1.Characterization of Medicinal Amber via Multispectral Analysis Combined with ICP-MS
Donghan BAI ; Zerun LI ; Xueying XIN ; Lu LUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):176-183
ObjectiveTo systematically investigate the identification characteristics of medicinal amber, elucidate its microscopic features, crystal structural properties, and elemental composition, and thereby provide a scientific foundation for quality control and authenticity verification. MethodsThirty-nine batches of amber samples were collected and analyzed through integrated techniques including morphological analysis, microscopic identification, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to evaluate their morphological attributes, phase composition, molecular vibrational modes, and trace element profiles. Among them, the XRD experiment used Cu Kα radiation (λ=1.540 6 Å), with a scanning angle range of 10° to 70° (2θ) and a step size of 0.02°, the Raman spectroscopy experiment employed a 785 nm laser, with a spectral measurement range of 3 400 to 50 cm-1, a laser power of 300 mW, a laser intensity of 30%, and a scanning time of 100 to 1 000 ms, the infrared spectroscopy experiment used a carbon-sulfur lamp, with a scanning range of 4 000 to 500 cm-1, a resolution of 4 cm-1, and 3 scans, the ICP-MS experiment utilized frequency power of 1.2 kW, a double-pass cyclonic spray chamber, a sample introduction system flow rate of 0.7-1.0 L·min-1, and an auxiliary gas flow of 0.2 L·min-1. ResultsUnder orthogonal polarized light microscopy, medicinal amber exhibited an isotropic homogeneous structure, with partial samples containing inorganic impurities such as AsS and SiO₂. FTIR spectra revealed characteristic absorption peaks at 2 932-2 939 cm-1 (C-H stretching vibrations), 1 705-1 728 cm-1 (C=O stretching vibrations), and 880-887 cm-1 (C=C deformation vibrations), confirming the oxidative polymerization of terpenoid resin. Raman spectroscopy further identified distinctive peaks at 2 925 cm-1, 2 870 cm-1 (saturated C-H stretching), and 1 648 cm-1 (C=C stretching), consistent with the structural features of oxidized-polymerized resin. ICP-MS analysis demonstrated that S, Al, Si, Fe, Na, and Ca were the predominant trace elements in medicinal amber. ConclusionThis study comprehensively evaluated medicinal amber's morphological attributes, phase composition, molecular vibrational modes, and trace elements through multimodal analytical techniques. The findings establish data support for establishing quality standards for medicinal amber and distinguishing it from synthetic resin imitations.
2.Characterization of Medicinal Amber via Multispectral Analysis Combined with ICP-MS
Donghan BAI ; Zerun LI ; Xueying XIN ; Lu LUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):176-183
ObjectiveTo systematically investigate the identification characteristics of medicinal amber, elucidate its microscopic features, crystal structural properties, and elemental composition, and thereby provide a scientific foundation for quality control and authenticity verification. MethodsThirty-nine batches of amber samples were collected and analyzed through integrated techniques including morphological analysis, microscopic identification, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to evaluate their morphological attributes, phase composition, molecular vibrational modes, and trace element profiles. Among them, the XRD experiment used Cu Kα radiation (λ=1.540 6 Å), with a scanning angle range of 10° to 70° (2θ) and a step size of 0.02°, the Raman spectroscopy experiment employed a 785 nm laser, with a spectral measurement range of 3 400 to 50 cm-1, a laser power of 300 mW, a laser intensity of 30%, and a scanning time of 100 to 1 000 ms, the infrared spectroscopy experiment used a carbon-sulfur lamp, with a scanning range of 4 000 to 500 cm-1, a resolution of 4 cm-1, and 3 scans, the ICP-MS experiment utilized frequency power of 1.2 kW, a double-pass cyclonic spray chamber, a sample introduction system flow rate of 0.7-1.0 L·min-1, and an auxiliary gas flow of 0.2 L·min-1. ResultsUnder orthogonal polarized light microscopy, medicinal amber exhibited an isotropic homogeneous structure, with partial samples containing inorganic impurities such as AsS and SiO₂. FTIR spectra revealed characteristic absorption peaks at 2 932-2 939 cm-1 (C-H stretching vibrations), 1 705-1 728 cm-1 (C=O stretching vibrations), and 880-887 cm-1 (C=C deformation vibrations), confirming the oxidative polymerization of terpenoid resin. Raman spectroscopy further identified distinctive peaks at 2 925 cm-1, 2 870 cm-1 (saturated C-H stretching), and 1 648 cm-1 (C=C stretching), consistent with the structural features of oxidized-polymerized resin. ICP-MS analysis demonstrated that S, Al, Si, Fe, Na, and Ca were the predominant trace elements in medicinal amber. ConclusionThis study comprehensively evaluated medicinal amber's morphological attributes, phase composition, molecular vibrational modes, and trace elements through multimodal analytical techniques. The findings establish data support for establishing quality standards for medicinal amber and distinguishing it from synthetic resin imitations.
3.Mechanism by which exercise improves inhibitory control and drug craving in methamphetamine abstinent patients
Shuaixiong LIAO ; Kai DENG ; Nan BAI ; Wenliang YANG ; Feng WANG ; Zongji HAO ; Xueying LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(27):4390-4396
BACKGROUND:Inhibitory control and drug craving are the core elements of evaluating drug withdrawal in methamphetamine addicts,which has attracted much attention in academic circles.As we all know,in order to achieve complete abstinence from drug addiction,the key is to restore the damaged inhibition and control function of drug addicts and effectively reduce the craving for drugs. OBJECTIVE:To systematically analyze the relationship between exercise and methamphetamine abstinence inhibitory control and drug craving,to find out an effective exercise intervention scheme that can promote methamphetamine abstinence,and to further explore the internal mechanism of exercise,in order to provide theoretical support and applied reference for the future use of exercise in drug withdrawal. METHODS:CNKI,WanFang,VIP,Web of Science,and PubMed databases were searched for relevant literature using the keywords of"exercise,physical activity,methamphetamine,inhibitory function,craving,addiction"in Chinese and"sport*,exercise,methamphetamine,drug craving,executive function,addiction"in English.According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,86 documents were finally included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In terms of inhibitory control in methamphetamine abstinent individuals,either acute and long-term moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or acute high-intensity interval training can significantly improve the inhibitory control capacity of methamphetamine abstinent individuals.For long-term aerobic exercise,aerobic group exercise or full-body comprehensive exercise is more effective.If the exercise format is power cycling,it is recommended to increase the frequency of exercise intervention.In terms of the drug craving intensity in methamphetamine abstinent individuals,acute moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and resistance training,as well as long-term moderate-intensity,high-intensity,or progressive load aerobic and resistance training,can effectively reduce the drug craving in methamphetamine abstinent individuals.Exercise exerts intrinsic regulatory effects on methamphetamine-mediated addiction.Exercise can influence the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase in the brain's ventral tegmental area,thereby stimulating the expression of dopamine receptor coupling proteins and promoting dopamine synthesis in the brain's reward regions,thereby compensating for dopamine depletion caused by methamphetamine addiction.Furthermore,exercise can also regulate protein kinase A inhibitors,affecting the protein kinase A signaling pathway mediated by dopamine D1 receptors,by inhibiting protein kinase A,thus affecting cAMP response element-binding protein and regulating methamphetamine addiction.Additionally,exercise can also,at the genetic level,affect the expression of the c-fos gene in the brain's nucleus accumbens region,activate a subset of glutamatergic neurons in this area,generate a rewarding effect,and thus improve methamphetamine addiction.Although current research has confirmed the relationship between exercise and methamphetamine addiction and has clarified the brain mechanisms underlying the effects of exercise,whether there are other brain regulatory pathways for the effects of exercise remains to be explored through more scientifically rigorous animal or human experiments,starting from the cellular or molecular level.
4.Research progress in role of composition and structure of basement membrane in epithelial cell polarization and its mechanism
Xueying BAI ; Xiaoling WANG ; Jinbiao QIANG ; Xinyi FAN ; Ce SHI
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2024;50(1):265-272
The basement membrane is a specialized extracellular matrix between the epithelium and the mesenchyme.In stratified epithelium,only the basal cells in contact with the basement membrane exhibit the apical-basal polarity,whereas the epithelial cells do being not in contact with the basement membrane do not exhibit the apical-basal polarity.The basement membrane plays an important role in epithelial cell polarization.It is an important extracellular matrix(ECM)structure in the multicellular organisms,is situated between the epithelium and the mesenchyme,and is produced jointly by the epithelial cells and mesenchymal cells.Its components mainly include Laminin,type Ⅳ collagen(Col-Ⅳ),nidogen(NDG),and heparan sulfate proteoglycans(HSPG),and each component plays the different role in influencing the epithelial cell polarity.The network scaffold formed by Col-Ⅳ and Laminin is the main structure of the basement membrane,and the integrity of the structure affects the epithelial cell polarization.This review summarizes the composition and structure of the basement membrane,focuses on its role in epithelial cell polarization and its mechanism,and compiles the current status of biomimetic basement membrane materials that promotes the epithelial cell polarization,and provides the theoretical foundation for further exploration of the establishment and maintenance of epithelial cell polarity.
5.Role and diagnostic value of miRNA-205 on vascular calcification in patients with chronic kidney disease
Yaling BAI ; Xueying WU ; Yangyang LU ; Dongxue ZHANG ; Jingjing JIN ; Meijuan CHENG ; Shenglei ZHANG ; Jinsheng XU
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2023;39(5):353-360
Objective:To investigate the role and diagnostic value of miRNA-205 in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with vascular calcification.Methods:It was divided into in vitro cell experiment and retrospective cohort study. In vitro experiments were conducted by using rat thoracic aortic smooth muscle cells. Alizarin red staining and calcium content detection were used to detect the calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) test kit was used to measure ALP activity. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression levels of osteogenic transcription factors runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and smooth muscle-22α (SM-22α) in VSMCs. qRT-PCR was used to detect miRNA-205 and Runx2 expression levels. The double luciferase reporter gene assay was used to verify the targeted relationship between miRNA-205 and Runx2. The non-dialysis patients with CKD 3-5 stage from June 2020 to January 2021 in the Department of Nephrology of Fourth Hospital, Hebei Medical University were selected. According to coronary artery calcium score (CACs), the patients were divided into non-calcification group (CACs=0), mild-moderate calcification group (0
6.Partial stereotactic ablative boost radiotherapy in bulky non-small cell lung cancer: a dosimetric comparison between proton and photon
Yun BAI ; Xianshu GAO ; Mingwei MA ; Zhilei ZHAO ; Peilin LIU ; Xi CAO ; Shangbin QIN ; Siwei LIU ; Yan GAO ; Xueying REN ; Hongzhen LI ; Min ZHANG ; Xiaomei LI ; Feng LYU ; Xiaoying LI ; Xin QI ; Jiayan CHEN ; Mu XIE
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2022;31(8):710-715
Objective:Partial stereotactic ablative boost radiotherapy(P-SABR)is a method to deliver SABR boost to the gross tumor boost volume(GTVb), followed by conventionally fractionated radiotherapy to the whole tumor area(GTV). GTVb is the max volume receiving SABR while ensuring the critical organ-at-risk(OAR)falloff to 3 GyE/f. We investigated the potential advantage of proton therapy in treating bulky non-small cell lung cancer(the tumor length greater than 8 cm).Methods:Nine patients with bulky NSCLC treated with photon P-SABR in our institute were selected. For the treatment planning of proton therapy, the GTVb target area was gradually outwardly expanded based on the photon GTVb target area until the dose to critical OARs reached 3 GyE/f. The GTV and CTV areas remained the same as photon plan. A proton intensity-modulated radiation treatment plan(proton-IMPT), a photon intensity-modulated radiation treatment plan(photon-IMRT)and a photon volumetric modulated arc therapy(photon-VMAT)were created for each patient, respectively. The dosimetric parameters of different treatment plans were compared.Results:The volume ratio of GTVb-photon and GTVb-proton to GTV was(25.4±13.4)% and(69.7±30.0)%,respectively( P<0.001). In photon-IMRT, photon-VMAT, and proton-IMPT plan groups, the mean dose of CTV was(76.1±4.9)Gy, (78.2±3.6)Gy, and(84.7±4.9)Gy, respectively; the ratio of tumor volume with Biologic Effective Dose(BED)≥ 90 Gy to GTV volume was(70.7±21.7)%, (76.8±22.1)%,and(97.9±4.0)%,respectively. The actual dose and BED to the tumor area of the proton-IMPT plan group were significantly higher than those of the photon plan group(both P<0.05). Besides, the OARs dose was significantly decreased in the proton-IMPT group, with(49.2±22.0)%, (56.8±19.0)% and(16.1±6.3)% of the whole lung V5 for photon-IMRT, photon-VMAT and proton-IMPT, respectively(all P<0.001). Conclusions:Larger GTV boost target volume, higher BED and reduced OARs dose can be achieved in proton plans compared with photon plans. Proton P-SABR is expected to further improve the local control rate of bulky NSCLC with fewer adverse effects.
7.Case-control study on association of female reproductive factors with risk of papillary thyroid cancer
Tianfeng WU ; Meixia LIU ; Pinqing BAI ; Zhengyuan WANG ; Jiajie ZANG ; Changyi GUO ; Xueying CUI ; Hui HU ; Xiaodong JIA ; Fan WU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2021;38(11):1173-1178
Background Papillary thyroid cancer is the result of a variety of pathogenic factors. The prevalence of papillary thyroid cancer varies greatly in different regions, and the disease is more harmful to women. Objective This study aims to explore the relationship between reproductive factors and papillary thyroid cancer, and to provide basic data for prevention and control of the disease. Methods A 1∶1 age (±3 years) matched case-control study was conducted in 331 pairs of newly confirmed papillary thyroid cancer cases and controls from two hospitals in Shanghai from November 2012 to December 2013. Comparisons were made in the history of menstruation, pregnancy, gynecological and breast diseases, and other variables between the two groups. Results The results of univariate analysis indicated that the proportions of education below bachelor degree, married, and mainly manual workers in the case group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05); the proportion of those with a family history of thyroid diseases in the case group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05); the proportions of the cases with irregular menstruation (77.34%), a history of using oral contraceptive or hormone drugs (24.77%), a history of benign gynecological diseases (31.72%), and a history of gynecological surgery (9.67%) were significantly higher than the proportions in the control group (P<0.05). After adjusting potential confounding factors such as history of CT examination, age, kinds of family salt, total iodine intake every day, education level, occupation, marital status, body mass index, and family history of thyroid diseases, the results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that irregular menstruation (OR=1.767, 95%CI: 1.122-2.782; P=0.014), surgical menopause (OR=12.787, 95%CI: 3.202-51.057; P<0.001), pregnancy >1 time (OR =2.490, 95%CI: 1.196-5.184; P=0.015), and the history of using oral contraceptive or hormone drugs (OR=2.389, 95%CI: 1.338-4.268; P=0.003) were the risk factors of papillary thyroid cancer. Conclusion Irregular menstruation, surgical menopause, history of pregnancy, and history of using oral contraceptive or hormone drugs might be the risk factors of papillary thyroid cancer. To reduce the incidence of papillary thyroid cancer, strengthened health education and rational use of contraceptives are recommended.
8.Radiotherapy of all metastatic lesions in metachronous oligometastatic prostate cancer
Xin QI ; Xianshu GAO ; Mingzhu LIU ; Peilin LIU ; Hongzhen LI ; Shangbin QIN ; Mingwei MA ; Yun BAI ; Min ZHANG ; Xiaomei LI ; Xiaoying LI ; Jiayan CHEN ; Xueying REN ; Liqun ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Urology 2021;42(9):656-661
Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of radiotherapy for all metastases in patients with metachronous oligo-metastatic prostate cancer after radical treatment.Methods:From October 2011 to February 2021, 41 patients with prostate cancer with less than 5 metastases after radical treatment were retrospectively analyzed in a single center. The median age at radiotherapy was 68 (57-81) years. Forty patients (98%) received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). There were 28 patients in the hormone sensitive (HSPC) group and 13 patients in the hormone resistant (CRPC) group. The median initial PSA was 24.4 (7.4-399.0) ng/ml. Tumor stage: T 2 stage 11 patients, T 3 stage 27 patients, T 4 stage 3 patients.30 patients were in N 0 stage and 11 patients in N 1 stage. Gleason score was 7 in 12 patients, 8 in 9 patients, 9 in 18 patients, and 10 in 2 patients.33 patients were treated with surgery, and 8 patients were treated with radiotherapy. The time span from diagnosis to metastasis was 3.1 (0.2-1.8) years. Conventional imaging examination (CT/ MRI/bone scan) before radiotherapy was used in 7 patients, and PSMA PET/CT examination was used in 34 patients.The median PSA before radiotherapy was 1.3(0.1-33.8) ng/ml. There were 62 metastases in 41 patients, including 1 lesion in 28 patients, 2 lesions in 9 patients, 3 lesions in 2 patients, and 5 lesions in 2 patients. Fifty-four patients had bone metastases and eight had retroperitoneal lymph node metastases. Twenty-two bone metastases were located in the pelvis, 18 in the vertebral body, 12 in the ribs, one in the femur and one in the sternum.The median metastatic volume was 5.8(0.2-81.7) cm 3.Daily image-guided rotational intensity modulated radiotherapy was used to cover all metastases.Dose segmentation modes include 37.5Gy/7.5Gy/5F, 60Gy/3Gy/20F, 65-70Gy/2.6-2.8Gy/25F.The median biological effective dose (BED 3) was 120 (67-147) Gy. The primary endpoint was biochemical progression-free survival (BPFS), the secondary endpoints were acute and late toxic side effects, local relapse-free survival (LPFS), and overall survival (OS). Results:The median follow-up time was 21 months (range 5-72 months). All patients completed radiotherapy, and 16 patients had grade 1 to 2 acute toxicity and side effects, and no grade 3 or above acute and late stage side effects. 1-year LPFS was 97.1%.The 1-year and 2-year BPFS were 77.5% and 59.2%, respectively. The median BPFS time was 29 months (range 13.9-44.2 months). Univariate analysis showed that the HSPC group ( P<0.001) and the group with total metastatic volume ≤ 5.8cm 3 ( P=0.010) had higher BPFS. The median BPFS time was 37 months in the retroperitoneal lymph node metastases subgroup and 17 months in the bone metastases subgroup ( P=0.141). In the HSPC group, the median BPFS was 30(22-38) months. After radiotherapy, PSA decreased in all 28 patients, and increased in 6 patients. The median BPFS was 12(4-18) months. In the CRPC group, the median BPFS was 4(0-8) months. PSA decreased in 10 patients (76.9%) after radiotherapy, and PSA decreased in 6 patients. The median BPFS was 5(3-28) months. Three patients’PSA did not decrease after radiotherapy, and they were treated with new endocrine therapy drugs, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and other systemic therapy. Conclusions:For patients with metachronous metastases after radical treatment, full coverage radiotherapy has good safety and high local control rate. HSPC patients and patients with low tumor load could be recommended to receive radiotherapy for all metastatic lesions preferentially, and patients with only retroperitoneal lymph node metastases may have better prognosis after radiotherapy than patients with bone metastases.
9.Dosimetric comparison between volumetric-modulated arc radiotherapy and intensity-modulated proton therapy in patients with ventricular tachycardia using stereotactic ablative radiotherapy
Xueying REN ; Xianshu GAO ; Pengkang HE ; Zhilei ZHAO ; Bo ZHAO ; Yun BAI ; Mingwei MA ; Shangbin QIN ; Min ZHANG ; Jing ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2020;29(6):466-471
Objective:To evaluate the dosimetric properties of intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) plans for simulated treatment planning in patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) using stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR), in comparison with the volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT).Methods:A total of 25 gross target volume (GTV) of the apical, anterior, septal, inferior and lateral wall of the left ventricle (LV) were delineated on the CT simulation images of 5 patients with complete data. An additional 5 mm GTV margin was added to the internal target volume (ITV), and an additional 3 mm ITV margin was added to the planning target volume (PTV). VMAT and IMPT plans were designed in each target area. Dose prescription was 25 Gy (RBE) in a single fraction. The dosimetric differences of ITV and organ at risk (OAR) were compared between VMAT and IMPT.Results:The median volume of ITV was 45.40 cm 3(26.72-67.59 cm 3). All plans had adequate target coverage(V 95%Rx≥99%). Compared with the VMAT plans, IMPT reduced the D mean of whole heart, pericardium and non-target cardiac tissues (relative difference) by 44.52%, 44.91% and 60.16%, respectively, which also reduced D 0.03 cm 3 of the left anterior descending artery by 17.58%( P<0.05). After stratified analysis according to the lesion sites, IMPT could still reduce the dose of most OAR. However, the D 0.03 cm 3 of LAD and LCX for the lesions in the anterior wall of LV, the D 0.03 cm 3 of LCX in the inferior wall and D 0.03 cm 3 of LAD in the apical wall did not significantly differ (both P>0.05). Conclusions:Both VMAT and IMPT plans can meet the clinical dosimetric requirements when SABR is simulated in patients with VT. However, IMPT can lower the dose of normal heart tissues, which has the potential benefit of reducing the risk of complications, such as ischemic heart disease, pericarditis/pericardial effusion, etc.
10.An acoustic-articulatory study of the nasal finals in students with and without hearing loss.
Qing WANG ; Jing BAI ; Peiyun XUE ; Xueying ZHANG ; Pei FENG
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2018;35(2):198-205
The central aim of this experiment was to compare the articulatory and acoustic characteristics of students with normal hearing (NH) and school aged children with hearing loss (HL), and to explore the articulatory-acoustic relations during the nasal finals. Fourteen HL and 10 control group were enrolled in this study, and the data of 4 HL students were removed because of their high pronunciation error rate. Data were collected using an electromagnetic articulography. The acoustic data and kinematics data of nasal finals were extracted by the phonetics and data processing software, and all data were analyzed by test and correlation analysis. The paper shows that, the difference was statistically significant ( <0.05 or <0.01) in different vowels under the first two formant frequencies (F1, F2), the tongue position and the articulatory-acoustic relations between HL and NH group. The HL group's vertical movement data-F1 relations in /en/ and /eng/ are same as NH group. The conclusion of this study about participants with HL can provide support for speech healing training at increasing pronunciation accuracy in HL participants.

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