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.Biomarkers of hepatotoxicity in rats induced by aqueous extract of Dictamni Cortex based on urine metabolomics.
Hui-Juan SUN ; Rui GAO ; Meng-Meng ZHANG ; Ge-Yu DENG ; Lin HUANG ; Zhen-Dong ZHANG ; Yu WANG ; Fang LU ; Shu-Min LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(9):2526-2538
This paper aimed to use non-targeted urine metabolomics to reveal the potential biomarkers of toxicity in rats with hepatic injury induced by aqueous extracts of Dictamni Cortex(ADC). Forty-eight SD rats were randomly assigned to a blank group and high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose ADC groups, with 12 rats in each group(half male and half female), and they were administered orally for four weeks. The hepatic injury in SD rats was assessed by body weight, liver weight/index, biochemical index, L-glutathione(GSH), malondialdehyde(MDA), and pathological alterations. The qPCR was utilized to determine the expression of metabolic enzymes in the liver and inflammatory factors. Differential metabolites were screened using principal component analysis(PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA), followed by a metabolic pathway analysis. The Mantel test was performed to assess differential metabolites and abnormally expressed biochemical indexes, obtaining potential biomarkers. The high-dose ADC group showed a decrease in body weight and an increase in liver weight and index, resulting in hepatic inflammatory cell infiltration and hepatic steatosis. In addition, this group showed elevated levels of MDA, cytochrome P450(CYP) 3A1, interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), as well as lower levels of alanine transaminase(ALT) and GSH. A total of 76 differential metabolites were screened from the blank and high-dose ADC groups, which were mainly involved in the pentose phosphate pathway, tryptophan metabolism, purine metabolism, pentose and glucuronic acid interconversion, galactose metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and other pathways. The Mantel test identified biomarkers of hepatotoxicity induced by ADC in SD rats, including glycineamideribotide, dIDP, and galactosylglycerol. In summary, ADC induced hepatotoxicity by disrupting glucose metabolism, ferroptosis, purine metabolism, and other pathways in rats, and glycineamideribotide, dIDP, and galactosylglycerol could be employed as the biomarkers of its toxicity.
Animals
;
Male
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Metabolomics
;
Biomarkers/metabolism*
;
Liver/metabolism*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects*
;
Female
;
Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/metabolism*
;
Glutathione/metabolism*
;
Humans
3.Clinical efficacy of separation surgery in treating spinal metastases accompanied by neurological symptoms.
Qiang WANG ; Min-Hao LU ; Xing-Wu WANG ; Ming FANG ; Wu-Liang YU ; Jian-Meng LU
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(2):157-163
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the safety and effectiveness of separation surgery in patients with neurological symptoms of spinal metastases.
METHODS:
From January 2020 to December 2022, 14 patients with neurological symptoms of spinal metastases underwent separation surgery, including 7 males and 7 females, aged from 30 to 76 years old with an average of (61.57±12.16) years old. In comparison with eleven patients underwent conservative treatment during the same period, including 6 males and 5 femals, aged from 46 to 88 years old with an average of (66.55±12.32) years old. The changes in visual analogue scale (VAS), Frankel grades, Karnofsky scores, and quality of life score (QOL) before and after treatment were compared between two groups.
RESULTS:
Fourteen patients in the separation surgery group underwent surgery successfully, with surgery time of (218.57±50.00) minutes and intraoperative blood loss of (864.29±332.97) ml, 2 patients developed delayed hematoma and recovered well finally after emergency surgery, the follow-up time was 3 to 36 months, after separation surgery, the pain was significantly relieved, and neurological function recovered well in the patients. Three months after treatment, the VAS in the separation surgery group (1.43±0.76) scores was significantly lower than that in the conservative treatment group (8.64±0.51) scores (P<0.05);and the Frankel grades, Karnofsky scores, and QOL scores in the separation surgery group were significantly better than those in the conservative treatment group(P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
For patients with obvious neurological symptoms of spinal metastases, separation surgery not only can rapidly relieve nerve compression but also carry relatively low surgical risks, and improve the quality of life of patients.
Humans
;
Female
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
;
Spinal Neoplasms/complications*
;
Adult
;
Aged, 80 and over
;
Quality of Life
4.Clinical Study of Ibrutinib in the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.
Yu-Ning YAO ; Hao JIANG ; Lu-Min TANG ; Ye LOU
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(3):784-788
OBJECTIVE:
To study the clinical effects of ibrutinib in the treatment of relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (RRDLBCL).
METHODS:
A total of 101 patients with RRDLBCL in Daqing People's Hospital from September 2019 to September 2022 were selected. 45 patients were received ibrutinib monotherapy, 36 patients were received a combination therapy of ibrutinib, rituximab, and lenalidomide, and 20 patients were received a combination therapy of ibrutinib and lenalidomide. The clinical effects were observed.
RESULTS:
The median duration of treatment for all patients was 4 (2-9) months. The disease control rates(DCR) and objective response rates(ORR) in the ibrutinib monotherapy group were 46.67% and 26.67%, respectively. In the combination therapy group of ibrutinib, rituximab, and lenalidomide, the DCR and ORR were 69.44% and 44.44%, respectively. In the combination therapy group of ibrutinib and lenalidomide, the DCR and ORR were 60.00% and 35.00%, respectively. The DCR and ORR in the combination therapy group of ibrutinib, rituximab, and lenalidomide were significantly higher than those in the ibrutinib monotherapy group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in DCR and ORR between the combination therapy group of ibrutinib and lenalidomide and the ibrutinib monotherapy group (P >0.05). The median follow-up time of all patients was 15 (5-35) months, with a median overall survival(OS) of 21.0 (15.8-26.2) months and a median progression-free survival(PFS) of 14.0 (12.1-15.9) months. In the ibrutinib monotherapy group, the median OS and PFS were 15.0 (12.1-17.9) months and 12.0 (11.0-13.0) months, respectively. In the combination therapy group of ibrutinib and lenalidomide, the median OS and PFS were 22.0 (13.3-30.7) months and 16.0 (14.1-19.7) months, respectively. In the combination therapy group of ibrutinib, rituximab, and lenalidomide, the median OS and PFS were 23.0 (19.7-26.3) months and 17.0 (14.8-19.1) months, respectively. The median OS and PFS in the combination therapy group of ibrutinib, rituximab, and lenalidomide were significantly higher than those in the ibrutinib monotherapy group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in median OS and PFS between the combination therapy group of ibrutinib and lenalidomide and the combination therapy group of ibrutinib, rituximab, and lenalidomide (P >0.05). Hematological adverse reactions included neutropenia in 14 cases (13.86%), thrombocytopenia in 16 cases (15.84%), and leukopenia in 13 cases (12.87%). Non-hematological adverse reactions mainly included nausea and vomiting in 33 cases (32.67%) and fatigue in 44 cases (43.56%).
CONCLUSION
Ibrutinib has certain clinical effects and good safety in the treatment of RRDLBCL.
Humans
;
Piperidines/therapeutic use*
;
Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/drug therapy*
;
Adenine/therapeutic use*
;
Rituximab/therapeutic use*
;
Lenalidomide/therapeutic use*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use*
;
Adult
;
Aged
;
Pyrimidines/therapeutic use*
;
Pyrazoles/therapeutic use*
;
Treatment Outcome
5.A Clinical Study of Children with SIL-TAL1-Positive Acute T-Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Yu-Juan XUE ; Yu WANG ; Le-Ping ZHANG ; Ai-Dong LU ; Yue-Ping JIA ; Hui-Min ZENG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(5):1262-1268
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the clinical characteristics and prognosis of children with SIL-TAL1-positive T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia ( SIL-TAL1+ T-ALL).
METHODS:
The clinical data of 110 children with newly diagnosed T-ALL admitted to the pediatric department of our hospital from January 2010 to December 2018 were reviewed to compare the clinical characteristics, treatment response and prognosis between SIL-TAL1+ group and SIL-TAL1-group.
RESULTS:
Among the 110 children with T-ALL, 25 cases (22.7%) were in the SIL-TAL1+ group and 85 cases (77.3%) in the SIL-TAL1- group. The white blood cell (WBC) count in the SIL-TAL1+ group was significantly higher than that in the SIL-TAL1- group (P < 0.05), while the other clinical characteristics and treatment response were not significantly different between the two groups. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of SIL-TAL1+ group and SIL-TAL1- group were 80.0% and 75.5%, and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 76.0% and 72.9%, respectively. There were no significant differences in OS rate and DFS rate between the two groups ( P >0.05). In children aged < 10 years, the 5-year OS rate of SIL-TAL1+ group and SIL-TAL1- group was 100% and 75.1%, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Although the WBC level is significantly higher in children with SIL-TAL1+ T-ALL than that in those with SIL-TAL1- T-ALL, the treatment efficacy is similar between the two groups. In children aged < 10 years, the longterm survival rate is superior in the SIL-TAL1+ group.
Humans
;
Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/diagnosis*
;
Prognosis
;
Child
;
Male
;
Female
;
Survival Rate
;
T-Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Protein 1
;
Child, Preschool
;
Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
;
Leukocyte Count
6.The mechanism of Ferroptosis in Aplastic Anemia --Review.
Yu-Jie QIN ; Hai-Song LU ; Wei-Min CHENG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(5):1538-1541
Ferroptosis initiates membrane oxidative damage through lipid peroxidation and iron accumulation, and accumulates reactive oxygen species (ROS) during aplastic anemia (AA). Ferroptosis induces damage and apoptosis of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem cells, blood cells, and T lymphocytes through various pathways, inhibits bone marrow hematopoiesis, damages bone marrow microenvironment, exacerbates immune imbalance, leading to bone marrow failure and disease progression. Therefore, further exploring the ferroptosis mechanism in AA can help clarify the pathogenesis of disease and provide new research ideas and directions for the treatment of AA.
Anemia, Aplastic/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Ferroptosis
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Lipid Peroxidation
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cells
;
Apoptosis
7.Impact of admission-blood-glucose-to-albumin ratio on all-cause mortality and renal prognosis in critical patients with coronary artery disease: insights from the MIMIC-IV database.
Yong HONG ; Bo-Wen ZHANG ; Jing SHI ; Ruo-Xin MIN ; Ding-Yu WANG ; Jiu-Xu KAN ; Yun-Long GAO ; Lin-Yue PENG ; Ming-Lu XU ; Ming-Ming WU ; Yue LI ; Li SHENG
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 2025;22(6):563-577
BACKGROUND:
Blood glucose and serum albumin have been associated with cardiovascular disease prognosis, but the impact of admission-blood-glucose-to-albumin ratio (AAR) on adverse outcomes in critical ill coronary artery disease (CAD) patients was not investigated.
METHODS:
Patients diagnosed with CAD were non-consecutively selected from the MIMIC-IV database and categorized into quartiles based on their AAR. The primary outcome was 1-year mortality, and secondary endpoints were in-hospital mortality, acute kidney injury (AKI), and renal replacement therapy (RRT). A restricted cubic splines model and Cox proportional hazard models assessed the association between AAR and adverse outcomes in CAD patients. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis determined differences in endpoints across subgroups.
RESULTS:
A total of 8360 patients were included. There were 726 patients (8.7%) died in the hospital and 1944 patients (23%) died at 1 year. The incidence of AKI and RRT was 63% and 4.3%, respectively. High AAR was markedly associated with in-hospital mortality (HR = 1.587, P = 0.003), 1-year mortality (HR = 1.502, P < 0.001), AKI incidence (HR = 1.579, P < 0.001), and RRT (HR = 1.640, P < 0.016) in CAD patients in the completely adjusted Cox proportional hazard model. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis noted substantial differences in all endpoints based on AAR quartiles. Stratified analysis and interaction test demonstrated stable correlations between AAR and outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
The results highlight that AAR may be a potential indicator for assessing in-hospital mortality, 1-year mortality, and adverse renal prognosis in critical CAD patients.
8.Analysis and clinical characteristics of SLC26A4 gene mutations in 72 cases of large vestibular aqueduct syndrome.
Yuqing LIU ; Wenyu XIONG ; Yu LU ; Lisong LIANG ; Kejie YANG ; Li LAN ; Wei HAN ; Qing YE ; Min WANG ; Yuan ZHANG ; Fangying TAO ; Zuwei CAO ; Wei HUANG ; Xue YANG
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(7):603-609
Objective:To explore the genetic and clinical characteristics of Guizhou patients with enlarged vestibular aqueduct(EVA) syndrome through combined SLC26A4 variant analysis and clinical phenotype analysis. Methods:Seventy-two EVA patients underwent comprehensive genetic testing using a multiplex PCR-based deafness gene panel and next-generation sequencing(NGS). The audiological and temporal bone imaging characteristics were compared across mutation subtypes. Results:A total of 27 pathogenic loci of SLC26A4 were detected in 72 patients, including c.919-2A>G in 79.2%(57/72). A novel deletion(c.1703_1707+6del) was discovered. Among 65 cases, truncated mutations were 89.2%(58/65), 52.3%(34/65), 28(43.1%) and 7(10.8%). No significant differences were observed in the midpoint diameter of the vestibular aqueduct and the incidence of incomplete partitioning typeⅡ(IP-Ⅱ) of the cochlea among the three groups of patients. Moreover, there was no difference in the midpoint diameter of different vestibular pipes or the combination with IP-Ⅱ. Conclusion:The most common mutation site of SLC26A4 in EVA patients in Guizhou is c.919-2A>G, though genotype-phenotype correlations remain elusive. The detection of 27 mutation sites and the discovery of new mutation sites suggested the precise diagnostic significance of NGS technology in EVA patients in Guizhou.
Humans
;
Sulfate Transporters
;
Vestibular Aqueduct/abnormalities*
;
Mutation
;
Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics*
;
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/genetics*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Child
;
Adolescent
;
Child, Preschool
;
Adult
;
Young Adult
;
Phenotype
;
High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
9.Expert consensus on orthodontic treatment of protrusive facial deformities.
Jie PAN ; Yun LU ; Anqi LIU ; Xuedong WANG ; Yu WANG ; Shiqiang GONG ; Bing FANG ; Hong HE ; Yuxing BAI ; Lin WANG ; Zuolin JIN ; Weiran LI ; Lili CHEN ; Min HU ; Jinlin SONG ; Yang CAO ; Jun WANG ; Jin FANG ; Jiejun SHI ; Yuxia HOU ; Xudong WANG ; Jing MAO ; Chenchen ZHOU ; Yan LIU ; Yuehua LIU
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):5-5
Protrusive facial deformities, characterized by the forward displacement of the teeth and/or jaws beyond the normal range, affect a considerable portion of the population. The manifestations and morphological mechanisms of protrusive facial deformities are complex and diverse, requiring orthodontists to possess a high level of theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the relevant orthodontic field. To further optimize the correction of protrusive facial deformities, this consensus proposes that the morphological mechanisms and diagnosis of protrusive facial deformities should be analyzed and judged from multiple dimensions and factors to accurately formulate treatment plans. It emphasizes the use of orthodontic strategies, including jaw growth modification, tooth extraction or non-extraction for anterior teeth retraction, and maxillofacial vertical control. These strategies aim to reduce anterior teeth and lip protrusion, increase chin prominence, harmonize nasolabial and chin-lip relationships, and improve the facial profile of patients with protrusive facial deformities. For severe skeletal protrusive facial deformities, orthodontic-orthognathic combined treatment may be suggested. This consensus summarizes the theoretical knowledge and clinical experience of numerous renowned oral experts nationwide, offering reference strategies for the correction of protrusive facial deformities.
Humans
;
Orthodontics, Corrective/methods*
;
Consensus
;
Malocclusion/therapy*
;
Patient Care Planning
;
Cephalometry
10.Analysis of Factors Influencing Early Postpartum Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength Following Cesarean Delivery
Huanyu LIN ; Min YU ; Xuhong LU
Journal of Practical Obstetrics and Gynecology 2025;41(5):419-424
Objective:To identify the risk factors associated with early postpartum pelvic floor muscle strength following cesarean delivery.Methods:A total of 352 women who underwent cesarean section at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University between September 2022 and Sep-tember 2024 and attended a pelvic floor rehabilitation clinic 6 to 8 weeks postpartum were enrolled in this study,and lectromyographic(EMG)values during anterior and posterior resting phases,as well as fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscle phases,were recorded so as to analyze the factors that might affect the pelvic floor strength in the early postnatal period after cesarean section.Factors with statistically significant differences were further ana-lyzed by multifactorial Logistic analysis.Results:Pre-pregnancy body mass index(BMI)>24 kg/m2,increase in body mass during pregnancy ≥ 11.5 kg,gestational hypertension and term delivery were identified as independent risk factors for abnormal EMG values during the anterior resting phase of the pelvic floor(OR>1,P<0.05).In-crease in body mass during pregnancy≥11.5 kg,preterm rupture of membranes,and term delivery were risk fac-tors for abnormal pelvic floor EMG values in the post-resting stage(OR>1,P<0.05).Pre-pregnancy BMI>24 kg/m2 and pre-eclampsia were risk factors for abnormal pelvic floor EMG values in the fast-muscle stage(OR>1,P<0.05).and a history of uterine fibroids was a risk factor for abnormal pelvic floor EMG values in the slow-muscle stage(OR>1,P<0.05).Conclusions:Early postpartum pelvic floor muscle strength following ce-sarean delivery is influenced by several risk factors,including pre-pregnancy BMI>24 kg/m2,increase in body mass during pregnancy ≥ 11.5 kg,gestational hypertension,full-term labor,premature rupture of membranes,pre-eclampsia,and history of uterine fibroids,pelvic floor muscle strength is more likely to be impaired in the early postpartum period after the prenatal combination of the above risk factors,and Targeted pelvic floor rehabilitation should be initiated as early as possible during the postpartum period.

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