1.Role of SPINK in Dermatologic Diseases and Potential Therapeutic Targets
Yong-Hang XIA ; Hao DENG ; Li-Ling HU ; Wei LIU ; Xiao TAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):417-424
Serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type (SPINK) is a skin keratinizing protease inhibitor, which was initially found in animal serum and is widely present in plants, animals, bacteria, and viruses, and they act as key regulators of skin keratinizing proteases and are involved in the regulation of keratinocyte proliferation and inflammation, primarily through the inhibition of deregulated tissue kinin-releasing enzymes (KLKs) in skin response. This process plays a crucial role in alleviating various skin problems caused by hyperkeratinization and inflammation, and can greatly improve the overall condition of the skin. Specifically, the different members of the SPINK family, such as SPINK5, SPINK6, SPINK7, and SPINK9, each have unique biological functions and mechanisms of action. The existence of these members demonstrates the diversity and complexity of skin health and disease. First, SPINK5 mutations are closely associated with the development of various skin diseases, such as Netherton’s syndrome and atopic dermatitis, and SPINK5 is able to inhibit the activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway, thereby effectively preventing the metastasis of melanoma cells, which is important in preventing the invasion and migration of malignant tumors. Secondly, SPINK6 is mainly distributed in the epidermis and contains lysine and glutamate residues, which can act as a substrate for epidermal transglutaminase to maintain the normal structure and function of the skin. In addition, SPINK6 can activate the intracellular ERK1/2 and AKT signaling pathways through the activation of epidermal growth factor receptor and protease receptor-2 (EphA2), which can promote the migration of melanoma cells, and SPINK6 further deepens its role in stimulating the migration of malignant tumor cells by inhibiting the activation of STAT3 signaling pathway. This process further deepens its potential impact in stimulating tumor invasive migration. Furthermore, SPINK7 plays a role in the pathology of some inflammatory skin diseases, and is likely to be an important factor contributing to the exacerbation of skin diseases by promoting aberrant proliferation of keratinocytes and local inflammatory responses. Finally, SPINK9 can induce cell migration and promote skin wound healing by activating purinergic receptor 2 (P2R) to induce phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor and further activating the downstream ERK1/2 signaling pathway. In addition, SPINK9 also plays an antimicrobial role, preventing the interference of some pathogenic microorganisms. Taken as a whole, some members of the SPINK family may be potential targets for the treatment of dermatological disorders by regulating multiple biological processes such as keratinization metabolism and immuno-inflammatory processes in the skin. The development of drugs such as small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies has great potential for the treatment of dermatologic diseases, and future research on SPINK will help to gain a deeper understanding of the physiopathologic processes of the skin. Through its functions and regulatory mechanisms, the formation and maintenance of the skin barrier and the occurrence and development of inflammatory responses can be better understood, which will provide novel ideas and methods for the prevention and treatment of skin diseases.
2.Impact of hepatocellular carcinoma on the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing emergency endoscopic therapy due to esophagogastric variceal bleeding
Xiaoqin ZHU ; Na WEI ; Yong XIAO ; Baoping YU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):277-283
ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing emergency endoscopic therapy for esophagogastric variceal bleeding, as well as independent influencing factors for the prognosis of liver cirrhosis patients without HCC after emergency endoscopic therapy for esophagogastric variceal bleeding. MethodsA total of 117 liver cirrhosis patients without HCC and 119 liver cirrhosis patients with HCC who underwent emergency endoscopic therapy for esophagogastric variceal bleeding in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2017 to July 2023 were enrolled. Basic information including age and sex was collected from all patients, as well as the presence or absence of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease, the time of emergency endoscopy after admission, and liver function parameters including international normalized ratio, albumin, creatinine, sodium, total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous variables between two groups, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous variables between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical variables between groups. The covariance analysis and the multivariate logistic regression analysis were used for comparison of outcome variables after control of baseline variables, and the Kaplan-Meier survival curve was plotted for each group. The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed for survival time in the non-HCC group to investigate the independent influencing factors for survival time, and then the Kaplan-Meier curve analysis and the log-rank test were performed to validate such independent influencing factors and analyze the independent influencing factors for secondary outcomes. ResultsCompared with the non-HCC group, the HCC group had significantly higher red blood cell transfusion units (6.00[2.00~9.00] vs 4.00[1.75~7.00], Z=-2.050, P=0.040, F=4.869, adjusted P=0.028), a significantly shorter survival time (29.77±16.01 days vs 38.07±11.43 days, t=4.574, P<0.001, F=17.294, adjusted P<0.001), and a significantly higher 5-day rebleeding rate (22.69% vs 6.84%, χ2=11.736, P<0.001, adjusted P=0.021). The Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that the risk of 42-day mortality in the HCC group was 3.897 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.338 — 6.495, P<0.001) times that in the non-HCC group. The multivariate Cox regression analysis of the non-HCC group showed that the total length of hospital stay (hazard ratio [HR]=0.793, 95%CI: 0.644 — 0.976, P=0.029) was an independent protective factor for 42-day survival. The Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that a length of hospital stay of >9 days was beneficial for the prognosis of patients (HR=4.302, 95%CI: 1.439 — 12.870, P=0.037). Blood sodium level (odds ratio [OR]=0.523, 95%CI: 0.289 — 0.945, P=0.032) and MELD-Na score (OR=0.495, 95%CI: 0.257 — 0.954, P=0.036) were independent protective factors against 5-day rebleeding, while AST level was an independent risk factor for 5-day rebleeding (OR=1.023, 95%CI: 1.002 — 1.043, P=0.028) and in-hospital death (OR=1.036, 95%CI: 1.001— 1.073, P=0.045). ConclusionLiver cirrhosis patients with variceal bleeding and HCC tend to have a worse prognosis, and for the non-HCC group, in-hospital mortality rate increases with the increase in AST level. The total length of hospital stay is an independent protective factor for survival time in the non-HCC group, and it is recommended to appropriately prolong the length of hospital stay for such patients.
3.Annual review of global liver transplantation research in 2024: technological breakthroughs, precision management and future challenges
Yong JIANG ; Xiao FENG ; Wei LIU ; Yang YANG
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(3):350-358
In recent years, significant progress has been made in the field of liver transplantation in terms of donor expansion, technological innovation and perioperative management. Machine perfusion technology, through dynamic repair and assessment of donor liver quality, can effectively reduce postoperative complications and increase the utilization rate of marginal donor livers. The optimization of split liver transplantation technology combined with normothermic perfusion further alleviates the shortage of donors, but its promotion is still limited by technical barriers. Xenotransplantation has achieved preclinical breakthroughs in the field of genetically modified pig livers, but ethical and immune barrier issues need to be urgently resolved. In the field of liver cancer liver transplantation, the focus is on neoadjuvant treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors and the development of recurrence prediction models, which promotes precise treatment. For perioperative management, the optimization of individualized immunosuppressive regimens, artificial liver support, and strategies for the prevention and control of vascular complications has significantly improved patients’ survival rates. Personalized treatment for children, elderly recipients, and recipients with multiple comorbidities provides new ideas for liver transplantation in special populations. In the future, liver transplantation research may focus on the integration of multidisciplinary approaches, individualized treatment and emerging technologies to advance the global liver transplantation cause to new heights.
4. Research progress of Parkin protein regulating mitochondrial homeostasis through ubiquitination in cardiovascular diseases
Ke-Juan LI ; Jian-Shu CHEN ; Yi-Xin XIE ; Jia-Le BU ; Xiao-Wei ZHANG ; Yong-Nan LI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(2):224-228
In addition to providing energy for cells, mitochondria also participate in calcium homeostasis, cell information transfer, cell apoptosis, cell growth and differentiation. Therefore, maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis is very crucial for the body to carry out normal life activities. Ubiquitination, a post-translational modification of proteins, is involved in various physiological and pathological processes of cells by regulating mitochondrial homeostasis. However, the mechanism by which ubiquitination regulates mitochondrial homeostasis has not been summarized, especially the effect of Parkin protein on cardiovascular diseases. In this paper, the specific mechanism of mitochondrial homeostasis regulated by ubiquitination of Parkin protein is discussed, and the influence of mitochondrial homeostasis imbalance on cardiovascular diseases is reviewed, with a view to providing potential therapeutic strategies for the clinical treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
5.Expert Consensus on Clinical Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine: Pulmonary Nodules
Mingwei YU ; Huairui ZHANG ; Xinghan ZHANG ; Xiao LI ; Rengui WANG ; Zhiqiang LONG ; Zhen WANG ; Bo PANG ; Jianwei HUO ; Wei CHEN ; Yong ZHU ; Baoli LIU ; Yanni LOU ; Ganlin ZHANG ; Jiayun NIAN ; Mei MO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Guowang YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(6):238-245
In recent years, the incidence of pulmonary nodules has kept rising. To give full play to the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of pulmonary nodules and identify the breakthrough points of integrating TCM with Western medicine, the China Association of Chinese Medicine organized medical experts in TCM and western medicine to carry out in-depth discussion regarding this disease. The discussion encompassed the modern medical advances, TCM theories of etiology and pathogenesis, the role and advantages of TCM in the whole course management of pulmonary nodules, contents and methods of research on pulmonary nodules, and science popularization work, aiming to provide a reference for clinical practice and scientific research. After discussion, the experts concluded that the occurrence of pulmonary nodules was rooted in the deficiency of the lung and spleen and triggered by phlegm dampness, blood stasis, and Qi stagnation. TCM can treat pulmonary nodules by controlling and reducing nodules, improving physical constitution, ameliorating multi-system nodular diseases, reducing anxiety and avoiding excessive diagnosis and treatment, and serving as an alternative for patients who are unwilling or unfit for surgical treatment. At present, the optimal diagnosis and treatment strategy for pulmonary nodules has not been formed, which needs to be further studied from multiple perspectives such as clinical epidemiology, biology, and evidence-based medicine. The primary task of current research is to find out the advantages, effective prescriptions, and target populations and determine the effective outcomes of TCM in the treatment of pulmonary nodules. At the same time, basic research should be carried out to explore the etiology and biological behaviors of pulmonary nodules. The expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary nodules with integrated TCM and Western medicine needs to be continuously revised to guide clinicians to conduct standardized, scientific, and accurate effective diagnosis and treatment.
8.Correlation between Combined Urinary Metal Exposure and Grip Strength under Three Statistical Models: A Cross-sectional Study in Rural Guangxi
Jian Yu LIANG ; Hui Jia RONG ; Xiu Xue WANG ; Sheng Jian CAI ; Dong Li QIN ; Mei Qiu LIU ; Xu TANG ; Ting Xiao MO ; Fei Yan WEI ; Xia Yin LIN ; Xiang Shen HUANG ; Yu Ting LUO ; Yu Ruo GOU ; Jing Jie CAO ; Wu Chu HUANG ; Fu Yu LU ; Jian QIN ; Yong Zhi ZHANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(1):3-18
Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between urinary metals copper (Cu), arsenic (As), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) and grip strength. Methods We used linear regression models, quantile g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to assess the relationship between metals and grip strength.Results In the multimetal linear regression, Cu (β=-2.119), As (β=-1.318), Sr (β=-2.480), Ba (β=0.781), Fe (β= 1.130) and Mn (β=-0.404) were significantly correlated with grip strength (P < 0.05). The results of the quantile g-computation showed that the risk of occurrence of grip strength reduction was -1.007 (95% confidence interval:-1.362, -0.652; P < 0.001) when each quartile of the mixture of the seven metals was increased. Bayesian kernel function regression model analysis showed that mixtures of the seven metals had a negative overall effect on grip strength, with Cu, As and Sr being negatively associated with grip strength levels. In the total population, potential interactions were observed between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn (Pinteractions of 0.003 and 0.018, respectively).Conclusion In summary, this study suggests that combined exposure to metal mixtures is negatively associated with grip strength. Cu, Sr and As were negatively correlated with grip strength levels, and there were potential interactions between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn.
9.Advanced in apraxia of speech from 2004 to 2023:a bibliometrics analysis
Fengqin WEI ; Min LU ; Yong CHEN ; Qiong YANG ; Lu XIAO ; Maozhu LIU
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2024;30(11):1291-1298
Objective To analyze the hotspots and development trends in the international field of apraxia of speech(AOS). Methods Relevant literature on AOS was retrieved in the Web of Science Core Collection database from January,2004 to December,2023,and was analyzed with CiteSpace 6.2 R. Results A total of 893 articles were included,with a fluctuating upward trend in publication volume.The United States and Australia exhibited significant influence in the field of AOS research.Mayo Clinic and the University of Syd-ney showed high centrality in the network,while Joseph R Duffy ranked among the top authors in terms of publi-cation volume.Over the past five years,research hotspots mainly focused on Parkinson's disease,the classifica-tion of AOS,and studies on treatment intensity. Conclusion The research interest in AOS is on the rise.Significant progress has been made in areas such as neuroimag-ing,clinical acoustic assessment and articulatory-phonetic intervention.Further exploration is needed in the path-ological mechanisms and treatment methods of AOS.
10.Quality evaluation for Beidougen Formula Granules
Gui-Yun CAO ; Xue-Song ZHUANG ; Bo NING ; Yong-Qiang LIN ; Dai-Jie WANG ; Wei-Liang CUI ; Hong-Chao LIU ; Xiao-Di DONG ; Meng-Meng HUANG ; Zhao-Qing MENG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(3):717-723
AIM To evaluate the quality of Beidougen Formula Granules.METHODS Fifteen batches of standard decoctions and three batches of formula granules were prepared,after which paste rate and contents,transfer rates of magnoflorine,daurisoline,dauricine were determined.HPLC specific chromatograms were established,and cluster analysis was adopted in chemical pattern recognition.RESULTS For three batches of formula granules,the paste rates were 15.1%-16.6%,the contents of magnoflorine,daurisoline,dauricine were 18.93-19.39,9.42-9.60,6.79-6.85 mg/g with the transfer rates of 34.42%-35.25%,43.81%-44.65%,27.27%-27.51%from decoction pieces to formula granules,respectively,and there were seven characteristic peaks in the specific chromatograms with the similarities of more than 0.95,which demonstrated good consistence with those of standard decoctions and accorded with related limit requirements.Fifteen batches of standard decoctions were clustered into two types,and the medicinal materials produced from Jilin,Hebei,Shangdong could be used for the preparation of formula granules.CONCLUSION This reasonable and reliable method can provide references for the quality control and clinical application of Beidougen Formula Granules.

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