Objective: To systematically evaluate the incidence and influencing factors of depression in family caregivers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, so as to provide the basis for the prevention and treatment of depression among the family caregivers of AD patients. Methods: Publications pertaining to depression in family caregivers of AD patients were retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang Data, PubMed and other databases from the time of their establishment to June 15, 2023. The evaluation criteria recommended by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were used to assess the quality of cross-sectional and cohort studies, respectively. Stata 16.0 and Revman 5.4 softwares were used to conduct a meta-analysis on the incidence and influencing factors of depression in family caregivers of AD patients. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias assessment were also performed on the results. Results: A total of 2 324 articles were retrieved, and ultimately 14 articles were included, with a total sample size of 8 313 individuals. There were 6 high-quality articles and 8 moderate-quality articles. Meta-analysis showed that the incidence of depression in family caregivers of AD patients was 37.5% (95%CI: 30.2%-45.1%). Factors associated with depression included patients' high degree of dementia (OR=1.718, 95%CI: 1.059-2.789), patients' low scores on Activities of Daily Living Scale (OR=1.344, 95%CI: 1.059-1.706), patients' psychobehavioral abnormalities (OR=1.248, 95%CI: 1.155-1.348), long duration of caregiving (OR=1.998, 95%CI: 1.637-2.437), less involvement of other family members in caregiving (OR=1.597, 95%CI: 1.237-2.061), low educational level (OR=1.191, 95%CI: 1.044-1.359), poor caregiving skills (OR=3.060, 95%CI: 2.257-4.149), poor self-rated health (OR=2.536, 95%CI: 1.114-5.771) and social support (OR=0.424, 95%CI: 0.232-0.774). The results of depression incidence demonstrated good stability with no significant publication bias. However, publication bias was observed in the influencing factors for depression, which were patients' high degree of dementia and patients' low scores on Activities of Daily Living Scale. Conclusions The incidence of depression in family caregivers of AD patients ranges from 30.2% to 45.1%. It is primarily influenced by the severity of patients' symptoms and ability to perform daily activities, and caregivers' educational level, caregiving skills, health status, caregiving duration and social support.

Objective The aim is to utilize CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology to construct Dmd gene mutant mice with a point mutation in exon 23 of the Dmd gene. Subsequently, the phenotypic changes of the mice in muscles and immune systems are analyzed and verified, providing an evaluation model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other related diseases.MethodsBased on the sequence characteristics of exon 23 of the Dmd gene, small guide RNA (sgRNA) was designed and synthesized. Cas9 mRNA, sgRNA fragments, and oligo donor DNA were microinjected into fertilized eggs of C57BL/6J mice. After transferring the fertilized eggs to surrogate mice, F0 generation mice were born. After mating with F0 generation mice, offspring mice were obtained, and Dmd gene positive mutant (Dmd^Mu/+) mice were obtained after genotype identification. Male hemizygous Dmd^Mu/+(Dmd^Mu/Y) mice were selected for phenotype validation. The body weight of live 3- and 9-month-old mice were recorded. Muscle tension was evaluated through the grid test. Hearts and semitendinosus muscles were collected, and the histopathological changes were observed using HE staining. Further, the expression of Dmd protein in muscle tissue of 9-month-old mice was analyzed by Western blotting.An acute inflammation model was established in Dmd^Mu/Y mice using lipopolysaccharide induction. Peripheral blood from the submandibular vein was collected, and the changes in the proportion of neutrophils and monocytes were detected by flow cytometry.Results The results of genome sequencing and Western blotting confirmed the successful construction of Dmd gene point mutant mice (Dmd^Mu/+ mice). Dmd protein expression was not detected in skeletal muscle and myocardium of Dmd^Mu/+ mice, and it was significantly reduced compared to wild-type C57BL/6J mice (P<0.05). Compared with wild-type mice of the same background, Dmd^Mu/Y mice at 3 and 9 months of age showed significant weight loss (P<0.01) and decreased muscle tension (P<0.05). 9-month-old Dmd^Mu/Y mice exhibited significant pathological changes in skeletal muscle and myocardium, including widening of intermuscular space. Under normal condition, compared with wild-type mice, the proportion of neutrophils and monocytes in the peripheral blood of 3-month-old Dmd^Mu/Y mice was significantly lower than that of wild-type mice (P<0.01). After lipopolysaccharide stimulation, the proportion of neutrophils in peripheral blood of 3-month-old Dmd^Mu/Y mice remained significantly lower compared to that of wild-type mice (P<0.01). The proportion of neutrophils in peripheral blood of 9-month-old Dmd^Mu/Y mice significantly decreased after lipopolysaccharide induction (P<0.01), with a trend of change observed in monocytes between groups.Conclusion The successful construction of the Dmd gene mutant mouse model has confirmed the vital function of Dmd gene in maintaining normal muscle tissue morphology and muscle tone. It preliminarily indicated that Dmd gene deletion could significantly reduce the proportion of neutrophils in peripheral blood, offering a new perspective for the study of immune system alterations in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients.

Objective:To explore the performance of agitated saline contrast echocardiography(ASCE)in patients with patent foramen ovale(PFO)and the relationship of that with the prognosis of treatment of interventional closure.Methods:A total of 70 patients with PFO who were hospitalized in Haikou People's Hospital from October 2020 to August 2022 were selected as research objects.All patients were treated with interventional closure,and the preoperative and postoperative ASCE performances,as well as the ASCE grading were recorded.All patients were followed up for 12 months after operation,and then they were assessed to confirm whether there was any residual diversion.After that,the changes of Headache Impact Test-6 Scale(HIT-6)score between before and after operation were compared.Results:In the ASCE image characteristics and the morphology of the foramen ovale of 70 PFO patients,22 cases(31.42％)were type Ⅰ patients,whose diameter of the foramen ovale was less than 1 mm,and the patent foramen ovale without closure appeared fine needle-like,and 28 cases(40.00％)were type Ⅱ patients,whose diameter of the foramen ovale was between 2 and 3mm,and the patent foramen ovale without closure appeared tunnel-like,and 20 cases(28.57％)were type Ⅲ patients,whose diameter of the foramen ovale was≥3mm,and the patent foramen ovale without closure appeared pouch-like.The results of re-examined ASCE of 70 patients indicated that the positions of the occluder were favorable in type Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients,which closely attached to the atrial septum.There was not residual blood flow to pass through the atrial septum in all patients.Preoperative ASCE RLS grading showed that 20 cases(28.57％)were rest RLS grade 0,and 25 cases(35.71％)were grade I,and 14 cases(20.00％)were grade Ⅱ,and 11 cases(15.71％)were grade Ⅲ.The post classification of Waals maneuver indicated 30 cases(42.85％)were RLS grade I,and 25 cases(35.71％)were RLS grade Ⅱ,and 15 cases(21.4％)were RLS grade Ⅲ.Postoperative ASCE RLS grading showed that there was RLS in all patients,and the difference in RLS grading between before and after surgery was statistically significant(x2=85.783,P<0.05).In the 70 patients,ASCE results showed that the front-back diameter of left atrium of patients at 0 grade RLS was significantly less than that of patients at≥1 grade RLS,and the difference was statistically significant(t=8.783,P<0.05).There were no adverse events such as bleeding,infection,thromboembolism,stroke and occluder detachment occurred in all patients after surgery.The preoperative HIT-6 score of 70 patients was(73.85±5.79)points,and the scores decreased respectively to(50.82±6.57)and(39.06±4.69)points at the 1st and 6th months after surgery,and the difference of HIT-6 scores between them was significant(t=3.783,P<0.05).The results of re-examined ASCE at the 1st and 6th months after surgery showed that there was no RLS diversion phenomenon in 70 patients,and the results of trans thoracic echocardiography(TTE)indicated that RLS diversion existed in two patients.Conclusion:The diversion grade can be confirmed after PFO patients undergo the combined examination of ASCE,rest status examination and Waals maneuver,which has a certain of reference value in preoperative assessment for disease condition and in postoperative judgement for curative effect.

Objective To develop and test the reliability and validity of the Intrinsic Capacity Assessment Scale for the Older People,so as to provide an effective tool for the assessment of the intrinsic capacity of the aged.Methods Based on the International Classification of Functioning,Disability and Health(ICF)as the theoretical framework,the initial version of The Intrinsic Capacity Assessment Scale for the Older People was developed through literature analysis,Delphi expert consultation and pre-survey.From July to September 2023,650 old people were selected by convenience sampling method to conduct a survey,and 20 old people were surveyed after 2 weeks again to test the reliability and validity of the scale.Results The effective questionnaire recovery rates of the 2 rounds of expert correspondence were 92.3％and 91.7％;the expert authority coefficients were 0.83 and 0.86;the mean importance scores of items were 2.04-3.79 and 3.50-3.82,and the full score ratios were 4.2％-83.3％and 54.6％-86.4％,respectively.The coefficients of variation were 0.11-0.42 and 0.11-0.23,respectively.A total of 5 common factors were extracted from exploratory factor analysis,and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 68.327％.The results of confirmatory factor analysis showed that the fit indexes were x2/df=1.908,RMSEA=0.054,CFI=0.931,IFI=0.932,TLI=0.922,indicating a good fit.The Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was 0.944;the split half reliability was 0.806;the retest reliability was 0.933.The content validity index of item level was 0.82-1.00,and the content validity index of scale level was 0.91.The Intrinsic Capacity Assessment Scale for the Older People included 35 items in 5 dimensions:movement,vitality,sensation,cognition and psychology.Conclusion The Intrinsic Capacity Assessment Scale for the Older People has good reliability and validity,and it can be used as a reliable tool to evaluate the intrinsic capacity level of the aged.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of platelet aggregation rate for early neurological deterioration (END) after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).Methods:Consecutive patients with AIS received IVT at the Department of Neurology, Haikou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medical, Central South University from November 2020 to July 2023 were retrospectively included. The maximum platelet aggregation rate (MAR) was measured using the PL-12 multi-parameter platelet function analyzer. END was defined as an increase of ≥4 from baseline in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score within 24 h after IVT. The demographic, baseline data, laboratory findings, and imaging results between the END and non-END groups were compared, and the dynamic changes in MAR induced by arachidonic acid (AA) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) before, immediately after, and 2 h after IVT were observed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for END. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyze the predictive value of MAR for END at different time points. Results:A total of 300 patients were included, aged 64.88±8.82 years, with a median baseline NIHSS score of 11 (interquartile range, 8-15) and the onset-to-needle time was 172.03±53.96 min. Among them, 66 patients (22.0%) developed END. The MAR-AA and MAR-DP levels before, immediately after, and 2 h after IVT in the END group were significantly higher than those in the non-END group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that MAR-AA (odds ratio 1.098, 95% confidence interval 1.039-1.161; P<0.001) and MAR-ADP (odds ratio 1.100, 95% confidence interval 1.038-1.167; P<0.001) at 2 h after IVT were the independent risk factors for END. ROC curve analysis shows that MAR-AA and MAR-ADP before, immediately after, and 2 h after IVT had good predictive value for END. Among them, the area under the curve corresponding to MAR-AA and MAR-ADP at 2 h after IVT was the largest, with values of 0.745 and 0.710, respectively. The optimal cutoff value of MAR-AA was 39.28%, and the sensitivity and specificity for predicting END were 74.2% and 76.1%, respectively. The optimal cutoff value of MAR-ADP was 43.35%, and the sensitivity and specificity for predicting END were 69.7% and 66.2%, respectively. Conclusion:The MAR measured by PL-12 is closely associated with the risk of END in patients with AIS after IVT treatment, and has good predictive value for END.

Background::Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can detect lesions hidden in inflammatory regions and find necrosis or areas of severe fibrosis within the lesion. This retrospective study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of solid pancreatic lesions using percutaneous ultrasound (US)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) with or without CEUS assessment.Methods::Clinical, imaging, and pathologic data of 181 patients from January 2014 to December 2018 in Pecking Union Medical College Hospital, with solid pancreatic masses who underwent percutaneous US-FNA and ThinPrep cytologic test were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into CEUS and US groups according to whether CEUS was performed before the biopsy. According to FNA cytology diagnoses, we combined non-diagnostic, neoplastic, and negative cases into a negative category. The positive category included malignant, suspicious, and atypical cases. The final diagnosis was confirmed by pathology or clinical and radiological follow-up for at least 12 months. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of US-FNA were evaluated between the two groups.Results::This study enrolled 107 male and 74 female patients (average age: 60 years). There were 58 cases in the US group and 123 cases in the CEUS group. No statistically significant differences in age, gender, or lesion size were found between the two groups. The diagnostic accuracy of the CEUS group was 95.1% (117/123), which was higher than the 86.2% (50/58) observed in the US group ( P = 0.036). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the CEUS group were increased by 7.5%, 16.7%, 3.4%, and 18.8%, respectively, compared with the US group. However, the differences of the two groups were not statistically significant. Conclusions::Compared with the conventional US, the use of CEUS could improve the biopsy accuracy and avoid the need for a repeat biopsy, especially for some complicated FNA cases.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of platelet reactivity for early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods:Patients with acute ischemic stroke within 48 h of onset admitted to the Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University from January 2017 to March 2019 were enrolled prospectively. Aspirin was taken on the day of admission, and the platelet aggregation rate was detected using a PL-11 Platelet Function Analyzer 7 d after taking it. END was defined as the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NHISS) score at any time point within 7 d after admission increased by ≥2 or the motor function item score increased by ≥1 from baseline. The demographics, baseline data, imaging examination and laboratory findings of patients in the END and non-END groups were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for END. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive value of platelet aggregation rate for END. Results:A total of 230 patients were included in the study. They aged 63.24±9.75 years, 126 were females (51.4%). The median baseline NIHSS score was 6 (interquartile range, 4-10). The median time from onset to admission was 15 h (interquartile range, 9-28 h). There were 54 patients (23.5%) in the END group and 176 (76.5%) in the non-END group. There were significant differences in arachidonic acid-induced maximum platelet aggregation ratio (MAR-AA), epinephrine-induced maximum platelet aggregation ratio (MAR-EPI) and collagen-induced maximum platelet aggregation ratio (MAR-COL) between the END group and the non-END group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that MAR-AA (odd ratio [ OR] 1.165, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.091-1.243; P<0.001) and MAR-EPI ( OR 1.035, 95% CI 1.006-1.067; P=0.023) were the independent risk factors for END in patients with acute ischemic stroke. ROC curve analysis showed that MAR-AA had good predictive value for END, and the area under the curve was 0.775 (95% CI 0.707-0.843; P<0.001). The optimal cut-off value was 21.80%. The sensitivity and specificity of MAR-AA for predicting END were 72.2% and 77.3%, respectively. Conclusions:The platelet function measured by PL-11 is closely related to the risk of END in patients with acute ischemic stroke. It has a better predictive value for END.

Objective:To investigate the effect of acceptance and commitment therapy intervention on middle-aged and elderly patients with postherpetic neuralgia.Methods:A convenient sampling method was used to select 70 middle-aged and elderly patients with postherpetic neuralgia who visited the pain department of a tertiary ClassⅢ Grade A hospital in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province from January to June 2019. They were divided into observation group and control group, 35 cases in each group. The control group continued to use conventional psychological nursing intervention, and the observation group performed acceptance commitment therapy intervention on the patients. The Chinese version of the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire-8 (CPAQ-8) , the simplified Mc Gill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) , and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used to conduct questionnaire surveys before and after intervention to assess pain acceptance, pain severity, and anxiety and depression.Results:Before the intervention, there were no significant differences in CPAQ-8, SF-MPQ and HADS scores between the two groups ( P>0.05) . After the intervention, the CPAQ-8 score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group, and the scores of SF-MPQ and HADS were lower than those of the control group. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Admission commitment therapy can effectively improve the degree of pain acceptance and reduce the pain in middle-aged and elderly patients with postherpetic neuralgia, and it can improve the anxiety and depression caused by pain. It is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective To conclude the intraductal ultrasonography ( IDUS ) characteristics of cholangiocarcinoma and improve endoscopic diagnosis for cholangiocarcinoma by comparing manifestations of IDUS between cholangiocarcinoma and benign bile duct stricture. Methods A total of 52 patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography ( ERCP ) and IDUS with definite diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma from January 2012 to January 2017 were included in this retrospective study, and 59 patients undergoing ERCP and IDUS during the same period with definite diagnosis of benign bile duct stricture were included as control. Clinical data, indices of laboratory tests, and manifestations of IDUS ( including length of stricture, echo feature, thickness of bile duct, symmetry, and integrity of outer membrane of bile duct wall) were collected and compared between the two groups. Results The clinical manifestations and results of laboratory examination showed no significant differences between the two groups. Intraductal brushing cytology and forceps biopsy showed 28. 9％ and 40. 0％ malignant evidence respectively. IDUS showed thicker bile duct in the cholangiocarcinoma group (6. 8±4. 0 mm VS 4. 1±2. 3 mm, P<0. 01). Proportion of hypoechoic and nonsymmetrical thickened bile duct was higher in the cholangiocarcinoma group( 78. 8％ VS 44. 1％, 92. 3％ VS 50. 8％, respectively, all P<0. 01 ) . Outer membrane of bile duct destruction occurred in 8 cases ( 15. 4％) in the cholangiocarcinoma group, whereas none was seen in the control group. Conclusion Hypoecho and nonsymmetrical thickness on IDUS may be indicators of cholangiocarcinoma, and destruction of bile duct outer membrane is highly suggestive of cholangiocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and metabolic safety of long-term treatment with ethinyl oestradiol/cyproteroneand desogestrel/ethinyl oestradiol tablets in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODSWomen with PCOSfrom West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University enrolled between September, 2011 and August, 2013 were randomlyallocated to receive either ethinyl oestradiol/cyproterone tablets (Group A, =355) or desogestrel/ethinyl oestradiol tablets(Group B, =357) for a prospective observation period of 6 months. Women with insulin resistance also received metformin. Atbaseline, 3 months, and 6 months, the patients were evaluated for menstruation, acne score, body mass index (BMI), waist-tohip ratio (WHR), plasma levels of sex hormones, fasting blood glucose (FPG), HOMA-insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), serum lipid, ovarian volume, and the number of ovarian follicles.

RESULTSAll the patients had a regular menstrual cycle aftertreatments. Testosterone level, acne score, LH/FSH, ovarian volume, and the number of follicles decreased significantly afterthe treatments without significant differences between the two groups. Significant increases were noted in TG, TCh, LDL, HDL, and AIP, and HDL level in group A as compared with group B ( < 0.001). FPG decreased in both groups, and wassignificantly lower in group B at 6 months ( < 0.05). BMI and WHR decreased in all the patients with insulin resistance aftercombination treatment with metformin ( < 0.05), but increased significantly in patients without insulin resistance ( < 0.05). Ingroup A, HOMA- IR significantly increased in patientswithout insulin resistance at 3 months ( < 0.05), whereas asignificant increase was not observed until 6 months ingroup B ( < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth ethinyl oestradiol/cyproterone tablets and desogestrel/ethinyl oestradioltablets can relieve the symptoms of PCOS, but it isadvisable to assess the risk of cardiovascular diseasebefore the treatments.