Working memory is an executive memory process that includes encoding, maintenance, and retrieval. These processes can be modulated by transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) with sinusoidal waves. However, little is known about the impact of the rate of current change on working memory. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of two types of tACS with different rates of current change on working memory performance and brain activity. We applied a randomized, single-blind design and divided 81 young participants who received triangular wave tACS, sinusoidal wave tACS, or sham stimulation into three groups. Participants performed n-back tasks, and electroencephalograms were recorded before, during, and after active or sham stimulation. Compared to the baseline, working memory performance (accuracy and response time) improved after stimulation under all stimulation conditions. According to drift-diffusion model analysis, triangular wave tACS significantly increased the efficiency of non-target information processing. In addition, compared with sham conditions, triangular wave tACS reduced alpha power oscillations in the occipital lobe throughout the encoding period, while sinusoidal wave tACS increased theta power in the central frontal region only during the later encoding period. The brain network connectivity results showed that triangular wave tACS improved the clustering coefficient, local efficiency, and node degree intensity in the early encoding stage, and these parameters were positively correlated with the non-target drift rate and decision starting point. Our findings on how tACS modulates working memory indicate that triangular wave tACS significantly enhances brain network connectivity during the early encoding stage, demonstrating an improvement in the efficiency of working memory processing. In contrast, sinusoidal wave tACS increased the theta power during the later encoding stage, suggesting its potential critical role in late-stage information processing. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential mechanisms by which tACS modulates working memory.
Humans ; Memory, Short-Term/physiology* ; Male ; Female ; Young Adult ; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation/methods* ; Brain/physiology* ; Adult ; Electroencephalography ; Single-Blind Method

Objective To report cases of checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis （CIP） in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer, aiming to provide additional approaches for the assessment, treatment, and monitoring of this condition. Methods Three patients developed oxygen desaturation and interstitial lung lesions during chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy, and were diagnosed with CIP in collaboration with the respiratory department. Antitumor therapy was discontinued in the acute phase, and glucocorticoids were administered, with regular monitoring of disease progression. During follow-up, case 1 developed lung metastasis; case 2 showed improvement; case 3 had concurrent infection and tumor progression. Results Glucocorticoids improved lung lesions and hypoxic symptoms in patients with CIP, but attention should be paid to the potential for concurrent infections and tumor progression. Conclusions Comprehensive assessment and early identification of CIP are crucial for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer. For those with recurrent symptoms after glucocorticoid therapy, timely and accurate adjustment of the treatment regimen is essential.

Pulpitis is a prevalent inflammatory disease in dentistry, and root canal therapy remains the primary clinical treatment for it. However, pulp removal leads to reduced tooth fracture resistance and complications such as secondary infection and tooth fracture. As a potential alternative, vital pulp therapy (VPT) relies on precise assessment of pulp status; yet current clinical diagnostic methods lack specificity. The establishment of appropriate animal models for pulpitis is crucial for investigating its pathogenesis, developing specific diagnostic biomarkers, and optimizing VPT strategies. This review systematically summarizes experimental animals selection based on anatomical compatibility and pathological similarity, as well as model construction methods and multimodal evaluation systems for pulpitis animal models, aiming to provide insights for related researches.

Objective To explore the effect of the horticultural therapy in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment in elderly care institutions.Methods A convenient cluster sampling method was used.The study was conducted among the elderly with mild cognitive impairment in 2 nursing homes with 5A-level in Guangzhou,from March to September 2024.Using a lottery method,subjects from 2 nursing areas across 2 elderly care institutions were allocated to an experimental group,with the other 2 nursing areas serving as a control group,each group comprising 55 cases.The experimental group participated in horticultural therapy on the basis of control group interventions,while the control group was given routine care and daily leisure activities.The cognitive function,basic psychological needs and quality of life were compared between the 2 groups after the intervention.Results Eventually,37 cases in the experimental group and 38 cases in the control group completed the study.After the intervention,the cognitive function,basic psychological needs and quality of life in the experimental group were all better than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The horticultural therapy program can delay the progression of cognitive decline in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment in nursing homes,meet their basic psychological needs and improve their quality of life.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the illness experience of patients with hepatitis B.Methods:A computer-based search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Medline, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP, and China Biology Medicine disc for qualitative studies related to the illness experience of patients with hepatitis B, from database inception to April 9, 2024. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. A Meta-synthesis method was adopted to summarize and integrate the results.Results:A total of 10 papers were included, from which 43 themes were extracted and summarized into nine categories, ultimately forming four integrated findings: emotional challenges and psychological struggles; changes in social adaptation after experiencing disease trauma, with different coping styles; loss of self-actualization, accompanied by a strong desire for rehabilitation information and social support; a certain degree of illness-related stigma existed among patients.Conclusions:Medical staff should pay attention to the illness experiences of patients with hepatitis B, guide them toward positive coping mechanisms, and provide a basis for developing personalized nursing strategies.

Pulpitis is a prevalent inflammatory disease in dentistry, and root canal therapy remains the primary clinical treatment for it. However, pulp removal leads to reduced tooth fracture resistance and complications such as secondary infection and tooth fracture. As a potential alternative, vital pulp therapy (VPT) relies on precise assessment of pulp status; yet current clinical diagnostic methods lack specificity. The establishment of appropriate animal models for pulpitis is crucial for investigating its pathogenesis, developing specific diagnostic biomarkers, and optimizing VPT strategies. This review systematically summarizes experimental animals selection based on anatomical compatibility and pathological similarity, as well as model construction methods and multimodal evaluation systems for pulpitis animal models, aiming to provide insights for related researches.

Time perspective therapy can reshape the time perspective of chronic disease patients,improve their psychological state,optimize behavioral patterns,and enhance self-management awareness.This article reviews the concept and theoretical basis of time perspective therapy,assessment methods of time perspective,and influencing factors of time perspective in chronic disease patients,as well as methods and effects of applying time perspective therapy in self-management.Additionally,it analyzes challenges in implementation and proposes practical recommendations,aiming to provide psychological guidance for self-management interventions in chronic disease patients.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the illness experience of patients with hepatitis B.Methods:A computer-based search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Medline, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP, and China Biology Medicine disc for qualitative studies related to the illness experience of patients with hepatitis B, from database inception to April 9, 2024. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. A Meta-synthesis method was adopted to summarize and integrate the results.Results:A total of 10 papers were included, from which 43 themes were extracted and summarized into nine categories, ultimately forming four integrated findings: emotional challenges and psychological struggles; changes in social adaptation after experiencing disease trauma, with different coping styles; loss of self-actualization, accompanied by a strong desire for rehabilitation information and social support; a certain degree of illness-related stigma existed among patients.Conclusions:Medical staff should pay attention to the illness experiences of patients with hepatitis B, guide them toward positive coping mechanisms, and provide a basis for developing personalized nursing strategies.

Objective To explore the effect of the horticultural therapy in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment in elderly care institutions.Methods A convenient cluster sampling method was used.The study was conducted among the elderly with mild cognitive impairment in 2 nursing homes with 5A-level in Guangzhou,from March to September 2024.Using a lottery method,subjects from 2 nursing areas across 2 elderly care institutions were allocated to an experimental group,with the other 2 nursing areas serving as a control group,each group comprising 55 cases.The experimental group participated in horticultural therapy on the basis of control group interventions,while the control group was given routine care and daily leisure activities.The cognitive function,basic psychological needs and quality of life were compared between the 2 groups after the intervention.Results Eventually,37 cases in the experimental group and 38 cases in the control group completed the study.After the intervention,the cognitive function,basic psychological needs and quality of life in the experimental group were all better than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The horticultural therapy program can delay the progression of cognitive decline in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment in nursing homes,meet their basic psychological needs and improve their quality of life.

Time perspective therapy can reshape the time perspective of chronic disease patients,improve their psychological state,optimize behavioral patterns,and enhance self-management awareness.This article reviews the concept and theoretical basis of time perspective therapy,assessment methods of time perspective,and influencing factors of time perspective in chronic disease patients,as well as methods and effects of applying time perspective therapy in self-management.Additionally,it analyzes challenges in implementation and proposes practical recommendations,aiming to provide psychological guidance for self-management interventions in chronic disease patients.