1.Polypeptide-based Nanocarriers for Oral Targeted Delivery of CAR Genes to Pancreatic Cancer
Feng XIN ; Jian REN ; Zhao-Zhen LI ; Quan FANG ; Rui-Jing LIANG ; Lan-Lan LIU ; Lin-Tao CAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):431-441
ObjectivePancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits a limited response to current treatments due to its dense fibrotic stroma and highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In recent years, advancements in cellular immunotherapy, particularly chimeric antigen receptor macrophage (CAR-M) therapy, have offered new hope for pancreatic cancer treatment. Although CAR-M therapy demonstrates dual potential in directly killing tumor cells and remodeling the immune microenvironment, it still faces challenges such as complex in vitro preparation processes and low in vivo targeting and delivery efficiency. Therefore, developing strategies for efficient and targeted in vivo delivery of CAR genes has become crucial for overcoming current therapeutic limitations. This study aims to develop an orally administrable nano-gene delivery system for the targeted delivery of CAR genes to pancreatic tumor sites. MethodsCore nano-gene particles (PNP/pCAR) were constructed by loading plasmid DNA encoding CAR (pCAR) with cationic polypeptides (PNP). Subsequently, PNP/pCAR was surface-modified with β-glucan to prepare the targeted nanoparticles (βGlus-PNP/pCAR). The loading efficiency of PNP for pCAR was quantitatively assessed by gel retardation assay. The particle size, Zeta potential, morphology, and storage stability of PNP/pCAR were characterized using a Malvern particle size analyzer and transmission electron microscopy. At the cellular level, RAW 264.7 macrophages were selected. The cytotoxicity of PNP/pCAR was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The cellular uptake efficiency and lysosomal escape ability of the nanoparticles were assessed via flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Transfection efficiency was quantitatively evaluated by detecting the expression of the reporter gene GFP using flow cytometry. At the in vivo level, an orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse model was established. Cy7-labeled βGlus-PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were administered orally, and the fluorescence distribution in mice was dynamically monitored at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 h post-administration using a small animal in vivo imaging system. Forty-eight hours after oral gavage, the mice were euthanized, and pancreatic tumor tissues were collected for further analysis of intratumoral fluorescence signals using the imaging system. Additionally, βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP nanoparticles loaded with the reporter gene (GFP) were administered orally. Forty-eight hours post-administration, pancreatic tumor tissues were harvested to prepare frozen sections, and GFP expression was observed and analyzed under a fluorescence microscope. ResultsThe PNP carrier exhibited a high loading capacity for pCAR. The successfully prepared PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were regular spheres with a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately (120±10) nm and a Zeta potential of about +(6±1) mV. They maintained good structural stability after incubation in PBS buffer for 7 d. Cell experiments demonstrated that PNP/pCAR exhibited no significant cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells while being efficiently internalized and effectively escaping lysosomal degradation. The transfection positive rate of PNP/pCAR-GFP in RAW 264.7 cells reached (25±3)%, surpassing that of Lipofectamine 2000-loaded pCAR-GFP (Lipo/pCAR-GFP), which was (20±1)%.In vivo experiments revealed that, compared to unmodified PNP/pCAR, βGlus-PNP/pCAR exhibited strongerin situ pancreatic tumor targeting ability after oral administration. Furthermore, oral administration of βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP resulted in significant GFP protein expression detectable within pancreatic tumor tissues. ConclusionThis study successfully constructed and validated an orally administrable, pancreatic cancer-targeting polypeptide-based nano-gene delivery system. It provides an important technological foundation in delivery systems and experimental basis for the subsequent development of in situ CAR-M-based therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer.
2.Polypeptide-based Nanocarriers for Oral Targeted Delivery of CAR Genes to Pancreatic Cancer
Feng XIN ; Jian REN ; Zhao-Zhen LI ; Quan FANG ; Rui-Jing LIANG ; Lan-Lan LIU ; Lin-Tao CAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):431-441
ObjectivePancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits a limited response to current treatments due to its dense fibrotic stroma and highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In recent years, advancements in cellular immunotherapy, particularly chimeric antigen receptor macrophage (CAR-M) therapy, have offered new hope for pancreatic cancer treatment. Although CAR-M therapy demonstrates dual potential in directly killing tumor cells and remodeling the immune microenvironment, it still faces challenges such as complex in vitro preparation processes and low in vivo targeting and delivery efficiency. Therefore, developing strategies for efficient and targeted in vivo delivery of CAR genes has become crucial for overcoming current therapeutic limitations. This study aims to develop an orally administrable nano-gene delivery system for the targeted delivery of CAR genes to pancreatic tumor sites. MethodsCore nano-gene particles (PNP/pCAR) were constructed by loading plasmid DNA encoding CAR (pCAR) with cationic polypeptides (PNP). Subsequently, PNP/pCAR was surface-modified with β-glucan to prepare the targeted nanoparticles (βGlus-PNP/pCAR). The loading efficiency of PNP for pCAR was quantitatively assessed by gel retardation assay. The particle size, Zeta potential, morphology, and storage stability of PNP/pCAR were characterized using a Malvern particle size analyzer and transmission electron microscopy. At the cellular level, RAW 264.7 macrophages were selected. The cytotoxicity of PNP/pCAR was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The cellular uptake efficiency and lysosomal escape ability of the nanoparticles were assessed via flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Transfection efficiency was quantitatively evaluated by detecting the expression of the reporter gene GFP using flow cytometry. At the in vivo level, an orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse model was established. Cy7-labeled βGlus-PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were administered orally, and the fluorescence distribution in mice was dynamically monitored at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 h post-administration using a small animal in vivo imaging system. Forty-eight hours after oral gavage, the mice were euthanized, and pancreatic tumor tissues were collected for further analysis of intratumoral fluorescence signals using the imaging system. Additionally, βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP nanoparticles loaded with the reporter gene (GFP) were administered orally. Forty-eight hours post-administration, pancreatic tumor tissues were harvested to prepare frozen sections, and GFP expression was observed and analyzed under a fluorescence microscope. ResultsThe PNP carrier exhibited a high loading capacity for pCAR. The successfully prepared PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were regular spheres with a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately (120±10) nm and a Zeta potential of about +(6±1) mV. They maintained good structural stability after incubation in PBS buffer for 7 d. Cell experiments demonstrated that PNP/pCAR exhibited no significant cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells while being efficiently internalized and effectively escaping lysosomal degradation. The transfection positive rate of PNP/pCAR-GFP in RAW 264.7 cells reached (25±3)%, surpassing that of Lipofectamine 2000-loaded pCAR-GFP (Lipo/pCAR-GFP), which was (20±1)%.In vivo experiments revealed that, compared to unmodified PNP/pCAR, βGlus-PNP/pCAR exhibited strongerin situ pancreatic tumor targeting ability after oral administration. Furthermore, oral administration of βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP resulted in significant GFP protein expression detectable within pancreatic tumor tissues. ConclusionThis study successfully constructed and validated an orally administrable, pancreatic cancer-targeting polypeptide-based nano-gene delivery system. It provides an important technological foundation in delivery systems and experimental basis for the subsequent development of in situ CAR-M-based therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer.
3.Survey of current status of prevention and control of traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment technique-related infections in Jiangsu Province
Xuan WU ; Jing KONG ; Zihan SUN ; Ge QIU ; Shanshan XU ; Quan CHEN ; Li RUI ; Zhengxiang DAI
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(9):1385-1390
OBJECTIVE To understand the current status of prevention and control of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)diagnosis and treatment technique-related infections in various grades of hospitals in Jiangsu Province so as to provide bases for management departments to put forward the norms.METHODS The questionnaire was de-signed by the methods such as Delphic correspondence,the current status of prevalence,prevention and control of TCM diagnosis and treatment technique-related infections among the health care workers in the hospitals of Jiang-su Province was investigated by using convenience sampling method.RESULTS A total of 508 questionnaires were collected from 13 cities of Jiangsu Province.The results showed that the TCM treatment room(63.64%)was the most common operation site for minimally invasive TCM diagnosis and treatment techniques,the bedside(62.50%)of the patients was the major operation site for Chinese medicine enema,and the central sterile supply department(55.31%)was the preferred choice of cleaning and disinfection site for daily recycled TCM apparatu-ses.'One person used for once,airing and preparing for later use after cleaning and disinfection for once'was the major approach taken for the cleaning and disinfection of Gua Sha boards(82.45%)and TCM pots(87.50%).67.87%of the health care workers said that they wound cleaned and disinfected the medical apparatuses of dress-ing,ironing and fumigation every time after the use.The natural ventilation and ultraviolet light(50.39%)was the major method that was taken for the ventilation and disinfection of the treatment rooms for TCM operations.Quick-drying hand disinfectant and non-touch hand-washing equipment(39.37%)were the most commonly e-quipped hand hygiene facilities.CONCLUSIONS The prevention and control of TCM diagnosis and treatment tech-nique-related infections and the health care workers' capabilities for prevention and control of the infection have made remarkable progress in the various grades of hospitals in Jiangsu Province.However,there is still room for further improvement,and the standardized management and construction should be completed so as to safeguard the TCM diagnosis and treatment techniques.
4.Design of mobile smart pharmacy in emergency rescue operations
Hang-mei LIU ; Xin HE ; Jing-bo SUN ; Yang LIU ; Shui LIU ; Bo-quan ZHANG ; Li-li ZHANG
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(1):20-26
Objective To design a mobile smart pharmacy so as to enhance emergency medicine support in emergency rescue operations.Methods The mobile smart pharmacy was composed of a vehicle structure module,a medicine storage module,an information management module and a mobile smart pharmacy management system.The vehicle structure module with a closed boxcar was composed of a chassis,a boxcar framework,an extension module,a control module for electric power,term-perature and humidity and an unpacking and handling module;the medicine storage module with layer design was made up of medicine cabinets,an electronic lock control device,a LED display and paper signs;the information management module consisted of a main control module,a communication module,a drawer controlling module and a management module for medicine inbound and warehousing and an acquisition module for temperature and humidity;the mobile smart pharmacy management system was developed with Java language.Results The mobile smart pharmacy contributed to centralized stock-piling and rapid localization,inquiry and management of kinds of medicine,and ensured the medicine quality safety during the storage and delivery in emergency rescue operations.Conclusion The mobile smart pharmacy facilitates medicine mana-gement in emergency rescue operations,raises the rescue efficiency,meets the requirements for responding to types of disasters and enhances the abilities for emergency rescue effectively.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(1):20-26]
5.Effects of donor human milk on medical costs in very low birth weight and extremely low birth weight infants
Xinrui YAO ; Lin WANG ; Jing YUAN ; Yu ZHANG ; Meiying QUAN ; Bing YANG ; Zhenghong LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2025;33(2):112-117
Objective:To compare the medical costs of using standard fortified donor human milk (DHM) or preterm formula (PF) to supply very low birth weight [VLBW, defined as birth weight (BW) ≥1 000 g but <1 500 g] and extremely low birth weight (ELBW, defined as BW <1 000 g) premature infants with insufficient maternal breast milk.Methods:VLBW and ELBW preterm infants hospitalized in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from September 2017 to October 2020 were retrospectively enrolled and assigned into DHM group and PF group based on complementary feeding methods. The cost of parenteral nutrition (PN), cost of antibiotics, and total medical expenses during hospitalization were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 89 infants were enrolled in this study, out of whom 50 was in the DHM group and 39 the PF group. The gestational age in DHM group and PF group were both (29±2) weeks. The BW of DHM group was 1 170 (919, 1 380)?g and that of PF group was 1 170 (1 010, 1 360) g. There were no significant differences in gestational age, BW, maternal age at delivery, delivery mode, gender ratio, proportion of small-for-gestational-age infants and length of hospital stay between the two groups (all P>0.05). The cost of parenteral nutrition in DHM group was significantly lower than that in PF group [3 500 (1 922, 5 704) Chinese yuan vs 7 995 (5 579, 10 788) Chinese Yuan, P<0.01]. The cost of antibiotics in DHM group was significantly lower than that in PF group [6 529 (2 265, 10 860) Chinese Yuan vs 13 676 (10 480, 18 506) Chinese Yuan, P<0.01]. The difference in total medical expense during hospitalization showed no statistical significance between two groups ( P>0.05). Amorg VLBW preterm infants, the cost of PN, cost of antibiotics, total cost of hospitalization, and daily cost of hospitalization in HDM group was significantly lower than that in PF group (all P<0.05). In ELBW preterm infants, the cost of PN and the cost of antibiotics in HDM group were significantly lower than that in PF group (both P<0.05), but the total cost of hospitalization and the daily cost of hospitalization between two groups showed no significant difference (all P>0.05). Conclusions:When mother's own milk is insufficient, using donor human milk reduces the costs of PN and antibiotics in VLBW and ELBW preterm infants compared with using PF. In VLBW preterm infants, using DHM can also reduce the total and daily cost of hospitalization.
6.Maintenance of MAQUET ROTAFLOW ECMO system:Four case reports
Zeng-qiang FANG ; Bin-quan WANG ; Li-gang LOU ; Jing-yi FENG
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(5):116-120
The composition and working principle of MAQUET ROTAFLOW ECMO system were introduced.Four cases of common failures of ROTAFLOW ECMO systems were analyzed in terms of the cause and elimination method.The methods for the maintenance and quality control of ECMO system were put forward.References were provided for engineering technicians to treat similar faults.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(5):116-120]
7.The Construction and Empirical Research of the Operation and Management Capability Evaluation Indicator System in Tertiary Public Hospital
Hao DING ; Aolun XU ; Jing FENG ; Yan LI ; Quan WAN ; GULIDANNA·ASIHAER ; Tiemin ZHAI
Chinese Health Economics 2025;44(5):53-57
Objective:To construct an evaluation index system for the operational management capability in tertiary public hospitals and validate its feasibility,providing a reference for accurately assessing the operational management capability of public hospitals.Methods:A literature review and Delphi method were employed to construct the index system.The Analytic Hierarchy Process was used to calculate weights,and a weighted comprehensive index method was applied to evaluate the operational management capability of sample hospitals.Results:A hierarchical indicator system was established,comprising 6 first-level indicators,16 second-level indicators,and 40 third-level indicators,covering the dimensions of resource allocation,service efficiency,economic operation,risk prevention and control,development capacity,and social benefits.Empirical results indicated that the composite score of the sample hospital decreased from 71.5 in 2019 to 53.8 in 2020 and rebounded to 57.9 by 2023.Conclusions:The empirical outcomes align well with the operational capacity as understood by the operational management personnel of the sample hospital,demonstrating that the indicator system is scientifically sound and rational,possessing a high evaluative capability.
8.Construction and Performance of CD44-targeted Teniposide Nano-delivery System for Anti-B-cell Lymphoma Activity in vitro
Chuan-Min ZHANG ; Si-Jing MEI ; Lei HAN ; Yuan-Wei SHI ; Bo-Lian XIAO ; Xiao-Li XIE ; Quan-Ping SU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(6):815-825
Although teniposide(VM26)is widely used in the treatment of lymphoma,its poor water sol-ubility,low bioavailability and systemic toxicities still limit its clinical application.Nano-delivery systems are effective in increasing the bioavailability and reducing the toxicity of VM26,but there is an urgent need to overcome the problem of its non-specific targeting.Therefore,in this paper,we designed and constructed a hyaluronic acid-modified teniposide-targeted nano-delivery system(VM26-TNDS),and characterised its drug encapsulation rate,particle size and zeta potential.We also investigated the effects of VM26-TNDS on B-cell lymphoma cells with different expression of CD44 receptor,in terms of cellular targeting,inhibitory effect of proliferation,and induction of apoptosis and necrosis.The results showed that the drug encapsulation efficiency of VM26-TNDS exceeded 85%,and its liquid formulation could be stably stored at 4 ℃ for more than 6 months without precipitation.Based on CD44 receptor expression,Granta-519(high expression),Raji(medium-low expression)and SU-DHL-4(almost no expression)were screened for cellular experiments.Compared with VM26-NDS,the targeted modification could effec-tively reduce the uptake of VM26-TNDS by RAW264.7 and increase the uptake of VM26-TNDS by CD44 receptor-expressing lymphoma cells.The inhibitory proliferative effect and apoptotic necrosis-inducing a-bility of VM26-TNDS were stronger than those of VM26-NDS for Granta-519 and Raji cells,whereas there was no significant difference in the inhibitory effect on proliferation and ability to induce apoptosis and necrosis between VM26-NDS and VM26-TNDS in SU-DHL-4 cells,reflecting the targeting advantage for VM26-TNDS,as expected.However,its toxic effect on B-cell lymphoma cells only reflected the targeting advantage at some concentrations(0.25 μmol/L and 0.5 μmol/L),which met the expectation.The a-bove results indicate that a teniposide-targeted nano-delivery system,VM26-TNDS,has been successfully prepared in this study.VM26-TNDS improves the delivery efficiency of VM26 by targeting human B-cell lymphoma cells expressing the CD44 receptor,thus killing human B-cell lymphoma cells more effectively and overcoming the problem of non-specific targeting in drug delivery to improve the therapeutic effect.Its biological therapeutic effects and mechanisms still need to be proved by more in vitro and in vivo ex-perimental evidence.
9.Survey of current status of prevention and control of traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment technique-related infections in Jiangsu Province
Xuan WU ; Jing KONG ; Zihan SUN ; Ge QIU ; Shanshan XU ; Quan CHEN ; Li RUI ; Zhengxiang DAI
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(9):1385-1390
OBJECTIVE To understand the current status of prevention and control of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)diagnosis and treatment technique-related infections in various grades of hospitals in Jiangsu Province so as to provide bases for management departments to put forward the norms.METHODS The questionnaire was de-signed by the methods such as Delphic correspondence,the current status of prevalence,prevention and control of TCM diagnosis and treatment technique-related infections among the health care workers in the hospitals of Jiang-su Province was investigated by using convenience sampling method.RESULTS A total of 508 questionnaires were collected from 13 cities of Jiangsu Province.The results showed that the TCM treatment room(63.64%)was the most common operation site for minimally invasive TCM diagnosis and treatment techniques,the bedside(62.50%)of the patients was the major operation site for Chinese medicine enema,and the central sterile supply department(55.31%)was the preferred choice of cleaning and disinfection site for daily recycled TCM apparatu-ses.'One person used for once,airing and preparing for later use after cleaning and disinfection for once'was the major approach taken for the cleaning and disinfection of Gua Sha boards(82.45%)and TCM pots(87.50%).67.87%of the health care workers said that they wound cleaned and disinfected the medical apparatuses of dress-ing,ironing and fumigation every time after the use.The natural ventilation and ultraviolet light(50.39%)was the major method that was taken for the ventilation and disinfection of the treatment rooms for TCM operations.Quick-drying hand disinfectant and non-touch hand-washing equipment(39.37%)were the most commonly e-quipped hand hygiene facilities.CONCLUSIONS The prevention and control of TCM diagnosis and treatment tech-nique-related infections and the health care workers' capabilities for prevention and control of the infection have made remarkable progress in the various grades of hospitals in Jiangsu Province.However,there is still room for further improvement,and the standardized management and construction should be completed so as to safeguard the TCM diagnosis and treatment techniques.
10.Healthcare institution resilience and the influencing factors during infectious disease outbreaks
Yaqun FU ; Jiawei ZHANG ; Bing HAN ; Quan WANG ; Zheng ZHU ; Zhijie NIE ; Yiyang TAN ; Qing LIU ; Xiaoguang LI ; Jing GUO ; Rongmeng JIANG ; Li YANG
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(3):529-536
Objective:To analyze the association between healthcare workers mental health,institu-tional supplies and facilities,inter-organizational coordination during infectious disease outbreaks,and the healthcare institution resilience.Methods:An online questionnaire survey was conducted among the healthcare workforce from 146 institutions in Beijing from January 13,2023 to February 9,2023,and a total of 1 434 eligible respondents were included.The sample comprised 408 responses from tertiary hos-pitals,117 from secondary hospitals,and 909 from primary care institutions.The resilience indicator for healthcare institutions was defined as the degree to which medical services met patient demands,with in-fluencing factors including physical factors,such as material shortages and facility space adaptation or ex-pansion,organizational factors such as information sharing and patient referral,and psychological factors were evaluated using job satisfaction(extrinsic satisfaction,intrinsic satisfaction),burnout(emotional exhaustion,depersonalization,reduced personal accomplishment),and depression status.Ordered mul-ticlassification Logistic regression was used to examine the impact of various factors on the degree to which healthcare services met patient needs;additionally,demographic factors that might influence institutional resilience were controlled.Results:During the emergency response phase,93%of hospitals maintained the capacity to meet patient needs,though tertiary hospitals demonstrated significantly higher rates of service inadequacy(21.05%).Material shortages were reported across all institutions,with tertiary hos-pitals experiencing more frequent multi-item shortages.Inter-institutional collaboration patterns revealed substantial variation:87.50%of primary care facilities,42.86%of secondary hospitals,and 31.58%of tertiary hospitals.Healthcare workers across all levels reported mild depressive symptoms and moderate-to-severe burnout levels.Regression analysis showed high satisfaction(overall satisfaction β=0.04,ex-trinsic satisfaction β=0.06,and intrinsic satisfaction β=0.08),low degree of job burnout(emotional exhaustion β=-0.04,depersonalization β=-0.07 and reduced personal accomplishment β=0.01),low degree of depression(β=-0.06)were significantly associated with higher healthcare institution re-silience.In addition,material shortages were significantly associated with lower resilience,and renova-tion and expansion of treatment spaces,and information sharing,were all associated with higher resilience.Demographic factors(age,gender,marital status,educational background,etc.)had no sig-nificant impact on resilience.Conclusion:Mental health status significantly influences healthcare institu-tion resilience.As human resources constitute the core asset of healthcare institutions,strategic optimiza-tion of workforce allocation and psychological support interventions can effectively strengthen resilience.Moreover,healthcare institution resilience is positively impacted by orderly material supply chains,timely resource distribution,and adaptive reconfiguration of clinical spaces.Finally,facilitating information sharing also enhances institutional resilience.

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