Background Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is associated with the development of metabolic syndrome (MS). However, the role of amino acids in PAH-induced MS remains unclear. Objective To explore the impact of PAHs exposure on the incidence of MS among coking workers, and to determine potential modifying effect of amino acid on this relationship. Methods Unmatched nested case-control design was adopted and the baseline surveys of coking workers were conducted in two plants in Taiyuan in 2017 and 2019, followed by a 4-year follow-up. The cohort comprised 667 coking workers. A total of 362 participants were included in the study, with 84 newly diagnosed cases of MS identified as the case group and 278 as the control group. Urinary levels of 11 PAH metabolites and plasma levels of 17 amino acids were measured by ultrasensitive performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between individual PAH metabolites and MS. Stratified by the median concentration of amino acids, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model was employed to assess the mixed effects of PAHs on MS. Due to the skewed data distribution, all PAH metabolites and amino acids in the analysis were converted by natural logarithm ln (expressed as lnv). Results The median age of the 362 participants was 37 years, and 83.2% were male. Compared to the control group, the case group exhibited higher concentrations of urinary 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OHPhe), 9-hydroxyphenanthrene (9-OHPhe), and hydroxyphenanthrene (OHPhe) (P=0.005, P=0.049, and P=0.004, respectively), as well as elevated levels of plasma branched chain amino acid (BCAA) and aromatic amino acid (AAA) (P<0.05). After being adjusted for confounding factors, for every unit increase in lnv_2-OHPhe in urine, the OR (95%CI) of MS was 1.57 (1.11, 2.26), and for every unit increase in lnv_OHPhe, the OR (95%CI) of MS was 1.82 (1.16, 2.90). Tyrosine, leucine, and AAA all presented a significant nonlinear correlation with MS. At low levels, tyrosine, leucine, and AAA did not significantly increase the risk of MS, but at high levels, they increased the risk of MS. In the low amino acid concentration group, as well as in the low BCAA and low AAA concentration groups, it was found that compared to the PAH metabolite levels at the 50th percentile (P₅₀), the log-odds of MS when the PAH metabolite levels was at the 75th percentile (P₇₅) were 0.158 (95%CI: 0.150, 0.166), 0.218 (95%CI: 0.209, 0.227), and 0.262 (95% CI: 0.241, 0.282), respectively, However, no correlation between PAHs and MS was found in the high amino acid concentration group. Conclusion Amino acids modify the effect of PAHs exposure on the incidence of MS. In individuals with low plasma amino acid levels, the risk of developing MS increases with higher concentrations of mixed PAH exposure. This effect is partly due to the low concentrations of BCAA and AAA.

Objective:To evaluate the correlation between the degree of posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) injury and various parameters of vertebral body injury in patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures.Methods:A total of 48 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures were admitted to the Spine Surgery Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University between December 2022 and January 2024. The cohort consisted of 31 males and 17 females, with a mean age of 44.1±11.8 years (range, 18-65 years). Based on the PLL injury grading method proposed by Sun Zhaoyun, patients were classified into three groups: mild, moderate, and severe. However, due to an insufficient number of patients in the severe group ( n=3), the moderate and severe groups were combined for statistical analysis, resulting in two groups: mild, and moderate-to-severe. Patient demographic and clinical data were collected. Local kyphosis (LK), inversion angle (IA), horizontal rotation angle (HRA), increased interspinous distance (IISD), anterior vertebral body compression ratio (AVBCR), posterior vertebral body compression ratio (PVBCR), middle vertebral body compression ratio (MVBCR), the ratio of height of bone fragment (RHBF), the ratio of width of bone fragment (RWBF), and mid-sagittal canal diameter compression ratio (MSDCR) were measured. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0. Categorical variables were expressed as frequency (percentage) and analyzed using chi-square and Fisher exact tests. Continuous variables were tested for normality, with non-normally distributed data analyzed using the rank-sum test and expressed as median (interquartile range). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) to evaluate predictive performance. Results:Among the 48 patients, only 3 were found to have severe PLL injury, necessitating the combination of the moderate and severe groups for statistical purposes. Patients in the moderate-to-severe group demonstrated significantly higher AVBCR, PVBCR, RHBF, MVBCR, MSDCR, and IA compared to the mild group ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression identified AVBCR, PVBCR, MSDCR, and IA as independent risk factors for moderate-to-severe PLL injury ( OR>1, P<0.05). ROC curve analysis revealed that AVBCR, PVBCR, MSDCR, IA, and their combined index could effectively predict moderate-to-severe PLL injury ( P<0.05). Notably, the combined index showed superior predictive performance (AUC=0.970) compared to individual parameters. Threshold values were determined as follows: AVBCR>45.30%, PVBCR>12.17%, MSDCR>27.13%, IA>5.90°, and the combined index >0.61, indicating PLL damage. Conclusion:AVBCR, PVBCR, MSDCR, IA, and their combined index are significantly associated with moderate-to-severe PLL injury in thoracolumbar burst fractures. The combined index demonstrates superior predictive ability compared to single parameters, providing a reliable tool for assessing PLL integrity.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world,and its morbidity and mortality have been high.The current preferred treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma is surgical treatment and liver transplantation,but the 5-year survival rate is still low.Due to the insidious onset of hepatocellular carcinoma,most patients have no special manifestations at the initial stage.At the time of diagnosis,they are already in the terminal stage and lose the opportunity of surgery.The Hh pathway plays a key role in the development of tumors.The zinc finger protein GLi plays an important role in tumorigenesis as a key transcription factor in the Hh pathway.At the same time,zinc finger protein GLi can play a key role in the invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition.In addition,the zinc finger protein GLi also interacts with various tumor-related factors to affect the occurrence and development and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.This article reviews the role of zinc finger protein GLi in the development and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: To explore the association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure and cytochrome P450 CYP1A1 expression at gene and enzyme activity levels in the peripheral blood monocyte cells in coke oven workers, and to provide a certain basis for the biological monitoring of health damage in coke oven workers. Methods: We surveyed 118 coke oven workers and 63 controls (energy power workers in the same company) using self-designed questionnaire, determined their post-shift urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH-Py) concentration using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-fluorescence detector method. We also isolated the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) from fasting venous blood, and detected DNA damage using comet assay, CYP1A1 mRNA level using the real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR), and EROD activity using spectrophotometry. Statistical analyses including one-way analysis of variance and multiple linear regressions were used to analyze the association of urinary 1-OH-Py and CYP1A1 mRNA level and EROD activity. Results: Compared to the control group, the urinary 1-OH-Py concentration and PBMC DNA tail moment were significantly increased in coke oven workers (P<0.05), and CYP1A1 gene level and EROD activity in PBMC were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Multiple linear regression showed that a ten-fold increase of urinary 1-OH-Pycon centration was associated with a decrease of 0.77 (95%CI: -1.33--0.21) in CYP1A1 gene level, and a decline of 0.15 (95%CI: -0.76--0.16) in EROD activity of PBMC in coke oven workers (P<0.05). Conclusion Occupational PAHs exposure induced DNA damage, which was associated with the decreased level in CYP1A1 gene cavel and EROD activity in PBMC of coke oven workers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons( PAH) metabolites,DNA oxidative damage and ring finger protein 2( RING2) expression in coke oven workers. METHODS: A judgment sampling method was used to select 497 coke oven workers in a steel plant as exposure group and 175 water treatment workers in the same plant as control group. The levels of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene, 2-hydroxynathalene, 2-hydroxyfluorene,9-hydroxyphenanthrene and 8-hydroxy deoxyguanosine(8-OHd G) were detected by high performance liquid chromatography.The RING2 expression in whole blood was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The relative expression of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene,2-hydroxynathalene,2-hydroxyfluorene,9-hydroxyphenanthrene and RING2 in exposure group were higher than that in control group( P < 0. 01). The logistic regression analysis indicated that the higher the level of 1-hydroxypyrene,the higher the risk of high-RING2 expression( P < 0. 05) after adjusting for factors such as sex,age,smoking status,alcohol drinking,2-hydroxynathalene,2-hydroxyfluorene and 9-hydroxyphenanthrene.In 1-hydroxypyrene middle and high level groups,the 8-OHd G concentration of high-RING2 expression workers was significantly higher than those of low-RING2 expression workers( P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: With the increase of urinary1-hydroxypyrene,the risk of high-RING2 expression was elevated,the degree of DNA oxidative damage was gradually increased.

Objective To analyze the gene mutation and clinical characteristics of BRCA 1/2 by high resolution melting curve ( HRM ) in breast cancer patients and high risk groups , and to discuss the application value for BRCA 1/2 mutation detection by using HRM curve analysis in people at high risk of breast cancer.Method The clinical control analysis was used ,Peripheral blood samples of 52breast cancer patients,their first-degree relatives (52 cases consisting of high risk group ) and 40 healthy people without family history of breast cancer cases were collected from Anhui Province Tumor Hospital or Bozhou People ′s Hospital during March 2015 to June 2016.To establish an effective method for BRCA 1/2 mutation detection by using HRM curve, and the mutation positive results were validated by gene sequencing .To analyze the correlation between the of BRCA 1/2 gene mutation and the risk factors , a logistic method was used .Results 9 cases of BRCA1/2 gene mutations were found in 52cases of breast cancer patients and the mutation rate was 17.3%.5 cases of BRCA1/2 gene mutations were found in 52 cases of breast cancer high risk groups and the mutation rate was 9.6%.In 40 healthy people who without family history of breast cancer cases ,we found only 1 gene mutation case.All the mutation positive results detected by HRM curve analysis were matched with gene sequencing results .BRCA1/2 gene mutations and the risk factors such as primiparous age and chronic mammary gland disease have a certain correlation .In the 9 cases of BRCA1/2 gene mutations , we found 5 cases of BRCA1/2 gene mutations in their first-degree relatives, with the consistency of 44.4%(4/9).Conclusion Thebreast cancer patients′s first-degree relatives have a high mutation rates on BRCA1/2 gene and they can be the key screening objects .HRM curve analysis can be used in health screening and risk assessment at the breast cancerhigh risk groups .

Objective To determine the effect of induction of immune tolerance by intrathymic injection of myelin basic protein (MBP) for treatment of surgical brain injury (SBI) in rats.Methods Twenty-four male SD rats were divided into experimental group,control group and sham group with 8 rats each,according to the random number table.SBI model was established in experimental group and control group.Thymuses were exposed and injected with MBP (experimental group) or saline (control group) respectively.Sham group received craniotomy without durotomy and thymus paracentesis.Modified neurological severity score (MNSS),cerebral edema volume,levels of peripheral blood proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-2 and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4,and CD4 +/CD8 + T-cell ratio were measured at postoperative 1,3,7,14 and 21 d.Results MNSS between control and experimental groups differed significantly at each time point (P ＜ 0.05).Compared to sham group,MNSS in experimental group was recovered the same value at 21 d (P ＞ 0.05),but in control group remained high over the study (P ＜ 0.05).Less cerebral edema was observed in control and experimental groups than in control group at each time point (P ＜ 0.05),but all were lower than these in sham group (P ＜ 0.05).Lower IL-2 concentrations and higher IL-4 concentrations were observed in experimental group than in control group at 3,7 and 14 d (P ＜0.05).Compared to sham group,IL-2 concentrations in experimental group and IL-4 concentrations in control group revealed no significant differences at each time point (P ＞0.05).CD4 +/CD8 + T-cell ratio between experimental group and control group revealed significant difference at 1,7 and 14 d (P ＜0.05).CD4 +/CD8 + T-cell ratio in experimental group and control group recovered to the same level in sham group at 7 and 21 d(P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Induction of immune tolerance through intrathymic injection of MBP can reduce neurological deficit and brain edema and facilitate the recovery of function from SBI.

Objective To investigate the relationship between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolite and cell cycle of lymphocyte in coke oven workers.Methods 437 coke oven workers and 163 workers in water treatment department were recruited in this study.Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle of lymphocyte.For the measurement of urinary metabolites,urine samples were treated with β-glucuronidase and analyzed using HPLC with a fluorescence detector.Results The concentrations of urinary 2-naphthol,2-hydroxyfluorene,9-phenanthrol and 1-hydroxypyrene 1 in coke oven workers were significantly higher than those in control group (P＜0.01).The distributions of cell cycle were analyzed in high exposure group (the content of urinary metabolites high than P75) and low exposure group (the content of urinary metabolites low than P25).According to the content of 1-hydroxypyrene,the proportions of S phase in high exposure group were significantly higher than those of low exposure group (Z=-2.496,P=0.013),but the proportions of G0/G1 phase were significantly lower than low exposure group (Z=-2.074,P=0.038).The similar results were not been found in other hydroxylated metabolites as internal exposure group.Conclusion Increasing levels of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene might resulting in cell cycle of lymphocyte disorders,mainly for G0/G1 phase shorten and S phase arrest.

Objective To investigate the relationship between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolite and cell cycle of lymphocyte in coke oven workers.Methods 437 coke oven workers and 163 workers in water treatment department were recruited in this study.Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle of lymphocyte.For the measurement of urinary metabolites,urine samples were treated with β-glucuronidase and analyzed using HPLC with a fluorescence detector.Results The concentrations of urinary 2-naphthol,2-hydroxyfluorene,9-phenanthrol and 1-hydroxypyrene 1 in coke oven workers were significantly higher than those in control group (P＜0.01).The distributions of cell cycle were analyzed in high exposure group (the content of urinary metabolites high than P75) and low exposure group (the content of urinary metabolites low than P25).According to the content of 1-hydroxypyrene,the proportions of S phase in high exposure group were significantly higher than those of low exposure group (Z=-2.496,P=0.013),but the proportions of G0/G1 phase were significantly lower than low exposure group (Z=-2.074,P=0.038).The similar results were not been found in other hydroxylated metabolites as internal exposure group.Conclusion Increasing levels of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene might resulting in cell cycle of lymphocyte disorders,mainly for G0/G1 phase shorten and S phase arrest.

Objective To measure the levels of neutrophil elastase (NE),citric acid and pH in prostatic fluid of patients with prostatitis type Ⅲ.Methods Fifty two patients with prostatitis type ⅢA,98 patients with prostatitis type Ⅲ B and 105 health subjects were enrolled in the study.The levels of NE,citric acid and pH in prostatic fluid were measured ; the expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) routine and bacterial culture were examined,and National Institutes of Health (NIH)-chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI) was evaluated.The data were analyzed by independent samples t-test.Results WBC count,NE and citric acid concentrations,pH in ⅢA group were (17.9 ±5.4)/HP,(898 ±704) μg/L and (14.5 ± 1.7) ng/L,7.60 ±0.43,respectively; those in ⅢB group were (3.9 ±2.2)/HP,(93 ±76) μg/L and (21.9 ±3.8) ng/L,6.71 ±0.25,respectively; those in control group were (3.6 ±2.2)/HP,(86 ±57) μg/L and (22.5 ± 3.9)ng/L,6.48 ± 0.51,respectively.There were significant differences in NE and citrate concentrations,pH value in EPS between Ⅲ A and Ⅲ B patients (t =8.22,16.64 and 13.88,all P ＜0.05),but no difference in NIH-CPSI (t =1.90,P 8 0.05).There were significant differences in WBC count,NE and citric acid concentrations,pH in EPS,NIH-CPSI score between Ⅲ A and control groups (t =18.92,8.47,26.53,18.37 and 32.47,all P ＜ 0.05).There were no differences in WBC count,NE and citric acid concentration and pH value in EPS between Ⅲ B group and control group (t =1.38,1.55,1.02 and 1.21,respectively,all P 80.05),but there was significant difference in NIH-CPSI score between two groups (t =49.46,P ＜ 0.05).In EPS,NE concentration and WBC count were positively correlated with NIH-CPSI (r =0.819 and 0.698,respectively,all P ＜0.01),and citric acid was negatively correlated (r =-0.625,P ＜ 0.01) ; citrate was negatively correlated with WBC count,CPSI and pH value (r =-0.728,-0.644 and-0.817,all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The results indicate that the measurements of NE,citric acid and pH in EPS are of significant clinical value in patients with prostatitis type ⅢA and Ⅲ B.