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.Direct anterior craniocervical junction fenestration decompression and bone graft for the treatment of early and middle stage osteonecrosis of the femoral head: a 3-year follow-up.
Yan-Bai CHEN ; Wei-Kai QIN ; Qi YAN ; Ao-Lin SUN ; Hong-Mei ZHANG
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(7):680-686
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the mid-term clinical efficacy of the direct anterior approach for window decompression and bone grafting surgery in the treatment of early to mid-stage osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was performed on 40 patients (40 hips) diagnosed with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), classified as types L1 and L2 according to the China-Japan Friendship Hospital (CJFH) classification system, and at stagesⅡ, ⅢA, and ⅢB based on the Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) staging system. All patients underwent head-neck junction fenestration decompression and bone grafting via the direct anterior approach between January 2015 and May 2022, with complete follow-up data available for a minimum of three years. The ages of the patients ranged from 35 to 69 years old, with a mean of (49.13±6.14 ) years old;their body mass index (BMI) ranged from 20.02 to 27.94 kg·m-2, with a mean of (23.65±1.69) kg·m-1;the duration of the disease ranged from 13 to 36 months, with a mean of (24.55±4.14) months. Preoperative and 3-year postoperative X-ray parameters were collected, including the anterior preserved angle(APA), lateral preserved angle (LPA), and combined preserved angle (CPA). Additionally, hip joint disability and osteoarthritis outcome scores (HOOS) and Harris hip scores (HHS) were recorded.
RESULTS:
Forty patients were followed up for a period ranging from 36 to 59 months, with a mean duration of (47.18±6.18) months. At 3 years postoperative, none of the patients underwent hip replacement surgery. The APA (73.15±19.35)°, LPA (75.35 ±21.48)°, and CPA (136.25±26.78)° at the 3-year postoperative significantly improved compared to preoperative measurements (61.93±20.54)°, (59.46±22.67)°, and (116.58±32.47)°, with statistical significance (P<0.05). The HOOS (20.37±1.39) and HHS (89.74±3.28) scores at the 3-year postoperative were significantly improved from preoperative scores (12.36±1.58) and (50.27±6.15), respectively, with statistical significance (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The direct anterior approach for window decompression and bone grafting surgery can relieve joint pain, improve joint function, and enhance X-ray preserved angles, effectively preventing femoral head collapse, making it an effective surgical method for treating ONFH classified as L1, L2 according to CJFH and stagesⅡ, ⅢA, ⅢB according to ARCO.
Humans
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Middle Aged
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Male
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Female
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Adult
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Decompression, Surgical/methods*
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Bone Transplantation
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Femur Head Necrosis/surgery*
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Follow-Up Studies
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Aged
;
Retrospective Studies
3.Effect and safety of pancreatic extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in chronic pancreatitis with pancreatic duct stone and analysis of influencing factors of the success of lithotripsy
Xiang AO ; Yaya BAI ; Ke QI ; Taojing RAN ; Xiaonan SHEN ; Xianzheng QIN ; Yao ZHANG ; Ling ZHANG ; Chunhua ZHOU ; Duowu ZOU
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2025;31(3):172-176
Objective:To investigate the effect and safety of pancreatic extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (P-ESWL) in treating the chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients with main pancreatic duct (MPD) stones and to analyze the influencing factors of success of lithotripsy.Methods:Clinical data of 132 patients with CP complicated with MPD stones treated with P-ESWL in the Department of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2022 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 103 males and 29 females, aged (50.3±16.9) years. The times of P-ESWL, the success rate of stone fragmentation, the necessity of combining endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatograhy (ERCP), clearance rate of MPD stones, and incidence of post-P-ESWL complications (acute pancreatitis, abdominal hematoma, infection, steinstrasse, perforation, etc.) were evaluated. The factors influencing the success rate of lithotripsy were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.Results:All patients underwent P-ESWL treatment, with (2.23±0.82) times of P-ESWL per person. The success rate of stone fragmentation was 87.1%(115/132). Of 107 CP patients (81.1%, 107/132) were treated with their first P-ESWL. Of 12 patients (9.1%, 12/132) underwent single P-ESWL, and 120 (90.9%, 120/132) underwent P-ESWL combined with ERCP. There were 95 cases (72.0%, 95/132) with effective removal of stones, and 62 (47.0%, 62/132) with complete removal of stones. Post-P-ESWL complications included eight cases (6.1%, 8/132) of acute pancreatitis, two (7.6%, 2/132) of steinstrasse complicated with acute pancreatitis and one (0.8%, 1/132) of abdominal hematoma. No infection or perforation occurred. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the higher CT value of stones ( OR=1.239, 95% CI: 1.040-1.477, P=0.017) was associated with the lower success rate of stone fragmentation. Conclusion:P-ESWL is safe and effective in treating patients with CP complicated with MPD stones. The CT value of stones is a risk factor for the success rate of P-ESWL.
4.Drying kinetics of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and dynamics of active components in drying process.
Yu-Qin LI ; Xiu-Xiu SHA ; Zhe ZHANG ; Shu-Lan SU ; Liang NI ; Sheng GUO ; Hui YAN ; Da-Wei QIAN ; Jin-Ao DUAN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(1):128-139
This study explored the drying kinetics of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma(SM), established the suitable models simulating the drying kinetics, and then analyzed the dynamic changes of active components during the drying processes with different methods, aiming to provide a basis for the establishment of suitable drying methods and the quality control of SM. The drying kinetics were studied based on the drying curve, drying rate, moisture effective diffusion coefficient, and drying activation energy, and the appropriate drying kinetics model of SM was established. The drying performance of different methods, such as hot air drying, infrared drying, and microwave drying of SM was evaluated, and the changes in the content of 10 salvianolic acids and 6 tanshinones during drying were analyzed by UPLC-TQ-MS. The Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution(TOPSIS) was employed to evaluate the quality of SM dried with different methods. The results showed that the drying rate and moisture effective diffusion coefficient of SM increased with the rise in drying temperature, and the maximum drying rates of different methods were in the order of microwave drying > infrared drying > hot air drying, slice > whole root. The drying rate decreased with the rise in temperature and the extension of drying time. The activation energy of hot air drying was higher than that of infrared drying in SM. The most suitable model for simulating the drying process of SM was the Page model. The TOPSIS results suggested infrared drying at 50 ℃ was the optimal drying method for SM. During the drying process, the content of salvianolic acids increased in different degrees with the loss of moisture, among which salvianolic acid B showed the largest increase of 44 times compared with that in the fresh medicinal material. Tanshinones also existed in the fresh herb of SM, and the content of tanshinone Ⅱ_A increased by 3 times after drying. The results provided a basis for the establishment of suitable drying methods and the quality control of SM.
Salvia miltiorrhiza/chemistry*
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Desiccation/methods*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Rhizome/chemistry*
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Kinetics
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Quality Control
;
Abietanes
5.Effect of vitamin D on NF-κB / CBS-H2 S signaling pathway in rats with chronic sciatic nerve injury
Qin Zhang ; Zhongjin Jiang ; Shengfu Ao
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(9):1638-1644
Objective:
To investigate the ameliorative effect of vitamin D on sciatic nerve chronic compression injury(CCI) rats and its regulatory effect on nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)/cystathione-β-synthase(CBS)-hydrogen sulfide(H2S) system.
Methods:
Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group,model group,vitamin D group,activator group,and activator + vitamin D group,with 10 rats in each group. Except for the control group,the rats in the other groups underwent sciatic nerve ligation to establish the CCI model. The vitamin D group received intraperitoneal injection of 500 mg/kg vitamin D,the activator group received intraperitoneal injection of10 mg/kg NF-κB activator lipopolysaccharide,and the activator + vitamin D group received intraperitoneal injection of 500 mg/kg vitamin D along with 10 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide. The control and model groups received intraperitoneal injection of an equal volume of saline,once per day for 2 weeks. The following parameters were compared among the groups: paw withdraw thermal latency(PWTL),mechanical withdrawal threshold(MWT),serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3[25(OH)D3]levels,H2S content,calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP),prostaglandin E2(PGE2) levels,and the expression of vitamin D receptor(VDR),NF-κBp65,and CBS proteins in the L4-L6 dorsal root ganglia of rats.
Results:
Compared with the control group,the model group showed decreased PWTL,MWT,25( OH) D3 levels and VDR protein expression,while H2 S content,CGRP and PGE2 levels,and NF-κBp65 and CBS protein expression significantly increased ( P<0. 05) .Compared with the model group,the vi- tamin D group exhibited increased PWTL,MWT,25 ( OH) D3 levels and VDR protein expression ( P <0. 05) , while H2 S content,CGRP and PGE2 levels,and NF-κBp65 and CBS protein expression significantly decreased ( P < 0. 05) .Compared with the activator group,the activator + Vitamin D group showed increased PWTL,MWT, 25( OH) D3 levels and VDR protein expression,and decreased H2 S content,CGRP and PGE2 levels and decreased NF-κBp65,CBS protein expression ( P<0. 05) .Compared with the vitamin D group,the activator + vitamin D group showed decreased PWTL,MWT,25( OH) D3 levels and VDR protein expression,while H2 S content,CGRP and PGE2 levels,and NF-κBp65 and CBS protein expression significantly increased ( P <0. 05) .
Conclusion
Exogenous supplementation of vitamin D can relieve nerve pain and reduce pain sensitivity in CCI rats,possibly by inhibiting NF-κB / CBS-H2 S signaling pathway.
6.CT-assisted 3D printing template-guided implantation of 125I particles for the treatment of head and neck malignancies:a clinical study
Ao LIU ; Xin LI ; Qin YAN ; Aihua LUO
Journal of Interventional Radiology 2025;34(9):988-992
Objective To evaluate the short-term clinical effect(including curative efficacy,pain relief,and quality of life)of CT-assisted 3D printing template-guided implantation of 125I particles in treating head and neck malignancies.Methods A total of 12 patients with head and neck malignant tumors complicated by moderate to severe cancerous pain,who were admitted to Yichang Municipal second People's Hospital to receive treatment from September 2019 to July 2024,were enrolled in this study.All patients received CT-assisted 3D individualized template-guided implantation of 125I particles therapy.The short-term curative efficacy,pain relief,and quality of life of patients were evaluated.Results Three months after implantation of 125I particles,complete response(CR)was obtained in 3 patients,partial remission(PR)in 5 patients,and stable disease(SD)in 4 patients,with an objective response rate(ORR)of 66.67%and a disease control rate(DCR)of 100%.The preoperative mean NRS score was(5.58±0.79)points,and the postoperative 3-month mean NRS score was(2.08±0.67)points.The postoperative 3-month physiological well-being(PWB),emotional well-being(EWB),functional well-being(FWB),and the total score were significantly better than their preoperative values,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).No statistically significant difference in social/family well-being(SWB)existed between its postoperative 3-month value and its preoperative value.Adverse reactions occurred in 2 patients,including local mucosal ulceration(n=1)and skin redness with swelling(n=1),which were improved after treatment.No serious complications occurred.Conclusion For the treatment of patients with head and neck malignant tumors complicated by moderate to severe cancerous pain,radioactive 125I particle implantation has a significant short-term effect,it can effectively relieve cancerous pain and improve quality of life of patients with reliable clinical safety.
7.Research advances in cerebral proliferative angiopathy
Yi LI ; Yongjie MA ; Ao QIN ; Hongqi ZHANG ; Xin SU
Chinese Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2025;22(11):777-784
Cerebral proliferative angiopathy(CPA)was initially regarded as a variant of arteriovenous malformation.However,its distinct histological,angiographic,and pathophysiological features have led to its reclassification as an independent entity.CPA is an exceptionally rare form of cerebral vascular malformation,its pathogenesis is primarily linked to diffuse vascular proliferation secondary to chronic hypoperfusion.Clinically,CPA presents with a heterogeneous spectrum of manifestations,most commonly severe headaches and epileptic seizures.Neuroimaging(MR)typically reveals a complex interplay of aberrant vessels within the brain parenchyma,which may complicate the clinical management and lead to a higher rate of poor prognosis.This article reviewed current knowledge on the pathogenesis,epidemiology,clinical features,diagnostic approaches,and treatment options for CPA,with the aim of enhancing understanding of its underlying mechanisms and guiding future therapeutic strategy optimizations.
8.Associations of dietary patterns and osteoporosis in patients with knee osteoarthritis:a correlation study
Xiaoni ZHOU ; Peihua CAO ; Peichun GAO ; Yuting QIN ; Jianjin WANG ; Linxin XIE ; Ao WU ; Changhai DING ; Hongzhen XIE
Modern Clinical Nursing 2025;24(9):34-42
Objective To explore the associations of dietary patterns with bone mineral density(BMD)and osteoporosis(OP)in patients with knee osteoarthritis(KOA)in south China,identify the dietary patterns that could reduce the risk of OP,and provide a reference for prevention of OP.Methods Data from 600 KOA patients who were enrolled in the Pearl River Osteoarthritis Cohort(PROC)between April 2020 and April 2024 were extracted,including general characteristics,dietary questionnaire and BMD test.Factor analysis was employed to identify dietary patterns.Scores of dietary pattern were treated as continuous or categorical variables(quartile-based groups).Multivariable linear regression was used to assess associations between scores of dietary pattern and BMD,while the relationships with OP were analysed by binary logistic regression.Results The prevalence of OP in KOA patients was 19.8%.Factor analysis extracted eight dietary patterns:seafood-nuts,livestock-poultry meats,coarse grains-fruits,wheat-eggs,fish-dairy-vegetables,legumes-fruits,rice-wheat flour,and soy-dairy.After adjusting for confounders,it was found that the pattern of coarse grains-fruits was positively correlated with the BMD of left femoral neck and lumbar spine(P<0.01)and the fish-dairy-vegetables pattern was positively correlated with the BMD of lumbar spine(P<0.01).When pattern scores were discretized into quartiles,the legumes-fruits pattern(Q3 vs.Q1)was found in association with a 68.2%reduction in the risk of OP(P<0.05).Conclusion This study has identified that the pattern of legumes-fruits may lower a risk of OP,while the patterns of coarse grains-fruits and fish-dairy-vegetables correlate with higher BMD.The diet patterns are potentially beneficial to prevention of OP.For bone health,a balanced diet rich in legumes,fruits,vegetables,coarse grains,fish,nuts and dairy is recommended.
9.Associations of dietary patterns and osteoporosis in patients with knee osteoarthritis:a correlation study
Xiaoni ZHOU ; Peihua CAO ; Peichun GAO ; Yuting QIN ; Jianjin WANG ; Linxin XIE ; Ao WU ; Changhai DING ; Hongzhen XIE
Modern Clinical Nursing 2025;24(9):34-42
Objective To explore the associations of dietary patterns with bone mineral density(BMD)and osteoporosis(OP)in patients with knee osteoarthritis(KOA)in south China,identify the dietary patterns that could reduce the risk of OP,and provide a reference for prevention of OP.Methods Data from 600 KOA patients who were enrolled in the Pearl River Osteoarthritis Cohort(PROC)between April 2020 and April 2024 were extracted,including general characteristics,dietary questionnaire and BMD test.Factor analysis was employed to identify dietary patterns.Scores of dietary pattern were treated as continuous or categorical variables(quartile-based groups).Multivariable linear regression was used to assess associations between scores of dietary pattern and BMD,while the relationships with OP were analysed by binary logistic regression.Results The prevalence of OP in KOA patients was 19.8%.Factor analysis extracted eight dietary patterns:seafood-nuts,livestock-poultry meats,coarse grains-fruits,wheat-eggs,fish-dairy-vegetables,legumes-fruits,rice-wheat flour,and soy-dairy.After adjusting for confounders,it was found that the pattern of coarse grains-fruits was positively correlated with the BMD of left femoral neck and lumbar spine(P<0.01)and the fish-dairy-vegetables pattern was positively correlated with the BMD of lumbar spine(P<0.01).When pattern scores were discretized into quartiles,the legumes-fruits pattern(Q3 vs.Q1)was found in association with a 68.2%reduction in the risk of OP(P<0.05).Conclusion This study has identified that the pattern of legumes-fruits may lower a risk of OP,while the patterns of coarse grains-fruits and fish-dairy-vegetables correlate with higher BMD.The diet patterns are potentially beneficial to prevention of OP.For bone health,a balanced diet rich in legumes,fruits,vegetables,coarse grains,fish,nuts and dairy is recommended.
10.Clinical value of transcranial color-coded duplex sonography in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke after endovascular therapy
Jing TANG ; Juan HAN ; Chenghui LIU ; Bogang YAN ; Qin AO
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(3):337-342
Objective To investigate the intracranial hemodynamic parameters with transcranial color-coded duplex sonography(TCCS)in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke(AIS)after endovascular therapy,and analyze their association with functional outcomes.Methods A total of 360 elderly AIS patients undergoing endovascular therapy in our hospital from March 1,2020 to January 31,2024 were prospectively included,and according to the score of modified Rankin scale(mRS)at 90 d,they were divided into a poor function group(mRS score 3-6,145 cases)and good function group(mRS score≤2,215 cases).TCCS was conducted on all the patients in 12 h after endovascular therapy to evaluate intracranial blood flow status.Peak systolic velocity(PSV),end-diastolic velocity(EDV),mean blood flow velocity(MFV),pulsatility index(PI),MFV ratio and PSV ratio,adjusted PSV ratio and adjusted MFV ratio were recorded in all pa-tients.Receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was employed to analyze the value of TCCS parameters in predicting poor functional outcomes,and the AUC values and cut-off values were also analyzed.Results The PSV ratio,MFV ratio,adjusted PSV ratio and adjusted MFV ra-tio were significantly higher in the poor function group than the good function group(P<0.01).The predictive performance of PSV ratio and MFV ratio were not good enough for poor functional outcome in the AIS patients(AUC<0.750),while the adjusted PSV ratio and adjusted MFV ratio showed better predictive performance(P<0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NIHSS score at admission ≥14.00,ASPECT score at admission≥8.00,adjusted PSV ratio>1.39 and adjusted MFV ratio>1.40 were independent risk factors for poor functional outcomes in AIS patients(P<0.01).ROC curve analysis indicated that combined NIHSS score at admission+ASPECT score at admission showed poor value in predicting poor functional outcome in the AIS(AUC=0.780,95%CI:0.734-0.822),the predictive performance of combination of above two scores+adjusted PSV ratio+adjusted MFV ratio was significantly improved(AUC=0.976,95%CI:0.955-0.989),with higher sensitivity and specificity(Z=8.261,P<0.01).Conclusion Early TCCS detection in elderly AIS patients after endovascular treatment is an effective method for identifying poor functional outcomes at 90 d,with the advantages of non invasiveness and easy op-eration.And,better predictive performance is obtained when adjusted PSV ratio and adjusted MFV ratio are combined with conventional predictors.


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