Advances in diagnosing mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease using 11C-PIB- PET/CT and common neuropsychological tests.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a critical health issue worldwide that has a negative impact on patients' quality of life, as well as on caregivers, society, and the environment. Positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and neuropsychological scales can be used to identify AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) early, provide a differential diagnosis, and offer early therapies to impede the course of the illness. However, there are few reports of large-scale 11C-PIB-PET/CT investigations that focus on the pathology of AD and MCI. Therefore, further research is needed to determine how neuropsychological test scales and PET/CT measurements of disease progression interact.

A Preliminary Study on Sympathetic Skin Response in Acute Ischemic Cerebrovascular Disease.

Purpose: The study aims to identify the characteristics of SSR in patients with AICVD and their correlation with clinical presentations. Methods: SSR of the upper limbs, the National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), the Barthel index (BI), the Essen stroke risk score (ESRS), and imaging examinations, was evaluated in 30 healthy subjects and 66 patients with AICVD. All results were recorded and analyzed via Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 22.0) software. t-test and Spearman rank correlation were used. Results: Compared to the control group, SSR of upper limbs in patients with AICVD showed prolonged latency, reduced amplitude, and disappeared waveform (p=0.000, p=0.015, p=0.004), No statistically significant difference was observed between the affected side and the healthy side (p=0.068, p=0.661). In the case group, the higher the abnormal rate of SSR, the more severe the neurological impairment (NIHSS and ADL scores) and the worse the long-term prognosis. Specific results are as follows: Firstly, the total abnormality rate of SSR, prolonged SSR latency were positively related to the NIHSS, also the ESRS (r=0.347, p=0.004; r=0.437, p<0.001), (r=0.371, p=0.005; r=0.433, p=0.001), the reduced amplitude was positively related to the NIHSS (r=0.341, p=0.012) while the disappeared waveform was positively related to the ESRS (r=0.299, p=0.015); Secondly, the total abnormality rate of SSR, prolonged SSR latency and reduced amplitude were negatively related to the BI (r=-0.346, p=0.004) (r=-0.426, p=0.001) (r=-0.316, p=0.020). Conclusion: There may be inhibition of sympathetic reflex activity in patients with AICVD, SSR abnormality rate in patients with AICVD may be correlated with the degree of neurological impairment and long-term prognosis.

Helsmoortel-van der Aa syndrome in a Chinese pediatric patient due to ADNP nonsense mutation: A case report.

Background: Helsmoortel-van der Aa syndrome, also known as ADNP syndrome, is a condition that causes developmental delay, language impairment, autism spectrum, and variable extraneurologic features. It is caused by heterozygous mutations in the ADNP gene on chromosome 20q13. Most of the genetic causes of Helsmoortel-van der Aa syndrome have been reported are as de novo nonsense or frameshift stop mutations in exon 5 of ADNP gene, while fewer truncating variants were discovered in exons 4 and the 5' end of exon 5. Methods: In our study, a 4-year-old female Chinese patient was reported with delayed psychomotor development, language impairment, ataxia, anxiety, aggressive behavior, and congenital heart defect. Trio whole exome sequencing and copy number variation sequencing were performed. Results: A novel de novo heterozygous pathogenic mutation c.568C > T (p.Gln190Ter) was identified in the ADNP gene of the proband. His unaffected parents did not have the variant. According to the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) guidelines, c.568C > T was classified as "pathogenic". Conclusion: Our report indicated that c.568C > T (p.Gln190Ter) in ADNP gene is the cause of abnormal development of the nervous system, congenital heart disease and strabismus, broadening the spectrum of ADNP gene mutations associated with Helsmoortel-van der Aa syndrome.

Early Spontaneous Abortion in Fresh- and Frozen-Embryo Transfers: An Analysis of Over 35,000 Transfer Cycles.

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the risk factors for early spontaneous abortion (ESA) in fresh- and frozen-embryo transfers. Methods: This retrospective cohort study comprised a total of 35,076 patients, including 15,557 women in the fresh-embryo transfer group and 19,519 women in the frozen-embryo transfer group from January 2016 to December 2020. The primary outcome of this study was ESA, which we defined as the termination of embryonic development before 12 weeks of pregnancy (i.e., an early abortion after artificial multi-fetal pregnancy reduction was excluded). Results: In the 35,076 ART transfer cycles, the incidence of ESA was 5.77% (2023/35,076), and the incidence rates for ESA in fresh and frozen cycles were 4.93% (767 of 15,557) and 6.43% (1,256 of 19,519), respectively. Using a multivariate logistic regression analysis model, maternal age, body mass index (BMI), and number of embryos transferred were independent predictors for ESA. In addition, frozen-thawed transfer was a risk factor for ESA as compared with fresh transfer (OR = 1.207; 95% CI, 1.094-1.331; P = 0.000), blastocyst transfer was risk factor for ESA as compared with cleavage transfer (OR =1.373; 95% CI, 1.186-1.591; P = 0.000 in the total group; OR = 1.291; 95% CI, 1.111-1.499; P = 0.001 in the frozen-transfer group), and unexplained infertility was a protective factor for ESA only in the frozen group (OR = 0.746; 95% CI, 0.565-0.984; P = 0.038). Conclusions: Maternal age, BMI, number of embryos transferred, and frozen-thawed transfer were independent risk factors for ESA in assisted reproductive technology treatment cycles.

Impact of growth hormone supplementation on improving oocyte competence in unexplained poor embryonic development patients of various ages.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of Growth hormone (GH) co-treatment during in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles in women of different ages who manifest unexplained poor embryonic development. METHOD: This cohort study included a total of 2647 patients with unexplained poor embryonic development in their previous IVF procedures: 872 women received GH co-treatment and 1775 untreated women served as a control group. Patients were divided into 6 groups according to treatment and stratified by age (<35 years of age, A-GH group and A-control group; 35-40 years, B-GH group and B-control group; and ≥40 years, C-GH group and C-control group). The primary outcome was the oocyte-cleavage rate and the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR). RESULTS: The oocyte-cleavage rates among the three age groups were significantly higher in the GH group compared to the same-aged control group. In both group A and group B, there was no significant difference in clinical pregnancy rate between the GH group and controls. However, in patients ≥40 years of age, the clinical pregnancy rate in the GH group was significantly higher than in the control group (31.8% vs. 13.7%, p = 0.019). In the three age groups, there was no significant difference in the live birth rate between the GH group and controls. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis model, in both group A and group B, the number of cleaved embryos was independent predictors for CPR (OR = 1.464, 95% CI: 1.311-1.634; respectively, OR = 1.336, 95% CI: 1.126-1.586); Besides, in both group B and group C, age was independent predictors for CPR (OR = 0.657, 95%CI: 0.555-0.778; respectively, OR = 0.622, 95%CI: 0.391-0.989). However, only in group C, supplementation GH increased CPR as compared with not supplementation GH (OR = 2.339, 95%CI: 1.182-6.670). CONCLUSIONS: For patients with unexplained poor embryonic development, supplementation with GH increased the oocyte-cleavage rates in all three age groups, and the clinical pregnancy rate gradually improved commensurate with increasing age. There was no difference in the clinical pregnancy rate in group A and group B, but group C improved significantly. Therefore, compared with patients under 40 years of age, patients ≥40 may benefit more from GH supplementation.

A simple nomogram prediction model to identify relatively young patients with mild cognitive impairment who may progress to Alzheimer's disease.

AIM: Construct a clinical predictive model based on easily accessible clinical features and imaging data to identify patients 65 years of age and younger with mild cognitive impairment(MCI) who may progress to Alzheimer's disease(AD). METHODS: From the ADNI database, patients with MCI who were less than or equal to 65 years of age and who had been followed for 6-60 months were selected.We collected demographic data, neuropsychological test scale scores, and structural magnetic images of these patients. Clinical characteristics were then screened, and VBM and SBM analyses were performed using structural nuclear magnetic images to obtain imaging histology characteristics. Finally, predictive models were constructed combining the clinical and imaging histology characteristics. RESULTS: The constructed nomogram has a cross-validated AUC of 0.872 in the training set and 0.867 in the verification set, and the calibration curve fits well.We also provide an online model-based forecasting tool. CONCLUSION: The model has good performance and uses convenience,it should be able to provide assistance in clinical work to screen relatively young MCI patients who may progress to AD.

Gesneriaceae in China and Vietnam: Perfection of taxonomy based on comprehensive morphological and molecular evidence.

No.

Reassessment of Bournea Oliver (Gesneriaceae) based on molecular and palynological evidence.

The former genus Bournea is endemic to China, including two species, has been under consideration for incorporation into the expanded genus Oreocharis s.l. in Gesneriaceae. The phylogenetic tree inferred from two DNA sequences (trnL-F and ITS) showed that this genus is deeply nested into Oreocharis s.l. However, the new tree from seven ones (atpB-rbcL, ndhH-rps15-ycf1, rpl132, trnC-trnD, trnL-F, trnT-trnL of chloroplast DNA and ITS regions) revealed that Bournea is the sister group of other of Oreocharis s.l. Furthermore, Bournea is morphologically different from other Oreocharis based on existing data. We suggest keeping Bournea as an independent genus in Gesneriaceae.

Two new species of Allocheilos (Gesneriaceae) from the karst regions in Yunnan, China.

Allocheilos W.T.Wang in Gesneriaceae was described in 1983 and is characterized by its 4-lobed adaxial lip and undivided abaxial lip with acute apex. The genus is endemic to the karst regions in southwestern China and is classified as endangered due to habitat loss. During surveys of the karst areas in Yunnan of southwestern China in 2017, we collected two unknown species of the genus and later confirmed their novelty to science based on the detailed observation of their morphological characteristics, viz. A. maguanensis W.H.Chen & Y.M.Shui and A. rubroglandulosus W.H.Chen & Y.M.Shui. Their relationships with the similar species and provisional conservation status are discussed.

Deinostigma fasciculatum, a new species of Gesneriaceae in Yunnan, China.

A new species of Deinostigma (Gesneriaceae) from Yunnan, China, Deinostigma fasciculatum W.H.Chen & Y.M.Shui, sp. nov., has been discovered and described. In the genus, the new species is similar to D. cicatricosum (W.T. Wang) D.J. Middleton & Mich. Möller and D. cyrtocarpum (D. Fang & L. Zeng) Mich. Möller & H.J. Atkins in dark purple flowers and falcate fruit, but differs from them mainly in the inflorescences with fasciculate flowers, calyx lobes (reflexed, narrowly lanceolate and 1.2-1.3 cm long), corolla tubes (sharply contracted below middle and white outside and below throat). The above three species grow nearby non-limestone wet cliffs and geographically isolated with different distributions (the new species in Southeast Yunnan, D. cicatricosum in Eastern Guangxi and D. cyrtocarpum in Southern Guangxi and Guangdong, China).

Two new species of Paraboea (Gesneriaceae) in Caryota obtusa forests in Southwest China, with compound and simple dichasia, respectively.

Two new species of Gesneriaceae, Paraboea myriantha sp. nov. and P. brevipedunculata sp. nov. are described and illustrated with photos. They grow in the Caryota obtusa forests from Yunnan Province of China. P. myriantha is closely related to P. glutinosa (Hand.-Mazz.) K.Y.Pan, but differs mainly in corolla outside glandular-puberulent, adaxial corolla lobes semicordate, corolla tube obliquely campanulate, and filaments glandular-puberulent. P. brevipedunculata is closely related to P. crassifolia (Hemsley) B. L. Burtt, but different mainly in simple dichasia with 1 and 2 flowers, peduncles 0.5-2 cm long and capsules slightly twisted. The geographical relationship between the two new species and their similar species has been discussed.

Two new taxa of Gesneriaceae in the karst regions in North Vietnam.

One new species and one new variety of Gesneriaceae in Vietnam are described, viz. Paraboea sinensis var. glabrissimavar. nov. and Primulina xuansonensis sp. nov. These two new taxa grow in limestone regions in North Vietnam. The former new variety differs from Paraboea sinensis (Oliv.) Burtt var. sinensis in its young leaf abaxially, stem and peduncle sparsely and thin pannose, acute top of leaves, pistil glandular-pubescent or pubescent. The latter new species differs in its bracts 1.6-2.5 × 1.3-1.5 cm, corolla 3-3.5 cm long, corolla tube slightly curved near the base and inflated on the adaxial surface near the corolla lobes, and corolla abaxial lip lobes rounded. The two new taxa grow at Xuan Son National Natural Reserve, North Vietnam and remain undisturbed with low risk of extinction.

Four new species of Oreocharis (Gesneriaceae) in Yunnan province, China.

Four new species of Oreocharis (Gesneriaceae) are described and illustrated. These new species grow in pairs in montane forests in Yunnan province, China. One pair grows in Wenshan county, Southeast Yunnan, viz. Oreocharis eriocarpa W.H. Chen & Y.M. Shui and O. wenshanensis W.H. Chen & Y.M. Shui and another pair grows in Yongde county, Southwest Yunnan, viz. O. fulva W.H. Chen & Y.M. Shui and O. lacerata W.H. Chen & Y.M. Shui. Their morphological and geographical relationship with similar species is discussed and the IUCN endangered status is provided, based on the available data.

The extract of aquatic macrophyte Carex cinerascens induced colony formation in bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa.

Colony formation in Microcystis aeruginosa played important roles in blooms formation. To study the effects of plant allelopathy on colony formation in M. aruginosa, unicellular M. aeruginosa was cultivated under laboratory conditions treated with various extract concentration of Carex cinerascens. The growth of M. aeruginosa in the treatments with 0.05 and 0.1 mg L-1 extract of C. cinerascens was promoted but the growth in the treatments with 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 mg L-1 C. cinerascens extract was inhibited. Obvious colony formation in M. aeruginosa was observed in all treatments while no colony formation was detected in the control. The cell number per colony at the first day was the largest and decreased along with culture time. The cell number per colony in the control ranged from 3.0 to 4.0 during the experiment. However, the values in the five treatments at the first day were 33, 80, 58, 41, and 30, respectively. A positive exponential relationship between cell number per colony of M. aeruginosa and extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) content was found as well. Compared the fold-increase in cell number per colony and the fold-increase in total biomass of M. aeruginosa at various day, it was found that colony formation induced by extract of C. cinerascens was primarily dependent on promotion of cell adhesion during the first 2 days. The cell number per colony decreased afterward was due to the increasing proportion of single cells in the culture because single cells had a great higher growth rate than M. aeruginosa colonies under culture condition. Our results suggested that plant allelopathy be one of the major factor contributing to colony formation in M. aeruginosa.

Rediscovery and amended descriptions of Begonia kingdon-wardii (Begoniaceae) from North Myanmar.

Begonia kingdon-wardii Tebbitt was rediscovered in 2014 from Myanmar after 67 years based on its last collection in 1937. Its previously unknown female flower and inaccurate morphology of leaf and ovary have been additionally described. This species belongs to Begonia sect. Sphenanthera (Hassk.) Warb. due to its dioecious habit, 3-locular ovary, berry fruits and thick placenta segments. Morphologically, it is similar to Begonia gulinqingensis S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui in the leaf shape, placentation and fruit shape, but different in its dioecious plants, pliciform leaves, two-petalled female flowers and berry fruits. The rediscovery of this amazing living species will attract significant interest for scientific research and horticultural application.

Seven new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae) in Northern Vietnam and Southern China.

Since 2016, KIB (Kunming Institute of Botany) and CPC (Centre for Plant Conservation of Vietnam) have conducted several surveys in the transboundary karst regions in Northern Vietnam and Southern China and seven new species in the genus Begonia Linn. (Begoniaceae) are firstly described. Amongst them, two species, Begonia albopunctata Y.M. Shui, W.H. Chen & H.Q. Nguyen and B. erectocarpa H.Q. Nguyen, Y.M. Shui & W.H. Chen, respectively belong to section Sphenanthera with berry fruits and section Leprosae with clavate berry fruits; four species, B. gulongshanensis Y.M. Shui & W. H. Chen, B. minissima H.Q. Nguyen, Y.M. Shui & W.H. Chen, B. mollissima Y.M. Shui, H.Q. Nguyen & W.H. Chen, B. rhytidophylla Y.M. Shui & W.H. Chen, belong to section Coelocentrum with parietal placentation; one species, Begonia bambusetorum H.Q. Nguyen, Y.M. Shui & W.H. Chen, belongs to section Diploclinium with 3-loculed ovary and capsules. The diagnostic characters of these species are described and illustrated in the text and photographs.

Mild encephalopathy/encephalitis with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS): A report of five neonatal cases.

Mild encephalopathy/encephalitis with a reversible splenial (MERS) lesion is a clinic-radiological entity. The clinical features of MERS in neonates are still not systemically reported. This paper presents five cases of MERS, and the up-to-date reviews of previously reported cases were collected and analyzed in the literature. Here we describe five cases clinically diagnosed with MERS. All of them were neonates and the average age was about 4 days. They were admitted for the common neurological symptoms such as hyperspasmia, poor reactivity and delirium. Auxiliary examinations during hospitalization also exhibited features in common. In this report, we reached following conclusions. Firstly, magnetic resonance imaging revealed solitary or comprehensive lesions in the splenium of corpus callosum, some of them extending to almost the whole corpus callosum. The lesions showed low intensity signal on T1-weighted images, homogeneously hyperintense signal on T2-weighted images, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and diffusion-weighted images, and exhibited an obvious reduced diffusion on apparent diffusion coefficient map. Moreover, the lesions in the magnetic resonance imaging disappeared very quickly even prior to the clinical recovery. Secondly, all the cases depicted here suffered electrolyte disturbances especially hyponatremia which could be easily corrected. Lastly, all of the cases recovered quickly over one week to one month and majority of them exhibited signs of infections and normal electroencephalography.

Mild Encephalopathy/Encephalitis with a Reversible Splenial Lesion (MERS): A Report of Five Neonatal Cases / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Mild encephalopathy/encephalitis with a reversible spleniat (MERS) lesion is a clinic-radiological entity.The clinical features of MERS in neonates are still not systemically reported.This paper presents five cases of MERS,and the up-to-date reviews of previously reported cases were collected and analyzed in the literature.Here we describe five cases clinically diagnosed with MERS.All of them were neonates and the average age was about 4 days.They were admitted for the common neurological symptoms such as hyperspasmia,poor reactivity and delirium.Auxiliary examinations during hospitalization also exhibited features in common.In this report,we reached following conclusions.Firstly,magnetic resonance imaging revealed solitary or comprehensive lesions in the splenium of corpus callosum,some of them extending to almost the whole corpus callosum.The lesions showed low intensity signal on Tl-weighted images,homogeneously hyperintense signal on T2-weighted images,fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and diffusion-weighted images,and exhibited an obvious reduced diffusion on apparent diffusion coefficient map.Moreover,the lesions in the magnetic resonance imaging disappeared very quickly even prior to the clinical recovery.Secondly,all the cases depicted here suffered electrolyte disturbances especially hyponatremia which could be easily corrected.Lastly,all of the cases recovered quickly over one week to one month and majority of them exhibited signs of infections and normal electroencephalography.