Network Pharmacological Investigation of Sinomenine Action Against Synovitis

Background and Objective: Synovitis is characterized as the inflammation of the synovial membrane, which often occurs in osteoarthritis. The incidence of this medical condition may be related to age, immunological responses and other co-morbidities. Therefore, the objective of the study was to elucidate the anti-Synovitis potential of sinomenine. Materials and Methods: The associated targets about sinomenine and synovitis were investigated in Homo sapiens, which was then elucidated by the PPI network construction via STITCH database. Furthermore, Cytoscape and its plugin were used for gene ontology (GO) analysis. Results: The literature survey and the network revealed 25 potential target proteins to be associated with sinomenine, of which many proteins such as OPRD1, CHRM1 and DAMGO were found to be significantly related to the bioactive action of sinomenine in Homosapiens. Moreover,the GO terms which were associated with the functioning of sinomenine for its anti-Synovitis potential were found to befour, analyzed by the functional annotation gene clusters and abundance values of the target proteins. Conclusion: The results of the study demonstrate the anti-Synovitis potential of sinomenine, where its action is dependent upon the molecular mechanisms that exert its beneficial role against synovitis. The core mechanisms that may be related to its anti-synovitis action may be adenylate cyclase-activating G-protein coupled receptor signalling pathway, regulation of smooth muscle contraction, adenylate cyclase-inhibiting G-protein coupled acetylcholine receptor signalling pathway and positive regulation of nitric oxide metabolic process.

[Spatiotemporal evolution of COVID-19 epidemic in the early phase in China].

Objective: Based on the geographic information systems, we exploreed the spatiotemporal clustering and the development and evolution of COVID-19 epidemic at prefectural level in China from the time when the epidemic was discovered to the time when the lockdown ended in Wuhan. Methods: The information and data of the confirmed COVID-19 cases from December 8, 2019 to April 8, 2020 were collected from 367 prefectures in China for a spatial autocorrelation analysis with software GeoDa, and software ArcGIS was used to visualize the results. Software SatScan was used for spatiotemporal scanning analysis to visualize the hot-spot areas of the epidemic. Results: The incidence of new cases of COVID-19 had obvious global autocorrelation and the partial autocorrelation results showed that incidence of COVID-19 had different spatial distribution at different times from December 8, 2019 to March 4, 2020. There was no significant difference in global autocorrelation coefficient from March 5, 2020 to April 8, 2020. The statistical analysis of spatiotemporal scanning identified two kinds of spatiotemporal clustering areas, the first class clustering areas included 10 prefectures, mainly distributed in Hubei, from January 13 to February 25, 2020. The secondary class clustering areas included 142 prefectures, mainly distributed in provinces in the north and east of Hubei, from January 23 to February 1, 2020. Conclusions: There was a clear spatiotemporal correlation in the distribution of the outbreaks in the early phase of COVID-19 epidemic (December 8, 2019-March 4, 2020) in China. With the decrease of the case and effective prevention and control measures, the epidemics had no longer significant correlations among areas from March 5 to April 8. The study results showed relationship with time points of start and adjustment of emergency response at different degree in provinces. Furthermore, improving the early detection of new outbreaks and taking timely and effective prevention and control measures played an important role in blocking the transmission.

Impacts of the internet on perceptions of governance at the community level: the case of Jiangqiao Township in Shanghai, China

Purpose - The rate of urbanisation in China has accelerated community heterogeneity, and yet it has also led to challenges and problems in community governance. This trend has been accompanied by the rapid expansion of information and communication technology (ICT) and online activities. Based on the example of Jiangqiao Township in Shanghai, this paper aims to probe the link between online participation using the internet and its impacts on social capital formation and community development. Design/methodology/approach - A literature review was conducted, and a case study method based on quantitative data was applied to test the theoretical framework in the interactions of users' online participation and perceptions of community governance. Findings - Participation in an online community through the internet was found to foster new social capital. Distributed social capital had a positive impact on perceptions of governance at the community level, which was due to the resulting network density and social trust of the locality. Originality/value - This study offers an expanded perspective on the impact of the internet on the behaviour of netizens in China in the context of community governance in new settlements and townships. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is interesting to investigate how the use of mass communication channels, such as the internet and other digital platforms, affects social behaviour and generates new social norms. This study offers quantitative evidence from China to support the theory of Putnam (1993;1995a). It thus extends beyond the field of sociology to the fields of public administration and urban development.