1.Identification and Biological Characterization of Pathogen and Screening of Effective Fungicides for Wilt of Tetradium ruticarpum
Yuxin LIU ; Qin XU ; Yue YUAN ; Tiantian GUO ; Zheng'en XIAO ; Shaotian ZHANG ; Ming LIU ; Fuqiang YIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):198-206
ObjectiveTo identify the pathogen species responsible for the wilt disease of Tetradium ruticarpum in Chongqing, investigate there biological characteristics, and screen effective fungicides, so as to provide a theoretical basis for disease control in production. MethodsThe pathogen was isolated via the tissue culture method. Pathogenicity was verified according to Koch's postulates. The pathogen was identified based on morphological characteristics and multi-gene phylogenetic analysis. The mycelial growth rate method was used for biological characterization of the pathogen and fungicide screening. ResultsThe pathogen colonies were nearly circular with irregular edges, white, short, velvety aerial hyphae, and pale purple undersides. Macroconidia were colorless, sickle-shaped, with 3-5 septa, while microconidia were transparent, elliptical, aseptate or with 1-2 septa. Multi-gene phylogenetic analysis showed that the pathogen clustered in the same clade as Fusarium fujikuroi with 100% support, which, combined with morphological characteristics, identified the pathogen causing wilt of T. ruticarpum in Chongqing as F. fujikuroi. The optimal conditions for the mycelial growth of F. fujikuroi were mung bean agar (MBA) with glucose as the carbon source, beef extract and yeast powder as nitrogen sources, 28 ℃, pH 7.0, and alternating light/dark conditions. The optimal conditions for sporulation were potato dextrose agar (PDA) with glucose as the carbon source, beef extract as the nitrogen source, 28 ℃, pH 7.0, and complete darkness. Among chemical fungicides, phenazine-1-carboxylic acid exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on F. fujikuroi. Shenqinmycin and tetramycin were the most effective bio-fungicides. ConclusionThis study is the first to report F. fujikuroi as the causal agent of wilt disease in T. rutaecarpa. The chemical fungicide phenazine-1-carboxylic acid and the bio-fungicides shenqinmycin and tetramycin showed strong inhibitory effects against F. fujikuroi.
2.Simvastatin alleviates kidney ischemia reperfusion injury by inhibiting ferroptosis
Zhihui FU ; Zhongzhong LIU ; Qifa YE ; Qi XIAO ; Qin DENG ; Jiansheng XIAO ; Biqi FU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):45-52
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of simvastatin pretreatment on kidney ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) in mice. MethodsFifteen male C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were divided into three groups: Sham operation group (Sham group), kidney IRI group (IR group), and simvastatin pretreatment+kidney IRI group (SIM group). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining of kidney tissue and detection of serum creatinine (SCr) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were used to evaluate kidney injury. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected to evaluate oxidative stress. The contents of ferrous iron (Fe2+) and ferric iron (Fe3+) in kidney tissue were detected, and the morphological changes of mitochondria were observed by transmission electron microscope. The relative expression levels of Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and acyl-coa synthetase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4) protein in kidney tissue were detected. ResultsCompared with the IR group, the SIM group had significantly reduced renal tubular injury and decreased contents of Scr and LDH in serum (P < 0.001). It also showed increased expression of SOD and GSH and decreased expression of MDA and ROS (P < 0.01). Simvastatin pretreatment reduced the contents of Fe2+ and Fe3+ in the tissues (P < 0.01) and alleviated mitochondrial damage. It also promoted the expression of KLF2 (P < 0.01), up-regulated the expression of ferroptosis-related protective proteins GPX4 and SLC7A11, and down-regulated the expression of ferroptosis-related damage protein ACSL4 (P < 0.05). ConclusionSimvastatin pretreatment may inhibit kidney ferroptosis by promoting the expression of KLF2 to alleviate kidney IRI.
3.Modified Yacoub technique for patients with aortic root aneurysm
Hongjia MA ; Qianlei LANG ; Chaoyi QIN ; Hong QIAN ; Zhenghua XIAO ; Wei MENG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(04):611-614
Objective To evaluate the feasibility and safety of Remodeling+Ring (modified Yacoub) for patients with aortic root aneurysm. Methods The clinical data of patients who underwent modified Yacoub surgery at West China Hospital of Sichuan University from July 2020 to May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Four male patients were enrolled, with an average age of (47.3±10.3) years and body surface area of (1.9±0.2) m2. One patient had bicuspid aortic valve. Aortic valve regurgitation was mild in three patients and moderate in one patient. Preoperative New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart function was gradeⅠin one patient and gradeⅡin three patients. The maximum diameter of the aortic sinus was (59.3±8.1) mm. All four patients recovered and were discharged without a second thoracotomy. No postoperative complications such as brain injury, infection, respiratory failure or renal insufficiency occurred. During the follow-up of (17.0±13.1) months, two patients showed no regurgitation of the aortic valve, two patients exhibited mild regurgitation. Three patients had a heart function of gradeⅠ and one patient of gradeⅡ. Conclusion Modified Yacoub technique is safe and effective for patients with aortic root aneurysm.
4.Impact of birth weight on the trajectory of blood pressure among primary school students
CUI Chengpeng, YE Siyan, FANG Yanfei, LI Yan, PENG Zeqin, XIAO Yuqing, WU Meng, LIU Qin
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):309-313
Objective:
To explore the early effects of birth weight at different gestational ages on blood pressure trajectory among primary school students, so as to provide evidence for incorporating gestational age birth weight into individualized early warning and intervention strategies for childhood hypertension.
Methods:
From May to November 2023, a purposeful sampling method was used to recruit 1 676 students in grade 1-3 from three primary schools in a certain urban district of Chongqing. Follow up assessments were conducted in May 2024(T1), November 2024(T2), and May 2025(T3). General demographic and birth related information were collected via self administered questionnaires, while height, weight and blood pressure were obtained through physical examinations. Linear mixed effects model was used to analyze the associations between birth weight at different gestational ages and blood pressure trajectories.
Results:
During the T1-T3 period, the systolic blood pressure of boys were 98.5 (93.0, 104.5 ),98.5 (93.5, 105.0), and 97.5 (92.5, 103.5)mmHg, respectively, while the diastolic blood pressure were 60.5 (56.5, 65.0), 61.5 ( 57.0 , 65.5), and 60.0 (56.0, 64.0)mmHg, respectively. For girls, the systolic blood pressure were 95.5 (90.0, 102.0),95.5 (90.5, 101.5), and 96.0 (90.5, 101.5)mmHg, respectively, and the diastolic blood pressure were 60.5 (56.0, 64.5 ),61.5 (57.5, 65.5), and 59.5 (56.0, 63.0)mmHg, respectively. Through Friedman test within both boys and girls, diostolic blood pressure were statistically significant across three measurements( χ 2=48.85,81.54,both P <0.01). The proportion of normal blood pressure increased , and the proportion of prehypertension and hypertension decreased with time( χ 2=39.72,25.62,both P < 0.01 ). Linear mixed effects model analysis revealed that after adjusting for age, sex, household income monthly, parental education, family history of hypertension and maternal pregnancy complications, large for gestational age had significantly higher trajectories of systolic ( β = 1.50) and diastolic( β =0.94) blood pressure compared to appropriate for gestational age(both P <0.01).
Conclusion
Large for gestational age is associated with elevated blood pressure trajectories during school age, and it may be considered as an early indicator for individualized screening and intervention for childhood hypertension.
5.Role of Innate Trained Immunity in Diseases
Chuang CHENG ; Yue-Qing WANG ; Xiao-Qin MU ; Xi ZHENG ; Jing HE ; Jun WANG ; Chao TAN ; Xiao-Wen LIU ; Li-Li ZOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):119-132
The innate immune system can be boosted in response to subsequent triggers by pre-exposure to microbes or microbial products, known as “trained immunity”. Compared to classical immune memory, innate trained immunity has several different features. Firstly, the molecules involved in trained immunity differ from those involved in classical immune memory. Innate trained immunity mainly involves innate immune cells (e.g., myeloid immune cells, natural killer cells, innate lymphoid cells) and their effector molecules (e.g., pattern recognition receptor (PRR), various cytokines), as well as some kinds of non-immune cells (e.g., microglial cells). Secondly, the increased responsiveness to secondary stimuli during innate trained immunity is not specific to a particular pathogen, but influences epigenetic reprogramming in the cell through signaling pathways, leading to the sustained changes in genes transcriptional process, which ultimately affects cellular physiology without permanent genetic changes (e.g., mutations or recombination). Finally, innate trained immunity relies on an altered functional state of innate immune cells that could persist for weeks to months after initial stimulus removal. An appropriate inducer could induce trained immunity in innate lymphocytes, such as exogenous stimulants (including vaccines) and endogenous stimulants, which was firstly discovered in bone marrow derived immune cells. However, mature bone marrow derived immune cells are short-lived cells, that may not be able to transmit memory phenotypes to their offspring and provide long-term protection. Therefore, trained immunity is more likely to be relied on long-lived cells, such as epithelial stem cells, mesenchymal stromal cells and non-immune cells such as fibroblasts. Epigenetic reprogramming is one of the key molecular mechanisms that induces trained immunity, including DNA modifications, non-coding RNAs, histone modifications and chromatin remodeling. In addition to epigenetic reprogramming, different cellular metabolic pathways are involved in the regulation of innate trained immunity, including aerobic glycolysis, glutamine catabolism, cholesterol metabolism and fatty acid synthesis, through a series of intracellular cascade responses triggered by the recognition of PRR specific ligands. In the view of evolutionary, trained immunity is beneficial in enhancing protection against secondary infections with an induction in the evolutionary protective process against infections. Therefore, innate trained immunity plays an important role in therapy against diseases such as tumors and infections, which has signature therapeutic effects in these diseases. In organ transplantation, trained immunity has been associated with acute rejection, which prolongs the survival of allografts. However, trained immunity is not always protective but pathological in some cases, and dysregulated trained immunity contributes to the development of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Trained immunity provides a novel form of immune memory, but when inappropriately activated, may lead to an attack on tissues, causing autoinflammation. In autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis, trained immunity may lead to enhance inflammation and tissue lesion in diseased regions. In Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, trained immunity may lead to over-activation of microglial cells, triggering neuroinflammation even nerve injury. This paper summarizes the basis and mechanisms of innate trained immunity, including the different cell types involved, the impacts on diseases and the effects as a therapeutic strategy to provide novel ideas for different diseases.
6.Intelligent handheld ultrasound improving the ability of non-expert general practitioners in carotid examinations for community populations: a prospective and parallel controlled trial
Pei SUN ; Hong HAN ; Yi-Kang SUN ; Xi WANG ; Xiao-Chuan LIU ; Bo-Yang ZHOU ; Li-Fan WANG ; Ya-Qin ZHANG ; Zhi-Gang PAN ; Bei-Jian HUANG ; Hui-Xiong XU ; Chong-Ke ZHAO
Ultrasonography 2025;44(2):112-123
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations.
Methods:
This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits.
Results:
Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01).
Conclusion
Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.
7.Intelligent handheld ultrasound improving the ability of non-expert general practitioners in carotid examinations for community populations: a prospective and parallel controlled trial
Pei SUN ; Hong HAN ; Yi-Kang SUN ; Xi WANG ; Xiao-Chuan LIU ; Bo-Yang ZHOU ; Li-Fan WANG ; Ya-Qin ZHANG ; Zhi-Gang PAN ; Bei-Jian HUANG ; Hui-Xiong XU ; Chong-Ke ZHAO
Ultrasonography 2025;44(2):112-123
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations.
Methods:
This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits.
Results:
Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01).
Conclusion
Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.
8.Intelligent handheld ultrasound improving the ability of non-expert general practitioners in carotid examinations for community populations: a prospective and parallel controlled trial
Pei SUN ; Hong HAN ; Yi-Kang SUN ; Xi WANG ; Xiao-Chuan LIU ; Bo-Yang ZHOU ; Li-Fan WANG ; Ya-Qin ZHANG ; Zhi-Gang PAN ; Bei-Jian HUANG ; Hui-Xiong XU ; Chong-Ke ZHAO
Ultrasonography 2025;44(2):112-123
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations.
Methods:
This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits.
Results:
Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01).
Conclusion
Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.
9.Intelligent handheld ultrasound improving the ability of non-expert general practitioners in carotid examinations for community populations: a prospective and parallel controlled trial
Pei SUN ; Hong HAN ; Yi-Kang SUN ; Xi WANG ; Xiao-Chuan LIU ; Bo-Yang ZHOU ; Li-Fan WANG ; Ya-Qin ZHANG ; Zhi-Gang PAN ; Bei-Jian HUANG ; Hui-Xiong XU ; Chong-Ke ZHAO
Ultrasonography 2025;44(2):112-123
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations.
Methods:
This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits.
Results:
Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01).
Conclusion
Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.
10.Discovery of a novel AhR-CYP1A1 axis activator for mitigating inflammatory diseases using an in situ functional imaging assay.
Feng ZHANG ; Bei ZHAO ; Yufan FAN ; Lanhui QIN ; Jinhui SHI ; Lin CHEN ; Leizhi XU ; Xudong JIN ; Mengru SUN ; Hongping DENG ; Hairong ZENG ; Zhangping XIAO ; Xin YANG ; Guangbo GE
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):508-525
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a crucial role in regulating many physiological processes. Activating the AhR-CYP1A1 axis has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy against various inflammatory diseases. Here, a practical in situ cell-based fluorometric assay was constructed to screen AhR-CYP1A1 axis modulators, via functional sensing of CYP1A1 activities in live cells. Firstly, a cell-permeable, isoform-specific enzyme-activable fluorogenic substrate for CYP1A1 was rationally constructed for in-situ visualizing the dynamic changes of CYP1A1 function in living systems, which was subsequently used for discovering the efficacious modulators of the AhR-CYP1A1 axis. Following screening of a compound library, LAC-7 was identified as an efficacious activator of the AhR-CYP1A1 axis, which dose-dependently up-regulated the expression levels of both CYP1A1 and AhR in multiple cell lines. LAC-7 also suppressed macrophage M1 polarization and reduced the levels of inflammatory factors in LPS-induced bone marrow-derived macrophages. Animal tests showed that LAC-7 could significantly mitigate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis and LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice, and markedly reduced the levels of multiple inflammatory factors. Collectively, an optimized fluorometric cell-based assay was devised for in situ functional imaging of CYP1A1 activities in living systems, which strongly facilitated the discovery of efficacious modulators of the AhR-CYP1A1 axis as novel anti-inflammatory agents.


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