Bioinformatics Analysis of Key Candidate Genes and Pathways in Ulcerative Colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is chronic, idiopathic disease that affects the colon and the rectum and the underlying pathogenesis of UC remains to be known. The clinical drugs are mainly work based on anti-inflammation and immune system. However, most of them are expensive and have severe side effects. Therefore, identification of novel targets and exploring new drugs are urgently needed. In this study, several bioinformatics approaches were used to discover key genes and further in order to explore the pathogenesis of UC. Two microarray datasets, GSE38713 and GSE9452 were selected from NCBI-Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expression genes (DEGs) were identified by using LIMMA Package of R. Then, we filtered clustered candidate genes into Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis with the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID), KEGG pathway based on functions and signaling pathways with significant enrichment analysis. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/ Proteins (STRING) analysis, and visualized by Cytoscape and further analyzed by Molecular Complex Detection. Lastly, 353 up-regulated and 145 down-regulated genes were than recognized. After consulting a number of references and network degree analysis, four hub genes, namely FCGR2A, C3, INPP5A, and ACAA1 were identified, and these genes were mainly enriched in complement and coagulation cascades, mineral absorption, and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor (PPAR) signaling pathways. In conclusion, this study would provide new clues for the pathogenesis and identification of drug targets of UC in the near future.

Pre-Registration Assessment of Bone-Filling Products.

The use of bone-filling material to repair bone defects and fix implanted bone grafts is a developing area in medicine. Investigators can evaluate bone-filling materials through use of several indices to make comparisons and to determine suitability for application in humans1 . However, it is quite difficult to transform their discovery into practical use, because the viability of the studied material might require examination of all aspects of properties. In addition, for a material to become a product, a complete procedure involving a declaration, registration, and approval is necessary. This article introduces the technical indices that the investigators and reporters should provide in their declaration and registration data to meet the relevant standards in China. The indices include physical and chemical properties, biocompatibility, biosecurity, pre-clinical animal model tests, sterilization and disinfection, product duration, and packaging. Full consideration of all possible indices is crucial to realize the transformation from a designed product to a commercial medical device, which requires effective interaction between clinicians and engineers.

In silico identification of potent small molecule inhibitors targeting epidermal growth factor receptor 1.

BACKGROUND: The receptor tyrosine kinase of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, ErbB) family played an important role in multisignaling pathways, which controlled numerous biological activities including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, etc. EGFR abnormalities have been associated with a variety of human tumors, which was a well-characterized target for cancer treatment. It was known to all that drug repositioning has been considered as a useful tool to accelerate the process of drug development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Herein, a total of 1408 small molecule drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were employed to identify potential EGFR inhibitors by a series of bioinformatics approaches, including virtual screening and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. RESULTS: According to the docking score, five small molecules were chosed for further MD simulations. Following the 5 ns MD simulations, ZINC03830276 (Benzonatate) were finally recognized as "new use" of FDA-approved EGFR-targeting drug. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that the small molecule ZINC03830276 (Benzonatate) could be a promising EGFR inhibitor candidate and may also provide new ideas for designing more potent EGFR inhibitors for the future study.

Meta-Analysis of the Clinical Effectiveness and Safety of Ligustrazine in Cerebral Infarction.

Objectives. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ligustrazine in the treatment of cerebral infarction. Methods. A systematic literature search was conducted in 6 databases until 30 June 2016 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of ligustrazine in the treatment of cerebral infarction. The quality of all the included studies was evaluated. All data were analyzed by Review Manager 5.1 Software. Results. 19 RCTs totally involving 1969 patients were included. The primary outcome measures were Neurological Deficit Score (NDS) and clinical effective rate. The secondary outcome measure was adverse events. Meta-analysis showed that ligustrazine could improve clinical efficacy and NDS of cerebral infarction with [OR = 3.60, 95% CI (2.72, 4.78), P < 0.00001] and [WMD = -3.87, 95% CI (-4.78, -2.95), P < 0.00001]. Moreover, ligustrazine in treatment group exerted better clinical effects in improving the Blood Rheology Index (BRI) in patients compared with control group. Ten trials contained safety assessments and stated that no obvious side effects were found. Conclusions. Ligustrazine demonstrated definite clinical efficacy for cerebral infarction, and it can also improve NDS in patients without obvious adverse events. However, due to the existing low-quality research, more large-scale and multicentric RCTs are required to provide clear evidence for its clinical efficacy in the near future.

[Correlation analysis between effectiveness of element in rhizonsphere soil and quality of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza)].

In order to investigate the content and distribution of available element in the rhizonsphere soil of the growing areas of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, the contents of available element (N,P,K,B,Cu,Zn,Fe,Mn) in 26 soil samples were tested and evaluated. The results showed that the contents of available P and Fe were very plentiful, available K, Cu and Zn were rich, available N and Mn were deficient, available B was extremely deficient in all growing areas of S. miltiorrhiza of eight provinces in China. The correlation analysis showed that the contents of eight kinds of available elements were varying degree correlation. The stepwise regression analysis between the contents of available elements of rhizonsphere soil and ten kinds of active ingredients of Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) were researched. The results showed that the rates of contribution of available N,B,Mn and Fe to quality of Danshen were relatively large and they were the significant factors, and the other factors did not show statistical significance. The recommended fertilizing strategies is that the usage of N,B and Mn fertilizers should be controlled according to different stages of growth of S. miltiorrhiza, and P fertilizer should be reduced in all growing areas of S. miltiorrhiza.

[Preparation and characterization of ginsenoside-Rh2 lipid nanoparticles and synergistic effect with borneol in resisting tumor activity].

To prepare ginsenoside-Rh2 lipid nanoparticles, and investigate the synergistic effect with borneol in resisting tumor activity in vitro. Ginsenoside-Rh2 lipid nanoparticles were prepared by ultrasonic-assisted solvent evaporation method, and orthogonal design was adopted to optimize formulation process. Its encapsulation efficiency, drug loading ratio, particle size distribution, Zeta potential, morphology and in vitro drug release behavior were characterized, and synergistic effect with borneol in resisting tumor activity were preliminarily studied by MTT. These nanoemulsion particles prepared by the optimized process method were rounding and even in a good shape. Encapsulation efficiency and drug loading ratio of three batches of nanoemulsion particles were (77.3±2.5)% and (7.2±0.2)%, respectively. Nanoemulsion particles showed an obvious sustained release characteristics, with 52.42% cumulative release within 96 h. The killing effect of nanoemulsion particles on glioma cells was dose-dependent, with IC50 of 22.33 µmol•L⁻¹ and 11.46 µmol•L⁻¹ after 24 h and 48 h, respectively. After the combination with borneol, the killing effect of nanoemulsion particles on glioma cells was dose-dependent, with IC50 of 16.36 µmol•L⁻¹ and 8.04 µmol•L⁻¹ after 24 h and 48 h, respectively.

[Effect of fluo-hydroxyapatite on biological properies of osteosarcoma MG63 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of 20% fluor-hydroxyapatite (FHA) on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human MG63 osteosarcoma cells. METHODS: FHA was prepared by chemical precipitation method, and its structure and surface features were tested by scanning microscope, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. MG63 cells were cultured and divided into FHA, hydroxyapatite (HA) and control groups (n = 3). The proliferation of the cells was evaluated using methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay. ALP activity of the cells was assessed. Osteogenic differentiation was evaluated based on the reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) of differentiation-related genes, namely, collagen type I (Col I), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN) and core binding factor α1 (Cbfα1). The data were analyzed statistically by one-way analysis of variance using SPSS 13.0 software. RESULTS: XRD test showed that the main crystalline phase of FHA was similar to that of HA. Absorptance value of cells exposed to FHA(1.87±0.06) measured by MTT was higher than that of the control(1.25±0.02) on the third day(P < 0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference between the cells exposed to FHA and HA(1.84±0.03) (P > 0.05). ALP activity of the cells exposed to FHA(4.62±0.09)was higher than that of the control (1.92 ± 0.05) (P < 0.05). RT-PCR tests showed that compared with the control, FHA up-regulated the expression of Col I, ALP and OCN mRNA, down-regulated the expression of Cbfα1 mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: FHA enhances the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation-related gene expression, and has good biocompatibility.

[Effects of different harvest times and processing methods on quality of Gardeniae Fructus].

OBJECTIVE: To study effects of different harvest times and processing methods on the quality of Gardeniae Fructus. METHOD: The content of asminoidin and the similarity of the fingerprint of Gardeniae Fructus were determined and applied for assessment of the quality. RESULT: Gardeniae Fructus harvested in October with yellow-green appearance was the better time point for harvest. Drying in the sun and boiling in the water is the better processing method for Gardeniae Fructus. CONCLUSION: Different harvest times and processing methods can affect the quality of Gardeniae Fructus.

[Isolation and identification of endophytic fungi from Ligusticum].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between entophytic fungal community, habitations and varieties of Ligusticum. METHOD: The solidified potato dextrose agar (PDA) of plates was applied for the isolation of the endophytic fungi, and the identification was completed by spot-planting method. RESULT: Fifty strains of the entophytic fungi were isolated from the rhizome of L. chuanxiong collected from 6 habitations. They were morphologically identified as belonging to 13 genera, 4 families, 3 orders and 1 class. CONCLUSION: There were some differences at quantity, species and distributing of the entophytic fungi in different habitats and varieties of Ligusticum, which was suggested that entophytic fungal community is related with specific habitat.