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.Xiaoyao Shukun Decoction Treats Sequelae of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease by Regulating Neutrophil Extracellular Traps via PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway
Jing PAN ; Bing ZHANG ; Chunxiao DANG ; Jinxiao LI ; Pengfei LIU ; Xiao YU ; Yuchao WANG ; Jinxing LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):69-78
ObjectiveTo investigate how Xiaoyao Shukun decoction (XYSKD) regulates the formation and release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, thereby reducing inflammation, inhibiting the excessive proliferation of fibroblasts in pelvic adhesion tissue, decreasing adhesion and fibrosis, and repairing the tissue damage in sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease (SPID). MethodsA total of 84 Wistar rats were randomly allocated into seven groups: blank, model, XYSKD (8 mg·kg-1), mTOR agonist (10 mg·kg-1), mTOR agonist + XYSKD (10 mg·kg-1+8 mg·kg-1), mTOR inhibitor (2 mg·kg-1), and mTOR inhibitor + XYSKD (2 mg·kg-1+8 mg·kg-1). The rat model of SPID was constructed by starvation, fatigue, and ascending Escherichia coli infection. After 14 days of drug intervention, the ultrastructure of fibroblasts in the pelvic adhesion tissue was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The general morphology of the uterus, fallopian tube, and ovary was observed by laparotomy. The levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-17 (IL-17), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the peritoneal flushing fluid were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and citrullinated histone 3 (H3) in the fallopian tube was detected by immunofluorescence. Western blot and Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) were employed to determine the relative protein and mRNA levels, respectively, of neutrophil elastase (NE), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (CD54), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), H3, PI3K, and Akt. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group presented a large number of collagen fibers in bundles, numerous cytoplasmic folds of fibroblasts, reduced or absent mitochondrial cristae, and disordered and expanded endoplasmic reticulum. By laparotomy, extensive pelvic congestion, connective tissue hyperplasia, thickening and hardening of the tubal end near the uterus, and tubal and ovarian adhesion or cyst were observed in the model group. In addition, the model group showed raised levels of IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α in the peritoneal flushing fluid (P<0.01), increased average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 (P<0.01), and up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of NE, H3, CD54, PI3K, and Akt (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the mTOR agonist group showed increased fibroblasts and cytoplasmic folds, absence of mitochondrial cristae, endoplasmic reticulum dilation, and evident collagen fiber hyperplasia. Pelvic adhesions were observed to cause aggravated damage to the uterine, fallopian tube, and ovarian tissues. The levels of IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α in the peritoneal lavage fluid elevated (P<0.01) and the average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 enhanced (P<0.01) in the mTOR agonist group. In contrast, the XYSKD group and the mTOR inhibitor group showcased decreased fibroblasts and collagen fibers, alleviated mitochondrial crista loss and endoplasmic reticulum dilation, improved morphology and appearance of the uterine, fallopian tube, and ovarian tissues, lowered levels of IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α in the peritoneal lavage fluid (P<0.01), decreased average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of NE, H3, CD54, PI3K, and Akt (P<0.05). Compared with the mTOR agonist group, the mTOR agonist + XYSKD group showed alleviated pathological changes in the pelvic tissue, declined levels of IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α (P<0.01), decreased average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein levels of NE, H3, CD54, α-SMA, p-PI3K/PI3K, and p-Akt/Akt (P<0.01) and mRNA levels of NE, H3, CD54, α-SMA, PI3K, and Akt (P<0.01). Compared with the mTOR inhibitor group, the mTOR inhibitor + XYSKD group demonstrated reduced pathological severity of the pelvic tissue, reduced levels of IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α (P<0.01), decreased average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of NE and CD54 (P<0.05). ConclusionXYSKD can inhibit the excessive formation and release of NETs via PI3K/Akt/mTOR to ameliorate the inflammatory environment and reduce fibrosis and adhesion of the pelvic tissue, thereby playing a role in the treatment of SPID. It may exert the effects by lowering the levels of IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α and down-regulating the expression of NE, H3, CD54, α-SMA, PI3K, and Akt in the pelvic adhesion tissue.
3.Efficacy analysis of plasma exchange treatment for thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis
Miao HONG ; Dongdong CAI ; Caihui WEI ; Bing HU ; Kun XIAO ; Fangming RUAN ; Piaoping HU ; Aiping LE ; Zhanglin ZHANG ; Chang ZHONG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(9):1188-1194
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of plasma exchange (PE) in thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis (MG), thereby to provide theoretical support for its application in the treatment of thymoma-associated MG. Methods: A total of 133 patients with thymoma-associated MG admitted from January 2018 to September 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were matched using propensity score to reduce selection bias, yielding 22 matched pairs for both PE group (n=22) and non-PE group (n=22). Patient characteristics including gender, age of disease onset, course of disease, history of thymoma resection, clinical absolute scores [clinical absolute scores (CAS) and clinical relative scores (CRS)], and synchronized immunotherapy regimen of the two groups were analyzed. The CAS scores before and after treatment were compared between the two groups, and the CRS was used to assess the treatment efficiency. Safety of the two treatment regimens were also compared. Continuous variables were compared using the t-test or ANOVA, while categorical data were compared by the chi-square test. Results: A total of 133 patients were included and divided into two groups according to whether they underwent plasma exchange treatment: the PE group (n=22) and the non-PE group (n=111). To exclude bias caused by large difference in the number of cases between the two groups, we performed propensity score matching. After matching, the number of cases in both groups was 22. There was no significant difference in baseline clinical characteristics between the two groups (P>0.05), including gender, age of onset, duration of disease course, history of thymectomy and baseline CAS score before treatment. Compared to the non-PE group, patients in the PE group showed more significant improvement in CAS score (5.09±1.95 vs 3.59±1.50, P<0.05) and a higher CRS score (75.00% vs 50.00%, P<0.001). Compared to the non-PE group, PE group had significantly longer ICU stay, longer hospital stay and higher hospitalization cost (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in adverse events between the two groups during treatment (P>0.05). During long-term follow-up, both the PE and non-PE groups showed relatively low 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence rate, with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: This study indicates that plasma exchange has clear value in the treatment of patients with thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis. It can not only significantly improve patients' muscle strength to alleviate motor dysfunction and enhance quality of life, but also does not significantly increase the incidence of adverse reactions. Therefore, it can be regarded as one of the preferred treatment options that achieve a "balance between efficacy and safety" for such patients, and provides an important basis for optimizing treatment strategies, improving prognosis, and promoting the application of subsequent treatment regimens.
4.The Application of Aptamers in The Diagnosis and Therapy of Bladder Cancer
Shu-Wei FENG ; Min-Xin ZHANG ; Xiao-Qiu WU ; Heng-Yi LIN ; Tao BING
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(7):1566-1575
Bladder cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, with a high rate of recurrence and mortality, which is the ninth most common malignancy globally. Cystoscopy remains the gold standard for clinical bladder cancer diagnosis, but its invasive nature can lead to bacterial infection and inflammation. Urine cytology is a non-invasive and simple diagnostic method, but it has lower sensitivity in detecting low-grade bladder cancer and may yield false negative results. Therefore, identifying ideal diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of bladder cancer. Aptamers, characterized as single-stranded DNA or RNA with unique three-dimensional conformations, exhibit the ability to identify various targets, ranging from small molecules to tumor cells. Aptamers, also known as chemical antibodies, are generated by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) process and can function similarly to traditional antibodies. They hold numerous advantages over antibodies, such as ease of modification, low immunogenicity, and rapid tissue penetration and cell internalization due to their nucleic acid molecule structure. Since their discovery in the 1990s, aptamers have been widely used in biochemical analysis, disease detection, new drug research and other fields. This article provides an overview of aptamer selection and characterization for bladder cancer, discussing the research advancements involving aptamers in diagnosing and treating this disease. It covers aptamers obtained through different SELEX methods, including protein-SELEX, cell-SELEX, tissue-SELEX, and aptamers from other cancer SELEX; the detection in blood samples and urine samples; and application in targeted therapy and immunotherapy for bladder cancer. Currently, several aptamers capable of identifying bladder cancer have been generated, serving as molecular probes that have played a pivotal role in the early detection and treatment of bladder cancer. Bladder cancer perfusion therapy is well-suited for aptamer drug therapy because it does not require internal circulation, making it a suitable clinical indication for aptamer drug development. In addition, bladder cancer can be detected and monitored by collecting urine samples from patients, making it a preferred disease for clinical conversion of aptamers. While aptamers show promise, there is still much room for development compared with antibodies. There are still many clinically applied cancer biomarkers without corresponding aptamers, and more aptamers targeting different biomarkers should be selected and optimized to improve the sensitivity and accuracy for cancer detection and therapy. The field of aptamers urgently needs successful commercial products to promote its development, and home rapid detection/monitoring, imaging and targeted therapy of bladder cancer by infusion may be the breakthrough point for future application of aptamers.
5.Clinicopathologic features of stomach oxyntic gland neo-plasms on 49 patients
Lu-Lu ZHANG ; Hui LI ; Bing-Xin GUAN ; Yu-Ping ZHENG ; Xiao-Lin WU ; Cheng-Jun ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2024;27(1):30-35
Objective:To analyze the clinicopathological features of gastric oxyntic gland neo-plasms.Methods:Forty-nine cases of stomach oxyntic gland neoplasms including oxyntic gland adenoma(OGA)and gastric adenocarcinoma of the fundic gland type(GA-FG)diagnosed in the Sec-ond Hospital of Shandong University from January 2016 to December 2020 were selected.The clini cal information,endoscopic appearance,histological features and immunophenotype were analyzed retrospectively,and followed up.Results:Age of the gastric oxyntic gland neoplasm patients ranged from 19 to 83 years old,with an average age of(57.3±2.4)years old.The male-to-female ratio was 24:25.Most of the lesions were located in the gastric body(27/49)and fundus(15/49).There were four endoscopic phenotypes:flat bulging,polypoid,flat and depression.In some lesions,there were dilated dendritic vessels.48 cases were single onset.The mean maximum diameter of lesions was(3.9±0.5)mm(1.0~7.0 mm).Seven cases showed submucosal invasion,and the inva-sion depth was less than 500 μm.The tumor consists of the dense glandular and the glandular con-nects to form a strip shape,which is irregularly branched and labyrinthlike under the microscope.These tumor cells were well differentiated and the morphology was similar to oxyntic gland cells.The chief cells were the predominant cells.The nucleus was mildly enlarged with slight pleomorphism and the mitosis was uncommon.The oxyntic gland neoplasms of the stomach were diffusely posi-tive for Mucin-6(MUC6)(100%)and Pepsinogen Ⅰ(83%),focally positive for H+/K+-ATPase(58%).Conclusions:The stomach oxyntic gland neoplasm is a new histology type with unique clinico-pathological features.The incidence of this neoplasm is low and the prognosis is good but it still needs long-term follow-up.
6.Clinical Manifestations and Epidemiological Characteristics of Influenza in Hubei
Rui WANG ; Ruifeng XIAO ; Ao LI ; Qifei ZHANG ; Bing LIU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(5):93-96
Objective To analyze the clinical manifestations and epidemiological characteristics of influenza in Hubei. Methods Pharyngeal swab specimens from 16,500 patients with suspected influenza infection admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were selected. Viral detection and serotyping were performed by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, the epidemiological and clinical data of patients were collected to analyze the clinical features and epidemiological characteristics of influenza viruses. Results A total of 16 500 clinical specimens were tested in this study, with a positive detection rate of 16.27% (2 684/16 500). The positive detection rate was 5.10% (862/16 500) for influenza A virus, 10.13% (1 672/16 500) for influenza B virus and 0.91% (150/16 500) for mixed influenza. The positive detection rate of influenza viruses was on the rise from 2020 to 2022 , reaching 18.43% in 2022. Seasonal distribution analysis denoted that the highest positive detection rates were observed in spring (18.23%) and winter (19.72%), with statistical difference (P<0.05). In terms of age distribution, patients<12 years (19.14%) had the highest positive detection rate, followed by those >60 years (17.71%), with statistical difference (P<0.05). From 2020 to 2022, the positive detection rate of influenza virus was 16.89% in males, which was higher than 15.63% in females (P<0.05). The main clinical symptoms were fever (86.89%) and cough (80.27%) for influenza A virus infections, cough (92.52%) and fever (86.06%) for influenza B virus infections, and cough (94.00%), fever (88.00%) and runny nose (86.00%) for mixed infections. Conclusion The influenza B viruses are the leading cause of influenza in Hubei from 2020 to 2022, and the infection demonstrates an increasing annual trend, with a high prevalence in winter and spring. Furthermore, children and the elderly are high-risk populations, and clinical manifestions are mainly cough and fever.
7.Analysis and application of the characteristic components associated with the processing excipients "wine, vinegar, salt, honey": a case study of honey-processed Astragali Radix
Wei-ye ZHANG ; Jing-qi ZENG ; Jin-jing SONG ; Tian-hao QI ; Liang FENG ; Xiao-bin JIA ; Bing YANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(6):1819-1827
The excipient processing is an essential part of traditional Chinese medicine processing, and understanding its scientific connotations is a critical scientific issue that urgently needs resolution. Building upon a foundation where the composition of traditional Chinese medicine substances is fundamentally clear, this paper applies the techniques and methods of chemoinformatics to the study of the excipient processing mechanism. Relevant information on traditional Chinese medicines processed with four kinds of excipients (wine, vinegar, salt and honey) was collected, including properties, taste, meridian tropism, chemical components, etc. Molecular descritors and skeletons corresponding to each chemical component were calculated using chemoinformatics to characterize the properties and structural features of the components. Characteristic components associated with the four excipients (wine, vinegar, salt and honey) were explored through multivariate statistical analysis and Murcko skeleton analysis. Further analysis, taking honey-processed
8.Diagnostic efficacy of optimized T-SPOT.TB in differentiating spinal tu-berculosis from other spinal infection
Ying ZHOU ; Xiao-Jiang HU ; Zhong-Jing JIANG ; Jun-Bao CHEN ; Guang ZHANG ; Hong-Qi ZHANG ; Yan-Bing LI ; Qi-Le GAO
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2024;23(2):148-154
Objective To explore the efficacy of T-cell spot test of tuberculosis infection(T-SPOT.TB)in the differential diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis(STB),and optimize diagnostic efficacy through the optimal cut-off value of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Methods Clinical data of patients with spinal infection in a hospi-tal from January 2010 to May 2019 were collected,including preoperative T-SPOT.TB test results,white blood cell count,C-reactive protein,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,procalcitonin,and tuberculosis antibodies,etal.Clinical diagnosis was conducted based on diagnostic criteria.The sensitivity and specificity of T-SPOT.TB in preoperative diagnosis of STB and other spinal infection was analyzed,and the diagnostic efficacy of the optimized T-SPOT.TB indicators was evaluated.Results A total of 132 patients were included in this study,out of whom 78 patients(59.09%)were diagnosed with STB,and 54(40.91%)were diagnosed with non-tuberculosis(non-TB)spinal in-fection.The sensitivity and specificity of T-SPOT.TB in differential diagnosis of STB were 67.68%and 66.67%,respectively.Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with non-TB spinal infection,the OR va-lue of T-SPOT.TB test in diagnosing STB was 4.188(95%CI:1.847-9.974,P<0.001).The optimized T-SPOT.TB evaluation index through ROC curve to determine the optimal cut-off values of ESAT-6,CFP-10,and CFP-10+ESAT-6 for differential diagnosis of STB and non-TB spinal infection were 12.5,19.5,and 36,respec-tively,and area under curve(AUC)values were 0.765 6,0.741 5,and 0.778 6,respectively,all with good diag-nostic efficacy.CFP-10+ESAT-6 had the highest AUC.CFP-10+ESAT-6 specific spot count had higher efficacy in the diagnosis of STB,with a diagnostic accuracy of 75.56%,higher than 67.42%of pre-optimized T-SPOT.TB.Conclusion T-SPOT.TB test has high diagnostic efficacy in differentiating STB from non-TB spinal infection.Posi-tivity in T-SPOT.TB test,especially with spot count of CFP-10+ESAT-6 over 36,indicates a higher likelihood of STB.
9.Implementation of surveillance,prevention and control of healthcare-asso-ciated infection in maternal and child healthcare institutions:A nation-wide investigation report
Shuo LI ; Xi YAO ; Hui-Xue JIA ; Wei-Guang LI ; Xun HUANG ; Shu-Mei SUN ; Xi CHENG ; Qing-Lan MENG ; Xiang ZHANG ; Jing-Ping ZHANG ; Ya-Wei XING ; Qing-Qing JIANG ; Lian-Xuan WU ; Bing-Li ZHANG ; Xiao-Jing LIU ; Liu-Yi LI
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2024;23(3):323-329
Objective To investigate the implementation of surveillance,prevention and control measures for healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in maternal and child healthcare(MCH)institutions,and provide policy evi-dence for optimizing HAI prevention and control in MCH institutions.Methods Stratified sampling was conducted among the MCH institutions at provincial,municipal and county levels in 8 provinces/autonomous regions.A uni-fied questionnaire was designed and the online survey was conducted through"Questionnaire Star".Results The data from 123 MCH institutions were included in the analysis.90.24%of the MCH institutions carried out compre-hensive surveillance on HAI.The ratios of MCH institutions which implemented targeted surveillance on HAI in neonatal intensive care unit(NICU),surgical site infection,multidrug-resistant organisms(MDROs)and HAI in intensive care units(non-NICU excluded)were 89.66%,85.96%,80.77%,and 74.19%,respectively.51.22%MCH institutions adopted information surveillance system on HAI cases.94.31%MCH institutions carried out surveillance on hand hygiene compliance.Over 90%MCH institutions carried out surveillance on environment hy-giene in high-risk departments.71.54%MCH institutions conducted centralized cleaning,disinfection,sterilization and supply for reusable medical instruments in the central sterile supply department(CSSD).Over 90%MCH insti-tutions established three-level pre-examination triage systems.86.18%set up transitional wards.MCH institutions generally adopted a management model with established effective communication,full appointment visits,and sepa-rate visits for special medical groups,such as registered pregnant women,high-risk newborns,healthcare groups,and long-term rehabilitation patients.However,the ratio of institutions conducting on-line follow-up visits was less than 50%.Conclusion MCH institutions have generally carried out comprehensive and targeted surveillance on HAI.Information surveillance need to be facilitated.Hand hygiene and environmental hygiene surveillance has been popularized to a certain extent at all levels of MCH institutions.The cleaning,disinfection,sterilization,and supply processes of reusable medical devices in a few MCH institutions are not standardized.Special medical populations get effective management.On-line healthcare is to be further promoted.
10.Establishment of a Prediction Model for Menstruation after the First Course of Hormone Replacement Therapy in Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Patients af-ter Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Ning ZHANG ; Weizeyu LIU ; Jingjing ZHANG ; Xiaoyu LI ; Fangcan SUN ; Huiyun CHEN ; Xiao MA ; Bing HAN
Journal of Practical Obstetrics and Gynecology 2024;40(7):577-581
Objective:To establish a menstrual prediction model after the first course of hormone replacement therapy(HRT)in premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplan-tation(allo-HSCT),and to provide certain reference value for formulating HRT plans.Methods:The retrospective analysis recruited 154 POI patients after allo-HSCT in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from Jan-uary 2017 to October 2022.They were divided into ideal menstruation group(n=116)and unideal menstruation group(n=38)according to menstruation after the first course of HRT.Basic characteristics and clinical data were compared in single-factor analysis to select predictive factors.Patients were randomly divided into training set and test set.The menstrual prediction model was developed based on random forest algorithm on the training set and the prediction efficiency was verified by the test set.Finally,we made a user interaction interface and deployed to the server for sharing.Results:The single-factor analysis suggested statistic difference of age of visit,body mass index(BMI),gravidity,parity,hematologic diseases,transplantation age,donor gender,follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),Luteinizing Hormone(LH),lumbar bone mineral density(BMD)and HRT plan(P<0.05).According to mean decrease accuracy,the predictive factors included visit age,transplantation age,BMI,FSH,HRT plans,gravidity and parity.After the initial establishment of the random forest model,we improved it by adjusting ntree to 500,mtry to 6 and training/test set division to 80%/20% .We also used tenfold cross validation to reduce over-fitting.The area under curve(AUC)of the final constructed menstrual prediction model was 0.768,a sensitiv-ity of 0.695 and a specificity of 0.735.Conclusions:This study successfully established a menstrual prediction model for amenorrhea patients after allo-HSCT when finished the first course of HRT.The false positive rate was low,suggesting that if the prediction result of the model is non-ideal menstruation,we may consider adjusting HRT plans to promote menstruation in time.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail