Objective To investigate the effect of benserazide combined with respiratory training on post-stroke dysphagia.Methods A total of 120 patients with dysphagia after stroke were prospectively selected and randomly divided into the combination group and the breathing exercise group,with 60 cases in each group.The breathing exercise group was treated with rehabilitation breathing training,and the combination group was treated with dopa serazide on the basis of rehabilitation breathing training,3 times a day,1 tablet once.The traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,clinical efficacy and swallowing function indexes including dysphagia angiography score(VDS),osmotic-aspiration scale(PAS)score,Lowada drinking water test score and VFSS score were compared between the two groups.Nutritional indices[total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),albumin(ALB),hemoglobin(Hb)],related indexes of nerve function[nerve function and serum growth differentiation factor 15(GDF-15),central nerve specific protein soluble protein-100β(S100β)],quality of life and anxiety disorder score[Quality of Life Rating Scale(SF-36)score,Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale(GAD-7)score]and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results The total effective rate of the combination group(91.67%)was obviously increased(P＜0.05)compared to the breathing exercise group(58.33%).Compared with before treatment,after treatment,tongue flaccidity,slow swallowing,choke after drinking water,tongue coating ecchymosis,score of fine pulse,VDS,PAS,score of Lowada drinking water test,GDF-15 level and GAD-7 score were decreased in the two groups,and those of the combination group were significantly lower than the breathing exercise group(P＜0.05).The levels of TC,TG,ALB,Hb,S100β,VFSS and SF-36 were increased in the two groups,and those of the combination group were higher than the breathing exercise group(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups.Conclusion Benserazide combined with respiratory training has high clinical efficacy in patients with post-stroke dysphagia,which can effectively improve the TCM evidence score and nutritional indicators,improve swallowing function,reduce anxiety,improve quality of life,and have more ideal clinical application.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy and safety of Tiaowei Jiannao acupuncture (acupuncture for regulating defensive qi and nourishing brain) for post-ischemic stroke insomnia (PISI). METHODS: A total of 96 patients with PISI were randomized into an acupuncture group (32 cases, 1 case was excluded), a medication group (32 cases, 1 case dropped out, 1 case was excluded) and a sham-acupuncture group (32 cases, 1 case dropped out, 1 case was excluded). In the acupuncture group, Tiaowei Jiannao acupuncture was applied at bilateral Shenmai (BL62), Zhaohai (KI6), Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3), and Baihui (GV20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Yintang (GV24⁺), Shenting (GV24), once a day, 1-day interval was taken after 6-day treatment, for 3 weeks totally. In the medication group, eszopiclone tablet was given orally, 1-3 mg a time, once a day for 3 weeks. In the sham-acupuncture group, non-invasive sham acupuncture was applied, the acupoint selection, frequency and course of treatment were the same as the acupuncture group. Before treatment, after 2,3 weeks of treatment, the scores of Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), self-rating sleep scale (SRSS), National Institutes of Health Stroke scale (NIHSS), Hamilton depression scale-17 (HAMD-17) were observed; before and after treatment, the sleep parameters were recorded using polysomnography (PSG); and the efficacy and safety were evaluated after treatment in the 3 groups. RESULTS: After 2,3 weeks of treatment, the scores of PSQI, HAMD-17 and SRSS in the acupuncture group and the medication group, as well as the SRSS scores in the sham-acupuncture group were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05); after 2 weeks of treatment, the NIHSS score in the acupuncture group was decreased compared with that before treatment (P<0.05); after 3 weeks of treatment, the NIHSS scores in the acupuncture group, the medication group and the sham-acupuncture group were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05). After 3 weeks of treatment, the scores of PSQI, SRSS, HAMD-17 and NIHSS in the acupuncture group and the medication group, as well as the NIHSS score in the sham-acupuncture group were decreased compared with those after 2 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). After 2,3 weeks of treatment, the scores of PSQI, SRSS and HAMD-17 in the acupuncture group and the medication group were lower than those in the sham-acupuncture group (P<0.05), the NIHSS scores in the acupuncture group were lower than those in the medication group and the sham-acupuncture group (P<0.05); after 3 weeks of treatment, HAMD-17 score in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the medication group (P<0.05), the NIHSS score in the medication group was lower than that in the sham-acupuncture group (P<0.05). Compared before treatment, after treatment, the total sleep time was prolonged (P<0.05), the wake after sleep onset, sleep latency, and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep latency were shortened (P<0.05), the sleep efficiency was improved (P<0.05), the number of awakenings was reduced (P<0.05), the percentage of rapid eye movement (REM%) and the percentage of NREM stage 1 (N1%) were decreased (P<0.05), the percentage of NREM stage 2 (N2%) and the percentage of NREM stage 3 (N3%) were increased (P<0.05) in the acupuncture group and the medication group; the sleep latency was shortened in the sham-acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment, the PSG indexes in the acupuncture group and the medication group were superior to those in the sham-acupuncture group (P<0.05); in the acupuncture group, the number of awakenings was less than that in the medication group (P<0.05), the REM% and N1% were lower than those in the medication group (P<0.05), the N2% and N3% were higher than those in the medication group (P<0.05). The total effective rate were 93.5% (29/31) and 90.0% (27/30) in the acupuncture group and the medication group respectively, which were higher than 10.0% (3/30) in the sham-acupuncture group (P<0.05). There was no serious adverse events in any of the 3 groups. CONCLUSION Tiaowei Jiannao acupuncture improves the insomnia symptoms in patients with ischemic stroke, improves the quality of sleep, increases the deep sleep, promotes the recovery of neurological function, and relieves the depression. It is effective and safe for the treatment of PISI.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/physiopathology* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Acupuncture Points ; Treatment Outcome ; Adult ; Ischemic Stroke/complications* ; Stroke/complications* ; Sleep

The incidence of generalized anxiety disorder(GAD)has recently been increasing year by year,in a complex social environment.The diagnosis of GAD currently often relies on DSM-5 and ICD-10 criteria,which include subjectivity and limitations.Understanding the intrinsic activity of brain network functions and structural connectivity is an important goal of contemporary neuroscience research.Electroencephalographic microstates are capable of observing broad frequency components and capturing dynamic changes in brain activity,thus providing a novel perspective on the accuracy of GAD diagnosis.This review considers the electroencephalographic microstate features and explores the abnormalities in the functional brain network in patients with GAD,with the aim of providing a clear diagnosis,optimizing the therapeutic efficacy,and improving the quality of medical care for patients with GAD.

Objective To investigate the effect of benserazide combined with respiratory training on post-stroke dysphagia.Methods A total of 120 patients with dysphagia after stroke were prospectively selected and randomly divided into the combination group and the breathing exercise group,with 60 cases in each group.The breathing exercise group was treated with rehabilitation breathing training,and the combination group was treated with dopa serazide on the basis of rehabilitation breathing training,3 times a day,1 tablet once.The traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,clinical efficacy and swallowing function indexes including dysphagia angiography score(VDS),osmotic-aspiration scale(PAS)score,Lowada drinking water test score and VFSS score were compared between the two groups.Nutritional indices[total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),albumin(ALB),hemoglobin(Hb)],related indexes of nerve function[nerve function and serum growth differentiation factor 15(GDF-15),central nerve specific protein soluble protein-100β(S100β)],quality of life and anxiety disorder score[Quality of Life Rating Scale(SF-36)score,Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale(GAD-7)score]and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results The total effective rate of the combination group(91.67%)was obviously increased(P＜0.05)compared to the breathing exercise group(58.33%).Compared with before treatment,after treatment,tongue flaccidity,slow swallowing,choke after drinking water,tongue coating ecchymosis,score of fine pulse,VDS,PAS,score of Lowada drinking water test,GDF-15 level and GAD-7 score were decreased in the two groups,and those of the combination group were significantly lower than the breathing exercise group(P＜0.05).The levels of TC,TG,ALB,Hb,S100β,VFSS and SF-36 were increased in the two groups,and those of the combination group were higher than the breathing exercise group(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups.Conclusion Benserazide combined with respiratory training has high clinical efficacy in patients with post-stroke dysphagia,which can effectively improve the TCM evidence score and nutritional indicators,improve swallowing function,reduce anxiety,improve quality of life,and have more ideal clinical application.

The incidence of generalized anxiety disorder(GAD)has recently been increasing year by year,in a complex social environment.The diagnosis of GAD currently often relies on DSM-5 and ICD-10 criteria,which include subjectivity and limitations.Understanding the intrinsic activity of brain network functions and structural connectivity is an important goal of contemporary neuroscience research.Electroencephalographic microstates are capable of observing broad frequency components and capturing dynamic changes in brain activity,thus providing a novel perspective on the accuracy of GAD diagnosis.This review considers the electroencephalographic microstate features and explores the abnormalities in the functional brain network in patients with GAD,with the aim of providing a clear diagnosis,optimizing the therapeutic efficacy,and improving the quality of medical care for patients with GAD.

BACKGROUND:Inherited heart disease has a high prevalence and mortality rate,but its pathogenesis has not yet been clarified.Although relevant animal models have been established to provide a foundation for the pathogenesis research of inherited heart disease,the value of these research results has been significantly reduced due to differences among species.Therefore,a new model is needed to explore its occurrence and development. OBJECTIVE:To review the current role of induced pluripotent stem cells in disease modeling and potential application prospects in various inherited heart diseases. METHODS:The first author searched the relevant articles published nearly 13 years in PubMed from January to March 2023.The search terms were"induced pluripotent stem cell,inherited heart disease,congenital heart disease".Finally,76 articles were included for analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Since 2007,when induced pluripotent stem cells were induced from human somatic cells,many studies have been reported on disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cells.Due to the ability of disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cells to reproduce disease phenotypes,they are expected to become a new research tool for in vitro disease modeling,used to analyze pathogenesis and develop auxiliary drugs.In the research of cardiovascular genetic diseases,cardiomyocytes derived from patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells contain gene mutations that are involved in cardiac dysplasia.Therefore,it can be used as a new tool to study the potential mechanisms of inherited heart disease.Up to now,induced pluripotent stem cells-derived cardiomyocytes have been widely used to study the molecular mechanisms of various genetic heart diseases,such as cardiac electrophysiological diseases,cardiomyopathy,and some syndromic inherited heart diseases.

Objective To discuss the clinical application of coronary CT angiography(CCTA)-derived fractional flow reserve(CT-FFR)in evaluating the risk stratification of the coronary artery stenosis and atherosclerotic plaque quantitative parameters.Methods A total of 122 patients,who received CCTA examination at the Xuzhou Municipal Central Hospital of China,were enrolled in this study.The patients were divided into non-ischemia group(CT-FFR＞0.8,n=66)and ischemia group(CT-FFR0.8,n=56).The characteristics of atherosclerotic plaque were compared between the two groups.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between plaque characteristics and ischemic lesions.Results There were 218 vessels having a CT-FFR＞0.8 and 174 vessels having a CT-FFR ≤0.8.Statistically significant differences in the total plaque volume,calcified plaque volume,plaque length,and stenosis ratio＞50％existed between the two groups(all P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis indicated that the total plaque volume,calcified plaque volume,plaque length,and stenosis ratio＞50％were the risk factors for myocardial ischemia.Conclusion CT-FFR can be used for the risk stratification of coronary stenosis and atherosclerotic plaque characteristics,which can evaluate the local myocardial blood supply condition from the anatomical stenosis and functional level so as to optimize the diagnosis and treatment measures.

OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a common disease that seriously affects health. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the preferred treatment for moderate-to-severe OSAHS patients. However, poor adherence to CPAP is a major obstacle in the treatment of OSAHS. Information-motivation-behavioral (IMB) skills, as a kind of mature technology to change the behavior, has been used in various health areas to improve treatment adherence. This study aims to explore the effects of the IMB skills intervention on CPAP adherence in OSAHS patients. METHODS: Patients who were primary diagnosed with moderate-to-severe OSAHS were randomly divided into the IMB group (n=62) and the control group (n=58). The patients in the IMB group received CPAP therapy and the IMB skills intervention for 4 weeks. The patients in the control group received CPAP therapy and a usual health care provided by a registered nurse. We collected the baseline data of the general information, including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score, and indicators about disease severity [apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), percentage of time with arterial oxygen saturation SaO₂<90% (T90), average SaO₂, lowest SaO₂, arousal index]. After CPAP titration, we collected CPAP therapy-relevant parameters (optimal pressure, maximum leakage, average leakage, 95% leakage, and residual AHI), score of satisfaction and acceptance of CPAP therapy, and score of willingness to continue CPAP therapy. After 4 weeks treatment, we collected the ESS score, HADS score, CPAP therapy-relevant parameters, effective CPAP therapy time per night, CPAP therapy days within 4 weeks, CPAP adherence rate, score of satisfaction and acceptance of CPAP therapy, and score of willingness to continue CPAP therapy. Visual analog scale (VAS) of 0-5 was used to evaluate the satisfaction and acceptance of IMB intervention measures in the IMB group. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the baseline level of demographic parameters, ESS score, HADS score, disease severity, and CPAP therapy related parameters between the IMB group and the control group (all P>0.05). There were no significant differences in score of willingness to continue CPAP therapy, as well as score of satisfaction and acceptance of CPAP therapy after CPAP titration between the IMB group and the control group (both P>0.05). After 4 weeks treatment, the ESS score, HADS score, maximum leakage, average leakage, and 95% leakage of the IMB group were significantly decreased, while the score of satisfaction and acceptance of CPAP therapy and willingness to continue CPAP therapy of the IMB group were significantly increased (all P<0.05); while the above indexes in the control group were not different before and after 4 weeks treatment (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the ESS score, HADS score, maximum leakage, average leakage, and 95% leakage of the IMB group after 4 weeks treatment were significantly lower (all P<0.05); the effective CPAP therapy time, CPAP therapy days within 4 weeks, score of satisfaction and acceptance of CPAP therapy, score of willingness to continue CPAP therapy of the IMB group were significantly higher (all P<0.05). The rate of CPAP therapy adherence in 4 weeks of the IMB group was significantly higher than that of the control group (90.3% vs 62.1%, P<0.05). The VAS of overall satisfaction with IMB skills intervention measures was 4.46±0.35. CONCLUSIONS IMB skills intervention measures can effectively improve the adherence of CPAP therapy in OSAHS patients, and is suitable for clinical promotion.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; Humans ; Motivation ; Oximetry ; Patient Compliance ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/diagnosis* ; Syndrome

Many countries in the world have faced with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic since December 2019, while the proportion of elderly patients with COVID-19 in severe and death cases is relatively high. At present, China is in the rapid development stage of population aging, and the demand of the elderly for medical care, health care, nursing and life services far exceeds that of other people. Especially in the period of COVID-19, it is particularly urgent to summarize more experience and methods in time to reduce the infection rate, the incidence of critical illness, and the mortality rate. Therefore, this review combines the existing research results with clinic experience of diagnosis and treatment for senile infectious diseases, summarizes the clinical characteristics and puts forward the prevention strategies of elderly COVID-19 patients, which provide evidence for effective prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in elderly patients, improvement of cure rate, and reduction of severe incidence rate and mortality.
Aged ; Betacoronavirus ; China ; Coronavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; mortality ; therapy ; Humans ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; diagnosis ; mortality ; therapy

BACKGROUND: Induced pluripotent stem cells are a type of reprogrammed cells with similar characteristics to embryonic stem cells, which are capable of differentiating into phenotypes associated with patient specific diseases. Moreover, their clinical application avoids ethical issues. OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress of induced pluripotent stem cells in myocardial regeneration and repair, cardiovascular disease models, drug development and screening, and drug toxicity testing. METHODS: PubMed (2006-2018) and CNKI (2013-2018) databases were retrieved for relevant articles using the keywords of "induction of pluripotent stem cells; myocardial infarction; arrhythmia; cardiovascular disease; heart failure; heart transplantation; disease model; drug toxicity" in English and Chinese, respectively. The data were reviewed one by one, and the citations involved in the literatures were also reviewed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Induced pluripotent stem cells have great potential value in myocardial regeneration and repair, establishment of cardiovascular disease models, new drug development and screening, and drug toxicity detection. The application prospect of the cells is broad, but most of the research is still in the experimental stage. In addition, safety problems, such as low induction efficiency and tumorigenicity, will limit the clinical application of induced pluripotent stem cells.