1.Skeleton Binding Protein 1 of Plasmodium berghei Influences Deformability and Cytoskeletal Ultrastructure of Infected Erythrocyte
Xin-Yue GUO ; Huan-Qi ZHAO ; Yan-Xuan ZHONG ; Ru-Meng JIANG ; Yao-Xian LI ; Lei-Ting PAN ; Qian WANG ; Xiao-Yu SHI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):1015-1027
ObjectiveThe malaria parasites remodel the host erythrocyte structure by exporting parasite proteins that interact with the membrane skeleton proteins of red blood cells (RBCs), facilitating their intracellular survival and pathogenicity. Skeleton-binding protein 1 (SBP1) is a conserved exported protein across Plasmodium species. In Plasmodium falciparum, SBP1 has been reported to interact with erythrocyte membrane skeleton proteins 4.1R and spectrin, while its contribution to erythrocyte remodeling and parasite virulence in Plasmodium berghei (Pb) remains unclear. This study aims to determine whether PbSBP1 associates with the host cytoskeletal protein 4.1R and to investigate its role in the remodeling of host RBCs and the pathogenicity of Plasmodium berghei. MethodsIn Plasmodium berghei, the relationship between PbSBP1 and the erythrocyte cytoskeletal protein 4.1R was examined using co-immunoprecipitation. A Pbsbp1 gene knockout mutant of Plasmodium berghei (Pbsbp1∆) was generated based on the principle of double crossover homologous recombination. The deformability of erythrocytes infected with Pbsbp1∆ parasites was assessed using microfluidic methods. Microchannels with an array of cylindrical pillars were used to detect modifications in infected RBC deformability. The infected RBCs were squashed between the rows and recovered between the columns and the transit velocity (μm/s) of infected RBCs travelling through the microchannel was recorded. The component of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton junctional complex, tropomodulin (TMOD), was fluorescently labeled, and the cytoskeletal network of infected erythrocytes was imaged using super-resolution stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) to analyze ultrastructural changes in the cytoskeleton of wild-type (WT) and Pbsbp1∆-infected erythrocytes. Actin-based junctional complexes were displayed as individual clusters by the labeled TMOD in the STORM images, and the cluster densities and distances between adjacent clusters of infected RBCs were calculated. Additionally, rodent malaria models (BALB/c mice) and experimental cerebral malaria models (C57BL/6 mice) were employed to monitor the growth of Pbsbp1∆ and WT parasites during the intraerythrocytic stage and their capacity to induce cerebral malaria in mice. ResultsPbSBP1 may participate in the remodeling of infected erythrocytes through direct or indirect interaction with the erythrocyte cytoskeletal protein 4.1R. Microfluidic assays revealed that the deformability of erythrocytes infected with Pbsbp1∆ parasites was significantly enhanced compared to those infected with WT parasites. STORM imaging further demonstrated that the ultrastructure of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton in Pbsbp1∆-infected cells was altered relative to that in WT-infected erythrocytes. The distances between nearest neighbors of clusters had a tendency to increase while the cluster densities were decreased in Pbsbp1∆-infected RBCs compared to WT-infected RBCs. Subsequent phenotypic analysis indicated that the growth rate of Pbsbp1∆ parasites during the intraerythrocytic stage was significantly slower than that of WT parasites, and their ability to induce cerebral malaria in mice was also attenuated. These findings suggest that PbSBP1 is involved in the remodeling of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton, likely through its direct or indirect interaction with protein 4.1R, thereby regulating the deformability of infected erythrocytes and influencing the pathogenicity of the blood-stage parasites. ConclusionThis study establishes a role for PbSBP1 in host erythrocyte remodeling and parasite virulence, providing new research strategies for the prevention and treatment of malaria.
2.Expert recommendations on vision friendly built environments for myopia prevention and control in children and adolescents
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(1):1-5
Abstract
The prevention and control of myopia in Chinese children and adolescents has become a major public health issue. While maintaining increased outdoor activity as a cornerstone intervention, there is an urgent need to explore new complementary approaches that can be effectively implemented in both indoor and outdoor settings. In recent years, environmental spatial frequency has gained increasing attention as one of the key environmental factors influencing the development and progression of myopia. Both animal studies and human research have confirmed that indoor environments lacking mid to high spatial frequency components, often characterized as "visually impoverished", can promote axial elongation and myopia through mechanisms such as disruption of retinal neural signaling, impaired accommodative function, and altered expression of related molecules. Based on the scientific consensus, it is recommended that "enriching of environmental spatial frequency" should be integrated into the myopia prevention and control framework. Following the principles of schoolled organization, family cooperation, community involvement, and student participation, specific measures are put forward in three areas:optimizing school visual settings, improving home spatial environments, and promoting healthy visual behavior. The aim is to create "visually friendly" indoor environments as an important supplement to outdoor activity, thereby providing a novel perspective and strategy for comprehensively advancing myopia prevention and control among children and adolescents.
3.Occupational fatigue and influencing factors of live-line power distribution workers
Ruijian PAN ; Conghan LIU ; Xin LU ; Chu CHEN ; Min LI ; Lei LIU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(2):196-200
Background Fatigue among distribution network live-line workers in complex operational environments has become increasingly severe and requires widespread attention. Objective To investigate the positive rates of fatigue and associated influencing factors of live-line power distribution workers, and to make a reasonable strategy to reduce the fatigue of front-line workers. Methods Power supply companies in Guangdong, Guangxi, and Yunnan provinces were selected by cluster sampling in 2023, and all front-line live-line workers in the selected companies were recruited. The questionnaire used in this study consisted of two parts: one was the Fatigue Scale-14 (FS-14) for investigating fatigue status and the other was for associated influencing factors. A FS-14 score greater than 3 points was defined as fatigue.
4.Research advances in screening methods for pancreatic lipase inhibitors
Xinyi ZHANG ; Xiaoyu WU ; Zihao TAO ; Shuchang WEI ; Lei ZHAO ; Wenda DUAN ; Yanlong PAN ; Abuduaini Dilinigaer ; Yinyun MA
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2026;57(2):163-171
Obesity and its related metabolic diseases have become a major global public health threat, and its rising incidence significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes and other complications. Pancreatic lipase is a key enzyme that converts food-borne lipids into triglycerides and fatty acids, and the effective inhibition of its activity has become an important strategy for the treatment of obesity. This paper discusses the screening methods of pancreatic lipase inhibitors, and summarizes and reviews the basic principles, advantages and disadvantages and application status of traditional screening methods, modern new screening methods and virtual screening methods. In view of the problems faced by the screening methods of pancreatic lipase inhibitors, future research urgently needs to move towards a collaborative innovation path of multi-technology integration, intelligent screening and complex systematization of traditional Chinese medicine, so as to open up new research paradigms.
5.Relationship between psychological abuse and neglect and suicidal ideation in left-behind adolescents: the mediating role of negative affect and the moderating role of different stages of adolescence
Lu PAN ; Yuhang WU ; Yuqin SONG ; Cen LIN ; Yu CEN ; Jiarui SHAO ; Cailin XIE ; Mengqin DAI ; Qiuyue FAN ; Lei TANG ; Jiaming LUO
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(4):374-380
BackgroundPrevious studies have identified a close relationship among psychological neglect and abuse, negative affect, different stages of adolescence, and suicidal ideation. However, the mechanisms underlying the impact of psychological abuse and neglect on suicidal ideation among left-behind adolescents remain unclear, and this field of research is still in its relative infancy. ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between psychological neglect/abuse and suicidal ideation among left-behind adolescents, as well as the mediating role of negative affect and the moderating effect of different stages of adolescence, so as to provide insights for preventing and intervening suicidal ideation in this population. MethodsFrom November 2021 to May 2022, a cluster random sampling technique was utilized to select 2 309 left-behind adolescents in western China. Assessments were conducted using the Child Psychological Abuse and Neglect Scale (CPANS), the Positive and Negative Suicide Ideation (PANSI) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children (PANAS-C). Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated across all samples, and Process 4.1 was employed to test the mediating role of negative affect and the moderating role of different stages of adolescence in the pathway linking psychological abuse/neglect to suicidal ideation. ResultsA total of 2 119 left-behind adolescents (mean age: 14.94±1.20 years) completed the study, with males comprising 51.34% (1 088/2 119) and females 48.66% (1 031/2 119).Among left-behind adolescents, scores on CPANS psychological neglect subscale showed positive correlations with both psychological abuse subscale scores and PANAS-C negative affect subscale scores (r=0.446, 0.496, P<0.01). Additionally, CPANS psychological neglect and psychological abuse subscale scores were also positively correlated with PANSI scores (r=0.487, 0.508, P<0.01). Furthermore, PANAS-C negative affect subscale scores demonstrated a positive correlation with PANSI scores (r=0.499, P<0.01). Negative affect partially mediated the relationship between psychological abuse/psychological neglect and suicidal ideation, with effect sizes of 0.166 (95% CI: 0.141~0.191) and 0.131 (95% CI: 0.112~0.152). Different stages of adolescence moderated the latter part (negative emotion → suicidal ideation) of the indirect mediation path from psychological neglect to suicidal ideation through negative affect (β=-0.066, P<0.01). ConclusionBoth psychological neglect and psychological abuse may influence suicidal ideation among left-behind adolescents via negative affect. Moreover, different stages of adolescence may moderate the indirect path from psychological neglect to suicide ideation through negative affect.
6.Exploration of Mechanism of Huanglian Zhimutang in Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Based on PI3K/Akt Pathway
Lei WANG ; Yun PAN ; Lihua WAN ; Wenling TU ; Lingyong CAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):168-177
ObjectiveBased on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway, the effects of Huanglian Zhimutang on glucose and lipid metabolism disorders and hepatic insulin resistance (IR) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were investigated. MethodsGoto-Kakizaki (GK) rats were fed a high-fat diet to induce a T2DM rat model and then randomly divided into four groups: normal control group, model control group, metformin group (0.10 g·kg-1), and Huanglian Zhimutang group (3.60 g·kg-1), with eight rats in each group. Drug intervention was administered continuously for 8 weeks. Serum and liver tissues were collected from each group. Fasting insulin (FINS) levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index was calculated. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Liver tissue pathology was observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were detected using ELISA. Network pharmacology and transcriptomics sequencing were combined to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in liver tissue from the normal control group, model control group, and Huanglian Zhimutang group. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was performed to identify pathways affected by Huanglian Zhimutang intervention in T2DM. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to assess the mRNA expression of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), PI3K, Akt, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in liver tissue, while Western blot was used to evaluate corresponding protein expression levels. ResultsAfter 8 weeks of Huanglian Zhimutang intervention, typical symptoms of T2DM rats such as polydipsia, polyphagia, and polyuria were significantly alleviated, along with reductions in fasting blood glucose levels and insulin resistance(P<0.01). Histopathological results revealed that Huanglian Zhimutang effectively improved hepatic steatosis and inflammatory edema and reduced lipid vacuole formation. Biochemical tests demonstrated that Huanglian Zhimutang significantly reduced serum levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C(P<0.01). ELISA results showed that Huanglian Zhimutang effectively decreased serum concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α(P<0.05,P<0.01). Combined network pharmacology predictions with KEGG pathway analysis of transcriptomics showed that DEGs between the Huanglian Zhimutang and model control groups were significantly enriched in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Real-time PCR and Western blot results confirmed that Huanglian Zhimutang upregulated the expression of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway-related mRNAs and proteins in liver tissue(P<0.05,P<0.01), thereby reducing inflammation, alleviating hepatic lipid accumulation, and enhancing insulin sensitivity. ConclusionHuanglian Zhimutang effectively ameliorates glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in T2DM rats. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway, which reduces inflammation and hepatic lipid deposition and relieves hepatic insulin resistance.
7.Exploration of Mechanism of Huanglian Zhimutang in Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Based on PI3K/Akt Pathway
Lei WANG ; Yun PAN ; Lihua WAN ; Wenling TU ; Lingyong CAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):168-177
ObjectiveBased on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway, the effects of Huanglian Zhimutang on glucose and lipid metabolism disorders and hepatic insulin resistance (IR) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were investigated. MethodsGoto-Kakizaki (GK) rats were fed a high-fat diet to induce a T2DM rat model and then randomly divided into four groups: normal control group, model control group, metformin group (0.10 g·kg-1), and Huanglian Zhimutang group (3.60 g·kg-1), with eight rats in each group. Drug intervention was administered continuously for 8 weeks. Serum and liver tissues were collected from each group. Fasting insulin (FINS) levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index was calculated. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Liver tissue pathology was observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were detected using ELISA. Network pharmacology and transcriptomics sequencing were combined to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in liver tissue from the normal control group, model control group, and Huanglian Zhimutang group. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was performed to identify pathways affected by Huanglian Zhimutang intervention in T2DM. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to assess the mRNA expression of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), PI3K, Akt, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in liver tissue, while Western blot was used to evaluate corresponding protein expression levels. ResultsAfter 8 weeks of Huanglian Zhimutang intervention, typical symptoms of T2DM rats such as polydipsia, polyphagia, and polyuria were significantly alleviated, along with reductions in fasting blood glucose levels and insulin resistance(P<0.01). Histopathological results revealed that Huanglian Zhimutang effectively improved hepatic steatosis and inflammatory edema and reduced lipid vacuole formation. Biochemical tests demonstrated that Huanglian Zhimutang significantly reduced serum levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C(P<0.01). ELISA results showed that Huanglian Zhimutang effectively decreased serum concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α(P<0.05,P<0.01). Combined network pharmacology predictions with KEGG pathway analysis of transcriptomics showed that DEGs between the Huanglian Zhimutang and model control groups were significantly enriched in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Real-time PCR and Western blot results confirmed that Huanglian Zhimutang upregulated the expression of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway-related mRNAs and proteins in liver tissue(P<0.05,P<0.01), thereby reducing inflammation, alleviating hepatic lipid accumulation, and enhancing insulin sensitivity. ConclusionHuanglian Zhimutang effectively ameliorates glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in T2DM rats. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway, which reduces inflammation and hepatic lipid deposition and relieves hepatic insulin resistance.
8.A clinical study on the effectiveness of feedforward control mode on improving occupational burnout among operating room nurses
Ru GU ; Liyan ZHAO ; Qianru WANG ; Hong ZHANG ; Dan LEI ; Yang YAO ; Pan LIU ; Jinzhu SUN ; Na LI
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(10):1373-1378
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of feedforward control mode on improving occupational burnout among operating room nurses through theoretical research and clinical practice, with a view to promoting their physical and mental health and enhancing the quality of surgical nursing. MethodsA total of 440 operating room nurses from different regions, scales, and nursing experiences in Shaanxi Province from November 2023 to December 2023 were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 220 nurses in each group. While the control group received routine intervention measures, the experimental group introduced a feedforward control mode based on the control group, with “emotional exhaustion,” “depersonalization,”and“personal achievement” as observation indicators. ResultsThe incidence of occupational burnout in the experimental group was 11.4%, while that in the control group was 20.0%. The experimental group showed a significantly lower incidence than the control group (P=0.013). ConclusionThe feedforward control mode can significantly alleviate nurses’ sense of job burnout, promote the improvement of surgical nursing quality, as well as continuously improve the scientific rigor, advancement, and humanistic nature of nursing services, which is conducive to building a harmonious and efficient nursing team. The spirit of teamwork, reflected in mutual support, mutual trust, and joint efforts for surgical success and patient health, has become an important component of nurses’ professional ethics.
9.Effect of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula on hippocampal H3K18la modification in a rat model of diabetes mellitus complicated with depression and prediction of related regulatory genes
Hui YANG ; Wei LI ; Shihui LEI ; Jinxi WANG ; Zhuo LIU ; Pan MENG ; Lin LIU ; Fan JIANG ; Yuhong WANG
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(6):791-801
Objective:
To investigate the effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula (ZGJTJYF) on histone H3 lysine 18 lactylation (H3K18la) in the hippocampus of rats with diabetes mellitus complicated with depression (DD) and predict the regulatory genes of H3K18la.
Methods:
Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control, model, and positive drug (metformin [0.18 g/kg] and fluoxetine [1.8 mg/kg]) groups, and the three groups were treated with high, medium, and low ZGJTJYF doses (20.52, 10.26, and 5.13 g/kg, respectively), with 10 rats per group. After treatment, the forced swimming and water maze tests were performed to assess depressive-like behaviors and cognitive function. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure blood insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, lactate levels, and lactate content in the hippocampus. Western blotting was used to detect H3K18la expression in the hippocampus. Cleavage Under Targets and lagmentation(CUT&Tag) experiments targeted hippocampal H3K18la epigenetic modification regions to analyze the transcription factors bound by H3K18la. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Protein-Protein Interaction networks were constructed to identify key pathways and target genes regulated by H3K18la.
Results:
Compared with the normal group, the model group rats showed prolonged immobility time in the forced swim test, increased escape latency in the water maze experiment, decreased target quadrant distance ratio (P<0.01), increased serum lactate content, and decreased lactate content in hippocampal homogenate (P<0.01), as well as decreased H3K18la protein expression in the hippocampus (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, ZGJTJYF reduced the immobility time in the forced swim test and the escape latency in the water maze test (P<0.01), while the distance ratio in the target quadrant increased (P<0.01) in model rats. Lowered fasting blood glucose, insulin, and glycosylated hemoglobin levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) were also observed. ZGJTJYF also increased the lactate content and H3K18la protein expression in hippocampal homogenate (P<0.05, P<0.01). The DNA sequences bound by H3K18la were predominantly enriched at the transcription start sites. ZGJTJYF modulated H3K18la-associated pathways, including cell adhesion junctions, tumor growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling, stem cell pluripotency regulation, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathway, and insulin resistance, leading to the identification of 12 target genes.
Conclusion
ZGJTJYF enhances hippocampal lactate levels and H3K18la modification in DD rats, which may regulate neural cell interactions, neurogenic stem cell function, TGF-β signaling, MAPK signaling, and insulin resistance pathways.
10.Epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal clustering analysis of varicella in Lu'an City in 2005 - 2023
Huan ZHANG ; Bingxin MA ; Yafei CHEN ; Yao WANG ; Fan PAN ; Lei ZHANG ; Kai CHENG ; Ling SHAO ; Wei QIN
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(6):58-61
Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal clustering of varicella in Lu'an City from 2005 to 2023, and to provide a scientific basis for optimizing varicella prevention and control strategies. Methods Data on varicella cases were collected through the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Information System. Descriptive epidemiology, temporal trend analysis, seasonal analysis, spatiotemporal clustering analysis, and spatial autocorrelation analysis were conducted using QGIS, JoinPoint, SaTScan and GeoDa software. Results The average annual reported incidence rate of varicella in Lu'an City from 2005 to 2023 was 34.55/100,000, showing a trend of initial increase followed by a decrease. The peak incidence occurred from October to January of the following year (RR=1.97, LLR=1743.95, P=0.001). Students aged 0 to 19 was the primary affected group. Spatiotemporal scan analysis revealed four types of spatiotemporal clusters, with the cluster in Jin'an District from October 2017 to December 2023 being particularly prominent (RR=2.87,LLR=1734.15,P<0.001). Spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated significant clustering of varicella cases in the main urban area (Moran's I=0.216,Z=4.786,P=0.003). Conclusion The incidence of varicella in Lu'an City exhibits distinct seasonal and spatial clustering, and schools and kindergartens in the main urban area are the key to varicella prevention and control. It is necessary to enhance the monitoring of disease outbreaks during peak periods and in key areas, and to increase the two-dose vaccination rate for varicella in areas with case aggregation and among key populations.


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