Objective: To observe the distribution characteristics of sex differences in physical growth among children and adolescents aged 6-15 years in Taiwan, China from 2007 to 2024, so as to provide clues for improving growth assessment standards and promoting the health of children and adolescents. Methods: Using publicly available height and weight data for children and adolescents aged 6-15 years in Taiwan, China from 2007 to 2024 released by the statistics agency of the Taiwan education authorities, sex difference indices were analyzed. Growth curve charts and Pearson correlation were used to analyze the correlation between height/weight and year, as well as trends of change with age and year. These were compared with data from the 8th National Survey on Students Constitution and Health in 2019, covering Han and ethnic minority groups aged 6-15 years in mainland China. Results: The sex difference index for height among children and adolescents in Taiwan, China ranged from -1.20% to 6.67%, showed a trend of decreasing first and then increasing with age. The sex difference index for weight ranged from 3.76% to 19.15%, exhibited an age related trend of a slight initial increase, followed by a decrease, and then an increase. The sex difference indices for height in the 12-15 age groups and for weight in the 15-year-old group were positively correlated with the year ( r =0.74, 0.66, 0.61, 0.92 ; 0.63), while the sex difference indices for weight in the 6-8 age groups were negatively correlated with the year ( r =-0.71, -0.77, -0.53) (all P <0.05). In 2024, the height of children and adolescents in Taiwan, China increased gradually with age, but the growth rate for girls slowed down after age 12. A "two crossover" was observed in height between boys and girls, with boys being taller than girls in the 6-9 age range and after age 12. Weight for both sexes gradually increases with age, but boys have greater weight than girls at all ages. In 2019, the sexual differences in body size among children and adolescents in the Taiwan region, China (the sex difference indices for height:-0.96% to 6.49%；the sex difference indices for weight:4.69%-17.89%) fell within the variation ranges of counterparts in mainland China (the sex difference indices for height:-5.43% to 7.69%；the sex difference indices for weight:-10.12% to 21.56%). Conclusion The sex differences in physical growth among children and adolescents in Taiwan, China are dynamically changing with age and over the long term.

Objective: To investigate the effect of intraarticular hemorrhage on extending knee joint contracture model in rats . Methods: 18 mature male SD rats were divided into 3 groups by random number table method . The control group ( group C) was not immobilized and was killed after 4 weeks of feeding . In the simple fixation group( M1 group) , the left lower limb knee joint was immobilized in straight position for 4 weeks . The blood fixationgroup (M2 group) was injected into the knee cavity with body blood and immobilized in a straight position for 4 weeks . The knee joint motion of each group was measured by the joint motion measuring instrument under a stand⁃ard torque . The contracture degree was calculated by the joint range of motion of the knee joint before and after muscles separation . HE staining and Masson staining were used to detect the number of cells and collagen deposi⁃tion in the anterior joint capsule . The protein expressions of transforming growth factor 1 (TGF⁃ β1) , wingless⁃type MMTV integration site family , member 1 ( Wnt1) and beta⁃catenin ( β⁃catenin) in the anterior articular capsule were detected by Western blotting . Results: Compared with group C , total knee contracture and arthrogenic con⁃tracture of rats in M1 and M2 groups increased , and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0. 05) . At the same time , the degree of total contracture and arthrogenic contracture in M2 group was higher than that in M1 group , and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0. 05) . Compared with group C , the number of anterior joint capsule cells and collagen deposition in M1 and M2 groups increased , and the difference was statistically sig⁃group were higher than those in M1 group , and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0. 05) . Compared with group C , the protein expressions of TGF⁃ β1 , Wnt1 and β ⁃catenin in the anterior articular capsule of rats in M1 expressions of TGF⁃ β1 , Wnt1 and β ⁃catenin in the anterior articular capsule of the knee joint in M2 group were sig⁃nificantly higher than those in M1 group , with statistical significance (P < 0. 05) . Conclusion Joint immobiliza⁃ tion can lead to joint contracture , and joint bleeding aggravates the degree of joint capsule fibrosis induced by im⁃mobilization .

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.03.002.].

Objective To develop the assessment scale of proactive health behavior ability for the disabled elderly in nursing homes and to test its reliability and validity.Methods The first draft of the scale was formed by literature review,qualitative interviews and Delphi method.From December 2023 to March 2024,525 disabled elderly people from 9 nursing homes in Sichuan Province and Chongqing City were selected as the survey subjects,and item analysis and reliability and validity test were carried out on the scale.30 disabled elderly people were re-investigated after 2 weeks to calculate the retest reliability of the scale.Results The scale consisted of 4 dimensions and 27 items.Exploratory factor analysis extracted 4 common factors,with the cumulative vanance contribution rate of 65.992％,and confirmatory factor analysis showed that the modified model fitting index was within acceptable range.The content validity index at item level was 0.917-1.000,and that at scale level was 0.997.The Cronbach's α coefficient,test-retest reliability and split-half reliability of the total scale were 0.944,0.997 and 0.882,respectively.Conclusion The scale has good reliability and validity,and it can be used to evaluate the proactive health behavior ability of the disabled elderly in nursing homes.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with poor prognosis and high mortality. In this study, we demonstrated a novel vaccine targeting HCC and tumor neovascular endothelial cells by fusing recombinant MHCC97H cells expressing porcine α-1,3-galactose epitopes (αGal) and endorphin extracellular domains (END) with dendritic cells (DCs) from healthy volunteers. END⁺/Gal⁺-MHCC97H/DC fusion cells induced cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and secretion of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). CTLs targeted cells expressing αGal and END and tumor angiogenesis. The fused cell vaccine can effectively inhibit tumor growth and prolong the survival time of human hepatoma mice, indicating the high clinical potential of this new cell based vaccine.

Objective:To study whether the "combination of medical care and pension" service model can effectively control the development of chronic disease in the elderly and reduce the direct economic burden caused by the disease.Methods:A total of 180 elderly participants who received the "combination of medical care and pension" service model for chronic disease management in Chongqing, China were investigated and analyzed statistically. Epidata 2.0 was used for data entry, SPSS 20.0 was used for data analysis, and paired sample t test was used for comparison between groups. Results:After 12 months of chronic disease management, hospitalization events and expenses of the elderly were reduced, among which the number of hospitalization was reduced by 0.24 timed on average, the length of hospitalization was reduced by 10.41 days on average, and the hospitalization expenses were reduced by 11 144 yuan on average. The direct economic burden due to chronic diseases was reduced by approximately 8 844.5 yuan, accounting for 33.8% of the average cost of hospitalization for the elderly without the application of the model.Conclusion:The chronic disease of the elderly is well controlled by chronic disease management through the "combination of medical care and pension" service model.

Objective:To investigate the expression and clinical significance of effector T cell (Teff), regulatory T cell (Treg) and their cytokines in patients with vitiligo.Methods:84 patients with vitiligo (38 cases in stable stage, 46 cases in advanced stage) who were admitted to the Dermatology Department of the Dezhou People's Hospital between June 2018 and June 2019 and 30 healthy people (control group) were enrolled in the study. The levels of Teff subsets and Treg cells in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. The levels of Teff subsets and Treg cells-associated cytokines were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The relationship between Teff subsets and Treg cells levels in peripheral blood, relationship between Teff subgroups, Treg cells-associated cytokines and course of vitiligo, skin lesion area were analyzed.Results:The levels of T helper cell (Th)17 and Th22 in peripheral blood of vitiligo group were significantly higher than those of control group, while levels of Treg cells were significantly lower than control group ( P<0.05). Compared with the stable vitiligo group, the levels of Th17 and Th22 in peripheral blood were higher and levels of Treg cells were lower in the advanced vitiligo group ( P<0.05). Treg cell level was negatively correlated with Th17 cell level ( r=-0.303, P=0.001), and negatively correlated with Th22 cell level ( r=-0.200, P=0.033). The levels of serum interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-22 in vitiligo group were significantly higher than those in control group, while the level of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) was significantly lower than that in control group ( P<0.05). Compared with the stable vitiligo group, levels of serum IL-17 and IL-22 were higher and level of TGF-β was lower in the advanced vitiligo group ( P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that levels of IL-17 and IL-22 were positively correlated with skin lesion area ( r=0.361, 0.288, P<0.05), and level of TGF-β was negatively correlated with skin lesion area ( r=-0.312, P<0.05). Conclusions:Teff/Treg cells are unbalanced in patients with vitiligo, showing obvious shift to Teff subsets. The progression of vitiligo may be related to Teff subsets and Treg cells-associated cytokines.

Objective To compare the anterograde amnesia produced by midazolam,propofol and dexmedetomidine when used to supplement sedation during neuraxial anesthesia.Methods Sixty patients of both sexes,aged 18-50 yr,with body mass index of 23-26 kg/m2,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,scheduled for elective operation on lower limbs with neuraxial anesthesia,were divided into 3 groups (n =20 each) using a random number table:midazolam group (group M),propofol group (group P) and dexmedetomidine group (group D).When the height of anesthesia was kept below T10,midazolam in a loading dose of O.05 mg/kg was intravenously injected in group M,propofol in a loading dose of O.4 mng/kg was intravenously injected in group P,and dexmedetomidine in a loading dose of 0.6 μg/kg was intravenously injected in group D.The infusion rate of the 3 drugs was adjusted to maintain bispectral index value at 82-86.When Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale scores achieved 3 or 4 after administration,anterograde amnesia was measured by postoperative recall of cards.The development of intraoperative hypotension,bradycardia and respiratory depression was recorded.Results Compared with group M,the incidence of global amnesia was significantly decreased in P and D groups (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of global amnesia between group P and group D (P＞ 0.05).No patients developed hypotension,bradycardia or respiratory depression in three groups.Conclusion Midazolam produces better anterograde amnesia than propofol and dexmedetomidine when used to supplement sedation during neuraxial anesthesia.

Objective To evaluate the effect of nimodipine combined with 7.5％ hypertonic saline (HS) on postoperative cognitive function in aged rats.Methods Ninety-six healthy male Wistar rats,aged 18 months,weighing 450-500 g,were assigned into 4 groups (n=24 each) using a random number table:splenectomy group (group S),nimodipine group (group N),group HS and nimodipine plus HS group (group N+HS).Nimodipine 1 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in group N.In group HS,7.5％ HS 4 ml/kg was injected via the caudal vein.The equal volume of normal saline was injected intraperitoneally or via the caudal vein in group S.Splenectomy was performed under sevoflurane anesthesia at 30 min after the end of administration.On 1 day before operation and 3 and 7 days after operation,Morris water maze test was performed,and blood sainples from the caudal vein were simultaneously collected for determination of the concentrations of serum S100β protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results Compared with group S,the frequency of crossing the original platform was significantly increased,the escape latency was shortened,and the concentrations of serum S100β protein and NSE were decreased at each time point after operation in N,HS and N+HS groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group N or group HS,the frequency of crossing the original platform was significantly increased,the escape latency was shortened,and the concentrations of serum S100β protein and NSE were decreased at each time point after operation in group N+HS (P＜0.05).Conclusion Nimodipine combined with 7.5％ HS exerts better efficacy than either alone in improving postoperative cognitive function in aged rats.

Objective To analyze the cognitive changes and influencing factors in patients with lacunar cerebral infarction after carotid artery intervention therapy. Methods Sixty lacunar cerebral infarction combined with carotid stenosis patients treated with artery intervention therapy (intervention therapy group) and 68 lacunar cerebral infarction without carotid stenosis patients treated with drug therapy (drug therapy group) were selected. The neuropsychological test was completed at entry and 1, 6, 12 months after entry, and the results were compared with 60 healthy controls (control group). The cognitive changes were observed. The neuropsychological test included mini mental state examination (MMSE), Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA) and cognitive field test. Results There were statistical differences in other scores except the Stroop test C section and Wechsler adult intelligence scale (WAIS-RC) picture arrangement subtest at entry in intervention therapy group and drug therapy group compared with control group (P<0.05). There were no statistical differences in the all scores at entry between drug therapy group and intervention therapy group (P>0.05). In intervention therapy group, the MMSE scores, MoCA total score, Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test (ROCFT), auditory verb learning test (AVLT), and the WAIS-RC picture arrangement subtest, verbal fluency test, WAIS-RC digit span backwards subtest of performing function 12 months after entry were significantly better than those at entry, and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). MMSE score, MoCA total score, long-time delayed recall of ROCFT, the immediate recall, long-time delayed recall and short delayed recall of AVLT, semantic category fluency test of performing function and digit span backwards subtest of WAIS-RC 6 months after entry were significantly better than those at entry:(27.8 ± 2.2) scores vs. (26.4 ± 1.9) scores, (20.7 ± 2.3) scores vs. (19.3 ± 2.0) scores, (12.4 ± 3.2) scores vs. (10.8 ± 2.6) scores, (54.3 ± 10.6) scores vs. (49.9 ± 10.9) scores, (12.4 ± 2.0) scores vs. (11.2 ± 2.8) scores, (12.9 ± 2.0) scores vs. (10.6 ± 2.6) scores, (17.5 ± 4.0) scores vs. (15.4 ± 3.4) scores and (4.0 ± 0.9) scores vs. (3.5 ± 0.9) scores, and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). In drug therapy group, there were no statistical differences in the all scores 1 and 6 months after entry, compared with that at entry (P>0.05);the MMSE score, MoCA total score, ROCFT, the immediate recall, long-time delayed recall and short delayed recall of AVLT, WAIS-RC picture arrangement subtest, verbal fluency test, WAIS-RC digit span backwards subtest of performing function and digit span backwards subtest of WAIS-RC 12 months after entry were significantly better than those at entry, and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). There were no statistical differences in all scores 12 months after entry between intervention therapy group and drug therapy group (P>0.05). In patients intervention therapy group, Logistic regression analysis showed that the MoCA score was related with age, hypertension and low education level (P<0.01 or<0.05), but was not related with smoking, diabetes and interventional treatment (P>0.05). Conclusions Cognitive impairment in patients with lacunar cerebral infarction and carotid stenosis is severe and extensive, but most cognition disorders can improve to normal level 12 months after artery intervention therapy.