1.Strategies and Challenges of Hydrogen Production Catalyzed by Bioencapsulated Hydrogenase
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1415-1438
Hydrogenases, as a class of highly efficient and reversible biological catalysts, can catalyze the reduction of protons to molecular hydrogen, thus demonstrating great potential in a wide range of fields such as renewable energy production and green chemistry. Despite their significant potential, the large-scale industrial application of hydrogenases has long been constrained by several inherent limitations, including high sensitivity to molecular oxygen, the challenges in the in vitro reconstitution and maturation of their catalytic centers, and the inefficiency and instability of the natural electron transfer pathways. To overcome these limitations and enhance the catalytic performance of hydrogenases, researchers have developed various strategies, among which enzyme molecular engineering, photo-driven modification, and enzyme immobilization techniques are the most common exploration directions. Particularly, enzyme immobilization technology is widely used to improve the reusability of hydrogenases, but traditional immobilization methods often come with disadvantages in practical applications, such as complex multi-step procedures and insufficient biocompatibility of the immobilization materials. In recent years, bioencapsulation technology has emerged as a promising alternative strategy to enhance the catalytic performance of hydrogenases. This method utilizes biologically derived encapsulation materials to construct physically confined and precisely defined chemical microenvironments around the enzyme molecules, offering simpler self-assembly processes and superior biocompatibility. With these biomimetic constructs, bioencapsulation technology not only provides better oxygen tolerance but also helps to create a local microenvironment conducive to sustained catalytic function. This article systematically reviews the latest research progress of two main bioencapsulation strategies for hydrogenases: one is the encapsulation technology based on protein-based nanocages; the other is the engineering strategy for whole-cell hydrogenase expression. In the nanocage-based systems, this article focuses on the structural and functional characteristics of virus-like capsids and carboxysome protein shells, which serve as efficient enzyme encapsulation scaffolds, not only providing a stable physical barrier to prevent oxygen diffusion but also enabling high-density enzyme loading, thereby promoting substrate channeling effects and electron transfer kinetics. This article also discusses whole-cell encapsulation systems, which achieve hydrogenase compartmentalization within engineered cellular structures or by using external natural polysaccharide-based encapsulation matrices to wrap whole-cell catalysts. Bioencapsulation strategies can bring multiple synergistic benefits: they can effectively protect hydrogenases from oxygen-mediated inactivation, significantly delay the decline of catalytic activity over time, and enhance the hydrogen production rate by increasing the local concentration of active enzyme molecules and optimizing the electron transfer efficiency from redox partners to the catalytic center.Despite the significant progress made, several technical challenges remain to be addressed. The main obstacles include limited enzyme loading and encapsulation efficiency, insufficient long-term stability of encapsulation materials under operating conditions, and the need to improve the matching of the photo-biological interface in systems integrating light-harvesting components with enzymatic catalysis. Future efforts can focus on the integration of multiple technological approaches, such as using computer-aided protein design to optimize encapsulation structures, developing engineered electron transfer pathways to enhance catalytic conversion efficiency, and designing composite multifunctional materials with both structural stability and functional adaptability. These directions collectively aim to achieve efficient, stable, and scalable hydrogen production applications of bioencapsulated hydrogenase systems.
2.Strategies and Challenges of Hydrogen Production Catalyzed by Bioencapsulated Hydrogenase
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1415-1438
Hydrogenases, as a class of highly efficient and reversible biological catalysts, can catalyze the reduction of protons to molecular hydrogen, thus demonstrating great potential in a wide range of fields such as renewable energy production and green chemistry. Despite their significant potential, the large-scale industrial application of hydrogenases has long been constrained by several inherent limitations, including high sensitivity to molecular oxygen, the challenges in the in vitro reconstitution and maturation of their catalytic centers, and the inefficiency and instability of the natural electron transfer pathways. To overcome these limitations and enhance the catalytic performance of hydrogenases, researchers have developed various strategies, among which enzyme molecular engineering, photo-driven modification, and enzyme immobilization techniques are the most common exploration directions. Particularly, enzyme immobilization technology is widely used to improve the reusability of hydrogenases, but traditional immobilization methods often come with disadvantages in practical applications, such as complex multi-step procedures and insufficient biocompatibility of the immobilization materials. In recent years, bioencapsulation technology has emerged as a promising alternative strategy to enhance the catalytic performance of hydrogenases. This method utilizes biologically derived encapsulation materials to construct physically confined and precisely defined chemical microenvironments around the enzyme molecules, offering simpler self-assembly processes and superior biocompatibility. With these biomimetic constructs, bioencapsulation technology not only provides better oxygen tolerance but also helps to create a local microenvironment conducive to sustained catalytic function. This article systematically reviews the latest research progress of two main bioencapsulation strategies for hydrogenases: one is the encapsulation technology based on protein-based nanocages; the other is the engineering strategy for whole-cell hydrogenase expression. In the nanocage-based systems, this article focuses on the structural and functional characteristics of virus-like capsids and carboxysome protein shells, which serve as efficient enzyme encapsulation scaffolds, not only providing a stable physical barrier to prevent oxygen diffusion but also enabling high-density enzyme loading, thereby promoting substrate channeling effects and electron transfer kinetics. This article also discusses whole-cell encapsulation systems, which achieve hydrogenase compartmentalization within engineered cellular structures or by using external natural polysaccharide-based encapsulation matrices to wrap whole-cell catalysts. Bioencapsulation strategies can bring multiple synergistic benefits: they can effectively protect hydrogenases from oxygen-mediated inactivation, significantly delay the decline of catalytic activity over time, and enhance the hydrogen production rate by increasing the local concentration of active enzyme molecules and optimizing the electron transfer efficiency from redox partners to the catalytic center.Despite the significant progress made, several technical challenges remain to be addressed. The main obstacles include limited enzyme loading and encapsulation efficiency, insufficient long-term stability of encapsulation materials under operating conditions, and the need to improve the matching of the photo-biological interface in systems integrating light-harvesting components with enzymatic catalysis. Future efforts can focus on the integration of multiple technological approaches, such as using computer-aided protein design to optimize encapsulation structures, developing engineered electron transfer pathways to enhance catalytic conversion efficiency, and designing composite multifunctional materials with both structural stability and functional adaptability. These directions collectively aim to achieve efficient, stable, and scalable hydrogen production applications of bioencapsulated hydrogenase systems.
3.Teprotumumab combined with glucocorticoid pulse therapy for thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy
Yuan LIU ; Qian YANG ; Juan DU ; Hu CHANG ; Ge GAO
International Eye Science 2026;26(7):1264-1269
AIM: To explore the clinical therapeutic effect of teprotumumab combined with glucocorticoid pulse therapy for thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy(TAO), and its impacts on thyroid function, levels of inflammatory factors, and adverse reactions in patients. METHODS: Active TAO patients admitted to the Ophthalmology Department were enrolled and randomly divide into the steroid group and the combined group. Then the steroid group was treated with glucocorticoid pulse therapy, while the combined group was combined with intravenous infusion of teprotumumab on the basis of the steroid group. The clinical therapeutic effect, the CAS, OSDI, M-C-TAO-QOL scores, ocular sign indicators(fissure width, proptosis), levels of inflammatory factors(TNF-α, CRP, IL-17), thyroid function(TSH, FT3, FT4)before and after treatment, and occurrence of adverse reactions were compared between two groups.RESULTS:Totally 96 TAO patients(192 eyes)were included, with 48 cases(96 eyes)in each group. In the combined group, there were 17 males and 31 females, with an average age of 51.85±3.53 y; in the steroid group, there were 14 males and 34 females, with an average age of 51.26±3.84 y. The total effective rate of the combined group(94%)was higher than that of the steroid group(79%)(P<0.05). After treatment, the CAS score, OSDI score, fissure width, proptosis, levels of TNF-α, CRP, and IL-17 in the combined group were all lower than those in the steroid group, and the M-C-TAO-QOL score was higher than that in the steroid group(P<0.05). However, there was no difference in thyroid function indicators and adverse reactions between two groups after treatment(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The combination of teprotumumab and glucocorticoid pulse therapy for TAO has a prominent therapeutic effect. Meantime, it can more effectively control ocular inflammation, improve ocular signs and quality of life of patients, and has no obvious adverse effect on thyroid function, with controllable safety.
4.Clinical characteristics and short-term prognosis of acute myocardial infarction following cardiac surgery
Tingting YANG ; Yunqing SHI ; Beijian ZHANG ; Juying QIAN ; Shufu CHANG ; Junbo GE
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(3):486-492
Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and short-term prognosis of postoperative acute myocardial infarction (PAMI) after cardiac surgery. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 45 PAMI patients who underwent coronary angiography after cardiac surgery at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, from February 2015 to February 2025. General information, type of surgery, onset time and causes of PAMI, and in-hospital recovery condition were collected. Univariate logistic regression was used to analyze factors related to in-hospital survival. Results The patients’ age was (62.40±11.72) years, 31 cases (68.89%) were male, 21 cases (46.67%) had hypertension. Twenty-six patients (57.78%) underwent cardiac valve surgery, and 16 patients (35.56%) received coronary artery bypass grafting. The onset time of PAMI was 24 (0, 48) hours, with 38 cases (84.44%) developing within 48 hours after surgery. Twenty-eight patients (62.22%) presented with new lesions in coronary arteries/bypass grafts, and 20 patients (44.44%) were considered to have thrombus-induced PAMI. Nine patients died in hospital, 13 patients failed to recover and were discharged automatically, and 23 patients were discharged after recovery. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that new lesion in coronary arteries/bypass grafts was risk factor for in-hospital survival (OR=0.235, P=0.036). Conclusions PAMI frequently occurs within 48 hours post-cardiac surgery, and thrombosis is the most common cause of PAMI. New lesions in coronary arteries/bypass grafts are closely correlated with poor short-term prognosis.
5.Improvement effect and mechanism of modified Jinfeicao powder on cough-variant asthma in rats
China Pharmacy 2026;37(17):2272-2278
OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effect and mechanism of modified Jinfeicao powder (MJCP) on cough-variant asthma (CVA) in rats.METHODS Network pharmacology was employed to identify the key targets and signaling pathways involved in the therapeutic action of MJCP against CVA. Rats were divided into normal control group, model group, positive control group (prednisone acetate, 0.9 mg/kg), and MJCP low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (3.5, 7, 14 g/kg), with six rats in each group. Except for the normal control group, CVA models were established in other groups. From day 14 of the experiment, rats in each group were administered corresponding drugs or normal saline intragastrically once daily for 14 consecutive days. After the final administration, cough frequency, serum levels of immune-inflammatory and oxidative stress-related indicators, pulmonary histopathological changes, and expression of pathway-related proteins were detected and observed.RESULTS Network pharmacology identified five key targets, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6(IL-6), and protein kinase B(AKT), as well as signaling pathways such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Animal experimental results showed that, compared with the model group, cough frequency was significantly reduced in all treatment groups ( P <0.05). Serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), IL-6, TNF-α, Src family of protein tyrosine kinase, epidermal growth factor receptor, and malondialdehyde (MDA) (except for IgE and MDA in the MJCP low-dose group), mean pathological scores, the ratio of total airway wall area to basement membrane perimeter, and the expression levels of α -smooth muscle actin, Collagen-Ⅰ, phosphorylated PI3K, phosphorylated AKT (except in the MJCP low-dose group), phosphorylated mTOR, and HIF-1α protein in lung tissues were all significantly decreased ( P <0.05). Glutathione (except in the MJCP low-dose group) and superoxide dismutase levels in serum were significantly increased( P <0.05).CONCLUSIONS MJCP may alleviate airway inflammation, airway remodeling, and oxidative stress by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and HIF-1α signaling pathways, thereby exerting its improvement effects on CVA.
6.Serum β2-MG, sCHE, and PSGL-1 Expression in Patients with Esophageal Cancer and Their Association with Postoperative Lung Infection After Mediastinoscopy
Yu FENG ; Rulin QIAN ; Dong CUI ; Chaoying CHANG ; Maolin CHEN
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(1):68-73
Objective To investigate serum β2-MG, sCHE, and PSGL-1 expression in patients with esophageal cancer and their relationship to lung infection after mediastinoscopy. Methods A total of 118 patients with esophageal cancer were selected and divided into infected and uninfected groups according to whether they developed lung infection after surgery. An automatic microbiological identification system was used to detect the pathogenic bacteria of lung infection. ELISA was used to detect the levels of β2-MG, sCHE, and PSGL-1. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of postoperative lung infection in patients with esophageal cancer. ROC curves were plotted to analyze the assessment value of serum β2-MG, sCHE, and PSGL-1 on postoperative lung infection. Results Fifty-two strains of bacteria were isolated from the sputum of 38 patients with postoperative lung infections, and these included 35 (67.31%) Gram-negative, 14 (26.92%) Gram-positive, and 3 (5.77%) fungal strains. The difference in long-term smoking history between the infected and uninfected groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). Serum β2-MG and PSGL-1 levels were significantly higher and sCHE levels were significantly lower in the infected group than in the uninfected group (P<0.05). Serum β2-MG and PSGL-1 levels were sequentially higher (P<0.05) and sCHE levels were sequentially lower (P<0.05) in the mild, moderate, and severe lung infection groups. Long-term smoking history, β2-MG, and PSGL-1 were risk factors affecting postoperative lung infection in patients with esophageal cancer (P<0.05), and sCHE was a protective factor (P<0.05). The AUCs of serum β2-MG, sCHE, and PSGL-1 for assessing postoperative lung infections were 0.807, 0.845, and 0.800, respectively, and the AUC of the three combined factors for assessing postoperative lung infections was 0.954, which was superior to that assessed individually (Zcombination vs. β2-MG=2.576, Zcombination vs. sCHE=2.623, Zcombination vs. PSGL-1=2.574, all P<0.05). Conclusion The serum levels of β2-MG and PSGL-1 increase and the sCHE level decreases in patients with esophageal cancer and postoperative pulmonary infection, which are also related with lung infection. Combined testing can improve the evaluation value of postoperative pulmonary infection in patients.
7.Emergency medical response strategy for the 2025 Dingri, Tibet Earthquake
Chenggong HU ; Xiaoyang DONG ; Hai HU ; Hui YAN ; Yaowen JIANG ; Qian HE ; Chang ZOU ; Si ZHANG ; Wei DONG ; Yan LIU ; Huanhuan ZHONG ; Ji DE ; Duoji MIMA ; Jin YANG ; Qiongda DAWA ; Lü ; JI ; La ZHA ; Qiongda JIBA ; Lunxu LIU ; Lei CHEN ; Dong WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(04):421-426
This paper systematically summarizes the practical experience of the 2025 Dingri earthquake emergency medical rescue in Tibet. It analyzes the requirements for earthquake medical rescue under conditions of high-altitude hypoxia, low temperature, and low air pressure. The paper provides a detailed discussion on the strategic layout of earthquake medical rescue at the national level, local government level, and through social participation. It covers the construction of rescue organizational systems, technical systems, material support systems, and information systems. The importance of building rescue teams is emphasized. In high-altitude and cold conditions, rapid response, scientific decision-making, and multi-party collaboration are identified as key elements to enhance rescue efficiency. By optimizing rescue organizational structures, strengthening the development of new equipment, and promoting telemedicine technologies, the precision and effectiveness of medical rescue can be significantly improved, providing important references for future similar disaster rescues.
8.Neuropsychological development status and risk factors in small for gestational age infants at corrected ages 12-24 months.
Ran TAN ; Li-Ya MA ; Chang LIU ; Qian LYU ; Bi-Lan DING ; Wan-Xiang XIAO
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(11):1339-1345
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the status and risk factors of neuropsychological development in small for gestational age (SGA) infants at corrected 12-24 months of age.
METHODS:
Clinical data were retrospectively collected for 754 SGA infants at corrected ages 12-24 months in Shenzhen Bao'an Women and Children's Hospital between April 2018 and December 2023. Developmental quotient (DQ) levels were analyzed. According to the presence of global developmental delay (GDD), participants were divided into a GDD group (71 cases) and a control group (683 cases), and the incidence and influencing factors of GDD were investigated.
RESULTS:
In the high-risk preterm SGA group, the total DQ and DQ in all domains were lower than in the full-term SGA group (P<0.017). The overall incidence of GDD was 9.4% (71/754) and increased with decreasing gestational age (P<0.017). Compared with the control group, the GDD group had higher proportions of males; low-risk and high-risk preterm birth; mothers with less than a bachelor's degree; multiple birth; neonatal hypoglycemia; neonatal pneumonia; neonatal respiratory distress syndrome; bronchopulmonary dysplasia; and, at corrected 12-24 months, low body weight, growth retardation, and microcephaly. The length of neonatal hospital stay was longer in the GDD group than in the control group (P<0.05). The weight-for-age Z score, length-for-age Z score, and head circumference-for-age Z score at birth and at corrected 12-24 months were lower in the GDD group than in the control group (P<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression showed that male sex and maternal education below a bachelor's degree were independent risk factors for GDD in SGA infants (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Neuropsychological development in preterm SGA infants is comparatively delayed; male SGA infants born to mothers with less than a bachelor's degree should receive priority attention.
Humans
;
Female
;
Male
;
Infant, Small for Gestational Age/psychology*
;
Risk Factors
;
Infant
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Child Development
;
Developmental Disabilities/epidemiology*
;
Infant, Newborn
;
Child, Preschool
9.Prognostic value of quantitative flow ratio measured immediately after percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion.
Zheng QIAO ; Zhang-Yu LIN ; Qian-Qian LIU ; Rui ZHANG ; Chang-Dong GUAN ; Sheng YUAN ; Tong-Qiang ZOU ; Xiao-Hui BIAN ; Li-Hua XIE ; Cheng-Gang ZHU ; Hao-Yu WANG ; Guo-Feng GAO ; Ke-Fei DOU
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 2025;22(4):433-442
BACKGROUND:
The clinical impact of post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) quantitative flow ratio (QFR) in patients treated with PCI for chronic total occlusion (CTO) was still undetermined.
METHODS:
All CTO vessels treated with successful anatomical PCI in patients from PANDA III trial were retrospectively measured for post-PCI QFR. The primary outcome was 2-year vessel-oriented composite endpoints (VOCEs, composite of target vessel-related cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction, and ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization). Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis was conducted to identify optimal cutoff value of post-PCI QFR for predicting the 2-year VOCEs, and all vessels were stratified by this optimal cutoff value. Cox proportional hazards models were employed to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CI.
RESULTS:
Among 428 CTO vessels treated with PCI, 353 vessels (82.5%) were analyzable for post-PCI QFR. 31 VOCEs (8.7%) occurred at 2 years. Mean value of post-PCI QFR was 0.92 ± 0.13. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis shown the optimal cutoff value of post-PCI QFR for predicting 2-year VOCEs was 0.91. The incidence of 2-year VOCEs in the vessel with post-PCI QFR < 0.91 (n = 91) was significantly higher compared with the vessels with post-PCI QFR ≥ 0.91 (n = 262) (22.0% vs. 4.2%, HR = 4.98, 95% CI: 2.32-10.70).
CONCLUSIONS
Higher post-PCI QFR values were associated with improved prognosis in the PCI practice for coronary CTO. Achieving functionally optimal PCI results (post-PCI QFR value ≥ 0.91) tends to get better prognosis for patients with CTO lesions.
10.Sini Powder Alleviates Stress Response and Suppresses Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development by Restoring Gut Microbiota.
Si MEI ; Zhe DENG ; Fan-Ying MENG ; Qian-Qian GUO ; He-Yun TAO ; Lin ZHANG ; Chang XI ; Qing ZHOU ; Xue-Fei TIAN
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(9):802-811
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the underlying pharmacological mechanisms and its potential effects of Chinese medicine herbal formula Sini Powder (SNP) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
METHODS:
The active components of SNP and their in vivo distribution were identified using ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Construction of component-target-disease networks, protein-protein interaction network, Gene Ontology function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis, and molecular docking were employed to analyze the active components and anti-HCC mechanisms of SNP. Cell viability assay and wound healing assay were utilized to confirm the effect of SNP-containing serum (2.5%, 5.0%, 10%, 20%, and 40%), isoprenaline or propranolol (both 10, 100, and 1,000 µ mol/L) on proliferation and migration of HepG 2 or Huh7 cells. Meanwhile, the effect of isoprenaline or propranolol on the β 2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) mRNA expression on HepG2 cells were measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription (RT-qPCR). Mice with subcutaneous tumors were either subjected to chronic restraint stress (CRS) followed by SNP administration (364 mg/mL) or directly treated with SNP (364 mg/mL). These two parallel experiments were performed to validate the effects of SNP on stress responses. Stress-related proteins and hormones were quantified using RT-qPCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry. Metagenomic sequencing was performed to confirm the influence of SNP on the gut microbiota in the tumor-bearing CRS mice.
RESULTS:
The distribution of the 12 active components of SNP was confirmed in various tissues and feces. Network pharmacology analysis confirmed the anti-HCC effects of the 5 active components. The potential anti-HCC mechanisms of SNP may involve the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src (SRC) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathways. SNP-containing serum inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 and Huh7 cells at concentrations of 2.5% and 5.0%, respectively, after 24 h of treatment. Furthermore, SNP suppressed tumor progression in tumor-bearing mice exposed to CRS. SNP treatment also downregulated the expressions of stress-related proteins and pro-inflammatory cytokines, primarily by modulating the gut microbiota. Specifically, the abundance of Alistipes and Prevotella, which belong to the phylum Bacteroidetes, increased in the SNP-treated group, whereas Lachnospira, in the phylum Firmicutes, decreased.
CONCLUSION
SNP can combat HCC by alleviating stress responses through the regulation of gut microbiota.
Animals
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
;
Liver Neoplasms/microbiology*
;
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/microbiology*
;
Humans
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Powders
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Mice
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Hep G2 Cells
;
Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2/genetics*
;
Stress, Physiological/drug effects*
;
Cell Movement/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects*
;
Cell Survival/drug effects*
;
Proto-Oncogene Mas

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