BACKGROUND:Traumatic brain injury is a condition in which the normal function of the brain is disrupted by a bump or impact to the head.It is necessary to find effective treatments and objective targets that can help doctors diagnose the injury status and restore the brain function of patients. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of electroacupuncture combined with low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation on the electroencephalographic signals of rats with traumatic brain injury. METHODS:Forty 6-week-old SPF male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups:sham group,model group,electroacupuncture group,low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation group and combined group(electroacupuncture+low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation),with eight rats in each group.Feeney weight-drop method was used to establish the animal model of traumatic brain injury.In the sham group,the bone window was only opened without impact.Interventions were started at 1 day after modeling.Electroacupuncture in the electroacupuncture group,low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation in the low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation group,and electroacupuncture+low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation in the combined group were performed for days in total.The modified neurological severity scale score for assessing rats'neurological deficits was performed at 8 hours after modeling.The percentage of spontaneous alternation behavior in the Y-maze was measured at 7 days after modeling.Then,the electroencephalographic signals were collected and electroencephalographic data of α,β,θ,and δ waves were extracted by fast Fourier transform,and the value of oscillation amplitude and energy ratio were calculated in α,β,θ,and δ waves,as well as the Lempel-Ziv complexity and sample entropy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the sham group,the modified neurological severity scale scores in the model group,electroacupuncture group,low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation group and combined group were significantly increased at 8 hours after modeling(P<0.05).Compared with the sham group,the value of oscillation amplitude in δ wave and the value of δ energy ratio were significantly increased in the model group at 7 days after modeling,meanwhile the percentage of spontaneous alternation behavior in Y-maze,and the value of α/β energy ratio,Lempel-Ziv complexity,and sample entropy were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the value of oscillation amplitude in α and δ waves was significantly decreased in the combined group(P<0.05),while the value of α/β energy ratio was significantly increased(P<0.05)and the value of δ energy ratio was significantly decreased(P<0.05)in the electroacupuncture group,low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation group and combined group.Compared with the electroacupuncture group and low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation group,the value of δ energy ratio was significantly decreased in the combined group(P<0.05),while the percentage of spontaneous alternation behavior,the value of α/β energy ratio,the Lempel-Ziv complexity,and the sample entropy were significantly increased(P<0.05).To conclude,abnormal electroencephalographic signals can appear in rats with traumatic brain injury,while the electroacupuncture combined with low-frequency transcranial ultrasound stimulation can alleviate the abnormal electroencephalographic signals in rats,which suggests the electroencephalographic frequency domain value and nonlinear features can be used to assess the severity of traumatic brain injury.

ObjectiveIn nature, objects cast shadows due to illumination, forming the basis for stereoscopic perception. Birds need to adapt to changes in lighting (meaning they can recognize stereoscopic shapes even when shadows look different) to accurately perceive different three-dimensional forms. However, how neurons in the key visual brain area in birds handle these lighting changes remains largely unreported. In this study, pigeons (Columba livia) were used as subjects to investigate how neurons in pigeon’s ventrolateral mesopallium (MVL) represent stereoscopic shapes consistently, regardless of changes in lighting. MethodsVisual cognitive training combined with neuronal recording was employed. Pigeons were first trained to discriminate different stereoscopic shapes (concave/convex). We then tested whether and how light luminance angle and surface appearance of the stereoscopic shapes affect their recognition accuracy, and further verify whether the results rely on specify luminance color. Simultaneously, neuronal firing activity of neurons was recorded with multiple electrode array implanted from the MVL during the presentation of difference shapes. The response was finally analyzed how selectively they responded to different stereoscopic shapes and whether their selectivity was affected by the changes of luminance condition (like lighting angle) or surface look. Support vector machine (SVM) models were trained on neuronal population responses recorded under one condition (light luminance angle of 45°) and used to decode responses under other conditions (light luminance angle of 135°, 225°, 315°) to verify the invariance of responses to different luminance conditions. ResultsBehavioral results from 6 pigeons consistently showed that the pigeons could reliably identify the core 3D shape (over 80% accuracy), and this ability wasn’t affected by changes in light angle or surface appearance. Statistical analysis of 88 recorded neurons from 6 pigeons revealed that 83% (73/88) showed strong selectivity for specific 3D shapes (selectivity index>0.3), and responses to convex shapes were consistently stronger than to concave shapes. These shape-selective responses remained stable across changes in light angle and surface appearance. Neural patterns were consistent under both blue and orange lighting. The decoding accuracy achieves above 70%, suggesting stable responses under different conditions (e.g., different lighting angles or surface appearance). ConclusionNeurons in the pigeon MVL maintain a consistent neural encoding pattern for different stereoscopic shapes, unaffected by illumination or surface appearance. This ensures stable object recognition by pigeons in changing visual environments. Our findings provide new physiological evidence for understanding how birds achieve stable perception (“invariant neural representations”) while coping with variations in the visual field.

BACKGROUND:There is less report about mitigating sustained bone grinding injuries during craniotomy based on a model of traumatic brain injury established using the modified Feeney's free-fall method. OBJECTIVE:To modify a modified traumatic brain injury model by altering the opening of the skull window. METHODS:Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were equally randomized into sham group,model group and modified model group.The modified procedure of opening the bone window was used in the modified model group.Six to eight small holes of 0.3-0.5 mm in diameter were punched at the edge of the impact area and the drill was immediately withdrawn without touching the cortex.In the modified model group,the skull window was opened by using the modified method,while the skull window in the model group was opened using the conventional method.The modified model group and model group were established using the Feeney's free-fall method.In the sham group,only the skull window was opened without impact.The modified neurological severity scoring was performed at 1 day after modeling.T2 weighted imaging was performed and T2 values were measured at 1 and 7 days after modeling.Hematoxylin-eosin staining of the brain section was made for histopathological observation at 7 days after modeling.The level of blood viscosity,interleukin-6,interleukin-1β,and tumor necrosis factor-α were determined at 7 days after modeling. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the sham group,the modified neurological severity scores in the model group and modified model group were significantly increased at 1 day after modeling(P＜0.000 1).Meanwhile,the modified neurological severity scores in the modified model group were lower than those in the model group(P＜0.000 1).Compared with the sham group,the T2 values were significantly increased in the model group and modified model group at 1 and 7 days after modeling(P＜0.05),while the T2 values in the modified model group were lower than those in the model group(P＜0.05).Compared with the sham group,the level of blood viscosity,interleukin-6,interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α were increased in the model group and modified model group at 7 days after modeling(P＜0.05),while the level of interleukin-6 in the modified model group was lower than that in the model group(P＜0.05).To conclude,establishing a modified traumatic brain injury model based on the Feeney's free-fall method provides better controls of injury factors during cranial opening.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of adjusting the dose of imatinib dose in the context of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) who are receiving adjuvant therapy after complete resection of their tumors.Methods:This was a descriptive study. Inclusion criteria were (1) complete surgical resection with a pathological diagnosis of GIST, (2) postoperative adjuvant therapy with imatinib and dosage adjustment, (3) multiple TDM of imatinib, and (4) complete clinical, pathological, and follow-up data. The data of 70 patients with GISTs treated at Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology between January 2015 and December 2023 were collected retrospectively. The study cohort comprised 15 (21.4%) men and 55 (78.6%) women of median age 60 years (range: 25–82). Of the eligible patients, 49 (70.0%) were at high-risk, 14 (20.0%) at intermediate-risk, six (8.6%) at low-risk, and one (1.4%) at very low risk. Patients were followed up by the gastrointestinal stromal tumor clinic every 2–3 months and their plasma concentrations of imatinib were checked. The dose was adjusted to 300 mg/d or 200 mg/d depending on whether they had had ≥ grade III adverse reactions, and whether the first plasma concentration of imatinib was ≥ 1,500 μg/L or between the expected range of 760 μg/L–1,100 μg/L. Studied indicators included adverse reactions, quality of life before and after dose adjustment, and overall survival and recurrence-free survival (RFS) after dose adjustment.Results:Before dose adjustment, all 70 patients received 400 mg of imatinib daily, with initial TDM values of 1,900 ± 568 μg/L, for a median duration of 8.3 months. After dose adjustment, 60 patients received 300 mg daily, with a TDM of 1,216 ± 350 μg/L, whereas 10 received 200 mg daily, with a TDM of 1,023 ± 269 μg/L. The median duration of treatment after dose adjustment was 23.4 months. Compared with those whose dosages were not adjusted, the incidence of bone marrow suppression was significantly lower (74.3% [52/70] vs. 51.4% [36/70], χ 2=9.202, P=0.010); as were the incidences of edema (95.7% [67/70] vs. 50.0% [35/70], χ 2=40.526, P<0.001); skin reactions (70.0% [49/70] vs. 32.9% [23/70), χ 2=22.495, P<0.001); and gastrointestinal reactions (38.6% [27/70] vs. 10.0% [7/70], χ 2=15.899, P<0.001) in those whose dosages were adjusted. The average total scores for physical health before and after dose adjustment were 76 ± 5 and 88 ± 4, respectively; whereas the mental health scores were 75 ± 6 and 89 ± 4, respectively. The median follow-up period was 36 months (range 6–126). During the first 3 years of follow-up, five high-risk patients with non-gastric GISTs developed recurrences. The 3-year overall survival rate was 100%, and the 3-year RFS rate was 92.8%, high-risk patients having a 3-year RFS rate of 89.8%. Conclusion:The adverse reactions and quality of life of GIST patients with severe adverse reactions to adjuvant imatinib therapy after complete resection can be mitigated by appropriately reducing the dosage of imatinib under the guidance of TDM.

Objective: Cervical hybrid surgery optimizes the use of cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) and zero-profile (ZOP) devices in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) but lacks uniform combination and biomechanical standards, especially in revision surgery (RS). This study aimed to investigate the biomechanical characteristics of adjacent segments of the different hybrid RS constructs in ACDF RS. Methods: An intact 3-dimensional finite element model generated a normal cervical spine (C2–T1). This model was modified to the primary C5–6 ACDF model. Three RS models were created to treat C4–5 adjacent segment degeneration through implanting cages plus plates (Cage-Cage), ZOP devices (ZOP-Cage), or Bryan discs (CDA-Cage). A 1.0-Nm moment was applied to the primary C5–6 ACDF model to generate total C2–T1 range of motions (ROMs). Subsequently, a displacement load was applied to all RS models to match the total C2–T1 ROMs of the primary ACDF model. Results: The ZOP-Cage model showed lower biomechanical responses including ROM, intradiscal pressure, maximum von Mises stress in discs, and facet joint force in adjacent segments compared to the Cage-Cage model. The CDA-Cage model exhibited the lowest biomechanical responses and ROM ratio at adjacent segments among all RS models, closely approached or lower than those in the primary ACDF model in most motion directions. Additionally, the maximum von Mises stress on the C3–4 and C6–7 discs increased in the Cage-Cage and ZOP-Cage models but decreased in the CDA-Cage model when compared to the primary ACDF model. Conclusion The CDA-Cage construct had the lowest biomechanical responses with minimal kinematic change of adjacent segments. ZOP-Cage is the next best choice, especially if CDA is not suitable. This study provides a biomechanical reference for clinical hybrid RS decision-making to reduce the risk of ASD recurrence.

Objective: Cervical hybrid surgery optimizes the use of cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) and zero-profile (ZOP) devices in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) but lacks uniform combination and biomechanical standards, especially in revision surgery (RS). This study aimed to investigate the biomechanical characteristics of adjacent segments of the different hybrid RS constructs in ACDF RS. Methods: An intact 3-dimensional finite element model generated a normal cervical spine (C2–T1). This model was modified to the primary C5–6 ACDF model. Three RS models were created to treat C4–5 adjacent segment degeneration through implanting cages plus plates (Cage-Cage), ZOP devices (ZOP-Cage), or Bryan discs (CDA-Cage). A 1.0-Nm moment was applied to the primary C5–6 ACDF model to generate total C2–T1 range of motions (ROMs). Subsequently, a displacement load was applied to all RS models to match the total C2–T1 ROMs of the primary ACDF model. Results: The ZOP-Cage model showed lower biomechanical responses including ROM, intradiscal pressure, maximum von Mises stress in discs, and facet joint force in adjacent segments compared to the Cage-Cage model. The CDA-Cage model exhibited the lowest biomechanical responses and ROM ratio at adjacent segments among all RS models, closely approached or lower than those in the primary ACDF model in most motion directions. Additionally, the maximum von Mises stress on the C3–4 and C6–7 discs increased in the Cage-Cage and ZOP-Cage models but decreased in the CDA-Cage model when compared to the primary ACDF model. Conclusion The CDA-Cage construct had the lowest biomechanical responses with minimal kinematic change of adjacent segments. ZOP-Cage is the next best choice, especially if CDA is not suitable. This study provides a biomechanical reference for clinical hybrid RS decision-making to reduce the risk of ASD recurrence.

ObjectiveTo establish a UHPLC-MS/MS quantitative method for the determination of glucuronic acid， tartaric acid， glycolic acid， malic acid， lactic acid， citric acid， DL-2-hydroxybutyric acid sodium， mandelic acid， benzilic acid， hydroxycaprylic acid， lactobionic acid， gluconic acid and N-acetylneuraminic acid in cosmetics. MethodsSamples were prepared by ultrasonic extraction， cleansed by precipitating reagent and followed by high-speed centrifugation of the extraction solution. The supernatant was filtered by 0.22 μm Millipore filter. The continued filtrate was taken for analysis. A reversed phase column， Poroshell 120 EC-C₁₈ （2.7 μm， 4.6 mm×1 000 mm） was used with 0.1% formic acid buffer and acetonitrile as the mobile phase under the condition of gradient elution. The analytes were detected with electrospray ionization source in negative ion mode （ESI^-） and multiple reactions monitoring （MRM）， and quantified by external standard curve. ResultsThe method showed a good linearity of glucuronic acid， tartaric acid， malic acid， DL-2-hydroxybutyric acid sodium， benzilic acid， hydroxycaprylic acid and N-acetylneuraminic acid within the concentration range of 50.0‒2 000.0 μg·L^-1 （r>0.995）. The method showed a good linearity of glycolic acid， lactic acid， citric acid and mandelic acid within the concentration range of 100.0‒5 000.0 μg·L^-1 （r>0.995）. The method showed a good linearity of lactobionic acid and gluconic acid within the concentration range of 50.0‒5 000.0 μg·L^-1 （r>0.995）. The recoveries were in the range of 92.3%‒114.1%； the relative standard deviations （RSD） were in the range of 0.9%‒6.0% （n=3）. The detection limits of glucuronic acid， tartaric acid， malic acid， citric acid， DL-2-hydroxybutyric acid sodium， mandelic acid， benzilic acid， hydroxycaprylic acid， lactobionic acid， gluconic acid and N-acetylneuraminic acid were 0.003% while the detection limits of glycolic acid， lactic acid and mandelic acid were 0.006%. In 10 batches of commercially available cosmetics， eight batches showed positive result. ConclusionThe UHPLC-MS/MS method is efficient， sensitive and accurate and is applicable to the determination of 13 α-hydroxy acidic components in cosmetics.

ObjectiveTo establish an analytical method for the determination of resorcinol, ferulic acid, phenethylresorcinol and benzoyl peroxide in freckle whitening cosmetics by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), to provide data support for the establishment of cosmetics inspection methods and technical support for the supervision of the cosmetics industry. MethodsThe analytes in samples were extracted by ultrasonic acetonitrile after methanol vortex, and then filtered by centrifugation and microporous filter membrane. Finally, the analytes were separated with a SVEA C4 column (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm). The mobile phase was composed of 0.1% phosphoric acid solution -acetonitrile, and the gradient elution was applied, with a flow rate of 1.0 mL·min^-1. The samples were detected by an ultra-violet detector and quantified by external standard method. ResultsResorcinol, ferulic acid, phenylethylresorcinol and benzoyl peroxide showed good linearity in the experimental range with r>0.999. HPLC was used to investigate the positive spiked recoveries of ferulic acid or phenylethylresorcinol with different matrices. The results showed that the recoveries were all in the range of 87.48% to 101.00%, and the relative standard deviations were all in the range of 3.4% to 4.1%. Furthermore, HPLC also examined the blank matrix spiked with the recoveries ranged from 93.26% to 107.66%, with the relative standard deviation of 0.90% to 2.90%. The limits of detection ranged from 0.000 8% to 0.002%. Among the30 batches of standard freckle whitening cosmetics determined, 6 batches of which were detected with phenethylresorcinol and 1 batch with ferulic acid. ConclusionHPLC is a method with rapidity, simplicity, and high sensitivity, which is suitable for the simultaneous determination of resorcinol, ferulic acid, phenethylresorcinol and benzoyl peroxide in commercially available cosmetics.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical value of preoperative Naples prognostic scores (NPS) in patients with resectable Siewert type II-III esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma (AEG).Methods:In this retrospective observational study we collected and analyzed relevant data of patients with Siewert Type II-III AEG treated in the Department of Gastric Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from January 2014 to December 2018. NPS were calculated using preoperative albumin concentration, total cholesterol concentration, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, and lymphocyte/monocyte ratio and used to allocate patients into three groups: NTS-0 (0 points), NTS-1 (1-2 points) and NTS-2 (3-4 points). Kaplan–Meier was used to calculate disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in each NPS group and the log-rank test to compare these groups. Univariate and multivariate survival analyes were performed using the Cox regression model. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to compare the relationships between four commonly used tools for evaluating inflammatory responses and nutritional status:NPS, systemic inflammatory response scores, nutrient control status (CONUT), and prognostic nutrition index (PNI).Results:The study cohort comprised 221 patients with AEG of median age 63.0 (36.0–87.0) years. There were 190 men (86.0%) and 31 women (14.0%). As to pTNM stage, 47 patients (21.3%) had Stage I disease, 68 (30.8%) Stage II, and 106 (48.0%) Stage III. One hundred and forty-seven patients (66.5%) had Siewert Type II disease and 74 (33.5%) Siewert type III. There were 45 patients (20.4%) in the NPS-0, 142 (64.2%) in the NPS-1 and 34 (15.4%) in the NPS-2 groups. Higher NPS scores were significantly associated with older patients (χ2=5.056, P=0.027) and higher TNM stages ( H=5.204, P<0.001). The median follow-up was 39 (6-105) months; 16 patients (7.2%) were lost to follow-up. The median OS in the NPS-0, NPS-1, and NPS-2 groups were 78.4, 63.1, and 37.0 months, respectively; these differences are statistically significant ( P=0.021). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis identified the following as independently and significantly associated with OS in patients with Siewert Type II-III: TNM stage (Stage II: HR=2.182, 95%CI: 1.227-3.878, P=0.008; Stage III: HR=3.534, 95%CI: 1.380-6.654, P<0.001), tumor differentiation (G3: HR=1.995, 95%CI: 1.141-3.488, P=0.015), vascular invasion (HR=2.172, 95%CI: 1.403-3.363, P<0.001), adjuvant chemotherapy (HR=0.326, 95%CI: 0.200-0.531, P<0.001), NPS (NPS-1: HR=2.331, 95%CI: 1.371-3.964, P=0.002; NPS-2: HR=2.494, 95%CI: 1.165-5.341, P=0.019), SIS group (NPS-1: HR=2.170, 95%CI: 1.244-3.784, P=0.006; NPS-2: HR=2.291, 95%CI: 1.052–4.986, P=0.037), and CONUT (HR=1.597, 95% CI: 1.187-2.149, P=0.038). The median DFS in the NPS-0, NPS-1, and NPS-2 groups was 68.6, 52.5, and 28.3 months, respectively; these differences are statistically significant ( P=0.009). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis identified the following as independently and significantly associated with DFS in patients with Siewert Type II-III AEG: TNM stage (StageⅡ: HR=2.789, 95%CI:1.210-6.428, P=0.016; Stage III: HR=10.721, 95%CI:4.709-24.411, P<0.001), adjuvant chemotherapy (HR=0.640, 95% CI: 0.432-0.946, P=0.025), and NPS (NPS-1: HR=1.703, 95%CI: 1.043-2.782, P=0.033; NPS-2: HR=3.124, 95%CI:1.722-5.666, P<0.001). Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves showed that NPS was more accurate in predicting OS and DFS in patients with Siewert Type II-III AEG than were systemic inflammatory response scores, CONUT, or PNI scores. Conclusion:NPS is associated with age and TNM stage, is an independent prognostic factor in patients who have undergone resection of Siewert type II-III AEG, and is better than SIS, CONUT, or PNI in predicting survival.

Objective To analyze the latent categories of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitution of college students,and to explore the moderating effects of latent categories of TCM constitution on the the associations between self-efficacy and depression-anxiety symptoms.Methods An investigation was carried out in two universities of Guangdong Province with 30-item TCM constitution scale,General Self-Efficacy Scale(GSES)and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale,and then a total of 1 097 valid samples were obtained.Correlation analysis,latent profile analysis,and hierarchical regression analysis were used for statistical analysis.Results(1)Four latent categories of TCM constitution were obtained in the college students:generally-balanced type(32.0%),highly-balanced type(17.4%),generally-biased type(36.9%)and highly-biased type(13.7%).There were statistically significant differences in the subscale scores of TCM constitution scale among the college students with various latent categories of TCM constitution(all P＜0.001).(2)Hierarchical regression analysis showed that the self-efficacy negatively predicted the symptoms of depression and anxiety(β value being-0.268,-0.161 respectively,P＜0.001);with the generally-balanced type as reference,the generally-biased type and the highly-biased type positively predicted the symptoms of depression and anxiety,and the highly-balanced type negatively predicted the symptoms of depression and anxiety(all P＜0.001).(3)The latent categories of TCM constitution had moderating effects on the self-efficacy and depression-anxiety symptoms:the depression-anxiety symptoms were relieved with the increase of self-efficacy in the college students with the TCM constitution being generally-biased type,highly-biased type and generally-balanced type(all P＜0.01);in the college students with highly-balanced type,the symptoms of depression(β=0.005,P=0.907)and anxiety(β=0.007,P=0.878)did not change with the increase of self-efficacy.Conclusion Obvious heterogeneity of TCM constitution is presented in the population of college students.The measures of enhancement of self-efficacy and the correction of TCM to promote the psychological health of college students should be performed with reference to the characteristics of their TCM constitution types.