Objective This study aims to achieve high-yield functional expression of the human voltage-gated potassium channel K_V3.1 using an Escherichia coli cell-free protein synthesis system, thereby providing a novel synthetic approach for drug screening, structural analysis and functional characterization of K_V3.1. Methods K_V3.1 was expressed in an Escherichia coli cell-free protein synthesis system for 10 hours in the presence of peptide surfactant A₆K. The secondary structure of K_V3.1 was analyzed by circular dichroism spectroscopy. The potassium channel activity of the recombinant protein liposome K_V3.1-A₆K was investigated using fluorescent dyes Oxonol VI as indicators, which are capable of reflecting alterations in membrane potential. Results Soluble K_V3.1 protein was successfully synthesized, achieving a purified yield of up to 1.2 mg/mL via an Escherichia coli cell-free protein synthesis system. Circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed that K_V3.1 exhibited characteristic α-helical secondary structures. Membrane potential fluorescence assays demonstrated that the K_V3.1-A₆K proteoliposomes, which were reconstructed with surfactant peptide A₆K, exhibited remarkable potassium ion permeability. Conclusion This study successfully achieved high-yield expression of human K_V3.1 with activity using an Escherichia coli-based cell-free protein synthesis system. This innovative method not only significantly enhances the expression yield of K_V3.1, but also maintains its functional activity, thereby establishing a novel and efficient synthetic platform for drug screening and advancing our understanding of structure-function relationships in K_V3.1 research.
Humans ; Escherichia coli/metabolism* ; Shaw Potassium Channels/biosynthesis* ; Cell-Free System ; Circular Dichroism ; Protein Biosynthesis ; Recombinant Proteins/metabolism* ; Membrane Potentials ; Shab Potassium Channels

Organ damage from cancer treatment remarkably effects patients’ prognosis and quality of life. In recent years, preventive organ protection strategies, such as interdisciplinary collaboration, early prevention, precision interventions, psychological support, and the integrated application of traditional Chinese medicine, have demonstrated substantial clinical value and achieved notable progress. However, these approaches still encounter multiple challenges. Establishing multidisciplinary teams, optimizing therapeutic balance, and strengthening evidence-based research are essential for addressing the challenges related to treatment balance optimization, multidisciplinary coordination, and clinical translation of novel technologies. This review systematically summarizes recent advancements in preventive organ protection, analyzes existing challenges and potential solutions, and offers forward-looking recommendations. It aims to provide valuable insights for optimizing comprehensive cancer treatment strategies and improving long-term patient outcomes.

The intestinal microecology is closely related to the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The intestinal microbiota and its metabolites can regulate the tumor immune microenvironment through the "gut-liver axis", promoting cancer progression. Therefore, the intestinal microbiome is gradually demonstrating the potential as a biomarker for early diagnosis of HCC and prediction of the efficacy of immunotherapy. Targeted intervention on the intestinal microecology (such as probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, dietary regulation, etc.) may enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and is becoming a promising combination therapy strategy. In the future, HCC treatment will rely on multi-omics integration, artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis, and synthetic biology tools to promote the translation of precise gut flora intervention strategies from basic research to the clinic. This article summarized the latest research progress of intestinal microecology in HCC, explored its potential value and development direction for precision diagnosis and treatment of HCC, and provided a theoretical basis for the clinical application of related intervention strategies.

Objective:To analyze the reoperation rate and causes during the early adoption phase of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE).Methods:The clinical data of 180 patients who underwent UBE performed by a single surgeon at Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from October 2021 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical and imaging data of patients who underwent reoperation were collected to analyze the causes of reoperation, and the clinical efficacy of the reoperations was also followed up. Measurement data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation ( ± s), and t-test was used before and after treatment. Results:A total of 180 patients who underwent UBE were included in this study, of which 6 patients underwent reoperation, and the reoperation rate was 3.33%. Among them, 3 cases occurred in the first 90 surgeries and the other 3 occurred in the subsequent 90 surgeries. The causes of reoperation were as follows: recurrent lumbar disc herniation at the same segment postoperatively in 2 cases, insufficient decompression in 2 cases, disc herniation following isolated decompression in 1 case, and immediate postoperative perianal numbness in 1 case. The time between the initial surgery and reoperation ranged from 0 to 187 days, with an average of 63.3 days. The average follow-up time after reoperation was 18.3 months. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores of the patients at the last follow-up were significantly improved compared with those before operation (VAS score of low back pain: 5.2 ± 1.7 before operation, 1.2 ± 0.8 at the last follow-up, P<0.001; VAS score of leg pain: 7.2 ± 1.5 before operation, 1.2 ± 1.2 at the last follow-up, P<0.001; ODI score: 67.3 ± 5.7 before operation, 20.2 ± 8.2 at the last follow-up, P<0.001). The postoperative modified MacNab scores were generally satisfactory (4 cases were rated as excellent, accounting for 66.7%; 2 cases were rated as good, accounting for 33.3%). Except for one patient who experienced dural injury during open revision surgery, there were no serious complications such as nerve damage. Conclusions:In the early stages of UBE surgery, recurrent lumbar disc herniation and inadequate decompression are the primary reasons for reoperation, typically occurring within the first three months postoperatively. Reoperation does not significantly increase the risk of nerve injury. Enhanced early postoperative follow-up is recommended. For symptomatic patients, a second surgery with thorough decompression can yield satisfactory treatment outcomes.

One of the earliest hallmarks of intervertebral disc degeneration is the decrease in nucleus pulposus (NP) water content, which is fundamentally driven by the loss and structural alteration of extracellular matrix (ECM) aggrecan. At its core, the true determinant of NP degeneration lies in the imbalance between cells and the ECM. During the transition from notochordal cells to mature NP cells, reductions in cell density and matrix synthesis capacity lead to an inherently diminished ability to produce and renew aggrecan. Subsequently, inflammation, acidification, abnormal mechanical loading, and hypotonic microenvironments further disturb aggrecan’s structure, expression, and aggregation state through cellular mechanosensing and transcriptional regulation. These processes decrease the fixed charge density and osmotic pressure of the NP, thereby weakening its hydration, load-bearing, and resilience capacities. This review focuses on the NP microenvironment, using aggrecan as the central molecular anchor, to summarize recent advances in NP research. By integrating insights from microstructural alterations, imaging changes, and therapeutic strategies, this work aims to provide a comprehensive reference for understanding and managing the progression of NP degeneration.

AIM:To explore the effects of CD38 on lysosome reformation and cholesterol efflux in macro-phages.METHODS:Bone marrow-derived macrophages from low-density lipoprotein(LDL)receptor knockout(LDLr-/-)mice were cultured as cell model.Live cell imaging system was applied to evaluate the effect of nicotinic acid adenine di-nucleotide phosphate(NAADP)on lysosome number.ELISA was conducted to measure NAADP level in macrophages.After the cells were treated with nicotinic acid(NA),RT-qPCR was conducted to detect CD38 mRNA expression,and Western blot was conducted to observe CD38 protein expression and phosphorylated transcription factor EB(TFEB)level.Laser scanning confocal microscopy was applied to evaluate the influence of CD38/NAADP signaling on lysosome number and cholesterol egression.RESULTS:NAADP remarkably increased lysosome number(P<0.05),and this effect was significantly inhibited by NAADP antagonist NED-19,Ca2+ chelator BAPTA,and calcineurin inhibitor CsA(P<0.05).CD38 markedly enhanced NAADP synthesis in macrophages(P<0.05).NAADP synthetic substrate NA prominently ele-vated the expression of CD38 mRNA and protein(P<0.05).NA significantly decreased the phosphorylated TFEB level;this effect was also attenuated by NED-19,BAPTA and CsA(P<0.05).Disrupting CD38/NAADP signaling pathway markedly inhibited NA-induced enhancement of lysosome number,lysosomal free cholesterol and cytosol cholesterol ester efflux in macrophages(P<0.05).NA-induced enhancement of lysosome number,lysosomal free cholesterol and cytosol cholesterol ester efflux abolished in LDLr/CD38 DKO macrophages(P<0.05),whereas these effects induced by NA were recovered after CD38 gene rescue.CONCLUSION:CD38 triggers lysosome reformation via TFEB and consequently pro-motes the efflux of lysosomal free cholesterol and cytosol cholesterol ester.

As a severe clinical manifestation of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease， nonalcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH） is characterized by lipid deposition and inflammatory damage in the liver. At present， clinical medications for NASH are still in the exploratory phase， and it is urgent to make progress. Recent studies have shown that the pathogenesis of NASH is associated with circadian rhythm disorders in the liver， with the specific manifestation of dysregulated expression of liver clock genes such as BMAL1， which increases hepatic lipogenesis， reduces fatty acid oxidation， and activates pro-inflammatory factors. Therefore， improving circadian rhythm of the liver and regulating the expression of liver clock genes are feasible strategies for the prevention and treatment of NASH. Currently， some medications for NASH via activating the proteins encoded by clock genes have been applied in animal experiments， for example， the REVERB full-agonist SR9009 can inhibit the development of liver inflammation， which confirms the possibility of NASH treatment by targeting the proteins encoded by clock genes. This article summarizes the role of hepatic clock genes in regulating lipid metabolism and the development and progression of inflammation in the liver and elaborates on the recent advances in medications targeting clock genes and the proteins encoded by clock genes， in order to provide new targets for the treatment of NASH.

Zedoary turmeric oil， volatile oil extracted from zedoary turmeric， composed mainly of monoterpenes （including α-pinene， β-pinene， etc.） and sesquiterpenes （including β-elemene， zedoary alcohol， zedoary ketone， etc.）， and has been used in clinical practice to treat various malignant tumors such as ovarian cancer， cervical carcinoma， colorectal cancer， lung cancer and liver cancer. Zedoary turmeric oil regulates vascular endothelial growth factor and nuclear factors- κB， signal transducers and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathways to play a role in inhibiting tumor angiogenesis， inhibiting tumor cell proliferation， inducing tumor cell apoptosis， and blocking cell cycle. However， due to its insolubility in water and poor stability， its clinical application is limited； the application of new formulations and technologies such as liposomes， microspheres， and nanoemulsion improves the solubility and stability of zedoary turmeric oil. This paper summarizes recent research progress on the chemical composition， anti-tumor effects， and formulations of zedoary turmeric oil， both domestically and internationally， providing a reference for further expanding the clinical application and formulation development of zedoary turmeric oil in the anti-tumor field.

Zedoary turmeric oil， volatile oil extracted from zedoary turmeric， composed mainly of monoterpenes （including α-pinene， β-pinene， etc.） and sesquiterpenes （including β-elemene， zedoary alcohol， zedoary ketone， etc.）， and has been used in clinical practice to treat various malignant tumors such as ovarian cancer， cervical carcinoma， colorectal cancer， lung cancer and liver cancer. Zedoary turmeric oil regulates vascular endothelial growth factor and nuclear factors- κB， signal transducers and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathways to play a role in inhibiting tumor angiogenesis， inhibiting tumor cell proliferation， inducing tumor cell apoptosis， and blocking cell cycle. However， due to its insolubility in water and poor stability， its clinical application is limited； the application of new formulations and technologies such as liposomes， microspheres， and nanoemulsion improves the solubility and stability of zedoary turmeric oil. This paper summarizes recent research progress on the chemical composition， anti-tumor effects， and formulations of zedoary turmeric oil， both domestically and internationally， providing a reference for further expanding the clinical application and formulation development of zedoary turmeric oil in the anti-tumor field.