Previous studies have found associations between color discrimination deficits and cognitive impairments besides aging. However, investigations into the microstructural pathology of brain white matter (WM) associated with these deficits remain limited. This study aimed to examine the microstructural characteristics of WM in the non-demented population with abnormal color discrimination, utilizing Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI), and to explore their correlations with cognitive functions and cognition-related plasma biomarkers. The tract-based spatial statistic analysis revealed significant differences in specific brain regions between the abnormal color discrimination group and the healthy controls, characterized by increased isotropic volume fraction and decreased neurite density index and orientation dispersion index. Further analysis of region-of-interest parameters revealed that the isotropic volume fraction in the bilateral anterior thalamic radiation, superior longitudinal fasciculus, cingulum, and forceps minor was significantly correlated with poorer performance on neuropsychological assessments and to varying degrees various cognition-related plasma biomarkers. These findings provide neuroimaging evidence that WM microstructural abnormalities in non-demented individuals with abnormal color discrimination are associated with cognitive dysfunction, potentially serving as early markers for cognitive decline.
Humans ; White Matter/pathology* ; Male ; Female ; Cognitive Dysfunction/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Color Perception/physiology* ; Brain/pathology* ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of severe and deceased cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Hebei province, so as to provide reference for prevention and control of the disease. Methods: Severe and deceased HFMD cases reported from the National Disease Surveillance Information Management System and the laboratory testing result in Hebei province from 2010 to 2016 were analyzed. Descriptive epidemiological method involving the distribution of population, area, time and pathogeny were used for the analysis. Results: From 2010 to 2016, 3 803 severe HFMD cases and 162 deceased cases were reported in Hebei province, and the ratio of severe cases among all HFMD patients was 0.75%. A chi-square test showed that the incidence of severe HFMD between males and females was significantly different (χ²=239.37, P<0.001), and scattered children were the main patient. Infants less than six months of age had the highest ratio of severe HFMD cases, the group of one-year-old and younger children had the highest proportion of severe HFMD cases. The severe ratio and severe incidence of Xingtai, Langfang and Hengshui were the top three prefectures having the highest proportions of severe cases. The number of severe cases fluctuated over the past 7years, but showed a downward trend. The constituent ratios of EV-A71 in severe cases and deaths were 79.25% and 92.66%, respectively. Conclusions Severe HFMD epidemics showed a declining trend in Hebei province. EV-A71 is still the main pathogen of both severe and fatal cases. It is necessary to strengthen the prophylactic and therapeutic measures for the young children (< 2 years).

Objectives To establish the cell model of fibroblast in tumor and explore its malignant bionomics for providing valuable cell model for studying their transforming mechanism and developing drugs targeting the tumor stroma in the future. Methods The murine normal fibroblast cells, L 929 , were cultured with the supernatant of murine hepatocellular carcinoma cells, H 22 , for three and a half months, and L 929 -H 22 cells were acquired with stable growth. Then the changes of their biological characteristics were determined by light microscopy, electron microscopy, karyotype analysis, and MTT assay. The expressions of PCNA, bcl-2, MMP-9, TN, and tolomerase activity were detected by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively. The ability to synthesize proteins and the effects of their supernatant on H 22 growth were determined. Results Abnormal nuclei and multinuclei were observed in L 929 -H 22 cells, and their chromatosome modes increased slightly. As compared with the parental cells, the population doubling time of L 929 -H 22 cells shortened (t=2.654 1, P