1.The Structure and Function of The YopJ Family Effectors in The Bacterial Type III Secretion System
Ao-Ning LI ; Wen-Bo LI ; Yu-Ying LU ; Min-Hui ZHU ; Yu-Long QIN ; Yong ZHAO ; Zhao-Huan ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):516-533
The Type III Secretion System (T3SS) serves as a pivotal virulence apparatus for numerous Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, enabling them to infect both animal and plant hosts. Functioning as a molecular syringe, the T3SS directly translocates bacterial effector proteins from the bacterial cytoplasm into the interior of eukaryotic host cells. These effectors are central weapons that precisely manipulate a wide spectrum of host cellular physiological processes, ranging from cytoskeletal dynamics to immune signaling, to establish a favorable niche for bacterial survival and proliferation. Among the diverse arsenal of T3SS effectors, the YopJ family constitutes a critical group of virulence factors. Members of this family are characterized by a conserved catalytic triad structure—a hallmark of the CE clan of cysteine proteases that has been evolutionarily repurposed to confer acetyltransferase activity. A defining and intriguing feature of these enzymes is their stringent dependence on a host-derived eukaryotic cofactor, inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6), for allosteric activation. This requirement acts as a sophisticated molecular safeguard, ensuring enzymatic activity only within the appropriate host environment, thereby preventing detrimental effects on the bacterium itself. While seminal studies on individual members such as Yersinia’s YopJ and Salmonella’s AvrA have provided deep mechanistic insights, a systematic and integrative understanding of the structure-function relationships across the entire family remains fragmented. Key questions persist regarding how a conserved catalytic core has diverged to recognize distinct host substrates in different kingdoms of life. To address this gap, this article provides a systematic review of the YopJ family, focusing on three interconnected aspects: their structural features, their catalytic mechanism, and their divergent immunosuppressive strategies in animal versus plant hosts. By conducting a comparative analysis of the sequences and resolved three-dimensional structures of three representative members (e.g., HopZ1a, PopP2, AvrA), we elucidate regions of significant variation embedded within the conserved core catalytic architecture. These variable regions, often involving surface loops and substrate-binding interfaces, are crucial determinants of target specificity and functional specialization. The functional divergence of this effector family is most apparent when comparing their modes of action in different hosts. In animal hosts, YopJ-family effectors primarily sabotage innate immune signaling pathways. They achieve this by acetylating key serine and threonine residues within the activation loops of critical kinases in the MAPK and NF‑κB pathways. This post-translational modification blocks the phosphorylation and subsequent activation of these kinases, leading to potent suppression of inflammatory cytokine production. Conversely, in plant hosts, the strategy broadens to dismantle the two-tiered plant immune system. YopJ homologs target a more diverse set of substrates, including immune-associated receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases (RLCKs), microtubule networks via tubulin acetylation (which disrupts cellular trafficking and signaling), and transcription factors central to defense gene regulation. This multi-target approach effectively suppresses both Pattern-Triggered Immunity (PTI) and Effector-Triggered Immunity (ETI). In conclusion, this synthesis aims to deepen the mechanistic understanding of YopJ family-mediated pathogenesis by integrating structural biology with cellular function across host kingdoms. Elucidating the precise molecular basis for substrate selection—how conserved platforms achieve target diversity—is a major frontier. Furthermore, this knowledge provides a vital theoretical foundation for developing novel anti-virulence strategies. Targeting the conserved IP6-binding pocket or the catalytic acetyltransferase activity itself represents a promising avenue for designing broad-spectrum inhibitors that could disarm this critical family of bacterial effectors, potentially offering new therapeutic approaches against a range of pathogenic bacteria.
2.Effects of androgens on cognitive function in castration male mice
Yaqi ZHANG ; Cancan HUI ; Fang REN ; Min XU ; Zilong JIANG ; Datong DENG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(3):455-461
ObjectiveTo establish a castrated male mouse model and to preliminarily investigate the effects of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on behavior, serum indices, and histopathological changes in castrated mice, as well as to explore the role of androgens in cognitive function. MethodsForty 6-month-old male C57/BL6J mice were randomly divided into sham operation group, castration group, testosterone propionate (0.5,1.0 mg/kg) treated group, with 10 mice in each group. Following castration and subcutaneous administration of testosterone propionate at different doses (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg) for TRT, learning and memory abilities were assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM) test and the passive avoidance test. Serum testosterone and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were measured by ELISA, and histopathological changes in the hippocampus were examined using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. ResultsRoutine observations: there were no statistically significant differences in body weight among groups at any time point. MWM test: compared with castration group, sham operation group and testosterone propionate-treated groups (0.5, 1.0 mg/kg) showed significantly reduced escape latency on days 4 and 5 (P0.05), while the number of platform crossings and the time spent in the target quadrant significantly increased (P0.05). Passive avoidance test: the number of passive avoidance errors significantly decreased in sham operation group and testosterone propionate (1.0 mg/kg)-treated group (P0.05), and the passive avoidance latency was significantly prolonged in sham-operated group and testosterone propionate-treated groups (0.5, 1.0 mg/kg) (P0.05). Serum testosterone and serum BDNF assays: serum testosterone levels and serum BDNF concentrations significantly increased in sham operation group and testosterone propionate-treated groups (0.5, 1.0 mg/kg) (P0.01). HE staining: compared with sham operation group, neuronal density in all hippocampal subregions was slightly reduced in castration group; in the testosterone propionate (0.5 mg/kg)-treated group, neuronal arrangement in the CA1 and CA3 regions was improved and apoptotic cells were reduced compared with castration group; in testosterone propionate (1.0 mg/kg)-treated group, the pyramidal cell layer in the CA3 region was more compactly arranged, with fewer apoptotic cells than in castration group. ConclusionTRT improves learning and memory performance in castration male mice, potentially through modulation of hippocampal BDNF signaling pathways.
3.Clinical study of coronary microvascular obstruction based on cardiac magnetic resonance assessment on prognosis after emergency percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Hui ZHANG ; Li WANG ; Hai-juan SHANGGUAN ; Min WANG ; Hua YAN
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(6):327-333
Objective To assess coronary microvascular obstruction(MVO)after percutaneous coronary intervention in(PCI)patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)and to investigate its value for patient prognosis.Methods We enrolled 97 patients who were hospitalized for acute STEMI at Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital from May 2021 to June 2024,underwent emergency PCI during hospitalization,and completed cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR)at a median of 7(5,8)days after the procedure.Patients were classified into MVO group(n=58)and non-MVO group(n=39)according to the results of CMR.Cox regression was used to analyse predictors of adverse events after PCI.Patients were followed for a median of 11.5(8.5,24.5)months for the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE,a composite outcome including readmission for heart failure,recurrent myocardial infarction,target vessel restenosis,target vessel revascularisation,and cardiac death)and secondary endpoint events(left ventricular remodelling,non-cardiac death).Results MVO was evidenced in 58 patients(59.79%).Multifactorial Cox regression analysis showed that MVO(HR 7.024,95%CI 1.408-35.027,P=0.017)and the proportion of inactive myocardium to the left ventricle(HR 1.066,95%CI 1.014-1.121,P=0.012)were the independent predictors factors for the incidence of adverse events in STEMI patients after PCI.The median follow-up time was 11.5(8.5,24.5)months.There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of MACE between the MVO group and the non-MVO group(P=0.347).However,the MVO group had a higher incidence of secondary endpoints(32.76% vs.2.56%,P<0.001)and a higher incidence of left ventricular remodeling(29.31% vs.2.56%,P<0.001).Kaplan Meier survival analysis showed that the prognosis of the non-MVO group was significantly better than that of the MVO group(Log-rank P<0.001).Conclusions MVO after PCI in patients with acute STEMI is a good predictor of clinical prognosis.
4.Adhering to the purpose of academic journal establishment, and fulfilling the mission of scientific journals: discipline construction of digestive surgery in the new era
Peng JIANG ; Jiahong DONG ; Jia FAN ; Qiang LI ; Xiujun CAI ; Minhua ZHENG ; Jiafu JI ; Yinmo YANG ; Hui CAO ; Yajin CHEN ; Guoxin LI ; Guoyue LYU ; Leida ZHANG ; Min CHEN
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2025;24(8):1022-1026
On the occasion of the 110th Anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese Medical Association, the third conference of the Fourth Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery, and the Second Elite Group of Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery, was successfully held in Kunming on July 4, 2025. This conference systematically summarizes the development experience of the journal over the past 20 years from three aspects: the role of ecological construction of thought in the discipline construction of digestive surgery, the display of the latest academic achievements in the field of digestive surgery, the development difficulties, and breakthrough paths of the discipline, and strategically plans the path of discipline construction in the new era.
5.The disability levels and characteristics of the elderly population in China:Assessment and prediction based on Multiple Data Sources
Hang-kong ZHANG ; Hui-min XU ; Ye-sheng LUO
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2025;18(8):1-9
Objective:Accurately grasping the disability levels and characteristics of the elderly population in China is of significant importance for responding effectively to the care service needs of this demographic.Methods:Based on multi-wave data(2011-2023)from three nationally representative aging-related surveys CLHLS,CHARLS and CALSS,this study assessed,compared,and predicted the disability levels and characteristics of China's elderly population.Results:Direct estimates from existing survey data showed low reliability.Integrated multi-source projections indicate that the disability rate among China's population aged 65 and older will follow a phased upward trend,ranging approximately between 12.27%and 15.05%from 2025 to 2050,with the disabled elderly population growing continuously from 25.9 million to 58.64 million.Bathing,toileting,and dressing were the three activities with the highest disability rates.Discussion and Suggestions:Future efforts should focus on improving the construction of an elderly capacity assessment system and addressing the shortage of high-quality disability data.Research should emphasize the evaluation process of item-specific disability among older adults.It is essential to grasp the phased characteristics of changes in disability levels and identify critical windows of opportunity for response.Based on the item-specific disability characteristics of older adults,the focus of elderly care services,facilities,and product supply should be accurately targeted.
6.SchA ameliorates endothelial dysfunction caused by oxidative stress
Hui-min HOU ; Wen-wen ZHANG ; Wei-ping ZHAO ; Xin ZHAO ; Xian-mei PIAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(1):122-130
Aim To investigate the antagonistic effect of Schizandrin A(SchA)on oxidative stress-induced endothelial dysfunction and its mechanism of action.Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)were selected as the research subjects,and the effects of SchA on cell viability were detected by MTT assay;the content of ROS in the cells was detec-ted by flow cytometry;the content of MDA and CAT in the cells,and the content of NO and ET-1 in the cell supernatant were detected by kit assay;and the expres-sion of SOD1,p-eNOS/eNOS proteins,and ET-1 in the cell supernatant were detected by Western blot.Immu-nofluorescence experiments were performed to detect Nrf2 entry into the nucleus of cells.Results SchA re-versed the LPS-or hypoxia-induced increase in ROS and MDA content as well as the decrease in SOD1 and CAT content in HUVECs by activating the Nrf2/Keap1/HO-1 signaling pathway.SchA inhibited the decrease of p-eNOS and eNOS protein expression in HUVECs cells,as well as NO content in cell culture medium and the increase of ET-1 content induced by LPS.The Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 reversed the antagonis-tic effects of SchA on oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction.Conclusions SchA antagonized LPS and hypoxia-induced oxidative stress,and SchA amelio-rated oxidative stress-induced endothelial dysfunction by up-regulating the Nrf2/Keap1/HO-1 signaling path-way.
7.Design and application of a multidisciplinary collaborative intelligent prevention and treatment system for orthopedic thrombophilia
Kaibing ZHANG ; Hui LUO ; Xiaoqun FANG ; Xiaoyan JIANG ; Jiangyu HU ; Min CHEN
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(25):1945-1952
Objective:To construct a multidisciplinary collaborative intelligent prevention and treatment system for orthopedic thrombophilia based on advanced intelligent analysis technology and to evaluate its application effectiveness in the management of orthopedic thrombophilia.Methods:Established a clinical multidisciplinary medical team guided by early warning management and human-computer interaction theory, and builded a multidisciplinary collaborative intelligent prevention and treatment system for orthopedic thrombophilia based on intelligent analysis technology.Adopting a prospective pre-and post control study method, 674 orthopedic inpatients at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from February 2021 to October 2022 were selected as study participants by convenient sampling method and divided into a control group (308 cases) and an observation group (366 cases) according to their admission periods. The control group underwent conventional management methods for thrombophilia. In contrast, the observation group utilized a multidisciplinary collaborative intelligent prevention and treatment system for orthopedic thrombophilia for intelligent management methods. The two groups were compared regarding risk assessment rates, assessment accuracy, assessment efficiency, dynamic assessment completion rate, knowledge awareness rates, implementation rates of multidisciplinary collaborative preventive measures, and thrombophilia incidence rates.Results:The multidisciplinary collaborative intelligent prevention and treatment system for orthopedic thrombophilia mainly included four personnel ports (doctor end, nurse end, patient or caregiver end, medical quality control end) and eight modules (patient intelligent scoring, risk grading warning, dynamic evaluation of prevention contraindications, prevention measure decision-making, health education, inpatient data monitoring, department indicator statistics, medical management). Both groups of patients completed the study. There were 238 males and 70 females in the control group, aged (42.83 ± 8.69) years old. There were 278 males and 88 females in the observation group, aged (42.35 ± 8.13) years old. The risk assessment rate, assessment accuracy rate, and dynamic assessment completion rate of the observation group for thrombophilia were 100.00% (366/366), 98.90% (362/366), and 100.00% (366/366), respectively, all higher than the control group's 94.15% (290/308), 90.58% (279/308), and 91.55% (282/308), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=21.99, 24.88, 32.16, all P<0.01). The knowledge awareness rate of preventing thrombophilia among high-risk patients in the observation group was 95.90% (211/220), the implementation rates of basic prevention, physical prevention, drug prevention, and combined prevention in the multidisciplinary collaborative prevention measures were 87.37% (173/198), 97.72% (215/220), 39.09% (86/220), 46.37% (102/220), and 27.73% (61/220), respectively, all higher than the control group's 85.86% (170/198), 24.74% (49/198), 30.81% (61/198), and 12.12% (24/198), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2 values were 9.81-20.19, all P<0.05). The risk assessment time for the observation group was (3.95 ± 1.03) minutes, and the incidence of thrombophilia was 1.91% (7/366), both lower than the control group's (9.56 ± 1.65) minutes and 7.47% (23/308), with statistically significant differences ( t=53.78, χ2=6.33, both P<0.05). Conclusions:The application of the multidisciplinary collaborative intelligent prevention and treatment system for orthopedic thrombophilia has improved the implementation rate of prevention and treatment interventions by medical staff, increased job satisfaction, and also enhanced the awareness rate of prevention knowledge among patients, thereby improving the management status of thrombophilia in orthopedic inpatients.
8.mRNA vaccine molecular design,delivery,and molecular mechanisms of immune activation
Hui-min CHEN ; Fei-fei LIU ; Ke SHANG ; Chun-jie ZHANG ; Song-biao CHEN
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(2):186-192
Vaccine immunization is the most effective and cost-efficient method for infectious disease prevention and control.Since the outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia(caused by the novel coronavirus,COVID-19)at the end of 2019,third generation mRNA nucleic acid vaccines has been applied to stop viral spread.mRNA vaccines,rather than relying on the immune activation mode of traditional vaccines,are an innovative breakthrough using the body's own cells to produce antigens,thereby activating double specific immunity,forming immune memory,and providing more lasting specific immunity.Com-pared with the traditional first-generation(inactivated)and second-generation(genetically engineered)vaccines,mRNA vac-cines,because of the advantages provided by this platform,play important roles in the prevention and control of major sudden infectious diseases.Consequently,mRNA vaccines were the world's first COVID-19 vaccines to be applied clinically,thus ser-ving as a barometer in the field of vaccine research and development.Herein,the molecular design and presentation of mRNA vaccines,and the molecular mechanisms of their activation of the immune response are reviewed,to provide a theoretical basis for future application of novel mRNA vaccines in the prevention and control of animal infectious diseases.
9.Research on dry and wet durability of reusable surgical gowns
Ze-chen LIN ; Min WAN ; Yu-peng SUN ; Hui-jie SUN ; Jian-jun SUN ; Qing ZHANG ; Bo ZHANG ; An-ning LI ; Fu-xin DU
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(6):28-33
Objective To explore the changes of durability properties of reusable surgical gowns when used in dry and wet conditions.Methods Reusable surgical gowns made of single-layer polyester fiber or 3-layer composite material were selected as test samples,and a Martindale abrasion and pilling tester was used as the basic test platform and modified to form fixtures suitable for the wet state environment.The reusable surgical gowns underwent abrasion experiments in wet and dry conditions to observe the changes in their fiber structure,and were subjected to water penetration resistance and swelling strength tests.Results Visually the reusable surgical gowns had few changes of the microscopic textile fiber structure in dry and wet conditions,and the gowns made of single-layer polyster fiber gained advantages over the outer layers of those of 3-layer composite material in abrasion resistance with the same friction cycles.In dry and wet conditions,the hydrostatic pressure values of the gowns of single-layer polyster fiber gradually decreased with the increase of the degree of abrasion,which were always lower than those of the gowns of 3-layer composite material;the swelling strength of the gowns of single-layer polyster fiber was always greater than that of the gowns of 3-layer composite material,which decreased with the deterioration of the wear more significantly than that of the gowns of 3-layer composite material.Conclusion The reusable surgical gowns made of single-layer polyester fiber or 3-layer composite material have few differences in durability and protective properties at the early stages of ablation in dry and wet conditions.The durability of the gowns decreases as the degree of wear increases,while the trend of the decrease is slowing down until the fabric breaks down and completely loses its barrier effect.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(6):28-33]
10.Dietary quality among preschool children and its correlation with parental feeding practice
Min TONG ; Guang-zhuang JING ; Tuersunniyazi MAIHELIYAKEZI ; Yun-hui ZHANG ; Hui-jing SHI
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(3):326-332
Objective To assess the dietary quality of preschool children and explore the relationship between feeding practices and dietary quality.Methods Relying on the Shanghai Maternal-Child Pairs Cohort,3 177 preschool children were selected as the subjects for this study,and questionnaire were surveyed on their dietary intake and feeding practice.The diet balance index was used to evaluate dietary quality among preschool children.High bound score(HBS),the low bound score(LBS),and the dietary quality distance(DQD)were calculated to respectively reflect overall dietary overconsumption,insufficiency,and imbalance.Logistic regression was utilized to analyze the association between feeding practice and dietary quality in preschool children.Results The HBS,LBS,and DQD of the subjects were 2(0,8),22.19±10.80,and 26.78±9.57,respectively.Only 7.68%of the children had a balanced dietary intake,with 74.73%and 33.99%of overall dietary intake being inadequate and excessive,respectively.Parental perceived weight were negatively associated with the risk of moderate to high over intake among children(aOR=0.79,95%CI:0.63-0.98).The higher the perceived responsibility(aOR=1.19,95%CI:1.03-1.37)score,the lower the monitoring score(aOR=0.83,95%CI:0.74-0.93),and the higher the likelihood that the child had a moderate to high under intake.The scores of pressure to eat were also positively correlated with the risks of under intake and moderate to high overall unbalance in preschool children(aOR=1.15-1.39,95%CI:1.02-1.63).Conclusion Preschool children commonly experience dietary imbalance,with inadequate and excessive intake coexisting.Parental perceived weight and monitoring were positively associated with preschoolers'dietary quality,whereas perceived responsibility and pressure to eat were negatively associated with it.

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