Perinatal complications and neonatal outcomes in in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a propensity score matching cohort study.

Background: The utilization of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) has witnessed a significant increase in recent years. However, the comparative perinatal and neonatal outcomes compared to natural pregnancies are unclear. This study aims to compare the outcomes of pregnancies from IVF and ICSI with natural pregnancies. Methods: This retrospective, propensity score-matched cohort study was conducted at the First People's Hospital of Shangqiu and The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, involving 5,628 patients from February 2019 to December 2022. It compared pregnancies achieved through IVF/ICSI with those conceived naturally. The primary outcomes assessed were perinatal complications and neonatal health parameters. Propensity score matching and multivariate logistic regression analysis were employed to adjust for potential confounders and identify independent associations. Results: After propensity score matching, the IVF/ICSI group demonstrated significantly higher rates of placental adherence (12.1% vs. 7.4%, p < 0.001) and postpartum hemorrhage (11.1% vs. 7.6%, p = 0.002) compared to the NP group. Neonates in the IVF/ICSI group had a lower gestational age (38.21 ± 2.12 weeks vs. 38.63 ± 2.29 weeks, p < 0.001), reduced birth weight (3159.42 ± 722.75 g vs. 3211.31 ± 624.42 g, p = 0.032), and an increased preterm delivery rate (11.2% vs. 8.9%, p = 0.017). Multivariate analysis further confirmed these findings, highlighting the independent associations between IVF/ICSI and these adverse outcomes. Conclusion: This study suggests a potential correlation between the use of IVF/ICSI and unfavorable perinatal and neonatal outcomes. These findings underscore the critical need for ongoing monitoring and research efforts to enhance the safety and effectiveness of these reproductive technologies.

Josephson Diode Effect in Parallel-Coupled Double-Quantum Dots Connected to Unalike Majorana Nanowires.

We study theoretically the Josephson diode effect (JDE) when realized in a system composed of parallel-coupled double-quantum dots (DQDs) sandwiched between two semiconductor nanowires deposited on an s-wave superconductor surface. Due to the combined effects of proximity-induced superconductivity, strong Rashba spin-orbit interaction, and the Zeeman splitting inside the nanowires, a pair of Majorana bound states (MBSs) may possibly emerge at opposite ends of each nanowire. Different phase factors arising from the superconductor substrate can be generated in the coupling amplitudes between the DQDs and MBSs prepared at the left and right nanowires, and this will result in the Josephson current. We find that the critical Josephson currents in positive and negative directions are different from each other in amplitude within an oscillation period with respect to the magnetic flux penetrating through the system, a phenomenon known as the JDE. It arises from the quantum interference effect in this double-path device, and it can hardly occur in the system of one QD coupled to MBSs. Our results also show that the diode efficiency can reach up to 50%, but this depends on the overlap amplitude between the MBSs, as well as the energy levels of the DQDs adjustable by gate voltages. The present model is realizable within current nanofabrication technologies and may find practical use in the interdisciplinary field of Majorana and Josephson physics.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in urinary tract infections identification and prediction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) have been one of the most common bacterial infections in clinical practice worldwide. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) based algorithms have been increasingly applied in UTI case identification and prediction. However, the overall performance of AI/ML algorithms in identifying and predicting UTI has not been evaluated. The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively evaluate the application value of AI/ML in identifying and predicting UTI cases. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and PubMed databases were systematically searched for articles published up to December 31, 2023. Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool (QUADAS-2) and Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST) were used to assess the risk of bias. Study characteristics and detailed algorithm information were extracted. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were synthesized using a bivariate mix-effects model. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were conducted to test the source of heterogeneity. RESULTS: In total, 11 studies with 14 AI/ML models were included in the final meta-analysis. The overall pooled AUC was 0.89 (95%CI 0.86-0.92). Additionally, the pooled Sen, Spe, PLR, NLR, and DOR were 0.78 (95%CI 0.71-0.84), 0.89 (95%CI 0.83-0.93), 6.99 (95%CI 4.38-11.14), 0.25 (95%CI 0.18-0.34) and 28.07 (95%CI 14.27-55.20), respectively. The results of meta-regression suggested that reference standard definitions might be the source of heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: AI/ML algorithms appear to be promising to help clinicians detect and identify patients at high risk of UTIs. However, further studies are demanded to evaluate the application value of AI/ML more thoroughly.

Cellular and molecular landscape of primary dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: Insights from single-cell RNA sequencing analysis.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare cutaneous sarcoma characterized by the COL1A1-PDGFB fusion gene. This study utilized single-cell RNA sequencing to dissect the cellular and molecular landscape of primary DFSP. Distinct DFSP cell clusters, exhibiting fibroblast-like traits, revealed variations in pathways associated with proliferation, inflammation and metabolism. Differential gene expression analysis during the differentiation from tumour stem cells to DFSP cells unveiled SMOC2, DCN and TGFBR3 as potential regulators of tumour invasion and immune infiltration through VEGF/TGF-ß signalling modulation. Cellular communication analysis highlighted interactions within DFSP cell clusters and with endothelial cells, implicating molecules such as NAMPT, ANGPT2 and PTN in pathogenesis and treatment resistance. These findings offer insights into DFSP intratumour heterogeneity, elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying tumour behaviour, and suggest potential therapeutic targets.

Quantum Transport through a Quantum Dot Coupled to Majorana Nanowire and Two Ferromagnets with Noncollinear Magnetizations.

We study the electron tunneling (ET) and local Andreev reflection (AR) processes in a quantum dot (QD) coupled to the left and right ferromagnetic leads with noncollinear ferromagnetisms. In particular, we consider that the QD is also side-coupled to a nanowire hosting Majorana bound states (MBSs) at its ends. Our results show that when one mode of the MBSs is coupled simultaneously to both spin-up and spin-down electrons on the QD, the height of the central peak is different from that if the MBS is coupled to only one spin component electrons. The ET and AR conductances, which are mediated by the dot-MBS hybridization, strongly depend on the angle between the left and right magnetic moments in the leads. Interaction between the QD and the MBSs will result in sign change of the angle-dependent tunnel magnetoresistance. This is very different from the case when the QD is coupled to regular fermonic mode, and can be used for detecting the existence of MBSs, a current challenge in condensed matter physics under extensive investigations.

Association between body mass index and lymph node metastasis among women with cervical cancer: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Lymph node status is a determinant of survival in patients with early-stage cervical cancer. However, the relationship between obesity and lymph node status remains unclear. Therefore, this systematic review aims to evaluate the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and lymph node metastasis in cervical cancer. METHODS: Cohort studies through six databases were reviewed until December 2021. Odds ratios (ORs) for lymphatic metastasis were estimated using random-effects models and network meta-analysis. BMI groups for lymph node metastasis were ranked. Heterogeneities were assessed using I2. Subgroup analyses were performed to determine possible sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between obese (BMI ≥ 25) and non-obese patients (BMI < 25) (OR = 1.01; 95% CI 0.69-1.47; P = 0.97). In subgroup analyses, obesity was associated with higher risk among the Americans and advanced-stage patients. The grouping analysis based on BMI and the rankogram values revealed that the '35 ≤ BMI' group had the highest risk of lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSION: Although there were no significant differences in lymph node metastasis between obese and non-obese cervical cancer patients in overall analysis, patients with BMI ≥ 35 were at significantly higher risk of lymph node metastasis.

Selenium Status Associates with Thyroid Hormone and Thyroid Dysfunction in Older Chinese Adults.

Selenium (Se) is physiologically essential for thyroid function. However, epidemiological studies on the association between Se status and thyroid function are limited and the results are inconsistent. Therefore, we explored this association in an elderly Chinese population sample. Participants in the cross-sectional study were people aged 65 years or older who provided fingernail and whole blood samples. Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism were defined by serum thyroid hormones concentrations, including thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total triiodothyronine (TT3), total thyroxine (TT4), free thyroxine (FT3), and free thyrotropin (FT4). Significant positive association was observed between whole blood and fingernail Se concentrations (r = 0.672, P < 0.001). Compared with the lowest Se quartile (Q1), the other fingernail Se quartile groups had lower TSH, higher FT3 and FT4 levels, and Q2 had higher TT3 levels after adjusting for covariates; the other whole blood Se quartile groups had lower TSH levels, Q2 had higher FT3, FT4 and TT3 levels, Q3 had higher FT3 levels, and Q4 had higher FT4 levels after adjusting for covariates. Compared with Q1, the adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) of hypothyroidism for Q4 of whole blood Se was 0.141 (0.029,0.675), and the adjusted OR (95%CIs) of hyperthyroidism for Q2 and Q3 of fingernail Se were 4.121 (1.233,13.733) and 3.614 (1.095,11.926). Higher Se levels were significantly associated with lower TSH levels and higher levels of TT3, FT3 and FT4. Meanwhile, higher Se levels were associated with lower risk of hypothyroidism and higher risk of hyperthyroidism.

Impact of processing on the sensitising capacity and cross-reactivity of cow's and camel milk proteins in a Brown Norway rat study.

Infant formulas based on hydrolysed cow's milk proteins are used when breastfeeding is not feasible in cow's milk allergic infants. Camel milk has been shown to be well-tolerated by the majority of children with cow's milk allergy (CMA) and may be a substitute in management of CMA. Here we aimed to evaluate the impact of processing on immunogenicity, sensitising, antibody-binding and cross-reactive capacity of cow's and camel milk. Cow's and camel milk were processed by means of enzyme hydrolysis or heat treatment. Brown Norway rats were immunised with PBS, non-processed, enzyme hydrolysed or heat-treated cow's or camel milk. In vivo tests were performed for evaluation of clinical signs. Blood and faecal samples were analysed for levels and specificity of antibody responses. Cow's and camel milk showed similar sensitising capacity. Processing decreased the sensitising capacity of cow's milk, yet only enzyme hydrolysis but not heat treatment decreased the sensitising capacity of camel milk. Processing affected the specificity of antibodies raised in the rats, though the effect differed between cow's and camel milk. The study showed a low cross-reactivity between cow's and camel milk, which was decreased with processing, suggesting that processing of camel milk may improve its usefulness in CMA management.

Impact of the Pre-Dehydration and Drying Methods on the Mass Transfer and Quality Attributes of Yak Milk Casein.

Drying is an important preservation method of casein. Traditional natural draining and drying processes have low efficiency, long processing time, and poor product quality, which urgently need to be improved. This study investigated the effects of pre-dehydration intensities (30 N 30 min (PreD1) and 50 N 30 min (PreD2)) and drying methods (including pulsed vacuum drying (PVD), infrared drying (IRD), and hot air drying (HAD)) on the drying kinetics, drying modeling, and quality of yak milk casein. These findings reveal that PreD2 and PVD both had a positive impact on shortening the drying time. Compared to other combined treatments, PreD2-PVD had the shortest drying time of 6 h. The Midilli-Kucuk mathematical model effectively predicted the drying of casein. The yak milk casein powder treated with PreD2-PVD possessed a higher content of gross compositions, superior color, lower levels of fat oxidation and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), and higher emulsifying activity index (EAI) and emulsion stability index (ESI) values. Overall, combining pre-dehydration with PVD proved effective in improving the drying rate and maintaining a good quality of yak milk casein, showing promising potential for industrial applications.

Travel Distance to Hospital Is Associated With Self-Harm Hospital Presentation But Not Suicide.

Background: Travel distance to hospital emergency departments (EDs) may be a more influential factor in the spatial variation in hospital-presenting self-harm than for suicide deaths. Aims: We investigated the associations of travel distance to the nearest ED with self-harm hospital presentations and suicides in a large city in Taiwan. Method: Data for self-harm and suicide were extracted from Taiwan's National Suicide Surveillance System (2012-2016). Results: Adjusted analyses using Bayesian hierarchical models showed that a longer travel distance to the nearest hospital ED was associated with lower self-harm hospital presentation rates but not suicide rates. Limitations: This is an ecological study; the area-level associations could not be directly implied at the individual level. Conclusion: Living in remote neighborhoods could be a barrier to seeking medical help after self-harm, and this has implications for suicide, surveillance, prevention and intervention strategies.

Hypertension and hyperglycaemia are positively correlated with local invasion of early cervical cancer.

Background: Metabolic disorders are involved in the development of numerous cancers, but their association with the progression of cervical cancer is unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between metabolic disorders and the pathological risk factors and survival in patients with early cervical cancer. Methods: Patients with FIGO IB1 (2009) primary cervical cancer who underwent radical hysterectomy and systematic pelvic lymph node dissection at our institution from October 2014 to December 2017 were included retrospectively. Clinical data regarding the metabolic syndrome and surgical pathology of the patient were collected. The correlations between metabolic disorders (hypertension, hyperglycemia, and obesity) and clinicopathological characteristics as well as survival after surgery were analyzed. Results: The study included 246 patients with clinical IB1 cervical cancer, 111 (45.1%) of whom had at least one of the comorbidities of hypertension, obesity, or hyperglycemia. Hypertension was positively correlated with parametrial invasion and poorly differentiated histology; hyperglycemia was positively correlated with stromal invasion; obesity was negatively associated with lymph node metastasis; but arbitrary disorder did not show any correlation with pathologic features. Hypertension was an independent risk factor for parametrial invasion (OR=6.54, 95% CI: 1.60-26.69); hyperglycemia was an independent risk factor for stromal invasion (OR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.07-3.95); and obesity was an independent protective factor for lymph node metastasis (OR=0.07, 95% CI: 0.01-0.60). Moreover, the patients with hypertension had a significantly lower 5-year OS rate (70.0% vs. 95.3%, P<0.0001) and a significantly lower 5-year PFS rate than those without hypertension (70.0% vs. 91.2%, P=0.010). Conclusion: Hypertension and hyperglycemia are positively associated with local invasion of early cervical cancer, which need to be verified in multi-center, large scale studies.

Intentions to Help People at Risk of Suicide and Associated Factors: A National Telephone Survey in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE: Many people at risk of suicide do not actively seek help. Suicide prevention efforts need to involve the general public to provide appropriate support to those in need. It is important to investigate the intention to help those at risk of suicide and the factors associated with helping intentions in the general population. We aimed to assess the intention to help people at risk and associated factors using a national representative sample. METHOD: We conducted a national telephone survey of 1,087 Taiwanese adults and collected data regarding participants' socio-demographic characteristics, mental health status, helping intentions, misconceptions about suicide, and attitudes toward suicide and suicide prevention. RESULTS: The prevalence of high intentions to help people at risk of suicide was 56.5%. Helping intentions did not differ by sex, educational level, employment status, marital status, or mental health status. Those with high helping intentions were younger, less likely to have misconceptions about suicide or agree that suicide is a personal choice, and more likely to believe that suicide is preventable and support suicide prevention measures. CONCLUSIONS: Suicide prevention education programs aimed to enhance helping intentions may usefully target debunking misconceptions about suicide and cultivating positive attitudes toward suicide prevention.

The prevalence of high intentions to help people at risk of suicide was 56.5%.Individuals with high intentions to help were less likely to hold misconceptions about suicide.Individuals with high intentions to help were less likely to believe that suicide is a personal choice.

Thermophase Seebeck Coefficient in Hybridized Superconductor-Quantum-Dot-Superconductor Josephson Junction Side-Coupled to Majorana Nanowire.

The dc Josephson current is generated from phase difference between two superconductors separated by a mesoscopic thin film (Josephson junction) without external bias voltage. In the presence of a temperature gradient across the superconductors, a thermal phase is induced under the condition of open circuit. This is very similar to the Seebeck effect in the usual thermoelectric effect, and the thermal phase is thus named as thermophase Seebeck coefficient (TPSC). Here we find obvious enhancement and sign change of the TPSC unique to the Josephson junction composing of two superconductors connected to a semiconductor quantum dot (QD), which is additionally side-coupled to a nanowire hosting Majorana bound states (MBSs), the system denoted by S-MQD-S. These result arise from the newly developed states near the Fermi level of the superconductors due to the QD-MBS hybridization when the dot level is within the superconducting gap. The sign change of the TPSC provides a strong evidence of the existence of MBSs, and is absent if the QD is coupled to regular fermion, such as another QD (system denoted by S-DQD-S). We show that the magnitude and sign of the TPSC are sensitive to the physical quantities including interaction strength between the QD and MBSs, direct overlap between the MBSs, system equilibrium temperature, as well as hopping amplitude between the QD and the superconductors. The obtained results are explained with the help of the current-carrying density of the states (CCDOS), and may be useful in interdisciplinary research areas of Josephson and Majorana physics.

HLA-DR Helps to Differentiate Erythrodermic Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma from Erythrodermic Inflammatory Dermatoses in Flow Cytometry.

Differential diagnosis of erythroderma is challenging in dermatology, especially in differentiating erythrodermic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma from erythrodermic inflammatory dermatoses. This study retrospectively reviewed the peripheral blood flow cytometric results of 73 patients diagnosed with erythroderma at Peking University First Hospital from 2014 to 2019. The flow cytometry antibody panel included white blood cell markers, T-cell markers, B-cell markers, T-cell activation markers, and T helper cell differentiation markers. Features of the cell surface antigens were compared between 34 patients with erythrodermic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and 39 patients with erythrodermic inflammatory dermatoses. The percentage of HLA-DR+/CD4+T cells was the most pronounced marker to distinguish erythrodermic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma from erythrodermic inflammatory dermatoses, with a threshold of 20.85% (sensitivity 96.77%, specificity 70.37%, p = 0.000, area under the curve (AUC) 0.882), suggesting its potential capability in the differential diagnosis of erythrodermic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma from erythrodermic inflammatory dermatoses. Moreover, in contrast to erythrodermic inflammatory dermatoses, the percentage of Th17 cells was significantly downregulated in erythrodermic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (p = 0.001), demonstrating a dysregulated immune environment in erythrodermic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Hyperprogression of cutaneous T cell lymphoma after anti-PD-1 treatment.

BACKGROUNDImmune checkpoint blockade is an emerging treatment for T cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (T-NHL), but some patients with T-NHL have experienced hyperprogression with undetermined mechanisms upon anti-PD-1 therapy.METHODSSingle-cell RNA-Seq, whole-genome sequencing, whole-exome sequencing, and functional assays were performed on primary malignant T cells from a patient with advanced cutaneous T cell lymphoma who experienced hyperprogression upon anti-PD-1 treatment.RESULTSThe patient was enrolled in a clinical trial of anti-PD-1 therapy and experienced disease hyperprogression. Single-cell RNA-Seq revealed that PD-1 blockade elicited a remarkable activation and proliferation of the CD4+ malignant T cells, which showed functional PD-1 expression and an exhausted status. Further analyses identified somatic amplification of PRKCQ in the malignant T cells. PRKCQ encodes PKCθ; PKCθ is a key player in the T cell activation/NF-κB pathway. PRKCQ amplification led to high expressions of PKCθ and p-PKCθ (T538) on the malignant T cells, resulting in an oncogenic activation of the T cell receptor (TCR) signaling pathway. PD-1 blockade in this patient released this signaling, derepressed the proliferation of malignant T cells, and resulted in disease hyperprogression.CONCLUSIONOur study provides real-world clinical evidence that PD-1 acts as a tumor suppressor for malignant T cells with oncogenic TCR activation.TRIAL REGISTRATIONClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03809767).FUNDINGThe National Natural Science Foundation of China (81922058), the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (T2125002), the National Science and Technology Major Project (2019YFC1315702), the National Youth Top-Notch Talent Support Program (283812), and the Peking University Clinical Medicine plus X Youth Project (PKU2019LCXQ012) supported this work.

Single-cell transcriptomics links malignant T cells to the tumor immune landscape in cutaneous T cell lymphoma.

Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) represents a heterogeneous group of non-Hodgkin lymphoma distinguished by the presence of clonal malignant T cells. The heterogeneity of malignant T cells and the complex tumor microenvironment remain poorly characterized. With single-cell RNA analysis and bulk whole-exome sequencing on 19 skin lesions from 15 CTCL patients, we decipher the intra-tumor and inter-lesion diversity of CTCL patients and propose a multi-step tumor evolution model. We further establish a subtyping scheme based on the molecular features of malignant T cells and their pro-tumorigenic microenvironments: the TCyEM group, demonstrating a cytotoxic effector memory T cell phenotype, shows more M2 macrophages infiltration, while the TCM group, featured by a central memory T cell phenotype and adverse patient outcome, is infiltrated by highly exhausted CD8+ reactive T cells, B cells and Tregs with suppressive activities. Our results establish a solid basis for understanding the nature of CTCL and pave the way for future precision medicine for CTCL patients.

PEG10 amplification at 7q21.3 potentiates large-cell transformation in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, undergo large-cell transformation (LCT) in the late stage, manifesting aggressive behavior, resistance to treatments, and poor prognosis, but the mechanisms involved remain unclear. To identify the molecular driver of LCT, we collected tumor samples from 133 MF patients and performed whole-transcriptome sequencing on 49 advanced-stage MF patients, followed by integrated copy number inference and genomic hybridization. Tumors with LCT showed unique transcriptional programs and enriched expressions of genes at chr7q. Paternally expressed gene 10 (PEG10), an imprinted gene at 7q21.3, was ectopically expressed in malignant T cells from LCT, driven by 7q21.3 amplification. Mechanistically, aberrant PEG10 expression increased cell size, promoted cell proliferation, and conferred treatment resistance by a PEG10/KLF2/NF-κB axis in in vitro and in vivo models. Pharmacologically targeting PEG10 reversed the phenotypes of proliferation and treatment resistance in LCT. Our findings reveal new molecular mechanisms underlying LCT and suggest that PEG10 inhibition may serve as a promising therapeutic approach in late-stage aggressive T-cell lymphoma.

High Expression of IKZF2 in Malignant T Cells Promotes Disease Progression in Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma.

Cutaneous T cell lymphoma is a generally indolent disease derived from skin-homing mature T cells. However, in advanced stages, cutaneous T cell lymphoma may manifest aggressive clinical behaviour and lead to a poor prognosis. The mechanism of disease progression in cutaneous T cell lymphoma remains unknown. This study, based on a large clinical cohort, found that IKZF2, an essential transcription factor during T cell development and differentiation, showed stage- dependent overexpression in the malignant T cells in mycosis fungoides lesions. IKZF2 is specifically over- expressed in advanced-stage mycosis fungoides lesions, and correlates with poor prognosis. Mechanistically, overexpression of IKZF2 promotes cutaneous T cell lymphoma progression via inhibiting malignant cell apoptosis and may contribute to tumour immune escape by downregulating major histocompatibility complex II molecules and up-regulating the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 by malignant T cells. These results demonstrate the important role of IKZF2 in high-risk cutaneous T cell lymphoma and pave the way for future targeted therapy.

A review of the study of active components and their pharmacology value in Lepidium meyenii (Maca).

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) contains several active components, including alkaloids, glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, polysaccharides, polyphenols, and sterols, which make it have the traditional therapeutic uses. In this paper, we summarized the analytical progress of the active components associated with alkaloids, polysaccharides, glucosinolates, sterols, free fatty acids, flavonoids, and natural phenols in Maca by mass spectrometry (MS). Due to the effect of color and type on active components in Maca, we summarized the study of quality evaluation about Maca according to the type and the content of active components such as glucosinolates, essential oils, macamides, and macaenes by MS. Additionally, the research on the change of active components in Maca at different growth stages by MS will be beneficial to full utilization of active components in Maca and other natural resources. We reviewed the study in the visible distribution of amino acids, amide alkaloids, imidazolium alkaloids, and saccharides in Maca by imaging mass spectrometry (IMS). We also reviewed the pharmacology value associated with improvement of reproductive function, anti-stress response, anti-osteoporosis, antitumor activity, clinical research and toxicity of Maca, and so forth. Nevertheless, due to individual differences and limitations of the subjects, further high-quality studies are needed to confirm the clinical efficacy of the plant.