1.Construction and in vitro osteogenic activity study of magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen
WANG Meng ; SUN Yifei ; CAO Xiaoqing ; WEI Yiyuan ; CHEN Lei ; ZHANG Zhenglong ; MU Zhao ; ZHU Juanfang ; NIU Lina
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(1):15-28
Objective:
To investigate the efficacy of magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen (MSHA/Col) in improving the bone repair microenvironment and enhancing bone regeneration capacity, providing a strategy to address the insufficient biomimetic composition and limited bioactivity of traditional hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen (HA/Col) scaffolds.
Methods:
A high-molecular-weight polyacrylic acid-stabilized amorphous calcium magnesium strontium phosphate precursor (HPAA/ACMSP) was prepared. Its morphology and elemental distribution were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Recombinant collagen sponge blocks were immersed in the HPAA/ACMSP mineralization solution. Magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite was induced to deposit within collagen fibers (experimental group: MSHA/Col; control group: HA/Col). The morphological characteristics of MSHA/Col were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Its crystal structure and chemical composition were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The mineral phase content was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. The scaffold's porosity, ion release, and in vitro degradation performance were also determined. For cytological experiments, CCK-8 assay, live/dead cell staining, alkaline phosphatase staining, alizarin red S staining, RT-qPCR, and western blotting were used to evaluate the effects of the MSHA/Col scaffold on the proliferation, viability, early osteogenic differentiation activity, late mineralization capacity, and gene and protein expression levels of key osteogenic markers [runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), collagen type Ⅰ (Col-Ⅰ), osteopontin (Opn), and osteocalcin (Ocn)] in mouse embryonic osteoblast precursor cells (MC3T3-E1).
Results:
HPAA/ACMSP appeared as amorphous spherical nanoparticles under TEM, with energy spectrum analysis showing uniform distribution of carbon, oxygen, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and strontium elements. SEM results of MSHA/Col indicated successful complete intrafibrillar mineralization. Elemental analysis showed the mass fractions of magnesium and strontium were 0.72% (matching the magnesium content in natural bone) and 2.89%, respectively. X-ray diffraction revealed characteristic peaks of hydroxyapatite crystals (25.86°, 31°-34°). Infrared spectroscopy results showed characteristic absorption peaks for both collagen and hydroxyapatite. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated a mineral phase content of 78.29% in the material. The scaffold porosity was 91.6% ± 1.1%, close to the level of natural bone tissue. Ion release curves demonstrated sustained release behavior for both magnesium and strontium ions. The in vitro degradation rate matched the ingrowth rate of new bone tissue. Cytological experiments showed that MSHA/Col significantly promoted MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation (130% increase in activity at 72 h, P < 0.001). MSHA/Col exhibited excellent efficacy in promoting osteogenic differentiation, significantly upregulating the expression of osteogenesis-related genes and proteins (Runx2, Col-Ⅰ, Opn, Ocn) (P < 0.01).
Conclusion
The MSHA/Col scaffold achieves dual biomimicry of natural bone in both composition and structure, and effectively promotes osteogenic differentiation at the genetic and protein levels, breaking through the functional limitations of pure hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen. This provides a new strategy for the development of functional bone repair materials
2.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates Related Signaling Pathways to Prevent and Control Breast Cancer and Precancerous Lesions: A Review
Yifei ZENG ; Di ZHAO ; Junyue WANG ; Mengjie WANG ; Yubo GUO ; Yu ZHOU ; Dongxiao ZHANG ; Wenjie ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):290-301
Breast cancer has become the malignant tumor with the highest incidence rate among women, seriously threatening the life and health of women all over the world. The pathogenic factors and development mechanisms of breast cancer are complex and diverse. The development of breast cells from ordinary hyperplasia to atypical hyperplasia, and from pre-cancerous lesions to cancerous lesions, is a long-term progressive process. Therefore, early screening and prevention of breast cancer is particularly important. Western medicine has a relatively mature treatment program for breast cancer, which is mainly based on surgery and systemic treatment, whereas the ensuing complications and adverse reactions often bring a heavy burden to patients. For the precancerous lesions of breast cancer, surgery is also the mainstay of treatment. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has increasingly highlighted its advantages in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Increasing studies have shown that in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and pre-cancerous lesions, TCM compound prescriptions, single herbs or herb pairs, and active components are able to regulate a variety of intracellular signaling pathways through multi-targets to inhibit the proliferation and invasion, promote the apoptosis and autophagy of tumor cells, and regulate the cell cycle and the immune microenvironment, thus exerting anti-tumor effects. At the same time, they can significantly attenuate the toxic side effects of radiotherapy and drug resistance of patients. However, the specific mechanisms of TCM in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and precancerous lesions have not been fully clarified. The available studies are tanglesome regarding the TCM inhibition of tumor development through the regulation of classical signaling pathways such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Wnt/β-catenin, and Notch, which still need to be verified by a large number of clinical and experimental studies. Therefore, this paper reviews the research progress in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and precancerous lesions by TCM through interfering with the relevant signaling pathways in recent years, aiming to summarize the possible mechanisms of TCM in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and provide references for subsequent studies.
3.Effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on functional brain activity in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness: A randomized controlled trial protocol using functional near-infrared spectroscopy and electroencephalography
Huan OUYANG ; Yifei WANG ; Ying HAN ; Jinling ZHANG ; Liang LI ; Chen XIN ; Jianghong HE ; Peijing RONG
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(2):181-187
Background: Advances in intensive care have markedly improved survival after severe brain injury, leading to a growing population of patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (pDOC). Current management of pDOC remains largely supportive, and evidence-based neuromodulatory interventions are limited; moreover, existing guidelines provide insufficiently explicit recommendations regarding mechanisms of action and objective biomarkers of treatment response. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has emerged as a potential noninvasive intervention; however, its modulatory effects on brain function in pDOC are not yet well characterized, and the paucity of integrative mechanistic evidence has constrained its translation into routine clinical practice. Objectives: Within a multimodal assessment framework, this study aims to systematically elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms by which taVNS modulates brain function and autonomic activity in patients with pDOC, and to evaluate its clinical potential to enhance levels of consciousness. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 60 patients with vegetative state/minimally conscious state will be enrolled and randomly allocated to a taVNS group, a transcutaneous nonauricular vagus nerve stimulation group (sham), or a control group (n = 20 per group) for a 4-week intervention. The primary outcome will be changes in the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised scores from baseline to weeks 1, 2, and 4 of treatment. Secondary outcomes will include functional brain activity assessed by electroencephalography and functional near-infrared spectroscopy, as well as autonomic modulation indexed by heart rate variability. Functional prognosis will be evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended at the end of treatment and at a 6-month follow-up. Safety will be assessed by continuous monitoring and documentation of adverse events throughout the study period. Results and discussion: By integrating electroencephalography–functional near-infrared spectroscopy with heart rate variability, this study will characterize the effects of taVNS on functional brain networks and consciousness recovery in pDOC across complementary behavioral, electrophysiological, hemodynamic, and autonomic domains, while interrogating potential sources of clinical and neurobiological heterogeneity. The findings are expected to provide a mechanistic and evidence-based foundation for the mechanism-driven clinical implementation of taVNS and the optimization of stimulation protocols in pDOC. Clinical trial registration: International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry, ITMCTR20250021041, https://itmctr.ccebtcm.org.cn.
4.Mechanism of Yishen Tongluo Formula regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway to ameliorate pyroptosis in diabetic nephropathy mice
Yifei ZHANG ; Zijing CAO ; Zeyu ZHANG ; Xuehui BAI ; Jingyi TANG ; Junyu XI ; Jiayi WANG ; Yiran XIE ; Yuqi WU ; Xi GUO ; Zhongjie LIU ; Weijing LIU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(1):21-33
Objective:
To investigate the mechanism of Yishen Tongluo Formula in ameliorating renal pyroptosis in diabetic nephropathy mice by regulating the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway.
Methods:
Sixty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into control (10 mice) and intervention groups (50 mice) using random number table method. The diabetes nephropathy model was established by intraperitoneally injecting streptozotocin(50 mg/kg). After modeling, the intervention group was further divided into model, semaglutide (40 μg/kg), and high-, medium-, and low-dose Yishen Tongluo Formula groups (15.6, 7.8, and 3.9 g/kg, respectively) using random number table method. The high-, medium-, and low-dose Yishen Tongluo Formula groups were administered corresponding doses of medication by gavage, the semaglutide group received a subcutaneous injection of semaglutide injection, and the control group and model groups were administered distilled water by gavage for 12 consecutive weeks. Random blood glucose levels of mice in each group were monitored, and the 24-h urinary protein content was measured using biochemical method every 4 weeks; after treatment, the serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels were measured using biochemical method. The weight of the kidneys was measured, and the renal index was calculated. Hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, periodic Schiff-methenamine, and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes in renal tissue. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect urinary β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) levels. Western blotting and real-time fluorescence PCR were used to detect the relative protein and mRNA expression levels of nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3), Caspase-1, gasdermin D (GSDMD), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in renal tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the proportion of protein staining area of the TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB in renal tissue.
Results:
Compared with the control group, the random blood glucose, 24-h urinary protein, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, and renal index of the model group increased, and the urine β2-MG, NGAL, and KIM-1 levels increased. The relative protein and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, and IL-18 in renal tissue increased, and the proportion of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB protein positive staining areas increased (P<0.05). Pathological changes such as glomerular hypertrophy were observed in the renal tissue of the model group. Compared with the model group, the Yishen Tongluo Formula high-dose group showed a decrease in random blood glucose after 12 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). The Yishen Tongluo Formula high- and medium-dose groups showed a decrease in 24-h urinary protein, creatinine, urea nitrogen, and renal index, as well as decreased β2-MG, NGAL, and KIM-1 levels. NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1 β, and IL-18 relative protein and mRNA expression levels were also reduced, and the proportion of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB protein positive staining areas was reduced (P<0.05). Pathological damage to renal tissue was ameliorated.
Conclusion
Yishen Tongluo Formula may exert protective renal effects by inhibiting renal pyroptosis and alleviating tubular interstitial injury in diabetic nephropathy mice by regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.
5.Preliminary Study on the Characteristics of Xiang (象) Thinking and Its Influence on Traditional Chinese Medicine Terminology
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(12):1197-1201
By reviewing the main perspectives in current scholarship on the characteristics of xiang (象) thinking, comparing their similarities and differences, this paper summarizes the features of xiang thinking as holism, functionality, and variability. Taking these three characteristics as the core and contrasting with conceptual thinking, it argues that under the influence of xiang thinking, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) terminology shows three distinctive traits. Firstly, the unity of body and function, and the non-duality of dao (道) and its manifestations; Secondly, functionalization in referential use; Thirdly, a constructive, processual nature with inherent variability in reference. Based on this, this paper analyzes some contemporary misinterpretations of TCM terminology that detach from the subjectivity of xiang thinking, such as the conceptual thinking-influenced division and opposition of material qi and functional qi, and the reification of the functional zang-fu concepts. It is further proposed that, in the context of the linguistic turn in western philosophical studies emphasizing the subject's role in language construction, TCM terminology rooted in the xiang thinking realm of subject-object unity should uphold a culturally subjective stance and construct a knowledge system consistent with its own characteristics.
6.Treatment of Perimenopausal Syndrome Using the Method of Clearing the Heart and Pacifying Liver
Yifei CHEN ; Ji LI ; Jie ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(12):1290-1292
To summarise the clinical experience of treating perimenopausal syndrome with self-prescribed Gengnian Formula (更年方). It is believed that the key mechanism of perimenopausal syndrome is the imbalance of heart and liver, and it is common to see the syndrome of blazing of heart-liver fire, so the treatment should be based on calmness of qi and blood. It is advocated that using the method of clearing the heart and pacifying liver, prescribing Gengnian Formula as the basic formula, and modifying according to the symptoms, so as to regulate heart and liver and balance yin and yang.
7.Effect of ligation methods of inferior mesenteric artery on preserving left colic artery in lapa-roscopic radical resection of rectal cancer: a prospective randomized controlled study
Yang LUO ; Minhao YU ; Guangyao YE ; Feng GUO ; Yifei MU ; Ming ZHONG ; Zizhen ZHANG ; Lei GU
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2025;24(6):746-753
Objective:To investigate the effect of ligation methods of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) on preserving left colic artery (LCA) in laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer.Methods:The prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. The clinical data of 864 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer at Renji Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from January 2020 to December 2024 were selected. Patients were randomly divided into the low ligation group and high ligation group using a random number table. Patients of the low ligation group underwent laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer with preserving LCA by low ligation of IMA and apical lymph node dissection, and patients of the high ligation group underwent laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer with traditional high ligation of IMA. Observation indicators: (1) grouping of the enrolled patients; (2) intraoperative conditions; (3) postoperative pathological examination; (4) postoperative recovery. Comparison of measurement data with normal distribution between groups was conducted using the independent sample t test. Comparison of count data between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data between groups was conducted using the non-parametric test. Results:(1) Grouping of the enrolled patients. A total of 864 patients with rectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer were screened for eligibility, including 410 males and 454 females, aged (63±11)years. All 864 patients were randomly divided into the low ligation group and high ligation group, with 432 patients in each group. There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, carcinoembryonic antigen, distance from tumor to anal margin, diabetes, hypertension, neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy, IMA subtypes and IMA length between the two groups ( P>0.05), ensuring comparability. (2) Intraoperative conditions. All patients of the two groups successfully completed surgery, with no errors in blood vessel ligation during operation or conversion to open surgery. There was a significant difference in time of IMA dissection between the low ligation group and high ligation group [(31±11)minutes vs. (28±9)minutes, t=4.39, P<0.05], and there was no significant difference in total operation time, volume of intra-operative blood loss or prophylactic stoma rate between the two groups ( P>0.05). (3) Postopera-tive pathological examination. There was a significant difference in the number of lymph node dissected between the low ligation group and high ligation group (1.8±1.4 vs. 1.5±1.4, t=2.51, P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in tumor diameter, the total number of lymph node dissected, total lymph node positive status, No.253 lymph node positive status, TNM staging between the two groups ( P>0.05). (4) Postoperative recovery. The time to postoperative first flatus and the number of anastomotic leakage of patients in the low ligation group were (74±22)hours and 16 cases, versus (78±20)hours and 31 cases in the high ligation group, respectively, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( t=2.52, χ2=5.06, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the time to postoperative initial liquid food intake, duration of post-operative hospital stay, duration of abdominal drainage tube indwelling, duration of anal tube indwelling, postoperative wound infection, pulmonary infection, intestinal obstruction, or urinary dysfunction between the two groups ( P>0.05). None of patients in the two groups had readmission or death during the postoperative 30 days. Conclusion:Low ligation of IMA in laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer can guide precise LCA preservation, which is beneficial for accelerating the recovery of intestinal function and reducing the incidence of anastomotic leakage.
8.Relationships among adverse childhood experiences,psychosomatic symptoms,and job burnout innurses
Cheng YU ; Dongfen XIA ; Yifei PEI ; Xuan ZHANG ; Fenglin CAO
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(3):280-286
Objective:To explore the impact of adverse childhood experiences on psychosomatic symptoms and job burnout in the nursing population.Methods:Utilizing a multistage stratified cluster random sampling meth-od,1 661 nurses were selected.Through a 1∶2 propensity score matching approach,demographic and work-related characteristics were balanced between the positive and negative groups of adverse childhood experiences.Finally,880 cases were successfully matched(positive group:300 cases,negative group:580 cases).Linear regression was employed to explore the relationship between nurses'adverse childhood experiences and psychosomatic symptoms(anxiety,depression,physical symptoms),as well as job burnout.The average treatment effect among the treated(ATT)was calculated.Results:Linear regression results revealed a significant positive association between adverse childhood experiences and scores for anxiety symptoms,depression symptoms,physical symptoms,and job burnout(B=1.68,2.67,2.89,5.90;ATT=1.64,2.58,2.82,5.96,Ps<0.001).However,there was no statistically signif-icant association with scores for a sense of inadequacy in individual achievements(P>0.05).Conclusion:Nurses who have experienced childhood adverse experiences may exhibit more severe psychosomatic symptoms and job burnout compared to those who have not experienced such adversities during childhood.
9.Research progress on the relationship between frailty and depressive disorders and exercise interventions in older adults
Mingqi WANG ; Lei SU ; Yifei XIA ; Shensen LU ; Lu HAO ; Yongli ZHANG ; Zhenchun SHI
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 2025;51(10):627-631
Frailty and depressive disorders exhibit a high prevalence and comorbidity rate in the elderly population.Their coexistence significantly reduces patients'quality of life,increases the risk of disability and mortality,and substantially exacerbates the socioeconomic burden.Emerging evidence indicates a significant bidirectional causal relationship between frailty and depressive disorders.The underlying comorbid mechanisms may be related to elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as C-reactive protein,neutrophils,and white blood cells.Grey matter volume reduces in specific brain regions including the bilateral thalamus and right precentral gyrus.And abnormal hormone secretion,such as cortisol,resulting from the overactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.Exercise interventions demonstrate positive effects in preventing and managing both frailty and depressive disorders,indicating broad application prospects.However,the underlying mechanisms require further validation.In summary,the comorbidity of frailty and depressive disorders in the elderly requires greater attention.Current evidence supports exercise intervention as an effective therapeutic strategy for improving health outcomes in this population.
10.Progress on mechanism of IL-32 in transformation process of gastric"inflammation to cancer"
Weijian ZHANG ; Yuqi WU ; Dishu ZHOU ; Shuya SONG ; Xinxin HONG ; Yifei XU ; Tiantian CAI ; Shaoju GUO ; Huafeng PAN ; Haiwen LI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(9):2264-2271
IL-32 is a multifunctional cytokine with both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties.It has been proved that expression of IL-32 increases with progression of gastric mucosal diseases and severity of gastric cancer(GC),thus participating in process of gastric"inflammation-cancer"transformation.However,how IL-32 affects malignant transformation of gastric"inflamma-tion-cancer"and finally leads to adverse outcome of GC invasion and migration is still controversial.In order to better clarify regulatory effect and possible mechanism of abnormal expression of IL-32 on different histopathological stages of gastric"inflammation-cancer"transformation,and to explore new directions and breakthroughs in molecular mechanism of early truncation and treatment of gastric precancerous lesion(GPL),we searched literatures related to IL-32 in six authoritative databases at home and abroad,such as Pubmed,Web of Science and CNKI,in past 30 years.It was found that pathogenicity or protective function of IL-32 in different histo-pathological stages of gastric"inflammation-cancer"transformation depended on its different subtypes,secretory forms,surrounding cytokine environment,disease status and genetic factors.IL-32 may regulate polarization of macrophages through NF-κB,MAPK,COX2,PR3,IDO,NOD,PKCδ,FAK and STAT3,amplify or inhibit chronic inflammatory stimulation of gastric mucosa,and thus participate in process of gastric"inflammation-cancer"transformation.Our new understanding of role of IL-32 in different stages of Cor-rea cascade may contribute to development of cytokine-directed therapy,and therapy aimed at regulating different alternative splicing subtypes of IL-32 and targeting IL-32 signals can be used as a new strategy for medical treatment of GPL and GC in future.


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