1.Kynurenine Pathway and Its Metabolites in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Close Link
Ya-Qian XIAO ; Li-Chen QIAO ; De-Chang RONG ; Yu-Chen LEI ; Hakan ÜREY ; Lan-Lan ZUO ; Hasan BAYRAM ; Reza A. GHILADI ; Yi-Fan DUAN ; Meng-Jiao LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(9):2402-2413
Kynurenine pathway (KP) is a major catabolic route of tryptophan, generating a series of bioactive metabolites including kynurenine, kynurenic acid (KA), quinolinic acid, and 3-hydroxykynurenine. Beyond its fundamental role in amino acid metabolism, KP exerts critical regulatory functions in neurodevelopment, synaptic plasticity, and immune modulation. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition with onset in early childhood, characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors. Despite extensive research, the etiological mechanisms underlying ASD remain highly complex and incompletely understood, involving genetic, environmental, and immunological factors. Emerging clinical evidence has consistently revealed a significant imbalance in KP metabolites in individuals with ASD, often accompanied by altered ratios of neuroprotective versus neurotoxic byproducts. However, the primary drivers of this metabolic dysregulation and its causative contribution to ASD pathogenesis are not yet fully elucidated. In this review, we systematically review the enzymatic steps of KP and the principal physiological functions of its major metabolites, with particular emphasis on their dual roles in neuroprotection and neurotoxicity. We then analyze the potential pathogenic mechanisms through which KP dysfunction may contribute to ASD, focusing on two interconnected etiological dimensions. First, KP imbalance can promote oxidative stress, which in turn triggers chronic inflammatory responses via microglial activation and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby disrupting neuronal homeostasis. Second, aberrant KP metabolism affects neurotransmitter systems, particularly glutamatergic and dopaminergic signaling, leading to impaired neural circuit development and synaptic pruning. By integrating current findings on the KP-ASD association, this review offers a comprehensive etiological framework and a clinically relevant paradigm. Furthermore, we highlight that specific KP metabolites, such as the KA/quinolinic acid ratio, hold promise as peripheral biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease stratification. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting KP enzymes or receptors for personalized intervention strategies, while acknowledging the challenges in translating these findings into clinical practice.
2.Comparison of Patient Satisfaction Between Gynecological Teaching Outpatient Clinics and General Clinics and Analysis of Influencing Factors
Xiaochen SONG ; Huiying HU ; Qian ZHOU ; Jie YIN ; Shuo LIANG ; Xiaochuan LI ; Rong CHEN ; Lan ZHU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(5):1390-1396
To evaluate patient satisfaction levels in a gynecological teaching clinic and to explore its associated influencing factors, so as to provide evidence for optimizing the operational model of teaching clinics. This was a single-center retrospective cross-sectional survey. Patients who attended the gynecological teaching clinic(teaching clinic group) and the general outpatient clinic(general clinic group) at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from May 2023 to July 2025 were enrolled. Satisfaction wasassessed using the Chinese version of the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18, with the 5-level ordinal overall satisfaction as the primary outcome. Ordinal logistic regression was employed to identify independent influencing factors of satisfaction. A total of 1146 patients(578 in the teaching clinic group and 568 in the general clinic group) were enrolled, among whom 985 completed the questionnaire follow-up(496 in the teaching clinic group and 489 in the general clinic group), yielding a response rate of 85.95%. The 5-level ordinal overall satisfaction was higher in the teaching clinic group than in the general clinic group( Patient satisfaction in the gynecological teaching clinic is relatively high, with notable strength in doctor-patient communication; however, there remains room for improvement in technical service quality and humanistic care. Adequate consultation duration and the teaching clinic model are associated with higher patient satisfaction.
3.Expert Consensus on the Ethical Requirements for Generative AI-Assisted Academic Writing
You-Quan BU ; Yong-Fu CAO ; Zeng-Yi CHANG ; Hong-Yu CHEN ; Xiao-Wei CHEN ; Yuan-Yuan CHEN ; Zhu-Cheng CHEN ; Rui DENG ; Jie DING ; Zhong-Kai FAN ; Guo-Quan GAO ; Xu GAO ; Lan HU ; Xiao-Qing HU ; Hong-Ti JIA ; Ying KONG ; En-Min LI ; Ling LI ; Yu-Hua LI ; Jun-Rong LIU ; Zhi-Qiang LIU ; Ya-Ping LUO ; Xue-Mei LV ; Yan-Xi PEI ; Xiao-Zhong PENG ; Qi-Qun TANG ; You WAN ; Yong WANG ; Ming-Xu WANG ; Xian WANG ; Guang-Kuan XIE ; Jun XIE ; Xiao-Hua YAN ; Mei YIN ; Zhong-Shan YU ; Chun-Yan ZHOU ; Rui-Fang ZHU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(6):826-832
With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence(GAI)technologies,their widespread application in academic research and writing is continuously expanding the boundaries of sci-entific inquiry.However,this trend has also raised a series of ethical and regulatory challenges,inclu-ding issues related to authorship,content authenticity,citation accuracy,and accountability.In light of the growing involvement of AI in generating academic content,establishing an open,controllable,and trustworthy ethical governance framework has become a key task for safeguarding research integrity and maintaining trust within the academic community.This expert consensus outlines ethical requirements across key stages of AI-assisted academic writing-including topic selection,data management,citation practices,and authorship attribution.It aims to clarify the boundaries and ethical obligations surrounding AI use in academic writing,ensuring that technological tools enhance efficiency without compromising in-tegrity.The goal is to provide guidance and institutional support for building a responsible and sustainable research ecosystem.
4.Chemical constituents from dichloromethane fraction of Dalbergia odorifera heartwood
Wei-xin XU ; Qing ZHU ; Xing DAI ; Lan-ying CHEN ; Rong-hua LIU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(10):3297-3305
AIM To study the chemical constituents from dichloromethane fraction of Dalbergia odorifera T.Chen heartwood.METHODS Separation and purification were performed using silica gel,Sephadex LH-20,thin-layer chromatography,and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.RESULTS Twenty-four compounds were isolated and identified as 7,2′-dihydroxy-4′-methoxy-isoflavanol(1),vanillin(2),2,2′-oxybis-(1,4-di-tert-butylbenzene)(3),7-hydroxy-6-methoxyflavone(4),sativan(5),5-hydroxy-4′,7-dimethoxyisoflavone(6),2-hydroxy-4,4′-dimethoxychalcone(7),7,2′,3′,4′-tetramethoxydihydroisoflavone(8),2,4,2′-trihydroxy-4′-methoxybenzil(9),ethyl-3-hydroxy-3-phenyl-2-propenoate(10),6,7-dimethoxy-2,3-dihydr-ochromen-4-one(11),sophorophenolone(12),apocynin(13),ethyl-2,4-dihydroxybenzoate(14),ethylparaben(15),methyl-2,4-dihydroxybenzoate(16),5,7-dihydroxy-6-methoxyflavanone(17),7-hydroxyflavanone(18),mimosifoliol(19),7-hydroxy-4′-methoxyisoflavane(20),virolane(21),5-hydroxy-7-methoxychromone(22),3-hydroxyl-5-methoxy-stilbene(23),2′,4′-dihydroxydihydrochalcone(24).CONCLUSION Compound 8 is new natural product,2-6,15,17-18 are isolated from this plant for the first time,7,9-14,16,20-24 are first isolated from genus Dalbergia.
5.Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of vertebral refracture after percutaneous vertebral augmentation in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures (version 2025)
Yong YANG ; Xiaoguang ZHOU ; Qixin CHEN ; Jian CHEN ; Jian DONG ; Liangjie DU ; Shunwu FAN ; Jin FAN ; Zhong FANG ; Haoyu FENG ; Shiqing FENG ; Haishan GUAN ; Aiguo GAO ; Yanzheng GAO ; Yong HAI ; Da HE ; Dengwei HE ; Haiyi HE ; Dianming JIANG ; Xuewen KANG ; Bin LIN ; Baoge LIU ; Changqing LI ; Fang LI ; Li LI ; Fangcai LI ; Weishi LI ; Xiaoguang LIU ; Hongjian LIU ; Xinyu LIU ; Yong LIU ; Zhongjun LIU ; Shibao LU ; Xuhua LU ; Fei LUO ; Yuhai MA ; Keya MAO ; Xuexiao MA ; Bin MENG ; Xu NING ; Limin RONG ; Hongxun SANG ; Jun SHU ; Tiansheng SUN ; Dasheng TIAN ; Zheng WANG ; Bing WANG ; Linfeng WANG ; Qingde WANG ; Qinghe WANG ; Lan WEI ; Jigong WU ; Baoshan XU ; Youjia XU ; Guoyong YIN ; Jinglong YAN ; Feng YAN ; Cao YANG ; Huilin YANG ; Qiang YANG ; Bin ZHAO ; Jie ZHAO ; Yue ZHU ; Jianguo ZHANG ; Wenzhi ZHANG ; Zhongmin ZHANG ; Zhaomin ZHENG ; Yan ZENG ; Baorong HE ; Wei MEI
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(7):613-626
Vertebral refracture following percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) is commonly seen in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures (OTLCF). It can lead to recurrent pain, loss of vertebral height, progression of kyphosis, and even neurological dysfunction, significantly impairing patients′ quality of life. Current diagnosis and treatment face multiple challenges, including high misdiagnosis rate, difficulty in choosing between surgical and non-surgical treatment options, lack of standardized surgical protocols, interference from intralesional bone cement during procedures, inadequate stability of internal fixation in osteoporotic bone, and suboptimal compliance of anti-osteoporotic therapy. Establishing a standardized diagnostic and therapeutic framework is urgently needed. To standardize the management process and improve outcomes for vertebral refractures after PVA in elderly OTLCF patients, Spinal Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the field to develop Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of vertebral refracture after percutaneous vertebral augmentation in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025), based on current literature and clinical experience, and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability. A total of 11 recommendations were proposed, encompassing diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of vertebral refracture after PVA in elderly patients with OTLCF, aiming to provide a foundation for a standardized management.
6.Research progress on the impact of internet gaming disorder on adolescent brain structure and function
Hong-Yao YI ; Xiao-Fan YUAN ; Rong-Lan ZHANG ; Hong CHEN ; Fan YANG ; Jian LI ; Hong CHEN
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(3):364-370
With the rapid development of the Internet,the problem of internet gaming disorder(IGD)among adolescents has gradually become prominent.IGD has caused serious harm to their physical and mental health,and it is difficult to withdraw and treat.In 2019,the World Health Organization(WHO)officially listed Gaming Disorder(GD)in the diagnostic category and included it in the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases.In China,the number of adolescent internet users has approached 200 million,and the number of IGD patients is relatively large.It is urgent to make breakthroughs in the cognition and treatment of IGD.Domestic and foreign studies have shown that IGD's physical and psychological harm to adolescents is related to the abnormal activation and functional connection damage of structures such as the prefrontal lobe,limbic system,and striatum,which in turn causes neurocognitive disorders,executive dysfunction,difficulty in emotional regulation,abnormal reward and punishment feedback,behavioral abnormalities and other functional disorders;therefore,this article aims to systematically review the research literature on IGD in recent years,and use neurophysiological imaging research method to sort out the changes in the brain structure and function of adolescents with IGD,in order to improve the understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease,and assist in further clinical diagnosis,treatment,application and research design.
7.RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a-based rapid detection of Clostridium botulinum in food
Zishu LAN ; Shuqing ZHOU ; Tianjiao CHEN ; Rong TAN ; Min JIN ; Dong YANG
Military Medical Sciences 2025;49(9):674-680
Objective To establish a rapid detection method for Clostridium botulinum in food.Methods A rapid detection method based on RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a was developed by integrating recombinase polymerase amplification(RPA)with the CRISPR-Cas12a system.After the reaction conditions were optimized,the method's sensitivity,specificity,and usefulness were methodically confirmed.Results and Conclusion The optimized method achieved detection within 1 hour,with a limit of detection(LOD)of 1.91 copies/μL.No cross-reactivity was observed with non-target pathogens.The RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a-based detection method developed in this study exhibits high specificity,sensitivity,and operational simplicity and may provide a feasible solution for the rapid detection of foodborne pathogens.
8.Erratum: Author correction to "Up-regulation of glyclipid transfer protein by bicyclol causes spontaneous restriction of hepatitis C virus replication" Acta Pharm Sin B 9 (2019) 769-781.
Menghao HUANG ; Hu LI ; Rong XUE ; Jianrui LI ; Lihua WANG ; Junjun CHENG ; Zhouyi WU ; Wenjing LI ; Jinhua CHEN ; Xiaoqin LV ; Qiang LI ; Pei LAN ; Limin ZHAO ; Yongfeng YANG ; Zonggen PENG ; Jiandong JIANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1721-1721
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2019.01.013.].
9.Long-chain acylcarnitine deficiency promotes hepatocarcinogenesis.
Kaifeng WANG ; Zhixian LAN ; Heqi ZHOU ; Rong FAN ; Huiyi CHEN ; Hongyan LIANG ; Qiuhong YOU ; Xieer LIANG ; Ge ZENG ; Rui DENG ; Yu LAN ; Sheng SHEN ; Peng CHEN ; Jinlin HOU ; Pengcheng BU ; Jian SUN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1383-1396
Despite therapy with potent antiviral agents, chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients remain at high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While metabolites have been rediscovered as active drivers of biological processes including carcinogenesis, the specific metabolites modulating HCC risk in CHB patients are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that baseline plasma from CHB patients who later developed HCC during follow-up exhibits growth-promoting properties in a case-control design nested within a large-scale, prospective cohort. Metabolomics analysis reveals a reduction in long-chain acylcarnitines (LCACs) in the baseline plasma of patients with HCC development. LCACs preferentially inhibit the proliferation of HCC cells in vitro at a physiological concentration and prevent the occurrence of HCC in vivo without hepatorenal toxicity. Uptake and metabolism of circulating LCACs increase the intracellular level of acetyl coenzyme A, which upregulates histone H3 Lys14 acetylation at the promoter region of KLF6 gene and thereby activates KLF6/p21 pathway. Indeed, blocking LCAC metabolism attenuates the difference in KLF6/p21 expression induced by baseline plasma of HCC/non-HCC patients. The deficiency of circulating LCACs represents a driver of HCC in CHB patients with viral control. These insights provide a promising direction for developing therapeutic strategies to reduce HCC risk further in the antiviral era.
10.Chemical constituents of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and its residue based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS.
Qian-Wen LIU ; Rong-Qing ZHU ; Qian-Nan HU ; Xiang LI ; Guang YANG ; Zi-Dong QIU ; Zhi-Lai ZHAN ; Tie-Gui NAN ; Mei-Lan CHEN ; Li-Ping KANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):708-718
Sophorae Flavescentis Radix is one of the commonly used traditional Chinese medicine in China, and a large amount of pharmaceutical residue generated during its processing and production is discarded as waste, which not only wastes resources but also pollutes the environment. Therefore, elucidating the chemical composition of the residue of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and the differences between the residue and Sophorae Flavescentis Radix itself is of great significance for the comprehensive utilization of the residue. This study, based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) technology combined with multivariate statistical methods, provides a thorough characterization, identification, and differential analysis of the overall components of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and its residue. Firstly, 61 compounds in Sophorae Flavescentis Radix were rapidly identified based on their precise molecular weight, fragment ions, and compound abundance, using a self-constructed compound database. Among them, 41 compounds were found in the residue, mainly alkaloids and flavonoids. Secondly, through principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), 15 key compounds differentiating Sophorae Flavescentis Radix from its residue were identified. These included highly polar alkaloids, such as oxymatrine and oxysophocarpine, which showed significantly reduced content in the residue, and less polar flavonoids, such as kurarinone and kuraridin, which were more abundant in the residue. In summary, this paper clarifies the overall composition, structure, and content differences between Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and its residue, suggesting that the residue of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix can be used as a raw material for the extraction of its high-activity components, with promising potential for development and application in cosmetics and daily care. This research provides a scientific basis for the future comprehensive utilization of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and its residue.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods*
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Mass Spectrometry/methods*
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Sophora/chemistry*
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Flavonoids/chemistry*
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Alkaloids/chemistry*

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