Purpose To investigate the sex differences of white matter damage in Alzheimer's disease(AD)and their association with cognitive impairment.Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 88 AD patients(48 females),71 amnestic mild cognitive impairment(aMCI)patients(39 females),and 95 healthy controls(63 females)recruited from the Memory Disorder Clinic at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from September 2017 to July 2024.High-resolution three-dimensional T1 structure images and diffusion tensor imaging images were all obtained from each participant.The mean diffusivity(MD)and fractional anisotropy(FA)values of each white matter region were obtained,and the two-way ANOVA analysis was conducted to investigate brain regions with interaction effects between groups and sexes,those brain regions were then chosen as regions of interest for further correlation analysis with a series of cognitive scale scores.Results In terms of FA values,the right posterior corona radiata,right anterior limb of the internal capsule and left corticospinal tract showed interaction between sexes and cognitive groups(F=4.764,3.812,5.937,all P<0.05).The FA value of AD group was significantly lower than that of healthy control and aMCI group(all P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between healthy control and aMCI group(except the right anterior limb of the internal capsule,P=0.018).In AD group,FA values were significantly higher in women than in men in the previously described brain regions(all P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in FA values between male and female in healthy control and aMCI groups(except the left corticospinal tract,P<0.001).In terms of MD values,the right anterior limb of the internal capsule,right superior corona radiata and left external capsule showed interaction effect between sexes and cognitive groups(F=8.581,3.680,7.218,all P<0.05).The MD value of AD group was significantly higher than that of aMCI group(P<0.001),and aMCI group was higher than that of healthy control group(all P<0.05).In AD group,the MD values in the above brain regions were significantly higher in males than those in females(all P<0.01),while no significant difference was found between males and females in healthy control and aMCI groups(except for the left external capsule,P<0.05).For correlation analysis,the AD group was dimidiated into two groups by sex,the scores of the Montreal cognitive assessment,the Mini Mental state examination and the verbal fluency test of the female patient group were positively correlated with the FA values of the right posterior corona radiate(r=0.372,P=0.009;r=0.345,P=0.016;r=0.383,P=0.007),while the Mini Mental state examination and the verbal fluency test scores of female AD patient group were negatively correlated with the MD values of the right superior corona radiata(r=-0.360,P=0.012;r=-0.360,P=0.003).Conclusion Compared to the healthy control and MCI groups,white matter damage in AD patients shows sex differences and is associated with general cognitive and language functions impairment in female AD patients.

Objective To describe the evolution of multidimensional health poverty among Chinese residents over a decade and to depict the characteristics of vulnerable groups.Methods We collected data from 76 999 households in the China Family Panel Studies across six periods from 2010 to 2020.Using tools developed by the research team,it measured the multidimensional health poverty index and decomposed its contributing factors.A comprehensive multi-level analysis was conducted based on household head,family,and regional characteristics.Results From 2010 to 2020,the multidimensional health poverty index and incidence significantly decreased from 0.338 and 68.5％to 0.163 and 37.9％respectively.The contribution of the health rights dimension initially decreased and then increased,the health capability dimension's contribution decreased from 0.256 to 0.158,and the health risk dimension's contribution steadily increased from 0.375 to 0.500.If the head of the household is male,older,less educated,has chronic disease comorbidities,participates in the new rural cooperative medical system,and the household income is low and lives in rural areas and western regions,the multidimensional health poverty index of the household is higher.Conclusion From 2010 to 2020,the multidimensional health poverty index and incidence rate of Chinese families decreased,in which health risk gradually became the dominant factor,and the distribution of health poverty index showed distinct demographic,household and regional characteristics.

Objective Based on the assumption of spatial heterogeneity,the distribution pattern and risk characteristics of health poverty in middle-aged and elderly people with chronic diseases are described from the perspective of spatial differentiation.In order to providing a theoretical basis for the optimization of subsequent poverty reduction policies and a model policy for other countries.Methods It used factor detector and interaction detector to capture the role of single-factor and multi-factor interactions on the spatial differentiation of health poverty,and risk detectors were utilized to explore the high-risk factors in risky areas Results The single factor explanation of medical assistance and health education activities is prominent,and the factors such as PM2.5,old-age dependency ratio and urban unemployment rate have strong interaction.Furthermore,it identified high-risk factor characteristics in areas at high risk of health poverty.Conclusion The spatial differentiation pattern of health poverty among the middle-aged and elderly chronic disease population in China is the result of the synergistic driving effect of multidimensional factors,and there is variability in the risk characteristics among regions.The government should establish a contextual optimization strategy and pay attention to the joint effect of multiple factors to establish a synergistic management system.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of serum vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP)and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)levels on the outcome of spinal cord electrical stimulation(SCS)in patients with postherpetic neuralgia(PHN).Methods A total of 96 PHN patients who received SCS treatment in Ziy-ang Central Hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were selected.According to the disease outcomes of all PHN patients after 6 months of treatment,a good group(n=71)and a poor group(n=25)were set up.The clinical data of the two groups were collected and the serum VIP and 5-HT levels were detected in all pa-tients before treatment.The predictive value of serum VIP and 5-HT on disease outcome after SCS treatment in PHN patients was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,and the influencing factors of disease outcome after SCS treatment in PHN patients was explored by multivariate Logistic steppe gression a-nalysis.Results The levels of serum VIP and 5-HT in poor group were higher than those in good group(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of serum VIP and 5-HT for predicting the disease outcome of PHN patients after SCS treatment were 0.829(95％CI:0.779-0.874)and 0.743(95％CI:0.693-0.793),respec-tively,and the AUC of combined prediction was 0.941(0.891-0.986).There were no significant differences in age,gender,body moss index,education,location of onset,hypertension and drinking history between the two groups(P＞0.05).The time of initial hospital admission in the poor group was longer than that in the good group,skin rash area in the poor group was larger than that in the good group,and diabetes mellitus and smoking history in the poor group were higher than those in the good group(P＜0.05).The time of admis-sion for initial treatment＞3 d(OR=2.188,95％CI:1.383-3.461),skin rash area＞10 cm2(OR=2.018,95％CI:1.283-3.173),diabetes mellitus(OR=2.264,95％CI:1.379-3.717),serum VIP level ≥41.78 ng/L(OR=3.022,95％CI:1.685-5.420),serum 5-HT level ≥99.27 ng/mL(OR=3.579,95％CI:1.885-6.793)were the influencing factors of disease outcome after SCS treatment in PHN patients(P＜0.05).Con-clusion The elevated levels of serum VIP and 5-HT before treatment are associated with poor outcomes after SCS in patients with PHN,and could be used as potential markers to predict the outcomes of SCS in patients with PHN.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the associations of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) with post-stroke depression (PSD).Methods:PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang databases were searched to collect literature comparing levels of CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α at the peripheral blood between PSD and non-PSD patients, with retrieval time limit from inception to June 2024. Literature was screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data were extracted. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality of included literature. Meta analysis was conducted using Stata 18.0 software, and publication bias was assessed.Results:A total of 21 pieces of literature with 3,177 participants were collected, including 1,425 patients with PSD and 1,752 patients with non-PSD. Meta analysis results showed that CRP level at the peripheral blood in PSD patients was significantly higher than that in non-PSD patients (standardized mean difference [ SMD]=0.930, 95% CI: 0.580-1.280, P<0.001). Subgroup analysis results showed that, among the 7 pieces of literature with CRP detection<14 days after stroke, CRP level at the peripheral blood in PSD patients was significantly higher than that in non-PSD patients ( SMD=0.640, 95% CI: 0.38-0.89, I2=83.9%, P<0.001); among the 4 pieces of literature with CRP detection≧14 days after stroke, CRP level at the peripheral blood in PSD patients was significantly higher than that in non-PSD patients ( SMD=1.450, 95% CI: 0.820-2.090, P<0.001), enjoying higher heterogeneity ( I2=90.6%). IL-6 level at the peripheral blood in PSD patients was significantly higher than that in non-PSD patients ( SMD=2.659, 95% CI: 1.583-3.735, P<0.001). No significant difference in TNF-α level at the peripheral blood was noted between PSD patients and non-PSD patients ( SMD=0.403, 95% CI: -0.208-1.014, P=0.196). Conclusion:CRP and IL-6 levels at the peripheral blood in PSD patients are obviuosly higher than those in non-PSD patients, suggesting that CRP and IL-6 may be potential biomarkers for early identification and intervention of PSD.

Objective:To explore the relationships between physical activity and cognitive impairment in older adults aged ≥65 years in longevity areas in China.Methods:A total of 6 081 older adults aged ≥65 years from the Healthy Ageing and Biomarkers Cohort Study in China in 2021 were included in this study. Information about their demographic characteristics, lifestyles, and chronic disease histories were collected, the intensity of physical activity was evaluated by using Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly, and the cognitive function was evaluated by using Mini-Mental State Examination Scale (Chinese version). Multifactorial logistic regression model was used to analyze the associations between different levels and types of physical activity and cognitive impairment in older adults.Results:In the 6 081 older adults, 1 829 (30.1%) had cognitive impairment. After adjusting for confounders, older adults with T2 and T3 levels of physical activity had lower risks for cognitive impairment compared with those with T1 levels of physical activity, with ORs of 0.47 (95% CI: 0.40-0.55) and 0.22 (95% CI: 0.18-0.28). The results of different types of physical activities showed that the ORs in leisure activity T2 and T3 groups were 0.52 (95% CI: 0.44-0.63) and 0.49 (95% CI: 0.41-0.58), and the ORs in housework activity T2 and T3 groups were 0.36 (95% CI: 0.30-0.42) and 0.19 (95% CI: 0.16-0.24). There was no significant association between work-related activity and cognitive impairment. Conclusion:There is a negative association between the intensity level of physical activity and cognitive impairment, and active leisure and household activities might reduce the risk for cognitive impairment.

Objective To construct a nomogram model for prolonged length of stay in patients with acute cerebral infarction(ACI)based on total cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD)burden scores,and validate its effectiveness.Methods A total of 462 ACI patients admitted to the Department of Neurology of South Taihu Hospital Affiliated To Huzhou College from January 2021 to December 2023 were selected as the study subjects.According to the ratio of 7:3,patients were divided into training group of 323 cases and validation group of 139 cases.Lasso-Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for prolonged length of stay in ACI patients,construct a nomogram model and validate the model using validation data.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve were used to evaluate the predictive performance of the model.Results Based on the training group data,Lasso regression screened four non-zero coefficient indicators,including baseline National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score,age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index(aCCI)score,neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio(NLR)and total CSVD burden score.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that baseline NIHSS score,aCCI score,NLR and total CSVD burden score were independent risk factors for prolonged length of stay in ACI patients(P＜0.05).Based on the above four indicators,a nomogram model was constructed.The results showed that the ROC curve area of the model predicted prolonged length of stay between training group and validation group were 0.812(95％CI:0.756-0.868)and 0.820(95％CI:0.730-0.909).Conclusion The nomogram model for prolonged length of stay in ACI patients based on total CSVD burden score has good predictive performance and can be used as a screening tool for evaluating the prolonged length of stay in ACI patients.

Objective:To explore the relationships between physical activity and cognitive impairment in older adults aged ≥65 years in longevity areas in China.Methods:A total of 6 081 older adults aged ≥65 years from the Healthy Ageing and Biomarkers Cohort Study in China in 2021 were included in this study. Information about their demographic characteristics, lifestyles, and chronic disease histories were collected, the intensity of physical activity was evaluated by using Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly, and the cognitive function was evaluated by using Mini-Mental State Examination Scale (Chinese version). Multifactorial logistic regression model was used to analyze the associations between different levels and types of physical activity and cognitive impairment in older adults.Results:In the 6 081 older adults, 1 829 (30.1%) had cognitive impairment. After adjusting for confounders, older adults with T2 and T3 levels of physical activity had lower risks for cognitive impairment compared with those with T1 levels of physical activity, with ORs of 0.47 (95% CI: 0.40-0.55) and 0.22 (95% CI: 0.18-0.28). The results of different types of physical activities showed that the ORs in leisure activity T2 and T3 groups were 0.52 (95% CI: 0.44-0.63) and 0.49 (95% CI: 0.41-0.58), and the ORs in housework activity T2 and T3 groups were 0.36 (95% CI: 0.30-0.42) and 0.19 (95% CI: 0.16-0.24). There was no significant association between work-related activity and cognitive impairment. Conclusion:There is a negative association between the intensity level of physical activity and cognitive impairment, and active leisure and household activities might reduce the risk for cognitive impairment.

Objective To construct a nomogram model for prolonged length of stay in patients with acute cerebral infarction(ACI)based on total cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD)burden scores,and validate its effectiveness.Methods A total of 462 ACI patients admitted to the Department of Neurology of South Taihu Hospital Affiliated To Huzhou College from January 2021 to December 2023 were selected as the study subjects.According to the ratio of 7:3,patients were divided into training group of 323 cases and validation group of 139 cases.Lasso-Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for prolonged length of stay in ACI patients,construct a nomogram model and validate the model using validation data.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve were used to evaluate the predictive performance of the model.Results Based on the training group data,Lasso regression screened four non-zero coefficient indicators,including baseline National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score,age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index(aCCI)score,neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio(NLR)and total CSVD burden score.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that baseline NIHSS score,aCCI score,NLR and total CSVD burden score were independent risk factors for prolonged length of stay in ACI patients(P＜0.05).Based on the above four indicators,a nomogram model was constructed.The results showed that the ROC curve area of the model predicted prolonged length of stay between training group and validation group were 0.812(95％CI:0.756-0.868)and 0.820(95％CI:0.730-0.909).Conclusion The nomogram model for prolonged length of stay in ACI patients based on total CSVD burden score has good predictive performance and can be used as a screening tool for evaluating the prolonged length of stay in ACI patients.

Purpose To investigate the sex differences of white matter damage in Alzheimer's disease(AD)and their association with cognitive impairment.Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 88 AD patients(48 females),71 amnestic mild cognitive impairment(aMCI)patients(39 females),and 95 healthy controls(63 females)recruited from the Memory Disorder Clinic at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from September 2017 to July 2024.High-resolution three-dimensional T1 structure images and diffusion tensor imaging images were all obtained from each participant.The mean diffusivity(MD)and fractional anisotropy(FA)values of each white matter region were obtained,and the two-way ANOVA analysis was conducted to investigate brain regions with interaction effects between groups and sexes,those brain regions were then chosen as regions of interest for further correlation analysis with a series of cognitive scale scores.Results In terms of FA values,the right posterior corona radiata,right anterior limb of the internal capsule and left corticospinal tract showed interaction between sexes and cognitive groups(F=4.764,3.812,5.937,all P<0.05).The FA value of AD group was significantly lower than that of healthy control and aMCI group(all P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between healthy control and aMCI group(except the right anterior limb of the internal capsule,P=0.018).In AD group,FA values were significantly higher in women than in men in the previously described brain regions(all P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in FA values between male and female in healthy control and aMCI groups(except the left corticospinal tract,P<0.001).In terms of MD values,the right anterior limb of the internal capsule,right superior corona radiata and left external capsule showed interaction effect between sexes and cognitive groups(F=8.581,3.680,7.218,all P<0.05).The MD value of AD group was significantly higher than that of aMCI group(P<0.001),and aMCI group was higher than that of healthy control group(all P<0.05).In AD group,the MD values in the above brain regions were significantly higher in males than those in females(all P<0.01),while no significant difference was found between males and females in healthy control and aMCI groups(except for the left external capsule,P<0.05).For correlation analysis,the AD group was dimidiated into two groups by sex,the scores of the Montreal cognitive assessment,the Mini Mental state examination and the verbal fluency test of the female patient group were positively correlated with the FA values of the right posterior corona radiate(r=0.372,P=0.009;r=0.345,P=0.016;r=0.383,P=0.007),while the Mini Mental state examination and the verbal fluency test scores of female AD patient group were negatively correlated with the MD values of the right superior corona radiata(r=-0.360,P=0.012;r=-0.360,P=0.003).Conclusion Compared to the healthy control and MCI groups,white matter damage in AD patients shows sex differences and is associated with general cognitive and language functions impairment in female AD patients.