1.Olfactory Receptors Expressed in The Intestine and Their Functions
Pei-Wen YANG ; Meng-Meng YUAN ; Ying ZHOU ; Peng LI ; Gui-Hong QI ; Ying YANG ; Zhong-Yi MAO ; Meng-Sha ZHOU ; Xiao-Shuang MAO ; Jian-Ping XIE ; Yi-Nan YANG ; Shi-Hao SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):534-549
Olfactory receptors (ORs) form the largest superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Traditionally recognized for their role in the nasal olfactory epithelium, where they mediate the sense of smell, accumulating evidence has firmly established their ectopic expression in non-olfactory tissues, including the intestine, lungs, and kidneys. The intestine, as the primary site for nutrient digestion and absorption, harbors a highly complex chemical environment. To adapt to this environment, the gut employs a sophisticated network of “chemosensors” to monitor luminal contents and maintain homeostasis. Among these sensors, intestinal ORs have emerged as crucial functional components, serving as a molecular bridge that connects environmental chemical signals—such as food-derived odorants—to specific physiological responses. This discovery has significantly deepened our understanding of how dietary flavors and compounds influence intestinal physiology at the molecular level. This review systematically summarizes the expression profiles, ligand classification, and biological functions of ORs within the gastrointestinal tract. Studies indicate that intestinal ORs exhibit distinct spatial distribution patterns across different gut segments and display cell-type specificity, particularly within enterocytes and enteroendocrine cells. These receptors function as versatile sensors capable of recognizing a wide variety of ligands, including exogenous dietary components, gut microbiota metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, and endogenous small molecules like azelaic acid. Upon activation by specific ligands, intestinal ORs trigger intracellular signaling cascades, primarily involving the AC-cAMP-PKA pathway or calcium influx channels. A major focus of this review is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which these receptors regulate the secretion of gut hormones. Activation of specific ORs in enteroendocrine cells has been shown to stimulate the release of hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and serotonin (5-HT), thereby modulating systemic energy metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and gastrointestinal motility. Furthermore, the review addresses the critical roles of ORs in immune regulation and pathology. Evidence suggests that specific ORs contribute to the maintenance of intestinal immune homeostasis and may offer protection against inflammation. Beyond their involvement in inflammatory responses, ORs such as Olfr78 have been shown to regulate the differentiation and function of intestinal endocrine cells. Similarly, Olfr544 has been demonstrated to alleviate intestinal inflammation by remodeling the gut microbiome and metabolome. These findings collectively suggest that specific ORs hold promise as therapeutic targets for mitigating intestinal inflammation and maintaining gut homeostasis. Additionally, the review explores the emerging role of ORs in cancer. Although OR expression is often downregulated in tumor tissues compared to normal mucosa, activation of specific ORs by certain ligands can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and migration and induce apoptosis via pathways such as MEK/ERK and p38 MAPK. Conversely, other receptors, such as OR7C1, may serve as biomarkers for cancer-initiating cells. In conclusion, intestinal ORs represent a vital component of the gut’s sensory network. The review also discusses the translational potential of these findings. By elucidating the precise pairing relationships between dietary components and specific ORs, novel therapeutic strategies could be developed. Intestinal ORs may thus emerge as promising targets for nutritional and pharmacological interventions in metabolic diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and malignancies.
2.Practice and exploration of integrated experimental reform of medical microbiology and immunology
Chengcheng LIU ; Lei HAN ; Xiaobo ZHOU ; Hongliang WANG ; Yuan WANG ; Jinjun LIU ; E YANG ; Biao WANG ; Jing WANG ; Meng XUN
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(2):204-209
Integrated medical curriculum is an important direction for the development of medical education. While integrated theoretical courses have been practiced for many years, integrated experiments are still in the exploratory stage. Taking the integrated experiments of medical microbiology and immunology in Xi'an Jiaotong University as an example, this article introduces the design concept, implementation details, effectiveness evaluation, improvements, and prospects of integrated experiments established based on clinical practice principles, so as to provide a reference for further optimization of integrated experiments in the future.
3.Analysis of serotypes and antibiotic resistance of clinically isolated Salmonella in a children's hospital in Suzhou,2021-2023
Meng SHAO ; Miaomiao GUO ; Wenna QIU ; Lei DING ; Yuan ZHANG ; Linying CHU ; Hongying WANG ; Lijun ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(11):1679-1683
OBJECTIVE To investigate the serotypes and antimicrobial resistance rate of clinically isolated Salmonel-la in a children's hospital in Suzhou,and to provide reference for the treatment of salmonellosis.METHOD Totally 177 strains of Salmonella isolated from Children's Hospital of Wujiang District from Jan.2021 to Dec.2023 were collected,and the results of serotypes and drug sensitivity of Salmonella were analyzed.RESULTS The male to fe-male isolation rate of Salmonella was 1.39∶1,with a median age of children infection at 1.3(0.8,2.3)years.The highest number of Salmonella strains were isolated in the month of Jun.,followed by Jul.,Aug.,Sep.,Oct.and May,collectively accounting for 82.49%of all isolates.Acute gastroenteritis was manifested in 142 cases(80.22%),with respiratory tract infections in 38 cases(21.47%)and septicemia in 7 cases(3.95%).The differ-ence in detection rates across the three years was not statistically significant(P=0.806).Salmonella Typhimuri-um was the predominant serotype,representing 54.24%of all isolates.The antimicrobial drug with the highest rate of resistance in Salmonella was ampicillin(71.35%,122/171),followed by sulfamethoxazole/metronidazole(43.60%,75/172),and ampicillin/sulbactam(30.23%,52/172),and no imipenem resistant strains were found.29.07%(50/172)of strains showed multidrug resistance.CONCLUSIONS Boys under three years of age are sus-ceptible to Salmonella infections in summer and fall in this region,with Salmonella Typhimurium being the pre-dominant serotype.Clinical attention should be paid to the characteristics of Salmonella infection and drug resist-ance,as well as the early diagnosis and rational use of antimicrobial drugs.
4.A preliminary study on the international classification of functioning,disability and health core sets for women in the postpartum period
Ying ZHAO ; Meng YUAN ; Jingjie ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;40(11):1686-1693
Objective:To explore the core categories of postpartum functional assessment based on the international classifica-tion of functioning,disability and health(ICF)and its brief version.Method:Using the method of evidence-based medicine,through literature search,the concepts contained in the literature indicators were extracted,linked with ICF,and referred to the relevant literature and WHO ICF checklist to develop the postpartum functional assessment scale for women.A total of 300 patients were investi-gated and evaluated clinically,and the frequency of each ICF item was counted.The items with dysfunction frequency rank≥30%were taken as the first ICF core set of postpartum function for women.Questionnaires were distributed to medical staff to count the ICF items that medical staff thought were closely related to wom-en's postpartum function,and more than 50%of the items were used as the second stage ICF item pool.The results of the two periods were integrated to construct the core category set of postpartum functional assessment for women based on ICF.In addition,the items with more than 50%dysfunction and 100%dysfunction were further selected as the brief version of the core category set for postpartum functional assessment of women.Result:A core category set of 63 items was initially constructed based on the ICF for postpartum functional as-sessment of women,including 27 physical function items,10 body structure items,15 activity and participa-tion items,and 11 environmental factors items.In addition,a brief version of the 43-item core set of function-al assessments for postpartum women was constructed,including 16 items in the physical function part,9 items in the body structure part,9 items in the activity and participation part,and 9 items in the environmen-tal factors part.Conclusion:Based on the ICF,this study preliminarily discusses the core categories of postpartum functional assessment and its brief version,so as to provide some guidance for clinical postpartum examination,function-al assessment and rehabilitation treatment of women.
5.A preliminary study on the international classification of functioning,disability and health core sets for women in the postpartum period
Ying ZHAO ; Meng YUAN ; Jingjie ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;40(11):1686-1693
Objective:To explore the core categories of postpartum functional assessment based on the international classifica-tion of functioning,disability and health(ICF)and its brief version.Method:Using the method of evidence-based medicine,through literature search,the concepts contained in the literature indicators were extracted,linked with ICF,and referred to the relevant literature and WHO ICF checklist to develop the postpartum functional assessment scale for women.A total of 300 patients were investi-gated and evaluated clinically,and the frequency of each ICF item was counted.The items with dysfunction frequency rank≥30%were taken as the first ICF core set of postpartum function for women.Questionnaires were distributed to medical staff to count the ICF items that medical staff thought were closely related to wom-en's postpartum function,and more than 50%of the items were used as the second stage ICF item pool.The results of the two periods were integrated to construct the core category set of postpartum functional assessment for women based on ICF.In addition,the items with more than 50%dysfunction and 100%dysfunction were further selected as the brief version of the core category set for postpartum functional assessment of women.Result:A core category set of 63 items was initially constructed based on the ICF for postpartum functional as-sessment of women,including 27 physical function items,10 body structure items,15 activity and participa-tion items,and 11 environmental factors items.In addition,a brief version of the 43-item core set of function-al assessments for postpartum women was constructed,including 16 items in the physical function part,9 items in the body structure part,9 items in the activity and participation part,and 9 items in the environmen-tal factors part.Conclusion:Based on the ICF,this study preliminarily discusses the core categories of postpartum functional assessment and its brief version,so as to provide some guidance for clinical postpartum examination,function-al assessment and rehabilitation treatment of women.
6.Dosimetry effect of fluence smoothing in Monaco Treatment Planning System for short-course volumetric modulated arc therapy of preoperative rectal cancer
Yao XIAO ; De-li ZHOU ; Kun-pu SU ; Lin-shan LI ; Meng-yuan SI ; Yan-hai LIU ; Chuan CHEN
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(5):48-53
Objective To investigate the dosimetric differences in preoperative short-course volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT)for rectal cancer using different fluence smoothing(FS)levels in the Monaco Treatment Planning System(Monaco TPS).Methods Twenty rectal cancer patients who received preoperative neoadjuvant short-course VMAT at some hospital from September 2021 to December 2022 were retrospectively selected.Four groups of radiotherapy plans were formulated using the Monaco TPS for each case,which were classified into an off group,a low group,a medium group and a high group based on the FS levels.Then the four groups were compared in terms of the dosimetric parameters,monitor unit and number of the segments in the planning target volume(PTV)and organ at risk(OAR).Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 27.0 software.Results All the four groups had the doses to the target volume meeting clinical requirements,which had no significant differences in the doses to 5%(D5%)and 95%(D95%)to the target volume and the maximum dose(Dmax),minimum dose(Dmin),mean dose(Dmean)and conformity index(all P>0.05).Statistical differences were found between the homogeneity indexes of the four groups(P<0.05),with the medium group behaving the best.The number of the segments rose while the mornitor units decreased siginificantly with the increase of FS levels,with the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05).There were no significant differences between the V25,V20,V15 and V10 of the small intestine,the V25 and V20 of the bladder and the V15 and V10 of the left and right femur(all P>0.05).Conclusion In preoperative short-course VMAT for rectal cancer,clinical requirements can be met with different FS levels in the Monaco TPS,and medium-level FS results in optimal overall dose distribution in terms of treatment planning.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(5):48-53]
7.Comparison of the Prognostic Value Between CHA2DS2-VASc and R2CHA2DS2-VASc Scores in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure
Yile LIN ; Shuyan ZHANG ; Zeyue CHEN ; Zhiyu HE ; Dunzheng HAN ; Haobin ZHOU ; Hongliang XUE ; MOK TOI-MENG ; Chen LIU ; Woliang YUAN ; Yugang DONG ; Ailan CHEN
Chinese Circulation Journal 2025;40(7):674-680
Objectives:To investigate the prognostic value of the CHA2DS2-VASc and R2CHA2DS2-VASc scores in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF)and heart failure(HF).Methods:Patients with AF and HF from hospitals diagnosed by the Heart Failure Center in Guangdong Province between January 2017 and December 2021 were selected.Major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)were used as the follow-up endpoint.Statistical methods such as the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC),net reclassification index(NRI),and integrated discrimination improvement(IDI)were applied to evaluate the predictive value of the CHA2DS2-VASc and R2CHA2DS2-VASc scores in patients with AF and HF.Results:A total of 1 839 patients were enrolled in this study,comprising 703 patients in the MACE group and 1 136 patients in the non-MACE group.Compared with the non-MACE group,the MACE group exhibited significantly advanced age,higher prevalence of New York Heart Association class Ⅳ and coronary artery disease,lower diastolic blood pressure and estimated glomerular filtration rate levels,and elevated serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations(all P<0.05).Additionally,significantly lower proportions of patients in the MACE group received angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors,beta-blockers,mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists,or anticoagulant therapy(all P<0.05).Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that each 1-point increment in both CHA2DS2-VASc and R2CHA2DS2-VASc scores was associated with approximately 10%increased risk of MACE.ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the AUC values for predicting MACE in AF patients with HF were 0.555(95%CI:0.528-0.582,P<0.001)for CHA2DS2-VASc and 0.576(95%CI:0.549-0.608,P<0.001)for R2CHA2DS2-VASc,indicating marginally superior discriminatory capacity of the R2CHA2DS2-VASc score.Delong's test confirmed statistically significant differences between the two scoring systems(P=0.001).The R2CHA2DS2-VASc score demonstrated a NRI of 0.259(95%CI:0.166-0.352,P<0.001)and an IDI of 0.007(95%CI:0.005-0.010,P<0.001)compared with the conventional CHA2DS2-VASc score.Although the R2CHA2DS2-VASc score exhibited slightly better predictive accuracy and outcome discrimination capacity than the original scoring system,both scores demonstrated suboptimal clinical predictive performance.Conclusions:Both the R2CHA2DS2-VASc and CHA2DS2-VASc scores show suboptimal performance for predicting the risk of MACE in patients with AF and HF,and the predicting performance of R2CHA2DS2-VASc score is marginally superior to CHA2DS2-VASc score in this patient cohort.
8.Advances in the pathology of digestive system diseases in China over the past ten years: retrospect and prospect
Yuan LIN ; Jinghuan LYU ; Hongxue MENG ; Wei SANG ; Xueqin TAO ; Weixun ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(2):103-108
The incidence of digestive system diseases is high. So digestive system pathology is widely concerned. In the past 10 years, Chinese pathologists insist on hard work and have made significant progress. This article reviews the research and practice progress in digestive system tumors and non-tumors in the past 10 years, including the establishment of diagnostic criteria for gastrointestinal tract, hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases, the establishment and classification of new diseases with special morphology, the classification and standard update of gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, the progress of molecular pathology, and non-tumor lesions of the digestive system. The future development trend of digestive system pathology is also prospected.
9.Preoperative short-course radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy and PD-1 inhibitor administration for locally advanced rectal cancer: the initial results of a randomized controlled clinical trial (STELLAR II)
Haoyue LI ; Haitao ZHOU ; Lichun WEI ; Yinggang CHEN ; Wenjue ZHANG ; Feiyan DENG ; Ning LI ; Zheng JIANG ; Zheng LIU ; Jianwei LIANG ; Zhaoxu ZHENG ; Xianyu MENG ; Yufei LU ; Zifa LEI ; Xiaoge SUN ; Gong LI ; Yingjie WANG ; Yongwen SONG ; Shunan QI ; Hao JING ; Yirui ZHAI ; Shulian WANG ; Yexiong LI ; Yuan TANG ; Jing JIN
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2025;47(9):913-921
Objectives:To explore whether short-course radiotherapy (SCRT)-based total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) combined with PD-1 inhibitors could further promote tumor regression and improve the prognosis.Methods:This is a prospective, multicenter, two-arm randomized controlled, seamless phase Ⅱ/Ⅲ trial for proficient mismatch repair or microsatellite stable (pMMR/MSS) locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Eligible patients were randomly assigned to the iTNT (TNT+PD-1) group or the TNT group. Patients in the TNT group received SCRT (5 Gy×5) followed by 4 cycles of CAPOX or 6 cycles of mFOLFOX chemotherapy, with the iTNT group receiving SCRT followed by the same regime in combination with 4 cycles of Sintilimab. Total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery or watch and wait (W&W) was performed after neoadjuvant therapy and then 2 cycles of same regimen as before were recommended. The primary endpoints are the complete response (CR) rate for phase Ⅱ trial and 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) for phase Ⅲ trial. A total of 588 patients will be enrolled for the phase Ⅱ/Ⅲ trial. Short-term efficacy and safety data from the initial 100 treated patients were analyzed as planned.Results:From 2022-8-31 to 2023-5-24 the initial 100 patients were enrolled from 10 hospitals in China, 76.0%(76/100) patients were male, and the median age was 61 years (21-74 years). More patients had tumors located in the lower rectum (78.0%, 78/100), staged T3-4 (97.0%, 97/100) and N1-2 (93.0%, 93/100), and about half of the tumors invaded the mesorectal fascia (52.0%, 52/100) and with extramural vascular invasion (51.0%, 51/100). Analyses were performed according to the per-protocal (PP) set. All patients in the iTNT group ( n=52) and the TNT group ( n=48) completed SCRT; The 4-cycle chemotherapy±Sintilimab completion rates were 86.5% and 100.0% in the iTNT and TNT groups, respectively. In the iTNT group, 82.7% (43/52), 11.5% (6/52), and 5.8% (3/52) of the patients received 4, 3, and 2 cycles of PD-1 inhibitor. After TNT, 68 patients underwent radical surgery and 15 patients achieved cCR and adopted W&W. The pathological complete response (pCR) rates were 48.5% (16/33) and 17.1% (6/35) in the iTNT and TNT groups, with CR rates of 50.0% (25/50) and 26.1% (12/46), respectively. The incidence of treatment-related grade 3-4 adverse events was 26.9% (14/52, iTNT group) and 18.8% (9/48, TNT group), with thrombocytopenia and leukopenia being the most common. Among patients receiving immunotherapy, grade 3 immunotherapy-related adverse events occurred in 2 (3.8%, 2/52) patients: one case was pancreatitis, another case was hepatitis combined with myositis and myocarditis. Conclusion:The preliminary results show that SCRT-based TNT combined with PD-1 inhibitors could further improve the CR rate for LARC without unexpected serious adverse events.
10.Study on the correlation between urinary calcium levels and severity and prognosis of chronic kidney disease
Qiongjing YUAN ; Yanyun XIE ; Jinwei WANG ; Zhangzhe PENG ; Pan YU ; Ting MENG ; Ling HUANG ; Wei WANG ; Xiaozhao LI ; Hanwei HUANG ; Fang WANG ; Bixia GAO ; Minghui ZHAO ; Qiaoling ZHOU ; Luxia ZHANG ; Hui XU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(2):264-272
Objective:To analyze the relationship between 24-hour urinary calcium (24 h UCa) level and the risk of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and all-cause mortality.Methods:In the Chinese Cohort Study of Chronic Kidney Disease, we examined 3 375 patients aged 18-74 years with CKD stages 1-4. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to test a time-to-event association between levels of 24 h UCa and incidence of ESKD, CVD, and all-cause mortality.Results:During a follow-up of 4.17 (3.37, 5.20) years, 179, 145, 104 and 38 ESKD events occurred in <0.60, 0.60-, 1.20-, ≥2.32 mmol 24 h UCa groups. Higher levels of 24 h UCa (1.20-,≥2.32 mmol) were independently associated with a lower incidence of ESKD events in patients with CKD, with HR (95% CI) of 0.71 (0.54-0.93) and 0.43 (0.29-0.64), respectively. No significant associations with CVD and all-cause mortality endpoints were detected. Conclusion:Among patients with CKD, levels of 24 h UCa displayed an association with the risk of ESKD among patients with CKD stages 1-4.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail