Search

Objective To investigate the expression regulation of autophagy-related genes(ATG)and the mechanism of autophagy in rheumatoid arthritis(RA).Methods The differentially expressed genes(DEG)of RA were identified from GSE55235 and GSE55457,on the basis of which the differentially expressed autophagy-related genes(DE-ATG)were selected from the Human Autophagy Database.STRING 11.0 and GeneMANIA were used to establish protein-protein interaction networks.Further,the transcription factor-gene-miRNA co-expression network was established via NetworkAnalyst and Cytoscape.Finally,receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and DrugBank were employed to evaluate the efficacy of the predicted biomarkers and the performance of drugs targeting DE-ATG.GraphPad Prism 8.2.1 and R 4.0.3 were used for statistical analysis and graphics.Results A total of 485 DEG were enriched in signaling pathways such as T cell activation,hormone regulation,osteoclast differentiation,RA,and chemokines.Eleven DE-ATG regulated the expression of RUNX1,TP53,SOX2,and hsa-mir-155-5p in synovial tissues of RA patients and were involved in the response to environmental factors such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin and silicon dioxide.The ROC curve analysis identified the DE-ATG with good sensitivity and specificity,such as MYC,MAPK8,CDKN1A,and TNFSF10,which can be used to distinguish certain phenotypes and serve as novel biomarkers for RA.Conclusions In RA,down-regulated DE-ATG expression may promote apoptosis and lysis of chondrocytes.The identified novel biomarkers provides new ideas and methods for diagnosing and treating RA.The establishment of transcription factor-miRNA-gene co-expression network provides direct evidence for dissecting synovial inflammation and articular cartilage destruction.

Objective To investigate the expression of thioredoxin reductase 3(TXNRD3),a selenoprotein,in 33 human malignant tumors and then analyze its effect on the survival prognosis.Methods We employed the genotype-tissue expression project database,the cancer cell line encyclopedia,and the cancer genome atlas to explore the expression of TXNRD3 gene in 33 human malignant tumors and analyze its impact on the survival prognosis.Further,we explored the correlations of TXNRD3 with immune cells and immune infiltration in the tumor microenvironment,as well as with neoantigens,immune checkpoint genes,tumor mutational burden,and microsatellite instability.Subsequently,human samples were classified into high-and low-expression groups according to TXNRD3 gene expression levels,and the enrichment analysis of biological functions and signaling pathways was performed.Results The analysis with multiple databases showed that TXNRD3 was highly expressed in 15 tumors.The survival analysis showed that TXNRD3 was significantly associated with poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients.In addition,the expression level of TXNRD3 was correlated with immune infiltration in tumor microenvironment,neoantigens,immune checkpoint genes,tumor mutational burden,and microsatellite instability.TXNRD3 affected the expression of DNA mismatch repair genes.The gene set enrichment indicated that TXNRD3 was involved in regulating multiple signaling pathways associated with tumor metabolism and tumor immunity.Conclusion TXNRD3 is widely expressed in tumors and has a clinical value for the survival prognosis prediction and treatment of multiple tumors,demonstrating the potential of being a promising biomarker for targeted treatment of multiple tumors.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression of glutathione peroxidase(GPX)genes and the clinical prognosis in glioma patients,and to construct and evaluate the model for predicting the prognosis of glioma. Methods The clinical information and GPX expression of 663 patients,including 153 patients of glioblastoma(GBM)and 510 patients of low-grade glioma(LGG),were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database.The relationship between GPX expression and patient survival was analyzed.The key GPX affecting the prognosis of glioma was screened out by single- and multi-factor Cox's proportional-hazards regression models and validated by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(Lasso)regression.Finally,we constructed the model for predicting the prognosis of glioma with the screening results and then used concordance index and calibration curve respectively to evaluate the discrimination and calibration of model. Results Compared with those in the control group,the expression levels of GPX1,GPX3,GPX4,GPX7,and GPX8 were up-regulated in glioma patients(all

Backgrounds: Since the outbreak of new coronavirus pneumonia worldwide, there are no specific drugs up to now. In people’s struggle with the disease, more and more clinical practice shows that traditional Chinese medicine has shown an increasingly important role in the outbreak. Among them, Qingfei Paidu decoction (QFPD) has been widely used in China and overseas Chinese, which has good advantages in the treatment of COVID-19. Although some meta-analyses have studied the efficacy of QFPD in the treatment of COVID-19, the inclusion and exclusion criteria of trials in these studies were not strict enough and their results were not consistent. So, the exact efficacy of QFPD for treating COVID-19 was still questionable. Objective: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of QFPD for COVID-19. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of qualified trials using QFPD to treat COVID-19 was conducted in 11 electronic databases, including Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Springer link, Clinicaltrials.gov, etc. From their establishment to March 1, 2021. Subjects and abstracts of the trials were read in Note Express for preliminary screening, and the full text was read for further screening. Researchers independently extracted the data in duplicate, and the risk of bias of trials was assessed by using the Cochrane collaboration tool, followed by data analysis using Rev Man 5.3. Results: Four trials with 390 participants were included for meta-analysis, revealing that QFPD can effectively shorten the average length of stay in hospital and the time of nucleic acid to turn negative. In terms of adverse reactions, there was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups. Conclusions: These results demonstrated that QFPD could effectively treat COVID-19, improve clinical symptoms, shorten hospital stay and nucleic acid negative time, and no obvious adverse reactions have been found. Compared with other meta-analyses of QFPD, this research has some unique features, including its comprehensiveness, the large-scale of its search and its transparent approach, which may provide some new treatment ideas for clinicians. Keywords: Qingfei Paidu decoction; COVID-19; 2019-NcoV; Systematic review; Meta-analysis

In addition to the rapid, global spread of SARS-CoV-2, new and comparatively more contagious variants are of considerable concern. These emerging mutations have become a threat to the global public health, creating COVID-19 surges in different countries. However, information on these emerging variants is limited and scattered. In this review, we discuss new variants that have emerged worldwide and identify several variants of concern, such as B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1, B.1.617.2 and B.1.1.529, and their basic characteristics. Other significant variants such as C.37, B.1.621, B.1.525, B.1.526, AZ.5, C.1.2, and B.1.617.1 are also discussed. This review highlights the clinical characteristics of these variants, including transmissibility, pathogenicity, susceptible population, and re-infectivity. It provides the latest information on the recent variants of SARS-CoV-2. The summary of this information will help researchers formulate reasonable strategies to curb the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The bond behavior of the interface between carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and steel is an important factor affecting the strengthening effect . In this study, the double-shear and single-shear bonded joints were used to research the influences of test methods and epoxy adhesives on the CFRP-steel interfacial behavior. The test parameters included the joint type, adhesive type and adhesive thickness . The failure mode, ultimate load, strain on the CFRP, interfacial shear stress and bond-slip curve were compared. Test results show that the joint type affects the ultimate load, CFRP strain and interfacial shear stress but has no influence on the bond-slip relationship and failure mode. The ultimate loads of the interfaces tested by the double-shear bonded joints are higher than those of the single-shear bonded joints, and the ratio of the ultimate load is determined by the stiffness ratio between the CFRP plate and steel substrate. The adhesive type can affect the failure mode, ultimate load, shapes of the shear stress distribution and bond-slip curve. The ultimate load of the bonded joints with the adhesive A can reach two times that of the joints with the adhesive S. Compared to the specimen with the adhesive S, the specimen with the adhesive A has a lower peak shear stress but much longer stress transfer length. The bond-slip relationships are approximately bilinear and trapezoidal shape, respectively, for the specimens with the adhesives S and A.

Objective To analyze the differentially expressed genes and key proteins in T cells between acute and chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in children and provide the basis for the prevention and therapies of this disease. Methods Microarray gene chip data from T cells of children with acute or chronic ITP were downloaded from the GEO Database. The gene expression profiles,gene function,and protein interaction network were analyzed by R,QOE,Networkanalyst,GCBI,and GenClip. Results The gene expression profiles between these two groups were significantly different. Among the 54 675 genes analyzed,there were 457 (0.84%) differentially expressed genes between these two groups. In the protein interaction networks among top 20 differentially expressed genes,the core was JUN(down-regulated) and ITCH(up-regulated),which were both related to the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway;differentially expressed genes were mainly related to the activation and tolerance of T cell. Conclusions The gene expression profiles differ between acute and chronic ITP patients,suggesting that the gene transcription profile plays a regulatory role in the different stages of ITP. JUN and ITCH may play a role in predict the progression of ITP and may exert their biological functions by regulating the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway.

In the EtOH/H2O system, by means of heating reflux, V-type amylose-n-octanol complex which B-type microcrystalline starch made a combination with n-octanol was prepared. Through single factor experiments, the effects of the starch/n-octanol ratio, the ethanol concentration, cooling rate, holding temperature and holding time on the crystallinity of the V-type amylose-n-octanol complex have been investigated. The X-ray diffraction was used to analysis the crystal structure of complex. The synthetic conditions were as follows: the starch / n-octanol ratio 10:1, the ethanol concentration 35%, holding temperature 80°C, holding time 60min and cooling rate 5°C/h.V-type amylose-n-octanol complex was prepared under the condition, the crystal structure of complex was V type and the crystallinity reached 61.29%.

To investigate the clinical efficacy of using fiber-reinforced chemical curing resin to close the inter-proximate space of the posterior teeth and block the food impaction.One hundred and sixty-two patients with food impaction of posterior teeth were selected in this study. The total number of the food impaction was 170. They were divided into narrow-gap group and wide-gap group according to the damage of the inter-proximate space. Jingjin enamel adhesive reinforced polyethylene fiber ribbon was used in both group to close the inter-proximate space. The patients were reviewed at 6-month and 1-year. After the second follow-up examination, 161 restorations of 154 patients were included in this study. The differences between the 2 groups were analyzed by Chi-square test with SPSS 13.0 software package.Statistical differences were found in the retention rate of the restorations at 6-month between the 2 groups (P0.05). The retention rate in the narrow-gap group was significantly lower than that in the wide-gap group. However, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups at 1-year. There was no significant difference in integrality between the 2 groups at 6-month and 1-year.The use of fiber-rein forced chemical curing resin to close the inter-proximate space of the posterior teeth and block the food impaction is more suitable for patients with clinical crown elongation, gingival recession, alveolar bone loss and the tissue damages in the inter-proximate space, which will cause food impaction.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bleaching efficacy of non-vital discolored tooth.Thirty-three non-vital discolored anterior teeth with intact crowns from 30 patients were included in this clinical study. Bleaching treatment was performed using a combination of intracoronal and extracoronal applications of 15% carbamide peroxide. Intracoronal bleaching with 30% hydrogen peroxide was used as control group. The effective cases of the experimental group were reexamined one year later. Statistical analysis of all data was performed with SPSS 17.0 software package.Combined therapy with intracoronal and extracoronal applications of 15% carbamide peroxide presented higher bleaching efficacy than intracoronal applications of 30% hydrogen peroxide alone, the difference was significant. But the color shade change one year later was not significant.A combination of intracoronal and extracoronal applications of 15% carbamide peroxide was an effective bleaching technique for non-vital discolored teeth.Supported by Key Research Project of Science and Technology Bureau of Hefei City (Grant No.2007-1016).

The gating of ion channels has widely been modeled by assuming the transition between open and closed states is a memoryless process. Nevertheless, the statistical analysis of an ionic current signal recorded from voltage dependence Ksup+/supsingle channel is presented. Calculating the sample autocorrelation function of the ionic current based on the digitized signals, rather than the sequence of open and closed states durations time. The result is shown existence memory. For difference voltage, the ion channel current fluctuation has difference correlation attributions. The result suggests the correlation character of the ionic current fluctuations. Also the possible biological implication of the findings have been discussed.

The kinetics of ion channels have been widely modeled as a Markov process. In these models it is assumed that the channel protein has a small number of discrete conformational states and kinetic rate constants connecting these states are constant. In this paper, voltage-dependent K/sup +/ channel current is recorded using cell-attached patch-clamp technique in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. Due to various sources of noise, such as, seal leakage, electronic noise in the equipment, and shot noise in the channel. Firstly wavelet packet (WP) analysis is applied denoise, the error analysis shown that max error is 10.658fA, the result shown patch-clamp signals exist partially noise eliminated. Secondly Spectral analysis of ion channel current is studied, the result make known that spectrum is not flat spectrum, the data set from wavelet reconstruction shows considerable variability with a broad 1/f-like spectrum. Thirdly the phase space plot of x(t+/spl Delta/ t) versus x(t) is different for the random and the deterministic process, thus phase space analysis can be used to analyze time series to determine if it was generated by a random or a deterministics mechanism, the result is indicated that the gating kinetics of k/sup +/ channel in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons with nonlinear dynamics properties. Absolute values of C/sub a,b/ coefficients for different scales look similar, while resemblance index also resembles itself at difference scales. Thus, the voltage dependence of the gating of this ion channel exhibits nonlinear dynamics properties.