Imaging and observation of microcirculation in bowel mucosa using sidestream dark field imaging.

Sidestream dark field (SDF) imaging is a tool for assessing microcirculation, commonly used for early diagnosis and monitoring of sepsis. In this study, we used SDF imaging to observe and assess the microcirculation of the intestinal mucosa during bowel surgery. We also compared different performance between normal mucosa and diseased mucosa using SDF imaging.

The cross-regional settlement methods in hospitals and the treatment-seeking behavior of patients with malignant tumors in China: an evolutionary game model.

Background: Cross-regional settlement management is a key indicator of national health insurance system maturity. Given the significant demand for cross-regional medical treatment among Chinese patients with malignant tumors and the territorially managed health insurance system, further research is necessary to explore the relationship between hospital settlement methods and treatment-seeking behaviors among these patients. This study introduces and validates an evolutionary game model that provides a theoretical foundation for direct settlement policies in cross-regional treatment.

Reducing turnaround time for routine outpatient biochemical tests through Lean Six Sigma: A case study in China.

Background: Routine clinical biochemistry tests are crucial for clinical diagnostics and play a key role in enhancing outpatient turnover efficiency and patient satisfaction. This study aimed to implement Lean Six Sigma in the biochemistry laboratory of a hospital in China to improve efficiency and quality by reducing turnaround time.

Methods: The study was conducted from January to December 2023, using the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) framework, and employed tools such as the voice of the customer, Value Stream Mapping, '5 whys' technique, Nominal Group Technique, and Pareto chart.

Lactational exposure to Deoxynivalenol causes mammary gland injury via inducing inflammatory response and impairing blood-milk barrier integrity in mice.

Lactation is a unique physiological process to produce and secrete milk. Deoxynivalenol (DON) exposure during lactation has been demonstrated to affect adversely the growth development of offspring. However, the effects and potential mechanism of DON on maternal mammary glands remain largely unknown.

Effects of IL-11/IL-11 Receptor Alpha on Proliferation and Steroidogenesis in Ovarian Granulosa Cells of Dairy Cows.

Granulosa cells (GCs) are essential for follicular growth, oocyte maturation, and steroidogenesis in the ovaries. Interleukin (IL)-11 is known to play a crucial role in the decidualization of the uterus, however, the expression of the IL-11 system (IL-11, IL-11Rα, and gp130) in the bovine ovary and its exact role in GCs have not been extensively studied. In this study, we identified the IL-11 signaling receptor complex in the bovine ovary and investigated the regulatory effects and underlying mechanism of IL-11Rα on the proliferation and steroidogenesis of GCs.

Exploring Trimethyl-Phosphate-Based Electrolytes without a Carbonyl Group for Li-Rich Layered Oxide Positive Electrodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Li-rich layered oxides (LLOs) are one of the most attractive next-generation positive electrode materials as a result of their high energy density and low cost. However, the deterioration of cycling stability observed in LLOs remains one of the fundamental obstacles to commercialization. Carbonate-based electrolytes reacting with oxygen radicals evolved from the lattice of LLOs is the chief cause of their poor cyclability.

A honeybee stinger-inspired self-interlocking microneedle patch and its application in myocardial infarction treatment.

Weak tissue adhesion remains a major challenge in clinical translation of microneedle patches. Mimicking the structural features of honeybee stingers, stiff polymeric microneedles with unidirectionally backward-facing barbs were fabricated and embedded into various elastomer films to produce self-interlocking microneedle patches. The spirality of the barbing pattern was adjusted to increase interlocking efficiency.

Anti-Müllerian Hormone Inhibits FSH-Induced Cumulus Oocyte Complex In Vitro Maturation and Cumulus Expansion in Mice.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is secreted by the ovaries of female animals and exerts its biological effects through the type II receptor (AMHR2). AMH regulates follicular growth by inhibiting the recruitment of primordial follicles and reducing the sensitivity of antral follicles to FSH. Despite the considerable research on the actions of AMH in granulosa cells, the effect of AMH on the in vitro maturation of oocytes remains largely unknown.

Deoxynivalenol exposure inhibits biosynthesis of milk fat and protein by impairing tight junction in bovine mammary epithelial cells.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the most common feed contaminants, and it poses a serious threat to the health of dairy cows. The existing studies of biological toxicity of DON mainly focus on the proliferation, oxidative stress, and inflammation in bovine mammary epithelial cells, while its toxicity on the biosynthesis of milk components has not been well documented. Hence, we investigated the toxic effects and the underlying mechanism of DON on the bovine mammary alveolar cells (MAC-T).

Novel functional mutation of the PDIA3 gene affects milk composition traits in Chinese Holstein cattle.

Protein disulfide isomerase family A member 3 (PDIA3) is a multifunctional protein, and it plays a vital role in modulating various cell biological functions under physiological and pathological conditions. Our previous study on Mediterranean buffalo demonstrated that PDIA3 is a potential candidate gene associated with milk yield based on genome-wide association study analysis. However, the genetic effects of the PDIA3 gene on milk performance in dairy cattle and the corresponding mechanism have not been documented.

Synergistic Regulatory Effect of Inhibin and Anti-Müllerian Hormone on Fertility of Mice.

Inhibin (INH) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) are essential in ovarian folliculogenesis and play an inhibitory role in mammalian fertility. However, the interactive effect of INH and AMH on the animal reproduction remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the possible interaction and synergy between INH and AMH in steroidogenesis by primary granulosa cells, and investigate their synergistic effect on fertility in mice.

A network pharmacology approach to investigate the mechanism of Shuxuening injection in the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Shuxuening injection (SXNI), a popular herbal medicine, is an extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves (GBE), and is used to treat ischemic stroke (IS) in China. However, its specific active ingredients and molecular mechanisms in IS remain unclear.

Aim Of The Study: The purpose of the research is to identify the main active ingredients in GBE and explore its molecular mechanisms in the treatment of IS.

Triclocarban exposure affects mouse oocyte in vitro maturation through inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress.

Triclocarban (TCC), a broad-spectrum lipophilic antibacterial agent, is the main ingredient of personal and health care products. Nonetheless, its ubiquitous presence in the environment has been established to negatively affect the reproduction in humans and animals. In this work, we studied the possible toxic effects of TCC on mouse oocytes maturation in vitro.

Surface modification of silk fibroin fabric using layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte deposition and heparin immobilization for small-diameter vascular prostheses.

There is an urgent need to develop a biologically active implantable small-diameter vascular prosthesis with long-term patency. Silk-fibroin-based small-diameter vascular prosthesis is a promising candidate having higher patency rate; however, the surface modification is indeed required to improve its further hemocompatibility. In this study, silk fibroin fabric was modified by a two-stage process.