Objective: To explore the changes in ribosomal DNA copy number in peripheral blood among patients with pneumoconiosis and its influencing factors, so as to provide insights into prevention and treatment of pneumoconiosis. Methods: Eighty-eight patients with pneumoconiosis who visited a designated hospital and 71 community residents with no history of pneumoconiosis or dust exposure were selected as the pneumoconiosis group and control group, and age, smoking history, drinking history and cumulative years of exposure to dust were collected through questionnaire surveys. The copy number of 45S rDNA and 5S rDNA was detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the differences between the two groups were compared. Factors affecting the copy number of 45S rDNA and 5S rDNA were identified by a multiple linear regression model. Results: The pneumoconiosis group had a median age of 56.00 (interquartile range, 15.25) and a mean cumulative dust exposure duration of (12.40±8.08) years, with 56.82% smoking and 62.50% drinking. The control group had a median age of 64.00 (interquartile range, 37.00) years, with 32.39% smoking and 26.76% drinking. The median copy number of 45S rDNA in the pneumoconiosis group was 1.29 (interquartile range, 0.59), which was lower than 2.10 (interquartile range, 1.88) in the control group; the median copy number of 5S rDNA in the pneumoconiosis group was 5.33 (interquartile range, 0.85), which was higher than 4.66 (1.34) in the control group (both P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis identified age (β=-0.034) and pneumoconiosis (β=-1.595) as factors affecting 45S rDNA copy number, age (β=-0.013) as a factor affecting 5S rDNA copy number, and age (β=0.018) as a factor affecting 5S rDNA copy number in the pneumoconiosis group (all P<0.05). Conclusions Compared with community residents with no history of pneumoconiosis or dust exposure, the copy number of 45S rDNA in peripheral blood among patients with pneumoconiosis is reduced and the copy number of 5S rDNA is increased.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the current status of biosafety management in laboratory animal institutions in Hunan Province, identify management shortcomings, and provide targeted recommendations for improvement. MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted in July 2023 among 40 laboratory animal institutions in Hunan Province, covering topics such as the establishment of laboratory management system and its overall operation status, emergency management for incidents, medical waste disposal, animal transportation, personnel practitioner management, environmental disinfection, and equipment maintenance. The awareness of biosafety, animal bite incidents, and vaccination history was surveyed from at least one animal feeder or experimental operation practitioner from each institution, totaling 50 practitioners. Through literature review and comparative analysis, this paper analyzed the current status of biosafety management in production, transportation, and use of laboratory animals in Hunan Province from aspects such as biosafety management systems, personnel training, disinfection of environmental facilities and waste disposal, and provided recommendations. ResultsAmong the 40 laboratory animal institutions in Hunan Province,39 institutions (97.5%) had established laboratory management systems, 37 (92.5%) had emergency response plans for incidents of to transport laboratory animals, 15 (37.5%) had complete records of emergency drills for laboratory animal biosafety, and 39 (97.5%) had established protocols for carcass and waste management. Moreover, 26 institutions (65.0%) had laboratory biosafety risk assessment reports. 4 out of 8 (50.0%) production units had emergency plans for animal transportation, with 7 (87.5%) using special vehicles to transport laboratory animals. 2 (4.0%) of the 50 practitioners were unaware of emergency response plans, 6 participants (12.0%) did not consistently wear personal protective equipment, and 38 participants (76.0%) had been bitten or scratched by laboratory animals. The results of the survey showed that emergency management, transportation management and personnel management of laboratory animal incidents still need improvement in Hunan Province. Relevant functional departments should strengthen supervision and management efforts, establish local regulations for the transportation management of laboratory animals, ensure strict compliance with relevant documents, conduct emergency drills in all units, and strengthen training for practitioners. ConclusionWhile daily management practices in the 40 laboratory animal institutions in Hunan Province are generally satisfactory, there remains a need for further improvement in emergency management, transportation management, personnel management, etc. Gradually enhancing the level of laboratory animal safety management is essential to collectively safeguard public health safety.

The emergency management of biosafety for laboratory animals in Hunan Province is an essential component of the province's implementation of the national biosafety strategy.To strengthen the prevention and control of biosafety risks in laboratory animals and to ensure a quick and effective response to laboratory animal biosafety emergencies,Hunan Province has formulated the"Emergency Response Plan for Laboratory Animal Biosafety Emergencies in Hunan Province".This plan aims to minimize damages caused to practitioners,public health,and laboratory animal industry,protect lives and property,and safeguard public safety and social stability.This paper analyzes the necessity,guiding ideology,principles,and basis for formulating the plan.It details the main contents of the plan,which includes scope of application,incident classification,organizational structure and responsibilities,monitoring and early warning mechanisms,emergency reporting and response,post-incident assessment,and safeguard measures.Moreover,this paper provides a summary and outlook on the emergency management of biosafety laboratory animals in Hunan Province in recent years.

Objective:To explore the prognostic value of BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) expression loss in patients with malignant mesothelioma (MM) .Methods:A total of 82 MM patients from January 1998 to December 2017 in Zhejiang Province were selected to detect the expression of BAP1 protein by immunohistochemical analysis. Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curve, and multivariate Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze the factors affecting the survival rate.Results:Among 82 MM patients, 61 (74.4%) were female, aged (57±11) years. BAP1 protein expression was deficient in 39 patients (47.6%). The survival rate was correlated with the loss of BAP1 protein expression and age (χ 2=5.27, 5.66, P=0.022, 0.017). Subgroup analysis showed that loss of BAP1 protein expression was associated with better prognosis in MM patients <57 years of age, female, pleural MM, epithelial MM, and treated with drugs or surgery ( P<0.05). Multivariate model results showed that positive expression of BAP1 protein ( HR=3.75, 95% CI: 2.23-6.30, P<0.001) and age ≥57 years ( HR=1.66, 95% CI: 1.01-2.72, P=0.049) were risk factors for survival in patients with MM. Conclusion:Loss of BAP1 protein expression may be an independent prognostic factor in patients with MM, which is associated with longer survival.

Objective:To delineate the surgical methodology and therapeutic paradigm of proximal tibial notch retrograde interlocking intramedullary nailing for ameliorating deformities due to osteofibrous dysplasia (OFD) in a pediatric population.Methods:A retrospective assessment was conducted on the medical records of individuals undergoing orthopedic osteotomy complemented by retrograde interlocking intramedullary nailing for OFD of the tibia from January 2016 to December 2019. The cohort comprised 15 patients, with a follow-up exceeding three years, documenting complete data sets. The patient profile included 8 males and 7 females, with 8 left-side and 7 right-side afflictions. The mean age at the time of surgery was 10.1±2.5 years, ranging from 7.1 to 12.6 years. Parameters measured were preoperative and postoperative imaging findings, which encompassed the scope of the lesion (longitudinal lesion length relative to tibial length), coronal and sagittal limb alignments, and lower limb length discrepancies.Results:The mean follow-up duration was 3.4±1.3 years, ranging from 3 to 6.6 years. Preoperatively, prominent anterior tibial arch deformities and limping were present, with 7 cases reporting fatigue-induced pain and 3 instances of pathological fractures. Post-surgery, pain symptoms were resolved, gait disturbances were improved in 9 patients, and completely resolved in 6. Tibial osteotomy or fracture healing of 15 patients averaged 3.9±0.7 months (range 3-5 months). The lesion range before surgery was 0.41±0.17, immediately after surgery was 0.38±0.17, and at the last follow-up was 0.30±0.16, with no statistical significance ( F=0.101, P=0.904). Lesion range showed no significant change throughout treatment, but radiographic density within the lesion notably increased post-surgery, suggesting bone improvement. The anterior tibial arch Angle was 28.30°±6.62° (range 20°-45°) before surgery, 4.73°±1.53° immediately after surgery, and 6.87°±1.36° at the last follow-up, with statistical significance ( F=159.739, P<0.001). A significant correction in the anterior tibial arch deformity was achieved and maintained postoperatively. There was no significant angular deformity of the tibia in the coronal plane before operation, and the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) and lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA) were 87.50°±1.46° and 88.30°±1.62°, 88.40°±1.46° and 88.70°±1.45° immediately after surgery, and 88.00°±1.39° and 89.10°±1.53° at the last follow-up, the differences were statistically significant ( F=1.741, P=0.188; F=1.016, P=0.371), there was no coronal deformity of tibia. The limb length discrepancy (LLD) was 0.60±0.98 cm before surgery, 0.18±0.93 cm at the last follow-up, with statistical significance ( t=0.096, P=0.761). There were no incidents of postoperative complications such as infection. Conclusion:In pediatric cases of tibial deformities attributed to osteofibrous dysplasia, a therapeutic strategy involving osteotomy for lower limb realignment, sans curettage or bone grafting of the lesion, followed by retrograde interlocking intramedullary nailing, yields favorable outcomes. Importantly, this implantation technique does not compromise the integrity of the proximal tibial epiphyseal plate in children and adolescents.

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of plating after lengthening to assist the consolidation of tibial shortening deformity in children.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 10 children with tibial shortening who were treated with circular external fixator lengthening and replacement with plate-assisted internal fixation (study group) in the Department of Pediatric Orthopedics of Tianjin Hospital from November 2019 to October 2022, and 16 children who were treated by circular external fixator only during the same period were enrolled as the external fixator group (control group). Among the 26 cases, there were 15 males and 11 females, 10 left knees and 16 right knees. The average age at the time of surgery was 8.8±4.7 years (range 5.1-13.8 years). The gender, side, age at the time of surgery were compared between the two groups. The extension length, external fixator index, healing index, Kolcaba comfort scale score, knee and ankle joint range of motion, complications and average total hospitalization costs were recorded.Results:There were no significant differences in gender, side, age at the time of surgery between the study group and control group. The extended lengths were 5.44±1.25 cm and 5.78±1.11 cm respectively without significant difference ( t=0.096, P=0.096). The external fixator index and healing index were 17.86±2.94 d/cm vs. 50.97±7.03 d/cm and 40.94±6.63 d/cm vs. 45.24±5.98 d/cm in study group and the control group with significant differences ( t=13.299, P<0.001; t=1.289, P=0.033). The Kolcaba comfort scale score of the children in the study group was higher than that of the control group, with significant difference ( t=6.821, P=0.001). Comparing the range of motion of the knee and ankle joints between the two groups, there were no significant differences before surgery, at the end of extension surgery, and at the final follow-up. When the extension end was healed, the range of motion of the knee joint was137.89°±4.40° vs. 114.09°±13.60° and ankle joint was 64.35°±5.50° vs. 56.65°±8.86° in the study group and control group with significant difference ( t=17.235, P<0.001; t=7.821, P=0.002). In the study group, 4 cases had pin tract infection, but no refracture occurred; in the control group, pin tract infection occurred in 13 cases, and refracture occurred in 2 cases after removal of the external fixator. The average total hospitalization cost of the study group was higher than that of the control group with significant difference ( t=3.745, P=0.036). Conclusion:The clinical effect of replacing plate-assisted internal fixator during the mineralization period of tibial shortening in children is reliable, and can significantly shorten the time for using external fixator. It is beneficial to the healing of the extended end of the osteotomy and the functional recovery of the knee and ankle joints. Being more comfortable for children with fewer complications, it is applicable for children who need long-distance extension, multiple extensions with limited joint function, poor tolerance for external fixators and low treatment compliance.

Objective:To explore the prognostic value of BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) expression loss in patients with malignant mesothelioma (MM) .Methods:A total of 82 MM patients from January 1998 to December 2017 in Zhejiang Province were selected to detect the expression of BAP1 protein by immunohistochemical analysis. Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curve, and multivariate Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze the factors affecting the survival rate.Results:Among 82 MM patients, 61 (74.4%) were female, aged (57±11) years. BAP1 protein expression was deficient in 39 patients (47.6%). The survival rate was correlated with the loss of BAP1 protein expression and age (χ 2=5.27, 5.66, P=0.022, 0.017). Subgroup analysis showed that loss of BAP1 protein expression was associated with better prognosis in MM patients <57 years of age, female, pleural MM, epithelial MM, and treated with drugs or surgery ( P<0.05). Multivariate model results showed that positive expression of BAP1 protein ( HR=3.75, 95% CI: 2.23-6.30, P<0.001) and age ≥57 years ( HR=1.66, 95% CI: 1.01-2.72, P=0.049) were risk factors for survival in patients with MM. Conclusion:Loss of BAP1 protein expression may be an independent prognostic factor in patients with MM, which is associated with longer survival.

Objective: To investigate the effect of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) copy number variation caused by hexavalent chromium exposure on DNA damage response in different cell lines, so as to provide insights into the involvement of hexavalent chromium-induced rDNA copy number variation in DNA damage responses. : Methods Human lung epithelial BEAS-2B cells and human embryonic lung MRC-5 cells were treated with 2 μmol/L potassium dichromate for 24 hours, and then cells were transferred to fresh media for further incubation, while cells treated with the same volume of phosphate buffer solution served as controls. Cells treated with potassium dichromate for 24 hours, and 3 and 7 days post-detoxification, were harvested, and rDNA copy number was quantified in cells using a quantitative fluorescent real-time PCR assay. Cell cycle, apoptosis and DNA damage were detected using a Muse cell analyzer, and the DNA damage was evaluated with the proportion of ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) gene activation, proportion of double-strand DNA breaks and the percentage of the H2A.X variant histone phosphorylatio. : Results The 45S and 5S rDNA copy numbers of were significantly higher in MRC-5 cells than in BEAS-2B cells [(1.54±0.26) vs. (1.02±0.18), P<0.05; (6.97±1.07) vs. (3.00±0.15), P<0.05]. The 45S rDNA copy number was lower in MRC-5 cells 3 days post-detoxification (0.80±0.04) than in controls (P<0.05), and was higher in BEAS-2B cells 3 days post-detoxification (1.43±0.07) than in controls (P<0.05) . G0/G1 phase arrest was found in MRC-5 cells 24 hours post-treatment, and the apoptotic rates were significantly higher in MRC-5 cells 3 and 7 days post-detoxification than in controls [(11.53±1.53)%, (18.33±0.70)% vs. (3.53±0.93)%, P<0.05]. The overall apoptotic rates 24 hours post-treatment and 3 days post-detoxification [(2.80±0.17)%, (3.33±0.57)% vs. (1.53±0.61)%, P<0.05], proportion of ATM gene activation 3 days post-detoxification [(3.37±0.67%) vs. (1.18±0.22)%, P<0.05], proportion of double-strand DNA breaks 3 days post-detoxification [(4.45±0.85)% vs. (0.97±0.21)%, P<0.05] and percentage of the H2A.X variant histone phosphorylation 3 days post-detoxification [(1.68±0.56)% vs. (0.29±0.06)%, P<0.05] in BEAS-2B cells were higher than in controls. Conclusions Hexavalent chromium-induced rDNA copy number variation affects DNA damage response in different cell lines. A stronger DNA damage response is found in BEAS-2B cells with a low rDNA copy number, and a relative stable response is observed in MRC-5 cells with a high rDNA copy number.

Objective : To examine the diagnostic and prognostic value of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) JPX in mesothelioma, so as to provide insights into diagnosis and prognosis of mesothelioma. Methods: Patients with clinically definitive diagnosis of mesothelioma from 2015 to 2019 that were sampled from asbestos processing plants in Zhejiang Province from 2015 to 2019 were recruited in the mesothelioma group, while healthy residents without asbestos exposure or asbestos-related diseases in the same area served as controls. Participants' demographics, pathologic diagnosis and imaging features were collected, and the expression of blood lncRNA JPX was detected using lncRNA microarrays. The diagnostic value of lncRNA JPX for mesothelioma was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the correlation between lncRNA JPX expression and prognosis was examined among mesothelioma patients using survival analysis. Results: There were 17 subjects in the mesothelioma group, with a mean age of (65.71±8.36) years, and 34 subjects in the controls, with a mean age of (64.24±8.70) years. LncRNA microarray detected significantly high lncRNA JPX expression in mesothelioma patients, and higher blood lncRNA JPX expression was detected in the mesothelioma group than in the control group [median (interquartile range), 1.10 (1.31) vs. 0.89 (0.54); t'=-2.300, P=0.034]. The area under the ROC curve was 0.673 (95%CI: 0.507-0.839, P=0.046), and if the cutoff was 1.759, the sensitivity and specificity were 35.3% and 100.0%, respectively. Survival analysis showed no significant difference in the survival rate of mesothelioma patients between the high lncRNA JPX expression group and the low expression group (χ2=0.212, P=0.645). Conclusions LncRNA JPX overexpression is detected in the blood of patients with mesothelioma, and lncRNA JPX expression presents a diagnostic value for mesothelioma; however, it shows little prognostic value for mesothelioma.

{L-End}Objective To analyze the effects of night shift work and overweight/obesity on blood pressure of workers in chemical fiber industry. {L-End}Methods A total of 1 004 workers of a chemical fiber factory were selected as the study subjects using convenient sampling method, and their blood pressure and body mass index were measured. Multiple linear regression model was used to analyze the relationship between night shift work and blood pressure, and multiple logistic regression was used to assess the independent impact and combined impact of night shifts and overweight/obesity on the risk of hypertension. {L-End}Results Compared with the non-night shift workers, the prevalence of hypertension in night shift workers was increased (5.3% vs 13.0%, P<0.05), with elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure (both P<0.05). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that the systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure of the night shift workers were higher than those of the non-night shift workers (both P<0.05), and the systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure of overweight/obesity workers were higher than those of non-overweight/obesity workers (both P<0.01). The results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of hypertension in night shift workers and overweight/obesity workers was higher than that in non-night shift workers and non-overweight/obesity workers [odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were 2.49 (1.04-5.99) and 2.65 (1.77-3.95), both P<0.05]. Night shift work and overweight/obesity showed a synergistic effect on blood pressure of workers. Compared to non-overweight/obesity non-night shift workers, overweight/obesity night shift workers had a higher risk of hypertension (OR=4.93, 95%CI: 1.70-14.29, P<0.01). {L-End}Conclusion Night shift work could lead to elevated blood pressure in workers in the chemical fiber industry, which is a potential risk factor for hypertension. The synergistic effect of night shift work and overweight/obesity may contribute to the increased risk of hypertension.