WEVOTE: Weighted Voting Taxonomic Identification Method of Microbial Sequences.

Background: Metagenome shotgun sequencing presents opportunities to identify organisms that may prevent or promote disease. The analysis of sample diversity is achieved by taxonomic identification of metagenomic reads followed by generating an abundance profile. Numerous tools have been developed based on different design principles.

INFECTIOUS ENDOPHTHALMITIS AFTER GLAUCOMA DRAINAGE IMPLANT SURGERY: Clinical Features, Microbial Spectrum, and Outcomes.

Purpose: To report the clinical features, microbial spectrum, and treatment outcomes of endophthalmitis after glaucoma drainage implant (GDI) surgery.

Methods: Records of patients diagnosed with endophthalmitis after GDI surgery were reviewed. Data on clinical course, microbiological laboratory results, and treatment were analyzed.

LMethyR-SVM: Predict Human Enhancers Using Low Methylated Regions based on Weighted Support Vector Machines.

Background: The identification of enhancers is a challenging task. Various types of epigenetic information including histone modification have been utilized in the construction of enhancer prediction models based on a diverse panel of machine learning schemes. However, DNA methylation profiles generated from the whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) have not been fully explored for their potential in enhancer prediction despite the fact that low methylated regions (LMRs) have been implied to be distal active regulatory regions.

A randomized, controlled trial to test the effectiveness of a glaucoma patient navigator to improve appointment adherence.

Purpose: Patients with glaucoma who do not keep their follow-up eye care appointments are at risk for developing more severe ocular disease. The primary aim of the current study was to evaluate whether the use of a patient navigator altered adherence to follow-up eye care appointments in community-versus office-based settings.

Patients And Methods: Patients diagnosed with a glaucoma-related condition following a comprehensive eye examination at 43 community sites in Philadelphia, PA, USA, were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

MicroRNA-21 regulates prostaglandin E2 signaling pathway by targeting 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase in tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) is one of the most aggressive forms of head and neck/oral cancer (HNOC), and is a complex disease with extensive genetic and epigenetic defects, including microRNA deregulation. Identifying the deregulation of microRNA-mRNA regulatory modules (MRMs) is crucial for understanding the role of microRNA in OTSCC.

Methods: A comprehensive bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify MRMs in HNOC by examining the correlation among differentially expressed microRNA and mRNA profiling datasets and integrating with 12 different sequence-based microRNA target prediction algorithms.

k-core percolation on complex networks: Comparing random, localized, and targeted attacks.

The type of malicious attack inflicting on networks greatly influences their stability under ordinary percolation in which a node fails when it becomes disconnected from the giant component. Here we study its generalization, k-core percolation, in which a node fails when it loses connection to a threshold k number of neighbors. We study and compare analytically and by numerical simulations of k-core percolation the stability of networks under random attacks (RA), localized attacks (LA) and targeted attacks (TA), respectively.

[Establishment and evaluation of loop-mediated isothermal amplification based on Plasmodium falciparum unique genes coding PHIST proteins].

Objective: To establish a novel convenient loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method with the unique genes coding Plasmodium helical interspersed sub-telomeric superfamily (PHIST) for the rapid molecular diagnosis of P. falciparum.

Methods: The unique genes coding PHIST with high expression mRNA profile during the ring form or schizont period of P.

Discovery of 3-(5'-Substituted)-Benzimidazole-5-(1-(3,5-dichloropyridin-4-yl)ethoxy)-1H-indazoles as Potent Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors: Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) represents an attractive oncology target for cancer therapy in view of its critical role in promoting cancer formation and progression, as well as causing resistance to approved therapies. In this article, we describe the identification of the potent pan-FGFR inhibitor (R)-21c (FGFR1-4 IC50 values of 0.9, 2.

Discovery of Substituted 1H-Pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine Derivatives as Potent and Selective FGFR Kinase Inhibitors.

Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) are important targets for cancer therapy. Herein, we describe the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a novel series of 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine derivatives as potent and selective FGFR kinase inhibitors. On the basis of its excellent in vitro potency and favorable pharmacokinetic properties, compound 7n was selected for in vivo evaluation and showed significant antitumor activity in a FGFR1-driven H1581 xenograft model.

[Investigation on soil - transmitted nematode infections in national surveillance sites in Jiangsu Province from 2006 to 2015].

Objective: To understand the status of soil-transmitted nematode infections in rural residents so as to provide the evidence for formulating the guidance for prevention and control of the diseases.

Methods: The national surveillance sites of soil-transmitted nematode infections were established in Shuyang County, Suqian City, Jiangsu Province from 2006 to 2015. At least 1 000 fecal samples of residents aged 3 years or above were collected in every autumn, and the intestinal helminth eggs were detected with the Kato-Katz technique and the eggs were detected by the cellophane tape method for children aged 3-12 years.

Determination of liquid's molecular interference function based on X-ray diffraction and dual-energy CT in security screening.

A method for deriving the molecular interference function (MIF) of an unknown liquid for security screening is presented. Based on the effective atomic number reconstructed from dual-energy computed tomography (CT), equivalent molecular formula of the liquid is estimated. After a series of optimizations, the MIF and a new effective atomic number are finally obtained from the X-ray diffraction (XRD) profile.

CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Modification of the NOD Mouse Genome With Ptpn22R619W Mutation Increases Autoimmune Diabetes.

An allelic variant of protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 22 (PTPN22), PTPN22(R620W), is strongly associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in humans and increases the risk of T1D by two- to fourfold. The NOD mouse is a spontaneous T1D model that shares with humans many genetic pathways contributing to T1D. We hypothesized that the introduction of the murine orthologous Ptpn22(R619W) mutation to the NOD genome would enhance the spontaneous development of T1D.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of pyrazolylaminoquinazoline derivatives as highly potent pan-fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibitors.

Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) are important oncology targets due to the dysregulation of this signaling pathway in a wide variety of human cancers. We identified a series of pyrazolylaminoquinazoline derivatives as potent FGFR inhibitors with low nanomolar potency. The representative compound 29 strongly inhibited FGFR1-3 kinase activity and suppressed FGFR signaling transduction in FGFR-addicted cancer cells; FGFRs-driven cell proliferation was also strongly inhibited regardless of mechanistic complexity implicated in FGFR activation, which further confirmed that 29 was a potent pan-FGFR inhibitor.

[Epidemiological investigation of second intermediate hosts of Clonorchis sinensis in Pizhou and Xinyi cities of Jiangsu Province].

Objective: To understand the endemic situation of Clonorchis sinensis in its second intermediate hosts in Pizhou and Xinyi cities of Jiangsu Province, so as to provide the evidence for the further control and treatment.

Methods: Pseudorasbora parva and Abbottina rivularis were caught from the natural water body of Pizhou and Xinyi cities, and the tabletting microscopy method was applied to test the metacercaria of C. sinensis.

ERRγ Is Required for the Metabolic Maturation of Therapeutically Functional Glucose-Responsive β Cells.

Pancreatic β cells undergo postnatal maturation to achieve maximal glucose-responsive insulin secretion, an energy intensive process. We identify estrogen-related receptor γ (ERRγ) expression as a hallmark of adult, but not neonatal β cells. Postnatal induction of ERRγ drives a transcriptional network activating mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, the electron transport chain, and ATP production needed to drive glucose-responsive insulin secretion.

Outcomes of Wound Dehiscence Post-Penetrating Keratoplasty.

Purpose: Penetrating keratoplasties (PKs) carry a lifetime risk of developing wound dehiscence, which can lead to severe consequences to vision. To better understand the risk, we analyzed the characteristics and outcomes of a series of patients with wound dehiscence post-PK.

Methods: Data were collected retrospectively on 31 eyes from 30 patients with a history of wound dehiscence repair post-PK between January 1, 2009, and April 30, 2014, and followed up at the Cornea Service at Wills Eye Hospital.

Effectiveness and Cost of a Personalized Reminder Intervention to Improve Adherence to Glaucoma Care.

Background: Glaucoma is the leadi ng cause of irreversible blindness in the USA. Glaucomatous vision loss is preventable with proper eye care, including appointment adherence. Therefore, interventions that improve appointment adherence can reduce the number of patients with more severe glaucoma.

[Archival tags and geolocation methods for marine animals: A review].

Archival tags, a group of data storable electronic tags, are widely used as strong tools for obtaining long term and large scale activity information of marine animals, specifically highly migratory oceanic fishes, and corresponding environmental data. Though retrieving tags is an indispensable step for obtaining data, which is a shortage of archival tags, a series of achievements have been made on marine animals by using archival tags since the 1990s. With the appearance of pop-up satellite tag, which solved the problem of data retrieving and was fully independent of the fishing, both breadth and depth of marine animals' studies are extended by the end of the 1990s.

[Prokaryotic expression and identification of secretory proteins and peripheral membrane proteins of ].

Objective: To prokaryotic express and identify the recombinant plasmids containing the genes or gene segments which coding secreted or peripheral membrane protein of .

Methods: A number of 28 pET32 (+) previous constructed recombinant plasmids containing these genes or segments were transferred into BL21 (DE3) strain for culture via the CaCl transformation method, and then induced by IPTG for prokaryotic expression. Then, the bacteria were treated by broking the wall with ultrasonic, and the bacterial suspension, supernatant and precipitation were detected with 12% SDS-PAGE.

Sustaining integrating imatinib and interferon-α into maintenance therapy improves survival of patients with Philadelphia positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia ineligible for allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

We report the clinical results of sustainedly integrating imatinib and interferon-α into maintenance therapy in the patients ineligible for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Maintenance therapy lasted for 5 years with imatinib 400 mg daily, interferon-α 3 million units, 2∼3 doses per week, and chemotherapy including vindesine and dexamethasone scheduled monthly in first year, once every 2 months in second year, and once every 3 months in third year. The chemotherapy was discontinued after 3 years and the imatinib and interferon-α continued for another 2 years.

Multi-Omics Approach Identifies Molecular Mechanisms of Plant-Fungus Mycorrhizal Interaction.

In mycorrhizal symbiosis, plant roots form close, mutually beneficial interactions with soil fungi. Before this mycorrhizal interaction can be established however, plant roots must be capable of detecting potential beneficial fungal partners and initiating the gene expression patterns necessary to begin symbiosis. To predict a plant root-mycorrhizal fungi sensor systems, we analyzed in vitro experiments of Populus tremuloides (aspen tree) and Laccaria bicolor (mycorrhizal fungi) interaction and leveraged over 200 previously published transcriptomic experimental data sets, 159 experimentally validated plant transcription factor binding motifs, and more than 120-thousand experimentally validated protein-protein interactions to generate models of pre-mycorrhizal sensor systems in aspen root.

MicroRNA-128 regulates the proliferation and differentiation of bovine skeletal muscle satellite cells by repressing Sp1.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles in muscle cell proliferation and differentiation. The muscle-specific miRNAs miR-1 and miR-206 have been shown to regulate muscle development and promote myogenic differentiation; however, it is likely that a number of other miRNAs play important roles in regulating myogenesis as well. microRNA-128 (miR-128) has been reported to be highly expressed in brain and skeletal muscle, and we found that miR-128 is also up-regulated during bovine skeletal muscle satellite cell differentiation using microarray analysis and qRT-PCR.

Resection of portal and/or superior mesenteric vein and reconstruction by using allogeneic vein for pT3 pancreatic cancer.

Background And Aim: There is still controversy on the outcomes of portal vein (PV) and/or superior mesenteric vein (SMV) resection in pancreatic cancer, and there are few reports about pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with PV/SMV resection and reconstruction by using allogeneic vein. This study is to explore the outcomes of PD with PV/SMV resection and reconstruction by using allogeneic vein for pT3 pancreatic cancer with venous invasion.

Methods: Clinicopathological data of patients underwent PD with en bloc resection of PV/SMV and reconstruction by using internal iliac from August 20, 2013 to July 25, 2015 were collected and the data of patients with pT3 stage pancreatic head cancer with PV/SMV invasion were analyzed.

Factors contributing to nonadherence to follow-up appointments in a resident glaucoma clinic versus primary eye care clinic.

Purpose: To determine the rate of adherence to follow-up appointment recommendations in a resident glaucoma clinic with no mechanism for reminders, compared to a resident cataract and primary eye care (CPEC) clinic in which telephone reminders were used, and to identify factors that contribute to adherence in each patient group.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included subjects in the CPEC clinic who received telephone reminders and those in the glaucoma clinic who did not. Each sample was selected to have a similar proportion of follow-up recommendations for 1, 3, and 6 months.

Correlative Analysis of miRNA Expression and Oncotype Dx Recurrence Score in Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Carcinomas.

Altered expression of miRNAs has been observed in many types of cancer, including breast cancer, and shown to contribute to cancer growth, aggressiveness, and response to therapies. In this pilot study, we investigated the possible correlation of miRNAs with risk of recurrence of estrogen receptor positive, lymph node-negative mammary carcinomas as determined by the Oncotype DX® Breast Cancer assay. To accomplish this, we extracted RNA from a collection of breast carcinomas that had previously been analyzed by Oncotype DX®.