1.Structural and Spatial Analysis of The Recognition Relationship Between Influenza A Virus Neuraminidase Antigenic Epitopes and Antibodies
Zheng ZHU ; Zheng-Shan CHEN ; Guan-Ying ZHANG ; Ting FANG ; Pu FAN ; Lei BI ; Yue CUI ; Ze-Ya LI ; Chun-Yi SU ; Xiang-Yang CHI ; Chang-Ming YU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):957-969
ObjectiveThis study leverages structural data from antigen-antibody complexes of the influenza A virus neuraminidase (NA) protein to investigate the spatial recognition relationship between the antigenic epitopes and antibody paratopes. MethodsStructural data on NA protein antigen-antibody complexes were comprehensively collected from the SAbDab database, and processed to obtain the amino acid sequences and spatial distribution information on antigenic epitopes and corresponding antibody paratopes. Statistical analysis was conducted on the antibody sequences, frequency of use of genes, amino acid preferences, and the lengths of complementarity determining regions (CDR). Epitope hotspots for antibody binding were analyzed, and the spatial structural similarity of antibody paratopes was calculated and subjected to clustering, which allowed for a comprehensively exploration of the spatial recognition relationship between antigenic epitopes and antibodies. The specificity of antibodies targeting different antigenic epitope clusters was further validated through bio-layer interferometry (BLI) experiments. ResultsThe collected data revealed that the antigen-antibody complex structure data of influenza A virus NA protein in SAbDab database were mainly from H3N2, H7N9 and H1N1 subtypes. The hotspot regions of antigen epitopes were primarily located around the catalytic active site. The antibodies used for structural analysis were primarily derived from human and murine sources. Among murine antibodies, the most frequently used V-J gene combination was IGHV1-12*01/IGHJ2*01, while for human antibodies, the most common combination was IGHV1-69*01/IGHJ6*01. There were significant differences in the lengths and usage preferences of heavy chain CDR amino acids between antibodies that bind within the catalytic active site and those that bind to regions outside the catalytic active site. The results revealed that structurally similar antibodies could recognize the same epitopes, indicating a specific spatial recognition between antibody and antigen epitopes. Structural overlap in the binding regions was observed for antibodies with similar paratope structures, and the competitive binding of these antibodies to the epitope was confirmed through BLI experiments. ConclusionThe antigen epitopes of NA protein mainly ditributed around the catalytic active site and its surrounding loops. Spatial complementarity and electrostatic interactions play crucial roles in the recognition and binding of antibodies to antigenic epitopes in the catalytic region. There existed a spatial recognition relationship between antigens and antibodies that was independent of the uniqueness of antibody sequences, which means that antibodies with different sequences could potentially form similar local spatial structures and recognize the same epitopes.
2.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)]
3.Research progress in regulation and mechanism of transcription factors on tanshinones
Yan-hong BAI ; Lin-lin XIN ; Ting ZENG ; Feng-xia HAN ; Yong-qing ZHANG ; Gao-bin PU ; Xue CHEN ; Qian LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(5):1218-1228
italic>Salvia miltiorrhiza, a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely recognized for its blood-activating and stasis-removing properties in the clinical treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The synthesis and regulatory mechanism of tanshinones, the key active constituents of
4.Risk factors for cerebral white matter hyperintensity without stroke syndrome
Ting ZHANG ; Xuanqin WANG ; Li WANG ; Junxia FENG ; Junliang PU
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2024;26(8):935-938
Objective To investigate the imaging features and risk factors of white matter hyperin-tensities(WMH)in elderly patients without stroke symptoms in Dingxi area.Methods A total of 253 elderly WMH patients without stroke syndrome admitted to our department from January 2020 to June 2022 were recruited,and according to Fazekas classification,they were divided into a control group(92 cases)and a study group(161 cases).The general clinical data were compared between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk fac-tors of WMH,and Spearman correlation analysis was employed to analyze the correlation between WMH severity and hypertension.Results Older age,larger proportions of male and internal carotid plaques,and higher Hcy and TG levels were observed in the study group than the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age,TG,and Hcy were risk factors for WMH in elderly patients without stroke syndrome(OR=0.564,95%CI:0.338-0.942,P=0.029;OR=1.248,95%CI:1.153-1.351,P=0.000;OR=0.046,95%CI:0.016-0.132,P=0.000).The classification of hypertension had no correlation with the severity of WMH in elderly patients without stroke syndrome.Conclusion TG,Hcy and age are independ-ent risk factors for WMH in elderly patients without stroke symptoms.
5.A Single-Arm Phase II Study of Nab-Paclitaxel Plus Gemcitabine and Cisplatin for Locally Advanced or Metastatic Biliary Tract Cancer
Ting LIU ; Qing LI ; Zhen LIN ; Chunhua LIU ; Wei PU ; Shasha ZENG ; Jun LAI ; Xuebin CAI ; Lisha ZHANG ; Shuyang WANG ; Miao CHEN ; Wei CAO ; Hongfeng GOU ; Qing ZHU
Cancer Research and Treatment 2024;56(2):602-615
Purpose:
Patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC) have a poor survival. We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine and cisplatin regimen in Chinese advanced BTC patients.
Materials and Methods:
Eligible patients with locally advanced or metastatic BTC administrated intravenous 100 mg/m2 nab-paclitaxel, 800 mg/m2 gemcitabine, and 25 mg/m2 cisplatin every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and adverse events, while exploratory endpoint was the association of biomarkers with efficacy.
Results:
After the median follow-up of 25.0 months, the median PFS and OS of 34 enrolled patients were 7.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.4 to 13.7) and 16.4 months (95% CI, 10.9 to 23.6), respectively. The most common treatment-related adverse events at ≥ 3 grade were neutropenia (26.5%) and leukopenia (26.5%). Survival analyses demonstrated that carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels could monitor patients’ survival outcomes. A significant increase in the number of infiltrating CD4+ cells (p=0.008) and a decrease in programmed death-1–positive (PD-1+) cells (p=0.032) were observed in the response patients.
Conclusion
In advanced BTC patients, nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine and cisplatin regimen showed therapeutic potential. Potential prognostic factors of CEA levels, number of CD4+ cells and PD-1+ cells may help us maximize the efficacy benefit.
6.Active Surveillance for Taiwanese Men with Localized Prostate Cancer: Intermediate-Term Outcomes and Predictive Factors
Jian-Hua HONG ; Ming-Chieh KUO ; Yung-Ting CHENG ; Yu-Chuan LU ; Chao-Yuan HUANG ; Shih-Ping LIU ; Po-Ming CHOW ; Kuo-How HUANG ; Shih-Chieh Jeff CHUEH ; Chung-Hsin CHEN ; Yeong-Shiau PU
The World Journal of Men's Health 2024;42(3):587-599
Purpose:
Active surveillance (AS) is one of the management options for patients with low-risk and select intermediate-risk prostate cancer (PC). However, factors predicting disease reclassification and conversion to active treatment from a large population of pure Asian cohorts regarding AS are less evaluated. This study investigated the intermediate-term outcomes of patients with localized PC undergoing AS.
Materials and Methods:
This cohort study enrolled consecutive men with localized non-high-risk PC diagnosed in Taiwan between June 2012 and Jan 2023. The study endpoints were disease reclassification (either pathological or radiographic progression) and conversion to active treatment. The factors predicting endpoints were evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards model.
Results:
A total of 405 patients (median age: 67.2 years) were consecutively enrolled and followed up with a median of 64.6 months. Based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk grouping, 70 (17.3%), 164 (40.5%), 140 (34.6%), and 31 (7.7%) patients were classified as very low-risk, low-risk, favorable-intermediate risk, and unfavorable intermediate-risk PC, respectively. The 5-year reclassification rates were 24.8%, 27.0%, 18.6%, and 25.3%, respectively. The 5-year conversion rates were 20.4%, 28.8%, 43.6%, and 37.8%, respectively. A prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) of ≥0.15 ng/mL2 predicted reclassification (hazard ratio [HR] 1.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17–2.88) and conversion (HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.05–2.31). A maximal percentage of cancer in positive cores (MPCPC) of ≥15% predicted conversion (15% to <50%: HR 1.41, 95% CI 0.91–2.18; ≥50%: HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.1453–3.40) compared with that of <15%. A Gleason grade group (GGG) of 3 tumor also predicted conversion (HR 2.69, 95% CI 1.06–6.79; GGG 3 vs 1). One patient developed metastasis, but none died of PC during the study period (2,141 person-years).
Conclusions
AS is a viable option for Taiwanese men with non-high-risk PC, in terms of reclassification and conversion. High PSAD predicted reclassification, whereas high PSAD, MPCPC, and GGG predicted conversion.
7.Correlation between food-specific IgG antibodies and phenotypes of chronic spontaneous urticaria
Xin TONG ; Jian WU ; Liming ZHANG ; Xinghua GAO ; Shi LIAN ; Haiping ZHANG ; Wei ZHU ; Zaipei GUO ; Jingyi LI ; Mengmeng LI ; Li HE ; Xiang NONG ; Xiongming PU ; Shirong YU ; Hongduo CHEN ; Ting XIAO
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2023;56(2):130-135
Objective:To investigate the correlation between food-specific IgG (sIgG) antibodies and phenotypes of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) .Methods:Serum samples were collected from outpatients with active CSU, symptomatic dermographism (SD) , or acute urticaria (AU) , and healthy controls from 5 third-grade class-A hospitals such as the First Hospital of China Medical University between April 2014 and March 2015. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to detect serum levels of 90 food-sIgG antibodies and total IgE, Western blot analysis to detect levels of 20 allergen-specific IgE antibodies, and chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay to detect levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase IgG antibodies and anti-thyroglobulin IgG antibodies. Comparisons of normally distributed quantitative data between two groups and among several groups were performed by t test and one-way analysis of variance, respectively; comparisons of non-normally distributed quantitative data between two groups were performed by Mann-Whitney U test; for comparisons of proportions, chi-square test and Fisher′s exact test were used. Results:A total of 248 patients with CSU, 22 with SD, 15 with AU and 13 healthy controls were recruited. The cut-off level for sIgG positivity was 100 U/ml (at least 2+) , and the positive rate of food-sIgG antibodies was slightly higher in the patients with CSU (176/248, 70.97%) , SD (15/22, 68.18%) and AU (11/15) than in the healthy controls (7/13; χ2 = 1.80, P = 0.615) . Among the 248 CSU patients, the proportion of patients with family history of allergic diseases was significantly higher in the sIgG-positive group (71/176, 40.34%) than in the sIgG-negative group (19/72, 26.39%; χ2 = 4.30, P = 0.042) , while no significant difference was observed in the 1-day urticaria activity score (UASday) between the two groups ( Z = 0.18, P = 0.859) . Totally, 177 CSU patients completed 12- to 40-week treatment; their condition could be completely controlled by second-generation H1-antihistamines, and there was no significant difference in the required dosage of second-generation H1-antihistamines between the sIgG-positive group (128 cases) and sIgG-negative group (49 cases; Z = -1.06, P = 0.298) . Conclusions:The prevalence of family history of allergic diseases was relatively high in food-sIgG-positive patients with CSU. However, food-sIgG could not be used as an indicator to reflect the disease activity of CSU and treatment response.
8.Prognostic evaluating value of serum tenascin-X level in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Zhipeng HU ; Yangmei MEI ; Ting YE ; Pu LI
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2023;46(7):645-650
Objective:To explore the prognostic evaluating value of serum tenascin-X in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).Methods:The clinical data of 121 patients with STEMI in the Affiliated Sinopharm Dongfeng General Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine from August 2017 to August 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical data were collected, the serum tenascin-X level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The patients were followed up for 3 years, the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were identified as endpoint events. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of serum tenascin-X for MACE in patients with STEMI. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was drawn, the rates of non-MACE survival in patients with different serum tenascin-X levels were analyzed by log-rank method. Multivariate Cox regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors of MACE in patients with STEMI.Results:Until the end of follow-up, among 121 patients with STEMI, 42 cases (34.7%) developed MACE (MACE group), and 79 cases had not MACE (non-MACE group). The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the MACE group was significantly lower than that in the non-MACE group: (47.14 ± 6.70)% vs. (52.67 ± 4.41)%, the C-reactive protein (CRP), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and tenascin-X were significantly higher than those in non-MACE group: (27.92 ± 8.06) mg/L vs. (8.77 ± 3.49) mg/L, (918.31 ± 315.47) μg/L vs. (220.47 ± 108.37) μg/L, (214.73 ± 80.46) μg/L vs. (81.35 ± 28.96) μg/L and (110.67 ± 42.55) μg/L vs. (65.21 ± 28.06) μg/L, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01). ROC curve analysis result showed that the area under the curve of serum tenascin-X to predict the MACE in patients with STEMI was 0.806 (95% CI 0.724 to 0.872), and the optimal cut-off was 93.25 μg/L, the sensitivity was 69.0%, the specificity was 86.1%. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis result showed that the rate of non-MACE in 80 patients with low serum tenascin-X level (<93.25 μg/L) was significantly higher than that in 41 patients with high serum tenascin-X level (≥93.25 μg/L): 83.8% vs. 29.3%, and there was statistical difference ( χ2 = 42.47, P<0.01). Multivariate Cox regression analysis result showed that the CRP, BNP and tenascin-X were the independent risk factors of MACE in patients with STEMI ( HR = 1.092, 1.001 and 1.018; 95% CI 1.051 to 1.135, 1.000 to 1.002 and 1.008 to 1.027; P<0.01 or <0.05). Conclusions:The significant increase in serum tendon protein X levels in patients with STEMI has predictive value for the MACE, and it is an independent predictor of MACE within 3 years.
9.Combination immunotherapy of glioblastoma with dendritic cell cancer vaccines,anti-PD-1 and poly I:C
Ping ZHU ; Shi-You LI ; Jin DING ; Zhou FEI ; Sheng-Nan SUN ; Zhao-Hui ZHENG ; Ding WEI ; Jun JIANG ; Jin-Lin MIAO ; San-Zhong LI ; Xing LUO ; Kui ZHANG ; Bin WANG ; Kun ZHANG ; Su PU ; Qian-Ting WANG ; Xin-Yue ZHANG ; Gao-Liu WEN ; Jun O.LIU ; Thomas-John AUGUST ; Huijie BIAN ; Zhi-Nan CHEN ; You-Wen HE
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2023;13(6):616-624
Glioblastoma(GBM)is a lethal cancer with limited therapeutic options.Dendritic cell(DC)-based cancer vaccines provide a promising approach for GBM treatment.Clinical studies suggest that other immu-notherapeutic agents may be combined with DC vaccines to further enhance antitumor activity.Here,we report a GBM case with combination immunotherapy consisting of DC vaccines,anti-programmed death-1(anti-PD-1)and poly I:C as well as the chemotherapeutic agent cyclophosphamide that was integrated with standard chemoradiation therapy,and the patient remained disease-free for 69 months.The patient received DC vaccines loaded with multiple forms of tumor antigens,including mRNA-tumor associated antigens(TAA),mRNA-neoantigens,and hypochlorous acid(HOCl)-oxidized tumor lysates.Furthermore,mRNA-TAAAs were modified with a novel TriVac technology that fuses TAAs with a destabilization domain and inserts TAAs into full-length lysosomal associated membrane protein-1 to enhance major histo-compatibility complex(MHC)class Ⅰ and Ⅱ antigen presentation.The treatment consisted of 42 DC cancer vaccine infusions,26 anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab administrations and 126 poly I:C injections for DC infusions.The patient also received 28 doses of cyclophosphamide for depletion of regulatory T cells.No immunotherapy-related adverse events were observed during the treatment.Robust antitumor CD4+and CD8+T-cell responses were detected.The patient remains free of disease progression.This is the first case report on the combination of the above three agents to treat glioblastoma patients.Our results suggest that integrated combination immunotherapy is safe and feasible for long-term treatment in this patient.A large-scale trial to validate these findings is warranted.
10.Association Between Metabolic Risk Factors and Cognitive Impairment in Schizophrenia Based on Sex
Hongna HUANG ; Lizhao DU ; Zhengping PU ; Yuan SHI ; Zifan XIAO ; Xi CHEN ; Shun YAO ; Lijun WANG ; Zezhi LI ; Ting XUE ; Donghong CUI
Psychiatry Investigation 2023;20(10):930-939
Objective:
Sex differences have been observed in many aspects of schizophrenia, including cognitive deficits. Despite extensive research into the relationship between metabolic factors and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, few studies have explored the potential sex difference in their association.
Methods:
We recruited 358 schizophrenia patients and 231 healthy controls. The participants underwent measurements of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose. Metabolic risk factors included abdominal obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia. A collection of these metabolic risk factors has been defined as metabolic syndrome. These diagnoses were based on the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program’s Adult Treatment Panel III. Cognitive performance was measured using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). A descriptive analysis, difference analysis, and linear regression model were used to identify the metabolic risk factors for cognitive function in schizophrenia.
Results:
Our findings revealed sex differences in the rate of abdominal obesity and hypertension in schizophrenic patients. Additionally, we observed sex differences in the association between metabolic risk factors and cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. Specifically, hyperglycemia was associated with the immediate memory index score of RBANS in male patients, while dyslipidemia was associated with language, attention, delayed memory index scores, and RBANS total score in female patients.
Conclusion
Our results suggest that sex should be considered when evaluating the impact of metabolic disorders on the cognitive function of schizophrenic patients. Moreover, our study identifies hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia as potential targets for precise treatment by sex stratification, which could benefit the improvement of cognitive impairment in schizophrenic patients.

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