1.Osteogenic properties of platelet-rich fibrin combined with gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel
Hongxia ZHAO ; Zhengwei SUN ; Yang HAN ; Xuechao WU ; Jing HAN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(4):809-817
BACKGROUND:Platelet-rich fibrin(PRF)has many advantages,such as simple preparation,low production cost,and high safety,and has been widely used in the study of bone defect repair in oral and maxillofacial surgery,but there are problems such as too fast degradation rate and short release time of growth factors. OBJECTIVE:PRF was loaded into gelatin methacryloyl(GelMA)hydrogel and its osteogenic properties were analyzed by in vivo and in vitro experiments. METHODS:(1)New Zealand white rabbit venous blood was extracted to prepare PRF.GelMA hydrogels containing 0,0.05,0.075,and 0.1 g PRF were prepared,respectively,and were recorded as GelMA,GelMA/PRF-0.05,GelMA/PRF-0.075,and GelMA/PRF-0.1,respectively,to characterize the micromorphology and in vitro slow-release properties of the hydrogels.(2)Four kinds of hydrogels were co-cultured with MC3T3-E1 cells,respectively,and the cell proliferation activity was detected with the single cultured cells as the control.After osteogenic induction,alkaline phosphatase activity,mineralization ability,mRNA and protein expression levels of osteogenic genes(osteocalcin,osteopontin,RUNX2),ERK1/2-p38 MAPK pathway protein mRNA and protein expression levels were detected.(3)Fifteen New Zealand white rabbits were taken.Four full-layer bone defects of 8 mm diameter were prepared in the skull of each rabbit,one of which was implanted without any material(blank control group),and the other three were implanted with GelMA hydrogel,PRF,and GelMA/PRF-0.1 hydrogel,respectively.The bone defect was detected by Micro-CT and bone morphology was observed at 4,8,and 12 weeks after operation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Scanning electron microscopy observed that all the hydrogels of the four groups had honeycomb pore structure,and the pore size of the hydrogels decreased slightly with the increase of PRF content,but there was no significant difference between the groups.The three groups of GelMA/PRF hydrogel could release transforming growth factor β1 and insulin-like growth factor 1 at a certain rate,and the cumulative release of transforming growth factor β1 and insulin-like growth factor 1 increased significantly with the extension of time.(2)CCK-8 assay and live/dead staining showed that GelMA/PRF hydrogel could promote the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells.The results of alkaline phosphatase staining,alizarin red staining,and osteogenic gene detection showed that GelMA/PRF hydrogel could promote the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells,and inhibit the expression of ERK1/2-p38 MAPK pathway protein,and showed a PRF content dependence.(3)Micro-CT scan showed that the bone mineral density and bone volume fraction in the bone defect of GelMA/PRF-0.1 hydrogel group were higher than those in the other three groups(P<0.05).Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that compared with the other three groups,GelMA/PRF-0.1 hydrogel group had faster and more mature new bone formation at the bone defect.(4)These findings indicate that GelMA/PRF hydrogel has good osteogenic activity both in vivo and in vitro,which may be related to inhibiting the expression of ERK1/2-p38 MAPK pathway protein.
2.Advances in the application of photoacoustic microscopy imaging in ophthalmology
International Eye Science 2025;25(4):606-610
Photoacoustic microscopy(PAM)is an emerging, non-invasive, in vivo imaging modality that merges optical and acoustic principles. It offers high-resolution and high-contrast visualization of various ocular tissue structures and functional information, making it suitable for studying a wide range of ophthalmic diseases such as corneal neovascularization, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. The multi-wavelength illumination capability of PAM makes it particularly valuable for early disease screening and dynamic physiological monitoring. In stem cell tracking, PAM enables the dynamic monitoring of transplanted cells through contrast agent labeling. Moreover, when combined with multimodal imaging techniques like optical coherence tomography(OCT), PAM can enhance the detection accuracy and diagnostic capacity for ocular diseases. However, PAM still requires optimization in terms of imaging speed and contrast agent safety. This review summarizes the fundamental principles and development of PAM, explores its applications in specific ophthalmic diseases, and analyzes the challenges and optimization directions from animal experiments to clinical applications. PAM holds great promise for playing a more significant role in ophthalmic diagnosis and treatment.
3.Advances in fractal analysis of retinal microvascular in ophthalmic diseases
International Eye Science 2025;25(8):1274-1279
Fractals refer to structures whose component parts exhibit similarity to the whole in certain aspects. The retinal microvascular system, as the only terminal microvasculature that can be directly observed in vivo, possesses a tree-like branching morphology that conforms to the characteristics of fractals. Fractal dimension(FD)is a numerical value that describes the density and complexity of the overall retinal vascular network, complementing the limitations of vessel density alone in characterizing vascular structural features. In recent years, the widespread application of optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)has enabled the visualization of blood flow across various retinal capillary layers, thereby extending the concept of fractal analysis to the retinal microvasculature. FD has been demonstrated to serve as a novel potential biomarker for ophthalmic conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, high myopia, and retinal vein occlusion, providing valuable metrics for the early diagnosis of these diseases. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the definition, calculation methods, influencing factors, and recent research developments regarding FD in various ophthalmic disorders.
4.Treatment of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy with Shengmaisan-like Formulae: A Review
Yinan MA ; Fuyun JIA ; Rui ZHANG ; Zhengwei ZHANG ; Hanwen CUI ; Qiang XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):291-298
Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), a cardiovascular complication caused by diabetes mellitus, is a major cause of heart failure and even sudden cardiac death in diabetic patients. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) posits that the core pathogenesis of DCM lies in internal deficiency and superficial excess, characterized by deficiency of both Qi and Yin combined with phlegm and blood stasis. Modern medical treatments for DCM primarily focus on blood glucose control and symptom alleviation yet lack targeted therapeutic strategies. In contrast, TCM offers a wealth of practical experience and a complete theoretical system, demonstrating definite clinical efficacy and high medication safety in DCM management. As a classic formula for tonifying Qi and nourishing Yin, Shengmaisan comprises Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Ophiopogonis Radix, and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus. It contains multiple bioactive components, including ginsenosides, ophiopogonin, schisandrins, and homoisoflavonoids, which exhibit cardioprotective properties. The therapeutic mechanisms of Shengmaisan-like formulae for DCM involve enhancing myocardial contractility, attenuating myocardial fibrosis, modulating mitochondrial quality control, regulating glucose metabolism, mitigating oxidative stress, and suppressing inflammatory responses. Clinically, Shengmaisan-like formulae not only manage hyperglycemic status but also ameliorate cardiac structural and functional impairments and enhance exercise tolerance in DCM patients, playing a vital role in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of DCM. This paper analyzes the feasibility of Shengmaisan-like formulae in DCM management and synthesizes current research achievements regarding their chemical components, mechanisms of action, and clinical applications, aiming to provide a scientific foundation for the use of such formulae in the treatment of DCM.
5.Teaching reform of the curriculum group of Chinese medicinal material resources based on the PBCL-CDIO model
Zhengwei GU ; Yanmei SONG ; Qingmei GUO
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2024;23(7):920-925
Practice teaching plays a crucial role in cultivating the innovative spirit and practical ability of undergraduates majoring in traditional Chinese medicine. Guided by the integration of profession and industry, this study starts from the integration of experimental teaching contents in the curriculum group of Chinese medicinal material resources based on the upstream of the "entire traditional Chinese medicine industry chain" and introduces the educational concept of "concept, design, implementation, operation" (CDIO) and the method of project-based critical learning (PBCL) to integrate the practical tasks of the curriculum group of Chinese medicinal material resources, decompose the project into training stages, and provide problem-based learning guidance for each key link. With a focus on critical discussion learning, discussions on project design are carried out to continuously identify problems in the project. The best solution is selected to promote the implementation and execution of practical projects, so that students can significantly improve their professional knowledge, professional skills, team spirit, innovative spirit, interpersonal coordination ability, comprehensive professional ability, and active learning ability while completing the project. The assessment method that emphasizes the process, multiple methods, and the participation of multiple types of personnel is adopted to assess the comprehensive abilities of students. Practice has shown that the PBCL-CDIO education model can effectively improve the comprehensive abilities of students and may help with the cultivation of professional talents in the cultivation and identification of Chinese herbal medicine.
6.Current Status and Research Update on Atrial Septal Pouch
Chinese Circulation Journal 2024;39(10):1036-1040
The atrial septal pouch is considered as the most common anatomical variation of the human atrial septum.With the rapid advancement of imaging technology,more and more atrial septal pouches are being detected,attracting many scholars to study their morphology and clinical significance.Preliminary research indicates that atrial septal pouches are associated with an increased risk of stroke and atrial fibrillation.This article summerizes the progress in research on atrial septal pouches aimning to enhance the understanding and awareness of clinicians on atrial septal pouch.
7.Mechanisms and therapeutic targets of ferroptosis:Implications for nanomedicine design
Zhang MEIHONG ; Guo MENGQIN ; Gao YUE ; Wu CHUANBIN ; Pan XIN ; Huang ZHENGWEI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2024;14(7):955-971
Ferroptosis is a nonapoptotic form of cell death and differs considerably from the well-known forms of cell death in terms of cell morphology,genetics,and biochemistry.The three primary pathways for cell ferroptosis are system Xc-/glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),lipid metabolism,and ferric metabolism.Since the discovery of ferroptosis,mounting evidence has revealed its critical regulatory role in several diseases,especially as a novel potential target for cancer therapy,thereby attracting increasing attention in the fields of tumor biology and anti-tumor therapy.Accordingly,broad prospects exist for identifying ferroptosis as a potential therapeutic target.In this review,we aimed to systematically summarize the activation and defense mechanisms of ferroptosis,highlight the therapeutic targets,and discuss the design of nanomedicines for ferroptosis regulation.In addition,we opted to present the advantages and disadvantages of current ferroptosis research and provide an optimistic vision of future directions in related fields.Overall,we aim to provide new ideas for further ferroptosis research and inspire new strategies for disease diagnosis and treatment.
8.Expression and clinical significance of Tim-3 and its related cytokines on CD4+T cells in patients with brucellosis
GUO Wenhong ; XIE Xinru ; Gulishati Haimiti ; Maierhaba Aisikaer ; YIN Zhengwei ; DING Jianbing ; ZHANG Fengbo
China Tropical Medicine 2024;24(4):433-
Abstract: Objective To investigate the expression of T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (Tim-3) on the surface of T cells in patients with brucellosis (Bm), as well as the expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) in serum, and to analyze the differential expression of these indicators in patients with acute and chronic brucellosis, in order to provide new approaches for the differential diagnosis of acute and chronic brucellosis. Methods A total of 56 patients diagnosed with brucellosis at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from April 2023 to September 2023 were selected, including 31 patients in the acute phase and 25 patients in the chronic phase. Additionally, 35 healthy individuals underwent routine physical examinations within the same period served as healthy controls. Flow cytometry was used to detect and compare Tim-3 levels on the CD4+ T cells' surface among the groups. Levels of serum IL-10 and TGF-β were measured and compared using CBA and ELISA, respectively, and the relationship of these factors with the staging of brucellosis patients was analyzed. Results The proportions of Tim-3+CD3+CD4+T cells in the control group, acute group, and chronic group were (2.56±1.25)%, (5.14±1.98)%, and (13.66±2.66)%, respectively. The Tim-3 levels in the patients with brucellosis were higher than those in the healthy control group, with the chronic group showing even higher levels, and these differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The levels of IL-10 and TGF in the patient group were higher than those in the healthy control group, with the chronic group exhibiting significantly higher levels of IL-10 and TGF-β than the acute group, also presenting statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The areas under the ROC curve for predicting chronic brucellosis with Tim-3, IL-10, and TGF-β scores were 0.876, 0.865, and 0.663, respectively. Conclusions There are certain differences in the expression of Tim-3, serum IL-10, and TGF-β among patients with brucellosis, with high expression indicating a potential transition to the chronic phase of the disease. Tim-3 has shown the best diagnostic performance. Therefore, as a diagnostic indicator, Tim-3 may provide new ideas and strategies for the treatment and differential diagnosis of brucellosis.
9.Visualization of Brain Abnormal β-Amyloid Deposition in Alzheimer's Disease Based on 18F-Florbetaben PET Imaging
Huamei LIN ; Yunhao YANG ; Jiaying LU ; Zhengwei ZHANG ; Shufen CHEN ; Jingjie GE ; Yihui GUAN ; Chuantao ZUO
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2024;32(5):420-425
Purpose To investigate the characteristics of 18F-Florbetaben(18F-FBB)β-amyloid(Aβ)PET imaging in different brain regions of Alzheimer's disease(AD)patients with different degrees of cognitive impairment,and to explore the correlation between Aβ deposition and cognitive dysfunction.Materials and Methods A total of eighteen patients with a clinical diagnosis of probable AD from August 2022 to October 2023 were retrospectively included in Huashan Hospital.All patients had Aβ abnormal deposition in the brain as confirmed by 18F-FBB PET imaging.According to the severity of symptoms,they were divided into the AD-induced mild cognitive impairment(MCI)group(8 cases)and the dementia group(10 cases).In addition,12 healthy controls were included.First,the standardized uptake value ratio of abnormal Aβ deposition in the frontal lobe,lateral parietal lobe,lateral temporal lobe,anterior and posterior cingulate gyrus,and compound cortex was semi-quantitatively calculated and compared among the three groups based on the subjects'brain MRI and automated anatomical labeling template.The correlation between the degree of Aβ deposition in the brains of AD patients and cognitive scale scores(mini-mental state examination,Montreal cognitive assessment)was then further analyzed.Results The standardized uptake value ratio values of Aβabnormal deposition in the frontal lobe,lateral temporal lobe,lateral parietal lobe,anterior and posterior cingulate cortex and compound cortex in the AD-induced MCI and dementia groups were significantly higher than those in the healthy controls(t=7.442-9.151,all P<0.05).However,there was no significant difference in the standardized uptake value ratio values of Aβ abnormal deposition in the above brain regions between the MCI and dementia groups(t=0.312-0.996,all P>0.05).In addition,there was no significant correlation between the degree of Aβ deposition in the brain and the cognitive scale scores(mini-mental state examination,Montreal cognitive assessment)in the AD-induced MCI and dementia groups(r=-0.049-0.050,all P>0.05).Conclusion Aβ deposition in the brains of AD-induced MCI and dementia is significantly higher than in the healthy controls.However,Aβ deposition cannot identify AD patients with different degrees of cognitive impairment,reflecting that Aβ deposition has certain limitations in assessing the severity of clinical symptoms of AD.
10.18F-Florzolotau PET Imaging of Abnormal tau Protein Deposition in Alzheimer's Disease
Fangyang JIAO ; Jiaying LU ; Ming LI ; Qi HUANG ; Weiqi BAO ; Zhengwei ZHANG ; Zizhao JU ; Qianhua ZHAO ; Yihui GUAN ; Chuantao ZUO ; Huiwei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2024;32(5):426-430,438
Purpose To explore the value of the new generation tau PET tracer 18F-Florzolotau in Alzheimer's disease(AD)at different stages.Materials and Methods Twenty-five MCI patients and sixty-one AD patients with positive β-amyloid status in Huashan Hospital,Fudan University from February 2020 to January 2022 were retrospectively enrolled with 18F-Florzolotau PET imaging and demographic and clinical data.The pre-processed PET images were analyzed by SPM two-sample t-test between MCI and AD groups,and the standardized uptake value ratios(SUVR)were extracted from the region of interest defined by SPM analysis(P<0.001);scaled subprofile model/principal component analysis was used to construct the different tau related patterns(MCItauRP,ADtauRP)and calculate the corresponding expression values.The classification efficiency of SUVR and MCItauRP,ADtauRP expression values was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve.Results Compared with MCI patients,tau protein deposition of AD patients was increased mainly in the bilateral temporal,occipital lobe(P<0.001),and the SUVR of these brain region in the AD group was higher than that in the MCI group(Z=-3.164,P<0.00l);the expression values of MCItauRP and ADtauRP were significantly different between the AD group and MCI group(t=3.72,Z=-3.51;both P<0.001),and these expression values of AD patients were higher than those in the MCI group;the accuracy of tauRP expression values and SUVR for the differentiation between the AD and MCI group were 61.63%,65.12%and 65.12%,respectively;the sensitivity was 88.00%,96.00%and 100.00%,respectively;the specificity was 50.82%,52.46%and 50.82%,respectively.Conclusion The new tau PET can identify and distinguish the differences in tau protein deposition between AD and MCI patients.However,the classification and diagnosis efficiency is not high.In the future,it is necessary to find a more ideal analysis method.

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