1.The effect of remimazolam on modulating the ROS/RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway in LPS-induced microglial inflammation
Xingwei WU ; Jianying WANG ; Chengxiao GUO ; Ziyi LIU ; Chao SUN ; Fei YU
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(2):153-161
Objective To investigate the anti-inflammatory protective effects of remimazolam on microglial cells and elucidates the potential molecular mechanisms underlying these effects. Methods The mouse microglial cell line (BV2) was selected as the research object. The following groups were set up:the control group (complete medium),the Rema group (200 μg/mL remimazolam),the model group (1 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide,LPS),and different-concentration administration groups (1 μg/mL LPS+50,100,200 μg/mL remimazolam). In the Rema group,cells were treated with 200 μg/mL remimazolam alone for 26 h. In the model group,cells were treated with LPS for 24 h. In the different-concentration administration groups,cells were pre-treated with different concentrations of remimazolam for 2 h,and then treated with LPS for 24 h. The effects of LPS and remimazolam on the morphology of BV2 cells were observed and evaluated using an optical microscope. Cell viability was determined using the CCK-8 assay,while the expression and secretion of inflammatory cytokines were quantified by quantitative real-time PCR and ELISA. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured using a fluorescent probe. Additionally,malondial-dehyde (MDA) content,superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity,and glutathione peroxidase (GSH) activity were evaluated using respective assay kits. Western blot analysis was conducted to examine the protein expression levels of Bax,Bcl-2,IL-1β,RAGE,NF-κB,p-NF-κB,IκBα,p-IκBα,iNOS,and Arg-1. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to visualize NF-κB nuclear translocation and M1/M2 polarization in the cells. Results Compared to the control group,LPS-treated BV2 cells demonstrated significantly reduced cell viability,elevated expression and se-cretion of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β),decreased activities of SOD and GSH,and increased in-tracellular levels of MDA and ROS. Additionally,RAGE protein levels were upregulated,along with enhanced phos-phorylation of IκBα and NF-κB,leading to observable NF-κB nuclear translocation. The expression of the M1 marker iNOS was upregulated,while that of the M2 marker Arg-1 was downregulated. In contrast,in the LPS+Rema group,cell viability was restored,expression and secretion of inflammatory cytokines were attenuated,SOD and GSH activities were improved,and levels of MDA and ROS were reduced compared to the LPS group. Furthermore,RAGE protein expression and phosphorylation levels of IκBα and NF-κB were diminished,inhibiting NF-κB nuclear translocation. The expression of the M1 marker iNOS was downregulated,while that of the M2 marker Arg-1 was up-regulated. Conclusion Remimazolam mitigates LPS-induced inflammation by facilitating the transition of microglial cells from the M1 to the M2 phenotype via modulation of the NF-κB pathway and reduction of ROS production.
2.Association between thyroid homeostasis and the risk of carotid plaque in healthy euthyroid population
Xin ZHAO ; Xiaona LI ; Wen GUO ; Chengxiao YU ; Jing YU ; Guoxian DING ; Qun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Health Management 2025;19(9):700-706
Objective:To investigate the associations between thyroid homeostasis and risk of carotid plaque in healthy euthyroid individuals.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, 4 726 healthy euthyroid adults who received health examination two times or more in the Health Promotion Center of the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University from January 2018 to December 2024 and had no carotid artery plaques at the baseline were selected. Data encompassed demographics, physical and laboratory tests, carotid ultrasound, and calculated thyroid sensitivity indices [thyroid feedback quantile-based index (TFQI), thyroid hormone resistance index (TT4RI), thyroid-stimulating hormone index (TSHI), and free triiodothyronine (FT3)/free thyroxine (FT4) ratio] were recorded. The participants were divided into two groups based on whether they had newly-developed carotid plaques. The associations between thyroid homeostasis indices and risk of carotid plaque were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression and restricted cubic splines.Results:During 11 459 person-years of follow-up, the cumulative incidence of carotid plaque was 16.84%, with an incidence density of 6.95 cases per 100 person-years. After multivariable adjustment, FT3 ( HR=0.79, 95% CI: 0.68-0.93) and FT4 ( HR=0.95, 95% CI: 0.91-0.98) were inversely associated with risk of carotid plaque. TSH and thyroid hormone sensitivity showed no significant association with the occurrence of carotid plaques. Subgroup analysis showed that there was no significant interaction between thyroid function indicators and risk of carotid plaque among different subgroups, but the decreased FT3 and FT4 levels significantly increased the risk of new-onset carotid plaques in individuals aged<60 years, without diabetes, without hypertension, or without lipid-lowering medication use. Restricted cubic spline analysis indicated that when TFQI (nonlinear P=0.028, node value was 0.29) and TT4RI (nonlinear P=0.014, node value was 54.95) exceeded specific thresholds, their increase were associated with a reduced risk of carotid plaque. Conclusions:The reduction of FT3 and FT4 in healthy euthyroid adults is associated with an increased risk of carotid plaque. When TFQI and TT4RI are higher than specific thresholds, their increase are associated with a reduced risk of new-onset plaques.
3.The effect of remimazolam on modulating the ROS/RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway in LPS-induced microglial inflammation
Xingwei WU ; Jianying WANG ; Chengxiao GUO ; Ziyi LIU ; Chao SUN ; Fei YU
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(2):153-161
Objective To investigate the anti-inflammatory protective effects of remimazolam on microglial cells and elucidates the potential molecular mechanisms underlying these effects. Methods The mouse microglial cell line (BV2) was selected as the research object. The following groups were set up:the control group (complete medium),the Rema group (200 μg/mL remimazolam),the model group (1 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide,LPS),and different-concentration administration groups (1 μg/mL LPS+50,100,200 μg/mL remimazolam). In the Rema group,cells were treated with 200 μg/mL remimazolam alone for 26 h. In the model group,cells were treated with LPS for 24 h. In the different-concentration administration groups,cells were pre-treated with different concentrations of remimazolam for 2 h,and then treated with LPS for 24 h. The effects of LPS and remimazolam on the morphology of BV2 cells were observed and evaluated using an optical microscope. Cell viability was determined using the CCK-8 assay,while the expression and secretion of inflammatory cytokines were quantified by quantitative real-time PCR and ELISA. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured using a fluorescent probe. Additionally,malondial-dehyde (MDA) content,superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity,and glutathione peroxidase (GSH) activity were evaluated using respective assay kits. Western blot analysis was conducted to examine the protein expression levels of Bax,Bcl-2,IL-1β,RAGE,NF-κB,p-NF-κB,IκBα,p-IκBα,iNOS,and Arg-1. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to visualize NF-κB nuclear translocation and M1/M2 polarization in the cells. Results Compared to the control group,LPS-treated BV2 cells demonstrated significantly reduced cell viability,elevated expression and se-cretion of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β),decreased activities of SOD and GSH,and increased in-tracellular levels of MDA and ROS. Additionally,RAGE protein levels were upregulated,along with enhanced phos-phorylation of IκBα and NF-κB,leading to observable NF-κB nuclear translocation. The expression of the M1 marker iNOS was upregulated,while that of the M2 marker Arg-1 was downregulated. In contrast,in the LPS+Rema group,cell viability was restored,expression and secretion of inflammatory cytokines were attenuated,SOD and GSH activities were improved,and levels of MDA and ROS were reduced compared to the LPS group. Furthermore,RAGE protein expression and phosphorylation levels of IκBα and NF-κB were diminished,inhibiting NF-κB nuclear translocation. The expression of the M1 marker iNOS was downregulated,while that of the M2 marker Arg-1 was up-regulated. Conclusion Remimazolam mitigates LPS-induced inflammation by facilitating the transition of microglial cells from the M1 to the M2 phenotype via modulation of the NF-κB pathway and reduction of ROS production.
4.Association between thyroid homeostasis and the risk of carotid plaque in healthy euthyroid population
Xin ZHAO ; Xiaona LI ; Wen GUO ; Chengxiao YU ; Jing YU ; Guoxian DING ; Qun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Health Management 2025;19(9):700-706
Objective:To investigate the associations between thyroid homeostasis and risk of carotid plaque in healthy euthyroid individuals.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, 4 726 healthy euthyroid adults who received health examination two times or more in the Health Promotion Center of the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University from January 2018 to December 2024 and had no carotid artery plaques at the baseline were selected. Data encompassed demographics, physical and laboratory tests, carotid ultrasound, and calculated thyroid sensitivity indices [thyroid feedback quantile-based index (TFQI), thyroid hormone resistance index (TT4RI), thyroid-stimulating hormone index (TSHI), and free triiodothyronine (FT3)/free thyroxine (FT4) ratio] were recorded. The participants were divided into two groups based on whether they had newly-developed carotid plaques. The associations between thyroid homeostasis indices and risk of carotid plaque were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression and restricted cubic splines.Results:During 11 459 person-years of follow-up, the cumulative incidence of carotid plaque was 16.84%, with an incidence density of 6.95 cases per 100 person-years. After multivariable adjustment, FT3 ( HR=0.79, 95% CI: 0.68-0.93) and FT4 ( HR=0.95, 95% CI: 0.91-0.98) were inversely associated with risk of carotid plaque. TSH and thyroid hormone sensitivity showed no significant association with the occurrence of carotid plaques. Subgroup analysis showed that there was no significant interaction between thyroid function indicators and risk of carotid plaque among different subgroups, but the decreased FT3 and FT4 levels significantly increased the risk of new-onset carotid plaques in individuals aged<60 years, without diabetes, without hypertension, or without lipid-lowering medication use. Restricted cubic spline analysis indicated that when TFQI (nonlinear P=0.028, node value was 0.29) and TT4RI (nonlinear P=0.014, node value was 54.95) exceeded specific thresholds, their increase were associated with a reduced risk of carotid plaque. Conclusions:The reduction of FT3 and FT4 in healthy euthyroid adults is associated with an increased risk of carotid plaque. When TFQI and TT4RI are higher than specific thresholds, their increase are associated with a reduced risk of new-onset plaques.
5.Application and prospect of 3D printing in hallux valgus orthopedics
Hao FENG ; Chao GAO ; Chengxiao HUANG ; Hualong YU
International Journal of Surgery 2023;50(11):766-769
Hallux valgus is one of the common diseases in foot and ankle surgery, mainly manifested as hallux toe valgus, first metatarsal adduction and first metatarsophalangeal joint dislocation or subluxation, resulting in a series of pathological changes. There are more than 200 surgical methods, and osteotomy can only be performed empirically, which is a great challenge for most doctors. The physical model generated by 3D printing technology can intuitively see the specific shape of the patient′s heel toes, and can make better preoperative planning through the model, which provides a better choice and method for the surgical method of hallux valgus and the design of intraoperative guide plate. With the rapid development of minimally invasive technology, the treatment of hallux valgus has also been greatly improved. This article mainly reviews the diagnosis and treatment of hallux valgus and the application progress of 3D printing.
6.Recent advances in electrogenerated chemiluminescence biosensing methods for pharmaceuticals
Yu ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Xiaolin YANG ; Honglan QI ; Chengxiao ZHANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2019;9(1):9-19
Electrogenerated chemiluminescence (electrochemiluminescence, ECL) generates species at electrode surfaces, which undergoes electron-transfer reactions and forms excited states to emit light. It has be-come a very powerful analytical technique and has been widely used in such as clinical testing, bio-warfare agent detection, and pharmaceutical analysis. This review focuses on the current trends of molecular recognition-based biosensing methods for pharmaceutical analysis since 2010. It introduces a background of ECL and presents the recent ECL developments in ECL immunoassay (ECLIA), im-munosensors, enzyme-based biosensors, aptamer-based biosensors, and molecularly imprinted poly-mers (MIP)-based sensors. At last, the future perspective for these analytical methods is briefly discussed.
7.Evaluation of micro-orthics teaching based on online micro-teaching
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2018;17(12):1268-1272
Objective To assess the effect of micro-orthics teaching based on the online micro-teaching. Methods 116 students were randomly divided into test group and control group. With same clin-ical orthopedic teaching content, the "micro-course" network teaching mode and traditional teaching mode were adopted respectively. After the clinical internship, the two groups of students were assessed both in theoretical knowledge and clinical skills and self-designed questionnaire was carried out. The test results were analyzed by t-test and Spearman rank correlation method through SPSS 23.0 data analysis. Results The theoretical scores of students in two groups after online micro-teaching were compared with a t value of-3.976 and a P value of 0.000. The clinical skill assessment scores were compared with a t value of-5.999 and a P value of 0.000, indicating that the theoretical scores of the test group, especially the clinical skills assessment scores were significant higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). In the questionnaire survey results, for the understanding of the following five items, "effectiveness of teaching methods, promotion of interaction between teachers and students, promotion of clinical learning, systematic establishment of clini-cal thinking, and deepening understanding of theoretical knowledge", the test group's satisfaction rate was obviously higher than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions The "micro-course" online teaching model significantly improves the clinical teaching quality of micro orthopaedics and promotes students' autonomy and enthusiasm in learing. However, it is still neces-sary to further develop and improve the micro-curricular teaching and interactive system to achieve more systematic and long-lasting teaching effects.

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