Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder affecting a substantial proportion of women of reproductive age. It is frequently associated with ovulatory dysfunction, infertility, and an increased risk of chronic metabolic diseases. A hallmark pathological feature of PCOS is the arrest of follicular development, closely linked to impaired intercellular communication between the oocyte and surrounding granulosa cells. Transzonal projections (TZPs) are specialized cytoplasmic extensions derived from granulosa cells that penetrate the zona pellucida to establish direct contact with the oocyte. These structures serve as essential conduits for the transfer of metabolites, signaling molecules (e.g., cAMP, cGMP), and regulatory factors (e.g., microRNAs, growth differentiation factors), thereby maintaining meiotic arrest, facilitating metabolic cooperation, and supporting gene expression regulation in the oocyte. The proper formation and maintenance of TZPs depend on the cytoskeletal integrity of granulosa cells and the regulated expression of key connexins, particularly CX37 and CX43. Recent studies have revealed that in PCOS, TZPs exhibit significant structural and functional abnormalities. Contributing factors—such as hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and dysregulation of critical signaling pathways (including PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β‑catenin, and MAPK/ERK)—collectively impair TZP integrity and reduce their formation. This disruption in granulosa-oocyte communication compromises oocyte quality and contributes to follicular arrest and anovulation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of TZP biology, including their formation mechanisms, molecular composition, and stage-specific dynamics during folliculogenesis. We highlight the pathological alterations in TZPs observed in PCOS and elucidate how endocrine and metabolic disturbances—particularly androgen excess and hyperinsulinemia—downregulate CX43 expression and impair gap junction function, thereby exacerbating ovarian microenvironmental dysfunction. Furthermore, we explore emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving or restoring TZP integrity. Anti-androgen therapies (e.g., spironolactone, flutamide), insulin sensitizers (e.g., metformin), and GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., liraglutide) have shown potential in modulating connexin expression and enhancing granulosa-oocyte communication. In addition, agents such as melatonin, AMPK activators, and GDF9/BMP15 analogs may promote TZP formation and improve oocyte competence. Advanced technologies, including ovarian organoid models and CRISPR-based gene editing, offer promising platforms for studying TZP regulation and developing targeted interventions. In summary, TZPs are indispensable for maintaining follicular homeostasis, and their disruption plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of PCOS-related folliculogenesis failure. Targeting TZP integrity represents a promising therapeutic avenue in PCOS management and warrants further mechanistic and translational investigation.

BACKGROUND: The available evidence regarding the benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on patients receiving dialysis with coronary artery disease (CAD) is limited and inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the association between PCI and clinical outcomes as compared with medical therapy alone in patients undergoing dialysis with CAD in China. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective study was conducted in 30 tertiary medical centers across 12 provinces in China from January 2015 to June 2021 to include patients on dialysis with CAD. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke. Secondary outcomes included all-cause death, the individual components of MACE, and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium criteria types 2, 3, or 5 bleeding. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between PCI and outcomes. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and propensity score matching (PSM) were performed to account for potential between-group differences. RESULTS: Of the 1146 patients on dialysis with significant CAD, 821 (71.6%) underwent PCI. After a median follow-up of 23.0 months, PCI was associated with a 43.0% significantly lower risk for MACE (33.9% [ n  = 278] vs . 43.7% [ n  = 142]; adjusted hazards ratio 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.45-0.71), along with a slightly increased risk for bleeding outcomes that did not reach statistical significance (11.1% vs . 8.3%; adjusted hazards ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval, 0.82-2.11). Furthermore, PCI was associated with a significant reduction in all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities. Subgroup analysis did not modify the association of PCI with patient outcomes. These primary findings were consistent across IPTW, PSM, and competing risk analyses. CONCLUSION This study indicated that PCI in patients on dialysis with CAD was significantly associated with lower MACE and mortality when comparing with those with medical therapy alone, albeit with a slightly increased risk for bleeding events that did not reach statistical significance.
Humans ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Coronary Artery Disease/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Renal Dialysis/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; China ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Treatment Outcome

Ferroptosis initiates membrane oxidative damage through lipid peroxidation and iron accumulation, and accumulates reactive oxygen species (ROS) during aplastic anemia (AA). Ferroptosis induces damage and apoptosis of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem cells, blood cells, and T lymphocytes through various pathways, inhibits bone marrow hematopoiesis, damages bone marrow microenvironment, exacerbates immune imbalance, leading to bone marrow failure and disease progression. Therefore, further exploring the ferroptosis mechanism in AA can help clarify the pathogenesis of disease and provide new research ideas and directions for the treatment of AA.
Anemia, Aplastic/metabolism* ; Humans ; Ferroptosis ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Apoptosis

BACKGROUND: Depression among older adults is an important public health issue, and air and noise pollution have been found to contribute to exacerbation of depressive symptoms. This study examined the association of exposure to air and noise pollutants with clinically-newly-diagnosed depressive disorder. The mediating role of individual pro-inflammatory markers was explored. METHODS: We linked National Health Insurance claim data with 2998 healthy community-dwellers aged 55 and above who participated in the Healthy Aging Longitudinal Study between 2009 and 2013. Newly diagnosed depressive disorder was identified using diagnostic codes from the medical claim data. Pollutants were estimated using nationwide land use regression, including PM_2.5 and PM₁₀, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and road traffic noise. Cox proportional hazard models were employed to examine the association between pollutants and newly developed depressive disorders. The mediating effect of serum pro-inflammatory biomarkers on the relationship was examined. RESULTS: Among the 2998 participants, 209 had newly diagnosed depressive disorders. In adjusted Cox proportional hazard models, one interquartile range increase in PM_2.5 (8.53 µg/m³) was associated with a 17.5% increased hazard of developing depressive disorders. Other air pollutants and road traffic noise were not linearly associated with depressive disorder incidence. Levels of serum tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 mediated the relationship between PM_2.5 and survival time to newly onset depressive disorder. CONCLUSION PM_2.5 is related to an increased risk of newly developed depressive disorder among middle-aged and older adults, and the association is partially mediated by the pro-inflammatory marker TNF-R1.
Humans ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Longitudinal Studies ; Aged ; Incidence ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Taiwan/epidemiology* ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I/blood* ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Depression/epidemiology* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Depressive Disorder/chemically induced* ; Risk Factors ; Air Pollution/adverse effects*

OBJECTIVES: To determine the pharmacological impact of hesperidin, the main component of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, on depressive behavior and elucidate the mechanism by which hesperidin treats depression, focusing on the gut-brain axis. METHODS: Fifty-four Sprague Dawley male rats were randomly allocated to 6 groups using a random number table, including control, model, hesperidin, probiotics, fluoxetine, and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium groups. Except for the control group, rats in the remaining 5 groups were challenged with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for 21 days and housed in single cages. The sucrose preference test (SPT), immobility time in the forced swim test (FST), and number in the open field test (OFT) were performed to measure the behavioral changes in the rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in brain tissue, and the histopathology was performed to evaluate the changes of colon tissue, together with sequencing of the V3-V4 regions of 16S rRNA gene on feces to explore the changes of intestinal flora in the rats. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the rats in the model group showed notable reductions in body weight, SPF, and number in OFT (P<0.01). Hesperidin was found to ameliorate depression induced by CUMS, as seen by improvements in body weight, SPT, immobility time in FST, and number in OFT (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Regarding neurotransmitters, it was found that at a dose of 50 mg/kg hesperidin treatment upregulated the levels of 5-HT and BDNF in depressed rats (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the colon tissue of the model group exhibited greater inflammatory cell infiltration, with markedly reduced numbers of goblet cells and crypts and were significantly improved following treatment with hesperidin. Simultaneously, the administration of hesperidin demonstrated a positive impact on the gut microbiome of rats treated with CUMS, such as Shannon index increased and Simpson index decreased (P<0.01), while the abundance of Pseudomonadota and Bacteroidota increased in the hesperidin-treated group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The mechanism responsible for the beneficial effects of hesperidin on depressive behavior in rats may be related to inhibition of the expressions of BDNF and 5-HT and preservation of the gut microbiota.
Animals ; Hesperidin/therapeutic use* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Depression/drug therapy* ; Male ; Stress, Psychological/drug therapy* ; Brain/metabolism* ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism* ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Behavior, Animal/drug effects* ; Rats ; Brain-Gut Axis/drug effects* ; Chronic Disease ; Colon/drug effects*

Colorectal tumorigenesis generally progresses from adenoma to adenocarcinoma, accompanied by dynamic changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME). A randomized controlled trial has confirmed the efficacy and safety of Shen-Bai-Jie-Du decoction (SBJDD) in preventing colorectal tumorigenesis. However, the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to investigate the dynamic evolution of the TME and validated cell infiltration with multiplex immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Bulk RNA sequencing was utilized to assess the underlying mechanisms. Our results constructed the mutually verifiable single-cell transcriptomic atlases in Apc ^Min/+ mice and clinical patients. There was a marked accumulation of CCL22⁺ dendritic cells (DCs) and an enhanced immunosuppressive action, which SBJDD and berberine reversed. Combined treatment with cholesterol and lipopolysaccharide induced characteristic gene expression of CCL22⁺ DCs, which may represent "exhausted DCs". Intraperitoneal injection of these DCs after SBJDD treatment eliminated its therapeutic effects. TMEM131 derived CCL22⁺ DCs generation by TNF signaling pathway and may be a potential target of berberine in retarding colorectal tumorigenesis. These findings emphasize the role of exhausted DCs and the regulatory mechanisms of SBJDD and berberine in colorectal cancer (CRC), suggesting that the multi-component properties of SBJDD may help restore TME homeostasis and offer novel cancer therapy.

Objective: To analyze the use of preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among male students who had sex with men (MSM) with different sexual behavior patterns using potential categories, so as to provide evidence for determining the use patterns of PrEP consistent with MSM. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted by proportional sampling method on MSM in 31 provincial administrative regions in mainland China from 20 October to 30 December 2021, a total of 1 040 students were selected for the study. Latent variable analyses were conducted on a total of seven sexual behavioral characteristics, including knowledge of sexual partner HIV infection, frequency of condom use, number of sexual partners, engaging in group sex, provision of commercial sex, use of sex aids, and history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the past year. And demographic characteristics were analyzed by Logistic regression analysis. The rates of PrEP awareness, willingness to use and usage rate in different sexual behavior risk groups were investigated. Results: Student MSM could be divided into two potential category groups:a lowrisk behavior group (82.4%) and a highrisk behavior group (17.6%). The PrEP usage rate (15.8%) was higher in the highrisk behavior group, and the difference was statistically significant compared to the lowrisk behavior group (7.2%) (χ2=13.43, P<0.05). Student MSM residing in the northeast, south, and northwest of China, in the pilot city, and with a sex role of "0.5" (possible acceptance and insertion of sexual behavior) were more likely to be in the highrisk behavior group (OR=3.13, 3.07, 3.87, 2.22, 1.66, P<0.05). Conclusion Student MSM in highrisk and lowrisk sexual differs in the behavior of PrEP, and targeted interventions should be implemented to promote the use of PrEP and reduce HIV infection in this population.

BACKGROUND:The application of miniscrew in adolescents is increasing day by day,but at present,there are few studies on bone mass in the external oblique line of the mandible in adolescents at home and abroad,and there is no systematic study on bone mass in the external oblique line of the mandible in adolescents in different growth and development periods. OBJECTIVE:To measure the bone mass in the external oblique line of the mandible in adolescents with different cervical vertebral bone ages using a cone-beam CT and to investigate the difference of bone mass in the external oblique line of the mandible in adolescents with different cervical vertebral bone ages and the correlation between bone mass in this area and the cervical vertebral bone age. METHODS:The cone-beam CT data of 105 adolescent patients before orthodontic treatment were collected and divided into CS3 group(n=24),CS4 group(n=26),CS5 group(n=29)and CS6 group(n=26)using the cervical vertebral maturation method.The adolescent mandibular buccal shelf was reconstructed by Mimics Medical 21.0 software.The width of buccal bone at 6 and 11 mm under the cemento-enamel junction and the bone height at 4 and 5 mm buccal to the cemento-enamel junction of right mandibular first and second molars were measured.The measured data were statistically analyzed.The measurement was made on four planes:plane 1 is the plane where the proximal mesial root of the mandibular right first molar is located;plane 2 is the plane where the distal mesial root of the mandibular right first molar is located;plane 3 is the plane where the proximal mesial root of the mandibular right second molar is located;and plane 4 is the plane where the distal mesial root of the mandibular right second molar is located. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In each group,the bone width on the buccal side of the external oblique line increased gradually from the first molar proximally to the second molar distally in adolescents,and the width of buccal bone at 6 and 11 mm under the cemento-enamel junction showed significant difference among different layers(P<0.05).The bone width of buccal bone at 11 mm under the cemento-enamel junction was greater than that at 6 mm.The bone height on the buccal side of the external oblique line increased gradually from the first molar proximally to the second molar distally in all four groups,and the bone height at 4 and 5 mm buccal to the cemento-enamel junction showed significant differences at different layers(P<0.05).The bone height at 4 mm buccal to the cemento-enamel junction was greater than that at 5 mm.On the fourth plane,the bone width at 11 mm buccal to the cemento-enamel junction was smaller in the CS3,CS4,and CS5 groups than in the CS6 group(P<0.05).On the third plane,the bone heights at 4 mm and 5 mm buccal to the cemento-enamel junction were smaller in the CS3 and CS4 groups than in the CS6 group(P<0.05).On the fourth plane,the bone height at 5 mm buccal to the cemento-enamel junction was smaller in the CS3 and CS4 groups than in the CS6 group(P<0.05).On the fourth plane,the bone height at 4 mm buccal to the cemento-enamel junction was smaller in the CS3 group than in the CS6 group(P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was no correlation between bone mass and the cervical vertebral bone age,except that there was a weak correlation between bone mass at some measurement sites and cervical vertebral bone age.To conclude,the bone mass in the external oblique area of the mandible in adolescents does not change significantly with the increase of cervical vertebral bone age.The buccal side of the mesial root and distal root of the mandibular second molar in the external oblique area of CS3-CS6 adolescents meets the requirement of bone mass for miniscrew implantation,which is a site available for miniscrew implantation.

BACKGROUND:Traditional lateral cephalometric radiographs always suffer from some problems,such as magnification distortion,left and right overlap inconsistency and so on,while the cone-beam CT can truly display the three-dimensional structure of the craniofacial region.Performing three-dimensional reconstruction of cone-beam CT and then transforming the cone-beam CT in the selected area into the two-dimensional image can make the overlap between the left and right sides consistent and reduce the influence of surrounding tissue structures. OBJECTIVE:To explore the consistency of quantitative analysis of cervical vertebral bone age between two kinds of cone-beam CT transformed two-dimensional images with different integrated thicknesses and traditional lateral cephalometric radiographs. METHODS:The cone-beam CT and lateral cephalometric radiograph data of 118 adolescent orthodontic patients were collected.Firstly,the cone-beam CT image was reconstructed in 3D imaging software.After reconstruction,two types of cone-beam CT images with different integrated thicknesses were selected in the sagittal interface and transformed into two-dimensional images,which were named ICB-1 and ICB-2,respectively.The Zhibeiyun system was used to measure and calculate the angle between the concave base of the second cervical vertebra and the lower edge of the vertebral body(@2),the ratio of the third cervical spine to the posterior height(AH3/PH3),the ratio of height to width of the fourth cervical spine(H4/W4)in lateral cephalometric radiograph,ICB-1,ICB-2 and the cervical vertebral bone age.After an interval of two weeks,20 adolescents were randomly selected to repeat the above measurements.The intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC)method was used to evaluate the repeatability of the three images in measuring cervical bone age.Paired t-test was used to analyze the consistency of cervical bone age measurements between the three images.The Kappa test was used to analyze the consistency of cervical vertebral bone age staging assessment between the three images. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)ICC of AH3/PH3 in the lateral cephalometric radiograph group was<0.9,and the ICC of other measurement items in each group was>0.9.(2)Paired t-test results showed that there were statistical differences in AH3/PH3 and H4/W4 between the ICB-1 group and lateral cephalometric radiograph group and between the ICB-1 group and ICB-2 group(P<0.05),and there were no statistically significant differences in the other items between the three groups(P>0.05).(3)The Kappa test results showed that the Kappa coefficients of the two groups were all more than 0.8 according to the staging of cervical vertebral bone age in three groups(P<0.001).(4)It is indicated that the repeatability of ICB-1 and ICB-2 in the measurement of cervical vertebral bone age is better than that of lateral cephalometric radiographs.Lateral cephalometric radiographs,ICB-1 and ICB-2 have good consistency in the measurement of cervical vertebral bone age,but considering the integrity of cervical vertebra structure,ICB-2 is more suitable for quantitative analysis of cervical vertebral bone age than ICB-1.

Objective: To investigate the current situation and related factors of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV infected male students engaging in men who have sex with men (MSM), so as to provide the reference data for HIV prevention and treatment. Methods: In November 2021, 137 MSM students from 31 provincial administrative regions in China were recruited. An online survey was conducted to collect data on demographic characteristics, ART status, CD4 count, and HIV viral load before treatment. Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors related the effectiveness of ART in MSM. Results: Among the included research subjects, 14.6% had late detection of HIV,97.1% of participants were currently undergoing ART. Among those whose ART duration was less than 6 months, while 76.9% were undergoing ART. Logistic regression indicated that HIV infected students who received ART for more than 24 months ( OR =5.28, 95% CI =1.38-20.22) had a higher rate of successful HIV suppression. HIV infected students who reported physical sensory side effects ( OR =0.08, 95% CI =0.01-0.71) and cognitive side effects ( OR =0.28, 95% CI =0.09-0.90) were more likely to experience failure of ARI inhibition ( P <0.05). Conclusions There is still room for improvement in the efficacy of ART among MSM students. Strategies to improve treatment adherence must consider individual variances among HIV infected patients and the side effects of medications when designing treatment plans.