Identification of essential genes and immune cell infiltration in rheumatoid arthritis by bioinformatics analysis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease that can lead to severe joint damage and disability. And early diagnosis and treatment of RA can avert or substantially slow the progression of joint damage in up to 90% of patients, thereby preventing irreversible disability. Previous research indicated that 50% of the risk for the development of RA is attributable to genetic factors, but the pathogenesis is not well understood. Thus, it is urgent to identify biomarkers to arrest RA before joints are irreversibly damaged. Here, we first use the Robust Rank Aggregation method (RRA) to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between RA and normal samples by integrating four public RA patients' mRNA expression data. Subsequently, these DEGs were used as the input for the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) approach to identify RA-related modules. The function enrichment analysis suggested that the RA-related modules were significantly enriched in immune-related actions. Then the hub genes were defined as the candidate genes. Our analysis showed that the expression levels of candidate genes were significantly associated with the RA immune microenvironment. And the results indicated that the expression of the candidate genes can use as predictors for RA. We hope that our method can provide a more convenient approach for the early diagnosis of RA.

The Variation Analysis of DNA Methylation in Wheat Carrying Gametocidal Chromosome 3C from Aegilops triuncialis.

Gametocidal (Gc) chromosomes can ensure their preferential transmission by killing the gametes without themselves through causing chromosome breakage and therefore have been exploited as an effective tool for genetic breeding. However, to date very little is known about the molecular mechanism of Gc action. In this study, we used methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) technique to assess the extent and pattern of cytosine methylation alterations at the whole genome level between two lines of wheat Gc addition line and their common wheat parent. The results indicated that the overall levels of cytosine methylation of two studied Gc addition lines (CS-3C and CS-3C3C, 48.68% and 48.65%, respectively) were significantly increased when compared to common wheat CS (41.31%) and no matter fully methylated or hemimethylated rates enhanced in Gc addition lines. A set of 30 isolated fragments that showed different DNA methylation or demethylation patterns between the three lines were sequenced and the results indicated that 8 fragments showed significant homology to known sequences, of which three were homologous to MITE transposon (Miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements), LTR-retrotransposon WIS-1p and retrotransposon Gypsy, respectively. Overall, our results showed that DNA methylation could play a role in the Gc action.

The effectiveness of a comprehensive reminder system in the secondary prevention of hypertensive ischaemic stroke: randomized controlled trial protocol.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine whether the Comprehensive Reminder System based on the Health Belief Model improves health belief, health behaviours, medication adherence and blood pressure control as a means of decreasing the rate of stroke recurrence among hypertensive ischaemic stroke. BACKGROUND: Hypertensive patients having experienced recent ischaemic strokes are at high risk for stroke recurrence. Several trials attempted to improve secondary stroke prevention via patient education, however, patient outcomes remained poor. Long-term follow-up studies regarding secondary stroke prevention are limited. DESIGN: A multi-centre, 12-month, assessor-blinded, parallel-group, randomized controlled longitudinal trial. METHODS: Hypertensive patients having experienced an ischaemic stroke are the target population. The intervention consists of health belief education, a calendar handbook, a weekly automated short-message service and four telephone follow-up interviews. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months following discharge. The primary outcome is blood pressure control. The secondary outcomes include health belief, health behaviours and medication adherence. The clinical endpoint is the rate of stroke recurrence. DISCUSSION: Although many efforts to improve secondary stroke prevention have been undertaken, research indicates that improvements remain possible and warranted. This research protocol based on the Health Belief Model will improve our understanding of stroke education and transitional care needed in China and with the world-wide target population.

Analysis of the Thinopyrum elongatum Transcriptome under Water Deficit Stress.

The transcriptome of Thinopyrum elongatum under water deficit stress was analyzed using RNA-Seq technology. The results showed that genes involved in processes of amplification of stress signaling, reductions in oxidative damage, creation of protectants, and roots development were expressed differently, which played an important role in the response to water deficit. The Th. elongatum transcriptome research highlights the activation of a large set of water deficit-related genes in this species and provides a valuable resource for future functional analysis of candidate genes in the water deficit stress response.

[A cross-sectional study on snoring in Boertala Mongolia Autonomous Prefecture].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of snoring in Boertala Mongolia Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang. METHODS: A random sample of 4444 people, aged > or = 30, from Mongolian, Kazakh, Uygur, and Han population in Boertala Mongolia Autonomous Prefecture was investigated for the presence of snoring and the risk factors. RESULTS: The incidence of snoring was 21.8% (n = 967) in this sample population. The incidences of snoring adjusted by age and gender were 30.3%, 16.4%, 23.5%, and 19.5%, respectively in Mongolian, Kazakh, Uygur, and Han populations. The ratios of smoking and alcohol consumption were higher in subjects of snoring (43.4% vs 27.8%, and 40.5% vs 24.2%, respectively). Multiple unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that body mass index (BMI) was the major risk factor for snoring. Neck circumference was significantly correlated with snoring in Kazakh and Mongolian, populations. Alcohol consumption was a risk factor for snoring in Mongolian, Kazakh, and Han populations. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of snoring is high in Boertala Mongolia Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang, especially in the Mongolian population. BMI, neck circumference and alcohol consumption were risk factors for snoring.