ObjectiveTo analyze the current research status, hotspots and trends of robot applications in the rehabilitation of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). MethodsRelevant literature from the Web of Science Core Collection database from 2004 to 2024 was retrieved, and was analyzed with CiteSpace 6.3.R1. ResultsA total of 902 articles were included, with a fluctuating upward trend in publication volume. The United States was the country with the most publications, while the England with the highest centrality. The most prolific author was Ichiro Yoshikawa, and the institution with the most publications was the University of Hertfordshire. High-frequency keywords and bursting words in the field included rehabilitation robots, imitation ability, human-computer interaction, joint attention and humanoid robots. ConclusionResearch on robots in the rehabilitation of children with ASD is on the rise. Future research should focus on improving robot intelligence, implementing multimodal data collection and analysis, integrating brain science to uncover neural mechanisms during interactions, and developing personalized rehabilitation plans tailored to the specific needs of children.

BACKGROUND: Research has indicated that the disease burden of alopecia areata (AA) in China exceeds the global average. Therefore, accurate and updated epidemiological information is crucial for policymakers. In this study, we aimed to comprehensively assess the disease burden of AA in China. METHODS: The following four key indicators were utilized: the prevalence of cases; disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs); the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR); and the age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR) of AA according to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2021. We analyzed the epidemiological burden of AA in China during 2021, examined changes between 1990 and 2021, and performed a Bayesian age-period-cohort analysis to predict trends over the course of the next decade (2022-2030). Additionally, a Gaussian process regression model was applied to estimate the relationship between the gross domestic product (GDP) and the ASPR and ASDR of AA at the provincial level between 1992 and 2021. RESULTS: In 2021, the estimated number of patients with AA in China was approximately 3.49 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 3.37-3.62 million); of these patients, 1.20 million (95% UI, 1.16-1.25 million) were male and 2.29 million (95% UI, 2.20-2.37 million) were female. This large number of patients with AA resulted in a total of 114,431.25 DALYs (95% UI, 74,780.27-160,318.96 DALYs). Additionally, the ASPR and ASDR were 224.61 per 100,000 population (95% UI, 216.73-232.65 per 100,000 population) and 7.41 per 100,000 population (95% UI, 4.85-10.44 per 100,000 population), respectively; both of these rates were higher than the global averages. The most affected demographic groups were young and female individuals 25-39 years of age. Slight regional disparities were observed, with the northern and central regions of China bearing comparatively higher burdens. Between 1990 and 2021, the health loss and disease burden caused by AA in China remained relatively stable. The ASPR and ASDR of AA increased with the GDP when the annual GDP was less than 2 trillion Chinese yuan; however, a downward trend was observed as the GDP surpassed 2 trillion Chinese yuan. A slight upward trend in the disease burden of AA in China is predicted to occur over the next decade. CONCLUSIONS AA continues to be a public health concern in China that shows no signs of declining. Targeted efforts for young individuals and females are necessary because they experience a disproportionately high burden of AA.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Alopecia Areata/epidemiology* ; Global Burden of Disease ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Bayes Theorem ; Child ; Quality-Adjusted Life Years ; Child, Preschool

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the role of hippocampal glutamate system in regulating HPA axis in mediating the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at the heart meridian for improving myocardial injury in rats with acute myocardial ischemia (AMI). METHODS: Male SD rats were randomized into sham-operated group, AMI group, EA group, and L-glutamic acid+EA group (n=9). Rat models of AMI were established by left descending coronary artery ligation, and EA was applied at the "Shenmen-Tongli" segment; the rats in L-glutamic acid+EA group were subjected to microinjection of L-glutamic acid into the bilateral hippocampus prior to AMI modeling and EA treatment. Cardiac functions of the rats were evaluated using echocardiography, and ECG and heart rate variation (HRV) were analyzed using PowerLab and LabChart. Pathological changes in the myocardial tissue was examined using HE staining, and serum levels of myocardial enzymes were detected with ELISA. Myocardial expressions of TH and GAP43 were detected with immunohistochemistry, and colocalization of VGLUT1, VGLUT2 and c-fos were observed using immunofluorescence staining; the expressions of VGLUT1, VGLUT2, NMDAR1 and NMDAR2B were detected using Western blotting. RESULTS: The rat models of AMI showed significantly decreased LVEF and LVFS and increased serum levels of myocardial enzymes in positive correlation with the HPA axis. Numerous TH- and GAP43-positive cells were observed in the hippocampus, where the expressions of NE and E, neurons colabeled with VGLUT1, VGLUT2 and c-fos, and expressions of VGLUT1, VGLUT2, NMDAR1, NMDAR2B and Glu increased significantly. All these changes were significantly improved by interventions with EA as compared with those in AMI and L-Glutamate+EA groups. CONCLUSIONS In rats with AMI, EA at the heart meridian can regulate excessive glutamate release in the hippocampus, thereby inhibiting HPA axis hyperactivity and reducing sympathetic nerve activity to protect the myocardial tissue.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Rats ; Glutamic Acid/metabolism* ; Myocardial Ischemia/physiopathology* ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/physiopathology* ; Pituitary-Adrenal System/physiopathology* ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/metabolism*

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of dengue fever outbreaks in schools from Guangzhou in 2024, so as to provide a reference for formulating targeted prevention and control policies and measures. Methods: By using the National Infectious Disease Surveillance Information Reporting Management System to obtain information on dengue fever cases in Guangzhou from January 1st to December 31st, 2024. Descriptive data analysis was conducted on the temporal distribution, regional distribution, and school distribution of dengue fever outbreaks in schools. A mediation effect model was used to analyze the mediating effect of the time between onset and reporting between the type of school and the occurrence of recurrent cases. Results: In 2024,12.41% (385 cases) of dengue fever cases in Guangzhou involved schools, with 300 schools affected. Among these, 16 schools (5.33%) reported cluster outbreaks, and 24 schools (8.00%) reported secondary cases. The first dengue case at the school was reported at 26 July and the last case was reported at 4 December, the peak reporting period for cases was October 7 to November 3. The incidence of secondary cases in schools in central urban areas (5.19%) was lower than that in suburban schools ( 17.39 %), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ 2=9.15, P <0.01). The time from onset to reporting partially mediated the relationship between school type and the occurrence of recurrent cases ( β=0.23, P <0.05), accounting for 21.50% of the total effect. Conclusions Dengue fever is a key infectious disease facing schools in Guangzhou during summer and autumn. Surveillance of dengue fever outbreaks in schools should be strengthened during the peak season to reduce the risk of cluster outbreaks and the occurrence of secondary cases.

OBJECTIVE To explore the specific application and evaluation effect of objective structured clinical examination(OSCE)-guided scenario-based practical teaching mode in training clinical pharmacists. METHODS Fifty-six trainees who participated in the clinical pharmacist training program in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from October 2020 to September 2022 were selected as the research objects. OSCE-guided teaching was conducted, and the application effect of OSCE-guided teaching mode in clinical pharmacist training was explored and analyzed by using theoretical examination results and OSCE assessment results as evaluation indicators. RESULTS Through comparative analysis, it was found that the OSCE-guided teaching mode not only enabled students to better grasp the theoretical knowledge points required by the training outline, but also improved their clinical thinking ability, problem-solving ability, and communication and coordination skills to varying degrees. CONCLUSION For clinical pharmacist trainees, the OSCE teaching mode is conducive to the comprehensive improvement of clinical pharmacist skills and is suitable for cultivating clinical pharmacists who are capable of independently carrying out clinical pharmacy services in the new situation.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between the skin temperature changes in the radiation area and the occurrence of radiodermatitis during postoperative radiotherapy for female breast cancer and to explore the application value of skin temperature monitoring in the early warning of radiodermatitis risks.Methods:A total of 103 patients who received three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy after radical mastectomy in the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University were continuously enrolled from May to November, 2022 in this study. Their skin temperature in the radiation area and radiodermatitis were recorded weekly. The relationships between relative skin temperature differences and different grades of radiodermatitis were determined. The optimal cut-off values for grade ≥ radiodermatitis were calculated, and the predictive effect was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Furthermore, the radiodermatitis risks under different skin temperatures were compared using binary logistic regression.Results:There was a positive correlation between the skin temperature in the radiation field and the grade of radiodermatitis. The optimal cut-off values for the average relative skin temperature difference of the chest wall (under 40 Gy/20 fractions), the maximum relative skin temperature difference of the chest wall (under 40 Gy/20 fractions), and the relative skin temperature difference of the supraclavicular block (under 30 Gy/15 fractions) were 0.45℃, 0.55℃, 0.15℃, respectively. The patients were divided into low- and high-risk groups based on the optimal cut-off values (0.45℃, 0.55℃, and 0.15℃). Binary logistic regression result showed that the risks of grade ≥ 2 radiodermatitis in the high-risk group were 5.71, 4.29, and 5.15 times those in the low-risk group, respectively ( OR = 5.71, 95% CI 1.81-17.99, P = 0.003; OR = 4.29, 95% CI 1.65-11.12, P = 0.003; OR = 5.15, 95% CI 2.16-12.31, P < 0.001). Conclusions:Skin temperature monitoring using medical infrared thermometers can be used to effectively predict the occurrence of grade ≥ 2 radiodermatitis. The skin temperature changes in the radiotherapy area should be closely observed. The risk of grade ≥ 2 radiodermatitis will increase when the mean and maximum relative temperature differences of the chest wall increase by 0.45℃ and 0.55℃, respectively under 40 Gy/20 fractions of radiotherapy or when the relative temperature differences of the supraclavicular block increases by 0.15℃ under 30 Gy/15 fractions of radiotherapy.

Objective:To investigate the distribution characteristics of skeletal muscle mass and strength in the older adults over 65 years old in 18 longevity areas in China.Methods:The subjects were selected from the Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study conducted in 18 longevity areas of China. A total of 4 662 older adults over 65 years old from a cross- sectional survey in 2021 were included in the study. The information about their sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, nutrient intake and other factors were collected through questionnaire surveys and physical examinations. Grip strength was measured by using professional electronic grip dynamometer. Total skeletal muscle mass (TSM) was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis, and TSM was adjusted by height squared and BMI to obtain TSM Ht2 and TSM BMI. The proportion of individuals with low muscle mass and strength was determined according to the recommended method by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS). Descriptive analysis was conducted on the population and regional distribution characteristics of people with different muscle mass and grip strength. A generalized additive model was used to analyze the age-related trends of muscle mass and grip strength. Results:The age of 4 662 study subjects was (82.69±10.54) years, men accounted for 46.85% (2 184 cases) and Han Chinese accounted for 96.27% (4 488 cases). The M( Q1, Q3) of TSM, TSM Ht2 and TSM BMI in men were 23.30 (20.50, 26.20) kg, 9.02 (8.13, 9.89) kg/m 2, and 1.01 (0.90, 1.13) kg·(kg/m 2) -1, respectively, which were all higher than those in women [TSM: 18.20 (15.70, 20.70) kg, TSM Ht2: 8.18 (7.42, 9.07) kg/m 2 and TSM BMI: 0.79 (0.69, 0.90) kg·(kg/m 2) -1], the differences were significant (all P<0.001). The grip strength of men [ M( Q1, Q3): 24.50 (17.80, 30.80) kg] was higher than that of women [ M( Q1, Q3): 15.60 (11.10, 19.90) kg], the difference was significant ( P<0.001). Southern elderly men had lower TSM and TSM Ht2 compared with northern elderly men (all P<0.001), while there was no significant regional difference in TSM BMI ( P>0.05). Southern elderly women had higher TSM Ht2 and TSM BMI compared with northern elderly women (all P<0.001), while there was no significant regional difference in TSM ( P>0.05). Furthermore, according to the method recommended by AWGS, the elderly with low muscle mass and grip strength were characterized by older age, illiteracy, being unmarried/divorced/widowed, poor chewing ability, impaired activity of daily living and living in southern region. Conclusion:There were population and regional differences in muscle mass and grip strength in the older adults over 65 years in 18 longevity areas of China, and these differences showed decreasing trends with age.

Objective:To develop a prediction tool for 6-year incident risk of frailty among Chinese older adults aged 65 years or above.Methods:Data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey from 2002 to 2018 was used, including 13 676 older adults aged 65 years or above who were free of frailty at baseline. Key predictors of frailty were identified via the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method, and were thereafter used to predict the incident frailty based on the Cox proportional hazards regression model. The model was internally validated by 2 000 Bootstrap resamples and evaluated for the performance of discrimination and calibration using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and calibration curve, respectively. The net benefit of the developed prediction tool was evaluated by decision-curve analysis.Results:The M( Q1, Q3) age and follow-up time of the participants were 81.0 (71.0, 90.0) years and 6.0 (4.1, 9.2) years, respectively. A total of 4 126 older persons (30.2%) were recorded with frailty incidents during the follow-up, with the corresponding incidence density of 41.8/1 000 person-years. A total of 15 key predictors of frailty were selected by LASSO, namely, age, sex, race, education years, meat consumption, tea drinking, performing housework, raising domestic animals, playing cards or mahjong, and baseline status of visual function, activities of the daily living score, instrumental activities of the daily living score, hypertension, heart disease, and self-rated health. The prediction model was internally validated with an AUC of 0.802, with the max Youden's index of 0.467 at a risk threshold of 19.0%. The calibration curve showed high consistency between predicted probabilities and observed proportions of frailty events. The decision curve indicated that higher net benefits could be obtained via the prediction model than did strategies based on intervention in all or none participants for any risk threshold less than 59%, and the model-based net benefit was estimated to be 0.10 at a risk threshold of 19.0%. Conclusions:The herein developed 6-year incident risk prediction model of frailty, based on easily accessible questionnaires and physical examination variables, has good predictive performance. It has application potential in identifying populations at high risk of incident frailty.

Objective:To investigate the current status of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in China, and to provide supporting data and reference for the development of endoscopic treatment.Methods:In this study, initiated by the Liver Health Consortium in China (CHESS), a questionnaire was designed and distributed online to investigate the basic condition of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in 2022 in China. Questions included annual number and indication of endoscopic procedures, adherence to guideline for preventing esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB), management and timing of emergent EGVB, management of gastric and isolated varices, and improvement of endoscopic treatment. Proportions of hospitals concerning therapeutic choices to all participant hospitals were calculated. Guideline adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals were compared by using Chi-square test.Results:A total of 836 hospitals from 31 provinces (anotomous regions and municipalities) participated in the survey. According to the survey, the control of acute EGVB (49.3%, 412/836) and the prevention of recurrent bleeding (38.3%, 320/836) were major indications of endoscopic treatment. For primary [non-selective β-blocker (NSBB) or endoscopic therapies] and secondary prophylaxis (NSBB and endoscopic therapies) of EGVB, adherence to domestic guideline was 72.5% (606/836) and 39.2% (328/836), respectively. There were significant differences in the adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals in primary prophylaxis of EGVB [71.0% (495/697) VS 79.9% (111/139), χ2=4.11, P=0.033] and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB [41.6% (290/697) VS 27.3% (38/139), χ2=9.31, P=0.002]. A total of 78.2% (654/836) hospitals preferred endoscopic therapies treating acute EGVB, and endoscopic therapy was more likely to be the first choice for treating acute EGVB in tertiary hospitals (82.6%, 576/697) than secondary hospitals [56.1% (78/139), χ2=46.33, P<0.001]. The optimal timing was usually within 12 hours (48.5%, 317/654) and 12-24 hours (36.9%, 241/654) after the bleeding. Regarding the management of gastroesophageal varices type 2 and isolated gastric varices type 1, most hospitals used cyanoacrylate injection in combination with sclerotherapy [48.2% (403/836) and 29.9% (250/836), respectively], but substantial proportions of hospitals preferred clip-assisted therapies [12.4% (104/836) and 26.4% (221/836), respectively]. Improving the skills of endoscopic doctors (84.2%, 704/836), and enhancing the precision of pre-procedure evaluation and quality of multidisciplinary team (78.9%, 660/836) were considered urgent needs in the development of endoscopic treatment. Conclusion:A variety of endoscopic treatments for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension are implemented nationwide. Participant hospitals are active to perform emergent endoscopy for acute EGVB, but are inadequate in following recommendations regarding primary and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB. Moreover, the selection of endoscopic procedures for gastric varices differs greatly among hospitals.

Objective : To investigate the drug resistance and pathogenicity of six clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneu- moniae (Kp) ，and to provide a basis for prevention and treatment of Kp infection． Methods : The six strains from different hospitals were isolated ，cultured ，and identified by species-specific gene khe． Their whole genome se- quences (WGS) were obtained using next-generation sequencing technology (NGS) ．Based on the WGS，the cap- sular serotypes，sequence types (ST) and drug-resistance genes of six strains were identified．The capsular sero- type genes and virulence genes were validated or identified using PCR. Broth microdilution tests were conducted to validate their drug susceptibility，and mice were challenged with Kp aerosols by MicroSprayer aerosolizer to evaluate their pathogenicity. Results : The six strains were all serotype K2 but belonged to four ST types ( ST14 ，ST65， ST700，and ST86) ，and collectively carried six virulence genes and 23 drug-resistance genes．All the six strains were resistant to ampicillin，but only one strain was multidrug-resistant．Four strains exhibited high mucoid charac- teristics．Five strains could cause mortality in mice，which were preliminary identified as high virulence strains. Conclusion For the six Kp clinical isolates from different sources，only one strain named NY 13294 is both multi- drug-resistant and highly virulent，and other four highly virulent strains are resistant to one or two types of antibiot- ics.