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【Objective】 The involvement of upper motor neuron (UMN) degeneration is crucial to the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This study aimed to determine objective and sensitive UMN degeneration markers for an accurate and early diagnosis. 【Methods】 A total of 108 ALS patients and 90 age- and gender-matched control subjects were recruited from ALS Clinic of The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University. The motor homunculus cortex thickness data in MRI were collected from all the participants. The clinical characteristics and UMN clinical examination of bulbar, cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral regions were collected from the ALS patients. 【Results】 Cortical thickness was significantly thinner in the ALS group than in the control group in bilateral head-face-bulbar and upper-limb areas (P<0.05). The cortical thickness of the global UMN positive group was significantly thinner than that of control groups in bilateral head-face-bulbar and upper-limb areas (P<0.05). The cortical thickness of the UMN positive group in the corresponding region was significantly thinner than that of control groups in bilateral head-face-bulbar and upper-limb areas (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 The thinning of the motor homunculus cortex can be used as an objective marker of UMN involvement in ALS patients in clinical practice.
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【Objective】 To investigate changes in thalamus structure and function and their associations with cognitive impairment in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). 【Methods】 3D high-resolution structural imaging and resting-state fMRI were applied in 78 ALS patients and 49 healthy volunteers. The shape of the thalamus was assessed using a vortex analysis and functional connectivity between the thalamus subregion and cortex was evaluated by a seed-based correlation analysis. Partial correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between focal thalamus alterations and clinical assessments. 【Results】 Compared with the control group, vertex analysis showed significant atrophy in the prefrontal and temporal subregions of bilateral thalamus in the ALS group. Patients exhibited increased functional connectivity of motor-sensory ROI with the right motor cortex, of temporal ROI with the bilateral lateral occipital cortex, precuneus and right temporal subregion. In contrast, decreased function connectivity was found mainly between temporal ROI and paracingulate gyrus, left dorsomedial prefrontal lobe and left caudate. Partial correlation analysis showed that the functional connectivity of the precuneus, paracingulate cortex, left caudate nucleus and left prefrontal lobe was correlated with multiple cognitive performances. 【Conclusion】 Selective damage of thalamic structure and function in ALS plays an important role in cognitive and behavioral disorders.
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【Objective】 To investigate cortical thickness changes in the face-head region of the primary motor cortex (PMC) and its effect on survival in amyotrophy lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. 【Methods】 A retrospective analysis was performed on 105 ALS patients who underwent head MRI scan at the same time. The A4hf (face-head) region of PMC was used as the region of interest (ROI). According to clinical symptoms, patients were divided into two groups: bulbar involvement and non-bulbar involvement. The differences of clinical features and cortical thickness in ROI were analyzed. According to the symptoms of bulbar palsy, physical examination of nervous system and EMG of tongue muscle, the patients with bulbar palsy were divided into lower motor neuron (LMN), upper motor neuron (UMN) and LMN+UMN groups. The differences of bulbar subgroup score and ROI of cortical thickness were analyzed. Age at onset, body mass index, delayed time of diagnosis, bulbar subgroup score, and ROI cortical thickness were included in survival analysis. 【Results】 ① The ROI cortical thickness was significantly lower in bulbar involvement group than non-bulbar involvement group (-0.198±0.87 vs. 0.235±0.95, P=0.017). ② There were no significant differences in the bulbar subgroup scores or cortical thickness of ROI between LMN, UMN and LMN+UMN groups (P>0.05). ③ Survival analysis showed age of onset (HR=3.296, 95% CI:1.63-6.664, P=0.001), delayed time of diagnosis (HR=0.361, 95% CI:0.184-0.705, P=0.003), bulbar subgroup score (HR 0.389, 95% CI:0.174-0.868, P=0.021), and ZRE_ROI cortical thickness (HR=2.309, 95% CI:1.046-5.096, P=0.038) were independent influencing factors of ALS survival. 【Conclusion】 Cortical thickness in A4hf (face-head) region can more objectively reflect UMN signs of region bulbar. In addition to age of onset and delayed time of diagnosis, bulbar subgroup score and cortical thickness of face-head region are also independent influencing factors, and cortical thinning in face-head region is a protective factor for survival of ALS patients.
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【Objective】 To explore the characteristics of white matter degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with different onset and spreading patterns by using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). 【Methods】 We enrolled 86 ALS patients and 44 healthy controls. The patients were divided into bulbar- and spinal-onset subgroups according to their onset site, as well as horizon, vertical, interpose/skip, and caudal-rostral subgroups based on the spreading direction of the involved regions. The white matter fiber tracts corresponding to the motor network were set as the region of interest. We used tract-based spatial statistics to evaluate differences between the above groups and the normal controls, with family-wise error (FWE) correction and P<0.05 as statistical significance. 【Results】 The white matter degeneration of ALS patients with bulbar onset was mainly limited to the corona radiation part of the corticospinal tract, while those with spinal onset showed extensive degeneration of corticospinal tract and corpus callosum Ⅲ area (FWE correction, P<0.05). In patients with horizontal and vertical dissemination, decreased integrity of the entire corticospinal tract was found, with patients in the latter group showed extra degeneration in the Ⅲ part of the corpus callosum. Restricted degeneration of the corticospinal tract within bilateral corona radiata was detected in patients with caudal-rostral and interposed/skip spreading pattens (FWE correction, P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Different onset and disease spread patterns of ALS patients correspond to divergent brain degeneration patterns. The diagnosis, treatment, and management of ALS should fully consider the heterogeneity of the disease.
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【Objective】 To explore the factors affecting Babinski sign in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). 【Methods】 We enrolled 262 patients diagnosed with ALS with adequate data in Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from 2015 to 2020. The relationship between the clinical characteristics of patients with positive and negative Babinski sign was analyzed for both sides, respectively. Furthermore, for patients with left or right lower limb weakness complaint, the relationship between Babinski sign and the lower limb involvement characteristics was analyzed. 【Results】 Positive Babinski sign was positively correlated with higher diagnostic category (left correlation coefficient 0.297, P<0.001; right correlation coefficient 0.292, P<0.001). Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) score was lower in patients with positive Babinski sign (left P=0.001, right P=0.001); the proportion of complaints of ipsilateral lower limb weakness was higher (left P=0.008, right P=0.038); the positive rate of ipsilateral upper limb Hoffmann sign was higher (left P=0.004, right P=0.002). In patients with complaints of lower limb weakness, positive Babinski sign was positively correlated with better foot dorsiflexor muscle strength (left correlation coefficient 0.207, P=0.021; right correlation coefficient 0.264, P=0.003), and the proportion of ipsilateral tibialis anterior atrophy was lower in positive Babinski sign group (left P<0.001, right P=0.008); the ratio of ipsilateral common peroneal nerve compound muscle action potential (CMAP)/tibial nerve CMAP was different in positive Babinski sign and negative groups (left P=0.008, right P=0.015), which were positively correlated (left correlation coefficient 0.246, P=0.007; right correlation coefficient 0.223, P=0.015). 【Conclusion】 Patients with positive Babinski sign usually have a higher diagnostic category and more extensive clinical involvement. In ALS patients with complaints of lower limb weakness, Babinski sign is more likely to be elicited when the degree of weakness and atrophy of the anterior calf muscles is relatively low.
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Objective:To compare the social support levels as understood by family doctor team members in township hospitals/community health centers, and village clinics/community clinics, and their influencing factors, in order to provide reference for improving the work status of family doctor team members and enhancing the quality of family doctors′ contracted services.Methods:A multi-stage random cluster sampling method was used to sample medical workers from contracted family doctor teams in township hospitals/community health centers and their subordinate village clinics/community clinics in 6 counties (cities, districts) of Tai′an city, Shandong province. In August 2020, a questionnaire survey was conducted on the perceived level of social support among family doctor team members using the perceived social support scale. Descriptive analysis was conducted on the data, and independent sample t-tests and one-way ANOVA were used to conduct univariate analysis on the influencing factors of perceived social support scores of family doctor team members at different levels, while multiple linear regression analysis was used to conduct multivariate analysis. Results:A total of 765 valid questionnaires were collected, with 203 and 562 from township hospitals/community health centers and village clinics/community clinics, respectively. The total perceived social support scores of family doctor team members in township hospitals/community health centers and village clinics/community clinics were (65.56±10.29) and (67.31±10.14), respectively, featuring statistically significant differences ( t=-2.11, P<0.05). In-mirage marital status ( β=0.18, P=0.008), good/very good self-rated health status ( β= 0.25, P=0.048), participation of work-related training within one year ( β=0.17, P=0.010), relatively satisfied/very satisfied for job promotion ( β= 0.17, P=0.046), as well as above/far above average self-rated economic status as ( β=-0.15, P=0.027), were the influencing factor on the perceived social support scores of family doctor team members in township hospitals/community health centers. In-marriage marital status ( β= 0.12, P=0.002), good/very good self-rated health status ( β=0.14, P=0.026), junior or intermediate level or above professional title ( β=-0.11, P=0.003; β=-0.10, P=0.006), participation of work-related training within one year ( β= 0.14, P<0.001), and relatively satisfied/very satisfied for job promotion ( β= 0.16, P<0.001) were the influencing factors on the perceived social support scores of family doctor team members in village clinics/community clinics. Conclusions:Members of the family doctor teams in primary medical institutions in Tai′an city had a higher level of understanding of social support. There were differences in the social support levels of family doctor team members between the two levels of primary medical and health care institutions, and the influencing factors were not completely consistent. Targeted measures should be taken based on specific circumstances to enable them to better receive and perceive support from family and friends, and to improve the quality of family doctors′ contracted services.
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Objective:To evaluate changes of large-scale motor and cognition related networks′ function in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and their relationship with corresponding clinical symptoms using independent component analysis combined with dual regression.Methods:Forty-six ALS patients (ALS group) who were treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University from January 2014 to June 2016 were prospectively collected, and 40 gender- and age-matched normal controls (control group) were recruited. All the participants completed the motor and multi-dimensional cognitive function evaluation[including Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCa), Semantic Fluency (SVF), Phonological Fluency (PVF), Digital Span Forward (DS_F), Digital Span backward (DS_B), frontal assessment battery (FAB), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) for classification accuracy, classification error, persistent response classification, persistent error response classification, non-persistent error classification and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA)]. The resting-state MRI data of all subjects were collected, and independent component analysis was carried out with multivariate interpretation linear optimization independent component decomposition. Dual regression analysis was performed to compare network differences between groups based on voxel level in sensorimotor network (SMN), default mode network (DMN) and frontal-parietal control network (FPCN). Multivariate covariance analysis was used to evaluate the differences of different cognitive function indexes between ALS group and normal control group, the comparison of brain network differences between the two groups was performed by nonparametric permutation test, corrected by family-wise error (FWE), P<0.008 as the statistical threshold; partial correlation and multiple linear regression were used to evaluate the relationship between changes in functional connectivity of different brain regions and cognitive functions. Results:The scores of MMSE, MoCa, SVF, PVF, DS_B, and classification accuracy were lower, while the number of error classifications, the non-persistent error classifications, HAMD and HAMA scores were higher in patients with ALS group than those in control group ( P<0.05). After adjusting for gender and age, there was no significant difference in the SMN between ALS group and control group (FWE correction, P>0.008). Compared with control group, patients with ALS showed increased functional connectivity in the left ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) of the DMN, and decreased functional connectivity in the right anterior cingulate gyrus (ACC), the right posterior cingulate gyrus, the left inferior parietal lobule and the left inferior temporal gyrus of the FPCN (FWE correction, P<0.008). Increased functional connectivity of the vmPFC in ALS patients was negatively correlated with MoCa score ( r=-0.565, P<0.001), FAB score ( r=-0.373, P=0.015) and the classification accuracy of WCST ( r=-0.478, P=0.002), SVF ( r=-0.458, P=0.002) scores, and was positively correlated with the number of error classifications and HAMA scores ( r=0.416, P=0.007; r=0.388, P=0.011). Decreased functional connectivity were detected in multiple brain regions of FPCN, and the functional connectivity of the ACC was positively correlated with the DS_F ( r=0.341, P=0.027) and MMSE ( r=0.351, P=0.023). The effect of increased vmPFC functional connectivity accounted for 49.6% changes on MoCa score; 35.2% and 34.2% for FAB and HAMA respectively. While the impact of increased functional connectivity in the vmPFC was less than 30% on classification accuracy, classification error of WCST and SVF. The reduced functional connectivity in the ACC accounted for 37.7% impact on the DS_F score. Conclusions:Large-scale brain network changes are dominated by the frontotemporal core brain regions in ALS patients. DMN and FPCN network changes are closely related to the clinical cognitive performance of ALS patients.
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Objective:To observe the utility of event-related potential P300 in diagnosing post-stroke cognitive impairment.Methods:Forty-nine stroke survivors at high risk of cognitive impairment formed the observation group, while 54 healthy volunteers were the control group. General clinical data and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) scores were compiled for all of the subjects, and the two groups′ P300 latencies, amplitudes and mean reaction times (MRTs) were compared. A total MoCA score <26 (corrected for education level) was taken as the diagnostic criterion for cognitive impairment. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was employed to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of P300 for post-stroke cognitive impairment and determine the diagnostic cutoff.Results:(1) The average MoCA score, P300 latency and P300 MRT of the observation group were all significantly different from the control group′s averages. There was, however, no significant difference between the two groups′ median P300 amplitudes. (2) According to the ROC curve analysis, the diagnostic limit of P300 latency was 376.50ms. With the area under the curve 0.795, sensitivity was 70.8% and specificity was 78.9%. The diagnosis cut-off value of P300 MRT was 423.35ms, with the area under the curve 0.695, giving a sensitivity of 80.0% and a specificity of 52.6%.Conclusions:Event-related potential P300 has useful efficacy in diagnosing post-stroke cognitive impairment.
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Objective:To explore the aging care willingness and requirements for long-term care services among elderlies with different activity of living(ADL).Methods:7 070 elderlies aged 60 years and above were subject to a questionnaire survey using stratified multistage random cluster sampling in three municipalities of Shandong province from August through September, 2017. Data information was obtained by a customized questionnaire and ADL scale. Rank sum test and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.Results:According to the ADL scoring, the participants were divided into 3 groups: normal, decreased function, and dysfunction, with 5 467(77.3%), 1 283(18.2%), and 320(4.5%)people respectively. Elderlies with different ADL had different aging care willingness, and the difference was statistically significant( Z=8.704, P<0.05). The factors influencing long-term care services need varied with the degree of ADL. The willingness was a common factor for long-term care services needs of the three elderly groups. The age and living arrangements were factors among the normal ADL group. The living arrangements and chronic diseases were those among the decreased function group, and the education and self-rated economic status were those among the dysfunction group. Conclusions:The demand for long-term care service were diversified with the degree of ADL. Targeted interventions should be taken to meet the needs of elderlies of different ADL.
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Objective: To explore the effect of bulbar involvement time on survival time of patients with spinal-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods: We followed up 168 patients with spinal-onset ALS admitted to our hospital from January 2, 2011 to December 31, 2017 until December 31, 2018. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the affecting factors of the ALS patients' survival time. Kaplan-Meier analysis was made to evaluate the effects of bulbar involvement time on survival time. Results: COX multivariate analysis showed that the risk of death in age-onset <55 y patients was 0.72 times that in age-onset ≥55 y (P=0.09), the risk of death in diagnosis delay time <10.98 m patients was 2.64 times that ≥10.98 m (P<0.001); the risk of death in bulbar involvement time ≥11.5 m and bulbar uninvolvement was 0.30 and 0.32 times respectively that bulbar involvement time <11.5 m (P<0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed differences among bulbar involvement time <11.5 m, ≥11.5 m and bulbar uninvolvement groups (median survival time 20.37 m vs. 40.6 m vs. 39.60 m, Test statistic =39.96, P<0.001). The 2-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 32.17%, 10.80% and 0%, respectively, in bulbar involvement time <11.5 m patients; 89.20%, 57.24% and 10.53% in bulbar involvement time ≥11.5 months patients; and 62.16%, 38.39% and 10.53% in bulbar uninvolvement patients. Conclusion: Similar to the diagnosis delay time and whether to have taken riluzole, the occurrence of bulbar involvement at 11.5 month after onset was an independent risk factor affecting survival time in spinal-onset ALS. The median survival time in patients with bulbar involvement time <11.5 months was significantly shorter than that in patients with bulbar involvement time ≥11.5 months and bulbar uninvolvement.
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From December 2019, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia (formerly known as the 2019 novel Coronavirus [2019-nCoV]) broke out in Wuhan, China. In this study, we present serial CT findings in a 40-year-old female patient with COVID-19 pneumonia who presented with the symptoms of fever, chest tightness, and fatigue. She was diagnosed with COVID-19 infection confirmed by real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. CT showed rapidly progressing peripheral consolidations and ground-glass opacities in both lungs. After treatment, the lesions were shown to be almost absorbed leaving the fibrous lesions.
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From December 2019, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia (formerly known as the 2019 novel Coronavirus [2019-nCoV]) broke out in Wuhan, China. In this study, we present serial CT findings in a 40-year-old female patient with COVID-19 pneumonia who presented with the symptoms of fever, chest tightness, and fatigue. She was diagnosed with COVID-19 infection confirmed by real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. CT showed rapidly progressing peripheral consolidations and ground-glass opacities in both lungs. After treatment, the lesions were shown to be almost absorbed leaving the fibrous lesions.
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Adult , Female , Humans , China , Coronavirus , Fatigue , Fever , Lung , Pneumonia , Thorax , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the relationship between blood uric acid levels and total burden scores(TBS)of carotid plaques in elderly patients with non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease(CKD). Methods Seventy-seven elderly patients with non-dialysis dependent CKD were included.All clinical data were collected,and stepwise multiple linear regression was conducted to determine independent factors for TBS of carotid plaques in elderly patients with non-dialysis dependent CKD. Results Compared with the control group,TBS was significantly higher in the smoking group(P= 0.035),hypertension group(P= 0.014)and diabetic group(P= 0.041).In addition,correlation analysis showed that hemoglobin,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,uric acid,C-react protein and estimated glomerular filtration rate were significantly correlated with TBS(all P<0.05).Furthermore,stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that TBS was markedly correlated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(P = 0.007,)and uric acid(P = 0.001). Conclusions Uric acid is an independent factor for TBS of carotid plaques in elderly patients with non-dialysis dependent CKD.
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Objective To investigate the effect of depression on morning blood pressure surge ( MBPS) in maintenance hemodialysis( MHD) patients with hypertension. Methods 67 MHD patients with hypertension were included in this study.All clinical data were collected,and ambulatory blood pressure mo-nitor was used to monitor patient''''''''s blood pressure in 24 hours.Self-rating depression scale(SDS) was used to survey 67 MHD patients,and multivariable logistic regression was conducted to determine independent risk factors for morning hypertension in MHD patients with hypertension. Results There were 14 depression pa-tients in non-morning hypertension group ( 35. 0％) , 18 depression patients in morning hypertension group (66.7％),and the difference was significant(χ2=6.479,P=0.011).In addition correlation analysis showed that age(r=0.027,P=0.044),24 h systolic pressure(r=0.284,P=0.020),24 h diastolic pressure(r=0.278,P=0.023),fasting blood-glucose (r=0.293,P=0.039),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r=0.345,P=0.016),and the standard score of SDS(r=0. 276,P=0.024)were significantly correlated with MBPS .Furthermore,multivariable logistic regression showed that the standard score of SDS(OR=1.101,95％CI=1.018-1.191,P=0.016) ,24 h diastolic pressure ( OR=1.070,95％CI=1.007-1.136,P=0.028) and fast-ing blood-glucose (OR=2.127,95％CI=1.118-4.049,P=0.022)were independent risk factors for morning hypertension in MHD patients with hypertension ( OR=1. 101, 95％CI:1. 018-1. 191, P=0. 016 ) . Conclu-sion Depression,24 h diastolic pressure and fasting blood-glucose can increase the risk of morning blood pressure surge in patients with MHD hypertension.
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Objective To investigate w hether the iterative reconstruction (iDose 4 ) technique improves imaging quality of the low-radiation-dose w hole brain CT perfusion (CTP). Methods Thirty-five consecutive patients w ith clinical y suspected ischemic stroke w ere col ected. Bril iance 256 iCT w as used to perform low-radiation-dose w hole brain CTP, and the filtered back projection (FBP) and iDose 4 algorithm w ere used to conduct image reconstruction. The noise and signal to noise ratio of the 2 kinds of reconstruction algorithms, as w el as the imaging quality of each parameter map w ere compared. Results The effective dose of the w hole brain CTP w as 2.2 mSv. Compared w ith FBP, the noise of each region of interest in the iDose4 Tmax map was decreased significantly ( P<0.05) and the signal to noise ratio was increased significantly (P<0.05). The imaging quality scores (median, interquartile range) reconstructed by FPB group w ere significantly low er than by iDose 4 for cerebral blood flow (CBF) map ( 5.00 [3.00-6.00]vs. 6.00 [5.00-6.00]; Z= -2.784, P=0.005), cerebral blood volume (CBV) map ( 6.00 [5.00-6.00] vs. 6.00 [6.00-7.00]; Z= -3.674, P<0.001), and mean transit time (MTT) map (4.00 [3.00-5.00] vs. 5.00 [4.00-6.00]; Z=3.394, P=0.001). The proportions of the poor quality in CBF map ( 34.3%vs. 11.4%;χ2 =7.036, P=0.030), CBV map (11.4%vs.2.9%; χ2 =7.485, P=0.024 ) and MTT map (28.6%vs.11.4%;χ2 =5.318, P=0.070) reconstructed by FBP w ere significantly higher than by iDose 4 . Conclusions The iDose4 technique may improve imaging quality of low er-radiation-dose CTP.
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Objective To evaluate the disease onset regions and spreading patterns in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)patients and related influencing factors.Methods We performed a prospective analysis of 1 58 ALS patients.The disease-onset was confirmed according to the patients’self-reports,neurological examination results and electromyogram study.We followed up 1 5 1 patients with the second or other affected body regions during the disease progression.Data were analyzed according to the different groups of onset regions.Results 1.In 94.3% (149/1 58)of the patients,the early motor manifestations were focally in the bulbar,upper or lower limbs.2.The region of onset was associated with signs of lower motor neuron (LMN)and upper motor neuron (UMN)involvement (P = 0.000 ).The LMN involvement was more distinctive in patients with bulbar onset (65.4%,1 7/26 )group.Patients with cervical onset more frequently showed pure LMN (47.9%,45/94 )or concomitant UMN (52.1%,49/94)signs in the affected limbs.The highest proportion of UMN and LMN signs in the affected lower limb was found in the lumbar onset (83.8%,31/37 )group.3.Spreading patterns:Rostral to caudal spreading pattern was more frequent in bulbar onset patients.For patients with limb onset,there were significant differences between spreading patterns and disease-onset regions (P =0.04).Circular (31.5%,28/89),horizontal (30.3%,31/89)and vertical (21.3%,1 9/89)spreading patterns were more frequent in cervical onset patients whereas circular (47.2%,1 7/36)spreading patterns were more frequent in lumbar onset patients.4.There was a strong association between the rate of progression and age of disease onset (P =0.01 1).Patients aged over 60 had a faster progression.Conclusion ALS is a focal process at motor axis along the spinal cord and cerebral cortex.Different disease-onset can cause different distribution of UMN and LMN signs.Therefore,special attention should be paid to the signs of disease-onset clinically.ALS does start focally and spreads to adjacent regions.Elder patients have a faster disease progression.
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ABSTRACT:Objective To evaluate the features and related factors of decremental response in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)patients to low-frequency repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS)in proximal nerves.Methods We performed RNS studies in proximal axillary and accessory nerves with recording in deltoid and trapezius mus-cle respectively in 87 ALS patients.Decremental compound muscle action potential (CMAP)and related factors were analyzed prospectively,and abnormal group of decremental response in ALS patients was compared with 39 pa-tients with myasthenia gravis.Results ① Abnormal decremental responses were found in 43.7% and 49.4% of ALS patients with deltoid and trapezius muscle recording respectively.They were found more frequent in trapezius muscle than those of deltoid muscle.② There was no relationship of decremental response with gender,age,onset or course of disease,ALSFRS-r scores,or rate of disease progression in ALS patients.③ There was significant rela-tionship between decremental response and fluctuating muscle weakness.Decremental responses decreased more ob-viously in ALS patients with fluctuating muscle weakness than in those with nonfluctuating muscle weakness.④ Dec-remental responses were greater in patients with myasthenia gravis than that in ALS patients.Conclusion Decre-mental response with proximal muscle recording is not an uncommon feature in ALS patients;therefore,it should not be treated as a criterium to rule out ALS.Abnormal decremental response of trapezius muscle is found more fre-quent than that of deltoid muscle.Decremental response range in patients with myasthenia gravis is significantly lar-ger than that in ALS patients.One should be more careful when diagnosing ALS patients with fluctuating muscle weakness and abnormal decremental response.
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Objective To evaluate right ventricular (RV)systolic function in type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)patients.Methods Fifty T2DM patients and fifty normal controls were included in the study and underwent echocardiographic examinations.The following parameters were measured:1 ) Right heart dimensions,pulmonary artery (PA)diameter,pulmonary acceleration time (AT)and PA systolic pressure (PASP);2)RV systolic function:RV fractional area change (RVFAC),tissue Doppler-derived tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity (S'),tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE),longitudinal strain of six RV segments by 2-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI);3 )RV diastolic function:E,A ratio of the tricuspid inflow spectrum (E/A),E,E'(peak early diastolic velocity of the tricuspid annulus) ratio (E/E');4)RV Tei index.Results Statistic analysis showed that T2DM patients had thicker RV walls,wider PAs and shorter AT than the control group (P =0.000,0.001 and 0.000),while their right heart chamber sizes and PASP remained unchanged.Among systolic parameters,absolute values of RV longitudinal strain at the lateral wall-mid (lat-m),septum-mid (sep-m)and septum-basal (sep-b)segments were significantly lower in the diabetic group than the control group (P =0.001 ,0.000 and 0.005),whereas strain of the other three RV segments and RVFAC,TAPSE.S'were not significantly different.Moreover, E/A,E/E'and Tei index were all significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.000,0.000 and 0.006),indicating declined diastolic and general function of RV in the T2DM group.Conclusions RV myocardial strain by 2D-STI is more sensitive in detecting RV systolic dysfunction than TAPSE,S' and RVFAC.Among the six segments of RV walls,lat-m,sep-m and sep-b are better locations for 2D-STI than the other three.
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Objective To determine the influence of depression on C reactive protein in patients with chronic ischemic heart failure (CIHF).Methods 73 patients with CIHF were divided into CIHF without depression group(n=49) and CIHF with depression group (n=24) according to the standard sore of the self-rating depression scale.C reactive protein(CRP)and other clinical characteristics were detected.The geometric means of CRP between two groups were compared,and stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to confirm the independent correlation factors of CRP.Results (1) The geometric means of CRP in CIHF without depression group and CIHF with depression group were (1.38± 1.29)mg/L and (1.78±1.53) mg/L respectively.No statistically significant difference was found between two groups(P=0.276).(2) Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that aspirin inversely related with CRP(β=-1.070,P=0.004),but brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)positively related with CRP(β=0.426,P=0.001).Conclusion Depression has no additional effect on CRP in patients with CIHF.
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Objective To investigate early and differential diagnosis of Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia (VD)using FDG-PET scan. Methods Clinical data was collected from AD,VD and normal control(NC). 18F-2-fluo-ro-deoxy-D-glucose(18F-FDG)PET scan was conducted to detect the cerebral FDG metabolism. The average standard uptake value (SUV) of cerebral regions was expressed as semiquantitative index relative to ipsilateral cerebellum. Re-sults There were no differences in age and the mean total scores of the mini mental status examination (MMSE) between patients with VD and those with AD.The AD group showed that the SUV was significantly decreased in the right frontal, parietal,temporal lobe,hippocampus,temporo-parietal junction,and bilateral posterior cingulate cortex compared to the VD and in the bilateral posterior cingulate cortex,temporo-parietal junction,frontal and temporal lobe comparing to the NC(P≤0.01). SUV was significantly increased in the right parietal,posterior cingulate cortex and hippocampus whereas was significantly decreased in the left frontal lobe,temporo-parietal junction and thalamus in the VD compared with NC group(P≤0.01). Conclusion AD patients have typical features of 18F-FDG PET which may be helpful for the diagnosis of AD in the early stage.