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.Mechanism of Aerobic Exercise in Delaying Brain Aging in Aging Mice by Regulating Tryptophan Metabolism
De-Man ZHANG ; Chang-Ling WEI ; Yuan-Ting ZHANG ; Yu JIN ; Xiao-Han HUANG ; Min-Yan ZHENG ; Xue LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1362-1372
ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism of aerobic exercise to improve hippocampal neuronal degeneration by regulating tryptophan metabolic pathway. Methods60 SPF-grade C57BL/6J male mice were divided into a young group (2 months old, n=30) and a senile group (12 months old, n=30), and each group was further divided into a control group (C/A group, n=15) and an exercise group (CE/AE group, n=15). An aerobic exercise program was used for 8 weeks. Learning memory ability was assessed by Y-maze, and anxiety-depression-like behavior was detected by absent field experiment. Hippocampal Trp levels were measured by GC-MS. Nissl staining was used to observe the number and morphology of hippocampal neurons, and electron microscopy was used to detect synaptic ultrastructure. ELISA was used to detect the levels of hippocampal Trp,5-HT, Kyn, KATs, KYNA, KMO, and QUIN; Western blot was used to analyze the activities of TPH2, IDO1, and TDO enzymes. ResultsGroup A mice showed significant decrease in learning and memory ability (P<0.05) and increase in anxiety and depressive behaviors (P<0.05); all of AE group showed significant improvement (P<0.05). Hippocampal Trp levels decreased in group A (P<0.05) and increased in AE group (P<0.05). Nidus vesicles were reduced and synaptic structures were degraded in group A (P<0.05), and both were significantly improved in group AE (P<0.05). The levels of Trp, 5-HT, KATs, and KYNA were decreased (P<0.05) and the levels of Kyn, KMO, and QUIN were increased (P<0.05) in group A. The activity of TPH2 was decreased (P<0.05), and the activities of IDO1 and TDO were increased (P<0.05). The AE group showed the opposite trend. ConclusionThe aging process significantly reduces the learning memory ability and increases the anxiety-depression-like behavior of mice, and leads to the reduction of the number of nidus vesicles and degenerative changes of synaptic structure in the hippocampus, whereas aerobic exercise not only effectively enhances the spatial learning memory ability and alleviates the anxiety-depression-like behavior of aging mice, but also improves the morphology and structure of neurons in hippocampal area, which may be achieved by the mechanism of regulating the tryptophan metabolic pathway.
4.Seroprevalence and influencing factors of low-level neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in community residents
Shiying YUAN ; Jingyi ZHANG ; Huanyu WU ; Weibing WANG ; Genming ZHAO ; Xiao YU ; Xiaoying MA ; Min CHEN ; Xiaodong SUN ; Zhuoying HUANG ; Zhonghui MA ; Yaxu ZHENG ; Jian CHEN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(5):403-409
ObjectiveTo understand the seropositivity of neutralizing antibodies (NAb) and low-level NAb against SARS-CoV-2 infection in the community residents, and to explore the impact of COVID-19 vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection on the levels of NAb in human serum. MethodsOn the ground of surveillance cohort for acute infectious diseases in community populations in Shanghai, a proportional stratified sampling method was used to enroll the subjects at a 20% proportion for each age group (0‒14, 15‒24, 25‒59, and ≥60 years old). Blood samples collection and serum SARS-CoV-2 NAb concentration testing were conducted from March to April 2023. Low-level NAb were defined as below the 25th percentile of NAb. ResultsA total of 2 230 participants were included, the positive rate of NAb was 97.58%, and the proportion of low-level NAb was 25.02% (558/2 230). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age, infection history and vaccination status were correlated with low-level NAb (all P<0.05). Individuals aged 60 years and above had the highest risk of low-level NAb. There was a statistically significant interaction between booster vaccination and one single infection (aOR=0.38, 95%CI: 0.19‒0.77). Compared to individuals without vaccination, among individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 once, both primary immunization (aOR=0.23, 95%CI: 0.16‒0.35) and booster immunization (aOR=0.12, 95%CI: 0.08‒0.17) significantly reduced the risk of low-level NAb; among individuals without infections, only booster immunization (aOR=0.28, 95%CI: 0.14‒0.52) showed a negative correlation with the risk of low-level NAb. ConclusionsThe population aged 60 and above had the highest risk of low-level NAb. Regardless of infection history, a booster immunization could reduce the risk of low-level NAb. It is recommended that eligible individuals , especially the elderly, should get vaccinated in a timely manner to exert the protective role of NAb.
5.Association between bedroom nocturnal light exposure and objective sleep parameters in college students
ZHANG Anhui, YU Min, XU Yuxiang, SUN Ying
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(8):1098-1101
Objective:
To investigate the cross sectional association between bedroom nocturnal light exposure and objectively measured sleep parameters in college students, so as to provide evidence for promoting sleep health.
Methods:
From September to October 2019, a convenience sampling method was used to recruit 365 healthy college students from two universities in Hefei, establishing a cohort. Bedroom nocturnal light exposure was measured at the individual level for two consecutive days using a portable illuminometer (TES-1339R; Taishi Corp, Taiwan, China). Sleep parameters were objectively measured over seven consecutive days using wrist worn accelerometers (ActiGraph GT3X-BT, Pensacola, FL). Multiple linear regression models were employed to examine the association between nocturnal light exposure and sleep parameters.
Results:
Compared to the low nocturnal light exposure (<3 lx) group, the high exposure (≥3 lx) group exhibited significantly lower sleep efficiency[(93.5± 2.7 )%,(92.2±2.9)%, t =3.93], longer wake after sleep onset (WASO)[(24.7±90.3)(29.2±11.2)min, t =-3.66], higher movement index(11.0±3.6, 12.2± 3.8, t =-2.80), and higher sleep fragmentation index(20.5±6.5,23.0±7.0, t =-3.24) (all P <0.01). After adjusting for covariates,multiple linear regression showed that,compared to the low nocturnal light exposure group, the high exposure group had reduced sleep efficiency ( β =-1.15, 95% CI =-1.78 to -0.52), increased WASO [ β (95% CI )=3.94(1.55- 6.33 )], higher movement index[ β (95% CI )=1.05(0.20-1.89)], and elevated sleep fragmentation index[ β (95% CI )=2.35(0.81-3.88)](all P <0.05).
Conclusions
Light exposure at night negatively impacts college students sleep. Optimizing bedroom lighting management may improve sleep quality in adolescents.
6.Association between intergenerational parent-child separation and allergic diseases among rural preschool children
ZHU Min, MA Kai, ZHANG Anhui, YU Min, WANG Yufen, SUN Ying
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(9):1333-1336
Objective:
To investigate the impact of intergenerational parent-child separation (PCS) on allergic diseases among rural preschool children, providing theoretical guidance for developing targeted public health interventions.
Methods:
From March to June 2024, 10 kindergartens were selected from Nanling, Wuhu City, Anhui Province. A total of 2 279 children aged 3-6 years and their parents/primary caregivers participated in the survey by a combination of convenience sampling and cluster sampling method. Children s fathers and mothers reported the experiences of PCS during their childhood. The children s PCS experiences and allergies were reported by their primary caregivers. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire was used to supplement the allergies (allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Chi square tests were used to compare differences between children in different PCS groups. Logistic regression models assessed the association between PCS and the risk of allergic diseases in preschool children.
Results:
Among the preschoolers enrolled, the prevalence of allergic diseases in only parent-child separation group in childhood, only child separation group, and the intergenerational continuity of PCS groups were significantly higher than those of the none separation group (38.0%, 41.8%, 48.1%,30.4%; χ 2=40.45, P < 0.01 ). After adjusting for covariates including child age, sex and body mass index, Logistic regression model revealed that compared to children in the group without PCS, those in the only parent-child separation in childhood( OR =1.43, 95% CI =1.06-1.94), only child separation ( OR =1.82, 95% CI =1.22-2.71), and intergenerational continuity of PCS ( OR =2.33, 95% CI =1.68-3.24) exhibited higher allergic disease risk (all P <0.05).
Conclusions
Intergenerational continuity of PCS is related to the increased risk of allergies in preschool children. The multigenerational accumulation of adverse effects from PCS underscores the importance of breaking the cycle of disadvantage across generations.
7.Research progress on the social, psychological and behavioral pathways of cognitive decline induced by tooth loss in the elderly
ZHANG Yudie ; CHEN Ying ; YU Xiaoyun ; WANG Min ; QIAN Ying
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(4):365-368
Tooth loss is a common oral problem, and cognitive decline is a primary manifestation of neurodegenerative diseases in the elderly. Both conditions affect their daily living abilities and quality of life. Studies have shown that tooth loss may negatively impact cognitive function through physiological mechanisms such as neural pathways and inflammatory factors, and social, psychological and behavioral factors are identified as important modifiable elements for preventing cognitive decline. This review examined literature about tooth loss and cognitive decline in the elderly, and explored the potential pathways of social, psychological and behavioral factors between these two conditions. The findings indicated that tooth loss may increase the risk of cognitive decline through reduced social participation, social isolation and limited social capital, increased chronic stress, depression and negative aging attitudes, as well as altered physical activity patterns, sleep duration and diets. For the elderly with tooth loss, targeted preventive and intervention measures addressing social, psychological and behavioral aspects can be implemented to prevent and delay cognitive decline, thereby improving their quality of life.
8.Real-world characteristics and treatment patterns in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed endometrial cancer.
Aijun YIN ; Dong WANG ; Yanlin LUO ; Ruifang AN ; Shuzhong YAO ; Yufei SHEN ; Li SUN ; Cuirong LEI ; Yan TIAN ; Li WANG ; Dan ZHONG ; Manman XU ; Yuanyuan JIANG ; Min ZHANG ; Binqi ZHANG ; Huirong MAO ; Fengshi DONG ; Yu ZHANG ; Beihua KONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(13):1624-1626
9.Advances in nanocarrier-mediated cancer therapy: Progress in immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
Yue PENG ; Min YU ; Bozhao LI ; Siyu ZHANG ; Jin CHENG ; Feifan WU ; Shuailun DU ; Jinbai MIAO ; Bin HU ; Igor A OLKHOVSKY ; Suping LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(16):1927-1944
Cancer represents a major worldwide disease burden marked by escalating incidence and mortality. While therapeutic advances persist, developing safer and precisely targeted modalities remains imperative. Nanomedicines emerges as a transformative paradigm leveraging distinctive physicochemical properties to achieve tumor-specific drug delivery, controlled release, and tumor microenvironment modulation. By synergizing passive enhanced permeation and retention effect-driven accumulation and active ligand-mediated targeting, nanoplatforms enhance pharmacokinetics, promote tumor microenvironment enrichment, and improve cellular internalization while mitigating systemic toxicity. Despite revolutionizing cancer therapy through enhanced treatment efficacy and reduced adverse effects, translational challenges persist in manufacturing scalability, longterm biosafety, and cost-efficiency. This review systematically analyzes cutting-edge nanoplatforms, including polymeric, lipidic, biomimetic, albumin-based, peptide engineered, DNA origami, and inorganic nanocarriers, while evaluating their strategic advantages and technical limitations across three therapeutic domains: immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. By assessing structure-function correlations and clinical translation barriers, this work establishes mechanistic and translational references to advance oncological nanomedicine development.
Humans
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Neoplasms/radiotherapy*
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Immunotherapy/methods*
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Nanoparticles/chemistry*
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Animals
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Nanomedicine/methods*
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Drug Delivery Systems/methods*
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Drug Carriers/chemistry*
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Radiotherapy/methods*
10.Recent advances in the mechanism of insulin-like growth factor-1-mediated exercise-induced improvement of skeletal muscle atrophy.
Qian WANG ; Yi-Min HE ; Yu-Mo DONG ; Hua-Duo WU ; Yi ZHANG ; Ning JIANG
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(5):969-978
Skeletal muscle atrophy is characterized by a reduction in both the size and quantity of skeletal muscle fibers, resulting in impaired muscle strength and function. It mainly includes disuse muscle atrophy, aging muscle atrophy, denervated muscle atrophy and muscle atrophy caused by disease etc. As a cost-effective way, exercise has been widely used in the prevention and treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy, but its mechanism for improving skeletal muscle atrophy remains unclear. Recent studies have indicated that insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) plays an important role in improving muscle atrophy through exercise, in addition to promoting the survival of neurons, lowering blood sugar, and anti-inflammation. This article reviews recent findings on the mechanisms by which IGF-1 mediates exercise-induced improvement in skeletal muscle atrophy, providing a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of this disease.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/physiology*
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Muscular Atrophy/therapy*
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Humans
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Exercise/physiology*
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Muscle, Skeletal
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Animals
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Insulin-Like Peptides


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