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.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates Related Signaling Pathways to Prevent and Control Breast Cancer and Precancerous Lesions: A Review
Yifei ZENG ; Di ZHAO ; Junyue WANG ; Mengjie WANG ; Yubo GUO ; Yu ZHOU ; Dongxiao ZHANG ; Wenjie ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):290-301
Breast cancer has become the malignant tumor with the highest incidence rate among women, seriously threatening the life and health of women all over the world. The pathogenic factors and development mechanisms of breast cancer are complex and diverse. The development of breast cells from ordinary hyperplasia to atypical hyperplasia, and from pre-cancerous lesions to cancerous lesions, is a long-term progressive process. Therefore, early screening and prevention of breast cancer is particularly important. Western medicine has a relatively mature treatment program for breast cancer, which is mainly based on surgery and systemic treatment, whereas the ensuing complications and adverse reactions often bring a heavy burden to patients. For the precancerous lesions of breast cancer, surgery is also the mainstay of treatment. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has increasingly highlighted its advantages in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Increasing studies have shown that in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and pre-cancerous lesions, TCM compound prescriptions, single herbs or herb pairs, and active components are able to regulate a variety of intracellular signaling pathways through multi-targets to inhibit the proliferation and invasion, promote the apoptosis and autophagy of tumor cells, and regulate the cell cycle and the immune microenvironment, thus exerting anti-tumor effects. At the same time, they can significantly attenuate the toxic side effects of radiotherapy and drug resistance of patients. However, the specific mechanisms of TCM in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and precancerous lesions have not been fully clarified. The available studies are tanglesome regarding the TCM inhibition of tumor development through the regulation of classical signaling pathways such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Wnt/β-catenin, and Notch, which still need to be verified by a large number of clinical and experimental studies. Therefore, this paper reviews the research progress in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and precancerous lesions by TCM through interfering with the relevant signaling pathways in recent years, aiming to summarize the possible mechanisms of TCM in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and provide references for subsequent studies.
3.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.
4.Long non-coding RNA MALAT1 in apoptosis and oxidative stress of human lens epithelial cells
Xiaoming DONG ; Yuxuan LIU ; Yifei WANG ; Dong LI ; Jinsong ZHANG ; Jing WANG
International Eye Science 2026;26(9):1517-1523
AIM:To clarify the expression characteristics and regulatory role of the long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1(MALAT1)in oxidative stress and apoptosis of H2O2-induced human lens epithelial cell line HLE-B3.METHODS: HLE-B3 cells were divided into Control group and H2O2 group(cultured with 200 μmol/L H2O2 for 24 h). Levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS)and cell apoptosis rates were detected by flow cytometry. Activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and catalase(CAT)were measured using kits, MALAT1 expression was quantified by real-time quantitative PCR, and its cellular localization was determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization. After selecting the Si-MALAT1 sequence with the highest silencing efficiency, the groups were established as Control, H2O2, H2O2+Si-NC, and H2O2+Si-MALAT1. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to detect the apoptosis marker TUNEL and Nrf2 nuclear translocation. RESULTS:Compared with the Control group, the H2O2group exhibited significantly elevated ROS levels, markedly decreased SOD and CAT activities(both P<0.001), and a significantly increased apoptosis rate(P<0.01). MALAT1 expression was upregulated(P<0.01)and localized in the nucleus. After silencing MALAT1, H2O2-induced cell apoptosis was significantly inhibited(P<0.01).CONCLUSION: H2O2-induced oxidative stress can increase the expression of MALAT1, and silencing MALAT1 reduces oxidative stress damage and apoptosis, providing a potential target for preventing and treating cataracts.
5.Mechanism of Rehmannia glutinosa-medicated serum regulating BV2 microglia polarization to interfere with neuroinflammation
Ping TIAN ; Hongzhi AN ; Qian FEI ; Ruifeng LIANG ; Dan YANG ; Xuexia ZHANG ; Wenjing GE ; Yifei LIU ; Hongwei LI ; Deen HAN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(15):1979-1985
OBJECTIVE To study the mechanism of action of Rehmannia glutinosa-medicated serum (RG) in regulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced polarization of BV2 microglia to interfere with neuroinflammation. METHODS An in vitro neuroinflammation model of BV2 cells induced by LPS was established. Cells were divided into control group, LPS group, 10%RG group, 20%RG group, BAY 11-7082 [nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) inhibitor] group, and 20%RG+BAY 11-7082 group. Except for the control group, cells in all other groups were pretreated with corresponding drugs for 12 h and then stimulated with LPS for 24 h. The morphology of cells in each group was observed, and the fluorescence intensity of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), CD206, the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, iNOS, IL-4, IL-10, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), arginase-1 (Arg-1), and the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/NF-κB/NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway-related protein expression were detected. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the LPS group showed significant changes in cell morphology, exhibiting a typical M1 activated morphology. The fluorescence intensity of Iba-1 and iNOS, the relative expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, iNOS mRNA, the relative expression levels of TLR4, NLRP3, caspase-1 p20, IL-1β p17 protein, and the phosphorylation levels of NF-κB p65 and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B α were significantly increased (P<0.05). The fluorescence intensity of CD206 and the relative expression levels of IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β, and Arg-1 mRNA were significantly reduced (P<0.05). Compared with the LPS group, the changes in the above indicators in the cells of the 10%RG group, 20%RG group, BAY 11-7082 group, and 20%RG+BAY 11-7082 group were significantly reversed (P<0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference in the comparison of the last three groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS RG can effectively inhibit the overall activation of microglia and correct their M1/M2 polarization imbalance, and its mechanism may be closely related to the inhibition of excessive activation of the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
6.Observation on the clinical efficacy of different administration methods of G-CSF in the treatment of patients with unexplained repeated implantation failure
Yongjing ZHANG ; Minjie WANG ; Yifei WANG ; Jianye WANG ; Chao WANG ; Yuping XU ; Tianjuan WANG ; Yan HAO ; Qiong XING
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(7):1283-1288
ObjectiveTo focused on patients with unexplained repeated implantation failure (URIF) and compare the clinical efficacy of different administration routes of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in patients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles. MethodsA retrospective case-control study was conducted. A total of 187 patients with URIF who received medical treatment were enrolled in this study. According to whether G-CSF was used on the day of endometrial transformation and its administration route in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles, the patients were divided into three groups: control group (without G-CSF, n=71), subcutaneous injection group (subcutaneous G-CSF, n=72), and intrauterine infusion group (intrauterine G-CSF infusion, n=44). The pregnancy outcomes among the three groups were compared, and Logistic regression analysis was performed. ResultsThere were significant differences in biochemical pregnancy rates among the three groups (P<0.05), indicating statistical significance in the overall comparison. In terms of numerical trend, the biochemical pregnancy rate was in the order: subcutaneous injection group > intrauterine infusion group > control group. Further pairwise comparison showed that only the difference between the subcutaneous injection group and the control group was statistically significant (P<0.017), while no significant differences were found between the other groups (P>0.017). The overall comparison of early miscarriage rates among the three groups also showed a significant difference (P<0.05), indicating a statistically significant difference in the distribution among the groups. The numerical trend was: intrauterine perfusion group > subcutaneous injection group > control group. Pairwise comparison results showed that only the difference between the intrauterine perfusion group and the control group was statistically significant (P<0.017), while there was no statistically significant difference between any other two groups (P>0.017).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that endometrial thickness on the day of transformation, number of transferred embryos, and subcutaneous G-CSF injection were independent factors associated with an increased biochemical pregnancy rate, where as age was an independent factor for a decreased biochemical pregnancy rate. For clinical pregnancy outcome, endometrial thickness on the day of transformation, number of transferred embryos, and subcutaneous G-CSF injection were also independent factors for an increased clinical pregnancy rate, while BMI was an independent factor for a decreased clinical pregnancy rate. ConclusionSubcutaneous injection of G-CSF only improved the biochemical pregnancy rate in URIF patients. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that subcutaneous G-CSF injection was a favorable factor for clinical pregnancy rate in URIF patients; however, no significant improvement in clinical pregnancy rate was observed among the three groups. Both the comparison of pregnancy outcomes and the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicates that intrauterine perfusion of G-CSF has no significant therapeutic effect in the treatment of patients with URIF.
7.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.
8.TU Jinwen's Experience in the Staged Treatment of Oculomotor Nerve Palsy Based on the Theory of Qi Collaterals
Yifei CHEN ; Xiaomin CHEN ; Xiao XIAO ; Xiaolin TANG ; Beibei ZHANG ; Yanbing DING
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(18):1941-1945
This paper summarizes the experience of Professor TU Jinwen in the staged treatment of oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) based on the theory of qi collaterals. In the acute onset stage, the key pathogenesis is triggered by wind toxin and disharmony of the qi collaterlas, for which the treatment should prioritize the elimination of pathogenic factors, with therapeutic principles of dispelling wind and eliminating toxin, boosting qi and harmonizing collaterals, using modified Qianzheng Powder (牵正散) plus Buzhong Yiqi Decoction (补中益气汤). In the remission and recovery stage, the key pathogenesis is stagnation of blood stasis and damage to the qi collaterals, it is recommended to treat the branch, with principles of boosting qi and activating blood, resolving stasis and unblocking collaterals, using the modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction (补阳还五汤). In the sequela and protracted stage, the key pathogenesis is depletion of the liver, spleen, and kidney with non-nourishment of the qi collaterals; the treatment should focus on addressing the root cause, with principles of fortifying the spleen and boosting qi, tonifying the liver and kidney, using the modified Sijunzi Decoction (四君子汤) combined with Qiju Dihuang Pill (杞菊地黄丸).
9.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
10.Heterogeneity in pancreatic head cancer: prognostic implications of ventral pancreatic and dorsal pancreatic origins
Wenbin LIU ; Yun BIAN ; Chengwei CHEN ; Xiaohan YUAN ; Yixuan SHEN ; Xinyue ZHANG ; Yifei GUO ; Ying LI ; Jieyu YU ; Jianping LU
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2025;31(4):284-289
Objective:To investigate the impact of tumor origin (ventral pancreatic origin and dorsal pancreatic origin) on prognosis in patients with pancreatic head cancer.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 150 patients with pancreatic head cancer who received surgical treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of the Naval Medical University from October 2014 to December 2017. Among these patients, 92 were male and 58 were female, aged (61.2±8.8) years. The 150 patients were divided into two groups based on tumor origin: the ventral pancreatic cancer group ( n=72) and the dorsal pancreatic cancer group ( n=78). A comparative analysis of clinical, pathological, and imaging charac-teristics was conducted between the two groups. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the association between pancreatic head cancer origin and overall survival (OS). Results:Patients with pancreatic head carcinoma arising from the ventral and dorsal pancreas accounted for 48%(72/150) and 52%(78/150) of the study cohort, respectively. Pancreatic head carcinoma arising from the dorsal pancreas were more likely to show pathological features of pancreatic parenchymal atrophy [73.1%(57/78) vs. 47.2%(34/72), χ2=10.49, P=0.001] and pancreatitis [44.9%(35/78) vs. 29.2%(21/72), χ2=3.95, P=0.047]. In contrast, patients with pancreatic head carcinoma arising from the ventral pancreas was more frequently associated with contact with the superior mesenteric artery [25.0%(18/72) vs. 1.3%(1/78), χ2=19.04, P<0.001], perineural invasion [100%(72/72) vs. 88.5%(69/78), χ2=8.84, P=0.003], and positive surgical margins [15.3%(11/72) vs. 2.6%(2/78), χ2=7.65, P=0.006], with all differences statistically significant. The ventral pancreatic cancer group demonstrated cumulative survival rates of 33.2% and 0 at 1-year and 2-year postoperative intervals, respectively, while the dorsal pancreatic cancer group exhibited rates of 56.7% and 24.8% at the corresponding timepoints. Comparison of Kaplan-Meier survival curves between the two groups showed a statistically significant difference ( χ2=6.00, P=0.014). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis identified dorsal pancreatic origin pancreatic head cancer as an independent predictor of increased mortality risk compared to ventral origin tumors ( HR=2.75, 95% CI: 1.52-4.98, P=0.001). Conclusion:The embryonic origin of pancreatic head cancer determines its clinical, pathological, and imaging heterogeneity, and pancreatic head cancer arising from the ventral pancreas demonstrates significantly worse prognostic outcomes compared to dorsal pancreatic origin.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail