Background: Adrenocortical hormones, particularly 11-oxygenated androgens, are pivotal in female reproductive health and fertility. Standardized detection kits and population-specific reference intervals are lacking in China, hindering related clinical applications. Methods: A HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) pipeline was developed, rigorously validated, and applied to simultaneously quantify corticosterone, cortisone, cortisol, 18-OH cortisol, androstenedione (A4), 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione (11-OH A4), dehydroepiandrosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in serum samples from 455 reproductive-aged women (18–45 yrs) in Guangxi, China. Age-dependent concentration trends were analyzed, and reference intervals stratified by age (2.5th to 97.5th percentiles) were established. Correlations with body-composition metrics, ethnicity, and the menstrual cycle were investigated. Results: The HPLC-MS/MS method demonstrated high precision (intra- and inter-assay CVs < 15%), accuracy, and sensitivity. All eight hormones exhibited significant age-related declines (P < 0.001 for seven hormones; P = 0.001 for 11-OH A4). Notably, 11-OH A4 levels were significantly lower in the 35–45-yr (3.05 nmol/L) and 25–34-yr (3.09 nmol/L) age groups than in the 18–24-yr (3.57 nmol/L) age group, whereas no significant difference was observed between the 35–45-yr and 25–34-yr age groups. Weak negative correlations were observed between the body mass index and corticosterone and cortisone levels, whereas ethnicity and the menstrual cycle showed no significant associations with hormone levels. Conclusions We developed an HPLC-MS/MS-based method for simultaneously quantifying eight adrenocortical hormones, including 11-OH A4, and defined age-specific reference intervals for reproductive-aged Chinese women. These findings advance the clinical utility of adrenocortical hormones in diagnosing and managing reproductive disorders.

Objective: To investigate the association between uric acid level and elevated blood pressure among children and adolescents in Guangzhou, so as to provide a scientific basis for prevention and control of hypertension in the pediatric population. Methods: From March to December 2019, using stratified cluster random sampling, 3 626 children and adolescents aged 6-17 years without elevated blood pressure at baseline were recruited from 6 primary and secondary schools in Guangzhou. Serum uric acid levels were measured at baseline, and divided into four groups ( Q1-Q 4) based on age and sex specific quartiles for analyses. Two waves of follow up were carried out from October 2020 to May 2021 and from October 2021 to May 2022, respectively. Multilevel robust Poisson regression was used to evaluate the association between uric acid level and elevated blood pressure among children and adolescents. The additive interaction between high uric acid level and sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) intake on elevated blood pressure was assessed by stratification analysis and calculation of the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI). Results: A total of 1 131 new cases of elevated blood pressure were identified during the two follow ups, with an incidence density of 130.5 cases 1 000 person years. Multilevel robust Poisson regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounders such as gender, age and annual family income, compared with those in the uric acid Q 1 level, the risk of elevated blood pressure in individuals in the Q 4 level increased by 25% ( RR=1.25, 95%CI =1.08-1.44), and the risk of elevated systolic blood pressure increased by 20% ( RR=1.20, 95%CI =1.05-1.36) (both P <0.05); no statistical association was observed between uric acid and elevated diastolic blood pressure (all P >0.05). In the stratified analysis, the statistical associations of uric acid Q 4 level with elevated blood pressure ( RR=1.34, 95%CI =1.13-1.58) and elevated systolic blood pressure ( RR=1.33, 95%CI =1.14-1.55) were only observed in the group with SSB intake ≥ 250 mL/week (both P <0.05). The RERI values for the effect of uric acid Q 4 and Q 3 levels with SSB intake ≥ 250 mL/week on elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 0.29 and 0.44 (both P <0.05). Conclusions High uric acid level is a risk factor for elevated blood pressure among children and adolescents, with a predominant effect on systolic blood pressure. High uric acid level and SSB intake synergistically promote the increase of blood pressure of children and adolescents.

This review delves into the pivotal role of necrotic apoptosis in Alzheimer's disease(AD),with a focus on treatment strategies,drug development,prospects,and challenges,highlighting its significance in the progression of the disease.Firstly,necrotic apoptosis plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AD,particularly in association with the abnormal metabolism of β-amyloid(Aβ)and Tau proteins.The primary focus of drug design is to regulate the metabolism pathways of these two proteins to slow down or inhibit the progression of necrotic apoptosis.Secondly,the progress in drug development further emphasizes the importance of necrotic apoptosis in treating AD.Current research mainly focuses on drugs that affect the metabolism of Aβ and Tau proteins,such as lecanemab.Still,inconsistent result underscore the necessity for a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms of necrotic apoptosis.Finally,the prospects and challenges of necrotic apoptosis research in AD are thoroughly discussed.A deeper understanding of necrotic apoptosis contributes to a better comprehension of the pathological mechanisms of AD but also may reveal new therapeutic targets.However,challenges such as multifactorial influences and the selection of treatment timing necessitate further in-depth research in the future.In conclusion,this review advocates for future research to deepen the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of necrotic apoptosis,enhance research on treatment strategies,gain a deeper understanding of its cross-regulation with other cell death pathways,and promote collaboration between basic research and clinical practice to advance the comprehensive understanding and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and necrotic apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE: Automatic planning is a commonly used alternative to manual planning. This study evaluated the clinical performance of automatic plans available in commercial treatment planning systems for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treatment by comparing automatic planning with manual planning. METHODS: A total of 14 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were enrolled in the study. For each patient, three different sets of clinical goals were used to generate three hybrid automatic plans based on 3D dose distribution prediction and three automatic plans based on script, respectively, which were compared with the manual plans used in clinic. RESULTS: The dose coverage performance of the automatic planning based on 3D dose distribution prediction on the planning target volume (PTV) was comparable to that of the manual planning. Automatic planning based on 3D dose prediction achieved the level of manual planning in most organs at risk. However, automatic planning based on scripts did not perform well in the prediction of some organs at risk, especially the parotid gland. CONCLUSION The hybrid automatic plan based on 3D dose distribution prediction can reach the level of manual planning and have good robustness with the change of clinical objective.
Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/radiotherapy* ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Carcinoma ; Radiotherapy Dosage

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a prototypical neurodegenerative disorder, encompasses multifaceted pathological processes. As pivotal cellular structures within the central nervous system, ion channels play critical roles in regulating neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission, and neurotransmitter release. Extensive research has revealed significant alterations in the expression and function of ion channels in AD, implicating an important role of ion channels in the pathogenesis of abnormal Aβ deposition, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and disruptions in calcium homeostasis and neural network functionality. This review systematically summarizes the crucial roles and underlying mechanisms of ion channels in the onset and progression of AD, highlighting how these channel abnormalities contribute to AD pathophysiology. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of ion channel modulation in AD treatment, emphasizing the importance of addressing multifactorial nature and heterogeneity of AD. The development of multi-target drugs and precision therapies is proposed as a future direction of scientific research.
Alzheimer Disease/therapy* ; Humans ; Ion Channels/physiology* ; Oxidative Stress ; Animals ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism* ; Synaptic Transmission ; Calcium/metabolism*

Objective:To summarize the human aging assessment scales, so as to provide reference for clinical healthcare professionals to carry out related research.Methods:In accordance with the framework of the scoping review methodology, Chinese and English databases such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, China Biology Medicine disc, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and PubMed were systematically searched. The search period was from database establishment to December 25, 2024. The included literature was summarized and analyzed.Results:A total of 27 papers covering 18 human aging assessment scales were included. The assessment dimensions mainly covered physical, psychological and social aspects, and the assessment methods were categorized into self-assessment, assessment by others and a combination of both. Assessment scales were tested for reliability or (and) validity, and some of them were validated in empirical studies and applied for dissemination.Conclusions:Human aging assessment scales are heterogeneous in terms of assessment dimensions, content and methods, with overall good reliability and validity. It is recommended that future research should take a multidimensional approach when developing new assessment scales and conduct empirical and multicenter applied research to improve the accuracy and applicability of the scales.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze the correlations and proportional relationships between maxillary anterior teeth (MAT) and facial measurements in Han Chinese individuals with the most attractive smiles, as evaluated by dental professionals. METHODS: Ten dentists with more than 5 years of clinical experience from different professional directions in a tertiary stomatological hospital were selected to evaluate the smile attractiveness of volunteers by visual analogue scale (VAS). Eighty-eight Han volunteers with the most attractive smile were selected. The perceived width of the MAT, the dimensions (height and width) of the maxillary central incisors (MCI), and the facial dimensions (intercanthal distance, interzygomatic distance, interalar distance, facial height and lower facial height) of the volunteers were measured on the frontal photos of the smile, digital oral model, and 3D face model. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to analyze linear correlations, and regression analysis was carried out to explore the proportional relationships. Reliability analysis using the intraclass correlation coefficient verified the stability of these proportional relationships. In addition, the correlations between MAT perceived width and the proportional relationships of (MCI) height to width ratio, with facial dimensions were explored and their reliability was verified. RESULTS: In Han Chinese individuals with the most attractive smiles, as evaluated by dental professionals, the Pearson correlation coefficients among MAT perceived widths were 0.813, 0.389, and 0.560. A proportional relationship existed between the lateral incisor and central incisor, and the ratio was 0.729. No significant correlations were found between MCI and the inner canthal distance, zygomatic distance, interalar distance, facial height, or the lower one-third facial height except for a negative correlation (r=-0.357) between MCI height and facial height in males and a positive correlation (r=0.249) between MCI width and interalar width when genders were combined. CONCLUSIONS Correlations exist among MAT perceived widths in Han Chinese individuals with the most attractive smiles, as evaluated by dental professionals. Partial correlations are observed between MCI height and width and facial measurements. The perceived width of the lateral incisor can serve as a reference indicator for predicting the perceived width of the central incisor, providing a reference for the aesthetic restoration of MAT in the Han ethnicity population.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; China ; Esthetics, Dental ; Face/anatomy & histology* ; Incisor/anatomy & histology* ; Maxilla/anatomy & histology* ; Smiling ; East Asian People

ObjectiveCardiovascular diseases pose a major public health challenge in China. The burden of cardiovascular disease associated with high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） has increased steadily nationwide. A comprehensive analysis of secular trends in cardiovascular disease burden and its determinants is crucial for developing targeted interventions and evidence-based health policies. MethodsBased on data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021， we analyzed the trends in deaths， disability-adjusted life years （DALYs）， age-standardized mortality rates （ASMR）， and age-standardized DALY rates （ASDR） of cardiovascular diseases attributable to high LDL-C in China from 1990 to 2021 using Joinpoint regression analysis. An age-period-cohort model was applied to assess the contributions of age， period， and cohort effects to changes in the cardiovascular disease burden attributable to high LDL-C. Projections of the high LDL-C-attributable cardiovascular disease burden in China from 2022 to 2030 were generated using a Bayesian age-period-cohort model. ResultsBetween 1990 and 2021， China saw a substantial rise in both deaths and disability-adjusted life years （DALYs） from cardiovascular disease linked to high LDL-C. Joinpoint regression revealed key turning points in this trend： an overall increase continued until 2004， after which the burden began to fall starting in 2011. Throughout this period， age-standardized mortality and DALY rates were consistently higher in males than in females. Age-period-cohort analysis further indicated that mortality and DALY rates due to high LDL-C increased almost exponentially with age， while period and cohort risks generally decreased over time. Projections suggest a continued decline in age-standardized mortality rates from LDL-C-related cardiovascular disease for both Chinese men and women by 2030. ConclusionRapid population growth and accelerated ageing in China emerge as primary drivers of the escalating cardiovascular diseases burden linked to elevated LDL-C. The burden of cardiovascular diseases is higher in men compared to women. By 2030， the burden of cardiovascular disease caused by high LDL-C in China will remain severe. These findings underscore the critical need for gender-specific screening protocols， age-tailored interventions， and personalized management frameworks to mitigate this public health challenge.

Objective:To summarize the human aging assessment scales, so as to provide reference for clinical healthcare professionals to carry out related research.Methods:In accordance with the framework of the scoping review methodology, Chinese and English databases such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, China Biology Medicine disc, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and PubMed were systematically searched. The search period was from database establishment to December 25, 2024. The included literature was summarized and analyzed.Results:A total of 27 papers covering 18 human aging assessment scales were included. The assessment dimensions mainly covered physical, psychological and social aspects, and the assessment methods were categorized into self-assessment, assessment by others and a combination of both. Assessment scales were tested for reliability or (and) validity, and some of them were validated in empirical studies and applied for dissemination.Conclusions:Human aging assessment scales are heterogeneous in terms of assessment dimensions, content and methods, with overall good reliability and validity. It is recommended that future research should take a multidimensional approach when developing new assessment scales and conduct empirical and multicenter applied research to improve the accuracy and applicability of the scales.

In recent years， the incidence of pulmonary nodules has kept rising. To give full play to the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in the treatment of pulmonary nodules and identify the breakthrough points of integrating TCM with Western medicine， the China Association of Chinese Medicine organized medical experts in TCM and western medicine to carry out in-depth discussion regarding this disease. The discussion encompassed the modern medical advances， TCM theories of etiology and pathogenesis， the role and advantages of TCM in the whole course management of pulmonary nodules， contents and methods of research on pulmonary nodules， and science popularization work， aiming to provide a reference for clinical practice and scientific research. After discussion， the experts concluded that the occurrence of pulmonary nodules was rooted in the deficiency of the lung and spleen and triggered by phlegm dampness， blood stasis， and Qi stagnation. TCM can treat pulmonary nodules by controlling and reducing nodules， improving physical constitution， ameliorating multi-system nodular diseases， reducing anxiety and avoiding excessive diagnosis and treatment， and serving as an alternative for patients who are unwilling or unfit for surgical treatment. At present， the optimal diagnosis and treatment strategy for pulmonary nodules has not been formed， which needs to be further studied from multiple perspectives such as clinical epidemiology， biology， and evidence-based medicine. The primary task of current research is to find out the advantages， effective prescriptions， and target populations and determine the effective outcomes of TCM in the treatment of pulmonary nodules. At the same time， basic research should be carried out to explore the etiology and biological behaviors of pulmonary nodules. The expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary nodules with integrated TCM and Western medicine needs to be continuously revised to guide clinicians to conduct standardized， scientific， and accurate effective diagnosis and treatment.