1.Effect of fluoride exposure on endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial calcium transfer and apoptosis in primary nerve cells
Yongheng LU ; Shuang ZHU ; Feiyan ZHAO ; Fujun AI ; Yanjie LIU ; Yangting DONG ; Zhizhong GUAN ; Na WEI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(1):111-119
BACKGROUND:Previous studies have found that neuronal damage caused by continuous excessive fluoride exposure is related to Ca2+overload,but the mechanism of Ca2+flow conversion between intracellular calcium stores and cell apoptosis damage is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of fluoride exposure on Ca2+transport channel proteins and apoptosis levels in the mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane of primary cultured neural cells.METHODS:Primary nerve cells of neonatal SD rats were cultured in vitro and identified by immunofluorescence staining with neuronal nucleus-specific antibody up to day 7.The nerve cells were divided into control group(containing 0 mmol/L sodium fluoride),low fluoride group(containing 0.5 mmol/L sodium fluoride),and high fluoride group(containing 1 mmol/L sodium fluoride).The cell morphological changes were observed by light microscope 24 hours after fluorine exposure.The expression levels of apoptosis-related protein BAX/BCL-2 and calcium transfer-related pathways VDAC1,GRP 75,and IP3R were detected using western blot assay.The expression levels of VDAC1,GRP 75,and IP3R mRNA were detected by RT-PCR.Ca2+levels were detected by Rhood-2AM Ca2+probe.Mitochondrial membrane potential detection kit was used to detect the change in mitochondrial membrane potential.The level of apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and TUNEL staining.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The purity of neurons cultured on day 7 had been determined to be over 90%,with few impurities,good growth status,and tight cell network connections,meeting the requirements of subsequent experiments.(2)Compared with the control group,growth of neural cell clusters in the low-fluoride group and the high-fluoride group increased;the processes were broken;the cell body was rounded,and the connection network between cells was destroyed.Compared with the low-fluoride group,the cell damage changes in the high-fluoride group were more obvious.(3)Compared with the control group,the protein expressions of VDAC1,GRP75,and IP3R were increased in the low-fluoride group and the high-fluoride group(P<0.05),and the ratio of apoptosis-related protein BAX/BCL-2 was increased(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the expression of VDAC1 and GRP75 mRNA in the low-fluoride group was significantly increased(P<0.05);the expression levels of VDAC1,GRP75,and IP3R mRNA in the high-fluoride group were significantly increased(P<0.01).(4)The level of cell apoptosis increased significantly after fluoride exposure,and the high-fluoride group was significantly higher than the control and low-fluoride groups(P<0.01).(5)After fluoride exposure,the concentration of mitochondrial Ca2+in nerve cells increased significantly(P<0.05),the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased(P<0.01),and the degree of damage in the high-fluoride group was more obvious(P<0.05).The results show that fluoride exposure impairs the morphological structure of primary neural cells,resulting in upregulation of Ca2+transfer pathway protein expression between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria,mitochondrial Ca2+overload,mitochondrial damage,and increased levels of apoptosis.
2.Preparation,characterization,and in vitro antitumor activity of Gambogic acid-loaded intelligent responsive liposome-hydrogel nanopreparation
Yu CHEN ; Shengnan HUANG ; Ziang WANG ; Yunlong ZHAO ; Gaojian WEI ; Sinan WU ; Yanbin GUAN ; Xiali ZHU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(5):613-619
OBJECTIVE To prepare an intelligent responsive liposome-hydrogel nanopreparation co-loaded with gambogic acid (GA), and characterize its antitumor activity in vitro . METHODS GA-ICG-Lip-gel was prepared by ethanol injection and cold dissolution, incorporating GA and the photosensitizer indocyanine green (ICG). The appearance and microscopic morphology of GA-ICG-Lip-gel were observed, its encapsulation efficiency and drug loading capacity were measured, and its photothermal conversion performance, photothermal stability, and infrared imaging properties were investigated, along with the determination of its in vitro release profile. Human breast cancer MCF-7 cells were used as objects to investigate the effects of GA-ICG-Lip-gel (or with near-infrared light irradiation) on cell viability, migration ability, and the cellular uptake capacity of GA-ICG-Lip-gel. RESULTS GA-ICG-Lip-gel existed in a solution state at room temperature and transformed into a gel state at 37 ℃. Its microstructure was dense with small pores, and its encapsulation efficiency and drug loading were (96.07±0.86) % and (6.28±1.16) %, respectively. After exposure to near-infrared light, the temperature of GA-ICG-Lip-gel rose above 42 ℃, with no significant attenuation observed in the heating curve. The heating efficiency was dependent on both the irradiation time and drug concentration. Compared to media without gelatinase, the cumulative release rate of GA-ICG-Lip-gel increased in media containing gelatinase. In vitro studies showed that GA-ICG-Lip-gel could be efficiently taken up by MCF-7 cells; GA-ICG-Lip-gel significantly inhibited the viability and migration ability of MCF-7 cells ( P <0.05), and this inhibitory effect was further enhanced under near-infrared light irradiation. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully prepares GA-ICG-Lip-gel, which exhibits favorable photothermal conversion properties and temperature/enzyme dual-responsive drug release characteristics, and demonstrates significant inhibitory effects on the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells.
3.Preparation of Triptolide-Chuanxiong Rhizoma Extract Ethanol Transfersomes and Analysis on Its in Vitro Anti-inflammatory Mechanism
Ling TAO ; Zhiyan WAN ; Yidan LIU ; Zhe LI ; Zhenzhong ZANG ; Weifeng ZHU ; Yongmei GUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):210-218
ObjectiveTo prepare triptolide-Chuanxiong Rhizoma extract ethanol transfersomes(TP-CX@TESs), conduct its quality evaluation, and investigate its in vitro anti-inflammatory efficacy and the underlying mechanisms. MethodsTP-CX@TESs was prepared via the ultrasonic injection method. With encapsulation efficiency and particle size as evaluation indicators, Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology(BBD-RSM) was employed to optimize the formulation process. The TP-CX@TESs prepared under the optimal process was characterized and evaluated for in vitro transdermal performance. A lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cell inflammation model was established. After 24 h of drug intervention, the levels of inflammatory factors such as nitric oxide(NO), interleukin-6(IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in the cell supernatant were detected. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression levels of Janus kinase 2(JAK2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor(α7nAChR), and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was applied to measure the mRNA expression levels of JAK2, STAT3, the encoding gene of α7nAChR(CHRNA7), and nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB). ResultsResults of BBD-RSM showed that the optimal formulation for preparing TP-CX@TESs was as follows:egg yolk lecithin content of 2.3%, ethanol volume fraction of 30%, and ratio of polysorbate-80 to egg yolk lecithin of 2∶5. Microscopic characterization revealed that TP-CX@TESs exhibited a spherical-like structure with a particle size of (105.60±3.85) nm, a polydispersity index of 0.19±0.03, and a Zeta potential of (-15.89±0.98) mV. The encapsulation efficiencies of triptolide, ferulic acid, and ligustilide were (76.88±4.40)%, (78.84±4.40)%, and (65.88±0.06)%, respectively. Both in vitro release and transdermal penetration of triptolide, ferulic acid, and ligustilide in TP-CX@TESs all followed the first-order kinetic model, showing a certain sustained-release property. Experimental results in RAW264.7 cells indicated that TP-CX@TESs significantly inhibited the release of NO, TNF-α, and IL-6(P<0.01), remarkably upregulated the protein expression levels of STAT3 and α7nAChR(P<0.01), increased the mRNA expression level of CHRNA7, and significantly downregulated the mRNA expression level of NF-κB(P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionThe optimized formulation process of TP-CX@TESs is simple and feasible, along with favorable in vitro release property, good transdermal permeability, and excellent in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, the mechanism is related to the inhibition of NF-κB.
4.Preparation of Triptolide-Chuanxiong Rhizoma Extract Ethanol Transfersomes and Analysis on Its in Vitro Anti-inflammatory Mechanism
Ling TAO ; Zhiyan WAN ; Yidan LIU ; Zhe LI ; Zhenzhong ZANG ; Weifeng ZHU ; Yongmei GUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):210-218
ObjectiveTo prepare triptolide-Chuanxiong Rhizoma extract ethanol transfersomes(TP-CX@TESs), conduct its quality evaluation, and investigate its in vitro anti-inflammatory efficacy and the underlying mechanisms. MethodsTP-CX@TESs was prepared via the ultrasonic injection method. With encapsulation efficiency and particle size as evaluation indicators, Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology(BBD-RSM) was employed to optimize the formulation process. The TP-CX@TESs prepared under the optimal process was characterized and evaluated for in vitro transdermal performance. A lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cell inflammation model was established. After 24 h of drug intervention, the levels of inflammatory factors such as nitric oxide(NO), interleukin-6(IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in the cell supernatant were detected. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression levels of Janus kinase 2(JAK2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor(α7nAChR), and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was applied to measure the mRNA expression levels of JAK2, STAT3, the encoding gene of α7nAChR(CHRNA7), and nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB). ResultsResults of BBD-RSM showed that the optimal formulation for preparing TP-CX@TESs was as follows:egg yolk lecithin content of 2.3%, ethanol volume fraction of 30%, and ratio of polysorbate-80 to egg yolk lecithin of 2∶5. Microscopic characterization revealed that TP-CX@TESs exhibited a spherical-like structure with a particle size of (105.60±3.85) nm, a polydispersity index of 0.19±0.03, and a Zeta potential of (-15.89±0.98) mV. The encapsulation efficiencies of triptolide, ferulic acid, and ligustilide were (76.88±4.40)%, (78.84±4.40)%, and (65.88±0.06)%, respectively. Both in vitro release and transdermal penetration of triptolide, ferulic acid, and ligustilide in TP-CX@TESs all followed the first-order kinetic model, showing a certain sustained-release property. Experimental results in RAW264.7 cells indicated that TP-CX@TESs significantly inhibited the release of NO, TNF-α, and IL-6(P<0.01), remarkably upregulated the protein expression levels of STAT3 and α7nAChR(P<0.01), increased the mRNA expression level of CHRNA7, and significantly downregulated the mRNA expression level of NF-κB(P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionThe optimized formulation process of TP-CX@TESs is simple and feasible, along with favorable in vitro release property, good transdermal permeability, and excellent in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, the mechanism is related to the inhibition of NF-κB.
5.Effect of fluoride exposure on endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial calcium transfer and apoptosis in primary nerve cells
Yongheng LU ; Shuang ZHU ; Feiyan ZHAO ; Fujun AI ; Yanjie LIU ; Yangting DONG ; Zhizhong GUAN ; Na WEI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(1):111-119
BACKGROUND:Previous studies have found that neuronal damage caused by continuous excessive fluoride exposure is related to Ca2+overload,but the mechanism of Ca2+flow conversion between intracellular calcium stores and cell apoptosis damage is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of fluoride exposure on Ca2+transport channel proteins and apoptosis levels in the mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane of primary cultured neural cells.METHODS:Primary nerve cells of neonatal SD rats were cultured in vitro and identified by immunofluorescence staining with neuronal nucleus-specific antibody up to day 7.The nerve cells were divided into control group(containing 0 mmol/L sodium fluoride),low fluoride group(containing 0.5 mmol/L sodium fluoride),and high fluoride group(containing 1 mmol/L sodium fluoride).The cell morphological changes were observed by light microscope 24 hours after fluorine exposure.The expression levels of apoptosis-related protein BAX/BCL-2 and calcium transfer-related pathways VDAC1,GRP 75,and IP3R were detected using western blot assay.The expression levels of VDAC1,GRP 75,and IP3R mRNA were detected by RT-PCR.Ca2+levels were detected by Rhood-2AM Ca2+probe.Mitochondrial membrane potential detection kit was used to detect the change in mitochondrial membrane potential.The level of apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and TUNEL staining.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The purity of neurons cultured on day 7 had been determined to be over 90%,with few impurities,good growth status,and tight cell network connections,meeting the requirements of subsequent experiments.(2)Compared with the control group,growth of neural cell clusters in the low-fluoride group and the high-fluoride group increased;the processes were broken;the cell body was rounded,and the connection network between cells was destroyed.Compared with the low-fluoride group,the cell damage changes in the high-fluoride group were more obvious.(3)Compared with the control group,the protein expressions of VDAC1,GRP75,and IP3R were increased in the low-fluoride group and the high-fluoride group(P<0.05),and the ratio of apoptosis-related protein BAX/BCL-2 was increased(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the expression of VDAC1 and GRP75 mRNA in the low-fluoride group was significantly increased(P<0.05);the expression levels of VDAC1,GRP75,and IP3R mRNA in the high-fluoride group were significantly increased(P<0.01).(4)The level of cell apoptosis increased significantly after fluoride exposure,and the high-fluoride group was significantly higher than the control and low-fluoride groups(P<0.01).(5)After fluoride exposure,the concentration of mitochondrial Ca2+in nerve cells increased significantly(P<0.05),the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased(P<0.01),and the degree of damage in the high-fluoride group was more obvious(P<0.05).The results show that fluoride exposure impairs the morphological structure of primary neural cells,resulting in upregulation of Ca2+transfer pathway protein expression between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria,mitochondrial Ca2+overload,mitochondrial damage,and increased levels of apoptosis.
6.Mediating role of sleep quality between job burnout and depressive symptoms among Ningxia occupational population
Mengjun CHANG ; Shuangjie YU ; Jin JI ; Jiashu ZHU ; Ye LI ; Suzhen GUAN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(5):557-564
Background Job burnout and depressive symptoms are prevalent among occupational populations, with a close relationship between them. Sleep quality, as a potential mediating factor, significantly affects the mental health of workers. Objective To explore the relationship between job burnout, sleep quality, and depressive symptoms, and determine whether sleep quality mediates the relationship between job burnout and depressive symptoms. Methods From April 25 to May 1, 2024, this study employed cluster sampling to conduct a questionnaire survey among individuals engaged in various occupations across five cities in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The questionnaires included socio-demographic information, as well as the Chinese Maslach Burnout Inventory (CMBI), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for assessing burnout, sleep quality, and depressive symptoms, respectively. Out of the
7.MR 3D-T1WI and T2WI radiomics for diagnosing early and middle stage Parkinson disease
Lu HAO ; Yi DUAN ; Minghui ZHU ; Xiao ZHU ; KALIBUNUER·MAHEMUTI ; Yangtai GUAN
Chinese Journal of Interventional Imaging and Therapy 2025;22(8):512-515
Objective To observe the value of MR 3D-T1WI and T2WI radiomics for diagnosing early and middle stage Parkinson disease(PD).Methods A total of 96 patients with early or middle stage PD(Hoehn-Yahr[H-Y]stage≤2.5)and 96 matched healthy adults were retrospectively collected and divided into training set(n=135,including 67 cases of PD and 68 healthy adults)and validation set(n=57,including 28 cases of PD and 29 healthy adults)at the ratio of 7∶3.The optimal radiomics features of left red nucleus(LRN),right red nucleus(RRN),left substantia nigra(LSN)and right substantia nigra(RSN)were extracted and screened from cranial 3D-T1WI and T2WI in training set.Then radiomics models of single MR sequence and combined MR sequences were constructed,respectively,the radiomics scores(Radscore)were obtained,the diagnostic efficacy of each model for diagnosing early and middle stage PD was validated using validation set,and the correlations of Radscore of each model and clinical scale scores of PD patients were analyzed.Results Based on LRN,RRN,LSN and RSN on 3D-T1WI and T2WI,15,14,11 and 14,and 15,12,14 and 12 optimal radiomics features were obtained,respectively.Then models of single sequence,including LRN3D-T1W,I RRN3D-T1W,I LSN3D-T1W,I RSN3D-T1W,I LRNT2W,I RRNT2W,I LSNT2WI and RSNT2W,I as well as models of combined sequences,including LRN3D-T1WI+T2WI,RRN3D-T1WI+T2WI,LSN3D-T1WI+T2WI and RSN3D-T1WI+T2WI were constructed.The AUC of models in training and validation sets based on 3D-T1WI were 0.75-0.86,of models based on T2WI in training and validation sets were 0.82-0.90,while of combined models were 0.85-0.93.The Radscore of LRN3D-T1WI model in PD patients was negatively correlated with Hamilton depression scale(HAMD)and Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA)scores(rs=-0.255,-0.242,P=0.011,0.016),while of RSNT2WI model was negatively correlated with HAMD score(rs=-0.254,P=0.010).Conclusion 3D-T1WI and T2WI radiomics could be used to diagnose early and middle stage PD.
8.Correlation between post-transplant post-traumatic stress symptoms and gray matter volume reduction after kidney transplantation:a voxel-based morphometry study
Xinyi WANG ; Xinyi ZHU ; Junya MU ; Yuanshuo OUYANG ; Yuchen WANG ; Chuxin GUAN ; Shaohui MA ; Ming ZHANG
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(5):860-864
Objective To investigate alteration in brain gray matter volume in kidney transplant recipients(KTRs)and its correlation with post-traumatic stress symptoms(PTSS)in KTRs so as to provide neuro-imaging evidence for early detection and intervention of PTSS in KTRs.Methods Forty-six KTRs and 46 age-,sex-,and education-matched heath control(HCs)underwent brain MRI scanning with 3D T1-weighted structural images.Voxel-based morphometry(VBM)was applied to compare the gray matter volume between the two groups.For regions with significant differences in gray matter volume between KTRs and HCs,we analyzed the correlations with the Impact of Event Scale-Revised(IES-R)scores,which assess the severity of PTSS.Results Compared to HCs,KTRs showed significant reductions in gray matter volume in the bilateral precentral gyrus,middle frontal gyrus,supplementary motor area,medial paracingulate gyrus,and bilateral middle temporal gyrus(all P<0.05,TFCE-FWE correction).The gray matter volume of the left middle frontal gyrus in KTRs was negatively correlated with their IES-R scores(r=-0.235,P=0.022).Conclusion KTRs exhibit abnormal gray matter volume,and the gray matter volume of the left middle frontal gyrus is correlated with the severity of PTSS.
9.Efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke patients after vertebral-basilar artery stent implantation based on propensity score matching
Min GUAN ; Ziyuan LI ; Zhenkai MA ; Shuhui MENG ; Zhilong ZHOU ; Liheng WU ; Tianxiao LI ; Liangfu ZHU
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(2):209-214
Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke patients after vertebral-basilar artery stent implantation.Methods From May 2018 to October 2022,patients with acute vertebral basilar artery occlusion who underwent mechanical thrombectomy were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into two groups:stent occlusion group and acute atherosclerotic stenosis occlusion(ICAS)group.The baseline characteristics of the two groups were balanced by propensity score matching method.The successful recanalization rate,90-day good outcome rate,90-day mortality rate,and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rate were compared.Results We enrolled 107 patients,with 14 cases in stent occlusion group and 93 cases in ICAS group.We analyzed 14 pairs by propensity score matching,including 14 cases in stent occlusion group and 27 cases in ICAS group.The successful recanalization rate and 90-day good outcome rate was lower in stent occlusion group than in ICAS group[(78.6%(11/14)vs.100%(27/27),P=0.062,28.6%(4/14)vs.44.4%(12/27),X2=0.976,P=0.323],but there was no statistical difference.The 90-day mortality rate in the stent occlusion group was significantly higher than that in the ICAS group[57.1%(8/14)vs.25.9%(7/27),x2=3.873,P=0.049].The incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was higher in the stent occlusion group than in the ICAS group,with no statistical difference[35.7%(5/14)vs.14.8%(4/27),x2=1.289,P=0.256].Conclusion The successful recanalization rate,90-day good outcome rate,and incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in stent occlusion group did not significantly differ from those in ICAS group,but the 90-day mortality rate was significantly higher in the former group.
10.Application progress of eye-tracking technology in the nursing field
Airong ZHU ; Shining CAI ; Tingyu GUAN ; Xizhu CHEN ; Yuxia ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(20):2549-2552
Eye-tracking technology monitors eye movement trajectories to reveal the cognitive mechanisms underlying visual behavior.With advantages like objectivity and real-time capability,it is increasingly applied in nursing.However,research and application in China are still in the early stages.This article reviews the development,measurement metrics,methods,and impact of eye-tracking in nursing,analyzes current challenges,and suggests solutions to aid its development in the field of nursing in China.

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