1.Neuroelectromagnetic Activities Across Temporal Scales
Zhuo-Qun SHEN ; Xiao-Fei XU ; Yan-Qing WANG ; Jing-Xin LI ; Lan TIAN ; Wei GUO ; Jing-Jing XU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1541-1560
Although global brain science research has progressed rapidly in recent decades, several fundamental questions in neuroscience remain unresolved. In particular, the physical mechanism underlying neural signal transmission remains controversial, and the carriers responsible for neural information storage and retrieval have not yet been fully clarified. These unresolved issues motivate us to re-examine the processes of neural information generation, transmission, integration, storage, and retrieval from multiple perspectives. A key observation is that neural electromagnetic activities are closely associated with time. Their duration, temporal structure, and dynamic evolution play crucial roles in neural information processing. In this work, we analyze neural electromagnetic activities from the perspective of temporal scales (referred to here as the “time course”). By reviewing and integrating findings from previous studies, we examine the characteristic time requirements and dynamic features of neural processes occurring at different stages of information processing. These stages include neural signal generation, signal transmission along axons, synaptic integration, synaptic plasticity, and memory formation and retrieval. Based on this temporal analysis, we outline a framework describing neural electromagnetic activities across a wide range of time scales, spanning from microseconds to minutes, hours, or even longer periods associated with long-term memory, which suggests that neural information processing involves multiple physical processes operating at different time levels. Rapid electromagnetic events may occur on microsecond scales, whereas electrophysiological phenomena such as action potentials typically last on the order of milliseconds. Longer time scales are associated with synaptic plasticity and memory-related processes. From this perspective, we propose that the physical carrier of neural information may be transient electromagnetic pulses with durations on the microsecond scale. In this framework, action potentials can be interpreted as the macroscopic electrophysiological manifestation of underlying electromagnetic processes triggered by ionic currents across neuronal membranes. Rather than being the fundamental neural signal itself, the action potential may represent a measurable membrane-level response associated with the successful activation of these electromagnetic events. Moreover, we discuss a possible mechanism for long-term memory storage. Considering the apparent temporal contradiction between the millisecond-scale excitation of neurons and the long-term persistence of memories, we believe that long-term memory information may be stored within neural network topologies formed by electrical synapse coupling. Such structures, referred to as electrically coupled memory networks (ECMNs), may enable neurons within the same network to respond rapidly and synchronously to stimuli, thereby facilitating efficient memory retrieval. Overall, this study emphasizes the importance of considering the temporal organization of neural electromagnetic activities when interpreting neural signaling mechanisms. It may provide new insights into the physical nature of neural information carriers and the mechanisms of memory storage and retrieval. Furthermore, highlighting the potential role of electromagnetic interactions in neural activity may contribute to the development of new theoretical frameworks and experimental approaches in neuroscience. Such perspectives may also offer valuable references for future research on neural coding, brain function mechanisms, and neuromodulation technologies.
2.Characteristics of brain glymphatic system changes in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment based on perivascular spaces and DTI-ALPS index assessment
Xiaoqin CHENG ; Guoqiang FEI ; Shen ZHAO ; Rui HUA ; Feng SHI ; Xiaoli PAN ; Ziyi HE ; Sirui LIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(3):479-485
Objective To explore the characteristics and correlation between perivascular spaces (PVS) and diffusion tensor image analysis along perivascular spaces (DTI-ALPS) index in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on a total of 118 participants, including cognitive normal (CN) healthy controls and aMCI patients, recruited from the Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from September 2020 to September 2022. All participants underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). An automatic segmentation algorithm was used to quantify PVS metrics in the brain, and DTI-ALPS index was calculated based on DTI. Differences in DTI-ALPS index and PVS metrics between the CN and aMCI groups were compared. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent factors influencing aMCI. Correlation analysis was performed to assess relationships among DTI-ALPS index, PVS metrics, and cognitive scores. Results A total of 80 CN healthy controls and 38 aMCI patients were included. The DTI-ALPS index was significantly lower in the aMCI group compared with the CN group (1.28±0.18 vs 1.37±0.21, P=0.018), while differences in PVS metrics between groups were not statistically significant. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that DTI-ALPS index was an independent factor affecting aMCI (OR=0.097, 95%CI 0.011–0.833, P=0.033). Correlation analysis revealed a positive relationship between DTI-ALPS index and MMSE score (r=0.210, P=0.023) as well as PVS length in the centrum semiovale (r=0.216, P=0.019). Conclusions The DTI-ALPS index may serve as an imaging biomarker for identifying early cognitive impairment, and patients with aMCI exhibit abnormal DTI-ALPS indices, suggesting that brain glymphatic system dysfunction may occur prior to morphological changes.
3.Study on the efficacy and safety of 3 kinds of novel biologics in the treatment of Crohn’s disease
Fei WU ; Yongwu CHEN ; Weijia WU ; Furong WU ; Yingqi WU ; Aizong SHEN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(12):1601-1606
OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy and safety of infliximab(IFX), ustekinumab(UST) and vedolizumab(VDZ) in the treatment of active Crohn’s disease (CD). METHODS The patients with active CD who were diagnosed and initially received any of the aforementioned biologics at the First Affiliated Hospital of the USTC (Anhui Provincial Hospital) from January 2020 to December 2023 were selected as the study subjects. They were divided into the IFX group (34 cases), the UST group (37 cases), and the VDZ group (15 cases) based on their treatment regimens. Patients in all three groups received induction and maintenance therapy with IFX, UST or VDZ for at least 12 months. The CD Activity Index (CDAI) scores and their changes from baseline (ΔCDAI), clinical remission rates, clinical response rates, nutritional indicators [body mass index (BMI), albumin (ALB), hemoglobin (HGB)], and inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)] of three groups after the induction phase (9th week of treatment) and during the maintenance phase (12th month of treatment) were compared. Additionally, the cumulative clinical remission rates at 1 year of treatment and the incidence of adverse events (AEs) were compared. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences in the aforementioned baseline indicators among the three groups ( P >0.05). In all three groups, the CDAI scores were significantly lower after the induction phase and during the maintenance phase, compared to the baseline ( P <0.05). In the IFX group, CDAI scores at the above time points were significantly lower than those in the UST and VDZ groups during the same periods ( P <0.05), and the absolute value of ΔCDAI during the maintenance phase was significantly higher than that in the VDZ group ( P <0.05). The clinical remission rate in the IFX group during the maintenance phase was significantly higher than that in the UST and VDZ groups during the same period, and the clinical response rate was significantly higher than that in the VDZ group during the same period ( P <0.05). The levels of ALB, HGB, CRP and ESR in the IFX group after the induction phase and during the maintenance phase, as well as the levels of CRP and ESR in the UST group after the induction phase, all improved significantly compared to the baseline. Furthermore, the levels of ALB and HGB in the IFX group were significantly higher than those in the UST and VDZ groups during the same period ( P <0.05). The cumulative clinical remission rates among the three groups were significantly different ( P <0.05), with patients in the IFX group achieving remission more rapidly and at a higher proportion. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of AEs among IFX, UST and VDZ groups (14.71%, 8.11% and 20.00%, respectively; P >0.05); infusion reactions were the most common AEs in the IFX group (8.82%). CONCLUSIONS Compared with UST and VDZ, IFX demonstrates a higher clinical remission rate during the maintenance phase, more effectively improves active CD patients’ nutritional status, and continuously reduces systemic inflammatory responses. However, clinicians should be mindful of the risk of adverse events, such as infusion reactions, associated with this drug.
4.Effect of action observation therapy based on mirror neuron system combined with low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect
Fei ZHANG ; Boxun FU ; Hui SHEN ; Jin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(7):768-775
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of action observation therapy (AOT) combined with low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect. MethodsA total of 108 patients with post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect admitted to Suqian Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital from January, 2023 to March, 2024 were enrolled. The patients were randomly allocated to AOT group, rTMS group and combined group with 36 patients in each group. All the groups received conventional treatment. The AOT group additionally received AOT, the rTMS group additionally received rTMS, and the combined group received both AOT and rTMS, for four weeks. Before and after treatment, the patients were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), modified Barthel Index (MBI), Chinese Behavioural Inattention Test-conventional test (CBIT-C) and CBIT-behavioural test (CBIT-B). The latency and amplitude of the N20 potential on the affected side were also measured. ResultsThree patients dropped out from each group. After intervention, significant main effects of time (F > 77.096, P < 0.001) and group (F > 5.119, P < 0.01) and significant time-by-group interaction effects (F > 3.320, P < 0.05)were observed in the MoCA, FMA, MBI, and CBIT-C scores. For the CBIT-B score, the main effects of time (F = 367.430, P < 0.001) and group (F = 4.995, P = 0.008) were significant. After intervention, MoCA, FMA, MBI, CBIT-C and CBIT-B scores, and N20 amplitude and latency were better in the combined group than in the AOT and rTMS groups (P < 0.05). ConclusionThe combination of AOT and rTMS may further ameliorate cognitive function, motor function, activities of daily living, and the degree of spatial neglect in post-stroke patients with unilateral spatial neglect, potentially attributable to improved nerve conduction function.
5.Clinical study on the treatment of biceps brachii spasticity in hemiplegic patients with stroke by radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy combined with spastic muscle electrical stimulation
Jianhua JIANG ; Renze SHEN ; Fei QIU ; Jianquan HE
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(4):529-535
Objective A study of the therapeutic effect of the treatment of biceps brachii spasticity in hemiplegic patients with stroke by radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy combined with spastic muscle electrical stimulation.Methods Select 98 cases of biceps spasticity hemiplegic patients admitted and intervened in rehabili-tation in the Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University from June 2022 to June 2024,and randomly assign the patients to two different groups,each with 49 cases,using a random method.The controlled group received spastic muscle electrical stimulation treatment for the affected upper limb biceps(the"Controlled Group"),while the observa-tion group received radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy combined with spastic muscle electrical stimulation treatment(the"Observation Group").After two months of intervention,the changes in muscle tone,activities of daily living,quality of life,improvement in motor function performance,as well as rehabilitation satisfaction and compliance were compared between the two groups.Results After the intervention,the modified Barthel index and the upper limb FMA scores of the Controlled Group were lower than those of the Observation Group(P<0.05);the muscle tone assessment MAS scale score of the Controlled Group was higher than that of the Observation Group(P<0.05);the rehabilitation satisfaction and compliance of the Controlled Group were lower than those of the Observation Group(P<0.05);the quality of life scores in all aspects of the Controlled Group were lower than those of the Observation Group(P<0.05).Conclusion The application of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy combined with spastic muscle electrical stimulation treatment in treating biceps spasticity in hemiplegic patients with stroke can reduce the muscle tone of the patient′s biceps,alleviate spasticity,enhance the patient's motor performance and self-care ability,as well as improve their overall quality of life,and there is no concomitant medication,which is highly safe and worth promoting.
6.Incidence and influencing factors of emergence agitation after general anesthesia in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery: a Meta-analysis
Shen LIU ; Weiying ZHANG ; Meng XIU ; Fei YANG ; Minjia ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(30):4127-4136
Objective:To systematically evaluate the incidence and influencing factors of emergence agitation (EA) after general anesthesia in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.Methods:Literature on EA after general anesthesia in adult patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery was electronically retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP, and China Biology Medicine disc. The search period was from the establishment of the database to June 1, 2024. Two researchers independently screened literature, extracted data, conducted quality assessments, and used RevMan 5.3 to perform the Meta-analysis.Results:A total of 22 studies were included, involving 16 853 patients. Meta-analysis indicated that the incidence of EA after general anesthesia in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery was 18.00%. Advanced age, male, high anesthesia grade, obesity, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, preoperative anxiety, preoperative benzodiazepine use, high preoperative leukocyte, low preoperative serum albumin, prolonged operative time, intraoperative hypothermia, type of surgery, inhalation anesthesia, hypoxemia during emergence, pain during emergence, indwelling urinary catheter, and indwelling drainage tube were risk factors for EA ( P<0.05). The use of dexmedetomidine during surgery and analgesic pump after surgery were protective factors for EA ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The EA in patients undergoing general anesthesia for non-cardiac surgery is the result of multiple factors acting together. Clinical healthcare providers should enhance their ability to identify risk factors for EA and implement targeted interventions at an early stage to improve the quality of patient awakening and clinical outcomes.
7.Establishment and application of ultra-fast real-time PCR for Brucella detection
Zhen-na XU ; Zhi-peng WU ; Wei-bin HONG ; Zhi-shen GUAN ; Qi-ming LIN ; Zuan-lan MO ; Yi-fei YE ; Hai-yan XIE ; Min LI ; Yan-qiu ZHU ; Xiao-jun LI ; Xian-peng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(3):278-283
This study was aimed at establishing a method of ultra-fast quantitative PCR for Brucella detection.We used an exogenous recombinant plasmid as the internal reference and targeted the T4SS secretion system,an important Brucella viru-lence factor,to design specific primers and probes.The sensitivity,specificity,and repeatability of this method were evaluated,and a standard curve was constructed.The coincidence rate of detection findings with this method versus quantitative PCR was determined.This method markedly decreased the detection time to only 10 minutes.The standard curve demonstrated a good linear relationship(Y=-3.410 7x+38.357,R2=0.998 5)with a low minimum detection limit of 10 copies/μL.The method exhibited good specificity and did not specifically amplify several common clinical bacteria other than Brucella.The de-tection of three concentrations of positive plasmids yielded coefficients of variation(CVs)of 0.20%to 0.91%,thus demonstra-ting the method's excellent repeatability.Furthermore,140 clinical samples were analyzed concurrently with the fluorescence PCR method,which yielded a 100%compliance rate and consistent results.Our findings indicated that the Brucella ultra-fast quantitative PCR was ultrafast;had high sensitivity,high specificity,and good specificity;and can be used for the clinical de-tection of Brucella and emergency investigation of epidemics.Therefore,this method is valuable for the early diagnosis of Bru-cella.
8.Incidence and influencing factors of emergence agitation after general anesthesia in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery: a Meta-analysis
Shen LIU ; Weiying ZHANG ; Meng XIU ; Fei YANG ; Minjia ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(30):4127-4136
Objective:To systematically evaluate the incidence and influencing factors of emergence agitation (EA) after general anesthesia in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.Methods:Literature on EA after general anesthesia in adult patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery was electronically retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP, and China Biology Medicine disc. The search period was from the establishment of the database to June 1, 2024. Two researchers independently screened literature, extracted data, conducted quality assessments, and used RevMan 5.3 to perform the Meta-analysis.Results:A total of 22 studies were included, involving 16 853 patients. Meta-analysis indicated that the incidence of EA after general anesthesia in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery was 18.00%. Advanced age, male, high anesthesia grade, obesity, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, preoperative anxiety, preoperative benzodiazepine use, high preoperative leukocyte, low preoperative serum albumin, prolonged operative time, intraoperative hypothermia, type of surgery, inhalation anesthesia, hypoxemia during emergence, pain during emergence, indwelling urinary catheter, and indwelling drainage tube were risk factors for EA ( P<0.05). The use of dexmedetomidine during surgery and analgesic pump after surgery were protective factors for EA ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The EA in patients undergoing general anesthesia for non-cardiac surgery is the result of multiple factors acting together. Clinical healthcare providers should enhance their ability to identify risk factors for EA and implement targeted interventions at an early stage to improve the quality of patient awakening and clinical outcomes.
9.A preliminary exploration of an intelligent system for personalized tooth morphology reconstruction based on deep learning
Meiqi YU ; Du CHEN ; Zhenyu WANG ; Fei LIU ; Yanyan ZHANG ; Yunpeng LI ; Jiefei SHEN
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2025;60(6):618-625
Objective:To integrate implicit templates with deep learning techniques, a novel neural network, the tooth-deformable deep implicit network (T-DDIN), was constructed to achieve high-precision shape completion of tooth defects in a personalized manner.Methods:A total of 550 intraoral scan models were collected from patients treated at the Department of Orthodontics and Department of Prosthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University (500 for training and 50 for testing), between March 2022 and March 2024. T-DDIN reconstructed defective tooth morphology using an implicit template and a latent encoding prediction network. During model evaluation, Class Ⅱ cavity defects and occlusal wear defects were simulated in the test set. Morphological restoration was performed using both traditional computer aided design (CAD) methods and the T-DDIN deep learning approach. The two methods were compared based on three-dimensional deviation, occlusal adjustment volumes, cusp angle deviation, and restoration time.Results:The T-DDIN group demonstrated significantly lower three-dimensional deviation for Class Ⅱ cavity defects and occlusal wear restoration [(0.14±0.05) and (0.16±0.09) mm], occlusal adjustment volumes [(0.44±0.03) and (0.49±0.03) mm 3], and difference value of the tooth cusp angles (5.69°±1.90° and 6.04°±0.53°) compared to the traditional CAD group (both P<0.001). No significant differences were observed within the T-DDIN group between the two defect types in terms of three-dimensional deviation ( P=0.098) or occlusal adjustment volume ( P=0.154) or difference value of the tooth cusp angles ( P=0.196). However, in the traditional CAD group, three-dimensional deviation, occlusal adjustment volume and difference value of the tooth cusp angles was significantly higher in occlusal wear restorations than in Class Ⅱ cavity defects restorations ( P<0.001). The T-DDIN group, which involved Class Ⅱ cavity defects and occlusal wear, demonstrated significantly less recovery time of morphology (37.2±7.7) and (39.4±6.2) s compared to the traditional CAD group ( P<0.001). Conclusions:T-DDIN demonstrated superior stability and accuracy in morphological reconstruction for various types of dental defects while significantly reducing restoration time.
10.Chinese version of the Short Self-Regulation Questionnaire and its reliability and validity in breast cancer patients
Zijuan ZHANG ; Aomei SHEN ; Lichuan ZHANG ; Qian LU ; Yue WANG ; Fei LIU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(1):30-35
Objective:To translate the Short Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SSRQ) into Chinese, and test its reliability and validity in breast cancer patients.Methods:Using the Brislin translation model, cross-cultural adaptation was conducted by combining expert consultation and a pre-survey on SSRQ. From August to December 2023, 324 breast cancer patients from Department of Breast Surgery of Peking University First Hospital were selected by convenience sampling to test the reliability and validity of SSRQ.Results:A total of 324 questionnaires were distributed and 307 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 94.75% (307/324). The final questionnaire consisted of 30 items. The content validity index at the item level ranged from 0.80 to 1.00, and the content validity index at the scale level was 0.97. The predictive validity result showed a good model fit. The Cronbach's α coefficient for the questionnaire was 0.90, the folded reliability coefficient was 0.85, and the retest reliability coefficient was 0.79.Conclusions:SSRQ has good reliability and validity in breast cancer patients and has value for clinical promotion.

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