1.Interaction Mechnisms Between Gut Microbiota and Ischemic Stroke——A Study Based on the “Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis” Integrating 16S rRNA Sequencing with Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
Ting WANG ; Jing-Hao ZHANG ; Chao JIANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):470-484
ObjectiveThis Study was conducted to investigate the interaction mechemisms between gutmicrobiota dysregulation and ischemic stroke by establishing a rat model of ischemic stroke and employing fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). MethodsA preliminary experiment was conducted to establish an antibiotic-induced pseudo-sterile (ABX) rat model through antibiotic treatment, and a cerebral ischemia model was prepared using the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method. Fecal microbiota from stroke patients and healthy individuals were transplanted via FMT, followed by behavioral testing. 16S rRNA sequencing was used to analyze the microbial community, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining to observe histopathological status, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to examine the tight junction structure of the small intestine, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect levels of inflammatory factors and intestinal barrier-related markers. Results16S rRNA sequencing of fecal samples showed that compared with the normal control group and the metronidazole group, the abundance and diversity of fecal microorganisms in the quadruple antibiotic group were significantly reduced, indicating successful establishment of the ABX model. After transplanting fecal microbiota from stroke patients into ABX rats, significant changes in gut microbiota composition were observed. Behavioral tests revealed that the MCAO model group showed significant decreases in both horizontal movement and vertical exploration abilities. ELISA results indicated that IL-17 concentration in the ABX+mFMT (antibiotic-treated+model fecal microbiota transplantation) group was lower than in the ABX+cFMT (antibiotic-treated+control fecal microbiota transplantation) group, suggesting that IL-17 may serve as a key inflammatory indicator for evaluating the impact of stroke intervention on gut microbiota. Triphenyltetrazolium chloricle staining (TTC) staining suggested that gut microbiota intervention may increase the risk of stroke. HE staining showed that, except for the control group, all groups exhibited ischemic changes and inflammatory infiltration in brain tissues. TEM revealed that microvilli of small intestinal epithelial cells in the ABX+mFMT group were sparser than those in the ABX+cFMT group, indicating that microbial intervention affects intestinal barrier function. ConclusionThe ABX model established using broad-spectrum antibiotics showed no significant differences in physiological characteristics compared to normal rats, and the findings were consistent with those from germ-free rat models. Stroke prognosis appears to be influenced by intestinal dysbiosis, accompanied by significantly elevated levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17, which may exacerbate neural injury via the gut-brain axis. Behavioral experiments indicated that transplantation of gut microbiota from stroke rats impaired cognitive function. Furthermore, IL-17 demonstrated sensitivity to alterations in the gut microbiota, suggesting its potential as a key therapeutic target for stroke intervention.
2.Interaction Mechnisms Between Gut Microbiota and Ischemic Stroke——A Study Based on the “Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis” Integrating 16S rRNA Sequencing with Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
Ting WANG ; Jing-Hao ZHANG ; Chao JIANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):470-484
ObjectiveThis Study was conducted to investigate the interaction mechemisms between gutmicrobiota dysregulation and ischemic stroke by establishing a rat model of ischemic stroke and employing fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). MethodsA preliminary experiment was conducted to establish an antibiotic-induced pseudo-sterile (ABX) rat model through antibiotic treatment, and a cerebral ischemia model was prepared using the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method. Fecal microbiota from stroke patients and healthy individuals were transplanted via FMT, followed by behavioral testing. 16S rRNA sequencing was used to analyze the microbial community, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining to observe histopathological status, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to examine the tight junction structure of the small intestine, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect levels of inflammatory factors and intestinal barrier-related markers. Results16S rRNA sequencing of fecal samples showed that compared with the normal control group and the metronidazole group, the abundance and diversity of fecal microorganisms in the quadruple antibiotic group were significantly reduced, indicating successful establishment of the ABX model. After transplanting fecal microbiota from stroke patients into ABX rats, significant changes in gut microbiota composition were observed. Behavioral tests revealed that the MCAO model group showed significant decreases in both horizontal movement and vertical exploration abilities. ELISA results indicated that IL-17 concentration in the ABX+mFMT (antibiotic-treated+model fecal microbiota transplantation) group was lower than in the ABX+cFMT (antibiotic-treated+control fecal microbiota transplantation) group, suggesting that IL-17 may serve as a key inflammatory indicator for evaluating the impact of stroke intervention on gut microbiota. Triphenyltetrazolium chloricle staining (TTC) staining suggested that gut microbiota intervention may increase the risk of stroke. HE staining showed that, except for the control group, all groups exhibited ischemic changes and inflammatory infiltration in brain tissues. TEM revealed that microvilli of small intestinal epithelial cells in the ABX+mFMT group were sparser than those in the ABX+cFMT group, indicating that microbial intervention affects intestinal barrier function. ConclusionThe ABX model established using broad-spectrum antibiotics showed no significant differences in physiological characteristics compared to normal rats, and the findings were consistent with those from germ-free rat models. Stroke prognosis appears to be influenced by intestinal dysbiosis, accompanied by significantly elevated levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17, which may exacerbate neural injury via the gut-brain axis. Behavioral experiments indicated that transplantation of gut microbiota from stroke rats impaired cognitive function. Furthermore, IL-17 demonstrated sensitivity to alterations in the gut microbiota, suggesting its potential as a key therapeutic target for stroke intervention.
3.Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome and syndrome differentiation-based treatment of Wilson disease
Wenjie HAO ; Wenming YANG ; Ting CHENG ; Hailin JIANG ; Han WANG ; Meixia WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):522-528
Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism, and decoppering therapy and symptomatic treatment are the main Western medicine therapies for WD. This article systematically reviews the understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of WD in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and points out that abnormal natural endowment is the core etiology and pathogenesis of WD, with internal accumulation of copper toxicity as the manifestation, liver/spleen/kidney dysfunction as the root cause, and intermingled “toxin, stasis, phlegm, and deficiency” as the key pathogenesis. Literature research and clinical observation are conducted to summarize the common TCM syndromes of WD, including stagnation of liver Qi, internal retention of damp-heat, phlegm-stasis-heat accumulation syndrome, liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome, spleen-kidney Yang deficiency, and syndrome of deficiency damage and phlegm stasis. This article proposes the corresponding therapies and representative prescriptions for each syndrome and discusses the advantages of treatment by stage and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy. This article aims to provide a systematic reference for the syndrome differentiation-based treatment of WD in clinical practice of TCM, thereby giving full play to the advantages of TCM in the treatment of this disease.
4.Evaluation of public health governance capacity in Zhejiang Province
Haiyan LI ; Ting CHEN ; Chengyue LI ; Huihui HUANGFU ; Wei WANG ; Qunhong SHEN ; Chaoyang ZHANG ; Zheng CHEN ; Chuan PU ; Lingzhong XU ; Anning MA ; Zhaohui GONG ; Tianqiang XU ; Panshi WANG ; Hua WANG ; Chao HAO ; Zhi HU ; Peiwu SHI ; Mo HAO
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(2):153-158
ObjectiveTo systematically assess the public health governance capacity in Zhejiang Province, to conduct an in-depth analysis of its strengths and weaknesses, so as to provide scientific basis and strategic recommendations for further enhancement. MethodsA systematic collection of policy documents, public information reports, and research literature related to public health governance capacity in Zhejiang Province from 2002 to 2023 was conducted (encompassing a total of 1 263 policy documents, 138 pieces of information reports and 631 research articles). Based on the evaluation criteria suitable for public health systems previously developed by the research team, the basic status and magnitude of change in public health governance capacity in Zhejiang Province was evaluated. Additionally, normative gap analyses were employed to identify the strengths and weaknesses. ResultsZhejiang Province ranked 4th nationwide in terms of public health governance capacity with a score of 733.4 points (1 000.0-point maximum). The province has effectively implemented the principle of health first (scoring 698.5 points in the assessment of health-first strategy implementation) and attached sufficient importance to health-related goals (scoring 658.2 points in the scientific rationality of goal setting). However, the implementation of inter-departmental coordination and incentive mechanisms only scored 178.7 points, the feasibility of management and monitoring mechanisms scored even lower at only 144.0 points, and the coverage of incentive mechanisms scored 286.0 points. ConclusionZhejiang Province has effectively implemented its health first strategy and attached great importance to health targets, but still needs to strengthen cross-departmental coordination mechanisms and health-oriented incentives.
5.Influence of atrial septal defect on mitral valve growth after repair of coarctation of the aorta or an interrupted aortic arch in infants
Yi-Chia WANG ; Heng-Wen CHOU ; Chi-Hsiang HUANG ; Hsing-Hao HUANG ; Yih-Sharng CHEN ; En-Ting WU ; Shyh-Jye CHEN ; Ming-Tai LIN ; Shuenn-Nan CHIU ; Shu-Chien HUANG
Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics 2026;69(4):322-329
Background:
Patients with coarctation of the aorta (CoA) and an interrupted aortic arch (IAA) may present with small mitral valves (MVs) and a reduced left ventricular (LV) volume. Biventricular repair (BVR) in these patients is dependent on adequate size of the left cardiac structures.Purpose: This study evaluated the impact of the hemodynamic characteristics of atrial septal defects (ASDs) on MV growth following surgical repair.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients diagnosed with CoA or IAA between 2007 and 2024. The z score for MV size measured 6 months postoperatively (Z2) was compared with the preoperative MV size (Z1). The factors associated with MV growth were also studied.
Results:
A total of 161 patients with CoA or IAA were included. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to assess the MV and LV dimensions preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Of the cohort, 155 (96.3%) underwent initial BVR and 6 underwent single-ventricle palliation. MV z scores significantly increased following BVR (mean change: +0.45±1.35; P<0.001) but decreased after single-ventricle repair (-0.56±0.49, P=0.04). Multivariate analysis identified the initial MV z score and ASD pressure gradient as independent predictors of MV growth (R2=0.39).
Conclusion
Annular growth of the MV was not observed in patients who underwent single-ventricle palliation. In contrast, among patients who achieved BVR, those with a small preoperative MV annulus and low ASD pressure gradient demonstrated subsequent catch-up MV growth, suggesting that adequate left-sided preload is essential for MV development.
6.The first record of Anopheles messeae (Diptera: Culicidae) parasitized by water mites in China
Xue-ru CHEN ; Wen-zhen YAO ; Yu-hao LI ; Gui-chang LI ; Tao MENG ; Qun-ling FENG ; Xin-hui LIU ; Li-hong QIAO ; Xiang-ting WU ; Xue-feng ZHANG ; Cheng-lin LI ; Xue-cheng DONG ; Da-wei WANG ; Xiao-yan SI ; Yu-hong GUO
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(1):53-57
Objective This study reports on the obligatory parasitism of water mites Arrenurus sp. on Anopheles messeae at the Manzhouli Port, Inner Mongolia, China. Methods Duing July 2024, a survey on the mosquito diversity was conducted at the Manzhouli Port. Captured mosquitoes and their ectoparasites were identified to species level. Results A total of 1840 adult mosquitoes were collected, representing species from three genera: Culex(Cx. modestus, Cx. pipiens pallens), Aedes(Ae. dorsalis, Ae. flavidorsalis, Ae. flavescens), and Anopheles (An. messeae). Among all the mosqutioes specimens,3 out of 150 captured An. messeae were found to carry ectoparasitic mites, with number of 2,4,27 mites separately. Morphological and molecular identification reached the same result as water mites(Hydrachnidiae, Hydracrina). COI gene sequence showed 94% similarity with the closest species Arrenurus truncatellus. Conlusions Literature review suggests water mites are host-specific parasitism of mosquito species and herein with the first record of Arrenurus sp. parasiting on An. Messeae in the most high-latitude region globally.
7.Prognostic Utility of the Albumin-to-Alkaline Phosphatase Ratio in Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Yun-Ting WANG ; Adarsh KUDVA ; Yen-Ting LU ; Liang-Tseng KUO ; Chia-Hsuan LAI ; Yuan-Hsiung TSAI ; Chun-Ta LIAO ; Ku-Hao FANG ; Chung-Jan KANG ; Ethan I. HUANG ; Cheng-Ming HSU ; Geng-He CHANG ; Ming-Shao TSAI ; Yao-Te TSAI
Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology 2026;19(1):45-54
Objectives:
. The prognostic value of the pretreatment albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio (AAPR) in head and neck cancer (HNC) remains uncertain. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the predictive role of AAPR for survival outcomes in patients with HNC.
Methods:
. A comprehensive search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase databases was conducted to identify relevant studies published up to July 30, 2024. We included studies on AAPR and survival outcomes in HNC patients.
Results:
. Eight studies comprising 1,737 HNC patients were analyzed using random-effects models. Lower AAPR values were significantly correlated with worse overall survival (hazard ratio [HR], 2.08), progression-free survival (HR, 2.00), and disease-free survival (HR, 2.18). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these results, with no significant publication bias detected.
Conclusion
. Our findings suggest that pretreatment AAPR could serve as a valuable and cost-effective prognostic indicator in HNC, potentially aiding clinicians in risk stratification and treatment decision-making. However, additional validation studies are warranted to confirm its clinical applicability.
8.Association between insulin resistance and cardiovascular metabolic indicators in middle-aged adults
Rui TIAN ; Jie ZHANG ; Ting ZHENG ; Aixia ZHANG ; Xing LIU ; Hao KANG ; Qingfang DENG ; Sufang WANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(7):1305-1310
ObjectiveTo investigate the association between insulin resistance (IR) and cardiovascular metabolic indicators, including blood pressure, blood lipids, and serum uric acid, in a middle-aged population. MethodsBased on the baseline survey of the Hong Sifang cohort of China National Salt Industry Group, a total of 575 participants were included. According to the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, the participants were divided into an IR group (n=116) and a non-IR group (n=459). Differences between the two groups were compared using the t-test and chi-square test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the associations between IR and abnormalities in metabolic indicators. ResultsA total of 575 participants were included, including 390 men and 185 women, with a mean age of (48.58 ± 5.14) years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of (24.16 ± 2.97) kg/m². Blood pressure, serum uric acid, and blood lipid levels were significantly higher in the IR group than in the non-IR group (P<0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders including age, sex, and BMI, IR was independently associated with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperuricemia, with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of 2.57 (1.61-4.09), 3.81 (2.36-6.17), and 2.68 (1.53-4.71), respectively (all P<0.001). ConclusionInsulin resistance is significantly associated with multiple cardiovascular metabolic risk factors in the middle-aged population. Monitoring IR may contribute to the early prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases.
9.Construction of a recombinant adenovirus for Mycobacterium tuberculosis c-di-AMP phosphodiesterase expression and induction of humoral immunity
Jia-hao HU ; Huan-huan NING ; Meng-juan DONG ; Yan-zhi LU ; Ting DAI ; Cong-yue ZHANG ; Zi-qing XU ; Shu-yu WANG ; Zheng-yan ZHOU ; Yin-lan BAI
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(4):364-369
A recombinant adenovirus(rAd)for expression of Mycobacterium tuberculosis(M.tb)c-di-AMP phosphodiesterase CnpB was constructed,and its induced humoral immune response was detected.The codon-optimized gene of M.tb CnpB was cloned into the adenoviral plasmid pcADV.The recombinant plasmid pcADV-CnpB was transfected into HEK293T cells,and expression was detected with Western blot.The recombinant plasmid pcADV-CnpB and the backbone plasmid were co-transfected into HEK293T cells to obtain the recombinant adenovirus rAd-CnpB.rAd-CnpB was amplified in HEK293T cells,and the target protein expression of rAd-CnpB was detected with Western blot and immunofluorescence.Mice were immunized with rAd-CnpB intranasally,and their sera and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)were collected.ELISA was used to detect levels of antigen-specific antibodies.Restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing indicated that the recombinant plasmid pcADV-CnpB was successfully constructed and led to protein expression in eukaryotic cells.rAd-CnpB was packaged and produced in HEK293T cells.After amplification and purification,rAd-CnpB with a titer of 5.53×1010 PFU/mL was obtained.rAd-CnpB led to CnpB expression in HEK293T cells.Intranasal immunization with rAd-CnpB increased levels of IgG and secretory IgA in BALF and led to high levels of IgG in sera.rAd-CnpB,the recombinant adenovirus for expression of c-di-AMP phosphodiesterase CnpB was successfully constructed,and was found to induce antigen-specific humoral and mucosal immune responses through mucosal immunization.Thus,rAd-CnpB may be used in further research on new TB vaccine strategies.
10.Underlying target of bullatine A in treating rheumatoid arthritis based on LiP-SMap drug target proteomics
Hao-hong ZHANG ; Nan-ting ZOU ; Chun-fei ZHANG ; Qing-yan MO ; Ming-qian JU ; Xiao-hong LI ; Shuai LIU ; Mao-kui HUANG ; Hong-yun WANG ; Chun-ping WAN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(6):1072-1078
Aim To identify the underlying target of bullatine A(BA)against rheumatoid arthritis(RA)u-sing limited proteolysis-small molecule mapping(LiP-SMap)drug target proteomics and to provide a scientif-ic basis for clinical application of Aconiti brachypodi Radix in the treatment of RA.Methods LiP-SMap drug target proteomics was employed to perform bioin-formatics analysis for comparing and validating the dif-ferential protein expression after BA intervention.A collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)model was estab-lished in DBA/1 mice using bovine type Ⅱ collagen.The mice were then divided into the CIA model group,methotrexate-positive control group(MTX group),and BA groups(10 mg·kg-1 and 20 mg·kg-1)based on their clinical scores.After drug intervention,the thera-peutic efficacy against RA was assessed by joint index scores and foot thickness measurements.Histopatholog-ical changes in the arthritic joints of CIA mice were e-valuated using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was employed to detect inflammatory cytokines interleukin-17(IL-17)and total IgG and IgG3 anti-collagen-spe-cific antibodies levels from the serum of CIA mice.Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression levels of intracellular Th17 cells(IL-17+CD4+T cells)and Th1 cells(IFN-γ+CD4+T cells).Fluorescent quanti-tative PCR was performed to detect the expression of genes related to differential proteins.Results The proteomic analysis identified Serpinb1a as a protein with strong binding affinity to BA,and KEGG enrich-ment analysis indicated IL-17 signaling pathway was a crucial pathway of BA in against RA.BA treatment significantly reduced clinical scores and foot thickness,improved local arthritis symptoms in CIA mice,and al-leviated inflammatory cell infiltration into arthritic joints(P<0.05).Differential protein validation re-sults showed that BA had strong affinity with Serpinb1a(-5.92 kJ·mol-1)and downregulated the expres-sion of Serpinb1a mRNA.Furthermore,the administra-tion of BA markedly reduced serum IL-17 A levels from CIA mice,inhibited the expression of intracellular IL-17 A and IFN-γ cytokines in splenic CD4+T cells(P<0.05),and significantly downregulated the transcrip-tional expression of IL-17F(P<0.05).Conclusion BA exhibits therapeutic effects on collagen-induced arthritis,and its mechanism of action may involve the regulation of Serpinb1a and the IL-17 signaling path-way.


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