1.Construction and application of the standardized management index system for traditional Chinese medicine reserved in the department of medical institutions
He TANG ; Longlong TANG ; Xiaoyu JU ; Youquan TANG ; Huiling GUO ; Shengjiang GUAN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(1):1-5
OBJECTIVE To establish a whole-process quality management index system for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) reserved in the department of medical institutions, providing a reference for standardized management. METHODS An initial indicator framework was determined by collecting and analyzing relevant laws, regulations, policy documents, group standards, and literature on TCM management. Two rounds of Delphi expert consultation involving 20 experts were conducted to refine and optimize the indicator system. The analytic hierarchy process was used to construct judgment matrices and convert the indicator weights into a percentage-based system; an assessment was conducted on 14 departments with reserved TCM among the affiliated units of the Quality Management and Control Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine in Hebei Province. RESULTS The response rate for both rounds of consultation was 100%, with an expert authority coefficient of 0.89. The final quality management system of TCM reserved in the department included four first-level indicators: management (composite weight: 0.366 3), processing (composite weight: 0.119 7), storage (composite weight: 0.291 7) and usage (composite weight: 0.222 3), and twenty-four second-level indicators, such as establishing an organizational structure for hospital drug quality management and having dedicated regulations for backup drugs in clinical departments. Kendall’s coefficient of concordance confirmed consistency across all levels of indicators. Based on the application of the indicator system for evaluation, the average score for the standardized management of reserved TCM in the department of medical institutions increased from 67.01 points to 85.15 points over three months. CONCLUSIONS The constructed indicator system meets the standardized management requirements for reserved TCM, enabling closed-loop management across the entire process of management, processing, storage and usage. It provides a reference for medical institutions to enhance the precision and standardization of reserved TCM management.
2.The Role and Regulatory Mechanisms of FOXO1 in Hepatic Lipid Deposition
Meng JIA ; Fang-Hui LI ; Shi-Zhan YAN ; Ai-Ju LI ; Yi-Le WANG ; Pin-Shi NI ; Jia-Han HE ; Yin-Lu LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):905-919
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is fundamentally driven by an imbalance in hepatic fatty-acid flux: the influx of fatty acids exceeds the liver’s capacity for disposal, resulting in excessive hepatic lipid accumulation, predominantly in the form of triglycerides (TGs). The occurrence and progression of MAFLD depend on disordered regulation across multiple metabolic steps, including fatty-acid uptake, de novo lipogenesis (DNL), fatty-acid oxidation (FAO), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) export. Forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) is a key transcriptional regulator within the hepatic network coordinating glucose and lipid metabolism. Under metabolic stress and insulin resistance (IR), FOXO1 expression is frequently increased, whereas its inhibitory phosphorylation is reduced. These changes enhance FOXO1 nuclear localization and transcriptional activity, thereby reprogramming the expression of genes related to metabolism in the liver. Because hepatic lipid deposition is the central pathological feature of MAFLD, the functional status of FOXO1 directly influences hepatic lipid homeostasis. Growing evidence suggests that FOXO1 can exert bidirectional, environment-dependent effects on hepatic lipid accumulation; however, the molecular basis for this functional switch remains incompletely understood. This review systematically summarizes the biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of FOXO1 and its roles in hepatic lipid metabolism, with a particular focus on its crosstalk with insulin signaling. FOXO1 expression is shaped by RNA modifications and epigenetic regulation mediated by non-coding RNAs. Its transcriptional output is precisely governed by post-translational modifications—such as phosphorylation and acetylation—as well as by coordinated nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. Notably, these regulatory patterns vary markedly across nutritional states, degrees of insulin resistance, and stages of disease. In the fed state, insulin/IGF-1 signaling activates the PI3K-AKT pathway, promoting the inhibitory phosphorylation of FOXO1 and facilitating additional modifications, including acetylation, methylation, and ubiquitination. Together, these events drive FOXO1 export from the nucleus and dampen its transcriptional activity, suppressing gluconeogenesis and constraining lipogenic programs. Conversely, during fasting or when insulin signaling is weakened, FOXO1 inhibition is relieved. FOXO1 accumulates in the nucleus, binds to DNA, and regulates the transcription of downstream target genes. Mechanistically, FOXO1 can aggravate hepatic lipid accumulation by activating genes involved in TG synthesis while repressing FAO-related pathways, thereby favoring storage over oxidation. However, under specific conditions, FOXO1 may also alleviate the hepatic lipid burden by promoting TG hydrolysis and enhancing VLDL secretion, thereby reducing the net hepatic lipid load. In addition, lipotoxic signals mediated by ceramides and diacylglycerols (Cer/DAG) activate atypical protein kinase C (aPKC), further exacerbating the disruption of the AKT-FOXO1 axis. This vicious cycle ultimately produces a metabolic paradox in which increased hepatic glucose output coexists with persistent, insulin-independent lipogenesis, accelerating MAFLD progression. Importantly, FOXO1 regulation is not uniform: during early metabolic overload, insulin-mediated suppression may remain effective, whereas in advanced insulin resistance, the loss of AKT control permits sustained FOXO1 activity. Such stage-dependent dynamics may help explain why FOXO1 can either promote steatosis or, in certain contexts, support programs that facilitate lipid turnover. Accordingly, interventions should be liver-specific and tuned to the disease stage, aiming to curb maladaptive FOXO1 signaling while preserving its capacity to promote triglyceride hydrolysis and VLDL secretion when advantageous. Overall, this review offers an important perspective on MAFLD pathogenesis, emphasizing FOXO1 as a potential therapeutic target and providing a theoretical basis for developing liver-specific, disease-course-dependent precision interventions.
3.Construction and application of clinical inapplicability evaluation system for instructions of oral Chinese patent medicines containing toxic decoction pieces
He TANG ; Longlong TANG ; Xiaoyu JU ; Youquan TANG ; Zhihua WANG ; Jie CHENG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(11):1398-1402
OBJECTIVE To construct a clinical inapplicability evaluation system for the instructions of oral Chinese patent medicines containing toxic decoction pieces, so as to provide references for the revision and improvement of such drug instructions and the formulation of instructions for new drugs. METHODS The initial indicator framework was determined based on policy documents and literature related to instruction registration and revision. Two rounds of Delphi consultation were conducted among 25 experts to refine and optimize the indicator system. The analytic hierarchy process was employed to construct judgment matrices and obtain indicator weights. The comprehensive weights were converted into a 100-point scale to evaluate 11 instructions of oral Chinese patent medicines containing toxic decoction pieces from the medical institution of the research team. RESULTS The average questionnaire recovery rate of the two rounds of consultation was 96%. The expert authority coefficients were 0.87 and 0.88, respectively, and the Kendall’s W was statistically significant ( P <0.001). The final evaluation system comprised 4 first-level indicators (defect of toxicity identification, defect of dosage information, defect of risk warning, and defect of information guidance) and 24 second-level indicators (e.g., failure to label toxic decoction pieces in 【warnings】, failure to indicate all decoction piece compositions, absence of medication course specifications, etc.). The total scores of the 11 oral Chinese patent medicine instructions ranged from 15.50 to 50.87 points. The main clinical inapplicability issues included the absence of medication course specifications and the failure to provide warnings in items such as 【precautions】 for decoction pieces involving the “eighteen incompatibilities and nineteen mutual antagonisms”. CONCLUSIONS The constructed indicator system can meet the requirements for evaluating the clinical inapplicability of instructions for oral Chinese patent medicines containing toxic decoction pieces. All evaluated instructions exhibited certain clinical applicability defects. Pharmaceutical manufacturers should revise the instructions in accordance with policy requirements and clinical needs.
4.Mechanism of Action of Kaixinsan in Ameliorating Alzheimer's Disease
Xiaoming HE ; Xiaotong WANG ; Dongyu MIN ; Xinxin WANG ; Meijia CHENG ; Yongming LIU ; Yetao JU ; Yali YANG ; Changbin YUAN ; Changyang YU ; Li ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):20-29
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of action of Kaixinsan in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experimental validation. MethodsThe Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP) and the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine(ETCM) databases were used to obtain the active ingredients and targets of Kaixinsan. GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM), TTD, PharmGKB, and DrugBank databases were used to obtain the relevant targets of AD. The intersection (common targets) of the active ingredient targets of Kaixinsan and the relevant targets of AD was taken, and the network interaction analysis of the common targets was carried out in the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network. The CytoNCA plugin within Cytoscape was used to screen out the core targets, and the Metascape platform was used to perform gene ontology(GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. The “drug-active ingredient-target” interaction network was constructed with the help of Cytoscape 3.8.2, and AutoDock Vina was used for molecular docking. Scopolamine (SCOP) was utilized for modeling and injected intraperitoneally once daily. Thirty-two male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into blank control (CON) group (0.9% NaCl, n=8), model (SCOP) group (3 mg·kg-1·d-1, n=8), positive control group (3 mg·kg-1·d-1 of SCOP+3 mg·kg-1·d-1 of Donepezil, n=8), and Kaixinsan group (3 mg·kg-1·d-1 of SCOP+6.5 g·kg-1·d-1 of Kaixinsan, n=8). Mice in each group were administered with 0.9% NaCl, Kaixinsan, or Donepezil by gavage twice a day for 14 days. Morris water maze experiment was used to observe the learning memory ability of mice. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining method was used to observe the pathological changes in the CA1 area of the mouse hippocampus. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to determine the serum acetylcholine (ACh) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) contents of mice. Western blot method was used to detect the protein expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) and nuclear transcription factor(NF)-κB p65 in the hippocampus of mice. ResultsA total of 73 active ingredients of Kaixinsan were obtained, and 578 potential targets (common targets) of Kaixinsan for the treatment of AD were screened out. Key active ingredients included kaempferol, gijugliflozin, etc.. Potential core targets were STAT3, NF-κB p65, et al. GO functional enrichment analysis obtained 3 124 biological functions, 254 cellular building blocks, and 461 molecular functions. KEGG pathway enrichment obtained 248 pathways, mainly involving cancer-related pathways, TRP pathway, cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) pathway, and NF-κB pathway. Molecular docking showed that the binding of the key active ingredients to the target targets was more stable. Morris water maze experiment indicated that Kaixinsan could improve the learning memory ability of SCOP-induced mice. HE staining and ELISA results showed that Kaixinsan had an ameliorating effect on central nerve injury in mice. Western blot test indicated that Kaixinsan had a down-regulating effect on the levels of NF-κB p65 phosphorylation and STAT3 phosphorylation in the hippocampal tissue of mice in the SCOP model. ConclusionKaixinsan can improve the cognitive impairment function in SCOP model mice and may reduce hippocampal neuronal damage and thus play a therapeutic role in the treatment of AD by regulating NF-κB p65, STAT3, and other targets involved in the NF-κB signaling pathway.
5.Diagnosis and treatment strategies of respiratory viral infection in transplant recipients
Chunrong JU ; Chuangli HAO ; Wujun XUE ; Jianxing HE
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(2):220-228
Viral infection has always been a significant challenge to human health. Transplant recipients, including those who have undergone solid organ transplantation and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, are at high risk of viral infection due to their weak immune function under immunosuppressive therapy. Unlike the general population, transplant recipients are prone to pneumonia and even severe pneumonia after respiratory viral infection, which requires close attention from clinicians. Therefore, this article reviews the clinical characteristics and special management of viral infection in this population, focusing on the epidemiological features of common respiratory viral infection in transplant recipients, early diagnosis and intervention after infection, severe warning signs and drug treatment strategies, for the reference of clinical colleagues.
6.Effect of Biyan Jiedu Capsules on proliferation and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells based on PI3K/Akt pathway.
Ting LIN ; Yang-Yang TAO ; Ying-Gang TANG ; Ju YUAN ; Hui-Ping DU ; Lin-Yu DENG ; Fang-Liang ZHOU ; Ying-Chun HE
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):1920-1927
To investigate the effects of Biyan Jiedu Capsules on the proliferation and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and their molecular mechanism, nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells CNE1 and CNE2 were used. They were divided into control group(30% blank serum medium), low-(10% drug-containing serum + 20% blank serum medium), medium-(20% drug-containing serum + 10% blank serum medium), and high-(30% drug-containing serum medium) concentration group of Biyan Jiedu Capsules according to in vitro experiment. After 24 h of intervention, the effects of Biyan Jiedu Capsules on the proliferation of CNE1 and CNE2 were detected by CCK-8 assay, clonal formation experiment, and EdU staining. The effect of Biyan Jiedu Capsules on apoptosis of CNE1 and CNE2 was detected by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect the effect of Biyan Jiedu Capsules on the expression of X-linked apoptosis inhibitor protein(XIAP), survivin, proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), and PI3K/Akt pathway-related proteins in CNE1 and CNE2. The results showed that compared with the control group, the survival rate of CNE1 and CNE2 in the medium and high concentration groups of Biyan Jiedu Capsules could be decreased in a concentration-dependent way(P<0.05, P<0.01). At the same time, EdU staining and clonal formation experiments showed that the proliferation of CNE1 and CNE2 was significantly inhibited in the medium and high concentration groups of Biyan Jiedu Capsules(P<0.05, P<0.01). Flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis rate of CNE1 and CNE2 was significantly increased in all concentration groups of Biyan Jiedu Capsules(P<0.01), and the apoptosis rate was concentration-dependent. Western blot showed that the expressions of XIAP, survivin, PCNA, p-PI3K, and p-Akt in all concentration groups of Biyan Jiedu Capsules were significantly down-regulated(P<0.05, P<0.01). In conclusion, Biyan Jiedu Capsules can inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells possibly by down-regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
Humans
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
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Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/physiopathology*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Capsules
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Carcinoma/drug therapy*
7.Targeting PPARα for The Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases
Tong-Tong ZHANG ; Hao-Zhuo ZHANG ; Li HE ; Jia-Wei LIU ; Jia-Zhen WU ; Wen-Hua SU ; Ju-Hua DAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2295-2313
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the leading causes of mortality among adults globally, with continuously rising morbidity and mortality rates. Metabolic disorders are closely linked to various cardiovascular diseases and play a critical role in their pathogenesis and progression, involving multifaceted mechanisms such as altered substrate utilization, mitochondrial structural and functional dysfunction, and impaired ATP synthesis and transport. In recent years, the potential role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in cardiovascular diseases has garnered significant attention, particularly peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), which is recognized as a highly promising therapeutic target for CVD. PPARα regulates cardiovascular physiological and pathological processes through fatty acid metabolism. As a ligand-activated receptor within the nuclear hormone receptor family, PPARα is highly expressed in multiple organs, including skeletal muscle, liver, intestine, kidney, and heart, where it governs the metabolism of diverse substrates. Functioning as a key transcription factor in maintaining metabolic homeostasis and catalyzing or regulating biochemical reactions, PPARα exerts its cardioprotective effects through multiple pathways: modulating lipid metabolism, participating in cardiac energy metabolism, enhancing insulin sensitivity, suppressing inflammatory responses, improving vascular endothelial function, and inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. These mechanisms collectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease development. Thus, PPARα plays a pivotal role in various pathological processes via mechanisms such as lipid metabolism regulation, anti-inflammatory actions, and anti-apoptotic effects. PPARα is activated by binding to natural or synthetic lipophilic ligands, including endogenous fatty acids and their derivatives (e.g., linoleic acid, oleic acid, and arachidonic acid) as well as synthetic peroxisome proliferators. Upon ligand binding, PPARα activates the nuclear receptor retinoid X receptor (RXR), forming a PPARα-RXR heterodimer. This heterodimer, in conjunction with coactivators, undergoes further activation and subsequently binds to peroxisome proliferator response elements (PPREs), thereby regulating the transcription of target genes critical for lipid and glucose homeostasis. Key genes include fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36), diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT), carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT1), and glucose transporter (GLUT), which are primarily involved in fatty acid uptake, storage, oxidation, and glucose utilization processes. Advancing research on PPARα as a therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases has underscored its growing clinical significance. Currently, PPARα activators/agonists, such as fibrates (e.g., fenofibrate and bezafibrate) and thiazolidinediones, have been extensively studied in clinical trials for CVD prevention. Traditional PPARα agonists, including fenofibrate and bezafibrate, are widely used in clinical practice to treat hypertriglyceridemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. These fibrates enhance fatty acid metabolism in the liver and skeletal muscle by activating PPARα, and their cardioprotective effects have been validated in numerous clinical studies. Recent research highlights that fibrates improve insulin resistance, regulate lipid metabolism, correct energy metabolism imbalances, and inhibit the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells, thereby ameliorating pathological remodeling of the cardiovascular system and reducing blood pressure. Given the substantial attention to PPARα-targeted interventions in both basic research and clinical applications, activating PPARα may serve as a key therapeutic strategy for managing cardiovascular conditions such as myocardial hypertrophy, atherosclerosis, ischemic cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, diabetic cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. This review comprehensively examines the regulatory roles of PPARα in cardiovascular diseases and evaluates its clinical application value, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for further development and utilization of PPARα-related therapies in CVD treatment.
8.A quality improvement study on improving the follow-up rate of preterm infants after discharge.
He-Sheng CHANG ; Xue YANG ; Jun JU ; Wen-Ya XU ; Di WU ; Xiao-Man WAN ; Zheng-Hong LI
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(2):148-154
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the measures to improve the follow-up rate of preterm infants after discharge, and to evaluate the effectiveness of these measures using quality improvement methodology.
METHODS:
The follow-up status of preterm infants discharged from March to May 2017 was used as the baseline before quality improvement, and a specific quality improvement goal for the follow-up rate was proposed. The Pareto chart was used to analyze the causes of follow-up failure, and a key driver diagram was constructed based on the links involved in improving follow-up rate. The causes of failure were analyzed to determine the key links and intervention measures for quality improvement, and the follow-up rate was monitored weekly using a control chart until the quality improvement goal was achieved.
RESULTS:
The follow-up rate of preterm infants after discharge was 57.92% (117/202) at baseline before quality improvement, and the quality improvement goal was set to increase the follow-up rate of preterm infants from baseline to more than 80% within 12 months. The Pareto chart analysis showed that the main causes of follow-up failure were deficiencies in follow-up file management and irregular follow-up times (33.70%, 31/92), insufficient follow-up education and poor communication (25.00%, 23/92), and the inability to meet the diverse needs of parents (18.48%, 17/92). Based on the key links for quality improvement and the main causes of follow-up failure, the following intervention measures were adopted: (1) strengthen follow-up publicity and education; (2) build a follow-up team; and (3) establish a follow-up platform and system. The control chart indicated that with the implementation of the above intervention measures, the weekly follow-up rate increased to 74.09% (306/413) in July 2017 and 83.09% (511/615) in December 2017, finally achieving the quality improvement goal. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the follow-up rate of preterm infants fluctuated between 23.54% (460/1 954) and 70.97% (1 931/2 721), and subsequently, it returned to pre-pandemic levels starting in February 2023.
CONCLUSIONS
The application of quality improvement methodology can help to formulate intervention measures based on the main causes of follow-up failure, thereby improving the follow-up rate of preterm infants after discharge. This quality improvement method is feasible and practical and thus holds promise for clinical application.
Humans
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Quality Improvement
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Infant, Premature
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Infant, Newborn
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Patient Discharge
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Follow-Up Studies
;
Female
;
Male
9.Prospects and technical challenges of non-invasive brain-computer interfaces in manned space missions.
Yumeng JU ; Jiajun LIU ; Zejun LI ; Yiming LIU ; Hairuo HE ; Jin LIU ; Bangshan LIU ; Mi WANG ; Yan ZHANG
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(8):1363-1370
During long-duration manned space missions, the complex and extreme space environment exerts significant impacts on astronauts' physiological, psychological, and cognitive functions, thereby posing direct risks to mission safety and operational efficiency. As a key bridge between the brain and external devices, brain-computer interface (BCI) technology enables precise acquisition and interpretation of neural signals, offering a novel paradigm for human-machine collaboration in manned spaceflight. Non-invasive BCI technology shows broad application prospects across astronaut selection, mission training, in-orbit task execution, and post-mission rehabilitation. During mission preparation, multimodal signal assessment and neurofeedback training based on BCI can effectively enhance cognitive performance and psychological resilience. During mission execution, BCI can provide real-time monitoring of physiological and psychological states and enable intention-based device control, thereby improving operational efficiency and safety. In the post-mission rehabilitation phase, non-invasive BCI combined with neuromodulation may improve emotional and cognitive functions, support motor and cognitive recovery, and contribute to long-term health management. However, the application of BCI in space still faces challenges, including insufficient signal robustness, limited system adaptability, and suboptimal data processing efficiency. Looking forward, integrating multimodal physiological sensors with deep learning algorithms to achieve accurate monitoring and individualized intervention, and combining BCI with virtual reality and robotics to develop intelligent human-machine collaboration models, will provide more efficient support for space missions.
Brain-Computer Interfaces
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Humans
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Space Flight
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Astronauts/psychology*
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Neurofeedback
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Cognition
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Electroencephalography
;
Man-Machine Systems

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