As a biocatalyst, laccase has been widely studied and applied in the papermaking industry. However, the low catalytic efficiency and poor stability of natural laccase limit its application in the pulping process. To develop the laccase with high activity and strong tolerance, we carried out directed evolution for modification of the laccase derived from Bacillus pumilus and screened out the mutants F282L/F306L and Q275P from the random mutant library by high-throughput screening. The specific activities of F282L/F306L and Q275P were 280.87 U/mg and 453.94 U/mg, respectively, which were 1.42 times and 2.30 times that of the wild-type laccase. Q275P demonstrated significantly improved thermal stability, with the relative activity 20% higher than that of the wild-type laccase after incubation at 40 ℃, 50 ℃, and 70 ℃ for 4 h. F282L/F306L and Q275P showed greater tolerance to metal ions and organic solvents than the wild-type laccase. The K_m value of the wild-type laccase was 374.97 μmo/L, and those of F282L/F306L and Q275P were reduced to 318.96 μmo/L and 360.71 μmo/L, respectively, which suggested that the substrate affinity of laccase was improved after mutation. The k_cat values of F282L/F306L and Q275P for the substrate ABTS were 574.00 s^-1 and 898.03 s^-1, respectively, which were 1.1 times and 1.7 times that of the wild-type laccase, indicating the improved catalytic efficiency. Q275P demonstrated better performance than the wild-type laccase in pulping, as manifested by the reduction of 0.82 in the Kappa number and the increases of 2.00% ISO, 7.8%, and 7.2% in whiteness, tensile index, and breaking length, respectively. This work lays a foundation for improving the adaptation of laccase to the environment of the papermaking industry.
Laccase/chemistry* ; Directed Molecular Evolution ; Enzyme Stability ; Bacillus pumilus/genetics* ; Mutation ; Biocatalysis ; Catalysis

The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)has been increasing annually.Current primary treatment strategies involve dietary modifications and increased physical activity to allevi-ate symptoms,yet there is a notable lack of targeted pharmacological interventions.Members of the micro RNA-29(miR-29)family(miR-29a,miR-29b,miR-29c)are known to play a critical regulatory role in lipid metabolism within hepatocytes;however,the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated.This study aims to identify the target genes and associated signaling pathways of the miR-29 family,thereby providing potential therapeutic targets for the development of NAFLD treatments.Firstly,the human liver cell line HepG2 was utilized as a model for adipogenic induction,and miR-29a/b/c-3p mimics were indi-vidually transfected.Through methods such as Oil Red O staining and triglyceride(TG)quantification,it was observed that the miR-29 family members significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in hepatocytes(P＜0.05).Subsequently,qRT-PCR and Western blot were utilized to detect the expression levels of ad-ipogenic marker genes(fatty acid synthase(FAS),acetyl coa carboxylase(ACACA),stearoyl-coen-zyme a desaturase 1(Scd 1))and autophagy marker genes(sequestosome 1(SQSTM1,also known as p62),autophagy related gene 5(Atg5)),and the results indicated that the members of the miR-29 fam-ily could significantly suppress the expression of FAS,ACACA,Scd1,and p62 genes in hepatocytes,while significantly enhancing the level of the Atg5 gene.Further investigations using signaling pathway activity analysis and dual luciferase reporter assays confirmed that the miR-29a/b/c could suppress the mTOR signaling pathway activity and directly interact with the ten-eleven translocation 2(TET2)gene.Finally,co-transfection experiments were performed to examine the potential synergistic effects among the miR-29-3p family members,and the results demonstrated that co-transfection of miR-29 family members more effectively inhibited lipid droplet accumulation in HepG2 cells and further suppressed the expression of the target gene TET2 compared to individual transfection.In summary,the miR-29 family members may reduce lipid accumulation in hepatocytes by inhibiting the mTOR signaling pathway via the TET2 gene,and they exhibit a positive synergistic effect.

The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)has been increasing annually.Current primary treatment strategies involve dietary modifications and increased physical activity to allevi-ate symptoms,yet there is a notable lack of targeted pharmacological interventions.Members of the micro RNA-29(miR-29)family(miR-29a,miR-29b,miR-29c)are known to play a critical regulatory role in lipid metabolism within hepatocytes;however,the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated.This study aims to identify the target genes and associated signaling pathways of the miR-29 family,thereby providing potential therapeutic targets for the development of NAFLD treatments.Firstly,the human liver cell line HepG2 was utilized as a model for adipogenic induction,and miR-29a/b/c-3p mimics were indi-vidually transfected.Through methods such as Oil Red O staining and triglyceride(TG)quantification,it was observed that the miR-29 family members significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in hepatocytes(P＜0.05).Subsequently,qRT-PCR and Western blot were utilized to detect the expression levels of ad-ipogenic marker genes(fatty acid synthase(FAS),acetyl coa carboxylase(ACACA),stearoyl-coen-zyme a desaturase 1(Scd 1))and autophagy marker genes(sequestosome 1(SQSTM1,also known as p62),autophagy related gene 5(Atg5)),and the results indicated that the members of the miR-29 fam-ily could significantly suppress the expression of FAS,ACACA,Scd1,and p62 genes in hepatocytes,while significantly enhancing the level of the Atg5 gene.Further investigations using signaling pathway activity analysis and dual luciferase reporter assays confirmed that the miR-29a/b/c could suppress the mTOR signaling pathway activity and directly interact with the ten-eleven translocation 2(TET2)gene.Finally,co-transfection experiments were performed to examine the potential synergistic effects among the miR-29-3p family members,and the results demonstrated that co-transfection of miR-29 family members more effectively inhibited lipid droplet accumulation in HepG2 cells and further suppressed the expression of the target gene TET2 compared to individual transfection.In summary,the miR-29 family members may reduce lipid accumulation in hepatocytes by inhibiting the mTOR signaling pathway via the TET2 gene,and they exhibit a positive synergistic effect.

Objective To investigate the correlation between rs712 and rs7973450 located at the 3'UTR region of the KRAS gene and the risk of cervical cancer(CC)and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia(CIN)in Chinese Han population in Yunnan province.Methods A total of 2405 individuals(461 subjects with CIN,961 subjects with CC and 983 healthy controls)were enrolled.The SNPs were genotyped used TaqMan assay and the correlation of these SNPs with CIN and CC was analyzed.Results The A allele of rs7973450 might be a protective factor for the occurrence of CIN(P = 0.004,OR= 0.651,95%CI 0.487～0.871)and CC(P = 7.00×10-4,OR= 0.667,95%CI 0.529～0.844).There was no significant difference in allelic and genotypic distribution of rs712 among CIN,CC and Control groups(P>0.017).The haplotype assay showed thatrs712A-rs7973450G was associated with increased risk of CIN(P = 4.00×10-4;OR= 1.714,95%CI 1.269～2.314)and CC(P = 3.84×10-5,OR= 1.667,95%CI 1.305～2.131).While haplotype rs712A-rs7973450A was associated with a lower risk of CC(P = 0.012,OR= 0.790,95%CI 0.658～0.950).Conclusion The A allele of rs7973450 in 3'UTR of KRAS gene might be the protective factor for the occurrence of CIN and CC in a Chinese Han population in Yunnan province.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of flupentixol combined with ondansetron in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting(PONV)in patients receiving sufentanil and dezocine patient-controlled intravenous analgesia(PCIA).Methods Surgical patients receiving sufentanil and dezocine PCIA were randomly divided into treatment and control groups using a random number table.The control group received sufentanil 150 μg,dezocine 20 mg,and ondansetron 8 mg for PCIA,while the treatment group received sufentanil 150 μg,dezocine 20 mg,flupentixol 5 mg,and ondansetron 8 mg for PCIA.The incidence of PONV,severity of PONV,heart rate(HR),mean arterial pressure(MAP),blood oxygen saturation(SPO2)levels at different time points after surgery,surgery-related indicators,visual analogue scale(VAS)scores,Ramsay scores,PCIA pressing times,and incidence of adverse drug reactions were compared between the two groups.Results The incidence of PONV in the treatment group and the control group at 2,12,24,36 and 48 hours after surgery were 1.64％,4.84％,6.56％,3.28％,0 and 14.75％,18.03％,19.67％,16.39％,9.84％,respectively.The HR at 24 hours after surgery in the treatment group and the control group were(91.42±8.75)and(98.13±9.62)beat·min-1,respectively;the MAP were(91.98±4.56)and(99.05±4.17)mmHg;SPO2 were(98.13±1.65)％and(98.95±1.82)％;VAS scores were 2.68±0.49 and 2.97±0.63;Ramsay scores were 2.27±0.65 and 2.05±0.32;PCIA pressing times were(2.14±0.37)and(4.36±0.78)times,respectively.The differences in the above indicators between the treatment group and the control group were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The incidence of total adverse drug reactions after surgery in the treatment group and the control group were 13.12％and 8.20％,respectively,with no statistically significant difference(P＞0.05).Conclusion Flupentixol combined with ondansetron can reduce the risk of PONV caused by sufentanil combined with dezocine PCIA after surgery,ensuring good analgesic effects and safety.

Objective: To understand the interrelationships of parental control, peer relationship, and aggressive behavior in junior high school students, in order to provide a theoretical basis for preventing the occurrence of adolescent aggressive behavior. Methods: During June to July, 2022, 2 564 students of grade one to grade three were selected from 6 junior high schools from each of Suzhou and Xuancheng cities in Anhui Province by using convenient cluster random sampling method, and then the questionnaire survey was administered, including the Chinese version of Parent Control Questionnaire, Chinese version of Buss & Perry Aggression Questionnaire and Adolescent Peer Relationship Questionnaire. Results: Boys scored (185.31±27.49, 21.65±7.43, 21.77 ±8.18, 69.50±11.41, 72.39±11.53) higher than girls (178.21±25.13, 20.08±7.09, 20.61±7.62, 66.56± 11.14 , 70.95± 11.84 ) in parental control, father s psychological control, mother s psychological control, father s behavioral control, and mother s behavioral control ( t =8.63, 5.47, 3.70, 6.60, 3.12), while girls scored (48.41±11.26) higher in peer relationship than boys ( 47.13 ± 10.84 ) ( t =-2.95) ( P <0.01). The scores of first grade students in parental control, father s psychological control, mother s psychological control, father s behavior control, peer relationship, and aggressive behavior (184.67±27.18, 21.83± 7.29 , 22.15±8.07, 68.81±10.95, 50.21±9.57, 80.23±17.66) were higher than those of second gradestudents (180.98±25.46, 20.16±7.82, 20.21±7.55, 68.29±11.69, 45.47±11.67, 74.08±17.70) and third grade students (179.21±26.79, 20.53±7.22, 21.17 ± 8.06 , 66.81± 11.39 , 47.54±11.43, 75.75±16.29) ( F =9.44, 12.87, 13.61, 6.84, 42.85, 30.40, P <0.01). The scores of parental control and peer relationship were positively correlated with the scores of aggressive behavior ( r=0.22, 0.47, P <0.01). Peer relationship partially mediate the relationship between parental control and aggressive behavior, with a partial mediation effect value of 0.04, accounting for 26.39% of the total effect of parental control on aggressive behavior. Conclusions High parental control and poor peer relationship are both positively correlated with the level of aggressive behavior. The peer relationship of teenagers should be improved by establishing appropriate parenting style, tackling campus violence, and maintaining good social norms, in order to reduce the occurrence of aggressive behavior among adolescents.

Objective:To analyze the efficacy and influencing factors of cyclosporine(CsA)alone in the treatment of children with acquired aplastic anemia(AA).Methods:The clinical data of children diagnosed with AA and treated with CsA alone from January 1,2016 to December 31,2020 in the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were collected,and the efficacy and influencing factors of CsA treatment were evaluated.Results:Among the 119 patients,there were 62 male and 57 female,with a median age of 7 years and 1 month.There were 45 cases of very severe AA(VSAA),47 cases of severe AA(SAA),and 27 cases of non-severe AA(NSAA).At 6 months after treatment,the efficacy of VSAA was lower than that of SAA and NSAA,and there was a statistical difference(P＜0.01).6 cases died early,16 cases relapsed,2 cases progressed to AML and ALL.The results of univariate analysis showed that the high proportion of lymphocyte in the bone marrow at 6 months was an adverse factor for the efficacy of CsA,while high PLT count was a protective factor(P=0.008,P=0.002).The ROC curve showed that the cut-off values of PLT count and the proportion of bone marrow lymphocyte at 6 months were 16.5 × 109/L,68.5％,respectively.Multivariate analysis showed that the high proportion of lymphocyte in bone marrow at 6 months was an independent adverse factor for IST(P=0.020,OR=0.062),and high PLT count was a protective factor(P=0.044,OR=1.038).At 3 months of treatment,CsA response and NSAA were the risk factor for recurrence(P=0.001,0.031).Conclusion:The efficacy of NSAA was higher than that of SAA and VSAA after 6 months of treatment with CsA alone.A high PLT count at the initial diagnosis was a good factor for the effectiveness of CsA,and a high proportion of bone marrow lymphocyte was an unfavorable factor.CsA response at 3 months and NSAA were risk factors for recurrence.

Both anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease and the anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) are common causes of pulmonary-renal syndrome. Organizing pneumonia (OP), a special pattern of interstitial lung disease, is extremely rare either in AAV or anti-GBM disease. We report an old woman presented with OP on a background of co-presentation with both ANCA and anti-GBM antibodies.
Female ; Humans ; Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic ; Organizing Pneumonia ; Autoantibodies ; Glomerulonephritis ; Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease ; Pneumonia ; Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis/complications*

Cancer stands as one of the predominant causes of mortality globally, necessitating ongoing efforts to develop innovative therapeutics. Historically, natural products have been foundational in the quest for anticancer agents. Bulbocodin D (BD) and Bulbocodin C (BC), two bibenzyls derived from Pleione bulbocodioides (Franch.) Rolfe, have demonstrated notable in vitro anticancer activity. In human lung cancer A549 cells, the IC_50s for BD and BC were 11.63 and 11.71 μmol·L^-1, respectively. BD triggered apoptosis, as evidenced by an upsurge in Annexin V-positive cells and elevated protein expression of cleaved-PARP in cancer cells. Furthermore, BD and BC markedly inhibited the migratory and invasive potentials of A549 cells. The altered genes identified through RNA-sequencing analysis were integrated into the CMap dataset, suggesting BD's role as a potential signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor. SwissDock and MOE analyses further revealed that both BD and BC exhibited a commendable binding affinity with STAT3. Additionally, a surface plasmon resonance assay confirmed the direct binding affinity between these compounds and STAT3. Notably, treatment with either BD or BC led to a significant reduction in p-STAT3 (Tyr 705) protein levels, regardless of interleukin-6 stimulation in A549 cells. In addition, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) was activated after BD or BC treatment. An enhancement in cancer cell mortality was observed upon combined treatment of BD and U0126, the MEK1/2 inhibitor. In conclusion, BD and BC emerge as promising novel STAT3 inhibitors with potential implications in cancer therapy.
Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/metabolism* ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry* ; A549 Cells ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation

Objective: To investigate the association of Internet gaming disorder (IGD) and sleep quality in adolescents of Xi an, thereby providing theoretical evidence for prevention of IGD and improvement of sleep quality of adolescents. Methods: A total of 1 181 adolescents from 3 middle schools of Xi an were randomly selected between August, 2019 and February, 2020. These adolescents were assessed by a series of questionnaires, including basic information questionnaire, IGD and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression model were used to evaluate the association between IGD and insomnia. Results: Among 929 junior middle school students who participated in online games and the IGD Diagnostic Questionnaire was filled out in the past 12 months, the prevalence of IGD was 20.0%(186). Univariate analyses indicated that gender,whether single family, whether they living with their parents, whether they were addicted to online games, whether they could control the time of online games, and the severity of insomnia influenced IGD ( χ 2=17.11, 8.33, 202.92, 91.23, 29.06, P <0.05). The multivariate Logistic regression of the total population showed that participating in online games was not associated with the severity of insomnia ( OR = 1.62 , 95% CI =0.92-0.85, P >0.05). The people who participated in online games in the past 12 monthsthe severity of insomnia was positively correlated with the risk of IGD ( OR =3.56，95% CI =1.92-6.61, P <0.01). Conclusion Internet gaming disorder become a severe situation in the middle school students. The severity of insomnia might become the risk factor of IGD, so social should pay more attention to the prevention of internet addiction.