1.Terms Related to The Study of Biomacromolecular Condensates
Ke RUAN ; Xiao-Feng FANG ; Dan LI ; Pi-Long LI ; Yi LIN ; Zheng WANG ; Yun-Yu SHI ; Ming-Jie ZHANG ; Hong ZHANG ; Cong LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):1027-1035
Biomolecular condensates are formed through phase separation of biomacromolecules such as proteins and RNAs. These condensates exhibit liquid-like properties that can futher transition into more stable material states. They form complex internal structures via multivalent weak interactions, enabling precise spatiotemporal regulations. However, the use of inconsistent and non-standardized terminology has become increasingly problematic, hindering academic exchange and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the terminology related to biomolecular condensates in order to clarify concepts, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, enhance research efficiency, and support the healthy development of this field.
2.A Case Report of Pachydermoperiostosis by Multidisciplinary Diagnosis and Treatment
Jie ZHANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Li HUO ; Ke LYU ; Tao WANG ; Ze'nan XIA ; Xiao LONG ; Kexin XU ; Nan WU ; Bo YANG ; Weibo XIA ; Rongrong HU ; Limeng CHEN ; Ji LI ; Xia HONG ; Yan ZHANG ; Yagang ZUO
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2025;4(1):75-82
A 20-year-old male patient presented to the Department of Dermatology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital with complaints of an 8-year history of facial scarring, swelling of the lower limbs, and a 4-year history of scalp thickening. Physical examination showed thickening furrowing wrinkling of the skin on the face and behind the ears, ciliary body hirsutism, blepharoptosis, and cutis verticis gyrate. Both lower limbs were swollen, especially the knees and ankles. The skin of the palms and soles of the feet was keratinized and thickened. Laboratory examination using bone and joint X-ray showed periostosis of the proximal middle phalanges and metacarpals of both hands, distal ulna and radius, tibia and fibula, distal femurs, and metatarsals.Genetic testing revealed two variants in
3.The level of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue and its clinical significance in patients in the convalescence stage of hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure
Zhekai CAI ; Long XU ; Wenli LIU ; Yingqun XIAO ; Qingmei ZHONG ; Wei ZHANG ; Min WU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(1):57-62
ObjectiveTo investigate the expression level of HBV cccDNA in patients in the convalescence stage of hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) and its correlation with HBV markers and liver histopathological changes. MethodsA total of 30 patients in the convalescence stage of HBV-ACL who were hospitalized in The Ninth Hospital of Nanchang from January 2015 to October 2023 were enrolled as liver failure group, and 9 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), matched for sex and age, were enrolled as control group. The content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue was measured, and its correlation with clinical data and laboratory markers was analyzed. The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and a one-way analysis of variance or the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups; the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. A Spearman correlation analysis was performed. ResultsThe liver failure group had a significantly lower content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue than the control group (-0.92±0.70 log10 copies/cell vs -0.13±0.91 log10 copies/cell, t=2.761, P=0.009). In the liver failure group, there was no significant difference in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue between the HBeAg-positive patients and the HBeAg-negative patients (P>0.05); there was no significant difference in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue between the patients with different grades (G0-G2, G3, and G4) of liver inflammatory activity (P>0.05); there was no significant difference in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue between the patients with different stages (S0-S2, S3, and S4) of liver fibrosis (P>0.05); there was no significant difference in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue between the patients with negative HBV DNA and those with positive HBV DNA (P>0.05). For the liver failure group, the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue was positively correlated with the content of HBV DNA in liver tissue (r=0.426, P=0.043) and was not significantly correlated with the content of HBV DNA in serum (P>0.05). ConclusionThere is a significant reduction in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue in the convalescence stage of HBV-ACLF. HBV cccDNA exists continuously and stably in liver tissue and can better reflect the persistent infection and replication of HBV than HBV DNA in serum and liver tissue.
4.Enzyme-directed Immobilization Strategies for Biosensor Applications
Xing-Bao WANG ; Yao-Hong MA ; Yun-Long XUE ; Xiao-Zhen HUANG ; Yue SHAO ; Yi YU ; Bing-Lian WANG ; Qing-Ai LIU ; Li-He ZHANG ; Wei-Li GONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):374-394
Immobilized enzyme-based enzyme electrode biosensors, characterized by high sensitivity and efficiency, strong specificity, and compact size, demonstrate broad application prospects in life science research, disease diagnosis and monitoring, etc. Immobilization of enzyme is a critical step in determining the performance (stability, sensitivity, and reproducibility) of the biosensors. Random immobilization (physical adsorption, covalent cross-linking, etc.) can easily bring about problems, such as decreased enzyme activity and relatively unstable immobilization. Whereas, directional immobilization utilizing amino acid residue mutation, affinity peptide fusion, or nucleotide-specific binding to restrict the orientation of the enzymes provides new possibilities to solve the problems caused by random immobilization. In this paper, the principles, advantages and disadvantages and the application progress of enzyme electrode biosensors of different directional immobilization strategies for enzyme molecular sensing elements by specific amino acids (lysine, histidine, cysteine, unnatural amino acid) with functional groups introduced based on site-specific mutation, affinity peptides (gold binding peptides, carbon binding peptides, carbohydrate binding domains) fused through genetic engineering, and specific binding between nucleotides and target enzymes (proteins) were reviewed, and the application fields, advantages and limitations of various immobilized enzyme interface characterization techniques were discussed, hoping to provide theoretical and technical guidance for the creation of high-performance enzyme sensing elements and the manufacture of enzyme electrode sensors.
5.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.
6.Targeting NUF2 suppresses gastric cancer progression through G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis induction
Bo LONG ; Huinian ZHOU ; Lixia XIAO ; Xiangyan JIANG ; Jian LI ; Zhijian MA ; Na HE ; Wei XIN ; Boya ZHANG ; Xiaoqin ZHU ; Zeyuan YU ; Zuoyi JIAO
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(20):2437-2451
Background::Gastric cancer (GC), a malignant tumor with poor prognosis, is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide; consequently, identifying novel therapeutic targets is crucial for its corresponding treatment. NUF2, a component of the NDC80 kinetochore complex, promotes cancer progression in multiple malignancies. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the potential of NUF2 as a therapeutic target to inhibit GC progression. Methods::Clinical samples were obtained from patients who underwent radical resection of GC at Lanzhou University Second Hospital from 2016 to 2021. Cell count assays, colony formation assays, and cell-derived xenotransplantation (CDX) models were used to determine the effects of NUF2 on GC progression. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of NUF2 or quercetin on cell cycle progression and apoptosis. A live-cell time-lapse imaging assay was performed to determine the effect of NUF2 on the regulation of mitotic progression. Transcriptomics was used to investigate the NUF2-associated molecular mechanisms. Virtual docking and microscale thermophoresis were used to identify NUF2 inhibitors. Finally, CDX, organoid, and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models were used to examine the efficacy of the NUF2 inhibitor in GC. Results::NUF2 expression was significantly increased in GC and was negatively correlated with prognosis. The deletion of NUF2 suppressed GC progression both in vivo and in vitro. NUF2 significantly regulated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, promoted G2/M phase transition, and inhibited apoptosis in GC cells. Additionally, quercetin was identified as a selective NUF2 inhibitor with low toxicity that significantly suppressed tumor growth in GC cells, organoids, CDX, and PDX models. Conclusions::Collectively, NUF2-mediated G2/M phase transition and apoptosis inhibition promoted GC progression; additionally, NUF2 inhibitors exhibited potent anti-GC activity. This study provides a new strategy for targeting NUF2 to suppress GC progression in clinical settings.
7.Observation of the effect of single dose intravenous infusion of tranexamic acid on white blood cell,erythrocyte sedi-mentation rate and C-reactive protein after double segmental posterior lumbar interbody fusion
Shen-Shen HAO ; Xiao-Long AN ; Sheng-Li DONG ; Shuai LIU ; Hong-Ke LI ; Peng-Cheng WANG ; Shao-Min ZHANG ; Kai KANG
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2024;37(10):978-984
Objective To observe the safety and effectiveness of single dose intravenous infusion of tranexamic acid(TX-A)in dual level posterior lumbar interbody fusion(PLIF),and to explore the changes and trends in perioperative white blood cell(WBC),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),and C-reactive protein(CRP).Methods Between October 2020 and September 2022,46 patients with lumbar degenerative disease were treated with dual level PLIF,including 18 males and 28 females,with an average age of(60.24±10.68)years old,from 34 to 80 years old.They were divided into observation group and control group according to different treatment methods.There were 28 patients in the observation group,including 12 males and 16 females,with an average age of(61.04±9.03)years old.There were 3 cases with lumbar disc herniation(LDH),lumbar spinal stenosis(LSS)18 cases,lumbar spondylolisthesis(LS)7 cases.TXA(1 g/100 ml)was administered intravenously 15 min before skin incision after general anesthesia.The control group consisted of 18 patients,including 6 males and 12 females,with an average age of(59.00±13.04)years old.There were 5 cases with LDH,LSS 9 cases,LS 4 cases,and TXA was not used.The operation time,intraoperative bleeding volume,postoperative drainage volume,postoperative deep vein thrombosis(DVT),postoperative hospital stay,postoperative activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),prothrombin time(PT),thrombin time(TT),fibrinogen(FIB),platelet(PLT),red blood cell(RBC),hemoglobin(HB),hematocrit(HCT),the first day,the fourth day,the seventh day and the last tested after operation WBC,ESR and CRP were recorded.Results The postop-erative wounds of the patients healed well and there was no DVT.46 patients were followed up from 3 to 6 months.The intraop-erative blood loss was 400.0(300.0,500.0)ml and the postoperative drainage was 260.0(220.0,450.0)ml in the observation group,which were lower than the control group[600.0(400.0,1000.0)ml,395.0(300.0,450.0)ml],P<0.05.There was no significant difference between the two groups in operation time,postoperative hospital stay,postoperative APTT,PT,TT,FIB,PLT,RBC,HB,HCT,and postoperative WBC,ESR and CRP at different times(P>0.05).Conclusion Single dose intravenous infusion of TXA can reduce the blood loss of bi-segmental PLIF,and has no significant effect on WBC,ESR and CRP after op-eration.
8.High-frequency ultrasound for measuring thickness of inferior glenohumeral joint capsule
Yingxin SU ; Shenyi LI ; Yi ZHANG ; Xiangdang LONG ; Xi LI ; Mengzhe YANG ; Yi XIAO
Chinese Journal of Interventional Imaging and Therapy 2024;21(8):453-456
Objective To observe whether there was difference of inferior glenohumeral joint capsule thickness(ICT)measured on coronal and transverse axillary section with high-frequency ultrasound.Methods ICT of 56 patients with frozen shoulder(FS group)and 115 healthy controls(HC group)were measured on coronal and transverse axillary sections with high-frequency ultrasound.The ultrasonic findings were compared between groups,while ICT measured on different sections were compared within groups.Results In FS group,ICT thickened,presented as low echo with poor boundary clarity,with reduced and uneven internal echo.No echo areas could be detected when there was fluid accumulation,and concomitant blood flow signal could be observed.In HC group,the inferior glenohumeral joint capsule presented as moderate echo with clear boundary,with uniform low or equal echo.No significant difference of ICT values measured on coronal or transverse section was found within both groups(both P>0.05).Conclusion ICT measured on coronal and transverse axillary section with high-frequency ultrasound were not significantly different.
9.MiR-513b-5p Inhibits Proliferation,Migration and Invasion of Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Targeting CXCL8
Yu-Liang ZHANG ; Xu-Ting XUE ; Ying WANG ; Long HE ; Xiao-Ya GUAN ; Chun-Ming ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2024;40(11):1627-1635
Metastasis is the main risk factor for poor prognosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) .Chemokines are closely related to metastasis in the tumor microenvironment.CXCL8 is a cyto-kine-like secreted protein that plays key roles in the malignant development of a variety of tumors,but has not been elucidated in LSCC.In this paper,we elucidated the role of CXCL8 in LSCC cells and found miRNAs that targeted CXCL8,which may become new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of LSCC.Firstly,the GEPIA showed that CXCL8 was highly expressed in head and neck cancer (P<0.05).The real-time fluorescence quantification (qRT-PCR) found that CXCL8 was highly expressed in LSCC cells.The enzyme-linked immunoassay also found that CXCL8 was highly secreted in the superna-tant of LSCC cells (P<0.001) .Then,the CCK8 assay confirmed that knockdown of CXCL8 significant-ly inhibited the proliferation of FD-LSC-1 and AMC-HN8 cells (the average inhibition rate was 34.0%and 19.5%,respectively);The EdU assay also confirmed that knockdown of CXCL8 significantly inhibi-ted the proliferation of LSCC cells (P<0.05) .The transwell assay confirmed that knockdown of CXCL8 also significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of FD-LSC-1 cell (average inhibition rate was 40.0%,38.5%,respectively);Knockdown of CXCL8 also significantly inhibited the migration and inva-sion of AMC-HN8 cell (average inhibition rate was 37.5%,53.5%,respectively ) .The analysis of bioinformatics predicted that CXCL8 may be a target of miR-513b-5p.The dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-513b-5p could bind to the CXCL8-3'UTR.QRT-PCR assay also confirmed that over-expression of miR-513b-5p could decrease the 60% of the CXCL8 expression (P<0.01) .Cell function rescue assays found that overexpressed of CXCL8 could effectively reversed proliferation,migration and invasion of LSCC cells weakened by miR-513b-5p (P<0.05) .In summary,miR-513b-5p inhibited the proliferation,migration and invasion of LSCC cells by targeting CXCL8.
10.The Prognostic Predictive Value of TP53 Mutant Variant Allele Frequency in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Ling-Long ZHANG ; Li AN ; Xiao-Long QI ; Renaguli·Abulaiti ; Zhen KOU ; Wei TAN ; Yu-Ling NIE ; Muhebaier·Abuduer ; Yan LI
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(6):1719-1725
Objective:To explore the effect of TP53 mutation variant allele frequency(VAF)on the prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)patients.Methods:This study included 155 patients with DLBCL who were first diagnosed in the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from March 2009 to March 2022. Complete clinical data and paraffin-embedded tumor tissue samples were obtained,and DNA was extracted from tumor tissues.The gene mutation profile of DLBCL patients was detected and analyzed by second-generation sequencing technology.Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the mutation status of TP53 gene and the relationship between mutation VAF and OS.Cox regression univariate and multivariate analysis was use to analyze the independent factors affecting OS.A nornogram model for predicting 1,3,and 5 years OS in DLBCL patients were established to evaluated the performance of the model based on C-index and calibration curves.Results:The average value of TP53 mutation VAF in male DLBCL patients was significantly higher than that in female patients (P<0.05 ).Patients with TP53 mutantion had shorter OS than those with wild-type patients (P=0.030).The optimal VAF threshold for TP53 mutation based on OS stratification was 33.61%(P<0.001),and patients with TP53 mutation VAF≥34%had shorter OS than those with TP53 mutation VAF<34%and wild-type patients (P<0.001).Multivariate Cox analysis showed that TP53 mutation VAF≥34% was an independent poor predictor of OS (HR=4.05,P<0.001),and IPI score ≥3 was an independent predictor of OS poor (HR=2.27,P=0.008).In combination with factors with independent prognostic significance obtained from multi-factor analysis,we constructed a nomogram model for predicting 1-year,3-year,5-year OS in DLBCL patients.The results showed that the C index of TP53-mutated VAF combined with IPI model was 0.743,which predicted the value of 1-year,3-year,and 5-year OS in DLBCL patients.Calibration curves show that the model has good agreement between predicted and actual survival of DLBCL patients at 1-year,3-year,and 5-year. Conclusion:TP53 mutant VAF has prognostic value in DLBCL patients,and TP53 mutant VAF≥34% is an independent risk factor for OS in DLBCL patients.The prognosis model of TP53 mutation VAF combined with IPI nomogram constructed in this study has good predictive performance for DLBCL patients.

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