OBJECTIVE To optimize the simmering technology of Rheum palmatum from Menghe Medical School and compare the difference of chemical components before and after processing. METHODS Using appearance score， the contents of gallic acid， 5-hydroxymethylfurfural （5-HMF）， sennoside A+sennoside B， combined anthraquinone and free anthraquinone as indexes， analytic hierarchy process （AHP）-entropy weight method was used to calculate the comprehensive score of evaluation indicators； the orthogonal experiment was designed to optimize the processing technology of simmering R. palmatum with fire temperature， simmering time， paper layer number and paper wrapping time as factors； validation test was conducted. The changes in the contents of five anthraquinones （aloe-emodin， rhein， emodin， chrysophanol， physcion）， five anthraquinone glycosides （barbaloin， rheinoside， rhubarb glycoside， emodin glycoside， and emodin methyl ether glycoside）， two sennosides （sennoside A， sennoside B）， gallic acid and 5-HMF were compared between simmered R. palmatum prepared by optimized technology and R. palmatum. RESULTS The optimal processing conditions of R. palmatum was as follows: each 80 g R. palmatum was wrapped with a layer of wet paper for 0.5 h， simmered on high heat for 20 min and then simmered at 140 ℃， the total simmering time was 2.5 h. The average comprehensive score of 3 validation tests was 94.10 （RSD＜1.0%）. After simmering， the contents of five anthraquinones and two sennosides were decreased significantly， while those of 5 free anthraquinones and gallic acid were increased to different extents； a new component 5-HMF was formed. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully optimizes the simmering technology of R. palmatum. There is a significant difference in the chemical components before and after processing， which can explain that simmering technology slows down the relase of R. palmatum and beneficiate it.

Objective: Whether dissociation and depression are distinct constructs remains controversial. The aim of this study was to explore the interrelations and associated factors between them. Methods: This study included inpatients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder with major depressive episode (BD). Clinical rating scales were used to measure levels of depression, dissociation, and psychotic symptoms. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate interrelations between dissociation and related factors over time, including depression. Moreover, the impacts of individual items of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) on dissociation were evaluated after multiple adjustments. Results: A total of 91 participants were included into the analysis, of whom 59 had MDD and 32 had BD. After standardized treatment, levels of depression and psychotic symptoms significantly decreased, whereas the level of dissociation did not. However, the level of dissociation significantly decreased in the high-dissociation group, and this was positively associated with the change in depression and psychotic symptoms. Female sex and comorbidity with borderline personality disorder were also positively correlated with dissociation. Among items of the HAMD, insomnia and gastrointestinal symptoms contributed to the association between depression and dissociation. Conclusion We identified a decoupled but intertwined relationship between dissociation and depression. Clinicians should be aware of this comorbidity and provide timely interventions for dissociation during clinical practice.

Objective: Whether dissociation and depression are distinct constructs remains controversial. The aim of this study was to explore the interrelations and associated factors between them. Methods: This study included inpatients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder with major depressive episode (BD). Clinical rating scales were used to measure levels of depression, dissociation, and psychotic symptoms. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate interrelations between dissociation and related factors over time, including depression. Moreover, the impacts of individual items of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) on dissociation were evaluated after multiple adjustments. Results: A total of 91 participants were included into the analysis, of whom 59 had MDD and 32 had BD. After standardized treatment, levels of depression and psychotic symptoms significantly decreased, whereas the level of dissociation did not. However, the level of dissociation significantly decreased in the high-dissociation group, and this was positively associated with the change in depression and psychotic symptoms. Female sex and comorbidity with borderline personality disorder were also positively correlated with dissociation. Among items of the HAMD, insomnia and gastrointestinal symptoms contributed to the association between depression and dissociation. Conclusion We identified a decoupled but intertwined relationship between dissociation and depression. Clinicians should be aware of this comorbidity and provide timely interventions for dissociation during clinical practice.

Objective: Whether dissociation and depression are distinct constructs remains controversial. The aim of this study was to explore the interrelations and associated factors between them. Methods: This study included inpatients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder with major depressive episode (BD). Clinical rating scales were used to measure levels of depression, dissociation, and psychotic symptoms. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate interrelations between dissociation and related factors over time, including depression. Moreover, the impacts of individual items of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) on dissociation were evaluated after multiple adjustments. Results: A total of 91 participants were included into the analysis, of whom 59 had MDD and 32 had BD. After standardized treatment, levels of depression and psychotic symptoms significantly decreased, whereas the level of dissociation did not. However, the level of dissociation significantly decreased in the high-dissociation group, and this was positively associated with the change in depression and psychotic symptoms. Female sex and comorbidity with borderline personality disorder were also positively correlated with dissociation. Among items of the HAMD, insomnia and gastrointestinal symptoms contributed to the association between depression and dissociation. Conclusion We identified a decoupled but intertwined relationship between dissociation and depression. Clinicians should be aware of this comorbidity and provide timely interventions for dissociation during clinical practice.

Objective: Whether dissociation and depression are distinct constructs remains controversial. The aim of this study was to explore the interrelations and associated factors between them. Methods: This study included inpatients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder with major depressive episode (BD). Clinical rating scales were used to measure levels of depression, dissociation, and psychotic symptoms. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate interrelations between dissociation and related factors over time, including depression. Moreover, the impacts of individual items of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) on dissociation were evaluated after multiple adjustments. Results: A total of 91 participants were included into the analysis, of whom 59 had MDD and 32 had BD. After standardized treatment, levels of depression and psychotic symptoms significantly decreased, whereas the level of dissociation did not. However, the level of dissociation significantly decreased in the high-dissociation group, and this was positively associated with the change in depression and psychotic symptoms. Female sex and comorbidity with borderline personality disorder were also positively correlated with dissociation. Among items of the HAMD, insomnia and gastrointestinal symptoms contributed to the association between depression and dissociation. Conclusion We identified a decoupled but intertwined relationship between dissociation and depression. Clinicians should be aware of this comorbidity and provide timely interventions for dissociation during clinical practice.

Objective: Whether dissociation and depression are distinct constructs remains controversial. The aim of this study was to explore the interrelations and associated factors between them. Methods: This study included inpatients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder with major depressive episode (BD). Clinical rating scales were used to measure levels of depression, dissociation, and psychotic symptoms. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate interrelations between dissociation and related factors over time, including depression. Moreover, the impacts of individual items of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) on dissociation were evaluated after multiple adjustments. Results: A total of 91 participants were included into the analysis, of whom 59 had MDD and 32 had BD. After standardized treatment, levels of depression and psychotic symptoms significantly decreased, whereas the level of dissociation did not. However, the level of dissociation significantly decreased in the high-dissociation group, and this was positively associated with the change in depression and psychotic symptoms. Female sex and comorbidity with borderline personality disorder were also positively correlated with dissociation. Among items of the HAMD, insomnia and gastrointestinal symptoms contributed to the association between depression and dissociation. Conclusion We identified a decoupled but intertwined relationship between dissociation and depression. Clinicians should be aware of this comorbidity and provide timely interventions for dissociation during clinical practice.

As China accelerates its efforts in deep space exploration and long-duration space missions, including the operationalization of the Tiangong Space Station and the development of manned lunar missions, safeguarding astronauts’ physiological and cognitive functions under extreme space conditions becomes a pressing scientific imperative. Among the multifactorial stressors of spaceflight, microgravity emerges as a particularly potent disruptor of neurobehavioral homeostasis. Dopamine (DA) plays a central role in regulating behavior under space microgravity by influencing reward processing, motivation, executive function and sensorimotor integration. Changes in gravity disrupt dopaminergic signaling at multiple levels, leading to impairments in motor coordination, cognitive flexibility, and emotional stability. Microgravity exposure induces a cascade of neurobiological changes that challenge dopaminergic stability at multiple levels: from the transcriptional regulation of DA synthesis enzymes and the excitability of DA neurons, to receptor distribution dynamics and the efficiency of downstream signaling pathways. These changes involve downregulation of tyrosine hydroxylase in the substantia nigra, reduced phosphorylation of DA receptors, and alterations in vesicular monoamine transporter expression, all of which compromise synaptic DA availability. Experimental findings from space analog studies and simulated microgravity models suggest that gravitational unloading alters striatal and mesocorticolimbic DA circuitry, resulting in diminished motor coordination, impaired vestibular compensation, and decreased cognitive flexibility. These alterations not only compromise astronauts’ operational performance but also elevate the risk of mood disturbances and motivational deficits during prolonged missions. The review systematically synthesizes current findings across multiple domains: molecular neurobiology, behavioral neuroscience, and gravitational physiology. It highlights that maintaining DA homeostasis is pivotal in preserving neuroplasticity, particularly within brain regions critical to adaptation, such as the basal ganglia, prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum. The paper also discusses the dual-edged nature of DA plasticity: while adaptive remodeling of synapses and receptor sensitivity can serve as compensatory mechanisms under stress, chronic dopaminergic imbalance may lead to maladaptive outcomes, such as cognitive rigidity and motor dysregulation. Furthermore, we propose a conceptual framework that integrates homeostatic neuroregulation with the demands of space environmental adaptation. By drawing from interdisciplinary research, the review underscores the potential of multiple intervention strategies including pharmacological treatment, nutritional support, neural stimulation techniques, and most importantly, structured physical exercise. Recent rodent studies demonstrate that treadmill exercise upregulates DA transporter expression in the dorsal striatum, enhances tyrosine hydroxylase activity, and increases DA release during cognitive tasks, indicating both protective and restorative effects on dopaminergic networks. Thus, exercise is highlighted as a key approach because of its sustained effects on DA production, receptor function, and brain plasticity, making it a strong candidate for developing effective measures to support astronauts in maintaining cognitive and emotional stability during space missions. In conclusion, the paper not only underscores the centrality of DA homeostasis in space neuroscience but also reflects the authors’ broader academic viewpoint: understanding the neurochemical substrates of behavior under microgravity is fundamental to both space health and terrestrial neuroscience. By bridging basic neurobiology with applied space medicine, this work contributes to the emerging field of gravitational neurobiology and provides a foundation for future research into individualized performance optimization in extreme environments.

ObjectivePrimary liver cancer, predominantly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a significant global health issue, ranking as the sixth most diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Accurate and early diagnosis of HCC is crucial for effective treatment, as HCC and non-HCC malignancies like intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) exhibit different prognoses and treatment responses. Traditional diagnostic methods, including liver biopsy and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), face limitations in applicability and objectivity. The primary objective of this study was to develop an advanced, light-weighted classification network capable of distinguishing HCC from other non-HCC malignancies by leveraging the automatic analysis of brightness changes in CEUS images. The ultimate goal was to create a user-friendly and cost-efficient computer-aided diagnostic tool that could assist radiologists in making more accurate and efficient clinical decisions. MethodsThis retrospective study encompassed a total of 161 patients, comprising 131 diagnosed with HCC and 30 with non-HCC malignancies. To achieve accurate tumor detection, the YOLOX network was employed to identify the region of interest (ROI) on both B-mode ultrasound and CEUS images. A custom-developed algorithm was then utilized to extract brightness change curves from the tumor and adjacent liver parenchyma regions within the CEUS images. These curves provided critical data for the subsequent analysis and classification process. To analyze the extracted brightness change curves and classify the malignancies, we developed and compared several models. These included one-dimensional convolutional neural networks (1D-ResNet, 1D-ConvNeXt, and 1D-CNN), as well as traditional machine-learning methods such as support vector machine (SVM), ensemble learning (EL), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), and decision tree (DT). The diagnostic performance of each method in distinguishing HCC from non-HCC malignancies was rigorously evaluated using four key metrics: area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC), accuracy (ACC), sensitivity (SE), and specificity (SP). ResultsThe evaluation of the machine-learning methods revealed AUC values of 0.70 for SVM, 0.56 for ensemble learning, 0.63 for KNN, and 0.72 for the decision tree. These results indicated moderate to fair performance in classifying the malignancies based on the brightness change curves. In contrast, the deep learning models demonstrated significantly higher AUCs, with 1D-ResNet achieving an AUC of 0.72, 1D-ConvNeXt reaching 0.82, and 1D-CNN obtaining the highest AUC of 0.84. Moreover, under the five-fold cross-validation scheme, the 1D-CNN model outperformed other models in both accuracy and specificity. Specifically, it achieved accuracy improvements of 3.8% to 10.0% and specificity enhancements of 6.6% to 43.3% over competing approaches. The superior performance of the 1D-CNN model highlighted its potential as a powerful tool for accurate classification. ConclusionThe 1D-CNN model proved to be the most effective in differentiating HCC from non-HCC malignancies, surpassing both traditional machine-learning methods and other deep learning models. This study successfully developed a user-friendly and cost-efficient computer-aided diagnostic solution that would significantly enhances radiologists’ diagnostic capabilities. By improving the accuracy and efficiency of clinical decision-making, this tool has the potential to positively impact patient care and outcomes. Future work may focus on further refining the model and exploring its integration with multimodal ultrasound data to maximize its accuracy and applicability.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer patients attending emergency departments (EDs) often present with acute symptoms and are frequently admitted. This study aimed to characterise the profile of oncology patients who were discharged from the ED. METHODS: This was a retrospective audit of patients with cancer-related diagnoses who presented to the ED at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) over a 6-month period from 1 October 2018 to 31 March 2019 and were directly discharged from the ED. Data was extracted from the hospital's electronic medical record system. RESULTS: Of the 492 participants included in the study, the majority were triaged as Priority 2 (61.4%), while 30.7% were triaged as Priority 3, 6.9% as Priority 1 and 1.0% as Priority 4. There was no statistical difference between the National Early Warning scores across the different triage categories in these patients. The most common complaint was (44.3%), followed by genitourinary symptoms (19.5%) and those related to devices, catheters or stomas (17.3%). More investigations of all types were done for patients being managed in Priority 1 (57.6%) than in the other triage categories (40.1% for Priority 2, 23.2% for Priority 3 and 12.0% for Priority 4). Treatment procedures carried out were mainly symptomatic (analgesics, antiemetics, proton pump inhibitors) for 79.8% of the patients. There were no significant differences in the proportion of patients requiring various treatment modalities among the triage categories. CONCLUSION Selected oncological patients may potentially be managed in an ambulatory setting.
Humans ; Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data* ; Retrospective Studies ; Female ; Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Male ; Singapore ; Patient Discharge/statistics & numerical data* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Triage ; Adult ; Emergencies ; Aged, 80 and over

INTRODUCTION: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with significant long-term impacts, yet few interventions specifically target ACE exposure, especially in Asian populations. Anchor, Singapore's first home visitation programme, addresses maltreat-ment among preschool children. This study evaluated Anchor's impact on children's developmental and behavioural outcomes. METHOD: We conducted a prospective evaluation of children under 4 years assessed for maltreatment from November 2019 to July 2023. Developmental and behavioural progress was measured every 6 months using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3) and ASQ:Social-Emotional (ASQ:SE-2), and annually using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). RESULTS: The results of 125 children (mean age 20.0 months, 48% female) were analysed. The mean length of stay in programme was 21.2 (7.3) months. At baseline, 92 (73.6%) children were at risk of develop-mental delay and 25 (31.7%) children aged ≥18 months had behavioural concerns. The programme was associated with significant improvements in gross motor (P=0.002) and fine motor (P=0.001) domains of the ASQ-3 and internalising problem scale (P=0.001) of the CBCL. CONCLUSION Anchor effectively enhances develop-mental and behavioural outcomes for children exposed to maltreatment. Targeted early intervention through such programmes can mitigate adverse impacts, optimising developmental trajectories and potentially reducing the long-term clinical and economic burdens associated with ACEs.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Child Abuse/therapy* ; Child, Preschool ; Singapore ; House Calls ; Infant ; Prospective Studies ; Child Development ; Developmental Disabilities/epidemiology* ; Program Evaluation ; Child Behavior Disorders ; Child Behavior