1.Sodium arsenite influences proliferation and apoptosis in normal thyroid cells via modulation of ER-PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Zhihong JIANG ; Hongyun LI ; Xiaowei MA ; Yuanyan LAI ; Jun WU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(4):467-474
Background Recent advances in understanding the toxic effects of inorganic arsenic have revealed that arsenic exposure impacts multiple endocrine organs, thereby altering their functions. However, the mechanisms underlying arsenic-induced thyroid injury remain unclear. Objective To investigate the mechanisms by which sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂) affects the proliferation and apoptosis of normal thyroid cells (Nthy-ori3-1) through the estrogen receptor (ER)-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway. Methods Nthy-ori3-1 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into the following groups: a control group (complete medium without drugs, 0 μmol·L−1), and NaAsO₂-treated groups at 1, 2, and 4 μmol·L−1. Additionally, 1 μmol·L−1 of the ER inhibitor ICI182780 was used to intervene in the NaAsO₂ exposure groups, resulting in the following combinations: 1 μmol·L−1 NaAsO₂ + ICI182780, 2 μmol·L−1 NaAsO₂ + ICI182780, and 4 μmol·L−1 NaAsO₂ + ICI182780. The median lethal concentration of NaAsO₂ was determined using cell viability assay. Cell viability was assessed at 24, 36, and 48 h using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Colony formation ability was evaluated via plate cloning assay. Apoptosis was detected using Hoechst
2.Current Situation, Trend, and Opportunity of Applying Blockchain to the Supply Chain of Orphan Drugs
Wenyan LI ; Yile YOU ; Jindong WU ; Xinrui LI ; Yunyun JIANG ; Shengfeng WANG
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2025;4(1):14-21
The exploration and pilot studies of applying blockchain to drug supply chain show great potential in promoting information sharing, collaboration competence among the actors, regulatory efficiency, and etc. In the future, with the help of blockchain, the optimization of the entire supply chain for orphan drugs is expected to be realized. However, there is no such exploration in China at present. This paper systematically sorts out the whole process of supply chain for orphan drugs and the existing problems of the chain. The article concludes that at present, blockchain is mainly used in the " circulation" and " use" of the drug supply chain. It helps to improve the traceability of drugs, to cope with the problem of counterfeit drugs, to enable actors of the drug supply chain to form a collaborative network in optimizing resource allocation, and to improve the operation and supervision efficiency of the supply chain. In the future, the application faces challenges such as high costs in system conversion, lack of personnel awareness, and incomplete supporting systems. Based on the three dimensions of technology, practice, and research, this paper also looks into the future and suggests for the future use of blockchain in the supply chain of orphan drugs by constructing a practice model, the so called DI-GIVE (Digital, Intelligence, Government′s supervision, Innovation, Views of variety, Evaluation-based) hoping to innovate the supply chain of orphan drugs and to ensure the drug use for the patients with rare diseases in China.
3.Hydrogels:role and problems in the repair of oral and maxillofacial defects
Zhixin WU ; Wenwen JIANG ; Jianhui ZHAN ; Yangshurun LI ; Wenyan REN ; Yiyu WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(10):2178-2188
BACKGROUND:Hydrogels have become a research hotspot due to their unique advantages in the biomedical field due to their superior mechanical and biological properties.At present,related research involves tissue engineering,wound dressing and so on. OBJECTIVE:To review the advantages and properties of hydrogels and the research progress of their application in the repair of oral and maxillofacial defects,discuss the current limitations and challenges of hydrogels in application and promotion,and provide new ideas for future research directions. METHODS:Relevant literature was searched in PubMed,CNKI,and WanFang database by computer.The search terms were"hydrogel,oral and maxillofacial defects,mechanical properties,tissue engineering,wound dressing"in Chinese and"hydrogel,oral and maxillofacial defects,mechanical properties,guided tissue regeneration,wound dressing"in English.Preliminary screening was carried out by reading titles and abstracts,and articles not related to the topic of the article were excluded.According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,108 articles were finally included for the result analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The hydrogel has good biological activity,mechanical controllability,and stimulation response.(2)Polymer,metal,and ceramic hydrogel composites have appropriate mechanical properties,biodegradability,and controlled release rate,which are suitable for maxillofacial bone tissue engineering.(3)Fibrin-based hydrogel could fill the hollow nerve conduit through the nerve defect area and promote the regeneration and growth of axons to restore the function of maxillofacial nerve.(4)Controlling the interaction between nanomaterials and hydrogels can improve the formation of muscle fiber oriented structure to promote maxillofacial muscle tissue regeneration.(5)Polysaccharide hydrogel has gradually become the first choice for repairing irregular periodontal defects due to its ability to control drug delivery,carry bioactive molecules,and combine with other materials to produce the best scaffold matching the extracellular matrix.(6)Calcium phosphate or calcium carbonate-based hydrogels can be used to fill irregular or fine tissue defects and remineralize hard tissues.The self-assembled hydrogels are simple to prepare and have good biological activity.(7)Salivary gland-derived extracellular matrix-like gel is expected to participate in the treatment of many salivary gland diseases.(8)Hydrogels can be used as wound dressings in combination with biological adhesives,acellular biomaterials,antimicrobials,antioxidants,or stem cells to treat various wounds.(9)Fibrin-based hydrogel has the most potential in the repair of oral and maxillofacial defects.It has excellent biocompatibility,flexibility,and plasticity.It can combine with cells,extracellular matrix proteins,and various growth factors,and promote the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells,axon regeneration and growth,angiogenesis,myotube differentiation,salivary gland tissue regeneration,and periodontal tissue regeneration.It has a broad prospect in the repair of oral and maxillofacial defects.However,its therapeutic effect depends on the function of the substance carried.The complex preparation process,its safety and long-term efficacy,and the special anatomical oral and maxillofacial structure is the problem that hinders its promotion,which also provides directions for future research.
4.Revealing VCAN as a Potential Common Diagnostic Biomarker of Renal Tubules and Glomerulus in Diabetic Kidney Disease Based on Machine Learning, Single-Cell Transcriptome Analysis and Mendelian Randomization
Li JIANG ; Jie JIAN ; Xulin SAI ; Xiai WU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(3):407-420
Background:
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is recognized as a significant complication of diabetes mellitus and categorized into glomerular DKDs and tubular DKDs, each governed by distinct pathological mechanisms and biomarkers.
Methods:
Through the identification of common features observed in glomerular and tubular lesions in DKD, numerous differentially expressed gene were identified by the machine learning, single-cell transcriptome and mendelian randomization.
Results:
The diagnostic markers versican (VCAN) was identified, offering supplementary options for clinical diagnosis. VCAN significantly highly expressed in glomerular parietal epithelial cell and proximal convoluted tubular cell. It was mainly involved in the up-regulation of immune genes and infiltration of immune cells like mast cell. Mendelian randomization analysis confirmed that serum VCAN protein levels were a risky factor for DKD, while there was no reverse association. It exhibited the good diagnostic potential for estimated glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria in DKD.
Conclusion
VCAN showed the prospects into DKD pathology and clinical indicator.
5.Revealing VCAN as a Potential Common Diagnostic Biomarker of Renal Tubules and Glomerulus in Diabetic Kidney Disease Based on Machine Learning, Single-Cell Transcriptome Analysis and Mendelian Randomization
Li JIANG ; Jie JIAN ; Xulin SAI ; Xiai WU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(3):407-420
Background:
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is recognized as a significant complication of diabetes mellitus and categorized into glomerular DKDs and tubular DKDs, each governed by distinct pathological mechanisms and biomarkers.
Methods:
Through the identification of common features observed in glomerular and tubular lesions in DKD, numerous differentially expressed gene were identified by the machine learning, single-cell transcriptome and mendelian randomization.
Results:
The diagnostic markers versican (VCAN) was identified, offering supplementary options for clinical diagnosis. VCAN significantly highly expressed in glomerular parietal epithelial cell and proximal convoluted tubular cell. It was mainly involved in the up-regulation of immune genes and infiltration of immune cells like mast cell. Mendelian randomization analysis confirmed that serum VCAN protein levels were a risky factor for DKD, while there was no reverse association. It exhibited the good diagnostic potential for estimated glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria in DKD.
Conclusion
VCAN showed the prospects into DKD pathology and clinical indicator.
6.Revealing VCAN as a Potential Common Diagnostic Biomarker of Renal Tubules and Glomerulus in Diabetic Kidney Disease Based on Machine Learning, Single-Cell Transcriptome Analysis and Mendelian Randomization
Li JIANG ; Jie JIAN ; Xulin SAI ; Xiai WU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(3):407-420
Background:
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is recognized as a significant complication of diabetes mellitus and categorized into glomerular DKDs and tubular DKDs, each governed by distinct pathological mechanisms and biomarkers.
Methods:
Through the identification of common features observed in glomerular and tubular lesions in DKD, numerous differentially expressed gene were identified by the machine learning, single-cell transcriptome and mendelian randomization.
Results:
The diagnostic markers versican (VCAN) was identified, offering supplementary options for clinical diagnosis. VCAN significantly highly expressed in glomerular parietal epithelial cell and proximal convoluted tubular cell. It was mainly involved in the up-regulation of immune genes and infiltration of immune cells like mast cell. Mendelian randomization analysis confirmed that serum VCAN protein levels were a risky factor for DKD, while there was no reverse association. It exhibited the good diagnostic potential for estimated glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria in DKD.
Conclusion
VCAN showed the prospects into DKD pathology and clinical indicator.
7.Ferroptosis and osteoporosis
Cheng YANG ; Weimin LI ; Dongcheng RAN ; Jiamu XU ; Wangxiang WU ; Jiafu XU ; Jingjing CHEN ; Guangfu JIANG ; Chunqing WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(3):554-562
BACKGROUND:It has also been confirmed that ferroptosis is closely related to a variety of musculoskeletal diseases,such as rheumatoid arthritis,osteosarcoma,and osteoporosis.The pathophysiological mechanisms of ferroptosis and osteoporosis need to be further studied and elucidated to broaden our understanding of iron metabolism and osteoporosis.It will provide research ideas for the future elucidation of new mechanisms of osteoporosis and the development of new technologies and drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE:To provide an overview of the current status of research on ferroptosis in osteoporosis,to provide a new direction for future research on the specific molecular mechanisms of osteoporosis,and to provide more effective and better options for osteoporosis treatment strategies. METHODS:The first author used the computer to search the literature published from 2000 to 2024 in CNKI,WanFang,VIP,and PubMed databases with search terms"ferroptosis,iron metabolism,osteoporosis,osteoblast,osteoclast,bone metabolism,signal pathway,musculoskeletal,review"in Chinese and English.A total of 68 articles were finally included according to the selection criteria. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Ferroptosis is a new type of cell death discovered in recent years,which is usually accompanied by a large amount of iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation during cell death,and its occurrence is iron-dependent.This is distinctly different from several types of cell death that are currently being hotly studied(e.g.,cellular pyroptosis,necrotic apoptosis,cuproptosis,and autophagy).(2)Intracellular iron homeostasis is manifested as a balance between iron uptake,export,utilization,and storage.The body's iron regulatory system includes systemic and intracellular regulation.The main factor of systemic regulation is hepcidin produced by hepatic secretion,and cellular regulation depends on the iron regulatory protein/iron response element system.Of course,intracellular iron homeostasis can be controlled by other factors,such as hypoxia,cytokines,and hormones.(3)Lipid peroxidation causes oxidative damage to biological membranes(plasma membrane and internal organelle membranes),lipoproteins,and other lipid-containing molecules.Polyunsaturated fatty acid-containing phospholipids are important targets of lipid peroxidation.Free polyunsaturated fatty acid is an important substrate for lipid oxidation and can bind to the phospholipid bilayer,leading to over-oxidation and thus triggering lipid apoptosis.(4)Several studies have shown that osteoblasts are overloaded with iron in different ways,resulting in the accumulation of unstable ferrous iron and the generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides,causing ferroptosis of osteoblasts and ultimately a decrease in bone formation,affecting bone homeostasis and the development of osteoporosis.(5)Osteoclasts are large multinucleated cells formed by the fusion of mononuclear macrophage cell lines or bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells induced by nuclear factor-κB ligand receptor activator,and they have the function of bone resorption.Iron ions can promote osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption through the production of intracellular lipid reactive oxygen species,while iron chelators can inhibit osteoclast formation in vitro and thus affect the occurrence and development of osteoporosis.
8.Principles, technical specifications, and clinical application of lung watershed topography map 2.0: A thoracic surgery expert consensus (2024 version)
Wenzhao ZHONG ; Fan YANG ; Jian HU ; Fengwei TAN ; Xuening YANG ; Qiang PU ; Wei JIANG ; Deping ZHAO ; Hecheng LI ; Xiaolong YAN ; Lijie TAN ; Junqiang FAN ; Guibin QIAO ; Qiang NIE ; Mingqiang KANG ; Weibing WU ; Hao ZHANG ; Zhigang LI ; Zihao CHEN ; Shugeng GAO ; Yilong WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(02):141-152
With the widespread adoption of low-dose CT screening and the extensive application of high-resolution CT, the detection rate of sub-centimeter lung nodules has significantly increased. How to scientifically manage these nodules while avoiding overtreatment and diagnostic delays has become an important clinical issue. Among them, lung nodules with a consolidation tumor ratio less than 0.25, dominated by ground-glass shadows, are particularly worthy of attention. The therapeutic challenge for this group is how to achieve precise and complete resection of nodules during surgery while maximizing the preservation of the patient's lung function. The "watershed topography map" is a new technology based on big data and artificial intelligence algorithms. This method uses Dicom data from conventional dose CT scans, combined with microscopic (22-24 levels) capillary network anatomical watershed features, to generate high-precision simulated natural segmentation planes of lung sub-segments through specific textures and forms. This technology forms fluorescent watershed boundaries on the lung surface, which highly fit the actual lung anatomical structure. By analyzing the adjacent relationship between the nodule and the watershed boundary, real-time, visually accurate positioning of the nodule can be achieved. This innovative technology provides a new solution for the intraoperative positioning and resection of lung nodules. This consensus was led by four major domestic societies, jointly with expert teams in related fields, oriented to clinical practical needs, referring to domestic and foreign guidelines and consensus, and finally formed after multiple rounds of consultation, discussion, and voting. The main content covers the theoretical basis of the "watershed topography map" technology, indications, operation procedures, surgical planning details, and postoperative evaluation standards, aiming to provide scientific guidance and exploration directions for clinical peers who are currently or plan to carry out lung nodule resection using the fluorescent microscope watershed analysis method.
9.Working practices in eliminating the public health crisis caused by viral hepatitis in Hainan Province of China
Weihua LI ; Changfu XIONG ; Taifan CHEN ; Bin HE ; Dapeng YIN ; Xuexia ZENG ; Feng LIN ; Biyu CHEN ; Xiaomei ZENG ; Biao WU ; Juan JIANG ; Lu ZHONG ; Yuhui ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):228-233
In 2022, Hainan provincial government launched the project for the prevention and control of viral hepatitis with the goals of a hepatitis B screening rate of 90%, a diagnostic rate of 90%, and a treatment rate of 80% among people aged 18 years and above by the year 2025, and the main intervention measures include population-based prevention, case screening, antiviral therapy, and health management. As of December 31, 2024, a total of 6.875 million individuals in the general population had been screened for hepatitis B, with a screening rate of 95.6%. A total of 184 710 individuals with positive HBsAg were identified, among whom 156 772 were diagnosed through serological reexamination, resulting in a diagnostic rate of 84.9%. A total of 50 742 patients with chronic hepatitis B were identified, among whom 42 921 had hepatitis B-specific health records established for health management, with a file establishment rate of 84.6%. A total of 31 553 individuals received antiviral therapy, with a treatment rate of 62.2%. A total of 2.503 million individuals at a high risk of hepatitis C were screened, among whom 4 870 tested positive for HCV antibody and 3 858 underwent HCV RNA testing, resulting in a diagnostic rate of 79.2%, and 1 824 individuals with positive HCV RNA were identified, among whom 1 194 received antiviral therapy, with a treatment rate of 65.5%. In addition, 159 301 individuals with negative HBsAg and anti-HBs and an age of 20 — 40 years were inoculated with hepatitis B vaccine free of charge. Through the implementation of the project for the prevention and control of viral hepatitis, a large number of hepatitis patients have been identified, treated, and managed in the province within a short period of time, which significantly accelerates the efforts to eliminate the crisis of viral hepatitis.
10.Evaluation of Effect of Tongnaoyin on Blood-brain Barrier Injury in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Based on Dynamic Contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Yangjingyi XIA ; Shanshan LI ; Li LI ; Xiaogang TANG ; Xintong WANG ; Qing ZHU ; Hui JIANG ; Cuiping YUAN ; Yongkang LIU ; Zhaoyao CHEN ; Wenlei LI ; Yuan ZHU ; Minghua WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):140-146
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of Tongnaoyin on the blood-brain barrier status and neurological impairment in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with the syndrome of phlegm-stasis blocking collaterals by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). MethodsA total of 63 patients diagnosed with AIS in the Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine from October 2022 to December 2023 were enrolled in this study. According to random number table method,the patients were assigned into a control group (32 cases) and an observation group (31 cases). The control group received conventional Western medical treatment,and the observation group took 200 mL Tongnaoyin after meals,twice a day from day 2 of admission on the basis of the treatment in the control group. After 7 days of treatment,the patients were examined by DCE-MRI. The baseline data for two groups of patients before treatment were compared. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score were recorded before treatment and after 90 days of treatment for both groups. The rKtrans,rKep,and rVe values were obtained from the region of interest (ROI) of the infarct zone/mirror area and compared between the two groups. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the NIHSS or mRS score between the two groups before treatment. After 90 days of treatment,the NIHSS and mRS scores declined in both groups,and the observation group had lower scores than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment,the rKtrans and rVe in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). ConclusionCompared with conventional Western medical treatment alone,conventional Western medical treatment combined with Tongnaoyin accelerates the repair of the blood-brain barrier in AIS patients,thereby ameliorating neurological impairment after AIS to improve the prognosis.

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