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.Analysis of T7 RNA Polymerase: From Structure-function Relationship to dsRNA Challenge and Biotechnological Applications
Wei-Chen NING ; Yu HUA ; Hui-Ling YOU ; Qiu-Shi LI ; Yao WU ; Yun-Long LIU ; Zhen-Xin HU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2280-2294
T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) is one of the simplest known RNA polymerases. Its unique structural features make it a critical model for studying the mechanisms of RNA synthesis. This review systematically examines the static crystal structure of T7 RNAP, beginning with an in-depth examination of its characteristic “thumb”, “palm”, and “finger” domains, which form the classic “right-hand-like” architecture. By detailing these structural elements, this review establishes a foundation for understanding the overall organization of T7 RNAP. This review systematically maps the functional roles of secondary structural elements and their subdomains in transcriptional catalysis, progressively elucidating the fundamental relationships between structure and function. Further, the intrinsic flexibility of T7 RNAP and its applications in research are also discussed. Additionally, the review presents the structural diagrams of the enzyme at different stages of the transcription process, and through these diagrams, it provides a detailed description of the complete transcription process of T7 RNAP. By integrating structural dynamics and kinetics analyses, the review constructs a comprehensive framework that bridges static structure to dynamic processes. Despite its advantages, T7 RNAP has a notable limitation: it generates double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) as a byproduct. The presence of dsRNA not only compromises the purity of mRNA products but also elicits nonspecific immune responses, which pose significant challenges for biotechnological and therapeutic applications. The review provides a detailed exploration of the mechanisms underlying dsRNA formation during T7 RNAP catalysis, reviews current strategies to mitigate this issue, and highlights recent progress in the field. A key focus is the semi-rational design of T7 RNAP mutants engineered to minimize dsRNA generation and enhance catalytic performance. Beyond its role in transcription, T7 RNAP exhibits rapid development and extensive application in fields, including gene editing, biosensing, and mRNA vaccines. This review systematically examines the structure-function relationships of T7 RNAP, elucidates the mechanisms of dsRNA formation, and discusses engineering strategies to optimize its performance. It further explores the engineering optimization and functional expansion of T7 RNAP. Furthermore, this review also addresses the pressing issues that currently need resolution, discusses the major challenges in the practical application of T7 RNAP, and provides an outlook on potential future research directions. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of T7 RNAP, ranging from its structural architecture to cutting-edge applications. We systematically examine: (1) the characteristic right-hand domains (thumb, palm, fingers) that define its minimalistic structure; (2) the structure-function relationships underlying transcriptional catalysis; and (3) the dynamic transitions during the complete transcription cycle. While highlighting T7 RNAP’s versatility in gene editing, biosensing, and mRNA vaccine production, we critically address its major limitation—dsRNA byproduct formation—and evaluate engineering solutions including semi-rationally designed mutants. By synthesizing current knowledge and identifying key challenges, this work aims to provide novel insights for the development and application of T7 RNAP and to foster further thought and progress in related fields.
3.Quality control and methodology on rFC detection of bacterial endotoxins in zoledronic acid
Xiaolan ZHEN ; Hua LIU ; Lunan GE ; Hui LI ; Didi XING
Drug Standards of China 2024;25(5):483-488
Objective:To standardize the bacterial endotoxin testing criteria for zoledronic acid injection and estab-lish a detection method using recombinant factor C(rFC).Methods:The gel-clot method(BET)was utilized to test 13 batches of zoledronic acid injection from national supervision and random inspection.Interference tests were conducted on zoledronic acid injections from three manufacturers at different concentrations(500,100,50,25 μg·mL-1)using rFC test kits from two manufacturers.Results:Detection was performed for the specification of 100 mL∶5 mg and other specifications according to<0.50 EU per 1 mL and<5.0 EU per 1 mg,respectively,and all results met the criteria.The recovery rate for 25 μg·mL-1 using rFC kits from both manufacturers ranged between 50%and 200%.Validation of rFC.Methods:Eight batches of zoledronic acid injection were validated at 25 μg·mL-1,five batches of zoledronic acid injection(100 mL∶5 mg)were validated at 0.5 EU·mL-1,and all recovery rates were between 50%and 200%.Conclusion:The bacterial endotoxin testing method for zoledronic acid injection can be established as follows:for large volume injection products with 100 mL or more,each 1 mL should contain less than 0.50 EU of endotoxin(following the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020,general chapter 1143).For other specifications,each 1 mg of zoledronic acid should contain less than 10.0 EU of endotoxin.The rFC test kit method for bacterial endotoxins involved diluting the sample with water for bacterial endotoxin testing to contain 25 μg of zoledronic acid per 1 mL,or performing 1∶1 dilution for large volume injections(100 mL∶5.0 mg specifi-cation),with recovery rate between 50%and 200%as per the kit instructions.
4.Long-term efficacy of oblique lateral interbody fusion combined with vertebral screw fixation for the treatment of lumbar specific infection
Wen-Hui ZHANG ; Yang-Yang DOU ; Feng-Guang YANG ; Zong-Ru HE ; Yu-Ping YANG ; Li-Zhen FAN ; Qing-Hao CHENG ; Jie LIU ; Hui-Ping TAI
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2024;37(9):893-898
Objective To explore medium and long term efficacy of oblique lateral interbody fusion(OLIF)in treating lumbar specific infection.Methods From October 2017 to January 2021,24 patients with lumbar specific infection were treated by OLIF combined with vertebral screw internal fixation,including 15 males and 9 females,aged from 27 to 61 years old with an average of(43.0±15.0)years old;the courses of disease ranged from 6 to 24 months with an average of(14.0±7.0)months;7 patients with L2-L3,12 patients with L3-L4 and 5 patients with L4-L5;19 patients with tuberculosis infection and 5 patients with brucella infection.The amount of intraoperative blood loss,operative time and complications were recorded,and erythro-cyte sedimentation rate(ESR),C-reactive protein(CRP),visual analogue scale(VAS),Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)score and American Spinal Injury Association(ASIA)rating were compared before and one month after opertaion.Re-sults All patients were followed up from 9 to 24 months with an average of(13.0±6.0)months.Operative time was(132.5±21.4)min,and intraoperative blood loss was(227.3±43.1)ml.ESR and CRP were decreased from(82.34±18.62)mmol·h-1 and(53.08±21.84)mg·L-1 before operation to(33.52±17.31)mmol·h-1 and(15.48±8.36)mg·L-1 at one month after opera-tion,respectively(P<0.05).VAS was decreased from(7.52±1.36)before opertaion to(1.74±0.87)at one month after opera-tion(P<0.05).JOA was increased from(17.86±3.95)before operation to(24.72±3.19)at one month after operation(P<0.05).Four patients had neurological symptoms before operation,and were classified to grade D according to ASIA classifica-tion,who were recovered to grade E at 1 month after operation.One patient was suffered from psoas major muscle injury after operation,and returned to normal at 3 weeks.One patient was suffered from abdominal distension and difficulty in defecation,and relieved after gastrointestinal decompression and enema.No complications such as abdominal organ injury and poor wound healing occurred in all patients.Conclusion OLIF combined with vertebral screw internal fixation is a new minimally invasive surgical method for the treatment of lumbar specific infection,especially the lesion located on the middle lumbar vertebra.It has advantages of less trauma,short operation time,less blood loss,convenient operation,complete removal of the lesion,safety and effectiveness,and has good medium-and long-term efficacy for lumbar specific infection.
5.Impact of SKA2 on proliferation,migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells and its prognostic value
Zhen-Dan HUA ; Jia-Hui ZHEN ; Ying CHU ; Liu YANG ; Ji-Xian LIAO ; Yi-Xuan WANG ; Zan-Hong WANG
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2024;33(8):664-669
Objective To investigate the expression and prognostic value of spindle and kinetochore-associated complex subunit 2(SKA2)in cervical cancer tissues,as well as its impact on the proliferation,migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells.Methods The expression of SKA2 in cervical cancer tissues was analyzed by bioinformatics database and immunohistochemical SP method,and the relationship between SKA2 expression level and clinicopathological features of cervical cancer patients and its prognostic value was analyzed.The mRNA expression of SKA2 in human normal cervical cells(HcerEpic)and cervical cancer cells(HeLa,SiHa,CaSki,C-33A)was detected by RT-qPCR.Cervical cancer cells SiHa with higher SKA2 expression level was selected for further study.SiHa cell model with down-regulated SKA2 expression was constructed,and its knockdown effect was verified.Cell proliferation capacity was detected by CCK-8 method,cell migration capacity was detected by cell scratch wound healing assay,and cell migration and invasion capacity was detected by Transwell assay.Results Compared with normal cervical tissues and cells,the expression levels of SKA2 mRNA and protein were higher in cervical cancer tissues and cells,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).High SKA2 expression was associated with FIGO staging in patients with cervical cancer.Furthermore,SKA2 knockdown could inhibit the proliferation,migration and invasion of SiHa cells in cervical cancer(P<0.05).Conclusion SKA2 is up-regulated in cervical cancer tissues and cells,and can promote the proliferation,migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells.The expression level of SKA2 is associated with the progression of cervical cancer,and the prognosis of cervical cancer patients with high SKA2 expression is worse.
6.Characteristics and influencing factors of post-intensive care syndrome in elderly patients during the transitional period
Lina HA ; Yu SHENG ; Yanling SHEN ; Ying ZHAO ; Hui ZHANG ; Zhen LI ; Guangnan LIU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(16):2174-2179
Objective:To investigate the current situation and characteristics of post-intensive care syndrome in elderly patients during the transitional period, and explore its influencing factors.Methods:From December 2022 to September 2023, convenience sampling was used to select 119 elderly patients in the Intensive Care Unit of China-Japan Friendship Hospital as the research subject. The General Information Questionnaire, Short Physical Performance Battery, Fatigue Scale-14, Barthel Index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Mini-mental State Examination were used to evaluate patients for post-intensive care syndrome from cognitive, psychological, and physiological aspects 7 days after their transfer from the Intensive Care Unit. Binomial Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of post-intensive care syndrome in elderly patients.Results:Among 119 elderly patients, 84 developed post-intensive care syndrome, with an incidence of 70.6%. The binomial Logistic regression showed that women and high nutritional risk were risk factors for the occurrence of post-intensive care syndrome in elderly patients ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The incidence of post-intensive care syndrome is high in elderly patients during the transition period, with females and patients with high nutritional risk being prone to developing post-intensive care syndrome. Medical and nursing staff should pay attention to identifying gender differences, focus on high-risk populations, and dynamically evaluate different symptoms early on to provide precise interventions for elderly patients.
7.Pathogenic and molecular characteristics of Klebsiella pneumoniae in fecal samples from diarrhea cases in a district of Beijing in 2018-2021
Shuang ZHANG ; Juan ZHAO ; Chang LIU ; Hai-Rui WANG ; Xi YANG ; Hui-Bo WANG ; Yuan-Yuan WANG ; Hui LI ; Jian-Tao ZHANG ; Zhen-Dong ZHANG ; Nan CHEN ; Ying LI ; Mao-Jun ZHANG ; Rui TIAN
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(8):745-749,757
This study was aimed at investigating the pathogenic and molecular characteristics of Klebsiella pneumoniae(KP)in fecal samples of diarrhea cases in a district of Beijing.Fecal samples from diarrhea cases in an outpatient department in a district of Beijing from 2018 to 2021 were collected,and used for isolation and culture of KP.The KP strains isolated strains were subjected to drug resistance phenotype testing and whole-genome sequencing.Multilocus sequence typing and whole-genome phyletic evolution analysis were performed on the sequencing results.The cases'epidemiological and clinical characteristics were analyzed.From 2018 to 2021,1 103 fecal samples were collected and detected.The total detection rate of KP was 10.43%(115/1 103),and the infection rate of KP mixed with other diarrhea-causing pathogens was 42.61%(49/115).The positivity rate was slightly high(12.47%,61/489)a-mong females and was highest in young adults 16-45 years of age.Small peaks were observed in January,April to May,and August to September.The gastrointestinal symptoms in cases were mainly nausea and watery stool,and the suspicious food was unknown.Ampicillin,tetracycline,and sulfafurazole were the top three antibiotics to which these 115 KP strains showed resistance,and 29 strains were resistant to multiple antibiotics.The strains were divided into 72 sequence types,among which ST23 was dominant.According to the phylogenetic tree,the strains were divided into four main branches,among which 14 ST23 strains had a very close genetic relationship with the highly virulent NTUH-K2044 reference strain.KP infection persisted in fecal samples from diarrhea cases in the district of Beijing.Women and young adults were particularly susceptible.The drug resistance of KP strains in this region was very serious,and the ST types were diverse.Moreover,the ST23 pathogenic strains were closely related to high virulence strains.
8.Clinical Features and Prognosis of Secondary Intestinal Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Xiao-Jun CHEN ; Su-Xia LIN ; Dong-Hui GAN ; Jian-Zhen SHEN ; Yu-Min FU ; Yue YIN ; Min-Juan ZENG ; Yan-Quan LIU
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(4):1097-1105
Objective:To explore and analyze the clinical features and prognostic factors of secondary intestinal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(SI-DLBCL),in order to provide reference for the basic research and clinical diagnosis and treatment of secondary lymphoma of rare sites in the field of hematology.Methods:The clinical data of 138 patients with SI-DLBCL admitted to Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from June 2011 to June 2022 were collected and sorted,the clinical and pathological features,diagnosis,treatment and prognosis were analyzed.Cox regression risk model was used to conduct univariate and multivariate analysis on the prognostic risk factors.Results:Among the 138 patients with SI-DLBCL included in this study,85(61.59%)were male,53(38.41%)were female,the median age of onset was 59.5(16-84)years,the clinical manifestations lacked specificity,the first-line treatment regimen was mainly chemotherapy(67.39%),94 cases(68.12%)received chemotherapy alone,40 cases(28.98%)were treated with chemotherapy combined with surgery,and 4 cases(2.90%)were treated with surgery alone.The median follow-up time was 72(1-148)months.Among the 138 patients with SI-DLBCL,79(57.25%)survived,34(24.64%)died,25 cases(18.12%)lost to follow-up,the PFS rates of 1-year,3-year and 5-year were 57.97%,49.28%and 32.61%,and the OS rates of 1-year,3-year and 5-year were 60.14%,54.35%and 34.06%,respectively.The results of univariate Cox regression analysis showed that age,Lugano stage and IPI score were the influencing factors of OS in SI-DLBCL patients,and age,Lugano stage and IPI score were the influencing factors of PFS in SI-DLBCL patients.The results of multivariate Cox analysis showed that Lugano stage was an independent prognostic factor affecting OS and PFS in SI-DLBCL patients.Conclusion:Patients with SI-DLBCL are more common in middle-aged and elderly men,and the early clinical manifestations lack specificity,and the first-line treatment regimen is mainly R-CHOP chemotherapy,and Lugano stage is an independent prognostic factor affecting OS and PFS in SI-DLBCL patients.
9.RHD Genotyping Characteristics of RhD-Negative Blood Donors in Wuhu Area
Meng-Nan LI ; Zhen-Jun DU ; Jing-Wen LIU ; Rui ZHANG ; Yuan WANG ; Dian-Ming CAO ; Ji-Chun TAO ; Lu-Chen ZOU ; Hui HUANG ; En-Tao SUN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(5):1531-1538
Objective:To investigate the molecular mechanism and distribution characteristics of RhD negative phenotypes in Han population of blood donors in Wuhu city.Methods:A total of 210 RhD-samples from August 2021 to August 2022 were screened by serological test and collected from Wuhu Central Blood Station for the voluntary blood donor population.Exons 1 and 10 of the RHD gene were amplificated by PCR to determine whether the samples had the RHD gene.Exons 1-10 of the RHD gene were amplificated by PCR and zygosity analysis were performed in 82 samples containing D gene,and Sanger sequencing was performed on 55 samples containing all RHD exons to determine the genotype.Results:Among 210 RhD-specimens,128 cases(60.38%)had RHD gene deletion.27 cases had partial exons of RHD,including 2 cases with RHD*DVI.3/RHD*01N.01,24 cases with RHD*01N.04/RHD*01N.01,and 1 case with RHD-CE(2-10)/RHD*01N.01.55 cases had retained all of 10 exons,including 4 cases with RHD*01/RHD*01N.01,6 cases with RHD*15/RHD*01N.01,1 case with RHD*01W.72/RHD*01N.01,1 case with RHD*15/RHD*01EL.01,39 cases with RHD*01EL.01/RHD*01N.01,and the remaining 4 cases were determined to have no RHD gene deletion by zygosity analysis and sequencing showed the presence of 1227G>A mutation loci.Conclusion:There is polymorphism in the molecular mechanism of RhD-D gene in Wuhu blood donor population,among which RHD*01EL.01 and RHD*15 are the main variants in this region.The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for RhD blood group identification and clinical blood transfusion in this region.
10.The Role of Spinal Cord Compression in Predicting Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring Events in Patients With Kyphotic Deformity: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Study
Zhen JIN ; Jie LI ; Hui XU ; Zongshan HU ; Yanjie XU ; Ziyang TANG ; Yong QIU ; Zhen LIU ; Zezhang ZHU
Neurospine 2024;21(2):701-711
Objective:
To establish a novel classification system for predicting the risk of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) events in surgically-treated patients with kyphotic deformity.
Methods:
Patients with kyphotic deformity who underwent surgical correction of cervicothoracic, thoracic, or thoracolumbar kyphosis in our center from July 2005 to December 2020 were recruited. We proposed a classification system to describe the morphology of the spinal cord on T2-weighted sagittal magnetic resonance imaging: type A, circular/symmetric cord with visible cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between the cord and vertebral body; type B, circular/oval/symmetric cord with no visible CSF between the cord and vertebral body; type C, spinal cord that is fattened/deformed by the vertebral body, with no visible CSF between the cord and vertebral body. Furthermore, based on type C, the spinal cord compression ratio (CR) < 50% was defined as the subtype C-, while the spinal cord CR ≥ 50% was defined as the subtype C+. IONM event was documented, and a comparative analysis was made to evaluate the prevalence of IONM events among patients with diverse spinal cord types.
Results:
A total of 294 patients were reviewed, including 73 in type A; 153 in type B; 53 in subtype C- and 15 in subtype C+. Lower extremity transcranial motor-evoked potentials and/or somatosensory evoked potentials were lost intraoperatively in 41 cases (13.9%), among which 4 patients with type C showed no return of spinal cord monitoring data. The 14 subtype C+ patients (93.3%) had IONM events. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with a type C spinal cord (subtype C-: odds ratio [OR], 10.390; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.215–48.735; p = 0.003; subtype C+, OR, 497.000; 95% CI, 42.126– 5,863.611; p < 0.001) are at significantly higher risk of a positive IONM event during deformity correction compared to those with a type A. In further multiple logistic regression analysis, the spinal cord classification (OR, 5.371; 95% CI, 2.966–9.727; p < 0.001) was confirmed as an independent risk factor for IONM events.
Conclusion
We presented a new spinal cord classification system based on the relative position of the spinal cord and vertebrae to predict the risk of IONM events in patients with kyphotic deformity. In patients with type C spinal cord, especially those in C+ cases, it is essential to be aware of potential IONM events, and adopt standard operating procedures to facilitate neurological recovery.

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