Latest Issue

    Volume 26 , Issue 7 , 2025

      Review

    • Small fish making a big difference: beloved star of environmental toxicology research in the current era

      Yang JIANG, Zhen SU, Jing ZHENG, Chih-Hung HSU, Ye CHEN
      Vol. 26, Issue 7, Pages: 613-632(2025) DOI: 10.1631/jzus.B2500166
      Abstract:The zebrafish has emerged as a powerful model organism in life science owing to its remarkable biological characteristics and wide-ranging applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advancements in research on zebrafish within the field of environmental toxicology, highlighting specific studies where this species was used to investigate various pollutants to elucidate their impacts and underlying mechanisms. The findings of these studies underscore the significant potential of zebrafish as a model to gain crucial insights into the ecological consequences of environmental contamination and toxicity pathways. By incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), high-throughput screening, and omics approaches, the use of zebrafish as a model organism is poised to significantly accelerate toxicological investigations, promote environmental conservation efforts, contribute to safeguarding human health, and advance sustainable development objectives.  
      Keywords:Zebrafish model;Environmental toxicant;Environmental toxicology   
      1
      |
      0
      |
      0
      <HTML>
      <L-PDF>
      <Citation> <Bulk Citation> 118483875 false
      Updated:2025-07-25
    • EGCG as a therapeutic agent: a systematic review of recent advances and challenges in nanocarrier strategies

      Chee Ning WONG, Yang Mooi LIM, Kai Bin LIEW, Yik-Ling CHEW, Ang-Lim CHUA, Siew-Keah LEE
      Vol. 26, Issue 7, Pages: 633-656(2025) DOI: 10.1631/jzus.B2400040
      Abstract:Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a bioactive polyphenol abundant in green tea, has garnered significant attention for its diverse therapeutic applications, ranging from antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects to potential anticancer properties. Despite its immense promise, the practical utilization of EGCG in therapeutic settings as a medication has been hampered by inherent limitations of this drug, including poor bioavailability, instability, and rapid degradation. This review comprehensively explores the current challenges associated with the application of EGCG and evaluates the potential of nanoparticle-based formulations in addressing these limitations. Nanoparticles, with their unique physicochemical properties, offer a platform for the enhanced stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery of EGCG. Various nanoparticle strategies, including polymeric nanoparticle, micelle, lipid-based nanocarrier, metal nanoparticle, and silica nanoparticle, are currently employed to enhance EGCG stability and pharmacological activity. This review concludes that the particle sizes of most of these formulated nanocarriers fall within 300 nm and their encapsulation efficiency ranges from 51% to 97%. Notably, the pharmacological activities of EGCG-loaded nanoparticles, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial effects, are significantly enhanced compared to those of free EGCG. By critically analyzing the existing literature and highlighting recent advancements, this article provides valuable insights into the promising prospects of nanoparticle-mediated EGCG formulations, paving the way for the development of more effective and clinically viable therapeutic strategies.  
      Keywords:Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG);Nanoparticle;Nanocarrier;Nanosystem;Nanoformulation;Stability;Biological activity   
      2
      |
      0
      |
      0
      <HTML>
      <L-PDF>
      <Citation> <Bulk Citation> 118483725 false
      Updated:2025-07-25
    • Epigenetic factors associated with peri-implantitis: a review

      Qianhui LI, Hongye LU, Mengyuan ZHANG, Yuting YE, Qianming CHEN, Ping SUN
      Vol. 26, Issue 7, Pages: 657-674(2025) DOI: 10.1631/jzus.B2400032
      Abstract:Peri-implant diseases are characterized by the resorption of hard tissue and the inflammation of soft tissue. Epigenetics refers to alterations in the expression of genes that are not encoded in the DNA sequence, influencing diverse physiological activities, including immune response, inflammation, and bone metabolism. Epigenetic modifications can lead to tissue-specific gene expression variations among individuals and may initiate or exacerbate inflammation and disease predisposition. However, the impact of these factors on peri-implantitis remains inconclusive. To address this gap, we conducted a comprehensive review to investigate the associations between epigenetic mechanisms and peri-implantitis, specifically focusing on DNA methylation and microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs). We searched for relevant literature on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar with keywords including “epigenetics,” “peri-implantitis,” “DNA methylation,” and “microRNA.” DNA methylation and miRNAs present a dynamic epigenetic mechanism operating around implants. Epigenetic modifications of genes related to inflammation and osteogenesis provide a new perspective for understanding how local and environmental factors influence the pathogenesis of peri-implantitis. In addition, we assessed the potential application of DNA methylation and miRNAs in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of peri-implantitis, aiming to provide a foundation for future studies to explore potential therapeutic targets and develop more effective management strategies for this condition. These findings also have broader implications for understanding the pathogenesis of other inflammation-related oral diseases like periodontitis.  
      Keywords:Peri-implantitis;Epigenetics;DNA methylation;MicroRNA   
      2
      |
      0
      |
      0
      <HTML>
      <L-PDF>
      <Citation> <Bulk Citation> 118483724 false
      Updated:2025-07-25

      Research Article

    • Monika MANKOWSKA, Monika STEFANSKA, Anna Maria MLECZKO, Katarzyna SARAD, Witold KOT, Lukasz KRYCH, Julia Anna SEMBA, Eric Lars-Helge LINDBERG, Jakub Dalibor RYBKA
      Vol. 26, Issue 7, Pages: 675-693(2025) DOI: 10.1631/jzus.B2400388
      Abstract:Meniscus injuries are widespread and the available treatments do not offer enough healing potential. Here, we provide critical support for using pigs as a biological model for meniscal degeneration and the development of cutting-edge therapies in orthopedics. We present a single-cell transcriptome atlas of the meniscus, consisting of cell clusters corresponding to four major cell types: chondrocytes, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and immune cells. Five distinct chondrocyte subclusters (CH0‒CH4) were annotated, of which only one was widespread in both the red and white zones, indicating a major difference in the cellular makeup of the zones. Subclusters distinct to the white zone appear responsible for cartilage-specific matrix deposition and protection against adverse microenvironmental factors, while those in the red zone exhibit characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells and are more likely to proliferate and migrate. Additionally, they induce remodeling actions in other chondrocyte subclusters and promote the proliferation and maturation of endothelial cells, inducing healing and vascularization processes. Considering that they have substantial remodeling capabilities, these subclusters should be of great interest for tissue engineering studies. We also show that the cellular makeup of the pig meniscus is comparable to that of humans, which supports the use of pigs as a model in orthopedic therapy development.  
      Keywords:Single-cell sequencing;Transcriptome atlas;Meniscus;Chondrocyte;Pig model;Orthopedic   
      2
      |
      0
      |
      0
      <HTML>
      <L-PDF>
      <Citation> <Bulk Citation> 118483721 false
      Updated:2025-07-25
    • Xin LV, Jie LIU, Shuo MA, Yuhan WANG, Yixin PAN, Xian QIU, Yu CAO, Bomin SUN, Shikun ZHAN
      Vol. 26, Issue 7, Pages: 694-707(2025) DOI: 10.1631/jzus.B2400048
      Abstract:Abuse of amphetamine-based stimulants is a primary public health concern. Recent studies have underscored a troubling escalation in the inappropriate use of prescription amphetamine-based stimulants. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the impact of acute methamphetamine exposure (AME) on sleep homeostasis remain to be explored. This study employed non-human primates and electroencephalogram (EEG) sleep staging to evaluate the influence of AME on neural oscillations. The primary focus was on alterations in spindles, delta oscillations, and slow oscillations (SOs) and their interactions as conduits through which AME influences sleep stability. AME predominantly diminishes sleep-spindle waves in the non-rapid eye movement 2 (NREM2) stage, and impacts SOs and delta waves differentially. Furthermore, the competitive relationships between SO/delta waves nesting with sleep spindles were selectively strengthened by methamphetamine. Complexity analysis also revealed that the SO-nested spindles had lost their ability to maintain sleep depth and stability. In summary, this finding could be one of the intrinsic electrophysiological mechanisms by which AME disrupted sleep homeostasis.  
      Keywords:Amphetamine;Sleep stage;Slow oscillation (SO);Delta oscillation;Addiction;Electroencephalogram (EEG)   
      2
      |
      0
      |
      0
      <HTML>
      <L-PDF>
      <Citation> <Bulk Citation> 118483723 false
      Updated:2025-07-25

      Correspondence

    • Jinya LIN, Rending WANG, Yuanyuan ZHU, Weijia HUANG, Jie SUN
      Vol. 26, Issue 7, Pages: 708-712(2025) DOI: 10.1631/jzus.B2300940
      Abstract:嗜酸性肉芽肿性多血管炎(EGPA)是一种罕见的多系统性疾病,其诊断充满挑战,尤其是在病情复杂且发病率低的情况下。本文报告了一例58岁男性患者,既往有10年哮喘病史和1年特发性嗜酸性粒细胞增多症(I-HES)病史。患者因持续性嗜酸性粒细胞增多并伴随心脏骤停和自发性肾出血(SRH)而住院治疗。经心肺复苏后,患者因肾破裂出血接受了右肾切除术,肾脏活检结果显示血管闭塞及嗜酸性粒细胞浸润,最终确诊为EGPA。患者在糖皮质激素和免疫抑制剂联合治疗后取得显著疗效。本文强调了早期识别和及时干预在EGPA管理中的重要性。  
      Keywords:嗜酸性肉芽肿性多血管炎(EGPA);特发性嗜酸性粒细胞增多症(I-HES);心脏骤停;自发性肾出血(SRH)   
      2
      |
      0
      |
      0
      <HTML>
      <L-PDF>
      <Citation> <Bulk Citation> 118483722 false
      Updated:2025-07-25
    0