1.The Use of Speech in Screening for Cognitive Decline in Older Adults
Si-Wen WANG ; Xiao-Xiao YIN ; Lin-Lin GAO ; Wen-Jun GUI ; Qiao-Xia HU ; Qiong LOU ; Qin-Wen WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):456-463
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that severely affects the health of the elderly, marked by its incurability, high prevalence, and extended latency period. The current approach to AD prevention and treatment emphasizes early detection and intervention, particularly during the pre-AD stage of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which provides an optimal “window of opportunity” for intervention. Clinical detection methods for MCI, such as cerebrospinal fluid monitoring, genetic testing, and imaging diagnostics, are invasive and costly, limiting their broad clinical application. Speech, as a vital cognitive output, offers a new perspective and tool for computer-assisted analysis and screening of cognitive decline. This is because elderly individuals with cognitive decline exhibit distinct characteristics in semantic and audio information, such as reduced lexical richness, decreased speech coherence and conciseness, and declines in speech rate, voice rhythm, and hesitation rates. The objective presence of these semantic and audio characteristics lays the groundwork for computer-based screening of cognitive decline. Speech information is primarily sourced from databases or collected through tasks involving spontaneous speech, semantic fluency, and reading, followed by analysis using computer models. Spontaneous language tasks include dialogues/interviews, event descriptions, narrative recall, and picture descriptions. Semantic fluency tasks assess controlled retrieval of vocabulary items, requiring participants to extract information at the word level during lexical search. Reading tasks involve participants reading a passage aloud. Summarizing past research, the speech characteristics of the elderly can be divided into two major categories: semantic information and audio information. Semantic information focuses on the meaning of speech across different tasks, highlighting differences in vocabulary and text content in cognitive impairment. Overall, discourse pragmatic disorders in AD can be studied along three dimensions: cohesion, coherence, and conciseness. Cohesion mainly examines the use of vocabulary by participants, with a reduction in the use of nouns, pronouns, verbs, and adjectives in AD patients. Coherence assesses the ability of participants to maintain topics, with a decrease in the number of subordinate clauses in AD patients. Conciseness evaluates the information density of participants, with AD patients producing shorter texts with less information compared to normal elderly individuals. Audio information focuses on acoustic features that are difficult for the human ear to detect. There is a significant degradation in temporal parameters in the later stages of cognitive impairment; AD patients require more time to read the same paragraph, have longer vocalization times, and produce more pauses or silent parts in their spontaneous speech signals compared to normal individuals. Researchers have extracted audio and speech features, developing independent systems for each set of features, achieving an accuracy rate of 82% for both, which increases to 86% when both types of features are combined, demonstrating the advantage of integrating audio and speech information. Currently, deep learning and machine learning are the main methods used for information analysis. The overall diagnostic accuracy rate for AD exceeds 80%, and the diagnostic accuracy rate for MCI also exceeds 80%, indicating significant potential. Deep learning techniques require substantial data support, necessitating future expansion of database scale and continuous algorithm upgrades to transition from laboratory research to practical product implementation.
2.A Rare Normal Variant with an Unusual Presentation on a Male Mammogram:A Case Report
Victoria Kai Lin TAY ; Si YING TAN ; Chow Yin WONG ; Lester Chee Hao LEONG
Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology 2025;86(1):160-165
The sternalis muscle is a rare supernumerary muscle representing a normal anatomical variant in the anterior thoracic musculature. Due to wide variation in its morphology and relative unfamiliarity among radiologists, it has been implicated in the misdiagnosis of breast masses on mammography. A 23-year-old male with no significant medical history was referred to our institution for further management of painless bilateral breast enlargement since adolescence. Physical examination revealed breasts of slightly prominent size but there was no palpable breast lump. Mammography work-up found symmetrical, well-defined soft tissue masses projected over the posteromedial aspect of both breasts. Imaging findings were consistent with bilateral sternalis muscles, unusually hypertrophic in size due to intense upper body weight training by the patient. This case highlights the importance of recognizing the usual and unusual presentations of the sternalis muscles on mammography to avoid any unnecessary work-up.
3.Analysis of characteristics of non-seroconverted cases after rabies vaccination and observation on the effect of booster vaccination
Qisheng HOU ; Rui YU ; Qili HOU ; Qingjun CHEN ; Chuanlin WANG ; Wenwu YIN ; Xinjun LYU ; Si LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2025;39(2):208-213
Objective:To analyze the characteristics of non-seroconverted cases after rabies vaccination and observe the effect of booster vaccination.Methods:A retrospective collection of data was conducted from March 2022 to March 2023 across 409 rabies vaccination clinics in 27 provinces in China, focusing on cases with rabies virus neutralizing antibody (RVNA) levels less than 0.5 IU/ml after vaccination.Results:A total of 77 cases were identified in whom seroconversion was not observed within 30 days post-vaccination with the rabies vaccine. The gender distribution was 51.9% male and 48.1% female, with ages ranging from 2 to 83 years old. Delayed vaccination was observed in 11 cases (14.3%), and 63 cases (81.8%) received human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) injections. None of the cases had a confirmed immunosuppressive disease or taking immunosuppressive drugs, and the body mass index (BMI) distribution ranged from 14.37 to 34.74 kg/m 2. Seventy-six cases seroconverted after 1 to 3 doses of rabies vaccines as a booster vaccination. One case that did not seroconvert after the initial booster vaccination seroconverted after receiving additional 2 doses of vaccine. All patients were followed up for one year, with no cases of rabies reported. Conclusions:The characteristics of cases that failed to seroconvert after the full course of rabies vaccination lacked specificity, and booster vaccination could lead to seroconversion.
4.Construction and application of an exercise intervention scheme for patients with colorectal cancer
Xiaohong QIN ; Lianjie ZHANG ; Qing YIN ; Meiling LIU ; Si CHEN
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(8):901-907
Objective To construct an exercise intervention scheme for postoperative colorectal cancer patients and evaluate its application.Methods The research team summarized the evidence on exercise recommendations for patients with colorectal cancer(CRC)and constructed an exercise intervention scheme through group discussion,expert consultation,semi-structured interviews,and onsite consultation.Patients with CRC admitted to the Department of Colorectal Surgery of a tertiary A hospital in Jilin province were selected as the study subjects by a convenience sampling method from October 2023 to March 2024.The test group and the control group included 35 patients in each group.The test group received basic nursing and exercise intervention,the control group received basic nursing and knowledge-based education.The 2 groups were compared in terms of physical activity,number of 30 s chair-stand test,and physical activity compliance score at 1 week post-intervention and 1 month post-intervention.Results There were 4 cases dropped in the test group and 3 cases dropped in the control group.The results of repeated measures ANOVA showed that there were between-group and time interaction effects for walking time,sedentary time,and the number of chair stands in 30 s in the 2 groups(P<0.05).The experimental group's walking time,sedentary time,the number of chair stands in 30 s,moderate physical activity time and the physical activity compliance scores were better than those of the control group after the intervention,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion This exercise intervention based on a multi-theory model significantly increased the moderate physical activity time and walking time,decreased the sedentary time and improved compliance with physical activity recommendations,which may improve lower limb muscle strength in postoperative colorectal cancer patients.
5.Application effect of the stepped early activity program combined with lower limb joint rehabilitation devices in patients with mechanical ventilation
Yanfei ZHU ; Xu ZHAO ; Ning LUO ; Meimei SI ; Zhu LIN ; Can ZHOU ; Yin LI
Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Intensive and Critical Care 2025;32(1):55-59
Objective To observe the effects of a stepped early activity program combined with lower limb joint rehabilitation devices in mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit(ICU).Methods Sixty mechanically ventilated patients admitted to the ICU of Tianjin First Central Hospital from October 2022 to June 2023 were selected as study subjects and randomly divided into an intervention group(n=30)and a control group(n=30)using a random number table.The control group received routine rehabilitation nursing combined with lower limb joint rehabilitation devices,while the intervention group was additionally treated with the stepped early activity program.The duration of mechanical ventilation,length of ICU stay,incidence of delirium,Medical Research Council(MRC)muscle strength scores,phase angle(PA),and skeletal muscle mass index(SMI)were compared between the two groups.Results The intervention group showed significantly shorter durations of mechanical ventilation and the length of ICU stay compared to the control group[mechanical ventilation time(days):9.20±4.51 vs.11.73±4.59,the length of ICU stay(days):10.73±5.37 vs.14.00±6.03,both P<0.05].Post-intervention MRC muscle strength scores,PA,and SMI significantly increased in both groups,with greater improvements observed in the intervention group[MRC muscle strength score:54.17±2.10 vs.50.17±3.51;PA(°):5.80±0.60 vs.5.49±0.54;SMI(kg/m2):6.87±0.46 vs.6.62±0.45,all P<0.05].No statistically significant difference was found in delirium incidence between the two groups[26.7%(8/30)vs.33.3%(10/30),P>0.05].Conclusion The combination of a stepped early activity program and lower limb joint rehabilitation devices effectively shortens mechanical ventilation time and the length of ICU stay,restores muscle strength,and promotes recovery in mechanically ventilated ICU patients,demonstrating significant clinical value.
6.Rifaximin curative effect and mechanism on monocrotaline-induced hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome in mice
Si ZHAO ; Jiangqiang XIAO ; Han ZHANG ; Jingjing TU ; Qin YIN ; Yuzheng ZHUGE
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2025;33(2):177-185
Objective:To investigate the curative effect and possible mechanism of rifaximin treatment on monocrotaline-induced hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS) in mice.Methods:Twenty-four male C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups and treated with solvent control, monocrotaline, and rifaximin, respectively. The histopathological changes of the liver and intestine were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The differences were compared in liver parameters, serum liver enzymes, inflammatory factors, apoptotic factors, gut microbiota, and gut tight junction proteins among three groups of mice. The inter-group comparison was conducted using a t-test and one-way analysis of variance.Results:The rifaximin-treated group had significantly improved liver histopathology. The serological levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were (559.04±89.42) U/L and (676.90±106.25) U/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the PA-HSOS model group [(846.05±148.46) U/L and (953.87±58.10) U/L, P<0.05], and were accompanied by lower levels of apoptotic cells and inflammatory factors. Additionally, the rifaximin-treated mice group gut microbiota had higher diversity compared with the PA-HSOS group ( P<0.05), and the Shannon index was 7.77±0.10 and 7.16±0.07, respectively, indicating apparent differences in microbiota among different groups. The abundance of Firmicutes in the rifaximin group was 39.58%±0.56%, which was significantly higher than that in the model group (24.25%±0.64%, P<0.05), while the abundance of Bacteroidetes was 54.7%±0.41%, which was significantly lower than that in the model group (70.92%±0.49%, P<0.05). Simultaneously, the expressions of gut tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin showed an upward trend and validated transcription levels compared to the model group following rifaximin intervention ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Rifaximin can alleviate monocrotaline-induced hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome in mice, and its mechanism may be via gut microbiota regulation, which in turn plays a role in improving intestinal barrier function.
7.A Rare Normal Variant with an Unusual Presentation on a Male Mammogram:A Case Report
Victoria Kai Lin TAY ; Si YING TAN ; Chow Yin WONG ; Lester Chee Hao LEONG
Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology 2025;86(1):160-165
The sternalis muscle is a rare supernumerary muscle representing a normal anatomical variant in the anterior thoracic musculature. Due to wide variation in its morphology and relative unfamiliarity among radiologists, it has been implicated in the misdiagnosis of breast masses on mammography. A 23-year-old male with no significant medical history was referred to our institution for further management of painless bilateral breast enlargement since adolescence. Physical examination revealed breasts of slightly prominent size but there was no palpable breast lump. Mammography work-up found symmetrical, well-defined soft tissue masses projected over the posteromedial aspect of both breasts. Imaging findings were consistent with bilateral sternalis muscles, unusually hypertrophic in size due to intense upper body weight training by the patient. This case highlights the importance of recognizing the usual and unusual presentations of the sternalis muscles on mammography to avoid any unnecessary work-up.
8.A Novel Model of Traumatic Optic Neuropathy Under Direct Vision Through the Anterior Orbital Approach in Non-human Primates.
Zhi-Qiang XIAO ; Xiu HAN ; Xin REN ; Zeng-Qiang WANG ; Si-Qi CHEN ; Qiao-Feng ZHU ; Hai-Yang CHENG ; Yin-Tian LI ; Dan LIANG ; Xuan-Wei LIANG ; Ying XU ; Hui YANG
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(5):911-916
9.Mining and verification of inflammation-related genes in skeletal muscle of exhaustive exercise rats undergoing cannabidiol intervention
Wenning ZHU ; Lili SUN ; Lina PENG ; Juncheng SI ; Wanli ZANG ; Weidong YIN ; Mengqi LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(11):2347-2356
BACKGROUND:Cannabidiol is effective in ameliorating the body's inflammatory response,but no clear mechanistic studies have been conducted to ameliorate skeletal muscle inflammation induced by exhaustive exercise. OBJECTIVE:To explore the mechanism by which cannabidiol improves skeletal muscle inflammation during exhaustive exercise by using transcriptome sequencing technology. METHODS:Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups:blank control group,exercise coconut oil group,exercise control group,50 mg/kg cannabidiol group,60 mg/kg cannabidiol group,and 70 mg/kg cannabidiol group,with six rats in each group.Except for rats in the blank control group,rats in each group were subjected to swimming exercise for 9 days to produce the exhaustive exercise model.At the end of each swimming exercise,rats in the cannabidiol groups were given 2 mL of fat-soluble cannabidiol at different concentrations(50,60,and 70 mg/kg)by gavage;rats in the exercise coconut oil group were given the same volume of coconut oil by gavage until the end of the exercise on the 9th day;and rats in the blank control group and the exercise control group were not given any special treatment.The levels of inflammatory factors and differentially expressed genes in the skeletal muscle of rats in each group were determined using ELISA and transcriptome sequencing techniques.Differentially expressed genes obtained were subjected to KEGG analysis,and the accuracy of the sequencing data was verified by fluorescence quantitative PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The results of ELISA showed that the contents of interleukin-6(P<0.05),tumor necrosis factor-α(P<0.01),interleukin-10 and other inflammatory factors in the exercise group increased significantly compared with the blank control group and the coconut oil group.After cannabidiol intervention,the mass concentrations of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α showed a sequential decrease with increasing cannabidiol concentration.By comparing GO and KEGG databases,the functional properties of differentially expressed genes were analyzed,and the results showed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway and the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway.RT-qPCR results showed that the trends of five randomly selected differentially expressed genes were in agreement with the transcriptome sequencing results.To conclude,cannabidiol can improve skeletal muscle inflammation caused by exhaustive exercise.
10.A Rare Normal Variant with an Unusual Presentation on a Male Mammogram:A Case Report
Victoria Kai Lin TAY ; Si YING TAN ; Chow Yin WONG ; Lester Chee Hao LEONG
Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology 2025;86(1):160-165
The sternalis muscle is a rare supernumerary muscle representing a normal anatomical variant in the anterior thoracic musculature. Due to wide variation in its morphology and relative unfamiliarity among radiologists, it has been implicated in the misdiagnosis of breast masses on mammography. A 23-year-old male with no significant medical history was referred to our institution for further management of painless bilateral breast enlargement since adolescence. Physical examination revealed breasts of slightly prominent size but there was no palpable breast lump. Mammography work-up found symmetrical, well-defined soft tissue masses projected over the posteromedial aspect of both breasts. Imaging findings were consistent with bilateral sternalis muscles, unusually hypertrophic in size due to intense upper body weight training by the patient. This case highlights the importance of recognizing the usual and unusual presentations of the sternalis muscles on mammography to avoid any unnecessary work-up.

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