Sesquiterpenes are natural terpenes containing 15 carbon atoms. They are widely used in the perfume, pharmaceutical, and biofuel industries due to their remarkable biological activities. The traditional production of sesquiterpenes relies on chemical synthesis or plant extraction, which has the disadvantages of low yields and waste of resources. The construction of microbial cell factories for the efficient synthesis of sesquiterpenes by means of synthetic biology provides a new option. In recent years, with the development of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, the heterologous synthesis of a variety of sesquiterpenes has been successfully achieved by metabolic engineering of the oleaginous yeast, Yarrowia lipolytica. In this paper, we review the research progress in the heterologous synthesis of different sesquiterpenes by Y. lipolytica, discuss the synthetic biology strategies commonly used in this field, and make an outlook on the research directions and engineering approaches to further enhance the sesquiterpene yield in this host. This paper provides a reference for strategies such as synergistic optimization of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, enhanced precursors, and opens up new directions for the application of synthetic biology in green chemistry and sustainable production.
Yarrowia/genetics* ; Sesquiterpenes/metabolism* ; Metabolic Engineering/methods* ; Synthetic Biology/methods*

OBJECTIVE:To study the chemical components of Swertia nervosa. METHODS:Silica gel column chromatogra-phy was used for purification and analysis of compounds’structure based on physicochemical properties and spectral data. RE-SULTS:Five compounds were isolated and identified in petroleum ether portion of S. nervosa,involving 1-hydroxy-3,7,8-trime-thoxyxanthone (1),1,8-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyxanthone (2),1,8-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone(3),1-hydroxy-3,5-dime-thoxyxanthone(4)and β-sitosterol(5). CONCLUSIONS:Compound 1,3 and 4 are isolated from S. nervosa for the first time,and the study has laid a foundation for the quality evaluation of S. nervosa.

OBJECTIVETo review the advances in studies on renal denervation.

DATA SOURCESReferences concerning renal denervation and resistant hypertension cited in this review were collected from PubMed published in English and those of renal denervation devices from official websites of device manufacturers up to January 2014.

STUDY SELECTIONArticles with keywords "renal denervation" and "resistant hypertension" were selected.

RESULTSRenal and systemic sympathetic overactivity plays an important role in pathology of hypertension as well as other diseases characterized by sympathetic overactivity. Renal denervation is a new, catheter based procedure to reduce renal and systemic sympathetic overactivity by disruption of renal sympathetic efferent and afferent nerves through radiofrequency or ultrasound energy delivered to the endoluminal surface of both renal arteries. Although several studies have shown the efficacy and safety of renal denervation in the treatment of resistant hypertension and the potential benefit of the procedure in other diseases, Symplicity HTN 3 study, the most rigorous clinical trial of renal denervation to date, failed to meet its primary endpoint. The procedure also has other limitations such as the lack of long term, efficacy and safety data and the lack of the predictors for the blood pressure lowering response and nonresponse to the procedure. An overview of current renal denervation devices holding Conformité Européenne mark is also included in this review.

CONCLUSIONSRenal denervation is a promising therapeutic approach in the management of resistant hypertension and other diseases characterized by sympathetic overactivity. In its early stage of clinical application, the efficacy of the procedure is still controversial. Large scale, blind, randomized, controlled clinical trials are still necessary to address the limitations of the procedure.

Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Denervation ; methods ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Kidney ; innervation ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; Sympathetic Nervous System ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo review the current knowledge about the pathophysiological mechanisms, preclinical models, novel contributors and potential therapies of cardiorenal syndrome.

DATA SOURCESThe literature concerning cardiorenal syndrome in this review was collected from PubMed published in English up to January 2014.

STUDY SELECTIONOriginal articles and critical reviews related to cardiorenal syndrome were selected and carefully analyzed.

RESULTSCardiorenal syndrome is a condition characterized by kidney and heart failure where failure of one organ worsens the function of the other thus further accelerating the progressive failure of both organs. The pathophysiology of cardiorenal syndrome is not fully understood, but may be caused by a complex combination of neurohormonal system activation, endothelial dysfunction, proteinuria, oxidative stress, uremic toxins and other factors. Managing cardiorenal syndrome is still a major therapeutic challenge in clinical practice because many of the drugs used to control heart failure can worsen renal function, and vice versa. Non-dialyzable uremic toxins, such as indoxyl sulfate, causing detrimental effects on the heart and kidney as well as stimulation of inflammatory responses, may be an effective therapeutic target for cardiorenal syndrome.

CONCLUSIONSSuitable disease models of cardiorenal syndrome are urgently needed to investigate the pathophysiology and effective therapeutic approaches to the condition. Non-dialyzable protein-bound uremic toxins that may have cardiac and renal effects may provide therapeutic benefit to cardiorenal syndrome patients.

Cardio-Renal Syndrome ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Toxins, Biological ; metabolism

Marked by the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the CPC, Shanghai health care started a journey of reform and opening up as with other sectors. This essay reviews various stages Shanghai health care experienced and the achievements for the last 30 years since reform and opening up, and analyzes the challenges Shanghai health care faces currently. On this basis, the essay summaries the experiences and lessons learned from Shanghai health care reform and development.

Under the general requirements of China's national health reform, the basic framework of Shanghai's health reform was constructed at five different aspects the long term vision, goal, strategies, measures, supportive reform activities. The general thought of Shanghai's health reform can be concluded into two aspects: first, establishing a basic healthcare system of covering both urban and rural residents universally; second, enhancing the foundation of enabling sustainable health development.