1.Eucommia ulmoides promotes alveolar bone formation in ovariectomized rats
Lin ZHENG ; Wenjun JIN ; Shanshan LUO ; Rui HUANG ; Jie WANG ; Yuting CHENG ; Zheqing AN ; Yue XIONG ; Zipeng GONG ; Jian LIAO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(6):1159-1167
BACKGROUND:Eucommia ulmoides has a certain osteogenic effect,which can promote the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts.However,it is unclear whether Eucommia ulmoides has effects on alveolar bone formation and Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the mechanism by which Eucommia ulmoides promotes alveolar bone formation in ovariectomized rats based on the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway. METHODS:Sixty female Sprague-Dawley rats were selected and randomly divided into five groups:blank control group,sham-operation group,model group,low-dose group Eucommia ulmoides group,and high-dose Eucommia ulmoides group,with twelve rats in each group.Osteoporosis animal models were constructed by bilateral oophorectomy in the model group and the low-dose and high-dose Eucommia ulmoides groups.The sham-operation group underwent the same method to remove adipose tissue of equal mass around the bilateral ovaries.Three months after surgery,the low-and high-dose Eucommia ulmoides groups were given 2.1 g/kg/d and 4.2 g/kg/d Eucommia ulmoides by gavage,respectively.The sham-operation group and model group were given the same amount of physiological saline by gavage.After 12 weeks of drug intervention,the changes in alveolar bone mass of rats in each group were observed through Micro-CT;hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological structural changes of alveolar bone in rats;enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the expression levels of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin in the serum of rats;western blot was used to detect the expression levels of β-Catenin and Frizzled9 receptor proteins in the alveolar bone of rats;and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of osteocalcin,Runt-related transcription factor 2(Runx2),alkaline phosphatase,β-catenin,and frizzled9 mRNAs in alveolar bone tissues of rats. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the blank control group,bone volume fraction,trabecular number,trabecular thickness,and bone mineral density were reduced in the model group(P<0.05),and trabecular separation was elevated(P<0.05).Pathological observation showed that the arrangement of trabeculae was disordered and irregular,the trabeculae were thinned or broken,and the marrow cavity was enlarged in the model group,with a significant reduction in bone volume;the level of alkaline phosphatase in the serum was increased(P<0.05),and the level of osteocalcin was decreased(P<0.05);mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase,osteocalcin,Runx2,β-catenin,and frizzled9 were decreased(P<0.05);protein expression of β-Catenin and Frizzled9 was decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the low-and high-dose Eucommia ulmoides groups showed an increase in bone volume fraction,trabecular number,trabecular thickness,and bone mineral density(P<0.05)and a decrease in trabecular separation(P<0.05).In the low-and high-dose Eucommia ulmoides groups,bone trabeculae were slightly aligned and thickened,with a significant increase in bone mass.Compared with the model group,the serum level of alkaline phosphatase was reduced(P<0.05)and the serum level of osteocalcin was elevated(P<0.05)in the low-and high-dose Eucommia ulmoides groups.Compared with the model group,the mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase,osteocalcin,Runx2,β-catenin,and frizzled9 were increased in the low-and high-dose Eucommia ulmoides groups(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the protein expression of Frizzled9 was increased in the low-dose Eucommia ulmoides group(P<0.05),while the protein expression of β-Catenin and Frizzled9 was increased in the high-dose Eucommia ulmoides group(P<0.05).Compared with the low-dose Eucommia ulmoides group,the high-dose Eucommia ulmoides group had a more significant improvement in the above indexes.To conclude,Eucommia ulmoides can effectively promote the alveolar bone formation,and its mechanism of action might be related to the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
2.Therapeutic Study on The Inhibition of Neuroinflammation in Ischemic Stroke by Induced Regulatory T Cells
Tian-Fang KANG ; Ai-Qing MA ; Li-Qi CHEN ; Han GONG ; Jia-Cheng OUYANG ; Fan PAN ; Hong PAN ; Lin-Tao CAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):946-956
ObjectiveNeuroinflammation plays a crucial role in both the onset and progression of ischemic stroke, exerting a significant impact on the recovery of the central nervous system. Excessive neuroinflammation can lead to secondary neuronal damage, further exacerbating brain injury and impairing functional recovery. As a result, effectively modulating and reducing neuroinflammation in the brain has become a key therapeutic strategy for improving outcomes in ischemic stroke patients. Among various approaches, targeting immune regulation to control inflammation has gained increasing attention. This study aims to investigate the role of in vitro induced regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in suppressing neuroinflammation after ischemic stroke, as well as their potential therapeutic effects. By exploring the mechanisms through which Tregs exert their immunomodulatory functions, this research is expected to provide new insights into stroke treatment strategies. MethodsNaive CD4+ T cells were isolated from mouse spleens using a negative selection method to ensure high purity, and then they were induced in vitro to differentiate into Treg cells by adding specific cytokines. The anti-inflammatory effects and therapeutic potential of Treg cells transplantation in a mouse model of ischemic stroke was evaluated. In the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model, after Treg cells transplantation, their ability to successfully migrate to the infarcted brain region and their impact on neuroinflammation levels were examined. To further investigate the role of Treg cells in stroke recovery, the changes in cytokine expression and their effects on immune cell interactions was analyzed. Additionally, infarct size and behavioral scores were measured to assess the neuroprotective effects of Treg cells. By integrating multiple indicators, the comprehensive evaluation of potential benefits of Treg cells in the treatment of ischemic stroke was performed. ResultsTreg cells significantly regulated the expression levels of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and in vivo, effectively balancing the immune response and suppressing excessive inflammation. Additionally, Treg cells inhibited the activation and activity of inflammatory cells, thereby reducing neuroinflammation. In the MCAO mouse model, Treg cells were observed to accumulate in the infarcted brain region, where they significantly reduced the infarct size, demonstrating their neuroprotective effects. Furthermore, Treg cell therapy notably improved behavioral scores, suggesting its role in promoting functional recovery, and increased the survival rate of ischemic stroke mice, highlighting its potential as a promising therapeutic strategy for stroke treatment. ConclusionIn vitro induced Treg cells can effectively suppress neuroinflammation caused by ischemic stroke, demonstrating promising clinical application potential. By regulating the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, Treg cells can inhibit immune responses in the nervous system, thereby reducing neuronal damage. Additionally, they can modulate the immune microenvironment, suppress the activation of inflammatory cells, and promote tissue repair. The therapeutic effects of Treg cells also include enhancing post-stroke recovery, improving behavioral outcomes, and increasing the survival rate of ischemic stroke mice. With their ability to suppress neuroinflammation, Treg cell therapy provides a novel and effective strategy for the treatment of ischemic stroke, offering broad application prospects in clinical immunotherapy and regenerative medicine.
3.Clinicopathological Characteristics of Middle-Aged and Elderly Patients with Colorectal Polyps and Risk Factors of Adenomatous Polyps
Rui CHENG ; Rui GONG ; Wei JIANG ; Shutian ZHANG
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(1):19-24
Objective To determine the risk factors related to the occurrence of colorectal adenomatous polyps and provide a basis for early screening, diagnosis, and treatment of colorectal cancer. Methods A total of 1 527 cases of colorectal polyps detected by colonoscopy were selected as the research subjects. Data on sociodemographic information, lifestyle and dietary habits, clinical history, laboratory tests, and endoscopic characteristics were collected. The patients were divided into adenoma and non-adenoma groups based on the pathological type. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the influence of the above factors on the occurrence of colorectal adenoma. Results Old age (OR: 1.024, 95%CI: 1.001-1.048, P=0.044), high body mass index (OR: 1.046, 95%CI: 1.008-1.087, P=0.020), and a history of smoking (OR: 1.493, 95%CI: 1.035-2.158, P=0.032) were independent risk factors for the occurrence of colorectal adenoma. Patients with better cognitive function had a lower risk of developing colorectal adenoma than those with poorer cognitive function (OR: 0.929, 95%CI: 0.871-0.984, P=0.017). Polyps located in the rectum (OR: 0.396, 95%CI: 0.229-0.677, P=0.001) and those of flat type (OR: 0.531, 95%CI: 0.342-0.810, P=0.004) or laterally spreading type (OR: 0.306, 95%CI:
4.Efficacy and safety of remimazolam tosylate for general anesthesia in morbidly obese patients
Gong CHEN ; Yan-Xi LU ; Jin LI ; Fan ZHANG ; Can-Can CHENG ; Xin-Lin YIN ; Sai-Ying WANG ; Huan CHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(5):859-864
Aim To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of remimazolam tosylate for administering general anesthesia in morbidly obese patients.Methods This clinical trial was conducted at a single center from De-cember 2021 to October 2023.It assessed 108 morbid-ly obese patients(body mass index,BMI≥40)who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.Patients were randomly assigned to either the remimazaolam group(Group R)or the propofol group(Group P)for general anesthesia induction and maintenance.The primary outcome was to compare the incidence of ad-verse events and postoperative recovery characteristics between the two groups.Results During induction pe-riod,the incidence of adverse events was higher in group P,including hypotension(P<0.01),hypox-emia(P<0.05),bradycardia(P<0.01),and in-creased vasopressor requirement(P<0.05).The time to loss of consciousness and BIS falling to 60 was shor-ter in group P than in group R(P<0.01).There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of postoperative quality of recovery(QoR-40 score),24-hour postoperative pain visual an-alogue scale(VAS)scores and morphine consump-tion.In conclusion,remimazolam tosylate,utilized for anesthesia induction in morbidly obese patients,signif-icantly reduced hypotension and hypoxemia compared to propofol,while it could also maintain similar postop-erative recovery quality.Conclusions Remimazolam is effective in reducing the incidence of hypotension and hypoxaemia during the induction period of general anaesthesia in morbidly obese patients and it is compa-rable to propofol in terms of quality of postoperative re-covery.
5.Research progress of inducing ferroptosis of cancer stem cells against colorectal cancer
Li-Na GONG ; Meng-Ling YUAN ; Xue-Ying CHENG ; Chen-Yang XU ; Jun PAN ; Qiu-Tong CHEN ; Ling WANG ; Zi-Li ZHANG ; Mei GUO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(6):1030-1034
Cancer stem cell(CSC)are the"seed"cells in the occurrence,development,metastasis and recurrence of colorectal cancer.Targeted killing of CSC provides a new target for anti-colorectal cancer therapy.Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death mode due to the abnormal accumulation of intracellular i-ron ions,which results in the massive reactive oxygen species(ROS)and lipid peroxides,leading to cell death.Studies have shown that cancer stem cells are more enriched in iron ions than non-CSC,which provides a new perspective for targeting ferropto-sis in cancer stem cells against colorectal cancer.This article re-views the research progress of inducing CSC ferroptosis in the treatment of colorectal cancer,such as targeted regulation of SLC7A11 expression in CSC,chelating iron in CSC lysosomes,targeting CSC phenotypic plasticity,reversing CSC iron homeo-stasis,and targeting CSC lipid droplet metabolism induce CSC ferroptosis,which provides new ideas for anti-tumor therapy.
6.Influences of Neferine on inflammatory injury in rats with nephrotic syndrome by regulating MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway
Kai FU ; Aili GUO ; Yan HE ; Cheng GONG ; Shen XU ; Xiuzhen SHI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(9):1838-1842,1849
Objective:To investigate the influences of Neferine(Nef)on inflammatory injury in nephrotic syndrome(NS)rats by regulating the MAPK/NF-κB pathway.Methods:SD rats were separated into control check group(CK group),Model group,low-dose Nef group(Nef-L group,2.5 mg/kg),high-dose Nef group(Nef-H group,5 mg/kg),prednisone acetate group(PA group,6.3 mg/kg),Anisomycin(MAPK agonist)group(5 μmol/L),Nef-H+Anisomycin group(5 mg/kg+5 μmol/L),with 12 rats in each group.Except for the CK group,all other groups were injected with doxorubicin through the tail vein to induce the NS rat model.Rats in CK group were injected with an equal volume of normal saline through the tail vein at the same time.After successful modeling,dosing treatment was performed once a day for 4 weeks.Detected 24-hour urine protein content,serum creatinine(Scr),albumin(ALB),urea nitro-gen(BUN)levels,renal tissue pathology,and levels of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β in renal tissue;TUNEL staining was performed to detect cell apoptosis in rat kidney tissue;Western blot was performed to detect the expression of p-p38,p-JNK,p-ERK1/2 and p-NF-κB p65 proteins in rat kidney tissue.Results:Compared with CK group,Model group had severe renal tissue pathological damage,the 24 h urinary protein,Scr,BUN,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,apoptosis rate,p-p38,p-JNK,p-ERK1/2,p-NF-κB p65 protein expressions were increased,while ALB level was decreased(P<0.05);compared with Model group,the renal tissue pathological damage of rats in Nef-L group,Nef-H group and PA group were severe,the 24 h urinary protein,Scr,BUN,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,apoptosis rate,p-p38,p-JNK,p-ERK1/2,p-NF-κB P65 protein expressions were decreased,while ALB level was increased,the renal tissue pathological damage in the Anisomycin group was aggravated,the 24 h urinary protein,Scr,BUN,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,apoptosis rate,p-p38,p-JNK,p-ERK1/2,p-NF-κB p65 protein expressions were increased,while ALB level was decreased(P<0.05);Anisomycin attenu-ated the effects of high doses of Nef on NS rats.Conclusion:Nef may alleviate the inflammatory injury in NS rats by inhibiting MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.
7.Myeloid-derived suppressor cells participate in regulation of development of autoimmune diseases
Piaotao CHENG ; Shouhang GONG ; Ping KONG ; Chencheng LI ; Caopei GUO ; Jiachen PENG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(12):2666-2675
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs)are heterogeneous immature bone marrow cells with immunosuppres-sive effects.In recent years,with the in-depth study of the immunosuppressive activity of MDSCs,MDSCs have attracted much atten-tion in autoimmune diseases autoimmune disease(AD).In AD,MDSCs are significantly activated and amplified and regulate the im-mune response of the body through different mechanisms,thus promoting or inhibiting the development of the disease.Therefore,only by deepening the research on the specific role and mechanism of MDSCs in autoimmune diseases can we better clarify MDSCs and provide a positive role for the clinical transformation of the treatment of AD.This paper reviews the immunosuppressive mechanism of MDSCs and their roles in different AD.
8.Fluorescence Quantitative PCR Detection of ABL1 Kinase Region Mutations
Huan-Chen CHENG ; Si LI ; Dian-Zhi WANG ; Yu LIU ; Tie-Jun GONG ; Jun MA
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(5):1377-1380
Objective:To establish a highly sensitive and quantitative detection method for ABL1 kinase region mutations,provide strong support for the early diagnosis and treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia(CML).Methods:Sampele from 35 CML patients who were initially tested negative for ABL1 kinase region mutations by Sanger sequencing were collected.The ABL1 kinase region mutation was detected by the fluorescence quantitative detection kit of Shanghai Yuanqi Biopharmaceutical Technology Co.,Ltd.The mutation rate was analyzed byΔΔCt value method.The relative mutation rate of the final ABL1 kinase region was determined by dividing the mutation rate by the expression level of the fusion gene.Results:Among the 35 CML patients initially tested negative for ABL1 mutations by the Sanger sequencing method,7 cases of T315I mutation,2 cases of T315A mutation,2 cases of Y253H mutation,and 1 cases of E255K mutation after detection of the new method.The relative mutation rates range from 0.1%to 19.42%,which could not be detected by Sanger sequencing method.Subsequently,this method was used to detect the ABL1 mutation in 126 CML patients,and the positive rate exceeded that of the Sanger sequencing method.The BCR-ABL1 gene expression significantly reduced or negative after adjusting treatment strategy based on the mutation situation.Conclusion:Compared with Sanger sequencing,fluorescence quantitative PCR has higher sensitivity and can screen for low-frequency ABL1 kinase mutations in the early stage.Moreover,it can also perform relative quantitative analysis,so the method has good clinical application prospects for detecting ABL1 mutation.
9.The Association Between Causality Orientation and Internet Gaming Disorder, and the Role of Sensation Seeking, Anxiety, and Depression
Yanjie PENG ; Yuxiang WANG ; Zhenle PENG ; Xiaoyuan LIAO ; Ke GONG ; Cheng QIN ; Mingyuan TIAN ; Xiaotong CHENG ; Xinyi ZHOU ; Juan DENG ; Yuwen CHEN ; Shuang FENG ; Maomao ZHANG ; Kezhi LIU ; Bo XIANG ; Wei LEI ; Jing CHEN
Psychiatry Investigation 2024;21(11):1268-1278
Objective:
Self-determination theory (SDT) deems that people have three causality orientations: autonomy orientation, control orientation, and impersonal orientation. Previous studies suggested that lower autonomy orientation or higher control and impersonal orientations may be associated with more addictive behaviors. Our study aimed to investigate if these associations exist in Internet gaming disorder (IGD), and if sensation seeking, anxiety, and depression could influence the associations between causality orientations and IGD symptoms.
Methods:
A total of 1,400 college students completed the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale, General Causality Orientation Scale, Brief Sensation Seeking Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire. Correlation, multiple linear regressions, structural equation model (SEM) analyses, and moderation analyses were conducted to explore the associations.
Results:
The control and impersonal orientations were positively associated with IGD symptoms, while the autonomy orientation was negatively associated with them. Moreover, SEM analyses showed that the autonomy-IGD relationship was totally mediated by anxiety and depression, the impersonal-IGD relationship was partially mediated by anxiety, and the control-IGD relationship was partially mediated by depression. Finally, the effects of causality orientations on IGD were moderated by sensation seeking.
Conclusion
Overall, autonomy orientation is linked to fewer gaming problems, whereas control and impersonal orientations are associated with more gaming problems. Moreover, the relationships between causality orientations and IGD symptoms are mediated by anxiety and depression and moderated by sensation seeking. Our findings inform theory on the motivations of gaming behaviors and may shed light on the prevention and intervention of IGD from the perspective of SDT.
10.PSA value gray area (4-10 ng/ml) prostate biopsy study
Jinwei SHANG ; Lai DONG ; Rongjie SHI ; Ruizhe ZHAO ; Tian HAN ; Minjie PAN ; Bin YANG ; Yamin WANG ; Wei XIA ; Lixin HUA ; Gong CHENG
Chinese Journal of Urology 2024;45(5):386-390
Objective:To explore the strategy of prostate biopsy in patients with prostate specific antigen(PSA)gray zone based on prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI-RADS).Methods:The clinical data of 427 patients who underwent transperineal prostate biopsy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The median age was 66 (61, 72) years old. The median PSA was 6.62 (5.46, 8.19) ng/ml. The median PSA density (PSAD) was 0.15 (0.11, 0.21) ng/ml 2. The median prostate volume (PV) was 43.68 (31.12, 56.82) ml. PSA velocity (PSAV) data were available in 65 patients with negative MRI examination(PI-RADS <3), and the median PSAV was 1.40 (0.69, 2.89) ng/(ml· year). Among the patients with positive MRI(PI-RADS≥3), there were 174 patients with only 1 lesion and 83 patients with ≥2 lesions. A total of 170 patients with negative MRI underwent systematic biopsy, and 257 patients with positive MRI underwent systematic combined targeted biopsy. The PI-RADS score, regions of interest(ROI), PSAD, f/tPSA and PSAV were analyzed to explore the biopsy strategy for patients with PSA gray area based on bpMRI imaging. Results:Of the 427 patients included in the study, 194 were positive and 233 were negative. Among the patients with positive biopsy pathology, 140 cases were clinically significant prostate cancer (CsPCa). Among the MRI-negative patients, there were 33 cases with PSAV ≥1.4 ng/(ml·year), and 10 cases of prostate cancer and 6 cases of CsPCa were detected by systematic biopsy.In 32 cases with PSAV <1.4 ng/(ml·year), 3 cases of prostate cancer and 0 case of CsPCa were detected by systematic biopsy. The sensitivity of systematic biopsy for the diagnosis of prostate cancer and CsPCa in patients with PSAV≥1.4 ng/(ml·year) were 76.9% (10/13) and 100.0% (6/6) respectively, the specificity were 55.8% (29/52) and 54.2% (32/59) respectively, the negative predictive value were 90.6% (29/32) and 100.0% (32/32) respectively, and the positive predictive value were 30.3% (10/33) and 18.2% (6/33) respectively. In MRI-positive patients with PI-RADS 3, the prostate cancer detection rates of targeted biopsy combined with systematic biopsy, systematic biopsy and targeted biopsy were 41.7% (45/108), 32.4% (35/108) and 35.2% (38/108), respectively ( P=0.349). The detection rates of CsPCa were 27.8% (30/108), 21.3% (23/108) and 25.0% (27/108), respectively ( P=0.541). In patients with PI-RADS 4-5 and PSAD > 0.15 ng/ml 2, the detection rates of CsPCa in targeted biopsy combined with systematic biopsy, systematic biopsy and targeted biopsy were 67.8% (61/90), 58.9% (53/90) and 67.8% (61/90), respectively ( P=0.354). Conclusions:For MRI-negative patients, all CsPCa could be detected by perineal systematic biopsy when PSAV ≥1.4 ng/(ml·year), and active observation could be performed when PSAV <1.4 ng/(ml·year). For MRI-positive patients, targeted combined systemic biopsy was required when PI-RADS score was 3, and targeted biopsy only could be performed when PI-RADS score ≥4 and PSAD >0.15 ng/ml 2, otherwise targeted combined systemic biopsy was required.

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