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.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a global public health concern characterized by repeated upper airway collapse during sleep. Research indicates that OSA is a risk factor for the development of various diseases, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, respiratory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Exosomes, extracellular vesicles released by most cell types, play a key role in intercellular communication by transporting their contents-such as microRNA, messenger RNA, DNA, proteins, and lipids-to target cells. Intermittent hypoxia associated with OSA alters circulating exosomes and promotes a range of cellular structural and functional disturbances involved in the pathogenesis of OSA-related diseases. This review discusses the potential roles of exosomes and exosome-derived molecules in the onset and progression of OSA-associated diseases, explores the possible underlying mechanisms, and highlights novel strategies for developing exosome-based therapies for these conditions.
Humans ; Exosomes/physiology* ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/metabolism* ; Animals ; MicroRNAs/metabolism*

Objective To predict the core targets and action pathways of Hedysari Radix based on UPLC-MS/MS and network pharmacology methods,and to verify the results of network pharmacology by molecular docking and molecular dynamics techniques.This article aims to investigate immune regulation mechanism of effective components absorbed into blood from Hedysari Radix.Methods Qualitative quantification of effective components absorbed into blood from Hedysari Radix were operated by using UPLC-MS/MS technique.The corresponding targets of effective components absorbed into blood from Hedysari Radix were screened by TCMSP and HERB databases.Targets of immune-related disease were obtained through DisGeNET,OMIM,TTD,and MalaCards databases.The network of"components absorbed into blood from Hedysari Radix-immune-related diseases"was then constructed.GO and KEGG enrichment analysis and mapped the PPI network were performed.Molecular docking and molecular dynamics techniques were applied for validation.Results A total of 8 prototype components absorbed into blood,synergistically acting on 101 targets,were identified by UPLC-MS/MS.They mediated 538 biological processes including immune response,positive regulation of gene expression,receptor binding,and cytokine activity.Meanuhile,116 signaling pathways,such as HIF-1,Toll-like receptor,JAK-STAT,T cell receptor,PI3K-Akt,and FoxO etc.were involved.The core targets were MAPK14,PTGS2,MMP9,PPARG,CCND1,etc..The results of molecular docking showed that formononetin and calycosin had strong docking binding activity with MAPK14.And molecular dynamics simulations further demonstrated that the binding between MAPK14 and formononetin or calycosin had good structural stability and binding affinity.Conclusion The results of serum pharmacochemistry,network pharmacology and molecular dynamics were verified to reveal the material basis and mechanism of Hedysari Radix in regulating immunity.The aim of this study is to provide scientific basis for its immunomodulatory mechanism.

BACKGROUND:The renin-angiotensin system plays a key role in the occurrence and development of hypertension,in which angiotensin(1-7)has antihypertensive effect and reversely regulates the adverse effects of angiotensin Ⅱ.Exercise rehabilitation therapy is an important non-pharmaceutical means to prevent and treat hypertension;however,whether angiotensin(1-7)and exercise have a synergistic effect is not yet clear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of angiotensin(1-7)supplementation combined with exercise therapy on cardiac remodeling in rats with renal hypertension and to investigate the possible mechanism of angiotensin(1-7)and its receptor signal axis. METHODS:Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were selected,of which 12 rats were randomly selected as normotensive group and the remaining 48 rats were used to make animal models of renal hypertension using two-kidney one-clip method and were then randomly divided into hypertension control group,hypertension exercise group,angiotensin(1-7)group and combined treatment group.One week after successful modeling,different interventions were given(for a period of 6 weeks)as follows:the hypertension exercise group was subjected to a running training on an electric treadmill,the angiotensin(1-7)group was perfused with angiotensin(1-7)by implanting Alzet microosmotic pump subcutaneously on the back of the rats,and the combined treatment group was perfused with angiotensin(1-7)after running training,while the normotensive group and hypertension control group were caged quietly.At 48 hours after the last training session,the tail artery blood pressure was measured with a non-invasive sphygmomanometer;the heart structure and function were detected by echocardiography;the left ventricular myocardium was taken for histopathological observation by hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining,and the cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area and collagen volume fraction were obtained by image analysis software as markers of myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis,respectively;the content of angiotensin(1-7)in the heart was detected by high performance liquid chromatography;the mRNA expression of cardiac embryonic genes,atrial natriuretic peptide and β-myosin heavy chain,was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR;and the protein expression of cardiac Mas receptor,angiotensin Ⅱ type 2 receptor and endothelial nitric oxide synthase was measured by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the normotensive group,blood pressure increased(P<0.05),cardiac function had no significant changes(P>0.05),cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area and collagen volume fraction increased(P<0.05),mRNA expression of atrial natriuretic peptide and β-myosin heavy chain was upregulated(P<0.05),angiotensin(1-7)content and protein expression of Mas receptor,angiotensin Ⅱ type 2 receptor and endothelial nitric oxide synthase was downregulated(P<0.05)in the hypertension control group.Compared with the hypertension control group,blood pressure decreased(P<0.05),cardiac function improved(P<0.05),collagen volume fraction decreased(P<0.05),cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area and angiotensin(1-7)content showed no significant changes(P>0.05),mRNA expression of atrial natriuretic peptide and β-myosin heavy chain was downregulated(P<0.05),and the protein expression of Mas receptor,angiotensin Ⅱ type 2 receptor and endothelial nitric oxide synthase was upregulated(P<0.05)in the hypertension exercise group;except for an increase in myocardial angiotensin(1-7)content(P<0.05),other parameters had no statistical significance(P>0.05)in the hypertension angiotensin(1-7)group.Compared with the hypertension exercise group,blood pressure decreased(P<0.05),cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area and cardiac function had no significant changes(P>0.05),collagen volume fraction decreased(P<0.05),angiotensin(1-7)content increased(P<0.05),mRNA expression of atrial natriuretic peptide and β-myosin heavy chain was downregulated(P<0.05),and the protein expression of Mas receptor,angiotensin Ⅱ type 2 receptor and endothelial nitric oxide synthase was upregulated(P<0.05)in the combined treatment group.To conclude,supplementation of angiotensin(1-7)alone cannot improve cardiac remodeling in rats with renal hypertension,but it can enhance the efficacy of exercise.The mechanism is related to the improvement of angiotensin(1-7)receptor deficiency and restoration of its signaling pathway function.

Objective:To analyze human factors in radiotherapy safety incidents and identify their correction for the purpose of mining the latent incident chains.Methods:A total of 60 radiotherapy safety incidents were included in the Radiation Oncology Incident Learning System (ROILS) for cause identification and frequency statistics using the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS). Latent class analysis (LCA) was performed for the result to correlate the incident causes.Results:Incidents in the protocol design stage were the most common, accounting for 35%. Adverse organizational climate, inadequate supervision, and personnel factors were the primary causes of incidents at each level of the HFACS, accounting for 4.66%, 15.68%, and 16.20%, respectively. Three latent incident chains were identified through LCA, comprising two originating from organizational climate issues and one from organizational process issues, which were passed down via various human factors or " loopholes"Conclusions:HFACS assists in tracing the human factors at all levels that lead to radiotherapy safety incidents. The high-frequency causes and three latent chains of radiotherapy incidents found in this study can provide a guide for the development of targeted safety and defense measures.