1.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.
2.ESCRT Mechanism-mediated Repair of Plasma Membrane Damage Induced by Regulatory Cell Death
Tian-Yang FENG ; Le DENG ; Gou XU ; Li LI ; Miao-Miao GUO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1099-1112
The plasma membrane (PM) plays an essential role in maintaining cell homeostasis, therefore, timely and effective repair of damage caused by factors such as mechanical rupture, pore-forming toxins, or pore-forming proteins is crucial for cell survival. PM damage induces membrane rupture and stimulates an immune response. However, damage resulting from regulated cell death processes, including pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and necroptosis, cannot be repaired by simple sealing mechanisms and thus, requires specialized repair machinery. Recent research has identified a PM repair mechanism of regulated cell death-related injury, mediated by the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) machinery. Here, we review recent progress in elucidating the ESCRT machinery-mediated repair mechanism of PM injury, with particular focus on processes related to regulated cell death. This overview, along with continued research in this field, may provide novel insights into therapeutic targets for diseases associated with dysregulation of regulated cell death pathways.
3.Ameliorative effects and mechanisms of two probiotics combined with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus on functional dyspepsia in rats
Zongnian LI ; Ying XIONG ; Xiaohui GONG ; Lanlan WANG ; Zhongqing GUO ; Linlin JIANG ; Hongying LIU ; Kezhong DENG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(13):1593-1598
OBJECTIVE To investigate ameliorative effects and mechanisms of two probiotics (Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus) combined with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (AFI) on functional dyspepsia (FD) in rats. METHODS Rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, positive control group (domperidone group, 2.7 mg/kg), AFI group (9 g/kg), L. acidophilus group (5×107 cfu/kg), B. subtilis group (5×107 cfu/kg), L. acidophilus+ AFI group (L. acidophilus 5×107 cfu/kg+ AFI 9 g/kg), and B. subtilis+AFI group (B. subtilis 5×107 cfu/kg+AFI 9 g/kg), with 8 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, FD model was established by tail-clamping stimulation+hunger and satiety disorder+swimming exhaustion in other groups. After modeling, each group was given the corresponding drug/probiotic suspensions/physiological saline intragastrically, once a day, for 14 consecutive days. After the last medication, gastric emptying rate and the rate of propulsion of the small intestine in rats were measured; the levels of brain-gut peptide-related indicators [gastrin (GAS), substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), somatostatin (SS) and cholecystokinin (CCK)] in the serum of rats were measured. The pathological morphology of the gastric antrum tissue and duodenal tissue was observed. Cecal contents from the rats were collected for gut microbiota sequencing analysis. The protein expression levels of tyrosine kinase receptor c-Kit and stem cell factor (SCF) in the gastric antrum tissue, as well as Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in the duodenal tissue of the rats were detected. RESULTS Compared with the blank group, model group showed significantly lower gastric emptying rate, small intestinal propulsion rate, serum levels of GAS and SP, relative abundance of Firmicutes, Ace, Chao and Sobs indexes of the gut microbiota, and protein levels of SCF and c-Kit in gastric antrum (P<0.05), while serum levels of VIP, SS and CCK, relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, as well as protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB, were significantly higher (P<0.05). The histological structure JZYC23S53) of the gastric antrum tissue appeared basically normal; however, abnormalities were observed in the duodenal structure, with a significant infiltration of inflammatory cells visible. Compared with the model group, all treatment groups significantly modulated most of the above indexes (P<0.05). The histological structure of the gastric antrum tissue was normal. Except for the B. subtilis group and the B. subtilis+AFI group, the pathological states of the duodenum in the remaining rats gradually recovered. Compared with each single drug group, most of above indexes in rats from each combination group showed further improvement (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The combination of AFI with two probiotics can improve gastrointestinal motility in FD rats, and the effect is superior to that of using the drugs alone. The specific underlying mechanisms may be related to the activation of the SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway and the inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.
4.Analyzing the monitoring results of occupational hazard factors in key enterprises in Foshan City in 2022
Na DENG ; Yao GUO ; Guanlin CHEN ; Jianyi LIANG ; Shaoxin HUO ; Yingqing XIE
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(2):232-236
Objective To analyze the distribution of occupational hazard factors (OHFs) in key enterprises in Foshan City. Methods A total of 373 enterprises from 11 key industries in Foshan City in 2022 were selected as the research subjects using the purposive sampling method. Monitoring data of OHFs in workplaces were obtained and analyzed from the "Workplace Occupational Hazards Monitoring Information System" under "China Disease Prevention and Control Information System". Results Among the 373 enterprises, small and micro-sized enterprises, and large and medium-sized enterprises accounted for 85.5% and 14.5% respectively. A total of 24 137 sampling points in the workplaces were monitored for OHFs, with the national standard compliance rate of 92.1%. Among different OHFs, the compliance rates ranked from highest to lowest were chemical agents, dust, and noise (98.0% vs 89.3% vs 52.0%, P<0.01). A total of 63 131 workers were employed in 373 enterprises, among whom 29 753 were exposed to OHFs, yielding an overall exposure rate of 47.1%. Exposure rates of OHFs by enterprise scale, from highest to lowest, were micro-sized, small-sized, medium-sized, and large-sized enterprises (69.2% vs 52.7% vs 47.3% vs 39.0%, P<0.01). The proportion of workers participated in occupational medical examination was 85.1%, with re-examination proportion of 62.5% and the abnormality detection rate of 2.1%. Conclusion In key enterprises in Foshan City, the risk of noise exposure is relatively high, and the exposure rate of OHFs is highest in micro-sized enterprises. The occupational health supervision and management department needs to strengthen the governance of noise hazards in a targeted manner and urge enterprises (especially micro-sized enterprises) to fulfill their primary responsibilities in occupational disease prevention and control.
5.Therapeutic effect and mechanism of the topical preparation of baicalein on atopic dermatitis
Deng WANG ; Zhongying FAN ; Qinglong GUO ; Xi LI ; Yujie BAI ; Libin WEI ; Yuan HE
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(1):99-109
To evaluate the therapeutic effect of baicalein topical preparation on atopic dermatitis, we first constructed two atopic dermatitis-like mouse models induced by calcipotriol and 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene to assess their therapeutic effect with skin tissue staining and other experiments. It was found that topical preparation of baicalein could alleviate epidermal thickening of diseased skin tissues, repair damaged skin barrier proteins, and inhibit T helper 2 cells (Th2) infiltration and mast cell infiltration and activation in lesional sites. Cyberpharmacology was utilized to analyze whether baicalein could treat atopic dermatitis by interfering with multiple pathogenesis-associated pathways. Results indicated that baicalein reduced the mRNA levels of inflammatory factors and inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and STAT1 proteins in keratinocyte cells. Together, the topical preparation of baicalein may be effective in alleviating atopic dermatitis-like symptoms in mice by down-regulating the phosphorylation level of NF-κB in keratinocytes, thereby decreasing the expression of inflammatory factors in keratinocytes, which provides an idea and a theoretical basis for the topical preparation of baicalein for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis.
6.Analysis of the monitoring results of radiation health technical service quality in Jiangxi Province, 2022-2024
Zhe HUANG ; Ning ZHOU ; Lingling GUO ; Zhongwen XU ; Lei DENG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(3):390-394
Objective To access the current situation of the service capacity of radiation health technical service institutions in Jiangxi Province, analyze the existing problems of these institutions, and provide a scientific basis for standardizing the management of such institutions and improving their service capability. Methods A total of 11 radiation health technical service institutions in Jiangxi Province in the National Occupational Health Technical Service Organization Management Information System were selected as the monitoring objects. During the period from 2022 to 2024, 5-6 technical service institutions were selected each year and comprehensively evaluated and inspected using a checklist formulated by the state. Results Among the 16 quality monitoring results of 11 institutions, 2 (12.5%) were rated as excellent, 12 (75%) as qualified, and 2 (12.5%) as unqualified. The risk level assessment identified 7 (43.75%) high-risk institutions, 9 (56.25%) medium-risk institutions, and 0 (0%) low-risk institutions. Conclusion The overall service capacity of radiation health technical service institutions in Jiangxi Province needs to be improved. Notably, institutions within the health system, such as centers for disease control and prevention, show significant shortcomings in both on-site and laboratory testing capabilities.
7.Protective Effect of Gegen Qianliantang on Intestinal Mucosal Barrier in Ulcerative Colitis Mice via STAT3/NF-κB Axis Regulating Th1/Treg Differentiation
Beilei DENG ; Anan WANG ; Wenya FENG ; Lixin WANG ; Tiansong ZHANG ; Chengyong MA ; Xiutian GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):12-21
ObjectiveTo explore the protective effect and mechanism of Gegen Qianliantang (GQT) on intestinal mucosal barrier function in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) model mice. MethodsA UC model was established in C57BL/6 mice using a 2.5% DSS solution. Mice were randomly divided into five groups (n=8 per group): blank group, model group, mesalazine sustained-release granule group (0.52 g·kg-1), high-dose GQT group (2.23 g·kg-1), and low-dose GQT group (1.12 g·kg-1). Fecal characteristics and body weight changes were observed before and after treatment. The body weight loss and disease activity index (DAI) of UC mice were calculated to evaluate symptom severity. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Alizarin blue-periodic acid-Schiff (AB-PAS) staining were used to detect histological changes in colon tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and mucin 2 (MUC2). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-17A, and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Flow cytometry was used to detect the activation of helper T lymphocyte subsets (Th1, Th17), regulatory T cells (Treg), and regulatory B cells (Breg) in spleen and colon tissues. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of T-bet, forkhead box protein P3(FoxP3), nuclear transcription factor(NF)-κB p65, phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3). ResultsCompared with the model group, both high- and low-dose GQT groups significantly improved the body weight loss and DAI scores (P<0.05), alleviated colonic inflammation, and showed optimal efficacy in the high-dose group. AB-PAS staining showed that compared with the model group, both the high- and low-dose GQT groups significantly increased goblet cell proliferation and mucin secretion, indicating improved mucosal barrier function. GQT upregulated the expression of ZO-1 and MUC2 in colon tissue (P<0.05), suppressed IFN-γ, IL-6, and TNF-α secretion (P<0.05), elevated IL-10 secretion (P<0.05), but had no significant effect on IL-17A. At the same time, high- and low-dose GQT intervention increased the activation of CD4+ FoxP3+ Treg cells (P<0.05) and suppressed activation of CD4+ IFN-γ+ Th1 cells (P<0.05). Western blot showed that GQT downregulated T-bet, NF-κB p65, and STAT3 protein expression (P<0.05), upregulated FoxP3 (P<0.05), and also reduced phosphorylation levels of p-NF-κB p65 and p-STAT3 (P<0.05). ConclusionGQT can upregulate the activation of CD4+ FoxP3+ Treg cells, reduce the activation of CD4+ IFN-γ+ Th1 cells, inhibit the secretion of IFN-γ, IL-6, and TNF-α, and increase the secretion of IL-10. It enhances the expression of MUC2 and ZO-1 in colon tissue, thereby alleviating inflammatory damage to the intestinal mucosa and restoring mucosal barrier integrity. These effects may be related to its regulation of NF-κB p65 and STAT3 signaling pathways, ultimately regulating the activation of transcription factors T-bet and FoxP3.
8.Potential utility of albumin-bilirubin and body mass index-based logistic model to predict survival outcome in non-small cell lung cancer with liver metastasis treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Lianxi SONG ; Qinqin XU ; Ting ZHONG ; Wenhuan GUO ; Shaoding LIN ; Wenjuan JIANG ; Zhan WANG ; Li DENG ; Zhe HUANG ; Haoyue QIN ; Huan YAN ; Xing ZHANG ; Fan TONG ; Ruiguang ZHANG ; Zhaoyi LIU ; Lin ZHANG ; Xiaorong DONG ; Ting LI ; Chao FANG ; Xue CHEN ; Jun DENG ; Jing WANG ; Nong YANG ; Liang ZENG ; Yongchang ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):478-480
9.Equivalence of SYN008 versus omalizumab in patients with refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, active-controlled phase III study.
Jingyi LI ; Yunsheng LIANG ; Wenli FENG ; Liehua DENG ; Hong FANG ; Chao JI ; Youkun LIN ; Furen ZHANG ; Rushan XIA ; Chunlei ZHANG ; Shuping GUO ; Mao LIN ; Yanling LI ; Shoumin ZHANG ; Xiaojing KANG ; Liuqing CHEN ; Zhiqiang SONG ; Xu YAO ; Chengxin LI ; Xiuping HAN ; Guoxiang GUO ; Qing GUO ; Xinsuo DUAN ; Jie LI ; Juan SU ; Shanshan LI ; Qing SUN ; Juan TAO ; Yangfeng DING ; Danqi DENG ; Fuqiu LI ; Haiyun SUO ; Shunquan WU ; Jingbo QIU ; Hongmei LUO ; Linfeng LI ; Ruoyu LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(16):2040-2042
10.Impact of early detection and management of emotional distress on length of stay in non-psychiatric inpatients: A retrospective hospital-based cohort study.
Wanjun GUO ; Huiyao WANG ; Wei DENG ; Zaiquan DONG ; Yang LIU ; Shanxia LUO ; Jianying YU ; Xia HUANG ; Yuezhu CHEN ; Jialu YE ; Jinping SONG ; Yan JIANG ; Dajiang LI ; Wen WANG ; Xin SUN ; Weihong KUANG ; Changjian QIU ; Nansheng CHENG ; Weimin LI ; Wei ZHANG ; Yansong LIU ; Zhen TANG ; Xiangdong DU ; Andrew J GREENSHAW ; Lan ZHANG ; Tao LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(22):2974-2983
BACKGROUND:
While emotional distress, encompassing anxiety and depression, has been associated with negative clinical outcomes, its impact across various clinical departments and general hospitals has been less explored. Previous studies with limited sample sizes have examined the effectiveness of specific treatments (e.g., antidepressants) rather than a systemic management strategy for outcome improvement in non-psychiatric inpatients. To enhance the understanding of the importance of addressing mental health care needs among non-psychiatric patients in general hospitals, this study retrospectively investigated the impacts of emotional distress and the effects of early detection and management of depression and anxiety on hospital length of stay (LOS) and rate of long LOS (LLOS, i.e., LOS >30 days) in a large sample of non-psychiatric inpatients.
METHODS:
This retrospective cohort study included 487,871 inpatients from 20 non-psychiatric departments of a general hospital. They were divided, according to whether they underwent a novel strategy to manage emotional distress which deployed the Huaxi Emotional Distress Index (HEI) for brief screening with grading psychological services (BS-GPS), into BS-GPS ( n = 178,883) and non-BS-GPS ( n = 308,988) cohorts. The LOS and rate of LLOS between the BS-GPS and non-BS-GPS cohorts and between subcohorts with and without clinically significant anxiety and/or depression (CSAD, i.e., HEI score ≥11 on admission to the hospital) in the BS-GPS cohort were compared using univariable analyses, multilevel analyses, and/or propensity score-matched analyses, respectively.
RESULTS:
The detection rate of CSAD in the BS-GPS cohort varied from 2.64% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.49%-2.81%) to 20.50% (95% CI: 19.43%-21.62%) across the 20 departments, with a average rate of 5.36%. Significant differences were observed in both the LOS and LLOS rates between the subcohorts with CSAD (12.7 days, 535/9590) and without CSAD (9.5 days, 3800/169,293) and between the BS-GPS (9.6 days, 4335/178,883) and non-BS-GPS (10.8 days, 11,483/308,988) cohorts. These differences remained significant after controlling for confounders using propensity score-matched comparisons. A multilevel analysis indicated that BS-GPS was negatively associated with both LOS and LLOS after controlling for sociodemographics and the departments of patient discharge and remained negatively associated with LLOS after controlling additionally for the year of patient discharge.
CONCLUSION
Emotional distress significantly prolonged the LOS and increased the LLOS of non-psychiatric inpatients across most departments and general hospitals. These impacts were moderated by the implementation of BS-GPS. Thus, BS-GPS has the potential as an effective, resource-saving strategy for enhancing mental health care and optimizing medical resources in general hospitals.
Humans
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Retrospective Studies
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Male
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Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data*
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Adult
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Psychological Distress
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Inpatients/psychology*
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Aged
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Anxiety/diagnosis*
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Depression/diagnosis*

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