OBJECTIVE: To explore the preparation of nano-silver acupuncture needles and evaluate the appearance, structure and properties. METHODS: Stainless steel acupuncture needles were pretreated by polishing with sandpaper and cleaning with ultrapure water and absolute ethanol. As the working electrodes, the needles were placed in an electrolyte solution contained silver nitrate (AgNO₃), potassium nitrate (KNO₃), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP); and the silver nanoparticles were deposited at a constant voltage of -0.2 V for 1 200 s. The heat-treatment was conducted at 600 ℃ for 15 min in an argon atmosphere to strengthen the adhesion between the nanoparticles and the substrate. The surface appearance and structure of nano-silver acupuncture needles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and biocompatibility of the needles were evaluated. The cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of the sample were assessed using the CCK-8 assay. According to the national standard, Acupuncture Needles (GB 2024-2016), the other physicochemical performances of nano-silver acupuncture needles were tested. RESULTS: ①By controlling the AgNO₃ concentration and the molar ratio of AgNO₃ to PVP, it was found that at an AgNO₃ concentration of 2 mmol/L and a molar ratio of 5∶1, silver nanoparticles with the diameter of 50-100 nm, regular appearance, and uniform distribution were obtained. At a lower concentration, the size of silver nanoparticles was smaller and unevenly distributed particles, whereas a higher concentration tended to produce a dendritic structure. ②By sandpaper polishing, acid etching pretreatment, and heat-treatment at 600 ℃ under argon for 15 min, the adhesion of silver nanoparticles on the surface of the needle body was strengthened, and the simulated pig skin puncture test showed the intact coating without shedding. ③SEM found that the silver nanoparticles were uniformly deposited, forming a nanofilm approximately 1.5 μm thick; XRD analysis showed the diffraction peaks corresponding to cubic crystal silver (111), (200), (220) and (311); and XPS detected characteristic peaks of Ag 3d3/2 and Ag 3d5/2, confirming the successful deposition and good crystallinity of the silver nanoparticles. ④Resistivity measurements indicated that the nano-silver acupuncture needles exhibited a resistivity of approximately 0.15 Ω·cm, about three times lower than that of unmodified stainless steel needles. The infrared thermography demonstrated that their thermal conductivity was superior to that of traditional acupuncture needles. In vitro CCK-8 cytotoxicity assay showed that the nano-silver acupuncture needles had no adverse effects on human skin fibroblasts and possessed good biocompatibility. ⑤ The key parameters such as needle tip performance, hardness, and the adhesion between the needle body and handle were in compliance with the requirements in Acupuncture Needles (GB 2024-2016), ensuring a quality guarantee provided for clinical applications. CONCLUSION The preparation of nano-silver acupuncture needles effectively overcomes the insufficient toughness of traditional silver needles and improves the electrical and thermal conductivity of stainless acupuncture needles.
Silver/chemistry* ; Needles ; Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation* ; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry* ; Humans ; Electric Conductivity ; Animals

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound vesicles secreted by cells, including exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies, which play critical roles in intercellular communication, material transport, and signal transduction. In recent years, increasing evidence has highlighted the essential function of EVs in early embryo development. By carrying bioactive molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids (e.g., mRNA and miRNA), and lipids, EVs regulate embryonic gene expression, cell proliferation, differentiation, and the microenvironment. Studies have shown that EVs derived from various segments of the female reproductive tract can enhance embryonic developmental potential, improve embryo quality, and facilitate implantation. Additionally, EVs secreted by embryos themselves participate in intercellular communication and play pivotal roles during embryogenesis. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the functions of EVs in early embryo development, discusses their roles in mediating cell-cell communication and regulating gene expression, and explores their potential applica-tions in reproductive medicine and clinical practice, offering new perspectives for optimizing assisted reproductive technologies.

Increasing evidences suggest the important role of calcium homeostasis in hallmarks of cancer, but its function and regulatory network in metastasis remain unclear. A comprehensive investigation of key regulators in cancer metastasis is urgently needed. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) of primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and matched metastatic tissues and a series of gain/loss-of-function experiments identified potassium channel tetramerization domain containing 4 (KCTD4) as a driver of cancer metastasis. KCTD4 expression was found upregulated in metastatic ESCC. High KCTD4 expression is associated with poor prognosis in patients with ESCC and contributes to cancer metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, KCTD4 binds to CLIC1 and disrupts its dimerization, thus increasing intracellular Ca²⁺ level to enhance NFATc1-dependent fibronectin transcription. KCTD4-induced fibronectin secretion activates fibroblasts in a paracrine manner, which in turn promotes cancer cell invasion via MMP24 signaling as positive feedback. Furthermore, a lead compound K279-0738 significantly suppresses cancer metastasis by targeting the KCTD4‒CLIC1 interaction, providing a potential therapeutic strategy. Taken together, our study not only uncovers KCTD4 as a regulator of calcium homeostasis, but also reveals KCTD4/CLIC1-Ca²⁺-NFATc1-fibronectin signaling as a novel mechanism of cancer metastasis. These findings validate KCTD4 as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for ESCC.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with gestational age ≤32 weeks within 28 days after birth and to establish and validate the nomogram model for BPD prediction.Methods:We retrospectively chose VLBW infants with gestational age ≤32 weeks who survived to postmenstrual age (PMA) 36 weeks and were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Peking University Third Hospital from January 2016 to April 2020 as the training cohort. BPD was diagnosed in accordance with the 2018 criteria. The clinical data of these infants were collected, and the risk factors of BPD were analyzed by Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, and multivariate logistic regression, and a nomogram model was established. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the predictive performance. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was constructed for differentiation evaluation, and the calibration chart and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test were used for the calibration evaluation. Bootstrap was used for internal validation. VLBW infants with gestational age ≤32 weeks survived to PMA 36 weeks and admitted to Hebei Chengde Maternal and Child Health Hospital from October 2017 to February 2022 were included as the validation cohort. ROC curve and calibration plot were conducted in the validation cohort for external validation. Results:Of the 467 premature infants included in the training cohort, 104 were in the BPD group; of the 101 patients in the external validation cohort, 16 were in the BPD group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low birth weight ( OR=0.03, 95% CI: 0.01-0.13), nosocomial pneumonia ( OR=2.40, 95% CI: 1.41-4.09), late-onset sepsis ( OR=2.18, 95% CI: 1.18-4.02), and prolonged duration of endotracheal intubation ( OR=1.61, 95% CI: 1.26-2.04) were risk factors for BPD in these groups of infants (all P<0.05). According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis results, a nomogram model for predicting BPD risk was established. The AUC of the training cohort was 0.827 (95% CI: 0.783-0.872), and the ideal cut-off value for predicted probability was 0.206, with a sensitivity of 0.788 (95% CI: 0.697-0.862) and specificity of 0.744 (95% CI: 0.696-0.788). The AUC of the validation cohort was 0.951 (95% CI:0.904-0.999). Taking the prediction probability of 0.206 as the high-risk threshold, the sensitivity and specificity corresponding to this value were 0.812 (95% CI: 0.537-0.950) and 0.882 (95% CI: 0.790-0.939). The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test in the training and validation cohort showed a good fit ( P>0.05). DCA results showed a high net benefit of clinical intervention in very preterm infants when the threshold probability was 5%~80% for the training cohort. Conclusion:Low birth weight, nosocomial pneumonia, late-onset sepsis, and prolonged tracheal intubation duration are risk factors for BPD. The established nomogram model has a certain value in predicting the risk of BPD in VLBW less than 32 weeks.

Objective:To explore any effects of combining virtual reality training with aromatherapy in caring for Alzheimer′s disease patients in a nursing home.Methods:Fifty nursing home residents with Alzheimer′s were divided at random into an observation group and a control group, each of 25. Both groups received routine rehabilitation, while the observation group was additionally given 45 minutes of virtual reality training combined with aromatherapy, 3 times a week for 6 months. Both groups′ cognition was then evaluated using the MMSE and an Alzheimer′s cognition assessment scale (ADAS-cog). Psycho-behavioral symptoms were quantified using the Alzheimer′s disease pathological behavior scale (BEHAVE-AD). Motor functioning was quantified using the timed up and go test (TUGT), the 30-second sit-to-stand test (30sCST), the 30-second arm curl test (30sACT) and the sit-and-reach test (CSRT). Ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) and life quality were quantified using the activity of daily living scale and of the quality of life scale for Alzheimer′s disease (QOL-AD) before and after the intervention.Results:After the intervention the average MMSE, ADAS-cog, BEHAVE-AD and ADL scores of both groups had improved significantly, with the average improvement in the observation group significantly greater than that in the control group. The TUGT, 30sCST, 30sACT and CSRT results of both groups were also significantly better, with those of the observation group again significantly superior, on average, to the control group′s results. The average QOL-AD score in the observation was significantly improved after the intervention, and was then significantly better than the control group′s average.Conclusions:Virtual reality training combined with aromatherapy can significantly improve the cognition, psycho-behavioral symptoms, activity in daily living, motor functioning and life quality of Alzheimer′s patients in a nursing home. It is worthy of promotion and application in nursing homes.

Objective:To observe any effect of virtual reality (VR) training on the cognitive functioning and functional fitness of nursing home residents with subjective cognitive decline (SCD).Methods:Fifty-six of such residents were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 28. Both groups received health education and routine care, but the observation group was additionally provided with 45 minutes of VR training three times a week for 6 months. The training included Baduanjin, magic, flying bird, supermarket shopping, gravity ball and gym episodes. Both groups′ cognition was evaluated using the subjective cognitive decline questionnaire (SCD-Q), the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (second edition) (RBMT-Ⅱ), a digit symbol substitution test (DSST), an animal fluency test (AFT) and trail-making test A-B (TMT A-B). Functional fitness was quantified using the 8-foot up-and-go test (8UGT), a 30-second arm curl test (30sACT), a 30-second chair stand test (30sCST), a back scratching test (BST), the sit-and-reach test (CSRT) and a 2-minute step test (2MST) before and after the 6-month intervention.Results:After the intervention, the average SCD-Q, MoCA, RBMT-Ⅱ, DSST, TMT-A, and TMT-B scores of the observation group were significantly better than before the intervention, and significantly better than the control group′s averages. And except for the back scratching their functional results were also significantly better, on average, than those of the control group.Conclusions:VR training can effectively improve the cognition and functional fitness of nur-sing home residents with SCD. Such training is worthy of promotion and wider application in nursing homes.

Objective:To investigate the effects of asymmetric trans-sutural distraction osteogenesis for severe midfacial hypoplasia in growing patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate.Methods:All the growing patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate combining severe midfacial hypoplasia treated with asymmetric trans-sutural distraction osteogenesis from January 2011 to December 2020 in the Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were analyzed retrospectively. The distraction system consisted of the bone-borne traction hooks, nickel-titanium shape memory alloy spring and rigid external distractor. Asymmtric distraction could be achieved by exerting different traction force to bilateral maxilla. The technique for relapse prevention included moderate overcorrection, prompt orthodontic treatment and face mask therapy. The changes of midfacial symmetry between the cleft and non-cleft side were analyzed by comparing the distance of subspinale A-point(A), intersection of lateral border of piriform aperture and plane parallel to midsagittal reference plane(LPA), most inferior point on nasomaxillary suture(INM) and most inferior point on profile of pterygomaxillary suture(PTM) to coronal reference plane between preoperative and postoperative, and the asymmetric ratio of LPA, INM and PTM were calculated.Results:A total of 38 patients, (34 males and 4 females, aged from 8-15 years) were included. All of the patients completed the distraction and achieved a satisfied improvement in the midface convexity and overjet. The postoperative 1-3 years follow-up showed the midface protrusion and occlusal overcoverage after distraction caused by overcorrection tended to become harmonious in the following 6 to 12 months, and 3 patients with no face mask therapy done had relapse on maxilla in various degrees after 3 years follow-up. The measurement findings of 25 patients showed the average advancement of A point was (12.67±4.62) mm(range, 6.21-23.28 mm). The distances of INM, LPA and PTM to CR plane on the cleft side were significantly less than that on the non-cleft side before the distraction( P<0.05). However, after the distraction, these distance differences of INM and PTM between the cleft and non-cleft side were eliminated ( P>0.05). The distance difference of bilateral LPA was reduced, but still significant less on the cleft side( P<0.05). Compared before and after distraction, the asymmetric rate of INM, LPA and PTM was significantly decreased( P<0.05). Conclusions:Asymmetric trans-sutural distraction osteogenesis offers an effective method for the early treatment of severe midfacial hypoplasia in growing patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate, and restores the midfacial symmetry.

Objective:To investigate the effects of asymmetric trans-sutural distraction osteogenesis for severe midfacial hypoplasia in growing patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate.Methods:All the growing patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate combining severe midfacial hypoplasia treated with asymmetric trans-sutural distraction osteogenesis from January 2011 to December 2020 in the Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were analyzed retrospectively. The distraction system consisted of the bone-borne traction hooks, nickel-titanium shape memory alloy spring and rigid external distractor. Asymmtric distraction could be achieved by exerting different traction force to bilateral maxilla. The technique for relapse prevention included moderate overcorrection, prompt orthodontic treatment and face mask therapy. The changes of midfacial symmetry between the cleft and non-cleft side were analyzed by comparing the distance of subspinale A-point(A), intersection of lateral border of piriform aperture and plane parallel to midsagittal reference plane(LPA), most inferior point on nasomaxillary suture(INM) and most inferior point on profile of pterygomaxillary suture(PTM) to coronal reference plane between preoperative and postoperative, and the asymmetric ratio of LPA, INM and PTM were calculated.Results:A total of 38 patients, (34 males and 4 females, aged from 8-15 years) were included. All of the patients completed the distraction and achieved a satisfied improvement in the midface convexity and overjet. The postoperative 1-3 years follow-up showed the midface protrusion and occlusal overcoverage after distraction caused by overcorrection tended to become harmonious in the following 6 to 12 months, and 3 patients with no face mask therapy done had relapse on maxilla in various degrees after 3 years follow-up. The measurement findings of 25 patients showed the average advancement of A point was (12.67±4.62) mm(range, 6.21-23.28 mm). The distances of INM, LPA and PTM to CR plane on the cleft side were significantly less than that on the non-cleft side before the distraction( P<0.05). However, after the distraction, these distance differences of INM and PTM between the cleft and non-cleft side were eliminated ( P>0.05). The distance difference of bilateral LPA was reduced, but still significant less on the cleft side( P<0.05). Compared before and after distraction, the asymmetric rate of INM, LPA and PTM was significantly decreased( P<0.05). Conclusions:Asymmetric trans-sutural distraction osteogenesis offers an effective method for the early treatment of severe midfacial hypoplasia in growing patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate, and restores the midfacial symmetry.

Objective To study the composition and concentration of atmospheric particulate pollutants in four seasons in the industrial and clean living areas， and to provide a scientific basis for the strategy of controlling industrial pollution and atmospheric environment. Methods An industrial area dominated by the automobile industry in Shanghai and a relatively clean living area were selected. Samples were collected simultaneously in both areas and continuously for 7 days in the middle of each season. The composition and concentration of PM_2.5 were determined， and the ecological risk of heavy metals in PM_2.5 was evaluated by the potential ecological risk index method. Results We found PM_2.5 concentration was associated with seasonal changes. The PM_2.5 concentration in living areas was the highest in winter， followed by spring， and the lowest in summer. The PM_2.5 concentration in industrial areas was the highest in spring， followed by winter， and the lowest in summer. The heavy metals in PM_2.5 were the same， including Al， Cr， Mn， Ni， As， Cd， Hg and Pb. The content of Cr， Cd and Pb in PM_2.5 in the industrial area is significantly higher than that in the living area. The potential ecological hazard coefficient of PM_2.5 heavy metal Cd in the industrial zone was the highest， up to 189.47， and it was the main component of the total potential ecological hazard index of heavy metals. According to the total potential risk grade of heavy metals， the heavy metal Cd in the industrial area had different degrees of ecological harm with seasonal changes. The ecological harm degree of heavy metal Cd was the highest in winter， high in spring and autumn， and low in summer. Conclusion Although the concentration of PM_2.5 in the industrial area is not higher than that in the living area， the content of Cr， Cd and Pb in the PM_2.5 in the industrial area is significantly higher than that in the living area. The concentration of PM_2.5 in the industrial area is mainly related to seasons， industrial production and human factors. The potential ecological harm coefficient of heavy metal Cd in PM_2.5 is the highest in comparison with other heavy metals such as Cr， Hg and Pb， and it is the main component of the total potential ecological harm index ofheavy metals.

Objective: Endometrial cancer (ECa) is a common gynecological malignancy. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified as key regulators of human tumorigenesis and development. Herein, we explored the role and mechanism of circular RNA intraflagellar transport 80 (circ-IFT80, also called circ_0067835) in ECa. Methods: Circ-IFT80, microRNA-545-3p (miR-545-3p), and family with sequence similarity 98 member A (FAM98A) were quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction or Western blot. The biological characteristics of ECa cells were evaluated via Cell Counting Kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine, transwell, tube formation and flow cytometry assays. Dual-luciferase reporter assay or RNA pull-down assay was employed to verify the binding relationship between miR-545-3p and circ-IFT80 or FAM98A. Xenograft assays were conducted to analyze the effect of circ-IFT80 in vivo. Results: Circ-IFT80 and FAM98A were up-regulated, and miR-545-3p was down-regulated in ECa tissues and cells. Knockdown of circ-IFT80 blocked proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis and promoted apoptosis in ECa cells. Moreover, circ-IFT80 harbored a binding site for miR-545-3p, and the effects of circ-IFT80 were mediated by miR-545-3p. FAM98A was a direct target of miR-545-3p, and miR-545-3p hindered ECa cell progression via targeting FAM98A. Circ-IFT80 induced FAM98A expression through miR-545-3p. Furthermore, silence of circ-IFT80 suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Conclusion Circ-IFT80 may promote the malignant progression of ECa cells at least in part by modulating miR-545-3p/FAM98A axis, providing a potential therapeutic target for ECa.