Natural components serve the survival instincts of cells that are obtained through long-term evolution, while they often fail to meet the demands of engineered cells for efficiently performing biological functions in special industrial environments. Enzymes, as biological catalysts, play a key role in biosynthetic pathways, significantly enhancing the rate and selectivity of biochemical reactions. However, the catalytic efficiency, stability, substrate specificity, and tolerance of natural enzymes often fall short of industrial production requirements. Therefore, exploring and modifying enzymes to suit specific biomanufacturing processes has become crucial. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has played an increasingly important role in the discovery, evaluation, engineering, and de novo design of proteins. AI can accelerate the discovery and optimization of proteins by analyzing large amounts of bioinformatics data and predicting protein functions and characteristics by machine learning and deep learning algorithms. Moreover, AI can assist researchers in designing new protein structures by simulating and predicting their performance under different conditions, providing guidance for protein design. This paper reviews the latest research advances in protein discovery, evaluation, engineering, and de novo design for biomanufacturing and explores the hot topics, challenges, and emerging technical methods in this field, aiming to provide guidance and inspiration for researchers in related fields.
Protein Engineering/methods* ; Artificial Intelligence ; Proteins/genetics* ; Computational Biology ; Machine Learning ; Data Mining ; Algorithms ; Deep Learning

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of methylation sensitive-high resolution melting curve (MS-HRM) detection of IFN-induced protein 44-like (IFI44L) gene methylation in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as well as the relationship between IFI44L gene markers and the early onset of SLE.Methods:From February 2020 to September 2022, the MS-HRM was used to detect the methylation level of the IFI44L gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 602 SLE patients and 524 other autoimmune disease patients (excluding SLE) from Beijing Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital, and Shenzhen People′s Hospital, totaling 1 126 patients. Compared with the 2012 SLICC criteria, the suspected cases were followed up for 6 months until the onset and clinical diagnosis of SLE were confirmed. The measurement data of normal distribution were expressed as mean±SD, and the consistency analysis was performed using the Kappa consistency test. The clinical diagnostic efficacy indicators were calculated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results:RR (95% CI) of early suspected cases was 17.06 (9.43, 30.82). The results of IFI44L gene methylation level were in good agreement with the 2012 SLICC criteria, and the sensitivity, specificity and total coincidence rate were 90.53%, 92.56% and 91.47%, respectively. The Kappa value (95% CI) was 0.829(0.796, 0.862) ( P<0.001). The diagnostic efficiency of IFI44L gene methylation level ( Kappa value 0.817) was superior to anti-nuclear antibody, anti-SM antibody and anti-dsDNA antibody ( Kappa value 0.418, 0.216 and 0.440, respectively). The Kappa values (95% CI) of methylation between MS-HRM and pyrosequencing was 0.861(0.806, 0.916), P<0.001. Conclusion:The hypomethylation of IFI44L gene methylation level detected by MS-HRM is closely related to the occurrence and development of SLE, and its diagnostic performance is better than that of three autoantibodies in SLE diagnosis, which can be used for the early diagnosis of SLE.

Objective:To investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of melatonin on cognitive dysfunction induced by long-term anesthesia with isoflurane.Methods:Male C57BL/6J mice aged 2 months were divided into control group, isoflurane group, melatonin group, and isoflurane+ melatonin group by random number table, with 6 mice in each group.Three days after anesthesia, cognitive function of mice was assessed by Y-maze and fear conditioning (FC) tests. ATP content in the hippocampus was measured by an ATP assay kit. Western blot was used to detect the expression of DRP1, pDRP1, MFN2, pAMPK and SIRT1 proteins in the hippocampus. Cultured HT-22 cells derived from mouse hippocampal neurons in vitro were divided into control group, isoflurane group, melatonin group, and isoflurane + melatonin group, and the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in each group were detected by flow cytometry after intervention. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 22.0 software, and one-way ANOVA was used for comparisons among multiple groups.Results:(1) There was a statistically significant difference in the percentage of freezing behavior in contextual fear memory among the four groups of mice ( F=39.09, P<0.05). The percentage of freezing behavior in the isoflurane group was lower than that in the control group ((44.23±8.88)% vs (75.87±5.90)%, P<0.05), while the percentage of freezing behavior in the isoflurane+ melatonin group((67.45±14.89)%)was higher than that in the isoflurane group ( P<0.05). There was also a statistically significant difference in the percentage of exploration in the novel arm among the four groups of mice ( F=13.87, P<0.05). The percentage of exploration in the novel arm in the isoflurane group was lower than that in the control group((33.64±6.53)% vs (47.13±3.87)%, P<0.05), while the percentage of exploration in the novel arm in the isoflurane+ melatonin group((43.05±1.64)%)was higher than that in the isoflurane group ( P<0.05). (2) Statistically significant difference in the levels of ATP in the hippocampus was found among the four groups of mice ( F=49.22, P<0.05). The level of ATP in the hippocampus in the isoflurane group was lower than that in the control group((2.29±0.15)nmol/mg vs (3.58±0.12)nmol/mg, P<0.05), while the level of ATP in the hippocampus in the isoflurane+ melatonin group ((3.02±0.27)nmol/mg)was higher than that in the isoflurane group ( P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the levels of ROS in HT-22 cells among the four groups ( F=18.36, P<0.05). The level of ROS in HT-22 cells in the isoflurane group was higher than that in the control group after anesthesia ( P<0.05), while the level of ROS in HT-22 cells in the isoflurane+ melatonin group was lower than that in the isoflurane group after anesthesia ( P<0.05). (3) There were statistically significant difference in the levels of pDRP1, pAMPK and SIRT1 protein in the hippocampus among the four groups of mice ( F=19.87, 21.20, 25.65, all P<0.05). The levels of pDRP1 and SIRT1 protein in the hippocampus in the isoflurane group were both lower than those in the control group (both P<0.05), while the levels of pDRP1 and SIRT1 protein in the hippocampus in the isoflurane+ melatonin group were both higher than those in the isoflurane group (both P<0.05). In the isoflurane group, the expression of pAMPK protein in the hippocampal region was higher than that in the control group ( P<0.05), while the expression of pAMPK protein in the isoflurane+ melatonin group was lower than that in the isoflurane group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Melatonin improves long-term isoflurane anesthesia-induced cognitive dysfunction by regulating mitochondrial homeostasis through the AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of melatonin on cognitive dysfunction induced by long-term anesthesia with isoflurane.Methods:Male C57BL/6J mice aged 2 months were divided into control group, isoflurane group, melatonin group, and isoflurane+ melatonin group by random number table, with 6 mice in each group.Three days after anesthesia, cognitive function of mice was assessed by Y-maze and fear conditioning (FC) tests. ATP content in the hippocampus was measured by an ATP assay kit. Western blot was used to detect the expression of DRP1, pDRP1, MFN2, pAMPK and SIRT1 proteins in the hippocampus. Cultured HT-22 cells derived from mouse hippocampal neurons in vitro were divided into control group, isoflurane group, melatonin group, and isoflurane + melatonin group, and the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in each group were detected by flow cytometry after intervention. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 22.0 software, and one-way ANOVA was used for comparisons among multiple groups.Results:(1) There was a statistically significant difference in the percentage of freezing behavior in contextual fear memory among the four groups of mice ( F=39.09, P<0.05). The percentage of freezing behavior in the isoflurane group was lower than that in the control group ((44.23±8.88)% vs (75.87±5.90)%, P<0.05), while the percentage of freezing behavior in the isoflurane+ melatonin group((67.45±14.89)%)was higher than that in the isoflurane group ( P<0.05). There was also a statistically significant difference in the percentage of exploration in the novel arm among the four groups of mice ( F=13.87, P<0.05). The percentage of exploration in the novel arm in the isoflurane group was lower than that in the control group((33.64±6.53)% vs (47.13±3.87)%, P<0.05), while the percentage of exploration in the novel arm in the isoflurane+ melatonin group((43.05±1.64)%)was higher than that in the isoflurane group ( P<0.05). (2) Statistically significant difference in the levels of ATP in the hippocampus was found among the four groups of mice ( F=49.22, P<0.05). The level of ATP in the hippocampus in the isoflurane group was lower than that in the control group((2.29±0.15)nmol/mg vs (3.58±0.12)nmol/mg, P<0.05), while the level of ATP in the hippocampus in the isoflurane+ melatonin group ((3.02±0.27)nmol/mg)was higher than that in the isoflurane group ( P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the levels of ROS in HT-22 cells among the four groups ( F=18.36, P<0.05). The level of ROS in HT-22 cells in the isoflurane group was higher than that in the control group after anesthesia ( P<0.05), while the level of ROS in HT-22 cells in the isoflurane+ melatonin group was lower than that in the isoflurane group after anesthesia ( P<0.05). (3) There were statistically significant difference in the levels of pDRP1, pAMPK and SIRT1 protein in the hippocampus among the four groups of mice ( F=19.87, 21.20, 25.65, all P<0.05). The levels of pDRP1 and SIRT1 protein in the hippocampus in the isoflurane group were both lower than those in the control group (both P<0.05), while the levels of pDRP1 and SIRT1 protein in the hippocampus in the isoflurane+ melatonin group were both higher than those in the isoflurane group (both P<0.05). In the isoflurane group, the expression of pAMPK protein in the hippocampal region was higher than that in the control group ( P<0.05), while the expression of pAMPK protein in the isoflurane+ melatonin group was lower than that in the isoflurane group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Melatonin improves long-term isoflurane anesthesia-induced cognitive dysfunction by regulating mitochondrial homeostasis through the AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathway.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of methylation sensitive-high resolution melting curve (MS-HRM) detection of IFN-induced protein 44-like (IFI44L) gene methylation in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as well as the relationship between IFI44L gene markers and the early onset of SLE.Methods:From February 2020 to September 2022, the MS-HRM was used to detect the methylation level of the IFI44L gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 602 SLE patients and 524 other autoimmune disease patients (excluding SLE) from Beijing Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital, and Shenzhen People′s Hospital, totaling 1 126 patients. Compared with the 2012 SLICC criteria, the suspected cases were followed up for 6 months until the onset and clinical diagnosis of SLE were confirmed. The measurement data of normal distribution were expressed as mean±SD, and the consistency analysis was performed using the Kappa consistency test. The clinical diagnostic efficacy indicators were calculated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results:RR (95% CI) of early suspected cases was 17.06 (9.43, 30.82). The results of IFI44L gene methylation level were in good agreement with the 2012 SLICC criteria, and the sensitivity, specificity and total coincidence rate were 90.53%, 92.56% and 91.47%, respectively. The Kappa value (95% CI) was 0.829(0.796, 0.862) ( P<0.001). The diagnostic efficiency of IFI44L gene methylation level ( Kappa value 0.817) was superior to anti-nuclear antibody, anti-SM antibody and anti-dsDNA antibody ( Kappa value 0.418, 0.216 and 0.440, respectively). The Kappa values (95% CI) of methylation between MS-HRM and pyrosequencing was 0.861(0.806, 0.916), P<0.001. Conclusion:The hypomethylation of IFI44L gene methylation level detected by MS-HRM is closely related to the occurrence and development of SLE, and its diagnostic performance is better than that of three autoantibodies in SLE diagnosis, which can be used for the early diagnosis of SLE.

【Objective】 To investigate the allele frequencies polymorphic distribution of Duffy, Kidd and Diego blood group systems in Dongxiang ethnic group in Gansu Province. 【Methods】 Blood samples of 100 unrelated blood donors were randomly selected from Dongxiang ethnic group in Gansu from January to December 2017. Allelic typing of Duffy, Kidd and Diego blood groups was performed by fluorescence PCR. 【Results】 The allele frequencies of Duffy, Kidd, and Diego blood group systems of Dongxiang ethnic group were 0.835 for Fy^*01, 0.165 for Fy^*02, 0.570 for Jk^*01, 0.430 for Jk^*02, 0.020 for DI^*01, 0.980 for DI^*02, respectively. No Fy(a-b-), Jk(a-b-), Di(a+b-) rare phenotypes were found. The antigen incompatibility rates of Fy^a/Fy^b, Jk^a/Jk^b, Di^a/Di^b of Duffy, Kidd, and Diego blood group systems were 23.76%, 37.01% and 3.84%, respectively. 【Conclusion】 The allele frequencies distribution of Duffy, Kidd and Diego blood group systems in Dongxiang ethnic group in Gansu were polymorphic and has unique ethnic distribution characteristics.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and management status of children with Turner syndrome (TS) in China.Methods:As a cross-sectional study, 1 089 TS patients were included in the database of the National Collaborative Alliance for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Turner Syndrome from August 2019 to November 2023. Clinical characteristics (growth development, sexual development, organ anomalies, etc.), karyotypes, auxiliary examinations, and treatments were collected and analyzed.Results:Among the 1 089 TS cases, 809 were recorded karyotypes. The karyotype distribution was as follows: 45, X in 317 cases (39.2%), X chromosome structural variants (including partial deletions of p or q arm, ring chromosome, and marker chromosome) in 89 cases (11.0%), 45, X/46, XX mosaicism in 158 cases (19.5%), mosaicism with X chromosome structural variants in 209 cases (25.8%), and presence of Y chromosome material in 36 cases (4.4%). Among the 824 TS cases, the age of diagnosis was 9.7(6.4, 12.2) years, with a height standard deviation score (HtSDS) of -3.1±1.2. Five hundred and fifty three cases underwent growth hormone (GH) stimulation test, and 352 cases (63.7%) had GH peak values <10 μg/L and 75.9% (577/760) had low IGF1 levels, with IGF1 SDS ≤-2 accounting for 38.2% (290 cases). Among 471 cases aged ≥8 years, 132 cases (28.0%) showed spontaneous sexual development (mean bone age (11.0±1.7) years), 10 cases had spontaneous menarche (mean bone age (12.0±2.2) years), and 2 cases had regular menstrual cycles. Common physical features included cubitus valgus (311 cases (28.5%)), neck webbing (188 cases (17.2%)), low posterior hairline (185 cases (17.0%)), shield chest (153 cases (14.0%)), high arched palate (127 cases (11.6%)), short fourth metacarpal (43 cases (3.9%)), and spinal abnormalities (38 cases (3.5%)). Congenital cardiovascular and urogenital anomalies occurred in 91 cases (19.4%) and 66 cases (12.0%)respectively. Abdominal ultrasound in 33 cases (7.2%) indicated fatty liver, hepatomegaly, intrahepatic bile duct stones, and splenomegaly. Among 23 cases undergoing oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) test, 2 were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and 4 with impaired glucose tolerance. Following diagnosis, 669 cases (80.7%) received rhGH treatment at a chronological age of (9±4) years and bone age of (8.3±3.2) years. Additionally, 112 cases (19.4%) received sex hormone replacement therapy starting at the age of (14±4) years and bone age of (12.6±1.2) years.Conclusions:The karyotypes of 45, X and mosaicism were most common in Chinese children with TS. The clinical manifestations were mainly short stature and gonadal dysplasia. However, a few TS children could be in the normal range of height, and some cases among those aged of ≥8 years old had spontaneous sexual development. Some exhibited physical features, congenital cardiovascular and urogenital anomalies, and dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-IGF1 axis. Moreover, a few of them developed impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus. Following diagnosis, most of the patients received rhGH treatment, and a few of them received sex hormone replacement therapy.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological factors affecting the long-term survival of patients with duodenal papillary carcinoma (DPC) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).Methods:The clinicopathological and follow-up data of patients with DPC who underwent PD at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University and the Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University from Jan 2015 to Dec 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:All 73 cases have been followed-up. The median follow-up time was 60 months. Multivariate analysis of COX proportional risk model showed that positive lymph node metastasis and tumor size over 2.5 cm were common independent risk factors for OS and DFS. Lymph node metastasis was confirmed pathologically in 20 patients. Multivariate analysis results of Logistic regression model showed that smoking, tumor breaking through the serous layer and tumor low differentiation were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis.Conclusions:Poor prognosis was associated with tumors that were larger than 2.5 cm, and with lymph node metastases. Preoperative smoking history, tumor breaking through the serous layer and low tumor differentiation were the predictors of positive lymph node metastasis.

Objective:To explore the effects of real-time continuous glucose monitoring (Rt-CGM) on perioperative blood glucose and health-related outcomes in patients undergoing pancreatectomy under the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), in order to provide theoretical guidance for perioperative blood glucose management in pancreatic specialists.Methods:This was a retrospective and analytical study. A total of 244 patients who underwent pancreatectomy for malignant tumors at the Pancreas Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January to June 2023 were selected by the convenience sampling method. The patients who used Rt-CGM during the perioperative period were selected as the observation group ( n=74), and the patients who used fingertip blood glucose monitoring were selected as the control group ( n=170). After the propensity score matching method was used to balance the general and disease-related data of the two groups of patients, the differences in perioperative blood glucose levels and health outcomes of the two groups (both n=69) were compared. Results:Before propensity score matching, the aminotransferase levels, surgical methods and postoperative ICU admission ratio of the control group were 27.3(15.4, 120.0)U/L, 58.2%(99/170)(pancreaticoduodenectomy) and 41.8%(71/170)(distal pancreatectomy), 18.8%(32/170); while those in the observation group were 47.2(19.0, 190.5)U/L, 73.0%(54/74)(pancreaticoduodenectomy) and 27.0%(20/74)(distal pancreatectomy), 32.4%(24/74). There were statistical differences between the two groups ( Z=-2.02, χ2=4.79, 5.40, all P<0.05). After propensity score matching, there were no statistically significant differences in general and disease-related data between the two groups (all P>0.05). When it came to blood sugar control, the fluctuation range of fasting blood glucose, pre-dinner blood glucose, 2 h post-dinner blood glucose, postmeal blood glucose and coefficient of variation of fasting blood glucose in observation group were (8.0 ± 2.0), (9.7 ± 2.0), (10.4 ± 2.3), (1.1 ± 0.5) mmol/L and (0.2 ± 0.1), respectively, significantly lower than (8.9 ± 1.7), (10.7 ± 2.1), (11.2 ± 2.4), (3.0 ± 1.7) mmol/L and (0.3 ± 0.1) of the control group, the difference was statistically significant ( t values were -8.81 to -2.04, all P< 0.05). In terms of health outcomes, the incidence of grade B pancreatic fistula and chylous fistula in the observation group were 0(0/69), respectively, which were significantly lower than 20.3% (14/69) and 5.8% (4/69) in the control group, the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=32.58, 8.77, both P<0.05). The median length of hospital stay in the observation group was 14.0(12.0, 18.0) days, which was significantly lower than 17.0 (14.0, 24.0) days in the control group, the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-2.90, P<0.05). Conclusions:The application of real-time continuous glucose monitoring in perioperative blood glucose management of patients undergoing pancreatectomy can significantly reduce blood glucose level, control blood glucose fluctuation, reduce postoperative complications and shorten the length of hospital stay. Therefore, it is an essential help for ERAS to carry out good perioperative blood glucose management.

Objective:To explore the effects of real-time continuous glucose monitoring (Rt-CGM) on perioperative blood glucose and health-related outcomes in patients undergoing pancreatectomy under the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), in order to provide theoretical guidance for perioperative blood glucose management in pancreatic specialists.Methods:This was a retrospective and analytical study. A total of 244 patients who underwent pancreatectomy for malignant tumors at the Pancreas Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January to June 2023 were selected by the convenience sampling method. The patients who used Rt-CGM during the perioperative period were selected as the observation group ( n=74), and the patients who used fingertip blood glucose monitoring were selected as the control group ( n=170). After the propensity score matching method was used to balance the general and disease-related data of the two groups of patients, the differences in perioperative blood glucose levels and health outcomes of the two groups (both n=69) were compared. Results:Before propensity score matching, the aminotransferase levels, surgical methods and postoperative ICU admission ratio of the control group were 27.3(15.4, 120.0)U/L, 58.2%(99/170)(pancreaticoduodenectomy) and 41.8%(71/170)(distal pancreatectomy), 18.8%(32/170); while those in the observation group were 47.2(19.0, 190.5)U/L, 73.0%(54/74)(pancreaticoduodenectomy) and 27.0%(20/74)(distal pancreatectomy), 32.4%(24/74). There were statistical differences between the two groups ( Z=-2.02, χ2=4.79, 5.40, all P<0.05). After propensity score matching, there were no statistically significant differences in general and disease-related data between the two groups (all P>0.05). When it came to blood sugar control, the fluctuation range of fasting blood glucose, pre-dinner blood glucose, 2 h post-dinner blood glucose, postmeal blood glucose and coefficient of variation of fasting blood glucose in observation group were (8.0 ± 2.0), (9.7 ± 2.0), (10.4 ± 2.3), (1.1 ± 0.5) mmol/L and (0.2 ± 0.1), respectively, significantly lower than (8.9 ± 1.7), (10.7 ± 2.1), (11.2 ± 2.4), (3.0 ± 1.7) mmol/L and (0.3 ± 0.1) of the control group, the difference was statistically significant ( t values were -8.81 to -2.04, all P< 0.05). In terms of health outcomes, the incidence of grade B pancreatic fistula and chylous fistula in the observation group were 0(0/69), respectively, which were significantly lower than 20.3% (14/69) and 5.8% (4/69) in the control group, the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=32.58, 8.77, both P<0.05). The median length of hospital stay in the observation group was 14.0(12.0, 18.0) days, which was significantly lower than 17.0 (14.0, 24.0) days in the control group, the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-2.90, P<0.05). Conclusions:The application of real-time continuous glucose monitoring in perioperative blood glucose management of patients undergoing pancreatectomy can significantly reduce blood glucose level, control blood glucose fluctuation, reduce postoperative complications and shorten the length of hospital stay. Therefore, it is an essential help for ERAS to carry out good perioperative blood glucose management.