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ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with balance acupuncture treatment on sleep quality and psychology in patients after stroke.MethodsA total of 60 patients with post-stroke sleep disorder admitted at Xiangya Boai Rehabilitation Hospital were selected and randomly divided into three groups: rTMS group (psychotherapy+rTMS), balance acupuncture group (psychotherapy+balance acupuncture treatment), and combination group (psychotherapy +rTMS+balance acupuncture), with 20 cases in each group. All patients were treated for 4 weeks. The overall clinical efficacy was assessed at the end of the treatment course. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) and other indicators before and after treatment were observed as well as serum γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) level were detected in all patients.ResultsThe total effective rate was 75% (15/20) in the rTMS group, 73.68% (14/19) in the balance acupuncture group, and 100% (20/20) in the combination group. The total effective rate of the combination group was higher than that of the balance acupuncture group or the rTMS group (PP>0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the PSQI score of the three groups decreased significantly (PPP>0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the HAMA score of the three groups decreased significantly (PPP>0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the HAMD score of the three groups decreased significantly (PPP>0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the serum level of GABA in the three groups increased significantly (PPP>0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the serum level of 5-HT in the three groups increased significantly (PPP>0.05).ConclusionBoth rTMS and balance acupuncture therapy can improve sleep quality and psychology in patients after stroke. The combined group showed better therapeutic effects than the balance acupuncture group and rTMS group alone, which is conducive to synergistic enhancement and should be recommended for promotion and application.

Background: Central precocious puberty (CPP) is characterized by the premature activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, resulting in early onset of sexual development. The incidence of CPP has been rising in recent years, with approximately 90% of cases lacking a clearly identifiable etiology. While an association between precocious puberty and gut microbiota has been observed, the precise causal pathways and underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. The study aims to investigate the potential mechanisms through which gut microbiota imbalances may contribute to CPP. Methods: In this study, clinical information and fecal samples were collected from 50 CPP patients and 50 healthy control subjects. The fecal samples were analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing and UPLC−MS/MS metabolic analysis. Spearman correlation analysis was used to identify the relationships between gut microbiota and metabolites. Results: The gut microbiota composition in CPP patients was significantly different from that in healthy controls, characterized by an increased abundance of Faecalibacterium and a decreased abundance of Anaerotruncus. Additionally, significant differences were observed in metabolite composition between the CPP and control groups. A total of 51 differentially expressed metabolites were identified, with 32 showing significant upregulation and 19 showing significant downregulation in the CPP group. Furthermore, Spearman correlation analysis indicated that gut microbiota dysbiosis may contribute to altered metabolic patterns in CPP, given its involvement in the regulation of several metabolic pathways, including phenylalanine and tyrosine biosynthesis and metabolism, the citrate cycle (TCA cycle), glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism. Conclusions: The study revealed the gut microbial and metabolite characteristics of CPP patients by integrating microbiome and metabolomics analyses. Moreover, several key metabolic pathways involved in the onset and progression of CPP were identified, which were regulated by gut microbiota. These findings broaden the current understanding of the complex interactions between gut microbial metabolites and CPP, and provide new insights into the pathogenesis and clinical management of CPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining consumer satisfaction is crucial for the online knowledge payment industry. However, the roles of knowledge contributors in generating consumer satisfaction are not well understood. This study integrates the stereotype content model and social exchange theory to investigate the relationships between contributor stereotypes and consumer satisfaction, as well as the mediating mechanisms and moderating factors. The survey data was collected from 523 Chinese knowledge consumers via a professional survey platform and analysed by combining partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The PLS-SEM findings indicate that both warmth and competence of knowledge contributors positively affect consumer satisfaction, and emotional value has a stronger mediating effect in the impact of contributor warmth, whereas functional value has a stronger mediating effect in the impact of contributor competence. Moreover, the effects of contributor warmth and competence are moderated by consumer gender and motivation, and contributor warmth (vs. competence) is more important for females and consumers with hedonic-dominant motivation, while contributor competence (vs. warmth) is more important for males and consumers with utilitarian-dominant motivation. The fsQCA results reinforce the findings from SEM analysis and provide additional insights regarding the configurations of conditions leading to high consumer satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Root plays an important role in the growth and development of fruit trees; however, the molecular mechanisms behind the differences among rootstock varie-ties remain unclear. Methods: This study examined the effects of different rootstocks on root structure and the endogenous hormone content of 1-year old apple seedlings in combinations of Tianhong 2 (T2)/Malus robusta (HT), T2/G935, and T2/Jizhen 2 (J2). Results: The results showed that the T2/HT treatment had greater root length, surface area, volume, average diameter, tips and forks, followed by G935 and J2. In T2/HT leaves and roots, the indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellins (GA3) levels were highest, and the abscisic acid (ABA) levels were the lowest. A root transcriptome analysis detected 10,064, 10,511, and 8,719 differentially expressed genes in T2/HT vs. T2/G935, T2/HT vs. T2/J2, and T2/J2 vs. T2/G935, respectively. The analysis of Gene Ontology (GO) terms indicated a significant enrichment in biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that plant hormone signaling, MAPK signaling pathway–plant, and plant–pathogen interaction played important roles in differences in the rooting ability of different rootstocks. In addition, some key differential genes were associated with root growth and development and were involved in these metabolic pathways. This study is important for enriching theoretical studies of fruit tree roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]