1.Visual analysis of the biological effects of tritium discharge from nuclear wastewater using CiteSpace
Ge YAN ; Lin ZHAO ; Jiaying XU ; Juan WANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(1):74-82
Objective With the vigorous development of nuclear reactors and controlled thermonuclear fusion research, the release of tritium, the predominant radionuclide in nuclear wastewater, into the environment has attracted widespread attention. Its impact on human health has also become a hot topic of research. This article presents a visual analysis of the literature on the biological effects of tritium ingestion by organisms over the past 70 years, with the aim of elucidating the biological effects of tritiated water and identifying current research hotspots and emerging trends. Methods We retrieved articles on the biological effects of tritium radiation published in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Web of Science (WOS) over the past 70 years. CiteSpace software was used to generate visual maps, including annual number of publications, countries of publication, keyword clustering, keyword timeline, keyword burst, and literature co-citation. Results A total of 437 articles were included. The cumulative number of annual publications exhibited a linear growth trend. Research hotspots focused on low-radioactivity tritiated water, dose rate effect, DNA double-strand break damage, genetic effect, and cancer mortality. Emerging research frontiers included human lymphocyte immune injury, oxidase activity, comparison of marine organisms in different living environments, comparison of tritium and ionizing radiation effects, changes in mitochondrial ATP content, and the hormetic effect of low-dose radiation. Conclusion In cellular and animal models, high doses of tritium exposure induce negative biological effects. However, whether low doses of tritium esposure elicit beneficial biological effects remains to be further explored. It is suggested that domestic and foreign teams enhance academic collaboration and discussions, focusing on current hotspots and frontiers to deepen our understanding of the biological effects induced by tritium radiation. This will provide scientific solutions for disease treatment and establish a scientific basis for the safe utilization of nuclear energy and the formulation of safety standards for nuclear wastewater discharge.
2.Influencing Factors of Urate Crystal Deposition in Patients with Hyperuricemia and Prediction Model of TCM Syndrome Types-inflammatory Indicators
Jiaqi XU ; Bin AI ; Chao LIN ; Qiaoxuan LIN ; Changning LI ; Jing CAI ; Yan XIAO ; Jiemei GUO ; Youxin SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):66-73
ObjectiveTo identify potential influencing factors of urate crystal deposition at ankle/foot in patients with hyperuricemia (HUA), and to analyze the predictive value of inflammatory indicators for urate crystal deposition in patients with different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes, so as to provide potential reference for clinical risk assessment and individualized TCM intervention. MethodsA retrospective study was carried out with the enrollment of 231 HUA patients from The Third Affiliated People's Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2021 and December 2024. The enrolled patients were further divided into a crystal deposition-positive group (143 cases) and a crystal deposition-negative group (88 cases) according to the results of dual-energy computed tomography (CT). Sociodemographic data, living habits, serum uric acid levels, and inflammatory indicators of the enrolled patients were collcted, and TCM syndrome differentiation was performed. Furthermore, univariate analysis was used to compare inter-group differences in clinical characteristics. MMultivariate Logistic regression was applied to identify the influencing factors of urate crystal deposition. In addition, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to evaluate the predictive efficacy of inflammatory indicators for crystal deposition across different TCM syndromes. ResultsThere were statistically significant inter-group differences in the proportion of males, age, body mass index, proportion of mental labor, rate of low water intake, and rate of high-sugar beverage consumption (P<0.05),whereas no significant difference in low exercise intensity was found between the two groups. Furthermore, compared with the negative group, the positive group had higher serum uric acid level, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), but lower systemic immune-inflammation index (SIRI) (P<0.05). Regarding the distribution of TCM syndromes, the positive group was dominated by the dampness-heat accumulation syndrome (55/143,38.46%), while the negative group was mainly characterized by the phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome (44/88,50.00%). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that high-sugar beverage consumption, elevated NLR, and elevated PLR were risk factors for urate crystal deposition [odd ratio (OR) = 8.002, 5.377, 1.034, respectively; 95% CI 1.572-40.732, 2.179-13.270, 1.013-1.054,all P<0.05], while SIRI was a protective factor (OR = 0.869, 95% CI 0.778-0.971, P<0.05). In the positive group, patients with the dampness-heat accumulation syndrome exhibited the highest NLR, while the lowest PLR and SIRI, showing statistically significant differences with those of other syndromes (all P<0.05). In addition, ROC curve analysis indicated that for the dampness-heat accumulation syndrome, the combined "NLR + PLR" model had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.901 (95% CI 0.850-0.951, P<0.01), with a sensitivity of 89.1% and a specificity of 79.5%; for the blood stasis-heat obstruction syndrome, the combined "NLR + PLR" model had an AUC of 0.880 (95% CI 0.825-0.934, P<0.01), with a sensitivity of 100.0% and a specificity of 67.3%; for the liver-kidney Yin-deficiency syndrome, the single PLR model had an AUC of 0.842 (95% CI 0.731-0.952, P<0.01), with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 84.0%. ConclusionUrate crystal deposition in HUA patients exhibits intimate associations with high-sugar beverage consumption as well as elevated NLR and PLR levels. Meanwhile, TCM syndrome differentiation has potential correlation with inflammatory characteristics. The inflammatory indicator-based prediction model constructed based on TCM syndromes exhibits good predictive value.
3.The Impairment Attention Capture by Topological Change in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Hui-Lin XU ; Huan-Jun XI ; Tao DUAN ; Jing LI ; Dan-Dan LI ; Kai WANG ; Chun-Yan ZHU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):223-232
ObjectiveAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties with communication and social interaction, restricted and repetitive behaviors. Previous studies have indicated that individuals with ASD exhibit early and lifelong attention deficits, which are closely related to the core symptoms of ASD. Basic visual attention processes may provide a critical foundation for their social communication and interaction abilities. Therefore, this study explores the behavior of children with ASD in capturing attention to changes in topological properties. MethodsOur study recruited twenty-seven ASD children diagnosed by professional clinicians according to DSM-5 and twenty-eight typically developing (TD) age-matched controls. In an attention capture task, we recorded the saccadic behaviors of children with ASD and TD in response to topological change (TC) and non-topological change (nTC) stimuli. Saccadic reaction time (SRT), visual search time (VS), and first fixation dwell time (FFDT) were used as indicators of attentional bias. Pearson correlation tests between the clinical assessment scales and attentional bias were conducted. ResultsThis study found that TD children had significantly faster SRT (P<0.05) and VS (P<0.05) for the TC stimuli compared to the nTC stimuli, while the children with ASD did not exhibit significant differences in either measure (P>0.05). Additionally, ASD children demonstrated significantly less attention towards the TC targets (measured by FFDT), in comparison to TD children (P<0.05). Furthermore, ASD children exhibited a significant negative linear correlation between their attentional bias (measured by VS) and their scores on the compulsive subscale (P<0.05). ConclusionThe results suggest that children with ASD have difficulty shifting their attention to objects with topological changes during change detection. This atypical attention may affect the child’s cognitive and behavioral development, thereby impacting their social communication and interaction. In sum, our findings indicate that difficulties in attentional capture by TC may be a key feature of ASD.
4.Long-term Outcomes of Endoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation versus Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Widespread Superficial Esophageal Squamous Cell Neoplasia
Xin TANG ; Qian-Qian MENG ; Ye GAO ; Chu-Ting YU ; Yan-Rong ZHANG ; Yan BIAN ; Jin-Fang XU ; Lei XIN ; Wei WANG ; Han LIN ; Luo-Wei WANG
Gut and Liver 2025;19(2):198-206
Background/Aims:
Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) is a treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN), with a relatively low risk of stenosis; however, the long-term outcomes remain unclear. We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of patients with widespread superficial ESCN who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or ERFA.
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with superficial ESCN who underwent ESD or ERFA between January 2015 and December 2021. The primary outcome measure was recurrence-free survival.
Results:
Ninety-two and 33 patients with superficial ESCN underwent ESD and ERFA, respectively. The en bloc, R0, and curative resection rates for ESD were 100.0%, 90.2%, and 76.1%, respectively. At 12 months, the complete response rate was comparable between the two groups (94.6% vs 90.9%, p=0.748). During a median follow-up of 66 months, recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in the ESD group than in the ERFA group (p=0.004), while no significant differences in overall survival (p=0.845) and disease-specific survival (p=0.494) were observed.Preoperative diagnosis of intramucosal cancer (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.55; vs high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia) was an independent predictor of recurrence. Significantly fewer patients in the ERFA group experienced stenosis compare to ESD group (15.2% vs 38.0%, p=0.016).
Conclusions
The risk of recurrence was higher for ERFA than ESD for ESCN but overall survival was not affected. The risk of esophageal stenosis was significantly lower for patients who underwent ERFA.
5.Effect of hand transmitted vibration on fingertip thermotactile perception threshold in grinding workers
Danying ZHANG ; Maosheng YAN ; Hansheng LIN ; Sizhi CHEN ; Xuemei SONG ; Bin XIAO ; Hua YAN ; Guoyong XU ; Zhipeng HE
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(5):540-544
Objective To analyze the effect of hand transmitted vibration on fingertip thermotactile perception threshold (TPT) among grinding workers in a sports equipment manufacturing enterprise. Methods A total of 151 male grinding workers from a sports equipment manufacturing enterprise in Guangdong Province were enrolled in the vibration exposure group, and 51 male workers without hand-transmitted vibration exposure were enrolled in the control group, using the judgment sampling method. Basic health conditions of the workers were surveyed in both groups. The TPTs of the distal phalanges of the index and little fingers on both hands were tested using an HVLab thermal perception tester. Results The detection rates of finger numbness and tingling among workers in the vibration exposure group were higher than those in the control group (92.1% vs 7.8% and 59.6% vs 0.0%, respectively, both P<0.01). The detection rates of numbness or tingling of different fingers in the vibration exposure group descended in the following order: index finger, middle finger, ring finger, thumb and little finger. The hot threshold of the index finger and little finger increased (all P<0.01), while the cold threshold decreased (all P<0.01) in the vibration exposure group, compared with the control group. The results of generalized linear regression analysis showed that with the increase of the duration of hand-transmitted vibration, the hot threshold of the index finger and the little finger of both hands increased (all P<0.01), and the cold threshold decreased (all P<0.01). The hot thresholds of workers with numbness of both the index fingers and left little finger were higher than those of workers without numbness of the same finger (all P<0.05). The hot threshold of workers with tingling of the left index finger was higher than those without tingling (P<0.05). The cold thresholds of workers with tingling of the both index fingers and left little finger were lower than those without tingling of the same finger (all P<0.05). The hot threshold of the right little finger increased with age (P<0.01), while the cold thresholds of both little fingers decreased with age (all P<0.01). Conclusion Hand-transmitted vibration exposure increases fingertip hot threshold and decreases fingertip cold threshold of workers exposed to hand-transmitted vibration. Years of service in hand-transmitted vibration work, finger numbness or tingling, and age were influencing factors of TPT. Fingertip TPT examination can be used to assist in the early detection of vibration-induced nerve injury in workers exposed to hand-transmitted vibration.
6.Analysis on noise hazard characteristics of key industries workplaces in Huizhou City
Zhuocheng YAO ; Guoyong XU ; Jianyu GUO ; Weilan YAN ; Haijie LIN ; Xi ZHOU ; Bin XIAO
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(5):579-584
Objective To understand the characteristics of occupational noise hazards in key industries in Huizhou City. Methods A total of 247 enterprises from 13 key industries in Huizhou City were selected as the research subjects using the stratified judgment sampling method. The worksite survey of occupational health and workplace noise intensity and spectrum monitoring were conducted at key work sites using "questionnaires and on-site inspections" method. Results The rate of noise intensity exceeding national standards was 53.4% (132/247). The median, 25th and 75th percentile of noise pressure levels in workplaces and worksites were 85.1 (81.2, 91.2)and 82.5 (78.8, 86.3) dB(A), respectively. The high-noise workplaces accounted for 50.0% (479/958). The rate of noise intensity exceeding national standard at work sites was 32.9% (303/921). The sound pressure level of noise at work sites was positively correlated with sound pressure level of noise sources (Spearman correlation coefficient=0.73, P<0.01). The top three high-risk work sites for exceeding national noise standards were grinding, frame nailing, and material cutting, with exceedance rates of 84.6%, 81.3%, and 62.8%, respectively. The frequency characteristics of the top ten high-risk work sites were mainly high-frequency noise. There were significant differences in noise spectrum characteristics among different workpiece materials used in similar types of work sites (all P<0.05), though high-frequency noise remained dominant. Conclusion Noise hazards in workplaces of key industries in Huizhou City are relatively severe. Continuous attention should be given to key work sites with high over-standard rate, such as grinding, frame nailing, and material cutting, and noise control strategies should be developed based on frequency spectrum characteristics.
7.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.
8.Ursodeoxycholic acid inhibits the uptake of cystine through SLC7A11 and impairs de novo synthesis of glutathione
Fu'an XIE ; Yujia NIU ; Xiaobing CHEN ; Xu KONG ; Guangting YAN ; Aobo ZHUANG ; Xi LI ; Lanlan LIAN ; Dongmei QIN ; Quan ZHANG ; Ruyi ZHANG ; Kunrong YANG ; Xiaogang XIA ; Kun CHEN ; Mengmeng XIAO ; Chunkang YANG ; Ting WU ; Ye SHEN ; Chundong YU ; Chenghua LUO ; Shu-Hai LIN ; Wengang LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(1):189-207
Ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)is a naturally occurring,low-toxicity,and hydrophilic bile acid(BA)in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA.Solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate,and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers.Retroperitoneal liposarcoma(RLPS)refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area.Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly down-regulated metabolites in sera of RIPS patients compared with healthy subjects.The augmentation of UDCA concentration(≥25 μg/mL)demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells.[15N2]-cystine and[13Cs]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione(GSH)synthesis.Mechanistically,UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis,leading to reactive oxygen species(ROS)accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage.Furthermore,UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers(Erastin,RSL3),the murine double minute 2(MDM2)inhibitors(Nutlin 3a,RG7112),cyclin dependent kinase 4(CDK4)inhibitor(Abemaciclib),and glutaminase inhibitor(CB839).Together,UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity,and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA.More importantly,in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments,UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.
9.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.
10.Experimental animal models for rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease
Qianqian YAN ; Lianhua HE ; Lili WANG ; Liting XU ; Aimin ZHOU ; Chunfang LIU ; Na LIN
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;3(2):124-136
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the joints of the limbs. As the disease progresses, it can involve multiple organ systems. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the most common pulmonary manifestation of RA. Reported animal models of RA-ILD include adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA), collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), and transgenic mouse arthritis. However, the establishment criteria and evaluation methods for these models lack uniform standards, and they fail to fully replicate the clinicopathological characteristics of RA-ILD. This limitation significantly hinders research into the pathogenesis and development of therapeutic drugs for RA-ILD. Objective: The aim of the study was to review literature in China and abroad on RA-ILD animal models, analyze current research progress, identify existing issues, and propose research recommendations. Methods: Literature searches were conducted using the English keywords “rheumatoid arthritis, interstitial lung disease, model” and the Chinese keywords “(rheumatoid arthritis), (interstitial lung disease), (model)” or “(rheumatoid arthritis), (lung interstitial lesions), (model).” The search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and VIP (China Science and Technology Journal Database) for articles published before November 2024. A total of 41 articles were included. Results and conclusions: The CIA model and the CIA model combined with bleomycin are commonly used due to their similarities to the histopathology and disease manifestations of human RA-ILD. Additionally, these models have appropriate cost and modeling duration, along with a high success rate, making them preferable choices. Transgenic animal models exhibit pathological features similar to the nonspecific interstitial pneumonia subtype of human RA-ILD and are useful for studying the genetic effects on RA-ILD. However, they have drawbacks such as high economic costs, long modeling durations, and a low success rate in some cases. The AA model is easy to establish, requires a short modeling period, and has low experimental costs. However, it lacks the chronic pathological development characteristic of human RA and exhibits a degree of self-limitation in lesion progression. Among other models, the comprehensive HLA-DQ8 transgenic mouse model can be used to study the combined effects of genetic and environmental factors on RA-ILD. The collagen autoantibody-induced arthritis model combined with bleomycin has a short modeling period, but it does not align well with the disease course of RA-ILD. These established animal models provide valuable insights into the pathogenesis of RA-ILD, the identification of novel biomarkers, and the development of new therapeutic approaches. Future research should focus on identifying an animal model that better replicates the physiological and pathological changes of clinical RA-ILD while being more convenient, cost-effective, and comprehensive in reflecting disease progression.

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