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*

Mitochondrial dysfunction in chondrocytes is a key pathogenic factor in osteoarthritis (OA), but directly modulating mitochondria in vivo remains a significant challenge. This study is the first to verify a correlation between mitochondrial dysfunction and the downregulation of the FOXO3 gene in the cartilage of OA patients, highlighting the potential for regulating mitophagy via FOXO3 gene modulation to alleviate OA. Consequently, we developed a chondrocyte-targeting CRISPR/Cas9-based FOXO3 gene-editing tool (FoxO3) and integrated it within a nanoengineered 'truck' (NETT, FoxO3-NETT). This was further encapsulated in injectable hydrogel microspheres (FoxO3-NETT@SMs) to harness the antioxidant properties of sodium alginate and the enhanced lubrication of hybrid exosomes. Collectively, these FoxO3-NETT@SMs successfully activate mitophagy and rebalance mitochondrial function in OA chondrocytes through the Foxo3 gene-modulated PINK1/Parkin pathway. As a result, FoxO3-NETT@SMs stimulate chondrocytes proliferation, migration, and ECM production in vitro, and effectively alleviate OA progression in vivo, demonstrating significant potential for clinical applications.

Objective:To explore the movement patterns and factors influencing lung tumors tracked using the M6 cyberknife stereotactic radiotherapy(SRT)system and to provide a reference for the implementation of precise stereotactic radiotherapy for lung tumors.Method:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 29 patients with lung tumors who were treated using x-sight lung tracking technology and the M6 cyberknife SRT system at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute&Hospital,from January 2022 to August 2024.The tumor location and volume,irradiation dose,isodose line,and number of divisions were recorded.Lung tumor location and SPSS 26.0 software were used to analyze the movement amplitude of tumors in the left and right(LFT/RGT,LR)directions,the anterior-posterior(ANT/POS,AP)direction,and the superior-inferior(SUP/INF,SI)direction.The results are expressed as the mean±standard deviation((x)±s)mm,and a t-test was used for inter-group comparisons.Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the effects of factors such as age,gender,tumor location(upper and lower lungs),and tumor volume on the amplitudes of the lung tumor movements.Result:The average motion amplitudes in the LR direc-tions,AP direction,and SI direction of the tumor target areas were(3.5±1.8)mm,(5.3±1.7)mm,and(7.3±5.4)mm for the upper lung,based on 19 cases,and(3.1±1.6)mm,(4.5±2.2)mm,and(12.2±4.4)mm for the lower lung,based on 10 cases,respectively.There was a statistic-ally significant difference(P=0.015 3)in the amplitude of movements between the lower and upper lung tumors in the SI direction.The lung tumor movement amplitude in the SI direction was influenced by tumor location(P=0.035),and the movement amplitudes in the LR direc-tions and the AP direction were not related to factors such as gender,age,tumor location,and tumor volume.Conclusions:The lung tumor movement amplitudes for the different locations varied depending on the respiratory movement shown by the patient.In the SI direction,the movement amplitude of the lower lung tumors was greater than that of upper lung tumors,and this was due to tumor location effects.The movement amplitudes of the lower and upper lung tumors were similar in the LR directions and AP directions.Furthermore,movement amplitude was not affected by gender,age,tumor location,and tumor volume.

Objective:To investigate the distribution of CGG repeat numbers in the FMR1 gene among reproductive-age women in China, providing data reference for carrier screening and genetic counseling of Fragile X syndrome. Methods:This cross-sectional study recruited 16 610 reproductive-age women from 12 medical institutions between July 2022 and October 2023. Peripheral venous blood samples (3 mL) were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted. The number of CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene was determined using the triplet-primed polymerase chain reaction (TP-PCR) combined with capillary electrophoresis technology. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the prevalence and distribution of CGG repeat expansions. Results:Among 16 610 women of childbearing age, 5 684 (34.220%) women had the same number of CGG repeats in the two alleles of FMR1 gene, and 10 926 (65.780%) women had different numbers of repeats in the two alleles. Among the 33 220 FMR1 alleles in 16 610 women of reproductive age, the most common CGG repeat numbers were 29 [48.645% (16 160/33 220)] and 30 [26.276% (8 729/33 220)], while the most frequent CGG genotype was CGG 29/29 [24.726% (4 107/16 610)]. The CGG repeat numbers of FMR1 gene were normal in 16 498 women (99.326%). Among the 112 women (0.674%) with CGG repeat abnormities, 96 (0.578%) women were classified as intermediate carriers, 15 (0.090%) as premutation carriers, and 1 (0.006%) as a full mutation carrier, whose CGG genotype was (36, >200). Conclusion:In the general reproductive-age female population in China, the normal CGG repeat numbers of the FMR1 gene account for 99.326%, while the intermediate carrier rate is 0.578%, and the combined carrier rate of the premutation and full mutation types is 0.096%.

Objective:To investigate the distribution of CGG repeat numbers in the FMR1 gene among reproductive-age women in China, providing data reference for carrier screening and genetic counseling of Fragile X syndrome. Methods:This cross-sectional study recruited 16 610 reproductive-age women from 12 medical institutions between July 2022 and October 2023. Peripheral venous blood samples (3 mL) were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted. The number of CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene was determined using the triplet-primed polymerase chain reaction (TP-PCR) combined with capillary electrophoresis technology. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the prevalence and distribution of CGG repeat expansions. Results:Among 16 610 women of childbearing age, 5 684 (34.220%) women had the same number of CGG repeats in the two alleles of FMR1 gene, and 10 926 (65.780%) women had different numbers of repeats in the two alleles. Among the 33 220 FMR1 alleles in 16 610 women of reproductive age, the most common CGG repeat numbers were 29 [48.645% (16 160/33 220)] and 30 [26.276% (8 729/33 220)], while the most frequent CGG genotype was CGG 29/29 [24.726% (4 107/16 610)]. The CGG repeat numbers of FMR1 gene were normal in 16 498 women (99.326%). Among the 112 women (0.674%) with CGG repeat abnormities, 96 (0.578%) women were classified as intermediate carriers, 15 (0.090%) as premutation carriers, and 1 (0.006%) as a full mutation carrier, whose CGG genotype was (36, >200). Conclusion:In the general reproductive-age female population in China, the normal CGG repeat numbers of the FMR1 gene account for 99.326%, while the intermediate carrier rate is 0.578%, and the combined carrier rate of the premutation and full mutation types is 0.096%.

Objective:To explore the movement patterns and factors influencing lung tumors tracked using the M6 cyberknife stereotactic radiotherapy(SRT)system and to provide a reference for the implementation of precise stereotactic radiotherapy for lung tumors.Method:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 29 patients with lung tumors who were treated using x-sight lung tracking technology and the M6 cyberknife SRT system at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute&Hospital,from January 2022 to August 2024.The tumor location and volume,irradiation dose,isodose line,and number of divisions were recorded.Lung tumor location and SPSS 26.0 software were used to analyze the movement amplitude of tumors in the left and right(LFT/RGT,LR)directions,the anterior-posterior(ANT/POS,AP)direction,and the superior-inferior(SUP/INF,SI)direction.The results are expressed as the mean±standard deviation((x)±s)mm,and a t-test was used for inter-group comparisons.Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the effects of factors such as age,gender,tumor location(upper and lower lungs),and tumor volume on the amplitudes of the lung tumor movements.Result:The average motion amplitudes in the LR direc-tions,AP direction,and SI direction of the tumor target areas were(3.5±1.8)mm,(5.3±1.7)mm,and(7.3±5.4)mm for the upper lung,based on 19 cases,and(3.1±1.6)mm,(4.5±2.2)mm,and(12.2±4.4)mm for the lower lung,based on 10 cases,respectively.There was a statistic-ally significant difference(P=0.015 3)in the amplitude of movements between the lower and upper lung tumors in the SI direction.The lung tumor movement amplitude in the SI direction was influenced by tumor location(P=0.035),and the movement amplitudes in the LR direc-tions and the AP direction were not related to factors such as gender,age,tumor location,and tumor volume.Conclusions:The lung tumor movement amplitudes for the different locations varied depending on the respiratory movement shown by the patient.In the SI direction,the movement amplitude of the lower lung tumors was greater than that of upper lung tumors,and this was due to tumor location effects.The movement amplitudes of the lower and upper lung tumors were similar in the LR directions and AP directions.Furthermore,movement amplitude was not affected by gender,age,tumor location,and tumor volume.

OBJECTIVE To prepare reactive oxygen species(ROS)-responsive methotrexate(MTX)-modified paclitaxel(PTX)/icariin(ICA)micelles(MTX-oxi-Ms@PTX/ICA),and perform technology optimization and in vitro anti-tumor effect evaluation.METHODS Synergistic toxicity concentration range of PTX and ICA was screened by synergistic toxicity test.The micelles were prepared by thin film hydration method,and their technology was optimized by response surface methodology.The fundamental characteristics of the micelles prepared by the optimal technology were evaluated.The micelles'cytotoxicity,targeting ability to renal carcinoma RENCA cells of mice,and their inhibitory effects on invasion and migration were assessed.RESULTS Results of synergistic toxicity experiments demonstrated that the strongest synergistic effect occurred when PTX concentrations ranged from 2.5 to 10 μmol/L and ICA concentrations ranged from 5 to 15 μmol/L.The optimal technology of MTX-oxi-Ms@PTX/ICA was determined to include 80 mg Soluplus?,Soluplus? and TPGS1000 mass ratio of 4:1(mg/mg),2 mg DSPE-PEG2000-TK-PEG5000,2 mg DSPE-PEG2000-MTX,1 mg PTX,and 1.5 mg ICA,with a hydration temperature of 35 ℃ and a formulation volume of 5 mL.Under the optimal conditions,average encapsulation efficiency of PTX and ICA in 3 batches of MTX-oxi-Ms@PTX/ICA reached 92.75％,the critical micelle concentration(CMC)was 0.007 9 mg/mL,the particle size was(62.09±1.68)nm,the polydispersity index(PDI)was 0.046±0.032,and the Zeta potential was(-2.47±0.15)mV.Within 30 days of placement,there was no significant change in particle size and polydispersity index of micelle.In vitro release experiments showed that MTX-oxi-Ms@PTX/ICA released drugs more rapidly in oxidative environments.The half maximal inhibitory concentration of MTX-oxi-Ms@PTX/ICA against RENCA cells was(5.170±0.036)μmol/L.In vitro cellular uptake experiments indicated that compared with unmodified micelles,MTX modified micelles had stronger targeting effects on cancer cells,and also significantly enhanced the inhibitory ability of invasion and migration of RENCA cells(P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS MTX-oxi-Ms@PTX/ICA micelles are successfully prepared,which exhibit high encapsulation efficiency,low critical micelle concentration,and good stability.These micelles demonstrate significant cytotoxicity against RENCA cells and effectively inhibit cancer cell invasion and migration.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and mutation spectrum of monogenic diseases in Chinese population through a large-scale,multicenter carrier screening.Methods This study was conducted among a total of 33 104 participants(16 610 females)from 12 clinical centers across China.Carrier status for 223 genes was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing and different PCR methods.Results The overall combined carrier frequency was 55.58%for 197 autosomal genes and 1.84%for 26 X-linked genes in these participants.Among the 16 669 families,874 at-risk couples(5.24%)were identified.Specifically,584 couples(3.50%)were at risk for autosomal genes,306(1.84%)for X-linked genes,and 16 for both autosomal and X-linked genes.The most frequently detected autosomal at-risk genes included GJB2(autosomal recessive deafness type 1A,393 couples),HBA1/HBA2(α-thalassemia,36 couples),PAH(phenylketonuria,14 couples),and SMN1(spinal muscular atrophy,14 couples).The most frequently detected X-linked at-risk genes were G6PD(G6PD deficiency,236 couples),DMD(Duchenne muscular dystrophy,23 couples),and FMR1(fragile X syndrome,17 couples).After excluding GJB2 c.109G>A,the detection rate of at-risk couples was 3.91%(651/16 669),which was lowered to 1.72%(287/16 669)after further excluding G6PD.The theoretical incidence rate of severe monogenic birth defects was approximately 4.35‰(72.5/16 669).Screening for a battery of the top 22 most frequent genes in the at-risk couples could detect over 95%of at-risk couples,while screening for the top 54 genes further increased the detection rate to over 99%.Conclusion This study reveals the carrier frequencies of 223 monogenic genetic disorders in the Chinese population and provides evidence for carrier screening strategy development and panel design tailored to the Chinese population.In carrier testing,genetic counseling for specific genes or gene variants can be challenging,and the couples need to be informed of these difficulties before testing and provided with options for not screening these genes or gene variants.

Objective To explore the regulatory and functional mechanism of angiopoietin-like 4(ANGPTL4)expression in gastric epithelial cells infected with Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori).Methods H.pylori-positive gastric specimens from Department of Gastroenterology of second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University in November 2021 and the gastric tissues of H.pylori-infected mice were collected,and the expression locations of ANGPTL4 in these gastric tissues were detected by immunofluorescence assay.After gastric epithelial cells and gastric organoids were infected with H.pylori,the expression of ANGPTL4 was detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting.The regulatory mechanism of H.pylori-induced ANGPTL4 expression was investigated by cellular models above.Recombinant ANGPTL4 was used to stimulate gastric epithelial cells to investigate the effect of ANGPTL4 on the claudin 1(CLDN1)expression.Results H.pylori infection significantly increased the expression of ANGPTL4 in gastric epithelial cells in a CagA-dependent,bacterial concentration-dependent and infection time-dependent manner(P＜0.05).Compared to uninfected cells and CagA knockout(ΔcagA)H.pylori-induced ones,the ANGPTL4 expression was significantly increased in WT H.pylori-infected human and mouse gastric organoid(P＜0.05).Blocking NF-κB signaling pathway significantly inhibited the enhanced ANGPTL4 expression in H.pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells(P＜0.05).Recombinant ANGPTL4 activated ERK signaling pathway to down-regulate the CLDN1 expression in gastric epithelial cells(P＜0.05).Conclusion H.pylori activates NF-κB signaling pathway to up-regulate ANGPTL4 expression in gastric epithelial cells in a CagA-dependent manner,and ANGPTL4 activates ERK signaling pathway to down-regulate the CLDN1 expression in gastric epithelial cells,which may contributes to the development of gastric diseases induced by H.pylori infection.

Objective:To observe the application value of "Internet +" based case teaching method combined with objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) teaching method in the teaching of nursing students in the Department of Nephrology, and analyze its impact on nursing student satisfaction of teaching.Methods:A total of 60 nursing students who practiced in the Department of Nephrology, Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital from January 2021 to June 2022 were selected as the research subjects. They were randomly divided into observation group and control group, with 30 students in each group. The control group adopted traditional teaching method, and the observation group adopted case teaching method based on "Internet +" combined with OSCE teaching method. SPSS 25.0 statistical software was used for data analysis, and independent sample t-test was used to compare the clinical practical work ability and teaching satisfaction of the two groups of nursing students after teaching. Results:After 4 weeks of teaching, the total scores of clinical thinking ability, disease observation and evaluation ability, mastery of medical knowledge, standardized operation ability, communicative ability, adaptive ability, humanistic care and health literacy of the observation group were higher than those of the control group [(29.84±3.52) vs. (25.67±3.36), (5.81±1.52) vs. (4.34±1.67), (17.93±2.24) vs. (15.52±2.05), (25.72±2.73) vs. (22.17±2.56), (4.18±0.75) vs. (3.56±0.69), (83.48±6.67) vs. (71.26±7.05)], with a statistically significant difference ( P < 0.05); after 4 weeks of teaching, the teaching preparation, teaching process, teaching ability, teaching attitude, teaching effect and total score of the observation group were higher than those of the control group [(17.13±2.42) vs. (15.07±1.84), (36.44±3.12) vs. (34.07±2.49), (21.97±2.36) vs. (21.37±2.01),(17.00±2.36) vs. (16.83±2.23), (17.73±2.00) vs. (14.07±2.55), (110.27±5.51) vs. (101.40±4.58)], and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The case teaching method based on "Internet +" combined with OSCE can not only effectively improve the clinical practical work ability of nursing students in the department of nephrology, but also improve student satisfaction of teaching.