Association of Occupational Noise Exposure and Extended High-Frequency Hearing Loss in Young Workers With Normal Hearing.

Objectives: Studies on the relationship between occupational noise exposure and extended high-frequency (EHF) hearing loss are limited. This study investigated the relationship between occupational noise exposure and EHF hearing loss in workers exposed to noise as measured by sound pressure level, exposure duration, and kurtosis to help provide a basis for early detection and prevention of hearing loss in noise-exposed workers.

Design: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 602 participants with 472 noise-exposed workers and 130 non-noise-exposed controls.

Golf Ball-like Polymer Particles by Colloidal Etching.

The unique core-corona structure of raspberry-like particles makes it an ideal template for the fabrication of golf ball-like particles by selective removal of the corona particles. However, few types of raspberry-like polymer-polymer core-corona composite particles have been used as the templates, probably because it is relatively difficult to synthesize well-defined raspberry-like polymer-polymer composite particles. We describe, for the first time, the fabrication of golf ball-like polymer particles by colloidal etching of raspberry-like poly(glycidyl methacrylate)-polystyrene (PGMA-PS) composite particles in a tetrahydrofuran (THF)/water medium with a higher THF concentration.

Synthesis of Raspberry-like PMMA Particles In a Ternary Solvent Mixture with Binary Initiators.

There is continuing interest in the synthesis of raspberry-like polymer particles, among which most of the reports have tended to focus on polymer composite particles, while there are relatively few examples of polymer particles with a single component. In this study, raspberry-like poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) particles were synthesized by a one-step method in a ternary solvent mixture with binary initiators. The effects of different polymerization parameters, including the solvent composition, the initiator composition, the stabilizer component, the polymerization temperature, the stirring rate, and the nature of the monomer, on the morphology and size of the resulting particles were studied.

Incidence of Congenital Posterior Arch Defects of the Atlas in Chinese Population.

Objective: To study the incidence of congenital posterior arch defects of the atlas and in combination with other congenital variations in the Chinese population.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1405 images of cervical 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) and 1284 images of head and cervical 3-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D CTA), including images of 1539 male and 1150 female individuals. These images of cervical 3D CT and head and cervical 3D CTA were obtained in the Department of Radiology of 2 hospitals, Second and Third People's Hospital of Jingzhou, China, from January 2020 to October 2023.

Associations Between Noise Exposure Level, Noise Kurtosis, and Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions in Young Workers With Normal Hearing.

Objectives: Growing evidence has suggested that, in addition to noise exposure level, noise temporal structure (i.e., kurtosis) plays an important role in the development of noise-induced hearing loss, while most of the relevant research has been on the results of pure-tone audiometry.

The Increasing Trend of Triazole-Resistant Candida from Vulvovaginal Candidiasis.

Purpose: Candida vaginitis is widely prevalent worldwide and is one of the common gynecological disorders. The aim of this study is to analyze the sensitivity of recurrent vulvovaginal (RVVC) candidiasis to antifungal drugs and its relationship with vaginal microbiota.

Patients And Methods: We Isolated and cultured Candida from RVVC patients, mass spectrometry and broth microdilution method were used to identify and determine MIC values of antifungal drugs.

Transport and retention of COVID-19-related antiviral drugs in saturated porous media under various hydrochemical conditions.

Antiviral drugs have garnered considerable attention, particularly in the global battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, amid heightened concerns regarding environmentally acquired antiviral resistance. A comprehensive understanding of their transport in subsurface environments is imperative for accurately predicting their environmental fate and risks. This study investigated the mobility and retention characteristics of six COVID-19 antiviral drugs in saturated quartz sand columns.

Developing a Framework for Industrial Noise Risk Management Based on Noise Kurtosis and Its Adjustment.

Objectives: Noise risk control or management based on noise level has been documented, but noise risk management based on a combination of noise level and noise's temporal structure is rarely reported. This study aimed to develop a framework for industrial noise risk management based on noise kurtosis (reflecting noise's temporal structure) and its adjustment for the noise level.

Design: A total of 2805 Chinese manufacturing workers were investigated using a cross-sectional survey.

Automatic diagnosis for adenomyosis in ultrasound images by deep neural networks.

Objective: To present a new noninvasive technique for automatic diagnosis of adenomyosis, using a novel end-to-end unified network framework based on transformer networks.

Study Design: This is a prospective descriptive study conducted at a university hospital.1654 patients were recruited to the study according to adenomyosis diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound (TVS).

Development and application of UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS methods for the determination of eight metabolites of p-chloronitrobenzene in human urine.

Accurate, reliable, and sensitive methods for the determination of eight metabolites of p-chloronitrobenzene (p-CNB) were developed based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography - quadrupole - orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS). The free and conjugated forms of metabolites were determined before and after urine samples were hydrolyzed with acid. Subsequently, three solid phase extraction steps were used for concentration and purification.

Association of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with polycystic ovary syndrome through bidirectional Mendelian randomization.

Background: Observational studies have established a link between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), with obesity being a significant confounding factor that complicates the understanding of causality. This study seeks to clarify the causal relationship by utilizing bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Methods: A bidirectional MR strategy was implemented to investigate the potential causal relationship between PCOS and OSAS.

Traceability of gushing water in the MiddleRoute of the South-to-North Water Diversion (Beijing section) through the river area.

To trace the origin of the gushing water in the riverine area of the Beijing section of The Middle Route of South-to-North Water Diversion Project, a dataset was established comprising water chemistry, three-dimensional fluorescence spectra, and stable isotopes for different water bodies. Results indicated significant differences in Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and Ca concentration among the gushing water, river water, and the water from the Middle Route of South-to-North Water Diversion Project (MRSD). Analysis using parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) and fluorescence index revealed that dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the MRSD mainly originated from endogenous sources, while the river water and gushing water showed influences from both endogenous and exogenous sources.

Design and Discovery of a Potent and Selective Inhibitor of Integrin αvβ1.

Selective inhibition of the RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) integrin αvβ1 has been recently identified as an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of liver fibrosis given its function, target expression, and safety profile. Our identification of a non-RGD small molecule lead followed by focused, systematic changes to the core structure utilizing a crystal structure, modeling, and a tractable synthetic approach resulted in the identification of a potent small molecule exhibiting a remarkable affinity for αvβ1 relative to several other integrin isoforms measured. Azabenzimidazolone demonstrated antifibrotic efficacy in an rat liver fibrosis model and represents a tool compound capable of further exploring the biological consequences of selective αvβ1 inhibition.

Comparative study of the quick action effect of multiple enzyme-based nano-emulsified oils in enhancing nitrate contamination remediation in groundwater.

Emulsified vegetable oil (EVO), as a novel green slow-releasing substrate, has performed great potential in subsurface bioremediation due to its slow release and longevity. Nevertheless, the long time it takes to initiate this process still exposed some limitations. Herein, multiple enzyme-based EVOs (EN-EVOs) were developed to enhance the quick-acting effect in nitrate-contaminated bioremediation.

Model prediction of radioactivity levels in the environment and food around the world's first AP 1000 nuclear power unit.

Objectives: Model prediction of radioactivity levels around nuclear facilities is a useful tool for assessing human health risks and environmental impacts. We aim to develop a model for forecasting radioactivity levels in the environment and food around the world's first AP 1000 nuclear power unit.

Methods: In this work, we report a pilot study using time-series radioactivity monitoring data to establish Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models for predicting radioactivity levels.

Preparation of Surface-Wrinkled Silica-Polystyrene Colloidal Composite Particles.

In this work, we report a facile emulsion swelling route to prepare surface-wrinkled silica-polystyrene (SiO-PS) composite particles. Submicrometer-sized, near-spherical SiO-PS composite particles were first synthesized by dispersion polymerization of styrene in an ethanol/water mixture, and then, surface-wrinkled SiO-PS particles were obtained by swelling the SiO-PS particles with a toluene/water emulsion and subsequent drying. It is emphasized that no surface pretreatment on the SiO-PS composite particles is required for the formation of the wrinkled surface, and the most striking feature is that the surface-wrinkled particle was not deformed from a single near-spherical SiO-PS composite particle but from many ones.

Energetic utilization of corn stalk and elimination of methyl orange in ECMO-like integrated reactor: Co-occurrence of anaerobic digestion and aerobic treatment.

For the simultaneous energetic utilization of corn stalk and azo-dye contaminated wastewater, an ECMO-like integrated reactor was come up to achieve the biogas production and azo-dye degradation during anaerobic digestion (AD). Methyl orange (MO) was selected as the model compound for azo-dye. The ECMO-like reactor included AD main reactor with a spray device and solid-liquid separation components, integrated with an aeration reactor for biogas slurry.

Microplastics alter the microbiota-mediated phosphorus profiles at sediment-water interface: Distinct microbial effects between sediment and plastisphere.

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in freshwater sediments, raising concern about their potential impacts on ecosystem services. However, the specific impacts of microbiota mediated by MPs in sediment and plastisphere compartments on P availability remain elusive. This investigation conducted a series of microcosm experiments utilizing eutrophic lake sediment amended with fuel-based polyethylene terephthalate (PET), bio-based polylactic acid (PLA) MPs, and a natural cobblestone substrate to unravel their effects.

Research on differential game of platform corporate social responsibility governance strategy considering user and public scrutiny.

The development of digital technology and the sharing economy has extended corporations' innovative activities beyond the corporation's boundaries, so it has become more urgent to govern the lack of social responsibility and alienation of platform corporations from the perspective of social agents. First, the platform's CSR classification and social responsibility governance's main content are analyzed in this research. Then, this study uses government agencies, platform corporations, users, and the public as governance subjects and compares governance decisions with and without public and user oversight.

Balanced medial-lateral wall vs selective 3-wall orbital decompression for sight-threatening Graves's orbitopathy: a clinical retrospective cohort study from 2016 to 2022.

Purpose: Although urgent orbital decompression surgery for sight-threatening Graves' orbitopathy unresponsive to available medical treatments continues to evolve, post-operative new-onset or worsened pre-operative strabismus or diplopia remains a significant complication. At present, the optimal surgical technique remains debatable. Here, we sought to compare long-term outcomes after balanced medial-lateral wall versus selective 3-wall decompression as an urgent treatment for unresponsive sight-threatening GO.

New insights into changes in phosphorus profile at sediment-water interface by microplastics: Role of benthic bioturbation.

Microplastics (MPs) have attracted increasing attention due to their ubiquitous occurrence in freshwater sediments and the detrimental effects on benthic invertebrates. However, a clear understanding of their downstream impacts on ecosystem services is still lacking. This study examines the effects of bio-based polylactic acid (PLA), fuel-based polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and biofilm-covered PET (BPET) MPs on the bioturbator chironomid larvae (Tanypus chinensis), and the influence on phosphorus (P) profiles in microcosms.

Determination and human health risk assessment of TFWT, OBT and carbon-14 in seafood around Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant.

This work aims to evaluate the effects of the operation of Qinshan nuclear Power Plant (QNPP) on tritium (H) and carbon-14 (C) levels in seafood and assess the health risks caused by seafood consumption. Five kinds of seafood, including marine fish, prawn, razor clam, crabs, and seaweed, were collected from QNPP and the sea around Hangzhou Bay. The activity concentrations of tissue free water tritium (TFWT), organically bound tritium (OBT) and C were determined, respectively, and the annual intake and annual effective dose (AED) were calculated.