BackgroundFibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome characterized by chronic and widespread musculoskeletal pain. A number of studies have implied a potential association between gut microbiota and FM. However, the casual association between gut microbiota and FM remains unknown.MethodMendelian randomization (MR) study was conducted using the summary statistics of genetic variants from the genome-wide association study (GWAS). Inverse variance weighted (IVW), combined with MR-Egger and weighted median were used to investigate the causal association between 119 gut microbiota genera and FM. Sensitivity analyses were performed on the MR results, including heterogeneity test, leave-one-out test and pleiotropy test.ResultsA total of 1,295 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) were selected as instrumental variables (IVs), with no significant heterogeneity and pleiotropy according to the sensitivity analyses. Five gut microbiota genera were found to have significant casual association with FM. Coprococcus2 (OR = 2.317, p-value = 0.005, 95% CI: 1.289–4.167), Eggerthella (OR = 1.897, p-value = 0.001, 95% CI: 1.313–2.741) and Lactobacillus (OR = 1.576, p-value =0.020, 95% CI: 1.073–2.315) can increase the risk of FM. FamillyXIIIUCG001 (OR = 0.528, p-value = 0.038, 95% CI: 0.289–0.964) and Olsenella (OR = 0.747, p-value = 0.050, 95% CI: 0.557–1.000) can decrease the risk of FM.ConclusionThis MR study found that gut microbiota is casually associated with FM. New insights into the mechanisms of FM mediated by gut microbiota are provided.

BackgroundCD2v, a critical outer envelope glycoprotein of the African swine fever virus (ASFV), plays a central role in the hemadsorption phenomenon during ASFV infection and is recognized as an essential immunoprotective protein. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting CD2v have demonstrated promise in both diagnosing and combating African swine fever (ASF). The objective of this study was to develop specific monoclonal antibodies against CD2v.MethodsIn this investigation, Recombinant CD2v was expressed in eukaryotic cells, and murine mAbs were generated through meticulous screening and hybridoma cloning. Various techniques, including indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blotting, immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and bio-layer interferometry (BLI), were employed to characterize the mAbs. Epitope mapping was conducted using truncation mutants and epitope peptide mapping.ResultsAn optimal antibody pair for a highly sensitive sandwich ELISA was identified, and the antigenic structures recognized by the mAbs were elucidated. Two linear epitopes highly conserved in ASFV genotype II strains, particularly in Chinese endemic strains, were identified, along with a unique glycosylated epitope. Three mAbs, 2B25, 3G25, and 8G1, effectively blocked CD2v-induced NF-κB activation.ConclusionsThis study provides valuable insights into the antigenic structure of ASFV CD2v. The mAbs obtained in this study hold great potential for use in the development of ASF diagnostic strategies, and the identified epitopes may contribute to vaccine development against ASFV.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has become a major public health crisis worldwide, and the Eastern Mediterranean is one of the most affected areas. Materials and Methods: We use a data-driven approach to assess the characteristics, situation, prevalence, and current intervention actions of the COVID-19 pandemic. We establish a spatial model of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic to project the trend and time distribution of the total confirmed cases and growth rate of daily confirmed cases based on the current intervention actions. Results: The results show that the number of daily confirmed cases, number of active cases, or growth rate of daily confirmed cases of COVID-19 are exhibiting a significant downward trend in Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia under the current interventions, although the total number of confirmed cases and deaths is still increasing. However, it is predicted that the number of total confirmed cases and active cases in Iran and Iraq may continue to increase. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic in Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia will be largely contained if interventions are maintained or tightened. The future is not optimistic, and the intervention response must be further strengthened in Iran and Iraq. The aim of this study is to contribute to the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background South-east Asia and Western Pacific countries have large populations and underreporting of Covid19, which pose challenges to the large-scale response. Methods Data-driven methods are used to evaluate the Government or society’s interventions and the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, and machine learning method are used to forecast the trend of COVID-19 pandemic based on the current management and interventions. Results The results show that. India received low government response index scores in February, and the number of confirmed cases and active cases in September became quite high with large stock and the overall growth rate is higher than 1. The number of daily confirmed cases in Bangladesh, Japan and Philippines is low and on the decline, it is rising in Malaysia and Indonesia. The number of active cases in Bangladesh, Japan, India and Bangladesh has begun to decline, Malaysia and Indonesia is no sign of decline. Bangladesh, Japan and Philippines will be flat or moderating, while Malaysia and Indonesia will still have no slowdown momentum and the situation will be severe. Conclusions The results show that the existing management and interventions responses are effective, although they have room for improvement, and Malaysia and Indonesia need to be improved and strengthened.

Background RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is the key enzyme responsible for the SARS-CoV-2 replication process and catalyzes the synthesis of complementary minus strand RNA and genomic plus strand RNA, often recognized as good targets for antiviral drugs. Materials and Methods A systematic screening of existing antiviral compounds, family analysis, conserved domain analysis, three-dimensional structure modeling, drug virtual screening, and bioassays were performed to identify agents that potentially targeted RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2. Results Four thousand nine hundred and forty seven antiviral lead compounds were selected and evaluated by systematic screening. Of these, 359 agents were screened by family analysis and conserved domain analysis. They were further analyzed by three-dimensional structure modeling, virtual drug screening, and bioassays. The results identified 102 agents with potential for repurposing to target the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion This study identified 102 key agents with potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase function and prospects of rapid clinical application for the treatment of COVID-19.

Background: Studies suggest that neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum play an important role in childhood epilepsy. However, these investigations remain controversial due to inconsistent clinical results. The present study aimed to quantitatively summarize and assess whether CSF and serum NSE levels are associated with epilepsy in children.Methods : A systematic search of the Harvard Hollis+, Clinicaltrials, Open Gray, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases was performed. Studies investigating NSE and epilepsy were identified and retrieved. Original studies with data overlapping those from other investigations and those lacking the necessary data were excluded. The included studies were extracted and synthesized, and data were analyzed using a random-effects model in R Studio and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 3 (Biostat, Englewood, NJ, USA).Results: Random-effects meta-analysis of 26 studies, including 1,360 patients, and 1,256 healthy control, revealed that childhood epilepsy exhibited meaningfully increased CSF and serum levels of NSE compared with controls [Hedges' g = 1.962 (95% confidence interval, 1.413–2.512); P < 0.001]. No single study meaningfully influenced the overall association between CSF and serum levels of NSE and epilepsy after sensitivity analysis. Subgroup analyses according to sample source and assay type revealed a significant association between NSE levels and epilepsy. Stratified analysis confirmed that NSE levels were significantly correlated with the severity of neurological compromise. Metaregression analyses revealed that sample size, mean age, and sex may contribute to effect-size reductions; however, sample source, assay type, and country did not moderate effect size. Funnel plots constructed using the trim-and-fill method confirmed that the outcome of the meta-analysis could not be due to publication bias.Conclusion: The results demonstrated that childhood epilepsy exhibits significantly elevated levels of NSE in the CSF and serum, thus strengthening the association between increased NSE levels and epilepsy.

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa)is a malignancy of the urinary system with a high incidence, which is the second most common male cancer in the world. There are still huge challenges in the treatment of prostate cancer. It is urgent to screen out potential key biomarkers for the pathogenesis and prognosis of PCa. Methods: Multiple gene differential expression profile datasets of PCa tissues and normal prostate tissues were integrated analysis by R software. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of the overlapping Differentially Expressed Genes (DEG) were performed. The STRING online database was used in conjunction with Cytospace software for protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis to define hub genes. The relative mRNA expression of hub genes was detected in Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database. A prognostic gene signature was identified by Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results: Three hundred twelve up-regulated genes and 85 down-regulated genes were identified from three gene expression profiles (GSE69223, GSE3325, GSE55945) and The Cancer Genome Atlas Prostate Adenocarcinoma (TCGA-PRAD) dataset. Seven hub genes (FGF2, FLNA, FLNC, VCL, CAV1, ACTC1, and MYLK) further were detected, which related to the pathogenesis of PCa. Seven prognostic genes (BCO1, BAIAP2L2, C7, AP000844.2, ASB9, MKI67P1, and TMEM272) were screened to construct a prognostic gene signature, which shows good predictive power for survival by the ROC curve analysis. Conclusions: We identified a robust set of new potential key genes in PCa, which would provide reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis and would promote molecular targeting therapy for PCa.

Background With accumulating evidence showing that Chinese sauerkraut consumption may be associated with the developmental of Esophageal cancer.Objective We carried out a analysis by R to Evaluate whether the consumption of Chinese sauerkraut is associated with Esophageal cancer in Chinese populations.Methods Two independent investigators carry out a systematic search through Oct 8, 2019 for all studies. The search terms included Chinese sauerkraut, Chinese pickled vegetable, and Suancai, in combination with Esophageal cancer. Investigators extracted, pooled and analysed data from the included studies using a random-effects model in R.Results A random-effects meta-analysis of all 23 studies, including 32,259 unique participants, indicated that Chinese sauerkraut consumption is associated with a significantly increased risk of Esophageal cancer compared to controls (OR=1.81, 95% CI=1.50-2.19, P=0.00001). Sensitivity analysis showed that no single study significantly influenced the overall association. Most of the subgroup analyses, including those of subtype of EC, geographic area, publication language and year, demonstrated a statistically significant association between consuming Chinese sauerkraut and Esophageal cancer risk. Meta-regression indicated that gender and publication year is positively correlated with effect sizes. Furthermore, the trim-and-fill method used to adjust for funnel plot asymmetry in our meta-analysis confirmed that a positive outcome is unlikely to be due to publication bias.Conclusion The results of this meta-analysis provide evidence that consuming Chinese sauerkraut may increase the risk of Esophageal cancer.

Importance: Accumulating evidence suggests that serum levels of S100B may play a role in epilepsy. Objective: We performed a meta-analysis to quantitatively summarize the serum S100B data available for patients with epilepsy. Data source: Two independent researchers conducted a systematic investigation of the Harvard Hollis+, Open Gray, Clinicaltrials, Wanfangdata, and CNKI databases through Dec 6, 2018, for all studies published in English and Chinese. The search terms included S100B and calcium-binding protein B in combination with epilepsy. Study selection: Original studies and reported data from these search terms are included. Studies where data overlapped with other studies were excluded. Data extraction and synthesis: investigators extracted, pooled and analyzed data from the included studies using a fixed-effects model in the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis3.3 and R software. Main outcomes and measures: Peripheral blood levels of S100B in patients with epilepsy compared with controls. Aberrations in peripheral blood levels of S100B were hypothesized to be related to epilepsy. Results: a fixed-effects meta-analysis of all 18 studies, including 1,057 unique participants, indicated that patients with epilepsy had significantly increased peripheral blood levels of S100B compared to controls (Hedges g = 1.568, 95% CI =1.431-1.706, P < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis showed that no single study significantly influenced the overall association of peripheral blood levels of S100B and epilepsy. Most of the subgroup analyses, including those of country, assay type and publication language, demonstrated a statistically significant association between peripheral blood levels of S100B and epilepsy. Meta-regression analyses indicated that gender (regression coefficient [SE], -0.2524 [0.0641]; 95%CI, -0.3781 to -0.1267; P = 0.0001) and mean age (regression coefficient [SE], -0.1224 [0.0426]; 95% CI, -0.2058 to -0.0390; P = 0.0040) might present serum S100B reductions, but sample size, years, assay type, publication language and country did not show moderating effects on the effect sizes. Furthermore, the trim-and-fill method used to adjust for funnel plot asymmetry in our meta-analysis confirmed that a positive outcome is unlikely to be due to publication bias. Conclusion and relevance: the results of this meta-analysis provide evidence for a significant increase in serum S100B levels in patients with epilepsy. Serum S100B is the most worthwhile biomarker of epilepsy, which is helpful for the clinical diagnosis and prognosis of epilepsy.

Background: Glycyrrhiza uralensis is a traditional Chinese herb, and sales volume of this herb is large. However, adulterant herbal materials threaten trade and consumer safety. Methods：A rapid detection system for the identification of G. uralensis was established using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (Real-Time PCR). The DNA was extracted and the G. uralensis primers were designed. LAMP and Real-Time PCR were performed to assessment the specificity of primers in species. The sensitivity of LAMP and Real-Time PCR was contrast by diluting DNA concentration gradient from 101 ng/μL to 10-5 ng/μL. Results: tThe results showed that LAMP and Real-Time PCR were specificity because G. uralensis were positive while similar species were not. The sensitivity of LAMP was similar to Real-Time PCR at DNA concentration of 10-4ng in 60 min. The results indicated that LAMP and Real-Time PCR are accurately, specificity and sensitivity in the Authenticity Identification of G. uralensis. Conclusions: LAMP is less time-consuming, convenient, and does not require expensive equipment. Thus, these findings suggested that a method system and standard of traditional Chinese herb market supervision should be established based on a DNA barcode sequence and LAMP for authenticity identification.

Adulterant herbal materials are threats to import and export trade and consumer safety. In this study, we established a simple and rapid examination system for the detection of Phellodendron chinense Schneid. Two detection methods, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (real-time PCR) and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), were developed for traditional Chinese medicine detection, and their specificity and sensitivity were compared. The DNA of P. chinense was extracted and its special periods amplified with designed primers. Real-time PCR and LAMP experiments were conducted to test the specificity of primers in contrast to other similar species. The template concentration was diluted from 10 ng/μL to 10 ng/μL in order to contrast sensitivity between real-time PCR and LAMP. Real-time PCR and Lamp method has shown specificity because P. chinense was positive as opposed to other negative similar species. The Lamp method could detect a limited DNA concentration of 10ng/μL in 60 minutes with same sensitivity to real-time PCR. The results indicate that real-time PCR and LAMP are sensitive, accurate and specific in detection of P. chinense. However, LAMP is more convenient and cast less time. What’s more, expensive equipments are not necessary for LAMP detector. For a better detection, we suggest an establishment of a real-time PCR and LAMP method for TCM market supervision which depends on DNA barcode sequences and LAMP.

以中药材银杏叶为试材,采用环介导等温扩增(loop-mediated isothermal amplification,LAMP)方法进行银杏叶真伪鉴定.设计LAMP反应引物,并分别对银杏叶及其混伪品进行LAMP引物特异性试验和LAMP引物灵敏度试验.结果表明:GB1能够有效区分银杏叶样品与常见混伪品,最低检出浓度为4.6×10-5 ng·μ.L-1,灵敏度是普通PCR的10倍.从而建立了快速有效鉴定银杏叶的LAMP方法.

To help identify marine fish and provide a reference standard for identification of Melanogrammus aeglefinus,a standard sample for Melanogrammus aeglefinus is established in this study.With collaboration of eight labs,concentration and quality of DNA are tested.The concentration value is (2.02±0.07) μg (k=2) and the purity value of DNA is 1.82±0.08 (k=2) which indicates good quality of samples.PCR and electrophoresis are used to test the uniformity,stability and value analysis of the samples.The results show that these samples in this study meet the technical requirements of national standards and that the method can be used for calibration and quality control of Melanogrammus aeglefinus.

探讨绝经后阴道出血的常见病因,提出相应的护理方法.对182例绝经后阴道出血的患者进行临床诊断并分析,分析出血原因及病理诊断结果.宫颈疾病、宫体及宫内膜等均可表现为阴道出血的症状,但宫体及宫内膜疾病是阴道不规则出血主要原因,宫颈疾病是存在血性分泌物主要原因,并且,接触性出血由宫颈疾病引起.绝经后阴道出血病因较为复杂,在临床诊断中应警惕癌症的发生,要早做病理检查早治疗,阻止发展为恶性肿瘤.

目的 筛选龙胆Gentiana scabra Bunge、锁阳Cynomorium songaricum Rupr、天花粉Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim.、菟丝子Cuscuta chinensis Lam.的DNA提取方法.方法 通过试剂盒法、SDS法、高盐低pH法、CTAB法以及改良PVP法,对4种中药材DNA进行提取.紫外分光光度、琼脂糖凝胶电泳和PCR扩增进行检测,SPSS20.0软件进行统计学分析.结果 改良PVP法所得4种中药材DNA的得率均较高.SDS法和改良PVP法提取的DNA条带较清晰,高盐低pH法提取者呈弥散状态,试剂盒法和CTAB法提取者几乎看不到条带.试剂盒法和改良PVP法提取的DNA可完全扩增ITS2和psbA-trnH序列,而其他3种方法未能完全扩增.结论 改良PVP法高效简单,最适合提取这4种中药材DNA.

Objective:To establish the simple and rapid examination system for the detection of Glycyrrhiza uralensis.Two detection methods,real-time PCR and LAMP,were developed for Glycyrrhiza uralensis detection,and then their specificity and sensitivity were compared.Methods:Extract the DNA of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and then amplify the special periods with designed primers.Process the red-time PCR and LAMP experiments to test the specificity of primers by the contrast of other species which were similar to Glycyrrhiza uralensis.Dilute the template concentration from 0.67 × 10 ng/μL to 0.67 × 10-5 ng/μL to make a contrast of the sensitivity between real-time PCR and LAMP.Results:Real-time PCR could amplify the special periods of Glycyrrhiza uralensis while other similar species was negative.The lowest concentration which real-time PCR could detect was 0.67 × 10-4 ng/μL.Similarly,the LAMP could detect the lowest concentration which was 0.67 × 10-4 ng/μL in 60 min which show the same sensitivity to the real-time PCR.Besides,the Lamp showed the specificity because other similar species couldn't amplify except Glycyrrhiza uralensis.It's obvious to observe green when put SYBR Green Ⅰ into the LAMP reaction product.Conclusion:The real-time PCR and the LAMP are all sensitive,accurate and specific in the detection However,the LAMP is more convenient and cost less time.What's more,the expensive equipment is not necessary for the LAMP.In a word,the LAMP is a better choice for the detection of Glycyrrhiza uralensis.

植物明胶卡拉胶是一种高分子的硫酸酯多糖,作为一种食品添加剂广泛应用于食品和药品行业,尤其作为药用胶囊壳的原料,可制备空心胶囊、软胶囊等产品.作者综述了从海洋植物中提取植物明胶卡拉胶以及提高产率、增强凝胶强度的研究现状;对提取过程中4个关键步骤:碱处理、酸化漂白、提胶、脱水干燥进行简单的概述,以期为植物明胶卡拉胶的研究和生产提供参考.

Optimize the method on Microwave-assisted solvent extraction of rubber seed oil from rubber seeds.The rubber seed oil was extracted by Microwave-assisted solvent method and the extraction technique parameters were optimized by response surface method (RSM).The three-level four-factor Box-Benhnken design was used to investigate the effects of different extraction temperature,extraction time,the ratio of solid to solution and microwave power on the extraction yield.The composition of the rubber seed oil was analyzed by the gas chromatograph.The optimum extraction conditions are:extraction temperature is 80 ℃,extraction time is 2 h,the ratio of solid to solution is 7∶1 and microwave power is 555 W.Under the above conditions,the maximum yield of rubber seed oil was 41.32％,nine kinds of aliphatic acid were determined.The fatty acids include myristic acid,arachidic acid,octadecanoic acid,palmitic acid,palmitoleic acid,linoleic acid,α-Linolenic acid,oleic acid and eicosenoic acid.The fatty acid content was 0.115 74％,0.244 23％,6.609 85％,9.645 46％,0.288 59％,40.911 7％,18.403 1％,23.632 4％,0.148 92％,respectively.

Polymorphisms in the regulatory regions of cytokine genes can affect the level of cytokine production, and may be associated with predisposition to infectious diseases. Some reports suggest that the cytokine gene polymorphisms can contribute to the susceptibility to brucellosis. The aim of this review is to find out any probable association of genetic polymorphisms of interleukin gene, transforming growth factor gene, tumor necrosis factor gene and other genes with brucellosis in terms of susceptibility to the disease or occurrence of focal complications. The study of this review finds that the inheritance of the above-mentioned gene polymorphisms and alleles are considered conferring susceptibility to brucellosis, and this review would provide the basis for further research and development about susceptibility to brucellosis.