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.Deep eutectic solvents-based extraction of organic acids from Angelica sinensis:process optimization and mechanistic insights
Liyuan CHEN ; Zhisong CHEN ; Jiafen QIAN ; Xinli CHEN ; Weiyu CHANG ; Hui WU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(22):2783-2789
OBJECTIVE To optimize the extraction process of organic acids from Angelica sinensis using deep eutectic solvents (DESs), and conduct characterization, antioxidant activity evaluation, and extraction mechanism analysis. METHODS The conductor-like screening model for realistic solvation with segment activity coefficients (COSMO-SAC) was employed to screen the types of DESs. With total organic acid content as the response value, single-factor experiments and Box-Behnken response-surface methodology were used to optimize the extraction conditions. Using A. sinensis decoction pieces and/or A. sinensis methanol extract as references, scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) were applied to characterize the products. Additionally, the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6- sulfonic acid) (ABTS) free radical scavenging capacities were determined. Density functional theory (DFT) was used to analyze the extraction mechanism of ferulic acid and chlorogenic acid by the DESs. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS The optimal DESs was choline chloride-propanediol. The optimal extraction conditions for organic acids from A. sinensis were as follows: choline chloride- propanediol molar ratio of 1∶1, DESs water content of 70%, solid-liquid ratio of 1∶10, heating temperature of 57 ℃, and heating and stirring time of 8 min. In three validation experiments, the total organic acid content was 2.92 mg/g, yielding a relative error of 0.34% compared to the predicted value (2.91 mg/g). Compared with A. sinensis decoction pieces and methanol extracts, the agglomerated structure of the DESs extract powder almost disappeared, showing the presence of lamellar structures similar to those of the intestinal wall. Compared with the methanol extract, the DES extract exhibited higher FTIR characteristic peak intensity and peak area integration, as well as stronger scavenging capacities against DPPH and ABTS free radicals. The extraction of organic acids from A. sinensis by DESs is the result of the combined effects of polarity matching, hydrogen bonding, and structural adaptation.
7.Effect of lidocaine medicated plaster combined with pregabalin on patients with postherpetic neuralgia and the impact on serum pain mediators
Xiaodan WANG ; Wenjie LIU ; Chang SONG ; Wenxing DONG ; Qian ZHAO ; Xiaolong MA
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(11):572-576
Objective To investigate the effect of lidocaine medicated plaster (LMP) combined with pregabalin (PGB) on patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), and the impact on serum pain mediators. Methods 108 PHN patients admitted in our hospital from January 2024 to December 2024 were selected and grouped according to the time point of receiving treatment, 54 PHN patients treated with PGB from January 2024 to June 2024 were included in the PGB group, and 54 PHN patients treated with LMP on top of the PGB group from July 2024 to December 2024 were included in the PGB+LMP group. Comparisons were made between the two groups in terms of pain score, serum pain mediator levels, dosage of PGB, and incidence of adverse reactions. Results After 4 weeks of treatment, both groups showed a decrease in Pain Rating Index scores (sensory score and affective score), Present Pain Intensity score, Visual Analog Scale score, and total score. Meanwhile, above scores of the PGB+LMP group were lower than those of the PGB group (P<0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the levels of substance P(SP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in both groups were lower than those before treatment, while serum 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels were higher than those before treatment. Moreover, the levels of SP and NPY were lower, and 5-HT level was higher in the PGB+LMP group than in the PGB group (P<0.05). The dosages of PGB in the PGB+LMP group at T1, T, T3 and T4 were significantly lower than those in the PGB group (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions was 1.85%(1/54) in the PGB+LMP group. Compared to 5.56%(3/54) in the PGB group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion LMP combined with PGB was effective in the treatment of patients with PHN, which could effectively alleviate pain and lower the levels of serum pain mediators, with good safety.
8.Impact of Morning-Evening Supplementing Therapy on Pulmonary Function and Recurrence Rate in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease of Lung-Kidney Deficiency Type
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(8):1882-1889
Objective To evaluate the effects of morning-evening supplementing therapy,a therapy by tonification according to the alteration of daily yang-qi in the human body and the nature proposed by practitioner XUE Ji in Ming Dynasty,on the pulmonary function and recurrence rate in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)of lung-kidney deficiency type.Methods Ninety stable COPD patients with lung-kidney deficiency syndrome treated at Chongqing Hospital of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from January 2023 to August 2023 were equally randomized into two groups using a random number table,45 cases in the control group and 45 cases in the treatment group.Both groups received Fluticasone Furoate,Umeclidinium Bromide and Vilanterol Trifenatate Powder for Inhalation alone,and the treatment group received additional morning-evening supplementing therapy by using Buzhong Yiqi Pills in the morning and Liuwei Dihuang Pills in the evening.The treatment for the two groups covered 3 months.Before and after treatment,changes in the outcomes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,COPD Assessment Test(CAT)scores,serum magnesium ion(Mg2?)level,and pulmonary function parameters[percentage of the forced expiratory volume in one second to the predicted volume(FEV1%),percentage of maximum voluntary ventilation to the predicted volume(MVV%),and peak expiratory flow(PEF)]in the two groups were observed.After treatment,clinical efficacy was evaluated,and the frequency of acute exacerbation and hospitalization within one-year follow-up was compared in the two groups.Results(1)There were 6 patients falling off during the trial,and 84 cases were eventually included,with 41 cases in the treatment group and 43 cases in the control group.(2)After 3 months of treatment,the total effective rate of the treatment group was 85.37%(35/41),and that of the control group was 69.77%(30/43).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the treatment group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P<0.01).(3)After treatment,TCM syndrome scores and CAT scores in the two groups were lower than those before treatment(P<0.01),and the decrease in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(4)After treatment,pulmonary function parameters of FEV1%,MVV%and PEF in the two groups were improved when compared with those before treatment(P<0.01),and the improvement in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(5)After treatment,the serum Mg2+level of the two groups was higher than that before treatment(P<0.01),and the increase in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(6)The one-year follow-up after treatment showed that the frequency of acute exacerbation and hospitalization in the treatment group was decreased compared to that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Fluticasone Furoate,Umeclidinium Bromide and Vilanterol Trifenatate Powder for Inhalation combined with morning-evening supplementing therapy significantly improves clinical symptoms and pulmonary function,and reduces acute exacerbations and hospitalizations in patients with stable COPD of lung-kidney deficiency type.
9.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.
10.Investigation of Effect of Different Drying Conditions on Appearance Characteristics and Internal Indicators of Pinelliae Rhizoma Based on Standardization
Suqing LIU ; Xueli ZHANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Cong YANG ; Changfu YANG ; Jun YU ; Bingpeng ZHENG ; Huiwu LI ; Yanhua JIANG ; Chang LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):208-215
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of different drying conditions on the appearance and intrinsic quality indicators of Pinelliae Rhizoma for screening suitable drying conditions, so as to provide reference for its standardized production and quality evaluation. MethodsDifferent dried samples of Pinelliae Rhizoma were prepared by lime-assisted sweating method and intermittent drying method. Visual analysis was employed to measure the color brightness values(L*) of the surface, cross-section and powder of the samples, texture analyzer was used to determine the hardness of the samples under different drying conditions. The total starch content was calculated by measuring the contents of amylose and amylopectin in the samples with ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was used to determine the contents of seven nucleoside components(uracil, hypoxanthine, uridine, inosine, guanosine, β-thymidine and adenosine) in the samples. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to explore the correlation between the external characteristics and intrinsic indicators of the different dried samples. Principal component analysis(PCA) was used to comprehensively rank the data of various indicators, and partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) was used to screen differential components with variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1. Furthermore, the difference between the optimal drying condition for Pinelliae Rhizoma and the traditional sun-drying method was explored by independent samples t-test. ResultsWith the increase of temperature, the color of the intermittently dried samples gradually deepened, while their hardness gradually decreased. Concurrently, the contents of extract, total starch, uridine and adenosine exhibited an upward trend, whereas the contents of uracil, hypoxanthine and inosine displayed a downward trajectory. Compared with the intermittent drying group, the content of extract in the samples subjected to lime-assisted sweating increased. With the increase of lime dose, the hardness and the total content of nucleoside components in the samples showed a downward trend, while the total starch content showed an upward trend. Correlation analysis showed that the comprehensive score of L* was negatively correlated with the contents of uracil, hypoxanthine and inosine, and positively correlated with the contents of uridine, guanosine and adenosine. Hardness was negatively correlated with adenosine content, and positively correlated with the contents of inosine, uracil and hypoxanthine. Through comprehensive consideration and comprehensive score of principal components, the method of 5% lime-mixed sweating for 6 days emerged as the top-ranking approach. Except for the extract, the results of independent samples t-test showed that there was no significant difference between the 5% lime-mixed sweating for 6 days and the traditional sun-drying in terms of other content indicators. ConclusionThe whiteness and firmness of Pinelliae Rhizoma exhibit significant correlations with its chemical composition, while uridine, uracil, guanosine, adenosine and inosine are the key constituents responsible for the quality difference of Pinelliae Rhizoma under different drying conditions. The lime-assisted sweating method optimized in this study can be proposed as a viable alternative to the traditional sun-drying method. This method not only ensures the quality of the medicinal material but also effectively reduces the drying time and prevents mold contamination, which provides a valuable reference for the standardization of drying conditions and the establishment of quality evaluation criteria for Pinelliae Rhizoma.

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