OBJECTIVE: Humans are exposed to complex mixtures of environmental chemicals and other factors that can affect their health. Analysis of these mixture exposures presents several key challenges for environmental epidemiology and risk assessment, including high dimensionality, correlated exposure, and subtle individual effects. METHODS: We proposed a novel statistical approach, the generalized functional linear model (GFLM), to analyze the health effects of exposure mixtures. GFLM treats the effect of mixture exposures as a smooth function by reordering exposures based on specific mechanisms and capturing internal correlations to provide a meaningful estimation and interpretation. The robustness and efficiency was evaluated under various scenarios through extensive simulation studies. RESULTS: We applied the GFLM to two datasets from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). In the first application, we examined the effects of 37 nutrients on BMI (2011-2016 cycles). The GFLM identified a significant mixture effect, with fiber and fat emerging as the nutrients with the greatest negative and positive effects on BMI, respectively. For the second application, we investigated the association between four pre- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and gout risk (2007-2018 cycles). Unlike traditional methods, the GFLM indicated no significant association, demonstrating its robustness to multicollinearity. CONCLUSION GFLM framework is a powerful tool for mixture exposure analysis, offering improved handling of correlated exposures and interpretable results. It demonstrates robust performance across various scenarios and real-world applications, advancing our understanding of complex environmental exposures and their health impacts on environmental epidemiology and toxicology.
Humans ; Environmental Exposure/analysis* ; Linear Models ; Nutrition Surveys ; Environmental Pollutants ; Body Mass Index

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serological prevalence of high-titer IgG antibodies against 2019-nCoV among voluntary blood donors in Zunyi. METHODS: The blood plasma specimens were diluted at 1∶160 or 1∶320, then tested for the presence of 2019-nCoV IgG antibodies by using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The differences of antibody reactive rate among different genders, ages, and blood types were analyzed. RESULTS: 1 523 reactive specimens were identified in 5 378 specimens which were diluted at a ratio of 1∶160. Similarly, 329 reactive specimens were identified in 2 988 diluted at 1∶320. The overall reactive rate for antibodies was 22.1%. It was observed that females, individuals over the age of 40, and those with blood type AB exhibited higher high-titer antibody reactive rate. CONCLUSION After entering a new stage of 2019-nCoV infection prevention and control, there is a relatively high detection rate of high-titer 2019-nCoV IgG antibodies among voluntary blood donors in Zunyi. The reactive rate of antibodies varies among different genders, ages, and blood types.
Humans ; Blood Donors ; Immunoglobulin G/blood* ; Antibodies, Viral/blood* ; SARS-CoV-2/immunology* ; COVID-19 ; Female ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Adult ; China ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To explore the relationship between levels of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1),and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)in the synovial fluid of children with avascular necrosis of the femoral head(also known as Perthes disease)and the efficacy of postoperative revascularization,aiming to provide a basis for subsequent diagnosis and treatment.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 262 children with Perthes disease admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine from January 2023 to June 2024.Based on postoperative revascularization efficacy,patients were divided into good revascularization group(n=228)and poor revascularization group(n=34).For poor revascularization group,a 1:2 matched case-control design was used to select 68 age-matched children with hip synovitis who underwent hip joint fluid puncture as control group.Additionally,82 children with Perthes disease treated at the hospital from June 2024 to January 2025 were enrolled as a validation cohort for nomogram model verification.The expression levels of VEGF,IGF-1 and TGF-β1 in the synovial fluid of three groups were compared.Confounding biases were controlled through univariate and stratified analyses.Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent factors affecting the revascularization effect.R software was utilized to draw and verify the nomogram model for predicting the postoperative revascularization effect.Results The levels of VEGF,IGF-1 and TGF-β1 in the synovial fluid of children in poor revascularization group were all higher than those in control group and good revascularization group(P<0.05).After three types of reconstructive surgeries,the levels of VEGF,IGF-1 and TGF-β1 in the synovial fluid of children with poor revascularization were all higher than those in children with good revascularization(P<0.05);however,there was no statistically significant difference in the above indicators among different surgical types(P>0.05).Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the levels of VEGF,IGF-1,and TGF-β1 in the synovial fluid were independent risk factors for poor postoperative revascularization in children with Perthes disease.The area under the ROC curve of the nomogram model established accordingly for predicting poor postoperative revascularization in children with Perthes disease was 0.875(95%CI 0.805-0.945),with a sensitivity of 0.874 and a specificity of 0.851.Moreover,the calibration curve and decision curve analysis(DCA)indicated that the model had good clinical applicability.Conclusions The increased levels of VEGF,IGF-1 and TGF-β1 in synovial fluid are associated with poor postoperative revascularization in children with Perthes disease.These three factors are expected to become prognostic indicators for children with Perthes disease.

Peripheral artery disease(PAD),commonly encountered in vascular surgery,predominantly affects the lower limbs and presents with ischemic symptoms resulting from atherosclerosis.It carries risks of adverse limb events and cardiovascular events.Antithrombotic therapy remains a cornerstone in the management of PAD.This article reviews the evidence and research progress regarding dual-pathway antithrombotic therapy for PAD.Multiple clinical trials have demonstrated that,compared to single antiplatelet therapy,dual-pathway antithrombotic therapy significantly reduces the risks of major adverse limb events and major adverse cardiovascular events without a significant increase in bleeding risk.For high-risk patients,such as those with advanced age,multivessel disease,comorbid coronary artery disease,or those undergoing endovascular revascularization,the benefits of dual-pathway antithrombotic therapy are particularly pronounced.Current clinical guidelines have incorporated dual-pathway antithrombotic therapy into their recommendations,standardized criteria for identifying the most appropriate patient populations remain lacking.Despite its advantages in reducing adverse events,its long-term safety profile and optimal target populations warrant further investigation.

Objective To establish a rapid,sensitive,and specific multiplex PCR detection method for the simultaneous detection of Cryptosporidium,Eimeria,and bovine parvovirus.Methods Specific primers targeting the SSU rRNA genes of Cryptosporidium and Eimeria,as well as the VP2 gene of bovine parvovirus were designed and the corresponding recombinant plasmid standards were constructed.To establish the multiplex PCR method,the reaction conditions were optimized using temperature gradient PCR and single-variable control methods.The sensitivity,specificity,reproducibility,and clinical application of the protocol were evaluated.Results The optimal annealing temperature was found to be 60.5℃,and the forward and reverse primer concentrations were determined to be 0.2 μmol/L for Eimeria,and 0.4 μmol/L for Cryptosporidium and bovine parvovirus.The assay demonstrated high sensitivity,with detection limits of 243,260,and 3 110 copies for the recombinant plasmid standards of Cryptosporidium,Eimeria,and bovine parvovirus,respectively.Specificity testing showed no cross-reactivity with ten common bovine pathogens,including Salmonella,bovine viral diarrhea virus,and bovine rotavirus.Consistent intra-and inter-batch results confirmed the strong reproducibility of the method.Clinical application to 81 diarrhea samples from various regions in the Ganzi Prefecture,Sichuan,revealed positivity rates of 18.52%(15/81)for Cryptosporidium,34.57%(28/81)for Eimeria,and 18.52%(15/81)forbovineparvovirus,withamixedinfectionrateof3.7%(3/81).Conclusions Themultiplex PCR method established in this study offers a reliable tool for differential diagnosis and epidemiological investigation of the three common diarrheal pathogens in yaks.

Objective: To investigate the effect of aloperine (Alo) on the proliferation , migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells. Methods: Human gastric cancer cell lines HGC⁃27 and AGS were treated with 0 , 100 , and tion. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis. Scratch and Transwell migration assays were used to detect cell migration. Transwell invasion assay was used to detect cell invasion. Western blot was used to detect the expression of proteins related to proliferation , apoptosis , migration , invasion and Hippo pathway. Results: Compared with the control group , the cell viability , number of colony formation , cell migration and invasion were significantly reduced after 100 and 200 μmol/L Alo treatment , and the apoptosis rate significantly increased (P < 0. 05) . Additionally , the expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) , B -cell lymphoma/leukemia⁃2 protein (Bcl⁃2) , neural cadherin ( N⁃cadherin) , Vimentin , and transcriptional co⁃activator with PDZ⁃binding motif ( TAZ)were significantly reduced , whereas the expressions of Bcl⁃2 ⁃associated X protein (Bax) , phosphorylated yes⁃asso⁃ciated protein (p⁃YAP) , and large tumor suppressor 1/2 (LATS1/2) significantly increased (P < 0. 05) . Conclusion Alo inhibits the proliferation , migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells HGC⁃27 and AGS by regulating the Hippo signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome characteristics of patients with Chikungunya hemorrhagic fever and to provide empirical data to support the application of TCM in diagnosing and treating Chikungunya hemorrhagic fever.Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect clinical data(sex,age,days since onset,and comorbidity underlying disease conditions)and TCM with four-examination information(symptoms,tongue manifestations,and pulse manifestations)from 255 patients with Chikungunya hemorrhagic fever who visited Lecong Hospital of Shunde,Foshan,the Third People's Hospital of Shunde District of Foshan,Shunde Hospital of Southern Medical University Affiliated Chencun Hospital between July 23 and July 29,2025.Factor and cluster analyses were used to summarize TCM syndrome characteristics and analyze core pathogenesis in conjunction with clinical features.Results Among the 255 patients with Chikungunya hemorrhagic fever,131 were male and 124 were female,with a age of(49.05±17.93)years and a disease duration of(3.26±1.78)days.Among the four types of examination information in TCM,35 items exhibited a frequency exceeding 10%.The most prevalent symptoms were arthralgia(180 patients,70.59%),exanthem(153 patients,60.00%),fatigue(99 patients,38.82%),anhidrosis(98 patients,38.43%),pruritus(96 patients,37.65%),and fever(92 patients,36.08%).Tongue and pulse manifestations were primarily white fur(155 patients,60.78%),pink tongue(111 patients,43.53%),slippery pulse(143 patients,56.08%),and greasy fur(134 patients,52.53%).Patients with disease onset≤3 d had a higher incidence of arthralgia,fatigue,fever,aversion to cold,generalized muscle pain,aversion to wind,insomnia,headache,sweating,low-grade fever,poor appetite,loose stool,hyperhidrosis,and red tongue than those with disease onset≥4 d(P<0.05).Patients with disease onset≥4 d had a higher incidence of pink tongue and thick fur than those with disease onset≤3 d(P<0.05).The syndrome elements in patients with Chikungunya hemorrhagic fever predominantly manifested on the defensive exterior,with involvement of the sinew-bone joints,skin-muscle,and spleen.Pathogenic factors were primarily characterized by external winds,dampness,and heat.Factor and cluster analysis result indicated three TCM pathogenesis progression patterns:imbalance of the defensive exterior with wind-dampness conflict and heat transformation;dampness-heat flowing into muscles and meridians causing joint obstruction and qi blood stasis;and dampness-heat congelation resulting in qi mechanism obstruction,consumption of body fluids,and infiltration of the skin.Conclusion Patients with Chikungunya hemorrhagic fever primarily present with fever,joint pain,and rashes.In TCM,this condition falls under the category of"dampness-warmth"syndrome.Its etiology is attributed to pathogens,with transmission occurring through mosquito bites.The core pathogenesis of TCM is the invasion of the defensive exterior and dampness-toxic heat accumulation.The therapeutic principles focus on clearing heat pathogens,resolving dampness pathogens,dispersing wind pathogens,and promoting the resolution of rashes.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of Lishui Xiaozhong Granules combined with Conbercept for the treatment of diabetic macular edema(DME).Methods From December 2022 to June 2023,46 patients(46 eyes)with DME of spleen and kidney yang deficiency complicated with blood-stasis obstructing the eye collaterals syndrome admitted to Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were selected as the study objects.According to the principle of single-blind randomized controlled trial,the patients were randomly divided into treatment group and control group by random number table method,with 23 cases(23 eyes)in each group.The control group was treated with intravitreal injection of Conbercept,and the treatment group was treated with oral use of Lishui Xiaozhong Granules on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment lasted 3 months and then a follow-up for 6 months was conducted.Before and after treatment,the two groups were observed int the changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome score,best corrected visual acuity(BCVA,LogMAR),central macular thickness(CMT),mean vessel density(VD)of superficial capillary plexus(SCP)and deep capillary plexus(DCP)in macular area,and the amplitude density and the latency of P1 and N1 wave in the R1 ring of multifocal electroretinogram(mf-ERG).Results(1)After 1,3 and 6 month(s)of treatment,BVCA in the two groups was improved when compared with that at the previous observation time point(P＜0.05),and the improvement in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group after 1,3 and 6 month(s)of treatment(P＜0.01).(2)After 1,3 and 6 month(s)of treatment,the CMT of the two groups was lowered as compared with that at the previous observation time point(P＜0.05),and the decrease in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(3)After 6 months of treatment,SCP-VD and DCP-VD in the two groups showed no obvious changes when compared with those before treatment(P＞0.05),the differences between the two groups after treatment were no statistically significant,either(P＞0.05).(4)After 1,3 and 6 month(s)of treatment,the amplitude densities of P1 wave and N1 wave in the R1 ring of mf-ERG in the two groups were increased when compared with those at the previous observation time point(P＜0.05),and the latency of P1 wave and N1 wave was shortened when compared with that at the previous observation time point(P＜0.05),and the treatment group had stronger effect on increasing the amplitude densities and on shortening the latency than the control group(P＜0.01).(5)After 6 months of treatment,the scores of TCM syndromes in the treatment group were lowered(P＜0.05)while the scores in the control group showed no obvious changes as compared with those before treatment.The intergroup comparison showed that the decrease of TCM syndrome score in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion In the treatment of DME with spleen and kidney yang deficiency complicated with blood-stasis obstructing the eye collaterals syndrome,Lishui Xiaozhong Granules combined with Conbercept have no influence on improving the SCP-VD and DCP-VD,but the combined therapy exerts satisfactory efficacy on increasing BCVA and on improving macular oedema,retinal function in the macular area and systemic symptoms.