Objective:To explore the incidence of delirium in patients of advanced age hospitalized in internal medicine departments and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of 586 patients of advanced age hospitalized in internal medicine departments at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Third Affiliated Hospital from May 2023 to May 2024. Patients were divided into a delirium group and a non-delirium group based on whether delirium occurred. Univariate analysis and binary Logistic regression analysis were used to explore the factors influencing delirium in patients of advanced age hospitalized in internal medicine departments.Results:Among 586 patients of advanced age hospitalized in internal medicine departments, the incidence of delirium was 21.2% (124/586). Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that age, activities of daily living (Barthel Index), folate deficiency, sleep disorders, and indwelling catheters were factors influencing delirium in patients of advanced age hospitalized in internal medicine departments ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The incidence of delirium is high among patients of advanced age hospitalized in internal medicine departments. Healthcare professionals should pay particular attention to elderly patients with advanced age, limited activities of daily living, folate deficiency, sleep disorders, and indwelling catheters, and should implement targeted preventive strategies as early as possible.

Objective To investigate the dynamic functional connectivity differences between insomnia patients and healthy controls in triple brain networks[the significant network(SN),the default mode network(DMN),and the executive control network(ECN)]using functional magnetic resonance imaging,and uncover their associations with cognitive ability.Methods Dynamic functional connectivity analysis was performed on functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 40 insomnia patients and 40 healthy controls.The changes in dynamic functional connectivity values were studied for SN,DMN,ECN[including the left executive control network(LECN)and the right executive control network(RECN)];the similarities and differences in time characteristic indicators such as time score,average dwell time,and conversion rate were explored;and their associations with clinical information were analyzed.Results The SN-LECN and DMN-RECN dynamic functional connectivity was significantly higher in insomnia patients than in healthy controls(P=0.013,0.047),while the RECN-LECN and RECN internal functional connectivity strength was lower in insomnia patients than in healthy controls(P<0.001).Additionally,the fractional time in state 2 in insomnia group was significantly higher than that in healthy controls(P<0.001),and it was positively correlated with the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(r=0.524,P=0.001).Conclusion Insomnia patients exhibit significant abnormalities in triple brain network dynamic functional connectivity,which may be related to abnormalities in cognitive control and sensory processing in insomnia patients.These findings provide a new perspective for further research on the neural mechanisms and potential intervention strategies for insomnia.

Objective:To explore the incidence of delirium in patients of advanced age hospitalized in internal medicine departments and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of 586 patients of advanced age hospitalized in internal medicine departments at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Third Affiliated Hospital from May 2023 to May 2024. Patients were divided into a delirium group and a non-delirium group based on whether delirium occurred. Univariate analysis and binary Logistic regression analysis were used to explore the factors influencing delirium in patients of advanced age hospitalized in internal medicine departments.Results:Among 586 patients of advanced age hospitalized in internal medicine departments, the incidence of delirium was 21.2% (124/586). Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that age, activities of daily living (Barthel Index), folate deficiency, sleep disorders, and indwelling catheters were factors influencing delirium in patients of advanced age hospitalized in internal medicine departments ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The incidence of delirium is high among patients of advanced age hospitalized in internal medicine departments. Healthcare professionals should pay particular attention to elderly patients with advanced age, limited activities of daily living, folate deficiency, sleep disorders, and indwelling catheters, and should implement targeted preventive strategies as early as possible.

Objective To investigate the dynamic functional connectivity differences between insomnia patients and healthy controls in triple brain networks[the significant network(SN),the default mode network(DMN),and the executive control network(ECN)]using functional magnetic resonance imaging,and uncover their associations with cognitive ability.Methods Dynamic functional connectivity analysis was performed on functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 40 insomnia patients and 40 healthy controls.The changes in dynamic functional connectivity values were studied for SN,DMN,ECN[including the left executive control network(LECN)and the right executive control network(RECN)];the similarities and differences in time characteristic indicators such as time score,average dwell time,and conversion rate were explored;and their associations with clinical information were analyzed.Results The SN-LECN and DMN-RECN dynamic functional connectivity was significantly higher in insomnia patients than in healthy controls(P=0.013,0.047),while the RECN-LECN and RECN internal functional connectivity strength was lower in insomnia patients than in healthy controls(P<0.001).Additionally,the fractional time in state 2 in insomnia group was significantly higher than that in healthy controls(P<0.001),and it was positively correlated with the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(r=0.524,P=0.001).Conclusion Insomnia patients exhibit significant abnormalities in triple brain network dynamic functional connectivity,which may be related to abnormalities in cognitive control and sensory processing in insomnia patients.These findings provide a new perspective for further research on the neural mechanisms and potential intervention strategies for insomnia.

Smoking is a major concern in today's society,and the nicotine in tobacco is the major cause of addiction and difficulty in withdrawal.Long-term use of nicotine not only results in abnormal neural oscillations in the brain,but also impairs reward circuits as well as emotion regulation,thus reducing neuroplasticity and increasing susceptibility to addiction.As electrophysiological signals,electroencephalogram(EEG)signals are associated with a variety of states including cognitive function,emotion regulation,inhibitory control,and sleep.The researches on nicotine addiction reveal that changes in EEG signals are associated with abnormalities in cognitive function and inhibitory control in nicotine addicts.Therefore,exploring the abnormal neural oscillation patterns of nicotine addicts through EEG-related techniques can deepen the understanding of the intrinsic neural mechanisms of nicotine addiction and provide a scientific basis for the intervention and treatment of nicotine addiction.Herein the study summarizes the research achievements of scholars at home and abroad in recent years from the aspects of the application status of EEG in nicotine addiction researches as well as the current technology.It is found that nicotine addicts have obvious abnormalities in sleep quality,cognitive function and inhibitory control.In addition,the functional brain connectivity,event-related potentials and EEG power spectra of addicts are significantly changed.Finally,an outlook on the research prospects of EEG signals in nicotine addiction is provided,emphasizing the potential applications of EEG signals in addiction mechanisms,withdrawal responses,and assessment of treatment efficacy.

Smoking is a major concern in today's society,and the nicotine in tobacco is the major cause of addiction and difficulty in withdrawal.Long-term use of nicotine not only results in abnormal neural oscillations in the brain,but also impairs reward circuits as well as emotion regulation,thus reducing neuroplasticity and increasing susceptibility to addiction.As electrophysiological signals,electroencephalogram(EEG)signals are associated with a variety of states including cognitive function,emotion regulation,inhibitory control,and sleep.The researches on nicotine addiction reveal that changes in EEG signals are associated with abnormalities in cognitive function and inhibitory control in nicotine addicts.Therefore,exploring the abnormal neural oscillation patterns of nicotine addicts through EEG-related techniques can deepen the understanding of the intrinsic neural mechanisms of nicotine addiction and provide a scientific basis for the intervention and treatment of nicotine addiction.Herein the study summarizes the research achievements of scholars at home and abroad in recent years from the aspects of the application status of EEG in nicotine addiction researches as well as the current technology.It is found that nicotine addicts have obvious abnormalities in sleep quality,cognitive function and inhibitory control.In addition,the functional brain connectivity,event-related potentials and EEG power spectra of addicts are significantly changed.Finally,an outlook on the research prospects of EEG signals in nicotine addiction is provided,emphasizing the potential applications of EEG signals in addiction mechanisms,withdrawal responses,and assessment of treatment efficacy.

Objective:To evaluate the influencing factors of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (CF-PWV) and its value to predict outcomes in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.Methods:Eligible patients undergoing PD in Renji Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University between August 2016 and July 2018 were recruited and prospectively followed up until death, PD cessation, or to the end of the study. CF-PWV was measured by an arterial pulse wave velocity meter to assess arterial stiffness (July 31, 2020). Overhydration was measured by bioimpedance spectroscopy. The patients were divided into CF-PWV≤10 m/s group and CF-PWV>10 m/s group according to the measured value of CF-PWV. The influencing factors of elevated CF-PWV were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the difference for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality between the two groups.Results:A total of 224 PD patients were enrolled, including 133 males (59.4%). The age was (55.2±13.4) years old, and median PD vintage was 22.3(6.5, 59.3) months. Among them, 47(21.0%) patients were comorbid with diabetes, and 37(16.5%) patients had CVD history. The median CF-PWV was 9.6(8.4, 11.4) m/s for the cohort, and 105(46.9%) participants had CF-PWV over 10 m/s. Compared with CF-PWV≤10 m/s group, CF-PWV>10 m/s group patients had older age, increased percentage of diabetes and CVD (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that increased age ( OR=1.070, 95% CI 1.043-1.099, P<0.001), diabetes ( OR=3.693, 95% CI 1.646-8.287, P=0.002) and higher overhydration ( OR=1.238, 95% CI 1.034-1.483, P=0.020) were independent influencing factors for elevated CF-PWV in PD patients. After followed up for 37.4(25.6, 41.7) months, 24 patients died, including 19 cases of CVD-related deaths. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that all-cause mortality and CVD mortality were significantly higher in the CF-PWV>10 m/s group than those in CF-PWV≤10 m/s group (Log-rank χ2=6.423, P=0.011; Log-rank χ2=6.243, P=0.012, respectively). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models showed that increased age was an independent influencing factor for both all-cause mortality and CVD mortality ( HR=1.057, 95% CI 1.010-1.107, P=0.018; HR=1.062, 95% CI 1.009-1.118, P=0.022). Conclusions:Increased arterial stiffness is relatively common in PD patients. Higher CF-PWV in PD patients is associated with increased age, diabetes and higher overhydration, and it is probably a valuable predictor of outcome in PD patients.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of peritoneal protein clearance (Pcl) for cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.Methods:Eligible PD patients were prospectively enrolled from January 2014 to April 2015 in the PD Center of Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. All patients were followed up until death, withdrawing from PD, transferring to other centers, or the end of study period (October 1, 2018). The patients were divided into high Pcl group and low Pcl group by the median Pcl, and the differences of related indicators between the two groups were compared. A multiple linear regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of Pcl. The Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test were used to compare the cumulative survival rates of patients between the two groups. A multivariate Cox regression model was used to estimate the risk of cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality in relation to Pcl in PD patients.Results:A total of 271 patients were enrolled, with 135 males (49.8%), age of (56.92±0.84) years old and a median PD duration of 38.77(19.00, 63.10) months. There were 70 patients (25.8%) comorbiding with diabetes and 81 patients (29.9%) with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The median Pcl of this cohort was 67.93(52.31, 88.36) ml/d. Compared with the low Pcl group (Pcl<67.93 ml/d), the high Pcl group (Pcl≥67.93 ml/d) had older age, and greater proportion of CVD, body mass index (BMI), pulse pressure, brain natriuretic peptide, mass transfer area coefficient of creatinine (MTACcr), and lower serum albumin (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in gender, dialysis duration, proportion of diabetes, proportion of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker, proportion of continuous ambulatory PD, high sensitivity C reactive protein, fluid removal including 24 h urine volume and 24 h ultrafiltration, and residual renal function between the two groups (all P>0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that serum albumin ( β=-0.388, P<0.001), BMI ( β=0.189, P<0.001), and MTACcr ( β=0.247, P<0.001) were independently related to lg(Pcl). During the study period, 55 patients experienced one or more cardiovascular events and 39 patients had cardiovascular mortality. According to Kaplan-Meier analysis, cardiovascular mortality in the high Pcl group was higher than that of low Pcl group (Log-rank χ2=6.902, P=0.009). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that, high lg(Pcl) was an independent influencing factor of cardiovascular events in PD patients ( HR=7.654, 95% CI 1.676-34.945, P=0.009). Conclusions:Serum albumin, BMI and MTACcr are independently associated with Pcl, and Pcl is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events in PD patients.

DNA methylation is a prevalent epigenetic modification in vertebrates, and it has been shown to be involved the regulation of gene expression and embryo development. However, it remains unclear how DNA methylation regulates sexual development, especially in species without sex chromosomes. To determine this, we utilized zebrafish to investigate DNA methylation reprogramming during juvenile germ cell development and adult female-to-male sex transition. We reveal that primordial germ cells (PGCs) undergo significant DNA methylation reprogramming during germ cell development, and the methylome of PGCs is reset to an oocyte/ovary-like pattern at 9 days post fertilization (9 dpf). When DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity in juveniles was blocked after 9 dpf, the zebrafish developed into females. We also show that Tet3 is involved in PGC development. Notably, we find that DNA methylome reprogramming during adult zebrafish sex transition is similar to the reprogramming during the sex differentiation from 9 dpf PGCs to sperm. Furthermore, inhibiting DNMT activity can prevent the female-to-male sex transition, sug-gesting that methylation reprogramming is required for zebrafish sex transition. In summary, DNA methylation plays important roles in zebrafish germ cell development and sexual plasticity.

Objective:To explore the association of abdominal aortic calcification score (AACS) with cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.Methods:The patients who underwent regular PD at Renji Hospital between July 2011 and July 2014 were recruited and prospectively followed up until the end of the study (August 31, 2018), death, or dropout PD. Abdomen lateral X-ray was used to determine AACS for each patient at enrollment. Patients were divided into three groups based on the tertiles of AACS: non-calcified group, AACS group (AACS=0), mild-moderate calcification group AACS group (0