ObjectiveAt present, the most commonly used photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy are still chemical photosensitizers, such as porphyrin and methylene blue, in order to specifically target cellular tissues, and thus poison cells, chemical photosensitizers need to use antibody conjugation or a transgenically encoded tag with affinity for the modified photosensitizing ligand, e.g. FlAsH, ReAsh or Halo Tag. Gene-encoded photosensitizers can directly poison cells by targeting specific cell compartments or organelles. However, currently developed gene-encoded photosensitizers have low reactive oxygen species production and low cytotoxicity, so it is necessary to continue to develop and obtain photosensitizers with higher reactive oxygen species production for the treatment of microbial infections and tumors. MethodsIn this study, we developed a photosensitizer LovPSO2 based on the light-oxygen-voltage (LOV) structural domain of phototropin-1B-like from Oryza sativa japonica. LovPSO2 was expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) and purified to obtain protein samples, the purified protein samples were added 3 µmol/L singlet oxygen probe of SOSG and 5 µmol/L superoxide anion probe of DHE after fixed to A₄₄₅=0.063±0.003, respectively, then measured every 2 min of singlet oxygen production for 10 min and every 1 min of superoxide anion production for 5 min under blue light irradiation at 445 nm, 70 µmol·m^-2·s^-1. ResultsThe results showed that LovPSO2 could produce a large amount of singlet oxygen under blue light irradiation at 445 nm, 70 µmol·m^-2·s^-1, and its singlet oxygen quantum yield was 0.61, but its superoxide anion yield was low, so in order to improve the superoxide anion yield of LovPSO2, a mutant with a relatively high superoxide anion yield was obtained by further development and design on its basis LovPRO2. The stability of proteins is crucial for research in drug development and drug delivery, among others. Temperature and light are the key factors affecting the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by photosensitive proteins and their stability, while the temperature in cell culture and mammals in vivo is about 37°C, and the temperature inside tumor cells is about 42-45°C. Therefore, we further analyzed the photostability of miniSOG, SOPP3, LovPSO2, and LovPRO2 and their thermostability at 37℃ and 45℃. The analysis of proteins thermostability showed that LovPSO2 and LovPRO2 had better thermostability at 37℃ and 45℃, respectively. Analysis of the photostability of the proteins showed that LovPRO2 had better photostability. In addition, to further determine the phototoxic effects of photosensitizers, LovPSO2 and LovPRO2 were expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) and HeLa cells, respectively. The results showed that LovPSO2 and LovPRO2 had better phototoxicity to E. coli BL21(DE3) under blue light irradiation, and the cellular phototoxicity lethality was as high as 90% after 30 min of continuous light irradiation, but the phototoxicity was weaker in HeLa cells. The reason for this result may be that the intracellular environment exacerbated the photobleaching of FMN encapsulated by LovPSO2 and LovPRO2, respectively, which attenuated the damage of reactive oxygen species to animal cellular tissues, limiting its use as a mechanistic tool to study oxidative stress. ConclusionLovPSO2 and LovPRO2 can be used as antibacterial photosensitizers, which have broader application prospects in the food and medical fields.

Objective To describe and analyze the epidemiological characteristics of scrub typhus in Huai'an, Jiangsu Province from 2006 to 2024 and explore the long-term incidence trend and distribution of high-risk areas, and to formulate targeted prevention and control strategies. Methods The scrub typhus case report data of Huai'an from 2006 to 2024 in the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System were extracted for descriptive analysis. Results A total of 898 cases of scrub typhus were reported in Huai'an, with an average annual incidence rate of 0.96 per 100 000 from 2006 to 2024. There was a turning point in the incidence trend of scrub typhus in 2011. From 2006 to 2011, the annual percentage change (APC) was 47.09% (95% CI: 7.53 - 859.39), and the upward trend was statistically significant (P < 0.05). From 2012 to 2024, the APC was -2.12% (95% CI: -29.09 - 3.75), and the downward trend was not statistically significant. October and November were the high-incidence months, and the total concentration from 2006 to 2024 was 0.93, indicating that scrub typhus had strict seasonality. The circular distribution method estimated that the peak period of the epidemic was from October 11th to November 25th, and the peak day of incidence was November 3rd. Jinhu County was a high-incidence area. The ratio of male to female cases was 1.03. The age group with the highest reported incidence was 40 to < 80 years old. The occupation with the highest proportion was farmers, accounting for 78.03%. Conclusion From 2006 to 2024, scrub typhus in Huai'an shows a peak every 3 - 4 years. Middle-aged and elderly farmers are the key population at risk, and Jinhu County is a key area. In the future, targeted health education should be carried out to effectively control the prevalence of scrub typhus.

As a member of class I histone deacetylase (HDACs), HDAC8 is an important anticancer drug target. Based on our previously developed pharmacophore model for the HDAC8 inhibitor, we designed and synthesized 13 quinoline acid derivatives as new HDAC8 inhibitors. Among them, the compound SDFZ-E2 and SDFZ-E3 exhibited good HDAC8 inhibitory activities and isoform selectivity. In cell experiments, the target compounds SDFZ-E2 and SDFZ-E3 showed better antiproliferation activities than the known HDAC8 selective inhibitor PCI-34051. In addition, the proposed binding mode of SDFZ-E2 was investigated using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. This work is a new attempt to develop HDAC8 selective inhibitor using quinoline as the scaffold, and the active compounds could serve as lead compounds for further structural optimization.

Objective To investigate the hemodynamic effects of enhanced external counterpulsation(EECP)on cerebral arteries with different stenoses.Methods Zero-dimensional/three-dimensional multiscale hemodynamic models of cerebral arteries with different stenoses were constructed.Numerical simulations of the EECP hemodynamics were performed under different counterpulsation modes to quantify several hemodynamic indicators of the cerebral arteries.Among them,the mean time-averaged wall shear stress(TAWSS)downstream of the stenosis was in the range of 4-7 Pa,a low percentage of TAWSS risk area,and high narrow branch flow were considered to inhibit the development of atherosclerosis and create a good hemodynamic environment.Results For cerebral arteries with 50%,60%,70%,and 80%stenosis,the hemodynamic environment was optimal in counterpulsation mode when the moment of cuff deflation was 0.5,0.6,0.7,and 0.7 s within the cardiac cycle.Conclusions For 50%stenotic cerebral arteries,the counterpulsation mode with a deflation moment of 0.5 s should be selected.For 60%stenotic cerebral arteries,the counterpulsation mode with a deflation moment of 0.6 s should be selected.For 70%or 80%stenotic cerebral arteries,the counterpulsation mode with a deflation moment of 0.7 s should be selected.As stenosis of the cerebral arteries increases,the pressure duration should be prolonged.This study provides a theoretical reference for the EECP treatment strategy for patients with ischemic stroke with different stenoses.

Objective To observe the influence of nintedanib ethanesulfonate soft capsules combined with tetrandrine tablets on pulmonary function and dyspnea symptoms in patients with connective tissue disease-related pulmonary interstitial fibrosis.Methods Patients with connective tissue disease-related pulmonary interstitial fibrosis were divided into treatment group and control group by cohort method.The control group was given basic treatment such as glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants according to the patient's condition;the treatment group was given ethanesulfonate nintedanib soft capsules(100 mg,bid)and tetrandrine tablets(40 mg,tid)on the basis of the control group,and the treatment course was 3 months.The clinical efficacy,severity of dyspnea[modified British Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale(mMRC)and St.George's Respiratory Questionnaire(SGRQ)],pulmonary function indicators,pulmonary fibrosis score,and blood gas analysis indicators were compared between the two groups,and the safety was assessed.Results A total of 42 cases were included in the treatment group and the control group,respectively.The total effective rates of the treatment group and the control group were 92.86％(39 cases/42 cases)and 76.19％(32 cases/42 cases)respectively(P＜0.05).After treatment,the mMRC scores of the treatment group and the control group were(1.43±0.27)and(1.69±0.31)points;the SGRQ scores were(46.51±4.39)and(51.08±4.76)points;the forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1)values were(64.96±6.55)％and(58.67±5.01)％;the fibrosis scores were(1.12±0.14)and(1.26±0.18)points;the partial pressure of arterial oxygen values were(80.31±7.03)and(75.02±6.94)mmHg.The above indexes of the treatment group were compared with those of the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).There were no adverse drug reactions in the treatment group,and the main adverse drug reactions in the control group were gastrointestinal discomfort.The total incidence rates of adverse drug reactions in the treatment group and the control group were 0 and 2.38％,respectively(P＞0.05).Conclusion Compared with basic treatment,nintedanib ethanesulfonate soft capsules combined with tetrandrine tablets can better improve the pulmonary fibrosis degree and dyspnea degree in patients with connective tissue disease-related pulmonary interstitial fibrosis,and delay the decline of pulmonary function of patients.

Objective To campare biomechanical effects of different postural compression techniques on three-dimensional model of lumbar disc herniation(LDH)by finite element analysis.Methods Lumbar CT image of a 48-year-old female patient with LDH(heighted 163 cm,weighted 53 kg)was collected.Mimics 20.0,Geomagic Studio,Solidwords and other software were used to establish three-dimensional finite element model of LDH on L4,5 segments.Compression techniques under horizon-tal position,30° forward bending and 10° backward extension were simulated respectively.After applying the pressure,the ef-fects of compression techniques under different positions on stress,strain and displacement of various tissues of intervertebral disc and nerve root were observed.Results L4,5 segment finite element model was successfully established,and the model was validated.When compression manipulation was performed on the horizontal position,30° flexion and 10° extension,the annular stress were 0.732,5.929,1.286 MPa,the nucleus pulposus stress were 0.190,1.527,0.295 MPa,and the annular strain were 0.097,0.922 and 0.424,the strain sizes of nucleus pulposus were 0.153,1.222 and 0.282,respectively.The overall displace-ment distance of intervertebral disc on Y direction were-3.707,-18.990,-4.171 mm,and displacement distance of nerve root on Y direction were+7.836,+5.341,+3.859 mm,respectively.The relative displacement distances of nerve root and interverte-bral disc on Y direction were 11.543,24.331 and 8.030 mm,respectively.Conclusion Compression manipulation could make herniated intervertebral disc produce contraction and retraction trend,by increasing the distance between herniated interverte-bral disc and nerve root,to reduce symptoms of nerve compression,to achieve purpose of treatment for patients with LDH,in which the compression manipulation is more effective when the forward flexion is 30°.

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a serious disease commonly encountered in the emergency department and can precipitate systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome with high morbidity and mortality. However, its etiology and pathogenesis are complex and have not been fully elucidated. Clinical studies can provide some data on the etiology, pathophysiology, and outcome associated with the disease. However, research on SAP cannot be carried out in humans directly for ethical considerations. It is very important to establish an appropriate animal model of SAP to elucidate its pathogenesis and seek innovative therapeutic methods. In this paper, we reviewed the latest research progress at home and abroad in animal models of SAP over the past several years.

Objective:To investigate the causal correlation between depression and stress urinary incontinence(SUI)using Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis.Methods:We searched the FinnGen Consortium database for genome-wide association studies(GWAS)on depression and obtained 23 424 case samples and 192 220 control samples,with the GWAS data on SUI provided by the UK Biobank,including 4 340 case samples and 458 670 control samples.We investigated the correlation between depression and SUI based on the depression data collected from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium(PGC).We employed inverse-variance weighting as the main method for the MR study,and performed sensitivity analysis to verify the accuracy and stability of the findings.Results:Analysis of the data from the UK Biobank and FinnGen Consortium showed that depression was significantly correlated with an increased risk of SUI(P=0.005),but not SUI with the risk of depression(P=0.927).And analysis of the PGC data verified the correlation of depression with the increased risk of SUI(P=0.043).Conclusion:Depression is associated with an increased risk of SUI,while SUI does not increase the risk of depression.

As a key epigenetic regulator, histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a crucial role in cancer development. Small molecule HDAC inhibitors have been shown to inhibit tumor proliferation and induce apoptosis, attracting significant research attention. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of novel saccharin derivatives as HDAC inhibitors. Biological experiments demonstrated that the target compound 9a exhibited superior HDACs inhibition activity to vorinostat and demonstrating promising in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activity against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). All animal experiments in this study were performed in strict accordance with the protocols approved by the Ethical Committee of School of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Shandong University (Approval No. 230094). This work represents an initial exploration of developing saccharin-based HDAC inhibitors, and the active compound 9a could serve as a lead compound for further study.

CRISPR/Cas(the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR associated)system exists in most bacteria and all archaea. It is an important strategy for bacteria and archaea to resist foreign nucleic acid invasion and use for self-defense. The CRISPR/Cas system is a simple, fast, and specific diagnostic tool, which is widely used in agriculture, industry, animal husbandry, and medicine. This article mainly introduces and discusses recently advantages and limitations of biosensors combining CRISPR/Cas system with fluorescence, visualization and surface enhanced raman related technologies, as well as future research directions.
Animals ; CRISPR-Cas Systems ; Bacteria/genetics* ; Archaea