Objective To investigate the performance of serum epithelial fatty acid-binding protein (E-FABP) and epithelial neutrophil-activating peptide-78 (ENA-78) levels combined with computed tomography angiography (CTA) in assessing the severity of coronary atherosclerotic (CA) stenosis in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods A total of 160 CHD patients admitted to our hospital between October 2021 and October 2023 were enrolled. Based on coronary angiography results, patients were divided into a mild stenosis group (65 cases) and a moderate-to-severe stenosis group (95 cases). All patients underwent CTA. Serum levels of E-FABP and ENA-78 were measured using ELISA. Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted to determine the diagnostic cutoff value of CTA combined with serum E-FABP and ENA-78 for assessing CA stenosis severity. A fourfold table was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of CTA combined with serum E-FABP and ENA-78. Results CTA identified 64 patients with stenosis <50% and 96 patients with stenosis ≥50%. The agreement rates between CTA and coronary angiography were 87.69% in the mild group and 92.63% in the moderate-to-severe group. Serum levels of E-FABP and ENA-78 were significantly higher in the moderate-to-severe group than in the mild group (P<0.05). According to receiver operating characteristic analysis, the areas under the curve for E-FABP, ENA-78, and CTA in diagnosing CA stenosis severity were 0.828, 0.855, and 0.901, respectively. The areas under the curve for their combined use was 0.986. The diagnostic accuracies of CTA, E-FABP, and ENA-78 were 90.63%, 83.75%, and 83.23%, respectively, while the combined approach achieved a diagnostic accuracy of 93.13%. Conclusion Serum levels of E-FABP and ENA-78 are significantly elevated in CHD patients with moderate-to-severe CA stenosis. The combination of CTA with E-FABP and ENA-78 can improve the accuracy of assessing the severity of CA stenosis.

Purpose To investigate the sex differences of white matter damage in Alzheimer's disease(AD)and their association with cognitive impairment.Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 88 AD patients(48 females),71 amnestic mild cognitive impairment(aMCI)patients(39 females),and 95 healthy controls(63 females)recruited from the Memory Disorder Clinic at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from September 2017 to July 2024.High-resolution three-dimensional T1 structure images and diffusion tensor imaging images were all obtained from each participant.The mean diffusivity(MD)and fractional anisotropy(FA)values of each white matter region were obtained,and the two-way ANOVA analysis was conducted to investigate brain regions with interaction effects between groups and sexes,those brain regions were then chosen as regions of interest for further correlation analysis with a series of cognitive scale scores.Results In terms of FA values,the right posterior corona radiata,right anterior limb of the internal capsule and left corticospinal tract showed interaction between sexes and cognitive groups(F=4.764,3.812,5.937,all P<0.05).The FA value of AD group was significantly lower than that of healthy control and aMCI group(all P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between healthy control and aMCI group(except the right anterior limb of the internal capsule,P=0.018).In AD group,FA values were significantly higher in women than in men in the previously described brain regions(all P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in FA values between male and female in healthy control and aMCI groups(except the left corticospinal tract,P<0.001).In terms of MD values,the right anterior limb of the internal capsule,right superior corona radiata and left external capsule showed interaction effect between sexes and cognitive groups(F=8.581,3.680,7.218,all P<0.05).The MD value of AD group was significantly higher than that of aMCI group(P<0.001),and aMCI group was higher than that of healthy control group(all P<0.05).In AD group,the MD values in the above brain regions were significantly higher in males than those in females(all P<0.01),while no significant difference was found between males and females in healthy control and aMCI groups(except for the left external capsule,P<0.05).For correlation analysis,the AD group was dimidiated into two groups by sex,the scores of the Montreal cognitive assessment,the Mini Mental state examination and the verbal fluency test of the female patient group were positively correlated with the FA values of the right posterior corona radiate(r=0.372,P=0.009;r=0.345,P=0.016;r=0.383,P=0.007),while the Mini Mental state examination and the verbal fluency test scores of female AD patient group were negatively correlated with the MD values of the right superior corona radiata(r=-0.360,P=0.012;r=-0.360,P=0.003).Conclusion Compared to the healthy control and MCI groups,white matter damage in AD patients shows sex differences and is associated with general cognitive and language functions impairment in female AD patients.

Objective:To establish machine learning models to predict visual improvement and anatomical response after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME).Methods:A multi-algorithm machine learning predictive modeling study based on retrospective clinical data was conducted.A total of 225 patients with DME who received their first intravitreal anti-VEGF injection at Fuzhou University Affiliated Provincial Hospital were enrolled between January 2023 and April 2025.According to data completeness, 204 cases were included in the visual recovery prediction model and 201 cases were included in the anatomical response prediction model.Baseline data included optical coherence tomography (OCT) features and blood biomarkers.The primary outcomes were defined as an improvement of ≥1 line in visual acuity and a reduction of ≥20% in central retinal thickness (CRT) after anti-VEGF treatment.Feature selection was performed using univariate logistic regression and Lasso regression.Four machine learning algorithms, logistic regression (LR), decision tree, multilayer perceptron, and random forest, were trained and validated.Model performance was evaluated using accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and decision curve analysis.The best-performing model was further interpreted using SHAP analysis, and a nomogram was constructed for clinical application.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Fuzhou University Affiliated Provincial Hospital (No.K2025-03-064).Written informed consent was obtained from each subject.Results:Among the 37 baseline variables, five key predictors were identified for the outcome of ≥20% CRT reduction: baseline CRT, baseline CRT ≥400 μm, presence of subretinal fluid (SRF), disorganization of the retinal inner layers (DRIL), and integrity of the ellipsoid zone (EZ).Among the four models, the LR model had the best performance, with an accuracy of 0.88, sensitivity of 0.94, specificity of 0.70, and an AUC of 0.94 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: 0.87-1.00).SHAP analysis showed that baseline CRT ≥400 μm, DRIL, SRF, and baseline CRT contributed positively to the outcome, while EZ integrity was a negative predictor for CRT reduction.For the outcome of ≥1-line visual improvement, two key predictors were identified: baseline best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and EZ integrity.Both baseline BCVA and EZ integrity were negative predictors for ≥1-line visual improvement.The LR model also had the best performance in the internal validation cohort, with an accuracy of 0.71, sensitivity of 0.67, specificity of 0.75, and an AUC of 0.76 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: 0.61-0.91).A visual nomogram was developed based on the selected predictors and the best-performing model.By converting patient-specific clinical characteristics into scores, clinicians can calculate a total score and estimate the probability of achieving a reduction of ≥20% in CRT and a ≥1-line improvement in visual acuity after anti-VEGF therapy. Conclusions:Machine learning-based model building can effectively predict visual and anatomical response following anti-VEGF treatment in DME patients.Logistic regression shows robust predictive performance for both outcomes.Identification of key predictors, especially OCT features such as EZ integrity, SRF, and DRIL, may aid in guiding treatment expectation assessment and personalized intervention strategies.Nomogram constructed in this study shows good clinical applicability and may serve as a decision-support tool to improve the precision of DME management.

The incidence of tumors among the elderly is notably high, presenting significant challenges in terms of harm, complexity, and treatment.The processes of diagnosis and treatment often lack a precise clinical foundation and robust experimental evidence, resulting in numerous difficulties and dilemmas.A collaborative approach that integrates traditional Chinese and Western medicine, leveraging the strengths of both, can substantially alleviate these challenges and ensure that elderly cancer patients can undergo systematic, comprehensive, and intensive cancer treatments.Traditional Chinese medicine can play a vital role throughout the entire continuum of diagnosis and treatment for elderly cancer patients, whether by leading, assisting, or complementing other treatment modalities.This article employs the concepts of ′righteousness′and ′evil′from traditional Chinese medicine, where ′righteousness′signifies the ′state of a person′and ′evil ′denotes the ′state of a tumor′.We systematically explore collaborative diagnosis and treatment strategies that integrate traditional Chinese and Western medicine for tumor management in the elderly, categorizing the approaches into four conditions: strong righteousness with strong evil, strong righteousness with weak evil, weak righteousness with strong evil, and weak righteousness with weak evil.In cases where both righteousness and evil are strong, the treatment strategy is primarily dominated by Western medicine, with support from traditional Chinese medicine.Conversely, when righteousness is strong and evil is weak, the strategy entails a combination of both Chinese and Western medicine.In situations characterized by weak righteousness and strong evil, the treatment approach is largely guided by traditional Chinese medicine, while also considering equal attention to both modalities.Finally, when both righteousness and evil are weak, the coordinated diagnosis and treatment strategy is primarily based on Chinese medicine, with Western medicine adapting to the circumstances and intervening appropriately throughout the process.By accurately assessing the concepts of ′righteousness′and ′evil′and implementing collaborative diagnostic and treatment strategies that integrate both traditional Chinese and Western medicine, we can significantly enhance the physical condition of elderly cancer patients.This comprehensive approach not only boosts immunity and improves organ function but also increases tolerance to tumor treatments, alleviates complications, reduces adverse reactions, and ensures that elderly cancer patients can undergo systemic cancer treatment to its fullest extent.Ultimately, this strategy aims to improve prognosis, enhance quality of life, and extend the effective survival period.

Objective:To compare the diagnostic value of semi-quantitative parameters of fluorine 18-labelled prostate-specific membrane antigen( 18F-PSMA)positron emission tomography /computed tomography(PET/CT)and the Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Reporting and Data System(PSMA-RADS)score for identifying benign and malignant oligo-PSMA-avid bone lesions(1-5 lesions)in elderly patients with prostate cancer. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 157 prostate cancer patients who underwent 18F-PSMA PET/CT examinations at Beijing Hospital from October 2022 to August 2024.According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 63 patients were selected.All patients underwent 18F-PSMA PET/CT examination for the purpose of initial staging or detecting lesions with biochemical recurrence.PSMA-avid bone lesions were evaluated using the PSMA-RADS version 2.0 scoring system and the semi-quantitative parameters were measured on PSMA PET/CT images.According to the comprehensive diagnostic criteria, PSMA-avid bone lesions were divided into metastatic group and non-metastatic group.The differences in PSMA-RADS scores, semi-quantitative parameters, bone density abnormalities, and lesion distribution were compared between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors related to the bone metastasis in prostate cancer.By plotting the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves and calculating the area under the curve(AUC), factors with better diagnostic performance were evaluated and screened, and the optimal diagnostic threshold for each factor in diagnosing bone metastasis was determined. Results:There were a total of 129 PSMA-avid bone lesions for 63 patients(aged 60-84 years, median age 69 years), including 35 lesions(27.1%)in the metastatic group and 94 lesions(72.9%)in the non-metastatic group.The differences between metastatic group and non-metastatic group in PSMA-RADS scores[5(4, 5) vs.3(3, 3)], maximum standardized uptake value(SUV max)[12.6(7.0, 18.4) vs.4.7(3.5, 5.9)], lesion SUV max/mediastinal blood pool SUV max ratio(lesion-to-blood pool ratio, LBR)[5.4(3.0, 8.3) vs.1.7(1.4, 2.2)], lesion SUV max/liver SUV max ratio(lesion-to-liver ratio, LLR)[2.6(1.6, 4.1) vs.0.8(0.7, 1.1)], PSMA receptor expressing tumor volume(PSMA-TV)[0.6(0.3, 1.0) vs.1.0(0.7, 1.5)], total lesion of PSMA(TL-PSMA)[4.4(2.4, 7.0) vs.2.4(1.7, 3.9)], proportion of changes in osteogenic bone density[77.1%(27/35) vs.2.1%(2/94)], proportion of lesions located in the ribs[14.3%(5/35) vs.46.8%(44/94)], and proportion of lesions located in the pelvis[54.3%(19/35) vs.20.2%(19/94)]were all statistically significant(all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that none of the variables with statistically significant differences between groups above were independent risk factors for osseous metastasis in prostate cancer(all P>0.05). Among them, The PSMA-RADS score, LLR, LBR, and SUV max all had good diagnostic efficacy for osseous metastasis, with 0.995(95% CI: 0.987-1.000), 0.923(95% CI: 0.869-0.977), 0.898(95% CI: 0.828-0.967), and 0.890(95% CI: 0.820-0.961), respectively.The cut-off values for diagnosing osseous metastasis were 4 score for PSMA-RADS score, 0.934 for LLR, 1.990 for LBR, and 5.47 for SUV max, respectively.According to Delong's test, there were statistically significant differences in AUC between PSMA-RADS score and 18F-PSMA PET/CT semi-quantitative parameters(LLR, LBR, and SUV max)( Z-values were 2.677, 2.776, and 2.929, respectively, and P-values were 0.007, 0.006, and 0.003, respectively). Conclusions:The PSMA-RADS score(Version 2.0)and 18F-PSMA PET/CT semi-quantitative parameters(LLR, LBR, and SUV max)both have good diagnostic value in differentiating benign and malignant PSMA-avid bone lesions in elderly patients with prostate cancer, among which the PSMA-RADS score has the best diagnostic efficacy.

Objective:To analyze the population structure, quantity of rodents, fleas and epidemiological characteristics of animal plague in the plague foci of Erenhot in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and to provide a basis for scientific prevention and control of plague.Methods:The descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the surveillance and epidemic data of plague in Erenhot from 2013 to 2023 (from the plague prevention and control management information system of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the summary of plague surveillance data in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2013 to 2023), including rat density, nocturnal rat capture, flea infection of rodents, bacteriological and serological detection, etc.Results:From 2013 to 2023, a total of 418 hm 2 of plague foci were investigated in Erenhot, 1 054 rats were caught, and the density of rats was 2.52/hm 2, among which Meriones unguiculatus was the dominant species ( n = 480), and the density was 1.15/hm 2. The capture rate of nocturnal rodents was 6.38% (1 291/20 250). The flea infestation rate of rodents was 35.53% (1 491/4 197), with a flea index of 1.25. Xenopsylla conformity is the dominant flea species ( n = 1 886). Animal plague outbreaks occurred in 7 years, with 11 positive rodents and 10 groups of positive fleas identified by the bacteriology tests, and a total of 21 strains of Yersinia pestis isolated. Eleven positive sera samples were detected by serology. Conclusion:The rodent density in the plague foci of Erenhot is relatively low, but the flea index is high, the animal epidemic is active, facing a significant risk of imported human and animal plague epidemics.

Objective To evaluate the quality of Uncaria Hook(UH)in the market.Methods Twenty-nine batches of UH were tested by legal standards(character,identification,inspection,and extract detection).The TLC method was used to explore the identification of the control herbs,pilocarcinine,dehydropilocarcinine,pilocarcinine and isocarcinine.The HPLC method was used to establish the characteristic spectrum of UH.Then cluster analysis,PCA-X,and OPLS-DA analysis methods were used to perform statistical analysis on the common peak area of unguttine,and determine the contents of heicoside,iso-dehydrounguttine,iso-unguttine,iso-unguttine,and unguttine,to screen out the key quality control components of UH and evaluate their quality.Results Among the 29 batches of samples,23 batches were qualified,and the qualified rate was 79.31％.The results of the TLC analysis showed that the chemical constituents of different base sources were very different.No pilocarcinine was detected in Uncaria macrophylla no hydropilocarcinine was detected in Uncaria sinensis,and four components were not detected in Uncaria hirsuta.Only the samples with the base source of the plant showed corresponding spots in the chromatographic position with the control drug and the control substance.The results of HPLC showed that the chemical composition and content of different base sources of UH were very different.No hydrouncinine and pilocarcinine were detected in Uncaria macrophylla.No iso-dehydrouncinine,dehydrouncinine,and dehydropilocarcinine were detected in Uncaria sinensis.And only heicoside was detected in Uncaria sinensis,and the content of heicoside was low.Based on statistical analysis,there were differences among different batches of UH,and three key quality control ingredients,iso-dehydrounguocarcinoma,dehydrounguocarcinoma,and iso-unguocarcinoma that may lead to quality differences of unguocarcinoma were found.Conclusions Overall,the UH is of poor quality,the current processing standards and testing standards can not ensure the quality of the product,affecting the safety and effectiveness of clinic use.The chemical composition categories and contents of different base sources of UH are very different,which increases the difficulty of formulating a unified quality standard.

Purpose To investigate the sex differences of white matter damage in Alzheimer's disease(AD)and their association with cognitive impairment.Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 88 AD patients(48 females),71 amnestic mild cognitive impairment(aMCI)patients(39 females),and 95 healthy controls(63 females)recruited from the Memory Disorder Clinic at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from September 2017 to July 2024.High-resolution three-dimensional T1 structure images and diffusion tensor imaging images were all obtained from each participant.The mean diffusivity(MD)and fractional anisotropy(FA)values of each white matter region were obtained,and the two-way ANOVA analysis was conducted to investigate brain regions with interaction effects between groups and sexes,those brain regions were then chosen as regions of interest for further correlation analysis with a series of cognitive scale scores.Results In terms of FA values,the right posterior corona radiata,right anterior limb of the internal capsule and left corticospinal tract showed interaction between sexes and cognitive groups(F=4.764,3.812,5.937,all P<0.05).The FA value of AD group was significantly lower than that of healthy control and aMCI group(all P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between healthy control and aMCI group(except the right anterior limb of the internal capsule,P=0.018).In AD group,FA values were significantly higher in women than in men in the previously described brain regions(all P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in FA values between male and female in healthy control and aMCI groups(except the left corticospinal tract,P<0.001).In terms of MD values,the right anterior limb of the internal capsule,right superior corona radiata and left external capsule showed interaction effect between sexes and cognitive groups(F=8.581,3.680,7.218,all P<0.05).The MD value of AD group was significantly higher than that of aMCI group(P<0.001),and aMCI group was higher than that of healthy control group(all P<0.05).In AD group,the MD values in the above brain regions were significantly higher in males than those in females(all P<0.01),while no significant difference was found between males and females in healthy control and aMCI groups(except for the left external capsule,P<0.05).For correlation analysis,the AD group was dimidiated into two groups by sex,the scores of the Montreal cognitive assessment,the Mini Mental state examination and the verbal fluency test of the female patient group were positively correlated with the FA values of the right posterior corona radiate(r=0.372,P=0.009;r=0.345,P=0.016;r=0.383,P=0.007),while the Mini Mental state examination and the verbal fluency test scores of female AD patient group were negatively correlated with the MD values of the right superior corona radiata(r=-0.360,P=0.012;r=-0.360,P=0.003).Conclusion Compared to the healthy control and MCI groups,white matter damage in AD patients shows sex differences and is associated with general cognitive and language functions impairment in female AD patients.

Bronchiectasis is one of the most common and refractory lower respiratory tract diseases in clinic practice.Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common frequently isolated pathogen in adults with bronchiectasis complicated by infection.The complex relationship among inflammation,immunity,infection and structural damage in the airway of patients has been described as a"vicious circle"model,but the specific mechanism of different pathological links in this model and their intricate interactions are still not fully understood.The theory of"Strengthening fire eating qi"first appeared in Su Wen·Yin Yang Ying Xiang Da Lun,and provides simply explain the"qi"damage to"shape"damage of patients'airway from the perspective of"fire"and"qi"in traditional Chinese medicine,and provide new ideas for explaining the pathological mechanism connotation of bronchiectasis combined with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.The exploration of pathological mechanism is the fundamental source of understanding disease progression and discovering new treatment ideas.At present,the clinical treatment of Western medicine for patients with bronchiectasis mainly focuses on anti-infection and symptomatic treatment.Although etiological targeted therapies and targeted drugs are constantly explored and developed,they are still rarely applied in clinical practice.As a treasure of Chinese culture,traditional Chinese medicine has the advantage of taking both specimens into consideration,and its clinical efficacy and pharmacological value are worthy of further study.Based on the classical theory of"Strengthening fire eating qi",this review aims to understand and summarize the modern pathological mechanism of bronchiectasis combined with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and highlights current research hotspots in both Chinese and Western medicine treatment,in order to provide clinical thinking.

The incidence of tumors among the elderly is notably high, presenting significant challenges in terms of harm, complexity, and treatment.The processes of diagnosis and treatment often lack a precise clinical foundation and robust experimental evidence, resulting in numerous difficulties and dilemmas.A collaborative approach that integrates traditional Chinese and Western medicine, leveraging the strengths of both, can substantially alleviate these challenges and ensure that elderly cancer patients can undergo systematic, comprehensive, and intensive cancer treatments.Traditional Chinese medicine can play a vital role throughout the entire continuum of diagnosis and treatment for elderly cancer patients, whether by leading, assisting, or complementing other treatment modalities.This article employs the concepts of ′righteousness′and ′evil′from traditional Chinese medicine, where ′righteousness′signifies the ′state of a person′and ′evil ′denotes the ′state of a tumor′.We systematically explore collaborative diagnosis and treatment strategies that integrate traditional Chinese and Western medicine for tumor management in the elderly, categorizing the approaches into four conditions: strong righteousness with strong evil, strong righteousness with weak evil, weak righteousness with strong evil, and weak righteousness with weak evil.In cases where both righteousness and evil are strong, the treatment strategy is primarily dominated by Western medicine, with support from traditional Chinese medicine.Conversely, when righteousness is strong and evil is weak, the strategy entails a combination of both Chinese and Western medicine.In situations characterized by weak righteousness and strong evil, the treatment approach is largely guided by traditional Chinese medicine, while also considering equal attention to both modalities.Finally, when both righteousness and evil are weak, the coordinated diagnosis and treatment strategy is primarily based on Chinese medicine, with Western medicine adapting to the circumstances and intervening appropriately throughout the process.By accurately assessing the concepts of ′righteousness′and ′evil′and implementing collaborative diagnostic and treatment strategies that integrate both traditional Chinese and Western medicine, we can significantly enhance the physical condition of elderly cancer patients.This comprehensive approach not only boosts immunity and improves organ function but also increases tolerance to tumor treatments, alleviates complications, reduces adverse reactions, and ensures that elderly cancer patients can undergo systemic cancer treatment to its fullest extent.Ultimately, this strategy aims to improve prognosis, enhance quality of life, and extend the effective survival period.