1.Diagnosis and treatment strategies of respiratory viral infection in transplant recipients
Chunrong JU ; Chuangli HAO ; Wujun XUE ; Jianxing HE
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(2):220-228
Viral infection has always been a significant challenge to human health. Transplant recipients, including those who have undergone solid organ transplantation and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, are at high risk of viral infection due to their weak immune function under immunosuppressive therapy. Unlike the general population, transplant recipients are prone to pneumonia and even severe pneumonia after respiratory viral infection, which requires close attention from clinicians. Therefore, this article reviews the clinical characteristics and special management of viral infection in this population, focusing on the epidemiological features of common respiratory viral infection in transplant recipients, early diagnosis and intervention after infection, severe warning signs and drug treatment strategies, for the reference of clinical colleagues.
2.In situ Analytical Techniques for Membrane Protein Interactions
Zi-Yuan KANG ; Tong YU ; Chao LI ; Xue-Hua ZHANG ; Jun-Hui GUO ; Qi-Chang LI ; Jing-Xing GUO ; Hao XIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1206-1218
Membrane proteins are integral components of cellular membranes, accounting for approximately 30% of the mammalian proteome and serving as targets for 60% of FDA-approved drugs. They are critical to both physiological functions and disease mechanisms. Their functional protein-protein interactions form the basis for many physiological processes, such as signal transduction, material transport, and cell communication. Membrane protein interactions are characterized by membrane environment dependence, spatial asymmetry, weak interaction strength, high dynamics, and a variety of interaction sites. Therefore, in situ analysis is essential for revealing the structural basis and kinetics of these proteins. This paper introduces currently available in situ analytical techniques for studying membrane protein interactions and evaluates the characteristics of each. These techniques are divided into two categories: label-based techniques (e.g., co-immunoprecipitation, proximity ligation assay, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, resonance energy transfer, and proximity labeling) and label-free techniques (e.g., cryo-electron tomography, in situ cross-linking mass spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance, and structure prediction tools). Each technique is critically assessed in terms of its historical development, strengths, and limitations. Based on the authors’ relevant research, the paper further discusses the key issues and trends in the application of these techniques, providing valuable references for the field of membrane protein research. Label-based techniques rely on molecular tags or antibodies to detect proximity or interactions, offering high specificity and adaptability for dynamic studies. For instance, proximity ligation assay combines the specificity of antibodies with the sensitivity of PCR amplification, while proximity labeling enables spatial mapping of interactomes. Conversely, label-free techniques, such as cryo-electron tomography, provide near-native structural insights, and Raman spectroscopy directly probes molecular interactions without perturbing the membrane environment. Despite advancements, these methods face several universal challenges: (1) indirect detection, relying on proximity or tagged proxies rather than direct interaction measurement; (2) limited capacity for continuous dynamic monitoring in live cells; and (3) potential artificial influences introduced by labeling or sample preparation, which may alter native conformations. Emerging trends emphasize the multimodal integration of complementary techniques to overcome individual limitations. For example, combining in situ cross-linking mass spectrometry with proximity labeling enhances both spatial resolution and interaction coverage, enabling high-throughput subcellular interactome mapping. Similarly, coupling fluorescence resonance energy transfer with nuclear magnetic resonance and artificial intelligence (AI) simulations integrates dynamic structural data, atomic-level details, and predictive modeling for holistic insights. Advances in AI, exemplified by AlphaFold’s ability to predict interaction interfaces, further augment experimental data, accelerating structure-function analyses. Future developments in cryo-electron microscopy, super-resolution imaging, and machine learning are poised to refine spatiotemporal resolution and scalability. In conclusion, in situ analysis of membrane protein interactions remains indispensable for deciphering their roles in health and disease. While current technologies have significantly advanced our understanding, persistent gaps highlight the need for innovative, integrative approaches. By synergizing experimental and computational tools, researchers can achieve multiscale, real-time, and perturbation-free analyses, ultimately unraveling the dynamic complexity of membrane protein networks and driving therapeutic discovery.
3.Hypertension Chronic Disease Management Platform-Assisted Traditional Chinese Medicine Comprehensive Antihypertensive Regimen for the Treatment of Primary Hypertension: A Prospective Cohort Study
Lin ZHAO ; Shuchen DING ; Mei XUE ; Hao XU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(16):1687-1694
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of the hypertension chronic disease management platform-assisted traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) comprehensive antihypertensive regimen on blood pressure control in the real world, and evaluate patients' satisfaction with this regimen. MethodsA total of 160 patients with primary hypertension were recruited, and the patients were asked to use the hypertension chronic disease management platform for self-management and to decide whether to apply TCM comprehensive antihypertensive regimen (including Baduanjin for lowering blood pressure, acupoint massage, and Chinese medicinal tea). One month later, the changes in patients' blood pressure and the application rate of each treatment regimen were investigated. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between each regimen and blood pressure changes. Sensitivity analysis was performed by excluding some patients with comorbidities that might affect the use of the regimens to verify the reliability of the research results. Interaction analysis was conducted to explore whether there was a synergistic effect between the regimens, and patient satisfaction was also surveyed. ResultsA total of 149 patients were finally included. Compared with patients who did not use TCM comprehensive antihypertensive regimen regularly, those who used it regularly had a more significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure (P<0.05). The results of Logistic regression analysis showed that the decrease in systolic blood pressure was associated with the use of TCM decoctions, and the decrease in diastolic blood pressure was associated with the use of TCM decoctions and regular use of TCM comprehensive antihypertensive regimen (P<0.05). Sensitivity analysis suggested that the above research results were stable. The results of interaction analysis showed that there was no interactive effect between antihypertensive Baduanjin and acupoint massage, antihypertensive Baduanjin and Chinese medicinal tea, or acupoint massage and Chinese medicinal tea on systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P>0.05). One hundred and thirty patients (130/149, 87.25%) thought the hypertension chronic disease management platform was helpful or very helpful, and 111 patients (111/149, 74.50%) thought TCM comprehensive antihypertensive regimen was helpful or very helpful. ConclusionRegular use of TCM comprehensive antihypertensive regimen helps reduce the diastolic blood pressure level in patients with primary hypertension, and patients have a high degree of satisfaction with the use of the hypertension chronic disease management platform and TCM comprehensive antihypertensive regimen.
4.Effect of stress-induced hyperglycemia on new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Hongkai DONG ; Xuan XUE ; Bingbing PENG ; Meiling LIU ; Liuyi HAO
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(6):114-118
Objective To explore the effect of stress hyperglycemia (SHG) on new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods A total of 1 321 patients with non-diabetic AMI who were admitted to the hospital from February 2024 to February 2025 were retrospectively selected. The occurrence of SHG was assessed according to the blood glucose level at admission. All patients received standard treatment after admission. The occurrence of NOAF during hospitalization was recorded. According to the presence or absence of NOAF occurrence, the patients were classified into NOAF group (n=118) and no-NOAF group (n=1,203). The clinical data of the two groups were collected and compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to analyze the factors influencing the occurrence of NOAF in AMI patients. Results Among the 1 321 patients, 369 cases (27.93%) had SHG according to their blood glucose test at admission. After the completion of hospitalization, 118 of the 1321 patients developed NOAF, with an incidence rate of 8.93%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that SHG (OR=2.776, 95%CI: 1.384-5.567), smoking history (OR=2.680, 95%CI: 1.457-4.931), Killip grading at admission (OR=2.779, 95%CI: 1.361-5.671), Gensini score (OR=1.119, 95%CI: 1.038-1.205), time from onset to revascularization (OR=1.114, 95%CI: 0.973-1.275), and NT-proBNP (OR=1.123, 95%CI: 1.049-1.203) were independent influencing factors of NOAF in patients with AMI (P<0.05). Conclusion SHG, smoking history, Killip grading at admission, Gensini score, NT-proBNP, and time from onset to revascularization may influence the occurrence of NOAF in AMI patients during hospitalization, which should be given high attention.
5.Efficacy of balloon stent or oral estrogen for adhesion prevention in septate uterus: A randomized clinical trial.
Shan DENG ; Zichen ZHAO ; Limin FENG ; Xiaowu HUANG ; Sumin WANG ; Xiang XUE ; Lei YAN ; Baorong MA ; Lijuan HAO ; Xueying LI ; Lihua YANG ; Mingyu SI ; Heping ZHANG ; Zi-Jiang CHEN ; Lan ZHU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(8):985-987
6.The pleiotropic role of MEF2C in bone tissue development and metabolism.
Hao-Jie XIAO ; Rui-Qi HUANG ; Sheng-Jie LIN ; Jin-Yang LI ; Xue-Jie YI ; Hai-Ning GAO
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(2):374-384
The development of bone in human body and the maintenance of bone mass in adulthood are regulated by a variety of biological factors. Myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C), as one of the many factors regulating bone tissue development and balance, has been shown to play a key role in bone development and metabolism. However, there is limited systematic analysis on the effects of MEF2C on bone tissue. This article reviews the role of MEF2C in bone development and metabolism. During bone development, MEF2C promotes the development of neural crest cells (NC) into craniofacial cartilage and directly promotes cartilage hypertrophy. In terms of bone metabolism, MEF2C exhibits a differentiated regulatory model across different types of osteocytes, demonstrating both promoting and other potential regulatory effects on bone formation, with its stimulating effect on osteoclasts being determined. In view of the complex roles of MEF2C in bone tissue, this paper also discusses its effects on some bone diseases, providing valuable insights for the physiological study of bone tissue and strategies for the prevention of bone diseases.
Humans
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MEF2 Transcription Factors/physiology*
;
Bone and Bones/metabolism*
;
Animals
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Bone Development/physiology*
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Osteogenesis/physiology*
;
Myogenic Regulatory Factors/physiology*
7.Construction of oleanolic acid-producing Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells.
Yue ZHANG ; Xue-Mi HAO ; Cai-Xia WANG ; Long-Shan ZHAO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(9):2365-2372
In this study, Saccharomyces cerevisiae R0 was used as the chassis cell to synthesize oleanolic acid from scratch through the heterologous expression of β-amyrin synthase(β-AS) from Glycyrrhiza uralensis, cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP716A154 from Catharanthus roseus, and cytochrome P450 reductase AtCPR from Arabidopsis thaliana. The engineered strain R1 achieved shake flask titres of 5.19 mg·L~(-1). By overexpressing enzymes in the pentose phosphate pathway(PPP)(ZWF1, GND1, TKL1, and TAL), the NADH kinase gene in the mitochondrial matrix(POS5), truncated 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase(tPgHMGR1) from Panax ginseng, and farnesyl diphosphate synthase gene(SmFPS) from Salvia miltiorrhiza, the precursor supply and intracellular reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH) supply were enhanced, resulting in an 11.4-fold increase in squalene yield and a 3.6-fold increase in oleanolic acid yield. Subsequently, increasing the copy number of the heterologous genes tPgHMGR1, β-AS, CYP716A154, and AtCPR promoted the metabolic flow towards the final product, oleanolic acid, and increased the yield by three times. Shake flask fermentation data showed that, by increasing the copy number, precursor supply, and intracellular NADPH supply, the final engineered strain R3 could achieve an oleanolic acid yield of 53.96 mg·L~(-1), which was 10 times higher than that of the control strain R1. This study not only laid the foundation for the green biosynthesis of oleanolic acid but also provided a reference for metabolic engineering research on other pentacyclic triterpenoids in S. cerevisiae.
Oleanolic Acid/biosynthesis*
;
Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism*
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Industrial Microbiology
;
Microorganisms, Genetically-Modified/metabolism*
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Plants/enzymology*
;
Fermentation
;
Metabolic Engineering
8.Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae chassis cells with different squalene content on triterpenoid synthesis.
Feng ZHANG ; Kang-Xin HOU ; Yue ZHANG ; Hong-Ping HOU ; Yue ZHANG ; Chao-Yue LIU ; Xue-Mi HAO ; Jia LIU ; Cai-Xia WANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(8):2130-2136
Many triterpenoid compounds have been successfully heterologously synthesized in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To increase the yield of triterpenoids, various metabolic engineering strategies have been developed. One commonly applied strategy is to enhance the supply of precursors, which has been widely used by researchers. Squalene, as a precursor to triterpenoid biosynthesis, plays a crucial role in the synthesis of these compounds. This study primarily investigates the effect of different squalene levels in chassis strains on the synthesis of triterpenoids(oleanolic acid and ursolic acid), and the underlying mechanisms are further explored using real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR) analysis. The results demonstrate that the chassis strain CB-9-5, which produces high levels of squalene, inhibits the synthesis of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid. In contrast, chassis strains with moderate to low squalene production, such as Y8-1 and CNPK, are more conducive to the synthesis of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid. The qPCR analysis reveals that the expression levels of ERG1, βAS, and CrCYP716A154 in the oleanolic acid-producing strain CB-OA are significantly lower than those in the control strains C-OA and Y-OA, suggesting that high squalene production in the chassis strains suppresses the transcription of certain genes, leading to a reduced yield of triterpenoids. Our findings indicate that when constructing S. cerevisiae strains for triterpenoid production, chassis strains with high squalene content may suppress the expression of certain genes, ultimately lowering their production, whereas chassis strains with moderate squalene levels are more favorable for triterpenoid biosynthesis.
Squalene/analysis*
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics*
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Triterpenes/metabolism*
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Metabolic Engineering
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Oleanolic Acid/biosynthesis*
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Ursolic Acid
9.Effects of Sishen Pills and its separated prescriptions on human intestinal flora based on in vitro fermentation model.
Jia-Yang XI ; Qi-Qi WANG ; Xue CHENG ; Hui XIA ; Lu CAO ; Yue-Hao XIE ; Tian-Xiang ZHU ; Ming-Zhu YIN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(11):3137-3146
Sishen Pills and its separated prescriptions are classic prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine to treat intestinal diseases. In this study, a high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) technology was used to identify the components of Sishen Pills, Ershen Pills, and Wuweizi Powder. The positive and negative ion sources of electrospray ionization were simultaneously collected by mass spectrometry. A total of 11 effective components were detected in Sishen Pills, with four effective components detected in Ershen Pills and eight effective components detected in Wuweizi Powder, respectively. To explore the effects of Sishen Pills and its separated prescriptions on the human intestinal flora, an in vitro anaerobic fermentation model was established, and the human intestinal flora was incubated with Sishen Pills, Ershen Pills, and Wuweizi Powder in vitro. The 16S rDNA sequencing technology was used to analyze the changes in the intestinal flora. The results showed that compared with the control group, Sishen Pills, and its separated prescriptions could decrease the intestinal flora abundance and increase the Shannon index after fermentation. The abundance of Bifidobacterium was significantly increased in the Sishen Pills and Ershen Pills groups. However, the abundance of Lactobacillus, Weissella, and Pediococcus was significantly increased in the Wuweizi Powder group. After fermentation for 12 h, the pH of the fermentation solution of three kinds of liquids with feces gradually decreased and was lower than that of the control group. The decreasing amplitude in the Wuweizi Powder group was the most obvious. The single-bacteria fermentation experiments further confirmed that Sishen Pills and Wuweizi Powder had inhibitory effects on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis, and the antibacterial activity of Wuweizi Powder was stronger than that of Sishen Pills. Both Sishen Pills and Ershen Pills could promote the growth of Lactobacillus brevis, and Ershen Pills could promote the growth of Bifidobacterium adolescentis. This study provided a more sufficient theoretical basis for the clinical application of Sishen Pills and its separated prescriptions.
Humans
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Fermentation/drug effects*
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Bacteria/drug effects*
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Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
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Tandem Mass Spectrometry
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Intestines/microbiology*
10.Effect and mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Decoction in improving neurological function in ischemic stroke rats based on IRE1α/ASK1/JNK pathway.
Xin-Rong ZHANG ; Tian-Lang WANG ; Jia-Hao ZHANG ; Lu JIN ; Jian-Bo WANG ; Ya-Nan XUE ; Yi QU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(14):3857-3867
This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Decoction in regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress via the inositol-requiring enzyme 1α(IRE1α)/apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1(ASK1)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK) pathway to improve neurological function in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury(CIRI). SPF-grade male sprague-dawley(SD) rats were randomly divided into Sham group, model group, Buyang Huanwu Decoction group, and edaravone group. Except for the Sham group, the other groups were subjected to the modified suture method to establish a middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R) model. After treatment, neurological function was assessed using the Zea Longa scoring system. Gait analysis was used to detect the motor function. Detection of relative infarct area in brain tissue using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining. Nissl staining was used to observe the structure of neuronal cells. Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR) were used to detect IRE1α, ASK1, JNK, B cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2 related X protein(Bax), and Caspase-3 in the brain tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the positive expression of IRE1α, ASK1, and JNK. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the fluorescence expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3. The results showed that compared with the Sham group, the model group exhibited increased neurological scores(P<0.01), increased ratio of ground contact area and strength in both forelimbs(P<0.01), enlarged relative infarct area of brain tissue(P<0.05), and a reduced number of Nissl staining-positive cells(P<0.01). The protein and mRNA expression levels of IRE1α, ASK1, JNK, Bax, and Caspase-3 in brain tissue were significantly elevated, while those of Bcl-2 were decreased(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, both the Buyang Huanwu Decoction group and edaravone group showed reduced neurological scores(P<0.05), decreased ratio of ground contact area and strength in both forelimbs(P<0.05), smaller relative infarct area(P<0.05), alleviated neuronal damage, and increased number of Nissl staining-positive cells(P<0.05). The expression levels of IRE1α, ASK1, JNK, Bax, and Caspase-3 protein and mRNA in brain tissue were significantly reduced, while those of Bcl-2 were significantly increased(P<0.05). The results indicated that Buyang Huanwu Decoction can effectively improve brain injury in CIRI rats, and its mechanism of action may be related to regulating the endoplasmic reticulum stress IRE1α/ASK1/JNK signaling pathway.
Animals
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Male
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Rats
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MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 5/genetics*
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Ischemic Stroke/physiopathology*
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Humans
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MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects*
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
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Endoribonucleases/genetics*
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JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics*
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Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress/drug effects*
;
Multienzyme Complexes


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