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.

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.

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.

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.

The surgical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease has evolved significantly with the increased understanding of the physiology of the reflux barrier. Initially, emphasis was on reduction of hiatal hernias and crural closure. With persistence of reflux symptoms, along with the development of esophageal manometry and the discovery of a high-pressure zone, focus evolved to surgical augmentation of the lower esophageal sphincter, including reconstruction of the angle of His, ensuring sufficient intra-abdominal esophageal length, fundoplication, and magnetic sphincter augmentation. More recently, the role of crural closure in antireflux and hiatal hernia repair has again received renewed attention due to the persistence of postoperative complications and recurrences. Rather than simply preventing transthoracic herniation of the fundoplication as was originally thought, crural closure has been documented to have a critical role in re-establishing intra-abdominal esophageal length and maintaining the pressure of LES. The application of mesh provides more options for strengthening crural closure. In this review, this article will discuss the evolution of surgical techniques for gastroesophageal reflux disease over the past century, aiming to better guide the surgical treatment and clinical research of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

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.

OBJECTIVES: Prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation is associated with increased risks of severe complications such as retinopathy of prematurity and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Although neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) follow the principle of early extubation, extubation failure rates remain high, and reintubation may further increase the risk of adverse outcomes. This study aims to identify risk factors and short-term prognosis associated with first extubation failure in neonates, to provide evidence for effective clinical intervention strategies. METHODS: Clinical data of neonates who received invasive ventilation in the NICU of Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021, were retrospectively collected. Neonates were divided into a successful extubation group and a failed extubation group based on whether reintubation occurred within 72 hours after the first extubation. Risk factors and short-term outcomes related to extubation failure were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 337 infants were included, with 218 males (64.69%). Initial extubation failed in 34 (10.09%) infants. Compared with the successful extubation group, the failed extubation group had significantly lower gestational age [(31.37±5.14) weeks vs (34.44±4.07) weeks], age [2.5 (1.00, 8.25) h vs 5 (1.00, 22.00) h], birth weight [(1 818.97±1128.80) g vs (2 432.18±928.94) g], 1-minute Apgar score (6.91±1.90 vs 7.68±2.03), and the proportion of using mask oxygenation after extubation (21% vs 46%) (all P<0.05). Conversely, compared with the successful extubation group, the failed extubation group had significantly higher rates of vaginal delivery (59% vs 32%), caffeine use during mechanical ventilation (71% vs 38%), dexamethasone use at extubation (44% vs 17%), the highest positive end-expiratory pressure level within 72 hours post-extubation [6(5.00, 6.00) cmH₂O vs 5 (0.00, 6.00) cmH₂O] (1 cmH₂O=0.098 kPa), the highest FiO₂ within 72 hours post-extubation [(34.35±5.95)% vs (30.22±3.58)%], and duration of noninvasive intermittent positive pressure ventilation after extubation [0.5 (0.00, 42.00) hours vs 0 (0, 0) hours] (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis identified gestational age <28 weeks (OR=5.570, 95% CI 1.866 to 16.430), age at NICU admission (OR=0.959, 95% CI 0.918 to 0.989), and a maximum FiO₂≥35% within 72 hours post-extubation (OR=4.541, 95% CI 1.849 to 10.980) as independent risk factors for extubation failure (all P<0.05). Additionally, the failed extubation group exhibited significantly higher incidences of necrotizing enterocolitis grade II or above, moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, treatment abandonment due to poor prognosis, and discharge on home oxygen therapy (all P<0.05). Total hospital length of stay and total hospitalization costs were also significantly increased in the failed extubation group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Gestational age <28 weeks, younger age at NICU admission, and FiO₂≥35% after extubation are high-risk factors for first extubation failure in neonates. Extubation failure markedly increases the risk of adverse clinical outcomes.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Female ; Airway Extubation/adverse effects* ; Risk Factors ; Retrospective Studies ; Respiration, Artificial/methods* ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Prognosis ; Gestational Age ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Infant, Premature ; Treatment Failure ; Intubation, Intratracheal

Objective:To establish a flow cytometric bead assay (FCBA) for detecting von Willebrand factor (vWF) activity based on mutant GPⅠbα and to perform its clinical validation.Methods:Recombinant GPⅠbα protein with M239V, D235Y, and C65A point mutations was constructed and bound to flow cytometric beads. vWF in samples bound to the recombinant protein, and FITC-labeled rabbit anti-human vWF polyclonal antibody was added for detection and analysis using flow cytometry. A total of 32 patients with von Willebrand disease (10 males and 22 females, aged 26.81±6.96 years) admitted to the Department of Hematology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 1, 2022, to November 30, 2023, were enrolled. Additionally, 51 healthy controls (17 males and 34 females, aged 31.56±8.98 years) were included. Plasma from 20 healthy controls was pooled in equal proportions to create standard plasma. Fourteen dilutions were prepared, ranging from the original plasma to a 1∶8, 192 dilution, and a curve was plotted according to the FCBA protocol to determine the optimal dilution. Plasma from one healthy control was aliquoted and frozen, and FCBA was performed on days 1, 5, 15, 30, 45, and 60 after bead coating to evaluate stability. The same healthy control plasma sample was tested 20 times using both FCBA and vWF enzyme-linked immunesorbent assay (ELISA) to calculate within-batch precision. The same sample was tested daily for 10 consecutive days using both FCBA and vWF-ELISA to calculate between-batch precision. All samples were tested using FCBA, and the same samples were also tested using vWF-ELISA. The χ2 test was used to compare the positive rates, negative rates, and accuracy of the two methods. One sample was used as the base sample, and another sample with a known activity of 100% was diluted to high, medium, and low activities and added to the base sample. Recovery rates were calculated using both FCBA and vWF-ELISA. Re-collected 11 cases of vWD patient samples and 10 cases of healthy subjects, and detected vWF activity using the FCBA method to validate the concordance of FCBA in clinical applications. Results:The optimal dilution for standard plasma was determined to be 1∶64. The coated beads remained stable for detection up to 60 days, with correlation coefficients of the standard curve on days 1, 5, 15, 30, 45, and 60 being 0.98, 0.98, 0.97, 0.95, 0.95, and 0.95, respectively. The within-batch coefficients of variation for FCBA and vWF-ELISA were 5.35% and 6.08%, respectively, while the between-batch coefficients of variation were 7.02% and 7.98%, respectively. The correlation coefficient between FCBA and vWF-ELISA was R2=0.798 ( P0.01). The positive rates were 90.63% and 84.38% ( χ2=0.571, P0.05), the negative rates were 92.16% and 94.12% ( χ2=0.153, P0.05), and the accuracy rates were 91.57% and 90.36% ( χ2=0.073, P0.05) for FCBA and vWF-ELISA, respectively. In the recovery experiment, the high-value recovery rates for FCBA and ELISA were 102.11% and 99.32%, respectively, the medium-value recovery rates were 98.50% and 95.66%, and the low-value recovery rates were 95.34% and 88.51%. The FCBA method achieved a 100% concordance rate in detecting type 1, type 2, and type 3 vWD, as well as healthy subjects. Conclusion:A ristocetin-independent FCBA method for detecting vWF activity based on mutant GPⅠbα is successfully established.

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.

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.