BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the first cohort of people in China treated with a responsive neurostimulation system (Epilcure TM , GenLight MedTech, Hangzhou, China) for focal drug-resistant epilepsy in this study. METHODS: This multicenter, before-and-after self-controlled study was conducted across 8 centers from March 2022 to June 2023, involving patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who were undergoing responsive neurostimulation (RNS). The study was based on an ongoing multi-center, single-blind, randomized controlled study. Efficacy was assessed through metrics including median seizure count, seizure frequency reduction (SFR), and response rate. Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to explore the relationships of basic clinical factors and intracranial electrophysiological characteristics with SFR. The postoperative quality of life, cognitive function, depression, and anxiety were evaluated as well. RESULTS: The follow-up period for the 19 participants was 10.7 ± 3.4 months. Seizure counts decreased significantly 6 months after device activation, with median SFR of 48% at the 6th month (M6) and 58% at M12 ( P  <0.05). The average response rate after 13 months of treatment was 42%, with 21% ( n  = 4) of the participants achieving seizure freedom. Patients who have previously undergone resective surgery appear to achieve better therapeutic outcomes at M11, M12 and M13 ( β  <0, P  <0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in patients' scores of quality of life, cognition, depression and anxiety following stimulation when compared to baseline measurements. No serious adverse events related to the devices were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary findings suggest that Epilcure TM exhibits promising therapeutic potential in reducing the frequency of epileptic seizures. However, to further validate its efficacy, larger-scale randomized controlled trials are required. REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No. ChiCTR2200055247).
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Drug Resistant Epilepsy/therapy* ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; China ; Adolescent ; Treatment Outcome ; Quality of Life ; Single-Blind Method ; Seizures ; Electric Stimulation Therapy/methods*

BACKGROUND: The benefits of ideal cardiovascular-health metrics (ICVHMs) in patients with renal insufficiency remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations between ICVHM and prognosis in a renal insufficiency population. METHODS: The trial enrolled 29,682 participants from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2007-2018, with mortality follow-up through December 31, 2019. Participants were divided into three groups based on estimated glomerular filtration rates. Cardiovascular health was assessed using new "Life's Essential 8" metrics. Cox regression analyses based on NHANES data were used to determine the associations between ICVHMs and cardiovascular mortality in patients with renal insufficiency. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 6.58 years, ideal cardiovascular health (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI]; 0.25-0.70) and ideal health behavior (HR = 0.53; 95% CI; 0.39-0.73) reduced cardiovascular mortality in participants with renal insufficiency. For each one ICVHM increment, a 25% reduction in cardiovascular mortality was recorded (95% CI; 0.69-0.82). When compared with participants with normal renal function, for those with mild renal insufficiency, the HR for cardiovascular mortality gradually decreased from 1.47 (95% CI; 0.85-2.52) in those who had ≤1 ICVHMs to 0.30 (95% CI; 0.12-0.77) in participants who had >6 ICVHMs. CONCLUSIONS From an ICVHM perspective, enhanced cardiovascular benefits were observed in individuals with renal insufficiency, coupled with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality. Furthermore, when compared with individuals with normal renal function, increased ICVHMs can mitigate adverse risks associated with renal impairment.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Nutrition Surveys ; Middle Aged ; Renal Insufficiency/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Prognosis ; Adult ; Cardiovascular Diseases/mortality* ; Glomerular Filtration Rate/physiology* ; Proportional Hazards Models

This study aimed to investigate the effects of acupuncture on dynamic changes in Ca²⁺, Na⁺, and H₂O₂ flux following eccentric exercise-induced muscle injury. The total of 324 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: control group (C), eccentric exercise group (E), eccentric exercise with acupuncture group (EA), EA with TRP channel blocker group (EAT), EA with NOX2 blocker group (EAN) and EA with placebo group (EAP). Gastrocnemius muscles were subject to lengthening contractions with percutaneous electrical stimulation, followed by immediate pretreatment with blocking agents. After 30 min, acupuncture needling was administered to the gastrocnemius muscle, and real-time dynamic changes of Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and H₂O₂ flux were measured with non-invasive micro-test technique during the needle retention period, immediately, 3 h, 6 h, and 24 h post-extraction respectively. Results showed that compared with the E group, acupuncture significantly increased net Ca²⁺ efflux (P < 0.05), extended the period of net Na⁺ influx, and significantly decreased net H₂O₂ efflux (P < 0.05). However, these effects were significantly attenuated in the EAT and EAN groups, where excessive net H₂O₂ efflux was observed (P < 0.001). These findings indicate that acupuncture regulates the dynamic changes of Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and H₂O₂ flux by activating the TRP channels and interacting with NOX2 activity following eccentric exercise-induced skeletal muscle injury.
Animals ; Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism* ; Rats, Wistar ; Rats ; Male ; Calcium/metabolism* ; Hydrogen Peroxide/metabolism* ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; Sodium/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; NADPH Oxidase 2

Objective To explore the trajectory of psychological symptom clusters in pregnant women with assisted reproductive technology(ART),and analyze the influencing factors of each trajectory subgroups,in order to provide a theoretical basis for the management of psychological health during pregnancy in pregnant women with ART.Methods A total of 205 pregnant women who had conceived using ART were sampled from the obstetrics clinic of a tertiary hospital in Nanjing from August 2023 to April 2024 using a convenient sampling method.The baseline data were assessed by general information questionnaire,Symptom Checklist-90,Distress Disclosure Index and Positive Psychological Capital Questionnaire at 10-14 weeks gestation,and the follow-up information was assessed by Symptom Checklist-90 at 22-26 weeks of gestation and 34-38 weeks of gestation.Exploratory factor analysis was used to extract symptom clusters;the latent class growth mixture model was used to identify the track categories;the multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of the track.Results 180 cases were finally included.By exploratory factor analysis,5,4 and 5 factors were extracted at 3 time points respectively.Trajectories of psychological symptom clusters in pregnant women with ART is divided into 3 potential classes:low level-slow relieving group(28.89％),high level-significant increasing group(6.11％),medium level-slow increasing group(65.00％).Logistic regression analyses showed that duration of infertility,number of ART,literacy,pain self-expression and positive psychological capital were influential factors in the potential categories of psychological symptom clusters in pregnant women conceived with ART(all P＜0.05).Conclusion The trajectory of psychological symptom clusters in pregnant women with ART was divided into 3 potential classes.Medical workers could develop corresponding interventions based on the influencing factors and implement comprehensive and efficient symptom management.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect and underlying mechanism of leucine(Leu)on meta-bolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease induced by high fat diet(HFD)in mice.METHODS C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into chow diet(normal),chow diet+Leu(normal+Leu),HFD and HFD+Leu groups,with 10 mice in each group.The mice in the normal and normal+Leu groups received chow diet while those in the HFD and HFD+Leu groups received HFD.Drinking water for mice in the normal+Leu and HFD+Leu groups was supplemented with 1.5%Leu.The experiment lasted 24 weeks,total food and water intake of mice were recorded weekly to calculate energy and Leu intake respectively.Energy metabolism of mice was detected at week 20 by the Oxymas/CLAMS Animal Metabolic System heat production,CO2 exhalation,O2 consumption and respiratory exchange rate(RER).At the end of week 24,the mice were sacrificed and the livers were harvested,followed by the oil red O staining to reveal the fat content.Western blotting was performed to analyze the changes in the activity of the liver branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase E1α(BCKDE1A),the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase alpha subunit(AMPKα),and the protein expressions of downstream effector molecules including silent information regulator 1(SIRT1)and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor coactivator-1α(PGC-1α),fatty acid synthetase(FAS)and fatty acid binding protein 4(FABP4)in the liver of mice.RESULTS Total Leu intake of mice was significantly reduced in the HFD+Leu group,compared with the normal+Leu group.The mice fed with HFD significantly increased the energy intake body mass gain and liver mass,accompanied by fat accumulation in the liver,compared to the mice in the normal group.Simultaneously,the mice in the HFD group showed a decrease in CO2 exha-lation both by day and by night,and in the respiratory exchange ratio by day compared to the normal group.Compared with the HFD group,the body mass gain and liver mass obviously decreased in mice of the HFD+Leu group,and the liver fat accumulation was reduced.The mice in the HFD+Leu group exhib-ited higher heat production and O2 consumption,along with an increase in CO2 exhalation by day and by night.In addition,heat production,CO2 exhalation,and O2 consumption were significantly higher by night than by day(P<0.01).As for the respiratory exchange ratio,a night increase was seen in the mice from the normal group,normal+Leu group,and HFD group,but not in the HFD+Leu group.The results of Western blotting showed that compared with the normal group,the BCKDE1A phosphorylation inacti-vation was enhanced,AMPKα phosphorylation activation alleviated,the protein expressions of SIRT1 and PGC-1α downregulated(P<0.05),and the protein expressions of FAS and FABP4 increased in the livers of mice in the HFD group.Compared with the HFD group,the BCKDE1A phosphorylation inacti-vation was alleviated,AMPKα phosphorylation activation enhanced,the protein expressions of SIRT1 and PGC-1α increased,and the protein expressions of FAS and FABP4 downregulated in the livers of mice in the HFD+Leu group.CONCLUSION Leu can alleviate HFD-induced metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in mice,which may be closely related to the promotion of energy metabo-lism and inhibition of fat synthesis.

Objective:To explore the short-term clinical effects of deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods:A prospective exploratory study was conducted on the treatment of AD patients using the cervical deep lymph node-venous anastomosis technique in Scar and Wound Treatment Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from September to October 2024. The patients underwent high-frequency ultrasound to locate deep cervical lymph nodes and the external jugular vein. Under general anesthesia, bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses were performed. Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography was conducted via subcutaneous injection behind the ear to visualize lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. After making a skin incision along the posterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the external jugular vein, internal jugular veins, and associated lymph nodes were exposed. Adjacent veins were selected for anastomosis of lymph node. Using microsurgical techniques, end-to-side or end-to-end anastomosis was completed for lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. Preoperative assessments included the mini-mental state examination (MMSE, a higher score indicates better cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog, a higher score indicates greater impairment of cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease cooperative study scale for activities of daily living (ADCS-ADL, a higher score indicates better ability to perform daily activity), and neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI, a higher score indicates more severe behavioral and emotional symptom). Postoperative follow-up included the same scales to observe changes in cognitive function, activities of daily living, and emotional communication.Results:Four patients (1 male, 3 females, aged 58-79 years) with AD were included. All were diagnosed based on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. All patients successfully underwent bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses. On average, 4.3 (2-7 per person) anastomoses were performed per patient. Surgical procedures lasted an average of 6.5 h (5.5-8.5 h) with minimal blood loss (less than 50 ml). Patients resumed normal activity within 6 hours postoperatively and were discharged after an average of 4.1 d (3.5-5.0 d). Postoperative complications included one case each of aspiration pneumonia, lower limb venous thrombosis, and transient delirium, all of whom resolved without long-term effects. Clinical symptoms, including memory decline, mood swings, and anxiety, showed varying degrees of improvement. Patients reported enhanced quality of life, emotional stability, and social engagement, confirming the procedure’s safety and potential cognitive benefits. At one month postoperatively, the MMSE scores of the four patients increased by an average of 0.8 points compared to preoperative levels. Additionally, the two patients who completed the ADAS-Cog assessments showed a decrease in their scores (reduced by 1.0 points and 11.3 points, respectively, compared to preoperative scores), indicating a certain degree of improvement in cognitive function during this period. The ADCS-ADL and NPI scores of four patients varied significantly, without showing any clear pattern.Conclusion:Lymphovenous anastomosis of the deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis may provide a new surgical intervention approach for AD, but further large-scale studies and long-term follow-up are needed to validate its safety and effectiveness.

With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence(GAI)technologies,their widespread application in academic research and writing is continuously expanding the boundaries of sci-entific inquiry.However,this trend has also raised a series of ethical and regulatory challenges,inclu-ding issues related to authorship,content authenticity,citation accuracy,and accountability.In light of the growing involvement of AI in generating academic content,establishing an open,controllable,and trustworthy ethical governance framework has become a key task for safeguarding research integrity and maintaining trust within the academic community.This expert consensus outlines ethical requirements across key stages of AI-assisted academic writing-including topic selection,data management,citation practices,and authorship attribution.It aims to clarify the boundaries and ethical obligations surrounding AI use in academic writing,ensuring that technological tools enhance efficiency without compromising in-tegrity.The goal is to provide guidance and institutional support for building a responsible and sustainable research ecosystem.

Spine fracture and dislocation are common traumatic spinal conditions that often require surgical intervention due to compromised spinal stability. Surgical approaches include anterior, posterior, and combined anterior-posterior spinal procedures. According to the specific surgical requirements, patients may be placed in the prone position or repositioned between prone and supine positions during surgery. Intraoperative repositioning has become an essential step in patient positioning. However, during repositioning, patients with spinal fracture and dislocation are at increased risk for complications such as hemodynamic instability, nerve injury, and pressure injuries to the skin and soft tissue. Notably, due to the instability of the spinal cord, even minor manipulations can further exacerbate the damage, potentially leading to severe outcomes like paraplegia. Although the current clinical guidelines provide instructive recommendations for standard position, there remains no specific protocols for intraoperative repositioning in patients with spine fracture and dislocation. With a concern for the lack of clinical studies on positioning techniques, risk prevention, and operational norms for special patients, no applicable guidelines or standards are available. A consensus was required to provide clinical reference, meet the requirements of surgical treatment, and minimize the safety risks of patients caused by improper placement of positions. Professional Committee of Operating Room Nursing of Shaanxi Nursing Association organized experts in nursing management and operating room nursing from major hospitals across China to formulate Expert consensus on intraoperative repositioning for patients with spinal fracture and dislocation ( version 2025). The consensus provides 11 recommendations covering pre-repositioning preparation, intraoperative maneuvers, and post-repositioning observation, aiming to provide references for clinical standardization of the intraoperative repositioning process and protection of patients′ safety.

Objective:A camelid natural nanobody library was screened to target S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) for obtaining high-affinity and specific nanobodies (Nbs), which provided a molecular basis for the early diagnosis and prognostic treatment of malignant melanoma.Methods:In this study, affinity panning was employed to isolate S100B-specific nanobodies with unique complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) sequences from a camelid natural nanobody library. The selected Nbs were expressed in a prokaryotic system and purified via Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The affinity, specificity, and diagnostic potential of the Nbs were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blot, and bio-layer interferometry (BLI).Results:A camelid natural anti-S100B nanobody library with a capacity of 1.91×10 8 CFU was successfully constructed. Affinity panning yielded 30 S100B-specific Nbs, among which Nb107, Nb122, Nb212, and Nb324 with distinct CDR3 sequences were selected for expression. Following Ni-NTA purification, all four anti-S100B Nbs exhibited high purity. Western blot analysis confirmed their ability to recognize recombinant S100B. ELISA and BLI analyses revealed that Nb212 demonstrated high affinity (1.96×10 -11 mol). Additionally, Nb107, Nb122, and Nb212 exhibited broad-spectrum recognition capabilities, binding to various tumor cell lines (Hepa1-6, GL261, 4T1, CT26) as well as murine/human melanoma cells. These Nbs also effectively bound to native murine/human antigens in serum samples from melanoma (A375, B16F10) mouse models. Conclusions:Specific anti-S100B Nbs are successfully screened and expressed, demonstrating not only recognition of native conformational antigens but also broad-spectrum binding and high affinity. These findings highlight their significant potential for developing early diagnostic assays and broad-spectrum targeted vaccines or therapeutics against diverse tumor cells.

BACKGROUND:The development of calcium phosphate bone cement is limited due to its poor mechanical properties and weak osteogenic ability.Silicate bioactive glass is highly favored due to its excellent biological activity and osteogenic ability.Simultaneously,fiber structures can enhance the mechanical strength of materials.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the mechanical properties,biocompatibility,and osteogenic effect of silicate bioactive glass fiber composite calcium phosphate bone cement.METHODS:Different mass percentages(0％,10％,and 20％)of silicate bioactive glass fiber were added to the solid phase of calcium phosphate bone cement,mixed with the liquid phase and cured for 48 hours to obtain silicate bioactive glass fiber composite calcium phosphate bone cement.The mechanical properties,setting time,and ion precipitation of the cement were characterized.The three groups of bone cement extracts were co-cultured with MC3T3-E1 cells.The cell compatibility of the materials was evaluated by CCK-8 assay,live/dead staining,and phalloidin staining.After osteogenic induction,the osteogenic induction ability of the materials was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase staining,alizarin red staining,RUNX2 immunofluorescence staining,and RT-PCR.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)With the increase of silicate bioactive glass fiber content,the compressive strength and flexural strength of bone cement increased,and the setting time was prolonged.When bone cement was immersed in simulated body fluid,the precipitation of silicon ions,calcium ions,and phosphorus ions could be detected.Moreover,with the increase of silicate bioactive glass fiber content,the mass concentration of silicon ions and phosphorus ions released by bone cement increased,and the mass concentration of calcium ions decreased.(2)Live/dead staining and phalloidin staining results exhibited that silicate bioactive glass fiber composite calcium phosphate bone cement had no toxic effect on MC3T3-E1 cells.CCK-8 assay results showed that silicate bioactive glass fiber composite calcium phosphate bone cement could promote the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells.(3)With the increase of silicate bioactive glass fiber content in bone cement,the alkaline phosphatase activity and extracellular calcium deposition of MC3T3-E1 cells increased,the expression of RUNX2 protein increased,and the expression of alkaline phosphatase,osteocalcin,osteopontin,and RUNX2 mRNA expression increased.(4)The results indicate that silicate bioactive glass fibers can enhance the mechanical properties and osteogenic induction ability of calcium phosphate bone cement,among which 20％silicate bioactive glass fibers have a more obvious effect.