ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans on schizophrenia induced by dizocilpine maleate （MK-801） in mice and to clarify its mechanism. MethodsMale mice of 4-6 weeks old were randomized into blank， model， positive drug， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （40， 80， 160 mg·kg^-1， respectively） Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans groups. The blank group was administrated with distilled water， and the other groups were injected with 0.5 mg·kg^-1 MK-801 to induce schizophrenia symptoms. Meanwhile， risperidone was injected at 0.2 mg·kg^-1 in the positive drug group， and mice in the intervention groups were injected with corresponding drugs for 14 consecutive days. The behavioral changes of mice were observed by autonomous activity test， open field test， forced swimming test， and water maze test. The levels of dopamine （DA） and 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） in the brain and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） in peripheral blood were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The changes in the prefrontal lobe of mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining， and the changes of the hippocampal tissue were observed by Nissl staining. The protein levels of silencing information regulatory factor 1 （SIRT1） and forkhead box protein O3a （FoxO3a） in the hippocampus of mice were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the model group， low， medium， and high doses of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans reduced the total number of autonomous activities， total distance in the open field test， immobile time in the forced swimming test， and levels of TNF-α and NF-κB in peripheral blood （P<0.05）， while increasing the number of platform crossings in the water maze test and DA and 5-HT levels in the brain tissue （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， risperidone and low， medium， and high doses of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans improve the neural cell morphology in the CA1 region， with full cells in neatly dense arrangement and exhibiting clear membrane boundary. Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans inhibited the expression of SIRT 1 and FoxO3a in the hippocampus （P<0.05）. ConclusionTo sum up， Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans may improve the behavior of schizophrenic mice by activating the SIRT1/FoxO3a signaling pathway to exert neuroprotective effects.

ObjectiveTo systematically summarize the relevant pathophysiology underlying muscle fatigue in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). MethodsDatabases including PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, Embase, Cochrane Library, EBSCO (CINAHL), CNKI, Wanfang Data and VIP Database were searched from their inception to July, 2025 for basic and clinical studies related to ME/CFS. Multidimensional evidence involving mitochondrial, neuromuscular junction dysfunction, autonomic dysregulation and immune-inflammatory responses was integrated. The role of muscles in the central-immune-metabolic-neural regulatory network and its association with clinical phenotypes were evaluated. ResultsPatients with ME/CFS commonly presented with impaired mitochondrial energy supply, oxidative stress, ion homeostasis disorders, reduced stability of neuromuscular junction transmission, insufficient central drive and postural intolerance. These abnormalities resulted in a predisposition to cross the anaerobic threshold and trigger post-exertional malaise. ConclusionMuscle pathophysiology plays a critical role in the pathogenesis and symptom persistence of ME/CFS. Rehabilitation practice should prioritize safety boundaries to avoid post-exertional malaise.

Objective:To analyze the differences in emergency rescue service capacities between county-level hospitals in Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces, and propose targeted improvement suggestions.Methods:Cluster sampling was employed, with representative county-level hospitals recommended by provincial hospital alliances in Zhejiang and Jiangsu. Emergency departments voluntarily submitted data, resulting in 24 hospitals from Zhejiang and 34 from Jiangsu. Data were collected through the China County-Level Hospital Emergency Service Capability Evaluation System. Differences between provinces were analyzed. Spearman correlation analysis explored relationships between multidimensional indicators, and multivariate logistic regression identified factors influencing hospital grade B++ and above.Results:In terms of department scale, Jiangsu had a larger emergency department area (4 853 m 2vs. 1 927 m 2, P<0.001), more beds of comprehensive inpatient wards in the emergency department (25.5 beds vs. 5.5 beds, P=0.011), and higher scores for the ratio of emergency department area to beds (4.8 vs. 3.4, P=0.005) than Zhejiang. In terms of staffing, Jiangsu had a higher proportion of doctors with master's degrees or above (13.8% vs. 0.0%, P<0.001), a higher proportion of frontline emergency medical staff with over three years of clinical experience (100.0% vs. 91.5%, P=0.001), and more doctors (19 vs. 15, P=0.039) and nurses (46 vs. 32, P=0.039). In terms of quality and safety and medical service capacity, Zhejiang had a higher severe trauma resuscitation success rate (92.9% vs. 83.75%, P=0.003), annual emergency surgery volume (1 002 vs. 428, P=0.015), and number of emergency surgery procedures (125 vs. 42, P=0.027), but Jiangsu had a shorter emergency room stay time (87.5 min vs. 136.2 min, P=0.029). In terms of informatization, Zhejiang outperformed Jiangsu in all indicators, especially in patient information interconnection and sharing (100.0% vs. 82.4%, P=0.030) and in-hospital diagnosis and treatment timeline (91.7% vs. 73.5%, P=0.043). Correlation analysis showed that the total specialty scale score was significantly positively correlated with the in-hospital emergency rescue service capacity score ( r=0.576) and the staffing score ( r=0.455). The total evaluation score was significantly positively correlated with the informatization total score ( r=0.397) and the pre-hospital emergency rescue service capacity score ( r=0.322). Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the emergency rescue service capacity score was significantly positively correlated with hospital grade ( B=1.431, P=0.03, OR=4.185, 95% CI:1.152-15.205). For every 1-unit increase in the emergency department area ( B=0.002, P=0.05), the probability of a hospital being upgraded to B++ or above increased by 0.2% ( OR=1.002, 95% CI:1.000-1.004). Conclusions:Both provinces exhibit distinct advantages in emergency department development. Departmental scale and configuration significantly impact emergency service capabilities, while staffing and quality management constitute core elements for improvement. Informatization construction notably enhances emergency service efficiency and quality.

With the advancement of medical imaging technology,MRI has become an essential tool for the diagnosis and research of neurological disorders.7T MRI,due to its high resolution and signal-to-noise ratio,demonstrates significant advantages in the diagnosis and research of neurological diseases.This article reviews the applications of 7T MRI in neurological research,including its use in neurodegenerative diseases,neuropsychiatric disorders and brain tumors.Furthermore,we discuss the future prospects and potential developments of 7T MRI in neuroimaging.

Purpose To compare the effectiveness of double-echo steady state(DESS)sequences at 7T and 3T MRI in peripheral nerves and nerve fascicles around the knee joint.Materials and Methods Fourteen healthy volunteers in the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from July 2022 to March 2025 were selected for 3T and 7T MRI scans,which included three-dimensional dual-echo steady state(3D-DESS)and dual-echo steady state with higher in-plane spatial resolution(DESSHR).Image and tissue signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)were measured.Qualitative metrics were assessed using a five-point Likert scale,and consistency of qualitative measurements was evaluated.Results The SNR of the peroneal nerve using the 3D-DESS sequence on 3T MRI was significantly lower than that on 7T MRI(t=2.913,P=0.011),while there were no statistically significant differences in SNR between other sequences(t=-0.564,-0.843,1.424,all P>0.05).The CNR of the peroneal nerve/fat using the 3D-DESS sequence on 7T MRI(t=2.490,P=0.027)and the DESSHR sequence(t=3.354,7.467,both P<0.01)was significantly higher than that of 3T MRI.However,the CNR of the tibial nerve/fat using the 3D-DESS sequence(t=-4.162,P=0.001)and the CNR of the tibial nerve/muscle using the DESSHR sequence(t=-4.358,P=0.001)were significantly lower on 7T MRI than those on 3T MRI.The image quality of both the DESSHR and 3D-DESS sequences on 7T MRI was significantly superior than those of on 3T MRI(mean differences:0.139,1.000;χ2=4.765,70.000,P<0.029,P<0.001),with clearer imaging of nerves around the knee(mean differences:0.717-2.071;χ2=66.000,62.000,68.000,23.684,60.000,58.000,61.000,58.000,all P<0.001);the DESSHR sequence on 3T MRI had fewer artifacts than that on 7T MRI(mean difference:-0.785;χ2=47.078,P<0.001).The qualitative measurement results were consistently evaluated by five assessors with good agreement(Kappa=0.67-0.85,P<0.001).Conclusion Compared with 3T MRI,the DESS sequence based on 7T can better visualize the common peroneal nerve,tibial nerve,saphenous nerve and their nerve bundles.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the current status and causes of occupational exposures to needlestick inju-ries among healthcare workers who perform minimally invasive acupunctures of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)so as to propose treatment countermeasures.METHODS A total of 95 cases who were involved in the oc-cupational exposures to needlestick injuries due to minimally invasive acupunctures and were treated in hospital in-fection management department of Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine from Jan.2020 to Dec.2024 were retrospectively investigated,and the risk factors for the occupational exposures were statistically analyzed.RESULTS The cases of operation-induced needlestick injuries accounted for 16.35％(95/581)among the total cases of occupational exposures due to the operation of minimally invasive acupunctures of TCM,standardized and advanced training doctors as well as interns were dominant among the occupational ex-posure cases.There were 69(72.63％)cases of acupuncture needle injuries,34(35.79％)of whom had the needlestick injuries during the process of withdrawal of needles.The result of data analysis showed that there were significant differences in age,occupation,working years,distribution of departments,autoimmunity,type of needlestick injury,link of stick injuries and treatment of occupational exposure with emergent screening(all P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS The incidence of needlestick injuries is high among the health care workers who per-form the minimally invasive acupunctures of TCM,which should be attached great attention to.It is of great sig-nificance to standardize and modify the use procedure,use portable sharp boxes,intensify the safe operation skills for the health care workers with less experience,strengthen the teaching,focus on the autoimmunity,vaccinate in a timely manner,and effectively treat the occupational exposures so as to reduce the incidence of occupational ex-posures and the risk of infections.

Objective To differentiate disguised visual acuity,(VA)by analyzing discrepancies across diversified visual acuity tests.Methods Volunteers were recruited,and VA(V,and V2)was measured before and after the experiment.Volunteers independently selected an experimental VA(Vt)and were assigned to either the disguised group or the control group.A specially designed heterogeneous optotype chart and a single-optotype chart with variable test distances were used to measure VA(t1,t2,t3),while a standard logarithmic VA chart was used to measure VA(t4).Based on the maximum VA discrepancy(△t),t4 was classified as"real"(≤ 1 line),"disguised"(≥ 2 lines),or"suspicious"(＞1 and＜2 lines with anomaly).Results A total of 126 valid cases were collected,including 30 in the control group and 96 in the disguised group,with VA ranging from 0.2～1.5.All 88 opinions classified as"disguised"were from the disguised group,and all 29 classified as"real"were from the control group.Of the 7 cases deemed"suspicious,"6 were from the disguised group.The sensitivity,specificity,and overall diagnostic accuracy were 91.7％,96.7％(P＜0.0001),and 92.9％(P＜0.0001),respectively.In the disguised group,38 cases exhibited unexplained identifying anomalies.Conclusion A VA discrepancy of ≥ 2 lines is a reliable indicator for detecting disguised visual acuity.Identifying anomalies may serve as a novel and sensitive marker for recognizing visual disguise.

Objective : To investigate whole genome information of a newly isolatedBifidobacterium animalissubsp. lactic B4 strain from healthy human feces was analyzed and its probiotic properties. Methods : The antimicrobial resistance, hemolytic, gastric acid tolerance and biochemical characteristics of B. animalis B4 were evaluated byin vitroexperiments, and its whole genome was sequentially sequenced and functional annotation was performed by next and three-generation sequencing technology. Results: Whole genome sequencing of B. animalis B4 showed that its genome size was 1 944 146 bp, with GC content of 60.49%, no plasmid, and a total of 1 642 genes. The results ofin vitroanalysis showed that the B. animalis B4 had good probiotic properties, including non-hemolytic and stomach acid resistance. At the same time, the genome results showed that the B. animalis B4 strain did not have toxin and disease-related genes, drug resistance genes were few and the transmission ability was not high, so it had high safety. Gene annotation of KEGG, COG and GO showed that it contained many biological active enzymes, such as β-galactosidase, L-lactate dehydrogenase and other probiotic genes. Conclusion The B. animalis B4 has good probiotic properties, showing excellent safety at the genetic level, with a probiotic gene sequence.

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

The female reproductive system is essential for sustaining reproductive endocrine homeostasis,however,its vulnerability to various endogenous and exogenous insults,including pathological conditions,pharmacological agents,genetic predispositions,and environmental factors,often results in compromised fertility.The existing protective approaches(including surgical interventions,hormonal replacement therapies,and assisted reproductive techniques)are constrained by several limitations,such as adverse therapeutic effects,technical complexities,and their incapacity to reverse ovarian senescence.Artemisinin and its derivatives(ARTs),characterized by their unique endoperoxide bridge configuration,have exhibited outstanding therapeutic performance across multiple domains including malaria treatment,anticancer therapy,inflammation modulation,and parasitic infection control.Emerging research has identified their novel protective capabilities against various reproductive system pathologies.This comprehensive review systematically elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying artemisinin-based interventions in reproductive pathologies and evaluates their clinical translation prospects,thereby proposing innovative strategies for the development of next-generation fertility-protective agents with enhanced safety and efficacy profiles.