1.Research progress on antimicrobial peptides against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Yuxuan WANG ; Weichang GUO ; Cheng CHEN ; Yao LUO ; Yaxiong XIAO ; Jiangtao LI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(5):636-640
Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium with strong pathogenicity. With the widespread use of antibiotics, its multi-drug resistance has gradually increased. Among them, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is one of the main pathogens of hospital and community infections. Antimicrobial peptides are short-chain peptides with good antibacterial effects and low drug resistance, which have been widely studied in recent years. This study summarizes the mechanism of action of antimicrobial peptides and related study on antimicrobial peptides against MRSA from different sources. It is found that the mechanisms of action of antimicrobial peptides include targeting bacterial cell membranes, bacterial cells, and bacterial cell walls, etc. Besides isolating antimicrobial peptides with anti-MRSA activity from animals, plants, and microorganisms, antimicrobial peptides can also be obtained through synthetic methods. Among them, GHa-derived peptides from animal sources, Ib-AMP4 from plant sources, Ph-SA from microbial sources, the synthetic peptide LLKLLLKLL-NH2, and so on, due to their effective antibacterial activity, rapid bactericidal speed, and low toxicity, are promising candidates for anti-MRSA drugs.
2.Isolation,culture and differentiation of human urine-derived stem cells into smooth muscle cells
Jiahui CHEN ; Xiaoqi DAI ; Yangang XU ; Yuanchao LI ; Mei HUANG ; Yifei ZHAN ; Yuxuan DU ; Liuqiang LI ; Yaochuan GUO ; Jun BIAN ; Dehui LAI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(19):4076-4082
BACKGROUND:Traditional methods of urinary tract reconstruction are limited by donor scarcity,high complication rates,and suboptimal functional recovery.Tissue engineering strategies offer new directions in this field.Since the urinary tract is mainly composed of muscle tissue,the key is to find suitable seed cells and efficiently induce them to differentiate into smooth muscle cells.Comparative studies on the efficacy of different smooth muscle cell induction regimens are still lacking. OBJECTIVE:To isolate,culture,and identify human urine-derived stem cells,and to compare the effects of two different induction protocols. METHODS:Human urine-derived stem cells were isolated from urine samples of 11 healthy adult volunteers by multiple centrifugations.Surface markers were identified by flow cytometry.The multi-directional differentiation potential of human urine-derived stem cells was verified through osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation.Differentiation was induced by transforming growth factor-β1 or transforming growth factor-β1 combined with platelet derived growth factor for 14 days.Immunofluorescence staining and western blot assay were employed to compare the expression differences of smooth muscle-specific proteins(α-SMA and SM22). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Urine-derived stem cells were successfully isolated from the eight urine samples of healthy people.These cells exhibit a"rice grain"-like morphology and possess a robust proliferative capacity.(2)Urine-derived stem cells exhibited high expression of mesenchymal stem cell surface markers(CD73,CD90,and CD44)and extremely low expression of hematopoietic stem cell surface markers(CD34 and CD45).These cells did not express CD19,CD105,and HLA-DR.(3)After osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation,the formation of calcium nodules and lipid droplets was observed,with positive staining results from Alizarin Red S and Oil Red O staining.(4)After 14 days of smooth muscle induction culture,immunofluorescence staining revealed that the smooth muscle differentiation rate of urine-derived stem cells treated with a combination of transforming growth factor-β1 and platelet derived growth factor was significantly higher compared to those treated with transforming growth factor-β1 alone(P<0.005).(5)After 14 days of smooth muscle induction culture,western blot assay further demonstrated that the expression levels of α-SMA and SM22 in the transforming growth factor-β1/platelet derived growth factor group were significantly elevated compared to those in the transforming growth factor-β1 only group(P<0.005).These findings confirm that urine-derived stem cells can be non-invasively isolated using multiple rounds of centrifugation.Compared with transforming growth factor-β1 alone,the combination of transforming growth factor-β1 and platelet derived growth factor can improve the efficiency of inducing urine-derived stem cells to differentiate into smooth muscle cells.
3.Application and traditional Chinese and Western medicine interpretation of " heart governing the exterior"
Dingyuan ZHANG ; Jingqian ZHANG ; Yuxuan LI ; Yingkai SHEN ; Dong LI
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(2):181-186
The theory of " heart governing the exterior" derives from Prohibition of Pricking in Suwen, which has an important position in the clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine. This article sorts out the interpretation of " heart governing the exterior" of physicians in the past dynasties, and summarizes the clinical application of " heart governing the exterior" in chest painful impediment, warm disease, dermatosis, allergic rhinitis, tic disorder, and diabetic neuropathy. It is found that the theory of " heart governing the exterior" is widely used in clinical practice and has good effects. This paper further expands and enhances its theoretical connotation, that is, the physiological and pathological connection and clinical application of the three dimensions of heart yang, heart blood, and heart spirit with the life and mental activities dominated by it, as well as the overall external performance. In addition, by exploring the relationship between " heart governing the exterior" and " brain-heart axis" , " brain-skin axis" in Western medicine, it indirectly confirms the rationality of " heart governing the exterior" in Western medicine, and lays the foundation for the further development and application of the theory of " heart governing the exterior" .
4.Adolescent anxiety and non-suicidal self-injury behavior: the mediating role of depression and the moderating role of social support
Juexi LI ; Liyuan LI ; Yuxuan GUO ; Xiaoqiang XIAO ; Peiqi TANG ; Ting PU ; Haixi ZUO ; Ting YANG ; Xiaoxia FAN ; Bo ZHOU
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(4):357-363
BackgroundNon-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behavior among adolescents has become a global public health concern. Anxiety and depression are considered key factors influencing NSSI behavior, while social support may play a protective role in alleviating emotional and behavioral issues. However, existing research has primarily focused on the direct impact of individual factors on NSSI behavior, with insufficient exploration of the combined effects of anxiety, depression and social support. ObjectiveTo investigate the direct effect of anxiety on NSSI, the mediating role of depression and the moderating role of social support in relationship between anxiety and NSSI behavior, thus to provide references for the prevention and intervention of NSSI behavior among adolescents. MethodsIn February 2022, a total of 40 820 students in grades 7 to 12 across 10 middle schools in a district of Chengdu were selected as participants, and they were assessed using Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 item (GAD-7), Patient's Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item (PHQ-9), Social Support Scale for Urban Students (SSSUS) and Adolescent Self-Harm Scale (ASHS). Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the correlations between scale scores among adolescents with NSSI behaviors. Mediation and moderation analyses were performed using Process 3.5 in SPSS, and the significance was tested with bootstrapping. The interaction was visualized by using simple slope analysis. ResultsAmong 34 534 (84.60%) valid respondents, 542 adolescents (1.57%) reported engaging in NSSI behavior. Significant differences in gender, GAD-7 scores, PHQ-9 scores, and SSSUS scores were observed between NSSI behavior group and non-NSSI group (χ²/t=62.889, 71.120, 94.365, -41.464, P<0.01).Adolesents with NSSI showed positive correlations between GAD-7 scores and both ASHS and PHQ-9 scores (r=0.158, 0.166, P<0.01). PHQ-9 scores were positively correlated with ASHS scores (r=0.364, P<0.01), but negatively correlated with SSSUS scores (r=-0.290, P<0.01). SSSUS scores were negatively correlated with ASHS scores (r=-0.247, P<0.01). Depression partially mediated the relationship between anxiety and NSSI behavior, with an effect size of 0.544 (95% CI: 0.162~0.944), accounting for 35.79% of the total effect. Social support moderated the relationship between depression and NSSI bahavior, with an effect value of -0.082 (95% CI: -0.135~-0.029). ConclusionAnxiety not only directly influences NSSI bahavior among adolescents, also indirectly exacerbates it through depression, while social support mitigates the impact of depression on NSSI behavior. [Funded by Youth Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China (number, 82401812); Project of Health Commission of Sichuan Province (number, 24LCYJPT18)]
5.Screen of FDA-approved drug library identifies vitamin K as anti-ferroptotic drug for osteoarthritis therapy through Gas6.
Yifeng SHI ; Sunlong LI ; Shuhao ZHANG ; Caiyu YU ; Jiansen MIAO ; Shu YANG ; Yan CHEN ; Yuxuan ZHU ; Xiaoxiao HUANG ; Chencheng ZHOU ; Hongwei OUYANG ; Xiaolei ZHANG ; Xiangyang WANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(5):101092-101092
Ferroptosis of chondrocytes is a significant contributor to osteoarthritis (OA), for which there is still a lack of safe and effective therapeutic drugs targeting ferroptosis. Here, we screen for anti-ferroptotic drugs in Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug library via a high-throughput manner in chondrocytes. We identified a group of FDA-approved anti-ferroptotic drugs, among which vitamin K showed the most powerful protective effect. Further study demonstrated that vitamin K effectively inhibited ferroptosis and alleviated the extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation in chondrocytes. Intra-articular injection of vitamin K inhibited ferroptosis and alleviated OA phenotype in destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) mouse model. Mechanistically, transcriptome sequencing and knockdown experiments revealed that the anti-ferroptotic effects of vitamin K depended on growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6). Furthermore, exogenous expression of Gas6 was found to inhibit ferroptosis through the AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT serine/threonine kinase (AKT) axis. Together, we demonstrate that vitamin K inhibits ferroptosis and alleviates OA progression via enhancing Gas6 expression and its downstream pathway of AXL/PI3K/AKT axis, indicating vitamin K as well as Gas6 to serve as a potential therapeutic target for OA and other ferroptosis-related diseases.
6.Signatures of proteomics and glycoproteomics revealed liraglutide ameliorates MASLD by regulating specific metabolic homeostasis in mice.
Yuxuan CHEN ; Chendong LIU ; Qian YANG ; Jingtao YANG ; He ZHANG ; Yong ZHANG ; Yanruyu FENG ; Jiaqi LIU ; Lian LI ; Dapeng LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(11):101273-101273
Liraglutide (Lira), a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist approved for diabetes and obesity, has shown significant potential in treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). However, its systematic molecular regulation and mechanisms remain underexplored. In this study, a mouse model of MASLD was developed using a high-fat diet (HFD), followed by Lira administration. Proteomics and glycoproteomics were analyzed using label-free liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), while potential molecular target analysis was conducted via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blotting. Our results revealed that Lira treatment significantly reduced liver weight and serum markers, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and others, with glycosylation changes playing a more significant role than overall protein expression. The glycoproteome identified 255 independent glycosylation sites, emphasizing the impact of Lira on amino acid, carbohydrate metabolism, and ferroptosis. Simultaneously, proteomic analysis highlighted its effects on lipid metabolism and fibrosis pathways. 21 signature molecules, including 7 proteins and 14 N-glycosylation sites (N-glycosites), were identified as potential targets. A Lira hydrogel formulation (Lira@fibrin (Fib) Gel) was developed to extend drug dosing intervals, offering enhanced therapeutic efficacy in managing chronic metabolic diseases. Our study demonstrated the importance of glycosylation regulation in the therapeutic effects of Lira on MASLD, identifying potential molecular targets and advancing its clinical application for MASLD treatment.
7.Relationship between negative parenting styles and adolescent depressive symptoms: a structural equation modeling approach to multiple mediation pathways
Peiqi TANG ; Liyuan LI ; Yuxuan GUO ; Juexi LI ; Ting YANG ; Ting PU ; Haixi ZUO ; Bo ZHOU
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(5):442-449
BackgroundThe distressingly high prevalence of depressive symptoms among adolescents exerts profound impacts on their physical and psychological development, urgently necessitating effective preventive interventions. Existing studies, however, have predominantly focused on isolated risk factors, neglecting to construct an integrated model that systematically disentangles the intricate relationships linking parenting styles, learning burnout, and childhood trauma to adolescent depressive symptoms. Moreover, the potential protective roles of social support and psychological resilience in this context remain insufficiently elucidated. ObjectiveTo construct a structural equation model encompassing multiple pathways to unravel the comprehensive mechanisms through which negative parenting styles, childhood trauma, learning burnout, psychological resilience, and social support collectively influence adolescent depressive symptoms, thereby providing evidence-based intervention strategies. MethodsA stratified sampling technique was utilized to recruit 5 865 students from 12 middle schools in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province from March to May 2022. Participants were assessed using the following validated instruments: the Short-form Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran (s-EMBU), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), the Adolescent Student Burnout Inventory, the Patients' Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item (PHQ-9), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS),and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). A partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach was employed to construct a predictive framework examining the complex network of pathways through which negative parenting styles, childhood trauma, learning burnout, psychological resilience,and social support collectively influence depressive symptoms in adolescents. ResultsThe PHQ-9 scores demonstrated significant positive correlations with the scores on s-EMBU overprotection subscale (r=0.272, P<0.01), s-EMBU rejection subscale (r=0.368, P<0.01), CTQ-SF (r=0.288, P<0.01) and Adolescent Student Burnout Inventory (r=0.587, P<0.01). Conversely, significant negative correlations were observed between PHQ-9 scores and both SSRS (r=-0.532, P<0.01) and CD-RISC scores (r=-0.418, P<0.01). Negative parenting styles (β=0.113, 95% CI: 0.087-0.138) and learning burnout (β=0.339, 95% CI: 0.315-0.364) emerged as significant positive predictors of depressive symptoms, with childhood trauma mediating the relationship between negative parenting styles and depressive symptoms (effect size=0.018, 95% CI: 0.013-0.024). Social support servesed as a mediating pathway between negative parenting styles and depressive symptoms (β=0.080, 95% CI: 0.069-0.092), as well as between negative parenting styles and childhood trauma (β=0.041, 95% CI: 0.032-0.050). It also functioned as an intermediary pathway linking learning burnout to depressive symptoms (β=0.092, 95% CI: 0.081-0.104) and connecting learning burnout with childhood trauma (β=0.048, 95% CI: 0.037-0.058). Additionally, psychological resilience serveed as a mediating pathway between negative parenting styles and depressive symptoms (β=0.004, 95% CI: 0.002-0.007), between learning burnout and depressive symptoms (β=0.037, 95% CI: 0.023-0.052), and between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms (β=0.003, 95% CI: 0.001-0.006). ConclusionLearning burnout exerts a direct effect on adolescent depressive symptoms. Negative parenting styles influence depressive symptoms both directly and indirectly through childhood trauma. Furthermore, social support and psychological resilience serve as mediator linking negative parenting styles and learning burnout to depressive symptoms in adolescents. [Funded by Science and Technology Project of the Health Commission of Sichuan Province (number, 24LCYJPT18)]
8.Statistical analysis of disability-adjusted life years for stomach and colorectal cancers in Changning District of Shanghai
Jing WU ; Lei ZHANG ; Yu JIANG ; Dandan TANG ; Yuxuan XIAO ; Yun ZHANG ; Honglan LI ; Wensui ZHAO ; Qinghua XIA ; Yongbing XIANG
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(2):168-176
Objectives:To analyze the status and temporal changes of disability-adjusted life year (DALY) for stomach and colorectal cancers among registered permanent residents in Changning District of Shanghai Municipality, and provide scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of stomach and colorectal cancers in this district.Methods:Using the cancer registration data of stomach and colorectal cancers from 2002 to 2019, we estimated the indices such as the DALYs, the DALY crude rates, the age-standardized DALY rates, etc. Then we used the Joinpoint regression model to calculate the average annual percent change (AAPC) and annual percent change (APC) to explore the temporal variations in different periods.Results:The DALYs of stomach and colorectal cancers in Changning District from 2002 to 2019 were 55 931 person years and 65 252 person years, respectively. The crude rates of DALY were 512.16/10 5 and 597.51/10 5, respectively. We observed a higher disease burden in men than in women, and the peak rate of DALY in stomach cancer was in the 75-79 years age group, while in colorectal cancer the rate was in the 85-years-or-older age group. Joinpoint regression analysis showed that from 2002 to 2019, the age-standardized DALY rate of stomach cancer showed a downward trend (AAPC=-3.86%, P<0.05), while the trend of colorectal cancer was not statistically significant(AAPC=-0.08%, P>0.05). However, the trends in the age-standardized DALY rates of colorectal cancer were different between males and females, with males showing an upward trend (AAPC=1.24%, P<0.05) and females showing a downward trend (AAPC=-1.67%, P<0.05). Conclusions:The DALY of stomach and colorectal cancers in Changning District of Shanghai showed a decreasing trend. Males and the middle-aged and elderly populations are still the key targets for disease prevention and control in this district.
9.Combined analysis of transcriptome and metabolome on the effect of virulence protein Mp1p from Talaromyces marneffei on macrophages
LIU Yuxuan ; WEI Wudi ; BAO Xiuli ; CHEN Lixiang ; ZHANG Baili ; HE Xiaotao ; YE Li ; JIANG Junjun ; LIANG Hao
China Tropical Medicine 2024;24(3):265-
Objective To explore the effect of Mp1p on host macrophages through transcriptomics combined with metabolomics. Methods Firstly, a THP-1 macrophage strain (THP-1-Mp1p+) stably expressing Mp1p was constructed using lentivirus. Secondly, using high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA Seq) technology, the expression level of intracellular mRNA was detected in transcriptomics analysis to determine differentially expressed genes; In metabolomics analysis, metabolite identification was performed through database comparison, and pathway analysis was performed on differential metabolites to reveal potential mechanisms of action. Finally, the results of metabolomics and transcriptomics were combined for analysis, and differential metabolites and genes were analyzed to further elucidate the mechanism of action of Mp1p on macrophages. Results Transcriptome analysis showed that, compared with the negative control group, the THP-1-Mp1p+ group had a total of 1 180 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with 345 upregulated genes and 835 downregulated genes. GO enrichment analysis of DEGs showed that there were 135 differentially expressed genes, including 105 in biological processes (BP), 28 in cellular components (CC), and 2 in molecular functions (MF). The KEGG analysis results showed that the effect of Mp1p on THP-1 macrophages was highly correlated with the TNF pathway. The metabolomic analysis found that both the blank control group and the THP-1-Mp1p+ macrophage group achieved good separation between QC samples in both positive and negative ion modes. The threshold for significant differential metabolites was set at: VIP≥1 and T-test P<0.05, resulting in the identification of 488 differential metabolites, with 230 in the positive ion mode and 258 in the negative ion mode. Pathway enrichment analysis of the identified metabolites pointed to significant enrichment in metabolic pathways. The combined analysis confirmed that the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, interleukin-17 signaling pathway, and NF-kappaB signaling pathway were important metabolic pathways involved. Conclusions The virulence factor Mp1p may affect host macrophages by modulating the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, interleukin-17 signaling pathway, and NF-kappaB signaling pathway. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of action of Mp1p and may offer potential directions for the selection of relevant diagnostic and therapeutic targets in the future.
10.Predictive effect of the dual-parametric MRI modified maximum diameter of the lesions with PI-RADS 4 and 5 on the clinically significant prostate cancer
Yuxuan TIAN ; Mingjian RUAN ; Yi LIU ; Derun LI ; Jingyun WU ; Qi SHEN ; Yu FAN ; Jie JIN
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2024;56(4):567-574
Objective:To assess the rationality of the maximum lesion diameter of 15 mm in prostate imaging reporting and data system(PI-RADS)as a criterion for upgrading a lesion from category 4 to 5 and improve it to enhance the prediction of clinically significant prostate cancer(csPCa).Methods:In this study,the patients who underwent prostate magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and prostate biopsy at Peking University First Hospital from 2019 to 2022 as a development cohort,and the patients in 2023 as a validation cohort were reviewed.The localization and maximum diameter of the lesion were fully evalua-ted.The area under the curve(AUC)and the cut-off value of the maximum diameter of the lesion to pre-dict the detection of csPCa were calculated from the receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve.Confounding factors were reduced by propensity score matching(PSM).Diagnostic efficacy was com-pared in the validation cohort.Results:Of the 589 patients in the development cohort,358(60.8%)lesions were located in the peripheral zone and 231(39.2%)were located in the transition zone,and 496(84.2%)patients detected csPCa.The median diameter of the lesions in the peripheral zone was smaller than that in the transition zone(14 mm vs.19 mm,P<0.001).In the ROC analysis of the maximal diameter on the csPCa prediction,there was no statistically significant difference between the peri-pheral zone(AUC=0.709)and the transition zone(AUC=0.673,P=0.585),and the cut-off values were calculated to be 11.5 mm for the peripheral zone and 16.5 mm for the migrating zone.By calcula-ting the Youden index for the cut-off values in the validation cohort,we found that the categorisation by lesion location led to better predictive results.Finally,the net reclassification index(NRI)was 0.170.Conclusion:15 mm as a criterion for upgrading the PI-RADS score from 4 to 5 is reasonable but too general.The cut-off value for peripheral zone lesions is smaller than that in transitional zone.In the future consideration could be given to setting separate cut-off values for lesions in different locations.


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