1.Evolving Paradigms in IgA Nephropathy Management: from Traditional Risk Stratification to Biomarker-Driven Precision Medicine
Dingding WANG ; Meng YAO ; Xiao LIU ; Qingxian ZHAI ; Qiong WEN ; Wei CHEN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(2):317-323
IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide and a major cause of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure. IgAN exhibits marked heterogeneity in clinical presentation, histopathology, and pathogenic mechanisms, contributing to variable treatment responses and prognosisamong patients. Precise risk assessment and individualized intervention are therefore of critical importance. This review systematically traces the evolution of IgAN management from traditional risk stratification toward biomarker-driven precision medicine. We first review the clinical utility and limitations of established risk stratification tools, including the KDIGO guidelines, the Oxford MEST-C classification, and the International IgAN Prediction Tool. We then discuss emerging biomarkers closely linked to disease pathogenesis, including galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1), anti-Gd-IgA1 autoantibodies, B cell activating factor (BAFF), a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), and complement components, as well as the targeted therapies they have informed. In addition, urinary biomarkers and multi-omics approaches show promise for dynamic disease monitoring and individualized risk stratification.
2.The first record of Anopheles messeae (Diptera: Culicidae) parasitized by water mites in China
Xue-ru CHEN ; Wen-zhen YAO ; Yu-hao LI ; Gui-chang LI ; Tao MENG ; Qun-ling FENG ; Xin-hui LIU ; Li-hong QIAO ; Xiang-ting WU ; Xue-feng ZHANG ; Cheng-lin LI ; Xue-cheng DONG ; Da-wei WANG ; Xiao-yan SI ; Yu-hong GUO
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(1):53-57
Objective This study reports on the obligatory parasitism of water mites Arrenurus sp. on Anopheles messeae at the Manzhouli Port, Inner Mongolia, China. Methods Duing July 2024, a survey on the mosquito diversity was conducted at the Manzhouli Port. Captured mosquitoes and their ectoparasites were identified to species level. Results A total of 1840 adult mosquitoes were collected, representing species from three genera: Culex(Cx. modestus, Cx. pipiens pallens), Aedes(Ae. dorsalis, Ae. flavidorsalis, Ae. flavescens), and Anopheles (An. messeae). Among all the mosqutioes specimens,3 out of 150 captured An. messeae were found to carry ectoparasitic mites, with number of 2,4,27 mites separately. Morphological and molecular identification reached the same result as water mites(Hydrachnidiae, Hydracrina). COI gene sequence showed 94% similarity with the closest species Arrenurus truncatellus. Conlusions Literature review suggests water mites are host-specific parasitism of mosquito species and herein with the first record of Arrenurus sp. parasiting on An. Messeae in the most high-latitude region globally.
3.SIZ1 and ESD4 Mediate The Reversible SUMOylation of SnRK2.6 Through Direct Physical Interaction
Huan-Huan FU ; Jian WEI ; Meng-Yao LI ; Yong-Feng HAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1984-1999
ObjectiveTo investigate the novel post-translational modifications (PTMs) of SnRK2.6, a central component in the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway, such as SUMOylation, and to establish a foundation for revealing the physiological functions and molecular mechanisms of SnRK2.6 regulated by these new modifications. MethodsThe interaction between SnRK2.6 and the SUMO E3 ligase SIZ1, as well as members of the SUMO protease family, was examined using yeast two-hybrid and in vitro pull-down assays. An in vitro SUMOylation system in Escherichia coli was utilized to determine whether SnRK2.6 undergoes SUMOylation. Mass spectrometry, combined with site-directed mutagenesis of candidate lysine residues, was employed to identify potential SUMOylation sites on SnRK2.6. In vitro de-SUMOylation assays were performed to assess whether SUMO proteases interacting with SnRK2.6 could catalyze the removal of SUMO moieties from modified SnRK2.6. The protein stability of SnRK2.6 was assessed in a cell-free degradation assay using bacterial-purified SnRK2.6 incubated with total protein extracts from Col and siz1 mutant seedlings. To dissect the genetic relationship between SnRK2.6 and SIZ1, stomatal aperture assays were performed under ABA treatment using snrk2.6, siz1, and snrk2.6 siz1 double mutant plants. ResultsSnRK2.6 physically interacts with SIZ1 and the SUMO protease ESD4, with the binding domains localized to the C-terminal region of SIZ1 and the N-terminal region of ESD4, respectively. SnRK2.6 was found to be SUMOylated, exhibiting two distinct high-molecular-mass bands ranging from 70 to 100 ku, indicative of modified forms. Bioinformatics analysis predicted four putative SUMOylation sites on lysine residues K57, K63, K142, and K190. Mass spectrometry identified three SUMOylation sites on K63, K142, and K174. However, individual or combinatorial point mutations on these sites had minimal impact on the pattern or intensity of SUMOylation signals, suggesting that these residues may not be responsible for the SUMOylation on SnRK2.6. Instead, such mutations only weaken the protein stability or accelerate the protein mobility of SnRK2.6. Therefore, the exact SUMOylation sites on SnRK2.6 remain unidentified. In de-SUMOylation experiments, incubation of GST-ESD4 with SUMOylated SnRK2.6 for 1-2 h led to the near-complete disappearance of both SUMOylated bands. In contrast, neither the GST control nor the catalytically inactive mutant GST-ESD4C448S exhibited any de-SUMOylation activity. In protein turnover experiments, SnRK2.6 exhibited markedly enhanced half-life in siz1 compared with Col, indicating that SIZ1-dependent SUMOylation promotes SnRK2.6 turnover. Phenotypically, snrk2.6 mutants were completely insensitive to ABA-induced stomatal closure; siz1 mutants displayed pronounced hypersensitivity; and the snrk2.6 siz1 double mutant phenocopied snrk2.6—showing no significant response to ABA beyond that of the snrk2.6 mutant. These data indicate that SIZ1 acts as a negative regulator of ABA-triggered stomatal closure and SnRK2.6 functions as a positive regulator, and the inhibitory activity of SIZ1 is strictly dependent on SnRK2.6, placing SnRK2.6 genetically upstream of SIZ1 in the ABA signaling pathway. ConclusionSnRK2.6 undergoes SUMOylation, although the specific SUMOylation sites have not been defined. SnRK2.6 is dynamically regulated by reversible SUMOylation—catalyzed by SIZ1 and reversed by ESD4—which controls its protein stability. SUMOylation acts as a destabilizing signal for SnRK2.6, and SIZ1 exerts its negative effect on ABA-triggered stomatal closure probably through promoting SnRK2.6 degradation via SUMOylation. These findings uncover SUMOylation as a critical regulatory layer fine-tuning SnRK2.6 abundance in ABA signaling.
4.Clinical Observation of Modified Zhigancao Tang in Treating Patients with Liver and Kidney Deficiency of Parkinson's Disease and Its Effect on Neuronal Signal-related Proteins
Yifo WEI ; Furong LYU ; Jia YAO ; Guonian LI ; Xianyi LUO ; Meng LUO ; Zhengzheng WEN ; Qiuqi LI ; Yihan LIU ; Linlin YANG ; Rui ZUO ; Wenxin DANG ; Fang MI ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Zhigang CHEN ; Fan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):166-173
ObjectiveMicrotube associated protein-2 (MAP-2), alpha-tubulin (α-tubulin), and synaptophysin (SYP) are important proteins in neuronal signal communication. This paper observed the effects of modified Zhigancao Tang on the expression of serum α-Synuclein (α-Syn) and its oligomers, MAP-2, α-tubulin, and SYP of patients with liver and kidney deficiency of Parkinson's disease (PD), analyzed their correlation, and evaluated the therapeutic effect of modified Zhigancao Tang in patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD based on α-Syn transmission pathway mediated by neuronal communication in vivo. MethodsA total of 60 patients with PD who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a treatment group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases). Both groups were treated on the basis of PD medicine, and the treatment group was treated with modified Zhigancao Tang. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The changes in UPDRS score, TCM syndrome score, and expression of serum α-Syn and its oligomers, MAP-2, α-tubulin, and SYP were observed before and after 12 weeks of treatment in each group. The correlation between the above-mentioned serum biological indexes and the levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers was analyzed. ResultsAfter treatment, the TCM syndrome score, UPDRS score, UPDRS-Ⅱ score, and UPDRS-Ⅲ score of the treatment group were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The UPDRS score, UPDRS-Ⅱ score, and UPDRS-Ⅲ scores in the treatment group were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, the total effective rate of the control group was 63.3% (19/30), and that of the treatment group was 86.7% (26/30). The clinical effect of the observation group was better than the control group (Z=-2.03, P<0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group was better than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=5.136, P<0.05). After treatment, the oligomer level of serum α-Syn and MAP-2 level in the treatment group were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers, as well as α-tubulin in the treatment group, were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). Serum α-Syn was correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-Syn oligomer in patients with PD (P<0.05, P<0.01) but not correlated with serum SYP . Serum α-Syn oligomers of patients with PD were correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-tubulin (P<0.05, P<0.01) but not correlated with serum SYP level. Serum SYP of patients with PD was correlated with serum MAP-2 (P<0.05). ConclusionModified Zhigancao Tang has a therapeutic effect on patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD by inhibiting the production of α-Syn oligomers and intervening α-Syn microtubule transport pathway in vivo.
5.Research progress of nano drug delivery system based on metal-polyphenol network for the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory diseases
Meng-jie ZHAO ; Xia-li ZHU ; Yi-jing LI ; Zi-ang WANG ; Yun-long ZHAO ; Gao-jian WEI ; Yu CHEN ; Sheng-nan HUANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):323-336
Inflammatory diseases (IDs) are a general term of diseases characterized by chronic inflammation as the primary pathogenetic mechanism, which seriously affect the quality of patient′s life and cause significant social and medical burden. Current drugs for IDs include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, biologics, and antioxidants, but these drugs may cause gastrointestinal side effects, induce or worsen infections, and cause non-response or intolerance. Given the outstanding performance of metal polyphenol network (MPN) in the fields of drug delivery, biomedical imaging, and catalytic therapy, its application in the diagnosis and treatment of IDs has attracted much attention and significant progress has been made. In this paper, we first provide an overview of the types of IDs and their generating mechanisms, then sort out and summarize the different forms of MPN in recent years, and finally discuss in detail the characteristics of MPN and their latest research progress in the diagnosis and treatment of IDs. This research may provide useful references for scientific research and clinical practice in the related fields.
6.Risk stratification assessment of patients with acute coronary syndrome and stable coronary artery disease based on coronary perivascular fat attenuation index
Hong-yan LIN ; Wei HE ; Yi-ge LU ; Yao-yi ZHANG ; Wen-feng YAO ; Shan YANG ; Meng-su ZENG ; Wei-feng GUO
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(6):829-836,867
Objective To explore the differences in coronary-based and lesion-based fat attenuation index(FAI)in patients with coronary artery disease(CAD)across different risk stratifications,and to compare the diagnostic efficiency of coronary-based and lesion-based FAI in stable CAD patients with myocardial ischemia.Methods The patients with CAD,who underwent preoperative coronary CT angiography(CCTA)and invasive coronary angiography(ICA)with coronary fractional flow reserve(FFR)measurement between Apr 2019 and Oct 2022 in Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University,were retrospectively collected.There were 57 cases of acute coronary syndrome(ACS)patients and 206 cases of stable CAD patients included following inclusion criteria.The coronary-based and lesion-based FAI were measured,and the differences in these indices were recorded and analyzed among ACS patients,ischemic and non-ischemic groups of stable CAD patients(FFR=0.8 as the threshold).ROC curves were utilized to assess the diagnostic efficiency of coronary-based and lesion-based FAI for myocardial ischemia in stable CAD patients.Results The coronary-based FAI and lesion-based FAI in ACS patients were significantly higher than those in stable CAD patients[coronary-based FAI:(-72.40±6.83)HU vs.(-76.82±9.01)HU,P<0.001;lesion-based FAI:(-65.65±4.79)HU vs.(-77.48±8.64)HU,P<0.001].Among stable CAD patients,the lesion-based FAI in the ischemic group was significantly higher than that in the non-ischemic group[(-69.28±5.65)HU vs.(-80.10±7.75)HU,P<0.001].The diagnostic efficiency of lesion-based FAI for predicting myocardial ischemia in stable CAD patients was superior to coronary-based FAI(AUC:0.892 vs.0.525,Z=9.803,P<0.001).Conclusion Coronary-based and lesion-based FAI tended to be higher in ACS patients than in stable CAD patients,suggesting a potential for stratifying CAD patients with different risks.Lesion-based FAI showed some promise in evaluating myocardial ischemia among stable CAD patients.
7.Expert consensus on infection prevention and control of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in medical institutions
Tianxiang GE ; Yangyang JIA ; Chunhui LI ; Jianrong HUANG ; Xiujuan MENG ; Xiaodong GAO ; Jingping ZHANG ; Fu QIAO ; Lijuan XIONG ; Hui LIANG ; Wei LI ; Haiyan LOU ; Wenjuan WU ; Tianxin XIANG ; Jiansen CHEN ; Biao ZHU ; Kaijin XU ; Zhihui ZHOU ; Hongliu CAI ; Meihong YU ; Yan ZHANG ; Yanwan SHANGGUAN ; Haiting FENG ; Hangping YAO ; Lei GUO ; Tieer GAN ; Weihong ZHANG ; Jimin SUN ; Ye LU ; Qun LU ; Meng CAI ; Jin SHEN ; Yunsong YU ; Anhua WU ; Liu-yi LI ; Tingting QU
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2025;24(4):437-450
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease(CJD)is a rapidly progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by prions,with certain infectivity and iatrogenic transmission risks.With the rapid progress and application of new dia-gnostic biomarkers and detection methods,as well as the construction and improvement of surveillance and reporting systems,the detection of CJD in patients domestically and internationally has shown an increasing trend year by year.Due to its long incubation period and heterogeneity of early symptoms,early identification and diagnosis of the disease is difficult,increasing the risk of transmission within medical institutions.Currently,there is a lack of con-sensus on the infection prevention and control of CJD.In order to timely identify and diagnose CJD as well as effec-tively block its transmission in medical institutions,this consensus summarizes 15 clinical concerns and formulates 24 specific recommendations based on the latest domestic and international research findings and clinical evidence,as well as combines with clinical practice,aiming to standardize healthcare-associated infection prevention and control measures for CJD and reduce its transmission risk in medical institutions.
8.Clinical case analysis: fever thrombus space-occupying lesion in right ventricle
Hui WEI ; Jinxia ZHAO ; Zhonqiang YAO ; Song WU ; Meng WANG ; Xiang ZHU ; Rong MU
Chinese Journal of Rheumatology 2025;29(11):946-950
Objective:To improve the awareness of Beh?et′s disease with ventricular neoplasm.Methods:A case with fever, thrombosis, and right ventricular neoplasm was described. The diagnosis and treatment were analyzed and discussed.Results:A young male with genital ulcers and oral ulcers, ocular, skin, and vascular lesions presenting as large venous thrombus, was diagnosed with Beh?et′s disease. Pathological results of space-occupying lesion in right ventricle revealed inflammation and necrotic substance. Endocarditis was considered. Glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide was given, together with warfarin. During one-year follow-up, the patient remained stable.Conclusion:It is difficult to distinguish between Beh?et′s disease with cardiac neoplasm and infective endocarditis or cardiac tumor based on clinical manifestations and imaging only. Multidisciplinary management is a valuable approach for the diagnosis and treatment.
9.Atypical pertussis: challenges in diagnosis, prevention and response strategies
Qinghong MENG ; Wei SHI ; Wei GAO ; Kaihu YAO
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(11):1821-1827
The number of pertussis cases reported through hospital-based passive surveillance severely underestimated the actual disease incidence. This may be due to factors such as atypical symptoms in the vaccine era, limited diagnostic criteria, insufficient clinician awareness, poor access to diagnostic technologies, and problems in monitoring and reporting management. Atypical pertussis often lacks specific symptoms or signs, making it prone to underdiagnosis or missed diagnosis in clinical practice. As a result, patients are not managed or treated effectively. This enables the pathogen to continue spreading. This is an important reason for the difficulty in accurately assessing the actual prevalence of pertussis. This study reviews the global understanding and evolving perspectives of atypical pertussis. It also examines the challenges this condition poses to prevention and control efforts. These challenges include low consultation rates, frequent underdiagnosis or missed diagnoses, limited laboratory testing access, and insufficiently targeted prevention strategies. The study also proposes countermeasures to optimize diagnosis, surveillance, and overall prevention and control efforts.
10.Feasibility study of transjugular tricuspid valve replacement for the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation
Fei CHEN ; Zhengang ZHAO ; Xin WEI ; Yujia LIANG ; Zhongkai ZHU ; Yijun YAO ; Xi LI ; Qiao LI ; Jiafu WEI ; Wei MENG ; Yong PENG ; Yuan FENG ; Mao CHEN
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2025;53(4):363-372
Objective:To evaluate the feasibility of transjugular transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) using the LuX-Valve Plus system (Ningbo Jenscare Scientific, China) for the treatment of severe tricuspid regurgitation in real-world clinical settings.Methods:This prospective study enrolled 81 patients with severe ricuspid regurgitation (≥3+) who underwent TTVR with the LuX-Valve Plus system at the Department of Cardiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University between May 2022 and March 2024. Among them, 44 patients were from a compassionate-use study, and 37 were from two premarket clinical trials. Baseline clinical data, preprocedural imaging, procedural outcomes, and postprocedural follow-up data were collected. The primary endpoint events included device success, procedural success, and 30 d composite adverse events.Results:The age of the cohort was (74.5±7.8) years, with 54 females (67%). Device success and procedural success rates were both 90% (73/81). Post-procedural tricuspid regurgitation improved, with a 6% (5/81) incidence of moderate-to-severe paravalvular leakage. The rate of permanent pacemaker implantation was 12% (10/81), of which 5% (4/81) had pre-existing indications for pacemaker implantation. Major bleeding events occurred in 10% (8/81) of patients, and the 30 d composite endpoint rate was 25% (20/81).Conclusion:TTVR using the LuX-Valve Plus system demonstrates promising feasibility for high-risk surgical patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation, effectively reducing or eliminating regurgitation with acceptable safety. However, challenges remain in reducing risks of major adverse events, including permanent pacemaker implantation and severe bleeding.


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