BACKGROUND: Post-stroke disability diminishes the physical activity (PA) level of survivors, potentially affecting their long-term prognosis. This study endeavors to explore the correlation between daily PA level and the all-cause mortality in patients with a history of stoke in the United States. METHODS: Data of stroke survivors were sourced from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2018. The population was stratified into three groups based on their PA level. Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank tests for significance was used for survival analysis. Weighted Cox proportional hazards regression models were employed to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality. Subgroup analysis was conducted to strengthen the results. RESULTS: A total of 1395 participants were recruited, comprising 679 males and 716 females, with a median age of 68 years. Based on their PA levels, 779 individuals were classified as inactive, 156 as insufficiently active, and 460 as sufficiently active. Following a median observation period of 59 months, there were 476 recorded deaths, with 349, 47, and 80 cases in the three respective groups. Compared to the inactive group, the HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause mortality in participants who were insufficiently active and sufficiently active were 0.58 (0.40, 0.84) and 0.47 (0.33, 0.67), respectively. The Kaplan-Meier curve revealed a significant difference in overall survival between the three groups, as confirmed by the log-rank test (P < 0.0001). Subgroup analysis further validated our results and demonstrated that the protective impact of PA on stroke prognosis varies according to distinct characteristics. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that increased levels of PA are associated with a protective effect on long-term mortality among stroke survivors. Further prospective longitudinal studies are necessary to elucidate the optional PA level and special exercise guideline targeting this population.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Exercise ; Middle Aged ; Nutrition Surveys ; Stroke/mortality* ; United States/epidemiology* ; Survivors/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Mortality

Objective:To investigate the correlation between multifidus muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), fat infiltration index (FI), and the grading of lumbar facet joint degeneration (FJD).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 105 patients with lumbar FJD treated at Sichuan Orthopaedic Hospital between January 2015 and December 2020. Patients were divided into three groups according to the Weishaupt grading system: 37 cases with Weishaupt grade 1 (Mild Group), 44 cases with Weishaupt grade 2 (Moderate Group), and 24 cases with Weishaupt grade 3 (Severe Group). Baseline characteristics [sex, age, body mass index (BMI), treatment duration], pathological features at initial diagnosis [segmental distribution, bone mineral density (BMD) T-score, facet joint asymmetry, endplate morphology, Modic classification, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score], and multifidus muscle MRI findings [multifidus cross-sectional area (CSA) and fat infiltration index (FI)] were compared among the three groups. The correlation between lumbar multifidus CSA, FI, and FJD grade was analyzed. Normally distributed measurement data were expressed as xˉ± s; comparisons among multiple groups were performed by one-way ANOVA, pairwise comparisons were performed by LSD- t tests. Counting data were expressed as case (%) and compared by χ2 test. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between lumbar multifidus MRI parameters and FJD grade. Results:There were no statistically significant differences among the three FJD groups in sex, age, BMI, treatment duration, segmental distribution, BMD T-score, proportion of facet joint asymmetry, endplate morphology, Modic classification, ODI, or JOA score (all P>0.05). At the L4-5 level, the multifidus CSA on the affected side in the severe group was significantly smaller than in the moderate group and mild group [(6.2±1.2) cm2 vs. (7.0±1.1) cm2 vs. (7.8±1.2) cm2], and the CSA in the moderate group was smaller than in the mild group (all P<0.05). At both the L4-5 and L5-S1 levels, the FI on the affected side in the severe group was significantly greater than in the moderate group and mild group [(0.48±0.12) vs. (0.39±0.15) vs. (0.29±0.10) at L4-5; (0.49±0.12) vs. (0.41±0.10) vs. (0.30±0.13) at L5-S1], and the FI in the moderate group was greater than in the mild group (all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that at the L4-5 level, multifidus CSA on the affected side was negatively correlated with FJD grade ( r=-0.41, P=0.004). At the L5-S1 level, FI on the affected side was positively correlated with FJD grade ( r=0.58, P<0.001). Conclusion:The CSA and FI of the multifidus muscle on the affected side in the lumbar spine exhibit significant correlations with the severity of FJD grading. Clinically, early functional exercises can be implemented based on the degree of multifidus muscle degeneration observed in patients.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for stroke-associated pneumonia(SAP)in patients with acute anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion stroke after endovascular treatment(EVT).Methods A total of 115 patients with acute anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion stroke who received EVT in the Department of Neurology,The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University,from March 2022 to May 2023 were continuously included.Their clinical data were retrospectively collected.The patients were divided into SAP group(55 cases)and non-SAP group(60 cases)according to the occurrence of SAP after the operation.Differences in baseline data,surgical and perioperative indicators were compared between the two groups,and the risk factors for SAP after EVT were analyzed using the multivariate Logistic regression analysis.Results Univariate analysis showed there were significant differences in the Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)score and the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score at admission,incidence of dysphagia,duration of the surgery,proportion of general anesthesia,rate of unsuccessful vascular recanalization and the rate of immediate CT high-density sign between SAP group and non-SAP group(all P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis of the above indicators showed that duration of the surgery(OR=1.014,95％CI:1.001-1.028,P＜0.05),dysphagia(OR=6.137,95％CI:1.694-22.232,P＜0.01)and unsuccessful vascular recanalization(OR=6.043,95％CI:1.062-34.382,P＜0.05)were independent risk factors for SAP after EVT.Conclusion Long duration of EVT,dysphagia and unsuccessful vascular recanalization are directly related to the occurrence of SAP after EVT in patients with acute anterior circulation large-vessel occlusive infarction.Therefore,targeted measures should be taken as soon as possible to reduce the incidence of SAP after EVT and thus improve the clinical prognosis of these patients.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for stroke-associated pneumonia(SAP)in patients with acute anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion stroke after endovascular treatment(EVT).Methods A total of 115 patients with acute anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion stroke who received EVT in the Department of Neurology,The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University,from March 2022 to May 2023 were continuously included.Their clinical data were retrospectively collected.The patients were divided into SAP group(55 cases)and non-SAP group(60 cases)according to the occurrence of SAP after the operation.Differences in baseline data,surgical and perioperative indicators were compared between the two groups,and the risk factors for SAP after EVT were analyzed using the multivariate Logistic regression analysis.Results Univariate analysis showed there were significant differences in the Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)score and the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score at admission,incidence of dysphagia,duration of the surgery,proportion of general anesthesia,rate of unsuccessful vascular recanalization and the rate of immediate CT high-density sign between SAP group and non-SAP group(all P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis of the above indicators showed that duration of the surgery(OR=1.014,95％CI:1.001-1.028,P＜0.05),dysphagia(OR=6.137,95％CI:1.694-22.232,P＜0.01)and unsuccessful vascular recanalization(OR=6.043,95％CI:1.062-34.382,P＜0.05)were independent risk factors for SAP after EVT.Conclusion Long duration of EVT,dysphagia and unsuccessful vascular recanalization are directly related to the occurrence of SAP after EVT in patients with acute anterior circulation large-vessel occlusive infarction.Therefore,targeted measures should be taken as soon as possible to reduce the incidence of SAP after EVT and thus improve the clinical prognosis of these patients.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between multifidus muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), fat infiltration index (FI), and the grading of lumbar facet joint degeneration (FJD).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 105 patients with lumbar FJD treated at Sichuan Orthopaedic Hospital between January 2015 and December 2020. Patients were divided into three groups according to the Weishaupt grading system: 37 cases with Weishaupt grade 1 (Mild Group), 44 cases with Weishaupt grade 2 (Moderate Group), and 24 cases with Weishaupt grade 3 (Severe Group). Baseline characteristics [sex, age, body mass index (BMI), treatment duration], pathological features at initial diagnosis [segmental distribution, bone mineral density (BMD) T-score, facet joint asymmetry, endplate morphology, Modic classification, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score], and multifidus muscle MRI findings [multifidus cross-sectional area (CSA) and fat infiltration index (FI)] were compared among the three groups. The correlation between lumbar multifidus CSA, FI, and FJD grade was analyzed. Normally distributed measurement data were expressed as xˉ± s; comparisons among multiple groups were performed by one-way ANOVA, pairwise comparisons were performed by LSD- t tests. Counting data were expressed as case (%) and compared by χ2 test. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between lumbar multifidus MRI parameters and FJD grade. Results:There were no statistically significant differences among the three FJD groups in sex, age, BMI, treatment duration, segmental distribution, BMD T-score, proportion of facet joint asymmetry, endplate morphology, Modic classification, ODI, or JOA score (all P>0.05). At the L4-5 level, the multifidus CSA on the affected side in the severe group was significantly smaller than in the moderate group and mild group [(6.2±1.2) cm2 vs. (7.0±1.1) cm2 vs. (7.8±1.2) cm2], and the CSA in the moderate group was smaller than in the mild group (all P<0.05). At both the L4-5 and L5-S1 levels, the FI on the affected side in the severe group was significantly greater than in the moderate group and mild group [(0.48±0.12) vs. (0.39±0.15) vs. (0.29±0.10) at L4-5; (0.49±0.12) vs. (0.41±0.10) vs. (0.30±0.13) at L5-S1], and the FI in the moderate group was greater than in the mild group (all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that at the L4-5 level, multifidus CSA on the affected side was negatively correlated with FJD grade ( r=-0.41, P=0.004). At the L5-S1 level, FI on the affected side was positively correlated with FJD grade ( r=0.58, P<0.001). Conclusion:The CSA and FI of the multifidus muscle on the affected side in the lumbar spine exhibit significant correlations with the severity of FJD grading. Clinically, early functional exercises can be implemented based on the degree of multifidus muscle degeneration observed in patients.

Objective:To explore the role and the intervention effect of emodin in intestinal neuropathy in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) through the nucleotide binding oligomerization domain like receptor protein 3/cysteine containing aspartic acid protease-1 (NLRP3/Caspase-1) pathway.Methods:Forty male healthy SD rats aged 6-8 weeks with a weight of approximately 200g were randomly divided into control group, SAP model group, emodin treatment (EMO) group, and NLRP3 knockdown group. SAP were induced by retrograde injection of sodium deoxycholate into the pancreatic duct of rats and serum amylase of which were detected. The effective NLRP3 knockdown sequence was screened for NLRP3 knockdown animal experiments. Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, gasdermin-D (GSDMD), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in the small intestine of each group. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the small intestine of each group.Results:The amylase levels of the control group, SAP group, EMO group, and NLRP3 knockdown group were (277.73±24.92) U/L, (1018.57±282.89) U/L, (625.43±134.40) U/L, and (391.01±27.63) U/L, respectively. The SAP and EMO groups were significantly higher than the control group ( P<0.001), while the EMO and NLRP3 knockdown groups were significantly lower than the SAP group (all P<0.001). Compared with control group, the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α and GSDMD in SAP group were increased, with statistical significance (all P<0.001). Compared with SAP group, the NLRP3 knockdown group showed the expressionlevels of the above 6 genes were all decreased, and EMO group showed decreased gene expressing levels of NLRP3, IL-1β, IL-18 and TNF-α, with statistical significance (all P<0.05). The relative expression of GFAP in small intestine of control group, SAP group, EMO group and NLRP3 knockdown group were (1.00±0), (1.66±0.11), (1.13±0.02) and (1.13±0.02), respectively. Among them, the expression of GFAP in SAP group was increased compared with the control group; The expression of GFAP in EMO group and NLRP3 knockdown group was lower than that in model group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Emodin and knocking down NLRP3 can both promote the repair of SAP small intestine injury through the NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway, and thus play a protective role in the intestine.

Objective:Clinical characteristics and diagnosis and treatment process was reported and analyzed of a patient with brucellosis complicated with thyroid abscess, providing reference for the clinical diagnosis of brucellosis complicated with thyroid abscess.Methods:Clinical medical records of a patient with brucellosis complicated with thyroid abscess who was treated at the General Surgery Department of Yanchi County People's Hospital in Wuzhong City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in November 2021 were collected. The clinical manifestations, blood routine, brucella antibodies, thyroid function, bacterial culture, thyroid ultrasound and other examination results, as well as the diagnosis and treatment process, were comprehensively analyzed. Results:The patient was a male, 61 years old, who presented with a neck mass without typical clinical manifestations of brucellosis. Thyroid ultrasound revealed a space occupying lesion, and the preliminary diagnosis was thyroid cystadenoma. Thyroid right lobe and isthmus resection surgery was performed. During the operation, it was found that some of the thyroid glands were tightly adhered to the cervical blood vessels, so the resection surgery was changed to abscess drainage, and the drainage fluid was purulent and bloody. The bacterial culture result of thyroid purulent fluid (intraoperative puncture fluid and postoperative drainage fluid) was brucella lamblia, and the serum brucella test tube agglutination test titer was 1 ∶ 400 (+++). The patient improved and was discharged after local drainage and anti brucella treatment. Follow up for 4 months showed no abnormalities. Conclusions:Brucellosis which begins with a local infection of the thyroid gland is extremely rare, with no characteristic clinical manifestations, and is prone to misdiagnosis. Timely correction of the surgical plan during the treatment process avoids the removal of the patient's thyroid, which has a certain clinical reference value.

Purpose: Ischemic brain injury results in high mortality and serious neurologic morbidity. Here, we explored the role of SNHG15 in modulating neuronal damage and microglial inflammation after ischemia stroke. Materials and Methods: The hypoxia/ischemia models were induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice and oxygenglucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) in vitro. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were conducted to determine the levels of SNHG15, miR-302a-3p, and STAT1/NF-κB. Moreover, gain- or loss-of functional assays of SNHG15 and miR-302a-3p were conducted. MTT assay was used to evaluate the viability of HT22 cells, and the apoptotic level was determined by flow cytometry. Furthermore, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators in the ischemia cortex and OGD/R-treated BV2 microglia. Results: The SNHG15 and STAT1/NF-κB pathways were both distinctly up-regulated, while miR-302a-3p was notably down-regulated in the ischemia cortex. Additionally, overexpressing SNHG15 dramatically enhanced OGD/R-mediated neuronal apoptosis as well as the expression of oxidative stress and inflammation factors from microglia. In contrast, knocking down SNHG15 or overexpressing miR-302a-3p relieved OGD/R-mediated neuronal apoptosis and microglial activation. Moreover, the rescue experiment testified that overexpressing miR-302a-3p also attenuated SNHG15 up-regulation-induced effects. In terms of the mechanisms, SNHG15 sponged miR-302a-3p and activated STAT1/NF-κB as a competitive endogenous RNA, while miR-302a-3p targeted STAT1 and negatively regulated the STAT1/NF-κB pathway. Conclusion SNHG15 was up-regulated in the hypoxia/ischemia mouse or cell model. The inhibition of SNHG15 ameliorates ischemia/hypoxia-induced neuronal damage and microglial inflammation by regulating the miR-302a-3p/STAT1/NF-κB pathway.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features and associated influencing factors of cognitive impairment in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adult patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD).Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among HD patients from 11 centers in Beijing city from April 2017 to June 2017. A neuropsychological battery covering domains of attention/processing speed, executive function, memory, language, and visuospatial function was applied in cognitive function assessment. Patients were classified as normal cognitive function group and cognitive impairment group according to the fifth version of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders criteria (DSM-V). Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to analyze the independent influencing factors of cognitive impairment. Results:A total of 613 HD patients were included in the study, and the prevalence of cognitive impairment was 80.91% (496/613). Attention impairment (81.05%) and memory impairment (63.51%) were the most common impaired domains, and 79.23% was concomitant impairment across two or more cognitive domains among those with cognitive impairment. Compared with the patients in the normal cognitive function group, the patients in the cognitive impairment group had senior age, longer dialysis vintage, higher proportion of diabetes, hypertension, and stroke, higher level of serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), lower education level, and lower urea clearance index (Kt/V) (all P<0.05). Factors were independently associated with cognitive impairment including increasing age ( OR=1.110, 95% CI 1.072-1.150, P<0.001), education time>12 years (with education time<6 years as reference, OR=0.323, 95% CI 0.115-0.909, P=0.032), history of diabetes ( OR=2.151, 95% CI 1.272-3.636, P=0.004), history of stroke ( OR=2.546, 95% CI 1.244-5.210, P=0.011), increased dialysis vintage ( OR=1.016, 95% CI 1.010-1.022, P<0.001), reduced Kt/V( OR=0.008, 95% CI 0.002-0.035, P<0.001), and increased iPTH level ( OR=1.002, 95% CI 1.002-1.003, P=0.012). Conclusions:The prevalence of cognitive impairment in middle-aged and elderly adult Chinese patients undergoing HD is high. Memory and attention are the most commonly impaired domains. Increasing age, low education level, history of diabetes and stroke, increased dialysis vintage, reduced Kt/V and increased serum iPTH are the independent influencing factors associated with cognitive impairment.

Objective:To investigate the association between cognitive impairment and all-cause mortality in middle and elderly adult patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD).Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted. Patients from 11 HD centers in Beijing between April and June 2017 were enrolled. Baseline data were collected, and a series of neuropsychological batteries covered 5 domains of cognitive function were applied for the assessment of cognitive function. The patients were then classified as normal and cognitive impairment groups according to the fifth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria (DSM-V) and followed-up until June 2018. The clinical characteristics of the two groups of patients were compared. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare the difference in the cumulative survival rate between the two groups. Multivariate Cox regression model was used to analyze the independent influencing factors of all-cause mortality, to determine the relationship between cognitive impairment and different cognitive domain impairments and all-cause death.Results:A total of 613 patients were enrolled, of which 496(80.91%) patients had cognitive impairment. Compared with the normal cognitive function group, the patients in the cognitive impairment group tended to be older, longer dialysis vintage, a higher proportion of diabetes, hypertension, and stroke, increased serum iPTH level, and lower education level and urea clearance index (Kt/V) (all P<0.05). After (49.53±8.42) weeks of follow-up, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the cumulative survival rate of cognitive impairment group was significantly lower than that of cognitive normal group (Log-rank χ2=8.610, P=0.003). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that history of diabetes ( HR=2.742, 95% CI 1.598-4.723, P<0.001), coronary heart disease ( HR=1.906, 95% CI 1.169-3.108, P=0.010), dialysis vintage (every increase of 1 month, HR=1.007, 95% CI 1.003-1.011, P=0.001), serum level of albumin (every increase of 1 g/L, HR=0.859, 95% CI 0.809-0.912, P<0.001), cognitive impairment ( HR=2.719, 95% CI 1.088-6.194, P=0.032) were independently associated with all-cause mortality. Multivariate Cox regression analysis on different cognitive domains also indicated that memory impairment ( HR=2.571, 95% CI 1.442-4.584, P<0.001), executive function impairment ( HR=3.311, 95% CI 1.843-5.949, P=0.001) and three, four, five domains combined impairment ( HR=5.746, 95% CI 1.880-17.565, P=0.002; HR=12.420, 95% CI 3.690-41.802, P<0.001; HR=13.478, 95% CI 3.381-53.728, P<0.001) were independently related to all-cause mortality. Conclusions:Cognitive impairment is an independent risk factor of all-cause mortality in middle and elderly adult patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis, and the risk is significantly increased in patients with the impairment of the domains of memory, executive function, or in the combination of three to five cognitive domains.