1.Multiple applications of metal-organic framework materials in bone tissue engineering and orthopedic disease treatment
Yunxiang LIU ; Xiaoyu ZHANG ; Hao LI ; Rong ZHANG ; Liping LI ; Chongwei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(10):2151-2161
BACKGROUND:Metal-organic frameworks exhibited great potential for bone tissue engineering and bone disease treatment because of its unique merits including tunable porosity,a large specific surface area,good biocompatibility,and easy structure modification. OBJECTIVE:To review the advancements,application,strengths,and weaknesses of metal-organic framework materials in bone repair,arthritis,bone infection,and bone tumors,offering guidance and strategies for future research. METHODS:Web of Science,PubMed,and CNKI databases were searched using Chinese and English keywords"metal-organic frameworks,MOFs,orthopedics,bone repair,bone regeneration,orthopaedic applications,bone tissue engineering,bone infection,arthritis,bone tumor,osteosarcoma"for related literature published from 2015 to 2023.Following initial screening based on inclusion and exclusion criteria,72 articles were finally included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)During bone repair,metal ions of metal-organic frameworks can induce bone formation by activating specific signaling pathways,which include stimulating osteogenic gene expression,inhibiting osteoclasts,encouraging blood vessel formation,and speeding up bone mineralization.Hence,metal-organic frameworks with metals like calcium,strontium,cobalt,copper,and magnesium ions show significant potential in enhancing bone implant performance.(2)Metal-organic framework materials,especially zinc/cobalt-based metal-organic frameworks,exhibit enzyme-like activities and promote cartilage regeneration by scavenging reactive oxygen species.Compared with natural enzymes,it has the advantages of not easy inactivation and better stability.(3)Zinc-based metal-organic framework materials characterized with wide band gaps,efficient separation and migration of photogenerated carriers,and high stability,the enhancement of photocatalytic activity results from enhancing the excited electron-hole widely used for the eradication of bacteria and tumor cells.(4)Bimetallic metal-organic frameworks,the doping of additional metals,showed critical advantages in optimizing structural performance,such as zinc/magnesium-based metal-organic framework 74 offering increased stability for durable antibacterial activity,and the light absorption capacity and photocatalytic efficiency of tantalum/zirconium-based metal-organic framework greatly improved and thus enhancing the radiation therapy.(5)However,metal-organic framework materials still face challenges in clinical applications,such as the uncertainty of drug release,in vivo safety,and potential immune responses from long-term presence.
2.Identification and pedigree study of a case with McLeod phenotype caused by XK gene c. 107G>A mutation
Yan ZHANG ; Yunxiang WU ; Fei WANG ; Aijing LI ; Hua WANG ; Minghao LI ; Demei ZHANG ; Luyi YE
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(9):1253-1258
Objective: To identify the phenotypes, antibodies and explore the molecular mechanisms of a patient who carries antibodies to RBC high-frequency antigens and his family members. Methods: The antibody identification test was performed for the proband by serological methods, and targeted NGS was subsequently used to detect mutations that occurred in blood group genes. Blood samples were collected from the proband and his family members. Sanger sequencing was used to verify the mutation of the XK gene. The expression of Kell blood group antigens was detected by serological methods and flow cytometry. K
cells were used to detect the antibody specificity of the proband. The morphology of red blood cells was detected by the scanning electron microscopy. The serum creatine kinase levels of the proband and his family members were analyzed by colorimetric methods. Results: The results of the antibody identification test suggested that the proband might have antibodies to high-frequency antigens. NGS results suggested a homozygous mutation (c. 107G>A) in exon 1 of the XK gene in the proband, resulting in a truncated XK protein. The Sanger sequencing results of the proband were consistent with the NGS results, and the mutation was not found in other family members. The expression of Kell blood group antigens of the proband was not found by serological methods and flow cytometry. The results of the antibody specificity test showed that the proband had anti-Km antibodies. Spike-like changes were identified on red blood cells, and serum creatine kinase level was elevated in the proband. Conclusion: In this study, the McLeod phenotype caused by homozygous mutation (c. 107G>A) of XK gene was identified in Chinese individuals for the first time by the phenotype and molecular mechanism studies. The results of genotyping and phenotyping suggested that the McLeod phenotype caused by the mutation was compatible with the phenotypes of McLeod and K
.
3.Application of artificial intelligence in sleep health management:recent progress
Yinan LI ; Xin GUO ; Yunxiang TANG
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2025;46(10):1250-1256
Sleep disorders have become a global public health problem,and traditional diagnosis and treatment are limited by low accessibility and high subjectivity.In recent years,artificial intelligence(AI)technology has brought innovative opportunities for sleep health monitoring,diagnosis and intervention.In this paper,we systematically review the research progress of AI in the field of sleep:home monitoring based on wearable devices and contactless sensing achieves continuous and senseless data collection;deep learning models(such as convolutional neural network,recurrent neural network,and their hybrid architectures)significantly improve the automation and accuracy of sleep staging;and in clinical applications,AI assists in the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea,promotes the development of OSA diagnosis and treatment technologies as well as related research,and supports to form personalised intervention strategies.Despite its bright prospects,the application of AI in sleep health still faces numerous challenges,such as data privacy,algorithmic bias,insufficient model interpretability and lack of clinical validation.It should be made clear that AI is positioned to enhance,rather than replace clinical professional judgment.In the future,multimodal fusion,generative AI and big language models for health will further contribute to the intelligence and personalisation of sleep management.This study aims to provide reference for researchers and clinicians to promote the deep integration of AI and sleep medicine.
4.Chen Xinghua's Experience in Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Based on the Central Earth Theory with Emphasis on Body-Spirit Regulation
Ziyi DENG ; Yunxiang TAN ; Aining LI ; Xinghua CHEN
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(9):2243-2247
Chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS)has emerged as a debilitating condition significantly impacting both physical health and psychological well-being,imposing substantial burdens on society and families.This article systematically summarizes Professor Chen Xinghua's clinical experience in acupuncture treatment for CFS,illustrated with representative case studies.Professor Chen postulates that the disease primarily results from visceral deficiency,with insufficiency of the"central earth"(spleen-stomach system)as its core pathogenesis,leading to concurrent impairment of both body constitution and mental state.Based on the"central earth"theory,he proposes the therapeutic principle of"prioritizing central earth while concurrently regulating the five zang-organs"to achieve comprehensive body-spirit regulation.In clinical practice,his treatment protocol combines acupuncture with traditional external therapies,emphasizing the application of Zusanli(ST36)and Neiguan(PC6)to reinforce earth and regulate the middle jiao,complemented by scalp acupuncture to nourish the spirit,benefit the heart,and regulate mental state to treat physical symptoms.The integrated acupuncture approach synergistically achieves fatigue relief and tonic effects,while external therapies serve to consolidate the fundamental treatment.
5.Identification of Jr(a-) rare blood type antibodies against anti-Jra: serological and molecular biology analysis and transfusion strategy.
Yunxiang WU ; Hua WANG ; Ruiqing GUO ; Zhicheng LI ; Qing LI ; Dong XIANG ; Yanli JI ; Aijing LI ; Fengyong ZHAO ; Fei WANG ; Jiangtao ZUO ; Yi XU ; Yajun LIANG ; Demei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(2):145-150
OBJECTIVE:
To report the blood group antigen and antibody specificity identification methods for a patient with high-frequency antibodies, and the process of finding and providing compatible blood for the patient.
METHODS:
A patient sent from the Blood Transfusion Department of Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital to Blood Transfusion Technology Research Laboratory of Taiyuan Blood Center in November 2022 was selected for the study. Classical serological methods were used to determine the patient's blood type, screen for unexpected antibodies, identify antibodies, and perform crossmatching. High-frequency antibody identification was carried out using red blood cells treated with various enzymes. Blood group genotyping was conducted using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) and Sanger sequencing. Multiple strategies were employed to address the patient's blood source problem. The study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Taiyuan Blood Center [Ethics No. 2024 Ethics Review No.(2)].
RESULTS:
The patient's blood type was B, RhD positive. Initial screening of the patient's serum with multiple screening cells and antibody identification cells in saline medium was negative, but positive in antiglobulin medium. The patient's serum showed varying reaction intensities with red blood cells treated with different enzymes. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and Sanger sequencing revealed a homozygous nonsense variant c.376C>T (p.Gln126Ter) in the ABCG2 gene, resulting in the Jr(a-) phenotype. During family donor selection, the patient's son was found to have a heterozygous variant c.376C>T (p.Gln126Ter), and another heterozygous variant c.421C>A (p.Gln141Lys), which predicted a Jr(a+w) phenotype. Crossmatch tests confirmed the compatibility of blood from the patient's son, which was used to address the urgent blood requirement. Later, rare blood from a Jr(a-) donor from the Guangzhou Blood Center was used for the patient's ongoing treatment, saving the patient's life.
CONCLUSION
Combining classic serological testing with blood group gene typing techniques successfully identified the rare Jr(a-) blood type and high-frequency anti-Jra antibodies. Enzyme-treated red blood cell identification methods confirmed the presence of anti-Jra antibodies. By searching within the family and seeking help from other blood centers, compatible blood was found. This approach may provide insights for resolving similar complex blood matching problems in the future.
Humans
;
Blood Grouping and Crossmatching/methods*
;
Blood Group Antigens/immunology*
;
Blood Transfusion
;
Male
;
Isoantibodies/blood*
;
Female
;
Genotype
6.Effect of variants in the non-coding region of ABO blood group alleles on the weak expression of antigens.
Hua WANG ; Yunxiang WU ; Fei WANG ; Yajun LIANG ; Qing LI ; Jiangtao ZUO ; Yi XU ; Zhicheng LI ; Ruiqing GUO ; Xin ZHANG ; Demei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(5):628-632
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the regulatory mechanisms underlying the weak expression of ABO blood group antigens due to variants in the non-coding regions of the ABO gene.
METHODS:
From June 2014 to October 2023, a total of 29 samples from the Taiyuan Blood Center and local hospitals, which were serologically identified as having weak ABO antigen expression without detectable coding region mutations, were selected for this study. Full-length ABO gene sequencing was performed using third-generation long-read sequencing technology (Pacific Biosciences) to obtain complete haplotype sequences of the ABO gene. Variants in the non-coding regions were compared and identified to infer their regulatory effects on weak antigen expression. The procedures followed in this study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the World Medical Association's Declaration of Helsinki (2013 revision). The Medical Ethics Committee of Taiyuan Blood Center has granted an exemption from ethical review.
RESULTS:
18 bp deletions in the -35 to -18 region of the promoter were identified in 7 samples. Variants in intron 1 (+5.8 kb) were detected in 7 samples, including ABO*A (28+5792_5793delCT (1 case) and ABO*B (28+5793T>C) located in the GATA binding region; ABO*B (28+5808C>T) (1 case) in the E-box region; and ABO*B (28+5875C>T) (4 cases) in the RUNX1 binding region. Nucleotide variants at splice sites were detected in 2 samples, namely ABO*B (C.98+1G>A) and ABO*B (C.204-2A>C).
CONCLUSION
Variants in the non-coding regulatory sequences of the ABO gene are a significant factor contributing to weak ABO antigen expression. In clinical ABO sequencing, it is essential to screen not only the conventional coding regions but also the flanking sequences, introns, and splice sites of the ABO gene to facilitate precise blood transfusion.
ABO Blood-Group System/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Alleles
;
Promoter Regions, Genetic
;
Haplotypes
;
Introns
7.α2-macroglobulin alleviates glucocorticoid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head in mice by promoting proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of vascular endothelial cells
Qi ZHU ; Yunxiang LU ; You PENG ; Jiale HE ; Zeyu WEI ; Zhiyong LI ; Yuxian CHEN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(4):712-719
Objective To explore the mechanism underlying the protective effect of α2-macroglobulin (A2M) against glucocorticoid-induced femoral head necrosis. Methods In a human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) model with injuries induced by gradient concentrations of dexamethasone (DEX;10-8-10-5 mol/L), the protective effects of A2M at 0.05 and 0.1 mg/mL were assessed by examining the changes in cell viability, migration, and capacity of angiogenesis using CCK-8 assay, Transwell and scratch healing assays and angiogenesis assay. The expressions of CD31 and VEGF-A proteins in the treated cells were detected using Western blotting. In BALB/c mouse models of avascular necrosis of the femoral head induced by intramuscular injections of methylprednisolone, the effects of intervention with A2M on femoral trabecular structure, histopathological characteristics, and CD31 expression were examined with Micro-CT, HE staining and immunohistochemical staining. Results In cultured HUVECs, DEX treatment significantly reduced cell viability, migration and angiogenic ability in a concentration- and time-dependent manner (P<0.05), and these changes were obviously reversed by treatment with A2M in positive correlation with A2M concentration (P<0.05). DEX significantly reduced the expression of CD31 and VEGF-A proteins in HUVECs, while treatment with A2M restored CD31 and VEGF-A expressions in the cells (P<0.05). The mouse models of femoral head necrosis showed obvious trabecular damages in the femoral head, where a large number of empty lacunae and hypertrophic fat cells could be seen and CD31 expression was significantly decreased (P<0.05). A2M treatment of the mouse models significantly improved trabecular damages, maintained normal bone tissue structures, and increased CD31 expression in the femoral head (P<0.05). Conclusion A2M promotes proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of DEX-treated HUVECs and alleviates methylprednisolone-induced femoral head necrosis by improving microcirculation damages and maintaining microcirculation stability in the femoral head.
8.Correlation between tumor abnormal protein level and molecular typing and clinicopathological characteristics in breast cancer
Yunting LI ; Xiaotong DONG ; Jianfang GAO ; Yunxiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2024;40(3):273-278
Purpose To investigate the relationship be-tween the level of tumor abnormal protein(TAP)and the molec-ular subtypes and clinicopathological features of breast cancer,and to analyze the value of TAP in breast cancer screening,di-agnosis and prognosis prediction.Methods The clinical data of 357 breast cancer patients were collected,and the elbow venous blood was collected to detect the TAP condensate area.Immuno-histochemical(IHC)EnVision two-step method was used to de-tect the expression of AR,ER,PR,HER2,p53 and Ki67,and FISH to detect HER2 gene.The relationship between TAP ex-pression and clinicopathological features,molecular subtypes and clinical stages of breast cancer was analyzed,and the rele-vant literature was reviewed.Results Among 357 breast cancer patients,9 cases(2.52%)were TAP negative,36 cases(10.08%)were weakly positive,312 cases(87.40%)were strongly positive,and the positive rate of TAP was 97.48%.AR was positive in 321 cases and negative in 36 cases,ER was pos-itive in 256 cases and negative in 101 cases,PR was positive in 214 cases and negative in 143 cases,HER2 was strongly posi-tive in 98 cases,weakly positive in 214 cases and negative in 45 cases,p53 was positive in 146 cases and negative in 211 cases,Ki67 index was ≥20%in 276 cases and<20%in 81 case.A total of 155 cases of IHC HER2(2+)breast cancer were tested by FISH:140 cases were negative and 15 cases were positive.The expression level of TAP in patients of ≥50 years old expres-sionas significantly higher than that in patients of<50 years old(P<0.05).The expression level of TAP in patients with high Ki67 proliferation index was significantly higher than that in pa-tients with low Ki67 proliferation index(P<0.05).There was a significant difference in TAP expression between patients with different molecular subtypes(P<0.05).Tap expression was higher in triple-negative breast cancer patients than in non-tri-ple-negative breast cancer patients(P<0.05),and it was high-er in Luminal B breast cancer patients than in non-Luminal B breast cancer patients(P<0.05).There was a significant difference in TAP expression between patients with different clin-ical stages(P<0.05),and TAP expression level was positively correlated with clinical stage in breast cancer.Conclusion TAP detection can improve the diagnostic accuracy of breast cancer,and has a certain correlation with the survival rate and prognosis of breast cancer patients.
9.α2-macroglobulin alleviates glucocorticoid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head in mice by promoting proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of vascular endothelial cells
Qi ZHU ; Yunxiang LU ; You PENG ; Jiale HE ; Zeyu WEI ; Zhiyong LI ; Yuxian CHEN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(4):712-719
Objective To explore the mechanism underlying the protective effect of α2-macroglobulin (A2M) against glucocorticoid-induced femoral head necrosis. Methods In a human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) model with injuries induced by gradient concentrations of dexamethasone (DEX;10-8-10-5 mol/L), the protective effects of A2M at 0.05 and 0.1 mg/mL were assessed by examining the changes in cell viability, migration, and capacity of angiogenesis using CCK-8 assay, Transwell and scratch healing assays and angiogenesis assay. The expressions of CD31 and VEGF-A proteins in the treated cells were detected using Western blotting. In BALB/c mouse models of avascular necrosis of the femoral head induced by intramuscular injections of methylprednisolone, the effects of intervention with A2M on femoral trabecular structure, histopathological characteristics, and CD31 expression were examined with Micro-CT, HE staining and immunohistochemical staining. Results In cultured HUVECs, DEX treatment significantly reduced cell viability, migration and angiogenic ability in a concentration- and time-dependent manner (P<0.05), and these changes were obviously reversed by treatment with A2M in positive correlation with A2M concentration (P<0.05). DEX significantly reduced the expression of CD31 and VEGF-A proteins in HUVECs, while treatment with A2M restored CD31 and VEGF-A expressions in the cells (P<0.05). The mouse models of femoral head necrosis showed obvious trabecular damages in the femoral head, where a large number of empty lacunae and hypertrophic fat cells could be seen and CD31 expression was significantly decreased (P<0.05). A2M treatment of the mouse models significantly improved trabecular damages, maintained normal bone tissue structures, and increased CD31 expression in the femoral head (P<0.05). Conclusion A2M promotes proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of DEX-treated HUVECs and alleviates methylprednisolone-induced femoral head necrosis by improving microcirculation damages and maintaining microcirculation stability in the femoral head.
10.Role of Ferroptosis in Bone Homeostasis and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Bo WEI ; Juan LI ; Yiwei JIANG ; Yuying ZHOU ; Chunhui LUO ; Zhongchao YU ; Pei LIU ; Yunxiang HAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(3):249-257
Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic metabolic bone disease characterized by bone microstructure degeneration and bone mass loss, which has a high prevalence and disability rate. Effective prevention and treatment of OP is a major difficulty in the medical community. The nature of OP is that multiple pathological factors lead to the imbalance of human bone homeostasis maintained by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic cell death pathway, and its fundamental cause is cell damage caused by iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Studies have shown that ferroptosis is involved in and affects the occurrence and development of OP, which leads to OP by mediating the imbalance of bone homeostasis. Ferroptosis is an adjustable form of programmed cell death. The intervention of ferroptosis can regulate the damage degree and death process of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which is beneficial to maintain bone homeostasis, slow down the development process of OP, improve the clinical symptoms of patients, reduce the risk of disability, and improve their quality of life. However, there are few studies on ferroptosis in OP. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a medical treasure with unique characteristics and great application value in China. It has been widely used in China and has a long history. It has the multi-target and multi-pathway advantages in the treatment of OP, with high safety, few toxic and side effects, and low treatment cost, and has a significant effect in clinical application. The intervention of TCM in ferroptosis to regulate bone homeostasis may be a new direction for the prevention and treatment of OP in the future. This article summarized the regulatory mechanisms related to ferroptosis, discussed the role of ferroptosis in bone homeostasis, and reviewed the current status and progress of active ingredients in TCM compounds and monomers in the regulation of OP through ferroptosis, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the participation of TCM in the prevention and treatment of OP in the future.

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