Addressing social function in the treatment of depression:A call for holistic approaches

This article discusses the importance of addressing social functioning impairment in patients with residual depressive symptoms,as highlighted in the study by Liao et al.The authors showed that social dysfunction persists in many patients despite symptom remission.This observation calls for a shift in depression treatment strategies,with an emphasis on integrating social functioning as a key treatment goal.This article suggests targeted interventions that focus on both symptomatic relief and the restoration of social function.

Isletβ-cell function preservation by different anti-diabetic treatments in Chinese elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND The preservation of isletβ-cell function in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is a top priority for diabetic control.AIM To assess the preservation of isletβ-cell function among elderly Chinese patients with T2DM after different anti-diabetic treatments.METHODS In this longitudinal observational study,elderly patients with T2DM treated with insulin,oral antidiabetic drugs or a combination of both were enrolled to disclose their isletβ-cell function between baseline and follow-up.Isletβ-cell function was determined by the plasma Homeostasis Model forβ-cell function(HOMA-β),Cpeptide and area under the curve(AUC)based on oral glucose tolerance test.Changes inβ-cell function(decrement or increment from baseline)between different therapy groups were the outcomes.RESULTS In total,745 elderly patients(≥60 years)with T2DM[insulin monotherapy,n=105;oral anti-diabetic drugs(OAD)monotherapy,n=321;insulin plus OAD,n=319]had their baseline and follow-upβ-cell function assessed during a median observation period of 4.5 years(range,3.0-7.2 years).Overall,isletβ-cell function(HOMA-β,fasting Cpeptide,fasting insulin,AUCc-pep,AUCins,AUCc-pep/AUCglu,AUCins/AUCglu)consistently deteriorated over time regardless of the three different antidiabetic treatments.No statistical differences in decrement were observed among the three groups regarding the isletβ-cell function indices.All three groups showed an increased ratio of delayed insulin secretion response after 4.5 years of observation.CONCLUSION In Chinese elderly patients with T2DM,isletβ-cell function progressively declines regardless of insulin supplement or insulin plus OAD treatments.

PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION OF NEAR-WALL TURBULENT VELOCITY FLUCTUATIONS

By large eddy simulation （LES）, turbulent databases of channel flows at different Reynolds numbers were established. Then, the probability distribution functions of the streamwise and wall-normal velocity fluctuations were obtained and compared with the corresponding normal distributions. By hypothesis test, the deviation from the normal distribution was analyzed quantitatively. The skewness and flatness factors were also calculated. And the variations of these two factors in the viscous sublayer, buffer layer and log-law layer were discussed. Still illustrated were the relations between the probability distribution functions and the burst events-sweep of high-speed fluids and ejection of low-speed fluidsIin the viscous sub-layer, buffer layer and loglaw layer. Finally the variations of the probability distribution functions with Reynolds number were examined.

Benefit in physical function and quality of life to nonsurgical treatment of varicose veins: Pilot study

BACKGROUND Studies on varicose veins have focused its effects on physical function;however,whether nonsurgical treatments alter muscle oxygenation or physical function remains unclear.Moreover,the differences in such functions between individuals with varicose veins and healthy individuals remain unclear.AIM To investigate changes in physical function and the quality of life(QOL)following nonsurgical treatment of patients with varicose veins and determine the changes in their muscle oxygenation during activity.METHODS We enrolled 37 participants(those with varicose veins,n=17;healthy individuals,n=20).We performed the following measurements pre-and post-nonsurgical treatment in the varicose vein patients and healthy individuals:Calf muscle oxygenation during the two-minute step test,open eyes one-leg stance,30 s sit-to-stand test,visual analog scale(VAS)for pain,Pittsburgh sleep quality index,physical activity assessment,and QOL assessment.RESULTS Varicose veins patients and healthy individuals differ in most variables(physical function,sleep quality,and QOL).Varicose veins patients showed significant differences between pre-and post-nonsurgical treatment—results in the 30 sit-to-stand test[14.41(2.45)to 16.35(4.11),P=0.018],two-minute step test[162.29(25.98)to 170.65(23.80),P=0.037],VAS for pain[5.35(1.90)to 3.88(1.73),P=0.004],and QOL[39.34(19.98)to 26.69(17.02),P=0.005];however,no significant difference was observed for muscle oxygenation.CONCLUSION Nonsurgical treatment improved lower extremity function and QOL in varicose veins patients,bringing their condition close to that of healthy individuals.Future studies should include patients with severe varicose veins requiring surgery to confirm our findings.

Drug treatment of functional dyspepsia

Symptomatic improvement of patients with functional dyspepsia after drug therapy is often incomplete and obtained in not more than 60% of patients. This is likely because functional dyspepsia is a heterogeneous disease. Although great advance has been achieved with the consensus definitions of the Rome I and II criteria, there are still some aspects about the definition of functional dyspepsia that require clarification. The Rome criteria explicitly recognise that epigastric pain or discomfort must be the predominant complaint in patients labelled as suffering from functional dyspepsia. However, this strict definition can create problems in the daily primary care clinical practice, where the patient with functional dyspepsia presents with multiple symptoms. Before starting drug therapy it is recommended to provide the patient with an explanation of the disease process and reassurance. A thorough physical examination and judicious use of laboratory data and endoscopy are also indicated. In general, the approach to treat patients with functional dyspepsia based on their main symptom is practical and effective. Generally, patients should be treated with acid suppressive therapy using proton-pump inhibitors if the predominant symptoms are epigastric pain or gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. Although the role of Helicobacter pylori （H pylon） in functional dyspepsia continues to be a matter of debate, recent data indicate that there is modest but clear benefit of eradication of H pylori in patients with functional dyspepsia. In addition, H pylori is a gastric carcinogen and if found it should be eliminated. Although there are no specific diets for patients with FD, it may be helpful to guide the patients on healthy exercise and eating habits.

Comparison of surgical intervention with functional treatment for acute ruptures of lateral ankle ligmant:a meta-analysis

Objective:To compare the effect of surgical intervention on functional treatment.Methods: By searching the MEDLINE(1966 to October 2011),EMBASE(1980 to October 2011),the Chinese Biomedical Database Databases(1980 to October 2011),a total of 9 related RCT studies comparing surgical intervention with functional treatment were included in our study.RevMan software was taken to analyze the data.Results:These 9 studies Involved a total of 1 268 mostly young adults,including 580 patients with surgical treatment and 688 patients with functional treatment.The results showed the stability of ankle activity in surgical treatment group was better than that in functional treatment group,with the OR and 95%CI of 0.72(0.52-0.99).No significant difference was found in the recurrence of the surgical and functional group.However, the movement disorder in the surgical treatment suggested increased risk than that in functional group,with the OR and 95%CI of 2 39(0.98-5.85).Surgical group found more complication than the function group,such as deep vein thrombosis,deep venous thrombosis,tenderness of scar and sensory loss.Conclusions:In conclusion,our finding showed that surgical treatment could gain better efficacy than functional treatment,but may bring more complication.Therefore,further large sample size RCT is warranted.

Effect of low-level laser therapy on tooth-related pain and somatosensory function evoked by orthodontic treatment

Low-level laser therapy(LLLT) may have an effect on the pain associated with orthodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of LLLT on pain and somatosensory sensitization induced by orthodontic treatment. Forty individuals(12–33 years old; mean ± standard deviations: 20.8 ± 5.9 years) scheduled to receive orthodontic treatment were randomly divided into a laser group(LG) or a placebo group(PG)(1:1). The LG received LLLT(810-nm gallium-aluminium-arsenic diode laser in continuous mode with the power set at 400 mW, 2 J·cm–2) at 0 h, 2 h, 24 h, 4 d, and 7 d after treatment, and the PG received inactive treatment at the same time points. In both groups, the non-treated side served as a control. A numerical rating scale(NRS) of pain, pressure pain thresholds(PPTs), cold detection thresholds(CDTs), warmth detection thresholds(WDTs), cold pain thresholds(CPTs), and heat pain thresholds(HPTs) were tested on both sides at the gingiva and canine tooth and on the hand. The data were analysed by a repeated measures analysis of variance(ANOVA). The NRS pain scores were significantly lower in the LG group(P = 0.01). The CDTs,CPTs, WDTs, HPTs, and PPTs at the gingiva and the PPTs at the canine tooth were significantly less sensitive on the treatment side of the LG compared with that of the PG(P < 0.033). The parameters tested also showed significantly less sensitivity on the nontreatment side of the LG compared to that of the PG(P < 0.043). There were no differences between the groups for any quantitative sensory testing(QST) measures of the hand. The application of LLLT appears to reduce the pain and sensitivity of the tooth and gingiva associated with orthodontic treatment and may have contralateral effects within the trigeminal system but no generalized QST effects. Thus, the present study indicated a significant analgesia effect of LLLT application during orthodontic treatment.Further clinical applications are suggested.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate treatment to promote neuroprotection and functional recovery after nervous system injury

Traumatic spinal cord injury （SCI） causes motor paralysis, sensory anesthesia and autonomic dysfunction below the le- sion site and additionally some SCI patients refer neuropathic pain together with these signs and symptoms. Clinical and experimental studies have revealed the main pathological changes of injured spinal cord implicated in all these signs and symptoms, including neuropathic pain. After few hours of traumatic SCI, it is usual to observe broken blood brain barrier with plasma and blood cells extravasation, cell necrosis, disruption of ascending and descending spinal cord pathways and increased potassium and glutamate. Glutamate contributes to excitotoxicity of neurons whereas potassium facilitates ectopic depolarization of survival neurons and activation of resident microglia.

Treatment of Functional Retrograde Ejaculation with Acupuncture and TCM Herbal Drugs

Acupuncture at the Taichong (LR 3), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Ciliao (BL 32) points combined with TCM drugs for soothing the liver, replenishing the kidney, freeing the seminal passage, and eliminating the stasis showed effective for functional retrograde ejaculation in 25 cases. The total effective rate of 68.0% was significantly better than imipramine used in the control group (P<0.05).

Congenital Cataract: Progress in Surgical Treatment and Postoperative Recoveryof Visual Function

Congenital cataract is a common cause of childhood low vision or blindness worldwide..Early surgery should be performed in sensitive vision development period to avoid vision deprivation in cases of strabismus and nystagmus development. Postoperative recovery of visual function is of great significance for these patients and should include proper postoperative aphakia correction by the application of a contact lens and secondary implantation of an intraocular lens(IOL). Patients should receive amblyopic training after surgery to improve their postoperative visual acuity..Although recent advances in surgery techniques and materials have brought better postoperative visual acuity and less complications, a few postoperative complications can still hamper vision condition and vision development,.including posterior capsule opacification and secondary glaucoma. Surgery in early infancy are risk factors for these two complications..Life-long follow-up is essential for these patients..Further study will continue to address the surgery timing issue and methods that prevent postoperative complications.

Treatment assessment of radiotherapy using MR functional quantitative imaging

Recent developments in magnetic resonance(MR) functional quantitative imaging have made it a potentially powerful tool to assess treatment response in radiation therapy. With its abilities to capture functional information on underlying tissue characteristics, MR functional quantitative imaging can be valuable in assessing treatment response and as such to optimize therapeutic outcome. Various MR quantitative imaging techniques, including diffusion weighted imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, MR spectroscopy and dynamic contrastenhanced imaging, have been investigated and found useful for assessment of radiotherapy. However, various aspects including data reproducibility, interpretation of biomarkers, image quality and data analysis impose challenges on applications of MR functional quantitative imaging in radiotherapy assessment. All of these challenging issues shall be addressed to help us understand whether MR functional quantitative imaging is truly beneficial and contributes to future development of radiotherapy. It is evident that individualized therapy is the future direction of patient care. MR functional quantitative imaging might serves as an indispensable tool towards this promising direction.

Function of macrophage-derived exosomes in chronic liver disease:From pathogenesis to treatment

Chronic liver disease(CLD)imposes a heavy burden on millions of people worldwide.Despite substantial research on the pathogenesis of CLD disorders,no optimal treatment is currently available for some diseases,such as liver cancer.Exosomes,which are extracellular vesicles,are composed of various cellular components.Exosomes have unique functions in maintaining cellular homeostasis and regulating cell communication,which are associated with the occurrence of disease.Furthermore,they have application potential in diagnosis and treatment by carrying diverse curative payloads.Hepatic macrophages,which are key innate immune cells,show extraordinary heterogeneity and polarization.Hence,macrophage-derived exosomes may play a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of various liver diseases.This review focuses on the effects of macrophage-derived exosomes on liver disease etiology and their therapeutic potential,which will provide new insights into alleviating the global pressure of CLD.

Effect of non-pharmacological treatment on the full recovery of social functioning in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

BACKGROUND Long-term treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)is associated with adverse events,such as nausea and vomiting,dizziness,and sleep disturbances,and poor maintenance of late ADHD medication compromises treatment outcomes and prolongs the recovery of patients’social functioning.AIM To evaluate the effect of non-pharmacological treatment on the full recovery of social functioning in patients with ADHD.METHODS A total of 90 patients diagnosed with ADHD between May 2019 and August 2020 were included in the study and randomly assigned to either the pharmacological group(methylphenidate hydrochloride and tomoxetine hydrochloride)or the non-pharmacological group(parental training,behavior modification,sensory integration therapy,and sand tray therapy),with 45 cases in each group.Outcome measures included treatment compliance,Swanson,Nolan,and Pelham,Version IV(SNAP-IV)scores,Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire(PSQ)scores,and Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale(WFIRS)scores.RESULTS The non-pharmacological interventions resulted in significantly higher compliance in patients(95.56%)compared with medication(71.11%)(P<0.05).However,no significant differences in SNAP-IV and PSQ scores,in addition to the learning/school,social activities,and adventure activities of the WFIRS scores were observed between the two groups(P>0.05).Patients with non-pharmacological interventions showed higher WFIRS scores for family,daily life skills,and self-concept than those in the pharmacological group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Non-pharmacological interventions,in contrast to the potential risks of adverse events after longterm medication,improve patient treatment compliance,alleviate patients’behavioral symptoms of attention,impulsivity,and hyperactivity,and improve their cognitive ability,thereby improving family relationships and patient self-evaluation.

Treatment outcome,cognitive function,and psychopathology in methamphetamine users compared to other substance users

BACKGROUND The rising number of people using methamphetamine leads to an increasing need for treatment options for this patient group.Evidence-based research on the efficacy of treatment programs for methamphetamine users is limited.Due to specific characteristics of methamphetamine users,the question arises whether established treatment methods for individuals using other substances can be effective for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence as well.We hypothesize that there are significant differences between the two groups that may affect the effectiveness of treatment and worsen the prognosis of treatment outcomes for methamphetamine users compared to consumers of other substances.AIM To investigate potential differences in cognitive functioning and psychopathology between methamphetamine users and other substance users and possible correlations with treatment outcomes.METHODS A total of 110 subjects were recruited for an observational,longitudinal study from a German inpatient addiction treatment center:55 patients with methamphetamine dependence and 55 patients with dependence of other substances(“OS group”).Both groups were examined at beginning(baseline)and end of treatment(after 6 mo)with regard to treatment retention,craving,cognitive functioning,psychosocial resources,personality traits,depression,and other psychiatric symptoms.Instruments used were Raven’s IQ test,Mannheimer craving scale,cognitrone cognitive test battery,NEO personality factors inventory,Hamilton depression scale,Becks depression inventory,and a symptom checklist.The statistical methods used were χ^(2)-test,t-test and multiple mixed ANOVAs.RESULTS A total drop-out rate of 40%(methamphetamine-group:36.4%;OS-group:43.6%)was observed without significant differences between groups.At baseline,methamphetamine-group subjects significantly differed from OS-group individuals in terms of a lower intelligence quotient,fewer years of education,slower working speed,and decreased working accuracy,as well as less cannabinoid and cocaine use.Methamphetamine-group subjects further showed a significantly lower score of conscientiousness,depressive,and psychiatric symptoms than subjects from the OSgroup.In both groups,a reduction of craving and depressive symptoms and an improvement of working speed and working accuracy was noted after treatment.CONCLUSION There are differences between methamphetamine users and users of other drugs,but not with regard to the effectiveness of treatment in this inpatient setting.There are differences in cognitive function and psychopathology between methamphetamine and other drugs users.The existing treatment options seem to be an effective approach in treating methamphetamine dependence.

Mechanism of Neurophysiological Treatment of Amblyopia Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Purpose: To research the mechanism of neurophysiological treatment of amblyopia by observing the visual cortex activation under rotating grating stimulus with functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and identify the components of the activation. Methods: Nine healthy volunteers were examined using gradient-recalled echo and echo-planar imaging (GRE-EPI) pulse sequence performed at the 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner. In the block designing, rotating grating, stationary grating and luminance were plotted as task states, stationary grating, luminance and darkness as control states, respectively. The tasks of stimuli included 6 steps. Imaging processing and statistical analysis were carried out off-line using statistical parametric mapping (SPM99) software in single-subject. Results: Some individual areas of visual cortex were activated by various stimuli information supplied by rotating grating. The strong activation in the middle of occipital lobe related to the stimuli of luminance, bilateral activation of Brodmann’s 19th area related to visual motion perception, and the mild activation in the middle of occipital lobe related to form perception. Conclusion: The plotting of control state is important in bock design. The effective visual information of rotating grating includes components of luminance, visual motion perception and form perception. Functional MRI has potential as a tool for studying the physiological mechanism of visual cortex.

Application of the thought of "simultaneous treatment of medicine and food" in the treatment of intractable functional constipation

Intractable functional constipation is a type of constipation which is difficult to cure,which is usually characterized by persistent constipation,dependence on laxative and/or ineffective treatment of laxative.In recent years,with the change of diet structure,accelerated pace of life and the influence of socio-psychological factors,the incidence rate has increased year by year,seriously affecting the quality of life of patients.Professor Yao Shukun has remarkable clinical effect and experience in the treatment of intractable functional constipation.Professor Yao believes that,combined with the changes of people's diet structure,life style and physique,the main TCM syndrome type of clinical stubborn functional constipation is dampness-heat and blood stasis,and the main treatment should be clearing heat and resolving dampness,regulating qi and removing blood stasis;and we should pay attention to the application of the idea of"Simultaneous Treatment of Medicine and Food"in the process of diagnosis and treatment,and educate patients to change their diet structure in order to fundamentally dispel the etiology.

Effect of continuous nursing on treatment compliance and side effect management of coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND There are relatively few studies on continuing care of coronary heart disease(CHD),and its research value needs to be further clarified.AIM To investigate the effect of continuous nursing on treatment compliance and side effect management in patients with CHD.METHODS This is a retrospective study with patients from January 2021 to 2023.The study was divided into two groups with 30 participants in each group.Self-rating anxiety scale(SAS)and Self-rating depression scale(SDS)were used to assess patients'anxiety and depression,and medical coping questionnaire was used to assess patients'coping styles.The pelvic floor dysfunction questionnaire(PFDI-20)was used to assess the status of pelvic floor function,including bladder symptoms,intestinal symptoms,and pelvic symptoms.RESULTS SAS score decreased from 57.33±3.01before treatment to 41.33±3.42 after treatment,SDS score decreased from 50.40±1.45 to 39.47±1.57.The decrease of these two indexes was statistically significant(P<0.05).PFDI-20 scores decreased from the mean 16.83±1.72 before treatment to 10.47±1.3the mean after treatment,which was statistically significant(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The results of this study indicate that pioneering research in continuous care of CHD has a positive impact on improving patients'treatment compliance,reducing anxiety and depression levels,and improving coping styles and pelvic floor functional status.

Effects of surgical treatment modalities on postoperative cognitive function and delirium in elderly patients with extremely unstable hip fractures

BACKGROUND As the perioperative risk of elderly patients with extremely unstable hip fractures(EUHFs)is relatively high and therapeutic effect is not satisfactory,new therapeutic strategies need to be proposed urgently to improve the efficacy and clinical outcomes of such patients.AIM To determine the influence of two surgical treatment modalities on postoperative cognitive function(CF)and delirium in elderly patients with EUHFs.METHODS A total of 60 elderly patients consecutively diagnosed with EUHF between September 2020 and January 2022 in the Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital were included.Of them,30 patients received conventional treatment(control group;general consultation+fracture type-guided internal fixation),and the other 30 received novel treatment(research group;perioperative multidisciplinary treatment diagnosis and treatment+individualized surgical plan+risk prediction).Information on hip function[Harris hip score(HHS)],perioperative risk of orthopedic surgery[Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the Enumeration of Mortality and Morbidity(POSSUM)],CF[Montreal cognitive assessment scale(MoCA)],postoperative delirium[mini-cognitive(Mini-Cog)],adverse events(AEs;internal fixation failure,infection,nonunion,malunion,and postoperative delirium),and clinical indicators[operation time(OT),postoperative hospital length of stay(HLOS),ambulation time,and intraoperative blood loss(IBL)]were collected from both groups for comparative analyses.RESULTS The HHS scores were similar between both groups.The POSSUM score at 6 mo after surgery was significantly lower in the research group compared with the control group,and MoCA and Mini-Cog scores were statistically higher.In addition,the overall postoperative complication rate was significantly lower in the research than in the control group,including reduced OT,postoperative HLOS,ambulation time,and IBL.CONCLUSION The new treatment modality has more clinical advantages over the conventional treatment,such as less IBL,faster functional recovery,more effectively optimized perioperative quality control,improved postoperative CF,mitigated postoperative delirium,and reduced operation-related AEs.

Clinical Effect of Comprehensive Rehabilitation Treatment for Deep Burns in Different Functional Joint Areas

Objective:To analyse the clinical effect of comprehensive rehabilitation therapy in patients with deep burns at different functional joint areas.Methods:Eighty-one patients with deep burns with different functional joint areas from April 2018 to April 2019 were divided into the conventional and rehabilitation groupings.The conventional group(n=40)received routine treatment and rehabilitation while the rehabilitation group(n=41)was given comprehensive rehabilitation treatment.Thereafter,the recovery of joint function in patients with deep burns in different areas,the combined value of clinical long-term treatment,the recovery of joint function and the score of daily living ability were calculated.Results:The total long-term effective rate of treatment,the recovery of the joint function,and the score of daily living ability of the patients with deep burns in the rehabilitation group were more favourable than those of the conventional group as demonstrated by P<0.05,the index data indicating statistical significance.Conclusion:Comprehensive rehabilitation therapy can reduce complications and improve the quality of life in patients with deep burns in different functional joint areas.