1.The Near-infrared II Emission of Gold Clusters and Their Applications in Biomedicine
Zhen-Hua LI ; Hui-Zhen MA ; Hao WANG ; Chang-Long LIU ; Xiao-Dong ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(8):2068-2086
Optical imaging is highly valued for its superior temporal and spatial resolution. This is particularly important in near-infrared II (NIR-II, 1 000-3 000 nm) imaging, which offers advantages such as reduced tissue absorption, minimal scattering, and low autofluorescence. These characteristics make NIR-II imaging especially suitable for deep tissue visualization, where high contrast and minimal background interference are critical for accurate diagnosis and monitoring. Currently, inorganic fluorescent probes—such as carbon nanotubes, rare earth nanoparticles, and quantum dots—offer high brightness and stability. However, they are hindered by ambiguous structures, larger sizes, and potential accumulation toxicity in vivo. In contrast, organic fluorescent probes, including small molecules and polymers, demonstrate higher biocompatibility but are limited by shorter emission wavelengths, lower quantum yields, and reduced stability. Recently, gold clusters have emerged as a promising class of nanomaterials with potential applications in biocatalysis, fluorescence sensing, biological imaging, and more. Water-soluble gold clusters are particularly attractive as fluorescent probes due to their remarkable optical properties, including strong photoluminescence, large Stokes shifts, and excellent photostability. Furthermore, their outstanding biocompatibility—attributed to good aqueous stability, ultra-small hydrodynamic size, and high renal clearance efficiency—makes them especially suitable for biomedical applications. Gold clusters hold significant potential for NIR-II fluorescence imaging. Atomic-precision gold clusters, typically composed of tens to hundreds of gold atoms and measuring only a few nanometers in diameter, possess well-defined three-dimensional structures and clear spatial coordination. This atomic-level precision enables fine-tuned structural regulation, further enhancing their fluorescence properties. Variations in cluster size, surface ligands, and alloying elements can result in distinct physicochemical characteristics. The incorporation of different atoms can modulate the atomic and electronic structures of gold clusters, while diverse ligands can influence surface polarity and steric hindrance. As such, strategies like alloying and ligand engineering are effective in enhancing both fluorescence and catalytic performance, thereby meeting a broader range of clinical needs. In recent years, gold clusters have attracted growing attention in the biomedical field. Their application in NIR-II imaging has led to significant progress in vascular, organ, and tumor imaging. The resulting high-resolution, high signal-to-noise imaging provides powerful tools for clinical diagnostics. Moreover, biologically active gold clusters can aid in drug delivery and disease diagnosis and treatment, offering new opportunities for clinical therapeutics. Despite the notable achievements in fundamental research and clinical translation, further studies are required to address challenges related to the standardized synthesis and complex metabolic behavior of gold clusters. Resolving these issues will help accelerate their clinical adoption and broaden their biomedical applications.
2.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.
3. Curcumin plays an anti-osteoporosis role by inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway to reduce oxidative stress damage to osteogenesis
Tian-Tian XU ; Hao-Ehun TIAN ; Xin-Min YANG ; Qi-Hua QI ; Dong-Hua LUO ; Chang-Gen WANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(1):46-54
Aim To investigate the mechanism of curcumin inhibition of oxidative stress on osteogenic differentiation and its dose-dependent anti-osteoporosis effect. Methods Cellular oxidative stress models were used, different concentrations of curcumin were added to determinethebone formation markers, and the potential signaling pathways involvedwere detected. Meanwhile, the mouse model of osteoporosis ( ovariecto- mized, 0VX) was used to confirm its effect against osteoporosis. Results In vitro experiments found that low concentrations of curcumin (1-10 μmol · L
4.Correlation between irritable bowel syndrome as well as its subtype and gallbladder stones
Guang-Xiang WANG ; Chang-Hao DONG ; Chao LI ; Rui XIAN ; Li-Hong CUI
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2024;49(2):159-164
Objective To analyze the correlation between irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)as well as its subtypes and gallbladder stone.Methods Collected the clinical data of 556 patients who were treated in Department of Gastroenterology of the Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2019 to March 2023.The patients were divided into IBS group(n=161)and non-IBS group(n=395).The subjects were investigated by questionnaire,physical examination and blood examination,and the data of gender,age,height,weight,blood pressure and blood biochemical indexes were obtained and compared between two groups.The relation between gallbladder stone and IBS were evaluated by logistic regression analysis.Results There were 90 cases of gallbladder stone in the total population,accounting for 16.2%,including 37 cases of gallbladder stone in IBS group(23.0%)and 53 cases in non-IBS group(13.4%).The prevalence rate of gallbladder stone in IBS group was significantly higher than that in non-IBS group(P<0.05).There were 6 cases of gallbladder muddy stones(3.7%)in IBS group and 3 cases(0.8%)in non-IBS group.And the prevalence rate of gallbladder muddy stones in IBS group was also significantly higher than that in non-IBS group(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that the age,BMI,total bile acids(TBA),total cholesterol(TC)and combined IBS were independently related to the occurrence of gallbladder stone(P<0.05).In the 161 IBS patients,there were 114 cases of diarrhea-predominant IBS(IBS-D group),including 26 cases(22.8%)of gallbladder stone in IBS-diarrhea(IBS-D,n=114)group and 47 cases of constipation-predominant IBS(IBS-C group),including 11 cases(23.4%)of gallbladder stone.And there were 53 cases(13.4%)of gallbladder stone in the non-IBS group(n=395).Further analysis showed that the prevalence rate of gallbladder stone in IBS-D group was significantly higher than that in non-IBS group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in gallbladder stone prevalence rate between IBS-C group and non-IBS group(P>0.05).Conclusions There is a correlation between IBS and gallbladder stones.In addition,among the two subtypes of IBS,IBS-D patients may have an increased risk of gallbladder stone compared with non-IBS patients.
5.Development and Application of Detection Methods for Capture and Transcription Elongation Rate of Bacterial Nascent RNA
Yuan-Yuan LI ; Yu-Ting WANG ; Zi-Chun WU ; Hao-Xuan LI ; Ming-Yue FEI ; Dong-Chang SUN ; O. Claudio GUALERZI ; Attilio FABBRETTI ; Anna Maria GIULIODORI ; Hong-Xia MA ; Cheng-Guang HE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(9):2249-2260
ObjectiveDetection and quantification of RNA synthesis in cells is a widely used technique for monitoring cell viability, health, and metabolic rate.After exposure to environmental stimuli, both the internal reference gene and target gene would be degraded. As a result, it is imperative to consider the accurate capture of nascent RNA and the detection of transcriptional levels of RNA following environmental stimulation. This study aims to create a Click Chemistry method that utilizes its property to capture nascent RNA from total RNA that was stimulated by the environment. MethodsThe new RNA was labeled with 5-ethyluridine (5-EU) instead of uracil, and the azido-biotin medium ligand was connected to the magnetic sphere using a combination of “Click Chemistry” and magnetic bead screening. Then the new RNA was captured and the transcription rate of 16S rRNA was detected by fluorescence molecular beacon (M.B.) and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). ResultsThe bacterial nascent RNA captured by “Click Chemistry” screening can be used as a reverse transcription template to form cDNA. Combined with the fluorescent molecular beacon M.B.1, the synthesis rate of rRNA at 37℃ is 1.2 times higher than that at 15℃. The 16S rRNA gene and cspI gene can be detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR,it was found that the measured relative gene expression changes were significantly enhanced at 25℃ and 16℃ when analyzed with nascent RNA rather than total RNA, enabling accurate detection of RNA transcription rates. ConclusionCompared to other article reported experimental methods that utilize screening magnetic columns, the technical scheme employed in this study is more suitable for bacteria, and the operation steps are simple and easy to implement, making it an effective RNA capture method for researchers.
6.Analysis factors influencing left ventricular thrombus in patients with non-ischemic heart failure
Zhiyan WANG ; Hao ZHANG ; Wenjie LI ; Chang HUA ; Yangyang TANG ; Xinru LIU ; Yuling XIONG ; Qiang LYU ; Jianzeng DONG ; Xin DU
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2024;52(10):1155-1161
Objective:To explore the influencing factors of left ventricular thrombus (LVT) in patients with non-ischemic heart failure (NIHF) and to construct a nomogram prediction model for NIHF patients with LVT.Methods:This study was a case-control study. A total of 2 592 patients with NIHF hospitalized in Beijing Anzhen Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 2018 to July 2022 were selected. Fifty-one patients with LVT identified by echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance were classified into LVT group. One hundred and sixty patients were selected as the non-LVT group using a 1∶3 propensity score matching based on age and gender. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of LVT in patients with NIHF. A nomogram prediction model was constructed, and the area under (AUC) the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated to evaluate the predictive effect of the model.Results:A total of 211 patients were enrolled, with a median age of 40 years old and 160 males (76%). Compared with non-LVT group, LVT group had lower systolic blood pressure ((112±20) mmHg vs. (120±19) mmHg; 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; (27±12)% vs. (39±14)% ), lower proportion of patients with history of hypertension (28% (14/51) vs. 44% (70/160)) and atrial fibrillation (8% (4/51)vs.39% (62/160)), higher proportion of patients with New York Heart Association functional class Ⅲ to Ⅳ (class Ⅲ: 59% (30/51) vs. 41% (66/160); class Ⅳ: 28% (14/51) vs. 19% (31/160)), and larger left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD; (56±14) mm vs. (50±15) mm). The levels of hemoglobin ((152±23) g/L vs. (142±30) g/L), D-dimer (508 (300, 1 105) μg/L vs. 158 (68, 379) μg/L), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (3 429 (2 462, 4 734) ng/L vs. 1 288 (422, 2 544) ng/L) were higher in LVT group than in non-LVT group ( P all<0.05). LVT group had a higher proportion of patients using beta-blockers (92% (47/51) vs. 78% (124/160)), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers or angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors (88% (45/51) vs. 72% (115/160)), and anticoagulant drugs (98% (50/51) vs. 32% (51/160)) than non-LVT group (all P <0.05). Multivariate logistic regression showed that reduced LVEF ( OR=1.08, 95% CI 1.02-1.15, P=0.008), decreased LVESD ( OR=1.07, 95% CI 1.01-1.12, P=0.013), and increased D-dimer levels ( OR=5.40, 95% CI 1.98-14.74, P=0.001) were independent influencing factors for LVT in patients with NIHF. The ROC curve showed that the AUC of the nomogram for predicting LVT in patients with NIHF was 0.793 (95% CI 0.710-0.876, P<0.001). Conclusion:Reduced LVEF, decreased LVESD, and elevated D-dimer are associated with LVT in NIHF patients. The predictive model developed based on the above indicators has certain value in predicting LVT in NIHF patients.
7.Analysis of Acupoint Selection Rules of Effective Prescriptions for Acupuncture Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Rui ZHOU ; Yan-Juan ZHU ; Hao-Chuan MA ; Xue-Song CHANG ; Ya-Dong CHEN ; Yi-Han HE ; Hai-Bo ZHANG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(7):1827-1832
Objective To analyse the acupoint selection rules of acupuncture in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer,and to provide reference for clinical application.Methods The clinical research,practitioner's experience and academic thought of acupuncture treatment for non-small cell lung cancer were retrieved to obtain the acupuncture prescriptions of modern practitioners for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.Based on the statistical methods of acupoint frequency,prescription rules,acupoint clustering and core combination,the core theoretical system and acupoint selection rules of acupuncture treatment of non-small cell lung cancer by modern practitioner were analyzed.Results According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,94 acupuncture prescriptions were finally included.There were eight acupoints used more than 20 times,which were Zusanli(ST36),Neiguan(PC6),Feishu(BL13),Sanyinjiao(SP6),Qihai(RN6),Guanyuan(RN4),Hegu(LI4)and Zhongwan(RN12).The top three high-frequency acupoint combinations were Zusanli-Neiguan,Zusanli-Sanyinjiao and Qihai-Zusanli;correlation analysis showed that the correlation strength of Zusanli-Neiguan was the highest,followed by Zusanli-Sanyinjiao and Zusanli-Hegu.The cluster analysis showed that the acupoints with frequency>10 times could be divided into three categories.Category 1 includes:Zusanli,Neiguan,Sanyinjiao,Hegu;category 2 includes Guanyuan,Qihai,Zhongwan,Xuehai(SP10),Taichong(LR3);category 3 consists of two parts,one is Danzhong(RN17),Tiantu(RN22),Fenglong(ST40),Taiyuan(LU9);the second is Feishu(BL13),Lieque(LU7),Chize(LU5),Zhongfu(LU1),Xinshu(BL15),Gaohuang(BL43),Fengmen(BL12).Conclusion The core acupoints for acupuncture treatment of non-small cell lung cancer include four categories:① invigorating the spleen and benefiting qi:Zusanli,Sanyinjiao,Zhongwan and Fenglong;②replenishing and supplementing original qi:Guanyuan,Qihai and Gaohuang;③regulating qi and broadening the chest:Danzhong,Neiguan,Tiantu and Fengmen;④ diffusing the lung and ventilating qi:Feishu,Hegu,Chize and Lieque.The three treatment methods of replenishing qi,regulating qi and venting pathogen are the basis of acupuncture treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer.The core idea of acupuncture treatment of non-small cell lung cancer focuses on supplementation,supplemented by dredging,and to dredge and supplement simultaneously.
8.Investigation of Pharmacodynamic Components of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus in Treatment of Hyperlipidemia by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry and Targeted Network Pharmacology Combined with Molecular Docking
Yi-Kai WANG ; Jin-Xu DONG ; Yu-Tao BAI ; Rui WANG ; Xin HUANG ; Chang-Bao CHEN ; Hao YUE ; Tong LIU ; De-Hui YANG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(4):578-586
The main chemical components of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus and components in serum were analyzed and identified rapidly and precisely by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)technique in this study.The compounds were identified based on the relative molecular mass,fragmentation ions,and retention time of chromatographic peaks.A total of 36 kinds of chemical components were identified from Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus,including 28 kinds of saponins,3 kinds of amino acids,2 kinds of flavonoids,one kind of organosulfur compound,one kind of nucleoside,and one kind of hormone-lipid compound.In addition,8 kinds of compounds of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus were identified from the serum.Based on the intersection compounds of which detected in serum and screened out by TCMSP platform database,by using targeted network pharmacology and molecular docking technology,a"drug-component-target-pathway"association network was constructed.Naringenin,quercetin,macrostemonoside E and 25(R)-26-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-22-hydroxy-5β-furostan-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside were screened as the main active constituents of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.In addition,adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK),tumor necrosis factor(TNF),vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA)and matrix metallopeptidase 9(MMP9)were the key action targets for Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.Molecular docking was performed using the main pharmacodynamic components and key action targets.The results indicated that all the four active components showed strongly bound to AMPK.This suggested that the regulation of lipid metabolism might be the key mechanism of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus in antihyperlipidemic effect.This study provided a data reference for the research on the pharmacodynamic components of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus,and provided a basis for the improvement of quality standard of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus.
9. Treatment advice of small molecule antiviral drugs for elderly COVID-19
Min PAN ; Shuang CHANG ; Xiao-Xia FENG ; Guang-He FEI ; Jia-Bin LI ; Hua WANG ; Du-Juan XU ; Chang-Hui WANG ; Yan SUN ; Xiao-Yun FAN ; Tian-Jing ZHANG ; Wei WEI ; Ling-Ling ZHANG ; Jim LI ; Fei-Hu CHEN ; Xiao-Ming MENG ; Hong-Mei ZHAO ; Min DAI ; Yi XIANG ; Meng-Shu CAO ; Xiao-Yang CHEN ; Xian-Wei YE ; Xiao-Wen HU ; Ling JIANG ; Yong-Zhong WANG ; Hao LIU ; Hai-Tang XIE ; Ping FANG ; Zhen-Dong QIAN ; Chao TANG ; Gang YANG ; Xiao-Bao TENG ; Chao-Xia QIAN ; Guo-Zheng DING
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2023;39(3):425-430
COVID-19 has been prevalent for three years. The virulence of SARS-CoV-2 is weaken as it mutates continuously. However, elderly patients, especially those with underlying diseases, are still at high risk of developing severe infections. With the continuous study of the molecular structure and pathogenic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2, antiviral drugs for COVID-19 have been successively marketed, and these anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs can effectively reduce the severe rate and mortality of elderly patients. This article reviews the mechanism, clinical medication regimens, drug interactions and adverse reactions of five small molecule antiviral drugs currently approved for marketing in China, so as to provide advice for the clinical rational use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in the elderly.
10.Study on the application of model transfer technology in the extraction process of Xiao'er Xiaoji Zhike oral liquid
Xiu-hua XU ; Lei NIE ; Xiao-bo MA ; Xiao-qi ZHUANG ; Jin ZHANG ; Hai-ling DONG ; Wen-yan LIANG ; Hao-chen DU ; Xiao-mei YUAN ; Yong-xia GUAN ; Lian LI ; Hui ZHANG ; Xue-ping GUO ; Heng-chang ZANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2023;58(10):2900-2908
The modernization and development of traditional Chinese medicine has led to higher standards for the quality of traditional Chinese medicine products. The extraction process is a crucial component of traditional Chinese medicine production, and it directly impacts the final quality of the product. However, the currently relied upon methods for quality assurance of the extraction process, such as simple wet chemical analysis, have several limitations, including time consumption and labor intensity, and do not offer precise control of the extraction process. As a result, there is significant value in incorporating near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in the production process of traditional Chinese medicine to improve the quality control of the final products. In this study, we focused on the extraction process of Xiao'er Xiaoji Zhike oral liquid (XXZOL), using near-infrared spectra collected by both a Fourier transform near-infrared spectrometer and a portable near-infrared spectrometer. We used the concentration of synephrine, a quality control index component specified by the pharmacopoeia, to achieve rapid and accurate detection in the extraction process. Moreover, we developed a model transfer method to facilitate the transfer of models between the two types of near-infrared spectrometers (analytical grade and portable), thus resolving the low resolution, poor performance, and insufficient prediction accuracy issues of portable instruments. Our findings enable the rapid screening and quality analysis of XXZOL onsite, which is significant for quality monitoring during the traditional Chinese medicine production process.

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