1.Isolation, Identification and Biological Characteristics Analysis of Citrobacter freundii from Cynomolgus Monkey (Macaca fascicularis)
Heling LI ; Ziyao QIAN ; Gangmin QIN ; Debing JIANG ; Yanqiong ZHANG ; Wenzheng JIN ; Hong WANG
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(3):367-377
ObjectiveIdentification and analysis, animal regression test, and drug susceptibility study were conducted on a pathogenic strain causing diarrhea in cynomolgus monkeys, aiming to provide a practical basis for the clinical treatment of Citrobacter freundii. MethodsFresh fecal samples were collected from nine diarrheal cynomolgus monkeys and streaked on Salmonella-Shigella (SS) medium, LB medium, and Columbia blood agar medium, and incubated at 37 ℃ for 24 h. Subsequently, the isolated strain was identified by colony morphology observation, Gram staining, biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and PCR was used to detect its major virulence genes. After propagation, the isolate was intragastrically administered to healthy cynomolgus monkeys and C57BL/6 mice for animal regression tests to evaluate its pathogenicity. Finally, the disk-diffusion method was used to detect the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolate. ResultsA single bacterial strain, designated MF071743, was isolated from 9 fecal samples collected from diarrheal cynomolgus monkeys. The isolate formed pink, smooth, round colonies on SS medium; translucent, smooth, moist, shiny colonies with neat edges on LB medium; and smooth, moist, off-white colonies on Columbia blood agar medium. Gram staining revealed that the isolate was a Gram-negative, spore-free short bacillus. Biochemical tests showed that the isolate was positive for motility test, mannitol test, hydrogen sulfide test, methyl red test, citrate utilization test, gas production from glucose test, raffinose test, sorbitol test, and D-xylose test, but negative for phenylalanine test, gluconate test, indole test, Voges Proskauer (VP) test, urease test, lysine test, ornithine test, and adonitol test. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the gene sequence similarity between strain MF071743 and Citrobacter freundii was 99.0%. PCR results showed that this strain carries genes encoding the urease accessory proteins UreD, UreE, and UreF. Animal intragastric administration assays demonstrated that the strain caused loose stools in cynomolgus monkeys, and all C57BL/6 mice died within 72 h. Drug susceptibility test results indicated that the isolate was sensitive to 16 antibiotics, including ceftriaxone, amikacin, gentamicin, ceftazidime, and levofloxacin, while it exhibited resistance to 5 antibiotics, including ampicillin, cefazolin, vancomycin, erythromycin, and cephalexin. ConclusionA strain of Citrobacter freundii with certain drug resistance was isolated from the feces of diarrheal cynomolgus monkeys. The results of this study provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in captive laboratory monkeys.
2.Engineered Bacteriophages for The Treatment of Multidrug-resistant Bacterial Infections
Yu-Ying CHEN ; Chun-Mei HUANG ; Jin-Zhi PAN ; De-Liang LIU ; Yang ZHOU ; Gui-Qin DAI ; Peng-Fei ZHAO ; Hong-Zhou LU ; Ming-Bin ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1581-1596
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections have emerged as a serious challenge of global public health crisis. The overuse and misuse of conventional antibiotics have dramatically accelerated the emergence, evolution and worldwide spread of drug-resistant bacterial strains, necessitating urgent exploration of novel antibacterial strategies. Bacteriophages serve as natural bacterial predators offering distinct advantages including high host specificity, autonomous self-replication capabilities and cost-effective large-scale production. However, wild-type phages present significant clinical limitations due to their narrow host ranges, susceptibility to rapid immune clearance and poor penetration of bacterial biofilms, which severely restrict their therapeutic applications. The convergence of synthetic biology, nanotechnology and advanced gene editing technologies has accelerated the development of engineered bacteriophage platforms, providing programmable, scalable and clinically translatable pathways to overcome these inherent biological constraints. Here, we systematically delineate four fundamental strategies for engineered bacteriophage development. Chemical modification utilizes reactive functional groups such as amino, carboxyl and thiol moieties on capsid proteins through esterification, amidation or click chemistry reactions to achieve precise drug conjugation and surface functionalization. In vivo editing encompasses ultraviolet or chemical mutagenesis for random mutation induction, homologous recombination for targeted genetic alterations, recombineering methodologies including electroporation-mediated bacteriophage recombination engineering, and CRISPR-Cas systems for precise genome editing to enable exact genetic reconstruction and host range reprogramming. In vitro synthesis leverages genome engineering platforms where intact phage genomes are transferred into yeast or host bacteria to facilitate highly efficient homologous recombination, enabling large DNA fragment assembly and cross-gene host range expansion without bacterial toxicity constraints. Directed evolution combines artificial selection through mutation library screening with rational design approaches involving chimeric receptor binding protein construction or site-specific mutagenesis, effectively balancing the discovery of unknown adaptive pathways with targeted host specificity modification. Moreover, we comprehensively discuss therapeutic applications across diverse clinical scenarios. Engineered bacteriophage effectively disrupt bacterial biofilms through sophisticated functionalized delivery platforms including nanozyme-conjugated phages, phage-liposome nanoconjugates and bio-responsive hydrogels, demonstrating significantly enhanced bactericidal efficiency compared to unmodified free phages. These bioengineered vectors attenuate bacterial virulence and resensitize pathogens to antibiotics by delivering CRISPR-Cas systems or base editors to disrupt critical virulence factors such as pili, capsule synthesis machineries and quorum sensing systems, or by inactivating antibiotic resistance determinants including beta-lactamase genes. As an intelligent nanomedicine delivery platform, engineered bacteriophage enable precise pathogen elimination an through photocatalytic reactive oxygen species generation, immunomodulatory interventions, or controlled release of antibacterial drugs. Furthermore, oral administration of engineered bacteriophage facilitates microbiota modulation, which selectively eliminate intestinal pathogens while preserve beneficial commensal microbiota, thereby restoring microbial community balance and preventing complications associated with dysbiosis. Finally, we critically analyze persistent challenges including host strain matching complexity, evolution of bacterial resistance mechanisms, pharmacokinetic optimization requirements, optimal administration route selection, large-scale production quality control standards and clinical dosing determination protocols. Through multidisciplinary integration of synthetic biology, infectious disease medicine and immunology, future translational medicine studies of bacteriophage should establish comprehensive technical platforms encompassing rapid phage screening, intelligent rational design, rigorous in vivo evaluation and standardized clinical validation processes, ultimately advancing engineered bacteriophage from laboratory innovations to clinically approved therapeutics for effectively combating MDR bacterial infections.
3.One Health theory and practice in China:history,present and future
Mu-xin CHEN ; Tian TIAN ; Yang HONG ; Jun-hu CHEN ; Jing-shu LIU ; Jian HE ; Xian-fa CHEN ; Qin LI ; Jin-xin ZHENG ; Tie-jian FENG ; Xiao-nong ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(5):447-455
This paper summarizes the progress of theoretical research and practice of One Health in China,and discusses the paradigm of One Health governance to improve the prevention and control of infectious diseases in China and the world,and provide an example for the improvement of the public health system.In particular,China has long history to apply the concept of One Health in the national schistosomiasis control programmes and patriotic health campaigns,which were not only focusing on human health,but also emphasizing the sustainable development of animal health and ecological environment.At the same time,the application of tools such as system dynamics model,eDNA technology,One Health economic assessment and global One Health index(GOHI)in the field of disease control and environmental health provides technical support for the concept of One Health.Despite the challenges of practical application of these tools,the One Health concept will play a greater role in providing sustainable solutions for human-animal-environmental health by strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration,improving standardization protocols and promoting inter-national cooperation.
4.One Health theory and practice in China:history,present and future
Mu-xin CHEN ; Tian TIAN ; Yang HONG ; Jun-hu CHEN ; Jing-shu LIU ; Jian HE ; Xian-fa CHEN ; Qin LI ; Jin-xin ZHENG ; Tie-jian FENG ; Xiao-nong ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(5):447-455
This paper summarizes the progress of theoretical research and practice of One Health in China,and discusses the paradigm of One Health governance to improve the prevention and control of infectious diseases in China and the world,and provide an example for the improvement of the public health system.In particular,China has long history to apply the concept of One Health in the national schistosomiasis control programmes and patriotic health campaigns,which were not only focusing on human health,but also emphasizing the sustainable development of animal health and ecological environment.At the same time,the application of tools such as system dynamics model,eDNA technology,One Health economic assessment and global One Health index(GOHI)in the field of disease control and environmental health provides technical support for the concept of One Health.Despite the challenges of practical application of these tools,the One Health concept will play a greater role in providing sustainable solutions for human-animal-environmental health by strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration,improving standardization protocols and promoting inter-national cooperation.
5.Research advances in mitochondrial inflammation-mediated damage in central nervous system degenerative disorders
Shu-qin LI ; Sha-sha LIU ; Qian YAN ; Han-long WANG ; Yang SUN ; Yan-ting HUANG ; Hao-jie ZHANG ; Jin-ping LIANG ; Shi-feng CHU ; Yan-tao YANG ; Qi-di AI ; Nai-hong CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2218-2225
Central nervous system(CNS)degenerative disorders refer to a spectrum of pathological alterations triggered by struc-tural damage to cerebral neural tissues,clinically manifested as diverse neurological dysfunction syndromes,including multiple sclerosis(MS),neurodegenerative diseases(NDs),and ische-mic stroke.The hallmark pathological features of these disorders involve irreversible neuronal damage and decompensation of functional neural networks,ultimately leading to progressive neurological deficits.Notably,with the accelerating global popu-lation aging,the incidence of these diseases has surged signifi-cantly.According to WHO statistics,they now rank among the top three global causes of disability and mortality.Current re-search has confirmed that the pathogenesis of CNS degenerative disorders exhibits high heterogeneity,encompassing multifaceted pathophysiological processes such as genetic predisposition,oxi-dative stress,protein misfolding,and metabolic dysregulation.This intricate pathogenic network not only complicates clinical differential diagnosis but also poses substantial challenges to the development of precision therapeutic strategies.Importantly,re-cent studies have revealed that mitochondrial homeostasis disrup-tion-induced inflammatory cascades(termed mitochondrial in-flammation)play a pivotal regulatory role in neurodegenerative progression.Key molecular mechanisms include impaired mito-phagy,aberrant mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)release and NL-RP3 inflammasome activation.This review systematically deci-phers the molecular regulatory network of mitochondrial inflam-mation,with a focus on its biological effects in critical pathologi-cal events such as blood-brain barrier disruption,microglial hy-peractivation and neuronal apoptosis.The overarching aim is to provide a theoretical foundation for developing innovative thera-peutic strategies targeting mitochondrial homeostasis restoration.
6.Association between insulin resistance and idiopathic central precocious puberty in girls and the diagnostic value of insulin resistance
Jin-Bo LI ; Ya XIAO ; Shu-Qin JIANG ; Xiang-Yang LUO ; Hong-Ru ZHANG ; Jun SUN ; Wen-Hui SHI ; Ying YANG ; Wei WANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(12):1487-1492
Objective To explore the relationship between insulin resistance and idiopathic central precocious puberty(ICPP)in girls and the diagnostic value of insulin resistance.Methods Clinical data of 245 girls aged 4 to 7.5 years with low luteinizing hormone(LH)levels(0.2-0.83 IU/L),normal body weight(body mass index standard deviation score between-2 and+2),and early breast development who visited the Department of Pediatric Endocrinology,Henan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2022 to March 2025 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Central Precocious Puberty(2022),patients were assigned to an ICPP group(n=123)or a control group(n=122).Correlations between the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)and selected indices were assessed.Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between HOMA-IR and ICPP,and the diagnostic performance of various indices for ICPP was evaluated.Results HOMA-IR was higher in the ICPP group than in the control group(P<0.001)and was positively correlated with LH peak(rs=0.467,P<0.05)and the LH peak/FSH peak ratio(rs=0.444,P<0.05).The multivariable logistic regression model including age,BMI,and basal LH showed that HOMA-IR was closely associated with ICPP(OR=2.756,95%CI:1.940-3.913).Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the areas under the curve for basal LH,HOMA-IR,and their combination in diagnosing ICPP were 0.735,0.735,and 0.805,respectively(P<0.05),and the combined model had a greater area under the curve than either basal LH or HOMA-IR alone(both P<0.05).Conclusions HOMA-IR is closely associated with ICPP in girls with low LH and normal body weight,and combining HOMA-IR with basal LH improves early identification and diagnostic efficiency in this population.
7.Association between insulin resistance and idiopathic central precocious puberty in girls and the diagnostic value of insulin resistance
Jin-Bo LI ; Ya XIAO ; Shu-Qin JIANG ; Xiang-Yang LUO ; Hong-Ru ZHANG ; Jun SUN ; Wen-Hui SHI ; Ying YANG ; Wei WANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(12):1487-1492
Objective To explore the relationship between insulin resistance and idiopathic central precocious puberty(ICPP)in girls and the diagnostic value of insulin resistance.Methods Clinical data of 245 girls aged 4 to 7.5 years with low luteinizing hormone(LH)levels(0.2-0.83 IU/L),normal body weight(body mass index standard deviation score between-2 and+2),and early breast development who visited the Department of Pediatric Endocrinology,Henan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2022 to March 2025 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Central Precocious Puberty(2022),patients were assigned to an ICPP group(n=123)or a control group(n=122).Correlations between the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)and selected indices were assessed.Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between HOMA-IR and ICPP,and the diagnostic performance of various indices for ICPP was evaluated.Results HOMA-IR was higher in the ICPP group than in the control group(P<0.001)and was positively correlated with LH peak(rs=0.467,P<0.05)and the LH peak/FSH peak ratio(rs=0.444,P<0.05).The multivariable logistic regression model including age,BMI,and basal LH showed that HOMA-IR was closely associated with ICPP(OR=2.756,95%CI:1.940-3.913).Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the areas under the curve for basal LH,HOMA-IR,and their combination in diagnosing ICPP were 0.735,0.735,and 0.805,respectively(P<0.05),and the combined model had a greater area under the curve than either basal LH or HOMA-IR alone(both P<0.05).Conclusions HOMA-IR is closely associated with ICPP in girls with low LH and normal body weight,and combining HOMA-IR with basal LH improves early identification and diagnostic efficiency in this population.
8.Study on the diagnostic value of CCDC83,CEA and CA199 detection in colorectal cancer
Kai CHEN ; Hong JIN ; Shoukun LIANG ; Li TANG ; Qin WANG ; Chunxiao HE ; Runyuan ZHANG ; Yu GAN ; Li ZHANG
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(26):13-15,20
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of coiled-coil domain containing 83(CCDC83),carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)and carbohydrate antigen(CA)199 detection in patients with colorectal cancer(CRC).Methods A total of 168 patients with colorectal diseases and 80 healthy physical examination subjects admitted to Hongqi Hospital Affiliated to Mudanjiang Medical University from September 2022 to January 2025 were selected as the study objects.Participants were classified into three groups based on pathological diagnosis and colonoscopy findings:colorectal cancer group(n=80),colorectal benign disease group(n=88),and healthy control group(n=80).Serum samples from all three groups were collected for detection of CCDC83,CEA,and CA199 expression levels.The diagnostic value was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Results Colorectal cancer group exhibited significantly higher expression levels of CCDC83,CEA,and CA199 compared to colorectal benign disease group and healthy control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis demonstrated diagnostic value for CCDC83,CEA,and CA199,with CCDC83 showed superior specificity compared to CEA and CA199.Conclusion CCDC83,CEA and CA199 showed good diagnostic efficacy for colorectal cancer.
9.Research advances in mitochondrial inflammation-mediated damage in central nervous system degenerative disorders
Shu-qin LI ; Sha-sha LIU ; Qian YAN ; Han-long WANG ; Yang SUN ; Yan-ting HUANG ; Hao-jie ZHANG ; Jin-ping LIANG ; Shi-feng CHU ; Yan-tao YANG ; Qi-di AI ; Nai-hong CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2218-2225
Central nervous system(CNS)degenerative disorders refer to a spectrum of pathological alterations triggered by struc-tural damage to cerebral neural tissues,clinically manifested as diverse neurological dysfunction syndromes,including multiple sclerosis(MS),neurodegenerative diseases(NDs),and ische-mic stroke.The hallmark pathological features of these disorders involve irreversible neuronal damage and decompensation of functional neural networks,ultimately leading to progressive neurological deficits.Notably,with the accelerating global popu-lation aging,the incidence of these diseases has surged signifi-cantly.According to WHO statistics,they now rank among the top three global causes of disability and mortality.Current re-search has confirmed that the pathogenesis of CNS degenerative disorders exhibits high heterogeneity,encompassing multifaceted pathophysiological processes such as genetic predisposition,oxi-dative stress,protein misfolding,and metabolic dysregulation.This intricate pathogenic network not only complicates clinical differential diagnosis but also poses substantial challenges to the development of precision therapeutic strategies.Importantly,re-cent studies have revealed that mitochondrial homeostasis disrup-tion-induced inflammatory cascades(termed mitochondrial in-flammation)play a pivotal regulatory role in neurodegenerative progression.Key molecular mechanisms include impaired mito-phagy,aberrant mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)release and NL-RP3 inflammasome activation.This review systematically deci-phers the molecular regulatory network of mitochondrial inflam-mation,with a focus on its biological effects in critical pathologi-cal events such as blood-brain barrier disruption,microglial hy-peractivation and neuronal apoptosis.The overarching aim is to provide a theoretical foundation for developing innovative thera-peutic strategies targeting mitochondrial homeostasis restoration.
10.Curcumin improving behavioral deficits in Parkinson's disease mice via modulation of gut microbiota
Wen-Hui LI ; Zhi-Hong ZHAO ; Li-Juan WANG ; Jin-Jing HE ; Yu-Ting LIU ; Qiu-Qin HAN
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(2):143-149
Objective To explore the mechanism by which curcumin improves behavioral deficits in mice with Parkinson's disease(PD)through fecal microbiota transplantation.Methods A subacute model of PD in mice was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP).Fecal microbiota from both the model group and the curcumin(Cur)-treated group(80 m g/kg)were collected and analyzed.The experiment involving fecal microbiota transplantation was structured into four distinct groups,fecal microbiota solvent transplantation group(FMTcon),model fecal microbiota transplantation group(FMTmodel),MPTP-induced model group(model),and model group subjected to fecal microbiota transplantation following curcumin treatment(model+FMTCur).The motor skills of the mice were assessed by using rod rotation,pole climbing experiment,and open field tests.Immunofluorescence techniques were employed to observe the expression tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)-positive neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain.Additionally,the gene expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in the midbrain of mice was analyzed,alongside the protein expression of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)and nucleotide binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3).Results The subacute PD animal model in mice was successfully established,and fecal microbiota were separated and gathered.The model group exhibited significant motor impairment,as evidenced by a shortened rod rotation time(P<0.05),prolonged pole climbing time(P<0.05),significantly reduced total movement distance within the open field(P<0.001),and decreased time spent in the central zone(P<0.01).The relative expression level of TH+neurons in the substantia nigra was significantly reduced(P<0.01).Moreover,mRNA expression of TNF-α in the midbrain increased significantly(P<0.01),along with significant elevations in protein expression of NF-κB(P<0.001),phosphorylated NF-κB(p-NF-κB)(P<0.01),NLRP3(P<0.001),and Caspase-1(P<0.01).The transplanted model microbial group(FMTmodel)also exhibited motor impairment,manifested by a trend of shortened rod rotation time,prolonged pole climbing time,a significant decrease in total movement distance within the open field(P<0.01),and a trend of shortened time spent in the central zone.The relative expression level of TH+neurons in the substantia nigra decreased significantly(P<0.05).Additionally,mRNA expression of TNF-α in the midbrain increased significantly(P<0.01),along with notable elevations in the protein expression of NF-κB(P<0.05),and Caspase-1(P<0.01).Treatment with curcumin in the fecal microbiota transplantation group of mice(model+FMTCur)showed improvements in motor abilities,evidenced by shortened pole climbing time(P<0.05),significantly prolonged rod rotation time(P<0.01),and extended time spent in the central zone(P<0.05).The relative expression level of TH+dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra increased significantly(P<0.05).Moreover,mRNA expression of TNF-α in the midbrain decreased significantly(P<0.01),along with notable reductions in the protein expression of NF-κB(P<0.001),p-NF-κB(P<0.01),NLRP3(P<0.05),and Caspase-1(P<0.01).Conclusion Fecal microbiota transplantation in PD model mice can induce behavioral deficits,damage TH+neurons in the substantia nigra,and trigger neuroinflammation in the brain.Subsequent curcumin treatment can ameliorate these deficits,reverse damage to TH+neurons,reduce neuroinflammatory factors,and decrease the expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 pathways.This preliminary evidence suggests that curcumin may improve Parkinsonian behavioral deficits in mice by modulating the gut microbiota.

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