Gene synthesis is an enabling technology that supports the development of synthetic biology. The existing approaches for de novo gene synthesis generally have tedious operation, low efficiency, high error rates, and limited product lengths, being difficult to support the huge demand of synthetic biology. The assembly and error correction are the keys in gene synthesis. This study first designed the oligonucleotide sequences by reasonably splitting the virus genome of approximately 10 kb by balancing the parameters of sequence design software ability, PCR amplification ability, and assembly enzyme assembly ability. Then, two-step PCR was performed with high-fidelity polymerase to complete the de novo synthesis of 3.0 kb DNA fragments, and error correction reactions were performed with T7 endonuclease Ⅰ for the products from different stages of PCR. Finally, the virus genome was assembled by 3.0 kb DNA fragments from de novo synthesis and error correction and then sequenced. The experimental results showed that the proposed method successfully produced the DNA fragment of about 10 kb and reduced the probability of large fragment mutations during the assembly process, with the lowest error rate reaching 0.36 errors/kb. In summary, this study developed an efficient de novo method for synthesizing a viral genome of about 10 kb with T7 endonuclease Ⅰ-mediated error correction. This method enabled the synthesis of a 10 kb viral genome in one day and the correct plasmid of the viral genome in five days. This study optimized the de novo gene synthesis process, reduced the error rate, simplified the synthesis and assembly steps, and reduced the cost of viral genome assembly.
Genome, Viral/genetics* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; DNA, Viral/genetics* ; Bacteriophage T7/enzymology* ; Synthetic Biology/methods*

Bacillus is a class of spore-producing Gram-positive bacteria that produce a variety of antimicrobial substances with different structures and functions. The application of the antimicrobial substances produced by Bacillus can effectively inhibit the activity of harmful bacteria and fungi and promote the sustainable development of green agriculture. The antimicrobial substances produced by Bacillus mainly include proteins, lipopeptides, polyketones, and polypeptides. This paper reviews the synthesis gene clusters, synthesis pathways, structures, and mechanisms of various antimicrobial substances produced by Bacillus and discusses the challenges in the industrial application of these antimicrobial substances. Furthermore, this paper clarifies the future research and development focuses and prospects the application prospects, and provides comprehensive theoretical support for the in-depth research and wide application of the antimicrobial substances produced by Bacillus.
Bacillus/genetics* ; Anti-Infective Agents/metabolism* ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics* ; Antimicrobial Peptides/biosynthesis* ; Lipopeptides/biosynthesis*

Bacillus velezensis DJ1 exhibits broad-spectrum antagonistic activity against diverse phytopathogenic fungi, while its biocontrol mechanisms against Fusarium graminearum, the causal agent of maize stalk rot, remain poorly characterized. In this study, we integrated genomics and transcriptomics to elucidate the antifungal mechanisms of strain DJ1. The results demonstrated that DJ1 inhibited F. graminearum with the efficacy of 64.4%, while its polyketide crude extract achieved the control efficacy of 55% in pot experiments against this disease. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a single circular chromosome (3 929 792 bp, GC content of 47%) harboring 12 biosynthetic gene clusters for secondary metabolites, six of which encoded known antimicrobial compounds (macrolactin H, bacillaene, difficidin, surfactin, fengycin, and bacilysin). Transcriptomic analysis identified 243 differentially expressed genes (152 upregulated and 91 downregulated, P < 0.05), which were potentially associated with the antagonistic activity against F. graminearum. KEGG enrichment analysis highlighted activation (P < 0.05) of cysteine/methionine metabolism, pentose phosphate pathway, and polyketide biosynthesis pathways, indicating that DJ1 employed synergistic strategies involving antimicrobial compound synthesis, energy metabolism enhancement, and nutrient competition to suppress pathogens. This study provides a theoretical foundation for developing novel microbial resources and application technologies to combat phytopathogenic fungi.
Fusarium/drug effects* ; Bacillus/metabolism* ; Plant Diseases/prevention & control* ; Antifungal Agents/pharmacology* ; Genomics ; Zea mays/microbiology* ; Transcriptome ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Antibiosis ; Multigene Family ; Multiomics

Objective To investigate the changes of 22 bile acid sub components and 17 traditional bio-chemical indicators in serum of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),and the diagnostic value of detecting the above indicators alone or in combination for NAFLD.Methods A total of 168 NAFLD patients(NAFLD group)and 216 non-NAFLD apparently healthy individuals(non-NAFLD group)were se-lected,bile acid sub components were determined by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry,and traditional biochemical indicators were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer.Results There were sta-tistically significant differences in the levels of 12 bile acid sub components and 12 traditional biochemical indi-cators between NAFLD group and non-NAFLD group(P<0.05).Compared to traditional biochemical indica-tors,bile acid sub components were less affected by body mass index(BMI).The area under the curve for di-agnosing NAFLD by combining three bile acid sub components[taurocholic acid(TCA),sodium taurodeoxy-cholate(TDCA),and tauroursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)]with three traditional biochemical indicators[ala-nine aminotransferase(ALT),5'Nucleotidase(5'-NT),and small and dense low-density lipoprotein cholester-ol(sd-LDL-C)]was the largest,which was 0.810.Conclusion Twelve kinds of bile acid sub components in the blood of NAFLD patients have changed,and the combined detection of bile acid sub components and tradi-tional biochemical indicators could improve the diagnostic efficacy of NAFLD to a certain extent.

Objective : To investigate the expression and biological function of circular RNA(circRNA) hsa＿circ＿0002938 in gastric cancer. Methods : 45 pairs of tumor tissues and para-cancerous tissues from gastric cancer patients who underwent tumor reduction surgery at the hospital were collected. Human gastric cancer cells SGC-7901, BGC-823, HGC-27, MGC-803 and immortalized gastric mucosal epithelial cells GES-1 were routinely cultured. RT-qPCR was utilized to detect the expression of hsa＿circ＿0002938 in gastric cancer tissues and cells. Chi-square test was used to analyze its association with the clinicopathological characteristics of patients, and the Kaplan-Meier method was employed to assess the relationship between hsa＿circ＿0002938 expression levels and patient prognosis. The effects of hsa＿circ＿0002938 on the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of gastric cancer cells were detected by CCK-8, scratch wound healing and Transwell assays. Bioinformatics was used to predict the miRNA and its downstream target genes that hsa＿circ＿0002938 might bind to. The competitive endogenous RNA regulatory network was constructed and the functions of the target genes were enriched. Results : The expression of hsa＿circ＿0002938 in gastric cancer tissues and cells was much higher than that in para-cancerous tissues and GES-1 cells(P<0.05). By contrast, patients in the high hsa＿circ＿0002938 expression group had significantly shorter 2-year progression-free survival than that in the low expression group after surgery(P<0.01). Moreover, knocking down the expression of hsa＿circ＿0002938 reduced the proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities of gastric cancer cells(P<0.05). Bioinformatics predictive analysis showed that hsa＿circ＿0002938 could bind to hsa-miR-342-3p and hsa-miR-503-5p. The downstream target genes of miRNA were involved in several cancer-related pathways, like mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK), hippo and Wnt signaling pathway. Conclusion Hsa＿circ＿0002938, which is highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues and cells, is closely associated with poor patient prognosis. Knockdown of hsa＿circ＿0002938 inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of gastric cancer cells. The study reveals the potential role of hsa＿circ＿0002938 in the progression of gastric cancer, offering new insights into its prevention and treatment.

ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of circadian rhythm of blood pressure in patients with masked hypertension （MH） and its relationship with twelve two-hour peirods， providing a basis for early detection and intervention of MH. MethodsPatients who underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure examination in the ambulatory blood pressure room of Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine from January to December 2022 were enrolled， and according to their outpatient blood pressure measurements， 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and follow-up survey results， the MH， essential hypertension （EH） and normal blood pressure groups were classified， with 50 cases in each group. The general data， office blood pressure and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring data were collected. The circadian rhythm of blood pressure including 24-hour average systolic blood pressure （24h SBP）， daytime average systolic blood pressure （d SBP）， nighttime average systolic blood pressure （n SBP）， 24-hour average diastolic blood pressure （24h DBP）， daytime average diastolic blood pressure （d DBP）， and nighttime average diastolic blood pressure （n DBP） were compared among the groups， and the nighttime blood pressure dipping percentage was calculated. The type of circadian rhythm was determined based on the nighttime blood pressure dipping percentage. The variability of blood pressure including 24h SBP standard deviation （24h SBP-SD）， d SBP standard deviation （dSBP-SD）， n SBP standard deviation （nSBP-SD）， 24h DBP standard deviation （24h DBP-SD）， d DBP standard deviation （dDBP-SD）， and n DBP standard deviation （nDBP-SD） were compared among groups， and the corresponding coefficient of variation （CV）， that is， 24h SBP-CV， d SBP-CV， n SBP-CV， 24h DBP-CV， d DBP-CV and n DBP-CV， were calculated. Based on the 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring results， the twelve two-hour average SBP and DBP in each group were calculated and compared. Simultaneously， patients with EH were divided into grades 1， 2， and 3 for further stratified analysis. ResultsThe age of the MH group was significantly higher than that of the EH group and the normal blood pressure group （P＜0.01）. The body mass index （BMI） and the proportion of smoking and alcohol consumption in the MH group and the EH group were significantly higher than those in the normal blood pressure group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. In the normal blood pressure group， there were 49 dipper patterns （98.0%） and one non-dipper pattern （2.0%）； in the MH group， there were two dipper patterns （4.0%）， 29 non-dipper patterns （58.0%） and 19 reverse-dipper patterns （38.0%）； in the EH group， there were 20 dipper patterns （40.0%）， 23 non-dipper patterns （46.0%） and seven reverse-dipper patterns （14.0%）. Compared to the normal blood pressure group， the groups of MH and EH had significantly decreased proportion of dipper pattern and increased proportion of non-dipper and reverse-dipper pattern （P＜0.01）； the proportion of dipper pattern in the MH group was lower than that in the EH group， while the proportion of reverse-dipper pattern was higher （P＜0.01）. Compared to those in the normal blood pressure group， n SBP and n DBP in the MH group， as well as the the average SBP and average DBP at Zi hour （子时， 23：00-1：00）， Chou hour （丑时， 1：00-3：00）， Yin hour （寅时， 3：00-5：00）， Mao hour （卯时， 5：00-7：00） and average SBP at Hai hour （亥时， 21：00-23：00） in the MH group increased，while the average DBP at Si hour （巳时， 9：00-11：00） decreased （P＜0.01）； 24h SBP， 24h DBP， d SBP， d DBP， n SBP， and n DBP，d SBP-SD， n SBP-SD，n DBP-SD increased， as well as the average SBP and average DBP at twelve two-hour periods increased in the EH group，while the 24h SBP-CV， 24h DBP-CV，and d DBP-CV in the EH group decreased（P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The EH group had higher 24h SBP， 24h DBP， d SBP， d DBP， n SBP， n DBP， 24h DBP-SD and n DBP-SD ， as well as higher average SBP and DBP at all twelve two-hour periods， and lower d DBP-CV than the MH group（P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The EH group had 18 cases of grade 1 （36.0％）， 19 cases of grade 2 （38.0％） and 13 cases of grade 3 （26.0％）， with no significant differences among groups （P＞0.05）. ConclusionThe circadian rhythm of blood pressure in MH patients are mostly non-dipper and reverse-dipper patterns， and the abnormal elevation of blood pressure is obvious at Zi hour， Chou hour， Yin hour and Mao hour （23：00-7：00）.

Objective: To explore perceived social support levels of vocational school students and associated factors, so as to provide a basis for the fine tuned construction of social support networks for vocational school students. Methods: Adopting a combination of multi stage cluster sampling and convenience sampling method, a sample of 11 767 vocational school students in Shanghai City and Jiangsu Province were selected to conduct two surveys (November 2021 and November 2022) by using a self administered electronic questionnaire regarding personal, family, school information and the Child and Adolescent Social Support Scale (CASSS). Correlates were analyzed by generalized linear estimating equations (GEE). Results: The total perceived social support scores in percentage at baseline and follow up survey were (66.13±20.46) and (67.65±21.18). The results of GEE showed that in terms of personal characteristics, girls had higher emotional support and evaluative support scores than boys ( B=0.60, 0.68, P < 0.05 ); extraversion, non-smoking, non-drinking, exercising ≥1 time per week, and better quality of sleep were positively correlated with the total score and the different types scores of precieved social support, and time spent on the Internet >2 h/d was negatively correlated with the total score and the different types scores of precieved social support ( B=1.03-4.49, -4.04--0.58, P < 0.05 ). In terms of family characteristics, parents not in marriage and living with (external) grandparents were negatively correlated with the total score and different types scores of percieved social support, while family characteristics such as satisfaction with family income (average, satisfactory, very satisfactory) and parents education level of junior high school and above were positively correlated with the total score and the different types scores of precieved social support ( B=-1.34--0.37, 0.57-2.37, P <0.05). In terms of school characteristics, without experience of bullying in school and the number of same sex or opposite sex friends >1 were positively correlated with the total score and different types scores of perceptual social support, and without serving as an officer of a student organization was negatively correlated with the total score and the different types scores of precieved social support ( B= 1.21- 5.04, -2.00--0.76, P <0.05). Conclusions The levels of overall and different types of precieved social support among vocational school students need to be improved. According to individual, family, and school related factors of precieved social support can help to target the improvement of students precieved social support level.

Objective: To develop an assessment tool for risky road behavior tendencies among middle school students in western China, as well as to determine the relevant indices and their weights, so as to provide the reference for road safety prevention and control for middle school students in western China. Methods: A Delphi study was employed to construct the assessment tool for risky road behavior tendencies among middle school students in western China. In August 2023, eighteen experts in related fields such as traffic safety, education, and healthcare were invited to achieve Delphi consensus. The final indices were initially selected based on the consulting results,followed by the determination of their individual and combined weights using the analytic hierarchy process. Results: The finalized assessment tool comprised 3 primary indicators, 13 secondary indicators, and 100 tertiary indicators. The positivity coefficient of experts was 100%, accompanied by the authority coefficient 0.90. The mean importance scores for the three primary indicators varied from 4.67 to 4.78, while those for the 13 secondary indicators ranged from 4.22 to 4.89. The Kendall coefficient W was statistically significant at 0.32 ( χ 2=96.83, P <0.05). The weights assigned to the three primary indicators were:ability (0.329 4), opportunity (0.337 3), and motivation (0.333 3). The secondary indicators with the top three highest combined weights were social influence (0.027 4), knowledge (0.027 3), and skills (0.026 7). Conclusions The assessment tool for risky road behavior tendencies among middle school students in western China demonstrates high expert consensus, with balanced weighting of primary and secondary indicators. Expanded use of the assessment tool would provide the data support for intervention work.

Objective:To explore the effects of estrogen receptor α (ERα) encoded by protein encoding gene ESR1 on the radiation resistance of breast cancer cells and their molecular mechanisms.Methods:The ESR1 overexpression plasmid was transfected into estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer cells. Then, the shRNA-ESR1 vector was introduced into ER-positive cell to establish models with different phenotype. The ATG5 mRNA level and protein expression levels of LC3B-I, LC3B-II, P62, FIP200, ATG5, ATG7, ATG12, Beclin1, ULK1 were detected using qPCR and Western blot techniques. Cell death was measured using flow cytometry. The radiation sensitivity was determined through the colony formation assay. The mortality of breast cancer cells under the autophagy gene knockdown and overexpression or treated with estrogen receptor inhibitor (TAM) combined with ionizing radiation were detected by trypan blue staining.Results:Under the condition of 8 Gy X-ray irradiation, the knockdown of ESR1 in ER-positive ZR75 breast cancer cells promoted cell death ( t = 3.49, 3.13, P < 0.05), while the overexpression of ESR1 in ER-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells inhibited cell death ( t = 4.16, 7.48, P < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the treatment with chloroquine increased the number of formed colonies of ESR1 knockdown ZR75 cells ( t = 8.49, P < 0.05), and inhibiting autophagy could reduce the death of ZR75 cells caused by ESR1 silencing. Under the treatment with ionizing radiation, the overexpression of ESR1 in MDA-MB-231 cells promoted protective autophagy, which, however, was reduced after ESR1 knockdown in ZR75 cells. Furthermore, it was observed that the knockdown of ATG5 in ZR75 cells was associated with reduced autophagy and an increase in cell death ( t = 4.19, 6.39, P < 0.05). In contrast, the overexpression of ATG5 in ZR75 cells reversed the increase in cell death caused by ESR1 knockdown ( t = 1.70, 4.65, P < 0.05). After the treatment of ER-positive ZR75 breast cancer cells with TAM, the expressions of ATG5 and ATG12 decreased, suggesting inhibited autophagy and an increase in cell death ( t = 18.70, P < 0.05). Furthermore, these processes were promoted by ionizing radiation ( t = 16.82, P < 0.05). Conclusions:The estrogen receptor encoded by ESR1 promotes protective autophagy of ER-positive breast cancer cells by increasing ATG5, further leading to radiation resistance in ER-positive breast cancer cells. Treatment with tamoxifen combined with ionizing radiation can increase the radiation sensitivity of ER-positive breast cancer cells.

Objective We aimed to investigate the feasibility and method of constructing a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)curative effect prediction model based on the data of Kechuanting acupoint plastering therapy in the treatment of bronchial asthma(asthma).Methods Data from the Chronic Disease Management Research Platform of 303 patients with asthma who were treated with Kechuanting acupoint plastering therapy for 6 weeks in the Department of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation of Jiangsu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from June to August 2018 to 2021 were selected.We used Phyton 3.10 for statistical analysis.After data preprocessing,the influencing factors were used to build models by Logistic regression,support vector machine,K-means clustering algorithm,Bayes algorithm,random forest method and Light gradient boosting machine(LightGBM)respectively,with the improvement of asthma control test score(ACT),forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1)and exhaled nitric oxide(FeNO)as the outcome indicators.Then,the models were compared and analyzed.Subsequently,the superior model was used to establish the efficacy prediction model and verify its stability to obtain the accuracy rate and eliminate the relatively important factors.Results The accuracy rate of the Kechuanting acupoint plastering therapy curative effect prediction model established by the LightGBM model was more than 70%.Five important factors were selected,including allergic history,tabacco and alcohol abuse,plastering duration,ACT before treatment,and FeNO before treatment.According to the classification analysis and the relationship between the important factors and the outcome indicators,Kechuanting acupoint plastering therapy significantly improved the ACT of patients with no history of allergy,no tabacco and alcohol abuse,and poor ACT:5-15 points(P<0.05).Furthermore,Kechuanting acupoint plastering therapy improved FeNO more significantly in patients with more than 3 years of treatment than those with no more than 3 years(P<0.05).However,Kechuanting acupoint plastering therapy only improved FeNO in a few patients with poor asthma control levels(P<0.05)and severe airway inflammation(FeNO>50×10-9)(P>0.05).Conclusion Acupoint plastering application has a significant effect on improving the control level of asthma,but its effect on improving airway inflammation is limited.It is feasible to use data from the chronic disease management research platform to construct the prediction model.After optimization and testing,the predictive model established based on the data of this study may provide an effective evaluation tool for targeted clinical treatment.