1.Optimization of Ovarian Tissue Vitrification Using Hydrogel Encapsulation and Magnetic Induction Nanowarming
Yu-Kun CAO ; Na YE ; Zheng LI ; Xin-Li ZHOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):464-477
ObjectiveFor prepubertal and urgently treated malignant tumor patients, ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation represent more appropriate fertility preservation methods. Current clinical practices often involve freezing ovarian tissue with high concentrations of cryoprotectants (CPAs) and thawing with water baths. These processes lead to varying degrees of toxicity and devitrification damage to ovarian tissue. Therefore, this paper proposes optimized methods for vitrification of ovarian tissues based on sodium alginate hydrogel encapsulation and magnetic induction nanowarming technology. MethodsFirstly, the study investigated the effects of sodium alginate concentration, the sequence of hydrogel encapsulation and CPAs loading on vitrification efficiency of encapsulated ovarian tissue. Additionally, the capability of sodium alginate hydrogel encapsulation to reduce the required concentration of CPAs was validated. Secondly, a platform combining water bath and magnetic induction nanowarming was established to rewarm ovarian tissue under various concentrations of magnetic nanoparticles and magnetic field strengths. The post-warming follicle survival rate, antioxidant capacity, and ovarian tissue integrity were evaluated to assess the efficacy of the method. ResultsThe study found that ovarian tissue encapsulated with 2% sodium alginate hydrogel exhibited the highest follicle survival rate after vitrification. The method of loading CPAs prior to encapsulation proved more suitable for ovarian tissue cryopreservation, effectively reducing the required concentration of CPAs by 50%. A combination of 8 g/L Fe3O4 nanoparticles and an alternating magnetic field of 300 Gs showed optimal warming effectiveness for ovarian tissue. Combining water bath rewarming with magnetic induction nanowarming yielded the highest follicle survival rate, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and preserved tissue morphology. ConclusionSodium alginate hydrogel encapsulation of ovarian tissue reduces the concentration of CPAs required during the freezing process. The combination of magnetic induction nanowarming with water bath provides an efficient method ovarian tissue rewarming. This study offers novel approaches to optimize ovarian tissues vitrification.
2.Mechanism of 1,25(OH)2D3 improving liver inflammation in a rat model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis induced by choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined diet
Haiyang ZHU ; Jingshu CUI ; Liu YANG ; Mengting ZHOU ; Jian TONG ; Hongmei HAN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):254-262
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on the level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) in the liver, the phenotype of hepatic macrophages, and liver inflammation in a rat model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), as well as the mechanism of 1,25(OH)2D3 improving liver inflammation. MethodsAfter 1 week of adaptive feeding, 24 specific pathogen-free Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group [choline-supplemented L-amino acid-defined (CSAA) diet], normal+1,25(OH)2D3 group [CSAA diet+1,25(OH)2D3], model group [choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined diet (CDAA) diet], and model+1,25(OH)2D3 group [CDAA diet+1,25(OH)2D3], with 6 rats in each group. The dose of 1,25(OH)2D3 was 5 μg/kg for intraperitoneal injection twice a week for 12 weeks. The serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured, liver histopathology was observed, and SAF score was assessed. M1 hepatic macrophages and M2 hepatic macrophages were measured to analyze in the change in the phenotype of hepatic macrophages, and ELISA was used to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in liver tissue, and qPCR was used to measure the mRNA level of PPAR-γ. The two-factor analysis of variance was use for comparison between groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison; the Pearson method was used for correlation analysis. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model rats with CDAA diet-induced NASH had significant increases in the serum levels of AST and ALT (P=0.019 and P<0.001), the SAF score of liver histopathology (P<0.001), the level of M1 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), and the ratio of M1 and M2 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), as well as a significant increase in the level of TNF-α (P<0.001) and a significant reduction in the level of IL-4 in liver tissue (P=0.025). The 1,25(OH)2D3 group had significant reductions in the serum levels of ALT (P<0.001), the SAF score of liver histopathology (P<0.001), the level of M1 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), and the ratio of M1 and M2 hepatic macrophages (P=0.001), the level of IL-1β (P<0.001) and a significant increase in the level of M2 hepatic macrophages (P=0.017), the level of IL-10 (P=0.039), the level of IL-4 (P<0.001), the level of PPAR-γ (P=0.016). There were significant interactions between CDAA diet-induced NASH model and 1,25(OH)2D3 in serum the levels of AST and ALT (P=0.007 and P=0.008), the SAF scores of liver histopathology (P<0.001), the level of M1 hepatic macrophages (P<0.001), the level of M2 hepatic macrophages (P=0.008), the ratio of M1 and M2 of hepatic macrophages (P=0.005), the level of TNF-α (P<0.001), the level of IL-10 (P=0.038), the level of IL-4 (P<0.001) and the level of PPAR-γ (P=0.009). The correlation analysis showed that PPAR-γ was negatively correlated with the ratio of M1 and M2 hepatic macrophages (r=-0.415, P=0.044) and was positively correlated with M2 hepatic macrophages (r=0.435, P=0.033), IL-10 (r=0.433, P=0.035), and IL-4 (r=0.532, P=0.007). ConclusionThis study shows that 1,25(OH)2D3 improves liver inflammation in NASH by activating PPAR-γ to regulate the phenotypic transformation of hepatic macrophages.
3.Research advances in autoimmune pancreatitis with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency
Xiang AO ; Chenxiao LIU ; Xianda ZHANG ; Taojing RAN ; Chunhua ZHOU ; Duowu ZOU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):395-400
Autoimmune pancreatitis is a special type of chronic pancreatitis that can lead to abnormal pancreatic exocrine function in patients. Autoimmune pancreatitis comorbid with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency has a complex pathogenesis, and there is limited research on this topic, leading to the lack of understanding of such patients in clinical practice. This article introduces the epidemiology of autoimmune pancreatitis, briefly describes the pathogenesis of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency caused by autoimmune pancreatitis, and summarizes the various detection methods for pancreatic exocrine function, nutritional assessments, lifestyle management, and drug therapy, in order to strengthen the understanding of autoimmune pancreatitis comorbid with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and improve the clinical diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.
4.Guidelines of ethics review for clinical application of medical technology
Jiyin ZHOU ; Mingjie ZI ; Qi LU ; Hui JIANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(1):15-22
Access to the clinical application of medical technology is one of the core institutional contents of medical quality management, involving medical quality assurance, the achievement of patient safety goals, and medical service satisfaction. Medical technology is only permitted for clinical use after its safety and effectiveness have been verified through clinical research, as well as evaluated and reviewed by the medical technology clinical application management committee and ethics committee of this medical and health institution. Based on the relevant laws, regulations, and ethical principles, combined with the experience of ethical review in the clinical application of medical technology from some medical and health institutions, a thematic discussion was held to formulate ethical review guidelines for the clinical application of medical technology for references. These guidelines elaborated on the management system for access to the clinical application of medical technology in medical and health institutions, the system of ethics committees and the requirements of review norms, technical plans and their review points, key points for the implementation of informed consent, technical teams and conditions, and other aspects.
5.Role of cellular autophagy in cerebral ischemic injury and the regulatory mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine
Panpan ZHOU ; Yinglin CUI ; Wentao ZHANG ; Shurui WANG ; Jiahui CHEN ; Tong YANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(8):1650-1658
BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that ischemia-induced cellular autophagy dysfunction is a key factor in brain injury.Autophagy related genes 6(ATG6),microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain(LC3),p62,and other autophagy key proteins are involved in the processes such as neuronal axonal degeneration,death,and intracellular homeostasis maintenance,playing an important role in the recovery of neural function. OBJECTIVE:To review the research progress in the role of cellular autophagy in cerebral ischemic injury and the regulatory mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine. METHODS:The first author used"ischemic stroke,brain tissue injury,cellular autophagy,signaling pathways,traditional Chinese medicine compounds,terpenoids,alkaloids,flavonoids,saponins,lignans,phthalates"as Chinese and English keywords respectively to search for literature on autophagy,cerebral ischemic injury,and the regulatory mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine from China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)and PubMed databases from January 2016 to February 2024.Literature that is not highly relevant,repetitive,or outdated was excluded.A total of 1 746 relevant literature were retrieved,and 92 articles were ultimately included. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Numerous studies have confirmed that autophagy plays an important role in cerebral ischemic injury.Moderate autophagy can promote cell survival,while excessive autophagy exacerbates brain injury.Traditional Chinese medicine can regulate the expression of autophagy related proteins,inhibit neuronal necrosis and apoptosis,and exert neuroprotective effects at different stages of cerebral ischemia by regulating signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt/mTOR,AMPK-mTOR,and mitogen activated protein kinase.
6.Research on the Correlation between Balance Function and Core Muscles in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Si-Jia LI ; Qing YUE ; Qian-Jin LIU ; Yan-Hua LIANG ; Tian-Tian ZHOU ; Xiao-Song LI ; Tian-Yang FENG ; Tong ZHANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):264-275
Objective:
This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals.
Methods:
A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test.
Results:
AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.
7.Granulomatous cheilitis after treatment of venous malformations of the upper lip: a case report and literature review
YANG Yang ; ZHOU Haiwen ; GE Shuyun
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2025;33(3):230-236
Objective:
To explore the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment of granulomatous cheilitis complications after treatment in patients with upper lip venous malformations, as well as to provide a reference for their clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Methods:
This report provides details on the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment of a case of granulomatous cheilitis after the treatment of upper lip venous malformation, and then analyzes granulomatous cheilitis alongside the related literature. The patient, a 30-year old male, was first seen in the dermatology department of another hospital with bright red spots on his lips, diagnosed with allergic dermatitis and received symptomatic treatment, and the erythema did not improve. He was diagnosed with ‘cavernous hemangioma’ and was treated with polydocanol and bleomycin injections. The bright red spots on his lips improved, but the swelling worsened for more than half a year. He then sought treatment at the oral mucosal department of our hospital. At the time of consultation, the swelling of the upper lip and perilabial skin was obvious, and there was a red patch on the right side of the upper lip, that was congested with blood. The upper lip was tough, with hard nodules, unclear borders, and poor mobility. Pathological examination showed epithelial hyperplasia of the upper lip mucosa, surface hyperkeratosis, subepithelial fibrous tissue hyperplasia, and chronic inflammation of the mucosa and minor salivary glands. Focal histiocyte, lymphocyte, and plasma cell infiltration was seen in the submucosal layer, with granulomatous inflammatory manifestations. Based on the patient's medical history, clinical manifestations, and histopathological manifestations, the diagnosis of granulomatous cheilitis was made. Tretinoin 0.3 mL (40 mg/mL, 1 mL/vial) was injected into the deep layer of the mucosa of the right and left upper lips for local block treatment. Prednisone acetate tablets (10 mg/Qd) were taken orally, and after 1 week of follow-up, the symptoms improved, so the original treatment was continued. After 2 weeks of follow-up, the swelling of the lips improved significantly, and the oral prednisone acetate tablets were adjusted to 5 mg/Qd. After 4 weeks of follow-up, the shape of the lips was largely back to normal, and the color and suppleness of the lips had improved significantly. The local block treatment and oral medication were stopped, and the patient was instructed to apply the topical tretinoin ointment Bid on the upper lip.
Results:
The patient had a follow-up visit 8 weeks later, at which their lip color, shape, and texture remained normal, and the patient was instructed to stop the medication and follow up. A review of the literature suggests that the etiology of granulomatous cheilitis is unknown and that it is associated with genetic predisposition, odontogenic infections, allergic factors, microbial infections, and immunological factors. It needs to be clinically differentiated from diseases such as lip venous malformations, lip angioneurotic oedema, Crohn's disease, and tuberculosis. At present, the clinical treatment of granulomatous cheilitis is still based on local glucocorticoid block therapy or a combination of oral glucocorticoid drugs. In this case, the area of erythema on the lips decreased in size, but swelling occurred and continued to worsen after polydocanol and bleomycin injection treatment. Pre-existing venous malformation should be considered as a complication associated with injectable drugs that can produce granulomatous cheilitis.
Conclusion
The injection-based treatment of lip venous malformation may be complicated by granulomatous cheilitis, and in the process of clinical diagnosis and treatment, it is necessary to be aware to the existence of drug-related factors in the occurrence and development of granulomatous diseases.
8.Investigation and analysis of the current situation of occupational stress of radiation workers in China
Qi ZHANG ; Jianfei LU ; Peng TONG ; Haoran SUN ; Shanshan KOU ; Xiaolan ZHOU ; ·Yusufu AIKEBAIER ; Weiguo ZHU ; Changsong HOU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(1):46-54
Objective To investigate and analyze the occupational stress levels and influencing factors among radiation workers in China, and provide a reference for alleviating occupational stress and promoting mental health. Methods Using the general situation questionnaire, Effort-Reward Imbalance questionnaire, and radiation protection knowledge questionnaire, a convenience sampling method was adopted to investigate the occupational stress of 243 radiation workers in Liaoning, Fujian, Guangdong, and Xinjiang provinces. The independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors. Results The average score of Effort-Reward Imbalance was 0.97 ± 0.22, and 100 (41.15%) radiation workers had occupational stress. There were significant differences in the detection rate of occupational stress among radiation workers of different ages, working years in radiation positions, monthly incomes, daily sleep durations, and daily working hours (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified daily working hours as a factor contributing to occupational stress. Conclusion The occupational stress among radiation workers in China is relatively severe. It is recommended to pay attention to the associated risks and implement targeted intervention measures to reduce the impact of occupational stress.
9.Study on the protective efect and mechanism of paeoniflorin on palmitic acid-induced HepG2 cells
Tong LIU ; Shanzheng LI ; Cheng ZHOU ; Sutong LIU ; Lihui ZHANG ; Wenxia ZHAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(3):499-505
ObjectiveTo investigate the role and mechanism of action of paeoniflorin (PF) in protecting HepG2 cells induced by palmitic acid (PA). MethodsHepG2 cells were stimulated with PA at a concentration of 250 μmol/L to establish a NAFLD model. Compound C at a concentration of 10 μmol/L was used as an inhibitor, and PF at a concentration of 25 μmol/L was used for intervention. The experiment was divided into normal group (CON group) treated with complete culture medium, model group (MOD group) treated with PA, PF treatment group (MOD+PF group) treated with PA and PF, model+inhibitor group (MOD+COM group) treated with PA and Compound C, and model+inhibitor+PF group (MOD+COM+PF group) treated with PA, Compound C, and PF. Kits were used to measure lipid deposition indicators, liver function parameters, oxidative stress indicators, and inflammation indicators; oil red O staining was used to observe lipid deposition; Western Blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of AMPK, SIRT1, PGC-1α, mTOR, Beclin-1, LC3, and P62 in cells. The one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of quantitative data between groups, while the Tukey’s test was used for comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the MOD group, PF improved the levels of TC and TG (P<0.05), reduced the levels of ALT, AST, CRP, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 (P<0.05), increased the activity of SOD and CAT and the level of GSH, and reduced the level of MDA in cells (all P<0.05). Oil red O staining showed that PF alleviated lipid deposition in cells. Western blot results showed that compared with the MOD group, PF increased the protein expression levels of p-AMPK, SIRT1, PGC-1α, LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ, and Beclin-1 and reduced the protein expression levels of p-mTOR and P62 (all P<0.05). ConclusionPF can inhibit PA-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory response in HepG2 cells, improve lipid deposition, and promote autophagy via the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α/mTOR signaling pathway.
10.Influencing factors of neonatal red blood cell transfusion: a retrospective analysis
Na ZHOU ; Xin HE ; Yu SI ; Chen HOU ; Jialu CHEN ; Zhaohui TANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(3):375-381
[Objective] To analyze the effects of different factors and red blood cell transfusion thresholds on the efficacy of neonatal red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, in order to provide more references for neonatal transfusions to better achieve rational and effective blood use. [Methods] A retrospective collection of data from 282 neonates who received RBC transfusions at our hospital from 2022 to 2023 was conducted, including birth weight, gestational age, number of blood transfusions, length of hospital stay, assisted ventilation during RBC transfusion, and laboratory test results before and after transfusion. SPSS software was used for statistical analysis to comprehensively analyze the impact of different factors on the efficacy of RBC transfusion in neonates. [Results] The results showed that the gestational age and weight of newborns at birth were negatively correlated with their length of hospital stay and the number of RBC transfusions during hospitalization. Newborns with younger gestational age and lower weight had longer hospital stays and more RBC transfusions during hospitalization. After administering RBCs according to the standard of 15 mL/kg, there was a statistically significant difference in the efficacy of RBC transfusion at different transfusion thresholds. In non-critical situations, RBC transfusions were ineffective when the pre-transfusion hemoglobin (Hb) level was >120 g/L. When the pre-transfusion Hb level was ≤70 g/L, RBC transfusions achieved higher efficacy in both critical and non-critical situations. [Conclusion] In critical situations, the group with pre-transfusion Hb values ≤ 70 g/L has the best RBC transfusion effect, while in non-critical situations, the group with pre-transfusion Hb levels between 81 and 90 g/L has the best RBC transfusion effect. Overall, the efficacy of RBC transfusion in non-critical situations is higher than that in critical situations.


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