To analyze the clinical and genetic features of oculopharyngodistal myopathy (OPDM) patients and compare the phenotypic differences among various causative genes.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, diagnostic key points, and treatment strategies of penile metastatic extramedullary plasmacytoma(EMP). Case Report A 47-year-old male patient presented with a painless indurated nodule on the dorsal side of the penis and had a previous history of plasmacytoma in the nasal cavity and tibia. He subsequently underwent complete excision of the penile lesion. Postoperative histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of anaplastic plasmacytoma. Immunohistochemical analysis showed positive staining of CD138, CD38, MUM1, and CD79a, with Ki-67(+60%). Light chain restriction was also identified. No local recurrence or distant metastasis was observed during the 5-month follow-up. Conclusion Metastatic EMP of the penis is an extremely rare condition, and the diagnosis relies on pathological examinations combined with immunohistochemical analysis. Surgical resection can be an effective treatment modality for localized lesions;however, long-term follow-up is essential to monitor disease progression.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors of biliary neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs).Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 36 patients who underwent surgical treatment for biliary NENs at The First Hospital of Jilin University from January 2013 to December 2023 were collected. There were 22 males and 14 females, aged (59±9)years. Observation indicators: (1) clinicopatholo-gical characteristics of patients; (2) follow-up; (3) prognostic factors analysis of patients. Compari-son of measurement data with normal distribution among multiple groups was conducted using the ANOVA. Comparison of measurement data with skewed distribution among multiple groups was conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis H test. Comparison of count data between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rate and plot survival curve, and Log-rank test was used for survival analysis. The Cox risk regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results:(1) Clinicopatholo-gical characteristics of patients. None of the 36 patients with biliary NENs had carcinoid syndrome. There were 11 cases with tumor located at gallbladder, 14 cases with tumor located at bile duct, and 11 cases with tumor located at ampulla of Vater. There were significant differences in weight loss and TNM stage among biliary NENs patients with different tumor location ( χ2=9.14, 6.54, P<0.05). Of the 36 patients, there were 12 cases with neuroendocrine tumors, 16 cases with neuroendocrine carcinomas, and 8 cases with mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms. (2) Follow-up. All 36 patients were followed up for 39(range, 10-93)months. Of the 36 patients, 19 patients experienced tumor recurrence and 16 patients experienced tumor metastasis. There were 18 patients died. The median overall survival time of 36 patients was 30 months, with the 1-, 2-, 3-year overall survival rates of 63.9%, 51.0%, and 35.7%, respectively. The 1-, 2-, 3-year recurrence-free survival rates were 47.5%, 34.1% and 21.3%, respectively. The 1-, 2-, 3-year overall survival rates of 19 patients with tumor recurrence were 55.6%, 55.6% and 27.8%, respectively. The 1-, 2-, 3-year overall survival rates of 17 patients without tumor recurrence were 71.3%, 50.4% and 42.0%, respectively. There was no significant difference in overall survival between patients with and without tumor recurrence ( χ2=0.24, P>0.05). (3) Prognostic factors analysis of patients. Results of multivariate analysis showed that pathological type as neuroendocrine carcinomas and mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms, non-R 0 margin were independent risk factors influencing overall survival time of patients ( hazard ratio=5.50, 5.33, 14.04, 95% confidence interval as 1.32-23.01, 1.17-24.35, 2.67-73.79, P<0.05). Conclusions:Biliary NENs lack specific clinical manifestations. Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas are the most common pathological type. Pathological type as neuroendocrine carcinomas and mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms, non-R 0 margin are independent risk factors influencing prognosis of patients.

Objective:To investigate the effect of early high-sucrose diet (eHSD) on cognitive function and its regulatory mechanism in 3×Tg-AD mice.Methods:(1) Eighteen specific-pathogen-free (SPF)-grade 2-month-old wide-type (WT) mice were randomly divided into a WT+normal chow diet (NCD) group and a WT+eHSD group, with 9 mice in each group; and 18 SPF-grade 2-month-old 3×Tg-AD mice were randomly divided into a 3×Tg-AD+NCD group and a 3×Tg-AD+eHSD group, with 9 mice in each group. At 2-5 months old, mice in the 4 groups received standard laboratory food+purified water or 30% sucrose water, followed by standard feed for all groups. At 8 months old, cognitive function was assessed by Morris water maze test; fluorescent intensity of AT8 (phosphorylated [p]-tau) and T22 (tau oligomers) in the hippocampal tissues was detected by immunofluorescent staining; concentrations of β-amyloid protein (Aβ) 42 and Aβ 40 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); protein expressions of stimulator of interferon genes (STING), TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), p-TBK1, and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ) were detected by Western blotting; activity of C/EBPβ transcription factor was detected by activity assay; mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content in the cytoplasm of cell was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). (2) Eighteen SPF-grade 2-month-old 3×Tg-AD mice were randomized into a 3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group and a 3×Tg-AD+eHSD+dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) group, with 9 mice in each group. Mice at 2-5 months old were given standard laboratory food+30% sucrose water; they were, respectively, injected intraperitoneally with STING pathway inhibitor H-151 or DMSO at 5 months old, and continually injected until 8 months old; and then, the behavioral testing, immunofluorescent staining, ELISA, Western blotting and C/EBPβ transcription factor activity experiments were repeated as before. (3) After crossing C/EBPβ heterozygous knockout (C/EBPβ +/-) mice with 3×Tg-AD mice, 3×Tg-AD/C/EBPβ +/- mice were obtained, and 3×Tg-AD mice were used as controls; they were named 3×Tg-AD/C/EBPβ +/-+eHSD group and 3×Tg-AD+eHSD group, with 9 mice in each group. Both groups of mice were given standard laboratory food+30% sucrose water at 2-5 months old, followed by standard feed until 8 months old; and then, the behavioral testing, immunofluorescent staining, ELISA, and Western blotting experiments were repeated as before. (4) C/EBPβ transgenic mice (C/EBPβTg) were crossed with 3×Tg-AD mice to obtain C/EBPβTg/3×Tg-AD mice, and Non-Tg/3×Tg-AD mice were used as controls; they were, respectively, named as C/EBPβTg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group, Non-Tg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group, and Non-Tg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+DMSO group, with 9 mice in each group. All 3 groups of mice were given standard laboratory food+30% sucrose water at 2-5 months old; at 5-8 months old, mice in the C/EBPβTg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group and Non-Tg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group were intraperitoneally injected with H-151, while mice in the Non-Tg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+DMSO group were injected with DMSO; and then, the behavioral testing, immunofluorescent staining, ELISA, and Western blotting experiments were repeated as before. Results:(1) Compared with those in the WT+NCD group and WT+eHSD group, area under the latency curve of 3×Tg-AD+eHSD mice was significantly increased, and proportion of time spending in the targeted quadrant of mice in the 3×Tg-AD+NCD group and 3×Tg-AD+eHSD group was significantly decreased ( P<0.05); compared with that in the 3×Tg-AD+NCD group, proportion of time spending in the targeted quadrant in mice of the 3×Tg-AD+eHSD group was significantly reduced ( P<0.05). Compared with the 3×Tg-AD+NCD group, the 3×Tg-AD+eHSD group had significantly increased p-tau and tau oligomers, Aβ 42 and Aβ 40 concentrations in the hippocampus (AT8 fluorescent intensity: 1.000±0.076 vs. 2.902±0.399; T22 fluorescent intensity: 1.000±0.145 vs. 2.495±0.273; Aβ 42: 1.000±0.167 vs.1.956±0.132; Aβ 40: 1.000±0.226 vs.1.900±0.116), significantly increased C/EBPβ protein expression and C/EBPβ transcription factor activity (1.000±0.164 vs. 1.804±0.112; 1.000±0.216 vs. 2.743±0.301), and statistically increased mtDNA level detected by D-loop1 and D-loop3 (1.000±0.234 vs. 2.800±0.210; 1.000±0.155 vs. 2.952±0.078; P<0.05). Compared with the 3×Tg-AD+NCD group, the 3×Tg-AD+eHSD group had significantly increased STING protein expression and p-TBK1/TBK1 ratio (STING: 1.000±0.192 vs. 2.093±0.081; p-TBK1/TBK1: 1.000±0.148 vs. 1.561±0.112, P<0.05). (2) Compared with the 3×Tg-AD+eHSD+DMSO group, the 3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group had significantly decreased area under the latency curve, significantly increased proportion of time spending in the targeted quadrant, significantly decreased p-tau and tau oligomers expressions, Aβ 42 and Aβ 40 concentrations in the hippocampus (AT8 fluorescent intensity: 1.000±0.142 vs. 0.538±0.057; T22 fluorescent intensity: 1.000±0.104 vs. 0.665±0.088; Aβ 42: 1.000±0.084 vs. 0.600±0.007; Aβ 40: 1.000±0.138 vs. 0.476±0.083), significantly decreased STING protein expression and p-TBK1/TBK1 ratio (STING: 1.000±0.054 vs. 0.468±0.111; p-TBK1/TBK1: 1.000±0.057 vs. 0.598±0.090), and significantly decreased C/EBPβ transcription factor activity (1.000±0.097 vs. 0.445±0.106; P<0.05). (3) Compared with the 3×Tg-AD+eHSD group, the 3×Tg-AD/C/EBPβ +/-+eHSD group had significantly decreased area under the latency curve, significantly increased proportion of time spending in the targeted quadrant, significantly decreased p-tau and tau oligomers, Aβ 42 and Aβ 40 concentrations in the hippocampus (AT8 fluorescent intensity: 1.000±0.160 vs. 0.506±0.065; T22 fluorescent intensity: 1.000±0.127 vs. 0.346±0.048; Aβ 42: 1.000±0.017 vs. 0.510±0.101; Aβ 40: 1.000±0.098 vs. 0.586±0.153), and significantly decreased C/EBPβ protein expression (1.000±0.101 vs. 0.568±0.094; P<0.05). (4) Compared with the Non-Tg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+DMSO group, the Non-Tg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group had significantly decreased area under the latency curve, significantly increased proportion of time spending in the targeted quadrant, and significantly decreased p-tau and tau oligomers expressions, Aβ 40 concentration in the hippocampus, and the Non-Tg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group, the C/EBPβTg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group had significantly decreased STING protein expression and p-TBK1/TBK1 ratio in the hippocampus ( P<0.05). Compared with the Non-Tg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group, the C/EBPβTg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group had significantly increased area under the latency curve, significantly decreased proportion of time spending in the targeted quadrant, and significantly increased p-tau and tau oligomers expressions, Aβ 40 and Aβ 42 concentration in the hippocampus ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The eHSD aggravates cognitive impairment in 3×Tg-AD mice through activating cGAS-STING-C/EBPβ pathway.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors of biliary neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs).Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 36 patients who underwent surgical treatment for biliary NENs at The First Hospital of Jilin University from January 2013 to December 2023 were collected. There were 22 males and 14 females, aged (59±9)years. Observation indicators: (1) clinicopatholo-gical characteristics of patients; (2) follow-up; (3) prognostic factors analysis of patients. Compari-son of measurement data with normal distribution among multiple groups was conducted using the ANOVA. Comparison of measurement data with skewed distribution among multiple groups was conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis H test. Comparison of count data between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rate and plot survival curve, and Log-rank test was used for survival analysis. The Cox risk regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results:(1) Clinicopatholo-gical characteristics of patients. None of the 36 patients with biliary NENs had carcinoid syndrome. There were 11 cases with tumor located at gallbladder, 14 cases with tumor located at bile duct, and 11 cases with tumor located at ampulla of Vater. There were significant differences in weight loss and TNM stage among biliary NENs patients with different tumor location ( χ2=9.14, 6.54, P<0.05). Of the 36 patients, there were 12 cases with neuroendocrine tumors, 16 cases with neuroendocrine carcinomas, and 8 cases with mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms. (2) Follow-up. All 36 patients were followed up for 39(range, 10-93)months. Of the 36 patients, 19 patients experienced tumor recurrence and 16 patients experienced tumor metastasis. There were 18 patients died. The median overall survival time of 36 patients was 30 months, with the 1-, 2-, 3-year overall survival rates of 63.9%, 51.0%, and 35.7%, respectively. The 1-, 2-, 3-year recurrence-free survival rates were 47.5%, 34.1% and 21.3%, respectively. The 1-, 2-, 3-year overall survival rates of 19 patients with tumor recurrence were 55.6%, 55.6% and 27.8%, respectively. The 1-, 2-, 3-year overall survival rates of 17 patients without tumor recurrence were 71.3%, 50.4% and 42.0%, respectively. There was no significant difference in overall survival between patients with and without tumor recurrence ( χ2=0.24, P>0.05). (3) Prognostic factors analysis of patients. Results of multivariate analysis showed that pathological type as neuroendocrine carcinomas and mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms, non-R 0 margin were independent risk factors influencing overall survival time of patients ( hazard ratio=5.50, 5.33, 14.04, 95% confidence interval as 1.32-23.01, 1.17-24.35, 2.67-73.79, P<0.05). Conclusions:Biliary NENs lack specific clinical manifestations. Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas are the most common pathological type. Pathological type as neuroendocrine carcinomas and mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms, non-R 0 margin are independent risk factors influencing prognosis of patients.

Objective:To investigate the effect of early high-sucrose diet (eHSD) on cognitive function and its regulatory mechanism in 3×Tg-AD mice.Methods:(1) Eighteen specific-pathogen-free (SPF)-grade 2-month-old wide-type (WT) mice were randomly divided into a WT+normal chow diet (NCD) group and a WT+eHSD group, with 9 mice in each group; and 18 SPF-grade 2-month-old 3×Tg-AD mice were randomly divided into a 3×Tg-AD+NCD group and a 3×Tg-AD+eHSD group, with 9 mice in each group. At 2-5 months old, mice in the 4 groups received standard laboratory food+purified water or 30% sucrose water, followed by standard feed for all groups. At 8 months old, cognitive function was assessed by Morris water maze test; fluorescent intensity of AT8 (phosphorylated [p]-tau) and T22 (tau oligomers) in the hippocampal tissues was detected by immunofluorescent staining; concentrations of β-amyloid protein (Aβ) 42 and Aβ 40 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); protein expressions of stimulator of interferon genes (STING), TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), p-TBK1, and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ) were detected by Western blotting; activity of C/EBPβ transcription factor was detected by activity assay; mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content in the cytoplasm of cell was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). (2) Eighteen SPF-grade 2-month-old 3×Tg-AD mice were randomized into a 3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group and a 3×Tg-AD+eHSD+dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) group, with 9 mice in each group. Mice at 2-5 months old were given standard laboratory food+30% sucrose water; they were, respectively, injected intraperitoneally with STING pathway inhibitor H-151 or DMSO at 5 months old, and continually injected until 8 months old; and then, the behavioral testing, immunofluorescent staining, ELISA, Western blotting and C/EBPβ transcription factor activity experiments were repeated as before. (3) After crossing C/EBPβ heterozygous knockout (C/EBPβ +/-) mice with 3×Tg-AD mice, 3×Tg-AD/C/EBPβ +/- mice were obtained, and 3×Tg-AD mice were used as controls; they were named 3×Tg-AD/C/EBPβ +/-+eHSD group and 3×Tg-AD+eHSD group, with 9 mice in each group. Both groups of mice were given standard laboratory food+30% sucrose water at 2-5 months old, followed by standard feed until 8 months old; and then, the behavioral testing, immunofluorescent staining, ELISA, and Western blotting experiments were repeated as before. (4) C/EBPβ transgenic mice (C/EBPβTg) were crossed with 3×Tg-AD mice to obtain C/EBPβTg/3×Tg-AD mice, and Non-Tg/3×Tg-AD mice were used as controls; they were, respectively, named as C/EBPβTg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group, Non-Tg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group, and Non-Tg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+DMSO group, with 9 mice in each group. All 3 groups of mice were given standard laboratory food+30% sucrose water at 2-5 months old; at 5-8 months old, mice in the C/EBPβTg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group and Non-Tg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group were intraperitoneally injected with H-151, while mice in the Non-Tg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+DMSO group were injected with DMSO; and then, the behavioral testing, immunofluorescent staining, ELISA, and Western blotting experiments were repeated as before. Results:(1) Compared with those in the WT+NCD group and WT+eHSD group, area under the latency curve of 3×Tg-AD+eHSD mice was significantly increased, and proportion of time spending in the targeted quadrant of mice in the 3×Tg-AD+NCD group and 3×Tg-AD+eHSD group was significantly decreased ( P<0.05); compared with that in the 3×Tg-AD+NCD group, proportion of time spending in the targeted quadrant in mice of the 3×Tg-AD+eHSD group was significantly reduced ( P<0.05). Compared with the 3×Tg-AD+NCD group, the 3×Tg-AD+eHSD group had significantly increased p-tau and tau oligomers, Aβ 42 and Aβ 40 concentrations in the hippocampus (AT8 fluorescent intensity: 1.000±0.076 vs. 2.902±0.399; T22 fluorescent intensity: 1.000±0.145 vs. 2.495±0.273; Aβ 42: 1.000±0.167 vs.1.956±0.132; Aβ 40: 1.000±0.226 vs.1.900±0.116), significantly increased C/EBPβ protein expression and C/EBPβ transcription factor activity (1.000±0.164 vs. 1.804±0.112; 1.000±0.216 vs. 2.743±0.301), and statistically increased mtDNA level detected by D-loop1 and D-loop3 (1.000±0.234 vs. 2.800±0.210; 1.000±0.155 vs. 2.952±0.078; P<0.05). Compared with the 3×Tg-AD+NCD group, the 3×Tg-AD+eHSD group had significantly increased STING protein expression and p-TBK1/TBK1 ratio (STING: 1.000±0.192 vs. 2.093±0.081; p-TBK1/TBK1: 1.000±0.148 vs. 1.561±0.112, P<0.05). (2) Compared with the 3×Tg-AD+eHSD+DMSO group, the 3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group had significantly decreased area under the latency curve, significantly increased proportion of time spending in the targeted quadrant, significantly decreased p-tau and tau oligomers expressions, Aβ 42 and Aβ 40 concentrations in the hippocampus (AT8 fluorescent intensity: 1.000±0.142 vs. 0.538±0.057; T22 fluorescent intensity: 1.000±0.104 vs. 0.665±0.088; Aβ 42: 1.000±0.084 vs. 0.600±0.007; Aβ 40: 1.000±0.138 vs. 0.476±0.083), significantly decreased STING protein expression and p-TBK1/TBK1 ratio (STING: 1.000±0.054 vs. 0.468±0.111; p-TBK1/TBK1: 1.000±0.057 vs. 0.598±0.090), and significantly decreased C/EBPβ transcription factor activity (1.000±0.097 vs. 0.445±0.106; P<0.05). (3) Compared with the 3×Tg-AD+eHSD group, the 3×Tg-AD/C/EBPβ +/-+eHSD group had significantly decreased area under the latency curve, significantly increased proportion of time spending in the targeted quadrant, significantly decreased p-tau and tau oligomers, Aβ 42 and Aβ 40 concentrations in the hippocampus (AT8 fluorescent intensity: 1.000±0.160 vs. 0.506±0.065; T22 fluorescent intensity: 1.000±0.127 vs. 0.346±0.048; Aβ 42: 1.000±0.017 vs. 0.510±0.101; Aβ 40: 1.000±0.098 vs. 0.586±0.153), and significantly decreased C/EBPβ protein expression (1.000±0.101 vs. 0.568±0.094; P<0.05). (4) Compared with the Non-Tg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+DMSO group, the Non-Tg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group had significantly decreased area under the latency curve, significantly increased proportion of time spending in the targeted quadrant, and significantly decreased p-tau and tau oligomers expressions, Aβ 40 concentration in the hippocampus, and the Non-Tg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group, the C/EBPβTg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group had significantly decreased STING protein expression and p-TBK1/TBK1 ratio in the hippocampus ( P<0.05). Compared with the Non-Tg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group, the C/EBPβTg/3×Tg-AD+eHSD+H-151 group had significantly increased area under the latency curve, significantly decreased proportion of time spending in the targeted quadrant, and significantly increased p-tau and tau oligomers expressions, Aβ 40 and Aβ 42 concentration in the hippocampus ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The eHSD aggravates cognitive impairment in 3×Tg-AD mice through activating cGAS-STING-C/EBPβ pathway.

Objective:To investigate the impact of lifestyle, apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene, and their interaction on the risk for cognitive frailty in the elderly population in China.Methods:The study participants were from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. The information about their lifestyles were collected by questionnaire survey, and a weighted lifestyle score was constructed based on β coefficients associated with specific lifestyles to assess the combined lifestyle. ApoE genotypes were assessed by rs429358 and rs7412 single nucleotide polymorphisms. Cognitive frailty was assessed based on cognitive function and physical frailty. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the association of lifestyle and ApoE gene with the risk for cognitive frailty and evaluate the multiplicative and additive interactions between lifestyle and ApoE gene. Results:A total of 5 676 elderly persons, with median age [ M ( Q1, Q3)] of 76 (68, 85) years, were included, in whom 615 had cognitive frailty. The analysis by Cox proportional hazards regression model indicated that moderate and high levels of dietary diversity could reduce the risk for cognitive frailty by 18% [hazard ratio ( HR)=0.82, 95% CI: 0.68-1.00] and 28% ( HR=0.72, 95% CI: 0.57-0.91), respectively; moderate and high levels of physical activity could reduce the risk by 31% ( HR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.56-0.85) and 23% ( HR=0.77, 95% CI: 0.64-0.93), respectively. Healthy lifestyle was associated with a 40% reduced risk for cognitive frailty ( HR=0.60, 95% CI: 0.46-0.78). ApoE ε4 allele was associated with a 26% increased risk for cognitive frailty ( HR=1.26, 95% CI: 1.02-1.56). No multiplicative or additive interactions were found between lifestyle and ApoE gene. Conclusions:Dietary diversity and regular physical activity have protective effects against cognitive frailty in elderly population. Healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk for cognitive frailty in elderly population regardless of ApoE ε4 allele carriage status.

Amomi Fructus （AF） refers to the dried mature fruit of Amomum villosum A. villosum. var. xanthiondes， and A. longiligulare， all belonging to the Zingiberaceae family. As one of the renowned "Four Southern Medicines"， AF is also classified as an ingredient featured by "medicinal and food homology". It is mainly produced in Guangdong， Yunnan， and Hainan provinces in China. In recent years， with the in-depth implementation of the "Healthy China" strategy， AF has gained increasing popularity among the public due to its significant medicinal value. At the same time， research on its chemical composition， pharmacological effects， and identification methods has garnered widespread attention from scholars. The chemical composition of AF is highly complex. Its primary constituents include volatile components such as borneol acetate， camphor， and borneol， as well as non-volatile components such as polysaccharides， polyphenols， and mineral elements. AF possesses a wide range of pharmacological effects， including gastrointestinal protection， lipid-lowering and weight loss， glucose-lowering， uric acid-lowering， antioxidant， anti-inflammatory， antibacterial， and analgesic activities. The identification techniques for AF， including microscopic identification， molecular biological identification， and electrochemical fingerprinting， are crucial for its quality control， safety， and efficacy. However， in recent years， there have been few comprehensive summaries of research on AF， which limits further in-depth research and high-value development and utilization of AF. This article systematically reviewed the research progress on the chemical composition， pharmacological activity， and identification methods of AF， and is expected to provide prospects for future research.

Liver failure （LF） is a great trouble to the majority of patients due to its severe onset， many complications， difficult treatment， poor prognosis and other characteristics. This disease is liver injury caused by infection， hepatotoxic substances， autoimmunity， circulation disorders and other factors. It is a group of common clinical symptoms mainly manifested by coagulation disorders， jaundice， hepatic encephalopathy， ascites， and so on. In traditional Chinese medicine， it falls under the categories of "tympanites"， "jaundice" and other diseases. At present， the research progress of Western medicine in the treatment of LF is slow， and its clinical application effect is still not ideal. In contrast， traditional Chinese medicine has a long history in the treatment of this disease， with over thousands of years of clinical practice and verification. It is characterized by exact efficacy and fewer side effects. The pathological mechanism of LF is extremely complex， involves a variety of signaling pathways， and is mainly related to inflammation， oxidative stress， liver fibrosis， cell apoptosis and other processes. In recent years， many studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine can intervene in the occurrence and development of LF by mediating relevant signaling pathways in vivo， but there is still a lack of relevant summary. Therefore， this review summarized several signaling pathways related to the intervention of traditional Chinese medicine in LF by referring to and sorting out relevant literature worldwide， including nuclear factor kappa B （NF-κB）， mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， phosphatidylin-ositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt）， transforming growth factor-β/ drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic proteins （TGF-β/Smads）， and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 （Nrf2/HO-1）， and elaborated the specific mechanism of their intervention in LF. This paper aims to provide practical and effective pathways and corresponding mechanisms for the treatment of LF by traditional Chinese medicine， and to provide new ideas and a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of LF and further scientific research.

Objective: To explore the association of health literacy with smoking attempt behavior among middle school students in China，and to provide ideas for health education for middle school students. Methods: Using stratified cluster sampling method, 1 066 students were selected from Zhejiang, Guangdong, Jiangxi, Sichuan and Guizhou provinces in China during June to November 2017, a questionnaire survey was conducted to collect health literacy and smoking attempt behavior. Results: The score of health literacy among middle school students was (13.49±1.87). Students who lived in eastern and rural areas, girls, guardians who were jointly supervised by their parents and grandparents, the only child, non smokers, and small amount of weekly pocket money had higher scores in health literacy（ t/F =9.81,3.10,11.12,2.65,3.50,4.47,2.64， P ＜0.05）. The prevalence of smoking attempt behavior was 5.5%. Multiple Logistic regression analyses showed that central and western China, drinking and low healthy literacy were positively correlated with smoking attempt behavior ( OR =2.75, 3.54, 21.62, 2.50, P <0.05). Conclusion Low healthy literacy can be used as a predictor of smoking attempt among middle school students, the health education should be conducted to control the smoking attempt behavior.