1.The Adoption of Non-invasive Photobiomodulation in The Treatment of Epilepsy
Ao-Yun LI ; Zhan-Chuang LU ; Li CAO ; Si CHEN ; Hui JIANG ; Chang-Chun CHEN ; Lei CHEN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):882-898
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease caused by abnormal synchronous discharge of the brain, which is characterized by recurrent and transient neurological abnormalities, mainly manifested as loss of consciousness and limb convulsions, and can occur in people of all ages. At present, anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are still the main means of treatment, but their efficacy is limited by the problem of drug resistance, and long-term use can cause serious side effects, such as cognitive dysfunction and vital organ damage. Although surgical resection of epileptic lesions has achieved certain results in some patients, the high cost and potential risk of neurological damage limit its scope of application. Therefore, the development of safe, accurate and personalized non-invasive treatment strategies has become one of the key directions of epilepsy research. In recent years, photobiomodulation (PBM) has gained significant attention as a promising non-invasive therapeutic approach. PBM uses light of specific wavelengths to penetrate tissues and interact with photosensitive molecules within cells, thereby modulating cellular metabolic processes. Research has shown that PBM can enhance mitochondrial function, promote ATP production, improve meningeal lymphatic drainage, reduce neuroinflammation, and stimulate the growth of neurons and synapses. These biological effects suggest that PBM not only holds the potential to reduce the frequency of seizures but also to improve the metabolic state and network function of neurons, providing a novel therapeutic avenue for epilepsy treatment. Compared to traditional treatment methods, PBM is non-invasive and avoids the risks associated with surgical interventions. Its low risk of significant side effects makes it particularly suitable for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, offering new therapeutic options for those who have not responded to conventional treatments. Furthermore, PBM’s multi-target mechanism enables it to address a variety of complex etiologies of epilepsy, demonstrating its potential in precision medicine. In contrast to therapies targeting a single pathological mechanism, PBM’s multifaceted approach makes it highly adaptable to different types of epilepsy, positioning it as a promising supplementary or alternative treatment. Although animal studies and preliminary clinical trials have shown positive outcomes with PBM, its clinical application remains in the exploratory phase. Future research should aim to elucidate the precise mechanisms of PBM, optimize light parameters, such as wavelength, dose, and frequency, and investigate potential synergistic effects with other therapeutic modalities. These efforts will be crucial for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of PBM and ensuring its safety and consistency in clinical settings. This review summarizes the types of epilepsy, diagnostic biomarkers, the advantages of PBM, and its mechanisms and potential applications in epilepsy treatment. The unique value of PBM lies not only in its multi-target therapeutic effects but also in its adaptability to the diverse etiologies of epilepsy. The combination of PBM with traditional treatments, such as pharmacotherapy and neuroregulatory techniques, holds promise for developing a more comprehensive and multidimensional treatment strategy, ultimately alleviating the treatment burden on patients. PBM has also shown beneficial effects on neural network plasticity in various neurodegenerative diseases. The dynamic remodeling of neural networks plays a critical role in the pathogenesis and treatment of epilepsy, and PBM’s multi-target mechanism may promote brain function recovery by facilitating neural network remodeling. In this context, optimizing optical parameters remains a key area of research. By adjusting parameters such as wavelength, dose, and frequency, researchers aim to further enhance the therapeutic effects of PBM while maintaining its safety and stability. Looking forward, interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly in the fields of neuroscience, optical engineering, and clinical medicine, will drive the development of PBM technology and facilitate its transition from laboratory research to clinical application. With the advancement of portable devices, PBM is expected to provide safer and more effective treatments for epilepsy patients and make a significant contribution to personalized medicine, positioning it as a critical component of precision therapeutic strategies.
2.Analysis of T7 RNA Polymerase: From Structure-function Relationship to dsRNA Challenge and Biotechnological Applications
Wei-Chen NING ; Yu HUA ; Hui-Ling YOU ; Qiu-Shi LI ; Yao WU ; Yun-Long LIU ; Zhen-Xin HU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2280-2294
T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) is one of the simplest known RNA polymerases. Its unique structural features make it a critical model for studying the mechanisms of RNA synthesis. This review systematically examines the static crystal structure of T7 RNAP, beginning with an in-depth examination of its characteristic “thumb”, “palm”, and “finger” domains, which form the classic “right-hand-like” architecture. By detailing these structural elements, this review establishes a foundation for understanding the overall organization of T7 RNAP. This review systematically maps the functional roles of secondary structural elements and their subdomains in transcriptional catalysis, progressively elucidating the fundamental relationships between structure and function. Further, the intrinsic flexibility of T7 RNAP and its applications in research are also discussed. Additionally, the review presents the structural diagrams of the enzyme at different stages of the transcription process, and through these diagrams, it provides a detailed description of the complete transcription process of T7 RNAP. By integrating structural dynamics and kinetics analyses, the review constructs a comprehensive framework that bridges static structure to dynamic processes. Despite its advantages, T7 RNAP has a notable limitation: it generates double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) as a byproduct. The presence of dsRNA not only compromises the purity of mRNA products but also elicits nonspecific immune responses, which pose significant challenges for biotechnological and therapeutic applications. The review provides a detailed exploration of the mechanisms underlying dsRNA formation during T7 RNAP catalysis, reviews current strategies to mitigate this issue, and highlights recent progress in the field. A key focus is the semi-rational design of T7 RNAP mutants engineered to minimize dsRNA generation and enhance catalytic performance. Beyond its role in transcription, T7 RNAP exhibits rapid development and extensive application in fields, including gene editing, biosensing, and mRNA vaccines. This review systematically examines the structure-function relationships of T7 RNAP, elucidates the mechanisms of dsRNA formation, and discusses engineering strategies to optimize its performance. It further explores the engineering optimization and functional expansion of T7 RNAP. Furthermore, this review also addresses the pressing issues that currently need resolution, discusses the major challenges in the practical application of T7 RNAP, and provides an outlook on potential future research directions. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of T7 RNAP, ranging from its structural architecture to cutting-edge applications. We systematically examine: (1) the characteristic right-hand domains (thumb, palm, fingers) that define its minimalistic structure; (2) the structure-function relationships underlying transcriptional catalysis; and (3) the dynamic transitions during the complete transcription cycle. While highlighting T7 RNAP’s versatility in gene editing, biosensing, and mRNA vaccine production, we critically address its major limitation—dsRNA byproduct formation—and evaluate engineering solutions including semi-rationally designed mutants. By synthesizing current knowledge and identifying key challenges, this work aims to provide novel insights for the development and application of T7 RNAP and to foster further thought and progress in related fields.
3.Oxidative Stress-related Signaling Pathways and Antioxidant Therapy in Alzheimer’s Disease
Li TANG ; Yun-Long SHEN ; De-Jian PENG ; Tian-Lu RAN ; Zi-Heng PAN ; Xin-Yi ZENG ; Hui LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(10):2486-2498
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline, functional impairment, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. It represents the most prevalent form of dementia among the elderly population. Accumulating evidence indicates that oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of AD. Notably, elevated levels of oxidative stress have been observed in the brains of AD patients, where excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause extensive damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA, ultimately compromising neuronal structure and function. Amyloid β‑protein (Aβ) has been shown to induce mitochondrial dysfunction and calcium overload, thereby promoting the generation of ROS. This, in turn, exacerbates Aβ aggregation and enhances tau phosphorylation, leading to the formation of two pathological features of AD: extracellular Aβ plaque deposition and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). These events ultimately culminate in neuronal death, forming a vicious cycle. The interplay between oxidative stress and these pathological processes constitutes a core link in the pathogenesis of AD. The signaling pathways mediating oxidative stress in AD include Nrf2, RCAN1, PP2A, CREB, Notch1, NF‑κB, ApoE, and ferroptosis. Nrf2 signaling pathway serves as a key regulator of cellular redox homeostasis, exerts important antioxidant capacity and protective effects in AD. RCAN1 signaling pathway, as a calcineurin inhibitor, and modulates AD progression through multiple mechanisms. PP2A signaling pathway is involved in regulating tau phosphorylation and neuroinflammation processes. CREB signaling pathway contributes to neuroplasticity and memory formation; activation of CREB improves cognitive function and reduce oxidative stress. Notch1 signaling pathway regulates neuronal development and memory, participates in modulation of Aβ production, and interacts with Nrf2 toco-regulate antioxidant activity. NF‑κB signaling pathway governs immune and inflammatory responses; sustained activation of this pathway forms “inflammatory memory”, thereby exacerbating AD pathology. ApoE signaling pathway is associated with lipid metabolism; among its isoforms, ApoE-ε4 significantly increases the risk of AD, leading to elevated oxidative stress, abnormal lipid metabolism, and neuroinflammation. The ferroptosis signaling pathway is driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, and the subsequent release of lipid peroxidation products and ROS exacerbate oxidative stress and neuronal damage. These interconnected pathways form a complex regulatory network that regulates the progression of AD through oxidative stress and related pathological cascades. In terms of therapeutic strategies targeting oxidative stress, among the drugs currently used in clinical practice for AD treatment, memantine and donepezil demonstrate significant therapeutic efficacy and can improve the level of oxidative stress in AD patients. Some compounds with antioxidant effects (such asα-lipoic acid and melatonin) have shown certain potential in AD treatment research and can be used as dietary supplements to ameliorate AD symptoms. In addition, non-drug interventions such as calorie restriction and exercise have been proven to exerted neuroprotective effects and have a positive effect on the treatment of AD. By comprehensively utilizing the therapeutic characteristics of different signaling pathways, it is expected that more comprehensive multi-target combination therapy regimens and combined nanomolecular delivery systems will be developed in the future to bypass the blood-brain barrier, providing more effective therapeutic strategies for AD.
4.Prevalence of depressive symptoms among middle school students in Huzhou City
LIANG Yinyin ; YUAN Rui ; LIU Guangtao ; LI Hui ; FU Yun
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(6):622-627,631
Objective:
To investigate the detection of depressive symptoms and its influencing factors among middle school students in Huzhou City, so as to provide insights for improving the mental health levels among middle school students.
Methods:
From September to November 2024, a total of 4 729 middle school students from five counties (districts) in Huzhou City were selected through the stratified cluster random sampling method. Demographic information, lifestyle, and school bullying were collected through questionnaire surveys. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Factors affecting depressive symptoms among middle school students were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model.
Results:
A total of 4 729 middle school students were surveyed, including 2 200 boys (46.52%) and 2 529 girls (53.48%). Depressive symptoms were detected in 1 026 students, with a detection rate of 21.70%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that girl (OR=1.960, 95%CI: 1.659-2.317), high school (ordinary high school, OR=1.789, 95%CI: 1.465-2.186; vocational high school, OR=1.581, 95%CI: 1.105-2.263), consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages >0 time/day (<1 time/day, OR=1.363, 95%CI: 1.009-1.841; ≥1 time/day, OR=1.568, 95%CI: 1.098-2.239), fried food intake ≥1 time/day (OR=1.890, 95%CI: 1.291-2.769), skipping breakfast daily (OR=2.178, 95%CI: 1.825-2.599), TV viewing time ≥2 hours/day (OR=1.457, 95%CI: 1.154-1.838), insufficient sleep duration (OR=1.761, 95%CI: 1.422-2.181), smoking (OR=2.798, 95%CI: 1.834-4.269), alcohol consumption (OR=2.282, 95%CI: 1.861-2.798), experiencing school bullying (OR=5.440, 95%CI: 3.148-9.402) and parental physical/verbal abuse (OR=3.954, 95%CI: 3.189-4.902) were associated with a higher risk of depressive symptoms among middle school students. Conversely, the middle school students who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity ≥3 times/week (OR=0.784, 95%CI: 0.668-0.921) and attended physical education classes ≥3 sessions/week (OR=0.736, 95%CI: 0.613-0.884) were associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms.
Conclusion
The prevalence of depressive symptoms among middle school students in Huzhou City was lower than national average, and was influenced by dietary habits, physical exercise, sleep duration, smoking, alcohol consumption, and experiencing school bullying.
5.Research progress of mitochondrial quality control in methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity
Qian-Yun NIE ; Wen-Juan DONG ; Gen-Meng YANG ; Li-Xiang QIN ; Chun-Hui SONG ; Li-Hua LI ; Shi-Jun HONG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(7):1201-1205
Methamphetamine abuse is a major public health problem in the world,and in recent years,methamphetamine is also the most abused synthetic drug in China.The neurotoxic or addiction mechanism of methamphetamine has not been fully clarified,and there is still a lack of specific withdrawal methods and drugs for methamphetamine abuse.Mitochondria are not on-ly the organelles to which methamphetamine directly produces toxic effects,but also participate in regulating the neurotoxic damage process of methamphetamine.Mitochondrial quality is the regulatory basis for maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis and is regulated by three main mechanisms,which are mitochon-drial biogenesis,mitochondrial dynamic,and mitophagy.This review summarizes the research progress of mitochondrial quality control in methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity,which may provide theoretical support for further research on the mechanism of methamphetamine neurotoxicity and development the mito-chondria-targeting drugs.
6.Effects of Radix Angelica sinensis and Radix Hedysari ultrafiltration on oxidative stress and inflammatory damage of HUVECs induced by ionizing radiation and its mechanism
Li-Rong WANG ; Ling-Yun WANG ; Xiao-Jing LI ; Hui-Lin ZHAO ; Yao-Hui HUO ; Hui CHAI ; Kai LIU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(8):1501-1509
Aim To investigate the effects of Radix Angelica Sinensis and Radix Hedysari ultrafiltration(RAS-RH)on oxidative stress and inflammatory injury of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)induced by ionizing radiation.Methods The model of HUVECs damage induced by 6 Gy X-rays was estab-lished.HUVECs were treated with different concentra-tions of RAS-RH(100,200,400 μg·L-1).The proliferative activity of HUVECs was detected by CCK-8 method,the structural changes of mitochondria were observed by transmission electron microscope,the level of ROS was detected by DCFH-DA probe,the change of intracellular mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1 kit,and the apoptosis and cycle were detected by flow cytometry.The contents of IL-6 and TNF-α in cells were detected by ELISA.The activities of MDA,CAT,SOD and GSH-PX were detected by biochemical kit.The gene expression levels of Nrf2,HO-1,NF-κB,eNOS and IL-6 were detected by qRT-PCR,and the expression levels of Nrf2,HO-1,eNOS,NF-κB,p-NF-κB and IL-6 protein were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the model group,RAS-RH could increase the activity of HUVECs induced by ionizing radiation,decrease the rate of ap-optosis,decrease the level of intracellular ROS,re-duce the injury of intracellular mitochondria,increase the level of mitochondrial membrane potential,promote the expression of Nrf2,HO-1 and eNOS,and inhibit the expression of NF-κB and IL-6.Conclusions RAS-RH has anti-radiation,antioxidant and anti-in-flammatory effects,which may reduce the oxidative stress and inflammatory damage of HUVECs induced by ionizing radiation by activating the activity of Nrf2/HO-1 signal pathway,thus promoting the activity of cell proliferation.
7.Isolation and identification of Klebsiella oxytoca GS-BY-GG from racing pigeons
Wei LI ; Yun-Hui LI ; You-Shun JIN ; Xu-Li BA ; Huai-Yu ZHANG ; Tao HAN ; Zhao-Cai LI ; Ji-Zhang ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(6):512-519
The biological characteristics and pathogenicity of Klebsiella oxytoca isolated from sick carrier pigeons in Gansu province were explored by morphological observations,biochemical testing,16S rRNA PCR analysis,and RNA sequencing.The drug resistance and pathogenicity of the isolated strains were studied by histopathological observation,drug susceptibility testing,and pathogenicity analysis.The livers,lungs,hearts,and other organs of the sick pigeons were bleeding.In addition,the livers were yellow and brittle,and the lungs were purulent.A Gram-negative,short,rod-shaped bacterium was successfully isolated from the sick pigeon.Pink,smooth,moist,and round colonies grew on MacConkey's agar.The result of the indigo matrix test was positive.The homology between the amplified 16S rRNA sequence and MN330093.1 was 100.00%,indicating that the sick pigeon was infected with K.oxytoca.The strain was named GS-BY-GG.K.Oxytoca GS-BY-GG was resistant to 10 drugs,including penicillin,ampicillin,and furazolidone,and sensitive to 5 others,which included florfenicol,meropenem,and gentamicin.Histopathological observation showed bleeding in multiple organs.The liver cells were irregu-larly arranged with brown-yellow pigmentation.Extensive cell necrosis and exfoliation were observed in the trachea and mucosal epithelium,with inflammatory cell infiltration in the mucosal layer.The isolates were highly pathogenic in specific pathogen-free chickens.These findings provide support for the clinical diagnosis and control of K.oxytoca GS-BY-GG.
8.Multiple cross displacement amplification coupled with a gold nanoparticle-based lateral flow biosensor for detection of Listeria ivanovii
Hui LI ; Yi WANG ; Yan WANG ; Chang-Yun YE
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(7):605-612
A method using multiple cross displacement amplification combined with a lateral flow biosensor to detect Liste-ria ivanovii was developed and evaluated in this study.The L.ivanovii-MCDA-LFB assay used a set of ten primers spanning ten distinct regions of smcl,and was performed at a constant temperature of 64 ℃ to evaluate its specificity,sensitivity and feasibility.The specificity of MCDA-LFB assay was 100%in L.ivanovii and non-L.ivanovii strains.The limit of detection of the MCDA-LFB assay in pure culture and in L.ivanovii artificial contaminated feces was 10 fg and 6.8× 102 CFU/g,respec-tively.The detection results of the L.ivanovii-MCDA-LFB assay were identical to those of traditional culture-based methods(ISO 11290-1)in 195 wild rat intestinal feces samples.Detection could be achieved by boiling the template with the second en-richment solution.Thus,our rapid L.ivanovii-MCDA-LFB method with favorable sensitivity and specificity may provide a useful tool for detecting L.ivanovii in food surveillance,and medical and laboratory research.
9.Isolation and identification of genotype A Chlamydia psittaci strain from duck
Zhao-Cai LI ; Ping LIU ; Yun-Hui LI ; Huai-Yu ZHANG ; Qian XIAO ; Chun-Guo LIU ; Ji-Zhang ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(9):823-828
Chlamydia psittaci is a worldwide distributed zoonotic pathogen that infects a variety of birds.In order to char-acterization of the duck originated C.psittaci strains,lung samples were collected from suspected infection ducks and was de-tected by real-time PCR.The positive samples were homogenized in phosphate buffered saline with kanamycin and streptomy-cin,and then inoculated onto L929 cells monolayer.After several sets of passages,chlamydial inclusions of the isolate in cul-tured cells were observed after Giemsa staining or by electron microscope.For species identification,16S rRNA,16-23S IGS gene fragments were sequenced and analyzed.Genotyping of the isolate was performed by comparative analysis of the obtained ompA gene sequence with that of different genotype of C.psittaci strains.A C.psittaci strain was successfully isolated from the lung sample of duck by cell culture and was identified as genotype A.This study expanded our understanding of the host range of genotype A C.psittaci strain,and provided basis for further research on the pathogenicity,transmission,and public health risk of this pathogen.
10.Correlation between the improvement of insulin resistance and T lymphocyte subsets in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients after intensive insulin therapy
Bingyin ZHANG ; Hui LI ; Yun YANG
Chinese Journal of Diabetes 2024;32(7):505-509
Objective To investigate the correlation between the improvement of insulin resistance(IR)and T lymphocyte subsets in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)after intensive insulin therapy.Methods A total of 160 patients with T2DM who were treated in the endocrinology department of our hospital from February 2020 to March 2023 were selected.They were divided into simple T2DM group(n=80)and T2DM combined with family history of diabetes mellitus(FHD)group(n=80)based on whether they had FHD.The changes in blood glucose,pancreatic islet cell function,T lymphocyte subsets,and inflammatory cytokine levels were compared before and after treatment between the two groups.Pearson correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR)and T lymphocyte subsets,and multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors for IR in T2DM patients.Results After treatment,the FPG,2 hPG,and coefficient of variation(CV)of blood glucose were lower than before treatment in the T2DM group(P<0.05).In the FHD group,the FPG,2 hPG,bedtime blood glucose,and CV were lower after treatment than before treatment(P<0.05).After treatment,the FPG,2 hPG,and CV were lower in T2DM group than in FHD group(P<0.05).After treatment,FC-P,2 hC-P,HOMA-β and IL-10 were higher(P<0.05),while HOMA-IR,IL-21,IL-1β,CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,CD4+/CD8+were lower than before treatment in both groups(P<0.05).After treatment,FC-P,2 hC-P,HOMA-β and IL-10 were higher,while HOMA-IR,IL-21,IL-1β,CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,CD4+/CD8+were lower in T2DM group than in FHD group(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that HOMA-IR was positively correlated with CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,CD4+/CD8+(P<0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis shows that BMI and CD8+are influencing factors for IR in T2DM patients.Conclusions Intensive insulin therapy can improve the islets β cell function inpatients with T2DM and IR.There is a correlation between IR and the increase of CD8+T lymphocyte level in patients.


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