Medical Waste Management in China: A Case Study of Xinxiang

Due to medical waste’s infection and hazard, it can cause potential environmental and public health risks, so medical waste management is of great importance especially in developing countries. The objective of the study was to analyze and assess current status of medical waste management in the light of semi-structured interview in medical institutions and the medical waste disposal centre. As a medium-sized city of China and its respective nature, Xinxiang was selected as the case study. In order to significantly improve eco-efficiency of medical waste management (MWM) and minimize the environmental risks, this paper identified key factors determining the implementation of MWM on the basis of the local realities and situations of medical waste, and then an integrated MWM system was developed. Such the regulations should be improved;MWM database platform should be strengthened;unified coordination ability of the MWM should be developed;and a suitable rural recycling network should be set up.

Ambient Temperature and Risk of Outpatient Chronic Pharyngitis Visits:A Time-series Analysis in Xinxiang,China

Chronic pharyngitis(CP)is a prevalent medical condition in the field of otorhinolaryngology characterized by persistent inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa,submucosa,and lymphoid tissue.The etiology of CP is multifactorial,with noninfectious factors such as personal habits(e.g.,smoking and drinking).

Nanocarrier-mediated siRNA delivery:a new approach for the treatment of traumatic brain injury-related Alzheimer's disease

Traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer's disease share pathological similarities,including neuronal loss,amyloid-βdeposition,tau hyperphosphorylation,blood-brain barrier dysfunction,neuroinflammation,and cognitive deficits.Furthermore,traumatic brain injury can exacerbate Alzheimer's disease-like pathologies,potentially leading to the development of Alzheimer's disease.Nanocarriers offer a potential solution by facilitating the delive ry of small interfering RNAs across the blood-brain barrier for the targeted silencing of key pathological genes implicated in traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer's disease.U nlike traditional approaches to neuro regeneration,this is a molecula r-targeted strategy,thus avoiding non-specific drug actions.This review focuses on the use of nanocarrier systems for the efficient and precise delive ry of siRNAs,discussing the advantages,challenges,and future directions.In principle,siRNAs have the potential to target all genes and non-targetable protein s,holding significant promise for treating various diseases.Among the various therapeutic approaches currently available for neurological diseases,siRNA gene silencing can precisely"turn off"the expression of any gene at the genetic level,thus radically inhibiting disease progression;however,a significant challenge lies in delivering siRNAs across the blood-brain barrier.Nanoparticles have received increasing attention as an innovative drug delive ry tool fo r the treatment of brain diseases.They are considered a potential therapeutic strategy with the advantages of being able to cross the blood-brain barrier,targeted drug delivery,enhanced drug stability,and multifunctional therapy.The use of nanoparticles to deliver specific modified siRNAs to the injured brain is gradually being recognized as a feasible and effective approach.Although this strategy is still in the preclinical exploration stage,it is expected to achieve clinical translation in the future,creating a new field of molecular targeted therapy and precision medicine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease associated with traumatic brain injury.

Investigation and Analysis of Rural Medical Waste Management

Objective: The aim is to understand the status of rural medical waste management and problems and to make recommendations. Methods: The questionnaire survey, interviews and comparative analysis are used. Results: Compared with urban medical waste management, rural medical waste management is weaker in classification, unified recycle, disposals, protect measures of related personnel, regulations and policies of awareness. Conclusion: It is recommended to improve policies and regulations of rural medical waste management, strengthen rural infrastructures and facilities, improve supervision and innovates means of supervision.

Research on Practical Pathways of Strengthening Labor Education for College and University Students in the New Era

Labor education is an essential component of college and university education that can help students to develop a strong work ethic,acquire practical skills,and better understand the value of work.Strengthening labor education for college and university students is an urgent need of the high-quality development of the society and the internal requirement of promoting the all-round development of individuals.This study analyzes the importance of strengthening labor education for college and university students in the new era and proposes four practical pathways which draw on labor courses and campus activities,social practices,scientific research projects,and internships.After implementing these pathways,a survey of 967 students showed that students’understanding and awareness of labor was deepened,their hands-on skills and interests in science and labor practices were improved,and they became more cordially respectful to the working class.Taken together,the exploration and practice of these pathways helps college and university students to recognize their abilities,strengths,and interests,and guides them to form good labor habits that permeate all aspects of their studies and lives.

A Study on the Flipped Class Mode of Medical English Reading Based on WeChat Platform

This article aims to introduce the design concept and implementation methods of the flipped class of medical English reading based on We Chat platform in order to explore problems and solutions existing in the teaching. Based on typical characteristics of the flipped class, college students' addiction for smartphones and the appropriateness and convenience of We Chat, it is implemented with the help of We Chat. It can be divided into three steps to implement: pre-class, in-class and post-class. However, to a certain extent, this kind of teaching mode is limited by students' self-consciousness, enthusiasm, language foundation,self-learning ability and teachers' guidance. Focusing on the above problems, the author gives the relevant solutions.

Current perspectives on mesenchymal stem cells as a potential therapeutic strategy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)has emerged as a significant health challenge,characterized by its widespread prevalence,intricate natural progression and multifaceted pathogenesis.Although NAFLD initially presents as benign fat accumulation,it may progress to steatosis,non-alcoholic steatohepatitis,cirrhosis,and hepatocellular carcinoma.Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)are recognized for their intrinsic self-renewal,superior biocompatibility,and minimal immunogenicity,positioning them as a therapeutic innovation for liver diseases.Therefore,this review aims to elucidate the potential roles of MSCs in alleviating the progression of NAFLD by alteration of underlying molecular pathways,including glycolipid metabolism,inflammation,oxidative stress,endoplasmic reticulum stress,and fibrosis.The insights are expected to provide further understanding of the potential of MSCs in NAFLD therapeutics,and support the development of MSC-based therapy in the treatment of NAFLD.

Managing immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated gastritis: Insights and strategies

Immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)are widely used due to their effectiveness in treating various tumors.Immune-related adverse events(irAEs)are defined as adverse effects resulting from ICI treatment.Gastrointestinal irAEs are a common type of irAEs characterized by intestinal side effects,such as diarrhea and colitis,which may lead to the discontinuation of ICIs.

Effects of Curcumin on Neuroinflammation and the Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway in Rat Brains Following Gas Explosion

Gas explosions,a major occupational hazard in China’s coal industry,endanger the lives and health of miners.These explosions cause a specific type of traumatic brain injury with complex mechanisms,leading to disability and death.A study by Zhao et al.using magnetic resonance imaging on 49 gas explosion survivors revealed significant damage to brain regions like the hippocampus and cerebral cortex.

Aspirin suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression by inhibiting platelet activity

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the most common malignant liver disease in the world.Platelets(PLTs)are known to play a key role in the maintenance of liver homeostasis and the pathophysiological processes of a variety of liver diseases.Aspirin is the most classic antiplatelet agent.However,the molecular mechanism of platelet action and whether aspirin can affect HCC progression by inhibiting platelet activity need further study.AIM To explore the impact of the antiplatelet effect of aspirin on the development of HCC.METHODS Platelet-rich plasma,platelet plasma,pure platelet,and platelet lysate were prepared,and a coculture model of PLTs and HCC cells was established.CCK-8 analysis,apoptosis analysis,Transwell analysis,and real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)were used to analyze the effects of PLTs on the growth,metastasis,and inflammatory microenvironment of HCC.RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the effects of platelet activation on tumor-related signaling pathways.Aspirin was used to block the activation and aggregation of PLTs both in vitro and in vivo,and the effect of PLTs on the progression of HCC RESULTS PLTs significantly promoted the growth,invasion,epithelial-mesenchymal transition,and formation of an inflammatory microenvironment in HCC cells.Activated PLTs promoted HCC progression by activating the mitogenactivated protein kinase/protein kinase B/signal transducer and activator of transcription three(MAPK/AKT/STAT3)signaling axis.Additionally,aspirin inhibited HCC progression in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting platelet activation.CONCLUSION PLTs play an important role in the pathogenesis of HCC,and aspirin can affect HCC progression by inhibiting platelet activity.These results suggest that antiplatelet therapy has promising application prospects in the treatment and combined treatment of HCC.

Small particle drug-eluting beads-transarterial chemoembolization combined with targeted therapy in the clinical treatment of unresectable liver cancer

BACKGROUND Liver cancer is a highly malignant tumor with significant clinical impact.Chemotherapy alone often yields suboptimal outcomes in both the short and long term,characterized by high rates of local recurrence and distant metastasis,leading to a poor long-term prognosis.AIM To evaluate the clinical efficacy of small particle drug-eluting beads-transarterial chemoembolization(DEB-TACE)combined with targeted therapy for the treatment of unresectable liver cancer.METHODS We analyzed clinical data from 74 patients with unresectable liver cancer admitted between January 2019 and December 2020.Based on the different treatment regimens administered,patients were divided into the control(36 patients receiving sorafenib alone)and joint(38 patients receiving small particle DEB-TACE combined with sorafenib)groups.We compared liver function indicators[alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),total bilirubin(TBIL),albumin(ALB)]and serum tumor markers[alpha fetoprotein(AFP)]before and after treatment in both groups.Short-term efficacy measures[complete response(CR),partial response,progression disease,stable disease,objective response rate(ORR),and disease control rate(DCR)]were assessed post-treatment.Long-term follow-up evaluated median overall survival(OS),progression-free survival(PFS),and adverse reaction rates between the two groups.RESULTS One month post-treatment,the joint group demonstrated significantly higher rates of CR,ORR,and DCR compared to the control group(P<0.05).Three days after treatment,the joint group showed elevated levels of ALT,AST,and TBIL but reduced levels of ALB and AFP compared to the control group(P<0.05).The median OS was 18 months for the control group and 25 months for the joint group,while the median PFS was 15 months for the control group and 22 months for the joint group,with significant differences observed(log-rank:χ2=7.824,6.861,respectively;P=0.005,0.009,respectively).The incidence of adverse reactions was not significantly different between the groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION The combination of small particle DEB-TACE and sorafenib significantly improves both short-and long-term outcomes in the treatment of unresectable liver cancer while preserving liver function.

Periorbital purpura can be the only initial symptom of primary light chain amyloidosis:A case report

BACKGROUND Primary light chain amyloidosis is a rare and complex disease with complex clinical features and is highly susceptible to misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis in the early stages.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of a 47-year-old female patient whose only initial symptom was periorbital purpura,which was not taken seriously enough.As the disease progressed,pleural effusion gradually appeared,and after systematic diagnosis and treatment,she was diagnosed with“primary light chain amyloidosis”.She achieved rapid hematological remission after treatment with a daratumumab+bortezomib+cyclophosphamide+dexamethasone regimen.CONCLUSION Periorbital purpura can be the only initial symptom of primary light chain amyloidosis;we should pay attention to the cases where the initial clinical symptoms are only periorbital purpura.

Change in self-image pressure level before and after autologous fat breast augmentation and its effect on social adaptability

BACKGROUND There is an increasingly strong demand for appearance and physical beauty in social life,marriage,and other aspects with the development of society and the improvement of material living standards.An increasing number of people have improved their appearance and physical shape through aesthetic plastic surgery.The female breast plays a significant role in physical beauty,and droopy or atrophied breasts can frequently lead to psychological inferiority and lack of confidence in women.This,in turn,can affect their mental health and quality of life.AIM To analyze preoperative and postoperative self-image pressure-level changes of autologous fat breast augmentation patients and their impact on social adaptability.METHODS We selected 160 patients who underwent autologous fat breast augmentation at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from January 2020 to December 2022 using random sampling method.The general information,selfimage pressure level,and social adaptability of the patients were investigated using a basic information survey,body image self-assessment scale,and social adaptability scale.The self-image pressure-level changes and their effects on the social adaptability of patients before and after autologous fat breast augmentation were analyzed.RESULTS We collected 142 valid questionnaires.The single-factor analysis results showed no statistically significant difference in the self-image pressure level and social adaptability score of patients with different ages,marital status,and monthly income.However,there were significant differences in social adaptability among patients with different education levels and employment statuses.The correlation analysis results revealed a significant correlation between the self-image pressure level and social adaptability score before and after surgery.Multiple factors analysis results showed that the degree of concern caused by appearance in selfimage pressure,the degree of possible behavioral intervention,the related distress caused by body image,and the influence of body image on social life influenced the social adaptability of autologous fat breast augmentation patients.CONCLUSION The self-image pressure on autologous fat breast augmentation patients is inversely proportional to their social adaptability.

Estimating the Scarlet Fever Epidemics Using a Seasonal Autoregressive Fractionally Integrated Moving Average Model

Scarlet fever(SF)is a common infectious disease caused by group A streptococcus(GAS)[1].During the 18th and 19th centuries,SF was a significant cause of mortality in children aged 5-15 years worldwide[2].The incidence and fatality rates of SF have decreased remarkably due to the widespread use of effective antibiotics and improvements in diet and sanitation[3].However,the recent resurgence of SF has sparked significant interest in infectious diseases[1,3].Given the insufficient understanding of the triggers that cause SF outbreaks and the absence of available vaccines to prevent GAS infection to date[1],effective prevention and control programs are needed to manage the ongoing spread of SF.

Pectolinarin inhibited LPS-stimulated inflammation in microglial BV_(2) cells via NF-κB signaling pathway

Background:Neuro-inflammation is regarded as one of the critical pathogenesis in neurodegenerative diseases,which is characterized by the activated microglial cells.Pectolinarin(Pec),a natural flavonoid that exists in many Chinese herbal medicines,has been reported to have various biological activities.However,the effects and mechanisms on neuro-inflammation are not clear.Methods:In this study,the inhibitory effects and mechanisms of Pec on neuro-inflammation were investigated in the LPS-stimulated microglial BV_(2) cells.BV_(2) microglial cells were treated with Pec or vehicle,followed by LPS.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,real-time quantitative PCR,nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species assay,and western blot were performed to examine the effects of Pec on neuro-inflammatory responses.Results:We showed that Pec significantly inhibited the expression of tumor necrosis factorαand interleukin 6 in mRNA and protein levels induced by LPS.Moreover,the production of nitric oxide,iNOS,reactive oxygen species,and COX-2 were suppressed by Pec in LPS-stimulated microglial BV_(2) cells.In addition,Pec inhibited LPS-induced inflammation via nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway,as evidenced by the reduction of the phosphorylation of inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase,the degradation of IκBα,and the nuclear translocation of p65.Conclusion:Taken together,Pec exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-stimulated microglial BV_(2) cells via nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway,which might provide therapeutic potential for neuro-inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.

Enhancing metformin-induced tumor metabolism destruction by glucose oxidase for triple-combination therapy

Despite decades of laboratory and clinical trials,breast cancer remains the main cause of cancer-related disease burden in women.Considering the metabolism destruction effect of metformin(Met)and cancer cell starvation induced by glucose oxidase(GOx),after their efficient delivery to tumor sites,GOx and Met may consume a large amount of glucose and produce sufficient hydrogen peroxide in situ.Herein,a pH-responsive epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG)-conjugated low-molecular-weight chitosan(LC-EGCG,LE)nanoparticle(Met–GOx/Fe@LE NPs)was constructed.The coordination between iron ions(Fe3+)and EGCG in this nanoplatform can enhance the efficacy of chemodynamic therapy via the Fenton reaction.Met–GOx/Fe@LE NPs allow GOx to retain its enzymatic activity while simultaneously improving its stability.Moreover,this pH-responsive nanoplatform presents controllable drug release behavior.An in vivo biodistribution study showed that the intracranial accumulation of GOx delivered by this nanoplatform was 3.6-fold higher than that of the free drug.The in vivo anticancer results indicated that this metabolism destruction/starvation/chemodynamic triple-combination therapy could induce increased apoptosis/death of tumor cells and reduce their proliferation.This triple-combination therapy approach is promising for efficient and targeted cancer treatment.

SiO_(2) Induces Iron Overload and Ferroptosis in Cardiomyocytes in a Silicosis Mouse Model

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the role and mechanism of ferroptosis in SiO_(2)-induced cardiac injury using a mouse model.Methods Male C57BL/6 mice were intratracheally instilled with SiO_(2) to create a silicosis model.Ferrostatin-1(Fer-1)and deferoxamine(DFO)were used to suppress ferroptosis.Serum biomarkers,oxidative stress markers,histopathology,iron content,and the expression of ferroptosis-related proteins were assessed.Results SiO_(2) altered serum cardiac injury biomarkers,oxidative stress,iron accumulation,and ferroptosis markers in myocardial tissue.Fer-1 and DFO reduced lipid peroxidation and iron overload,and alleviated SiO_(2)-induced mitochondrial damage and myocardial injury.SiO_(2) inhibited Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)and its downstream antioxidant genes,while Fer-1 more potently reactivated Nrf2 compared to DFO.Conclusion Iron overload-induced ferroptosis contributes to SiO_(2)-induced cardiac injury.Targeting ferroptosis by reducing iron accumulation or inhibiting lipid peroxidation protects against SiO_(2) cardiotoxicity,potentially via modulation of the Nrf2 pathway.

Current Status of Stem Cells in the Treatment of Premature Ovarian Failure

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a prevalent cause of female infertility. POF features include estrogen hypofunction, amenorrhea, infertility, and high gonadotropin levels. The etiology of POF is genetic diseases, autoimmune diseases, enzyme defects and environmental factors. The development of Regenerative medicine has made stem cell and exosome (EXOs) therapy effective for POF. This review discusses POF stem cell research and development.

Prognostic and immunological roles of heat shock protein A4 in lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND Heat shock protein A4(HSPA4)belongs to molecular chaperone protein family which plays important roles within variable cellular activities,including cancer initiation and progression.However,the prognostic and immunological significance of HSPA4 in lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD)has not been revealed yet.AIM To explore the prognostic and immunological roles of HSPA4 to identify a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for LUAD.METHODS We assessed the prognostic and immunological significance of HSPA4 in LUAD using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database.The association between HSPA4 expression and clinical-pathological features was assessed through Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.Univariate/multivariate Cox regression analyses and Kaplan-Meier curves were employed to evaluate prognostic factors,including HSPA4,in LUAD.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)was conducted to identify the key signaling pathways associated with HSPA4.The correlation between HSPA4 expression and cancer immune infiltration was evaluated using single-sample gene set enrichment analysis(ssGSEA).RESULTS Overexpressing HSPA4 was significantly related to advanced pathologic TNM stage,advanced pathologic stage,progression disease status of primary therapy outcome and female subgroups with LUAD.In addition,increased HSPA4 expression was found to be related to worse disease-specific survival and overall survival.GSEA analysis indicated a significant correlation between HSPA4 and cell cycle regulation and immune response,particularly through diminishing the function of cytotoxicity cells and CD8 T cells.The ssGSEA algorithm showed a positive correlation between HSPA4 expression and infiltrating levels of Th2 cells,while a negative correlation was observed with cytotoxic cell infiltration levels.CONCLUSION Our findings indicate HSPA4 is related to prognosis and immune cell infiltrates and may act as a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for LUAD.

Mechanisms of resistance to trastuzumab in HER2-positive gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide,and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-positive cases account for approximately 20%of the total cases.Currently,trastuzumab+chemotherapy is the recommended first-line treatment for patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer,and the combination has exhibited definite efficacy in HER2-targeted therapy.However,the emergence of drug resistance during treatment considerably reduces its effectiveness;thus,it is imperative to investigate the potential mechanisms underlying resistance.In the present review article,we comprehensively introduce multiple mechanisms underlying resistance to trastuzumab in HER2-positive gastric cancer cases,aiming to provide insights for rectifying issues associated with resistance to trastuzumab and devising subsequent treatment strategies.