1.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.
2.EGCG Promotes Aβ Clearance of Microglia Through Blockage of the HDAC6-PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signalling Axis Followed by Autophagy Activation
Yu LIN ; Kaiwen HUANG ; Honghai HONG ; Dan ZHU ; Yousheng MO ; Dongli LI ; Shuhuan FANG
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(3):486-497
ObjectiveTo clarify whether epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is involved in the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) and autophagy induction by microglia, so as to explore the potential mechanisms of EGCG in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). MethodsSix-month-old APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into model and EGCG groups, with some additional wild type (WT) mice as the control group, each group consisting of 15 mice. The EGCG group received continuous gavage administration[5 mg/(kg·d)] for 8 weeks, followed by the open field test and Y-maze to assess the learning and memory abilities of the mice. Thioflavin-S staining was used to evaluate the content and distribution of amyloid β-protein (Aβ)in the brain parenchyma of the mice, and immunofluorescence was employed to detect the expression levels of Aβ1-42, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) in the hippocampal tissue of the mice. Additionally, N9 mouse microglial cells were induced with 20 µmol/L Aβ1-42, and the cell viability was measured after treatment with different concentrations of EGCG (5 µmol/L, 10 µmol/L, 20 µmol/L). Western blotting was used to detect the levels of Aβ1-42, low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1(LRP1), receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE), amyloid precursor protein (APP), insulin degrading enzyme (IDE), neprilysin (NEP), microtubule associated protein 1 hydrogen chain 3(LC3)-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ, phosphatidylinositol 3-hydroxy kinase(PI3K), p-PI3K, protein kinase B (AKT), p-AKT, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p-mTOR, and histone deacetylase 6(HDAC6). Finally, through the co-culture of microglial cells and neuronal SH-SY5Y cells, cell viability and Caspase-3 levels were measured to verify the protective effect of EGCG-mediated Aβ clearance on neurons. ResultsEGCG increased the activity time and frequency of APP/PS1 mice in the central area of the open field (P<0.05), and enhanced the percentage of alternation in the Y-maze test (P<0.01); EGCG reduced Aβ deposition in the hippocampal tissue of APP/PS1 mice and increased the number of microglia; in vitro experiments showed that EGCG improved the survival rate of Aβ-induced N9 cells (P<0.01), upregulated RAGE activity (P<0.05), and promoted the internalization and phagocytosis of Aβ (P<0.01). ECGC activated microglial autophagy by downregulating the level of HDAC6 (P<0.05), inhibiting the phosphorylation of PI3K, AKT, mTOR (P<0.001), and increasing the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-I ratio (P<0.001); EGCG improved the survival rate of SH-SY5Y cells (P<0.05) and reduced the activity of Caspase-3 (P<0.01) by clearing Aβ1-42 through microglia, and had a protective effect on neurons. ConclusionEGCG activates microglial autophagy to clear Aβ by targeting and inhibiting the HDAC6-PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis.
3.Associations between lifestyle and comorbid anxiety and depression in pregnant women
Jiaqi ZHENG ; Liyao HUANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Mengbi SHEN ; Xiaojin WANG ; Hong LI ; Zhiwei LIU ; Ying TIAN ; Xiaoning LEI ; Yu GAO
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(3):235-242
Background Anxiety and depression are common perinatal mental health issues that often occur together and can have serious negative effects on both maternal and infant health. Objective To examine the relationships between lifestyle factors and comorbid anxiety and depression (CAD) among pregnant women in Shanghai. Methods The study estimated the prevalence of CAD during the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy using the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) based on data from the China National Birth Cohort (CNBC) embryonic-derived diseases with assisted reproductive technology (ART) sub-cohort. Information on demographics, sleep status, nutritional intake, and exercise during each trimester was collected through self-made questionnaires, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Lifestyle factors (such as sleep status, nutritional intake, and exercise during each trimester) were analyzed using logistic regression and generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) to determine their impacts on the prevalence of CAD (yes or no) among pregnant women. Results A total of 2876 pregnant women were included in this study. The prevalence of CAD was 10.6% (305), 3.6% (103), and 5.5% (159) in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. The logistic regression analysis revealed that poor sleep quality throughout the entire pregnancy were statistically associated with an increased prevalence of CAD, and the odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were 2.817 (1.845, 4.301), 2.840 (1.855, 4.347), and 9.316 (5.835, 14.876) for the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively, when compared to good sleep quality. Additionally, compared to an intake frequency of 7 times per week, the frequency of egg intake ≤3 times per week in the first trimester (OR=2.025, 95%CI: 1.197, 3.425) and the frequency of egg intake of 4–6 times per week (OR=1.896, 95%CI: 1.117, 3.216) or ≤3 times per week (OR=1.906, 95%CI: 1.082, 3.357) in the third trimester were associated with an increased risk of CAD (P<0.05). Moreover, when compared to a frequency of exercise >3 times per week, never or almost never exercising in the second trimester (OR=2.218, 95%CI: 1.220, 4.035) was associated with an increased risk of CAD (P<0.05). The GLMM analysis also demonstrated a significant association between poor sleep quality, lower exercise frequency, or lower intake frequency of vegetables, eggs, or milk and an increased risk of CAD (P<0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of CAD among pregnant women in Shanghai follows a U-shaped distribution, with the highest rate occurring in early pregnancy and the lowest rate in mid-pregnancy. Factors such as poor sleep quality, inadequate intake of vegetables, eggs, or milk, and lack of exercise during pregnancy may increase the risk of CAD. Implementing lifestyle interventions during pregnancy could potentially reduce the risk of mental health problems and improve the overall health of both mothers and babies.
4. Network pharmacology-based study on mechanism of Zhi-Huang-Zhi-Tong powder in rheumatoid arthritis treatment
Xiao-Yun TIAN ; Ying-Jie YANG ; Wan-Ting ZHENG ; Ming-Qing HUANG ; Li-Hong NAN ; Jian-Yu CHEN ; Hai-Yu ZHAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(2):381-389
Aim To discover the potential active compounds and possible mechanisms in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment with Zhi-Huang-Zhi-Tong powder (ZHZTP) by using network pharmacology and in vitro study. Methods The active ingredient targets and disease targets of Zhihuang Zhitong Powder were searched and screened by database; they intersected to get a common target; and the "drug-component-target" relationship network diagram was constructed for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of the overlapping genes; then the core components were docked with the core targets. Finally, based on the inflammation model of HUVECs in vitro, the efficacy and mechanism of Zhihuang Zhitong powder were verified by MTT method, plate scratch test and Western blot. Results Active compounds involved in RA treatment were screened in the present study, and the top two were ursolic acid and emodin, all playing crucial roles in RA treatment with ZHZTP. Additionally, the key target was AKTA, TNF and IL-6. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that ZHZTP regulated BP, MF and CC, and also focused on regulating AKTA, TNF and IL-6 signaling pathway. Molecular docking showed that interactions between key active compounds and key targets were stable. In vitro ZHZTP significantly inhibited cell viability and migration of TNF-a-stimulated HUVECs, and the involved mechanism may be associated with PI3K/AKT/m-TOR signaling. Conclusions The present study reveals that the potential active compounds of ZHZTP are ursolic acid and emodin, and moreover, the involved mechanisms of ZHZTP for RA treatment are associated with PI3 K/AKT/m-TOR signaling.
5.Serum Metabolomics Characteristics of Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Patients with Liver-Stomach Qi Stagnation Syndrome and Spleen-Stomach Weakness Syndrome
Yu-Yi CHEN ; Juan-Juan LI ; Hong-Liang WANG ; Shao-Ju GUO ; Bin HUANG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(1):7-16
Objective To analyze the metabolomics characteristics of chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG)patients with liver-stomach qi stagnation and spleen-stomach weakness syndromes based on non-targeted metabolomics technology,and to identify the serum differentiated metabolites related to traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome of CAG patients,so as to provide a reference for the objectification of syndrome differentiation.Methods Sixty patients with CAG were included,including 30 cases of liver-stomach qi stagnation syndrome and 30 cases of spleen-stomach weakness syndrome.Fasting blood of 5 mL was collected from the cubital vein of patients in the two groups,and the serum levels of metabolites were detected by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS)methods.The principal component analysis(PCA),orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA),and cluster analysis were used to screen the differentiated metabolites of CAG patients with liver-stomach qi stagnation syndrome and spleen-stomach weakness syndrome.Finally,metabolite pathway analysis was performed for the obtained differentiated metabolites using the KEGG database.Results The results for the screening of differentiated metabolites showed that significant differences of amino acid derivatives and small peptide metabolites were presented between CAG patients with liver-stomach qi stagnation syndrome and CAG patients with spleen-stomach weakness syndrome.The amino acid derivatives consisted of N-acetylglycine,histamine,O-phosphoserine,selenomethylselenocysteine,and methyl-tyrosine.And the small peptide metabolites consisted of tyrosine-leucine-phenylalanine,histidine-alanine-glutamate-lysine,L-asparagine-L-proline-L-serine,and L-isoleucine-L-isoleucine.Conclusion Differences in amino acid metabolism exist between CAG patients with liver-stomach qi stagnation syndrome and those with spleen-stomach weakness syndrome,and metabolites such as N-acetylglycine,intermethyltyrosine,and O-phosphoserine may be the potential biomarkers for distinguishing liver-stomach qi stagnation syndrome from spleen-stomach weakness syndrome in CAG patients.
6.Correlation between lumbar spine and pelvic parameters in Lenke type 5 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Yutong HOU ; Chenglan HUANG ; Yunxiao YANG ; Ya LI ; Peiwu GUO ; Wenqiang YU ; Yu ZHAO ; Zanbo WANG ; Hong ZENG ; Zhenjiang MA ; Dezhi LU ; Jinwu WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(36):5753-5758
BACKGROUND:The study of the lumbar spine and pelvis in patients with Lenke type 5 lordosis is limited to the coronal and sagittal planes,and the three-dimensional relationship between the scoliosis and the pelvis has not yet been clarified. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the effect of lumbar scoliosis on the pelvis in patients with Lenke type 5 lordosis and to study the correlation between the lumbar spine and the three-dimensional spatial position of the pelvis. METHODS:Imaging data of 60 patients with Lenke type 5 lordosis scoliosis admitted to the 3D Printing Reception Center of Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2019 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed,including Cobb angle,coronal pelvic tilt,lumbar lordosis,left and right pelvic hip width ratio(sacroiliac-anterior superior iliac spine),spinal rotation angle,pelvic tilt,sacral slope,pelvic incidence,coronal deformity angular ratio,sagittal deformity angular ratio,C7 plumb line-center sacral vertical line,apical vertebral translation,and coronal sacral inclination.The information was summarized as a database.SPSS 22.0 software was used to analyze the data related to the lumbar spine and pelvis of the patients with Lenke type 5 primary lumbar curvature adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using Spearman's correlation analysis and linear regression. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Cobb angle was highly positively correlated with coronal deformity angular ratio,apical vertebral translation,and spinal rotation angle(r=0.91,r=0.841,r=0.736).(2)Coronal deformity angular ratio was highly positively correlated with apical vertebral translation(r=0.737),moderately positively correlated with C7 plumb line-center sacral vertical line(r=0.514),and moderately negatively correlated with sagittal deformity angular ratio(r=-0.595).(3)There was a high positive correlation between lumbar lordosis and sagittal deformity angular ratio(r=0.942)and a moderate negative correlation with coronal deformity angular ratio(r=-0.554).(4)There was a moderate positive correlation between Cobb angle with coronal pelvic tilt and coronal sacral inclination(r=0.522,r=0.534)and a moderate positive correlation between C7 plumb line-center sacral vertical line and coronal pelvic tilt(r=0.507).Apical vertebral translation with coronal pelvic tilt and coronal sacral inclination showed a moderate positive correlation(r=0.507,r=0.506).Lumbar lordosis with sacral slope and pelvic incidence showed a moderate positive correlation(r=0.512,r=0.538).Sagittal deformity angular ratio was moderately positively correlated with sacral slope and pelvic incidence(r=0.614,r=0.621).(5)Studies have found that the relative position of the lumbar spine and the pelvis is closely related in the horizontal,sagittal and coronal planes.When the lumbar spine affects scoliosis and is rotated,the relative position of the pelvis will also change to compensate,which indicates that while correcting scoliosis,the correction of the pelvis cannot be ignored.
7.Research on establishing pioneer branches with distinctive features basing on the inheritance and devel-opment of traditional Chinese medicine cultural essence
Jinni HONG ; Tingting FU ; Rongjian YU ; Xuhui HUANG
Modern Hospital 2024;24(3):351-352,383
This article aims to explore the significant influence of the Communist Party of China(CPC)on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).The article reviews the historical development of TCM in modern times and the impact of the CPC,combined with the achievements of the TCM department of comprehensive hospitals,to explore the approach of building pioneer branches with distinctive TCM national cultural characteristics,and to consider how to inherit and innovate the development of TCM cultural essence.The article emphasizes the significant contribution of the CPC to the modernization of TCM and the cause of human health.Through this research,it will contribute to a better understanding of the important role of the CPC in the protec-tion and inheritance of TCM culture and explore cultivation programs for party branches with TCM characteristics to better inherit,innovate and develop traditional Chinese medicine.
8.Preparation and performance evaluation of S100B time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay kit
Dong-Qing FENG ; Bu-Zhuo XU ; Shu-Hong LUO ; Yu-Nan WU ; Zhuo ZHANG ; Hao TANG ; Yi-Ming WENG ; Ruo-Pan HUANG ; Xu-Dong SONG
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2024;45(1):47-55
Objective To develop a time-resolved fluorescent immunoassay kit for the rapid,accurate and quantitative detection of S100B protein in serum and to evaluate its performance.Methods The test strip was prepared using time-resolved fluorescent microsphere-labeled anti-S100B polyclonal antibody and rabbit IgG antibody,labeling pads,sample pads,S100B nitrocellulose films and absorbent paper,and an S100B time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay kit was obtained by assembling the cartridge.The performance of the kit developed was evaluated by standard curve,accuracy,minimum detection limit,linear interval,specificity,reproducibility and stability.The reference intervals of 199 pieces of healthy human serum and plasma samples from a certain region were detected with the kit,and the clinical performance of the kit and Roche Elecsys S100 kit was tested by synchronous blind method to assess the consistency of the results of the two kits for 142 samples.Results The S100B time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay kit had the standard curve beingy=(1.133 02+1.752 24)/[1+(x/1.082 20)×(-0.603 52)]-1.752 24,R2=0.999 08 and the linear range being[0.05,30]ng/mL,which met the requirements of the relative deviation of the accuracy within±15%,the minimum detection limit not hgier than 0.05 ng/mL,the relative deviation of specificity within±15%and the coefficient of variation of intra-and inter-batch difference less than 15%.The stability test results indicated that the kit was valid for 12 months at 2-30 ℃ conditions.The reference intervals of serum and plasma samples measured by the kit were both lower than 0.3 ng/mL.Clinical trials showed that the results by the kit and Roche Elecsys S100 Assay Kit were in high agreement(Kappa=0.906 1>0.80)and met the requirements.Conclusion The kit developed detects the concentration of S100B protein in serum quickly,accurately and quantitatively,and provides references for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases,autoimmune diseases,cerebrovascular diseases and etc.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(1):47-55]
9.Analysis of the trend of mortality among residents of Fuling District, Chongqing from 2017 to 2022
Xiaoming CHEN ; Yu XIANG ; Qiyu RAN ; Chengyu HUANG ; Hong PAN ; Xuemei DAI ; Hongbo LIU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(6):602-605
ObjectiveTo understand the mortality trends among residents of Fuling District, Chongqing, before and after theCOVID-19 outbreak, and to provide references for the government to formulate disease prevention and control policies and measures. MethodsData on mortality and population in Fuling District from 2017 to 2022 were collected to analyze population mortality and standardized mortality rates, and to compare the changes in the causes of death by year and before and after the pandemic. ResultsFrom 2017 to 2022, the crude mortality rate in Fuling District showed an upward trend (APC=3.04%, P<0.05), while the standardized mortality rate showed a downward trend (APC=-6.47%, P<0.01). The mortality rate of males was higher than that of females (P<0.05), with different age groups having different causes of death composition. The highest proportion of deaths in 0-year-old group was from infectious diseases, maternal and neonatal diseases, and nutritional deficiencies, the highest proportion of deaths in the 1‒24 age group, with the exception of those aged 5‒9, was from injuries, and the main cause of death for residents aged 25 and above was chronic diseases. The mortality rate of mental and behavioral disorders rose from the 13th to the 9th place. According to the epidemic situation of COVID-19, there were no changes in the top five causes of death among the entire population. The motility rate of endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases rose from the sixth to the fifth place in male population, and the motility rate of malignant tumor rose from the 3rd to the 2nd place in female population. ConclusionThere are no changes in the top five causes of death among the entire population of Fuling District before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. Chronic diseases remain the main cause of death. It is necessary to control the risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, and to curb the rising trend of mortality rates from strokes and acute myocardial infarction. For deaths caused by accidental injuries, targeted health education should be conducted for different populations.
10.The Application in The Development of Immunoassay Based on Upconversion Nanomaterials
Hui-Wei HUANG ; Li-Hua LI ; Lin LUO ; Yu-Dong SHEN ; Hong-Tao LEI ; Zhen-Lin XU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(2):355-368
Immunoassays are widely used in medicine, food, environment and other fields due to having the advantages of simpleness, rapidness and accuracy. Combining immunoassays with nanomaterials can improve the performance of immunoassays. Compared with traditional nanomaterials, upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have excellent optical properties such as good photostability, long luminescence lifetime and narrow and tunable emission bands, which can significantly reduce background noise and improve analytical sensitivity when combined with immunoassay. This paper briefly introduces the luminescence mechanism of UCNPs, summarizes the synthesis and surface modification methods of UCNPs. And then 5 UCNPs-based immunoassay techniques, namely, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, inner filter effect, magnetic separation technique, upconversion-linked immunosorbent assay and upconversion immunochromatography, are discussed in detail. These sensing protocols of UCNPs-based immunoassays have been successfully utilized to detect various targets, including small molecules, macromolecules, and pathogens, all of which closely related to food safety, human health, and environmental pollution. Finally, the challenges and prospects of this technique are summarized and prospected. Although the UCNPs immunoassays based on antibodies and antigens have made great progress, most of the research is still in the stage of laboratory, and there is a long way to go to realize its social applications. There is a series of challenges need to be overcome. (1) Designing excellent water soluble and dispersive upconversion nanomaterials is needed. Hydrophilic ligands are bound to smaller upconversion nanoparticles and removing hydrophobic surface ligands are the most widely used methods to improve solubility and dispersity. (2) Multi-detection technology platforms and multi-mode simultaneous detection platforms have great potential, which will improve the efficiency of point of care detection. (3) The researchers also need to focus on some important problems. For examples, the upconversion luminescence efficiency of UCNPs is difficult to maintain, the synthesis method is complex, and the surface modification degree and functionalization are difficult to control.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail