Diterpenoid ferruginol is a key intermediate in biosynthesis of active ingredients such as tanshinone and carnosic acid.However, the traditional process of obtaining ferruginol from plants is often cumbersome and inefficient. In recent years, the increasingly developing gene editing technology has been gradually applied to the heterologous production of natural products, but the production of ferruginol in microbe is still very low, which has become an obstacle to the efficient biosynthesis of downstream chemicals, such as tanshinone. In this study, miltiradiene was produced by integrating the shortened diterpene synthase fusion protein,and the key genes in the MVA pathway were overexpressed to improve the yield of miltiradiene. Under the shake flask fermentation condition, the yield of miltiradiene reached about(113. 12±17. 4)mg·L~(-1). Subsequently, this study integrated the ferruginol synthase Sm CYP76AH1 and Sm CPR1 to reconstruct the ferruginol pathway and thereby realized the heterologous synthesis of ferruginol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The study selected the best ferruginol synthase(Il CYP76AH46) from different plants and optimized the expression of pathway genes through redox partner engineering to increase the yield of ferruginol. By increasing the copy number of diterpene synthase, CYP450, and CPR, the yield of ferruginol reached(370. 39± 21. 65) mg·L~(-1) in the shake flask, which was increased by 21. 57-fold compared with that when the initial ferruginol strain JMLT05 was used. Finally, 1 083. 51 mg·L~(-1) ferruginol was obtained by fed-batch fermentation, which is the highest yield of ferruginol from biosynthesis so far. This study provides not only research ideas for other metabolic engineering but also a platform for the construction of cell factories for downstream products.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics* ; Diterpenes/metabolism* ; Metabolic Engineering ; Fermentation ; Abietanes

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of astragaloside IV (AS-IV) on podocyte injury of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and reveal its potential mechanism. METHODS: In in vitro experiment, podocytes were divided into 4 groups, normal, high glucose (HG), inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE-1) α activator (HG+thapsigargin 1 µmol/L), and IRE-1α inhibitor (HG+STF-083010, 20 µmol/L) groups. Additionally, podocytes were divided into 4 groups, including normal, HG, AS-IV (HG+AS-IV 20 µmol/L), and IRE-1α inhibitor (HG+STF-083010, 20 µmol/L) groups, respectively. After 24 h treatment, the morphology of podocytes and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) was observed by electron microscopy. The expressions of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and IRE-1α were detected by cellular immunofluorescence. In in vivo experiment, DN rat model was established via a consecutive 3-day intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ) injections. A total of 40 rats were assigned into the normal, DN, AS-IV [AS-IV 40 mg/(kg·d)], and IRE-1α inhibitor [STF-083010, 10 mg/(kg·d)] groups (n=10), respectively. The general condition, 24-h urine volume, random blood glucose, urinary protein excretion rate (UAER), urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (SCr) levels of rats were measured after 8 weeks of intervention. Pathological changes in the renal tissue were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of GRP78, IRE-1α, nuclear factor kappa Bp65 (NF-κBp65), interleukin (IL)-1β, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, gasdermin D-N (GSDMD-N), and nephrin at the mRNA and protein levels in vivo and in vitro, respectively. RESULTS: Cytoplasmic vacuolation and ER swelling were observed in the HG and IRE-1α activator groups. Podocyte morphology and ER expansion were improved in AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups compared with HG group. Cellular immunofluorescence showed that compared with the normal group, the fluorescence intensity of GRP78 and IRE-1α in the HG and IRE-1α activator groups were significantly increased whereas decreased in AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups (P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the mRNA and protein expressions of GRP78, IRE-1α, NF-κ Bp65, IL-1β, NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD-N in the HG group was increased (P<0.05). Compared with HG group, the expression of above indices was decreased in the AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups, and the expression in the IRE-1α activator group was increased (P<0.05). The expression of nephrin was decreased in the HG group, and increased in AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups (P<0.05). The in vivo experiment results revealed that compared to the normal group, the levels of blood glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, BUN, blood creatinine and urinary protein in the DN group were higher (P<0.05). Compared with DN group, the above indices in AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups were decreased (P<0.05). HE staining revealed glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial widening and mesangial cell proliferation in the renal tissue of the DN group. Compared with the DN group, the above pathological changes in renal tissue of AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups were alleviated. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot results of GRP78, IRE-1α, NF-κ Bp65, IL-1β, NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD-N were consistent with immunofluorescence analysis. CONCLUSION AS-IV could reduce ERS and inflammation, improve podocyte pyroptosis, thus exerting a podocyte-protective effect in DN, through regulating IRE-1α/NF-κ B/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
Podocytes/metabolism* ; Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies/metabolism* ; Saponins/therapeutic use* ; Triterpenes/therapeutic use* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Endoribonucleases/metabolism* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP ; Rats ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/complications* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism* ; Multienzyme Complexes

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a globally life-threatening disease. Presently, few therapeutic medicines are available for treating IS, and rt-PA is the only drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US. In fact, many agents showing excellent neuroprotection but no blood flow-improving activity in animals have not achieved ideal clinical efficacy, while thrombolytic drugs only improving blood flow without neuroprotection have limited their wider application. To address these challenges and meet the huge unmet clinical need, we have designed and identified a novel compound AAPB with dual effects of neuroprotection and cerebral blood flow improvement. AAPB significantly reduced cerebral infarction and neural function deficit in tMCAO rats, pMCAO rats, and IS rhesus monkeys, as well as displayed exceptional safety profiles and excellent pharmacokinetic properties in rats and dogs. AAPB has now entered phase I of clinical trials fighting IS in China.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

Small ubiquitin-like molecules(SUMO)regulate the function of a variety of cells by binding to target proteins.SUMO modification plays an important role in embryonic development,including heart,brain,liver,etc.Factors involved in lung development and maturation are regulated by SUMO modification,such as hypoxia-inducible factor,CCAAT enhancer-binding protein α,forkhead box protein M1,vascular endothelial-derived growth factor,and bone morphogenetic protein 4,thus affecting their activities and stabilities.Therefore,the SUMO modification status of target protein is the key to explore the development process of fetal lung.In this paper,we reviewed the research literature of SUMO mediated lung development in recent years,and combined with the research basis of our research group for many years,reviewed the factors regulating lung development and the SUMO status,in order to provide ideas for the study of drugs for effective prevention and treatment of pulmonary dysplasia.

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression.Methods An open,single-arm,multi-center design was adopted in our study.Adult patients with mild and moderate depression who had received acute treatment of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides were enrolled and continue to receive Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules for 24 weeks,the dose remained unchanged during continuation treatment.The remission rate,recurrence rate,recurrence time,and the change from baseline to endpoint of Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Clinical Global Impression-Severity(CGI-S)and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale(ASEX)were evaluated.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was reported.Results The scores of HAMD-17 at baseline and after treatment were 6.60±1.87 and 5.85±4.18,scores of HAMA were 6.36±3.02 and 4.93±3.09,scores of CGI-S were 1.49±0.56 and 1.29±0.81,scores of ASEX were 15.92±4.72 and 15.57±5.26,with significant difference(P＜0.05).After continuation treatment,the remission rate was 54.59％(202 cases/370 cases),and the recurrence rate was 6.49％(24 cases/370 cases),the recurrence time was(64.67±42.47)days.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 15.35％(64 cases/417 cases).Conclusion Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules can be effectively used for the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression,and are well tolerated and safe.

Objective To observe the application effect of intra-arterial tirofiban during mechanical thrombectomy for acute anterior circulation cerebral infarction.Methods The clinical data of patients with acute anterior circulation cerebral infarction were retrospectively analyzed.According to cohort method,they were divided into control group and treatment group.The control group was treated with mechanical thrombectomy,while the treatment group was additionally given intra-arterial therapy with tirofiban 0.25-0.5 mg on the basis of the control group.The perioperative indicators(surgical time,number of thrombectomy,vascular recanalization time,vascular recanalization rate),National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score before treatment and at 24 hours and 7 days after treatment,platelet indicators[mean platelet distribution width(PDW),mean platelet volume(MPV),plateletcrit(PCT)],hemorheological indicators[plasma viscosity(PV),low whole blood viscosity(LWBV),high whole blood viscosity(HWBV)],serum indicators[high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)]and clinical efficacy were compared,and the safety of the treatment regimen was assessed.Results There were 92 patients were finally included in this study,including 49 cases in control group and 43 cases in treatment group.The effective rates in treatment group and control group were 75.51％(37 cases/49 cases)and 93.02％(40 cases/43 cases),with significant difference(P＜0.05).The surgical times in treatment group and control group were(93.53±9.86)and(91.59±8.36)min;the vascular recanalization times were(78.46±9.69)and(77.40±10.32)min;the vascular recanalization rates were 93.02％and 83.67％;the NIHSS scores were(10.32±2.90)and(9.59±2.84)points at 24 hours after treatment,all with no significant difference(all P＞0.05).At 7 days after treatment,the NIHSS scores in treatment group and control group were(3.34±1.25)and(4.12±1.48)points;the PDW values were(12.58±1.81)％and(14.15±1.95)％;MPV values were(9.16±1.24)and(11.26±1.86)fL;PCT levels were(0.33±0.05)％and(0.29±0.04)％;PV values were(1.64±0.27)and(1.99±0.24)mPa·s-1;LWBV values were(4.16±0.48)and(5.01±0.49)mPa·s-1;HWBV values were(8.12±0.54)and(9.27±0.68)mPa·s-1;serum hs-CRP levels were(3.57±0.45)and(4.48±0.83)mg·L-1;TNF-α levels were(20.42±4.55)and(27.34±4.95)ng·L-1;VEGF levels were(738.80±52.41)and(664.72±41.68)ng·L-1,all with significant difference(all P＜0.05).Incidence rates of adverse drug reactions in treatment group and control group were 8.16％(4 cases/49 cases)and 4.65％(2 cases/43 cases)respectively,with no significant difference(P＞0.05).Conclusion Intra-arterial tirofiban therapy during thrombectomy for acute anterior circulation cerebral infarction has good neurological function and prognosis,and it may be related to the improvement of platelet function and cerebral tissue blood flow and relief of inflammatory response.

Objective To investigate the effects of Astragalus polysaccharides(HPS)on farnitol X receptor(FXR)-small heterodimer chaperone receptor(SHP)signaling pathway and key proteins of glucose and lipid metabolism in diabetic rats.Methods Twelve male Wistar rats were randomly selected as blank group,and the remaining 60 rats were fed with a one-time intrabitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ,50 mg·kg-1)combined with a high-sugar and high-fat diet to replicate the diabetic rat model.The model rats were randomly divided into model group,positive control group(400 mg·kg-1·d-1 Bifidobacterium quadruple viable bacterial tablet suspension),experimental-H,-M,-L groups(200,100 and 50 mg·kg-1·d-1 HPS suspension),respectively.Blank group and model group were given equal volume of pure water once a day for 8 weeks.Blood glucose(Glu)was measured before and after gavage.Real-time fluorescent polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression level of FXR,SHP,antiperoxisomal proliferator-activated receptor α(PPARα),antiphosphoenolpyruvate carboxylkinase(PEPCK),sterol regulatory receptor binding protein-1c(SREBP-1c),glucose 6 phosphatase(G6Pase).Results Glu levels in normal group,model group,positive control group and experimental-H group after treatment were(7.66±0.61),(29.25±1.64),(23.31±3.02),(19.31±5.13)mmol·L-1,respectively;the relative expression levels of FXR mRNA in liver tissues were 1.00±0.04,0.44±0.03,0.61±0.06,0.87±0.03,respectively;the relative expression levels of SHP mRNA were 1.00±0.04,0.40±0.01,0.67±0.01,0.67±0.02;the relative expression levels of G6Pase mRNA in liver tissues were 1.00±0.06,3.00±0.08,1.87±0.03,1.44±0.05,respectively;the relative expression levels of PEPCK mRNA in liver tissues were 1.00±0.04,1.88±0.03,1.31±0.02,1.23±0.04,respectively;the relative expression levels of SREBP-1c mRNA in liver tissues were 1.00±0.04,1.90±0.01,1.26±0.03,1.06±0.04;the relative expression levels of PPARα mRNA in liver tissues were 1.00±0.02,0.16±0.01,0.45±0.01,0.96±0.03,respectively.Compared with blank group,positive control group and experimental-H group,there were statistically significant differences in the above indexes between model group and blank group(all P＜0.01).The protein expression trend of FXR,SHP,G6Pase,PEPCK,SREBP-1c,PPARα was consistent with mRNA expression.Conclusion HPS may regulate FXR-SHP signaling pathway in liver tissue,inhibit the expression of key proteins of glucose and lipid metabolism,promote lipid oxidation,improve Glu and protect liver tissue in diabetic rats.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of alteplase combined with rivaroxaban in the treatment of acute deep vein thrombosis(DVT)in elderly obese patients.Methods Elderly obese patients with DVT were divided into control group and treatment group according to random number table method.The control group was treated with 10 mg·d-1 rivaroxaban tablets orally.The treatment group was treated with 0.9 mg·kg-1·d-1 alteplase on the basis of the control group.Both groups were treated for 1 week.Clinical efficacy,coagulation function indexes,lower limb venous blood flow mechanics indexes,inflammatory factors and vascular endothelial function related indexes,relative expression level of miR-374b-5p,occurrence of adverse drug reactions and recurrence within 3 months were compared between the two groups.Results A total of 80 patients were enrolled in the treatment group and the control group,respectively.After treatment,the total effective rate of treatment group and control group were 92.50％(74 cases/80 cases)and 81.25％(65 cases/80 cases),respectively,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).After treatment,the fibrinogen levels of treatment group and control group were(3.58±0.83)and(3.91±1.04)g·L-1,respectively;D-dimer levels were(2.18±0.74)and(2.49±0.93)μg·mL-1,respectively;platelet activating factor were(115.42±10.43)and(119.74±11.37)μg·L-1,respectively;prothrombin time were(12.95±1.16)and(13.41±1.27)s,respectively;the maximum blood flow velocity were(29.19±6.74)and(26.93±4.58)cm·s-1,respectively;the blood flow were(92.17±9.61)and(88.63±8.75)mL·min-1,respectively;endothelial vasoconstricting peptide-1 were(51.97±4.86)and(54.02±4.92)pg·mL-1;the relative expression levels of miR-374b-5p were 2.18±0.73 and 2.49±0.85,respectively.The above indexes of the treatment group were statistically significant compared with the control group(all P＜0.05).Bleeding symptoms were the main adverse drug reactions in both groups.The total incidence of adverse drug reactions in treatment group and control group was 10.00％and 13.75％,respectively,with no statistical significance(P＞0.05).The 3-month recurrence rates of treatment group and control group was 6.25％and 16.25％,respectively,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion Alteplase combined with rivaroxaban has good clinical efficacy in the treatment of elderly obese patients with DVT,which can improve the blood flow of patients,reduce inflammatory response,and has high safety.

Objective This study aimed to identify PAX9 variants in non-syndromic tooth agenesis families of Chi-na,as well as to analyze the genotype-phenotype of non-syndromic tooth agenesis caused by PAX9 variants,which can provide a basis for the genetic diagnosis of tooth agenesis.Methods We collected the data of 44 patients with non-syn-dromic oligodontia who underwent treatment at Stomatological Hospital of Hebei Medical University between 2018 and 2023.Whole-exome sequencing was performed on the peripheral blood of the proband and its core family members,and the variants were verified by Sanger sequencing.Pathogenicity analysis and function prediction of the variants were per-formed using bioinformatics tools.The correlation between the genotype of PAX9 variant and its corresponding pheno-type was examined by reviewing 55 publications retrieved from PubMed.The studies involved 232 tooth agenesis pa-tients with PAX9 variants.Results A novel PAX9 c.447delG(p.Pro150Argfs*62)and a reported PAX9 c.406C>T(p.Gln136*)were identified in two Chinese families.Through bioinformatics analysis and three-dimensional structural mod-eling,we postulated that the frameshift variant was pathogenic.The outcome was the premature cessation of PAX9 pro-tein,which caused severe structural and functional deficiencies.Summarizing the PAX9 genotype-phenotype relationship revealed that patients carrying the PAX9 variant commonly led to loss of the second molars.Conclusion We identified the novel PAX9 c.447delG(p.Pro150Argfs*62)in a Chinese family of non-syndromic oligodontia,expanding the known variant spectrum of PAX9.The most susceptible tooth position for PAX9 variants of tooth agenesis was the second mo-lars and the deciduous molars during the deciduous dentition.