OBJECTIVE To observe the clinical efficacy， safety and recurrence of Kuntai capsules combined with Estradiol tablets/Estradiol dydrogesterone tablets in the treatment of diminished ovarian reserve （DOR） as well as their effects on ovarian reserve function， sex hormones， and lymphocyte subsets. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 165 DOR patients in Nanyang First People’s Hospital. Among them， 80 patients who received Estradiol tablets/Estradiol dydrogesterone tablets （take one tablet per day according to the medication sequence on the instruction） were included in the control group， while 85 patients who additionally took Kuntai capsules （2.0 g per dose， three times daily） were included in the observation group. The treatment duration for both groups was three months. Clinical efficacy， the incidence of adverse drug reaction （ADR）， recurrence rate， and changes in Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM） syndrome scores， ovarian reserve function indicators [anti-Müllerian hormone （AMH）， inhibin B （INHB）， antral follicle count （AFC）， endometrial thickness， and ovarian volume]， sex hormones [follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， luteinizing hormone （LH）， and estradiol （E2）]， and T lymphocyte subsets （CD3 +， CD4 +， CD8 +， and CD4 +/CD8 +） were compared before and after treatment. RESULTS The cure and significant improvement rate in the observation group was significantly higher than in the control group （82.35% vs. 65.00%， P＜0.05）. Compared to baseline levels， both groups showed significant reductions in TCM syndrome scores， FSH， LH， CD3+ and CD8+ levels after treatment， while AMH， INHB， E2， CD4 +， CD4 +/CD8 +， AFC， endometrial thickness， and ovarian volume significantly increased （P＜0.05）. The degree of improvement in these indicators was significantly greater in the observation group than in the control group （P＜0.05）. There was no significant difference in the total incidence of ADR between the two groups（P＞ 0.05）. However， the recurrence rate within six months post-treatment was significantly lower in the observation group compared to the control group （5.88% vs. 21.25%， P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Kuntai capsules combined with Estradiol tablets/ Estradiol dydrogesterone tablets have a significant therapeutic effect on DOR， which can improve ovarian reserve function of the patient， regulate sex hormone levels and T lymphocyte subsets， and reduce recurrence rates， with a high safety profile.

BACKGROUND: Tissue engineering holds promise for vascular repair and regeneration by mimicking the extracellular matrix of blood vessels. However, achieving a functional and thick vascular wall with aligned fiber architecture by electrospinning remains a significant challenge. METHODS: A novel electrospinning setup was developed that utilizes an auxiliary electrode and a spring. The impact of process parameters on fiber size and morphology was investigated. The structure and functions of the scaffolds were evaluated through material characterization and assessments of cellular biocompatibility. RESULTS: The new setup enabled controlled deposition of fibers in different designed orientations. The fabricated small-diameter vascular scaffolds consisted of an inner layer of longitudinally oriented fibers and an outer layer of circumferentially oriented fibers (L + C vascular scaffold). Key parameters, including rotational speed, the utilization of the auxiliary electrode, and top-to-collector distance (TCD) significantly influenced fiber orientation. Additionally, voltage, TCD, feed rate, needle size, auxiliary electrode and collector-auxiliary electrode distance affected fiber diameter and distribution. Mechanical advantages and improved surface wettability of L + C vascular scaffold were confirmed through tensile testing and water contact angle. Cellular experiments indicated that L + C vascular scaffold facilitated cell adhesion and proliferation, with human umbilical vein endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells attaching and elongating along the fiber direction of the inner and outer layer, respectively. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the feasibility of fabricating fiber-aligned, thick-walled vascular scaffolds using a modified electrospinning setup. The findings provided insights into how the auxiliary electrode, specific collector influenced fiber deposition, potentially advancing biomimetic vascular scaffold engineering.

BACKGROUND: Tissue engineering holds promise for vascular repair and regeneration by mimicking the extracellular matrix of blood vessels. However, achieving a functional and thick vascular wall with aligned fiber architecture by electrospinning remains a significant challenge. METHODS: A novel electrospinning setup was developed that utilizes an auxiliary electrode and a spring. The impact of process parameters on fiber size and morphology was investigated. The structure and functions of the scaffolds were evaluated through material characterization and assessments of cellular biocompatibility. RESULTS: The new setup enabled controlled deposition of fibers in different designed orientations. The fabricated small-diameter vascular scaffolds consisted of an inner layer of longitudinally oriented fibers and an outer layer of circumferentially oriented fibers (L + C vascular scaffold). Key parameters, including rotational speed, the utilization of the auxiliary electrode, and top-to-collector distance (TCD) significantly influenced fiber orientation. Additionally, voltage, TCD, feed rate, needle size, auxiliary electrode and collector-auxiliary electrode distance affected fiber diameter and distribution. Mechanical advantages and improved surface wettability of L + C vascular scaffold were confirmed through tensile testing and water contact angle. Cellular experiments indicated that L + C vascular scaffold facilitated cell adhesion and proliferation, with human umbilical vein endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells attaching and elongating along the fiber direction of the inner and outer layer, respectively. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the feasibility of fabricating fiber-aligned, thick-walled vascular scaffolds using a modified electrospinning setup. The findings provided insights into how the auxiliary electrode, specific collector influenced fiber deposition, potentially advancing biomimetic vascular scaffold engineering.

BACKGROUND: Tissue engineering holds promise for vascular repair and regeneration by mimicking the extracellular matrix of blood vessels. However, achieving a functional and thick vascular wall with aligned fiber architecture by electrospinning remains a significant challenge. METHODS: A novel electrospinning setup was developed that utilizes an auxiliary electrode and a spring. The impact of process parameters on fiber size and morphology was investigated. The structure and functions of the scaffolds were evaluated through material characterization and assessments of cellular biocompatibility. RESULTS: The new setup enabled controlled deposition of fibers in different designed orientations. The fabricated small-diameter vascular scaffolds consisted of an inner layer of longitudinally oriented fibers and an outer layer of circumferentially oriented fibers (L + C vascular scaffold). Key parameters, including rotational speed, the utilization of the auxiliary electrode, and top-to-collector distance (TCD) significantly influenced fiber orientation. Additionally, voltage, TCD, feed rate, needle size, auxiliary electrode and collector-auxiliary electrode distance affected fiber diameter and distribution. Mechanical advantages and improved surface wettability of L + C vascular scaffold were confirmed through tensile testing and water contact angle. Cellular experiments indicated that L + C vascular scaffold facilitated cell adhesion and proliferation, with human umbilical vein endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells attaching and elongating along the fiber direction of the inner and outer layer, respectively. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the feasibility of fabricating fiber-aligned, thick-walled vascular scaffolds using a modified electrospinning setup. The findings provided insights into how the auxiliary electrode, specific collector influenced fiber deposition, potentially advancing biomimetic vascular scaffold engineering.

BACKGROUND: Tissue engineering holds promise for vascular repair and regeneration by mimicking the extracellular matrix of blood vessels. However, achieving a functional and thick vascular wall with aligned fiber architecture by electrospinning remains a significant challenge. METHODS: A novel electrospinning setup was developed that utilizes an auxiliary electrode and a spring. The impact of process parameters on fiber size and morphology was investigated. The structure and functions of the scaffolds were evaluated through material characterization and assessments of cellular biocompatibility. RESULTS: The new setup enabled controlled deposition of fibers in different designed orientations. The fabricated small-diameter vascular scaffolds consisted of an inner layer of longitudinally oriented fibers and an outer layer of circumferentially oriented fibers (L + C vascular scaffold). Key parameters, including rotational speed, the utilization of the auxiliary electrode, and top-to-collector distance (TCD) significantly influenced fiber orientation. Additionally, voltage, TCD, feed rate, needle size, auxiliary electrode and collector-auxiliary electrode distance affected fiber diameter and distribution. Mechanical advantages and improved surface wettability of L + C vascular scaffold were confirmed through tensile testing and water contact angle. Cellular experiments indicated that L + C vascular scaffold facilitated cell adhesion and proliferation, with human umbilical vein endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells attaching and elongating along the fiber direction of the inner and outer layer, respectively. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the feasibility of fabricating fiber-aligned, thick-walled vascular scaffolds using a modified electrospinning setup. The findings provided insights into how the auxiliary electrode, specific collector influenced fiber deposition, potentially advancing biomimetic vascular scaffold engineering.

BACKGROUND: Tissue engineering holds promise for vascular repair and regeneration by mimicking the extracellular matrix of blood vessels. However, achieving a functional and thick vascular wall with aligned fiber architecture by electrospinning remains a significant challenge. METHODS: A novel electrospinning setup was developed that utilizes an auxiliary electrode and a spring. The impact of process parameters on fiber size and morphology was investigated. The structure and functions of the scaffolds were evaluated through material characterization and assessments of cellular biocompatibility. RESULTS: The new setup enabled controlled deposition of fibers in different designed orientations. The fabricated small-diameter vascular scaffolds consisted of an inner layer of longitudinally oriented fibers and an outer layer of circumferentially oriented fibers (L + C vascular scaffold). Key parameters, including rotational speed, the utilization of the auxiliary electrode, and top-to-collector distance (TCD) significantly influenced fiber orientation. Additionally, voltage, TCD, feed rate, needle size, auxiliary electrode and collector-auxiliary electrode distance affected fiber diameter and distribution. Mechanical advantages and improved surface wettability of L + C vascular scaffold were confirmed through tensile testing and water contact angle. Cellular experiments indicated that L + C vascular scaffold facilitated cell adhesion and proliferation, with human umbilical vein endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells attaching and elongating along the fiber direction of the inner and outer layer, respectively. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the feasibility of fabricating fiber-aligned, thick-walled vascular scaffolds using a modified electrospinning setup. The findings provided insights into how the auxiliary electrode, specific collector influenced fiber deposition, potentially advancing biomimetic vascular scaffold engineering.

Attempts have been made to modulate motor sequence learning (MSL) through repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, targeting different sites within the sensorimotor network. However, the target with the optimum modulatory effect on neural plasticity associated with MSL remains unclarified. This study was therefore designed to compare the role of the left primary motor cortex and the left supplementary motor area proper (SMAp) in modulating MSL across different complexity levels and for both hands, as well as the associated neuroplasticity by applying intermittent theta burst stimulation together with the electroencephalogram and concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation. Our data demonstrated the role of SMAp stimulation in modulating neural communication to support MSL, which is achieved by facilitating regional activation and orchestrating neural coupling across distributed brain regions, particularly in interhemispheric connections. These findings may have important clinical implications, particularly for motor rehabilitation in populations such as post-stroke patients.
Humans ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ; Motor Cortex/physiology* ; Male ; Electroencephalography ; Neuronal Plasticity/physiology* ; Female ; Adult ; Evoked Potentials, Motor/physiology* ; Young Adult ; Learning/physiology*

Objective: To analyze the developmental trajectories of middle school students loneliness and social support, as well as to explore the interaction between loneliness and social support, so as to provide the evidence based support for the mental health development of adolescents. Methods: A total of 989 first year students from four public middle schools in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province were selected for three follow up surveys by a cluster random sampling method (T1:March 2023, T2:June 2023, T3:December 2023). The UCLA Loneliness Scale-20 (ULS-20) and Social Support Scale for University Students (SSSUS) were employed for questionnaire data collection. The growth mixture modeling was utilized to test the developmental trajectories of loneliness and social support among middle school students, while the cross lagged analysis was performed to investigate their mutual influence. Results: The scores for loneliness and social support in T1, T2 and T3 were (43.1±5.8, 42.5± 6.8 , 42.0±6.9; 55.9±12.0, 60.7±15.7, 60.4±16.7), respectively. Correlational analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between loneliness levels (T1, T2, T3) and social support (T1, T2, T3) ( r =-0.47 to -0.36, P <0.01). Growth mixture modeling indicated a linear declining trend of middle school students loneliness, and the developmental trajectory of social support showed a linear increasing trend, with significant individual differences in initial levels and rates of change ( P <0.05). Cross lagged analyses revealed that loneliness levels at T1 negatively predicted social support scores at T2 ( β =-0.16), and loneliness levels at T2 negatively predicted social support scores at T3 ( β =-0.12) ( P <0.05). Additionally, prior loneliness positively predicted its subsequent levels, with path coefficients of 0.58 and 0.47, respectively ( P <0.05). Social support scores at T1 negatively predicted loneliness levels at T2 ( β =-0.10), while scores at T2 negatively predicted loneliness levels at T3 ( β =-0.15) ( P <0.05). Prior loneliness also positively predicted its subsequent levels, with path coefficients of 0.43 and 0.44, respectively ( P <0.05). Conclusion The developmental trajectory of middle school students loneliness demonstrates a decreasing trend, while that of social support exhibits a linear increasing trend, indicating a longitudinal causal relationship between loneliness and social support.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features, molecular genetic features, and differential diagnosis of intraductal carcinomas (IDC) of the salivary glands.Methods:Twenty-five cases of salivary gland IDC diagnosed at the Department of Oral Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People′s Hospital and two cases from Department of Pathology, Henan Provincial People′s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China from January 2008 to July 2023 were collected. Their clinical and pathological features were analyzed retrospectively. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and Sanger sequencing were performed. The patients were followed up and related literatures were reviewed.Results:There were 27 patients with IDC, including 15 males and 12 females, ranging in age from 20.0 to 80.0 years (mean 55.9 years). Clinically, the tumor often presented as a painless mass with a tumor diameter of 1.0-3.0 cm (mean 2.0 cm). All patients received surgical treatment. Twenty patients were followed up. One of them (1/20) died of lung cancer, while the rest survived without tumor recurrence. Histologically, IDC were classified as: intercalated (63.0%, 17/27), apocrine (25.9%, 7/27), oncocytic (7.4%, 2/27) and mixed (3.7%, 1/27) types. Intercalated tumors showed positive S-100 and negative androgen receptor (AR) immunoreactivity. Ki-67 proliferation index was low (about 1%-5%). Nine cases had the RET gene disruption, and 2 cases showed the BRAF V600E mutation. Apocrine tumors showed strong AR immunoreactivity but no S-100 immunoreactivity. Ki-67 proliferation index was high (about 10%-60%), and the RET gene rupture was detected in 1 case. Oncocytic tumors were similar to that of intercalated type in 2 cases, and RET gene disruption was detected in the both cases. Mixed tumors showed histologic features of oncocytic and apocrine patterns and harbored the RET gene disruption.Conclusions:IDC is a rare low-grade malignant tumor of the salivary gland and easily confused with other salivary gland tumors with similar morphology. Molecular testing is helpful for its differential diagnosis.

Objective: To understand the potential categories of health risk behaviors among adolescents in the Wuling Mountain Area and their association with school connectedness, so as to provide reference for formulating classified and effective intervention measures. Methods: From March to June 2023, 3 386 middle and high school students from eight schools in the Wuling Mountain Area were selected using the multistage stratified cluster random sampling method. A basic information questionnaire, health risk behaviors questionnaire, and school connectedness scale were utilized for the survey. The latent classes of adolescent health risk behaviors in the Wuling Mountain Area were investigated by using latent class analysis, while an multinomial Logistic regression model was employed to analyze the association between latent classes and school connectedness. Results: Adolescent health risk behaviors in the Wuling Mountains Area were classified into three latent classes: high risk class of episodic behaviors ( 5.64 %), high risk class of implicit behaviors (26.90%), and low risk class of implicit behaviors (67.45%). Gender, ethnicity, and family type revealed significant differences in the distribution of the three latent classes ( χ 2=117.91, 22.55, 21.51, P <0.05). The results of the regression model analysis showed that, with the low risk class as the reference category, high school connectedness scores were associated with the high risk class of episodic behaviors ( OR=0.89, 95%CI = 0.88- 0.91) and the high risk class of implicit behaviors ( OR=0.90, 95%CI =0.89-0.91)( P <0.05). Conclusions The characteristics of adolescent health risk behavior classes in the Wuling Mountain Area are obvious. The high risk class of episodic behaviors and the high risk class of implicit behaviors are negatively correlated with school connectedness. Corresponding measures should be taken to enhance adolescents sense of belonging in school and reduce the aggregation and co occurrence of health risk behaviors.