Objectives The aim of this study was to study the relationship between silent cerebral ischemia (SCI) and mild cognitive impairment(MCI)in inpatients with nonvalvula atrial fibrillation (NAF) and those with sinus rhythm (SR) older than sixty. Methods Ninety-eight inpatients were enrolled from November 2014 to November 2015 in Hui?zhou Municipal Central Hospital: 45 patients with NAF and 53 with SR. All general clinical data was collected. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and brain MRI were used to assess the cognitive performance of patients within 1 weeks of admission. Results The MoCA scores were lower in patients with NAF than in those with SR[16(10,20) vs. 20 (15,23),P=0.006]. At least one foci of SCI was present in patients 80%with NAF and 52.8%with SR (NAF vs. SR, P=0.018).The rates of SCIs in the cortex/subcortex were higher in the NAF group than in the SR group (25.2%vs. 12.4%, P=0.017). Multivariate analysis showed that MoCA score were related to the degree of education in NAF patients and were related to age and education level in SR patients. Conclusions NAF is an independent risk factor for cognitive impair?ment in NAF patient and associated with the SCI present. Educational level is a factor affecting the cognitive function with elderly patients.

ObjectiveTo investigate the social and family support in the recrudescent schizophrenia. MethodsThe Social Support Scale and The Family Environment Scale were adopted in the 71 patients with recrudescent schizophrenia. Other 49 non-recrudescent patients were adopted as control. ResultsAs compared with controls, the scores of recrudescent schizophrenia in external support, social support, familiarity and expressiveness were obviously lower, while the scores of the conflict and the control were higher. Logistic regression showed the familiarity was the protective factor, while conflict and control were risk factors of recrudescence. ConclusionThe patients with recrudescent schizophrenia get lower social and family support which might play an important role in the recrudesce of the schizophrenia.

Objective To investigate the changes of immunity in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated by high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). Methods HIFU system was used to treat 21 patients with mid-advanced HCC. The blood tests of cellular and humoral immunity related indexes were made before and on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st day following the sonication. The histological changes of the target lesions were observed by light and electron microscope for the cases undergoing second stage operation. Results Light and electron microscope all revealed that HIFU could lead to irreversible changes in the tumor cells of the target lesions. There were not significant differences between the values of CD 3, CD 4, CD 8, CD 16, IgG, IgA, IgM,etc. before and after the ablation. Conclusions HIFU could destroy the tissues of HCC effectively. HIFU could not change the immunity of the patients with mid-advanced HCC remarkably. It may be ideal to unite immunotherapy and the other methods to get a sound clinical prognosis for HCC patients.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of STAF (score for the targeting of atrial fibrillation) score for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) in patients with recurrent acute ischemic stroke.Methods:Consecutive patients with recurrent acute ischemic stroke hospitalized in the Department of Neurology, Huizhou Municipal Central Hospital from January 2014 to January 2020 were enrolled retrospectively. All patients were divided into a sinus rhythm (SR) group and a PAF group. PAF was defined as no PAF during the last stroke hospitalization or after discharge, and PAF was found by routine ECG, ambulatory ECG or long-term ECG monitoring after this recurrent acute ischemic stroke. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent related factors of PAF in patients with recurrent acute ischemic stroke. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of STAF for PAF in patients with recurrent acute ischemic stroke. Results:A total of 234 patients with recurrent acute ischemic stroke were enrolled, including 174 males (74.4%), aged 67.15±10.63 years, and 199 (85.0%) in the SR group and 35 (15.0%) in the PAF group. Univariate analysis showed that the proportion of patients in age >62 years old (94.3% vs. 63.8%; χ2=12.777, P<0.001) and left atrial enlargement (54.3% vs. 11.1%; χ2=40.379, P<0.001) of the PAF group was significantly higher than those of the SR group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age (odd ratio [ OR] 1.071, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.028-1.114; P=0.001) or age >62 years ( OR 17.512, 95% CI 2.881-106.453; P=0.002), left atrial enlargement ( OR 17.511, 95% CI 6.298-48.687; P<0.001), absence of vascular etiology ( OR 8.562, 95% CI 2.534-28.923; P=0.001), STAF score ( OR 2.715, 95% CI 1.969-3.744; P<0.001) and STAF score ≥5 ( OR 12.714, 95% CI 5.636-28.681; P<0.001) were independently associated with PAF. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of STAF for predicting PAF in patients with recurrent acute ischemic stroke was 0.848 (95% CI 0.779-0.917), and the sensitivity and specificity of STAF ≥5 for predicting PAF were 58.1% and 89.4%, respectively; the area under the curve for predicting PAF in patients with recurrent ischemic stroke of undetermined cause was 0.809 (95% CI 0.663-0.956), and the sensitivity and specificity of STAF ≥5 for predicting PAF were 53.8% and 91.3%, respectively. Conclusions:PAF is likely to exist in patients with recurrent acute ischemic stroke and aged >62 years, left atrial enlargement and absence of vascular etiology. STAF has medium predictive value for PAF in patients with recurrent acute ischemic stroke, but the sensitivity is not high.

Osteosarcoma (OS) stood as the most prevalent primary malignant bone tumor among children and adolescents, characterized by its aggressive nature and high propensity for metastasis, thus earning its classification as a highly malignant disease. The primary routes of metastasis in osteosarcoma encompassed hematogenous dissemination (the most common metastasis was lung metastasis) and lymph node involvement, with lymph node metastasis carrying a notably poorer prognosis when contrasted with lung metastasis. However, it was noteworthy that, at that time, clinical practice often overlooked the crucial aspect of conducting regional lymph node screening for newly diagnosed osteosarcoma patients, and there remained a dearth of standardized treatment protocols for osteosarcoma lymph node metastasis. The intricate mechanisms at the heart of osteosarcoma lymph node metastasis primarily revolved around the infiltration of lymphatic vessels by osteosarcoma cells possessing metastatic capabilities and the induction of lymphatic vessel formation by these cells. Nevertheless, it was imperative to underscore that our understanding of the comprehensive mechanisms underpinning the initiation and progression of these processes still remained incomplete. Moreover, following the adaptive proliferation of osteosarcoma cells within regional lymph nodes, there existed a complex biological process that involved a myriad of cytokines and signaling pathways. This process facilitated the metastasis of osteosarcoma cells to distant target organs, most notably the lungs, by virtue of the intimate anatomical relationships between the lymphatic and circulatory systems. Consequently, that comprehensive review sought to provide an all-encompassing exposition on various facets of osteosarcoma lymph node metastasis. These facets included the direct invasion of surrounding lymphatic vessels by osteosarcoma cells, the osteosarcoma cell-induced development of lymphatic vessels through the VEGFC/VEGFR-3 signaling axis, the remodeling of the lymph node microenvironment by osteosarcoma cells via Hsp5B and the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway to ensure their adaptation and survival, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of osteosarcoma cells promoting metastasis from lymph nodes to the lung, and the utilization of small-molecule compounds in the battle against osteosarcoma lymph node metastasis. The aim was to provide a comprehensive and systematic elucidation of the intricate mechanisms governing osteosarcoma lymph node metastasis and to furnish invaluable insights for the development of therapeutic strategies.

Objective To analyze and assess the postoperative motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) by surface electromyography (sEMG) and joint angle. Methods Sixteen children with SCP were involved in this study. The sEMG of rectus femoris, biceps femoris, semitendinosus, tibialis anterior, lateral gastrocnemius and medial gastrocnemius muscles and joint angles of the hip, knee and ankle during straight walking were collected preoperatively and postoperatively. In every gait phase, the mean values of joint angles, root mean square and integrated electromyography of sEMG were calculated, to evaluate muscle strength and muscular tension quantitatively. Results The muscle tension of lower limbs was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The muscle strength of rectus femoris and biceps femoris was decreased in the swing phase. At the midswing and terminal swing phase, the strength of tibialis anterior increased significantly (P<0.05). The flexion angle of hip and knee decreased significantly (P<0.05). The dorsiflexion angle of ankle increased significantly (P<0.05), and the varus angle decreased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusions After operation, the crouching gait and clubfoot were improved positively. Therefore, the motor function of children was improved. Combining sEMG and joint angle can evaluate the muscle function of patients quantitatively, and it also can provide references for clinical diagnosis.

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect and safety of long-acting pegylated interferon-α-2b (Peg-IFN-α-2b) (Y shape, 40 kD) injection (180 μg/week) in the treatment of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, with standard-dose Peg-IFN-α-2a as positive control. Methods: This study was a multicenter, randomized, open-label, and positive-controlled phase III clinical trial. Eligible HBeAg-positive CHB patients were screened out and randomized to Peg-IFN-α-2b (Y shape, 40 kD) trial group and Peg-IFN-α-2a control group at a ratio of 2:1. The course of treatment was 48 weeks and the patients were followed up for 24 weeks after drug withdrawal. Plasma samples were collected at screening, baseline, and 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 weeks for centralized detection. COBAS® Ampliprep/COBAS® TaqMan® HBV Test was used to measure HBV DNA level by quantitative real-time PCR. Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay with Elecsys kit was used to measure HBV markers (HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe). Adverse events were recorded in detail. The primary outcome measure was HBeAg seroconversion rate after the 24-week follow-up, and non-inferiority was also tested. The difference in HBeAg seroconversion rate after treatment between the trial group and the control group and two-sided confidence interval (CI) were calculated, and non-inferiority was demonstrated if the lower limit of 95% CI was > -10%. The t-test, chi-square test, or rank sum test was used according to the types and features of data. Results: A total of 855 HBeAg-positive CHB patients were enrolled and 820 of them received treatment (538 in the trial group and 282 in the control group). The data of the full analysis set showed that HBeAg seroconversion rate at week 72 was 27.32% in the trial group and 22.70% in the control group with a rate difference of 4.63% (95% CI -1.54% to 10.80%, P = 0.1493). The data of the per-protocol set showed that HBeAg seroconversion rate at week 72 was 30.75% in the trial group and 27.14% in the control group with a rate difference of 3.61% (95% CI -3.87% to 11.09%, P = 0.3436). 95% CI met the non-inferiority criteria, and the trial group was non-inferior to the control group. The two groups had similar incidence rates of adverse events, serious adverse events, and common adverse events. Conclusion In Peg-IFN-α regimen for HBeAg-positive CHB patients, the new drug Peg-IFN-α-2b (Y shape, 40 kD) has comparable effect and safety to the control drug Peg-IFN-α-2a.