1.The Structure and Function of The YopJ Family Effectors in The Bacterial Type III Secretion System
Ao-Ning LI ; Wen-Bo LI ; Yu-Ying LU ; Min-Hui ZHU ; Yu-Long QIN ; Yong ZHAO ; Zhao-Huan ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):516-533
The Type III Secretion System (T3SS) serves as a pivotal virulence apparatus for numerous Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, enabling them to infect both animal and plant hosts. Functioning as a molecular syringe, the T3SS directly translocates bacterial effector proteins from the bacterial cytoplasm into the interior of eukaryotic host cells. These effectors are central weapons that precisely manipulate a wide spectrum of host cellular physiological processes, ranging from cytoskeletal dynamics to immune signaling, to establish a favorable niche for bacterial survival and proliferation. Among the diverse arsenal of T3SS effectors, the YopJ family constitutes a critical group of virulence factors. Members of this family are characterized by a conserved catalytic triad structure—a hallmark of the CE clan of cysteine proteases that has been evolutionarily repurposed to confer acetyltransferase activity. A defining and intriguing feature of these enzymes is their stringent dependence on a host-derived eukaryotic cofactor, inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6), for allosteric activation. This requirement acts as a sophisticated molecular safeguard, ensuring enzymatic activity only within the appropriate host environment, thereby preventing detrimental effects on the bacterium itself. While seminal studies on individual members such as Yersinia’s YopJ and Salmonella’s AvrA have provided deep mechanistic insights, a systematic and integrative understanding of the structure-function relationships across the entire family remains fragmented. Key questions persist regarding how a conserved catalytic core has diverged to recognize distinct host substrates in different kingdoms of life. To address this gap, this article provides a systematic review of the YopJ family, focusing on three interconnected aspects: their structural features, their catalytic mechanism, and their divergent immunosuppressive strategies in animal versus plant hosts. By conducting a comparative analysis of the sequences and resolved three-dimensional structures of three representative members (e.g., HopZ1a, PopP2, AvrA), we elucidate regions of significant variation embedded within the conserved core catalytic architecture. These variable regions, often involving surface loops and substrate-binding interfaces, are crucial determinants of target specificity and functional specialization. The functional divergence of this effector family is most apparent when comparing their modes of action in different hosts. In animal hosts, YopJ-family effectors primarily sabotage innate immune signaling pathways. They achieve this by acetylating key serine and threonine residues within the activation loops of critical kinases in the MAPK and NF‑κB pathways. This post-translational modification blocks the phosphorylation and subsequent activation of these kinases, leading to potent suppression of inflammatory cytokine production. Conversely, in plant hosts, the strategy broadens to dismantle the two-tiered plant immune system. YopJ homologs target a more diverse set of substrates, including immune-associated receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases (RLCKs), microtubule networks via tubulin acetylation (which disrupts cellular trafficking and signaling), and transcription factors central to defense gene regulation. This multi-target approach effectively suppresses both Pattern-Triggered Immunity (PTI) and Effector-Triggered Immunity (ETI). In conclusion, this synthesis aims to deepen the mechanistic understanding of YopJ family-mediated pathogenesis by integrating structural biology with cellular function across host kingdoms. Elucidating the precise molecular basis for substrate selection—how conserved platforms achieve target diversity—is a major frontier. Furthermore, this knowledge provides a vital theoretical foundation for developing novel anti-virulence strategies. Targeting the conserved IP6-binding pocket or the catalytic acetyltransferase activity itself represents a promising avenue for designing broad-spectrum inhibitors that could disarm this critical family of bacterial effectors, potentially offering new therapeutic approaches against a range of pathogenic bacteria.
2.The impact of the"Tianjin Experience"of the chest pain center on patients with acute myocardial infarction
Cun XIE ; Ke SONG ; Wen-long ZHENG ; Jing-wei ZHANG ; Jia ZHAO ; Chun-jie LI ; Yong HUO
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(9):509-515
Objective To comprehensively evaluate the multidimensional impact of the"Tianjin Experience"of Chest Pain Center(CPC)development on in-hospital mortality,optimization of treatment workflows,and regional coordination of care for patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI),with the aim of providing scientific evidence to further improve the model and enhance AMI treatment outcomes.Methods This study analyzed data from the"Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Acute Events Surveillance System"maintained by the Tianjin Center for Disease Control and Prevention from 2013 to 2024.A segmented regression model was applied to assess the long-term trends in in-hospital mortality from acute myocardial infarction(AMI),with a particular focus on evaluating the impact of the chest pain center program on treatment outcomes.Additionally,supplementary analyses were conducted using surveillance data from the Tianjin Chest Pain Center Quality Control Team between 2017 and 2024.To verify the effectiveness of treatment process optimization,temporal trends in key time-based process indicators were assessed,including Door-in-Door-out(DIDO)time at non-PCI hospitals,Door-to-Wire(D-to-W)time,and First Medical Contact to Wire(FMC-to-W)to wire time.Results According to the data from the Tianjin Center for Disease Control and Prevention,the average 28-day AMI mortality rate in the overall patient population was 9.85%.Between 01/2013 and 12/2014,the mortality rate showed a significant upward trend(P<0.01),followed by a downward trend from 01/2015 to 12/2024,although the latter did not reach statistical significance(P>0.05).From 2013 to 2024,a total of 27 633 AMI cases with complete clinical records were collected from Tianjin Chest Hospital,with an average 28-day mortality rate of 4.55%.The mortality rate exhibited a decreasing trend from 01/2013 to 12/2016,with an annual percent change(APC)of-7.56(P<0.05).From 01/2017 to 12/2024,the trend stabilized,with an APC of 0.39(P>0.05).Conclusions The development of the CPC system in Tianjin significantly reduced key treatment times and improved the overall efficiency of AMI management.While population-level AMI mortality rates began to decline after 2015,the rate of improvement has slowed,indicating a continued need for optimizing the regional coordinated care system to further enhance patient outcomes.
3.Bioequivalence study of desloratadine tablets in healthy Chinese subjects
Peng-fei XIE ; Yuan-lu CHEN ; Hong-di CUI ; Hui LONG ; Yong-gang ZHAO ; Qi-shan HUANG ; Peng YANG ; Yan ZHOU ; Yong-dong ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2025;41(2):220-224
Objective To explore the pharmacokinetic(PK)characteristics of desloratadine tablets and reference drugs in healthy subjects,and evaluate their bioequivalence and safety.Methods The random,open,two-period,cross-over pharmacokinetic study method was adopted,each subject received a single oral dose of desloratadine tablets test drug(T)or reference drug(R)for 5 mg.The concentrations of desloratadine and 3-hydroxy desloratadine in plasma were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS);and the PK parameters were calculated by WinNonlin 8.1 software to evaluate the bioequivalence.Results The main PK parameters of T and R of desloratadine were as follows:the fasting condition Cmax were respectively(3 809.82±1 016.54)and(3 642.36±777.07)pg·mL-1;AUC0-120h were respectively(5.75 ×104±5.03 ×104)and(5.51 × 104±4.00 × 104)pg·h·mL-1;AUC0-∞ were respectively(6.85× 104±1.03× 104)and(6.37 × 104±7.92 × 104)pg·h·mL-1.The fed condition Cmax were respectively(4 398.98±1 191.22)and(4 744.4±1 511.97)pg·mL-1;AUC0-120h were respectively(5.25 × 104±1.82 × 104)and(5.55 × 104±1.98 × 104)pg·h·mL-1;AUC0-∞ were respectively(5.37 × 104±1.86 × 104)and(5.68 × 104±2.04 × 104)pg·h·mL-1.The 90%confidence interval of Cmax,AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ of desloratadine were all within 80.00%~125.00%.Conclusion There was no significant difference in the main PK parameters between T tablets and R under fasting or high-fat postprandial conditions,and desloratadine tablets were bioequivalent,safe and well tolerated.
4.RODENT DENSITY IN THE GARRISONS OF LANZHOU CITY DURING 2014-2022
Jun GAN ; Jing ZUO ; Lin WANG ; Wei WANG ; Xing MENG ; Yong-Long ZHANG ; Qing-Ming SHI ; Xiao-Lei YE
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2025;32(1):34-38
Objective To investigate the density,species composition,and seasonal prevalence of domestic rodents in different habitats within Lanzhou garrisons,providing basic information for rodent prevention and control.Methods A total of 12 monitoring sites were sampled across urban,suburban,and rural residential areas from 2014 to 2022.Rodent density was monitored using the night-trapping method in the middle of odd-numbered months.Results From 2014 to 2022,346 domestic rodents were captured using 122 035 effective traps,with an average domestic rodent density of 0.28%.The highest domestic rodent density was 0.63%in 2016,and the lowest was 0.07%in 2020,showing significant differences across years,with an overall trend of initially decreasing and then increasing(χ2=136.555,P<0.001).The dominant species was Rattus norvegicus,accounting for 83.24%of the total rodents captured.Rattus norvegicus accounted for a relatively high proportion across different years,with a statistically significant difference in species composition(χ2=20.931,P<0.05).Rodent densities and species composition also varied significantly among the monitored habitats(P<0.001),with the highest densities observed in rural residential areas and the lowest in urban areas.Seasonal variation in rodent densities showed a bimodal pattern,with smaller peaks in January or March and a larger peak in July.Conclusions Domestic rodent density in Lanzhou garrisons has shown an upward trend in the past few years.Rodent control measures should focus on barracks in rural residential areas,with targeted interventions to reduce the risk of rodent-borne diseases.
5.Huachansu injection enhances anti-colorectal cancer efficacy of irinotecan and alleviates its induced intestinal toxicity through upregulating UGT1A1-OATP1B3 expression in vitro and in vivo.
Bo JIANG ; Zhao-Yang MENG ; Yu-Jie HU ; Jun-Jun CHEN ; Ling ZONG ; Ling-Yan XU ; Xiang-Qi ZHANG ; Jing-Xian ZHANG ; Yong-Long HAN
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(5):576-590
OBJECTIVE:
Huachansu injection (HCSI), a promising anti-cancer Chinese medicine injection, has been reported to have the potential for reducing the toxicity of chemotherapy and improving the quality of life for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. The objective of this study is to explore the synergistic and detoxifying effects of HCSI when used in combination with irinotecan (CPT-11).
METHODS:
To investigate the effect of HCSI on anti-CRC efficacy and intestinal toxicity of CPT-11, we measured changes in the biological behavior of LoVo cells in vitro, and anti-tumor effects in LoVo cell xenograft nude mice models in vivo. Meanwhile, the effect of HCSI on intestinal toxicity and the uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) expression was investigated in the CPT-11-induced colitis mouse model. Subsequently, we measured the effect of HCSI and its 13 constituent bufadienolides on the expression of UGT1A1 and organic anion transporting polypeptides 1B3 (OATP1B3) in HepG2 cells.
RESULTS:
The combination index (CI) results showed that the combination of HCSI and CPT-11 exhibited a synergistic effect (CI < 1), which significantly suppressing the LoVo cell migration, enhancing G2/M and S phase arrest, and inhibiting tumor growth in vivo. Additionally, the damage to intestinal tissues was attenuated by HCSI in CPT-11-induced colitis model, while the increased expression of UGT1A1 in HepG2 cells and in mouse was observed.
CONCLUSION
The co-therapy with HCSI alleviated the intestinal toxicity induced by CPT-11 and exerted an enhanced anti-CRC effect. The detoxifying mechanism may be related to the increased expression of UGT1A1 and OATP1B3 by HCSI and its bufadienolides components. The findings of this study may serve as a theoretical insights and strategies to improve CRC patient outcomes. Please cite this article as: Jiang B, Meng ZY, Hu YJ, Chen JJ, Zong L, Xu LY, Zhang XQ, Zhang JX, Han YL. Huachansu injection enhances anti-colorectal cancer efficacy of irinotecan and alleviates its induced intestinal toxicity through upregulating UGT1A1-OATP1B3 expression in vitro and in vivo. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):576-590.
Irinotecan/therapeutic use*
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Animals
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Glucuronosyltransferase/genetics*
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Humans
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Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Mice, Nude
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Mice
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Up-Regulation/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Hep G2 Cells
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Cell Line, Tumor
;
Intestines/drug effects*
;
Amphibian Venoms
6.Associations between Pesticide Metabolites and Decreased Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Among Solar Greenhouse Workers: A Specialized Farmer Group.
Teng Long YAN ; Xin SONG ; Xiao Dong LIU ; Wu LIU ; Yong Lan CHEN ; Xiao Mei ZHANG ; Xiang Juan MENG ; Bin Shuo HU ; Zhen Xia KOU ; Tian CHEN ; Xiao Jun ZHU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(2):265-269
7.Evaluation of cardiac involvement in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis using echocardiography combined with electrocardiography
Aiqing LU ; Ling CHEN ; Xiuyun SUN ; Xin DONG ; Xiaoyan LI ; Yongcun SUN ; Shaowen LYU ; Long YU ; Yong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(4):534-539
Objective To evaluate cardiac involvement in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) using echocardiography combined with electrocardiography. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the detailed medical records of AAV patients treated in Jining First People’s Hospital between January 2020 and December 2024. Eighty patients were enrolled in the AAV group, and the risk of heart disease was compared between the AAV group and a control group with 80 subjects matched for age, sex, and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Results Electrocardiographic abnormalities were observed in 78.75% of patients in the AAV group, while significant electrocardiographic abnormalities only occurred in symptomatic patients in the control group. There were no differences in left atrial enlargement or interventricular septal thickening between the AAV group and the control group. The overall left ventricular systolic function in the AAV group was lower than that in the control group (8.75% vs. 0). The incidence of reduced diastolic function in the AAV group was significantly higher than that in the control group (37.5% vs. 15%). The incidence rates of tricuspid regurgitation, mitral regurgitation, aortic regurgitation, and pericardial effusion in the AAV group were significantly higher than those in the control group. Pericardial thickening, aortic stenosis, pulmonary hypertension, and rare periaortic granulomas were found in the AAV group, but not in the control group. Conclusion Echocardiography and electrocardiography are important examination methods for evaluating cardiac involvement in AAV. These methods have key roles in disease screening, diagnosis and treatment, follow-up, and prognosis judgment.
8.Exploring urban versus rural disparities in atrial fibrillation: prevalence and management trends among elderly Chinese in a screening study.
Wei ZHANG ; Yi CHEN ; Lei-Xiao HU ; Jia-Hui XIA ; Xiao-Fei YE ; Wen-Yuan-Yue WANG ; Xin-Yu WANG ; Quan-Yong XIANG ; Qin TAN ; Xiao-Long WANG ; Xiao-Min YANG ; De-Chao ZHAO ; Xin CHEN ; Yan LI ; Ji-Guang WANG ; FOR THE IMPRESSION INVESTIGATORS AND COORDINATORS
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 2025;22(2):246-254
BACKGROUND:
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia in the elderly. This study aimed to evaluate urban-rural disparities in its prevalence and management in elderly Chinese.
METHODS:
Consecutive participants aged ≥ 65 years attending outpatient clinics were enrolled for AF screening using handheld single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) from April 2017 to December 2022. Each ECG rhythm strip was reviewed from the research team. AF or uninterpretable single-lead ECGs were referred for 12-lead ECG. Primary study outcome comparison was between rural and urban areas for the prevalence of AF. The Student's t-test was used to compare mean values of clinical characteristics between rural and urban participants, while the Pearson's chi-square test was used to compare between-group proportions. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association between AF and various patient characteristics.
RESULTS:
The 29,166 study participants included 13,253 men (45.4%) and had a mean age of 72.2 years. The 7073 rural participants differed significantly (P ≤ 0.02) from the 22,093 urban participants in several major characteristics, such as older age, greater body mass index, and so on. The overall prevalence of AF was 4.6% (n = 1347). AF was more prevalent in 7073 rural participants than 22,093 urban participants (5.6% vs. 4.3%, P < 0.01), before and after adjustment for age, body mass index, blood pressure, pulse rate, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and prior medical history. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified overweight/obesity (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.17-1.54) in urban areas and cigarette smoking (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.20-2.17) and alcohol consumption (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.04-1.93) in rural areas as specific risk factors for prevalent AF. In patients with known AF in urban areas (n = 781) and rural areas (n = 338), 60.6% and 45.9%, respectively, received AF treatment (P < 0.01), and only 22.4% and 17.2%, respectively, received anticoagulation therapy (P = 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
In China, there are urban-rural disparities in AF in the elderly, with a higher prevalence and worse management in rural areas than urban areas. Our study findings provide insight for health policymakers to consider urban-rural disparity in the prevention and treatment of AF.
9.Impact of admission-blood-glucose-to-albumin ratio on all-cause mortality and renal prognosis in critical patients with coronary artery disease: insights from the MIMIC-IV database.
Yong HONG ; Bo-Wen ZHANG ; Jing SHI ; Ruo-Xin MIN ; Ding-Yu WANG ; Jiu-Xu KAN ; Yun-Long GAO ; Lin-Yue PENG ; Ming-Lu XU ; Ming-Ming WU ; Yue LI ; Li SHENG
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 2025;22(6):563-577
BACKGROUND:
Blood glucose and serum albumin have been associated with cardiovascular disease prognosis, but the impact of admission-blood-glucose-to-albumin ratio (AAR) on adverse outcomes in critical ill coronary artery disease (CAD) patients was not investigated.
METHODS:
Patients diagnosed with CAD were non-consecutively selected from the MIMIC-IV database and categorized into quartiles based on their AAR. The primary outcome was 1-year mortality, and secondary endpoints were in-hospital mortality, acute kidney injury (AKI), and renal replacement therapy (RRT). A restricted cubic splines model and Cox proportional hazard models assessed the association between AAR and adverse outcomes in CAD patients. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis determined differences in endpoints across subgroups.
RESULTS:
A total of 8360 patients were included. There were 726 patients (8.7%) died in the hospital and 1944 patients (23%) died at 1 year. The incidence of AKI and RRT was 63% and 4.3%, respectively. High AAR was markedly associated with in-hospital mortality (HR = 1.587, P = 0.003), 1-year mortality (HR = 1.502, P < 0.001), AKI incidence (HR = 1.579, P < 0.001), and RRT (HR = 1.640, P < 0.016) in CAD patients in the completely adjusted Cox proportional hazard model. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis noted substantial differences in all endpoints based on AAR quartiles. Stratified analysis and interaction test demonstrated stable correlations between AAR and outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
The results highlight that AAR may be a potential indicator for assessing in-hospital mortality, 1-year mortality, and adverse renal prognosis in critical CAD patients.
10.Multiple biomarkers risk score for accurately predicting the long-term prognosis of patients with acute coronary syndrome.
Zhi-Yong ZHANG ; Xin-Yu WANG ; Cong-Cong HOU ; Hong-Bin LIU ; Lyu LYU ; Mu-Lei CHEN ; Xiao-Rong XU ; Feng JIANG ; Long LI ; Wei-Ming LI ; Kui-Bao LI ; Juan WANG
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 2025;22(7):656-667
BACKGROUND:
Biomarkers-based prediction of long-term risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is scarce. We aim to develop a risk score integrating clinical routine information (C) and plasma biomarkers (B) for predicting long-term risk of ACS patients.
METHODS:
We included 2729 ACS patients from the OCEA (Observation of cardiovascular events in ACS patients). The earlier admitted 1910 patients were enrolled as development cohort; and the subsequently admitted 819 subjects were treated as validation cohort. We investigated 10-year risk of cardiovascular (CV) death, myocardial infarction (MI) and all cause death in these patients. Potential variables contributing to risk of clinical events were assessed using Cox regression models and a score was derived using main part of these variables.
RESULTS:
During 16,110 person-years of follow-up, there were 238 CV death/MI in the development cohort. The 7 most important predictors including in the final model were NT-proBNP, D-dimer, GDF-15, peripheral artery disease (PAD), Fibrinogen, ST-segment elevated MI (STEMI), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), termed as CB-ACS score. C-index of the score for predication of cardiovascular events was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.76-0.82) in development cohort and 0.77 (95% CI: 0.76-0.78) in the validation cohort (5832 person-years of follow-up), which outperformed GRACE 2.0 and ABC-ACS risk score. The CB-ACS score was also well calibrated in development and validation cohort (Greenwood-Nam-D'Agostino: P = 0.70 and P = 0.07, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
CB-ACS risk score provides a useful tool for long-term prediction of CV events in patients with ACS. This model outperforms GRACE 2.0 and ABC-ACS ischemic risk score.

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