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.Role of exosomal miR-320c in gingerol-mediated defense against Staphylococcus aureus infection
Zhencai XING ; Mengxue XU ; Xiang KONG ; Jinghan SUN ; Zhen MA ; Yu GAO ; Siyuan DU ; Hong ZHENG ; Yakun LIU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):795-802
ObjectiveTo investigate the inhibitory effect of gingerol, an active component of ginger, on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection, and to preliminarily explore its mechanism related to extracellular vesicles (EVs). MethodsS.aureus infection models were established in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVECs), Vero E6 cells, and C57BL/6 mice. Experimental groups included control, infection, and gingerol-treated groups. Bacterial load and VE-cadherin protein expression were detected using immunofluorescence and Western blot. EVs were isolated by size exclusion chromatography and characterized by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. miRNA sequencing was performed on EVs. ResultsGingerol treatment significantly reduced the bacterial load in both in vitro and in vivo infection models and upregulated VE-cadherin expression. miRNA sequencing of EVs revealed that S. aureus infection upregulated the expression of hsa-miR-320c, while gingerol treatment reversed this abnormal expression. Bioinformatic analysis further predicted that the target genes of hsa-miR-320c were significantly enriched in cell junction-related pathways. ConclusionGingerol exhibits clear antibacterial and host-protective effects, by regulating hsa-miR-320c in EVs to maintain endothelial barrier integrity.
3.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.
4.Relationship between C-reactive protein/albumin ratio and severity in patients with severe pneumonia and its predictive value for 28-day mortality risk
Yu-Ru FU ; Zhen-Kang SUN ; Cheng LIU ; Dong-Feng LI
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(3):309-317
Objective To explore the relationship between C-reactive protein/albumin ratio(CAR)and the disease severity in patients with severe pneumonia,and its predictive value for 28-day mortality risk.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 152 patients with severe pneumonia admitted to Fuyang People's Hospital from January 2020 to January 2022.They were divided into non-critical illness group(n=51),critical illness group(n=63),and extremely critical illness group(n=38)based on the disease severity.The clinical data such as age and gender of patients was collected,and Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between CAR and the severity of illness[determined by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)score].Multivariate logistic regression was employed to identify independent influencing factors of the severity of illness.According to the survival status of patients after 28 days of treatment,they were divided into survival group(n=107)and death group(n=45).CAR was categorized into quintiles(Q1-Q5),and multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the correlation between CAR and 28-day mortality risk in severe pneumonia patients.A restricted cubic spline(RCS)model was used to analyze the dose-response relationship between CAR and mortality risk.The predictive value of CAR and related indicators for patient mortality risk was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC).Results CAR was significantly positively correlated with the severity of the disease(APACHE Ⅱ score)(r=0.716,P<0.05).Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio(NLR),blood lactate(Lac),and high CAR were independent risk factors for the disease severity in patients with severe pneumonia(P<0.05).After adjusting for confounding factors,the mortality risk increased with the increase of CAR(P<0.05).Subgroup analysis of the screened confounding factors revealed that the correlation between CAR and 28-day mortality risk in severe pneumonia patients remained stable across different APACHE Ⅱ scores,GCS scores,SOFA scores,white blood cell counts(WBC),neutrophils(NEU),red cell volume distribution width(RDW),procalcitonin(PCT),and Lac,with interactions observed between NLR and Lac subgroups(P<0.05).The RCS model indicated that there was no non-linear dose-response relationship between CAR and 28-day mortality risk in patients with severe pneumonia of different genders.ROC curve analysis showed that CAR,Lac,and NLR had good predictive value for 28-day mortality in severe pneumonia patients,with the combined predictive efficacy being significantly higher than that of individual indicators.Conclusion There is a close relationship between CAR and the progression and prognosis of severe pneumonia,making it a new approach to assessing the severity of illness and predicting mortality risk in patients.
5.Effects of lacosamide combined with ketogenic diet on neuroinjury markers and cognitive function in children with epilepsy
Na ZHAO ; Zhen ZHANG ; Li ZHAO ; Jie YU ; Yanhong SUN
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(16):68-72
Objective To investigate the efficacy of lacosamide combined with ketogenic diet in the treatment of pediatric epilepsy and its impacts on the levels of serum glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)and specific protein of the central nervous system(S-100β).Methods A total of 64 chil-dren with epilepsy from July 2022 to April 2024 were selected and randomly divided into conventional group(n=32)receiving oral lacosamide tablets and combined group(n=32)receiving ketogenic di-et therapy based on the conventional group.The efficacy,cognitive function,and intelligence of chil-dren in both groups after treatment,as well as the levels of serum GFAP and S-100β,the frequency of seizures,and electroencephalogram(EEG)findings before and after treatment were evaluated.Results After treatment,the number of alpha waves,the Full-scale Intelligence Quotient(FIQ)of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children,and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA)scores increased in both groups,with a greater increase in the combined group compared to the conventional group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The levels of serum S-100β and GFAP,the frequency of seizures,and the number of cases with slow waves and epileptiform waves decreased after treatmen,and these indicators were lower in the combined group than in the conventional group,with sta-tistically significant differences(P<0.05).The total effective rate was 90.63%in the combined group and 68.75%in the conventional group,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions was 12.50%in the combined group and 9.38%in the conventional group,with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).Conclusion Lacosamide combined with ketogenic diet shows good efficacy in the treatment of pediatric epilepsy,and the combined therapy improves neurological function by synergistically reducing the levels of GFAP/S-100β.
6.Relationship between Sleep Problems and Temperament among Infants Aged 12~35 Months
Yanqiong RAO ; Zhen XU ; Jingjing SUN ; Ou ZHANG ; Yu LING
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2025;46(4):143-149
Objective To analyze the sleep problems and temperament characteristics of children aged 12-35 months so as to understand the relationship between the sleep problems and temperament in early childhood.Methods 129 toddlers with sleep problems and 129 normal controls were selected.The brief infant sleep questionnaire(BISQ)was used to investigate children's sleep problems and the temperament questionnaire was used to investigate their temperament characteristics.The influence of temperament on sleep problems was analyzed by Logistic regression analysis.Results The temperament types of children aged 12 to 35 months with sleep problems were mainly easy to cultivate and moderately easy to cultivate.There was a statistically significant difference(P<0.05)in the comparison of easily cultivating temperament types between the children with the sleep problems and the control group;Compared with the control group,there were statistically significant differences(P<0.05)in the five dimensions of avoidance,adaptability,emotional essence,persistence,and attention dispersion among children with sleep problems.Compared with the temperament type of easy to cultivate,the proportion of sleep problems in children intermediately easy to cultivate and slow to start was higher(both P<0.05)Conclusion There is a certain relationship between the sleep problems and temperament types in children aged 12 to 35 months.Early understanding of sleep problems and temperament characteristics of toddlers can guide parents to adjust their education methods in time,give parents"individualized"sleep guidance and intervention,reduce the occurrence of long-term development problems and promote the healthy physical and mental development of toddlers.
7.The role regenerating islet-derived protein 3βin intestinal repair and lactylation mechanisms in septic mice
Xihua ZHEN ; Zexian SUN ; Yonghao YU ; Xin WANG
Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Intensive and Critical Care 2025;32(1):37-42
Objective To investigate the effects of regenerating islet-derived protein 3β(Reg3β)on intestinal function and glycolysis in septic mice,as well as its role in promoting lactylation.Methods ① In vivo experiments:a total of 36 adult male C57BL/6 mice,including wild-type(WT)and Reg3β knockout(KO)mice,were randomly divided into six groups using a random number table:WT sham group,WT cecal ligation and puncture(CLP)-induced sepsis group(WT CLP group),WT sham+Reg3β intervention group(WT sham group),WT CLP+Reg3β intervention group(WT CLP+Reg3β group),KO sham group,and KO CLP group(n=6 per group).Blood glucose levels were measured at 24 hours and 48 hours after modeling;At 48 hours after modeling,ileum tissues were collected for hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining to observe histopathological changes,immunofluorescence staining was performed to assess the positive expression levels of lactylated proteins,Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of lactylated proteins in ileum tissues.② In vitro experiments:Cultured RAW264.7 cells were randomly divided into four groups using a random number table:blank control group,lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced sepsis model group(LPS group),Reg3β group,and LPS+Reg3β group.After 24 hours of drug induction,cells were collected,and Western blotting was performed to measure the levels of lactylated proteins,the culture medium was collected to determine lactylation levels.Results ① Histopathological observations showed that compared with the WT CLP group,the WT CLP+Reg3β group exhibited milder villus breakage and inflammatory cell infiltration.The KO CLP group showed more severe damage,with significantly shortened intestinal villi and separation of the epithelial layer from the lamina propria.Compared with the WT CLP group,blood glucose levels were significantly higher in the KO CLP group(mmol/L:6.83±1.15 vs.4.78±1.37,P<0.05).Both Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining results indicated that,compared with the WT CLP group,lactylation levels were significantly decreased in the KO CLP group[lactylated protein expression(lactylated protein/β-actin):0.48±0.20 vs.0.78±0.09;positive lactylated protein expression(mean fluorescence intensity):59.84±6.02 vs.100.00±5.26,both P<0.01].② Western blotting results of RAW264.7 cells cultured for 24 hours showed that compared with the LPS group,the LPS+Reg3β group exhibited significantly increased lactylated protein expression levels(lactylated protein expression/β-actin:3.67±0.48 vs.1.64±0.49,P<0.01).Compared with the blank control group,the lactate levels in the culture medium of the LPS group were significantly increased(mmol/L:4.95±0.20 vs.3.82±0.09,P<0.01).Compared with the LPS group,the lactate levels in the culture medium of the LPS+Reg3β group were also significantly increased(mmol/L:6.03±0.32 vs.4.95±0.20,P<0.01).Conclusion Reg3β promotes intestinal protein lactylation and exerts a protective effect on the intestine in sepsis,suggesting that Reg3β may serve as a novel therapeutic target for sepsis.
8.Synthesis and Applications of Indole-3-formylhydrazine Modified Pyrene Schiff Base Compound as Copper Ion Fluorescence Probe
Mu-Xi WANG ; Zhen-Yu HUANG ; Xiao-Feng LIN ; Xiao-Lan LEI ; Jian SUN ; Li-Jun MA
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(7):1108-1117
In this work,a fluorescent probe PIN was synthesized using indole-3-carbohydrazide and pyrenecarboxaldehyde as raw materials.PIN showed weak fluorescence emission in aqueous solution with acetonitrile volume fraction of 70%.However,when Cu2+was added to this aqueous solution of PIN,a new fluorescence emission peak appeared at 495 nm,and the intensity of this peak gradually increased with the increase of concentration of Cu2+,and also caused a significant change in the fluorescence color of the solution.In contrast,the addition of 15 kinds of other common metal ions did not cause such change.The detection limit of PIN for Cu2+was 78.7 nmol/L,which was much lower than the maximum permitting level of Cu2+in drinking water in hygienic standard for drinking water in China.Therefore,PIN was a highly selective and sensitive fluorescence-enhanced probe for Cu2+.Meanwhile,the addition of Cu2+could also cause a new absorption peak at 440 nm in the ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum of the aqueous solution of PIN,and meanwhile the colorless PIN solution changed into yellow,exhibiting the performance of PIN as a colorimetric probe for Cu2+.By fitting with the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm equation,the binding ratio of PIN to Cu2+was 2:1,and the binding constant was 3.42×1012 L2/mol2.In addition,the binding mode of PIN with Cu2+was explored by using proton nuclear magnetic resonance(1H NMR)titration experiments and density functional theory simulations.The results showed that the addition of Cu2+could cause the aggregation of PIN molecules to form excimers,thus showing highly selective recognition.Finally,PIN was made into a simple test strip,which could achieve rapid and convenient fluorescence detection of Cu2+in actual water samples.
9.Molecular Characterization of New Recombinant Human Adenoviruses Detected in Children with Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in Beijing, China, 2022-2023.
Yi Nan GUO ; Ri DE ; Fang Ming WANG ; Zhen Zhi HAN ; Li Ying LIU ; Yu SUN ; Yao YAO ; Xiao Lin MA ; Shuang LIU ; Chunmei ZHU ; Dong QU ; Lin Qing ZHAO
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(9):1071-1081
OBJECTIVE:
Recombination events are common and serve as the primary driving force of diverse human adenovirus (HAdV), particularly in children with acute respiratory tract infections (ARIs). Therefore, continual monitoring of these events is essential for effective viral surveillance and control.
METHODS:
Respiratory specimens were collected from children with ARIs between January 2022 and December 2023. The penton base, hexon, and fiber genes were amplified from HAdV-positive specimens and sequenced to determine the virus type. In cases with inconsistent typing results, genes were cloned into the pGEM-T vector to detect recombination events. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) was performed to characterize the recombinant HAdV genomes.
RESULTS:
Among 6,771 specimens, 277 (4.09%, 277/6,771) were positvie for HAdV, of which 157 (56.68%, 157/277) were successfully typed, with HAdV-B3 being the dominant type (91.08%, 143/157), and 14 (5.05%, 14/277) exhibited inconsistent typing results, six of which belonged to species B. The penton base genes of these six specimens were classified as HAdV-B7, whereas their hexon and fiber genes were classified as HAdV-B3, resulting in a recombinant genotype designated P7H3F3, which closely resembled HAdV-B114. Additionally, a partial gene encoding L1 52/55 kD was identified, which originated from HAdV-B16.
CONCLUSION
A novel recombinant, P7H3F3, was identified, containing sequences derived from HAdV-B3 and HAdV-B7, which is similar to HAdV-B114, along with additional sequences from HAdV-B16.
Humans
;
Adenoviruses, Human/isolation & purification*
;
Respiratory Tract Infections/epidemiology*
;
Child, Preschool
;
Child
;
Recombination, Genetic
;
Male
;
Beijing/epidemiology*
;
Infant
;
Female
;
Phylogeny
;
Adenovirus Infections, Human/epidemiology*
;
Acute Disease
;
Genome, Viral
10.Correlation of platelet to albumin ratio with occurrence of cerebral infarction after left atrial appendage closure in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation
Qinyu SUN ; Jiling YU ; Yifan DENG ; Gan CAO ; Zhen FANG ; Jun JI ; Shenghu HE ; Jing ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(11):1489-1493
Objective To investigate the correlation between platelet-to-albumin ratio(PAR)and occurrence of cerebral infarction after left atrial appendage closure(LAAC)in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation(NVAF).Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 259 NVAF patients undergoing LAAC in our department between 2019 and 2023.According to occurrence of cerebral infarction after LAAC or not,they were divided into a control group(241 cases)and a study group(18 cases).Their general data were collected,and Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify the risk factors for cerebral infarction.ROC curve was plotted to assess the predictive value of PAR for cerebral infarction in NVAF patients after LAAC,and the AUC value was calculated.Kaplan-Meier survival curve was drawn to analyze the incidence of cerebral infarction after LAAC in NVAF patients with different PAR values.Results The study group had significantly advanced age,higher SBP at admission,increased WBC,neutrophil,monocyte and platelet counts,longer thrombin time,elevated international normalized ratio(INR)and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)level,and higher PAR than the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that PAR(HR=2.286,95%CI:1.182-4.420,P<0.05)was an independent risk factor for cerebral infarction in NVAF patients after LAAC.ROC curve indicated that the AUC value of PAR in predicting cerebral infarction after LAAC in NVAF patients was 0.721(95%CI:0.586-0.856,P<0.01),with an optimal cut-off value of 4.137,a sensitivity of 66.39%,and a specificity of 77.78%.Kaplan-Meier survival curve revealed that the higher the PAR value was,the higher the risk of cerebral infarction was(P<0.01).Conclusion PAR is significantly correlated with cerebral infarction in NVAF patients after LAAC.The higher the PAR,the higher the risk of cerebral infarction,demonstrating its predictive value and being worthy of clinical promotion.


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