1.Kynurenine Pathway and Its Metabolites in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Close Link
Ya-Qian XIAO ; Li-Chen QIAO ; De-Chang RONG ; Yu-Chen LEI ; Hakan ÜREY ; Lan-Lan ZUO ; Hasan BAYRAM ; Reza A. GHILADI ; Yi-Fan DUAN ; Meng-Jiao LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(9):2402-2413
Kynurenine pathway (KP) is a major catabolic route of tryptophan, generating a series of bioactive metabolites including kynurenine, kynurenic acid (KA), quinolinic acid, and 3-hydroxykynurenine. Beyond its fundamental role in amino acid metabolism, KP exerts critical regulatory functions in neurodevelopment, synaptic plasticity, and immune modulation. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition with onset in early childhood, characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors. Despite extensive research, the etiological mechanisms underlying ASD remain highly complex and incompletely understood, involving genetic, environmental, and immunological factors. Emerging clinical evidence has consistently revealed a significant imbalance in KP metabolites in individuals with ASD, often accompanied by altered ratios of neuroprotective versus neurotoxic byproducts. However, the primary drivers of this metabolic dysregulation and its causative contribution to ASD pathogenesis are not yet fully elucidated. In this review, we systematically review the enzymatic steps of KP and the principal physiological functions of its major metabolites, with particular emphasis on their dual roles in neuroprotection and neurotoxicity. We then analyze the potential pathogenic mechanisms through which KP dysfunction may contribute to ASD, focusing on two interconnected etiological dimensions. First, KP imbalance can promote oxidative stress, which in turn triggers chronic inflammatory responses via microglial activation and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby disrupting neuronal homeostasis. Second, aberrant KP metabolism affects neurotransmitter systems, particularly glutamatergic and dopaminergic signaling, leading to impaired neural circuit development and synaptic pruning. By integrating current findings on the KP-ASD association, this review offers a comprehensive etiological framework and a clinically relevant paradigm. Furthermore, we highlight that specific KP metabolites, such as the KA/quinolinic acid ratio, hold promise as peripheral biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease stratification. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting KP enzymes or receptors for personalized intervention strategies, while acknowledging the challenges in translating these findings into clinical practice.
2.Comparison of potential profiles analysis of psychosocial adaptation and social alienation differences in nsoriasis natients
Junying QIAN ; Meng QIAO ; Shu WANG ; Lihua CHEN ; Mengqiu LIU ; Rong WEI ; Linlin XIN
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(4):824-829
Objective To explore the potential categories of psychosocial adaptation in psoriasis patients and their differences in social alienation.Methods Using a cross-sectional survey design,convenience sam-pling was used to select 376 psoriasis patients from multiple hospitals in Shandong Province from September to December 2022.Participants completed the general information questionnaire,Psychosocial Adaptation to Illness Scale(PAIS-SR),Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Ⅱ(AAQ-2),and General Alienation Scale(GAS).Latent profile analysis was performed using Mplus8.0 software to identify psychosocial adaptation patterns of psoriasis patients,and SPSS25.0 was used to compare social alienation differences among different adaptation groups.Results Psoriasis patients could be divided into two latent profiles:moderate psychosocial adaptation group(31.38%)and low psychosocial adaptation group(68.62%).Medical payment method,dis-ease recurrence,psoriasis subtype,disease duration,family history,skin lesion exposure,and AAQ-2 scores were identified as main influencing factors(P<0.05).Significant differences in total GAS scores were found between the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion The psychosocial adaptation of psoriasis patients shows het-erogeneity and could be classified into two latent profiles.Targeted interventions should be implemented to improve psychosocial adaptation levels.
3.Research progress on discharge readiness in patients receiving home nutrition support
Xiao-Xuan XU ; Chu-Lin CHEN ; Qian DONG ; Meng LIU ; Fu-Ping WANG ; Dong-Mei ZHU
Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition 2025;32(2):119-123
Readiness for Hospital Discharge(RHD)refers to a multidimensional assessment of a patient's ability to transition safely from hospital to home,encompassing physiological stability,psychological preparedness,and social support adequacy.For patients requiring Home Nutrition Support(HNS),discharge readiness is particularly critical due to their heightened need for post-discharge specialized care,which significantly influences long-term recovery and quality of life.This paper reviews the concept,influencing factors,and unmet needs of RHD in patients with HNS and proposes targeted strategies to enhance discharge preparedness.By addressing gaps in current practices,we aim to optimize RHD in this vulnerable population and provide clinicians with evidence-based guidance for developing effective discharge plans.
4.Impact of Multi-Component Fatty Acid Calibration Methods on Quantification of Infant Formula
Xiao-Ting CHEN ; Meng-Qian XU ; Qing-He ZHANG ; Xiu-Qin LI
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(9):1505-1515,中插4-中插5
Infant formula milk powder(infant formula)contains a variety of fatty acids that require hydrolysis and derivation,and the calibration methods are complex and variable,affecting the accuracy of quantification.Using the gas chromatography with flame ionization detector(GC-FID)under internal standard and external standard calibration methods,the effects of using fatty acid methyl esters(FAMEs)and triacylglycerol(TAGs)as calibration solutions on determination of 19 kinds of fatty acids content in infant formula were compared in this work.Additionally,the differences in determination between the acetyl chloride methanol method and the hydrolysis extraction method using FAMEs as the calibration solution under internal standard method were also compared.The quantitative results of TAGs external standard quantitative method were significantly higher than those of FAMEs external standard quantitative method and FAMEs calibrator derived by methylation,and the deviation of quantitative results were 7%-20%and 2%-10%,respectively.The quantitative results of FAMEs calibrator added FAME internal standard were significantly higher than those of FAMEs calibrator added FAME internal standard derived from TAG methylation and FAMEs calibrator added TAG internal standard with methyl esterification,and the deviation of quantitative results were about 15%and 2%-5%,respectively.The results indicated that both the two methods of internal standard calibration using FAMEs as the calibration solution and external standard calibration using TAGs as the calibration solution could effectively eliminate the bias in the determination,with simple operation and accurate comparation of the results.However,the results were significantly lower under the external standard calibration using FAMEs as calibration solution.
5.Temporal Expression of NETosis Marker CitH3 in Deep Vein Thrombosis in Mice
Qian WANG ; Song-Min YANG ; Juan-Juan WU ; Yu ZHANG ; Xiang-Meng WANG ; Gang CHEN ; Peng-Fei JIANG
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(3):201-207
Objective To detect the expression changes of citrullinated histone H3(CitH3)during the development of deep vein thrombosis(DVT)in mice,and to explore its value in estimating the time to thrombosis.Methods The inferior vena cava(IVC)of mice was ligated to establish a thrombosis model induced by congestion.Mice were sacrificed under excessive anesthesia at 0 h,1 d,3 d,5 d,7 d,10 d,14 d and 21 d after the modeling,respectively.The congested IVC segments(0 h after modeling)and the thrombosed IVC segments(1-21 days after modeling)were extracted.Immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence staining were used to observe the number of neutrophils and the ex-pression of CitH3 during thrombosis.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression level of CitH3.Results During thrombosis,CitH3 was mainly expressed in neutrophils within the thrombus.A small number of neutrophils and a few CitH3-positive cells were observed at 0 h after modeling in the congested IVC.Between 1 d and 21 d after modeling,the number of neutrophils reached a peak at 1 d and gradually decreased.The number of CitH3-positive cells and their ratio to neutrophils began to increase at 1 d,reached a peak at 5 d after modeling,and then decreased.The expression level of CitH3 protein began to increase at 1 d and reached a peak at 5 d after modeling.Conclusion The expres-sion of CitH3 during DVI shows temporal changes,and is expected to become a biological marker for estimating the formation time of thrombosis.
6.Bibliographical cataloging for ancient TCM books
Hongtao LI ; Weina ZHANG ; Lin TONG ; Jingpeng DENG ; Qian ZHAO ; Honglei WANG ; Naiying LIU ; Mei SHI ; Qiang LIU ; Ying LIN ; Xiaohong ZHANG ; Lili FENG ; Mingrui ZHANG ; Yanqiu LUO ; Guangkun CHEN ; Yan DONG ; Bin LI ; Sihong LIU ; Bing LI ; Chen LI ; Meng LI ; Rui WANG ; He LU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(6):729-740
With reference to the Information and Documentation-Resource Description (GB/T 3792-2021) and Bibliographical Description for Ancient Chinese Books (GB/T 3792.7-2008) and other cataloging standards and rules, drawing on the practical experience of cataloging ancient TCM books, Bibliographical Cataloging for Ancient TCM Books was formulated. This standard specifies the entry items and their order of ancient TCM books, cataloging identifier, cataloging text, cataloging information source, and cataloging item details. The standard can provide standardized and unified guiding principles and methods for the work of ancient TCM books, and promote the sharing and utilization of ancient TCM books.
7.Distribution characteristics and long-term change trend of body mass index in Chinese older adults aged 65 years and above
Li QI ; Chen CHEN ; Sirui CHEN ; Zhipei LI ; Sixin LIU ; Jinhui ZHOU ; Jiahao CHEN ; Hao QIAN ; Chun TAN ; Xianglong DAI ; Ziyue ZHU ; Jun WANG ; Xi MENG ; Wenhui SHI ; Yuebin LYU ; Xiaoming SHI
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(6):908-915
Objective:To describe the body mass index (BMI) level and long-term trends of Chinese older adults aged 65 and above.Methods:Older adults aged 65 and above from six waves (2002-2018) of the China Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey were selected as the study population. Multiple cross-sectional design with six survey waves conducted in 2002, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2018 was adopted, enrolling 15 647, 15 358, 15 622, 9 166, 6 302, and 12 417 participants, respectively. Additionally, a total of 13, 755 participants were included in the cohort study design. Relevant information was collected through questionnaires and physical examinations. The χ2 trend test was used to compare the changes in the rates of underweight and overweight/obesity over the years, and the linear mixed-e?ects model (LMM) was used to fit trajectory curves of BMI changes with advancing age in older adults. Results:The baseline ages of the participants included in 2002, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2018 were (85.16±11.26), (84.23±11.83), (84.99±12.16), (81.10±11.86), (78.89±11.30), and (83.08±12.42) years, respectively, with a relatively high proportion of females and rural residents. In the cohort study, the 13 755 participants had a median ( Q1, Q3) follow-up time of 6.5 (5.2, 10.0) years, with a cumulative follow-up duration of 109 041 person-years. In each wave, males had higher BMI than females, urban residents had higher BMI than rural residents, and BMI gradually decreased with increasing age (all P<0.001). The mean BMI of older adults in China increased from (19.37±3.80) kg/m2 in 2002 to (22.04±4.01) kg/m2 in 2018 ( P<0.001). Across all survey years, the prevalence of underweight was consistently higher in women than in men and in rural areas than in urban areas, with an upward trend as age increased (all P<0.001). In 2018, the underweight rates in the 65-79, 80-89, 90-99, and ≥100-year-old age groups were 8.0%, 16.7%, 26.2%, and 35.5%, respectively. Meanwhile, the prevalence of overweight/obesity was higher in men than in women and in urban areas than in rural areas, showing a declining trend with advancing age (all P<0.001). The prevalence of underweight among the older adults decreased significantly from 45.2% in 2002 to 18.9% in 2018 ( P<0.001), while the prevalence of overweight/obesity increased from 11.0% in 1998 to 29.6% in 2018 ( P<0.001). The trajectory curves fitted by the LMM model showed that individuals born in later decades had higher BMI levels at the same age compared to earlier cohorts. Conclusion:From 2002 to 2018, the BMI level among Chinese older adults showed an increasing trend. The prevalence of underweight showed a declining trend, while the rates of obesity and overweight increased. However, the underweight rate remained notably high among the oldest old.
8.Clinical Efficacy of Compound Danshen Dripping Pills Combined with Tirofiban on Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Qian MENG ; Xiaohui CHEN ; Rui PENG ; Kunsheng WU ; Wanwen KONG ; Guiting ZHOU ; Peijian LIU
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(7):1611-1620
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Compound Danshen Dripping Pills combined with Tirofiban in alleviating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MIRI)in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods Ninety-two patients with acute STEMI of qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome who were admitted to the Chest Pain Center of Shunde Hospital,Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine between March 2023 and October 2023 were equally randomized into a control group and a treatment group using a random number table,with 46 cases in each group.The control group received intracoronary loading dose of Tirofiban during PCI combined with postoperative intravenous micro-pump injection of Tirofiban,while the trial group additionally received Compound Danshen Dripping Pills orally,the treatment course lasted for 4 weeks.Before treatment or immediately after surgery and after 4 weeks of treatment,the two groups were observed in the changes in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,cardiac function parameters[including left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),cardiac output(CO),and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD)],and levels of inflammatory markers of C-reactive protein(CRP)and brain natriuretic peptide(BNP),as well as safety indicators such as liver and kidney function and coagulation parameters in both groups.The peak values of myocardial necrosis markers of creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB)and troponin I(cTnI)and other myocardial enzyme profiles between the two groups were compared.After treatment,the TCM syndrome efficacy of improvement,the therapeutic effect on improving ST-segment resolution(STR)of electrocardiogram,and the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events in both groups were assessed.Results(1)There were 3 patients dropping out during the trial,with a final total of 89 cases included in the efficacy analysis(44 cases in the control group and 45 cases in the trial group).(2)After 4 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate in the trial group was 95.56%(43/45)and that in the control group was 79.55%(35/44).Intergroup comparison by chi-square test showed that TCM syndrome efficacy in the trial group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(3)After 4 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate for improving STR in the trial group was 93.33%(42/45)and that in the control group was 75.00%(33/44).Intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)demonstrated that the trial group had significantly stronger STR improvement efficacy than the control group(P<0.05).(4)After 4 weeks of treatment,the serum levels of CRP and BNP in both groups were lower than those immediately after surgery(P<0.05),and the trial group exhibited significantly greater reductions in both CRP and BNP levels than the control group(P<0.01).(5)The peak values of myocardial necrosis markers of CK-MB and cTnI in the trial group were significantly lower than those in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).(6)After 4 weeks of treatment,the trial group showed significant improvements in LVEF and CO compared to immediate postoperative values(P<0.05),while LVEDD demonstrated an improving trend without statistical significance(P>0.05).The control group showed no significant improvements in LVEF,CO,or LVEDD(P>0.05).The intergroup comparison revealed that the trial group had significantly better improvements in LVEF and CO than the control group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(7)After 4 weeks of treatment,both groups showed reductions in the scores of chest pain,chest tightness,palpitations,emotional depression,hypochondriac distension,and dull complexion,as well as the total syndrome scores when compared to pretreatment values(P<0.05),and the trial group presented significantly greater reductions than the control group(P<0.05).(8)No statistically significant differences were shown in the parameters of liver/kidney function or coagulation between the two groups before and after treatment(P>0.05).(9)The incidence of postoperative adverse cardiovascular events in the control group was 13.64%(6/44)and that in the trial group was 6.67%(3/45),and the intergroup comparison(tested by Fisher's exact test)showed no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).Conclusion The combination therapy of Compound Danshen Dripping Pills and Tirofiban demonstrates significant efficacy in improving TCM syndromes,ST-segment elevation,myocardial necrosis markers,and cardiac function in STEMI patients after PCI,with good safety.
9.Research progress on the role of macrophages in tumor immunotherapy and related therapeutic agents
Qi LIU ; Kelei CHEN ; Xiang MENG ; Chengrui FENG ; Jingyi QIAN ; Hongjuan ZHANG ; Shikui GUAN
Immunological Journal 2025;41(6):433-439
Tumor immunotherapy,recognized as the fourth major treatment modality alongside surgery,radiotherapy,and chemotherapy,fundamentally relies on mobilizing and enhancing the body's intrinsic immune system to achieve the precise targeting and elimination of neoplastic lesions.In this therapeutic framework,macrophages derived from blood monocyte differentiation serve as critical components of the innate immune defense system and exert profound impacts within the tumor microenvironment(TME).As the dominant inflammatory cell population infiltrating the TME,tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs)not only perform a key function in immune regulation but also serve as a paradigm for the connection between inflammation and tumors.Therapeutic strategies targeting TAMs aim to reverse the immunosuppressive milieu of the TME through multifaceted regulatory mechanisms,including cellular depletion or functional reprogramming,thereby effectively impeding tumor progression.This review systematically analyzes the intricate immune regulatory mechanisms of macrophages in tumor immunotherapy and synthesizes research advancements in major therapeutic agents targeting TAMs,aiming to provide researchers in the field of tumor immunotherapy and developers of macrophage-modulating pharmaceuticals with novel theoretical insights and practical guidelines.
10.Research progresson novel nucleic acid and immunological diagnostic techniques for African swine fever
Qian LIU ; Runqiu CHEN ; Meng WU ; Liangpeng GE
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(11):2518-2524
African swine fever(ASF)is caused by African swine fever virus with high mortality.Due to complicated mechanism of its infection and immune escape,so far there is no efficient medi-cine and vaccine to treat and prevent ASFV infection worldwide.Therefore,the development of fast and accurate detection technology plays a vital role in controlling ASFV infection.In this paper,we reviewed latest progress on the detection technology on ASFV via the nucleic acid and immunolog-ical detection technology,which aims to provide new insights and technology support for the detec-tion of ASFV in different environmental conditions.

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