Objective:To investigate the association between cognitive impairment and manifestation of interictal electroencephalogram (EEG) in epilepsy patients, and the early assessment significance of the Grand Total Electroencephalography (GTE) score.Methods:A totall of 100 patients with primary epilepsy admitted to the Department of Neurology of the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University were continuously collected from January 2019 to January 2024, and they were classified according to the latest version of the epilepsy classification by the International League Against Epilepsy in 2017. General information of all research subjects was recorded, including age, gender, educational level, etc. The disease details of epilepsy patients were recorded, including seizure duration, severity, seizure precursors, post seizure status, and use of anti-seizure medications (ASM). The survey scales and questionnaires used included the interictal GTE, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Hamilton Depression Scale, National Hospital Seizure Severity Scale (NHS3), Status Epilepticus Severity Score (STESS). All research subjects were classified into normal cognitive (NC) group, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) group, and dementia group according to MoCA score. Comparisons among multiple groups and pairwise comparisons were conducted. The correlation between 2 variables was analyzed using Spearman rank correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis was employed to screen variables that have an impact on cognitive impairment. The receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted to determine the optimal cut-off point for predicting cognitive impairment in epilepsy.Results:According to the MoCA score, there were 32 (32%) patients in the NC group, 49 (49%) patients in the MCI group, and 19 (19%) patients in the dementia group. There were statistically significant differences in age [(26.31±10.01) years, (43.96±16.19) years, (57.68±16.83) years,respectively; F=29.440, P<0.001], education ( χ2=28.894, P<0.001), ASM ( χ2=11.258, P<0.017), STESS score [2.00(1.75, 2.25), 2.00(2.00, 3.00), 3.50(2.75, 4.25),respectively; H=12.646, P=0.002], STESS score>2 ( χ2=10.075, P=0.006), frequency of rhythmic background activity ( H=17.429, P<0.001), diffuse slow activity ( H=42.033, P<0.001), reactivity of the rhythmic background activity ( H=15.206, P<0.001), paroxysmal activity ( H=25.279, P<0.001), sharp wave activity ( H=15.492, P<0.001) and total GTE score [1 (1, 3), 6 (2, 8), 8 (7, 11),respectively; H=47.871, P<0.001] among the 3 groups. A significant negative correlation was observed between cognitive level (MoCA scores) and total GTE score ( ρ=-0.766, P<0.001), frequency of rhythmic background activity ( ρ=-0.520, P<0.001), diffuse slow activity ( ρ=-0.734, P<0.001), reactivity of the rhythmic background activity ( ρ=-0.438, P<0.001), paroxysmal activity ( ρ=-0.566, P<0.001), and sharp wave activity ( ρ=-0.407, P<0.001). The results of multiple linear regression analysis indicated that total GTE score ( t=-5.566, P<0.001), diffuse slow activity ( t=-2.548, P=0.014), reactivity of the rhythmic background activity ( t=-3.891, P<0.001), paroxysmal activity ( t=-3.139, P=0.003), age ( t=-5.493, P<0.001), education ( t=3.379, P=0.001), and STESS ( t=-2.183, P=0.033) were independent risk factors for cognitive impairment. In evaluating the cognitive impairment of epilepsy patients, the GTE score had a certain sensitivity (75.0%) and specificity (93.8%), with an optimal critical point value of 5. Conclusions:The interictal EEG of patients with poorer cognitive function is mainly characterized by an increase in slow waves and a decrease in overall background. The increase in slow waves, poor background responsiveness, paroxysmal activity and a high total GTE score may be important factors in predicting the outcome of cognitive impairment in epilepsy.

Objective:To analyze postictal electroencephalographic(EEG) characteristics of patients with status epilepticus (SE) based on the score of grand total electroencephalography (GTE), and explore the relationship between electroencephalographic characteristics of SE and clinical prognosis.Methods:A total of 110 SE patients were enrolled in the Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University from September 1, 2021 to September 1, 2023. EEG and GTE scores were performed in all patients after seizures (0-2 days after the cessation of SE). After one year of discharge, the medication and seizure status of patients were followed up by phone or outpatient visits. The seizure outcomes were recorded according to the international league against epilepsy (ILAE) seizure outcome classification, with favorable outcomes defined as good prognosis group ( n=54) and unfavorable outcomes defined as poor prognosis group ( n=56). SPSS 27.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Binary Logistic regression analysis was employed to screen impact variables of prognosis. The receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve was plotted to determine the optimal cut-off point for predicting prognosis in epilepsy. Results:There were statistically significant differences in the total GTE score(2(1, 4), 8(5, 10); Z=-6.837, P<0.001), diffuse slow activity(0(0, 1), 2(0, 2); Z=-6.495, P<0.001), reactivity of the rhythmic background activity(0(0, 0), 0(0, 1); Z=-2.705, P=0.007), paroxysmal activity(0(0, 0), 1.5(0, 3.0); Z=-4.420, P<0.001), focal disturbances(0(0, 0), 0(0, 0); Z=-2.130, P=0.033), and sharp wave activity(0(0, 2), 2(2, 3); Z=-5.714, P<0.001)between the good prognosis group and poor prognosis group. The differences in EEG results among SE patients with different types of epileptic seizures were statistically significant in terms of frequency of rhythmic background activity, diffuse slow activity, reactivity of rhythmic background activity and total GTE score (all P<0.05). The differences in EEG results between SE patients with clear and unknown causes were statistically significant in terms of paroxysmal activity and focal disturbances(both P<0.05). The results of binary Logistic regression analysis showed that independent factors associated with the prognosis of SE included medication adherence ( B=-0.496, OR=0.609, 95% CI=0.395-0.940, P=0.025), diffuse slow activity( B=1.580, OR=4.854, 95% CI=1.586-14.855, P=0.006), sharp wave activity( B=0.824, OR=2.280, 95% CI=1.210-4.297, P=0.011), and total GTE score ( B=0.561, OR=1.753, 95% CI=1.360-2.259, P<0.001). In evaluating the prognosis of SE, the GTE score had a certain sensitivity (74.6%) and specificity (85.1%), with a optimal cut-off point of 6. Conclusions:The differences in EEG results among SE patients with different types of epileptic seizures were statistically significant in terms of frequency of rhythmic background activity, diffuse slow activity, reactivity of rhythmic background activity. The appearance of diffuse slow activity and sharp wave activity in the electroencephalogram of SE patients indicates poor prognosis, and the total GTE score≥6 may be a strong predictor of poor prognosis. However, good medication adherence is a protective factor for epilepsy recurrence.

Objective:To analyze postictal electroencephalographic(EEG) characteristics of patients with status epilepticus (SE) based on the score of grand total electroencephalography (GTE), and explore the relationship between electroencephalographic characteristics of SE and clinical prognosis.Methods:A total of 110 SE patients were enrolled in the Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University from September 1, 2021 to September 1, 2023. EEG and GTE scores were performed in all patients after seizures (0-2 days after the cessation of SE). After one year of discharge, the medication and seizure status of patients were followed up by phone or outpatient visits. The seizure outcomes were recorded according to the international league against epilepsy (ILAE) seizure outcome classification, with favorable outcomes defined as good prognosis group ( n=54) and unfavorable outcomes defined as poor prognosis group ( n=56). SPSS 27.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Binary Logistic regression analysis was employed to screen impact variables of prognosis. The receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve was plotted to determine the optimal cut-off point for predicting prognosis in epilepsy. Results:There were statistically significant differences in the total GTE score(2(1, 4), 8(5, 10); Z=-6.837, P<0.001), diffuse slow activity(0(0, 1), 2(0, 2); Z=-6.495, P<0.001), reactivity of the rhythmic background activity(0(0, 0), 0(0, 1); Z=-2.705, P=0.007), paroxysmal activity(0(0, 0), 1.5(0, 3.0); Z=-4.420, P<0.001), focal disturbances(0(0, 0), 0(0, 0); Z=-2.130, P=0.033), and sharp wave activity(0(0, 2), 2(2, 3); Z=-5.714, P<0.001)between the good prognosis group and poor prognosis group. The differences in EEG results among SE patients with different types of epileptic seizures were statistically significant in terms of frequency of rhythmic background activity, diffuse slow activity, reactivity of rhythmic background activity and total GTE score (all P<0.05). The differences in EEG results between SE patients with clear and unknown causes were statistically significant in terms of paroxysmal activity and focal disturbances(both P<0.05). The results of binary Logistic regression analysis showed that independent factors associated with the prognosis of SE included medication adherence ( B=-0.496, OR=0.609, 95% CI=0.395-0.940, P=0.025), diffuse slow activity( B=1.580, OR=4.854, 95% CI=1.586-14.855, P=0.006), sharp wave activity( B=0.824, OR=2.280, 95% CI=1.210-4.297, P=0.011), and total GTE score ( B=0.561, OR=1.753, 95% CI=1.360-2.259, P<0.001). In evaluating the prognosis of SE, the GTE score had a certain sensitivity (74.6%) and specificity (85.1%), with a optimal cut-off point of 6. Conclusions:The differences in EEG results among SE patients with different types of epileptic seizures were statistically significant in terms of frequency of rhythmic background activity, diffuse slow activity, reactivity of rhythmic background activity. The appearance of diffuse slow activity and sharp wave activity in the electroencephalogram of SE patients indicates poor prognosis, and the total GTE score≥6 may be a strong predictor of poor prognosis. However, good medication adherence is a protective factor for epilepsy recurrence.

Objective:To investigate the association between cognitive impairment and manifestation of interictal electroencephalogram (EEG) in epilepsy patients, and the early assessment significance of the Grand Total Electroencephalography (GTE) score.Methods:A totall of 100 patients with primary epilepsy admitted to the Department of Neurology of the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University were continuously collected from January 2019 to January 2024, and they were classified according to the latest version of the epilepsy classification by the International League Against Epilepsy in 2017. General information of all research subjects was recorded, including age, gender, educational level, etc. The disease details of epilepsy patients were recorded, including seizure duration, severity, seizure precursors, post seizure status, and use of anti-seizure medications (ASM). The survey scales and questionnaires used included the interictal GTE, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Hamilton Depression Scale, National Hospital Seizure Severity Scale (NHS3), Status Epilepticus Severity Score (STESS). All research subjects were classified into normal cognitive (NC) group, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) group, and dementia group according to MoCA score. Comparisons among multiple groups and pairwise comparisons were conducted. The correlation between 2 variables was analyzed using Spearman rank correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis was employed to screen variables that have an impact on cognitive impairment. The receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted to determine the optimal cut-off point for predicting cognitive impairment in epilepsy.Results:According to the MoCA score, there were 32 (32%) patients in the NC group, 49 (49%) patients in the MCI group, and 19 (19%) patients in the dementia group. There were statistically significant differences in age [(26.31±10.01) years, (43.96±16.19) years, (57.68±16.83) years,respectively; F=29.440, P<0.001], education ( χ2=28.894, P<0.001), ASM ( χ2=11.258, P<0.017), STESS score [2.00(1.75, 2.25), 2.00(2.00, 3.00), 3.50(2.75, 4.25),respectively; H=12.646, P=0.002], STESS score>2 ( χ2=10.075, P=0.006), frequency of rhythmic background activity ( H=17.429, P<0.001), diffuse slow activity ( H=42.033, P<0.001), reactivity of the rhythmic background activity ( H=15.206, P<0.001), paroxysmal activity ( H=25.279, P<0.001), sharp wave activity ( H=15.492, P<0.001) and total GTE score [1 (1, 3), 6 (2, 8), 8 (7, 11),respectively; H=47.871, P<0.001] among the 3 groups. A significant negative correlation was observed between cognitive level (MoCA scores) and total GTE score ( ρ=-0.766, P<0.001), frequency of rhythmic background activity ( ρ=-0.520, P<0.001), diffuse slow activity ( ρ=-0.734, P<0.001), reactivity of the rhythmic background activity ( ρ=-0.438, P<0.001), paroxysmal activity ( ρ=-0.566, P<0.001), and sharp wave activity ( ρ=-0.407, P<0.001). The results of multiple linear regression analysis indicated that total GTE score ( t=-5.566, P<0.001), diffuse slow activity ( t=-2.548, P=0.014), reactivity of the rhythmic background activity ( t=-3.891, P<0.001), paroxysmal activity ( t=-3.139, P=0.003), age ( t=-5.493, P<0.001), education ( t=3.379, P=0.001), and STESS ( t=-2.183, P=0.033) were independent risk factors for cognitive impairment. In evaluating the cognitive impairment of epilepsy patients, the GTE score had a certain sensitivity (75.0%) and specificity (93.8%), with an optimal critical point value of 5. Conclusions:The interictal EEG of patients with poorer cognitive function is mainly characterized by an increase in slow waves and a decrease in overall background. The increase in slow waves, poor background responsiveness, paroxysmal activity and a high total GTE score may be important factors in predicting the outcome of cognitive impairment in epilepsy.

Objective To investigate the combined effect of exemestane and low-dose methotrexate on exemestane-resistant MCF-7 human breast cancer cells( MCF-7/EXE). Methods Antiproliferative effects of exemestane and low-dose of methotrexate, alone and in combination on growth of MCF-7/EXE cells were assessed by using the MTT assay. Synergistic interaction between the two drugs was evaluated in vitro by using the combination index ( CI) method. The cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry in a half inhibitory concentration of exemestane and low-dose of methotrexate . The changes of apoptosis on MCF-7/EXE cells exposed to two drugs alone or in com-bination were observed by fluorescence microscope. The expression of Bcl-2,AKT,P-AKT and cyclooxygenase-2 was investigated by Western blot. Results MTT assays indicated that the combination treatment apparently decreased the viability of MCF-7/EXE cells compared to single drug treatment (CI<0. 9). In addition, the combination of exemestane and low-dose methotrexate exhibited a synergistic inhibition of cell proliferation, arrested the cell cycle in the S phase significantly and produced a stronger inhibitory effects on P-AKT, Bcl-2 and cyclooxygenase-2 ex-pression than control or individual drug treatment. Conclusion The combination of the two inhibitors significantly increases the response as compared to single agent treatment, suggesting that combination treatment which can re-verse the resistance of exemestane could be a more effective approach to breast cancer.

Objective To explore the value of serum thyroid hormones in assessing the severity of acute pancreatitis early in its course.Methods Fifty-two patients with acute pancreatitis were included in this prospective study.Attacks were classified as severe ( n =32) or mild ( n =20) according to the Atlanta criteria.Serum levels of thyroid hormones,including FT4,FT3,rT3 and TSH,were measured at admission.Each of the thyroid hormone levels was compared between the severe and mild groups,and the relationships of these thyroid hormones with APACHE Ⅱ scores and CT severity grading were analyzed.Effectiveness of thyroid hormone for the prediction of disease severity was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.Results Serum FT3 levels were decreased significantly in severe acute pancreatitis compared with those in mild acute pancreatitis (P ＜ 0.01 ) ; whereas no significant difference was noted in the levels of FT4,rT3 and TSH between groups (P ＞ 0.05 ).Serum FT3 levels were negatively correlated with APACHE Ⅱ scores ( r =- 0.687,P ＜ 0.01 ) and CT severity grading ( r =- 0.720,P ＜ 0.01 ).The area under curve of FT3 was 0.875.With an optimum cutoff value of 2.87 pmol/L for FT3,the sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive and negative predictive values for the prediction of severe acute pancreatitis were 75％,95％,93.8％,and 79.2％,respectively.Conclusions Serum FT3 level is an acceptable indicator for early assessment of the severity of acute pancreatitis.

This article emphasizes the importance of medical communication and expounds how to strenthen medical communication by some principles and methods,like paying attention to and lov-ing patients,listenning carefully,explaining patiently and confidently,learning modestly and so on.