1.Strategy for cysteine-targeting covalent inhibitors screening using in-house database based LC-MS/MS and drug repurposing
Xiaolan HU ; Jian-Lin WU ; Quan HE ; Zhi-Qi XIONG ; Na LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(3):637-650
Targeted covalent inhibitors,primarily targeting cysteine residues,have attracted great attention as potential drug candidates due to good potency and prolonged duration of action.However,their dis-covery is challenging.In this research,a database-assisted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spec-trometry(LC-MS/MS)strategy was developed to quickly discover potential cysteine-targeting compounds.First,compounds with potential reactive groups were selected and incubated with N-acetyl-cysteine in microsomes.And the precursor ions of possible cysteine-adducts were predicted based on covalent binding mechanisms to establish in-house database.Second,substrate-independent product ions produced from N-acetyl-cysteine moiety were selected.Third,multiple reaction monitoring scan was conducted to achieve sensitive screening for cysteine-targeting compounds.This strategy showed broad applicability,and covalent compounds with diverse structures were screened out,offering structural resources for covalent inhibitors development.Moreover,the screened compounds,norket-amine and hydroxynorketamine,could modify synaptic transmission-related proteins in vivo,indicating their potential as covalent inhibitors.This experimental-based screening strategy provides a quick and reliable guidance for the design and discovery of covalent inhibitors.
2.A novel perspective on male testicular aging: Sertoli cell lysosomal dysfunction with intervention targets
Yunzhi LIN ; Yulin XIONG ; Zhiwen DENG ; Zheng LI ; Zhi ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(11):1124-1130
Male reproductive aging is characterized by degenerative changes in the structure and function of the testes. Testicular aging involves alterations in various types of cells, among which lysosomal dysfunction in Sertoli cells is particularly critical. Recent studies have shown that abnormal lysosomal acidification leads to impaired phagosome degradation, which fails to maintain normal nutrient cycling and thereby exacerbates damage to the testicular microenvironment. In addition, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and epigenetic changes are also important factors contributing to reproductive aging. Therefore, molecular intervention strategies targeting lysosomal dysfunction, mitochondrial oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress, such as the use of lysosomal activators like ML-SA1 and antioxidants, may offer new therapeutic directions for alleviating male reproductive aging. Future research should further explore the interactions between these mechanisms and potential intervention targets to improve reproductive health and quality of life in middle-aged and older men.
3.Characteristics and risk factors of postoperative lower extremity deep vein thrombosis in patients with lumbar degenerative diseases
Bo-Lin SUN ; Xu XIONG ; Yan-Xin ZHONG ; Yu LIU ; Liu-Xue DU ; Teng-Hui TAO ; Shan-Hu HUANG ; Zhi-Li LIU ; Jia-Ming LIU
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(9):1117-1121
Objective To analyze the characteristics and risk factors associated with postoperative deep vein thrombosis(DVT)of the lower extremities in patients undergoing surgery for lumbar degenerative diseases.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 298 patients who were hospitalized for lumbar degenerative diseases and underwent lumbar spine surgery treatment in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from October 1,2022 to April 15,2023.Patients were divided into DVT group(n=71)and non-DVT group(n=227)according to whether DVT of the lower limbs occurred within 1 week postoperatively.The incidence and distribution characteristics of postoperative DVT were analyzed.Univariate and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for DVT,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to determine cut-off values for relevant risk factors.Results A total of 298 patients were included,among whom 159 were males(53.4%)and 139 were females(46.6%),with an average age of(64.5±9.8)years.DVT occurred in 71 patients,and the incidence of lower extremity DVT was 23.8%.In the DVT group,there were 49 cases(69.0%)of intermuscular vein thrombosis,and 22 cases of other types of thrombosis(7 cases of peroneal vein thrombosis,4 cases of posterior tibial vein thrombosis,3 cases of common femoral vein thrombosis,1 case of anterior tibial vein thrombosis,and 7 cases of multiple thrombosis);58 cases(81.7%)had DVT in one lower extremity,and 13 cases(18.3%)had DVT in both lower extremities.Univariate analysis results showed that age,body mass index(BMI),length of hospital stay,history of hypertension,operative time,and intraoperative blood loss were associated with the occurrence of lower extremity DVT after surgery for lumbar degenerative diseases(P<0.05).Binary logistic regression analysis results indicated that older age(OR=1.079,P<0.01),higher BMI(OR=1.130,P=0.01),history of hypertension(OR=2.992,P<0.01),and larger intraoperative blood loss(OR=1.002,P=0.03)were independent risk factors for the occurrence of lower extremity DVT.ROC curve analysis demonstrated that patients with age>58.5 years,BMI>24.01 kg/m2,history of hypertension,and intraoperative blood loss>550 ml had a significantly increased risk of postoperative lower limb DVT.Conclusions The incidence of lower extremity DVT after surgery for lumbar degenerative disease is high,and intermuscular venous thrombosis is more common.Older age,higher BMI,history of hypertension,and larger intraoperative blood loss are independent risk factors for the occurrence of lower extremity DVT after surgery.
4.Morphology of enteric nervous system in C57BL/6 mice based on fMOST high-resolution 3D reconstruction system
Li-Ge LENG ; Guan-Xiong YANG ; Ze-En WANG ; Yi CHEN ; Zhi-Liang QIAO ; Qing-Zhong HU ; Ming-Yan WANG ; Feng TIAN
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(1):114-119
Objective To initially explore the possibility of applying the fluorescence micro-optical sectioning tomography(fMOST)high-resolution 3D reconstruction system to the morphological study of the intestinal nervous system and to preliminarily establish a method for studying the morphology of the intestinal nervous system using this system.Methods fMOST high-resolution 3D reconstruction system was used to study the intestinal nervous system of C57BL/6 mice in detail.Based on this method,a new morphological method of the visceral nervous system of small animal models was explored at the single-cell level.Results Compared with the large intestine,the small intestine lacked the typical myenteric plexus(Auerbach),deep mucosal plexus(Henley),and submucosal superficial plexus(Meissner).Conclusion The result of this paper provide a clearer and systematic display of the anatomical structure of the enteric nervous system in C57BL/6 mice,and further clarify the similarities and differences between the enteric nervous system of mice and human,and provide a theoretical basis for its rational application in the study of digestive system diseases.The morphological study of fMOST high-resolution 3D reconstruction system is not limited to the central nervous system,but can be extended to the morphological study of multiple visceral nervous systems.
5.Impact of high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities on the efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with post-transplantation Cyclophosphamide in pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Fei LONG ; Zhi CHEN ; Li YANG ; Zhuo WANG ; Yan CHEN ; Yu DU ; Wenjie LU ; Ming SUN ; Shanshan QI ; Hao XIONG
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2025;40(12):939-945
Objective:To explore the influence of initial high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities on the outcomes of children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after post-transplant Cyclophosphamide (PTCy)-based allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).Methods:A retrospective cohort study.AML children who underwent PTCy-based allo-HSCT after the first complete remission at Wuhan Children′s Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology between April 2017 and April 2024 were enrolled.Patients were divided into intermediate-risk and high-risk groups based on their initial cytogenetic features.These patients were further divided into complex karyotype, 11q23 rearrangement, and other karyotype groups.Clinical characteristics and survival outcomes were compared among these groups.Measurement and count data were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank-sum/Kruskal-Wallis and χ2 tests, respectively.Survival and risk factor analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards methods, respectively. Results:A total of 51 AML children who underwent allo-HSCT were included in this study.The median age at transplantation was 3.2 years and the median follow-up time was 4.6 years.There were 26 cases in the intermediate-risk group and 25 cases in the high-risk group; 8 cases in the complex karyotype group, 14 cases in the 11q23 rearrangement group, and 29 cases in the other karyotype groups.By the end of the follow-up on November 30, 2024, 11 patients relapsed, 8 patients died, and 13 patients developed grades Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).The 3-year overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), and grades Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute GVHD-free and relapse-free survival (GRFS) were 84.0% (95% CI: 74.4%-94.8%), 74.5% (95% CI: 63.4%-87.5%), and 58.8% (95% CI: 46.7%-74.0%), respectively.The 3-year OS of the high-risk group was significantly lower than that of the intermediate-risk group (71.8% vs.96.2%, P=0.022), while differences in 3-year RFS and GRFS between the 2 groups were not statistically significant (68.0% vs.80.8%, P=0.400; 52.0% vs.65.4%, P=0.420).The 3-year OS, RFS and GRFS of the complex karyotype group were significantly lower than those of 11q23 rearrangement and other karyotype groups (50.0% vs.85.7%, 93.1%, P=0.009; 37.5% vs.85.7%, 79.3%, P=0.022; 25.0% vs.64.3%, 65.5%, P=0.049).Multivariate analysis showed that a complex karyotype was an independent prognostic factor affecting 3-year OS and GRFS [OS: HR=6.79 (95% CI: 1.13-43.80), P=0.044; GRFS: HR=3.72(95% CI: 1.13-12.20), P=0.030]. Conclusions:High-risk cytogenetic features are significant predictors of survival outcomes in pediatric AML patients undergoing PTCy-based allo-HSCT.
6.Isolation,identification,and biological characterization of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli from a South China tiger
Jing-ru XU ; Zhi-hao ZHU ; Yu-qi LI ; Si-si FAN ; Ya-li KANG ; Yu-bin ZHUO ; Ling-shan HUANG ; Shu-qi QIU ; XUE-YUXI ; Xiao-ping WU ; Yu-ting LIAO ; Wei-ye LIN ; Xiao-ziyi XIAO ; Xue-jin LI ; Teng-teng CHEN ; Xi-pan LIN ; Kai-xiong LIN ; Ke-wei FAN
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(6):567-573
This study was aimed at identifying the pathogenic bacteria responsible for the death of a young tiger at the Fujian Meihua Mountain South China Tiger Breeding Research Institute.Tissue samples from the lungs,liver,and intestines of the deceased tiger were collected,and the bacteria were cultured inasterile environment.The bacterial strains were characterized according to their morphological and molecular biological properties,including assessment of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance genes,mouse lethality tests,and antibiotic susceptibility evaluations.A predominant bacterial strain isolated from the liver of the deceased tiger was identified as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(ETEC)strain Tiger22513F.Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that the Tiger22513F strain exhibited close genetic similarity to the reference strain ETEC(MF919609.1),with 99.9%nucleotide similarity,and resided on the same evolutionary branch.The Tiger22513F strain contained 11 antibiotic resistance genes(tetA,sul1,sul3,cmlA,floR,blaTEM,blaSHV,blaCMY-2,qnrA,qnrS,and qnrD)along with five virulence genes(VT1,fyuA,tsh,iucD,and ST).Mouse lethality tests indicated significant pathogenicity toward mice,affecting primarily the lungs,liver,and intestines.Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated that this strain exhibited resistance to various classes of beta-lactam antibiotics,as well as quinolones and aminoglycosides.This investigation successfully isolated a multi-drug resistant enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain with pronounced pathogenicity from the liver of a deceased tiger;thus providing valuable scientific insights for clinical diagnosis,as well as prevention and control measures,against ETEC infections in South China tigers.
7.A novel perspective on male testicular aging: Sertoli cell lysosomal dysfunction with intervention targets
Yunzhi LIN ; Yulin XIONG ; Zhiwen DENG ; Zheng LI ; Zhi ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(11):1124-1130
Male reproductive aging is characterized by degenerative changes in the structure and function of the testes. Testicular aging involves alterations in various types of cells, among which lysosomal dysfunction in Sertoli cells is particularly critical. Recent studies have shown that abnormal lysosomal acidification leads to impaired phagosome degradation, which fails to maintain normal nutrient cycling and thereby exacerbates damage to the testicular microenvironment. In addition, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and epigenetic changes are also important factors contributing to reproductive aging. Therefore, molecular intervention strategies targeting lysosomal dysfunction, mitochondrial oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress, such as the use of lysosomal activators like ML-SA1 and antioxidants, may offer new therapeutic directions for alleviating male reproductive aging. Future research should further explore the interactions between these mechanisms and potential intervention targets to improve reproductive health and quality of life in middle-aged and older men.
8.Effect of Yishen Paidu Formula on inflammatory response in chronic renal failure rats by regulating Calcineurin/NFAT signal pathway
Li FENG ; Bowen PENG ; Bin PENG ; Shuangyi ZHU ; Xue FENG ; Wei XIONG ; Xi HU ; Xiaoling ZHAI ; Xiaohui SUN ; Zhi GAO
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(11):2663-2667
Objective:To explore effect of Yishen Paidu Formula on inflammatory response in chronic renal failure(CRF)rats and role of Calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T cell(NFAT).Methods:CRF rat model was constructed,and randomly grouped into model group,low,medium and high doses Yishen Paidu Formula groups,with 10 rats in each group,another 10 rats were fed normally as a blank group;general situation of rats was recorded;urine protein quantification kit was applied to detect 24-hour urine protein level of CRF rats in each group;serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels of CRF rats were detected;ELISA was applied to detect serum IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α levels in CRF rats;pathological changes of renal tissue were observed by HE staining;Western blot was applied to detect expressions of fibroblast growth factor 23(FGF23),Klotho protein,Calcineurin,NFAT protein in renal tissue of CRF rats in each group.Results:Compared with blank group,levels of creatinine,urea nitrogen in serum,24 h urine protein in urine,IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α in serum,and protein levels of FGF23,Calcineurin,NFAT in kidney tissue were obviously increased in model group,level of Klotho protein was obviously decreased(P<0.05).Compared with model group,levels of creatinine,urea nitrogen in serum,24 h urine protein in urine,IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α in serum,and protein levels of FGF23,Calcineurin,NFAT in kidney tissue were obviously decreased in low,medium and high doses Yishen Paidu Formula groups,level of Klotho protein was obviously increased,which were more significant with dosage increase(P<0.05).Conclusion:Yishen Paidu Formula may alleviate inflammatory response in CRF rats by inhibiting Calcineurin/NFAT signaling pathway.
9.Expression regulation of lipid metabolism gene ABHD5 in the mouse of testes
Hao LIU ; Ze-yu LI ; Kai-cheng SHEN ; Yuan-di HUANG ; De-xi SU ; Rui CHENG ; Ke XIONG ; Yi ZHI ; Wei-bing LI
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(6):492-498
Objective:To explore the expression regulation of lipid metabolism gene ABHD5 in testes.Methods:Differential gene analysis was performed by integrating databases of TCGA and GTEx to identify the target gene ABHD5.The expression trends of ABHD5 gene in testicular carcinoma tissue were analyzed.Human testis single-cell atlases were obtained from the Human Protein Atlas and Male Health Atlas databases to determine the expression distribution of ABHD5 across different testicular cell types.Additionally,the GTEx database was utilized to visualize the expression pattern of ABHD5 in the testis,thereby enhancing the understanding of its transcriptional profile.The relationship between ABHD5 expression and age was assessed through integrated database analysis.Western blotting and immunofluorescence were performed to detect differential expressions of ABHD5 in testicular tissues of young and aged mice respectively.Results:The TCGA database indicated that the expression of ABHD5 in human testicular carcinoma tissue was significantly lower than that in normal testicular tissue which showed a negative correlation with patient survival.ABHD5 was highly ex-pressed in germ cells of the testis reveaked from Human Protein Atlas and Male Health Atlas databases.The stability of ABHD5 protein was crucial for testicular tissue,and its expression decreased with age.Furthermore,Western blot and immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that ABHD5 expression in the testicular tissue of aged mice was significantly lower than that in young mice.Conclu-sion:ABHD5 plays an important role in testicular tissue,and may be inseparable from testicular tumors and reproductive aging.How-ever,its mechanism of action remains to be further studied.
10.Effect of Yishen Paidu Formula on inflammatory response in chronic renal failure rats by regulating Calcineurin/NFAT signal pathway
Li FENG ; Bowen PENG ; Bin PENG ; Shuangyi ZHU ; Xue FENG ; Wei XIONG ; Xi HU ; Xiaoling ZHAI ; Xiaohui SUN ; Zhi GAO
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(11):2663-2667
Objective:To explore effect of Yishen Paidu Formula on inflammatory response in chronic renal failure(CRF)rats and role of Calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T cell(NFAT).Methods:CRF rat model was constructed,and randomly grouped into model group,low,medium and high doses Yishen Paidu Formula groups,with 10 rats in each group,another 10 rats were fed normally as a blank group;general situation of rats was recorded;urine protein quantification kit was applied to detect 24-hour urine protein level of CRF rats in each group;serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels of CRF rats were detected;ELISA was applied to detect serum IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α levels in CRF rats;pathological changes of renal tissue were observed by HE staining;Western blot was applied to detect expressions of fibroblast growth factor 23(FGF23),Klotho protein,Calcineurin,NFAT protein in renal tissue of CRF rats in each group.Results:Compared with blank group,levels of creatinine,urea nitrogen in serum,24 h urine protein in urine,IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α in serum,and protein levels of FGF23,Calcineurin,NFAT in kidney tissue were obviously increased in model group,level of Klotho protein was obviously decreased(P<0.05).Compared with model group,levels of creatinine,urea nitrogen in serum,24 h urine protein in urine,IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α in serum,and protein levels of FGF23,Calcineurin,NFAT in kidney tissue were obviously decreased in low,medium and high doses Yishen Paidu Formula groups,level of Klotho protein was obviously increased,which were more significant with dosage increase(P<0.05).Conclusion:Yishen Paidu Formula may alleviate inflammatory response in CRF rats by inhibiting Calcineurin/NFAT signaling pathway.

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