1.From Correlation to Causation: Understanding Episodic Memory Networks.
Ahsan KHAN ; Jing LIU ; Maité CRESPO-GARCÍA ; Kai YUAN ; Cheng-Peng HU ; Ziyin REN ; Chun-Hang Eden TI ; Desmond J OATHES ; Raymond Kai-Yu TONG
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(8):1463-1486
Episodic memory, our ability to recall past experiences, is supported by structures in the medial temporal lobe (MTL) particularly the hippocampus, and its interactions with fronto-parietal brain regions. Understanding how these brain regions coordinate to encode, consolidate, and retrieve episodic memories remains a fundamental question in cognitive neuroscience. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) methods, especially transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), have advanced episodic memory research beyond traditional lesion studies and neuroimaging by enabling causal investigations through targeted magnetic stimulation to specific brain regions. This review begins by delineating the evolving understanding of episodic memory from both psychological and neurobiological perspectives and discusses the brain networks supporting episodic memory processes. Then, we review studies that employed TMS to modulate episodic memory, with the aim of identifying potential cortical regions that could be used as stimulation sites to modulate episodic memory networks. We conclude with the implications and prospects of using NIBS to understand episodic memory mechanisms.
Humans
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Memory, Episodic
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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation/methods*
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Brain/physiology*
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Nerve Net/physiology*
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Mental Recall/physiology*
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Neural Pathways/physiology*
2.Peripheral blood cell count composite score as a prognostic factor in patients with colorectal cancer
Peiyuan GUO ; Xuhua HU ; Baokun LI ; Ti LU ; Jiaming LIU ; Chaoyu WANG ; Wenbo NIU ; Guiying WANG ; Bin YU
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2024;27(9):953-965
Objective:To develop a prognostic prediction model for patients with colorectal cancer based on a peripheral blood cell composite score (PBCS) system.Methods:This retrospective observational study included patients who had primary colorectal cancer without distant metastasis, who did not undergo radiotherapy or chemotherapy before surgery, who did not receive leukocyte or platelet-raising therapy within 1 month before surgery, and whose postoperative pathology confirmed colorectal adenocarcinoma with complete tumor resection. Patients with severe anemia, infection, or hematologic diseases before surgery, as well as those with severe heart, lung, or other important organ diseases or concurrent malignant tumors, were excluded. In total, 1021 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery of the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from April 2018 to April 2020 were retrospectively included as the training set (766 patients) and the internal validation set (255 patients). Additionally, using the same criteria, 215 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent surgical treatment in another treatment group from March 2015 to December 2020 were selected as the external validation set. The "surv_cutpoint" function in R software was used to analyze the optimal cut-off values of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets, and a PBCS system was established based on the optimal cut-off values. The scoring rules of the PBCS system were as follows: Neutrophils and platelets below the optimal cut-off value = 1 point, otherwise 0 points; Lymphocytes above the optimal cut-off value = 1 point, otherwise 0 points. The scores of the three cell types were added together to obtain the PBCS. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to explore the correlation between patients' clinicopathological features and prognosis, and a nomogram was constructed based on the Cox regression analysis to predict patients' prognosis. The accuracy of the nomogram prediction model was validated using the C-index, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis.Results:The optimal cut-off values for neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets were 4.40×10 9/L, 1.41×10 9/L, and 355×10 9/L, respectively. The patients were divided into high and low groups according to the optimal cut-off values of these cells. Survival curve analysis showed that a high lymphocyte count (training set: P=0.042, internal validation: P=0.010, external validation: P=0.029), low neutrophil count (training set: P=0.035, internal validation: P=0.001, external validation: P=0.024), and low platelet count (training set: P=0.041, internal validation: P=0.030, external validation: P=0.024) were associated with prolonged overall survival (OS), with statistically significant differences in all cases. Survival analysis of different PBCS groups showed that patients with a high PBCS had longer OS than those with a low PBCS ( P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis results showed that aspirin use history, vascular thrombus, neural invasion, CA19-9, N stage, operation time, M stage, and PBCS were independent factors affecting OS (all P<0.05). The PBCS was also an independent factor affecting disease-specific survival ( P<0.05), but not progression-free survival ( P>0.05). The above independent risk or protective factors were included in R software to construct a nomogram for predicting OS. The C-index (0.873), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (threshold probability: 0.0%–75.2%) all indicated that the nomogram prediction model had good predictive performance for OS. Conclusion:This study demonstrates that the PBCS constructed based on preoperative peripheral blood levels of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets is an independent factor associated with the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer. The nomogram model constructed based on this score system exhibits good predictive efficacy for the prognosis of these patients.
3.Risk control in phase Ⅰ clinical trials of macromolecular drugs
Wen-Jing BAI ; Juan WANG ; Yue LIU ; Ting-Ting WANG ; Ti-Ti WANG ; Ya-Ru WANG ; Yu-Ying YIN ; Xin WANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(16):2424-2427
The author analyzed the characteristics of phase Ⅰ clinical trials of macromolecular drugs,the characteristics of evaluation indicators of phase Ⅰ clinical trials of macromolecular drugs,such as safety evaluation,pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation,and efficacy evaluation.And the control points of subjects management,management of experimental macromolecule drugs,and identified and potential risk factors of macromolecule drugs in the implementation of risk management for phase Ⅰ clinical trials of macromolecule drugs were discussed in depth based on previous clinical trial research experience.Through discussion and analysis,the author suggests that each research center can formulate risk control strategies according to the actual situation,improve the efficiency of risk control,and facilitate the smooth implementation of clinical trials and improve the quality of clinical trials.
4.Analysis of the whole genome sequence of a GⅡ.12P16 norovirus strain
Meijia LI ; Guoqiang WANG ; Mingxin GUO ; Xiaolin LIU ; Ti LIU ; Wenkui SUN ; Zhongyan FU ; Zengqiang KOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2024;38(2):144-149
Objective:To characterize the complete genome sequence and elucidate the structural features of norovirus (NoV) isolate SD20200267.Methods:The viral nucleic acid was extracted from patient samples, followed by amplification and sequencing for genotyping based on the nucleotide sequences. The metagenomic sequencing technology was utilized for whole genome sequencing, and subsequent analysis was performed on the acquired nucleotide sequences.Results:The complete genome sequence of the SD20200267 strain, spanning a total length of 7 465 nucleotides, was successfully obtained. The SD20200267 strain belongs to the GⅡ.12 and GⅡ.P16 genotypes in the VP1 and RdRp regions, respectively. The nucleotide sequence identity of SD20200267 strain with other GⅡ.12[P16] strains ranged from 96.0% to 97.3%, exhibiting 15 amino acid variations. The strain displayed evidence of recombination, with the recombination site located in the overlapping region of ORF1 and ORF2.Conclusions:SD20200267 is classified as a GⅡ.12[P16] strain, and recombination was observed in the overlapping region of ORF1 and ORF2.
5.Peripheral blood cell count composite score as a prognostic factor in patients with colorectal cancer
Peiyuan GUO ; Xuhua HU ; Baokun LI ; Ti LU ; Jiaming LIU ; Chaoyu WANG ; Wenbo NIU ; Guiying WANG ; Bin YU
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2024;27(9):953-965
Objective:To develop a prognostic prediction model for patients with colorectal cancer based on a peripheral blood cell composite score (PBCS) system.Methods:This retrospective observational study included patients who had primary colorectal cancer without distant metastasis, who did not undergo radiotherapy or chemotherapy before surgery, who did not receive leukocyte or platelet-raising therapy within 1 month before surgery, and whose postoperative pathology confirmed colorectal adenocarcinoma with complete tumor resection. Patients with severe anemia, infection, or hematologic diseases before surgery, as well as those with severe heart, lung, or other important organ diseases or concurrent malignant tumors, were excluded. In total, 1021 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery of the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from April 2018 to April 2020 were retrospectively included as the training set (766 patients) and the internal validation set (255 patients). Additionally, using the same criteria, 215 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent surgical treatment in another treatment group from March 2015 to December 2020 were selected as the external validation set. The "surv_cutpoint" function in R software was used to analyze the optimal cut-off values of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets, and a PBCS system was established based on the optimal cut-off values. The scoring rules of the PBCS system were as follows: Neutrophils and platelets below the optimal cut-off value = 1 point, otherwise 0 points; Lymphocytes above the optimal cut-off value = 1 point, otherwise 0 points. The scores of the three cell types were added together to obtain the PBCS. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to explore the correlation between patients' clinicopathological features and prognosis, and a nomogram was constructed based on the Cox regression analysis to predict patients' prognosis. The accuracy of the nomogram prediction model was validated using the C-index, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis.Results:The optimal cut-off values for neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets were 4.40×10 9/L, 1.41×10 9/L, and 355×10 9/L, respectively. The patients were divided into high and low groups according to the optimal cut-off values of these cells. Survival curve analysis showed that a high lymphocyte count (training set: P=0.042, internal validation: P=0.010, external validation: P=0.029), low neutrophil count (training set: P=0.035, internal validation: P=0.001, external validation: P=0.024), and low platelet count (training set: P=0.041, internal validation: P=0.030, external validation: P=0.024) were associated with prolonged overall survival (OS), with statistically significant differences in all cases. Survival analysis of different PBCS groups showed that patients with a high PBCS had longer OS than those with a low PBCS ( P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis results showed that aspirin use history, vascular thrombus, neural invasion, CA19-9, N stage, operation time, M stage, and PBCS were independent factors affecting OS (all P<0.05). The PBCS was also an independent factor affecting disease-specific survival ( P<0.05), but not progression-free survival ( P>0.05). The above independent risk or protective factors were included in R software to construct a nomogram for predicting OS. The C-index (0.873), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (threshold probability: 0.0%–75.2%) all indicated that the nomogram prediction model had good predictive performance for OS. Conclusion:This study demonstrates that the PBCS constructed based on preoperative peripheral blood levels of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets is an independent factor associated with the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer. The nomogram model constructed based on this score system exhibits good predictive efficacy for the prognosis of these patients.
6.Molecular evolutionary of hemagglutinin gene of influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus in Shandong Province from 2009 to 2024
Zhihong ZHAO ; Yujie HE ; Julong WU ; Shaoxia SONG ; Lin SUN ; Zhong LI ; Xianjun WANG ; Zengqiang KOU ; Hongling WEN ; Ti LIU
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2024;44(7):580-587
Objective:To characterize and analyze the genetic variation of hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 subtype virus in Shandong Province, and explore the genetic variation patterns for providing reference for influenza monitoring, epidemic prevention and control, and vaccine strain selection.Methods:HA gene sequences of the recommended strains of influenza vaccine from 2009 to 2024 and the representative strains of each branch were downloaded from the GISAID Influenza Data Platform, and were phylogenetically analyzed and characterized in terms of amino acid site variation with the HA gene sequences of 298 influenza A (H1N1) virus strains isolated from Shandong Province. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using the maximum likelihood (ML) method of the IQ-TREE online tool, and the amino acid site variants were viewed using MegAlign software. The potential glycosylation sites of the HA gene were predicted using the NetNGlyc 1.0 online software.Results:The HA gene homology of the 298 influenza A (H1N1) viruses isolated in Shandong Province ranged from 91.2% to 100.0%. The evolutionary branches were gradually distantly related over time, but the direction of evolution was roughly the same as that in other provinces. Amino acid mutations in the HA occurred every year and most were found in the antigenic determinants.Conclusions:The HA genes of influenza viruses isolated in Shandong Province from 2009 to 2024 are still in the process of continuous evolution, and continuous monitoring of the epidemiological trends and the evolutionary directions of influenza viruses is essential for early warning of influenza virus pandemics.
7.Analysis of HA and NA gene variation characteristics of A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus in Shandong Province from 2022 to 2023
Ju-Long WU ; Shu ZHANG ; Yu-Jie HE ; Lin SUN ; Shao-Xia SONG ; Wen-Kui SUN ; Ti LIU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(5):471-477
This study was aimed at characterizing the variations in hemagglutinin(HA)and neuraminidase(NA)genes of influenza virus subtype A(H1N1)pdm09 isolated during the 2022-2023 influenza monitoring year in Shandong Province,to provide a scientific basis for influenza prevention and control.A total of 14 A(H1N1)pdm09 subtype influenza strains were se-lected randomly by city by the influenza monitoring network laboratory.The vaccine strains recommended by the WHO served as references for whole gene sequencing analysis.A fluorescence method was used to conduct neuraminidase inhibition experi-ments to evaluate drug sensitivity.The A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus in Shandong Province,2022-2023 belonged to the 5a.2a evolutionary cluster in the 6B.1A branch.Nucleotide sequence analysis indicated that the HA and NA genes were closely re-lated to the Northern Hemisphere vaccine strain A/Victoria/2570/2019 in the years 2021-2023,and showed homology of 98.5%to 98.7%and 98.8%to 99.1%,respectively.Amino acid sequence analysis revealed 20 amino acid sequence mutations in the HA protein,but only one virus strain was found to have antigen drift,and three virus strains showed loss of HA protein glycosylation sites.No mutations were found at important sites affecting NA enzymes.The neuraminidase inhibition experiment indicated viral sensitivity to anti-influenza drugs.In conclusion,the monitored virus strains had high overall homology with vac-cine strains but showed some amino acid variation.In the future,continued monitoring of the genetic variation characteristics of influenza viruses will be necessary to understand the risk of influenza epidemics,and the effectiveness of influenza vaccines and therapeutic drugs.
8.Monitoring and analysis of avian influenza virus in poultry related environments in Shandong Province from 2020 to 2023
Ju-Long WU ; Shao-Xia SONG ; Yu-Jie HE ; Shu ZHANG ; Lin SUN ; Wen-Kui SUN ; Ti LIU ; Zeng-Qiang KOU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(8):768-773
This study was aimed at understanding the pollution distribution pattern of avian influenza virus in the environ-ment in poultry related places in Shandong Province,to provide a scientific basis for the prevention,control,prediction,and early warning regarding human infection with avian influenza.From 2020 to 2023,6 523 environmental samples were collected in 16 cities in Shandong Province from four types of poultry-related places.Fluorescence quantitative PCR was used for nucleic acid testing of influenza A virus.Positive samples were further identified for the H5,H7,and H9 subtypes of avian influenza virus.The epidemiological characteristics of avian influenza viruses in the poultry related environment of Shandong Province were described,and inter-rate comparisons were performed with the x2 test.During 2020-2023,6 523 environmental samples were collected,and 1 007 cases positive for avian influenza virus were detected,with a positivity rate of 15.44%.H5,H7,and H9 subtypesand mixed infections were detected.H9 was the main subtype(88.48%)in positive specimens.A significant difference in positivity rates was observed among regions(x2=431.956,P<0.001),and the highest positivity rate was 28.93%.Significant differences in positivity rates were observed among monitoring sites(x2=304.604,P<0.001),sample types(x2=109.678,P<0.001),and quarters(x2=64.963,P<0.001).The positive detection rate was highest at monitoring sites in urban and rural live poultry markets(20.12%),and the positive detection rate of samples collected by wiping meat cut-ting board surfaces was higher than that of other samples(22.56%).The peak positive detection rate occurred in spring(20.31%).Widespread contamination with avian influenza virus was observed in poultry environments in Shandong Prov-ince.The H9 subtype,the main pathogen,coexisted with H5 and H7 subtypes,thus posing a risk of human infection with avian influenza.Therefore,prevention and control of avian influenza must be strengthened in key seasons,areas,places,and links.
9.Alvianolic acid B exerts a protective effect on random skin flaps through autophagy mediated by activation of TFE3
Zhong-Bing HAN ; Hui-Wen YANG ; Hai-Zhou NIU ; Kuan-Kuan ZHANG ; Yang-Yang LIU ; Pan-Pan XU ; Ling-Ti KONG ; Chang-Chun ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(10):1912-1920
Aim To observe the role of salvianolic acid B(Sal B)in enhancing the survival of random skin flaps and to preliminarily explore its potential mecha-nisms.Methods The appearance,degree of edema,color and hair condition of the skin flap were evaluated seven days after operation.The vascular network and blood flow of random flaps were measured by laser Doppler flow measurement.HE staining was used to detect the growth of microvessels in random flaps.The expressions of VEGF and CD34 were detected by im-munohistochemistry,the expressions of RIPK1,2 and LC3 Ⅱ were detected by immunofluorescence,and the effects of autophagy related proteins and signaling path-ways were detected by Western blot.Results The ex-perimental results showed that Sal B induced autophagy in the random skin flaps,promoted angiogenesis,and reduced oxidative stress and necrotic apoptosis,signifi-cantly increasing the survival rate of the flaps.Immu-nohistochemistry,immunofluorescence staining,and Western blot confirmed that Sal B induced autophagy in the random skin flaps by activating TFE3 protein.Conclusion Sal B can promote autophagy in cells of random skin flaps and reduce their necrotic apoptosis by activating TFE3 protein.
10.Effect of erector spinae plane block on postoperative delirium and cognitive function in elderly patients with lung cancer undergoing thoracoscopic radical surgery
Ming-Jie ZHONG ; Yong LIU ; Yue CHEN ; Ying GENG ; Hao WU ; Ti-Jun DAI
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2024;33(8):718-721
Objective To investigate the effect of erector spinae plane block on postoperative delirium and cognitive function in elderly patients with lung cancer undergoing thoracoscopic radical surgery.Methods A total of 90 elderly patients with lung cancer underwent thoracoscopic radical surgery were selected and randomly divided into the control group and the observation group,with 45 cases in each group.The patients in the control group were given general anesthesia,while the patients in the observation group were given erector spinae plane block before general anesthesia.The vital signs at different time points,opioid dosage,number of analgesic pump compressions,incision pain visual analogue scale(VAS)score,cognitive function and postoperative delirium of patients between the two groups were compared.Results At the end of anesthesia,the mean arterial pressure(MAP)and heart rate of patients in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The dosage of remifentanil during operation,sufentanil during perioperative period and number of analgesia pumps compressions of patients in the observation group were significantly less than those in the control group(P<0.05).The incision pain VAS scores 6 hours,12 hours,24 hours and 48 hours after surgery of patients in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The scores of cognitive function 6 hours and 24 hours after surgery of patients in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05);and the incidence of delirium 6 hours and 24 hours after surgery in the control group was significantly higher than those in the observation group(P<0.05).Conclusion Erector spinae plane block can significantly relieve the perioperative pain of elderly patients with lung cancer undergoing thoracoscopic radical surgery,reduce the dosage of opioids and the incidence of postoperative delirium,improve the postoperative cognitive function of patients,which provides a new idea for reducing the incidence of postoperative mental diseases.

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