Long-Term Exposure to Outdoor Ultrafine Particles and Black Carbon and Effects on Mortality in Montreal and Toronto, Canada.

INTRODUCTION: Numerous studies support an important relationship between long-term exposure to outdoor fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) and both nonaccidental and cause-specific mortality. Less is known about the long-term health consequences of other traffic pollutants, including ultrafine particles (UFPs, <0.1 µm) and black carbon (BC), which are often present at elevated concentrations in urban areas but are not currently regulated. Knowledge is lacking largely because these pollutants generally are not monitored by governments and vary greatly over small spatial scales, hindering the evaluation of long-term exposures in population-based studies. METHODS: We aimed to estimate associations between long-term exposures to outdoor UFPs and BC and nonaccidental and cause-specific mortality in Canada's two largest cities, Montreal and Toronto. We considered several approaches to exposure assessment: (1) land use regression (LUR) models based on large-scale year-long mobile monitoring campaigns combined with detailed land use and traffic information; (2) machine learning (i.e., convolutional neural networks [CNN]) models trained by combining mobile monitoring data with aerial images; and (3) the combined use of these two approaches. We also examined exposure models with and without backcasting based on historical trends in vehicle emissions (to capture potential trends in pollutant concentrations over time) and with and without accounting for neighborhood-level mobility patterns (based on travel demand surveys). These exposure models were linked to members of the Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohorts (CanCHEC) residing in Montreal or Toronto (including census years 1991, 1996, 2001, and 2006) with mortality follow-up from 2001 (or cohort entry for the 2006 cohort) to 2016. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate associations between long-term exposures to outdoor UFPs and BC, adjusting for sociodemographic factors and co-pollutants identified as potential confounding factors. Concentration-response relationships for outdoor UFPs and BC were also examined for nonaccidental and cause-specific mortality using smoothing splines. RESULTS: Our cohort study included approximately 1.5 million people with 174,200 nonaccidental deaths observed during the follow-up period. Combined LUR and machine learning model predictions performed slightly better than LUR models alone and were used as the main exposure models in all epidemiological analyses. Long-term exposures to outdoor UFP number concentrations were consistently positively associated with nonaccidental and cause-specific mortality. Importantly, hazard ratios (HRs) for outdoor UFP number concentrations were sensitive to adjustment for UFP size: UFP size was inversely related to number concentrations and independently associated with mortality, resulting in underestimation of mortality risk for outdoor UFP number concentrations when UFP size was excluded. HRs for outdoor UFP number concentrations were robust to backcasting and mobility weighting but varied slightly in analyses using LUR and machine learning models alone, with stronger associations typically observed for the machine learning models. Associations between outdoor BC concentrations and mortality were generally weak or null, but a positive association was observed for cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Outdoor UFP number concentrations were consistently associated with increased risks of nonaccidental and cause-specific mortality in Montreal and Toronto. Our results suggest that UFP size should be considered in epidemiological analyses of outdoor UFP number concentrations, as excluding size can lead to an underestimation of health risks. Our results suggest that outdoor UFP number concentrations are positively associated with mortality independent of other outdoor air pollutants, including PM2.5 mass concentrations and oxidant gases (i.e., nitrogen dioxide [NO2] and ozone [O3]). As outdoor UFPs are currently unregulated, interventions targeting these pollutants could significantly affect population health.

Selective area epitaxy of in-plane HgTe nanostructures on CdTe(001) substrate.

Semiconductor nanowires (NWs) are believed to play a crucial role for future applications in electronics, spintronics and quantum technologies. A potential candidate is HgTe but its sensitivity to nanofabrication processes restrain its development. A way to circumvent this obstacle is the selective area growth technique. Here, in-plane HgTe nanostructures are grown thanks to selective area molecular beam epitaxy on a semi-insulating CdTe substrate covered with a patterned SiO2mask. The shape of these nanostructures is defined by the in-plane orientation of the mask aperture along the <110>, <11¯0>, or <100> direction, the deposited thickness, and the growth temperature (GT). Several micron long in-plane NWs can be achieved as well as more complex nanostructures such as networks, diamond structures or rings. A good selectivity is achieved with very little parasitic growth on the mask even for a GT as low as 140 °C and growth rate up to 0.5 monolayer per second. For <110> oriented NWs, the center of the nanostructure exhibits a trapezoidal shape with {111}B facets and two grains on the sides, while <11¯0> oriented NWs show {111}A facets with adatoms accumulation on the sides of the top surface. Transmission electron microscopy observations reveal a continuous epitaxial relation between the CdTe substrate and the HgTe NW. Measurements of the resistance with four-point scanning tunneling microscopy indicates a good electrical homogeneity along the main NW axis and a thermally activated transport. This growth method paves the way toward the fabrication of complex HgTe-based nanostructures for electronic transport measurements.

[Expression and diagnostic value of lymphocyte subsets and activation status in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis].

Objective: To determine the expression and diagnostic value of peripheral blood lymphocytes and functional activation status in non-Hodgkin lymphoma with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (NHL-HLH) . Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 30 newly diagnosed NHL-HLH patients admitted to Jiangsu Province Hospital from September 2022 to September 2023. We assessed peripheral blood lymphocytes and activation status by flow cytometry. Forty newly diagnosed patients with NHL who received treatment at our hospital during the same period and had lymphocyte and functional activation indexes were selected as the control group. The differences in relative and absolute lymphocyte counts and functional activation indexes between the two groups were compared. The optimal cutoff values for continuous variables were calculated from the receiver operating characteristic curve and logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors in NHL patients with HLH. Results: A total of 30 NHL-HLH patients were evaluated, including 12 T-cell lymphoma and 18 B-cell lymphoma patients. Forty individuals were in the control group, which included 19 T-cell lymphoma and 21 B-cell lymphoma patients. The absolute counts of CD3(+) T, CD4(+) T, CD8(+) T, and NK cells, along with the relative count of NK cells, were significantly lower in the HLH group compared with that in the control group (all P values<0.01) . The expression of CD38 and HLA-DR on CD8(+) T-cell activated subgroups was significantly higher in the NHL-HLH group compared with that in the control group (CD8(+)CD38(+)/CD8(+) T expression median: 57.4% vs 21.5%, P<0.001; CD8(+)CD38(+)/CD8(+) T expression median: 49.7% vs 33.5%, P=0.028, respectively) . In addition, CD28 expression on CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells was significantly higher in NHL-HLH patients (P<0.01) . ROC curve and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that absolute NK cell count ≤72.0 cells/µl, CD4(+)CD28(+)/CD4(+) T >94.2%, and CD8(+)CD28(+)/CD8(+) T >38.4% were risk factors for predicting the occurrence of NHL-HLH patients. The sensitivity and specificity of the regression model were 86.7% and 86.1%, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.94 (P<0.001) . Conclusions: In NHL patients with HLH, there was a significant reduction in the absolute number of peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations, whereas T-cell function was notably activated. Specifically, absolute counts of NK cells ≤72.0 cells/µl, CD4(+)CD28(+)/CD4(+) T >94.2%, and CD8(+)CD28(+)/CD8(+) T >38.4% were identified as risk factors for predicting the development of NHL-HLH patients. This will assist in early clinical diagnosis and treatment.

[Screening status of warning signs for mental and behavioral development and influencing factors of infants and young children in poverty eliminated regions of Henan province].

Objectives: To investigate the screening status of warning signs for mental and behavioral development (WS) and influencing factors of infants and young children (IYC) in poverty eliminated regions of Henan Province. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study. A total of 15 680 IYC aged 6-23 months from 51 poverty eliminated counties in Henan province from June to September of 2023 were selected through a multi-stage random sampling method. IYC's early warning signs were screened using the WS checklist (WSC). Children's socio-demographic characteristics, maternal information, birth status, and illness conditions such as fever and diarrhea within 2 weeks were measured through a uniformly designed questionnaire. All participants also received the measurement of height, weight, and hemoglobin concentration level. Logistic regression model was used to explore the influencing factors of positive WSC and conducted sensitivity analyses. Results: Among the sample of 15 680 IYC, there were 8 462 boys (53.97%) and 7 218 girls (49.03%), with their age of (15±5) months. A total of 291 (1.86%) IYC were positive in WSC. Parenting risk (OR=5.07, 95%CI 3.93-6.52, P<0.001) and preterm birth (OR=1.63, 95%CI 1.06-2.52, P=0.027) were both positively associated with the odds of WSC's positivity. Being girls (OR=0.66, 95%CI 0.52-0.85, P=0.001), age (12-17 months, OR=0.47, 95%CI 0.35-0.62, P<0.001; 18-23 months, OR=0.40, 95%CI 0.30-0.54, P<0.001), and maternal educational level (junior high school, OR=0.46, 95%CI 0.32-0.66, P<0.001; senior high school or vocational high school, OR=0.35, 95%CI 0.23-0.56, P<0.001; college and above, OR=0.36, 95%CI 0.23-0.57, P<0.001) were all negatively associated with the risk of WSC's positivity. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that, after excluding anemic children, the association between preterm birth and WSC's positivity was not significant (OR=1.54, 95%CI 0.95-2.49, P=0.081). Despite this situation, being girls, age and maternal educational level were still negatively associated with the odds of WSC's positivity (all P<0.05); preterm birth, parenting risk were remained positive associated with the risk of WSC's positivity (all P<0.05) either by excluding children with protein-energy malnutrition or 2-week morbidity, or using prevalence ratio instead of OR. Conclusions: Among the IYC in poverty eliminated regions of Henan Province, the risk of positivity of WSC was higher for those IYC with parenting risk, preterm birth, boys, younger age, and lower maternal education level. These influencing factors, such as gender, age, preterm birth, parenting risk and maternal educational level, were in certain stability across different IYC characteristics and estimation models.

[Occupational hazards of crystalline silicon solar cell manufacturing industry].

The wide use of crystalline silicon solar cells in the field of new energy is an important boost for China to achieve the environmental protection goal as soon as possible. However, the production and manufacturing processes of these cells give rise to various occupational hazards at workplace, thus posing health risks to workers. This review provided an overview of production processes of crystalline silicon solar cells, the characteristics of occupational health hazards (productive dust; physical factors, productive toxicant) and proposed occupational protection suggestions.

The mediating effect of lifestyle behaviors on the relationship between self-perceived work stress and suboptimal health status: a cross-sectional study involving Chinese urban workers.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVES: Suboptimal health status (SHS) is a third state between health and disease. Long-term being SHS will be detrimental to one's ability development. Previous studies have demonstrated the associations of lifestyle behaviors or work stress with SHS, but few studies have comprehensively analyzed the underlying factors and mechanisms between the three. This study aimed to investigate whether lifestyle behaviors mediated the relationship between self-perceived work stress and SHS. METHODS: A total of 4238 urban workers, who participated in a cross-sectional survey conducted from December 2018 to October 2019, were included. A general linear model was used to explore the associations between lifestyle behaviors and self-perceived work stress with SHS after adjusting for demographic variables. Structural equation modeling was performed to examine the mediation by lifestyle behaviors. RESULTS: The mean transformed scores of physical, mental, and social SHS were 70.98, 67.17, and 61.72, respectively. Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and high self-perceived work stress positively affected SHS (P < 0.001). Self-perceived work stress imposed negative effects on physical SHS (ß = -0.228, P < 0.001), mental SHS (ß = -0.237, P < 0.001), and social SHS (ß = -0.092, P < 0.001). The indirect effects of self-perceived work stress on physical SHS (ß = -0.139, 95% CI: -0.178 to -0.106), mental SHS (ß = -0.106, 95% CI: -0.134 to -0.082), and social SHS (ß = -0.121, 95% CI: -0.154 to -0.092) were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Lifestyle behaviors and self-perceived work stress were significantly associated with SHS among Chinese urban workers. The mediating effects of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors were found in the relationship between high self-perceived work stress and SHS. Future longitudinal research may verify these associations and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

[The impact of diabetes on bronchiectasis].

Objective: To study the impact of diabetes on bronchiectasis. Methods: From January 1 2017 to December 31 2021, data of 1 310 inpatients with bronchiectasis were retrospectively collected from Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University. This cohort inclueded 78 patients with bronchiectasis and diabetes (bronchiectasis-diabetes group) and 1 232 patients of bronchiectasis without diabetes (simple bronchiectasis group). To mitigate confounding variables, 269 patients with bronchiectasis but without diabetes (bronchiectasis non-diabetes group) were matched with 78 patients of bronchiectasis with diabetes (bronchiectasis-diabetes group) using the propensity score method in a 1∶4 ratio. A comparative analysis of clinical characteristics, laboratory test results, pathogenic infections, and disease severity was performed between the two groups. Analysis of continuous variables was performed using either a t-test or non-parametric test, while categorical data was assessed using the chi-square test. Results: The mean age of individuals in the bronchiectasis-diabetes group (62.99±8.09 years) was significantly higher than that of subjects in the simple bronchiectasis group (57.05±13.07 years) (t=-6.012, P<0.001). After propensity score matching, the pre-albumin level in the bronchiectasis-diabetes group (188.44±71.65 g/L) was found to be lower than in the bronchiectasis non-diabetes group (208.17±62.50 g/L) (t=2.023, P=0.044). In addition, the hospitalization cost for the bronchiectasis-diabetes group [1.59 (1.34, 2.15) Ten thousand yuan] was higher than that in the bronchiectasis non-diabetes group [1.39 (1.23, 1.62) Ten thousand yuan] (U=-3.744, P<0.001).The severity of mMRC in the bronchiectasis-diabetes group was significantly higher than that in the bronchiectasis non-diabetes group (χ2=25.392, P<0.001), and the frequency of previous hospitalization due to aggravation and acute exacerbation within the previous year were higher than in bronchiectasis non-diabetes group (χ2=34.031, 40.841, respectively, P<0.001). In additional, the BSI score was significantly increased in patients with bronchiectasis-diabetes compared to those with bronchiectasis non-diabetes (8.07±4.07 vs. 10.44±3.82) (P<0.001). Furthermore, fasting blood glucose concentration, urine glucose level, and BSI score exhibited positive correlations, whereas pre-albumin concentration showed a negative correlation with the BSI score (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Compared to those without diabetes, patients of bronchiectasis with diabetes have poorer nutritional status, more severe symptoms, increased risk of acute exacerbation, higher BSI score severity, and greater financial burden.

[Skin disease caused by Mycobacterium marinum:a case report].

Mycobacterium marinum infection often affects the extremities, causing single or multiple skin lesions. With the improvement of molecular detection technology and the clinical application of NGS pathogen detection, the diagnosis rate of Mycobacterium marinum skin disease is gradually increasing. This article reported the case of a 54-year-old man who was stung by a marine fish and gradually developed swelling and nodules on his right hand and right upper limb. He was diagnosed with Mycobacterium marinum infection by detection of the tuberculosis resistance gene dissolution curve of the pus and the identification of the bacteria. Oral rifampicin combined with clarithromycin and minocycline was given for anti-infection treatment. During follow-up, the abscesses and nodules gradually shrank and eventually disappeared. By presenting the diagnosis and treatment of this case, the understanding of this disease among clinicians can be improved to avoid misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.

[Application value of domestic single-port robot in nephron sparing surgery].

Objective: To explore the application value of the domestic precision ®single-port robotic system in nephron sparing surgery. Methods: The clinical data of patients with renal masses underwent nephron sparing surgery using the domestic precision ®single-port robotic system at the PLA General Hospital, Gulou Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University School of Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from September to November 2023 were retrospectively included. Perioperative clinical data, pathological examination results, and postoperative complications were summarized. Results: A total of 12 patients were included, including 8 males and 4 females, with 26-75 (56±16) years. Body mass index (BMI) was (25.1±2.7) kg/m2. There were 6 cases on the left side and 6 case on the right side. The surgical approach was transabdominal in 9 cases and retroperitoneal in 3 case. The maximum diameter of the lesions was (2.7±0.7) cm, the warm ischemia time [M (Q1, Q3)] was 19 (15, 26) minutes, the surgical time was 180 (149, 216) minutes, and the intraoperative blood loss was 50 (28, 100) ml. Postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) was (2.9±1.5) points. Postoperative pathology revealed malignant renal clear cell carcinoma in 9 cases, with nuclear grading of 3 cases for Grade 1, 3 cases for Grade 2, and 3 cases for Grade 3. Eight cases of pathological TNM staging were pT1aN0M0 and 1 case was pT3aN0M0, with no cancer at the resection margin. Three cases showed benign renal vascular smooth muscle lipoma. There were no postoperative blood transfusions and no complications such as fever, urine leakage and poor wound healing. Conclusion: The prliminary experience reveals that the domestic precision ®single-port laparoscopic robotic system has good clinical application value in urological nephron sparing surgery.

Kirschner wire vs screw osteosynthesis of lateral condyle fractures in paediatric patients: a systematic review.

This systematic review compares Kirschner wires versus a single cannulated screw for the treatment of lateral humeral condyle fractures in children. The purpose of this review is to review the current literature on fixation of lateral condyle fractures of the humerus, and to ascertain whether there is a difference in clinical outcomes of these fractures when fixated with K-wires vs screws. This systematic review of the literature comparing surgical management of paediatric (0-17 years of age) lateral condyle fractures with K-wire versus screw fixation was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Electronic searches of three databases from inception to March 2022 yielded 17 studies which satisfied inclusion criteria, comprising 1,272 patients with a median age of 8.5 years. Eight hundred and fifty-five (67.2%) patients underwent K-wire fixation and 417 (32.8%) underwent screw fixation. Results were divided into comparative and single-arm studies. The median follow-up time was 23.3 months (range 3 months-22 years). A lateral prominence was observed in 114 (13.3%) patients with K-wires and 41 (9.8%) patients with a cannulated screw. An infection developed in 52 (6.1%) patients with K-wires, while only five (1.2%) patients with a screw developed an infection. A carrying angle deformity occurred in 61 (7.1%) patients with K-wires and seven (1.7%) patients with a screw. K-wires and cannulated screws are effective and safe methods of fixation for lateral humeral condyle fractures in children. K-wire fixation may have a greater incidence of infection but allows for safe non-operative removal and versatility with fractures of greater comminution, while screw fixation necessitates a second operation for removal following union.Level of Evidence III Systematic review.

The role of melatonin in delaying senescence and maintaining quality in postharvest horticultural products.

The postharvest lifespan of horticultural products is closely related to loss of nutritional quality, accompanied by a rapid decline in shelf life, commercial value, and marketability. Melatonin (MT) application not only maintains quality but also delays senescence in horticultural products. This paper reviews biosynthesis and metabolism of endogenous MT, summarizes significant effects of exogenous MT application on postharvest horticultural products, examines regulatory mechanisms of MT-mediated effects, and provides an integrated review for understanding the positive role of MT in senescence delay and quality maintenance. As a multifunctional molecule, MT coordinates other signal molecules, such as ABA, ETH, JA, SA, NO, and Ca2+, to regulate postharvest ripening and senescence. Several metabolic pathways are involved in regulation of MT during postharvest senescence, including synthesis and signal transduction of plant hormones, redox homeostasis, energy metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and degradation of pigment and cell wall components. Moreover, MT regulates expression of genes related to plant hormones, antioxidant systems, energy generation, fruit firmness and colour, membrane integrity, and carbohydrate storage. Consequently, MT could become an emerging and eco-friendly preservative to extend shelf life and maintain postharvest quality of horticultural products.

[Meta-analysis of effectiveness evaluation of preventive measures for acute kidney injury in children].

Objective: To comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of preventive measures for acute kidney injury (AKI) in children and identify the effective strategies. Methods: Databases were systematically searched including CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, China Biology Medicine National Knowledge Infrastructure, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library databases, and the reference lists of relevant papers for randomized controlled trials on preventing pediatric AKI up to December 2023. Literature screening was conducted based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, followed by data extraction and quality assessment of included studies. Traditional and network meta-analyses were performed, along with trial sequential analysis (TSA). Results: A total of 21 studies involving 3 483 children were included. Traditional and network meta-analysis showed that dexmedetomidine was effective in preventing AKI in children undergoing cardiac surgery or cardiac angiography (OR=0.26, 0.27; 95%CI 0.11-0.64, 0.13-0.58). Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) was effective in preventing AKI in children after cardiac surgery (OR=0.43, 0.44; 95%CI 0.24-0.79, 0.23-0.83). Traditional and network meta-analysis specific to children with sepsis or septic shock showed that balanced solution was effective in preventing pediatric AKI (OR=0.58, 0.52; 95%CI 0.42-0.79, 0.37-0.73). TSA indicated that the total sample sizes of dexmedetomidine (348 cases) and RIPC (666 cases) both reached the required information size (320 and 534 cases); additionally, the Z-curve for balanced solution (cumulative Z=3.38) crossed the TSA monitoring boundary (Z=3.29). Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine reduces the risk of AKI in children undergoing cardiac surgery or cardiac angiography, RIPC decreases the risk of AKI in children after cardiac surgery, and balanced solution lowers the risk of AKI in children with sepsis or septic shock.

[Tongyangxiao Lotion promotes postoperative wound healing in a rat model of anal fistula by downregulating inflammatory factors and suppressing inflammation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of Tongyangxiao Lotion (TYX) for promoting wound healing following surgery for anal fistula. METHODS: The active ingredients and drug targets of TYX were explored using TCMSP and BATMAN databases, and the targets associated with wound healing were screened using GeneCards and OMIM databases; the intersecting drug and wound-related targets were analyzed with protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. In 25 SD rat models with simulated anal fistula surgery, the effect of wound dressing with TYX at low, medium and high doses (once daily for 14 days) on wound healing were assessed in comparison with potassium permanganate (PP) solution. The granulation tissues collected from the wounds were examined for pathological changes with HE staining and for TNF-α expression using immunohistochemistry. The expressions of 1ß, TNF-α, IL-6 mRNA and proteins in the granulation tissue were detected using RT-qPCR, Western blotting or ELISA. RESULTS: Network pharmacology analysis yielded 156 common targets between TYX and wound healing, and among them IL-1ß, TNF- α, and IL-6 were identified as potential targets of TYX for promoting wound healing. Six core components of TYX were capable of binding to IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-6 with binding energies all below -6.0 Kcal/mol. In the rat models, the wounds with TYX and PP solution dressing showed significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and increased fibroblasts and collagen deposition. TYX at the 3 doses and PP solution all significantly reduced the expressions of IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-α mRNA and IL-6 protein in the granulation tissues, but TYX at the medium and high doses produced significantly stronger effects than PP solution for lowering TNF-α protein expression and mRNA expressions of TNF- α and IL-6. CONCLUSION: TYX accelerates wound healing by down-regulating the inflammatory factors and reducing inflammation in the wounds.

[Causal relationship between gut microbiota and pigmented villonodular synovitis: a Mendelian randomization analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and pigmented villonodular synovitis using Mendelian randomization analysis. METHODS: We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the causal relationship between 211 gut microbiome taxa and pigmented villonodular synovitis based on GWAS summary data, with inverse variance weighted (IVW) analysis as the primary result and the other methods as supplementary analyses. The reliability of the results was tested using Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger regression, MR-PRESSO method and conditional Mendelian randomization analysis (cML-MA). RESULTS: The increased abundance of Barnesiella (OR=3.12, 95% CI: 1.15-8.41, P=0.025) and Rumatococcaceae UCG010 (OR=4.03, 95% CI: 1.19-13.68, P=0.025) may increase the risk of pigmented villous nodular synovitis, and elevated abundance of Lachnospiraceae (OR=0.33, 95% CI: 0.12-0.91, P=0.032), Alistipes (OR=0.16, 95% CI: 0.05-0.53, P=0.003), Blautia (OR=0.20, 95% CI: 0.06-0.61, P=0.005), and Lachnospiraceae FCS020 group (OR=0.38, 95% CI: 0.15-0.94, P=0.036) and Ruminococcaceae UCG014 (OR=0.36, 95% CI: 0.14-0.94, P=0.037) were all associated with a reduced risk of pigmented villonodular synovitis, which were supported by the results of sensitivity analyses. Reverse Mendelian randomization analysis did not reveal any inverse causal association. CONCLUSION: Increased abundance of specific intestinal microorganisms is associated with increased or decreased risks of developing hyperpigmented villonodular synovitis, and gut microbiota plays an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease.

[Pay attention to the diagnosis and treatment of "easily neglected" complications in liver cirrhosis].

Managing cirrhosis complications is an important measure for improving patients' clinical outcomes. Therefore, in order to provide a complete disease assessment and comprehensive treatment, improve quality of life, and improve the prognosis for patients with cirrhosis, it is necessary to pay attention to complications such as thrombocytopenia and portal vein thrombosis in addition to common or severe complications such as ascites, esophagogastric variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, and hepatorenal syndrome. The relevant concept that an effective albumin concentration is more helpful in predicting the cirrhosis outcome is gradually being accepted; however, the detection method still needs further standardization and commercialization.

[An analysis of related factors in thrombocytopenia combined with cirrhosis: a cross-sectional study of 2 517 cases].

Objective: To explore the related factors of thrombocytopenia (TCP) occurrence in patients with cirrhosis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Inpatients with an initial diagnosis of cirrhosis at Peking University First Hospital from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2020 were included. Clinical data such as demographic characteristics, etiology of cirrhosis, complications of cirrhosis, laboratory indicators, Child-Pugh grade, invasive procedures, and mortality during hospitalization were collected. A logistic regression model was used to explore the related factors of TCP occurrence in patients with cirrhosis. Categorical variables were compared by the χ(2) test. The inter-group comparison was performed using continuous variables, a t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), or a nonparametric test. Results: There were a total of 2 592 cases of cirrhosis. 75 cases with incomplete clinical data were excluded. 2 517 cases were included for analysis. The median age was 58 (50, 67) years. Males accounted for 64%. 1 435 cases (57.0%) developed TCP, and 434 cases (17.2%) had grade 3-4 TCP. Gender, primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and concomitant esophagogastric varices (EGV) were the major factors associated with TCP. Females were more prone to combine with TCP (OR=1.32, 95%CI: 1.12-1.56, P=0.001). Patients combined with EGV (OR=3.09, 95%CI: 2.63-3.65, P<0.001) were more prone to develop TCP, which was associated with the increased incidence of hypersplenism (P<0.001). Patients with PBC (OR=0.64, 95%CI: 0.50-0.82, P<0.001) and PSC (OR=0.23, 95%CI: 0.06-0.65, P=0.010) were less prone to develop TCP, which was due to the shorter prothrombin time and better coagulation function of PBC patients (P<0.001), and the lower proportion of hypersplenism in combined PSC patients (P=0.004). Patients with TCP and grade 3-4 TCP had a higher rate of hemostatic procedures (P<0.05), but a lower rate of liver biopsy (P<0.05). Patients with grade 3-4 TCP had a higher nosocomial mortality rate compared to those without (P=0.004). Conclusion: TCP is common in patients with cirrhosis. However, TCP occurrence is higher in female patients with EGV and lower in patients combined with PBC and PSC. TCP affects invasive procedures and is associated with adverse outcomes.

[Changes in tumor microbiome and underlying value according to response to neoadjuvan chemotherapy for in patients with gastric cancer].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for gastric cancer and gastric microecology. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study using fresh frozen operative specimens. The specimens had been stored in the tumor sample bank of the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2017 to January 2023 after having been collected from 31 patients with pathologically diagnosed gastric cancer who had no metastases and had received only neoadjuvant chemotherapy preoperatively. The study patients had all successfully undergone radical gastric cancer surgery. Patients with metastases or other primary tumor foci and/or had received other therapies within 1 month prior to surgery, including immunotherapy, targeted therapies and probiotics, were excluded. The tumors were graded and grouped in accordance with the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system and the Tumor Regression Grading System (TRG) of the College of American Pathologists. Those with TRG Grades 0-1, ypT0-1 and ypN0 were classified as responsive (Group R, 12 cases), whereas those with TRG Grades 2-3 and ypT2-4 or ypN+ were classified as non-responsive (Group NR, 19 cases). The fresh frozen samples were processed and analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Alpha and beta diversity analyses were performed using the Q2-diversity plug-in for QIIME2 and STAMP was used to determine the default parameters and differentially enriched bacterial taxa in the two groups. High-dimensional class comparisons were performed by effect size linear discriminant analysis, and potential functional distributions of microbiomes were predicted using PICRUST2 (v2.3.0-b) software. Results: Groups R and NR did not differ significantly in sex, age, body mass index, smoking history, tumor location, cTNM stage before NACT, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (all P>0.05), whereas tumor size and ypTNM stage after NACT differed significantly between the two groups (both P=0.001). Alpha and beta diversity analysis of the gastric microbiota did not reveal a statistically significant difference in alpha diversity between the two groups (P>0.05), whereas there was a statistically significant difference in beta diversity between the two groups (P=0.004). Four family-level bacterial taxa, namely Coriobacteriaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Veillonellaceae, and Lachnospiraceae, were enriched in the R group, whereas four bacterial taxa dominated by phylum Proteobacteria were enriched in the NR group. Metabolic pathways of various amino acids, including citric acid cycle and alanine, were found to be potentially predictive. Conclusions: There are significant differences in the abundance and composition of gastric microecology in gastric cancer patients with different responses to NACT.

PRDM1 promotes the ferroptosis and immune escape of thyroid cancer by regulating USP15-mediated SELENBP1 deubiquitination.

BACKGROUND: The deubiquitinating enzyme Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 15 (USP15) is upregulated in various cancers and promotes tumor progression by increasing the expression of several oncogenes. This project is designed to explore the role and mechanism of USP15 in thyroid cancer (TC) progression. METHODS: Selenium-binding protein 1 (SELENBP1), USP15, CCL2/5, CXCL10/11, IL-4, and TGF-ß1 mRNA levels were detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). SELENBP1, USP15, GPX4, IL-10, Arg-1, Granzyme B, TNF-α, and PR domain zinc finger protein 1 (PRDM1) protein levels were examined by western blot assay. Fe+ level, malondialdehyde (MDA), and lipid-ROS levels were determined using special kits. The proportion of CD11b+CD206+ positive cells was detected using a flow cytometry assay. The role of SELENBP1 on TC cell growth was examined using a xenograft tumor model in vivo. After GeneMANIA prediction, the interaction between USP15 and SELENBP1 was verified using Co-immunoprecipitation (CoIP) assay. The binding between PRDM1 and USP15 promoter was predicted by JASPAR and validated using Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and dual-luciferase reporter assays. RESULTS: SELENBP1 was increased in TC subjects and cell lines, and its knockdown repressed TC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, immune escape, and induced ferroptosis in vitro, as well as blocked tumor growth in vivo. In mechanism, USP15 interacted with SELENBP1 and maintained its stabilization by removing ubiquitin. Meanwhile, the upregulation of USP15 was induced by the transcription factor PRDM1. CONCLUSION: USP15 transcriptionally mediated by PRDM1 might boost TC cell malignant behaviors through deubiquitinating SELENBP1, providing a promising therapeutic target for TC treatment.