Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are multifunctional growth factors of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily. They regulate steroid secretion from mammalian granulosa cells, promote granulosa cell survival and proliferation, and inhibit follicular atresia, luteinization, and granulosa cell apoptosis, thereby promoting the development and maturation of mammalian follicles. At the same time, BMPs play an important role in embryonic morphogenesis, induction of uterine receptivity, and blastocyst attachment. This paper describes the effects of BMPs on mammalian follicular and embryonic development and the roles of BMPs in female reproduction, focusing on the process in which BMPs promote follicular maturation by regulating steroid secretion from granulosa cells during mammalian oocyte maturation. This review aims to provide a reference for further research on mammalian oocyte culture and improvement of reproductive efficiency in female animals.
Animals ; Embryonic Development/drug effects* ; Female ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins/pharmacology* ; Reproduction/physiology* ; Humans ; Granulosa Cells/cytology* ; Oocytes

Objective:To investigate the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of pneumoperitoneum-assisted laparoscopic thyroidectomy via the subclavian approach (PSTSA) .Methods:Retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 24 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients who underwent PSTSA,from Nov. 1,2024 to Dec. 31,2024 in Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University was performed. Data including the maximum tumor diameter,surgical duration,volume of drainage fluid,number of lymph nodes cleared,postoperative complications,cosmetic outcomes, and total hospitalization time were recorded.Results:All 24 cases were preoperatively diagnosed with PTC, with 12 female and 12 male patients.All cases were successfully completed without conversion to open surgery.The maximum tumor diameter in the pathological sections was 0.51±0.21 cm,the surgical duration was 71.54±11.62 minutes, the number of central compartment lymph nodes retrieved was 6.29±2.82 units,and the number of positive lymph nodes was 0.46±0.93.No CO2 gas embolism occurred during the surgery,and no postoperative complications such as hoarseness,numbness of hands and feet,or postoperative bleeding were observed.Conclusions:Pneumoperitoneum-assisted laparoscopic thyroidectomy via the subclavian approach (pneumoperitoneum-assisted laparoscopic thyroidectomy via the subclavian approach, PSTSA) is a safe and feasible surgical method for thyroidectomy.

Objective:To investigate the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of pneumoperitoneum-assisted laparoscopic thyroidectomy via the subclavian approach (PSTSA) .Methods:Retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 24 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients who underwent PSTSA,from Nov. 1,2024 to Dec. 31,2024 in Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University was performed. Data including the maximum tumor diameter,surgical duration,volume of drainage fluid,number of lymph nodes cleared,postoperative complications,cosmetic outcomes, and total hospitalization time were recorded.Results:All 24 cases were preoperatively diagnosed with PTC, with 12 female and 12 male patients.All cases were successfully completed without conversion to open surgery.The maximum tumor diameter in the pathological sections was 0.51±0.21 cm,the surgical duration was 71.54±11.62 minutes, the number of central compartment lymph nodes retrieved was 6.29±2.82 units,and the number of positive lymph nodes was 0.46±0.93.No CO2 gas embolism occurred during the surgery,and no postoperative complications such as hoarseness,numbness of hands and feet,or postoperative bleeding were observed.Conclusions:Pneumoperitoneum-assisted laparoscopic thyroidectomy via the subclavian approach (pneumoperitoneum-assisted laparoscopic thyroidectomy via the subclavian approach, PSTSA) is a safe and feasible surgical method for thyroidectomy.

Objective:To compare the quality of sleep and rehabilitation after routine surgery versus day surgery in pediatric patients with snoring.Methods:This was a prospective study.Seventy pediatric patients with snoring, aged 4-6 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ, undergoing adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy in the Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center from March to June 2023, were divided into routine surgery group (group R) and day surgery group (group D), with 35 cases in each group. A sleep-detecting bracelet was used to monitor the sleep status. The proportion of deep sleep, light sleep and rapid eye movement, sleep continuity score and the maximum and minimum heart rate were recorded on the night before surgery, the first and second night after surgery. Rehabilitation was assessed using Quality of Recovery-15 at 1 day before surgery and 24 and 48 h and 28 days after surgery.Results:Compared with group R, the maximum heart rate at the night before surgery was significantly decreased, the proportion of light sleep on the second night after surgery was increased, the proportion of rapid eye movement sleep on the second night after surgery was decreased, the scores for items on " getting support from hospital doctors and nurses", " feeling comfortable and in control", and " having a feeling of general well-being" and the total score of Quality of Recovery-15 were significantly decreased at 24 and 48 h after operation, and the score for items on " feeling rested" and " have had a good sleep" at 48 h after surgery was decreased in group D ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Pediatric patients with snoring have poor quality of early sleep and rehabilitation after day surgery compared with routine surgery.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of buccal acupuncture on analgesia after tonsilloadenoidectomy in pediatric patients.Methods:This was a randomized controlled study. One hundred and twenty-six American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ pediatric patients, aged 3-12 yr, weighing 12-34 kg, with body mass index <30 kg/m 2, undergoing elective tonsilloadenoidectomy with general anesthesia, were divided into 2 groups ( n=63 each) by the random number table method: buccal acupuncture group (group B) and control group (group C). All pediatric patients received the same anesthesia induction and intraoperative anesthesia maintenance. The concentration of sevoflurane was adjusted to keep the fluctuation amplitude of vital sign parameters within 20% of the baseline value. After surgery, the drug was immediately stopped and the children were transferred to the postanesthesia care unit for resuscitation under general anesthesia. In group B, the bilateral neck points, upper neck points, hologram points on the head and Zhongjiao points were selected before removal of the tracheal catheter, and disposable acupuncture needles were inserted directly into the acupoints and remained for 20-30 min. Group C received no buccal acupuncture. The pain Assessment Scale (FLACC) was used to assess the severity of postoperative pain. The postoperative agitation score was evaluated by Aono four-point rating method to evaluate the occurrence of agitation. The effective pressing times of patient-controlled analgesia, rescue analgesia and occurrence of nausea and vomiting within 48 h after operation were recorded. The occurrence of bleeding, infection and broken needle at acupuncture sites was recorded. Results:Compared with group C, the effective pressing times of patient-controlled analgesia and incidence of nausea and vomiting were significantly decreased in group B ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the rate of rescue analgesia and incidence of postoperative agitation between the two groups ( P>0.05). No infection or broken needle was found at acupuncture sites after buccal acupuncture, only 2 cases had slight bleeding at the puncture site, and there was no abnormality after pressing in group B. Conclusions:Buccal acupuncture can enhance the analgesic effect after tonsilloadenoidectomy in pediatric patients.

Tear film hyperosmolarity plays a core role in the development of dry eye disease (DED) by mediating the disruption of ocular surface homeostasis and triggering inflammation in ocular surface epithelium. In this study, the mechanisms involving the hyperosmolar microenvironment, glycolysis mediating metabolic reprogramming, and pyroptosis were explored clinically, in vitro, and in vivo. Data from DED clinical samples indicated that the expression of glycolysis and pyroptosis-related genes, including PKM2 and GSDMD, was significantly upregulated and that the secretion of IL-1β significantly increased. In vitro, the indirect coculture of macrophages derived from THP-1 and human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) was used to discuss the interaction among cells. The hyperosmolar environment was found to greatly induce HCECs' metabolic reprogramming, which may be the primary cause of the subsequent inflammation in macrophages upon the activation of the related gene and protein expression. 2-Deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) could inhibit the glycolysis of HCECs and subsequently suppress the pyroptosis of macrophages. In vivo, 2-DG showed potential efficacy in relieving DED activity and could significantly reduce the overexpression of genes and proteins related to glycolysis and pyroptosis. In summary, our findings suggested that hyperosmolar-induced glycolytic reprogramming played an active role in promoting DED inflammation by mediating pyroptosis.

Objective: To observe the effect of moxibustion on the colonic mucosal barrier of rats with ulcerative colitis (UC) induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Methods: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group and a modeling group, with 20 rats in each group. Rats in the modeling group were subjected to preparing experimental UC models by drinking 4％ DSS for seven consecutive days. Two modeled rats and two normal rats were randomly selected for model identification. After the success of UC model was confirmed, the remaining 18 modeled rats were randomly divided into three groups, a model group, a model + herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, and a model + mild moxibustion group, with six rats in each group; the remaining normal rats were randomly divided into three groups, a normal group, a normal + herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, and a normal + mild moxibustion group, with six rats in each group. After 7 d of intervention with the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion or the mild moxibustion, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining technique was used to observe the pathological changes of colon tissue under a light microscope; Western blotting and/or immunohistochemical techniques were used to detect the protein expression levels of Occludin, Claudin, junction adhesion molecular 1 (JAM1), mucin 2 (MUC2), and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) in rat colon tissue. Results: Compared with the normal group, the colon tissue was severely damaged, the pathological score was significantly increased, and the protein expression levels of Occludin, Claudin, JAM1, MUC2, and TGF-β1 were significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.01); while there were no significant differences in the colonic histopathological score, protein expression levels of Occludin, Claudin, JAM1, MUC2, and TGF-β1 in the normal + herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the normal + mild moxibustion group (P>0.05). Compared with the model group, the model + herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the model + mild moxibustion group showed repaired colon tissue, ulcer healing, significantly reduced pathological score, and significantly increased protein expression levels of JAM1, MUC2, and TGF-β1 (P<0.05); the Occludin protein expression level in the colon tissue of the model + mild moxibustion group was increased (P<0.01). Conclusion: Neither herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion nor mild moxibustion influences the colonic histopathology and intestinal mucosal barrier-related protein expression in the normal rats; both herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion and mild moxibustion can up-regulate the protein expression levels of JAM1, MUC2, and TGF-β1 in the colon tissue of UC rats. Mild moxibustion can up-regulate Occludin protein expression. This may be a mechanism of moxibustion in reducing colonic mucosa inflammation in UC.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of auricular acupoint pressure therapy combined with intranasal dexmedetomidine for transthoracic echocardiography in pediatric patients.Methods:A total of 117 pediatric patients with congenital heart disease, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ, aged 3-36 months, weighing 5-20 kg, scheduled for elective transthoracic echocardiography under outpatient sedation, were selected.Transthoracic echocardiography was performed under sedation using intranasally administered dexmedetomidine or using auricular acupoint pressure therapy combined with intranasal dexmedetomidine.The interval between the two sedation methods was at least 1 week.Intranasal dexmedetomidine: Dexmedetomidine 3 μg/kg was administered to both nostrils via a nebulizer, with 1/2 dose in each nostril.Intranasal dexmedetomidine combined with auricular acupoint pressure: auricular acupressure with Wang Bu Liu Xing (semen vaccariae) seeds was used at the auricular acupoints.After each acupoint was rubbed for about 1 min, dexmedetomidine 3 μg/kg was administered to both nostrils via a nebulizer, with 1/2 dose in each nostril.After the examination, auricular acupoint pressure therapy was continued at home, and pressing-rubbing at the acupoints was manipulated for 3 times daily, one of which was performed at 30 min before going to bed, for 3 consecutive days.When the University of Michigan Sedation Scale score≥2 and body movement score ≥2 within 30 min after giving dexmedetomidine, sedation was considered to be successful.The onset time of sedation, examination time, waiting time, recovery time and the success of sedation were recorded.The incidence of adverse reactions such as bradycardia, hypotension, hypertension, hypoxemia, nausea and vomiting, respiratory depression, restlessness, hyperactivity, action imbalances and allergic reaction were recorded within 24 h after administration of dexmedetomidine.Time to recovery and improvement of sleep quality at night were recorded.Results:Compared with intranasal dexmedetomidine, the successful rate of sedation and incidence of improvement of sleep quality at night were significantly increased ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in adverse reactions using intranasal dexmedetomidine combined with auricular acupoint pressure ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Intranasal dexmedetomidine combined with auricular acupoint pressure therapy can increase the successful rate of sedation and improve the sleep quality at night in pediatric patients undergoing transthoracic echocardiography when compared to intranasal dexmedetomidine.

Background: Studies have shown that abnormal expression of circular RNA (circRNA) is closely related to the development, progress and prognosis of a variety of tumors, and is an ideal diagnostic indicator and therapeutic target. However, the role of circRNA in the development and progress of pancreatic cancer needs to be further explored. Aims: To investigate the expression of circ-RANBP1 in pancreatic cancer tissue and its effect on pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Methods: The expression of circ-RANBP1 in pancreatic cancer tissue and normal para-cancerous tissue was detected by in situ hybridization. MIA PaCa-2 cells and SW 1990 cells were cultured, and transfected with knockdown oligomer and overexpressed plasmid of circ-RANBP1, respectively, and corresponding control groups were served. Expression of circ-RANBP1 in pancreatic cancer cells was detected by qRT-PCR. EdU method was used to detect the effect of circ-RANBP1 on cell proliferation. Transwell assay was used to detect the effect of circ-RANBP1 on cell migration and invasion. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to detect the effect of circ-RANBP1 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Angiogenesis assay was used to explore the effect of circ-RANBP1 on angiogenesis ability. Results: The expression of circ-RANBP1 was significantly increased in pancreatic cancer tissue when compared with paired normal tissues, and was closely associated with poor prognosis of patients. Circ-RANBP1 knockdown inhibited the proliferation of MIA PaCa-2 cells, while overexpression of circ-RANBP1 promoted the proliferation of SW 1990 cells. Compared with control group, circ-RANBP1 knockdown suppressed the migration and invasion of MIA PaCa-2 cells, and overexpression of circ-RANBP1 promoted the migration and invasion of SW 1990 cells. Knockdown of circ-RANBP1 could inhibit EMT, while circ-RANBP1 overexpression showed opposite effect. Inhibition of circ-RANBP1 significantly reduced angiogenesis, while overexpression of circ-RANBP1 significantly enhanced angiogenesis. Conclusions: Circ-RANBP1 is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer tissue, and can promote the proliferation, migration, invasion, EMT and angiogenesis of pancreatic cancer cells.

Objective To evaluate the effects of different fluid therapy protocols on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in pediatric patients undergoing ambulatory surgery.Methods A total of 160 pediatric patients,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,aged 3-7 yr,weighing 14-24 kg,with body mass index ＜30 kg/m2,undergoing elective lower abdominal ambulatory surgery,were randomized into Ⅰ and Ⅱ groups (n=80 each) using a random number table method.Lactated Ringer's solution 10 ml · kg-1 · h-1 and 30 ml · kg-1 · h-1 were intravenously infused in group Ⅰ and group Ⅱ,respectively.Ibuprofen 20 mg/kg was given orally after operation to maintain Face Legs Activity Cry Consolability score ＜4.The development of PONV and thirst and requirement for antiemetics was recorded within 24 h postoperatively.The time of first PONV,time of first thirst and score for satisfaction of family members were also recorded.Results Compared with group Ⅰ,the incidence of PONV and thirst was significantly decreased,the time of first requirement for antiemetics and time of first thirst were prolonged,and the score for satisfaction of family members was increased (P＜ 0.05),and no significant change was found in the requirement for antiemetics in group Ⅱ (P＞0.05).Conclusion Intravenously infusing fluid 30 ml · kg-1 · h-1 can decrease the occurrence of PONV when compared with intravenously infusing fluid 10 ml · kg-1 · h-1 in pediatric patients undergoing ambulatory surgery.