Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a non-invasive, high temporal-resolution technique for monitoring brain activity. However, affected by the volume conduction effect, EEG has a low spatial resolution and is difficult to locate brain neuronal activity precisely. The surface Laplacian (SL) technique obtains the Laplacian EEG (LEEG) by estimating the second-order spatial derivative of the scalp potential. LEEG can reflect the radial current activity under the scalp, with positive values indicating current flow from the brain to the scalp (“source”) and negative values indicating current flow from the scalp to the brain (“sink”). It attenuates signals from volume conduction, effectively improving the spatial resolution of EEG, and is expected to contribute to breakthroughs in neural engineering. This paper provides a systematic overview of the principles and development of SL technology. Currently, there are two implementation paths for SL technology: current source density algorithms (CSD) and concentric ring electrodes (CRE). CSD performs the Laplace transform of the EEG signals acquired by conventional disc electrodes to indirectly estimate the LEEG. It can be mainly classified into local methods, global methods, and realistic Laplacian methods. The global method is the most commonly used approach in CSD, which can achieve more accurate estimation compared with the local method, and it does not require additional imaging equipment compared with the realistic Laplacian method. CRE employs new concentric ring electrodes instead of the traditional disc electrodes, and measures the LEEG directly by differential acquisition of the multi-ring signals. Depending on the structure, it can be divided into bipolar CRE, quasi-bipolar CRE, tripolar CRE, and multi-pole CRE. The tripolar CRE is widely used due to its optimal detection performance. While ensuring the quality of signal acquisition, the complexity of its preamplifier is relatively acceptable. Here, this paper introduces the study of the SL technique in resting rhythms, visual-related potentials, movement-related potentials, and sensorimotor rhythms. These studies demonstrate that SL technology can improve signal quality and enhance signal characteristics, confirming its potential applications in neuroscientific research, disease diagnosis, visual pathway detection, and brain-computer interfaces. CSD is frequently utilized in applications such as neuroscientific research and disease detection, where high-precision estimation of LEEG is required. And CRE tends to be used in brain-computer interfaces, that have stringent requirements for real-time data processing. Finally, this paper summarizes the strengths and weaknesses of SL technology and envisages its future development. SL technology boasts advantages such as reference independence, high spatial resolution, high temporal resolution, enhanced source connectivity analysis, and noise suppression. However, it also has shortcomings that can be further improved. Theoretically, simulation experiments should be conducted to investigate the theoretical characteristics of SL technology. For CSD methods, the algorithm needs to be optimized to improve the precision of LEEG estimation, reduce dependence on the number of channels, and decrease computational complexity and time consumption. For CRE methods, the electrodes need to be designed with appropriate structures and sizes, and the low-noise, high common-mode rejection ratio preamplifier should be developed. We hope that this paper can promote the in-depth research and wide application of SL technology.

Disorders of consciousness (DOC) are pathological conditions characterized by severely suppressed brain function and the persistent interruption or loss of consciousness. Accurate diagnosis and evaluation of DOC are prerequisites for precise treatment. Traditional assessment methods are primarily based on behavioral scales, which are inherently subjective and rely on observable behaviors. Moreover, traditional methods have a high misdiagnosis rate, particularly in distinguishing minimally conscious state (MCS) from vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (VS/UWS). This diagnostic uncertainty has driven the exploration of objective, reliable, and efficient assessment tools. Among these tools, electroencephalography (EEG) has garnered significant attention for its non-invasive nature, portability, and ability to capture real-time neurodynamics. This paper systematically reviews the application of EEG biomarkers in DOC assessment. These biomarkers are categorized into 3 main types: resting-state EEG features, task-related EEG features, and features derived from transcranial magnetic stimulation-EEG (TMS-EEG). Resting-state EEG biomarkers include features based on spectrum, microstates, nonlinear dynamics, and brain network metrics. These biomarkers provide baseline representations of brain activity in DOC patients. Studies have shown their ability to distinguish different levels of consciousness and predict clinical outcomes. However, because they are not task-specific, they are challenging to directly associate with specific brain functions or cognitive processes. Strengthening the correlation between resting-state EEG features and consciousness-related networks could offer more direct evidence for the pathophysiological mechanisms of DOC. Task-related EEG features include event-related potentials, event-related spectral modulations, and phase-related features. These features reveal the brain’s responses to external stimuli and provide dynamic information about residual cognitive functions, reflecting neurophysiological changes associated with specific cognitive, sensory, or behavioral tasks. Although these biomarkers demonstrate substantial value, their effectiveness rely on patient cooperation and task design. Developing experimental paradigms that are more effective at eliciting specific EEG features or creating composite paradigms capable of simultaneously inducing multiple features may more effectively capture the brain activity characteristics of DOC patients, thereby supporting clinical applications. TMS-EEG is a technique for probing the neurodynamics within thalamocortical networks without involving sensory, motor, or cognitive functions. Parameters such as the perturbational complexity index (PCI) have been proposed as reliable indicators of consciousness, providing objective quantification of cortical dynamics. However, despite its high sensitivity and objectivity compared to traditional EEG methods, TMS-EEG is constrained by physiological artifacts, operational complexity, and variability in stimulation parameters and targets across individuals. Future research should aim to standardize experimental protocols, optimize stimulation parameters, and develop automated analysis techniques to improve the feasibility of TMS-EEG in clinical applications. Our analysis suggests that no single EEG biomarker currently achieves an ideal balance between accuracy, robustness, and generalizability. Progress is constrained by inconsistencies in analysis methods, parameter settings, and experimental conditions. Additionally, the heterogeneity of DOC etiologies and dynamic changes in brain function add to the complexity of assessment. Future research should focus on the standardization of EEG biomarker research, integrating features from resting-state, task-related, and TMS-EEG paradigms to construct multimodal diagnostic models that enhance evaluation efficiency and accuracy. Multimodal data integration (e.g., combining EEG with functional near-infrared spectroscopy) and advancements in source localization algorithms can further improve the spatial precision of biomarkers. Leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies to develop intelligent diagnostic tools will accelerate the clinical adoption of EEG biomarkers in DOC diagnosis and prognosis, allowing for more precise evaluations of consciousness states and personalized treatment strategies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of manual acupuncture on endometrial blood flow parameters by three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound in women undergoing in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET). METHODS: Seventy patients undergoing IVF-ET were equally randomized into traditional or sham acupuncture treatment group for totally 4 days (from the day of oocyte aspiration to the day of embryo transfer) of treatment by random envelope method at the Reproductive Medicine Center and Outpatient Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medicine College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 2013 to December 2015. Patients in the traditional acupuncture group accepted traditional acupuncture methods with manual acupuncture, and Zhongji (CV3), Qihai (CV 6), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Taichong (LR 3), Tianshu (ST 25), Guilai (ST 29) and Zusanli (ST 36) were chosen. Patients at the sham acupuncture group accepted shallow acupuncture methods at 4 non-meridian points at each shoulder and upper arm. Outcome measures included endometrial ultrasonic indices such as vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI), endometrial thickness and volume, subendometrial VI (sVI), subendometrial FI (sFI), subendometrial VFI (sVFI), implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, live birth rate and number of live births. RESULTS: Finally, 34 patients in the traditional acupuncture group and 35 in the sham acupuncture group completed this trial. VI, FI and VFI of the traditional acupuncture group were significantly higher than those in the sham acupuncture group (P<0.05). No significant differences were found in endometrial thickness, endometrial volume, sVI, sFI, sVFI, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, live birth rate and number of live births (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Manual acupuncture performed after oocyte aspiration and before transplantation improved the endometrial blood flow parameters VI, RI and VFI in women who underwent IVF-ET, instead of sVI, sFI and sVFI. Therefore, acupuncture might be beneficial in women undergoing IVF-ET by increasing endometrial blood flow and endometrial receptivity. (Registration No. ChiCTR2100053354).
Pregnancy ; Humans ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro/methods* ; Single-Blind Method ; Embryo Transfer ; Pregnancy Rate ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Endometrium/blood supply*

Aim To anticipate the mechanism of zuka- mu granules (ZKMG) in the treatment of bronchial asthma, and to confirm the projected outcomes through in vivo tests via using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Methods The database was examined for ZKMG targets, active substances, and prospective targets for bronchial asthma. The protein protein interaction network diagram (PPI) and the medication component target network were created using ZKMG and the intersection targets of bronchial asthma. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomics (KEGG) and gene ontology (GO) were used for enrichment analysis, and network pharmacology findings were used for molecular docking, ovalbumin (OVA) intraperitoneal injection was used to create a bronchial asthma model, and in vivo tests were used to confirm how ZKMG affected bronchial asthma. Results There were 176 key targets for ZKMG's treatment of bronchial asthma, most of which involved biological processes like signal transduction, negative regulation of apoptotic processes, and angiogenesis. ZKMG contained 194 potentially active components, including quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, and other important components. Via signaling pathways such TNF, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), cancer pathway, and MAPK, they had therapeutic effects on bronchial asthma. Conclusion Key components had strong binding activity with appropriate targets, according to molecular docking data. In vivo tests showed that ZKMG could reduce p-p38, p-ERKl/2, and p-I

Aim To investigate the mechanism of curcumin inhibition of oxidative stress on osteogenic differentiation and its dose-dependent anti-osteoporosis effect. Methods Cellular oxidative stress models were used, different concentrations of curcumin were added to determinethebone formation markers, and the potential signaling pathways involvedwere detected. Meanwhile, the mouse model of osteoporosis ( ovariecto- mized, 0VX) was used to confirm its effect against osteoporosis. Results In vitro experiments found that low concentrations of curcumin (1-10 μmol · L

Objective To analyze the clinical efficacy of the Qianyang Fengsui Dan(combined with flying needle therapy)in the treatment of kidney-yang deficiency type of insomnia.Methods A retrospective study was conducted to select 82 patients with insomnia admitted to the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Dezhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2020 to November 2021,and they were divided into an observation group and a control group according to whether or not they were treated with Qianyang Fengsui Dan combined with flying needle therapy,with 41 cases in each group.The control group was treated with Estazolam,while the observation group was treated with Qianyang Fengsui Dan combined with flying needle therapy on the basis of the treatment of the control group,and the course of treatment was 1 month.The changes of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)scores and Epworth Sleepiness Scale(ESS)scores,as well as polysomnographic parameters were observed before and after treatment in the two groups.The changes of γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA),glutamate(GA),substance P(SP),and neuropeptide Y(NPY)levels were compared before and after treatment between the two groups.And followed up for 1 year to compare the incidence of relapce of the two groups of patients.Results(1)The total effective rate was 95.12%(39/41)in the observation group and 63.41%(26/41)in the control group,and the efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,PSQI scores and ESS scores of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving PSQI scores and ESS scores,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,sleep efficiency,awakening time,sleep latency,REM,and total sleep time were significantly improved in the two groups(P＜0.05),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving sleep efficiency,awakening time,sleep latency,REM,and total sleep time,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the serum GABA,GA,SP,and NPY levels of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving the serum GABA,GA,SP,and NPY levels,and the differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.05).(5)After treatment,follow-up for 1 year,the recurrence rate of the observation group was 0,and there were 7 cases of recurrence in the control group,and the recurrence rate of the control group was 17.07%(7/41),and the recurrence rate of the observation group was lower than that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The combination of flying needle therapy and Qianyang Fengsui Dan can effectively relieve insomnia and fatigue in patients with insomnia,reduce daytime drowsiness,regulate the release of blood monoamine neurotransmitters,and reduce the relapse rate,and its efficacy is superior to that of simple western medicine treatment.

Objective To build the early predictive model for chronic kidney disease(CKD)in hypertension and diabetes patients in the community.Methods The CKD patients were recruited from 4 health care centers in 4 urban areas in Kunming.The control group was residents without hypertension and diabetes(n = 1267).The disease group was residents with hypertension and/or diabetes(n = 566).The questionnaire survey,physical examination,laboratory testing,and 5 SNPs gene types in the PVT1 gene.The risk factors,which were filtered with logistics regression,were used to build predictive models.Four machine learning algorithms were built:support vector machine(SVM),random forest(RF),Na?ve Bayes(NB),and artificial neural network(ANN)models.Results Thirteen indicators included in the final diagnostic model:age,disease type,ethnicity,blood urea nitrogen,creatinine,eGFR from MDRD,ACR,eGFR from EPI2009,PAM13 score,sleep quality survey,staying-up late,PVT1 SNP rs11993333 and rs2720659.The accuracy,specificity,Kappa value,AUC of ROC,and PRC of ANN are greater than those of the other 3 models.The sensitivity of RF is the highest among 4 types of machine learning.Conclusions The ANN predictive model has a good ability of efficiency and classification to predict CKD with hypertension and/or diabetes patients in the community.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of serum homocysteine(Hcy),soluble stromelysin 2(sST2)and cystatin C(CysC)for chronic heart failure(CHF).Methods:A total of 86 CHF patients admitted in our hospital were se-lected as CHF group,and 86 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination simultaneously were selected as healthy control group.Serum levels of Hcy,sST2 and CysC,plasma level of N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)and cardiac function indexes[left atrial diameter(LAD),left ventricular end diastolic diameter(LVEDd),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)]were measured between two groups.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation among serum Hcy,sST2,CysC,plasma NT-proBNP and cardiac function indexes.Receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was drawn to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum Hcy,sST2 and CysC and their combined detection for CHF.Results:Compared with healthy control group,there were significant rise in scrum levels of Hcy,sST2 and CysC,plasma NT-proBNP level,LAD and LVEDd,and significant reduction in LVEF in CHF group,P=0.001 all.Pearson correlation analysis indicated that serum Hcy,sST2 and CysC levels were significant positively correlated with plas-ma NT-proBNP level,LAD and LVEDd(r=0.385～0.511,P＜0.05 or＜0.01),and significant inversely correlated with LVEF(r=-0.424～-0.402,P＜0.05 all).AUC of single detection of serum Hcy,sST2 and CysC diagnosing CHF was 0.624,0.720 and 0.870 respectively,and AUC of their combination was 0.865,which was significantly higher than any single detection,P＜0.05 or＜0.01.Conclusion:Serum levels of Hcy,sST2 and CysC abnormally increase in CHF patients,which can be used as auxiliary diagnostic indexes for CHF.The triple combined detection is of great signifi-cance for the diagnosis of CHF.

Objective To investigate the effect of Ilizarov technique combined with rotational center dome-shaped osteoto-my in the treatment of juvenile distal femoral valgus deformity.Methods A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 11 patients with valgus deformity of the distal femur who had been admitted and followed up completely from January 2016 to October 2020.There were 7 males and 4 females.The 6 patients were on the right side and 5 patients were on the left side.The age ranged from 10 to 14 years old.The center of roration of angulation(CORA)was identified at the distal femur deformity,and dome-shaped osteotomy was performed with the CORA as the midpoint.The annular external fixator was installed according to the needle threading principle of Ilizarov external fixation,and the distal femur was cut off.The valgus deformity under visual inspection of the distal femur was corrected immediately,and the external fixator was fixed and main-tained.The residual deformity and shortening were corrected according to the force line and length of the lower limbs suggested by the weight-bearing full-length anteroposterior and lateral X-rays of both lower limbs.Results All 11 patients were followed up for 13 to 25 months.The time of wearing external fixator was 12 to 17 weeks.In the last follow-up,both lower limbs were measured by the weight-bearing full-length anteroposterior and lateral X-rays,and the length of both lower limbs of 11 patients were equal,and the deformities were corrected.The score of hospital for special surgery(HSS)was used to evaluate the knee function,all of which were excellent.Conclusion The Ilizarov technique was applied in the treatment of distal femoral valgus deformity in adolescents using a rotating central dome-shaped osteotomy.Visual femoral valgus deformity was corrected imme-diately during the operation.After the operation,residual deformities and shortening were dynamically adjusted and corrected according to the force line and shortening degree of lower extremities indicated by the weight-bearing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of both lower limbs,with minimal damage and fast recovery.

ObjectiveExisting artificial vision devices can be divided into two types: implanted devices and extracorporeal devices, both of which have some disadvantages. The former requires surgical implantation, which may lead to irreversible trauma, while the latter has some defects such as relatively simple instructions, limited application scenarios and relying too much on the judgment of artificial intelligence (AI) to provide enough security. Here we propose a system that has voice interaction and can convert surrounding environment information into tactile commands on head and neck. Compared with existing extracorporeal devices, our device can provide a larger capacity of information and has advantages such as lower cost, lower risk, suitable for a variety of life and work scenarios. MethodsWith the latest remote wireless communication and chip technologies, microelectronic devices, cameras and sensors worn by the user, as well as the huge database and computing power in the cloud, the backend staff can get a full insight into the scenario, environmental parameters and status of the user remotely (for example, across the city) in real time. In the meanwhile, by comparing the cloud database and in-memory database and with the help of AI-assisted recognition and manual analysis, they can quickly develop the most reasonable action plan and send instructions to the user. In addition, the backend staff can provide humanistic care and emotional sustenance through voice dialogs. ResultsThis study originally proposes the concept of “remote virtual companion” and demonstrates the related hardware and software as well as test results. The system can not only achieve basic guide functions, for example, helping a person with visual impairment to shop in supermarkets, find seats at cafes, walk on the streets, construct complex puzzles, and play cards, but also can meet the demand for fast-paced daily tasks such as cycling. ConclusionExperimental results show that this “remote virtual companion” is applicable for various scenarios and demands. It can help blind people with their travels, shopping and entertainment, or accompany the elderlies with their trips, wilderness explorations, and travels.