1.Evolution-guided design of mini-protein for high-contrast in vivo imaging.
Nongyu HUANG ; Yang CAO ; Guangjun XIONG ; Suwen CHEN ; Juan CHENG ; Yifan ZHOU ; Chengxin ZHANG ; Xiaoqiong WEI ; Wenling WU ; Yawen HU ; Pei ZHOU ; Guolin LI ; Fulei ZHAO ; Fanlian ZENG ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Jiadong YU ; Chengcheng YUE ; Xinai CUI ; Kaijun CUI ; Huawei CAI ; Yuquan WEI ; Yang ZHANG ; Jiong LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5327-5345
Traditional development of small protein scaffolds has relied on display technologies and mutation-based engineering, which limit sequence and functional diversity, thereby constraining their therapeutic and application potential. Protein design tools have significantly advanced the creation of novel protein sequences, structures, and functions. However, further improvements in design strategies are still needed to more efficiently optimize the functional performance of protein-based drugs and enhance their druggability. Here, we extended an evolution-based design protocol to create a novel minibinder, BindHer, against the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). It not only exhibits super stability and binding selectivity but also demonstrates remarkable properties in tissue specificity. Radiolabeling experiments with 99mTc, 68Ga, and 18F revealed that BindHer efficiently targets tumors in HER2-positive breast cancer mouse models, with minimal nonspecific liver absorption, outperforming scaffolds designed through traditional engineering. These findings highlight a new rational approach to automated protein design, offering significant potential for large-scale applications in therapeutic mini-protein development.
2.Diagnostic value of endoscopic LCPL sign for high-risk intestinal metaplasia in gastric mucosa
Xipeng ZHENG ; Huilin PAN ; Linyu WU ; Yongying HOU ; Qin LIU ; Qiang MA ; Xiuyuan QIN ; Kaijun LIU ; Bin WANG ; Dongfeng CHEN ; Tao WANG
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(5):407-416
Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of endoscopic sign of light blue crest(LBC)capsuling papillary lesion(LCPL)for high-risk intestinal metaplasia(IM).Methods A total of 314 patients(352 biopsy specimens)who underwent endoscopic examination and biopsy in Department of Gastroenterology of Army Medical Center of PLA from January 2021 to June 2023 were recruited,and HE and HID-AB staining(the golden standard of high-risk IM)were apllied to detect the histological types and IM types.The samples were subsequently divided into chronic inflammation group,low-risk IM group,high-risk IM group,well-differentiated intestinal-type gastric cancer group,and poorly-differentiated intestinal-type gastric cancer group.The positive rate of LCPL in each group and its diagnostic efficacy were analyzed based on endoscopic images of the biopsy sites.Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between LCPL sign and high-risk IM,as well as the clinical and pathological features associated with LCPL sign.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of LCPL for high-risk IM,using indicators such as sensitivity,specificity,Youden index and area under the curve(AUC).Results The positive rate of the LCPL sign in high-risk IM group was 75.70%,significantly higher than that of the other groups(all P<0.001).Logistic regression analysis showed that LCPL sign was significantly correlated with high-risk IM(OR=30.286,95%CI:13.528~67.804,P<0.001).When the sign was employed in diagnosing high-risk IM,the sensitivity was 69.84%,the specificity was 93.75%,the Youden's index was 0.636,and the AUC value was 0.818(95%CI:0.773~0.857).Besides sensitivity,all above parameters of LCPL sign showed significantly better diagnostic efficacy than those of traditional LBC sign,which is used as a sign for diagnosing IM(P<0.001).Moreover,recognition of LCPL sign was not easily affected by age(OR=1.130,95%CI:0.709~1.800,P=0.607),lesion site(Angular incisure:OR=2.360,95%CI:0.732~7.613,P=0.151;Autrum:OR=2.257,95%CI:0.756~6.744,P=0.145),and presence of peptic ulcers(OR=1.085,95%CI:0.208~5.652,P=0.923).Significantly,94.12%of positive and 66.94%of negative LCPL signs could be rapidly recognized within 3 s(OR=4.536,95%CI:1.372~14.997,P=0.013).Conclusion LCPL sign shows high efficacy and potential clinical application value for high-risk IM in gastric mucosa of endoscopic diagnosis.
3.Short-term pancreatic cancer mouse model established by cancer cell inoculation and its in vivo imaging assessment
Yukun DU ; Xiao CHEN ; Xintong PAN ; Ziqian LI ; Tianqi WANG ; Kaijun WANG ; Yanan LI
Practical Oncology Journal 2025;40(4):331-338
Objective To establish orthotopic and ectopic pancreatic cancer models in C57BL/6N mice with normal immune function using in vivo imaging technology for visual characterization.Methods Orthotopic and ectopic pancreatic cancer models were established in Kunming mice by injecting a small volume of cell suspension containing firefly luciferase-expressing Panc02-luciferase pancreatic cancer cells into the head of the pancreas or the right axillary region.In vivo imaging technology was used to optimize the modeling method and timing in Kunming mice.Subsequently,the same method was applied to C57BL/6N mice using wild-type Panc02 pancreatic cancer cells to establish orthotopic and ectopic pancreatic cancer models with intact immune function.Key parameters,including body weight,inoculation positive rate,tumor growth time,tumor volume,and pathological characteristics across different organs,were compared be-tween the orthotopic and ectopic models in C57BL/6N mice to evaluate the applicability of these models.Results Both the small animal in vivo imaging experiments in Kunming mice and the tumor growth observation in C57BL/6N mice demonstrated that the construction periods for orthotopic and ectopic pancreatic cancer models were 20 days,with survival rates exceeding 90%.The inoculation positive rates in C57BL/6N mice were 92.3%for the orthotopic model and 78.6%for the ectopic model.On day 20 post-inoculation,the tumor volumes were(117.04±109.56)mm3 for the orthotopic model and(155.68±168.73)mm3 for the ectopic model,indicating high model success rates and consistent tumor growth.HE staining revealed pathological mitotic figures and poorly differentiated tumor tissues in both models of C57BL/6N mice,with no evidence of metastasis to other organs.Conclusions Orthotopic and ectopic pancreatic cancer models in immu-nocompetent mice were successfully developed in this study,mimicking early-stage pancreatic cancer characteristics.These models pro-vide a reliable platform for screening early diagnostic biomarkers and evaluating therapeutic interventions for pancreatic cancer.
4.Analysis of dentofacial characteristics in Han Chinese adults with facial harmony
Siyue CHEN ; Sitong LI ; Kaijun GU ; Changxin DU ; Yanfei ZHU ; Chao ZHENG ; Jing ZHOU ; Ying HE ; Min ZHU
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2025;45(3):317-323
Objective·To establish Downs cephalometric norms for the Han Chinese aged 18-25 with harmonious faces,and to analyze gender and regional characteristics.Methods·A stratified sampling approach was used to recruit participants from seven geographic regions across China.Over 30 000 volunteers were screened,and 883 participants with harmonious faces were ultimately included.Basic demographic data were collected,and lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken.Hard tissue measurements were performed with Downs analysis(using anatomical porion).The data were then statistically analyzed to compare gender and regional differences in dentofacial structures.Results·The gender differences in the four hard tissue measurements,the angle of convexity,A-B plane angle,mandibular plane angle,and occlusal plane angle,were statistically significant(P<0.001).Females showed larger values for the angle of convexity,mandibular plane angle,and occlusal plane angle,but smaller values for the A-B plane angle,compared to males.The gender differences in the interincisal angle,L1 to occlusal plane,L1 to mandibular plane,and U1 to AP plane were not statistically significant.There were regional differences in all 10 measurements of Downs analysis,though some regions shared common features.Specifically,the northeastern,eastern,and southern coastal regions exhibited a smaller facial angle,and larger mandibular plane angle,angle of convexity,occlusal plane angle,and U1 to AP plane.It suggested that,compared to inland regions,individuals from coastal regions tended to have more retrusive chins,steeper mandibular planes,more prominent upper incisors,and more convex hard tissue profiles.Conclusion·Gender differences exist in the dentofacial hard tissue structures of Han Chinese adults with harmonious faces,primarily in skeletal measurements.Each region has its unique dentofacial characteristics,along with some common features.These differences should be taken into account in clinical diagnosis and treatment for the development of personalized and precise therapeutic strategies.
5.Short-term pancreatic cancer mouse model established by cancer cell inoculation and its in vivo imaging assessment
Yukun DU ; Xiao CHEN ; Xintong PAN ; Ziqian LI ; Tianqi WANG ; Kaijun WANG ; Yanan LI
Practical Oncology Journal 2025;40(4):331-338
Objective To establish orthotopic and ectopic pancreatic cancer models in C57BL/6N mice with normal immune function using in vivo imaging technology for visual characterization.Methods Orthotopic and ectopic pancreatic cancer models were established in Kunming mice by injecting a small volume of cell suspension containing firefly luciferase-expressing Panc02-luciferase pancreatic cancer cells into the head of the pancreas or the right axillary region.In vivo imaging technology was used to optimize the modeling method and timing in Kunming mice.Subsequently,the same method was applied to C57BL/6N mice using wild-type Panc02 pancreatic cancer cells to establish orthotopic and ectopic pancreatic cancer models with intact immune function.Key parameters,including body weight,inoculation positive rate,tumor growth time,tumor volume,and pathological characteristics across different organs,were compared be-tween the orthotopic and ectopic models in C57BL/6N mice to evaluate the applicability of these models.Results Both the small animal in vivo imaging experiments in Kunming mice and the tumor growth observation in C57BL/6N mice demonstrated that the construction periods for orthotopic and ectopic pancreatic cancer models were 20 days,with survival rates exceeding 90%.The inoculation positive rates in C57BL/6N mice were 92.3%for the orthotopic model and 78.6%for the ectopic model.On day 20 post-inoculation,the tumor volumes were(117.04±109.56)mm3 for the orthotopic model and(155.68±168.73)mm3 for the ectopic model,indicating high model success rates and consistent tumor growth.HE staining revealed pathological mitotic figures and poorly differentiated tumor tissues in both models of C57BL/6N mice,with no evidence of metastasis to other organs.Conclusions Orthotopic and ectopic pancreatic cancer models in immu-nocompetent mice were successfully developed in this study,mimicking early-stage pancreatic cancer characteristics.These models pro-vide a reliable platform for screening early diagnostic biomarkers and evaluating therapeutic interventions for pancreatic cancer.
6.Analysis of dentofacial characteristics in Han Chinese adults with facial harmony
Siyue CHEN ; Sitong LI ; Kaijun GU ; Changxin DU ; Yanfei ZHU ; Chao ZHENG ; Jing ZHOU ; Ying HE ; Min ZHU
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2025;45(3):317-323
Objective·To establish Downs cephalometric norms for the Han Chinese aged 18-25 with harmonious faces,and to analyze gender and regional characteristics.Methods·A stratified sampling approach was used to recruit participants from seven geographic regions across China.Over 30 000 volunteers were screened,and 883 participants with harmonious faces were ultimately included.Basic demographic data were collected,and lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken.Hard tissue measurements were performed with Downs analysis(using anatomical porion).The data were then statistically analyzed to compare gender and regional differences in dentofacial structures.Results·The gender differences in the four hard tissue measurements,the angle of convexity,A-B plane angle,mandibular plane angle,and occlusal plane angle,were statistically significant(P<0.001).Females showed larger values for the angle of convexity,mandibular plane angle,and occlusal plane angle,but smaller values for the A-B plane angle,compared to males.The gender differences in the interincisal angle,L1 to occlusal plane,L1 to mandibular plane,and U1 to AP plane were not statistically significant.There were regional differences in all 10 measurements of Downs analysis,though some regions shared common features.Specifically,the northeastern,eastern,and southern coastal regions exhibited a smaller facial angle,and larger mandibular plane angle,angle of convexity,occlusal plane angle,and U1 to AP plane.It suggested that,compared to inland regions,individuals from coastal regions tended to have more retrusive chins,steeper mandibular planes,more prominent upper incisors,and more convex hard tissue profiles.Conclusion·Gender differences exist in the dentofacial hard tissue structures of Han Chinese adults with harmonious faces,primarily in skeletal measurements.Each region has its unique dentofacial characteristics,along with some common features.These differences should be taken into account in clinical diagnosis and treatment for the development of personalized and precise therapeutic strategies.
7.Protective effect of herba artemisiae scopariae aqueous extract on neonatal parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis induced by multidrug resistance protein 3 gene mutation
Xiufang YANG ; Shuming BIN ; Dan LI ; Huiying LIANG ; Kang CHEN ; Kaijun ZHENG ; Juncai DING ; Qiaowei ZHU ; Shangwen SHI ; Guiling CHEN
Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Intensive and Critical Care 2024;31(3):308-314
Objective To investigate the protective effect of herba artemisiae scopariae extract on multidrug resistance protein 3(MDR3)gene mutation-induced neonatal parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis(PNAC)and its possible mechanism.Methods ①Human primary hepatocytes were treated with cell culture in vitro,CRISPR/Cas9 lentivirus infection and MDR3 mutant gene lead-in.The levels of hepatic and biliary biochemical indexes[alanine transaminase(ALT),aspartate transaminase(AST),total bilirubin(TBil),direct bilirubin(DBil),indirect bilirubin(IBil),total bile acid(TBA)]in the supernatant of hepatocytes before and after 16,32,48 hours were compared to determine the time required for fatty acid induction of PNAC hepatocyte model with MDR3 gene mutation.② Human primary hepatocytes were divided into blank control group,MDR3 gene wild type group,MDR3 gene mutation group,and herba artemisiae scopariae extract intervention group according to random number table method.The blank control group was treated with culture medium only,the MDR3 gene wild type group was infected with lentivirus and mixed with wild type MDR3 gene and culture medium,the MDR3 gene mutation group was infected with lentivirus and cultured in culture medium with the mutant genes lead-in of LV-MDR3KI(c.485T>A,c.2793insA,c.1031G>A,c.3347G>A)mutation,while the MDR3 mutant gene was lead-in by lentivirus infection and cultured in culture medium,and then pretreated with 100 g/L herba artemisiae scopariae extract in the herba artemisiae scopariae extract intervention group,then the four groups of hepatocytes were induced with 1%fat emulsion,and the treatment time was the time needed to construct the PNAC hepatocytes model with MDR3 gene mutation.The levels of ALT,AST,TBil,DBil,IBil and TBA in the supernatant of hepatocytes were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The mRNA expression abundance of adenosine triphosphate binding cassette proteins(ABCB4,ABCB11,ABCC2,ABCC3,ABCC4)encoding MDR3,bile salt export pump(BSEP),multidrug resistance associated protein(MRP)2-4,and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)genes were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR).Results Compared to the blank control group and MDR3 gene wild type group,there was no significant difference in the levels of ALT,AST,TBil,DBil,IBil,TBA in the supernatant of MDR3 gene mutant group before and 16 hours after induction with 1%fat emulsion,however after treated with 1%fat emulsion for 32 hours and 48 hours,the levels of ALT,AST,TBil,DBil,IBil,TBA in the supernatant of MDR3 mutant hepatocytes were significantly increased(P<0.05),consequently the time required for fatty acid induction of PNAC hepatocyte model was 32 hours.At 32 hours after treatment with fat emulsion,the levels of ALT,AST,TBil,DBil,TBA in the supernatant of hepatocytes in the herba artemisiae scopariae extract intervention group were significantly decreased[ALT(ng/L):148.3±2.3 vs.164.9±7.0,AST(ng/L):2767.4±78.8 vs.3239.4±107.1,TBil(μmol/L):7.6±0.2 vs.13.6±0.3,DBil(μmol/L):1.8±0.1 vs.5.7±0.2,TBA(μmol/L):3.4±0.2 vs.6.7±0.1,all P<0.05].The ABCB4,ABCC2,ABCC3,ABCC4 mRNA expression of MDR3,MRP2,MRP3,MRP4 in the blank control group,MDR3 wild type group,MDR3 gene mutation group and the herba artemisiae scopariae extract intervention group had no significant difference.The expression of TNF gene mRNA was highly expressed in MDR3 gene mutation group(2-??Ct:1.258±0.200 vs.1.001±0.052),and was low expressed in the herba artemisiae scopariae extract intervention group(2-??Ct:0.387±0.247 vs.1.258±0.200),and there was a significant difference between the two groups(both P<0.05).Compared to the MDR3 gene mutation group,the ABCB11 gene encoding BSEP mRNA expression in the herba artemisiae scopariae extract intervention group was significantly increased(2-??Ct:2.955±0.479 vs.1.333±0.529,P<0.05).Conclusion The herba artemisiae scopariae extract has a protective effect on PNAC induced by MDR3 gene mutation,which may be related to antagonizing inflammatory reaction,decreasing the expression of TNF mRNA and improving the expression of ABCB11 gene encoding BSEP.
8.Analysis on clinical characteristics of kidney transplant recipients with Omicron variant infection
Kaijun WU ; Daihui CHEN ; Mao LI ; Simin LIANG
Chongqing Medicine 2024;53(13):2016-2022,2027
Objective To report and analyze the clinical characteristics of kidney transplant recipients(KTRs)combined with novel coronavirus Omicron variant strain infection of novel coronavirus(SARS-CoV-2),and to investigate the possible factors affecting the serum creatinine change.Methods The patients under-going allogeneic kidney transplantation and complicating Omicron variant strain infection in this hospital from October 2022 to December 2023 were retrospectively observed.Their clinical data,basic complications and prognosis,etc.were collected and analyzed.The possible factors affecting the serum creatinine change were an-alyzed.Results Among the 114 cases of KTRs combined with Omicron variant strain infection included in this study,there were 90 cases(78.9%)in the home management group(group A),18 cases(15.8%)in the non-intensive isolation ward group(group B)and 6 cases(5.3%)in the ICU group(group C).The most common symptoms were in turn fever(90.4%),fatigue(65.8%)and cough(61.4%),the clinical manifesta-tions were mainly upper respiratory tract infection symptoms.The overall mortality rate was 2.6%(3/114),moreover the dead patients all were in the group C.The number of basic comorbidities in the group C was higher than that in the group B and group A(P<0.05).The patients were re-divided into 33 cases(28.9%)in the creatinine increase group(group D),71 cases(62.3%)in the creatinine unchange group(group E)and 10 cases(8.8%)in the creatinine decrease group(group F).The patients in the F group were the patients with mild and moderate Omicron variant strain infection in the group A,and a larger proportions of the pa-tients in the group D and group F discontinued or reduced the calcineurin inhibitor(CNI)type drugs than in the group E.Conclusion The hazard of Omicron variant strains to KTRs has been greatly reduced compared with previous other variant strains.Realizing the immune balance between anti-infection and anti-rejection is the effective measure for preventing renal function damage in KTRs.
9.Analysis of risk factors of postoperative venous thromboembolism in patients with gastric cancer and establishment of prediction model
Kaijun LONG ; Wangwen CHEN ; Zhiqian LUO
Journal of Clinical Surgery 2024;32(1):84-88
Objective To explore the related risk factors of postoperative venous thromboembolism(VTE)in patients with gastric cancer,establish a prediction model and verify the predictive value of the model.Methods 160 gastric cancer patients who underwent radical surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College from January 2019 to June 2021 were included as the modeling group,167 cases as validation group.Their clinicopathological data were collected.All modeling group patients were divided into VTE group and N-VTE group according to the occurrence of VTE within 6 months after operation.The clinicopathological factors of the two groups were analyzed by univariate analysis.Then,the statistically significant indexes in the univariate analysis were substituted into the multivariate logistic regression model for multivariate analysis to obtain the independent risk factors affecting the postoperative VTE of patients with gastric cancer.The independent risk factors obtained based on the results of multivariate analysis were combined p Value,assign scores to independent risk factors according to the principle of nomogram,construct the nomogram model,draw the nomogram with R software,internal and external validation of nomogram model with Bootstrap method and calibration curve,calculate the discrimination evaluation Index C index,and evaluate the calibration ability of the prediction model through goodness of fit(H-L).Results 160 modeling group patients with gastric cancer underwent radical gastrectomy.According to the occurrence of VTE within 6 months after operation,they were divided into VTE group(23 cases)(14.38%)and N-VTE group(137 cases)(85.62%).Multivariate analysis showed that the age of 60 years old,the diameter of the lesion was more than 5 cm,the stage of diabetes,the TNM/T stage was 3-4,and the lymph node metastasis was the independent risk factors affecting the postoperative VTE of patients with gastric cancer(P<0.05).Construct nomogram:P=1/(1+e-x),X=1.885 × Age(≥ 60 years=1,<60 years=0)+2.051 × Diabetes mellitus(=1,no=0)+2.646 × Lesion diameter(≥ 5 cm=1,<5 cm=0)+2.952 × TNM/T stage(stage 1-2=0,stage 3-4=1)+0.694 × Lymph node metastasis(yes=1,no=0)-0.436.The C index of nomogram model was 847(95%CI:0.784-0.932)and 0.832(95%CI:0.772-0.910).H-L test showed that the predicted value of postoperative VTE in patients with gastric cancer was in good agreement with the actual value(P>0.05).Conclusion A nomogram model for predicting the risk of postoperative VTE in patients with gastric cancer was established.It was verified that the model can accurately predict the risk of postoperative VTE in patients with gastric cancer.
10.Effect of Different Cultivation Modes on Microbial Diversity and Secondary Metabolites of Rhizosphere Soil of Gentiana crassicaulis
Wuni JIADUO ; Ami JIASHI ; Hongyu MA ; Gengsheng YE ; Chen CHEN ; Kaijun GOU ; Yan REN ; Mujia LA ; Rui ZENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(10):192-201
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of different cultivation modes on the yield of Gentiana crassicaulis and its microbial diversity and secondary metabolite content in the rhizosphere soil. MethodWith G. crassicaulis of different cultivation modes and its rhizosphere soil as the research objects, the composition of bacterial and fungal communities, dominant bacteria, and differential microorganisms in the rhizosphere soil were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing technology. HPLC was used to determine the content of iridoids in G. crassicaulis with different cultivation modes. ResultCompared with plastic film mulching, planting without mulch and intercropping of peony, white kidney bean, potato, and corn increased the yield of fresh products by 16.11%-17.68%, 22.48%-26.34%, 29.37%-32.19%, 34.82%-36.57%, and 35.34%-39.71%, respectively, and increased the yield of dry products by 19.75%-23.17%, 25.86%-29.32%, 30.18%-34.94%, 35.22%-39.87%, and 39.72%-43.73%. The total content of four iridoids, including gentiopicrin, loganic acid, sweroside, and swertiamarin, increased by 10.17%-37.83%, 5.93%-47.44%, 9.09%-28.84%, and 10.71%-28.57%, respectively. The diversity of bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil increased significantly (P<0.05). The relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria such as Sordariomycetes, Leotiomycetes, Tremellomycetes, Eurotiomycetes, Fusarium, and Cladophialophora decreased, and the proportions of beneficial bacteria such as Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteriota increased and they gradually became the dominant bacteria. ConclusionDifferent cultivation modes can affect the yield of G. crassicaulis and its microbial diversity and iridoid content in the rhizosphere soil. Cultivation without mulch and intercropping patterns have certain advantages, which can provide theoretical references for the planting of G. crassicaulis.

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