, the knee joint was anatomically segmented into five regions: intra-articular, anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral.Location of monosodium urate (MSU) deposition was meticulously recorded. The Kappa consistency test was employed to assess the consistency of the two examination results in different regions of the knee joint. The McNemar chi-square test was utilized to conduct a differential analysis between DECT and ultrasound results.Results:Double contour sign(DCS) (81.2%, 92/112) was the most common intra-articular ultrasound sign in knee joints with GA. In the extra-articular region, MSU was commonly deposited in and around the popliteal tendon (ultrasound: 51.6%, 66/128; DECT: 54.7%, 70/128). Corresponding MSU deposits on DECT were found in 9 of 92 joints with DCS and in 9 of 49 joints with aggregates detected on ultrasound.In the assessment of MSU deposits, ultrasound showed an overall higher positive rate than DECT (87.3% vs. 72.3%, P=0.001), with poor consistency between the two examinations (Kappa=0.153). In distinct anatomical regions, ultrasound and DECT showed high consistency in the medial (Kappa=0.697) and lateral (Kappa=0.718) sides and the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Intra-articular (Kappa=0.289) and anterior (Kappa=0.303) regions exhibited only fair consistency, with statistically significant diagnostic differences ( P<0.05). When exclusively assessing cases with tophus, ultrasound and DECT demonstrated high consistency in the medial and lateral aspects(Kappa=0.685, 0.748) without statistical difference ( P>0.05). In the anterior region, the consistency between the two examinations was moderate (Kappa=0.256), while in the intra-articular region, the consistency of the two methods was lower (Kappa=0.147), and the differences was statistically significant ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Both ultrasound and DECT exhibit good diagnostic capabilities for gouty knee arthritis.However, the consistency between the two techniques varies in different anatomical locations. Clinical assessment should be tailored based on the specific anatomical position. DECT has an advantage in evaluating intra-articular MSU deposits, while ultrasound is more sensitive to detect early and scattered MSU deposits.

Objective:To assess the discriminatory value of the Thyroid Follicular Tumor Ultrasound Risk Stratification System (F-TIRADS) in differentiating follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) from follicular thyroid adenoma (FTA), and to compare its performance with other risk stratification systems(RSS).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 325 patients (327 thyroid nodules) diagnosed postoperatively as FTC or FTA at Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2016 to December 2023. The cases were divided into FTC group (81 nodules) and FTA group (246 nodules). The nodules were classified based on F-TIRADS, the 2020 Chinese Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (C-TIRADS), the 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines (ATA guidelines), and the 2017 European Thyroid Association Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (EU-TIRADS) by two ultrasound physicians. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors associated with FTC. Diagnostic performance of the 4 RSS was compared using postoperative pathological results as the gold standard.Results:Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed maximum diameter, solid composition, hypoechogenicity, unclear or angular margins, marginal or ring calcifications, trabecular structure, and central blood flow were independent predictors of FTC( OR=1.914, 3.427, 9.926, 9.163, 45.918, 3.191, 8.936, respectively; all P<0.05). Within each RSS, the actual malignancy rate increased with higher risk categories, aligning closely with the recommended malignancy rates (except for ATA guidelines). The optimal cut-off values for distinguishing FTC from FTA were FTC risk 50%-90% in F-TIRADS, C-TIRADS 4B, moderately suspicious nodules in ATA guidelines, and EU-TIRADS 4, with areas under the curve of 0.916, 0.808, 0.827, and 0.836, respectively. F-TIRADS demonstrated the best overall performance (sensitivity: 82.72%, specificity: 82.93%), with significant differences compared with C-TIRADS, ATA guidelines, and EU-TIRADS (all P<0.05). Conclusions:F-TIRADS is highly effective in distinguishing FTA from FTC, outperforming C-TIRADS, ATA Guidelines, and EU-TIRADS. Clinicians should pay close attention to solid hypoechoic nodules with unclear or angular margins, marginal or ring calcifications, central blood flow, or a trabecular structure.

Objective To investigate the relationship between hemoglobin glycation index(HGI)and metabolic syndrome(MS)and its components.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to randomly select 823 patients from the First People's Hospital of Huzhou from September 2022 to September 2023.HGI is calculated based on fasting blood glucose(FPG)and glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c)values.The patients were divided into low HGI group(HGI<-0.250%,274 cases),medium HGI group(-0.250%≤HGI≤0.214%,275 cases)and high HGI group(HGI>0.214%,274 cases)by HGI quantile method.The general data and metabolic indexes of each group were compared,and the correlation between HGI and MS and its components was analyzed by multiple Logistic regression.Results With the increase of HGI level,the prevalence rate of MS showed an upward trend(P<0.05).The prevalence rate of MS in low,medium and high HGI groups was 24.8%,42.5%and 55.5%,respectively.Multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that elevated HGI level was risk factor for MS,central obesity,hypertension,hyperglycemia,hypertriglyceridemia and low high-density lipoprotein hyperlipidemia(P<0.05).The risk of MS,central obesity,hypertension,hyperglycemia,hypertriglyceridemia and low high-density lipoprotein hyperlipidemia in high HGI group was 4.005 times(95%CI:2.763-5.808),3.765 times(95%CI:2.604-5.443),1.596 times(95%CI:1.089-2.337),2.655 times(95%CI:1.809-3.895),2.024 times(95%CI:1.404-2.918)and 2.247 times(95%CI:1.537-3.284)of that in low HGI group,respectively.Conclusion HGI is related to MS and its components,and HGI may be a new indicator to prevent and monitor MS.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of Jiaotai Shugan decoction in adjuvant treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)complicated with depression with liver qi stagnation type.Methods From June 2022 to June 2023,90 patients with T2DM complicated with depression with liver qi stagnation type treated in the Second People's Hospital of Lishui City were selected,who were randomly divided into control group and observation group,with 45 cases in each group.Both groups were treated with basic treatment of diabetes,control group was given escitalopram to improve the emotion,while observation group was further given Jiaotai Shugan decoction.After 8 weeks,the clinical effective rate were evaluated by Hamilton depression scale-24(HAMD-24)and patient health questionnaire-9(PHQ-9)scores,the levels of 5-hydroxytrytamine(5-HT),noradrenaline(NE),brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),fasting blood glucose(FPG),2-hour postprandial blood glucose(2hPG)and haemoglobinA1c(HbA1c)were detected,and adverse reactions were recorded.Results The clinical total effective rates of observation group was higher than that of control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).8 weeks after treatment,HAMD-24 and PHQ-9 scores of observation group were lower than those of control group(P＜0.01).The levels of 5-HT,NE and BDNF of observation group were higher than those of control group(P＜0.01).The levels of FPG,2hPG and HbA1c in observation group were lower than those in control group(P＜0.01);There was no significant difference in adverse reactions between two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Modified Jiaotai Shugan decoction is effective in treating T2DM complicated with depression with liver qi stagnation type,can reduce HAMD-24 and PHQ-9 scores,increase the levels of 5-HT,NE,BDNF,and reduce the levels of FPG,2hPG,HbA1c.There was no obvious adverse reactions.

OBJECTIVE To optimize the processing technology of honey bran-fried Atractylodis Rhizoma， and to compare the anti-gastric ulcer effect before and after processing. METHODS Combing with entropy-weight and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution model， L（9 34） orthogonal experiment design was adopted to optimize the processing technology of honey bran-fried Atractylodis Rhizoma using the comprehensive score of the contents of atractylone， β-cineole， atractylenolide Ⅲ and atractylodine as evaluation index， using the ratio of excipients to medicine， frying temperature and frying time as factors. The validation tests were conducted. The gastric ulcer model of mice was induced by intragastrical administration of anhydrous ethanol； using Compound aluminum hydroxide tablet as positive control， anti-gastric ulcer effect of Atractylodis Rhizoma was compared with that of honey bran-fried Atractylodis Rhizoma using the contents of serum inflammatory factors [interleukin-2 （IL-2）， IL-6， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）]， ulcer index and inhibitory rate of gastric ulcer as evaluation indexes. RESULTS The optimal processing technology of honey bran-fried Atractylodis Rhizoma was as follows：ratio of adjuvant and medicinal materials of 3∶10 （g/g）， frying temperature at 140 ℃ and frying time of 4 min. Results of 3 validation tests showed that the contents of 4 components （including atractylone）， in honey bran-fried Atractylodis Rhizoma processed by the optimal technology kept stable （RSDs were 3.47%-5.80%， n＝3）； the comprehensive scores were 95.53%-95.89% （RSD＝0.21%， n＝3）. Atractylodis Rhizoma and honey bran-fried Atractylodis Rhizoma could increase the serum content of IL-2 in mice， but reduce serum contents of IL-6 and TNF-α to varying degrees； honey bran-fried Atractylodis Rhizoma could significantly decrease its ulcer indexes （P＜0.05 or P＜ 0.01）； the improvement effect of honey bran-fried Atractylodis Rhizoma on the above indicators was generally better than that of the same dosage of Atractylodis Rhizoma （P＜0.05 or P＜ 0.01）. The inhibitory rates of low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose Atractylodis Rhizoma and honey bran-fried Atractylodis Rhizoma to gastric ulcer in mice were 9.18%， 19.30%， 30.70%， and 50.32%， 61.39%， 53.16%， respectively. CONCLUSIONS The optimal processing technology of honey bran-fried Atractylodis Rhizoma is stable and feasible， and the anti-gastric ulcer effect of Atractylodis Rhizoma has been enhanced after being fried with honey bran.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for detecting fetal chromosomal microdeletion/microduplication syndromes by carrying out prenatal diagnoses for two fetuses with Xp22.31 microdeletion indicated by NIPT. METHODS: Two pregnant women suspected for fetal Xp22.31 microdeletion syndrome who presented at Zaozhuang Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital on December 5, 2017 and October 15, 2020 were selected as the study subjects. Clinical data of the two women were collected, and peripheral venous blood samples were collected for NIPT testing. Amniotic fluid samples were taken for G-banding chromosomal karyotyping analysis and copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) for fetus 1, while G-banding chromosomal karyotyping and single nucleotide polymorphism microarray analysis (SNP array) were carried out for fetus 2. Peripheral venous blood samples of couple 1 were collected for CNV-seq to verify the origin of copy number variation . RESULTS: NIPT indicated that fetus 1 had harbored a 1.3 Mb deletion in the Xp22.31 region, while G-banding chromosomal karyotyping had found no abnormality. CNV-seq analysis verified the fetus to be seg[GRCh37]del(X)(p22.31)chrX:g.6800001_7940000del, with a 1.14 Mb deletion at Xp22.31, which was derived from its mother. NIPT indicated that fetus 2 had harbored a 1.54 Mb deletion in the Xp22.31 region, while G-banding chromosomal karyotyping had found no abnormality. SNP array analysis indicated arr[GRCh37]Xp22.31(6458940_8003247)×0, with a 1.54 Mb deletion in Xp22.31 region. CONCLUSION NIPT not only has a good performance for detecting fetal trisomies 21, 18 and 13, but also has the potential for detecting chromosomal microdeletion/microduplications. For high risk fetuses indicated by NIPT, prenatal diagnosis needs to be carry out to verify the chromosomal abnormalities.
Child ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Humans ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Down Syndrome/diagnosis* ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Fetus

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for trisomy 21 (T21), trisomy 18 (T18), trisomy 13 (T13), sex chromosome aneuploidies, chromosomal microdeletions and microduplications using cell-free fetal DNA from peripheral blood samples of pregnant women. METHODS: A total of 15 237 pregnant women who had undergone NIPT testing at the Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Zaozhuang from February 2015 to December 2021 were enrolled in this study. For those with a high risk by NIPT, amniotic fluid samples were collected for G-banding chromosomal karyotyping analysis and chromosomal microarray analysis to verify the consistency of NIPT with results of prenatal diagnosis. All of the women were followed up by telephone for pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: Among the 15 237 pregnant women, 266 (1.75%) were detected with a high risk for fetal chromosomal abnormality were detected. Among these, 79 (29.7%) were at a high risk for T21, 26 (9.77%) were at a high risk for T18, 9 (3.38%) were at a high risk for T13, 74 (27.82%) were at a high risk for sex chromosome aneuploidies, 12 (4.51%) were at a high risk for other autosomal aneuploidies, and 66 (24.81%) were at a high risk for chromosomal microdeletions or microduplications. 217 women had accepted invasive prenatal diagnosis and respectively 50, 13, 1, 25, 1 and 18 were confirmed with T21, T18, T13, sex chromosome aneuploidies, autosomal aneuploidies and microdeletions/microduplications, and the positive predictive values were 75.76%, 68.42%, 11.11%, 40.32%, 10% and 35.29%, respectively. For 13 042 women (85.59%), the outcome of pregnancy were successfully followed up. During the follow-up, one false negative case of T21 was discovered. No false positive cases for T13 and T18 were found. CONCLUSION NIPT has a sound performance for screening T13, T18 and T21, and is also valuable for screening other autosomal aneuploidies, sex chromosome aneuploidies and chromosomal microdeletions/microduplications.
Child ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Cell-Free Nucleic Acids ; Chromosome Disorders/genetics* ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods* ; Down Syndrome/genetics* ; Sex Chromosome Aberrations ; Trisomy 18 Syndrome/genetics* ; Trisomy 13 Syndrome/diagnosis* ; Aneuploidy ; DNA/genetics* ; Trisomy/genetics*