Predictive value of C-reactive protein for disease severity and survival in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that can develop multiple complications and even be life-threatening. The aim of this study is to summarize current evidence of C-reactive protein's (CRP) predictive value for disease severity and survival of COVID-19 patients, focusing on curing patients and reducing the risk of death. We systematically searched related studies from four large databases: Web of Science, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Database, all published between December 2019 and June 2021. Then, we implemented meta-analysis using random-effects models through STATA 15.1 and Review Manager 5.3. We also implemented sensitivity analysis and used funnel plots to check publication bias. From the systematic search of the four databases, we were able to identify 18 studies containing a total of 3052 patients. Meta-analysis results showed that 1) CRP levels were lower in non-severe patients than in severe patients (Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) = - 0.87 mg/L, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = [ - 1.27, - 0.47], p < 0.001); 2) CRP levels were lower in non-intensive care unit (ICU) patients than in ICU patients (SMD = - 1.39 mg/L, 95% CI = [- 1.68, - 1.11], p < 0.001), and 3) CRP levels were lower in survivors than in non-survivors (SMD =- 1.32 mg/L, 95% CI = [- 1.95, - 0.69], p < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis showed these results were stable. Funnel plots indicated no publication bias. The CRP level may timely reflect disease severity and predict survival of COVID-19 patients and may be worthy of further popularization and application in clinic practice.

Sculpting the maturation, softening and ethylene pathway: the influences of microRNAs on tomato fruits.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a ubiquitous class of short RNAs, play vital roles in physiological and biochemical processes in plants by mediating gene silencing at post-transcriptional (PTGS) level. Tomato is a model system to study molecular basis of fleshy fruit ripening and senescence, ethylene biosynthesis and signal transduction owing to its genetic and molecular tractability. To study the functions of miRNAs in tomato fruit ripening and senescence, and their possible roles in ethylene response, the next generation sequencing method was employed to identify miRNAs in tomato fruit. Bioinformatics and molecular biology approaches were combined to profile the miRNAs expression patterns at three different fruit ripening stages and by exogenous ethylene treatment. RESULTS: In addition to 7 novel miRNA families, 103 conserved miRNAs belonging to 24 families and 10 non-conserved miRNAs matching 9 families were identified in our libraries. The targets of many these miRNAs were predicted to be transcriptional factors. Other targets are known to play roles in the regulation of metabolic processes. Interestingly, some targets were predicted to be involved in fruit ripening and softening, such as Pectate Lyase, beta-galactosidase, while a few others were predicted to be involved in ethylene biosynthesis and signaling pathway, such as ACS, EIN2 and CTR1. The expression patterns of a number of such miRNAs at three ripening stages were confirmed by stem-loop RT-PCR, which showed a strong negative correlation with that of their targets. The regulation of exogenous ethylene on miRNAs expression profiles were analyzed simultaneously, and 3 down-regulated, 5 up-regulated miRNAs were found in this study. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of high throughput sequencing and molecular biology approaches was used to explore the involvement of miRNAs during fruit ripening. Several miRNAs showed differential expression profiles during fruit ripening, and a number of miRNAs were influenced by ethylene treatment. The results suggest the importance of miRNAs in fruit ripening and ethylene response.