Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem fibrotic and autoimmune disease. Both genetic and epigenetic elements mediate SSc pathophysiology. This review summarizes the role of one epigenetic element, known as microRNAs (miRNAs), involved in different signaling pathways of SSc pathogenesis. The expression of key components in transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b) signaling pathway has been found to be regulated by miRNAs both upstream and downstream of TGF-b. We are specifically interested in the pathway components upstream of TGF-b, while miRNAs in other signaling pathways have not been extensively studied. The emerging role of miRNAs in vasculopathy of SSc suggests a promising new direction for future investigation. Elu-cidation of the regulatory role of miRNAs in the expression of signaling factors may facilitate the discovery of novel biomarkers in SSc and improve the understanding and treatment of this disease.

ObjectiveTo analyze the effect of moderate intensity aerobic combined with low intensity resistance exercise on old patients with coronary heart disease and hypertension. MethodsFrom November, 2021 to May, 2022, 16 patients with coronary heart disease and hypertension in Wuhan Donghu Hospital were divided into control group (n = 8) and experimental group (n = 8). Based on the World Health Organization Family of International Classification (WHO-FICs), the exercise intervention program was constructed. The control group accepted routine treatment, and the experimental group accepted moderate intensity aerobic combined with low intensity resistance exercise in addition, for eight weeks. They were measured lung function and cardiac function with cardiopulmonary exercise test system, and assessed with Timed 'Up and Go' Test, 6-Minute Walk Distance, 2-Minute Step Test, 30-Second Sit to Stand Test and grip strength before and after intervention. ResultsThe vital capacity, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second, forced expiratory volume in the one second as percentage of predicted volume, peak expiratory flow and maximal voluntary ventilation improved in the experimental after intervention (|t| > 2.391, P < 0.05), and the vital capacity, force vital capacity and maximal voluntary ventilation were more in the experimental group than in the control group (|t| > 2.207, P < 0.05). Peak oxygen uptake, anaerobic subthreshold oxygen uptake, metabolic equivalents, oxygen pulse, maximum work load and exercise load time improved in the experimental group after intervention (|t| > 2.823, P < 0.05), and they all were better in the experimental group than in the control group (|t| > 2.295, P < 0.05). Systolic blood pressure improved in both the groups (|t| > 4.608, P < 0.01), and diastolic blood pressure improved in the experimental group (t = 5.964, P < 0.01); while systolic blood pressure was less in the experimental group than in the control group (t = -3.654, P < 0.01). The performances of Timed 'Up and Go' Test, 6-Minute Walk Distance, 2-Minute Step Test, 30-Second Sit to Stand Test and grip strength improved in the experimental group after intervention (|t| > 2.996, P < 0.05), and all the performances were better in the experimental group than in the control group (|t| > 2.220, P < 0.05). ConclusionThe moderate intensity aerobic combined with low resistance exercise developed based on WHO-FICs can improve the cardiac function, lung function, cardiac load and motor function of old patients with coronary heart disease and hypertension.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of high intensity interval training (HIIT) on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MethodsFrom May to October, 2021, twelve patients with T2DM were recruited with internet. An HIIT exercise intervention based on WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour and World Health Organization Family of International Classifications (WHO-FICs) was constructed. They received aerobic combined with resistance training in a multi-combination HIIT using whole-body exercise, 30 to 35 minutes a time, three times a week, for eight weeks. Before and after intervention, their blood glucose levels, lipid levels, pancreatic fat content and body composition were measured. ResultsOne cased was dropped. After intervention, the fasting glucose, 2-hour postprandial glucose, hemoglobin A1c, fasting serum insulin, insulin resistance index, serum total cholesterol, serum triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, pancreatic fat content, body weight, body mass index, and body fat percentage improved (t > 2.258, P < 0.05). ConclusionHIIT exercise intervention based on the Guidelines and WHO-FICs could improve the related functions of patients with T2DM, such as blood glucose levels, blood lipid levels, pancreatic fat content and body composition, and reduce the consumption of hypoglycemic drugs.

Yeast are comprised of diverse single-cell fungal species including budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and various nonconventional yeasts. Budding yeast is well known as an important industrial microorganism, which has been widely applied in various fields, such as biopharmaceutical and health industry, food, light industry and biofuels production. In the recent years, various yeast strains from different ecological environments have been isolated and characterized. Novel species have been continuously identified, and strains with diverse physiological characteristics such as stress resistance and production of bioactive compounds were selected, which proved abundant biodiversity of natural yeast resources. Genome mining of yeast strains, as well as multi-omics analyses (transcriptome, proteome and metabolome, etc.) can reveal diverse genetic diversity for strain engineering. The genetic resources including genes encoding various enzymes and regulatory proteins, promoters, and other elements, can be employed for development of robust strains. In addition to exploration of yeast natural diversity, phenotypes that are more suitable for industrial applications can be obtained by generation of a variety of genetic diversity through mutagenesis, laboratory adaptation, metabolic engineering, and synthetic biology design. The optimized genetic elements can be used to efficiently improve strain performance. Exploration of yeast biodiversity and genetic diversity can be employed to build efficient cell factories and produce biological enzymes, vaccines, various natural products as well as other valuable products. In this review, progress on yeast diversity is summarized, and the future prospects on efficient development and utilization of yeast biodiversity are proposed. The methods and schemes described in this review also provide a reference for exploration of diversity of other industrial microorganisms and development of efficient strains.
Biodiversity ; Biofuels ; Industrial Microbiology ; Metabolic Engineering ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics* ; Synthetic Biology