Stroke is a cerebrovascular disease with high fatality and disability rates， which brings heavy psychological burden along with physical disorder to patients. In recent years， transcranial magnetic stimulation （TMS） has attracted great attention in the research on functional prognosis of stroke patients. TMS can reveal the degree of corticospinal tract injury from a neurophysiological point of view and provide key information for functional recovery， and it is widely used in the rehabilitation treatment of post-stroke dysfunction. This article reviews the basic principle， classification， mechanism of TMS in promoting functional recovery of stroke， as well as its application in rehabilitation treatment， so as to lay a foundation for individualized neurological rehabilitation and improve the long-term prognosis of patients to the largest extent.
Stroke ; Prognosis

ObjectiveTo observe and compare the effects of different concentrations of cyclophosphamide (CTX) in inducing premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) model in mice and investigate the mechanism of injury. MethodsThirty-two 6~8-week-old female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=8 per group) using a weight-based block randomization method. The POI model was established via a single intraperitoneal injection of 75 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (CTX), 120 mg/kg CTX, 120 mg/kg CTX + 12 mg/kg Busulfan, or an equivalent volume of normal saline (control). Ovarian coefficients, serum estradiol (E₂) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were measured. Western blotting was performed to assess changes in ovarian expression levels of NAD-dependent deacetylase sirtuin-5 (SIRT5) and forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a) under different modeling conditions. After determining the optimal CTX concentration for modeling, an additional forty 6~8-week-old femal C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups (n=8 per group) using a weight-based block randomization method: saline control, 120 mg/kg CTX sampling at 1, 2, 7, or 14 days after modeling. Western blotting was used to evaluate temporal changes of ovarian SIRT5 and FOXO3a protein expression. ResultsCompared with the saline control, all concentrations of CTX (75 mg/kg CTX, 120 mg/kg CTX) and 120 mg/kg CTX + 12 mg/kg Busulfan induced POI injury in mice. The 120 mg/kg CTX group exhibited smaller changes in ovarian coefficients (P<0.001) and E₂ levels (P<0.05), whereas the 120 mg/kg CTX + 12 mg/kg Busulfan group showed rough and reduced luster fur, sluggish response and was in the worst state. Compared with the saline control group, FOXO3a expression was significantly down-regulated (P<0.05), while SIRT5 remained unchanged in the 75 mg/kg CTX group (P>0.05). In contrast, both SIRT5 (P<0.05) and FOXO3a (P<0.05) were significantly down-regulated in the 120 mg/kg CTX group. Further analysis revealed that on day 2 and 7 after 120 mg/kg CTX modeling, the expressions of SIRT5 (P<0.01) and FOXO3a (P<0.001) were significantly down-regulated, with the largest decrease observed on day 7 (SIRT5, P<0.000 1; FOXO3a, P<0.000 1). ConclusionOvarian injury in the POI model induced by 120 mg/kg CTX is milder than that in the POI model induced by 75 mg/kg CTX. Moreover, the expression changes of SIRT5 and FOXO3a are most significant on day 7 after modeling induced by 120 mg/kg CTX, which may be related to the inhibition of the SIRT5-FOXO3a signaling pathway.

ObjectiveThe full name of vertebroplasty is percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). It is a clinical technique that injects bone cement into the diseased vertebral body to achieve strengthening of the vertebra. The research on the safety and efficacy of bone cement is the basis for clinical application. In this study, vertebroplasty is used to evaluate and compare the safety and efficacy of Tecres and radiopaque bone cement in experimental pigs, and to determine the puncture method suitable for pigs and the pre-clinical evaluation method for the safety and efficacy of bone cement. MethodsTwenty-four experimental pigs (with a body weight of 60-80 kg) were randomly divided into an experimental group (Group A) and a control group (Group B). Group A was the Tecres bone cement group, and Group B was the radiopaque bone cement group, with 12 pigs in each group. Under the monitoring of a C-arm X-ray machine, the materials were implanted into the 1st lumbar vertebra (L1) and 4th lumbar vertebra (L4) of the pigs via percutaneous puncture using the unilateral pedicle approach. The animals were euthanized at 4 weeks and 26 weeks after the operation, respectively. The L4 vertebrae were taken for compressive strength testing, and the L1 vertebrae were taken for hard tissue pathological examination to observe the inflammatory response, bone necrosis, and degree of osseointegration at the implantation site. ResultsThe test results of compressive strength between groups A and B showed no significant difference at 4 weeks and 26 weeks after bone cement implantation (P > 0.05). Observation under an optical microscope (×100) revealed that at 4 weeks postoperatively, both groups A and B showed that the bone cement was surrounded by proliferative fibrous tissue, with lymphocyte infiltration around it. The bone cement was combined with bone tissue, the trabecular arrangement was disordered, and osteoblasts and a small amount of osteoid were formed. At 26 weeks postoperatively, bone cement was visible in both groups A and B. The new bone tissue was mineralized, the trabeculae were fused, the trabecular structure was regular and dense with good continuity, and no obvious inflammatory reaction was observed. ConclusionIn experimental pig vertebrae, there were no significant differences observed in the compressive strength, inflammation response, bone destruction, and integration with the bone between Tecres and non-radiopaque bone cement. Both exhibited good biocompatibility and osteogenic properties. It indicates that using vertebroplasty to evaluate the safety and efficacy of bone cement in pigs is scientifically sound.

Objective:To compare the differences in postoperative healing rates, hearing improvement, and complication rates between endoscopic butterfly inlay cartilage tympanoplasty and underlay cartilage tympanoplasty in Small-to-Medium-Sized Tympanic Membrane Perforations, and to provide clinical basis for indication of the butterfly inlay cartilage tympanoplasty. Methods:This study enrolled patients with chronic suppurative otitis media or traumatic tympanic membrane perforations who were treated at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, between January 2022 and May 2023. Inclusion criteria comprised a dry ear period exceeding 3 months, absence of middle ear or mastoid pathology confirmed by temporal bone CT, and an air-bone gap of less than 40 dB. All surgeries were performed by the same surgeon using tympanoplasty techniques. Based on the surgical approach and perforation size, patients were categorized into four groups: Group A（butterfly cartilage tympanoplasty, perforation ≤3 mm）: 23 cases. Group B（butterfly cartilage tympanoplasty, perforation 3-5 mm）: 17 cases. Group C（full-thickness cartilage underlay tympanoplasty, perforation ≤3 mm）: 12 cases. Group D（full-thickness cartilage underlay tympanoplasty, perforation 3-5 mm）: 22 cases. Data collected included perforation duration, preoperative Eustachian Tube Score（ETS）, pure-tone audiometry, otoscopic findings, and postoperative follow-up data on pure-tone thresholds, otoscopic outcomes, and complications such as graft infection and otorrhea. Results: The mean postoperative follow-up period was 4 months （range: 3-12 months）. A total of 74 patients were enrolled, including 40 undergoing butterfly cartilage tympanoplasty and 34 receiving full-thickness cartilage inlay tympanoplasty. In the <3 mm perforation subgroup, the patients receiving butterfly technique （23 cases） exhibited a postoperative air-bone gap （ABG） improvement of （2.33±8.21） dB, and those receiving the inlay technique （12 cases） showed an ABG improvement of （2.49±7.9） dB, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups （P>0.05）. In the 3-5 mm perforation subgroup, the patients receiving butterfly technique （17 cases） demonstrated an ABG improvement of （8.16±5.69） dB, and those receiving the inlay technique （22 cases） achieved an ABG improvement of （8.08±10.42） dB, which were not significantly different （P>0.05）. Tympanic membrane healing rates across the four subgroups were 95.65%, 94.12%, 100%, and 95.45%, respectively, with no statistically significant differences （P>0.05）. Conclusion:In patients with tympanic membrane perforations ≤3 mm and 3-5 mm, butterfly cartilage tympanoplasty achieves comparable audiological outcomes to full-thickness cartilage underlay tympanoplasty. Compared with the underlay technique, the butterfly method is less invasive, preserves the normal anatomical structure of the tympanic membrane, requires a shorter dry ear period, and yields higher patient satisfaction. Therefore, it can be safely recommended for perforations ≤5 mm that do not require tympanotomy exploration.
Humans ; Tympanic Membrane Perforation/surgery* ; Tympanoplasty/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Endoscopy ; Cartilage/transplantation* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Myringoplasty/methods* ; Otitis Media, Suppurative/surgery* ; Aged

This study investigated the role of the nuclear factor of activated T cells c3 (NFATc3) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) during aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD) progression and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Cytoplasmic and nuclear NFATc3 levels were elevated in human and mouse AAD. VSMC-NFATc3 deletion reduced thoracic AAD (TAAD) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression in mice, contrary to VSMC-NFATc3 overexpression. VSMC-NFATc3 deletion reduced extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and maintained the VSMC contractile phenotype. Nuclear NFATc3 targeted and transcriptionally upregulated matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and MMP2, promoting ECM degradation and AAD development. NFATc3 promoted VSMC phenotypic switching by binding to eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) and inhibiting its phosphorylation in the VSMC cytoplasm. Restoring eEF2 reversed the beneficial effects in VSMC-specific NFATc3-knockout mice. Cabamiquine-targets eEF2 and inhibits protein synthesis-inhibited AAD development and progression in VSMC-NFATc3-overexpressing mice. VSMC-NFATc3 promoted VSMC switch and ECM degradation while exacerbating AAD development, making it a novel potential therapeutic target for preventing and treating AAD.

The cooccurrence of NPM1, FLT3-ITD, and DNMT3A mutations (i.e., triple mutation) is related to dismal prognosis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) receiving chemotherapy alone. In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, we aimed to identify whether allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) could overcome the poor prognosis of DNMT3A^mutNPM1^mutFLT3-ITD^mut AML across four transplant centers in China. Fifty-three patients with triple-mutated AML receiving allo-HSCT in complete remission were enrolled. The 1.5-year probabilities of relapse, leukemia-free survival, and overall survival after allo-HSCT were 11.9%, 80.3%, and 81.8%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that more than one course of induction chemotherapy and allo-HSCT beyond CR1 were associated with poor survival. To our knowledge, this work is the largest study to explore the up-to-date undefined role of allo-HSCT in patients with triple-mutated AML. Our real-world data suggest that allo-HSCT could overcome the poor prognosis of DNMT3A^mutNPM1^mutFLT3-ITD^mut in AML.
Humans ; Nucleophosmin ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/mortality* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/methods* ; Male ; Female ; DNA Methyltransferase 3A ; Adult ; China ; Retrospective Studies ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases/genetics* ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3/genetics* ; Mutation ; Young Adult ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Nuclear Proteins/genetics* ; Adolescent ; Aged

Objective:To examine the distribution of pathogens that cause postoperative nosocomial infections in patients with rectal cancer(RC)and to construct a predictive nomogram for nosocomial infection.Methods:The clinical data of 1537 RC patients admitted to Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital between January 2021 and December 2022 were collected.Patients were assigned 1∶1 by propensity score matching(PSM)to the infection group(n=83)and control group(n=83)based on the occurrence of nosocomial infection.The dis-tribution and drug resistance of bacteria in patients with nosocomial infection were analyzed.Risk factors for postoperative nosocomial infection were identified by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression,and a predictive nomogram was con-structed using multivariate logistics regression.The predictive performance of the model was evaluated by receiver operating character-istic(ROC)curve,calibration curve,and decision curve analysis(DCA).Results:A total of 93 strains of pathogens were isolated from the 83 infected patients,including 62 strains of Gram-negative bacteria(66.67%;predominantly Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas ae-ruginosa),25 strains of Gram-positive bacteria(26.88%;mainly Enterococcus faecalis),and 6 strains of fungi(6.45%;all Candida albicans).LASSO and multivariate logistics regression showed that smoking(odds ratio[OR]=3.97,95%CI=1.27-12.43),the dwelling time of drainage tube(OR=1.19,95%CI=1.08-1.30),difference in preoperative and postoperative neutrophil counts(OR=1.23,95%CI=1.01-1.49),and difference between preoperative and postoperative C-reactive protein levels(OR=1.05,95%CI=1.03-1.07)were inde-pendent risk factors for postoperative nosocomial infection in RC patients.The area under the ROC curve of the nomogram constructed based on the above factors was 0.933(95%CI=0.896-0.969).The calibration curve showed that the predicted risk was in good agree-ment with the actual observed risk of infection.In addition,DCA demonstrated that the nomogram has good clinical utility and high net clinical benefits in predicting nosocomial infection.Conclusion:The nomogram constructed in this study has a good predictive perfor-mance in postoperative nosocomial infection in RC patients.

OBJECTIVE To explore the relationship between white matter damage and sleepiness,decreased sleep quality,and cognitive decline in patients with OSA.METHODS There were 55 confirmed cases of OSA diagnosed by polysomnography(PSG)from January 2018 to May 2023 were selected,with 29 non-OSA controls also diagnosed by PSG.DKI scanning and Epworth sleepiness scale(ESS),Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI),and Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA)scores were performed for all subjects.Differences in kurtosis fractional anisotropy(KFA)of various brain regions were compared between the two groups to identify differential brain regions,and pairwise correlations were analyzed between KFA reduction and apnea-hypopnea index(AHI),lowest oxygen saturation(LSaO2)and various scale scores in OSA patients.RESULTS The KFA values in right external capsule,bilateral corona radiata,bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus,corpus callosum,posterior cingulate gyrus of OSA group were lower than control group(P<0.05).For the OSA group:The correlation between ESS scores and KFA values of right posterior corona radiata,left superior longitudinal fasciculus,body of corpus callosum,splenium of corpus callosum are all negative(r=-0.287,-0.286,-0.276,-0.449,P<0.05).The correlation between PSQI scores and KFA values of right posterior corona radiata,left posterior corona radiata,splenium of corpus callosum are all negative(r=-0.390,-0.274,-0.348,P<0.05).The correlation between MoCA scores and KFA values of right posterior corona radiata,right superior longitudinal fasciculus,left anterior corona radiata,left posterior corona radiata,left superior corona radiata,left superior longitudinal fasciculus,genu of corpus callosum,body of corpus callosum,are all positive(r=0.290,0.389,0.298,0.278,0.340,0.473,0.344,0.344,P<0.05).The correlation between visuospatial and executive function scores and AHI,LSaO2,ESS scores and KFA values of right posterior corona radiata,left superior corona radiata,left superior longitudinal fasciculus and splenium of corpus callosum are all significant(r=-0.350,0.470,-0.343,0.401,0.284,0.387,0.274,P<0.05).CONCLUSION Patients with OSA exhibit damage to the white matter in certain brain regions.The damage to the corpus callosum,posterior corona radiata,and superior longitudinal fasciculus has the greatest impact on patients'sleepiness,reduced sleep quality,and cognitive impairment.In particular,the impairment in visuospatial and executive function is closely associated with white matter damage in the corona radiata and superior longitudinal fasciculus.

Objective:To study the correlation of TCM syndrome elements of large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) cerebral infarction with the new four thrombotic markers and cerebrovascular disease risk factors.Methods:Retrospective analysis was conducted for the baseline data and four diagnosis of 174 patients with LAA cerebral infarction in Department of Neurology, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital from August 2022 to September 2023. These patients were classified into six TCM syndrome elements: internal wind, qi deficiency, internal fire, blood stasis, yin deficiency, and phlegm-dampness. Thrombomodulin (TM), fibrin-α2 antifibrinolytic inhibitor complex (PIC), thrombin-antithrombinogen complex (TAT), and tissue-type plasminogen activator-plasminogen activator inhibitor complex (t-PAIC) tests were performed in 24 h. Correlation analysis was conducted between the TCM syndrome typing of LAA stroke patients and baseline data, as well as the results of four thrombotic tests.Results:Among the 174 patients with LAA cerebral infarction, 49 (28.16%) were in the internal wind type, 37 (21.26%) in the phlegm-dampness type, 37 (21.26%) in the qi deficiency type, 16 (9.20%) in the internal fire type, 18 (10.35%) in the yin deficiency type, and 17 (9.77%) in the blood stasis type. Comparison of plasma TM ( P=0.003), PIC ( P=0.022), TAT ( P<0.001) and t-PAIC ( P=0.007) levels of each TCM syndrome element showed statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that gender was an influencing factor for the internal wind syndrome element and qi deficiency syndrome element [ OR (95% CI)=0.140 (0.037-0.536)] and blood stasis syndrome element [ OR (95% CI)=0.185 (0.042-0.820)] in TCM; TM was an influencing factor for the internal wind syndrome element and yin deficiency syndrome element [ OR (95% CI)=0.617 (0.423-0.900)], and blood stasis syndrome element [ OR (95% CI)=0.693 (0.496-0.968) ]; TAT was an influencing factor for internal wind syndrome element and phlegm-dampness syndrome element [ OR (95% CI)=2.143 (1.364-3.367)], qi deficiency syndrome element [ OR (95% CI)=1.937 (1.221-3.073)], and internal fire syndrome element [ OR (95% CI)=1.937 (1.221-3.073)], internal fire evidence element [ OR (95% CI)=2.949 (1.796-4.842)], and blood stasis evidence element [ OR (95% CI)=2.118 (1.246-30 600)]; t-PAIC was an influential factor for internal wind syndrome element and qi deficiency syndrome element [ OR (95% CI)=1.140 (1.033-1.258)] ( P<0.05). The ROC curve suggested that a TM level of 8.05 TU/ml had a diagnostic performance of 71.8% for the yin deficiency syndrome; a TAT level of 2.45 ng/L had a diagnostic performance of 71.2% for the internal wind syndrome; a TAT level of 1.65 ng/L had a diagnostic performance of 72.6% for the internal fire syndrome; and a t-PAIC level of 17.55 ng/L had a diagnostic performance of 70.4% for the qi deficiency syndrome. The diagnostic performance of t-PAIC was 70.4% at a t-PAIC level of 17.55 ng/L. Conclusion:Plasma TM, TAT, and t-PAIC levels are independent risk factors for different syndrome elements in patients with LAA cerebral infarction and can be used as markers for early determination of different syndrome elements.

Objective:To explore the effects and safety of Qigong Pills in IVF-ET outcome of PCOS infertility patients with phlegm-dampness type.Methods:A randomized controlled trial study was carried out. In the Reproductive and Genetic Medicine Center of Dalian Women and Children Medical Center (Group) from January 2021 to December 2023, 60 patients with sputum and damp-induced PCOS infertility assisted by in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were enrolled and randomly divided into 2 groups by block randomization method, with 30 cases in each group. Patients in both groups took ethinylestradiol cyproterone tablets orally on the 2nd to 5th day of the 1st menstrual cycle before IVF-ET cycle, and received down-regulation treatment on the 18th to 20th day of menstruation. After confirming that the down-regulation standard was reached, Qigong Pills was added to the treatment group, and placebo was taken orally until the trigger day. Two groups of patients underwent transvaginal ultrasound-guided ovarian aspiration after injection of chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for 24-36 h. The total amount of Gn, the days of Gn, the endometrial thickness of HCG, the number of eggs obtained, the rate of diprokaryotic (2PN) fertilization, the number of transferable embryos, the number of high-quality embryos, the rate of high-quality embryos, the incidence of OHSS and the clinical pregnancy rate were compared between the two groups.Results:Among the 60 patients, 28 cases in the final treatment group and 27 cases in the control group were included in the outcome index evaluation. During controlled hyperstimulation (COH), the total Gn [2 025 (1 575, 2 325) U vs. 2 700 (2 025, 3 150) U, Z=-3.67] and the number of Gn days of the treatment group [10 (8,11) d vs. 11 (9,13) d, Z=-2.31] were lower than those in control group ( P<0.001 or P<0.05). There was no statistical significance in endometrial thickness between 2 groups on HCG day ( P>0.05); the number of high-quality embryos [3 (3, 4) vs. 2 (2, 3), Z=0.11] and the rate of high-quality embryos [46.28% (87/188) vs. 35.19% (57/162), Z=4.42] in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05). There was no statistical significance in the number of eggs obtained, the fertilization rate of 2PN and the number of transferable embryos between the two groups ( P>0.05). The incidence of OHSS was 3.6% (1/28) in the treatment group and 11.1% (3/27) in the control group, without statistical significance ( P=0.352). The clinical pregnancy rate was 53.6% (15/28) in the treatment group and 37.0% (10/27) in the control group, without statistical significance ( P=0.218). There was no significant difference in the safety indexes of liver and kidney function between 2 groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Qigong Pills combined with IVF-ET can effectively reduce the total amount of Gn and the number of days of treatment in PCOS infertility patients with phlegm-dampness type, increase the number and rate of high-quality embryos, and improve the outcome of IVF-ET, and it is safe and effective.