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.Evaluation of the efficacy,safety and cost-effectiveness of different formulations of short-acting rhGH in the treatment of patients with short stature
Zhuoting ZHENG ; Yilong LIU ; Xiaomao QIN ; Zhen ZENG ; Run YAN ; Enwu LONG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(9):1111-1116
OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of two different formulations of short-acting recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in the treatment of patients with short stature. METHODS Data from patients with short stature treated with short-acting rhGH at the Leshan People’s Hospital from August 2016 to June 2023 were collected. Patients were divided into powder formulation group and aqueous formulation group based on the rhGH formulation used. The changes in growth-related efficacy indicators and the occurrence of adverse drug reactions were compared between two groups after 12 months of treatment; cost-effectiveness analysis and sensitivity analysis were used to compare the cost per unit of effect achieved; subgroup analysis was performed by dividing the patients into growth hormone deficiency (GHD) subgroup and idiopathic short stature (ISS) subgroup based on clinical diagnosis. RESULTS After 12 months of treatment, the height and the levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 in serum in aqueous formulation group and powder formulation group were significantly increased compared to before treatment (P<0.001), but there was no statistically significant difference in the changes of the above indicators between the two groups(P>0.05). The analysis results of GHD and ISS subgroups were consistent with the overall population. In the overall population, the cost-effectiveness ratio of powder formulation group (2 582 yuan/cm) was significantly better than that of aqueous formulation group (6 729 yuan/cm), with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001), and the result was consistent in the GHD and ISS subgroups as well as in the sensitivity analysis. No serious adverse drug reactions occurred in either powder formulation or aqueous formulation group, and there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of various adverse reactions between two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Short-acting rhGH powder and aqueous formulations have equivalent efficacy and safety, but the powder formulation has greater economic advantages.
3.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.
4.Analysis of T7 RNA Polymerase: From Structure-function Relationship to dsRNA Challenge and Biotechnological Applications
Wei-Chen NING ; Yu HUA ; Hui-Ling YOU ; Qiu-Shi LI ; Yao WU ; Yun-Long LIU ; Zhen-Xin HU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2280-2294
T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) is one of the simplest known RNA polymerases. Its unique structural features make it a critical model for studying the mechanisms of RNA synthesis. This review systematically examines the static crystal structure of T7 RNAP, beginning with an in-depth examination of its characteristic “thumb”, “palm”, and “finger” domains, which form the classic “right-hand-like” architecture. By detailing these structural elements, this review establishes a foundation for understanding the overall organization of T7 RNAP. This review systematically maps the functional roles of secondary structural elements and their subdomains in transcriptional catalysis, progressively elucidating the fundamental relationships between structure and function. Further, the intrinsic flexibility of T7 RNAP and its applications in research are also discussed. Additionally, the review presents the structural diagrams of the enzyme at different stages of the transcription process, and through these diagrams, it provides a detailed description of the complete transcription process of T7 RNAP. By integrating structural dynamics and kinetics analyses, the review constructs a comprehensive framework that bridges static structure to dynamic processes. Despite its advantages, T7 RNAP has a notable limitation: it generates double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) as a byproduct. The presence of dsRNA not only compromises the purity of mRNA products but also elicits nonspecific immune responses, which pose significant challenges for biotechnological and therapeutic applications. The review provides a detailed exploration of the mechanisms underlying dsRNA formation during T7 RNAP catalysis, reviews current strategies to mitigate this issue, and highlights recent progress in the field. A key focus is the semi-rational design of T7 RNAP mutants engineered to minimize dsRNA generation and enhance catalytic performance. Beyond its role in transcription, T7 RNAP exhibits rapid development and extensive application in fields, including gene editing, biosensing, and mRNA vaccines. This review systematically examines the structure-function relationships of T7 RNAP, elucidates the mechanisms of dsRNA formation, and discusses engineering strategies to optimize its performance. It further explores the engineering optimization and functional expansion of T7 RNAP. Furthermore, this review also addresses the pressing issues that currently need resolution, discusses the major challenges in the practical application of T7 RNAP, and provides an outlook on potential future research directions. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of T7 RNAP, ranging from its structural architecture to cutting-edge applications. We systematically examine: (1) the characteristic right-hand domains (thumb, palm, fingers) that define its minimalistic structure; (2) the structure-function relationships underlying transcriptional catalysis; and (3) the dynamic transitions during the complete transcription cycle. While highlighting T7 RNAP’s versatility in gene editing, biosensing, and mRNA vaccine production, we critically address its major limitation—dsRNA byproduct formation—and evaluate engineering solutions including semi-rationally designed mutants. By synthesizing current knowledge and identifying key challenges, this work aims to provide novel insights for the development and application of T7 RNAP and to foster further thought and progress in related fields.
5.Expert Consensus on Clinical Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine: Pulmonary Nodules
Mingwei YU ; Huairui ZHANG ; Xinghan ZHANG ; Xiao LI ; Rengui WANG ; Zhiqiang LONG ; Zhen WANG ; Bo PANG ; Jianwei HUO ; Wei CHEN ; Yong ZHU ; Baoli LIU ; Yanni LOU ; Ganlin ZHANG ; Jiayun NIAN ; Mei MO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Guowang YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(6):238-245
In recent years, the incidence of pulmonary nodules has kept rising. To give full play to the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of pulmonary nodules and identify the breakthrough points of integrating TCM with Western medicine, the China Association of Chinese Medicine organized medical experts in TCM and western medicine to carry out in-depth discussion regarding this disease. The discussion encompassed the modern medical advances, TCM theories of etiology and pathogenesis, the role and advantages of TCM in the whole course management of pulmonary nodules, contents and methods of research on pulmonary nodules, and science popularization work, aiming to provide a reference for clinical practice and scientific research. After discussion, the experts concluded that the occurrence of pulmonary nodules was rooted in the deficiency of the lung and spleen and triggered by phlegm dampness, blood stasis, and Qi stagnation. TCM can treat pulmonary nodules by controlling and reducing nodules, improving physical constitution, ameliorating multi-system nodular diseases, reducing anxiety and avoiding excessive diagnosis and treatment, and serving as an alternative for patients who are unwilling or unfit for surgical treatment. At present, the optimal diagnosis and treatment strategy for pulmonary nodules has not been formed, which needs to be further studied from multiple perspectives such as clinical epidemiology, biology, and evidence-based medicine. The primary task of current research is to find out the advantages, effective prescriptions, and target populations and determine the effective outcomes of TCM in the treatment of pulmonary nodules. At the same time, basic research should be carried out to explore the etiology and biological behaviors of pulmonary nodules. The expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary nodules with integrated TCM and Western medicine needs to be continuously revised to guide clinicians to conduct standardized, scientific, and accurate effective diagnosis and treatment.
6.Stability study of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells formulation in large-scale production
Wang-long CHU ; Tong-jing LI ; Yan SHANGGUAN ; Fang-tao HE ; Jian-fu WU ; Xiu-ping ZENG ; Tao GUO ; Qing-fang WANG ; Fen ZHANG ; Zhen-zhong ZHONG ; Xiao LIANG ; Jun-yuan HU ; Mu-yun LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(3):743-750
Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) have been widely used in regenerative medicine, but there is limited research on the stability of UC-MSCs formulation during production. This study aims to assess the stability of the cell stock solution and intermediate product throughout the production process, as well as the final product following reconstitution, in order to offer guidance for the manufacturing process and serve as a reference for formulation reconstitution methods. Three batches of cell formulation were produced and stored under low temperature (2-8 ℃) and room temperature (20-26 ℃) during cell stock solution and intermediate product stages. The storage time intervals for cell stock solution were 0, 2, 4, and 6 h, while for intermediate products, the intervals were 0, 1, 2, and 3 h. The evaluation items included visual inspection, viable cell concentration, cell viability, cell surface markers, lymphocyte proliferation inhibition rate, and sterility. Additionally, dilution and culture stability studies were performed after reconstitution of the cell product. The reconstitution diluents included 0.9% sodium chloride injection, 0.9% sodium chloride injection + 1% human serum albumin, and 0.9% sodium chloride injection + 2% human serum albumin, with dilution ratios of 10-fold and 40-fold. The storage time intervals after dilution were 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 h. The reconstitution culture media included DMEM medium, DMEM + 2% platelet lysate, 0.9% sodium chloride injection, and 0.9% sodium chloride injection + 1% human serum albumin, and the culture duration was 24 h. The evaluation items were viable cell concentration and cell viability. The results showed that the cell stock solution remained stable for up to 6 h under both low temperature (2-8 ℃) and room temperature (20-26 ℃) conditions, while the intermediate product remained stable for up to 3 h under the same conditions. After formulation reconstitution, using sodium chloride injection diluted with 1% or 2% human serum albumin maintained a viability of over 80% within 4 h. It was observed that different dilution factors had an impact on cell viability. After formulation reconstitution, cultivation in medium with 2% platelet lysate resulted in a cell viability of over 80% after 24 h. In conclusion, the stability of cell stock solution within 6 h and intermediate product within 3 h meets the requirements. The addition of 1% or 2% human serum albumin in the reconstitution diluent can better protect the post-reconstitution cell viability.
7.Prospective Cohort Investigation on Physical Activity of Osteoporosis Outcomes (PAOPO) in Jidong:Objectives,Study Design,and Baseline Characteristics
Yang JINGZHI ; Shen HAO ; Wang SICHENG ; Bai LONG ; Geng ZHEN ; Jing YINGYING ; Xu KE ; Liu YUHE ; Wu WENQIAN ; Zhang HAO ; Zhang YUANWEI ; Li ZUHAO ; Wang CHUANDONG ; Wang GUANGCHAO ; Chen XIAO ; Su JIACAN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(9):1067-1079
Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the prospective association between physical activity (PA),independently or in conjunction with other contributing factors,and osteoporosis (OP) outcomes. Methods The Physical Activity in Osteoporosis Outcomes (PAOPO) study was a community-based cohort investigation. A structured questionnaire was used to gather the participants' sociodemographic characteristics. Bone mineral density (BMD) measurements were performed to assess OP outcomes,and the relationship between BMD and OP was evaluated within this cohort. Results From 2013 to 2014,8,471 participants aged 18 years and older were recruited from Tangshan,China's Jidong community. Based on their PA level,participants were categorized as inactive,moderately active,or very active. Men showed higher physical exercise levels than women across the activity groups. BMD was significantly higher in the very active group than in the moderately active and inactive groups. Individuals aged>50 years are at a higher risk of developing OP and osteopenia. Conclusion The PAOPO study offers promising insights into the relationship between PA and OP outcomes,encouraging the implementation of PA in preventing and managing OP.
8.Mannitol inhibits the proliferation of neural stem cell by a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent signaling pathway
Hai-Zhen DUAN ; Xin ZHOU ; Quan HU ; Meng-Long LIU ; Shu-Hong WANG ; Ji ZHANG ; Xu-Heng JIANG ; Tian-Xi ZHANG ; An-Yong YU
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2024;27(1):42-52
Purpose::Mannitol is one of the first-line drugs for reducing cerebral edema through increasing the extracellular osmotic pressure. However, long-term administration of mannitol in the treatment of cerebral edema triggers damage to neurons and astrocytes. Given that neural stem cell (NSC) is a subpopulation of main regenerative cells in the central nervous system after injury, the effect of mannitol on NSC is still elusive. The present study aims to elucidate the role of mannitol in NSC proliferation.Methods::C57 mice were derived from the animal house of Zunyi Medical University. A total of 15 pregnant mice were employed for the purpose of isolating NSCs in this investigation. Initially, mouse primary NSCs were isolated from the embryonic cortex of mice and subsequently identified through immunofluorescence staining. In order to investigate the impact of mannitol on NSC proliferation, both cell counting kit-8 assays and neurospheres formation assays were conducted. The in vitro effects of mannitol were examined at various doses and time points. In order to elucidate the role of Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in the suppressive effect of mannitol on NSC proliferation, various assays including reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunocytochemistry were conducted on control and mannitol-treated groups. Additionally, the phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) was examined to explore the potential mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of mannitol on NSC proliferation. Finally, to further confirm the involvement of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent (MAPK) signaling pathway in the observed inhibition of NSC proliferation by mannitol, SB203580 was employed. All data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL). The statistical analysis among multiple comparisons was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Turkey's post hoc test in case of the data following a normal distribution using a Shapiro-Wilk normality test. Comparisons between 2 groups were determined using Student's t-test, if the data exhibited a normal distribution using a Shapiro-Wilk normality test. Meanwhile, data were shown as median and interquartile range and analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, if the data failed the normality test. A p < 0.05 was considered as significant difference. Results::Primary NSC were isolated from the mice, and the characteristics were identified using immunostaining analysis. Thereafter, the results indicated that mannitol held the capability of inhibiting NSC proliferation in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner using cell counting kit-8, neurospheres formation, and immunostaining of Nestin and Ki67 assays. During the process of mannitol suppressing NSC proliferation, the expression of AQP4 mRNA and protein was downregulated, while the gene expression of p-p38 was elevated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunostaining, and western blotting assays. Subsequently, the administration of SB203580, one of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway inhibitors, partially abrogated this inhibitory effect resulting from mannitol, supporting the fact that the p38 MAPK signaling pathway participated in curbing NSC proliferation induced by mannitol.Conclusions::Mannitol inhibits NSC proliferation through downregulating AQP4, while upregulating the expression of p-p38 MAPK.
9.OCT and IVUS evaluating stent apposition and endothelialization after FD implantation in aneurysm animal models
Ji MA ; Shuhai LONG ; Jie YANG ; Zhen LI ; Haiqiang SANG ; Yi TANG ; Yuncai RAN ; Yong ZHANG ; Baohong WEN ; Shanshan XIE ; Ke CHEN ; Enjie LIU ; Xinwei HAN ; Tengfei LI
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2024;23(3):256-262
Objective:To investigate the application value of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in evaluating flow diverter (FD) apposition and endothelialization in aneurysm animal models, and analyze the effect of incomplete stent apposition (ISA) on aneurysm lumen healing and stent endothelialization.Methods:Lateral common carotid artery aneurysm models in swines were established by surgical method and then FD was implanted. Immediately after surgery, OCT and IVUS were used to evaluate the locations and degrees of ISA, and difference between these 2 methods in evaluating FD apposition was compared. DSA was performed at 12 weeks after surgery to evaluate the aneurysm occlusion (Kamran grading) and stent patency. OCT and IVUS were used again to observe the stent endothelial situation; by comparing with histopathologic results, effect of ISA on aneurysm healing and stent endothelialization was analyzed.Results:Lateral common carotid artery aneurysm models in 6 swines were established, and 6 Tubridge FDs were successfully implanted. Compared with IVUS (3 stents, 4 locus), OCT could detect more ISA (6 stents, 14 locus); and the vascular diameter change area (7 locus), aneurysm neck area (4 locus) and the head and tail of FD (3 locus) were the main sites of FD malapposition; average distance between stent wire and vessel wall was (560.14±101.48) μm. At 12 weeks after surgery, DSA showed that 1 patient had a little residual contrast agent at the aneurysm neck (Kamran grading 3), and the remaining 5 had complete aneurysm occlusion (Kamran grading 4). One FD had moderate lumen stenosis, and the other 5 FDs had lumen patency. OCT indicated mostly disappeared acute ISA; ISA proportion decreased to 21.4 % (3/14), including 2 in the aneurysm neck and 1 in the partial stent. Histopathological results showed bare stent woven silk, without obvious endothelial coverage; in one FD with luminal stenosis, intimal hyperplasia was mainly composed of vascular smooth muscle cells.Conclusion:In carotid artery aneurysm model with FD implantation, OCT can detect more ISA than IVUS; most acute ISA have good outcome at 12 th week of follow-up, while severe ISA can cause delayed FD endothelialization and delayed aneurysm occlusion.
10.A new hexacyclic triterpenoid with 13α ,27-cyclopropane ring from Glechoma longituba
Qian ZHANG ; Mei-long LU ; Tian-zi LIU ; Yue-ting ZHANG ; Ao ZHU ; Li-li DING ; Zhu-zhen HAN ; Li-hua GU ; Zheng-tao WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(5):1334-1340
In order to study the compounds from

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