1.Mitochondria: The Target of Ionizing Radiation Damage
Lian-Chen TIAN ; Ya-Yi YUAN ; Xu-Hong DANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):836-844
In recent years, due to the development of radiotherapy technology and nuclear energy, people have paid more and more attention to the various effects of ionizing radiation on organisms. Ionizing radiation can induce protein, DNA and other biological macromolecules to damage, resulting in apoptosis, senescence, cancer and a series of changes. For a long time, it has been believed that the main target of ionizing radiation damage is DNA in the nucleus. However, it has been reported in recent years that ionizing radiation has both direct and indirect effects, and the theory of ROS damage in the indirect effects believes that ionizing radiation has target uncertainty, so it is not comprehensive enough to evaluate only the DNA damage in the nucleus. It has been reported that ionizing radiation can cause damage to organelles as well as damage to cells. Mitochondria are important damaged organelles because mitochondria occupy as much as 30% of the entire cell volume in the cytoplasm, which contains DNA and related enzymes that are closely related to cellular ATP synthesis, aerobic respiration and other life activities. What is more noteworthy is that mitochondria are the only organelles in which DNA exists in the human body, which makes researchers pay attention to various damage to mitochondrial DNA caused by ionizing radiation (such as double-strand breaks, base mismatching, and fragment loss). Although these damages also occur in the nucleus, mitochondrial DNA is more severely damaged than nuclear DNA due to its lack of histone protection, so mitochondria are important targets of ionizing radiation damage in addition to the nucleus. Mitochondrial DNA is not protected by histones and has little repair ability. When exposed to ionizing radiation, common deletions occur at an increased frequency and are passed on to offspring. For large-scale mitochondrial DNA damage, mitochondria indirectly compensate for the amount of damaged DNA by increasing the number of DNA copies and maintaining the normal function of mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondria are in a state of oxidative stress after exposure to ionizing radiation, and this oxidative stress will promote the change in mitochondrial function. When mitochondria are damaged, the activity of proteins related to aerobic respiration decreases, and oxidative respiration is inhibited to a certain extent. At the same time, a large amount of active superoxide anions are continuously produced to stimulate mitochondrial oxidative stress, and the signal of such damage is transmitted to the surrounding mitochondria, resulting in a cascade of damage reaction, which further activates the signalling pathway between mitochondria and nucleus. The cell nucleus is also in a state of oxidative stress, and finally, the level of free radicals is high, causing secondary damage to the genetic material DNA of mitochondria and nucleus. In this paper, the damage effects of ionizing radiation on mitochondria are reviewed, to provide a new idea for radiation protection.
2.Low-air-pressure clean room system: A flexible, high-quality model for assisted reproduction laboratories
Minh Tam LE ; Trung Van NGUYEN ; Thai Thanh Thi NGUYEN ; Hong Nhan Thi DANG ; Quoc Huy Vu NGUYEN
Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine 2025;52(1):56-64
Objective:
This study aimed to develop a configurable clean room paradigm with low air pressure for assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics and demonstrate the concept’s efficacy using in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.
Methods:
A high-standard clean room system with positive pressure (13 Pa) was built using accessible materials and equipment for ART laboratories. Methods for controlling and evaluating the clean room’s characteristics were developed and implemented for quality assessment and calibration to maximize efficiency. The feasibility of the flexible clean room concept was assessed by analyzing the key performance indicators of embryo culture and IVF treatment.
Results:
After 3 weeks of testing, the concentration of particles ≥0.5 μm was 6.04 times lower than the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) class 5 standard (3,520 particles/m3) in the IVF laboratory. Air pressure, noise, temperature, and humidity were controlled stably and appropriately. Five days after installation and handover, the volatile organic compound concentration dropped to 0.00 ppm. With blastocysts and a respectable blastocyst rate, embryonic culture with female patients younger than 40 matched the criteria (63.5% and 38.9%, respectively). After vitrified blastocysts were transferred, the pregnancy and implantation rates were 58.5% and 36.2%, respectively, demonstrating a high degree of treatment success.
Conclusion
Our customizable, high-quality, low-air-pressure clean room model can be implemented to achieve positive outcomes for infertility treatment.
3.Low-air-pressure clean room system: A flexible, high-quality model for assisted reproduction laboratories
Minh Tam LE ; Trung Van NGUYEN ; Thai Thanh Thi NGUYEN ; Hong Nhan Thi DANG ; Quoc Huy Vu NGUYEN
Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine 2025;52(1):56-64
Objective:
This study aimed to develop a configurable clean room paradigm with low air pressure for assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics and demonstrate the concept’s efficacy using in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.
Methods:
A high-standard clean room system with positive pressure (13 Pa) was built using accessible materials and equipment for ART laboratories. Methods for controlling and evaluating the clean room’s characteristics were developed and implemented for quality assessment and calibration to maximize efficiency. The feasibility of the flexible clean room concept was assessed by analyzing the key performance indicators of embryo culture and IVF treatment.
Results:
After 3 weeks of testing, the concentration of particles ≥0.5 μm was 6.04 times lower than the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) class 5 standard (3,520 particles/m3) in the IVF laboratory. Air pressure, noise, temperature, and humidity were controlled stably and appropriately. Five days after installation and handover, the volatile organic compound concentration dropped to 0.00 ppm. With blastocysts and a respectable blastocyst rate, embryonic culture with female patients younger than 40 matched the criteria (63.5% and 38.9%, respectively). After vitrified blastocysts were transferred, the pregnancy and implantation rates were 58.5% and 36.2%, respectively, demonstrating a high degree of treatment success.
Conclusion
Our customizable, high-quality, low-air-pressure clean room model can be implemented to achieve positive outcomes for infertility treatment.
4.Low-air-pressure clean room system: A flexible, high-quality model for assisted reproduction laboratories
Minh Tam LE ; Trung Van NGUYEN ; Thai Thanh Thi NGUYEN ; Hong Nhan Thi DANG ; Quoc Huy Vu NGUYEN
Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine 2025;52(1):56-64
Objective:
This study aimed to develop a configurable clean room paradigm with low air pressure for assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics and demonstrate the concept’s efficacy using in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.
Methods:
A high-standard clean room system with positive pressure (13 Pa) was built using accessible materials and equipment for ART laboratories. Methods for controlling and evaluating the clean room’s characteristics were developed and implemented for quality assessment and calibration to maximize efficiency. The feasibility of the flexible clean room concept was assessed by analyzing the key performance indicators of embryo culture and IVF treatment.
Results:
After 3 weeks of testing, the concentration of particles ≥0.5 μm was 6.04 times lower than the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) class 5 standard (3,520 particles/m3) in the IVF laboratory. Air pressure, noise, temperature, and humidity were controlled stably and appropriately. Five days after installation and handover, the volatile organic compound concentration dropped to 0.00 ppm. With blastocysts and a respectable blastocyst rate, embryonic culture with female patients younger than 40 matched the criteria (63.5% and 38.9%, respectively). After vitrified blastocysts were transferred, the pregnancy and implantation rates were 58.5% and 36.2%, respectively, demonstrating a high degree of treatment success.
Conclusion
Our customizable, high-quality, low-air-pressure clean room model can be implemented to achieve positive outcomes for infertility treatment.
5.Therapeutic effects of surgical debulking of metastatic lymph nodes in cervical cancer IIICr: a trial protocol for a phase III, multicenter, randomized controlled study (KGOG1047/DEBULK trial)
Bo Seong YUN ; Kwang-Beom LEE ; Keun Ho LEE ; Ha Kyun CHANG ; Joo-Young KIM ; Myong Cheol LIM ; Chel Hun CHOI ; Hanbyoul CHO ; Dae-Yeon KIM ; Yun Hwan KIM ; Joong Sub CHOI ; Chae Hyeong LEE ; Jae-Weon KIM ; Sang Wun KIM ; Yong Bae KIM ; Chi-Heum CHO ; Dae Gy HONG ; Yong Jung SONG ; Seob JEON ; Min Kyu KIM ; Dae Hoon JEONG ; Hyun PARK ; Seok Mo KIM ; Sang-Il PARK ; Jae-Yun SONG ; Asima MUKHOPADHYAY ; Dang Huy Quoc THINH ; Nirmala Chandralega KAMPAN ; Grace J. LEE ; Jae-Hoon KIM ; Keun-Yong EOM ; Ju-Won ROH
Journal of Gynecologic Oncology 2024;35(5):e57-
Background:
Bulky or multiple lymph node (LN) metastases are associated with poor prognosis in cervical cancer, and the size or number of LN metastases is not yet reflected in the staging system and therapeutic strategy. Although the therapeutic effects of surgical resection of bulky LNs before standard treatment have been reported in several retrospective studies, wellplanned randomized clinical studies are lacking. Therefore, the aim of the Korean Gynecologic Oncology Group (KGOG) 1047/DEBULK trial is to investigate whether the debulking surgery of bulky or multiple LNs prior to concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) improves the survival rate of patients with cervical cancer IIICr diagnosed by imaging tests.
Methods
The KGOG 1047/DEBULK trial is a phase III, multicenter, randomized clinical trial involving patients with bulky or multiple LN metastases in cervical cancer IIICr. This study will include patients with a short-axis diameter of a pelvic or para-aortic LN ≥2 cm or ≥3 LNs with a short-axis diameter ≥1 cm and for whom CCRT is planned. The treatment arms will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either receive CCRT (control arm) or undergo surgical debulking of bulky or multiple LNs before CCRT (experimental arm). CCRT consists of extended-field external beam radiotherapy/pelvic radiotherapy, brachytherapy and LN boost, and weekly chemotherapy with cisplatin (40 mg/m 2 ), 4–6 times administered intravenously.The primary endpoint will be 3-year progression-free survival rate. The secondary endpoints will be 3-year overall survival rate, treatment-related complications, and accuracy of radiological diagnosis of bulky or multiple LNs.
6.Antimicrobial resistance of bacteria from intensive care units:surveillance report from Hunan Province Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Sys-tem,2012-2021
Li-Hua CHEN ; Chen-Chao FU ; Chen LI ; Yan-Ming LI ; Jun LIU ; Xing-Wang NING ; Guo-Min SHI ; Jing-Min WU ; Huai-De YANG ; Hong-Xia YUAN ; Ming ZHENG ; Nan REN ; Xun HUANG ; An-Hua WU ; Jian-Dang ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2024;23(8):942-953
Objective To investigate the distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility of clinically isolated bacteria from intensive care units(ICUs)in hospitals of Hunan Province Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System from 2012 to 2021.Methods According to China Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System,data of clinically isolated bacterial strains and antimicrobial susceptibility testing results of bacteria from ICUs reported by all member units of Hunan Province Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System were analyzed with WHONET 2022 software.Results From 2012 to 2021,the total number of bacteria isolated from ICUs of member units of the Hunan Province Antimi-crobial Resistance Surveillance System was 5 777-22 369,with Gram-negative bacteria accounting for 76.1%-78.0%annually.Staphylococcus aureus ranked first among isolated Gram-positive bacteria each year.The top 5 bacteria among Gram-negative bacteria were Acinetobacter baumannii,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Escherichia coli,Pseudo-monas aeruginosa,and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.Detection rate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus showed a downward trend year by year.No Staphylococcus spp.were found to be resistant to vancomycin,teico-planin and linezolid.Detection rates of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis and vancomycin-resistant Entero-coccus faecium were 0.6-1.1%and 0.6%-2.2%,respectively.Resistance rates of Escherichia coli and Kleb-siella pneumoniae to imipenem were 3.1%-5.7%and 7.7%-20.9%,respectively.Resistance rates of Pseudo-monasaeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii to imipenem were 24.6%-40.1%and 76.1%-80.9%,respective-ly.Detection rates of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa declined year by year.Acinetobacter baumannii maintained high susceptibility to polymyxin B,with resistance rate<10%.Conclusion Antimicrobial resistance of bacteria from ICUs is serious.Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriales has an upward trend after 2019.It is nece-ssary to strengthen the surveillance of bacterial resistance and carry out multidisciplinary collaboration.
7. Association between index finger and ring finger length ratios and polymorphism of homeobox A11 gene locus among Ningxia college students
Meng-Yi YANG ; Shi-Bo NIU ; Jing ZHANG ; Jie DANG ; Zhan-Bing MA ; Hong LU ; Zheng-Hao HUO
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2024;55(1):62-66
Objective To investigate the association between the index finger and ring finger length ratio (2D ∶ 4D) and of four loci (rs6461992‚ rs6968828‚ rs7801581‚ rs17427875) polymorphism of homeobox (HOX) A11 gene among Ningxia college students. Methods Digit camera was used to collect frontal hand photos of 667 Han college students (348 males and 319 females) from Ningxia province; Image analysis software was used to mark the anatomical points and measure finger lengths of the index and ring fingers of both hands; multiplex PCR was used to detect each locus polymorphisms of HOXA11 gene; statistical software was used to compare and analyze the differences and associations of 2D ∶4D and gene polymorphisms between different genders. Results Among Ningxia Han college students‚ both left hand and right hand 2D ∶ 4D were significantly higher in females than those of in males (all P< 0. 05)‚ and there were no significant sex differences in right-left hand 2D ∶4D; the genotypes and allele frequencies of rs7801581 locus of HOXA11 gene differed significantly between genders (all P < 0. 05)‚ and none of the other locus polymorphisms showed any significant sex differences; only female left hand 2D ∶4D was significantly associated with rs6461992 locus genotype in the relationship between 2D ∶4D and HOXA11 polymorphisms (P<0. 05). Conclusion There were significant sex differences in 2D ∶ 4D among Han college students in Ningxia‚ and the rs6461992 locus polymorphism of HOXA11 gene may be associated with the formation of 2D ∶4D in females.
8.Clinical trial of sacubactril valsartan combined with dagliprazin in the treatment of elderly patients with chronic heart failure and type 2 diabetes mellitus
Kun XU ; Xiao-Min ZHANG ; Jing DANG ; Jun-Hong SHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(17):2464-2468
Objective To observe the effect of sacubitril valsartan combined with dapagliflozin on cardiac function and blood glucose fluctuation in elderly patients with chronic heart failure(CHF)and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods The elderly patients with CHF and T2DM were divided into treatment group and control group.Patients in the control group were given irbesartan tablets,150 mg each time,metoprolol sustained-release tablets,qd,with an initial dose of 23.75 mg,and the dose was increased to 47.5 mg after 2 weeks,and dapagliflozin tablets was taken in the morning,qd,5 mg each time.If the patient was well tolerated,the dose was increased to 10 mg each time.The treatment group was given dapagliflozin tablets,qd,5 mg each time,and the dose was increased to 10 mg each time if the patient was well tolerated.At the same time,sacubitril valsartan sodium tablets was given,bid,50 mg each time.If the patient was well tolerated,the dose should be doubled every 2-4 weeks,not exceeding 200 mg each time.The two groups were treated for 6 months.The cardiac function,blood glucose fluctuation,drug safety and prognosis were compared between the two groups.Results Forty-seven cases and forty-nine cases were included in the treatment and control group,respectively.After treatment,the total effective rates in the treatment and control group were 93.62%(44 cases/47 cases)and 79.59%(39 cases/49 cases),and there were significant differences(P<0.05).After treatment,left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)in the treatment group group and the control group were(55.34±8.22)and(46.59±6.80)%;cardiac indexes(CI)were(2.54±0.41)and(2.37±0.39)L·min-1·m-2;postprandial glucose excursions(PGE)were(1.45±0.31)and(1.86±0.46)mmol·L-1;the largest amplitudes of glycemic excursions(LAGE)were(3.42±1.05)and(4.47±1.39)mmol·L-1;the incidence rates of major cardiovascular adverse events(MACE)were 4.26%(2 cases/47 cases)and 2.13%(1 cases/47 cases);readmission rates were 18.37%(9 cases/49 cases)and 14.29%(7 cases/49 cases).There were statistically significant differences in the above indexes between the treatment group and the control group.(all P<0.05).The adverse drug reactions in the treatment group were urinary tract infection and hypotension,and the adverse drug reactions in the control group were urinary tract infection and angioedema,and the total adverse drug reaction rate of the two groups was 6.38%(3 cases/47 cases)and 4.08%(2 cases/49 cases),and there was no statistical significance(P>0.05).Conclusion The combined treatment of sacubitril valsartan sodium tablets and dapagliflozin tablets can improve cardiac function,reduce blood glucose fluctuation,increase the total effective rate,and improve the prognosis of elderly patients with CHF and T2DM,with good drug safety.
9.Mechanism and Current Situation of Decorporation Agents for Radionuclide Contamination in vivo
Bing-Yan KOU ; Yu-Feng GUO ; Xu-Hong DANG ; Xiao-Ming LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(11):2960-2970
Radioactive contamination can occur during nuclear accidents, loss of radioactive sources and the use of radiation for photography, disinfection and detection. When the human body is accidentally contaminated by radionuclides, radionuclides can cause harm to the human body through inhalation, ingestion, direct transdermal absorption and contaminated wounds into body tissues and organs. In the treatment of radionuclide contamination in vivo, the main way is decorporation therapy, which mainly uses specific decorporation agents to selectively bind radionuclides to form stable non-toxic complexes, thereby preventing their deposition in the body, accelerating excretion, and reducing the total accumulation of radionuclides in human tissues. At present, internal radionuclide decorporation agents promote the release of radionuclides from the body mainly by stopping the entry of radionuclides into the body, ion exchange, chelation, and binding of exportants to carriers. But recent studies have found that lysosomal exocytosis, the natural clearing function of activated cells, also has a significant exportation effect. In this paper, we first introduced and analyzed the mechanism and research status of radionuclide decorporation agents that have been used in clinical practice, such as the blocking effect of potassium iodide, the ion exchange effect of Prussian blue, the chelation effect of DTPA, and the urine alkalinization effect of sodium bicarbonate. The second part introduces the mechanism and research status of promising radionuclide decorporation agents. Among them, 3,4,3-LI (1,2-HOPO) and 5-LIO (Me-3,2-HOPO) are the most promising ones and have been approved for phase I clinical trials. Others such as catecholamines, polyethyleneimine and fullerenes are also being studied with great potential. Polyethyleneimine, as a biological macromolecular chelator, has more chelating sites and stronger targeting effects than small molecule chelators, and has achieved a real breakthrough in decorporation. Fullerenes are known as “free radical sponges” with good free radical scavenging ability and antioxidant properties. In recent years, biomaterials have been widely used in the field of radionuclide decorporation, which has greatly improved the decorporation efficiency. Chitosan and pectin have shown great advantages in promoting radionuclide decorporation, chitosan can adsorb metal ions through electrostatic interaction and chelation, and can also react with free radicals to remove free radicals generated after radionuclides enter the body. Pectin can promote uranium efflux, but the exact mechanism remains unclear. Liposomes and nanomaterials as carriers enhance the intracellular drug delivery, prolong the retention time of drugs in the body, reduce adverse reactions, and make the traditional efflux enhancers glow with new vitality and have good development prospects. The last part summarizes and looks forward to the future research direction of radionuclide decorporation agents. At present, the research on decorporation agents at home and abroad is mostly stuck in the stage of drug development and drug synthesis, and few have actually entered the clinical trial stage. Therefore, the optimization of existing decorporation agents and the development of new ligands are critical. The targeting, biological safety, oral availability, and treatment needs of large-scale contamination scenarios are still the focus of attention. In addition, from the point of view of the mechanism itself, it is a new idea to promote the emission of radionuclides by activating potential channels, which can be continuously explored.
10.Within-household SARS-CoV-2 transmission and vaccine effectiveness in the first three COVID-19 school outbreaks in northern Viet Nam, September–December 2021
Trang Thu Vu ; Tu Huy Ngo ; Khanh Cong Nguyen ; Vu Thi Lan ; Cu Thi Bich Hanh ; Le Hong Son ; Huyen Thi Nguyen ; Hien Thi Nguyen ; Nghia Duy Ngu ; Duong Nhu Tran ; Duc-Anh Dang ; Florian Vogt ; Thai Quang Pham
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2024;15(3):19-30
Objective: The risk of transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from schoolchildren to their household and the protective effects of vaccination in these settings remain poorly understood. We assessed the transmission dynamics of schoolchildren with SARS-CoV-2 within their households and the protective effects of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination among household members in Viet Nam.
Methods: We estimated the attack rate, vaccine effectiveness and adjusted risk ratio (aRR) of factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 transmission to household contacts of children confirmed to have COVID-19 who attended three schools in Ha Nam, Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa provinces between September and December 2021 using multivariable regression with household-level random effects.
Results: This retrospective cohort study included 157 children infected with SARS-CoV-2 and their 540 household contacts. The attack rate among household contacts was 24.6% (133/540). Overall, vaccine effectiveness among household contacts was 39% (95% confidence interval [CI]: -1 to -63), higher among males than females and higher in adults aged >40 years. COVID-19 transmission was greater among female household contacts compared with males (aRR: 1.35, 95% CI: 0.94 to 1.95), although not statistically significant, and highest among those aged 19–39 years (aRR: 2.51, 95% CI: 1.50 to 4.21). Fully vaccinated household contacts had significantly lower infection risk (aRR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.26 to 0.84).
Discussion: We found substantial onward transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from schoolchildren to household members, and older people were more likely to be protected by vaccination. We recommend that schoolchildren and all household members living with schoolchildren receive at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. Recognizing the role of schoolchildren in the onward transmission of COVID-19 is an important lesson learned by Viet Nam that can help not only in managing other outbreaks but also in protecting schoolchildren by predicting the progress of the outbreak and preparing for a timely response.


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