Evidence for Chiral Wobbler in Nuclei.

Three ΔI=1 bands with the πg_{9/2}⊗νg_{9/2} configuration have been identified in _{35}^{74}Br_{39}. Angular distribution, linear polarization, and lifetime measurements were performed to determine the multipolarity, type, mixing ratio, and absolute transition probability of the transitions. By comparing these experimental observations with the corresponding fingerprints and the quantum particle rotor model calculations, the second and third lowest bands are, respectively, suggested as the chiral partner and one-phonon wobbling excitation built on the yrast band. The evidence indicates the first chiral wobbler in nuclei.

Age effect on the shared etiology of glycemic traits and serum lipids: evidence from a Chinese twin study.

PURPOSE: Diabetes and dyslipidemia are among the most common chronic diseases with increasing global disease burdens, and they frequently occur together. The study aimed to investigate differences in the heritability of glycemic traits and serum lipid indicators and differences in overlapping genetic and environmental influences between them across age groups. METHODS: This study included 1189 twin pairs from the Chinese National Twin Registry and divided them into three groups: aged ≤ 40, 41-50, and > 50 years old. Univariate and bivariate structural equation models (SEMs) were conducted on glycemic indicators and serum lipid indicators, including blood glucose (GLU), glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), in the total sample and three age groups. RESULTS: All phenotypes showed moderate to high heritability (0.37-0.64). The heritability of HbA1c demonstrated a downward trend with age (HbA1c: 0.50-0.79), while others remained relatively stable (GLU: 0.55-0.62, TC: 0.58-0.66, TG: 0.50-0.63, LDL-C: 0.24-0.58, HDL-C: 0.31-0.57). The bivariate SEMs demonstrated that GLU and HbA1c were correlated with each serum lipid indicator (0.10-0.17), except HDL-C. Except for HbA1c and LDL-C, as well as HbA1c and HDL-C, differences in genetic correlations underlying glycemic traits and serum lipids between age groups were observed, with the youngest group showing a significantly higher genetic correlation than the oldest group. CONCLUSION: Across the whole adulthood, genetic influences were consistently important for GLU, TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C, and age may affect the shared genetic influences between glycemic traits and serum lipids. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of age in the interactions of genes related to glycemic traits and serum lipids.

[Study on the relationship between hemoglobin glycosylation index and arteriosclerosis- related blood lipids].

Objective: To study the relationship between hemoglobin glycation index (HGI) and blood lipid indices such as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), and plasma atherogenic index (AIP). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 16 049 participants from the Beijing Apple Garden community between December 2011 and August 2012. The subjects were divided into three groups based on the HGI quartile: low (n=5 388), medium (n=5 249), and high (n=5 412). The differences in blood lipid indicators between different HGI groups were compared and multivariate logistic regression model was established to analyze the association between HGI and dyslipidemia. And multivariate logistic regression model was established to analyze the relationship between HGI and blood lipid indicators in different glucose metabolism populations. Results: There were 16 049 participants in all (mean age: 56 years), including 10 452 women (65.1%). They were classified into normal glucose tolerance (9 093 cases), prediabetes (4 524 cases), and diabetes (2 432 cases) based on glucose tolerance status. In the general population, with the increase of HGI, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and AIP gradually increased (all P values for trends were <0.05), and the proportion of abnormalities increased significantly (χ2=101.40, 42.91, 39.80; all P<0.001). A multivariate logistic regression model was established, which suggested a significant correlation between HGI and LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and AIP (all P<0.05), after adjusting for factors such as age, sex, fasting blood glucose, hypertension, body mass index, smoking, and alcohol consumption. In the overall population, normal glucose tolerance group, and diabetes group, HGI had the highest correlation with non-HDL-C (OR values of 1.325, 1.678, and 1.274, respectively); in the prediabetes group, HGI had a higher correlation with LDL-C (OR value: 1.510); and in different glucose metabolism groups, AIP and HGI were both correlated (OR: 1.208-1.250), but not superior to non-HDL-C and LDL-C. Conclusion: HGI was closely related to LDL-C, non HDL-C, and AIP in the entire population and people with different glucose metabolism, suggesting that HGI may be a predictor of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

[The relationship between differentially expressed thyroid cancer genes and clinical characteristics in metastatic children and adolescents].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between genes and clinical characteristics in children and adolescents with metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (caDTC). Methods: A cross sectional study. A total of 67 caDTC patients with lymph node metastasis or distant metastasis in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from December 2020 to December 2022 were included, according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then the differences in clinicopathologic features and iodine intake were compared among different genomes, and the age subgroups divided by the age of 12 were further analyzed. Results: Among the 67 cases of caDTC, the diagnosed age [M(Q1, Q3)]was 13.2 (9.7, 16.9) years old, with 23 males and 44 females. There were 68.7% (46/67) of patients have distant metastasis (M1 stage). Pathogenic or potentially pathogenic gene variants were detected in 68.7% (46/67) of the patients, with RET or NTRK fusion (RET/NTRK) being the most common [43.3%(29/67)], BRAF V600E mutation followed [19.4%(13/67)].There was only 1 caDTC with NRAS Q61R mutation. The patients were divided into RET/NTRK fusion group (n=29), BRAF mutation group (n=12), other mutation group (n=4), and non-mutation group (n=21) (1 patient was not included in the gene mutation subgroup comparison due to the presence of NRAS Q61R mutation and BRAF V600E mutation). The comparison of gene feature groups showed that compared to the BRAF mutation group, caDTC with RET/NTRK fusion tended to have a lower age at diagnosis [12.6(9.3, 15.9) vs 17.2(15.5, 18.1) years old, P<0.001], the proportion of mutation load≥2 was higher (10.4% vs 8.3%, P=0.027), with statistically significant difference. Among 46 M1 stage patients, 71.7% (33/46) had initial iodine intake, and 30.4% (14/46) developed radioiodine-refractory (RAIR). In age group comparison, the<12 year old group had a higher proportion of male patients (51.9% vs 22.5%, P=0.013) and a lower incidence of BRAF V600E mutations (0 vs 32.5%, P<0.001) compared to the≥12 year old group, and the differences were statistically significant. Conclusions: The incidence of RET/NTRK fusion ranks first in metastatic caDTC, featured with younger age at diagnosis and higher rate of distant metastasis. Although most metastatic lesions initially consume iodine, they are prone to RAIR. Attention should be paid to the potential role of RET/NTRK fusion in the invasion and iodine resistance of young caDTC patients.

[Concomitant extragenital malformations of female reproductive tract anomalies: analysis of 444 cases in Peking Union Medical College Hospital].

Objective: To analyze the incidence and clinical phenotype of the concomitant extragenital malformations in the patients with female reproductive tract anomalies. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using clinical data of hospitalized patients diagnosed with uterine, cervical, or vaginal malformations from January 2003 to December 2022 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The malformations were classified according to American Society for Reproductive Medicine müllerian anomalies classification 2021, and in each type, the incidence and specific manifestations of concomitant extragnital malformations were analyzed. Results: A total of 444 patients were included. The overall incidence of concomitant extragenital malformations was 43.5% (193/444), including urinary system, skeletal system, and other system malformations. Renal malformations on the obstructed side were present in all patients with oblique vaginal septum syndrome (100.0%, 78/78). The total incidence of concomitant extragnital malformations was as high as 8/11 in uterus didelphys, 43.5% (10/23) in unicornuate uterus, 33.6% (79/235) in Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome, 18.8% (6/32) in septate uterus and 18.5% (12/65) in cervical agenesis. Urinary system malformations (30.6%, 136/444) and skeletal system malformations (13.5%, 60/444) were the most common concomitant malformations in all types, in which, unilateral renal agenesis and scoliosis were the most common. Conclusions: Urinary and skeletal system malformations are important features of female reproductive tract anomalies. Urologic ultrasonography and spinal roentgenogram are recommended for all patients with female reproductive tract anomalies.

[The study on biological exposure index of occupational exposure to arsenic and its inorganic compounds].

Objective: To establish biological exposure index (BEI) of occupational exposure to arsenic and its inorganic compounds through occupational epidemiology and the regression analysis of internal and external exposure of workers. Methods: In November 2021, 125 workers with occupational exposure to arsenic and its inorganic compounds and 49 office administrators in a non-ferrous metal smelter in Yunnan Province were selected as the exposure group and control group, respectively. Air samples from the workplace of the study subjects on weekdays were collected and arsenic concentrations were determined. Urine samples were collected in end-of-work weekend and high performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS) was used to detect the levels of trivalent inorganic arsenic (iAs(3+)) , pentavalent inorganic arsenic (iAs(5+)) , monomethyl arsenic (MMA) and dimethyl arsenic (DMA) in urine. The correlations between arsenic concentration in the workplace air and arsenic species in urine of workers were analyzed. Arsenic exposure concentration and the level of urinary arsenic (ΣiAs+MMA+DMA) of workers was analyzed by linear regression and the BEI of arsenic and its inorganic compounds in the workplace was proposed based on the results of micronucleus test. Results: The median of time-weighted average concentration (C(TWA)) of arsenic in the workplace air of the exposure group was 0.0116 mg/m(3), and the over-standard rate was 71.2% (89/125) . The concentrations of iAs(3+), iAs(5+), inorganic arsenic (iAs=ΣiAs(3+)+iAs(5+)) 、MMA、DMA and urinary arsenic in the exposure group were higher than those in the control group at the end of shift, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05) . The concentration of arsenic in the workplace air had the strongest correlation with the concentration of urinary arsenic at the end of the shift (r(s)=0.909, P<0.001) . The regression equation was lg (y) =7.662+2.968lg (x) (r=0.821, P<0.05) . According to the occupational exposure limit (OEL) of arsenic in China, the concentration of urinary arsenic in the end-of-work weekend was calculated to be 53.2 µg/L. Combined with the results of micronucleus test, the BEI of occupational exposure to arsenic and its inorganic compounds in the workplace was proposed to be 50 µg/L. Conclusion: The urinary arsenic in the end-of-work weekend can be used as a biomarker of occupational exposure to arsenic, and its BEI is recommended to be 50 µg/L.

[Correlation analysis of urinary arsenic species and health effect indicators of occupational arsenic exposure workers].

Objective: To explore the correlation between urinary arsenic and health effects through the determination and analysis of urinary arsenic levels in occupational arsenic exposed workers. Methods: In November 2021, 95 workers exposed to arsenic and its inorganic compounds and 31 administrative personnel from a non-ferrous metal smelter in Yunnan Province were selected as the contact group and control group, respectively. Urine forms of arsenic, blood tumor markers, liver function were detected, and micronucleus test was used to analyze the chromosome damage. The correlation between urine forms of arsenic and health effects were analyzed. Results: Compared with the control group, the concentrations of urinary trivalent inorganic arsenic (iAs(3+)) , pentavalent inorganic arsenic (iAs(5+)) , inorganic arsenic (iAs=ΣiAs(3+)+iAs(5+)) , monomethyl arsenic (MMA) , dimethyl arsenic (DMA) and urinary arsenic (ΣiAs+MMA+DMA) at the end of class in contact group were higher (P<0.05) . There was no statistically significant difference in blood tumor markers and liver function indicators between the two groups (P>0.05) . Compared with the control group, the peripheral blood micronucleus rate and cell micronucleus rate in the contact group were significantly increased (P<0.05) . The urinary arsenic, iAs(5+), inorganic arsenic and DMA were positively correlated with peripheral blood micronucleus rate in contact group (r(s)=0.48, 0.34, 0.37, 0.23, P<0.05) , and the urinary arsenic, iAs(5+), DMA were positively correlated with peripheral blood micronucleus rate (r(s)=0.48, 0.34, 0.26, P<0.05) . Conclusion: There is a significant correlation between different valence states of arsenic in the urine and abnormal health effects of occupational arsenic exposed workers. It is necessary to strengthen the detection of arsenic species in the urine of occupational arsenic exposed workers to better protect their health.

[Clinical analysis of 4 cases of acute nitrite food poisoning].

Nitrite has high toxicity and is commonly found in food poisoning. Poisoned patients may experience cyanosis of the skin and lips, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing or coma may occur in severe cases. Four cases of nitrite poisoning patients who were transferred from primary hospitals to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, the First People's Hospital of Baiyin were reported. After symptomatic supportive treatment with special antidote methylene blue, oxygen inhalation, blood purification, etc., the patients recovered and were discharged after 4 days of treatment.

Differentiation of giant cell tumours of bone, primary aneurysmal bone cysts, and aneurysmal bone cysts secondary to giant cell tumour of bone: using whole-tumour CT texture analysis parameters as quantitative biomarkers.

AIM: To determine whether computed tomography (CT) texture analysis parameters can be used as quantitative biomarkers to help differentiate giant cell tumour of bones (GCTs), primary aneurysmal bone cysts (PABCs), and aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) secondary to giant cell tumours of bone (GABCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and seven patients with 63 GCTs, 31 PABCs, and 13 GABCs were analysed retrospectively. All patients underwent preoperative CT. Two radiologists independently evaluated the qualitative features of the CT images and extracted texture parameters. Patient demographics, qualitative features, and texture parameters among GCTs, PABCs, and GABCs were compared statistically. Differences in these parameters between ABCs and GCTs were also assessed. ROC curves were obtained to determine optimal parameter values. RESULTS: The best preoperative CT parameters to differentiate GCTs, PABCs, and GABCs included one qualitative feature (location around the knee) and four texture parameters (95th percentile, maximum intensity, skewness, and kurtosis). Age and three texture parameters (5th percentile, inhomogeneity, and kurtosis) enabled statistically significant differentiation between GCTs and ABCs. Combination of the above four parameters generated the largest area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the differentiation of GCTs and ABCs. CONCLUSION: CT texture analysis parameters can be used as quantitative biomarkers for preoperative differentiation among GCTs, PABCs, and GABCs.

[Incidence and predictors of 90-day poor clinical outcome after successful endovascular treatment for acute basilar artery occlusion].

Objective: To investigate the incidence and predictors of 90-day poor clinical outcome after successful endovascular treatment for acute basilar artery occlusion. Methods: Patients were selected from the Acute Ischemic Stroke Cooperation Group of Endovascular Treatment (ANGEL) registry, which was a prospective, multicenter registry study between June 2015 and December 2017. The demographic characteristics, past history, personal history, vital signs, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, imaging examination, onset/admission/puncture/end of operation, operation-related variables, medication during operation, patency of occluded blood vessels after operation, etiology classification, and 90-day modified Rankin scale (mRS) score were collected. Successful endovascular treatment was defined as modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) 2b-3. Poor outcome was defined as 90-day mRS 4-6. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the predictors of poor clinical outcome after successful endovascular treatment. Results: A total of 170 (128 males and 42 females) acute basilar artery occlusion patients undergoing successful endovascular treatment were included in the analysis, with the median age of [M (Q1, Q3)] of 64 (55, 70) years. Poor clinical outcome occurred in 72 patients (42.4%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that high baseline NIHSS score (OR=1.166, 95%CI: 1.109-1.225, P<0.001) and high baseline systolic blood pressure (OR=1.032, 95%CI: 1.010-1.053, P=0.003) were the independent predictors of poor clinical outcome. Conclusions: The incidence of 90-day poor clinical outcome after successful endovascular treatment for acute basilar artery occlusion is 42.4%. High baseline NIHSS score and systolic blood pressure are associated with the poor clinical outcome.

[Association between HULC gene locus rs7763881 polymorphism and recurrence and metastasis after radical resection in hepatocellular carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the association between the expression of long non-coding RNA genes and the HULC rs7763881 polymorphism, recurrence, and metastasis after radical resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Paraffin tissue samples were selected from 426 cases diagnosed with HCC between January 2004 to January 2012. The expression of different genotypes of HULC gene locus rs7763881 in paraffin tissues was detected by PCR, and the association between different genotype expressions and clinical case characteristics of HCC [gender, age, TNM stage, alpha-fetoprotein, tumor maximum diameter (cm), vascular invasion, tumor capsule, tumor grade] was analyzed. Cox proportional risk regression model was used to analyze the correlation between different genotypes and clinicopathological features, prognosis, and recurrence. Survival analysis between different genotypes was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method for a parallel log-rank test. Results: There were 27 (6.3%) cases in the whole group who lost to follow-up. A total of 399 (93.7%) specimens were included in the study, and 105 (26.3%), 211 (52.9%) and 83 (20.8%) were included in the rs77638881 AA, AC, and CC genotypes, respectively. Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the postoperative overall survival and recurrence-free survival rate were significantly higher in patients with the AA than AC/CC genotype (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that the AC/CC genotype was closely related to tumor vascular invasion and recurrence or metastasis of HCC (P < 0.05). Cox multivariate analysis results showed that patients with the AA genotype were taken as references, and the results showed that the risk of recurrence and metastasis in patients with the CA/CC genotype increased to varying degrees, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The rs7763881 polymorphic loci located on the HULC gene are closely related to HCC recurrence and metastasis after radical resection. Thus, it may be an indicator for evaluating HCC recurrence and metastasis.

[In vitro activity of ß-lactamase inhibitors avibanvctam and relebactam in combination with ß-lactams against multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and mutations of resistance genes].

Objective: To evaluate the activity of six ß-lactams in combination with three ß-lactamase inhibitors against mycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB) in vitro. Methods: A total of 105 multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) strains from different regions of Henan province from January to September 2020 were included in this study. Drug activity of six ß-lactams (biapenem, meropenem, imipenem, doripenem, ertapenem and tebipenem) alone or in combination with ß-lactamase inhibitors (clavulanic acid, avibactam and relebactam) was examined by minimum inhibitory concentration method (MICs) against 105 clinical isolates. Mutations of blaC, ldtmt1 and ldtmt2 were analyzed by PCR and DNA sequencing. Chi-square test was used to compare the antimicrobial activities of different ß-lactam drugs. Results: Out of the ß-lactams used herein, tebipenem was the most effective against MDR-TB and had an MIC50 value of 8 mg/L(χ2=123.70,P=0.001). Besides, after the addition of ß-lactamase inhibitors, the MICs of most ß-lactam drugs were reduced more evidently in the presence of avibactam and relebactam compared to clavulanic acid.Especially, relebactam decreased both the MIC50 and MIC90 of telbipenem by 16-fold, and diluted the MIC of 23 (21.90%) and 41 (39.04%) isolatesby 32-fold and 16-fold.In addition, a total of 13.33% (14/105) of isolates harbored mutations in the blaC gene, with three different nucleotide substitutions: AGT333AGG, AAC638ACC and ATC786ATT. For the strains with Ser111Arg and Asn213Thr substitution in BlaC, the MIC values of the meropenem-clavulanate combination were reduced compared with a synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) group. Conclusions: Both avibactam and relebactam had better synergistic effects on ß-lactams than clavulanic acid. The combination of tebipenem and relebactam showed the most potent activity against MDR-TB isolates. In addition, the Ser111Arg and Asn213Thr substitution of BlaC may be associated with an increased susceptibility of MDR-TB isolates to meropenem in the presence of clavulanate.

[Influencing factors of poor treatment adherence in uncontrolled asthma patients in China].

Objective: To evaluate the influencing factors of poor treatment adherence in patients with uncontrolled asthma in China. Methods: From April 2017 to April 2018, all asthma patients with uncontrolled asthma and poor compliance in 32 third-class hospitals in 28 provinces and cities of China mainland included in the "National Mobile Asthma Assessment and Management Project" were selected as the subjects. A total of 923 patients were enrolled in the study including 388 males and 535 females. By analyzing the baseline data of the patients at the initial visit when enrolled, the influencing factors of poor adherence of adult asthma was analyzed by inter-group comparison and χ2 test. Results: Poor compliance in asthma was related to the following factors: age from 59 to 68 years old, course of disease more than 20 years, low education level, non-local follow-up, having obstructive ventilation dysfunction and low awareness of the disease[P values were 0.026(t=1.20), 0.004(t=3.97), 0.001(t=4.92), 0.003(t=3.98), 0.032(t=1.22) and 0.001(t=4.99), respectively]. Totally, 243 patients (26.33%) answered all the questions about asthma correctly. Their medication adherence rating scale (MARS-A) scores were significantly higher than those who answered incompletely correctly (36.23±5.85 vs. 31.77±5.74, P=0.001). Conclusions: The adherence of adult asthma patients was affected by individual and external environment factors. Clinicians should choose individualized methods based on the characteristics of patients. Patient education should be strengthened to improve patients' awareness of the disease at the same time.

[Report on a case of significant increase in urine mercury due to excessive mercury in cosmetics].

Mercury is highly toxic and can be absorbed through skin contact. From December 5, 2020 to February 16, 2021, occupational disease laboratory of the First People's Hospital of Baiyin received 30 urine mercury test samples from a beauty salon in Lanzhou City. The test results showed that 28 samples exceeded the normal value (normal value: 4 µg/g Cr) . 15 patients were treated with sodium dimertopropyl sulfonate for mercury removal and tiopron for liver protection, and the prognosis was good.

[A comparative analysis of the distribution of the high-risk population of upper gastrointestinal cancer and endoscopic screening compliance in two urban areas and two rural areas in China].

Objective: To analyze and compare the distribution of the high-risk population of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer and the factors influencing the compliance rate of endoscopic screening in urban China and rural China. Methods: From 2015 to 2017, an epidemiological survey was conducted on residents aged 40-69 in two rural areas (Luoshan county of Henan province, Sheyang county of Jiangsu province) and two urban areas (Changsha city of Hunan province, Harbin city of Heilongjiang province). As a result, high-risk individuals were recommended for endoscopic screening. Chi-square χ(2) test was used to compare the high-risk rate of UGI cancer between urban and rural residents. In addition, the multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors influencing the compliance rate of endoscopic screening. Results: A total of 48, 310 residents aged 40-69 were enrolled in this study, including 22 870 (47.34%) residents from rural areas and 25 440 (52.66%) residents from urban areas. A total of 23 532 individuals were assessed with a high risk of UGI cancer, with an overall risk rate of 48.71%. A higher proportion of participants with high risk was observed in rural China (56.17%, 12 845/22 870) than in urban China (42.01%, 10 687/25 440). A total of 10 971 high-risk individuals with UGI cancer participated in endoscopic screening, with an overall compliance rate of 46.62% (10 971/23 532), 45.15% (5 799/12 845) in rural China, and 48.40% (5 172/10 687) in urban China. In rural population, the compliance rate of endoscopic screening was higher in those of females, aged 50-69 years, primary school education or above, high income, a family history of UGI cancer, history of gastric and duodenal ulcer, history of reflux esophagitis, and history of superficial gastritis, but lower in smokers (P<0.05). Among the urban population, the compliance rate of endoscopic screening was higher in those aged 40-49 years, uneducated, low income, family history of UGI cancer, history of reflux esophagitis, history of superficial gastritis, but lower in smokers (P<0.05). Conclusions: The proportion of participants with high risk of UGI cancer in rural areas is higher than that of urban areas. The compliance rates of endoscopic screening in urban and rural areas are low, and influencing factors of endoscopic screening exhibit some differences in rural China and urban China.

[Regional disparities in trends of global gastric cancer incidence and mortality from 1990 to 2019].

Objective: To depict gastric cancer burden trends globally and analyze geographical and socioeconomic disparities among different countries and territories. Methods: We extracted the data from Global Burden of Disease 2019 Database. We conducted the Joinpoint regression and calculated the average annual percent change (AAPC) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) for age-standardized gastric cancer incidence and mortality from 1990 to 2019. Linear regression was performed to measure the association of sociodemographic index (SDI) with each country's gastric cancer incidence and mortality AAPC. We applied the age-period-cohort analysis to assess the cohort effect on gastric cancer incidence and mortality. Results: The AAPCs for gastric cancer age-standardized incidence and mortality rates from 1990 to 2019 were -1.27% (95% CI: -1.43%, -1.11%) and -1.87% (95% CI: -2.01%, -1.72%), respectively. SDI levels were negatively associated with AAPCs, which means that countries with higher SDI had higher AAPC (P<0.001). The decrease of gastric cancer burden in countries with low or medium SDI levels was slower than that globally. The age-period-cohort analysis indicated that countries with higher SDI levels had more apparent decline in birth cohort effects from 1900 to 1999. Conclusions: Countries with different socioeconomic levels have various decreasing rates for gastric cancer incidence and deaths. Countries with higher SDI levels have higher declining rates for gastric cancer burden.

[Heritability and genetic correlation of body mass index and coronary heart disease in Chinese adult twins].

Objective: To examine the heritability of body mass index (BMI) and coronary heart disease (CHD), and to explore whether genetic factors can explain their correlation. Methods: Participants were from 11 provinces/municipalities reqistered in the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR) from 2010 to 2018. Participants data were collected from face-to-face questionnaire survey. Bivariate structure equation model was used to estimate the heritability and the genetic correlation of BMI and CHD. Results: A total of 20 340 pairs of same-sex twins aged ≥25 years were included in this study. After adjusting for age and gender, the heritability of BMI and CHD was 0.52 (95%CI: 0.49-0.55) and 0.76 (95%CI: 0.69-0.81), respectively. Further, a genetic correlation was identified between BMI and CHD (rA=0.10, 95%CI:0.02-0.17). Conclusion: In Chinese adult twin population, BMI and CHD are affected by genetic factors, and their correlation can be attributed to the common genetic basis.

[Determination of six arsenic species in urine by high-performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometr].

Objective: Establishing an analysis method for the detection of six arsenic compounds trivalent arsenic, pentavalent arsenic, methyl arsenic, dimethyl arsenic, arsenical choline and arsenical betaine in urine by high-performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS) and providing a theoretical basis for health assessment of arsenic poisoning patients. Methods: HPLC-ICP-MS was used to detect six arsenic compounds with the hamilton PRP-X100 column and aqueous ammonium phosphate in a gradient elution as mobile phase. Results: There was a good linear relationship in the selected range of six arsenic compounds evidenced by a linear correlation coefficient greater than 0.999. The detection limit of 6 arsenic compounds was 0.46~0.57 µg/L, and the minimum quantitative concentration were 1.52~1.91 µg/L. The recovery rates of six arsenic compounds were 96.5%~106.4%, The within-run and between-run relative standard deviation was 2.9%~6.2% and 3.8%~8.7%. Conclusion: The established method with high accuracy and precision is suitable for detecting arsenic levels in urine of occupational arsenic exposure population.

[Investigation of small airway function of occupational asthma at different stages].

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of small airway dysfunction in patients with occupational asthma, and explore the significance of small airway function indicators in the evaluation of occupational asthma. Methods: A total of 53 patients with occupational asthma diagnosed in our hospital from December 2008 to December 2018 were retrospectively collected in May 2020. 55 healthy people were included as the control group (NC group) and 58 bronchial asthma patients as BA group. The general information and baseline pulmonary function (FVC、FEV(1)、PEF) of the subjects were collected, the pulmonary function were reexamined and small airway function (FEF(25%)pred、FEF(50%)pred、FEF(75%)pred、MMEF(25-75%)pred) were tested at the time of diagnosis and remission. Results: There was no significant difference in pulmonary function and asthma control score (ACT) between OA group and BA group (P=0.356, 0.610, 0.364, 0.430, 0.533, 0.759, 0.426, 0.632) . The incidence of small airway dysfunction in OA group was 77.4%. The indexes of small airway function (FEF(25%)pred, FEF(50%)pred, FEF(75%)pred, MMEF(25-75%)pred) were lower than those in the NC group (P<0.001) . The small airway function indexes of mild and moderate OA patients in remission stage were improved (P=0.029, 0.182) , but the abnormal rate of small airway function was still 62.3%, and there was no significant difference compared with those at the time of diagnosis (P=0.091) . Small airway function (MMEF(25-75%)pred, FEF(50%)pred) was correlated with large airway function (FEV(1)% pred, PEF% pred) (P=0.001) . Conclusion: Small airway dysfunction often occurs and persists in patients with occupational asthma, and has a certain correlation with large airway function indexes.

Identification of DNA methylation-driven genes and construction of a nomogram to predict overall survival in pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: The incidence and mortality of pancreatic cancer (PC) has gradually increased. The aim of this study was to identify survival-related DNA methylation (DNAm)-driven genes and establish a nomogram to predict outcomes in patients with PC. METHODS: The gene expression, DNA methylation database, and PC clinical samples were downloaded from TCGA. DNAm-driven genes were identified by integrating analyses of gene expression and DNA methylation data. Survival-related DNAm-driven genes were screened via univariate, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and multivariate Cox regression analyses to develop a risk score model for prognosis. Based on analyses of clinical parameters and risk score, a nomogram was built and validated. The independent cohort from GEO database were used for external validation. RESULTS: A total of 16 differentially expressed methylation-driven genes were identified. Based on LASSO Cox regression and multivariate Cox regression analysis, six genes (FERMT1, LIPH, LAMA3, PPP1R14D, NQO1, VSIG2) were chosen to develop the risk score model. In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, age, T stage, N stage, AJCC stage, radiation therapy history, tumor size, surgery type performed, pathological type, chemotherapy history, and risk score were potential prognostic factors in PC (P < 0.1). In the multivariate analysis, stage, chemotherapy, and risk score were significantly correlated to overall survival (P < 0.05). The nomogram was constructed with the three variables (stage, chemotherapy, and risk score) for predicting the 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival rates of PC patients. Nomogram performance was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and calibration curves. 1-year, 2-year and 3-year AUC of nomogram model was 0.899, 0.765 and 0.776, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we successfully identified the six DNAm-driven genes (FERMT1, LIPH, LAMA3, PPP1R14D, NQO1, VSIG2) with a relationship to the outcomes of PC patients. The nomogram including stage, chemotherapy, and risk score could be used to predict survival in PC patients.