ObjectiveTo observe the activation patterns and functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortex of patients with post-stroke anxiety (PSA) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, in order to explore the underlying neural mechanism. MethodsFrom December, 2024 to September, 2025, 120 stroke patients were selected in Changzhou De'an Hospital. They were divided into PSA group (n = 60) and non-PSA group (n = 60) according to the score of Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). All patients wore an 18-channel fNIRS acquisition cap for detection. The differences in resting-state functional connectivity between the frontopolar cortex (FPC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) were examined in both groups, as well as task-related activation in these brain regions. ResultsResting-state functional connectivity analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in network connectivity between two groups in the FPC and DLPFC regions (|t| < 1.301, P > 0.05). Task-related activation results revealed significantly reduced activation in the contralateral FPC of PSA group compared to the non-PSA group (Z = -2.063, P < 0.05). Activation levels in this region showed a negative correlation with the scores of HAMA (ρ = -0.201, P = 0.028). ConclusionActivation decreased in the contralateral frontal pole during the task state for patients with PSA, and the activation levels negatively correlates with anxiety severities.

ObjectiveTo observe the activation patterns and functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortex of patients with post-stroke anxiety (PSA) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, in order to explore the underlying neural mechanism. MethodsFrom December, 2024 to September, 2025, 120 stroke patients were selected in Changzhou De'an Hospital. They were divided into PSA group (n = 60) and non-PSA group (n = 60) according to the score of Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). All patients wore an 18-channel fNIRS acquisition cap for detection. The differences in resting-state functional connectivity between the frontopolar cortex (FPC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) were examined in both groups, as well as task-related activation in these brain regions. ResultsResting-state functional connectivity analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in network connectivity between two groups in the FPC and DLPFC regions (|t| < 1.301, P > 0.05). Task-related activation results revealed significantly reduced activation in the contralateral FPC of PSA group compared to the non-PSA group (Z = -2.063, P < 0.05). Activation levels in this region showed a negative correlation with the scores of HAMA (ρ = -0.201, P = 0.028). ConclusionActivation decreased in the contralateral frontal pole during the task state for patients with PSA, and the activation levels negatively correlates with anxiety severities.

ObjectiveTo observe the activation patterns and functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortex of patients with post-stroke anxiety (PSA) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, in order to explore the underlying neural mechanism. MethodsFrom December, 2024 to September, 2025, 120 stroke patients were selected in Changzhou De'an Hospital. They were divided into PSA group (n = 60) and non-PSA group (n = 60) according to the score of Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). All patients wore an 18-channel fNIRS acquisition cap for detection. The differences in resting-state functional connectivity between the frontopolar cortex (FPC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) were examined in both groups, as well as task-related activation in these brain regions. ResultsResting-state functional connectivity analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in network connectivity between two groups in the FPC and DLPFC regions (|t| < 1.301, P > 0.05). Task-related activation results revealed significantly reduced activation in the contralateral FPC of PSA group compared to the non-PSA group (Z = -2.063, P < 0.05). Activation levels in this region showed a negative correlation with the scores of HAMA (ρ = -0.201, P = 0.028). ConclusionActivation decreased in the contralateral frontal pole during the task state for patients with PSA, and the activation levels negatively correlates with anxiety severities.

Based on LI Gao's Academic Thought， focusing on the process of qi transformation and taking the regulation and restoration of metabolism and immunity as the entry point， a "source-pivot-convergence" diagnostic and therapeutic model for malignant tumors is constructed. In this model， spleen and stomach internal injury is the source of malignant tumor occurrence， while the disorder of ascending and descending is the pivot of the disease development， and the generation of yin fire is the convergence of malignant tumor progression. Based on this， the three major therapeutic methods of clearing the source， harmonizing the pivot， and resolving the convergence are established. To fortify spleen and boost qi， consolidate the root and clear the source， modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction（补中益气汤）can be used. To raise the clear and direct the turbid downward， regulate qi and harmonize the pivot， modified Shengyang Yiwei Decoction （升阳益胃汤） is suggested. To restore balance and promote circulation， disperse accumulation and resolve convergence， modified Shengyang Sanhuo Decoction （升阳散火汤） is selected. In clinical practice， these formulas can be used in combination according to the complexity of the pathogenesis， and further adapted with prescriptions for promoting dispersion and penetrating pathogenic factors， resolving phlegm and promoting circulation， activating blood and eliminating concretions， which can provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of tumor diseases.

Based on LI Gao's Academic Thought， focusing on the process of qi transformation and taking the regulation and restoration of metabolism and immunity as the entry point， a "source-pivot-convergence" diagnostic and therapeutic model for malignant tumors is constructed. In this model， spleen and stomach internal injury is the source of malignant tumor occurrence， while the disorder of ascending and descending is the pivot of the disease development， and the generation of yin fire is the convergence of malignant tumor progression. Based on this， the three major therapeutic methods of clearing the source， harmonizing the pivot， and resolving the convergence are established. To fortify spleen and boost qi， consolidate the root and clear the source， modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction（补中益气汤）can be used. To raise the clear and direct the turbid downward， regulate qi and harmonize the pivot， modified Shengyang Yiwei Decoction （升阳益胃汤） is suggested. To restore balance and promote circulation， disperse accumulation and resolve convergence， modified Shengyang Sanhuo Decoction （升阳散火汤） is selected. In clinical practice， these formulas can be used in combination according to the complexity of the pathogenesis， and further adapted with prescriptions for promoting dispersion and penetrating pathogenic factors， resolving phlegm and promoting circulation， activating blood and eliminating concretions， which can provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of tumor diseases.

Background: Although the relationship between gut bacteria and pain is increasingly well understood, research on the role of oral bacteria in pain remains limited. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a major pathogen in periodontal disease, is known to drive the progression of infection in the oral cavity, leading to inflammation and tissue destruction. However, unlike other conditions, patients with periodontal disease exhibit variable pain responses. This unique presentation suggests that P. gingivalis exerts multifaceted effects on pain modulation. Methods: The bibliographic databases of PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library were searched for original and reviewed in vitro, animal, and human studies. Key data on pain, inflammation, and neuroimmune pathways were extracted. Studies that did not address pain mechanisms or were limited to non-oral/systemic conditions without a clear link to orofacial pain were excluded. Results: This review summarizes the current evidence on how P. gingivalis influences inflammation and pain, highlighting the interactions between its cell wall components (e.g., lipopolysaccharide and fimbriae), metabolic byproducts (e.g., nitric oxide and butyric acid), and the host immune response. Conclusion The diverse pain manifestations in P. gingivalis-induced periodontitis may reflect the different stages of disease. Early pain suppression may result from bacterial immune evasion, wherein therapies adjunctive to scaling and root planing, such as host modulation therapy or gingipain inhibitors, may help restore host immunity and improve clinical outcomes.

ObjectiveCerebral ischemic injury triggers a complex pathological cascade characterized by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, persistent oxidative stress, and sustained neuroinflammation in the injured brain microenvironment. These events collectively drive mitochondrial dysfunction, microglial overactivation, pro-inflammatory cytokine release, and progressive neuronal apoptosis, ultimately leading to severe and irreversible neurological deficits. However, conventional therapeutic strategies face critical limitations, including poor blood-brain barrier penetration, insufficient local drug concentration, uncontrolled drug release, and off-target systemic side effects. To address this pathological process, we rationally designed and fabricated an injectable ROS-responsive hydrogel loaded with polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs) for spatiotemporally controlled antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and neuroprotection in the ischemic injury microenvironment. The present study aimed to systematically characterize the physicochemical properties, ROS-responsive drug release behavior, biocompatibility, and neuroprotective efficacy of this composite hydrogel system in vitro. MethodsPDA NPs were fabricated via oxidative self-polymerization. The ROS-responsive hydrogel was cross-linked using N1-(4-boronobenzyl)-N3-(4-boronophenyl)-N1,N1,N3,N3-tetramethylpropane-1, 3-diaminium (TSPBA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Morphology, particle size, Zeta potential, and structure of PDA NPs were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), Zeta potential analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Microstructure, rheological properties, shear-thinning behavior, and ROS-triggered release profiles of the hydrogel were examined by SEM and rheometry. Biocompatibility was evaluated using HT22 mouse hippocampal neurons with CCK-8 and live/dead staining. An oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model was established to simulate ischemic injury in vitro. ROS levels and neuronal apoptosis were detected by DHE staining and TUNEL assay. Microglial polarization and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression were analyzed using immunofluorescence and RT-qPCR in BV-2 microglia. Transwell co-culture was used to verify the indirect neuroprotection mediated by modulated microglia. ResultsCharacterization results confirmed that the as-prepared PDA NPs were monodispersed spherical nanoparticles with uniform diameter and negative surface potential, demonstrating favorable dispersibility and robust ROS-scavenging activity. The TSPBA-PVA hydrogel exhibited a highly porous interconnected network, suitable mechanical strength, and obvious shear-thinning behavior, supporting its application as an injectable implant. More importantly, the hydrogel displayed typical ROS-responsive degradation and on-demand PDA NP release in a ROS-concentration-dependent manner. In vitro cellular experiments demonstrated that the PDA NP-loaded hydrogel possessed excellent biocompatibility with HT22 cells. In the OGD/R model, the hydrogel significantly reduced intracellular ROS accumulation and markedly suppressed neuronal apoptosis. Furthermore, the composite hydrogel effectively redirected BV-2 microglia from the pro-inflammatory M1 toward the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes, downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, and reduced inflammatory damage. Transwell co-culture assays further validated that M2-polarized microglia mediated by the hydrogel significantly enhanced the survival of OGD/R-injured HT22 neurons and attenuated apoptosis. ConclusionIn this study, we successfully developed a novel injectable ROS-responsive hydrogel loaded with PDA NPs for synergistic antioxidative and anti-inflammatory neuroprotection. This intelligent hydrogel system enables ROS-triggered on-demand release of PDA NPs, efficiently scavenges excessive ROS, inhibits oxidative stress injury, modulates microglial polarization, and suppresses neuroinflammation, thereby exerting robust neuroprotective effects in vitro. This biomaterial platform provides a promising strategy for the targeted and controlled delivery of bioactive nanomaterials in the central nervous system diseases and establishes a solid experimental foundation for the development of in situ injectable therapies for ischemic brain injury.

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of a clustered outbreak of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome(SFTS)as well as the ecological tick monitoring results for Zibo City, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating prevention and control strategies. Methods A case definition was cited before epidemic investigations were performed. Epidemiological investigations were performed on the index cases and their close contacts. Blood samples were collected from cases and close contacts, and quantitative real-time RT-PCR was used to detect SFTS virus(SFTSV)nucleic acid sequences. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze risk factors and develop prevention and control strategies. Results This clustered outbreak involved two index cases and six close contacts with no deaths. Case A exhibited symptom onset on July 26. SFTS was confirmed on August 2. Case B exhibited symptom onset on August 1, and SFTS was confirmed on August 3. Patient B reported a recent history of tick bites. In both index cases, the incubation period for SFTS was inferred to be 7-12 days. The time interval from symptom onset to clinical diagnosis in the two cases ranged from 2-8 days, with an average period of 5 days. SFTSV nucleic acid test result were positive for both patients, whereas all six close contacts tested negative. All captured ticks tested negative for SFTSV using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The densities of parasitic and free-living ticks in the emergency monitoring area around the cases were 12.60 and 4.65 ticks/(flag·100 m). In 2024, the average parasitic tick index and free-living tick density index were 4.21 and 2.43 ticks/(flag ·100 m)in Yiyuan County, respectively. Conclusions No evidence of human-to-human transmission was found in the assessed SFTS clusters. The infections were likely acquired through tick bites during fieldwork, and the risk of a subsequent outbreak spreading was low.

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of rituximab(RTX)combined with calcineurin inhibitors(CNI)in the treatment of refractory nephrotic syndrome(RNS).Methods:A total of 80 patients with steroid-dependent/resistant RNS were prospectively enrolled and randomly assigned to an observation group(RTX+CNI,n=40)and a control group(CNI monotherapy,n=40).Patients were followed up for 24 months.Dynamic comparisons were made between the two groups regarding complete remission rate,relapse rate,24-hour urinary protein,kidney injury molecule-1(KIM-1),and adverse reactions.Results:The complete remission rate(CR)in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group at all time points(24-month CR:100％vs 90％,P＜0.05).The 24-month relapse rate was significantly lower in the observation group compared to the control group(0％vs 10％,P＜0.05).Combination therapy significantly reduced 24-hour urinary protein levels(6 months:2.13±0.63 vs 3.86±1.01 g/24 h,P＜0.001)and the renal injury marker KIM-1(6 months:1.53±0.41 vs 2.23±0.65 ng/mL,P＜0.001),and increased the CD4+/CD8+ ratio(24 months:2.03±0.52 vs 1.72±0.41,P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(15％vs 20％,P=0.556).Conclusion:RTX combined with CNI significantly improves the long-term remission rate and reduces the risk of relapse in RNS.Its dual immunomodulatory and multi-target renal protective effects provide evidence-based support for optimizing the treatment of refractory nephrotic syndrome.

Objective:In alignment with the practical teaching objectives of Diseases of the Locomotor System and the competency requirements for graduates of military medical universities, this study conducted a multidimensional modification of the traditional objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) to provide a novel training mode that enhances the effectiveness of practical teaching of this course.Methods:The traditional OSCE was modified from the four dimensions of integration, individuality, immersion, and intelligence. The first three stations were set as "diagnosis" and the last three stations were set as "operation" to reflect the "integration" of diagnosis and treatment. The last station of "operation" was set as "medical cares of combat and training injuries" to reflect "individuality" of military medical training. The method of situation creation was used to reflect "immersion", and the application of intelligent terminals reflected "intelligence". The study involved 50 trainees who were assigned to either a modified OSCE group or a traditional teaching group through a random drawing process. The teaching effectiveness was assessed through evaluation of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and participant satisfaction. The statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS 22.0, with parametric data assessed by t-tests and non-parametric data assessed by chi-square tests. Results:Before entering the department, there were no statistically significant differences in theoretical ( P=0.832) and practical ( P=0.513) scores between the two groups of trainees. However, after the internship, the modified OSCE group demonstrated significantly enhanced scores compared to the traditional teaching group, both in theory assessment [(93.88±1.92) vs. (90.76±2.85), P=0.001] and skill assessment [(94.32±1.25) vs. (91.68±2.82), P=0.001]. Additionally, the self-assessment of clinical capability improvement by the modified OSCE group was markedly higher across all dimensions than the traditional teaching group ( P=0.001). Furthermore, the evaluation conducted by basic combat unit on the job competency of graduated trainees indicated that the modified OSCE group outperformed the traditional teaching group in basic clinical diagnosis and treatment [(4.72±0.46) vs. (3.44±0.71), P=0.001], emergency management of combat and training injuries [(4.72±0.46) vs. (3.52±0.71), P=0.001], application of information technology [(4.44±0.71) vs. (3.91±0.80), P=0.029], basic military qualities [(4.40±0.71) vs. (3.92±0.91), P=0.043], mental health and resilience [(4.36±0.70) vs. (3.68±0.85), P=0.003], and the capacity for continuous learning [(4.64±0.70) vs. (3.83±0.76), P=0.001]. Conclusions:The modified OSCE teaching mode can better meet the practical teaching requirements for Diseases of the Locomotor System in the military medical university and thus holds promise for further application.