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.

Objective:To compare the differences in breastfeeding rates and the incidence of clinical complications in very/extremely low birth weight infants with and without the use of donor milk banks.Methods:Before and after the establishment of the donor milk bank,a total of 279 very/extremely low birth weight infants who were hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit in a tertiary hospital in Beijing were selected.In the study,136 infants who did not receive donated breast-feeding were included in con-trol group and 143 infants who received donated breast-feeding were included in observation group.The clinical data of mothers and their infants were collected.The mother's information included gestational age,maternal comorbidities,and mode of delivery.Infant information includes gender,weight,gesta-tional age,duration of breastfeeding,total enteral feeding time,hospitalization time and incidence of complications(feeding intolerance,necrotizing enterocolitis,retinopathy of prematurity).Results:The maternal ages were(33.5±4.2)years in the observation group and(32.5±3.9)years in the con-trol group.Cesareans were performed in 95 cases(70.4％)and 81 cases(66.9％),respectively.The gestational ages of preterm infants were(29.2±2.1)weeks and(29.1±2.2)weeks,with birth weights of(1 140.5±247.1)g and(1 169.4±228.6)g,respectively.Newborn boys accounted for 72 cases(50.3％)in the observation group and 63 cases(46.3％)in the control group.No statistically significant differences were found in baseline characteristics between the two groups(all P＞0.05).After the use of donor milk banks,the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in very/low birth weight infants increased from 3.1％to 10.5％(x2=5.778,P=0.016)during hospitalization,the time to full enteral feeding was shortened from 13dto10d(Z=-4.567,P＜0.001),the first breastfeeding time was shortened from the third day of admission to the first day of admission(Z=-11.812,P＜0.001),the first breastfeeding of mother's own milk was extended from the third day of admission to the fourth day of admission(Z=-4.652,P＜0.001),and the incidence of feeding intolerance during hospitalization was reduced from 34.0％to 10.0％(x2=17.015,P＜0.001).There were no significant differences in the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis,late-onset sepsis,retinopathy of prematurity and total length of hospital stay(P＞0.05).Conclusion:The use of donor milk bank can improve the breastfeeding rate,shorten the time to first breastfeeding,and reduce the incidence of feeding intolerance in very/extremely low birth weight infants,which provides a reference for the clinical treatment of very/extremely low birth weight infants.

Objective To investigate programmed death including necroptosis,apoptosis,autophagy,ferroptosis,and pyroptosis in bone marrow megakaryocytes of mice during sepsis and its impact on platelet production capacity and coagulation function in mice.Methods C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a sham operation group(sham group)and a sepsis model group(CLP group).Peripheral blood platelets and coagulation function were measured by abdominal aortic blood sampling at 24 h postoperatively in both sham and CLP groups.After the mice were sacrificed,long bones of both lower limbs were taken,and bone marrow megakaryocytes were extracted using megakaryocyte separation solution and immunomagnetic bead separation.Laser confocal microscopy was used to observe the activation of programmed death-related marker molecules in mouse bone marrow megakaryocytes.Flow cytometry was used to detect programmed death rate,platelet production phenotype,and platelet surface markers(CD41,CD42b,CD61)of megakaryocytes.Western blotting was used to detect the expression of programmed death-related proteins in megakaryocytes.Results Compared with the sham group,the CLP group showed significant decreases in the number of platelets during acute sepsis(24 h)(P<0.000 1),significant increases in platelet distri-bution width(PDW)and mean platelet volume(MPV)(P<0.01),significant prolonging of thrombin time(TT),prothrombin time(PT),and activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT)(P<0.000 1,P<0.001,P<0.01),and significant reduction in fibrinogen(Fib)(P<0.000 1).Compared with the Con/sham group,the LPS/CLP group exhibited significant increases in the platelet production phenotype of megakaryocyte,the number of PLP in the supernatant,and the expression levels of platelet surface markers(CD41,CD42b,CD61).The rates of megakaryocyte necroptosis/apoptosis,pyroptosis,and ferroptosis were significantly elevated at 24 h post-CLP surgery.Laser confo-cal microscopy showed significant activation of LC3,P-MLKL,Caspase-1,and Fe2+in megakaryocytes of mice after CLP surgery.Western blotting results revealed that the CLP group exhibited a significant increase in the activa-tion rate of necroptosis-related protein P-MLKL(P<0.001),a significant increase in the cleavage of pyroptosis-related proteins GSDMD and GSDMD-N(P<0.01,P<0.001,respectively),a significant increase in the expres-sion of ferroptosis-related protein ACSL4(P<0.01),and a significant decrease in the expression of GPX4(P<0.01)compared to the sham group.Additionally,the CLP group demonstrated significant increases in the expression of apoptosis-related protein Bax,the cleavage of autophagy-related protein LC3B-Ⅱ,and the expression of P62(P<0.05,P<0.001,P<0.001,respectively).Inhibition of apoptosis with programmed cell death inhibitors decreased platelet production function of megakaryocyte,while inhibition of necroptosis and pyroptosis had limited effects on platelet production function of megakaryocyte.Inhibition of ferroptosis and autophagy enhanced platelet production function of megakaryocyte.Conclusion Significant programmed death of megakaryocytes was observed during the acute phase of sepsis(24 h).Among those megakaryocytes,apoptosis is an important mechanism for the differentia-tion of platelet production phenotype and increased platelet production capacity of megakaryocyte.Overactive autophagy and ferroptosis in megakaryocytes lead to megakaryocyte dysfunction,which is an important mechanism for coagulation abnormalities in sepsis.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin primarily synthesized through skin exposure to ultraviolet B irradiation and dietary intake.Its biological effects are not limited to the regulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism but also involve a variety of physiological functions such as immune modulation,anti-inflammation,and anti-tumor.In recent years,as research deepens,the role of the vitamin D signaling pathway in various diseases has been gradually revealed,and its regulatory mechanisms are complex and diverse.This paper systematically reviews the molecular mechanisms underlying the vitamin D signaling pathway,including the two-step hydroxylation activation process of vitamin D,the regulation of gene transcription mediated by the vitamin D receptor(VDR),the homeostatic regulation involving vitamin D-binding protein and metabolic enzymes such as 1α-hydroxylase and 24-hydroxylase,and interactions with other signaling pathways,including NF-κB,Wnt,and Hedgehog.This study highlights the role of vitamin D in various multi-system diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease,diabetes and its complications,obesity,cardiovascular disease,colorectal cancer,breast cancer,among others.The systematic cognitive framework for understanding the vitamin D signaling pathway was conducted,providing a theoretical basis for precision treatment strategies targeting VDR.

The application of genetic testing technologies in assisted reproduction, such as preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and carrier screening for monogenic diseases, has provided infertile couples with more reproductive options and played a crucial role in the prevention of genetic disorders, significantly improving reproductive health. However, the widespread use of these technologies has also raised various ethical challenges, including the uncertainty of mosaic embryo transfer and its implications for reproductive rights, the cost-effectiveness debate surrounding PGT for structural rearrangement for chromosomal inversion carriers, the predictive accuracy and ethical boundaries of polygenic embryo screening, and the ethical concerns related to extensive carrier screening, such as information overload, restricted informed choice, disputes over screening scope, and disparities in healthcare access. The reproductive medicine ethics committee plays a central role in addressing these challenges by overseeing ethical reviews of technological applications, ensuring patients' informed consent, balancing technological innovation with ethical responsibility, and promoting social equity. This article explores the ethical challenges brought by the application of technologies such as PGT and carrier screening in assisted reproduction, and proposes corresponding suggestions based on ethical principles framework, in order to promote the standardized application of genetic testing technology in reproductive medicine.

The application of genetic testing technologies in assisted reproduction, such as preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and carrier screening for monogenic diseases, has provided infertile couples with more reproductive options and played a crucial role in the prevention of genetic disorders, significantly improving reproductive health. However, the widespread use of these technologies has also raised various ethical challenges, including the uncertainty of mosaic embryo transfer and its implications for reproductive rights, the cost-effectiveness debate surrounding PGT for structural rearrangement for chromosomal inversion carriers, the predictive accuracy and ethical boundaries of polygenic embryo screening, and the ethical concerns related to extensive carrier screening, such as information overload, restricted informed choice, disputes over screening scope, and disparities in healthcare access. The reproductive medicine ethics committee plays a central role in addressing these challenges by overseeing ethical reviews of technological applications, ensuring patients' informed consent, balancing technological innovation with ethical responsibility, and promoting social equity. This article explores the ethical challenges brought by the application of technologies such as PGT and carrier screening in assisted reproduction, and proposes corresponding suggestions based on ethical principles framework, in order to promote the standardized application of genetic testing technology in reproductive medicine.

Objective:To compare the differences in breastfeeding rates and the incidence of clinical complications in very/extremely low birth weight infants with and without the use of donor milk banks.Methods:Before and after the establishment of the donor milk bank,a total of 279 very/extremely low birth weight infants who were hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit in a tertiary hospital in Beijing were selected.In the study,136 infants who did not receive donated breast-feeding were included in con-trol group and 143 infants who received donated breast-feeding were included in observation group.The clinical data of mothers and their infants were collected.The mother's information included gestational age,maternal comorbidities,and mode of delivery.Infant information includes gender,weight,gesta-tional age,duration of breastfeeding,total enteral feeding time,hospitalization time and incidence of complications(feeding intolerance,necrotizing enterocolitis,retinopathy of prematurity).Results:The maternal ages were(33.5±4.2)years in the observation group and(32.5±3.9)years in the con-trol group.Cesareans were performed in 95 cases(70.4％)and 81 cases(66.9％),respectively.The gestational ages of preterm infants were(29.2±2.1)weeks and(29.1±2.2)weeks,with birth weights of(1 140.5±247.1)g and(1 169.4±228.6)g,respectively.Newborn boys accounted for 72 cases(50.3％)in the observation group and 63 cases(46.3％)in the control group.No statistically significant differences were found in baseline characteristics between the two groups(all P＞0.05).After the use of donor milk banks,the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in very/low birth weight infants increased from 3.1％to 10.5％(x2=5.778,P=0.016)during hospitalization,the time to full enteral feeding was shortened from 13dto10d(Z=-4.567,P＜0.001),the first breastfeeding time was shortened from the third day of admission to the first day of admission(Z=-11.812,P＜0.001),the first breastfeeding of mother's own milk was extended from the third day of admission to the fourth day of admission(Z=-4.652,P＜0.001),and the incidence of feeding intolerance during hospitalization was reduced from 34.0％to 10.0％(x2=17.015,P＜0.001).There were no significant differences in the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis,late-onset sepsis,retinopathy of prematurity and total length of hospital stay(P＞0.05).Conclusion:The use of donor milk bank can improve the breastfeeding rate,shorten the time to first breastfeeding,and reduce the incidence of feeding intolerance in very/extremely low birth weight infants,which provides a reference for the clinical treatment of very/extremely low birth weight infants.

Objective To investigate programmed death including necroptosis,apoptosis,autophagy,ferroptosis,and pyroptosis in bone marrow megakaryocytes of mice during sepsis and its impact on platelet production capacity and coagulation function in mice.Methods C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a sham operation group(sham group)and a sepsis model group(CLP group).Peripheral blood platelets and coagulation function were measured by abdominal aortic blood sampling at 24 h postoperatively in both sham and CLP groups.After the mice were sacrificed,long bones of both lower limbs were taken,and bone marrow megakaryocytes were extracted using megakaryocyte separation solution and immunomagnetic bead separation.Laser confocal microscopy was used to observe the activation of programmed death-related marker molecules in mouse bone marrow megakaryocytes.Flow cytometry was used to detect programmed death rate,platelet production phenotype,and platelet surface markers(CD41,CD42b,CD61)of megakaryocytes.Western blotting was used to detect the expression of programmed death-related proteins in megakaryocytes.Results Compared with the sham group,the CLP group showed significant decreases in the number of platelets during acute sepsis(24 h)(P<0.000 1),significant increases in platelet distri-bution width(PDW)and mean platelet volume(MPV)(P<0.01),significant prolonging of thrombin time(TT),prothrombin time(PT),and activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT)(P<0.000 1,P<0.001,P<0.01),and significant reduction in fibrinogen(Fib)(P<0.000 1).Compared with the Con/sham group,the LPS/CLP group exhibited significant increases in the platelet production phenotype of megakaryocyte,the number of PLP in the supernatant,and the expression levels of platelet surface markers(CD41,CD42b,CD61).The rates of megakaryocyte necroptosis/apoptosis,pyroptosis,and ferroptosis were significantly elevated at 24 h post-CLP surgery.Laser confo-cal microscopy showed significant activation of LC3,P-MLKL,Caspase-1,and Fe2+in megakaryocytes of mice after CLP surgery.Western blotting results revealed that the CLP group exhibited a significant increase in the activa-tion rate of necroptosis-related protein P-MLKL(P<0.001),a significant increase in the cleavage of pyroptosis-related proteins GSDMD and GSDMD-N(P<0.01,P<0.001,respectively),a significant increase in the expres-sion of ferroptosis-related protein ACSL4(P<0.01),and a significant decrease in the expression of GPX4(P<0.01)compared to the sham group.Additionally,the CLP group demonstrated significant increases in the expression of apoptosis-related protein Bax,the cleavage of autophagy-related protein LC3B-Ⅱ,and the expression of P62(P<0.05,P<0.001,P<0.001,respectively).Inhibition of apoptosis with programmed cell death inhibitors decreased platelet production function of megakaryocyte,while inhibition of necroptosis and pyroptosis had limited effects on platelet production function of megakaryocyte.Inhibition of ferroptosis and autophagy enhanced platelet production function of megakaryocyte.Conclusion Significant programmed death of megakaryocytes was observed during the acute phase of sepsis(24 h).Among those megakaryocytes,apoptosis is an important mechanism for the differentia-tion of platelet production phenotype and increased platelet production capacity of megakaryocyte.Overactive autophagy and ferroptosis in megakaryocytes lead to megakaryocyte dysfunction,which is an important mechanism for coagulation abnormalities in sepsis.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin primarily synthesized through skin exposure to ultraviolet B irradiation and dietary intake.Its biological effects are not limited to the regulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism but also involve a variety of physiological functions such as immune modulation,anti-inflammation,and anti-tumor.In recent years,as research deepens,the role of the vitamin D signaling pathway in various diseases has been gradually revealed,and its regulatory mechanisms are complex and diverse.This paper systematically reviews the molecular mechanisms underlying the vitamin D signaling pathway,including the two-step hydroxylation activation process of vitamin D,the regulation of gene transcription mediated by the vitamin D receptor(VDR),the homeostatic regulation involving vitamin D-binding protein and metabolic enzymes such as 1α-hydroxylase and 24-hydroxylase,and interactions with other signaling pathways,including NF-κB,Wnt,and Hedgehog.This study highlights the role of vitamin D in various multi-system diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease,diabetes and its complications,obesity,cardiovascular disease,colorectal cancer,breast cancer,among others.The systematic cognitive framework for understanding the vitamin D signaling pathway was conducted,providing a theoretical basis for precision treatment strategies targeting VDR.