Various devices are used to study the unique electrical properties of acupuncture points (APs), with Voll’s electropuncture diagnostics (EAV) occupying a prominent role. The technical design of EAV allows for the testing of drugs to determine their individual selection and dosages. However, the physiological basis of this phenomenon remains unclear. This study investigated the feasibility of evaluating the electrodermal activity of APs to determine the daily dose of ribavirin using electroacupuncture according to the Voll diagnostic system in patients with long COVID.

This blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial included 101 patients (aged 16 to 50) who met the definition of long COVID and were examined using an EAV testing system that measures the electrodermal activity of APs. Ribavirin was tested at the APs with established decreased electrical impedance readings to determine the daily doses. Fifty-two participants were randomized to the experimental group, and forty-nine to the placebo group. These patients were considered for data analysis.

The results of this study demonstrated the feasibility of using EAV to identify APs with decreased levels of electrodermal activity, followed by medicament testing (MT) of different ribavirin doses to restore the electrodermal activity at these points.

The results indicated that the tested doses of ribavirin in patients with long COVID correlate with electrodermal activity at certain APs along specific meridians. Higher doses of the drug were associated with lower electrodermal activity readings during MT using the EAV diagnostic system. However, further clinical and instrumental studies are needed to evaluate the clinical application of MT in the assessment of long COVID.

While metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is associated with obesity, the cause of its rapidly rising prevalence is not well understood. In this study, we aimed to examine the association between arsenic exposure and MASLD in humans.

Urinary inorganic arsenic data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011–2020, were used. These were combined with death certificate data from the National Death Index of the National Center for Health Statistics to ascertain mortality rates. Weighted linear regression and chi-squared analysis were performed.

The analysis included 6,386 participants after exclusions. The mean urinary arsenic level was 5.92 µg/L in participants with MASLD versus 5.59 µg/L in those without. Alanine aminotransferase levels exhibited a statistically significant increasing trend across both continuous arsenic levels and arsenic quintiles. A statistically significant upward trend was observed for the income-to-poverty ratio and body mass index but not for education status. MASLD prevalence was highest among the white population, while an increasing trend was observed in the Hispanic population over the years (p < 0.001). The proportion of Mexican Americans increased to 12.6% in the MASLD group versus 8.09% in the non-MASLD cohort (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant increase in the odds of MASLD across arsenic exposure levels, with individuals in the highest quintile having a 32% greater likelihood compared to those in the lowest quintile (p-trend = 0.002). The odds further increased to 55% in the highest quintile (odds ratio 1.55, 95% confidence interval: 1.19–2.03; p-trend < 0.001). MASLD was more prevalent in females than males (57.9% vs. 47.6%; p < 0.001), and the mean age increased from 46.9 years to 49.9 years (p = 0.016).

Our findings reveal a positive association between urinary arsenic exposure and MASLD, with increasing trends particularly observed among Hispanics and those with higher income-to-poverty ratios and body mass index.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent and aggressive form of primary brain malignancy in adults. Despite continuous advancements in standard treatment modalities, the prognosis for patients remains extremely poor, with a median survival of less than two years. In recent years, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has achieved revolutionary success in hematologic malignancies, marking a significant breakthrough in the field of immunotherapy. However, the successful application of CAR-T therapy to GBM still faces dual challenges: antigen heterogeneity and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. This review systematically summarizes these challenges encountered in CAR-T therapy for GBM and the innovative strategies currently under development to address these challenges, providing insights for the future clinical translation of CAR-T therapy in GBM.

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a disorder with various etiologies. Although the causes leading to this disruptive condition are well documented in published ALF cohorts, there is significant concern among patients who experience ALF with indeterminate causes, an issue requiring thorough analysis. This review aimed to analyze cohort studies on ALF with a focus on unknown causes leading to classification as indeterminate ALF. The analysis revealed that, among 67 worldwide adult and pediatric ALF cohorts, indeterminate causes of ALF ranged from 2% to 100%, with an average of 30%. Among the 13 pediatric ALF cohorts, the corresponding range was 22% to 100%, with an average of 47%, while among the 55 adult ALF cohorts, the range was 2% to 78%, with an average of 26%. The percentage values were higher in pediatric cohorts due to the higher incidence of rare genetic causes compared to adult patients. Notably, higher rates of indeterminate causes were found in cohorts studied before the availability of diagnostic serologic screening parameters and polymerase chain reaction techniques for various hepatitis virus infections. Patients with indeterminate ALF may not have received a specific treatment that, if effective, could have helped prevent liver transplantation. It is concluded that, in future cases, all efforts must be undertaken to clearly establish the cause of severe liver injury, enabling effective therapy when available and helping reduce the risk of progression to ALF and the need for liver transplantation.

Giant invasive spinal schwannoma (GISS) is a rare benign tumor that extends over two or more vertebral levels with myofascial invasion. No previous case of GISS with vertebral body collapse has been reported. A 44-year-old man presented with a one-year history of progressive limb weakness and difficulty with defecation. He was initially misdiagnosed with a metastatic spinal tumor. Imaging revealed a large extradural mass with C4 vertebral body collapse. Histological examination of tumor tissue from both operations confirmed the diagnosis of schwannoma. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient’s limb weakness gradually improved. One year after surgery, the patient was able to walk and write independently. Muscle strength recovered to 4/5 in the upper extremities and 5/5 in the lower extremities, with a modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association score of 15/15. The patient’s neurological function improved significantly, and one-year follow-up showed no recurrence and stable spinal fixation. Currently, the patient’s bowel function has improved; however, the patient still requires defecation in bed. When magnetic resonance imaging reveals giant spinal tumors with imaging features suggestive of malignancy, GISS should be considered. Preoperative biopsy is essential for accurate diagnosis.