Background Coal workers' pneumoconiosis is a serious occupational disease in China. Exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can serve as the "breath fingerprint" of internal pathological processes, which provides a theoretical basis for exhaled VOCs to be used as potential non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Objective To screen out the characteristic VOCs and important characteristic VOCs of exhaled air in patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and to explore the potential of these VOCs as biomarkers for early non-invasive diagnosis of the disease. Methods In this study, 27 VOCs in the exhaled breath of 22 patients with stage I coal workers' pneumoconiosis, 77 workers exposed to dust, and 92 healthy controls were quantitatively detected by thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). Substances with P<0.05 in univariate analysis and variable importance projection (VIP) >1 in supervised orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model were selected as the characteristic VOCs for early diagnosis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Age was included in the LASSO regression model as a covariate to screen out important characteristic VOCs, and the diagnostic performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Spearman correlation was further used to explore the correlation between important characteristic VOCs and clinical lung function indicators. Results Through univariate analysis and OPLS-DA modeling, 8 VOCs were selected, including 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, n-hexane, methylcyclopentane, n-heptane, methylcyclohexane, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and 2-hexanone, in exhaled breath of patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis. The concentrations of 4 VOCs, including 3-methylpentane, n-hexane, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and 2-hexanone, showed a decreasing trend with the increase of dust exposure years. By LASSO regression, the important characteristic VOCs of the coal workers' pneumoconiosis group and the dust exposure group were n-hexane, methylcyclohexane and 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and the important characteristic VOCs of the coal workers' pneumoconiosis group and the healthy group were 2-methyl-pentane and 4-methyl-2-pentanone. The ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of n-hexane, methylcyclohexane, and 4-methyl-2-pentanone were 0.969, 0.909, and 0.956, respectively, and the AUC of combined diagnosis was 0.988 and its Youden index was 0.961, suggesting that these results can serve as a valuable reference for further research on early diagnosis. The Correlation analysis found that there was a positive correlation between n-hexane and lung function indicators in the important characteristic VOCs, indicating that it could indirectly reflect the obstruction of lung function ventilation, further proving that important characteristic VOCs have the potential to monitor lung function decline. Conclusion Three important characteristic VOCs selected in this study have the potential to be used as non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease monitoring of coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and are worthy of further study and verification.

Objective To investigate the mid- to long-term follow-up results of ascending aorta (AAO)-descending thoracic aorta (DTA) bypass grafting via median sternotomy incision for the treatment of complex aortic arch coarctation. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with complex aortic arch coarctation who underwent AAO-DTA bypass grafting via median sternotomy incision at the First Hospital of Tsinghua University from August 2004 to May 2017. Results A total of 7 patients were enrolled, including 4 males and 3 females, aged (13.3±4.6) years, and weighted (40.2±12.2) kg. Six (85.7%) patients had concomitant upper limb hypertension. Four patients were aortic arch coarctation combined with intracardiac malformations, two were post-operative restenosis, and 1 was post-operative restenosis combined with intracardiac malformation. All patients underwent surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. There were no perioperative deaths or major complications. The pre-operative upper-lower limb pressure difference was (39.3±19.2) mm Hg, which decreased to (2.9±2.7) mm Hg post-operatively (P<0.01). The follow-up period was (14.9±5.9) years. There were no long-term deaths or artificial graft-related complications. Except for one patient who still had mild hypertension, the blood pressure of the remaining patients returned to normal. Conclusion AAO-DTA bypass grafting via median sternotomy incision for the treatment of complex aortic arch coarctation can effectively reduce upper limb blood pressure and the upper-lower limb arterial pressure difference, has fewer complications, and demonstrates satisfactory mid- to long-term efficacy.

AIM: To analyze the clinical characteristics of acute acquired concomitant esotropia(AACE)in patients among different age groups.METHODS: Retrospective analysis of clinical data. A total of 112 non-Swan type AACE patients who underwent surgery at Peking University People's Hospital from January 2015 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical data were collected and the characteristics were compared, including gender, age, diopter, duration of disease, daily time spent on near work, angles of deviation before and after surgery, stereopsis, etc. According to age, patients were divided into three groups: <18 years old group(22 cases), 18-45 years old group(67 cases), and >45 years old group(23 cases). The clinical characteristics of patients were compared in each group.RESULTS: A total of 112 patients were included in the study, comprising 56 males and 56 females, with a median age of 29.50(19.25, 41.75)years old. Among them, 97 patients had myopia(86.6%). There were 93 patients(83.0%)who spent more than 8 h on near work. The age group <18 years old had the shortest duration before surgery, with a median time of 1.00(0.50, 1.00)a, the minimum negative diopter, with a median diopter of -0.75(-3.19, -0.56)D in the right eye and the diopter of -1.25(-2.81, -0.75)D in the left eye, and the maximum preoperative near angle of deviation, with a median angle of 30.00(18.50, 80.00)PD, and the maximum preoperative distant angle of deviation, with a median angle of 35.00(23.75, 80.00)PD. All these differences were statistically significant compared with other two groups(both P<0.05). For the age group from 18 to 45 years old, the median near angle of deviation was 20.00(14.00, 30.00)PD, and the median distant angle of deviation was 25.00(20.00, 35.00)PD, both of which were higher than those in the age group >45 years old(both P<0.05). For the age group >45 years old, the median near angle of deviation after surgery was -4.50(-7.50, 0)PD, and the median distant angle of deviation after surgery was 4.50(0, 9.50)PD, which were smaller than those in other two groups(all P<0.05). The age group >45 years old had the hiughest surgical success rate(100%). The preoperative stereopsis was better in age group >45 years old than the group <18 years old(P<0.05). The postoperative stereopsis of the age group of 18 to 45 years old and the age group >45 years old was better than age group <18 years old(both P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Surgical patients with AACE are mainly in the age group from 18 to 45 years old. The characteristic of angle of deviation is that distant angle of deviation is greater than near angle of deviation. The patients <18 years old have larger preoperative angles of deviation than adults, while their stereoacuity is worse than adults in the early postoperative period. It is recommended that augmented-dose surgery should be performed in AACE patients who are in the age group of 18 to 45 years old(5-10 PD). A conservative surgery should be designed for hyperopia young children without established binocular vision.

Objective To synthesize bovine serum albumin(BSA)-loaded liraqlutide(Lir)-nanoparticles coated with platelet membrane fragments(PMF)using a"bottom-up"nano-engineering chemistry technique,and to evaluate their cyto-compatibility and potential function of anti-oxidative stress.Methods PMF was extracted as reported previously.Lir@BSA nanoparticles were prepared by self-assembly method.PMF was coated on the sur-face of Lir@BSA nanoparticles by co-extrusion to prepare Lir@BSA-PMF.The physical and chemical properties of Lir@BSA-PMF particles were characterized as particle size,Zeta potential,transmission electron microscopy and particle size stability.The encapsulation efficiency,loading efficiency and cumulative release efficiency of liraglu-tide were calculated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Further,SDS-PAGE was used to analyze whether there was a similar membrane protein distribution of platelet membrane on Lir@BSA-PMF bionicnanocarrier.CCK-8 assay was used to verify the biocompatibility of the materials.Reactive oxygen species(ROS)experi-ment was used to explore the effect of Lir@BSA-PMF on cell oxidative damage.The uptake of cells on Lir@BSA-PMF bionic nano capsules was verified by cell phagocytosis experiment.Results Lir@BSA-PMF nanop-articles had a stable particle size of 25 nm with a spherical morphology,and a Zeta potential value of-25.5 mV.The encapsulation efficiency,loading efficiency and cumulative release efficiency of liraglutide were 85.56％,7.96％and 77.06％,respectively.SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the Lir@BSA-PMF bio-mimetic nano capsules retained the similar membrane protein distribution as platelet membrane.CCK-8 assay verified that the nanomaterials were non-cytotoxic.ROS results showed that Lir@BSA-PMF nanomaterials had obvious antioxidant properties.The results of cell phagocytosis showed that the cells had a good phagocytosis effect on Lir@BSA-PMF nanoparticles.Conclusions The nanoparticles Lir@BSA-PMF are successfully syn-thesized and have no effects on cells viability in vitro.The particles are taken up by cells and show a significant function of antioxidant damage.

Coronary artery calcifications (CAC) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). It has been revealed that this condition can be automatically quantified through computerize tomographic (CT) scan contained in radiotherapy plan for patients with breast cancer, with which, physicians can identify the patients with increased risk of CVD after radiotherapy prematurely and take intervention measures in advance. In this article, the current literature and research progress on the correlation between CAC and cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer after radiotherapy were reviewed, expecting to provide a strategy to reduce the CVD risk in patients with breast cancer after radiotherapy.

Iron is an indispensable nutritional element for human growth and development. It has a protective effect on cardiovascular. The changes and metabolism of iron can affect the physiological and pathological state of the body. Current research has confirmed that iron overload will promote the synthesis of cholesterol and increase lipid metabolism disorders. Lipid metabolic disorders in the body easily induce the occurrence and development of related metabolic diseases, and increase the hidden dangers of the outbreak of relevant risk factors. This article reviews iron and lipid metabolic and other metabolic diseases and natural products to prevent diseases through iron metabolic pathway, which aims to provide more powerful references for in-depth research on the mechanism of metabolic diseases and related diseases and target drug research and development.

Background::Ebstein’s anomaly (EA) is a rare and complex congenital heart anomaly, and the effect of surgical treatment is not ideal. This study aims to introduce our experience in management strategies, surgical techniques, and operative indications for patients with Ebstein’s anomaly.Methods::A retrospective study of 258 operations was performed in 253 patients by the same cardiac surgeon in The First Hospital of Tsinghua University between March 2004 and January 2020. 32 patients had previously received cardiac surgery in other hospitals. The clinical data including diagnosis, operative indications, techniques, pathological changes, and survival rates were collected and analyzed.Results::Anatomical correction was performed in 203 (78.7%) operations, 1? ventricle repair in 38 (14.7%) operations, tricuspid valve repair only in four operations (1.6%), tricuspid valve replacement in ten (3.9%), total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) in two (0.8%), and Glenn operation in one operation (0.4%). Reoperation was performed in five patients (2.0%) during hospitalization. Among them, tricuspid valve replacement was performed in one patient, 1? ventricle repair in two patients, and tricuspid valve annulus reinforcement in two patients. Five patients died with an early mortality rate of 2.0%. Complete atrioventricular conduction block was complicated in one patient (0.4%). A total of 244 patients was followed up (four in the 253 patients lost) with a duration of 3.0-168.0 (87.6 ± 38.4) months. Cardiac function of 244 patients improved significantly with mean New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class recovery from 3.5 to 1.1. The mean grade of tricuspid valve regurgitation improved from 3.6 to 1.5. Three late deaths (1.2%) occurred. The survival rates at five and ten years after surgery were 98.6% and 98.2%, respectively. Reoperation was performed in five patients (2.0%) during the follow-up period.Conclusion::Based on our management strategies and operative principles and techniques, anatomical correction of EA is capable of achieving excellent long-term results, and low rates of TCPC, 1? ventricle repair and valvular replacement.

Objective:To analyze the monitoring results of national brucellosis monitoring sites in Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province, and to provide a basis for scientific evaluation of prevention and control effects.Methods:From the "Disease Surveillance Information Report Management System", the surveillance results of national brucellosis surveillance sites (Pingyao County) in Jinzhong City from 2013 to 2021 were summarized and descriptive analysis was carried out.Results:From 2013 to 2021, a total of 996 cases of brucellosis were reported at the national brucellosis monitoring sites in Jinzhong City. A total of 3 538 serum samples were collected from key occupational groups, of which 161 were positive for brucellosis, with a positive rate of 4.55%. Among them, new cases accounted for 55.28% (89/161) and latent infections accounted for 21.74% (35/161). The annual serological test positive rate fluctuated between 1.19% and 20.55%. Except for 2014, the positive rate in all other years was less than 5.00%, and there was a statistically significant difference in positive rates between different years (χ 2 = 222.89, P < 0.001). The monitoring sites covered all townships within the jurisdiction (5 towns and 8 townships), and there was a statistically significant difference in positive rates among different townships (χ 2 = 26.45, P = 0.009). There was a statistically significant difference in positive rates among different occupations (χ 2 = 27.35, P < 0.001), with higher positive rates for veterinarians (5.41%, 2/37) and herders (4.76%, 29/609), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in positive rates among different age groups (χ 2 = 42.97, P < 0.001), with a higher positive rate of 7.04% (104/1 477) in the 50 to 59 year old group. It can be seen from the scatter plot that the reported incidence rate did not increase linearly with the increase of serological positive rate. Conclusions:Except for 2014, the positive rate of serological tests for brucellosis at the national brucellosis monitoring sites in Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province has remained basically stable in other years. All townships in Pingyao County have an epidemic of brucellosis, and the 50 - 59 year old group and high-risk occupational groups are susceptible to it. The representatives of the monitoring results is not good, and it is recommended that the monitoring sites should strictly control the inclusion of the monitoring objects.

Objective:To analyze the epidemic dynamics and characteristics of human brucellosis in Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province, and to provide scientific basis for formulating prevention and control measures.Methods:Brucellosis epidemic data from "China Disease Prevention and Control Information System" from 2013 to 2020 and the surveillance data of brucellosis prevention and control in Jinzhong City over the years were collected, and the epidemiological characteristics, serological and pathogenic monitoring results of brucellosis in Jinzhong City were analyzed.Results:A total of 5 235 cases of brucellosis were reported in Jinzhong City from 2013 to 2020, with an average annual incidence of 19.60/100 000. There was a statistically significant difference in the annual incidence of each year (χ 2 = 561.09, P < 0.001). Pingyao County had the largest number of reported cases (903 cases), and Yushe County had the highest incidence (59.78/100 000). The incidence was observed in every month of the past years, with significant seasonal onset, the peak of the incidence was from March to July, accounting for 60.50% (3 167/5 235). The majority of the patients were male, aged 20 - 60 years, and farmers, accounting for 81.07% (4 244/5 235), 85.06% (4 453/5 235) and 81.34% (4 258/5 235), respectively. Epidemiological investigation revealed 33 522 high-risk occupational groups. Serological examination was performed in 24 544 people, with a positive rate of 4.45% (1 091/24 544). In 263 pathogenic culture samples, 52 strains of Brucella were found, with a detection rate of 19.77%, all of them were sheep type 3. Conclusions:In recent years, the epidemic of brucellosis in Jinzhong City has shown a sporadic trend, with significant regional differences in the incidence. The occupational population is still the focus of prevention and control. It is suggested to carry out occupational population monitoring, do a good job in health education and behavioral intervention, timely learn about the epidemic dynamics, and effectively control the brucellosis epidemic.

NDFIP1 has been previously reported as a tumor suppressor in multiple solid tumors, but the function of NDFIP1 in NSCLC and the underlying mechanism are still unknown. Besides, the WW domain containing proteins can be recognized by NDFIP1, resulted in the loading of the target proteins into exosomes. However, whether WW domain-containing transcription regulator 1 (WWTR1, also known as TAZ) can be packaged into exosomes by NDFIP1 and if so, whether the release of this oncogenic protein via exosomes has an effect on tumor development has not been investigated to any extent. Here, we first found that NDFIP1 was low expressed in NSCLC samples and cell lines, which is associated with shorter OS. Then, we confirmed the interaction between TAZ and NDFIP1, and the existence of TAZ in exosomes, which requires NDFIP1. Critically, knockout of NDFIP1 led to TAZ accumulation with no change in its mRNA level and degradation rate. And the cellular TAZ level could be altered by exosome secretion. Furthermore, NDFIP1 inhibited proliferation in vitro and in vivo, and silencing TAZ eliminated the increase of proliferation caused by NDFIP1 knockout. Moreover, TAZ was negatively correlated with NDFIP1 in subcutaneous xenograft model and clinical samples, and the serum exosomal TAZ level was lower in NSCLC patients. In summary, our data uncover a new tumor suppressor, NDFIP1 in NSCLC, and a new exosome-related regulatory mechanism of TAZ.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/metabolism* ; Carrier Proteins/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Lung Neoplasms/genetics* ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Transcriptional Coactivator with PDZ-Binding Motif Proteins/metabolism*