1.Enzyme-directed Immobilization Strategies for Biosensor Applications
Xing-Bao WANG ; Yao-Hong MA ; Yun-Long XUE ; Xiao-Zhen HUANG ; Yue SHAO ; Yi YU ; Bing-Lian WANG ; Qing-Ai LIU ; Li-He ZHANG ; Wei-Li GONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):374-394
Immobilized enzyme-based enzyme electrode biosensors, characterized by high sensitivity and efficiency, strong specificity, and compact size, demonstrate broad application prospects in life science research, disease diagnosis and monitoring, etc. Immobilization of enzyme is a critical step in determining the performance (stability, sensitivity, and reproducibility) of the biosensors. Random immobilization (physical adsorption, covalent cross-linking, etc.) can easily bring about problems, such as decreased enzyme activity and relatively unstable immobilization. Whereas, directional immobilization utilizing amino acid residue mutation, affinity peptide fusion, or nucleotide-specific binding to restrict the orientation of the enzymes provides new possibilities to solve the problems caused by random immobilization. In this paper, the principles, advantages and disadvantages and the application progress of enzyme electrode biosensors of different directional immobilization strategies for enzyme molecular sensing elements by specific amino acids (lysine, histidine, cysteine, unnatural amino acid) with functional groups introduced based on site-specific mutation, affinity peptides (gold binding peptides, carbon binding peptides, carbohydrate binding domains) fused through genetic engineering, and specific binding between nucleotides and target enzymes (proteins) were reviewed, and the application fields, advantages and limitations of various immobilized enzyme interface characterization techniques were discussed, hoping to provide theoretical and technical guidance for the creation of high-performance enzyme sensing elements and the manufacture of enzyme electrode sensors.
2.Impacts of ambient air pollutants on childhood asthma from 2019 to 2023: An analysis based on asthma outpatient visits of Nanjing Children's Hospital
Li WEI ; Xing GONG ; Lilin XIONG ; Yi ZHANG ; Fengxia SUN ; Wei PAN ; Changdi XU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(4):408-414
Background Asthma poses a serious threat to children's growth, development, and mental health, thus there has been an increasing focus on the control of asthma morbidity in children and the assessment of its risk factors. A growing body of research has found that exposure to ambient air pollutants an significatly increase the risk of childhood asthma. Objective To understand the changes of ambient air pollutant concentrations in Nanjing and asthma outpatient visits to Nanjing Children's Hospital, and to quantitatively analyze the effects of exposure to different ambient air pollutants on children's asthma outpatient visits. Methods Daily data of ambient air pollutants fine particulate matter (PM2.5), inhalable particle (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), meteorological factors (air temperature & relative humidity), and outpatient visits due to asthma in the hospital from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2023 were collected, and a generalized additive model based on quasi poisson distributions was used to quantitatively analyze the short-term effects of ambient air pollutant exposure on outpatient visits due to asthma in the hospital. Results The annual average concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NO2 in Nanjing from 2019 to 2023 did not exceed the national limits. For single-day lagged effects, the single-pollutant model showed that the effects of PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and CO on children's asthma outpatient visits were greatest for every 10 units increase at lag0, with excess risk (ER) of 1.39% (95%CI: 0.65%, 2.14%), 1.46% (95%CI: 0.97%, 1.95%), 5.46% (95%CI: 4.36%, 6.57%), and 0.18% (95%CI: 0.11%, 0.26%), respectively, and SO2 reached the maximum effect at lag1, with an ER of 23.15% (95%CI: 13.57%, 33.53%) for each 10 units increase in concentration. Different pollutants reached their maximum cumulative lag effects at different time. The PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2, and CO showed the largest cumulative lag effects at lag01, lag01, lag02, lag02, and lag03, respectively, with ERs of 1.35% (95%CI: 0.77%, 1.92%), 0.96% (95%CI: 0.10%, 1.83%), 28.50% (95%CI: 15.49%, 42.98%), 6.92% (95%CI: 5.53%, 8.33%), and 0.31% (95%CI: 0.20%, 0.42%), respectively. The influences of PM2.5 and PM10 on outpatient visits due to asthma in the hospital became more pronounced with advancing age, while the associations with NO₂, SO₂, and CO were weakened as children grew older. Conclusion Ambient air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO) can increase childhood asthma visits, and different pollutants have varied effects on the number of asthmatic children's visits at different ages.
3.Molecular Mechanism Mediated by HIF-1α/HO-1 Signaling Pathway of Guizhi Fulingwan in Suppressing Ferroptosis in Endometriosis
Li TANG ; Yi ZHANG ; Lulu WU ; Yingying LIANG ; Wenying GONG ; Quanning TAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):1-11
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the molecular mechanism by which Guizhi Fulingwan (GFW) inhibits ferroptosis in endometriosis (EMT) through the regulation of the hypoxia inducible factor-1α/heme oxygenase 1 (HIF-1α/HO-1) signaling pathway. MethodsMachine learning was employed to identify ferroptosis-related biomarkers associated with EMT. Network pharmacology was utilized to identify the active components of GFW and its potential therapeutic targets against EMT, including core targets. Functional enrichment analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes, molecular functions, cellular components, and signaling pathways associated with the potential targets. An EMT rat model was established via autologous transplantation. Thirty female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham-operated, model, positive control (dienogest at 0.2 mg·kg-1), low-dose GFW (2.5 g·kg-1), and high-dose GFW (5 g·kg-1). After modeling, the rats received their respective treatment by oral gavage for 28 consecutive days, while the sham and model groups received equal volumes of distilled water. Serum and ectopic endometrial tissues were collected. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was employed to evaluate morphological alterations in ectopic lesions. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were conducted to assess mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α, HO-1, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SAT1), and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2). Tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) were quantified using commercial assay kits. Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ResultsFive ferroptosis-related biomarkers in EMT were identified: ALOX12, CHAC1, SAT1, AST1, and HO-1. Network pharmacology analysis revealed 42 active components of GFW and 192 potential therapeutic target genes related to EMT treatment, with FOS, JUN, HO-1 identified as core targets. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that the potential targets were primarily involved in oxidative stress response and reactive oxygen species metabolism and were enriched in the HIF-1 signaling pathway. Compared to the sham-operated group, the model group exhibited significant increases in both mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α, HO-1, and PTGS2, as well as elevated tissue levels of Fe²⁺ and MDA. Conversely, GSH levels and the expression of GPX4 and SAT1 were markedly reduced, and serum levels of IL-6 and TGF-β1 levels were significantly higher (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all GFW-treated groups showed significant downregulation of HIF-1α and HO-1, reduced Fe²⁺ levels, and downregulated expression of MDA, PTGS2, IL-6, and TGF-β1. Meanwhile, GSH, GPX4, and SAT1 expression levels were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), effectively ameliorating iron overload and oxidative stress, thereby demonstrating therapeutic efficacy in EMT, with the high-dose GFW demonstrating the most pronounced therapeutic effects. ConclusionGFW exerts therapeutic effects on endometriosis by regulating the HIF-1α/HO-1 signaling pathway to rectify iron metabolism disorders and attenuate free iron-induced oxidative damage. It upregulates the antioxidative defense system to inhibit lipid peroxidation cascades and modulates inflammatory cytokine networks. These effects collectively disrupt the pathological interaction between ferroptosis and chronic inflammation, providing a novel theoretical foundation for the clinical application of GFW in EMT treatment.
4.An innovative method of uretero-ileal anastomosis:magnetic anastomosis based on rabbit models
Miaomiao ZHANG ; Jiahui WAN ; Ruimin GONG ; Qiuye ZHONG ; Yi LYU ; Xiaopeng YAN
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(4):339-342
Objective: To investigate the feasibility of magnetic anastomosis for uretero-ileal anastomosis using experimental rabbit models. Methods: Six experimental rabbits were used as the models.The lower part of the left ureter was cut with scissors,the daughter magnet (DM) was placed in the middle of the ureter,and the distal end of the ureter was ligated.After that,the ileum wall was opened,the parent magnet (PM) was inserted through it,the positions of the PM and DM were adjusted so that their ends were attracted to each other,and then ileum wall incision was sutured.The operation time,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative complications and magnet discharge time were recorded.Two weeks after operation,left ureterography was performed to obtain the specimens of the uretero-ileal anastomosis,and to observe the patency of the anastomosis.The formation of the anastomosis was observed with naked eyes and light microscope. Results: Uretero-ileal magnetic anastomosis was performed successfully in 6 experimental rabbits.The operation time was 28-39(32.50±3.94) min,and the intraoperative blood loss was less than 5 mL.The rabbits recovered well after operation,and no complications were observed.All animals survived to the end point of observation.The disconnection time of magnet after operation was 9-13(10.83±1.72) days.The gross specimen showed that the anastomosis was patent.The histological observation showed that the mucosa of the anastomosis was continuous and smooth,and the anastomosis was well formed. Conclusion: Magnetic anastomosis is feasible for uretero-ileal anastomosis with simple operation and good anastomosis formation.After further experimental verification,this technique is expected to be used in clinical practice.
5.Differences in intestinal absorption characteristics of Rubus multibracteatus extract in normal and inflammatory pain model rats by in-vitro everted intestine sac method.
Ming-Li BAO ; Qing ZHANG ; Yang JIN ; Yi CHEN ; Jian-Qing PENG ; Si-Ying CHEN ; Zhi-Jie MA ; Jian LIAO ; Jing HUANG ; Zi-Peng GONG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(16):4690-4704
This study compared the differences in intestinal absorption characteristics of eleven active components in Rubus multibracteatus(RM) extract(protocatechuic acid, tiliroside, scutellarin, luteoloside, astragalin, epicatechin, catechin, xanthotoxin, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, and apigenin-7-O-glucuronide) between normal rats and inflammatory pain model rats using the in-vitro everted intestinal sac model. The RM extract was administered at absorption concentrations of 25.0, 50.0, and 100.0 mg·mL~(-1). The contents of the eleven components in intestinal absorption solution samples were quantified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS), and their cumulative absorption(Q) and absorption rate constant(K_a) were calculated to evaluate the absorption characteristics of these components in normal rats and inflammatory pain model rats. The results show that except for catechin, epicatechin, and caffeic acid, the cumulative absorption-time curves of the other eight components(protocatechuic acid, tiliroside, scutellarin, luteoloside, astragalin, xanthotoxin, p-coumaric acid, and apigenin-7-O-glucuronide) exhibit an upward trend without saturation, with correlation coefficients(R~2) all > 0.9, indicating linear absorption. However, the overall absorption of all components is not dose-dependent with increasing concentration, suggesting that their absorption mechanisms are not solely passive diffusion. In both normal and model rats, the jejunum shows the highest absorption for all components except xanthotoxin. The overall absorption of seven components(excluding protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, apigenin-7-O-glucuronide, and luteoloside) in normal rats is better than that in model rats across all intestinal segments. These findings indicate that the pathological state of inflammatory pain alters the intestinal absorption of RM extract, and its mechanism needs further investigation.
Animals
;
Rats
;
Intestinal Absorption/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/metabolism*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Pain/metabolism*
;
Intestines/drug effects*
;
Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism*
6.Predictive value of bpMRI for pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer patients with PSA≤20 μg/L.
Lai DONG ; Rong-Jie SHI ; Jin-Wei SHANG ; Zhi-Yi SHEN ; Kai-Yu ZHANG ; Cheng-Long ZHANG ; Bin YANG ; Tian-Bao HUANG ; Ya-Min WANG ; Rui-Zhe ZHAO ; Wei XIA ; Shang-Qian WANG ; Gong CHENG ; Li-Xin HUA
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(5):426-431
Objective: The aim of this study is to explore the predictive value of biparametric magnetic resonance imaging(bpMRI)for pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer patients with PSA≤20 μg/L and establish a nomogram. Methods: The imaging data and clinical data of 363 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July 2018 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to screen independent risk factors for pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer, and a nomogram of the clinical prediction model was established. Calibration curves were drawn to evaluate the accuracy of the model. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed extrocapusular extension (OR=8.08,95%CI=2.62-24.97, P<0.01), enlargement of pelvic lymph nodes (OR=4.45,95%CI=1.16-17.11,P=0.030), and biopsy ISUP grade(OR=1.97,95%CI=1.12-3.46, P=0.018)were independent risk factors for pelvic lymph node metastasis. The C-index of the prediction model was 0.834, which indicated that the model had a good prediction ability. The actual value of the model calibration curve and the prediction probability of the model fitted well, indicating that the model had a good accuracy. Further analysis of DCA curve showed that the model had good clinical application value when the risk threshold ranged from 0.05 to 0.70.Conclusion: For prostate cancer patients with PSA≤20 μg/L, bpMRI has a good predictive value for the pelvic lymph node metastasis of prostate cancer with extrocapusular extension, enlargement of pelvic lymph nodes and ISUP grade≥4.
Humans
;
Male
;
Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging*
;
Lymphatic Metastasis
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Nomograms
;
Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood*
;
Lymph Nodes/pathology*
;
Pelvis
;
Predictive Value of Tests
;
Prostatectomy
;
Lymph Node Excision
;
Risk Factors
;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
;
Logistic Models
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
7.Glucocorticoid Discontinuation in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis under Background of Chinese Medicine: Challenges and Potentials Coexist.
Chuan-Hui YAO ; Chi ZHANG ; Meng-Ge SONG ; Cong-Min XIA ; Tian CHANG ; Xie-Li MA ; Wei-Xiang LIU ; Zi-Xia LIU ; Jia-Meng LIU ; Xiao-Po TANG ; Ying LIU ; Jian LIU ; Jiang-Yun PENG ; Dong-Yi HE ; Qing-Chun HUANG ; Ming-Li GAO ; Jian-Ping YU ; Wei LIU ; Jian-Yong ZHANG ; Yue-Lan ZHU ; Xiu-Juan HOU ; Hai-Dong WANG ; Yong-Fei FANG ; Yue WANG ; Yin SU ; Xin-Ping TIAN ; Ai-Ping LYU ; Xun GONG ; Quan JIANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(7):581-589
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM).
METHODS:
This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis.
RESULTS:
Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings.
CONCLUSIONS
RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult
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Aged
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy*
;
Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Retrospective Studies
8.A dual-targeting peptide-drug conjugate based on CXCR4 and FOLR1 inhibits triple-negative breast cancer.
Kun WANG ; Cong WANG ; Hange YANG ; Gong CHEN ; Ke WANG ; Peihong JI ; Xudong SUN ; Xuegong FAN ; Jie MA ; Zhencun CUI ; Xingkai WANG ; Hao TIAN ; Dengfu WU ; Lu WANG ; Zhimin WANG ; Jiangyan LIU ; Juan YI ; Kuan HU ; Hailong ZHANG ; Rui WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):4995-5009
Triple-negative breast cancer is therapeutically challenging due to the low expression of tumor markers and 'cold' tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. Here, we present a dual-targeting peptide-drug conjugate (PDC) for tumor inhibition. Our PDC efficiently and selectively delivers cytotoxic Monomethyl Auristatin E (MMAE) into tumor cells via C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and folate receptor 1 (FOLR1) for synergistic inhibition of growth and metastasis. Our results show that the dual-targeting PDC has potent antitumor activity in cultured human cells and several murine transplanted tumor models without apparent toxicity. The combination of dual-targeting PDC and radiotherapy modulates the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment by increasing CD8+ T cell infiltration and attenuating the proportion of myeloid-derived suppressor and regulatory T cells. Therefore, our dual-targeting PDC represents a promising new strategy for cancer therapy that rebalances the immune system and promotes tumor regression.
9.CRTAC1 derived from senescent FLSs induces chondrocyte mitochondrial dysfunction via modulating NRF2/SIRT3 axis in osteoarthritis progression.
Xiang CHEN ; Wang GONG ; Pan ZHANG ; Chengzhi WANG ; Bin LIU ; Xiaoyan SHAO ; Yi HE ; Na LIU ; Jiaquan LIN ; Jianghui QIN ; Qing JIANG ; Baosheng GUO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(11):5803-5816
Osteoarthritis (OA), the most prevalent joint disease of late life, is closely linked to cellular senescence. Previously, we found that the senescence of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) played an essential role in the degradation of cartilage. In this work, single-cell sequencing data further demonstrated that cartilage acidic protein 1 (CRTAC1) is a critical secreted factor of senescent FLS, which suppresses mitophagy and induces mitochondrial dysfunction by regulating SIRT3 expression. In vivo, deletion of SIRT3 in chondrocytes accelerated cartilage degradation and aggravated the progression of OA. Oppositely, intra-articular injection of adeno-associated virus expressing SIRT3 effectively alleviated OA progression in mice. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that elevated CRTAC1 could bind with NRF2 in chondrocytes, which subsequently suppresses the transcription of SIRT3 in vitro. In addition, SIRT3 reduction could promote the acetylation of FOXO3a and result in mitochondrial dysfunction, which finally contributes to the degradation of chondrocytes. To conclude, this work revealed the critical role and underlying mechanism of senescent FLSs-derived CRTAC1 in OA progression, which provided a potential strategy for the OA therapy.
10.Prediction of Pharmacoresistance in Drug-Naïve Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Using Ictal EEGs Based on Convolutional Neural Network.
Yiwei GONG ; Zheng ZHANG ; Yuanzhi YANG ; Shuo ZHANG ; Ruifeng ZHENG ; Xin LI ; Xiaoyun QIU ; Yang ZHENG ; Shuang WANG ; Wenyu LIU ; Fan FEI ; Heming CHENG ; Yi WANG ; Dong ZHOU ; Kejie HUANG ; Zhong CHEN ; Cenglin XU
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(5):790-804
Approximately 30%-40% of epilepsy patients do not respond well to adequate anti-seizure medications (ASMs), a condition known as pharmacoresistant epilepsy. The management of pharmacoresistant epilepsy remains an intractable issue in the clinic. Its early prediction is important for prevention and diagnosis. However, it still lacks effective predictors and approaches. Here, a classical model of pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) was established to screen pharmacoresistant and pharmaco-responsive individuals by applying phenytoin to amygdaloid-kindled rats. Ictal electroencephalograms (EEGs) recorded before phenytoin treatment were analyzed. Based on ictal EEGs from pharmacoresistant and pharmaco-responsive rats, a convolutional neural network predictive model was constructed to predict pharmacoresistance, and achieved 78% prediction accuracy. We further found the ictal EEGs from pharmacoresistant rats have a lower gamma-band power, which was verified in seizure EEGs from pharmacoresistant TLE patients. Prospectively, therapies targeting the subiculum in those predicted as "pharmacoresistant" individual rats significantly reduced the subsequent occurrence of pharmacoresistance. These results demonstrate a new methodology to predict whether TLE individuals become resistant to ASMs in a classic pharmacoresistant TLE model. This may be of translational importance for the precise management of pharmacoresistant TLE.
Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe/diagnosis*
;
Animals
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Drug Resistant Epilepsy/drug therapy*
;
Electroencephalography/methods*
;
Rats
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Anticonvulsants/pharmacology*
;
Neural Networks, Computer
;
Male
;
Humans
;
Phenytoin/pharmacology*
;
Adult
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Female
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Young Adult
;
Convolutional Neural Networks

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