In order to study the inherent difference among terpenes producing yeasts from the point of metabolomics, we selected taxadiene producing yeasts as the model system. The changes of cellular metabolites during fermentation log phase of artificial functional yeasts were determined using metabolomics methods. The results represented that compared to W303-1A as a blank control, the metabolites in glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) cycle and several amino acids were influenced. And due to the changes of metabolites, the growth of cells was inhibited to a certain extent. Among the metabolites identified, citric acid content in taxadiene producing yeasts changed the most, the decreasing amplitude reached 90% or more. Therefore, citric acid can be a marker metabolite for the future study of artificial functional yeasts. The metabolomics analysis of taxadiene producing yeasts can provide more information in further studies on optimization of terpenes production in heterologous chassis.
Alkenes ; metabolism ; Amino Acids ; metabolism ; Citric Acid ; analysis ; Citric Acid Cycle ; Diterpenes ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; Glycolysis ; Metabolome ; Metabolomics ; Yeasts ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the role of renal nerve in cardioprotection provided by renal ischemic preconditioning(RIP).Methods The effects of ischemia-reperfusion and RIP on the hemodynamics, myocardial oxygen consumption, epicardial electrography and infarct size were examined in anesthetized rabbit.Results During the 45 min of myocardial ischemia and 180 min of reperfusion, all hemodynamic parameters and myocardial oxygen consumption decreased progressively significantly. Epicardial electrographic ST-segment was elevated significantly during myocardial ischemia and return to baseline progressively in the course of reperfusion. The myocardial infarct size occupied 55.80±1.25% of area at risk,and RIP significantly reduced the myocardial infarct size to 36.51±2.80%(P＜0.01). The renal nerve section (RNS) per se didn't affect myocardial infarct size produced by ischemia-reperfusion, while cardioprotection afforded by RIP was completely abolished by RNS.Conlusion RIP have the protective effect on heart, and activation of renal afferents by transient ischemia-reperfusion play an important role in such a cardioprotection.

The key challenge to generate engineered cells by synthetic biology for producing 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) in a high titer is the match between functional module and chassis. Our study focused on solving this problem by combining different promoters and yeast chassis to increase 7-DHC production. To optimize the chassis in order to accumulate zymosterol, the substrate for 7-DHC synthesis, we overexpressed truncated HMG-CoA reductase (tHmglp) and squalene epoxidase (Erglp), both are key genes of yeast endogenous zymosterol biosynthetic pathway. In addition, we knocked out C-24 methyl transferase (Erg6p) and C-22 dehydrogenase (Erg5p) to inhibit the conversion of zymosterol to ergosterol. By introducing heterologous C-24 reductase under three promoters with different strengths, namely TDH3p, PGK1p and TDH1p, we constructed functional modules of diverse activities. Nine engineeredcells were generated based on the combination of these three modules and three chassis. The result shows that the engineered cell composed of functional module regulated by TDH3p and chassis SyBE_000956 had the highest 7-DHC production, indicating a better match than others. This study provides evidences for importance of match and empirical support for rational design of subsequent researches.
Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; genetics ; Dehydrocholesterols ; metabolism ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases ; metabolism ; Industrial Microbiology ; Methyltransferases ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins ; genetics ; Synthetic Biology

Objective To study the angle and articular facet curvature of lumbar zygapophyseal joints in adults.Methods The lumbar zygapophyseal joints in 120 healthy subjects without lumbar diseases were detected using spiral CT and mutiple planner re-construction.The angle and articular facet curvature of zygapophyseal joints were measured.The differences in the measured param-eters between male and female or different age groups were compared.Results ①There were no significant differences in the angle of the same lumbar zygapophyseal joints between males and females or different age groups (P >0.05);however,the significant differences in the angle between different lumbar segments were found (P <0.05).②There were no significant differences in articu-lar facet curvature of the same lumbar zygapophyseal joints between males and females or different age groups (P >0.05);however, there were significant differences in the curvature between different lumbar segments (P <0.05).The maximum articular facet cur-vature of L3-L4 was 22.1°±6.0°.Conclusion The angle and articular facet curvature of lumbar zygapophyseal joints varies from different lumbar segments with different contributions for the lumbar stability.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of hypertension among primary and middle school students living in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, so as to provide insights into comprehensive hypertension control among children and adolescents. Methods: Primary and middle school students at ages of 7 to 17 years were recruited for a questionnaire survey in Suzhou City using the stratified cluster random sampling method from September to December, 2020, and the height and body weight were measured. Blood pressure was measured at three separate clinic visits according to the national criteria Reference of Screening for Elevated Blood Pressure among Children and Adolescents Aged 7-18 Years ( WS/T 610-2018 ), and the detection of elevated blood pressure was estimated at three separate visits. In addition, factors affecting elevated blood pressure were identified. Results: A total of 3 713 students were enrolled, including 1 924 boys ( 51.82% ) and 1 789 girls ( 48.18% ). The detection of elevated blood pressure was 13.63%, 5.36%, and 3.37% at three separate visits, respectively, and the prevalence of hypertension ( elevated blood pressure at all three visits ) was 3.37%. The detection rates of elevated blood pressure were all higher at three visits ( 16.90%, 8.40%, and 5.26% ) among students at ages of 12 to 17 years than among students at ages of 7 to 11 years ( 9.65%, 1.67%, and 1.07%, P<0.05 ). The detection of elevated blood pressure was significantly higher in boys ( 15.23% ) than in girls (11.91%) at the first visit ( P<0.05 ), while no significant differences were seen at the second or third visit ( P>0.05 ). In addition, higher detection rates of elevated blood pressure were seen in obese ( 27.62%, 11.51%, and 7.06% ) and overweight students ( 17.45%, 6.95%, and 4.85% ) than in students with normal weight ( 9.44%, 3.54%, and 2.15% ) at all three visits, and greater detection rates of elevated blood pressure were found in obese students than in overweight students at the first and second visits ( P<0.017 ). Conclusions The prevalence of hypertension was 3.37% based on three separate visits among primary and middle school students in Suzhou City. Measurement of blood pressure at three separate visits within different days is effective to reduce the false positive rate of hypertension and decrease misdiagnosis among children and adolescents.

Objective To evaluate the effect of computer-aided design of composite materials with epoxide acrylate maleic (E) and hydroxyapatite (H) in cranioplasty. Methods A total of 45 patients with cranium defects were treated with cranioplasty by using skull bone flaps made of composite materials including epoxide acrylate maleic (E) and hydroxyapatite (H) ,which was designed with computer aid according to individual requirements. The patients were followed up for 6-36 months. Results After cranioplasty with composite EH, there occurred subcutaneous fluid in one patient and mild bone collapse in one. The composite EH showed good histocompatibility, with no infection or rejection. Conclusion During cranioplasty, use of computer-aided design of composite EH takes advantages of good accuracy, short operation time, good biocompatibility and good clinical efficiency.

OBJECTIVETo make an animal periodontitis and atherosclerosis compound model, and to study the effects of periodontitis on atherosclerosis.

METHODS36 Japan rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: Including periodontitis model group, periodontitis and atherosclerosis compound model group, atherosclerosis model group and control group. Periodontitis model was initiated by ligating floss around teeth cervical and oral inoculating with Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). Atherosclerosis was established by single iliac artery of balloon-injured rabbit. Histopathological change of injured iliac artery was observed under optical microscope after hematoxylin-eosion stain. Elastica van Gieson-stained sections were used for the morphometric analysis. We measured intimal and medial lesion areas in iliac artery cross-sections as well as the intimal/medial ratio (I/M). We also analyzed P. gingivalis 16S rDNA amplification with nested-polymerase chain reaction (nested-PCR), and detect systemic proinflammatory mediators with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta).

RESULTSThe serum levels of CRP, IL-6 and IL-1beta increased obviously among the compound model group than other groups (P<0.01). Histopathological observation revealed the compound model group in I/M was bigger than other groups (P<0.01). P. gingivalis 16S rDNA was detected among the periodontitis model group and the compound model group by nested-PCR.

CONCLUSIONPeriodontitis may accelerate intimal hyperplasia in balloon-injured iliac arteries by upgrade of systemic inflammation factors and local bacterial infection.

Animal Experimentation ; Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; C-Reactive Protein ; Disease Models, Animal ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Interleukin-6 ; Periodontitis ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; Rabbits

Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) frequently manifest following ankle joint trauma, causing ankle pain, swelling and impaired mobility, thereby significantly impeding daily activities of the patients. Presently, clinical treatment approaches encompass both conservative management and surgical intervention. Conservative management endeavors to alleviate symptoms, while patients experiencing persistent symptoms resort to surgical intervention. Commonly employed surgical treatments encompass bone marrow stimulation, autologous osteochondral transplantation, and allogeneic osteochondral transplantation. Bone marrow stimulation is employed as a therapeutic approach for the management of smaller OLT, demonstrating favorable short-term effectiveness; however, the long-term prognosis remains uncertain. Autologous osteochondral transplantation is a viable option for larger OLT lesions, albeit it carries the potential of complications at the donor site. Conversely, allogenic osteochondral transplantation exhibits a diminished success rate. In recent times, the utilization of cell transplantation techniques has garnered escalating interest in the treatment of OLT due to their capacity to regenerate cartilage resembling hyaline and their diverse range of cellular origins. The authors reviewed the progress of cell transplantation in the treatment of OLT, providing a reference for the clinical treatment.

Objective: Adiponectin (APN) is an endogenous cytokine that mediates the development and progression of various tumors through its receptors (AdipoRs). The present study aimed to detect the expression and distribution of APN and its receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). Moreover, we explored whether the locoregional expression of APN was reg-ulated by HIF-1α in the hypoxic microenvironment. Methods: The expression and distribution of APN and its receptors in TSCC tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemical. Lentiviral expression vector for HIF-1α shRNA was constructed and stably transfected in TSCC cells to knock down HIF-1α expression. The mRNA and protein expression levels of APN and its receptors were detected using RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively, after hypoxic treatment. Results: The locoregional expression of APN and AdipoR1, but not AdipoR2, was upregulated at the early stages of T1, T2, and/or N0 stage, respectively, in tumor tissues compared to that in control paracancer-ous tissues (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The expression of APN and AdipoR1, but not AdipoR2, in TSCC cells was up-regulated on hypoxic treat-ment. Moreover, the expression of APN and AdipoR1 was down-regulated after shRNA knockdown of HIF-1α under hypoxia. Conclu-sions: The APN-AdipoR1 signaling pathway was activated and regulated by HIF-1α in the hypoxic environment of TSCC tissues.

Petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants are difficult to be degraded, and bioremediation has received increasing attention for remediating the hydrocarbon polluted area. This review started by introducing the interphase adaptation and transport process of hydrocarbon by microbes. Subsequently, the advances made in the identification of hydrocarbon-degrading strains and genes as well as elucidation of metabolic pathways and underpinning mechanisms in the biodegradation of typical petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants were summarized. The capability of wild-type hydrocarbon degrading bacteria can be enhanced through genetic engineering and metabolic engineering. With the rapid development of synthetic biology, the bioremediation of hydrocarbon polluted area can be further improved by engineering the metabolic pathways of hydrocarbon-degrading microbes, or through design and construction of synthetic microbial consortia.
Bacteria/genetics* ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Hydrocarbons ; Petroleum ; Petroleum Pollution/analysis* ; Soil Microbiology ; Soil Pollutants