[Objective] : To explore the clinical characteristics and methods for syndrome differentiation prediction, as well as to construct a predictive model for Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). [Methods] : This study employed a retrospective case-control design to analyze patients with AIS who received inpatient treatment at the Neurology Department of The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2022. AIS patients meeting the diagnostic criteria for Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were stratified into case group, while those without Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were stratified into control group. The demographic characteristics (age and gender), clinical parameters [time from onset to admission, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and blood pressure], past medical history, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnostic characteristics (tongue and pulse), neurological symptoms and signs, imaging findings [magnetic resonance imaging-diffusion weighted imaging (MRI-DWI)], and biochemical indicators of the two groups were collected and compared. The indicators with statistical difference (P < 0.05) in univariate analysis were included in multivariate logistic regression analysis to evaluate their predictive value for the diagnosis of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, and the predictive model was constructed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. [Results] : The study included 1 035 AIS patients, with 404 cases in case group and 631 cases in control group. Compared with control group, patients in case group were significantly older, had extended onset-to-admission time, lower diastolic blood pressure, and lower NIHSS scores (P < 0.05). Case group showed lower incidence of hypertension history (P < 0.05). Regarding tongue and pulse characteristics, pale and dark tongue colors, white tongue coating, fine pulse, astringent pulse, and sinking pulse were more common in case group. Imaging examinations demonstrated higher proportions of centrum semiovale infarction, cerebral atrophy, and vertebral artery stenosis in case group (P < 0.05). Among biochemical indicators, case group showed higher proportions of elevated fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), while lower proportions of elevated white blood cell count, reduced hemoglobin, and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified significant predictors for Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome including: fine pulse [odds ratio (OR) = 4.38], astringent pulse (OR = 3.67), superficial sensory abnormalities (OR = 1.86), centrum semiovale infarction (OR = 1.57), cerebral atrophy (OR = 1.55), vertebral artery stenosis (OR = 1.62), and elevated HbA1c (OR = 3.52). The ROC curve analysis of the comprehensive prediction model yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.878 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.855 – 0.900]. [Conclusion] This study finds out that Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome represents one of the primary types of AIS. Fine pulse, astringent pulse, superficial sensory abnormalities, centrum semiovale infarction, cerebral atrophy, vertebral artery stenosis, elevated blood glucose, elevated HbA1c, pale and dark tongue colors, and white tongue coating are key objective diagnostic indicators for the syndrome differentiation of AIS with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. Based on these indicators, a syndrome differentiation prediction model has been developed, offering a more objective basis for clinical diagnosis, and help to rapidly identify this syndrome in clinical practice and reduce misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.

Delirium is a common cause and complication of hospitalization in the elderly and is associated with higher risk of future dementia and progression of existing dementia, of which 70% is Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD and delirium, which are known to be aggravated by one another, represent significant societal challenges, especially in light of the absence of effective treatments. The intricate biological mechanisms have led to numerous clinical trial setbacks and likely contribute to the limited efficacy of existing therapeutics. Artificial intelligence (AI) presents a promising avenue for overcoming these hurdles by deploying algorithms to uncover hidden patterns across diverse data types. This review explores the pivotal role of AI in revolutionizing drug discovery for AD and delirium from target identification to the development of small molecule and protein-based therapies. Recent advances in deep learning, particularly in accurate protein structure prediction, are facilitating novel approaches to drug design and expediting the discovery pipeline for biological and small molecule therapeutics. This review concludes with an appraisal of current achievements and limitations, and touches on prospects for the use of AI in advancing drug discovery in AD and delirium, emphasizing its transformative potential in addressing these two and possibly other neurodegenerative conditions.

Objective:To investigate whether memantine hydrochloride (MEM) could promote the bactericidal effect of neutrophils against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the possible mechanism. Methods:Neutrophils were co-incubated with different concentrations of MEM and MRSA for 4 h. Then the cell lysates were collected and cultured on plate for survival bacteria counting. After co-incubation, the neutrophils were collected to detect the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). A mouse model of MRSA infection was established, and then the mice were treated with or without MEM. Blood, spleen and kidney samples were collected from the mice for bacterial colony counting and blood procalcitonin (PCT) detection. In the 48 h survival experiment, the mice were first infected with MRSA, and then treated with MEM or PBS. The survival rates of the mice were calculated and the survival curves were drawn.Results:The number of MRSA co-cultured with neutrophils decreased significantly in the presence of MEM, and within a certain concentration range, the survival number of MRSA decreased with the increase of MEM concentration. Moreover, MEM could significantly promote the production of ROS by neutrophils and the formation of NETs. In vivo experiment showed that the concentration of PCT in mouse blood samples was lower in the MRSA+ MEM group than in the MRSA+ PBS group. The animal experiment also revealed that MEM significantly decreased the bacteria loads in mouse blood and organs and increased the 48 h survival rate after MRSA infection.Conclusions:MEM could significantly promote the bactericidal effect of neutrophils against MRSA, which might be related to the enhanced generation of ROS by neutrophils and the formation of NETs.

Methcathinone (MCAT) belongs to the designer drugs called synthetic cathinones, which are abused worldwide for recreational purposes. It has strong stimulant effects, including enhanced euphoria, sensation, alertness, and empathy. However, little is known about how MCAT modulates neuronal activity in vivo. Here, we evaluated the effect of MCAT on neuronal activity with a series of functional approaches. C-Fos immunostaining showed that MCAT increased the number of activated neurons by 6-fold, especially in sensory and motor cortices, striatum, and midbrain motor nuclei. In vivo single-unit recording and two-photon Ca²⁺ imaging revealed that a large proportion of neurons increased spiking activity upon MCAT administration. Notably, MCAT induced a strong de-correlation of population activity and increased trial-to-trial reliability, specifically during a natural movie stimulus. It improved the information-processing efficiency by enhancing the single-neuron coding capacity, suggesting a cortical network mechanism of the enhanced perception produced by psychoactive stimulants.
Mice ; Animals ; Reproducibility of Results ; Neurons ; Sensation ; Perception

Objective: To identity patterns of psychological abuse and neglect among male and female adolescents, and to examine the relationship between psychological abuse and neglect with mobile phone dependence. Methods: A total of 1 070 adolescents from 5 middle schools in Ganzhou and Wuhan were investigated with Child Psychological Abuse and Neglect Scale (CPANS), Mobile Phone Addiction Index Scale (MPAI) and demographic questionnaire. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to construct typologies of psychological abuse and neglect involvement in male and female adolescents. Results: Three latent classes were identified for boys: low level psychological abuse and neglect group (56.68%), medium level psychological abuse and neglect group ( 29.80 %), high level psychological abuse and neglect group (13.52%). For girls, four latent classes were identified including low level psychological abuse and neglect group (49.38%), medium level psychological abuse and neglect group (29.01%), high level psychological abuse and neglect group (11.12%); high level psychological abuse group (10.49%). Adolescents who suffered from psychological abuse and neglect were more likely to be dependent on mobile phones. Among them, boys dependence on mobile phones was manifested as out of control, withdrawal, escape and inefficiency[Medium level： B(95%CI )=0.28(0.12-0.44)，0.29(0.11-0.46)，0.35(0.16-0.53)，high level： B(95%CI )=0.37(0.16-0.59)，0.42(0.19-0.65)，0.33(0.07-0.59)，0.50(0.25- 0.74 )， P ＜0.05], while girls showed evasion and inefficiency in high levels of psychological abuse[ B(95%CI )=0.34(0.01-0.67)，0.46(0.14-0.78)， P ＜0.05]. Conclusion There are heterogeneous differences in psychological abuse and neglect between male and female adolescents, and the relationship between each category and mobile phone dependence varies. The results provide suggestions for adolescent mental health intervention.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of lung abscess related to adenovirus (ADV).Methods:The data of 5 cases suffering from pulmonary abscess by ADV in Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center from January to December 2019 were collected, including general information, clinical characteristics, examination and follow up visits.Results:The age of the patients ranged from 4 months to 12 months and the mean age was 8.6 months.All of them had fever and the degree was more than 39 ℃.What′s more, they had the history of cough and sputum.Somebody had dyspnea and pleural effusion.The imaging examinations of 5 cases strongly suggested that the interstitial and parenchymal lung disease subsequently appeared different sized cystic shadow, liquid flat cystic shadow, thickened wall empty tissue image, while some cases displayed the pleural effusion.The ADV-PCR or ADV-IgM were positive in the children, while the C-reactive protein, white blood cells and neutrophile were higher than the normal, but some were not.All the platelet count and lactate dehydrogenase were higher than the normal.Three children experienced the surgical treatment and their pathologic result revealed lung abscess.All the children were cured after the treatment, with good prognosis.Conclusions:Lung abscess related to ADV was rare in children and its system was not clear.If children who suffered from ADV were not cured after the treatment for a long time, the CT scan can differentiate whether it was combined with the complication of lung abscess or not.Early therapy for these patients could obtain satisfactory prognosis.

Objective:The research was aimed to investigate the association between serum total homocysteine (tHcy) and subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord (SCD).Methods:A retrospective survey of 106 newly diagnosed patients with SCD were enrolled in this research who were treated in the department of neurology of Xijing Hospital from January 2008 to February 2019, meanwhile, 121 patients with spinal cord lesion (not SCD) and 104 neurology mild outpatients were selected as controls. Serum tHcy level was determined by using the chemiluminescent immunoassay assay. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors for SCD. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, sensitivity, specificity and Youden index were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of tHcy. Spearman correlation analysis was used to observe the correlation between tHcy and SCD severity. The SCD patients were categorized into normal or mild tHcy group, moderate tHcy group, and severe tHcy group based on tHcy levels. Clinical symptoms, nerve conduction velocity, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings from the patients were studied.Results:The serum tHcy levels in SCD patients were 64.3(26.5, 98.8) μmol/L, while in patients with spinal cord lesion (not SCD) group were 13.7(10.8, 19.2) μmol/L, neurology mild outpatients were 10.6(8.2, 13.0) μmol/L, which was higher in SCD group ( H=112.020, P<0.001), ( H=165.525, P<0.001).The multivariate logistic regression model showed tHcy is the impact factor of SCD ( OR=1.107, 95% CI:1.077-1.139, P<0.001). At ROC analysis, tHcy showed diagnostic value with an optimal cut-off value of 24.9 μmol/L (AUC 0.913, 95% CI: 0.875-0.951, sensitivity 79.2%, specificity 91.6%). Spearman correlation analysis showed that tHcy was positively correlated with functional disability rating scale ( r=0.254, P=0.009). Conclusions:Serum tHcy is the risk factor for SCD and related to its disability. Focus on the increased level of tHcy plays a positive role in the diagnosis of SCD.

Objective:The research was aimed to investigate the association between serum total homocysteine (tHcy) and subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord (SCD).Methods:A retrospective survey of 106 newly diagnosed patients with SCD were enrolled in this research who were treated in the department of neurology of Xijing Hospital from January 2008 to February 2019, meanwhile, 121 patients with spinal cord lesion (not SCD) and 104 neurology mild outpatients were selected as controls. Serum tHcy level was determined by using the chemiluminescent immunoassay assay. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors for SCD. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, sensitivity, specificity and Youden index were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of tHcy. Spearman correlation analysis was used to observe the correlation between tHcy and SCD severity. The SCD patients were categorized into normal or mild tHcy group, moderate tHcy group, and severe tHcy group based on tHcy levels. Clinical symptoms, nerve conduction velocity, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings from the patients were studied.Results:The serum tHcy levels in SCD patients were 64.3(26.5, 98.8) μmol/L, while in patients with spinal cord lesion (not SCD) group were 13.7(10.8, 19.2) μmol/L, neurology mild outpatients were 10.6(8.2, 13.0) μmol/L, which was higher in SCD group ( H=112.020, P<0.001), ( H=165.525, P<0.001).The multivariate logistic regression model showed tHcy is the impact factor of SCD ( OR=1.107, 95% CI:1.077-1.139, P<0.001). At ROC analysis, tHcy showed diagnostic value with an optimal cut-off value of 24.9 μmol/L (AUC 0.913, 95% CI: 0.875-0.951, sensitivity 79.2%, specificity 91.6%). Spearman correlation analysis showed that tHcy was positively correlated with functional disability rating scale ( r=0.254, P=0.009). Conclusions:Serum tHcy is the risk factor for SCD and related to its disability. Focus on the increased level of tHcy plays a positive role in the diagnosis of SCD.

Objective To investigate the influence of conventional preoperative intestinal preparation and unplanned preparation on the visual field of pelvic organ prolapse repair surgery. Methods The patients who underwent transvaginal pelvic organ prolapse repair surgery in Peking University People′s Hospital from September 2017 to July 2018 were selected as the research objects except those who had undergone colorectal surgery and chronic constipation. The surgery doctor was blinded by intestinal preparation. There was no intestinal preparation in non intestinal preparation group and polyethylene glycol was taken orally in intestinal preparation group. The main outcome measures were the effect of intestinal contents on the surgical field, the presence of fecal leakage, and the nature and volume of fecal leakage. The standard of fecal contamination was: mild, less than 15 ml, moderate, 15-30 ml, and severe,>30 ml. Secondary indicators were patient satisfaction and symptoms of routine bowel preparation. Results A total of 120 patients (60 cases of non intestinal preparation group, 60 cases of intestinal preparation group) were selected, including transvaginal hysterectomy, vaginal anterior or posterior colporrhaphy (some patients with anterior prolapse repair with mesh), sacrospinal ligament suspension, total colpectomy and colpocleisis, laparoscopic sacral colpopexy, anti-incontinence surgery. The median age of the patients in non intestinal preparation group was 62 years, and the median age of intestinal preparation group was 60 years. There were no significant differences in median age, anesthesia, operation method, blood loss, operation time and perioperative infection between the two groups (all P>0.05). Fecal contamination occurred in 10％(6/60) of the patients without intestinal preparation and 32％ (19/60) of the patients with intestinal preparation (P=0.042). Comparing the two groups, 10％(6/60) of the patients with intestinal preparation had moderate and severe contamination, and the patients without intestinal preparation was only 2％ (1/60), there was significant difference (P=0.017). In intestinal preparation group, nausea (8％, 5/60), vomiting (5％, 3/60), abdominal distension (22％, 13/60), fatigue (5％, 3/60) and palpitation (2％, 1/60) were higher than those in non intestinal preparation group. Conclusions Intestinal preparation with oral laxatives before pelvic organ prolapse repair surgery is not beneficial to the cleaning of the surgical field and increases the discomfort of intestinal preparation. It is safe and feasible for most patients with pelvic organ prolapse to perform pelvic organ prolapse repair surgery without intestinal preparation.

Objective: To study the correlation between fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and lung function in young children for acute attack of wheezing, and to compare the FeNO in different stages in order to explore the best suitable time for the experiment of FeNO in young children by the method of on-line tidal breathing. Methods: Recurrent wheezing children aged 1-5 year old were selected who were underwent the test at lung function laboratory from January 2016 to March 2018, at Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center.The children aged less than 5 years old were detected for FeNO in both stages of acute exacerbation and 2 weeks after treatment, and the children aged less than 3 years were also detected for the tidal lung function in the acute exacerbation stage.According to time ratio of reaching tidal peak flow to total expiratory time(TPTEF/TE )and ratio of volume at tidal peak flow to total tidal volume (VPEF/VE), the children aged less than 3 years were divided into 4 groups (normal group, mild group, moderate group and severe group). Results: The FeNO of the normal group[9.85(5.17, 19.62) ppb] and mild group[13.00(7.00, 23.30) ppb] were significantly higher than that of the severe group [3.10(2.20, 5.25) ppb], and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05). And there was a positive correlation between TPTEF/TE and FeNO(r=0.304, P<0.05), VPEF/VE and FeNO(r=0.320, P<0.05), tidal volume per kilogram(VT/kG)and FeNO(r=0.293, P<0.05)and a negative correlation between respiration rate(RR)and FeNO(r=-0.449, P<0.05). The FeNO in the stage of acute exacerbation was significantly lower than that in the stage of 2 weeks after treatment[(10.49±8.49) ppb vs.(20.41±9.13) ppb], and there was a significant difference among them(t=-5.79, P<0.01). Conclusions If researchers want to use the method of on-line breathing to test FeNO in young children with wheezing, they should choose the time of 2 weeks after treatment, and analyze the results combined with the lung function.