Background Noise is the most common occupational hazard in the automobile manufacturing industry with the most workers exposed. Automobile manufacturing industry is a high-risk industry for noise-induced hearing loss. Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of noise-induced hearing loss among workers in automobile manufacturing industry and explore related influencing factors. Methods A questionnaire survey, individual noise recording, and pure tone audiometry were conducted among workers (n=656) exposed to noise from five automobile manufacturing enterprises. The data on age, sex, exposure duration, noise intensity, kurtosis, and hearing loss were obtained. The positive rates of high-frequency noise-induced hearing loss (HFNIHL) and speech-frequency noise-induced hearing loss (SFNIHL) were calculated, and each factor was compared between workers with and without HFNIHL. Chi-square test and analysis of trend were conducted among different groups of age, sex, exposure duration, A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level normalized to a nominal 8-hour working day (L_Aeq,8h), and kurtosis. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the factors influencing the positive rates of HFNIHL and SFNIHL. Results The exposure rates of non-Gaussian noise was 73.6%. The positive rates of HFNIHL and SFNIHL were 32.6% (214 workers) and 6.7% (44 workers), respectively. The HFNIHL workers showed older age, higher proportion of male, longer exposure duration, higher noise intensity (L_{Aeq,8 h}), and increased kurtosis than those without HFNIHL (P<0.05). The positive rates of HFNIHL increased with the increase of age, exposure duration, L_{Aeq,8 h}, and kurtosis (\begin{document}$ {\chi ^2} $\end{document}_trend-age=49.25, P<0.001; \begin{document}$ {\chi ^2} $\end{document}_{trend-duration}=22.19, P<0.001; \begin{document}$ {\chi ^2} $\end{document}_trend-LAeq=6.91, P=0.009; \begin{document}$ {\chi ^2} $\end{document}_{trend-kurtosis}=8.56, P=0.003). The results of logistic regression showed that age (OR=2.13, 95%CI: 1.67-2.71, P<0.001), sex (OR=2.29, 95%CI: 1.44-3.62, P<0.001), exposure duration (OR=1.43, 95%CI: 1.11-1.85, P=0.006), L_Aeq,8h (OR=1.37, 95%CI: 1.08~1.76, P=0.011), and kurtosis (OR=1.37, 95%CI: 1.14-1.63, P=0.001) were factors associated with the risk of HFNIHL, while only age was associated with the risk of SFNIHL (OR=2.15, 95%CI: 1.33-3.33, P=0.001). Conclusion Workers exposed to noise in automobile manufacturing industry are at a high risk of hearing loss. Age, sex, exposure duration, L_{Aeq,8 h}, and kurtosis are key influencing factors of hearing loss.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of bleeding events in patients with high international normalized ratio (INR) values (INR>3.5) in warfarin therapy.Methods:Two hundred and one patients with high INR values (INR>3.5) during warfarin therapy admitted in Beijing Tongren Hospital from August 2013 to August 2019 were enrolled. The bleeding occurred in 75 patients (bleeding group) and did not occur in 126 cases (non-bleeding group) during hospitalization. The bleeding group included 12 major bleeding patients and 63 minor bleeding patients. The baseline information, laboratory results and medication of other drugs were recorded.Results:There were no significant differences in age, sex, smoking history, drinking history, previous bleeding history and the proportion of first application of warfarin between the two groups ( P>0.05).The proportion of patients with liver dysfunction [7.14%(9/126)], renal dysfunction [11.90%(15/126)], anemia [4.76%(6/126)], hypoproteinemia [4.76%(6/126)], infectious diseases [20.63%(26/126)] in non-bleeding group were significantly lower than that in bleeding group [16.00% (12/75), 32.00% (24/75), 29.33%(22/75), 16.00%(12/75), 44.00%(33/75); χ 2=3.942, 12.140, 23.675, 7.283, 12.377, respectively; all P<0.05]. A total of 54 kinds of drugs were associated with the INR elevation. The most commonly used drugs were cardiovascular system drugs ( n=162, 80.60%), blood system drugs ( n=155, 77.11%), anti-infective drugs ( n=112, 55.72%), digestive system drugs ( n=82, 40.80%), and endocrine system drugs ( n=56, 27.86%). The INR values [4.58(3.94, 5.90), 4.96(4.03, 8.27)] and the HAS-BLED scores [3.00 (2.00,3.00), 3.00(2.25,3.00)] in minor bleeding group ( n=63) and major bleeding group ( n=12) were higher than those in non-bleeding group [4.00(3.74, 4.35), 2.00 (1.00,3.00), P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in INR values and HAS-BLED scores between minor bleeding group and major bleeding group ( P>0.05). Conclusion:There are many factors leading to the increase of INR in patients taking warfarin, such as abnormal liver and kidney function, anemia, hypoproteinemia, and the use of antibacterial drugs. It is necessary to be cautious about co-administration in these patients.

Objective To explore the relationship between obesity and serum testosterone level among community adult males.Methods The stratified cluster sampling method was adopted to extract 1 166 male residents aged 20 years old and over in Zunyi City and conduct the questionnaire survey and physical examination.Fasting venous blood samples were collected for detecting the serum total testosterone(TT),sex hormone binding globulin(SHBG) and luteinizing hormone(LH).Then free testosterone index(cFT),free testosterone index(FTI) and testosterone secreting index(TSI) were calculated.Results The average levels of serum TT,SHBG,cFT,FTI,TSI and LH in 1 166 adult males were(16.83±4.90)nmol/L,(42.15 ± 20.21)nmol/L,(0.31 ±0.10)nmol/L,(0.46 ± 0.19) IU/L,(3.40 ± 2.04) IU/L and(6.77 ± 5.14) IU/L respectively;the Pearson correlation analysis showed that WHtR,BMI and WC were negatively correlated with TT,SHBG,TSI and LH,and were positively correlated with FTI,WHtR was negatively correlated with cFT,BMI and WC were negatively correlated with LH,the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The multivariate linear regression analysis shown that WHtR was negatively correlated with TT,SHBG,TSI and LH;and was positively correlated with FTI,the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.01).Conclusion Adult male central obesity may be associated with the decrease of serum TT,SHBG,TSI and LH levels,and increase of FTI level.

Objective Using Z-score to assess the prevalence of proximal aorta dilatation in middle-aged and aged individuals during routine transthoracic echocardiogram examinations and to identify its risk factors. Methods A total of 823 middle-aged or elderly patients on routine transthoracic echocardiogram examinations were consecutively enrolled. The internal diameters of the sinus of Valsalva (SoV ) and the ascending aorta (AA ) were measured. Z-scores were calculated according to the proposed equation for SoV and AA. A dilated aortic root was defined as a Z-score ≥1.96 or the diameter of SoV or AA ≥ 40 mm. The prevalence of proximal aorta dilatation and associated factors were analyzed. Results The prevalences of proximal aorta dilatation ,SoV dilatation ,and AA dilatation were 26.1%(25/823 ) ,6.0%(49/823 ) ,and 23.7%(195/823 ) , respectively.In the aortic root dilatation group ,age and the proportion of obesity were higher (both P＜0.05) ,and there were more female subjects (30.5% or 117/384 vs.22.3% or 98/439 ,P＜0.01) . The incidences of left atrial dilation ,left ventricular dilation ,left ventricular hypertrophy ,and aortic regurgitation in the aortic root dilatation group were higher than those in the non-aortic root dilatation group(P＜0.05 ) .Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that sex (OR＝ 1.827 ,95% CI :1.248-2.673 ,P＝0.002) ,hypertension (OR＝1.441 ,95% CI :1.000-2.075 ,P＝0.050)and left ventricular hypertrophy (OR＝1.827 ,95% CI :1.248-2.673 ,P＝0.002)were independently correlated with aortic root dilatation. Conclusions The prevalence of proximal aorta dilatation is high in middle-aged and aged individuals. Proximal aorta dilatation is related to sex ,age ,and body size ,and it is often accompanied by structural abnormalities of the heart.

Objective To observe the effects of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on electrophysiological properties of post-infarct ventricles.Methods Sixty-seven survival Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups:Sham group,Control group,MI early G-CSF group (E-G) and MI delay G-CSF group (D-G) after ligation of the left coronary artery as myocardial infarction model.Monophasic action potential(MAP) was recorded by absorption electrode in ex vivo perfused rat hearts.Effective refractive period(ERP),sinus cardiac length (SCL),action potential amplitude (APA),maximal depolariged (Vmax),ventricular fibrillation threshold(VFF) and ventricular fibrillation duration(VFD) were measured.Results The electrophysiological parameters (SCL,VFT,VFD,APA,ERP/MAP90,dispersion of ERP and MAP90) of the E-G group were improved significantly (all P ＜ 0.05) at day 7 post MI.Improvement in SCL,dispersion of ERP and MAP 90 were found in the D-G group as well at day 7 post MI (all P ＜ 0.05).Substained improvement in electrophysiological parameters were found in the E-G group at 3 months after MI (P ＜0.05).Besides SCL,APA,Vmax and dispersion of MAP90,all other parameters in the D-G group were similar to that of the control group with no statistical significance and even had a tendency of deterioration in ERP and MAP90 3 months after MI.Conclusion G-CSF intervention could improve electrophysiological properties of ischemic ventricles.Early G-CSF intervention showed better outcomes compared to delay G-CSF intervention on electrical remodeling ischemia myocardiumwhich may have effect on reducing the development of ventricular arrhythmia.

[Objective] To explore the activity aberration of primary insomnia (PI) patients with resting-state fMRI.[Methods]Resting-state fMRI datasets of 60 PI and 60 healthy controls were acquired.We investigated the cortical connectivity patterns of the insula in PI and independent-sample t-test were used to compare the brain activity abnormalities between two groups.[Results] In PI,we found enhanced connectivity between left insular with the left middle cingulate cortex,the Frontal_Sup_Media and right Parietal_Inf,as well as decreased connectivity with the left precentral gyrusand the right fusiformgyrus (P ＜ 0.05).The right insular show increased FC with the right middle cingulate cortex,the right fusiform gyrus and the right middle frontal gyrus,as well as decreased FC with the right precentral gyrus and the right middle temporal gyrus (P ＜ 0.05).[Conclusion] This study provides additional evidence of brain functional integration alterations in PI.Those may help us understand the possible neural mechanisms of PI.

Objective To investigate the effect of surround needling at articular six meridians plus finger (toe) tip bloodletting therapy on sciatic nerve conduction velocity and lower limb microcirculatory flow in diabetic rats. Method The model was made with streptozotocin. The rats were allocated to model, methycobal, acupuncture and normal groups. The methycobal group received a muscular injection of 50 ?g/kg in the left and right lower limbs alternately, every other day. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at points Taixi(KI3), Kunlun(BL60) and Jiexi(ST41), once daily plus toe tip bloodletting. The normal and model groups were bound 30 min once every other day. Every group was treated for eight weeks. General condition was observed, and sciatic nerve conduction velocity and lower limb microcirculatory flow were measured in the rats before and after treatment. Result Compared with the normal group, sciatic nerve conduction velocity decreased in the other groups of rats (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, sciatic nerve conduction velocity was higher in every treatment group of rats (P<0.05). Conclusion Surround needling at articular six meridians plus finger (toe) tip bloodletting therapy can increase sciatic nerve conduction velocity and improve lower limb microcirculation.

BACKGROUNDNumerous previous studies have shown that renal insufficiency (RI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome is associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes. These studies do not well address the impact of RI on the long-term outcome of patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in China. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of admission RI and inhospital and long-term mortality of patients with acute STEMI.

METHODSThis was a multicenter, observational, prospective-cohort study. 718 consecutive patients were admitted to 19 hospitals in Beijing within 24 hours of onset of STEMI, between January 1,2006 and December 31,2006. Estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the modified abbreviated modification of diet in renal disease equation-based on the Chinese chronic kidney disease patients. The patients were categorized according to eGFR, as normal renal dysfunction (eGFR ≥ 90 ml·min -1·1.73 m -2 ), mild RI (60 ml·min -1·1.73 m -2 ≤ eGFR < 90 ml·min -1·1.73 m -2 ) and moderate or severe RI (eGFR < 60 ml·min -1·1.73 m -2 ). The association between RI and inhospital and 6-year mortality of was evaluated.

RESULTSSeven hundred and eighteen patients with STEMI were evaluated. There were 551 men and 167 women with a mean age of 61.0 ± 13.0 years. Two hundred and eighty patients (39.0%) had RI, in which 61 patients (8.5%) reached the level of moderate or severe RI. Patients with RI were more often female, elderly, hypertensive, and more patients had heart failure and stroke with higher killip class. Patients with RI were less likely to present with chest pain. The inhospital mortality (1.4% vs. 5.9% vs. 22.9%, P < 0.001), 6-year all-cause mortality (9.5% vs. 19.8 vs. 45.2%, P < 0.001) and 6-year cardiac mortality (2.9% vs. 12.2% vs. 23.8%, P < 0.001) were markedly increased in patients with RI. After adjusting for other confounding factors, classification of admission renal function was an independent predictor of inhospital mortality (Odd ratio, 1.966; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.002-3.070, P = 0.019), 6-year all-cause mortality (relative risk [RR] = 1.501, 95% CI: 1.018-4.373, P = 0.039) and 6-year cardiac mortality (RR = 1.663, 95% CI: 1.122-4.617, P = 0.042).

CONCLUSIONSRI is very common in STEMI patients. RI evaluated by eGFR is an important independent predictor of short-term and long-term outcome in patients with acute STEMI.

Aged ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; physiology ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; mortality ; physiopathology ; Renal Insufficiency ; mortality ; physiopathology

Objective To investigate impact of admission renal dysfunction on in-hospital and longterm outcome of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).Methods This was a multicentre,observational,prospective-cohort study.Totally 718 consecutive patients were admitted to 19 hospitals in Beijing within 24 hours of onset of STEMI.Estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated according to the abbreviated MDRD equation.The patients were categorized into two groups as renal preservation group(eGFR ≥60 ml · min-1 · 1.73 m-2) and renal dysfunction group(eGFR ＜ 60 ml ·min-1 · 1.73 m-2).The association between admission renal dysfunction and in-hospital and six-year outcome was evaluated.Results A total of 718 patients with STEMI were evaluated.There were 551 men and 167 women with age of (61.0 ± 13.0) years.One hundred and thirty-three patients(18.5％) had renal dysfunction.Patients with renal dysfunction were more often female and older,more patients had hypertension,diabetes and heart failure,and more patients had ≥ Killip Ⅱ classes on admission.These patients were less likely to present with chest pain.The in-hospital mortality(16.5％ vs 2.6％,P＜0.001),major adverse cardiac events(MACE) (60.9％ vs 24.4％,P ＜0.001),six-year all-cause mortality(35.3％vs 11.4％,P ＜ 0.001),six-year cardiac mortality (15.9％ vs 5.7％,P =0.001) and six-year MACE (52.4％ vs 28.0％,P ＜ 0.001)were markedly increased in renal dysfunction group than in renal preservation group.After adjusting for other confounding factors,renal dysfunction was an independent predictor of in-hospital MACE (OR 2.120,95％ CI 1.563-2.878,P =0.003),six-year all-cause mortality (RR 2.122,95％ CI 1.127-3.996,P =0.020) and six-year MACE(RR 1.586,95％ CI 1.003-2.530,P =0.047).Conclusions The mortality and MACE in STEMI patients with renal dysfunction were higher than in those with preserved renal function.Renal dysfunction evaluated by eGFR on admission is an important independent predictor of short-term and long-term outcome in patients with acute STEMI.

Atherosclerosis ; prevention & control ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; drug therapy ; United States