1.Mechanism of action of estrogen deficiency in autoimmune hepatitis via the intestinal barrier
Mingzhu SONG ; Ling LI ; Jinxia ZHU ; Shu ZHANG ; Guangwei LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):438-444
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an immune-mediated chronic liver inflammatory disease with unknown pathogenesis, and intestinal barrier dysfunction is considered an important factor. Meanwhile, there are sex and age differences in the incidence rate of AIH, suggesting that hormone may be involved in regulation. On this basis, this article focuses on the association between estrogen, intestinal barrier, and immune homeostasis, systematically reviews the evidence that estrogen deficiency disrupts intestinal barrier homeostasis, and further summarizes the potential mechanism of estrogen in regulating the development and progression of AIH via intestinal barrier.
2.Experts consensus on appropriate technologies for three-generation family cohort study
NI Saili ; TANG Jinling ; SHU Qiang ; ZHU Shankuan
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(1):1-9
Establishing a three-generation family cohort enables the investigation of the effects of genetic, epigenetic, lifestyle, and parenting factors in the grandparental (F0) and parental (F1) generations on the growth, development, and disease onset and progression of the offspring (F2). It facilitates further exploration of the biological mechanisms underlying the impact of intergenerational factors on the health of the offspring (F2), providing evidence for the formulation of public health policies and measures related to child health management and infant and young child care. Currently, the development of multi-generational cohorts in China remains in a preliminary stage, with no systematic multi-generational research framework yet established. Drawing on prior evidence-based scientific research, existing cohort studies, and the practical experience of multidisciplinary experts in maternal and child health, this consensus defines the scope of three-generation family cohorts regarding their definition, significance, key technologies, and application scenarios. It provides technical recommendations for establishing relevant cohorts, aiming to support research areas such as the intergenerational transmission of childhood diseases, the maternal intrauterine environment, and the tracing of family rearing environments. This will facilitate the early prevention and control of diseases manifesting in childhood and adulthood, ultimately promoting the comprehensive and healthy development of children.
3.Status of anemia and iron deficiency among primary and secondary school students in Rural Nutrition Improvement Program areas of Guizhou Province in 2023
ZHU Shu, GUO Hua, LI Hongbo, SHI Zhu, WU Shengnan, HUANG Yiyanwen, SUN Yan, LIU Yiya
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(2):178-182
:
To analyze the prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency among primary and secondary school students in Rural Nutrition Improvement Program areas of Guizhou Province in 2023, and to explore the related factors, so as to provide evidence for Rural Nutrition Improvement Program optimization.
Methods:
In September 2023, a stratified random cluster sampling strategy was used to select 40 rural compulsory education schools with rural nutrition improvement program in five counties of Guizhou Province. School level questionnaire was employed to collect information of basic characteristics and school meal implementation. A total of 7 826 primary and secondary school students aged 6-16 underwent anthropometry and hemoglobin (Hb) determination; serum ferritin (SF) was additionally measured in a random subsample of 1 795 pupils. Students in Grade 3 and above also completed a questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, dietary behaviours and nutrition knowledge. Group comparisons were conducted by Chi square test or Fisher s exact test, and multivariable Logistic regression models were constructed to identify factors associated with anemia and iron deficiency.
Results:
The overall Hb level was (133.21±12.95)g/L, with an anemia prevalence of 7.17%. The overall SF level was (69.58±59.01)μg/L, with an iron deficiency prevalence of 2.73%. Multivariable analysis showed that stunting ( OR =1.88), school menus without nutrient calculation ( OR =1.61) and absence of menu planning software in the current semester ( OR =2.34) independently increased anemia risk, whereas obesity reduced it ( OR =0.54) (all P <0.05). Girls ( OR =4.16) and Grades 7-9 ( OR =5.93) increased iron deficiency risk (both P <0.05). Compared with rarely eating fresh vegetables, students with consuming <3 kinds per day ( OR =0.08) or exactly 3 kinds per day ( OR =0.06) had lower iron deficiency risks (both P <0.05).
Conclusions
Anemia and iron deficiency are prevalent among primary and secondary school students in Guizhou. Targeted intervention measures should be implemented for key populations to enhance the effectiveness of nutrition improvement program.
4.Exploring the Correlation between Pyroptosis and Immune Microenvironment Dysregulation in Rheumatoid Arthritis from the Perspective of "Ying Decline and Wei Attack"
Yancun LI ; Shu ZHU ; Yuhan WANG ; Yuan QU ; Yuan LIU ; Ping JIANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(5):464-467
As a complex autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves immune microenvironment dysregulation resulting from excessive activation of pyroptosis, which is a crucial factor in disease progression. Based on the theory of ying-wei in traditional Chinese medicine, "ying decline and wei attack" is considered the fundamental pathogenesis of RA. Pyroptosis serves as a microscopic manifestation of this concept, suggesting a potential correlation between "ying decline and wei attack" and pyroptosis nd immune microenvironment dysregulation in RA. Accordingly, treatment principles based on this theory are proposed: in the early stage of the disease, boosting wei to consolidate the exterior, and regulating ying to dispel pathogens; in the middle and late stages, harmonizing ying to remove stagnation, and nourishing its transformational source.
5.Effect and mechanisms of highly active umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on aging spleen in elderly tree shrews
Li YE ; Chuan TIAN ; Xiaojuan ZHAO ; Mengdie CHEN ; Qianqian YE ; Qiang LI ; Zhuyin LIAO ; Ye LI ; Xiangqing ZHU ; Guangping RUAN ; Zhixu HE ; Liping SHU ; Xinghua PAN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(19):4000-4010
BACKGROUND:Spleen has the functions of blood storage,hematopoiesis,and immunity.With the increase of age,the structural degeneration and functional decline of spleen lead to the impairment of immune system function,thus accelerating the aging process of the body.The treatment of spleen aging in tree shrews with highly active umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells has not been reported. OBJECTIVE:To explore the intervention effect and mechanism of highly active umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on spleen aging in tree shrews. METHODS:Highly active umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were isolated,cultured,and obtained from the umbilical cord tissue of newborn tree shrews by caesarean section.The differentiation abilities of adipogenesis,osteogenesis,and chondrogenesis were detected by three-line differentiation kit.Cell cycle and surface markers were detected by flow cytometry.The second generation of highly active umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were transfected with Genechem Green Fluorescent Protein with infection complex values of 100,120,140,160,180,and 200,respectively,to screen the best transfection conditions.After transfection,the fourth generation of highly active umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells was injected into the tail vein of tree shrews in the elderly treatment group.The young control group and the aged model group were not given special treatment.After 4 months of treatment,the spleen tissue was taken and the structure of the spleen was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.β-Galactosidase staining was used to detect the activity of aging-related galactosidase.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression levels of p21 and p53 proteins.Ki67 and PCNA immunofluorescence staining was used to detect cell proliferation activity.Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression levels of spleen autophagy protein molecules Beclin 1 and APG5L/ATG5.Reactive oxygen species fluorescence staining was used to detect the content of reactive oxygen species in spleen tissue.CD3 immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the change of the proportion of total T lymphocytes.The secretion levels of interleukin 1β and transforming growth factor β1 in spleen were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.The distribution of highly active umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells labeled with green fluorescent protein in spleen tissue was observed by DAPI double staining of nucleus. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Highly active umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells grew in a short spindle shape with fish-like growth,with a large proportion of G0/G1 phase,and had the potential to differentiate into adipogenesis,osteogenesis,and chondrogenesis.(2)Multiplicity of infection=140 and transfection for 72 hours were the best conditions for labeling tree shrews highly active umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells with Genechem Green Fluorescent Protein.(3)Compared with the aged model group,in the aged treatment group,the spleen tissue cells of tree shrews were arranged closely,and the area of white pulp was increased(P<0.01);the boundary between red pulp and white pulp was clear;the proportion of germinal centers did not show statistically significant difference(P>0.05).The activity level of galactosidase related to spleen tissue aging was decreased(P<0.001),and the expression levels of aging protein molecules p21 and p53 were down-regulated(P<0.001).The expression levels of proliferation-related molecules Ki67 and PCNA were up-regulated(P<0.001,P<0.05);expression levels of autophagy-related molecules Beclin 1 and APG5L/ATG5 were up-regulated(P<0.001),and the content of reactive oxygen species decreased(P<0.001),and the proportion of CD3+T cells increased(P<0.05).The secretion level of interleukin 1β in the aging-related secretion phenotype decreased(P<0.001);no significant difference was found in transforming growth factor β1 level(P>0.05).Compared with the young control group,the above indexes were significantly different in the elderly treatment group(P<0.05).(4)Green fluorescent cells labeled with green fluorescent protein were observed in spleen tissue of tree shrews the elderly treatment group by frozen tissue section observation.The results show that intravenous infusion of highly active umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells can migrate to spleen tissue,inhibit the production of reactive oxygen species,down-regulate the expression of aging-related proteins,induce autophagy,promote cell proliferation,reduce chronic inflammation,and then improve the structure and function of spleen tissue.
6.Structure and Function of GPR126/ADGRG6
Ting-Ting WU ; Si-Qi JIA ; Shu-Zhu CAO ; De-Xin ZHU ; Guo-Chao TANG ; Zhi-Hua SUN ; Xing-Mei DENG ; Hui ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):299-309
GPR126, also known as ADGRG6, is one of the most deeply studied aGPCRs. Initially, GPR126 was thought to be a receptor associated with muscle development and was primarily expressed in the muscular and skeletal systems. With the deepening of research, it was found that GPR126 is expressed in multiple mammalian tissues and organs, and is involved in many biological processes such as embryonic development, nervous system development, and extracellular matrix interactions. Compared with other aGPCRs proteins, GPR126 has a longer N-terminal domain, which can bind to ligands one-to-one and one-to-many. Its N-terminus contains five domains, a CUB (complement C1r/C1s, Uegf, Bmp1) domain, a PTX (Pentraxin) domain, a SEA (Sperm protein, Enterokinase, and Agrin) domain, a hormone binding (HormR) domain, and a conserved GAIN domain. The GAIN domain has a self-shearing function, which is essential for the maturation, stability, transport and function of aGPCRs. Different SEA domains constitute different GPR126 isomers, which can regulate the activation and closure of downstream signaling pathways through conformational changes. GPR126 has a typical aGPCRs seven-transmembrane helical structure, which can be coupled to Gs and Gi, causing cAMP to up- or down-regulation, mediating transmembrane signaling and participating in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation and migration. GPR126 is activated in a tethered-stalk peptide agonism or orthosteric agonism, which is mainly manifested by self-proteolysis or conformational changes in the GAIN domain, which mediates the rapid activation or closure of downstream pathways by tethered agonists. In addition to the tethered short stem peptide activation mode, GPR126 also has another allosteric agonism or tunable agonism mode, which is specifically expressed as the GAIN domain does not have self-shearing function in the physiological state, NTF and CTF always maintain the binding state, and the NTF binds to the ligand to cause conformational changes of the receptor, which somehow transmits signals to the GAIN domain in a spatial structure. The GAIN domain can cause the 7TM domain to produce an activated or inhibited signal for signal transduction, For example, type IV collagen interacts with the CUB and PTX domains of GPR126 to activate GPR126 downstream signal transduction. GPR126 has homology of 51.6%-86.9% among different species, with 10 conserved regions between different species, which can be traced back to the oldest metazoans as well as unicellular animals.In terms of diseases, GPR126 dysfunction involves the pathological process of bone, myelin, embryo and other related diseases, and is also closely related to the occurrence and development of malignant tumors such as breast cancer and colon cancer. However, the biological function of GPR126 in various diseases and its potential as a therapeutic target still needs further research. This paper focuses on the structure, interspecies differences and conservatism, signal transduction and biological functions of GPR126, which provides ideas and references for future research on GPR126.
7.Screen of FDA-approved drug library identifies vitamin K as anti-ferroptotic drug for osteoarthritis therapy through Gas6
Yifeng SHI ; Sunlong LI ; Shuhao ZHANG ; Caiyu YU ; Jiansen MIAO ; Shu YANG ; Yan CHEN ; Yuxuan ZHU ; Xiaoxiao HUANG ; Chencheng ZHOU ; Hongwei OUYANG ; Xiaolei ZHANG ; Xiangyang WANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(5):1033-1047
Ferroptosis of chondrocytes is a significant contributor to osteoarthritis(OA),for which there is still a lack of safe and effective therapeutic drugs targeting ferroptosis.Here,we screen for anti-ferroptotic drugs in Food and Drug Administration(FDA)-approved drug library via a high-throughput manner in chondrocytes.We identified a group of FDA-approved anti-ferroptotic drugs,among which vitamin K showed the most powerful protective effect.Further study demonstrated that vitamin K effectively inhibited ferroptosis and alleviated the extracellular matrix(ECM)degradation in chondrocytes.Intra-articular injection of vitamin K inhibited ferroptosis and alleviated OA phenotype in destabilization of the medial meniscus(DMM)mouse model.Mechanistically,transcriptome sequencing and knockdown experiments revealed that the anti-ferroptotic effects of vitamin K depended on growth arrest-specific 6(Gas6).Furthermore,exogenous expression of Gas6 was found to inhibit ferroptosis through the AXL receptor tyrosine kinase(AXL)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/AKT serine/threonine kinase(AKT)axis.Together,we demonstrate that vitamin K inhibits ferroptosis and alleviates OA progression via enhancing Gas6 expression and its downstream pathway of AXL/PI3K/AKT axis,indicating vitamin K as well as Gas6 to serve as a potential therapeutic target for OA and other ferroptosis-related diseases.
8.The impact of metabolic syndrome combined with hyperuricemia on new-onset cardiovascular disease
Fan YANG ; Baojie ZHU ; Haicheng SONG ; Rong SHU ; Shuohua CHEN ; Shouling WU ; Liufu CUI ; Jierui WANG
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2025;53(2):160-166
Objective:To explore the impact of metabolic syndrome in conjunction with hyperuricemia on the risk of new-onset cardiovascular disease.Methods:This study was a prospective cohort study. From June 2006 to October 2007, employees of Kailuan Group in Tangshan City, Hebei Province were selected as the research subjects. Participants were divided into four groups based on the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome and hyperuricemia. The groups include the normal group, pure hyperuricemia group, pure metabolic syndrome group, and the metabolic syndrome combined with hyperuricemia group. Four groups of participants were followed up, the primary endpoint was the occurrence of a first-ever cardiovascular disease event, including stroke and myocardial infarction. The cumulative incidence rates of cardiovascular disease in different groups during the continuous follow-up period were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the differences in cumulative incidence rates among groups were compared using the log-rank test. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of hyperuricemia combined with metabolic syndrome on the risk of cardiovascular disease. The likelihood ratio test was used to analyze whether there was a multiplicative interaction and additive interaction between hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome.Results:A total of 82 780 individuals were included, aged (51.5±12.6) years, and 68 622 (82.90%) were males, with a median follow-up of 14.97 years. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the cumulative incidence of cardiovascular disease was the highest in the metabolic syndrome combined with hyperuricemia group (log-rank P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that after adjusting for various confounding factors, the HR value and 95% CI of cardiovascular disease in the metabolic syndrome combined with hyperuricemia group were 1.24 (1.12-1.38) compared with the normal group, which were higher than those in the pure hyperuricemia group and the pure metabolic syndrome group alone. The effect of metabolic syndrome combined with hyperuricemia on the risk of cardiovascular disease demonstrated an additive effect (relative excess risk of interaction: 0.18(0.11-0.25), attributable proportion due to interaction: 0.14(0.09-0.19)). Conclusions:The combination of hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Compared to pure metabolic syndrome or hyperuricemia alone, the impact of metabolic syndrome combined with hyperuricemia on cardiovascular disease is more significant.
9.Proton radiotherapy damages lung cancer cells through more direct action than X-ray radiotherapy
Qi LIU ; Xiangdong ZHOU ; Anhang ZHANG ; Xiaoxin ZUO ; Antoine SIMON ; Huazhong SHU ; Pengcheng WANG ; Jian ZHU
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2025;34(6):594-599
Objective:To compare the relative proportion of direct action (ray particles directly destroy biological molecules such as DNA and indirect action (radical-mediated oxidative damage) in the damage caused by X-ray and proton irradiation of lung cancer cells.Methods:Unirradiated human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells and human large cell lung cancer NCI-H460 cells were cultured in media containing 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 mol/L dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 1 h to obtain plating efficiency (PE) values, thereby determining whether DMSO affected cell survival. Following pretreatment with each DMSO concentration, cells were exposed to X-ray irradiation at physical doses of 2, 4, 6, 8 Gy and proton irradiation at equivalent doses of 2, 4, 6, 8 GyE, respectively. Survival fractions (SF) and maximum protection (MP) values were calculated to evaluate the effects of varying DMSO concentrations on post-irradiation cell survival and to quantify the contribution of indirect radiation damage mechanisms (higher MP indicates greater indirect effect contribution). PE, SF, and MP values were determined using clonogenic assays. Comparisons among multiple groups were performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's multiple comparison, and comparisons between irradiation groups were analyzed using independent samples t-tests. Results:The PE of unirradiated cells treated with varying DMSO concentrations showed no statistically significant differences. Following pretreatment at different DMSO concentrations and subsequent irradiation with X-rays or protons, the protective effect of DMSO reached saturation at 0.5 mol/L. At this concentration, comparison of the average MP values across 4 radiation doses revealed: In A549 cells, the MP value was 54.21%±1.73% for X-ray irradiation group and 39.69%±0.72% for proton irradiation group ( t=16.82, P<0.001); in NCI-H460 cells, the MP value was 52.04%±1.00% for X-ray irradiation group and 41.31%±0.70% for proton irradiation group ( t=10.19, P<0.001). Conclusions:Under biologically equivalent doses, proton irradiation demonstrates greater reliance on direct effects in lung cancer cells killing compared with X-ray irradiation.
10.The safety and efficacy of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) in the treatment of recurrent malignant tumors
Junqiang HONG ; Xiaoyi LIN ; Youqun LAI ; Ye CAO ; Xiangquan KONG ; Yuanhao LIU ; Shuiying LUO ; Zhicheng XIONG ; Mei GONG ; Yalai LIN ; Qiaoyun CHEN ; Mingang YING ; Li HUO ; Xiaohua ZHU ; Xiaoping SUN ; Yiqiao DENG ; Diyun SHU ; Haige ZHANG ; Cheng HUANG ; Jianji PAN
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2025;34(10):985-992
Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (AB-BNCT) in the treatment of recurrent and refractory malignant tumors.Methods:The data of 14 patients admitted to Xiamen Humanity Hospital from September 2022 to April 2023 were prospectively collected, including 7 patients with primary brain malignancies and 7 patients with locally recurrent inoperable head and neck malignancies. All patients received intravenous infusion of boron drug (NBB-001, p-dihydroxyborylphe nylalanine, a patented freeze-dried formulation) at a total nominal dosage of 500 mg/kg (11 patients) or 750 mg/kg (3 patients), and were irradiated with neutrons (operating with NeuPex system). Adverse events after treatment were recorded and assessed. The primary efficacy endpoint was the 90 d objective response rate (ORR), while the secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and complete response rate (CRR). Data were compiled and analyzed by SAS 9.4 software. The rate and 95% CI were calculated using Clopper-Pearson method. Results:The median dose delivered to 80% of the target volume (D 80%) was 16.80 GyE (range: 8.93-23.79 GyE). The most common adverse reactions were hyperamylasemia, alopecia, and hyperprolactinemia. Five patients experienced 8 cases of grade 3 or above adverse events, including 1 case of grade 4 acute kidney injury and 7 cases of grade 3 adverse events. All adverse events were recovered after observation or treatment. At 90 d after treatment, the ORR of all patients was 9/14 (64%, 95% CI: 35%-87%), disease control rate (DCR) was 10/14 (71%, 95% CI: 42%-92%), CRR was 2/14 (14%, 95% CI: 2%-42%); and the best overall response during the entire course included an ORR of 10/14 (71% ,95% CI: 42%-92%), DCR of 13/14 (93%, 95% CI: 66%-100%), and CRR of 3/14 (21% ,95% CI: 5%-51%). The 1-year survival rate for head and neck malignancies was 71.4%, and the 2-year survival rate was 42.8%. The 1-year survival rate for recurrent brain malignancies was 42.8%. Conclusion:AB-BNCT demonstrates favorable safety and promising efficacy in treating primary brain malignancies and recurrent/refractory head and neck malignancies, representing a potential therapeutic option.


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