Background Indoor air quality directly affects people's health, especially the impact of chemical pollutants in residential indoor air on children and the elderly is more significant. Objective To understand the pollution status of common chemical pollutants in residential indoor air in Shijiazhuang, evaluate the health risks of chemical pollutants to school-age children and the elderly, and provide reference for controlling indoor pollution in residential environment. Methods Using stratified random sampling, a total of 60 households were selected from 2 urban areas and 1 surrounding rural area in Shijiazhuang City, specifically in July 2023 (non-heating season) and December 2023 (heating season), respectively. Relevant data was collected through on-site sampling [including CO, CO₂, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, NO₂, SO₂, O₃, ammonia, formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene] and survey questionnaires. The pollutant concentrations were evaluated following the Standards for indoor air quality of GB/T 18883-2022, and the inhalation exposure risks of the target population were assessed based on the health risk assessment method. Results In the indoor air of the urban and rural residence in Shijiazhuang City, except for CO, NO₂, SO₂, toluene, and xylene, which did not exceed the standard limits, other pollutants showed varying degrees of exceedance. The non-qualified rates of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and CO₂ in the urban areas were higher than those in the rural areas (P < 0.05). The seasonal difference analysis showed that the non-qualified rates of PM_2.5, PM₁₀, CO₂, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene in the urban areas were higher in the heating season than in the non-heating season (P<0.05); the non-qualified rates of ammonia and formaldehyde in the rural areas increased significantly in the non-heating season(P<0.05). The health risk assessment indicated that the maximum hazard quotient (HQ) of tetrachloroethylene for the elderly exceeded 1, while the HQ values for ammonia, formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene, and trichloroethylene remained below 1 for either children or the elderly. For carcinogenic risks, the median carcinogenic risk (CR) of formaldehyde for school-aged children or the elderly fell within the range of 10⁻⁶-10⁻⁴, whereas the median CR values for benzene, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene were all below 10⁻⁶. Conclusion The primary indoor air pollutants exceeding the national standard limits in residential areas of Shijiazhuang City include CO₂, PM₁₀, TVOC, PM_2.5, formaldehyde, ammonia, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene. The levels of these pollutants exhibit significant urban-rural and seasonal variations. Special attention should be paid to the non-carcinogenic risk of tetrachloroethylene to the elderly and the carcinogenic risks of formaldehyde to school-age children and the elderly.

Objective: To explore the pattern of change of axial length/curvatrue radius ratio (AL/CR) and associated factors in primary and secondary school students in Yunnan, so as to provide scientific basis and prospective guidance for early myopia intervention and control. Methods: A total of 685 students from grades 2 to 3 and grade 7 in 2 cities/counties in Yunnan Province were selected by multi stage stratified random cluster sampling method in 2020. All the participants were followed up twice with questionnaire of myopia related factors, uncorrected distance visual acuity, and refractive parameter measurement from October,2021 and March,2023,respectivelty. The distribution and change of AL/CR in different classes and groups were analyzed, and the influencing factos of AL/CR cumulative progression were explored using generalized linear model. Results: AL/CR ratio in primary school students was (2.95±0.09) at baseline, increased to (2.99±0.11) at the first follow up and (3.04±0.12) at the second follow up. AL/CR ratio in middle school students(3.08±0.13) at baseline, increased to (3.12±0.15) at the first follow up and (3.15±0.14) at the second follow up. The generalized linear model showed that after controlling for environmental factors, ethnicity ( β =-0.017) , cumulative progression of the SE ( β =-0.027) influenced the changes of AL/CR ratio among the primary school students, whereas the changes of AL/CR ratio were associated with baseline AL ( β =-0.005), baseline corneal curvatrue radius ( β =0.032) and cumulative progression of SE( β =-0.035) among middle school students ( P <0.05). Conclusions The AL/CR ratio of primary and secondary school students in Yunnan can be used to judge different refractive status types, but its variation is not only related to SE progression, but also affected by different ethnic groups and baseline ocular biological parameters. so the value of AL/CR application in assessing the progression of myopia needs to be further confirmed.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of cinobufagin tablets combined with thalidomide/dexamethasone （TD） regimen in the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma （NDMM） with phlegm and stasis obstruction. MethodsThe clinical data of 50 patients with NDMM of phlegm and stasis obstruction who were hospitalized at the Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine from June 1st， 2015 to July 31th， 2019 were retrospectively analyzed， and they were divided into a control group （bortezomib/dexamethasone-containing regimen， 27 cases） and an observation group （cinobufagin tablets combined with TD regimen， 23 cases）. The clinical efficacy and safety were compared between the two groups after two or three courses of treatment. The primary outcomes were clinical remission rate including overall response rate and deep remission rate， one-year and two-year overall survival rate， and adverse effects. The secondary outcomes were the proportion of plasma cells in bone marrow， hemoglobin， β2-microglobulin， lactate dehydrogenase， serum creatinine， blood urea nitrogen， bone pain score， and KPS functional status score （KPS score） before and after treatment. ResultsIn terms of clinical efficacy， there was no statistically significant difference （P＞0.05） in the overall response rate ［the observation group 69.57%（16/23） vs the control group 70.37% （19/27）］ and deep remission rate ［the observation group 56.52% （13/23） vs the control group 55.56% （15/27）］ between groups after the treatment. The one-year overall survival rates of the observation group and the control group were 90.9% and 92.4%， and the two-year overall survival rates were 81.8% and 80.9% respectively， with no statistically significant differences between groups （P＞0.05）. During the treatment， no renal function injury occurred in both groups. The incidence of peripheral nerve injury in the observation group was 8.70%， which was lower than 48.15% in the control group （P＜0.01）. After the treatment， the proportion of myeloma plasma cells， β2-microglobulin， serum creatinine level， and bone pain score decreased， while the hemoglobin level and KPS score increased in both groups （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared between groups after treatment， the bone pain score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group， while the KPS score was higher than that of the control group （P＜0.05）. ConclusionThe clinical efficacy of cinobufagin tablets combined with TD in the treatment of NDMM is equivalent to bortezomib/dexamethasone-containing regimen， but the former is more helpful in relieving the pain and improving the quality of life， and has better safety.

Objective To investigate the incidence and the types of gene mutations of α-thalassemia in the child-bearing pop-ulation of Conghua District,Guangzhou.Methods Blood samples from 24 083 people of childbearing age were screened by blood cell analysis and hemoglobin electrophoresis,α-globin gene variation was detected by GAP-PCR and PCR reverse dot blot in the positive cases,and 17 common β-globin gene mutations were detected by PCR reverse Dot blot.Results A total of 2 596 cases of α-thalassemia gene abnormality were detected by gene identification,and the abnormal rate was 10.78%.A sum of 170 cases(0.71%)had a compound mutation of α-β gene.There were 2 550 cases(98.23%)of deletion and 46 cases(1.77%)of non-deletion in the mutant genes.There were 14 types of gene mutation,including 5 types of HbH disease(with--SEA/-α3.7 primarily),4 mild types(with 68.61%of--SEA/αα genotype),and 5 quiescent types(the top two genotypes were-α3.7/αα and-α4.2/αα).A total of 23 types of αβ complex gene mutation were detected,and the top six types were--SEA/βCD41-42,-α3.7/βCD41-42,--SEA/β654,--SEA/-28,-α3.7/β654 and-α3.7/βCD17,which accounted for 75.27%of all the complex types.Conclusion The gene abnormality rate of α-thalassemia in Conghua District of Guangzhou City was high.The gene mutation type and constitu-ent ratio,which have their own characteristics,is a special region of α-thalassemia.

BACKGROUND:Autophagy and ferroptosis play important roles in the development of chronic kidney disease,but the molecular mechanisms and gene targets related to autophagy and ferroptosis in renal tissue of chronic kidney disease are still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To screen differentially expressed genes in chronic kidney disease-related datasets based on bioinformatics,and to explore potential key biomarkers suitable for screening renal function progression in patients with chronic kidney disease. METHODS:(1)The GSE137570 dataset was obtained from GEO database to screen the differentially expressed genes by Networkanalyst database analysis.Ferroptosis and autophagy related targets were obtained by OMIM,GENECARD,FerrDb and HAMdb databases.The respective data were intersected to obtain autophagy-ferroptosis related differentially expressed genes in chronic kidney disease for parallel enrichment analysis.The STRING website was used to construct the protein-protein interaction network of differentially expressed genes,which was imported into Cytoscape software and analyzed by MCODE and Cytohubba plug-in to screen potential core targets.Enrichment analysis was performed to obtain the functions of these potential core targets.(2)In the in vitro experiment,mouse renal tubular epithelial cells were divided into two groups:the control group received no intervention,while the model group was stimulated with 5 ng/mL transforming growth factor β1 for 24 hours to induce mesenchymal transformation of renal tubular epithelial cells.Flow cytometry was used to measure the levels of reactive oxygen species and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential in the cells.RT-PCR was employed to assess ferroptosis,autophagy-related markers,and the mRNA expression of potential core targets in the cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After screening the GSE137570 dataset,a total of 480 differentially expressed genes were obtained,including 104 upregulated genes and 376 downregulated genes(log2|(FC)|>1,P<0.05).There were 562 ferroptosis-related targets and 1 266 autophagy-related targets obtained from the OMIM,GENECARD,FerrDb,and HAMdb databases.Intersection of differentially expressed genes with ferroptosis-and autophagy-related targets yielded 15 ferroptosis-related targets and 18 autophagy-related targets,respectively.The enrichment analysis results indicate that ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes are primarily involved in biological processes such as sulfur amino acid metabolism,neutrophil degranulation,and ferroptosis signaling pathways.Autophagy-related differentially expressed genes are mainly enriched in biological processes such as platelet degranulation,extracellular matrix degradation,and receptor tyrosine kinase signaling.After screened by MCODE and CytoHubba,key genes were identified in the protein-protein interaction network,including CD44,ALB,TIMP1,PLG,CCL2,and DPP4.Immune infiltration analysis results indicate that immune cells such as B cells,CD4+ T cells,NK cells,and monocytes show significant differential expression in renal tissue after chronic kidney disease,and the core targets are also significantly correlated with these immune cells(P<0.05).The results of receiver operator characteristic curve analysis further demonstrate that the pathological progression of chronic kidney disease can be effectively diagnosed by CD44,ALB,TIMP1,PLG,CCL2,and DPP4.Single-cell sequencing results show that,except for PLG,the expression of target genes in the renal tissue of mice in each model group is generally consistent with the results of this experiment.RT-PCR results demonstrate that,for the validation of autophagy and ferroptosis phenotypes,compared with the control group,the model group shows a significant decrease in mRNA expression of LC3B,Nrf2,and SLC7A11(P<0.05),and a significant increase in P62 mRNA expression(P<0.05).Regarding the validation of potential core targets,compared with the control group,the model group exhibits a significant decrease in mRNA expression of ALB and PLG(P<0.05),and a significant increase in TIMP1 and CCL2 mRNA expression(P<0.05).Overall,these findings indicate that,through bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation,CD44,ALB,TIMP1,PLG,and CCL2 are abnormally expressed in the renal tissue of patients with chronic kidney disease,closely correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate and tubulointerstitial fibrosis,and maybe play a predictive role in the progression of chronic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE To study the correlation between penetration enhancement effect and transepidermal water loss(TEWL)values of essential oils(EOs)from traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).METHODS The amount of 3 kinds of glycosides(geniposide,gentiopicroside,paeoniflorin)and their oil-water partition coefficient were determined by HPLC.The penetration enhancement effect of the five EOs from Gaoliangjiang(Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma,AOR),Ganjiang(Zingiberis Rhizoma,ZR),Bohe(Menthae Haploca-lycis Herba,MHH),Hujiao(Piperis Fructus,PF)and Wuzhuyu(Euodiae Fructus,EF)on geniposide,gentiopicroside,and paeoniflor-in were performed by the modified Franz diffusion cell method with the abdominal skin of rats.The TEWL values were measured to evalu-ate the effect of the five EOs on the skin barrier function of rats.The correlation between penetration enhancement effect of EOs and their effect on skin barrier function was investigated by correlation analysis.RESULTS AOR oil,ZR oil,MHH oil,and PF oil could im-prove the absorption of the three glycosides and reduce skin barrier function of rats.The results of correlation analysis showed that the penetration enhancement effect of EOs was significantly related to TEWL values following dermal administration of EOs.CONCLUSION TEWL measurement technology provides a more convenient method for the selection of penetration enhancers.

Antipsychotics, lithium preparations can cause a variety of renal side effects, most of which occur insidiously. The paper reports a 46-year-old female patient developing fatigue and soft paresis after taking lithium carbonate for 17 years. Laboratory tests showed hypokalemia, distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA), and renal calculus. After discontinuation of lithium carbonate, partial remission of hypokalemia and dRTA were observed. Combined with literature review, in addition to dRTA, the renal side effects of lithium preparations also include acute toxic kidney injury, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and various glomerulopathy.

Objective:To investigate the difference of lymphocyte subsets between elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis and non-elderly patients and its clinical significance.Methods:A total of 124 patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from January, 2017 to December, 2019 were enrolled.The patients were divided into elderly group(≥60 years old, 34 cases)and non-elderly group(<60 years old, 90 cases). Rheumatoid arthritis activity(DAS-28)scoring was performed for each patient.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)were extracted by Ficoll density centrifugation.Lymphocytes were labeled and detected by 18-color flowcytometry with more than 30 fluorescent antibodies.Results:DAS-28 scoring showed that the disease activity score of the elderly group(4.56±1.89)was higher than that of the non-elderly group(3.37±1.49)( t=3.633, P<0.001). Flow cytometry showed that MAIL%T(mucus-associated lymphoid tissue T cell subset)( Z=-2.798, P=0.005), Tn%CD8 T cells(initial CD8 T cells)( Z=-2.179, P=0.029), VD2% T(Vδ2+ T, γδT cell subtype)( Z=-2.806, P=0.005), PD1-CD28-%Th( Z=-2.050, P=0.040)and IGM+ D-%B( Z=-2.376, P=0.017)were lower in the elderly group than in the non-elderly group.While, CD45+ CD27+ %CD8 T cells( Z=-3.069, P=0.002), abT%T cell(αβT cells)( Z=-2.103, P=0.035), CD27-CD28+ %T cells( Z=-2.341, P=0.019), ASC%PBMC( Z=-2.341, P=0.019)and ASC%CD19+ ( Z=-2.000, P=0.046)subgroup expression were higher in the elderly group than in the non-elderly group. Conclusions:The disease activity of elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis is significantly higher than that of younger patients.The expressions of abT%T and CD4% abT in effector T cells of elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis are higher than those of younger patients, while the expression of VD2% T is lower.The expression level of CD45RA+ CD27+ %CD8 T with cytotoxic effect is higher; However, the expression level of Tn%CD8 T in naive cells is lower.

Clouston syndrome (OMIM #129500), also known as hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia type 2, is a rare autosomal dominant skin disorder. To date, four mutations in the GJB6 gene, G11R, V37E, A88V, and D50N, have been confirmed to cause this condition. In previous studies, the focus has been mainly on gene sequencing, and there has been a lack of research on clinical manifestations and pathogenesis. To confirm the diagnosis of this pedigree at the molecular level and summarize and analyse the clinical phenotype of patients and to provide a basis for further study of the pathogenesis of the disease, we performed whole-exome and Sanger sequencing on a large Chinese Clouston syndrome pedigree. Detailed clinical examination included histopathology, hair microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. We found a novel heterozygous missense variant (c.134G>C:p.G45A) for Clouston syndrome. We identified a new clinical phenotype involving all nail needling pain in all patients and found a special honeycomb hole structure in the patients' hair under scanning electron microscopy. Our data reveal that a novel variant (c.134G>C:p.G45A) plays a likely pathogenic role in this pedigree and highlight that genetic testing is necessary for the diagnosis of Clouston syndrome.
Humans ; Connexin 30/genetics* ; Connexins/genetics* ; East Asian People ; Ectodermal Dysplasia/pathology* ; Phenotype

Diabetic foot ulcer is a serious and destructive complication of diabetes， with the rates of disability and mortality increasing year by year， which poses a serious threat to human physical and mental health. In the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer with traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， the combination of syndrome differentiation and overall concept can not only alleviate TCM syndrome but also accelerate wound healing， reduce wound recurrence， delay the further deterioration of diabetic foot ulcer， and decrease the rates of disability and mortality. Modern studies have demonstrated that the difficult healing of diabetic foot ulcer is closely associated with the abnormal distribution of cytokines such as inflammatory cytokines， growth factors， and chemokines. With the deepening of modern medical research on TCM， the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer via regulation of cytokines by Chinese medicinal monomers and prescriptions has become a research focus. This paper summarizes the current research status at home and abroad and draws the following conclusions. ① Sesamol， geniposide， Danggui Buxuetang， and Zizhu ointment can regulate tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin （IL）-1， IL-6， IL-10 and other inflammatory cytokines to inhibit wound inflammation. ② Angelicae Dahuricae Radix， salvianolic acid B， Sixiao powder， Badu Shengji ointment （Zhuang medicine）， etc.， regulate vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， platelet-derived growth factor （PDGF）， transforming growth factor （TGF）， epidermal growth factor （EGF） and other growth factors to promote collagen deposition and angiogenesis on wound surface. ③ Paeoniflorin， cryptanshinone， bee venom， and Huiyang Shengji decoction regulate CXC chemokine ligand （CXCL） 1， CXCL2， C-C chemokine ligand （CCL） 2， CCL3， stromal cell-derived factor-1α （SDF-1α）， monocyte chemoattract protein-1 （MCP-1） and other chemokines to reduce inflammatory response and promote neovascularization and wound granulation tissue formation. ④ In the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer， Chinese medicinal monomers and prescriptions have different and complicated mechanisms. The multi-target treatment manner determines that Chinese medicines can act on a variety of cytokines to participate in various stages of wound healing and thus play a therapeutic role. The conclusion above aims to provide ideas for the experimental research and clinical treatment of diabetic foot ulcer with TCM in the future.