Machado-Joseph disease, or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), represents the most common autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia worldwide. Despite its progressive and debilitating nature, disease-modifying therapies remain elusive. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has emerged as a promising non-invasive intervention; however, its clinical application has been hindered by inconsistent protocols and a lack of mechanistic understanding. A recent landmark study published in Brain Stimulation by Chen et al. addressed these challenges by combining a high-dose intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) protocol with concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation-electroencephalography (TMS-EEG). This commentary provides an in-depth analysis of their findings, highlighting the restoration of cerebello-cortical inhibition (CBI) as a key therapeutic mechanism. Furthermore, we discuss the broader implications of this work, proposing that future translational research should integrate accelerated iTBS (aiTBS) paradigms, cortical response measurements (CRM), and individualized neuro-navigation to establish a new era of precision neuromodulation for ataxia.

Machado-Joseph disease, or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), represents the most common autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia worldwide. Despite its progressive and debilitating nature, disease-modifying therapies remain elusive. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has emerged as a promising non-invasive intervention; however, its clinical application has been hindered by inconsistent protocols and a lack of mechanistic understanding. A recent landmark study published in Brain Stimulation by Chen et al. addressed these challenges by combining a high-dose intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) protocol with concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation-electroencephalography (TMS-EEG). This commentary provides an in-depth analysis of their findings, highlighting the restoration of cerebello-cortical inhibition (CBI) as a key therapeutic mechanism. Furthermore, we discuss the broader implications of this work, proposing that future translational research should integrate accelerated iTBS (aiTBS) paradigms, cortical response measurements (CRM), and individualized neuro-navigation to establish a new era of precision neuromodulation for ataxia.

OBJECTIVE: This study reports the first imported case of Lassa fever (LF) in China. Laboratory detection and molecular epidemiological analysis of the Lassa virus (LASV) from this case offer valuable insights for the prevention and control of LF. METHODS: Samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood, urine, saliva, and environmental materials were collected from the patient and their close contacts for LASV nucleotide detection. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on positive samples to analyze the genetic characteristics of the virus. RESULTS: LASV was detected in the patient's CSF, blood, and urine, while all samples from close contacts and the environment tested negative. The virus belongs to the lineage IV strain and shares the highest homology with strains from Sierra Leone. The variability in the glycoprotein complex (GPC) among different strains ranged from 3.9% to 15.1%, higher than previously reported for the seven known lineages. Amino acid mutation analysis revealed multiple mutations within the GPC immunogenic epitopes, increasing strain diversity and potentially impacting immune response. CONCLUSION The case was confirmed through nucleotide detection, with no evidence of secondary transmission or viral spread. The LASV strain identified belongs to lineage IV, with broader GPC variability than previously reported. Mutations in the immune-related sites of GPC may affect immune responses, necessitating heightened vigilance regarding the virus.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Genome, Viral ; Lassa Fever/virology* ; Lassa virus/classification* ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Phylogeny

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for the treatment of ileocecal valve lipoma.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was performed on data of ileocecal lipoma patients who underwent ESD at the Endoscopy Center of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from December 2013 to June 2023. According to the lesion location, the patients were divided into ileocecal valve group and cecum group. The operation time, operation speed, en bloc resection rate, complications, and follow-up outcomes between the two groups were compared.Results:A total of 59 patients with ileocecal lipoma were enrolled, including 31 patients in the ileocecal valve group and 28 patients in the cecum group.There were no significant differences in gender, age, specimen size, or lesion size between the two groups ( P>0.05). Lipomas in both the ileocecal valve group and the cecum group were successfully resected by ESD. The en bloc resection rates were 100.0% (31/31) and 92.9% (26/28) respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant ( χ2=0.033, P=0.133). Median operative duration significantly differed between the two groups ( ileocecal valve group 26 min VS cecum group 20 min, Z=-0.136, P=0.027), as did resection speed (ileocecal valve group 0.14 cm2/min VS cecum group 0.24 cm2/min, Z=-0.223, P=0.022). Adverse events included one postoperative fever in the ileocecal valve group and one delayed bleeding in the cecum group. During the median follow-up of 38 months (7-106 months), there was no case of residual tumor or recurrence. Conclusion:Despite technical challenges in ESD of ileocecal valve lipoma, it is still a safe, feasible and effective treatment method.

Objective: To investigate the effect of loss of function of lanosterol synthase( LSS) gene on intestinal function in a mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease( NAFLD) induced by a high-fat diet． Methods: LSS gene heterozygous knockout C57 mice ( LSS + / －) were established using the CRISRP / Cas9 system．After being fed a high-fat diet with 60% fat content for 6 months，the fat deposition in liver tissues was detected by HE and Oil red O staining，the morphological changes of small intestine tissue were detected by HE staining．The changes in total cholesterol content in intestinal tissue were detected by kits．The gastrointestinal motility function of mice was detected by phenol red paste．The intestinal permeability was detected by Evans blue staining，and the expression of LSS，tight junction protein ( Claudin) -1，Claudin-5，cluster of differentiation 36 ( CD36) ，and Niemann-Pick type C1-like 1 protein ( NPC1L1) proteins in small intestinal tissues were detected by Western blot． Results : The results of HE and Oil red O staining of liver tissues showed that liver fat deposition in LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice was lower than that in wild-type mice in the high-fat diet group．The total cholesterol content in intestinal tis- sue of LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice decreased ( P ＜0. 01) ，but no morphological differences were ob- served between the two groups of mice by HE staining of intestinal tissues．The gastrointestinal motility function of LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice did not show significant changes．The intestinal permeability of LSS gene het- erozygous knockout mice in the high-fat diet group decreased as detected by Evans blue ( P＜0. 05) ．The expres- sion levels of Claudin-5 protein in the intestinal tissue of LSS gene heterozygous knockout mice in the high-fat diet group increased ( P ＜0. 05 ) ，while the expression of LSS protein in the intestinal tissues of LSS heterozygous knockout mice decreased ( P ＜0. 05) ． Conclusion In the NAFLD model induced by a high-fat diet，LSS gene heterozygous knockout reduces liver fat deposition induced by a high-fat diet and improves intestinal barrier function by regulating cholesterol metabolism in intestinal tissues and up-regulating the expression of Claudin-5．

Objective : To explore the changes in behavior and spatial memory of C57BL/6J female mice of different ages (youth , middle-aged , and elderly) . Methods: C57BL/6J female mice were divided into female youth group (YG group) , female middle-aged group ( MG group) and female elderly group ( OG group) according to age. The Morris water maze test measured spatial memory ability , and the open field and elevated cross maze test observed activity level and anxiety level. Western blot was used to determine the protein expressions of CREB , CaMKⅡ(pan) and CaMKⅡ(p) in the hippocampus of the brain tissues of female mice in each group. Results: Compared with the YG group , the weight of the MG group and the OG group significantly increased (P < 0. 01 , P < 0. 001) . Compared with the OG group , the third quadrant escape latency and the number of crossings in the YG group and MG group were shortened , and the difference was not statistically significant. Compared with the OG group , there was a statistically significant difference in the exercise speed in the open field of the YG group (P < 0. 01) , there was no significant difference in the movement speed in the open field of the MG group , the number of entries into the central zone significantly increased in the MG group ( P < 0. 05 ) , and there was no significant difference in the number of entries in the YG group (P > 0. 05) . Compared with the OG group , the YG group had a statistically significant difference in the elevated cross maze (P < 0. 05) , the MG group had no statistically signif- icant difference in the elevated cross maze , and the number of closed arm entries in the YG group and MG group significantly increased (P < 0. 001 , P < 0. 01) . Compared with the YG group , the relative expression level of CaMKⅡ(pan) in the OG group was statistically significant ( P < 0. 05 ) , while the relative expression level of CaMKⅡ(pan) in the MG group was not statistically significant ( P > 0. 05) . Conclusion With the increase of age , the weight of C57BL/6J female mice gradually increased , the activity level and desire to explore gradually de- creased , the spatial memory ability also declined , and the anxiety level and anxiety-like behavior increased. This study helps to reveal the effect of age on the activity level and cognitive function of females , and provides a refer- ence for studying cognitive and memory decline in older females.

Objective To design a training device of the flight crew for plateau normobaric low-oxygen acclimatization so as to enhance the flight crew's ability to adapt to the low oxygen environment after rushing into the plateau and reduce the incidence of acute plateau reaction.Methods The training device comprised a plateau environment simulation controller,a multimodal physiological acquisition system and hypoxia exercise training evaluation software.The plateau environment simulation controller was composed of an environment monitor for plateau acclimatization,two composite sensor sets,a control valve and an alarm device;the multimodal physiological acquisition system was made up of 20 groups of vital signs acquisi-tion devices,with a wearable dynamic ECG and respiration recorder,a wrist oximeter and an arm sphygmomano-meter included in each group.The hypoxia exercise training evaluation software was developed with a B/S architecture,Java language and JetBrains 2020.3.Results The training device proved to have the simulation altitude ranging from 0 to 6 000 m and facilitated simultaneous training of 20 persons for normobaric low-oxygen acclimatization,screening for hypoxia endurance,real-time monitoring of physiological parameters and assessment of training effect,with none of the trainees having acute plateau reaction.Conclusion The training device assists the flight crew for plateau normobaric low-oxygen acclimatization,and can be used for acclimatization training before plateau missions.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(8):18-24]

Objective To analyze the monitoring of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in the intensive care unit(ICU)over the past 12 years based on Joinpoint regression model,and evaluate the trend changes and relevant fac-tors of HAI incidence.Methods ICU patients in a tertiary first-class hospital from January 2012 to December 2023 were selected and performed prospective monitoring.Trend changes of HAI incidence and the correlation with con-sumption of hand hygiene products as well as HAI management measures were analyzed.Results From 2012 to 2023,6 929 ICU patients were included in the monitoring,543 patients had 655 episodes of HAI,with incidence and case incidence of HAI being 7.84％ and 9.45％,respectively.The average severity of the disease was 3.62,and the adjusted HAI incidence was 2.17％.The daily incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia(VAP),cathe-ter-associated urinary tract infection(CAUTI),and central line-associated bloodstream infection(CLABSI)were 6.19‰,3.45‰,and 1.23‰,respectively.The consumption of hand hygiene products was 122.98 mL/bed-day.The compliance rate and correct rate of hand hygiene were 90.63％and 90.46％,respectively.From 2012 to 2023,incidence of HAI(51.29％vs 4.39％),case incidence of HAI(72.41％vs 4.94％),the adjusted incidence of HAI(15.98％vs 1.04％),daily incidence of VAP(22.50‰ vs 4.33‰),daily incidence of CAUTI(14.23‰ vs 1.64‰),and daily incidence of CLABSI(10.60‰ vs 0.20‰)all decreased significantly(all P＜0.05).Both con-sumption of hand hygiene products(75.16 mL/bed-day vs 147.35 mL/bed-day)and correct rate of hand hygiene(85.00％vs 90.28％)increased significantly(both P＜0.05).A total of 1 946 pathogens were detected,with an increase in the proportion of Staphylococcus aureus(1.30％ vs 9.57％)and a decrease in the proportion of fungi(11.04％vs 1.74％).The daily consumption of hand hygiene products negatively correlated with the incidence of HAI,the case incidence of HAI,as well as the daily incidence of CAUTI and CLABSI(all P＜0.05).Incorpora-ting HAI real-time monitoring system and HAI management into performance assessment could decrease HAI-rela-ted incidence(P＜0.05).Conclusion HAI-related incidence presents a downward trend.Scientific and comprehen-sive HAI prevention and control management measures such as healthcare workers'hand hygiene management,on-line HAI real-time monitoring system,and incorporating HAI management into performance assessment can de-crease HAI-related incidence and promote the improvement of medical quality.

Objective To design a training device of the flight crew for plateau normobaric low-oxygen acclimatization so as to enhance the flight crew's ability to adapt to the low oxygen environment after rushing into the plateau and reduce the incidence of acute plateau reaction.Methods The training device comprised a plateau environment simulation controller,a multimodal physiological acquisition system and hypoxia exercise training evaluation software.The plateau environment simulation controller was composed of an environment monitor for plateau acclimatization,two composite sensor sets,a control valve and an alarm device;the multimodal physiological acquisition system was made up of 20 groups of vital signs acquisi-tion devices,with a wearable dynamic ECG and respiration recorder,a wrist oximeter and an arm sphygmomano-meter included in each group.The hypoxia exercise training evaluation software was developed with a B/S architecture,Java language and JetBrains 2020.3.Results The training device proved to have the simulation altitude ranging from 0 to 6 000 m and facilitated simultaneous training of 20 persons for normobaric low-oxygen acclimatization,screening for hypoxia endurance,real-time monitoring of physiological parameters and assessment of training effect,with none of the trainees having acute plateau reaction.Conclusion The training device assists the flight crew for plateau normobaric low-oxygen acclimatization,and can be used for acclimatization training before plateau missions.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(8):18-24]

Objective:To analyze the clinical effect of XinjiaHuanglong Decoction add and subtract combined with auricular point sticking on delirium after hip fracture in elderly patients.Methods:Select 80 elderly patients with postoperative delirium after hip fracture admitted to our hospital from January 2022 to June 2024,and divide them into a matched group and an observation group,with 40 cases in each group.The matched group was treated with olanzapine,and the observation group was treated with XinjiaHuanglong Decoction add and subtract combined with auricular point sticking.Inflammatory response indexes(IL-6,TNF-α,hs-CRP)and stress response indexes(dopamine(DA),5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)were detected before and Post-treatment in both groups.Compare the Delirium Rating Scale 98(DRS-R-98)scores,Mini Mental State Examination(MMSE)scores,and duration of delirium between two groups before and Post-treatment,comprehensively evaluate the efficacy,and record the occurrence of adverse reactions.Results:Post-treatment,the DRS-R-98 score in the observation group was lower than that in the matched group,and the MMSE score was higher than that in the matched group(P＜0.05);The duration of delirium in the observation group was shorter than that in the matched group,and the overall effective rate was higher than that in the matched group(P＜0.05).The levels of inflammatory response indicators in the observation group were lower than those in the matched group Post-treatment(P＜0.05);The level of stress response indicators in the observation group was lower than that in the matched group Post-treatment(P＜0.05);There was no difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion:XinjiaHuanglong Decoction add and subtract combined with auricular point sticking has a certain effect on improving delirium after hip fracture in the elderly,and can shorten the duration of delirium,which may be related to reducing inflammation and stress response,and it is safe and worthy of clinical application.