1.The Diversity of Filamentous Morphologies and Magnetic Sensitivity Modulated by Diverse MagR Expression in Bacteria
Ya-Fei CHANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Xiu-Juan ZHOU ; Meng-Ke WEI ; Tian-Tian CAI ; Pei-Qi HE ; Jun-Feng WANG ; Can XIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1439-1456
Objective Magnetoreception, the remarkable ability of diverse animals to sense and utilize the geomagnetic field for orientation and navigation, remains a molecularly unresolved mystery in sensory biology. The putative magnetoreceptor (MagR, previously known as IscA1) is a highly conserved iron-sulfur protein implicated in both magnetoreception and iron metabolism; however, the functional diversity among its cross-species homologs remains poorly understood. Cellular morphology is a key genetically determined trait that can be altered through genetic or environmental modifications—a process known as cell morphology engineering. Constructing engineered cells with specific morphological features and magnetic sensitivity to achieve remote, non-invasive magnetic modulation represents a crucial goal in this field with significant application potential. Therefore, this study aims to systematically investigate the effects of MagR heterologous expression on bacterial morphology and magnetic sensing capabilities, screen for MagR-based magnetically sensitive morphology engineering pathways, and reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods We systematically screened 28 MagR homologous genes from diverse prokaryotic and animal taxa to evaluate their expression and corresponding phenotypic effects in Escherichia coli (E. coli). To compare the differential magnetic responses among bacteria expressing various recombinant MagR proteins, we utilized high-throughput automated bright-field microscopic imaging and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, comprehensive biochemical and biophysical characterizations of iron and iron-sulfur cluster binding were performed using Ferrozine colorimetric assays, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Additionally, 100 mT static magnetic field (SMF) exposure experiments were conducted to assess magnetically tunable phenotypes, while the intrinsic magnetic properties of purified MagR proteins were directly measured using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Results Our results demonstrated that the heterologous expression of MagR homologs induced varying degrees of bacterial filamentation. From this comprehensive screen, two distinct morphological patterns were identified: hydra (Hydra vulgaris) MagR (hyMagR) promoted uniform cell elongation and filamentation, exhibiting robust magnetic sensitivity manifested as significantly enhanced filamentation under the 100 mT SMF. In contrast, pigeon (Columba livia) MagR (clMagR) induced only low-frequency, extreme filamentation (sporadically exceeding 80 μm) with a relatively weaker magnetic morphological response. Mechanistically, our data unambiguously proved that these phenotypic differences are primarily driven by distinct iron redox preferences rather than total cellular iron accumulation. Specifically, hyMagR preferentially binds ferrous iron (Fe2+), whereas clMagR favors ferric iron (Fe3+) and forms more stable iron-sulfur clusters. Intriguingly, although SQUID magnetometry showed that purified clMagR exhibited approximately five-fold higher mass magnetic susceptibility than hyMagR, its cellular magnetic response was weaker. We hypothesize that the Fe2+-preferred intracellular environment associated with hyMagR overexpression primes the cell for enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the Fenton reaction. Exposure to an SMF synergizes with this primed redox state, triggering the bacterial SOS response and upregulating cell division inhibitors to efficiently induce uniform filamentation. Conclusion Our findings identify the Fe2+/Fe3+ redox state as a critical determinant of MagR-mediated morphological remodeling and magnetic responsiveness. This discovery suggests a potential strategy for engineering magnetically responsive cellular systems for synthetic biology applications, and provides a plausible framework, which potentially combines intrinsic protein magnetism with redox-state modulation, for further investigating the evolutionary mechanisms of MagR-mediated magnetoreception.
2.The Diversity of Filamentous Morphologies and Magnetic Sensitivity Modulated by Diverse MagR Expression in Bacteria
Ya-Fei CHANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Xiu-Juan ZHOU ; Meng-Ke WEI ; Tian-Tian CAI ; Pei-Qi HE ; Jun-Feng WANG ; Can XIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1439-1456
Objective Magnetoreception, the remarkable ability of diverse animals to sense and utilize the geomagnetic field for orientation and navigation, remains a molecularly unresolved mystery in sensory biology. The putative magnetoreceptor (MagR, previously known as IscA1) is a highly conserved iron-sulfur protein implicated in both magnetoreception and iron metabolism; however, the functional diversity among its cross-species homologs remains poorly understood. Cellular morphology is a key genetically determined trait that can be altered through genetic or environmental modifications—a process known as cell morphology engineering. Constructing engineered cells with specific morphological features and magnetic sensitivity to achieve remote, non-invasive magnetic modulation represents a crucial goal in this field with significant application potential. Therefore, this study aims to systematically investigate the effects of MagR heterologous expression on bacterial morphology and magnetic sensing capabilities, screen for MagR-based magnetically sensitive morphology engineering pathways, and reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods We systematically screened 28 MagR homologous genes from diverse prokaryotic and animal taxa to evaluate their expression and corresponding phenotypic effects in Escherichia coli (E. coli). To compare the differential magnetic responses among bacteria expressing various recombinant MagR proteins, we utilized high-throughput automated bright-field microscopic imaging and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, comprehensive biochemical and biophysical characterizations of iron and iron-sulfur cluster binding were performed using Ferrozine colorimetric assays, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Additionally, 100 mT static magnetic field (SMF) exposure experiments were conducted to assess magnetically tunable phenotypes, while the intrinsic magnetic properties of purified MagR proteins were directly measured using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Results Our results demonstrated that the heterologous expression of MagR homologs induced varying degrees of bacterial filamentation. From this comprehensive screen, two distinct morphological patterns were identified: hydra (Hydra vulgaris) MagR (hyMagR) promoted uniform cell elongation and filamentation, exhibiting robust magnetic sensitivity manifested as significantly enhanced filamentation under the 100 mT SMF. In contrast, pigeon (Columba livia) MagR (clMagR) induced only low-frequency, extreme filamentation (sporadically exceeding 80 μm) with a relatively weaker magnetic morphological response. Mechanistically, our data unambiguously proved that these phenotypic differences are primarily driven by distinct iron redox preferences rather than total cellular iron accumulation. Specifically, hyMagR preferentially binds ferrous iron (Fe2+), whereas clMagR favors ferric iron (Fe3+) and forms more stable iron-sulfur clusters. Intriguingly, although SQUID magnetometry showed that purified clMagR exhibited approximately five-fold higher mass magnetic susceptibility than hyMagR, its cellular magnetic response was weaker. We hypothesize that the Fe2+-preferred intracellular environment associated with hyMagR overexpression primes the cell for enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the Fenton reaction. Exposure to an SMF synergizes with this primed redox state, triggering the bacterial SOS response and upregulating cell division inhibitors to efficiently induce uniform filamentation. Conclusion Our findings identify the Fe2+/Fe3+ redox state as a critical determinant of MagR-mediated morphological remodeling and magnetic responsiveness. This discovery suggests a potential strategy for engineering magnetically responsive cellular systems for synthetic biology applications, and provides a plausible framework, which potentially combines intrinsic protein magnetism with redox-state modulation, for further investigating the evolutionary mechanisms of MagR-mediated magnetoreception.
3.Effects of honey-processed Astragalus on energy metabolism and polarization of RAW264.7 cells
Hong-chang LI ; Ke PEI ; Wang-yang XIE ; Xiang-long MENG ; Zi-han YU ; Wen-ling LI ; Hao CAI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):459-470
In this study, RAW264.7 cells were employed to investigate the effects of honey-processed
4.Mechanism of Shengmai Injection Against Cerebral Ischemia Based on Proteomics
Jingtong LIU ; Shaowei HU ; Mengli CHANG ; Jing XU ; Qingqing CAI ; Xinghong LI ; Liying TANG ; Huanhuan WANG ; Hongwei WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):57-67
ObjectiveTo evaluate pharmacological effects of Shengmai injection(SMI)on cerebral ischemia and study its neuroprotective mechanism. MethodsMale specific pathogen-free (SPF) Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a sham group, a model group, a low-dose SMI group(3 mL·kg-1), a middle-dose SMI group(6 mL·kg-1), a high-dose SMI group(12 mL·kg-1), and a Ginaton group(4 mL·kg-1)according to the random number table method, with 12 rats in each group. The rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(MCAO/R)was prepared via the suture method. The administration groups were intraperitoneally injected with corresponding concentrations of SMI or Ginaton injection after reperfusion, which was conducted for 3 consecutive days. The sham group and model group were administered the equivalent volume of physiological saline. The pharmacological effects of SMI on brain injury in MCAO/R rats were evaluated by neurological function scores, cerebral infarction area, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Nissl staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining, and Western blot. The dominant link and key protein of SMI treating cerebral injury were explored using proteomic analysis. The related mechanisms of SMI were further validated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blot, and chloride ion fluorescence probe with oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R)-treated PC12 cells and MCAO/R rats. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group showed significantly increased neurological function scores, cerebral infarction area, neuronal apoptosis rate, and expression levels of apoptosis related proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01)and significantly decreased density of Nissl bodies and neurons(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the SMI groups exhibited significantly decreased neurological function scores, cerebral infarction area, neuronal apoptosis rate, and expression levels of apoptosis related proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01)and significantly increased density of Nissl bodies and neurons (P<0.05). The proteomic analysis results showed that oxidative stress and inflammatory response were important processes of SMI intervening in MCAO/R injury, and the chloride intracellular channel protein 1 (CLIC1) was one of key proteins in its action network. The levels of representative indicators of oxidative stress and inflammatory response in the MCAO/R rats of the SMI groups were significantly reduced, compared with those in the model group(P<0.05, P<0.01), and the expression levels of CLIC1 and downstream NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) decreased (P<0.01). In addition, the experimental results based on the OGD/R PC12 cells showed that SMI significantly increased the cell survival rate(P<0.01) and significantly decreased the intracellular chloride ion concentration(P<0.05). ConclusionSMI has neuroprotective effects. Oxidative stress and inflammatory response are key processes of SMI intervening in MCAO/R injury. The potential mechanism is closely related to the regulation of CLIC1.
5.Analysis of urban cancer screening results in Qinghai Province from 2019 to 2024
Peng WENGANG ; Jin SHENGYAN ; Qiao WENJIE ; Cai BAOJIA ; Yu PENGJIE ; Zhu SHENGMAO ; Han JINGJUN ; Li XILING ; Chang HAODONG ; Sun DEXIAN ; Song YINGHENG ; Rong QINGXI ; Zhang CHENGWU ; Ma XIAOMING
Chinese Journal of Clinical Oncology 2025;52(18):944-949
Objective:To analyze the screening results of the Urban Cancer Early Diagnosis and Treatment Project in Qinghai Province from 2019 to 2024.Methods:A summary and statistical analysis were conducted on six years of screening data from the Urban Cancer Early Dia-gnosis and Treatment Program in Qinghai Province,with the high-risk rate,screening rate,and detection rate calculated separately for each type of cancer.Results:From 2019 to 2024,56,882 high-risk individuals were identified.The high-risk rates for lung,colorectal,breast,up-per gastrointestinal,and liver cancer were 22.02%,21.57%,14.23%,13.52%,and 6.10%,respectively.Overall,13,592 individuals com-pleted clinical screening,with detection rates of 0.32%for lung cancer,0.41%for liver cancer,0.08%for precancerous gastric lesions,3.63%for precancerous colorectal lesions,0.08%for esophageal cancer,0.16%for gastric cancer,and 0.14%for colorectal cancer.Conclusions:The implementation of the Urban Cancer Early Diagnosis and Treatment Program in Qinghai Province aids in the early detection of cancer,improves early diagnosis and survival rates,and reduces mortality.Nevertheless,due to low public awareness and limited participation,en-hancements in program management and public outreach are required.
6.Evaluation value of urinary 8-oxo-7, 8-dihydroguanosine in the short-term prognosis of sepsis in frail elderly patients
Jie CHANG ; Wei WEN ; Jinhua QUAN ; Dahai HUANG ; Chunyi FU ; Fan WANG ; Jianping CAI ; Yaqing MA ; Yamin DANG ; Chaojie CHEN
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2025;44(2):162-166
Objective:To investigate the significance of urinary 8-oxo-7, 8-dihydroguanosine(8-oxoGuo)in assessing the short-term prognosis of sepsis in frail elderly patients.Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 62 frail elderly patients diagnosed with sepsis who were admitted to the Emergency Intensive Care Unit(EICU)at Beijing Hospital between March 2021 and March 2022.Based on their 28-day prognosis, the patients were categorized into two groups: those who died and those who survived.Upon admission, we collected urine samples and clinical data from both groups.We employed isotope dilution high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to measure the levels of the RNA oxidation marker 8-oxoGuo in the urine.Results:A total of 62 frail elderly patients[aged(85.1±6.3)years]diagnosed with sepsis were included in the study, comprising 36 patients in the 28-day mortality group and 26 patients in the survival group.Univariate analysis revealed that the survival group had significantly lower body temperature, blood calcitonin(PCT)levels, sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)scores, and urinary 8-oxoGuo levels compared to the mortality group.Additionally, the survival group exhibited a higher mean arterial pressure(MAP)than the mortality group, with all differences reaching statistical significance(all P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis indicated that urinary 8-oxoGuo levels were positively correlated with both PCT and SOFA scores in frail elderly sepsis patients( r=0.426, 0.768, both P<0.05).Furthermore, logistic regression analysis identified urinary 8-oxoGuo and SOFA as independent risk factors for 28-day mortality in this population( OR=1.936, 1.427; P=0.006, 0.002).The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)for urinary 8-oxoGuo and SOFA in predicting the 28-day prognosis of frail elderly sepsis patients was 0.761 and 0.741, respectively, both demonstrating statistical significance(both P<0.001). Conclusions:Our findings suggest that urinary 8-oxoGuo possesses strong predictive value for the short-term prognosis of sepsis in this vulnerable population.
7.Development of a pre-processing workflow for real world data derived from multicenter clinical laboratories
Chang LIU ; Xiaoxia PENG ; Siyu CAI ; Yali LIU ; Chao ZHANG ; Fang HU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(2):296-306
Objective:To develop a pre-processing workflow of real world data (RWD) derived from multicenter clinical laboratories so that the level of data standardization can be improved, and subsequently to produce more robust real world evidence (RWE).Methods:Purpose sampling was used to invite senior experts with experience in clinical research utilizing RWD, covering the fields of clinical laboratory, epidemiology, biostatistics, and clinical medicine. In-depth, semi-structured individual interviews were conducted and thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected data.Results:The in-depth interviews were completed in 16 experts. The experts unanimously agreed that pre-processing RWD derived from multicenter clinical laboratories is necessary prior to its application in research. Based on experts' insights, a comprehensive pre-processing workflow for RWD was constructed, comprising six key steps: ①developing a variable list based on research questions and distributing it to each clinical laboratory; ②conducting an initial quality assessment of RWD based on existing quality control results in clinical laboratories; ③cleaning the data; ④determining whether RWD (including categorical and continuous variables) is heterogeneity among different clinical laboratories; ⑤exploring potential sources of heterogeneity;⑥pre-processing RWD based on identified causes contributing to heterogeneity.Conclusion:The pre-processing workflow of RWD was established, to provide a methodological reference for controlling systematic errors in RWD derived from multicenter clinical laboratories, thereby enhancing the validity of RWE.
8.Finite element analysis of treatment for Sanders type IIB intra-articular calcaneal fracture by percutaneous screws
Yixuan CHEN ; Jiachen WU ; Chang LIU ; Tianyi WU ; Shang GUO ; Jiangyu CAI ; Ting WANG ; Mingjie TANG ; Zhongmin SHI ; Xin MA
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2025;45(19):1241-1250
Objective:To evaluate the stability of percutaneous screw fixation for minimally invasive treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures using three-dimensional finite element analysis.Methods:CT scan was performed on the calcaneus of a normal adult for three-dimensional reconstruction. The DICOM data were imported into Mimics software to establish a model of a Sanders type IIB intra-articular calcaneal fracture. Based on the Essex-Lopresti classification of posterior facet morphology, the model was subdivided into two subtypes: tongue-type and depression-type. The calcaneus was divided into four fragments: sustentaculum tali, posterior tuberosity, anterior process (three points), and posterior articular surface (one surface). Two types of fixation methods, classical lateral anatomical plates and combinations of percutaneous screws, were simulated and performed. A three-dimensional finite element analysis was conducted by applying a stress combination of 420 N on the posterior subtalar articular surface, 200 N on the middle subtalar articular surface, and 300 N at the Achilles tendon insertion point. The maximum displacement and von Mises stress values of each bone fragment and implant were recorded to evaluate the biomechanical stability. For clinical validation, 34 patients with Sanders type IIB calcaneal fractures from Orthopedics Department of the Sixth Affiliated People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University were treated with percutaneous reduction and screw fixation using the following configurations.Results:Under simulated stress, the A4 group with medial support screws in the tongue-type fracture subgroup demonstrated minimal overall calcaneal displacement (0.22 mm) and internal fixation displacement (0.14 mm). For the depression-type, the B2 group with medial support screws showed lower maximum stress in the calcaneus and internal fixation, at 22.04 MPa and 41.14 MPa, respectively, along with the lowest overall displacement (0.14 mm). The peak stress of all groups of implants remained below the material yield strength. The A4 and B2 protocols were applied to 15 cases of tongue-type calcaneal fractures and 19 cases of collapse-type calcaneal fractures. At the final follow-up The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score scale was 86.1±5.82 and 87.2±5.18, respectively, while the visual analog scale for pain was 1.60±1.24 and 1.58±1.02, respectively.Conclusions:Percutaneous screw fixation provided reliable stability for Sanders type IIB calcaneal fractures. The fixation configuration incorporating a medial support screw offers superior biomechanical performance in both tongue-type and depression-type fractures, representing an optimized minimally invasive technique with strong clinical applicability.
9.Research updates of RET proto-oncogene in non-small cell lung cancer
Lei TANG ; Zongyou CAI ; Jianhua CHANG
Journal of International Oncology 2025;52(4):237-241
The RET protein encoded by RET proto-oncogene is a receptor tyrosine kinase that serves as a potential therapeutic target in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) . In NSCLC, the incidence of RET fusions variants ranges from 1%-2% and is more common in younger, non-smoking patients. Traditional chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and multitarget kinase inhibitors have shown limited efficacy in treating RET fusion-positive NSCLC patients. However, selective RET inhibitors, such as selpercatinib and pralsetinib, have significantly improved the prognosis of those patients. The treatment strategy following resistance to selective RET inhibitors is a future research direction.
10.Value of cranial CT cisternal grading,D-dimer,and Glasgow Coma Scale score in predicting short-term postoperative prognosis in patients with severe traumatic brain injury
Liexiang ZHANG ; Yuchao HE ; Chang CAI ; Xianhua FU ; Meng LI ; Jin XU ; Ning JIANG ; Xiefeng WANG ; Honglin CHEN
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(8):17-21
Objective To investigate the value of cranial CT cisternal grading combined with D-dimer(D-D)and Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)score in predicting the short-term postoperative prog-nosis of patients with severe traumatic brain injury.Methods A total of 165 patients with severe trau-matic brain injury who were treated in the hospital from January 2019 to May 2024 were selected as study subjects,all underwent craniotomy surgery.Postoperative follow-up was conducted for 3 months to analyze the differences in clinical data and preoperative indicators such as cranial CT cisternal grad-ing,D-D levels,and GCS scores between patients with poor and good prognosis.The value of cranial CT cisternal grading,D-D levels,and GCS scores in predicting short-term postoperative poor prognosis in patients with severe traumatic brain injury was also analyzed.Results Compared with patients with good prognosis,patients with poor prognosis had higher proportion of age,cranial CT cisternal grading of Ⅰ to Ⅱ,D-D levels,and GCS scores<6(P<0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in C-reactive protein,prothrombin time,activated partial thromboplastin time,international normalized ratio,total cholesterol,triglycerides,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels between patients with poor and good prognosis(P>0.05).Cranial CT cisternal grading,D-D levels,and GCS scores were influencing factors for short-term postoperative poor prognosis in patients with severe traumatic brain injury(P<0.05).The area under the curve for poor prognosis by three indicators in combination was 0.941(95%CI,0.906 to 0.975),which was higher than the area under the curve for the individual predictions of cranial CT cisternal grad-ing,D-D levels,and GCS scores(P<0.05).Conclusion The influencing factors for short-term postoperative prognosis in patients with severe traumatic brain injury include cranial CT cisternal grading,D-D levels,and GCS scores.The model based on these three indicators has certain appli-cation value in predicting patient prognosis.

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