1.Analysis of sex differences in physical growth among children and adolescents in Taiwan, China during 2007-2024
DU Baopu, LU Tao, LIU Li, JING Peng, HUO Xiuli
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(5):710-713
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.
2.Polypeptide-based Nanocarriers for Oral Targeted Delivery of CAR Genes to Pancreatic Cancer
Feng XIN ; Jian REN ; Zhao-Zhen LI ; Quan FANG ; Rui-Jing LIANG ; Lan-Lan LIU ; Lin-Tao CAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):431-441
ObjectivePancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits a limited response to current treatments due to its dense fibrotic stroma and highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In recent years, advancements in cellular immunotherapy, particularly chimeric antigen receptor macrophage (CAR-M) therapy, have offered new hope for pancreatic cancer treatment. Although CAR-M therapy demonstrates dual potential in directly killing tumor cells and remodeling the immune microenvironment, it still faces challenges such as complex in vitro preparation processes and low in vivo targeting and delivery efficiency. Therefore, developing strategies for efficient and targeted in vivo delivery of CAR genes has become crucial for overcoming current therapeutic limitations. This study aims to develop an orally administrable nano-gene delivery system for the targeted delivery of CAR genes to pancreatic tumor sites. MethodsCore nano-gene particles (PNP/pCAR) were constructed by loading plasmid DNA encoding CAR (pCAR) with cationic polypeptides (PNP). Subsequently, PNP/pCAR was surface-modified with β-glucan to prepare the targeted nanoparticles (βGlus-PNP/pCAR). The loading efficiency of PNP for pCAR was quantitatively assessed by gel retardation assay. The particle size, Zeta potential, morphology, and storage stability of PNP/pCAR were characterized using a Malvern particle size analyzer and transmission electron microscopy. At the cellular level, RAW 264.7 macrophages were selected. The cytotoxicity of PNP/pCAR was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The cellular uptake efficiency and lysosomal escape ability of the nanoparticles were assessed via flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Transfection efficiency was quantitatively evaluated by detecting the expression of the reporter gene GFP using flow cytometry. At the in vivo level, an orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse model was established. Cy7-labeled βGlus-PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were administered orally, and the fluorescence distribution in mice was dynamically monitored at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 h post-administration using a small animal in vivo imaging system. Forty-eight hours after oral gavage, the mice were euthanized, and pancreatic tumor tissues were collected for further analysis of intratumoral fluorescence signals using the imaging system. Additionally, βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP nanoparticles loaded with the reporter gene (GFP) were administered orally. Forty-eight hours post-administration, pancreatic tumor tissues were harvested to prepare frozen sections, and GFP expression was observed and analyzed under a fluorescence microscope. ResultsThe PNP carrier exhibited a high loading capacity for pCAR. The successfully prepared PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were regular spheres with a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately (120±10) nm and a Zeta potential of about +(6±1) mV. They maintained good structural stability after incubation in PBS buffer for 7 d. Cell experiments demonstrated that PNP/pCAR exhibited no significant cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells while being efficiently internalized and effectively escaping lysosomal degradation. The transfection positive rate of PNP/pCAR-GFP in RAW 264.7 cells reached (25±3)%, surpassing that of Lipofectamine 2000-loaded pCAR-GFP (Lipo/pCAR-GFP), which was (20±1)%.In vivo experiments revealed that, compared to unmodified PNP/pCAR, βGlus-PNP/pCAR exhibited strongerin situ pancreatic tumor targeting ability after oral administration. Furthermore, oral administration of βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP resulted in significant GFP protein expression detectable within pancreatic tumor tissues. ConclusionThis study successfully constructed and validated an orally administrable, pancreatic cancer-targeting polypeptide-based nano-gene delivery system. It provides an important technological foundation in delivery systems and experimental basis for the subsequent development of in situ CAR-M-based therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer.
3.Polypeptide-based Nanocarriers for Oral Targeted Delivery of CAR Genes to Pancreatic Cancer
Feng XIN ; Jian REN ; Zhao-Zhen LI ; Quan FANG ; Rui-Jing LIANG ; Lan-Lan LIU ; Lin-Tao CAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):431-441
ObjectivePancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits a limited response to current treatments due to its dense fibrotic stroma and highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In recent years, advancements in cellular immunotherapy, particularly chimeric antigen receptor macrophage (CAR-M) therapy, have offered new hope for pancreatic cancer treatment. Although CAR-M therapy demonstrates dual potential in directly killing tumor cells and remodeling the immune microenvironment, it still faces challenges such as complex in vitro preparation processes and low in vivo targeting and delivery efficiency. Therefore, developing strategies for efficient and targeted in vivo delivery of CAR genes has become crucial for overcoming current therapeutic limitations. This study aims to develop an orally administrable nano-gene delivery system for the targeted delivery of CAR genes to pancreatic tumor sites. MethodsCore nano-gene particles (PNP/pCAR) were constructed by loading plasmid DNA encoding CAR (pCAR) with cationic polypeptides (PNP). Subsequently, PNP/pCAR was surface-modified with β-glucan to prepare the targeted nanoparticles (βGlus-PNP/pCAR). The loading efficiency of PNP for pCAR was quantitatively assessed by gel retardation assay. The particle size, Zeta potential, morphology, and storage stability of PNP/pCAR were characterized using a Malvern particle size analyzer and transmission electron microscopy. At the cellular level, RAW 264.7 macrophages were selected. The cytotoxicity of PNP/pCAR was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The cellular uptake efficiency and lysosomal escape ability of the nanoparticles were assessed via flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Transfection efficiency was quantitatively evaluated by detecting the expression of the reporter gene GFP using flow cytometry. At the in vivo level, an orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse model was established. Cy7-labeled βGlus-PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were administered orally, and the fluorescence distribution in mice was dynamically monitored at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 h post-administration using a small animal in vivo imaging system. Forty-eight hours after oral gavage, the mice were euthanized, and pancreatic tumor tissues were collected for further analysis of intratumoral fluorescence signals using the imaging system. Additionally, βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP nanoparticles loaded with the reporter gene (GFP) were administered orally. Forty-eight hours post-administration, pancreatic tumor tissues were harvested to prepare frozen sections, and GFP expression was observed and analyzed under a fluorescence microscope. ResultsThe PNP carrier exhibited a high loading capacity for pCAR. The successfully prepared PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were regular spheres with a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately (120±10) nm and a Zeta potential of about +(6±1) mV. They maintained good structural stability after incubation in PBS buffer for 7 d. Cell experiments demonstrated that PNP/pCAR exhibited no significant cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells while being efficiently internalized and effectively escaping lysosomal degradation. The transfection positive rate of PNP/pCAR-GFP in RAW 264.7 cells reached (25±3)%, surpassing that of Lipofectamine 2000-loaded pCAR-GFP (Lipo/pCAR-GFP), which was (20±1)%.In vivo experiments revealed that, compared to unmodified PNP/pCAR, βGlus-PNP/pCAR exhibited strongerin situ pancreatic tumor targeting ability after oral administration. Furthermore, oral administration of βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP resulted in significant GFP protein expression detectable within pancreatic tumor tissues. ConclusionThis study successfully constructed and validated an orally administrable, pancreatic cancer-targeting polypeptide-based nano-gene delivery system. It provides an important technological foundation in delivery systems and experimental basis for the subsequent development of in situ CAR-M-based therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer.
4.Analysis of Differential Metabolites of Pinelliae Rhizoma at Different Browning Stages Based on Widely Targeted Metabolomics
Jing TAO ; Honghong LIANG ; Ruoshi LI ; Zhouli XU ; Minzhao LI ; Aien TAO ; Guihua JIANG ; Li AI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):191-199
ObjectiveTo investigate differential metabolites associated with browning in the post-harvest processing of Pinelliae Rhizoma, providing data support for elucidating the key metabolites and metabolic pathways involved in browning, and developing safe and efficient sulfur-free processing techniques. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole/linear ion trap mass spectrometry(UPLC-QTRAP-MS/MS) was used to detect the metabolites of Pinelliae Rhizoma at different browning stages(0, 8, 16 h) for widely targeted metabolomics. Subsequently, Multivariate statistical analysis of metabolites was conducted using principal component analysis(PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA), orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), and K-means cluster analysis. Differential metabolites at different browning stages were screened based on variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1 and |log2fold change(FC)|≥1, and metabolic pathway enrichment analysis was performed using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG). ResultsA total of 1 416 metabolites were identified across the three browning stages of Pinelliae Rhizoma, predominantly comprising amino acids and their derivatives(239), lipids(219), alkaloids(156), phenolic acids(121), terpenoids(113), and flavonoids(111). A two-by-two comparison of the three browning phases, yielded 622 differential metabolites that were significantly enriched in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, and purine metabolic pathway. Further analysis revealed that carbohydrates such as D-mannose and turanose, phenolic acids such as 1-O-caffeoyl-6-O-glucosyl-β-D-glucose, dicaffeoylshikimic acid, and flavonoids such as epigallocatechin gallate, vitexin-7-O-rutinoside, luteolin-7-O-(6″-malonyl)glucoside-5-O-arabinoside, catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, isovitexin-7-O-glucoside-2″-O-rhamnoside, apigenin-7-O-rutinoside-4ʹ-O-sophoroside, 3,5,3ʹ,4ʹ,5ʹ-penta-hydroxyflavan-7-gallate may act as browning substrates and play important roles in the browning process. ConclusionCarbohydrates, phenolic acids, and flavonoids may serve as key substrates in the browning process of Pinelliae Rhizoma, involving pathways such as phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, and purine metabolism, which can provide a theoretical basis for further exploration of the browning mechanism.
5.Connotation of Integrated Regulation of Body and Mind in Traditional Exercise Therapy
Xiaoling LI ; Jia HUANG ; Xin ZHANG ; Danhong LIN ; Jing TAO ; Lidian CHEN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(17):1915-1919
Based on the holistic concept of the integration of body and mind, this paper systematically elucidates the movement characteristics, mechanisms of action, and rehabilitative effects of the integrated regulation of body and mind in traditional exercise therapy from the three core dimensions of regulating the body, regulating qi, and regulating the mind. Its movement are characterized by mind-guided movements integrating reflection and qi, relaxed and resilient movements of both body and mind, balanced movements integrating deficiency and excess while maintaining balanced body-mind alignment, and slow movements combining motion with stillness. The underlying mechanisms involve externally mobilizing the limbs while internally regulating the zang-fu (脏腑) organs, dredging the meridians, connecting the interior and exterior, promoting the integrated regulation of body, qi, and mind, and coordinating the interaction between body and mind to regulate overall physiological function, thereby improving cognitive, motor, cardiopulmonary, and other functional outcomes during rehabilitation.
6.Clinical characteristics and outcomes of elderly patients with stage Ⅰ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a study by the Jiangsu Cooperative Lymphoma Group (JCLG)
Yi XIA ; Jing HE ; Weiying GU ; Tao JIA ; Tingxun LU ; Yongle LI ; Jiahao ZHOU ; Bingzong LI ; Haiying HUA ; Ping LIU ; Yuqing MIAO ; Yuexin CHENG ; Xiaoyan XIE ; Yunping ZHANG ; Wenzhong WU ; Zhuxia JIA ; Xuzhang LU ; Chunling WANG ; Liang YU ; Min XU ; Jinning SHI ; Weifeng CHEN ; Wanchuan ZHUANG ; Zhen QIAN ; Jun QIAN ; Haiwen NI ; Yifei CHEN ; Qiudan SHEN ; Jianyong LI ; Wenyu SHI
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;64(6):504-513
Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of elderly patients with stage Ⅰ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and analyze the factors associated with prognosis.Methods:A case series study was conducted by retrospectively collecting clinical data from patients aged over 60 years with newly diagnosed stage Ⅰ DLBCL across 20 medical centers in Jiangsu Province, China, between June 2010 and April 2023. The involved site, classification and treatment plan were summarized. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Statistical analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox regression model.Results:The study included 255 patients with a median age of 69 years, of whom 130 (51.0%) were male, 66 (25.9%) were aged ≥75 years and 26 (10.1%) had a high Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score of ≥2. Extranodal involvement was observed in 163 (63.9%) patients, with the stomach (37.4%, 61/163), intestine (19.0%, 31/163), testes (11.0%, 18/163), and breast (7.4%, 12/163) being the most frequently affected sites. The non-germinal center B-cell (non-GCB) subtype was prevalent in 63.7% of patients (142/223), with no significant difference between the nodal and extranodal groups ( P=0.681). Furthermore, 73.9% (184/249) and 11.7% (29/249) of patients received the R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) and R-miniCHOP regimen, respectively. The overall 3-year PFS rate was 81.5%, and the 3-year OS rate was 85.6%. Patients aged ≥75 years ( HR=2.910, 95% CI 1.565-5.408, P=0.001) and/or with a CCI score ≥2 ( HR=2.324, 95% CI 1.141-4.732, P=0.020) had a significantly poorer PFS. Incorporating age ≥75 years and CCI score ≥2 into the stage-modified international prognostic index (sm-IPI) can better stratify the prognosis of elderly patients with stage Ⅰ DLBCL. The 3-year PFS rate was 48.7% in the high-risk group versus 85.7% in the low-risk group ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Our findings show that the elderly patients with stage Ⅰ DLBCL were predominantly characterized by extranodal involvement (particularly in the stomach and intestinal tract) and non-GCB subtype. Age ≥75 years and CCI ≥2 were identified as independent prognostic factors. The newly established sm-IPI-75-CCI incorporating these factors demonstrated superior prognostic discrimination compared to conventional risk assessment systems.
7.Differences in mercury dissolution from HgS-containing traditional medicines under simulated gastrointestinal conditions
Ming ZHANG ; Yuan-can XIAO ; Jing ZHAO ; Hai-ying TONG ; Xiao-yu WANG ; Wen-bin ZHOU ; Hong-tao BI ; Li-xin WEI
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(8):2607-2611
AIM To investigate the variations in mercury dissolution from HgS-containing traditional medicines in three kinds of simulated gastrointestinal dissolution media.METHODS 39 batches of 15 types of HgS-containing traditional medicines were collected,total mercury content and dissolved mercury concentrations in simulated gastric fluid,simulated intestinal fluid,and L-cysteine-containing simulated intestinal fluid were measured.The maximum daily intake of total mercury and soluble mercury was calculated based on the maximum daily clinical dosage.RESULTS Among the 15 types of medicines,the maximum daily intake of total mercury varied by 156 times,the daily intake of soluble mercury varied by 3 502 times in simulated gastric fluid,313 times in simulated intestinal fluid,and 10 663 times in L-cysteine-containing simulated intestinal fluid,approximately.CONCLUSION For the 15 types of HgS-containing traditional medicines,the daily maximum intake of soluble mercury showed greater variations than that of total mercury.Soluble mercury concentration is more closely correlated with intestinal absorption of mercury and thus represents a more rational quality control indicator for HgS-containing traditional medicines.
8.The influence of Chaizhu Tiaoshen Dingxuan Fang on syndrome of stagnation of liver qi and spleen deficiency in vestibular migraine
Yumeng AN ; Tao JING ; Yin LIU ; Xin TENG ; Sinan WANG ; Li SUN
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(22):69-72
Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of Chaizhu Tiaoshen Dingxuan Fang in the treatment of syndrome of stagnation of liver qi and spleen deficiency in vestibular migraine(VM).Methods A total of 72 VM patients admitted to Jilin Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences from January to October 2024 were selected and divided into treatment group and control group according to the random number table method,with 36 cases in each group.Patients in control group were treated with flunarizine hydrochloride capsules,while patients in treatment group were treated with Chaizhu Tiaoshen Dingxuan Fang.Both groups of patients were treated continuously for 4 weeks.The therapeutic effect scores of TCM syndromes,visual analogue scale(VAS)scores of vertigo,dizziness handicap inventory(DHI)scores and hospital anxiety and depression scale(HADS)scores of two groups of patients were compared.Results After treatment,the therapeutic effect scores of TCM syndromes in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment in the same group(P<0.05),and the therapeutic effect scores of TCM syndromes in treatment group were significantly lower than those in control group(P<0.05).After the treatment,VAS score of vertigo,HADS scores,DHI scores of each dimension and the total score in treatment group were significantly lower than those in before treatment and control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Chaizhu Tiaoshen Dingxuan Fang can effectively relieve the dizziness symptoms of patients with syndrome of stagnation of liver qi and spleen deficiency in VM,and reduce their anxiety and depression.
9.Highly Sensitive Detection of Water in Organic Solvents Using Pyrene-Phenol-based Fluorescent Probe
Jing LIANG ; Yan-Li WANG ; Cui-Wen JIANG ; Xiao-Chuan HUANG ; Li TANG ; Tao LI ; Yu YA ; De-Jiao NING ; Li-Ping XIE ; Fei-Yan YAN
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(6):894-902,中插1-中插5
A pyrene-phenol-based fluorescent probe PyP which showed typical intramolecular charge transfer(ICT)and monomer-excimer activities was synthesized by using pyrene carboxaldehyde hydrazone and 4-tert-butyl-2,6-diformylphenol as the raw materials.The effects of solvents on PyP were studied,and the results showed that the color of protic polar solvents(Ethanol,N,N-dimethylformamide,methanol and H2O)were successfully identified.Based on the solvent polarity-regulated PyP monomer-excimer switching,the rapid and highly sensitive ratiometric probe,"Turn-off"and"Turn-on"multimodal probes were established for detection of trace water content in organic solvents(Dimethyl sulfoxide,N,N-dimethylformamide,ethanol and methanol),with detection limits(3σ/k)of 0.0021%,0.046%,0.062%and 0.024%.The method was successfully used to detect water content in dimethyl sulfoxide,N,N-dimethy lformamide,ethanol and methanol commercial organic solvents,with recoveries ranging from 97.2%to 108.0%.The developed method showed good accuracy and stability,and had good application prospect.
10.Guided by National Strategic Needs,Striving to Build a First-Class Forensic Medicine Discipline—The Construction Plan for Forensic Medicine at Southern Medical University
Dong-Fang QIAO ; Ping-Ming QIU ; Qi WANG ; Yun-Chun TAI ; Dong-Ri LI ; Jing-Tao XU ; Qi-Zhi LUO ; En-Ping HUANG ; Bo-Feng ZHU
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(1):15-19
The 2024 National Education Work Conference pointed out that at the current juncture of the critical period for achieving the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan,the implementation of the Education Powerhouse Construction Plan Outline should be taken as the main line of work,and building first-class disciplines is an crucial task for a higher education powerhouse.In 2022,forensic medicine was officially listed as a first-level discipline under the medical category,presenting an un-precedented historical opportunity for the development of forensic medicine.The forensic medicine dis-cipline of Southern Medical University comprehensively improves the quality of talent cultivation and facilitates the construction of first-class disciplines as its main direction.It aims to initiate and imple-ment a high-level faculty team building plan featuring"combining recruitment and cultivation,inter-disciplinary integration";make vigorous efforts to establish a first-level doctoral program,refine advan-tageous second-level disciplines and research directions;and establish an innovative research platform from a high starting point with deep integration.The discipline adheres to moral cultivation and the Five Domains of Education simultaneous development,to build a high-quality talent joint training model.Guided by the construction of the national legal system and industry needs,the discipline will enhance social service capabilities.The forensic medicine construction in our university will continue to contribute to the rule of law in China and educational power.


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