Effect of infarct location and volume on cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients with acute insular cerebral infarction

BACKGROUND The aging of the population has become increasingly obvious in recent years,and the incidence of cerebral infarction has shown an increasing trend annually,with high death and disability rates.AIM To analyze the effects of infarct location and volume on cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients with acute insular cerebral infarction.METHODS Between January 2020 and December 2023,we treated 98 cases of elderly acute insula,patients with cerebral infarction in the cerebral infarction acute phase(3-4 weeks)and for the course of 6 months in Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale(MoCA)for screening of cognition.Notably,58 and 40 patients were placed in the cognitive impairment group and without-cognitive impairment group,respec-tively.In patients with cerebral infarction,magnetic resonance imaging was used to screen and clearly analyze the MoCA scores of two groups of patients with different infarctions,the relationship between the parts of the infarction volume,and analysis of acute insula cognitive disorder in elderly patients with cerebral RESULTS The number of patients with cognitive impairment in the basal ganglia and thalamus was significantly higher than that without cognitive impairment(P<0.05).The total infarct volume in the cognitive impairment group was higher than that in the non-cognitive impairment group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The infarct volumes at different sites in the cognitive impairment group was higher than in the non-cognitive impairment group(P<0.05).In the cognitive impairment group,the infarct volumes in the basal ganglia,thalamus,and mixed lesions were negatively correlated with the total MoCA score,with correlation coefficients of-0.67,-0.73,and-0.77,respectively.CONCLUSION In elderly patients with acute insular infarction,infarction in the basal ganglia,thalamus,and mixed lesions were more likely to lead to cognitive dysfunction than in other areas,and patients with large infarct volumes were more likely to develop cognitive dysfunction.The infarct volume in the basal ganglia,thalamus,and mixed lesions was significantly negatively correlated with the MoCA score.

Effect of hybrid ratio on friction and wear behavior of AZ91D matrix nanocomposites under oil lubricated conditions

Friction and wear behavior of AZ91D and its nanocomposites reinforced by different contents of hybrid multi-walled CNTs and nano-SiC particulates under oil lubrication was investigated using a MRS-10P four-ball tribometer.Friction coefficients and wear rates were measured within a load range of 200-1000 N at a spindle rotary speed of 380 r/min.Worn surface morphologies,phase and element compositions were studied by scanning electron microscope(SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD)and energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS),respectively.The mechanism of synergistic effect of CNTs and SiC nanoparticles was discussed.The results indicate that the AZ91D nanocomposites show better wear resistance properties and different wear mechanisms compared with AZ91D.The AZ91D nanocomposites reinforced with 0.5%CNTs and 0.5%nano-SiC have the best tribological capacity.The wear mechanisms for the Mg-based hybrid nanocomposites appear to be a mix-up of micro-ploughing,micro-cutting,slight adhesive wear and delamination.

脂联素参与七氟醚预处理保护心肌缺血再灌注损伤后小鼠认知功能的机制研究

目的探讨脂联素参与七氟醚预处理后心肌缺血再灌注(MIR)小鼠的认知功能保护作用的机制。方法将野生健康成年SPF级雄性C57BL/6小鼠随机分为sham组、MIR-Control组、MIR-SevoPre组,每组10只。将健康成年SPF级雄性脂联素基因敲除(APN KO)小鼠随机分为KO-sham组、KO-MIR-Control组、KOMIR-Sevopre组、KO-MIR-Sevopre-AdipoRon组,每组10只。检测3组C57BL/6小鼠在模型复制或对照处理后12 h血浆的高、中和低分子量脂联素浓度;使用Morris水迷宫实验检测3组C57BL/6小鼠在模型复制或对照处理后24 h的游泳速率和潜伏期;检测4组APN KO小鼠在模型复制或对照处理后第1天、第2天、第4天的潜伏期。结果3组C57BL/6小鼠模型复制后第1天、第2天和第4天的游泳速率比较,采用重复测量设计的方差分析,结果:①不同时间点的小鼠游泳速率无差异(P>0.05);②3组小鼠游泳速率无差异(P>0.05);③3组小鼠游泳速率的变化趋势无差异(P>0.05)。3组C57BL/6小鼠模型复制后第1天、第2天和第4天的潜伏期比较,采用重复测量设计的方差分析,结果:①不同时间点的小鼠潜伏期有差异(P<0.05);②3组小鼠的潜伏期有差异(P<0.05),与sham组比较,MIR-Control组各时间点潜伏期延长(P<0.05),与MIR-Control组比较,MIR-Sevopre组小鼠各时间点潜伏期缩短(P<0.05);③3组小鼠的潜伏期变化趋势有差异(P<0.05)。3组C57BL/6小鼠血浆脂联素水平比较,总脂联素、高分子量脂联素、中分子量脂联素差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),低分子量脂联素差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。Sham组小鼠的潜伏期与血浆脂联素水平呈负相关(r=-0.480,P=0.033),MIR-Control组小鼠的潜伏期与血浆脂联素水平呈负相关(r=-0.300,P=0.040),MIR-Sevopre组小鼠的潜伏期与血浆脂联素水平呈负相关(r=-0.730,P=0.019)。4组APN KO小鼠模型复制后第1天、第2天和第4天的潜伏期比较,采用重复测量设计的方差分析,结果:①不同时间点小鼠潜伏期有差异(P<0.05);②4组小鼠的潜伏期差异(P<0.05),与KO-sham组比较,KO-MIR-Control组潜伏期延长(P<0.05),与KO-MIR-Control组比较,KO-MIR-Sevopre组潜伏期无差异(P>0.05),与KO-MIR-Sevopre组比较,KO-MIR-Sevopre-AdipoRon组潜伏期缩短(P<0.05);③4组小鼠潜伏期的变化趋势无差异(P>0.05)。结论血浆脂联素参与七氟醚预处理对小鼠心肌MIR损伤后的认知保护作用,口服AdipoRon后可代替部分脂联素的保护作用。

Spatial distribution patterns of anorectal atresia/stenosis in China:Use of two-dimensional graph-theoretical clustering

AIM:To investigate the spatial distribution patterns of anorectal atresia/stenosis in China.METHODS:Data were collected from the Chinese Birth Defects Monitoring Network(CBDMN),a hospital-based congenital malformations registry system.All fetuses more than 28 wk of gestation and neonates up to 7 d of age in hospitals within the monitoring sites of the CBDMN were monitored from 2001 to 2005.Two-dimensional graph-theoretical clustering was used to divide monitoring sites of the CBDMN into different clusters according to the average incidences of anorectal atresia/stenosis in the different monitoring sites.RESULTS:The overall average incidence of anorectal atresia/stenosis in China was 3.17 per 10000 from 2001 to 2005.The areas with the highest average incidences of anorectal atresia/stenosis were almost always focused in Eastern China.The monitoring sites were grouped into 6 clusters of areas.Cluster 1 comprised the monitoring sites in Heilongjiang Province,Jilin Province,and Liaoning Province;Cluster 2 was composed of those in Fujian Province,Guangdong Province,Hainan Province,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,south Hunan Province,and south Jiangxi Province;Cluster 3 consisted of those in Beijing Municipal City,Tianjin Municipal City,Hebei Province,Shandong Province,north Jiangsu Province,and north Anhui Province;Cluster 4 was made up of those in Zhejiang Province,Shanghai Municipal City,south Anhui Province,south Jiangsu Province,north Hunan Province,north Jiangxi Province,Hubei Province,Henan Province,Shanxi Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region;Cluster 5 consisted of those in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region,Gansu Province and Qinghai Province;and Cluster 6 included those in Shaanxi Province,Sichuan Province,Chongqing Municipal City,Yunnan Province,Guizhou Province,Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Province and Tibet Autonomous Region.CONCLUSION:The fi ndings in this research allow the display of the spatial distribution patterns of anorectal atresia/stenosis in China.These will have important guiding significance for further analysis of relevant environmental factors regarding anorectal atresia/ stenosis and for achieving regional monitoring for anorectal atresia/stenosis.

Clinical benefit of left atrial appendage closure in octogenarians

OBJECTIVES Whether left atrial appendage closure(LAAC)in octogenarians yield similar net clinical benefit compared to younger patients,was the purpose of the present study.METHODS Two real-world LAAC registries,enrolling 744 consecutive Amplatzer and Watchman patients from 2009 to 2018,were retrospectively analyzed.RESULTS All events are reported per 100 patient-years.Two hundred and sixty one octogenarians and 483 non-octogenarians with a mean follow-up of 1.7±1.3 and 2.3±1.6 years,and a total of 1,502 patient-years were included.Octogenarians had a higher risk for stroke(CHA2DS2-VASc score:5.2±1.2 vs.4.3±1.7,P<0.0001)and bleeding(HAS-BLED score:3.3±0.8 vs.3.1±1.1,P=0.001).The combined safety endpoint of major periprocedural complications and major bleeding events at follow-up was comparable(30/446,6.7%vs.47/1056,4.4%;hazard ratio[HR]=1.2;95%confidence interval[CI]:0.73−1.98;P=0.48)between the groups.The efficacy endpoint of all-cause stroke,systemic embolism,and cardiovascular/unexplained death occurred more often in octogenarians(61/446,13.7%vs.80/1056,7.6%;HR=7.0;95%CI:4.53−10.93;P<0.0001).Overall,octogenarians had a lower net clinical benefit,i.e.,the composite of all above mentioned hazards,from LAAC compared to younger patients(82/446,18.4%vs.116/1056,11.0%;HR=4.6;95%CI:3.11−7.0;P<0.0001).Compared to the anticipated stroke rate,the observed rate de-creased by 41%in octogenarians and 53%in non-octogenarians.The observed bleeding rate was reduced by 10%octogenarians and 41%non-octogenarians.CONCLUSIONS LAAC can be performed with similar safety in octogenarians as compared to younger patients.On the long-term,it both reduces stroke and bleeding events,although to a lesser extent than in non-octogenarians.

Conditioned Medium from Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Promotes Proliferation,Migration,Invasion and Angiogenesis of Adipose Derived Stem Cells

Preeclampsia（PE） is a pregnancy-specific hypertensive complication,closely related to endothelial dysfunction.Adipose derived stem cells（ADSCs） have the capacity to differentiate into endothelial cells for vascular repair.Therefore,we hypothesized that induced endothelial differentiation of ADSCs might hold great potential for the treatment of PE.In this study,the primary ADSCs and human umbilical vein endothelial cells（HUVECs） were isolated by the collagenase digestion method.The supernatant of HUVECs was collected from the first generation of cells.Then,ADSCs were divided into two groups：ADSCs alone group and induced ADSCs（i ADSCs） group.In i ADSCs group,ADSCs were induced by HUVECs conditioned medium and ADSCs special culture medium at a ratio of 1：1 over a two-week period.In order to identify the endothelial characteristics of i ADSCs,CD31 and CD34 were examined by flow cytometry.The proliferation,migration,invasion and angiogenesis assays were employed to compare the bioactivity of i ADSCs and ADSCs.Furthermore,The levels of angiogenic related factors including vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGF） and placenta growth factor（Pl GF） were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting.Results showed conditioned medium from HUVECs promoted ADSCs proliferation,migration,invasion and angiogenesis.In addition,the levels of VEGF and Pl GF were significantly enhanced in i ADSCs group.This study uncovered the i ADSCs application potential in the therapy and intervention of PE.

Electrochemically activated nickel-cobalt double hydroxide for aqueous ammonium-zinc hybrid battery

Aqueous rechargeable ammonium-ion(NH^(4+))batteries(AAIBs)with ammonium ions as charge carriers possess many advantages,yet the relatively low discharge capacities(e.g.,<200 mAh·g^(−1))of the reported NH_(4)^(+)host materials hinder the development of AAIBs.Herein,we study the NH_(4)^(+)storage properties of an electrochemically activated NiCo double hydroxide(A-NiCo-DH)in neutral ammonium acetate electrolyte for the first time.The activation process extracts the interlayer anions(NO3from the host material,providing additional cation accommodation sites for charge storage.The introduced H vacancies in A-−)NiCo-DH could activate the O sites,leading to the enhanced cation adsorption capability for the electrode.Therefore,A-NiCo-DH exhibits a high discharge capacity of 280.6 mAh·g^(−1)at 0.72 A·g^(−1)with good rate capability.Spectroscopy studies suggest A-NiCo-DH experiences a NH4+/H+coinsertion mechanism.A NH4+-Zn hybrid cell is assembled using A-NiCo-DH as the cathode and Zn foil as the anode,respectively.The device delivers an energy density of 306 Wh·kg^(−1)at the power density of 745.8 W·kg^(−1)(based on the active mass of A-NiCo-DH).This work provides a new NH_(4)^(+)storage material and would push forward the development of aqueous NH4+-based batteries.

Morph-specific differences in metabolism related to flight in the wing-dimorphic Aphis gossypii

The cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, is a wing-dimorphic species, which causes globally important agricultural losses. In this present study, we compared the biochemical basis of wing polymorphism in A. gossypii with respect to trade-off of energy resources, including glycogen, trehalose, lipids （total lipid, triglyceride and phospholipid）, free fatty acids, and soluble protein between dispersal and reproduction morphs during the wing-bud nymph and adulthood. Total lipid, triglyceride and free fatty acids were significantly higher in winged versus wingless morphs at 12 h of adulthood, the period during which alates are able to fly. By contrast, the wingless morph contained more glycogen than the winged morph from the 4th nymphal stage to adulthood. Trehalose content in the wingless morph was also higher than that in the winged morph during the 3rd and 4th nymphal stages, but vice versa at 12 h of adulthood. Finally, soluble protein content increased from nymphs to adults and was higher during adulthood in aptera versus alate. Whole-body water content in 12-h adults was significantly higher in apterae than that in alatae. These results indicate significant physiological differences between morphs related to specialization for flight.

Association of anti-phospholipase A2 receptor antibody with the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (Shenqi particle) for patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy: a prospective, cohort clinical study

To the Editor:Membranous nephropathy(MN)is an autoimmune disease and accounts for the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults.In China,the incidence of MN is estimated at approximately 12/million per year,with a mean age between 50 and 60 years and a 2:1 male predominance.MN(29.1%)was the most common pathological disease in a 10-year renal biopsy analysis.[1]In 2019,the Kidney Diseases:Improving Global Outcomes(KDIGO)guidelines recognized anti-phospholipase A2 receptor(anti-PLA2R)autoantibodies as a valuable molecular risk factor for the pejorative evolution of kidney function and recommended monitoring them for the diagnosis and assessment of MN immune activity.Assessing circulating anti-PLA2R autoantibodies may help in monitoring disease activity and guiding personalized therapy in patients with primary MN.

Daily expression of two circadian clock genes in compound eyes of Helicoverpa armigera: evidence for peripheral tissue circadian timing

Circadian clock genes in peripheral tissues usually play an important role in regulating the circadian rhythms. Light is the most important environmental signal for synchronizing endogenous rhythms with the daily light-dark cycle, and compound eyes are known as the principal circadian photoreceptor for photic entrainment in most moths. However, there is little evidence for circadian timing in compound eyes. In the current study, we isolated the timeless gene, designated Ha-tim (GenBank accession number: KM233162), from the cotton bo 11 worm Helicoverpa armigera. Ha-tim and period (Haper) showed low messenger RNA levels in the compound eyes compared to the other tested adult organs. Ha-tim and Ha-per transcript levels were dependent on an endogenous rhythm that fluctuated over a daily cycle in the compound eyes and heads. The cycles of Hatim and Ha-per transcript levels followed similar time courses, and identical expression patterns of the two genes were observed in the compound eyes and heads. Ha-tim and Ha-per were dowregulated in the compound eyes after light exposure, copulation and starvation. These results indicated that Ha-tim and Ha-per transcript levels were regulated by endogenous and exogenous factors. Our study helped to improve our understanding of the circadian clock machinery in compound eyes and other peripheral tissues.

Impact of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis cotton on a non-target pest Tetranychus spp. in northern China

Field studies were carried out to evaluate the effect of two transgenic cotton varieties （SGK321 carrying CryIA ＋ CpTI and DP99B carrying CryIAc） and the conventional variety （shiyuan321-parental line of SGK321） on spider mites, Tetranychus spp. from 2002 to 2004. In 2002, this experiment included three treatments： Bt cotton field （SGK321） treated with acaricides against spider mites, untreated non-Bt cotton field （Shiyuan321）, and untreated Bt cotton field （SGK321）. In 2003-2004, there are four types of treatments after a new transgenic Bt cotton variety, DP99B （non-chemical control）, was added into the experiments. The results showed that there were no significant difference in densities of spider mites among Bt without acaricides and non-Bt without acaricides cotton fields, nor was there a significant difference in damage of spider mites to cotton among these treatments （P 〉 0.1）. However, there are significant differences （P 〈 0.05） in densities of spider mites and damage caused by spider mites between cotton fields with and without acaricides. Acaricide significantly reduced the densities of spider mites in Bt cotton （P 〈 0.05）. These results suggest that Bt cotton has no effect on spider mites populations. However, spider mites have the potential for severe damage in Bt cotton fields. Acaricides are essential tools in controlling cotton spider mites in northern China.

Application of Modified Cesarean Hysterectomy for Patients with Placenta Previa Complicated with Placenta Percreta

Objective::To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a modified cesarean hysterectomy(MCH)procedure in controlling hemorrhage in patients with placenta previa complicated with placenta percreta.Methods::A retrospective analysis was conducted on 23 patients with placenta previa complicated with placenta percreta from January 2016 to December 2018 in the Union Hospital.The patients’age ranged from 24 to 41 years,and had gestational durations of 32-38 weeks.Nine of them underwent MCH and 14 underwent conventional cesarean hysterectomy(CCH).In the MCH group,the bladder was not mobilized,deliberately.The uterus was excised horizontally above the tourniquet level.Placental tissue around the cervical os was cleaned thoroughly,and hemostatic suturing was performed under direct vision.In the CCH group,the uterus was removed gradually after programmed hemostasis and dissection of adhesions of the vesicouterine peritoneal fold and mobilization of the bladder.Results::There were no significant differences in general conditions between the two groups.The blood loss was significantly less in the MCH group(P<0.05).The operation time was also decreased dramatically and hospital stay(in days)was shorter than in the CCH group(P<0.05).There were no bladder or ureter injuries in the MCH group,compared with three cases in the CCH group.There were no statistically significant differences in neonatal birth weight,Apgar score,or intensive care unit admittance rates between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion::This MCH procedure reduced blood loss,avoided bladder injury,and had no long-term complications.It is a safe,rapid,and effective way to control fatal hemorrhage during surgery for women with placenta previa complicated with placenta percreta.

Challenges for Obstetricians and the Countermeasures of COVID-19 Epidemic

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan,China,as obstetricians,we also face great challenges.We need to identify pregnant patients with 2019 coronavirus disease infection timely,and give them appropriate treatment in order to obtain a good maternal and infant prognosis.Here,we would like to share a case and provide some suggestions on how to screen,diagnose and treat pregnant women with 2019 coronavirus disease infection during the outbreak.