Fabrication and properties of PLA/ß-TCP scaffolds using liquid crystal display (LCD) photocuring 3D printing for bone tissue engineering.

Introduction: Bone defects remain a thorny challenge that clinicians have to face. At present, scaffolds prepared by 3D printing are increasingly used in the field of bone tissue repair. Polylactic acid (PLA) has good thermoplasticity, processability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, but the PLA is brittle and has poor osteogenic performance. Beta-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) has good mechanical properties and osteogenic induction properties, which can make up for the drawbacks of PLA. Methods: In this study, photocurable biodegradable polylactic acid (bio-PLA) was utilized as the raw material to prepare PLA/ß-TCP slurries with varying ß-TCP contents (ß-TCP dosage at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 35% of the PLA dosage, respectively). The PLA/ß-TCP scaffolds were fabricated using liquid crystal display (LCD) light-curing 3D printing technology. The characterization of the scaffolds was assessed, and the biological activity of the scaffold with the optimal compressive strength was evaluated. The biocompatibility of the scaffold was assessed through CCK-8 assays, hemocompatibility assay and live-dead staining experiments. The osteogenic differentiation capacity of the scaffold on MC3T3-E1 cells was evaluated through alizarin red staining, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) detection, immunofluorescence experiments, and RT-qPCR assays. Results: The prepared scaffold possesses a three-dimensional network structure, and with an increase in the quantity of ß-TCP, more ß-TCP particles adhere to the scaffold surface. The compressive strength of PLA/ß-TCP scaffolds exhibits a trend of initial increase followed by decrease with an increasing amount of ß-TCP, reaching a maximum value of 52.1 MPa at a 10% ß-TCP content. Degradation rate curve results indicate that with the passage of time, the degradation rate of the scaffold gradually increases, and the pH of the scaffold during degradation shows an alkaline tendency. Additionally, Live/dead staining and blood compatibility experiments suggest that the prepared PLA/ß-TCP scaffold demonstrates excellent biocompatibility. CCK-8 experiments indicate that the PLA/ß-TCP group promotes cell proliferation, and the prepared PLA/ß-TCP scaffold exhibits a significant ability to enhance the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells in vitro. Discussion: 3D printed LCD photocuring PLA/ß-TCP scaffolds could improve surface bioactivity and lead to better osteogenesis, which may provide a unique strategy for developing bioactive implants in orthopedic applications.

Deep Learning-Based Electrocardiograph in Evaluating Radiofrequency Ablation for Rapid Arrhythmia.

This study is aimed at analyzing the important role of deep learning-based electrocardiograph (ECG) in the efficacy evaluation of radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of tachyarrhythmia. In this study, 158 patients with rapid arrhythmia treated by radiofrequency ablation were divided into effective treatment group (142 cases) and ineffective treatment group (16 cases). ECG examination was performed on all patients, and the indicators of ECG examination were quantified by the deep learning-based convolutional neural network model. The indicators of ECG examination of the effective treatment group and the ineffective treatment group were compared. The results showed that compared with the ineffective treatment group, the end-systolic volume (ESV), end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume index (ESVI), and end-diastolic volume index (EDVI) of the effective treatment group were significantly decreased, and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was significantly increased (P < 0.05). After radiofrequency ablation, the ventricular rate of patients in the effective treatment group was significantly lower than that of the ineffective treatment group at 12 h and 24 h after treatment (P < 0.05). In addition, compared with patients in the ineffective treatment group, the QT dispersion of the ECG in the effective treatment group was significantly higher (P < 0.05). The accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity of ECG in evaluating the therapeutic effect of patients with tachyarrhythmia were 86.81%, 84.29%, and 77.27%, respectively. The area under the curve was determined as 0.798 according to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the subjects. In summary, indicators of ECG examination based on deep learning can provide auxiliary reference information for the efficacy evaluation of radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of tachyarrhythmia.

How does anti-corruption affect enterprise green innovation in China's energy-intensive industries?

Rampant corruption exists in China's energy-intensive industries. However, we know little about the nexus of corruption and enterprise green innovation in China's energy-intensive industries. This paper discusses the impact of anti-corruption on enterprises' green innovation and its effect margin. Analyzing the panel data of Chinese listed enterprises in energy-intensive industries from 2009 to 2017, we find that anti-corruption played a positive role in stimulating enterprises' green innovation investments in energy-intensive industries. Then we adopt the instrumental variable approach and difference-in-differences model to alleviate the endogeneity problem. Moreover, we find that research and development investments from state-owned, high-tech enterprises and enterprises in the regions with more government intervention or weaker intellectual property protection were more prominent after the anti-corruption campaign. Finally, political connection played an intermediary role in this process, in which only the government-official political connection worked. Our results highlight the roles of enterprises' attributes and environmental characteristics as important factors in the relationship between anti-corruption and green innovation investments. Policymakers should enhance the control of corruption to boost green innovation in energy-intensive industries.

Clinical manifestations and imaging and pathological features of giant cell angioblastoma: Report of four cases and literature review.

Giant cell angioblastoma is a relatively rare vasogenic tumour. To date, studies on its clinical manifestations, imaging characteristics, pathological features, and prognosis are extremely limited and unknown, with only a few cases recorded. In this study, four cases of giant cell angioblastoma confirmed by pathological examination were reported to improve our understanding and deep exploration of the tumour spectrum. All cases in our study were male, including two adults and two boys. The lesions were located in the lower segment of the femur, medial condyle of the femur, knee joint, and popliteal fossa. Regarding the imaging characteristics, two patients with lesions in bone showed bone destruction, while the other two had lesions that invaded soft tissues, showing irregular, abnormal signal shadows and obvious enhancement. Histopathological analysis revealed that the nodular tumour tissue was mainly composed of oval and spindle cells, with varying numbers of osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells, and the interstitial tissues were often filled with blood vessels of different sizes. The immunophenotype demonstrates that endothelial cells of small vessels in nodules expressed CD31, SMA, and ERG, while osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells and histiocytes expressed CD68 and CD163, and the surrounding cells expressed SMA. All four patients were treated with surgical resection. One of them relapsed 1 month after surgery and received a second surgical resection. No distant metastasis or death occurred during the follow-up period. This study indicates that giant cell angioblastoma is a local invasive vascular tumour that can develop both in children and adults with skin, mucous membrane, soft tissue, and bone involvement. Imaging characteristics show bone destruction and irregular, abnormal signal shadows; in addition, obvious pathological morphological features can be observed. Currently, the treatment is mainly surgical resection, and interferons may be used as adjuvant chemotherapy.

Bushen Qiangjin capsule inhibits the Wnt/α-catenin pathway to ameliorate papain-induced knee osteoarthritis in rat.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the molecular mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of Bushen Qiangjin capsule (BSQJ), a Traditional Chinese Medicine, on knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHODS: In the present study, 32 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, KOA, high-dose BSQJ (H-BSQJ), and low-dose BSQJ (L-BSQJ). After successfully establishing the KOA model by intra-articular injection of papain, H-BSQJ and L-BSQJ groups were intragastrically administered 0.243 and 0.122 g/kg BSQJ, respectively, daily for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, knee articular cartilage tissues of rats were collected for evaluation by hematoxylin and eosin staining, Safranin O-Fast Green staining, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay. Serum interleukin-1α and tumor necrosis factor-α levels of rats were detected with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Gene expression of Wnt-4, α-catenin, Frizzled-2, glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinases 3 and 9 (caspases 3 and 9), collagen type II alpha 1 (Col2a1), and matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 13 (MMP-1 and MMP-3) of rat knee articular cartilage was quantified by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Wnt-4, α-catenin, Frizzled-2, GSK-3ß, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-9 protein expression in rat knee articular cartilage was determined by western blot analysis. RESULTS: BSQJ obviously reduced pathological damage and matrix degradation of articular cartilage in KOA rats. Compared with the KOA group, H-BSQJ rats exhibited downregulated mRNA and protein expression of Wnt-4, ß-catenin, Frizzled-2,and caspase-3, as well as upregulated mRNA and protein expression of GSK-3α. In addition, H-BSQJ significantly increased mRNA expression of Col2a1 and decreased mRNA expression of MMP-1 and MMP-13. CONCLUSION: BSQJ exerted a beneficial effect on KOA by a mechanism involving downregulation of the Wnt/α-catenin pathway, which inhibited both cartilage extracellular matrix degradation and chondrocyte apoptosis to ameliorate KOA in rats.

Effects of Age and Sex on Properties of Lumbar Erector Spinae in Healthy People: Preliminary Results From a Pilot Study.

Background: The influences of age and sex on properties of lumbar erector spinae have not been previously studied. Changes in the performance of lumbar erector spinae properties associated with age represent a valuable indicator of risk for lower-back-related disease. Objective: To investigate the lumbar erector spinae properties with regard to age and sex to provide a reference dataset. Methods: We measured muscle tone and stiffness of the lumbar erector spinae (at the L3-4 level) in healthy men and women (50 young people, aged 20-30 years; 50 middle-aged people, aged 40-50 years; and 50 elderly people, aged 65-75 years) using a MyotonPRO device. Results: In general, there are significant differences in muscle tone and stiffness among young, middle-aged, and elderly participants, and there were significant differences in muscle tone and stiffness between men and women, and there was no interaction between age and sex. The muscle tone and stiffness of the elderly participants were significantly higher than those of the middle-aged and young participants (P < 0.01), and the muscle tone and stiffness of the middle-aged participants were significantly higher than those of the young participants (P < 0.01). In addition, the muscle tone and stiffness of men participants were significantly higher than that of women participants (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Our results indicate that muscle tone and stiffness of the lumbar erector spinae increase with age. The muscle tone and stiffness of the lumbar erector spinae in men are significantly higher than in women. The present study highlights the importance of considering age and sex differences when assessing muscle characteristics of healthy people or patients.

Myofascial Release for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases in the elderly, which has a severe impact on the health of the elderly. However, CLBP treatment is very challenging, and more effective treatment methods are needed. Myofascial release may be an effective therapy for the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain. It is widely used clinically to treat CLBP, but its clinical efficacy is still controversial. Objective: This study aims to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of myofascial release for patients with CLBP. Methods: We selected PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE database, and Web of Science database articles published until April 5, 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of myofascial release for CLBP were included. Outcome measures included pain, physical function, quality of life, balance function, pain pressure-threshold, trunk mobility, and mental health. For each outcome, Standardized mean differences (SMD) or mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: Eight RCTs (n = 375) were included based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The meta-analysis showed that the overall efficacy of myofascial release for CLBP was significant, including two aspects: pain [SMD = -0.37, 95% CI (-0.67, -0.08), I 2 = 46%, P = 0.01] and physical function [SMD = -0.43, 95% CI (-0.75, -0.12), I 2 = 44%, P = 0.007]. However, myofascial release did not significantly improve quality of life [SMD = 0.13, 95% CI (-0.38, 0.64), I 2 = 53%, P = 0.62], balance function [SMD = 0.58, 95% CI (-0.49, 1.64), I 2 = 82%, P = 0.29], pain pressure-threshold [SMD = 0.03,95% CI (-0.75, 0.69), I 2 = 73%, P = 0.93], trunk mobility [SMD = 1.02, 95% CI (-0.09, 2.13), I 2 = 92%, P = 0.07] and mental health [SMD = -0.06, 95% CI (-0.83, 0.71), I 2 = 73%, P = 0.88]. Conclusions: In this study, we systematically reviewed and quantified the efficacy of myofascial release in treating CLBP. The meta-analysis results showed that myofascial release significantly improved pain and physical function in patients with CLBP but had no significant effects on balance function, pain pressure-threshold, trunk mobility, mental health, and quality of life. However, due to the low quality and a small number of included literature, more and more rigorously designed RCTs should be included in the future to verify these conclusions.

Yoga for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a pervasive inflammatory autoimmune disease that seriously impairs human health and requires more effective non-pharmacologic treatment approaches. This study aims to systematically review and evaluate the efficacy of yoga for patients with RA. Methods: Medline (through PubMed), Cochrane Library, EMBASE (through SCOPUS), and Web of Science database were screened through for articles published until 20 July 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of yoga in patients with RA were included. Outcomes measures were pain, physical function, disease activity, inflammatory cytokines, and grip strength. For each outcome, standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Result: Ten trials including 840 patients with RA aged 30-70 years were identified, with 86% female participants. Meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant overall effect in favor of yoga for physical function (HAQ-DI) (5 RCTs; SMD = -0.32, 95% CI -0.58 to -0.05, I 2 = 15%, P = 0.02), disease activity (DAS-28) (4 RCTs; SMD = -0.38, 95% CI -0.71 to -0.06, I 2 = 41%, P = 0.02) and grip strength (2 RCTs; SMD = 1.30, 95% CI 0.47-2.13, I 2 = 63%, P = 0.002). No effects were found for pain, tender joints, swollen joints count or inflammatory cytokines (i.e., CRP, ESR, IL-6, and TNF-α). Summary: The findings of this meta-analysis indicate that yoga may be beneficial for improving physical function, disease activity, and grip strength in patients with RA. However, the balance of evidence showed that yoga had no significant effect in improving pain, tender joints, swollen joints count, and inflammatory cytokines in patients suffering from RA. Considering methodological limitations, small sample size, and low-quality, we draw a very cautious conclusion in the results of the estimate of the effect. High-quality and large-scale RCTs are urgently needed in the future, and the real result may be substantially different.

Comprehensive Analysis of Novel lncRNA-TF Regulatory Cross Talks and Identification of Core lncRNA-TF Feedback Loops in Sarcoma.

Sarcomas are a broad family of cancers that arise from cells of mesenchymal origin in virtually every tissue of the body. Some transcription factors (TFs) have been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis and metastasis of sarcomas. The expression of certain long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been correlated with the degree of cancer prognosis. There is an urgent need to effectively integrate TFs and lncRNA/microRNA/mRNA regulatory axis and further identify more key regulators that play crucial roles in sarcomas. We performed a network-based computational analysis to investigate the lncRNA-TF cross talks via integrating lncRNA-TF ceRNA interactions and TF-TF protein-protein interactions. Multiple topology analyses were performed to the sarcomas-related global lncRNA-TF network. Several lncRNAs or TFs with central topology structures were identified as key regulators and used to locate a hub-associated lncRNA-TF subnetwork. Three functional modules were identified from the sarcomas-related global lncRNA-TF network, which have shown significant pathway enrichment and prognosis capability. The lncRNAs and TFs of these modules were shown to participate in sarcoma-related biological phenomena through involving in mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), Jak-STAT, and transforming growth factor (TGF-beta) signaling pathways. More importantly, a subset of core lncRNA-TF cross talks that might form positive feedback loops to control biological processes of sarcomas was identified. These core lncRNA-TF positive feedback loops showed more TF binding affinity than other lncRNAs. All the results can help us uncover the molecular mechanism of sarcomas and provide a novel way for diagnosis biomarker and therapeutic target identification.

Effects of Gushukang for postmenopausal osteoporosis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) is one of the most common systemic bone diseases with a high risk of fracture. Traditional herbal formula Gushukang (GSK) has been used to treat PMO. However, there is no systematic review related to GSK for PMO. The object of this work is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of GSK in the management of PMO. METHODS: We will search the PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials, China national knowledge infrastructure database (CNKI), Wan fang database, Chongqing VIP information, and SinoMed from their inception to May 2020. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of GSK for the treatment of PMO will be included. The improvement of vertebral fracture and bone mineral density (BMD) will be accepted as the primary outcomes. The meta-analyses will be performed by using the RevMan 5.3. RESULTS: This study will provide a high-quality comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of GSK for treating patients with PMO. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of our systematic review will provide evidence to judge whether GSK is an effective intervention for patients with PMO. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: 10.17605/OSF.IO/MKN3F.

Effects of bushen huoxue method for knee osteoarthritis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common progressive joint disorder in old people. Bushen huoxue (BSHX) is a classical method of TCM in treating KOA. However, there is no systematic review related to BSHX for KOA. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive and reliable evaluation of the clinical evidence of BSHX in the treatment of KOA. METHODS: We searched relevant studies on BSHX for KOA from the databases of PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials, China national knowledge infrastructure database (CNKI), Wan fang database, Chongqing VIP information, and SinoMed from their inception to May 2020. Two researchers will select and evaluate qualified studies independently. The primary outcomes of this review will focus on pain intensity. The meta-analyses will be performed by using the RevMan 5.3. RESULTS: The study will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of the BSHX method for patients with KOA. CONCLUSION: The results of this systematic review will provide evidence to judge whether BSHX is an effective intervention for patients with KOA.

Effects of bushen qianggu method for primary osteoporosis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Primary osteoporosis (POP) is one of the most common orthopedic diseases with a high risk of fracture. Effective treatment of POP is of great significance to reduce the rate of disability and improve the quality of life. Bushen qianggu (BSQG) is a classical method of TCM in treating POP. However, there is no systematic review related to BSQG for POP. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive and reliable evaluation of the clinical evidence of BSQG in the treatment of POP. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Relevant randomized controlled trial literature evaluating the effect of BSQG on patients with POP will be obtained by searching the PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials, China national knowledge infrastructure database, Wan fang database, Chongqing VIP information, and SinoMed from their inception to May 2020. Two researchers will select and evaluate qualified studies independently. The bone mineral density value and the incidence of fractures will be accepted as the primary outcomes. The meta-analyses will be performed by using the RevMan 5.3. RESULTS: This study will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of BSQG method for patients with POP. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of our systematic review will provide evidence to judge whether BSQG is an effective intervention for patients with POP. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: 10.17605/OSF.IO/ZMX3W.

Yeast Sphingolipid Phospholipase Gene ISC1 Regulates the Spindle Checkpoint by a CDC55-Dependent Mechanism.

Defects in the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) can lead to aneuploidy and cancer. Sphingolipids have important roles in many cellular functions, including cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. However, the specific mechanisms and functions of sphingolipids in cell cycle regulation have not been elucidated. Using analysis of concordance for synthetic lethality for the yeast sphingolipid phospholipase ISC1, we identified two groups of genes. The first comprises genes involved in chromosome segregation and stability (CSM3, CTF4, YKE2, DCC1, and GIM4) as synthetically lethal with ISC1 The second group, to which ISC1 belongs, comprises genes involved in the spindle checkpoint (BUB1, MAD1, BIM1, and KAR3), and they all share the same synthetic lethality with the first group. We demonstrate that spindle checkpoint genes act upstream of Isc1, and their deletion phenocopies that of ISC1 Reciprocally, ISC1 deletion mutants were sensitive to benomyl, indicating a SAC defect. Similar to BUB1 deletion, ISC1 deletion prevents spindle elongation in hydroxyurea-treated cells. Mechanistically, PP2A-Cdc55 ceramide-activated phosphatase was found to act downstream of Isc1, thus coupling the spindle checkpoint genes and Isc1 to CDC55-mediated nuclear functions.

Reliability of a portable device for quantifying tone and stiffness of quadriceps femoris and patellar tendon at different knee flexion angles.

The reliability of MyotonPRO that can monitor the mechanical properties of tissues is still unclear. This study aimed to analyze the within-day inter-operator and between-day intra-operator reliability of MyotonPRO for assessing tone and stiffness of quadriceps femoris and patellar tendon at different knee angles. The tone and stiffness of healthy participants (15 males and 15 females, aged 24.7±1.6 years) in the supine and resting position were measured using the MyotonPRO device. The measurements were quantified at 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90° of knee flexion. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC) were calculated and a Bland-Altman analysis was conducted to estimate reliability. The results indicated excellent inter-operator reliability (ICC > 0.78) and good to excellent intra-operator reliability (ICC > 0.41). The inter-operator SEM measurements ranged between 0.1-0.9 Hz and 3.8-37.9 N/m, and intra-operator SEM ranged between 0.5-1.3 Hz and 7.9-52.0 N/m. The inter-operator MDC ranged between 0.3-2.5 Hz and 10.5-105.1 N/m, and intra-operator SEM ranged between 1.1-3.3 Hz and 21.9-144.1 N/m. The agreement of inter-operator was better than that of intra-operator. The study concluded that MyotonPRO is a reliable device to detect the tone and stiffness of quadriceps femoris and patellar tendon.

Myeloablation followed by autologous stem cell transplantation normalises systemic sclerosis molecular signatures.

OBJECTIVE: In the randomised scleroderma: Cyclophosphamide Or Transplantation (SCOT trial) (NCT00114530), myeloablation, followed by haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), led to improved clinical outcomes compared with monthly cyclophosphamide (CYC) treatment in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Herein, the study aimed to determine global molecular changes at the whole blood transcript and serum protein levels ensuing from HSCT in comparison to intravenous monthly CYC in 62 participants enrolled in the SCOT study. METHODS: Global transcript studies were performed at pretreatment baseline, 8 months and 26 months postrandomisation using Illumina HT-12 arrays. Levels of 102 proteins were measured in the concomitantly collected serum samples. RESULTS: At the baseline visit, interferon (IFN) and neutrophil transcript modules were upregulated and the cytotoxic/NK module was downregulated in SSc compared with unaffected controls. A paired comparison of the 26 months to the baseline samples revealed a significant decrease of the IFN and neutrophil modules and an increase in the cytotoxic/NK module in the HSCT arm while there was no significant change in the CYC control arm. Also, a composite score of correlating serum proteins with IFN and neutrophil transcript modules, as well as a multilevel analysis showed significant changes in SSc molecular signatures after HSCT while similar changes were not observed in the CYC arm. Lastly, a decline in the IFN and neutrophil modules was associated with an improvement in pulmonary forced vital capacity and an increase in the cytotoxic/NK module correlated with improvement in skin score. CONCLUSION: HSCT contrary to conventional treatment leads to a significant 'correction' in disease-related molecular signatures.

Gene fingerprint model for literature based detection of the associations among complex diseases: a case study of COPD.

BACKGROUND: Disease comorbidity is very common and has significant impact on disease treatment. Revealing the associations among diseases may help to understand the mechanisms of diseases, improve the prevention and treatment of diseases, and support the discovery of new drugs or new uses of existing drugs. METHODS: In this paper, we introduced a mathematical model to represent gene related diseases with a series of associated genes based on the overrepresentation of genes and diseases in PubMed literature. We also illustrated an efficient way to reveal the implicit connections between COPD and other diseases based on this model. RESULTS: We applied this approach to analyze the relationships between Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and other diseases under the Lung diseases branch in the Medical subject heading index system and detected 4 novel diseases relevant to COPD. As judged by domain experts, the F score of our approach is up to 77.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the gene fingerprint model for diseases on the basis of medical literature.

Restructured GEO: restructuring Gene Expression Omnibus metadata for genome dynamics analysis.

Motivation: Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and other publicly available data store their metadata in the format of unstructured English text, which is very difficult for automated reuse. Results: We employed text mining techniques to analyze the metadata of GEO and developed Restructured GEO database (ReGEO). ReGEO reorganizes and categorizes GEO series and makes them searchable by two new attributes extracted automatically from each series' metadata. These attributes are the number of time points tested in the experiment and the disease being investigated. ReGEO also makes series searchable by other attributes available in GEO, such as platform organism, experiment type, associated PubMed ID as well as general keywords in the study's description. Our approach greatly expands the usability of GEO data, demonstrating a credible approach to improve the utility of vast amount of publicly available data in the era of Big Data research.

Predict effective drug combination by deep belief network and ontology fingerprints.

The synergistic effect of drug combination is one of the most desirable properties for treating cancer. However, systematically predicting effective drug combination is a significant challenge. We report here a novel method based on deep belief network to predict drug synergy from gene expression, pathway and the Ontology Fingerprints-a literature derived ontological profile of genes. Using data sets provided by 2015 DREAM competition, our analysis shows that this integrative method outperforms published results from the DREAM website for 4999 drug pairs, demonstrating the feasibility of predicting drug synergy from literature and the -omics data using advanced artificial intelligence approach.

An acute gastroenteritis outbreak caused by GII.P16-GII.2 norovirus associated with airborne transmission via the air conditioning unit in a kindergarten in Lianyungang, China.

Noroviruses are a common cause of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in institutions including schools and kindergartens around the world. An outbreak caused by GII.P16-GII.2 norovirus in a kindergarten in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, China is reported here. An epidemiological investigation was conducted, and pathogen detection was performed. The descriptive analysis indicated that this outbreak in middle class 1 had a point source. Twenty cases of acute gastroenteritis occurred in this class within a period of 8.5h; the attack rate was 52.6% (20/38). Airborne transmission via the air conditioning unit in a confined restroom could have played a critical role in this outbreak. Sequence analysis of GII-positive samples confirmed that the norovirus GII.P16-GII.2 variant was the etiological agent of this outbreak.

Protective effect of Shenmai injection on knee articular cartilage of osteoarthritic rabbits and IL-1ß-stimulated human chondrocytes.

Shenmai injection (SMI) has been widely used as a therapy to treat a number of diseases. However, its anti-osteoarthritic properties have not yet been fully investigated. In the present study, the protective effect of SMI on knee articular cartilage of anterior cruciate ligament transected rabbits and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß)-stimulated human chondrocytes was investigated. For the in vivo study, knee osteoarthritis (KOA) was induced in female New Zealand white rabbits by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) in the knee of right hind limb. Rabbits either underwent sham surgery or ACLT surgery. Out of the rabbits receiving ACLT surgery, half of the rabbits received one 0.3 ml Shenmai intra-articular injection in the knee per week for four weeks, following ACLT surgery. The other rabbits received the same volume of normal saline solution. The cartilage was subsequently collected for histological evaluation. For the in vitro study, cultured human chondrocytes were treated with 10 ng/ml IL-1ß in the presence or absence of 5 and 2% (v/v) SMI for 24 h. Nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels in cell culture supernatant were assessed using a Griess reaction and ELISA respectively. The mRNA expression of cyclooxgenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-13 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in chondrocytes were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The results of the current study revealed that treatment with SMI ameliorated cartilage degradation in the ACLT rabbit model, and decreased levels of NO and PGE2. Furthermore, treatment with SMI decreased levels of COX-2, iNOS, MMP-1 and MMP-13 mRNA expression and increased TIMP-1 mRNA expression in IL-1ß-stimulated human chondrocytes. These results indicate that SMI suppresses inflammation and ameliorated cartilage degradation, making it a potential and promising therapeutic option to treat KOA.