Objective To investigate alterations in interhemispheric functional connectivity(FC)in the cerebral cortices connected via the corpus callosum in patients with Alzheimer's disease(AD),and to explore their relationships with cognitive function and activities of daily living.Methods Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from 28 patients with Alzheimer's dementia(d-AD),47 patients with mild cognitive impairment(MCI),and 37 healthy controls(HC).Using a trancallosal tract template,32 pairs of homologous cortical brain regions directly connected to 32 subregions of the corpus callosum were selected as regions of interest for interhemispheric FC analysis.Further correlation analyses were performed between FC values in patient groups and their scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic(MoCA-B)Scale and the Activities of Daily Living(ADL)Scale.Results Compared with HC group,both MCI and d-AD groups exhibited hyperconnectivity(significantly increased FC)in interhemispheric non-homologous brain regions.Specifically,hyperconnectivity in the MCI group was scattered across the frontal,parietal,temporal,and occipital lobes,while in the d-AD group,it was concentrated within the precentral and postcentral gyri.Notably,hyperconnectivity involving the prefrontal and occipital lobes in the MCI group showed significant declines in the d-AD group.The interhemispheric homologous FC in the d-AD group reduced more significantly than the MCI group.Additionally,in the d-AD group,2 interhemispheric FC within the prefrontal lobe(between the bilateral orbital parts of the inferior frontal gyrus,and between the left medial frontal gyrus and the right middle frontal gyrus)were correlated with MoCA-B scores,and 2 FC(between the bilateral middle occipital gyri,and between the left inferior parietal lobule and the right middle frontal gyrus)were correlated with ADL scores.Conclusion MCI and d-AD exhibit distinct patterns of interhemispheric FC alterations,and the interhemispheric FC changes in AD patients are non-progressive.The close relationships between interhemispheric homologous/non-homologous FC and MoCA-B/ADL scores in d-AD patients provide an objective basis and reference for clinical neuromodulation.

Objective To assess the efficacy and the survival rate of the hip joint following the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head(ONFH)with ultrasound-guided percutaneous intra-articular platelet-rich plasma(PRP)injection in combination with percutaneous silver needle thermalolysis.Methods Fifty-six patients diag-nosed with ARCO(Association Research Circulation Osseous)stage Ⅱ ONFH were randomly allocated into two groups.The first group,designated as the PRP injection combined with silver needle thermalolysis group(Group R,n=28),and the second group,the steroid injection combined with silver needle thermalolysis group(Group S,n=28).Both groups underwent three injections(administered at 4-week intervals)and one session of silver needle thermalolysis.Outcome measures,including the Numerical Rating Scale(NRS)for pain assessment,Harris Hip Score(HHS),daily consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(etoricoxib)and tramadol,progression to ARCO stage Ⅲ,and the rates of surgical intervention,were recorded at baseline,3 days,and 1,3,6,and 12 months after the treatment.Results When compared to the baseline,both groups manifested significant decreases in NRS scores and enhancements in HHS at all follow-up time points(P<0.05).Specifically,Group R demonstrated more favorable outcomes compared to Group S.At 3,6,and 12 months,Group R had lower NRS scores(P<0.01)and more notable improvements in HHS(P<0.01).Additionally,the daily analgesic consumption(etoricoxib and tramadol)in Group R was significantly lower than that in Group S at 3,6,and 12 months(P<0.01).Moreover,Group R exhibited a significantly lower progression rate to ARCO stage III and a lower hip replacement surgery rate(P<0.05).Conclusions Ultrasound-guided intra-articular PRP injection in combination with silver needle therma-lolysis expedites pain alleviation,enhances hip function,reduces analgesic dependence,and retards the progression of ONFH.This approach thus represents a clinically viable option for early-stage intervention.

The study was aimed at identifying the diversity of tick species in selected areas of Qinghai,to analyze the genetic differentiation characteristics of tick-borne spotted fever group rickettsiae(SFGR),and to provide the theoretical basis for SFGR prevention and control in the region.The 16S rRNA gene was used for molecular biological identification of 446 collected tick samples,and the infection characteristics of SFGR in tick samples were determined according to the SFGR outer membrane protein A(ompA)gene.Haplotype analysis,phylogenetic tree construction,and estimation of differentiation times for SFGR were conducted in DNASP v6,IQ-tree v2.2.0,and BEAST v2.7.4 software.The obtained 446 tick samples belonged to three categories:(1)Haemaphy-salis spp.,including Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis(n=192)and H.danieli(n=37);(2)Dermacentor spp.,including Dermacentor ever-estianus(n=121),D.nuttalli(n=55),and D.silvarum(n=36);and(3)Hyalomma marginatum(n=5).Rickettsia raoultii was de-tected in D.everestianus,D.silvarum,D.nuttalli,H.qinghaiensis,and H.danieli,with infection rates of 95.9%,80.6%,69.1%,4.1%,and 2.7%,respectively.R.sibirica subsp.sibirica BJ-90 was found only in D.silvarum and D.nuttalli,with infection rates of 5.6%and 1.8%,respectively.The Candidatus R.gannanii F107 was found in H.danieli and H.qinghaiensis,with infection rates of 16.2%and 7.8%,respectively.Ca.R.hongyuanensis was detected only in H.qinghaiensis,with a prevalence of 16.3%.The prevalence of R.aeschlimannii was 20%and 2.7%in Hy.marginatum and H.danieli,respectively.Haplotype and nucleotide polymorphism analy-ses revealed 13 haplotypes in R.raoultii,with haplotype H13 as the dominant haplotype(42/192);seven haplotypes in Ca.R.ganna-nii F107,with haplotype H4 as the dominant haplotype(4/18);and three haplotypes in Ca.R.hongyuanensis,with haplotype H1 as the dominant haplotype(11/13).The phylogenetic tree indicated that the sequences of R.raoultii in selected areas of Qinghai and R.rhipicephali clustered into one branch;Ca.R.hongyuanensis and Ca.R.gannanii F107 clustered into one branch;and R.sibirica subsp.sibirica BJ-90 clustered into one branch with R.sibirica.Estimates of differentiation time revealed that the mean differentiation time for the six Rickettsia was approximately 2 000 Mya(95%CI:1 999.08-2 001.02 Mya).The tick species distributed in selected ar-eas of Qinghai are diverse,and this study provides the first report of Hy.marginatum in Qinghai Province.SFGR significantly varied in prevalence among tick species and showed high genetic diversity.

Objective To observe the correlations between left atrial myocardial strain and left ventricular function in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy(DMD).Methods Fifty-one DMD children(DMD group)and 42 healthy one(control group)were prospectively enrolled.The parameters of routine ultrasound and three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography(3D-STE)were compared between groups,and the correlations between left atrial strain parameters and left ventricular function parameters were analyzed.Results The mitral annular lateral wall velocity(e'),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left atrial ejection fraction(LAEF),left atrioventricular coupling index(LACI),left ventricular global longitudinal strain(LVGLS),left atrial strain during reservoir phase(LASr)and left atrial strain during conduit phase(LAScd)were all lower,while mitral early diastolic peak flow velocity/e'(E/e'),left atrial stiffness index(LASI)and left atrial filling index(LAFI)were higher in DMD group than those in control group(all P＜0.05).In DMD group,LAEF,LASr and LAScd were moderately positively correlated with LVGLS(r=0.409,0.437,0.440,all P＜0.05),LAFI and LASI were weakly negatively correlated with LVGLS(r=-0.207,-0.223,both P＜0.05),while LASr was moderately positively correlated with e'(r=0.419,P＜0.05).Conclusion The left atrial myocardial strain was correlated with left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in DMD children.

Objective To develop and validate a prediction model to identify high-risk individuals who are at-risk to develop acute liver injury(ALI)within 180 days in new statin users,and to support early clinical intervention.Methods Data were sourced from the Yinzhou Regional Health Information Platform,covering statin initiators aged 18 years and older from January 1,2010,to October 31,2021.The dataset was divided into a derivation cohort and a temporal validation cohort based on the time of statin initiation.Predictors were selected using LASSO regression,and the model was constructed using the extreme gradient boosting(XGBoost)algorithm combined with cost-sensitive learning.Model performance was evaluated using Brier scores,Harrell's C-index,and calibration curves.Results A total of 126,440 statin initiators were included,with 90,542 in the derivation cohort and 35,898 in the validation cohort.Within 180 days of initial statin use,412(0.33％)patients developed ALI,including 305(0.34％)in the derivation cohort and 107(0.30％)in the validation cohort.The final model incorporated 16 predictors,which included demographic characteristics,lifestyle factors,family history,medical history,statin use,and concomitant medication use.The model demonstrated excellent overall performance[Brier score=0.0043,95％CI(0.0038,0.0049)],discrimination[Harrell's C-index=0.761,95％CI(0.725,0.794)],and calibration in internal validation.In temporal validation,the model also performed well[Brier score=0.0044,95％CI(0.0036,0.0052),Harrell's C-index=0.703,95％CI(0.614,0.781)].Conclusion This study develope and validate a prediction model for ALI in statin users,providing clinicians with a reliable tool for individualized risk assessment.This model can help achieve risk stratification and reduce the occurrence of ALI.

Objective To develop and validate a prediction model to identify high-risk individuals who are at-risk to develop acute liver injury(ALI)within 180 days in new statin users,and to support early clinical intervention.Methods Data were sourced from the Yinzhou Regional Health Information Platform,covering statin initiators aged 18 years and older from January 1,2010,to October 31,2021.The dataset was divided into a derivation cohort and a temporal validation cohort based on the time of statin initiation.Predictors were selected using LASSO regression,and the model was constructed using the extreme gradient boosting(XGBoost)algorithm combined with cost-sensitive learning.Model performance was evaluated using Brier scores,Harrell's C-index,and calibration curves.Results A total of 126,440 statin initiators were included,with 90,542 in the derivation cohort and 35,898 in the validation cohort.Within 180 days of initial statin use,412(0.33％)patients developed ALI,including 305(0.34％)in the derivation cohort and 107(0.30％)in the validation cohort.The final model incorporated 16 predictors,which included demographic characteristics,lifestyle factors,family history,medical history,statin use,and concomitant medication use.The model demonstrated excellent overall performance[Brier score=0.0043,95％CI(0.0038,0.0049)],discrimination[Harrell's C-index=0.761,95％CI(0.725,0.794)],and calibration in internal validation.In temporal validation,the model also performed well[Brier score=0.0044,95％CI(0.0036,0.0052),Harrell's C-index=0.703,95％CI(0.614,0.781)].Conclusion This study develope and validate a prediction model for ALI in statin users,providing clinicians with a reliable tool for individualized risk assessment.This model can help achieve risk stratification and reduce the occurrence of ALI.

Objective To analyze temporal trends in infectious disease burden among Chinese elderly(≥60 years)using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study(GBD 2021),evaluate age-period-cohort effects on disease burden,predict trends through 2045,and propose evidence-based medication management strategies.Methods We conducted a threefold analysis of infectious disease burden from 1990 to 2021 using Joinpoint regression to identify temporal trends,Age-Period-Cohort(APC)modeling to disentangle epidemiological effects,and Nordpred projections for 2045 disease burden estimates.Results Over 32 years,all infectious disease categories except HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections demonstrated significant declines.Enteric infections showed the most rapid reductions in mortality(AAPC=-7.85,P﹤0.001)and disability-adjusted life year rates(DALYR;AAPC=-7.18,P﹤0.001).We also found a significant decrease in the incidence of tropical diseases and malaria(AAPC=-6.77,P﹤0.001).APC analysis found that the age effect was mostly negative in terms of the annual percentage change in mortality and DALYR for each disease,except for HIV/AIDS,with an overall decline in period risk over time,and a generally higher risk of morbidity and mortality for the early birth cohort,and an overall decline in the risk of each disease as the year of birth progressed,but the risk of HIV/AIDS death and DALY period and cohort risks trended upward.While the overall risk for certain diseases was slightly higher in males compared to females,the trends were largely consistent across both sexes.In terms of projections,the absolute prevalence of respiratory infections and tuberculosis in terms of number of cases and age-standardized rates,and the growth of the disease burden of HIV/AIDS were particularly prominent,making them important health challenges for the future.The burden of disease in the elderly often results in issues such as potential polypharmacy,which must be addressed to improve medication management.Conclusions China has achieved remarkable progress in reducing infectious disease burdens among older adults,though HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections present an escalating public health threat.These findings advocate for enhanced surveillance systems,age-specific prevention strategies,and precision medication protocols to optimize therapeutic outcomes in geriatric populations.

Objective To analyze temporal trends in infectious disease burden among Chinese elderly(≥60 years)using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study(GBD 2021),evaluate age-period-cohort effects on disease burden,predict trends through 2045,and propose evidence-based medication management strategies.Methods We conducted a threefold analysis of infectious disease burden from 1990 to 2021 using Joinpoint regression to identify temporal trends,Age-Period-Cohort(APC)modeling to disentangle epidemiological effects,and Nordpred projections for 2045 disease burden estimates.Results Over 32 years,all infectious disease categories except HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections demonstrated significant declines.Enteric infections showed the most rapid reductions in mortality(AAPC=-7.85,P﹤0.001)and disability-adjusted life year rates(DALYR;AAPC=-7.18,P﹤0.001).We also found a significant decrease in the incidence of tropical diseases and malaria(AAPC=-6.77,P﹤0.001).APC analysis found that the age effect was mostly negative in terms of the annual percentage change in mortality and DALYR for each disease,except for HIV/AIDS,with an overall decline in period risk over time,and a generally higher risk of morbidity and mortality for the early birth cohort,and an overall decline in the risk of each disease as the year of birth progressed,but the risk of HIV/AIDS death and DALY period and cohort risks trended upward.While the overall risk for certain diseases was slightly higher in males compared to females,the trends were largely consistent across both sexes.In terms of projections,the absolute prevalence of respiratory infections and tuberculosis in terms of number of cases and age-standardized rates,and the growth of the disease burden of HIV/AIDS were particularly prominent,making them important health challenges for the future.The burden of disease in the elderly often results in issues such as potential polypharmacy,which must be addressed to improve medication management.Conclusions China has achieved remarkable progress in reducing infectious disease burdens among older adults,though HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections present an escalating public health threat.These findings advocate for enhanced surveillance systems,age-specific prevention strategies,and precision medication protocols to optimize therapeutic outcomes in geriatric populations.

Objective:To investigate the distribution of CGG repeat numbers in the FMR1 gene among reproductive-age women in China, providing data reference for carrier screening and genetic counseling of Fragile X syndrome. Methods:This cross-sectional study recruited 16 610 reproductive-age women from 12 medical institutions between July 2022 and October 2023. Peripheral venous blood samples (3 mL) were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted. The number of CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene was determined using the triplet-primed polymerase chain reaction (TP-PCR) combined with capillary electrophoresis technology. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the prevalence and distribution of CGG repeat expansions. Results:Among 16 610 women of childbearing age, 5 684 (34.220%) women had the same number of CGG repeats in the two alleles of FMR1 gene, and 10 926 (65.780%) women had different numbers of repeats in the two alleles. Among the 33 220 FMR1 alleles in 16 610 women of reproductive age, the most common CGG repeat numbers were 29 [48.645% (16 160/33 220)] and 30 [26.276% (8 729/33 220)], while the most frequent CGG genotype was CGG 29/29 [24.726% (4 107/16 610)]. The CGG repeat numbers of FMR1 gene were normal in 16 498 women (99.326%). Among the 112 women (0.674%) with CGG repeat abnormities, 96 (0.578%) women were classified as intermediate carriers, 15 (0.090%) as premutation carriers, and 1 (0.006%) as a full mutation carrier, whose CGG genotype was (36, >200). Conclusion:In the general reproductive-age female population in China, the normal CGG repeat numbers of the FMR1 gene account for 99.326%, while the intermediate carrier rate is 0.578%, and the combined carrier rate of the premutation and full mutation types is 0.096%.

AIM:This study aims to investigate the protective effect of α-lipoic acid(α-LA)against alcohol-induced damage in H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes and to explore the underlying mechanisms.METHODS:An alcohol-induced injury model of H9c2 cells was established,and the cells were divided into 4 groups:control group,alcohol group,α-LA group,and alcohol+α-LA group.Additionally,H9c2 cells overexpressing aldehyde dehydrogenase 2(ALDH2)were cre-ated and further divided into 6 groups:normal control group,normal cells treated with alcohol group,normal cells treated with alcohol+α-LA group,ALDH2 overexpression group,ALDH2-overexpressing cardiomyocytes treated with alcohol group,and ALDH2-overexpressing cardiomyocytes treated with alcohol+α-LA group.Cell proliferation was assessed using 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine(EdU)staining.Reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels in each group were measured using di-hydroethidium(DHE)staining,while the expression levels of ALDH2,silent information regulator 1(SIRT1),heme oxy-genase 1(HO1)and P53 proteins were detected by Western blot analysis.RESULTS:(1)Alcohol exposure resulted in a decrease in the proliferation of H9c2 cells and an increase in intracellular oxidative stress,evidenced by elevated ROS levels and decreased expression of related proteins(ALDH2,SIRT1 and HO1).However,α-LA treatment significantly mitigated the decline in cell proliferation and the oxidative stress induced by alcohol.(2)Alcohol may induce cellular se-nescence,as demonstrated by the up-regulation of P53 expression,which were reversed by α-LA.(3)The H9c2 cells with high ALDH2 expression markedly improved the cell proliferation in the presence of alcohol,suppressed the ROS pro-duction,prevented the down-regulation of oxidative stress-related proteins(ALDH2,SIRT1 and HO1),and reversed the enhanced expression of the senescence marker P53.CONCLUSION:Treatment with α-LA may counteract oxidative stress and attenuate cellular senescence by activating ALDH2,thereby protecting cardiomyocytes from alcohol-induced damage.