Potential causal links of long-term exposure to PM2.5 and its chemical components with the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma recurrence: A 10-year cohort study in South China.

There is a lack of evidence from cohort studies on the causal association of long-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its chemical components with the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) recurrence. Based on a 10-year prospective cohort of 1184 newly diagnosed NPC patients, we comprehensively evaluated the potential causal links of ambient PM2.5 and its chemical components including black carbon (BC), organic matter (OM), sulfate (SO4 2-), nitrate (NO3 -), and ammonium (NH4 +) with the recurrence risk of NPC using a marginal structural Cox model adjusted with inverse probability weighting. We observed 291 NPC patients experiencing recurrence during the 10-year follow-up and estimated a 33% increased risk of NPC recurrence (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.74) following each interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM2.5 exposure. Each IQR increment in BC, NH4 +, OM, NO3 -, and SO4 2- was associated with HRs of 1.36 (95%CI: 1.13-1.65), 1.35 (95%CI: 1.07-1.70), 1.33 (95%CI: 1.11-1.59), 1.32 (95%CI: 1.06-1.64), 1.31 (95%CI: 1.08-1.57). The elderly, patients with no family history of cancer, no smoking history, no drinking history, and those with severe conditions may exhibit a greater likelihood of NPC recurrence following exposure to PM2.5 and its chemical components. Additionally, the effect estimates of the five components are greater among patients who were exposed to high concentration than in the full cohort of patients. Our study provides solid evidence for a potential relationship between long-term exposure to PM2.5 and its components and the risk of NPC recurrence.

Contribution to the Chinese Intybia Pascoe, 1866 (Coleoptera, Melyridae, Malachiinae), with descriptions of two new species groups and one new species.

A contribution to the knowledge of the malachiine genus Intybia Pascoe, 1866 from China is given. Two new species groups: Intybiaklapperichi group and Intybiaeversi group are defined and described. A new species, Intybiahainanensis Wang & Liu, sp. nov., of the Intybiaklapperichi group is described from Hainan Province. Intybiaerectodentatus (Wittmer, 1982) and Intybiaconcha Asano, 2015 are redescribed based on new materials collected in mainland China. A key to species groups of the genus Intybia Pascoe, 1866 in China is provided.

Metabolomic-based analysis reveals bile acid-mediated ovarian failure induced by low temperature in zebrafish.

As ectotherms, fish are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, which can profoundly impact their reproductive cycles. In this study, we investigated the fertility and histological characteristics of zebrafish ( Danio rerio) ovaries exposed to a temperature gradient ranging from the thermopreferendum temperature of the species, 27°C, to lower temperatures of 22°C, 20°C, and 13°C over a period of two weeks. Comparative metabolomic (six biological replicates for each temperature) and transcriptomic (four biological replicates for each temperature) analyses were conducted under the four temperature conditions. Results indicated that lower temperatures inhibited oocyte development and differential metabolites were involved in steroid hormone production, antioxidant function, and lipid and protein catabolism. Disrupted reproductive hormones, increased proteolysis, and lipid degradation significantly impeded oocyte development and egg maturation. Notably, a significant increase in bile acid content was noted in the ovaries of the cold-treated fish, indicating that bile acids play a critical role in ovarian failure. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms governing the reproductive response of fish to cold stress.

Serum beta2-microglobulin acts as a biomarker for severity and prognosis in glioma patients: a preliminary clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Gliomas are the deadliest malignant tumors of the adult central nervous system. We previously discovered that beta2-microglobulin (B2M) is abnormally upregulated in glioma tissues and that it exerts a range of oncogenic effects. Besides its tissue presence, serum B2M levels serve as biomarkers for various diseases. This study aimed to explore whether serum B2M levels can be used in the diagnosis and prognosis of gliomas. METHODS: Medical records from 246 glioma patients were retrospectively analyzed. The relationship between preoperative serum B2M levels and clinicopathological features was examined. Kaplan-Meier analysis, alongside uni- and multivariate Cox regression, assessed the association between B2M levels, systemic inflammatory markers, and glioma patient prognosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis evaluated the diagnostic significance of these biomarkers specifically for glioblastoma (GBM). RESULTS: Patients with malignant gliomas exhibited elevated preoperative serum B2M levels. Glioma patients with high serum B2M levels experienced shorter survival times. Multivariate Cox analysis determined the relationship between B2M levels (hazard ratio = 1.92, 95% confidence interval: 1.05-3.50, P = 0.034) and the overall survival of glioma patients. B2M demonstrated superior discriminatory power in distinguishing between GBM and non-GBM compared to inflammation indicators. Moreover, postoperative serum B2M levels were lower than preoperative levels in the majority of glioma patients. CONCLUSIONS: High preoperative serum B2M levels correlated with malignant glioma and a poor prognosis. Serum B2M shows promise as a novel biomarker for predicting patient prognosis and reflecting the therapeutic response.

Unveiling novel cell clusters and biomarkers in glioblastoma and its peritumoral microenvironment at the single-cell perspective.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly heterogeneous, recurrent and aggressively invasive primary malignant brain tumor. The heterogeneity of GBM results in poor targeted therapy. Therefore, the aim of this study is to depict the cellular landscape of GBM and its peritumor from a single-cell perspective. Discovering new cell subtypes and biomarkers, and providing a theoretical basis for precision therapy. METHODS: We collected 8 tissue samples from 4 GBM patients to perform 10 × single-cell transcriptome sequencing. Quality control and filtering of data by Seurat package for clustering. Inferring copy number variations to identify malignant cells via the infercnv package. Functional enrichment analysis was performed by GSVA and clusterProfiler packages. STRING database and Cytoscape software were used to construct protein interaction networks. Inferring transcription factors by pySCENIC. Building cell differentiation trajectories via the monocle package. To infer intercellular communication networks by CellPhoneDB software. RESULTS: We observed that the tumor microenvironment (TME) varies among different locations and different GBM patients. We identified a proliferative cluster of oligodendrocytes with high expression of mitochondrial genes. We also identified two clusters of myeloid cells, one primarily located in the peritumor exhibiting an M1 phenotype with elevated TNFAIP8L3 expression, and another in the tumor and peritumor showing a proliferative tendency towards an M2 phenotype with increased DTL expression. We identified XIST, KCNH7, SYT1 and DIAPH3 as potential factors associated with the proliferation of malignant cells in GBM. CONCLUSIONS: These biomarkers and cell clusters we discovered may serve as targets for treatment. Targeted drugs developed against these biomarkers and cell clusters may enhance treatment efficacy, optimize immune therapy strategies, and improve the response rates of GBM patients to immunotherapy. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for the development of individualized treatment and precision medicine for GBM, which may be used to improve the survival of GBM patients.

CircRNA SEC24A promotes osteoarthritis through miR-107-5p/CASP3 axis.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most frequently diagnosed chronic joint disease. CircSEC24A is significantly elevated in OA chondrocytes upon IL-1ß stimulation. However, its biological function in OA is still not fully understood. Methods: The circRNAs-miRNA-mRNA network was predicted by bioinformatics analysis. An in vitro OA chondrocytes model was established by IL-1ß stimulation. The expression of circSEC24A, miR-107-5p, CASP3, apoptosis-related molecules and extracellular matrix (ECM) components were detected by Western blot and qRT-PCR. MTT assay and Annexin V/PI staining were employed to monitor cell viability and apoptosis, respectively. The interaction between circSEC24A and miR-107-5p, as well as the binding between miR-107-5p and CASP3 3' UTR were detected by luciferase reporter and RIP assays. Cytokine secretion was monitored by ELISA assay. The role of circSEC24A was also explored in anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) rat models. Results: CircSEC24A and CASP3 were increased, but miR-107-5p was decreased in rat OA cartilage tissues and OA chondrocytes. CircSEC24A acted as a sponge of miR-107-5p. Knockdown of circSEC24A promoted chondrocyte proliferation, but suppressed chondrocyte apoptosis, ECM degradation and inflammation via sponging miR-107-5p. CASP3 was identified as a miR-107-5p target gene. MiR-107-5p mimics protected against OA progression via targeting CASP3. Silencing of circSEC24A alleviated OA progression in ACLT model. Conclusion: CircSEC24A promotes OA progression through miR-107-5p/CASP3 axis.

Surgical procedures and complications in placement of totally implantable venous access port in pediatric hemophilia patients: A retrospective analysis.

This retrospective study at Beijing Children's Hospital (2020-2023) analyzed surgical procedures and complications in 24 pediatric hemophilia patients undergoing Totally Implantable Venous Access Port (TIVAP) insertion, primarily in the right jugular vein (RJV). We detailed the surgical process, including patient demographics and intraoperative imaging use. The choice of the RJV for TIVAP placement was influenced by its larger diameter and superficial anatomical position, potentially reducing risks like thrombosis and infection. Our findings support the RJV as a safer alternative for port placement in pediatric patients, aligning with current literature. Statistical analysis revealed no significant correlation between complications and baseline characteristics like weight and diagnosis type. However, the length of hospital stay and implant brand were significant risk factors for catheter or port displacement and removal. The limited patient number may introduce bias, suggesting a need for further studies with larger samples. Despite a 14.7 %-33 % complication rate and 5 port removals, the advantages of TIVAP, including reliable venous access, reduced discomfort, and treatment convenience, were evident. Most complications improved with symptomatic treatment, and there were no deaths due to port-related complications, underscoring the impact of TIVAP on improving pediatric hemophilia treatment.

TRPC5 channel participates in myocardial injury in chronic intermittent hypoxia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to develop an animal model of Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia (CIH) and investigate the role of the TRPC5 channel in cardiac damage in OSAHS rats. METHODS: Twelve male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into the CIH group and the Normoxic Control (NC) group. Changes in structure, function, and pathology of heart tissue were observed through echocardiography, transmission electron microscopy, HE-staining, and TUNEL staining. RESULTS: The Interventricular Septum thickness at diastole (IVSd) and End-Diastolic Volume (EDV) of rats in the CIH group significantly increased, whereas the LV ejection fraction and LV fraction shortening significantly decreased. TEM showed that the myofilaments in the CIH group were loosely arranged, the sarcomere length varied, the cell matrix dissolved, the mitochondrial cristae were partly flocculent, the mitochondrial outer membrane dissolved and disappeared, and some mitochondria were swollen and vacuolated. The histopathological examination showed that the cardiomyocytes in the CIH group were swollen with granular degeneration, some of the myocardial fibers were broken and disorganized, and most of the nuclei were vacuolar and hypochromic. CONCLUSION: CIH promoted oxidative stress, the influx of Ca2+, and the activation of the CaN/NFATc signaling pathway, which led to pathological changes in the morphology and ultrastructure of cardiomyocytes, the increase of myocardial apoptosis, and the decrease of myocardial contractility. These changes may be associated with the upregulation of TRPC5.

C9orf72 controls hepatic lipid metabolism by regulating SREBP1 transport.

Sterol regulatory element binding transcription factors (SREBPs) play a crucial role in lipid homeostasis. They are processed and transported to the nucleus via COPII, where they induce the expression of lipogenic genes. COPII maintains the homeostasis of organelles and plays an essential role in the protein secretion pathways in eukaryotes. The formation of COPII begins at endoplasmic reticulum exit sites (ERES), and is regulated by SEC16A, which provides a platform for the assembly of COPII. However, there have been few studies on the changes in SEC16A protein levels. The repetitive expansion of the hexanucleotide sequence GGGGCC within the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) gene is a prevalent factor in the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Here, we found that the absence of C9orf72 leads to a decrease in SEC16A protein levels, resulting in reduced localization of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor SEC12 at the ERES. Consequently, the small GTP binding protein SAR1 is unable to bind the endoplasmic reticulum normally, impairing the assembly of COPII. Ultimately, the disruption of SREBPs transport decreases de novo lipogenesis. These results suggest that C9orf72 acts as a novel role in regulating lipid homeostasis and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for obesity.

Residential greenness and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a large cohort in southern China: Potential causal links, risk trajectories, and mediation pathways.

INTRODUCTION: Residential greenness may influence COPD mortality, but the causal links, risk trajectories, and mediation pathways between them remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: We aim to comprehensively identify the potential causal links, characterize the dynamic progression of hospitalization or posthospital risk, and quantify mediation effects between greenness and COPD. METHODS: This study was conducted using a community-based cohort enrolling individuals aged ≥ 18 years in southern China from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2015. Greenness was characterized by normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) around participants' residential addresses. We applied doubly robust Cox proportional hazards model, multi-state model, and multiple mediation method, to investigate the potential causal links, risk trajectories among baseline, COPD hospitalization, first readmission due to COPD or COPD-related complications, and all-cause death, as well as the multiple mediation pathways (particulate matter [PM], temperature, body mass index [BMI] and physical activity) connecting greenness exposure to COPD mortality. RESULTS: Our final analysis included 581,785 participants (52.52% female; average age: 48.36 [Standard Deviation (SD): 17.56]). Each interquartile range (IQR: 0.06) increase in NDVI was associated with a reduced COPD mortality risk, yielding a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.88 (95 % CI: 0.81, 0.96). Furthermore, we observed per IQR (0.04) increase in NDVI was inversely associated with the risk of multiple transitions (baseline - COPD hospitalization, baseline - death, and readmission - death risks), especially a declined risk of all-cause death after readmission (HR = 0.66 [95 %CI: 0.44, 0.99]). Within the observed association between greenness and COPD mortality, three mediators were identified, namely PM, temperature, and BMI (HR for the total indirect effect: 0.773 [95 % CI: 0.703, 0.851]), with PM showing the highest mediating effect. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed greenness may be a beneficial factor for COPD morbidity, prognosis, and mortality. This protective effect is primarily attributed to the reduction in PM concentration.

Publication Trends and Hot Spots of ChatGPT's Application in the Medicine.

This study aimed to analyze the current landscape of ChatGPT application in the medical field, assessing the current collaboration patterns and research topic hotspots to understand the impact and trends. By conducting a search in the Web of Science, we collected literature related to the applications of ChatGPT in medicine, covering the period from January 1, 2000 up to January 16, 2024. Bibliometric analyses were performed using CiteSpace (V6.2., Drexel University, PA, USA) and Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corp.,WA, USA) to map the collaboration among countries/regions, the distribution of institutions and authors, and clustering of keywords. A total of 574 eligible articles were included, with 97.74% published in 2023. These articles span various disciplines, particularly in Health Care Sciences Services, with extensive international collaboration involving 73 countries. In terms of countries/regions studied, USA, India, and China led in the number of publications. USA ot only published nearly half of the total number of papers but also exhibits a highest collaborative capability. Regarding the co-occurrence of institutions and scholars, the National University of Singapore and Harvard University held significant influence in the cooperation network, with the top three authors in terms of publications being Wiwanitkit V (10 articles), Seth I (9 articles), Klang E (7 articles), and Kleebayoon A (7 articles). Through keyword clustering, the study identified 9 research theme clusters, among which "digital health"was not only the largest in scale but also had the most citations. The study highlights ChatGPT's cross-disciplinary nature and collaborative research in medicine, showcasing its growth potential, particularly in digital health and clinical decision support. Future exploration should examine the socio-economic and cultural impacts of this trend, along with ChatGPT's specific technical uses in medical practice.

Dissecting the genetic and causal relationship between sleep-related traits and common brain disorders.

BACKGROUND: There is a profound connection between abnormal sleep patterns and brain disorders, suggesting a shared influential association. However, the shared genetic basis and potential causal relationships between sleep-related traits and brain disorders are yet to be fully elucidated. METHODS: Utilizing linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) and bidirectional two-sample univariable Mendelian Randomization (UVMR) analyses with large-scale GWAS datasets, we investigated the genetic correlations and causal associations across six sleep traits and 24 prevalent brain disorders. Additionally, a multivariable Mendelian Randomization (MVMR) analysis evaluated the cumulative effects of various sleep traits on each brain disorder, complemented by genetic loci characterization to pinpoint pertinent genes and pathways. RESULTS: LDSC analysis identified significant genetic correlations in 66 out of 144 (45.8 %) pairs between sleep-related traits and brain disorders, with the most pronounced correlations observed in psychiatric disorders (66 %, 48/72). UVMR analysis identified 29 causal relationships (FDR<0.05) between sleep traits and brain disorders, with 19 associations newly discovered according to our knowledge. Notably, major depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, cannabis use disorder, and anorexia nervosa showed bidirectional causal relations with sleep traits, especially insomnia's marked influence on major depression (IVW beta 0.468, FDR = 5.24E-09). MVMR analysis revealed a nuanced interplay among various sleep traits and their impact on brain disorders. Genetic loci characterization underscored potential genes, such as HOXB2, while further enrichment analyses illuminated the importance of synaptic processes in these relationships. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides compelling evidence for the causal relationships and shared genetic backgrounds between common sleep-related traits and brain disorders.

Identification of bioactive ingredients and potential mechanisms of flowers of Hosta Plantaginea in treating pneumonia based on network pharmacology and experimental validation.

Flowers of Hosta plantaginea (H. plantaginea), a widely utilized medicinal herb in Mongolian medicine, holds a significant historical background in terms of its medicinal applications. This herb is renowned for its ability to clear heat and detoxify the body, alleviate cough, and provide relief to the throat. However, the active ingredients and the potential mechanism of action remain ambiguity. The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the efficacy of H. plantaginea in treating pneumonia, identify its active ingredients and unveil the pharmacological mechanism in the treatment of pneumonia. In vivo experiments demonstrate the plant's anti-pneumonia properties, while mass spectrometry analysis identifies 62 chemicals, with 14 absorbed into the bloodstream. Network pharmacology and Venn analysis reveal 195 targets of 52 active ingredients, with 49 gene targets common to H. plantaginea and pneumonia. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction and enrichment analysis highlight the key targets and pathways such as AKT, EGFR, IL-17. Western blotting confirms downregulation of these pathways, indicating the anti-inflammatory effects of H. plantaginea in treating acute lung injury. Our findings showed that the treatment of ALI with the H. plantaginea exerts its anti-inflammatory effects through multiple components, targets, and pathways. This study established a solid experimental foundation for investigating the various components, targets, and pathways involved in the treatment of pneumonia using H. plantaginea. It offers valuable insights from multiple perspectives and can serve as a reference for the clinical application of this plant in pneumonia treatment.

Minnelide exhibits antileukemic activity by targeting the Ars2/miR-190a-3p axis.

BACKGROUND: The identification of a novel and effective strategy for the clinical treatment of acute leukemia (AL) is a long-term goal. Minnelide, a water-soluble prodrug of triptolide, has recently been evaluated in phase I and II clinical trials in patients with multiple cancers and has shown promise as an antileukemic agent. However, the molecular mechanism underlying minnelide's antileukemic activity remains unclear. PURPOSE: To explore the molecular mechanisms by which minnelide exhibits antileukemic activity. METHODS: AL cells, primary human leukemia cells, and a xenograft mouse model were treated with triptolide and minnelide. The molecular mechanism was elucidated using western blotting, immunoprecipitation, flow cytometry, GSEA and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. RESULTS: Minnelide was highly effective in inhibiting leukemogenesis and improving survival in two complementary AL mouse models. Triptolide, an active form of minnelide, causes cell cycle arrest in G1 phase and induces apoptosis in both human AL cell lines and primary AL cells. Mechanistically, we identified Ars2 as a new chemotherapeutic target of minnelide for AL treatment. We found that triptolide directly targeted Ars2, resulting in the downregulation of miR-190a-3p, which led to the disturbance of PTEN/Akt signaling and culminated in G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that targeting Ars2/miR-190a-3p signaling using minnelide could represent a novel chemotherapeutic strategy for AL treatment and support the evaluation of minnelide for the treatment of AL in clinical trials.

Comprehensive characterization of hemicelluloses obtained from Gleditsia sinensis Lam. pods and the application of moderately degraded hemicelluloses in galactomannan film.

The Gleditsia sinensis Lam. pods (GSP) are consistently discarded as waste after saponin extraction due to a lack of industrial or high-value utilization. Herein, the hemicelluloses were extracted from two varieties of GSP and subjected to comprehensive characterization. The molar mass of DMSO-soluble hemicelluloses (53.3-66.0 kDa) was higher compared to that of alkali-soluble ones (24.9-32.6 kDa). The presence of minimal acetyl substitution (3.85-4.49 %) on xylan was unequivocally confirmed. NMR spectroscopic analysis indicated that the hemicelluloses in GSP predominantly consist of a 1,4-ß-ᴅ-Xyl backbone with arabinose substituents at O-3 and 4-O-methyl-α-ᴅ-GlcA substituents at O-2 of the xylose residues. p-Coumaric acid substitution also occurred on the 1,4-ß-ᴅ-Xyl backbone. Hydrothermal treatment significantly reduced the hemicelluloses' relative molar mass and produced 7-10 % xylo-oligosaccharides. Furthermore, the moderately degraded hemicelluloses exhibited significantly enhanced biological activity. Finally, the incorporation of the moderately degraded hemicelluloses imparted the galactomannan film with exceptional antioxidant properties (81.1 % DPPH scavenging activity), while negligibly affecting its transparency. Our study's findings will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the structural and biochemical properties of hemicellulose in waste G. sinensis pods, thereby facilitating their enhanced utilization in industrial applications.

Multi-omics approaches for the understanding of therapeutic mechanism for Huang-Qi-Long-Dan Granule against ischemic stroke.

After long-term clinical application, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has accumulated rich experience in the stroke treatment. Huang-Qi-Long-Dan Granule (HQLDG) is a TCM formula that has been used in clinical for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. However, its mechanism against ischemic stroke is still unknown. This study aimed to identify HQLDG's effect against ischemic stroke and explore its underlying mechanism. 16s rRNA sequencing, metabolomics/tryptophan (Trp)-targeted metabolomics analysis and transcriptomic analysis were used to investigate HQLDG underlying therapeutic mechanism. Our results revealed that HQLDG significantly decreased the infarct volume, improved mouse behavior and brain slices pathological staining. In addition, it could ameliorate intestinal barrier damage and regulate tight junction gene expression. 16s rRNA, metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis revealed that HQLDG treatment significantly improved the composition of gut microbiota and Trp metabolism pathway, and further downregulated Th17/IL-17 signaling pathway. HQLDG treatment could significantly decrease serum inflammatory cytokines, IL-17A and IL-22; down-regulate Trp metabolism receptor gene (Ahr), inflammatory cytokines genes (IL-17a, IL-22), and an important coding gene for maintaining the mature Th17 (rorc) in both brain and intestinal tissues. In the contrary, after gut microbiota removal, this effect of HQLDG was impaired. HQLDG treated mouse fecal microbiota transplantation also had positive effect against tMCAO injury. Moreover, AhR inhibitor could decrease IL-17A immunofluorescence. These results suggested that the gut microbiota regulation might be an important intermediate in HQLDG against tMCAO injury. HQLDG might exert anti-ischemic stroke effects through the gut microbiota-Trp metabolism-Th17/IL-17 signaling, which provides new insights into HQLDG-mediated prevention in ischemic stroke.

Platyintybia, a new genus of Apalochrini (Coleoptera, Melyridae, Malachiinae) from China.

A new genus of malachiine Melyridae, Platyintybiagen. nov., is described based on several male-specific characters, along with description of its type species, Platyintybiazhongshanensissp. nov., from China. A new combination, Platyintybiasarawakensis (Champion, 1921), comb. nov., is proposed after examining the type specimen; this species is newly recorded from China. A key to the genera of Chinese Apalochrini is provided for the first time.

The relative contribution of PM2.5 components to the obstructive ventilatory dysfunction-insights from a large ventilatory function examination of 305,022 workers in southern China.

BACKGROUND: The new round of WHO/ILO Joint Estimates of the Work-related Burden of Disease assessment requires futher research to provide more evidence, especially on the health impact of ambient air pollution around the workplace. However, the evidence linking obstructive ventilatory dysfunction (OVD) to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its chemical components in workers is very limited. Evidence is even more scarce on the interactive effects between occupational factors and particle exposures. We aimed to fill these gaps based on a large ventilatory function examination of workers in southern China. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 363,788 workers in southern China in 2020. The annual average concentration of PM2.5 and its components were evaluated around the workplace through validated spatiotemporal models. We used mixed-effect models to evaluate the risk of OVD related to PM2.5 and its components. Results were further stratified by basic characteristics and occupational factors. FINDINGS: Among the 305,022 workers, 119,936 were observed with OVD. We found for each interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM2.5 concentration, the risk of OVD increased by 27.8 (95 % confidence interval (CI): 26.5-29.2 %). The estimates were 10.9 % (95 %CI: 9.7-12.1 %), 15.8 % (95 %CI: 14.5-17.2 %), 2.6 % (95 %CI: 1.4-3.8 %), 17.1 % (95 %CI: 15.9-18.4 %), and 11 % (95 %CI: 9.9-12.2 %), respectively, for each IQR increment in sulfate, nitrate, ammonium salt, organic matter and black carbon. We observed greater effect estimates among females, younger workers, workers with a length of service of 24-45 months, and professional skill workers. Furthermore, it is particularly noteworthy that the noise-exposed workers, high-temperature-exposed workers, and less-dust-exposed workers were at a 5.7-68.2 % greater risk than others. INTERPRETATION: PM2.5 and its components were significantly associated with an increased risk of OVD, with stronger links among certain vulnerable subgroups.

The Role of Beta2-Microglobulin in Central Nervous System Disease.

Central nervous system (CNS) disorders represent the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide, and impose a substantial economic burden on society. In recent years, emerging evidence has found that beta2 -microglobulin (B2M), a subunit of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules, plays a crucial role in the development and progression in certain CNS diseases. On the one hand, intracellular B2M was abnormally upregulated in brain tumors and regulated tumor microenvironments and progression. On the other hand, soluble B2M was also elevated and involved in pathological stages in CNS diseases. Targeted B2M therapy has shown promising outcomes in specific CNS diseases. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary and discussion of recent advances in understanding the pathological processes involving B2M in CNS diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, aging, stroke, HIV-related dementia, glioma, and primary central nervous system lymphoma).

Tunable electronic and photoelectric properties of Janus group-III chalcogenide monolayers and based heterostructures.

Janus group-III chalcogenide monolayers and based heterostructures with breaking vertical structural symmetry offer additional prospects in the upcoming high-performance photoelectric devices. We studied the geometrical, electronic, and photoelectric properties of Janus group-III chalcogenide monolayers and heterostructures. The most energy favorable stacking design of ten vertical heterostructures are considered. The results showed that the Janus Se-In-Ga-S and S-In-Ga-Se monolayers exhibit semiconducting characteristics with the band gaps of 1.295 eV and 1.752 eV, respectively. Furthermore, the different stacking configurations and surface termination at interface can realize the transition of band alignment between type I and type II due to the interlayer coupling. Moreover, we systematically investigated the photoelectric properties of Janus group-III chalcogenide heterostructures and predicated an optimized power conversion efficiency of 16.2%. These findings can aid in comprehending the customized characteristics of Janus group-III chalcogenide heterostructures, offering theoretical guidance for creating innovative photoelectric devices.