1.Pseudolaric Acid B-linked Double-network Hydrogel Alleviates Pruritus by Inhibiting The Growth of Staphylococcus aureus
Ye YOU ; Yan YANG ; Tong-Yu LI ; Cheng-Long CAI ; Ting WANG ; Chan ZHU ; Zong-Xiang TANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1734-1745
ObjectiveThis study aimed to elucidate the mechanistic role of Staphylococcus aureus in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by pruritus and barrier dysfunction. A key focus was screening traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) active components with dual antibacterial and antipruritic efficacy, followed by systematic evaluation of their in vitro antibacterial activity. Additionally, a novel drug delivery system was constructed to enable localized efficient drug delivery, inhibiting S. aureus proliferation and alleviating its induced pruritus, thereby providing new strategies for targeted AD therapy. MethodsMale C57BL/6J mice aged 6-8 weeks (body weight 18-22 g) were used to establish an AD model via repeated oxazolone sensitization. On day 14, microbial samples were collected from the lesional area (1 cm²) using sterile cotton swabs, followed by vortex mixing, serial dilution, and plating on 5% sheep blood agar plates (incubated at 37°C for 24 h). Single colonies with complete transparent β-hemolytic zones were isolated and identified as vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) via 16S rRNA sequencing. An S. aureus mono-infection animal model was then established by applying gauze saturated with bacterial suspension (McFarland turbidity 0.1) to the nape and back skin of mice. The pruritic phenotype and inflammatory cell infiltration induced by S. aureus were evaluated using comprehensive approaches including behavioral assays (e.g., scratching frequency recording), hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and toluidine blue staining. The in vitro antibacterial efficacy of the TCM monomer pseudolaric acid B (PAB) and double network hydrogel (DN) was separately assessed by disk diffusion assay, while the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of PAB was determined via broth dilution method. Further validation of the pharmacodynamic characteristics of the composite system (PAB@DN, composed of PAB and DN) was conducted through behavioral assays, HE staining, and dermatitis scoring, with its drug release profile evaluated by mass spectrometry analysis. Based on scratching behavioral analysis and dermatitis scoring, the optimal ratio and concentration of PAB@DN were optimized. ResultsThe S. aureus load in AD lesional tissues was significantly higher than in normal skin ((5.3±0.33)×10⁶ CFU vs. (3.6±0.26)×10⁷ CFU, P<0.001). In the S. aureus mono-infection group, mice exhibited a 6.7-fold increase in scratching frequency compared to the control group. HE staining revealed marked epidermal thickening ((10.4±2.39) μm vs. (85.6±1.95) μm, P<0.000 1), and toluidine blue staining showed a 23-fold increase in mast cell degranulation. Pseudolaric acid B exhibited a significant concentration-dependent inhibitory effect onS. aureus growth, with its in vitro antibacterial effect being 57% that of the antibiotic cefepime (inhibition zone diameter: PAB (1.885±0.036) cm vs. cefepime (3.636±0.005) cm, P<0.000 1) and a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1 g/L. The carrier double network hydrogel (DN) itself lacked direct antibacterial activity (no significant difference in inhibition zone diameter compared to the control) but effectively ameliorated the dry symptoms of AD-like lesions. The PAB@DN composite system demonstrated a synergistic effect compared to individual components, resulting in a 50% reduction in scratching behavior, an 86% decrease in dermatitis score, and a 60% reduction in epidermal thickening. It also reduced the S. aureus load in mouse skin by approximately 34%, with the optimal effective formulation being PAB at 1 g/L loaded onto DN. ConclusionS. aureus colonization plays a critical driving role in the onset and progression of AD. Using an S. aureus infection model, this study confirmed that the pseudolaric acidB-hydrogel composite delivery system (PAB@DN) can effectively alleviate S. aureus-induced pruritus and skin damage, providing experimental evidence for microbiota-targeted therapy of AD.
2.Advances in the study of tubal hydrosalpinx and the effect of its treatment strategy on ovarian response and embryo quality
Shulei ZHANG ; Qiumin WANG ; You WU ; Lei YAN
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(11):1179-1183
Hydrosalpinx is one of the common causes of female infertility and a more common type of chronic tubal inflammation. Hydrosalpinx may reduce the success of assisted reproductive technology (ART) through a variety of mechanisms, including mechanical flushing of the embryo, embryo toxicity, reduced endometrial receptivity, and suppression of ovarian function. The effect of hydrosalpinx and its treatment strategy on ovarian response during controlled superovulation is controversial in existing studies, and there are fewer studies on the effect of hydrosalpinx on embryo quality. In this article, we clarify the pathophysiological mechanisms of hydrosalpinx, analyze its potential impact on ovarian response and embryo quality, and further explore the impact of therapeutic strategies for tubal hydrosalpinx on ART outcomes.
3.Association between A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and sarcopenia among older adults in China: evidence from the CHARLS
Tong LI ; Minghui DU ; You LV ; Jia CHONG ; Yuwei LI ; Fang WANG ; Yan WANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2025;33(4):275-281,289
Objective:To explore the association between A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and sarcopenia in Chinese older adults.Methods:Totally 1 728 participants in waves 1 and 3 of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS) were enrolled in this cohort-based cross-sectional analysis. ABSI was calculated by using anthropometric measurements from CHARLS. According to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 consensus update on sarcopenia, low muscle strength and low muscle mass were used as the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) were used to assess the relationship between ABSI and sarcopenia, and subgroup and interaction analyses were conducted to evaluate the influence of other factors on this association.Results:High ABSI showed a significant association with the risk of sarcopenia among older adults in China, and RCS analysis demonstrated a positive linear correlation between ABSI and sarcopenia. Additionally, the relationship of ABSI with sarcopenia was significantly modified by educational level and depressive status.Conclusion:ABSI, a novel anthropometric measure, serves as an effective threshold for assessing sarcopenia risk in the Chinese older population, providing a basis for developing clinical interventions and public health strategies for the prevention and early identification of sarcopenia.
4.Phenotype and genomic characterization of a mucoid-type Salmonella Saintpaul ST50 isolate from a urinary tract infection patient
Wen-qing WANG ; Na JIANG ; Yan-ru LIANG ; Shu-qi YOU ; Bo-wen YANG ; Li-peng HAO ; Xue-bin XU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(1):53-60
To investigate the phenotype and genomic characterization of a mucoid-type Salmonella Saintpaul ST50 isolate from a urinary tract infection patient,promoting clinical diagnosis and treatment for urinary tract infections caused by Salmo-nella spp.Culture-based quantitative counts of midstream urine sample from the patient were conducted,and further biochemi-cal identification,mass spectrometry detection,serum agglutination test and antimicrobial susceptibility test(AST)were con-ducted on Salmonella isolate(2024JD5).Whole-genome sequencing(WGS)was performed on isolate 2024JD5 to predict sero-type,multilocus sequence type(MLST),resistance genes,and virulence genes.Two smooth-type of Salmonella Saintpaul ST50 were selected as comparative genomic reference strains from the Chinese local Salmonella genome database.The literature reviews of global Salmonella serotype of urinary tract infection were summarized.Specific serum agglutination confir-mation of isolate 2024JD5 failed due to characterization of the mucus type.The strain 2024JD5 was predicted as Salmonella Saintpaul(4,5,12:e,h:1,2)ST50 using WGS,and was resistant to ciprofloxacin,nalidixic acid,chloramphenicol and tetracy-cline with carrying aminoglycoside resistance genes aac(6')-Ⅰaa and aph(3)-Ⅱa,chloramphenicol resistance gene floR,tetra-cycline resistance gene tet,quinolone resistance gene qnrS1,and S83Y substitution in the gyrA gene was found in the quinolo-ne resistance determination region(QRDR).In addition,the strain 2024JD4 carried six types of non-plasmid-based mobile ge-netic elements and 144 virulence genes,including 71 secretion transporter genes and 58 fimbriae adhesion genes,respectively.Four types of fimbriae regulatory genes(csgB,csgC,fimW,fimY)were absent in comparison with smooth-type Salmonella Saintpaul.The literature reviews showed Salmonella Saintpaul was currently a rare Salmonella serotype in cases of urinary tract infections worldwide.Salmonella Saintpaul ST50 with mucoid-type is the pathogen of urinary tract infection with multi-drug resistant phenotypic and genotypic characteristics,and the high mucoid expression may be related to the compensatory mechanism of fimbriae regulatory genes absence in urinary tract colonization and adaptation.WGS combined with the Chinese local Salmonella genome database can effectively solve the diagnosis and biosafety assessments of rare Salmonella phenotypes.
5.Relationship between macrophage subtypes in obese adipose tissue and metabolic diseases
Yuqing ZHAO ; Wei WANG ; Huijuan YOU ; Liyuan CHEN ; Yan CHEN ; Qinglu WANG ; Fengying YANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(13):2832-2841
BACKGROUND:Macrophage subtypes exhibit tissue heterogeneity,and the adipose tissue macrophage phenotype is largely influenced by obesity.Local and systemic inflammatory responses caused by obese adipose tissue macrophages are considered a vital pathological mechanism of obesity-associated metabolic diseases.OBJECTIVE:To summarize the inflammatory characteristics of different macrophage subtypes in adipose tissue and their relationship with obesity-associated metabolic diseases,aiming to provide a reference basis for targeting specific macrophage subtypes to explore preventive and treatment strategies for obesity-associated metabolic diseases.METHODS:Literature retrieval was conducted in CNKI and PubMed using Chinese and English search terms "obesity,adipose tissue,adipose tissue macrophage,macrophage polarisation,metabolic diseases." The search results were accepted or excluded according to the inclusion criteria.Ninety-one papers that met the criteria were finally included for review.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Macrophages have tissue heterogeneity.Under normal conditions,adipose tissue macrophages are mainly composed of anti-inflammatory M2 resident macrophages,which maintain tissue inflammation homeostasis.Under obese conditions,a large number of foreign infiltrating macrophages surround hypertrophic adipocytes,and most of them exhibit pro-inflammatory characteristics.Therefore,it is believed that adipose tissue macrophages of pro-inflammatory M1 type may actually be a collection of multiple pro-inflammatory subtypes.Further understanding of the characteristics of various pro-inflammatory subtypes helps us to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying inflammatory disorders in obese adipose tissue.(2) In obesity,foreign infiltrating macrophages form crown-like structures around hypertrophic adipocytes.Currently,six different subtypes of the crown-like structure have been identified,most of which exhibit pro-inflammatory properties and a few of which possess anti-inflammatory characteristics.Thus,taking full advantage of the anti-inflammatory subtypes while inhibiting the differentiation of the pro-inflammatory subtypes may be a new target for alleviating inflammatory damage in obese adipose tissue.(3) M3,Mme,CD9+and LAM adipose tissue macrophage subtypes have been found to be involved in the occurrence and development of metabolic diseases such as atherosclerosis,diabetes,insulin resistance,and cancer.DARC+and Mfehi adipose tissue macrophage subtypes play a vital role in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,obesity insulin resistance,iron death,and other related metabolic diseases.The above studies further suggest that inflammatory disorders caused by externally infiltrated macrophages in obese adipose tissue are an important pathological basis for obesity-induced metabolic diseases.Further in-depth research on the characteristics of various subtypes has important theoretical and practical significance.
6.Engineering CHO Cell Lines to Stably Express B4GALT1,ST6GAL1,and GnTⅢ with Site-directed Integration
Xian-Hong LI ; Run-Qing JIA ; You-Liang WANG ; Wei-Ling MAN ; Tian-Hao ZHU ; Xin-Long YAN ; Yan-Li LIN
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(4):576-585
Glycoengineering was carried out in the mammalian cell line CHO for the production of pro-tein-based drugs.Firstly,the genome sequence of the Rosa26 locus of CHO cells was determined,the gRNA sequences were designed,and the landing pad was integrated into the Rosa26 locus of CHO cells by CRISPR/Cas9 technology.Three targeting vectors co-expressed by glycosyltransferases,which are β-1,4 galactosyltransferase(B4GALT1),α-2,6-sialyltransferase 1(ST6GAL1)and N-acetaminoglycosyl-transferase Ⅲ(GnT Ⅲ),were constructed by overlapping PCR and seamless ligation technology,and the three glycosyltransferase genes were integrated into the CHO Rosa26 locus by Cre enzyme-mediated cassette exchange technology.PCR confirmed that three glycosyltransferases had been successfully site-directed integrated into the Rosa26 site.The mRNA expression levels of the three glycosyltransferases were more than 50 000-fold by qRT-PCR,and the protein expression levels of the three glycosyltrans-ferases were more than 4-fold via western blotting(P<0.001).A CHO-engineered cell line with three glycosyltransferases integrated into Rosa26 site was successfully constructed.
7.Expert Consensus on the Ethical Requirements for Generative AI-Assisted Academic Writing
You-Quan BU ; Yong-Fu CAO ; Zeng-Yi CHANG ; Hong-Yu CHEN ; Xiao-Wei CHEN ; Yuan-Yuan CHEN ; Zhu-Cheng CHEN ; Rui DENG ; Jie DING ; Zhong-Kai FAN ; Guo-Quan GAO ; Xu GAO ; Lan HU ; Xiao-Qing HU ; Hong-Ti JIA ; Ying KONG ; En-Min LI ; Ling LI ; Yu-Hua LI ; Jun-Rong LIU ; Zhi-Qiang LIU ; Ya-Ping LUO ; Xue-Mei LV ; Yan-Xi PEI ; Xiao-Zhong PENG ; Qi-Qun TANG ; You WAN ; Yong WANG ; Ming-Xu WANG ; Xian WANG ; Guang-Kuan XIE ; Jun XIE ; Xiao-Hua YAN ; Mei YIN ; Zhong-Shan YU ; Chun-Yan ZHOU ; Rui-Fang ZHU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(6):826-832
With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence(GAI)technologies,their widespread application in academic research and writing is continuously expanding the boundaries of sci-entific inquiry.However,this trend has also raised a series of ethical and regulatory challenges,inclu-ding issues related to authorship,content authenticity,citation accuracy,and accountability.In light of the growing involvement of AI in generating academic content,establishing an open,controllable,and trustworthy ethical governance framework has become a key task for safeguarding research integrity and maintaining trust within the academic community.This expert consensus outlines ethical requirements across key stages of AI-assisted academic writing-including topic selection,data management,citation practices,and authorship attribution.It aims to clarify the boundaries and ethical obligations surrounding AI use in academic writing,ensuring that technological tools enhance efficiency without compromising in-tegrity.The goal is to provide guidance and institutional support for building a responsible and sustainable research ecosystem.
8.Advances in the study of tubal hydrosalpinx and the effect of its treatment strategy on ovarian response and embryo quality
Shulei ZHANG ; Qiumin WANG ; You WU ; Lei YAN
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(11):1179-1183
Hydrosalpinx is one of the common causes of female infertility and a more common type of chronic tubal inflammation. Hydrosalpinx may reduce the success of assisted reproductive technology (ART) through a variety of mechanisms, including mechanical flushing of the embryo, embryo toxicity, reduced endometrial receptivity, and suppression of ovarian function. The effect of hydrosalpinx and its treatment strategy on ovarian response during controlled superovulation is controversial in existing studies, and there are fewer studies on the effect of hydrosalpinx on embryo quality. In this article, we clarify the pathophysiological mechanisms of hydrosalpinx, analyze its potential impact on ovarian response and embryo quality, and further explore the impact of therapeutic strategies for tubal hydrosalpinx on ART outcomes.
9.Association between A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and sarcopenia among older adults in China: evidence from the CHARLS
Tong LI ; Minghui DU ; You LV ; Jia CHONG ; Yuwei LI ; Fang WANG ; Yan WANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2025;33(4):275-281,289
Objective:To explore the association between A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and sarcopenia in Chinese older adults.Methods:Totally 1 728 participants in waves 1 and 3 of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS) were enrolled in this cohort-based cross-sectional analysis. ABSI was calculated by using anthropometric measurements from CHARLS. According to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 consensus update on sarcopenia, low muscle strength and low muscle mass were used as the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) were used to assess the relationship between ABSI and sarcopenia, and subgroup and interaction analyses were conducted to evaluate the influence of other factors on this association.Results:High ABSI showed a significant association with the risk of sarcopenia among older adults in China, and RCS analysis demonstrated a positive linear correlation between ABSI and sarcopenia. Additionally, the relationship of ABSI with sarcopenia was significantly modified by educational level and depressive status.Conclusion:ABSI, a novel anthropometric measure, serves as an effective threshold for assessing sarcopenia risk in the Chinese older population, providing a basis for developing clinical interventions and public health strategies for the prevention and early identification of sarcopenia.
10.Phenotype and genomic characterization of a mucoid-type Salmonella Saintpaul ST50 isolate from a urinary tract infection patient
Wen-qing WANG ; Na JIANG ; Yan-ru LIANG ; Shu-qi YOU ; Bo-wen YANG ; Li-peng HAO ; Xue-bin XU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(1):53-60
To investigate the phenotype and genomic characterization of a mucoid-type Salmonella Saintpaul ST50 isolate from a urinary tract infection patient,promoting clinical diagnosis and treatment for urinary tract infections caused by Salmo-nella spp.Culture-based quantitative counts of midstream urine sample from the patient were conducted,and further biochemi-cal identification,mass spectrometry detection,serum agglutination test and antimicrobial susceptibility test(AST)were con-ducted on Salmonella isolate(2024JD5).Whole-genome sequencing(WGS)was performed on isolate 2024JD5 to predict sero-type,multilocus sequence type(MLST),resistance genes,and virulence genes.Two smooth-type of Salmonella Saintpaul ST50 were selected as comparative genomic reference strains from the Chinese local Salmonella genome database.The literature reviews of global Salmonella serotype of urinary tract infection were summarized.Specific serum agglutination confir-mation of isolate 2024JD5 failed due to characterization of the mucus type.The strain 2024JD5 was predicted as Salmonella Saintpaul(4,5,12:e,h:1,2)ST50 using WGS,and was resistant to ciprofloxacin,nalidixic acid,chloramphenicol and tetracy-cline with carrying aminoglycoside resistance genes aac(6')-Ⅰaa and aph(3)-Ⅱa,chloramphenicol resistance gene floR,tetra-cycline resistance gene tet,quinolone resistance gene qnrS1,and S83Y substitution in the gyrA gene was found in the quinolo-ne resistance determination region(QRDR).In addition,the strain 2024JD4 carried six types of non-plasmid-based mobile ge-netic elements and 144 virulence genes,including 71 secretion transporter genes and 58 fimbriae adhesion genes,respectively.Four types of fimbriae regulatory genes(csgB,csgC,fimW,fimY)were absent in comparison with smooth-type Salmonella Saintpaul.The literature reviews showed Salmonella Saintpaul was currently a rare Salmonella serotype in cases of urinary tract infections worldwide.Salmonella Saintpaul ST50 with mucoid-type is the pathogen of urinary tract infection with multi-drug resistant phenotypic and genotypic characteristics,and the high mucoid expression may be related to the compensatory mechanism of fimbriae regulatory genes absence in urinary tract colonization and adaptation.WGS combined with the Chinese local Salmonella genome database can effectively solve the diagnosis and biosafety assessments of rare Salmonella phenotypes.

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