1.Taste Receptors and Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory of Five Flavors: A Review
Xiaoxiao XU ; Hongjie BAI ; Yu BI ; Zhenni QU ; Dianhua SHI ; Yanpeng DAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):322-330
Taste is a sensation produced by the reaction of substances in the mouth with taste receptor cells, and a normal taste function is essential for our daily life and health. As receivers of taste molecules, taste receptors include sour, bitter, sweet, salty, and umami receptors, which are mainly distributed in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract epithelium and other organs and play a physiological role. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has five flavors (sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, and salty), which are closely related to the efficacy. Except the pungent flavor and umami taste receptors, the other five taste receptors correspond to the five flavors in the TCM theory, while the correlations between them have not been studied, such as those between bitter receptors and bitter TCM and between sweet receptors and sweet TCM. This article reviews the research reports on taste receptors in recent years. By analyzing the relationships of taste receptors with five flavors of TCM, signaling mechanisms, and diseases based on "receptor-TCM" correlations, this article puts forward the possibility of combining the TCM theory of five flavors with modern biomedical research, providing a reference for the research on "flavors" in TCM and the correlations between TCM and taste receptors.
2.Taste Receptors and Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory of Five Flavors: A Review
Xiaoxiao XU ; Hongjie BAI ; Yu BI ; Zhenni QU ; Dianhua SHI ; Yanpeng DAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):322-330
Taste is a sensation produced by the reaction of substances in the mouth with taste receptor cells, and a normal taste function is essential for our daily life and health. As receivers of taste molecules, taste receptors include sour, bitter, sweet, salty, and umami receptors, which are mainly distributed in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract epithelium and other organs and play a physiological role. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has five flavors (sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, and salty), which are closely related to the efficacy. Except the pungent flavor and umami taste receptors, the other five taste receptors correspond to the five flavors in the TCM theory, while the correlations between them have not been studied, such as those between bitter receptors and bitter TCM and between sweet receptors and sweet TCM. This article reviews the research reports on taste receptors in recent years. By analyzing the relationships of taste receptors with five flavors of TCM, signaling mechanisms, and diseases based on "receptor-TCM" correlations, this article puts forward the possibility of combining the TCM theory of five flavors with modern biomedical research, providing a reference for the research on "flavors" in TCM and the correlations between TCM and taste receptors.
3.USP29 alleviates the progression of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 through K48 deubiquitination
Sha HU ; Zhouxiang WANG ; Kun ZHU ; Hongjie SHI ; Fang QIN ; Tuo ZHANG ; Song TIAN ; Yanxiao JI ; Jianqing ZHANG ; Juanjuan QIN ; Zhigang SHE ; Xiaojing ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Hongliang LI
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(1):147-165
Background/Aims:
Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression.
Methods:
USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes.
Results:
USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5.
Conclusions
USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.
4.USP29 alleviates the progression of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 through K48 deubiquitination
Sha HU ; Zhouxiang WANG ; Kun ZHU ; Hongjie SHI ; Fang QIN ; Tuo ZHANG ; Song TIAN ; Yanxiao JI ; Jianqing ZHANG ; Juanjuan QIN ; Zhigang SHE ; Xiaojing ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Hongliang LI
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(1):147-165
Background/Aims:
Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression.
Methods:
USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes.
Results:
USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5.
Conclusions
USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.
5.USP29 alleviates the progression of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 through K48 deubiquitination
Sha HU ; Zhouxiang WANG ; Kun ZHU ; Hongjie SHI ; Fang QIN ; Tuo ZHANG ; Song TIAN ; Yanxiao JI ; Jianqing ZHANG ; Juanjuan QIN ; Zhigang SHE ; Xiaojing ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Hongliang LI
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(1):147-165
Background/Aims:
Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression.
Methods:
USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes.
Results:
USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5.
Conclusions
USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.
6.Epidemiological characteristics and trends of non-suicidal self-injury among middle school students in Jiading District of Shanghai from 2015 to 2023
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(9):1282-1286
Objective:
To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and changing trends of non suicidal self injury (NSSI) behaviors among middle school students in Jiading District of Shanghai, from 2015 to 2023, so as to provide a basis for the development of NSSI prevention and control measures among students.
Methods:
Using a stratified cluster random sampling method, a total of five times for Shanghai Adolescent Health Risk Behavior Surveys were conducted for every two years in Jiading District of Shanghai from 2015 to 2023. A total of 5 231 middle school students from junior high schools and senior high schools were selected for questionnaire surveys. Intergroup comparisons were performed using the x 2 test or the χ 2 trend test, and the JointPoint 5.0 software was used to analyze the changing trends, with the annual percent change (APC) used for evaluation. A binary Logistic regression model was employed to analyze the related factors of NSSI behavior among middle school students.
Results:
In 2023, the reported NSSI rate among middle school students in Jiading District was 14.2%. The rate was significantly higher among junior high school students (17.1%) than that among senior high school students (11.1%), and higher among females (19.2%) than that among males (10.0%) ( χ 2=10.04, 23.21, both P <0.01). From 2015 to 2023, the overall reported NSSI rate showed an increasing trend, rising from 8.6% in 2015 to 14.2% in 2023 ( χ 2 trend =22.25), with an APC of 6.64% ( t =3.49), and the APC for girls was 9.79 % ( t =3.20) (all P <0.05). Among students reporting NSSI, the proportion experiencing ≥6 episodes increased from 10.8% in 2015 to 19.2% in 2023 ( χ 2 trend =6.57, P <0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that girls, junior high school students, those with insomnia, depressive emotion and drinkers had higher risks of NSSI, compared to boys, senior high school students, those without insomnia, non depressive emotion students and non drinkers ( OR =1.71, 1.96, 3.44, 4.76, 1.77, all P < 0.05 ).
Conclusions
The reported rate of NSSI among middle school students in Jiading District of Shanghai, increased annually from 2015 to 2023, and the proportion of repeated NSSI also showed an upward trend. Early intervention measures targeting middle school students, especially junior high school students and females, should be implemented to prevent and control its occurrence and development.
7.Relationship between myopia and sleep habits among the primary school students in Jiading District, Shanghai
Mile LIN ; Hui PENG ; Feifei YANG ; Junlei XUE ; Hongjie YU ; Feifei MA ; Qian PENG ; Ying WANG ; Huijing SHI
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(10):934-938
ObjectiveTo analyze the prevalence of myopia among the primary school students in Shanghai, and to explore its relationship with sleep duration and sleep quality, providing references for precise myopia prevention. MethodsA cross-sectional survey and random sampling were employed. Between April and May 2023, a total of 1 889 students from grades 1 to 5 in Jiading District, Shanghai, were selected for vision testing and a questionnaire on children’s sleeping habits and relevant factors were conducted using the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) in Chinese. The relationship between myopia and sleep patterns was analyzed using chi-square tests and a multivariate logistic regression model. ResultsThe overall myopia rate among the primary school students in Jiading District, Shanghai, was 35.6%. The results of univariate analysis showed that in the myopia group, the incidences of sleep disturbance and sleep anxiety were lower compared to children without myopia, while the incidences of sleep continuity and parasomnias were higher than there in the non-myopia group (χ2=12.816, 10.292, 10.971, 3.917, all P<0.05). Additionally, among the elementary school students with an average daily sleep duration of less than 10 hours, the prevalence of myopia was higher. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that factors such as being female (OR=1.291, 95%CI: 1.044‒1.597), higher grade levels (2nd grade: OR=2.174, 95%CI: 1.471‒3.212; 3rd grade:OR=3.850, 95%CI: 2.648‒5.598; 4th grade: OR=8.906, 95%CI: 6.154‒12.890; 5th grade: OR=12.299, 95%CI: 8.433‒17.937), having one parent (OR=2.250, 95%CI: 1.757‒2.881) or both parents(OR=3.623, 95%CI: 2.719‒4.827) with myopia, and parasomnias (OR=1.518, 95%CI: 1.065‒2.163) were associated with a higher detection rate of myopia. ConclusionThe prevalence of myopia is notably high among the primary school students in Jiading District, Shanghai, and there is an association between the occurrence of myopia and parasomnias.
8.Preoperative Prediction of Sentinel Lymph Node of Breast Cancer Based on MRI
Yijie SHI ; Qingqing CHEN ; Jie HE ; Hongjie HU
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2024;32(10):1021-1026
Purpose To investigate the value of MRI multimodal parameters in predicting sentinel lymph node(SLN)metastasis of breast cancer,and to develop an effective prediction model to reduce the unnecessary biopsy rate of SLN.Materials and Methods Preoperative MRI data of 310 patients with cN0 breast cancer confirmed by operation and pathology in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital,Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed,and all patients were divided into positive group and negative group according to whether SLN metastasized.Imaging features of breast lesions were evaluated independently by two radiologists,differences in parameter between the two groups were compared,independent predictors were screened to build models and evaluate diagnostic efficacy.Results The breast lesions in SLN positive group were located in the upper quadrant(χ2=14.94),non-single(χ2=9.29),circular enhancement(χ2=9.23)and the positive rate of adjacent angiogenesis(χ2=9.91)were higher than those in SLN negative group.The lesions in SLN positive group were larger(Z=-2.97,-2.73),and the early enhancement rate was higher(t=-3.48).The minimum apparent diffusion coefficient and relative apparent diffusion coefficient(minimum apparent diffusion coefficient of lesions/apparent diffusion coefficient of glands,rADC)were lower(Z=-7.33,-10.74),all P<0.05.Logistic regression results showed lesion location(OR=4.17,95%CI 1.86-9.35,P=0.001),early enhancement rate(OR=1.01,95%CI 1.00-1.02,P=0.019)and rADC(OR=54.67,95%CI 23.72-126.02,P<0.001)were independent risk factors for SLN metastasis.The model combining lesion location and rADC had the best predictive performance,with a negative predictive value of 96.5%and a 46.1%reduction in unnecessary biopsies.Conclusion SLN preoperative prediction model(lesion location,rADC)based on conventional MRI characteristic parameters has reliable negative prediction value,which is expected to reduce the unnecessary biopsy of nearly half of the patients with stage cN0 breast cancer.
9.Correlation of triglyceride-glucose index with unfavorable outcomes following moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury
Cheng CAO ; Haicheng XU ; Jiachen WANG ; Hongjie ZHAO ; Yuan SHI ; Yuzhou CHEN ; Wei WU ; Heng GAO
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2024;40(2):118-126
Objective:To investigate the correlation between triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index on admission and unfavorable outcomes of patients with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (msTBI) at 6 months postinjury.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 277 patients with msTBI admitted to Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Nantong University from January 2019 to December 2022, including 208 males and 69 females, aged 18-88 years [(57.0±15.1)years]. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores on admission were 3-8 points in 168 patients and 9-12 points in 109. According to the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE) assessment at 6 months after injury, there were 121 patients with unfavorable outcomes (GOSE≤4 points) and 156 with favorable outcomes (GOSE≥5 points). The following indicators of the patients were recorded, including gender, age, history of diabetes, cause of injury, admission GCS, GCS motor score (GCSM), pupillary light reflex, worst Marshall CT classification within the first 24 hours after admission, admission TyG index, Mean Amplitude of Glycemic Excursions (MAGE) within 24 hours after admission, GCSM decline≥2 points within 72 hours after admission, craniotomy or not after admission, and prognosis, etc. TyG index served as the exposure variable focused in this study, which was calculated with fasting triglycerides and fasting blood glucose within 24 hours after admission. The 6-month prognosis of the patients was designated as the outcome variable of the study. After the patients were divided into different groups according to the three quantiles of the TyG index and unfavorable or favorable outcomes, the univariate analysis was conducted on watch variables, and variables with statistically significant differences were included in directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) for further identification of confounding variables. Factors which were found with no statistical significance in the univariate analysis but might affect insulin resistance after injury according to the authors′ previous researches were also included in the DAGs analysis. Three Logistic regression models were designed (Model 1 without correction, Model 2 with core variables of International Mission for Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical Trials in Traumatic Brain Injury (IMPACT) corrected, and Model 3 with confounding variables screened by DAGs corrected) to analyze whether the TyG index was an independent risk factor for the prognosis of msTBI patients. The optimal Logistic regression model was selected and then restricted cubic spline (RCS) was employed to investigate the relationship between the TyG index and the unfavorable outcomes.Results:The univariate analysis suggested that there were significant differences in gender, history of diabetes, MAGE, GCSM decline, and prognosis among the three quantiles of the TyG index ( P<0.05 or 0.01). Significant differences in age, history of diabetes, GCSM, pupillary light reflex, Marshall CT classification, TyG index, MAGE and GCSM decline were observed between unfavorable and favorable outcome groups ( P<0.05 or 0.01). The results of Logistic regression analysis that identified the confounding variables that influenced the correlation between the TyG index and unfavorable prognosis with DAGs suggested that a high TyG index level was significantly correlated with unfavorable outcomes in msTBI patients. Moreover, Model 3 that was corrected with confounding variables screened by DAGs had an optimal goodness-of-fit and adaptability. Model 3-based further RCS analysis indicated that the risk of unfavorable outcomes following msTBI may increase approximately linearly with the increase in TyG index within a certain range (TyG index<9.79). Conclusions:A high TyG index level on admission is the identified as an independent risk factor for unfavorable outcomes of patients with msTBI at 6 months postinjury. As the TyG index level increases, the risk of unfavorable outcomes also rises and may show a linear increasing trend within a certain range (TyG index<9.79).
10.Establishment of Shanghai Suburban Adult Cohort and Biobank
Qi ZHAO ; Xing LIU ; Yonggen JIANG ; Na WANG ; Dongli XU ; Wen CHEN ; Yiling WU ; Hongjie YU ; Feng JIANG ; Jianhua SHI ; Yu XIANG ; Na HE ; Genming ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2023;44(1):28-33
Urbanization has increased the population density and exposure to environmental risk factors, accelerated changes of people's lifestyles and aggravated population health disparities. A general population cohort in eastern China, Shanghai Suburban Adult Cohort and Biobank (SSACB), was established to understand the incidence and prevalence of chronic and non-communicable diseases, and identify environmental, lifestyle, and genetic risk factors in adults (aged 20-74 years old) living in the suburban of Shanghai, where urbanization process is rapid, and provide evidence for the precise prevention and control of chronic diseases. The cohort study was launched by School of Public Health,Fudan University depended on "Discipline Construction Project Shanghai Peak for Public Health and Preventive Medicine". Four districts in Shanghai, i.e. Songjiang, Jiading, Minhang and Xuhui, were selected. A total of 69 116 permanent residents aged 20-74 years were recruited. Epidemiological investigation, physical examination and laboratory tests were conducted to collect the basic information of the study subjects. Blood and urine samples were collected from them to establish a biobank. An information platform was established, from which the baseline data of the study subjects in electronic medical record system, chronic disease management system, cancer registry, infectious disease reporting system, and death registry can be shared. This paper introduces the design concept, process and future plan of SSACB.


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