AIM: To investigate the effects of insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1)on the secretion of transforming growth factor β2(TGF-β2), matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP-2)and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α(HIF-1α)in human scleral fibroblasts(HSF)and their mechanism.METHODS: The cells were cultured with IGF-1 and PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor LY294002, respectively. CCK-8 method was used to detect cell viability and determine the optimal concentration and time of drug action. Cell migration activity was observed by cell scratch method. To determine the effects of IGF-1 on HSF cells and the regulatory role of PI3K/AKT pathway, HSF cells were divided into control group(without drugs), IGF-1(80 μg/L)group, IGF-1+LY294002(80 μg/L+5 mmol/L)group, and LY294002(5 mmol/L)group, and were cultured for 24 h; the protein expression levels of TGF-β2, MMP-2, HIF-1α, PI3K and AKT were detected by Western blot; the fluorescence expression of TGF-β2, MMP-2 and HIF-1α was detected by cellular immunofluorescence.RESULTS: The results of CCK-8 showed that the cell viability of the 80 μg/L IGF-1 group cultured with different concentrations of IGF-1 was the highest(all P<0.05), and the cell viability of the 80 μg/L IGF-1 group at 24 h was the highest under different culture times. Therefore, the concentration of IGF-1 was selected as 80 μg/L for 24 h. The viability of cells cultured with different concentrations of LY294002 gradually decreased from 6 h(all P<0.05). According to the IC50 value, therefore, the concentration of LY294002 was selected as 5 mmol/L for 24 h. The cell scratch results showed that compared with the control group, the cell mobility of 40 μg/L and 80 μg/L IGF-1 groups was increased(all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, cell mobility in the 2.5 and 5 mmol/L LY294002 groups was decreased(all P<0.05). Western blot results showed that compared with the control group, the protein expressions of TGF-β2, MMP-2, HIF-1α, PI3K and AKT in the IGF-1 group were increased, while those in the LY294002 group were decreased(all P<0.05). Compared with the IGF-1 group, the expression levels of TGF-β2, MMP-2, HIF-1α, PI3K and AKT in the IGF-1+LY294002 group were decreased(all P<0.05). The results of cell immunofluorescence showed that compared with the control group, the fluorescence expressions of TGF-β2, MMP-2 and HIF-1α in the IGF-1 group were increased, while those in the LY294002 group were decreased(all P<0.05). Compared with the IGF-1 group, the fluorescence expressions of TGF-β2, MMP-2 and HIF-1α in the IGF-1+LY294002 group were significantly decreased(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: IGF-1 promoted the proliferation and migration of human HSF. IGF-1 may up-regulate the expression of TGF-β2, MMP-2 and HIF-1α in HSF through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and participate in the occurrence and development of myopia.

Background Workers in the cable manufacturing industry are exposed to high-speed machinery and equipment for a long time, coupled with heavy workload, which poses significant risks to their physical health. However, the issue of occupational injuries in this industry has not received enough attention yet. Objective To understand the incidence of occupational injury of workers in cable manufacturing industry and to analyze the influencing factors. Method A basic information questionnaire and an occupational injury questionnaire were developed to investigate the occupational injuries of 1 343 workers in a cable manufacturing enterprise in the past year, and a total of 1 225 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective rate of 91.2%. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the causes, injury locations, injury types, and other characteristics of employees’ occupational injuries. Chi-square test was used to analyze the occupational injury status of groups with different demographic characteristics, occupational characteristics, lifestyles, and interpersonal relationships. Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of occupational injuries. Result The incidence of occupational injuries among workers in a cable manufacturing enterprise in the past year was 8.6%, which mainly happened in male workers (80.0%) and occurred from May to July in summer (45.7%). The main causes were mechanical injuries (32.4%) and object blows (27.6%). The main sources of damage were machinery and equipment (36.2%) as well as raw materials and products (15.2%). The main injuries were located in upper limbs (53.3%) and lower limbs (22.9%). The main types of injuries were fractures (33.3%) and abrasions/contusions/puncture wounds (19.0%). The results of univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant variations in the incidence of occupational injuries by gender, overtime, pre-job training, years of service in current position, alcohol consumption, physical exercise per week, and co-worker relationship (P<0.05). The logistic regression model showed that workers who exercised less than twice a week, did not participate in pre-job training, worked overtime, and had fair/poor/very poor colleague relationship had a higher risk of occupational injury, while women had a lower risk of occupational injury. Conclusion The distribution of occupational injury population is mainly male, and the time distribution is mainly from May to July. Gender, physical exercise, pre-job training, overtime, and colleague relationship are the influencing factors of occupational injuries. We should strengthen pre-job training, arrange work hours reasonably, and create a good working atmosphere to reduce the occurrence of occupational injuries.

Background Social psychological factors have emerged as a key area of research in occupational injury prevention. Occupational stress, a significant component of social psychology, has garnered widespread attention due to its potential impact on occupational injury. Objective To analyze the factors influencing occupational stress among cable manufacturing workers and explore the relationship between occupational stress and occupational injury, and to provide scientific evidence for reducing occupational stress and injury. Methods A questionnaire on basic demographics, occupational injury, and occupational stress (Effort-Reward Imbalance, ERI) was used to investigate 1343 workers in a cable enterprise. Chi-square test was employed to analyze the distribution of occupational stress across different worker characteristics. Logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing occupational stress, and a decision tree model was applied to assess the impact of occupational stress on injury risk. Results A total of 1225 valid questionnaires were collected, yielding a response rate of 91.2%. The positive rate of occupational stress was 28.7%, while the incidence of occupational injury in the past year was 8.6%. The results of univariate analysis revealed that workers who had experienced occupational injuries had a higher positive rate of occupational stress compared to those without injuries (P<0.05), and there were significant differences in the distribution of occupational stress by genders, overtime work, shift work, daily working hours, fatigue levels, sleep duration, family relationships, and colleague relationships (P<0.05). The logistic regression results showed that individuals who worked shifts, had fair/poor/very colleague relationships, and frequently worked overtime had a higher risk of occupational stress (P<0.05). The final decision tree model confirmed that occupational stress was a risk factor for occupational injury. Additional factors influencing occupational injury included physical exercise, colleague relationships, pre-job training participation, and gender. Workers who exercised less than twice per week and experienced occupational stress had a significantly higher risk of injury (23.6%) compared to those without occupational stress (10.9%). Conclusion Shift work, colleague relationships, and overtime work are correlated with the positive rate of occupational stress among cable manufacturing workers. Implementing a reasonable work schedule and fostering a positive work environment are recommended. Reducing occupational stress may help lower the risk of occupational injuries in this industry.

Objective: To analyze the change trends in the body shape indicators and proportions of students in Harbin from 2010 to 2024, and to investigate ergonomic compatibility of functional dimensions of school desks and chairs with current student shape indicators, so as to provide a reference for revising furniture standards of desks and chairs. Methods: Between September and November of both 2010 and 2024, a combination of convenience sampling and stratified cluster random sampling was conducted across three districts in Harbin, yielding samples of 6 590 and 6 252 students, respectively. Anthropometric shape indicators cluding height, sitting height, crus length, and thigh length-and their proportional changes were compared over the 15-year period. The 2024 data were compared with current standard functional dimensions of school furniture. The statistical analysis incorporated t-test and Mann-Whitney U- test. Results: From 2010 to 2024, average height increased by 1.8 cm for boys and 1.5 cm for girls; sitting height increased by 1.5 cm for both genders; crus length increased by 0.3 cm for boys and 0.4 cm for girls; and thigh length increased by 0.5 cm for both genders. The ratios of sitting height to height, and sitting height to leg length increased by less than 0.1 . The difference between desk chair height and 1/3 sitting height ranged from 0.4-0.8 cm. Among students matched with size 0 desks and chairs, 22.0% had a desk to chair height difference less than 0, indicating that the desk to chair height difference might be insufficient for taller students. The differences between seat height and fibular height ranged from -1.4 to 1.1 cm; and the differences between seat depth and buttock popliteal length ranged from -9.8 to 3.4 cm. Among obese students, the differences between seat width and 1/2 hip circumference ranged from -20.5 to -8.7 cm, while it ranged from -12.2 to -3.8 cm among non obese students. Conclusion Current furniture standards basically satisfy hygienic requirements; however, in the case of exceptionally tall and obese students, ergonomic accommodations such as adaptive seating allocation or personalized adjustments are recommended to meet hygienic requirements.

BACKGROUND:How to effectively promote bone regeneration and bone reconstruction after bone injury has always been a key issue in clinical bone repair research.The use of biological and degradable materials loaded with bioactive factors to treat bone defects has excellent application prospects in bone repair. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of polylactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer(PLGA)composite scaffold modified by lysine-grafted graphene oxide nanoparticles(LGA-g-GO)on osteogenic differentiation and new bone formation. METHODS:PLGA was dissolved in dichloromethane and PLGA scaffold was prepared by solvent evaporation method.PLGA/GO composite scaffolds were prepared by dispersing graphene oxide uniformly in PLGA solution.LGA-g-GO nanoparticles were prepared by chemical grafting method,and the PLGA/LGA-g-GO composite scaffolds were constructed by blending LGA-g-GO nanoparticles at different mass ratios(1%,2%,and 3%)with PLGA.The micromorphology,hydrophilicity,and protein adsorption capacity of scaffolds of five groups were characterized.MC3T3 cells were inoculated on the surface of scaffolds of five groups to detect cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The surface of PLGA scaffolds was smooth and flat under scanning electron microscope,while the surface of the other four scaffolds was rough.The surface roughness of the composite scaffolds increased with the increase of the addition of LGA-g-GO nanoparticles.The water contact angle of PLGA/LGA-g-GO(3%)composite scaffolds was lower than that of the other four groups(P<0.05).The protein adsorption capacity of PLGA/LGA-g-GO(1%,2%,and 3%)composite scaffolds was stronger than PLGA and PLGA/GO scaffolds(P<0.05).(2)CCK-8 assay showed that PLGA/LGA-g-GO(2%,3%)composite scaffold could promote the proliferation of MC3T3 cells.Alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining showed that the cell alkaline phosphatase activity in PLGA/LGA-g-GO(2%,3%)group was higher than that in the other three groups(P<0.05).The calcium deposition in the PLGA/GO and PLGA/LGA-g-GO(1%,2%,and 3%)groups was higher than that in the PLGA group(P<0.05).(3)In summary,PLGA/LGA-g-GO composite scaffold can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of osteoblasts,and is conducive to bone regeneration and bone reconstruction after bone injury.

Objective: This study explored the regulatory effects of QiShen Yiqi Dropping Pills (QSYQ) on chronic heart failure (CHF) in rats and their related mechanisms based on the gut microbiota and reactive oxygen species (ROS)/thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP)/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway. Methods: Sixty-five SPF-grade male SD rats were used to establish a CHF model through subcutaneous multiple injections of isoproterenol (ISO) combined with exhaustion and food control methods. The modeled rats were randomly divided into model, captopril (5.30 mg/kg), and QSYQ low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (0.08, 0.16, and 0.32 g/kg, respectively), with 11 rats per group, plus a blank group of seven rats. The medication groups were given corresponding drugs by gavage, whereas the blank and model groups were administered an equivalent volume of purified water continuously for four weeks. Rat heart function was assessed via transthoracic echocardiography, and myocardial tissue pathology changes were observed through hematoxylin and eosin staining. Serum levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interleukin-18 (IL-18), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Automated biochemical analyzers were used to determine creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB) content. Myocardial ROS levels were examined using flow cytometry; myocardial TXNIP and NLRP3 expression were detected using immunohistochemistry. Real-time qPCR and Western blotting were used to examine myocardial mRNA and protein expression of TXNIP, NLRP3, apoptosis-related spot-like protein (ASC), caspase-1, and IL-1β, as well as myocardial thioredoxin (Trx) and colonic tight junction proteins (zonula occludens-1, ZO-1), occludin, and claudin-5. Differences in the gut microbiota of the blank, model, and QSYQ high-dose groups were determined using high-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing. Results: Compared to the blank group, the model group exhibited significantly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS) (P<0.01); increased serum BNP, LPS, IL-18, and IL-1β (P<0.01) levels; increased CK, LDH, and CK-MB (P<0.01) contents; visible myocardial tissue fibrous edema, wavy appearance, cytoplasmic loosening, round vacuolar degeneration, local tissue fibrous dissolution replaced by proliferative connective tissue, accompanied by inflammatory cell infiltration; significantly increased myocardial ROS levels (P<0.01); and significantly increased myocardial TXNIP and NLRP3 expression (P<0.01). TXNIP, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and IL-1β mRNA and protein expression were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively), whereas Trx, ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-5 expression was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared to the model group, the QSYQ high-dose group showed the most significant changes (P<0.05, P<0.01), with significant increases in LVEF and LVFS (P<0.01); significant decreases in serum BNP, LPS, IL-18, and IL-1β levels (P<0.01); significant reductions in CK, LDH, and CK-MB content (P<0.01); improved myocardial tissue damage; significantly decreased myocardial ROS levels (P<0.01); and significantly reduced myocardial TXNIP and NLRP3 expression (P<0.01). TXNIP, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and IL-1β mRNA and protein expression were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), whereas Trx, ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-5 expression was significantly increased (P<0.01). 16S rDNA sequencing results confirmed that the gut microbiota of rats changed after modeling and drug intervention, with significant differences in both α- and β-diversity. Compared to the blank group, at the family level, the abundance of Oscillospiraceae decreased (P<0.05), whereas the abundance of Lactobacillaceae increased. At the species level, the abundance of Segatella copri and Treponema succinifaciens increased, whereas the abundance of Kineothrix alysoides (P<0.05), Ruminococcus callidus, and Prevotellamassilia timonensis decreased. Compared to the model group, at the family level, the abundance of Oscillospiraceae increased (P<0.05) in the QSYQ high-dose group, whereas the abundance of Lactobacillaceae decreased. At the species level, the abundance of Segatella copri and Treponema succinifaciens decreased, whereas the abundance of Kineothrix alysoides increased (P<0.05). Conclusion QSYQ can regulate the relative abundance of symbiotic bacteria Kineothrix alysoides in the intestines, reduce serum LPS levels, inhibit the ROS/TXNIP/NLRP3 signaling pathway, and improve inflammatory responses, thereby exerting therapeutic effects on CHF.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs. Results: All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027). Conclusion The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.

Background: Bone cancer pain (BCP) is not adequately addressed by current treatment methods, making the exploration of effective management strategies a topic of significant interest. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) seem to be a potential way for managing BCP, yet little is known about the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of this potential treatment. Methods: We established the male C57BL/6 mice BCP models. Behavioral tests, X-ray, bone histology, western blotting, and immunofluorescence were used to verify the analgesic effect of BMSCs. Results: Intramedullary injection of Lewis lung carcinoma cells into the femur successfully generated the mice BCP models. The number of c-Fos-positive neurons and phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) proteins in the spinal dorsal horn of the BCP mice increased. Intrathecal injection of BMSCs temporarily improved the BCP mice’s mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia without affecting motor function. This effect may be related to inhibiting spinal microglia and p-p38 MAPK activation. The analgesic effect of BMSCs may be related to the homing effect mediated by CXCR4. Conclusions Intrathecal injection of BMSCs can temporarily inhibit mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in BCP mice without affecting motor function. This effect may be related to the inhibition of p-p38 protein expression and the inhibition of microglia but not to p-ERK and p-JNK.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs. Results: All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027). Conclusion The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.

Background: Bone cancer pain (BCP) is not adequately addressed by current treatment methods, making the exploration of effective management strategies a topic of significant interest. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) seem to be a potential way for managing BCP, yet little is known about the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of this potential treatment. Methods: We established the male C57BL/6 mice BCP models. Behavioral tests, X-ray, bone histology, western blotting, and immunofluorescence were used to verify the analgesic effect of BMSCs. Results: Intramedullary injection of Lewis lung carcinoma cells into the femur successfully generated the mice BCP models. The number of c-Fos-positive neurons and phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) proteins in the spinal dorsal horn of the BCP mice increased. Intrathecal injection of BMSCs temporarily improved the BCP mice’s mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia without affecting motor function. This effect may be related to inhibiting spinal microglia and p-p38 MAPK activation. The analgesic effect of BMSCs may be related to the homing effect mediated by CXCR4. Conclusions Intrathecal injection of BMSCs can temporarily inhibit mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in BCP mice without affecting motor function. This effect may be related to the inhibition of p-p38 protein expression and the inhibition of microglia but not to p-ERK and p-JNK.