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.

Anxiety disorder is a major symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with a comorbidity rate of ~40%. However, the neural mechanisms of the emergence of anxiety in ASD remain unclear. In our study, we found that hyperactivity of basolateral amygdala (BLA) pyramidal neurons (PNs) in Shank3 InsG3680 knock-in (InsG3680^+/+) mice is involved in the development of anxiety. Electrophysiological results also showed increased excitatory input and decreased inhibitory input in BLA PNs. Chemogenetic inhibition of the excitability of PNs in the BLA rescued the anxiety phenotype of InsG3680^+/+ mice. Further study found that the diminished control of the BLA by medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and optogenetic activation of the mPFC-BLA pathway also had a rescue effect, which increased the feedforward inhibition of the BLA. Taken together, our results suggest that hyperactivity of the BLA and alteration of the mPFC-BLA circuitry are involved in anxiety in InsG3680^+/+ mice.
Animals ; Prefrontal Cortex/metabolism* ; Basolateral Nuclear Complex/metabolism* ; Mice ; Anxiety/metabolism* ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics* ; Male ; Gene Knock-In Techniques ; Pyramidal Cells/physiology* ; Mice, Transgenic ; Neural Pathways/physiopathology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microfilament Proteins

Objective:To investigate the risk factors and prognostic value of the textbook outcome (TO) in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical resection.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study. A total of 253 patients with AGC who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with gastrectomy and D2 lymphadenectomy in the Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from January 2010 to December 2019 were retrospectively included. There were 195 males and 58 females, aged (60.3±10.0) years (range: 27 to 75 years). The patients were then divided into the TO group ( n=168) and the non-TO group ( n=85). Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent predictors of TO. Univariate and multivariate Cox analysis were used to analyze independent prognosis factors for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Propensity score matching was performed to balance the TO and non-TO groups, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rates and draw survival curves. Results:Among the 253 patients, 168 patients (66.4%) achieved TO. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score ( OR=0.488, 95% CI: 0.278 to 0.856, P=0.012) and ypN stage ( OR=0.626, 95% CI:0.488 to 0.805, P<0.01) were independently predictive of TO. Multivariate analysis revealed that TO was an independent risk factor for both OS ( HR=0.662, 95% CI: 0.457 to 0.959, P=0.029) and DFS ( HR=0.687, 95% CI: 0.483 to 0.976, P=0.036). After matching, the 5-year OS rate (42.2% vs. 27.8%) and the 5-year DFS rate (37.5% vs. 27.8%) were significantly higher in the TO group than in the non-TO group (both P<0.05). Furthermore, patients in the non-TO group benefited significantly from postoperative chemotherapy (both P<0.05), but those in the TO group did not (both P>0.05). Conclusion:TO is an independent prognosis factor in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery for AGC and is associated with postoperative chemotherapy benefits.

Diabetic nephropathy(DN),a severe complication of diabetes,is widely recognized as a primary contributor to end-stage renal disease.Recent studies indicate that the inflammation triggered by Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)is of paramount importance in the onset and progression of DN.TLR4 can bind to various ligands,including exogenous ligands such as proteins and polysaccharides from bacteria or vi-ruses,as well as endogenous ligands such as biglycan,fibrinogen,and hyaluronan.In DN,the expression or release of TLR4-related ligands is significantly elevated,resulting in excessive TLR4 activation and increased production of proinflammatory cytokines through downstream signaling pathways.This process is closely associated with the progression of DN.Natural compounds are biologically active products derived from natural sources that have advantages in the treatment of certain diseases.Various types of natural compounds,including alkaloids,flavonoids,polyphenols,terpenoids,glycosides,and polysaccharides,have demonstrated their ability to improve DN by affecting the TLR4 signaling pathway.In this review,we summarize the mechanism of action of TLR4 in DN and the natural compounds that can ameliorate DN by modulating the TLR4 signaling pathway.We specifically highlight the potential of compounds such as curcumin,paclitaxel,berberine,and ursolic acid to inhibit the TLR4 signaling pathway,which provides an important direction of research for the treatment of DN.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors and prognostic value of the textbook outcome (TO) in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical resection.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study. A total of 253 patients with AGC who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with gastrectomy and D2 lymphadenectomy in the Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from January 2010 to December 2019 were retrospectively included. There were 195 males and 58 females, aged (60.3±10.0) years (range: 27 to 75 years). The patients were then divided into the TO group ( n=168) and the non-TO group ( n=85). Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent predictors of TO. Univariate and multivariate Cox analysis were used to analyze independent prognosis factors for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Propensity score matching was performed to balance the TO and non-TO groups, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rates and draw survival curves. Results:Among the 253 patients, 168 patients (66.4%) achieved TO. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score ( OR=0.488, 95% CI: 0.278 to 0.856, P=0.012) and ypN stage ( OR=0.626, 95% CI:0.488 to 0.805, P<0.01) were independently predictive of TO. Multivariate analysis revealed that TO was an independent risk factor for both OS ( HR=0.662, 95% CI: 0.457 to 0.959, P=0.029) and DFS ( HR=0.687, 95% CI: 0.483 to 0.976, P=0.036). After matching, the 5-year OS rate (42.2% vs. 27.8%) and the 5-year DFS rate (37.5% vs. 27.8%) were significantly higher in the TO group than in the non-TO group (both P<0.05). Furthermore, patients in the non-TO group benefited significantly from postoperative chemotherapy (both P<0.05), but those in the TO group did not (both P>0.05). Conclusion:TO is an independent prognosis factor in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery for AGC and is associated with postoperative chemotherapy benefits.

Background::The conversion of adenosine (A) to inosine (I) through deamination is the prevailing form of RNA editing, impacting numerous nuclear and cytoplasmic transcripts across various eukaryotic species. Millions of high-confidence RNA editing sites have been identified and integrated into various RNA databases, providing a convenient platform for the rapid identification of key drivers of cancer and potential therapeutic targets. However, the available database for integration of RNA editing in hematopoietic cells and hematopoietic malignancies is still lacking.Methods::We downloaded RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data of 29 leukemia patients and 19 healthy donors from National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and RNA-seq data of 12 mouse hematopoietic cell populations obtained from our previous research were also used. We performed sequence alignment, identified RNA editing sites, and obtained characteristic editing sites related to normal hematopoietic development and abnormal editing sites associated with hematologic diseases.Results::We established a new database, "REDH", represents RNA editome in hematopoietic differentiation and malignancy. REDH is a curated database of associations between RNA editome and hematopoiesis. REDH integrates 30,796 editing sites from 12 murine adult hematopoietic cell populations and systematically characterizes more than 400,000 edited events in malignant hematopoietic samples from 48 cohorts (human). Through the Differentiation, Disease, Enrichment, and knowledge modules, each A-to-I editing site is systematically integrated, including its distribution throughout the genome, its clinical information (human sample), and functional editing sites under physiological and pathological conditions. Furthermore, REDH compares the similarities and differences of editing sites between different hematologic malignancies and healthy control.Conclusions::REDH is accessible at http://www.redhdatabase.com/. This user-friendly database would aid in understanding the mechanisms of RNA editing in hematopoietic differentiation and malignancies. It provides a set of data related to the maintenance of hematopoietic homeostasis and identifying potential therapeutic targets in malignancies.