1.Laser-assisted spatiotemporal control of Noxa expression in engineering bacteria for treating tumors.
Tingfang GAN ; Naiming ZHENG ; Huifeng LI ; Jinrui XU ; Ningning WU ; Lixin MA ; Yunhong HU
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(8):3199-3213
Bacterial therapy has attracted increasing attention due to its special mechanism and abundant applications. With the flourishing development of synthetic biology, therapeutic genes have been introduced into engineering bacteria to improve their antitumor efficacy. However, it is difficult to spatiotemporally control the expression of these therapeutic genes at the tumor site in vivo, thereby considerably limiting the application of engineered bacteria in tumor treatment. To resolve this problem, we constructed a temperature-responsive bacterial strain capable of triggering the expression of exogenous genes in a laser-controllable way. Noxa, a pro-apoptotic protein, is chosen to test the expression of exogenous protein and its anti-tumor effect in engineered bacteria upon laser irradiation. Firstly, Noxa was fused to the C-terminus of the bacterial outer membrane protein cytolysin A (ClyA), and then the recombinant gene fragment ClyA-Noxa was inserted into the temperature-sensitive plasmid pBV220 and the recombinant plasmid was transformed into non-pathogenic Escherichia coli MG1655. Thus, we constructed the engineering strain (TRB@Noxa) that could express Noxa on the bacterial surface. TRB@Noxa could target and colonize the tumor tissue without causing notable host toxicity. The bacterial infection triggered thrombosis in the tumor tissue, resulting in the darkness of tumor sites. In a xenograft mouse tumor model, our strategy demonstrated precise tumor targeting and strong tumor inhibition. In conclusion, we successfully constructed a new engineering bacterial strain TRB@Noxa. TRB@Noxa combined with photothermal therapy could arrest tumor growth in the absence of photosensitizers, which represents an appealing method for antitumor therapy in the future.
Escherichia coli/radiation effects*
;
Animals
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Humans
;
Lasers
;
Mice
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/biosynthesis*
;
Neoplasms/therapy*
;
Genetic Engineering
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Cell Line, Tumor
;
Escherichia coli Proteins/genetics*
2.Efficacy and safety of CA280 cytokine adsorption column in treatment of acute-on-chronic liver failure
Yan HE ; Dakai GAN ; Xiaoqing ZHANG ; Tao LONG ; Xuezhen ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Yizhen XU ; Yuyu ZENG ; Rui ZHOU ; Shuanglan LIU ; Xizi JIANG ; Yushi LU ; Molong XIONG ; Yunfeng XIONG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(10):2093-2101
ObjectiveTo investigate the application of the novel inflammatory factor adsorption column CA280 combined with low-dose plasma exchange (LPE) in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). MethodsA prospective cohort study was designed, and a total of 93 ACLF patients who were admitted to The Ninth Hospital of Nanchang from June 2023 to January 2025 were enrolled and randomly divided into DPMAS+LPE group with 50 patients and CA280+LPE group with 43 patients. In addition to comprehensive medical treatment, the patients in the DPMAS+LPE group received DPMAS and LPE treatment, and those in the CA280+LPE group received CA280 and LPE treatment. The two groups were observed in terms of routine blood test results, liver function parameters, renal function markers, electrolytes, coagulation function parameters, cytokines, adverse events, and 28-day prognosis before surgery (baseline), during surgery (DPMAS or CA280), and after surgery (after sequential LPE treatment). The paired t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data before and after treatment within each group, and the independent-samples t test was used for comparison between groups; the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data before and after treatment within each group, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between groups. The chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups, and the Spearman test was used for correlation analysis. ResultsAfter CA280 treatment, the ACLF patients had significant reductions in the levels of cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ), liver function parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, TBil, DBil, Alb, and glutathione reductase), and the renal function marker urea nitrogen (all P<0.05), and in terms of coagulation function parameters, there were significant increases in prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time, and international normalized ratio (INR) and significant reductions in prothrombin activity (PTA) and fibrinogen (FIB) (all P<0.05). Compared with the DPMAS+LPE group, the CA280+LPE group showed better improvements in the serum cytokines IL-8 (Z=-2.63, P=0.009), IL-10 (Z=-3.94, P<0.001), and TNF-α (Z=-1.53, P=0.023), and the two artificial liver support systems had a similar effect in improving liver function (ALT, AST, GGT, GR, TBil, and DBil) (all P >0.05), but the CA280+LPE group showed a significantly greater reduction in Alb (Z=-2.08, P=0.037). CA280+LPE was more effective in reducing uric acid (Z=-2.97, P=0.003). Compared with DPMAS+LPE, CA280+LPE treatment resulted in a significant reduction in INR (Z=-4.01, P<0.001), a significant increase in APTT (Z=-2.53, P=0.011), and significant greater increases in PTA (Z=-6.28, P<0.001) and FIB (Z=-3.93, P<0.001). There were no significant differences in the incidence rates of adverse reactions and the rate of improvement at discharge between the two groups (all P>0.05). The Spearman correlation analysis showed that IL-6 was significantly correlated with WBC (r=0.22, P=0.042), TBil (r=0.29, P=0.005), and FIB (r=-0.33, P=0.003); IL-8 was positively correlated with APTT (r=0.37, P<0.001) and INR (r=0.25, P=0.013); TNF-α was significantly correlated with WBC (r=0.40, P<0.001) and TBil (r=0.34, P<0.001). ConclusionCompared with DPMAS, CA280 combined with LPE can effectively clear proinflammatory cytokines and improve liver function in ACLF patients, but it has a certain impact on Alb and coagulation function. This regimen provides a new option for the individualized treatment of ACLF and can improve the short-term prognosis of patients, but further studies are needed to verify its long-term efficacy.
3.Prevalence and risk factors of training-related abdominal injuries: A multicenter survey study.
Chuan PANG ; Wen-Quan LIANG ; Gan ZHANG ; Ting-Ting LU ; Yun-He GAO ; Xin MIAO ; Zhi-Da CHEN ; Yi LIU ; Wen-Tong XU ; Hong-Qing XI
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2025;28(4):301-306
PURPOSE:
This study aims to identify the prevalence and risk factors of military training-related abdominal injuries and help plan and conduct training properly.
METHODS:
This questionnaire survey study was conducted from October 2021 to May 2022 among military personnel from 6 military units and 8 military medical centers and participants' medical records were consulted to identify the training-related abdominal injuries. All the military personnel who ever participated in military training were included. Those who refused to participate in this study or provided an incomplete questionnaire were excluded. The questionnaire collected demographic information, type of abdominal injury, frequency, training subjects, triggers, treatment, and training disturbance. Chi-square test and t-test were used to compare baseline information. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to explore the risk factors associated with military training-related abdominal injuries.
RESULTS:
A total of 3058 participants were involved in this study, among which 1797 (58.8%) had suffered training-related abdominal injuries (the mean age was 24.3 years and the service time was 5.6 years), while 1261 (41.2%) had no training-related abdominal injuries (the mean age was 23.1 years and the service time was 4.3 years). There were 546 injured patients (30.4%) suspended the training and 84 (4.6%) needed to be referred to higher-level hospitals. The most common triggers included inadequate warm-up, fatigue, and intense training. The training subjects with the most abdominal injuries were long-distance running (589, 32.8%). Civil servants had the highest rate of abdominal trauma (17.1%). Age ≥ 25 years, military service ≥ 3 years, poor sleep status, and previous abdominal history were independent risk factors for training-related abdominal injury.
CONCLUSION
More than half of the military personnel have suffered military training-related abdominal injuries. Inadequate warm-up, fatigue, and high training intensity are the most common inducing factors. Scientific and proper training should be conducted according to the factors causing abdominal injuries.
Humans
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Military Personnel
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Risk Factors
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Prevalence
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Male
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Abdominal Injuries/etiology*
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Female
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Adult
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Surveys and Questionnaires
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Young Adult
4.A critical role for Phocaeicola vulgatus in negatively impacting metformin response in diabetes.
Manyun CHEN ; Yilei PENG ; Yuhui HU ; Zhiqiang KANG ; Ting CHEN ; Yulong ZHANG ; Xiaoping CHEN ; Qing LI ; Zuyi YUAN ; Yue WU ; Heng XU ; Gan ZHOU ; Tao LIU ; Honghao ZHOU ; Chunsu YUAN ; Weihua HUANG ; Wei ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2511-2528
Metformin has been demonstrated to attenuate hyperglycaemia by modulating the gut microbiota. However, the mechanisms through which the microbiome mediates metformin monotherapy failure (MMF) are unclear. Herein, in a prospective clinical cohort study of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients treated with metformin monotherapy, metagenomic sequencing of faecal samples revealed that Phocaeicola vulgatus abundance was approximately 12 times higher in nonresponders than in responders. P. vulgatus rapidly hydrolysed taurine-conjugated bile acids, leading to ceramide accumulation and reversing the improvements in glucose intolerance conferred by metformin in high-fat diet-fed mice. Interestingly, C22:0 ceramide bound to mitochondrial fission factor to induce mitochondrial fragmentation and impair hepatic oxidative phosphorylation in P. vulgatus-colonized hyperglycaemic mice, which could be exacerbated by metformin. This work suggests that metformin may be unsuitable for P. vulgatus-rich T2DM patients and that clinicians should be aware of metformin toxicity to mitochondria. Suppressing P. vulgatus growth with cefaclor or improving mitochondrial function using adenosylcobalamin may represent simple, safe, effective therapeutic strategies for addressing MMF.
5.Structural insights into the binding modes of lanreotide and pasireotide with somatostatin receptor 1.
Zicheng ZENG ; Qiwen LIAO ; Shiyi GAN ; Xinyu LI ; Tiantian XIONG ; Lezhi XU ; Dan LI ; Yunlu JIANG ; Jing CHEN ; Richard YE ; Yang DU ; Thiansze WONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2468-2479
Somatostatin receptor 1 (SSTR1) is a crucial therapeutic target for various neuroendocrine and oncological disorders. Current SSTR1-targeted treatments, including the first-generation somatostatin analog lanreotide (Lan) and the second-generation analog pasireotide (Pas), show promise but encounter challenges related to selectivity and efficacy. This study presents high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy structures of SSTR1 complexed with Lan or Pas, revealing the distinct mechanisms of ligand-binding and activation. These structures illustrate unique conformational changes in the SSTR1 orthosteric pocket induced by each ligand, which are critical for receptor activation and ligand selectivity. Combined with the biochemical assays and molecular dynamics simulations, our results provide a comparative analysis of binding characteristics within the SSTR family, highlighting subtle differences in SSTR1 activation by Lan and Pas. These insights pave the way for designing next-generation therapies with enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects through improved receptor subtype selectivity.
6.Analysis of health-related lifestyles among primary and secondary school students in nutrition improvement program regions of China between 2021 and 2023
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(6):788-791
Objective:
To analyze the features of unhealthy lifestyle patterns among primary and secondary school students in the nutrition improvement program for rural compulsory education students (NIPRCES) areas in China in 2021 and 2023, so as to provide data support for lifestyle promotion and healthy development among primary and secondary school students.
Methods:
Adopting a cluster random sampling method, data on primary and secondary students aged 7-15 years from nutrition and health surveillance of China NIPRCES in 2021 and 2023 were collected. The prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles among primary and secondary students such as physical inactivity, outdoor inactivity, excessive screen time, and sleep deprivation by gender, school section, urban/rural, and region were analyzed. The reporting rates of the above indicators among primary and secondary students were compared by Chi-square test.
Results:
In 2021 and 2023, the rates of moderate to vigorous physical inactivity among primary and secondary school students were 79.2% and 80.4%, the rates of outdoor inactivity were 42.8% and 49.3%, the rates of excessive video time were 2.6% and 2.9%, the rates of sleep deprivation were 32.9% and 22.6%, and the differences were statistically significant( χ 2=51.86,1 071.48,18.36,3 296.99, P <0.05). In 2023, the rate of outdoor inactivity for primary and secondary students increased by 6.5 percentage points compared with 2021, and the rate of sleep deprivation decreased by 10.3 percentage points compared with that in 2021. In 2021 and 2023, the reporting rates of moderate to vigorous physical inactivity, outdoor inactivity, and sleep deprivation among girls and junior high school students were higher than those among boys ( χ 2=174.41,180.11; 175.75, 85.46 ;92.22,151.35) and elementary school students ( χ 2=136.64,5.75; 40.55,4.71;162.80,3 291.61); the reporting rates of moderate to vigorous physical inactivity( χ 2=194.43,118.60) and sleep deprivation ( χ 2=969.66,983.72) among urban students were higher than those among rural students; the reporting rates of excessive video time for boys and junior high school students were higher than those for girls ( χ 2=103.62,84.85) and elementary school students ( χ 2=810.09,626.51)( P <0.05). From a regional distribution perspective, the reporting rates of moderato to vigorous physical inactivity, outdoor inactivity, and excessive video time among primary and seconday school students in the central and western regions were lower than those in the eastern region ( χ 2= 663.44,302.78; 356.97,82.10;50.89,81.83) ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
Unhealthy lifestyles remain prevalent among primary and secondary students in NIPRCES areas of China. These findings underscore the need to strengthen policy implementation for promoting healthy lifestyles among primary and secondary school students.
7.Elevated blood pressure and its association with dietary patterns among Chinese children and adolescents aged 7-17 years
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(6):863-867
Objective:
To understand the prevalence of elevated blood pressure and its association with dietary patterns in children and adolescents in China, providing evidence for developing dietary intervention of hypertension in children and adolescents.
Methods:
Data were derived from the China Children s Nutrition and Health System Survey and Application Project(2019-2021). A stratified cluster random sampling method was used to include 7 933 participants from 28 survey sites in seven major regions of Northeast, North, Northwest, East, Central, South and Southwest China. Multivariate Logistic regression models were used to analyze associations between demographic characteristics, nutritional status and elevated blood pressure. Exploratory factor analysis identified dietary patterns, which were divided into three quartile groups (T3, T2, T1) based on factor scores (compliance for dietary pattern) from high to low, and multivariate Logistic regression model assessed the correlation between elevated blood pressure and dietary patterns.
Results:
The prevalence of elevated blood pressure was 15.4% among Chinese children aged 7-17 years. Significant differences were observed across nutritional status (reference: underweight; normal weight: OR =1.57; overweight: OR = 2.61 ; obesity: OR =3.85), urban/rural residence (reference: rural; urban: OR =0.86), and paternal education (reference: junior high school and below; bachelor degree or above: OR =0.68) ( P <0.05). The detection rates of high blood pressure in T3 group children and adolescents with four dietary patterns (staple food, animal based food, snacks, vegetables and fruits) were 15.7%, 14.6%, 16.8%, and 15.8%, respectively. After adjusting for residence, paternal education, and nutritional status, the "snack dietary pattern" (mainly candy, sugar sweetened beverages, and processed snacks) showed positive associations with elevated blood pressure in T2 ( OR =1.21) and T3 ( OR =1.19) tertiles ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
The snack dietary pattern is a related factor for elevated blood pressure in children and adolescents. Restricting unhealthy snack intake may promote cardiovascular health.
8.Analysis of depressive symptoms and associated factors among primary and secondary school students in the in depth monitoring counties Rural Nutrition Improvement Program
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(2):219-222
Objective:
To understand the prevalence and related factors of depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school students in the in depth monitoring counties of China s Rural Compulsory Education Nutrition Improvement Program, so as to provide a basis for prevention and psychological intervention of depressive symptoms among children and adolescents in rural areas.
Methods:
In November 2022, a stratified random sampling method was adopted to collect height and weight data, basic personal and family information of 7 949 primary and secondary school students from grade three to grade nine through physical measurements and questionnaires in 56 key monitoring schools implementing the Student Nutrition Improvement Program in 7 in depth monitoring counties (Jalaid Banner in Inner Mongolia, Jinzhai County in Anhui, Mao Xian in Sichuan, Tiandeng County in Guangxi, Mian County in Shaanxi, Zhaozhou County in Heilongjiang and Youxi County in Fujian), and to obtain the information related to their depressive symptoms through the self assessment questionnaire on depression. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the prevalence of depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school students, as well as their related factors.
Results:
The detection rate of depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school students in the in depth monitored counties was 23.5%. Logistic regression analysis showed that the probability of detecting depressive symptoms was higher among female students, middle school students, students whose video screen duration per day was >2 h, and students whose parents marital status was divorced or widowed ( OR =1.40, 1.64, 1.60, 1.24), and students whose sleep duration reached the recommended standard, whose parents usually accompanied them daily for time was 60-<120 min and ≥120 min, and students whose mothers literacy level was middle school graduation had lower probability of detecting depressive symptoms ( OR =0.85, 0.84, 0.71, 0.76) ( P < 0.05 ).
Conclusion
The detection rate of depressive symptoms among students in the in depth monitoring area is high, and targeted interventions need to be developed for students to reduce the risk of mental health problems.
9.Analysis of major food consumption frequencies among children aged 6-17 years in China
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(4):494-499
Objective:
To analyze the consumption frequency of major foods among Chinese children aged 6-17 years old, and to provide a basis for optimizing the dietary structure of children in China.
Methods:
Using data from the China Nutrition and Health System Survey and Application Program for Children 0-18 years old, 56 734 children aged 6-17 years old from North, Norththeast East, Central, South, Southwest and Northwest seven regions in China were selected for the study using stratified cluster random sampling from 2019 to 2021. A food frequency questionnaire was used to investigate the intake frequency of eight food groups in a month, including fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, livestock and poultry meats, aquatic products, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and cereals and potatoes. The foods were grouped according to whether they met the recommended intake criteria outlined in the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents 2022. The〖KG*2〗χ2 test was used to compare the differences in the proportion of childrens intake frequency of each food group meeting the standard in different regions and age groups.
Results:
The proportions of Chinese children aged 6-17 years who consumed fresh vegetables and cereals and potatoes ≥3 times/d were 12.1% and 67.2%, respectively. The proportions of children who consumed fresh fruits, livestock and poultry meats, eggs and dairy products ≥1 time/d were 50.8%, 58.8%, 36.0% and 54.3%, respectively. The proportion of legumes consumed ≥4 times/week was 37.4%, and the proportion of aquatic products consumed ≥2 times/week was 39.7%. Fresh vegetables (5.5%), fresh fruits (33.1%), and dairy products (36.4%) had the lowest frequency of meeting the recommended standards in South China, and aquatic products (27.4%) and eggs (21.1%) had the lowest frequency of meeting the recommended standards in Northwest (P<0.008 3).
Conclusion
The overall intake frequency of fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, legumes, and dairy products are insufficient among Chinese children, with significant regional variations.
10.Association of dining locations with nutritional status among Chinese children aged 6-17 years
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(5):642-646
Objective:
To analyze the association of eating dining locations and their association with nutritional status among Chinese children aged 6-17 years,so as to provide reference for guiding children s reasonable diet.
Methods:
Stratified random cluster sampling was used to select children aged 6 to 17 years from 28 cities and rural areas of 14 provinces in East, North, Central, South, Southwest, Northwest, Northeast of China, and a total of 52 535 children were included in the study from 2019 to 2021. Information including dining locations, demographic characteristics, dietary intakes and physical activity were collected through a questionnaire survey. Fasting body height and weight were measured in the morning. Unordered multiclass Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between dining locations and nutritional status in children.
Results:
Regarding children s dining locations, 66.3% ate breakfast at home,25.8% ate breakfast at school,7.9% ate breakfast outside (small dining tables, restaurants, stalls, etc.); 67.7% ate dinner at home,29.0% ate dinner at school,3.3% ate dinner outside; and 63.6% ate lunch at school,30.8% ate lunch at home,5.7% ate lunch outside. The prevalence rates of overweight/obesity and undernutrition were 28.6% and 9.3%, respectively. The adjusted multiclass Logistic regression analysis (controlling for age, region, parental education, household income, total energy intake, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) demonstrated that, compared to eating at home, school based breakfast and dinner consumption was associated with significantly lower overweight/obesity risks for both genders (boys: breakfast OR =0.70, 95% CI =0.65-0.75; dinner OR =0.80, 95% CI = 0.74- 0.86; girls: breakfast OR = 0.89 , 95% CI = 0.82-0.96; dinner OR =0.88, 95% CI =0.81-0.95), whereas eating lunch away from home significantly increased overweight/obesity risks (boys: OR =1.32, 95% CI =1.17-1.48; girls: OR =1.43, 95% CI =1.26- 1.62 ), with all associations being statistically significant ( P <0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, boys who ate breakfast away from home showed a significantly reduced risk of undernutrition ( OR =0.80,95% CI =0.66-0.97), while those consuming lunch away from home had an increased risk ( OR =1.26, 95% CI =1.01-1.57) ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
The choice of dining locations for children is becoming more diverse, and a relatively high proportion of children eat meals outside the home and at school. Eating out have a higher risk of malnutrition for children. School feeding may be beneficial to children s physical health.


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