1.Effects of Quorum Sensing Molecules on The Immune System
Wen-Min MA ; Xuan-Qi CHEN ; Hong-Xia MA ; Wen-Hui ZHANG ; Ling-Cong KONG ; Yu-Jia ZHOU ; Yuan-Yuan HU ; Yu JIA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(11):2853-2867
In recent years, the development of host-acting antibacterial compounds has gradually become a hotspot in the field of anti-infection. Through research on the interaction mechanism between hosts and pathogenic bacteria, it has been found that the immune system is one of the key targets of host-acting antibacterial compounds. There is a communication system called the quorum sensing system in microorganisms, which mainly adjusts the structure of multi-microbial community and coordinates the group behavior. When the quorum sensing molecules secreted by microorganisms reach a threshold concentration, the quorum sensing system is activated and the overall gene expression of the microorganism is changed. In addition to regulating the density of microorganisms, quorum sensing molecules can also act as a link between pathogenic microorganisms and hosts, entering the host immune system and playing a role in affecting the morphological structure of immune cells, secreting cytokines, and inducing apoptosis, leading to host immune injury and causing host immune dysfunction.The key mechanism of 3-oxo-C12-HSL and other acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) molecules in the innate immune system has been extensively studied. The lipid solubility allows AHLs to pass through the plasma membrane of host immune cells easily and induce dissolution of lipid domains. Then, it acts through signaling pathways such as p38MAPK and JAK-STAT, further influencing the immune cell’s defense response to bacteria and potentially leading to cell apoptosis. Additionally, the human lactonase paraoxonase 2, which can degrade3-oxo-C12-HSL, has been found in macrophage. It acts as an immune regulator that promotes macrophage phagocytosis of pathogens and is hypothesized to have the ability to reduce bacterial resistance. The mechanism of quorum sensing molecules in the adaptive immune system is less studied, the current results suggest that 3-oxo-C12-HSL is closely related to the mitochondrial pathway in host immune cells. For example, 3-oxo-C12-HSL induces apoptosis of Jurkat cells by inhibiting the expression of three mitochondrial electron transport chain proteins; it can also trigger mitochondrial dysfunction and induce mast cell apoptosis through Ca2+ signaling.Among the quorum sensing molecules, the AHLs have the greatest impact on plant immune system. The different effects on plant resistance depends on the chain lengths of acyl groups in bacterial-produced AHLs. Short-chain AHLs (C4-HSL and C8-HSL) induce plant resistance to pathogenic bacteria mainly through the auxin pathway and jasmonic acid pathway. Long-chain AHL (3-oxo-C14-HSL) is commonly used in hosts against fungal pathogens by inducing stomata defense responses, and the reaction process is related to salicylic acid. Diffusible signal factor molecules also interfere with the stomatal immunity caused by pathogens. It may act through the formin nanoclustering-mediated actin assembly and MPK3 pathway to inhibit the innate immunity of Arabidopsis. In summary, AHLs induced different plant pathways and affects the plant-bacteria interactions to trigger plant immunity. As a quorum sensing molecule of fungi, farnesol has similar effects on host immunity as AHLs, such as stimulating cytokine secretion and activating an inflammatory response. It also plays a unique role on dendritic cell differentiation and maturation. In addition, studies have found that farnesol has a protective effect on autoimmune encephalomyelitis, which may be related to its effect on the composition of intestinal microorganisms of the host.Therefore, targeting the host immune system and quorum sensing molecules to develop antibacterial compounds can effectively inhibit the invasion of pathogens and subserve the host to resist the influence of pathogenic bacteria. This article will review the mechanism of host immune responses triggered by important quorum sensing molecules, aiming to explore the targets of host-acting antibacterial compounds and provide new directions for the prevention or treatment of causative infectious sources and the development of related drugs.
2.Preparation of a Fluorescent Nanosensor Based on NaYF4∶Yb3+,Er3+@SiO2 for Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide in Milk
Kong-Hao PENG ; Wei PENG ; An-Qi BAI ; Ling-Nan WANG ; Wei-Xin ZHAO ; Yue WU ; Wen GUO ; Shu-Rong LI ; Li-Xia LUO ; Pei-Jun MENG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(5):685-694
The rare-earth-elements-doped upconversion nanoparticles NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+were synthesized by solvothermal method,and NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+@SiO2 were prepared by coating SiO2 on the surface of NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+by inverse microemulsion method in this work.Based on the fluorescence quenching principle between NaYF4∶Yb3+,Er3+@SiO2 and SQA-Fe3+,a NaYF4∶Yb3+,Er3+@SiO2-SQA-Fe3+fluorescence nanosensor was constructed for detection of trace hydrogen peroxide(H2O2).Under optimal conditions,the linear range of this method for detecting H2O2 was 1.8?84.0 μmol/L,with detection limit(3σ)of 0.47 μmol/L.The recoveries of H2O2 spiked in milk were 98.4%?99.7%.This method could be used for detection of H2O2 residue in milk samples,with advantages such as low detection limit,good stability and strong anti-interference ability.
3.Alvianolic acid B exerts a protective effect on random skin flaps through autophagy mediated by activation of TFE3
Zhong-Bing HAN ; Hui-Wen YANG ; Hai-Zhou NIU ; Kuan-Kuan ZHANG ; Yang-Yang LIU ; Pan-Pan XU ; Ling-Ti KONG ; Chang-Chun ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(10):1912-1920
Aim To observe the role of salvianolic acid B(Sal B)in enhancing the survival of random skin flaps and to preliminarily explore its potential mecha-nisms.Methods The appearance,degree of edema,color and hair condition of the skin flap were evaluated seven days after operation.The vascular network and blood flow of random flaps were measured by laser Doppler flow measurement.HE staining was used to detect the growth of microvessels in random flaps.The expressions of VEGF and CD34 were detected by im-munohistochemistry,the expressions of RIPK1,2 and LC3 Ⅱ were detected by immunofluorescence,and the effects of autophagy related proteins and signaling path-ways were detected by Western blot.Results The ex-perimental results showed that Sal B induced autophagy in the random skin flaps,promoted angiogenesis,and reduced oxidative stress and necrotic apoptosis,signifi-cantly increasing the survival rate of the flaps.Immu-nohistochemistry,immunofluorescence staining,and Western blot confirmed that Sal B induced autophagy in the random skin flaps by activating TFE3 protein.Conclusion Sal B can promote autophagy in cells of random skin flaps and reduce their necrotic apoptosis by activating TFE3 protein.
4.Efficacy and Side Effects of Mixed-Strategy Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Proof-of-Concept Randomized Clinical Trial on Late Life Depression
Si-wen LV ; Yan SUN ; Yang CHEN ; Chen WANG ; Xin-hui XIE ; Xiao-min HU ; Hong HONG ; Lou-Feng ZHANG ; Nan-nan ZHU ; Peng-yv XIE ; Li ZHANG ; Ling CHEN ; Xiao-ming KONG
Psychiatry Investigation 2024;21(7):772-781
Objective:
Patients with late life depression sometimes refuse to receive electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) owing to its adverse reactions. To alleviate patient’s resistance, a novel ECT stimulation strategy named mixed-strategy ECT (msECT) was designed in which patients are administered conventional ECT during the first three sessions, followed by low energy stimulation during the subsequent sessions. However, whether low energy electrical stimulation in the subsequent stage of therapy affect its efficacy and reduce adverse reactions in patients with late life depression remains unknown. To explore differences between msECT and regular ECT(RECT) with respect to clinical efficacy and side effects
Methods:
This randomized, controlled trial was conducted from 2019 to 2021 on 60 patients with late life depression who were randomly assigned to two groups: RECT or msECT. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to compare the two stimulation strategies regarding their efficacy and side effects on cognition. Chi-squared test was used to compare side effects in the two strategies.
Results:
In the intent-to-treat group, the GEE model suggested no differences between-group difference in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 score over time (Wald χ2=7.275, p=0.064), whereas the comparison of side effects in the two strategies favored msECT (Wald χ2=8.463, p=0.015) as fewer patients had adverse events during the second phase of treatment with msECT (χ2 =13.467, p=0.004).
Conclusion
msECT presents its similar efficacy to RECT. msECT may have milder side effects on cognition.
5.Efficacy and Survival of Venetoclax Based Regimen in the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Fan-Cong KONG ; Ling QI ; Wen-Feng HUANG ; Min YU ; Yu-Lan ZHOU ; De-Xiang JI ; Fei LI
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2023;31(6):1676-1683
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the efficacy and survival of venetoclax based (VEN-based) regimen in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia(AML).
METHODS:
A retrospective study was conducted in patients who received VEN-based regimen and completed at least 1 course of efficacy evaluation at the The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from July 2019 to July 2022. The incidence of complete remission (CR)/CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) rate, objective remission rate(ORR) and survival of patients with different risk strati- fication and gene subtypes were analyzed.
RESULTS:
A total of 79 patients were enrolled, including 43 patients with newly diagnosed unfit AML (unfit AML) and 36 relapsed/refractory AML (R/R AML). The median age of the patients was 62(14-83) years old. 36 out of 79 patients achieved CR/CRi and the ORR of the whole cohort was 64.6%. The CR/CRi rate of unfit AML patients was significantly higher than that of R/R AML patients (60.5% vs 27.8%, P=0.004). In unfit AML cohort, the patients with NPM1 and IDH1/2 mutations were benefited, 8 out of 9 patients ahcieved CR/CRi, 7/8 and 5/8 patients achieved minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity, respectively. Six out of 9 patients with TET2 mutation achieved CR/CRi, 3/6 patients achieved MRD negativity. In R/R AML cohort, 2 out of 3 patients with RUNX1 mutation achieved CR/CRi, without MRD negative, while the CR/CRi rate of patients with other gene mutations was lower than 40%. The median follow-up time was 10.1(95%CI: 8.6-11.6) months. In whole cohort, the median overall survival (mOS) time was 9.1 months and the relapse free survival (RFS) time was not reached. The mOS and RFS of unfit AML patients were significantly longer than those of R/R AML patients (14.1 vs 6.8 months, P=0.013; not reached vs 3.3 months, P=0.000). In unfit AML cohort, the mOS of patients with NPM1 or IDH1/2 mutations was not reached, while that of patients without NPM1 or IDH1/2 mutations was 8.0 months (P=0.009; P=0.022). Furthermore, the mOS of patients with TP53 mutaion was significantly shorter than that of patients without TP53 mutation (5.2 vs 14.1 months, P=0.049). In R/R AML cohort, there was no significant difference in mOS between patients with mutation in each gene subtype and those without gene mutation (P>0.05). All patients had hematology adverse reactions, 91.1% patients had AE grade≥3. The most common non-hematology adverse reactions was infection, with an incidence of 91.1%. VEN-based regimen was tolerable for AML patients.
CONCLUSION
VEN-based regimen can achieve a high response rate, especially in unfit AML with acceptable safety, and some patients can achieve MRD negative. It is also effective in NPM1-, IDH1/2-positive patients with long survival time.
Humans
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Middle Aged
;
Aged
;
Aged, 80 and over
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Nucleophosmin
;
Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/adverse effects*
;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics*
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Recurrence
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use*
6.Multiparametric MRI Combined with Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Histogram Analysis for Assessing Variant Histology in Urothelial Carcinoma
Ling-min KONG ; Jian LING ; Qian CAI ; Zhi-hua WEN ; Yan GUO ; Huan-jun WANG
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2023;44(6):1008-1015
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) combined with histogram analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in the assessment of patients with variant histology (VH) of urothelial carcinoma (UC). MethodWe retrospectively analyzed the data of patients pathologically diagnosed with UC who underwent mpMRI in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between March 2015 and March 2023. The patients were divided into VH group (urothelial carcinoma mixed with other histologies) and non-VH group (pure urothelial carcinoma) according to pathological results. We performed propensity score 1:1 nearest-neighbor matching on the two groups based on age and gender and 49 patients were included in each group. The regions of interest (ROIs) of the whole tumor were delineated manually by using ITK-SNAP software and Pyradiomics was applied to extract ADC histogram parameters. We compared the clinicopathological data, MRI morphological features and ADC histogram parameters between the groups. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors and construct the prediction model. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of these parameters for determining VH of UC. ResultsMRI morphological features including the lesion shape, vesical imaging-reporting and data system (Ⅵ-RADS)score, enhancement pattern and suspicious lymph node metastasis were markedly different between the two groups (all P < 0.05). ADC mean, ADC median, ADC25th, ADC75th, ADC10th and ADC90th were significantly lower in patients with VH than those in non-VH group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed enhancement pattern, ADC25th, ADC75th and ADC mean were independent predictors (P < 0.05). The combined model yielded the best predictive performance, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.83-0.96). ConclusionsMpMRI combined with whole-tumor histogram analysis of ADC can serve as a reliable method for evaluating the presence of VH in UC, further to assist the clinical decision making.
7.Understanding cannabis use in Singapore: profile of users and drug progression.
Doris Xin Yi CHIA ; Charis Wei Ling NG ; Pezhummoottil Vasudevan Nair ASHARANI ; Sabina AU YONG ; Jun Wen TAN ; Noor Azizah Bte ZAINULDIN ; Samuel Kee GUAN CHUA ; Lambert Tchern KUANG LOW ; Christopher Cheng SOON CHEOK ; Gomathinayagam KANDASAMI
Singapore medical journal 2023;64(6):385-390
INTRODUCTION:
Cannabis has consistently been the third most commonly abused drug among drug arrestees in Singapore over the past few years. Accordingly, this study aimed to understand the profile of cannabis users in Singapore and explore the effects of cannabis use on drug progression.
METHODS:
A total of 450 participants who had used cannabis at least once in their lifetime were recruited from the National Addictions Management Service, prisons, the Community Rehabilitation Centre and halfway houses from August 2017 to May 2018. A face-to-face questionnaire was administered and descriptive analyses were conducted.
RESULTS:
The mean participant age was 40.9 ± 14.51 years, and 93.1% of them were male. The participants generally initiated cannabis use during adolescence, at a mean onset age of 16.5 ± 4.46 years. Most (89.6%) were introduced to cannabis by peers. Approximately half of them (46.9%) had used cannabis before other illicit drugs and 42.1% of them had used heroin as the succeeding drug.
CONCLUSION
In Singapore, cannabis use is often initiated during adolescence, largely under peer influence. Cannabis users may progress to other illicit drugs, particularly heroin, later in life.
Adolescent
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Humans
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Male
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Adult
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Middle Aged
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Child
;
Young Adult
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Female
;
Cannabis
;
Singapore/epidemiology*
;
Heroin
;
Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology*
;
Illicit Drugs
8.Analysis of the status of excess heart age and its risk factors among residents aged 35 to 64 years in China.
Lu Ting GUI ; Tuo LIU ; Wei Wei CHEN ; Ling Zhi KONG ; Wei CUI ; Wen Hui SHI ; Yu JIANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2023;57(5):679-685
Objective: To analyze the status of excess heart age and its risk factors among Chinese residents aged 35 to 64 years. Methods: The study subjects were Chinese residents aged 35 to 64 years who completed the heart age assessment by WeChat official account "Heart Strengthening Action" through the internet from January 2018 to April 2021. Information such as age, gender, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, total cholesterol (TC), smoking history, and diabetes history was collected. The heart age and excess heart age were calculated according to the characteristics of individual cardiovascular risk factors and the heart aging was defined as excess heart age≥5 years and 10 years respectively. The heart age and standardization rate were calculated respectively based on the population standardization of the 7th census in 2021.CA trend test was used to analyze the changing trend of excess heart age rate and population attributable risk (PAR) was used to calculate the contribution of risk factors. Results: The mean age of 429 047 subjects was (49.25±8.66) years. The male accounted for 51.17% (219 558/429 047) and the excess heart age was 7.00 (0.00, 11.00) years. The excess heart age rate defined by excess heart age≥5 years and ≥10 years was 57.02% (the standardized rate was 56.83%) and 38.02% (the standardized rate was 37.88%) respectively. With the increase of the age and number of risk factors, the excess heart age rate of the two definitions showed an upward trend according to the result of the trend test analysis (P<0.001). The top two risk factors of the PAR for excess heart age were overweight or obese and smoking. Among them, the male was smoking and overweight or obese, while the female was overweight or obese and having hypercholesterolemia. Conclusion: The excess heart age rate is high in Chinese residents aged 35 to 64 years and the contribution of overweight or obese, smoking and having hypercholesterolemia ranks high.
Humans
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Male
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Female
;
Overweight
;
Hypercholesterolemia/epidemiology*
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Risk Factors
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Obesity/epidemiology*
;
Body Mass Index
;
China/epidemiology*
9.Proteomic Difference Analysis of Whole Blood and Bloodstains.
Ao HUANG ; Shu-Bo WEN ; Qian-Qian KONG ; Zhen-Min ZHAO ; Xi-Ling LIU
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2023;39(6):549-556
OBJECTIVES:
To study the changes of protein levels in peripheral blood after it dried.
METHODS:
The proteins from whole blood and bloodstains were detected by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and normalized by the label-free quantification (LFQ) method. The differential proteins were analyzed by using R 4.2.1 software, limma and edgeR package. The analysis of biological function, signaling pathway and subcellular localization for the differential proteins was then performed.
RESULTS:
A total of 623 and 596 proteins were detected in whole blood and bloodstains, respectively, of which 31 were statistically significant in the quantitative results, including 10 up-regulated and 21 down-regulated proteins in bloodstains.
CONCLUSIONS
The protein abundances in whole blood and bloodstains are highly correlated, and the variation of protein abundances may be related to the changes of endogenous and structural proteins in cells. The application of proteomics technology can assist the screening and identification of protein biomarkers, thereby introducing new biomarkers for forensic research.
Chromatography, Liquid/methods*
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Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods*
;
Proteomics/methods*
;
Blood Stains
;
Biomarkers
10.Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Children with Myelodysplastic Syndrome.
Xia ZHENG ; Ji-Xin XU ; Wei-Qin JIANG ; Ling-Jun KONG ; Wen-Li ZHAO
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2022;30(1):195-200
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of 40 children with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and provide ideas for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
METHODS:
The clinical characteristics, risk stratification, and different treatment regimens of 40 cases with MDS admitted in Department of Hematology of Children's Hospital of Soochow University from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2017 was retrospectively analyzed. Kaplan-Meier survival curve were used to estimate 3-year overall survival (OS) rate and event-free survival (EFS) rate.
RESULTS:
In 40 cases, the ratio of male to female was 1.4∶1.0, male was more than female, and median age was 6.0 years old. Among them, refractory cytopenia (MDS-RCC) was the most common type, and 11 cases were chromosomal abnormalities, 21 cases genetic abnormalities. Fifteen cases accepted hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) treatment, while 25 cases did not but drug therapy alone. The 3-year OS rate of the cases who accepted HSCT or not was (72.2±12.2)% and (35.3±10.2)% (P=0.039), 3-year EFS rate was (65.0±12.9)% and (19.2±8.4)% (P=0.012), respectively. Cox regression analysis showed that age < 7 years old (P=0.0333), initial diagnosed platelet < 50×109/L (P=0.007), presence of complex karyotypes and/or gene mutations (P=0.0002), and treatment without HSCT (P=0.016) were the high-risk factors of prognosis. All the children were classified according to IPSS, WPSS and IPSS-R, while analysis result showed that the above three risk assessment had limitations for risk assessment of MDS in children, they could not comprehensively assess the prognosis of children with MDS.
CONCLUSION
MDS-RCC in children is more common. Cox multivariate analysis shows that age < 7 years old, initial diagnosed platelet < 50×109/L, presence of complex karyotypes and/or gene mutation, and treatment without HSCT are the high-risk factors of prognosis in children with MDS. HSCT is the most effective treatment to cure children with MDS at present. The current methods such as IPSS-R commonly used in assessment of prognosis in children with MDS show obvious limitation.
Child
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Female
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Myelodysplastic Syndromes/therapy*
;
Prognosis
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Treatment Outcome

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