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.The first record of Anopheles messeae (Diptera: Culicidae) parasitized by water mites in China
Xue-ru CHEN ; Wen-zhen YAO ; Yu-hao LI ; Gui-chang LI ; Tao MENG ; Qun-ling FENG ; Xin-hui LIU ; Li-hong QIAO ; Xiang-ting WU ; Xue-feng ZHANG ; Cheng-lin LI ; Xue-cheng DONG ; Da-wei WANG ; Xiao-yan SI ; Yu-hong GUO
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(1):53-57
Objective This study reports on the obligatory parasitism of water mites Arrenurus sp. on Anopheles messeae at the Manzhouli Port, Inner Mongolia, China. Methods Duing July 2024, a survey on the mosquito diversity was conducted at the Manzhouli Port. Captured mosquitoes and their ectoparasites were identified to species level. Results A total of 1840 adult mosquitoes were collected, representing species from three genera: Culex(Cx. modestus, Cx. pipiens pallens), Aedes(Ae. dorsalis, Ae. flavidorsalis, Ae. flavescens), and Anopheles (An. messeae). Among all the mosqutioes specimens,3 out of 150 captured An. messeae were found to carry ectoparasitic mites, with number of 2,4,27 mites separately. Morphological and molecular identification reached the same result as water mites(Hydrachnidiae, Hydracrina). COI gene sequence showed 94% similarity with the closest species Arrenurus truncatellus. Conlusions Literature review suggests water mites are host-specific parasitism of mosquito species and herein with the first record of Arrenurus sp. parasiting on An. Messeae in the most high-latitude region globally.
4.Analysis of tick monitoring and Bandavirus dabieense carrying status in Tai'an City from 2021 to 2023
Ya-nan WEI ; Tong XU ; Su MI ; Rong-qiang ZHANG ; Fu-rong LIU ; Hao-lin XIN ; Yi-yue FU ; De-zhen MA
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(3):198-203
Objective To understand the distribution, species composition, seasonal fluctuations, and presence of Dabie bandavirus in ticks in Tai'an City, providing a basis for assessing tick-borne disease risks and formulating prevention strategies. Methods Free-living ticks were monitored using the flagging method, whereas parasitic ticks were monitored through host surface examination. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the presence of Bandavirus dabieense in tick specimens. Results The density of free-living ticks in Tai'an City showed a continuous decreasing trend over the 3 years from 2021 to 2023, with an average tick density of 0.43 ticks/(flag·100 m). The dominant habitats were scenic areas and forests, and the seasonal fluctuations exhibited a bimodal pattern, peaking in March and August. The only free-living tick species captured was Haemaphysalis longicornis. Over the 3 years, the average tick index for parasitic ticks was 1.85, with sheep as the primary host. Seasonal fluctuations also followed a bimodal pattern, peaking in March and August. The primary parasitic tick species captured were H. longicornis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus. No Dabie bandavirus was detected in the tick specimens. Conclusions Tick density in Tai'an City remains relatively high, necessitating continued efforts to enhance tick surveillance and implement targeted prevention measures in rural environments to further reduce the health risks posed by tick-borne diseases.
5.Does Vertebral Cement Augmentation Reduce Postoperative Proximal Junction Complications in Spinal Deformity Corrective Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Dong LI ; Xin SUN ; Jie LI ; Yanjie XU ; Yong QIU ; Zezhang ZHU ; Zhen LIU
Neurospine 2025;22(1):51-66
Objective:
To assess the effectiveness of vertebral cement augmentation (VCA) at upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) and UIV+1 in preventing proximal junction complications in correction surgery for adult spinal deformity patients.
Methods:
A literature search was conducted on Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases for comparative studies published before December 30th, 2024. Two reviewers independently screened eligible articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, assessed study quality with Newcastle-Ottawa scale, and extracted data like study characteristics, surgical details, primary and secondary outcomes. Data analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 and Stata software.
Results:
Of all 513 papers screened, a meta-analysis was conducted on 7 articles, which included 333 cases in the VCA group and 827 cases in the control group. Patients in the VCA group had significantly older age and lower T score than patients in the control group. Although there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of proximal junctional failure between the 2 groups, the results of the meta-analysis showed that the incidence of proximal junctional failure and the need for revision surgery were reduced by 36% and 71%, respectively, in the VCA group. One study reported 2 clinically silent pulmonary cement embolism and 1 patient requiring surgical decompression for cement leak into the spinal canal.
Conclusion
This meta-analysis supported the use of VCA in corrective surgery for spinal deformities patients, especially in patients with advanced age and osteoporosis.
6.Association between physical exercise behavior with mobile phone addiction and mental health of college students
LIU Manluo, QI Xin, WU Min, SUN Qin, ZHAO Zhen
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(5):634-637
Objective:
To explore the relationship of physical exercise behavior with mobile phone addiction and mental health of college students, so as to provide evidence for interventions to improve mobile phone addiction and mental health of college students.
Methods:
From October 8 to December 20 in 2024, 896 college students from 4 colleges in Beijing were selected using a combination of convenience sampling and stratified random cluster sampling method. Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), Mobile Phone Addiction Tendency Scale (MPATS), Adolescence Mental Health Diathesis Questionnaire (AMHDQ) and Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) were used. The correlation of mobile phone addiction and mental health on physical exercise behavior of college students were analyzed by multivariable Logistic regression and linear regression.
Results:
Among the surveyed college students, 504 (56.25%) students had low exercise, 262 (29.24%) had moderate exercise, 130 (14.51%) had high exercise, and 392 (43.75%) had sufficient exercise. The total score of PARS-3 was 18.00 ( 15.00 , 33.00) points. Logistic regression analysis showed that the total score of MPATS ( OR=1.022, 95%CI =1.008-1.036), the total score of SCL-90 ( OR=1.010, 95%CI = 1.005 -1.015), the total AMHDQ score ( OR=0.995, 95%CI =0.992-0.998) were significantly associated with insufficient exercise among college students ( P <0.05). Linear regression analysis showed that the scores of MPATS, AMHDQS and SCL-90 were significantly correlated with physical exercise behavior ( B=-0.20, 0.04, -0.07, P <0.05).
Conclusion
The physical exercise behavior of college students is related to mobile phone addiction and mental health.
7.Does Vertebral Cement Augmentation Reduce Postoperative Proximal Junction Complications in Spinal Deformity Corrective Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Dong LI ; Xin SUN ; Jie LI ; Yanjie XU ; Yong QIU ; Zezhang ZHU ; Zhen LIU
Neurospine 2025;22(1):51-66
Objective:
To assess the effectiveness of vertebral cement augmentation (VCA) at upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) and UIV+1 in preventing proximal junction complications in correction surgery for adult spinal deformity patients.
Methods:
A literature search was conducted on Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases for comparative studies published before December 30th, 2024. Two reviewers independently screened eligible articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, assessed study quality with Newcastle-Ottawa scale, and extracted data like study characteristics, surgical details, primary and secondary outcomes. Data analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 and Stata software.
Results:
Of all 513 papers screened, a meta-analysis was conducted on 7 articles, which included 333 cases in the VCA group and 827 cases in the control group. Patients in the VCA group had significantly older age and lower T score than patients in the control group. Although there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of proximal junctional failure between the 2 groups, the results of the meta-analysis showed that the incidence of proximal junctional failure and the need for revision surgery were reduced by 36% and 71%, respectively, in the VCA group. One study reported 2 clinically silent pulmonary cement embolism and 1 patient requiring surgical decompression for cement leak into the spinal canal.
Conclusion
This meta-analysis supported the use of VCA in corrective surgery for spinal deformities patients, especially in patients with advanced age and osteoporosis.
8.Does Vertebral Cement Augmentation Reduce Postoperative Proximal Junction Complications in Spinal Deformity Corrective Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Dong LI ; Xin SUN ; Jie LI ; Yanjie XU ; Yong QIU ; Zezhang ZHU ; Zhen LIU
Neurospine 2025;22(1):51-66
Objective:
To assess the effectiveness of vertebral cement augmentation (VCA) at upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) and UIV+1 in preventing proximal junction complications in correction surgery for adult spinal deformity patients.
Methods:
A literature search was conducted on Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases for comparative studies published before December 30th, 2024. Two reviewers independently screened eligible articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, assessed study quality with Newcastle-Ottawa scale, and extracted data like study characteristics, surgical details, primary and secondary outcomes. Data analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 and Stata software.
Results:
Of all 513 papers screened, a meta-analysis was conducted on 7 articles, which included 333 cases in the VCA group and 827 cases in the control group. Patients in the VCA group had significantly older age and lower T score than patients in the control group. Although there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of proximal junctional failure between the 2 groups, the results of the meta-analysis showed that the incidence of proximal junctional failure and the need for revision surgery were reduced by 36% and 71%, respectively, in the VCA group. One study reported 2 clinically silent pulmonary cement embolism and 1 patient requiring surgical decompression for cement leak into the spinal canal.
Conclusion
This meta-analysis supported the use of VCA in corrective surgery for spinal deformities patients, especially in patients with advanced age and osteoporosis.
9.Research progress of cooling therapy for heat stroke
Jin-Bao ZHAO ; Qian WANG ; Tian-Yu XIN ; Han-Ding MAO ; Ye TAO ; Bo NING ; Zhen-Zhen QIN ; Shu-Yuan LIU ; Qing SONG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(5):612-618
Heat stroke is a heat-related illness caused by an imbalance between the body's heat production and heat dissipation,which could lead to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome with a high mortality rate.Rapid and effective reduction of core body temperature is key to successful treatment.This article reviews recent progress in the treatment of heat stroke,including new understandings of organ injury mechanisms,the timing,velocity and goals of cooling treatment,evaluation and selection of traditional cooling techniques(such as cold water immersion),and scientific evaluation of new cooling technologies(such as blood purification technology and intravascular heat exchange cooling technology),aiming to promote understanding and treatment of heat stroke.
10.Analysis of factors influencing global longitudinal strain based on cardiac magnetic resonance after acute myocardial infarction
Ke LIU ; Yi-Qing ZHAO ; Zhen-Yan MA ; Xin A ; Li LI ; Wei-Ran KONG ; Lei ZHAO ; Hong-Bo ZHANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Geng QIAN
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(11):1382-1389
Objective To investigate the factors influencing global longitudinal strain(GLS)measured by cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR)in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI).Methods Clinical data of 315 hospitalized patients diagnosed with acute STEMI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)at the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from June 2016 to September 2021 were retrospectively collected.After analyzing CMR images of all patients,GLS and other strain parameters were obtained,and then the patients were divided into two groups according to the median GLS.In order to balance gender and age differences,1:1 propensity score matching was performed,and 206 patients were eventually included:GLS>-11.3%group(indicating severe GLS impairment,n=103)and GLS≤-11.3%group(n=103).Baseline characteristics,laboratory indicators,coronary angiographic parameters,electrocardiogram(ECG)features,and CMR parameters were compared between the two groups.Variables showing significant differences were analyzed for their correlation with GLS.Multivariate logistic regression and multiple stepwise linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with GLS impairment.Results Compared with GLS≤-11.3%group,GLS>-11.3%group had significantly higher peak levels of creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB)and troponin T(TnT)(P<0.001).A higher proportion of patients in GLS>-11.3%group had the left anterior descending artery(LAD)as the culprit vessel,while a lower proportion had the right coronary artery(RCA)as the culprit vessel(P<0.001).Additionally,GLS>-11.3%group had longer QRS duration(P<0.001)and a higher incidence of pathological Q waves(P=0.001).Regarding CMR parameters,GLS>-11.3%group exhibited larger global circumferential strain(GCS),infarct size(IS),and left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV),as well as lower global radial strain(GRS)and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)(P<0.001).Multivariate logistic regression indicated that peak TnT(OR=1.092,P=0.001),LAD culprit vessel(OR=3.744,P<0.001),and QRS duration(OR=1.026,P<0.001)were significantly associated with severely impaired GLS.Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis showed that the logarithmic value of peak TnT,LAD as the culprit vessel,and the square root of QRS duration were linearly correlated with GLS values(adjusted R2=0.301,P<0.001),and these independent variables explained 30.1%of the variation in GLS.Conclusion Elevated peak TnT,prolonged QRS duration,and LAD as the culprit vessel are significantly associated with severe GLS impairment in STEMI patients,indicating more severe myocardial infarction and worse left ventricular function.


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