1.Development and validation of the Chinese Developmental Dyslexia Assessment Test
Xiangzhi MENG ; Cheng-Alice LAI
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2024;38(8):706-712
Objective:To develop the Chinese Developmental Dyslexia Assessment Test(C-DDAT)and test its validity and reliability.Methods:The present study developed a battery of Chinese dyslexia assessment test com-posed of 3 factors of reading accuracy,reading fluency and reading comprehension.Construct validity,internal con-sistency reliability and alternative-form reliability were tested in a sample of 1925 1-6 graders.Test-retest reliabili-ty was tested in 63 typically developing children and 26 children with developmental dyslexia.Results:Three-factor structure model fitted well(x2/df=5.91,CFI=0.996,TLI=0.992,SRMR=0.014,RMSEA=0.056).Criterion-related validities were 0.51-0.98.Internal consistency reliability of character reading accuracy was 0.99,the alter-nate-form reliabilities of character reading fluency and reading accuracy were 0.94 and 0.98,respectively.Test-re-test reliabilities were 0.73-0.98.The ROC curve analysis of clinical sample revealed that discriminant sensitivity and specificity of reading quotient(comprehensive score)were 0.92 and 0.98 respectively.Conclusion:The validi-ty and reliability of the Chinese Developmental Dyslexia Assessment Test meet the standards of psychometrics and could be used to evaluate children's basic reading skills in research and diagnosis of Chinese developmental dyslexia in clinical practice.
2.Predicting Neck Dysfunction After Open-Door Cervical Laminoplasty — A Prospective Cohort Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Study
Chiu-Hao HSU ; Wei-Wei CHEN ; Meng-Yin HO ; Chin-Chieh WU ; Dar-Ming LAI
Neurospine 2024;21(4):1053-1065
Objective:
To analyze the predictive factors for neck pain and cervical spine function after laminoplasty for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) using K-means for longitudinal data (KML).
Methods:
In this prospective cohort study, we collected clinical and radiographic data from patients with DCM who underwent cervical laminoplasty. A novel index of surgical outcome, “neck function,” which comprises neck pain and cervical spine function according to the Japanese Orthopedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire, was proposed. We treated surgical outcomes as longitudinal rather than cross-sectional data and used KML for analysis. Patients were categorized as having good or poor outcomes based on the KML graph of neck pain and cervical spine function.
Results:
From 2016 to 2020, 104 patients underwent laminoplasty for DCM; however, 35 patients were excluded because of loss to follow-up or incomplete data. The authors found that central canal stenosis (odds ratio [OR], 17.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26–254.73; p=0.03) and preoperative neck pain (OR per 1 point increase=1.49; 95% CI, 1.12–1.99; p=0.006) were 2 negative predictive factors and that a positive K-line during flexion was a positive predictive factor (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.01–0.87; p=0.036) for neck function after laminoplasty.
Conclusion
Central canal stenosis, preoperative neck pain and a K-line during flexion were found to be predictive of postoperative neck pain and cervical spine function after laminoplasty. To achieve better surgical outcomes for neck function, the authors suggest the utilization of these determinants as a guiding framework for the selection of surgical approaches for DCM.
3.Prevalence of Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Positivity Using SP142 in Patients With Advanced Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Pathmanathan RAJADURAI ; Ning Yi YAP ; Seow Fan CHIEW ; Reena Rahayu Md ZIN ; Suria Hayati Md PAUZI ; Aniqah Shamimi Binti JAAFAR ; Azyani YAHAYA ; Lai Meng LOOI
Journal of Breast Cancer 2024;27(6):362-371
Purpose:
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer known for its poor prognosis and the absence of viable targets for standard receptor-based therapies.Several studies have suggested that targeting programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in tumors that express this biomarker, either on tumor cells and/or in the tumor inflammatory infiltrate, may be beneficial in some patients. This study aimed to assess the overall prevalence of PD-L1 positivity using the SP142 antibody clone in patients with advanced TNBC in Malaysia.
Methods:
This was a multicenter, cross-sectional prevalence study on PD-L1 positivity among patients with advanced-stage TNBC in Malaysia. Patients were identified using medical records and were enrolled in the study if they met the inclusion criteria. PD-L1 evaluation was performed using archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue specimens. Demographic and clinical data were also obtained and summarized using descriptive statistics. The association of these parameters with PD-L1 positivity was assessed using chi-square and logistic regression analysis.
Results:
Three medical centers provided 138 complete cases for analysis. Of these 138 cases, 52 (37.7%; 95% confidence interval, 29.6%–46.3%) showed positive PD-L1 expression, defined as immune cell PD-L1 expression ≥ 1%. In a univariate analysis, stage III of the disease and tumor samples from resected specimens were significantly associated with a positive PD-L1 status. However, further assessment using a multivariate model revealed that only resected tumor samples remained significantly associated with PD-L1 positivity after controlling for disease staging.
Conclusion
The prevalence of PD-L1 positivity among patients with stage III or IV TNBC was 37.7%. A significant association was noted between PD-L1 positivity and the tumor tissue obtained from resected specimens. Although the mechanism and clinical significance of this association remain unclear, this finding indicates a possible disparity in the PD-L1 status of samples obtained using surgical resection or biopsy.
4.Predicting Neck Dysfunction After Open-Door Cervical Laminoplasty — A Prospective Cohort Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Study
Chiu-Hao HSU ; Wei-Wei CHEN ; Meng-Yin HO ; Chin-Chieh WU ; Dar-Ming LAI
Neurospine 2024;21(4):1053-1065
Objective:
To analyze the predictive factors for neck pain and cervical spine function after laminoplasty for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) using K-means for longitudinal data (KML).
Methods:
In this prospective cohort study, we collected clinical and radiographic data from patients with DCM who underwent cervical laminoplasty. A novel index of surgical outcome, “neck function,” which comprises neck pain and cervical spine function according to the Japanese Orthopedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire, was proposed. We treated surgical outcomes as longitudinal rather than cross-sectional data and used KML for analysis. Patients were categorized as having good or poor outcomes based on the KML graph of neck pain and cervical spine function.
Results:
From 2016 to 2020, 104 patients underwent laminoplasty for DCM; however, 35 patients were excluded because of loss to follow-up or incomplete data. The authors found that central canal stenosis (odds ratio [OR], 17.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26–254.73; p=0.03) and preoperative neck pain (OR per 1 point increase=1.49; 95% CI, 1.12–1.99; p=0.006) were 2 negative predictive factors and that a positive K-line during flexion was a positive predictive factor (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.01–0.87; p=0.036) for neck function after laminoplasty.
Conclusion
Central canal stenosis, preoperative neck pain and a K-line during flexion were found to be predictive of postoperative neck pain and cervical spine function after laminoplasty. To achieve better surgical outcomes for neck function, the authors suggest the utilization of these determinants as a guiding framework for the selection of surgical approaches for DCM.
5.Predicting Neck Dysfunction After Open-Door Cervical Laminoplasty — A Prospective Cohort Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Study
Chiu-Hao HSU ; Wei-Wei CHEN ; Meng-Yin HO ; Chin-Chieh WU ; Dar-Ming LAI
Neurospine 2024;21(4):1053-1065
Objective:
To analyze the predictive factors for neck pain and cervical spine function after laminoplasty for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) using K-means for longitudinal data (KML).
Methods:
In this prospective cohort study, we collected clinical and radiographic data from patients with DCM who underwent cervical laminoplasty. A novel index of surgical outcome, “neck function,” which comprises neck pain and cervical spine function according to the Japanese Orthopedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire, was proposed. We treated surgical outcomes as longitudinal rather than cross-sectional data and used KML for analysis. Patients were categorized as having good or poor outcomes based on the KML graph of neck pain and cervical spine function.
Results:
From 2016 to 2020, 104 patients underwent laminoplasty for DCM; however, 35 patients were excluded because of loss to follow-up or incomplete data. The authors found that central canal stenosis (odds ratio [OR], 17.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26–254.73; p=0.03) and preoperative neck pain (OR per 1 point increase=1.49; 95% CI, 1.12–1.99; p=0.006) were 2 negative predictive factors and that a positive K-line during flexion was a positive predictive factor (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.01–0.87; p=0.036) for neck function after laminoplasty.
Conclusion
Central canal stenosis, preoperative neck pain and a K-line during flexion were found to be predictive of postoperative neck pain and cervical spine function after laminoplasty. To achieve better surgical outcomes for neck function, the authors suggest the utilization of these determinants as a guiding framework for the selection of surgical approaches for DCM.
6.The value of prophylactic cranial irradiation in patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer at different risk of brain metastasis
Xingyue LI ; Meng YAN ; Song GUAN ; Jia TIAN ; Jianian LAI ; Chunliu MENG ; Jintao MA ; Kai REN ; Xue LI ; Lujun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2024;33(7):606-613
Objective:To establish a brain metastasis (BM) prediction model for limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) patients who achieved complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) after thoracic chemoradiotherapy, and to explore the value of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in different risk groups.Methods:Clinical data of 274 patients with LS-SCLC who achieved CR/PR after thoracic chemoradiotherapy in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital from January 2010 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 144 cases in the PCI group and 130 in the non-PCI group. The nomogram was developed based on variables determined by univariate and multivariate analyses in the non-PCI group. The bootstrap method, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve, calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA) were employed to evaluate the predictive power and clinical benefits of the model. Patients were stratified into high- and low-risk groups based on risk scores. The brain metastases-free survival (BMFS), progression-free survival (PFS), extracranial progression-free survival (ePFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between patients with and without PCI in different risk-stratified populations using the log-rank test.Results:The nomogram included five variables: systemic immune inflammation index (SII), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), pro-gastrin-releasing peptide precursor (ProGRP), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and blood calcium. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the nomogram in predicting 1- and 2-year BMFS was 0.761 and 0.822. In the low-risk group, there was no significant difference in the BMFS ( P=0.374), PFS ( P=0.551), ePFS ( P=0.508) and OS ( P=0.767) between the PCI and non-PCI groups. In the high-risk group, PCI could significantly increase the BMFS ( P<0.001) and PFS ( P=0.022), while there was no significant difference in the ePFS ( P=0.963) and OS ( P=0.632). And propensity score-matching (PSM) analysis showed similar results. Conclusions:PCI does not improve OS in LS-SCLC patients regardless of high or low risk of BM. However, PCI significantly prolong the BMFS and PFS in patients at a high risk of BM.
7.Effect of Tongnao Yizhi Formula (通脑益智方) on Cognitive Function and Gut Microflora in Treating Vascular Cognitive Impairment No Dementia Patients with Spleen and Kidney Depletion,Phlegm and Stasis Obstructing Collaterals Syndrome
Xiwu YAN ; Jiaoyang KANG ; Ting MENG ; Jinfeng LIU ; Yinglong LAI ; Yiwei ZHU ; Cheng CHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(13):1353-1362
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and mechanism of Tongnao Yizhi Formula (通脑益智方, TYF) in treating vascular cognitive impairment no dementia (VCIND) with spleen and kidney depletion, phlegm and stasis obstructing collaterals syndrome. MethodsNinety-two VCIND patients with spleen and kidney depletion, phlegm and stasis obstructing collaterals syndrome were randomly divided into control group (42 cases) and treatment group (52 cases). Both groups received routine basic treatment. The control group was given donapezil hydrochloride capsules orally, 5 mg each time, once at night, while the treatment group was given TYF orally, 1 dose per day. Both groups were treated continuously for 3 months. The scores of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Vascular Dementia Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (VaDAS-Cog), Activity of Daily Living Scale (ADL), and TCM syndrome scores (the primary symptoms such as sluggish thinking, forgetfulness, temperament changes, and language confusion, and secondary symptoms such as weakness of waist and knees, dizziness and headache, occasional tinnitus, fatigue, heaviness of limbs, insomnia and irritability, poor appetite and abdominal distension, numbness of face) were observed before and after treatment in both groups. The changes in gut microflora diversity and flora abundance structure as well as fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels including acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid, and caproic acid were compared between groups. The feces of 20 healthy subjects in the same period were included as reference. Safety was evaluated during the study. ResultsAfter treatment, both groups exhibited significant increases in MMSE scores and decreases in VaDAS-cog scores (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and ADL scores in the treatment group significantly increased (P<0.05). Scores of symptoms including sluggish thinking, forgetfulness, temperament change, language confusion, heaviness of limbs, insomnia, irritability, poor appetite, abdominal distension, and facial numbness as well as the total score significantly decreased in both groups after treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). When compared between groups, the treatment group showed substantial reductions in scores of weakness of waist and knees, tinnitus, fatigue, heaviness of limbs, insomnia, irritability, loss of appetite and abdominal distension (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The gut microflora diversity analysis showed that the Shannon index of the treatment group significantly increased after treatment (P<0.05).PCoA analysis and ANOSIM test indicated significant differences between groups, suggesting changes in microflora species (P<0.01). After treatment, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria in the treatment group increased, while the relative abundance of Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia and Cyanobacteria decreased (P<0.05); the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Ruminococcus increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared to the the gut microflora species diversity of the healthy people, it is indicated that the gut microflora structure in the treatment group was close to that of the healthy people, while there was no such trend in the control group. In the treatment group, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid in the treatment group were all higher after treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionsTYF can improve the cognitive ability and quality of life of VCIND patients with spleen and kidney depletion, phlegm and stasis obstructing collaterals syndrome, and this improvement may be related to regulating intestinal microecology.
8.Yijing Decoction regulates MMPs/TIMPs-related molecules to antagonize high glucose-induced basement membrane damage in iBRB model
Siyi LAI ; Xinyue QIU ; Jianzhong HE ; Hang WANG ; Chun MENG ; Guanghui LIU
International Eye Science 2024;24(9):1387-1391
AIM: To investigate the mechanism by which Yijing Decoction antagonist high glucose-induced damage to the basement membrane(BM)in an in vitro inner blood-retinal barrier(iBRB)model.METHODS:Rat retinal microvascular pericytes(RMPs)and endothelial cells(ECs)were isolated and cultured to establish an in vitro iBRB model. The cells were randomly divided into four groups: low glucose group(LG), high glucose group(HG), minocycline group(MG)and Yijing Decoction group(YG). The LG group received 25 mmol/L glucose, the HG group received 60 mmol/L glucose, the MG group received 60 mmol/L glucose + 10 μg/mL minocycline, and the YG group received 60 mmol/L glucose + 10% Yijing Decoction-containing serum. Incubation for each group were terminated after intervention for 12 h. Next, the Western blot analysis was performed to assess the protein expression of BM-related proteins, including collagen Ⅳ(CⅣ)and laminin(LN), as well as matrix metalloproteinase(MMPs)/tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases(TIMPs)such as MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2.RESULTS:Compared to the LG group, the protein expressions of CⅣ increased in the HG, MG, and YG groups, as did LN in the HG and MG groups(all P<0.05). Both Yijing Decoction and minocycline effectively inhibited the elevated expression of CⅣ and LN induced by high glucose, and the difference between the YG, MG, and HG groups was statistically significant(all P<0.05). Futhermore, compared to the LG group, the protein expressions of MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9 increased in the HG, MG, and YG groups(all P<0.05). Yijing Decoction specifically attenuated the high glucose-induced increase in MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-9 protein expression, and there were statistically significant differences between the YG and HG group(all P<0.05). No significant difference were observed in the expressions of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 among the LG, HG, MG, and YG groups(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Yijing Decoction can potentially intervene in DR by modulating the protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, CⅣ, and LN, suppressing high glucose-induced BM remodeling, and mitigating damage to iBRB.
9.Advances in methods and techniques for the study of polysaccharide in vivo processes and immunomodulatory mechanisms
Chi-yun ZHU ; Ping XIAO ; Yue-yue FANG ; Meng-ting LAI ; Jin-ao DUAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(2):322-335
In recent years, polysaccharides have received much attention because of their high safety and good immunological activity. The study of polysaccharide
10.Construction of Chinese Herbal Medicine Traceability System Based on Influencing Factors of Chinese Herbal Medicine Quality
Kunyang LAI ; Jiancai XIAO ; Binbin YAN ; Xiufu WAN ; Jian YANG ; Guangxing MENG ; Chuanzhi KANG ; Kai SUN ; Yan ZHANG ; Lanping GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):215-224
As a Chinese saying goes, "good Chinese medicinal material makes good medicine", the quality of Chinese herbal medicines is related to the development prospect of Chinese medicine industry in China. With the rapid development of new technologies such as traceability methods and monitoring instruments, it is imperative to integrate and innovate traditional Chinese herbal medicines with new-generation information technology in view of the quality problems existing in the current production and circulation of Chinese herbal medicines, and it is of great significance for the construction of traceability system to ensure the quality and safety of Chinese herbal medicines and to promote the industry of Chinese herbal medicines to move towards high-quality development. This paper reviews the development history of the traceability system of Chinese herbal medicines in China, takes the influencing factors of the quality of Chinese herbal medicines as the entry point, and proposes that the construction of the traceability system should satisfy the traceability requirements of the characteristics of Chinese herbal medicines and their traditional medication experience. By analyzing the influencing factors of the quality of Chinese herbal medicines, it is pointed out that focusing on the influencing factors to build a traceability system is of great significance for targeting the problematic links at a later stage and exploring the interrelationship between environmental factors and the quality of Chinese herbal medicines. Based on the previous explorations, the author summarizes the system framework, functional modules and practical applications of the traceability system of Chinese herbal medicines, and looks forward to the development of a traceability system with risk early warning function and expert decision-making function in its functional development. Finally, based on the factors affecting the quality of Chinese herbal medicines, the author puts forward several thoughts on construction of the traceability system, and makes an in-depth analysis and puts forward a solution for the current situation that a unified, standardized and universal traceability system has not yet been built, with a view to providing ideas and references for the construction of traceability system of Chinese herbal medicines.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail