Objective:To learn about the monitoring indicators and patient management in coal-burning-borne endemic arsenic poisoning areas in Shaanxi Province, and provide a basis for consolidating and improving the prevention and control achievements.Methods:From March to December 2023, in accordance with the requirements of the "Notice of the Office of Shaanxi Provincial Health Commission on Issuing of the Monitoring Plan for Key Endemic Diseases Such as Kashin-Beck Disease" and "The Monitoring Plan for Endemic Fluorosis and Arsenic Poisoning in Shaanxi Province", a basic situation investigation was conducted in the affected villages of all counties (districts) with coal-burning-borne endemic arsenic poisoning in Shaanxi Province, and on-site visits were conducted to check the management of high arsenic coal mines. Using the simple random sampling method, 30 families in each village were selected to investigate the use of stoves and the formation of health-related behaviors. A survey on arsenic poisoning was carried out among all populations in the affected villages. According to the requirements of the provincial monitoring program, 720 people were randomly selected from 12 affected villages in 3 monitoring counties to measure their urinary arsenic level. The determination was based on the "Guidelines for the Safety of Urinary Arsenic in Population" (WS/T 665-2019). The evaluation for elimination of disease areas was carried out in accordance with the "National Health Commission Issued the Evaluation Approach for Control and Elimination of Priority Endemic Diseases (2019 edition)".Results:A total of 2 cities, 8 counties (districts), 99 townships, and 1 414 affected villages were monitored. All 53 high arsenic coal mines had stopped mining. The rate of qualified improved stoves was 99.97%; the correct utilization rate of qualified improved stoves, and the correct drying rate of corn and chili peppers provided for human consumption in the affected villages were 100.00%. A total of 2 064 138 people were examined, and 2 682 cases of arsenic poisoning were detected, all of whom were historical patients. There were no new cases of arsenic poisoning or skin cancer. There were currently 2 682 arsenic poisoning patients who had received family doctor contract services and implemented follow-up management. The geometric mean of urinary arsenic was 0.016 7 mg/L, which was lower than the safety guideline value for human urinary arsenic (0.032 mg/L).Conclusions:The monitoring indicators in the coal-burning-borne endemic arsenic poisoning areas in Shaanxi Province have reached the elimination standards. In the future, we should continue to strengthen the management of high arsenic coal mines, implement comprehensive prevention and control measures mainly focused on furnace and stove renovation and health promotion, and do a good job in patient management to continuously consolidate and improve the prevention and control achievements.

Worldwide, the incidence of cancer is greatest in China. Tumor screening is effective to achieve early diagnosis, improve prognosis, increase the quality of life, and reduce mortality among cancer patients. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging provides metabolic data to support initial staging, treatment planning, and response evaluation in tumor screening, as well as tumor follow-up. The progressive integration of PET/CT imaging in radiotherapy has its basic principle in the biological heterogeneity of inter- and intra-tumor malignant lesions, and the radiation dose is required to be adjusted to achieve effective local tumor control among cancer patients. In addition, PET/CT imaging provides data on the biological features of tumor lesions, such as metabolism, hypoxia, and proliferation, which is useful to identify radiation-resistant regions and optimize treatment plans. These data are effective to reduce the uncertainty and variability in the anatomic description of tumor sites. This review summarizes the application of PET/CT imaging in common tumors.

Objective:To learn about the changes of the condition of coal-burning-borne endemic arsenism, the use of improved stoves and the formation of health-related behaviors in Shaanxi Province, and evaluate the effect of prevention and control measures.Methods:From 2015 to 2020, according to the "Implementation Plan for Monitoring Coal-burning-borne Endemic Arsenism in Shaanxi Province", regular field surveys were carried out in 4 natural villages, 2 counties in Ankang City and Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province, to learn about the basic prevention and control situation in the monitoring village. Using the simple random sampling method, 10 families in each village were selected to investigate the use of stoves and the formation of health-related behaviors, and 5 of these families were selected to collect coal samples for arsenic content determination in accordance with the "Determination of Arsenic in Coal" (GB/T 3058-2008). According to the "Diagnosis of Endemic Arsenicosis" (WS/T 211-2015), the condition of the people exposed to high arsenic coal in the monitoring village was investigated. Urine samples of 30 adult patients (half males and half females) with arsenic poisoning were collected, the content of arsenic in urine was determined by the "Urine-Determination of Arsenic-Silver Diethyldithiocarbamate-Triethanolamine-Spectrophotometric Method" (WS/T 28-1996).Results:A total of 240 households were monitored in the past 6 years, and the quality conformance and correct utilization rates of improved stoves in the households monitored in the disease areas remained at 100.00% in 2018 - 2020. The utilization rate of clean energy increased from 75.00% (30/40) in 2015 to 100.00% (40/40) in 2018 - 2020 (χ 2trend = 25.5, P < 0.001). The 73.75% (177/240) of households using a variety of clean energy. From 2018 to 2020, the correct drying, storage and pre-processing washing rates of corn and pepper continued to reach 100.00% (40/40). The arsenic content of coal ( n = 120) in the disease areas was (118.09 ± 57.91) mg/kg, ranging from 16.70 to 280.94 mg/kg. The detection rate of arsenic poisoning decreased from 6.34% (231/3 646) in 2015 to 2.90% (109/3 754) in 2020 (χ 2trend = 121.8, P < 0.001), and no skin cancer or Bowen's disease was detected. The geometric mean of arsenic content in urine ( n = 720) was 0.038 1 mg/L, ranging from 0.000 5 to 0.312 9 mg/L. Conclusions:The condition of coal-burning-borne endemic arsenism areas in Shaanxi Province has reached the national elimination standard. The quality and correct utilization rate of improved stoves and the rate of using clean energy have increased. The healthy-related behaviors the people in the endemic areas have been basically formed. The prevention and control work has achieved good results.

The combination of conventional single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and computed tomography (CT) may display the morphological changes of lesions and distribution of imaging agents, which is effective to improve the imaging sensitivity and specificity of tumors and non-tumor diseases. SPECT/CT is feasible to analyze the anatomical structure and metabolic status through displaying multi-site lesions with single imaging, thereby improving differential diagnosis and diagnostic accuracy of diseases. In addition, the novel mixed SPECT/CT device shortens the duration of image acquisition and provides precise attenuation correction and fusion imaging, which provides a scientific basis for rational selection of treatment regimens in clinical practice. This review describes the advances in clinical application of SPECT/CT.

Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) functions as a catalyzing enzyme targeting hydrolyzation of intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and inhibition of PDE4 has been proven to be a competitive strategy for dermatological and pulmonary inflammation. However, the pathological role of PDE4 and the therapeutic feasibility of PDE4 inhibitors in chronic ulcerative colitis (UC) are less clearly understood. This study introduced apremilast, a breakthrough in discovery of PDE4 inhibitors, to explore the therapeutic capacity in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental murine chronic UC. In the inflamed tissues, overexpression of PDE4 isoforms and defective cAMP-mediating pathway were firstly identified in chronic UC patients. Therapeutically, inhibition of PDE4 by apremilast modulated cAMP-predominant protein kinase A (PKA)-cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) signaling and ameliorated the clinical symptoms of chronic UC, as evidenced by improvements on mucosal ulcerations, tissue fibrosis, and inflammatory infiltrations. Consequently, apremilast maintained a normal intestinal physical and chemical barrier function and rebuilt the mucosal homeostasis by interfering with the cross-talk between human epithelial cells and immune cells. Furthermore, we found that apremilast could remap the landscape of gut microbiota and exert regulatory effects on antimicrobial responses and the function of mucus in the gut microenvironment. Taken together, the present study revealed that intervene of PDE4 provided an infusive therapeutic strategy for patients with chronic and relapsing UC.

Objective To explore the specialty system of special physical education at master's level.Methods Professional competency for special physical education was developed using the World Health Organization Rehabilitation Competency Framework (RCF), and was applied to the exploration of theoretical structure and methodological system for the construction of special physical education program at master's level.Results Based on the RCF, a competency framework for special physical education teachers was constructed, involving in five areas: practice, professionalism, learning and development, management and leadership, and research. The proficiency of competencies and activities should attain the corresponding level. The construction of special physical education program should be built to highlight the characteristics of RCF and focus on the training of competency in four areas: education objectives, instructional methods, the curriculum of the program and instructional assessment.Conclusion A competency-based program at the master's level in special physical education has been constructed using the RCF. The program uses the RCF to specify professional competency standards for special physical education teachers, and this can be transformed into the content of the competency-based program for special physical education at the master's level. The RCF is used to construct a competency-based special physical education system, which can be used to specify the educational objectives, instructional modalities, specialized core curriculum, and content and methods of instructional assessment in the design of a special physical education program at the master's level.

Membrane-disruptive peptides/peptidomimetics (MDPs) are antimicrobials or anticarcinogens that present a general killing mechanism through the physical disruption of cell membranes, in contrast to conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, which act on precise targets such as DNA or specific enzymes. Owing to their rapid action, broad-spectrum activity, and mechanisms of action that potentially hinder the development of resistance, MDPs have been increasingly considered as future therapeutics in the drug-resistant era. Recently, growing experimental evidence has demonstrated that MDPs can also be utilized as adjuvants to enhance the therapeutic effects of other agents. In this review, we evaluate the literature around the broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties and anticancer activity of MDPs, and summarize the current development and mechanisms of MDPs alone or in combination with other agents. Notably, this review highlights recent advances in the design of various MDP-based drug delivery systems that can improve the therapeutic effect of MDPs, minimize side effects, and promote the co-delivery of multiple chemotherapeutics, for more efficient antimicrobial and anticancer therapy.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) manifests as an etiologically complicated and relapsing gastrointestinal disease. The enteric nervous system (ENS) plays a pivotal role in rectifying and orchestrating the inflammatory responses in gut tract. Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, is known as its anti-inflammatory and therapeutic effects in experimental colitis. However, little research focused on its regulatory function on ENS. Therefore, we set out to explore the pathological role of neurogenic inflammation in UC and the modulating effects of berberine on neuro-immune interactions. Functional defects of enteric glial cells (EGCs), with decreased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and increased substance P expression, were observed in DSS-induced murine UC. Administration of berberine can obviously ameliorate the disease severity and restore the mucosal barrier homeostasis of UC, closely accompanying by maintaining the residence of EGCs and attenuating inflammatory infiltrations and immune cells overactivation. , berberine showed direct protective effects on monoculture of EGCs, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs), T cells, and intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) in the simulated inflammatory conditions. Furthermore, berberine could modulate gut EGCs-IECs-immune cell interactions in the co-culture systems. In summary, our study indicated the EGCs-IECs-immune cell interactions might function as a crucial paradigm in mucosal inflammation and provided an infusive mechanism of berberine in regulating enteric neurogenic inflammation.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with minor stroke with large vessel occlusion (LVO).Methods:Twenty-three patients with minor stroke with LVO, admitted to our hospital from January 2017 to July 2019, were consecutively collected in our study; patients with contraindications of intravenous thrombolysis should be treated with direct thrombectomy, and the left were given bridging therapy (intravenous thrombolysis combined with MT). NIHSS scores were used to assess the degrees of neurological impairment at admission, and 12 h and 7 d after treatment. Vascular recanalization was assessed by modified cerebral infarction thrombolysis (mTICI) grading, with grading 2B-3 defined as successful recanalization. The prognoses 90 d after treatment were assessed by modified Rankin scale (mRS), and mRS scores≤2 was classified as having good prognosis. Safety indicators included symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, incidence of complications, and mortality 90 d after treatment.Results:Twenty-two patients had successfully recanalization; 19 patients had mTICI grading 3 and 3 patients had grading 2B. The NIHSS scores were 3 (2, 5) at admission, 2 (2, 3) 12 h after treatment, and 2 (1, 2) 7 d after treatment, with significant difference ( χ2=14.028, P=0.001); NIHSS scores 12 h and 7 d after treatment were significantly lower than those at admission ( P<0.05). Sixteen patients (69.6%) enjoyed good prognosis and 7 patients (30.4%) had poor prognosis. In terms of safety, two patients had symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage,10 had systemic complications, and one died during 90-d of follow-up. Conclusion:MT is effective and safe in minor stroke patients with LVO.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of bridging therapy (BT) and direct endovascular therapy (DEVT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke induced by large vessel occlusion (LVO-AIS) within 4.5 h of onset.Methods:The clinical data of 154 patients with LVO-AIS within 4.5 h of onset, admitted to our hospital from January 2017 to July 2019, were retrospectively collected. Among them, 88 patients were hospitalized within 3 h of onset (54 accepted BT and 34 accepted DEVT); 66 patients were hospitalized within 3-4.5 h of onset (39 accepted BT and 27 accepted DEVT). The differences in clinical data and treatment efficacy between patients from the BT group and DEVT group that were hospitalized within 3 h of onset and within 3-4.5 h of onset, respectively, were compared. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent protective factors for favorable outcome 90 d after treatment in patients within 3.0-4.5 h of onset and within 3 h of onset, respectively.Results:(1) In patients within 3 h of onset: as compared with the DEVT group, the BT group had significantly higher improvement rate of neurological function at 24 h after treatment (41.2% vs. 70.4%) and higher percentage of patients enjoying favorable outcome 90 d after treatment (44.1% vs. 66.7%, P<0.05); multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that BT was an independent protective factor for favorable outcome 90 d after treatment in patients within 3 h of onset ( OR=4.644, 95%CI: 1.238-12.805, P=0.041). (2) In patients within 3-4.5 h of onset: as compared with the BT group, the DEVT group had significantly higher proportion of patients having time from onset to groin puncture≤4 h, and significantly higher proportion of patients with favorable outcome 90 d after treatment ( P<0.05); multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the time from onset to groin puncture≤4 h was an independent protective factor for favorable outcome 90 d after treatment in patients within 3-4.5 h of onset ( OR=5.724, 95%CI: 1.192-11.676, P=0.024). Conclusion:For LVO-AIS patients, BT is the first choice in patients hospitalized in the early time window; and BT should be performed within 4 h of onset to the greatest extent for patients hospitalized in the late time window; if time from onset to groin puncture is not within 4 h, DEVT should be the first choice.