Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that severely affects the health of the elderly, marked by its incurability, high prevalence, and extended latency period. The current approach to AD prevention and treatment emphasizes early detection and intervention, particularly during the pre-AD stage of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which provides an optimal “window of opportunity” for intervention. Clinical detection methods for MCI, such as cerebrospinal fluid monitoring, genetic testing, and imaging diagnostics, are invasive and costly, limiting their broad clinical application. Speech, as a vital cognitive output, offers a new perspective and tool for computer-assisted analysis and screening of cognitive decline. This is because elderly individuals with cognitive decline exhibit distinct characteristics in semantic and audio information, such as reduced lexical richness, decreased speech coherence and conciseness, and declines in speech rate, voice rhythm, and hesitation rates. The objective presence of these semantic and audio characteristics lays the groundwork for computer-based screening of cognitive decline. Speech information is primarily sourced from databases or collected through tasks involving spontaneous speech, semantic fluency, and reading, followed by analysis using computer models. Spontaneous language tasks include dialogues/interviews, event descriptions, narrative recall, and picture descriptions. Semantic fluency tasks assess controlled retrieval of vocabulary items, requiring participants to extract information at the word level during lexical search. Reading tasks involve participants reading a passage aloud. Summarizing past research, the speech characteristics of the elderly can be divided into two major categories: semantic information and audio information. Semantic information focuses on the meaning of speech across different tasks, highlighting differences in vocabulary and text content in cognitive impairment. Overall, discourse pragmatic disorders in AD can be studied along three dimensions: cohesion, coherence, and conciseness. Cohesion mainly examines the use of vocabulary by participants, with a reduction in the use of nouns, pronouns, verbs, and adjectives in AD patients. Coherence assesses the ability of participants to maintain topics, with a decrease in the number of subordinate clauses in AD patients. Conciseness evaluates the information density of participants, with AD patients producing shorter texts with less information compared to normal elderly individuals. Audio information focuses on acoustic features that are difficult for the human ear to detect. There is a significant degradation in temporal parameters in the later stages of cognitive impairment; AD patients require more time to read the same paragraph, have longer vocalization times, and produce more pauses or silent parts in their spontaneous speech signals compared to normal individuals. Researchers have extracted audio and speech features, developing independent systems for each set of features, achieving an accuracy rate of 82% for both, which increases to 86% when both types of features are combined, demonstrating the advantage of integrating audio and speech information. Currently, deep learning and machine learning are the main methods used for information analysis. The overall diagnostic accuracy rate for AD exceeds 80%, and the diagnostic accuracy rate for MCI also exceeds 80%, indicating significant potential. Deep learning techniques require substantial data support, necessitating future expansion of database scale and continuous algorithm upgrades to transition from laboratory research to practical product implementation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of Tripterygium wilfordii multiglycoside (TGW) in the treatment of psoriatic dermatitis from a cellular immunological perspective. METHODS: Mouse models of psoriatic dermatitis were established by imiquimod (IMQ). Twelve male BALB/c mice were assigned to IMQ or IMQ₊TGW groups according to a random number table. Histopathological changes in vivo were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Ratios of immune cells and cytokines in mice, as well as PAM212 cell proliferation in vitro were assessed by flow cytometry. Pro-inflammatory cytokine expression was determined using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: TGW significantly ameliorated the severity of IMQ-induced psoriasis-like mouse skin lesions and restrained the activation of CD45⁺ cells, neutrophils and T lymphocytes (all P<0.01). Moreover, TGW significantly attenuated keratinocytes (KCs) proliferation and downregulated the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-23, tumor necrosis factor α, and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Furthermore, it reduced the number of γ δ T17 cells in skin lesion of mice and draining lymph nodes (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS TGW improved psoriasis-like inflammation by inhibiting KCs proliferation, as well as the associated immune cells and cytokine expression. It inhibited IL-17 secretion from γ δ T cells, which improved the immune-inflammatory microenvironment of psoriasis.
Male ; Animals ; Mice ; Tripterygium ; Psoriasis/drug therapy* ; Keratinocytes ; Skin Diseases/metabolism* ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Imiquimod/metabolism* ; Dermatitis/pathology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Skin/metabolism*

Objective To investigate the effect of antinuclear antibodies(ANAs)on hormone response in patients with autoimmune hepatitis(AIH)-primary biliary cholangitis(PBC)overlap syndrome(AIH-PBC OS)and AIH-only within half a year.Methods A retrospective analysis of 77 patients with autoimmune liver disease(AILD)admitted to First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University from January 2018 to December 2021,all of whom were confirmed by liver biopsy and receiving glucocorticoid treatment.Among them,46 patients were in AIH-PBC OS group and 31 were in AIH-only group.The general clinical characteristics,liver puncture-related indexes,autoantibodies and immunoglobulin indexes of patients in each group at the time of diagnosis were collected and compared,and the biochemical and immunoglobulin indexes of patients at the time of hormone use and at the time of review within 6 months were also collected,and the hormone response within 6 months was evaluated according to the levels of glutamic transaminase(AST),glutamic alanine transaminase(ALT)and immunoglobulin G(IgG),and the effect of ANAs on hormone response outcomes in both groups over a six-month period was analyzed.Multifactorial ordered logistic analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of ANAs on hormone response between two groups.Results There was no statistically significant difference in the percentage of AIH-PBC OS and AIH-only patients among both ANAs-positive and-negative AILD patients(55.6%vs.44.4%and 65.6%vs.34.4%,P>0.05).Among 46 patients with AIH-PBC OS,there were 25 in ANAs-positive group and 21 in ANAs-negative group.The rate of complete hormone response within 6 months was lower than that of ANAs-negative group(44.0%vs.76.2%),while the rate of hormone non-response was higher than that of ANAs-negative group(20.0%vs.0),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).There were 20 cases of ANAs-positive and 11 cases of ANAs-negative in the 31 AIH-only patients.There was no statistically significant difference in the results of hormone response within 6 months between the two groups(P>0.05).Multifactorial ordered logistic analysis showed that AIH-PBC OS patients were more likely to have a higher likelihood of 6-month hormone non-response rate in ANAs-positive patients,and the difference was statistically different(P<0.05).And there was no significant effect of ANAs type on hormone response outcome in AIH-only patients(P>0.05).Conclusion AIH-PBC OS ANAs-positive patients have a poor hormone response within half a year.In AIH-only patients,ANAs have no significant effect on hormone response results.

Objective To investigate the role of pulmonary neuroendocrine cells(PNEC)and γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)in patients with pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors(PNET).Methods The pathological specimens of 29 cases of PNET treated in the eighth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from October 2018 to January 2022 were collected.The morphological characteristics were observed by HE staining,and the expression levels of synaptophysin(Syn),chromogranin A(CgA),CD56,Ki-67,CD86 and CD163 were observed by immunohistochemical staining.Calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)and glutamic acid decarboxylase(GAD)65/67 in different types of PNETs were detected by double antibody immunofluorescence co-staining,and the correlation between GAD65/67 positive PNEC and macrophage polarization was analyzed.Results The results of HE staining showed that all four types of PNET tissues had neuroendocrine(NE)characteristics:rosette structure and organ nesting or palisade pattern,but they were different,and the proportion of mitotic cells from low to high was typical carcinoid(TC),atypical carcinoid(AC),large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma(LCNEC)and small cell lung cancer(SCLC).The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that the positive expression rate of Syn and CgA and the positive degree of Syn,CgA and CD56 in carcinoid(TC and AC)were significantly higher than those in LCNEC and SCLC(P＜0.05).The Ki-67 indices of the four types of PNET are:TC＜5%,AC 5%-20%,LCNEC and SCLC＞75%respectively.The number of PNEC in carcinoid was significantly higher than that in LCNEC,SCLC and paratumoral tissues(P＜0.05),but there was no significant difference in the number of PNEC between LCNEC and SCLC and para-tumor tissues(P＞0.05).The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that the number of GAD65/67 positive cells co-expressing GAD65/67 in 95%PNEC was significantly higher than that in LCNEC,SCLC and para-tumor tissues(P＜0.05),but there was no significant difference between LCNEC and SCLC GAD65/67 positive cells and para-tumor tissues(P＞0.05).The results of immunohistochemical staining also showed that the number of CD86 positive M1 macrophages was significantly higher than that of CD163 positive M2 macrophages in para-tumor tissues(P＜0.05),while M2 macrophages were significantly more than M1 macrophages in AC,LCNEC and SCLC(P＜0.01).Correlation analysis showed that the number of GAD65/67 positive PNEC cells in PNET was negatively correlated with the number of CD163 positive M2 macrophages in tumor stroma(r=-0.6336,P=0.0174).Conclusions PNEC is the main source of GABA in lung tissue and plays an immunomodulatory role in the lung,which may be involved in the progression of PNET.

Objective:To explore the factors that promote and hinder exercise adherence in long dialysis duration hemodialysis patients, and to provide a reference for improving their exercise levels.Methods:From March to May 2023, a qualitative research method using phenomenon approach was conducted and 15 patients with peritoneal dialysis for at least 10 years at the People′s Liberation Army Central Command Headquarters Hospital (Hankou Hospital) were selected for in-depth interviews using purposive sampling method. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi 7-step method and the main themes were extracted.Results:Among the 15 interviewers, there were 5 males and 10 females, aged 39-76 years old.Conclusions:The exercise level of long dialysis duration hemodialysis patients is influenced by multiple factors. Medical staff should correct their cognitive biases and change their behavioral attitudes, strengthen external supportive environments and reduce subjective normative pressures, gradually provide more objective support, thereby promoting the exercise training of long dialysis duration hemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE To explore the specific application and evaluation effect of objective structured clinical examination(OSCE)-guided scenario-based practical teaching mode in training clinical pharmacists. METHODS Fifty-six trainees who participated in the clinical pharmacist training program in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from October 2020 to September 2022 were selected as the research objects. OSCE-guided teaching was conducted, and the application effect of OSCE-guided teaching mode in clinical pharmacist training was explored and analyzed by using theoretical examination results and OSCE assessment results as evaluation indicators. RESULTS Through comparative analysis, it was found that the OSCE-guided teaching mode not only enabled students to better grasp the theoretical knowledge points required by the training outline, but also improved their clinical thinking ability, problem-solving ability, and communication and coordination skills to varying degrees. CONCLUSION For clinical pharmacist trainees, the OSCE teaching mode is conducive to the comprehensive improvement of clinical pharmacist skills and is suitable for cultivating clinical pharmacists who are capable of independently carrying out clinical pharmacy services in the new situation.

Objective: To investigate the factors affecting macular degeneration (MD) in middle-aged and elderly populations, so as to provide the reference for prevention and treatment of MD. Methods: People at ages of 50 years and older who were admitted to ophthalmology department of Hangzhou First People's Hospital and received MD screening were selected as the study subjects. General information including age, gender, eye-using habits and family history of MD were collected by questionnaire surveys. MD was diagnosed by ophthalmological examination, and the prevalence of MD in middle-aged and elderly people was analyzed. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify the influencing factors of MD. Results: A total of 2 832 people were investigated, including 1 527 males (53.92%) and 1 305 females (46.08%), and 1 878 people (66.31%) aged 70 years and older. There were 498 people (17.58%) with good eye-using habits, 1 180 (41.67%) with general eye-using habits and 1 154 (40.75%) with poor eye-using habits. There were 1 817 people with family history of MD (64.16%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that people at ages of 70 years and older (OR=2.815, 95%CI: 1.350-5.871), with poor eye-using habits (OR=2.354, 95%CI: 1.373-4.035), with family history of MD (OR=2.782, 95%CI: 1.138-6.799), with cataract (OR=2.593, 95%CI: 1.157-5.815) and with visual central defect (OR=2.601, 95%CI: 1.252-5.404) had a higher risk of MD. Conclusion Age, eye-using habits, family history of MD, cataract and visual central defect are influencing factors for MD in middle-aged and elderly populations.

Objective To study the efficacy of bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL)combined with prone positioning in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP)and atelectasis and its effect on pulmonary function.Methods A prospective study was conducted on 94 children with MPP and atelectasis who were hospitalized in Ordos Central Hospital of Inner Mongolia from November 2020 to May 2023.The children were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group,with 47 children in each group.The children in the treatment group were given conventional treatment,BAL,and prone positioning,and those in the control group were given conventional treatment and BAL.The two groups were compared in terms of fever,pulmonary signs,length of hospital stay,lung recruitment,and improvement in pulmonary function.Results Compared with the control group,the treatment group had significantly shorter time to improvement in pulmonary signs and length of hospital stay and a significantly higher rate of lung recruitment on day 7 of hospitalization,on the day of discharge,and at 1 week after discharge(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the treatment group had significantly higher levels of forced vital capacity(FVC)as a percentage of the predicted value,forced expiratory volume(FEV)in 1 second as a percentage of the predicted value,ratio of FEV in 1 second to FVC,forced expiratory flow at 50%of FVC as a percentage of the predicted value,forced expiratory flow at 75%of FVC as a percentage of the predicted value,and maximal mid-expiratory flow as a percentage of the predicted value on the day of discharge and at 1 week after discharge(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the time for body temperature to return to normal between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusions In the treatment of children with MPP and atelectasis,BAL combined with prone positioning can help to shorten the time to improvement in pulmonary signs and the length of hospital stay and promote lung recruitment and improvement in pulmonary function.

Objective To analyze the hotspots and development trends in the international field of apraxia of speech(AOS). Methods Relevant literature on AOS was retrieved in the Web of Science Core Collection database from January,2004 to December,2023,and was analyzed with CiteSpace 6.2 R. Results A total of 893 articles were included,with a fluctuating upward trend in publication volume.The United States and Australia exhibited significant influence in the field of AOS research.Mayo Clinic and the University of Syd-ney showed high centrality in the network,while Joseph R Duffy ranked among the top authors in terms of publi-cation volume.Over the past five years,research hotspots mainly focused on Parkinson's disease,the classifica-tion of AOS,and studies on treatment intensity. Conclusion The research interest in AOS is on the rise.Significant progress has been made in areas such as neuroimag-ing,clinical acoustic assessment and articulatory-phonetic intervention.Further exploration is needed in the path-ological mechanisms and treatment methods of AOS.

Objective To explore the effects of dydrogesterone combined with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF)on blood flow parameters and sex hormone levels in patients with thin endometrial(TE)infertility.Methods TE infertility patients were randomly divided into control group and treatment group.All patients were treated with freezing-thawing embryo transfer.The control group was treated with desdrogesterone after ovulation monitoring by vaginal ultrasound,10 mg each time,bid,and stopped until the 14th day after ovulation.In treatment group,G-CSF was given on the basis of control group,and the endometrial thickness and hemodynamic parameters were monitored by vaginal ultrasound 3 days later,and then embryo transfer was performed.Blood flow parameters,ultrasound parameters,endometrial morphology,sex hormone levels[follicle stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),estradiol(E2),progesterone(P)]and pregnancy status were compared between the two groups.Results There were 49 cases in treatment group and 49 cases in control group.After treatment,endometrial thickness in treatment group and control group were(9.59±1.35)and(7.89±1.14)mm;follicle diameter were(19.35±1.58)and(17.75±1.42)mm;uterine volume were(92.68±7.85)and(85.69±6.74)cm3;PI were 1.29±0.27 and 1.74±0.32;RI were 0.32±0.09 and 0.50±0.11;peak systolic/end-diastolic velocity(S/D)were 2.03±0.28 and 2.21±0.25;P were(45.98±5.75)and(39.15±5.78)nmol·L-1;E2 were(462.58±58.42)and(339.45±45.97)pg·mL-1;FSH were(12.18±2.58)and(9.42±1.42)U·L-1;LH were(29.42±4.18)and(22.25±3.40)U·L-1;there were statistically significant differences between the two groups(all P＜0.05).The clinical pregnancy rate(51.02％)and implantation rate(57.14％)in treatment group were higher than those in control group(30.61％and 36.73％),and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Dydrogesterone combined with G-CSF can improve blood flow parameters,endometrial thickness and sex hormone levels in TE infertility patients,and help to increase the embryo implantation rate.