1.Optimization of Processing Technology of Calcined Pyritum Based on QbD Concept and Its XRD Fingerprint Analysis
Xin CHEN ; Jingwei ZHOU ; Haiying GOU ; Lei ZHONG ; Tianxing HE ; Wenbo FEI ; Jialiang ZOU ; Yue YANG ; Dewen ZENG ; Lin CHEN ; Hongping CHEN ; Shilin CHEN ; Yuan HU ; Youping LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):197-205
ObjectiveBased on the concept of quality by design(QbD), the processing process of calcined Pyritum was optimized, and its X-ray diffraction(XRD) fingerprint was established. MethodsThe safety, effectiveness and quality controllability of calcined Pyritum were taken as the quality profile(QTPP), the color, hardness, metallic luster, phase composition, the contents of heavy metals and hazardous elements were taken as the critical quality attributes(CQAs), and the calcination temperature, calcination time, paving thickness and particle size were determined as the critical process parameters(CPPs). Differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction(XRD) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) were used to analyze the correlation between the calcination temperature and CQAs of calcined Pyritum. Then, based on the criteria importance through intercriteria correlation(CRITIC)-entropy weight method, the optimal processing process of calcined Pyritum was optimized by orthogonal test. Powder XRD was used to analyze the phase of calcined Pyritum samples processed according to the best process, and the mean and median maps of calcined Pyritum were established by the superposition of geometric topological figures, and similarity evaluation and cluster analysis were carried out. ResultsThe results of single factor experiments showed that the physical phase of Pyritum changed from FeS2 to Fe7S8 during the process of temperature increase, the color gradually deepened from dark yellow, and the contents of heavy metals and harmful elements decreased. The optimized processing process of calcined Pyritum was as follows:calcination temperature at 750 ℃, calcination time of 2.5 h, paving thickness of 3 cm, particle size of 0.8-1.2 cm, vinegar quenching 1 time[Pyritum-vinegar(10∶3)]. After calcination, the internal structure of Pyritum was honeycomb-shaped, which was conducive to the dissolution of active ingredients. XRD fingerprints of 13 batches of calcined Pyritum characterized by 10 common peaks were established. The similarities of the relative peak intensities of the XRD fingerprints of the analyzed samples were>0.96, and it could effectively distinguish the raw products and unqualified products. ConclusionTemperature is the main factor affecting the quality of calcined Pyritum. After processing, the dissolution of the effective components in Pyritum increases, and the contents of heavy metals and harmful substances decrease, reflecting the function of processing to increase efficiency and reduce toxicity. The optimized processing process is stable and feasible, and the established XRD fingerprint can be used as one of the quality control standards of calcined Pyritum.
2.Research Advances on Probiotics-assisted Therapy for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease
Jia XIONG ; Jia ZENG ; Xiaoxian ZHOU ; Xin XU ; Yanjiao WANG ; Zhishuang WU ; Jianzhong YIN ; Fei MI
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2025;46(7):163-174
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD)is a chronic liver condition intricately linked to metabolic abnormalities such as obesity,type 2 diabetes,dyslipidemia,and hypertension.The global prevalence of MASLD continues to rise,posing a significant public health challenge.The pathogenesis of MASLD is multifactorial,with the"multiple-hit"hypothesis suggesting that hepatic lipid accumulation,insulin resistance,oxidative stress,gut microbiota dysbiosis,and genetic factors collectively drive disease progression.Currently,clinical management primarily relies on lifestyle interventions;however,there is a lack of targeted pharmacological interventions,and there is an urgent need to investigate novel adjunctive therapeutic strategies.In recent years,probiotics have demonstrated potential value in MASLD treatment due to their capacity to modulate gut microbiota,enhance insulin sensitivity,and reduce liver inflammation.This review systematically examines the pathogenesis of MASLD and the limitations of existing therapeutic approaches,synthesizing the latest evidence of probiotics-assisted therapy for MASLD from the perspectives of animal studies and clinical trials.By analyzing the target mechanisms and molecular pathways of different strains(e.g.,Bifidobacterium,Lactobacillus),this review explores the translational potential of probiotics in MASLD treatment,aiming to provide a theoretical foundation and future research directions.
3.Alisol A 24-acetate ameliorates cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in brain micro vascular endothelial cells via miR-98-5p/TRPM2
Wei WEI ; Hui-hong LI ; Pei-tao XU ; Da-mei TAO ; Yun-fei DENG ; Zeng-tu ZHAN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(4):695-702
Aim To explore the underlying molecular mechanism of Alisol A 24-acetate(24A)in improving oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R)injury in brain microvascular endothelial cells(BMECs)and its correlation with miR-98-5p/transi-ent receptor potential melastatin-2(TRPM2).Meth-ods The ischemia-reperfusion injury in brain micro-vascular endothelial cells(BMECs)was established u-sing bEnd.3 cells subjected to 8 h of oxygen-glucose deprivation followed by 16 h of re-oxygenation.The cells were intervened by miR-98-5p mimics and/or 18.77 μmol·L-1 24A for 24 h and divided into the control group,OGD/R group,OGD/R+24A group,OGD/R+24A+miR-98-5p mimics group and OGD/R+miR-98-5p mimics group.The mRNA levels of miR-98-5p and TRPM2 were detected by qPCR.IL-1 β and TNF-α levels were detected by ELISA.The expression levels of TRPM2,p-AKT,p-GSK3 β,AKT,GSK3 β,Bcl-2,Bax,ZO-1,Occludin,Claudin-5 were detected by Western blot.Apoptosis and reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels were detected by flow cytometry.The targeting relationship between miR-98-5p and TRPM2 was verified using dual luciferase assay.Results Compared with the control group,the apoptosis of OGD/R group was obvious,Bcl-2/Bax decreased,ZO-1,Occludin,Claudin-5 decreased,IL-1 β,TNF-α and ROS increased,miR-98-5p,p-AKT/AKT,p-GSK3β/GSK3β decreased but TRPM2 increased.But com-pared with the OGD/R group,except the control group,the other three groups showed the opposite trend in the above aspects;compared with the OGD/R+24A group,OGD/R+24A+miR-98-5p mimics group showed decreased apoptosis,decreased degradation of ZO-1,Occludin and Claudin-5,and decreased inflam-mation and ROS.miR-98-5p,p-AKT/AKT,p-GSK3β/GSK3β increased and TRPM2 decreased.However,compared with the OGD/R+24A+miR-98-5p mimics group,the OGD/R+miR-98-5p mimics group reversed this trend.Dual luciferase confirmed that miR-98-5p targeted regulation of TRPM2.Conclusion 24A in-hibits the expression of TRPM2 in BMECs through miR-98-5p,regulates AKT/GSK3β signal pathway,re-duces OGD/R inflammation and oxidative stress-medi-ated apoptosis,prevents the degradation of ZO-1,Oc-cludin and Claudin-5,and improves BBB permeability.
4.Advances in immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for breast cancer:research progress and future directions
Cheng ZENG ; Yuanyi WANG ; Jiani WANG ; Fei MA
China Oncology 2025;35(2):195-204
Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide.In recent years,immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)have emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy across different molecular subtypes of breast cancer,demonstrating significant clinical potential.This review systematically summarized the progress and clinical applications of ICIs in hormone receptor-positive(HR-positive),human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-overexpressing(HER2-positive),and triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC).In HR-positive breast cancer,the KEYNOTE-756 and CheckMate 7FL trials demonstrated that ICIs combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved the pathological complete response(pCR)rate,with greater benefits observed in programmed cell death-ligand 1(PD-L1)-positive patients.Furthermore,the PROMENADE study indicated that estrogen receptor(ER)-low HER2-negative breast cancer patients achieved a pCR rate closer to that of TNBC rather than HR-positive breast cancer following ICIs treatment.In metastatic HR-positive breast cancer,the SACI-IO and DOLAF studies suggested that ICIs combined with antibody-drug conjugates(ADC)or poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase(PARP)inhibitors may provide clinical benefits for specific subgroups of patients.For HER2-positive breast cancer,the Keyriched-1 and Neo-PATH studies revealed that ICIs combined with anti-HER2 therapy might improve pCR rates in HR-negative/HER2-positive patients.However,the Impassion-050 and KATE2 trials failed to demonstrate widespread clinical benefits of ICIs in HER2-positive breast cancer.In TNBC,long-term follow-up data from the KEYNOTE-522 study showed that ICIs combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy not only improved pCR rates but also conferred long-term survival benefits.Additionally,the Impassion-130,KEYNOTE-355,and TORCHLIGHT studies confirmed that ICIs combined with chemotherapy prolonged both progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)in PD-L1-positive advanced TNBC patients.Meanwhile,treatment strategies combining ICIs with anti-angiogenic therapy,PARP inhibitors and ADCs have demonstrated promising efficacy in TNBC(SPARK and BEGONIA trial).Currently,ICIs combined with chemotherapy remains the primary treatment approach,while combination strategies involving ICIs with anti-HER2 therapy,endocrine therapy,ADCs,and anti-angiogenic therapy are actively being explored.However,challenges remain,including complex resistance mechanisms,heterogeneous treatment responses,and the management of immune-related adverse events.Future research should focus on refining patient stratification strategies and developing more precise combination therapies to improve long-term survival outcomes for breast cancer patients.
5.Molecular Biological Mechanism and Transfusion Strategy of a Jk(a-b-) Family.
Xiao-Yan LI ; Qiong-Fei DENG ; Xiao-Li LAI ; Dan-Dan CHEN ; Dan WANG ; Xuan ZENG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(3):869-874
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the molecular mechanism and explore blood transfusion strategies for a proband exhibiting the JK (a-b-) phenotype and anti-JK3 high frequency antigen antibody and her eight family members.
METHODS:
The Kidd blood phenotype and irregular antibodies in a family were identified by serologic tests. Exon 4-11 and intron region of SLC14A1 gene were sequenced by Sanger method.
RESULTS:
The combination of the gene JK*B (c.499A>G,c.512G>A,c.588A>G) and gene JK*B (c.342-1G>A,588A>G) in this family were considered to result in the JK (a-b-) phenotype in two members. The members carrying gene JK*A(c.130G>A,588A>G) all present serological JKa+W. Members carrying gene JK*B (c.499A>G,c.588A>G) all present serological JKb+W, which has not been previously reported to cause antigenic weakening. The proband with JK (a-b-) phenotype produced anti-JK3 antibodies, the hospital formulated a number of blood preparation strategies for the patient and she was discharged after recovery.
CONCLUSION
In this study, the molecular mechanism of JK (a-b-) in this family was identified, the transfusion strategy of rare blood group was established in our institution preliminary, and the necessity of establishing a rare blood group bank was revealed in this region. It is suggested that JK*B (c.499A>G,c.588A>G) may be a new genetic pattern leading to the weakening of Kidd antigenicity, which lays a foundation for the study of population genetics.
Humans
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Blood Transfusion
;
Female
;
Kidd Blood-Group System/genetics*
;
Phenotype
;
Pedigree
6.Deep space environment empowering drug design and development.
Yanpeng FANG ; Bin FENG ; Weizheng LI ; Liyong ZHU ; Fei CHEN ; Wenbin ZENG
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(8):1371-1384
The unique characteristics of the deep space environment, microgravity, cosmic radiation, and extreme temperature fluctuations, are emerging as major driving forces for pharmaceutical innovation. These factors provide new avenues for optimizing drug formulations, improving crystal structure quality, and accelerating the discovery of therapeutic targets. Advances in deep space research not only help overcome critical bottlenecks in terrestrial drug development but also promote progress in structure-based drug design and deepen understanding of cellular stress-response mechanisms. Current progress in space-based pharmaceutical research primarily includes the study of disease mechanisms under microgravity, protein crystallization in microgravity, and drug development utilizing deep space radiation and resources. However, the operational complexity, high costs, and limited data reproducibility of space experiments remain key challenges hindering widespread application. Looking ahead, with the integration of automation, artificial intelligence analysis, and on-orbit manufacturing, deep space drug development is expected to achieve greater scalability and precision, opening a new frontier in biopharmaceutical science.
Drug Design
;
Drug Development/methods*
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Humans
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Weightlessness
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Space Flight
;
Artificial Intelligence
;
Extraterrestrial Environment
7.Endoplasmic reticulum membrane remodeling by targeting reticulon-4 induces pyroptosis to facilitate antitumor immune.
Mei-Mei ZHAO ; Ting-Ting REN ; Jing-Kang WANG ; Lu YAO ; Ting-Ting LIU ; Ji-Chao ZHANG ; Yang LIU ; Lan YUAN ; Dan LIU ; Jiu-Hui XU ; Peng-Fei TU ; Xiao-Dong TANG ; Ke-Wu ZENG
Protein & Cell 2025;16(2):121-135
Pyroptosis is an identified programmed cell death that has been highly linked to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dynamics. However, the crucial proteins for modulating dynamic ER membrane curvature change that trigger pyroptosis are currently not well understood. In this study, a biotin-labeled chemical probe of potent pyroptosis inducer α-mangostin (α-MG) was synthesized. Through protein microarray analysis, reticulon-4 (RTN4/Nogo), a crucial regulator of ER membrane curvature, was identified as a target of α-MG. We observed that chemically induced proteasome degradation of RTN4 by α-MG through recruiting E3 ligase UBR5 significantly enhances the pyroptosis phenotype in cancer cells. Interestingly, the downregulation of RTN4 expression significantly facilitated a dynamic remodeling of ER membrane curvature through a transition from tubules to sheets, consequently leading to rapid fusion of the ER with the cell plasma membrane. In particular, the ER-to-plasma membrane fusion process is supported by the observed translocation of several crucial ER markers to the "bubble" structures of pyroptotic cells. Furthermore, α-MG-induced RTN4 knockdown leads to pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2)-dependent conventional caspase-3/gasdermin E (GSDME) cleavages for pyroptosis progression. In vivo, we observed that chemical or genetic RTN4 knockdown significantly inhibited cancer cells growth, which further exhibited an antitumor immune response with anti-programmed death-1 (anti-PD-1). In translational research, RTN4 high expression was closely correlated with the tumor metastasis and death of patients. Taken together, RTN4 plays a fundamental role in inducing pyroptosis through the modulation of ER membrane curvature remodeling, thus representing a prospective druggable target for anticancer immunotherapy.
Pyroptosis/immunology*
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Humans
;
Endoplasmic Reticulum/immunology*
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Animals
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Nogo Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors*
;
Mice
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Xanthones/pharmacology*
;
Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Mice, Nude
8.International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for functional dyspepsia (2025).
Sheng-Sheng ZHANG ; Lu-Qing ZHAO ; Xiao-Hua HOU ; Zhao-Xiang BIAN ; Jian-Hua ZHENG ; Hai-He TIAN ; Guan-Hu YANG ; Won-Sook HONG ; Yu-Ying HE ; Li LIU ; Hong SHEN ; Yan-Ping LI ; Sheng XIE ; Jin SHU ; Bin-Fang ZENG ; Jun-Xiang LI ; Zhen LIU ; Zheng-Hua XIAO ; Jing-Dong XIAO ; Pei-Yong ZHENG ; Shao-Gang HUANG ; Sheng-Liang CHEN ; Gui-Jun FEI
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(5):502-518
Functional dyspepsia (FD), characterized by persistent or recurrent dyspeptic symptoms without identifiable organic, systemic or metabolic causes, is an increasingly recognized global health issue. The objective of this guideline is to equip clinicians and nursing professionals with evidence-based strategies for the management and treatment of adult patients with FD using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The Guideline Development Group consulted existing TCM consensus documents on FD and convened a panel of 35 clinicians to generate initial clinical queries. To address these queries, a systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database, China Biology Medicine (SinoMed) Database, Wanfang Database, Traditional Medicine Research Data Expanded (TMRDE), and the Traditional Chinese Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (TCMLARS). The evidence from the literature was critically appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The strength of the recommendations was ascertained through a consensus-building process involving TCM and allopathic medicine experts, methodologists, pharmacologists, nursing specialists, and health economists, leveraging their collective expertise and empirical knowledge. The guideline comprises a total of 43 evidence-informed recommendations that span a range of clinical aspects, including the pathogenesis according to TCM, diagnostic approaches, therapeutic interventions, efficacy assessments, and prognostic considerations. Please cite this article as: Zhang SS, Zhao LQ, Hou XH, Bian ZX, Zheng JH, Tian HH, Yang GH, Hong WS, He YY, Liu L, Shen H, Li YP, Xie S, Shu J, Zeng BF, Li JX, Liu Z, Xiao ZH, Xiao JD, Zheng PY, Huang SG, Chen SL, Fei GJ. International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for functional dyspepsia (2025). J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):502-518.
Dyspepsia/drug therapy*
;
Humans
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
;
Practice Guidelines as Topic
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
9.Comparison of apical sealing ability of three bioceramic root canal sealers in vitro.
Jingya ZHU ; Rihong HUANG ; Xiangni ZENG ; Li JIANG ; Fei HE
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(2):204-211
OBJECTIVES:
We aimed to compare the apical sealing properties of three endodontic sealers, namely, C-Root SP (C-R), iRoot SP, and GuttaFlow Bioseal (GFB) in vitro.
METHODS:
Eighty-two single-rooted premolars and anterior teeth were prepared by using M3 machine with nickel-titanium file and randomly divided into six experimental groups (n=12) and two control groups (n=5). Group A1: single-cone technique (SC)+C-R; group B1: SC+iRoot SP; group C1: SC+GFB; group A2: single-cone with ultrasonic activation (SU)+C-R; group B2: SU+iRoot SP; group C2: SU +GFB; group D: positive control group, and group E: negative control group. Dye penetration length and lateral root canal filling in each group were measured by dye penetration test. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the interface between gutta pertscha, root canal sealer, and dentin wall. Dye penetration length was measured and analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test, and data on lateral root canal filling were evaluated using Chi-square.
RESULTS:
The dye penetration length in group A1 was lower than that in groups C1 and A2 (P<0.05) but was not significantly different from the other groups (P>0.05). Lateral root canal filling was not significantly different among all groups (P>0.05). SEM showed that GFB was slightly better than C-R and iRoot SP in binding to gutta pertcha and dentin wall.
CONCLUSIONS
GFB, C-R, and iRoot SP demonstrate excellent apical sealing ability. Under the conditions tested in this study, SU did not yield significantly improve the apical sealing ability of the three root canal sealers.
Root Canal Filling Materials/chemistry*
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Humans
;
Gutta-Percha
;
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
;
Root Canal Obturation/methods*
;
Ceramics
;
Dimethylpolysiloxanes
;
Drug Combinations
10.Evaluation of the filling effects of three root canal sealers by Micro-CT.
Rihong HUANG ; Xiangni ZENG ; Li JIANG ; Lixia ZHANG ; Jingya ZHU ; Fei HE
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(5):722-727
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to evaluate the filling effects of three biomaterial root canal sealers [iRoot SP, C-Root SP, and GuttaFlow Bioseal (GFB)] by using Micro-CT.
METHODS:
Sixty single-canal detached premolars were selected. After crown amputation, their uniform working length was set at 12 mm and prepared to a 06 taper 30# with M3 nickel-titanium file. The samples were randomly divided into six groups with different sealers and obturation techniques: iRoot SP+single-cone technique (SC), C-Root SP+SC, GFB+SC, iRoot SP+single cone-mediated ultrasonic technique (SU), C-Root SP+SU, and GFB+SU. Samples were scanned by Micro-CT, and the total and segmented filling rates were calculated with Mimics 22.0 software after 3D reconstruction.
RESULTS:
The overall filling rate of the three biomaterial root canal sealers was higher than 90%. The overall and coronal third and middle third segment filling rate of groups iRoot SP+SC, C-Root SP+SC was higher than that of group GFB+SC (P<0.01), with no significant difference between groups iRoot SP+SC and C-Root SP+SC (P>0.05). On the apical third, no significant difference was found among each group (P>0.05). The overall and segment filling rate of groups iRoot SP+SU and C-Root SP+SU was higher than that of GFB+SU (P<0.01), with no significant difference between groups iRoot SP+SU and C-Root SP+SU (P>0.05). The filling rate of the apical 1/3 of group C-Root+SC was lower than that of group C-Root+SU (P<0.01), and the filling rate of the coronal 1/3 of group GFB+SC was higher than that in the GFB+SU (P<0.01). Nevertheless, no significant difference was found in other filling rate of two obturation techniques (P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The overall filling rate of the three biomaterial root canal sealers using SC and SU are satisfactory. iRoot SP and C-Root SP have similar filling rates, which are significantly higher than that of GFB. C-Root SP combined with SU technique can improve the filling quality of the root apical.
Root Canal Filling Materials
;
X-Ray Microtomography
;
Humans
;
Root Canal Obturation/methods*
;
Gutta-Percha
;
Dimethylpolysiloxanes
;
Drug Combinations
;
Dental Pulp Cavity/diagnostic imaging*
;
Bicuspid

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