OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations between eight serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and regional fat depots, we analyzed the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018 cycles. METHODS: Multiple linear regression models were developed to explore the associations between serum PFAS concentrations and six fat compositions along with a fat distribution score created by summing the concentrations of the six fat compositions. The associations between structurally grouped PFASs and fat distribution were assessed, and a prediction model was developed to estimate the ability of PFAS exposure to predict obesity risk. RESULTS: Among females aged 39-59 years, trunk fat mass was positively associated with perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Higher concentrations of PFOS, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorodecanoate (PFDeA), perfluorononanoate (PFNA), and n-perfluorooctanoate (n-PFOA) were linked to greater visceral adipose tissue in this group. In men, exposure to total perfluoroalkane sulfonates (PFSAs) and long-chain PFSAs was associated with reductions in abdominal fat, while higher abdominal fat in women aged 39-59 years was associated with short-chain PFSAs. The prediction model demonstrated high accuracy, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.9925 for predicting obesity risk. CONCLUSION PFAS exposure is associated with regional fat distribution, with varying effects based on age, sex, and PFAS structure. The findings highlight the potential role of PFAS exposure in influencing fat depots and obesity risk, with significant implications for public health. The prediction model provides a highly accurate tool for assessing obesity risk related to PFAS exposure.
Humans ; Fluorocarbons/blood* ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Environmental Pollutants/blood* ; Abdominal Fat ; Nutrition Surveys ; Alkanesulfonic Acids/blood* ; Obesity ; Environmental Exposure

Objective To develop and validate a prediction model for severe disability or death(SDD)in acute ischemic stroke(AIS)patients who underwent endovascular treatment(EVT).Methods Based on the dataset of ANGEL-ACT study who received EVT for AIS between november 2017 and march 2019,a retrospective analysis was performed on 1 677 patients,including 1 111 males and 566 females,aged ≥ 18 years.Patients were divided into two groups according to whether SDD occurred(mRS 5-6 scores 90 days after surgery):SDD group(n=478)and non-SDD group(n=1 199).Risk factors that might influence SDD after EVT in AIS patients were screened and analyzed by multifactorial analysis,LAS-SO regression,and RF-RFE methods.A nomogram was developed after evaluating the model performance and the execution of internal validation.Results SDD occurred in 380(28.1％)patients in the develop-ment cohort and 98(30.2％)patients in the validation cohort.Combining the three variable screening meth-ods,10 risk factors were selected for inclusion in the final model:age,NIHSS score,whether successful re-canalization,glucose level,hemoglobin,hematocrit,onset to puncture time,systolic blood pressure,AS-PECT score,and whether have treatment-related serious adverse events.A two-stage model means that model 1 contains pre-treatment variables(7 in total)and model 2 contains pre-treatment and post-treatment variables(10 in total).The area under the curve(AUC)of model 1 in the development cohort was 0.705(95％CI 0.674-0.736)and 0.731(95％CI 0.701-0.760)in model 2.Both models had good calibration with aslope of 1.000,and the decision curve analysis showed good clinical applicability.The results of the validation cohort were similar to those of the development cohort.Conclusion Age,admission NIHSS score,whether successful recanalization,admission glucose level,hemoglobin content,erythrocyte pressure volume,onset to puncture time,admission systolic blood pressure,ASPECT score,and whether have treat-ment-related serious adverse events are risk factors for SDD in patients with acute ischemic stroke.The two prediction models based on the above factors were used before and after endovascular treatment to predict SDD occurrence better.

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of scrub typhus disease and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of scrub typhus disease. Methods Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the population and regional distribution of scrub typhus. Seasonal characteristics were analyzed using concentration method and circular distribution method, and incidence trend was analyzed using joinpoint regression model. Results The annual incidence rate of scrub typhus was 0.95/100 000 from 2010 to 2022. The incidence rate of male was 0.77/100 000, lower than that of female 1.12/100 000 (χ²=18.89, P<0.05). The incidence rate of the 60-74 years old group was 3.38/100,000, and the total number of cases in the age group 45-74 years was 416 (74.95%). Occupational distribution was mainly among farmers, with 448 cases (80.72%). The top three regions with the highest number of reported cases (in order: Donghai County, Ganyu District, and Guannan County) reported a total of 416 cases, accounting for 74.95%. Concentration ratio was M=0.9408, and the incidence of scrub typhus disease was strictly seasonal. Circular distribution results showed a^-=-62.3728, S=20.8960. The circular distribution results indicated that the peak day was October 19th, and the peak period was between October 7 to December 19. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) of the incidence rate from 2010 to 2022 was 13.70%, 95% CI (-8.62%~41.48%), and the incidence rate showed an upward trend (t=1.15, P=0.249). Conclusion The incidence of scrub typhus disease is strictly seasonal, and the incidence rate over the years shows an upward trend. It is necessary to strengthen monitoring and take various intervention measures to reduce the risk of scrub typhus disease.

Objective: To understand the current situation of college students emotional regulation and its correlation with perceived social support, so as to provide a reference for improving emotional regulation ability among college students. Methods: From September 15 to October 15, 2022, a total of 15 560 students from 27 colleges and universities in Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong, Shanghai, Anhui, Hebei, Yunnan, Shanxi and Gansu were enrolled by stratified random sampling method. The Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) were used to investigate, and multiple stepwise regression was used to explore the relationship between perceived social support and emotion regulation of college students. Results: The scores of emotion regulation, cognitive reappraisal and expression inhibition were 44(40, 50), 24(20, 28) and 20(19, 24) respectively. There were significant differences in the scores of emotion regulation, cognitive reappraisal and expression inhibition by age, grade, household registration, only child status,cost of living, and sleep ( H/Z =77.72, 49.73, -5.10, -9.77, 7.68, 168.27 ; 204.55, 317.32, -5.96, -7.60, 131.20, 968.08; 82.18, 148.04, -2.30, -8.03, 64.82, 188.08, P <0.05). In addition, the multiple stepwise regression found that family support, friend support, and other support in perceived social support all had a positive impact on the emotional regulation state of college students ( β =0.137,0.207,0.090), and family support and friend support had a significant positive effect on expression inhibition( β =0.079,0.053) and cognitive reappraisal( β =0.153,0.296)( P <0.01). Conclusion The perceived social support can directly affect the emotional regulation of college students, and improving the emotional regulation ability has a positive significance to promote the mental health level among college students.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy on cervical spondylosis of nerve root type with qi stagnation and blood stasis treated with warming needle with different lengths of moxa stick. METHODS: Six hundred patients with cervical spondylosis of nerve root type with qi stagnation and blood stasis were randomly divided into 4 groups: a 4 cm length group (150 cases, 5 cases dropped off, 2 cases suspended), a 3 cm length group (150 cases, 6 cases dropped off, 2 cases suspended), a 2 cm length group (150 cases, 6 cases dropped off), and a routine acupuncture group (150 cases, 6 cases dropped off). Warming needle with moxa stick in the length of 4 cm, 3 cm and 2 cm was delivered in the 4 cm length group, the 3 cm length group and the 2 cm length group, respectively. In the routine acupuncture group, simple acupuncture was applied. The acupoints selected in the above groups included Dazhui (GV 14) and bilateral Jiaji (EX-B 2) of C₅ and C₇, Fengchi (GB 20), Jianzhen (SI 9), Quchi (LI 11), Zhongzhu (TE 3), etc. In each group, the intervention was delivered once daily and 5 times a week. One course of intervention was composed of 2 weeks and 2 courses were required. The TCM syndrome score, the score of clinical assessment scale for cervical spondylosis (CASCS), the score of the brachial plexus traction test of the affected upper limb, F wave occurrence rate and conduction velocity of the ulnar nerve, the median nerve and the radial nerve of the affected upper limb were compared before and after treatment in the patients of each group. The levels of serum inflammatory factors, i.e. interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), were measured before and after treatment in the patients of each group. The clinical cfficacy was evaluated in the 4 groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the results of TCM syndrome evaluation, i.e. the scores of neck pain, activity limitation and upper limb numbness and pain, as well as the total scores; and the scores of brachial plexus traction test were reduced when compared with those before treatment in each group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The scores of subjective symptoms and adaptability, and the total scores of CASCS were elevated in comparison with those before treatment in each group (P<0.01, P<0.05). In the 4 cm length group, compared with the other 3 groups, the scores of neck pain and activity limitation for TCM syndrome evaluation, and its total score were lower (P<0.05, P<0.01); and the scores of subjective symptoms and adaptability, and the total score of CASCS were higher (P<0.05, P<0.01). The score of the brachial plexus traction test in the 4 cm length group was lower than that of the routine acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment, F wave occurrence rates and conduction velocity of median nerve and radial nerve were increased when compared with those before treatment in each group (P<0.05, P<0.01). F wave occurrence rate and conduction velocity of the radial nerve in the 4 cm length group were higher than those of the other 3 groups (P<0.05), and those of the median nerve were higher when compared with the routine acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of serum IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were all reduced when compared with those before treatment in each group (P<0.01, P<0.05); the level of serum IL-6 in the 4 cm length group was lower than those of the other 3 groups and serum level of TNF-α was lower compared with that in the routine acupuncture group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the 4 cm length group was 78.3% (112/143), which was higher when compared with the 3 cm length group (67.6%, 96/142), the 2 cm length group (65.3%, 94/144) and the routine acupuncture group (53.5%, 77/144), respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Warming needle with moxa stick of 4 cm in length effectively relieves the clinical symptoms of cervical spondylosis of nerve root type with qi stagnation and blood stasis, improves the nerve function of the upper limbs, and reduces the inflammatory responses caused by nerve compression. The clinical efficacy of this therapy with moxa stick of 4 cm in length is superior to the warming needle with moxa sticks of 3 cm and 2 cm, as well as the routine acupuncture.
Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; Neck Pain ; Qi ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Spondylosis/therapy*

In this study, we used a rat model of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) induced by monocrotaline (MCT) to investigate the role and mechanism of angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) in regulating pulmonary artery diastolic function. Three weeks after subcutaneous injection of MCT or normal saline, the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) of rats were detected using a right heart catheter. Vascular endothelium-dependent relaxation was evaluated by acetylcholine (ACh)-induced vasodilation. The relaxation function of vascular smooth muscle was evaluated by sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced vasodilation. Human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAECs) were incubated with Ang-(1-7) to measure nitric oxide (NO) release levels. The results showed that compared with control rats, RVSP and RVHI were significantly increased in the MCT-PAH rats, and both ACh or SNP-induced vasodilation were worsened. Incubation of pulmonary artery of MCT-PAH rats with Ang-(1-7) (1 × 10^-9-1 × 10^-4 mol/L) caused significant vaso-relaxation. Pre-incubation of Ang-(1-7) in the pulmonary artery of MCT-PAH rats significantly improved ACh-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation, but had no significant effect on SNP-induced endothelium-independent relaxation. In addition, Ang-(1-7) treatment significantly increased NO levels in HPAECs. The Mas receptor antagonist A-779 inhibited the effects of Ang-(1-7) on endothelium-dependent relaxation and NO release from endothelial cells. The above results demonstrate that Ang-(1-7) promotes the release of NO from endothelial cells by activating Mas receptor, thereby improving the endothelium-dependent relaxation function of PAH pulmonary arteries.
Rats ; Humans ; Animals ; Vasodilation ; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension ; Monocrotaline/toxicity* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/chemically induced* ; Endothelial Cells ; Pulmonary Artery ; Endothelium ; Acetylcholine/pharmacology* ; Nitroprusside/pharmacology*

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which makes up the majority of liver cancer, is induced by the infection of hepatitis B/C virus. Biomarkers are needed to facilitate the early detection of HCC, which is often diagnosed too late for effective therapy. The tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) play vital roles in tumorigenesis and are stable in circulation. However, the diagnostic values and biological functions of circulating tsRNAs, especially for HCC, are still unknown. In this study, we first utilized RNA sequencing followed by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR to analyze tsRNA signatures in HCC serum. We identified tRF-Gln-TTG-006, which was remarkably upregulated in HCC serum (training cohort: 24 HCC patients vs. 24 healthy controls). In the validation stage, we found that tRF-Gln-TTG-006 signature could distinguish HCC cases from healthy subjects with high sensitivity (80.4%) and specificity (79.4%) even in the early stage (Stage I: sensitivity, 79.0%; specificity, 74.8%; 155 healthy controls vs. 153 HCC patients from two cohorts). Moreover, in vitro studies indicated that circulating tRF-Gln-TTG-006 was released from tumor cells, and its biological function was predicted by bioinformatics assay and validated by colony formation and apoptosis assays. In summary, our study demonstrated that serum tsRNA signature may serve as a novel biomarker of HCC.
Biomarkers ; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis* ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; RNA, Transfer/genetics*

OBJECTIV E To in vestigate the situation ，achievements and proble ms of consistency evaluation policy of generic medicines in China. METHODS The descriptive analysis was performed after collecting and sorting out the information of generic medicine passing consistency evaluation （GMPCE） published on the official website of the National Medical Products Administration. The basic information ，the distribution and changes of GMPCE were analyzed statistically in National Essential Medicine List （hereinafter refer to as “essential medicine list ”），Medicine List for National Basic Medical Insurance ，Industrial Injury Insurance and Maternity Insurance （hereinafter refer to as “medical insurance list ”）and the result of the successful selection of centralized medicine procurement organized by the state （hereinafter refer to as “centralized procurement list ”）. RESULTS From 2017 to 2021，415 chemical generic drugs had passed consistency evaluation in China ，including 309 varieties，1 822 specifications， 6 dosage forms ，and 17 pharmacological mechanisms ，basically belonging to 30 provinces，and 492 drug manufacturers （except 12 products had not been found the manufacturers ）；the proportion of GMPCE in essential medicine list increased from 0.96％ in 2012 edition to 25.40％ in 2018 edition；that of GMPCE in medical insurance list increased f rom 2.13％ in 2017 edition to 11.68％ in 2021 edition；in the first 5 batches of centralized procurement list，GMPCE accounted for 81.65％，and the maximum price drop after entering the list was 97.52％. CONCLUSIONS The policy linkage has been achieved with the continual increase of the number of GMPCE and their total amount in three lists in China. The accessibility and affordability of related medicines have been improved with the apparent decrease of the price of those medicines. H owever，total number of GMPCE is a little small，with the higher repetition rate of variety and the low proportion in the three lists ；the guarantee measures of those medicine supply need to be strengthened.

Objective Based on the three years' peer review data of a project fund,the results of fund peer review were analyzed and evaluated,to provide references for further improvement of the peer review and management.Methods Based on the fund's peer review results of 2145 projects in three years,descriptive statistics,single-item identification index were adopted,as well as RJ normality test,t-test and other statistical methods,to analyze and assess the overall data of fund,project categories,individual scores,etc.Results The score distribution of the three year peer review project of the fund is almost normal distribution,and the overall consistency of peer review shows a better trend.The analysis shows that the peer review experts of the fund have better consistency in terms of project innovation,rationality and characteristics.While there were differences in the peer review of applicability.Conclusions The three year peer review data of the fund show that three years' evaluation results are reliable,reasonable,and the quality of evaluation is good,showing a better development trend in both project quality and expert consistency.

OBJECTIVE： To investigate the situation and existing problems of the naming of commercially available Chinese patent medicine （CPM） in China， and to put forward the improvement suggestions. METHODS： Announced in Dec. 31， 2017 by CFDA， there were totally 169 601 kinds of national coded drugs. Total of 35 513 kinds of CPM with drug approval number “Z” and 68 kinds of imported CPM with importing registration certificates “Z” was screened by using Excel 2013 software. Based on Naming Technical Guidelines for Generic Name of Chinese Patent Medicines （hereinafter referred to as the Guidelines）， the unqualified situation of domestic CPM were summarized， and unqualified domestic Chinese patent medicine were analyzed statistically in respects of dosage form， special population medication and area. RESULTS： There were 5 091 kinds of drugs named nonconformity with the “Guidelines”， accounting for 14.34％ of domestic CPM. The problems of naming mainly focused on exaggerated naming （1 723 kinds， 33.84％）， dosage form un-located after naming （1 118 kinds， 21.96％）， naming by endangered protected animals and plants （851 kinds， 16.72％）， naming by pharmacology and other related terms （848 kinds， 16.66％）. Names emboding “traditional cultural features” （1 324 kinds， 4.35％） took the lower proportion. Top 5 dosage forms of domestic CPM with unqualified naming were tablets （1 203 kinds， 23.63％）， capsules （821 kinds， 16.13％）， mixture （802 kinds， 15.75％）， pills （706 kinds， 13.87％）， granules （448 kinds， 8.80％）. The problems of special population medication for domestic CPM with unqualified naming concentrated on children’s medication （608 kinds， 11.94％）. The main manufacturers of domestic CPM with unqualified naming came from Guangdong （613 kinds， 12.04％）， Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region （371 kinds， 7.29％）， Jilin （265 kinds， 5.21％）， Shaanxi （245 kinds， 4.81％） and Beijing （233 kinds， 4.58％）. CONCLUSIONS： There are many problems in naming of commercially available domestic CPM in China， mainly reflecting as naming type， dosage form， pediatric drugs， etc. There are fewer names emboding “traditional cultural features”. It is suggested that we should further standardize the naming of CPM by strengthening and perfecting the management and examination system of CPM， highlighting the naming principles of Chinese traditional culture and protecting traditional classical brands.