1.Analyzing the result of half-mask respirator fit testing in workers exposed to organic solvents and its influencing factors
Qifan HUANG ; Yingyin ZHANG ; Zepeng LI ; Xi ZHONG ; Xi LUO ; Jiawei ZHU ; Shaojie FU ; Shibiao SU
China Occupational Medicine 2024;51(2):183-187
ObjectiveTo analyze the results of fit testing and its influencing factors on half-mask respirator among workers exposed to organic solvents. Methods A total of 84 workers exposed to organic solvents were selected as the research subjects using a convenience sampling method. The qualitative fit test apparatus of respiratory protection was tested after the workers had put on the half-mask respirats, and 11 facial indicators of the subjects were measured. Results The overall pass rate of the respirator fit testing was 71.4% (60/84). The lowest pass rate was 63.1% (53/84), which occurred during bending movements of workers. The head width, minimum forehead width, face length, nose length, nose depth, head circumference and head length were higher in workers who passed respirator fit testing, compared with those in the failing group (all P<0.05). The result of binary logistic regression analysis showed that gender and face width were influencing factors of the respirator fit testing (both P<0.05). Female workers had a lower pass rate of the fit testing than male workers, and workers with larger face width had a lower pass rate in the fit testing. Conclusion Drastic movement may lead to a decrease in the seal of half-mask respirator of workers exposed to organic solvents. When providing half-mask respirator to workers exposed to organic solvents, employers need to pay attention to the fit of respirators of female works and those with larger face width to ensure the effectiveness of respiratory protection for workers.
2.The protective effectiveness of hearing protectors for noise-exposed workers and its influencing factors
Zepeng LI ; Xi ZHONG ; Qifan HUANG ; Yingyin ZHANG ; Xi LUO ; Shibiao SU
China Occupational Medicine 2024;51(2):188-192
ObjectiveTo explore the protective effect of hearing protectors worn by noise-exposed workers and its influencing factors. Methods A total of 329 occupational noise-exposed workers were selected as the research subjects by judgment sampling method. A questionnaire survey on the use of ear protectors and individual suitability tests was conducted. Intervention was carried out for those whose personal attenuation rating (PAR) did not pass the baseline standard. Results The median (M) and the 25th and 75th percentiles of baseline PAR were 17.0 (5.0, 22.5) dB. The baseline PAR of the workers who were male, aged 25-<35 years, with a working experience of 5-<15 years, with a college degree or above, wearing ear protectors for 5-<15 years, knowing the right way to wear ear protectors, and workers who wore ear protectors correctly during work was relatively high (all P<0.01). The unqualified rate of baseline PAR of the study subjects was 32.8%. The unqualified rate of baseline PAR of workers in automobile manufacturing enterprises was lower than that of workers in plastic enterprises and textile enterprises (9.2% vs 43.6%, and 9.2% vs 50.0%, both P<0.01). The M of the 108 unqualified worker on baseline PAR was improved after intervention (22.0 vs 1.0 dB, P<0.01). The rates of knowing the right way to wear ear protectors, wearing ear protectors correctly during work, and receiving training on wearing ear protectors correctly for the research subjects were 88.1%, 84.8%, and 86.6%, respectively. Workers in automobile manufacturing enterprises and plastic enterprises had higher rates of knowing the right way to wear ear protectors, wearing ear protectors correctly during work, and receiving training on wearing ear protectors correctly than those in textile enterprises (all P<0.01). Conclusion Gender, age, working experience, education level, duration of wearing ear protectors, knowledge and use of ear protectors correctly are influencing factors of the protective effect of ear protectors for noise-exposed workers.
3.Huanglian Ejiaotang in Treating Insomnia: A Review
Zepeng DU ; Qinni ZHENG ; Xiwu ZHANG ; Jinjin DOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(21):279-288
Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder in clinical practice, and prolonged insomnia can significantly impact daily life and work. Currently, the clinical treatment of insomnia primarily relies on sedative and hypnotic drugs, which, although fast-acting, come with numerous adverse reactions. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) approaches the treatment of insomnia by employing syndrome differentiation and focusing on addressing the root cause of the disease. This approach is characterized by fewer adverse reactions, stable long-term effects, and better patient compliance. Huanglian Ejiaotang was first recorded in Zhang Zhongjing's Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases(《伤寒杂病论》) during the Han dynasty. It has the effects of nourishing Yin, reducing fire, eliminating irritability, and calming the nerves. Clinical studies have shown that Huanglian Ejiaotang is frequently used to treat insomnia and, when combined with other classic prescriptions, Western medicine, or other therapies, it can have a synergistic effect, thereby enhancing therapeutic outcomes. Research indicates that the mechanism of action of Huanglian Ejiaotang in treating insomnia may be related to the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), central neurotransmitters, gut microbiota, and the inhibition of inflammatory factors. The active components of Huanglian Ejiaotang that are effective in treating insomnia include berberine, baicalin, baicalein, total glucosides of paeony, and collagen. This article discussed the treatment of insomnia with Huanglian Ejiaotang from several perspectives, including its theoretical foundation, clinical research, and mechanisms of action, and also summarized the latest research progress on Huanglian Ejiaotang for insomnia, with the aim of providing more comprehensive ideas for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of insomnia.
4.A study on the hearing protection and intervention effects of silicone earplug usage among manufacturing workers
Xiaoxu LIU ; Xi ZHONG ; Yingyin ZHANG ; Zepeng LI ; Shibiao SU ; Meibian ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2024;42(6):442-446
Objective:To assess the efficacy of silicone earplugs in protecting workers exposed to noise in a typical manufacturing environment, and to provide training interventions for workers who do not achieve the anticipated noise reduction levels, as well as examining the spectral characteristics of earplug attenuation.Methods:From June to August 2022, a total of 294 noise-exposed workers in two manufacturing enterprises equipped with the same type of earplug were studied by cluster sampling method, by conducting questionnaire surveys, collecting data, fitting tests, and providing trainings, the current noise exposure levels of workers in the industry as well as the perception about the earplug were understood. Additionally, the attenuation before and after intervention in workplace were measured, the spectral characteristics of noise reduction were were described and compared.Results:The percentage of workers with Personal Attenuation Rating (PAR) of 0 is 32.7% (96/294), and the baseline pass rates are all below 60%. There were no significant differences in pass rates based on gender, age, noise exposure, education level, or cognition of earplug effectiveness. After adjusting the way that earplugs are worn or changing the type of earplugs, all workers were able to meet their noise reduction requirements. The median PAR improvement for both companies is above 10 dB. The noise attenuation of the earplug vary with frequency, with lower attenuation at 4 000 Hz and higher attenuation at 8 000 Hz, showing some deviation from the nominal values.Conclusion:The difference between the actual sound attenuation value of earplugs and the nominal value is related to the noise frequency. When using silicone earplugs, attention should be paid to the spectral composition of the noise in the workplace.
5.Intravascular ultrasound assisted endovascular therapy for renal artery stenosis
Guifang TAN ; Zepeng SHI ; Zhigang LIU ; Shen LI ; Chunyu YU ; Meng ZHANG ; Yi ZHANG ; Rong XING ; Chunmei ZHANG ; Yong QIAN
Chinese Journal of Interventional Imaging and Therapy 2024;21(11):654-658
Objective To observe the value of intravascular ultrasound(IVUS)for assisting endovascular therapy for renal artery stenosis(RAS).Methods Thirty patients with RAS who underwent endovascular therapy were retrospectively analyzed.Parameters of renal artery and plaques in RAS segment measured with CT angiography(CTA)and IVUS before treatment were compared.Bland-Altman diagram was performed to evaluate the consistency of lumen cross-sectional stenosis rate and plaque eccentricity index between CTA and IVUS.The stent parameters measured with IVUS were recorded immediately after implantation of balloon-expandable covered stents.Results Before treatment,the minimum lumen diameter,lumen cross-sectional stenosis rate and stenotic segment length of IVUS were all larger,while maximum lumen diameter and lumen eccentricity index of IVUS were both smaller than those of CTA(all P<0.05).No significant difference of plaque eccentricity index,plaque type nor stenosis distal remodeling was found between CTA and IVUS(all P>0.05).The average difference between IVUS and CTA for evaluating lumen cross-sectional stenosis rate and plaque eccentricity index was-0.020(-0.096,0.050)and-0.020(-0.130,0.091),respectively.The consistency of IVUS and CTA for evaluating plaque eccentricity index was better than that of lumen cross-sectional stenosis rate.The stent symmetry,stent eccentricity index,stent expansion coefficient and stenosis coverage rate immediately after implantation measured with IVUS was(82.69±14.61)%,(1.54±9.16)%,(99.81±10.70)%and 100%,respectively.Among 30 cases,2 cases(2/30,6.67%)underwent postdilation since poor stent apposition.Conclusion IVUS could assist evaluating lumen and plaque parameters of stenotic renal arteries,guiding stent release and real-timely monitoring the effect of endovascular therapy.
6.The value of gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) in abdominal CT enhancement scanning of overweight and obese patients
Kai GAO ; Zepeng MA ; Tianle ZHANG ; Ziyan LIU ; Wei DING ; Yongxia ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2024;44(11):971-978
Objective:To compare the image quality, radiation dose, and total iodine content of abdominal computed tomography (CT) enhancement scanning of overweight and obese patients with different scanning protocols, and to explore the optimal keV image serial for abdominal CT.Methods:A total of 90 overweight or obese patients [24 kg/m 2 ≤ body mass index (BMI) < 28 kg/m 2 or BMI ≥ 28 kg/m 2] were divied into groups A, B and C, with 30 patients in each group. Group A used Gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) mode and contrast medium with 320 mg I/ml, group B used low tube voltage mode (100 kVp) and contrast medium with 370 mg I/ml, and group C used conventional tube voltage mode (120 kVp) and contrast medium with 370 mg I/ml. Monochromatic energy images at 50-70 keV (5 keV interval) were reconstructed for the arterial and portal vein phases of group A. Radiation dose and total iodine content were recorded and calculated for the 3 groups. The region of interest was placed on the organ, blood vessel, and erector spinae muscle at same level. The CT values and image noise values were measured, and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was calculated. All images were scored subjectively in double-blinded by two radiologists. One-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis H test were used to compare The CT values, CNRs, and subjective scores of each subgroup image in group A, group B and group C, and the radiation doses and total iodine contents in 3 groups were compared. The optimal keV value for group A was selected. Results:At 50-60 keV, the CT values and CNRs of arterial and portal vein phases in group A were higher ( P < 0.05) than or similar to those in groups B and C ( P > 0.05), and the subjective scores were lower than those of groups B and C at 50 and 55 keV ( H = 34.47, 41.27, P < 0.05), whereas there was no statistically significant difference at 60 keV ( P > 0.05). At 65 and 70 keV, only the CT value and CNR of the renal cortex in group A at the 65 keV of arterial phase were higher than those in groups B and C ( F = 102.38, 29.47, P < 0.001). The subjective scores were not significantly between groups B and C ( P > 0.05). There were no statistically significant difference between CT values, CNRs, or subjective scores in group B and group C ( P > 0.05). The effective doses in groups A and B were 24.72% and 25.78% lower than those in group C, respectively. Compared to groups B and C, the total iodine content in group A decreased by 12.50% and 13.34%, respectively. Conclusions:GSI model combined with a low-concentration contrast medium in abdominal CT for overweight and obese patients can meet the image quality requirements while reducing patient total iodine content and radiation dose. The optimal keV value of enhanced abdominal CT for double phases was 60 keV.
7.A study on the hearing protection and intervention effects of silicone earplug usage among manufacturing workers
Xiaoxu LIU ; Xi ZHONG ; Yingyin ZHANG ; Zepeng LI ; Shibiao SU ; Meibian ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2024;42(6):442-446
Objective:To assess the efficacy of silicone earplugs in protecting workers exposed to noise in a typical manufacturing environment, and to provide training interventions for workers who do not achieve the anticipated noise reduction levels, as well as examining the spectral characteristics of earplug attenuation.Methods:From June to August 2022, a total of 294 noise-exposed workers in two manufacturing enterprises equipped with the same type of earplug were studied by cluster sampling method, by conducting questionnaire surveys, collecting data, fitting tests, and providing trainings, the current noise exposure levels of workers in the industry as well as the perception about the earplug were understood. Additionally, the attenuation before and after intervention in workplace were measured, the spectral characteristics of noise reduction were were described and compared.Results:The percentage of workers with Personal Attenuation Rating (PAR) of 0 is 32.7% (96/294), and the baseline pass rates are all below 60%. There were no significant differences in pass rates based on gender, age, noise exposure, education level, or cognition of earplug effectiveness. After adjusting the way that earplugs are worn or changing the type of earplugs, all workers were able to meet their noise reduction requirements. The median PAR improvement for both companies is above 10 dB. The noise attenuation of the earplug vary with frequency, with lower attenuation at 4 000 Hz and higher attenuation at 8 000 Hz, showing some deviation from the nominal values.Conclusion:The difference between the actual sound attenuation value of earplugs and the nominal value is related to the noise frequency. When using silicone earplugs, attention should be paid to the spectral composition of the noise in the workplace.
8.Analysis of drug resistance phenotypes and drug resistance genes of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium isolates of human-animal-environment sources from a self-breeding pig farm in Xinjiang
Panpan XIA ; Huimin WU ; Wanzhao CHEN ; Chenhui ZHANG ; Peicong LAN ; Zepeng LIU ; Rui TIAN ; Lining XIA
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2024;44(7):1430-1437
In order to understand the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Enterococcus faeca-lis(E.faecalis)and Enterococcus faecium(E.faecium)isolated from human,pig and environ-ment in a Xinjiang pig farm,and to investigate the prevalence and potential harm of antimicrobial resistance genes,858 fecal samples from pig farm workers,anal swabs from pig and environment were collected for isolation,identification,antimicrobial susceptibility test and drug resistance gene detection.The results showed that 429 strains of E.faecalis and 222 strains of E.faecium were i-solated.The distribution of Enterococcus species varied among different sources.The isolation rate of E.faecalis was higher in pig anal swabs(73.1%,309/423)and human fecal samples(68.4%,26/38).E.faecium(42.3%,168/397)was mainly isolated from environmental samples.The drug resistance of E.faecalis and E.faecium isolated from pigs was similar to that of E.faecium isola-ted from environment.The drug resistance rates of E.faecalis and E.faecium isolated from pigs were more serious than those from humans to tetracycline,doxycycline,florfenicol and erythromy-cin,and they were more sensitive to ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin.More than 30.0%of E.faecalis and E.faecium isolated from pigs and environment were intermediate to linezolid.E.faecalis from three sources and E.faecium from environmental sources were mainly resistant to five drugs,while E.faecium from pigs was mainly resistant to six drugs.The detection rates of tet(M)and tet(L)genes in E.faecalis and E.faecium isolates from human,animal and environmental sources were more than 70.0%,which was consistent with the results of drug sensitivity.In addition,the cfr,optrA and poxtA genes that mediate oxazolidinone resistance were detected to varying extent.The cfr gene was only detected in four E.faecalis isolates from swine,one E.faecalis isolate from environment and two E.faecium isolates from environment.The positive rate of optrA gene in E.faecium isolated from pigs and environment was higher than that from humans,and the posi-tive rate was more than 60.0%.The positive rate of poxtA gene in E.faecium isolated from pigs and humans was more than 45.0%.The similar drug resistance situation suggests that there is the phenomenon of mutual contamination of drug-resistant bacteria in human-animal-environment.Therefore,we should consider from the perspective of one health,formulate comprehensive disin-fection and control programs,block the transmission route of drug-resistant strains and drug re-sistance genes between human-animal-environment,standardize the use of antibiotics,and reduce the enrichment of antibiotics in human-animal-environment,so as to reduce the risk of drug-resist-ant bacteria.
9.Letter 2 regarding “Assessing the performance of ChatGPT in answering questions regarding cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma”
Yiwen ZHANG ; Liwei WU ; Zepeng MU ; Linlin REN ; Ying CHEN ; Hanyun LIU ; Lili XU ; Yangang WANG ; Yaxing WANG ; Susan CHENG ; Yih Chung THAM ; Bin SHENG ; Tien Yin WONG ; Hongwei JI
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2024;30(1):113-117
10.Study on antidepressant mechanism of helicid based on network pharmacology
Zhenyi Jiang ; Yuan Zhang ; Zepeng Li ; Xiaotong Zhang ; Yuanxiang Zhang ; Jiucui Tong
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2022;57(12):1896-1901
Objective :
To screen the target of helicid in the intervention of depression based on network pharmacol- ogy and molecular docking,and to study the effect of helicid on the expression level of related targets in hippocam- pus,prefrontal cortex,striatum and habenular nucleus of chronic unpredictable mild stress ( CUMS) rats.
Methods :
The target of helicid was predicted by SwissTargetPrediction database ,and the depression related targets were screened by GeneCards、DisGeNet、TTD and DRUGBANK databases ; the metascape platform was used for gene en- richment analysis ,and the " helicid-depression-pathway " network was constructed ; Autodock Vina was used for molecular docking research ; qRT-PCR was used to detect the effect of helicid on the mRNA expression of HTR1A, ADORA1 and ADORA2A in rat tissues.
Results :
The 81 helicid targets and 1 640 depression targets were ob- tained,including 40 intersecting targets ; the key targets were mainly enriched in cAMP signal pathway,PI3K-Akt signal pathway,MAPK signal pathway and so on ; the results of molecular docking showed that the binding activity of helicid with most targets was good ; helicid up-regulated the expression levels of HTR1A ,ADORA1 and ADORA2A mRNA in hippocampus,prefrontal cortex ,striatum and habenular nucleus of CUMS rats.
Conclusion
Helicid may act on cAMP,PI3K-Akt,MAPK and other signal pathways to intervene depression through HTR1A, ADORA1 and ADORA2A.


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