Objective To analyze the health effects of long-term occupational exposure to ionizing radiation on radiation workers in a nuclear power plant, and to provide a scientific basis for their occupational health monitoring. Methods In 2023, 183 radiation workers in a nuclear power plant were subjected to the analysis of blood cell parameters such as mean red blood cell count, white blood cell count (WBC), lymphocyte count, and hemoglobin count, thyroid function indicators such as serum triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and thyrotropin, as well as the chromosomal aberration rate and micronucleus rate of the lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. Results The blood cell parameters, thyroid function indicators, chromosomal aberration rate, and micronucleus rate of these radiation workers in the nuclear power plant were within normal reference ranges. Comparison among radiation workers with different ages showed statistically significant differences in triiodothyronine (H = 6.98, P < 0.05) and micronucleus rate (H = 48.44, P < 0.05). Among the three groups of radiation workers with different working years, WBC was significantly different (χ² = 3.87, P < 0.05), with the lowest WBC observed in radiation workers with ≥ 20 years of service. Thyroxine (χ² = 4.01, P < 0.05) and micronucleus rate (H = 40.95, P < 0.05) also varied significantly among these three groups. Conclusion Thyroid triiodothyronine level and micronucleus rate were affected by age, while WBC, thyroid thyroxine level, and micronucleus rate were related to working years. Targeted health management should be carried out for radiation workers in nuclear power plants to improve the awareness of radiation protection and continuously enhance their health status.

Iron is indispensable for the viablility of nearly all living organisms, and it is imperative for cells, tissues, and organisms to acquire this essential metal sufficiently and maintain its metabolic stability for survival. Disruption of iron homeostasis can lead to the development of various diseases. There is a robust connection between iron metabolism and infection, immunity, inflammation, and aging, suggesting that disorders in iron metabolism may contribute to the pathogenesis of arthritis. Numerous studies have focused on the significant role of iron metabolism in the development of arthritis and its potential for targeted drug therapy. Targeting iron metabolism offers a promising approach for individualized treatment of arthritis. Therefore, this review aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which the body maintains iron metabolism and the impacts of iron and iron metabolism disorders on arthritis. Furthermore, this review aimed to identify potential therapeutic targets and active substances related to iron metabolism, which could provide promising research directions in this field.

Background::Renal ischemia-reperfusion (R-I/R) injury is the most prevalent cause of acute kidney injury, with high mortality and poor prognosis. However, the underlying pathological mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 ( Ndrg2) in R-I/R injury. Methods::We examined the expression of Ndrg2 in the kidney under normal physiological conditions and after R-I/R injury by immunofluorescence staining, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting. We then detected R-I/R injury in Ndrg2-deficient ( Ndrg2-/-) mice and wild type ( Ndrg2+/+) littermates in vivo, and detected oxygen and glucose deprivation and reperfusion (OGD-R) injury in HK-2 cells. We further conducted transcriptomic sequencing to investigate the role of Ndrg2 in R-I/R injury and detected levels of oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage by dihydroethidium staining, biochemical assays, and western blot. Finally, we measured the levels of mitophagy in Ndrg2+/+ and Ndrg2-/- mice after R-I/R injury or HK-2 cells in OGD-R injury. Results::Ndrg2 was primarily expressed in renal proximal tubules and its expression was significantly decreased 24 h after R-I/R injury. Ndrg2-/- mice exhibited significantly attenuated R-I/R injury compared to Ndrg2+/+ mice. Transcriptomics profiling showed that Ndrg2 deficiency induced perturbations of multiple signaling pathways, downregulated inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, and increased autophagy following R-I/R injury. Further studies revealed that Ndrg2 deficiency reduced oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage. Notably, Ndrg2 deficiency significantly activated phosphatase and tensin homologue on chromosome ten-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin-mediated mitophagy. The downregulation of NDRG2 expression significantly increased cell viability after OGD-R injury, increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1, decreased the expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4, and increased the expression of the PINK1/Parkin pathway. Conclusion::Ndrg2 deficiency might become a therapy target for R-I/R injury by decreasing oxidative stress, maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis, and activating PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy.

Background and objective Small cell lung cancer(SCLC)is known as recalcitrant cancer with high malignancy and heterogeneity.Immunotherapy has changed the treatment pattern of extensive-disease SCLC(ED-SCLC),but the beneficiary population is limited.Therefore,exploring new therapeutic strategies is an urgent clinical problem to be solved for SCLC.SCLC is characterized by highly active glycolytic metabolism and pyruvate kinase Ml(PKM1)is one of the isozymes of PK,an important rate-limiting enzyme in glycolysis pathway.Previous studies have shown that PKM1 is related to autophagy and drug sensitivity,however,how PKM1 regulates drug sensitivity in SCLC and its mechanism remain unclear.The aim of this study was to investigate the biological functions of PKM1 in SCLC,including its effects on proliferation,migra-tion,autophagy,drug sensitivity,and expression of neuroendocrine(NE)-related markers in SCLC.Methods Western blot was used to detect the expression level of PKM1 in SCLC cells.PKM1 gene-overexpressed SCLC cell lines were constructed by stable lentivirus transfection.Proliferation of cells and drug sensitivity were detected by MTT,and migration ability of cells was determined by Transwell.The level of autophagy was detected by flow cytometry.Western blot was used to determine the expression levels of NE-related proteins.Results PKM1 was differentially expressed among various SCLC cell lines,and was lower in H1092 cells(P＜0.01).Compared with the control group,there was no significant difference in proliferation level of PKM1 overexpressing H1092 cell,but the migration ability was significantly increased(P＜0.001),the drug sensitivity was re-duced,and the level of autophagy was inhibited(P＜0.001).Additionally,overexpression of PKM1 could upregulate the expres-sion of non-neuroendocrine(non-NE)-related proteins(P＜0.01)and decrease the expression of NE-related proteins(P＜0.01).Conclusion PKM1 was differentially expressed in SCLC cell lines,and high expression of PKM1 did not affect the prolifera-tion,but affected the migration of SCLC cells.PKM1 might affect drug sensitivity by inhibiting autophagy and regulating the expression of NE markers.These results provide a theoretical basis for exploring the role of PKM1 in SCLC.

Objective To investigate serum levels of soluble apoptosis-related factor ligand(sFasL)and stromal cell derived factor 1(SDF-1)in patients with aplastic anemia(AA)and their correlation with immunosuppressive treatment.Methods Forty-three AA patients who received immunosuppressive therapy for half a year were selected as the observation group,and another 43 healthy subjects at the same period were selected as the control group.Patients in the observation group received immunosuppressive therapy and hematopoietic propoietic therapy,and patients were divided into the ineffective group and the effective group according to the efficacy.Clinical data of patients were collected,and serum levels of sFasL,SDF-1,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-8(IL-8)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The correlation between serum sFasL and SDF-1 levels was analyzed.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze influencing factors of immunosuppressive treatment in AA patients.The predictive values of serum sFasL and SDF-1 on immunosuppressive treatment were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results Serum levels of sFasL and SDF-1 were higher in the observation group than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Serum levels of TNF-α,IL-8,sFasL and SDF-1 were higher in the ineffective group than those in the effective group(P＜0.05).Serum sFasL level was positively correlated with SDF-1 level in AA patients(r=0.534,P＜0.001).Increased serum sFasL and SDF-1 levels were independent risk factors for ineffective immunosuppressive therapy in AA patients(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of serum sFasL and SDF-1 combined to predict the immunosuppressive treatment effect of AA patients was 0.973(95%CI:0.872-0.999),which was better than that of single diagnosis(P＜0.05),and its sensitivity and specificity were 94.44%and 96.00%,respectively.Conclusion Serum levels of sFasL and SDF-1 are significantly increased in patients with AA.The combined detection of sFasL and SDF-1 has high predictive value for the immunosuppressive treatment effect of AA.

Objective:To explore the correlations of neurological function recovery and intraoperative bone window parameters with intracranial pressure (ICP) changes at perioperative period in patients with large hemispheric infarction (LHI) after standard large bone flap decompression.Methods:Forty LHI patients accepted standard large bone flap decompression in Department of Neurosurgery, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University from December 2020 to December 2023 were enrolled. ICP was measured before decompression, at the time of bone flap removal, during dural opening, and 24 h after decompression. Correlations of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score changes, length and area of the bone window, bone window area/cranial bone area, infarct brain tissue volume/brain tissue volume with ICP changes were analyzed by Pearson's correlation. Length and area of bone window in patients with good neurological function recovery (NIHSS score decreased by≥5, GOSE score increased by≥3, or GCS score increased by≥3 before and after decompression) were calculated.Results:ICP at the time of bone flap removal, during dural opening, and 24 h after decompression was significantly lower than that before decompression ( P<0.05); ICP at the time of bone flap removal was higher than that at 24 h after decompression and during dural opening. Reduction between ICP before decompression and that during dural opening was more obvious than ICP reduction before and 24 h after decompression and ICP reduction before decompression and at the time of bone flap removal, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Postoperative NIHSS scores were significantly lower than preoperative ones ( P<0.05), and both postoperative GOSE and GCS scores were significantly higher than preoperative ones ( P<0.05). Decrease of NIHSS score, increase of GOSE and GCS scores before and after decompression were positively correlated with ICP reduction before and 24 h after decompression ( r=0.386, P=0.018; r=0.411, P=0.033; r=0.319, P=0.037); length and area of the bone window were positively correlated with ICP reduction before and 24 h after decompression ( r=0.461, P=0.028; r=0.536, P=0.034); bone window area/cranial bone area was positively correlated with ICP reduction before and 24 h after decompression ( r=0.438, P=0.027), while infarct brain tissue volume/brain tissue volume was negatively correlated with ICP reduction before and 24 h after decompression ( r=-0.371, P=0.031). Of the 40 patients, 25 had good neurological function recovery after decompression, with length of the bone window ranged 12.3-16.7 cm and area of the bone window ranged 54.5-91.9 cm 2. Conclusion:Standard large bone flap decompression can reduce ICP and improve prognosis in LHI patients; intraoperative bone window parameters are obviously correlated with ICP reduction before and 24 h after decompression; length of the bone window ranged 12.3-16.7 cm and area of the bone window ranged 54.5-91.9 cm 2 are suggested for decompression.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of oral-nasal oxygen supply mouth guard in painless gastroscopy for snoring patients.Methods:The snoring patients who underwent painless gastroscopy at two Endoscopy Centers of Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University in July 2022 were randomly divided into the observation group (using oral-nasal oxygen supply mouth guard) and the control group (using ordinary nasal oxygen tube and mouth guard). Parameters such as the wearing time and the removal time of the mouth guard, lowest pulse oxygen saturation (SpO 2), incidence of hypoxemia, and the satisfaction of medical staff were compared between the two groups. Results:The wearing time of mouth guard was 11.63±0.84 seconds and the removal time was 5.33±0.76 seconds in the observation group ( n=40), which were lower than those in the control group ( n=47) (14.91±1.21 seconds, t=-14.463, P<0.001; 10.38±0.80 seconds, t=-30.095, P<0.001). The wearing satisfaction score was 9.80±0.61, the lowest SpO 2 was (96.70±3.42)%, the removal satisfaction score was 9.75±0.67, and the anesthesiologists' satisfaction score was 9.20±1.42 in the observation group, which were higher than those in the control group [7.70±0.93, t=12.209, P<0.001; (94.06±3.72)%, t=3.417, P=0.001; 7.96±0.98, t=9.803, P<0.001; 8.13±1.35, t=3.615, P=0.001] with significant difference. There was no significant difference in the incidence of hypoxemia [10.00% (4/40) VS 14.89% (7/47), χ2=0.130, P=0.718] and endoscopic physician satisfaction score (9.30±0.97 VS 9.02±1.31, t=1.112, P=0.269) between the two groups. Conclusion:The oral-nasal oxygen supply mouth guard is easy to wear and remove, effectively reducing SpO 2 fluctuations during painless gastroscopy for snoring patients. It can enhance medical staff satisfaction with high clinical value.

Objective:To explore the correlation between serum NLR and SII levels and postmenopausal osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) and to analyze the short-term prognostic value.Methods:A total of 132 patients with postmenopausal OVCF admitted to our hospital from Dec. 2018 to Dec. 2021 were selected as the study group, and 98 patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis but did not suffer from OVCF were selected as the control group. According to the recurrence of postmenopausal OVCF fractures, the ROC curves of NLR and SII were plotted, and their prognostic value for postmenopausal osteoporosis OVCF was analyzed.Results:NLR level was 2.96±0.41 and STI level was 39.41±23.45 in the control group. The level of NLR was 3.42±0.32 and SII was 431.77±31.14 in the research group ( P<0.05) . Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that lumbar bone density ( OR=0.030, 95%CI: 0.001-0.832, P=0.042) , NLR level ( OR=29.43, 95%CI: 9.840-103.6, P=0.001) and SII level ( OR=1.048, 95%CI: 1.034-1.066, P=0.001) were all risk factors affecting postmenopausal OVCF. NLR (3.77±0.22) and SII (441.32±29.68) in the recurrent fracture group were higher than NLR (3.27±0.22) and SII (426.87±30.57) in the non-recurrent fracture group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05) , multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed lumbar spine bone density ( OR=8.56×10 4, 95% CI: 3.884-2.992×10 10, P=0.045) , NLR level ( OR=1.243×10 -8, 95% CI: 2.911×10 -13-1.072×10 -5, P=0.001) and SII level ( OR=0.938, 95% CI: 0.885-0.976, P=0.008) were all influencing factors affecting the postoperative treatment effect of postmenopausal OVCF, and ROC results showed that both NLR (AUC=0.86, 95% CI: 0.77-0.94, P<0.001) and SII (AUC=0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.85, P<0.001) had good prognostic value for postmenopausal OVCF. Conclusion:NLR and SII are risk factors for OVCF in postmenopausal osteoporosis patients, and have good short-term prognostic value.

Objective To explore the antitussive action site and potential mechanism of Shegan Zhike Capsule.Methods The mouse cough model induced by concentrated ammonia was used to observe the dose effect relationship of the antitussive effect of Shegan Zhike capsule.The central antitussive effect of Shegan Zhike capsule was observed by using the cough model induced by electrical stimulation of superior laryngeal nerve in guinea pigs.The peripheral antitussive effect of Shegan Zhike capsule was observed by using the cough model of capsaicin desensitized guinea pigs induced by mechanical stimulation.The model of chronic bronchitis in guinea pigs was established by smoking,and the effects of Shegan Zhike Capsule on vasoactive amines histamine(HA)and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)were observed.Results Shegan Zhike capsule could significantly reduce the number of coughs in mice at the doses of 43.00,86.00 and 172.00 mg extract·kg-1(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The low-dose group,the middle-dose group,and the high-dose group of Shegan Zhike Capsule did not significantly inhibit the cough inducing effect of electrical stimulation of guinea pig superior laryngeal nerve at 30 min and 60 min after administration.Shegan Zhike capsule could significantly inhibit the cough of capsaicin desensitized guinea pigs caused by mechanical stimulation in the low dose group at 60 min,the medium dose group at 30 min and the high dose group at 30 min and 60 min(P<0.05).Compared with the model control group,the content of HA in serum of guinea pigs in low,medium and high dose groups of Shegan Zhike capsule decreased significantly(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The content of serum 5-HT in the high dose group decreased significantly(P<0.05).Conclusion The antitussive effect of Shegan Zhike Capsule was not in the center,and its peripheral antitussive effect was related to the inhibition of RARs receptors,and vasoactive amines such as HA and 5-HT were also involved.

Using chemoproteomic techniques, we first identified EIF2AK2, eEF1A1, PRDX3 and VPS4B as direct targets of berberine (BBR) for its synergistically anti-inflammatory effects. Of them, BBR has the strongest affinity with EIF2AK2 via two ionic bonds, and regulates several key inflammatory pathways through EIF2AK2, indicating the dominant role of EIF2AK2. Also, BBR could subtly inhibit the dimerization of EIF2AK2, rather than its enzyme activity, to selectively modulate its downstream pathways including JNK, NF-κB, AKT and NLRP3, with an advantage of good safety profile. In EIF2AK2 gene knockdown mice, the inhibitory IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-α secretion of BBR was obviously attenuated, confirming an EIF2AK2-dependent anti-inflammatory efficacy. The results highlight the BBR's network mechanism on anti-inflammatory effects in which EIF2AK2 is a key target, and inhibition of EIF2AK2 dimerization has a potential to be a therapeutic strategy against inflammation-related disorders.