1.Mechanism of Ferroptosis in Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion and Interventional Mechanism of Huoxue Huayu Jiedu Prescription Based on "Blood Stasis and Toxin" Pathogenesis
Jiayue HAN ; Danyi PAN ; Jiaxuan XIAO ; Yuchen LIU ; Jiyong LIU ; Yidi ZENG ; Jinxia LI ; Caixing ZHENG ; Hua LI ; Wanghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):51-60
ObjectiveTo explore the material basis of the "interaction of blood stasis and toxin" mechanism in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, as well as the protective role of Huoxue Huayu Jiedu prescription (HXHYJDF) against ferroptosis. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: sham group, model group, deferoxamine (DFO) group (100 mg·kg-1), low-dose HXHYJDF group (4.52 g·kg-1), medium-dose HXHYJDF group (9.04 g·kg-1), and high-dose HXHYJDF group (18.07 g·kg-1), with ten rats in each group. Except for the sham group, the other groups were used to replicate the model of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in the middle cerebral artery of rats by the reforming Longa method. Neurological function was assessed at 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th days post-reperfusion using the modified neurological severity scores (m-NSS). Brain tissue pathology and the morphology of mitochondria were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy. The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), divalent iron ions (Fe2+), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the ischemic cerebral tissue were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot (WB) were used to detect the expression of iron death marker proteins glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferroportin-1 (FPN1), transferrin receptor protein 1 (TfR1), and ferritin mitochondrial (FtMt) in brain tissue. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the mNSS score of the model group was significantly increased (P<0.01). HE staining showed that the number of neurons in the cortex of brain tissue was seriously reduced, and the intercellular space was widened. The nucleus was fragmented, and the cytoplasm was vacuolated. The results of transmission electron microscopy showed that the mitochondria in the cytoplasm contracted and rounded, and the mitochondrial cristae decreased. The matrix was lost and vacuolated, and the density of the mitochondrial bilayer membrane increased. The results of ELISA showed that the content of GSH decreased significantly (P<0.01), and the contents of MDA, Fe2+, and ROS increased significantly (P<0.01). The results of immunohistochemistry and WB showed that the expression of GPX4 and FPN1 proteins was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the expression of FtMt and TfR1 proteins was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with those of the model group, the m-NSS scores of the high-dose and medium-dose HXHYJDF groups began to decrease on the 3rd and 5th days, respectively (P<0.05, P<0.01). The results of HE and transmission electron microscopy showed that the intervention of HXHYJDF improved the pathological changes of neurons and mitochondria. The results of ELISA showed that the content of GSH in the medium-dose and high-dose HXHYJDF groups increased significantly (P<0.01), and the contents of MDA, Fe2+, and ROS decreased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01). The content of GSH in the low-dose HXHYJDF group increased significantly (P<0.01), and the contents of MDA and ROS decreased significantly (P<0.01). The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of GPX4 and FPN1 in the high-dose HXHYJDF group increased significantly (P<0.01), and the expression of FtMt and TfR1 decreased significantly (P<0.01). The expression of GPX4 and FPN1 in the medium-dose HXHYJDF group increased significantly (P<0.05), and the expression of TfR1 decreased significantly (P<0.01). WB results showed that the expression levels of FPN1 and GPX4 proteins in the high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose HXHYJDF groups were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01), and the expression levels of FtMt and TfR1 proteins were significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). ConclusionHXHYJDF can significantly improve neurological dysfunction symptoms in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, improve the pathological morphology of the infarcted brain tissue, and protect the brain tissue of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury to a certain extent. Neuronal ferroptosis is involved in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, with increased levels of MDA, Fe2+, ROS, and TfR1 and decreased levels of FtMt, FPN1, GPX4, and GSH potentially constituting the material basis of the interaction of blood stasis and toxin mechanism in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. HXHYJDF may exert brain-protective effects by regulating iron metabolism-related proteins, promoting the discharge of free iron, reducing brain iron deposition, alleviating oxidative stress, and inhibiting ferroptosis.
2.Systematic review of association between 24 h movement behavior and cognitive function in children and adolescents
YANG Jie, ZHENG Shuqi, WU Hua, ZHOU Wenlong, RUAN Hui
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(2):244-248
Objective:
To analyze the relationship between 24 h movement behaviors and cognitive function in children and adolescents, as well as the isotemporal substitution benefits, in order to provide a basis for developing cognitive development intervention strategies among children and adolescents.
Methods:
Relevant studies were searched in the Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, EBSCO, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases from their inception to November 30, 2024. Systematic evaluation was performed after document screening, data extraction and quality assessment.
Results:
A total of 24 highquality studies were included, comprising 35 295 children and adolescents aged 3-18 years. Adhering to the 24 h activity guidelines was associated with better cognitive performance (19 studies). Additionally, substituting 5-30 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) or sleep (SLP) for sedentary behavior (SB) or light physical activity (LPA) were associated with improvements in cognitive function (7 studies). There were inconsistencies in the effects of different types of SB (learning or entertainment) on cognitive function.
Conclusions
Adherence to the 24 h activity guidelines supports cognitive development in children and adolescents, with MVPA and SLP as key intervention targets. Increasing the proportion of MVPA, ensuring adequate SLP, and limiting recreational SB and screen time might be helpful to enhance the combined benefits of these three behaviors.
3.Cloning, subcellular localization and expression analysis of SmIAA7 gene from Salvia miltiorrhiza
Yu-ying HUANG ; Ying CHEN ; Bao-wei WANG ; Fan-yuan GUAN ; Yu-yan ZHENG ; Jing FAN ; Jin-ling WANG ; Xiu-hua HU ; Xiao-hui WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):514-525
The auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA) gene family is an important regulator for plant growth hormone signaling, involved in plant growth, development, as well as response to environmental stresses. In the present study, we identified
4.Dexamethasone synergizes with high-fat diet to increase lipid deposition in adipocytes
Mingli SU ; Ying WANG ; Zheng YAN ; Jia LUO ; Jie YANG ; Hua YE ; Aiming LIU ; Julin YANG
The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;40(1):92-102
Background/Aims:
Dexamethasone (DEX) is a widely used exogenous therapeutic glucocorticoid in clinical settings. Its long-term use leads to many side effects. However, its effect on metabolic disorders in individuals on a high-fat diet (HFD) remains poorly understood.
Methods:
In this study, HFD-fed mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEX 2.5 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Lipid metabolism, adipocyte proliferation, and inflammation were assayed using typical approaches.
Results:
DEX increased the epididymal fat index and epididymal adipocyte size in HFD-fed mice. The number of epididymal adipocytes with diameters > 70 μm accounted for 0.5% of the cells in the control group, 30% of the cells in the DEX group, 19% of the cells in the HFD group, and 38% of all the cells in the D+H group. Adipocyte proliferation in the D+H group was inhibited by DEX treatment. Adipocyte enlargement in the D+H group was associated with increased the lipid accumulation but not the adipocyte proliferation. In contrast, the liver triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and their metabolism were downregulated by the same treatment, indicating the therapeutic potential of DEX for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Conclusions
DEX synergizes with HFD to promote lipid deposition in adipose tissues. A high risk of obesity development in patients receiving HFD and DEX treatment is suggested.
5.Patient-Specific 3-Dimensional-Printed Orthopedic Implants and Surgical Devices Are Potential Alternatives to Conventional Technology But Require Additional Characterization
Aidan P. MCANENA ; Taylor MCCLENNEN ; Hua ZHENG
Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery 2025;17(1):1-15
Background:
Three-dimensional (3D) printing allows anatomical models, guides, and implants to be easily customized to individual patients. Three-dimensional–printed devices can be used for a number of purposes in the medical field, yet there is a lack of data on the implementation of 3D-printed patient-specific implants and surgical guides in orthopedics. The objective of this review of the literature was to summarize the implementation of 3D printing in orthopedic surgery and identify areas that require more investigation.
Methods:
PubMed and Scopus were used to perform a literature search. Articles that described 3D-printed patient-specific orthopedic implants or intraoperative guides were reviewed. Relevant articles were compiled and summarized to determine the role of personalized 3D-printed implants in orthopedic surgery.
Results:
A total of 58 papers were selected. Overall, 3D-printed implants and surgical guides were shown to be effective in the selected cases. Patients with bone tumors benefitted from custom 3D-printed implants, which allow aggressive resection while preserving the function and mechanical stability of the limb. Eighty-one percent of devices were made using titanium, and 48% of articles reported the use of 3D printing in oncology. Some reported adverse events including wound dehiscence, periprosthetic infection, dislocation, and sequelae of malignancy. Regulations surrounding the use of 3D-printed surgical devices are ambiguous.
Conclusions
Three-dimensional–printed orthopedic implants and guides present an alternative to commercial devices, as they allow for customizability that is useful in cases of anatomic complexity. A variety of materials were surveyed across multiple subspecialties. Large controlled studies are necessary to compare patient-specific implants with the standard of care and evaluate their safety profiles over time.
6.Vibration-controlled transient elastography in shaping the epidemiology and management of steatotic liver disease: Editorial on “Current burden of steatotic liver disease and fibrosis among adults in the United States, 2017–2023”
Xiao-Dong ZHOU ; Terry Cheuk-Fung YIP ; Daniel Q HUANG ; Mark Dhinesh MUTHIAH ; Mazen NOUREDDIN ; Ming-Hua ZHENG
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):620-624
7.Bioactive metabolites: A clue to the link between MASLD and CKD?
Wen-Ying CHEN ; Jia-Hui ZHANG ; Li-Li CHEN ; Christopher D. BYRNE ; Giovanni TARGHER ; Liang LUO ; Yan NI ; Ming-Hua ZHENG ; Dan-Qin SUN
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(1):56-73
Metabolites produced as intermediaries or end-products of microbial metabolism provide crucial signals for health and diseases, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). These metabolites include products of the bacterial metabolism of dietary substrates, modification of host molecules (such as bile acids [BAs], trimethylamine-N-oxide, and short-chain fatty acids), or products directly derived from bacteria. Recent studies have provided new insights into the association between MASLD and the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Furthermore, alterations in microbiota composition and metabolite profiles, notably altered BAs, have been described in studies investigating the association between MASLD and the risk of CKD. This narrative review discusses alterations of specific classes of metabolites, BAs, fructose, vitamin D, and microbiota composition that may be implicated in the link between MASLD and CKD.
8.Dexamethasone synergizes with high-fat diet to increase lipid deposition in adipocytes
Mingli SU ; Ying WANG ; Zheng YAN ; Jia LUO ; Jie YANG ; Hua YE ; Aiming LIU ; Julin YANG
The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;40(1):92-102
Background/Aims:
Dexamethasone (DEX) is a widely used exogenous therapeutic glucocorticoid in clinical settings. Its long-term use leads to many side effects. However, its effect on metabolic disorders in individuals on a high-fat diet (HFD) remains poorly understood.
Methods:
In this study, HFD-fed mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEX 2.5 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Lipid metabolism, adipocyte proliferation, and inflammation were assayed using typical approaches.
Results:
DEX increased the epididymal fat index and epididymal adipocyte size in HFD-fed mice. The number of epididymal adipocytes with diameters > 70 μm accounted for 0.5% of the cells in the control group, 30% of the cells in the DEX group, 19% of the cells in the HFD group, and 38% of all the cells in the D+H group. Adipocyte proliferation in the D+H group was inhibited by DEX treatment. Adipocyte enlargement in the D+H group was associated with increased the lipid accumulation but not the adipocyte proliferation. In contrast, the liver triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and their metabolism were downregulated by the same treatment, indicating the therapeutic potential of DEX for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Conclusions
DEX synergizes with HFD to promote lipid deposition in adipose tissues. A high risk of obesity development in patients receiving HFD and DEX treatment is suggested.
9.Dexamethasone synergizes with high-fat diet to increase lipid deposition in adipocytes
Mingli SU ; Ying WANG ; Zheng YAN ; Jia LUO ; Jie YANG ; Hua YE ; Aiming LIU ; Julin YANG
The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;40(1):92-102
Background/Aims:
Dexamethasone (DEX) is a widely used exogenous therapeutic glucocorticoid in clinical settings. Its long-term use leads to many side effects. However, its effect on metabolic disorders in individuals on a high-fat diet (HFD) remains poorly understood.
Methods:
In this study, HFD-fed mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEX 2.5 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Lipid metabolism, adipocyte proliferation, and inflammation were assayed using typical approaches.
Results:
DEX increased the epididymal fat index and epididymal adipocyte size in HFD-fed mice. The number of epididymal adipocytes with diameters > 70 μm accounted for 0.5% of the cells in the control group, 30% of the cells in the DEX group, 19% of the cells in the HFD group, and 38% of all the cells in the D+H group. Adipocyte proliferation in the D+H group was inhibited by DEX treatment. Adipocyte enlargement in the D+H group was associated with increased the lipid accumulation but not the adipocyte proliferation. In contrast, the liver triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and their metabolism were downregulated by the same treatment, indicating the therapeutic potential of DEX for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Conclusions
DEX synergizes with HFD to promote lipid deposition in adipose tissues. A high risk of obesity development in patients receiving HFD and DEX treatment is suggested.
10.Patient-Specific 3-Dimensional-Printed Orthopedic Implants and Surgical Devices Are Potential Alternatives to Conventional Technology But Require Additional Characterization
Aidan P. MCANENA ; Taylor MCCLENNEN ; Hua ZHENG
Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery 2025;17(1):1-15
Background:
Three-dimensional (3D) printing allows anatomical models, guides, and implants to be easily customized to individual patients. Three-dimensional–printed devices can be used for a number of purposes in the medical field, yet there is a lack of data on the implementation of 3D-printed patient-specific implants and surgical guides in orthopedics. The objective of this review of the literature was to summarize the implementation of 3D printing in orthopedic surgery and identify areas that require more investigation.
Methods:
PubMed and Scopus were used to perform a literature search. Articles that described 3D-printed patient-specific orthopedic implants or intraoperative guides were reviewed. Relevant articles were compiled and summarized to determine the role of personalized 3D-printed implants in orthopedic surgery.
Results:
A total of 58 papers were selected. Overall, 3D-printed implants and surgical guides were shown to be effective in the selected cases. Patients with bone tumors benefitted from custom 3D-printed implants, which allow aggressive resection while preserving the function and mechanical stability of the limb. Eighty-one percent of devices were made using titanium, and 48% of articles reported the use of 3D printing in oncology. Some reported adverse events including wound dehiscence, periprosthetic infection, dislocation, and sequelae of malignancy. Regulations surrounding the use of 3D-printed surgical devices are ambiguous.
Conclusions
Three-dimensional–printed orthopedic implants and guides present an alternative to commercial devices, as they allow for customizability that is useful in cases of anatomic complexity. A variety of materials were surveyed across multiple subspecialties. Large controlled studies are necessary to compare patient-specific implants with the standard of care and evaluate their safety profiles over time.


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