Objective:To investigate the relationship between oral health and mild cognitive impairment(MCI)by using indicators that evaluate oral hypofunction.Methods:The study was conducted using a cross-sectional design.Participants were recruited from three communities(Shizi Ling, Wenyi Xincun, and Yaoling in Furong District)in Changsha in July 2021, using convenience sampling.Cognitive and oral functions were evaluated using the simple mental state examination, version 2(MMSE-2)and seven indicators of oral hypofunction, which included oral hygiene, oral dryness, occlusal force, tongue and lip movement, tongue pressure, mastication, and swallowing function.Results:A total of 144 subjects were included in this study, with 72 males.Except for education level, there were no statistically significant differences between the MCI group and the normal cognitive group in terms of demographic information and self-reported and measured oral functions(all P>0.05).There was a correlation between the subjects' self-reported oral function and the actual measured oral function.Multiple linear regression analysis revealed no significant correlation between the MMSE score and the seven indicators used to measure oral hypofunction(all P>0.05).The MMSE score of the female group showed a negative correlation with mastication( β=-0.003, P=0.043), while the MMSE score of subjects with elementary school education also showed a negative correlation with mastication( β=-0.022, P=0.016).Additionally, the MMSE score of subjects with middle school education showed a positive correlation with the number of residual teeth( β=0.090, P=0.030). Conclusions:The self-reported oral function can serve as an initial assessment of overall oral function.However, among elderly individuals who do not show significant decline in oral function, there was no significant correlation between oral function and MCI.To accurately identify individuals with MCI, a more detailed sub-analysis with a larger sample size is required.

Objective:To automatically and rapidly detect mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in an objective manner using natural language processing (NLP).Methods:A total of 215 participants (half female) aged 50 to 80 were recruited for the study′s normal cognition and MCI groups. Speech tasks and the mini mental state examination (MMSE-2) were used to collect audio data and quantify cognitive functioning. Altogether 162 acoustic features were extracted including the speaking speed, syllable number, syllable duration, number of pauses, duration of pauses, the standard deviation of formant frequency and sound pressure variation. They were compared between the two groups and genders. Multiple regression analysis was used to formulate a model predicting MCI. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of its predictions were used to evaluate its predictive power.Results:There were significant differences between the two groups in 50 acoustic features including their pronunciation rhythm and pronunciation accuracy. Univariate correlation analysis revealed that the pronunciation rhythm was significantly associated with cognitive functioning. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the model were 0.54, 0.80 and 0.69 for males and 0.00, 0.86 and 0.63 for females.Conclusion:MCI greatly affects pronunciation rhythm. Acoustic analysis based on NLP can detect MCI rapidly and objectively.

OBJECTIVES: Application of ultrashort wave (USW) to rats with cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury could inhibit the decrease of expression of secretory pathway Ca²⁺-ATPase 1 (SPCA1), an important participant in Golgi stress, reduce the damage of Golgi apparatus and the apoptosis of neuronal cells, thereby alleviating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. This study aims to investigate the effect of USW on oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) injury and the expression of SPCA1 at the cellular level. METHODS: N2a cells were randomly divided into a control (Con) group, an OGD/R group, and an USW group. The cells in the Con group were cultured without exposure to OGD. The cells in the OGD/R group were treated with OGD/R. The cells in the USW group were treated with USW after OGD/R. Cell morphology was observed under the inverted phase-contrast optical microscope, cell activity was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, and SPCA1 expression was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: Most of the cells in the Con group showed spindle shape with a clear outline and good adhesion. In the OGD/R group, cells were wrinkled, with blurred outline, poor adhesion, and lots of suspended dead cells appeared; compared with the OGD/R group, the cell morphology and adherence were improved, with clearer outlines and fewer dead cells in the USW group. Compared with the Con group, the OGD/R group showed decreased cell activity, increased apoptotic rate, and down-regulating SPCA1 expression with significant differences (all P<0.001); compared with the OGD/R group, the USW group showed increased cell activity, decreased apoptotic rate, and up-regulating SPCA1 expression with significant differences (P<0.01 or P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS USW alleviates the injury of cellular OGD/R, and its protective effect may be related to its up-regulation of SPCA1 expression.
Animals ; Rats ; Apoptosis ; Brain Ischemia ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Oxygen/metabolism* ; Reperfusion Injury/metabolism* ; Transcriptional Activation ; Up-Regulation ; Calcium-Transporting ATPases/metabolism*

Objective To investigate any therapeutic effect of combining hyperbaric oxygen with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in treating traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods Eighty healthy adult rats were randomly divided into a control group,a hyperbaric oxygen group,a stem cell group and a combination group,each of 20.TBI was introduced into the rats of all 4 groups.Twenty-four hours after the modelling,the hyperbaric oxygen group received hyperbaric oxygen therapy,the stem cell group received MSCs transplantation,the combination group was given the hyperbaric oxygen therapy an hour after the MSCs transplantation,while the control group was not given any treatment.All of the rats were evaluated using neurological severity scores (NSSs) after the modeling and again after the treatment.They were then sacrificed for HE staining and the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were observed.Results On the 3rd,5th,10th and 20th day after the modeling,the average NSS of the combination group was significantly lower than those of the other three groups.However,the average NSS of the combination group on the 20th day was significantly superior to that on the 3rd and the 5th days.Compared with the control group,the edema of brain cells was less severe in the other 3 groups.The average expression of NF-kB and BDNF in the combination group was significantly higher than in the other 3 groups on the 3rd,5th,10th and 20th day after the modeling.Conclusion Hyperbaric oxygen,especially long term treatment combined with stem cell transplantation,can significantly improve nerve function in the brain after trauma,relieve inflammation and edema in and around the damaged area,and promote the expression of the NF-kB and BDNF.

Objective To study the sensitivity and specificity of the Chinese eating assessment tool (EAT-10) in screening acute stroke patients for oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD).Methods A total of 130 inpatients with acute stroke were screened using the Chinese EAT-10.On the same day they were also screened using the gold standard technique for diagnosing dysphasia-videofluoroscopy.A receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was developed to study EAT-10's sensitivity and specificity.A Youden index,positive predictive value (PPV),negative predictive value (NPV),and positive and negative likelihood ratios (LHR+ and LHR) were quantified.Results According to the ROC curve,a cut-off point of 1 (EAT-10 score≥ 1) gave the best sensitivity (77.9％),the highest NPV (73.2％),with 66.1％ specificity,71.6％ PPV,2.30 LHR+ and 0.33 LHR in screening for OD.The test-retest reliability was above 0.7.An investigator consistency reliability test showed good repeatability,and the consistency between each item and the mean total score was high.Conclusion The Chinese EAT-10 has good test-retest reliability and investigator consistency.The optimal cut-off point is 1,with good sensitivity and NPV at scores ≥ 1.The test can be recommended as a screening tool for OD in acute stroke patients.

Objective To observe the effect of aerobic exercise of different intensities on type Ⅱ collagen,glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and chondrocyte apoptosis in rabbits modeling knee osteoarthritis (OA),so as to explore the preventive effect and its possible mechanism.Methods Twenty healthy New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into Groups A,B,C and D,each of 5.Group A was allowed free activity in a cage for 9 weeks.Group B was allowed free activity for 4 weeks,then an OA model was established using papain and confirmed via MRI 1 week later,Another 4 weeks of free activity were then allowed.Groups C and group D were given running training for 20 minutes a day at 0.5 km/h,3 times a week,and then 20 minutes a day at 1.5 km/h,5 days a week on a treadmill for 4 weeks.Nine weeks later,all 4 groups of rabbits were killed and the articular cartilage damage of each group was compared using Mankin scoring,and expression of type Ⅱ collagen,GAG content and chondrocyte apoptosis in the cartilage.Results After the intervention,the average Mankin score,expression of type Ⅱ collagen and GAG content of groups B,C and D were significantly lower than those of group A,and all of those values in group B were significantly lower than those of group D.After 9 weeks the chondrocyte apoptosis rate of group A was significantly lower than that of the other groups,and that of groups C and D was significantly lower than that of group B.Conclusion Aerobic exercise may prevent knee articular cartilage degeneration through inhibiting reduction in the amount of type Ⅱ collagen and GAG in the cartilage matrix.It may be related to decreasing the chondrocyte apoptosis.

Objective To explore the effect of nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA)apoplexy on growth rate of residual tumor after transsphenoidal operation.Methods The follow-up MR imaging data of 57 patients with NFPA who had residual tumors after transsphenoidal operation,admitted to our hospital from May 2005 to May 2015,were analyzed retrospectively.The tumor volume doubling time (TVDT) of residual tumors,rapid growth rate and apoplexy/tumor size ration were calculated.The relations of tumor rapid growth rate with existence of adenoma apoplexy,course of adenoma apoplexy and apoplexy/tumor size ration were compared.Results There were 30 patients with NFPA apoplexy and 27 without adenoma apoplexy.Postoperative follow-up indicated enlarged residual tumors in 49 patients,and shrank ones in 8 patients.The mean TVDT was (1305.82±1685.32) d.The rapid growth rate of residual tumors in NFPA apoplexy group (56.67％) was not significantly increased as compared with that in non-NFPA apoplexy group (66.67％,P＞0.05).The rapid growth rate of subacute NFPA apoplexy group (81.82％) was significantly higher than that of chronic NFPA apoplexy group (36.84％,P＜0.05).The rapid growth rate of group of apoplexy/tumor size ration less than 12％ (40％) was not significantly different as compared with that of rapid growth rate of group of apoplexy/tumor size ration more than 12％ (66.67％,P＞0.05).Conclusions Adenoma apoplexy is one of the factors that affect the growth rote of residual tumors ofNFPA after transsphenoidal operation.For patients with NFPA apoplexy in subacute or chronic phase,if their symptoms are mild,they can be followed up regularly.

Objective To observe the practice of speech therapists (ST) in various grades hospitals in China. Methods Speech therapists of 457 hospitals of various grades in 30 provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities were investigated with self-developed question-naire. Results 657 valid questionnaires were returned among 685 questionnaires. The distribution of speech therapists in grades of hospitals was varied with the size of cities (P<0.001), which was concentrated in the grade 3 hospitals in the large cities. For the degree of education, professional background, qualification certificate, employment nature, work time, part-time work, and annual income of the speech thera-pists, it was varied with the grades of hospitals (P<0.05), which trended to be better in the grade 3 hospitals. The first 4 subjects the speech therapists dealt were dysarthria (91.3%), dysphagia (84.7%), aphasia (73.6%) and language development delay (52.7%). Conclusion It is im-portant to support the practice of speech therapists, especially in grade 1 or 2 hospitals in order to match with the international standards.

OBJECTIVE: To study the reliability and validity of the Chinese Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) in evaluation of acute stroke patients with dysphagia.
 METHODS: The inpatients of stroke were assessed with Chinese EAT-10. As a golden standard for evaluation of dysphagia, videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) test was used to judge the reliability and validity of EAT-10.
 RESULTS: A total of 130 qualified questionnaires were collected. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for Chinese EAT-10 scale was 0.845. The total score of each item was related. The lowest or highest correlation coefficient for the item 2 or 3 was 0.271 or 0.772. The retest reliability was greater than 0.7, which met the requirements. According to the investigator consistency reliability test, the value collected from the investigator in the item 2 kept constant. The consistent correlation coefficient of the remaining nine items was more than 0.7. The consistency between each item and the mean score was high. The EAT-10 with the cut-off point at 1 was an optimal cut-off point. With the cut-off value of 1 (EAT-10 score ≥ 1), the sensitivity and specificity for EAT-10 was 77.9% and 66.1%, respectively. The positive predictive value (PPV) and negative value (NPV) was 71.6% and 73.2%, respectively, with 2.30 LHR+ and 0.33 LHR- for dysphagia. 
 CONCLUSION The Chinese EAT-10 has a good reliability and validity in evaluation of the acute stroke patients with dysphagia. The sensitivity and negative value are the best with the cut-off value of 1 (EAT-10 score ≥ 1). It offers a good way to discriminate dysphagia, impaired efficacy, penetrations, and aspirations in acute stroke patients.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Deglutition Disorders ; physiopathology ; Eating ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stroke ; physiopathology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To construct the digital pituitary adenoma image and explore the value of simulation of single nostril-transsphenoidal surgery.Methods Thirty patients with pituitary adenoma,admitted to our hospital from October 2009 to March 2011,were performed single nostril-transsphenoidal surgery; thin slice images of preoperative examinations included computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were imported into Dextroscope workstation to construct digital pituitary adenoma image; the related anatomic structures of surgical approach were observed and the procedures were formulated and performed.Results Models based on three-dimensional shapes could show the related anatomical structures dynamically and stereoscopically and simulate the operation processrepeatedly.The preoperative planning indicators in the anatomic segment of nasal,anterior sphenoidal wall,basilar pituitary fossa and structures around the tumor were completed.The anatomic characteristics of simulated surgery were consistent with the real operation.Conclusions The digital models can provide some individual anatomic information to develop the preoperative planning programs for single nostril-transsphenoidal surgery,which can facilitate the work of operation and avoid injuring the important anatomical structures.