1.Research and Application of Scalp Surface Laplacian Technique
Rui-Xin LUO ; Si-Ying GUO ; Xin-Yi LI ; Yu-He ZHAO ; Chun-Hou ZHENG ; Min-Peng XU ; Dong MING
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):425-438
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.
2.Shikonin attenuates blood–brain barrier injury and oxidative stress in rats with subarachnoid hemorrhage by activating Sirt1/ Nrf2/HO-1 signaling
Guanghu LI ; Yang'e YI ; Sheng QIAN ; Xianping XU ; Hao MIN ; Jianpeng WANG ; Pan GUO ; Tingting YU ; Zhiqiang ZHANG
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):283-291
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious intracranial hemorrhage characterized by acute bleeding into the subarachnoid space. The effects of shikonin, a natural compound from the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, on oxidative stress and blood–brain barrier (BBB) injury in SAH was evaluated in this study. A rat model of SAH was established by endovascular perforation to mimic the rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Rats were then administered 25 mg/kg of shikonin or dimethylsulfoxide after surgery. Brain edema, SAH grade, and neurobehavioral scores were measured after 24 h of SAH to evaluate neurological impairment. Concentrations of the oxidative stress markers superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain cortex were determined using the corresponding commercially available assay kits. Evans blue staining was used to determine BBB permeability. Western blotting was used to quantify protein levels of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5. After modeling, the brain water content increased significantly whereas the neurobehavioral scores of rats with SAH decreased prominently. MDA levels increased and the levels of the antioxidant enzymes GSH and SOD decreased after SAH. These changes were reversed after shikonin administration. Shikonin treatment also inhibited Evans blue extravasation after SAH. Furthermore, reduction in the levels of tight junction proteins after SAH modeling was rescued after shikonin treatment. In conclusion, shikonin exerts a neuroprotective effect after SAH by mitigating BBB injury and inhibiting oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex.
3.Effect of interleukin-8 regulation on monocyte chemotactic protein-1 secretion and expression through the NF-kappaB/p65 signaling pathway on the migration of residual epithelial cells in the lens capsule
Wei SI ; Su XU ; Yuhang ZHANG ; Yi MAO ; Keyu GUO ; Yanzhong HU ; Fengyan ZHANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(4):537-543
AIM: To investigate the effect of interleukin-8(IL-8)on the regulation of monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1)secreted by lens epithelial cells(LEC)during cell migration in the development of posterior capsule opacification(PCO).METHODS: A rat lens capsule model was established and cultured in medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. Upon migration of LEC to 30%-50% of the posterior capsule, serum was removed. The capsule was subsequently divided into two groups: a control group and an IL-8(15 ng/mL)treatment group. LEC migration was captured at multiple time points. The secretion and mRNA expression of MCP-1 were quantified using ELISA and RT-qPCR, respectively. Immunofluorescence was used to assess MCP-1 expression in the different experimental groups. SRA01/04 cells were divided into three groups: control, IL-8(15 ng/mL), and IL-8(15 ng/mL)+200 μmol/L Bindarit(BND)groups, with migration measured by the Transwell assay. Additionally, SRA01/04 cells were divided into negative control(NC), NC+15 ng/mL IL-8, and 15 ng/mL IL-8+p65 siRNA groups, and MCP-1 secretion and mRNA expression were further analyzed by ELISA and RT-qPCR.RESULTS:LEC migration in the rat lens capsule cultured in vitro showed that the cells migration of the 15 ng/mL IL-8 group significantly increased at 48, 72 and 96 h(all P<0.05). ELISA results revealed that MCP-1 levels in SRA01/04 cells from the 15 ng/mL IL-8-treated group were markedly higher than those in the control group at both 12 and 24 h(all P<0.05). RT-qPCR analysis also demonstrated a significant increase in MCP-1 mRNA expression in the 15 ng/mL IL-8 group at both time points(all P<0.05). Immunofluorescence staining indicated greater MCP-1 expression in capsular epithelial cells of the 15 ng/mL IL-8 group at 24 h(P=0.007). Transwell assays further confirmed increased cell migration in the 15 ng/mL IL-8 group compared to the control group(P=0.001), while the migration reduced in the 15 ng/mL IL-8+200 μmol/L BND group compared to the 15 ng/mL IL-8 group(P=0.003). Moreover, ELISA and RT-qPCR results demonstrated a significant increase in MCP-1 secretion and mRNA expression in the NC+15 ng/mL IL-8 group at both 12 and 24 h compared to the NC group(all P<0.01). In contrast, MCP-1 secretion and mRNA expression were reduced in the 15 ng/mL IL-8+p65 siRNA group compared to the NC+15 ng/mL IL-8 group at both time points(all P<0.01).CONCLUSION: IL-8 promotes the migration of residual epithelial cells and regulates the secretion and expression of MCP-1 in LEC. The mechanism underlying IL-8's effects appears to be mediated through the activation of the NF-κB/p65 signaling pathway.
4.Shikonin attenuates blood–brain barrier injury and oxidative stress in rats with subarachnoid hemorrhage by activating Sirt1/ Nrf2/HO-1 signaling
Guanghu LI ; Yang'e YI ; Sheng QIAN ; Xianping XU ; Hao MIN ; Jianpeng WANG ; Pan GUO ; Tingting YU ; Zhiqiang ZHANG
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):283-291
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious intracranial hemorrhage characterized by acute bleeding into the subarachnoid space. The effects of shikonin, a natural compound from the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, on oxidative stress and blood–brain barrier (BBB) injury in SAH was evaluated in this study. A rat model of SAH was established by endovascular perforation to mimic the rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Rats were then administered 25 mg/kg of shikonin or dimethylsulfoxide after surgery. Brain edema, SAH grade, and neurobehavioral scores were measured after 24 h of SAH to evaluate neurological impairment. Concentrations of the oxidative stress markers superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain cortex were determined using the corresponding commercially available assay kits. Evans blue staining was used to determine BBB permeability. Western blotting was used to quantify protein levels of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5. After modeling, the brain water content increased significantly whereas the neurobehavioral scores of rats with SAH decreased prominently. MDA levels increased and the levels of the antioxidant enzymes GSH and SOD decreased after SAH. These changes were reversed after shikonin administration. Shikonin treatment also inhibited Evans blue extravasation after SAH. Furthermore, reduction in the levels of tight junction proteins after SAH modeling was rescued after shikonin treatment. In conclusion, shikonin exerts a neuroprotective effect after SAH by mitigating BBB injury and inhibiting oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex.
5.Shikonin attenuates blood–brain barrier injury and oxidative stress in rats with subarachnoid hemorrhage by activating Sirt1/ Nrf2/HO-1 signaling
Guanghu LI ; Yang'e YI ; Sheng QIAN ; Xianping XU ; Hao MIN ; Jianpeng WANG ; Pan GUO ; Tingting YU ; Zhiqiang ZHANG
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):283-291
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious intracranial hemorrhage characterized by acute bleeding into the subarachnoid space. The effects of shikonin, a natural compound from the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, on oxidative stress and blood–brain barrier (BBB) injury in SAH was evaluated in this study. A rat model of SAH was established by endovascular perforation to mimic the rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Rats were then administered 25 mg/kg of shikonin or dimethylsulfoxide after surgery. Brain edema, SAH grade, and neurobehavioral scores were measured after 24 h of SAH to evaluate neurological impairment. Concentrations of the oxidative stress markers superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain cortex were determined using the corresponding commercially available assay kits. Evans blue staining was used to determine BBB permeability. Western blotting was used to quantify protein levels of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5. After modeling, the brain water content increased significantly whereas the neurobehavioral scores of rats with SAH decreased prominently. MDA levels increased and the levels of the antioxidant enzymes GSH and SOD decreased after SAH. These changes were reversed after shikonin administration. Shikonin treatment also inhibited Evans blue extravasation after SAH. Furthermore, reduction in the levels of tight junction proteins after SAH modeling was rescued after shikonin treatment. In conclusion, shikonin exerts a neuroprotective effect after SAH by mitigating BBB injury and inhibiting oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex.
6.Shikonin attenuates blood–brain barrier injury and oxidative stress in rats with subarachnoid hemorrhage by activating Sirt1/ Nrf2/HO-1 signaling
Guanghu LI ; Yang'e YI ; Sheng QIAN ; Xianping XU ; Hao MIN ; Jianpeng WANG ; Pan GUO ; Tingting YU ; Zhiqiang ZHANG
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):283-291
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious intracranial hemorrhage characterized by acute bleeding into the subarachnoid space. The effects of shikonin, a natural compound from the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, on oxidative stress and blood–brain barrier (BBB) injury in SAH was evaluated in this study. A rat model of SAH was established by endovascular perforation to mimic the rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Rats were then administered 25 mg/kg of shikonin or dimethylsulfoxide after surgery. Brain edema, SAH grade, and neurobehavioral scores were measured after 24 h of SAH to evaluate neurological impairment. Concentrations of the oxidative stress markers superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain cortex were determined using the corresponding commercially available assay kits. Evans blue staining was used to determine BBB permeability. Western blotting was used to quantify protein levels of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5. After modeling, the brain water content increased significantly whereas the neurobehavioral scores of rats with SAH decreased prominently. MDA levels increased and the levels of the antioxidant enzymes GSH and SOD decreased after SAH. These changes were reversed after shikonin administration. Shikonin treatment also inhibited Evans blue extravasation after SAH. Furthermore, reduction in the levels of tight junction proteins after SAH modeling was rescued after shikonin treatment. In conclusion, shikonin exerts a neuroprotective effect after SAH by mitigating BBB injury and inhibiting oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex.
7.Shikonin attenuates blood–brain barrier injury and oxidative stress in rats with subarachnoid hemorrhage by activating Sirt1/ Nrf2/HO-1 signaling
Guanghu LI ; Yang'e YI ; Sheng QIAN ; Xianping XU ; Hao MIN ; Jianpeng WANG ; Pan GUO ; Tingting YU ; Zhiqiang ZHANG
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):283-291
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious intracranial hemorrhage characterized by acute bleeding into the subarachnoid space. The effects of shikonin, a natural compound from the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, on oxidative stress and blood–brain barrier (BBB) injury in SAH was evaluated in this study. A rat model of SAH was established by endovascular perforation to mimic the rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Rats were then administered 25 mg/kg of shikonin or dimethylsulfoxide after surgery. Brain edema, SAH grade, and neurobehavioral scores were measured after 24 h of SAH to evaluate neurological impairment. Concentrations of the oxidative stress markers superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain cortex were determined using the corresponding commercially available assay kits. Evans blue staining was used to determine BBB permeability. Western blotting was used to quantify protein levels of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5. After modeling, the brain water content increased significantly whereas the neurobehavioral scores of rats with SAH decreased prominently. MDA levels increased and the levels of the antioxidant enzymes GSH and SOD decreased after SAH. These changes were reversed after shikonin administration. Shikonin treatment also inhibited Evans blue extravasation after SAH. Furthermore, reduction in the levels of tight junction proteins after SAH modeling was rescued after shikonin treatment. In conclusion, shikonin exerts a neuroprotective effect after SAH by mitigating BBB injury and inhibiting oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex.
8.Association between sleep quality and mental health among middle school students
WU Huipan, LIU Yuan, YIN Xiaojian, WANG Jinxian, WANG Yi, GUO Yaru, XU Dingkun
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(6):770-773
Objective:
To explore the relationship between sleep quality and mental health among middle school students, so as to provide scientific basis for improving mental health among adolescents.
Methods:
From September to December 2023, a stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to select 5 713 middle school students aged 13-18 from Shanghai, Suzhou, Taiyuan, Wuyuan, Xingyi, and Urumqi. Sleep quality and mental health were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Brief Adolescent Mental Health Assessment Questionnaire. Spearman correlation analysis and linear regression analysis were used to explore the relationship between sleep quality and various dimensions of mental health among middle school students.
Results:
There was a statistically significant difference in the total PSQI score among middle school students of different age groups ( H=226.49, P <0.01), and there was no statistically significant difference in the psychological health scores of middle school students in different age groups ( H=5.37, P >0.05). In terms of gender, the total PSQI score for girls [5.00 (3.00, 6.00)] was higher than that for boys [4.00 (2.00, 6.00)]; additionally, boys had higher mental health scores [85.00 (75.00, 90.00)] than females [83.00 (70.00, 89.00)], with statistically significant differences ( Z=-10.90, -8.16, P <0.01). Spearman correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between total PSQI scores and mental health scores ( r=-0.51, P <0.05) among middle school students. After controlling for variables such as maximum oxygen uptake, physical activity and nutritional status, linear regression analysis further confirmed that higher PSQI scores were associated with lower mental health scores ( B=-3.76, 95%CI = -4.15 to -3.38, P <0.01).
Conclusion
There is a negative correlation between PSQI scores and mental health scores among middle school students, indicating that improving sleep quality may contribute to better mental health among middle school students.
9.Association between sleep quality and executive functions among middle school students
YU Xiumin, CHEN Fule, YAN Jingfei, YIN Xiaojian, WU Huipan, WANG Yi, GUO Yaru, XU Dingkun
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(6):774-778
Objective:
To explore the relationship between sleep quality and executive function among middle school students, so as to provide theoretical support for the promotion of adolescents physical and mental health development.
Methods:
From September to December 2023, 5 713 junior and senior high school students aged 13 to 18 were selected by stratified cluster random sampling method from Shanghai, Suzhou, Taiyuan, Wuyuan, Xingyi, and Urumqi. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to conduct sleep quality survey. And conduct executive function was tested on middle school students, including inhibitory function, refresh function and conversion function tests. Spearman correlation and linear regression were used to analyze the relationship between sleep quality and executive function of middle school students.
Results:
The total Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score of boys was [4.0(2.0,6.0)] and that of girls was [5.0(3.0,6.0)], and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-10.90, P < 0.01 ). The total PSQI score of boys was positively correlated with both 2-back reaction time and conversion function of executive function ( r =0.04, 0.04); the total PSQI score of girls was negatively correlated with 2-back reaction time ( r =-0.04) ( P <0.05). After controlling for variables such as mental health, physical activity and nutritional status,linear regression analyses showed that PSQI total score of middle school students was positively correlated with the inhibitory function and the conversion function response time [ B (95% CI )=1.28(0.21-2.34), 7.62(2.34-12.90), P <0.05]; the associations of total PSQI scores among middle school students with both 2-back and 1-back response time were not statistically significant [ B (95% CI )=-5.88(-16.14-4.37), 8.05( -3.39 -19.50), P >0.05].
Conclusion
Positive correlations are observed on sleep quality with inhibitory and conversion functions of executive function among middle school students.
10.Novel CD19 Fast-CAR-T cells vs. CD19 conventional CAR-T cells for the treatment of relapsed/refractory CD19-positive B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Xu TAN ; Jishi WANG ; Shangjun CHEN ; Li LIU ; Yuhua LI ; Sanfang TU ; Hai YI ; Jian ZHOU ; Sanbin WANG ; Ligen LIU ; Jian GE ; Yongxian HU ; Xiaoqi WANG ; Lu WANG ; Guo CHEN ; Han YAO ; Cheng ZHANG ; Xi ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(19):2491-2497
BACKGROUND:
Treatment with chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cells has shown promising effectiveness in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL), although the process of preparing for this therapy usually takes a long time. We have recently created CD19 Fast-CAR-T (F-CAR-T) cells, which can be produced within a single day. The objective of this study was to evaluate and contrast the effectiveness and safety of CD19 F-CAR-T cells with those of CD19 conventional CAR-T cells in the management of R/R B-ALL.
METHODS:
A multicenter, retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 44 patients with R/R B-ALL was conducted. Overall, 23 patients were administered with innovative CD19 F-CAR-T cells (F-CAR-T group), whereas 21 patients were given CD19 conventional CAR-T cells (C-CAR-T group). We compared the rates of complete remission (CR), minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative CR, leukemia-free survival (LFS), overall survival (OS), and the incidence of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) between the two groups.
RESULTS:
Compared with the C-CAR-T group, the F-CAR-T group had significantly higher CR and MRD-negative rates (95.7% and 91.3%, respectively; 71.4% and 66.7%, respectively; P = 0.036 and P = 0.044). No significant differences were observed in the 1-year or 2-year LFS or OS rates between the two groups: the 1-year and 2-year LFS for the F-CAR-T group vs.C-CAR-T group were 47.8% and 43.5% vs. 38.1% and 23.8% (P = 0.384 and P = 0.216), while the 1-year and 2-year OS rates were 65.2% and 56.5% vs. 52.4% and 47.6% (P = 0.395 and P = 0.540). Additionally, among CR patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) following CAR-T-cell therapy, there were no significant differences in the 1-year or 2-year LFS or OS rates: 57.1% and 50.0% vs. 47.8% and 34.8% (P = 0.506 and P = 0.356), 64.3% and 57.1% vs. 65.2% and 56.5% (P = 0.985 and P = 0.883), respectively. The incidence of CRS was greater in the F-CAR-T group (91.3%) than in the C-CAR-T group (66.7%) (P = 0.044). The incidence of ICANS was also greater in the F-CAR-T group (30.4%) than in the C-CAR-T group (9.5%) (P = 0.085), but no treatment-related deaths occurred in the two groups.
CONCLUSION
Compared with C-CAR-T-cell therapy, F-CAR-T-cell therapy has a superior remission rate but also leads to a tolerably increased incidence of CRS/ICANS. Further research is needed to explore the function of allo-HSCT as an intermediary therapy after CAR-T-cell therapy.


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