Objective To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of donepezil in treating patients with Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods Totally 86 patients with AD were randomly divided into control group(n =43)and treatment group(n =43).The control grou,p received conventional therapy with aniracetam,nimoldipine and ginkgo tablet,while the study group was administrated with donepezil(10 mg/d)on the basis of conventional therapy.The improvements of recognitive ability,mental state,activities of daily life were graded by mini-mental state examination (MMSE),Alzheimer's disease assessment scale-cog(ADAS-cog),activity of daily living(ADL)and global deterioration scale(GDS).The scores were compared between the groups before the treatment and 3,6,12,18,24,30,36,42,48,54,60,66 and 72 months after the treatment,respectively.Results The scores of MMSE,ADAS-cog and GDS after 3 months and ADL score after 6 months (t=2.361,-2.198,-1.790,-2.420,P＜0.05 or P＜0.01)were improved in treatment group than in control group with the best effects at 12 months(all P＜0.01)and the scores continued to decrease after 36 months.At 72 months,the score improvements in treatment group were 7.5 for MMSE,20.3 for ADAS-cog,19.5 for ADL,and 1.4 for GDS as compared with control group(all P ＜0.01).In contrast to pretreatment,there were statistically significant differences in the scores of MMSE,ADAS-cog and GDS at 3,6,12,18 and 24 months,and in the score of ADL at 6,12,18,24 and 30 months after treatment(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The differences in the scores of ADAS-cog and GDS after 24 months as well as MMSE and ADL after 30 months were not found(P＞0.05)between pre-treatment and post-treatment.Conclusions Donepezil might be long term effective and safe in slowing down the recognitive and overall function deterioration of AD.

Aim To study the relationship between the expressions of Fas,Fas-L and the spontaneous apoptosis of thymocytes in vitro. Methods The expressions of Fas,Fas-L and the apoptotic rate of thymocytes were assayed by flow cytometry. Results The apoptosis and the Fas expression of thymocytes of different culture times in vitro were increased time-dependently in vitro. The Fas-L expression of thymocytes cultured for 24 h was also significant increase. There was significant corelation between the increase of Fas expression and the increase of apoptosis of thymocytes in vitro. Conclusion Fas is an important molecule which mediates spontaneous apoptosis of thymocytes cultured in vitro.

Abstract: Objective　To analyze the clinical characteristics of children with lobar pneumonia and the distribution of pathogens in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collected from these patients, hence providing a scientific basis for their precise diagnosis and treatment. Methods　A total of 115 children diagnosed with lobar pneumonia from August 2019 to August 2022 at Suining Central Hospital were screened as the research subjects. The clinical manifestations and occurrence of complications in the patients were investigated. All the children underwent bronchoalveolar lavage after admission, and BALF samples were collected. Fluorescence quantitative PCR was adopted to detect and analyze the distribution and clinical characteristics of Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) and other related pathogenic microorganisms in BALF specimens. Results Among the 115 pediatric patients with lobar pneumonia, the occurrence of manifestations or complications including involvement of ≥2 lung lobes, myocardial damage, pleural effusion, abnormal liver function, digestive system involvement, nervous system involvement, rash, renal function impairment, and lung atelectasis were observed in 46, 46, 39, 33, 18, 17, 11, 5, and 4 cases, respectively. The pathogen positivity rate in the BALF samples of the 115 patients was 87.0% (100/115), with 81 cases of single infection and 19 cases of mixed infection. A total of 121 strains of pathogens were isolated, including 83 strains of Mycoplasmal pneumonia (MP) (accounting for 68.6%) and SP(13.2%). The differences in the detection rates of HI, MP, RSV strains among different age groups were statistically significant (χ2=8.834, 19.454, 10.284, P<0.05), while the differences in the infection rates of SP, KP, CP, and ADV were not statistically significant (χ2=3.393, 2.67, 0.565, 0.097, P>0.05). The MP pneumonia group showed significantly higher incidence of complications such as pleural effusion, nervous system involvement, and abnormal liver function than the non-MP pneumonia group (χ2=3.925, 4.195, and 4.513, P<0.05). The highest pathogen detection rate was in winter, accounting for 33.91%. Conclusions MP is the most common pathogen in BALF of children with lobar pneumonia. There is variation in the pathogen detection rate among different age groups and seasons. Those with combined infections were more prone to complications, which is worthy of attention by clinicians.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of different full spectrum light times in treating patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods A total of 127 AD patients with sleep disorder were randomly divided into a blank group (n=34),a 30 min group (n=31),a 60 min group (n=33) and a 120 min group (n=29).After one month treatment by 10 000 lux full spectrum fluorescent light,the improvements of sleep quality,excessive daytime sleepiness,cognitive ability,mental state,dementia degree were graded by Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PQSI),Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS),Neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI),mini-mental state examination (MMSE),global deterioration scale (GDS).The scores were compared among the groups before the treatment and after the treatment respectively.Results (1) Compared with before treatment,the scores of PQSI,ESS,NPI of the 30 min group,60min group and 120min group were statistically significant (in 30 min group 14.4 ±5.2vs 11.7±4.9,14.4±4.1 vs 11.8±3.7,14.2±1.3 vs 10.9±1.7,t=2.071,2.609,8.446.P=0.043,0.011,0.000; in 60 min group13.4±4.0 vs 8.1±3.7,14.5±3.0 vs 9.4±2.0,13.7±5.8 vs 8.7±4.3,t=5.650,8.209,3.902,all P＜0.01 ;in 120 min group 14.0±3.2 vs 7.0±2.3,14.7-±2.3 vs 7.0± 1.9,14.9±3.6 vs 8.1±3.7,t=9.474,13.926,7.062,all P＜0.01),but the scores of MMSE,GDS were not statistical significances(all P＞0.05).(2)Compared with the blank group,the scores of PQSI,ESS,NPI of 30 min group,60 min group and 120 min group were statistically significant (30 min group t=1.936,4.524,2.482,P=0.031,0.000,0.016.60 min group t=5.945,5.153,7.319,all P=0.000.120 min group t=7.896,6.767,10.776,all P=0.000), but the scores of MMSE,GDS were not statistical significances(all P＞0.05).(3)Compared with the 30 min group,the scores of PQSI,ESS,NPI of 60 min group and 120 min group were statistically significances (60 min group t =3.288,2.694,3.354,P=0.002,0.009,0.001.120 min group t=4.615,3.930,6.303,all P =0.000),the scores of MMSE,GDS were not statistical significances (all P＞0.05).Compared with the 60 min group,the scores of ESS of 120 min group was statistically significant(t=4.854,P=0.000),but the scores of PQSI,NPI,MMSE,GDS were not statistical significances (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion It is demonstrated good curative effects that light therapy treat patients on AD patients in the matter of sleep quality,excessive daytime sleepiness,mental state,but have not apparent effect for their cognitive ability and dementia degree.And the effect of light therapy with 60 or 120 minutes is better than that of 30 minute,illumination time of 120 minutes is superior to that of 60 minutes in improving excessive daytime sleepiness.Light therapy has no obvious impacts in the cognitive ability and the degree of dementia in the patients with AD and has not appear obvious adverse reaction in the process of treatment.

Objective:To investigate the correlation of sleep disorders(SD)with serum levels of amyloid β-proteins(Aβ 1-42)and tau phosphorylated at threonine(P-Tau 181)in patients with Alzheimer's disease(AD). Methods:A total of 126 patients with mild and moderate AD who met the inclusion criteria in the memory clinic, sleep clinic and geriatrics department of Jianghan Oilfield General Hospital affiliated to Yangtze University from February 2017 to January 2020 were included.The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)was used to evaluate sleep quality.Patients with PSQI scores ≥7 were included in the AD group with sleep disorders(AD-SD group), and patients with PSQI scores <7 were included in the AD group without sleep disorders(AD-NSD group). The Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA), Global Deterioration Scale(GDS), Clinical Dementia Rating(CDR), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression(HRSD)and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale(HAM-A)were used to evaluate cognitive and psychosocial symptoms.During the same time, biological markers such as serum Aβ 1-42, Aβ 1-40 and P-Tau 181 were detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Patients in the two groups received donepezil as an anti-dementia therapy, while the AD-SD group was treated additionally with a targeted sleep intervention.All patients underwent neuropsychological assessment and biochemical tests at enrollment and at the end of the 6th month, and results from all parameters at baseline and at the end of the 6th month were compared.At the end of the six-month treatment, patients in the AD-SD group were further divided into the recovery AD-SD sub-group and the no-recovery AD-SD sub-group based on the extent of sleep improvement. Results:Of the 126 AD patients, 93(73.8%)had sleep disorders.There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in gender, age, onset age, educational level, course of disease, CDR, GDS, MoCA, Aβ 1-40 or Aβ 1-42/Aβ 1-40(all P>0.05). The scores of PSQI, HRSD and HAM-A and serum levels of Aβ 1-42 and p-Tau 181 showed statistically significant differences between the AD-ND and AD-NSD groups( P<0.05 or P<0.01). At the end of the 6th month, the scores of PSQI, GDS, HRSD and HAM-A and levels of Aβ 1-42, Aβ 1-40, and P-Tau 181 also showed statistically significant differences between the AD-ND and AD-NSD groups( P<0.05 or P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in results from other parameters( P>0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that PSQI was correlated with HRSD( r=0.271, P=0.009), HAM-A( r=0.479, P=0.000), Aβ 1-42( r=0.470, P=0.000), Aβ 1-42/ Aβ 1-40( r=0.479, P=0.000)and P-Tau 181( r=0.371, P=0.000)in the AD-SD group at baseline.Multivariate Logistic regression model showed that serum Aβ 1-42 and P-Tau 181 levels and HRSD had predictive effects on changes in sleep quality in AD patients( OR=1.897, 1.269 and 1.889, P=0.000, 0.003 and 0.000). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves for Aβ 1-42, P-Tau 181 and HRSD were 0.926(95% CI: 0.860-0.991), 0.837(95% CI: 0.746-0.927)and 0.854(95% CI: 0.776-0.932), respectively. Conclusions:Sleep quality is correlated with serum Aβ 1-42and P-Tau 181 levels in AD patients.Elevated serum levels of Aβ 1-42 and P-Tau 181 and high HRSD scores are important predictors of SD in AD patients and may be used as indexes for clinical treatment efficacy.

BACKGROUNDTo investigate the origin of tumor blood vessel and blood supply during pulmonary carcinogenesis, and the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), its receptor Flk-1 and angiogenesis.

METHODSOne hundred Wistar rats were instilled with 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA) and diethylinitrosamine (DEN) to induce pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma through left lower lobe bronchus. To acquire different pathological phase during the carcinogenesis, rats were killed in 15, 35, 55, 65, 75 days after instillation. Yellow and green silastics were respectively injected into the bronchial and pulmonary arteries of 30 rats in 55, 65, 75 days after instillation. Intertumor microvessel density (MVD) was marked by anti-von Willebrand factor monoantibody. VEGF and Flk-1 expression were examined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSIn the tumor area the tumor blood vessels were yellow and connected with distorted bronchial artery and very few green incomplete branches of pulmonary artery were seen. Silastic particles could be seen in the disordered tumor blood vessels by microscope after bronchial artery perfusion. There was no silastic particles in the carcinoma interstitial blood vessels after pulmonary artery perfusion. MVD count significantly increased in carcinoma in situ (39.50±12.60) and infiltrative carcinoma (61.05±19.92) as compared to atypical hyperplasia (8.92±3.80)(both P < 0.01), and the increased vessels originated from bronchial artery, but not pulmonary artery. The expression of VEGF and Flk-1 increased during pulmonary carcinogenesis. The positive coefficients of VEGF and FLK-1 expressions became higher and higher from epithelial proliferation to squamous metaplasia, to atypical hyperplasia, to carcinoma in situ and finally to infiltrative carcinoma. There was significant correlation between MVD and VEGF expression (r=0.979 8, P < 0.005), as well as between MVD and Flk-1 expression (r=0.907 8, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAngiogenesis is the important phenomenon of the rat pulmonary carcinogenesis and the newly formed blood vessels in tumor connect with the branches of bronchial artery, but not pulmonary artery. This confirms that the blood supply of pulmonary carcinoma is from bronchial artery, not from pulmonary artery. VEGF and Flk-1 are closely related to angiogenesis of tumor.

Objective　To evaluate significance of squamous cell carcinoma associated antigen (SCC Ag) and carcinoembrynoic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) in early diagnosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma. Methods　Lung squamous cell carcinoma was induced with methylcholanthrene (MCA) in iodized oil in Wistar rats. Ninty-one rats were used for this experiment, and the rats were sacrificed on the 20th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th and 80th days respectively. The stage of the cancer development including atypical hyperplasia, carcinoma in situ, early invasive carcinoma was diagnosed histopathologically. SCC Ag, CEA and CA15-3 in the serum of different conceration stage rats were measured by MEIA technique. Results　Serum levels of SCC Ag, CEA and CA15-3 of the model rats in the atypical hyperplasia and carcinoma in situ had no significant difference. The level of SCC Ag increased predominantly at the early invasive carcinoma(P＜0.01), but the other two markers had no change. Conclusion　SCC Ag level in serum may be of considerable importance in the early diagnosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective To rapidly screen patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) infection including asymptomatic ones. Method Established a rapid detection test kit, and evaluated analytical and clinical performance of it. Result The minimum limit of detection of the reagent was 9.75×10² TCID₅₀/mL; there was no cross-reaction and interference in the high-concentration samples of 29 common respiratory pathogens tested. The diagnostic sensitivity of clinical samples was 98.56%, specificity was 99.00%, and the total coincidence rate was 98.85%; the consistency test Kappa value is 0.974 5. The stratified analysis of positive samples with different Ct values showed that the coincidence rate within each stratum was greater than 95%. Conclusion This COVID-19 antigen test kit with excellent detection performance, fast detection speed, and portable operation. It can be used as a supplementary method for existing nucleic acid detection methods for early screening of new coronavirus.
Humans ; COVID-19 ; COVID-19 Testing ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; SARS-CoV-2

Objective     To investigate the influence of prior percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on the outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods     Clinical data of 5 216 patients from Jiangsu Province CABG registry who underwent primary isolated CABG from 2016 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into a PCI group (n=673) and a non-PCI group (n=4 543) according to whether they had received PCI treatment. The PCI group included 491 males and 182 females, aged 62.6±8.2 years, and the non-PCI group included 3 335 males and 1 208 females, aged 63.7±8.7 years. Multivariable logistic regression and propensity score matching (PSM) were used to compare 30-day mortality, incidence of major complications and 1-year follow-up outcomes between the two groups. Results     Both in original cohort and matched cohort, there was no statistical difference in the 30-day mortality [14 (2.1%) vs. 77 (1.7%), P=0.579; 14 (2.1%) vs. 11 (1.6%), P=0.686], or the incidence of major complications (myocardial infarction, stroke, mechanical ventilation≥24 h, dialysis for new-onset renal failure, deep sternal wound infection and atrial fibrillation) (all P>0.05). The rate of reoperation for bleeding in the PCI group was higher than that in the non-PCI group [19 (2.8%) vs. 67 (1.5%), P=0.016; 19 (2.8%) vs. 7 (1.0%), P=0.029]. Both in original cohort and matched cohort, there was no statistical difference in 1-year survival rate between the two groups [613 (93.1%) vs. 4 225 (94.6%), P=0.119; 613 (93.1%) vs. 630 (95.2%), P=0.124], while the re-admission rate in the PCI group was significantly higher than that in the non-PCI group [32 (4.9%) vs. 113 (2.5%), P=0.001; 32 (4.9%) vs. 17 (2.6%), P=0.040]. Conclusion     This study shows that a history of PCI treatment does not significantly increase the perioperative mortality and major complications of CABG, but increases the rate of cardiogenic re-admission 1 year postoperatively.