1.Fabrication and evaluation of an inositol hexaphosphate-zinc hydrogel with dual capabilities of self-mineralization and osteoinduction
LIU Mingyi ; MIAO Xiaoyu ; CAI Yunfan ; WANG Yan ; SUN Xiaotang ; KANG Jingrui ; ZHAO Yao ; NIU Lina
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(1):29-40
Objective:
To fabricate a hydrogel loaded with inositol hexaphosphate-zinc and preliminarily evaluate its performance in self-mineralization and osteoinduction, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the development of bone regeneration materials.
Methods:
The hydrogel framework (designated DF0) was formed by copolymerizing methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride and four-armed poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate, followed by sequentially loading inositol hexaphosphate anions via electrostatic interaction and zinc ions via chelation. The hydrogel loaded only with inositol hexaphosphate anions was named DF1, while the co-loaded hydrogel was named DF2. The self-mineralization efficacy of the DF0 , DF1 and DF2 hydrogels was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The biocompatibility was assessed via live/dead cell staining and a CCK-8 assay. The osteoinductive capacity of the DF0 , DF1 and DF2 hydrogels on MC3T3-E1 cells was assessed via alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alizarin Red S (ARS) staining. In the aforementioned cell experiments, cells cultured in standard medium served as the control group
Results:
The DF0, DF1, and DF2 hydrogels were successfully synthesized. Notably, DF1 and DF2 exhibited distinct self-mineralization within 6 days. Results from TEM, EDS, and SAED confirmed that the mineralization products were amorphous calcium phosphate in group DF1, and amorphous calciumzinc phosphate in group DF2. Biocompatibility tests revealed that none of the hydrogels (DF0, DF1, and DF2) adversely affected cell viability or proliferation. In osteogenic induction experiments, both ALP and ARS staining were intensified in the DF1 and DF2 groups, with the most profound staining observed in the DF2 group.
Conclusion
The developed inositol hexaphosphate-zinc hydrogel (DF2) demonstrates the dual capacity to generate calcium-phosphate compounds through self-mineralization while exhibiting excellent osteoinductive properties. This biocompatible, dual-promoting osteogenic hydrogel presents a novel strategy for bone regeneration.
2.Level of vitamin D in children with cholestatic liver disease and its clinical features
Ziyun GUO ; Lina DU ; Xiaoxuan XIE ; Yan YANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(1):99-103
ObjectiveTo investigate vitamin D level in children with cholestatic liver disease, and to provide a theoretical basis for vitamin D supplementation therapy in children with this disease. MethodsA total of 116 children with cholestatic liver disease who attended Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, for the first time from January 2022 to January 2024 were enrolled and divided into groups for comparison based on sex, age, vitamin D supplementation dose, course of the disease, and etiology. The data on the serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) and related biochemical parameters were collected to assess the correlation between vitamin D level and biochemical parameters. The chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups, and the Spearman rank correlation test was used for correlation analysis. ResultsAmong the 116 children, 76 (65.5%) had vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. The children with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency accounted for 65.7% (46/70) among boys and 65.2% (30/46) among girls, with no significant difference between boys and girls (χ2=0.003, P=0.956). The children with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency accounted for 83.3% (25/30) among the children who had never received vitamin D supplementation, 58.7% (27/46) among the children with a daily supplementation dose of 500 IU, 64.3% (18/28) among the children with a daily supplementation dose of 700 IU, and 50.0% (6/12) among the children with a daily supplementation dose of>700 IU, and there was no significant difference between these groups (χ2=6.460, P=0.091). Comparison between the groups with different etiologies showed that the children with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency accounted for 57.7% (15/26) in the infectious disease group, 66.7% (10/15) in the inherited metabolic disease group, 66.7% (6/9) in the drug-induced liver injury group, 100.0% (8/8) in the group with abnormal structure of the biliary system, and 63.8% (37/58) in the group with unknown etiology, and there was no significant difference between these groups (χ2=5.304, P=0.252). Comparison between the groups with different courses of the disease showed that the children with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency accounted for 78.4% (29/37) in the<1 month group, 54.3% (25/46) in the 1 — 3 months group, 53.3% (8/15) in the 3 — 6 months group, and 77.8% (14/18) in the>6 months group, with no significant difference between these groups (χ2=7.432, P=0.059). Comparison between different age groups showed that compared with the infant group, the children group had a significantly higher proportion of children with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency (χ2=9.504, P=0.018). The correlation analysis showed that serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase had no significant correlation with 25-OH-D (P>0.05); serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (r=-0.286, P=0.002), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) (r=-0.248, P=0.007), total bilirubin (TBil) (r=-0.353, P<0.001), direct bilirubin (DBil) (r=-0.299, P=0.001), and total bile acid (r=-0.236, P=0.011) were negatively correlated with 25-OH-D, while serum calcium (r=0.263, P=0.004) and phosphorus (r=0.385, P<0.001) were positively correlated with 25-OH-D. ConclusionMost children with cholestatic liver disease have vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency, and the increase in serum ALP, GGT, TBil, DBil or total bile acid and the reduction in calcium or phosphorus may suggest vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency.
3.Expressions levels of miR-34a,β-catenin and PD-L1 in cancer tissues of patients with cervical cancer and their correlation with prognosis
Chan LI ; Weiqin LYU ; Ting LI ; Junli ZHANG ; Lina ZHAO ; Changping YAN
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(20):2439-2445
Objective To investigate the expression levels of microRNA-34a(miR-34a),β-catenin and pro-grammed death receptor-1(PD-L1)in cancer tissues of patients with cervical cancer(CC)and their correla-tion with patients' prognosis.Methods A total of 83 patients with CC admitted to Yuncheng Central Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University from June 2021 to January 2024 were selected as the research objects.General data,CC tissue and adjacent normal tissue samples of all patients were collected.The mRNA expres-sion levels of miR-34a,β-catenin and PD-L1 in CC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were detected by fluo-rescence quantitative PCR and compared.The expression levels of β-catenin and PD-L1 in CC tissues and adja-cent normal tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of prognosis in CC patients.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the predictive value of miR-34a,β-catenin and PD-L1 expression levels in CC pa-tients with poor prognosis.Results Compared with adjacent normal tissues,the expression level of miR-34a of the CC tissues was lower,while the expression levels of β-catenin and PD-L1 were higher(P<0.05).The positive expression rates of β-catenin and PD-L1 protein in CC tissues were higher than those of adjacent nor-mal tissues(89.16%vs.10.84%,78.31%vs.20.48%,x2=101.807,55.526,P<0.05).There were no sig-nificant differences in age and body mass index(BMI)between the good prognosis group and the poor progno-sis group(t=1.508,1.820,both P>0.05),while there were significant differences in International Federa-tion of Gynecology and Obstetrics(FIGO)stage and differentiation degree between the two groups(x2=8.451,9.115,both P<0.05).Compared with the good prognosis group,the expression level of miR-34a of the poor prognosis group was lower,while the expression levels of β-catenin and PD-L1 were higher(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that increased expression of miR-34a was an protective factor for poor prognosis in CC patients,while the increased expression levels of β-catenin and PD-L1,Ⅱ a and Ⅱ b FIGO staging and low differentiation were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in CC patients(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that miR-34a,β-catenin and PD-L1 all had certain predictive value for the poor prognosis of CC patient,and the area under the curve(AUC)of the single detection was 0.765,0.836 and 0.797,respectively.The AUC of the combined detection was 0.914(Z=2.631,2.331,2.571,P=0.009,0.020,0.010).Conclusion The expression levels of miR-34a,β-catenin and PD-L1 mRNA affect the prognosis of CC patients.Increased expression of miR-34a is an protective factor for poor prognosis in CC patients,in-creased β-catenin and PD-L1 expressions are independent risk factors for poor prognosis in CC patients,and all three factors can be used as biomarkers to predict poor prognosis in CC patients,and the combined detection of the three has the highest prognostic value.
4.Analysis of teaching effectiveness in a course of 'Precision Treatment of Tumors' as continuing education program
Ningning LI ; Yifei YAN ; Yingyi WANG ; Lina WANG
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(11):1522-1527
Objective To evaluate the outcomes of continuing education program by a survey among 73 participa-ting physicians before and after the course training with 73 and 65 valid responses before and after the workshop col-lected respectively.Methods The questionnaire covered physicians' basic information,their understanding of pre-cision treatment,feedback on the course content and suggestions about the workshop.Data analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 software,primarily employing descriptive statistics and x2 tests.Results The overall satisfaction rate among participants was 90.77%,with the lung cancer session(90.77%)and practical case analysis(86.15%)being the most popular.The course significantly improved physicians' understanding of proteomics analysis(P<0.05)and the importance of adjusting treatment plan in precision treatment of tumors(P<0.05).Ad-ditionally,81.54%of physicians agreed that precision treatment of tumors significantly enhanced patients'quality of life(P<0.05).Physicians also showed increased attention to multidisciplinary team(MDT)and patient mental health.Suggestions for future courses included optimizing resource provision and increasing interactive sessions.Conclusions This continuing education program has achieved remarkable results in enhancing physicians' knowl-edge and capacity building of precision treatment for cancer.The evaluation of the course suggests that future educa-tion should further focus on the actual needs of physicians and to optimize the content design to support the applica-tion of precision treatment in clinical practice.
5.Lacticaseibacillus paracasei E6 improves vinorelbine-induced immunosuppression in zebrafish through its metabolites acetic acid and propionic acid
Xinzhu XU ; Lina GUO ; Kangdi ZHENG ; Yan MA ; Shuxian LIN ; Yingxi HE ; Wen SHENG ; Suhua XU ; Feng QIU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(2):331-339
Objective To explore the mechanism of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei E6 for improving vinorelbine-induced immunosuppression in zebrafish.Methods The intestinal colonization of L.paracasei E6 labeled by fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC)in zebrafish was observed under fluorescence microscope.In a zebrafish model of vinorelbine-induced immunosuppression,the immunomodulatory activity of L.paracasei E6 was assessed by analyzing macrophage and neutrophil counts in the caudal hematopoietic tissue(CHT),the number of T-lymphocyte,and the expressions of interleukin-12(IL-12)and interferon-γ(IFN-γ).The contents of short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)in L.paracasei E6 fermentation supernatant and the metabolites of L.paracasei E6 in zebrafish were detected by LC-MS/MS-based targeted metabolomics.The immunomodulatory effects of the SCFAs including sodium acetate,sodium propionate and sodium butyrate were evaluated in the zebrafish model of immunosuppression.Results After inoculation,green fluorescence of FITC-labeled L.paracasei E6 was clearly observed in the intestinal ball,midgut and posterior gut regions of zebrafish.In the immunocompromised zebrafish model,L.paracasei E6 significantly alleviated the reduction of macrophage and neutrophil counts in the CHT,increased the fluorescence intensity of T-lymphocytes,and promoted the expressions of IL-12 and IFN-γ.Compared with MRS medium,L.paracasei E6 fermentation supernatant showed significantly higher levels of acetic acid,propionic acid and butyric acid,which were also detected in immunocompromised zebrafish following treatment with L.paracasei E6.Treatment of the zebrafish model with sodium acetate and sodium propionate significantly increased macrophage and neutrophil counts in the CHT and effectively inhibited vinorelbine-induced reduction of thymus T cells.Conclusion L.paracasei E6 can improve vinorelbine-induced immunosuppression in zebrafish through its SCFA metabolites acetic acid and propionic acid.
6.Lactobacillus plantarum ZG03 alleviates oxidative stress via its metabolites short-chain fatty acids
Shuxian LIN ; Lina GUO ; Yan MA ; Yao XIONG ; Yingxi HE ; Xinzhu XU ; Wen SHENG ; Suhua XU ; Feng QIU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(10):2223-2230
Objective To investigate the efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum ZG03(L.plantarum ZG03)for ameliorating oxidative stress in zebrafish.Methods We evaluated the growth pattern of L.plantarum ZG03,observed its morphology using field emission scanning electron microscopy,and assessed its safety and potential efficacy with whole-genome sequencing for genetic analysis.FITC-labeled ZG03 was used to observe its intestinal colonization in zebrafish.In a zebrafish model of 2%glucose-induced oxidative stress,the effect of ZG03 was evaluated by assessing the changes in neutrophils in the caudal hematopoietic tissue(CHT),superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity,reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels,and malondialdehyde(MDA)content.Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based targeted metabolomics was used for analyzing short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)in the zebrafish,and the antioxidant effects of the key metabolites(acetate,propionate,and caproate)were tested.Results On MRS agar,L.plantarum ZG03 formed circular,smooth,moist,and milky-white colonies with a rod-shaped cell morphology.Genomic analysis revealed abundant sugar metabolism gene clusters.After inoculation of FITC-labeled L.plantarum ZG03 in zebrafish,green fluorescence was clearly observed in the intestinal bulb,mid-intestine,and hind intestine.In zebrafish with glucose-induced oxidative stress,L.plantarum ZG03 significantly reduced ROS levels and the number of neutrophils in the CHT with increased SOD activity.L.plantarum ZG03 significantly increased the content of SCFAs including acetic acid,propionic acid,and caproic acid in zebrafish metabolites.In addition,sodium acetate,sodium propionate,and sodium caproate in the SCFAs significantly increased SOD activity in the zebrafish models.Conclusion L.plantarum ZG03 ameliorates oxidative stress in a glucose-induced zebrafish model through its metabolites,particularly the SCFAs including acetic acid,propionic acid and caproic acid.
7.Occlusal function-guided mandibular reconstruction with vascularized folded fibula flap after benign tumor resection
Zhenghao MA ; Luwen SONG ; Mingming YAN ; Xuji WANG ; Dongkun YANG ; Peijun SONG ; Lina JIANG ; Jiancheng LI
Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;60(11):1419-1425
Objective:To evaluate clinical outcomes of occlusion-guided vascularized folded fibula flap reconstruction with delayed implant restoration for mandibular defects after benign tumor resection.Methods:A total of 12 patients with benign mandibular tumors underwent free folded fibula flap reconstruction at the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University between January 2020 and December 2023, including 7 males and 5 females, aged 21-52 years. Six months after mandibular reconstruction, the internal fixation titanium plates were removed, and dental implants were placed using a preoperatively fabricated occlusal guide, followed by second-stage implant surgery and prosthetic restoration. Mandibular CT scans were obtained 6 months after reconstruction to compare the fitting accuracy between the preoperative virtual design and the actual reconstructed mandible. The implant stability quotient (ISQ) was measured 3 months after implant placement. Masticatory efficiency and Enneking lower limb function scores were evaluated at the following time points: before tumor surgery (T1), before implant placement (T2), 6 months (T3) and 9 months (T4) after implant crown restoration. One-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the masticatory efficiency and lower limb function scores.Results:The free folded fibula grafts were successfully performed via an intraoral approach in all 12 patients, with a 100% of survival rate. Mandibular defects included Brown class I in 6 cases, class II in 2 cases, and class III in 4 cases. A total of 42 implants were placed with successful osseointegration. The ISQ measured at 3 months post-placement was 64.10±4.18. At 6 months postoperatively, morphological analysis comparing the preoperative virtual surgical design with the actual postoperative reconstructed mandible revealed a reconstruction accuracy of 84.27%±4.23%. Significant differences were observed in Enneking scores and masticatory efficiency across all four time points (all P<0.001). Masticatory function showed significant improvement at T4 compared that at T2 [(88.06±3.66)% vs. (65.44±3.82)%, P<0.05]. Conclusion:Occlusal function-guided mandibular reconstruction with vascularized folded fibula flap after removal of benign mandibular tumors is a reliable method, which is associated with minimal donor-site morbidity and enables patients to restore precise occlusion and to achieve favorable masticatory efficiency.
8.Whole-genome sequence characteristics of coxsackievirus A16 related to hand, foot and mouth disease in Jiaxing from 2021 to 2023
Jimei JI ; Shencong LYU ; Yin SONG ; Yamei ZHOU ; Lina LI ; Ping LI ; Yong YAN
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2025;45(7):578-586
Objective:To analyze the genetic characteristics of coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) related to hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Jiaxing from 2021 to 2023, and understand the biological and molecular evolutionary characteristics of CVA16 in this city.Methods:Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect enterovirus and its types in collected HFMD case samples. At the same time, virus isolation and cultivation were performed on positive samples using RD cells. Then high-throughput sequencing of the whole genome was performed on 23 strains of CVA16 identified from the isolated samples. Finally we obtained its whole genome sequence. DNAStar, MEGA 6.0, Simplot 3.5.1 and other bioinformatics software were used to compare and analyze the sequences, construct the phylogenetic tree of VP1 region, and realize the genotype composition. And these software were also used to analyze the homology of the whole genome nucleotide sequence and the encoded amino acids, while know well the amino acid mutation sites and gene recombination in the main regions.Results:The results showed that among the 1 836 HFMD specimens tested from 2021 to 2023, 1 432 (78.00%, 1 432/1 836) were positive for enterovirus general genes, of which 263 were positive for CVA16, accounting for 18.37% (263/1 432) of the confirmed positive cases. Twenty-three CVA16 strains were sequenced and all of them were B1 subtype, of which 6 strains belong to B1b and 17 strains belong to B1a, with B1a being dominant. B1a strains in Jiaxing showed genetic relatedness to strains isolated in Beijing, Yunnan, Guangzhou, Jiangsu and other places in 2018 to 2023, as well as strains from Vietnam, Thailand, and Australia from 2015 to 2017. B1b strains exhibited consistent amino acid mutations of L23M in the VP1 region and V217I in the VP2 region, while B1a strains exhibited amino acid mutations of S14N/D, T164K, and V251I in the VP1 region and R41H in the VP3 region. Compared with the prototype strain, the 23 strains of CVA16 in Jiaxing accumulated the largest number of amino acid mutations in the coding region, with 28 and 50 mutations in the VP1 and 3D regions, respectively. The recombination patterns of B1a and B1b strains were slightly different, with B1a type showing recombination with CVA8 in the 5′-UTR region instead of CVA4, B1a was similar to enterovirus A71 in most of P2 and P3 regions, and recombined with CVA5 in the 3D region of P3.Conclusions:The prevalent strain of CVA16 in Jiaxing may share a common trend of co-circulation and evolution with those in other provinces. The recombination mainly occurs in the 5′-UTR region and non-structural protein coding regions of P2 and P3. Continuous molecular surveillance of CVA16 is in need, and whole-genome sequencing can help understand the genetic variation, evolution, and recombination of strains.This information will provide a more robust basis for the monitoring and early warning, vaccine development, and prevention and control efforts against HFMD.
9.Exploring the clinical application effects of two different sources of domestic oral restoration membrane in guided bone regeneration during dental implantation in diabetic patients
Jing LI ; Yan DONG ; Fu WANG ; Kehui XU ; Chenyu WANG ; Li CHEN ; Lina NIU
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2025;60(2):116-122
Objective:To investigate the bone augmentation effects of domestic decellularized porcine small intestinal submucosa (PSIS) absorbable biomembrane and domestic bovine pericardium tissue (BPT) absorbable biomembrane in guided bone regeneration (GBR) for single-tooth implantation in diabetic patients.Methods:A prospective case-control study was conducted with 48 diabetic patients who received single-tooth implant restoration at the Department of Prosthodontics, School of Stomatology. The Fourth Military Medical University, between January 2023 and January 2024. Patients were randomly assigned to the study group (PSIS group) and the control group (BPT group) using a random number table, with 24 patients in each group. GBR was performed simultaneously with the implant surgery. Cone-beam CT was used to compare the buccal-side horizontal bone gain at 6 months post-operation between the two groups. Wound healing was evaluated at 1 and 4 weeks post-operation using wound healing scores.Results:At 6 months post-operation, the buccal-side horizontal bone gain at 2 mm below the implant abutment in the study group [69.1 (55.2, 82.4) mm] and the control group [71.4 (59.8, 77.0) mm] showed no statistically significant difference ( Z=-0.25, P=0.805). The wound healing scores at 1 and 4 weeks post-operation in the study group did not differ significantly from those in the control group at the same time points (1 week: Z=-0.49, P=0.627; 4 weeks: Z=-0.61, P=0.539). Conclusions:The use of two types of domestic absorbable collagen membranes for GBR in single-tooth implantation in diabetic patients showed comparable buccal-side horizontal bone gain effects at 6 months post-operation and similar clinical outcomes for wound healing at 1 and 4 weeks post-operation in both groups. The GBR effects of PSIS and BPT are similar.
10.Analysis of serum HBV markers in chronic HBV infected patients with HBV DNA below the detection limit and below the quantification limit after long-term nucleotide analogues treatment
Yan ZHAO ; Yiheng ZHANG ; Jing HE ; Lina WANG ; Tao LI ; Yundong QU ; Lei WANG ; Yan WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2025;39(4):454-460
Objective:This study aims to investigate the differences between two groups of patients treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues(NAs):those with undetectable HBV DNA by ultrasensitive testing and those with HBV DNA below the quantification limit. The findings will provide a basis for the clinical interpretation and rational use of ultrasensitive HBV DNA results.Methods:This cross-sectional study included patients with chronic HBV infection who were treated with NAs between May 2023 and December 2023 at the outpatient clinic and inpatient department of the Hepatology Department,The Second Hospital of Shandong University. All patients had ultrasensitive HBV DNA results that were either undetectable or less than 20 IU/ml. The group with undetectable ultrasensitive HBV DNA was defined as the target not detected(TND)group,while the group with HBV DNA levels below 20 IU/ml was defined as the limit of quantitation(LOQ)group. Data on patients' sex,age,type of NAs used,routine blood tests,liver and kidney function,quantitative hepatitis B serology,ultrasensitive HBV DNA,HBV pregenomic RNA(pgRNA),abdominal ultrasound,CT or MRI imaging were collected. Differences between the two groups in terms of demographic data and HBV markers were analyzed.Results:A total of 827 patients were included in the study,with 536 patients in the TND group and 291 in the LOQ group. Compared with the TND group,the LOQ group had a younger age( P<0.001),and higher level of ALT,AST,HBeAg positive rate,HBsAg,and HBV pgRNA(all P<0.001). Subgroup analyses stratified by HBeAg status,cirrhosis status,and sex showed that the LOQ group had significantly higher levels of HBsAg and HBV pgRNA compared to the TND group in all subgroups(all P<0.05). Conclusion:The LOQ group had significantly higher levels of HBsAg and HBV pgRNA compared to the TND group.


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