Objective To understand the individual radiation dose levels and changes of occupational external exposure among radiation workers in a steel group from 2020 to 2023, and to provide a basis for strengthening radiation protection in the group. Methods According to the Specifications for individual monitoring of occupational external exposure (GBZ 128-2019), individual monitoring was conducted using a thermoluminescent dosimeter, with each monitoring cycle lasting 90 days, totaling four cycles per year. Individual monitoring data of occupational external exposure among radiation workers in the steel group from 2020 to 2023 were collected for statistical analysis. Results A total of 5889 monitoring records were collected from radiation workers across 37 affiliated units of the steel group during the period of 2020-2023. The average annual effective dose was 0.150 mSv, the maximum annual effective dose was 3.84 mSv, and 0.3% monitored workers showed annual effective doses exceeding 1 mSv. The average annual effective dose in 2023 was 0.146 mSv, which was lower than in 2020 but higher than in 2021 and 2022 (Z = −6.657 to 14.129, P < 0.001). The number of monitored workers in industrial and medical sectors accounted for 86.9% and 13.1%, respectively. Their average annual effective doses were 0.152 mSv and 0.140 mSv, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (Z = −7.969, P < 0.001). In the industrial sector, the average annual effective dose for the monitored workers in industrial radiography was significantly higher than other occupations (Z = −8.094, P < 0.001). There was a significant difference in average annual effective dose among workers of different occupational categories in the medical sector (H = 67.040, P < 0.001). The average annual effective doses were relatively high for diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine. Additionally, the average annual effective doses for male and female radiation workers were 0.150 mSv and 0.152 mSv, respectively (P > 0.05). Conclusion The average annual effective dose of radiation workers in the steel group was at low levels for four consecutive years, which meet the requirements of the national standard. However, to maintain the individual radiation dose levels of radiation workers as low as reasonably achievable, it remains necessary to strengthen radiation protection management in the steel group.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of the modified vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in repairing the skin and soft tissue defect after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer.Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. From June 2019 to July 2022, five male patients with low rectal cancer who were conformed to the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Basic Surgery of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, with ages ranging from 65 to 70 years and the sizes of the perianal skin ulcers ranging from 5 cm×4 cm to 11 cm×9 cm, and all of them underwent abdominoperineal resection. The secondary skin and soft tissue defects in the perineum with an area of 8 cm×6 cm-14 cm×12 cm (with the depth of pelvic floor dead space being 10-15 cm) were repaired intraoperatively with transplantation of modified vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps with the skin area being 9 cm×7 cm-16 cm×12 cm, the volume of the muscle being 18 cm×10 cm×5 cm-20 cm×12 cm×5 cm, and the vessel pedicle being 18-20 cm in length. During the operation, most of the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle was retained, the flap was transferred to the recipient area through the abdominal cavity, the remaining anterior sheaths of the rectus abdominis muscle on both sides of the donor area were repeatedly folded and sutured, the free edge of the transverse fascia of the abdomen was sutured with the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle, and the donor area skin was directly sutured. After the operation, the survival of the transplanted myocutaneous flap was observed. The occurrence of complications in the perineal recipient area was recorded within 2 weeks after the operation. The recovery of the perineal recipient area and the abdominal donor area was observed during follow-up, and the occurrence of complications in the donor area of the abdomen as well as the recurrence of tumors and metastasis were recorded.Results:All transplanted myocutaneous flaps in 5 patients survived after surgery. One patient had dehiscence of the incision in the perineal recipient area 2 days after surgery, which healed after 7 d with intermittent dressing changes and routine vacuum sealing drainage treatment. In the other 4 patients, no complications such as incisional rupture, incisional infection, or fat liquefaction occurred in the perineal recipient area within 2 weeks after surgery. Follow-up for 6-12 months after discharge showed that the skin of the perineal recipient area had good color, texture, and elasticity, and was not bloated in appearance; linear scars were left in the perineal recipient area and the abdominal donor area without obvious scar hyperplasia or hyperpigmentation; no complications such as incisional rupture, incisional infection, intestinal adhesion, intestinal obstruction, or weakening of the abdominal wall strength occurred in the abdominal donor area, and the abdominal appearance was good with no localized bulge or formation of abdominal hernia; there was no local recurrence of tumor or metastasis in any patient.Conclusions:The surgical approach of using the modified vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap to repair the skin and soft tissue defects after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer is relatively simple in operation, can achieve good postoperative appearances of the donor and recipient areas with few complications, and is worthy of clinical promotion.

Background Emerging evidence has shown the damage of air pollution and the benefits of physical activity to human health, and the effects of air pollution and physical activity on the nervous system need more research. Objective To explore the effects of short-term air pollution exposure and physical activity on neural damage biomarkers in healthy elderly. Methods Using a design of panel study, physically and mentally healthy retired employees were recruited from Xinxiang Medical University, and were followed up five times regularly from December 2018 to April 2019. The demographic characteristics and physical activity information were obtained by questionnaire, and the weekly physical activity level was calculated according to intensity and duration of physical activity. Biomarkers of neural damage in serum were measured, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurofilament light chain (NF-L), neuron specific enolase (NSE), protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5), and S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B). Air pollution data (including PM_2.5, PM₁₀, O₃, SO₂, CO, and NO₂) of the follow-up period were collected. Generalized estimation equation was used to analyze the association of air pollution concentration and physical activity level with the concentration of neural damage biomarkers. Results A total of 29 volunteers were included in the study, with an average age of (63.5±5.9) years; there were 11 men accounting for 37.93%; more than half of them (62.07%) received above junior middle school education; the mean physical activity level was (80.23±54.51) MET-h·week⁻¹. The daily average concentrations of PM_2.5, PM₁₀, O₃, SO₂, CO, and NO₂ during the study period were (68.27±60.98) μg·m⁻³, (130.57±58.71) μg·m⁻³, (36.86±13.89) μg·m⁻³, (17.86±10.59) μg·m⁻³, (4.94±1.34) mg·m⁻³, and (50.83±8.03) μg·m⁻³, respectively. The average serum concentrations of BDNF, NF-L, NSE, PGP9.5, and S100B were (139.12±46.71) μg·L⁻¹, (402.60±183.31) ng·L⁻¹, (11.26±10.32) ng·L⁻¹, (14.32±13.57) ng·L⁻¹, and (127.57±41.74) ng·L⁻¹, respectively. The results of generalized estimation equation showed that a higher concentration of PM_2.5 or O₃ was associated with increased serum NSE (OR=1.359, 95%CI: 1.224-1.509, P<0.001; OR=1.286, 95%CI: 1.076-1.537, P=0.006), while a higher concentration of NO₂ was associated with decreased serum NSE (OR=0.692, 95%CI: 0.549-0.873, P=0.002); a higher concentration of O₃ or SO₂ was related to the reduction of serum NF-L concentration (OR=0.855, 95%CI: 0.740-0.989, P=0.035; OR=0.813, 95%CI: 0.700-0.946, P=0.007); a higher concentration of NO₂ was associated with decreased PGP9.5 in serum (OR=0.866, 95%CI: 0.777-0.965, P=0.009); a higher level of physical activity was associated with increased serum S100B (OR=1.038, 95%CI: 1.003-1.074, P=0.034); and no significant association of physical activity level or air pollution with BDNF (P>0.05). Conclusion Acute exposure to air pollution and high-level physical activity might affect the neural damage of elderly populations. Specifically, particulate matter (PM_2.5) could increase NSE, while gaseous pollutants (O₃, NO₂, and SO₂) could decrease NF-L and PGP9.5.

Metformin is currently a strong candidate anti-tumor agent in multiple cancers. However, its anti-tumor effectiveness varies among different cancers or subpopulations, potentially due to tumor heterogeneity. It thus remains unclear which hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient subpopulation(s) can benefit from metformin treatment. Here, through a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9-based knockout screen, we find that DOCK1 levels determine the anti-tumor effects of metformin and that DOCK1 is a synthetic lethal target of metformin in HCC. Mechanistically, metformin promotes DOCK1 phosphorylation, which activates RAC1 to facilitate cell survival, leading to metformin resistance. The DOCK1-selective inhibitor, TBOPP, potentiates anti-tumor activity by metformin in vitro in liver cancer cell lines and patient-derived HCC organoids, and in vivo in xenografted liver cancer cells and immunocompetent mouse liver cancer models. Notably, metformin improves overall survival of HCC patients with low DOCK1 levels but not among patients with high DOCK1 expression. This study shows that metformin effectiveness depends on DOCK1 levels and that combining metformin with DOCK1 inhibition may provide a promising personalized therapeutic strategy for metformin-resistant HCC patients.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats ; Genome ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Metformin/therapeutic use* ; Mice ; Phosphorylation ; Synthetic Lethal Mutations ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; rac GTP-Binding Proteins/metabolism*

【Objective】 To investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of neurodegenerative lesions in male mice caused by ozone exposure. 【Methods】 We divided 23 C57BL/6N male mice aged 8 to 9 months into control group （clean air group， 11） and ozone group （1 mg/m ³， 4h/d， 12）. After 8 weeks of continuous ozone exposure， the Morris water maze experiment was used to detect the mice’s learning and memory ability， HE dyeing to observe pathological changes in hippocampal tissue cells， and immunoprinting tests to detect the expression levels of Tau， p-Tau and α-synuclein proteins in the cerebral cortex tissue. 【Results】 After 8 weeks of ozone exposure， the mice’s spatial learning and memory ability were impaired to a certain extent， the incubation period decreased with time， and the two lines were separated， but the difference was not statistically significant. Ozone exposure caused changes in the morphology of the mice’s hippocampal tissue cells， disorders in the arrangement of hippocampal neuron， and nuclear wrinkles， and significantly increased levels of p-Tau and α-synuclein protein expressions in cerebral cortex tissues （P<0.01）， but there was no statistical significance in the total Tau expression level. 【Conclusion】 Ozone exposure leads to the loss of learning and memory in mice， changes in hippocampal neurocellular pathology， and increased expression levels of neurodegenerative variable-related proteins.

Cashmere, also known as soft gold, is produced from the secondary hair follicles (SHFs) of cashmere goats. The number of SHFs determines the yield and quality of cashmere; therefore, it is of interest to investigate the transcriptional profiles present during cashmere goat hair follicle development. However, mechanisms underlying this development process remain largely unexplored, and studies regarding hair follicle development mostly use a murine research model. In this study, to provide a comprehensive understanding of cellular heterogeneity and cell fate decisions, single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on 19,705 single cells of the dorsal skin from cashmere goat fetuses at induction (embryonic day 60; E60), organogenesis (E90), and cytodifferentiation (E120) stages. For the first time, unsupervised clustering analysis identified 16 cell clusters, and their corresponding cell types were also characterized. Based on lineage inference, a detailed molecular landscape was revealed along the dermal and epidermal cell lineage developmental pathways. Notably, our current data also confirmed the heterogeneity of dermal papillae from different hair follicle types, which was further validated by immunofluorescence analysis. The current study identifies different biomarkers during cashmere goat hair follicle development and has implications for cashmere goat breeding in the future.

Haloacetaldehydes (HALs), as emerging disinfection by-products in drinking water, are the third largest group by weight of identified disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water. The formation of HALs is associated with the level of natural organic matter and halide in the source water, the treatment process of drinking water and the type of disinfectant. Recent studies have shown that HALs are more cytotoxic and genotoxic than regulated trihalomethanes and halo-acetic acids in drinking water. Currently, only a few countries and regions have set limit values for trichloroacetaldehyde with high detection rate in drinking water. However, there is growing evidence that unregulated HALs have a higher potential risk to human health compared to regulated HALs. This paper reviews the current research progress on the formation and transformation, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of HALs in drinking water, and looks forward to the problems that should be paid attention in the future toxicological research of HALs in order to support the development of scientific drinking water standards.

Haloacetaldehydes (HALs), as emerging disinfection by-products in drinking water, are the third largest group by weight of identified disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water. The formation of HALs is associated with the level of natural organic matter and halide in the source water, the treatment process of drinking water and the type of disinfectant. Recent studies have shown that HALs are more cytotoxic and genotoxic than regulated trihalomethanes and halo-acetic acids in drinking water. Currently, only a few countries and regions have set limit values for trichloroacetaldehyde with high detection rate in drinking water. However, there is growing evidence that unregulated HALs have a higher potential risk to human health compared to regulated HALs. This paper reviews the current research progress on the formation and transformation, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of HALs in drinking water, and looks forward to the problems that should be paid attention in the future toxicological research of HALs in order to support the development of scientific drinking water standards.

Objective: To investigate the incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) and its risk factors after radical gastrectomy. Methods: The prospective study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 2 089 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy in 22 medical centers between December 2017 and November 2018 were collected, including 380 in the Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, 351 in the Renji Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 130 in the Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 139 in the Peking University Cancer Hospital, 128 in the Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital, 114 in the First Hospital Affiliated to Army Medical University, 104 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 104 in the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, 103 in the Weifang People′s Hospital, 102 in the Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, 99 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, 97 in the Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 60 in the Hangzhou First People′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 48 in the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 29 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University, 26 in the Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, 26 in the Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital, 23 in the Jiangsu Province Hospital, 13 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 7 in the Second Hospital of Jilin University, 4 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, 2 in the Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital of Capital Medical University. Observation indicators: (1) the incidence of POPF after radical gastrectomy; (2) treatment of grade B POPF after radical gastrectomy; (3) analysis of clinicopathological data; (4) analysis of surgical data; (5) risk factors for grade B POPF after radical gastrectomy. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using ANOVA. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test. Univariate analysis was conducted using the t test or chi-square test based on data excluding missing data of clinico-pathological and surgical data. Multivariate analysis was conducted using the Logistic regression model based on factors with P<0.20 in univariate analysis. Results: There were 2 089 patients screened for eligibility, including 1 512 males, 576 females and 1 without sex information, aged (62±11)years. The body mass index (BMI) was (23±3)kg/m². (1) The incidence of POPF after radical gastrectomy: the total incidence rate of POPF in the 2 089 patients was 20.728%(433/2 089). The incidence rates of biochemical fistula, grade B pancreatic fistula, and grade C pancreatic fistula were 19.627%(410/2 089), 1.101%(23/2 089), 0, respectively. (2) Treatment of grade B POPF after radical gastrectomy: 2 of 23 patients with grade B POPF after radical gastrectomy had drainage tube placed for more than 21 days and received anti-infective therapy. Four of 23 patients with grade B POPF after radical gastrectomy had ascites detected by imaging examination, of which 2 received peritoneal drainage guided by ultrasound, 1 received failed puncture drainage, 1 received no puncture drainage, and they were given anti-infective therapy. Eleven of 23 patients with grade B POPF after radical gastrectomy had no ascites detected by imaging examinations, and they were given anti-infective therapy and inhibitors of pancreas secretion for clinical manifestation as fever or elevated white blood cells. Six patients with no typical clinical manifestations were given somatostatin to inhibite pancreas secretion and prolonged duration of abdominal drainage tube placement (with a median time of 7 days). All the 23 patients recovered well after treatment, without reoperation. (3) Analysis of clinicopathological data: for the 2 089 patients, BMI, cases with or without neoadjuvant therapy were (23±3)kg/m^2, 1 487, 160 of patients without pancreatic fistula, (23±3)kg/m^2, 386, 22 of patients with biochemical fistula, and (24±3)kg/m^2, 22, 1 of patents with grade B pancreatic fistula, showing significant differences between the three groups (F=5.787, χ²=8.269, P<0.05). (4) Analysis of surgical data: for the 2 089 patients, cases with open surgery, laparoscopic assisted surgery, totally laparoscopic surgery (surgical method), cases with D₁ lymph lode dissection, D₂ lymph lode dissection, and other lymph lode dissection (range of lymph lode dissection), cases with no omentectomy, partial omentectomy, and total omentectomy (range of omentectomy), cases with no usage of energy facility, usage of CUSA, LigaSure, LigaSure+ CUSA as energy facility, cases with or without biological glue, the number of lymph node dissection were 737, 624, 292, 24, 1 580, 51, 418, 834, 381, 63, 1 530, 23, 16, 1 431, 201, 33±14 of patients without pancreatic fistula, 146, 189, 74, 11, 389, 9, 110, 171, 128, 35, 359, 6, 9, 378, 31, 31±14 of patients with biochemical fistula, and 14, 5, 4, 0, 20, 3, 6, 13, 4, 2, 18, 1, 2, 22, 1, 37±16 of patients with grade B pancreatic fistula, showing significant differences between the three groups (χ²=15.578, 9.397, 15.023, 28.245, 8.359, F=4.945, P<0.05). (5) Risk factors for grade B POPF after radical gastrectomy: results of univariate analysis showed that usage of energy facility was a related factor for grade B POPF after radical gastrectomy (χ²=9.914, P<0.05). Results of multivariate analysis showed that laparoscopic assisted surgery, combined evisceration, application of LigaSure + CUSA, the number of lymph lode dissection were independent factors for for grade B POPF after radical gastrectomy (odds ratio=0.168, 3.922, 9.250, 1.030, 95% confidence interval: 0.036-0.789, 1.031-14.919, 1.036-82.602, 1.001-1.059, P<0.05). Conclusions The incidence of grade B POPF after radical gastrectomy is relatively low. Laparoscopic assisted surgery, combined evisceration, application of LigaSure + CUSA, and the number of lymph lode dissection are independent risk factors for grade B POPF. Trial Registration: This study was registrated at ClinicalTrial.gov in United States with the registration number of NCT03391687.

This article summarized the use of guanidine disinfectants in China and the use of guanidine cationic disinfectants, polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG), in South Korea, which had caused severe lung damage events such as pulmonary fibrosis. The authors reviewed the studies that Chinese scientists employed ultrasonic atomization technology to simulate the actual scenario of human exposure to PHMG and proved the findings that PHMG could cause pulmonary fibrosis. These results could highlight the necessity of full attention to lung damage caused by guanidine disinfectants and its mechanism, so as to provide the important scientific basis for the protection of public health safety and the formulation of corresponding policies.