1.In situ Analytical Techniques for Membrane Protein Interactions
Zi-Yuan KANG ; Tong YU ; Chao LI ; Xue-Hua ZHANG ; Jun-Hui GUO ; Qi-Chang LI ; Jing-Xing GUO ; Hao XIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1206-1218
Membrane proteins are integral components of cellular membranes, accounting for approximately 30% of the mammalian proteome and serving as targets for 60% of FDA-approved drugs. They are critical to both physiological functions and disease mechanisms. Their functional protein-protein interactions form the basis for many physiological processes, such as signal transduction, material transport, and cell communication. Membrane protein interactions are characterized by membrane environment dependence, spatial asymmetry, weak interaction strength, high dynamics, and a variety of interaction sites. Therefore, in situ analysis is essential for revealing the structural basis and kinetics of these proteins. This paper introduces currently available in situ analytical techniques for studying membrane protein interactions and evaluates the characteristics of each. These techniques are divided into two categories: label-based techniques (e.g., co-immunoprecipitation, proximity ligation assay, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, resonance energy transfer, and proximity labeling) and label-free techniques (e.g., cryo-electron tomography, in situ cross-linking mass spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance, and structure prediction tools). Each technique is critically assessed in terms of its historical development, strengths, and limitations. Based on the authors’ relevant research, the paper further discusses the key issues and trends in the application of these techniques, providing valuable references for the field of membrane protein research. Label-based techniques rely on molecular tags or antibodies to detect proximity or interactions, offering high specificity and adaptability for dynamic studies. For instance, proximity ligation assay combines the specificity of antibodies with the sensitivity of PCR amplification, while proximity labeling enables spatial mapping of interactomes. Conversely, label-free techniques, such as cryo-electron tomography, provide near-native structural insights, and Raman spectroscopy directly probes molecular interactions without perturbing the membrane environment. Despite advancements, these methods face several universal challenges: (1) indirect detection, relying on proximity or tagged proxies rather than direct interaction measurement; (2) limited capacity for continuous dynamic monitoring in live cells; and (3) potential artificial influences introduced by labeling or sample preparation, which may alter native conformations. Emerging trends emphasize the multimodal integration of complementary techniques to overcome individual limitations. For example, combining in situ cross-linking mass spectrometry with proximity labeling enhances both spatial resolution and interaction coverage, enabling high-throughput subcellular interactome mapping. Similarly, coupling fluorescence resonance energy transfer with nuclear magnetic resonance and artificial intelligence (AI) simulations integrates dynamic structural data, atomic-level details, and predictive modeling for holistic insights. Advances in AI, exemplified by AlphaFold’s ability to predict interaction interfaces, further augment experimental data, accelerating structure-function analyses. Future developments in cryo-electron microscopy, super-resolution imaging, and machine learning are poised to refine spatiotemporal resolution and scalability. In conclusion, in situ analysis of membrane protein interactions remains indispensable for deciphering their roles in health and disease. While current technologies have significantly advanced our understanding, persistent gaps highlight the need for innovative, integrative approaches. By synergizing experimental and computational tools, researchers can achieve multiscale, real-time, and perturbation-free analyses, ultimately unraveling the dynamic complexity of membrane protein networks and driving therapeutic discovery.
2.Effect of Huatuo Zaizao Pill on Neurological Function and Limb Motor Recovery in Ischemic Stroke Patients During Convalescence: An Open-Labelled, Randomized Controlled Trial.
Yan-Qiu DING ; Dan ZHAO ; Xiao CHEN ; Hui-Min YUAN ; Li-Jun MAO
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(6):483-489
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the effects of Chinese patent medicine Huatuo Zaizao Pill (HTZZ) on neurological function and limb motor in ischemic stroke (IS) patients during convalescence.
METHODS:
This is a prospective, open-labelled, randomized controlled trial. Patients with IS were recruited from the Neurology Department of Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from May 2021 to June 2023. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to the HTZZ (40 cases) or control group (40 cases) at a ratio of 1:1. The HTZZ group was treated with oral HTZZ (8 g, thrice daily) combined with conventional treatment, while the control group received only conventional treatment. The treatment duration was 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) score from baseline to week 6 and 12. Secondary outcomes included changes in scores of National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FM), and Barthel Index (BI) from baseline to week 6 and 12, as well as lipid indices after 12 weeks. All adverse events (AEs) were recorded and liver and kidney indices were evaluated.
RESULTS:
A total of 72 patients completed the study (38 in the HTZZ group and 34 in the control group). Compared with the control group, the HTZZ group demonstrated significant improvements in MAS, NIHSS, FM, and BI scores following 6 and 12 weeks of treatment in both intent-to-treat and per-protocol analyses (all P<0.05). No significant differences were noted between groups in lipid indices, AEs, and liver and kidney dysfunction after 12 weeks (P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
HTZZ alleviated spasticity and enhanced neurological function and prognosis of IS patients during convalescence. However, further evaluation of HTZZ's effect on IS outcomes is warranted in clinical trials with larger sample sizes and extended observation periods. (Trial registration No. NCT04910256).
Humans
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Ischemic Stroke/physiopathology*
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
;
Recovery of Function/drug effects*
;
Convalescence
;
Extremities/physiopathology*
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Prospective Studies
3.Colon Dialysis with Yishen Decoction Improves Autophagy Disorder in Intestinal Mucosal Epithelial Cells of Chronic Renal Failure by Regulating SIRT1 Pathway.
Yan-Jun FAN ; Jing-Ai FANG ; Su-Fen LI ; Ting LIU ; Wen-Yuan LIU ; Ya-Ling HU ; Rui-Hua WANG ; Hui LI ; Da-Lin SUN ; Guang ZHANG ; Zi-Yuan ZHANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(10):899-907
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the mechanism of colon dialysis with Yishen Decoction (YS) in improving the autophagy disorder of intestinal epithelial cells in chronic renal failure (CRF) in vivo and in vitro.
METHODS:
Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal, CRF, and colonic dialysis with YS groups by a random number table method (n=10). The CRF model was established by orally gavage of adenine 200 mg/(kg•d) for 4 weeks. CRF rats in the YS group were treated with colonic dialysis using YS 20 g/(kg•d) for 14 consecutive days. The serum creatinine (SCr) and urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pathological changes of kidney and colon tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Autophagosome changes in colonic epithelial cells was observed with electron microscopy. In vitro experiments, human colon cancer epithelial cells (T84) were cultured and divided into normal, urea model (74U), YS colon dialysis, autophagy activator rapamycin (Ra), autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA), and SIRT1 activator resveratrol (Re) groups. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), Claudin-1, silent information regulator sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), LC3, and Beclin-1 both in vitro and in vivo.
RESULTS:
Colonic dialysis with YS decreased SCr and BUN levels in CRF rats (P<0.05), and alleviated the pathological changes of renal and colon tissues. Expressions of SIRT1, ZO-1, Claudin-1, Beclin-1, and LC3II/I were increased in the YS group compared with the CRF group in vivo (P<0.05). In in vitro study, compared with normal group, the expressions of SIRT1, ZO-1, and Claudin-1 were decreased, and expressions of Beclin-1, and LC3II/I were increased in the 74U group (P<0.05). Compared with the 74U group, expressions of SIRT1, ZO-1, and Claudin-1 were increased, whereas Beclin-1, and LC3II/I were decreased in the YS group (P<0.05). The treatment of 3-MA and rapamycin regulated autophagy and the expression of SIRT1. SIRT1 activator intervention up-regulated autophagy as well as the expressions of ZO-1 and Claudin-1 compared with the 74U group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Colonic dialysis with YS could improve autophagy disorder and repair CRF intestinal mucosal barrier injury by regulating SIRT1 expression in intestinal epithelial cells.
Animals
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Sirtuin 1/metabolism*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Autophagy/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Epithelial Cells/metabolism*
;
Colon/drug effects*
;
Humans
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Kidney Failure, Chronic/drug therapy*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Renal Dialysis
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Rats
;
Kidney/drug effects*
4.Changes in Esophageal Cancer Survival: A Global Review of Survival Analysis from Cancer Registration Data over the Past Three Decades.
Zhuo Jun YE ; Dan Ni YANG ; Yu JIANG ; Yu Xuan XIAO ; Zhuo Ying LI ; Yu Ting TAN ; Hui Yun YUAN ; Yong Bing XIANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(5):571-584
OBJECTIVE:
To describe survival trends and global patterns of esophageal cancer (EC) using survival data from population-based cancer registries.
METHODS:
We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, SEER, and SinoMed databases for articles published up to 31 December 2023. Eligible EC survival estimates were evaluated according to country or region, period, sex, age group, pathology, and disease stage.
RESULTS:
After 2010, Jordan exhibited the highest age-standardized 5-year relative survival rates (RSRs)/net survival rates (NSRs) at 41.1% between 2010 and 2014, while India had the lowest, at 4.1%. Survival rates generally improved with diagnostic age across most countries, with significant increases in South Korea and China, of 12.7% and 10.5% between 2000 and 2017, respectively. Survival was higher among women compared to men, ranging from 0.4%-10.9%. Survival rates for adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were similar, differing by about 4%. In China, the highest age-standardized RSRs/NSRs was 33.4% between 2015 and 2017. Meanwhile, the lowest was 5.3%, in Qidong (Jiangsu province) between 1992-1996.
CONCLUSION
Global EC survival rates have improved significantly in recent decades, but substantial geographical, sex, and age disparities still exist. In Asia, squamous cell carcinoma demonstrated superior survival rates compared to adenocarcinoma, while the opposite trend was observed in Western countries. Future research should clarify the prognostic factors influencing EC survival and tailor prevention and screening strategies to the changing EC survival patterns.
Humans
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Esophageal Neoplasms/mortality*
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Registries
;
Male
;
Female
;
Survival Analysis
;
Middle Aged
;
Survival Rate
;
Aged
;
Global Health
5.Effect of preoperative anxiety on laparoscopic hysterectomy under general anesthesia in the elderly
Jing-hui QIU ; Hui-rong DAI ; Lin JI ; Cong-hu YUAN ; Tao WANG ; Ti-jun DAI
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(3):228-231
Objective To investigate the effects of preoperative anxiety on the intraoperative body temperature,recessive blood loss,and wound healing in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy under general anesthesia.Methods A total of 118 elderly patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy in Yancheng Third People's Hospital from January 2021 to December 2023 were selected as the research subjects,and they were divided into the normal group(69 cases with normal emotions)and the anxiety group(49 cases with anxiety emotions)according to the self-rating anxiety scale(SAS)score 1 day before operation.The core temperature at different time points and the incidence of intraoperative hypothermia were compared between the two groups.The intraoperative bleeding volume,incision drainage bleeding volume,recessive blood loss,incidence of adverse reactions,and wound healing were compared between the two groups.Results The core temperature 60 minutes after operation and at the end of operation in the anxiety group were significantly lower than those in the normal group(P<0.05).The incidence of intraoperative hypothermia in the anxiety group was significantly higher than that in the normal group(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the intraoperative bleeding volume or incision drainage bleeding volume between the two groups(P>0.05),while the recessive blood loss in the anxiety group was significantly higher than that in the normal group(P<0.05).The incidence of shivering in the anxiety group was significantly higher than that in the normal group(P<0.05);the incidence of poor wound healing in the anxiety group was significantly higher than that in the normal group(P<0.05).Conclusion For elderly patients who undergo laparoscopic hysterectomy for more than 60 minutes,the body temperature will significantly decrease,the incidence of intraoperative hypothermia and shivering is high,the recessive blood loss will significantly increase,which is prone to poor wound healing and is not conducive to the rapid recovery of patients after operation,if combined with anxiety before surgery.
6.Heterologous Expression,Purification and Enzymatic Characterization of Xylitol Dehydrogenase from the Thermophilic Fungus Talaromyces emersonii
Er MENG ; Cong QU ; Ke YI ; Hui-Min LI ; Xin-Yi DUAN ; Zhe-Yuan ZHANG ; Shao-Long HE ; Yu-Tao LUO ; Lei WU ; Dong-Yi ZHANG ; Chang-Jun LIU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(7):1007-1018
The xylitol dehydrogenase(XDH)is a crucial enzyme involved in the xylose utilization in pentose-catabolizing yeasts and fungi.In addition to producing xylulose,XDH can also be employed to develop a biosensor for monitoring xylitol concentration.In this study,the gene encoding the thermophilic fungus Talaromyces emersonii XDH(TeXDH)was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)at 16 ℃ in the soluble form.Recombinant TeXDH with high purity was purified by using a Ni-NTA affinity column.Size-exclusion chromatography and SDS-PAGE analysis demonstrated that the puri-fied recombinant TeXDH exists as a native trimer with a molecular mass of approximately 116 kD,and is composed of three identical subunits,each with a molecular weight of around 39 kD.The TeXDH strictly preferred NAD+as a coenzyme to NADP+.The optimal temperature and pH of the TeXDH were 40 ℃and 10.0,respectively.After EDTA treatment,the enzyme activity of TeXDH decreased to 43.26%of the initial enzyme activity,while the divalent metal ions Mg2+or Ca2+could recover the enzyme activity of TeXDH,reaching 103.32%and 110.69%of the initial enzyme activity,respectively,making them the optimal divalent metal ion cofactors for TeXDH enzyme.However,the divalent metal ions of Mn2+,Ni2+,Cu2+,Zn2+,Co2+,and Cd2+significantly inhibited the activity of TeXDH.ICP-MS and molecular doc-king studies revealed that 1 mol/L of TeXDH bound 2 mol/L Zn2+ions and 1 mol/L Mg2+ion.Further-more,TeXDH exhibited a high specificity for xylitol,laying the foundation for the development of future xylitol biosensors.
7.Development and validation of a machine learning-based prognostic model for portal vein thrombosis in liver cirrhosis
Junqi YUAN ; Sa LYU ; Jun LING ; Yiwen XU ; Hui FENG ; Shaoli YOU ; Fuquan LIU ; Limei YU ; Bing ZHU
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2025;31(7):497-502
Objective:To analyze the prognostic factors of patients with liver cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis (PVT), and to construct a prognostic prediction model based on machine learning methods.Methods:The clinical data of 388 patients with liver cirrhosis and PVT admitted to the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2022 to April 2024 were retrospectively collected and analyzed, including 243 males and 145 females, aged (56.9±10.9) years. A total of 388 patients were randomly divided into the training set ( n=310) and the testing set ( n=78) in a 4∶1 ratio. The Boruta algorithm was used to screen the key features in the training set, and then four machine learning algorithms, including random forest, support vector machine, generalized linear model and Bayesian, were used to establish a survival prediction model. Model performance was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the test set and the training set. The patients were followed up for 1 year for survival. Sort the importance of features based on the SHAP value. Results:There were 250 patients (80.6%) who survived and 60 (19.4%) who died. The model for end-stage liver disease score, total bilirubin, serum creatinine, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, D-dimer, white blood cell count, severe ascites ratio, and Child-Pugh grade C ratio of liver function in the death group were higher than those in the survival group, and the red blood cell count and hematocrit were lower than those in the survival group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The areas under the ROC curve for predicting survival by random forest, support vector machine, generalized linear model and Bayesian model were 0.92, 0.78, 0.81 and 0.71 in the training set, and the area under the ROC curve in the testing set were 0.81, 0.72, 0.67 and 0.68, respectively. Random forest had the best prediction performance, with an accuracy of 81.7%, a sensitivity of 84.6%, and a specificity of 76.9% in the testing set. In the analysis of the importance of characteristic parameters of the random forest model, total bilirubin, red blood cells, hematocrit, serum creatinine, ascites classification, etc. had a relatively high contribution to the model. Conclusion:In the survival prediction model of patients with liver cirrhosis and PVT based on machine learning algorithm, the random forest model had high prediction performance, and total bilirubin may be the most important factor affecting the survival prognosis of patients.
8.Advances in radiotherapy for first-line treatment of newly diagnosed advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Zeng HAI ; Wang XIAOFENG ; Bai HUI ; Zhang WEIJIA ; Cai JUN ; Yuan ZHIYONG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Oncology 2025;52(11):582-587
Owing to the insidious onset and limited awareness of early screening,many patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)are diagnosed at an advanced stage.Immunochemotherapy is the current standard first-line treatment for advanced ESCC;however,survival outcomes remain suboptimal.Radiotherapy,with its precise local control and potential immunomodulatory effects,is anticipated to act synergistically with immunochemotherapy,offering a novel direction for overcoming survival limitations.This review systematically sum-marizes the progress in the use of radiotherapy as a first-line treatment for advanced ESCC and discusses the synergistic mechanisms,clinical applications,and challenges associated with its combination with immunochemotherapy.
9.Expert consensus on non-surgical treatment for acute lateral ankle sprain (version 2025)
Hui CHE ; Wenge DING ; Shiming FENG ; Xueping GU ; Qinwei GUO ; Jianchao GUI ; Yinghui HUA ; Yuefeng HAO ; Qinglin HAN ; Bo HU ; Xiaojun LIANG ; Guoping LI ; Yunxia LI ; Qi LI ; Yanlin LI ; Xin MA ; Jun MA ; Xudong MIAO ; Jianzhong QIN ; Xiaodong QIN ; Xu SUN ; Kefu SUN ; Weidong SONG ; Dai SHI ; Zhongmin SHI ; Youlun TAO ; Xu WANG ; Youhua WANG ; Liheng WANG ; Anli WANG ; Aiguo WANG ; Weidong WU ; Yajun XU ; Weidong XU ; Renjie XU ; Yongsheng XU ; Tengbo YU ; Lianqi YAN ; Xiaodong YUAN ; Yuan ZHU ; Mingzhu ZHANG ; Hongtao ZHANG ; Xintao ZHANG ; Xiaofei ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(6):517-529
Acute lateral ankle sprain (ALAS) is one of the most common sport injuries, with high incidence, recurrence and disability rates. Currently, exercise rehabilitation-based non-surgical treatment is the primary management approach for ALAS. However, there remain improper practices such as excessive immobilization or uncontrolled activity, which contribute to recurrent sprains and chronic ankle instability, significantly impairing patients′ athletic function and quality of life. To standardize the non-surgical management of ALAS, improve the cure rates, and reduce the recurrence and disability rates, Chinese Sports Rehabilitation Medicine Training Project of Chinese Medical Association, Foot and Ankle Basics and Orthopedics Group, Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, and Sports Medicine Branch of Jiangsu Medical Association organized relevant experts to formulate Expert consensus on non-surgical treatment for acute lateral ankle sprain ( version 2025), following the principles of scientific vigor, practicality, and innovation. Thirteen recommendations were proposed for standardized treatment protocols across different healing phases, aiming to provide references for standard management of ALAS and improve the therapeutic outcomes.
10.Clinical guideline for vertebral augmentation of acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures (version 2025)
Bolong ZHENG ; Wei MEI ; Yanzheng GAO ; Liming CHENG ; Jian CHEN ; Qixin CHEN ; Liang CHEN ; Xigao CHENG ; Jian DONG ; Jin FAN ; Shunwu FAN ; Xiangqian FANG ; Zhong FANG ; Shiqing FENG ; Haoyu FENG ; Haishan GUAN ; Yong HAI ; Baorong HE ; Lijun HE ; Yuan HE ; Hua HUI ; Weimin JIANG ; Junjie JIANG ; Dianming JIANG ; Xuewen KANG ; Hua GUO ; Jianjun LI ; Feng LI ; Li LI ; Weishi LI ; Chunde LI ; Qi LIAO ; Baoge LIU ; Xiaoguang LIU ; Xuhua LU ; Shibao LU ; Bin LIN ; Chao MA ; Xuexiao MA ; Renfu QUAN ; Limin RONG ; Honghui SUN ; Tiansheng SUN ; Yueming SONG ; Hongxun SANG ; Jun SHU ; Jiacan SU ; Jiwei TIAN ; Xinwei WANG ; Zhe WANG ; Zheng WANG ; Zhengwei XU ; Huilin YANG ; Jiancheng YANG ; Liang YAN ; Feng YAN ; Guoyong YIN ; Xuesong ZHANG ; Zhongmin ZHANG ; Jie ZHAO ; Yuhong ZENG ; Yue ZHU ; Rongqiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(9):805-818
Acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture (ASOTLF) can lead to chronic low back pain, kyphosis deformity, pulmonary dysfunction, loss of mobility, and even life-threatening complications. Vertebral augmentation is currently the mainstream treatment method for this condition. In 2019, the Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Trauma and the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Surgeons Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association collaboratively led the development of Clinical guideline for vertebral augmentation for acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures. Six years later, with advances in clinical diagnosis and treatment techniques as well as accumulating evidence in related fields, the 2019 guideline requires updating. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Surgeons Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, the Spinal Health Professional Committee of China Human Health Science and Technology Promotion Association, and the Minimally Invasive Orthopedics Professional Committee of Shaanxi Medical Doctor Association have organized experts in the field to develop the Clinical guideline for vertebral augmentation of acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025) , based on the latest evidence-based medical researches. This guideline incorporates 3 recommendations retained from the 2019 version with updated strength of evidence, along with 12 new recommendations. It provides recommendations from six aspects of diagnosis, pain management, treatment option selection, prevention of postoperative complications, anti-osteoporosis therapy, and postoperative rehabilitation, aiming to provide a reference for standard treatment of vertebral augmentation for ASOTLF in hospitals at all levels.

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