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.PDHX acetylation facilitates tumor progression by disrupting PDC assembly and activating lactylation-mediated gene expression.
Zetan JIANG ; Nanchi XIONG ; Ronghui YAN ; Shi-Ting LI ; Haiying LIU ; Qiankun MAO ; Yuchen SUN ; Shengqi SHEN ; Ling YE ; Ping GAO ; Pinggen ZHANG ; Weidong JIA ; Huafeng ZHANG
Protein & Cell 2025;16(1):49-63
Deactivation of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) is important for the metabolic switching of cancer cell from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis. Studies examining PDC activity regulation have mainly focused on the phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1), leaving other post-translational modifications largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that the acetylation of Lys 488 of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex component X (PDHX) commonly occurs in hepatocellular carcinoma, disrupting PDC assembly and contributing to lactate-driven epigenetic control of gene expression. PDHX, an E3-binding protein in the PDC, is acetylated by the p300 at Lys 488, impeding the interaction between PDHX and dihydrolipoyl transacetylase (E2), thereby disrupting PDC assembly to inhibit its activation. PDC disruption results in the conversion of most glucose to lactate, contributing to the aerobic glycolysis and H3K56 lactylation-mediated gene expression, facilitating tumor progression. These findings highlight a previously unrecognized role of PDHX acetylation in regulating PDC assembly and activity, linking PDHX Lys 488 acetylation and histone lactylation during hepatocellular carcinoma progression and providing a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for further development.
Humans
;
Acetylation
;
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics*
;
Liver Neoplasms/genetics*
;
Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex/genetics*
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
;
Animals
;
Mice
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Protein Processing, Post-Translational
;
Histones/metabolism*
;
Disease Progression
3.Effect of phenytoin and levetiracetam on busulfan blood concentration in children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Shi-Xi XU ; Guang-Ting ZENG ; Jing-Yu WANG ; Shu-Lan LIU ; Jing LIU ; Bo-Yan DENG ; Ji-Ming LUO ; Jie LIN ; An-Fa WANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(11):1378-1383
OBJECTIVES:
To study the effect of prophylactic phenytoin (PHT) or levetiracetam (LEV) on busulfan (BU) blood concentration in children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
METHODS:
Pediatric patients conditioned with BU plus cyclophosphamide and fludarabine at the First People's Hospital of Chenzhou from September 2023 to February 2025 were retrospectively included. Patients were grouped by prophylactic antiepileptic regimen into PHT (n=24) and LEV (n=26). BU blood concentrations at the end of infusion (0 hour) and at 1, 2, and 4 hours post-infusion were compared between groups.
RESULTS:
At 0 hour post-infusion, BU blood concentrations did not differ significantly between groups (P>0.05). At 1, 2, and 4 hours post-infusion, BU blood concentrations were higher in the LEV group than in the PHT group (P<0.05). The area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to ∞ (AUC0-∞) was greater in the LEV group (P<0.001), and the attainment rate of AUC0-∞ was higher in the LEV group than in the PHT group (73% vs 21%, P<0.001). No significant differences were observed between groups in time to hematopoietic engraftment or in the incidence of BU-related adverse drug reactions (P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Compared with PHT, LEV prophylaxis is associated with higher BU blood concentration and a higher AUC0-∞ attainment rate. There is no observed difference in BU efficacy or safety between PHT and LEV.
Humans
;
Levetiracetam/therapeutic use*
;
Busulfan/pharmacokinetics*
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
;
Male
;
Female
;
Child
;
Child, Preschool
;
Phenytoin/pharmacology*
;
Infant
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Anticonvulsants/pharmacology*
;
Adolescent
4.Relationship between work load and sleep quality of employees at an airport in Hunan Province: Mediating role of job burnout
Tinghua YAN ; Yunfan ZHENG ; Ting LIU ; Ding LI ; Yunfeng NIE ; Shi CHEN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(12):1465-1471
Background With the unprecedented development of aviation business, the work load and job burnout of airport employees are becoming more and more serious, and the impact on sleep quality needs to be addressed. Objective To explore the current situation of work load and sleep quality of airport employees, and whether job burnout plays a role in the relationship between the two variables. Methods During September 2023, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among employees of an airport in Hunan Province, and
5.Application of comprehensive unit-based safety program collaborative action strategy in preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infection among elderly patients and its effect
Xiaofei XU ; Lingling ZHU ; Xian XIA ; Huili LI ; Jingjing YAN ; Ting WU ; Jinfen SHI
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(20):3151-3155
OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of the comprehensive unit-based safety program(CUSP)collaborative action strategy on reducing the incidence of catheter-associated urinary tract infection(CAUTI)in elderly patients.METHODS From Jun.to Nov.2024,the Seventh Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital implemented the CUSP collaborative action strategy for intervention.Comparisons were made between pre-intervention(from Dec.2023 to May 2024)and post-intervention(from Jun.to Nov.2024)regarding nurses' know ledge-attitude-practice(KAP)scores on CAUTI prevention,implementation rates of key nursing measures for elderly CAUTI prevention and CAUTI incidence rates among elderly patients.RESULTS The pre-intervention KAP score of nurses from geriatric de-partment on CAUTI prevention was(83.44±6.67),significantly lower than the post-intervention score(108.19±16.27)(P<0.001).The implementation rates of 10 key nursing measures for elderly CAUTI prevention improved(P<0.05).The incidence rate of CAUTI was 2.88‰(16/5 546)among 5 546 catheter days before the intervention,and the incidence rate of CAUTI was 0.73‰(4/5 496)among 5 496 catheter days after the intervention(P=0.008).CONCLUSIONS The CUSP collaborative action strategy effectively enhances the KAP levels of nurses from geriatric department on CAUTI prevention,improves the implementation rates of key nursing measures,and reduces CAUTI incidence rates among elderly patients.
6.Interpretation of the service standards for medical nursing assistants of older adults in home and community
Ting LIU ; Haiyan SHI ; Huaguo ZHANG ; Yue CHEN ; Hongying PI ; Huiru HOU ; Shaomei SHANG ; Yan JIANG ; Zheng CHEN ; Ka LI ; Xin YANG ; Qilei TU ; Ze YANG ; Chao SUN
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2025;44(11):1500-1506
The Occupational Classification Dictionary of the People's Republic of China (2015 Edition) has added a new occupation type, Medical Nursing Assistants, aiming to meet the strong demand for medical care in the context of the aging population in China.In order to standardize the services of medical nursing assistants for the elderly in home and community settings and contribute to healthy aging, the National Health Commission issued the " Service Standards for Medical Nursing Assistants of Older Adults in Home and Community" ( WS/ T 803—2022) on September 28, 2022.The standards regulate the service processes, service items and requirements, as well as service evaluation and improvement for elderly medical nursing assistants.The interpretation of the standard's formulation background, the compilation process, and the standard's content are as follows.
7.Research progress in chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Abelmoschi Corolla and prediction of its quality markers.
Shi-Han GUAN ; Chang LIU ; Xiao-Tong YAN ; Jin-Wei HAN ; Feng-Ting YIN ; Hui SUN ; Guang-Li YAN ; Ling KONG ; Ying HAN ; Xi-Jun WANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(4):908-921
Abelmoschi Corolla, the dried corolla of Abelmoschus manihot, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrosis activities. Its chemical constituents mainly include flavonoids, organic acids, steroids, and polysaccharides. This study reviewed the research progress in the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Abelmoschi Corolla in recent 20 years. According to the concept of quality marker(Q-marker), the Q-markers of Abelmoschi Corolla were predicted from plant phylogeny, chemical constituent specificity, traditional efficacy, chemical constituent measurability, and absorbed constituents. The primary Q-markers for Abelmoschi Corolla were anticipated to include quercetin-3'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, gossypetin-8-O-β-D-glucuronide, isoquercetin, myricetin,quercetin, and hyperoside, with the aim of providing reference data for improving the quality evaluation system of Abelmoschi Corolla.
Abelmoschus/chemistry*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Flowers/chemistry*
;
Humans
;
Animals
;
Quality Control
;
Flavonoids/chemistry*
8.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.
9.Significance of basophil levels in prognostic evaluation of intra-abdominal infection
Ming-min PANG ; Shao-hua FAN ; Mei-chen YAN ; Bao LIU ; Ju YANG ; Ya-nan LI ; Shi-han ZHANG ; Ting-yu MENG ; Tao GAO
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2025;28(5):367-372
Objective:To assess the relationship between basophil levels and mortality in patients with intra-abdominal infection.Methods:Information on patients with intraperitoneal infection admitted to the intensive care unit were extracted from the MIMIC database.A time-dependent Cox regression model was used to adjust for confounders associated with 28-day mortality.Propensity score matching(PSM)was used to balance the baseline differences be-tween groups with different basophil levels,and a restricted cube chart(RCS)was used to show the relationship between basophil count and 28-day mortality in patients with intra-abdominal infection.Results:A total of 4403 patients with intra-abdominal infection were enrolled in the MIMIC database.Patients with high basophil levels have lower mortality than those with low basophil levels.There was an L-shaped curve between basophil level and 28-day mortality,with a cut-off value of 0.47×109/L.Cox regression analysis showed that basophil levels were an independent protective factor for mortal-ity in patients with intra-abdominal infection after adjusting for potential confounders(HR=0.586,95%CI:0.443-0.769).Protective factors for death at basophil levels remained after PSM adjusted for potential confounders(HR=0.628,95%CI:0.470-0.832).Conclusion:Basophil level is an independent protective factor for mortality in patients with intra-abdominal infection,and basophil levels should be dynamically monitored to better evaluate the prognosis of patients.
10.Research advances in mitochondrial inflammation-mediated damage in central nervous system degenerative disorders
Shu-qin LI ; Sha-sha LIU ; Qian YAN ; Han-long WANG ; Yang SUN ; Yan-ting HUANG ; Hao-jie ZHANG ; Jin-ping LIANG ; Shi-feng CHU ; Yan-tao YANG ; Qi-di AI ; Nai-hong CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2218-2225
Central nervous system(CNS)degenerative disorders refer to a spectrum of pathological alterations triggered by struc-tural damage to cerebral neural tissues,clinically manifested as diverse neurological dysfunction syndromes,including multiple sclerosis(MS),neurodegenerative diseases(NDs),and ische-mic stroke.The hallmark pathological features of these disorders involve irreversible neuronal damage and decompensation of functional neural networks,ultimately leading to progressive neurological deficits.Notably,with the accelerating global popu-lation aging,the incidence of these diseases has surged signifi-cantly.According to WHO statistics,they now rank among the top three global causes of disability and mortality.Current re-search has confirmed that the pathogenesis of CNS degenerative disorders exhibits high heterogeneity,encompassing multifaceted pathophysiological processes such as genetic predisposition,oxi-dative stress,protein misfolding,and metabolic dysregulation.This intricate pathogenic network not only complicates clinical differential diagnosis but also poses substantial challenges to the development of precision therapeutic strategies.Importantly,re-cent studies have revealed that mitochondrial homeostasis disrup-tion-induced inflammatory cascades(termed mitochondrial in-flammation)play a pivotal regulatory role in neurodegenerative progression.Key molecular mechanisms include impaired mito-phagy,aberrant mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)release and NL-RP3 inflammasome activation.This review systematically deci-phers the molecular regulatory network of mitochondrial inflam-mation,with a focus on its biological effects in critical pathologi-cal events such as blood-brain barrier disruption,microglial hy-peractivation and neuronal apoptosis.The overarching aim is to provide a theoretical foundation for developing innovative thera-peutic strategies targeting mitochondrial homeostasis restoration.

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