1.Olfactory Receptors Expressed in The Intestine and Their Functions
Pei-Wen YANG ; Meng-Meng YUAN ; Ying ZHOU ; Peng LI ; Gui-Hong QI ; Ying YANG ; Zhong-Yi MAO ; Meng-Sha ZHOU ; Xiao-Shuang MAO ; Jian-Ping XIE ; Yi-Nan YANG ; Shi-Hao SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):534-549
Olfactory receptors (ORs) form the largest superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Traditionally recognized for their role in the nasal olfactory epithelium, where they mediate the sense of smell, accumulating evidence has firmly established their ectopic expression in non-olfactory tissues, including the intestine, lungs, and kidneys. The intestine, as the primary site for nutrient digestion and absorption, harbors a highly complex chemical environment. To adapt to this environment, the gut employs a sophisticated network of “chemosensors” to monitor luminal contents and maintain homeostasis. Among these sensors, intestinal ORs have emerged as crucial functional components, serving as a molecular bridge that connects environmental chemical signals—such as food-derived odorants—to specific physiological responses. This discovery has significantly deepened our understanding of how dietary flavors and compounds influence intestinal physiology at the molecular level. This review systematically summarizes the expression profiles, ligand classification, and biological functions of ORs within the gastrointestinal tract. Studies indicate that intestinal ORs exhibit distinct spatial distribution patterns across different gut segments and display cell-type specificity, particularly within enterocytes and enteroendocrine cells. These receptors function as versatile sensors capable of recognizing a wide variety of ligands, including exogenous dietary components, gut microbiota metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, and endogenous small molecules like azelaic acid. Upon activation by specific ligands, intestinal ORs trigger intracellular signaling cascades, primarily involving the AC-cAMP-PKA pathway or calcium influx channels. A major focus of this review is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which these receptors regulate the secretion of gut hormones. Activation of specific ORs in enteroendocrine cells has been shown to stimulate the release of hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and serotonin (5-HT), thereby modulating systemic energy metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and gastrointestinal motility. Furthermore, the review addresses the critical roles of ORs in immune regulation and pathology. Evidence suggests that specific ORs contribute to the maintenance of intestinal immune homeostasis and may offer protection against inflammation. Beyond their involvement in inflammatory responses, ORs such as Olfr78 have been shown to regulate the differentiation and function of intestinal endocrine cells. Similarly, Olfr544 has been demonstrated to alleviate intestinal inflammation by remodeling the gut microbiome and metabolome. These findings collectively suggest that specific ORs hold promise as therapeutic targets for mitigating intestinal inflammation and maintaining gut homeostasis. Additionally, the review explores the emerging role of ORs in cancer. Although OR expression is often downregulated in tumor tissues compared to normal mucosa, activation of specific ORs by certain ligands can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and migration and induce apoptosis via pathways such as MEK/ERK and p38 MAPK. Conversely, other receptors, such as OR7C1, may serve as biomarkers for cancer-initiating cells. In conclusion, intestinal ORs represent a vital component of the gut’s sensory network. The review also discusses the translational potential of these findings. By elucidating the precise pairing relationships between dietary components and specific ORs, novel therapeutic strategies could be developed. Intestinal ORs may thus emerge as promising targets for nutritional and pharmacological interventions in metabolic diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and malignancies.
2.WANG Xixing's Clinical Experience in Treating Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Related Pneumonitis Based on the Theory of "Cough Attributed to the Five Zang (脏) Organs"
Xue QI ; Xi YANG ; Xinyue WANG ; Dongxin ZHANG ; Yuxing MAO ; Yuankun HAN ; Wenbo ZHAI ; Boyang LYU ; Yifang LI ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(5):477-481
This paper summarizes Professor WANG Xixing's clinical experience in treating immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis (CIP) based on the theory of "cough attributed to the five zang (脏) organs". Cough is a common predominant symptom of CIP. According to the theory of "cough attributed to the five zang organs", drug toxicity triggers cancer toxin, leading to disharmony among the five zang organs, and then lung failing to diffuse and govern descent as the core pathogenesis. Therefore, treatment should focus on harmonizing the five zang organs to restore the normal function of lung qi to diffuse and govern descent. In clinical practice, CIP can be classified into four syndrome patterns, including lung yin depletion, deficiency of both the lung and the spleen with phlegm-dampness, liver fire harassing the lung, and lung-kidney yin deficiency. Correspondingly, Chaimai Jinluo Runfei Decoction (柴麦金络润肺汤) is used to nourish yin and moisten the lung; Qigui Peitu Huayin Decoction (芪桂培土化饮汤) is used to fortify the spleen and tonify the lung, resolve dampness and dispel phlegm; Chaidan Shuyu Runjin Decoction (柴丹疏郁润金汤) is used to drain liver and clear the lung; and Dimai Jinshui Xiangsheng Decoction (地脉金水相生汤) is used to nourish the kidney and moisten the lung.
3.Disposal of the first imported case of Zika virus disease in Shanghai
Jixing YANG ; Zhenzhen QI ; Xiaofan REN ; Liang HONG ; Hong YAO ; Shenghua MAO
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(4):270-273
ObjectiveTo describe the disposal process of the first imported case of Zika virus disease in Shanghai, and to provide a reference for the prevention and control of imported infectious diseases in the future. MethodsA retrospective review was conducted of the process by which epidemiological investigation, etiological testing, and case management were performed by the Shanghai municipal-and district-level Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after one imported case of Zika virus disease was identified by Shanghai Customs. ResultsOn April 8th, 2025, customs authority at a certain airport in Shanghai identified a febrile inbound case (case A, female, 40 years old). An antecubital venous blood specimen was obtained and analyzed by nucleic acid testing for various vector-borne pathogens, by which Zika virus nucleic acid was found to be positive. On 9 April, the district CDC collected antecubital venous blood specimens again from Case A and her three accompanying travelers (B, C, and D), and nucleic acid testing was conducted for multiple mosquito-borne infectious diseases. Case A again tested positive for Zika virus nucleic acid, while Traveler D (male, aged 6 years) tested positive for dengue virus nucleic acid. The other two travelers tested negative. Case A and Traveler D were subsequently transferred to a designated district hospital for isolation and treatment. After discharge, both cases left China and returned to their overseas residence. ConclusionCase A was the first imported case of Zika virus disease in Shanghai. For cases with a history of living in endemic areas of multiple infectious diseases such as dengue virus, Zika virus and chikungunya virus, it is necessary to carry out rapid testing of multiple pathogens simultaneously to prevent missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis.
4.Current awareness and optimization recommendations regarding the pneumonia with unknown etiology surveillance system among healthcare professionals in Shanghai
Qiwen FANG ; Chenyan JIANG ; Xin CHEN ; Huanyu WU ; Bihong JIN ; Xiaohuan GONG ; Shenghua MAO ; Qi QIU ; Ruobing HAN ; Huilin SHI ; Wenbin DONG ; Xin HU ; Jian CHEN ; Yaxu ZHENG
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(6):482-487
ObjectiveTo investigate the current awareness and optimization recommendations on pneumonia with unknown etiology (PUE) surveillance among Shanghai healthcare professionals, and to provide evidence for the improvement of the surveillance system. MethodsIn December 2024, healthcare professional participants from diverse medical and health institutions were randomly selected within each stratum using a stratified cluster sampling method in all 16 districts of Shanghai for questionnaire surveys on their knowledge and suggestions for optimization of the PUE surveillance system. Descriptive statistics analyses, multivariate logistic regressions, and content analyses were used for data analyses. ResultsA total of 385 survey subjects were involved in the study, including 119 professional staffs from disease prevention and control centers and 266 from medical institutions. Those who understood the case definition for PUE correctly accounted for 67.01% (258/385). Multivariate regression model analyses showed that female gender (aOR=2.22, 95%CI: 1.36‒3.66), professionals from disease control institutions (aOR=2.02, 95%CI: 1.12‒3.72), and those who self-assessed as being familiar with the monitoring system (aOR=2.18, 95%CI:1.23‒3.89) had better understanding of the definition. Overall, 89.61% (345/385) of the survey subjects acknowledged the necessity of the surveillance system. Small number of cases meeting the case definition (54.46%, 214/379), insufficient diagnostic awareness (39.84%, 151/379), and lack of incentives for case reporting (29.29%, 111/379) were major problems for the current surveillance system, with variations observed across different types of institutions. Suggested segments for optimizing the surveillance system included monitoring purpose, case definition, form of monitoring and reporting procedure, organization mechanism, and epidemiological investigation and response. ConclusionThe necessity of PUE surveillance is commonly recognized among healthcare workers. However, the existing system falls short in terms of mastery of case definition and overall surveillance adaptability. There is an urgent need for optimization and improvement to enhance the capacity for preventing and controlling emerging and sudden respiratory infectious diseases.
5.Garlic active ingredients in prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis
Siyu WU ; Xutao SUN ; Shuo CAO ; Caiyun MAO ; Qi ZHOU ; Yunjia SONG
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(2):249-252
Osteoarthritis(OA)is a common concern over the world.Garlic is a kind of natural herbal medicine,and its active ingredients have shown some anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,anti-catabolic,analgesic and other phar-macological effects.Garlic and its active components alleviate the inflammatory response of OA by inhibiting the ex?pression of inflammatory factors and signal pathways such as NF?κB and PI3K/Akt.They slow down the progression of OA by inhibiting the expression of extracellular matrix(ECM)degrading enzymes.Additionally,they reduce the oxidative damage of joints by upregulating the expression of antioxidant enzymes.Moreover,the active components of garlic can relieve OA pain by activating the potassium ion pathway(Kv7),ATP?sensitive potassium channel(K?ATP),and the nuclear factor erythroid 2?related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1(HO?1)?NAD(P)H:qui?none oxidoreductase 1(NQO1)signaling pathway.
6.Informationized surveillance of central line-associated bloodstream infections in maintenance hemodialysis patients and risk factors
Ziqing GUO ; Menghan ZHAO ; Bing ZHANG ; Qi QI ; Yaoyao MA ; Jinping LIU ; Yiping MAO
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(5):752-757
OBJECTIVE To explore the risk factors for central line-associated bloodstream infection(CLABSI)in the maintenance hemodialysis(MHD)patients based on the informatization surveillance system and establish and verify the risk prediction model so as to provide bases for early identification and prevention of CLABSI.METHODS A total of 300 MHD patients who were treated in hemodialysis center of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from Jan.2020 to Dec.2023 were recruited as the research subjects and were randomly divided into the training set group with 210 cases and the validation set group with 90 cases in a 7∶3 ratio.The risk factors for the CLABSI were analyzed,the prediction model was established and verified.The performance of the model was evaluated by the area under the curve(AUC)of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test.RESULTS Among the 300 MHD patients who were treated with central venous catheters,32 were diagnosed with CLABSI,and the incidence was 0.65 per 1,000 catheter days.Multivari-ate analysis showed that catheter indwelling time,repeated catheterization,previous history of catheter-related in-fection and diabetes mellitus were the risk factors for the CLABSI in the MHD patients(P<0.05).The model based on the logistic regression equation was established as follows:logit(P)=-5.661+0.024 × catheter in-dwelling duration(week)+2.037 × repeated catheterization+1.546 × previous history of catheter-related infec-tion+3.391× diabetes mellitus.ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of the training set was 0.916(95%CI:0.837 to 0.994),with the sensitivity 87.00%,the specificity 86.63%,Youden index 0.736;the AUC of the vali-dation set was 0.797(95%CI:0.632 to 0.962),with the sensitivity 77.78%,the specificity 82.72%,the Youden index 0.605.The model showed excellent discrimination and calibration degree.CONCLUSION The logistic regres-sion equation that is established based on the 4 risk factors,catheter indwelling duration,repeated catheterization,previous history of catheter-related infection and diabetes mellitus,shows remarkable predictive efficiency,and it can provide evidence for clinical screening and prevention of CLABSI.
7.Research progress on affiliate stigma among primary caregivers of children with cancer
Funa YANG ; Yunchu REN ; Yongqi WANG ; Lanwei GUO ; HO Ka YAN ; Qi LIU ; Ting MAO ; Lingye ZHAO ; Xiaoxia XU ; Hongying SHI
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(12):1531-1536,后插1
In recent years,the incidence of childhood cancer has shown a steady upward trend.Due to the unique nature of this disease,the issue of affiliate stigma among primary caregivers of children with cancer has gradually drawn attention.Affiliate stigma not only directly affects caregivers' mental health and quality of life,but also leads to reduced social support and lower self-efficacy,thereby impacting their engagement in the caregiving process and affecting the treatment adherence and prognosis of children with cancer indirectly.This article provides a review covering 5 main areas:the conceptual definition of affiliate stigma,measurement tools,influencing factors,intervention strategies,and insights and recommendations,to provide a theoretical basis and guidance for subsequent research and the development of interventions.
8.Current status of healthcare-associated infection management in 62 prima-ry medical institutions in Jiangsu Province
Menghan ZHAO ; Qi QI ; Ziqing GUO ; Jinping LIU ; Yaoyao MA ; Yiping MAO
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2025;24(4):539-544
Objective To understand the application of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)quality control indi-cators and current status of HAI management in primary medical institutions in Jiangsu Province,and provide refe-rence and basis for primary medical institutions to improve HAI management quality and for health administrative departments to formulate HAI management relevant policies.Methods Data on HAI quality control indicators co-llected by Jiangsu Provincial Primary Healthcare Professional Quality Control Center from the first batch of 62 pri-mary sentinel medical institutions in the province were analyzed.Results of on-site inspections and assessments of 20 institutions were summarized and analyzed.Results From July 2023 to May 2024,a total of 145 814 inpatients were monitored,219 patients had 220 episodes of HAI.The incidence and case incidence of HAI were both 0.15%,and the main HAI site was upper respiratory tract(40.45%).The compliance rate and correct rate of hand hygiene were 81.34%(14.29%-100%)and 87.90%(18.46%-100%),respectively.The removal rate of surface pollu-tant from environmental objects was 77.24%(20.00%-100%),and the qualified rate of cleaning of device,appli-ances,and articles was 98.76%(10.00%-100%).The monitoring data records of quality control indicators in most primary healthcare institutions during on-site inspections didn't match the monthly data reported to the Jiangsu Provincial Primary Healthcare Professional Quality Control Center.Most healthcare workers in primary healthcare institutions lacked sufficient awareness and knowledge in infection prevention and control.Multiple HAI-related safety hazards existed in key departments of most primary medical institutions.Conclusion After nearly a year of continuous monitoring on HAI,the primary sentinel medical institutions have established their own data on the inci-dence of HAI.The compliance rate and correct rate of hand hygiene,as well as the removal rate of surface pollu-tants from environmental objects are still relatively low in some medical medical institutions,and there is much room for improvement.There is still a significant gap in terms of HAI prevention and control in some primary medical in-stitutions when referring to the standards.
9.Effect of forsythigenin on the malignant progression of lung cancer cells by regulating the cAMP/EPAC1/RAP1 signal pathway
Weihua QI ; Guanglei HUANG ; Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Hongying BAN ; Zhaoxu MAO
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(4):343-348
Objective To investigate the effect of forsythigenin on the malignant progression of lung cancer cells by regulating the cyclic adenosine monophosphate/exchange protein directly activated by cAMP1/Ras-associated protein 1(cAMP/EPAC1/RAP1)signaling pathway.Methods Lung cancer cell line A549 was cultured in vitro and grouped into the control group,the low dose forsythigenin group(25 mg/L),the medium dose forsythigenin group(50 mg/L),the high dose forsythigenin group(100 mg/L),the high dose forsythigenin+specific increase in intracellular cAMP content(pertussis toxin PTX)group(100 mg/L forsythigenin+5 μmol/L PTX)and high dose forsythigenin+EPAC1 antagonist(ESI-09)group(100 mg/L forsythigenin+1.5 μmol/L ESI-09).CCK-8 experiment was applied to detect cell proliferation.Scratch test was applied to detect cell migration.Flow cytometry was applied to detect cell apoptosis.Transwell was applied to detect cell invasion.ELISA method was applied to detect cAMP level in cell supernatant.Western blot assay was applied to detect expression levels of cAMP/EPAC1/RAP1 signaling pathway proteins and apoptotic proteins[B lymphoblastoma-2(Bcl-2)and Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax)].Results Compared with the control group,the OD450 value of A549 cells,number of cell invasions,scratch healing rate,level of cAMP,expression levels of Bcl-2,EPAC1 and RAP1 proteins were significantly reduced in the low dose,medium dose and high dose forsythigenin groups,and the expression of Bax protein and the rate of cell apoptosis were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.05).Compared with the high-dose forsythigenin group,the OD450 value of A549 cells,scratch healing rate,number of cell invasions,level of cAMP,expression levels of Bcl-2,EPAC1 and RAP1 proteins were obviously increased in the high-dose forsythigenin+PTX group,the expression of Bax protein and the apoptosis rate were obviously reduced(P<0.05).Levels of all indexes in the high dose forsythigenin+ESI-09 group were opposite.Conclusion Forsythigenin inhibits proliferation,migration,and invasion of A549 cells and promotes apoptosis by down-regulating the cAMP/EPAC1/RAP1 signaling pathway.
10.Analysis of the Development and Implementation of the Environmental Damage Compensation System in Japan
Kai HE ; Jin-Long YUAN ; Chang-Mao QIU ; Ze-Jun LIU ; Yuan-Feng QI ; Zhen-Hui GAO
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(1):74-82
In the 1950s and 1960s,Japan's implementation of policies prioritizing economic develop-ment caused a lack of effective supervision over the discharge of industrial wastewater and exhaust gases,which led to the occurrence of the"Four Major Pollution Diseases",including Minamata disease,causing serious social and public health problems.To more effectively address public nuisances and pro-vide compensation to victims,the Japanese government gradually established an environmental damage compensation system with administrative relief characteristics since the 1970s.Through long-term prac-tice and system optimization,this system has evolved into a mature institutional framework with a clear division of labor and efficient collaboration.This paper systematically reviews the development process of Japan's environmental damage compensation system and deeply analyzes its legal frame-work and supporting policies,aiming to provide useful references for the construction and improve-ment of China's environmental damage compensation system.Meanwhile,through the case analysis of Minamata disease,the paper explores the specific mechanisms and effects in the compensation practices,further revealing the system's operational characteristics and implications,and providing a reference ba-sis for the construction of China's environmental governance legal system.

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