1.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.
2.Targeting PPARα for The Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases
Tong-Tong ZHANG ; Hao-Zhuo ZHANG ; Li HE ; Jia-Wei LIU ; Jia-Zhen WU ; Wen-Hua SU ; Ju-Hua DAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2295-2313
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the leading causes of mortality among adults globally, with continuously rising morbidity and mortality rates. Metabolic disorders are closely linked to various cardiovascular diseases and play a critical role in their pathogenesis and progression, involving multifaceted mechanisms such as altered substrate utilization, mitochondrial structural and functional dysfunction, and impaired ATP synthesis and transport. In recent years, the potential role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in cardiovascular diseases has garnered significant attention, particularly peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), which is recognized as a highly promising therapeutic target for CVD. PPARα regulates cardiovascular physiological and pathological processes through fatty acid metabolism. As a ligand-activated receptor within the nuclear hormone receptor family, PPARα is highly expressed in multiple organs, including skeletal muscle, liver, intestine, kidney, and heart, where it governs the metabolism of diverse substrates. Functioning as a key transcription factor in maintaining metabolic homeostasis and catalyzing or regulating biochemical reactions, PPARα exerts its cardioprotective effects through multiple pathways: modulating lipid metabolism, participating in cardiac energy metabolism, enhancing insulin sensitivity, suppressing inflammatory responses, improving vascular endothelial function, and inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. These mechanisms collectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease development. Thus, PPARα plays a pivotal role in various pathological processes via mechanisms such as lipid metabolism regulation, anti-inflammatory actions, and anti-apoptotic effects. PPARα is activated by binding to natural or synthetic lipophilic ligands, including endogenous fatty acids and their derivatives (e.g., linoleic acid, oleic acid, and arachidonic acid) as well as synthetic peroxisome proliferators. Upon ligand binding, PPARα activates the nuclear receptor retinoid X receptor (RXR), forming a PPARα-RXR heterodimer. This heterodimer, in conjunction with coactivators, undergoes further activation and subsequently binds to peroxisome proliferator response elements (PPREs), thereby regulating the transcription of target genes critical for lipid and glucose homeostasis. Key genes include fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36), diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT), carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT1), and glucose transporter (GLUT), which are primarily involved in fatty acid uptake, storage, oxidation, and glucose utilization processes. Advancing research on PPARα as a therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases has underscored its growing clinical significance. Currently, PPARα activators/agonists, such as fibrates (e.g., fenofibrate and bezafibrate) and thiazolidinediones, have been extensively studied in clinical trials for CVD prevention. Traditional PPARα agonists, including fenofibrate and bezafibrate, are widely used in clinical practice to treat hypertriglyceridemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. These fibrates enhance fatty acid metabolism in the liver and skeletal muscle by activating PPARα, and their cardioprotective effects have been validated in numerous clinical studies. Recent research highlights that fibrates improve insulin resistance, regulate lipid metabolism, correct energy metabolism imbalances, and inhibit the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells, thereby ameliorating pathological remodeling of the cardiovascular system and reducing blood pressure. Given the substantial attention to PPARα-targeted interventions in both basic research and clinical applications, activating PPARα may serve as a key therapeutic strategy for managing cardiovascular conditions such as myocardial hypertrophy, atherosclerosis, ischemic cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, diabetic cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. This review comprehensively examines the regulatory roles of PPARα in cardiovascular diseases and evaluates its clinical application value, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for further development and utilization of PPARα-related therapies in CVD treatment.
3.Improvement of sepsis-related acute lung injury through Naringin by regulating TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling pathway
Pingping HE ; Yu DENG ; Yuhan WANG ; Zhen ZHANG ; Hao WANG ; Guangtao PAN
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(4):465-470
Objective:To investigate the protective effect of naringenin on acute lung injury related with sepsis; To discuss its possible mechanism.Methods:Totally 30 male SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group, model group, naringin low-, medium- and high-dosage groups, with 6 rats in each group. The sepsis-related acute lung injury model was established by cecal ligation and puncture in all groups except the sham-operation group. After modeling, naringin low-, medium- and high-dosage groups were given naringin 20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg, respectively for gavage, while the sham-operation group and the model group were given the same volume of distilled water by gavage, once a day, for 2 days. Pathological changes in lung tissue were observed using HE staining. The levels of 1L-1, IL-6 and IL-18 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by ELISA; the expression of TNF-α in lung tissue was detected by immunofluorescence histopathology; the expressions of TGF-β1, TGF-βR1 and Smad2 were detected by Western Blot. An agonist group and a naringin plus agonist group were set up, with 6 mice in each group, and the expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad2 protein in the lung tissue of each group were detected by immunohistochemical staining to verify the effect of naringin on the expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad2 protein.Results:Compared with the model group, the pathological injury of lung tissue in naringin groups were obviously alleviated, and the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-18 in BALF decreased ( P<0.01), the protein expressions of TNF-α, TGF-β1, TGF-βR1 and Smad2 in lung tissue decreased ( P<0.01 or P<0.05). Further verification found that the expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad2 in the agonist group increased ( P<0.01), while the expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad2 in the naringin agonist group decreased ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Naringin can reduce the inflammatory response in the lung of the rats to protect against sepsis-related acute lung injury, and its protective effect could be related to the inhibition of the TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling pathway.
4.Effects of melezitose on ulcerative colitis mice
Zhang-Hao CHEN ; Shuang GAO ; Jin-Fa LI ; Zhen GAN ; Jun-Min CHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(14):2083-2087
Objective To investigate the mechanism of melezitose(MELE)on ulcerative colitis(UC)by structing a mouse model of ulcerative colitis(UC)induced by dextran sodium sulfate(DSS).Methods Forty-eight SPF grade male c57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal group(0.9%NaCl),model group(0.9%NaCl),control group(100 mg·kg-1 mesalazine)and experimental-L,-M,-H groups(20,40,80 mg·kg-1 melezitose solution).The UC model was induced by giving 3%DSS solution instead of drinking water,and the disease activity index(DAI)was evaluated.Serum levels of interleukin-1 β(IL-113),IL-6,IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.The expression levels of major histocompatibility complex Ⅱ(MHC Ⅱ)and cluster of differentiation 4 receptors(CD4)protein were detected by Western blot.Results The levels of IL-1 β in serum in the experimental-M,-H groups,model group and normal group were(82.15±13.66),(75.56±11.07),(118.20±19.31)and(23.47±4.72)pg·mL-1;serum IL-6 levels were(71.54±16.48),(58.57±15.62),(140.60±5.76)and(30.33±4.15)pg·mL-1;serum IL-10 levels were(48.64±5.60),(52.65±7.99),(27.10±4.91)and(61.90±10.44)pg·mL-1;serum TNF-α levels were(70.33±8.51),(66.55±8.12),(90.88±4.90)and(34.18±4.15)pg·mL-1;the relative expression levels of MHC Ⅱ protein were 0.34±0.04,0.15±0.06,0.08±0.05 and 0.53±0.59;the relative expression levels of CD4 protein were 0.79±0.08,0.92±0.12,0.99±0.11 and 0.54±0.14,respectively.Compared with the model group,the above indexes in the experimental-M,-H groups showed statistically significant differences(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Melezitose could effectively improve the symptoms of UC mice;the mechanism may be through down-regulating MHC Ⅱ protein and up-regulating CD4 protein to activate T cell signal pathway to play an anti-inflammatory effect.
5.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.
6.Current and predicted disease burden in middle aged and elderly population aged 55 years and above in Shenzhen, 2016-2030
Junyan XI ; Ruiqi MING ; Yijing WANG ; Yingbin FU ; Zhen ZHANG ; Jia ZHANG ; Jianjun BAI ; Yining XIANG ; Xiao LIN ; Jing GU ; Yuantao HAO ; Gang LIU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(11):1550-1558
Objective:To analyze the disease burden in middle-aged and elderly population aged ≥55 in Shenzhen from 2016 to 2030 and provide evidence for the development of healthy aging strategies.Methods:The years of life lost (YLL), years lost due to disability (YLD), and the disability-adjusted life year (DALY) in this population from 2016 to 2022 were calculated. Joinpoint log-linear regression model was used to analyze the time trend. Bayesian age-period-cohort model and grey system model were used to predict YLL, YLD, and DALY in this population in 2030.Results:From 2016 to 2022, the crude DALY rate showed a transient fluctuation in age group 55-74 years, but a pronounced increase in age group ≥85 years. The proportions of YLL and YLD due to non-communicable diseases in all age groups was considerably higher than those due to communicable and nutritional diseases and injuries. In 2022, in all age groups, the YLL due to neoplasms (55-74 years old) and cardiovascular disease (≥75 years old) ranked first, and the YLD due to musculoskeletal disorder ranked first. By 2030, the causes of YLL and YLD ranking first in each age group would be remained, while the ranks of some causes would increase.Conclusions:The age specific characteristics of current and predicted disease burden differed in individuals aged ≥55 years. Therefore, it is necessary to allocate social and medical resources according to the disease burden pattern.
7.Disease spectrum and pathogenic genes of inherited metabolic disorder in Gansu Province of China
Chuan ZHANG ; Ling HUI ; Bing-Bo ZHOU ; Lei ZHENG ; Yu-Pei WANG ; Sheng-Ju HAO ; Zhen-Qiang DA ; Ying MA ; Jin-Xian GUO ; Zong-Fu CAO ; Xu MA
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2024;26(1):67-71
Objective To investigate the disease spectrum and pathogenic genes of inherited metabolic disorder(IMD)among neonates in Gansu Province of China.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the tandem mass spectrometry data of 286 682 neonates who received IMD screening in Gansu Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2018 to December 2021.A genetic analysis was conducted on the neonates with positive results in tandem mass spectrometry during primary screening and reexamination.Results A total of 23 types of IMD caused by 28 pathogenic genes were found in the 286 682 neonates,and the overall prevalence rate of IMD was 0.63‰(1/1 593),among which phenylketonuria showed the highest prevalence rate of 0.32‰(1/3 083),followed by methylmalonic acidemia(0.11‰,1/8 959)and tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency(0.06‰,1/15 927).In this study,166 variants were identified in the 28 pathogenic genes,with 13 novel variants found in 9 genes.According to American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines,5 novel variants were classified as pathogenic variants,7 were classified as likely pathogenic variants,and 1 was classified as the variant of uncertain significance.Conclusions This study enriches the database of pathogenic gene variants for IMD and provides basic data for establishing an accurate screening and diagnosis system for IMD in this region.
8.Mass spectrometry analysis of intact protein N-glycosylation signatures of cells and sera in pancreatic adenocarcinomas
XU MINGMING ; LIU ZHAOLIANG ; HU WENHUA ; HAN YING ; WU ZHEN ; CHEN SUFENG ; XIA PENG ; DU JING ; ZHANG XUMIN ; HAO PILIANG ; XIA JUN ; YANG SHUANG
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2024;25(1):51-64,中插9-中插28
Pancreatic cancer is among the most malignant cancers,and thus early intervention is the key to better survival outcomes.However,no methods have been derived that can reliably identify early precursors of development into malignancy.Therefore,it is urgent to discover early molecular changes during pancreatic tumorigenesis.As aberrant glycosylation is closely associated with cancer progression,numerous efforts have been made to mine glycosylation changes as biomarkers for diagnosis;however,detailed glycoproteomic information,especially site-specific N-glycosylation changes in pancreatic cancer with and without drug treatment,needs to be further explored.Herein,we used comprehensive solid-phase chemoenzymatic glycoproteomics to analyze glycans,glycosites,and intact glycopeptides in pancreatic cancer cells and patient sera.The profiling of N-glycans in cancer cells revealed an increase in the secreted glycoproteins from the primary tumor of MIA PaCa-2 cells,whereas human sera,which contain many secreted glycoproteins,had significant changes of glycans at their specific glycosites.These results indicated the potential role for tumor-specific glycosylation as disease biomarkers.We also found that AMG-510,a small molecule inhibitor against Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog(KRAS)G12C mutation,profoundly reduced the glycosylation level in MIA PaCa-2 cells,suggesting that KRAS plays a role in the cellular glycosylation process,and thus glycosylation inhibition contributes to the anti-tumor effect of AMG-510.
9.Rupture-A symbolic timing point of the natural abdominal rupture during cadaver decay
Xingchun ZHAO ; Fan YANG ; Sheng HU ; Hao NIE ; Jiajia FAN ; Zhen PENG ; Gengqian ZHANG ; Peng GUI ; Zengtao ZHONG
Chinese Journal of Forensic Medicine 2024;39(1):68-74
Objective Corruption is the most common cadaver phenomenon in forensic practice and an important basis for inferring time of death(PMI),but the definition of corruption degree and the construction of model inference models have always been difficult in the practice of forensic science.Methods In this study,the late postmortem phenomena were observed.Meanwhile,the microbial flora structure of gut and gravesoil and the nature of gravesoil were detected,for analyzing the changes before and after the key moment of abdominal rupture which naturally happened during the cadaver decay.Results The results found that from the macroscopic and microscopic levels,there were significant differences in cadaver decay,including microbial flora structure and gravesoil properties before and after the key moment of the natural abdominal rupture during cadaver decay.The phenomena are highly observable and can be accurately judged by forensic examinations,as well as related means in the field of biology and physiochemistry.In this study,this critical event was called Rupture Point.Conclusion The Rupture Point can be used as an important node for the assessment of cadaver decay degree in the practice of forensic medicine.It can be utilized for a cut-off point as well when constructing PMI inference models based on microbial flora structure changes.The accuracy of PMI inference models can be improved when the models were constructed in segments.
10.Expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic proximal humeral fracture with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine (version 2024)
Xiao CHEN ; Hao ZHANG ; Man WANG ; Guangchao WANG ; Jin CUI ; Wencai ZHANG ; Fengjin ZHOU ; Qiang YANG ; Guohui LIU ; Zhongmin SHI ; Lili YANG ; Zhiwei WANG ; Guixin SUN ; Biao CHENG ; Ming CAI ; Haodong LIN ; Hongxing SHEN ; Hao SHEN ; Yunfei ZHANG ; Fuxin WEI ; Feng NIU ; Chao FANG ; Huiwen CHEN ; Shaojun SONG ; Yong WANG ; Jun LIN ; Yuhai MA ; Wei CHEN ; Nan CHEN ; Zhiyong HOU ; Xin WANG ; Aiyuan WANG ; Zhen GENG ; Kainan LI ; Dongliang WANG ; Fanfu FANG ; Jiacan SU
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2024;40(3):193-205
Osteoporotic proximal humeral fracture (OPHF) is one of the common osteoporotic fractures in the aged, with an incidence only lower than vertebral compression fracture, hip fracture, and distal radius fracture. OPHF, secondary to osteoporosis and characterized by poor bone quality, comminuted fracture pattern, slow healing, and severely impaired shoulder joint function, poses a big challenge to the current clinical diagnosis and treatment. In the field of diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of OPHF, traditional Chinese and Western medicine have accumulated rich experience and evidence from evidence-based medicine and achieved favorable outcomes. However, there is still a lack of guidance from a relevant consensus as to how to integrate the advantages of the two medical systems and achieve the integrated diagnosis and treatment. To promote the diagnosis and treatment of OPHF with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine, relevant experts from Orthopedic Expert Committee of Geriatric Branch of Chinese Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Youth Osteoporosis Group of Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Osteoporosis Group of Orthopedic Surgeon Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, and Osteoporosis Committee of Shanghai Association of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine have been organized to formulate Expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic proximal humeral fracture with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine ( version 2024) by searching related literatures and based on the evidences from evidence-based medicine. This consensus consists of 13 recommendations about the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of OPHF with integrated traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, aimed at standardizing, systematizing, and personalizing the diagnosis and treatment of OPHF with integrated traditional Chinse and Western medicine to improve the patients ′ function.

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