Association between the frontoparietal network,clinical symptoms and treatment response in individuals with untreated anorexia nervosa

Background Anorexia nervosa(AN)has been characterised as a psychiatric disorder associated with increased control.Currently,it remains difficult to predict treatment response in patients with AN.Their cognitive abilities are known to be resistant to treatment.It has been established that the frontoparietal control network(FPCN)is the direct counterpart of the executive control network.Therefore,the resting-state brain activity of the FPCN may serve as a biomarker to predict treatment response in AN.Aims The study aimed to investigate the association between resting-state functional connectivity(RSFC)of the FPCN,clinical symptoms and treatment response in patients with AN.Methods In this case-control study,79 female patients with AN and no prior treatment from the Shanghai Mental Health Center and 40 matched healthy controls(HCs)were recruited from January 2015 to March 2022.All participants completed the Questionnaire Versionof the Eating Disorder Examination(version 6.0)to assess the severity of their eating disorder symptoms.Additionally,RSFC data were obtained from all participants at baseline by functional magnetic resonance imaging.Patients with AN underwent routine outpatient treatment at the 4th and 12th week,during which time their clinical symptoms were evaluated using the same measures as at baseline.Results Among the 79 patients,40 completed the 4-week follow-up and 35 completed the 12-week follow-up.The RSFC from the right posterior parietal cortex(PPC)and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(diPFC)increased in 79 patients with AN vs 40 HCs after controlling for depression and anxiety symptoms.By multiple linear regression,the RSFC of the PPC to the inferior frontal gyrus was found to be a significant factor for self-reported eating disorder symptoms at baseline and the treatment response to cognitive preoccupations about eating and body image,after controlling for age,age of onset and body mass index.The RSFC in the dIPFC to the middle temporal gyrus and the superior frontal gyrus may be significant factors in the treatment response to binge eating and loss of control/overeating in patients with AN.Conclusions Alterations in RSFC in the FPCN appear to affect self-reported eating disorder symptoms and treatment response in patients with AN.Our findings offer new insight into the pathogenesis of AN and could promote early prevention and treatment.

Research on the Intervention Effect of Vibroacoustic Therapy in the Treatment of Patients with Depression

Research purpose:This study implemented somatosensory music therapy on patients with depressive disorders,and explored the effects of somatosensory music therapy on the degree of depression,positive and negative emotions,intuitive stress and autonomic nervous function of patients.Research method:We collected 66 patients diagnosed with depression from the Department of Psychological Medicine of Henan Provincial People’s Hospital,and divided them into a control group and an intervention group according to the random number table,with 33 people in each group.The control group received routine psychiatric treatment and nursing.On the basis of the control group,the intervention group received somatosensory music therapy 3 times a week,30 min each time,for 4 consecutive weeks.The Hamilton Depression Scale,Positive and Negative Emotion Scale,Perceived Stress Scale,and Heart Rate Variability Index were collected and analyzed at baseline(T0),2 weeks after treatment(T1)and 4 weeks after treatment(T2).Research results:After 4 weeks of treatment,the HAMD scores of the two groups decreased to varying degrees,and the difference between the groups was statistically significant(p<0.05).After 4 weeks of treatment,the scores of positive emotions in both groups increased to varying degrees,and the scores of negative emotions increased to varying degrees.The scores decreased to varying degrees,and there were statistically significant differences between the positive and negative emotion groups(p<0.05).After 4 weeks of treatment,the CPSS scores of the two groups decreased to varying degrees,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(p<0.05).Analyzing the main effect of intervention factors alone,after 4 weeks of treatment,SDNN and RMSSD indexes all increased to varying degrees,and the degree of increase in the intervention group was greater than that in the control group,and the difference between the groups was statistically significant(p<0.05).Research conclusion:assisting somatosensory music therapy for patients with depressive disorders can improve depressive symptoms,increase positive emotions,reduce negative emotions,and reduce perceived stress.These are beneficial to restore the balance of autonomic nervous system,and are effective for the treatment of depression.

Application of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in metabolic alterations of prefrontal white and gray matter in depression adolescents

BACKGROUND Cases of depression among adolescents are gradually increasing.The study of the physiological basis of cognitive function from a biochemical perspective has therefore been garnering increasing attention.Depression has been hypothesized to be associated with the brain biochemical metabolism of the anterior cingulate gyrus,frontal lobe white matter,and the thalamus.AIM To explore the application of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy(1H-MRS)in the metabolic alterations in the prefrontal white matter(PWM)and gray matter(GM)in adolescents with depression.METHODS 1H-MRS was performed for semi-quantitative analysis of the biochemical metabolites N-acetylaspartate(NAA),choline(Cho)complexes,creatine(Cr),and myoinositol(mI)in bilateral PWM,anterior cingulate GM,and thalami of 31 adolescent patients with depression(research group)and 35 healthy adolescents(control group),and the NAA/Cr,Cho/Cr,and mI/Cr ratios were calculated.Meanwhile,Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD)and Wechsler Memory Scale were used to assess the degree of depression and memory function in all adolescents.The correlation of brain metabolite levels with scale scores was also analyzed.RESULTS The research group had markedly higher HAMD-24 scores and lower memory quotient(MQ)compared with the control group(P<0.05).Adolescents with depression were found to have lower bilateral PWM NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios compared with healthy adolescents(P<0.05).The mI/Cr ratios were found to be similar in both groups(P>0.05).The bilateral anterior cingulate GM NAA/Cr,Cho/Cr,and mI/Cr also did not demonstrate marked differences(P>0.05).No statistical inter-group difference was determined in NAA/Cr of the bilateral thalami(P>0.05),while bilateral thalamic Cho/Cr and mI/Cr were reduced in teenagers with depression compared with healthy adolescents(P<0.05).A significant negative correlation was observed between the HAMD-24 scores in adolescents with depression with bilateral PWM NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr and were inversely linked to bilateral thalamic Cho/Cr and mI/Cr(P<0.05).In adolescents with depressions,MQ positively correlated with right PWH NAA/Cr,left PWH Cho/Cr,and bilateral thalamic Cho/Cr and mI/Cr.CONCLUSION PWM and thalamic metabolic abnormalities might influence teen depression,and the reduction in bilateral PWM NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr could be related to the neuropathology of adolescents with depression suffering from memory impairment.There exists a possibility of dysfunction of nerve cell membrane phospholipids in the thalami of adolescent patients with depression.

Explosion of research on psychopathology and social media use after COVID-19:A scientometric study

BACKGROUND Despite advances in research on psychopathology and social media use,no comprehensive review has examined published papers on this type of research and considered how it was affected by the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)outbreak.AIM To explore the status of research on psychopathology and social media use before and after the COVID-19 outbreak.METHODS We used Bibliometrix(an R software package)to conduct a scientometric analysis of 4588 relevant studies drawn from the Web of Science Core Collection,PubMed,and Scopus databases.RESULTS Such research output was scarce before COVID-19,but exploded after the pandemic with the publication of a number of high-impact articles.Key authors and institutions,located primarily in developed countries,maintained their core positions,largely uninfluenced by COVID-19;however,research production and collaboration in developing countries increased significantly after COVID-19.Through the analysis of keywords,we identified commonly used methods in this field,together with specific populations,psychopathological conditions,and clinical treatments.Researchers have devoted increasing attention to gender differences in psychopathological states and linked COVID-19 strongly to depression,with depression detection becoming a new trend.Developments in research on psychopathology and social media use are unbalanced and uncoordinated across countries/regions,and more indepth clinical studies should be conducted in the future.CONCLUSION After COVID-19,there was an increased level of concern about mental health issues and a changing emphasis on social media use and the impact of public health emergencies.

Biological,pathological,and multifaceted therapeutic functions of exosomes to target cancer

Exosomes,small tiny vesicle contains a large number of intracellular particles that employ to cause various diseases and prevent several pathological events as well in the human body.It is considered a“double-edged sword”,and depending on its biological source,the action of exosomes varies under physiological conditions.Also,the isolation and characterization of the exosomes should be performed accurately and the methodology also will vary depending on the exosome source.Moreover,the uptake of exosomes from the recipients’cells is a vital and initial step for all the physiological actions.There are different mechanisms present in the exosomes’cellular uptake to deliver their cargo to acceptor cells.Once the exosomal uptake takes place,it releases the intracellular particles that leads to activate the physiological response.Even though exosomes have lavish functions,there are some challenges associated with every step of their preparation to bring potential therapeutic efficacy.So,overcoming the pitfalls would give a desired quantity of exosomes with high purity.

Research progress of neurotransmitters related to insomnia

Insomnia is currently a common phenomenon,which manifests itself as difficulty in falling asleep,problems remaining asleep,or early awakening,and has a serious impact on people’s lives.Neurotransmitters play a key role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle,among which gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA),5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),noradrenaline(NE),acetylcholine(ACh),and melatonin have been widely studied.This review analyzes the research results in recent years and reveals the role of neurotransmitters in the occurrence of insomnia and their relevance.It provides new perspectives for further discussion on the diagnosis and treatment strategies of insomnia and research on targeted drugs.

Examining the Hypothesis of Common Factors Shared by Different Addictive Behaviors and Gender Effects on Propensity to Addiction Type

Background: From the two facts reported by previous research: 1) frequent co-occurrence of more than one addictive behavior, 2) childhood adversities identified as origins of different types of addictive behaviors, it is assumed that all types of addictive behaviors, regardless of substance, behavioral, or relationship, share common factors which have not yet been proven by epidemiological research. The Shorter PROMIS Questionnaire (SPQ) was previously developed to assess 16 types of addictive behaviors. Its factor structure, however, has not been fully investigated. Confirming the factor structure will enable us to hypothesize the common factor(s) shared by all, or if not all, most types of addictive behaviors. Aims: This study aimed at 1) examining the factor structure of the SPQ, 2) confirming the reliability of the questionnaire, and 3) examining the impacts of gender and age on each addictive behavior. Methods: Data obtained from 232 Japanese adults who completed all items of the SPQ were used for the analyses. After confirming the one-factor structure model for each of the 16 subscales, the validity of the one-factor structure of the SPQ was evaluated using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), by adapting 16 subscale scores as observed variables. If its validity was not confirmed, another model which showed better compatibility to the data was explored. The reliability of the SPQ as well as that of all 16 subscales was evaluated. Also, the impacts of gender and age on each subscale score were examined. Results: The one-factor structure for each of the 16 subscales was confirmed. The compatibility of the SPQ one-factor model was not acceptable. The best fit model was a bi-factor model in which one main factor was shared by all 16 subscales, and three factors were shared by some specific addictive behaviors. Male respondents were more likely than female respondents to show high scores in Alcohol, Tobacco, Gambling, Sex, and Recreational Drugs, and low scores only in Shopping. Respondents’ age did not impact any of the 16 subscale scores. Conclusion: It was demonstrated that there are common factors shared by all different types, as well as selected types of addictive behaviors, by conducting CFAs of the SPQ. Reliability was proven for the SPQ and for all 16 subscales. Male respondents were more likely to show physically hedonic addictive behaviors.

Circadian rhythm dysfunction and psychopathology in the offspring of parents with bipolar disorder:a highrisk study in the Chinese population

Background Understanding the evolution of circadian rhythm dysfunction and psychopathology in the high-risk population has important implications for the prevention of bipolar disorder.Nevertheless,some of the previous studies on the emergence of psychopathologies and circadian dysfunction among high-risk populations were inconsistent and limited.Aims To examine the prevalence rates of sleep and circadian dysfunctions,mental disorders and their symptoms in the offspring of parents with(O-BD)and without bipolar disorder(O-control).Methods The study included 191 O-BD and 202 O-control subjects aged 6-21 years from the Greater Bay Area,China.The diagnoses and symptoms of sleep/circadian rhythm and mental disorders were assessed by the Diagnostic Interview for Sleep Patterns and Disorders,and the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version,respectively.Generalised estimating equations and shared frailty proportional hazards models of survival analysis were applied to compare the outcomes in the offspring.Results Adjusting for age,sex and region of recruitment,there was a significantly higher risk of delayed sleep phase symptoms(9.55%vs 2.58%,adjusted OR:4.04)in O-BD than in O-control.O-BD had a nearly fivefold higher risk of mood disorders(11.70%vs 3.47%,adjusted OR:4.68)and social anxiety(6.28%vs 1.49%,adjusted OR:4.70),a fourfold higher risk of depressive disorders(11.17%vs 3.47%,adjusted OR:3.99)and a threefold higher risk of mood symptoms(20.74%vs 10.40%,adjusted OR:2.59)than O-control.Subgroup analysis revealed that O-BD children(aged under 12 years)had a nearly 2-fold higher risk of any mental and behavioural symptoms than O-control,while there was a nearly 4-fold higher risk of delayed sleep phase symptoms,a 7.5-fold higher risk of social anxiety and a 3-fold higher risk of mood symptoms in O-BD adolescents(aged 12 years and over).Conclusions There was an increase in delayed sleep phase symptoms in O-BD adolescents compared with their control counterparts,confirming the central role of circadian rhythm dysfunction in bipolar disorder.The findings of the specific age-related and stage-related developmental patterns of psychopathologies and circadian dysfunction in children and adolescent offspring of parents with bipolar disorder paved the way to develop specific and early clinical intervention and prevention strategies.

Effect of hyperbaric oxygen on post-stroke depression

BACKGROUND In patients with post-stroke depression(PSD)in diabetes,the situation may be more complex,requiring simultaneous treatment of blood glucose,depressive symptoms,and neurological dysfunction.Hyperbaric oxygen(HBO)therapy can improve tissue oxygen content and improve the situation of ischemia and hypoxia,thus playing a role in protecting brain cells and restoring the function of brain cells.However,there are few studies on HBO therapy for patients with PSD.This study explores the clinical efficacy of such therapy for stroke complicated with depression and diabetes mellitus,and to provide reference and basis for clinical treatment and development through the application of relevant rating scales and laboratory test indicators.AIM To evaluate the clinical effects of HBO therapy on patients with diabetes with PSD.METHODS A total of 190 diabetic patients with PSD were randomly divided into observation and control groups(95 patients per group).The control group received escitalopram oxalate 10mg once a day for eight weeks.In addition,the observation group was also given HBO therapy,once a day,five times a week,for eight weeks.The Montgomery Depression Rating Scale(MADRS),National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS),hypersensitive C-reactive protein,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,and fasting glucose levels were compared.RESULTS There were no significant differences in age,sex,or depression course between the groups(P>0.05).After HBO treatment,MADRS scores in both groups decreased significantly(14.3±5.2),and were significantly lower in the control group(18.1±3.5).After HBO treatment,NIHSS scores in both groups decreased significantly,and scores in the observation group(12.2±4.0)decreased more than in the control group(16.1±3.4),the difference was statistically significant(P<0.001).The levels of hypersensitive C-reactive protein and TNF-αin both groups were significantly decreased,and the observation group was significantly lower than the control group(P<0.001).Fasting blood glucose levels in both groups decreased significantly,and those in the observation group decreased more(8.02±1.10)than in the control group(9.26±1.04),with statistical significance(t=-7.994,P<0.001).CONCLUSION HBO therapy can significantly improve depressive symptoms and neurological dysfunction in patients with PSD,and reduce the levels of hypersensitive C-reactive protein,TNF-αand fasting blood glucose.

The Effect of Tea-Cinnamon and <i>Melissa officinalis</i>L. Aqueous Extraction, on Neuropsychology Distress, Biochemical and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Glass Production Workers

Medicinal plants are considered as natural sources of antioxidant compounds which may protect organisms against oxidative stresses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of Cinnamon and Melissa officinalis L. (Lemon balm) on the improvement of oxidative stress in glass production workers. This clinical study was conducted on 32 glass production workers. They were asked to use 0.5 g of tea-Cinnamon and 3 g of Lemon balm as infusion for 30 days in the morning and evening each day. At the beginning and the end of the study, blood samples were taken from individuals to determine the level of fasting blood suger (FBS), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanintransferase (ALT), triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (CL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein(HDL) levels, lipid peroxidation (LPO), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and sillies were measured in workers’ blood. At the end of experiment, data were subjected to the paired t-test analysis. Clinical examination was accomplished to record any abnormal signs or symptoms. After treatment, the high-density lipoprotein and TAC of serum significantly increased while the AST and LPO decreased. There were positive correlations between work history and initiative energy disorder of cognitive test. Probably tea-Cinnamon and Lemon balm possesses marked antioxidant activity and, therefore, it can be used to protect individuals from the oxidative stresses. Using supplementary antioxidants may be helpful in the treatment of workers.

The Clinical Treatment of Obesity from a Psychoanalytical Perspective

The present work aims to address the issue of painful awakening to the hidden and repressed forces that emerged during psychoanalytic psychotherapy, thus opposing treatxuent. This refers to the difficulties that become of in the tzeatanent of an obese patient who sought help to deal with their binge eating, their incessant search for an ideal body in response to narcissistic requirement. And it reveals the attempt of a truer approximation with itself, meeting its subjectivity, which allowed, thus, the infinite possibilities, even of psychic change, without assigning to the outside the solution of all its psychic difficulties.

Changes and clinical significance of BDNF and MMP9 be-fore and after treatment of depressive episode

Objective:to explore brain-derived neu-rotrophic factor(BDNF)and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP9)messenger in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with depressive episodes before and after anti-depressant treatment changes in RNA(mRNA)expres-sion levels.Methods:fifteen patients hospitalized with depression in the Afiliated Mental Hospital of Kunming Medical University from December 2021 to June 2022 were collected as research objects.After 4 weeks of anti-depressant treatment,BDNF mRNA and MMP9 mRNA in patients with depression were detected before and af-ter treatment,and statistically analyzed.Results:after 4 weeks of antidepressant treatment,there was no signif-icant difference in BDNF mRNA expression level after treatment compared with before treatment(P>0.05).The mRNA level of MMP9 was higher than that before treatment,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:antidepressant therapy increases the expression of MMP9 mRNA,increasing the conver-sion of BDNF precursor(proBDNF)to mature for BDNF(mBDNF)to relieve depressive symptoms,and the total content of BDNF did not change significantly.

The Relationship between Mental Disorders and Personality of Outpatients in a Psychiatric Clinic in Nanjing, China

Psychosis has increasingly become a social problem,emphasizing the need to understand the relationship between mental disorders and personality.This study aimed to investigate the relationship between mental disorders and personality among psychiatric outpatients based on real-world data.Symptom Checklist 90(SCL-90)and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire(EPQ)were used to evaluate the personality and psychopathological symptoms of patients(n=8409)in the Psychiatric Outpatient Department at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital.t-test was used to compare scores between patients and national norms.Pearson’s correlation coefficient and path analysis were used to explore the relationship between mental health status and personality.The correlation coefficient between the neuroticism(N)score and each factor score of the SCL-90 test,as well as the correlation between psychoticism(P)and hostility and paranoia,exceeded 0.4.Path analysis revealed that the standardized path coefficients of N score and SCL-90 were all higher than 0.4.In addition,the standardized path coefficient of hostility and paranoia on P score were 0.313 and 0.280,respectively.Interpersonal sensitivity,depression and obsessive-compulsive symptoms were affected by extraversion(E)score,with standardized path coefficients of-0.149,-0.138,and-0.105,respectively.The path analysis also showed the direct and indirect effects of age,gender,education,and marital status on SCL-90.Patients characterized as melancholic had higher scores in all factors of SCL-90.In conclusion,mental health was related to personality traits of neuroticism,psychoticism and introversion.

Correlation of EEG power atlas and P300 with depressive episode severity in adolescents hospitalized for the first time

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the changes of electroencephalogram(EEG)power spectrum,P300 latency and amplitude at different frequency bands and the severity of depressive episode in adolescents who were hospitalized for the first time.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 126 adolescent patients with depressive episodes who were hospitalized for the first time in the Department of Children and Adolescents of Yunnan Psychiatric Hospital from January 2022 to August 2023.According to Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HAMD),the patients were divided into three groups:mild depression group(43 cases),moderate depression group(42 cases)and severe depression group(41 cases).The distribution of the 16-lead power spectrum of α,θ,and δ waves in EEG,as well as the latency and amplitude of P300,were compared among the three groups.The association between adolescent depression and its severity was analyzed.Results:(1)The EEG power distribution of the three groups was different in the frequency bands of α,θ and δ(P<0.05).There were differences in the α,θ,and δ frequency bands between mild and moderate as well as severe depressive episodes,and between moderate and severe depressive episodes in the θ and δ frequency bands.(2)P300,N2 latency and P300 amplitude:There were significant differences among the three groups(P<0.05).(3)δFP1,θF3,θC4,P300 latency and N2 latency were positively correlated with the degree of depression;P300 amplitude andα02 were negatively correlated with the degree of depression.(4)The receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)area of P300 amplitude was 0.932,and the area under the curve ofα02 was 0.776.Conclusion:The combination of resting EEG power and P300 can be used as a biomarker to assess the severity of a depressive episode in adolescents who are hospitalized for the first time and provide a new strategy for treatment.

Intestinal flora and depressive disorders:exploration and prospect of microbial-gut-brain axis

This paper examines the correlation between depressive disorders and intestinal flora.Depression is a common affective disorder characterized by low mood,loss of interest,anhedonia,high incidence,high recurrence rate,high disability rate,and high medical costs.The incidence and harmfulness of depressive disorder are gradually increasing,and its etiology is complex and diverse,among which the abnormal intestinal flora is considered to be one of the causes of depressive disorder.This article reviews the results of several studies that found intestinal flora imbalance in depressed patients,including changes in the type and quantity of flora and changes in metabolic pathways.In addition,antibiotic and probiotic treatments have also been shown to be effective in alleviating depressive symptoms,further indicating the importance of intestinal flora disturbances in the pathogenesis of depression.We also explored the relationship between intestinal flora and the pathogenesis of depressive disorders.Through neuro-immuno-endo-crine-metabolic pathways,intestinal flora can affect the function of the central nervous system,cause changes in the host’s mental behavior,and lead to or aggravate depressive symptoms.Overall,this study not only found differences in the intestinal flora of patients with depressive disorders but also revealed the potential role of intestinal flora in the pathogenesis.Importantly,this provides a new theoretical basis for further clarifying the pathogenesis of depressive disorders and formulating diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Research progress on the health status and community management service needs of mobile elderly people

The health status of the floating elderly population and the need of community management services are complex and important problems.Owing to the change of living environment and the insecure medical care,the mobile elderly people have more health and psy-chological problems compared to the rest of the elderly population.Therefore,the community should take a variety of measures to meet their needs and help them to better adapt to the new living environment,and maintain their physical and mental health.This paper aims to summarize recent studies on the physical and emotional health problems of mobile elderly people and related community management service needs.

The effects of day rehabilitation training on stable schizophrenia

Objective:To investigate the effects of day rehabilitation exercises on patients with stable schizophrenia.Methods:A total of 80 patients with stable schizophrenia who had been admitted to Yunnan Psychiatric Hospital between July,2022 and December,2022 were randomly selected as the subjects of this study.The selected patients were distributed equally at random between a reference group and an experimental group.The experimental group received day interventions based on a traditional rehabilitation model,and the reference group received traditional rehabilitation measures.Results:Prior to the procedure,the values of the Nucleolus Organizer Regions Scale(NORS)and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS)were slightly different between the reference and experimental groups,but the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).After the intervention,the values of the NORS and PANSS scale were statistically different(P<0.05).Conclusion:The day rehabilitation training improved the NORS and PANSS scores of stable schizophrenia patients compared to traditional rehabilitation methods.

The roles of BDNF and ProBDNF in schizophrenia: possibilities for treatment

This review discusses the roles of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)and precursor BDNF(proBDNF)in schizophrenia(SCZ).SCZ is associated with neuronal dysfunction,altered synaptic plasticity,and cognitive deficits.BDNF positively promotes neuronal growth,differentiation,and synapse forma-tion,and regulates synaptic transmission and plasticity.ProBDNF negatively affects neuronal survival and synaptic remodeling,however,by binding to its neurotroph-in receptor p75(p75NTR).A better understanding of the pathogenesis of SCZ vis-à-vis BDNF and proBDNF may provide new directions and strategies for its treatment.

Contrast-enhanced guided endoscopic ultrasound procedures

Contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound(CH-EUS)can overcome the limi-tations of endoscopic ultrasound-guided acquisition by identifying microvessels inside inhomogeneous tumours and improving the characterization of these tumours.Despite the initial enthusiasm that oriented needle sampling under CH-EUS guidance could provide better diagnostic yield in pancreatic solid lesions,further studies did not confirm the supplementary values in cases of tissue acquisition guided by CH-EUS.This review details the knowledge based on the available data on contrast-guided procedures.The indications for CH-EUS tissue acquisition include isoechoic EUS lesions with poor visible delineation where CH-EUS can differentiate the lesion vascularisation from the surrounding parenchyma and also the mural nodules within biliopancreatic cystic lesions,which occur in select cases.Additionally,the roles of CH-EUS-guided therapy in patients whose pancreatic fluid collections or bile ducts that have an echogenic content have indications for drainage,and patients who have nonvisualized vessels that need to be highlighted via Doppler EUS are presented.Another indication is represented if there is a need for an immediate assessment of the post-radiofrequency ablation of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours,in which case CH-EUS can be used to reveal the incomplete tumour destruction.

Exploring Motor Imagery EEG: Enhanced EEG Microstate Analysis with GMD-Driven Density Canopy Method

The analysis of microstates in EEG signals is a crucial technique for understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of brain electrical activity.Traditional methods such as Atomic Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering(AAHC),K-means clustering,Principal Component Analysis(PCA),and Independent Component Analysis(ICA)are limited by a fixed number of microstate maps and insufficient capability in cross-task feature extraction.Tackling these limitations,this study introduces a Global Map Dissimilarity(GMD)-driven density canopy K-means clustering algorithm.This innovative approach autonomously determines the optimal number of EEG microstate topographies and employs Gaussian kernel density estimation alongside the GMD index for dynamic modeling of EEG data.Utilizing this advanced algorithm,the study analyzes the Motor Imagery(MI)dataset from the GigaScience database,GigaDB.The findings reveal six distinct microstates during actual right-hand movement and five microstates across other task conditions,with microstate C showing superior performance in all task states.During imagined movement,microstate A was significantly enhanced.Comparison with existing algorithms indicates a significant improvement in clustering performance by the refined method,with an average Calinski-Harabasz Index(CHI)of 35517.29 and a Davis-Bouldin Index(DBI)average of 2.57.Furthermore,an information-theoretical analysis of the microstate sequences suggests that imagined movement exhibits higher complexity and disorder than actual movement.By utilizing the extracted microstate sequence parameters as features,the improved algorithm achieved a classification accuracy of 98.41%in EEG signal categorization for motor imagery.A performance of 78.183%accuracy was achieved in a four-class motor imagery task on the BCI-IV-2a dataset.These results demonstrate the potential of the advanced algorithm in microstate analysis,offering a more effective tool for a deeper understanding of the spatiotemporal features of EEG signals.