ObjectiveTo develop an assessment tool for apraxia of speech (AOS) of Chinese Putonghua speakers and test its reliability and validity. MethodsThe Chinese Apraxia of Speech Assessment and Diagnostic Tool (CAADT) was developed based on the Apraxia of Speech Rating Scale 3.5, combined with the linguistic characteristics of Chinese and clinical experience. The tool consistsed of eleven items across three sections: articulation, prosody and alternating motion rates. Six experts evaluated the content validity. From November, 2024 to May, 2025, 51 patients with post-stroke AOS (experimental group) and ten patients with post-stroke aphasia without AOS (control group) were recruited from Anhui Wannan Rehabilitation Hospital (the Fifth People's Hospital of Wuhu), and tested with CAADT. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's α coefficient, Kendall's coefficient of concordance W and Pearson correlation coefficient. Validity was evaluated using the content validity index (CVI) and Spearman correlation coefficient. Discriminative effect was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. ResultsThe Cronbach's α coefficients for the articulation and prosody sections and the total scale were all > 0.9, while it was 0.454 for the alternating motion rates. Inter-rater reliability was good (W ≥ 0.598, P < 0.001). Test-retest reliability showed high positive correlations for the three sections and the total score between the two assessments (r ≥ 0.84, P < 0.001). The scale-level CVI was 0.95, and the item-level CVI ≥ 0.83. The Spearman correlation coefficients among the sections ranged from 0.30 to 0.70. ROC analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.953, with a cut-off value of 11, yielding a sensitivity of 0.92 and a specificity of 0.90. ConclusionCAADT demonstrates good reliability, validity and discriminative effect, which can be used for clinical assessment and auxiliary diagnosis of Chinese Putonghua speaking patients with post-stroke AOS.

Bladder cancer(BCa)is a common malignant tumor of the urinary system,and its conventional treatment methods have many limitations.Chimeric antigen receptor T cell(CAR-T)therapy,as an emerging immunotherapy method,has achieved significant success in hematological malignancies and has brought new hope for the treatment of solid tumors.This article reviews the research progress of CAR-T cell therapy in the treatment of BCa,including the basic structure of CAR-T cells,potential therapeutic targets in bladder cancer,current chal-lenges and corresponding strategies.

Bladder cancer(BCa)is a common malignant tumor of the urinary system,and its conventional treatment methods have many limitations.Chimeric antigen receptor T cell(CAR-T)therapy,as an emerging immunotherapy method,has achieved significant success in hematological malignancies and has brought new hope for the treatment of solid tumors.This article reviews the research progress of CAR-T cell therapy in the treatment of BCa,including the basic structure of CAR-T cells,potential therapeutic targets in bladder cancer,current chal-lenges and corresponding strategies.

Objective To explore the expression of coagulation indexes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and dry syndrome (pSS) and their relationships with inflammation and immune function. Methods A total of 61 patients with RA who were hospitalized in the Department of Rheumatology of Anhui Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March 12 to September 9, 2024 were selected as the RA group. And 61 patients with pSS who were hospitalized in the Department of Rheumatology of the same hospital September 4, 2023, to August 17, 2024, were selected as the pSS group. 61 healthy individuals who underwent routine medical checkups at the Physical Examination Center of Anhui Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine during the same period were included as the control group. Baseline clinical indexes before treatment were collected from patients in each group, including prothrombin time(PT), international normalized ratio(INR), thrombia time(TT), fibrinogen(FBG), activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT), fibrin (ogen) degradation products(FDP) and D-Dimer(D-D). Results The expression levels of PT, FBG, TT, FDP, and D-D in the RA group, the pSS group, and the normal group were significantly different. The expression levels of PT, FBG, FDP, and D-D in the RA group were all higher than those in the pSS group and the control group, respectively. And the expression level of TT in the pSS group was lower than that in control group. ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of PT was 0.638, the AUC of FBG was 0.899, the AUC of FDP was 0.866, and the AUC of D-D was 0.919 in the RA group compared with the normal group. And the AUC of coagulation indexes for joint diagnosis of RA was higher than that of the indexes detected individually. pSS group had an AUC of PT of 0.618 compared with that of the normal group. The AUC of TT was 0.645, and the AUC of coagulation indexes for the joint diagnosis of pSS was higher than the AUC of each index detected separately. Association rule analysis showed that elevated D-D in RA patients had a significant correlation with elevated hs-CRP, CCP and RF, and elevated FBG had a significant correlation with elevated hs-CRP, ESR, RF and CCP. Elevated D-D in pSS patients had a correlation with elevated hs-CRP and anti-SSA, and elevated INR has correlation with elevated hs-CRP, anti-SSA and anti-SSB. Correlation analysis showed that PT, INR, FBG, FDP, and D-D were positively correlated with CRP and ESR, and TT was negatively correlated with CRP and ESR in the RA group. FBG, FDP, and D-D were positively correlated with CRP and ESR in the pSS group. Moreover, coagulation indexes were positively correlated with immune indexes in RA group and pSS group which were all significant. The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that FBG was a positive correlate of hs-CRP and ESR in RA patients. For PSS patients, FBG and FDP were positive correlates of hs-CRP. APTT and FBG were positive correlates of ESR. Conclusion Compared with pSS, coagulation indexes (especially PT, FBG, FDP and D-D) are more informative for the early diagnosis of RA and the judgment of the degree of the disease, and can be used as an important predictor for the confirmation of the diagnosis of RA.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/diagnosis* ; Middle Aged ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products/analysis* ; Blood Coagulation ; Adult ; Fibrinogen/metabolism* ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Prothrombin Time ; Aged ; Inflammation/immunology* ; ROC Curve

Objective To investigate the expression of ferritinophagy-related gene ELAV-like RNA binding protein 1(ELAVL1)in multiple myeloma(MM)and elucidate its diagnostic and prognostic value for MM.Methods First,we analyzed ELAVL1 expression level in healthy controls and MM patients using data from the GEO and TCGA databases.Subsequently,bone marrow specimens were collected from 28 newly diagnosed MM patients and 20 healthy controls,and qRT-PCR was employed to validate ELAVL1 expression.The diagnostic and prognostic potential of ELAVL1 was assessed using ROC curve analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival curves.Additionally,univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors for MM prognosis.Finally,KEGG and GO enrichment analyses were performed using the DAVID online platform.Results The level of ELAVL1 expression was significantly higher in newly diagnosed MM patients and refractory/relapsed MM patients than in the healthy controls(P＜0.001).Moreover,ELAVL1 expression was positively correlated with the International Staging System(ISS)stage of MM(P＜0.01).Furthermore,qRT-PCR validation confirmed that ELAVL1 expression was elevated in the 28 newly diagnosed MM patients compared to the 20 healthy controls(P＜0.001).ROC curve analysis demonstrated that ELAVL1 could effectively differentiate between newly diagnosed MM patients,healthy controls,and MGUS patients(P＜0.001 and P=0.000 2,respectively).Survival analysis revealed that high ELAVL1 expression was associated with shorter progression-free survival(P=0.0141)and overall survival(P=0.008 0).Univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses identified high ELAVL1 expression as an independent risk factor for poor MM prognosis(P=0.005 0).KEGG analysis suggested that ELAVL1 might be involved in the Hippo and MAPK signaling pathways.Conclusion High ELAVL1 expression in MM may serve as a biomarker for diagnosis and poor prognosis.ELAVL1 may promote MM initiation and progression via the Hippo and MAPK signaling pathways.

Objective To investigate the expression of ferritinophagy-related gene ELAV-like RNA binding protein 1(ELAVL1)in multiple myeloma(MM)and elucidate its diagnostic and prognostic value for MM.Methods First,we analyzed ELAVL1 expression level in healthy controls and MM patients using data from the GEO and TCGA databases.Subsequently,bone marrow specimens were collected from 28 newly diagnosed MM patients and 20 healthy controls,and qRT-PCR was employed to validate ELAVL1 expression.The diagnostic and prognostic potential of ELAVL1 was assessed using ROC curve analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival curves.Additionally,univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors for MM prognosis.Finally,KEGG and GO enrichment analyses were performed using the DAVID online platform.Results The level of ELAVL1 expression was significantly higher in newly diagnosed MM patients and refractory/relapsed MM patients than in the healthy controls(P＜0.001).Moreover,ELAVL1 expression was positively correlated with the International Staging System(ISS)stage of MM(P＜0.01).Furthermore,qRT-PCR validation confirmed that ELAVL1 expression was elevated in the 28 newly diagnosed MM patients compared to the 20 healthy controls(P＜0.001).ROC curve analysis demonstrated that ELAVL1 could effectively differentiate between newly diagnosed MM patients,healthy controls,and MGUS patients(P＜0.001 and P=0.000 2,respectively).Survival analysis revealed that high ELAVL1 expression was associated with shorter progression-free survival(P=0.0141)and overall survival(P=0.008 0).Univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses identified high ELAVL1 expression as an independent risk factor for poor MM prognosis(P=0.005 0).KEGG analysis suggested that ELAVL1 might be involved in the Hippo and MAPK signaling pathways.Conclusion High ELAVL1 expression in MM may serve as a biomarker for diagnosis and poor prognosis.ELAVL1 may promote MM initiation and progression via the Hippo and MAPK signaling pathways.

BACKGROUND:Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an effective and even the only way to cure various hematological diseases,but the short-term mortality rate is relatively high after transplantation. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the risk factors affecting the overall survival of patients with hematological diseases in the short term(within 100 days)after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation,so as to reduce mortality and effectively prevent related risks in the short term(within 100 days)after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. METHODS:Clinical data of 585 patients with hematological diseases who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Center of First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 1,2018 to June 30,2021 were retrospectively analyzed.The risk factors that affected overall survival within 100 days after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were explored. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 585 patients with hematologic diseases underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.92 patients died within 100 days after transplantation,with a mortality rate of 15.7%(92/585).The median age of death cases was 26.5 years old(1-56 years),and the median survival time of death cases was 48 days(0-97 days).Univariate analysis exhibited that age≥14 years old,acute graft-versus-host disease,grade IV acute graft-versus-host disease,bacterial bloodstream infection,as well as carbapenem-resistant organism bloodstream infection,were risk factors for overall survival within 100 days after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(P<0.05).Multivariate regression analysis showed that age≥14 years old,grades Ⅲ-Ⅳ acute graft-versus-host disease,bacterial bloodstream infection,and carbapenem-resistant organism bloodstream infections were independent risk factors for overall survival(within 100 days)in patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.Hazard ratios were 1.77(95%CI 1.047-2.991),7.926(95%CI 3.763-16.695),2.039(95%CI 1.117-3.722),and 3.389(95%CI 1.563-7.347),respectively.In conclusion,all-cause mortality rate after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is relatively high in the short term.A timely diagnosis and effective treatment of bacterial bloodstream infection and acute graft-versus-host disease are essential to improving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation outcomes.

BACKGROUND:Bone is a remarkable natural material possessing piezoelectric properties.By harnessing the biomimetic piezoelectric effect,tissue engineering materials can be employed to effectively address bone tissue defects and facilitate their repair. OBJECTIVE:Using a solid-phase force chemistry technique,a piezoelectric scaffold with inherent osteogenic properties was meticulously fabricated.This unique scaffold was then assessed for its impact on osteoblast adhesion,proliferation,and osteogenic differentiation. METHODS:Polyvinylidene fluoride(PVDF)powders,along with commercially available NaCl(mass ratios are 60:40,50:50,40:60,and 30:70,respectively),were subjected to solid-phase shear milling technology,resulting in a homogenous mixture.Through a melting process,a substantial material was formed,and subsequent treatment with a pure water solution effectively eliminated the NaCl.Consequently,PVDF piezoelectric foam scaffolds with varying pore sizes were successfully prepared.These materials were categorized as PVDF-40,PVDF-50,PVDF-60,and PVDF-70,denoting the respective mass percentages of NaCl during preparation.The surface morphology,crystal phase composition,thermodynamic behavior,mechanical properties,and piezoelectric properties of each group were meticulously characterized.The four kinds of piezoelectric foam scaffolds were co-cultured with the MG63 osteoblast cell line to evaluate its biocompatibility and potential to promote bone differentiation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The scanning electron microscopy,four groups of scaffolds had multi-level pores.As the NaCl mass fraction in the mixed powder increased,the porosity of the scaffolds increased.X-ray energy dispersion spectrum,X-ray diffraction,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,and thermogravimetric analysis collectively revealed the scaffold predominantly comprised the α phase,which inherently lacked piezoelectric properties.However,the application of solid-phase force chemistry successfully stimulated the formation of the β phase,thereby enhancing the scaffold's piezoelectric properties.Notably,the PVDF-60 group exhibited the highest proportion of the β phase among all the tested groups.The results of cyclic compression testing and piezoelectric performance assessment demonstrated that the PVDF-60 group exhibited superior compressive strength and piezoelectric performance compared to the other groups.(2)The findings from scanning electron microscopy and laser confocal microscopy exhibited that MG63 cells adhered well to the surface of the four groups of scaffolds,with good morphology,extended more pseudopods,and secreted a large amount of extracellular matrix.CCK-8 assay revealed that the proliferative absorbance of PVDF-60 cells cultured for 4 days was higher than that of the other three groups(P<0.000 1).Alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining showed that the expression of alkaline phosphatase and the number of calcified nodules in the PVDF-60 group were higher than those in the other three groups(P<0.01,P<0.000 1).(3)The piezoelectric PVDF foam-based scaffolds demonstrated favorable cytocompatibility.Notably,the PVDF-60 group showed superior mechanical properties,piezoelectric performance,and bone-inducing capabilities.

Objective:The causal relationship between eczema and autoimmune diseases has not been previously reported.This study aims to evaluate the causal relationship between eczema and autoimmune diseases. Methods:The two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)method was used to assess the causal effect of eczema on autoimmune diseases.Summary data from the Genome-Wide Association Study Catalog(GWAS)were obtained from the Integrative Epidemiology Unit(IEU)database.For eczema and autoimmune diseases,genetic instrument variants(GIVs)were identified according to the significant difference(P＜5×10-8).Causal effect estimates were generated using the inverse-variance weighted(IVW)method.MR Egger,maximum likelihood,MR-PRESSO,and MR-RAPS methods were used for alternative analyses.Sensitivity tests,including heterogeneity,horizontal pleiotropy,and leave-one-out analyses,were performed.Finally,reverse causality was assessed. Results:Genetic susceptibility to eczema was associated with an increased risk of Crohn's disease(OR=1.444,95％CI 1.199 to 1.738,P＜0.001)and ulcerative colitis(OR=1.002,95％CI 1.001 to 1.003,P=0.002).However,no causal relationship was found for the other 6 autoimmune diseases,including systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)(OR=0.932,P=0.401),bullous pemphigoid(BP)(OR=1.191,P=0.642),vitiligo(OR=1.000,P=0.327),multiple sclerosis(MS)(OR=1.000,P=0.965),ankylosing spondylitis(AS)(OR=1.001,P=0.121),rheumatoid arthritis(RA)(OR=1.000,P=0.460).Additionally,no reverse causal relationship was found between autoimmune diseases and eczema. Conclusion:Eczema is associated with an increased risk of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.No causal relationship is found between eczema and SLE,MS,AS,RA,BP,or vitiligo.

Objective To observe the diagnostic value of four serum inflammatory biomarkers,including interleukin 6(IL-6),interleukin 12P70(IL-12P70),serum amyloid A(SAA),and procalcitonin(PCT),in rheumatoid arthritis(RA)and to analyze their relationship with the disease activity.Methods The study included 60 RA patients admitted to the Department of Rheumatology at Anhui Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between December 2022 and December 2023.Thirty healthy individuals from the hospital's physical examination center served as the control group.Serum levels of IL-6 and IL-12P70 were detected using flow cytometry.SAA levels were determined by immunoturbidimetry,and PCT levels were assessed by chemiluminescence.Erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),C-reactive protein(CRP),rheumatoid factor(RF),and anticyclic citrullinated peptide(ACCP)were detected using an automated biochemical analyzer.The 28-joint disease activity scores(DAS28-ESR)based on ESR were observed.Statistical analysis included t-tests,rank-sum tests,and Kruskal-Wallis H tests to compare the expression differences of the biomarkers among different groups.The diagnostic value of these biomarkers for RA was analyzed by ROC curve analysis.Spearman correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationships between the four inflammatory biomarkers and CRP,ESR,RF,ACCP,and DAS28-ESR.Results 1)The expression levels of SAA,IL-6,and IL-12P70 in the RA group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.01).2)ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)for PCT was 0.611(95%confidence interval[CI]:0.488-0.735,P＞0.05),for SAA,it was 0.819(95%CI:0.733-0.906,P＜0.01),for IL-6,it was 0.875(95%CI:0.803-0.946,P＜0.01),and for IL-12P70,it was 0.832(95%CI:0.746-0.917,P＜0.01).The combined index of IL-6,IL-12P70,SAA,and PCT had an AUC of 0.973(95%CI:0.942-1.000,P＜0.01).This indicates that the four inflammatory biomarkers can assist in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.3)The expression levels of PCT and SAA varied significantly among the high,moderate,and low activity RA groups(P＜0.01).4)In RA patients,CRP was positively correlated with SAA(rs=0.75,P＜0.01),and IL-6(rs=0.52,P＜0.01).ESR was positively correlated with SAA(rs=0.36,P＜0.01).DAS28-ESR was positively correlated with PCT(rs=0.34,P=0.01),SAA(rs=0.51,P＜0.01)and IL-6(rs=0.33,P=0.01).Conclusion The four inflammatory biomarkers(PCT,SAA,IL-6,and IL-12P70)are closely related to rheumatoid arthritis disease activity and can serve as serum indicators to assist in the diagnosis and assessment of RA.