Aluminum (Al) exposure has been linked to the development of a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. However, whether m6A RNA methylation participated in Al-induced neurotoxicity remain to be defined. In this study, mice were administrated with aluminum-lactate at dose of 220 mg/kg. bw by gavage for 3 months. Meanwhile, the primary hippocampal neurons were isolated and treated with 0, 50, 100, 150 μM aluminum-lactate, respectively for 7 days. Al exposure caused neuronal shrinkage, decreased Nissl bodies, and increased apoptosis. In accordance, in vitro studies also showed that Al exposure led to neuronal apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, together with the decline in m6A RNA methylation levels. Moreover, the mRNA expression of Mettl3, Mettl14, Fto, and Ythdf2 were decreased upon Al exposure. Notably, the protein expression of METTL3 was dramatically down-regulated by 42% and 35% in Al-treated mice and neurons, suggesting METTL3 might exert a crucial role in Al-induced neurotoxicity. We next established a mouse model with hippocampus-specific overexpressing of Mettl3 gene to confirm the regulatory role of RNA methylation and found that METTL3 overexpression relieved the neurological injury induced by Al. The integrated MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq analysis elucidated that 631 genes were differentially expressed at both m6A RNA methylation and mRNA expression. Notably, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, Rap1 signaling pathway, protein digestion and absorption might be involved in Al-induced neurotoxicity. Moreover, VEGFA, Thbs1, and PDGFB might be the central molecules. Collectively, our findings provide the novel sight into the role of m6A RNA methylation in neurodegenerative disease induced by Al.

Objective: Understanding HPV vaccination willingness and its influencing factors among female sex workers (FSWs) in entertainment venues in an urban area of Guangxi, China. Methods: From 15 August to 15 October 2022, FSWs in entertainment venues with commercial sex trade in an urban area of Guangxi were selected as the study subjects for the questionnaire survey using the method of intentional sampling. The questionnaire based on the information-motivation-behavior (IMB) skills model was used to collect the basic characteristics, HPV and HPV vaccine-related information and cognition, motivation to vaccinate, behavioral skills and willingness to vaccinate from the research targets. A multifactor logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors influencing the research targets' willingness to receive HPV vaccination. Results: Of the 921 research targets, 712 (77.31%) were willing to receive HPV vaccination. The higher the level of knowledge regarding HPV and HPV vaccine-related information, the higher the motivation for HPV vaccination. In addition, the higher the behavioral skills score, the higher the willingness of FSWs in entertainment venues to receive HPV vaccination (P<0.001). FSWs in entertainment venues with lower venue grades [OR(95% CI)=0.693 (0.539, 0.891), P=0.004] were more reluctant to receive HPV vaccination. Those who favored the effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing the disease [OR(95% CI)=2.144 (1.449, 3.174), P<0.001] and those who had heard of HPV vaccine [OR(95% CI)=2.105 (1.451, 3.054), P<0.001], were able to perceive the benefits of HPV vaccination [OR(95% CI)=1.134 (1.045, 1.230), P=0.002]. These individuals acquired greater behavioral skills i.e., self-decision making for HPV vaccination [OR(95% CI)=1.130 (1.008, 1.267), P=0.036] and self-efficacy [OR(95% CI)=1.135 (1.081, 1.191), P<0.001] and they were more willing to receive HPV vaccine. Conclusions: There was a relatively high HPV vaccination willingness among FSWs in entertainment venues in an urban area of Guangxi, China. Attention should be focused on introducing the benefits of primary prevention measures such as the HPV vaccine for individuals and behavioral skills for HPV vaccination in order to increase their willingness to be vaccinated thus increasing their HPV vaccination rate.

Background: Various occupational hazards in the electrolytic aluminum environment have been linked to cognitive decline. However, the interactive effects of these hazards and genetic factors on cognitive function remain unclear.Objective: This study aimed to identify the primary occupational hazards, examine their interaction with IL-1β gene polymorphisms in relation to cognitive function.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2024 at an electrolytic aluminum company in China, involving 478 male workers. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Calculate the cumulative exposure dose of harmful factors such as aluminum dust. Additionally, IL-1β gene polymorphisms (rs1143627, rs1143643, rs16944, rs3917356) and serum protein levels were analyzed. The associations between environmental exposure, genetic factors, and cognitive function were examined using multivariate stepwise linear regression, restricted cubic splines, generalized linear models, and hierarchical analysis. Covariance analysis and independent sample t-tests were employed to assess the potential mediating effect of peripheral blood IL-1β levels.Results: Cumulative exposure to aluminum dust was significantly associated with cognitive decline (β = −0.18, 95% CI: 0.27, −0.10), and the relationship was linear. Compared to the wild genotype, individuals carrying rs1143627 G/G, rs1143643 C/C, and rs16944 A/A exhibited significantly lower cognitive scores (P < 0.01), whereas rs3917356 C/T and T/T conferred a protective effect (P < 0.01). The model was adjusted for age, body mass index, and cumulative aluminum dust exposure. The genetic effect associated with IL-1β was more pronounced in individuals with high aluminum exposure (>2.37 mg/m³ × year). IL-1β serum protein levels showed no significant association with cognitive function (P > 0.05).Conclusion: Cumulative exposure to aluminum dust is a key risk factor for cognitive decline. IL-1β polymorphisms influence susceptibility, with the effect becoming more pronounced under high aluminum exposure. However, peripheral blood IL-1β levels do not mediate this association with cognitive decline.

Objective: We analyzed the epidemiological trends and spatio-temporal distribution characteristics of varicella incidence in Baise City from 2010 to 2024 to provide a basis for its prevention and control. Methods: This study describes the epidemiological characteristics of varicella from population, temporal and spatial perspectives by using data from the National Infectious Disease Reporting System. Trend and spatial autocorrelation analyses and spatiotemporal scanning statistics were employed to determine the spatial clustering and spatiotemporal dynamics for the incidence of varicella. Results: About 54,969 cases of varicella were reported during the study period, with an annual incidence rate of 102.30 per 100,000, and an annual percentage change of 10.05% (95% CI: 1.10% to 19.79%; P = 0.027). The male-to-female ratio was 1.23:1, with the peak incidence occurring among in the 5– 9 age group and the 10– 19 age group showed an upward trend in incidence. People under 20 years old had the highest incidence rates of varicella and students accounted for more than half of the cases (55.46%), and 45.19% of townships had an average annual incidence rate exceeding the city’s average level. There was a Positive spatial autocorrelation was observed in the varicella incidence across different townships, with a pattern of high-value clustering. Local spatial autocorrelation analysis identified a total of 117 hot spots. Spatiotemporal scanning identified five significant clusters, these included a Most likely cluster of 27 towns in the Youjiang River Valley and secondary clusters in the northwestern mountainous regions of Baise. Conclusion: The reported incidence rate of varicella in Baise was on the rise, exhibiting distinct spatio-temporal clustering characteristics. Hotspots were aligned with the spatio-temporal clustering zones. Strengthening prevention and control measures in local areas where clusters and hotspots of varicella occur can be an effective strategy to decrease its incidence in a city.

Background: Serum uric acid (SUA) measurement is the direct basis for identifying current hyperuricemia (HUA). We developed a non-SUA screening model for situations in which routine occupational health information is already available but a contemporaneous SUA result is temporarily unavailable, delayed, or requires separate testing. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 894 workers from 11 gas stations and related operational sites in Nanning, Guangxi, China. Current HUA was defined as same-examination SUA > 420 µmol/L in both sexes. Twelve prespecified non-SUA candidate variables were considered; total cholesterol was excluded because of high redundancy and multicollinearity with LDL-C, leaving 11 candidates for least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) screening. Internal validation used 100 repetitions of site-grouped five-fold cross-validation. Model performance was assessed using out-of-fold (OOF) predictions, discrimination, calibration, decision curve analysis, candidate screening thresholds, and bootstrap optimism correction. Results: Among 894 participants, 169 (18.9%) had current HUA. Sex, waist circumference, triglycerides (TG), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and fasting blood glucose (FBG) met the prespecified selection-stability threshold and comprised the final model. The mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) across repeated site-grouped cross-validation was 0.858 (SD 0.004), and the pooled OOF AUC was 0.866 (95% CI, 0.838–0.893). The pooled OOF Brier score was 0.108, the calibration intercept was − 0.064 (95% CI, -0.322 to 0.192), and the calibration slope was 0.920 (95% CI, 0.791–1.077). At a 10% candidate probability threshold, sensitivity was 92.9%, specificity was 64.6%, and the negative predictive value was 97.5%. Conclusions: The five-variable model estimates the probability of current HUA and may support prioritization of confirmatory SUA testing when a contemporaneous SUA result is unavailable. It does not replace direct SUA measurement or predict future incident HUA. Independent external validation is required before broader implementation.

Background To investigate the willingness of female sex workers in urban entertainment venues in Guangxi, China to vaccinate against HPV and its influencing factors. Methods From August 15 to October 15, 2022, the intentional sampling method was used to select female sex workers in commercial sex trading entertainment venues in an urban area of Guangxi as the respondents of the study for the questionnaire survey. The questionnaire based on the information-motivation-behavior skills (IMB) model collected the basic information, HPV and HPV vaccine-related information and cognition, vaccination motivation, behavioral skills, and willingness to vaccination of the respondents. A multi-factor logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of the HPV vaccination willingness of the respondents. Results Among the 921 respondents, 712 (77.31%) were willing to receive HPV vaccination. The higher the level of awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine-related information, the stronger the motivation for HPV and HPV vaccination, and the higher the behavioral skills score, the higher the willingness of female sex workers in entertainment venues to receive HPV vaccination (P < 0.001). Female sex workers in entertainment venues with lower grades [OR(95% CI) = 0.693 (0.539, 0.891), P = 0.004] were more reluctant to receive HPV vaccination; those who favored the vaccines as effective in preventing disease [OR(95% CI) = 2.144 (1.449, 3.174), P < 0.001], had heard of HPV vaccine [OR( 95% CI) = 2.105 (1.451, 3.054), p < 0.001], being able to perceive the benefits of HPV vaccination [OR(95% CI) = 1.134 (1.045, 1.230), p = 0.002] and acquiring more behavioral skills i.e. self-decision for HPV vaccination [OR(95% CI) = 1.130 (1.008, 1.267), P = 0.036] and self-efficacy [OR (95% CI) = 1.135 (1.081, 1.191), P < 0.001] preferred to receive HPV vaccination. Conclusion Female sex workers in urban entertainment venues in Guangxi, China, have relatively high willingness to vaccinate against HPV, and should focus on introducing the benefits of primary prevention measures such as HPV vaccine to individuals and behavioral skills of HPV vaccination, so as to improve the willingness and vaccination rate of HPV vaccine.