: To analyze the prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency among primary and secondary school students in Rural Nutrition Improvement Program areas of Guizhou Province in 2023, and to explore the related factors, so as to provide evidence for Rural Nutrition Improvement Program optimization. Methods: In September 2023, a stratified random cluster sampling strategy was used to select 40 rural compulsory education schools with rural nutrition improvement program in five counties of Guizhou Province. School level questionnaire was employed to collect information of basic characteristics and school meal implementation. A total of 7 826 primary and secondary school students aged 6-16 underwent anthropometry and hemoglobin (Hb) determination; serum ferritin (SF) was additionally measured in a random subsample of 1 795 pupils. Students in Grade 3 and above also completed a questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, dietary behaviours and nutrition knowledge. Group comparisons were conducted by Chi square test or Fisher s exact test, and multivariable Logistic regression models were constructed to identify factors associated with anemia and iron deficiency. Results: The overall Hb level was (133.21±12.95)g/L, with an anemia prevalence of 7.17%. The overall SF level was (69.58±59.01)μg/L, with an iron deficiency prevalence of 2.73%. Multivariable analysis showed that stunting ( OR =1.88), school menus without nutrient calculation ( OR =1.61) and absence of menu planning software in the current semester ( OR =2.34) independently increased anemia risk, whereas obesity reduced it ( OR =0.54) (all P <0.05). Girls ( OR =4.16) and Grades 7-9 ( OR =5.93) increased iron deficiency risk (both P <0.05). Compared with rarely eating fresh vegetables, students with consuming <3 kinds per day ( OR =0.08) or exactly 3 kinds per day ( OR =0.06) had lower iron deficiency risks (both P <0.05). Conclusions Anemia and iron deficiency are prevalent among primary and secondary school students in Guizhou. Targeted intervention measures should be implemented for key populations to enhance the effectiveness of nutrition improvement program.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the therapeutic effects and safety of everolimus combined with letrozole and conventional chemotherapy for metastatic or recurrent endometrial carcinoma （EC）. METHODS The clinical and follow-up data of 156 patients with metastatic or recurrent EC admitted to Nanyang Central Hospital from January 2020 to January 2024 were analyzed retrospectively. They were divided into a control group （77 cases） and an observation group （79 cases） according to different therapeutic regimens. The control group received paclitaxel+carboplatin/cisplatin regimen， and concurrently took Letrozole tablets at a dose of 2.5 mg orally once daily； the observation group took Everolimus tablets 10 mg orally， once a day， in addition to the treatment regimen given to the control group. Each treatment cycle lasted 21 days， and both groups of patients underwent continuous treatment for 6 to 8 cycles. The short-term efficacy indicators （objective response rate and disease control rate）， the levels of serum tumor markers [carbohydrate antigen 125， human epididymis protein 4， vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9] and medium- to long-term efficacy indicators [progression-free survival （PFS） and overall survival （OS）] were compared between the two groups. Additionally， the occurrence of toxic and side effects in both groups of patients was recorded. RESULTS The objective response rate （53.16%）， disease control rate （89.87%）， median PFS （6.47 months） and median OS （10.79 months） of the observation group were significantly higher or longer than those （22.08%， 68.83%， 4.63 months， 8.84 months） of the control group （P＜0.05）. Compared with before treatment， the levels of serum tumor markers in both groups decreased significantly after 6 cycles of treatment； the above indexes of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group （P＜0.05）. The proportion of patients with stomatitis in the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group （P＜0.05）， and there was no statistically significant difference in the proportions of patients experiencing other toxic and side effects， such as leukopenia， between the two groups （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The everolimus combined with letrozole and conventional chemotherapy can effectively improve the short-term efficacy and prolong the survival period in patients with metastatic or recurrent EC， but attention should be paid to the occurrence of toxic and side effects， especially stomatitis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) develops within a profoundly immunosuppressive tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), which limits the efficacy of immunotherapy. Polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) toward a pro-tumorigenic M2 phenotype is a major driver of immune escape. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent regulated cell death program, intersects with hepatic iron metabolism and immune regulation and thus offers promising points of therapeutic intervention. This review systematically elucidates the mechanistic role of TAM ferroptosis in HCC immune evasion and highlights a “bidirectional regulation” intervention strategy grounded in the Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principle of “fortifying healthy qi and eliminating pathogens” (Fuzheng Quxie). This strategy employs “eliminating pathogens” (Quxie) approaches to exploit the metabolic vulnerability of M2-like TAMs and precisely induce their ferroptosis. Moreover, it utilizes “fortifying healthy qi” (Fuzheng) approaches to protect M1-like TAMs and CD8⁺ T cells from oxidative damage. This parallel “induction-protection” paradigm demonstrates the unique advantages of TCM in systemically remodeling TIME through multitarget synergistic actions. Accordingly, precision regulation of TAM ferroptosis based on the Fuzheng Quxie theory represents a promising integrative Chinese-Western medicine strategy for overcoming current bottlenecks in HCC immunotherapy, although its clinical translational potential warrants further validation.

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) processing is a specialized pharmaceutical technique with the primary objective of reducing the toxicity of medicinal substances. Euphorbia pekinensis, E. ebracteolata, and E. fischeriana, all belonging to Euphorbiaceae, are classified as drastic purgative herbs, traditionally used for eliminating retained water, reducing swelling, resolving toxicity, and dispersing masses. However, these herbs are also associated with adverse effects such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Accordingly, they are commonly processed with vinegar, milk, or Terminalia chebula decoction to reduce the toxicity. This review summarizes the chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, historical evolution of processing methods, and detoxification mechanisms of the three toxic Euphorbia species. The primary toxic constituents are terpenoids. Specifically, E. ebracteolata and E. fischeriana are rich in diterpenoids, while E. pekinensis contains diterpenoids, triterpenoids, and sesquiterpenoids. Studies have shown that vinegar processing promotes structural transformations of diterpenoids, including ether bond hydrolysis, lactone ring opening, esterification, oxidation, and epoxide ring cleavage, thereby reducing the content and toxicity of these compounds. Milk processing facilitates the dissolution of toxic components into the residual liquid of excipients, leading to decreases in their concentrations in the final decoction pieces. Processing with T. chebula decoction raises the levels of tannin-derived phenolic acids, which antagonize the adverse effects of the intestine. These findings reveal a shared detoxification pattern among the three toxic herbs. Accordingly, this review proposes the concept of a shared detoxification mechanism for toxic herbs belonging to the same family or genus. That is, toxic herbs belonging to the same taxon often exhibit similar toxicological profiles and can undergo detoxification through the same processing methods, reflecting common underlying mechanisms. Investigating such shared mechanisms across multiple species of the same genus offers a promising research strategy. Ultimately, the research into processing-induced detoxification mechanisms provides both theoretical and practical support for ensuring the safety of toxic TCM.
Euphorbia/classification* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/metabolism* ; Humans ; Animals ; Inactivation, Metabolic ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Hepatic fibrosis is a key pathological process in the development of chronic liver disease to cirrhosis, and its core mechanism involves the activation of hepatic stellate cells(HSC) and abnormal deposition of extracellular matrix(ECM). Although existing treatments, such as antiviral drugs, can delay disease progression, they have the problem of single therapeutic targets and cannot reverse fibrosis. Accordingly, multidimensional intervention strategies are urgently needed. Recent studies have shown that circadian rhythm disorders aggravate hepatic fibrosis by regulating metabolism, immunity, and inflammation. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) plays a unique role in restoring the circadian clock via multi-target and holistic regulation. This paper establishes a three-dimensional network by systematically integrating biological clock, metabolism, and immunity for the first time to elucidate the scientific connotation of the theory of time-concerned treatment of TCM, and proposes a new strategy for the development of time-targeted compound prescriptions, providing innovative ideas for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.
Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Circadian Rhythm/drug effects* ; Animals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Hepatic Stellate Cells/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE:  To estimate the population attributable disease burden (PAD) of low bone mineral density (LBMD) related fractures (fragility fractures) among Chinese people over 50 years old from 1990 to 2023, using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 (GBD 2023), and to provide evidence for prevention strategies and health resource allocation. METHODS:   Based on the GBD 2023, the LBMD summary exposure values (SEV), fracture incidence, years lived with disability (YLDs), and LBMD-related falls YLDs of Chinese people over 50 years old from 1990 to 2023 were extracted. PAD was calculated with population attributable fraction (PAF), and an entropy-weight method was applied to evaluate the contribution of individual fracture sites. Temporal trends and sex differences were examined with Joinpoint regression. RESULTS:  From 1990 to 2023, the age-standardized SEV of LBMD in people over 50 years old showed an overall decline [average annual percent change (AAPC)=-0.564%]. Age-standardized fracture incidence, fracture YLDs rate, and LBMD-related falls YLDs rate all exhibited W-shaped upward trends (AAPC=1.045%, 0.296%, and 0.724%, respectively). PAF-based estimates indicated that LBMD-attributable fracture incidence likewise increased in a "W-shaped" manner (AAPC=0.558%), whereas the corresponding YLDs rate showed an overall W-shaped decline (AAPC=-0.193%). In international comparison, China and the global average displayed broadly concordant directions of change, with greater volatility in China and a progressive narrowing of the gap after 2015. Regarding sex differences, fracture YLDs rates were consistently higher in the males, whereas the other burden indicators were higher in the females; the temporal patterns were similar in both sexes. Entropy weight method identified hip fractures as contributing most to incidence (weight 0.133), and pelvic fractures as the largest contributor to YLDs rate (weight 0.115). CONCLUSION Since 1990, the LBMD attributable fracture burden in China's older population has risen, with female and hip or pelvic fractures bearing the heaviest load. Strengthened osteoporosis screening, improved insurance coverage, and targeted health education are urgently needed to curb further increases in disease burden.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Male ; Bone Density ; Aged ; Incidence ; Osteoporotic Fractures/epidemiology* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Accidental Falls/statistics & numerical data* ; Cost of Illness ; Global Burden of Disease ; Osteoporosis/complications* ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Fractures, Bone/epidemiology*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of thoracoscopic minimally invasive surgery with nickel-titanium shape memory alloy wrap bone plate versus rib periosteal internal fixation in patients with multiple rib fractures (MRF) and flail chest. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 100 patients with MRF and flail chest treated with thoracoscopic minimally invasive surgery and internal fixation with rib fracture preservation between January 2019 and December 2022, including 54 males and 46 females, aged from 20 to 65 years old, with an average age of (38.0±18.0)years old. The duration of the disease ranged from 8 to 21 days. According to the different surgical methods, the patients were divided into control group and study group, with 50 patients in each group. The control group consisted of 23 males and 27 females, with an average age of (38.35±18.05) years old, who underwent rib preservation periosteal internal fixation. In the study group, there were 31 males and 19 females, with an average age of (38.15±17.99) years old, treated with thoracoscopic nickel-titanium shape memory alloy circumferential bone plate. The pulmonary function indices, electrocardiographic monitoring indices, pain severity, levels of inflammatory factors, complications, rehabilitation indices, and therapeutic efficacy were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 6 months. After 3 days of treatment, the heart rate of both groups was (102.43±13.74) beats per minute vs (86.26±8.06) beats per minute, respiratory rate (28.45±3.40) breaths per minute vs (22.05±2.85) breaths per minute, blood oxygen saturation (89.68±3.66)% vs (98.46±4.84)%, rest pain (3.5±0.5) points vs (2.6±0.6) points, movement pain (3.6±0.5) points vs (2.5±0.5) points, and these differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). The levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) (102.30±17.00) pg·ml^-1 vs (85.68±21.20) pg·ml^-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)(33.44±4.85) pg·ml^-1 vs (18.14±4.28) pg·ml^-1 in both groups exhibited an increase post-treatment, while the C-reactive protein (CRP) (75.51±10.54) mg·L^-1 vs (60.75±9.84) mg·L^-1 demonstrated a decrease compared to pre-treatment levels. Furthermore, the study group displayed significantly lower levels than the control group (P<0.05). After 10 days of treatment, the peak expiratory flow rate (3.31±0.52) L·s^-1 vs (5.69±0.74) L·s^-1, forced expiratory volume (1.46±0.29) L vs (2.06±0.38) L, and forced vital capacity (2.68±0.95) L vs (4.26±1.05) L of both groups exhibited significant improvements compared to pre-treatment levels. Moreover, the study group demonstrated significantly higher values than the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in the study group was significantly lower compared to the control group (6 cases vs 14 cases, P<0.05). Additionally, the duration of bone callus formation(9.50±1.40) days and fracture healing (72.20±8.32) days in the study group was significantly shorter compared to the control group(11.35±2.15) days, (93.70±9.90) days (P<0.001). CONCLUSION Compared with traditional rib-preserving internal fixation, patients with MRF and flail chest treated with minimally invasive internal fixation with thoracoscopic nickel-titanium shape memory alloy surround bone plate have better therapeutic effect, because of less surgical trauma, less pain and inflammatory reaction, fewer postoperative pulmonary complications, faster and better recovery of lung function, and thus promote the recovery of patients.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Rib Fractures/surgery* ; Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Flail Chest/surgery* ; Thoracoscopy/methods* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of chronic disseminated candidiasis (CDC) in children with acute leukemia (AL) following chemotherapy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on children diagnosed with CDC (including confirmed, clinically diagnosed, and suspected cases) after AL chemotherapy from January 2015 to December 2023 at Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Zhangzhou Municipal Hospital, and Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University. Clinical characteristics and prognosis were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of CDC in children with AL following chemotherapy was 1.92% (32/1 668). Among the children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the incidence of CDC in the high-risk group was significantly higher than in the low-risk group (P=0.002). All patients presented with fever unresponsive to antibiotics during the neutropenic period, with 81% (26/32) involving the liver. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly elevated (≥50 mg/L) in 97% (31/32) of the patients. The efficacy of combined therapy with liposomal amphotericin B and caspofungin or posaconazole for CDC was 66% (19/29), higher than with caspofungin (9%, 2/22) or liposomal amphotericin B (18%, 2/11) monotherapy. The overall cure rate was 72% (23/32). The proportion of patients with CRP ≥50 mg/L and/or a positive β-D-glucan test for more than 2 weeks and breakthrough infections during caspofungin treatment was significantly higher in the treatment failure group compared to the successful treatment group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS CDC in children with AL after chemotherapy may be associated with prolonged neutropenia due to intensive chemotherapy. Combination antifungal regimens based on liposomal amphotericin B have a higher cure rate, while persistently high CRP levels and positive β-D-glucan tests may indicate poor prognosis.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use* ; Candidiasis/diagnosis* ; Chronic Disease ; Leukemia/complications* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/complications* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of molecular targeted agents in children with progressive pediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGG). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on pLGG patients treated with oral targeted therapies at the Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from July 2021. Treatment responses and safety profiles were assessed. RESULTS: Among the 20 enrolled patients, the trametinib group (n=12, including 11 cases with BRAF fusions and 1 case with BRAF V600E mutation) demonstrated 4 partial responses (33%) and 2 minor responses (17%), with a median time to response of 3.0 months. In the vemurafenib group (n=6, all with BRAF V600E mutation), 5 patients achieved partial responses (83%), showing a median time to response of 1.0 month. Comparative analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in progression-free survival rates between the two treatment groups (P>0.05). The median duration of clinical benefit (defined as partial response + minor response + stable disease) was 11.0 months for vemurafenib and 18.0 months for trametinib. Two additional cases, one with ATM mutation treated with olaparib for 24 months and one with NF1 mutation receiving everolimus for 21 months, discontinued treatment due to sustained disease stability. No severe adverse events were observed in any treatment group. CONCLUSIONS Molecular targeted therapy demonstrates clinical efficacy with favorable tolerability in pLGG. Vemurafenib achieves high response rates and induces early tumor shrinkage in patients with BRAF V600E mutations, supporting its utility as a first-line therapy.
Humans ; Glioma/genetics* ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Retrospective Studies ; Brain Neoplasms/genetics* ; Molecular Targeted Therapy/adverse effects* ; Adolescent ; Infant ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf/genetics* ; Pyrimidinones/therapeutic use* ; Mutation

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the gene mutation characteristics and survival time of patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) based on next-generation sequencing(NGS) gene detection. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 92 patients with AML (non APL) admitted to our hospital from January 2018 to May 2022. AML related genes tested were using NGS, the mutation characteristics and survival time of AML patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 92 patients, 41 were males and 51 were females. A total of 38 types of gene mutations were detected. Six-two patients carried at least one gere mutation, while no gene mutations were detected in 30 patients. In the group with favourable prognosis (n =14), the frequencies of higher gene mutations were NRAS, KIT (21.43%, n =3), KRAS (14.29%, n =2). In the group with intermediate prognosis (n =64), the gene mutation frequencies from high to low were DNMT3A (18.75%, n =12), NPM1 (17.19%, n =11), IDH2, FLT3-ITD, CEBPA (12.50%, n =8), TET2 (10.94%, n =7). In the poor prognosis group (n =14), ASXL1, TP53, EZH2, NRAS had higher gene mutation frequency than others(14.29 %, n =2 ). Statistical analysis revealed that KIT had a relative hotspot of mutations in the intermediate-risk group, and DNMT3A had a relative hotspot of mutations in the high-risk group (P < 0.05). The correlation analysis of genes with high mutation rates in different prognostic groups, such as NRAS, KIT, IDH2, DNMT3A, NPM1, and FLT3-ITD, with prognosis found that KIT was a factor affecting OS (P < 0.05), while no significant differences were observed for the others(P >0.05). CONCLUSION The frequency of gene mutations is high in AML patients, 67.4% of the patients carried at least one gene mutation. The mutation frequency varies among different genes in patients with different karyotypes, and there are obvious dominant mutations. KIT and DNMT3A can be used as factors for evaluating the prognosis of AML.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics* ; Nucleophosmin ; Mutation ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Middle Aged ; DNA Methyltransferase 3A ; Adult ; Aged ; Survival Analysis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit/genetics*