1.Association of liver fibrosis markers and inflammation markers with the risk of gallstones in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease
Shuai ZHANG ; Shoulu JIN ; Wanqing LI ; Xijing SHI ; Hao LIANG ; Hao DONG ; Dailong LU ; Ying ZHU ; Xiaoxing XIANG ; Jun LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):579-585
ObjectiveTo investigate the association of liver fibrosis scores and inflammation markers with gallstones in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), as well as the mediating role of liver fibrosis scores in the relationship between inflammation markers and gallstones. MethodsA total of 14 567 patients who received physical examination and were diagnosed with MAFLD in Subei People’s Hospital from January 2014 to June 2023 were enrolled in this study, and according to the results of abdominal color Doppler ultrasound, they were divided into gallstone group with 1 724 patients and non-gallstone group with 12 843 patients. Related clinical data were collected from all patients, including demographic data, medical history, family history, physical examination, Color Doppler ultrasound, and biochemical parameters. The biomarkers associated with metabolic disorders and insulin resistance included triglyceride-glucose index (TyG), TyG-body mass index (BMI) index, atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR); the biomarkers associated with inflammation and nutritional status included neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio (NPAR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR); the biomarkers for assessing liver fibrosis degree and liver function included albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score, NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI). The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, while the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis, restricted cubic spline analysis, and mediating effect analysis were used to assess the association of liver fibrosis markers and inflammation markers with the risk of gallstones. ResultsThe prevalence rate of gallstones was 11.8% among the MAFLD patients. There were significant differences between the gallstone group and the non-gallstone group in sex, age, smoking history, diabetes, hypertension, lymphocytes, platelets, glucose, albumin, serum uric acid, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, red blood cell, NLR, NPAR, MLR, NFS, FIB-4 index, and ALBI score (all P<0.05). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that NLR (odds ratio [OR]=1.091, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.028 — 1.160, P<0.05), NPAR (OR=1.073, 95%CI: 1.042 — 1.105, P<0.05), MLR (OR=1.142, 95%CI: 1.057 — 1.232, P<0.05), NFS (OR=1.239, 95%CI: 1.190 — 1.291, P<0.05), and FIB-4 index (OR=1.326, 95%CI: 1.241 — 1.417, P<0.05) were influencing factors for the prevalence rate of gallstones. The restricted cubic spline analysis showed a significant non-linear association between NFS/FIB-4 index and the risk of gallstone (non-linear P<0.05). The mediating effect analysis further showed that the association of NLR, MLR, and NPAR with gallstones was partially mediated by NFS or FIB-4 index, with a mediating effect accounting for 36.79%、28.09%、29.67% and 18.31%、17.70、11.57%, respectively. ConclusionNFS and FIB-4 index have a non-linear association with the prevalence rate of gallstones in MAFLD patients, and they also mediate the association of NLR, NPAR, and MLR with the risk of gallstone.
2.Research on the construction and application of blood standard system in China
Jin GUO ; Hongjie WANG ; Xin SHI ; Yong WANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(4):564-570
Blood standardization is a crucial means of promoting the healthy and sustainable development of China's blood industry. The construction of a blood standard system serves as the foundational work for blood standardization. To facilitate the continuous improvement of blood standardization efforts, this paper begins by describing the current status and analyzing the issues within China's blood standard system. Through systematic research, it proposes a framework for constructing a blood standard system and offers revision recommendations for its enhancement. Based on the first five editions of the blood standard system developed by Sub-Committee of Blood Standards of National Committee of Health Standards, this study further refines the revision and detailed construction of the standards framework—the primary task in establishing the blood standard system. It provides specific guidance for both the construction and application of the blood standard system. This work serves as a reference and basis for the reasonable and standardized formulation and revision of blood standards, as well as for the management and implementation of blood standardization efforts.
3.Action Mechanism of Huamoyan Granules in Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis Based on TRPV1/p38 MAPK Pathway
Jin ZHANG ; Lili YANG ; Canwen ZHENG ; Jing KANG ; Yanlei MA ; Yue SHI ; Lei LI ; Hongxu MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):79-89
ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe the protective effect of Huamoyan granules on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and explore whether its protective effect is oriented toward an anti-inflammatory direction by regulation of macrophage polarization, which can effectively inhibit the progression of pathological inflammatory response, reduce the release of inflammatory pain mediators, and downregulate the protein expression level of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), so as to provide experimental evidence for its clinical application and investigate its action mechanism. MethodsAfter adaptive feeding, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into six groups: sham group, model group, celecoxib group, and high, medium, and low-dose synovitis granule groups (9.6, 4.8, 2.4 g·kg-1). The administration dose of celecoxib capsules was 20 mg·kg-1. There were 10 rats in the sham group and 12 rats in the model group and each administration group. A KOA animal model was established by means of intra-articular injection of sodium iodoacetate into the knee joint. From the 10th day of the experiment, each administration group was given intragastric administration at a dose of 10 mL·kg-1 for 4 weeks. General conditions of rats in each group were assessed daily. The pressure pain threshold (PPT) to mechanical stimulation and joint diameter were recorded. X-ray examination was performed on the right knee joints of rats for imaging analysis. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and other pro-inflammatory cytokines in rat serum samples, as well as the expression levels of neurogenic inflammatory mediators such as nerve growth factor (NGF) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Histopathological changes in the knee joint synovial tissues were examined by hematoxylineosin (HE) staining. Safranin O-fast green staining was performed to observe and evaluate the degree of knee cartilage lesions. Western blot was employed to quantitatively analyze TRPV1, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), and phosphorylated (p)-p38 MAPK in rat knee synovial tissues. Immunofluorescence (IF) was used to measure and assess M1/M2 macrophage polarization. ResultsCompared with those in the sham group, the circumference and joint diameter of the right knee were markedly enlarged in the model group (P<0.01), while PPTs of rats showed a significant reduction (P<0.01). The contents of IL-1β, TNF-α, CGRP, and NGF in rats' serum were significantly elevated (P<0.01), and the synovial Krenn score was increased (P<0.01). The Mankin score of cartilage tissue was increased (P<0.01), and the protein expressions of TRPV1 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK were significantly upregulated (P<0.01). The experimental intervention significantly reduced the proportion of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages in the total macrophage population (P<0.01), and the percentage of M2 macrophages was decreased (P<0.01). The M1/M2 macrophage ratio was significantly elevated (P<0.01). Knee joint diameters of all dose groups of Huamoyan granules and the celecoxib group were reduced (P<0.01) compared with those of the model group, and the PPT recovery speeds in the high and medium-dose groups of Huamoyan granules were more obvious (P<0.05). The contents of IL-1β, CGRP, and NGF in the rats' serum in all administration groups were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the content of TNF-α in rats' serum was significantly reduced (P<0.01). All dose groups of Huamoyan granules demonstrated significant reductions in both synovial Krenn score (P<0.05, P<0.01) and protein expression of TRPV1 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK in rats' synovial tissues (P<0.01). The percentage of M1 macrophages in the synovial tissues of the celecoxib group and all dose groups of Huamoyan granules was decreased (P<0.01). The percentage of M2 macrophages was increased (P<0.05), and the M1/M2 ratio was decreased (P<0.01). ConclusionHuamoyan granules can alleviate the inflammatory response of KOA, reduce the release of inflammatory pain mediators, and downregulate TRPV1 protein expression by regulating macrophage polarization. Its mechanism may be related to the TRPV1/p38 MAPK signaling pathway, thereby achieving the effect of improving peripheral pain hypersensitivity in KOA.
4.Flos Buddlejae self-heating steam eye mask combined with sodium hyaluronate eye drops in the treatment of dry eye disease
Zhaodan TAN ; Qian LI ; Yan SHI ; Kangyuan HU ; Jin HUANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(2):96-102
Objective To assess the clinical efficacy of sodium hyaluronate (0.3%) eye drops combined with herbal self-heating steam eye mask in the treatment of dry eye disease. Methods A prospective randomized controlled clinical trial was performed on 60 patients diagnosed with dry eye at the ophthalmic clinic of a Grade A, Class Ⅲ hospital in Shanghai from June 2023 to September 2024. Specifically, patients were randomly divided into control group and study group. Patients in the control group were treated with sodium hyaluronate (0.3%) eye drops for six weeks; while in the study group, patients received the eye drops combined with the herbal self-heating steam eye mask mainly containing powders of Flos Buddlejae. Subsequently, comparisons and analysis were performed before and after treatment between the two groups in the clinical symptom questionnaire score traditional Chinese medicine (TCM syndrome score),the Chinese dry eye questionnaire score and determination of tear film fluorscein breakup time (FBUT), and curative effect. Results The quality control standard of the herbal powder in the self-heating steam eye mask was established through TLC and HPLC, and good heating behavior of the herbal self-heating steam eye mask was ascertained heating temperature (43±5)℃; heating duration (≥20 min), meeting requirements of the product quality control. After treatment for 6 weeks, FBUT was increased, while TCM syndrome score and the Chinese dry eye questionnaire score were both decreased in the study group (P<0.001). Besides, compared with the control group, TCM syndrome score and the Chinese dry eye questionnaire score were much lower, while the FBUT were higher in the study group (P<0.001). Moreover, the overall response rate in the study group (81.7%) was much better than that in the control group (25.9%). Conclusion The combination of sodium hyaluronate (0.3%) eye drops with herbal self-heating steam eye mask could be applied to the clinical treatment of dry eye disease due to its good clinical effects on relieving dry eye symptoms.
5.Correlation between liver fibrosis degree and carotid plaque in patients with lean metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease
Shuai ZHANG ; Shoulu JIN ; Wanqing LI ; Xijing SHI ; Hao LIANG ; Hao DONG ; Dailong LU ; Ying ZHU ; Xiaoxing XIANG ; Jun LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):319-325
ObjectiveTo investigate the association between noninvasive liver fibrosis markers and carotid plaque (CP) in patients with lean metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and to provide a basis for screening high-risk populations. MethodsA total of 957 patients with lean MAFLD who underwent physical examination in Subei People’s Hospital from January 2021 to June 2023 was enrolled as the observation cohort, with the presence or absence of CP as the outcome, and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score (NFS) were used to assess liver fibrosis degree. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The multivariate logistic regression analysis, the restricted cubic spline analysis, the receiver operating characteristic curve, and the mediation effect analysis were used to investigate the association between liver fibrosis degree and CP. ResultsThe prevalence rate of CP was 36.6% in the lean MAFLD population. Compared with the non-CP group(n=607), the CP group (n=350) had a significantly higher proportion of male patients, a significantly higher proportion of patients with smoking/diabetes/hypertension, and significantly higher levels of age, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio, NFS, and FIB-4 index, as well as significantly lower levels of platelet count and albumin (all P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjustment for confounding factors, FIB-4 index (odds ratio[OR]=2.979, 95% confidence interval[CI]:2.141 — 4.219, P<0.001) and NFS (OR=1.747, 95%CI: 1.499 — 2.046, P<0.001) were positively correlated with CP. Both FIB-4 index and NFS had a good value in predicting CP. Hypertension had a significant indirect effect on the prevalence rate of CP through its impact on liver fibrosis markers, and its mediating effect accounted for 39.5% — 40.8% of the total effect (P<0.001). ConclusionIn patients with lean MAFLD, NFS and FIB-4 index are significantly positively correlated with the prevalence rate of CP, and they can be used as potential epidemiological predictive indicators. Liver fibrosis markers may play a mediating role in the association between hypertension and CP. Interventions targeting hypertension and liver fibrosis markers may help to prevent and delay the progression of CP.
6.Oncocytic mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland: a clinicopathological report of two cases and literature review
ZHENG Fang ; NIE Mengdong ; QIANG Jinbiao ; JIN Ronghao ; WANG Dandan ; SHI Ce
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(6):576-584
Objective:
To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and diagnostic-therapeutic strategies of oncocytic mucoepidermoid carcinoma (OMEC) of the parotid gland, and to enhance awareness of this rare variant among clinicians and pathologists.
Methods:
The clinical data, imaging findings, histopathological features, immunophenotype, and molecular characteristics of two patients with parotid OMEC were retrospectively analyzed, and the relevant literature was reviewed.
Results:
Case 1 was a 50-year-old man who presented with a painless mass behind the right earlobe for more than 2 years. The patient underwent extended parotidectomy with preservation of the facial nerve. Histopathological examination revealed that the tumor was predominantly composed of oncocytic cells with a small proportion of mucous cells. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were partially positive for cytokeratin 5/6, cytokeratin 7, and P63. Special staining with alcian blue, periodic acid-Schiff, and phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin yielded positive results. The diagnosis of right parotid OMEC was established. No recurrence or metastasis was observed during a 1 year follow-up. Case 2 was a 61-year-old man with a 3-month history of a mass beneath the left ear. After partial parotidectomy at an outside institution, pathological consultation at the Stomatological Hospital of Jilin University demonstrated that the tumor consisted almost entirely of oncocytic cells, exhibited infiltrative growth, and lacked typical mucous, epidermoid, and intermediate cells. Fluorescence in situ hybridization confirmed positive mastermind-like transcriptional activator 2 (MAML2) gene rearrangement, establishing the diagnosis of left parotid OMEC. The patient subsequently underwent total parotidectomy with preservation of the facial nerve, and no recurrence was detected during a short-term 3 months follow-up. A review of the literature indicated that OMEC most commonly arises in the parotid gland and is generally a low-grade malignancy with favorable prognosis. When tumors are composed exclusively of oncocytic cells, exhibit minimal cytological atypia, and lack the classical cellular components of mucoepidermoid carcinoma, they are highly prone to misdiagnosis as oncocytoma, nodular oncocytic hyperplasia, or other benign oncocytic lesions. Accurate differential diagnosis relies on recognition of infiltrative growth patterns, supportive immunophenotypic markers (e.g., P63 positivity), and detection of characteristic MAML2 gene rearrangement. Complete surgical excision remains the treatment of choice. Conclusion OMEC dominated by oncocytic cells carries a high risk of clinical misdiagnosis. Integrating the assessment
Conclusion
OMEC dominated by oncocytic cells carries a high risk of clinical misdiagnosis. Integrating the assessment of infiltrative histopathological features with immunohistochemistry and molecular detection of MAML2 rearrangement is crucial for accurate diagnosis, appropriate assessment of tumor behavior, and optimal surgical decision making.
7.Clinical observation of 450 nm blue laser vaporization for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in frail elderly patients
Guowei CHEN ; Zunke XIE ; Lei SHI ; Xuejing GUO ; Zhe JIN ; Lianchao JIN
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(6):508-512
Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of transurethral 450 nm blue laser vaporization of prostate (BVP) and transurethral plasmakinetic resection of the prostate (PKRP) in the treatment of frail elderly patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 62 frail elderly BPH patients undergoing BVP (n=32) or PKRP (n=30) in our hospital during Jan.2023 and Jun.2024.The two groups were compared in terms of postoperative hemoglobin drop, operation time, hospital stay, catheter indwelling time, bladder irrigation time, preoperative and postoperative 3-month postvoid residual (PVR), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life score (QoL), and postoperative complications. Results: The postoperative hemoglobin drop was lower in the BVP group than in the PKRP group [(1.62±1.04) g/L vs.(7.37±2.37) g/L, P<0.001].The operation time [(24.53±7.52) min vs. (47.77±11.12) min], hospital stay [(2.78±1.62) d vs. (8.13±0.82) d], catheter indwelling time [(1.84±0.99) d vs. (5.40±0.81) d], and bladder irrigation time [(7.37±2.35) h vs. (51.60±19.72) h] were significantly shorter in the BVP group than in the PKRP group (all P<0.001).At 3 months postoperatively, both groups showed significant improvements in IPSS, QoL, Qmax, and PVR compared to preoperative levels (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05).The overall incidence of early postoperative complications in the BVP group was lower than that in PKRP group (18.75% vs. 43.33%, P<0.05).After 3 months of follow-up, there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the BVP group and PKRP group(3.13% vs. 13.33%, P=0.14). Conclusion: BVP for the treatment of frail elderly BPH patients is safe and reliable, associated with minimal bleeding, short operation time, catheterization time and hospital stay, and there is no need to discontinue anticoagulant drugs.
8.Construction and application of the "Huaxi Hongyi" large medical model
Rui SHI ; Bing ZHENG ; Xun YAO ; Hao YANG ; Xuchen YANG ; Siyuan ZHANG ; Zhenwu WANG ; Dongfeng LIU ; Jing DONG ; Jiaxi XIE ; Hu MA ; Zhiyang HE ; Cheng JIANG ; Feng QIAO ; Fengming LUO ; Jin HUANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(05):587-593
Objective To construct large medical model named by "Huaxi HongYi"and explore its application effectiveness in assisting medical record generation. Methods By the way of a full-chain medical large model construction paradigm of "data annotation - model training - scenario incubation", through strategies such as multimodal data fusion, domain adaptation training, and localization of hardware adaptation, "Huaxi HongYi" with 72 billion parameters was constructed. Combined with technologies such as speech recognition, knowledge graphs, and reinforcement learning, an application system for assisting in the generation of medical records was developed. Results Taking the assisted generation of discharge records as an example, in the pilot department, after using the application system, the average completion times of writing a medical records shortened (21 min vs. 5 min) with efficiency increased by 3.2 time, the accuracy rate of the model output reached 92.4%. Conclusion It is feasible for medical institutions to build independently controllable medical large models and incubate various applications based on these models, providing a reference pathway for artificial intelligence development in similar institutions.
9.Association between occupational stress and health-related quality of life among grassroots medical personnels
JIN Yi ; QU Hongbo ; YANG Feifei ; LU Xiaomiao ; SHI Yu
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(7):654-658
Objective:
To investigate the association between occupational stress and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among grassroots medical personnels, so as to provide the reference for improving their physical and mental well-being.
Methods:
From March to May 2024, medical staff from nine street community health service centers in Liangxi District, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province were selected by a convenient sampling method. Basic information was collected through questionnaire surveys. Occupational stress was assessed using the Core Occupational Stress Measurement Scale. Health utility value and the Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS) score were investigated using the European Quality of Life Five-Dimension Five-Level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire. The association between occupational stress and HRQoL was analyzed using multiple linear regression model.
Results:
A total of 909 individuals were surveyed, including 141 males (15.51%) and 768 females (84.49%). The average occupational stress score was (24.41±9.45) points. The average health utility value was (0.96±0.07), with 372 individuals (40.92%) experiencing health problems in at least one dimension. The primarily problems were pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression, with 249 (27.39%) and 265 (29.15%) individuals, respectively. The average EQ-VAS score was (86.62±13.84) points. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that occupation (nurses, β'=0.101; pharmacists, β'=0.101; medical technicians, β'=0.090), professional title (intermediate, β'=-0.079; associate senior, β'=-0.081; senior, β'=-0.101), and occupational stress (β'=-0.288) were influencing factors for health utility value. Occupation (nurses, β'=0.087; pharmacists, β'=0.146; medical technicians, β'=0.073) and occupational stress (β'=-0.226) were influencing factors for EQ-VAS score. After adjusting for variables such as gender, age, educational level, occupation, professional title, work experience, and monthly income, grassroots medical personnels with higher occupational stress score had lower health utility values (β'=-0.296) and EQ-VAS score (β'=-0.237).
Conclusions
Occupational stress can reduce the HRQoL among grassroots medical personnels. It is recommended to regularly assess occupational stress levels and intervene early to address their psychological and physical health issues.
10.The impact of Anchor, a home visitation programme for maltreated children, on child developmental and behavioural outcomes.
Shi Hua CHAN ; Jean Yin OH ; Li Ming ONG ; Wen Hann CHOW ; Oh Moh CHAY ; Salam SOLIMAN ; Lourdes Mary DANIEL ; Pratibha AGARWAL ; Charmain Samantha TAN ; Jun Lin SAI ; Joanne Ferriol ESPECKERMAN ; Rehena SULTANA ; Cong Jin Wilson LOW ; Sita Padmini YELESWARAPU
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2025;54(4):208-218
INTRODUCTION:
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with significant long-term impacts, yet few interventions specifically target ACE exposure, especially in Asian populations. Anchor, Singapore's first home visitation programme, addresses maltreat-ment among preschool children. This study evaluated Anchor's impact on children's developmental and behavioural outcomes.
METHOD:
We conducted a prospective evaluation of children under 4 years assessed for maltreatment from November 2019 to July 2023. Developmental and behavioural progress was measured every 6 months using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3) and ASQ:Social-Emotional (ASQ:SE-2), and annually using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL).
RESULTS:
The results of 125 children (mean age 20.0 months, 48% female) were analysed. The mean length of stay in programme was 21.2 (7.3) months. At baseline, 92 (73.6%) children were at risk of develop-mental delay and 25 (31.7%) children aged ≥18 months had behavioural concerns. The programme was associated with significant improvements in gross motor (P=0.002) and fine motor (P=0.001) domains of the ASQ-3 and internalising problem scale (P=0.001) of the CBCL.
CONCLUSION
Anchor effectively enhances develop-mental and behavioural outcomes for children exposed to maltreatment. Targeted early intervention through such programmes can mitigate adverse impacts, optimising developmental trajectories and potentially reducing the long-term clinical and economic burdens associated with ACEs.
Humans
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Female
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Male
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Child Abuse/therapy*
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Child, Preschool
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Singapore
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House Calls
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Infant
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Prospective Studies
;
Child Development
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Developmental Disabilities/epidemiology*
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Program Evaluation
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Child Behavior Disorders
;
Child Behavior


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