Objective:To explore the relationship between depressive symptoms and filial piety in adult-child caregivers of disabled elderly,and the mediating effect of mutuality on the relationship.Methods:Totally 383 adult-child caregivers were assessed with the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale(CES-D),Dual Filial Piety Scale(DFPS)and Mutuality Scale(MS).The SPSS macro program Process was used to test the mediation model.Results:The CES-D scores were negatively correlated with the reciprocal filial piety scores and the MS scores(r=-0.49,-0.48,Ps＜0.01)and positively correlated with the authoritarian filial piety scores(r=0.37,P＜0.01).The MS scores were positively correlated with the reciprocal filial piety scores(r=0.76,P＜0.01),and negatively correlated with the authoritarian filial piety scores(r=-0.84,P＜0.01).Reciprocal filial piety scores were negatively associated with CES-D scores(β=-0.67).In addition,MS scores partly mediated the relationship between reciprocal filial piety scores and CES-D scores,the value of mediating effect was 22.89％.Conclusion:The depressive symptoms are correlated with filial piety and mutuality among adult-child caregivers of disabled eld-erly.

Objective:To investigate the effects of apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele on β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition in subcortical structures and functional connectivity (FC) between brain regions in patients with Alzheimer′s disease (AD). Methods:Forty-three patients with probable mild/moderate AD were prospectively enrolled from the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital between January 2023 and October 2023, including 23 APOE ε4+ patients (12 males and 11 females, age (74.8±8.4) years), 20 APOE ε4- patients (14 males and 6 females, age (77.6±8.9) years) and 20 normal cognitive volunteers (NC) (15 males and 5 females, age (75.3±6.2) years). All subjects underwent 11C-Pittsburgh compound B (PIB) PET/MR brain imaging. The differences of gray matter volume (GMV) in subcortical structures (hippocampus, amygdala) among the three groups were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and least significant difference (LSD) t test. Independent-sample t test and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyze difference in Aβ deposition between APOE ε4+ patients and APOE ε4- patients, and the correlation between subcortical structure and brain FC. Results:The GMV of bilateral amygdala between NC group and APOE ε4+ gene carrier group, and between APOE ε4+ and APOE ε4- gene carrier groups were significantly different ( F=6.43, P=0.002; P values: 0.002, 0.003). Significant difference of GMV was observed in the bilateral hippocampus among three groups ( F=5.34, P=0.030). Abnormal PIB uptake was detected in both the hippocampus and amygdala of both APOE ε4+ and APOE ε4- gene carrier groups, with a more pronounced effect observed in the APOE ε4+ group ( t values: 3.14, 2.19, P values: 0.032, 0.009). Taking the hippocampus as the seed point, there was no obvious abnormality in the whole brain connectivity map among APOE ε4+, APOE ε4- carriers and NC groups. With the amygdala as the seed point, the whole brain connectivity in the APOE ε4+ gene carrier group was significantly reduced, and the connectivity between the amygdala and the cingulate gyrus, parietal lobe and temporal lobe was significantly reduced in the APOE ε4+ gene carrier group compared with NC group, while the connectivity between the amygdala and the whole brain was not significantly reduced in the APOE ε4- gene carrier group. Aβ deposition in amygdala was positively correlated with FC coefficients of frontal brain regions, gyrus rectus, right middle occipital gyrus and left temporal lobe ( r values: 0.56-0.70, all P<0.05). Conclusion:APOE influences GMV and Aβ deposition of hippocampus and amygdala, and FC of amygdala, and may be involved in the pathological mechanism of cognitive impairment.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) and sub-endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (SERAT) for the treatment of acute appendicitis.Methods:The retrospective study was performed on consecutive patients who underwent SERAT (21 cases) and ERAT (30 cases) for acute appendicitis in Shandong Provincial Third Hospital from November 2021 to April 2023. Patient baseline information, clinical treatment, hospitalization costs, and hospital stay were analyzed, and complications and recurrence were followed up.Results:There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding age, gender, clinical manifestation, laboratory and imaging data, or Alvrrado score ( P>0.05). Compared with the ERAT group, the operation time was shorter in the SERAT group (23.6±10.1 min VS 44.8±18.8 min, t=4.679, P<0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups in stent implantation rate [61.9% (13/21) VS 70.0% (21/30), χ2=0.364, P=0.546], fecalith removal rate [38.1% (8/21) VS 33.3% (10/30), χ2=0.123, P=0.726], postoperative time for temperature (19, 2, 0 and 26, 3, 1 cases after 0 to 1 day, >1 to 3 days and >3 days, respectively, χ2=0.723, P=0.697) and white blood cell count normalization (20, 1, 0 and 27, 2, 1 cases after 0 to 1 day, >1 to 3 days and >3 days, respectively, χ2=0.813, P=0.666), proportion of visual analogue scale scores<3 at 6 hours after treatment [100.0% (21/21) VS 90.0% (27/30), χ2=2.231, P=0.135], length of hospital stay (3.4±1.2 days VS 4.5±2.9 days, t=1.579, P=0.121), hospitalization cost (15 393.0±4 352.5 yuan VS 17 836.0±5 134.6 yuan, t=1.777, P=0.082), or incidence of complications [0.0% (0/21) VS 0.0% (0/30), χ2=0.000, P=1.000]. The recurrence rate in SERAT group (0.0%, 0/21) was significantly lower than that in ERAT group (23.3%, 7/30) ( P=0.017). Conclusion:SERAT is a safe and effective minimally invasive approach for managing acute appendicitis, characterized by a shorter operation duration and a lower recurrence rate compared to ERAT.

Objective:To explore any effect of upper limb swing training guided by rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) on the walking ability of stroke survivors.Methods:Eighty stroke survivors were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group. Both groups received conventional rehabilitation treatment, including neuromuscular facilitation, muscle strength training, balance training and gait training, but the observation group was additionally provided with RAS-guided upper limb swing training for 20min once a day, 5d per week for 6 weeks. Before and after the intervention, balance and lower limb function were quantified in both groups using Holden′s walking function classification, the Fugl-Meyer lower extremity motor function scale (FMA-LE), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the 10m walk test (10MWT). Limits of stability were also quantified.Results:After the treatment, the average Holden, FMA-LE and BBS scores, as well as the average 10MWT time were significantly better in the observation group than in the control group. The average stability limits and their maintenance were also superior.Conclusion:RAS-guided upper limb swing training can improve the gait, walking ability, walking stability, walking speed and balance of stroke survivors.

Objective:To document any effect of clinical rehabilitation pathway management on intubation time, dysfunction and medical expenditure associated with tracheotomy after a stroke.Methods:A total of 154 stroke survivors undergoing tracheotomy were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 77. Both groups were given routine rehabilitation, while the observation group was additionally provided with clinical rehabilitation pathway management during the rehabilitation intervention. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed before the experiment and after 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment. Clinical pulmonary infection scores (CPISs), scores on the Chelsea Physical Function Assessment Scale (CPAx) and hospitalization cost were compared between the two groups.Results:The median extubation time of the observation group (2d) was significantly shorter than that of the control group (10d). After 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment, the average CPIS scores of the observation group were in each case significantly lower than those before treatment and the control group′s averages at the same time points, even though after 4 and 6 weeks of treatment the control group′s average CPIS scores had improved significantly. After 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment, the average CPAx scores of the observation group were significantly higher than those before treatment and better than the control group′s averages, even though the control group too had improved significantly compared with before the treatment. Hospitalization days, total hospitalization cost, antibiotic cost and laboratory examination cost of the observation group were, on average, significantly lower than those of the control group.Conclusion:Rehabilitation path management can shorten the period of intubation, prevent pulmonary infections, relieve dysfunction, and reduce medical expenses for stroke survivors after a tracheotomy. It is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective:To observe the effect of combining respiratory muscle training with occupational therapy in rehabilitating the upper limb function of stroke survivors.Methods:Fifty stroke survivors with upper limb dysfunction were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 25. Both groups were given routine rehabilitation treatment including proper positioning of the affected limb, physical therapy and motor function training. The observation group also received progressive resistance training of the inspiratory muscles and respiration control training combined with occupational therapy twice daily for 4 weeks. The trunk control test (TCT), Berg balance scale (BBS), Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Assessment (FMA-UE), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for the Hemiplegic Upper Limb and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) were used to assess the core stability, balance, upper limb functioning, upper limb muscle tension and ability in the activities of daily living of all of the subjects.Results:Before the treatment there were no significant differences in any of the indexes between the two groups. Afterward the average TCT, BBS, FMA-UE, ARAT, MAS and MBI scores of both groups had improved significantly, but the improvements were all significantly greater in the observation group.Conclusions:Combining respiratory muscle training with occupational therapy can further improve the function of the upper limbs and daily living ability beyond what is observed with traditional rehabilitation therapy after a stroke.

Objective:To observe any effect of supplementing breathing training with electromyographic biofeedback in treating the swallowing function soon after a cerebral infarction.Methods:A total of 96 cerebral infarction survivors with dysphagia were randomly divided into a control group, a biofeedback group and a comprehensive treatment group, each of 32. All received conventional rehabilitation treatment for dysphagia, while the biofeedback group was additionally provided with EMG biofeedback training and the comprehensive treatment group received both breathing training and the biofeedback training. Before and after 6 weeks of treatment, all were subjected to a swallowing contrast examination to observe the opening of the upper esophageal sphincter, the forward displacement of the hyoid bone, and the upward displacement of the hyoid bone. The Rosenbak Penetration-Aspiration Scale and Functional Imported Food Scoring were also used to evaluate their swallowing function.Results:Before, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of any of the measures. After the 6 weeks of treatment, all of the measurements had improved significantly in both groups, but the improvement in the biofeedback and comprehensive treatment groups on all of the measures was significantly greater than in the control group. The average values of the comprehensive treatment group were then superior to the biofeedback group′s averages.Conclusion:Supplementing breathing training with EMG biofeedback can significantly improve the swallowing function of stroke survivors and reduce their risk of aspiration.

Natural extracellular vesicles (EVs) play important roles in many life processes such as in the intermolecular transfer of substances and genetic information exchanges. Investigating the origins and working mechanisms of natural EVs may provide an understanding of life activities, especially regarding the occurrence and development of diseases. Additionally, due to their vesicular structure, EVs (in small molecules, nucleic acids, proteins, etc.) could act as efficient drug-delivery carriers. Herein, we describe the sources and biological functions of various EVs, summarize the roles of EVs in disease diagnosis and treatment, and review the application of EVs as drug-delivery carriers. We also assess the challenges and perspectives of EVs in biomedical applications.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors related to the hemodynamic instability occurring after carotid artery stenting(CAS) in elderly patients with carotid artery stenosis.Methods:The clinical data of 80 patients with carotid artery stenosis, who were treated with CAS at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University during the period from January 2018 to Decmber 2018, were retrospectively analyzed. Record demographic characteristics (age, gender, height, weight), history of underlying diseases (hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, heart failure, etc.), history of medications, etc. Observe the clinical parameters such as creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urine volume, input and output, albumin, hemoglobin, location of stenosis, and degree of stenosis. Measurement data conforming to the normal distribution were expressed as the mean ± standard deviation ( Mean± SD), and the t-test was used for comparison between groups; the measurement data that does not conform to the normal distribution were expressed as the median (interquartile range) [ M( P25, P75)] indicates that the rank sum test was used for comparison between groups; the Chi-square test was used for comparison of count data between groups. Relevant variables were subjected to single factor analysis, and statistically significant indicators were selected according to the results of single factor analysis to be included in the multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Results:After CAS, a total of 37 patients among the 80 patients developed hemodynamic instability, the incidence rate was 46.25%. Univariate analysis indicated that the factors associated with the occurrence of postoperative hemodynamic instability included height , platelet count, ulceration plaque and the fluid intake in the first 24 hours after surgery; Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the presence of ulceration plaque ( OR=11.559, 95% CI: 1.232-108.495) and the fluid intake in the first 24 hours after surgery( OR=1.001, 95% CI: 1.000-1.001) were the independent risk factors related to the hemodynamic instability after CAS. Conclusion:Elderly patients with the presence of ulceration plaque before surgery are more likely to develop hemodynamic instability after CAS, and within 24 hours after surgery is a high-risk time period for hemodynamic instability.

Objective:To compare the accuracy of visual qualitative assessment and semi-quantitative analysis for 18F-florbetaben ( 18F-FBB) β-amyloid (Aβ) imaging in the diagnosis of Alzheimer′s disease (AD) and to explore their clinical application value. Methods:From January 2019 to October 2019, 17 patients (8 males, 9 females, age (74.1±8.5) years) with mild/moderate-stage clinically probable AD and 17 cognitive normal control (NC; 9 males, 8 females, age (64.5±6.3) years) were prospectively enrolled in this study. All patients underwent dynamic 18F-FBB PET/CT brain imaging in the Chinese PLA General Hospital. Visual qualitative assessment and semi-quantitative analysis methods were used to analyze PET brain imaging results. The difference of standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) between the two methods was analyzed by using independent sample t test. The consistency of the two methods and clinical results was analyzed by Kappa test. The cut-off value of SUVR for the diagnosis of AD was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results:The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of visual qualitative assessment to diagnose AD were 14/17, 16/17 and 88.2% (30/34). The global SUVR of NC and AD group were 1.09±0.85 and 1.75±0.25 ( t=-10.263, P<0.001), and the composite SUVR were 1.16±0.57 and 1.89±0.15 ( t=-10.789, P<0.001), respectively. The cut-off value of SUVR for the diagnosis of AD was 1.47, with the sensitivity of 15/17, the specificity of 16/17 and the accuracy of 91.2%(31/34). The visual qualitative assessment and semi-quantitative analysis had good consistency with clinical diagnosis results with Kappa value of 0.765 and 0.824 respectively (both P<0.001). Conclusion:The visual qualitative assessment and semi-quantitative analysis methods used in 18F-FBB Aβ imaging to diagnose AD patients show high accuracy and can provide effective value for clinical diagnosis, but the visual qualitative assessment method is concise and easy to grasp, which is worth further promotion and use in clinical.