1.Advancements in herbal medicine-based nanozymes for biomedical applications.
Mei YANG ; Zhichao DENG ; Yuanyuan ZHU ; Chenxi XU ; Chenguang DING ; Yujie ZHANG ; Mingxin ZHANG ; Mingzhen ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(9):1037-1049
Nanozymes are a distinct category of nanomaterials that exhibit catalytic properties resembling those of enzymes such as peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Nanozymes derived from Chinese herbal medicines exhibit the catalytic functions of their enzyme mimics, while retaining the specific medicinal properties of the herb (termed "herbzymes"). These nanozymes can be categorized into three main groups based on their method of synthesis: herb carbon dot nanozymes, polyphenol-metal nanozymes, and herb extract nanozymes. The reported catalytic activities of herbzymes include POD, SOD, CAT, and GPx. This review presents an overview of the catalytic activities and potential applications of nanozymes, introduces the novel concept of herbzymes, provides a comprehensive review of their classification and synthesis, and discusses recent advances in their biomedical applications. Furthermore, we also discuss the significance of research into herbzymes, including the primary challenges faced and future development directions.
Nanostructures/chemistry*
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Humans
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Herbal Medicine/methods*
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Superoxide Dismutase/chemistry*
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Catalase/chemistry*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Catalysis
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Glutathione Peroxidase/chemistry*
2.Metabolic reprogramming nanomedicine potentiates colon cancer sonodynamic immunotherapy by inhibiting the CD39/CD73/ADO pathway.
Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Weiwei JIN ; Zhichao DENG ; Bowen GAO ; Yuanyuan ZHU ; Junlong FU ; Chenxi XU ; Wenlong WANG ; Ting BAI ; Lianying JIAO ; Hao WU ; Mingxin ZHANG ; Mingzhen ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2655-2672
Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) can potentially induce immunogenic cell death in tumor cells, leading to the release of ATP, and facilitating the initiation of an immune response. Nevertheless, the enzymes CD39 and CD73 can swiftly convert ATP into immunosuppressive adenosine (ADO), resulting in an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). This study introduced a nanomedicine (QD/POM1@NP@M) engineered to reprogram TME by modulating the CD39/CD73/ADO pathway. The nanomedicine encapsulated sonosensitizers silver sulfide quantum dots, and the CD39 inhibitor POM1, while also incorporating homologous tumor cell membranes to enhance targeting capabilities. This integrated approach, on the one hand, stimulates the release of ATP via SDT, thereby initiating the immune response. In addition, it reduced the accumulation of ADO by inhibiting CD39 activity, which ameliorated the immunosuppressive TME. Upon administration, the nanomedicine demonstrated substantial anti-tumor efficacy by facilitating the infiltration of anti-tumor immune cells, while reducing the immunosuppressive cells. This modulation effectively transformed the TME from an immunologically "cold" state to a "hot" state. Furthermore, combined with the checkpoint inhibitor α-PDL1, the nanomedicine augmented systemic anti-tumor immunity and promoted the establishment of long-term immune memory. This study provides an innovative strategy for combining non-invasive SDT and ATP-driven immunotherapy, offering new ideas for future cancer treatment.
3.Realistic concerns and ethical responses to the construction of the doctor-patient relationship from the perspective of a better life
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(5):612-618
Ethical reflections on the doctor-patient relationship from the perspective of a better life involve not only the revelation of realistic concerns but also the elucidation of coping approaches, as well as the interpretation of value orientations. Based on the realistic concerns of trust crisis, the ambiguity of responsibilities and powers, and the lack of humanity faced in the construction of the doctor-patient relationship from the perspective of a better life, it is an innovative attempt to eliminate doctor-patient tensions and reshape a reasonable doctor-patient relationship by exploring the path of response in dialogue ethics based on intersubjectivity and effective negotiation, institutional ethics based on normativism and the interweaving of morality and law, and care ethics based on reverence for life and emotional resonance. This practical narrative of responding to and reshaping the doctor-patient relationship in a better life with an ethical approach reveals the values of harmony, justice, and happiness.
4.Synthesis and evaluation of the GluA2 endocytic blocker bicyclic peptide CMT-C3Y
Ruiguo LIANG ; Zhixiang YAN ; Hongyu ZHU ; Mingxin DONG
Military Medical Sciences 2025;49(7):504-512
Objective To enhance the cyclic peptide compound's membrane permeability,structural stability,and neuroprotective activity,based on the amino acid sequence of peptides of Tat-GluA2-3Y,by designing and synthesizing a serial of cyclic peptides through strategies including polypeptide cyclization,replacement of the cell-penetrating peptide,substitution with D-amino acids,and incorporation of mini polyethylene glycol fragments.Methods The target peptides were synthesized based on standard Fmoc solid-phase method,followed by analysis and purification via reverse phase high-performance liguid chromatography(RP-HPLC).The cytoprotective activity of the peptides was evaluated by using the HT-22 cell model.The transmembrane transport efficiency of the peptides was determined based on the Caco-2 monolayer intestinal epithelial cell model.Plasmatic plasma and metabolic stability of the peptides were measured by in vitro co-incubation experiments with rat plasma and human liver microsomes.Finally,the in vivo neuroprotective activity of the peptides was validated by using a mouse middle cerebral artery occlusion model.Results Seven cyclic peptides were successfully designed and synthesized by using the standard Fmoc solid-phase method,with purities exceeding 90%as confirmed by RP-HPLC.Cytoprotective activity assay demonstrated that both Tat-GluA2-3Y and CMT-C3Y exhibited activity at concentrations above 125 nmol/L,with CMT-C3Y showing superior activity as compared to Tat-GluA2-3Y.The results of the transmembrane assay demonstrated that,compared to Tat-GluA2-3Y,CMT-C3Y exhibited significant transmembrane capabilities at all tested concentrations(P<0.001).CMT-C3Y was classified as a highly permeable compound,whereas Tat-GluA2-3Y was categorized as a moderately permeable compound.Plasma stability studies indicated that over 50%of Tat-GluA2-3Y was metabolized after 4 h of co-incubation with rat plasma.After 8 h of coincubation with CMT-C3Y,the remaining amount was 88.1%,and no obvious degradation phenomenon occurred.In human liver microsomal stability tests,the half-life of Tat-GluA2-3Y was 26.1 min,as compared to 103.8 min for CMT-C3Y,highlighting the enhanced stability of CMT-C3Y.Tat-GluA2-3Y and CMT-C3Y were classified as a fast-metabolizing drug and a moderate-metabolizing drug,respectively.Animal experiments further demonstrated that at a dose of 8 mg/kg the neuroprotective activity of CMT-C3Y was significantly superior to that of Tat-GluA2-3Y(P<0.001).Conclusion The designed bicyclic peptide CMT-C3Y demonstrates significantly higher cell-penetrating efficiency and superior plasma stability as compared to Tat-GluA2-3Y,along with enhanced neuroprotective activity at both cellular and animal levels.
5.Safety analysis of Yttrium-90 resin microsphere selective internal radiation therapy on malignant liver tumors
Jia CAI ; Shiwei TANG ; Rongli LI ; Mingxin KONG ; Hongyan DING ; Xiaofeng YUAN ; Yuying HU ; Ruimei LIU ; Xiaoyan ZHU ; Wenjun LI ; Haibin ZHANG ; Guanwu WANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(1):24-29
Objective To explore the safety of Yttrium-90 resin microsphere selective internal radiation therapy (90Y-SIRT) on malignant liver tumors. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 64 patients with malignant liver tumors who underwent 90Y-SIRT from February 2023 to November 2024 at Weifang People’s Hospital. The clinical characteristics of the patients and the occurrence of adverse reactions after treatment were analyzed to assess the safety of 90Y-SIRT. Results Among the 64 patients, there were 52 males (81.25%) and 12 females (18.75%); the average age was (56.29±11.08) years. Seven patients (10.94%) had tumors with maximum diameter of less than 5 cm, 38 patients (59.38%) had tumors with maximum diameter of 5-10 cm, and 19 patients (29.68%) had tumors with maximum diameter of greater than 10 cm. There were 47 cases (73.44%) of solitary lesions and 17 cases (26.56%) of multiple lesions; 53 cases (82.81%) were primary liver cancers and 11 cases (17.19%) were metastatic liver cancers. Of the 64 patients, 63 successfully completed the Technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA) perfusion test and received the 90Y-SIRT; one patient received 90Y-SIRT after the second 99mTc-MAA perfusion test due to a work error. The most common adverse reactions included grade 1 alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation in 26 cases (40.62%) and grade 2 in 2 cases (9.37%), grade 1 aspartate aminotransferase (AST) elevation in 27 cases (42.18%) and grade 2 in 7 cases (10.93%); grade 1 nausea in 17 cases (26.56%) and grade 2 in 6 cases (9.37%); grade 1 abdominal pain in 12 cases (18.75%), grade 2 in 5 cases (7.81%), and grade 3 in 1 case (1.56%); grade 1 vomiting in 11 cases (17.18%), grade 2 in 5 cases (7.81%), and grade 3 in 1 case (1.56%). Conclusion The adverse reactions of 90Y-SIRT for treating malignant liver tumors are mild, indicating good safety.
6.Microwave imaging method based on deep convolutional autoencoder and its potential for medical application
Huangsen DENG ; Jie LIU ; Lian YAN ; Guangzheng ZHU ; Xu NING ; Mingxin QIN ; Mingsheng CHEN
Chinese Journal of Medical Physics 2025;42(2):184-189
A deep learning based microwave imaging model which can directly map the scattered electric field to the dielectric property distribution image of the target object is developed,and its potential for medical applications is explored.The two-dimensional time-domain finite difference method is used for numerical simulation to obtain a dataset of scattered electric fields;a deep convolutional autoencoder based imaging model is constructed to perform imaging studies on two types of target objects;the imaging results are quantitatively evaluated using relative error,and the model's ability to distinguish different types of strokes is also analyzed.The results show that the imaging network based on deep convolutional autoencoder exhibits excellent imaging performance when processing both numerical models.For simple objects,the model can accurately locate and preliminarily reconstruct the shape of the object,with an average relative error of 0.3012,while for the stroke models,it can effectively reconstruct the location and shape of the stroke area,and preliminarily reconstruct other brain tissues,with an average relative error of 0.077 8.The microwave imaging network based on deep convolutional autoencoder has great promise for fast and accurate image reconstruction,and the numerical example of stroke detection demonstrates its significant application potential in biomedical imaging.
7.Effects of multiple Nsp proteins on SARS-CoV-2 polymerase activity
Mingxin CHENG ; Pengfei ZHU ; Fang YAN ; Fang SONG ; Xuefeng WANG ; Tiecheng WANG ; Xianzhu XIA ; Yuwei GAO ; Fang YAN
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(8):1665-1671
The novel coronavirus(severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2,SARS-CoV-2),classified as a single-stranded RNA virus,replicates and transcribes its genome through the action of an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase,which is itself comprised of numerous non-structural pro-teins(non-structural proteins,Nsps).The present study delineates the development of a detection system founded on a bicistronic reporter plasmid in conjunction with an array of Nsp plasmids,ai-ming to investigate the influence of SARS-CoV-2 Nsps on the virus's replication and expression profiles.Specifically,a bicistronic reporter gene plasmid along with twelve distinct Nsp plasmids(encompassing Nsp3C-Flag,Nsp4,Nsp6-Nsp10,Nsp12-Nsp16)were meticulously constructed via molecular cloning techniques.The successful expression of these Nsps was subsequently confirmed through Western blot analysis.Initially,the activity of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase was assessed by co-transfection of the reporter plasmid with Nsp12,in the presence of its auxiliary fac-tors Nsp7 and Nsp8,with careful regulation of the co-transfection ratio,culturing temperature,and the timing of activity determination for the triad of Nsp plasmids.The normalized NLuc fluorescein value,in reference to the FLuc fluorescein value of the housekeeping gene,served as a metric for determining the polymerase activity.Building upon this foundation,the co-transfection concentra-tions of Nsp9-16 were fine-tuned,followed by the incremental addition of varying doses of Nsp3C,Nsp4,and Nsp6,to further elucidate the activity of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase(RdRp).The findings indicated that upon transfection with varying ratios of Nsp7,Nsp8,and Nsp12 at a propor-tion of 1∶8∶24,the polymerase activity was markedly elevated compared to the control group,with a statistical significance level(P<0.001).Furthermore,in the absence of Nsp3,Nsp4,and Nsp6,the inclusion of Nsp10-16 substantially augmented the activity of the RdRp,particularly in scenarios where Nsp9 was not introduced,achieving statistical significance(P<0.001).In the pres-ence of Nsp3 and Nsp4,the RdRp activity was augmented further upon the addition of Nsp9,reac-hing a level of significance(P<0.05).The data imply that Nsp9 is capable of enhancing the RdRp activity of SARS-CoV-2 exclusively in the context of Nsp3 and Nsp4 coexistence,suggesting that the stimulatory influence of Nsp9 on viral replication may be contingent upon the formation of double-membrane vesicles.
8.Application of 3D technology-assisted teaching based on the four-in-one flipped classroom in clinical teaching of neurosurgery
Qungen XIAO ; Huiyong LIU ; Junfeng LIU ; Zhoubin TAN ; Juan CHEN ; Mingxin ZHU ; Qiaoying TANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(8):1104-1109
Objective:To explore the application effect of 3D technology-assisted teaching based on "four-in-one" flipped classroom in clinical teaching of neurosurgery, and provide a basis for optimizing the medical education mode.Methods:A total of 50 students from the Second Clinical College were selected between June 2020 and June 2024, including eight-year program medical students and postgraduate neurosurgery students. The control group ( n=25) received the conventional teaching mode. The experimental group ( n=25) was taught using the "four-in-one" flipped classroom combined with 3D technology, including characteristic textbooks with 3D model drawings, Internet platforms (video libraries and virtual simulation modules), mobile interactive terminals (real-time question and answer), and virtual simulation technology. Effectiveness was evaluated through theoretical assessment (e.g., neuroanatomy and clinical application ability, with a total score of 100 points), operational assessment (e.g., surgical design and aseptic concept, with a total score of 100 points), and a teaching quality questionnaire. Independent samples t-test was conducted using SPSS 22.0. Results:The total score of theoretical assessment was higher in the experimental group than that in the control group [(86.52±5.21) vs. (73.56±6.32), P<0.001], with the largest difference observed in case analysis questions [(26.03±3.65) vs. (22.22±3.50), P=0.001]. In the operational assessment, the experimental group performed better in "surgical process design" [(26.30±4.14) vs. (21.44±3.45), P<0.001] and "aseptic concept" [(8.18±0.98) vs. (6.64±0.79), P<0.001]. The teaching quality questionnaire showed that the experimental group scored higher in "clinical practice skill enhancement" [(23.13±1.39) vs. (21.45±1.86), P=0.001] and "self-directed learning motivation" [(21.84±1.60) vs. (19.75±1.45), P<0.001]. Conclusions:The combination of "four-in-one" flipped classroom and 3D technology can significantly improve the teaching effectiveness of neurosurgery, especially in the cultivation of clinical thinking and practical abilities. This approach is worth promoting.
9.Effects of multiple Nsp proteins on SARS-CoV-2 polymerase activity
Mingxin CHENG ; Pengfei ZHU ; Fang YAN ; Fang SONG ; Xuefeng WANG ; Tiecheng WANG ; Xianzhu XIA ; Yuwei GAO ; Fang YAN
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(8):1665-1671
The novel coronavirus(severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2,SARS-CoV-2),classified as a single-stranded RNA virus,replicates and transcribes its genome through the action of an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase,which is itself comprised of numerous non-structural pro-teins(non-structural proteins,Nsps).The present study delineates the development of a detection system founded on a bicistronic reporter plasmid in conjunction with an array of Nsp plasmids,ai-ming to investigate the influence of SARS-CoV-2 Nsps on the virus's replication and expression profiles.Specifically,a bicistronic reporter gene plasmid along with twelve distinct Nsp plasmids(encompassing Nsp3C-Flag,Nsp4,Nsp6-Nsp10,Nsp12-Nsp16)were meticulously constructed via molecular cloning techniques.The successful expression of these Nsps was subsequently confirmed through Western blot analysis.Initially,the activity of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase was assessed by co-transfection of the reporter plasmid with Nsp12,in the presence of its auxiliary fac-tors Nsp7 and Nsp8,with careful regulation of the co-transfection ratio,culturing temperature,and the timing of activity determination for the triad of Nsp plasmids.The normalized NLuc fluorescein value,in reference to the FLuc fluorescein value of the housekeeping gene,served as a metric for determining the polymerase activity.Building upon this foundation,the co-transfection concentra-tions of Nsp9-16 were fine-tuned,followed by the incremental addition of varying doses of Nsp3C,Nsp4,and Nsp6,to further elucidate the activity of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase(RdRp).The findings indicated that upon transfection with varying ratios of Nsp7,Nsp8,and Nsp12 at a propor-tion of 1∶8∶24,the polymerase activity was markedly elevated compared to the control group,with a statistical significance level(P<0.001).Furthermore,in the absence of Nsp3,Nsp4,and Nsp6,the inclusion of Nsp10-16 substantially augmented the activity of the RdRp,particularly in scenarios where Nsp9 was not introduced,achieving statistical significance(P<0.001).In the pres-ence of Nsp3 and Nsp4,the RdRp activity was augmented further upon the addition of Nsp9,reac-hing a level of significance(P<0.05).The data imply that Nsp9 is capable of enhancing the RdRp activity of SARS-CoV-2 exclusively in the context of Nsp3 and Nsp4 coexistence,suggesting that the stimulatory influence of Nsp9 on viral replication may be contingent upon the formation of double-membrane vesicles.
10.Application of 3D technology-assisted teaching based on the four-in-one flipped classroom in clinical teaching of neurosurgery
Qungen XIAO ; Huiyong LIU ; Junfeng LIU ; Zhoubin TAN ; Juan CHEN ; Mingxin ZHU ; Qiaoying TANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(8):1104-1109
Objective:To explore the application effect of 3D technology-assisted teaching based on "four-in-one" flipped classroom in clinical teaching of neurosurgery, and provide a basis for optimizing the medical education mode.Methods:A total of 50 students from the Second Clinical College were selected between June 2020 and June 2024, including eight-year program medical students and postgraduate neurosurgery students. The control group ( n=25) received the conventional teaching mode. The experimental group ( n=25) was taught using the "four-in-one" flipped classroom combined with 3D technology, including characteristic textbooks with 3D model drawings, Internet platforms (video libraries and virtual simulation modules), mobile interactive terminals (real-time question and answer), and virtual simulation technology. Effectiveness was evaluated through theoretical assessment (e.g., neuroanatomy and clinical application ability, with a total score of 100 points), operational assessment (e.g., surgical design and aseptic concept, with a total score of 100 points), and a teaching quality questionnaire. Independent samples t-test was conducted using SPSS 22.0. Results:The total score of theoretical assessment was higher in the experimental group than that in the control group [(86.52±5.21) vs. (73.56±6.32), P<0.001], with the largest difference observed in case analysis questions [(26.03±3.65) vs. (22.22±3.50), P=0.001]. In the operational assessment, the experimental group performed better in "surgical process design" [(26.30±4.14) vs. (21.44±3.45), P<0.001] and "aseptic concept" [(8.18±0.98) vs. (6.64±0.79), P<0.001]. The teaching quality questionnaire showed that the experimental group scored higher in "clinical practice skill enhancement" [(23.13±1.39) vs. (21.45±1.86), P=0.001] and "self-directed learning motivation" [(21.84±1.60) vs. (19.75±1.45), P<0.001]. Conclusions:The combination of "four-in-one" flipped classroom and 3D technology can significantly improve the teaching effectiveness of neurosurgery, especially in the cultivation of clinical thinking and practical abilities. This approach is worth promoting.

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