Synthetic biology is a crucial tool for the development of the bio-industry and bio-economy, representing a significant aspect of new quality productive forces. As a core course for graduate students in bioengineering, Synthetic Biology plays a vital role in ensuring the supply of essential talents for the development of the bio-industry in the new era. To better serve regional economic development and provide high-level talents for China's progress in the bio-industry, we analyzed typical issues encountered in the past teaching activities, set up a multi-disciplinary teaching team, optimized the course contents, adjusted the teaching mode, and mobilized students' learning interest. With the application of scientific research project as the starting point, we guided students to think and discuss deeply through the simulation of application writing and project defense, which improved students' critical thinking and innovative thinking. With industrialization as a focus, we explored a new training model combining production, education, and research through the joint practice base of the university and enterprises introduced typical cases of biomanufacturing to encourage students to engage in scientific research. The teaching reform significantly enhances the comprehensive abilities and national sentiments of graduate students. This paper hopes to serve as a reference for colleagues engaged in teaching in this field.
Synthetic Biology/education* ; Teaching ; China ; Humans

Objective To investigate the modulatory effect of Yulian Pills(composed of Coptidis Rhizoma and Euodiae Fructus)on splenic memory follicular T helper cell(mTfh)in mice with dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis.Methods Forty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal group,model group,Yulian Pills group(0.5 g·kg-1)and Mesalazine group(0.3 g·kg-1),10 mice in each group.The mouse model of ulcerative colitis was induced by ad libitum drinking 3%DSS solution for 7 days.During the experiment,the mental state,faecal characteristics,blood in stool and body mass of the mice were recorded daily,and the length and mass of the colon were measured and the colon mass index was calculated;HE staining was used to observe the pathological and morphological changes of the colon tissue;ELISA was used to determine the expression levels of interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-15 in the colon tissues;flow cytometry was used to determine the mTfh cell subpopulation in the spleen tissue expression;Western Blot was used to determine the protein expression levels of Roquin-1,AMPK-α,p-AMPK-α in colon tissues.Results Compared with the normal group,the mice in the model group showed a significant decrease in body mass(P＜0.01),a significant shortening of colon length(P＜0.01),significant increase in colon mass(P＜0.05)and colon mass index(P＜0.01),and severe pathological damage to colon tissues;the expression levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-15 in the colon tissues were significantly increased(P＜0.01);cell expression levels of CD4+CCR7-CXCR5+CD62L+,CD4+CCR7+CXCR5+ GL7+,CD4+CCR7-CXCR5+GL7+ were significantly increased in spleen tissues(P＜0.01),whereas the expression level of CD4+CCR7+CXCR5+CD62L+ cell was significantly decreased(P＜0.01);and protein expression levels of Roquin-1,AMPK-α,p-AMPK-α were significantly reduced in the colonic tissues(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,mice in the Yulian Pills group and Mesalazine group showed a significant increase in body mass(P＜0.05),a significant extension of colon length(P＜0.01),a significant reduction in colon mass(P＜0.05),a significant decrease in the colon mass index(P＜0.01),and a more obvious improvement in pathological damage of the colon tissues;a significant decrease in the expression levels of IL-6 and IL-15 in the colon tissues(P＜0.01);cell expression levels of CD4+CCR7-CXCR5+CD62L+,CD4+CCR7+CXCR5+GL7+,CD4+CCR7-CXCR5+GL7+ in splenic tissues was significantly reduced(P＜0.01),whereas the expression level of CD4+CCR7+CXCR5+CD62L+ cell was significantly increased(P＜0.01);the protein expression levels of Roquin-1,AMPK-α,and p-AMPK-α were significantly increased in colon tissues(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion The therapeutic effect of Yulian Pills on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis mice can ameliorate the histopathological damage of colon,which may be related to the activation of the Roquin-1/MPK-α signalling pathway,the down-regulation of the expressions of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-15,and the modulation of the homeostasis of the mTfh cell subpopulation.

BACKGROUND: Currently, a significant number of miners are involved in mining operations at the Gejiu tin mine in Yunnan. This occupational setting is associated with exposure to dust particles, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and radioactive radon, thereby significantly elevating the risk of lung cancer. This study aims to investigate the involvement of leptin-mediated extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) signaling pathway in the malignant transformation of rat alveolar type II epithelial cells induced by Yunnan tin mine dust. METHODS: Immortalized rat alveolar cells type II (RLE-6TN) cells were infected with Yunnan tin mine dust at a concentration of 200 μg/mL for nine consecutive generations to establish the infected cell model, which was named R₂₀₀ cells. The cells were cultured normally, named as R cells. The expression of leptin receptor in both cell groups was detected using the Western blot method. The optimal concentration of leptin and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor (U0126) on R₂₀₀ cells was determined using the MTT method. Starting from the 20th generation, the cells in the R group were co-cultured with leptin, while the cells in the R₂₀₀ group were co-cultured with the MEK inhibitor U0126. The morphological alterations of the cells in each group were visualized utilizing hematoxylin-eosin staining. Additionally, concanavalin A (ConA) was utilized to detect any morphological differences, and an anchorage-independent growth assay was conducted to assess the malignant transformation of the cells. The changes in the ERK signaling pathway in epithelial cells after the action of leptin were detected using the Western blot method. RESULTS: Both the cells in the R group and R₂₀₀ group express leptin receptor OB-R. Compared to the R₂₀₀ group, the concentration of leptin at 100 ng/mL shows the most significant pro-proliferation effect. The proliferation of R₂₀₀ cells infected with the virus is inhibited by 30 μmol/L U0126, and a statistically significant divergence was seen when compared to the control group (P<0.05). Starting from the 25th generation, the cell morphology of the leptin-induced R₂₀₀ group (R₂₀₀L group) underwent changes, leading to malignant transformation observed at the 30th generation. The characteristics of malignant transformation became evident by the 40th generation in the R₂₀₀L group. In contrast, the other groups showed agglutination of P40 cells, and the speed of cell aggregation increased with an increase in ConA concentration. Notably, the R₂₀₀L group exhibited faster cell aggregation compared to the U0126-induced R₂₀₀ (R₂₀₀LU) group. Additionally, the cells in the R₂₀₀L group were capable of forming clones starting from P30, with a colony formation rate of 2.25‰±0.5‰. However, no clonal colonies were observed in the R₂₀₀LU group and R₂₀₀ group. The expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) was enhanced in cells of the R₂₀₀L group. However, when the cells in the R₂₀₀L group were treated with U0126, a blocking agent, the phosphorylation level of pERK decreased. CONCLUSIONS Leptin can promote the malignant transformation of lung epithelial cells infected by mine dust, and the ERK signaling pathway may be necessary for the transformation of alveolar type II epithelial cells induced by Yunnan tin mine dust.
Rats ; Animals ; Alveolar Epithelial Cells/pathology* ; Dust ; Tin/adverse effects* ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Leptin/adverse effects* ; Receptors, Leptin ; China ; Signal Transduction ; Epithelial Cells/pathology* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases/adverse effects*

Objective To study the application of the family centered escort system in neurosurgical intensive care units (NICU). Methods 416 cases of NICU patients from January 2015 to December 2016 were selected, 197 cases of the patients from January to December 2015 serving as the control group subject to a restrictive visit system. 219 cases of patients from January to December 2016 were used as the study group subject to the family centered escort system. The two groups were compared as to the anxiety state and satisfaction of the family members, the job satisfaction of nurses, the duration and cost of the patients in NICU, the ratio of the patients subject to sedation and restraint bands, and the incidences of adverse events of patients during NICU. Results Scores of anxiety state of the family members showed that the control group (52. 76 ± 5. 21) was significantly higher than that of the study group (34. 61 ± 5. 98). The dimensions of " information acquisition" and " access to patients" as found in the satisfaction survey of the family members showed the study group as higher than the control group, a difference of statistical significance between two groups (both P＜0. 01). The dimensions of " state at work" and " interpersonal relationship at work" showed the study group as higher than the control group, a difference of statistical significance between two groups ( P ＜ 0. 05 ) as found in the job satisfaction survey of nurses. The comparison between the two groups in NICU duration and expenses showed no significant statistical difference (P＞0. 05). The ratio of sedation treatment and restraint band usage of control group was significantly higher than that of the study group, a difference of statistical significance (P＜0. 01). The incidence ratio of lower extremity venous thrombosis showed that the control group (13. 7%, 27/197) was higher than that of the study group (6. 8%, 15/219), a difference of statistical significance (P ＜0. 01). There was no significant difference as to the incidences of other adverse events of the two groups ( P ＞ 0. 05 ). Conclusions Compared with the restricted visiting system, the family centered escort system in NICU is beneficial to both the nurses and patients, justifying the humanity of the latter system.

Objective To evaluate the surface anesthesia and antibacterial effect of compound lidocaine cream in indwelling urethral catheter in order to seek the optimal indwelling urethral catheter scheme in cardiac surgery.Methods A total of 198 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery in this hospital from November 2016 to January 2017 were selected and divided into the two groups:the lidocaine cream group(L) and liquid paraffin control group(C).The visual analogue scale (VAS) and catheter-related bladder discomfort(CRBD) were used immediately after tracheal catheter extubation and at 2,4 h after extubation.The number of white blood cells and bacteria in urine were observed on postoperative 1,7 d.The urine culture results were observed on postoperative 7 d.Results The VAS and CRBD scores immediately after extubation in the group L was significantly lower than that in the group C(P＜0.05).The urine WBC count and bacterial count on postoperative 7 d in the group L were significantly lower than those in the group C(P＜0.05),the positive rate of urine culture on postoperative 7 d in the group L was significantly lower than that in the group C,the difference was statistically significant(5.05％ vs.13.13％,P＜0.05).Conclusion Compound lidocaine cream as lubrication indwelling urethral catheter can decrease the incidence rate of urinary tract infection on postoperative 7 d in the patients with cardiac operation,furthermore can prevent the wake agitation caused by indwelling urethral catheter.

Objective To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine on the activities of glycome-tabolism rate-limiting enzymes in erythrocytes and the plasma levels of glucose and malondialdehyde in pa-tients undergoing radical gastrectomy for cancer.Methods Sixty patients,38 males and 22 females,aged 60-80 years,scheduled for radical gastrectomy for cancer were randomly divided into dexmedetomidine group (group D)and control group (group C),30 cases in each group.The patients in group D were intra-venously infused 0.5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine 10 minutes before operation and perioperatively followed by an infusion at a rate of 0.3 μg·kg-1 ·h-1 until the abdomen were closed.Group C was infused the same a-mount of normal saline.Venous blood samples were collected for the measurement of phosphofructokinase (PFK),glucose-6-phasphate dehydrogenase (G-6PD)and aldose reductase (AR)activities in erythrocytes and the plasma levels of glucose and malondialdehyde (MDA)before induction (T0 ),60 min following the incision (T1 ),60 min (T2 ),day 1 (T3 )and day 2 (T4 )after operation.Results Compared with these at T0 ,the activity of PFK was decreased significantly and the activities of G-6PD and AR were increased markedly at T3 in both groups (P <0.05 or P <0.01),however the activity of the PFK was significantly higher,G-6PD and AR were significantly lower in group D than those in group C (P <0.05).The levels of plasma glucose elevated significantly at T1 (P <0.01),reached high peak values at T3 (P <0.01)and fell at T4 in both groups.The values of plasma glucose in group D were lower than those in group C at T1 ,T2 and T3 (P <0.01).The MDA concentration in both groups increased significantly at T3 (P <0.01),while that of group D was lower than group C (P < 0.05 ).Conclusion Dexmedetomidine could markedly decrease glucose level and alleviate oxidative stress and improve these erythrocyte glucose metabolism changes after radical gastrectomy for cancer in old patients.

Objective To study the microRNA ( miRNA) regulation on the expression of housekeeping and non-house-keeping human genes from the systemic level , and to reveal the influence of conservation at 3′UTRs region for the density difference of miRNA regulatory between the two classes of genes .Methods We obtained miRNA regulation informations for the two classes of genes through the integration analysis of three sequence-based target gene prediction softwares and the conjoint analysis based on gene expression profile data .We also used phastCons-score based evolution analysis to study the conservation of 3′UTRs regions between the two classes of genes .Results Our results showed that housekeeping genes have a significantly higher density of miRNA binding sites and their 3′UTR are relatively conservative .Conclusion These findings highlight the importance of miRNA regulation in housekeeping genes , suggesting that investigating the roles of miR-NAs on the robustness of housekeeping genes expression is highly necessary .

The recently published articles about the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis were reviewed.Osteoarthritis(OA)is characterized by cartilage degradation,osteophyte and involvement of the synovium.Mechanics,inflammatory mediators and aging collide studies in developmental,genetic and joint disease models indicate that Wnt/?-catenin signaling is critically involved in these processes.Many different factors contribute to the onset and progression of OA and Wnt/?-catenin signaling plays a vital role in these processes.