1.The Structure and Function of The YopJ Family Effectors in The Bacterial Type III Secretion System
Ao-Ning LI ; Wen-Bo LI ; Yu-Ying LU ; Min-Hui ZHU ; Yu-Long QIN ; Yong ZHAO ; Zhao-Huan ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):516-533
The Type III Secretion System (T3SS) serves as a pivotal virulence apparatus for numerous Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, enabling them to infect both animal and plant hosts. Functioning as a molecular syringe, the T3SS directly translocates bacterial effector proteins from the bacterial cytoplasm into the interior of eukaryotic host cells. These effectors are central weapons that precisely manipulate a wide spectrum of host cellular physiological processes, ranging from cytoskeletal dynamics to immune signaling, to establish a favorable niche for bacterial survival and proliferation. Among the diverse arsenal of T3SS effectors, the YopJ family constitutes a critical group of virulence factors. Members of this family are characterized by a conserved catalytic triad structure—a hallmark of the CE clan of cysteine proteases that has been evolutionarily repurposed to confer acetyltransferase activity. A defining and intriguing feature of these enzymes is their stringent dependence on a host-derived eukaryotic cofactor, inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6), for allosteric activation. This requirement acts as a sophisticated molecular safeguard, ensuring enzymatic activity only within the appropriate host environment, thereby preventing detrimental effects on the bacterium itself. While seminal studies on individual members such as Yersinia’s YopJ and Salmonella’s AvrA have provided deep mechanistic insights, a systematic and integrative understanding of the structure-function relationships across the entire family remains fragmented. Key questions persist regarding how a conserved catalytic core has diverged to recognize distinct host substrates in different kingdoms of life. To address this gap, this article provides a systematic review of the YopJ family, focusing on three interconnected aspects: their structural features, their catalytic mechanism, and their divergent immunosuppressive strategies in animal versus plant hosts. By conducting a comparative analysis of the sequences and resolved three-dimensional structures of three representative members (e.g., HopZ1a, PopP2, AvrA), we elucidate regions of significant variation embedded within the conserved core catalytic architecture. These variable regions, often involving surface loops and substrate-binding interfaces, are crucial determinants of target specificity and functional specialization. The functional divergence of this effector family is most apparent when comparing their modes of action in different hosts. In animal hosts, YopJ-family effectors primarily sabotage innate immune signaling pathways. They achieve this by acetylating key serine and threonine residues within the activation loops of critical kinases in the MAPK and NF‑κB pathways. This post-translational modification blocks the phosphorylation and subsequent activation of these kinases, leading to potent suppression of inflammatory cytokine production. Conversely, in plant hosts, the strategy broadens to dismantle the two-tiered plant immune system. YopJ homologs target a more diverse set of substrates, including immune-associated receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases (RLCKs), microtubule networks via tubulin acetylation (which disrupts cellular trafficking and signaling), and transcription factors central to defense gene regulation. This multi-target approach effectively suppresses both Pattern-Triggered Immunity (PTI) and Effector-Triggered Immunity (ETI). In conclusion, this synthesis aims to deepen the mechanistic understanding of YopJ family-mediated pathogenesis by integrating structural biology with cellular function across host kingdoms. Elucidating the precise molecular basis for substrate selection—how conserved platforms achieve target diversity—is a major frontier. Furthermore, this knowledge provides a vital theoretical foundation for developing novel anti-virulence strategies. Targeting the conserved IP6-binding pocket or the catalytic acetyltransferase activity itself represents a promising avenue for designing broad-spectrum inhibitors that could disarm this critical family of bacterial effectors, potentially offering new therapeutic approaches against a range of pathogenic bacteria.
2.Effectiveness of generative large language model MedGo in nursing decision-making for elderly patients with multimorbidity
Qiaoyun YAN ; Min LI ; Yawen YAN ; Yaqing NI ; Yun GU ; Jiawen QIN ; Haiping YU ; Haitao ZHANG ; Liming ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(1):16-23
Objective To explore the effectiveness of the generative large language model MedGo in nursing decision-making for elderly patients with multimorbidity. Methods A quasi-randomized controlled trial study was conducted involving 6 junior nurses, 6 senior nurses and the MedGo model from January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025 at the Emergency Internal Medicine Ward of Shanghai East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University. Clinical data of 120 elderly patients with multimorbidity were analyzed to compare the performance of the three groups in four tasks (nursing diagnosis assessment, nursing intervention formulation, complication identification, and complication prevention) from three evaluation dimensions: decision-making time consumption, decision accuracy, and decision-making quality. Results In terms of decision-making time, the senior nurse group completed all four tasks faster than the junior nurse group (P<0.01), and the MedGo group completed all four tasks faster than the junior nurse group (P<0.001) and the senior nurse group (P<0.001). In terms of decision-making accuracy, senior nurse group scored higher than junior nurse group in all four tasks (P<0.001), while the MedGo group outperformed the senior nurse group only in complication identification (P<0.001). In terms of decision-making quality, the MedGo group scored higher than junior nurse group (P<0.001) and senior nurse group (P<0.001) in all four tasks. Conclusions The MedGo model demonstrates advantages of high efficiency, accuracy, and quality in nursing decision-making for elderly patients with multimorbidity; senior nurses outperform junior nurses in decision-making, providing diverse references for clinical nursing decision-making.
3.Analysis of causes and remedial management for failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in children
Xiumin QIN ; Feihong YU ; Hui GUO ; Chunna ZHAO ; Jie WU
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2026;64(1):84-88
Objective:To investigate the main causes of failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in children and the remedial treatment strategies.Methods:This retrospective cohort study analyzed the clinical data of 21 children who experienced failed ERCP at Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University between January 2021 and December 2024. Data was collected included demographic information, clinical diagnoses, and ERCP outcomes. The annually trend in the ERCP failure rate was analyzed. Patients were categorized by etiology into the following groups: chronic pancreatitis, post-surgical status, pancreatic trauma, pancreas divisum, non-neoplastic pancreatic lesions, and ulcerative colitis. The relationship between etiologies and ERCP failure was analyzed by Fisher exact test.Results:A total of 175 ERCP procedures were included, of which 21 procedures failed (12.0%). The failure rate decreased annually from 2021 to 2024: 18.2% (4/22), 13.2% (5/38), 11.4% (5/44), and 9.9% (7/71), respectively. The etiological distribution among the 21 failed cases was as follows: chronic pancreatitis 28.6% (6/21), pancreatic duct stenosis following pancreatic trauma 23.8% (5/21), post-surgical status 14.3% (3/21), pancreas divisum 9.5% (2/21), acute pancreatitis 9.5% (2/21), non-neoplastic pancreatic lesions 9.5% (2/21), and pancreatic duct stenosis associated with ulcerative colitis 4.8% (1/21). Remedial treatments included surgical intervention (2 cases), ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage (3 cases), and repeat ERCP (2 cases). For post-surgical and pancreatic trauma patients, failure was primarily due to bile duct stenosis, pancreatic duct stenosis, or pancreaticobiliary duct disruption. Active surgical interventions such as cholangiojejunostomy and pancreaticojejunostomy, and ultrasound-guided drainage following ERCP failure led to significant clinical improvement.Conclusions:A stratified management approach guided by etiology is essential following failed ERCP in children. Early and active remedial treatment, particularly surgical interventions, is recommended for post-surgical and pancreatic trauma cases.
4.Trends of changes in classroom lighting and illumination of primary and secondary schools in Beijing from 2016 to 2023
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(1):134-139
Objective:
To understand the trends of classroom lighting and illumination of primary and secondary schools in Beijing from 2016 to 2023, so as to provide a scientific basis for targeted improvement measures.
Methods:
A sampling survey was conducted on the lighting and illumination indicators of 8 390 classrooms in primary and secondary schools in Beijing from 2016 to 2023. The survey included classroom daylight factor, window to floor area ratio, average illuminance and illuminance uniformity on the desks, average illuminance and illuminance uniformity on blackboards, as well as classroom lighting and blackboard illumination sources. Intergroup comparisons were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis H test and the Chi square test, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the trend of classroom lighting and illumination changes.
Results:
Except the window to floor area ratio, the measured values and compliance rates of all lighting and illumination indicators showed an overall upward trend from 2016 to 2023 (daylight factor r = 0.27, χ 2 trend =206.80, average illuminance on the desk surface r =0.30, χ 2 trend =87.97, illuminance uniformity on the desk surface r =0.14, χ 2 trend =73.59, average illuminance on the blackboard r =0.33, χ 2 trend =477.43, illuminance uniformity on the blackboard r = 0.09, χ 2 trend =50.76) (all P <0.01). The lighting and illumination indicators of classrooms (included classroom daylight factor, average illuminance and illuminance uniformity on the desks, average illuminance and illuminance uniformity on blackboards) in urban schools, primary schools, and secondary schools from 2016 to 2023 showed an upward trend (urban r =0.23-0.40, χ 2 trend =88.66-392.18; primary school r =0.12-0.36, χ 2 trend =39.50-281.44; secondary schools r =0.06-0.31, χ 2 trend =11.79-213.73) (all P < 0.01 ). The illuminance uniformity on the blackboard in suburban schools showed a downward trend ( r = -0.09, χ 2 trend =31.53, both P <0.01). The illuminance uniformity on the desk surface in suburban schools showed no significant change ( r =0.03, χ 2 trend =1.23, both P >0.05). The other indicators showed an upward trend (daylight factor r =0.28, χ 2 trend =40.69, average illuminance on the desk surface r =0.24, χ 2 trend =16.35, average illuminance on the blackboard r =0.25, χ 2 trend =118.05, all P <0.01). The trends of classroom and blackboard illumination sources were that fluorescent lamps decreased year by year and LED lamps increased by year (classroom illumination sources χ 2 trend =1 059.82, blackboard illumination sources χ 2 trend =1 070.25, both P <0.01).
Conclusions
The classroom lighting and illumination in primary and secondary schools in Beijing has shown an overall improving trend from 2016 to 2023. However, problems remain, such as limited improvement of illuminance uniformity indicators, late start and poor effect of reconstruction in suburban schools. Further improvements are still needed.
5.Mechanisms of Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo Prescription in Improving Renal Fibrosis in Rats with Chronic Kidney Disease Based on PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway
Xincui BAO ; Baosheng ZHAO ; Lingling QIN ; Haiyan WANG ; Jing YANG ; You WANG ; Lijia WU ; Yujin LI ; Ming GAO ; Cuiyan LYU ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):100-108
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription improves renal fibrosis in rats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy specific pathogen-free (SPF) Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a control group (n=15) and a modeling group (n=55). Rats in the modeling group were administered a 2.5% adenine suspension at a dose of 200 mg·kg-1·d-1 by gavage for 4 weeks to establish a CKD model. Successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group, an irbesartan group (20.25 mg·kg-1·d-1), and Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (5.82, 11.64, and 23.28 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively), with 10 rats in each group. Each group was administered an equal volume of physiological saline, the corresponding concentration of irbesartan, or Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription by gavage for 12 weeks. Body weight and renal function indices were dynamically monitored. Serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), 24-hour urinary total protein (24 hUTP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Renal histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expression of PI3K, Akt, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), and mTOR in renal tissues. Western blot was performed to assess the protein expression of PI3K, p-Akt, Akt, phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR), and mTOR in renal tissues. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR in renal tissues. ResultsCompared with the model group, rats in the irbesartan group and the low-, medium-, and high-dose Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription groups showed significantly decreased levels of SCr, BUN, ACR, 24 hUTP, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α (P<0.01). AST levels were significantly increased (P<0.01), while no significant difference was observed in ALT levels. Histopathological examination revealed that, compared with the model group, renal tubular epithelial cell edema and necrosis and Bowman's capsule dilation were alleviated, inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced, and interstitial and glomerular fibrosis was markedly improved in all treatment groups, with the most pronounced effect observed in the high-dose Bushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription group. Real-time PCR results showed that mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR were significantly downregulated in the high-dose group (P<0.01). IHC results demonstrated that PI3K and p-Akt expression levels in renal tissues were significantly decreased in the high-dose group (P<0.01). Western blot analysis further confirmed that the expression levels of PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and p-mTOR/mTOR were significantly reduced in the high-dose group (P<0.01). ConclusionBushen Tongluo Jiangzhuo prescription improves renal function indices in CKD rats, reduces collagen deposition in renal tissues, and decreases serum inflammatory factor levels. Its protective effect on renal function may be achieved by activating autophagy through downregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, thereby alleviating renal fibrosis.
6.Research Tackling Paradigm and Technological Layout Strategies Based on Erectile Dysfunction, A Clinical Dominant Disease of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Qi ZHAO ; Yun CHEN ; Baoxing LIU ; Xuejun SHANG ; Fei SUN ; Xiaozhi ZHAO ; Zhigang WU ; Chao SUN ; Peihai ZHANG ; Wanjun CHENG ; Xing ZHOU ; Zhan QIN ; Yufeng PAN ; Weiwei TAO ; Jianhuai CHEN ; Mei MO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Xing ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):291-299
To thoroughly implement the strategic deployment outlined in the Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Promoting the Inheritance and Innovative Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine regarding research on dominant diseases of traditional Chinese medicine and to uphold the development philosophy of equal emphasis on traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine,the China Association of Chinese Medicine has fully played a leading academic role by systematically organizing and conducting a series of academic youth salons on clinical dominant diseases of traditional Chinese medicine. On September 13,2024,the 36th Youth Salon on Clinical Dominant Diseases was successfully held in Nanjing,focusing on the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine and the integrative traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). The conference brought together leading experts from traditional Chinese medicine,western medicine,and interdisciplinary fields,facilitating in-depth multidisciplinary discussions that led to key consensus on optimizing traditional Chinese medicine treatment protocols for ED,researching and developing new drugs of traditional Chinese medicine,and advancing interdisciplinary development in traditional Chinese medicine. This salon systematically sorted out the clinical strengths and distinctive features of traditional Chinese medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of ED. Based on current research foundations and clinical needs,it identified key directions for future scientific layout and scientific research tackling: (1) Standardization of syndrome differentiation system of traditional Chinese medicine for ED. (2) Optimization and standardization of intervention methods of integrated traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine. (3) High-quality clinical research guided by evidence-based medicine. (4) In-depth analysis of the pharmacological mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of ED. (5) Clinical translation and application promotion of new drugs of traditional Chinese medicine. (6) Interdisciplinary integration and innovation in traditional Chinese medicine. For each research direction,key focus areas,expected objectives,and clinical value were further refined,along with the establishment of a scientifically sound priority funding level evaluation system. Therefore,building on the series of salons on the ED-focused dominant diseases of traditional Chinese medicine,this paper provides standardized guidance for clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine in ED management,effectively contributing to the high-quality development of traditional Chinese medicine. It serves as a valuable reference for national scientific and technological strategic layout, research and development decision-making in new drugs of traditional Chinese medicine,research topic planning,and clinical guideline formulation.
7.Ranibizumab on blood flow density in different macular regions in ME patients secondary to ischemic and non-ischemic BRVO
Jun ZHAO ; Zhenhua FENG ; Shuna WANG ; Hongchen FU ; Qin YUAN ; Yu ZHANG
International Eye Science 2026;26(4):579-586
AIM:To investigate the effect of ranibizumab on blood flow density in different regions of the macula in patients with macular edema(ME)secondary to ischemic and non-ischemic branch retinal vein occlusion(BRVO).METHODS:This retrospective study enrolled patients with BRVO-ME who were treated at the hospital from September 2019 to March 2021. Patients were divided into ischemic and non-ischemic groups based on fundus findings. All patients received intravitreal injections of ranibizumab once monthly for three consecutive months. Best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), central macular thickness(CMT), and macular blood flow density were measured before treatment and at 1 d, 1 wk, 1 and 3 mo after treatment.RESULTS: A total of 46 patients(46 eyes)with BRVO-ME were included, comprising 21 eyes in the ischemic group(7 males, 14 females; mean age 55.81±10.36 y)and 25 eyes in the non-ischemic group(11 males, 14 females; mean age 54.84±9.81 y). At 3 mo after treatment, BCVA(LogMAR)in the non-ischemic group was superior to that in the ischemic group(0.19±0.19 vs 0.38±0.27, P=0.009). Analysis of CMT changes showed that the reduction amplitude in the ischemic group was significantly greater than that in the non-ischemic group at both 1 and 3 mo after treatment(all P<0.05). Blood flow densities in the whole, parafoveal, and perifoveal regions of the superficial capillary plexus(SCP), as well as in the whole and perifoveal regions of the deep capillary plexus(DCP), were significantly lower in ischemic patients than in non-ischemic patients, while blood flow density in the foveal region of DCP was significantly higher in the ischemic group(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Ranibizumab is effective for both types of patients. Non-ischemic patients have a better long-term visual prognosis, and the advantage may be related to better blood flow perfusion patterns in specific areas 3 mo after treatment. Monitoring changes in blood flow density in these areas can help provide personalized treatment for patients.
8.Preparation,characterization and quantitative analysis of β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex with volatile oil from Qianghuo qushi qingwen granules
Yicheng SUN ; Lingrui QIN ; Kaiping ZOU ; Chenguang ZHAO ; Li DOU ; Shun LIU ; Lingang ZHAO
China Pharmacy 2026;37(6):746-751
OBJECTIVE To prepare the β -cyclodextrin ( β -CD) inclusion complex with volatile oil from Qianghuo qushi qingwen granules, and to characterize and quantitatively analyze the inclusion complex. METHODS The comprehensive scores calculated by inclusion rate and inclusion compound yield were used as indicators for screening the inclusion method. The single-factor experiments and Box-Behnken response surface experiments were used to op timize the inclusion conditions, with the above comprehensive score as response value, and taking the ratio of β -CD to volatile oil, inclusion temperature and inclusion time as indexes. The volatile oil inclusion complex of Qianghuo qushi qingwen granules was prepared according to the determined optimal process, followed by validation. Ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectroscopy, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and microscopic imaging were also performed. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the contents of perillaldehyde, pogostone and atractylodin. RESULTS The saturation aqueous solution method was adopted. The optimal inclusion process conditions were as follows: the ratio of β -CD to volatile oil was 7.5∶1, the inclusion temperature was 40 ℃, and the inclusion time was 2.2 h. In three verification experiments, the average inclusion rate was 72.32%, the average yield of inclusion compound was 74.45%, the average comprehensive score was 72.96 points, and the relative error with the predicted value (74.15 points) of the model was 1.61%. UV-visible spectroscopy, TLC and microscopic imaging showed that β -CD and volatile oil successfully formed a new inclusion complex. The average contents of perillaldehyde, pogostone and atractylodin were 4.498 2, 0.814 9, 0.905 7 mg/g, respectively, with RSDs of 0.31%, 0.56% and 0.63% ( n =3). CONCLUSIONS A stable and feasible preparation process of the volatile oil inclusion complex of Qianghuo qushi qingwen granules is successfully established.
9.Analysis and prediction of the incidence trend of congenital syphilis in China in 2005 - 2020
Yongfa QIN ; Yatao BI ; Jia ZHAO ; Zhenli WU ; Xue HAN
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(2):12-16
Objective To analyze the incidence of congenital syphilis in four regions of China from 2005 to 2020 and predict its change trend, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of congenital syphilis. Methods The incidence data of congenital syphilis in eastern, western, central and northeastern China from 2005 to 2020 were collected. The annual change percentage (APC) and average annual change percentage (AAPC) were calculated by Joinpoint software, and the change trend was analyzed. The ARIMA model was established by SPSS26.0 software to predict the incidence from 2021 to 2025. Results From 2005 to 2020, there were 107 504 cases of congenital syphilis, and the incidence reached the peak in 2011, which was 0.90/100 000, and decreased to 0.09/100 000 in 2020. The incidence of congenital syphilis in the eastern, central, western, and northeastern regions of China decreased to 0.07/100 000, 0.06/100 000, 0.12/100 000, and 0.15/100 000 in 2020, respectively. Joinpoint regression analysis found that from 2005 to 2020, the incidence of congenital syphilis showed a downward trend in the whole country (AAPC=-8.68%, t=-5.18, P<0.05), the eastern region (AAPC=-12.01%, t=-6.81, P<0.05), the central region (AAPC=-5.45%, t=-2.09, P<0.05), and the western region (AAPC=-6.05%, t=-3.00, P<0.05), while the incidence in the northeast region was relatively stable (AAPC=-1.66%, t=-1.18,P>0.05). The ARIMA (2,2,0) model was constructed to predict that the annual incidence of congenital syphilis from 2021 to 2025 would be 0.06/100,000, 0.03/100,000, 0.02/100,000, 0.01/100,000, and 0.01/100,000, respectively. Conclusion From 2005 to 2020, the incidence of congenital syphilis in China shows an overall downward trend. The western and northeastern regions are the key prevention and control areas, and the work of "eliminating mother to child transmission of syphilis" needs to be continuously promoted.
10.Interpretation on the ACcurate COnsensus Reporting Document (ACCORD): Reporting Guidelines for Consensus Methods in Biomedical Research
Haodong LI ; Junxian ZHAO ; Yishan QIN ; Ye WANG ; Huayu ZHANG ; Qi ZHOU ; Yaolong CHEN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(2):534-545
The importance of consensus research in medical decision-making has become increasinglyprominent. However, this field has long lacked unified terminology definitions and reporting standards, leading to significant heterogeneity in study design, implementation, and result presentation that affects the credibility and reproducibility of outcomes. The ACCurate COnsensus Reporting Document (ACCORD) in the field of biomedical research provides a structured writing framework for various consensus methods such as the Delphi method and nominal group technique, aiming to enhance the completeness and transparency of study reports. Combined with specific cases, this article interprets the core items of ACCORD, offering references for the design, implementation, and reporting of high-quality consensus research in China.


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