1.Effects of the prolyl hydroxylase 2 inhibitor cpd17 on mouse osteogenic precursor cells
Zhongqiu DU ; Xiaoyang QI ; Ping YANG ; Jianglin YU ; Yixin CHEN ; Linjian ZHANG ; Xusheng QIU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(2):238-244
BACKGROUND:Prolyl hydroxylase domain 2(PHD2)inhibitors can regulate bone metabolism and relieve osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats.cpd17 is a small molecule oral PHD2 inhibitor newly developed by China Pharmaceutical University.It is effective in the treatment of renal anemia with few side effects,but its effect on bone formation and bone resorption is still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of cpd17 on mouse osteogenic precursor cells. METHODS:Osteogenic precursor cells were treated with cpd17.Alkaline phosphatase activity and extracellular matrix mineralization were measured,and the expression levels of osteogenesis-and osteoclastogenesis-related markers,as well as PHD2 and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α,were detected.After inhibition of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α pathway using LW6(a hypoxia-inducible factor 1α pathway inhibitor),alkaline phosphatase activity and extracellular matrix mineralization were detected again,as well as the expression levels of osteogenesis-and osteoclastogenesis-related markers,PHD2 and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:cpd17 significantly enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity and extracellular matrix mineralization,up-regulated the expression of osteogenesis-related markers,down-regulated the expression of osteoclastogenesis-related markers,up-regulated the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α,down-regulate the expression of PHD2.However,cpd17's effects were significantly attenuated by LW6.To conclude,the PHD2 inhibitor cpd17 promotes osteogenic differentiation and inhibits osteoclastic differentiation through activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α signaling pathway.
2.Pathways Related to Osteoporosis Treatment with Active Ingredients of Scutellaria Baicalensis: A Review
Jianqiang DU ; Wenxiu QIN ; Xuesong YIN ; Dan ZHAO ; Zhicheng PAN ; Qi ZHANG ; Enpeng GU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):325-330
With the aging of the global population, osteoporosis (OP) is becoming a major public health concern worldwide. Currently, the commonly used anti-osteoporosis drugs in clinical practice have limited application due to many side effects. Therefore, developing more effective and safer strategies for the prevention and treatment of OP has become a research focus in this field. In recent years, the clinical efficacy and advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating OP have been gradually recognized. With the deepening pharmacological research on TCM for OP prevention and treatment, it is found that the active ingredients of Scutellaria baicalensis can promote bone formation or inhibit bone resorption by regulating signaling pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin, osteoprotegerin (OB)/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)/RANK (OPG/RANKL/RANK), and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2)/Smad, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). However, existing research on active ingredients of S. baicalensis for OP treatment is scattered, making it difficult for scholars to gain a systematic understanding of its research and application. This review summarized the literature on the active ingredients of S. baicalensis in OP treatment worldwide, clarified their mechanisms of action, and explored some issues, providing references for the integration of TCM in OP prevention and treatment.
3.Pathways Related to Osteoporosis Treatment with Active Ingredients of Scutellaria Baicalensis: A Review
Jianqiang DU ; Wenxiu QIN ; Xuesong YIN ; Dan ZHAO ; Zhicheng PAN ; Qi ZHANG ; Enpeng GU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):325-330
With the aging of the global population, osteoporosis (OP) is becoming a major public health concern worldwide. Currently, the commonly used anti-osteoporosis drugs in clinical practice have limited application due to many side effects. Therefore, developing more effective and safer strategies for the prevention and treatment of OP has become a research focus in this field. In recent years, the clinical efficacy and advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating OP have been gradually recognized. With the deepening pharmacological research on TCM for OP prevention and treatment, it is found that the active ingredients of Scutellaria baicalensis can promote bone formation or inhibit bone resorption by regulating signaling pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin, osteoprotegerin (OB)/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)/RANK (OPG/RANKL/RANK), and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2)/Smad, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). However, existing research on active ingredients of S. baicalensis for OP treatment is scattered, making it difficult for scholars to gain a systematic understanding of its research and application. This review summarized the literature on the active ingredients of S. baicalensis in OP treatment worldwide, clarified their mechanisms of action, and explored some issues, providing references for the integration of TCM in OP prevention and treatment.
4.Association of outdoor activity level and myopia among children and adolescents in Shanghai
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(1):18-23
Objective:
To analyze the status of outdoor activities on weekends among children and adolescents of different educational stages in Shanghai and their impact on myopia, so as to provide a basis for formulating more specific prevention and control protocol of myopia.
Methods:
From September to October 2022, a stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to select 84 schools (27 kindergartens, 21 primary schools, 15 junior high schools and 21 high schools) across Shanghai, enrolling a total of 28 654 children and adolescents aged 4 to 18 for the study. Ophthalmic examinations were conducted to ascertain the prevalence of myopia among children and adolescents. Additionally, a questionnaire survey was administered to collect data on outdoor activity duration and associated factors. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was utilized to investigate the associated factors of outdoor activity levels on weekends.
Results:
The overall myopia detection rate among children and adolescents was 58.4%, with a higher rate observed in girls (59.2%) compared to boys (57.6%). The myopia detection rates for children and adolescents with an average daily outdoor activity duration of ≥2 h and <2 h on weekends were 54.6% and 68.8%, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ 2=8.12,460.89, P <0.01). Multivariable Logistic regression analysis revealed that girls ( OR =0.80), those with a myopic parent ( OR =0.68), schools from urban districts ( OR =0.72), higher education stages (primary school: OR =0.65, junior high school: OR =0.24, high school: OR =0.14) and spending≥2 h/d on homework during weekends ( OR =0.57) among children and adolescents were less likely to engage in outdoor activities for ≥2 h on weekends ( P <0.01). After incorporating gender, parental myopia status, educational stage, school location, average daily duration on weekends for spending on homework, electronic product usage and outdoor activities as dependent variables in a multivariate Logistic regression analysis, the results showed that children and adolescents with an average outdoor activity duration for ≥2 h on weekends had a lower risk of myopia ( OR =0.86, P < 0.01).
Conclusions
The level of outdoor activity among children and adolescents on weekends needs to be improved. Outdoor activities on weekends is an associated factor for myopia among children and adolescents. Particularly, girls, those with myopic parents, schools from urban districts, and spending long hours on homework during weekends among children and adolescents require increased attention.
5.Visual acuity and corrected visual acuity of children and adolescents in Shanghai City
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(1):24-28
Objective:
To investigate the visual acuity and correction conditions of children and adolescents in Shanghai, so as to provide a scientific basis for developing intervention measures to prevent myopia and protect vision among children and adolescents.
Methods:
From October to December 2022, a stratified cluster random sampling survey was conducted, involving 47 034 students from 16 municipal districts in Shanghai, covering kindergartens (≥5 years), primary schools, middle schools, general high schools and vocational high schools. According to the Guidelines for Screening Refractive Errors in Primary and Secondary School Students, the Standard Logarithmic Visual acuity Chart was used to examine naked vision and corrected vision of students, and general information was collected. The distribution and severity of visual impairment in different age groups were analyzed, and χ 2 tests and multivariate Logistic regression were used to explore factors associated with visual impairment.
Results:
The detection rate of visual impairment among children and adolescents was 76.2%, with a higher rate among females (78.8%) than males ( 73.8 %), higher among Han ethic students ( 76.2 %) than minority students (71.2%), and higher among urban students (76.7%) than suburban students (75.8%), all with statistically significant differences ( χ 2=162.6, 10.4, 5.5, P <0.05). The rate of visual impairment initially decreased and then increased with age, reaching its lowest at age 7 (53.8%) and peaking at age 17 (89.6%) ( χ 2 trend = 3 467.0 , P <0.05). Severe visual impairment accounted for the majority, at 56.6%, and there was a positive correlation between the severity of visual impairment and age among children and adolescents ( r =0.45, P <0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression showed that age, BMI, gender, ethnicity and urban suburban status were associated with visual impairment ( OR =1.18, 1.01, 1.38 , 0.79, 0.88, P <0.05). Among those with moderate to severe visual impairment, the rate of spectacle lens usage was 62.8%, yet only 44.8 % of those who used spectacle lens had fully corrected visual acuity. Females (64.9%) had higher spectacle lens usage rates than males (60.6%), and general high school students had the highest spectacle lens usage (83.9%), and there were statistically significant differences in gender and academic stages ( χ 2=57.7, 4 592.8, P <0.05).
Conclusions
The rate of spectacle lens usage among students with moderate to severe visual impairment is relatively low, and even after using spectacle lens, some students still do not achieve adequate corrected visual acuity. Efforts should focus on enhancing public awareness of eye health and refractive correction and improving the accessibility of related health services.
6.The Mechanisms of Neurotransmitters and Their Receptors in Exercise Central Fatigue
Lu-Lu GUAN ; Bo-Te QI ; Du-Shuo FENG ; Jing-Wang TAN ; Meng CAO ; Yu ZOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1321-1336
Exercise fatigue is a complex physiological and psychological phenomenon that includes peripheral fatigue in the muscles and central fatigue in the brain. Peripheral fatigue refers to the loss of force caused at the distal end of the neuromuscular junction, whereas central fatigue involves decreased motor output from the primary motor cortex, which is associated with modulations at anatomical sites proximal to nerves that innervate skeletal muscle. The central regulatory failure reflects a progressive decline in the central nervous system’s capacity to recruit motor units during sustained physical activity. Emerging evidence highlights the critical involvement of central neurochemical regulation in fatigue development, particularly through neurotransmitter-mediated modulation. Alterations in neurotransmitter release and receptor activity could influence excitatory and inhibitory signal pathways, thus modulating the perception of fatigue and exercise performance. Increased serotonin (5-HT) could increase perception of effort and lethargy, reduce motor drive to continue exercising, and contribute to exercise fatigue. Decreased dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NE) neurotransmission can negatively impact arousal, mood, motivation, and reward mechanisms and impair exercise performance. Furthermore, the serotonergic and dopaminergic systems interact with each other; a low 5-HT/DA ratio enhances motor motivation and improves performance, and a high 5-HT/DA ratio heightens fatigue perception and leads to decreased performance. The expression and activity of neurotransmitter receptors would be changed during prolonged exercise to fatigue, affecting the transmission of nerve signals. Prolonged high-intensity exercise causes excess 5-HT to overflow from the synaptic cleft to the axonal initial segment and activates the 5-HT1A receptor, thereby inhibiting the action potential of motor neurons and affecting the recruitment of motor units. During exercise to fatigue, the DA secretion is decreased, which blocks the binding of DA to D1 receptor in the caudate putamen and inhibits the activation of the direct pathway of the basal ganglia to suppress movement, meanwhile the binding of DA to D2 receptor is restrained in the caudate putamen, which activates the indirect pathway of the basal ganglia to influence motivation. Furthermore, other neurotransmitters and their receptors, such as adenosine (ADO), glutamic acid (Glu), and γ‑aminobutyric acid (GABA) also play important roles in regulating neurotransmitter balance and fatigue. The occurrence of central fatigue is not the result of the action of a single neurotransmitter system, but a comprehensive manifestation of the interaction between multiple neurotransmitters. This review explores the important role of neurotransmitters and their receptors in central motor fatigue, reveals the dynamic changes of different neurotransmitters such as 5-HT, DA, NE, and ADO during exercise, and summarizes the mechanisms by which these neurotransmitters and their receptors regulate fatigue perception and exercise performance through complex interactions. Besides, this study presents pharmacological evidence that drugs such as agonists, antagonists, and reuptake inhibitors could affect exercise performance by regulating the metabolic changes of neurotransmitters. Recently, emerging interventions such as dietary bioactive components intake and transcranial electrical stimulation may provide new ideas and strategies for the prevention and alleviation of exercise fatigue by regulating neurotransmitter levels and receptor activity. Overall, this work offers new theoretical insights into the understanding of exercise central fatigue, and future research should further investigate the relationship between neurotransmitters and their receptors and exercise fatigue.
7.Research advances in neutron shielding materials
Caixia MIAO ; Xiaohui DU ; Meng LIU ; Yuxin DOU ; Qi SUN ; Hailei LYU ; Hongchen HAN
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(4):607-613
With the extensive application of nuclear technology in industry, agriculture, and medicine, the safety issues associated with neutron radiation have become increasingly prominent. Due to their high penetrability and strong ionization effect, neutrons can cause serious health risks by directly damaging DNA or inducing secondary γ radiation. Therefore, the neutron radiation protection has become a core challenge in radiation protection, especially the research and development of neutron shielding materials. To ensure the safe development of nuclear technology, neutron shielding materials are indispensable and constitute a fundamental core technology for radiation protection. This paper reviews the theory of neutron radiation protection and the research progress of neutron shielding materials, with a focus on the current application status and existing problems of neutron shielding materials. This article also discusses the future development trends. This review aims to provide theoretical support and technical references for the safe application and development of nuclear technology.
8.Clinical efficacy of endoscopic Delta large channel unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression in treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis
Zan YUAN ; Xin-Ning HE ; Zhi-Yong DU ; Shui-Qing ZHANG ; Hao-Hong QI
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2024;33(6):517-520
Objective To investigate the efficacy of endoscopic Delta large channel unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression(ULBD)in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis(LSS),and the postoperative complications was analyzed.Methods A total of 100 patients with LSS in our hospital from January 2021 to February 2023 were selected and divided into the control group and the observation group according to random number table method,with 50 cases in each group.Patient in the control group were treated with bilateral or unilateral decompression through the median incision adjacent to the lateral spinous process,and patients in the observation group were treated with endoscopic Delta large channel ULBD.The visual analogue scale(VAS)scores,Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)scores,Oswestry disability index(ODI)scores before surgery and 1 month,3 months,6 months after surgery,as well as clinical efficacy and incidence of postoperative complications of patients between the two groups were compared.Results Compared with preoperative results,the VAS scores of leg pain and low back pain and ODI scores of patients 1 month,3 months and 6 months after surgery in both groups were significantly lower(P<0.05),and JOA scores were significantly higher(P<0.05).Moreover,compared with the control group,the VAS scores of leg pain and low back pain and ODI scores of patients 1 month,3 months and 6 months after surgery in the observation group were lower(P<0.05),the JOA scores were higher(P<0.05).The total effective rate in the observation group was 98.00%,which was higher than 72.00%in the control group(P<0.05).The incidence of postoperative complications in the observation group was 4.00%,which was lower than 24.00%in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Endoscopic Delta large channel ULBD in the treatment of LSS can effectively reduce postopera-tive leg pain and low back pain,improve lumbar function,improve clinical therapeutic effect,and reduce postoperative complications.
9.Oleanolic acid regulates Treg/Th17 cell imbalance in allergic rhinitis by inhibiting autophagy
Li WANG ; Yongyang HUANG ; Yi ZHANG ; Bin QI ; Long WAN ; Yanping DU ; Caisheng CHEN
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(7):1399-1404
Objective:To explore effect of oleanolic acid on allergic rhinitis(AR)and its potential mechanism.Methods:Peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)were isolated by density gradient centrifugation.Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect expressions of Foxp3,IL-17A,Beclin1,and RORγt mRNA in nasal mucosa;flow cytometry was employed to assess proportion of Treg and Th17 cells in PBMCs;Western blot was utilized to determine expressions of RORγt,LC3-Ⅰ,LC3-Ⅱ,Beclin1,and P62 proteins in nasal mucosal.Mice were randomly divided into Control,ovalbumin(OVA),L-oleanolic acid,H-oleanolic acid,DSGC,3-MA and H-oleanolic acid+Rapa groups.Histological changes were observed by HE staining and Periodate Schiff(PAS)staining.Serological changes,expressions of IL-17A,IL-10,eosinophilic cationic protein(ECP)and anti-OVA-specific antibodies were detected by ELISA.Results:AR patients had Th17/Treg imbalance and activated autophagy.Oleanolic acid restored Th17/Treg balance and inhibited autophagy in vitro.In vivo experiments demonstrated that oleanolic acid inhibited OVA-induced allergic nasal symptoms and activation of autophagy pathway,which was same as regulation of 3-MA,while Rapa could weaken effects of high dose of oleanolic acid.Moreover,oleanolic acid reduced infiltration of different inflammatory cells of nasal lavage fluid,prevented damages to epithelial cells,and improved nasal mucosal thickness and mucus secretion.Oleanolic acid regulated balance of mouse Th17/Treg-associated cytokines expressions.Conclusion:Oleanolic acid can be used to treat AR,whose effect is realized through inhibiting autophagy to regulate Th17/Treg balance.
10.NDRG2 Activates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress via IRE1α-XBP1 to Reverse Tamoxifen Resistance in ER+Breast Cancer
Shou-Ying WANG ; Yan-Yan DU ; Peng CAO ; Wen-Yu LIU ; Jun-Yu QI ; Wei-Ye SHI ; Chun-Xiao ZHANG ; Xiao-Lei ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2024;40(10):1409-1416
Tamoxifen(TAM)has been widely used for the treatment of ER+breast cancer.However,the inevitable emergence of resistance to tamoxifen obstructs the successful treatment of this cancer.The tumor suppressor gene N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2(NDRG2)plays a significant role in the de-velopment of ER+breast cancer.However,it is unclear whether NDRG2 participates in mediating TAM resistance in ER+breast cancer.Here,we investigate the expression of NDRG2 mRNA and protein in TAM-sensitive and TAM-resistant ER+breast cancer cells.The results of immunoblotting experiments re-vealed a negative correlation between NDRG2 expression and TAM resistance ability in ER+breast cancer cells(P<0.001).CCK-8 cell viability assays and soft agar colony formation assays showed that NDRG2 overexpression in TAM resistant cells significantly reduced the TAM IC50 value and the soft agar colony formation rate(P<0.001).For the mechanism,the ERAD reporter protein assays showed that NDRG2 overexpression upregulated the expression of the ERAD reporter protein CD3ε-YFP and increased the lev-els of spliced XBP1s mRNA,leading to severe endoplasmic reticulum stress in TAM resistant cells(P<0.001).Immunoblot analysis confirmed that overexpression of NDRG2 significantly increased the level of phosphorylation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress sensor IRE 1α and the expression levels of its down-stream protein factors,including ERdj4,P58IPK,EDEM and PDIA5(P<0.001).The in vivo xenograft tumor experiments in mice further verified that NDRG2 overexpression significantly inhibited the growth of resistant tumors,which enhanced the therapeutic effect of TAM(P<0.001).These findings indicate that increasing NDRG2 expression and triggering severe endoplasmic reticulum stress upon TAM treatment can reverse the resistance of ER+breast cancer cells to TAM and inhibits the growth of ER+breast canc-er tumors.Our results provide valuable new insights and potential targets for improving the clinical man-agement of TAM-resistance and prognosis in ER+breast cancer.


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