1.Structural and Spatial Analysis of The Recognition Relationship Between Influenza A Virus Neuraminidase Antigenic Epitopes and Antibodies
Zheng ZHU ; Zheng-Shan CHEN ; Guan-Ying ZHANG ; Ting FANG ; Pu FAN ; Lei BI ; Yue CUI ; Ze-Ya LI ; Chun-Yi SU ; Xiang-Yang CHI ; Chang-Ming YU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):957-969
ObjectiveThis study leverages structural data from antigen-antibody complexes of the influenza A virus neuraminidase (NA) protein to investigate the spatial recognition relationship between the antigenic epitopes and antibody paratopes. MethodsStructural data on NA protein antigen-antibody complexes were comprehensively collected from the SAbDab database, and processed to obtain the amino acid sequences and spatial distribution information on antigenic epitopes and corresponding antibody paratopes. Statistical analysis was conducted on the antibody sequences, frequency of use of genes, amino acid preferences, and the lengths of complementarity determining regions (CDR). Epitope hotspots for antibody binding were analyzed, and the spatial structural similarity of antibody paratopes was calculated and subjected to clustering, which allowed for a comprehensively exploration of the spatial recognition relationship between antigenic epitopes and antibodies. The specificity of antibodies targeting different antigenic epitope clusters was further validated through bio-layer interferometry (BLI) experiments. ResultsThe collected data revealed that the antigen-antibody complex structure data of influenza A virus NA protein in SAbDab database were mainly from H3N2, H7N9 and H1N1 subtypes. The hotspot regions of antigen epitopes were primarily located around the catalytic active site. The antibodies used for structural analysis were primarily derived from human and murine sources. Among murine antibodies, the most frequently used V-J gene combination was IGHV1-12*01/IGHJ2*01, while for human antibodies, the most common combination was IGHV1-69*01/IGHJ6*01. There were significant differences in the lengths and usage preferences of heavy chain CDR amino acids between antibodies that bind within the catalytic active site and those that bind to regions outside the catalytic active site. The results revealed that structurally similar antibodies could recognize the same epitopes, indicating a specific spatial recognition between antibody and antigen epitopes. Structural overlap in the binding regions was observed for antibodies with similar paratope structures, and the competitive binding of these antibodies to the epitope was confirmed through BLI experiments. ConclusionThe antigen epitopes of NA protein mainly ditributed around the catalytic active site and its surrounding loops. Spatial complementarity and electrostatic interactions play crucial roles in the recognition and binding of antibodies to antigenic epitopes in the catalytic region. There existed a spatial recognition relationship between antigens and antibodies that was independent of the uniqueness of antibody sequences, which means that antibodies with different sequences could potentially form similar local spatial structures and recognize the same epitopes.
2.Diagnostic Techniques and Risk Prediction for Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) Syndrome
Song HOU ; Lin-Shan ZHANG ; Xiu-Qin HONG ; Chi ZHANG ; Ying LIU ; Cai-Li ZHANG ; Yan ZHU ; Hai-Jun LIN ; Fu ZHANG ; Yu-Xiang YANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(10):2585-2601
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and metabolic disorders are the 3 major chronic diseases threatening human health, which are closely related and often coexist, significantly increasing the difficulty of disease management. In response, the American Heart Association (AHA) proposed a novel disease concept of “cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome” in October 2023, which has triggered widespread concern about the co-treatment of heart and kidney diseases and the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders around the world. This review posits that effectively managing CKM syndrome requires a new and multidimensional paradigm for diagnosis and risk prediction that integrates biological insights, advanced technology and social determinants of health (SDoH). We argue that the core pathological driver is a “metabolic toxic environment”, fueled by adipose tissue dysfunction and characterized by a vicious cycle of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, which forms a common pathway to multi-organ injury. The at-risk population is defined not only by biological characteristics but also significantly impacted by adverse SDoH, which can elevate the risk of advanced CKM by a factor of 1.18 to 3.50, underscoring the critical need for equity in screening and care strategies. This review systematically charts the progression of diagnostic technologies. In diagnostics, we highlight a crucial shift from single-marker assessments to comprehensive multi-marker panels. The synergistic application of traditional biomarkers like NT-proBNP (reflecting cardiac stress) and UACR (indicating kidney damage) with emerging indicators such as systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and Klotho protein facilitates a holistic evaluation of multi-organ health. Furthermore, this paper explores the pivotal role of non-invasive monitoring technologies in detecting subclinical disease. Techniques like multi-wavelength photoplethysmography (PPG) and impedance cardiography (ICG) provide a real-time window into microcirculatory and hemodynamic status, enabling the identification of early, often asymptomatic, functional abnormalities that precede overt organ failure. In imaging, progress is marked by a move towards precise, quantitative evaluation, exemplified by artificial intelligence-powered quantitative computed tomography (AI-QCT). By integrating AI-QCT with clinical risk factors, the predictive accuracy for cardiovascular events within 6 months significantly improves, with the area under the curve (AUC) increasing from 0.637 to 0.688, demonstrating its potential for reclassifying risk in CKM stage 3. In the domain of risk prediction, we trace the evolution from traditional statistical tools to next-generation models. The new PREVENT equation represents a major advancement by incorporating key kidney function markers (eGFR, UACR), which can enhance the detection rate of CKD in primary care by 20%-30%. However, we contend that the future lies in dynamic, machine learning-based models. Algorithms such as XGBoost have achieved an AUC of 0.82 for predicting 365-day cardiovascular events, while deep learning models like KFDeep have demonstrated exceptional performance in predicting kidney failure risk with an AUC of 0.946. Unlike static calculators, these AI-driven tools can process complex, multimodal data and continuously update risk profiles, paving the way for truly personalized and proactive medicine. In conclusion, this review advocates for a paradigm shift toward a holistic and technologically advanced framework for CKM management. Future efforts must focus on the deep integration of multimodal data, the development of novel AI-driven biomarkers, the implementation of refined SDoH-informed interventions, and the promotion of interdisciplinary collaboration to construct an efficient, equitable, and effective system for CKM screening and intervention.
3.The experience on the construction of the cluster prevention and control system for COVID-19 infection in designated hospitals during the period of "Category B infectious disease treated as Category A"
Wanjie YANG ; Xianduo LIU ; Ximo WANG ; Weiguo XU ; Lei ZHANG ; Qiang FU ; Jiming YANG ; Jing QIAN ; Fuyu ZHANG ; Li TIAN ; Wenlong ZHANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Zheng CHEN ; Shifeng SHAO ; Xiang WANG ; Li GENG ; Yi REN ; Ying WANG ; Lixia SHI ; Zhen WAN ; Yi XIE ; Yuanyuan LIU ; Weili YU ; Jing HAN ; Li LIU ; Huan ZHU ; Zijiang YU ; Hongyang LIU ; Shimei WANG
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2024;36(2):195-201
The COVID-19 epidemic has spread to the whole world for three years and has had a serious impact on human life, health and economic activities. China's epidemic prevention and control has gone through the following stages: emergency unconventional stage, emergency normalization stage, and the transitional stage from the emergency normalization to the "Category B infectious disease treated as Category B" normalization, and achieved a major and decisive victory. The designated hospitals for prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic in Tianjin has successfully completed its tasks in all stages of epidemic prevention and control, and has accumulated valuable experience. This article summarizes the experience of constructing a hospital infection prevention and control system during the "Category B infectious disease treated as Category A" period in designated hospital. The experience is summarized as the "Cluster" hospital infection prevention and control system, namely "three rings" outside, middle and inside, "three districts" of green, orange and red, "three things" before, during and after the event, "two-day pre-purification" and "two-director system", and "one zone" management. In emergency situations, we adopt a simplified version of the cluster hospital infection prevention and control system. In emergency situations, a simplified version of the "Cluster" hospital infection prevention and control system can be adopted. This system has the following characteristics: firstly, the system emphasizes the characteristics of "cluster" and the overall management of key measures to avoid any shortcomings. The second, it emphasizes the transformation of infection control concepts to maximize the safety of medical services through infection control. The third, it emphasizes the optimization of the process. The prevention and control measures should be comprehensive and focused, while also preventing excessive use. The measures emphasize the use of the least resources to achieve the best infection control effect. The fourth, it emphasizes the quality control work of infection control, pays attention to the importance of the process, and advocates the concept of "system slimming, process fattening". Fifthly, it emphasizes that the future development depends on artificial intelligence, in order to improve the quality and efficiency of prevention and control to the greatest extent. Sixth, hospitals need to strengthen continuous training and retraining. We utilize diverse training methods, including artificial intelligence, to ensure that infection control policies and procedures are simple. We have established an evaluation and feedback mechanism to ensure that medical personnel are in an emergency state at all times.
4.Electroacupuncture Promotes Functional Recovery after Facial Nerve Injury in Rats by Regulating Autophagy via GDNF and PI3K/mTOR Signaling Pathway.
Jun-Peng YAO ; Xiu-Mei FENG ; Lu WANG ; Yan-Qiu LI ; Zi-Yue ZHU ; Xiang-Yun YAN ; Yu-Qing YANG ; Ying LI ; Wei ZHANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2024;30(3):251-259
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in promoting recovery of the facial function with the involvement of autophagy, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway.
METHODS:
Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into the control, sham-operated, facial nerve injury (FNI), EA, EA+3-methyladenine (3-MA), and EA+GDNF antagonist groups using a random number table, with 12 rats in each group. An FNI rat model was established with facial nerve crushing method. EA intervention was conducted at Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Yifeng (SJ 17), and Hegu (LI 4) acupoints for 2 weeks. The Simone's 10-Point Scale was utilized to monitor the recovery of facial function. The histopathological evaluation of facial nerves was performed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The levels of Beclin-1, light chain 3 (LC3), and P62 were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Additionally, IHC was also used to detect the levels of GDNF, Rai, PI3K, and mTOR.
RESULTS:
The facial functional scores were significantly increased in the EA group than the FNI group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). HE staining showed nerve axons and myelin sheaths, which were destroyed immediately after the injury, were recovered with EA treatment. The expressions of Beclin-1 and LC3 were significantly elevated and the expression of P62 was markedly reduced in FNI rats (P<0.01); however, EA treatment reversed these abnormal changes (P<0.01). Meanwhile, EA stimulation significantly increased the levels of GDNF, Rai, PI3K, and mTOR (P<0.01). After exogenous administration with autophagy inhibitor 3-MA or GDNF antagonist, the repair effect of EA on facial function was attenuated (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
EA could promote the recovery of facial function and repair the facial nerve damages in a rat model of FNI. EA may exert this neuroreparative effect through mediating the release of GDNF, activating the PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway, and further regulating the autophagy of facial nerves.
Rats
;
Male
;
Animals
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Electroacupuncture
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/metabolism*
;
Facial Nerve Injuries/therapy*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Beclin-1
;
Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
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Signal Transduction
;
TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*
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Autophagy
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Mammals/metabolism*
5.The Role of Mechanical Sensitive Ion Channel Piezo in Digestive System Diseases
Si-Qi WANG ; Xiang-Yun YAN ; Yan-Qiu LI ; Fang-Li LUO ; Jun-Peng YAO ; Pei-Tao MA ; Yu-Jun HOU ; Hai-Yan QIN ; Yun-Zhou SHI ; Ying LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(8):1883-1894
The Piezo protein is a non-selective mechanosensitive cation channel that exhibits sensitivity to mechanical stimuli such as pressure and shear stress. It converts mechanical signals into bioelectric activity within cells, thus triggering specific biological responses. In the digestive system, Piezo protein plays a crucial role in maintaining normal physiological activities, including digestion, absorption, metabolic regulation, and immune modulation. However, dysregulation in Piezo protein expression may lead to the occurrence of several pathological conditions, including visceral hypersensitivity, impairment of intestinal mucosal barrier function, and immune inflammation.Therefore, conducting a comprehensive review of the physiological functions and pathological roles of Piezo protein in the digestive system is of paramount importance. In this review, we systematically summarize the structural and dynamic characteristics of Piezo protein, its expression patterns, and physiological functions in the digestive system. We particularly focus on elucidating the mechanisms of action of Piezo protein in digestive system tumor diseases, inflammatory diseases, fibrotic diseases, and functional disorders. Through the integration of the latest research findings, we have observed that Piezo protein plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various digestive system diseases. There exist intricate interactions between Piezo protein and multiple phenotypes of digestive system tumors such as proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. In inflammatory diseases, Piezo protein promotes intestinal immune responses and pancreatic trypsinogen activation, contributing to the development of ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and pancreatitis. Additionally, Piezo1, through pathways involving co-action with the TRPV4 ion channel, facilitates neutrophil recruitment and suppresses HIF-1α ubiquitination, thereby mediating organ fibrosis in organs like the liver and pancreas. Moreover, Piezo protein regulation by gut microbiota or factors like age and gender can result in increased or decreased visceral sensitivity, and alterations in intestinal mucosal barrier structure and permeability, which are closely associated with functional disorders like irritable bowel sydrome (IBS) and functional consitipaction (FC). A thorough exploration of Piezo protein as a potential therapeutic target in digestive system diseases can provide a scientific basis and theoretical support for future clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies.
6.Teaching Reform of “Structural Biology” Course Based on The Ability Cultivation
Ying-Jie LI ; Ting-Ting GUO ; Ming-Yu WANG ; Da-Lei WU ; Xiang GAO ; Lu-Shan WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(11):3046-3053
As a rapidly developing frontier discipline, structural biology has penetrated into every field of life science research. The course of “Structural Biology” plays an important role in expanding the knowledge system of undergraduate students and promoting students’ scientific spirit and innovation. For the high-quality training of highly skilled talents, we aimed to promote the original innovation of students, the ability of thinking, and the ability of engineering practice. The trinity education concept, including shape of the value, passing on knowledge, and ability cultivation, was applied. During the reform, we explored a step-by-step course content and searched for factors involved in ideological and political education. Based on the problem-based learning (PBL) method, a hybrid teaching model was designed to cultivate the problem-thinking and problem-solving skills of students. Meanwhile, a number of evaluation systems for students and teachers were established, which may be generally adopted for the course of “Structural Biology”. The survey data suggested that the exploration has a good effect on teaching and training and is conducive to the cultivation of research-oriented, comprehensive, innovative talents under the background of “New Engineering”.
7.Clinical Study on Dingxuan Decoction Combined with Vestibular Function Rehabilitation Training in the Treatment of Meniere's Disease
Yu-Fang ZHANG ; Yan-Fang SONG ; Ying-Zhe CHEN ; Xiang-Dong WU ; Jing-Jing HAI ; Wen-Qing SUN
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(3):646-652
Objective To investigate the efficacy of Dingxuan Decoction combined with vestibular function rehabilitation training in the treatment of Meniere's disease and to observe its effect on clinical symptoms and blood flow of vertebral artery.Methods A total of 100 patients with Meniere's disease of liver-kidney yin deficiency complicated with wind-water upward stirring type were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,with 50 patients in each group.The control group was given conventional treatment and vestibular function rehabilitation training,and the observation group was treated with Dingxuan Decoction on the basis of treatment for the control group.The two groups were treated for 4 weeks and then were followed up for 6 months.The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome score,Dizziness Handicap Inventory(DHI)score,Tinnitus Handicap Inventory(THI)score,hearing visual analogue scale(VAS)score and vertebral artery blood flow in the two groups were observed before and after the treatment.After treatment,the TCM syndrome efficacy,hearing improvement and follow-up results were compared between the two groups.Results(1)After 4 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate for TCM syndrome efficacy of the observation group was 86.00%(43/50),and that of the control group was 62.00%(31/50),and the intergroup comparison showed that the TCM syndrome efficacy in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(2)After 4 weeks of treatment,the hearing of patients in both groups was improved,and the total effective rate for the efficacy of hearing improvement in the observation group was 76.00%(38/50),while that in the control group was 46.00%(23/50).The intergroup comparison showed that the efficacy of hearing improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(3)After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores,DHI score,THI score and hearing VAS scores in the two groups were all decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the decrease in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(4)After treatment,the average blood flow velocity of the left vertebral artery(LVA)and the right vertebral artery(RVA)in the two groups were both increased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the increase in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(5)The results of 6-month follow-up after treatment showed that the incidence of Meniere's disease and the frequency of attack in the observation group were significantly reduced compared with those in the control group,and the episode duration in the observation group was significantly shorter than that in the control group,the differences being all statistically significant(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion Dingxuan Decoction combined with vestibular function rehabilitation training exert certain effect in treating patients with Meniere's disease of liver-kidney yin deficiency complicated with wind-water upward stirring type,and the therapy is effective on improving patients'clinical symptoms and vertebral artery blood flow,reducing the risk of recurrence and improving the quality of life of the patients.
8.GUAN Guo-Hua's Experience in Differentiating and Treating Central Serous Chorioretinopathy in Lingnan Area
Ying-Zi LUO ; Xiang-Yue ZHENG ; Xiao-Yi YU
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(3):759-763
This article summarized Professor GUAN Guo-Hua's clinical experience in treating central serous chorioretinopathy(CSC)in Lingnan area.Based on the theory of"macula due to the spleen dysfunction",and by taking the geographical and climatic characteristics of Lingnan area as well as the body constitutional features of Lingnan residents into account,Professor GUAN Guo-Hua proposed that spleen deficiency leading to damp encumbrance was the fundamental pathogenesis of CSC in Lingnan area,and liver and kidney were gradually affected in the middle and late stages of CSC,which finally resulted into blood stasis and water retention.For the treatment of initial attack of CSC,the focus was on treating the spleen,and Erchen Decoction was adopted as the basic prescription for modified application to strengthen the spleen and drain dampness;for the treatment of CSC in the middle and late stages,the emphasis was on simultaneous treatment of the liver,spleen and kidney as well as blood and water,and Zhujing Pills and Wuling Powder were adopted as the basic prescriptions for nourishing the liver and kidney and for strengthening the spleen,activating blood and promoting urination.The treatment of the spleen is advocated throughout the whole treatment process,and the medication of drugs should be modified based on syndrome differentiation and according to the specific conditions,thus to achieve significant results.
9.Analysis of epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 1247 cases of infectious diseases of the central nervous system
Jia-Hua ZHAO ; Yu-Ying CEN ; Xiao-Jiao XU ; Fei YANG ; Xing-Wen ZHANG ; Zhao DONG ; Ruo-Zhuo LIU ; De-Hui HUANG ; Rong-Tai CUI ; Xiang-Qing WANG ; Cheng-Lin TIAN ; Xu-Sheng HUANG ; Sheng-Yuan YU ; Jia-Tang ZHANG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2024;49(1):43-49
Objective To summarize the epidemiological and clinical features of infectious diseases of the central nervous system(CNS)by a single-center analysis.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 1247 cases of CNS infectious diseases diagnosed and treated in the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from 2001 to 2020.Results The data for this group of CNS infectious diseases by disease type in descending order of number of cases were viruses 743(59.6%),Mycobacterium tuberculosis 249(20.0%),other bacteria 150(12.0%),fungi 68(5.5%),parasites 18(1.4%),Treponema pallidum 18(1.4%)and rickettsia 1(0.1%).The number of cases increased by 177 cases(33.1%)in the latter 10 years compared to the previous 10 years(P<0.05).No significant difference in seasonal distribution pattern of data between disease types(P>0.05).Male to female ratio is 1.87︰1,mostly under 60 years of age.Viruses are more likely to infect students,most often at university/college level and above,farmers are overrepresented among bacteria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis,and more infections of Treponema pallidum in workers.CNS infectious diseases are characterized by fever,headache and signs of meningeal irritation,with the adductor nerve being the more commonly involved cranial nerve.Matagenomic next-generation sequencing improves clinical diagnostic capabilities.The median hospital days for CNS infectious diseases are 18.00(11.00,27.00)and median hospital costs are ¥29,500(¥16,000,¥59,200).The mortality rate from CNS infectious diseases is 1.6%.Conclusions The incidence of CNS infectious diseases is increasing last ten years,with complex clinical presentation,severe symptoms and poor prognosis.Early and accurate diagnosis and standardized clinical treatment can significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality rate and ease the burden of disease.
10.Content determination of seventeen amino acids in Gualoupi Injection and its intermediates and research on their change laws
Xiang TAO ; Jing-Xian ZHANG ; Qing HU ; Jian SUN ; Ying DONG ; Jin-Guo DING ; Hong YU ; Ying-Ying SHEN ; Xiu-Hong MAO ; Shen JI
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(3):709-717
AIM To determine the contents of aspartic acid,glutamic acid,serine,glycine,threonine,citrulline,arginine,alanine,γ-amino-butyric acid,tyrosine,valine,phenlalanine,isoleucine,ornithine,leucine,lysine and proline in Gualoupi Injection and its intermediates,and to analyze their change laws.METHODS The OPA-FMOC online derivatization analysis was performed on a 45℃ thermostatic Waters XBridge C18 column(4.6 mm×100 mm,3.5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of phosphate buffer solution-[methanol-acetonitrile-water(45 : 45 : 10)]flowing at 1 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelengths were set at 262,338 nm.Principal component analysis and heatmap analysis were adopted in chemical pattern recognition for the corresponding intermediates in ten processes of six batches of samples.RESULTS Seventeen amino acids showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(R2>0.998 0),whose average recoveries were 83.4%-119.5%with the RSDs of 0.91%-7.94%.Different batches of samples in the same process were clustered,and the corresponding intermediates in different processed were clustered into three groups.Alcohol precipitation and cation exchange column demonstrated the biggest influences on amino acid composition.CONCLUSION This experiment can provide important references for the critical factors on quality control of Gualoupi Injection,thus ensure the stability and uniformity of final product.

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