Background The prevalence of low back pain among workers using vibrating tools in the automobile manufacturing industry is high; however, research on associated risk factors remains limited. Objective To investigate the association between use of vibrating tools and low back pain among automobile manufacturing workers, and to estimate related population attributable risk percentage (PAR%). Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the Chinese Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire among workers with over one year of service in an automobile manufacturing enterprise. Workers were categorized into an exposed group (vibrating tool users) and a control group (non-users) based on their use of vibrating tools during work. The variables showing statistically significant differences between the two groups were selected as covariates for matching by 1∶2 nearest-neighbor propensity score. Chi-square test was used to compare the prevalence of low back pain between the matched exposed and control groups. Log-binomial regression model was employed to calculate the prevalence ratio (PR), and the PAR% of low back pain attributable to vibrating tool use was subsequently determined. Results A total of 6973 valid questionnaires were collected, comprising 5676 males and 1297 females, with an overall low back pain prevalence of 40.3% (2809/6973). The exposed group included 1255 workers (1134 males, 121 females), with a mean age of (44.2 ± 8.7) years and a mean tenure in the current position of (23.5 ± 9.9) years; the matching control group consisted of 2510 workers (2279 males, 231 females), with a mean age of (44.7 ± 8.6) years and a mean tenure in the current position of (24.0 ± 10.0) years. The prevalence of low back pain was 76.7% (963/1255) in the exposed group, significantly higher than the 29.9% (750/2510) in the control group (P<0.001). The log-binomial regression analysis showed a PR of 2.57 (95%CI: 2.28, 2.90) for the exposed group, with a PAR% of 22.03%. Conclusion The use of vibrating tools among automobile manufacturing workers is positively associated with reporting low back pain. Implementing effective measures to mitigate vibration hazards is crucial for reducing the burden of low back pain in this population.

ObjectiveTo explore the impact of overtime work on work-related musculoskeletal disorders in male employees in the automobile manufacturing industry. Methods A total of 1 731 male employees with more than one year of working experience from an automobile manufacturing industry were selected as the research subjects using judgment sampling method. The Musculoskeletal Disorder Questionnaire was used to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorder. Employees were divided into control group and overtime group, and a 1∶1 matching was performed using propensity score matching method, and 573 pairs were successfully matched. The prevalence of WMSDs in various body parts was compared between the two groups. Results The overtime working rate of the research subjects was 34.2%, and the prevalence of WMSDs was 57.1%. Overtime work increased the risk of WMSDs in the neck, shoulders, upper back, lower back, ankle/feet, and overall body of the workers (all P<0.05), with the odd ratio and 95% confidence interval of 1.43 (1.10-1.85), 1.38 (1.06-1.80), 1.42 (1.07-1.89), 1.28 (1.01-1.62), 1.37 (1.01-1.87), and 1.49 (1.17-1.89), respectively. However, there was no association between overtime work and the risk of WMSDs in the elbows, hands/wrists, hips, and knees of the subjects (all P>0.05). Conclusion Overtime work increases the risk of WMSDs in the neck, shoulders, upper back, lower back, ankles/feet, and overall body of male employees in the automobile manufacturing industry. Enterprises should improve labor organization, reduce overtime work, and protect the health of workers.

Objective To investigate the influence of individual factors and labor organization factors on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in automobile manufacturing workers, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of WMSDs in automobile manufacturing workers. Methods In April 2020, 5564 workers in an automobile factory were selected by cluster sampling method. The prevalence of WMSDs was investigated by using the Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire, and the influence of individual factors and labor organization factors on WMSDs was investigated by using generalized estimation equation. Results The prevalence rate of WMSDs was 79.00% (4396/5564), and the prevalence rate of multisite WMSDs was 67.95% (3781/5564). The analysis of generalized estimation equation showed that doing the same job every day (OR= 1.478, P < 0.05), age ≥40 years (OR=1.416, P< 0.05), personnel shortage (OR= 1.356, P < 0.05), and work length of 6～10 years and 11～15 years (OR= 1.349, P< 0.05) were the main risk factors for WMSDs in automobile manufacturing workers. Shift work and working time > 40 hours per week increased the risk of WMSDs (P< 0.05). Male and adequate rest time were protective factors for WMSDs. The job correlation matrix showed that WMSDs in most parts had a positive correlation. Conclusions The prevalence of multisite WMSDs of workers in automobile manufacturing industry is high, and unreasonable labor organization is the main risk factor of WMSDs. Appropriate work breaks can effectively reduce the risk of WMSDs, and effective intervention measures should be carried out to prevent the occurrence of WMSDs in workers in automobile manufacturing industry. The generalized estimation equation can better analyze the influencing factors of WMSDs.

Objective To understand current epidemic trend of coronavirus disease-2019(COVID-19)in Anhui province in the optimization policy stage,and to analyze the pathogenic characteristics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)in different population.Methods Using a cross-sectional survey design,from December 19 to 20,2022,an online questionnaire survey was conducted among residents of Anhui province through the official Wechat public accounts of provincial and municipal institutions with high traffic,to collect infor-mation on the incidence and clinic situation of COVID-19.The chi-square test was used to compare the proportion of COVID-19 suspected symptoms in different regions,ages and occupations.Results A total of 69 014 question-naires were distributed and 68 232 valid questionnaires were recovered with an effective rate of 98.97％.The pro-portion of the participants with COVID-19 suspected symptoms in the past 2 weeks was 51.37％,of which 77.88％self-medicated at home.The top three cities were Bozhou,Fuyang and Bengbu.The age group of 15-59 had the highest proportion of COVID-19 suspected symptoms(51.96％).Among various occupations,service providers had the highest proportion of COVID-19 suspected symptoms(61.07％).70.20％of the respondents felt anxious about the infection of SARS-CoV-2 and thought it was more serious than the flu.Conclusion The relatively high number of the infected cases and the anxiety of the people are all challenges faced by Anhui province in the stage of optimizing policies.Under the new situation of the epidemic,it is necessary to continuously monitor the local preva-lent strains and strengthen the monitoring of clinical symptoms of the infected cases,and effectively control the speed of the virus spread through public health policies and various economic and publicity measures,so as not to cause a run on medical resources and excessive excess deaths.

Objective: To understand the awareness and service utilization of HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) among the young students aged 15-24 in Hefei, so as to provide reference for the prevention and treatment of AIDS among young students in the future. Methods: From May to June 2022, a stratified random cluster sampling method was used to select two different types of universities(undergraduate and vocational colleges) in Hefei, and a crosssectional survey was conducted among the 916 young students at the selected schools. The Chisquare test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Among the surveyed young students, 88.4% had heterosexual orientation, and 12.4% had sexual behavior including 8.8% of homosexual sexual behavior and 91.2% of heterosexual sexual behavior. The rate of condom use was 70.0% in the last homosexual intercourse, and the rate of condom use was 83.7% in the last heterosexual intercourse. About 41.9% of young students heard of PrEP, and the proportions of young students who knew about PrEP, consulted PrEP and used PrEP were 43.0%, 15.9% and 9.4% respectively. About 38.3% of young students had heard of PEP, and the proportions of young students who knew about PEP, consulted PEP and used PEP were 18.2%, 15.4% and 6.0%. Conclusions The awareness rate and utilization rate of PrEP and PEP among young students in Hefei are relatively low. PrEP and PEP publicity should be combined with education of HIV knowledge, and enhance the awareness rate of the young students, in order to reduce the risk of AIDS infection among young students with highrisk behaviors.

Objective: To investigate the awareness, sexual behavior characteristics and infection status of AIDS among male floating population in Anhui Province, so as to provide insights into formulating prevention and control measures for male floating population. Methods: Male floating population of three occupations including construction workers, enterprise workers, and business operators in Wuhu, Tongling, Hefei, and Fuyang cities were selected using stratified cluster random method from April to August 2021. Demographic information, knowledge of AIDS and high-risk behaviors were collected through questionnaires surveys. The results of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody testing were collected through laboratory tests. Awareness rate of AIDS knowledge, sexual behavior characteristics, and positive rates of HIV, syphilis, and HCV among male floating population of different occupations were analyzed. Results: A total of 1 616 people were enrolled, including 1 016 construction workers (62.87%), 253 enterprise workers (15.66%) and 347 business operators (21.47%), and had a mean age of (40.63±12.32) years. The overall awareness rate of AIDS knowledge among male floating population was 89.54%, the awareness rates of business operators, construction workers, and enterprise workers were 98.33%, 88.29% and 82.61%, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The proportions of consistent condom use during sexual intercourse with a spouse or cohabitant, during commercial sexual encounters, and with casual partners in the past year were 7.15% (91/1 273), 64.00% (16/25) and 50.00% (8/16), respectively. The proportions of construction workers, enterprise workers, and business operators who used condoms every time they had sexual behavior with their spouses/cohabitants in the past year were 4.54%, 11.63%, and 15.60%, respectively, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). One case of HIV, one case of syphilis, and three cases of HCV antibody were detected. Conclusion The overall awareness rate of AIDS knowledge among the male floating population in Anhui Province is relatively high, but unsafe sex behaviors exist, which may lead to the risk of HIV infection.

Objective:To investigate the occurrence of low back work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among workers in a container manufacturing factory, and to explore the influencing factors.Methods:In June 2022, 952 workers from a container factory were selected as the research objects by cluster random sampling. Through questionnaire survey, the incidence of low back WMSDs symptoms among workers in the past one year was collected, and the influencing factors of low back WMSDs were analyzed by logistic regression.Results:The incidence rate of low back WMSDs was 46.7% (445/952). The factors with higher exposure at work were frequent slight bending (77.0%, 733/952), frequent overtime (74.1%, 705/952), and the need to turn around while working (62.3%, 593/952). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age over 40 years old, smoking, drinking, often bending over slightly, sitting for a long time, maintaining a large bending posture for a long time, often working overtime, limited operating space, and there was always a need to complete conflicting things in the container manufacturing factory workers were the risks of increasing the low back WMSDs ( OR=1.68, 1.96, 2.47, 1.49, 1.84, 2.11, 1.90, 1.82, 2.00, P<0.05). Standing at work, always friendly colleagues, and always supportive and helpful leaders were protective factors for low back WMSDs ( OR=0.60, 0.32, 0.40, P<0.05) . Conclusion:The incidence of low back WMSDs symptoms in container manufacturing workers is high, and work-related factors such as frequent slight bending, long time holding large bending posture and limited operating space are the focus of ergonomic intervention in container manufacturing enterprises.

Objective:To explore the risk factors of neck work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among automobile manufacturing enterprise workers, and construct the risk prediction model.Methods:In May 2022, a cluster convenience sampling method was used to selet all front-line workers from an automobile manufacturing factory in Xiangyang City as the research objects. And a questionnaire survey was conducted using the modified Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire to analyze the occurrence and exposure to risk factors of neck WMSDs. Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of workers' neck WMSDs symptoms, and Nomogram column charts was used to construct the risk prediction model. The accuracy of the model was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the Bootstrap resampling method was used to verify the model, Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test was used to evaluate the model, and the Calibration curve was drawn.Results:A total of 1783 workers were surveyed, and the incidence of neck WMSDs symptoms was 24.8% (442/1783). Univariate logistic regression showed that age, female, smoking, working in uncomfortable postures, repetitive head movement, feeling constantly stressed at work, and completing conflicting tasks in work could increase the risk of neck WMSDs symptoms in automobile manufacturing enterprise workers ( OR=1.37, 95% CI: 1.16-1.62; OR=2.85, 95% CI: 1.56-5.20; OR=1.50, 95% CI: 1.18-1.91; OR=1.18, 95% CI: 1.02-1.37; OR=1.34, 95% CI: 1.04-1.72; OR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.21-2.17; OR=1.48, 95% CI: 1.13-1.92; P<0.05). While adequate rest time could reduce the risk of neck WMSDs symptoms ( OR=0.56, 95% CI: 0.52-0.86, P<0.05). The risk prediction model of neck WMSDs of workers in automobile manutacturing factory had good prediction efficiency, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.70-0.75, P<0.001) . Conclusion:The occurrence of neck WMSDs symptoms of workers in automobile manufacturing factory is relatively high. The risk prediction model constructed in this study can play a certain auxiliary role in predicting neck WMSDs symptoms of workers in automobile manufacturing enterprise workers.

Objective To investigate the effects of Shenqi Tiaoshen Formula(SQTSF)for alleviating airway inflammation in rats with both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)and lung-kidney qi deficiency syndrome and explore its therapeutic mechanism.Methods Forty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,low-,medium-,and high-dose SQTSF groups,and aminophylline(APL)group.In all but the control group,rat models of COPD with lung-kidney qi deficiency syndrome were established and treated with saline,SQTSF or APL via daily gavage as indicated(starting from day 30).The rats were observed for changes in body weight,grip strength,lung function,lung pathology,inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF),oxidative stress levels,iron ion metabolism,cellular and mitochondrial ultrastructural changes in the lung tissue,and expressions of Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway and ferroptosis-related proteins.Results The rats in the model group exhibited obvious symptoms of lung-kidney qi deficiency syndrome with significantly decreased body weight,grip strength,and lung function parameters.Examination of the lung tissue revealed showed significant inflammatory cell infiltration and emphysema with obvious bronchial,perivascular,and alveolar inflammation and alveolar destruction,significantly increased IL-1β,TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-13 levels in BALF,and elevated pulmonary oxidative stress levels and Fe2+and total iron ion concentrations.The rat models also showed characteristic ultrastructural changes of ferroptosis in the lung tissue cells under transmission electron microscope and significantly decreased Nrf2,GPX4,and SLC7A11 and increased ACSL4 expressions in the lung tissue.Treatment with SQTSF significantly improved these pathological changes in the rat models with a better effect than APL.Conclusion SQTSF can effectively improve airway inflammation and oxidative stress in COPD rats with lung-kidney qi deficiency possibly by inhibiting ferroptosis via regulating the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the therapeutic mechanism of Liuwei Buqi(LWBQ)Formula for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)in rat models.Methods SD rat models of COPD established by cigarette smoking combined with intratracheal lipopolysaccharide(LPS)instillation and hormone injection were treated with LWBQ Formula by gavage with or without intraperitoneal injection of MCC950 for 3 weeks,starting at the 5th week of modeling.After the treatments,the rats were examined for lung pathologies,lung function,total cell count and white blood cell count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF),and serum levels of IL-6,TNF-α,IL-18 and NO.The mRNA expressions of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1,GSDMD-N,IL-1β,and IL-18 in the lung tissue were detected with qRT-PCR.Results Compared with the normal control rats,the COPD rat models had severe lung pathologies and showed significantly decreased lung function,increased total cell and leukocyte subset counts in BALF,and increased serum levels of IL-6,TNF-α,IL-18 and NO and mRNA expressions of pyroptosis-related proteins in the lung tissue.Treatment of the rat models with LWBQ Formula significantly improved lung pathology and lung function,reduced total cell and leukocyte counts in BALF,and decreased serum levels of the inflammatory factors and expressions of pyroptosis-related proteins in the lung tissue.The combined treatment with MCC950 further improved lung pathology and function in spite of a significant difference,but BALF cell counts,serum inflammatory factor levels and pulmonary expressions of pyroptosis-related proteins were all significantly reduced following the treatment.Conclusion LWBQ Formula can delay the progression of COPD in rats possibly by inhibiting lung tissue pyroptosis via regulating the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pathway to reduce inflammatory response and lung damage.