BackgroundInvasive vagus nerve stimulation therapy has been approved for the adjunctive treatment of treatment-resistant depression， which may contribute to the anti-inflammatory properties of vagus nerve stimulation （VNS）， whereas the efficacy of non-invasive transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation （tcVNS） in treating major depressive disorder （MDD） and its impact on plasma inflammatory factors remain unclear. ObjectiveTo observe the effect of escitaloprom combined with tcVNS on the status of depression， anxiety and sleep quality as well as the plasma levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6） and interleukin-10 （IL-10） in MDD patients， in order to provide references for the recovery and treatment of MDD patients. MethodsFrom August 21， 2019 to April 17， 2024， 45 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for MDD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders， fifth edition （DSM-5） were recruited from the psychosomatic outpatient clinic of the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University. Subjects were divided into study group （n=23） and control group （n=22） using random number table method. All patients were treated with escitalopram. On this basis， study group added a 30-minute tcVNS therapy once a day for 4 weeks. While control group was given corresponding sham stimulation， and the duration of each stimulation lasted 30 seconds. Before and after 4 weeks of treatment， Hamilton Depression Scale-17 item （HAMD-17） was used to assess depressive symptoms， and HAMD-17 anxiety/somatization subfactor and insomnia subfactor were used to assess patients' anxiety/somatization symptoms and sleep quality. Levels of plasma IL-6 and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. ResultsThe generalized estimating equation model yielded a significant time effect for HAMD-17 total score， anxiety/somatization subfactor score and insomnia subfactor score in both groups （Wald χ²=315.226， 495.481， 82.420， P<0.01）. After 4 weeks of treatment， HAMD-17 total score and anxiety/somatization subfactor score of study group were lower than those of control group， with statistically significant differences （Wald χ²=4.967， 32.543， P<0.05 or 0.01）， while no statistically significant difference was found in the insomnia subfactor score between two groups （Wald χ²=0.819， P=0.366）. Significant time effects were reported on plasma IL-6 and IL-10 levels in both groups （Wald χ²=21.792， 5.242， P<0.05 or 0.01）. Compared with baseline data， a reduction in plasma IL-6 levels was detected in both groups （Wald χ²=22.015， 6.803， P<0.01）， and an increase in plasma IL-10 levels was reported in study group （Wald χ²=5.118， P=0.024） after 4 weeks of treatment. ConclusionEscitalopram combined with tcVNS therapy is effective in improving depressive symptoms， anxiety/somatization symptoms and sleep quality in patients with MDD. Additionally， it helps reduce plasma IL-6 levels and increase IL-10 levels. ［Funded by Shaanxi Provincial Key Research and Development Program-General Project （number， 2023-YBSF-185）， www.clinicaltrials.gov number， NCT04037111］

Objective:To explore the efficacy, safety and possible brain network mechanisms of individualized targeted robot assisted Stanford accelerated intelligent neuromodulation therapy (SAINT).Methods:This was a small-sample, open-label study including 15 depressed patients with suicidal ideation. All participants were treated with SAINT in combination with SNRIs. The stimulation target was localized to the region of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) that showed the most negative functional connectivity with the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) based on fMRI data. Stimulation sessions were delivered hourly. Ten sessions were applied per day (18, 000 pulses/day) for 5 consecutive days (90, 000 pulses in total). Stimulation was delivered at 90% resting motor threshold. The changes of functional connectivity of brain networks in various brain regions before and after treatment were compared and analyzed by rest software and functional connectivity analysis based on seed points. The Beck Suicidal Ideation Scale Chinese Version (BSI-CV), HAMD 17, and MADRS were used to assess the suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms at baseline, post treatment, 15 days after treatment, and 30 days after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measurements of ANOVA and paired t-tests. Results:(1) After 5-day treatment, individual′s BSI-CV score decreased significantly ( F=38.77, P<0.01), and their average score decreased by 11.80±1.17 (95 %CI=8.19-15.41), with a response rate of 86.67%. SAINT was well tolerated, and there were no significant side effects on individual′s cognitive function. (2) After treatment, patient′s MADRS score decreased significantly at all follow-up assessments ( F=306.97, P<0.01), and the average score decreased by 22.53±1.10 (95 %CI=19.15-25.91) after 5-day treatment, with a response rate of 93.33%. After 15 days and 30 days, the remission and response rates of treatment were 53.33%, 100.00%, 93.33% and 100.00%, respectively. (3) The functional network connectivity after individualized targeted robot assisted SAINT therapy showed significant improvement between sgACC, frontal lobe, temporal lobe, and parietal lobe. Conclusion:Individualized targeted robot assisted SAINT therapy showed satisfactory efficacy and safety in the reduction of suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms, and also improve the functional network connectivity of the injured brain network. Meanwhile, large-sample, randomized, and double-blind controlled studies are warranted to confirm the findings of the current study.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a well-tolerated, safe and noninvasive physical brain stimulation method, which has been widely used in the treatment of some common mental disorders and neurological diseases and has achieved certain clinical effects. It is necessary to develop expert consensus on clinical treatment to improve the use norms in related fields. According to the clinical research published before August 2021 and the method of evidence-based medicine, we published an expert consensus on tDCS in the treatment of depressive disorders, schizophrenia, substance use-related disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disorders, pain, Parkinson′s disease, stroke, and epilepsy. The consensus also introduced the safety and efficacy of the clinical use of tDCS, and standardized the treatment process and operation technology, aiming to provide guidance for the clinical application of tDCS and promote the standardized development of this treatment technology in the future.

Objective:To explore the efficacy, safety and possible brain network mechanisms of individualized targeted robot assisted Stanford accelerated intelligent neuromodulation therapy (SAINT).Methods:This was a small-sample, open-label study including 15 depressed patients with suicidal ideation. All participants were treated with SAINT in combination with SNRIs. The stimulation target was localized to the region of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) that showed the most negative functional connectivity with the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) based on fMRI data. Stimulation sessions were delivered hourly. Ten sessions were applied per day (18, 000 pulses/day) for 5 consecutive days (90, 000 pulses in total). Stimulation was delivered at 90% resting motor threshold. The changes of functional connectivity of brain networks in various brain regions before and after treatment were compared and analyzed by rest software and functional connectivity analysis based on seed points. The Beck Suicidal Ideation Scale Chinese Version (BSI-CV), HAMD 17, and MADRS were used to assess the suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms at baseline, post treatment, 15 days after treatment, and 30 days after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measurements of ANOVA and paired t-tests. Results:(1) After 5-day treatment, individual′s BSI-CV score decreased significantly ( F=38.77, P<0.01), and their average score decreased by 11.80±1.17 (95 %CI=8.19-15.41), with a response rate of 86.67%. SAINT was well tolerated, and there were no significant side effects on individual′s cognitive function. (2) After treatment, patient′s MADRS score decreased significantly at all follow-up assessments ( F=306.97, P<0.01), and the average score decreased by 22.53±1.10 (95 %CI=19.15-25.91) after 5-day treatment, with a response rate of 93.33%. After 15 days and 30 days, the remission and response rates of treatment were 53.33%, 100.00%, 93.33% and 100.00%, respectively. (3) The functional network connectivity after individualized targeted robot assisted SAINT therapy showed significant improvement between sgACC, frontal lobe, temporal lobe, and parietal lobe. Conclusion:Individualized targeted robot assisted SAINT therapy showed satisfactory efficacy and safety in the reduction of suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms, and also improve the functional network connectivity of the injured brain network. Meanwhile, large-sample, randomized, and double-blind controlled studies are warranted to confirm the findings of the current study.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a well-tolerated, safe and noninvasive physical brain stimulation method, which has been widely used in the treatment of some common mental disorders and neurological diseases and has achieved certain clinical effects. It is necessary to develop expert consensus on clinical treatment to improve the use norms in related fields. According to the clinical research published before August 2021 and the method of evidence-based medicine, we published an expert consensus on tDCS in the treatment of depressive disorders, schizophrenia, substance use-related disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disorders, pain, Parkinson′s disease, stroke, and epilepsy. The consensus also introduced the safety and efficacy of the clinical use of tDCS, and standardized the treatment process and operation technology, aiming to provide guidance for the clinical application of tDCS and promote the standardized development of this treatment technology in the future.

Objective:To explore the effects of 5E rehabilitation nursing model on self-management behavior and fatigue symptoms of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) .Methods:Totally 110 COPD patients admitted in Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital from October 2018 to September 2019 were selected by convenient sampling, and divided into the control group ( n=53) and the experimental group ( n=57) according to the random number table. Excluding missing patients and patients with incomplete data, finally 48 patients were included in the control group and 51 patients were included in the experimental group. Patients in the control group received routine care and health guidance, while patients in the experimental group received care based on the 5E rehabilitation nursing model. The Self-Management Scale for COPD Patients and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue Scale (FACIT-F) were used to evaluate the effects of interventions in the two groups. Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the scores of the Self-Management Scale between the two groups before intervention ( P>0.05) ; the scores of all dimensions the Self-Management Scale of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group 12 weeks after discharge, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05) . There was no statistically significant difference in fatigue scores between the two groups before intervention and 12 weeks after discharge ( P>0.05) . Conclusions:The 5E rehabilitation nursing model can improve the self-management behavior of COPD patients, but it cannot ameliorate the fatigue symptoms of patients. Large-sample, multi-center, and long-term research will be further needed in the future to explore the effects of the 5E rehabilitation nursing model on patients' fatigue symptoms.

Objective To investigate the effect of sertraline on the viability and the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and phosphorylated ERK1/2 in NGF-induced rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells.Methods NGF-induced PC12 cells were pretreated or directly treated with different concentrations of sertraline for 24 or 48 hours and the pretreated groups were then subjected to serum withdrawal condition. Then cell viability was determined by the cell counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). The expression of Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and pERK1/2in NGF-induced PC12 cells was determined by immunohistochemistry and western blot respectively. Results The viability of NGF-induced PC12 was improved after administration with sertra]ine. After 24h sertraline administration, the cells activity of PC 12 cells at 20μM ( 1.32 ± 0. 11 ) , 10μM ( 1. 17 ± 0.05 ) of direct effect, and 20μM ( 1.15 ±0.11 ) of protect effect increased dramatically as compared with control group. But high dose ( 50μM )sertraline express high toxic effect to PC12 cells. The expression of TH was increased by sertraline 20 μM at both 24h(ratio of TH/β-actin = 1.27 ±0.05) and 48h(ratio of TH/β-actin = 1. 23 ±0.08) compare with control group,and the expression of pERK1/2 also increased dramatically by sertraline 20 μM at both 24h (ratio of (pERK1/2)/β-actin = 1.41±0.05) and 48h( ratio of (pERK1/2)/β-actin = 1.40 ±0.06) compare with control group(P＜0. 01, P ＜ 0. 05). Immunohistochemistry showed similar results. Conclusion These data suggest that the neuroprotective effect of sertraline may play an important role in depression therapy, and this effect might be mediated by TH and pERK1/2 up-regulation.