1.Research progress on the mechanisms of Tibetan medicine Gentianopsis paludosa and its chemical components against ulcerative colitis and associated fibrosis
Huan LI ; Qing NIE ; Yongkang AN ; Shuangxi ZHANG ; Xiang’an ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(5):676-681
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory disease of the intestine. Intestinal fibrosis represents a severe co mplication and a potential risk factor for malignant transformation. Gentianopsis paludosa is one of the traditional Tibetan medicines commonly used for treating gastrointestinal disorders such as damp-heat diarrhea and dysentery. Its chemical composition is complex, encompassing xanthones, flavonoids, terpenoids, and other bioactive components, and it exhibits properties such as clearing heat, eliminating dampness, and detoxifying. This article reviews the research progress on the pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanisms of G. paludosa against UC and associated fibrosis. Findings suggest that its extracts (e.g., aqueous extract, ethyl acetate extract) and active constituents (e.g., 1-hydroxy-3,7,8-trimethoxyxanthone, ursolic acid, swertiamarin, luteolin) may inhibit inflammatory cytokines, combat oxidative stress, suppress cell apoptosis, regulate intestinal microbiota and their metabolites, protect the intestinal mucosal barrier, modulate immune responses, and inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition, through modulating relevant signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor-kappa B, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-associated X protein, and transforming growth factor-β 1 /Smad, thus exerting therapeutic effects against UC and its related fibrosis via these seven aspects.
2.Research progress on the control and utilization of microorganisms in the space-based animal culture
Haonan FAN ; Xiangyang LIU ; Yongkang TANG ; Panfeng BAI ; Mingjun DENG ; Liangchang ZHANG ; Qiang BIAN
Space Medicine & Medical Engineering 2025;36(3):278-282
The control and utilization of microorganisms in space-based animal culture constitute a pivotal challenge underpinning research domains such as space life sciences and extraterrestrial life-support system.This paper systematically examines the origins,transmission routes,and latent risks of microbial contamination in space-based animal culture facilities.A comprehensive analysis is conducted on the advancements in on-orbit implementation of microbial containment strategies,including physical filtration systems,antimicrobial surface coatings,and environmental parameter optimization.Additionally,the study evaluates the prospective applications of probiotic consortia and functionally engineered microorganisms in enhancing animal welfare,stabilizing biosphere conditions,and enabling closed-loop waste recycling.Notably,this work highlights the paradigm shift from reactive microbial suppression to proactive microbiome engineering in space-based animal husbandry,thereby establishing a theoretical framework for sustainable development of space-based animal culture.
3.Finite element analysis of osteoporosis in proximal femur after cannulated screw fixation for femoral neck fracture
Xiaofeng XUE ; Yongkang WEI ; Xiaohong QIAO ; Yuyong DU ; Jianjun NIU ; Lixin REN ; Huifeng YANG ; Zhimin ZHANG ; Yuan GUO ; Weiyi CHEN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(6):862-867
BACKGROUND:After the internal fixation of cannulated screws in femoral neck fractures,because the affected limb is often unable to bear weight in the short term and the implants with high stiffness have a stress shielding effect on the fracture end,it is easy to cause osteoporosis of the affected limb and changes in the biomechanical distribution of the proximal femur,the incidence of osteonecrosis of the femoral head is high after surgery.At present,few studies have been conducted on the biomechanical effects of osteoporosis at the proximal end of the femur occurring after femoral neck fracture surgery on femoral neck fracture treated with cannulated screws. OBJECTIVE:Using finite element analysis,to investigate the biomechanical effects of osteoporosis occurring after femoral neck fracture surgery on femoral neck fracture treated with cannulated screws and explore the role of biomechanical factors in osteonecrosis of the femoral head. METHODS:Based on the obtained CT scan data of the femur in a patient with a femoral neck fracture,a proximal femoral model for internal fixation for femoral neck fracture was established by Mimics 19.0,3-Matic,UG 11.0,Hypermesh 14.0,and Abaqus software.One finite element model of the proximal femur without osteoporosis and three finite element models of the proximal femur with osteoporosis were analyzed using Abaqus software.The stress,contact pressure,displacement peak and cloud map under different components of the four models were measured and analyzed,and the internal stress changes and distribution of the femoral head were compared and analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The stresses and contact pressures of the femoral head and lower anterior cannulated screws varied more with the degree of osteoporosis.The peak displacement of the four models increased slowly with the degree of osteoporosis.By one-way analysis of variance,there was no significant effect of the degree of osteoporosis on the peak stress,contact pressure,and displacement of the different components.The internal stress distribution of the femoral head changed with the degree of osteoporosis.Changes in the biomechanical environment of the proximal femur have an important impact on osteonecrosis of the femoral head.
4.Research progress of plants improving air quality in closed environment
Cong ZHANG ; Yongkang TANG ; Jianxiao WANG ; Weidang AI ; Fang LI ; Xiaoxia WANG
Space Medicine & Medical Engineering 2024;35(3):195-200
Regarding the air quality problems,this article summarized the adverse factors such as trace harmful gases,small particulate matter,and high concentration carbon dioxide that existed in space closed environment,and compared the advantages and disadvantages of physical and chemical treatment methods to improve air quality.The focus was on exploring the improvement benefits of plants method on air quality,and summarizing the research progress in three aspects:absorption of trace harmful gases,release of negative oxygen ions,and absorption of carbon dioxide.The current research problems were pointed out,and the future research directions on using plants to improve the air quality in space closed environment were predicted.
5.Clinical characteristics of primary malignant melanoma of esophagus in elderly Chinese patients
Yongkang TAO ; Long FANG ; Geng QIN ; Shuang ZHANG ; Xiangrong ZHANG ; Junhai ZHANG ; Shiyu DU
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2024;43(6):716-720
Objective:To analyze and summarize the clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus(PMME)in elderly Chinese patients.Methods:A case study of an elderly patient with PMME was conducted at the Department of Gastroenterology in the China-Japan Friendship Hospital.Additionally, literature and case data on elderly PMME cases reported in China up to July 2023 were gathered and analyzed to summarize the epidemiological characteristics, endoscopic manifestations, clinical presentations, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the disease.Results:A comprehensive review of the literature up to July 2023 documented a total of 114 cases of elderly patients with PMME in China, which also included cases from our hospital.Among these cases, there were 68 male patients(59.6%)and 46 female patients(40.4%), ranging in age from 60 to 81 years, with a median age of 65 years.The predominant clinical manifestations observed were dysphagia and choking while eating, followed by chest pain and retrosternal burning sensation.The majority of the lesions were found in the middle and lower segments of the esophagus, predominantly protruding into the lumen, with only 2 cases(1.8%)displaying esophageal mucosal pigmentation.Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that HMB45 was positive in 74 cases(64.9%)and negative in 3 cases(2.6%), while S-100 was positive in 66 cases(57.9%)and negative in 2 cases(1.8%), although data for some patients were not available.Lymph node or distant metastases were present in 45 cases(39.5%), while 38 patients(33.3%)had tumors confined to the esophagus without metastases.Of the 114 patients, 61(53.5%)had a follow-up period ranging from 0.3 to 39 months, with a median follow-up time of 6.75 months.Among the patients who survived during the follow-up period, there were 30 cases(26.3%), with a follow-up time of 1 to 39 months and a median follow-up time of 7.5 months.For the deceased patients, the time from consultation to death ranged from 0.3 to 31 months.Conclusions:Elderly individuals with PMME in China typically present with a gradual onset, nonspecific symptoms, frequent metastasis upon diagnosis, aggressive behavior, and unfavorable outcomes.
6.Study on gas exchange characteristics of six horticultural plants
Cong ZHANG ; Yongkang TANG ; Jianxiao WANG ; Hao WU ; Ruixin MAO ; Yunjie JI
Space Medicine & Medical Engineering 2024;35(5):295-301
Objective In order to use plants to absorb high concentration carbon dioxide in closed space,the gas exchange capacity and regulation measures of six horticultural plants were explored.Methods The gas exchange characteristics of Bamboo Palm,Chrysanthemum,Peace Lily,Anthurium,Aloe vera,and Nephrolepis exaltata were studied under three light gradients[170 μmol/(m2·s),270 μmol/(m2·s),370 μmol/(m2·s)]and four carbon dioxide concentration gradients(500 ppm,1 000 ppm,1 500 ppm,2 000 ppm)using a closed low-pressure device.Results The results indicate significant differences in the average photosynthetic rates among the six plants,with the ranking order as Chrysanthemum>Peace Lily>Bamboo Palm>Aloe vera>Anthurium>Nephrolepis exaltata.In contrast,the transpiration rate and respiration rate of Chrysanthemum,Peace Lily and Bamoo Palm were higher,aloe vera absorbed carbon dioxide under dark conditions.Under a light intensity of 370 μmol/(m2·s),the photosynthetic rate of Bamboo Palm was most enhanced,2.57 times that under the condition of 170 μmol/(m2·s),whereas high light intensity suppressed the photosynthetic rate of Nephrolepis exaltata,which was about 3%lower than that under low light intensity.Under a carbon dioxide concentration of 2 000 ppm,the photosynthetic rates of Chrysanthemum,Peace Lily,and Bamboo Palm was more than 9.13 μmol CO2/(m2·s),approximately three times the average rate under low carbon dioxide concentration.Conclusion Among the six horticultural plants,Chrysanthemum,Bamboo Palm,and Peace Lily exhibit superior gas exchange capabilities,and increasing the light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration in the cultivation environment significantly enhances the photosynthetic rate of these three plants.
7.Diagnostic and prognostic value of 68Ga-FAPI PET for malignant tumors of the liver and biliary tract
Chunxia QIN ; Yuhu LYU ; Yangmeihui SONG ; Yongkang GAI ; Weiwei RUAN ; Xiao ZHANG ; Mengting LI ; Fang LIU ; Xiaoli LAN
Chinese Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2023;43(6):337-342
Objective:To investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of 68Ga-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) PET for hepatobiliary malignancies. Methods:From July 2020 to February 2023, 33 patients (23 males, 10 females; age (55.4±13.5) years) with suspected or confirmed liver or biliary tract malignancies who underwent 68Ga-FAPI PET in Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology were retrospectively analyzed. PET images were evaluated by 3 experienced nuclear medicine physicians, and the results of biopsy or postoperative pathology, clinical and imaging follow-up were used as the gold standard. One-way analysis of variance and least significant difference t test were used to compare the differences among groups. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test. Results:Of 33 patients, 14 performed PET for initial diagnosis and staging, and 19 for restaging. There were 14 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 13 patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), and 6 patients with gallbladder carcinoma (GBC). The primary tumor of HCC, CCA and GBC all showed significant 68Ga-FAPI uptake, with no statistically significant difference in SUV max among groups ( F=1.58, P=0.250). The sensitivities of 68Ga-FAPI PET for initial diagnosis and restaging of hepatobiliary malignancies were 14/14 and 15/15, respectively. Compared with conventional imaging, 68Ga-FAPI PET changed the diagnosis and staging in 29.2%(7/24) patients. The treatment strategy was changed in 30.3%(10/33) patients with malignant tumors due to 68Ga-FAPI PET findings. Follow-up showed 22 cases survived and 11 cases died, with the overall survival of 355.56(80.00, 516.97) d, and 1- and 2-year survival rates were 68.2% and 57.9%, respectively. Semi-quantitative 68Ga-FAPI PET parameters such as SUV max, target-liver ratio (TLR), and target-blood ratio (TBR) had no significant prognostic value, but the prognosis of the group without distant metastases diagnosed by 68Ga-FAPI PET was significantly better than that of the group with distant metastasis ( P=0.032). Conclusion:68Ga-FAPI PET has high sensitivity for the diagnosis of hepatobiliary malignancies, which can help guide treatment decisions and prognosis evaluation.
8.Establishment of a RILD model in C57BL/6J mice treated with precise radiotherapy
Huihui XIAO ; Lingling LIU ; Yongkang ZHANG ; Miaomiao YANG ; Xiangli CUI ; Zongtao HU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2023;32(6):611-617
Objective To provide a reliable and stable animal model for investigating the molecular pathogenesis of radiation-induced liver disease (RILD). Methods Ninety C57BL/6J mice were divided into control, 20 Gy, 25 Gy, 30 Gy and 35 Gy radiation groups. The mice were executed at 4 weeks after radiation and the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase in the liver serum were measured. HE staining was performed on the pathological liver tissues. Masson staining was performed at 36 weeks after radiation. Results Compared with the control group, the fatality rate was higher in the 30 and 35 Gy radiation groups, and the body weight significantly decreased in the 20 and 25 Gy radiation groups. Compared with the control group, alanine aminotransferase significantly increased in mice exposed to 20 Gy, while aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase increased in mice exposed to 25 Gy. No significant changes were observed in the livers of the mice in the 20 and 25 Gy radiation groups, but pathological examination showed liver damage induced by both 20 and 25 Gy radiation. Conclusion A stable and reliable mouse model of RILD was constructed for treatment with linear accelerator. The mouse model of RILD constructed for stereotactic body radiation therapy using linear accelerator has significant research implications for the exploration of RILD.
9.Effect of visceral obesity on the short-term outcomes following robotic-assisted radic-al resection of rectal cancer
Xuetao ZHANG ; Liang LI ; Renyi YANG ; Yongkang MENG ; Jiahao SUN ; Shuxiang DU ; Yingzhi ZHAO ; Dongli XU ; Wei ZHANG ; Gang WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Oncology 2023;50(22):1153-1158
Objective:To investigate the effect of visceral obesity on the short-term curative effect of Da Vinci robotic-assisted radical resec-tion for rectal cancers.Methods:Clinical and pathological data of patients with rectal cancer undergoing Da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery,admitted to People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from November 2019 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.Visceral fat area(VFA)≥100 cm2 was used as the standard to define visceral obesity.Patients were categorized in-to visceral and non-visceral obesity groups.The short-term efficacy of the two groups was evaluated,and the influencing factors of post-operative complications were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Logistic regression.Results:Among a total of 169 patients,93 were included in the visceral obesity group and 76 in the non-visceral obesity group.There was no significant difference in the baseline data between the two groups(P>0.05).There was no conversion to laparotomy in the non-visceral obesity group,and the conversion rate was 1.1%(1/93)in the visceral obesity group.The second operation rate was 2.2%(2/93)in the visceral obesity group and 1.3%(1/76)in the non-visceral obesity group with no statistical difference between the two groups.There were no significant differences in the operation dur-ation,intraoperative blood loss,number of lymph node dissections,and total postoperative complication rate between the two groups(P>0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that an NRS≥3 independently contributed as a risk factor for postoperative com-plications(OR=3.190,95%CI:1.240-8.210,P=0.016).Conclusions:An NRS≥3 is an independent risk factor for complications post-robotic rad-ical rectal cancer surgery.The robotic surgical platform can overcome obesity-related limitations and is equally safe and effective for pa-tients with visceral obesity presenting with rectal cancer.
10.Pretargeted immunoPET imaging with epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody in mouse models
Lujie YUAN ; Huiling LI ; Yongkang GAI ; Yongxue ZHANG ; Xiaoli LAN
Chinese Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2022;42(2):74-79
Objective:To explore the feasibility of pretargeting technique for immunoPET with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody in EGFR positive/negative tumor bearing mice.Methods:Cetuximab- Trans-cyclooctene (TCO)was obtained by modifying Cetuximab with TCO- N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). 2, 2′-((6-amino-1-(4, 7-bis-(carboxymethyl)-1, 4, 7-triazonan-1-yl)hexan-2-yl)azanediyl)-diacetic acid (L-NETA)was used as a chelating agent to prepare the radioligand 68Ga-L-NETA-tetrazine (Tz), then the labeling rate and in vitro stability of the product were determined. Human basal breast cancer cells MDA-MB-468 (EGFR+ ) and MDA-MB-231 (EGFR-) were cultured in vitro. In vitro experiments were performed to explore the specificity of the probe and the feasibility of pretargeting technique. Nude mice (Balb/c-nu) bearing xenografts of the above two cell lines were established. Cetuximab-TCO (50 μg) was injected into the tumor-bearing mice in advance, then 68Ga-L-NETA-Tz was injected at different time points (48, 36, 24 and 12 h), and pretargeting was realized through " click chemistry" . Small-animal PET imaging and biodistribution were performed to evaluate pharmacokinetic properties and specificity of the probe. The one-way analysis of variance was used to compare the data. Results:The 68Ga-L-NETA-Tz molecular probe was successfully prepared with the labeling yield >95%, and the radiochemical purity was >95% after 2 h. Cetuximab-TCO and 68Ga-L-NETA-Tz were added to MDA-MB-468 cells successively, and the cell uptake rate reached (0.69±0.04)% at 1 h, which demonstrated the feasibility of the pretargeting technique. PET imaging and biodistribution results showed that the best imaging results were obtained in 36 h pre-injection group, in which the tumor uptake was the highest ((0.77±0.05) percentage activity of injection dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g), 1 h) and the tumor/muscle ratio was optimal (4.67±0.46); the tumor uptake in the blocking group, the group without injecting Cetuximab-TCO, and the MDA-MB-231 group were significantly lower ((0.35±0.01), (0.39±0.05), (0.45±0.10) %ID/g; F=15.50, P=0.002). Conclusions:EGFR targeted immunoPET imaging is successfully performed in mouse models of breast cancer by injecting Cetuximab-TCO and 68Ga-L-NETA-Tz successively. It provides an effective method for immunoPET imaging of monoclonal antibodies.

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