Objective To evaluate the role of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) testing in evaluating early hearing loss among noise-exposed workers. Methods A total of 174 noise-exposed workers in a metal shipbuilding enterprise were selected as the research subjects by the convenience sampling method. Pure tone audiometry (PTA), DPOAE and the level of noise exposure were conducted on the workers. The rank correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between DPOAE amplitude and PTA threshold. The multilevel model was used to analyze the effects of gender, age, noise exposure intensity, cumulative noise exposure (CNE), hearing loss classification and PTA threshold on DPOAE results. Results At the frequencies of 0.50, 1.00, 2.00, 3.00, 4.00, 6.00 and 8.00 kHz, the DPOAE amplitude was negatively correlated with the PTA threshold (rank correlation coefficients were -0.12, -0.48, -0.47, -0.18, -0.23, -0.44, -0.19, respectively, all P<0.01). At the most frequencies, DPOAE amplitude was negatively correlated with age and CNE (all P<0.05). The results of multilevel model analysis showed that there were significant differences in DPOAE amplitudes at certain frequencies across gender, age, noise intensity, CNE, and hearing loss classification (all P<0.05). Significant differences in DPOAE responses were found among different CNE and hearing loss groups (all P<0.01). Conclusion DPOAE testing can objectively reflect the hearing status of noise-exposed workers and could be considered for inclusion in routine hearing monitoring to facilitate early detection of noise-induced hearing loss.

Liver fibrosis is a dynamic wound-healing response characterized by the agglutination of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Si-Wu-Tang (SWT), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is known for treating gynecological diseases and liver fibrosis. Our previous studies demonstrated that long non-coding RNA H19 (H19) was markedly upregulated in fibrotic livers while its deficiency markedly reversed fibrogenesis. However, the mechanisms by which SWT influences H19 remain unclear. Thus, we established a bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced liver fibrosis model to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of SWT on various cells in the liver. Our results showed that SWT markedly improved ECM deposition and bile duct reactions in the liver. Notably, SWT relieved liver fibrosis by regulating the transcription of genes involved in the cytoskeleton remodeling, primarily in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and influencing cytoskeleton-related angiogenesis and hepatocellular injury. This modulation collectively led to reduced ECM deposition. Through extensive bioinformatics analyses, we determined that H19 acted as a miRNA sponge and mainly inhibited miR-200, miR-211, and let7b, thereby regulating the above cellular regulatory pathways. Meanwhile, SWT reversed H19-related miRNAs and signaling pathways, diminishing ECM deposition and liver fibrosis. However, these protective effects of SWT were diminished with the overexpression of H19 in vivo. In conclusion, our study elucidates the underlying mechanisms of SWT from the perspective of H19-related signal networks and proposes a potential SWT-based therapeutic strategy for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
Humans ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; Liver Cirrhosis/genetics* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Hepatic Stellate Cells/pathology* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

Objective:To analyze the difference and reliability of blood 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), an indirect screening index for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), between preterm and full-term infants.Methods:In this retrospective cross-sectional study, a total of 210 285 newborns who underwent CAH screening at the Neonatal Screening Center of Shanghai Children′s Hospital from January 2019 to December 2022 were collected, including 14 312 premature infants and 195 973 full-term infants.The concentration of 17-OHP in dried blood spots on filter paper was determined by an automatic fluorescence analyzer.The distribution of 17-OHP levels in preterm and full-term infants and its statistical index were analyzed.The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used for normal distribution.The skewed distribution data was converted into approximately normal distribution using Box-Cox.Outliers were eliminated by the interquartile range method.The cumulative frequency distribution map was drawn by R language programming.The 99.5 th percentile value was used as the screening threshold and compared with the reference value given by the manufacturer or laboratory and with the reference change value (RCV). Results:According to the threshold provided by the laboratory, 26.76‰ of premature infants were tested positive in preliminary screening, and 4 were confirmed with an incidence of 1∶3 578, while 0.79‰ of full-term infants were tested positive in preliminary screening, and 11 were confirmed with an incidence of 1∶17 816.The thresholds for CAH screening established indirectly were 20.35 nmol/L in preterm infants and 10.78 nmol/L in full-term infants.The relative deviations between the indirect CAH screening thresholds and the manufacturer′s or laboratory′s CAH screening thresholds were higher than the RCV, respectively.According to the indirect CAH screening thresholds, the negative and positive coincidence rates of 65 samples in 13 batches from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention interlaboratory quality assessment program in the United States reached 100%.A retrospective analysis of 210 285 neonates showed that 17-OHP concentration was higher than the screening threshold in all CAH-positive neonates.The application of this screening threshold reduced the false positive rate of preterm infants by 59.79%.Conclusions:It is feasible to establish the CAH screening thresholds for premature and full-term infants by an indirect method, which can improve the efficiency of screening and provide better diagnostic basis for clinical practice.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Bushen Huoxue enema in treating the rat model of kidney deficiency and blood stasis-thin endometrium （KDBS-TE） by transcriptome sequencing. MethodThe rat model of KDBS-TE was established by administration of tripterygium polyglycosides tablets combined with subcutaneous injection of adrenaline. The pathological changes of rat endometrium in each group were then observed. Three uterine tissue specimens from each of the blank group， model group， and Bushen Huoxue enema group were randomly selected for transcriptome sequencing. The differentially expressed circRNAs， lncRNAs， and miRNAs were screened， and the disease-related specific competitive endogenous RNA （ceRNA） regulatory network was constructed. Furthermore， the gene ontology （GO） functional annotation and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment were performed for the mRNAs in the network. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed endometrial dysplasia， decreased endometrial thickness and endometrial/total uterine wall thickness ratio （P<0.01）， and differential expression of 18 circRNAs， 410 lncRNAs， and 7 miRNAs. Compared with the model group， the enema and estradiol valerate groups showed improved endometrial morphology and increased endometrial thickness and ratio of endometrial to total uterine wall thickness （P<0.05）. In addition， 21 circRNAs， 518 lncRNAs， and 17 miRNAs were differentially expressed in the enema group. The disease-related specific circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network composed of 629 nodes and 664 edges contained 2 circRNAs， 34 miRNAs， and 593 mRNAs. The lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network composed of 180 nodes and 212 edges contained 5 lncRNAs， 10 miRNAs， and 164 mRNAs. The mNRAs were mainly enriched in Hippo signaling pathway， autophagy-animal， axon guidance， etc. ConclusionBushen Huoxue enema can treat KDBS-TE in rats by regulating specific circRNAs， lncRNAs， and miRNAs in the uterus and the ceRNA network.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection and conventional treatment for partial rotator cuff tear and analyze the possible mechanism.Methods:A prospective randomize control study was performed for clinical data of 100 patients with partial rotator cuff tear admitted to Beijing Tongren Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University between January 2019 and December 2020. The patients were assigned to observation group ( n=50) and control group ( n=50) according to the random number table. Both groups were given conventional non-operative treatment, together with PRP injection in observation group and steroid injection in control group. The visual analogue score (VAS), Constant-Murley Score (CMS) and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines [interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] were measured before and at 3, 6 months after treatment. The MRI images were also evaluated in observation group before treatment and at 6 months after treatment. Results:There were 55 males and 45 females with the age range of 40-75 years [(55.9±9.1)years]. All patients were followed up for 6.0-8.2 months [(6.2±2.9)months]. There were no significant differences between the two groups in VAS, CMS, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α before treatment (all P>0.05). The VAS was (3.5±0.9)points and (1.4±0.4)points] in observation group at 3, 6 months after treatment, significant lower than (4.1±0.9)points and (1.8±0.5)points in control group (all P<0.01). The CMS was (59.5±9.4)points and (86.5±7.9)points in observation group at 3, 6 months after treatment, significant higher than (53.5±8.6)points and (78.5±8.4)points in control group (all P<0.01). The serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α were (0.69±0.21)μg/L, (2.06±0.55)μg/L and (2.12±0.49)μg/L in observation group at 3 months after treatment, significant lower than (0.92±0.26)μg/L, (2.67±0.48)μg/L and (2.87±0.51)μg/L in control group (all P<0.01). The serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in observation group [(0.37±0.11)μg/L, (1.14±0.23)μg/L, (1.27±0.25)μg/L] were also significantly lower than those in control group [(0.45±0.09)μg/L, (1.36±0.27)μg/L, (1.88±0.26)μg/L] at 6 months after treatment (all P<0.01). In both groups, the VAS, CMS and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) showed significant improvement at 3, 6 months after treatment when compared to the pre-treatment levels (all P<0.05). Simutaneously, each group showed significant differences in each indicator at 3, 6 months after treatment ( P<0.05). In observation group, MRI showed that the high signal on the superior surface of the supraspinatus disappeared whereas the high signal in the tendon decreased at 6 months after treatment. Conclusion:For patients with partial rotator cuff tear, PRP injection can relive shoulder pain and improve shoulder function, which may be associated with the down-regulation of inflammatory responses.

Background It is projected that the frequency, density, and duration of compound hot extreme may increase in the 21st century in the context of global warming. Objective To explore the association between compound hot extreme and blood pressure, and identify sensitive populations. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. The study subjects were from six Guangdong Province Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveys during 2002 through 2015. A questionnaire was administered to the participants with questions about demographic information, drinking and smoking status, and measurements on their height, weight, and blood pressure were also collected. We chose the data of May, September, and October to explore the association between compound hot extreme and blood pressure. Compound hot extreme means a hot day with a proceeding hot night. Daily meteorological data were obtained from China Meteorological Data Service Centre. We employed inverse distance weighting to interpolate the temperature and relative humidity values for each participant. A distributed lag non-linear model was used to estimate the association between compound hot extreme and blood pressure. Stratified analyses by sex, age, area, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, and drinking status were also performed to identify sensitive populations. A sensitivity analysis was conducted by adjusting the degrees of freedom for lag spline and removing relative humidity. Result A total of 10967 participants without history of hypertension were included in this study. The average systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 120.8 mmHg and the average diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 74.5 mmHg. The proportion of participants who experienced hot day, hot night, or compound hot extreme were 9.34%, 17.95% and 2.90%, respectively. Compared to hot day, hot night and compound hot extreme were related with decreased blood pressure, and the effect of compound hot extreme was stronger: the changes and 95%CI for SBP was −6.2 (−10.3-−2.1) mmHg, and for DBP was −2.7 (−5.2-−0.2) mmHg. Compound hot extreme induced decreased SBP among male, population ≥ 65 years, and those whose BMI < 24 kg·m^-2, and their ORs (95%CIs) were −6.2 (−10.7-−1.6). −19.1 (−33.0-−5.1), and −6.7 (−11.8~−1.6) mmHg, respectively, and also decreased DBP among population ≥ 65 years, and its OR (95%CI) was −8.4 (−15.6-−1.1) mmHg. During compound hot extremes, participants living in rural areas showed decreased SBP and DBP, and the ORs (95%CIs) were −10.5 (−16.6-−4.5) and −4.4 (−7.7-−1.1) mmHg respectively, while those living in urban areas showed increased SBP, and the OR (95%CI) was 9.7 (2.9-16.5) mmHg. A significant decrease in blood pressure [OR (95%CI)] was also found in non-smokers [DBP, −3.7 (−6.6-−0.8) mmHg] and non-drinkers [SBP, −4.8 (−9.4-−0.2) mmHg; DBP, −3.4 (−6.0-−0.9) mmHg]. Conclusion Compound hot extreme is negatively associated with SBP, and being male, aged 65 years and over, and having BMI < 24 kg·m⁻² may be more sensitive to compound hot extreme.

Background Global warming may increase the frequency of compound hot extreme (CHE).However, there is still a lack of studies assessing the associations between CHE and preterm birth (PTB), and the underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear. Objective To estimate the association of exposure to CHE during pregnancy with PTB, and to explore the roles of inflammatory, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress in the association between CHE and PTB. Methods All participants were selected from the Prenatal Environments and Offspring Health (PEOH), a prospective birth cohort conducted in Guangzhou. In this study, a total of 2449 participants who gave birth from May to October in 2014 to 2017 were enrolled, and among them blood samples were collected from 311 preterm (n=43) and full-term (n=268) pregnant women at the time of delivery. A hot day/night was identified as a day when the daily maximum temperature/minimum temperature was higher than its 90th percentile in the study period, and a CHE was defined as having both a hot night and a following hot day. The meteorological data were obtained from the China Meteorological Data Sharing Service System. Anusplin was used to assess the daily maximum temperature, daily minimum temperature, and relative humidity of the participant residence. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure C reactive protein (CRP), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in maternal serum, and their results were transformed by natural logarithm. A distributed lag nonlinear model was used to investigate the associations of exposures to hot day, hot night, and CHE during pregnancy with PTB at different lag days, and a logistic regression model was used to investigate the associations of CRP, ET-1, and MDA with PTB. Results The incidence rate of PTB was 6.2% in all selected participants. Compared with the non-hot day, the RRs (95%CIs) of CHE in lag 3, 7, and 14 days on PTB were 1.43 (1.12-1.84), 1.24 (1.08-1.43), and 1.17 (1.05-1.30), respectively, and the cumulative effects (% difference) (95%CI) of CHE in lag 14 days on maternal serum CRP, ET-1, and MDA were 0.33% (−0.45%-1.12%), 0.59% (0.11%-1.07%), and 0.57% (0.09%-1.05%), respectively. Compared with the Q1 (lowest quartile) for CRP, ET-1 and MDA, the RRs (95%CIs) of Q4 (highest quartile) for PTB were 1.27 (0.50-3.22), 1.51 (0.61-3.72), and 2.07(0.81-5.27), respectively. Conclusion Maternal exposure to CHE during pregnancy might be associated with an increased risk of PTB. Prenatal exposure to CHE is positively associated with maternal serum CRP, ET-1, and MDA, and the three biochemical indicators are also positively associated with PTB. However, the above conclusions still need further confirmation.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and mechanism of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) in the preoperative and postoperative treatment of bedsore united with skin flap.Methods Twenty two cases with bedsore were randomly divided into experimental and control groups.In the control group,the surgery of flap was performed after the treatment of continuous negative pressure about 7-10 days and the VAC was not applied after operation.While in the experimental group,VAC was not used before operation.It was applied on flaps as soon as sutured the border of flap and decubitus ulcers and removed after 7-10 days.By comparing the general appearance of two groups,microvessel count and the detection rate of bacterial culture and other indicators,the clinical effects of two treatments were investigated and the preliminary mechanism was analyzed.Results After preoperative VAC treatment,11 cases of control group showed a little granulation tissue growth,less subcutaneous hematoma and wound effusion,increased microvessel count and negative bacterial culture.However,there were 4 cases of death cavity residual,subcutaneous hematoma and wound effusion,positive bacterial culture and another 4 cases of delayed healing with skin flap repairing bedsore.The application of VAC in experimental group showed close contact of flap with the basement,less effusion,increased microvessel count and negative bacterial culture.One case of skin flap had a small area of separation,after the dressing of skin and the flap survived.The other wounds healed by first intention.Conclusions The use of VAC to repair bedsore can reduce the number of operation,and it is beneficial to the flap survival.

Objective To establish an efficient HPLC method for the determination of uric acid in plasma of hyperuricemia model mice,and the evaluation of uric acid lowering effect of Lesinurad.Methods The Laballiance Series Ⅲ HPLC system was adopted with Kromasil C18 column (100 mm × 4.6 mm,5 μm).The mobile phase consisted of methanol-0.5％ acetic acid (10:90) for isocratic elution with a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min.The detection wavelength was set at 283 nm.The established HPLC method was used to detect the plasma uric acid level of mice at 0.5,1.0,and 2.0 h time points after which being ip injected with 250 and 500 mg/kg uric acid.Lesinurad of 250 and 500 mg/kg was ig given to mice,0.5 h later,mice were ip injected with 500 mg/kg uric acid to establish hyperuricemia model,and 1 h later,the established HPLC method was used to detect the plasma uric acid level of mice.Results There was a good linear relationship between peak area and the concentration of plasma uric acid in the range of 7.5-150 μg/mL (r =0.997).The specificity,repeatability,precision,stability,and recovery of the established HPLC method was in accordance with the guiding rules of biological sample determination.Compared with the endogenous serum uric acid concentration of control group mice,serum uric acid concentration of 250 mg/kg dose group was significantly increased 0.5 h after ip administration with uric acid (P ＜ 0.01),and serum uric acid concentration of 500 mg/kg dose group was significantly increased 0.5,1.0,and 2.0 h after ip administration with uric acid.Compared with model group,the concentration of uric acid in plasma decreased significantly in low dosage group administered with Lesinurad (P ＜ 0.05),while decreased more significantly in high dosage group (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion This convenient,rapid,and accurate method can be applied to the determination of uric acid in mouse plasma and the evaluation of relative drugs,which provide an efficient analysis way for establishing hyperuricemia model and screening relative drugs.

Aim To investigate TY501′s role in bleo-mycin ( BLM )-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. Methods Forty rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, including the sham operation, BLM, PFD, TY501(high and low dose) groups. After administra-tion of BLM intratracheally, PFD and TY501 were giv-en in each group daily, according to the dosage de-signed during 21 days. Lung coefficient, PaO2 were tested before killing the rats. The contents of ALB, ALP, LDH, GSH, HYP were detected by regent kit respectively. PCⅢ and COL4 were determined by ELISA. Results ( 1 ) Some indicators of alveolitis in early stage of IPF: the contents of lung coefficient in three treatment groups were lower and PaO2 was higher than those in BLM group ( P<0. 05 ); compared with BLM group, the contents of ALB, ALP, LDH in the treatment groups reduced on 21 st day ( P<0. 05 );the expression of GSH in BLM group was increased for feedback regulation and higher than the treatment groups and the sham operation group (P<0. 05);(2) some indicators of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis in late stage of IPF:the expressions of HYP, PCⅢand COL4 were reduced after the treatment. There were signifi-cant differences compared with BLM group ( P <0. 05 ) . Conclusions TY501 is valuable for the ther-apy of IPF, the same as the positive drug pirfenidone. TY501 attenuates BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis, which may be related to the affection of TGF-βpathway and inhibition of MMPs.