1.Manganese porphyrin metal-organic framework nanoparticles loaded with DMXAA combined with sonodynamic therapy for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer mouse xenografts
LIU Qianhui ; GUI Bin ; PU Huan ; LI Zhouchang ; HUANG Xin ; ZHOU Qing ; DENG Qing
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2026;33(3):262-269
[摘 要] 目的:构建负载STING激动剂DMXAA的锰卟啉金属有机框架纳米颗粒(DPM),探讨其对三阴性乳腺癌(TNBC)细胞4T1及其小鼠移植瘤的治疗效果。方法:通过物理吸附法制备 DPM 纳米颗粒,利用透射电镜、扫描电镜及纳米粒度电位仪表征其形貌与理化性质。常规培养4T1细胞,细胞实验分为对照组、超声辐照组(US组)、DPM治疗组(DPM组)和DPM治疗联合超声辐照组(DPM + US组),用CCK-8法检测细胞活性,免疫荧光法检测高迁移率族蛋白B1(HMGB1)和钙网蛋白(CRT)的表达,WB法检测STING通路相关蛋白的表达。构建4T1细胞移植瘤小鼠模型,分为四组,处理同细胞实验,测量肿瘤体积,免疫荧光法检测移植瘤组织中Ki-67、HMGB1、CRT和缺氧诱导因子-1ɑ(HIF-1ɑ)蛋白的表达,TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡,流式细胞术检测免疫细胞活化情况,对主要器官进行H-E染色,以评估纳米材料的体内安全性。结果:DPM呈梭形,平均粒径(268 ± 3.302)nm,电位(33.1 ± 0.87)mV。细胞实验中,DPM联合超声辐照可明显抑制4T1细胞的增殖(P < 0.001),提高4T1细胞中ROS水平(P < 0.001),诱导4T1细胞CRT表达上调(P < 0.001),HMGB1从细胞核中移至细胞质,激活STING信号通路[p-STING、p-TBK1、p-IRF3蛋白表达均显著增加(均P < 0.001)]。体内实验中,DPM联合超声辐照可显著抑制4T1细胞移植瘤生长(P < 0.001)并促进免疫细胞表型转化(P < 0.001),抑制移植瘤组织中Ki-67、HIF-1α蛋白表达(均P < 0.01),谷胱甘肽(GSH)产生(P < 0.01),促进CRT、HMGB1蛋白表达、ROS产生(P < 0.001),对主要器官结构无明显影响。结论: DPM联合超声辐照可通过激活STING通路显著抑制4T1细胞及其移植瘤的生长,诱导抗肿瘤免疫应答,且对主要器官无明显毒性。
2.Innovative Development and Cutting-edge Applications of Split Intein Technology
Jin-Qiu GAN ; Xiang-Yu DENG ; Xin-Yan WANG ; Jia-Bin LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1520-1540
Inteins are unique protein insertion sequences capable of self-excision, enabling the covalent ligation of flanking extein peptides via amide bond formation. This process proceeds spontaneously without requiring external enzymes, cofactors, or chemical reagents, granting inteins exceptional biocompatibility and traceless performance in protein engineering applications. Split inteins represent a specialized and versatile subclass whose splicing domains are encoded by two separate gene fragments rather than a single continuous open reading frame. These fragments, known as the N-terminal (IntN) and C-terminal (IntC) split inteins, associate through non-covalent interactions including hydrophobic forces, hydrogen bonds, and van der Waals forces to assemble into an active three-dimensional structure, which then drives efficient extein ligation and enables protein trans-splicing. Protein trans-splicing mediated by split inteins has become a cornerstone for traceless protein ligation owing to its high specificity and irreversibility, fundamentally reshaping strategies for protein modification, assembly, and functional regulation. Compared with traditional chemical ligation methods, split intein systems require no complex chemical derivatization of peptide fragments and can operate efficiently at micromolar concentrations under physiological conditions, thus avoiding structural and functional damage caused by organic reagents. In contrast to enzymatic ligation tools such as sortase, split inteins eliminate the need for additional enzymes or cofactors, simplifying reaction systems, reducing costs, and minimizing non-specific side products. These distinctive advantages render split inteins highly promising for applications in chemical biology, synthetic biology, and biopharmaceutical development. In recent years, deepened mechanistic understanding has established structure-guided rational design as the primary approach to overcoming key limitations of split inteins, including intrinsic aggregation propensity, strict extein sequence dependence, and limited splicing efficiency. Bioinformatic tools have been used to identify aggregation-prone regions in the IntN fragment, and site-directed mutagenesis of hydrophobic residues, relocation of split sites, or removal of misfolding-prone sequences has substantially reduced in vitro aggregation and improved soluble expression and assembly activity. Rational engineering of catalytic residues and adjacent flexible loops has relaxed strict amino acid preferences at extein junctions, enhancing sequence tolerance and reducing the risk of functional impairment in target proteins. Consensus design based on multiple sequence alignments has yielded ultra-fast splicing variants such as Cfa DnaE and Cat-TerL, which exhibit significantly accelerated kinetics and improved tolerance to denaturing conditions. Meanwhile, advances in structural biology have further clarified the conformational dynamics and catalytic mechanisms of splicing, supporting the precise design of high-performance intein modules. On this basis, electrostatic interaction tuning and metagenomic screening have yielded multiple mutually orthogonal split intein pairs, enabling selective multi-fragment protein ligation and providing new routes for the efficient synthesis of large multi-domain functional proteins. With these engineered split inteins offering continuously improved performance and expanded applicability, protein trans-splicing has been widely applied in numerous cutting-edge areas of protein research and biomedicine. In gene delivery, split intein-based systems overcome the packaging limit of adeno-associated viral vectors, enabling the accurate reconstitution of large therapeutic proteins and base editors in target cells, thereby enhancing the efficacy and scope of gene therapy for genetic diseases. In internal protein sequence editing, split inteins mediate precise sequence replacement and modification in flexible regions or loops of target proteins, without the need for complex multi-step ligation and protein refolding involved in traditional protein semisynthesis. In protein-protein interaction studies, intein-mediated splicing covalently captures transient and weak intracellular complexes, enabling sensitive, high-throughput interaction detection and drug screening. In synthetic biology, conditionally controllable splicing systems support the construction of diverse intracellular and cell-surface biological logic gates for the precise regulation of cellular behavior. In mechanistic biochemical research, split inteins enable photocatalytic proximity labeling and site-specific tagging, allowing the preparation of homogeneous protein samples carrying precise post-translational modifications such as ubiquitination and polyglutamylation for chromatin interactome analysis and epigenetic studies. Moreover, covalent trapping strategies using split inteins stabilize transient enzymatic intermediates, providing unprecedented insights into molecular mechanisms such as nucleosome ubiquitination that are difficult to elucidate using conventional methods. This review systematically summarizes key technological advances in split inteins over the past decade, highlighting engineering strategies, mechanistic insights, and the development of orthogonal components. It comprehensively surveys emerging applications at the frontiers of protein research, analyzes current core challenges, and proposes future directions, particularly emphasizing artificial intelligence-driven de novo design and novel splicing pathways to break existing technical bottlenecks. By enabling traceless, efficient, and versatile protein manipulation, split inteins continue to serve as indispensable tools that drive innovation in protein engineering and fundamental life science research.
3.Progress on the hazards and control of ship-borne vector organisms
Yun-chuan HE ; Hui-ling HAO ; Bin SUN ; Hong-yan LYU ; Deng-yong HOU ; Xiao-meng REN
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(2):144-151
In the context of burgeoning economic trade, there has been a remarkable increase in the number of ships travelling between domestic and international ports. Inbound and outbound cargo ships, cruise liners, ferries, and other types of vessels have emerged as critical vehicles for the dispersal of vector organisms and the spread of infectious disease agents. Public health concerns associated with these vessels represent a significant threat to human welfare. In this paper, we comprehensively review the hazards posed by vector organisms on ships, the latest advances in prevention and control strategies, and proposes appropriate countermeasures. The aim is to provide effective guidance for the prevention and control of public health security issues caused by ship-borne vector organisms.
4.Standardized diagnostic practice and analysis of occupational carpal tunnel syndrome
Xiaoyi LI ; Li HUANG ; Xiao ZHANG ; Junle WU ; Kankan DENG ; Bin XIAO ; Lihua XIA
China Occupational Medicine 2026;53(2):201-206
Objective To analyze the core elements of standardized diagnosis of occupational carpal tunnel syndrome (OCTS). Methods Data of first reported OCTS case in Guangdong Province were retrospectively analyzed, including occupational exposure history, clinical manifestations, auxiliary examinations, and on-site occupational health investigation results. Furthermore, standardized diagnostic approaches for such occupational diseases were explored. Results The patient worked in a garment manufacturing enterprise, engaged in fabric cutting. The patient had a occupational history of at least three consecutive years of repetitive right wrist work, holding a 15.2 kg electric cutting tool for a cumulative 6.6 hours per day, with awkward wrist movements repeated 13 times per minute. Clinical symptoms included numbness and reduced muscle strength in the areas of median nerve distribution of the right hand, which were aggravated during work and relieved after rest. Physical examination showed inability of right hand to perform fine motor opposition movements of the thumb with the index, middle, and ring fingers; decreased tactile, pain, vibration, graphesthesia, and kinesthetic sensations below the right wrist; and positive Tinel′s sign over the median nerve at the wrist crease level, Phalen′s test, and reverse Phalen′s test of right wrist. Both wrist high-frequency color Doppler ultrasonography and nerve conduction studies and electromyography indicated damage to the right median nerve. However, only the findings from high-frequency color Doppler ultrasonography of the wrist meet the diagnostic criteria specified in GBZ 336-2025 Diagnostic Standard for Occupational Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. On-site occupational health investigation confirmed that the work involved typical repetitive wrist work, and three co-workers in similar positions exhibited comparable symptoms. The case was ultimately diagnosed as OCTS. Conclusion The definitive diagnosis of OCTS requires comprehensive evaluation of four core elements: a clear occupational exposure history, typical clinical symptoms and signs, characteristic objective examination findings, and quantitative on-site occupational health investigation data. Only when these four elements corroborate each other and non-occupational causative factors are excluded can a definitive diagnosis be made.
5.Introduction to Australia’s drug accessibility policy and its implications for China
China Pharmacy 2025;36(7):779-783
OBJECTIVE To summarize the effective measures and implementation effects of Australia in improving drug accessibility, and provide reference for the optimization and promotion of drug accessibility policies in China. METHODS By searching the official website of the Australian Federal Government and relevant literature, this study introduced Australia’s practical experiences in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), drug registration and PBS access, drug pricing and procurement policies, generic drug price competition and disclosure, and orphan drug registration and approval policies. It summarized the effective measures taken by the federal government to improve drug accessibility and control drug expenditure. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS The good management collaboration mechanism, flexible drug price negotiation system, and comprehensive drug accessibility policy support system of the Australian health system have maintained a good balance between drug accessibility, patient burden, and government subsidies in the long run, effectively ensuring the accessibility of Australian drugs. It is recommended that our country strengthen policy coordination and departmental cooperation in terms of drug accessibility, optimize the registration and accelerated approval process for new drugs, improve the price management and negotiation mechanism, and establish a comprehensive drug accessibility support system.
6.Effect and mechanism of ertugliflozin on pharmacokinetic of sorafenib and donafenib in rats
Yanru DENG ; Zhi WANG ; Gexi CAO ; Bin YAN ; Ying LI ; Zhanjun DONG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(7):826-831
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of ertugliflozin on pharmacokinetic of sorafenib and donafenib in rats and explore the mechanism. METHODS Twenty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups, with 6 rats in each group. Groups A and B were respectively gavaged with 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution and ertugliflozin (1.5 mg/kg) for 7 consecutive days, and both were given sorafenib (100 mg/kg) on the 7th day. Groups C and D were administered intragastrically in the same way as those in Groups A and B, respectively, for the first 7 days; after the drug administration on the 7th day, all rats in Groups C and D were further gavaged with donafenib (40 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected at different time points before and after administration of sorafenib or donafenib, the concentrations of sorafenib in plasma of rats in groups A and B and donafenib in groups C and D were determined by UPLC-MS/MS method. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by DAS 2.1.1 software. Six additional rats were randomly divided into blank control group and ertugliflozin group, with three rats in each group. Blank control group was given 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose intragastrically, while rats in ertugliflozin group were given ertugliflozin (1.5 mg/kg) once a day for 7 consecutive days. After the last administration, the mRNA expression levels of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase 1A7 (UGT1A7), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in the liver and small intestine tissues of the rats were detected. RESULTS Compared with group A, the AUC0-t, AUC0-∞, cmax, tmax, MRT0-t and MRT0-∞ of sorafenib in group B were decreased significantly, while CL and V were increased significantly. Compared with group C, the AUC0-t, AUC0-∞ , tmax, cmax and MRT0-t of Δ donafenib in group D were decreased significantly, while V and CL were increased significantly (P<0.05). mRNA expression of UGT1A7, P-gp and BCRP in the liver tissue and small intestine of rats were not significantly affected after intragastric administration of ertugliflozin for 7 consecutive days. CONCLUSIONS Ertugliflozin can affect the pharmacokinetics of sorafenib and donafenib in rats and decrease the plasma exposure of them significantly. However, its mechanism of action may not be through the regulation of related metabolic enzymes and transporters. When using drugs in combination clinically, one should be vigilant about the potential for disease progression due to poor therapeutic effects.
7.Carnosic acid inhibits osteoclast differentiation by inhibiting mitochondrial activity
Haishan LI ; Yuheng WU ; Zixuan LIANG ; Shiyin ZHANG ; Zhen ZHANG ; Bin MAI ; Wei DENG ; Yongxian LI ; Yongchao TANG ; Shuncong ZHANG ; Kai YUAN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(2):245-253
BACKGROUND:Carnosic acid,a bioactive compound found in rosemary,has been shown to reduce inflammation and reactive oxygen species(ROS).However,its mechanism of action in osteoclast differentiation remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of carnosic acid on osteoclast activation,ROS production,and mitochondrial function. METHODS:Primary bone marrow-derived macrophages from mice were extracted and cultured in vitro.Different concentrations of carnosic acid(0,10,15,20,25 and 30 μmol/L)were tested for their effects on bone marrow-derived macrophage proliferation and toxicity using the cell counting kit-8 cell viability assay to determine a safe concentration.Bone marrow-derived macrophages were cultured in graded concentrations and induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand for osteoclast differentiation for 5-7 days.The effects of carnosic acid on osteoclast differentiation and function were then observed through tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining,F-actin staining,H2DCFDA probe and mitochondrial ROS,and Mito-Tracker fluorescence detection.Western blot and RT-PCR assays were subsequently conducted to examine the effects of carnosic acid on the upstream and downstream proteins of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand-induced MAPK signaling pathway. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and F-actin staining showed that carnosic acid dose-dependently inhibited in vitro osteoclast differentiation and actin ring formation in the cell cytoskeleton,with the highest inhibitory effect observed in the high concentration group(30 μmol/L).Carnosic acid exhibited the most significant inhibitory effect during the early stages(days 1-3)of osteoclast differentiation compared to other intervention periods.Fluorescence imaging using the H2DCFDA probe,mitochondrial ROS,and Mito-Tracker demonstrated that carnosic acid inhibited cellular and mitochondrial ROS production while reducing mitochondrial membrane potential,thereby influencing mitochondrial function.The results of western blot and RT-PCR revealed that carnosic acid could suppress the expression of NFATc1,CTSK,MMP9,and C-fos proteins associated with osteoclast differentiation,and downregulate the expression of NFATc1,Atp6vod2,ACP5,CTSK,and C-fos genes related to osteoclast differentiation.Furthermore,carnosic acid enhanced the expression of antioxidant enzyme proteins and reduced the generation of ROS during the process of osteoclast differentiation.Overall,carnosic acid exerts its inhibitory effects on osteoclast differentiation by inhibiting the phosphorylation modification of the P38/ERK/JNK protein and activating the MAPK signaling pathway in bone marrow-derived macrophages.
8.Effect of sorafenib and donafenib on the pharmacokinetics of ertugliflozin in rats
Yanru DENG ; Gexi CAO ; Bin YAN ; Ying LI ; Zhanjun DONG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(1):92-98
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of sorafenib and donafenib on the pharmacokinetics of ertugliflozin in rats, and to provide a theoretical basis for drug combination in clinical practice. MethodsA total of 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into groups A, B, C, and D, with 6 rats in each group. The rats in groups A and B were given sorafenib control solvent and sorafenib (100 mg/kg), respectively, by gavage for 7 consecutive days, followed by ertugliflozin (1.5 mg/kg) by gavage on day 7. Blood samples were collected from the angular vein plexus at different time points, and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine the mass concentration of ertugliflozin and plot the plasma concentration-time curves, while the non-compartment model in DAS 2.1.1 software was used to calculate related pharmacokinetic parameters. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups. ResultsCompared with group A, group B had significant increases in the AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ of the plasma concentration-time curve of ertugliflozin (both P<0.05), significant prolongation of t1/2, MRT0-t, and MRT0-∞ (all P<0.05), and a significant reduction in CLZ/F (P<0.05). Compared with group C, group D had significant increases in the AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ of ertugliflozin (both P<0.05), significant prolongation of Tmax, t1/2, MRT0-t, and MRT0-∞ (all P<0.01), and significant reductions in VZ/F and CLZ/F (both P<0.05). ConclusionBoth sorafenib and donafenib can affect the pharmacokinetics of ertugliflozin in rats and significantly increase the plasma exposure of ertugliflozin. The efficacy and adverse drug reactions of ertugliflozin should be closely monitored during combined use in clinical practice and the dose should be adjusted when necessary to avoid the potential risk of drug interaction.
9.Optimization of Processing Technology of Honey Bran-fried Rosae Laevigatae Fructus and Analysis of Its Mechanism in Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
Bin LIU ; Lingyun ZHONG ; Hongbing LUO ; Qi DENG ; Fuyu XU ; Simin ZHONG ; Ying ZHOU ; Xide YE ; Feipeng GONG ; Yuncheng GU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):216-224
ObjectiveTo optimize the processing technology of honey bran-fried Rosae Laevigatae Fructus(h-RLF), formulate relevant quality standards, and explore its improving effect and mechanism on mice with ulcerative colitis(UC) induced by dextran sodium sulfate(DSS). MethodsTaking the content of polysaccharides and water-soluble extract as the indexes, L9(34) orthogonal test was used to optimize parameters of the amount of honey bran, frying time and frying temperature. The quality of 15 batches of h-RLF decoction pieces was evaluated according to the optimized process, and the inspection limit standard was preliminarily drawn up. Eighty SPF male Kunming mice were randomly divided into 8 groups, including the blank group, model group, mesalazine group(0.13 g·kg-1), RLF group(3.77 g·kg-1), bran-fried RLF group(3.77 g·kg-1), h-RLF low, medium and high dose groups(1.89, 3.77, 7.54 g·kg-1), with 10 mice in each group. The mice in the blank group were free to drink pure water, and the other groups were free to drink 3% DSS solution for 7 days to prepare UC mouse model. Each treatment group was given corresponding drugs by intragastric administration, and the blank and model groups were given equal volume of normal saline. The body weight of mice was recorded daily and the disease activity index(DAI) was calculated. After the administration, the colon tissues of mice were collected to observe the pathological changes by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The levels of tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 in the colon of mice were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of phosphorylation nuclear transcription factor-κB p65(p-NF-κB p65), Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4), p-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p-p38 MAPK), p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase(p-ERK) and p-c-Jun N-terminal kinase(p-JNK) proteins in colon tissues. ResultsThe optimum processing technology of h-RLF was 20 g honey bran per 100 g RLF, and stir-frying at 200 ℃ for 8 min. The limit standard under the examination of h-RLF was preliminarily formulated as follows:the polysaccharide content should not be less than 25% based on anhydrous glucose(C6H12O6), the content of water-soluble extract should not be less than 38%, the moisture content should not be more than 12.0%, the total ash content should not be more than 5.0%, and the acid-insoluble ash content should not be more than 1.0%. The cluster heat map analysis showed that the quality of RLF from Huanggang, Hubei province was better. Animal experiments showed that compared with the blank group, the DAI score of the model group was significantly increased, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the colon tissue were significantly increased, the IL-10 level was significantly decreased, the colonic mucosa was seriously damaged, accompanied by a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration, tissue congestion and a significant reduction in glands, and the expression levels of p-NF-κB p65, TLR4, p-p38 MAPK, p-ERK and p-JNK proteins were significantly increased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, each administration group could alleviate the symptoms of colonic ulcer, the structure of colonic crypt was basically intact, and the glands were arranged in an orderly manner. Among them, the high-dose group of h-RLF had a better effect, which could significantly reduce the DAI score and the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in colon tissue(P<0.01), and significantly increase the level of IL-10(P<0.01), alleviate the colonic mucosal injury, and effectively inhibit the expression levels of p-NF-κB p65, TLR4, p-p38 MAPK, p-ERK and p-JNK proteins(P<0.01). ConclusionThe key parameters of the processing technology of h-RLF are determined, and the optimized technology is stable and feasible. The established quality standard is simple and reliable, and can be used for the quality control. h-RLF can effectively alleviate DSS-induced UC, and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the activation of NF-κB/TLR4/MAPK pathway.
10.Determination of 26 trace cathinones new psychoactive substances in sewage by HPLC-MS/MS
Bin DENG ; Na ZHU ; Zhendong HUA ; Youmei WANG ; Mengxiang SU
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(2):148-154
A method for the pretreatment and qualitative detection of 26 trace cathinone new psychoactive substances in wastewater was established and applied in actual wastewater cases. The effluent samples were eluted on the Oasis PRiME HLB solid phase extraction column by ultra-pure water drenching and methanol solution, then dried with nitrogen at 40 ℃, and finally re-dissolved with 0.1% formic acid-acetonitrile solution (95∶5), and detected by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, The effluent sample was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-Tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) using selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode and separated on chromatographic column UPLC BEH C18(100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) at 35 ℃ with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid in aqueous solution gradient elution. After methodological validation, the lower quantification of 26 cathinone new psychoactive substances could reach 1.50−3.00 ng/L. Among these, 21 analytes fell within the concentration range of 1.50−375.0 ng/L, while 5 were detected in the range of 3.00−750.0 ng/L, the correlation coefficient was 0.99, within-and between-batch precision was less than 7.71% and 13.91%, respectively, and the extraction recoveries were higher than 92.64% . The method is simple, accurate, and sensitive, and can be used for cathinone detection and abuse monitoring.


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