1.Mechanisms of Gut Microbiota Influencing Reproductive Function via The Gut-Gonadal Axis
Ya-Qi ZHAO ; Li-Li QI ; Jin-Bo WANG ; Xu-Qi HU ; Meng-Ting WANG ; Hai-Guang MAO ; Qiu-Zhen SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1152-1164
Reproductive system diseases are among the primary contributors to the decline in social fertility rates and the intensification of aging, posing significant threats to both physical and mental health, as well as quality of life. Recent research has revealed the substantial potential of the gut microbiota in improving reproductive system diseases. Under healthy conditions, the gut microbiota maintains a dynamic balance, whereas dysfunction can trigger immune-inflammatory responses, metabolic disorders, and other issues, subsequently leading to reproductive system diseases through the gut-gonadal axis. Reproductive diseases, in turn, can exacerbate gut microbiota imbalance. This article reviews the impact of the gut microbiota and its metabolites on both male and female reproductive systems, analyzing changes in typical gut microorganisms and their metabolites related to reproductive function. The composition, diversity, and metabolites of gut bacteria, such as Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Firmicutes, including short-chain fatty acids, 5-hydroxytryptamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and bile acids, are closely linked to reproductive function. As reproductive diseases develop, intestinal immune function typically undergoes changes, and the expression levels of immune-related factors, such as Toll-like receptors and inflammatory cytokines (including IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β), also vary. The gut microbiota and its metabolites influence reproductive hormones such as estrogen, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone, thereby affecting folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis. Additionally, the metabolism and absorption of vitamins can also impact spermatogenesis through the gut-testis axis. As the relationship between the gut microbiota and reproductive diseases becomes clearer, targeted regulation of the gut microbiota can be employed to address reproductive system issues in both humans and animals. This article discusses the regulation of the gut microbiota and intestinal immune function through microecological preparations, fecal microbiota transplantation, and drug therapy to treat reproductive diseases. Microbial preparations and drug therapy can help maintain the intestinal barrier and reduce chronic inflammation. Fecal microbiota transplantation involves transferring feces from healthy individuals into the recipient’s intestine, enhancing mucosal integrity and increasing microbial diversity. This article also delves into the underlying mechanisms by which the gut microbiota influences reproductive capacity through the gut-gonadal axis and explores the latest research in diagnosing and treating reproductive diseases using gut microbiota. The goal is to restore reproductive capacity by targeting the regulation of the gut microbiota. While the gut microbiota holds promise as a therapeutic target for reproductive diseases, several challenges remain. First, research on the association between gut microbiota and reproductive diseases is insufficient to establish a clear causal relationship, which is essential for proposing effective therapeutic methods targeting the gut microbiota. Second, although gut microbiota metabolites can influence lipid, glucose, and hormone synthesis and metabolism via various signaling pathways—thereby indirectly affecting ovarian and testicular function—more in-depth research is required to understand the direct effects of these metabolites on germ cells or granulosa cells. Lastly, the specific efficacy of gut microbiota in treating reproductive diseases is influenced by multiple factors, necessitating further mechanistic research and clinical studies to validate and optimize treatment regimens.
2.Mechanisms and Molecular Networks of Hypoxia-regulated Tumor Cell Dormancy
Mao ZHAO ; Jin-Qiu FENG ; Ze-Qi GAO ; Ping WANG ; Jia FU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2267-2279
Dormant tumor cells constitute a population of cancer cells that reside in a non-proliferative or low-proliferative state, typically arrested in the G0/G1 phase and exhibiting minimal mitotic activity. These cells are commonly observed across multiple cancer types, including breast, lung, and ovarian cancers, and represent a central cellular component of minimal residual disease (MRD) following surgical resection of the primary tumor. Dormant cells are closely associated with long-term clinical latency and late-stage relapse. Due to their quiescent nature, dormant cells are intrinsically resistant to conventional therapies—such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy—that preferentially target rapidly dividing cells. In addition, they display enhanced anti-apoptotic capacity and immune evasion, rendering them particularly difficult to eradicate. More critically, in response to microenvironmental changes or activation of specific signaling pathways, dormant cells can re-enter the cell cycle and initiate metastatic outgrowth or tumor recurrence. This ability to escape dormancy underscores their clinical threat and positions their effective detection and elimination as a major challenge in contemporary cancer treatment. Hypoxia, a hallmark of the solid tumor microenvironment, has been widely recognized as a potent inducer of tumor cell dormancy. However, the molecular mechanisms by which tumor cells sense and respond to hypoxic stress—initiating the transition into dormancy—remain poorly defined. In particular, the lack of a systems-level understanding of the dynamic and multifactorial regulatory landscape has impeded the identification of actionable targets and constrained the development of effective therapeutic strategies. Accumulating evidence indicates that hypoxia-induced dormancy tumor cells are accompanied by a suite of adaptive phenotypes, including cell cycle arrest, global suppression of protein synthesis, metabolic reprogramming, autophagy activation, resistance to apoptosis, immune evasion, and therapy tolerance. These changes are orchestrated by multiple converging signaling pathways—such as PI3K-AKT-mTOR, Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK, and AMPK—that together constitute a highly dynamic and interconnected regulatory network. While individual pathways have been studied in depth, most investigations remain reductionist and fail to capture the temporal progression and network-level coordination underlying dormancy transitions. Systems biology offers a powerful framework to address this complexity. By integrating high-throughput multi-omics data—such as transcriptomics and proteomics—researchers can reconstruct global regulatory networks encompassing the key signaling axes involved in dormancy regulation. These networks facilitate the identification of core regulatory modules and elucidate functional interactions among key effectors. When combined with dynamic modeling approaches—such as ordinary differential equations—these frameworks enable the simulation of temporal behaviors of critical signaling nodes, including phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK), phosphorylated S6 (p-S6), and the p38/ERK activity ratio, providing insights into how their dynamic changes govern transitions between proliferation and dormancy. Beyond mapping trajectories from proliferation to dormancy and from shallow to deep dormancy, such dynamic regulatory models support topological analyses to identify central hubs and molecular switches. Key factors—such as NR2F1, mTORC1, ULK1, HIF-1α, and DYRK1A—have emerged as pivotal nodes within these networks and represent promising therapeutic targets. Constructing an integrative, systems-level regulatory framework—anchored in multi-pathway coordination, omics-layer integration, and dynamic modeling—is thus essential for decoding the architecture and progression of tumor dormancy. Such a framework not only advances mechanistic understanding but also lays the foundation for precision therapies targeting dormant tumor cells during the MRD phase, addressing a critical unmet need in cancer management.
3.Impact of rigid container material type and loading volume on the sterilization of thoracoscopic instruments
Xue'e FANG ; Yanjun MAO ; Qiuping ZHU ; Yanni CAI ; Jing SHU ; Guifen ZHANG ; Yichun JIN ; Minye TANG ; Ying TAO ; Huiting HU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(8):697-699
ObjectiveTo explore the impacts of material type and loading volume of rigid containers on the hydrogen peroxide low temperature plasma sterilization of thoracoscopic instruments, to identify the best rigid containers and loading volume of thoracoscopic instruments. MethodsThoracoscopic instruments sterilized by STERRAD® 100NX hydrogen peroxide low temperature plasma in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital affiliated to Tongji University from August to September 2024 were selected as the research items. According to the material of rigid containers, the instruments were divided into polyethylene case group (A), stainless steel case group (B) and silicone resin case group (C). In terms of the loading volume, the rigid containers were divided into (loading capacity <80%) groups of 8, 10 and 12 instruments. The results of physical monitoring, the first type of chemical indicator card monitoring, and the five types of card luminal chemical process challenge device (PCD) monitoring of the 9 groups of A8, A10, A12, B8, B10, B12, C8, C10 and C12 were compared and evaluated. ResultsCompared to A8, A10 A12, C8, C10 or C12 groups, the thoracoscope instruments in the stainless steel containers in B8, B10 or B12 group had higher hydrogen peroxide concentrations and shorter elapsed time in the pressure check phases 1 and phases 2, with the differences statistically significant (P<0.05), followed by the silicone resin case group and the polyethylene case group. The nine groups of physical parameter monitoring, the first type of chemical indicator monitoring, and the five types of chemical PCD monitoring for lumen sterilization achieved 100% qualification rates, and there were no significant differences in the qualified rates of sterilization among the 9 groups (P>0.05). ConclusionWhen using hydrogen peroxide low temperature plasma to sterilize thoracoscopic instruments, it is recommended to use stainless steel or silicone resin rigid containers with a controlled loading capacity (≤12) to ensure optimal sterilization quality.
4.Pharmacological Effect of Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex and Active Components on Gout: A Review
Min LI ; Yunyun QUAN ; Ting WANG ; Li LI ; Jin ZENG ; Junning ZHAO ; Jiuzhou MAO ; Yangfan TANG ; Zhujun YIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(1):286-298
Gout is a metabolic disease closely associated with hyperuricemia and urate deposition. Because of the complex pathogenesis, high morbidity, multiple complications, and increasingly young patients, gout has received worldwide attention. Currently, western medicine mainly treats gout by lowering the uric acid level and reducing inflammation, which, however, causes serious adverse reactions and has contraindications. Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex (PCC) is the dried bark of Phellodendron chinense, with the effects of clearing heat, drying dampness, purging fire, detoxifying, and treating sores. Studies have shown that PCC and its active components have anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, uric acid-lowering, and anti-gout activities, with extensive sources and high safety. PCC and its active components could prevent and treat gout through multi-targets and multi-pathways, whereas the systematic review remains to be carried out. Therefore, this paper summarized the pharmacological activities and mechanisms of PCC and its active components in the treatment of gout. The available studies have shown that PCC and its active components exert the anti-gout effect by lowering the uric acid level, reducing inflammation, alleviating oxidative stress, and regulationg intestinal flora, and protecting the kidneys. Particularly, the active components represented by alkaloids contribute obviously to the therapeutic effect of of PCC. Herein, we analyzed the problems and future development of the research on PCC, aiming to provide theoretical support and a scientific basis for the research and development of new drugs against gout.
5.Research progress on drug resistance mechanism of sorafenib in radioiodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer
En-Tao ZHANG ; Hao-Nan ZHU ; Zheng-Ze WEN ; Cen-Hui ZHANG ; Yi-Huan ZHAO ; Ying-Jie MAO ; Jun-Pu WU ; Yu-Cheng JIN ; Xin JIN
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(13):1986-1990
Most patients with differentiated thyroid cancer have a good prognosis after radioiodine-131 therapy,but a small number of patients are insensitive to radioiodine-131 therapy and even continue to develop disease.At present,some targeted drugs can improve progression-free survival in patients with radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer(RAIR-DTC),such as sorafenib and levatinib,have been approved for the treatment of RAIR-DTC.However,due to the presence of primary and acquired drug resistance,drug efficacy in these patients is unsatisfactory.This review introduces the acquired drug resistance mechanism of sorafenib in the regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K)pathways and proposes related treatment strategies,in order to provide a reference for similar drug resistance mechanism of sorafenib and effective treatment of RAIR-DTC.
6.Survival characteristics of patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes treated with an arsenic-containing herbal combination
Nan JIN ; Yue MAO ; Yan LYU ; Zhuo CHEN ; Dexiu WANG ; Weiyi LIU ; Chi LIU ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(5):709-720
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of survival in patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes(HR-MDS)and provide a reference for the clinical prognosis of patients with HR-MDS.Methods General data,blood routine test,bone marrow smear with histopathology,cytogenetics,and other clinical data of 200 patients diagnosed with HR-MDS at Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences,during the period of January 2016-September 2022,were retrospectively analyzed.The included patients were categorized into the arsenic-containing herbal combination combined with demethylating agents(HMAs)treatment group and the arsenic-containing Chinese medicine compound combined with androgen treatment group.The influence of clinical indices on the survival characteristics of each group was analyzed.Results Comparison of the impact of clinical indicators on survival in 200 patients with HR-MDS who were treated with arsenic-containing herbal compounds in combination with HMAs or androgens showed that high-risk vs.very high-risk(P=0.018),hemoglobin(Hb)<80 g/L vs.Hb≥80 g/L(P=0.035),platelet(PLT)counts<50×109 L-1 vs.PLT counts≥50×109 L-1(P<0.001),and the difference in median progression-free survival(PFS)time between myelodysplastic syndromes converted to leukemia(MDS-AML)and non-MDS-AML(P=0.003)were statistically significant.Comparison of survival effects of clinical indicators in 68 patients with HR-MDS who were treated with arsenic-containing Chinese medicine compound combined with HMAs showed that the difference in median PFS between PLT count<50×109 L-1 and PLT count≥50×109 L-1(P<0.001)and the difference in median PFS between<5 and≥5 courses of chemotherapy(P=0.018)were statistically significant.Comparison of survival effects of clinical indicators in 132 patients with HR-MDS who were treated with arsenic-containing Chinese medicine compound combined with androgens showed that Hb<80 g/L and Hg≥80 g/L(P=0.028),PLT count<50×109 L-1 and PLT count≥50×109 L-1(P=0.002),and the mean differences in PFS between MDS-AML and non-MDS-AML(P=0.024)were statistically significant.Conclusion The clinical characteristics of long-surviving patients treated with arsenic-containing herbal combination in combination with HMAs included PLT counts≥50×109 L-1 and≥5 courses of chemotherapy.The clinical characteristics of long-surviving patients treated with arsenic-containing herbal combination in combination with androgens included Hg≥80 g/L,PLT count≥50×109 L-1,and non-MDS-AML.
7.Epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis in Huzhou City from 2014 to 2023
JIN Meihua ; WANG Ziyi ; REN Feilin ; LIU Xiaoqi ; SUN Xiuxiu ; YANG Zhongrong ; MAO Guangyun
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(10):856-860
Objective:
To investigate the epidemilogical characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis in Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province from 2014 to 2023, so as to provide the basis for formulating prevention and control measures for the construction of "TB-free city".
Methods:
The data of pulmonary tuberculosis cases in Huzhou City from 2014 to 2023 was collected through the Infectious Disease Reporting Management System of Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The onset time, region, and population distribution characteristics of the cases were described.
Results:
A total of 11 598 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were reported in Huzhou City from 2014 to 2023, with an average annual incidence of 37.42/105. The reported incidence decreased from 47.50/105 in 2014 to 28.36/105 in 2023 (P<0.05), with an annual decline rate of 5.57%. There were 6 304 etiological positive cases, accounting for 54.35%. The peak season for pulmonary tuberculosis cases was from March to September, with the highest seasonal ratio of 112.48% in May. The average annual reported incidence rates in Anji County and Changxing County were relatively high (46.14/105 and 41.15/105). The reported incidence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis in Huzhou City increased with age (P<0.05), peaking at 97.36/105 in the group aged 75 to <80 years. There were 7 991 male pulmonary tuberculosis cases and 3 607 female cases, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.22∶1. The average annual incidence rates of pulmonary tuberculosis was higher in males than in females (50.39/105 vs. 23.87/105). Farmers were the primary occupation affected, with 6 350 cases accounting for 54.75%.
Conclusions
The reported incidence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis in Huzhou City decreased from 2014 to 2023, with a high incidence in spring and summer. The incidence rates in Anji County and Changxing County were higher than Huzhou City's average. Male, elderly residents and farmers were the key populations for pulmonary tuberculosis prevention and control.
8.Lanthanide Metal Organic Framework as A New Unlabeled Fluorescence Anisotropy Probe for Detection of Phosphate Ions
Kai MAO ; Xiao-Yan WANG ; Yu-Jie LUO ; Jia-Li XIE ; Tian-Jin XIE ; Yuan-Fang LI ; Cheng-Zhi HUANG ; Shu-Jun ZHEN
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(1):35-44,中插1-中插4
Fluorescence anisotropy(FA)analysis has many advantages such as no requirement of separation,high throughput and real-time detection,and thus has been widely used in many fields,including biochemical analysis,food safety detection,environmental monitoring,etc.However,due to the small volume or mass of the target,its combination with the fluorescence probe cannot produce significant signal change.To solve this issue,researchers often use nanomaterials to enhance the mass or volume of fluorophore to improve the sensitivity.Nevertheless,this FA amplification strategy also has some disadvantages.Firstly,nanomaterials are easy to quench fluorescence.As a result,the FA value is easily influenced by light scattering,which reduces the detection accuracy.Secondly,fluorescent probes in most methods require complex modification steps.Therefore,it is necessary to develop new FA probes that do not require the amplification of volume and mass or modification.As a new kind of nanomaterials,luminescent metal-organic framework(MOF)has a large volume(or mass)and strong fluorescence emission.It does not require additional signal amplification materials.As a consequence,it can be used as a potential FA probe.This study successfully synthesized a lanthanide metal organic framework(Ce-TCPP MOF)using cerium ion(Ce3+)as the central ion and 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-carboxylphenyl)porphyrin(H2TCPP)as the ligand through microwave assisted method,and used it as a novel unmodified FA probe to detect phosphate ions(Pi).In the absence of Pi,Ce-TCPP MOF had a significant FA value(r).After addition of Pi,Pi reacted with Ce3+in MOF and destroyed the structure of MOF into the small pieces,resulting in a decrease in r.The experimental results indicated that with the increase of Pi concentration,the change of the r of Ce-TCPP MOF(Δr)gradually increased.The Δr and Pi concentration showed a good linear relationship within the range of 0.5-3.5 μmol/L(0.016-0.108 mg/L).The limit of detection(LOD,3σ/k)was 0.41 μmol/L.The concentration of Pi in the Jialing River water detected by this method was about 0.078 mg/L,and the Pi value detected by ammonium molybdate spectrophotometry was about 0.080 mg/L.The two detection results were consistent with each other,and the detection results also meet the ClassⅡwater quality standard,proving that this method could be used for the detection of Pi in complex water bodies.
9.Research progress on the role of MTAP in malignant mesothelioma
Xudong JIN ; Zhongjian CHEN ; Weimin MAO
Journal of International Oncology 2024;51(2):99-104
Methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) is a rate-limiting enzyme in the methionine and purine salvage pathway, and is closely related to polyamine metabolism, adenine metabolism and methionine metabolism. MTAP is frequently deleted in malignant mesothelioma (MM) and plays an important role in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of MM. At the same time, metabolic reprogramming caused by MTAP deletion creates new therapeutic strategies for MM. Besides, MTAP gene is also associated with the prognosis of MM, therefore MTAP is a significant biomarker for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of MM.
10.Trends in the distribution of Oncomelania hupensis in forestlands in Songjiang District, Shanghai Municipality from 2009 to 2023
Qi MAO ; Caiying SUN ; Anqi LI ; Weiwei LU ; Xihong LÜ ; Xuehui LU ; Yanjun JIN ; Qing YU
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2024;36(2):165-168
Objective To investigate the changes in distribution of Oncomelania hupensis snails in forestlands in Songjiang District, Shanghai Municipality from 2009 to 2023, so as to provide insights into formulation of O. hupensis snail surveillance programs. Methods The reports on O. hupensis snail surveillance in Songjiang District, Shanghai Municipality from 2009 to 2023 were collected, and the snail surveillance data in forestlands were extracted. The trends in the proportion of areas with snails in forestlands in total areas with snails, occurrence of frames with living snails and density of living snails were evaluated using a Joinpoint regression model in Songjiang District from 2009 to 2023, and the annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC). Results A total of 40 sites with snails were found in forestlands in 14 administrative villages of 4 townships, Songjiang District, Shanghai Municipality from 2009 to 2023. A total of 39 065 frames were surveyed for snails in settings covering an area of 609 600 m2, and there were 6 084 frames with snails, covering 151 250 m2 snail habitats. A total of 22 210 snails were captured, with the highest density of 260.00 snails/0.1 m2, and 6 262 snails were dissected, with no Schistosoma japonicum infection identified in snails. The proportion of areas with snails in forestlands in total areas with snails appeared a tendency towards a rise in forestlands in Songjiang District, Shanghai Municipality from 2009 to 2023 (APC = AAPC = 24.9%, P > 0.05); however, there were no turning points in the trend curve, with the highest proportion seen in 2009 (53.81%), the lowest in 2011 and 2023 (both 0) and a mean proportion of 24.81%. The occurrence of frames with living snails appeared a tendency towards a rise from 2009 to 2023 (APC = AAPC = 41.5%, P > 0.05); however, there were no turning points in the trend curve, with the highest occurrence in 2009 (53.81%), the lowest in 2011 and 2013 (both 0), and the mean occurrence of 15.57%. In addition, the density of living snails appeared a tendency towards a rise from 2009 to 2023 (APC = AAPC = 55.0%, P > 0.05); however, there were no turning points in the trend curve, with the highest density in 2023 (0.96 snails/0.1 m2), the lowest in 2011 and 2013 (both 0), and a mean density of 0.57 snails/0.1 m2. Conclusions The difficulty in O. hupensis snail control and risk of imported snails appeared a tendency towards a rise in forestlands in Songjiang District, Shanghai Municipality over years from 2009 to 2023. Supervision and assessment prior to seedling transplantation and intensified surveillance post-transplantation are recommended to reduce the risk of O. hupensis snail importation and spread.


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