Background High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a sensitive biomarker for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and can independently predict the risk of cardiovascular events. Although the association between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and CVD risk has been widely reported, studies on the association between hs-CRP and PFAS remain limited. Objective To investigate the association between PFAS and hs-CRP levels, to provide a scientific basis for early identification and prevention of environment-related cardiovascular events. Methods This study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database (2015–2018). Based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 3219 participants were included for subsequent analysis. Five PFAS with detection rates exceeding 90% were selected as exposure factors and log-transformed (lnPFAS) for subsequent analysis, including perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA). After selecting potential confounders through a change-in-estimate approach, logistic regression was employed to examine the effects of individual PFAS on serum hs-CRP level. Additionally, quantile g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were applied to assess the combined effects of PFAS mixtures on hs-CRP. Results The study included 3219 participants with a mean age of (50.4±17.6) years, of whom 1554 (48.28%) were male. The median concentrations of the five PFAS compounds were: 1.20 ng·mL⁻¹ (PFHxS), 0.50 ng·mL⁻¹ (PFNA), 1.50 ng·mL⁻¹ (PFOA), 5.20 ng·mL⁻¹ (PFOS), and 0.20 ng·mL⁻¹ (PFDA). The Wilcoxon rank-sum tests revealed statistically significant differences between the elevated serum hs-CRP (≥2 mg·L⁻¹) and normal (<2 mg·L⁻¹) groups for all five PFAS compounds (PFHxS: P=0.005; PFNA: P=0.009; PFOA: P<0.001; PFOS: P<0.001; PFDA: P<0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, the analysis of individual PFAS exposure demonstrated significant negative associations between serum hs-CRP levels and both ln-PFOS (OR: 0.87; 95%CI: 0.79, 0.96; P=0.0036) and lnPFDA (OR: 0.78; 95%CI: 0.71, 0.86; P < 0.001). The joint effect analysis using quantile g-computation revealed an overall inverse association between PFAS mixtures and hs-CRP, with lnPFDA emerging as a primary contributor; an similar association was observed in males, but not significant in females. Further evaluation through BKMR showed that when PFAS mixture concentrations reached or exceeded P₇₀, their combined effect on hs-CRP became significantly lower than when all PFAS concentrations were at P₅₀, establishing a clear negative dose-response relationship. Conclusion The mixed exposure to PFAS showed a significant negative joint effect on serum hs-CRP levels, with PFDA being the key component contributing to this combined effect. Future prospective cohort studies are warranted to further validate these findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and characteristics of ultrasound imaging in diagnosing fractures in neonates.Methods:Thirty neonates with bone fracture in Beijing Chaoyang District Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital during January 2018 to June 2019 were retrospectively recruited. The causes and ultrasound imaging features of these cases were analyzed. The ultrasound findings were compared with the results of X-ray examination.Results:Among the 30 cases, 29 (96.7%) were diagnosed as fracture due to birth trauma, including 28 (93.3%) of clavicle fracture and one (3.3%) of humerus fracture, and one (3.3%) with rib fracture probably caused by metabolic osteopathy. The ultrasound imaging characteristics included interruption of bone continuity, dislocation and/or angulation of fracture ends, and callus formation during recovery. All of the 30 cases were diagnosed by ultrasound. However, X-ray examination failed in the diagnosis of one clavicle fracture.Conclusions:Ultrasound is an accurate and reliable method for the diagnosis of neonatal fracture. The main characteristics of ultrasound imaging include interruption of bone continuity, dislocation and/or angulation of fracture ends and callus formation.

Objective To study the effects of the compound medicine of icariin and puerarin on peak bone mass in rats during growth period, and to explore its possible mechanism. Methods Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats aged 1 month were randomly divided into normal control group( C), icariin group( I), puerarin group( P), icariin and puerarin compound groupc(I+P), 10 in each group. The body weights were recorded once every two weeks, and the bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry every month. After the bone mineral density of the whole body was significantly different between the control group and drug groups the animals were sacrificed. The right femur and vertebrae were separated to measure the bone mineral density. The biomechanical properties of the femur and vertebra were detected by AG-IS series desktop electronic universal testing machine. The bone formation index osteocalcin, PINP and bone resorption index were determined by ELISA. Changes in the contents of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b(TRACP 5b) and CTX-1; and changes in trabecular bone related parameters were recorded after magenta-picric acid staining. Results There was no significant difference in body weight between the two groups (P＞0.05). There was no significant difference in whole body bone density after 1 month of treatment (P＞0.05). After 2 months of treatment, the body bone density of the drug-administered group was higher than that of the control group. Whole body bone density, femur and vertebral bone density, femur maximum load value, maximum vertebrae load value and trabecular bone number and area, serum OC and PINP levels increased, while TRACP 5b and CTX-1 levels decreased(P＜0.01) in drug group. The difference from the control group was statistically significant (P＜0. 05). There were significant differences in biochemical parameters and bone histomorphology between the compound drug group and the two-flavor monomer group ( P＜0. 01). There was no significant difference in bone mineral density and biomechanics, but the average value was higher than that of the monomer group. Conclusion The combination of icariin and puerarin can effectively increase the peak bone mass in rats.

A new type of multi-acupoints moxibustion instrument was developed to effectively solve the issue of simultaneously performing moxibustion at multiple acupoints. The moxibustion instrument consisted of a bracket and a moxibustion cartridge mounted on the bracket. The upper end of the bracket was equipped with gooseneck tubes. The free end of the gooseneck tubes was equipped with moxibustion cartridge used for moxibustion. The moxibustion cartridge consisted of the cartridge body, the moxa needle and the ash net. This current instrument with novel and unique structure was simple and reasonable, safe and reliable, and had the advantages of convenient operation, time and labor saving, and high moxibustion efficiency, and was an innovation of moxibustion instrument.
Acupuncture Points ; Moxibustion ; Needles

Objective To explore the influence of Rosenthal effect on the psychological status of pregnant women at risk of miscarriage in early pregnancy. Methods From January 2014 to June 2015 151 cases of early pregnancy abortion risk women were set as the control group, and was given conventional psychological intervention.From July 2015 to December 2016 135 cases of early pregnancy abortion risk women were named as the observation group by convenient sampling selection, which was given interventionbased on Rosenthal effect on the basis of routine psychological intervention. The Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) score, the introversion and extroversion scores and the satisfaction degree with intervention were compared between the two groups before and after the intervention. Results There was no significant difference in SDS and SAS scores, inotropic challenge and extroversion challenge between the two groups before treatment (P >0.05). The scores of SDS and SAS, the inotropic challenge and extroversion challenge scores were 41.45 ± 4.26, 40.34 ± 5.82,4.76 ± 1.03,5.55 ± 1.26 in the observation group after intervention,and 47.22 ± 3.93,47.18 ± 7.04,5.39 ± 1.12, 6.43 ± 1.86 respectively in the control group. There were significant difference in scores of SDS and SAS, the inotropic challenge and extroversion challenge (t=2.215-2.573, P <0.05). The satisfaction rates of the observation group and the control group were 93.32%(126/135)and 74.17% (112/151) respectively, the difference was statistically significant (χ2=5.921, P<0.05). Conclusions The intervention based on Rosenthal effect on the basis of conventional psychological intervention for early pregnancy abortion risk women can relieve negative emotions such as anxiety and depression, besides it can also improve satisfaction degree of inpatients with intervention.

Objective: To investigate the effect of resveratrol on peak bone mineral density and bone mass in growing rats. Methods: Thirty-six female healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, icariin group and resveratrol group with 12 rats in each group. Icariin (25 mg·kg^-1·d^-1), resveratrol (8.4 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) or equal volume of distilled water were given by gavage to icariin group, resveratrol group and control group, respectively. The rats were sacrificed after 12 weeks. The organ indexes were calculated and pathology sections were observed; the bone mineral density (BMD), bone biomechanics, serum bone metabolism index, and results of micro-CT scan were analyzed. Results: During the experiment, the body weight of rats showed an increasing trend and there was no significant difference among three groups (P0.05). There were no significant differences in organ index of vital organs and pathological changes among the groups (all P0.05). Compared with the control group, the whole body BMD, and the BMDs of femur and vertebrae in icariin and resveratrol groups were significantly increased after 12 weeks (all P<0.05). The maximum load values of femur and vertebrae, as well as elastic modulus of vertebrae in icariin and resveratrol groups were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Micro-CT scan showed that the volumetric BMD, number of trabecular, trabecular thickness and bone volume/tissue volume of the cancellous bone in icariin and resveratrol groups were significantly higher and the trabecular separation was significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01); while there was no significant difference in volumetric BMD of cortical bone for femur. The contents of osteocalcin in icariin and resveratrol groups were significantly higher than those in control group (all P<0.05), while the contents of tartarte-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP5b) were significantly lower than those in control group (all P<0.05).Conclusion: Resveratrol can inhibit bone resorption and enhance bone formation, so as to improve the peak bone mass and bone density, enhance bone strength and improve the microstructure of bone tissue in young rats.
Animals ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Bone and Bones ; diagnostic imaging ; drug effects ; Female ; Femur ; drug effects ; Osteocalcin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats, Wistar ; Resveratrol ; pharmacology ; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase ; genetics ; metabolism

To investigate the effect of icariin total flavonoids capsules (ITFC) on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone histomorphometry in growing rats and its anti-osteoporosis mechanism.Thirty female SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:normal control group, ITFC-1 group and ITFC-2 group. Rats in ITFC-1 group and ITFC-2 group were fed with 50 mg·kg·dor 100 mg·kg·dITFC, respectively, and those in normal control group were fed with equal volume of distilled water. The whole body BMD was measured after 4, 8 and 12 weeks, and BMDs of the right femur and lumbar vertebrae were measured after 12 weeks. The serum levels of tartaric acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP 5b) and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) were measured by ELISA. Bone morphometry was performed on the right tibia.There were no significant differences in the body weight increase between normal control group and two ITFC groups (all>0.05). There were also no significant differences in whole body BMDs after 4 and 8 weeks between normal control group and ITFC groups (all>0.05). After 12 weeks, the whole body BMD, BMD of bone, serum BALP level and trabecular area in ITFC-1 group and ITFC-2 group were significantly higher, trabecular separation was significantly lower than that in normal control group (all<0.05); and the trabecular width and the number in ITFC-2 group were also significantly higher, and serum TRACP 5b level was significantly lower than that in normal control group (all<0.05). The BMD of bone, serum BALP level, trabecular number and area in ITFC-2 group were significantly higher, and serum TRACP 5b level was significantly lower than that in ITFC-1 group (all<0.05).ITFC can prevent osteoporosis by increasing bone density and bone formation, decreasing bone resorption and improving microstructure of bone.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; drug effects ; Animals ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Bone Resorption ; drug therapy ; Cancellous Bone ; anatomy & histology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Femur ; anatomy & histology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; anatomy & histology ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; Osteoporosis ; prevention & control ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; growth & development ; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase ; blood ; drug effects ; Tibia ; anatomy & histology

Objective To study the relationship between the asthenia TCM syndromes in embryonic development stops and the level of zinc, iron, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium in serum, and provide thoughts for assisting reproduction and preventing miscarriage. Methods Totally 100 patients of embryonic development stops were selected randomly (6-10 weeks gestation) to be the investigated group, with other 100 cases of live fetus as the control group. The contents of trace elements in serum were detected with atomic absorption spectrometry. Results The levels of trace elements in embryonic development stops patients were generally lower than the control group. The serum iron in patients with spleen deficiency syndrome, and serum zinc and iron in patients with kidney deficiency syndrome were significant lower (P<0.05). Conclusion The contents of trace elements in serum have relationships with asthenia TCM syndromes in embryonic development stops. It should be paid attention to supplementing trace elements during the gestation period. For patients with deficiency of kidney and spleen, the supplement of zinc and iron should be given greater prominence.

To construct a recombinant plasmid Pet23a-M, the gene encoding severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus membrane protein was amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into the expression plasmid Pet23a. Results of restriction endonuclease analysis, PCR detection and DNA sequencing analysis revealed that the cloned DNA sequence was the same as that reported. The recombinants were transformed into Escherichia coli (E. Coli) BL21 (DE3) and induced by Isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). The expression of 27 kD (1 kD=0.992 1 ku) protein was detected by SDS-PAGE and pured by metal chelated chromatography. Results of Western-blot showed that this expressed protein could react with antibodies in sera of SARS patients during convalescence. This provided the basis for the further study on SARS virus vaccine and diagnostic agents.
Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Plasmids ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; SARS Virus ; chemistry ; genetics ; Viral Vaccines ; biosynthesis

To construct a recombinant plasmid Pet23a-M, the gene encoding severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus membrane protein was amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into the expression plasmid Pet23a. Results of restriction endonuclease analysis, PCR detection and DNA sequencing analysis revealed that the cloned DNA sequence was the same as that reported. The recombinants were transformed into Escherichia coli (E. Coli) BL21 (DE3) and induced by Isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). The expression of 27 kD (1 kD=0.992 1 ku) protein was detected by SDS-PAGE and pured by metal chelated chromatography. Results of Western-blot showed that this expressed protein could react with antibodies in sera of SARS patients during convalescence. This provided the basis for the further study on SARS virus vaccine and diagnostic agents.
Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli/genetics ; Escherichia coli/metabolism ; Membrane Proteins/*biosynthesis ; Membrane Proteins/genetics ; Membrane Proteins/isolation & purification ; Plasmids/biosynthesis ; Plasmids/genetics ; Recombinant Proteins/biosynthesis ; Recombinant Proteins/genetics ; Recombinant Proteins/isolation & purification ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; SARS Virus/chemistry ; SARS Virus/*genetics ; Viral Vaccines/biosynthesis