Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK) is a highly conserved serine/ threonine protein kinase which plays an important role in regulating energy metabolism of the systemic cells. Under stress conditions, such as ischemia and hypoxia, AMPK can be activated.Then it plays a neuroprotective role in regulating mechanisms such as oxidative stress, autophagy, apoptosis and neuroinflammation and so on. Researches have found that chronic cerebral hypoperfusion may be a major cause of vascular cognitive impairment(VCI).AMPK can exert neuroprotective effects on VCI by regulating the aforementioned pathological processes.Therefore, this article reviews the molecular biological characteristics of AMPK and its role and mechanism in VCI, with the aim of promoting further research on AMPK and making it a new target for VCI treatment.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and the collective brain responses of acupuncture for post-stroke limb numbness.Methods A total of 24 patients with post-stroke limb numbness and 23 matched healthy participants were recruited.Both groups received coordinated acupuncture treatment to regulate their physical and mental state,three times a week for 4 weeks.Changes in limb numbness assessed by the visual analog scale(VAS)were observed before and after acupuncture.Functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI)scans were conducted on the participants during the scanning process with acupuncture intervention.Blood oxygen level-dependent(BOLD)data were collected in three states:resting state,acupuncture task state,and needle retention state.Data processing was performed using software such as fMRIPrep and brainIAK.Intersubject correlation(ISC)analysis was conducted to compare the ISC values of different brain regions between the two groups under different conditions.Results Acupuncture treatment significantly reduced the VAS scores of limb numbness.No significant changes in ISC values in both groups during resting state.Under acupuncture conditions,the patient group exhibited significantly increased ISC values in the left precentral gyrus,left paracentral lobule,left postcentral gyrus,left insula,left anterior cingulate gyrus,right middle frontal gyruss and right anterior cingulate gyrus.Under the needle retention condition,a slight negative activation was observed in the bilateral precentral gyrus of the control group.In the patient group,the ISC values of the left superior frontal gyrus,left precentral gyrus,left paracentral lobule,left precuneus,left postcentral gyrus,left insula,left anterior cingulate gyrus,left thalamus,right superior frontal gyrus,right middle frontal gyrus,right precentral gyrus,and right anterior cingulate gyrus showed a significant increase compared to the resting state.Conclusion Acupuncture can improve post-stroke limb numbness symptoms and induce a specific pattern of collective brain activation in patients.This activation involves the precentral gyrus,postcentral gyrus,thalamus,insula,frontal lobe and cingulate gyrus.Acupuncture may enhance the processing of sensory information by activating the somatosensory-motor network and the cortical-thalamic-cortical loop.It may also modulate the central executive network and the descending pain control pathway to promote the relief of pain symptoms.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of evodiamine(Evo)on atopic dermatitis(AD)in rat models by regulating the cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)/protein kinase A(PKA)/cAMP response ele-ment binding protein(CREB)signaling pathway.Methods A rat model of AD was established by administration of multiple doses of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene(DNCB).The animals were randomly divided into AD group,Evo-low-dose(Evo-L,5 mg/kg)group,Evo-high-dose(Evo-H,10 mg/kg)group,Evo-H+H-89(5 mg/kg)group and dexamethasone(0.1 mg/kg)group.Normal rats were used as the control group and then the degree of skin damage of rats in each group was scored.Abdominal blood was taken to detect the levels of interleukin-4(IL-4),cAMP,and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in serum;Skin lesion tissue was collected to detect pathological change,counting of mast cells,PKA/CREB related protein expression and expression of IL-4 and TNF-α mRNA in the tissue.Results Compared with control group,the level of cAMP in serum,the expression of p-PKA/PKA,and p-CREB/CREB in skin lesions of AD group were reduced,the severity score of skin lesions,level of IL-4 and TNF-α,epidermal thickness,number of mast cells and mRNA expression of IL-4 and TNF-α in skin lesion tissues were all significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with AD group,the level of cAMP in serum,the expression of p-PKA/PKA,and p-CREB/CREB in skin lesions in Evo-L group,Evo-H group,and dexamethasone group were increased,the severity score of skin lesions,level of IL-4 and TNF-α,epidermal thickness,number of mast cells,and mRNA expression of IL-4 and TNF-α in skin lesion tissues all reduced(P＜0.05).Compared with the Evo-H group,the level of cAMP in serum,the expression of p-PKA/PKA,and p-CREB/CREB in skin lesions in Evo-H+H-89 group was reduced and the severity score of skin lesion,level of IL-4 and TNF-α,epidermal thickness,num-ber of mast cells,and mRNA expression of IL-4 and TNF-α in skin lesion tissues significantly increased(P＜0.05).Conclusions Evo inhibits inflammatory response and pathological damage through regulation of cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway in AD rat models.

ObjectiveTo analyze the monitoring data of schistosomiasis from 2004 to 2021 in Suzhou New District， Jiangsu Province， and to provide evidence for improving schistosomiasis elimination strategies. MethodsFollowing the Opinions on Prevention and Control of Schistosomiasis， Parasitic Diseases and Endemic Diseases in Suzhou and the Technical Plan for Prevention and Control of Schistosomiasis， Parasitic Diseases and Endemic Diseases in Suzhou， the monitoring of schistosomiasis in the population and snail habitats from 2004 to 2021 was conducted. The Mann-Kendall method and Joinpoint regression method were employed to analyze the trend of epidemic indicators （such as seropositive rate， prevalence of snail frames， etc.）. Time series analysis （exponential smoothing model） was conducted to predict snail occurrence. ResultsFrom 2004 to 2021， a total of 73 680 people were serologically tested for schistosomiasis， with a positive rate of 0.084%. The seropositivity rate showed statistically significant differences between different years （χ²=70.73， P<0.05）， but there was no significant trend over time. In addition， 3 053 fecal tests were conducted and no positive result was found. The snail habitats covered an area of 70.11 hm² and showed a decreasing trend （Z=-1.97， P<0.05）. A total of 30 093 frames were surveyed， of which 19.038% contained snails. The difference in the prevalence of snail frames between different years was statistically significant （χ²=7 203.09， P<0.05）， with a decreasing trend in the prevalence of snail frames （Z=-2.05， P<0.05）. A total of 26 296 live snails were seized and density of live snails was 0.874 snails per frame， showing a decreasing trend in the density of live snails （Z=-2.35， P<0.05）. A total of 12 391 snails were dissected and no infected snail was found. The areas treated with molluscicides remained stable at 264.60 hm². An area of 27.77 hm² achieved the goal of snail eradication through environmental modification， with a decreasing trend （Z=-2.44， P<0.05）. It is estimated that the prevalence of snail frames and snail density will remain relatively stable from 2022 to 2026， but the snail habitat area will fluctuate significantly， showing an increasing trend. ConclusionNo indigenous cases of schistosomiasis and no infected snails are reported， indicating the successful consolidation of schistosomiasis prevention and control measures. However， the snail habitat area fluctuates greatly with an increasing trend， suggesting the need for long-term Oncomelania snail monitoring in local areas.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is one of the pathological bases of ischemic stroke. AS caused by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels is the main causative factor. However, recent studies have found that the traditional blood lipid indicators can not fully reflect the risk of stroke in high-risk populations. Non-traditional blood lipid parameters are developed from traditional blood lipid parameters, including remnant cholesterol (RC), non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol and a variety of blood lipid ratios, which may play a role in the prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. Among them, RC is increasingly recognized as a biomarker driving the residual risk of AS. It has been confirmed that RC is closely associated with the risk of cerebrovascular disease in the primary and secondary prevention studies of stroke.

As a multifunctional signal molecule, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) has been proved to have a variety of biological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant stress, and neuroprotection. This article reviews the latest research progress on the protective effect of FGF21 in ischemic stroke and its relationship with cognitive impairment.

Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is a syndrome from mild cognitive impairment to dementia caused by various vascular risk factors and cerebrovascular diseases. Early detection and definite diagnosis can significantly improve the outcomes of patients with VCI. This article reviews the evaluation and diagnosis of VCI.

Objective:To explore the correlation between enlarged perivascular spaces and other imaging markers of cerebrovascular disease in patients with ischemic stroke.Methods:Totally 287 patients with ischemic stroke hospitalized in neurology department from January 2018 to January 2019 were selected. According to the severity of EPVS in different parts of the brain, the correlations between the severity of EPVS in different parts of the brain and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), white matter hyperintensity (WMH), lacunar infarcts (LIs) were analyzed. SPSS 22.0 software was used for analysis. Chi-square test, independent sample t-test, rank-sum test and non parametric Mann-Whitney U test were used for group comparison, and Logistic regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis. Results:EPVS was common and severe in patients with ischemic stroke. Periventricular white matter hyperintensity(PWMH)( β=1.604, P<0.001, OR=4.971, 95% CI=2.015-12.263), CMBs ( β=1.224, P=0.018, OR=3.339, 95% CI=1.232-9.383) and LIs ( β=0.626, P=0.047, OR=1.871, 95% CI=1.009-3.470) were independent risk factors for BG-EPVS. PWMH ( r=0.614), DWMH ( r=0.622), LIs ( r=0.532) were positively correlated with the severity of BG-EPVS (all P<0.01). Conclusion:The imaging makers of CSVD are related to BG-EPVS, which can affect the severity of brain BG-EPVS in patients with ischemic stroke.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between total MRI burden and serum uric acid level in patients with cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD) and its gender differences.Methods:A total of 217 patients with CSVD were retrospectively included as the research objects, and the clinical data such as serum uric acid value were collected.The imaging findings of patients with CSVD were evaluated by MRI, and the total MRI burden score of CSVD was calculated.According to the total MRI burden score of CSVD, patients with CSVD were divided into mild-to-moderate burden group ( n=133) and severe burden group ( n=84). SPSS 20.0 software was used for data analysis and processing.Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between uric acid and the total MRI burden score of CSVD. Results:The serum uric acid of severe burden group was higher than that of mild-to-moderate burden group((326.94±70.95)μmol/L, (293.42±80.52)μmol/L, P=0.002). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the elevated level of serum uric acid was an independent risk factors for total MRI burden of CSVD ( β=0.005, OR=1.005, 95% CI=1.001-1.009, P=0.019). The patients with CSVD were equally divided into four group based on the serum uric acid concentration.After controlling the confounding factors, with the increase of uric acid level, the risk of aggravating total MRI burden score of CSVD increased, and the difference was statistically significant( P=0.001). Serum uric acid(for each quartile increase)was an independent risk factor for total MRI burden in male patients with CSVD( β=0.482, OR=1.619, 95% CI=1.125-2.330, P=0.010), while there was no significant difference in female patients( P=0.070). Conclusion:Serum uric acid level is a risk factor for increasing the total MRI burden in male patients with CSVD, but this effect is not found in female patients with CSVD.

Objective:To compare the efficacy between acupuncture and acupuncture with infrared thermography-guided Chinese massage (Tuina) in treatment of children with Bell′s palsy (BP).Methods:Seventy two children with BP admitted to the Rehabilitation Department of Beijing Children′s Hospital from October 2019 to April 2020 were randomly assigned into two groups: 35 cases were treated with acupuncture alone (acupuncture group) and 37 cases received acupuncture combined with Tuina for treatment (combination group). In combination group, the temperature of forehead, cheek and mandible areas was examined by infrared thermography before each course. Compared healthy side if the temperature on the affected side was lower, higher or the same, rubbing method, tapping method and one-finger meditation push method of Tuina was applied, afterwards the acupuncture treatment was given as in the acupuncture group. Patients in both groups were treated once a day with 5 days for a course and a total of 3 courses. The patients were assessed with House-Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve function evaluation scale and Portmann simple score scale before and after each course of treatment.Results:The H-B classification of the two groups of children at the end of the third course of treatment was significantly better than that before treatment (χ2=31.01, 56.41; P<0.01). There was no significant difference in H-B grading between the two groups before treatment, after the first and second course (χ2=0.58, 8.49, 6.79; P>0.05). After the third course of treatment, the H-B grading assessment of the combination group was significant better than that of the acupuncture group (χ2=10.03, P<0.05). The Portmann scores of the two groups were improved after each course of treatment ( F=9.68, 22.54; P<0.01); however, the facial nerve function of combination group was improved more significantly than that of acupuncture group [(13.97±4.58) vs.(10.97±5.40), t=2.55, P=0.01]. The total effective rate of combination group was higher than that of acupuncture group [51.35% (19/37) vs. 20.00% (7/35), χ2=6.79, P<0.05]. There was a significant difference in the application frequency of three Tuina methods among the forehead, cheek and mandibular areas in the first course and the third course (χ2=21.23, 13.33; P<0.05). In the same area (forehead, cheek and mandible) there was a significant difference in the application frequency of three massage techniques among the three courses of treatment (χ2=31.26, 21.35, P<0.01). Conclusion:With the guidance of infrared thermal imaging, individualized Chinese massage (Tuina) combined with acupuncture treatment is more effective in treatment of children with Bell′s palsy than using acupuncture alone.