Background Metals and metalloids in fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) may cause damage to the respiratory and circulatory systems of the human body, and long-term exposure is prone to causing chronic poisoning, cancer, and other adverse effects. Objective To assess the distribution characteristics of metals and metalloids in outdoor PM_2.5 in a southern city of China, conduct source apportionment, and evaluate the associated health risks, thereby providing theoretical support for further pollution control measures. Methods PM_2.5 samples were collected in districts A, B, and C of a southern China city, and the concentrations of 17 metals and metalloids were detected by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Pollution sources were assessed through enrichment factor and principal components analysis, and the main pollution sources were quantified using absolute principal component scores-multivariate linear regression (APCS-MLR). Health risks were evaluated based on the Technical guide for environmental health risk assessment of chemical exposure (WS/T777—2021). Results The ambient air PM_2.5 concentrations in the city were higher in winter and spring, and lower in summer and autumn. The annual average concentrations of ambient PM_2.5 in districts A, B, and C were 36.7, 31.9, and 24.4 μg·m⁻³, respectively. The ambient PM_2.5 levels in districts B and C were below the second-grade limit set by the Ambient air quality standards (GB 3095—2012). The enrichment factors of cadmium (Cd), aluminum (Al), and antimony (Sb) were greater than 10, those of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), and molybdenum (Mo) fell between 1 and 10, and those of manganese (Mn), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), barium (Ba), beryllium (Be), and uranium (U) were below or equal to 1. The comprehensive evaluation of source analysis showed that the main pollution sources in districts A and C and the whole city were coal-burning. In district B, the main pollution source was also coal combustion, followed by industrial process sources and dust sources. The carcinogenic risks of As and Cr were between 1×10⁻⁶ and 1×10⁻⁴. However, the hazard quotients for 15 metals and metalloids in terms of non-carcinogenic risk were below 1. Conclusion Cr and As in the atmospheric PM_2.5 of the city present a certain risk of cancer and should be paid attention to. In addition, preventive control measures should be taken against relevant pollution sources such as industrial emission, dust, and coal burning.

Objective To investigate the value of peripheral blood soluble interleukin-2 receptor(sIL-2R),CD4+lymphocyte percentage/CD8+lymphocyte percentage ratio(hereinafter referred to as CD4+/CD8+)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in evaluating the efficacy of chemotherapy in elderly patients with newly treated active pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods A total of 102 elderly patients with newly treated active tu-berculosis admitted to the hospital from December 2019 to December 2022 were enrolled in the study as the observation group,and 102 healthy people aged 60 and older who underwent physical examination in the hos-pital during the same period were enrolled as the control group.The levels of sIL-2R,TNF-α and CD4+/CD8+in peripheral blood were compared between the two groups,and the correlations between sIL-2R,TNF-α and CD4+/CD8+were analyzed.The observation group was treated with 2HRZE/4HR anti-tuberculosis treatment regimen.The levels of sIL-2R,TNF-α and CD4+/CD8+in peripheral blood of patients with different efficacy before treatment,1 month and 6 months after treatment in the observation group were compared.The correla-tion between sIL-2R,CD4+/CD8+,TNF-α levels and therapeutic effect was analyzed.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the efficacy of indicators in evaluating the efficacy of chemo-therapy in elderly patients.Results The levels of sIL-2R and TNF-α in the observation group were higher than those in the control group,while CD4+/CD8+was lower than that in the control group,and the differ-ences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).In the observation group,sIL-2R and TNF-α were negatively correlated with CD4+/CD8+(P＜0.05),sIL-2R was positively correlated with TNF-α(P＜0.05).After 1 month and 6 months of treatment,the levels of sIL-2R and TNF-α in patients with apparent efficacy were low-er than those in patients with efficacy,and the latter were lower than those in patients with no effect,while the CD4+/CD8+in patients with apparent efficacy was higher than that in patients with efficacy,and the latter was higher than that in patients with no efficacy,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The levels of sIL-2R and TNF-α were negatively correlated with the efficacy(P＜0.05),and CD4+/CD8+was positively correlated with the efficacy(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of sIL-2R,CD4+/CD8+,and TNF-α used in combination to assess efficacy was significantly greater than the AUCs of the single indicators used in the assessment at each time point of treatment(P＜0.05),and the AUC of the combination of the indicators was greater after 6 months of treatment than after 1 month of treatment(P＜0.05).Conclusion The levels of sIL-2R,CD4+/CD8+and TNF-α are closely related to the ef-ficacy of chemotherapy in elderly patients with newly treated active pulmonary tuberculosis,and the combina-tion of the above indicators has certain reference value in evaluating the efficacy of chemotherapy in patients.

Objective:To analyze the detection of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the multiple corresponding relationships of its risk factors in a middle-aged and young adult population undergoing health check-ups.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study conducted on 15 423 individuals aged between 18 and 59 who underwent health check-ups at the Health Management Center of Henan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January to December 2021. Relevant health examination data was collected, including basic information (age, gender, past medical history, smoking and alcohol consumption), physical examination, laboratory indicators such as blood lipids and blood glucose, and abdominal ultrasound results. The chi-square test was used to compare the prevalence of NAFLD among different characteristics of the population, and multiple correspondence analysis was employed for statistical analysis of related influencing factors.Results:A total of 5 859 cases of NAFLD were detected in this study, with a detection rate of 37.99%. The detection rate of NAFLD gradually increased with age ( χ2=828.841, P<0.001) and body mass index (BMI) ( χ2=1 889.809, P<0.001). The detection rates of NAFLD were higher in individuals with hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia, high low-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia, and hyperuricemia compared to those without these conditions ( χ2 value was 1 223.673, 364.808, 444.074, 2 436.765, 1 323.736, 591.478, and 943.069, respectively, all P<0.001). Multiple correspondence analysis revealed that NAFLD was closely related to hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, diabetes, hyperuricemia, overweight, obesity, and the age group of 45-49 years. Correspondence analysis graphs for males and females showed associations between NAFLD and hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperuricemia, overweight, and obesity. In males, NAFLD was closely related to the age group of 35-49 years, while in females, it was closely associated with the age group of 45-49 years and diabetes. Conclusions:The detection rate of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is relatively high in middle-aged and young adult populations. Males, those who are overweight or obese, and individuals with hypertension, diabetes, hyperuricemia, or abnormal blood lipids are more susceptible to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

ObjectiveTo understand the characteristics of PM_2.5 pollution in the air of Pearl River Delta city in Guangdong Province under the COVID-19 epidemic and the health risks of inhaling elements in PM_2.5. MethodsIn 2022， 10 PM_2.5 monitoring points were set up in 10 districts in Guangzhou， Shenzhen， Foshan and Zhuhai， and air samples were collected for 7 consecutive days every month to analyze the concentration of PM_2.5 and the 12 elements in PM_2.5. The classic "four-step" method was used to evaluate the carcinogenic risk and chronic non-carcinogenic risk of the elements in air PM_2.5 on health. The age-sensitive characteristics of metal elements were combined in the carcinogenic risk assessment， and age-sensitive factors were introduced to analyze the impact of air pollution on population health. ResultsA total of818 samples were collected. and the average annual PM_2.5 concentration in the four cities of the Pearl River Delta was 30.17 （1.00-166.00， s=21.06） μg·m^-3， which was lower than the concentration limit of the secondary standard of the Ambient Air Quality Standard （GB 3095-2012）. The difference of PM_2.5 concentration in the four cities was statistically significant. The PM_2.5 concentrations in Zhuhai and Shenzhen， which were located near the sea， were lower than those in Guangzhou and Foshan. The monthly mean concentration of PM_2.5 in the four cities was the lowest at 13.70 （4.00-34.00， s=5.93） μg·m^-3 in July and the highest at 57.73 （14.00-146.00， s=27.96） μg·m^-3 in January， showing a low concentration from May to October and a high concentration from November to April of the following year. The average daily PM_2.5 concentration exceeded the secondary standard for 29 days， mainly distributed in January and November. The average annual mass concentration of elements in PM_2.5 in the four cities was Al>Mn>Pb>As>Ni>Cr>Se>Sb>Cd>Tl>Be>Hg. AS and Mn have chronic non-carcinogenic risk in population， while Cr， AS， Cd， Be and Ni have carcinogenic risk in population. ConclusionThe PM_2.5 pollution levels of the four cities in the Pearl River Delta are low and variable. Coastal cities are lower than non-coastal cities， which shows the characteristics of first decreasing and then increasing throughout the year. The order of mass concentration of metal elements of PM_2.5 in four cities is basically the same except Be and Ni. As and Mn in PM_2.5 show a certain degree of chronic non-carcinogenic risk， and As， Cr， Cd， Ni and Be have a certain degree of carcinogenic risk. The four cities need to take effective intervention measures to continue to strengthen the pollution control and health protection of Cr， As， Cd and Mn in the air， and control the health burden caused by air pollution.

Based on the original data of cervical spine,the models of cervical C6 and C7 segments were reconstructed through medical image processing and reverse modeling operations,then the models were assembled to obtain the basic data of interbody fusion cage.According to the basic data,the structures of rectangular porous,gradient porous and octahedral porous interbody fusion cages were established respectively.Maximum force on the adult male neck was applied to the fusion device,and the stress,strain and maximum deformation of the fusion device were solved by finite element analysis.The elastic modulus decrease of the design,and the rectangular porosity structures with different porosity were analyzed and optimized.The results showed that the elastic modulus of the fusion cage with three structures decreased in varying degrees,and the porosity of the interbody fusion cage with rectangular structure was about 60％,which was the most decreased elastic modulus.

Venous thromboembolism(VTE)is a prevalent complication in orthopedics.In recent years,machine learning has been widely applied in orthopedics.The essence of machine learning lies in utilizing algorithms to analyze vast amounts of data and construct risk prediction models that can accurately forecast unknown clinical outcomes.By integrating high-risk factors,machine learning aids medical professionals in precisely identifying and screening individuals with a high risk of VTE and offering them timely individualized interventions.This article reviews the concept and classification of machine learning,the advantages of machine learning in enhancing model prediction ability,and the current application status of machine learning in constructing risk prediction models for patients with VTE.

Objective:To investigate the effect of etomidate combined with lumbar plexus sciatic nerve block in the surgery of upper femoral fractures in elderly patients.Methods:A total of 64 elderly patients who underwent surgery for upper femoral fractures at the Huaibei Miner General Hospital from April 2021 to April 2023 were selected as the study subjects. They were randomly divided into group A and group B using a random number table method, with 32 patients in each group. Group A received propofol induced anesthesia and continuous inhalation of sevoflurane to maintain anesthesia, while group B received etomidate induced anesthesia and continuous infusion to maintain anesthesia. Both groups underwent lumbar plexus sciatic nerve block before general anesthesia induction. Two groups were compared in terms of surgical time, postoperative recovery time, intraoperative use of epinephrine, perioperative hemodynamic indicators (heart rate, diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure), sensory nerve block, motor nerve block, postoperative cognitive function and pain level, adverse reactions, and complications.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in surgical time between the two groups of patients ( P>0.05); The postoperative recovery time of group A patients was shorter than that of group B, and the proportion of epinephrine use was higher than that of group B (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in heart rate, diastolic blood pressure, and systolic blood pressure between the two groups of patients before anesthesia ( P>0.05); There was no statistically significant difference in heart rate between the two groups of patients at 15 minutes after anesthesia (T 2) and 60 minutes after surgery (T 3) (all P>0.05); The diastolic and systolic blood pressure of both groups of patients at T 2 and T 3 were lower than before anesthesia (T 1), and group A was lower than group B (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the onset and maintenance time of sensory nerve block and motor nerve block between the two groups of patients (all P>0.05). The postoperative Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores of both groups of patients were lower than those before surgery ( P<0.05); And the postoperative MMSE score in group A was lower than that in group B ( P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative adverse reactions and complications in group A was higher than that in group B ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The implementation of etomidate combined with lumbar plexus sciatic nerve block anesthesia in the surgery of upper femoral fractures in elderly patients can effectively stabilize the perioperative hemodynamics of patients, reduce postoperative damage to cognitive function, and achieve good intraoperative anesthesia effect and safety.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the role of air pollutants in the development and exacerbation of autoimmune rheumatic diseases.Methods:We followed PRISMA guidelines and searched EMBASE, Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases using keywords and MeSH terms from inception to July 2019. Observational studies reporting the relationship between autoimmune rheumatic diseases and exposure to certain air pollutants were included. Screening of literature according to established inclusion and exclusion criteria. No meta-analysis but the qualitative analysis was conducted due to the high methodological heterogeneity.Results:A total of 24 studies were included. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) ( n=6), anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) ( n=1), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) ( n=1), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) ( n=3), childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) ( n=3), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) ( n=2), Kawasaki disease (KD) ( n=4), systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD) ( n=4). The results of the study suggested that short-term elevation in particulate matter (PM)2.5 concentration was possibly associated with an increased risk of SLE and cSLE flare-ups, disease activity of AS, JIA and SARDs exacerbation. Studies demonstrated an increased risk of RA with cumulative exposure to carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), ozone (O 3), and sulfur dioxide (SO 2). Only one study demonstrated an increased risk of KD admission with elevated O 3 levels. No association was found between AAV and ambient air pollution. Conclusion:Air pollution is likely to be involved in the development and exacerbation of certain autoimmune diseases. At the same time, the mechanism of autoimmune diseases of ambient air pollutants should be actively studied, so as to promote the early prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

In recent years, the issue of end-of-life decision making has received broad attention. More and more people have been appealing for the respect for terminal patients’ wishes in decision making. Many scholars have proposed the application of advance medical decision to ensure the autonomy of terminally ill patients. Given that advance medical decision does not have legal effect in China, the Beijing Health Law Society proposed the "Expert Consensus on Legal Issues Related to End-of-life Decision Making" in July 2022. This consensus provides clear guidance on how to make medical decisions for terminally ill patients, based on the principle of respecting the patient’s wishes within the framework of current laws and regulations. The consensus aims to provide guidance for both doctors and patients about how to respect patients’ own wishes and protect their autonomy, as well as to provide reference for future law and policy formulation on related issues.

Objective:To investigate the effects of early-life (intrauterine and breastfeeding period) exposure to angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor autoantibody (AT 1-AA) on lipid metabolism in offspring rats. Methods:Thirty-two AT 1-AA negative healthy nonpregnant specific pathogen free female Sprague Dawley rats weighing 150-170 g were randomly divided into two groups. Those in the immune group ( n=16) were subcutaneously injected with the mixture of an equal volume of Freund's adjuvant and the second extracellular loop of human-derived angiotensin Ⅱ receptor type 1 (AT1R-ECⅡ) repeatedly to establish the AT 1-AA-positive rat model by active immunization and those in the control group ( n=16) with normal saline solution. Before each immunization, blood samples were collected from the tail of rats to detect serum AT 1-AA levels of those rats in both groups, and the AT 1-AA-positive rat model was successfully established when the serum AT 1-AA was positive and its level reached a plateau. After eight weeks of immunization, the female rats in the two groups were mated with healthy AT 1-AA-negative male rats to conceive. Serum samples were collected from the maternal and offspring rats at the gestation of 18 days (G18), postnatal 21 days (P21), and from the normally fed offspring rats from the time of weaning to 12 weeks old (W12). Active immunization was not performed on the offspring throughout the experiment. The serum AT 1-AA levels of maternal and offspring rats were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and serum AT1-AA was positive when the ratio of AT1-AA level of the immune group over the control group ≥2.1. The blood lipid levels of maternal and offspring rats were measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer. Serum AT 1-AA levels, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [instead of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)], low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and free fatty acid levels of the offspring and maternal rats were determined for correlation analysis. Two independent sample t-test, linear regression analysis, and analysis of variance were adopted for statistical analysis. Results:(1) The serum levels of AT 1-AA in maternal rats at G18 and P21 in the immune group were significantly higher than those in the control group (G18: 1.170±0.190 vs 0.114±0.016, t=14.64; P21: 0.988±0.283 vs 0.084±0.006, t=9.57; both P<0.001). (2) The serum levels of AT 1-AA in the offspring at G18 and P21 in the immune group were significantly higher than those in the control group (offspring at G18: 0.948±0.220 vs 0.105±0.010, t=10.10; male offspring at P21: 0.758±0.273 vs 0.080±0.002, t=7.46; female offspring at P21: 0.774±0.274 vs 0.084±0.005, t=7.55; all P<0.001), which showed a positive correlation with those in maternal rats at the same period (offspring at G18: R=0.78; male offspring at P21: R=0.82; female offspring at P21: R=0.82; all P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the serum AT 1-AA level in offspring at W12 between the immune and control group ( P>0.05). (3) The serum levels of TC at G18 and P21, and HDL at P21 in maternal rats in the immune group were all higher than those in the control group [TC at G18: (2.36±0.32) vs (1.95±0.24) mmol/L, t=2.70; P21: (2.82±0.50) vs (2.18±0.26) mmol/L, t=3.41; HDL at P21: (1.94±0.33) vs (1.57±0.23) mmol/L, t=2.80; all P<0.05]. (4) Compared with the offspring in the control group, there was no significant change in lipid metabolism at G18 and W12 in the offspring in the immune group (both P>0.05). The serum levels of TC and HDL in male and female offspring at P21 in the immune group were higher than their counterparts in the control[TC in male offspring: (2.38±0.52) vs (1.83±0.30) mmol/L, t=2.73; HDL in male offspring: (1.44±0.32) vs (1.07±0.18) mmol/L, t=2.98; TC in female offspring: (2.50±0.72) vs (1.70±0.26) mmol/L, t=3.16; HDL in female offspring: (1.41±0.33) vs (1.00±0.14) mmol/L, t=3.41; all P<0.05]. (5) The serum levels of TC and HDL in male and female offspring at P21 in the immune group showed no correlation with those in maternal rats at P21 (all R<0.5, all P>0.05). The serum levels of HDL in male and female offspring at P21 in the immune group had a positive correlation with their own serum TC levels (male offspring: R=0.98; female offspring: R=0.97; both P<0.001) and also with their own serum AT 1-AA levels (male offspring: R=0.74, P=0.023; female offspring: R=0.91, P=0.001). The serum levels of TC in male and female offspring at P21 in the immune group had a positive correlation with their serum AT 1-AA levels (male offspring: R=0.72, P=0.030; female offspring: R=0.90, P=0.001). Conclusion:The early-life exposure to AT 1-AA may cause abnormal expression of TC and HDL in offspring rats.