1.Construction and in vitro osteogenic activity study of magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen
WANG Meng ; SUN Yifei ; CAO Xiaoqing ; WEI Yiyuan ; CHEN Lei ; ZHANG Zhenglong ; MU Zhao ; ZHU Juanfang ; NIU Lina
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(1):15-28
Objective:
To investigate the efficacy of magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen (MSHA/Col) in improving the bone repair microenvironment and enhancing bone regeneration capacity, providing a strategy to address the insufficient biomimetic composition and limited bioactivity of traditional hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen (HA/Col) scaffolds.
Methods:
A high-molecular-weight polyacrylic acid-stabilized amorphous calcium magnesium strontium phosphate precursor (HPAA/ACMSP) was prepared. Its morphology and elemental distribution were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Recombinant collagen sponge blocks were immersed in the HPAA/ACMSP mineralization solution. Magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite was induced to deposit within collagen fibers (experimental group: MSHA/Col; control group: HA/Col). The morphological characteristics of MSHA/Col were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Its crystal structure and chemical composition were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The mineral phase content was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. The scaffold's porosity, ion release, and in vitro degradation performance were also determined. For cytological experiments, CCK-8 assay, live/dead cell staining, alkaline phosphatase staining, alizarin red S staining, RT-qPCR, and western blotting were used to evaluate the effects of the MSHA/Col scaffold on the proliferation, viability, early osteogenic differentiation activity, late mineralization capacity, and gene and protein expression levels of key osteogenic markers [runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), collagen type Ⅰ (Col-Ⅰ), osteopontin (Opn), and osteocalcin (Ocn)] in mouse embryonic osteoblast precursor cells (MC3T3-E1).
Results:
HPAA/ACMSP appeared as amorphous spherical nanoparticles under TEM, with energy spectrum analysis showing uniform distribution of carbon, oxygen, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and strontium elements. SEM results of MSHA/Col indicated successful complete intrafibrillar mineralization. Elemental analysis showed the mass fractions of magnesium and strontium were 0.72% (matching the magnesium content in natural bone) and 2.89%, respectively. X-ray diffraction revealed characteristic peaks of hydroxyapatite crystals (25.86°, 31°-34°). Infrared spectroscopy results showed characteristic absorption peaks for both collagen and hydroxyapatite. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated a mineral phase content of 78.29% in the material. The scaffold porosity was 91.6% ± 1.1%, close to the level of natural bone tissue. Ion release curves demonstrated sustained release behavior for both magnesium and strontium ions. The in vitro degradation rate matched the ingrowth rate of new bone tissue. Cytological experiments showed that MSHA/Col significantly promoted MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation (130% increase in activity at 72 h, P < 0.001). MSHA/Col exhibited excellent efficacy in promoting osteogenic differentiation, significantly upregulating the expression of osteogenesis-related genes and proteins (Runx2, Col-Ⅰ, Opn, Ocn) (P < 0.01).
Conclusion
The MSHA/Col scaffold achieves dual biomimicry of natural bone in both composition and structure, and effectively promotes osteogenic differentiation at the genetic and protein levels, breaking through the functional limitations of pure hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen. This provides a new strategy for the development of functional bone repair materials
2.Effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on functional brain activity in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness: A randomized controlled trial protocol using functional near-infrared spectroscopy and electroencephalography
Huan OUYANG ; Yifei WANG ; Ying HAN ; Jinling ZHANG ; Liang LI ; Chen XIN ; Jianghong HE ; Peijing RONG
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(2):181-187
Background: Advances in intensive care have markedly improved survival after severe brain injury, leading to a growing population of patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (pDOC). Current management of pDOC remains largely supportive, and evidence-based neuromodulatory interventions are limited; moreover, existing guidelines provide insufficiently explicit recommendations regarding mechanisms of action and objective biomarkers of treatment response. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has emerged as a potential noninvasive intervention; however, its modulatory effects on brain function in pDOC are not yet well characterized, and the paucity of integrative mechanistic evidence has constrained its translation into routine clinical practice. Objectives: Within a multimodal assessment framework, this study aims to systematically elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms by which taVNS modulates brain function and autonomic activity in patients with pDOC, and to evaluate its clinical potential to enhance levels of consciousness. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 60 patients with vegetative state/minimally conscious state will be enrolled and randomly allocated to a taVNS group, a transcutaneous nonauricular vagus nerve stimulation group (sham), or a control group (n = 20 per group) for a 4-week intervention. The primary outcome will be changes in the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised scores from baseline to weeks 1, 2, and 4 of treatment. Secondary outcomes will include functional brain activity assessed by electroencephalography and functional near-infrared spectroscopy, as well as autonomic modulation indexed by heart rate variability. Functional prognosis will be evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended at the end of treatment and at a 6-month follow-up. Safety will be assessed by continuous monitoring and documentation of adverse events throughout the study period. Results and discussion: By integrating electroencephalography–functional near-infrared spectroscopy with heart rate variability, this study will characterize the effects of taVNS on functional brain networks and consciousness recovery in pDOC across complementary behavioral, electrophysiological, hemodynamic, and autonomic domains, while interrogating potential sources of clinical and neurobiological heterogeneity. The findings are expected to provide a mechanistic and evidence-based foundation for the mechanism-driven clinical implementation of taVNS and the optimization of stimulation protocols in pDOC. Clinical trial registration: International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry, ITMCTR20250021041, https://itmctr.ccebtcm.org.cn.
3.Origins, Applications, and Challenges of Factorial Design in Implementation Science
Jiangyun CHEN ; Chaoyue WANG ; Meng WANG ; Yeqing ZHAN ; Duqiao LI ; Yifei WANG ; Xueying CHEN ; Yuling CHEN ; Na REN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(4):1148-1157
Factorial design is an important method for optimizing complex strategies in implementation science. This paper systematically elucidates the origin, types, and core concepts of the factorial design, and then use a brief smoking cessation intervention project as an example to illustrate its specific applications in identifying key factors and testing interactions. Factorial design has the following typical advantages: it can test synergistic and antagonistic effects between factors, provide effect estimates that are broadly valid across the experimental conditions, and offer high statistical efficiency. At the same time, it also has certain limitations, including that its complexity is positively correlated with the number of factors, the need for large sample sizes to detect interactions, the potential for insufficient acceptability of some strategy combinations due to ethical concerns or participant burden, and the complexity of the analytical methods required. In future research, its application should be further optimized by appropriately controlling the number of factors, clearly defining research objectives, and evaluating intervention acceptability, in order to promote the development of precision implementation science.
4.Analysis of oral health status and knowledge, attitude and practice intervention effects among third grade primary school students in Guizhou Province
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(7):945-949
Objective:
To evaluate oral health status and knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) among third grade primary school students after the implementation of the Comprehensive Intervention Project for Childhood Oral Diseases in Guizhou Province, so as to provide evidence for program optimization.
Methods:
Using a multistage cluster sampling method, oral examinations and questionnaire surveys were conducted among third grade primary school students in schools covered by the Comprehensive Intervention Project for Childhood Oral Diseases in Guizhou Province (intervention group, n =1 030) and schools not covered by the program (control group, n =1 130) in November 2023. A follow up survey was conducted one year after the project s implementation (December 2024) to evaluate the differences in oral health status and KAP between the two groups. The t-test and χ 2 test were used to compare means and rates, respectively.
Results:
One year after implementation, the permanent caries prevalence, caries filling ratio, mean dmft/DMFT, and mean simplified debris index in the intervention group were 33.3%, 22.3 %, 3.44±3.10, 0.77±0.56, which were all better than those in the control group (39.8%, 17.3%, 3.89±2.85, and 0.87± 0.63 ) ( χ 2/ t =9.87, 8.78, -2.59, -3.91,all P <0.05). After intervention, the levels of oral health knowledge, attitude and behaviors in the intervention group were better than those in the control group ( Z =7.69, 2.35, 2.10, all P <0.05). Except for the item "fluoride has no protective effect on teeth", the correct response rates of other oral health knowledge items in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group ( χ 2=3.92-163.94, all P <0.05). The reported rates of tooth brushing related behaviors and sugary beverage consumption were higher in the intervention group than in the control group ( χ 2=4.02-11.42,all P <0.05).
Conclusions
The Comprehensive Intervention Project for Childhood Oral Diseases improves children s oral health status, oral health knowledge, and some oral health behaviors, but has limited effects on some behaviors and oral health attitudes. Future efforts should focus on the factors influencing the transformation of children s oral health attitudes and behaviors, along with strengthening long term follow up evaluations.
5.Effects of Exogenous Hormones Combined with Thermotropic Stratification on Post-Ripening and Germination of Coptis chinensis Seeds
Siyu WANG ; Guofeng LI ; Siyu YANG ; Shilin CHEN ; Di LIU ; Yifei LIU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(1):14-23
Objective In this study,exogenous hormones combined with variable temperature stratification were used to relieve seed dormannia of Coptis chinensis and promote seed germination,and the effects of gibberellin on the physiological,biochemical and embryonic morphological changes of C.chinensis seeds during post-mature germination were further evaluated.Methods Using orthogonal test,different exogenous hormones(GA3,6-BA,NAA,ABA)and different temperature changing stratification(20℃/4℃)were set up,and the germination index(germination rate and split rate)of C.chinensis seeds were statistically compared.The activity of antioxidant enzymes(peroxidase POD,catalase CAT),the content of malondialdehyde(MDA)and endogenous hormones(GA,IAA,ABA)during the germination of C.chinensis seeds under optimal treatment were measured.The microscopic structure of the seeds was observed by paraffin embedding section.Results The results of range analysis showed that the best budding method was:100 mg·L-1 of gibberellin for 12 h,20℃for 60 day,4℃for 10 day.Physiological and biochemical index analysis showed that 100 mg·L-1 exogenous gibberellin treatment promoted the endogenous GA content to reach the peak in advance,maintained the POD and CAT contents at a higher level,and maintained the malondialdehyde(MDA)content at a lower level.The transformation from torpedo embryo to cotyledonous embryo was observed by electron microscope during postmature germination.Conclusion Exogenous gibberellin combined with variable temperature stratification treatment could significantly accelerate seed germination of C.chinensis,mainly by promoting seed embryo morphological development,affecting the contents of GA,POD and CAT,and rapidly relieving seed dormancy to promote seed germination.Compared with natural conditions,the germination period could be shortened by about six months.
6.Genome-Wide Identification of Cytochrome P450 Gene Family and Analysis of Flavonoid Synthase Genes in Chrysanthemum Indicum
Binkai ZHAO ; Shi CHEN ; Jiahao LIAO ; Di LEI ; Jingjing ZHANG ; Yifei LIU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(1):24-35
Objective Systematic identification and analysis of the cytochrome P450(CYP450)gene family members and their functions in Chrysanthemum indicum L.to provide a basis for further studies on their roles in the flavonoid synthesis pathway.Methods Based on the genomic data of a diploid Chrysanthemum indicum L.,the members of the P450 gene family were identified and analyzed using bioinformatics methods.Moreover,the transcriptome and quasi-targeted metabolome analysis were combined to screen the flavone synthase Ⅱ(FNSII)genes from the CYP93 family,and their expression levels were tested in different tissues of C.indicum using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qPCR).Results A total of 460 P450 genes were identified from the C.indicum genome,belonging to 43 families within 8 family clans.The encoded proteins ranged from 336 to 1538 amino acids in length,with a relative molecular mass between 38.01 to 175.00 kDa,and an isoelectric point between 5.61 to 9.71.Chromosome localization analysis indicated that these 460 P450 genes were unevenly distributed on nine chromosomes,with the highest number of light-responsive elements in the promoter regions.Expression pattern analysis showed that the expression levels of two FNSII genes(CindChr2G00102820.1 and CindChr8G00552890.1)were significantly higher in leaf of C.indicum than in flower.Conclusion The comprehensive analysis of the P450 gene family in C.indicum is helpful to further elucidate the function of the P450 gene family in flavonoid biosynthesis.
7.Effects of palatal scar contraction force on the displacement of maxillary alveolar bone with cleft palate:A finite element analysis
Yifei LIU ; Guanyue CHEN ; Yu WANG ; Jing LIU ; Hongbao GENG ; Wei HUANG
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2025;41(4):468-472
Objective:To simulate and compare the impact of scar contraction force on maxillary alveolar bone displacement after cleft palate surgery in different regions of the palate.Methods:The same scar contraction force was applied to the grouping hard pal-ate area on the original finite element model of the maxilla with cleft palate,and calculations were performed in ANSYS 17.0.Divid-ed into four groups based on the applied force area:anterior half(group 1),posterior half(group 2),lateral half(group 3),and me-dial half(group 4).Nodes in the alveolar bone of the cleft and non-cleft sides were selected as observation points.The three-dimen-sional displacement of observation points was recorded and compared between groups.Results:The displacement of group 1>group 3,4>group 2(P<0.01).Conclusion:Scars from different parts of the hard palate can lead to a decrease in the length,width,and height of the maxillary alveolar bone.Among them,the anterior scar has the most severe impact,followed by the medial and lateral scars,and the posterior scar has the smallest impact.
8.Conceptualization of"environmental hidden toxin"and its pathogenesis,differentiation diagnosis and treatment leading to male infertility
Sicheng MA ; Yifei WANG ; Xiaohui HAO ; Dongyue MA ; Jianshe CHEN ; Zixue SUN ; Chenming ZHANG
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(9):1285-1291
Environmental pollutants generated by industrialization,characterized by microplastics,are increasingly impairing male fertility in the form of"environmental hidden toxins".Although the concept of environmental toxicity has been proposed for a long time,its practical application remains limited.Therefore,this study innovatively introduces and elaborates on the concept of"environmental hidden toxins",highlighting its pathogenic characteristics,including latency,turbidity,consumptive nature,concurrent nature,and transmutation.Environmental hidden toxin can be classified into five categories based on the properties:stagnation toxins,scorching toxins,turbid toxins,desiccating toxins,and latent toxins.The core pathogenesis of environmental hidden toxins-induced male infertility involves three stages:firstly,invading the lungs and spleen,leading to the gradual depletion of healthy qi;secondly,forming toxin-stasis complexes that obstruct the spermatic pathway;and lastly,penetrating deeply into the seminal chamber,directly damaging the genuine essence.The treatment principle emphasizes"strengthening the foundation and clearing the source,"advocating dual strategies of detoxification and strengthening vital qi.This includes enhancing clarity and lowering turbidity,fortifying the earth to generate metal to replenish healthy qi;resolving stasis,unblocking collaterals,and dispelling toxins to eliminate pathogenic factors;and nourishing the kidneys,replenishing essence,and expelling toxins to preserve the genuine essence.All the above approaches form a holistic traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)strategy that treating both manifestation and root cause of disease.The study provides theoretical foundations and offers novel clinical insights into TCM interventions for male infertility caused by environmental pollutants.
9.Characterization of preclinical radio ADME properties of ARV-471 for predicting human PK using PBPK modeling
Yifei HE ; Chenggu ZHU ; Peng LEI ; Chen YANG ; Yifan ZHANG ; Yuandong ZHENG ; Xingxing DIAO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(5):1145-1159
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras(PROTACs)represent a promising class of drugs that can target disease-causing proteins more effectively than traditional small molecule inhibitors can,potentially revolu-tionizing drug discovery and treatment strategies.However,the links between in vitro and in vivo data are poorly understood,hindering a comprehensive understanding of the absorption,distribution,metabolism,and excretion(ADME)of PROTACs.In this work,14C-labeled vepdegestrant(ARV-471),which is currently in phase Ⅲ clinical trials for breast cancer,was synthesized as a model PROTAC to characterize its preclinical ADME properties and simulate its clinical pharmacokinetics(PK)by estab-lishing a physiologically based pharmacokinetics(PBPK)model.For in vitro-in vivo extrapolation(IVIVE),hepatocyte clearance correlated more closely with in vivo rat PK data than liver microsomal clearance did.PBPK models,which were initially developed and validated in rats,accurately simulate ARV-471's PK across fed and fasted states,with parameters within 1.75-fold of the observed values.Human models,informed by in vitro ADME data,closely mirrored postoral dose plasma profiles at 30 mg.Furthermore,no human-specific metabolites were identified in vitro and the metabolic profile of rats could overlap that of humans.This work presents a roadmap for developing future PROTAC medications by elucidating the correlation between in vitro and in vivo characteristics.
10.Deep learning-based automatic morphological assessment of the aortic root in bicuspid aortic valve patients before transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Guozhong CHEN ; Yu MAO ; Aiqing JI ; Yingsong HUO ; Qian CHEN ; Wei WANG ; Jian YANG ; Jian LIU ; Haibo ZHANG ; Chenming MA ; Yifei QU ; Hui XU ; Zhengcan WU
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(9):1029-1036
Objective:To explore the construction of an evaluation model for aortic root anatomy and calcium burden in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) stenosis before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) based on deep learning (DL) algorithms.Methods:A retrospective collection of 362 BAV stenosis patients who underwent TAVR from September 2023 to May 2024 was performed. All patients underwent cardiac CT angiography. The patients were divided into training group ( n=104), internal validation group ( n=206), and external validation group ( n=52). A DL model was trained on the training dataset to assess aortic root anatomy and calcification burden. The evaluation included the segmentation accuracy of the algorithm, the measurement performance of key anatomical structures (i.e., valve leaflets and type-1 and type-2 fusion raphe), and calcification burden, as well as the measurement efficiency. Overall segmentation performance was assessed using the average Dice coefficient (ADC). The fine-scale segmentation quality was validated by the 95th-percentile Hausdorff distance (HD-95) and the average symmetric surface distance (ASSD). The consistency of the measurement results was assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and the intraclass correlation coefficient ( ICC) with a two-way mixed model for absolute agreement. In addition, the total time and total mouse movement distance required for manual assessment versus the DL model on the validation datasets were recorded and compared. Results:The algorithm demonstrated excellent segmentation performance on aortic root anatomical targets, achieving outstanding consistency within both internal and external validation datasets (0.955


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail