1.Activation of the Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)ergic Neural Circuit in Salicylate-Induced Tinnitus: the Inferior Colliculus to the Medial Geniculate Body
Xu-Yuan PENG ; Jiang WANG ; Ming-Yue GONG ; Li-Yuan ZHANG ; Min ZHANG ; Zhi-Bin CHEN ; Zheng-Quan TANG ; Lei CHENG
Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology 2026;19(1):55-69
Objectives:
. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory functions of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neural circuits from the inferior colliculus (IC) to the medial geniculate body (MGB) in salicylate-induced tinnitus.
Methods:
. Mice were treated with salicylate to induce tinnitus, and tinnitus-like behaviors were evaluated via gap prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle. Using combined viral tracing methodologies, we identified and mapped the pathways and connections from the IC to the MGB. Furthermore, we employed Gq-coupled human M3 designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) and Gi-coupled human M4 DREADDs to achieve targeted excitation or suppression of GABAergic neurons in the IC and MGB. Following the administration of clozapine N-oxide, which binds to these receptors, we modulated these neural circuits to assess their impact on tinnitus severity in a mouse model.
Results:
. Our findings demonstrated that mice exposed to salicylate exhibited tinnitus-like behaviors. GABAergic neurons projecting retrogradely from the MGB to the IC were primarily concentrated in the external nucleus of the IC. After clozapine N-oxide administration, chemogenetic activation of IC-MGB GABAergic neurons aggravated salicylate-induced tinnitus. Additionally, activation of GABAergic neurons between the IC and MGB induced the perception of tinnitus even without salicylate. However, chemogenetic inhibition of the IC-MGB GABAergic circuit did not reverse salicylate-induced tinnitus.
Conclusion
. These findings suggest that activation of the IC-MGB GABAergic neural circuit may contribute to tinnitus generation through a mechanism distinct from that of salicylate-induced tinnitus. This study provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying tinnitus.
2.Engineered Bacteriophages for The Treatment of Multidrug-resistant Bacterial Infections
Yu-Ying CHEN ; Chun-Mei HUANG ; Jin-Zhi PAN ; De-Liang LIU ; Yang ZHOU ; Gui-Qin DAI ; Peng-Fei ZHAO ; Hong-Zhou LU ; Ming-Bin ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1581-1596
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections have emerged as a serious challenge of global public health crisis. The overuse and misuse of conventional antibiotics have dramatically accelerated the emergence, evolution and worldwide spread of drug-resistant bacterial strains, necessitating urgent exploration of novel antibacterial strategies. Bacteriophages serve as natural bacterial predators offering distinct advantages including high host specificity, autonomous self-replication capabilities and cost-effective large-scale production. However, wild-type phages present significant clinical limitations due to their narrow host ranges, susceptibility to rapid immune clearance and poor penetration of bacterial biofilms, which severely restrict their therapeutic applications. The convergence of synthetic biology, nanotechnology and advanced gene editing technologies has accelerated the development of engineered bacteriophage platforms, providing programmable, scalable and clinically translatable pathways to overcome these inherent biological constraints. Here, we systematically delineate four fundamental strategies for engineered bacteriophage development. Chemical modification utilizes reactive functional groups such as amino, carboxyl and thiol moieties on capsid proteins through esterification, amidation or click chemistry reactions to achieve precise drug conjugation and surface functionalization. In vivo editing encompasses ultraviolet or chemical mutagenesis for random mutation induction, homologous recombination for targeted genetic alterations, recombineering methodologies including electroporation-mediated bacteriophage recombination engineering, and CRISPR-Cas systems for precise genome editing to enable exact genetic reconstruction and host range reprogramming. In vitro synthesis leverages genome engineering platforms where intact phage genomes are transferred into yeast or host bacteria to facilitate highly efficient homologous recombination, enabling large DNA fragment assembly and cross-gene host range expansion without bacterial toxicity constraints. Directed evolution combines artificial selection through mutation library screening with rational design approaches involving chimeric receptor binding protein construction or site-specific mutagenesis, effectively balancing the discovery of unknown adaptive pathways with targeted host specificity modification. Moreover, we comprehensively discuss therapeutic applications across diverse clinical scenarios. Engineered bacteriophage effectively disrupt bacterial biofilms through sophisticated functionalized delivery platforms including nanozyme-conjugated phages, phage-liposome nanoconjugates and bio-responsive hydrogels, demonstrating significantly enhanced bactericidal efficiency compared to unmodified free phages. These bioengineered vectors attenuate bacterial virulence and resensitize pathogens to antibiotics by delivering CRISPR-Cas systems or base editors to disrupt critical virulence factors such as pili, capsule synthesis machineries and quorum sensing systems, or by inactivating antibiotic resistance determinants including beta-lactamase genes. As an intelligent nanomedicine delivery platform, engineered bacteriophage enable precise pathogen elimination an through photocatalytic reactive oxygen species generation, immunomodulatory interventions, or controlled release of antibacterial drugs. Furthermore, oral administration of engineered bacteriophage facilitates microbiota modulation, which selectively eliminate intestinal pathogens while preserve beneficial commensal microbiota, thereby restoring microbial community balance and preventing complications associated with dysbiosis. Finally, we critically analyze persistent challenges including host strain matching complexity, evolution of bacterial resistance mechanisms, pharmacokinetic optimization requirements, optimal administration route selection, large-scale production quality control standards and clinical dosing determination protocols. Through multidisciplinary integration of synthetic biology, infectious disease medicine and immunology, future translational medicine studies of bacteriophage should establish comprehensive technical platforms encompassing rapid phage screening, intelligent rational design, rigorous in vivo evaluation and standardized clinical validation processes, ultimately advancing engineered bacteriophage from laboratory innovations to clinically approved therapeutics for effectively combating MDR bacterial infections.
3.Research progress on immune cells in cold ischemia-reperfusion injury of renal allografts
Kangyu LIU ; Zikai FANG ; Chengcheng YANG ; Jixian LIU ; Junjie ZHANG ; Zongyao FAN ; Bin NI ; Ming ZHENG ; Baixin SHEN
Journal of Modern Urology 2026;31(6):580-585
Cold ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) is a major contributor to delayed graft function and long-term graft failure after kidney transplantation.Its pathogenesis involves multiple mechanisms, including energy metabolism disorders, oxidative stress and sterile inflammatory responses.Increasing evidence indicates that immune cells play a central regulatory role in the initiation and progression of CIRI.Damage-associated molecular patterns released during cold ischemia and reperfusion activate innate immunity, leading to the rapid recruitment of neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells and amplification of inflammatory cascades.Subsequently, adaptive immune cells, including T cells and B cells, are activated and further contribute to sustained inflammation, disruption of immune tolerance and graft injury.Through cytokine signaling, chemokine-mediated recruitment and antigen presentation, different immune cell subsets form a complex interactive network that ultimately determines the severity and outcome of CIRI.This review summarizes the roles and mechanisms of innate and adaptive immune cells in renal allograft CIRI, highlights their interconnections, and discusses emerging immune cell-targeted therapeutic strategies, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for improving clinical outcomes in kidney transplantation.
4.Efficacy and safety of Compound Xuanju Capsules combined with Western medicine in the treatment of type Ш prostatitis with erectile dysfunction: A meta analysis.
Bin WANG ; Hao-Cheng LIN ; Yong-Zheng JIAO ; Jin-Ming JIA ; Wei-Guo MA
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(1):61-68
OBJECTIVE:
To systematically evaluate the effect and safety of the combination of Compound Xuanju Capsules (CXC) and Western medicine (WM) in the treatment of type Ш prostatitis complicated by ED.
METHODS:
We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCT) on the treatment of type Ш prostatitis complicated by ED with CXC+WM or WM in the Chinese and English databases CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Digital, Duxiu Academic Search and Chaoxing Electronic Book Information Retrieval, Fangzheng Apabi Electronic Book, Google Scholar Search, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and others from their establishment to April 2024. According to the Cochrane Handbook requirement, we subjected the identified RCTs to meta-analysis using the RevMan 5.3 software.
RESULTS:
A total of 16 eligible studies were identified, involving 742 cases treated by combination therapy of CXC+WM and another 742 with WM alone. The results of meta-analysis showed that the rate of clinical effectiveness was dramatically higher in the CXC+WM than in the WM group (P<0.01, MD = 6.19, 95% CI: 4.63-8.28), and so were the IIEF-5 scores (P < 0.004, MD = 2.90, 95% CI: 0.90-4.89), while the quality of life (QOL) scores were significantly lower in the former group than in the latter (P<0.01, MD = -1.94, 95% CI: -2.47--1.40), and so were the NIH-CPSI scores (P<0.01, MD = -3.92, 95% CI: -4.94--2.91). No statistically significant difference was reported in the adverse reactions between the two groups (P = 0.12, MD = 0.03, 95% CI: -0.01-0.08). Publication bias analysis on the effectiveness rate of the results revealed an incomplete symmetry between the two sides of the funnel plot, indicating the possibility of publication biases.
CONCLUSION
The combination therapy of CXC+WM is superior to WM alone in the treatment of type Ш prostatitis complicated by ED for its high safety and effect of improving the patients' erectile function, but inferior to the latter in improving the QOL and NIH-CPSI scores of the patients.
Male
;
Humans
;
Prostatitis/complications*
;
Erectile Dysfunction/complications*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Capsules
;
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
;
Drug Therapy, Combination
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Quality of Life
;
Phytotherapy
5.Current status,hotspots and prospects of research on liver failure caused by viral hepatitis:a bibliometric and visualization-based analysis
Xiang-yu QIN ; Bing CAO ; Ji-bin XIN ; Li-jun WU ; Jian-ming ZHENG ; Jun YING
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(2):180-189
Objective To conduct a bibliometric analysis of relevant literature on liver failure caused by viral hepatitis from the past five years,and to help researchers understand the current status and hotspots in this field,and to provide insights into future research trends.Methods Based on the Science Citation Index Expanded(SCI-Expanded)data from Web of Science Core Collection,visualization analysis and mapping were conducted through VOSviewer and CiteSpace software to generate visual representations of international research collaboration networks,keyword co-occurrence clustering,and keyword bursts.Results From 2019 to 2023,a total of 873 relevant literature were included,with a total citation frequency of 7 364 and an average citation frequency of 8.44.Among them,China had the highest number of publications(458 articles,52.46%)and had the most cooperation with the United States.The research hotspots of viral hepatitis induced liver failure were mainly divided into three categories:basic and clinical research on liver failure caused by non-hepatitis B virus(HBV),the pathogenesis of HBV related liver failure,and treatment and prediction models of liver failure.The keyword time overlay map and burst map showed that the research hotspots had gradually shifted from the prevention and control of new infections to the treatment and prognosis assessment of patients with chronic infection.Conclusion China is a major international research entity in liver failure caused by viral hepatitis and actively participates in international scientific collaborations.The research hotspots on liver failure caused by viral hepatitis have gradually shifted from preventing viral hepatitis infections and expanding treatment options to the treatment of chronic infection patients and prognostic prediction.
6.TRACKING EVALUATION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF"DIAGNOSIS OF ASCARIASIS"(WS/T 565-2017)IN ANHUI AND SICHUAN PROVINCES
Wei JIN ; Dao-Hua LIU ; Yang LIU ; Xiao-Hong WU ; Cheng-Hang YU ; Bin ZHENG ; Guang-Ming ZHANG ; Zhi-Guo CAO
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2025;32(2):73-77,111
Objective To understand the implementation status of"Diagnosis of Ascariasis"(WS/T 565-2017)and provide a scientific basis for promoting,revising,and improving the Standard.Methods Using the convenient sampling method,the investigation targeted professional and technical personnel at the provincial,city,county,and township levels engaged in parasitic disease prevention,control,or diagnosis and treatment in Anhui and Sichuan provinces.No less than 150 individuals were included in each province.The implementation survey of Diagnosis of Ascariasis(WS/T 565-2017)was conducted by the subjects completing a questionnaire by themselves.Results The response rate to the questionnaire was 91.90%(386/420).The awareness and utilization rates of the Standard were 81.87%and 49.22%,respectively and both increased with age(χ2 trend=7.977 and 19.016,respectively,P<0.01).Respondents with college degrees(90.72%)had a higher awareness rate(χ2=8.619,P<0.05).In terms of utilization rate,males(58.38%),those with college degrees(67.01%),staff members of provincial-level units(77.78%),and personnel in medical institutions(71.43%)had higher utilization rates(χ2=13.486,17.166,8.426,and 5.956,respectively,all P<0.05).The survey indicated that 57.77%of the work units of respondents have conducted promotional activities,and 53.89%of the work units of respondents have sent personnel to participate in training.Moreover,this proportion tended to increase as the unit level decreased(χ2 trend=9.403 and 14.729,P<0.01).The level of participation in publicity and training by medical institutions(89.29%)was significantly higher than that of disease control institutions(55.31%and 51.12%,respectively,χ2=12.290 and 15.225,P<0.01).Furthermore,training participation is a crucial factor in enhancing awareness rates.A total of 368 respondents(95.34%)reported that their work units have conducted testing for ascariasis.Additionally,378 individuals(97.92%)believe that the Standard is"applicable"or"basically applicable,"while 369(95.60%)felt that no revisions were needed.Conclusions The results indicated that"Diagnosis of Ascariasis"(WS/T 565-2017)remains applicable to the diagnostic needs of ascariasis and it is recommended to strengthen its promotion and implementation.
7.The effect of glutamine-enriched parenteral nutrition on short-term outcomes after surgery in patients with colorectal cancer
Ji-Wei WANG ; Yong HUANG ; Tao ZHANG ; Mai-Jian WANG ; Xin-Bin ZHENG ; Ming XIE
Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition 2025;32(1):7-14
Objective:To evaluate the effects of glutamine-enriched parenteral nutrition on short-term postoperative outcomes compared with conventional nutritional support in colorectal cancer patients with enteral nutrition intolerance after surgery.Method:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to collect clinical data from colorectal cancer patients who underwent radical resection at the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery of Zunyi Medical University Affiliated Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021.The differences in postoperative complication rates,perioperative nutritional indicators,and inflammatory factors between the two groups were analyzed.SPSS 29.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Result:Based on whether glutamine was added to parenteral nutrition,178 patients were divided into a control group(conventional nutritional therapy,n=120)and an observation group(glutamine enhanced nutritional therapy,n=58).The incidence of postoperative complications(Clavien Dindo grade≥III)in the control and observation groups was 14.17%(17/120)and 3.45%(2/58),respectively,with a statistically significant difference(P=0.030).The observation group recovered faster than the control group in terms of time to first expectoration,defecation and intake of liquid diet after surgery,and had a shorter hospital stay after surgery(P<0.05).However,there was no significant difference in the 30-day readmission rate between the two groups(P=0.393).There was no statistically significant difference in the changes in total protein,albumin,pre-albumin,neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and endogenous creatinine clearance rate between the two groups of patients after surgery(P>0.05).There were also significant differences in the changes in lymphocyte count,white blood cell count,neutrophil percentage,alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,total bilirubin,and urea nitrogen levels between the two groups of patients after surgery(P<0.05).Conclusion:Compared with regular nutritional support,postoperative parenteral glutamine supplementation can reduce the incidence of postoperative complications in colorectal cancer patients,promote recovery of bowel function,shorten postoperative hospital stay,improve patient immune function and reduce inflammatory levels.
8.Current status,hotspots and prospects of research on liver failure caused by viral hepatitis:a bibliometric and visualization-based analysis
Xiang-yu QIN ; Bing CAO ; Ji-bin XIN ; Li-jun WU ; Jian-ming ZHENG ; Jun YING
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(2):180-189
Objective To conduct a bibliometric analysis of relevant literature on liver failure caused by viral hepatitis from the past five years,and to help researchers understand the current status and hotspots in this field,and to provide insights into future research trends.Methods Based on the Science Citation Index Expanded(SCI-Expanded)data from Web of Science Core Collection,visualization analysis and mapping were conducted through VOSviewer and CiteSpace software to generate visual representations of international research collaboration networks,keyword co-occurrence clustering,and keyword bursts.Results From 2019 to 2023,a total of 873 relevant literature were included,with a total citation frequency of 7 364 and an average citation frequency of 8.44.Among them,China had the highest number of publications(458 articles,52.46%)and had the most cooperation with the United States.The research hotspots of viral hepatitis induced liver failure were mainly divided into three categories:basic and clinical research on liver failure caused by non-hepatitis B virus(HBV),the pathogenesis of HBV related liver failure,and treatment and prediction models of liver failure.The keyword time overlay map and burst map showed that the research hotspots had gradually shifted from the prevention and control of new infections to the treatment and prognosis assessment of patients with chronic infection.Conclusion China is a major international research entity in liver failure caused by viral hepatitis and actively participates in international scientific collaborations.The research hotspots on liver failure caused by viral hepatitis have gradually shifted from preventing viral hepatitis infections and expanding treatment options to the treatment of chronic infection patients and prognostic prediction.
10.NMDA receptors in prelimbic cortex neurons projecting to paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus are associated with morphine withdrawal memory retrieval.
Chen-Shan CHU ; Ya-Xian WEN ; Qian-Ru SHEN ; Bin LAI ; Ming CHEN ; Ping ZHENG
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2024;76(6):917-926
At present, the problem of drug addiction treatment mainly lies in the high relapse rate of drug addicts. Addictive drugs will bring users a strong sense of euphoria and promote drug seeking. Once the drug is withdrawn, there will be withdrawal symptoms such as strong negative emotions and uncomfortable physical reactions. The recurrence of context-induced withdrawal memory is an important reason for drug relapse. Our previous study has shown increased c-Fos expression in prelimbic cortex (PrL) neurons projecting to paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) (PrL-PVT) during conditioned context-induced retrieval of morphine withdrawal memory. However, whether PrL-PVT neurons are involved in withdrawal memory retrieval and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we used conditioned place aversion (CPA) model combined with in vivo calcium signal recording, chemogenetics and nucleus drug injection methods to investigate the role and molecular mechanism of PrL-PVT neurons in retrieval of morphine withdrawal memory. The results showed that the calcium signals of PrL-PVT neurons were significantly enhanced by withdrawal-related context; Inhibition of PrL-PVT neurons blocked the conditioned context-induced morphine withdrawal memory retrieval; Activation of PrL-PVT neurons caused animals to escape from the context; After the inhibition of NMDA receptors in the PrL, withdrawal-related context failed to increase c-Fos and Arc expressions in PrL-PVT neurons. The above results suggest that NMDA receptors in PrL-PVT neurons are associated with retrieval of morphine withdrawal memory. This study is of great significance for further understanding the neural circuit mechanism of withdrawal memory retrieval as well as the intervention and prevention of drug relapse.
Animals
;
Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/physiopathology*
;
Morphine/adverse effects*
;
Neurons/physiology*
;
Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Rats
;
Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus/metabolism*
;
Memory
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Morphine Dependence/physiopathology*
;
Midline Thalamic Nuclei/physiology*
;
Neural Pathways/metabolism*

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