1.Technology optimization and in vitro anti-tumor effect evaluation of reactive oxygen species-responsive metho-trexate-modified paclitaxel/icariin micelles
Naijian ZOU ; Liang KONG ; Lei CHANG ; Pengbo WAN ; Xiaolin JIANG ; Mingdian YUAN ; Yingqiang LU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(3):285-292
OBJECTIVE To prepare reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive methotrexate (MTX)-modified paclitaxel (PTX)/icariin (ICA) micelles (MTX-oxi-Ms@PTX/ICA), and perform technology optimization and in vitro anti-tumor effect evaluation. METHODS Synergistic toxicity concentration range of PTX and ICA was screened by synergistic toxicity test. The micelles were prepared by thin film hydration method, and their technology was optimized by response surface methodology. The fundamental characteristics of the micelles prepared by the optimal technology were evaluated. The micelles’ cytotoxicity, targeting ability to renal carcinoma RENCA cells of mice, and their inhibitory effects on invasion and migration were assessed. RESULTS Results of synergistic toxicity experiments demonstrated that the strongest synergistic effect occurred when PTX concentrations ranged from 2.5 to 10 μmol/L and ICA concentrations ranged from 5 to 15 μmol/L. The optimal technology of MTX-oxi-Ms@PTX/ ICA was determined to include 80 mg Soluplus®, Soluplus® and TPGS1000 mass ratio of 4∶1 (mg/mg), 2 mg DSPE-PEG2000-TK- PEG5000, 2 mg DSPE-PEG2000-MTX, 1 mg PTX, and 1.5 mg ICA, with a hydration temperature of 35 ℃ and a formulation volume of 5 mL. Under the optimal conditions, average encapsulation efficiency of PTX and ICA in 3 batches of MTX-oxi- Ms@PTX/ICA reached 92.75%, the critical micelle concentration (CMC) was 0.007 9 mg/mL, the particle size was (62.09±1.68) nm, the polydispersity index (PDI) was 0.046±0.032, and the Zeta potential was (-2.47±0.15) mV. Within 30 days of placement, there was no significant change E-mail:yingqiang_1126@163.com in particle size and polydispersity index of micelle. In vitro release experiments showed that MTX-oxi-Ms@PTX/ICA released drugs more rapidly in oxidative environments. The half maximal inhibitory concentration of MTX-oxi-Ms@PTX/ICA against RENCA cells was (5.170±0.036) μmol/L. In vitro cellular uptake experiments indicated that compared with unmodified micelles, MTX modified micelles had stronger targeting effects on cancer cells, and also significantly enhanced the inhibitory ability of invasion and migration of RENCA cells (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS MTX-oxi-Ms@PTX/ICA micelles are successfully prepared, which exhibit high encapsulation efficiency, low critical micelle concentration, and good stability. These micelles demonstrate significant cytotoxicity against RENCA cells and effectively inhibit cancer cell invasion and migration.
2.Simultaneous TAVI and McKeown for esophageal cancer with severe aortic regurgitation: A case report
Liang CHENG ; Lulu LIU ; Xin XIAO ; Lin LIN ; Mei YANG ; Jingxiu FAN ; Hai YU ; Longqi CHEN ; Yingqiang GUO ; Yong YUAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(02):277-280
A 71-year-old male presented with esophageal cancer and severe aortic valve regurgitation. Treatment strategies for such patients are controversial. Considering the risks of cardiopulmonary bypass and potential esophageal cancer metastasis, we successfully performed transcatheter aortic valve implantation and minimally invasive three-incision thoracolaparoscopy combined with radical resection of esophageal cancer (McKeown) simultaneously in the elderly patient who did not require neoadjuvant treatment. This dual minimally invasive procedure took 6 hours and the patient recovered smoothly without any surgical complications.
3.Biomimetic nanoparticle delivery systems b ased on red blood cell membranes for disease treatment
Chen-xia GAO ; Yan-yu XIAO ; Yu-xue-yuan CHEN ; Xiao-liang REN ; Mei-ling CHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):348-358
Nanoparticle delivery systems have good application prospects in the field of precision therapy, but the preparation process of nanomaterial has problems such as short
4.Study on secondary metabolites of Penicillium expansum GY618 and their tyrosinase inhibitory activities
Fei-yu YIN ; Sheng LIANG ; Qian-heng ZHU ; Feng-hua YUAN ; Hao HUANG ; Hui-ling WEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):427-433
Twelve compounds were isolated from the rice fermentation extracts of
5.Research progress on prevention strategies for immune platelet transfusion refractoriness
Peizhe ZHAO ; Yi XU ; Yajun LIANG ; Qing LI ; Yuan ZHOU ; Xianguo XU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(3):448-454
Platelet transfusion refractoriness (PTR) is a common issue among patients with hematological diseases and tumors. This article reviews the diagnostic criteria, influencing factors, and recent prevention and management strategies for immune PTR. The diagnostic criteria typically involve post-transfusion platelet increment (PI), platelet recovery rate (PPR), and corrected count increment (CCI). Both immune and non-immune factors can lead to PTR, with immune factors mainly including HLA and HPA antibodies. Prevention and management strategies include the use of leukocyte-reduced platelets, HLA and HPA antigen-matched platelets, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, and immunosuppressive strategies. Although various strategies have been proposed and applied in clinical practice, the prevention and management of immune PTR remain challenging. Future research needs to explore more effective individualized treatment strategies, while also considering the potential application of emerging technologies such as nanotechnology in the field of transfusion.
6.Relationship between acute stress response and depression among college students: the mediating role of rumination and the moderated role of perceived social support
Gui LUO ; Fenghui YUAN ; Yunjing MOU ; Haijun YU ; Jingjing LIANG ; Jiangbo DANG ; Bin GAO
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(2):153-158
BackgroundDepression has become a public health concern that affects the physical and mental health of college students. acute stress response is a risk factor of depression. Exploring the relationship and mechanism between acute stress response and depression is of great significance for preventing and intervening depression in college students. ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between acute stress response and depression among college students, and to analyze the mediating role of rumination and the moderated effect of perceived social support, so as to provide references for the prevention and intervention of depression in college student . MethodsFrom March to April 2020, a cluster sampling method was employed to select 1 355 college students from three universities in Hubei, Jiangxi and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Participants were assessed with Acute Stress Disorder Scale (ASDS), Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS), Brief form of Perceived Social Support Questionnaire (F-SozU) and Patients' Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item (PHQ-9). Pearson correlation analysis was adopted to examine the correlation between the scores of each scale. The mediating role of rumination between acute stress response and depression and the moderated role of perceived social support were examined respectively by using Model 4 and Model 14 in Macro Program Process 3.3. ResultsA total of 1 303 valid questionnaires were collected, yielding a valid response rate of 96.16%. The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that ASDS score was positively correlated with RRS score and PHQ-9 score (r=0.649, 0.528, P<0.01) among college students. The mediation analysis results demonstrated that rumination played a partial mediating role between acute stress response and depression, with the mediating effect value of 0.273 (95% CI:0.222~0.328), accounting for 68.59% of the total effect. Perceived social support played a moderated role in the latter path of the mediation model (rumination → depression) (β=-0.004, 95% CI: -0.017~-0.004, P<0.01). ConclusionRumination played a partial mediating role between acute stress response and depression in college students, and perceptive social support played a moderated role between rumination and depression. [Funded by Scientific Research Fund Project of Education Department of Yunnan Province (number, 2025J0437)]
7.Carnosic acid inhibits osteoclast differentiation by inhibiting mitochondrial activity
Haishan LI ; Yuheng WU ; Zixuan LIANG ; Shiyin ZHANG ; Zhen ZHANG ; Bin MAI ; Wei DENG ; Yongxian LI ; Yongchao TANG ; Shuncong ZHANG ; Kai YUAN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(2):245-253
BACKGROUND:Carnosic acid,a bioactive compound found in rosemary,has been shown to reduce inflammation and reactive oxygen species(ROS).However,its mechanism of action in osteoclast differentiation remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of carnosic acid on osteoclast activation,ROS production,and mitochondrial function. METHODS:Primary bone marrow-derived macrophages from mice were extracted and cultured in vitro.Different concentrations of carnosic acid(0,10,15,20,25 and 30 μmol/L)were tested for their effects on bone marrow-derived macrophage proliferation and toxicity using the cell counting kit-8 cell viability assay to determine a safe concentration.Bone marrow-derived macrophages were cultured in graded concentrations and induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand for osteoclast differentiation for 5-7 days.The effects of carnosic acid on osteoclast differentiation and function were then observed through tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining,F-actin staining,H2DCFDA probe and mitochondrial ROS,and Mito-Tracker fluorescence detection.Western blot and RT-PCR assays were subsequently conducted to examine the effects of carnosic acid on the upstream and downstream proteins of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand-induced MAPK signaling pathway. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and F-actin staining showed that carnosic acid dose-dependently inhibited in vitro osteoclast differentiation and actin ring formation in the cell cytoskeleton,with the highest inhibitory effect observed in the high concentration group(30 μmol/L).Carnosic acid exhibited the most significant inhibitory effect during the early stages(days 1-3)of osteoclast differentiation compared to other intervention periods.Fluorescence imaging using the H2DCFDA probe,mitochondrial ROS,and Mito-Tracker demonstrated that carnosic acid inhibited cellular and mitochondrial ROS production while reducing mitochondrial membrane potential,thereby influencing mitochondrial function.The results of western blot and RT-PCR revealed that carnosic acid could suppress the expression of NFATc1,CTSK,MMP9,and C-fos proteins associated with osteoclast differentiation,and downregulate the expression of NFATc1,Atp6vod2,ACP5,CTSK,and C-fos genes related to osteoclast differentiation.Furthermore,carnosic acid enhanced the expression of antioxidant enzyme proteins and reduced the generation of ROS during the process of osteoclast differentiation.Overall,carnosic acid exerts its inhibitory effects on osteoclast differentiation by inhibiting the phosphorylation modification of the P38/ERK/JNK protein and activating the MAPK signaling pathway in bone marrow-derived macrophages.
8.Establishment and stress analysis of a finite element model for adolescent cervical disc herniation
Yuxin ZHAO ; Liang LIANG ; Feng JIN ; Yangyang XU ; Zhijie KANG ; Yuan FANG ; Yujie HE ; Xing WANG ; Haiyan WANG ; Xiaohe LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(3):448-454
BACKGROUND:Cervical disc herniation can cause pain in the neck and shoulder area,as well as radiating pain in the upper limbs.The incidence rate is increasing year by year and tends to affect younger individuals.Fully understanding the biomechanical characteristics of the cervical spine in adolescents is of great significance for preventing and delaying the onset of cervical disc herniation in this age group. OBJECTIVE:To reconstruct cervical spine models for both healthy adolescents and adolescent patients with cervical disc herniation utilizing finite element analysis techniques,to analyze the motion range of the C1-T1 cervical vertebrae as well as the biomechanical characteristics of the annulus fibrosus,nucleus pulposus,endplates,and the cartilage of the small joints. METHODS:A normal adolescent's cervical spine and an adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation were selected in this study.The continuous scan cervical spine CT raw image data were imported into Mimics 21.0 in DICOM format.The C1-T1 vertebrae were reconstructed separately.Subsequently,the established models were imported into the 3-Matic software for disc reconstruction.The perfected models were then imported into Hypermesh software for meshing of the vertebrae,nucleus pulposus,annulus fibrosus,and ligaments,creating valid geometric models.After assigning material properties,the final models were imported into ABAQUS software to observe the joint motion range of the C1-C7 cervical vertebrae segments under different conditions,and to analyze the biomechanical characteristics of the annulus fibrosus,nucleus pulposus,endplates,and small joint cartilage of each cervical spine segment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In six different conditions,the joint motion range of the C1 vertebra in the cervical spine models of both normal adolescent and adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation was higher than that of the other vertebrae.Additionally,the joint motion range of each cervical spine segment in normal adolescent was greater than that in adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation.(2)In the cervical spine model of normal adolescent,the maximum stress values in the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus were found on the left side during C2-3 flexion conditions(0.43 MPa and 0.17 MPa,respectively).In the cervical spine model of adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation,the maximum stress values were found on the left side during C7-T1 flexion conditions(0.54 MPa and 0.18 MPa,respectively).(3)In the cervical spine model of normal adolescent,the maximum stress value on the endplate was found on the left side of the upper endplate of C3 during flexion conditions(1.46 MPa).In the model of adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation,the maximum stress value on the endplate was found on the left side of the lower endplate of C7 during flexion conditions(1.32 MPa).(4)In the cervical spine model of normal adolescent,the maximum stress value in the small joint cartilage was found in the C2-3 left rotation conditions(0.98 MPa).In adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation,the stress in the small joint cartilage significantly increased under different conditions,especially in C1-2,with the maximum stress found during left flexion(3.50 MPa).(5)It is concluded that compared to normal adolescent,adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation exhibits altered cervical curvature and a decrease in overall joint motion range in the cervical spine.In adolescent with cervical disc herniation,there is a significant increase in stress on the annulus fibrosus,nucleus pulposus,and endplates in the C7-T1 segment.The stress on the left articular cartilage of the C1-2 is notable.Abnormal cervical curvature may be the primary factor causing these stress changes.
9.The Experience of Retention Enema with Traditional Chinese Medicine for Ulcerative Colitis Based on the Theory of Sweat Pore
Zifu HONG ; Yinghua HE ; Lipeng FENG ; Fei JIA ; Mouwen QYU ; Liang YUAN ; Mingwen JIA
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(6):634-637
This paper discussed the nature of ulcerative colitis, that is deficiency of the root and excess of the branch, from the theory of sweat pore, and to explore the theoretical basis and experience of treating this disease with retention enema of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The main location of this disease is in the intestine. As a part of sweat pore, the intestinal sweat pore serves as the gateway for the ascending, descending, exiting and entering of qi movement in the zang fu (脏腑) organs, meridians and collaterals, as well as the channel for the transportation of qi, blood and body fluids. The constraint and closure of the intestinal sweat pore are the main pathological basis of ulcerative colitis. According to the manifestations of colonoscopy, and the different etiological factors and pathogenesis that lead to the constraint and closure of sweat pore, there should be different treatment focuses such as expelling wind to open sweat pore, clearing fire to open sweat pore, promoting blood circulation to open sweat pore, for which wind-dispersing herbs, heat-clearing herbs, and blood-activating herbs are used accordingly. The method of retention enema can directly induce Chinese medicinal herbs to the affected part, so as to diffuse and unblock the sweat pore, regulate qi and blood, and thus restore the normal function of the intestinal sweat pore.
10.Differences in HER2-0 and HER2-low Breast Cancer: Androgen Receptor and Programmed Death Ligand 1 as Predictive Factors
Xiaoqi ZHANG ; Ciqiu YANG ; Yitian CHEN ; Junsheng ZHANG ; Peiyong LI ; Na HUANG ; Yilin CHEN ; Minting LIANG ; Weiming LV ; Zhongyu YUAN ; Jie LI ; Kun WANG
Journal of Breast Cancer 2025;28(1):23-36
Purpose:
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low breast cancer has the potential to emerge as a distinct subtype. Several studies have compared the differences between HER2-low and HER2-0 breast cancers, but no consensus has been reached.Additionally, a biomarker to predict pathological complete response (pCR) rates in patients with HER2-low breast cancer remains to be identified.
Methods:
We collected data from 777 patients across three centers, stratifying them into HER2-low and HER2-0 groups. We compared differences in survival and pCR rates between the two groups and investigated potential biomarkers that could reliably predict pCR.
Results:
The study found that patients with HER2-0 breast cancer had higher pCR rates compared to patients with HER2-low tumors (289 patients [30.1%] vs. 475 patients [18.1%], p < 0.0001). Survival analysis showed no significant advantage for HER2-low tumors over HER2-0 breast cancers. Binary logistic analysis revealed that androgen receptor (AR) expression predicts poorer pCR rates in both the overall patient group and the HER2-0 breast cancer group (overall patients: odds ratio [OR], 0.479; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.250–0.917; p = 0.026 and HER2-0 patients: OR, 0.267; 95% CI, 0.080–0.892; p = 0.032). In contrast, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression was associated with more favorable pCR rates in the overall patient group (OR, 3.199; 95% CI, 1.020–10.037; p = 0.046).
Conclusion
There is currently insufficient evidence to classify HER2-low breast cancer as a distinct subtype. Our study revealed that AR expression, along with negative PD-L1 expression, contributes to lower pCR rates.

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