Micro/nanoplastics (MNPs), recognized as emerging environmental pollutants, are widely distributed in natural environments. Due to their small particle size and significant migratory capacity, MNPs can infiltrate diverse environmental matrices, then invade and accumulate in the organism via the skin, respiration, and digestion. Recently, concerns have grown over the detrimental effects and potential toxicity of MNPs on reproductive health. This review summarized published epidemiological and toxicological studies related to MNPs exposure and their effects on reproductive health. Firstly, this review critically examined the current landscape of epidemiological evidence and found that MNPs (e.g., polystyrene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, etc.) are present in various biological specimens from both males and females, and their presence may be associated with an increased risk of reproductive disorders. Secondly, extensive toxicological studies revealed that MNPs exposure induces reproductive health damage through mechanisms such as disrupting the microstructure of reproductive organs and altering molecular-level expressions. Oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis are identified as potential links between MNPs exposure and reproductive damage. Finally, this review addressed the prevalent shortcomings in existing studies and proposed future directions to tackle the challenges posed by MNPs-induced reproductive harm. These insights aim to inform strategies for safeguarding public reproductive health and ecological security, providing a scientific foundation for mitigating risks associated with MNPs pollution.

The Department of Thoracic Surgery of Shanghai Chest Hospital has performed esophageal function testing for over 30 years, being the only department of its kind in China with this capability. The pressure testing and 24-hour pH/impedance monitoring of the esophagus is of great help to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant esophageal diseases related to it. Thanks to the esophageal function test, in addition to the routine various endoscopic anti-reflux procedures, our hospital has taken the lead in China in recent years to carry out a series of clinical and research work for benign esophageal diseases, such as the development of magnetic ring, double nedoscopic combination and new anti-reflux endoscopic techniques. In recent years, we have carried out high-resolution esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH/impedance monitoring for patients with interstitial pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis suspected to be caused by gastroesophageal acid reflux. We can better assess the correlation between gastroesophageal reflux and pulmonary fibrosis, and to provide the different clinical treatments and even surgical interventions. The Bravo capsule is used more often in the United States, and it has obvious advantages over traditional approach for acid measurement. We strongly call for the collaboration between industry and academic institutions in this field, and the development of our own related products with independent intellectual property rights.

Objective:To investigate the effects of SINC, a novel secreted protein of Chlamydia psittaci, on the apoptosis of host cells and the regulatory role of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathway in it. Methods:HeLa cells were treated with recombinant SINC. The expression of Bax and Bcl-2 at protein level and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 were analyzed by Western blot. Hoechst 33258 staining was used to detect the apoptosis of HeLa cells after SINC stimulation. Moreover, HeLa cells were pretreated with MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 (50 μmol/L), and then stimulated with different concentrations of SINC for different time. Flow cytometry was used to detect the changes in cell apoptosis rates and Western blot was performed to detect the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 at protein level.Results:Treating HeLa cells with 10 μg/ml of SINC for 18 h resulted in down-regulated Bax and up-regulated Bcl-2 at protein level. Besides, the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 was the lowest and a significant increase in the ratio of phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) to ERK1/2 was observed. Hoechst 33258 staining showed that the number of apoptotic bodies decreased significantly after stimulating HeLa cells with 5, 10 and 15 μg/ml of SINC. In the presence of MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126, the expression of Bcl-2 at protein level was down-regulated, while the expression of cleaved PARP was significantly up-regulated. Flow cytometry showed a significantly enhanced apoptosis of HeLa cells.Conclusions:SINC can inhibit the apoptosis of HeLa cells through activating the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.

Objective:To assess the impact of reducing the mesh density on the overall volume and trueness of single-crown restora-tions.Methods:15 single-crown restorations were included,and their mesh density in 3D software was simplified by 75％,50％,25％,10％and 5％respectively.The overal volume,file size and mesh edge length of the restorations with different reduction levels were compared.Deviation analysis was conducted by curving clipping the area of the shoulder,tissue surface(except for the shoulder)and occlusal surface of the restorations and compared with those of the corresponding regions in the non-simplified restorations.Trueness was assessed using the root mean square(RMS)values for the volume and trueness of different areas.Results:Reducing the mesh den-sity did not significantly affect the overal volume of the single-crown restorations(P＞0.05),but it had a significant impact on the file size(P＜0.001),mesh edge length(P＜0.001)and the trueness of the shoulder(P＜0.001),tissue surface(except for the shoulder)(P＜0.001)and occlusal surface(P＜0.001)areas.Conclusion:Reducing the mesh density had little impact on the overall volume of the restorations but significantly affected their trueness.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the personal burden rate incerebral ische-mic patients,compare the difference in the burden rate among the patients with varying degrees of cerebral ischemia,provide a reference for establishing a personal burden rate evaluation,and propose suggestions for control its increase.Methods The medi-cal insurance data were collected from 8164 discharged patients in a tertiary hospital in Tianjin between January and December 2022.With the data,the Generalized Linear Model was utilized to analyze the factors affecting the personal burden rate across different Diagnosis Related Groups(DRGs).Results Statistically significant differences were observed in the cost structure a-mong different DRGs.Age,length of hospital stays,total hospitalization cost,hospital admission mode,number of hospitaliza-tions,and type of medical insurance significantly impacted the personal burden rate.The personal burden rate was inversely cor-related with age and length of hospital stays,but directly correlated with the total hospitalization cost.The patients admitted from emergency,first-time hospitalization,and those covered by the basic medical insurance program for urban employees had a lower personal burden rate.Conclusion Hospitals should establish diverse personal burden rate performance evaluation standards for patients with different types of medical insurance,incorporating factors such as average length of hospital stays and average hospi-talization cost.A more equitable hospital internal assessment plan should be developed by considering patients admitted to differ-ent departments and aligning with the characteristics of clinical pathways.Medical institutions should minimize self-funded pro-jects under declared medical insurance,increase the enrollment of cases in DRGs,and promote tiered diagnosis and treatment to reduce the personal burden rate for patients.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) signal strength ratio (SIR) in onset time≤4.5 h in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed; 180 acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to Department of Neurology, Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from January 2020 to June 2023 were chosen. Hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR) was used to evaluate the collateral circulation (poor collateral circulation: HIR≤0.4; good collateral circulation: HIR>0.4); clinical data and imaging indexes between poor collateral circulation and good collateral circulation groups were compared. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regressions were used to analyze the influencing factors for onset time≤4.5 h in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Correlation between SIR and onset time was analyzed in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Role of HIR as agency between SIR and onset time was explored. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive efficacy of SIR and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI)-FLAIR mismatch in onset time≤4.5 h in acute ischemic stroke patients.Results:Of the 180 patients, 100 were into the good collateral circulation group and 80 were into the poor collateral circulation group; compared with the good collateral circulation group, the poor collateral circulation group had significantly higher percentage of patients with hyperlipidemia, larger DWI infarction volume before treatment, larger perfusion weighted imaging (PWI)-DWI mismatch volume and higher SIR ( P<0.05). In these 180 patients, 76 had onset time≤4.5 h and 104 had onset time>4.5 h. Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that hyperlipidemia, DWI infarct volume before treatment, DWI-FLAIR mismatch, HIR and SIR were influencing factors for onset time≤4.5 h in acute ischemic stroke patients ( P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that hyperlipidemia ( OR=6.654, 95% CI: 5.751-8.824, P<0.001), HIR ( OR=0.724, 95% CI: 0.521-1.321, P=0.041) and SIR ( OR=739.881, 95% CI: 383.296-14 258.065, P<0.001) were independent influencing factors for onset time≤4.5 h in acute ischemic stroke patients. Pearson correlation analysis showed that SIR was positively correlated to onset time in patients with acute ischemic stroke ( r=0.420, P<0.05), and SIR was positively correlated to onset time in patients from poor collateral circulation group ( r=0.781, P<0.05). ROC curve showed that AUC of SIR in predicting onset time≤4.5 h was 0.917 (95% CI: 0.814-1.000, P<0.001) and that of DWI-FLAIR mismatch in predicting onset time≤4.5 h was 0.530 (95% CI: 0.509-0.757, P=0.075) in poor collateral circulation group, enjoying significant difference in predictive efficacy. Conclusion:Acute ischemic stroke patients with low HIR and SIR have higher odds of onset time≤4.5 h; SIR can more accurately predict the onset time in these patients with poor collateral circulation.

BACKGROUND:Trauma-induced coagulopathy(TIC)due to serious injuries significantly leads to increased mortality and morbidity among elderly patients.However,the risk factors of TIC are not well elucidated.This study aimed to explore the risk factors of TIC in elderly patients who have major trauma. METHODS:In this retrospective study,the risk factors for TIC in elderly trauma patients at a single trauma center were investigated between January 2015 and September 2020.The demographic information including gender,age,trauma parts,injury severity,use of blood products,use of vasopressors,need of emergency surgery,duration of mechanical ventilation,length of stay in the intensive care unit(ICU)and hospital,and clinical outcomes were extracted from electric medical records.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to differentiate risk factors,and the performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curves. RESULTS:Among the 371 elderly trauma patients,248(66.8%)were male,with the age of 72.5±6.8 years,median injury severity score(ISS)of 24(IQR:17-29),and Glasgow coma score(GCS)of 14(IQR:7-15).Of these patients,129(34.8%)were diagnosed with TIC,whereas 242(65.2%)were diagnosed with non-TIC.The severity scores such as ISS(25[20-34]vs.21[16-29],P<0.001)and shock index(SI),(0.90±0.66 vs.0.58±0.18,P<0.001)was significantly higher in the TIC group than in the non-TIC group.Serum calcium levels(1.97±0.19 mmol/L vs.2.15±0.16 mmol/L,P<0.001),fibrinogen levels(1.7±0.8 g/L vs.2.8±0.9 g/L,P<0.001),and base excess(BE,-4.9±4.6 mmol/L vs.-1.2±3.1 mmol/L,P<0.001)were significantly lower in the TIC group than in the non-TIC group.Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that ISS>16(OR:3.404,95%CI:1.471-7.880;P=0.004),SI>1(OR:5.641,95%CI:1.700-18.719;P=0.005),low BE(OR:0.868,95%CI:0.760-0.991;P=0.037),hypocalcemia(OR:0.060,95%CI:0.009-0.392;P=0.003),and hypofibrinogenemia(OR:0.266,95%CI:0.168-0.419;P<0.001)were independent risk factors for TIC in elderly trauma patients.The AUC of the prediction model included all these risk factors was 0.887(95%CI:0.851-0.923)with a sensitivity and specificity of 83.6%and 82.6%,respectively. CONCLUSION:Higher ISS(more than 16),higher SI(more than 1),acidosis,hypocalcemia,and hypofibrinogenemia emerged as independent risk factors for TIC in elderly trauma patients.

BACKGROUND:Trauma-induced coagulopathy(TIC)due to serious injuries significantly leads to increased mortality and morbidity among elderly patients.However,the risk factors of TIC are not well elucidated.This study aimed to explore the risk factors of TIC in elderly patients who have major trauma. METHODS:In this retrospective study,the risk factors for TIC in elderly trauma patients at a single trauma center were investigated between January 2015 and September 2020.The demographic information including gender,age,trauma parts,injury severity,use of blood products,use of vasopressors,need of emergency surgery,duration of mechanical ventilation,length of stay in the intensive care unit(ICU)and hospital,and clinical outcomes were extracted from electric medical records.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to differentiate risk factors,and the performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curves. RESULTS:Among the 371 elderly trauma patients,248(66.8%)were male,with the age of 72.5±6.8 years,median injury severity score(ISS)of 24(IQR:17-29),and Glasgow coma score(GCS)of 14(IQR:7-15).Of these patients,129(34.8%)were diagnosed with TIC,whereas 242(65.2%)were diagnosed with non-TIC.The severity scores such as ISS(25[20-34]vs.21[16-29],P<0.001)and shock index(SI),(0.90±0.66 vs.0.58±0.18,P<0.001)was significantly higher in the TIC group than in the non-TIC group.Serum calcium levels(1.97±0.19 mmol/L vs.2.15±0.16 mmol/L,P<0.001),fibrinogen levels(1.7±0.8 g/L vs.2.8±0.9 g/L,P<0.001),and base excess(BE,-4.9±4.6 mmol/L vs.-1.2±3.1 mmol/L,P<0.001)were significantly lower in the TIC group than in the non-TIC group.Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that ISS>16(OR:3.404,95%CI:1.471-7.880;P=0.004),SI>1(OR:5.641,95%CI:1.700-18.719;P=0.005),low BE(OR:0.868,95%CI:0.760-0.991;P=0.037),hypocalcemia(OR:0.060,95%CI:0.009-0.392;P=0.003),and hypofibrinogenemia(OR:0.266,95%CI:0.168-0.419;P<0.001)were independent risk factors for TIC in elderly trauma patients.The AUC of the prediction model included all these risk factors was 0.887(95%CI:0.851-0.923)with a sensitivity and specificity of 83.6%and 82.6%,respectively. CONCLUSION:Higher ISS(more than 16),higher SI(more than 1),acidosis,hypocalcemia,and hypofibrinogenemia emerged as independent risk factors for TIC in elderly trauma patients.

BACKGROUND:Trauma-induced coagulopathy(TIC)due to serious injuries significantly leads to increased mortality and morbidity among elderly patients.However,the risk factors of TIC are not well elucidated.This study aimed to explore the risk factors of TIC in elderly patients who have major trauma. METHODS:In this retrospective study,the risk factors for TIC in elderly trauma patients at a single trauma center were investigated between January 2015 and September 2020.The demographic information including gender,age,trauma parts,injury severity,use of blood products,use of vasopressors,need of emergency surgery,duration of mechanical ventilation,length of stay in the intensive care unit(ICU)and hospital,and clinical outcomes were extracted from electric medical records.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to differentiate risk factors,and the performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curves. RESULTS:Among the 371 elderly trauma patients,248(66.8%)were male,with the age of 72.5±6.8 years,median injury severity score(ISS)of 24(IQR:17-29),and Glasgow coma score(GCS)of 14(IQR:7-15).Of these patients,129(34.8%)were diagnosed with TIC,whereas 242(65.2%)were diagnosed with non-TIC.The severity scores such as ISS(25[20-34]vs.21[16-29],P<0.001)and shock index(SI),(0.90±0.66 vs.0.58±0.18,P<0.001)was significantly higher in the TIC group than in the non-TIC group.Serum calcium levels(1.97±0.19 mmol/L vs.2.15±0.16 mmol/L,P<0.001),fibrinogen levels(1.7±0.8 g/L vs.2.8±0.9 g/L,P<0.001),and base excess(BE,-4.9±4.6 mmol/L vs.-1.2±3.1 mmol/L,P<0.001)were significantly lower in the TIC group than in the non-TIC group.Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that ISS>16(OR:3.404,95%CI:1.471-7.880;P=0.004),SI>1(OR:5.641,95%CI:1.700-18.719;P=0.005),low BE(OR:0.868,95%CI:0.760-0.991;P=0.037),hypocalcemia(OR:0.060,95%CI:0.009-0.392;P=0.003),and hypofibrinogenemia(OR:0.266,95%CI:0.168-0.419;P<0.001)were independent risk factors for TIC in elderly trauma patients.The AUC of the prediction model included all these risk factors was 0.887(95%CI:0.851-0.923)with a sensitivity and specificity of 83.6%and 82.6%,respectively. CONCLUSION:Higher ISS(more than 16),higher SI(more than 1),acidosis,hypocalcemia,and hypofibrinogenemia emerged as independent risk factors for TIC in elderly trauma patients.

BACKGROUND:Trauma-induced coagulopathy(TIC)due to serious injuries significantly leads to increased mortality and morbidity among elderly patients.However,the risk factors of TIC are not well elucidated.This study aimed to explore the risk factors of TIC in elderly patients who have major trauma. METHODS:In this retrospective study,the risk factors for TIC in elderly trauma patients at a single trauma center were investigated between January 2015 and September 2020.The demographic information including gender,age,trauma parts,injury severity,use of blood products,use of vasopressors,need of emergency surgery,duration of mechanical ventilation,length of stay in the intensive care unit(ICU)and hospital,and clinical outcomes were extracted from electric medical records.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to differentiate risk factors,and the performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curves. RESULTS:Among the 371 elderly trauma patients,248(66.8%)were male,with the age of 72.5±6.8 years,median injury severity score(ISS)of 24(IQR:17-29),and Glasgow coma score(GCS)of 14(IQR:7-15).Of these patients,129(34.8%)were diagnosed with TIC,whereas 242(65.2%)were diagnosed with non-TIC.The severity scores such as ISS(25[20-34]vs.21[16-29],P<0.001)and shock index(SI),(0.90±0.66 vs.0.58±0.18,P<0.001)was significantly higher in the TIC group than in the non-TIC group.Serum calcium levels(1.97±0.19 mmol/L vs.2.15±0.16 mmol/L,P<0.001),fibrinogen levels(1.7±0.8 g/L vs.2.8±0.9 g/L,P<0.001),and base excess(BE,-4.9±4.6 mmol/L vs.-1.2±3.1 mmol/L,P<0.001)were significantly lower in the TIC group than in the non-TIC group.Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that ISS>16(OR:3.404,95%CI:1.471-7.880;P=0.004),SI>1(OR:5.641,95%CI:1.700-18.719;P=0.005),low BE(OR:0.868,95%CI:0.760-0.991;P=0.037),hypocalcemia(OR:0.060,95%CI:0.009-0.392;P=0.003),and hypofibrinogenemia(OR:0.266,95%CI:0.168-0.419;P<0.001)were independent risk factors for TIC in elderly trauma patients.The AUC of the prediction model included all these risk factors was 0.887(95%CI:0.851-0.923)with a sensitivity and specificity of 83.6%and 82.6%,respectively. CONCLUSION:Higher ISS(more than 16),higher SI(more than 1),acidosis,hypocalcemia,and hypofibrinogenemia emerged as independent risk factors for TIC in elderly trauma patients.