1.SIRT5 Potentiates Hepatocarcinogenesis by Modulating Protein Acylation in Mice
Yu ZHANG ; Feng-Rui REN ; Jia-Yun LI ; Xiang-Yu CHEN ; Zi-Yi WANG ; Qi SUN ; Jun-Cheng ZHAO ; Ye ZHANG ; Zhen HUANG ; Hao HU ; Tao-Tao WEI ; Min XIAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1712-1722
ObjectiveHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents 90% of all primary liver cancers. The main risk factors associated with HCC include viral hepatitis (B and/or C), alcohol abuse, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which progressively advance to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately evolve into HCC. Surgical resection represents the most effective treatment for HCC, while recent advances in immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapies, have provided improved treatment prospects for patients with unresectable HCC. However, the complex metabolic heterogeneity of HCC limits the therapeutic efficacy. Metabolic intermediates acyl-CoA not only provide energy and substrates for numerous biochemical reactions but also serve as donors for protein lysine acylation, a major class of post-translational modification (PTM). Therefore, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying protein lysine acylation and hepatocarcinogenesis is urgently needed. MethodsThe levels of protein lysine acylation and silence information regulator 5 (SIRT5) expression levels in clinical HCC samples were analyzed by Western blot. Quantitative malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples were analyzed by antibody-based affinity enrichment coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The proliferation of HCC cells was analyzed with Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, the apoptosis was quantified by Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) staining coupled with flow cytometry, and the ability of cells to migrate was assayed by Transwell assays. The enzymatic activity of glutathione S-transferase Mu 1 (GSTM1) was quantified. Transgenic mice with hepatic overexpression of SIRT5 were constructed using CRISPR-Cas9, and primary hepatocarcinogenesis was induced by administration of diethylnitrosamine. ResultsWestern blot analysis indicated that the expression level of SIRT5 was elevated in clinical samples from HCC patients, and the levels of lysine malonylation, glutarylation, and succinylation were significantly reduced in HCC tissues. Knockout of SIRT5 in MHCC-97H and MHCC-97L hepatoma cells suppressed cell proliferation, and increased the percentage of apoptotic cells significantly. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of the differentially malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples revealed significant enrichment in two major classes of biological processes: core energy metabolism (e.g., glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, tricarboxylic acid metabolic process, fatty acid beta oxidation) and detoxification and oxidative stress response (e.g., response to toxic substance, chemical carcinogenesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS)). SIRT5 removes malonylation from lysine residues in GSTM1 and restores its detoxification activity, which is crucial for the survival of hepatocytes under stressed conditions. More importantly, in vivo experiment indicated that hepatic-specific overexpression of SIRT5 in mice accelerated diethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis, indicating the critical role of SIRT5 in HCC progression. ConclusionThis study highlights the previously unrecognized SIRT5-GSTM1 axis as a key regulator in hepatocarcinogenesis, and suggests a potential target for the treatment of patients with HCC.
2.Surveillance of schistosomiasis in Jiangsu Province from 2012 to 2024
Wei LI ; Jianfeng ZHANG ; Liang SHI ; Tao WANG ; Yun FENG ; Lu LIU ; Kun YANG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(1):8-13
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of schistosomiasis surveillance in Jiangsu Province during the stage moving from transmission control to transmission interruption, and to analyze the current risk and challenges, so as to provide the evidence for achieving the target of schistosomiasis elimination. Methods Schistosomiasis surveillance data were collected from Jiangsu Province from 2012 to 2024, and the endemic areas, Schistosoma japonicum infections in humans and livestock, Oncomelania hupensis snail distribution and implementation of integrated interventions were descriptively analyzed. In addition, the trends in areas with snails, seroprevalence of human S. japonicum infections and numbers of advanced schistosomiasis cases were assessed using a Joinpoint regression model. Results The endemic areas of schistosomiasis continued to shrink in Jiangsu Province from 2012 to 2024, with the number of schistosomiasis-eliminated counties (cities, districts) increasing from 53 (75.71%) to 63 (96.92%), and interruption of schistosomiasis transmission was achieved across the province. A total of 4 600 300 person-times were tested for serum antibodies against S. japonicum, with 28 719 person-times positive detected; and 616 500 person-times were tested S. japonicum infections among local residents in Jiangsu Province from 2012 to 2024, with only 3 egg-positives detected, and no egg-positives found since 2017. A total of 187 600 herd-times were tested for schistosomiasis in livestock, and no S. japonicum infections were found. O. hupensis snail survey was performed covering 1 018 408.97 hm2, and a total of 35 556.35 hm2 was found with snail-infested habitats, including 174.40 hm2 of emerging snail-infested habitats. A total of 1 102 800 O. hupensis snails were identified for S. japonicum infections, and no infections were found. The areas of snail-infested habitats appeared a tendency towards a rise in Jiangsu Province from 2019 to 2023 (APC = 23.67%, P < 0.05), and the actual areas of snail-infested habitats appeared a tendency towards a decline from 2012 to 2015 (APC = −22.77%, P < 0.05), and towards a rise from 2015 to 2023 (APC = 9.76%, P < 0.01). The seroprevalence of anti-S. japonicum antibodies appeared a tendency towards a decline among residents in Jiangsu Province from 2017 to 2023 (APC = −14.92%, P < 0.01). In addition, the number of newly diagnosed advanced schistosomiasis cases appeared a tendency towards a decline from 2012 to 2024 (APC = −12.02%, P < 0.01), and the numbers of advanced schistosomiasis patients requiring treatment showed a tendency towards a decline from 2012 to 2021 (APC = −10.56%, P < 0.01) and from 2021 to 2023 (APC = −20.06%, P < 0.01). Conclusions Great progresses had been achieved in schistosomiasis control in Jiangsu Province following transmission control, and transmission interruption had been achieved; however, there are still snail-infested habitats. High-intensity surveillance and integrated control are required to be maintained to advance the achievement of the target of schistosomiasis elimination in Jiangsu Province.
3.Atelocollagen Improves Bone-to-Tendon Interface Healing in a Rabbit Model of Chronic Rotator Cuff Tear Compared with Polydeoxyribonucleotide
Jian HAN ; Zhan-Feng ZHANG ; Shen-Yun FANG ; Yun-Mei CUI ; Sheng Chen HAN
Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery 2026;18(1):167-175
Background:
Surgeons face challenges in selecting cost-effective and biologically active agents for rotator cuff healing, given the numerous commercial products available, such as polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) and atelocollagen (ATC). However, the precise efficacy of PDRN and ATC in rotator cuff healing remains debatable, and there is currently a lack of studies directly comparing the effects of the 2 agents on repaired cuff tendons. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of PDRN and ATC on bone-to-tendon interface (BTI) healing using a chronic rotator cuff tear (RCT) model in rabbits.
Methods:
Forty-eight rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups. To create chronic RCT models, transected tendons were left untreated for 6 weeks, and then were repaired in a transosseous manner with PDRN and ATC injection into the repair site according to group allocation (group A: saline, group B: PDRN, group C: ATC; n = 16 per group). Genetic and immunofluorescence analyses were performed at 4 weeks after surgery. Furthermore, genetic, histologic, and biomechanical analyses were performed at 12 weeks after surgery.
Results:
At 4 weeks after surgery, ATC-injected shoulders showed the highest mRNA expression levels of collagen type I alpha 1 and aggrecan compared to the other 2 groups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). Meanwhile, there was more preliminary fibrocartilaginous matrix formation in the ATC-injected group. At 12 weeks after surgery, ATC-injected shoulders demonstrated better collagen fiber continuity and orientation, denser collagen fibers, a more mature bone-to-tendon junction, and greater fibrocartilage layer formation compared to the other 2 groups (all p < 0.001). Furthermore, ATC-injected shoulders also demonstrated a significantly higher load-to-failure value (40.4 ± 4.5 N/kg) than the remaining groups (group A, 26.7 ± 3.0 N/kg; group B, 32.8 ± 4.2 N/kg; p < 0.001).
Conclusions
ATC demonstrated superior efficacy in promoting BTI healing following surgical repair in a chronic RCT model of rabbits.
4.Unilateral congenital ptosis on ocular biometric parameters and refractive status in children
Yun FENG ; Shasha ZHANG ; Jiaojiao LIANG ; Feng XU ; Ping LIN ; Ling CHEN
International Eye Science 2026;26(8):1485-1490
AIM: To investigate differences in ocular biological parameters and refractive status among children with unilateral congenital ptosis.METHODS:This was a retrospective cohort study enrolling patients with unilateral congenital ptosis in the Department of Ophthalmology, Xi'an Children's Hospital between August 2018 and March 2025, with the contralateral healthy eyes serving as the control group. All patients underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination to assess the degree of ptosis and evaluate refractive errors. Biometric measurements were performed using the IOL Master 700 biometer, including axial length(AL), central corneal thickness(CCT), anterior chamber depth(ACD), lens thickness(LT), and astigmatism(AST).RESULTS:A total of 100 eyes from 100 children(affected eye group)with unilateral congenital ptosis were enrolled, and their 100 contralateral normal eyes without ptosis were set as the control group(healthy eyes group). Among the subjects, there were 67 males(67%)and 33 females(33%), with a mean age of 6.43±2.47 y; 45 affected eyes were the right eye and 55 were the left eye. Among the 100 patients, mild, moderate, and severe ptosis accounted for 7%, 21%, and 72%, respectively. The incidence of amblyopia in patients with unilateral congenital ptosis was 32%, all of which occurred in the affected eye. Compared with the healthy eye group, K2(total)and K2(severe ptosis)in eyes with severe ptosis were significantly lower(P<0.05), indicating that the cornea in the ptotic eye was flatter. In patients with moderate ptosis, the affected eye had a significantly greater corneal thickness(CCT)compared to the healthy eye(P<0.05), indicating that the corneas of eyes with moderate ptosis were thicker. The incidence of against-the-rule and oblique astigmatism in the affected eye group(39%)was significantly higher than that in the healthy eye group(14%); there was a significant difference in the corneal astigmatism axis between the affected and healthy eye groups(P<0.01). There were no differences in refractive status or biological parameters such as AL, K1, AST, ACD, and LT between the affected and healthy eyes.CONCLUSION:Congenital ptosis can affect refractive errors, lead to oblique and against-the-rule astigmatism, increase the prevalence of amblyopia, and also result in corneal thickening and flattening. However, it has minimal effects on AL, LT, and ACD.
5.Endoscopic follow-up study of patients after colorectal adenoma resection
Shuang ZHANG ; Chenyang LI ; Yun YE ; Lei ZHOU ; Yan FENG ; Juanjuan DUAN ; Weifeng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2025;42(3):217-222
Objective:To investigate the follow-up colonoscopy of patients after colorectal adenoma (CRA) resection, so as to improve colonoscopy quality and reduce missed CRA diagnosis.Methods:A total of 189 patients after CRA resection who underwent follow-up colonoscopy from October 2020 to October 2021 were consecutively recruited. The effect of bowel preparation was evaluated by the Boston bowel preparation scale (BBPS). The location, the number, and gross morphology of adenomas during CRA resection and two colonoscopies during 1 year follow-up after the resection were recorded, and their correlation with major clinicopathologic features were analyzed, and the missed CRA in follow-up colonoscopy were also analyzed.Results:The BBPS scores of the right colon, transverse colon, left colon and total colon in 189 patients who underwent CRA resection were 1.93±0.42, 2.53±0.52, 2.77±0.45, and 7.22±1.03 points at the 1-year follow-up colonoscopy and 2.08±0.35, 2.70±0.46, 2.81±0.40, and 7.57±0.84 points at the time of CRA resection. Except for the left colon segment ( χ 2=0.98, P>0.05), the differences in other colon segments were significantly different ( P<0.05). At the time of CRA resection, 62, 66, 210 and 338 CRAs were detected in the right colon, transverse colon, left colon and total colon segments, respectively. At the 1-year follow-up colonoscopy, 21, 38, 49 and 108 CRAs were missed in the corresponding colon segments and total colon, respectively. CRA missed diagnosis was related to patient age (≥60 years accounting for 54.2%), gender (males accounting for 81.9%), adenoma location (predominantly in the left colon comprising 36.2%) and gross morphology (flat types representing 72.3%) ( P<0.05), but not related to being vegetarian, history of cholecystectomy or appendectomy, smoking or alcohol consumption, number of adenomas or pathological type ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The missed diagnosis of CRA in patients after CRA resection primarily involves the flat type adenomas, which is associated with the age, gender, adenoma location within the colon and the gross morphology.
6.Peri-coronary fat inflammation predicts proximal atherosclerotic plaque formation associated with LAD myocardial bridge
Suyu LI ; Fan ZHOU ; Zhihan XU ; Yanchun CHEN ; Qian CHEN ; Yunyan SU ; Yun FENG ; Haitao ZHU ; Longjiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(5):604-612
Objective:To investigate the correlation between peri-coronary fat attenuation index (FAI) and plaque formation in patients with myocardial bridge (MB) of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and to develop an optimal predictive model to explore the potential application of FAI in the primary prevention of MB related atherosclerosis.Methods:In this retrospective study, prediction models associated with perivascular fat inflammation were developed and validated using both logistic regression and machine learning (ML) algorithm. A training dataset was collected from 253 patients who underwent ≥2 coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) with ≥3 months intervals from one tertiary hospital from January 2007 to April 2021 and had baseline CCTA showing no plaques in LAD MB. The median follow-up time was 3.2 years. According to the same criteria, a total of 75 LAD MB patients from four other hospitals were included to form an independent external validation dataset, with a median follow-up time of 1.8 years. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis with integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) and category net reclassification index (NRI) were used to compare the performance of the predictive models.Results:62 patients (24.5%) in the training dataset had proximal plaque formation in LAD MB, while 22 patients (29.3%) in the external validation dataset had plaque formation during the follow-up period. Baseline FAI within the longitudinal distance equal to 30 mm proximal to the MB entrance was an independent predictor ( OR=1.068, P=0.046). According to the model results, ROC curves were plotted. The AUC of Model 1 was 0.822, and the AUCs of Model 2 and 1 were 0.821 and 0.591 in the training dataset. After the DeLong test, the AUC of Model 1 was superior to that of Model 2 ( Z=2.839, P=0.005) and Model 1 ( Z=6.124, P<0.001). These findings were further validated in the external validation dataset, where ML-model 3 yielded the best predictive performance, outperforming the logistic regression-based Model 2 (categorical NRI=0.359, P=0.048; IDI=0.108, P=0.046). Conclusion:FAI measured within the 30 mm proximal to the entrance of MBs due to its prone to plaque development is an independent predictor for atherosclerotic plaque formation. The ML-prediction model based on a decision tree algorithm combines FAI, MB anatomical features, and patient risk factors, which is beneficial for patients undergoing routine CCTA examination to identify inflamed coronary arteries in advance and guide the clinical adoption of more targeted preventive treatment, including anti-inflammatory treatment.
7.Treatment and mechanism of chrysoeriol on pulmonary hypertension based on network pharmacology and experimental study
Ying-fang MA ; Meng CAI ; Dan FENG ; Yang GUO ; Yu-he TIAN ; Yun-hua ZHANG ; Li-li WEI ; Yang WANG ; Jun-qiang SI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2167-2176
Aim To investigate the effect of chrysoeriol on pulmonary vascular remodeling in pulmonary hyper-tension by animal experiments combined with cell ex-periments,and to explore its potential therapeutic tar-gets by network pharmacology.Methods The target of chrysoeriol was collected in Targetnet,SEA and SwissTargetPrediction database.Pulmonary arterial hy-pertension(PAH)targets were collected in the Dis-GeNET and GeneCards databases,and PPI network map was drawn in the STRING database,and key tar-gets were screened.The GO and KEGG pathway en-richment analysis was carried out through DAVID data-base and Weishengxing platform.AutoDock software was used for molecular docking of key core targets.The PAH model of rats was constructed,and the pulmo-nary hemodynamics and vascular remodeling were de-tected by echocardiography,HE and Masson staining.Primary pulmonary smooth muscle cells were extracted,and the effects of drugs on pathway proteins were de-tected in vitro.Results The results of network phar-macology showed that chrysoeriol exerted therapeutic effects on pulmonary hypertension by affecting key tar-gets such as AKT1,SRC,EGFR,MMP9 and gsk3 β,and signaling pathways such as EGFR and PI3K-AKT.Molecular docking showed that chrysoeriol had good binding ability with 5 key target genes.Animal experi-ments showed that the pulmonary hemodynamic func-tion of PAH rats was significantly improved after ad-ministration of chrysoeriol.The remodeling of small pulmonary arteries was significantly reduced.Cell ex-periments showed that chrysoeriol could inhibit the ex-pression of proliferation,migration and phenotypic transformation genes.Conclusion Chrysoeriol may play a role in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension through multiple targets.
8.Establishment of near-infrared spectroscopy quantitative models for moisture and index components in Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces
Xun LU ; Zhe ZHANG ; Geng-zhi ZHAN ; Lu-yao CAI ; Cun-yu LI ; Yun-feng ZHENG ; Tuan-jie WANG ; Yu JIN ; Guo-ping PENG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(10):3184-3190
AIM To establish the near-infrared spectroscopy quantitative models for moisture,23-acetylalismol B and 23-acetylalismol C in Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces.METHODS The near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS)data were collected in 95 batches of decoction pieces,after which drying method was adopted in the content determination of moisture,HPLC was applied to determining the contents of 23-acetylalismol B and 23-acetylalismol C,the quantitative models were established by partial least squares method combined with feature extraction algorithms.RESULTS The model training determination coefficients were 0.952 6,0.958 1 and 0.920 8,along with the prediction determination coefficients of 0.930 0,0.905 2 and 0.906 4,the residual prediction deviations(PRD)of 4.00,3.58 and 3.46,and the root mean square error ratios of prediction values to calibration values(RMSEP/RMSEC)of 1.15,1.11 and 1.06,respectively.CONCLUSION The quantitative models based on NIRS exhibit good prediction effects,which can be used for the rapid quality detection of Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces.
9.Effects of Supplemented Wendan Decoction on glycolipid metabolism and PI3K/Akt/FOXO1 signalling pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes
Kai-yin ZHANG ; Feng-yun YAO ; Yao-yao HAN ; Jie-lin JIANG ; Lin WANG ; Wen LI ; Hong-fang YANG ; Huan-yuan ZHANG ; Yan-kun CUI
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(10):3242-3248
AIM To investigate the impact of varying dosages of Supplemented Wendan Decoction on the PI3K/Akt/FOXO1 glycolipid metabolic pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.METHODS The CCK-8 assay was used to determine the concentration of Supplemented Wendan Decoction-medicated serum.The mature adipocytes differentiated from 3T3-L1 preadipocytes after induction were further divided into the blank control group,the model group,the rosiglitazone group(10 mg/L),and the Supplemented Wendan Decoction groups(5%,10%,and 20%),followed by the sample collections after 48 hours of treatment.Oil red O staining quantified lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes;extracellular glucose levels were measured using glucose oxidase(GOD)assay;RT-qPCR analyzed mRNA expressions of IRS-1,PI3K,Akt,GLUT4,IL-6,TNF-α and IL-1β;Western blot assessed protein expressions of INSR,IRS-1,PI3K-p85,Akt,FOXO1 and GLUT4.RESULTS No significant changes in cell viability(P>0.05)were observed in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes exposed to serum containing supplemented Wendan Decoction at different concentrations for 24,48,or 72 hours.The 3T3-L1 preadipocytes held the capacity to differentiate into mature adipocytes within a 14-day induction period.Compared to the model group,all supplemented Wendan Decoction groups exhibited reduced lipid accumulation in adipocytes and downregulated mRNA expression of IRS-1,IL-6,TNF-α and IL-1β(P<0.01);the low-dose group demonstrated increased mRNA expressions of PI3K and GLUT4(P<0.05,P<0.01),alongside elevated protein expressions of INSR,IRS-1,PI3K-p85,Akt and GLUT4(P<0.05,P<0.01);the medium-dose group showed enhanced GLUT4 mRNA expression,and upregulated protein expressions of INSR and FOXO1(P<0.01).After 24 hours intervention,the high-dose Supplemented Wendan Decoction group exhibited increased glucose consumption in adipocytes(P<0.01),and elevated protein expression of INSR,Akt and FOXO1(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Supplemented Wendan Decoction reduces lipid accumulation in adipocytes,regulates glucose and lipid metabolism,and promotes metabolic homeostasis through PI3K/Akt/FOXO1 signaling pathway.
10.Treatment and mechanism of chrysoeriol on pulmonary hypertension based on network pharmacology and experimental study
Ying-fang MA ; Meng CAI ; Dan FENG ; Yang GUO ; Yu-he TIAN ; Yun-hua ZHANG ; Li-li WEI ; Yang WANG ; Jun-qiang SI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2167-2176
Aim To investigate the effect of chrysoeriol on pulmonary vascular remodeling in pulmonary hyper-tension by animal experiments combined with cell ex-periments,and to explore its potential therapeutic tar-gets by network pharmacology.Methods The target of chrysoeriol was collected in Targetnet,SEA and SwissTargetPrediction database.Pulmonary arterial hy-pertension(PAH)targets were collected in the Dis-GeNET and GeneCards databases,and PPI network map was drawn in the STRING database,and key tar-gets were screened.The GO and KEGG pathway en-richment analysis was carried out through DAVID data-base and Weishengxing platform.AutoDock software was used for molecular docking of key core targets.The PAH model of rats was constructed,and the pulmo-nary hemodynamics and vascular remodeling were de-tected by echocardiography,HE and Masson staining.Primary pulmonary smooth muscle cells were extracted,and the effects of drugs on pathway proteins were de-tected in vitro.Results The results of network phar-macology showed that chrysoeriol exerted therapeutic effects on pulmonary hypertension by affecting key tar-gets such as AKT1,SRC,EGFR,MMP9 and gsk3 β,and signaling pathways such as EGFR and PI3K-AKT.Molecular docking showed that chrysoeriol had good binding ability with 5 key target genes.Animal experi-ments showed that the pulmonary hemodynamic func-tion of PAH rats was significantly improved after ad-ministration of chrysoeriol.The remodeling of small pulmonary arteries was significantly reduced.Cell ex-periments showed that chrysoeriol could inhibit the ex-pression of proliferation,migration and phenotypic transformation genes.Conclusion Chrysoeriol may play a role in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension through multiple targets.

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