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.

Purpose: Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare, aggressive lymphoma that is characterized by terminal B-cell differ‑ entiation. In the West, PBL usually occurs in patients with immunodeficiencies, particularly those induced by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We investigated the clinicopathological features of PBL at a single institute in Taiwan, where HIV infection is rare. Methods: This retrospective chart review identified PBL cases that were treated at a single institute in southern Tai‑ wan between 2008 and 2024. Results: We identified nine patients (four males and five females; median age 71 years). Of the eight patients tested for HIV, only one tested positive. Pathologically, the tumors showed plasmablastic morphology and immunopheno‑ type, and three (33%) cases tested positive for Epstein–Barr virus. Six (67%) patients presented with Stage IV disease, including five (56%) with malignant effusion. Six patients were treated with chemotherapy and the remaining three received only supportive care. During a median follow-up of 10 months, five patients died of progressive disease, two died of unrelated diseases, and two were alive with PBL relapse. Conclusion In Taiwan, PBL constitutes a rare and aggressive clinical condition and is frequently associated with malignant effusion. In contrast to Western patients, the PBL in most patients from Taiwan was unrelated to HIV infection.

Purpose: Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare, aggressive lymphoma that is characterized by terminal B-cell differ‑ entiation. In the West, PBL usually occurs in patients with immunodeficiencies, particularly those induced by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We investigated the clinicopathological features of PBL at a single institute in Taiwan, where HIV infection is rare. Methods: This retrospective chart review identified PBL cases that were treated at a single institute in southern Tai‑ wan between 2008 and 2024. Results: We identified nine patients (four males and five females; median age 71 years). Of the eight patients tested for HIV, only one tested positive. Pathologically, the tumors showed plasmablastic morphology and immunopheno‑ type, and three (33%) cases tested positive for Epstein–Barr virus. Six (67%) patients presented with Stage IV disease, including five (56%) with malignant effusion. Six patients were treated with chemotherapy and the remaining three received only supportive care. During a median follow-up of 10 months, five patients died of progressive disease, two died of unrelated diseases, and two were alive with PBL relapse. Conclusion In Taiwan, PBL constitutes a rare and aggressive clinical condition and is frequently associated with malignant effusion. In contrast to Western patients, the PBL in most patients from Taiwan was unrelated to HIV infection.

Purpose: Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare, aggressive lymphoma that is characterized by terminal B-cell differ‑ entiation. In the West, PBL usually occurs in patients with immunodeficiencies, particularly those induced by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We investigated the clinicopathological features of PBL at a single institute in Taiwan, where HIV infection is rare. Methods: This retrospective chart review identified PBL cases that were treated at a single institute in southern Tai‑ wan between 2008 and 2024. Results: We identified nine patients (four males and five females; median age 71 years). Of the eight patients tested for HIV, only one tested positive. Pathologically, the tumors showed plasmablastic morphology and immunopheno‑ type, and three (33%) cases tested positive for Epstein–Barr virus. Six (67%) patients presented with Stage IV disease, including five (56%) with malignant effusion. Six patients were treated with chemotherapy and the remaining three received only supportive care. During a median follow-up of 10 months, five patients died of progressive disease, two died of unrelated diseases, and two were alive with PBL relapse. Conclusion In Taiwan, PBL constitutes a rare and aggressive clinical condition and is frequently associated with malignant effusion. In contrast to Western patients, the PBL in most patients from Taiwan was unrelated to HIV infection.

Objective To analyze the quality of 19 batches of Ginseng Formula Granules from 11 different manufacturers by using Ginseng water Extract reference substance(GWERS)as references.Methods Thin layer chromatography(TLC)identification and feature map detection were carried out according to the identification items and characteristic maps of Ginseng Formula Granules standard(YBZ-PFKL-2021186)issued by the National Medical Products Administration.Results The results of TLC analysis showed that the 19 batches of Ginseng Formula Granules-labeled samples could be divided into three categories.The overall pattern of the first type of samples was consistent with that of GWERS,and the similarity was high.Pseudoginsenoside F11,a unique component of American ginseng,was detected in the second type of samples.Four blue fluorescent spots were observed in the third type of samples compared to GWERS.HPLC results indicated that all 19 batches of Ginseng Formula Granules showed eight characteristic peaks at the same retention time as that of GWERS chromatogram.Two more chromatographic peaks were found in the chromatogram of three batches of samples from one manufacturer compared to the chromatogram of other samples,whose similarity to the GWERS chromatogram was less than 0.65.The similarity between the chromatogram of the remaining 16 sample and GWERS chromatogram was higher than 0.94.Conclusion At present,the quality of Ginseng Formula Granules on the market varies greatly.It was suspected that American ginseng might appear among them.The application of GWERS for quality analysis of Ginseng Formula Granules has better applicability to the control medicinal materials.

Trace elements (TEs), also known as micronutrients in biology, are trace components required by the human body, accounting for 0.005% to 0.01% of body weight. Although TEs are present in small quantities in the human body, they play significant roles in cellular metabolism, enzyme activity regulation, immune function, nerve conduction, and bone health. In this review, the effects of TEs (zinc, iron, magnesium, selenium, copper, chromium, and manganese) for modulating biological functions on organisms are comprehensively analyzed and summarized. The mechanisms of various TEs in immune system, enzymatic reaction, oxidative stress, physical growth, and blood glucose regulation are deeply discussed, emphasizing the indispensable role of TEs in maintaining normal physiological functions of body. In addition, the future research directions of TEs are also prospected, including the mechanism of action, intake, metabolism, and storage of TEs at the cellular level. This review will provide useful information to further understand the biological effects and the application of TEs.

Objective:To explore the gene mutation characteristics and the relationship between gene mutations and long-term prognosis in clinical stage ⅠA lung adenocarcinoma patients.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 63 clinical stage ⅠA lung adenocarcinoma patients who underwent surgical resection at the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2007 to October 2012, with documented postoperative recurrence or metastasis, as well as those who had a follow-up duration of 10 years or more without recurrence or metastasis. Whole exome sequencing (WES) technology was used to analyze the gene mutation profiles in tumor tissues and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to clarify the influencing factors for patient prognosis.Results:After long term follow-up, 13 out of the 63 patients (21%) experienced recurrence or metastasis. WES technology analysis revealed that the most common tumor related gene mutations occurred in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), with a mutation rate of 65.1% (41/63), followed by tumor protein p53 (TP53), fatatypical cadherin 1 (FAT1), low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1B (LRP1B), mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR), phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit gamma (PIK3CG), and SWI/SNF related, matrix associated, actin dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily A, member 4 (SMARCA4), with mutation rates of 30.2% (19/63), 20.6% (13/63), 15.9% (10/63), 15.9% (10/63), 15.9% (10/63), and 15.9% (10/63), respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that PIK3CG mutations ( HR=21.52, 95% CI: 3.19-145.01),smoothened (SMO) mutations ( HR=35.28, 95% CI: 3.12-398.39), catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1) mutations ( HR=332.86, 95% CI: 15.76-7 029.05), colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) mutations ( HR=8 109.60, 95% CI: 114.19-575 955.17), and v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) mutations ( HR=23.65, 95% CI: 1.86-300.43) were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of clinical stage ⅠA lung adenocarcinoma patients. Conclusions:PIK3CG, SMO, CTNNB1, CSF1R, BRAF gene mutations are closely related to long-term recurrence or metastasis in clinical stage ⅠA lung adenocarcinoma. Patients with these gene mutations should be given closer clinical attention.

Objective:To explore the gene mutation characteristics and the relationship between gene mutations and long-term prognosis in clinical stage ⅠA lung adenocarcinoma patients.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 63 clinical stage ⅠA lung adenocarcinoma patients who underwent surgical resection at the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2007 to October 2012, with documented postoperative recurrence or metastasis, as well as those who had a follow-up duration of 10 years or more without recurrence or metastasis. Whole exome sequencing (WES) technology was used to analyze the gene mutation profiles in tumor tissues and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to clarify the influencing factors for patient prognosis.Results:After long term follow-up, 13 out of the 63 patients (21%) experienced recurrence or metastasis. WES technology analysis revealed that the most common tumor related gene mutations occurred in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), with a mutation rate of 65.1% (41/63), followed by tumor protein p53 (TP53), fatatypical cadherin 1 (FAT1), low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1B (LRP1B), mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR), phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit gamma (PIK3CG), and SWI/SNF related, matrix associated, actin dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily A, member 4 (SMARCA4), with mutation rates of 30.2% (19/63), 20.6% (13/63), 15.9% (10/63), 15.9% (10/63), 15.9% (10/63), and 15.9% (10/63), respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that PIK3CG mutations ( HR=21.52, 95% CI: 3.19-145.01),smoothened (SMO) mutations ( HR=35.28, 95% CI: 3.12-398.39), catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1) mutations ( HR=332.86, 95% CI: 15.76-7 029.05), colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) mutations ( HR=8 109.60, 95% CI: 114.19-575 955.17), and v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) mutations ( HR=23.65, 95% CI: 1.86-300.43) were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of clinical stage ⅠA lung adenocarcinoma patients. Conclusions:PIK3CG, SMO, CTNNB1, CSF1R, BRAF gene mutations are closely related to long-term recurrence or metastasis in clinical stage ⅠA lung adenocarcinoma. Patients with these gene mutations should be given closer clinical attention.

Objective To investigate the correlation between serum microRNA(miR)-24-3p,microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4(MARK4)level expression and cardiac function in serum of patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease(CHD).Methods From August 2021 to April 2023,138 CHD patients who visited Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital were collected as the study subjects(CHD group).According to the New York Heart Association(NYHA)grading,patients in the CHD group were separated into grade Ⅱ(n=39),grade Ⅲ(n=68),and grade Ⅳ(n=31).Additionally,123 individuals who underwent physical examinations were selected as the health group during the same period.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR)method was applied to detect the expression levels of miR-24-3p and MARK4.Cardiac function indicators in the CHD and health groups were detected.Pearson method was applied to analyze the correlation among serum miR-24-3p,MARK4,and cardiac function indicators.Results Compared with the healthy group,the levels of MARK4(1.19±0.21 vs 1.00±0.20),left ventricular end-systolic dimension(LVESd),left ventricular enddiastolic dimension(LVEDd),interventricular septal thickness(IVS),left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDv),left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESv),and left ventricular mass(LV mass)in the CHD group were increased(t=7.462,18.242,23.888,9.941,2.812,12.520,11.029),while the levels of miR-24-3p(0.62±0.11 vs 1.00±0.18),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),and cardiac output(CO)were reduced(t=20.821,10.212,18.188),and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).As cardiac function grading increased,MARK4 expression levels(1.09±0.19,1.18±0.17,1.32±0.22),LVESd,LVEDd,IVS,LVEDv,LVESv and LV mass were increased(F=13.025,10.606,11.920,57.956,29.680,21.253,12.954),and miR-24-3p expression levels(0.84±0.15,0.61±0.11,0.37±0.08),LVEF and CO were decreased(F=139.227,9.720,13.411),and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between miR-24-3p and MARK4 expression in the serum of patients with CHD(r=-0.540,P＜0.05).The relative expression of miR-24-3p in the serum of patients with CHD was negatively correlated with LVESd,LVEDd,IVS,LVEDv,LVESv and LV mass(r=-0.656,-0.636,-0.617,-0.576,-0.492,-0.687,all P＜0.05),but positively correlated with LVEF and CO(r=0.570,0.683,all P＜0.05).The relative expression level of MARK4 was positively correlated with LVESd,LVEDd,IVS,LVEDv,LVESv,and LV mass(r=0.503,0.542,0.508,0.624,0.516,0.560,all P＜0.05),but negatively correlated with LVEF and CO(r=-0.594,-0.525,all P＜0.05).Conclusion The expression of miR-24-3p in the serum of CHD patients was decreased,while the expression of MARK4 was increased.There was an obvious correlation between the two and cardiac function indicators.

Objective To explore the effect of Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture,a needling method for dredging governor vessel and regulating mind,on cerebral hemodynamics and oxygen free radicals in the patients with post-stroke epilepsy(PSE).Methods A total of 60 patients with PSE were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group,with 30 cases in each group.Both groups were given basic treatment for lowering lipid level,controlling blood pressure and glucose contents,and counteracting platelet aggregation.Moreover,the control group was treated with Sodium Valproate Sustained-Release Tablets,and the treatment group was treated with Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture mainly on the acupoints of Baihui(GV20),Shenting(GV24),Shuigou(GV26),Fengfu(GV 16),Fengchi(GB20)based on the treatment for the control group.One month constituted a course of treatment,and the treatment for the two groups covered three courses of treatment.The number of epileptic seizures,the severity of electroencephalogram(EEG),the peak systolic velocity(Vs)and end diastolic velocity(Vd)of bilateral anterior cerebral arteries,middle cerebral arteries and posterior cerebral arteries detected by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography(TCD),and the changes in the peripheral levels of oxygen free radicals such as malondialdehyde(MDA),hydroxyl radical(OH),lipid peroxide(LPO)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)in the two groups were observed before and after treatment.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)After three months of treatment,the total effective rate of the treatment group was 93.33％(28/30),and that of the control group was 73.33％(23/30).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the treatment group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the average monthly epileptic seizure frequency in the two groups was decreased when compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the grading of EEG severity in the two groups was significantly improved when compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05),and the improvement in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the peripheral levels of oxygen free radicals of MDA,OH and LPO in the two groups were lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the peripheral level of SOD was higher than that before treatment(P＜0.05).The decrease of MDA,OH and LPO levels and the increase of SOD level in the treatment group were significantly superior to those in the control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(5)After treatment,the values of cerebral hemodynamic indicators of Vs and Vd of both left and right anterior cerebral artery,middle cerebral artery and posterior cerebral artery in the two groups were higher than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the increase in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the differences being statistically significant(P＜0.05).(6)During the treatment,there were no fainting,sticking of needle,bleeding and rash occurring during acupuncture in the two groups,which indicated that the therapy had high safety.Conclusion Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture can significantly reduce the seizure frequency of PSE and improve the severity of epileptic EEG.Its therapeutic mechanism may be related with the decrease of the oxygen free radical levels and with the improvement of cerebral hemodynamics.