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.Setup Error and Its Influencing Factors in Radiotherapy for Spinal Metastasis
Wenhua QIN ; Xin FENG ; Zengzhou WANG ; Shangnan CHU ; Hong WANG ; Shiyu WU ; Cheng CHEN ; Fukui HUAN ; Bin LIANG ; Tao ZHANG
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(5):400-404
Objective To investigate the setup error in patients with spinal bone metastasis who underwent radiotherapy under the guidance of kilovoltage cone-beam CT (KV-CBCT). Methods A total of 118 patients with spinal metastasis who underwent radiotherapy, including 17 cases of cervical spine, 62 cases of thoracic spine, and 39 cases of lumbar spine, were collected. KV-CBCT scans were performed using the linear accelerators from Elekta and Varian’s EDGE system. CBCT images were registered with reference CT images in the bone window mode. A total of 973 data were collected, and 3D linear errors were recorded. Results The patients with spinal bone metastasis were grouped by site, height, weight, and BMI. The P value of the patients grouped only by site was P<0.05, which was statistically significant. Conclusion When grouped by site in the 3D direction, the positioning effect of cervical spine is better than that of thoracic and lumbar spine. The positioning effect of the thoracic spine is better in the head and foot direction but worse in the left and right direction compared with that of the lumbar spine. Instead of extending or narrowing the margin according to the BMI of patients with spinal metastasis, the margin must be changed according to the site of spinal bone metastasis.
3.Correlation between brain gray matter volume changes and neurotransmitter receptors/transporters in patients with first-episode schizophrenia
Huan HUANG ; Xiaowei WANG ; Cheng CHEN ; Wei YUAN ; Yunlong PENG ; Xuan QIN ; Ying XIONG ; Rui XU ; Huiling WANG
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(10):885-890
Objective:To explore the spatial correlation between gray matter volume (GMV) changes and neurotransmitter receptors/transporters in patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) .Methods:Fifty-four FES patients(FES group) and fifty-nine healthy controls (HC group) were selected from June 2014 to May 2020 in the Psychiatry Department of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) was conducted on all subjects. Differences of GMV were compared across 400 cortical regions and 32 subcortical regions. Based on the positron emission tomography(PET) data from Neuromaps, which provides the density of 19 different neurotransmitter receptors and transporters, Spearman correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the spatial correlation between GMV changes and neurotransmitter systems.Results:Compared to the HC group, FES group exhibited significant GMV reductions in widespread cortical (90/400) and subcortical (6/32) regions (all FDR-corrected P<0.05). The effect size of GMV reduction (Cohen’s d) showed significant positive correlations with the density of 5-hydroxytryptamine 1a(5HT1a) ( r=0.400, Pspin=0.002), γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor(GABA A)( r=0.307, Pspin=0.002), and metabotropic glutamate receptor 5(mGluR5) ( r=0.275, Pspin=0.020) receptors (all FDR-corrected P<0.05). Conclusion:GMV reductions in a wide range of brain regions existed in patients with FES. There are significant correlations between 5HT1a, GABA A and mGluR5 receptors and gray matter reduction in patients with FES. The disorder of these neurotransmitter receptors may be the potential neurobiological mechanism of gray matter structural abnormalities in the early stage of schizophrenia.
4.Effect of decentration and tilt on in vitro optical quality of intraocular lenses with different focus designs
Ruolin PAN ; Xuan LIAO ; Changjun LAN ; Lixuan XIE ; Qingqing TAN ; Suyun QIN ; Huan HUANG ; Yan WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2025;43(3):211-218
Objective:To observe the effect of different degrees of decentration and tilt on the optical quality of the intraocular lenses (IOLs) with different focus designs.Methods:The UV 3300 PC UV-visible spectrophotometer was employed to measure the spectral transmittance of the monofocal IOL CT ASPHINA 509M (509M), bifocal IOL AT LISA 809M (809M), and trifocal IOL AT LISA Tri 839MP (839MP) within Zeiss MICS platform with a refractive power of + 20 D. The modulation transfer function (MTF) values at a spatial frequency of 50 lp/mm along with MTF curves and United States Air Force (USAF) resolution test charts for each IOL at the focal point were measured at apertures of 3.0 mm and 4.5 mm using the in vitro optical quality testing system OptiSpheric IOL R&D under centered, decentered (0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 and 1.1 mm) and tilted (3°, 5°, 7°, 9° and 11°) conditions. Results:All three IOLs filtrated the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum below 400 nm.When each IOL was in the centered position, at the 3.0 mm aperture, the MTF values were 0.772 at the far focus of the monofocal IOL 509M, 0.467 and 0.282 at the far and near focus of the bifocal IOL 809M, and 0.416, 0.147, and 0.229 at the far, intermediate, and near focus of the trifocal IOL 839MP, respectively.Whereas at the 4.5 mm aperture, the monofocal IOL 509M MTF value at the far focus was 0.664, the bifocal IOL 809M MTF values at the far and near focus were 0.506 and 0.264, and the trifocal IOL 839MP MTF values at the far, intermediate, and near focus were 0.392, 0.107, and 0.210, respectively.Among the three centered IOLs, the 509M demonstrated the highest MTF value at the far focus, followed by the 809M and then the 839MP; at the near focus, the MTF value of the 809M surpassed that of the 839MP.For decentration and tilt, the difference in MTF values of the three IOLs at the far and near focus was consistent with the differences observed when they were centered.At the same degree of decentration and tilt, all three IOLs exhibited superior optical quality at the 3.0 mm aperture compared to the 4.5 mm aperture.The optical quality of all three IOLs exhibited an overall decline as decentration and tilt increased.All three IOLs demonstrated a decrease in optical quality at the decentration of 0.3 mm or the tilt of 5°.Conclusions:The IOLs within the Zeiss MICS platform design exhibits identical spectral transmittance and UV filtering properties.Among the three IOLs, when centered, the 509M, the 839MP, and the 809M exhibit superior optical quality at the far, intermediate, and near focal points, respectively.Under decentered and tilted conditions, the 509M and the 809M demonstrate better resistance against decentration and tilt, respectively, at both far and near focuses.Additionally, all three IOLs demonstrate better optical quality at smaller apertures, given equivalent degrees of decentration or tilt.However, the optical quality at each focal point of the three IOLs decreases compared to the centered position when subjected to a decentration of 0.3 mm or a tilt of 5°.
5.Progress in role and mechanism of exercise in reconstruction of muscle atrophy
Huan QIN ; Jincao ZHI ; Shujin WANG ; Fei PEI ; Yan WANG
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(9):1814-1822
Skeletal muscle is the basis of body movement,and it is an important support to maintain daily life activities.In recent years,the incidence of skeletal muscle atrophy has been increasing year by year,which has seriously affected the lives of individuals and brought a certain burden to the family and society,how to prevent and control skeletal muscle atrophy has attracted extensive attention from various disciplines.Exercise as a safe,easy-to-operate,and inexpen-sive treatment has been widely used in the treatment of many chronic diseases.To explore the role of exercise training in the treatment of muscular dystrophy-like diseases,we review the key role of exercise in the reconstruction process of skele-tal muscle atrophy from the molecular mechanism of skeletal muscle atrophy and regeneration,thus providing new ideas and insights for the clinical treatment of muscle atrophy.
6.Mechanistic study on PLK4 regulation of invasion,proliferation and apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Huan QIN ; Jie WANG ; Jie YANG ; Yingjie HUA ; Huijuan QU ; Honghai JI
China Oncology 2025;35(4):365-375
Background and purpose:Polo-like kinase 4(PLK4)is a cell cycle regulatory protein,which is closely related to the occurrence and development of a variety of malignant tumors.The aim of this study was to investigate the role of PLK4 in the proliferation,invasion and apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC).Methods:Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2(GEPIA2)and the University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer Data Analysis Portal(UALCAN)were used to analyze the expression of PLK4 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and surrounding normal tissues.Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RTFQ-PCR)and Western blot were employed to evaluate the mRNA and protein expression of PLK4 in OSCC cells.We further analyzed PLK4,phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K),phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase(p-PI3K),protein kinase B(AKT),phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-AKT),survivin,and cyclin D1 protein expression.The effects of PLK4 on cell proliferation,apoptosis and invasion were analyzed by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay,flow cytometry and transwell assay.In addition,12 4-week-old SPF BALB/c female nude mice were divided into sh-NC group(n=6)and sh-PLK4 group(n=6)by random number table method.The sh-NC/sh-PLK4 cells were injected into the right anterior armpit of nude mice for subcutaneous tumor formation.The body weight,tumor volume and tumor weight of the two groups of nude mice were observed,and the stripped tumor tissues were analyzed by H-E staining.The animal experiments were approved by the Animal Experiment Center of Shandong Second Medical University(No:2024SDL840).Results:The results of GEPIA2 and UALCAN online databases showed that PLK4 was highly expressed in OSCC compared with normal tissues.In addition,PLK4 was highly expressed in OSCC cell lines(HN6,Cal-27,SCC-4,SCC-9,SCC-25)compared with oral mucosal epithelial cells(P<0.05).Western blot results showed that the expression levels of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway proteins p-PI3K,p-AKT,cyclin D1 and survivin were decreased after PLK4 knockdown and increased after PLK4 overexpression in OSCC cells(P<0.05).The cell proliferation activity and the number of transmembrane cells were positively correlated with the decrease and increase of PLK4 expression(P<0.05),while the cell apoptotic rate was negatively correlated(P<0.05),indicating that cell proliferation and apoptosis were both affected.In addition,compared with the sh-NC group,the tumor volume and weight of the nude mice in the sh-PLK4 group were decreased(P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in the body weight of the nude mice between the two groups(P>0.05).Moreover,the nuclear atypia of tumor tissues in sh-PLK4 group was lower than that in sh-NC group(P<0.05).Conclusion:PLK4 can regulate the invasion,proliferation and apoptosis of OSCC cells,potentially through the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
7.Correlation between brain gray matter volume changes and neurotransmitter receptors/transporters in patients with first-episode schizophrenia
Huan HUANG ; Xiaowei WANG ; Cheng CHEN ; Wei YUAN ; Yunlong PENG ; Xuan QIN ; Ying XIONG ; Rui XU ; Huiling WANG
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(10):885-890
Objective:To explore the spatial correlation between gray matter volume (GMV) changes and neurotransmitter receptors/transporters in patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) .Methods:Fifty-four FES patients(FES group) and fifty-nine healthy controls (HC group) were selected from June 2014 to May 2020 in the Psychiatry Department of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) was conducted on all subjects. Differences of GMV were compared across 400 cortical regions and 32 subcortical regions. Based on the positron emission tomography(PET) data from Neuromaps, which provides the density of 19 different neurotransmitter receptors and transporters, Spearman correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the spatial correlation between GMV changes and neurotransmitter systems.Results:Compared to the HC group, FES group exhibited significant GMV reductions in widespread cortical (90/400) and subcortical (6/32) regions (all FDR-corrected P<0.05). The effect size of GMV reduction (Cohen’s d) showed significant positive correlations with the density of 5-hydroxytryptamine 1a(5HT1a) ( r=0.400, Pspin=0.002), γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor(GABA A)( r=0.307, Pspin=0.002), and metabotropic glutamate receptor 5(mGluR5) ( r=0.275, Pspin=0.020) receptors (all FDR-corrected P<0.05). Conclusion:GMV reductions in a wide range of brain regions existed in patients with FES. There are significant correlations between 5HT1a, GABA A and mGluR5 receptors and gray matter reduction in patients with FES. The disorder of these neurotransmitter receptors may be the potential neurobiological mechanism of gray matter structural abnormalities in the early stage of schizophrenia.
8.Effect of decentration and tilt on in vitro optical quality of intraocular lenses with different focus designs
Ruolin PAN ; Xuan LIAO ; Changjun LAN ; Lixuan XIE ; Qingqing TAN ; Suyun QIN ; Huan HUANG ; Yan WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2025;43(3):211-218
Objective:To observe the effect of different degrees of decentration and tilt on the optical quality of the intraocular lenses (IOLs) with different focus designs.Methods:The UV 3300 PC UV-visible spectrophotometer was employed to measure the spectral transmittance of the monofocal IOL CT ASPHINA 509M (509M), bifocal IOL AT LISA 809M (809M), and trifocal IOL AT LISA Tri 839MP (839MP) within Zeiss MICS platform with a refractive power of + 20 D. The modulation transfer function (MTF) values at a spatial frequency of 50 lp/mm along with MTF curves and United States Air Force (USAF) resolution test charts for each IOL at the focal point were measured at apertures of 3.0 mm and 4.5 mm using the in vitro optical quality testing system OptiSpheric IOL R&D under centered, decentered (0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 and 1.1 mm) and tilted (3°, 5°, 7°, 9° and 11°) conditions. Results:All three IOLs filtrated the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum below 400 nm.When each IOL was in the centered position, at the 3.0 mm aperture, the MTF values were 0.772 at the far focus of the monofocal IOL 509M, 0.467 and 0.282 at the far and near focus of the bifocal IOL 809M, and 0.416, 0.147, and 0.229 at the far, intermediate, and near focus of the trifocal IOL 839MP, respectively.Whereas at the 4.5 mm aperture, the monofocal IOL 509M MTF value at the far focus was 0.664, the bifocal IOL 809M MTF values at the far and near focus were 0.506 and 0.264, and the trifocal IOL 839MP MTF values at the far, intermediate, and near focus were 0.392, 0.107, and 0.210, respectively.Among the three centered IOLs, the 509M demonstrated the highest MTF value at the far focus, followed by the 809M and then the 839MP; at the near focus, the MTF value of the 809M surpassed that of the 839MP.For decentration and tilt, the difference in MTF values of the three IOLs at the far and near focus was consistent with the differences observed when they were centered.At the same degree of decentration and tilt, all three IOLs exhibited superior optical quality at the 3.0 mm aperture compared to the 4.5 mm aperture.The optical quality of all three IOLs exhibited an overall decline as decentration and tilt increased.All three IOLs demonstrated a decrease in optical quality at the decentration of 0.3 mm or the tilt of 5°.Conclusions:The IOLs within the Zeiss MICS platform design exhibits identical spectral transmittance and UV filtering properties.Among the three IOLs, when centered, the 509M, the 839MP, and the 809M exhibit superior optical quality at the far, intermediate, and near focal points, respectively.Under decentered and tilted conditions, the 509M and the 809M demonstrate better resistance against decentration and tilt, respectively, at both far and near focuses.Additionally, all three IOLs demonstrate better optical quality at smaller apertures, given equivalent degrees of decentration or tilt.However, the optical quality at each focal point of the three IOLs decreases compared to the centered position when subjected to a decentration of 0.3 mm or a tilt of 5°.
9.Health economics evaluation of inoculation of children with type b Haemophilus influenzae vaccine
Sisi CHEN ; Lu YANG ; Tian TANG ; Xinping ZHANG ; Huan QIN ; Chengfeng XIE ; Yi ZENG ; Fei CAO ; Hongying LI ; Feina DENG ; Zhengbo TU ; Xiuwen CHEN
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(17):2651-2655
OBJECTIVE T o carry out the health economics evaluation and cost-benefit analysis of the type b Hae-mophilus influenzae(Hib)vaccination for the children who were hospitalized due to Hib infection so as to provide evidence for public health policies.METHODS The children who were diagnosed with Hib-related respiratory tract infections or meningitis and were hospitalized in respiratory medicine department,infection management depart-ment,emergency rooms and neurology department of Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital from Jan.1,2021 to Dec.31,2023 were recruited as the research subjects.Based on a 1∶1 matching condition,the matching variables included four items such as the same age for the admission to the hospital,same gender,same department and same grade of disease severity.The children for whom the primary immunization of Hib vaccination(including Hib monovalent vaccine and Hib-containing combination vaccine)were completed and the integrity of vaccination infor-mation could be checked out were assigned as the intervention group,while the children for whom the primary im-munization of Hib vaccination was not completed were chosen as the control group.The clinical data,vaccination data and the data such as length of hospital stay and hospitalization cost were collected from the children.The cost-benefit of the Hib vaccination among the children with Hib infection was observed.RESULTS A total of 622 hospi-talized children who were detected with Hib-positive respiratory tract infections or meningitis were enrolled in the study,and 73 children(20 children from infection management department,27 children from respiratory medi-cine department,26 children from emergency rooms)were finally included in the intervention group after matc-hing and multiple rounds of screening,73 children were chosen as the control group based on a 1∶1 matching con-dition.The male children accounted for 57.53%(42 cases)in both groups,and the female children accounted for 42.47%(31 cases)in both groups.With the respect to the length of hospital stay,it was 7.00(5.00,8.00)days in the intervention group,7.00(6.00,8.00)days in the control group(Z=-0.341,P=0.733).In terms of the hospitalization cost,it was 7 756.17(6 617.92,10 617.69)yuan in the intervention group,9 040.65(8 033.76,10 935.84)yuan in the control group(Z=-2.795,P=0.005).The cost of Hib vaccination was 343.03 yuan per capita in the intervention group,and the benefit-cost ratio(BCR)was 1∶3.74(343.03 yuan/1 284.48 yuan).CONCLUSIONS The Hib vaccination can save the hospitalization cost and has high cost effectiveness.It is sugges-ted that the Hib vaccination should be promoted and the coverage rate of Hib vaccination should be raised among the age-eligible children.
10.Study on Mortality Rate of COPD and its Trend in Sichuan Province based on Joinpoint and ARIMA Models
Xiaoli WU ; Qin ZHANG ; Huan LUO
Chinese Journal of Health Statistics 2025;42(4):527-531
Objective To analyze the mortality rate and trend of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)among residents in Sichuan Province from 2011 to 2023.Methods The collected mortality monitoring data of residents from 2011 to 2023 were analyzed using Joinpoint regression the trend of COPD mortality rate in Sichuan Province from 2011 to 2023.Based on the COPD mortality rate data of residents from 2011 to 2023 to established an autoregressive integrated moving average method(ARIMA)to predict the trend of mortality rate changes.Results From 2011 to 2023,the crude mortality rate of males was 79.74/100,000,which was higher than that of females(64.82/105),and the standardized mortality rate of males(48.02/105)was higher than that of females(40.51/105)(P<0.05).From 2011 to 2023,the annual percentage change(APC)of male mortality rate and female mortality rate were-4.51% and-5.59%(P<0.05),and the APC of standardized mortality rate of male and female were-9.35%,and-9.91%,with a significant downward trend(P<0.05).From 2011 to 2023,the COPD mortality rates of residents aged 45~54,55~64,65~74 and≥75 years in Sichuan Province were-12.04%,-10.88%,-13.87% and-7.19%,respectively,and with an obvious downward trend in different age groups(P<0.05).The crude mortality rate of COPD in urban decreased from 100.67/105 to 52.93/105,and APC of the crude mortality rate was-5.71%;while the crude mortality rate of rural residents decreased from 86.13/105 to 60.10/105,and APC of the crude mortality rate was-3.69%,with an obvious downward trend(P<0.05%).The standardized COPD mortality rate of urban residents in Sichuan Province from 2011 to 2023 decreased from 79.13/105 to 24.09/105,and APC of the standardizedmortality rate was-10.09%;while the rural residents decreased from83.99/105 to 31.58/105,and APCwas-7.98%,with an obvious downward trend(P<0.05%).The ARIMA model was used to fit the COPD mortality rate in Sichuan Province in 2011~2023,and the COPD mortality rates in Sichuan Province in 2024~2028 were predicted to be 53.49/105,49.28/105,46.11/105,42.59/105 and 41.68/105,respectively.Conclusion The mortality rate of COPD among residents in Sichuan Province showed a downward trend from 2011 to 2023,with rural,male,and elderly populations being high-risk groups for COPD mortality.The ARIMA model had certain reference value for short-term prediction of COPD mortality rate.

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