Jiaozuo University

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor among women worldwide, and its occurrence is closely associated with long-term exposure to environmental pollutants. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of persistent organic pollutants widely present in the living environment. Epidemiological studies indicate that exposure to PAHs increases the risk of breast cancer. PAH derivatives exhibit stronger toxicity or endocrine-disrupting activity than their parent compounds; however, research on their specific effects and mechanisms in breast cancer cells remains limited. For this purpose, this study selected 3-Hydroxybenz[a]anthracene, a PAH derivative with potential estrogenic activity, as the target compound. Using the estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cell line MCF-7 as the model, we performed EdU staining, colony formation assays, scratch healing assays, Transwell invasion assays, and apoptosis assays and preliminarily examined changes in relevant signaling proteins via Western blot. Results indicate that 3-Hydroxybenz[a]anthracene promotes proliferation and migration in MCF-7 cells while inhibiting apoptosis under certain conditions, but it has no effect on cell invasion. Mechanistically, it upregulates key proteins including AKT, c-Myc, E-Cadherin, Vimentin, MMP2, MMP9 and Bcl-2 while downregulating p-AKT expression. This study confirms through in vitro experiments that 3-Hydroxybenz[a]anthracene exhibits estrogen-like effects and modulates malignant behavior in breast cancer cells by regulating relevant signaling pathways. These findings provide experimental evidence for further evaluating the potential role of this environmental contaminant in breast cancer initiation and progression.

To address the significant scheduling challenges arising from high-penetration renewable integration and coupled multi-energy loads, this study examines the operational scheduling of an integrated energy system (IES) that incorporates system operators, user aggregators, electric vehicles, and other stakeholders. First, the flexibility demand and supply resources in the IES were analyzed, and flexibility indicators were quantified. Subsequently, a multi-objective bi-level optimization model considering flexibility and multi-entity participation was established for the IES’s low-carbon economic dispatch. The upper-level model considered the IES operator’s revenue and system flexibility, incorporating a green certificate carbon trading mechanism, while the lower-level model accounted for user aggregator costs and electric vehicle self-benefits, with interactions between the two levels through energy prices and purchase quantities. Finally, an improved Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm was employed to solve the proposed upper-level model, and CPLEX 12.10 software was used for the lower-level model. A typical scenario in northern China was selected to validate the proposed model. The results demonstrated that the proposed model balanced system economy and flexibility compared to the traditional single-objective economic dispatch. Compared with only considering the benefits of operators, the proposed model can balance the interests of multiple parties. Additionally, compared to the traditional PSO algorithm, the improved PSO algorithm reduced the number of iterations at convergence by 52.0%, improved the closeness of the obtained optimal solution to the ideal solution by 7.5%, and had better convergence and optimization performance.

PurposeTo investigate the clinical effects, changes in serum IgG levels, and follow-up observations following treatment with Efgartigimod in patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor (anti-AChR) positive generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG).MethodsThis was a single-center retrospective study. Clinical data and follow-up information were collected for 8 patients with anti-AChR positive gMG treated with Efgartigimod. Clinical severity was assessed before and after treatment using the Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) Score and the Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scale. Serum levels of immunoglobulins IgG, IgA, and IgM were also measured before and after treatment.ResultsThe cohort consisted of 8 patients (4 male, 4 female), aged 21 to 73 years (ages: 55, 21, 63, 72, 62, 69, 64, 73). The clinical manifestations included external ophthalmoplegia in 8 cases, dysphagia in 7, weakness of the neck muscles in 8, weakness of the limbs in 7, pre-crisis status in 2, and one case of a myasthenic crisis. Disease duration ranged from 3 months to 20 years. At admission, the QMG scores ranged from 5 to 29, and the MG-ADL scores ranged from 3 to 19. Three patients had coexisting autoimmune diseases. After Efgartigimod treatment, all patients showed rapid improvement in clinical symptoms. A clinically meaningful reduction (CMR) in the MG-ADL score was achieved in 100% of patients, with 87.5% achieving a CMR in the QMG score. Notably, 87.5% of patients were responders to both measures. Serum IgG, IgA and IgM levels were measured in six patients throughout the treatment period. While IgG levels showed a rapid and marked reduction post-treatment, IgA and IgM levels remained largely unchanged. The follow-up period ranged from 190 to 414 days (median: 380.5 days). During follow-up, 6 patients achieved minimal manifestation status with only grade 1 adverse events according to CTCAE. One patient experienced symptom recurrence after voluntarily discontinuing treatment, and another showed symptom exacerbation due to a concurrent respiratory infection.ConclusionEfgartigimod has been shown to rapidly improve clinical symptoms in patients with generalised myasthenia gravis, while also significantly reducing serum IgG levels. When used alongside immunosuppressants, it can help to maintain long-term control of the disease.

ABSTRACT Current studies predominantly focus on macroscopic tectonic evolution, addressing the scientific challenges of insufficient understanding of the distribution and evolution of bedrock in source areas and unclear mechanisms of proximal sediment supply within regional provenance system research. However, research on the fine classification of bedrock types within source areas and their dynamic linkages with the ‘source‐ to‐sink’ system remains notably inadequate. Based on high‐resolution 3D seismic data, drilling and logging information, this study provides a new case for understanding the distribution patterns and evolution of bedrock in the source area of the ‘source‐sink’ system, as well as a reference for studying depressions that supply sediments in close proximity. Our study demonstrates the following: (1) The Enping‐Yangjiang low uplift area encompasses three bedrock types—granite, volcanic and sedimentary rocks—each corresponding to distinct seismic facies (SF1–SF3). Granite basement is directly intersected by multiple wells; sedimentary rocks exhibit stratified reflection characteristics; whereas volcanic rocks are characterised by a strong reflection envelope with weak, chaotic internal reflections. (2) The distribution of bedrock shows significant zoning. Jurassic granite dominates the main body, sedimentary rocks are concentrated in the northern arcuate fault zone, volcanic rocks are distributed in the southwest and there is a mixed zone of sedimentary and volcanic rocks in the southeast. (3) Governed by diverse tectonic systems, the evolution of bedrock has undergone three stages: compressional uplift during the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous, extensional processes in the Late Cretaceous and re‐compressional uplift during the Late Cretaceous–Paleogene. This study clarifies the geological attributes of the Enping‐Yangjiang low uplift area as a hub for proximal sediment supply, with its bedrock distribution pattern and evolutionary stage directly regulating the composition and structure of sediments in surrounding depressions. It provides a replicable research paradigm of ‘source area characterisation‐sink area response’ for provenance analysis in rift basins and has significant guiding implications for predicting hydrocarbon accumulation patterns under similar tectonic settings.

Renal involvement in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is uncommon (observed in 8.5% of our cohort) and may arise from either the disease itself or its medications. However, differences in renal manifestations across JIA subtypes remain poorly characterized. To investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and prognostic implications of renal involvement, and to characterize the nature of renal manifestations across JIA subtypes. A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 376 JIA patients treated from May 2015 to May 2022. Data on medications, laboratory findings, subtypes, and disease activity were analyzed. Renal involvement rates by subtype were as follows: systemic JIA (SJIA, 16.2%), rheumatoid factor (RF)-positive polyarticular JIA (9.5%), enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA, 8.5%), oligoarticular JIA (OJIA, 6.3%), and RF-negative polyarticular JIA (3.4%). SJIA patients with renal involvement all had proteinuria and high serum amyloid A levels. All non-systemic JIA patients had hematuria (two with proteinuria). Only polyarticular JIA patients with renal involvement showed elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels. In contrast, ERA and OJIA patients had no IL-6/TNF-α changes, regardless of renal involvement. ERA cases also had elevated serum IgA. Cox regression analysis revealed that elevated C-reactive protein (HR 1.039, p < 0.001), higher Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score in 27 joints (HR 1.160, p < 0.001), and longer duration of active disease (HR 1.052, p = 0.008) independently predicted renal involvement, whereas biologics were protective (HR 0.394, p = 0.043). All patients were followed up for at least 24months. At final follow-up, renal involvement resolved in 81.3% of JIA patients, including all SJIA and OJIA cases, but only 25% of RF-positive polyarticular JIA patients. This study provides preliminary evidence of distinct patterns of renal involvement across JIA subtypes. The findings support the hypothesis that controlling active disease is important for renal outcomes. Future studies are needed to validate these subtype-specific mechanisms. Key Points • Renal involvement occurred in 8.5% of JIA patients, strongly associated with disease activity. • In SJIA with renal involvement, proteinuria is commonly observed and may be associated with amyloidosis. • ERA patients with renal involvement often present with hematuria, possibly due to IgA nephropathy. •RF-positive polyarticular JIA with renal involvement demonstrates elevated IL-6/TNF-α. Anti-CCP positivity predicts poorer outcomes, mandating intensified renal surveillance and aggressive inflammation control.

Abstract Background: Vaccine hesitancy toward routine childhood immunization may influence parental acceptance of newly introduced vaccines. Understanding how these attitudes extend to COVID-19 vaccines is crucial for improving vaccination strategies. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and May 2022 in four Family Health Centers. Parents of children aged 0–13 years were categorized into two groups based on their children’s routine vaccination status over the previous five years: parents of unvaccinated children and parents of fully vaccinated children. Participants were contacted by family physicians via telephone and completed a structured questionnaire including items on COVID-19 vaccination and validated attitude scales. Results: Acceptance of at least one COVID-19 vaccine was substantially lower among parents of unvaccinated children compared with those whose children were fully vaccinated. Parents demonstrating confidence in routine childhood immunization exhibited more favorable perceptions and fewer concerns regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Overall, parental hesitancy toward routine vaccines was strongly associated with increased reluctance toward COVID-19 vaccination, with a statistically significant difference observed between the groups. Conclusion: Despite increased visibility of immunization during the pandemic, rapid development and implementation of COVID-19 vaccines appear to have amplified existing vaccine hesitancy among certain parent groups. Strengthening vaccine communication and counseling efforts in primary care settings may play a key role in addressing parental concerns and improving vaccine acceptance.