1.Engineered Bacteriophages for The Treatment of Multidrug-resistant Bacterial Infections
Yu-Ying CHEN ; Chun-Mei HUANG ; Jin-Zhi PAN ; De-Liang LIU ; Yang ZHOU ; Gui-Qin DAI ; Peng-Fei ZHAO ; Hong-Zhou LU ; Ming-Bin ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1581-1596
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections have emerged as a serious challenge of global public health crisis. The overuse and misuse of conventional antibiotics have dramatically accelerated the emergence, evolution and worldwide spread of drug-resistant bacterial strains, necessitating urgent exploration of novel antibacterial strategies. Bacteriophages serve as natural bacterial predators offering distinct advantages including high host specificity, autonomous self-replication capabilities and cost-effective large-scale production. However, wild-type phages present significant clinical limitations due to their narrow host ranges, susceptibility to rapid immune clearance and poor penetration of bacterial biofilms, which severely restrict their therapeutic applications. The convergence of synthetic biology, nanotechnology and advanced gene editing technologies has accelerated the development of engineered bacteriophage platforms, providing programmable, scalable and clinically translatable pathways to overcome these inherent biological constraints. Here, we systematically delineate four fundamental strategies for engineered bacteriophage development. Chemical modification utilizes reactive functional groups such as amino, carboxyl and thiol moieties on capsid proteins through esterification, amidation or click chemistry reactions to achieve precise drug conjugation and surface functionalization. In vivo editing encompasses ultraviolet or chemical mutagenesis for random mutation induction, homologous recombination for targeted genetic alterations, recombineering methodologies including electroporation-mediated bacteriophage recombination engineering, and CRISPR-Cas systems for precise genome editing to enable exact genetic reconstruction and host range reprogramming. In vitro synthesis leverages genome engineering platforms where intact phage genomes are transferred into yeast or host bacteria to facilitate highly efficient homologous recombination, enabling large DNA fragment assembly and cross-gene host range expansion without bacterial toxicity constraints. Directed evolution combines artificial selection through mutation library screening with rational design approaches involving chimeric receptor binding protein construction or site-specific mutagenesis, effectively balancing the discovery of unknown adaptive pathways with targeted host specificity modification. Moreover, we comprehensively discuss therapeutic applications across diverse clinical scenarios. Engineered bacteriophage effectively disrupt bacterial biofilms through sophisticated functionalized delivery platforms including nanozyme-conjugated phages, phage-liposome nanoconjugates and bio-responsive hydrogels, demonstrating significantly enhanced bactericidal efficiency compared to unmodified free phages. These bioengineered vectors attenuate bacterial virulence and resensitize pathogens to antibiotics by delivering CRISPR-Cas systems or base editors to disrupt critical virulence factors such as pili, capsule synthesis machineries and quorum sensing systems, or by inactivating antibiotic resistance determinants including beta-lactamase genes. As an intelligent nanomedicine delivery platform, engineered bacteriophage enable precise pathogen elimination an through photocatalytic reactive oxygen species generation, immunomodulatory interventions, or controlled release of antibacterial drugs. Furthermore, oral administration of engineered bacteriophage facilitates microbiota modulation, which selectively eliminate intestinal pathogens while preserve beneficial commensal microbiota, thereby restoring microbial community balance and preventing complications associated with dysbiosis. Finally, we critically analyze persistent challenges including host strain matching complexity, evolution of bacterial resistance mechanisms, pharmacokinetic optimization requirements, optimal administration route selection, large-scale production quality control standards and clinical dosing determination protocols. Through multidisciplinary integration of synthetic biology, infectious disease medicine and immunology, future translational medicine studies of bacteriophage should establish comprehensive technical platforms encompassing rapid phage screening, intelligent rational design, rigorous in vivo evaluation and standardized clinical validation processes, ultimately advancing engineered bacteriophage from laboratory innovations to clinically approved therapeutics for effectively combating MDR bacterial infections.
2.Resistance of Aedes albopictus to common insecticides in Zhejiang Province, 2024
Qin-mei LIU ; Jin-na WANG ; Tian-qi LI ; Ming-yu LUO ; Zhou GUAN ; Zhen-yu GONG ; Ji-min SUN
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(2):96-100
Objective In order to understand the current resistance status of Aedes albopictus(Ae. albopictus) adult population to commonly used insecticides and the resistance dynamics development in Zhejiang Province and provide a theoretical basis for the scientific and rational use of hygienic insecticides. Methods Resistance determination was carried out using the diagnostic dose method(GB/T 26347-2010)recommended by WHO in the adult mosquito contact cylinder method to monitor the resistance of Ae. albopictus field populations in 11 cities and districts in Zhejiang Province in 2024. Results The monitoring result showed that adult Ae. albopictus in 11 areas were resistant or suspected resistant populations to both cis-cypermethrin and permethrin; suspected and resistant populations to the organophosphate insecticide malathion were as high as 81.82%; while suspected resistance to the carbamate insecticide residual carbofuran accounted for 45.45%, and the rest of the monitoring sites were sensitive to it. Conclusions The result suggest that the generalized resistance of Ae. albopictus populations to pyrethroids and organophosphorus insecticides in the field in Zhejiang Province needs to be highly emphasized. In future mosquito vector and mosquito-borne disease control, insecticides should be selected based on the resistance monitoring information, while following scientific guidelines for insecticide use.
3.Optimizing biomaterials and surgical strategies for prevention and treatment of persistent air leak after thoracoscopic pulmonary resection:a practice review based on risk stratification
Ming LIU ; Huidong YU ; Sanyuan LU ; Defeng ZHAO ; Jiaqi QIN ; Binyang LIU ; Wenya LI
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(18):131-136
Over 2 million thoracoscopic pulmonary resections are performed globally each year,however,postoperative persistent air leak(PAL)remains a common and challenging complication.It not only prolongs hospital stays and increases treatment costs but may also lead to severe complica-tions,particularly inducing a higher risk in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.In recent years,with the improvement of preoperative preventive measures,the advancement of surgical tech-niques,and the application of repair materials,the incidence of PAL has decreased.This review sys-tematically summarized the definition,clinical impact,risk factors and preventive strategies of PAL,and explored commonly used treatment modalities,such as thoracic drain management,pleurodesis and the application of novel repair materials.It also analyzed the effectiveness,safety and challenges of existing techniques.Furthermore,this review proposed the establishment of an enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS)integrated pathway combining bovine pericardium(BP)patch with electro-me-chanical stapler and conducted corresponding treatment benefit-cost assessment.
4.Influence of inflammatory cytokines related to different endotypes on the transcriptome of nasal epithelial cells
Jingjing GUO ; Zhou YU ; Yuanyuan QIN ; Zhiqiu ZHU ; Ming WANG
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2025;32(7):455-459
OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of inflammatory cytokines related to different endotypes of chronic rhinosinusitis on the transcriptome of nasal epithelial cells.METHODS Human primary nasal epithelial cells were cultured in vitro,and treated with type 1,type 2,and type 3 inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ(10 ng/ml),IL-4(50 ng/ml),and IL-17A(50 ng/ml),respectively.After 48 hours,cells were collected for RNA extraction and transcriptome analysis.Differentially expressed genes were identified,followed by functional annotation and pathway enrichment analysis.Additionally,common regulated genes among different cytokines were analyzed.RESULTS Treatment of primary nasal epithelial cells with IFN-γ,IL-4,and IL-17A induced significant transcriptomic alterations,with 650,540,and 192 differentially expressed genes,respectively,compared to the control group.Functional annotation and pathway enrichment analysis showed that IFN-γ was mainly associated with defense response to virus,antigen processing and presentation,leukocyte and lymphocyte mediated immunity,and NOD-like receptor signaling pathway;IL-4 was mainly related to the regulation of leukocyte chemotaxis,cell-cell adhesion,ECM-receptor interaction,and MAPK signaling pathway;IL-17A was involved in the regulation of neutrophil chemotaxis,response to molecule of bacterial origin,chemokine signaling pathway,and NF-κB signaling pathway.Genes commonly regulated by IFN-γ,IL-4,and IL-17A were identified,with DUOX2 being upregulated by all the three cytokines.CONCLUSION IFN-γ,IL-4,and IL-17A reshapes the transcriptomic profile of nasal epithelial cells,which mainly regulates signaling pathways related to defense response to virus,leukocyte chemotaxis,and response to bacteria,respectively.
5.Morin inhibits ubiquitination degradation of BCL-2 associated agonist of cell death and synergizes with BCL-2 inhibitor in gastric cancer cells.
Yi WANG ; Xiao-Yu SUN ; Fang-Qi MA ; Ming-Ming REN ; Ruo-Han ZHAO ; Meng-Meng QIN ; Xiao-Hong ZHU ; Yan XU ; Ni-da CAO ; Yuan-Yuan CHEN ; Tian-Geng DONG ; Yong-Fu PAN ; Ai-Guang ZHAO
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(3):320-332
OBJECTIVE:
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies seen in clinic and requires novel treatment options. Morin is a natural flavonoid extracted from the flower stalk of a highly valuable medicinal plant Prunella vulgaris L., which exhibits an anti-cancer effect in multiple types of tumors. However, the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of morin in treating GC remains elusive. The study aims to explore the therapeutic effect and underlying molecular mechanisms of morin in GC.
METHODS:
For in vitro experiments, the proliferation inhibition of morin was measured by cell counting kit-8 assay and colony formation assay in human GC cell line MKN45, human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line AGS, and human gastric epithelial cell line GES-1; for apoptosis analysis, microscopic photography, Western blotting, ubiquitination analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, flow cytometry, and RNA interference technology were employed. For in vivo studies, immunohistochemistry, biomedical analysis, and Western blotting were used to assess the efficacy and safety of morin in a xenograft mouse model of GC.
RESULTS:
Morin significantly inhibited the proliferation of GC cells MKN45 and AGS in a dose- and time-dependent manner, but did not inhibit human gastric epithelial cells GES-1. Only the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK was able to significantly reverse the inhibition of proliferation by morin in both GC cells, suggesting that apoptosis was the main type of cell death during the treatment. Morin induced intrinsic apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in GC cells, which mainly relied on B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) associated agonist of cell death (BAD) but not phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-induced protein 1. The upregulation of BAD by morin was due to blocking the ubiquitination degradation of BAD, rather than the transcription regulation and the phosphorylation of BAD. Furthermore, the combination of morin and BCL-2 inhibitor navitoclax (also known as ABT-737) produced a synergistic inhibitory effect in GC cells through amplifying apoptotic signals. In addition, morin treatment significantly suppressed the growth of GC in vivo by upregulating BAD and the subsequent activation of its downstream apoptosis pathway.
CONCLUSION
Morin suppressed GC by inducing apoptosis, which was mainly due to blocking the ubiquitination-based degradation of the pro-apoptotic protein BAD. The combination of morin and the BCL-2 inhibitor ABT-737 synergistically amplified apoptotic signals in GC cells, which may overcome the drug resistance of the BCL-2 inhibitor. These findings indicated that morin was a potent and promising agent for GC treatment. Please cite this article as: Wang Y, Sun XY, Ma FQ, Ren MM, Zhao RH, Qin MM, Zhu XH, Xu Y, Cao ND, Chen YY, Dong TG, Pan YF, Zhao AG. Morin inhibits ubiquitination degradation of BCL-2 associated agonist of cell death and synergizes with BCL-2 inhibitor in gastric cancer cells. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(3): 320-332.
Humans
;
Flavonoids/therapeutic use*
;
Stomach Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Animals
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Ubiquitination/drug effects*
;
Mice
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Drug Synergism
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Mice, Nude
;
Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
;
Flavones
6.The Impacts of Climate Change on the Environment and Human Health in China: A Call for more Ambitious Action.
Shi Lu TONG ; Yu WANG ; Yong Long LU ; Cun de XIAO ; Qi Yong LIU ; Qi ZHAO ; Cun Rui HUANG ; Jia Yu XU ; Ning KANG ; Tong ZHU ; Dahe QIN ; Ying XU ; Buda SU ; Xiao Ming SHI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(2):127-143
As global greenhouse gases continue rising, the urgency of more ambitious action is clearer than ever before. China is the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases and one of the countries affected most by climate change. The evidence about the impacts of climate change on the environment and human health may encourage China to take more decisive action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts. This article aimed to review the evidence of environmental damages and health risks posed by climate change and to provide a new science-based perspective for the delivery of sustainable development goals. Over recent decades, China has experienced a strong warming pattern with a growing frequency of extreme weather events, and the impacts of climate change on China's environment and human health have been consistently observed, with increasing O 3 air pollution, decreases in water resources and availability, land degradation, and increased risks for both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Therefore, China's climate policy should target the key factors driving climate change and scale up strategic measures to curb carbon emissions and adapt to inevitable increasing climate impacts. It provides new insights for not only China but also other countries, particularly developing and emerging economies, to ensure climate and environmental sustainability whilst pursuing economic growth.
Climate Change
;
China
;
Humans
;
Greenhouse Gases
;
Air Pollution
;
Sustainable Development
;
Environment
7.Occupational Hazard Factors and the Trajectory of Fasting Blood Glucose Changes in Chinese Male Steelworkers Based on Environmental Risk Scores: A Prospective Cohort Study.
Ming Xia ZOU ; Wei DU ; Qin KANG ; Yu Hao XIA ; Nuo Yun ZHANG ; Liu FENG ; Fei Yue LI ; Tian Cheng MA ; Ya Jing BAO ; Hong Min FAN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(6):666-677
OBJECTIVE:
We aimed to investigate the patterns of fasting blood glucose (FBG) trajectories and analyze the relationship between various occupational hazard factors and FBG trajectories in male steelworkers.
METHODS:
The study cohort included 3,728 workers who met the selection criteria for the Tanggang Occupational Cohort (TGOC) between 2017 and 2022. A group-based trajectory model was used to identify the FBG trajectories. Environmental risk scores (ERS) were constructed using regression coefficients from the occupational hazard model as weights. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the effects of occupational hazard factors using the ERS on FBG trajectories.
RESULTS:
FBG trajectories were categorized into three groups. An association was observed between high temperature, noise exposure, and FBG trajectory ( P < 0.05). Using the first quartile group of ERS1 as a reference, the fourth quartile group of ERS1 had an increased risk of medium and high FBG by 1.90 and 2.21 times, respectively (odds ratio [ OR] = 1.90, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.17-3.10; OR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.09-4.45).
CONCLUSION
An association was observed between occupational hazards based on ERS and FBG trajectories. The risk of FBG trajectory levels increase with an increase in ERS.
Humans
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Male
;
Adult
;
Blood Glucose/analysis*
;
China
;
Prospective Studies
;
Occupational Exposure/adverse effects*
;
Risk Factors
;
Middle Aged
;
Steel
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Fasting/blood*
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Metal Workers
;
East Asian People
8.A Retrospective Study of Pregnancy and Fetal Outcomes in Mothers with Hepatitis C Viremia.
Wen DENG ; Zi Yu ZHANG ; Xin Xin LI ; Ya Qin ZHANG ; Wei Hua CAO ; Shi Yu WANG ; Xin WEI ; Zi Xuan GAO ; Shuo Jie WANG ; Lin Mei YAO ; Lu ZHANG ; Hong Xiao HAO ; Xiao Xue CHEN ; Yuan Jiao GAO ; Wei YI ; Yao XIE ; Ming Hui LI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(7):829-839
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection's effect on gestational liver function, pregnancy and delivery complications, and neonatal development.
METHODS:
A total of 157 HCV antibody-positive (anti-HCV[+]) and HCV RNA(+) patients (Group C) and 121 anti-HCV(+) and HCV RNA(-) patients (Group B) were included as study participants, while 142 anti-HCV(-) and HCV RNA(-) patients (Group A) were the control group. Data on biochemical indices during pregnancy, pregnancy complications, delivery-related information, and neonatal complications were also collected.
RESULTS:
Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) rates in Group C during early, middle, and late pregnancy were 59.87%, 43.95%, and 42.04%, respectively-significantly higher than Groups B (26.45%, 15.70%, 10.74%) and A (23.94%, 19.01%, 6.34%) ( P < 0.05). Median ALT levels in Group C were significantly higher than in Groups A and B at all pregnancy stages ( P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in neonatal malformation rates across groups ( P > 0.05). However, neonatal jaundice incidence was significantly greater in Group C (75.16%) compared to Groups A (42.25%) and B (57.02%) ( χ 2 = 33.552, P < 0.001). HCV RNA positivity during pregnancy was an independent risk factor for neonatal jaundice ( OR = 2.111, 95% CI 1.242-3.588, P = 0.006).
CONCLUSIONS
Chronic HCV infection can affect the liver function of pregnant women, but does not increase the pregnancy or delivery complication risks. HCV RNA(+) is an independent risk factor for neonatal jaundice.
Humans
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Female
;
Pregnancy
;
Adult
;
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Pregnancy Outcome
;
Infant, Newborn
;
Viremia/virology*
;
Hepatitis C
;
Hepacivirus/physiology*
;
Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology*
;
Young Adult
;
Alanine Transaminase/blood*
9.Support vector machine model based on gray matter volume for identifying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and analysis of relevant brain regions
Shan WU ; Haining LI ; Qiuli ZHANG ; Qianqian DUAN ; Xinyi YU ; Xing QIN ; Fangfang HU ; Jiaoting JIN ; Jingxia DANG ; Ming ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(7):1051-1055
Objective To explore the value of support vector machine(SVM)model based on gray matter volume(GMV)for identifying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS),also to analyze the relevant brain regions.Methods MR 3D T1WI data of 60 ALS patients(ALS group)and 60 healthy volunteers(control group)were retrospectively analyzed.Taken GMV of each brain region obtained by voxel-based morphometry as the input features.F-score analysis was used to select feature with the highest classification accuracy to construct SVM model.Receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to evaluate the efficacy of SVM model for identifying ALS,and top 10%was used as the weight threshold to obtain gray matter brain regions contributed the most to this model.Results SVM model constructed based on the top 40%GMV features had the highest classification accuracy(82.50%),with sensitivity,specificity and area under the curve(AUG)of 85.05%,80.40%and 0.890,respectively.The left precentral gyrus,left anterior cingulate gyrus and paracingulate gyrus,right middle temporal gyrus,opercular part of left inferior frontal gyrus,right dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus,left temporal pole:middle temporal gyrus,right superior occipital gyrus,orbital part of right middle frontal gyrus,right calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex,right fusiform gyrus were the top 1-10 gray matter brain regions contributed to this model.Conclusion ALS had specific GMV change pattern.SVM model based on GMV could be used to effectively identify ALS,while the left precentral gyrus was the most contributive brain region to this model.
10.Distribution of pathogenic bacteria causing postoperative infections in children undergoing surgery for Hirschsprung's disease and clinical sig-nificance of serum sTREM-1 and HMGB1
Yu-feng GUO ; Hui LI ; Di-xiang CHEN ; Qin-ming ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2025;28(11):865-869
Objective:To explore the distribution of pathogenic bacteria causing postoperative infections in chil-dren undergoing surgery for Hirschsprung's disease(HD),and the clinical significance of serum triggering receptor ex-pressed on myeloid cells-1(sTREM-1)and high mobility group box 1(HMGB1).Methods:98 children with HD admit-ted from January 2021 to January 2025 were divided into infection group(n=42)and non-infection group(n=56)accord-ing to whether the children were complicated with infection after operation.Automatic bacterial identification system was used to detect the distribution of pathogenic bacteria in secretion samples from infected sites of HD children after operation.ELISA was used to measure serum sTREM-1 and HMGB1.ROC was used to explore the diagnostic value of serum sTREM-1 and HMGB1 for severe infection in children with HD.Results:A total of 49 strains of pathogenic bac-teria were isolated from 42 children with HD in infection group,of which 63.27%(31/49)were gram-negative bacteria,accounting for the highest proportion,followed by Gram positive bacteria at 30.61%(15/49)and fungi at 6.12%(3/49).Among them,Pseudomonas aeruginosa had the highest proportion of 24.49%(12/49)among Gram negative bacteria.there were 15 cases of mild infection(15 strains of pathogens),16 cases of moderate infection(17 strains of pathogens)and 11 cases of severe infection(17 strains of pathogens).With the aggravation of the infection degree of HD children,the distribution pattern of pathogenic bacteria changed,and gradually changed to mainly gram-negative bacteria infec-tion.Compared with non infected group,the levels of serum sTREM-1 and HMGB1 in infected group were higher(P<0.05).The levels of serum sTREM-1 and HMGB1 in children with severe HD infection are higher than those in children with mild and moderate HD infection(P<0.05).The AUC of the combined diagnosis of serum sTREM-1 and HMGB1 for severe infection in HD children was the highest,at 0.985,which was superior to the separate diagnosis of serum sTREM-1 and HMGB1(Zcombination-sTREM-1=1.988,P=0.047;Zcombination-HMGB1=2.126,P=0.034).Conclusion:Serum sTREM-1 and HMGB1 are elevated in HD children with postoperative infection,and the pathogenic bacteria are mainly gram-negative bacteria.In addition,the combined detection of the two provides a reference for the clinical diagnosis of severe infection in HD children.


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