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 investigate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS) on the core symptoms, brain functional connectivity and activation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).Methods:From September 2022 to March 2024, a total of 35 children with ADHD were selected as research subjects and they were randomly divided into observation group ( n=17) and control group ( n=18). The control group received conventional rehabilitation therapy, while the observation group received rTMS therapy in addition to the conventional therapy. Both groups were treated every other day, with each course of treatment lasting four weeks, and a total of three courses of treatment were administered consecutively. The clinical symptoms of the children with ADHD were assessed using Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham-Ⅳ(SNAP-Ⅳ) before and after treatment. fNIRS was used to detect the relative concentration changes of oxyhemoglobin (HbO 2) and deoxyhemoglobin (HbR) in the prefrontal cortex under resting-state and Go/Nogo task conditions before and after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 software. Paired sample t-test were used for within-group comparisons, and independent sample t-test were used for between-group comparisons. Results:(1) After treatment, the scores for inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity and oppositional defiant behavior in the two groups were significantly lower than before treatment ( t=3.51-18.86, all P<0.05). The scores for inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity and oppositional defiant behavior in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=2.21, 2.03, 2.39, all P<0.05). (2) After treatment, the functional connectivity strength between all regions of interest in both groups was significantly higher than before treatment ( t=3.53-37.90, all P<0.05). The functional connectivity strength of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (0.25±0.03, 0.21±0.03), right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (0.12±0.02, 0.09±0.02), left medial prefrontal cortex (0.13±0.02, 0.10±0.01) and right medial prefrontal cortex (0.31±0.04, 0.24±0.06) in the observation group was significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). (3) In the Go/Nogo task, after treatment, the average HbO 2 concentrations in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, left medial prefrontal cortex, right medial prefrontal cortex, left temporal lobe, and right temporal lobe in both groups were all higher than before treatment (all P<0.05). After treatment, the average HbO 2 concentrations in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, left medial prefrontal cortex and right medial prefrontal cortex of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:rTMS therapy can improve the core symptoms of children with ADHD, which may be related to the strength of brain functional connectivity and activation of ADHD brain function by rTMS.

Objective:To investigate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS) on the core symptoms, brain functional connectivity and activation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).Methods:From September 2022 to March 2024, a total of 35 children with ADHD were selected as research subjects and they were randomly divided into observation group ( n=17) and control group ( n=18). The control group received conventional rehabilitation therapy, while the observation group received rTMS therapy in addition to the conventional therapy. Both groups were treated every other day, with each course of treatment lasting four weeks, and a total of three courses of treatment were administered consecutively. The clinical symptoms of the children with ADHD were assessed using Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham-Ⅳ(SNAP-Ⅳ) before and after treatment. fNIRS was used to detect the relative concentration changes of oxyhemoglobin (HbO 2) and deoxyhemoglobin (HbR) in the prefrontal cortex under resting-state and Go/Nogo task conditions before and after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 software. Paired sample t-test were used for within-group comparisons, and independent sample t-test were used for between-group comparisons. Results:(1) After treatment, the scores for inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity and oppositional defiant behavior in the two groups were significantly lower than before treatment ( t=3.51-18.86, all P<0.05). The scores for inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity and oppositional defiant behavior in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=2.21, 2.03, 2.39, all P<0.05). (2) After treatment, the functional connectivity strength between all regions of interest in both groups was significantly higher than before treatment ( t=3.53-37.90, all P<0.05). The functional connectivity strength of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (0.25±0.03, 0.21±0.03), right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (0.12±0.02, 0.09±0.02), left medial prefrontal cortex (0.13±0.02, 0.10±0.01) and right medial prefrontal cortex (0.31±0.04, 0.24±0.06) in the observation group was significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). (3) In the Go/Nogo task, after treatment, the average HbO 2 concentrations in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, left medial prefrontal cortex, right medial prefrontal cortex, left temporal lobe, and right temporal lobe in both groups were all higher than before treatment (all P<0.05). After treatment, the average HbO 2 concentrations in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, left medial prefrontal cortex and right medial prefrontal cortex of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:rTMS therapy can improve the core symptoms of children with ADHD, which may be related to the strength of brain functional connectivity and activation of ADHD brain function by rTMS.

Objective:To analyze the differences in screening neonatal glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in different birth seasons, establish screening thresholds for G6PD concentration in each season using indirect methods, and verify the reliability of the results.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study.A total of 140 823 newborns were collected from the Neonatal Screening Center of Shanghai Children′s Hospital from January 2020 to December 2023, including 41 029 cases, 35 796 cases, 33 969 cases and 30 029 cases in spring, summer, autumn and winter groups, respectively.The concentration of G6PD on the dried blood filter paper was determined using an automatic fluorescence analyzer.The distribution and statistical index of concentration values in four seasons were analyzed.The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used for normal distribution.The skewed distribution data was converted into approximately normal distribution using Box-Cox.Outliers were eliminated using the interquartile range (Turkey) method.The cumulative frequency distribution map was drawn through R language programming.The linear regression equation Y=B X+ A was fitted.The 0.5th percentile ( P0.5) was used as the screening threshold, which was compared with the reference value given by the manufacturer or laboratory and with the reference change value (RCV). Results:In the spring group, the positive rate was 4.02‰, 91 cases were confirmed, and the incidence was 1∶451.In the summer group, the positive rate was 7.18‰, 90 cases were confirmed, and the incidence was 1∶398.In the autumn group, the positive rate was 3.21‰, 86 cases were confirmed, and the incidence was 1∶395.In the winter group, the positive rate was 2.26‰, 61 cases were confirmed, and the incidence was 1∶492.The incidence rate did not change significantly in the four seasons ( P>0.05).The G6PD concentrations in the four seasons were compared in pairs, and the result was winter>autumn>spring>summer.The thresholds for G6PD screening were established indirectly: 25.08 U/dL, 22.83 U/dL, 26.63 U/dL and 38.01 U/dL in spring, summer, autumn and winter groups, respectively.The relative deviation in the threshold between the summer group and the laboratory was lower than RCV, while that between the other groups was higher than RCV.According to the screening threshold, the negative and positive conformity rates of 12 batches of 120 samples in the inter-laboratory evaluation program of Chinese Taiwan Preventive Medicine Foundation of China reached 100%. Conclusions:There is no difference in the incidence of G6PD deficiency between birth seasons.It is feasible to establish the screening threshold in each season using indirect methods, which is conducive to improving the efficiency of screening.

Objective To analyze the influencing factors of malaria infection of labor service exported to overseas in Langfang City, in order to establish a visualization tool to assist clinicians in predicting the risk of malaria. Methods A total of 4 774 expatriate employees of the Nibei Pipeline Project of the Pipeline Bureau from October 2021 to August 2023 were taken as the subjects, and the gender, age, overseas residence area and Knowledge of malaria controlscores of the study subjects were investigated by questionnaire survey, and the possible risk factors of malaria were screened by logistic regression model. At the same time, the nomogram prediction model was established, and the subjects were divided into the training group and the validation group at a ratio of 2:1, and the area under the curve (ROC) and the decision curve were plotted to evaluate the prediction ability and practicability of the prediction model in this study. Results Among the 4 774 study subjects, 96 cases of malaria occurred, and the detection rate was 2.01%. Junior school （OR=1.723，95% CI:1.361-2.173）， and residence in rural areas（OR=2.091，95%CI:1.760 -3.100）were risk factors (OR>1), while protective measures（OR=0.826，95% CI : 0.781 - 0.901） and high malaria education scores （OR=0.872，95% CI : 0.621 - 0.899）were protective factors.The nomogram prediction model results showed that the area under the curve of the nomogram prediction model in the training group was 0.94 (95% CI : 0.85 - 1.00), while the validation group was 0.93 (95% CI : 0.80 - 1.00). The results of the decision curve showed that when the threshold probability of the population was 0-0.9, the nomogram model was used to predict the risk of malaria occurrence with the highest net income. Conclusion The nomogram prediction model (including gender, education, region, protection and malaria education score) established and validated in this study is of great value for clinicians to screen high-risk patients with malaria.

Objective:To investigate the screening, clinical and genetic characteristics and prognosis of hereditary tyrosinemia type Ⅰ (HT-Ⅰ) in some areas of Shanghai, and to summarize the relevant characteristics of Chinese cases reported at home and abroad.Methods:From December 2010 to May 2023, the clinical data of children diagnosed with HT-Ⅰ by tandem mass spectrometry combined with genetic detection in Neonatal Screening Center of Shanghai Children′s Hospital were retrospectively analyzed, and the relevant literature was reviewed.Results:A total of 282 149 neonates were screened for genetic metabolic disease by tandem mass spectrometry, and 1 case of HT-Ⅰ was diagnosed, with an incidence of 1∶282 149. Complex heterozygous mutations of FAH genes c. 974C>T and c. 22G>T were found by genetic testing. c. 22G>T was not reported as a new mutation. Diet and drug therapy were given immediately after diagnosis. At present, the follow-up was up to 8 months, and the physical and intellectual development were normal. A total of 32 literatures meeting the inclusion criteria were obtained through database search, and 46 cases of HT-Ⅰ Chinese children were reported. Most of the clinical manifestations were abdominal distension, poor appetite, jaundice, etc., accompanied by different degrees of abnormal coagulation function, hepatosplenomegalysis, cirrhosis and even liver failure. A total of 25 alleles were reported, and the variation of c. 455G>A was the most common. Conclusions:HT-Ⅰ is rare in the population of Shanghai, China, and new mutations enrich the variation spectrum of HT-Ⅰ, which provides basis for family genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis of children.

Objective:To analyze the differences in screening neonatal glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in different birth seasons, establish screening thresholds for G6PD concentration in each season using indirect methods, and verify the reliability of the results.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study.A total of 140 823 newborns were collected from the Neonatal Screening Center of Shanghai Children′s Hospital from January 2020 to December 2023, including 41 029 cases, 35 796 cases, 33 969 cases and 30 029 cases in spring, summer, autumn and winter groups, respectively.The concentration of G6PD on the dried blood filter paper was determined using an automatic fluorescence analyzer.The distribution and statistical index of concentration values in four seasons were analyzed.The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used for normal distribution.The skewed distribution data was converted into approximately normal distribution using Box-Cox.Outliers were eliminated using the interquartile range (Turkey) method.The cumulative frequency distribution map was drawn through R language programming.The linear regression equation Y=B X+ A was fitted.The 0.5th percentile ( P0.5) was used as the screening threshold, which was compared with the reference value given by the manufacturer or laboratory and with the reference change value (RCV). Results:In the spring group, the positive rate was 4.02‰, 91 cases were confirmed, and the incidence was 1∶451.In the summer group, the positive rate was 7.18‰, 90 cases were confirmed, and the incidence was 1∶398.In the autumn group, the positive rate was 3.21‰, 86 cases were confirmed, and the incidence was 1∶395.In the winter group, the positive rate was 2.26‰, 61 cases were confirmed, and the incidence was 1∶492.The incidence rate did not change significantly in the four seasons ( P>0.05).The G6PD concentrations in the four seasons were compared in pairs, and the result was winter>autumn>spring>summer.The thresholds for G6PD screening were established indirectly: 25.08 U/dL, 22.83 U/dL, 26.63 U/dL and 38.01 U/dL in spring, summer, autumn and winter groups, respectively.The relative deviation in the threshold between the summer group and the laboratory was lower than RCV, while that between the other groups was higher than RCV.According to the screening threshold, the negative and positive conformity rates of 12 batches of 120 samples in the inter-laboratory evaluation program of Chinese Taiwan Preventive Medicine Foundation of China reached 100%. Conclusions:There is no difference in the incidence of G6PD deficiency between birth seasons.It is feasible to establish the screening threshold in each season using indirect methods, which is conducive to improving the efficiency of screening.

Objective:To investigate the screening, clinical and genetic characteristics and prognosis of hereditary tyrosinemia type Ⅰ (HT-Ⅰ) in some areas of Shanghai, and to summarize the relevant characteristics of Chinese cases reported at home and abroad.Methods:From December 2010 to May 2023, the clinical data of children diagnosed with HT-Ⅰ by tandem mass spectrometry combined with genetic detection in Neonatal Screening Center of Shanghai Children′s Hospital were retrospectively analyzed, and the relevant literature was reviewed.Results:A total of 282 149 neonates were screened for genetic metabolic disease by tandem mass spectrometry, and 1 case of HT-Ⅰ was diagnosed, with an incidence of 1∶282 149. Complex heterozygous mutations of FAH genes c. 974C>T and c. 22G>T were found by genetic testing. c. 22G>T was not reported as a new mutation. Diet and drug therapy were given immediately after diagnosis. At present, the follow-up was up to 8 months, and the physical and intellectual development were normal. A total of 32 literatures meeting the inclusion criteria were obtained through database search, and 46 cases of HT-Ⅰ Chinese children were reported. Most of the clinical manifestations were abdominal distension, poor appetite, jaundice, etc., accompanied by different degrees of abnormal coagulation function, hepatosplenomegalysis, cirrhosis and even liver failure. A total of 25 alleles were reported, and the variation of c. 455G>A was the most common. Conclusions:HT-Ⅰ is rare in the population of Shanghai, China, and new mutations enrich the variation spectrum of HT-Ⅰ, which provides basis for family genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis of children.

Objective:To observe the antidepressant effect of Tongdu Qishen electroacupuncture method; To explore its mechanism of regulating the oxidative stress pathway of protein kinase C (PKC)/reduced coenzymeⅡ (NADPH) in depression model rats.Methods:Totally 32 SD rats were divided into control group, model group, Tongdu Qishen electroacupuncture group and escitalopram group according to random number table method, with 8 rats in each group. The model of depression was established by chronic unpredictable stress except control group. After the start of modeling, Tongdu Qishen electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture every day, 15 min/time/day; escitalopram group was given 30 mg/kg intragastric intervention. 1 day before the start of the experiment and the 28th day of the experiment, the growth of body mass was observed, and sugar preference experiment and open field experiment were performed. The protein expression levels of protein kinase C α (PKC α), p47phox, t and RAS related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) in hypothalamus were detected by Western blot, and the positive area ratio of NOX2 protein in hypothalamus was detected by immunofluorescence technique; ROS content in hypothalamus was detected using DCFH-DA fluorescent probe technique.Results:Compared with the model group, the Tongdu Qishen electroacupuncture group and the escitalopram group showed the body mass growth ( P<0.01) and sugar preference index increased ( P<0.01), and the moving distance ( P<0.05) and residence time ( P<0.01) in the central area of the open field experiment were longer; the protein expression levels of hypothalamic PKC α, p47phox and Rac1 decreased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01), the positive area ratio of NOX2 protein decreased ( P<0.05), and the level of ROS also decreased significantly ( P<0.01) in Tongdu Qishen electroacupuncture group and escitalopram group. Conclusion:Tongdu Qishen electroacupuncture group can improve the behavior of depressed rats, inhibit the oxidative stress response of PKC/NADPH pathway, and reduce the production of ROS, thereby reducing the brain damage caused by oxidative stress, and improving the symptoms of depression.

Objective:To explore the clinical, biochemical and genetic characteristics of three children with Isoleucine metabolic disorders due to variants of HSD17B10 and ACAT1 genes. Methods:Two children with 17β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 10 (HSD17B10) deficiency and a child with β-ketothiolase deficiency (BKD) diagnosed at Shanghai Children′s Hospital between 2014 and 2021 were selected as the study subjects. Clinical data of the children were collected. The children were subjected to blood acylcarnitine, urinary organic acid and genetic testing, and candidate variants were analyzed with bioinformatic tools.Results:The main symptoms of the three children had included epilepsy, developmental delay, hypotonia and acidosis. Their blood acylcarnitine methylcrotonyl carnitine (C5: 1), 3-hydroxyisovalerylcarnitine (C5-OH) and 3-hydroxybutylcarnitine (C4OH) were increased to various extents, and urine organic acids including methyl crotonylglycine and 2-methyl-3-hydroxybutyric acid were significantly increased. Child 1 and child 2 were respectively found to harbor a c. 347G>A (p.R116Q) variant and a c. 274G>A (p.A92T) variant of the HSD17B10 gene, and child 3 was found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of the ACAT1 gene, namely c. 547G>A (p.G183R) and a c. 331G>C (p.A111P). Among these, the c. 274G>A (p.A92T) and c. 331G>C (p.A111P) variants were unreported previously. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), they were respectively classified as variant of unknown significance (PP3_Strong+ PM2_supporting) and likely pathogenic (PM3+ PM2_Supporting+ PP3_Moderate+ PP4). Conclusion:Both the HSD17B10 deficiency and BKD can lead to Isoleucine metabolism disorders, which may be difficult to distinguish clinically. Genetic testing can further confirm the diagnosis. Discoveries of the HSD17B10: c. 274G>A (p.A92T) variant and the ACAT1: c. 331G>C (p.A111P) variant have enriched the mutational spectrum of the two diseases.