1.Skeleton Binding Protein 1 of Plasmodium berghei Influences Deformability and Cytoskeletal Ultrastructure of Infected Erythrocyte
Xin-Yue GUO ; Huan-Qi ZHAO ; Yan-Xuan ZHONG ; Ru-Meng JIANG ; Yao-Xian LI ; Lei-Ting PAN ; Qian WANG ; Xiao-Yu SHI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):1015-1027
ObjectiveThe malaria parasites remodel the host erythrocyte structure by exporting parasite proteins that interact with the membrane skeleton proteins of red blood cells (RBCs), facilitating their intracellular survival and pathogenicity. Skeleton-binding protein 1 (SBP1) is a conserved exported protein across Plasmodium species. In Plasmodium falciparum, SBP1 has been reported to interact with erythrocyte membrane skeleton proteins 4.1R and spectrin, while its contribution to erythrocyte remodeling and parasite virulence in Plasmodium berghei (Pb) remains unclear. This study aims to determine whether PbSBP1 associates with the host cytoskeletal protein 4.1R and to investigate its role in the remodeling of host RBCs and the pathogenicity of Plasmodium berghei. MethodsIn Plasmodium berghei, the relationship between PbSBP1 and the erythrocyte cytoskeletal protein 4.1R was examined using co-immunoprecipitation. A Pbsbp1 gene knockout mutant of Plasmodium berghei (Pbsbp1∆) was generated based on the principle of double crossover homologous recombination. The deformability of erythrocytes infected with Pbsbp1∆ parasites was assessed using microfluidic methods. Microchannels with an array of cylindrical pillars were used to detect modifications in infected RBC deformability. The infected RBCs were squashed between the rows and recovered between the columns and the transit velocity (μm/s) of infected RBCs travelling through the microchannel was recorded. The component of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton junctional complex, tropomodulin (TMOD), was fluorescently labeled, and the cytoskeletal network of infected erythrocytes was imaged using super-resolution stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) to analyze ultrastructural changes in the cytoskeleton of wild-type (WT) and Pbsbp1∆-infected erythrocytes. Actin-based junctional complexes were displayed as individual clusters by the labeled TMOD in the STORM images, and the cluster densities and distances between adjacent clusters of infected RBCs were calculated. Additionally, rodent malaria models (BALB/c mice) and experimental cerebral malaria models (C57BL/6 mice) were employed to monitor the growth of Pbsbp1∆ and WT parasites during the intraerythrocytic stage and their capacity to induce cerebral malaria in mice. ResultsPbSBP1 may participate in the remodeling of infected erythrocytes through direct or indirect interaction with the erythrocyte cytoskeletal protein 4.1R. Microfluidic assays revealed that the deformability of erythrocytes infected with Pbsbp1∆ parasites was significantly enhanced compared to those infected with WT parasites. STORM imaging further demonstrated that the ultrastructure of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton in Pbsbp1∆-infected cells was altered relative to that in WT-infected erythrocytes. The distances between nearest neighbors of clusters had a tendency to increase while the cluster densities were decreased in Pbsbp1∆-infected RBCs compared to WT-infected RBCs. Subsequent phenotypic analysis indicated that the growth rate of Pbsbp1∆ parasites during the intraerythrocytic stage was significantly slower than that of WT parasites, and their ability to induce cerebral malaria in mice was also attenuated. These findings suggest that PbSBP1 is involved in the remodeling of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton, likely through its direct or indirect interaction with protein 4.1R, thereby regulating the deformability of infected erythrocytes and influencing the pathogenicity of the blood-stage parasites. ConclusionThis study establishes a role for PbSBP1 in host erythrocyte remodeling and parasite virulence, providing new research strategies for the prevention and treatment of malaria.
2.A systematic review on the integrated application of evidence-based narrative education and undergraduate nursing teaching
Nannan BAI ; Meng LI ; Qian LIANG ; Chou YAO ; Yan WANG ; Ju HAN ; Chenyang HOU ; Nana XING
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(2):229-237
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the application of narrative education in undergraduate nursing teaching, to understand the current application status of narrative education, and to provide a theoretical basis for the subsequent establishment of a sound narrative education system. MethodsA systematic search was conducted for studies published in Chinese and English databases on applying narrative education to undergraduate nursing teaching, with the search period ranging from database inception to February 23, 2025. Literature was screened, and relevant information was extracted. A rigorous quality evaluation was conducted on the included studies, and a descriptive analysis was performed on their content. ResultsA total of 20 papers were included, involving 3,180 research subjects, all of whom were undergraduate nursing students. The results of descriptive analysis showed that the teaching model of narrative education primarily encompassed reading narrative works, watching films and videos, performing narrative scenarios, and writing reflective journals. The course setting and content covered pre-teaching preparation and in-teaching implementation. The evaluation of teaching effectiveness included the evaluation of teachers’ teaching methods (student evaluation/self-evaluation) and the evaluation of students’ learning effectiveness (course grade evaluation/humanistic care scale/empathy scale assessment, and others). ConclusionNarrative education combines abstract concepts with concrete clinical situations, which not only enriches students’ learning experiences but also enhances their humanistic literacy. Meanwhile, it provides teachers with opportunities to develop their narrative teaching skills, which requires them to possess profound professional knowledge and employ narrative techniques to guide students in reflection and critical thinking, thereby improving teaching quality and learning outcomes. Future efforts should consistently deepen the connotation research of narrative education and build a systematic nursing education system.
3.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.
4.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.
5.Serpina3c Mitigates Adipose Tissue Inflammation by Inhibiting the HIF1α-Mediated Endoplasmic Reticulum Overoxidation in Adipocytes
Yu JIANG ; Jia-Qi GUO ; Ya WU ; Peng ZHENG ; Shao-Fan WANG ; Meng-Chen YANG ; Gen-Shan MA ; Yu-Yu YAO
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2026;50(1):62-76
Background:
Visceral white adipose tissue (vWAT) inflammation is a critical pathology of obesity-caused heart damage and is closely associated with adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dysfunction. Serine (or cysteine) peptidase inhibitor, clade A, member 3C (Serpina3c) has been identified as an adipokine with anti-vWAT inflammatory effects. However, it remains unclear whether Serpina3c deficiency promotion of vWAT inflammation involves adipocyte ER dysfunction and whether it further contributes to heart damage in obesity.
Methods:
Wild type and Serpina3c knockout (Serpina3c–/–) mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. An adeno-associated virus (AAV) was injected locally into epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) of Serpina3c–/– mice to induce eWAT-adipocyte- specific overexpression of Serpina3c (AAV-Serpina3c) or knockdown of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (AAV-shHIF1α). In vitro experiments were performed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
Results:
Serpina3c–/– mice exhibited more severe eWAT, serum and heart inflammation after HFD feeding. Consistently, these adverse phenotypes were mitigated in AAV-Serpina3c and AAV-shHIF1α mice. Mechanistically, ER oxidoreductase 1α (Ero1α) and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family members PDIA3 and PDIA4 were found to be target genes of HIF1α. In the obese mice, Serpina3c deficiency caused adipocyte more hypertrophy, and activated HIF1α-Ero1α/PDI mediated ER overoxidation and ER stress in eWAT. Subsequently, this led to increased adipocyte apoptosis and chemokine production and decreased adiponectin expression, which promoted macrophage infiltration and M1 polarization in eWAT, thus exacerbating eWAT inflammation and ultimately facilitating serum and distal heart inflammation.
Conclusion
These findings indicate that Serpina3c is a significant regulator of adipocyte ER redox homeostasis, thus highlighting Serpina3c as a potential therapeutic target for obesity-related eWAT inflammation and heart damage.
6.Pathophysiological Effects of Cold Environment on Gastrointestinal Blast Combined Injury in Beagle Dogs
Tiantian GONG ; Xinpei WANG ; Tiange GUO ; Yang AN ; Zihao MENG ; Minghui YAO ; He ZHANG
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(4):507-514
ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of a cold environment on the pathophysiological changes in dogs after abdominal gastrointestinal blast injury. MethodsEight healthy common-grade adult male Beagles were selected and randomly divided into a cold group and a normal temperature group, with 4 dogs in each group. Prior to surgery, Beagles dogs were fasted and deprived of water for 12 hours; after establishing a vein at the edge of the ear, propofol (2 mg·kg-1·min-1) was continuously infused using a microinfusion pump to maintain anesthesia. Tracheal intubation was performed while preserving spontaneous breathing, and the electroencephalogram bifrequency index was maintained at 40-60 to ensure stable anesthesia. A model of abdominal gastrointestinal blast injury in Beagle dogs was established using a multifunctional combat trauma modeling platform. After blast injury, the cold group was exposed to a cold chamber at -20 ℃ combined with 10% body surface area ice water immersion for 40 min, while the normal temperature group was kept in an environment at (25±2) ℃ for 40 min after blast injury. Vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen saturation were monitored in both groups before blast injury, immediately after blast injury, and 40 min after blast injury. And arterial blood gas parameters, including pH, partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (PaCO2), actual bicarbonate radical (HCO3-), lactic acid (Lac), and blood base excess (BEb), were measured. After the experiment, gastrointestinal tissues (gastric antrum and upper jejunum 5 cm distal to the suspensory ligament of the duodenum) were harvested for pathological analysis via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining combined with semi-quantitative scoring. ResultsPhysiological indicators showed that the body temperature of the cold group was significantly lower than that of the normal temperature group (P<0.01), and the heart rate and systolic blood pressure of the cold group were significantly higher than those of the normal temperature group (P<0.000 1). PaCO2 was markedly elevated and BEb was markedly decreased in the cold group relative to the normal temperature group (P<0.000 1), suggesting aggravated respiratory acidosis and metabolic acidosis. Pathological analysis showed that gastro-intestinal tissue damage was more severe in the cold group: the gastric mucosal epithelial shedding rate was > 60% (vs. <25% in the normal temperature group), the necrosis rate of the epithelial cells at the tips of intestinal villi reached more than 70% (vs. < 30% in the normal temperature group), and inflammatory cell infiltration involved the submucosa (vs. limited to the superficial mucosa in the normal temperature group). The semi-quantitative scoring results were consistent with the pathological analysis results, further confirming that the cold environment exacerbated gastrointestinal tissue damage caused by abdominal gastrointestinal blast injury. ConclusionA cold environment can exacerbate circulatory dysfunction and gastrointestinal tissue damage in Beagle dogs after blast injury, providing experimental evidence for early rewarming intervention for combat trauma in cold regions.
7.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.
8.Mechanism of Compound Baimai Powder protecting neurons against glucose and oxygen deprivation/reoxygenation injury
Shuyao WANG ; Jia LIU ; Yue YUAN ; Yang LI ; Shuhai HAN ; Yuchuan MENG ; Shuxia WANG ; Jianhua BAO ; Mo YAO
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(9):1263-1268
Objective To explore the protective effect and related mechanism of Compound Baimai Powder(CBMP,a compound description of Mongolian medicine)on astrocytes after oxygen glu-cose deprivation and reoxygenation(OGD/R)injury.Methods Astrocyte model of OGD/R injury was subjected to simulate in vitro cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.Cultured astrocytes were randomly divided into normal group,OGD/R group,OGD/R+nimodipine group(10 μmol/L),OGD/R+low-and high-dose CBMP groups(25,50 μmol/L).Cell viability and apoptosis were de-tected with CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry,respectively.Western blotting was used to measure the expression levels of the proteins related to the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor-2(NRF2)/antioxidant response element and Janus kinase(J AK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)signaling pathways.ELISA was employed to examine the levels of inflam-matory factors IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α,as well as oxidative stress molecules ROS,GSH,MDA and SOD.Results Compared to the normal group,the OGD/R group showed significant decreases in cell viability,NRF2 protein level,and SOD and GSH activities(P<0.05,P<0.01),and obvious increases in p-JAK and p-STAT proteins levels,contents of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α,and ROS and MDA levels(P<0.05,P<0.01).High-dose CBMP treatment resulted in notably elevated cell via-bility and NRF2 protein level,while reduced levels of p-JAK[(1.20±0.20)vs(2.50±0.26)]and p-STAT[(1.15±0.25)vs(2.10±0.21)]proteins,IL-6[(30.33±5.20)vs(180.35±18.50)]and TNF-α[(50.12±8.24)vs(160.45±15.20)]when compared to the OGD/R group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion CBMP exerts protective effect on astrocytes against OGD/R injury.
9.Prediction of Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis Based on Intratumoral and Peritumoral Ultrasound Radiomics Features of the Primary Lesion of Breast Cancer
Yao DU ; Meng WU ; Yuhua WANG ; Xiaodan FENG ; Jie YANG ; Feifei LIU
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2025;33(10):1056-1062
Purpose To investigate the value of intratumoral and different ranges of peritumoral radiomics features of the primary lesion of breast cancer based on ultrasound images in predicting axillary lymph node metastasis(ALNM),and to explore the best peritumoral range.Materials and Methods A total of 312 cases confirmed by pathology in breast cancer patients with preoperative ultrasound images from June 2022 to February 2024 in Binzhou Medical University Hospital were retrospectively enrolled,and were randomly divided into training set and testing set according to the 7∶3 proportion.The tumor border of the ultrasound images was manually delineated as the intratumoral region of interest,and the peritumoral region of interest was obtained by conformal automatically extended different range(1,2,3,4 and 5 mm).The radiomics features were screened.Based on the selected optimal radiomics features,random forest classifier was used to construct three types of radiomics models(intratumoral model,5 peritumoral models,and 5 intratumoral+peritumoral models).The performance and clinical practicability of the models was assessed the area under the curve(AUC)and decision curve analysis.Results The AUCs of the intratumoral+peritumoral radiomics models for predicting ALNM in the training set and test set were 0.807-0.873,0.728-0.780,respectively,which were superior to those of the single intratumoral radiomics models(0.822,0.758)and peritumoral radiomics models(0.722-0.768,0.650-0.710).The intratumoral+peritumoral 3 mm radiomics model showed the best predictive performance,with AUC of 0.873 in the training set and 0.780 in the test set,respectively,and the decision curve showed that the model had a good clinical net benefit.Conclusion The combined intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics features of the primary lesion of breast cancer based on ultrasound images can effectively predict ALNM,and 3 mm peritumoral may be the best peritumoral range for predicting ALNM.
10.Diagnostic and treatment strategies for testicular torsion
Qing-song MENG ; Wan-ze ZHANG ; Ming ZHANG ; Jiang-hua JIA ; Xin WANG ; Wan-li MA ; Yao-hua WANG ; Ya-xuan WANG ; Jin-chun QI
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(3):222-225
Objective:To investigate the differences between high-frequency ultrasound-guided manual detorsion combined with surgery(MD+S)and surgery alone in the treatment of testicular torsion,and to provide some new evidence for the timely diagno-sis and treatment of the disease.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on 134 cases of unilateral testicular torsion within 48 hours treated in our hospital by MD+S or by surgery alone from January 2015 to May 2022.We statistically analyzed the age distribution,and duration and degrees of testicular torsion,followed by comparison between the two groups.Results:In the 134 ca-ses,the median age of onset was 15(13-19)years old,the median onset-to-visit time was 15(8-25)hours,and the median de-gree of torsion was 360°(180°-1080°).Of the total number of patients,21 underwent testicular excision and the other 113 were treated with the testis preserved,with no statistically significant difference in age distribution between the two groups(P>0.05),and a higher rate of testis resection in those with longer duration and greater angle of torsion(P<0.05).Totally,33 of the patients were assigned to the MD+S group and 101 to the surgery alone group.According to the actual clinical conditions and excluding those with torsion time longer than 24 hours and torsion angle greater than 720 °,28 of the patients underwent ultrasound-guided MD+S(with 1 case of testis resection,3.6%),and 68 received surgery alone(with 7 cases of testis resection,10.3%).The rate of testis resection was higher in the surgery alone than that in the MD+S group,but with no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05),which was considered to be related to the small sample size in this study.Conclusion:The popularization of testicular torsion knowledge can shorten the onset-to-visit time,and reasonable manual detorsion before emergency surgery can reduce the rate of testis resection.


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