1.Discovery of a novel AhR-CYP1A1 axis activator for mitigating inflammatory diseases using an in situ functional imaging assay.
Feng ZHANG ; Bei ZHAO ; Yufan FAN ; Lanhui QIN ; Jinhui SHI ; Lin CHEN ; Leizhi XU ; Xudong JIN ; Mengru SUN ; Hongping DENG ; Hairong ZENG ; Zhangping XIAO ; Xin YANG ; Guangbo GE
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):508-525
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a crucial role in regulating many physiological processes. Activating the AhR-CYP1A1 axis has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy against various inflammatory diseases. Here, a practical in situ cell-based fluorometric assay was constructed to screen AhR-CYP1A1 axis modulators, via functional sensing of CYP1A1 activities in live cells. Firstly, a cell-permeable, isoform-specific enzyme-activable fluorogenic substrate for CYP1A1 was rationally constructed for in-situ visualizing the dynamic changes of CYP1A1 function in living systems, which was subsequently used for discovering the efficacious modulators of the AhR-CYP1A1 axis. Following screening of a compound library, LAC-7 was identified as an efficacious activator of the AhR-CYP1A1 axis, which dose-dependently up-regulated the expression levels of both CYP1A1 and AhR in multiple cell lines. LAC-7 also suppressed macrophage M1 polarization and reduced the levels of inflammatory factors in LPS-induced bone marrow-derived macrophages. Animal tests showed that LAC-7 could significantly mitigate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis and LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice, and markedly reduced the levels of multiple inflammatory factors. Collectively, an optimized fluorometric cell-based assay was devised for in situ functional imaging of CYP1A1 activities in living systems, which strongly facilitated the discovery of efficacious modulators of the AhR-CYP1A1 axis as novel anti-inflammatory agents.
2.Latent class analysis and influencing factor study of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among operating room nurses in tertiary hospitals
Xiaogui TANG ; Li LI ; Yue ZHAO ; Ningning HU ; Feng FU ; Boya LI ; Mengru YANG ; Yinglan LI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(3):293-301
Background Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), as one of the major occupational health issues worldwide, have shown an increasing positive rate year by year. Due to the unique demands of work, operating room nurses exhibit a higher positive rate of WMSDs compared to other occupational groups, necessitating active attention and intervention. Objective To estimate the prevalence of WMSDs among operating room nurses in tertiary hospitals, explore the characteristics and latent categories of WMSDs, and analyze the influencing factors associated with the occurrence of WMSDs. Method Using a randomized cluster sampling method, operating room nurses from nine tertiary hospitals in Urumqi were selected as study participants between December 2023 and January 2024. Data were collected through a general information questionnaire, an ergonomic questionnaire for operating room nurses, and the Chinese Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire. Latent class analysis was employed to examine the patterns of WMSDs among the nurses, while chi-square test and multinomial logistic regression were utilized to analyze the influencing factors of WMSDs. Result A total of 411 valid questionnaires were collected in this survey. The positive rate of WMSDs among operating room nurses in the tertiary hospitals of Urumqi over the past year was 91.9%. The positive rates, ordered from highest to lowest by body region, were neck (79.1%), shoulders (70.3%), and lower back (68.1%). The operating room nurses were categorized into three distinct groups by latent class analysis: multi-site pain group, neck-shoulder-back pain group, and neck and lower back pain group. The results of the multinomial logistic regression models revealed that gender, job strain level, ergonomic load level in the operating room, and exposure to cold or drafty working conditions or not were significant influencing factors for reporting WMSDs among operating room nurses. Specifically, having less than 5 years of work experience, low ergonomic load level, low job strain, and moderate job strain were identified as protective factors against WMSDs. Conversely, exposure to cold or drafty working environments and being female were identified as risk factors for WMSDs. The logistic regression models also indicated that compared to the neck-lower back pain group, the neck-shoulder-back pain group had a higher probability of reporting low job strain (OR=0.168, 95%CI: 0.029, 0.968) and being female (OR=4.847, 95%CI: 2.506, 9.378). In contrast, when comparing to the neck-lower back pain group, the multi-site pain group had a higher probability of reporting, low-level ergonomic workload (OR=0.079, 95%CI: 0.015, 0.412), low job strain (OR=0.019, 95%CI: 0.002, 0.145), moderate job strain (OR=0.080, 95%CI: 0.016, 0.401), high job strain (OR=0.132, 95%CI: 0.027, 0.647), less than 5 years of work experience (OR=0.173, 95%CI: 0.044, 0.683), being female (OR=2.424, 95%CI: 1.130, 5.200), and exposure to cold or drafty working environments (OR=3.277, 95%CI: 1.657, 6.481). Conclusion The positive rate WMSDs among operating room nurses in tertiary hospitals is notably high in Urumqi, with distinct co-occurrence characteristics observed within the population. To mitigate the risk of WMSDs, it is essential to implement targeted health education and prevention training programs tailored to different patterns of WMSDs. Additionally, improving working conditions, optimizing human resource allocation , and other proactive measures should be undertaken. These efforts will effectively reduce the incidence of WMSDs among operating room nurses and safeguard their occupational health.
3.Application of virtual reality in arthroscopic technique training
Shijin XU ; Yonggang WU ; Hui ZHAO ; Taoran JIN ; Zhe XUE ; Mengru LI ; Jin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2025;27(11):986-993
Arthroscopic surgery currently faces challenges such as limited intraoperative visibility and high technical demands, resulting in a particularly steep learning curve. However, traditional teaching methods at present also present problems including significant operational risks, high learning costs, and ethical dilemmas associated. This has created an urgent need among surgeons for a more efficient and economical training approach. Recent advancements in virtual reality technology have created high-fidelity virtual environments which allow surgeon users to undergo immersive surgical training within simulated settings, offering novel perspectives for standardised arthroscopic skills training. This review systematically summarises the current application progress, technical challenges, and potential future directions of virtual reality arthroscopy simulators, focusing on their technical architecture, characteristics, and advantages. We aim to provide a theoretical basis for the technical standardisation and clinical translation of virtual reality technology in the field of arthroscopic surgical training.
4.Neuroprotective effect of Tibetan medicine 70 Wei Pearl Pill on 6-OHDA Parkinson's disease model rats
Haiyan CUI ; Dan SONG ; Hongyan LI ; Jie LI ; Xinjie ZHAO ; Jianli ZHAO ; Mengru ZHANG ; Yong CHENG
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(1):190-196
Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effect of Tibetan medicine 70 Wei Pearl Pill(RNSP)on 6-hydroxydopamine(6-OHDA)induced Parkinson's disease model rats and its related mechanism.Methods Totally 48 male SD rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,model plus low-dose RNSP group(90 mg/kg),model plus medium-dose RNSP group(180 mg/kg),model plus high-dose RNSP group(360 mg/kg),and model plus madopar group(50 mg/kg),with 8 rats in per group.Except for the control group,the other rats were treated with 6-OHDA single injection into the striatum to establish the PD model.Each group was given intragastric administration after modeling and the control group and model group were given an equal volume of saline once a day for 4 weeks.The rats were subjected to apomorphine-induced rotation,experiments at the 2nd and 4th week after the completion of modeling,and the open field experiment was conducted the next day after the last rotation experiment to observe the animal behavior.After the behavioral experiment,the rats were stained with tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)in the substantia nigra pars compacta by immunohistochemical method and the positive neurons were counted.The protein levels of Bcl-2,BAX,Caspase-3 in substantia nigra and P38,P-P38,ERK,P-ERK,JNK,P-JNK in the striatum were detected by Western blotting.Results Compared with the control group,the rotation frequency and percentage of rotating rats in the model group increased significantly at the 2nd and 4th weeks after modeling;the open field active distance,average speed and times of crossing the grid were significantly decreased;and the rest time was significantly increased.While the number of TH positive neurons in the substantia nigra was significantly decreased,the BAX and Caspase-3 protein levels were increased significantly,Bcl-2 was decreased significantly,the ratios of P-P38/P38,P-JNK/JNK and P-ERK/ERK in the striatum were significantly increased in PD group.Compared with the model group,the rotation frequency and percentage of rotating rats in the low-,medium-and high-dose groups of RNSP had no significant changes after 2 weeks of administration,the rotation frequency in the high-dose group and percentage of rotating rats in the low-and medium-dose RNSP groups significantly decreased after 4 weeks of administration.The open field active distance,average speed,and times of crossing the grid were significantly increased;the rest time was significantly decreased.The number of TH positive neurons in the substantia nigra was significantly increased,the Bax and Caspase-3 protein levels were decreased significantly while the Bcl-2 was significantly increased.The ratios of P-P38/P38,P-JNK/JNK and P-ERK/ERK in the striatum were significantly decreased.Conclusion Tibetan medicine RNSP can improve the motor ability and reduce the loss of DA neurons in PD rats,and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting P38/JNK/ERK signaling pathway and reducing the apoptosis of midbrain neurons.
5.Comparison of effect of different types of exercise on gait and balance for stroke patients
Ziang ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Mengru SHEN ; Zongxiao GENG ; Xue HAN ; Xu ZHAO ; Lei XU
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(8):896-905
Objective To compare the effect of moderate-intensity continuous training(MICT)and high-intensity interval training(HIIT)on gait and balance for stroke patients.Methods From December,2023 to December,2024,96 patients with post-stroke gait and balance dysfunction were se-lected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University,and randomly divided into control group(n=32),MICT group(n=32)and HIIT group(n=32).The control group received routine comprehensive reha-bilitation therapy,while MICT and HIIT groups received additional respective training,for four weeks.They were measured with symmetry indexes(SI)of mean pressure and footprint area during eyes-open and eyes-closed condition,as well as anterior-posterior and medial-lateral displacement of the center of mass,before and after treatment;while they were assessed with Berg Balance Scale(BBS),distance of 6-minute walk test(6MWT),time of Timed Up&Go test(TUGT)and 10-meter walk test(10MWT),and Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Extremities(FMA-LE).Results The main effects of time(F>351.683,P<0.001)and groups(F>4.945,P<0.05),and the interaction effects(F>16.919,P<0.001)were significant for BBS scores,distance of 6MWT,time of TUGT and 10MWT,and FMA-LE scores;and all the indicators were better in MICT group and HIIT group than in the control group(P<0.05)after treatment,and they were better in HIIT group than in MICT group(P<0.05)except BBS score.Un-der eyes-open condition,the main effects of time(F>64.684,P<0.001)and groups(F>9.472,P<0.001),and the interaction effects(F>10.562,P<0.001)were significant for SI of mean pressure and footprint area,and an-terior-posterior and medial-lateral displacement of the center of mass;and all the indicators were better in MICT group and HIIT group than in the control group(P<0.001)after treatment,and they were better in HIIT group than in MICT group(P<0.05).Under eyes-closed condition,the main effects of time(F>107.730,P<0.001)and groups(F>4.275,P<0.05),and the interaction effects(F>7.985,P<0.05)were significant for SI of mean pressure and footprint area,and anterior-posterior and medial-lateral displacement of the center of mass;and SI of mean pressure was better in HIIT group than in MICT group(P<0.05),the other indicators were better in MICT group and HIIT group than in the control group(P<0.001)after treatment.Conclusion Both HIIT and MICT can improve gait and balance for stroke patients,and HIIT is more effective on gait and static balance with eyes open,but similar on static balance with eyes closed.
6.Neuroprotective effect of Tibetan medicine 70 Wei Pearl Pill on 6-OHDA Parkinson's disease model rats
Haiyan CUI ; Dan SONG ; Hongyan LI ; Jie LI ; Xinjie ZHAO ; Jianli ZHAO ; Mengru ZHANG ; Yong CHENG
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(1):190-196
Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effect of Tibetan medicine 70 Wei Pearl Pill(RNSP)on 6-hydroxydopamine(6-OHDA)induced Parkinson's disease model rats and its related mechanism.Methods Totally 48 male SD rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,model plus low-dose RNSP group(90 mg/kg),model plus medium-dose RNSP group(180 mg/kg),model plus high-dose RNSP group(360 mg/kg),and model plus madopar group(50 mg/kg),with 8 rats in per group.Except for the control group,the other rats were treated with 6-OHDA single injection into the striatum to establish the PD model.Each group was given intragastric administration after modeling and the control group and model group were given an equal volume of saline once a day for 4 weeks.The rats were subjected to apomorphine-induced rotation,experiments at the 2nd and 4th week after the completion of modeling,and the open field experiment was conducted the next day after the last rotation experiment to observe the animal behavior.After the behavioral experiment,the rats were stained with tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)in the substantia nigra pars compacta by immunohistochemical method and the positive neurons were counted.The protein levels of Bcl-2,BAX,Caspase-3 in substantia nigra and P38,P-P38,ERK,P-ERK,JNK,P-JNK in the striatum were detected by Western blotting.Results Compared with the control group,the rotation frequency and percentage of rotating rats in the model group increased significantly at the 2nd and 4th weeks after modeling;the open field active distance,average speed and times of crossing the grid were significantly decreased;and the rest time was significantly increased.While the number of TH positive neurons in the substantia nigra was significantly decreased,the BAX and Caspase-3 protein levels were increased significantly,Bcl-2 was decreased significantly,the ratios of P-P38/P38,P-JNK/JNK and P-ERK/ERK in the striatum were significantly increased in PD group.Compared with the model group,the rotation frequency and percentage of rotating rats in the low-,medium-and high-dose groups of RNSP had no significant changes after 2 weeks of administration,the rotation frequency in the high-dose group and percentage of rotating rats in the low-and medium-dose RNSP groups significantly decreased after 4 weeks of administration.The open field active distance,average speed,and times of crossing the grid were significantly increased;the rest time was significantly decreased.The number of TH positive neurons in the substantia nigra was significantly increased,the Bax and Caspase-3 protein levels were decreased significantly while the Bcl-2 was significantly increased.The ratios of P-P38/P38,P-JNK/JNK and P-ERK/ERK in the striatum were significantly decreased.Conclusion Tibetan medicine RNSP can improve the motor ability and reduce the loss of DA neurons in PD rats,and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting P38/JNK/ERK signaling pathway and reducing the apoptosis of midbrain neurons.
7.Comparison of effect of different types of exercise on gait and balance for stroke patients
Ziang ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Mengru SHEN ; Zongxiao GENG ; Xue HAN ; Xu ZHAO ; Lei XU
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(8):896-905
Objective To compare the effect of moderate-intensity continuous training(MICT)and high-intensity interval training(HIIT)on gait and balance for stroke patients.Methods From December,2023 to December,2024,96 patients with post-stroke gait and balance dysfunction were se-lected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University,and randomly divided into control group(n=32),MICT group(n=32)and HIIT group(n=32).The control group received routine comprehensive reha-bilitation therapy,while MICT and HIIT groups received additional respective training,for four weeks.They were measured with symmetry indexes(SI)of mean pressure and footprint area during eyes-open and eyes-closed condition,as well as anterior-posterior and medial-lateral displacement of the center of mass,before and after treatment;while they were assessed with Berg Balance Scale(BBS),distance of 6-minute walk test(6MWT),time of Timed Up&Go test(TUGT)and 10-meter walk test(10MWT),and Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Extremities(FMA-LE).Results The main effects of time(F>351.683,P<0.001)and groups(F>4.945,P<0.05),and the interaction effects(F>16.919,P<0.001)were significant for BBS scores,distance of 6MWT,time of TUGT and 10MWT,and FMA-LE scores;and all the indicators were better in MICT group and HIIT group than in the control group(P<0.05)after treatment,and they were better in HIIT group than in MICT group(P<0.05)except BBS score.Un-der eyes-open condition,the main effects of time(F>64.684,P<0.001)and groups(F>9.472,P<0.001),and the interaction effects(F>10.562,P<0.001)were significant for SI of mean pressure and footprint area,and an-terior-posterior and medial-lateral displacement of the center of mass;and all the indicators were better in MICT group and HIIT group than in the control group(P<0.001)after treatment,and they were better in HIIT group than in MICT group(P<0.05).Under eyes-closed condition,the main effects of time(F>107.730,P<0.001)and groups(F>4.275,P<0.05),and the interaction effects(F>7.985,P<0.05)were significant for SI of mean pressure and footprint area,and anterior-posterior and medial-lateral displacement of the center of mass;and SI of mean pressure was better in HIIT group than in MICT group(P<0.05),the other indicators were better in MICT group and HIIT group than in the control group(P<0.001)after treatment.Conclusion Both HIIT and MICT can improve gait and balance for stroke patients,and HIIT is more effective on gait and static balance with eyes open,but similar on static balance with eyes closed.
8.Application of virtual reality in arthroscopic technique training
Shijin XU ; Yonggang WU ; Hui ZHAO ; Taoran JIN ; Zhe XUE ; Mengru LI ; Jin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2025;27(11):986-993
Arthroscopic surgery currently faces challenges such as limited intraoperative visibility and high technical demands, resulting in a particularly steep learning curve. However, traditional teaching methods at present also present problems including significant operational risks, high learning costs, and ethical dilemmas associated. This has created an urgent need among surgeons for a more efficient and economical training approach. Recent advancements in virtual reality technology have created high-fidelity virtual environments which allow surgeon users to undergo immersive surgical training within simulated settings, offering novel perspectives for standardised arthroscopic skills training. This review systematically summarises the current application progress, technical challenges, and potential future directions of virtual reality arthroscopy simulators, focusing on their technical architecture, characteristics, and advantages. We aim to provide a theoretical basis for the technical standardisation and clinical translation of virtual reality technology in the field of arthroscopic surgical training.
9.Establishment of a fluorescence quantitative PCR detection method for Strepto-coccus equi subspecies zooepidemicus and its application in retrospective detection of imported horses
Yutong HU ; Xuehui ZHOU ; Mengru ZHAO ; Xiang CHEN ; Xiaowei WU ; Zhiguo ZHAO ; Yan WANG ; Guangwei ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2024;44(8):1735-1742
In order to establish a rapid,specific and sensitive detection method for Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus(SEZ)and to understand the infection status of SEZ in horses ente-ring China,specific primers were designed and synthesized based on the conserved gene comB of standard strain SEZ(ATCC 43079)in this work.Then,the pMD19-T-comB recombinant plasmid was constructed and used as a standard positive template.After that,the fluorescence-based quantitative PCR(qPCR)detection method based on SYBR Green Ⅰ dye was established.Totally,477 equine entry serum samples from 6 countries,including Netherlands,Belgium,Japan,Germa-ny,Argentina and New Zealand,during 2018 to 2023,were randomly selected and detected for SEZ by the qPCR method.Results showed that the established qPCR method had specific amplification for only SEZ,which illustrated a good specificity.Sensitivity test of the method showed that the limited detection amount was 4.58 X101 copies/μL.And the repeatability test showed that the coef-ficient of variation of intra-batch repeatability was less than 0.5%,while the inter-batch repeat-ability was less than 3.0%,which indicated good repeatability and high stability.Retrospective a-nalysis showed that totally 11 of 477 positive samples were detected,with a relatively low positive rate of 2.31%(11/477).Among them,all the 40 samples from Netherlands in 2018 were negative(0/40).In the samples of 2019,one positive was detected from Belgium(1/20),while all other 36 samples which form Japan and Germany were negative.In the samples of 2021,three samples(3/34)from Japan and one sample(1/20)from Argentina were positive,and all the other 40 samples from the Netherlands were negative.In the samples of 2022,76 samples from Netherlands were all negative.While in the 2023,5(5/126)of 126 samples from Netherlands and one(1/88)of 88 from New Zealand were found positive with SEZ.To summarize,The SYBR Green Ⅰ qPCR method for the diagnosis of SEZ was successfully established,and it could provide necessary technical support for the rapid quarantine of China's entry-exit and port departments,as well as the epidemiological investigation of the disease.
10.Study on the curcumin-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles modified by polydopamine
Xiaoning WANG ; Peipei REN ; Yangguang ZHAO ; Zhanrui ZHANG ; Mengru YAN
China Pharmacist 2024;27(4):580-587
Objective To prepare curcumin-loaded(CUR)mesoporous silica nanoparticles(MSN)modified by polydopamine(PDA),and study their pharmaceutical properties,drug release in vitro and antitumor activity in vitro.Methods Mesoporous silica nanoparticles were synthesized by template method and modified with PDA.The pharmaceutical properties of the nanoparticles were investigated.The responsive release of drug-loaded preparations at different pH was studied.The biocompatibility of the carrier and the inhibition rate of cell growth in vitro of the drug-loaded preparations were evaluated.The uptake of the drug-loaded preparations by tumor cells was examined.Results The particle size of MSN was uniform.After the PDA modification,the drug release rate of CUR@MSN-PDA was significantly dependent on pH.The results of biocompatibility experiments showed that,the cell survival rate was above 85%after co-cultured with MDA-MB-231 cells for 24 h.The results of in vitro tumor cell growth inhibition test showed that,the growth inhibition rate of CUR@MSN-PDA on tumor cells was significantly higher than that of CUR@MSN.The results of cell uptake showed that the fluorescent strength of CUR@MSN-PDA in the cell was significantly stronger than that of the CUR@MSN.Conclusion The nano-carrier constructed has significant pH response and enhanced anti-tumor activity,which can provide a theoretical basis for the drug delivery of CUR.

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