Objective:To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of combined therapy with a speaking valve and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for dysphagia in stroke patients post-tracheostomy.Methods:This retrospective case-control study enrolled 120 stroke patients with post-stroke tracheostomy-associated dysphagia, admitted to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Huai′an Second People′s Hospital. Participants were randomly allocated to either a control group [45 males and 15 females, aged from 46 to 78 (65.78±8.68) years]receiving tDCS and conventional rehabilitation or an intervention group [41 males and 19 females, aged from 46 to 79 (66.32±9.18) years]receiving tDCS plus speaking valve therapy, with 60 patients per group. Swallowing function was assessed before and after a 3-week intervention using the Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA), Water Swallowing Test (WST) grading, Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), and Swallowing-quality of life score (SWAL-QOL).The SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis.Results:The intervention group demonstrated a significantly higher overall treatment response rate than the control group [95.0%(57/60) vs 78.3%(44/56), χ2=-6.056, P<0.001]. Post-treatment, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements, as evidenced by a lower SSA score (21.50±1.82 vs 24.92±1.42, t=-11.480, P<0.001) and superior WST grades (observation group: 45 cases at grade 1, 12 cases at grade 2, 5 cases at grade 3; control group: 33 cases at grade 1, 11 cases at grade 2, 16 cases at grade 3, Z=5.484, P<0.001). Furthermore, the intervention group achieved significantly higher FOIS scores (observation group: 1 case at grade 1, 1 case at grade 2, 1 case at grade 4, 8 cases at grade 5, 7 cases at grade 6, 45 cases at grade 7; control group: 2 cases at grade 1, 7 cases at grade 2, 3 cases at grade 3, 4 cases at grade 4, 5 cases at grade 5, 6 cases at grade 6, 33 cases at grade 7, Z=-3.559, P<0.001) and greater improvements in SWAL-QOL scores ( P<0.001), indicating enhanced oral intake and quality of life. Conclusion:The combination of a speaking valve and tDCS effectively promotes the swallowing recovery and improves quality of life in stroke patients with post-tracheostomy dysphagia. This combined modality represents a promising and effective therapeutic strategy for this patient population.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH)is a serious and fatal cardiovascular disease that significantly affects patients'quality of life and survival.Current treatments offer some relief but have limited effectiveness and notable side effects.Sotatercept,as a novel drug,modulates the transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)signaling pathway and shows promising therapeutic effects in PAH.By summarizing the pharmacological mechanisms and clinical research progress of sotatercept in PAH,assessing its application prospects,and analyzing future research directions in the light of current clinical research results,we provide an important perspective for understanding the clinical application of this drug in China,with a view to promoting its promotion and application in China.

Objective:To explore the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the cognition and ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) of persons with cerebral small vessel disease.Methods:A total of 71 patients with cognitive impairment due to cerebral small vessel disease were randomly divided into a control group ( n=35) and a treatment group ( n=36). The treatment group was further divided into a group with mild cognitive impairment (a score of 21 to 26 on the mini-mental state exam, n=23) and a moderate cognitive impairment group (scoring 10 to 20, n=13). The treatment groups received 10Hz rTMS, while the control group received sham rTMS. Before and after 90 days of treatment, all were assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and the cognitive subscale of the vascular dementia assessment scale (VaDAS-cog). Ability in the activities of daily living was quantified using the Barthel Index (BI). Results:After treatment, significantly increased MMSE and BI scores, but significantly decreased VaDAS-cog scores were observed in both groups. At that point the treatment group showed a significantly higher average post-treatment MMSE score (25.61±2.94) and BI score (80.00±7.85), but a significantly lower average VaDAS-cog score (44.06±3.41) than the control group. The average MMSE scores were not significantly different between the mild and moderate cognitive impairment subgroups. No severe adverse reactions were observed during the rTMS treatment.Conclusions:The 10Hz rTMS can effectively improve the cognition and daily living ability of persons with cerebral small vessel disease.

Objective:To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of combined therapy with a speaking valve and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for dysphagia in stroke patients post-tracheostomy.Methods:This retrospective case-control study enrolled 120 stroke patients with post-stroke tracheostomy-associated dysphagia, admitted to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Huai′an Second People′s Hospital. Participants were randomly allocated to either a control group [45 males and 15 females, aged from 46 to 78 (65.78±8.68) years]receiving tDCS and conventional rehabilitation or an intervention group [41 males and 19 females, aged from 46 to 79 (66.32±9.18) years]receiving tDCS plus speaking valve therapy, with 60 patients per group. Swallowing function was assessed before and after a 3-week intervention using the Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA), Water Swallowing Test (WST) grading, Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), and Swallowing-quality of life score (SWAL-QOL).The SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis.Results:The intervention group demonstrated a significantly higher overall treatment response rate than the control group [95.0%(57/60) vs 78.3%(44/56), χ2=-6.056, P<0.001]. Post-treatment, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements, as evidenced by a lower SSA score (21.50±1.82 vs 24.92±1.42, t=-11.480, P<0.001) and superior WST grades (observation group: 45 cases at grade 1, 12 cases at grade 2, 5 cases at grade 3; control group: 33 cases at grade 1, 11 cases at grade 2, 16 cases at grade 3, Z=5.484, P<0.001). Furthermore, the intervention group achieved significantly higher FOIS scores (observation group: 1 case at grade 1, 1 case at grade 2, 1 case at grade 4, 8 cases at grade 5, 7 cases at grade 6, 45 cases at grade 7; control group: 2 cases at grade 1, 7 cases at grade 2, 3 cases at grade 3, 4 cases at grade 4, 5 cases at grade 5, 6 cases at grade 6, 33 cases at grade 7, Z=-3.559, P<0.001) and greater improvements in SWAL-QOL scores ( P<0.001), indicating enhanced oral intake and quality of life. Conclusion:The combination of a speaking valve and tDCS effectively promotes the swallowing recovery and improves quality of life in stroke patients with post-tracheostomy dysphagia. This combined modality represents a promising and effective therapeutic strategy for this patient population.

Objective:To explore the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the cognition and ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) of persons with cerebral small vessel disease.Methods:A total of 71 patients with cognitive impairment due to cerebral small vessel disease were randomly divided into a control group ( n=35) and a treatment group ( n=36). The treatment group was further divided into a group with mild cognitive impairment (a score of 21 to 26 on the mini-mental state exam, n=23) and a moderate cognitive impairment group (scoring 10 to 20, n=13). The treatment groups received 10Hz rTMS, while the control group received sham rTMS. Before and after 90 days of treatment, all were assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and the cognitive subscale of the vascular dementia assessment scale (VaDAS-cog). Ability in the activities of daily living was quantified using the Barthel Index (BI). Results:After treatment, significantly increased MMSE and BI scores, but significantly decreased VaDAS-cog scores were observed in both groups. At that point the treatment group showed a significantly higher average post-treatment MMSE score (25.61±2.94) and BI score (80.00±7.85), but a significantly lower average VaDAS-cog score (44.06±3.41) than the control group. The average MMSE scores were not significantly different between the mild and moderate cognitive impairment subgroups. No severe adverse reactions were observed during the rTMS treatment.Conclusions:The 10Hz rTMS can effectively improve the cognition and daily living ability of persons with cerebral small vessel disease.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH)is a serious and fatal cardiovascular disease that significantly affects patients'quality of life and survival.Current treatments offer some relief but have limited effectiveness and notable side effects.Sotatercept,as a novel drug,modulates the transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)signaling pathway and shows promising therapeutic effects in PAH.By summarizing the pharmacological mechanisms and clinical research progress of sotatercept in PAH,assessing its application prospects,and analyzing future research directions in the light of current clinical research results,we provide an important perspective for understanding the clinical application of this drug in China,with a view to promoting its promotion and application in China.

Purpose To analyze the relationship between different molecular types and imaging manifestations of simultaneous bilateral breast cancer.Materials and Methods Eighty-one patients with simultaneous bilateral breast cancer confirmed by surgery and pathology in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2016 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed,80 patients received mammography and 38 patients received MRI.Imaging features referred to the 5th edition of the breast imaging reporting and data system standards.Molecular typing was evaluated and classified according to the 2013 revised St.Gallen international expert consensus recommended the determination.The clinicopathological and imaging features of the index and contralateral breast cancer were compared,and the imaging features of different molecular types of the index and contralateral breast cancer were also compared.Results There were statistically significant differences in histological types and molecular typing between the index and contralateral cancers(x2=39.72,12.23,P＜0.05).Mammograph showed that the index cancer was mostly a mass(51.9％,40/77),while the contralateral cancer was mostly calcification(38.4％,28/73);the index cancer was mostly polymorphic calcification(68.8％,22/32),while the contralateral cancer was mostly amorphous calcification(45.2％,19/42)(x2=33.15,10.47,P＜0.05).There was a statistically significant difference in the MRI enhancement between the index cancer and the contralateral cancer(x2=6.79,P＜0.05).For contralateral cancer,mammograms showed statistically significant differences in the four molecular subtypes on tumor density,as well as MRI enhancement patterns,early enhancement degree,and time-signal intensity curve(x2=26.72,7.49,8.95,13.44,12.85,P＜0.05).There was a significant difference in the distribution of calcification among the four molecular subtypes on the X-ray of the first cancer(x2=20.15,P＜0.05).Conclusion The molecular typing and some imaging characteristics of simultaneous bilateral breast cancer are different,and some imaging characteristics can provide reference for predicting the molecular typing of simultaneous bilateral breast cancer.

Objective To explore the trajectory and influencing factors of joint awareness after total knee arthroplasty.Methods With the method for convenience sampling,patients who met the standards for total knee arthroplasty from July 2021 to March 2022 were selected.General information,severity of osteoarthritis,anxiety and depression,and self-efficacy were investigated before surgery(T0).Joint awareness was investigated at 1 month(T1),3 months(T2),and 6 months(T3)after surgery,respectively.Latent growth curve model was used to describe the overall trend of joint awareness;latent class growth model was used to analyze latent subgroups;logistic regression analysis was used to determine the impact of related variables on the trajectory of joint awareness.Results The scores of joint awareness were(32.70±5.80),(47.67±4.67)and(61.53±7.81)respectively at T1 to T3,and joint awareness showed an increasing trend(P＜0.001).The trajectory of joint awareness was divided into 2 potential subgroups:the rapid growth group(61.83％)and the slow growth group(38.17％).Age,BMI,other chronic diseases or not,years of osteoarthritis,severity of osteoarthritis,anxiety,depression,and self-efficacy affected the trend of joint awareness(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Joint awareness showed a linear growth trend with the postoperative time,and there were 2 potential subgroups in the trajectory.Medical workers could develop corresponding interventions based on the influencing factors to improve patients'postoperative awareness of artificial joints.

Abstract: It is well-known that crystal form of a drug is a key factor impacting the physicochemical properties of the drug, which in turn affects its in vivo efficacy, safety and stability. The study on crystal forms of solid-state drugs is crucial for drug quality control, selection of production process and evaluation of clinical efficacy. The combination of chemometric and analytical techniques exhibited its great ability to analyze a large amount of multidimensional data, providing the possibility for quantification of trace amount of crystals (< 1%). Meanwhile, using the process analytical technology (PAT) to monitor the crystal content real-time during prescription preparation process can further realize the control on formulation quality and serve as a core technology to support the patent protection of crystalline forms. In this review, the combined application of crystal analytical techniques and chemometric methods for the quantitative analysis of trace crystals were summarized, aiming to provide guidance for the manufacturing of pharmaceutical preparations and their quality control.

【Objective】 To study the molecular mechanism of 95 samples of serological ABO subtypes. 【Methods】 A total of 95 samples with discrepancy between forward and reverse blood grouping were subjected to serological confirmation, and genotyped by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). For those subtype alleles could not be detected by PCR-SSP, ABO gene exon 1-7 sequencing and gene single strand sequencing were performed successively to determine the mutation site and the gene location. 【Results】 A total of 34 ABO alleles were detected in 95 samples. Five common ABO alleles (ABO^*A1.01, ABO^*A1.02, ABO^*B.01, ABO^*O.01.01 and ABO^*O.01.02) and 29 rare ABO alleles were identified, including 16 named alleles by ISBT (ABO^*A2.01, ABO^*A2.05, ABO^*A2.13, ABO^*A3.07, ABO^*AW.37, ABO^*AEL.05, ABO^*B3.01, ABO^*B3.05, ABO^*BW.03, ABO^*BW.07, ABO^*BW.27, ABO^*BEL.03, ABO^*cisAB.01, ABO^*cisAB.05, ABO^*BA.02, ABO^*BA.04) and 5 named alleles by dbRBC(A223, B309, Bw37, Bel09, Bw40)and eight unnamed alleles [ABO^*B.01+ 978C>A, ABO^*A1.02+ 248A>T, ABO^*B.01+ 125dupT, ABO^*B.01+ (98+ 1G>A), ABO^*A1.02/ABO^*B.01+ 1A>G, ABO^*A1.02/ABO^*O.01.01+ 28G>T, ABO^*A1.02/ABO^*B.01+ 538C>T, ABO^*A1.02/ABO^*O.01.01+ 797insT] .The last four samples could not be verified by single strand because of insufficient samples. In 95 samples, 76 samples (21 named alleles of ISBT and dbRBC) were identified by PCR-SSP, and the remaining 19 samples were identified by exon 1-7 sequencing of ABO gene, of which 8 were identified as unnamed alleles, and the remaining 11 samples were not identified as subtype alleles. 【Conclusion】 The molecular genetic mechanism of 95 serological ABO subtypes was revealed, and 8 rare novel alleles were identified. The detection of ambiguous blood groups is influenced by factors such as patient pathology and physiology, therefore the combination of serological testing and genetic testing is suggested for the identification of ABO subtype.