1.Development status and prospects of aerosol removal using flame-retardant atomized fixatives for nuclear facility decommissioning
Shuli ZHOU ; Zhiping LUO ; Chuangao WANG ; Chunsheng CUI ; Ran CHEN ; Huan WANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(1):136-140
Aerosol removal using flame-retardant atomized fixatives, as a major means of aerosol control, has achieved remarkable results in the field of nuclear facility decommissioning and decontamination. Traditional atomized fixatives for aerosol removal have deficiencies in high-temperature resistance and flame retardancy, rendering them inadequate for operational scenarios involving high temperatures and flammability encountered during nuclear decommissioning. This paper investigates the current development of flame-retardant atomized fixatives for aerosol removal both domestically and internationally and presents a preliminary exploration of this technology. The experiments showed that atomized fixatives modified with flame-retardant properties not only maintained excellent aerosol capture efficiency, but also exhibited significantly improved flame-retardant performance. This confirmed the technical feasibility of the proposed approach. Finally, suggestions and reflections are proposed for the development of this technology and its application in nuclear facility decommissioning.
2.Prediction and verification of the mechanism of Chaiqi yigan granules improving hepatocellular carcinoma
Guiping MA ; Yuanjie ZHANG ; Yichi ZHOU ; Jinzhen LYU ; Conghui WANG ; Fenping LU ; Bowen LIU ; Yun RAN ; Shiping HU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(5):620-625
OBJECTIVE To predict and validate the mechanisms of Chaiqi yigan granules (CQYG) improving hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS The signaling pathways of CQYG intervention in HCC were predicted using network pharmacology. A mice model of transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma was established by injecting H22 hepatoma cells into the axilla. Successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into model group (normal saline), sorafenib group (positive control, 50 mg/kg), and CQYG low-, medium- and high-dose groups (24.83, 49.66, 99.32 g/kg), with 10 mice in each group. Mice in each group were administered the corresponding drug solution or normal saline intragastrically, once a day, for 14 consecutive days. After last administration, pathological morphological changes in the tumor tissues of mice were observed in each group. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expression of the nuclear proliferation antigen Ki-67 in tumor tissues of mice. Western blot assay was used to measure the expression of proteins related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) [N-cadherin, E-cadherin, Vimentin, matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7)] and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway [p38 MAPK, phosphorylated p38 MAPK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), phosphorylated JNK, extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), phosphorylated ERK1/2] in tumor tissue of mice. RESULTS Network pharmacology analysis revealed that metabolic pathways, pathways in cancer, and the MAPK signaling pathway were key signaling pathways through which CQYG exert their anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects. In animal experiments, the tumor tissues of mice in the model group exhibited dense tumor cells and vigorous growth. Compared with model group, CQYG high-dose group showed a decreased density of tumor cells in the tumor tissues of mice. Moreover, the expression levels of Ki-67, N-cadherin, MMP7 and Vimentin proteins, along with the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and JNK proteins, were all significantly reduced ( P <0.05). The expression level of E-cadherin protein was significantly increased ( P <0.05), the phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK protein was increased, the difference was not statistically significant ( P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS CQYG can inhibit EMT by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway, thereby suppressing tumor cell invasion and metastasis and ultimately exerting a therapeutic effect in improving HCC.
3.Identification and Analysis of bHLH Genes Related to Color Formation of Gastrodia elata Stem
Xue JIANG ; Dandan RAN ; Xiuwen WANG ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Xiaohong OU ; Jie PAN ; Tao ZHOU ; Zhen OUYANG ; Jiao XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):202-209
ObjectiveGastrodia elata has evolved ecological types with shortened rhizome internodes and diversified flower and fruit coloration in response to different altitudes. Studying the genetic mechanisms of different ecotype germplasm is significant for guiding variety breeding in different cultivation areas. MethodsThe bHLH gene family was identified based on the whole-genome datasets of G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Subsequently, the gene family members were subject to analysis, including gene structure, chromosomal localization, cis-acting elements, gene synteny, and phylogeny. Combined with transcriptome data and quantitative Real-time PCR, the expression patterns of bHLH genes in the stems of the different G. elata ecotype germplasm were analyzed. Finally, correlation analysis was conducted between gene expression patterns and color to obtain the key bHLH genes regulating the color formation of stem. ResultsA total of 63 bHLH genes were identified in both G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca, unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes and clustered into 16 subfamilies, with significant expansion in some family members. Obvious inversions of bHLH genes on the same chromosome and interchromosomal translocations were detected in the two ecotype germplasm. Among these genes, 12 bHLH genes (such as bHLH62-3 and bHLH74) were associated with the bright yellow color of G elata f. elata stem, while 9 bHLH genes (such as PIL13, UNE12, and bHLH130) were correlated with the red color of G. elata f. glauca stem. Compared to G. elata f. glauca, the bHLH48 expression level was significantly higher in flowers and scale leaves of G elata f. elata, and the bHLH62-3 expression level was significantly higher in all organs of G elata f. elata. ConclusionsFunctional pathway divergence of the bHLH family members has occurred across different chromosomes in G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Through synergism or antagonism with other genes, 21 bHLH genes participate in the coloration metabolic pathway regulation of stems, flowers, and fruits. Specifically, bHLH62-3 is involved in regulating stem color differentiation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of G. elata, thus relevant to the color formation of stem. Additionally, GebHLH48 positively regulates flowering-related pathways to promote the early-flowering phenotype of G. elata f. elata. These findings have laid the foundation for analyzing the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying the color formation of the G. elata stem.
4.Identification and Analysis of bHLH Genes Related to Color Formation of Gastrodia elata Stem
Xue JIANG ; Dandan RAN ; Xiuwen WANG ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Xiaohong OU ; Jie PAN ; Tao ZHOU ; Zhen OUYANG ; Jiao XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):202-209
ObjectiveGastrodia elata has evolved ecological types with shortened rhizome internodes and diversified flower and fruit coloration in response to different altitudes. Studying the genetic mechanisms of different ecotype germplasm is significant for guiding variety breeding in different cultivation areas. MethodsThe bHLH gene family was identified based on the whole-genome datasets of G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Subsequently, the gene family members were subject to analysis, including gene structure, chromosomal localization, cis-acting elements, gene synteny, and phylogeny. Combined with transcriptome data and quantitative Real-time PCR, the expression patterns of bHLH genes in the stems of the different G. elata ecotype germplasm were analyzed. Finally, correlation analysis was conducted between gene expression patterns and color to obtain the key bHLH genes regulating the color formation of stem. ResultsA total of 63 bHLH genes were identified in both G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca, unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes and clustered into 16 subfamilies, with significant expansion in some family members. Obvious inversions of bHLH genes on the same chromosome and interchromosomal translocations were detected in the two ecotype germplasm. Among these genes, 12 bHLH genes (such as bHLH62-3 and bHLH74) were associated with the bright yellow color of G elata f. elata stem, while 9 bHLH genes (such as PIL13, UNE12, and bHLH130) were correlated with the red color of G. elata f. glauca stem. Compared to G. elata f. glauca, the bHLH48 expression level was significantly higher in flowers and scale leaves of G elata f. elata, and the bHLH62-3 expression level was significantly higher in all organs of G elata f. elata. ConclusionsFunctional pathway divergence of the bHLH family members has occurred across different chromosomes in G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Through synergism or antagonism with other genes, 21 bHLH genes participate in the coloration metabolic pathway regulation of stems, flowers, and fruits. Specifically, bHLH62-3 is involved in regulating stem color differentiation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of G. elata, thus relevant to the color formation of stem. Additionally, GebHLH48 positively regulates flowering-related pathways to promote the early-flowering phenotype of G. elata f. elata. These findings have laid the foundation for analyzing the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying the color formation of the G. elata stem.
5.The development process, research status, and prospect of physical ablation in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Xiaoyu ZHOU ; Yirong AN ; Ran JU ; Haoze LENG ; Shiran TAO ; Jiawei TIAN ; Ming' ; e WU ; Haoyang ZHU ; Yi LÜ ; ; Nana ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(04):646-651
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common chronic respiratory disease around the world, and pharmacotherapy is the foremost treatment method currently. In recent decades, with the rapid development of bronchoscopic interventional therapy, endoscopic physical ablation technology presents a therapeutic effect in treating COPD, with few treatment-related side effects, showing excellent application prospects in treating COPD. Since ablation techniques in this field are emerging technologies with low patient acceptance, they are not widely used in the clinical treatment of COPD. This article reviews the development process of physical ablation techniques. Moreover, their current application status and the prospects in the field of COPD treatment are also summarized and analyzed. We hope to promote the application of physical ablation in the clinical treatment of COPD and provide practical references and a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of COPD.
6.Mechanism study of SIRT3 alleviating oxidative-stress injury in renal tubular cells by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis via regulating mitochondrial redox balance
Yaojun LIU ; Jun ZHOU ; Jing LIU ; Yunfei SHAN ; Huhai ZHANG ; Pan XIE ; Liying ZOU ; Lingyu RAN ; Huanping LONG ; Lunli XIANG ; Hong HUANG ; Hongwen ZHAO
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):86-94
Objective To elucidate the molecular mechanism of sirtuin-3 (SIRT3) in regulating mitochondrial biogenesis in human renal tubular epithelial cells. Methods Cells were stimulated with different concentrations of H2O2 and divided into four groups: control (NC), 50 μmol/L H2O2, 110 μmol/L H2O2 and 150 μmol/L H2O2. SIRT3 protein expression was then measured. SIRT3 was knocked down with siRNA, and cells were further assigned to five groups: control (NC), negative-control siRNA (NCsi), SIRT3-siRNA (siSIRT3), NCsi+H2O2, and siSIRT3+H2O2. After 24 h, cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and mitochondrial superoxide anion (O2•−) levels were determined, together with mitochondrial expression of SIRT3, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), acetylated-SOD2 and adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase α1 (AMPKα1). Results The 110 and 150 μmol/L H2O2 decreased SIRT3 protein (both P<0.05). ATP and mitochondrial O2•− did not differ between NC and NCsi groups (both P>0.05). Compared to the NCsi group, the siSIRT3 group exhibited elevated O2•− level, decreased SIRT3 protein and increased expression levels of SOD2 and acetylated SOD2 protein (all P<0.05). Compared to the NCsi group, the NCsi+H2O2 group exhibited decreased cellular ATP levels, elevated mitochondrial O2•− levels, and reduced protein expression levels of SIRT3, SOD2, TFAM, AMPKα1, PGC-1α and NRF1 (all P<0.05). Compared with the siSIRT3 group, the siSIRT3+H2O2 group showed a decrease in cellular ATP levels, an increase in mitochondrial O2•− levels, a decrease in SIRT3, SOD2, TFAM, AMPKα1, PGC-1α and NRF1 protein expression levels and a decrease in acetylated SOD2 protein expression levels (all P<0.05). Compared with the NCsi+H2O2 group, the siSIRT3+H2O2 group showed a decrease in cellular ATP levels, an increase in mitochondrial O2•− levels, a decrease in SIRT3, AMPKα1, PGC-1α and NRF1, TFAM protein expression levels, and an increase in SOD2 and acetylated SOD2 protein expression levels (all P<0.05). Conclusions SIRT3 promotes mitochondrial biogenesis in tubular epithelial cells via the AMPK/PGC-1α/NRF1/TFAM axis, representing a key mechanism through which SIRT3 ameliorates oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.
7.Research progress in curcumin nanomedicines
Zhangran ZHU ; Ran XIE ; Lingyu JIA ; Sihan SHEN ; Yiqun WANG ; Yu ZHAO ; Guangwei ZHU ; Weiyan CAI ; Jinjing LI ; Umer AWAN ; Gejing DE ; Shujing ZHOU ; Qinghe ZHAO
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(3):232-243
Curcumin (Cur), a natural polyphenolic compound extracted from the rhizomes of plants belonging to the Zingiberaceae and Araceae families, has attracted considerable interest for its remarkable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anticancer activities. Extensive studies have focused on its potential in treating various diseases, including cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, and autoimmune disorders. However, its clinical application has been hampered by inherent physicochemical challenges, such as poor aqueous solubility, short half-life, and low bioavailability. To address these challenges, nanodrug delivery systems have been developed to improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of curcumin, thereby enhancing its therapeutic efficacy. This review summarizes the pharmacological activities and underlying mechanisms of curcumin, encompassing its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, and antibacterial effects. Furthermore, it highlights the significant advancements achieved through the development of curcumin-based nanomedicines. By synthesizing current findings, this review aims to provide insights that may inspire innovative strategies for the future design and broader applications of curcumin nanomedicines.
8.Ferroptosis Susceptibility: a Metabolic Amplifier of Bone Remodeling
Kuo LIU ; Ran ZHANG ; Yu-Shuo LIU ; Rong-Yan ZHOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(10):2739-2752
Bone remodeling is essential for maintaining skeletal integrity and mineral homeostasis and depends on the coordinated activities of osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and osteocytes. Osteoclast-mediated bone resorption must remain closely coupled with osteoblast-mediated bone formation, while osteocytes continuously sense mechanical loading and changes in the local and systemic environment. Reactive oxygen species are involved in these physiological processes, particularly in the regulation of osteoclast differentiation and osteoblast function. Once oxidative stress exceeds the capacity of cellular antioxidant systems, however, this balance may be disturbed, leading to enhanced bone resorption, impaired bone formation, and deterioration of bone quality. In recent years, ferroptosis has attracted increasing attention in studies of bone metabolism. Ferroptosis is characterized by iron-dependent accumulation of lipid peroxides, but ferroptosis-related alterations in bone tissue may occur before obvious cell death becomes detectable. Changes in the labile iron pool, membrane lipid composition, antioxidant capacity, and mitochondrial metabolism can already influence the biological behavior of bone cells at an earlier stage. On this basis, ferroptosis susceptibility may provide a useful way to describe a reversible metabolic state in which cells become increasingly vulnerable to lipid peroxidation while widespread membrane damage and terminal cell death have not yet occurred. Such a state should not be identified by a single molecular marker. A more appropriate assessment would combine changes in intracellular iron handling, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant defense, cell viability, bone-cell function, and the response to ferroptosis-related interventions. Measurements of Fe2+ or the labile iron pool, C11-BODIPY oxidation, 4-HNE and MDA, GPX4 activity or expression, GSH/GSSG balance, LDH release, and PI staining may therefore provide complementary information when interpreted together with functional changes and rescue experiments. Several metabolic processes may contribute to the development of ferroptosis susceptibility in the bone. Disturbances in iron uptake, ferritin storage, ferritinophagy, and ferroportin-mediated iron export can increase the availability of redox-active iron. At the same time, ACSL4- and LPCAT3-dependent incorporation of polyunsaturated fatty acids into membrane phospholipids increases the pool of oxidizable lipid substrates. Reduced activity of the system Xc--GSH-GPX4 pathway further weakens the ability of cells to remove lipid hydroperoxides, while FSP1-CoQ and mitochondrial DHODH-CoQ systems provide additional antioxidant protection. Mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and abnormalities in calcium-phosphate and endocrine regulation may further increase this metabolic pressure. Importantly, the consequences are unlikely to be identical among bone-cell populations. In osteoclasts, increased iron availability and oxidative stress may strengthen RANKL-NFATc1-associated differentiation and resorptive activity. In osteoblasts, persistent lipid peroxidation may interfere with RUNX2-related differentiation, collagen synthesis, matrix production, and mineralization before extensive cell loss occurs. Osteocytes, because of their long lifespan and specialized location within the mineralized matrix, may be particularly sensitive to chronic metabolic stress, resulting in impaired mechanosensing and disturbed RANKL- or FGF23-related feedback. Evidence linking these changes with osteoporosis, diabetes-related bone disorders, chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder, inflammatory bone loss, and particle-induced osteolysis is increasing, although the strength of evidence differs among disease models. Changes in ROS, MDA, GPX4, or other individual indicators alone are insufficient to demonstrate ferroptosis-related susceptibility, and stronger conclusions require evidence of iron dependence, lipid peroxidation, temporal sequence, and reversibility. Emerging single-cell, spatial, proteomic, lipidomic, and metabolomic approaches may help identify susceptible cell populations and bone-remodeling regions more precisely, although the mineralized matrix and the effects of sample processing remain important technical limitations. Overall, ferroptosis susceptibility may represent an intermediate metabolic state linking disturbances in iron and redox homeostasis with progressive uncoupling of bone resorption and formation. Clarifying its cell-specific features, temporal development, and reversible window may improve our understanding of how chronic metabolic stress contributes to bone remodeling disorders and may also provide a basis for earlier and more targeted intervention.
9.Study on the expression and prognostic value of uncoupling protein 2 and ubiquitin associated protein 2-like in non-small cell lung cancer
Ran AN ; Wei LIU ; Le SUN ; Dapeng ZHOU ; Xue LI
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(13):1542-1547
Objective To investigate the expression and prognostic value of uncoupling protein 2(UCP2)and ubiquitin associated protein 2-like(UBAP2L)in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods A total of 94 patients with NSCLC who received surgical treatment in a hospital from March 2019 to March 2021 were selected as the study objects.The expressions of UCP2 protein,UBAP2L protein,UCP2 mRNA and UBAP2L mRNA in cancer tissues and adjacent tissues of NSCLC patients were detected by real-time fluorescence quan-titative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry.The correlation between UCP2 mRNA and UBAP2L mRNA in NSCLC was analyzed by Pearson correlation.Kaplan-Meier curve was used to analyze the differences in survival rates of NSCLC patients with different UCP2 mRNA and UBAP2L mRNA expres-sions,and multivariate Cox regression was used to analyze the prognostic factors of NSCLC patients.Results The positive rate of UCP2 protein and UBAP2L protein in cancer tissues of NSCLC patients was higher than that in adjacent tissues,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The expressions of UCP2 mRNA and UBAP2L mRNA in cancer tissues of NSCLC patients were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).There was a positive cor-relation between UCP2 mRNA and UBAP2L mRNA expression in NSCLC patients(r=0.721,P<0.001).The expression of UCP2 mRNA and UBAP2L mRNA in cancer tissues of NSCLC patients was related to TNM stage and lymph node metastasis.There was significant difference in 3-year survival rate between UCP2 mRNA high expression group and UCP2 mRNA low expression group(P<0.05).There was significant difference in 3-year survival rate between UBAP2L mRNA high expression group and UBAP2L mRNA low expression group(P<0.05).TNM stage Ⅲ A,lymph node metastasis,UCP2 mRNA high expression and UBAP2L mRNA high expression were risk factors for prognosis of NSCLC patients(P<0.05).Conclusion UCP2 protein,UBAP2L protein,UCP2 mRNA and UBAP2L mRNA are up-regulated in NSCLC patients,and UCP2 mRNA and UBAP2L mRNA are helpful to evaluate the survival prognosis of NSCLC patients.
10.Analysis of influencing factors and construction of predictive models of immune-related skin adverse events in urologic neoplasms
Ran SUN ; Kai DANG ; Yongan ZHOU ; Yang YANG ; Xiangyu WANG ; Jinhua LIU ; Jing XIAO ; Teng CUI
International Journal of Surgery 2025;52(10):665-671
Objective:To investigate the risk factors of skin adverse events associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy in patients with urologic neoplasms, and establish a predictive model.Methods:A single-center retrospective case-control study enrolled 91 advanced urologic neoplasms patients who received ICI therapy at the Department of Urology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2020 to June 2025. Patients were divided into the skin lesion group ( n=44) and the control group ( n=47). Patients in the skin lesion group experienced related skin adverse events during ICI treatment, while patients in the control group did not experience such events during ICI treatment. The general data and laboratory indicators were compared between the two groups. The normally distributed measurement data were expressed as mean±standard deviation ( ± s), and the independent sample t-test was used for comparison between groups; the non-normally distributed measurement data were expressed as the median (interquartile range) [ M ( Q1, Q3)], and the Kruskal-Wallis test was used for comparison between groups. The count data were expressed as the number of cases and percentages, and the Chi-test was used for comparison between groups. First, a univariate analysis was conducted on the influencing factors of skin adverse events in patients with urologic neoplasms after ICI treatment. Then, the indicators with statistically significant differences in the univariate analysis were further included in the multivariate Logistic regression model to screen the independent risk factors for predicting skin adverse events. The R software was used to incorporate the factors with significant differences from multivariate analysis into the prediction model and construct a Nomogram. The calibration curve was utilized to evaluate the consistency between predicted values and actual observed results. Meanwhile, the discrimination of the model was verified by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC), so as to comprehensively verify the reliability and clinical application value of the prediction model. Results:The results of univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences between the skin lesion group and the control group in terms of the proportion of other immune responses, serum albumin level, absolute eosinophil count, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels ( P<0.05). These factors were included in multivariate Logistic regression, which identified elevated absolute eosinophil count and elevated CRP as the independent risk factors for related skin adverse events in patients with urologic neoplasms after ICI treatment. A predictive nomogram was built based on these factors. The calibration curve showed high consistency between predicted and actual probabilities, and ROC analysis confirmed the combined model had high predictive value (AUC=0.883, P<0.001). Conclusions:Elevated absolute eosinophil count and elevated CRP level are independent predictors of immune-related skin adverse events in urologic neoplasms patients after ICI treatment. The prediction model constructed based on these two factors facilitates early clinical screening and identification of high-risk patients.

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