Working memory is an executive memory process that includes encoding, maintenance, and retrieval. These processes can be modulated by transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) with sinusoidal waves. However, little is known about the impact of the rate of current change on working memory. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of two types of tACS with different rates of current change on working memory performance and brain activity. We applied a randomized, single-blind design and divided 81 young participants who received triangular wave tACS, sinusoidal wave tACS, or sham stimulation into three groups. Participants performed n-back tasks, and electroencephalograms were recorded before, during, and after active or sham stimulation. Compared to the baseline, working memory performance (accuracy and response time) improved after stimulation under all stimulation conditions. According to drift-diffusion model analysis, triangular wave tACS significantly increased the efficiency of non-target information processing. In addition, compared with sham conditions, triangular wave tACS reduced alpha power oscillations in the occipital lobe throughout the encoding period, while sinusoidal wave tACS increased theta power in the central frontal region only during the later encoding period. The brain network connectivity results showed that triangular wave tACS improved the clustering coefficient, local efficiency, and node degree intensity in the early encoding stage, and these parameters were positively correlated with the non-target drift rate and decision starting point. Our findings on how tACS modulates working memory indicate that triangular wave tACS significantly enhances brain network connectivity during the early encoding stage, demonstrating an improvement in the efficiency of working memory processing. In contrast, sinusoidal wave tACS increased the theta power during the later encoding stage, suggesting its potential critical role in late-stage information processing. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential mechanisms by which tACS modulates working memory.
Humans ; Memory, Short-Term/physiology* ; Male ; Female ; Young Adult ; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation/methods* ; Brain/physiology* ; Adult ; Electroencephalography ; Single-Blind Method

Objective To observe the value of artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction(AIIR)for abdominal and pelvic CT examination after total hip arthroplasty(THA).Methods Totally 64 patients after THA who underwent abdominal and pelvic CT examinations were retrospectively collected,including 31 patients received routine CT scanning and 33 patients received dual-energy CT scanning.AIIR and hybrid iterative reconstruction(HIR)algorithms were used to obtain AIIR and HIR images based on conventional CT images,respectively,while 70-140 keV(interval of 5 keV)virtual monoenergetic images(VMI)were reconstructed based on dual-energy CT images.VMI with the best comprehensive imaging qualities were selected for analysis.Subjective scores and objective evaluation results of imaging quality were compared among different kinds of images.Results The subjective scores of artifacts,bones,diagnostic confidence,as well as displaying of pelvic organs and blood vessels on both AIIR images and VMI were all higher than those of HIR images(all P＜0.001),while no significant difference was found between AIIR images and VMI(all P＞0.017).Pairwise comparison of high-density artifact fraction and skeletal artifact fraction on AIIR,HIR images and VMI showed significant differences(all P＜0.001).No significant difference of low density artifact fraction nor high density noise fraction was detected between AIIR image and VMI(both P＞0.017),and the objective evaluation results were different from those of HIR images(both P＜0.017).The low density noise fraction of AIIR images was lower than that of HIR images(P＜0.017),while no significant difference was found between AIIR or HIR images and VMI(both P＞0.017).The bone noise fraction of AIIR and HIR images were both higher than that of VMI(both P＜0.017),while no significant difference was found between these two kinds of images(P＞0.017).Conclusion AIIR could reduce artifacts and image noise of abdominal and pelvic CT examination after THA and improve imaging quality.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of digital three-dimensional (3D) printing osteotomy guide plate assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients with femoral internal implants. METHODS: The clinical data of 55 KOA patients who met the selection criteria between July 2021 and October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 26 cases combined with femoral implants were treated with digital 3D printing osteotomy guide plate assisted TKA (guide plate group), and 29 cases were treated with conventional TKA (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, side, Kellgren-Lawrence classification, preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score, knee range of motion, and other baseline data between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, postoperative first ambulation time, surgical complications; VAS score, knee HSS score, knee range of motion before operation, at 1 week and 3 months after operation, and at last follow-up; distal femoral lateral angle, proximal tibial medial angle, hip-knee-ankle angle and other imaging indicators at last follow-up were recorded and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The operation time, incision length, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative first ambulation time in the guide plate group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05). In the control group, there were 1 case of incision rupture and bleeding and 1 case of lower limb intermuscular venous thrombosis, which was cured after symptomatic treatment. There was no complication such as neurovascular injury, incision infection, or knee prosthesis loosening in both groups. Patients in both groups were followed up 12-26 months, with an average of 16.25 months. The VAS score, HSS score, and knee range of motion improved at each time point after operation in both groups, and further improved with time after operation, the differences were significant ( P<0.05). The above indicators in the guide plate group were significantly better than those in the control group at 1 week and 3 months after operation ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups at last follow-up ( P>0.05). At last follow-up, the distal femoral lateral angle, the proximal tibial medial angle, and the hip-knee-ankle angle in the guide plate group were significantly better than those in the control group ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION The application of digital 3D printing osteotomy guide plate assisted TKA in the treatment of KOA patients with femoral implants can simplify the surgical procedures, overcome limitations of conventional osteotomy guides, reduce surgical trauma, achieve individualized and precise osteotomy, and effectively restore lower limb alignment and knee joint function.
Humans ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/instrumentation* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery* ; Osteotomy/instrumentation* ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Female ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Femur/surgery* ; Middle Aged ; Bone Plates ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Knee Prosthesis ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Operative Time

Objective To investigate the expression of serum microRNA(miR)-494 and miR-155 in chil-dren with Enterovirus type 71 hand-foot-mouth disease(EV71-HFMD),and to analyze the clinical significance of serum miR-494 and miR-155 in EV71-HFMD.Methods A total of 145 children with EV71-HFMD treated in this hospital from May 2021 to May 2023 were selected.According to the severity of the disease,they were divided into mild group(n=81)and severe group(n=64).In addition,73 healthy and disease-free children in the hospital were included in the health group.Serum expression levels of miR-494 and miR-155 as well as helper T cell 17(Th17),regulatory T cell(Treg)and Th17/Treg in the three groups were detected and com-pared.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the expression levels of serum miR-494,miR-155,Th17 and Treg,as well as Th17/Treg.The clinical data of children with EV71-HFMD were collected,and the factors influencing the severity of EV71-HFMD were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression model.Results Compared with healthy group,serum miR-494,miR-155,Th17 and Th17/Treg in mild and severe groups were increased,and Treg were decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with mild group,ser-um miR-494,miR-155,Th17 and Th17/Treg in severe group were increased,and Treg was decreased(P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that Th17 and Th17/Treg were positively correlated with the ex-pression levels of serum miR-494 and miR-155,while Treg was negatively correlated with the expression lev-els of serum miR-494 and miR-155(P＜0.05).The peak temperature,duration of fever ≥3 d proportion and eruption of isthmus in severe group were higher than those in mild group(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic re-gression results showed that the duration of fever ≥3 d,eruption in the isthmus,the high expression level of miR-494 and the high expression level of miR-155 were risk factors for severe EV71-HFMD(P＜0.05).Conclusion Se-rum miR-494 and miR-155 are abnormally elevated in children with EV71-HFMD,and the changes in their levels are closely related to Th17/Treg imbalance.Increased expression levels of serum miR-494 and miR-155 are risk factors for severe EV71-HFMD.

As the most common phenotype of type 1 neurofibromatosis(NF1),plexiform neurofibromas(pNF)exhibit early asymptomatic presentation but multisite involvement,with a risk of progression.Imaging serves as vital tool for evaluation and management of NF1-associated pNF.The progresses of imaging for evaluating NF1-related pNF were reviewed in this article.

Objective:To investigate the intervention effect of dance therapy on the psychological symptoms and psychological craving in methamphetamine-dependent women.Methods:A total of 60 methamphetamine de-pendents in a women's drug rehabilitation center were divided into intervention group and control group(1 person dropped out).The intervention group was trained for 8 dance movements,during which the control group did not in-tervene.The Zhang Tuoji and Chen Huichang's Temperament Scale,Symptom Self-Rating Scale(SCL-90)and Amphetamine Craving Scale(DSQ)were used to evaluate the temperament type,psychological symptoms and psy-chological craving.Results:The differences of SCL-90 depression and anxiety scores(post-intervention score-base-line score)and DSQ total scores were higher in the intervention group than in the control group(Ps＜0.05).The choleric temperament scores were negatively correlated with the differences of DSQ total scores(r=-0.45,P＜0.05),and the melancholic temperament scores were positively correlated with the differences of SCL-90 hostility dimension scores(r=0.41,P＜0.05).Conclusion:Dance therapy could improve the psychological symptoms and psychological craving of women dependent on methamphetamine,with varying effects across different temperament types.

Objective:To investigate the current situation of knowledge, attitude and practice of medical personnel in areas with high incidence of fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in Anhui Province, in order to provide a scientific basis for conducting systematic training for medical personnel.Methods:From July to August 2024, a multi-stage random sampling method was used to select medical personnel from village, township, county, and city level medical institutions in high incidence areas of SFTS in Anhui Province (Hefei City, Liu'an City, Chuzhou City, Xuancheng City) for an online questionnaire survey on their knowledge, attitude, and practice status. The survey included demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and practice related to SFTS, and a binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of SFTS knowledge qualification rate.Results:A total of 2 718 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective response rate of 99.60% (2 718/2 729). Among them, 1 384 were males, accounting for 50.92%. The majority were medical personnel aged 41 to 50 years old, with undergraduate degrees, junior professional titles, working in township health centers or community health service centers, as clinical physicians, and with a working experience of no more than 10 years. They accounted for 31.97% (869/2 718), 50.48% (1 372/2 718), 35.54% (966/2 718), 38.52% (1 047/2 718), 62.33% (1 694/2 718), and 30.61% (832/2 718), respectively. The overall correct rates of medical personnel's relevant knowledge, attitude and practice were 77.52% (31 605/40 770), 94.53% (12 847/13 590) and 89.73% (12 194/13 590), respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the knowledge qualification of medical personnel of different genders, ages, education levels, professional titles, hospital levels, job positions, and years of work experience ( P < 0.05). The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that professional title, hospital level, work position, and work experience were the influencing factors of knowledge qualification rate ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:Medical personnel have a relatively positive attitude and high level of practice towards SFTS, but their knowledge level still needs to be improved. It is recommended to provide targeted knowledge training for medical personnel in different positions to promote early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of SFTS.

Chronic epididymitis (CE) is a long-standing inflammatory condition of the epididymis caused by unresolved acute infections, chronic infections, medication use, or other factors. Clinically, it is characterized by persistent dull pain or a dragging sensation in one or both sides of the scrotum. The disease course typically exceeds three months and is marked by insidious onset and recurrent episodes. Current studies suggest that CE may disrupt the epididymal microenvironment through multiple pathological processes, including local inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, fibrotic remodeling, and autophagy. These alterations impair sperm maturation, transport, and capacitation, thereby contributing to male reproductive dysfunction and infertility. This review summarizes the major etiologies and pathophysiological characteristics of CE and its impact on male reproductive function. It focuses on the roles of inflammatory cytokines and related signaling pathways, oxidative stress mechanisms, and fibrotic progression in the pathogenesis of CE. Moreover, it explores targeted therapeutic strategies based on these mechanisms, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for identifying key molecular targets and signaling pathways involved in CE-induced male reproductive impairment.

BACKGROUND:Currently,the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease is not clear.Relevant studies have shown that α-synuclein and mitochondria are closely related to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.It mainly involves oxidative stress,mitochondrial complex damage,calcium homeostasis,mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial quality control.OBJECTIVE:To review the association between α-synuclein and mitochondrial damage in Parkinson's disease.METHODS:The first author searched more than 50 documents from CNKI and WanFang databases from 2010 to 2024 using the keywords of"Parkinson's disease,mitochondrial damage and mechanism,α-synuclein"in Chinese as well as more than 750 documents from PubMed between 2010 and 2024 using the keywords of"Parkinson's disease,alpha-synuclein,mitochondria,oxidative stress,calcium homeostasis,mitophagy,mitochondrial dynamics,mitochondrial protein introduction"in English.Finally,70 documents were included for review.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Recent studies have confirmed the important role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease,and the interaction between α-synuclein and mitochondria is a particularly significant factor in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.The cascade of events that begin with naturally unfolded α-synuclein and eventually form mature fibril is collectively known as α-synuclein aggregation.The toxicity of aggregation accumulates in dopaminergic neurons and then disrupts mitochondrial function,thereby triggering Parkinson's disease.Therefore,the underlying mechanism of this bidirectional relationship between α-synuclein and mitochondrial dysfunction may provide new insights into the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease.

Objective To explore the risk factors of acute respiratory failure(ARF)in adult patients with community-acquired pneu-monia(CAP),and thereby construct and validate the efficacy of nomogram model.Methods The clinical and laboratory data of 172 adult CAP patients admitted to Taikang Xianlin Drum Tower Hospital affiliated to Nanjing University School of Medicine from January 2018 to December 2021 were retrospectively collected.The patients were divided into two groups based on whether they had concurrent ARF.After the comparison for the differences of single factor between the two groups,collinearity analysis was assessed.The risk fac-tors were then screened by binary logistic regression analysis with forward stepwise regression method.A nomogram model was subse-quently constructed and the discrimination and accuracy of the model were evaluated by ROC and colibration curves.Results Among the 172 CAP patients,53 cases(30.8％)developed ARF.The results of univariate analysis showed that the CAP patients with concur-rent ARF group had higher age,CURB-65 score and inflammatory markers than the non-concurrent ARF group,and the incidence of complex infection(culturing two or more pathogenic bacteria)was high.The values of CRP(C-reactive protein)and BUN/Alb(blood urea nitrogen/albumin)were significantly different between the two groups(53.910[25.900,101.200]vs.23.300[6.800,48.930],0.231[0.160,0.302]vs.0.123[0.089,0.171],P＜0.05).Multivariate analysis indicated:glucose(Glu)≥6.06 mmol/L(odds ra-tio(OR):2.737,95％confidence interval(CI):1.116-7.037),AST(aspartate aminotransferase)≥22.5 U/L(OR:4.291,95％CI:1.779-11.120),fibrinogen(Fib)≤3.83 g/L(OR:3.955,95％CI:1.631-10.237),uric acid(UA)188.07 μmol/L(OR:4.617,95％CI:1.859-12.489),BUN/Alb≥0.15 mmol/g(OR:6.381,95％CI:2.423-18.513),total number of multicomor-bidity≥3(OR:6.191,95％CI:2.088-21.905)were the risk factors(P＜0.05).All the screened indicators were incorporate into the nomogram model and its efficacy was verified.The results showed that the area under the curve of the model was 0.888[95％CI:0.840-0.935](P＜0.05),the sensitivity was 0.868,and the specificity was 0.790.The calibration curve showed that the predicted probability of adult CAP patients-associated with ARF was in good consistency with the observed probability(Briser Score:0.125;H-L test:x2=7.563,P=0.477).Conclusion The established model has a good ability to predict adult CAP associated with ARF,and can provide a reference basis for early clinical prediction and intervention treatment.