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.Effectiveness of generative large language model MedGo in nursing decision-making for elderly patients with multimorbidity
Qiaoyun YAN ; Min LI ; Yawen YAN ; Yaqing NI ; Yun GU ; Jiawen QIN ; Haiping YU ; Haitao ZHANG ; Liming ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(1):16-23
Objective To explore the effectiveness of the generative large language model MedGo in nursing decision-making for elderly patients with multimorbidity. Methods A quasi-randomized controlled trial study was conducted involving 6 junior nurses, 6 senior nurses and the MedGo model from January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025 at the Emergency Internal Medicine Ward of Shanghai East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University. Clinical data of 120 elderly patients with multimorbidity were analyzed to compare the performance of the three groups in four tasks (nursing diagnosis assessment, nursing intervention formulation, complication identification, and complication prevention) from three evaluation dimensions: decision-making time consumption, decision accuracy, and decision-making quality. Results In terms of decision-making time, the senior nurse group completed all four tasks faster than the junior nurse group (P<0.01), and the MedGo group completed all four tasks faster than the junior nurse group (P<0.001) and the senior nurse group (P<0.001). In terms of decision-making accuracy, senior nurse group scored higher than junior nurse group in all four tasks (P<0.001), while the MedGo group outperformed the senior nurse group only in complication identification (P<0.001). In terms of decision-making quality, the MedGo group scored higher than junior nurse group (P<0.001) and senior nurse group (P<0.001) in all four tasks. Conclusions The MedGo model demonstrates advantages of high efficiency, accuracy, and quality in nursing decision-making for elderly patients with multimorbidity; senior nurses outperform junior nurses in decision-making, providing diverse references for clinical nursing decision-making.
3.Advances in PI3K/AKT/eNOS/NO pathway in repeated low-intensity red light treatment for myopia
International Eye Science 2026;26(7):1222-1227
Myopia has become a growing public health issue globally, characterized by an earlier age of onset and a rising annual incidence rate, particularly among adolescents. Repeated low-intensity red light therapy(RLRL)has gained widespread attention in recent years as an emerging non-invasive intervention, showing promise for controlling myopia. This article examines the role of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in RLRL,specifically advances in promoting choroidal thickening via the phosphorylation mechanism of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS). Choroidal thickening is recognized as a critical part of myopia control. Activation of the PI3K/AKT/eNOS-NO signaling pathway may attenuate axial elongation by enhancing choroidal blood flow and nutrient supply. Although certain basic and clinical studies have supported this mechanism, many unresolved issues still remain, such as the specific mechanisms of RLRL action, its safety, and its applicability in different populations. This article systematically reviews the relevant research progress, aiming to provide a valuable reference for future studies and explore the application prospects of RLRL in myopia prevention and control.
4.National Multicenter Analysis of Serotype Distribution and Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella in China, 2021—2022
Qianqing LI ; Yanan NIU ; Pu QIN ; Honglian WEI ; Jie WANG ; Cuixin QIANG ; Jing YANG ; Zhirong LI ; Weigang WANG ; Min ZHAO ; Qiuyue HUO ; Kaixuan DUAN ; Jianhong ZHAO
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(5):1120-1130
To analyze the distribution of serotypes and antimicrobial resistance of clinical Non-duplicate A total of 605 Clinically isolated
5.Characterization of the shared microbial profile between infected extraction socket and maxillary sinus in patients with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis
LU Chang ; QIN Yicheng ; WANG Ye ; XU Min ; LIN Jiang
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2025;33(12):1041-1052
Objective:
To explore whether infected granulation tissue in tooth extraction sockets and maxillary sinus pus share a common microbial profile at the subspecies-strain level in patients with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis (OMS), providing evidence for infection origin tracing and precise antimicrobial therapy in OMS.
Methods:
This study was reviewed and approved by the institutional ethics committee. Nine consecutive OMS patients who underwent synchronous endoscopic sinus surgery and tooth extraction from October 2020 to August 2022 were prospectively enrolled. Under general anesthesia, paired specimens were collected from infected extraction-socket granulation tissue and maxillary sinus pus. Bacterial DNA was extracted, and the full-length 16S rRNA gene was sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were generated using the DADA2 algorithm and taxonomically annotated to the subspecies level against the Human Oral Microbiome Database. The detection rate of shared ASVs between the two sites and their relative abundance in sinus pus were compared. Functional profiles were predicted using Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States 2 (PICRUSt2).
Results:
Shared ASVs were identified in seven of the nine patients. Fusobacterium, Parvimonas, Porphyromonas, and Prevotella were the most prevalent genera. Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum were co-detected in multiple patients, with relative abundances exceeding 5% in sinus pus of several cases. Identical ASVs of F. nucleatum or Porphyromonas spp. were detected in six patients; the ASVs corresponding to F. nucleatum subsp. nucleatum and Porphyromonas endodontalis were significantly more abundant in sinus pus than in extraction-socket granulation tissue. PICRUSt2 functional profiling revealed that the proportion of socket-derived microbes in sinus pus was strongly correlated with 10 pathways, including ferroptosis, adipocytokine signaling, and apoptosis, et al. Except for biotin metabolism, the remaining pathways showed weak correlation with the proportion of extraction socket-derived ASVs in the extraction-socket granulation tissue and maxillary sinus pus. Removing F. nucleatum ASVs markedly attenuated these associations
Conclusion
At the subspecies-strain level, this study confirmed the presence of a shared microbial profile between infected extraction-socket granulation tissue and maxillary sinus pus in patients with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis. The co-detected subspecies-strains with high relative abundance in maxillary sinus pus included Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum and Porphyromonas endodontalis, thus providing strain-level microbiological evidence for infection source tracing in OMS.
6.Correlation Between Intervertebral Disc Degeneration and Paravertebral Muscle Fat Infiltration in Chronic Low Back Pain via Quantitative MRI
Rui JIANG ; Min LUO ; Futing FENG ; Lusi LIU ; Meining CHEN ; Qin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2025;33(3):326-330
Purpose To investigate the correlation between intervertebral disc degeneration and paraspinal muscle fatty infiltration in chronic low back pain(CLBP)using quantitative MRI techniques.Materials and Methods A total of 63 CLBP patients and 42 volunteers in Zigong Fourth People's Hospital from September 2023 to March 2024 were retrospectively collected.Magnetic resonance scans were performed using multi-echo water-fat separation technique and T2 mapping technique.Intervertebral disc degeneration was assessed using the Pfirrmann grading,while paraspinal muscle fatty infiltration was evaluated using the Goutallier grading.Proton density fat fraction(PDFF)of the multifidus and erector spinae muscles,and T2 values of the nucleus pulposus were quantitatively measured.The relationships between these parameters and their associations with age and gender were analyzed.Results Compared with healthy volunteers,CLBP patients showed significantly reduced T2 values of the nucleus pulposusand significantly increased PDFF of the paraspinal muscles(Z=-5.54-4.65,all P<0.001).The Pfirrmann grading of intervertebral discs and the Goutallier grading of paraspinal muscles were significantly correlated with the T2 value of the nucleus pulposus and the PDFF of the paraspinal muscles(|r|>0.4,P<0.05).Age and Pfirrmann grading were independent predictors of paraspinal muscle fat infiltration(β=0.228-5.682,all P<0.001),and gender was also an independent predictor at the L4/5 intervertebral disc level(β=-2.834,-3.352,both P<0.05).Conclusion Intervertebral disc degeneration and paraspinal muscle fat infiltration are closely related in CLBP,age and gender also have an impact.
7.Comparative study on the predictive abilities of multiple inflammatory markers for the poor outcome of intracerebral hemorrhage
Qin HUANG ; Ziwei SONG ; Hongla KUANG ; Zhi ZHANG ; Yuping ZHU ; Lin WU ; Daojun HONG ; Jing LIN ; Min ZHU
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 2025;51(2):103-108
Objective This study aimed to investigate the relationship between multiple inflammatory markers and poor outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage,and to compare their predictive abilities.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the patients with intracerebral hemorrhage admitted to the Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from January 1,2015 to March 31,2023.According to the Modified Rankin Scale at 90 days after onset,the patients were divided into good outcome(mRS≤2 points)and poor outcome(mRS score≥3 points).Clinical information,laboratory examinations and follow-up data were compared between the two groups.Inflammatory markers include neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio(NLR),platelet to lymphocyte ratio(PLR),monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio(MHR),systemic inflammatory response index(SIRI),systemic immune-inflammation index(SII),white blood cell count to mean platelet volume ratio(WMR),lymphocyte to monocyte ratio(LMR),and systemic coagulation-inflammation index(SCI).Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the predictors of poor prognosis after intracerebral hemorrhage,and receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was constructed to compare their predictive ability.Results A total of 510 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage were included.Of those,297(58.2%)had good outcome,and 213(41.8%)had poor outcome.Comparison of baseline characteristics demonstrated that patients with poor prognosis had higher levels of white blood cells,neutrophils,high-density lipoprotein,fibrinogen,NLR,PLR,SIRI,SII,WMR at admission,larger baseline hematoma volume and baseline perihematomal edema volume,a higher proportion of lobar hemorrhage,older age,and lower levels of platelets,lymphocytes,LMR,and SCI(P<0.05).Multivariate regression analysis showed that NLR(OR:1.081,95%CI:1.032~1.1131,P=0.001),SIRI(OR:1.089,95%CI:1.014~1.169,P=0.019),SII(OR:1.000,95%CI:1.000~1.001,P=0.011),WMR(OR:2.627,95%CI:1.267~5.445,P=0.009)were independently associated with poor prognosis in patients with ICH.In ROC analysis,the area under the curve of NLR(0.729,95%CI:0.685~0.774)was higher than SIRI(0.692,95%CI:0.645~0.738),SII(0.688,95%CI:0.641~0.735)and WMR(0.65,95%CI:0.602~0.698)for predicting poor outcomes.Conclusion NLR,SIRI,SII and WMR at admission are independently associated with poor outcomes in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage,and NLR has the strongest predictive ability.
8.Incidence,Mortality and Disease Burden of Malignant Tu-mors in Cancer Registration Areas of Hubei Province in 2020
Shuang YAO ; Jiyu TUO ; Yu QIN ; Yafen XIA ; Min ZHANG
China Cancer 2025;34(4):255-263
[Purpose]To analyze the prevalence and disease burden of malignant tumors in cancer registration areas of Hubei Province in 2020.[Methods]The incidence and mortality data of ma-lignant tumors in cancer registration areas in Hubei Province in 2020 were collected,and the data were quality controlled according to the quality evaluation standards and methods formulated by the National Cancer Center.The data from 24 registries met the inclusion criteria.Using descrip-tive epidemiological methods to calculate incidence/mortality rate,age-specific incidence/mortality rate,standardized incidence/mortality rate by Chinese standard population(ASRC),standardized incidence/mortality rate by world standard population(ASRW).Disability-adjusted life years(DALY)and DALY rates were calculated using formulas provided by the World Health Organization to as-sess the disease burden of malignant tumors.[Results]In 2020,the crude incidence of malignant tumors in cancer registration areas of Hubei Province was 311.36/105,the ASRC was 184.14/105,the ASRW was 197.37/105,and the cumulative rate of 0~74 years old was 20.52%.The age-spe-cific incidence of malignant tumors in the province and rural areas reached its peak in the age group of 75~79 years old,while in urban areas it reached its peak in the age group of 80~84 years old.In 2020,the crude mortality rate of malignant tumors in cancer registration areas of Hubei Province was 184.58/105,the ASRC was 96.91/105,the ASRW was 110.92/105,and the cumulative rate of 0~74 years old was 11.01%.The age-specific mortality rate of malignant tumors in the province and urban areas reached its peak in the age group of above 85 years old,while in rural areas it reached its peak in the age group of 80~84 years old.Lung cancer ranked first in the incidence and mortality of malignant tumors in the province.In the cancer registration area of Hubei Province,the DALY of malignant tumors in 2020 was 641 497 person-years,and the DALY rate was 28.6‰.[Conclusion]Common cancers such as lung cancer,female breast cancer and upper digestive tract cancer have a great impact on the incidence,mortality and disease burden of malignant tumors in Hubei Province.Targeted cancer screening and early diagnosis and treatment are the most effective means to improve social and economic benefits.
9.Analysis of the Epidemic Characteristics of Lung Cancer in 2020 and the Trend from 2012 to 2020 in Hubei Province
Yu QIN ; Shuang YAO ; Jiyu TUO ; Yafen XIA ; Min ZHANG
China Cancer 2025;34(4):264-271
[Purpose]To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of lung cancer in 2020 and the trend from 2012 to 2020 in Hubei Province.[Methods]Qualified lung cancer registry data reported by 24 cancer registries in Hubei Province was utilized to estimate the number of new lung cancer cases and deaths.Incidence/mortality rate,age-specific incidence/mortality rate,age-standardized incidence/mortality rate by Chinese standard population(ASIRC and ASMRC)and by world stan-dard population(ASIRW and ASMRW),cumulative rate of 0~74 years old and other indicators of lung cancer in urban and rural areas,different sex,age groups in 2020 were calculated.Annual percentage change(APC),average annual percentage change(AAPC)and 95%confidence interval(CI)were calculated to analyze the trends of incidence and mortality of lung cancer in cancer regi-stration areas of Hubei Province from 2012 to 2020.[Results]In 2020,the estimated number of new lung cancer cases in Hubei Province was 41 531,accounting for 23.17%of all new cancer cases.The incidence rate was 72.13/105,with the ASIRC of 38.19/105 and ASIRW of 42.75/105 respectively.The cumulative incidence rate of 0~74 years old was 4.82%.The estimated number of lung cancer deaths in Hubei Province in 2020 was 31 374,accounting for 29.52%of all cancer deaths.The mortality rate was 54.49/105,with the ASMRC of 27.66/105 and ASMRW of 31.95/105,respectively.The cumulative mortality(0~74 years old)was 3.36%.The incidence of lung cancer was higher in urban areas than that in rural areas,and higher in men than that in women.The in-cidence and mortality of lung cancer increased with age,and reaching the peak in the age groups of 75~79 and 80~85 years old respectively.From 2012 to 2020,the overall trend of crude inci-dence and mortality of lung cancer in Hubei Province was stable.The ASIRC and ASMRC showed a slow decline during 2012-2020,with the AAPCs of-0.51%(95%CI:-1.06%~-0.02%)and-1.84%(95%CI:-2.65%~-0.53%),respectively.The ASIRC showed a slow decline(APC=-1.76%,95%CI:-3.30%~-1.03%)during 2012-2018 and increase trend(APC=3.33%,95%CI:0.61%~5.02%)during 2018-2020,respectively,while ASMRC showed a significant decrease trend(APC=-3.00%,95%CI:-6.58%~-1.13%)during 2016-2020.[Conclusion]The incidence and mortality levels of lung cancer in Hubei Province were relatively high,resulted in a heavy disease burden and no significant downward trend.In the future,we should continue to strengthen the compre-hensive prevention and treatment of lung cancer,and promote lung cancer screening and early diagno-sis and treatment for target populations vigorously,especially in rural areas.
10.Analysis of Opportunistic Screening Results for Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer in Hubei Province from 2022 to 2023
Jiyu TUO ; Shuang YAO ; Yu QIN ; Yafen XIA ; Fandi MENG ; Min ZHANG
China Cancer 2025;34(4):272-278
[Purpose]To analyze the opportunistic screening results of upper gastrointestinal can-cer in Hubei Province from 2022 to 2023.[Methods]The data of upper gastrointestinal cancer opportunistic screening program in Hubei Province from January 1,2022 to December 31,2023 were summarized.The biopsy rate,positive lesion detection rate and early diagnosis rate were ana-lyzed.The differences in rates between/among different sexes,age groups and regions were com-pared by x2 test,trend x2 test.[Results]A total of 372 507 people were included in the oppor-tunistic screening of upper gastrointestinal cancer from 2022 to 2023.Among them,100 379 in-dividuals underwent biopsy histopathological examination,with a biopsy rate of 26.95%.A total of 4 678 positive cases(high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia,early-stage cancer and advanced can-cer)were detected in the opportunistic screening,with a positive lesion detection rate of 1.26%.The detection rates of positive lesion in the esophagus,cardia and stomach were 0.61%,0.07%and 0.58%,respectively.There were 721 cases of early upper gastrointestinal cancer(high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia,early-stage cancer),representing an early diagnosis rate of 15.41%.The early diagnosis rates for the esophagus,cardia and stomach were 14.53%,11.96%and 16.89%,respectively.[Conclusions]The implementation of opportunistic screening for upper gastrointesti-nal cancer is conducive to expanding the coverage of screening.It is necessary to strengthen stan-dardized and homogeneous training and complete high-quality endoscopic examination to improve the detection rate and early diagnosis rate of opportunistic screening program for upper gastroin-testinal cancer.


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