Traditional development of small protein scaffolds has relied on display technologies and mutation-based engineering, which limit sequence and functional diversity, thereby constraining their therapeutic and application potential. Protein design tools have significantly advanced the creation of novel protein sequences, structures, and functions. However, further improvements in design strategies are still needed to more efficiently optimize the functional performance of protein-based drugs and enhance their druggability. Here, we extended an evolution-based design protocol to create a novel minibinder, BindHer, against the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). It not only exhibits super stability and binding selectivity but also demonstrates remarkable properties in tissue specificity. Radiolabeling experiments with ^99mTc, ⁶⁸Ga, and ¹⁸F revealed that BindHer efficiently targets tumors in HER2-positive breast cancer mouse models, with minimal nonspecific liver absorption, outperforming scaffolds designed through traditional engineering. These findings highlight a new rational approach to automated protein design, offering significant potential for large-scale applications in therapeutic mini-protein development.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) represents a persistent autoimmune condition distinguished by a multifaceted etiology that encompasses both genetic and environmental factors. Recent progress in understanding the mechanisms behind RA pathogenesis has delved into the critical role of epigenetic regulatory processes, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and the regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs). These findings provide new insights into the intricate nature of RA and pave the way for innovative therapeutic strategies. This review consolidates the latest developments in the epigenetic regulation of RA, concentrating on how these mechanisms affect the dysregulated signaling pathways associated with the disease. We analyze the roles of specific proteins that function as 'writers', 'erasers', and 'readers' in epigenetic modifications, highlighting their potential as targets for therapeutic intervention. Additionally, in view of the significance of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of RA, we deliberate on their involvement in disease progression and explore miRNA-based treatment strategies. By integrating these diverse epigenetic dimensions, this review offers a comprehensive epigenetic perspective on RA pathogenesis and identifies promising avenues for future research and therapeutic interventions.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the protective effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) against heat stress (HS)-induced oncosis in human skeletal muscle cells (HSKMCs) and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: A HSKMC model of HS-induced oncosis were established by 43 ℃ water bath for 4 h, and the effects of treatments with 30 μmol/L DEX, ML385 (a Nrf2 inhibitor) +DEX, si-Nrf2+HS, and si-Nrf2+DEX prior to modeling on cell viability was assessed using CCK-8 assay. Oncosis characteristics were evaluated using transmission electron microscopy and Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry. The oxidative stress markers (GSH, GSH-Px, MDA, SOD and ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential, energy metabolism, and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) in the cells were quantified using standard kits, and the expressions of porimin, caspase-3 and Nrf2 pathway proteins were analyzed using Western blotting and qRT-PCR. RESULTS: HS induced typical oncotic features in HSKMCs including organelle swelling and cytoplasmic vacuolization. DEX pretreatment significantly attenuated these changes, reduced Annexin V⁺/PI⁺ cell ratio and cellular porimin expression, and lowered the levels of ROS and MDA while restoring GSH and SOD levels. DEX pretreatment also significantly increased the mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP level, upregulated the expressions of Nrf2, p-Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1, and suppressed the expressions of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. The protective effects of DEX were obviously attenuated by interventions with ML385 or si-Nrf2. CONCLUSIONS DEX mitigates HS-induced HSKMC oncosis by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to relieve oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammatory responses.
Humans ; Dexmedetomidine/pharmacology* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Heat-Shock Response/drug effects* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Muscle, Skeletal/cytology* ; Heme Oxygenase-1/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects*

Purpose To establish and evaluate a high-speed fragment-induced penetrating liver injury model in pigs assisted by portable ultrasound.Materials and Methods With the aid of portable ultrasound,the lower edge of the liver at the end of expiration and the lower edge of the right chest at the end of inspiration of 10 Landrace pigs were positioned on the body surface.Then the sighting line was traced to determine the direction of projection and the sighting point.High-speed(about 627 m/s)fragments were projected through an experimental ballistic gun to induce penetrating liver injury.Blood pressure,heart rate,respiratory rate,pulse oxygen saturation and other physiological indexes were measured 15 minutes before shooting and 20 minutes after shooting.20 minutes after injury,the liver injury and the degree of injury were examined by ultrasound.After injury,the liver injury and abdominal fluid accumulation were observed by on-site portable ultrasound,and the size of liver trauma,liver injury grade,abdominal fluid accumulation location and maximum depth were recorded.The degree of liver injury was evaluated by comparison with the gross pathological results.Results Nine out of ten pigs were successfully modeled.The success rate of penetrating liver injury induced by fragments was 90%(9/10),other organ injury in abdominal cavity was 22.22%(2/9),and diaphragm penetrating injury was 22.22%(2/9),which did not occur obvious hemopneumothorax.After injury,the systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,and pulse oxygen saturation of the pigs decreased[(132.44±12.65)mmHg vs.(103.33±33.43)mmHg,(96.44±12.27)mmHg vs.(70.89±24.21)mmHg,(89.44±8.49)%vs.(76.00±13.41)%;t=2.440,2.651,4.084,all P<0.05],and the heart rate increased[(94.00±17.39)times/min vs.(139.89±37.21)times/min;t=3.534,P<0.05].Within 20 minutes after modeling,portable ultrasound images showed that the liver injury was a patchy,heterogeneous,slightly strong echo area with clear and irregular boundary,and the continuity of the local liver capsule was interrupted.The ascites appeared in the abdominal cavity with the maximum depth of(4.16±1.35)cm.The American association for the surgery of trauma(AAST)liver injury grading of gross pathology after the animals were killed showed that there were 6 cases of grade Ⅱ and 3 cases of grade Ⅲ.Along the fragment projection direction,the short diameter measured by ultrasound was positively correlated with the depth of gross pathological laceration(r=0.945,P<0.001).Compared with the gross specimen,the accuracy rate of ultrasonic AAST grading of liver injury was 88.89%(8/9).Conclusion The model of high-speed fragment-induced liver injury in pigs assisted by portable ultrasound is accurate and stable,and portable ultrasound can effectively evaluate the penetrating liver injury,which provides a basis for the treatment of liver firearm injury.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of Fuling Zexie Decoction combined with lifestyle intervention in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) of dampness syndrome. Methods A total of 40 patients with MetS of dampness syndrome were randomly divided into experimental group (n=20) and control group (n=20) according to a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled design. The experimental group was given oral administration of Fuling Zexie Decoction,the control group was given placebo,150 mL each time,twice a day. Both groups were given healthy lifestyle(healthy eating habits and exercise mode) education. The intervention period was 16 weeks. Traditional Chinese medicine dampness syndrome scale score and the diagnostic indexes of MetS,including waist circumference (WC),systolic blood pressure (SBP),diastolic blood pressure (DBP),triglyceride (TG),high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and fasting blood glucose (FBG),were evaluated before and after treatment. Other metabolic indexes such as body mass index(BMI),total cholesterol(TC),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR),uric acid(UC),as well as inflammation related indexes including C-reactive protein (CRP),interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α) were also evaluated. Results A total of 33 people completed the trial,including 17 people in the experimental group and 16 people in the control group. Compared to the baseline period,FBG,BMI,LDL-C and dampness syndrome scale score in the experimental group were significantly decreased at the 8th and 16th week of intervention(P<0.05). WC was significantly decreased at the 8th week of intervention(P<0.05). CRP showed a downward trend at the 16th week of intervention(P<0.05). Moreover,SBP and IL-6 in control group decreased significantly at the 8th and 16th week of intervention(P<0.05). WC,DBP and HOMA-IR decreased significantly at the 8th week of intervention (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in other outcome indexes between the two groups at the 8th and 16th week of intervention (P>0.05). The safety indexes of all patients before and after intervention were not significantly abnormal,and no serious adverse events occurred. Conclusion This study initially shows the positive regulatory effect of Fuling Zexie Decoction combined with lifestyle on metabolism and inflammation-related indexes in people with MetS of dampness syndrome,which helps to improve the level of dampness syndrome and provides a basis for further research.

Objective To observe the value of breast imaging reporting and data system(BI-RADS)classification combined with mammography(MG)radiomics for differentiating breast benign and malignant amorphous calcification lesions.Methods A total of 217 breast amorphous calcification lesions in 206 female patients,including 43 malignant and 174 benign ones were retrospectively enrolled and randomly divided into training set(n=151)and validation set(n=66)at the ratio of 7∶3.Then radiomics features were screened based on breast MG images.BI-RADS model,radiomics model and combined model were established,and the value of each model for distinguishing benign and malignant lesions was observed.Results Eight optimal radiomics features were selected.The area under the curve(AUC)of BI-RADS model,radiomics model and combined model for differentiating breast benign and malignant amorphous calcification lesions was 0.821,0.763 and 0.897 in training set,0.800,0.746 and 0.893 in validation set,respectively,AUC of combined model was significantly higher than that of the other two(both P＜0.05).Conclusion BI-RADS classification combined with MG radiomics was helpful for differential diagnosis of breast benign and malignant amorphous calcification lesions,with efficacy higher than that of each alone.

Objective:To summarize the best evidence for external auditory canal irrigation in patients with cerumen embolism.Methods:The clinical decisions, guidelines, systematic reviews, expert consensus, group standards, evidence summaries, and randomized controlled trials regarding external auditory canal irrigation in patients with cerumen embolism were retrieved from databases and websites such as BMJ Best Practice, UpToDate, Guidelines International Network, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence-Based Health Care Center Database, PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang data, and China Biology Medicine disc. The search period was from database establishment to February 15, 2023. Six researchers screened the literature, evaluated the methodological quality, and extracted and summarized the best evidence for external auditory canal irrigation in patients with cerumen embolism.Results:A total of nine articles were included, including one clinical decision, two guidelines, two systematic reviews, one group standard, and three randomized controlled trials. Sixteen pieces of evidence were summarized from six aspects of operators: pre-operation evaluation and preparation, operation process, post-operation handling, health education, and adverse reactions during operation.Conclusions:This paper summarizes the best evidence for external auditory canal irrigation in patients with cerumen embolism. Medical and nursing staff should carefully select and apply evidence based on clinical scenarios and patient's wishes.

Objective:To analyze and compare the short-term efficacy and safety of sintilimab and tislelizumab in neoadjuvant therapy for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.Methods:The clinical data of 95 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (paclitaxel + nedaplatin) combined with immunotherapy in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from January 2021 to October 2022 were collected. According to the different use of immune drugs, they were divided into the sintilimab group ( n=58) and the tislelizumab group ( n=37). The objective remission rate (ORR), adverse reactions, R0 resection rate, pathological complete response (pCR) rate, etc. were analyzed and compared between the two groups after neoadjuvant therapy. Results:After 2 cycles of neoadjuvant therapy, the sintilimab group and the tislelizumab group had a similar ORR [72.4% (42/58) vs. 56.8% (21/37), χ2=2.48, P=0.115]. The main adverse reactions of the two groups of patients included gastrointestinal reactions (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), hematological toxicity, hypothyroidism, alopecia, liver and kidney dysfunction, pneumonia, etc. The incidence of grade 3 adverse reactions was less than 15%, with no grade 4 adverse reactions. The incidence of hypothyroidism in the sintilimab group was significantly higher than that in the tislelizumab group [56.9% (33/58) vs. 16.2% (6/37) ], with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=15.45, P<0.001) ; There was no statistically significant difference in surgical resection ( χ2=1.26, P=0.661) and pCR rate [31.0% (18/58) vs. 32.4% (12/37), χ2=0.02, P=0.886] between the two groups of patients. In terms of postoperative complications, both groups of patients experienced partial pulmonary infections and anastomotic fistulas, but the incidence was relatively low [19.0% (11/58) vs. 24.3% (9/37), 3.4% (2/58) vs. 2.7% (1/37) ], with no statistically significant difference ( χ2=0.39, P=0.532; χ2<0.01, P>0.999) . Conclusion:For preoperative neoadjuvant therapy of advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, the use of either sintilimab or tislelizumab in addition to chemotherapy has good short-term efficacy and safety. Thyroid function should be monitored carefully when using sintilimab.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of calaglitzin combined with Degu insulin Liraglutide and pioglitazone metformin in the treatment of obese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) .Methods:Ninety-nine obese T2DM patients admitted to our hospital from Apr. 2021 to Jun. 2023 were divided into 2 groups according to different treatment methods. The control group ( n=52) were treated with Delgu insulin liraglutide and pioglitazone metformin; the observation group ( n=47) were treated with cagaglizin on the basis of the control group, and both groups were treated for 8 weeks. The therapeutic effect of the two groups was compared. Results:The effective rate of observation group was 95.74% (45/47), higher than that of control group 82.69% (43/52) ( P<0.05). After eight weeks of treatment, the levels of FPG (7.96±0.74) mmol/L, 2hPBG (8.36±1.02) mmol/L and BMI (24.63±1.51) kg/m 2 in the observation group were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05). After 8 weeks of treatment, HOMA-IR (2.41±0.56) of observation group was lower than that of control group (2.84±0.61), GIR (5.63±0.97) mg·kg -1·min -1 was higher than that of the control group (5.17±0.95) mg·kg -1·min -1 ( P<0.05). After eight weeks of treatment, the levels of TG (4.22±0.43) mmol/L, TC (2.15±0.21) mmol/L and ApoB (1.18±0.14) mmol/L in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (2.49±0.26) mmol/L, (4.69±0.47) mmol/L and (1.45±0.19) mmo l/L ( P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 8.51% (4/47), lower than that in the control group (5.77% (3/52) ( P>0.05) . Conclusion:Taking calaglitzin in combination with Delgu insulin liraglutide and pioglitazone metformin can significantly reduce insulin resistance, increase the sensitivity of peripheral tissues to insulin, reduce blood glucose level and BMI level, and the drug safety is reasonable.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of Huangqi injection combined with Buzhong Yiqi acupuncture in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome （CFS） with Qi deficiency and its effects on TCM syndromes， fatigue symptoms， serum superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and oxidized low-density lipoprotein （ox-LDL） levels. MethodA total of 200 patients with CFS of Qi deficiency were randomly divided into a control group （100 cases） and an observation group （100 cases）. The control group was treated with vitamin B compounds， and the observation group was treated with Huangqi injection combined with Buzhong Yiqi acupuncture for two weeks. The scores of TCM syndromes， fatigue symptoms， levels of serum SOD， MDA， and ox-LDL and the incidence of adverse reactions were observed and compared before and after treatment in two groups. ResultAfter treatment， the total effective rate of the control group was 54.34% （50/92）， while that of the observation group was 88.54% （85/96）. The total effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group （χ²=27.13，P<0.05）. Compared with those in the two groups before treatment， scores of fatigue self-assessment scale （FSAS）， physical fatigue and mental fatigue， and sleep/rest response scores of fatigue in the two groups after treatment were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. After treatment， scores of FSAS， physical fatigue and mental fatigue， and sleep/rest response scores of fatigue in the observation group were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group （P<0.05）. Compared with those in the two groups before treatment， TCM syndrome scores in the two groups after treatment were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. After treatment， TCM syndrome scores in the observation group were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group （P<0.05）. Compared with those in the two groups before treatment， MDA levels in the two groups were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， ox-LDL levels in the observation group were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and SOD levels were significantly increased （P<0.05）. After treatment， compared with those in the control group， the serum MDA and ox-LDL levels in the observation group were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and the serum SOD was significantly increased （P<0.05）. No serious adverse events or adverse reactions occurred during this clinical trial. ConclusionHuangqi injection combined with Buzhong Yiqi acupuncture has a good clinical curative effect in the treatment of CFS with Qi deficiency， which can effectively improve the fatigue symptoms of patients， increase the level of SOD， and reduce the level of serum MDA and ox-LDL. It is related to the production of antioxidants， inhibiting the production of lipid peroxides， and improving the body's ability to resist oxidative stress.