BACKGROUND:So far numerous theoretical studies have shown the treatment effect of stem cel transplantation for chronic complications of diabetes, while its treatment effects on diabetic nephropathy have not yet been confirmed in animal models. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the protective effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel transplantation on the kidney in rat models of diabetes. METHODS:Rats were fed with high-sugar and high-fat diet for 4 weeks, and then were given injection of streptozotocin to establish type 2 diabetic rat models. At 2 days after modeling, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s were injected via the tail vein (stem cel transplantation group). In the meanwhile, control and diabetes groups were established. At 21 days after cel transplantation, levels of glucose, triglyceride and insulin in the tail vein were detected. Additional y, morphological observations of kidney and pancreatic tissues were performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The levels of blood sugar, insulin and triglycerides in the diabetes group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). Blood glucose and insulin levels in the stem cel transplantation group were significantly lower than those of the diabetes group (P<0.05). In addition, mesangial area and glomerular volume in the stem cel transplantation group were significantly lower compared with the diabetes group (P<0.05). These results confirm that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel transplantation can reduce levels of blood glucose and serum insulin, contributing to the repair of damaged pancreas and kidney.

The use of light energy to drive carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction for production of chemicals is of great significance for relieving environmental pressure and solving energy crisis. Photocapture, photoelectricity conversion and CO₂ fixation are the key factors affecting the efficiency of photosynthesis, and thus also affect the efficiency of CO₂ utilization. To solve the above problems, this review systematically summarizes the construction, optimization and application of light-driven hybrid system from the perspective of combining biochemistry and metabolic engineering. We introduce the latest research progress of light-driven CO₂ reduction for biosynthesis of chemicals from three aspects: enzyme hybrid system, biological hybrid system and application of these hybrid system. In the aspect of enzyme hybrid system, many strategies were adopted such as improving enzyme catalytic activity and enhancing enzyme stability. In the aspect of biological hybrid system, many methods were used including enhancing biological light harvesting capacity, optimizing reducing power supply and improving energy regeneration. In terms of the applications, hybrid systems have been used in the production of one-carbon compounds, biofuels and biofoods. Finally, the future development direction of artificial photosynthetic system is prospected from the aspects of nanomaterials (including organic and inorganic materials) and biocatalysts (including enzymes and microorganisms).
Carbon Dioxide/metabolism* ; Photosynthesis ; Metabolic Engineering

Objective: To analyze the heritability of diabetes among the Chinese twin adults. Methods: A total of 10 253 same-sex twin pairs aged 25 years and older, were selected from the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR) program. Heritability of diabetes was calculated by using the structural equation model. Results: After adjusted for age and gender, the overall heritability rates of diabetes were 0.41 (0.15-0.75), 0.83 (0.72-0.91) and 0.34 (0.04-0.73) in the <45 and ≥45 years twin pairs, respectively. After adjusted for age, rates of heritability appeared as 0.37 (0.05-0.78) and 0.88 (0.79-0.94) in men and women, respectively. Conclusions Diabetes is affected by both genetic and environmental factors. The genetic effect of diabetes seemed stronger on female than that on male twins but was dying down along with ageing.