Anything in the universe can be explained by Yin-yang theory of Chinese medicine. Synaptic connections in the central nervous system also embody a balance between Yin and Yang. To discover the synaptic processes of gathering,storing and retrieving information in the brain is a hotspot field of modem neuroscience. This paper attempts to analyze the synaptic connection in both structure and function from Yin-Yang theory. The connections of axons and dendrites between neurons arc malleable and constantly changing, showing a Yin-Yang balance anatomically. Remodeling, stabilization and plasticity changes of synaptic processes also embody the relationship of contradictions, conflicts and transformation of Yin-Yang functionally. Therefore, it is possible to achieve an unexpected result to solve some modem medical problems by using the thoughts and methods of Chinese medicine.

Objective : To evaluate the quality of neonatal inherited metabolic diseases screening in Chaoyang District, Beijing Municipality from 2012 to 2021, so as to provide insights into improvements in the screening quality and efficiency of neonatal inherited metabolic diseases. Methods: Data pertaining to screening of neonatal inherited metabolic disease in Chaoyang District from 2012 to 2021 were captured from Beijing Center for Neonatal Disease Screening. The percentage of screening, eligible rate of blood smears collection, re-examination rate of suspected cases, and definitive diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism (CH), phenylketonuria (PKU) and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) were analyzed to evaluate the quality of neonatal inherited metabolic diseases screening in Chaoyang District. Results: There were 484 002 live neonates in Chaoyang District from 2012 to 2021, and 481 395 neonates were screened for inherited metabolic diseases, with a screening rate of 99.46% and 99.71% eligible rate of blood smears collection. A total of 4 305 suspected positive cases were screened, including 4 148 cases recalled for re-examinations, with a 96.35% re-examination rate of suspected cases, and the re-examination rates of CH, PKU and CAH were 96.37%, 96.79% and 95.65%, respectively. Totally 482 neonates were definitively diagnosed with inherited metabolic diseases, with an overall incidence rate of 1/999, and the incidence rates of CH (307 cases), hyperthyrotropinemia (103 cases), PKU (66 cases) and CAH (6 cases) were 1/1 568, 1/4 674, 1/7 294 and 1/20 233, respectively. Conclusions The screening rate and re-examination rate of neonatal inherited metabolic diseases was both more than 95% in Chaoyang District from 2012 to 2021. Improving the management of neonatal inherited metabolic diseases screening and the recall of suspected cases is required.

The article takes the experiment teaching combining Chaoxing Network Teaching Platform with BOPPPS model of obstetrics and gynecology in Chongqing Medical University as an example, and introduces the six teaching modules in detail that are followed in the mixed teaching mode: bridge in, objective, pre-assessment, participatory learning, post-assessment, and summary. Using the three-in-one assessment method of "process evaluation + incentive evaluation + summative evaluation", the learning effect of students was comprehensively evaluated. The practice proved that this mode can improve students' learning autonomy, exercise communication skills, cultivate teamwork spirit, promote the construction of clinical thinking, and improve teaching effect and classroom teaching quality.

To improve the yield of insulin precursor (PI), we constructed a recombinant expression vector pPIC9K-PI and transformed it into Pichia pastoris GS115 using electroporation. After screening, a mutant strain CL012 with 12 copies was obtained on the YPDS plate containing 4.0 mg/mL G418. Then, the components of SNAREs (Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment receptor proteins), SNC2 and SNC2-SSO2, were expressed in the strain CL012 to explore the effect of SNAREs on the yield of PI. In shake flask culture, the strains expressing SNC2 and SNC2-SSO2 yielded PI of 1.89 mg/L and 2.21 mg/L after methanol induction for 96 h, which were improved by 23.53% and 44.44% compared to that of strain CL012 (1.53 mg/L), respectively. Further, in a 5-L bioreactor, the yield of PI with strain CL012 was 53 mg/L for high-density fermentation, after 96 h of methanol induction, which was 34.64-fold higher than that of shake culture. The strains expressing SNC2 and SNC2-SSO2 yielded the PI of 64 mg/L and 78 mg/L, which were respectively increased by 20.75% and 47.17%, compared to that of strain CL012. This work indicated that SNAREs components promoted the secretion of PI to improve its heterologous expression in P. pastoris.

Cofactor balance plays an important role in producing enzymes, pharmaceuticals and chemicals. To meet the demand of industrial production, microbes should maintain a maximal carbon flux towards target metabolites without fluctuations in cofactor. We reviewed the physiological function of cofactor and discussed detailed strategies to manipulate cofactor balance through biochemical engineering and metabolic engineering. Furthermore, we indicated future research needs to further regulate cofactor balance.

As a platform chemical, acetoin has a great potential of application in medicine and food industries. In order to improve the efficiency of acetoin production, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens was treated by atmospheric and room temperature plasma and gamma rays. Two-round screening was adopted for obtaining positive mutants, and the best mutant B. amyloliquefaciens H-5 produced acetoin up to 68.2 g/L in shake flask. Then, culture conditions were optimized in 5-L fermentor to enhance acetoin production. Finally, 85.2 g/L acetoin was produced by B. amyloliquefaciens H-5, which was increased by 26.8% compared with that of the original strain B. amyloliquefaciens FMME088. These results indicated that the high-producing strain can be obtained efficiently by compound mutagenesis, which has a promising prospect for commercial scale process.

L-arginine (L-Arg) is an alkaline amino acid that possesses various function groups and acts as an important precursor for useful chemical synthesis. L-Arg derivatives are widely applied in pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries. Environment friendly and cost-effective production of L-Arg derivatives by enzymatic catalysis provides significant advantages over chemical synthesis and microbial fermentation. In this article, several typical L-Arg derivatives and their enzymatic production processes are highlighted. Furthermore, prospect is also addressed about enzymatic production of L-Arg derivatives.

Microbial cell factories capable of producing valuable chemicals from renewable feedstocks provide a promising alternative towards sustainability. However, environmental stress remarkably affects the performance of microbial cell factories. By extending the chronological lifespan of microbial cells, the performance of microbial cell factories can be greatly improved. Firstly, an evaluation system for chronological lifespan and semi-chronological lifespan was established based on the changes in survival rates. Secondly, the addition of anti-aging drugs such as cysteine, carnosine, aminoguanidine and glucosamine increased the chronological lifespan of E. coli by 80%, 80%, 50% and 120%, respectively. Finally, we demonstrated that extending the chronological lifespan of E. coli increased the yield of metabolites produced by E. coli cell factories with endogenous (lactic acid and pyruvic acid) or exogenous (malic acid) metabolic pathway by 30.0%, 25.0%, and 27.0%, respectively. The strategy of extending chronological lifespan of E. coli provides a potential approach for enhancing the performance of microbial cell factories.
Escherichia coli/genetics* ; Lactic Acid ; Longevity ; Metabolic Engineering ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways

Alpha-keto acid is a bifunctional organic compound containing both carboxyl and ketone groups, and widely applied in the industries of food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics. Based on the demand of eco-friendly process, safety and sustainable development, production of α-keto acids by enzymatic conversion technology has been paid more and more attention. In this article, we review the status of α-keto acids biosynthesis from three aspects: enzymatic screening, enzymatic modification and optimization of enzymatic conversion conditions. Meanwhile, we also indicate future research directions for further improving α-keto acids production.
Keto Acids ; metabolism

ObjectiveTo understand the cooperative work and mechanism in the corona virus disease 2019 containment action by the support-to-Hebei epidemiological investigation group formed by five provinces， summarize the existing challenges， and discuss the relevant mechanism， so as to provide evidence for future support actions. MethodsA questionnaire survey was used to investigate the members from five provinces of the support-to-Hebei epidemiological investigation team. The content included basic information， work situation， problems in cooperative work， and suggestions in support mechanisms. ResultsA total of 104 questionnaires were issued， of which 101 valid questionnaires were collected with an effective response rate of 97.12%. The proportions of respondents who participated in the epidemic-related data preparation， case investigation， technical training， supervision of key venues， and specimen collection was 93.07%， 85.15%， 81.19%， 65.35%， and 44.55%， respectively. The respondents believed that information sharing channel of local epidemic situation was blocked （95.05%）， coordination mechanism among local departments was insufficient （84.16%）， communication and coordination mechanism among the dispatch institutions， support team， and local departments was unperfect （84.16%）， management of the dispatch institutions to the support team was relatively loose （79.21%）， dispatch institutions failed to make full use of professional advantages of the support team （72.28%）， and majority of the support team members engaged in a single profession （59.41%）. The respondents suggested that local departments should improve the information sharing mechanism （95.05%）， strengthen communication and coordination among the dispatch institutions， support team， and local departments （92.08%）， and dispatch institutions should clarify the tasks and responsibilities of the support team （91.09%）， formulate cross-regional emergency support plans （87.13%） and evaluation plans of support action （72.28%）. ConclusionIn order to ensure the efficiency and accuracy of future support actions， it is necessary to improve the mechanism of emergency coordination， communication and matching， response procedures， team management， and support evaluation.