Objective:To analyze the characteristics of inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility in hearing-impaired children.Methods:From March to April 2023, a convenience sampling method was used to select 33 hearing-impaired children from a special education school in Meizhou City, Guangdong Province, and 35 normal-hearing children from two ordinary schools as participants. Inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility of the participants were assessed by the Flanker task and the dimensional change card sorting (DCCS) task. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0 software, and independent sample t-test was used to compare the differences in reaction time and accuracy rate between two groups of participants. Results:There were no significant differences in the Flanker task reaction time ((558.39±123.65) ms vs (566.11±118.20) ms) and accuracy rate((0.93±0.10) vs (0.96±0.04))between hearing-impaired children and normal-hearing children ( t=-0.295, -1.645, both P>0.05). The hearing-impaired children had significantly longer reaction time ((1 019.60±131.08) ms)than the normal-hearing children ((857.85±129.19) ms) ( t=4.046, P=0.001) in the DCCS task, while there was no statistically significant difference in the accuracy rate between hearing-impaired children (0.62±0.16) and normal-hearing children (0.57±0.15) ( t=-1.602, P>0.05). Conclusion:There is no difference in inhibitory control ability between hearing-impaired children and normal-hearing children, but the hearing-impaired children have a lag in cognitive flexibility.

Objective To investigate the values of serum procalcitonin (PCT), anti-thrombin Ⅲ (AT-Ⅲ), D-dimer (D-D), fibrinogen (FIB), thrombin time (TT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and prothrombin time (PT) in the early diagnosis of pediatric sepsis. Methods A total of 82 children with sepsis in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of General Hospital of Hunan University of Medicine from June 2020 to June 2023 were selected as sepsis group. Meanwhile, 90 children with respiratory tract infections in the general ward were included in general infection group, and 100 healthy children in the Department of Pediatric Health were selected as control group. The levels of serum PCT, AT-Ⅲ, D-D, FIB, TT, APTT and PT were compared among the three groups. Results Compared with the general infection group and the control group, the sepsis group had significantly higher serum PCT and D-D levels, prolonged TT, APTT and PT in the four-items of coagulation test, and reduced AT-Ⅲ and FIB levels (P < 0.05). The areas under the curve (AUCs) for the diagnosis of pediatric sepsis by serum PCT, AT-Ⅲ, D-D, PT, APTT, TT and FIB levels were 0.949, 0.174, 0.911, 0.869, 0.855, 0.834 and 0.242 respectively; among these indexes, serum PCT showed the highest diagnostic value, with the maximum Youden index at a cut-off value of 0.62 μg/L, and the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 86.6% and 79.0% respectively. The AUC for the combined diagnosis of pediatric sepsis by the seven indicators was 0.966. Conclusion The detection of serum PCT, AT-Ⅲ, D-D and four items of coagulation test is of great value in the early diagnosis and differential diagnosis of pediatric sepsis.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for positive margins after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer and precancerous lesions, and to follow up the recurrence.Methods:The endoscopic, clinical and pathological data of 489 patients with early gastric cancer or precancerous lesions treated by ESD in Fujian Provincial Hospital from January 2015 to December 2020 were retrospectively collected. They were categorized into a negative group (371 cases), a low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN)-positive group (79 cases), and a high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) or cancer-positive group (39 cases) according to the different margins. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for positive margins, the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test to compare the risk of recurrence in different margin groups, and the Cox proportional risk regression model to explore the associated factors that caused recurrence in those with positive margins.Results:In the 489 patients, the positive resection margin rate was 24.1% (118/489), of which HGIN or cancer accounted for 33.1% (39/118). LGIN-positive margin was more likely to occur for lesions larger than 10 cm 2 ( OR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.13-2.08, P=0.033), in the presence of ulcers ( OR=2.92, 95% CI: 1.37-4.54, P=0.012) and for 1-2 years of ESD experience [ OR=1.69 (1-2 years VS 5-6 years), 95% CI: 1.51-1.94, P=0.026]. Those located in the upper 1/3 of the stomach [ OR=3.64 (upper 1/3 VS lower 1/3), 95% CI: 1.27-5.50 P=0.010] and submucosal infiltration (SM1 VS M1+M2: OR=2.37, 95% CI: 1.04-5.72, P=0.028; SM2 VS M1+M2: OR=6.08, 95% CI: 1.31-12.75, P=0.002) were high risk factors for HGIN/cancer-positive margin. Postoperative follow-up was completed in 337 patients, with a median follow-up time of 26.0 (22) months. The overall cumulative recurrence was 5.3% (18/337), 2.1% (5/239) in the negative margin group, 8.3% (6/72) in the LGIN-positive margin group, and 26.9% (7/26) in the HGIN/cancer-positive group, with statistically significant differences among the 3 groups ( P<0.05). Risk factors for recurrence in the positive margin group included positive basal margins ( HR=5.17, 95% CI: 1.47-14.09, P=0.011) and SM1 invasion ( HR=4.82, 95% CI: 1.38-14.77, P=0.013). Conclusion:Positive margins after ESD for early gastric cancer and precancerous lesions are related to lesion location, size, presence of ulceration, depth of infiltration, and endoscopists' experience. The overall risk of recurrence is higher in those with positive margins than in those with negative margins. Additional treatments need to be considered comprehensively for those with submucosal invasion and positive basal margins.

Objective:To retrieve, evaluate and integrate the best evidence of home exercise rehabilitation for peritoneal dialysis patients, so as to provide basis for formulating home exercise rehabilitation plan for peritoneal dialysis patients.Methods:Evidence-based problems were constructed according to the PICO (population, intervention, control and outcome) principle. The home exercise rehabilitation guideline, expert consensus, evidence summary, systematic review, and randomized controlled trial of peritoneal dialysis patients were systematically searched in the evidence-based resource databases such as UpToDate, British Medical Journal (BMJ) Best Practice, Guidelines International Network, and in the comprehensive databases such as PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. The retrieval time limit was from the establishment of the database to November 20, 2021. Two researchers with evidence-based knowledge independently evaluated the quality of the article and the level of evidence.Results:A total of 10 articles were included, including one evidence summary, one practical suggestion, one expert consensus, two systematic reviews, and five randomized controlled trials. A total of 24 best evidences were summarized from 8 aspects, including applicable population, starting time, exercise evaluation, exercise prescription formulation, exercise type, exercise frequency and duration, exercise intensity and exercise precautions.Conclusions:The best evidence of home exercise rehabilitation for peritoneal dialysis patients provides a certain evidence-based basis for the selection of home exercise rehabilitation programs for peritoneal dialysis patients.

To investigate changes in the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and angiotensin (1-7) [Ang (1-7)] and to explore the role of ACE2-Ang (1-7)-Mas receptor axis in hypertension with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF).
 Methods: A total of 70 patients with primary hypertension and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF>50%) were recruited and patients were divided into a hypertension group (HBP) and a heart failure with preserved ejection fraction group (HFpEF) according to the diagnostic criteria of HFpEF. Thirty-five healthy participants were selected randomly as a control group. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) method was used to detect concentration of Ang (1-7), ACE2, angiotensin II (Ang II), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in plasma. Male Sprague- Dawley (SD) rats was randomly divided into 2 groups: An HFpEF group (n=16) and a sham group (n=8). Rats (n=8) in the AAC group were given Ang (1-7) [0.5 mg/(kg.d), intraperitoneally] for 6 weeks, and the rest were given equal dose normal saline. Then all the rats were killed, and the hearts were taken out for hematoxylineosin (HE) staining. The protein expressions of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), ACE2, and Mas receptor were detected by Western blot.
 Results: The BNP and Ang II were significantly increased in the HBP group and the HFpEF group compared with the control group (P<0.01). There were not significantly different in levels of ACE2 and Ang (1-7) between the HBP group and control group (P>0.05), whereas those levels were significantly increased in the HFpEF group compared with the HBP group and control group (P<0.01). HE staining showed obvious hypertrophy of myocardial cell in the AAC group compared with the sham group. Hypertrophy of myocardial cell in the AAC+Ang (1-7) group was significantly higher than that in the AAC group. Expressions of ACE, ACE2, and Mas receptor proteins were significantly higher in the AAC group than those in the sham group (P<0.05), while the expressions of ACE2 and Mas receptor proteins in the AAC+Ang (1-7) group were significantly higher than those in the AAC group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the ACE protein expression between groups (P>0.05).
 Conclusion: ACE2 and Ang (1-7) are important predictive factors for the severity of heart failure and myocardial remodeling of HFpEF with hypertension; ACE2-Ang (1-7)-Mas receptor axis may play a protective role in preventing myocardial remodeling in HFpEF with hypertension.
Angiotensin I ; physiology ; Angiotensin II ; Animals ; Atrial Remodeling ; physiology ; Case-Control Studies ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Heart Failure ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Hypertension ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Peptide Fragments ; physiology ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; physiology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; physiology ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Left ; physiology ; Ventricular Remodeling ; physiology

Objective To explore the accuracy and clinical efficacy of advanced 3D printing navigation templates in assisting placement of atlantoaxial pedicle screw.Methods A retrospective analysis was carried out on 49 cases of patients with atlanto-axial vertebral fractures and dislocations between June 2013 and June 2016,and all of them were given posterior incision,reduction and internal fixation of atlantoaxial pedicle screw.The patients were divided into advanced 3D printing navigation template group (14 cases),early 3D printing navigation template group (16 cases),and routine pedicle screw placement group (19 cases).Atlantoaxial CT data of patients in advanced 3D printing navigation template group and early 3D printing navigation template group were input into Mimics 17.0,then advanced 3D printing navigation template group and early 3D printing navigation which were used in clinic surgery were designed and printed.The relationship between positions of pedicle screw with the pedicle and bone cortex in plain CT image was observed after operation.The quality of the screw position was assessed and the accuracy of three kinds of screwing methods was compared.The accuracy of the screwing angle was assessed by comparing with the differences between the preoperative designed channel inclination angle and postoperative actual screwing angle.Three groups were compared for differences between operation time,intraoperative blood loss,and scores of cervical nerve scale and visual analogue scale (VAS) of neck and shoulder pain by Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA).Results All 49 cases of patients successfully completed the surgery.Patients of the routine pedicle screw placement group,early 3D group and advanced 3D group correspond operation time for 141.2±20.7 min,112.5±12.1 min and 103.1±10.4 min,intraoperative blood loss for 314.0±81.4 ml,243.6±71.2 ml and 181.0+59.1 ml;total accuracy of screwing for 75.0％ (54/72),93.75 ％ (60/64) and 96.43 ％ (54/56).There were statistically significant differences among the routine group,3D group and advanced 3D group in the mentioned programs.There were no statistical differences between advanced 3D group and 3D group in the inclination angle and head tilt angle with the pre-designed values,while there was statistically significant difference between the routine group and the pre-designed value.The accuracy of the inclination angle and bead tilt angle screwing angle were obviously superior in the advanced 3D group and early 3D group to that of the routine group.There were statistically significant differences between preoperative with postoperative VAS scores and JOA scores in the same group,while there were no statistically significant differences among groups in JOA.But there was statistically significant difference between the routine group and the advanced 3D in VAS,and there was no statistically significant difference between the routine pedicle screw placement group and the early 3D in VAS.All three groups of patients had bony fusion of atlantoaxial vertebral body,without loosening,dislocation and fracture of the internal fixators.Conelusion Advanced 3D printing templates in assisting the surgical treatment for atlantoaxial fracture and dislocation can improve the accuracy of pedicle screwing and safety of the surgery,reduce the surgery risk,and obtain satisfied clinical curative effects.

Objective To investigate the effects of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 antagonist methyl-6-ethynyl-pyridine (MPEP) on behavior and striatal postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) protein expression changes in rats with levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID).Methods Hemi-parkinsonian rat models were established by stereotaxically injection of 6-hydroxy dopamine (6-OHDA) in the right medial forebrain bundle;then,these 32 Parkinson's disease (PD) rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=8):levodopa (L-DOPA) treatment group,receiving L-DOPA 25 mg/kg+benserazide 6.25 mg/kg;saline group,giving the same volume of saline;MPEP treatment group,receiving 1.5 mg/kg MPEP;and L-DOPA+MPEP treatment group,accepted L-DOPA 25 mg/kg+benserazide 6.25 mg/kg+MPEP 1.5 mg/kg;All rats received intraperitoneal injections twice daily and continued for 21 days.At days 2,9,11,18 and 21,behavior changes of all rats were detected;the protein and mRNA levels of PSD-95 in striatal tissues were detected by Western blotting and real-time PCR,respectively.Results (1) Abnormal involuntary movement scores were significantly decreased in rats of L-DOPA+MPEP treatment group (42.33±12.43,41.80±13.69 and 40.30±9.76) as compared with those in L-DOPA treatment group (55.56±9.28,54.89±7.01 and 58.44±7.68) on days 11,18,and 21 (P＜0.05).Forepaw adjusting steps were significantly increased in Parkinson rats of L-DOPA+MPEP treatment group as compared with rats of L-DOPA treatment group (P＜0.05);and the increased extent was not decreased as time prolonging.Forepaw adjusting steps were also increased after MPEP treatment alone.Co-administration of L-DOPA with MPEP reversed the shortening of rotational response duration induced by L-DOPA.(2) The up-regulation of PSD-95 protein and mRNA levels in the lesioned striatum was noted in the L-DOPA treatment group (1.39 ±0.37 and 3.80 ±1.09),while this trend could be alleviated by coadministration of L-DOPA with MPEP (0.76±0.66 and 1.65±0.81).Conclusion MPEP can alleviate abnormal involuntary movements induced by L-DOPA and strengthen the anti-parkinsonian effect of L-DOPA,which may be related to regulation of striatal PSD-95 expression induced by L-DOPA.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in elderly patients with primary intractable trigeminal neuralgia.Methods 27 elderly patients with primary intractable trigeminal neuralgia were treated with BTX-A local multiple point injection.The efficacy was assessed by visual analog scores (VAS) before and 1 week,2 weeks,1 month,3 months and 6 months after the treatment.Results VAS scores was (9.2±1.1),(5.8±3.0),(3.6± 2.3),(2.3±2.3),(3.2±2.9) and (4.6±3.2) before and 1 week,2 weeks,1 month,3 months and 6 months after BTX-A treatment respectively.VAS score was gradually decreased,reached the lowest at 1 month after BTX-A injection,and then was gradually increased.There were significant differences in VAS scores between between pre-and post-treatment (P＜0.05).The efficiency was 37.0％,85.2％,92.6％,70.4％ and 59.3％ at 1 week,2 weeks,1 month,3 months and 6 months after the treatment respectively.There were significant differences in efficacy between different time points after the treatment (all P＜0.05).3 patients had the transient numbness of mouth askew and incomplete eyelid closure and recovered spontaneously after 4-8 weeks.No severe adverse effects were found in the other 27 patients.Conclusions BTX-A is safe and effective in the treatment of primary intractable trigeminal neuralgia in elderly patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between interleukin-18 (IL-18) level and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score as well as risk stratification in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and to determine the clinical prognostic value of IL-18 for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in ACS patients. METHODS: A total of 150 ACS patients were subjected to risk assessment and stratification with GRACE risk score. All ACS patients received conventional treatments and MACE was recorded. Plasma IL-18 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the relationship between plasma IL-18 level and GRACE scores in ACS patients was analyzed. Predictive accuracy of IL-18 level and GRACE risk score for MACE were determined by receiver operating characteristic curve and the corresponding area under the curve. RESULTS: According to GRACE risk stratification, IL-18 level was significantly elevated in the high risk group (>140) compared with that in the middle risk group (109-140; P<0. 05), while IL-18 level was significantly elevated in the middle risk group compared with that in the low risk group (≤108; P<0. 05). According to the IL-18 level, patients were stratified into 4 groups by quartile (from the lowest to the highest, Q1-Q4). Compared with Q1-Q3 groups, the GRACE risk score and percentage of high risk patients were the highest in the Q4 group (P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that IL-18 level was positively related with GRACE risk score and that the area under the curve of IL-18 level and GRACE risk score for predicting MACE in hospital patients were 0.887 and 0.914, respectively. CONCLUSION Both IL-18 level and GRACE risk score are valuable parameters for risk of MACE in patients with ACS. IL-18 may be an important biomarker in the prognosis of ACS patients.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; diagnosis ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; Prognosis ; ROC Curve ; Risk Assessment ; Severity of Illness Index