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.Effects of Three AKT Isoform-specific Knockouts on Self-renewal and Differentiation in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Qi YANG ; Shuai TANG ; Lin-Lin ZHANG ; Wu-Yang TANG ; Ao-Xiang DOU ; Yu-Hang ZHANG ; Pi-Shun LI ; Xiao-Feng ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(3):426-436
AKT,also known as Protein Kinase B(PKB),plays a critical role in cell proliferation and metabolism.There are three isoforms of AKT:AKT1,AKT2,and AKT3.The effects of these isoforms on the pluripotency and differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells(mESCs)remain unclear.This study aims to explore the impact of three AKT isoform-specific knockouts on the self-renewal and differen-tiation of mouse embryonic stem cells.Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology,AKT isoform-spe-cific knockout cell lines were established.The phenotypic and molecular changes were analyzed through Western blotting,flow cytometry,qRT-PCR,CCK-8 assays,Alkaline Phosphatase(AP)staining,and RNA-seq.The construction of AKT isoform-specific knockout cell lines was successful.The loss of AKT1 and AKT2 inhibited the proliferation of mESCs.The knockout of any single AKT isoform did not affect the expression of pluripotency genes at both mRNA or protein levels.However,during embryoid body forma-tion,the deletion of any of the three AKT isoforms affected the mRNA expression levels of genes in all three germ layers.Transcriptome analysis showed that compared to wild-type mESCs,995,547,and 429 differentially expressed genes(|log2FC|≧1,P<0.05)were identified inAKT1,AKT2,and AKT3 isoform-specific knockout cells,respectively.There was some overlap in the differentially expressed genes regulated by these three isoforms.In conclusion,the independent knockout of AKT isoforms does not af-fect the maintenance of pluripotency in mouse embryonic stem cells,but they are crucial for differentia-tion.The three AKT isoforms can collectively regulate gene expression while retaining their own regulato-ry specificity.This study provides a foundation for understanding the unique and overlapping roles of AKT isoforms in stem cell biology,highlighting their importance in maintaining stem cell function and differen-tiation.
3.Cement-augmented short-segment percutaneous pedicle screw fixation for the stage Ⅱ Kümmell's disease
Wenbo SHENG ; Bingli LIU ; Sibo LI ; Rongguang AO ; Baoqing YU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(34):7286-7292
BACKGROUND:Stage Ⅱ Kümmell's disease has traditionally been treated with percutaneous kyphoplasty,but this approach is associated with a high incidence of complications such as poor postoperative pain relief,suboptimal cement dispersion,and adjacent vertebral fractures.Studies have shown that cement augmentation of the injured vertebra combined with posterior spinal canal decompression and short-segment fixation has a good effect on the treatment of Kümmell's disease with neurological symptoms.OBJECTIVE:To compare the outcomes of cement-augmented short-segment percutaneous pedicle screw fixation with those of percutaneous kyphoplasty for the treatment of stage Ⅱ Kümmell's disease.METHODS:From January 2020 to January 2023,a total of 49 patients with stage Ⅱ Kümmell's disease from Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were included in this study,with 15 males and 34 females.According to the treatment method,the patients were divided into the trial group(n=23)and the control group(n=26).The patients in the trial group received cement-augmented short-segment percutaneous pedicle screw fixation,and the patients in the control group received percutaneous kyphoplasty.The postoperative complications were recorded,and the spinal Cobb angle and the ratio of the anterior edge height of the injured vertebra were compared between the two groups at 1,6,12 weeks,6,and 12 months after surgery.The Oswestry disability index and lumbar visual analog score were compared at 1 week and 12 months after surgery.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)All patients in the two groups were followed up for more than 12 months after surgery.Five patients in the control group had adjacent vertebral fractures,three patients had severe kyphosis,and one patient in the trial group had postoperative incision complications.(2)Compared with preoperative data,the spinal Cobb angle and the ratio of the anterior edge height of the injured vertebra in both groups were significantly improved after surgery(P<0.05).The spinal Cobb angle of the trial group was lower than that of the control group at 1,6,12 weeks,6,and 12 months after surgery(P<0.05),and the ratio of the anterior edge height of the injured vertebra in the trial group was higher than that of the control group at 1,6,12 weeks,6,and 12 months after surgery(P<0.05).(3)Compared with preoperative data,the Oswestry disability index and lumbar visual analog scale score of the two groups were significantly improved after surgery(P<0.05).The Oswestry disability index and lumbar visual analog scale score of the trial group were lower than those of the control group at 1 week and 12 months after surgery(P<0.05).(4)The results show that compared with percutaneous kyphoplasty,cement-augmented short-segment percutaneous pedicle screw fixation for stage Ⅱ Kümmell's disease can better restore the height of the affected vertebra,maintain the shape of the affected vertebra,improve spinal function,and alleviate lumbar pain.
4.Research on coagulation effect of cold atmospheric plasma jet device and its mechanism of action
Yan LI ; Hong-ye ZHENG ; Ao-xi XU ; Ya-jun ZHAO ; Shan-shan JIN ; Xu ZHANG ; Yu-fan WEI ; Yi-heng ZHANG ; Li ZHU ; Xi-ru LI
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(6):20-27
Objective To investigate the coagulation effect of a cold atmospheric plasma(CAP)jet device with helium as the working gas and to study its coagulation mechanism preliminarily.Methods A CAP jet device treatment group,a helium airflow treatment group,a hot air treatment group(60℃)and a natural coagulation group were formed according to the treatment modes of the blood samples,with 10 μL of blood samples involved in each group,in order to validate the coagulation effect of the CAP jet device in vitro;the coagulation mechanism of the CAP jet device was explored by its application to the treatment of anticoagulated whole blood,platelet-rich plasma and platelet-depleted plasma;the coagulation effect of the CAP jet device in vivo was verified with a mouse liver punctate hemorrhage model and a rabbit mesenteric hemorrhage model.Results The CAP jet device can significantly accelerate the coagulation of anticoagulated blood droplets,and the coagulation time of anticoagulated blood droplets in the CAP jet device-treated group was shortened from 28 min in the natural coagulation group to(23±1.56)s,with the difference statistically significant(P<0.05),and the CAP jet device treatment group gained advantages significantly over the helium airflow treatment group(P<0.05)and the hot air(60℃)treatment group(P<0.05)in coagulation-promoting effect;the procoagulant effect of the CAP jet device rose with the increase of platelet content in blood droplets,and the coagulation effect of platelet-rich blood droplets was significantly better than that of whole blood(P<0.05),while no coagulation was observed in platelet-poor droplets.The CAP jet device could rapidly stop hemostasis of punctate hemorrhage in mouse liver and mesenteric hemorrhage in rabbits without delayed hemorrhage occurring within 10 min,and no obvious structural abnormality of the liver and thermal damage of the tissue were found microscopically.Conclusion The CAP jet device plays procoagulant and hemostatic effects in vivo and in vitro,and its effect is not dependent on temperature and airflow evaporation effects and is considered to be related to platelet activation,with low thermal damage to living tissue.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(6):20-27]
5.Application of physical examination information annotation combined with artificial intelligence in CT diagnosis of rib fracture
Ping AO ; Yu-lin ZHANG ; Li ZHU ; Zhi-gang XIU
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(1):41-44
Objective To explore the application value of physical examination information annotation combined with artificial intelli-gence (AI) in CT diagnosis of rib fractures. Methods The clinical data of 100 patients with chest trauma who underwent rib CT examina-tion with physical examination information annotation were collected. The images were analyzed by two physicians in the department of radiology with different seniorities using four methods[diagnosed by physicians independently (group A),diagnosed by physicians combined with physical examination information annotation (group B),diagnosed by physicians under the assistance of AI (group C),and diagnosed by physicians combined with physical examination information annotation under the assistance of AI (group D)]. The diagnostic efficacy and diagnostic time of two radiologists using different methods for rib fractures were compared. Results The sensitivities of two radiologists with different seniorities in the diagnosis of rib fracture in the group A were lower than those in the groups B,C and D (P<0.05),but there was no significant difference in the sensitivity of rib fracture among groups B,C and D (P>0.05). The diagnostic sensitivity of resident physician in the group A was lower than that of the attending physicians (P<0.05),and there was no significant difference in the diagnostic sensitivity of rib fracture in the other groups between the two physicians (P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the false-positive rate of rib fractures among groups between two physicians (P>0.05). There was statistically significant difference in the diagnostic time among groups between two physicians (P<0.05),among which group A took the longest diagnosis time and group C took the shortest. Conclusion The assistance of AI and conbinatin of physical examination information annotation can increase the sensitivity of the physician in the diagnosis of rib fractures,shorten the diagnostic time and improve the work efficiency.
6.Cement-augmented short-segment percutaneous pedicle screw fixation for the stage Ⅱ Kümmell's disease
Wenbo SHENG ; Bingli LIU ; Sibo LI ; Rongguang AO ; Baoqing YU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(34):7286-7292
BACKGROUND:Stage Ⅱ Kümmell's disease has traditionally been treated with percutaneous kyphoplasty,but this approach is associated with a high incidence of complications such as poor postoperative pain relief,suboptimal cement dispersion,and adjacent vertebral fractures.Studies have shown that cement augmentation of the injured vertebra combined with posterior spinal canal decompression and short-segment fixation has a good effect on the treatment of Kümmell's disease with neurological symptoms.OBJECTIVE:To compare the outcomes of cement-augmented short-segment percutaneous pedicle screw fixation with those of percutaneous kyphoplasty for the treatment of stage Ⅱ Kümmell's disease.METHODS:From January 2020 to January 2023,a total of 49 patients with stage Ⅱ Kümmell's disease from Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were included in this study,with 15 males and 34 females.According to the treatment method,the patients were divided into the trial group(n=23)and the control group(n=26).The patients in the trial group received cement-augmented short-segment percutaneous pedicle screw fixation,and the patients in the control group received percutaneous kyphoplasty.The postoperative complications were recorded,and the spinal Cobb angle and the ratio of the anterior edge height of the injured vertebra were compared between the two groups at 1,6,12 weeks,6,and 12 months after surgery.The Oswestry disability index and lumbar visual analog score were compared at 1 week and 12 months after surgery.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)All patients in the two groups were followed up for more than 12 months after surgery.Five patients in the control group had adjacent vertebral fractures,three patients had severe kyphosis,and one patient in the trial group had postoperative incision complications.(2)Compared with preoperative data,the spinal Cobb angle and the ratio of the anterior edge height of the injured vertebra in both groups were significantly improved after surgery(P<0.05).The spinal Cobb angle of the trial group was lower than that of the control group at 1,6,12 weeks,6,and 12 months after surgery(P<0.05),and the ratio of the anterior edge height of the injured vertebra in the trial group was higher than that of the control group at 1,6,12 weeks,6,and 12 months after surgery(P<0.05).(3)Compared with preoperative data,the Oswestry disability index and lumbar visual analog scale score of the two groups were significantly improved after surgery(P<0.05).The Oswestry disability index and lumbar visual analog scale score of the trial group were lower than those of the control group at 1 week and 12 months after surgery(P<0.05).(4)The results show that compared with percutaneous kyphoplasty,cement-augmented short-segment percutaneous pedicle screw fixation for stage Ⅱ Kümmell's disease can better restore the height of the affected vertebra,maintain the shape of the affected vertebra,improve spinal function,and alleviate lumbar pain.
7.Recent advance in application of MRI in differential diagnosis of pseudoprogression and true progression of high-grade gliomas
Ao LIU ; Xizhen LI ; Anqiang CHEN ; Hao YU
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2025;24(6):630-636
Distinguishing pseudoprogression (PsP) from true progression (TP) in patients with high-grade gliomas after treatment remains a critical challenge, as their appearances on conventional MRI are often similar. Accurate differentiation between the two is of great clinical significance for guiding and adjusting therapeutic strategies. MRI functional imaging can reveal key tissue characteristics such as water molecule diffusion, microvascular perfusion, and metabolic changes within lesions after treatment, thereby providing valuable objective evidences for differentiating PsP from TP. Especially in recent years, the radiomics analysis method based on large-scale MRI image data has further improved the accuracy in distinguishing PsP from TP. This article reviews the research progress on applications of various MRI techniques and combination of radiomics with other artificial intelligence methods in differentiating PsP from TP in high-grade gliomas, aiming to enhance the clinicians' understanding of differential diagnosis of PsP and TP in high-grade gliomas, and offer ideas and directions for emerging MRI application in this field.
8.Research on coagulation effect of cold atmospheric plasma jet device and its mechanism of action
Yan LI ; Hong-ye ZHENG ; Ao-xi XU ; Ya-jun ZHAO ; Shan-shan JIN ; Xu ZHANG ; Yu-fan WEI ; Yi-heng ZHANG ; Li ZHU ; Xi-ru LI
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(6):20-27
Objective To investigate the coagulation effect of a cold atmospheric plasma(CAP)jet device with helium as the working gas and to study its coagulation mechanism preliminarily.Methods A CAP jet device treatment group,a helium airflow treatment group,a hot air treatment group(60℃)and a natural coagulation group were formed according to the treatment modes of the blood samples,with 10 μL of blood samples involved in each group,in order to validate the coagulation effect of the CAP jet device in vitro;the coagulation mechanism of the CAP jet device was explored by its application to the treatment of anticoagulated whole blood,platelet-rich plasma and platelet-depleted plasma;the coagulation effect of the CAP jet device in vivo was verified with a mouse liver punctate hemorrhage model and a rabbit mesenteric hemorrhage model.Results The CAP jet device can significantly accelerate the coagulation of anticoagulated blood droplets,and the coagulation time of anticoagulated blood droplets in the CAP jet device-treated group was shortened from 28 min in the natural coagulation group to(23±1.56)s,with the difference statistically significant(P<0.05),and the CAP jet device treatment group gained advantages significantly over the helium airflow treatment group(P<0.05)and the hot air(60℃)treatment group(P<0.05)in coagulation-promoting effect;the procoagulant effect of the CAP jet device rose with the increase of platelet content in blood droplets,and the coagulation effect of platelet-rich blood droplets was significantly better than that of whole blood(P<0.05),while no coagulation was observed in platelet-poor droplets.The CAP jet device could rapidly stop hemostasis of punctate hemorrhage in mouse liver and mesenteric hemorrhage in rabbits without delayed hemorrhage occurring within 10 min,and no obvious structural abnormality of the liver and thermal damage of the tissue were found microscopically.Conclusion The CAP jet device plays procoagulant and hemostatic effects in vivo and in vitro,and its effect is not dependent on temperature and airflow evaporation effects and is considered to be related to platelet activation,with low thermal damage to living tissue.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(6):20-27]
9.Quality inspection of ultrasound soft tissue cutting hemostatic equipment
Jing HUANG ; Qi-di SUN ; Ao-wen DUAN ; Li XU ; Heng-yu LONG ; Hai-jiang ZHU ; He-hua ZHANG
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(10):49-53
Objective To carry out quality inspection of the ultrasound soft tissue cutting hemostatic equipment to ensure its safety and effectiveness.Methods Five brands of ultrasound soft tissue cutting hemostatic equipment were selected and noted as test equipment A,test equipment B,test equipment C,test equipment D and test equipment E,which underwent quality inspection in terms of tip main amplitude,tip lateral amplitude,tip vibration frequency,excitation frequency,static electrical power and contact current based on YY/T 0644-2008 Ultrasonics-surgical systems—Measurement and declaration of the basic output characteristics,YY/T 1750-2020 Ultrasonic surgical equipmetn for soft tissue excision and hemostasia and GB 9706.1-2020 Medical electrical equipment—Part 1:General requirements for basic safety and essential performance.Results The test data of the five brands in terms of tip main amplitude,tip lateral amplitude,tip vibration frequency,excitation frequency,static electrical power and contact current met the technical requirements of YY/T 0644-2008,YY/T 1750-2020,GB 9706.1-2020.Conclusion The quality inspection of the ultrasound soft tissue cutting hemostatic equipment contributes to enhancing the accuracy and stability of the equipment and decreasing the risk during its clinical application.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(10):49-53]
10.Quality inspection of ultrasound soft tissue cutting hemostatic equipment
Jing HUANG ; Qi-di SUN ; Ao-wen DUAN ; Li XU ; Heng-yu LONG ; Hai-jiang ZHU ; He-hua ZHANG
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(10):49-53
Objective To carry out quality inspection of the ultrasound soft tissue cutting hemostatic equipment to ensure its safety and effectiveness.Methods Five brands of ultrasound soft tissue cutting hemostatic equipment were selected and noted as test equipment A,test equipment B,test equipment C,test equipment D and test equipment E,which underwent quality inspection in terms of tip main amplitude,tip lateral amplitude,tip vibration frequency,excitation frequency,static electrical power and contact current based on YY/T 0644-2008 Ultrasonics-surgical systems—Measurement and declaration of the basic output characteristics,YY/T 1750-2020 Ultrasonic surgical equipmetn for soft tissue excision and hemostasia and GB 9706.1-2020 Medical electrical equipment—Part 1:General requirements for basic safety and essential performance.Results The test data of the five brands in terms of tip main amplitude,tip lateral amplitude,tip vibration frequency,excitation frequency,static electrical power and contact current met the technical requirements of YY/T 0644-2008,YY/T 1750-2020,GB 9706.1-2020.Conclusion The quality inspection of the ultrasound soft tissue cutting hemostatic equipment contributes to enhancing the accuracy and stability of the equipment and decreasing the risk during its clinical application.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(10):49-53]

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