The use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: an updated meta-analysis.

Studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism (VTE). The impact of NOACs on chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) remains controversial. This meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the effectiveness and safety of NOACs compared with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in patients with CTEPH.

Clinical Implications of Estimating Glomerular Filtration Rate with Different Equations in Heart Failure Patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Introduction: The prognostic values of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated by different formulas have not been adequately compared in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Aim: We compared the predictive values of serum creatinine-based eGFRs calculated by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) 2009 equation, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study (MDRD) formula, and full-age-spectrum creatinine (FAS Cr) equation in 1751 HFpEF patients.

Methods: The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC), integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) and net reclassification improvement (NRI) were employed.

Transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling reveals the drought tolerance mechanism of (Schisandraceae).

(Schisandraceae), an endangered medicinal plant endemic to karst areas, is highly tolerant to drought and thus can be used as an ideal material for investigating adaptive mechanism to drought stress. The understanding of the drought tolerance of , especially at the molecular level, is lacking. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the molecular mechanism underlying drought tolerance in endemic plant in karst regions.

Phytohormone Response of Drought-Acclimated (Schisandraceae).

(Schisandraceae), which is an endemic, medicinal, and endangered species found in small and isolated populations that inhabit karst mountain areas, has evolved strategies to adapt to arid environments and is thus an excellent material for exploring the mechanisms of tolerance to severe drought. In experiment I, plants were subjected to three soil watering treatments (CK, well-watered treatment at 50% of the dry soil weight for 18 days; DS, drought stress treatment at 10% of the dry soil weight for 18 days; DS-R, drought-rehydration treatment at 10% of the dry soil weight for 15 days followed by rewatering to 50% of the dry soil weight for another 3 days). The effects of the drought and rehydration treatments on leaf succulence, phytohormones, and phytohormonal signal transduction in plants were investigated.

Efficacy and Safety of Huashi Baidu Granules in the Treatment of Children Suffering from Influenza with Exterior-cold and Interior-heat Syndrome: A Multi-center, Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol.

Background: Influenza is one of the major public health problems worldwide. Children are the high-risk group for influenza and the high-risk population with symptoms. Huashi Baidu(HSBD) Granules have played a great role in fighting against COVID-19.

Establishment of an efficient transformation system and its application in regulatory mechanism analysis of biological macromolecules in tea plants.

Tea (Camellia sinensis), one of the most important beverage crops originated from China and is now cultivated worldwide, provides numerous secondary metabolites that account for its health benefits and rich flavor. However, the lack of an efficient and reliable genetic transformation system has seriously hindered the gene function investigation and precise breeding of C. sinensis.

Loss of flrt2 gene leads to microphthalmia in zebrafish.

As a member of the fibronectin leucine-rich transmembrane (flrt) gene family, fibronectin leucine-rich transmembrane 2 (flrt2) is strongly expressed in a subset of sclerotome cells, and the resultant protein interacts with FGFR1 in the FGF signaling pathway during development. Studies on flrt2 have focused mainly on its roles in the brain, heart and chondrogenesis. However, reports on its expression and function in the zebrafish retina are lacking.

Effects of light intensity on the growth of Hemsl. (Polygalaceae).

Hemsl. (Polygalaceae), a traditional Chinese medicinal species, requires optimal growth conditions for artificial cultivation. Irradiance is one of the primary environmental factors that affects the growth and survival of Hemsl.

Combining Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation to Study the Action and Mechanism of Water extract of Asparagus Against Colorectal Cancer.

(ASP) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine with nourishing, moistening, fire-clearing, cough-suppressing, and intestinal effects. In addition, it exerts anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-aging, immunity-enhancing, and anti-tumor pharmacological effect. The anti-tumor effect of ASP has been studied in hepatocellular carcinoma.

An Integrated Metabolome and Transcriptome Analysis Reveal the Regulation Mechanisms of Flavonoid Biosynthesis in a Purple Tea Plant Cultivar.

Purple tea plant cultivars, enrich with flavonoids and anthocyanins, are valuable materials for manufacturing tea with unique color and flavor. Researchers found that 'Zijuan' leaves changed from purple to green mainly caused by the decreased flavonoids and anthocyanins concentrations. The mechanism of flavonoids and anthocyanin biosynthesis has been studied in many purple tea plant cultivars and the key genes which regulated the biosynthesis of flavonoid and anthocyanins in different purple tea plant cultivars were quite different.

Efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation therapy for type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis.

Background: This meta-analysis was first conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T1DM and T2DM).

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, CNKI, EMBASE, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library for studies published from the establishment of the databases to November 2020. Two researchers independently screened the identified studies, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Risk factors for severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients: A review.

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused an unprecedented global social and economic impact, and high numbers of deaths. Many risk factors have been identified in the progression of COVID-19 into a severe and critical stage, including old age, male gender, underlying comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, chronic lung diseases, heart, liver and kidney diseases, tumors, clinically apparent immunodeficiencies, local immunodeficiencies, such as early type I interferon secretion capacity, and pregnancy. Possible complications include acute kidney injury, coagulation disorders, thoromboembolism.

Relationships of , , and Gene Polymorphisms with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in a Chinese Population.

Background: Solute carrier family 2 member 4- (SLC2A4-) retinol binding protein-4- (RBP4-) phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1)/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) is an adipocyte derived "signalling pathway" that may contribute to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We explored whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of these "signalling pathway" genes are associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: Case-control studies were conducted to compare GDM and control groups.

LncRNA MIAT facilitates osteosarcoma progression by regulating mir-128-3p/VEGFC axis.

The aberrant expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been involved in the progression of many human tumors including osteosarcoma (OS). However, the biological function and the underlying mechanism of the lncRNA myocardial infarction-associated transcript (MIAT) in OS remain unclear. In the present study, we found that lncRNA MIAT was significantly up-regulated in both OS tissues and cell lines, and high expression of MIAT was positively associated with tumor size and lymph node metastasis of OS patients.

Metabolic effects of breastfeed in women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study was undertaken to provide comprehensive analyses of current research developments in the field of breastfeed (BF) and metabolic-related outcomes among women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Database PubMed, Embase, BIOSIS Previews, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched through December 3, 2017. Odds ratio (OR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were pooled by random-effects model using Stata version 12.

LncRNA DANCR promotes cervical cancer progression by upregulating ROCK1 via sponging miR-335-5p.

Emerging evidence highlights the key regulatory roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the initiation and progression of numerous malignancies. The lncRNA identified as differentiation antagonizing nonprotein coding RNA (DANCR) is a novel lncRNA widely involved in the development of multiple human cancers. However, the function of DANCR and its potential molecular mechanism in cervical cancer remain unclear.

Insulin promotes progression of colon cancer by upregulation of ACAT1.

Background: Insulin resistant and the progression of cancer is closely related. The aim of this study was to  investigate the effect of insulin on the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells and its underlying mechanism.

Methods: Colon carcinoma tissues from the 80 cases of colon cancer patients were collected.

Risk factors of renal dysfunction and their interaction in level-low lead exposure paint workers.

Background: To explore the effect of low-level lead exposure on renal dysfunction in paint works, and analyze the interaction between low-level lead exposure and other influence factors of renal dysfunction.

Methods: Seven hundred forty seven workers from Sany Heavy Industry Company and Xiangjiang Kansai Paint Company who have been exposed to paint were chosen by random cluster sampling. Their blood lead level and Urine β2-micro globulin level (renal dysfunction) were tested,risk factors of renal dysfunction in paint workers and their interactions were analyzed.

Comparative efficacy and safety of oral antidiabetic drugs and insulin in treating gestational diabetes mellitus: An updated PRISMA-compliant network meta-analysis.

Background: The safety and efficacy of different drugs in treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients who could not maintain normal glucose level only through diet and exercise remains to be debated. We performed this network meta-analysis (NAM) to compare and rank different antidiabetic drugs in glucose level control and pregnancy outcomes in GDM patients.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase up to December 31, 2016.

Long non-coding RNA CASC2 regulates cell biological behaviour through the MAPK signalling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Long non-coding RNAs have previously been demonstrated to play important roles in regulating human diseases, especially cancer. However, the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of long non-coding RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma have not been extensively studied. The long non-coding RNA CASC2 (cancer susceptibility candidate 2) has been characterised as a tumour suppressor in endometrial cancer and gliomas.

Association between killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in populations: A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis.

Background: Recently, a growing number of studies show that the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) gene polymorphisms may play a role in the systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility. Nonetheless, the results were inconsistent. Thus, a meta-analysis was carried out by integrating multiple research to clarify the association between KIR polymorphisms and SLE susceptibility.

Value of qualitative research in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: This article aims to introduce the benefits of qualitative research and to discuss how such research can be applied to the study of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Data Sources: Relevant articles were published in English as of May 2013 from Pubmed. Terms "polycystic ovary syndrome/PCOS, qualitative research and methodology" were used for searching.

Biophysical characteristics of meridians and acupoints: a systematic review.

As an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupuncture is a convenient and effective therapy with fewer adverse effects. Recently, researches on meridian essence have become core issues of modern TCM. Numerous experiments have demonstrated the objective existence of meridians by different technologies since 1950s, such as biophysics, biochemistry, and molecular biology.