1.Research progress on the role of Piezo1 in dental and periodontal tissues
LI Wenyan ; MO Chaolun ; WANG Yajing ; FU Xuefei
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(6):595-605
Piezo1 is a Ca²⁺-permeable mechanosensitive ion channel that plays a central role in mechanosensing and signal transduction in dental and periodontal tissues. In tooth tissue, Piezo1 is a key factor mediating dentin sensitive pain. The flow of dentinal tubule fluid induced by external stimulation can activate the Piezo1 channel on odontoblasts, triggering neuronal signals through the pannexin-1-purinergic 2X3 receptor (PANX-1-P2X3) receptor axis, resulting in pain perception. In addition, Piezo1 has a dual regulatory role in the process of pulp inflammation and repair : on the one hand, its expression is up-regulated in an inflammatory environment, which may aggravate pain sensitivity ; on the other hand, it activates the migration, proliferation and odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells by mediating Ca²⁺influx, ATP release and downstream purinergic 2X7 receptor (P2X7R), MEK / ERK signaling pathways, thereby promoting reparative dentin formation. In periodontal tissue, Piezo1 plays a central role in maintaining periodontal tissue homeostasis and regulating alveolar bone remodeling by sensing mechanical stimuli such as bite force. During orthodontic tooth movement, Piezo1 promotes osteogenic differentiation by activating Wnt / Ca²⁺, Notch and other pathways on the tension side. It affects osteoclast activity by regulating receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand/osteoprotegerin (RANKL/OPG) balance on the pressure side. At the same time, Piezo1 is also a key regulator of periodontal immune microenvironment. It is expressed in immune cells such as macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells. Its activation can promote the polarization of macrophages to pro-inflammatory M1 type, enhance the release of pro-inflammatory factors and matrix metalloproteinases, and thus aggravate the inflammatory destruction of periodontal tissue.In view of its multiple functions, Piezo1 has become a potential therapeutic target, including local or systemic application of its inhibitors, mechanical intervention, physical therapy, gene therapy and stem cell therapy, showing a broad clinical transformation prospect in the treatment of oral diseases. In this paper, the structural characteristics, signal transduction mechanism of Piezo1 and its expression distribution, function and regulatory network in tooth tissue and periodontal tissue are reviewed, so as to provide ideas for the development of oral disease treatment strategies targeting Piezo1.
2.Relationship of dyslipidemia, hypertension and diabetes comorbidities and lifestyle among adults in Hebei Province
Yajing CAO ; Jingjing ZHAO ; Mei LI ; Tiantian GUO ; Fujuan YUE ; Xiuli NIU ; Xiaoli LIU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(3):56-61
Objective To investigate the relationship between the comorbidity of dyslipidemia, hypertension and diabetes and lifestyle of adult residents in Hebei Province in 2018, and to provide reference for the development of chronic diseases prevention measures. Methods Using data from the surveillance of chronic diseases and their risk factors among adults in Hebei in 2018, 7 711 permanent residents aged ≥18 years were selected as the research subjects. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between the comorbidity of dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes and lifestyle in adult residents. Results A total of 7 711 subjects aged ≥18 years were included in 2018. The comorbidity rates of hypertension and dyslipidemia, diabetes and dyslipidemia, and hypertension and diabetes were 16.88%, 7.91%, and 8.13%, respectively. The comorbidity rate of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia was 22.65%. These comorbidity rates increased with age and BMI. Multivariate logistic regression results showed that male, age, overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, daily sedentary behavior time ≥5 hours, and sleep problems were risk factors for the comorbidity of the "three highs". Conclusion The prevalence of the "three highs" comorbidities is relatively high in Hebei Province, and there are multiple common risk factors. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and implementing comprehensive prevention and control measures are the key to improving the health level of residents.
3.Clinical Evidence Profile of Eleven Expensive Chinese Patent Medicines: A Scoping Analysis
Yajing LI ; Miaomiao LI ; Le ZHANG ; Wenya WANG ; Hui ZHAO ; Xing LIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):227-238
ObjectiveThis study employed the scoping review method to systematically retrieve and analyze the basic information and clinical research evidence of expensive Chinese patent medicines (CPMs), aiming to provide a basis for future related research and clinical applications. MethodsEight Chinese and English databases were systematically searched for the clinical research evidence on expensive CPMs. ResultsEleven expensive CPMs (Angong Niuhuang Wan, Jufang Zhibao Wan, Suhexiang Wan, Pien Tze Huang, Niuhuang Qingxin Wan, Qinggong Shoutao Wan, Compound Realgar Natural Indigo Tablets, Xihuang Wan, Dingkun Wan, Babao Wan, and Guilingji Capsules) were selected. A total of 365 related studies were included in this review, comprising 331 clinical studies (of which 291 were randomized controlled trials), 30 systematic reviews and Meta-analyses, 3 expert consensus, and 1 rapid health technology assessment. Among the 11 CPMs, 2(Angong Niuhuang Wan and Jufang Zhibao Wan) had a daily price over 500 yuan. The famous and precious Chinese medicinal materials involved included Moschus (frequency of 7), Bovisc Alculus (7), and Borneol (5). The dosage forms included pills, capsules, oral liquid, tablets, and lozenges. The diseases treated by these CPMs mainly included malignant tumors, cerebrovascular diseases, gynecological diseases, and hepatobiliary system diseases. The sample sizes of the clinical studies were mainly concentrated within the range of 51-100 cases, and the main control form was CPM + basic Western medicine treatment vs. basic Western medicine treatment. The 331 clinical studies reported a total of 44 adverse events occurred, of which 36 were determined to be adverse reactions. ConclusionThe scarcity of raw materials leads to the high prices of expensive CPMs. The difficulty of conducting clinical research and the critical and severe cases treated lead to a lack of clinical research evidence with large sample sizes. The uneven distribution of existing studies, incomplete information on medicine package, and non-standard clinical research designs remain to be addressed in the future.
4.Protective effect of Shenfu injection against neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury by inhibiting the ferroptosis
Xiaotong Zhang ; Meng Zhang ; Gang Li ; Yang Hu ; Yajing Xun ; Hui Ding ; Donglin Shen ; Ming Wu
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(1):31-40
Objective :
To observe the brain tissue injury during hypoxia-ischemia, as well as the pathological changes and the expression of ferroptosis-related factors after the use of Shenfu injection(SFI), and to explore the protective effect of SFI on hypoxic-ischemic brain injury(HIBD) by inhibiting ferroptosis.
Methods :
An animal model of HIBD in SD rats was constructed and intervened with SFI. Pathologic changes in brain tissue were observed by HE staining methods. Nissen staining was used to observe neuron survival. Glutathione Peroxidase 4(GPX4) and Divalent Metal Transporter 1(DMT1) expression were detected in brain tissue by Western blot, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Reduced Glutathione(GSH), Lactate Dehydrogenase(LDH), Malondialdehyde(MDA), Superoxide Dismutase(SOD) and tissue iron content were determined with the kits. BV-2 microglial cell line(BV2) cells were culturedin vitroand divided into control group(Ctrl group), oxygen-glucose deprivation group(OGD group), iron ferroptosis-inducing group(Erastin group), iron ferroptosis-inhibiting group(Fer-1 group), Shenfu injection group(SFI group), and Erastin+Shenfu injection group(Erastin+SFI group). 2′,7′-Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA) reactive oxygen species(ROS) fluorescent probe was used to detect the ROS release level; Immunofluorescence was used to observe intracellular GPX4, DMT1 expression.
Results :
Compared with the Sham group, rats in the HIBD group showed significant neuronal cell damage in brain tissue, decreased GPX4 expression(P<0.01), increased DMT1 expression(P<0.01), decreased GSH and SOD levels(P<0.01), and increased LDH, MDA and tissue iron levels(P<0.05,P<0.05,P<0.01). In contrast, after the intervention of SFI, GPX4 expression was elevated(P<0.01), DMT1 expression decreased(P<0.01), GSH and SOD levels were elevated(P<0.01), and LDH, MDA, and tissue iron levels decreased(P<0.05,P<0.05,P<0.01). The cells experiments showed that compared with the Ctrl group, the OGD group had a significantly higher ROS content and a decrease in the expression of GPX4 fluorescence intensity, and an increase in the fluorescence intensity of DMT1(P<0.01), compared with the OGD group, the ROS content was reduced in the SFI group, while the expression of GPX4 was elevated and the expression of DMT1 was reduced(P<0.01).
Conclusion
Hippocampal and cortical regions are severely damaged after HIBD in neonatal rats, and their brain tissues show decreased expression of GPX4 and increased expression of DMT1. The above suggests that ferroptosis is involved in HIBD brain injury in neonatal rats. In contrast, Shenfu injection has a protective effect on HIBD experimental animal model and BV2 cell injury model by reducing iron aggregation and ROS production.
5.Impact of body habitus and gender on radiation dose in low-dose chest CT with spectral purification technology
Xinnan SHEN ; Xinyou LI ; Gang PENG ; Chengxin WAN ; Yajing YANG ; Zhiwei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(7):784-790
Objective:To investigate the effects of body habitus and gender on radiation dose assessment methodologies in low-dose chest CT, with particular emphasis on clarifying discrepancies among various dose quantification approaches and their associations with patient characteristics.Methods:Imaging data from 19 371 patients who underwent low-dose chest CT at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between January 2021 and January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were categorized into eight groups based on water-equivalent diameter (WED) and gender: Group A (150 mm≤WED<210 mm; 71 males, 1 032 females), Group B (210 mm≤WED<260 mm; 4 525 males, 8 005 females), Group C (260 mm≤WED<300 mm; 4 234 males, 1 105 females), and Group D (WED≥300 mm; 357 males, 42 females). WED, size-specific dose estimate (SSDE), and organ dose-based effective dose(ED Radimetrics)were calculated using Radimetrics software. Scanner-reported dose metrics, including volume CT dose index (CTDIvol), dose-length product (DLP), and DLP-derived effective dose(ED DLP), were recorded. The ratios of SSDE/CTDIvol and ED Radimetrics/ED DLP were used to quantify discrepancies between dose evaluation methods. The Kruskal-Wallis test was employed to analyze dose metric differences across WED groups within the same gender, while the Wilcoxon rank-sum test compared gender-based differences within each WED group. Results:All dose metrics significantly increased with WED for both genders (all P<0.05). Within the same WED group, ED Radimetrics was significantly higher in females ( P<0.05), whereas ED DLP was higher in males ( P<0.05). The SSDE/CTDIvol ratio decreased with increasing WED, declining from 1.74 in Group A to 1.16 in Group D for females and from 1.68 to 1.12 for males. The ED Radimetrics/ED DLP ratio exhibited a decreasing trend with WED in females (1.82 to 1.30) but showed an initial increase in males (1.29 in Group A to 1.31 in Group B) before decreasing to 0.94 in Group D (all intergroup P<0.05). SSDE/CTDIvol and ED Radimetrics/ED DLP ratios of females were consistently higher than that of males within each WED group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Patient body habitus and gender significantly influence radiation dose distribution in low-dose chest CT. Larger body habitus is associated with higher radiation doses, while females receive greater ED Radimetrics than males within comparable body habitus. Traditional dose metrics (CTDIvol and ED DLP) were underestimated for patients with small body sizes and female individuals.
6.Analysis of the current status and influencing factors of frailty in patients aged 75 and above after percutaneous coronary intervention
Yang CHEN ; Shiyu WANG ; Chuan GAO ; Wenqing CAI ; Yajing SU ; Yumeng ZHANG ; Qingyin LI
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(13):1588-1595
Objective To evaluate the frailty status and risk factors among hospitalized elderly patients after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI),and to provide a reference for improving and delaying their frailty.Methods From March to August 2024,using convenience sampling,patients aged over 75 years who underwent PCI in a tertiary cardiovascular disease specialist hospital in Beijing were selected as the survey participants.Patient-related informations were collected through a self-designed general information questionnaire.The Fried Phenotype Frailty Scale,the Katz Activities of Daily Living,Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living(IADL)scale,the Charlson Comorbidity Index,the Morse Fall Scale,the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form(MNA-SF),and the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale(GDS-15)were evaluated postoperatively until discharge.Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with frailty among patients after PCI.Results A total of 278 patients were included.The incidence of frailty after PCI was 52.16%.Based on Fried Phenotype scores,patients were divided into a non-frail group and a frail group.Univariate analysis showed statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of age,gender,hemoglobin,NT-ProBNP,LVEF,IADL scores,living alone status,nutrition status,falls risk,and depression level(P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age,Lawton IADL scores,falls risk,nutrition status,depression level were factors influencing frailty,with odds ratios of 1.167,0.575,1.597,0.399,and 3.610,respectively(P<0.05).Conclusion The incidence of frailty is high among patients aged over 75 years after PCI,and there are multiple risk factors affecting their frailty status.Clinical healthcare providers should prioritize long-term management of these patients and implement comprehensive interventions with the consideration of their physiological,psychological,and social conditions.
7.Single-cell analysis of immune-lineage features in T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia
Ke HUANG ; Lele ZHANG ; Chen QIU ; Ruonan LI ; Yucan SHEN ; Weiwang LI ; Hong PAN ; Zhen GAO ; Liwei FANG ; Yajing CHU ; Weiping YUAN ; Jun SHI
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2025;46(5):453-459
Objective:To investigate alterations in the immune lineage of T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGLL) at the single-cell transcriptome level and to elucidate its pathogenic mechanisms.Methods:Peripheral blood samples were collected from 5 T-LGLL patients before and after treatment (from June 2019 to December 2020) and 3 healthy controls at the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, CAMS & PUMC. Single-cell transcriptome sequencing libraries were prepared and sequenced using 10× Genomics technology. Differentially expressed genes in immune cells were compared between patients and healthy donors, followed by pathway enrichment analyses.Results:Profiling 67,237 immune cells revealed that, in T-LGLL: 1) Effector CD8+ T cells exhibited increased numbers, enhanced cytotoxicity, and greater proliferative capacity. Following effective immunosuppressive therapy, both the proliferative capacity and effector functions of these cells significantly decreased ( P<0.05). 2) The proportion of regulatory T (Treg) cells was reduced, accompanied by increased apoptosis. After effective immunosuppressive therapy leading to remission, Treg cell proportions increased, and apoptotic pathways were downregulated ( P<0.05). 3) Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) showed enhanced functionality. Monocytes and dendritic cells were enriched in antigen synthesis and presentation pathways, while B cells displayed increased antigen-binding capacity and were enriched in pathways related to T-cell activation ( P<0.05). 4) Natural killer (NK) cells exhibited attenuated cytotoxic function but demonstrated an enhanced regulatory capacity over T cells ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:T-LGLL patients present a characteristic immunological profile marked by an imbalance in immune homeostasis. This profile includes abnormal activation and expansion of effector CD8 + T cells, and a reduction in Treg cell numbers accompanied by functional impairment. Furthermore, APCs and NK cells were found to positively regulate T-lymphocyte activation, differentiation, and proliferation.
8.Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and influencing factors in adults in Hebei Province
Tiantian GUO ; Xiaoli LIU ; Jingjing ZHAO ; Mei LI ; Lijuan TANG ; Fujuan YUE ; Yajing CAO
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(1):107-117
Objective:To analyze the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and influencing factors of adults in Hebei Province, and provide scientific evidence for the development of comprehensive CKD prevention and control strategies.Methods:In China Adult Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance in Hebei in 2018, a total of 7 562 permanent residents aged ≥18 years were selected by multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling from 13 surveillance points in Hebei for questionnaire survey, medical examination and laboratory test.Results:A total of 1 067 CKD patients were detected in the adults aged ≥18 years in this survey, with a weighted prevalence rate of 12.10%. The results of multivariate analysis showed that the daily total static behavior time ( OR=1.07, 95% CI: 1.04-1.09), living in rural area ( OR=1.50, 95% CI: 1.14-1.97), coal use ( OR=1.37, 95% CI: 1.16-1.61), coal gas/liquefied gas/natural gas/biogas use ( OR=2.92, 95% CI: 2.40-3.54) and solar energy/electricity use ( OR=1.75, 95% CI: 1.36-2.25), insufficient fruit intake ( OR=1.39, 95% CI: 1.06-1.83), insufficient physical activity ( OR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.11-1.64), suffering from hypertension ( OR=1.80, 95% CI: 1.44-2.24) and suffering from diabetes ( OR=1.77, 95% CI: 1.27-2.45) were risk factors for CKD in adults in Hebei. High education level ( OR=0.41, 95% CI: 0.19-0.91), excessive drinking ( OR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.28-0.99), central obesity ( OR=0.75, 95% CI: 0.58-0.97), history of allergic diseases ( OR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.27-0.72) were protective factors for CKD. Conclusions:The prevalence of CKD in adults in Hebei was relatively high, especially in those who had too long average daily static behavior, lived in rural area, used coal, gas/liquefied gas/natural gas/biogas, solar energy/electricity, had inadequate intake of fruits, lacked physical activity and suffered from hypertension and diabetes. It is necessary to pay attention to the early prevention and treatment of CKD, strengthen the health education about healthy lifestyle and improve the management of patients with chronic disease, such as hypertension and diabetes, to further reduce the risk for CKD.
9.Evaluation of opioid-free anesthesia on postoperative outcomes in elderly patients following laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Xiangnan LI ; Jing ZHANG ; Yajing WU ; Lei MENG ; Jianli LI
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;45(11):1451-1455
Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of opioid-free anesthesia on postoperative outcomes in elderly patients following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Methods:In this randomized controlled trial, 90 patients of either sex, aged 65-75 yr, with a body mass index of 18.5-23.9 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅱ or Ⅲ, scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy, were divided into 2 groups ( n=45 each) using a table of random numbers: conventional general anesthesia group (GA group) and opioid-free anesthesia group (OFA group). Anesthesia was induced with intravenous etomidate, sufentanil and cisatracurium besylate and maintained with infusion of propofol and remifentanil combined with inhalation of sevoflurane in GA group. In OFA group, bilateral ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block was performed via the posterior gluteal approach (injection of 0.25% ropivacaine 20 ml respectively) before anesthesia induction, anesthesia was induced with intravenous dexmedetomidine, esketamine, etomidate and cisatracurium besylate and maintained with infusion of dexmedetomidine, esketamine and propofol combined with inhalation of sevoflurane. In both groups, mechanical ventilation was performed with a laryngeal mask airway after anesthesia induction, and ketorolac tromethamine 30 mg (for postoperative analgesia) and metoclopramide 10 mg (to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting) were intravenously injected at the end of surgery. The intraoperative adverse cardiovascular events, emergence time, laryngeal mask airway removal time, time of postanesthesia care unit stay, and postoperative rescue analgesia, nausea and vomiting and delirium were recorded. Results:No gallbladder cardiac reflex was found during operation in either group. Compared with GA group, the incidence of intraoperative bradycardia (11% versus 22%) was significantly increased ( P<0.05), the incidence of intraoperative hypotension and postoperative nausea, vomiting and delirium (17% versus 8%, 29% versus 16%, 16% versus 4% and 18% versus 4%), and requirements for rescue analgesia and antiemetics (31% versus 7% and 13% versus 4%) were decreased ( P<0.05), the postoperative emergence time, time of laryngeal mask airway removal and time of postanesthesia care unit stay were prolonged ( P<0.05), and no statistically significant difference was found in discharge time in OFA group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The results of this study, as a single-center, small-sample randomized controlled trial, indicate that referenced to conventional general anesthesia, opioid-free anesthesia (esketamine-dexmedetomidine based anesthesia combined with bilateral transversus abdominis plan block) can improve the short-term postoperative outcomes to a certain extent in elderly patients following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
10.Polymer-assisted PD-L1 degradation and targeted photodynamic therapy synergize to suppress immunodeficient tumors.
Changyong GUO ; Shipeng HE ; Huaxing SHEN ; Wei CONG ; Jinqiu LI ; Yajing JI ; Wenjing HUANG ; Fei GAO ; Honggang HU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3805-3818
Checkpoint blockade immunotherapy has emerged as a transformative approach in cancer treatment by activating tumor-infiltrating T cells. However, the efficacy of PD-L1 blockade is restricted in "cold" tumors, which are characterized by low immunogenicity, presenting a challenge to immunotherapy. This study introduces an innovative strategy, utilizing cathepsin-cleavable N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA) polymer-assisted combined photodynamic therapy (PDT) and PD-L1 degradation for the first time, effectively treating T cell-deficient tumors. The degradable main-chain polymer, conjugated with photosensitizer porphyrin, facilitates the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), triggering immunogenic cell death (ICD) and promoting cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) infiltration into tumors. Multivalent peptide antagonists of PD-L1 promote PD-L1 degradation in lysosomes through receptor crosslinking, overcoming the adaptive cycling of PD-L1 to the tumor cell surface. These findings demonstrate that polymer-assisted PDT and PD-L1 crosslinking degradation represent a potential novel strategy for anti-tumor immunotherapy, providing valuable tools for expanding immunotherapy applications in immunosuppressive cancers.


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